Kolkata: UPA ally Trinamool Congress today launched street protests here to demand immediate rollback of fuel price hike, but remained non-committal on BJP's move to bring cut motions to censure the government.
'Let us see the development and we will act as the situation develops,' TC's Chief Whip in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandhopadhay, who led the protests, told PTI when asked whether the party would support BJP's cut motion.
Bandhopadhay, whoseparty faces civic and municipal polls in West Bengal in May-June, said 'in the backof the overall price rise, it is not the appropriate time to increase fuel prices.
'When the budget will be debated we will express our annoyance against the fuel price hike and tell how it will put more burden on the people already hit by soaring prices of essential commodities.'
'The government should not make it a prestige issue and rollback the hike.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Over three million women gather for Pongala festival
More than three million women devotees lit earthen kilns to cook rice and jaggery as offering for the presiding deity of Attukal Bhagavathi temple here Sunday on the occasion of Pongala festival.
The ritual started after the chief priest lit a hearth with fire brought from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The fire was then passed on to the devotees, who stood in lines, stretching up to main roads of the city.
The devotees carrying bricks, firewood, rice, jaggery and coconut then lit up their stoves with the sacred fire to cook the offering for the Attukal Bhagavathi deity, believed to be an incarnation of Kannaki, the central character of the Tamil epic 'Silappathikaaram'.
Devouts from all over south India begun arriving here a few days back to bag a place near the temple, dedicated to Attukal Bhagavathi.
The offering is made on the penultimate day of the 10-day-long Attukal Pongala festival, which is often referred to as the equivalent of the Sabarimala pilgrimage for women.
The offering is prepared using rice, jaggery and coconut and is cooked in three to four hours' time. When the priests spray sacred water from the temple on the cooked rice, the women pack their offering and begin their return journey.
Gopinathan Nair, president of the temple trust said that all arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the festival.
'More than 3,000 police personnel, including 500 women, have been deployed and it is going on smoothly,' said Nair.
Veteran singer K.J. Yesudas and a few political leaders were also present on the occasion. Leading south Indian actors, including the regulars like Chippy, Kalpana and Praveena were seen busy preparing the offering.
The Guinness Book of Records listed the festival as the world's largest annual gathering of women in 1997, when 1.5 million devotees converged here Feb 23.
According to legend, Kannaki destroyed the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu after the king of Madurai wrongfully imposed death penalty on her husband. Kannaki then travelled to Kerala, where she rested for a while at Attukal and women are said to have cooked pongala to appease her.
The ritual started after the chief priest lit a hearth with fire brought from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The fire was then passed on to the devotees, who stood in lines, stretching up to main roads of the city.
The devotees carrying bricks, firewood, rice, jaggery and coconut then lit up their stoves with the sacred fire to cook the offering for the Attukal Bhagavathi deity, believed to be an incarnation of Kannaki, the central character of the Tamil epic 'Silappathikaaram'.
Devouts from all over south India begun arriving here a few days back to bag a place near the temple, dedicated to Attukal Bhagavathi.
The offering is made on the penultimate day of the 10-day-long Attukal Pongala festival, which is often referred to as the equivalent of the Sabarimala pilgrimage for women.
The offering is prepared using rice, jaggery and coconut and is cooked in three to four hours' time. When the priests spray sacred water from the temple on the cooked rice, the women pack their offering and begin their return journey.
Gopinathan Nair, president of the temple trust said that all arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the festival.
'More than 3,000 police personnel, including 500 women, have been deployed and it is going on smoothly,' said Nair.
Veteran singer K.J. Yesudas and a few political leaders were also present on the occasion. Leading south Indian actors, including the regulars like Chippy, Kalpana and Praveena were seen busy preparing the offering.
The Guinness Book of Records listed the festival as the world's largest annual gathering of women in 1997, when 1.5 million devotees converged here Feb 23.
According to legend, Kannaki destroyed the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu after the king of Madurai wrongfully imposed death penalty on her husband. Kannaki then travelled to Kerala, where she rested for a while at Attukal and women are said to have cooked pongala to appease her.
Mammootty extends olive branch to Thilakan -Feb 27
Alappuzha (Kerala), Feb 27 : Malayalam superstar Mammootty Saturday tried to make peace with Thilakan by saying he never called for a ban on the veteran actor in the industry and is willing to work with him.
"I have nothing against Thilakan and will certainly act with him. The issue with Thilakan will be resolved by AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movies Artistes) soon. We never called for a ban of Thilakan. We will make no public statements in this regard and we are not interested in a media trial either," Mammootty said.
Thilakan is in dispute with various film workers' organisations, including the AMMA, for his utterances against some superstars and select directors.
He replied to a show-cause notice from the AMMA, saying he has done no wrong and the question of an apology does not arise.
The dispute led to a public slugfest with both sides taking a dig at each other.
Noted critic Sukumar Azhikode slammed superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal and asked them to stop acting and endorsing jewellery brands.
Azhikode said the two superstars should call it a day and remarked that if both of them come without make up, many people will faint.
To this AMMA president and comic actor Innocent retorted that if Azhikode is to endorse jewellery brands then people who buy it will return them.
Mammootty, trying to bring peace between two sides said since Thilakan expressed his inability to appear before AMMA March 1, then the movie association will give a new date set according to the actor's convenience.
"Thilakan is an elder statesman of our fraternity and instead of keeping away from AMMA, he should be the guiding force to all of us," said Mammootty.
Reacting to Mammootty's statement, Thilakan said: "Honestly I have nothing against Mammootty and Mohanlal and I do respect their talents. I will talk to Mammootty if he calls me."(IANS)
"I have nothing against Thilakan and will certainly act with him. The issue with Thilakan will be resolved by AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movies Artistes) soon. We never called for a ban of Thilakan. We will make no public statements in this regard and we are not interested in a media trial either," Mammootty said.
Thilakan is in dispute with various film workers' organisations, including the AMMA, for his utterances against some superstars and select directors.
He replied to a show-cause notice from the AMMA, saying he has done no wrong and the question of an apology does not arise.
The dispute led to a public slugfest with both sides taking a dig at each other.
Noted critic Sukumar Azhikode slammed superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal and asked them to stop acting and endorsing jewellery brands.
Azhikode said the two superstars should call it a day and remarked that if both of them come without make up, many people will faint.
To this AMMA president and comic actor Innocent retorted that if Azhikode is to endorse jewellery brands then people who buy it will return them.
Mammootty, trying to bring peace between two sides said since Thilakan expressed his inability to appear before AMMA March 1, then the movie association will give a new date set according to the actor's convenience.
"Thilakan is an elder statesman of our fraternity and instead of keeping away from AMMA, he should be the guiding force to all of us," said Mammootty.
Reacting to Mammootty's statement, Thilakan said: "Honestly I have nothing against Mammootty and Mohanlal and I do respect their talents. I will talk to Mammootty if he calls me."(IANS)
Will not comment on Thilakan: Mammootty on Feb 22
Malayalam superstar, Mammootty has declined to comment on the controversy triggered by the outburst of thespian Thilakan.
Mammootty, talking over the phone, said: "I will not say anything. What is there to be said?" He was speaking from the sets of his latest film 'Pokiriraja'.
Actor Thilakan is currently facing the heat from various film bodies, including the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), for his utterances against film organisations in the state.
Discussing his films, including his latest release 'Dhrona', which has not done as expected, the superstar said: "See, it was an excellent subject, but somehow it has not come out well. Mind you, this is the way films are. You win some, you lose some. When there is a setback you go back to the basics, and that is precisely what I do, and fine-tune myself for the next film."
Speaking about his next project, Mammootty said it would be the directorial debut of veteran character and comedy artiste, Jagdeesh.
"I am told that the name of the film is going to be 'Amar Akbar Antony', but don't mistake it for the yesteryears' Hindi film. It is a love story, and I play the role of a technocrat. I heard the story and am yet to see the script," added Mammootty.
The year 2009, was very good for Mammootty with eight releases and a variety of roles. He also received an honorary doctorate from the Kerala University.
However, 2010 appears to have got off on a wrong note with 'Dhrona' bombing at the box office and the Thilakan controversy adding to troubles. At the moment, the AMMA and the other film bodies are strongly behind Mammootty.
Mammootty is a three-time national award winner and into his third decade in the industry.
Veteran Malayalam actor, Thilakan had criticised film organisations for denying him an opportunity to act in the new film 'Christian Brothers'.
Mammootty, talking over the phone, said: "I will not say anything. What is there to be said?" He was speaking from the sets of his latest film 'Pokiriraja'.
Actor Thilakan is currently facing the heat from various film bodies, including the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), for his utterances against film organisations in the state.
Discussing his films, including his latest release 'Dhrona', which has not done as expected, the superstar said: "See, it was an excellent subject, but somehow it has not come out well. Mind you, this is the way films are. You win some, you lose some. When there is a setback you go back to the basics, and that is precisely what I do, and fine-tune myself for the next film."
Speaking about his next project, Mammootty said it would be the directorial debut of veteran character and comedy artiste, Jagdeesh.
"I am told that the name of the film is going to be 'Amar Akbar Antony', but don't mistake it for the yesteryears' Hindi film. It is a love story, and I play the role of a technocrat. I heard the story and am yet to see the script," added Mammootty.
The year 2009, was very good for Mammootty with eight releases and a variety of roles. He also received an honorary doctorate from the Kerala University.
However, 2010 appears to have got off on a wrong note with 'Dhrona' bombing at the box office and the Thilakan controversy adding to troubles. At the moment, the AMMA and the other film bodies are strongly behind Mammootty.
Mammootty is a three-time national award winner and into his third decade in the industry.
Veteran Malayalam actor, Thilakan had criticised film organisations for denying him an opportunity to act in the new film 'Christian Brothers'.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Suspended from party Kollam mayor resigns
Kollam: N Padmalochanan, CPI(M) leader and Kollam mayor, who was suspended from the party for inaugurating the reception committee office of RSS Pranth Sanghik, submitted his resignation from mayors office. But the corporation secretary has declined to accept the letter as the mayor had not given the it in person.
The district committee of the party which met in the morning had listened to the explanation
Padmalochanan tended for attending a RSS function. But the committee did not accept his argument that he went to the RSS function merely in the capacity of the mayor. There was severe criticism against Padmalochanan who was a state committee member of the party and secretary of CITU attending a function of RSS. When his action became a sensational news he had apologized for it in the media. This too was criticised for not being in tune with the party line.
Padmalochanan was in the V.S. faction of the party but he later came to the official side.
The district committee of the party which met in the morning had listened to the explanation
Padmalochanan tended for attending a RSS function. But the committee did not accept his argument that he went to the RSS function merely in the capacity of the mayor. There was severe criticism against Padmalochanan who was a state committee member of the party and secretary of CITU attending a function of RSS. When his action became a sensational news he had apologized for it in the media. This too was criticised for not being in tune with the party line.
Padmalochanan was in the V.S. faction of the party but he later came to the official side.
FM introduces single window system in Kochi
New Delhi: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced setting up of a single window system in Kochi to pay income tax, submit tax returns and complaint redressals . Called `Aayakar
Seva Kendra', this system will be implemented in two more centres namely Pune and Chandigarh, apart from Kochi under the first phase. Under the phase II programme, 4 more regions would be included, Mukherjee said
Seva Kendra', this system will be implemented in two more centres namely Pune and Chandigarh, apart from Kochi under the first phase. Under the phase II programme, 4 more regions would be included, Mukherjee said
Special trains to be run for Attukal Pongala
Thiruvananthapuram : Southern Railway will run special trains between Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam to clear the extra rush of passengers during 'Attukal Pongala'.
The Special train will will leave Kollam at 0400 hrs and will arrive Thiruvananthapuram at 0600 hrs on February 28.
The Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Parasuram express will halt at Mayyanad, Paravur and Kappil. The Lokmanya Tilak-Thiruvananthapuram express will halt at Murukkumpuzha and Kazhakuttam, a railway press release said here.
The Hyderabad-Thiruvananthapuram express will halt at Kappil, Chirayinkeezh
and Kochuveli as part of the 'Attukal Pongala'.
The Special train will will leave Kollam at 0400 hrs and will arrive Thiruvananthapuram at 0600 hrs on February 28.
The Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Parasuram express will halt at Mayyanad, Paravur and Kappil. The Lokmanya Tilak-Thiruvananthapuram express will halt at Murukkumpuzha and Kazhakuttam, a railway press release said here.
The Hyderabad-Thiruvananthapuram express will halt at Kappil, Chirayinkeezh
and Kochuveli as part of the 'Attukal Pongala'.
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