The house of S L Venkatachala Iyer, maternal uncle of V R Krishna Iyer, in Shekharipuram in Palakkad, which was donated to the ‘gramajana samooham’
Palakkad :
The ancestors of V R Krishna Iyer were ardent philanthropists and have their lineage rooted to the ‘agraharams’ in Palakkad. His maternal family in Shekharipuram had donated their house styled ‘Govinda’ to the ‘gramajana samooham’. The palatial house, a portion of which was rented out to meet the daily expense of the Lakshminarayana Swamy Temple in Shekharipuram– which now owns the property– was gifted by Iyer’s uncle, said Latha Ramanan, a neighbour. She said that Iyer’s uncle S L Venkatachala had donated the house before he left for Mumbai. The three sons of Venkatachala are no more, and one of his daughters is settled in Chennai. She said the grandchildren of Venkatachala had planned to construct a building in the compound of the house so that people could gather and recite vedic verses.
Iyer’s paternal family was from Vaidyanathapuram here. His nephew, Dr S V Ramachandran was a renowned surgeon, who stayed near Government Victoria College.
Jana Jagratha Samithi secretary Dr P S Panicker said Iyer was the president of the Janakeeya Prathirodha Samithi, which spearheaded hundreds of protests on varied issues which affected the adivasis, DPEP to cases relating to land encroachments, and other issues affecting the underprivileged.
Dr Panicker reminisced how at the ‘pattaya mela’, by then LDF Government in Attappadi – in which then Chief Minister E K Nayanar participated– Justice Krishna Iyer had said the land distributed to the adivasis at the pattayamela was unfit for cultivation and they should be provided fertile land instead, causing much embarrassment to the hosts.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by A Satish / December 05th, 2014
Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer used to spend his evenings with a walk along the banks of the Kochi backwaters. He has to his credit around 70 books, mostly on law, and four travelogues. Photo: The Hindu Archives
Eminent jurist and former Supreme Court judge, Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, passed away at a private hospital in Kochi around 3.30 p.m. on Thursday. He died due to renal and cardiac failure, hospital sources said. He was hospitalised for a fortnight.
Justice Iyer, known for his forthright views, turned 100 recently. He was sworn in as the judge of the Supreme Court on July 17, 1973 and retired at the age of 65 on November14, 1980.
Born to a leading criminal lawyer V.V. Rama Ayyar in 1915 in Thalassery, Justice Iyer had his education at the Basel Mission School, Thalassery, Victoria College, Palakkad, Annamalai University and Madras Law College. After starting legal practice in 1937 under his father in the Thalassery courts, he used to appear for workers and peasants in several agrarian struggle-related cases in his early years of practice.
He became a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1952. He held portfolios such as law, justice, home, irrigation, power, prisons, social welfare and inland navigation in the first Communist government in Kerala headed by E.M.S. Namboodiripad that came to power in 1957. He was instrumental in passing several pieces of people-oriented legislations during his tenure as minister in the Communist government.
He resumed his legal practice in August 1959 and threw himself into the legal profession after he lost the 1965 Assembly election. He was appointed a judge of the Kerala High Court on July 2, 1968. He was elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court on July 17, 1973, and retired on November, 14, 1980. He served as a Member of the Law Commission from 1971 to 1973.
His landmark judgments include the Shamser Singh case which interpreted the powers of the Cabinet vis-à-vis the President, Maneka Gandhi case which gave a new dimension to Article 21, Ratlam Municipality case, and Muthamma’s case. He had pushed for reformative theory, in contrast to deterrence theory in the criminal justice system. He also received brickbats for granting conditional stay on the Allahabad High Court verdict declaring former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha void.
In 2002, Justice Iyer was part of the citizen’s panel that inquired into the Gujarat riots along with retired justice P.B. Sawant and others. He was conferred with Padma Vibhushan in the 1999. He had unsuccessfully contested to the post of President against Congress nominee late R. Venkitaraman in 1987. He also headed the Kerala Law Reform Commission in 2009. He has to his credit around 70 books, mostly on law, and four travelogues. Wandering in Many Worlds is his autobiography. He has also authored a book in Tamil, Neethimandramum Samanvya Manithanum.
He has been actively involved in social and political life after his retirement, almost till a few weeks when ill-health and advancing age took their toll on him. His 100th birthday was celebrated in Kochi last month and a number of programmes were organised by members of the legal fraternity, citizenry and his friends and well-wishers to felicitate him. Justice Iyer’s wife predeceased him. He is survived by two sons.
The body of Justice Iyer will be taken to the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavanthra, on Friday, where members of the general public will be able to pay homage to the departed jurist, said M.G.Rajamanikyam, Ernakulam district collector. The funeral will take place at Ravipuram crematorium at 6 p.m. on Friday, he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by k. C. Gopakumar / Kochi – December 04th, 2014
Writer C Radhakrishnan and poet S Rameshan Nair have bagged the children’s literature awards instituted by the State Institute of Children’s Literature.
Academy director Nedumudi Harikumar told mediapersons here on Monday that the winning entries were ‘Ammathottil’ and ‘Panchamritham’ in the story and poetry sections respectively. ‘Neelakurinji – Oru Vyazhavattathile Vasantham’ penned by Dr Raju Narayana Swamy and ‘Kuttikazhchakal @ Lakshadeweep’ by S Anitha won the honours in the science and knowledge categories respectively.
The other winners are: Biography: Dr R Satyajith (Sahodaran Ayyappan); drama: Sudhan Nanmanda (Avasanathe Chithram); translation: P Madhavan Pillai and Sreedevi S Kartha; design: N T Rajeev; picture book: N T Rajeev; production: State Institute of Children’s Literature.
Each award consists of a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a citation and plaque.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / December 02nd, 2014
The darshan time at Sabarimala is likely to be increased to handle the rush of Ayyappa devotees to the hill shrine.
Speaking at Sabarimala on the auspicious Vrishchikam 1 (according to the Malayalam calendar) that marked the beginning of the two-month Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, Devaswom minister V S Sivakumar said all preparations have been made to ensure a smooth pilgrimage season.
The ritualistic installation of E N Krishnadas Namboodiri of Paanjal Ezhikode Mana as the new Sabarimala melsanthi, or head priest, was performed on Sunday evening. The morning rituals began with Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam, performed by the new melsanthi. S Kesavan Namboodiri of Mavelikkara was also installed as the new melsanthi of the Malikappuram Devi temple.
About 10,000 devotees reached Pampa on Sunday. Monday witnessed a long queue from Pampa to Sannidhanam, and pilgrims took almost six hours to reach the temple.
The 41-day mandalam festival will conclude on December 27. The temple will reopen for Makaravilakku festival on the afternoon of December 30. The Makaravilakku festival is on January 14.
As many as five lakh pilgrims have already applied for the virtual queue, and they will be given passes at Pampa. Police have deployed 350 personnel at Pampa and 600 men at Sannidhanam. Once Makaravilakku festival begins, police will deploy 2,000 personnel each at Pampa and Sannidhanam.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / TNN / November 18th, 2014
Muhsin Kasim from BSS Gurukulam HSS, Alathur, with the thread pattern work he made in the upper primary category of the work experience competition held at KHM Higher Secondary School, Alathiyur near Tirur, on Thursday. Photo Sakeer Hussain. / The Hindu
Displays of working models of projects draw huge crowds
The State School Science Festival began at various venues around Tirur on an enthusiastic note on Thursday morning.
Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb formally inaugurated the event at Government Boys Higher Secondary School. Director of Public Instructions (DPI) in-charge L. Rajan; MLAs C. Mammootty, Abdurahman Randathani, P. Ubaidulla, and N. Shamsuddin; district panchayat president Suhara Mampad; and Tirur municipal chairperson K. Safiya were present.
While the Government Boys Higher Secondary School (HSS) hosted the science fete, Devadhar Government HSS, Tanur, hosted the mathematical fete.
The social science fair began at Government Higher Secondary School, Niramarathur, and KHM Higher Secondary School hosted the work experience fete. The IT mela began at SSM Polytechnic College.
The working models of scientific projects displayed by students at Government Boys HSS and the live competitions in work experience held at KHM Higher Secondary School, Alathiyur, drew the maximum crowds. More people are expected on Friday and Saturday.
While the students of Ramavilasam HSS, Chokli, presented a working model of a self-sufficient flat system, those from St. Joseph’s HSS, Mathilakam, came up with a multi-functioning pedal power machine.
Safety LPG distribution system, free electricity generator, automatic cleaning toilet, biomass gas production, digital seismograph, high-tech auditorium, and auto headlight dimmer were some of the popular working models on display.
Among the still models, plasma degeneration plant, gas turbine, solar power plant, and Mangalyaan project were some of the popular ones.
The upper primary and the high school science exhibition took place on Thursday. The exhibition of the higher secondary and vocational higher secondary models will be held on Friday. There will be science seminars and quizzes on Friday.
The competition in live demonstration of work experience for high school and higher secondary school category will take place at the KHM HSS on Friday.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Abdul Latheef Nahal / Malappuram – November 28th, 2014
Pilgrims climbing the holy steps of Lord Ayyappa temple | Shaji Vettipuram
Sabarimala :
A pre-paid taxi service from Chengannur railway station to Pampa and Erumeli for the convenience of the pilgrims has been launched.
The service has been introduced based on the order of the Devaswom Bench of Kerala High Court, comprising Justice T R Ramachandran Nair and Justice P V Asha on a report filed by special commissioner K Babu.
At the pre-paid taxi counter, functioning on the Chengannur railway station premises, pilgrims can rent vehicles of their choice and the fare will be based on the route which they prefer to take. Devaswom Commissioner P Venugopal said the quality of aravana prasadam will be ensured.He said the production of aravana was halted on two occasion due to the supply of low quality ingredients by the contractor. The Commissioner said that adequate stock of aravana and appam have been stored in the Devaswom godowns to ensure availability at all times.
The Devaswom authorities has taken measures for setting up a health clinic on Swami Ayyappan Road at Charalmedu, the Commissioner said. The directive to set up clinic at Charalmedu was given by the Devaswom Bench of Kerala High Court on a report filed by Special Commissioner K Babu. The Devaswom authorities has sought the Forest Department’s help in setting up the health clinic, the he said.
The Devaswom has already allotted around `40 lakh to the Forest Department for the setting up of bio-toilets and other amenities for the pilgrims on the Swami Ayyappan Road.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / November 30th, 2014
Some unique and rare collections of stamps ranging from world’s first ‘Penny Black’ to the oldest ones along with India’s heritage stamps were on display at a philately exhibition in Kerala.
The two-day exhibition called ‘Kochipex 2014′, which pulled sizeable crowd including school children to veteran philatelists, began on Thursday in Kochi.
Stamps depicting Jesus Christ’s life (birth to resurrection) and painter-sculptor Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Vitrovian Man’ were also on display at the exhibition.
The exhibition that started with a ceremonial function was a visual treat for the enthusiasts and stamp collectors. The exhibition also gave a chance to exhibit collection of coins and Indian rupee notes for the collectors.
Stamps carrying photos of India’s former politicians and greats like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi among others also attracted visitors.
M Venkateswarlu, Post Master-General, central region of India Post said that such exhibitions should be organised regularly across the country to encourage the hobby of collecting stamps, especially among students.
In a bid to promote straw art, the artists of Kerala State Institute of Design will design 14 showpieces and will display them at the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) scheduled to begin next month. The showpieces will be of historical and tourism icons of the 14 districts.
“The work on these showpieces will commence on December 1 and is expected to be completed by January 10. Each piece will be four feet long and 2.5 feet wide. They will be made by around 100 artists based at Anchalumoodu here who will be guided by 14 master craftsmen,” said K M Anil Muhammed, director, GKSF.
The major icons to be depicted are, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram, the 13 Arch Bridge at Aryankavu of Kollam, Padayani of Pathanamthitta, Nehru Trophy boat race of Alappuzha, arch dam of Idukki, a scene from Thekkady for Kottayam, the Cochin Shipyard from Ernakulam, Thrissur Pooram, paddy fields of Palakkad, Duffmuttu of Malappuram, Kalaripayattu of Kannur, for Kozhikode will be an image of M T Vasudevan Nair, Edakkal caves for Wayanad and the Maliq Dinar mosque for Kasargod.
The organisers said that the artists engaged in the work would be presented with certificates and a bonus and added that once the showpieces were displayed they would be auctioned.
The money gained this way will be used for a social cause, most preferably for palliative care initiatives in the district, said Anil Mohammad.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / November 24th, 2014
B.S. Karthik’s intricate geometric designs create the illusion of depth. / Photo: special arrangement / The Hindu
There are a few rolls of chart-paper kept carefully wrapped in old newspapers in a locked cupboard in one of the classrooms at the Sree Chitra Poor Home Lower Primary School. On three of them are intricate geometric designs, so flawless that they create the illusion of depth and the impression of whorls and arcs when there are only straight lines. They were drawn by a nine-year-old.
The fact that a young child has drawn such complex patterns may not be remarkable in itself. Every year, at the School Science Mathematics Social Science and IT Fair, there are entries for the ‘geometric pattern’ competition that look professional. But, as with the State School arts fete, where the more privileged participants are able to spend a lot on training, costumes, and equipment, the Mathematics Fair too is populated by many such trained candidates.
This is why the achievements of children from the Sree Chitra Poor Home are significant and celebrated by staff and students alike. B.S Karthik, the artist behind the three patterns that are treasured at the school, qualified for the district-level Mathematics Fair and was awarded an ‘A’ grade in the competition recently. He won first place in the Thiruvananthapuram North sub-district contest.
“It took me two days to get these designs right myself. I showed it to him once, and he got it right in the first attempt,” said N. Reeja, one of the teachers. There are no art teachers at this school, where 32 children of the Poor Home are taught. Karthik retraced the steps he followed to draw the designs with only a ruler, pencil, and sketch pen. The competition allows only three hours for three patterns and so there is very little room for error, especially when it comes to filling in the right blocks with colour, said Ms. Reeja. If one angle or a line is out of place even by a fraction, the picture is spoilt. The 9-year-old’s strength lies in the ability to block out all distractions and devote absolute focus to his work.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Kaavya Pradeep Kumar / November 21st, 2014
On the occasion of observing 93rd anniversary of Wagon Tragedy, the darkest chapter of Malabar rebellion during British period on Thursday, a village near Tirur commemorates 40 people hailing from the village, who were killed in the tragedy.
A total of 70 among the 90 odd Mappila rebels who were taken in an air-tight goods wagon from Tirur to Podanur were killed on November 20, 1921. The prisoners were taken into custody when the rebellion was in peak and almost 80 detained rebels were despatched in freight wagon from Tirur to Podanur in Tamilnadu. During the journey about 60 of the rebels suffocated to death in wagon.
It is believed that among the 41 persons from Kuruvambalam who were victims of the tragedy, majority were bachelors who left behind no progeny. “Even the historians and local people were not much aware of the role of the Kruvambalam people in the incident till couple of years ago. According to the elders in the village the youngsters here had played a major role in the struggle against the British during the rebellion and more studies have to be conducted to shed light on the contribution of tragedy victims”, said Salim Kuruvambalam, Malappuram district panachayat member, who took initiative for setting up a memorial for the Wagon Tragedy victims at Kuruvamabalam. The district panchayat president Zuhara Mampad will inaugurate the comemmoration programmes in the village.Historians will also attend the programme.
Talking about role of Kuruvambalam persons in the tragedy, the historian KKN Kurupp said that government should conduct a comprehensive study on the victims of Wagon tragedy and other related incidents of Malabar rebellion. ” As there was no such study held so far the state government should initiate action to start a detailed historical and cultural study on the various incidents during the rebellion period. We are going to observe 100th anniversaty of the rebellion in 2021. But still we have no clear data or official document regarding the incidents and the details of the persons who were killed in Wagon tragedy”, he pointed out.
The historian and scholar M Gangadharan has recently opined that the Wagon tragedy was not a cruellest act of the British oppression during the Malabar rebellion, as about 200 Mappila youngsters pulled out of their house and they were killed infront of their family in October of the same year.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kochi / by T. P. Nijeesh, TNN / November 20th, 2014
