Kochi: Well known Kerala Industrialist and V-Guard Group Chairman, Kochouseph Chittilappilly, donated one of his kidneys to a man suffering from endlife renal failure. A team of doctors of the Lakeshore hospital here led by Dr George Abraham, Urologist and Dr Aby Abraham, Nephrologist performed the surgery here yesterday. Both the donour and the recepient, Joy Ulahannan, were recovering after the surgery, hospital sources said. Joy's wife has also promised to donate her kidney to another needy
person, hospital sources said. Chittilappilly had a couple of months ago had decided to donate one of his kidneys inspired by Father Davis chiramal who had donated a kidney.
A Kidney bank has been set up which was opened by Chittilappilly recently. Chittilappily, heading the rs 500 crore V-Guard group, was in the news recently when he donned the role of head load worker and unloaded few boxes of cargo of V Star creations, a sister concern of the group, after some trade union activists did not permit his workers unload the cargo.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Congress presents proof against Achuthanandan's son
24 Feb 2011
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's Congress-led opposition Thursday took up Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan's challenge and presented a book which reportedly shows his son V. Arunkumar asking for a bribe to allow a power project to be set up in the state.
It was late Wednesday after a cabinet meeting that Achuthanandan dared the opposition to stop levelling allegations against his son and present proofs.
Addressing reporters here Thursday, Congress legislator V.D. Satheesan said that according to a book written by late technocrat K.P.P. Nambiar, Arunkumar had asked him for a bribe to see that then proposed Kannur Power Project got going.
Satheesan said that the copies of the book, which was released a few years back, were burned, but he still retained a copy.
'Arunkumar works as joint director with the state run Institute of Human Resources Development here and we wish to know how many times has Arunkumar made foreign trips in the past few years. Once he asked me to spare him because he is a 'poor government official'. We know where all he has been and if he has the guts, let him reveal the names of those who were with him in the foreign jaunts.
'Moreover, yesterday he said that his visits were not official. If so, where did he get that much money to go for these foreign trips,' asked Satheesan.
Satheesan also asked Achuthanandan why was his son present when Infosys signed a land deal with the Kerala government for setting up their campus.
'The pictures that came in newspapers then showed the presence of Arunkumar. Also, when officials from Smart City Dubai arrived here for the first time after the Left government assumed office, Arunkumar was present to receive them. We wish to know how come Arunkumar was present, because he has no role in this department nor the affairs of the government,' added Satheesan.
Thursday was the last day of the current session of the state assembly, whose term ends in May.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's Congress-led opposition Thursday took up Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan's challenge and presented a book which reportedly shows his son V. Arunkumar asking for a bribe to allow a power project to be set up in the state.
It was late Wednesday after a cabinet meeting that Achuthanandan dared the opposition to stop levelling allegations against his son and present proofs.
Addressing reporters here Thursday, Congress legislator V.D. Satheesan said that according to a book written by late technocrat K.P.P. Nambiar, Arunkumar had asked him for a bribe to see that then proposed Kannur Power Project got going.
Satheesan said that the copies of the book, which was released a few years back, were burned, but he still retained a copy.
'Arunkumar works as joint director with the state run Institute of Human Resources Development here and we wish to know how many times has Arunkumar made foreign trips in the past few years. Once he asked me to spare him because he is a 'poor government official'. We know where all he has been and if he has the guts, let him reveal the names of those who were with him in the foreign jaunts.
'Moreover, yesterday he said that his visits were not official. If so, where did he get that much money to go for these foreign trips,' asked Satheesan.
Satheesan also asked Achuthanandan why was his son present when Infosys signed a land deal with the Kerala government for setting up their campus.
'The pictures that came in newspapers then showed the presence of Arunkumar. Also, when officials from Smart City Dubai arrived here for the first time after the Left government assumed office, Arunkumar was present to receive them. We wish to know how come Arunkumar was present, because he has no role in this department nor the affairs of the government,' added Satheesan.
Thursday was the last day of the current session of the state assembly, whose term ends in May.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Sreesanth is India's lucky charm
The anticipation is about to end as the World Cup kicks off in Dhaka, with India playing the first game against the team that finished their chances in the West Indies World Cup. There is talk of revenge but that is no way to play cricket because it will only make the batsmen in particular, lose their timing and the bowlers their rhythm as they try too hard.
Revenge is a dish best eaten cold and that is where the two leaders in the Indian team will play a part. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is called 'Captain Cool' for his sangfroid under pressure and Gary Kirsten, the coach, has never been known during his playing days to do anything violently. That will serve India well for it is important for them to begin the campaign with a win.
World Cup: The day of the underdog
They have been magnificent in the warm up games and though not much can be laid to store on those performances, it showed that most Indian players were ready for the fray. The new ball bowlers are a bit of a worry but as Dhoni explained they were under instructions not to go flat out and keep themselves in reserve and step up for the World Cup matches.
The one thing in India's favour is the inclusion of Sreesanth in the team in place of the injured Praveen Kumar. He is India's lucky charm. India won the ICC World T20 when he was in the team and then lost the next two editions and the ICC Champions Trophy when he wasn't there and thereafter whenever he has been in the Indian team the team has given a good account of itself.
All those wrist bands and energy bands and the chains and necklaces have to help and then there is the touching of the ground before he enters it and other rituals. India should not go wrong with all that and so the cup is as good as in India's hands.
There will be other teams of course who will dearly want to upset India's applecart for any team would be upset with the presumption in the Indian media that India has already won the cup. It's pretty much like when England plays the Football World Cup and its media is only speculating who they may play in the finals.
Every other team and its supporters are then only looking to see England's backside kicked and that is exactly the situation with India in cricket. So make no mistake, other teams will be looking to rub India's nose in the Indian dust. The big threats are Australia, the defending champions who are looking to win it for the fourth consecutive time and their skipper Ricky Ponting will have a hat-trick of wins as the leader of the team. They have come back well after the Ashes defeat and are combining well.
Odds favour Asian giants
South Africa is another team that has plenty to play for. They have always been so near yet so far and with a bit of luck could well have happy memories of this cup. Then there is Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Both teams are under the radar and that means that the pressure of expectations is not there and so they can go about their jobs without the attention that teams like India, Australia and South Africa will be getting from the fans and their media. New Zealand is another team that can spring a surprise.
However the real tournament begins with the quarter finals when it will be 'form on the day' that will decide who goes through. That is where everything has to come right for teams including winning the toss.
That is still a month away and in the meanwhile, everybody will be hoping that the tournament begins with a cracker of a game.
Opposition walkout over harrassment of law student
Thiruvananthapuram : The entire Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) members today staged a walkout in the assembly after Speaker K Radhakarishnan refused to allow discussion on an adjournment motion on the attack on a girl student at the law college here by activists of the pro-CPI(M) student organisation.
Raising the issue in the House, P C Vishnunath (Cong) said the girl was pushed out of her scooter, dragged and kicked by three student activists at the PMG junction here on January 24 last.
The police registered a case on the incident only on February 16 as the culprits belonged to the ruling party's student organisation, he said.
The girl, a third year student of the law college, had complained that ever since she stopped working in the organisation after her first year in the college, the accused had been harrassing and threatening her.
Vishnunath alleged that one of the students who harrassed her in the college was the son of a minister. The girl had also complained to the Women's Commission about the harrassment she faced in college, he said.
Admitting that there had been lapse on the part of the police who did not register a case immediately, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said action would be taken against those responsible for the delay.
No government could bear such incidents, he said, adding that a case had been registered against three students whose names were mentioned in the girl's complaint.
Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy said it was shameful that such an incident happened right under the nose of the Home Minister. The accused in the case were treated like VIPs in the police station and the girl was asked by the police to reach a compromise with the accused, he charged.
The police took a case on the incident only after 24 days. Law should take its own course and not a `political'
course,' he said and led the Opposition members out of the House.
Raising the issue in the House, P C Vishnunath (Cong) said the girl was pushed out of her scooter, dragged and kicked by three student activists at the PMG junction here on January 24 last.
The police registered a case on the incident only on February 16 as the culprits belonged to the ruling party's student organisation, he said.
The girl, a third year student of the law college, had complained that ever since she stopped working in the organisation after her first year in the college, the accused had been harrassing and threatening her.
Vishnunath alleged that one of the students who harrassed her in the college was the son of a minister. The girl had also complained to the Women's Commission about the harrassment she faced in college, he said.
Admitting that there had been lapse on the part of the police who did not register a case immediately, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said action would be taken against those responsible for the delay.
No government could bear such incidents, he said, adding that a case had been registered against three students whose names were mentioned in the girl's complaint.
Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy said it was shameful that such an incident happened right under the nose of the Home Minister. The accused in the case were treated like VIPs in the police station and the girl was asked by the police to reach a compromise with the accused, he charged.
The police took a case on the incident only after 24 days. Law should take its own course and not a `political'
course,' he said and led the Opposition members out of the House.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Special court issues arrest warrant against Balakrishna Pillai
16, 2011
Kochi: Five days after the Supreme Court sentenced former Kerala minister R Balakrishnan Pillai to one-year imprisonment in a corruption case, the special court which tried the case, here today directed police to execute an arrest warrant against him before February 19.
The court gave the direction while rejecting a petition filed by Pillai seeking time for the execution of the arrest warrant on health grounds. Reacting to the development, Pillai said he would surrender before the court on February 18.
"My plea has been rejected. I will surrender before the court on February 18. If the police wants to arrest me before that date I would co-operate with them," Pillai told media.
Pillai, leader of the Kerala Congress (B) and a former Electricity Minister in the Congress-led UDF Government, was awarded the punishment by the Apex Court along with a former Chairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and a contractor.
The case related to corruption in awarding contract for construction of tunnel and surge shaft of the Edmalayar Hydro Electric Project in 1980s. The prosecution case was that they entered into a conspiracy that caused a loss of Rs 2 crore to KSEB by awarding contracts.
Kochi: Five days after the Supreme Court sentenced former Kerala minister R Balakrishnan Pillai to one-year imprisonment in a corruption case, the special court which tried the case, here today directed police to execute an arrest warrant against him before February 19.
The court gave the direction while rejecting a petition filed by Pillai seeking time for the execution of the arrest warrant on health grounds. Reacting to the development, Pillai said he would surrender before the court on February 18.
"My plea has been rejected. I will surrender before the court on February 18. If the police wants to arrest me before that date I would co-operate with them," Pillai told media.
Pillai, leader of the Kerala Congress (B) and a former Electricity Minister in the Congress-led UDF Government, was awarded the punishment by the Apex Court along with a former Chairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and a contractor.
The case related to corruption in awarding contract for construction of tunnel and surge shaft of the Edmalayar Hydro Electric Project in 1980s. The prosecution case was that they entered into a conspiracy that caused a loss of Rs 2 crore to KSEB by awarding contracts.
Sudhakaran to explain his remarks on judiciary to party leaders
February 17, 2011
Kannur: Facing flak for his 'anti- judiciary' remarks, Congress MP K Sudhakaran Thursday said he regretted the embarrassment caused by his comments to the party but would explain his position to the leadership.
"My intention was not to attack the judiciary, but to express concern over the unhealthy trend among certain sections of judicial officers. I regret the embarrassment it caused to my party. I will explain my stand to AICC President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala," he told reporters here.
The judiciary and judicial officers should be seen separately, he said, adding what he had sought to raise were political and social issues. Whatever statements are made by Congress leaders in their speeches need not always be taken as the party's official position, he said.
In a speech at a public meeting on February 12 at Kottarakkara in Kollam district, Sudhakaran had said he was witness to a judge being bribed, apparently for getting a favourable decision in a case seeking restoration of bar licences cancelled by the Kerala High Court.
"While referring to unhealthy trends in the judiciary, I had only mentioned an incident which came to my mind at the time," he said. He said he would explain what he had said at the appropriate forum if called upon to do that. Sudhakaran, who represents Kannur in Lok Sabha, made the claim without naming the judge at a function organised to extend moral support to Kerala Congress-B leader R Balakrishna Pillai, who was recently sentenced to one year imprisonment by the Supreme Court in a corruption case.
Virtually disapproving of Sudhakaran's remarks, Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said that there should not be attempts from any quarter to question the judiciary's credibility. Former Chief Justice of India Justice V N Khare had also termed the allegations are ridiculous, but said it should be probed and if not proved, then Sudhakaran should face legal proceedings.
Kannur: Facing flak for his 'anti- judiciary' remarks, Congress MP K Sudhakaran Thursday said he regretted the embarrassment caused by his comments to the party but would explain his position to the leadership.
"My intention was not to attack the judiciary, but to express concern over the unhealthy trend among certain sections of judicial officers. I regret the embarrassment it caused to my party. I will explain my stand to AICC President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala," he told reporters here.
The judiciary and judicial officers should be seen separately, he said, adding what he had sought to raise were political and social issues. Whatever statements are made by Congress leaders in their speeches need not always be taken as the party's official position, he said.
In a speech at a public meeting on February 12 at Kottarakkara in Kollam district, Sudhakaran had said he was witness to a judge being bribed, apparently for getting a favourable decision in a case seeking restoration of bar licences cancelled by the Kerala High Court.
"While referring to unhealthy trends in the judiciary, I had only mentioned an incident which came to my mind at the time," he said. He said he would explain what he had said at the appropriate forum if called upon to do that. Sudhakaran, who represents Kannur in Lok Sabha, made the claim without naming the judge at a function organised to extend moral support to Kerala Congress-B leader R Balakrishna Pillai, who was recently sentenced to one year imprisonment by the Supreme Court in a corruption case.
Virtually disapproving of Sudhakaran's remarks, Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said that there should not be attempts from any quarter to question the judiciary's credibility. Former Chief Justice of India Justice V N Khare had also termed the allegations are ridiculous, but said it should be probed and if not proved, then Sudhakaran should face legal proceedings.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Muraleedharan back in Congress
15 Feb 2011
Thiruvananthapuram: Former KPCC chief and state minister and son of party leader K. Karunakaran, K. Muraleedharan was Tuesday was given readmission to the Congress.
AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Mohsina Kidwai announced that party president Sonia Gandhi has revoked the suspension of Muraleedharan.
She also said that Muraleedharan will get all consideration as a former president of the state unit of the party.
Meanwhile, Muraleedharan expressed happiness for the AICC's decision to take him back to the Congress but expressed sorrow that his father K Karunanakaran was no more to share the moment of joy.
"I am extremely happy that I am Congressman again. But I am sad that my father is no more to share the joy", Muraleedharan told reporters here shortly after AICC general secretary Moshina Kidwai announced in New Delhi the decision to take him back to the Congress Asked if his return to the party would mean that he was going to be a candidate in the state assembly polls due in May, he said
"All that I have asked was the basic membership of the Congress and it is for the leadership to decide rest of things." A formal request for taking back Muraleedharan to the party was made to the AICC president Sonia Gandhi by KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala and the Congress Legislature Party leader Oommen Chandy in Delhi Tuesday.
A former KPCC president, Muraleedharan split the Congress in the state and floated his party DIC-K in May 2005, following a grim phase of faction feud in the state unit when the UDF Government headed by A K Antony was in power. He was then slapped with a six-year suspension by the AICC for breaking the party.
Though Karunakaran returned to the Congress after two years of formation of the new outfit, Muraleedharan later dissolved DIC-K after it proved an electoral flop and went on to head the NCP in the state. After his unsuccessful bid in the 2009 the Lok Sabha polls as an NCP candidate from the Wayanad seat, Muraleedharan resigned from the Sharad Pawar-led party and openly aired his wish to be back in the Congress. Karunakaran, who died in December, was also keen that his son was taken back to the Congress.
Though initially, a section in the state leadership was opposed to taking back Muraleedharan before the suspension period was over, they also eased their stand in recent times, especially after Karunakaran's health condition worsened. His return to the party also received support from the party heavy-weights like A K Antony who advocated a "foreget- and-forgive" approach towards Muraleedharan.
The thinking in Congress circles in the state is that Muraleedharan's return would further strengthen the party-led UDF combine when it is making a vigerous bid to capture power in Kerala from the LDF in the assembly polls due in May. Muraleedharan,who still enjoys some support base and personal following, had worked for the UDF in the civic polls in last October, in which the coalition put up a sterling performance across the state.
Thiruvananthapuram: Former KPCC chief and state minister and son of party leader K. Karunakaran, K. Muraleedharan was Tuesday was given readmission to the Congress.
AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Mohsina Kidwai announced that party president Sonia Gandhi has revoked the suspension of Muraleedharan.
She also said that Muraleedharan will get all consideration as a former president of the state unit of the party.
Meanwhile, Muraleedharan expressed happiness for the AICC's decision to take him back to the Congress but expressed sorrow that his father K Karunanakaran was no more to share the moment of joy.
"I am extremely happy that I am Congressman again. But I am sad that my father is no more to share the joy", Muraleedharan told reporters here shortly after AICC general secretary Moshina Kidwai announced in New Delhi the decision to take him back to the Congress Asked if his return to the party would mean that he was going to be a candidate in the state assembly polls due in May, he said
"All that I have asked was the basic membership of the Congress and it is for the leadership to decide rest of things." A formal request for taking back Muraleedharan to the party was made to the AICC president Sonia Gandhi by KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala and the Congress Legislature Party leader Oommen Chandy in Delhi Tuesday.
A former KPCC president, Muraleedharan split the Congress in the state and floated his party DIC-K in May 2005, following a grim phase of faction feud in the state unit when the UDF Government headed by A K Antony was in power. He was then slapped with a six-year suspension by the AICC for breaking the party.
Though Karunakaran returned to the Congress after two years of formation of the new outfit, Muraleedharan later dissolved DIC-K after it proved an electoral flop and went on to head the NCP in the state. After his unsuccessful bid in the 2009 the Lok Sabha polls as an NCP candidate from the Wayanad seat, Muraleedharan resigned from the Sharad Pawar-led party and openly aired his wish to be back in the Congress. Karunakaran, who died in December, was also keen that his son was taken back to the Congress.
Though initially, a section in the state leadership was opposed to taking back Muraleedharan before the suspension period was over, they also eased their stand in recent times, especially after Karunakaran's health condition worsened. His return to the party also received support from the party heavy-weights like A K Antony who advocated a "foreget- and-forgive" approach towards Muraleedharan.
The thinking in Congress circles in the state is that Muraleedharan's return would further strengthen the party-led UDF combine when it is making a vigerous bid to capture power in Kerala from the LDF in the assembly polls due in May. Muraleedharan,who still enjoys some support base and personal following, had worked for the UDF in the civic polls in last October, in which the coalition put up a sterling performance across the state.
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