Arthritis camp today
KOZHIKODE: The annual arthritis camp at the Baby Memorial Hospital will be held on Sunday. The consultation will be free and a list of patients requiring hip and knee replacement surgeries and other treatments would be prepared, orthopaedic surgeon Dr N J Mani said. The camp will begin at 9.30 am. The cost of knee replacement surgery using indigenous products would be Rs 80,000 and that of surgery using foreign made products would be Rs 125,000. However, deserving patients will be given treatment free of cost and the hospital will also give discount for patients in the lower income group. The hospital has erected laminar air flow with high efficiency particulate filter to make the exclusive orthopaedic operation theatre bacteria-free. Very few hospitals in South India have this facility.
Mohiniyattam workshop from April 6
KOZHIKODE: Centre for Mohiniyattam, Kerala chapter, will celebrate its fifth anniversary from April 6 by organising workshops on the popular dance form. Addressing a press conference, P Mohandas, centre’s president, said well-known Mohiniyattam exponent Bharathi Shivaji, who is also the director of the centre, would be among those who would participate. Bharati would take special classes for students during the weeklong celebrations. Demonstrations on Mohiniyattam and Kathakali would also be held during the week, he said. Students who had completed 14 years of age would be allowed to participate in the classes, he added.
Grandia-50 begins
KOZHIKODE: The yearlong golden jubilee celebrations of the Malabar Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church, Grandia-50, began. K Muraleedharan, MP, who inaugurated the celebrations at the St George’s Orthodox Cathedral, said Christian settlers, belonging to all denominations, have contributed to the growth of the Malabar region in the past 50 years. ”Instead of accepting this reality, intellectuals are depicting early settlers as land grabbers and encroachers,” Murali said. He also lauded the contributions of the Orthodox community for the agricultural and educational development of the Malabar area. In a message, Catholicos Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II recalled the contributions of the Malabar Diocese and the bonhomie among the laity. Malabar Bishop Thomas Mar Themothios presided over the function. Gevarghese Mar Osthathios delivered the jubilee message.
Cultural extravaganzas to mark Asianet anniversary
KOZHIKODE: Asianet, which is completing a decade in telecasting this year, will organise cultural extravaganzas in six cities across the state, the first of which will begin in Kannur tomorrow. Asianet chairman Reji Menon and managing director K Madhavan told a press conference that eminent persons from various walks of life would be honoured at each venue and artistes from India and abroad would be performing in the programmes. Theyyam artiste Kannan Peruvannan would be honoured at Kannur; Janata Dal (S) leader M P Veerendrakumar, dramatist K T Muhammed, cine star Nedumudi Venu and artist Namboodiri at Kozhikode; Ammanur Madava Chakiar, Sukumar Azhikode and Kunjunni Master at Thrissur; poet Kamala Surayya, V R Krishna Iyer, Kottakkal P S Varrier and M T Vasudevan Nair at Kochi; Malayala Manorama Chief Editor K M Mathew and novelist Ponkunnam Varkey at Kottayam and E K Nayanar, K Karunakaran, Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma and Kavalam Narayanapanicker at Thiruvananthapuram. Reji Menon said the Asianet Communications Limited plans to launch two separate pay channels targeting European audiences and US.
Yuva Morcha yatra from April 28
KOZHIKODE: The Yuva Morcha will take out a Yuva Yatra from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram from April 28 for the propagation of the slogan “New Kerala through Hindutwa”. Yuva Morcha state president M T Ramesh and general secretary K Surendran addressing a press conference said the yatra would conclude at the state capital on May 16 after covering 140 constituencies. The state conference of the Morcha held at Palakkad recently also decided to prepare a list of those who had encroached Adivasi land in Wayanad. A team consisting state vice president M Mohanan, secretary M Ranjith and Wayanad district president K Devadas will start the survey from March 28, they said.
JD to stage anti war protests on March 25
KOZHIKODE: The Janata Dal (JD) state committee has decided to stage anti war protests with the slogan “Stop War” on March 25 against the US-led strikes in Iraq. In a meet held, Janata Dal activists requested the central and state governments to arrange special services for the people abroad to return back to their homeland. State president M P Veerendra Kumar presided over the meet. The panel also decided to stage torch processions against the war.
Kunhirama Menon Award presented
KOZHIKODE: Advocate Kunhirama Menon Memorial Award for the best legal reporting, instituted by the Vigil Human Rights and the Manolokam Group, was presented to P S Sreedharan Pillai by the Sikkim Governor V Ramarao at a function held at Hotel Malabar Palace yesterday. Ramarao in his address said people in the lower strata of the society are more vulnerable to human rights exploitation. A series titled ‘crucifying justice’ published in the Madhyamam weekly had fetched the award for Pillai. Dr M G S Narayanan released a book by Pillai titled Human Rights Today. Colonel Ayillath of Vigil Human Rights received the first copy
Nehru Award for K Velayudhan
KOZHIKODE: K Velayudhan, managing director of Santhosh Pharmacy in Kadalundi Nagar has bagged this year’s Nehru Award. The Nehru Peace Foundation in the state has constituted this award on behalf of Nehru’s 39th death anniversary. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10,001 and a citation. The award would be presented to Velayudhan on May 27 at Thiruvananthapuram. Santhosh Pharmacy has given many contributions in the field of medical science, said the members of the award panel.
Kurooramma Day to be celebrated today
GURUVAYUR: Guruvayur Nair Samajam will celebrate Kurooramma Day on Monday. Guruvayur Narayaneeya Parayana Samithi will recite the Narayaneeyam. Laksharchana will start at 7 am at Kumari Lakshmi Ramachandran Memorial building, near Mammiyur Siva temple. The Siva Padmam award will be presented to Anjam Krishnan Namboothiri at a spiritual meet to be held at 3.30 p.m. The headquarters complex of the Samajam will be inaugurated at 5 pm. Bamboo corporation chairman P T Mohanakrishnan will preside over the function. Prominent cultural leaders and office-bearers of different organisations are to participate in the function.
Three-day refresher course at NIT
KOZHIKODE: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut is planning to conduct a three-day refresher course on ‘ferro cement and fibre reinforced concretes’ from March 19. The course is designed for engineers and contractors. For more details contact T V Gopalan, Department of Training, Placement and Linkage, NIT-C.
Youth Congress meet on March 19
KOZHIKODE: KPCC president K Muraleedharan said the working convention of the Youth Congress would be held on March 10 at Town Hall in Kozhikode. Health Minister P Sankaran, Youth Congress (I) state president K P Anil Kumar, all India general secretary V K Sreekantan are expected to participate in the meet. At the meet held yesterday, district president K Jayanth presided over and others like DCC president M Veerankutty, A Sujanapal, MLA, KPCC executive members P M Suresh Babu, P M Niyas attended.
Five star hotel at Bekal
KOZHIKODE: The Leela Group is planning to construct a five star hotel at Bekal in Kasargod as part of its project to tap the tourism potential of North Kerala. Leela Group chairman Captain Krishnan Nair said the Taj and the Oberoi groups are also keen in setting up their hotels in North Kerala. The hotel project is part of the Leela Group package for North Malabar, which includes the Kannur airport project.
Guruvayur Devaswom to celebrate Poonthanam Day on March 7
GURUVAYUR: The Guruvayur Devaswom will celebrate the Poonthanam Day on March 7. A kavi sammelanam will be held at 10 am at Melpathur auditorium.
Justice G Sasidharan of the Kerala High Court will inaugurate a cultural meeting at 6 p.m. at the same venue. Devaswom chairman P Appukuttan Nambiar will preside over the function.
Presents for the winners of the Poonthanam memorial poem recitation and essay competitions will be distributed in the meeting. A koodiyattom by Kerala Kalamandalam will be staged afterwards.
KDF meet from March 7
KOZHIKODE: The sixth state conference of the Kerala Dalit Federation (KDF) will be held from Friday to Sunday. The conference includes a delegates session, procession, public meeting and panel discussions. Minister M M Hassan, N K Premachandran MP, activist K Panur and KDF state president P Ramabhadran will address various sessions. As many as 25,000 Dalits will take part in the procession to be taken out in the city on Saturday at 4 pm.
Tathva from tomorrow
KOZHIKODE: Tathva, the annual all-India technical festival hosted by the National Institute of Technology – Calicut, will begin tomorrow. Programme co-ordinator Dr Elizabeth Elias and Students Parliament secretary-general Rakesh Kumar told newspersons that students from 60 engineering colleges would participate in the three-day festival. District Collector T O Sooraj would inaugurate the fest on Thursday at 9 am. Paper presentations, design contests and quiz would the major events. Contests in Mathematics and Applied Science are this year’s special items, he said. The notification inviting entries for paper presentations and design contest has evoked good response. As many as 45 entries have reached the NIT-C for design contest, organisers said. The festival will provide a platform for engineering students to showcase their technological and engineering skills.
IUML to stage anti-war rallies on March 15
KOZHIKODE: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has condemned the US attempt to impose war on Iraq violating even the basic etiquettes of international relations. A resolution adopted at the working committee meeting of the party said the world is now suffering the terror of unipolar world anti-human imperialism. IUML urged all the peace-loving people to rise against the US aggression, which eyes the oil fields in Iraq. The meeting resolved to organised panchayat-level anti-war demonstrations on March 15. Another resolution urged the Union Finance Minister to amend the suggestions in the budget proposals related to agricultural sector to save the traditional farm sector. IUML state president Panakkad Syed Muhammadali Shihab Thangal presided over the meeting held at the League House.
Sports Awards presented
KOZHIKODE: The state cultural athletic association joint secretary T M Abdurahman presented the Prof K T Shekaran Smaraka Athletic Awards at a function yesterday. Manju Paulose who bagged the national award for heptathlon in the national amateur athletic meet distributed the award to national medal winners Nisha and Mary John. State Sports Council member V M Mohanan presided over the function. District athletic association vice president V K Thankachan, Kattayatte Venugopal, A Moosahaji, M Haris, A K Mohammed Ashraf, T M Velayudhan, P I Abraham, Zacharia Joseph, M Hassan Koya, V J Zacharia spoke at the function.
SFI meet from Feb 14-18
KOZHIKODE: Former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu and lyricist Javed Akhtar will attend the 11th national conference of the Students Federation of India (SFI) to be held here from February 14 to 18. Addressing a news conference, reception committee chairman V V Dakshinamoorthy and convener T V Rajesh said the conference will begin with a students’ rally on February 14. Jyoti Basu will inaugurate the public meeting at the Corporation Stadium in the evening. SFI all-India secretary Samik Lahri, president Krishnaprasad and CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan will speak. Javed Akthar will open the delegates’ meet at the Tagore Centenary Hall on February 15. As many as 800 delegates from all around the country will take part in the discussions. Seminars on the impact of globalisation on various walks of life have already begun. Muhammad Yusuf Tharigami, Vandana Shiva, O N V Kurup, Sara Joseph and Sumumol Sen have spoken in these seminars. An exhibition on the history of Indian students’ movement will be organised at the Town Hall from February 13.
Veterans’ athletics on Feb 22
KOZHIKODE: The state veterans athletic meet will be held at the Devagiri College on February 22 and 23. District teams will be participating in the meet. The winners will be later proposed to the Kerala Team to participate in the national veterans athletic championship held from April 16-19 at Manipur in Imphal.
KSEB officers stage dharna
KOZHIKODE: The KSEB officers staged a dharna in front of the Vaidyuthi Bhavan to press its various demands. The association demanded that the terms set by the Asian Development Bank for its loans for restructuring of the power sector be rejected. The Kerala State Electricity Board should be retained in the public sector and measures such as ban on appointments and reduction of posts should be stopped. The reduced pension benefits should be restored. K M Raveendranath inaugurated the dharna.
Flower show to conclude today – 5th Feb
KOZHIKODE: The flower show organised by the Calicut Agri-Horticultural Society, that won the hearts of city-folks instantly, at the Apsara Grounds will conclude today. The main attraction yesterday was the carvings on vegetables by Krishnakumar of Nila Carving Service, Ottappalam. It took him five hours to carve out the image of Jesus Christ on pumpkins. The other carvings were crane on ash gourd, dinosaur on bitter gourd and dove on ice. But, the most sought-after item was roses of different varieties. ”It seems people of Kozhikode have a special liking for roses,” said Joseph of Malabar Nursery, which showcased 15 types of roses, including the black rose. There was good demand for orchids too.
IIM-K to hold programme from Feb 13
KOZHIKODE: The Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (IIM-K) will conduct a management programme on Information Technology Management at Hotel Malabar Palace, from February 13 to 15, said a release. The programme will be useful for executives who wish to get an overall perspective on Information Technology and its management challenges and managers who are concerned about harnessing the full potential of Information Technology for the benefit of their organisers. The programme will cover topics including Strategic Management in IT era, e-Governance, HR issues in IT industry, IT Project Management, Knowledge Management, Decision Making Tools, IT-enabled Services, Enterprise Business Applications, Recent trends in IT, Innovations in Problem Solving and useful case studies.
Tathva-2003 begins on March 6
KOZHIKODE: Tathva-2003, the annual national level technical festival being organised by the National Institute of technology- Calicut (NIT-C), will begin on March 6. Many talented students would participate in the three-day event, covering the whole gamut of engineering and science. Paper presentations, design contests, workshops, management games and quizzes on various subjects relating to engineering subjects would be the highlights of the third edition of the festival. Dr Elizabeth Elias is the convener of the programme and Muthun Vijayan chief organising secretary.
Puthoorvattom AMLP school platinum jubilee begins
BALUSSERI: The platinum jubilee celebrations of the Puthoorvattom AMLP school began yesterday. A C Shanmughadas inaugurated the five-day long celebrations, which was presided over by Balusseri grama panchayat president T K Thankamani. Sahitya Academy vice chairman U K Kumaran inaugurated the Balotsavaam.
Vatakara THS emerges champions at THS fete
SULTHAN BATHERY: Technical High School, Vatakara has emerged champions in the State Technical High School Youth Festival, which concluded here yesterday, bagging 46 points. THS Kannur and THS Cheruvathur shared the second place by bagging 28 points each. THS Payyoli won third place by bagging 26 points.
Vaisakh K P of THS Cheruvathur was adjudged ‘kalaprathibha’ (10 points) and Sruthi Satheesh (16 points) of THS Vatakara was adjudged as ‘kalathilakam.’
The valedictory function was inaugurated by N D Appachan, MLA. Nafeesa Ahammed Koya, president Sulthan Bathary panchayath, presided over the function. K L Poulose, president of the Wayanad District Panchayat, gave away prizes to the winners.
Nedungadi Bank amalgamated with PNB
KOZHIKODE: The 103-year-old Nedungadi Bank Limited (NBL) will become part of history today. The bank, which over the years was the backbone of Malabar business life, will get merged with the 107-year-old Punjab National Bank (PNB) with effect from February 1.
Union Finance Ministry issued an order specifying February 1 as the date of the amalgamation. The three-month moratorium on deposits imposed by the Reserve Bank of India on November 2 will also be lifted from today. All the branches of the NBL will begin functioning as the branches of the public sector PNB, based in New Delhi, from February 1. Depositors of NBL can either draw their deposits in full amount today itself or can continue their account with PNB, having one of the largest network in the country. All branches of the NBL will do customer transactions until 5 pm today, chairman J R Prabhu said.
MSF Kalotsavam
PERAMBRA: The MSF Kalotsavam of the Perambra constitutency will begin at Valoor today. Public Works Minister Dr M K Muneer will inaugurate the function this evening at 6 pm. P K K Bava, MLA, C K Subair, K C Mujeeb Rahman and K Mohammed will speak at the meet. N P Hafeez will inaugurate the cultural meet, which will be held tomorrow. Perambra MLA, T P Ramakrishnan, R K Ravi Varma, P M Haneef, P K Feroz, Ramesh Kavil will participate in the meet.
Drama fest to begin today
KOZHIKODE: The drama festival and Literary Festival at the Malabar Mahotsavam will begin today. Dr Sukumar Azhikode, writer and critic would inaugurate the Literary Festival at 5 pm this evening at the Town Hall. Sahitya Academy vice chairman U K Kumaran will preside over the function. As many as hundreds of writers are expected to take part in the festival which is to conclude on February 2. Discussions and seminars in literary sections would be held. K T Mohammed will inaugurate the drama fest at a function held at the Tagore Theatre this evening at 6 pm. District collector T O Sooraj will preside over the function. Famous drama artists like Wilson Samuel, Purushan Kadalundi, N C Sukumaran would be honoured at the function. Later Vyasa Mounam, a play by Shornur Swathi Theatres would be staged.
IT School opened
KOZHIKODE: KPCC president K Muraleedharan inaugurated the new computer lab at the St Joseph’s Boys Higher Secondary School as part of the IT School. PTA president N Sudhakaran, advocate M Rajan spoke at the meet presided over by principal Fr M J Augustine. M Anil Kumar welcomed the gathering and staff secretary P T Johnny proposed a vote of thanks.
Muslim League district meet on Feb 25
KOZHIKODE: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will hold its district meet on February 25, 26, 27 and 28 in Kozhikode with the resolution of the secular advance of the nation’s security. February 14 would be observed as Flag Day. A procession would be organised throughout the district on February 16. The Muslim League district-working panel presided over by its president Syyed Umar Bafaqi Thangal said. Representatives’ meet, Students Yuva Jana meet, symposiums, Pravasi meet and various other programmes would be held.
Malabar Mahotsavam begins today- Jan 29th
KOZHIKODE: All arrangements have been made for the four-day Malabar Mahotsavam beginning today. The eight edition of the mela will come to an end on February 2nd. District collector T O Sooraj and mayor Thottathil Raveendran said at a press meet that the mela would be held in nine venues. Union Deputy Tourism Minister Vinod Khanna is expected to inaugurate the Mahotsavam and if suppose he does not turn up, state Tourism Minister Prof K V Thomas will inaugurate the function. Cine actor Jayaram will light the traditional lamp. District authorities, who had been engaged in a race against time to get the main venue at Corporation Stadium in proper shape before the inauguration, seems to have succeeded. The mela concludes with a musical concert by K J Yesdudas and S Janaki.
Series of seminars
KOZHIKODE: The opening of series of seminars organised as part of the SFI all India meet will be held at 4 pm today at the Kozhikode Medical College Auditorium. M T Vasudevan Nair will inaugurate the seminar on “cultural intrusion and third world countries”. Sara Joseph, K E N Kunhammed, Dr T K Ramachandran will take part in the seminar.
Public Awareness march from Jan 20
KOZHIKODE: The state unit of the National Youth League (NYL), youth wing of the Indian National League (INL), would take out a state-wide Public Awareness march from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod against the anti-people policies of the Congress-led UDF Government. The march would start from Thiruvananthapuram on January 20 and culminate at Kasaragod on February 3, NYL state president and general secretary, P K Shahul Hameed and Neelikandi Salam respectively, said at a press conference. INL state president S A Puthiyavalappil would inaugurate the march, while INL national president Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait would participate in the concluding session, they said. Although the Chief Minister, A K Antony, took out a ‘renaissance yatra’ when UDF came to power, the government had neither lived up to the people’s expectations nor had fulfilled its assurances, they alleged. The march would demand, among other things, to immediately stop exploitation of river and land resources, save agriculture sector from crisis and withdraw ban on recruitments, they added.
Muslim League district meet in Feb
KOZHIKODE: The Muslim League will hold its district meet from February 23 to 28 in Kozhikode with the resolution of the secular advance of the nation’s security. The Muslim League district-working panel presided over by its president Syyed Umar Bafaqi Thangal took this decision. Representatives’ meet, students yuva jana meet, symposiums, Pravasi meet and various other programmes would be held.
Electricity employees state meet begins
KOZHIKODE: The fifteenth state meet of the Kerala Electricity Employees Federation (INTUC) begins in Kozhikode. A march, which started, from the Gandhi Road at 4 pm ended at Muthalakkalam Grounds. The march was led by the organisation general secretary M S Rawther, president K Suresh Babu, DCC president M Veerankutty, C P P Nambiar, R Somasekharan Nair, K Sasidharan, K Damodaran and T N Soman. KPCC president K Muraleedharan MP will inaugurate the state conference of the Kerala Electricity Employees Confederation (INTUC) at the Tagore Centenary Hall today. He will also inaugurate the public meet to be held as part of the conference at Muthalakkulam Maidan.
Orphange fest at Koduvally
THAMARASSERI: The Orphanage Control Board Fest 2003 would be held on January 25 at the Koduvally Muslim Yatheem Khana. This fest is organised by the Kerala State Orphanage Control Board. C Mammootty, MLA will inaugurate the fest. Advocate K Hamsa Haji, T K Kunjahamed Haji, E C Cheriyahmed Haji, advocate P T A Rahim, Kothur Muhammed spoke at the meet.
Murali to open electricity employees’ meet on Jan 11
KOZHIKODE: KPCC president K Muraleedharan MP will inaugurate the state conference of the Kerala Electricity Employees Confederation (INTUC) at the Tagore Centenary Hall tomorrow. He will also inaugurate the public meet to be held as part of the conference at Muthalakkulam Maidan. Electricity Minister Kadavoor Sivadasan will inaugurate the delegates’ session while former labour minister N Ramakrishnan will inaugurate the seminar on ‘Is it necessary to change the style of functioning of trade unions in the new circumstances?’ to be held yesterday.
Benyamin bags literary award
KOZHIKODE: Short story writer Benyamin has won the first Abudhabi Malayalee Samajam Literary Award for outstanding literary work of an expatriate Keralite. The award carries a gold medal, citation and sculptor. Announcing this at a press conference, noted writer T Padmanabhan, who headed the judging committee, described Benyamin’s collection of short stories titled Euthanasia as an excellent portrayal of human realities. Benyamin is a native of Kulanada in Pathanamthitta district. Irunda Vanasthalikal is also his work. The award would be presented during the second week of February.
Pulse Polio Immunisation programme begins
KOZHIKODE: More than two lakh infants under the age of five were yesterday administered oral polio vaccine at 2067 booths arranged across the district as part of the seventh phase of nation-wide Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme. Mayor Thottathil Raveendran inaugurated the programme at Government General Hospital here. District Collector T O Sooraj delivered the keynote address. A Sujanapal, MLA, presided over the function. District Medical Officer Dr D Vimal Raj, Dr N Hema and General Hospital Superintendent Dr Sugesh Dev also spoke. The health department could achieve 95 % of the target in the district. In the next two days, our staff would go for a house-to-house visit to give the vaccine, said DMO Dr Vimal Raj. The second stage of pulse polio programme would be held on February 9.
Auto, taxi strike
KOZHIKODE: Autorickshaws and taxis (Light Motor Vehicles) in the state have started their dawn-to-dusk strike today to protest against the recent hike in fuel prices. Vehicles of Sabarimala pilgrims and other emergency services have been exempted from the strike, said Kerala State Transport Workers Federation General Secretary K Sadirikkoya. However, trade unions affiliated to BMS would not take part in the strike.
Sunni meet to discuss Shariat tenets
KOZHIKODE: The north zone Sunni conference to be held on January 5 under the aegis of the Samastha Kerala Jamaat ul Ulema, Sunni Yuvajana Sanghom among others would explain the beliefs of Islamic Shariat in the context of the Koran. Syed Ali Bafakki Thangal and others said the joint conference was being held against the background of the notions about Islam circulated during the Mujahid conferences.
Atmavidya Sangam state convention on Jan 2
KOZHIKODE: The 76th state convention of the Kerala Atmavidya Sangam will be held at the Town Hall, on January 2 and 3. Writer and critic Dr Sukumar Azhikode, Abdussamad Samadhani, MP, Swami Adyathmananda Saraswati, Dr K M Priyadarshanlal, Dr C P Sivadas and K P A Rahim are among those who will take part.
