Unnecessary Controversies Bog Development - Old.kerala.gov.in ...

Department of
Information &
Public Relations
Government of Kerala
Volume 1 Number 12
Unnecessary Controversies
Bog Development
Chief Minister Mr.A.K. Antony, inaugurating the official language week celebrations in connection
with Kerala Piravi. Information Minister Mr.M.M. Hassan, Mr. Therambil Ramakrishnan MLA
and Mr. Ezhumatoor Rajaraja Varma are close behind.
The Chief Minister Mr. A.K. Antony exhorted the people to dedicate themselves
for creating a new Kerala. “We should be able to go forward and retrieve all the lost
years” – he said, inaugurating the official language week organised in connection with
the Kerala Piravi celebrations at Thiruvananthapuram from 1 st to 7 th November 2003.
Persistance of memory - Chief Minister Mr. A.K. Antony
goes down memory lane with Information & Parliamentary Affairs
Minister Mr.M.M. Hassan, at the photography exhibition of
landmark moments in recent Kerala chronicles, of which they had been
part and parcel. The exhibition was organised by the Information &
Public Relations Department at Thiruvananthapuram, on the
occasion of Kerala Piravi Celebrations.
Mother tongue completes the
democratic process
Only when administration takes place in the language of
the people, will democracy be truly set into motion, said
Mr.M.M. Hassan, Minister for Information and Parliamentary
Affairs, presiding over the state level inauguration of the
Malayalam Day celebrations at the Durbar Hall of the
Government Secretariat.
It is a tri-language formula comprising of mother tongue
Malayalam, national language Hindi and international language
English that is most suited for the Keralite as this will stand
him in good stead for facing the challenges of development
and growth, said the Minister for Finance,
Mr.K.Sankaranarayanan, inaugurating the celebrations.
November 2003
Malayalees live all over the world and
there is not a field of activity that they have
not conquered. But it is doubtful if we
have developed enough to provide at least
the basic necessities for all sections of the
people – the CM said.
Today, our State has become a land of
unnecessary controversies. Right at the
inception of a programme, it is bogged
down with controversies. This is
detrimental to the development of the State.
The Chief Minister called for an attitudinal
change to usher in rapid changes which is
Contd. on page 6
News Letter
November 2003
Kudumbashree should
be globally shared
– UNICEF
The Kudumbashree Project, now
being implemented in the State, is a
role model to be emulated. It deserves
to be well-documented and globally
shared, according to officials from the
UNICEF.
If the main objective of the
project, eradicating poverty, can be
attained, it will be a landmark
achievement for the State, observed
the UNICEF team, comprising Maria
Calivis, the UNICEF representative
in India, and Tim Schaffter, its Kerala
and Tamil Nadu representative.
The team, now on a visit to the
State, as part of a programme of cooperation
between the state
government and the UNICEF, called
on the Chief Minister Mr.A.K.Antony.
The team visited Venganoor
panchayat to have a first hand
experience on the implementation of
the Kudumbashree project.
Their visit was also meant to
finalise the UNICEF programmes for
the State, during the 2003-2007
period.
Information Minister Mr.M.M. Hassan reads out the official language
pledge at the state level inauguration of the Malayalam Week celebrations.
Noted singer Mr. M.G. Radhakrishnan recited Mahakavi
Vallathole’s poem Ente Bhasha (my language). The official
language pledge read out by the Information Minister was
choresed by all assembled, who included secretaries of various
departments. The Chief Secretary Mr.N. Chandrasekharan Nair
delivered the official language message.

2
October
Kerala
Interface
www.prd.kerala.gov.in
www.kerala.gov.in
2003
Making democracy
truely happen
Democracy pure and simple
is rule by the people, for
themselves. English certainly will
place a person in good stead for
facing the challenges of a fast
and competitive world. But if the
people at large do not understand
what is being said and done at
the government level, the system
cannot be democracy per se.
In this context, the
Government’s present campaign
for effecting the official language
change over into Malayalam, with
a time bound programme,
targeted at total conversion in
three years, is the last step in
making democracy truely
functional.
Professional attention given
to all the basic infrastructural
requirements like bringing out
books on standardised usage and
terminology of Malayalam for
use of government officers,
conduct of training programmes
for them, granting recognitions
and incentives to those who put
Malayalam to maximum use in
official communications and the
active campaign for popularising
Malayalam, which has already
been launched, will certainly
deliver the goods.
Editor in Chief
Editor-in-Chief : G. Rajasekaran, IAS
Editor : Xavier Primus Rajan
Circulation : K. Radhakrishnan
Lay out : R. Ratheesh Kumar
Type setting : B. Harikumar
Kerala Interface,
Publication Wing, Department of
Information and Public Relations,
1 st Floor, Secretariat Annexe,
Thiruvananthapuram - 695 001
Phone : 0471 - 2518868,
E-mail : contact@prd.kerala.gov.in
Mad rush forKPFC Bonds
Strengthening the trust of the investing
community by presenting an exemplary
performance, the Kerala Power Finance
Corporation has broken an all time record
within the country by selling its entire 300
crore bonds in just six days, against a
targeted completion of sale within 2
months. The feat achieved, also resounded
with an oversubscription of 72.80 crores.
With this, the Kerala Power Finance
Corporation has become one with the of
1000 crore institutions, in the State.
The Kerala Power Finance Corporation
was instituted in 1998 jointly by the State
Government and the State Electricity Board
for harnessing funds for basic infrastructure
developments in the energy sector.
The corporation has made a working
profit of Rs.214.77 lakh in 2000-01,
Rs.208.68 lakh in 2001-02 and Rs.214.46
lakh in 2002-03. It has disbursed dividends
worth Rs.30.43 lakh, in 2001-01, Rs.34.31
lakh in 2001-2002 and Rs.34.76 lakh in
2002-2003. It has also paid guarantee
commissions to the tune of Rs.2.02 crore
to the Government.
Career guidance
unit in schools
Career guidance and counseling units
will be started in 100 government Higher
Secondary Schools this year. This is in
addition to the 50 units started last year.
Career guidance and counseling
centres will also be opened in all the
districts. The first of these centres was
inaugurated at the EMEA Higher
Secondary School at Kondotty.
Minister for Education Mr.Nalakath Soopy inaugurates
the first district career guidance centre at EMEA
Higher Secondary School, Kondotty, Malappuram
These units and centres are designed
to provide the students with a clear idea
of the career options and opportunities
open before them. Only clearly formulated
aims and objectives would help them set
their targets and achieve goals.
Kerala Tourism wins best
debut destination award
Kerala Tourism won the Best
Debut Destination award at the
International Travel Trade Fair
‘Otdykh-Leisure 2003’, held from
October 15-18 at the Olympic Sports
Complex, Moscow. Otdykh-Leisure is
the main international autumn fair in
Russia and is supported by the
Tourism Department of the Russian
Ministry for Economic Development
and the Moscow City Government.
The award was given on the basis
of the number of enquiries received by Kerala Tourism and the interest generated by it
among the trade participants. Kerala grabbed the attention of participants at the fair, which
included decision makers of the international travel industry.
The Director of Kerala Tourism, Mr. Alkesh Kumar Sharma received the award from the
Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Trade, Mr. Vladimir Strjalkovsky.
“The fair provided the right platform for us to access the Russian market, establish new
business contacts and meet the general public. The large number of enquiries we have
received is extremely encouraging.”, Mr. Alkesh Kumar Sharma said.
This successful foray into the Russian market by Kerala Tourism prompted the Indian
Ambassador to Russia, Mr. K. Reghunath to acknowledge the efforts of Kerala Tourism. He
said that, Kerala’s impressive performance at the fair has now become a factor for more
Russians to visit India.
November 2003

Joshua yearns to study more
Seventy eight year old Joshua has passed the 4 th standard equivalent examination
held by the State Literacy Mission and he wants to learn more. Not that he wants to take
up professional study, but because he wants to relish the flavour of reading. Joshua is
happy that he can now read the Bible, newspapers and bus boards. Gouriamma, also 78,
is another person elated about her achievement.
The certificates were
given away at a function
organised for the purpose at
Thiruvananthapuram, by the
Education Minister Mr.
Nalakathu Soopy. 7055
people passed the examination
from among the 7067
from 662 centers who wrote
Joshua and Gowri Amma being felicitated by the Education Minister
Mr. Nalakath Soopy. Mr. Palode Ravi MLA is also seen.
November 2003
it. Of this, 5811 were
women.
Gear up to defeat competition –farmers told
A stiff competition in the agricultural sector is on the anvil thanks to the forces of
globalisation and our farmers should ready themselves to meet the challenge said Mrs.
K.R. Gowriamma, Minister for Agriculture, inaugurating the ‘Kissan Kerala’scheme,
which is being implemented jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the Indian
Institute of Information and Technology Management, Kerala.(IIITM-K).
The Industries Minister
Mr.P.K. Kunhalikutty who
presided over the function, said
that the efforts of the
government for comprehensive
IT implementation in the State,
would bring about qualitative
changes in the industrial fronts.
‘Kissan Kerala’ Scheme aims
Minsiter for Agriculture Ms.K.R. Gowri Amma inaugurates Kissan Kerala .
at equipping farmers for
producing quality yields and procuring better prices for their produces. Kiosks will be
put up in all panchayats to enable farmers to correspond directly with government
agricultural officers and researchers.
Visuals of Kerala chronicle
attract attention
The exhibition of photographs of milestones in the history
of Kerala by the Department of Information and Public
Relations, at the VJT Hall Thiruvananthapuram, in connection
with the official language week celebrations, attracted a lot of
public attention.
The exhibition, which had rare photographs right from the
swearing in of EMS ministry through the State Film Award
function in which veteran film actor, the late Satyan, receives
his award, visits of Pt. Jawarharlal Nehru, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan,
Lal Bahadur Sasthri, Indira Gandhi, Mother Theresa etc.
attracted the youth most.
Three books, by the publication Wing of Information and
Public Relations Department -Janapatham, (official language
issue), Bharana Bhasha (Official language) and Bharana Bhasha
Kerala
Interface 3
Padana Padhathi (official language learning programme) were
released during the celebrations. Bharana Bhasha and Bharana
Bhasha Padana Padhathi are reprints brought out for use of
government staff.
The periodicals of the Information and Public Relations
Department like
Janapatham, Kerala Calling,
Kerala Interface and
Vikasana Samanwayam
were distributed freely.
Facilities for subscribing
toKerala Calling and
Janapadham were also
provided at the Venue.
168 people enrolled
for these magazines, at
the venue.
Food is of prime
importance
The Government will always give
precedence to food safety and schemes to
alleviate poverty will be implemented on
a priority basis, said Mr. G.Karthikeyan,
Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, in
his message on World Food Day.
In today’s situation when private
participation is on the increase and the
government is slowly withdrawing, it
would be suicidal to withdraw from the
food sector, as it is this parallel distribution
system under government control, which
holds the price of foodstuffs down – the
minister pointed out.
Minister for Food & Civil Supplies, Mr.G. Karthikeyan holds
discussion with officials of Food Corporation of India
When we depend on other states for
our supply of even daily requirements, the
danger which the present under
production in these places portend, should
be cause for our serious concern – he
cautioned. Our agricultural lands are fast
diminishing and water scarcity is on the
increase. These are matters that deserve
immediate attention – the Minister pointed
out.
Connecting the present with the past -
PWD Minister Mr.M.K. Muneer gazes longingly at the
portrait of his father and former Chief Minister, the late
C.H. Muhammed Koya

4
Kerala
Interface
VIIIth IFFK dedicated to platinum jubilee
of Malayalam Cinema
The VIII th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala
(IFFK) being organised at Thiruvananthapuram from 12th to
19th December this year, will be dedicated to 75 years of
Malayalam Cinema. The State Government has announced an
year-long celebration in connection with the platinum jubilee of
the Malayalam Film, Vigathakumaran, which was screened in
Thiruvananthapuram 75 years ago, on November 7, 1928.
It was a silent film produced and directed by Dr.J.C. Daniel,
on a social theme of Kerala. The first Malayalam talkie Balan,
was produced ten years later – in 1938.
The Minister for Culture, G. Karthikeyan said that the
Government and the State Chalachitra Academy planned to bring
out an encyclopaedia and a multimedia CD-ROM on Malayalam
cinema as part of the celebrations.
Well-known directors will
produce 15 short films on Malayalam
cinema.
The Department of Information
& Public Relations will organise an
exhibition of still photographs related to the history of Malayalam
cinema. This exhibition, which will be inaugurated on November
27 Kozhikode, will later move to other centres in the State,
culminating at Thiruvananthapuram on 13th December.
An exhibition of 28 selected Malayalam films will be organised
under the aegis of the KSFDC during the international film
festival.
Tourism focuses on Lakes
The thrill and excitement
shown both by foreigners and
Keralites alike for the lakes of
our State and the
splendid visuals they
provide, has made the
government sit up and
take note.
A Rs.1.46 crore scheme for dotting the lakes of the State
with speed boats, Dingys and pedal boats, has already met
with government approval, said Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister
for Tourism & Fisheries. Of this, a sum of Rs.71.56 lakh will
be available as aid from the Central Government and the first
instalment of Rs.28.5 lakh has already been received – the
Minister said.
The recently concluded Boat Show at Kochi has generated
a lot of interest among the people
for purchasing water scooters, speed
boats and other water sport
equipment.
Government doubles monthly pension
to indigent film artistes and technicians,
in connection with the jubilee.
Veterans of Malayalam Cinema will be
honoured. There are also plans to exhibit old
Malayalam films in villages in co-operation
with the panchayats.
The jubilee programmes will also include an international
campus video festival in which the creations of college students
will be presented. Besides, the academy will compile a collection
of all available documentaries produced in Malayalam till date.
The main objective of the IFFK is the overall development
of Malayalam films and the active participation of the entire
film community will be ensured for the successful conduct of
the festival – said Mr. T.K. Rajeev Kumar, Chairman, Kerala
State Chalachitra Academy. The three main sections of the
festival: Academic, Marketing and
Celebrations, will be manned under
committees represented by film
folks – he said.
All facilities for finding an
international market for Malayalam
films will be available at the festival. Marketing opportunities
for films from different categories will be exploited to the hilt
without sacrificing the quality of the festival – Mr. Rajeev Kumar
said.
There will be an open forum to exchange views and ideas of
the delegates with the directors, actors and technical personnel
behind the movies screened.
Noted athlete Bobby Aloshyus having granted the first instalment of
her fees for graduating in sport sciences from North East Wales Institute, England.
Minister for Sports Mr. K. Sudhakaran and Kerala Sports Council
President Adv. C. Mohanachandran are also seen.
Driving licence for NRI’s without test
NRIs who have a valid driving licence from the country of
their stay can obtain a driving licence here without taking a driving
test. As per the Indian Central Motor Vehicle Act, driving licence
cannot be issued to anyone without passing the test of confidence
and one can appear for the test of confidence only after taking a
learner’s licence.
So, NRIs with valid driving licence of other countries can
obtain a driving licence without a driving test if they take a learners
licence and apply for driving test exemption to the RTO - A
NoRKA press note informs.
November 2003

Withdraw return ticket
norm - CM asks Centre
Chief Minister Mr. A.K. Antony
has requested the Union Minister for
Labour, Mr. Sahib Sing Verma to
withdraw the order nececitating
advance payment for return ticket for
gulf job seekers.
Most of the gulf job seekers from
Kerala, which is reeling under acute
unemployment, are people facing
great financial difficulties. The Chief
Minister requested the Union Minister
to take a more lenient attitude towards
people who go in search of jobs to
foreign countries to make a living.
The Indian Co-operative
Movement is entering its hundredth
year in January 2004 and the Cooperative
week celebrations, its 50 th year
on 14 th November, this year.
Co-operative societies have
assumed importance in Kerala as an
instrument of social change. The
growth of the co-operative sector in the
state is very much linked with the life
of the common man and has become
a panacea to his woes.
In Kerala, the co-operative
movement is spread over all spheres of
activity and has even entered into the
fields of professional education. There
are 21,542 co-operative societies in the
State today, with about 295 lakh
members.
The State level inauguration of the
co-operative week celebrations will be
held at Trissur on 14 th November.
Seminars, cultural pageantry, public
meetings, elocution competition for
students etc will form part of the
celebrations.
Kerala
Interface
Pranams to the Father of
Malayalam Cinema
On 7th November 1928, a silent film produced and directed by J.C. Daniel, on a
social theme of Kerala, titled Vigatha Kumaran was screened at the Capitol theatre in
Thiruvananthapuram, marking the birth of the Malayalam Cinema. This movie bagged
the Public Mirror prize in 1929. The Government of Kerala is celebrating the platinum
jubilee of this event with year long celebrations.
J.C. Daniel woke up to the first rays of the rising world of film industry, in the wee
hours of the 20th century. Barely 30 years from the Lumiere brothers’ invention of
cinema and 15 years from Dada Saheb Phalkhe’s first Indian film Raja Harishchandra,
J.C. Daniel made his
Vigatha Kumaran - the first
full-length Malayalam feature film, in 1928.
Dr. Daniel based his
film on socio-cultural
aspects, a trend that the
Malayalam film industry
emulated and in the years
that followed, unique from
the rest of the Indian film
industry.
Making films has not
been a cakewalk for this
Director, Screenplay Writer, Editor, Make-up
man, Cinematographer,
Actor and Producer, all
rolled into one. He had to
face untold hardships and
sacrifices, which he underwent willingly
consuming himself in the
fire of creativity.
Remembering
He unflinchingly sold
his agricultural land for a
throw away price and J.C. Daniel established his film studio;
The Travancore National
Pictures, at Pattom in
Thiruvananthapuram in 1926 - the first film studio in Kerala.
Daniel was a one-man production unit. He shot with his hand wound camera in
daylight. I have shot live agitations and political movements and my actors used real swords and
daggers in combat - he had said.
Born On the 12th of April 1893 in an affluent agricultural family at Agastheewaram
in Nagercoil in the erstwhile Princely State of Travancore, Daniel had his education
from the Maharaja’s College, Thiruvananthapuram. An exponent of the martial arts of
Adimurai and Marmam he had published a treatise titled Indian Art of Fencing and Sword
play in English, in his 22nd year.
He did all the groundwork for making a l000 ft. documentary on the martial art
forms of the south, becoming perhaps the first Indian to attempt a documentary on a
still sought after art form with the fervent hope of focusing western attention on them.
With a great sense of loss, he had to give it up as his partner pulled out at the last
moment.
Like all geniuses of art, the Father of Malayalam Film Industry, died a pauper in his
82nd year, in May 1975, in a dilapidated house in Agastheeswaram, cowed down by
penury, paralysis and blindness, with no one to nurse or look after.
In recognition of his unrelenting effort and pioneering spirits, the Government of
Kerala has named him “The Father of Malayalam Cinema” and has instituted a prestigious
award in his memory in 1992. This award is given every year for a lifetime contribution
to the overall growth of Malayalam Cinema. On the eve of Malayalam cinema celebrating
its 75th year, let us offer our Pranams to the memory of this stalwart trail blazer of the
Malayalam film Industry.
5
- Xavier Primus Rajan
November 2003

6
Kerala
Interface
Kasaragod wins
Swaraj Trophy
The State Government trophy for the
best District Panchayat has been won by
Kasaragod district for implementing
maximum number of developmental
programmes during 2001-2002. The
district had expended 93 per cent of the
central government and 95 per cent of the
State Government Plan funds.
Kasargod District Panchayat President Ms.E. Padmavathi
receives the Swaraj Trophy from the Minister for Local Self
Government, Mr. Cherkkalam Abdulla.
The district has showcased notable
achievements in public work projects,
building of roads, irrigation, production
of rice, coconut, vegetables, milk etc. and
an increased pass percentage in SSLC
exams by providing more basic facilities
in schools.
The trophy was received by Mrs.
E.Padmavathy, the Kasaragod district
panchayat president from Mr. Cherkalam
Abdulla, Minister for Local Self
Government, at a function organised for
the purpose at Kasaragod.
Another custom goes
to antiquity
The Registrar of Co-operative
Societies has directed that the age old
practice of criers drumming
announcements for co-operative
revenue recoveries be done away with.
As per the amendment to Rule 81 of
Co-operative rules, only in case of
indispensable situations should tomtoming
of public announcements be
resorted to.
The Revenue Department
had done away
with this system long
ago. With this notification
of the Registrar
of Co-operatives,
tomtom,
goes to antiquity.
The organising committee of the Flower Fruit
and Vegetable Show scheduled to be held at
Thiruvananthapuram in January next year has
announced a budget of Rs.90 lakhs for the event.
The committee decided to step up efforts to impart
a national status to the show.
The central Agricultural Products Export
Authority had agreed to co-operate with the show.
The authority will ensure the participation of producers and farmers from different
parts of the country to bring the farmers in Kerala up to date with the latest
advancements in Floriculture. A high-level committee headed by the chairman of
the Authority will visit Thiruvananthapuram soon, for discussions on the arrangements
for the Flower Show.
Of the total allocation of Rs.90 lakh, an amount of Rs. 75 lakh comprises the
budget of various committees. The Kerala Agri-Horticultural Society and the Rose
Society together will provide Rs.15 lakhs.
Minister for Agriculture Ms.K.R. Gowri Amma
releases the Souvenir of the flower fruit & vegetable
show, 2004.
An aquarium show estimated to cost
Rs.2.5 lakhs will be set up at the
Institution of Engineers hall as part of
the Flower Show. At the main venue in
the Kanakakunnu Palace Grounds, eight
nurseries covering an area of 12,000
square feet have already been established
for various species of flowering plants.
The plants are expected to be in full bloom when the show begins.
The stretch of the MG road from Vellayambalam to LMS junction will be
illuminated during the event. As many as 120 avenue trees along this road will be
taken up by sponsors for illumination.
The show will be staged at five venues:- Suryakanthi, Kanakakunnu, Nisagandhi,
Observatory and Institution of Engineers Hall.
Onward for a new Kerala...
Contd. from page 1
the need of the hour.
The change over of the official language to Malayalam will be complete and real in
three years. Six departments will take on Malayalam in toto by this December itself,
Minister for Information and Parliamentary affairs Mr. M.M. Hassan said, presiding
over the function.
Mrs. Sugatha Kumari, Dr. Puthussery Ramachandran and Mr. Nagavalli R.S. Kurup,
whose contributtion is not small for the growth of Malayalam language and literature,
were honoured on the occasion. A book titled, Ente Malayalam Ente Abhimanam (My
Malayalam, My Honour) was released on the occasion.
‘My Malayalam’ website
Chief Minister Mr. A.K. Antony inaugurated www.entemalayalam .org, the
website of NoRKA, designed to get second-generation non-resident Malayalees to
learn Malayalam. This website is a part of the Ente Malayalam Ente Abhimanam
Programme of NoRKA. People from any part of the world can access this
programme through this site which has been designed by C-Dit.
November 2003

Marad gets a permanent cultural centre
A permanent Cultural Centre will be set up at Marad, said
Mr. G. Karthikeyan, Minister for Cultural Affairs. Marad, which
was on focus recently for Communal unrest, will be the venue
for a Cultural meet, Magic show, Musical show, etc in December
this year.
The Sneha Sandesha Yatra under the auspices of ‘Samskara’
held last August, has speeded up the peace process and this was
evident in later developments – the Minister added.
Kerala
Interface
7
Release of ‘Samridhi’, the SUPPLYCO house magazine. Food & Civil Supplies Minister Mr.G.
Karthikeyan hands over the first copy to noted writer Mr.M.R. Manohara Varma.
IT@School Awards
The IT@school awards for the year 2003 has been announced.
Vellanad Government Higher Secondary School, won the
Education Minister’s ‘IT Award 2003.’ The award comprises of
a trophy and Rs.2 lakh. Perambra Higher Secondary school won
the trophy in the aided school category. Cherthalla Education
District won the award for maximum schools with computer labs.
Jamboree on the Air
The State Bharat Scouts and Guides assembled together on
18 th October at their State headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram,
to participate in the largest annual World Scout Meet event,
“Jamboree on the Air”. Scouts and guides from all over the world
exchanged messages, ideas and views through Ham Radio, to
mark the event. The State Bharat Scouts and Guides presented
various programmes such as quiz, Kathaprasangam (story speech),
poetry recitation, songs etc in Malayalam through Ham Radio, to
fellow Scouts and guides from Sri Lanka and Nepal. Their
counterparts from Sri Lanka and Nepal presented programmes
in their respective languages, reciprocally.
The State Scouts and Guides also exchanged goodwill
messages between their counterparts from North Paravur
(Ernakulam), Kannur, Kollam, Alapuzha, Madurai, Tiruppur and
Comibatore, through Ham.
The programme was inaugurated with the conversation of
the State Secretary, with the National Director, on Ham Radio.
November 2003
With technological advancement,
cultural values must not take a back seat
“Akshaya Samskrithi” was organised by the State Information
Technology Misssion on the banks of the river Nila for
spreading the message of safeguarding cultural values while
keeping abreast of technological advancements.
Organised as a part of the ongoing “Akshaya total e-literacy
Campaign”, the Programme was attended by hundreds of people
who took a solemn pledge to safeguard the local culture and
the mother tongue, even while they embrace modern
technology.
The renowned singer, Padmashree Dr. K.J. Yesudas recited
four lines of the Akshaya Cultural Pledge which was chorused by
the gathering. He said that the spirit of love and brothershood
should be kept alive in the minds of people even while they
kept themselves abreast of the advancement in scienece and
technology.
The book ‘Mozhipookal’ a collection of extracts from
leading literary works in Malayalam published by DC Books
for ‘Akshaya’, was released by renowned writer, Mr. M.T.
Vasudevan Nair. He stressed the need for popularising books
through internet and said that technologies should be tapped
for preserving languages and culture.
Bharat Darshan
A group of 17 students and two teachers set out on a tour of
North India for a darshan of our country. The students are the
1 st and 2 nd place winners of last year’s Higher Secondary Youth
Festival. They will perform at the ‘Kerala Piravi’ celebrations in
New Delhi. The troupe will visit historical places in Delhi, Agra
and Jaipur. This tour is the first of a series by the Higher
Secondary Education Department for providing a feel of the
world to the students.
Minister for Education Mr. Nalakath Soopy, seeing off the troup members

Kerala
Interface November 2003
A contingent of 40 artistes
from Orissa with a package of 5
films, descended on the state to
perform at the Tagore Centenary
Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram.
This Oriyan Film and Cultural
Festival has been hosted under the
joint auspices of the Information
and Public Relations Departments
of both the states.
Classical and folk arts of the
culturally rich Orissa, like Odissi, Chhow,
Sambalpuri and internationally acclaimed films like Bhukha
directed by Sabyasachi Mohapatra, Rajgopal mishra’s Lakshmi Ra
Abhisara and Subash Das’s A Aakare Aa were screened.
The three day festival organised from 17th to 19th October,
drew the whole hearted participation of the Oriya and Bengalee
associations of Thiruvananthapuram. The special get together
of the visiting troupes and the Oriyan community in
Thiruvananthapuram, radiated Oriyan camaraderie. Home made
food and sweets were served, relationships were traced and
pleasantries exchanged in Oriya, cutting distances and making
the guests feel at home.
Oriyan Cultural Fete leaves behind
realisations and intense personal experiences
“Cultural exchanges with a national outlook will unite human
minds and help foster our cultural heritage”, said Mr.M.M
Hassan, Minister for Information and Parliamentary Affairs,
inaugurating the festival.
“A meet between two distinct people will spark realisations
and create intense personal experiences”, said Mr.G.
Karthikeyan, Minister for Culture, who presided over the
function. Mr. Karthikeyan also had talks with Dr. Damodar Rout,
Minister for Information, Public Relations and Culture,
Government of Orissa, who was the chief guest of the function
and later confirmed Inter-State cultural exchanges between
Kerala and Orissa in the near future. The Commissioner &
secretary Culture, Government of Orissa, Mr.R. Balakrishnan
was also present the function.
The festival being inaugurated by Mr.M.M Hassan, Minister for Information & Parliamentary
Affairs. Mr.G. Karthikeyan, Minister for Cultural Affairs, Dr. Damodar Rout, Minister for
Information, Public Relations & Culture, Govt. of Orissa, Mr.R. Balakrishnan, Commission &
Secretary, Govt. of Orissa and Mr.G. Rajasekharan, Secretary & Director Information & Public
Relations, Govt. of Kerala are seen among oriyan film directors and artistes.
Twenty films from Asian, African and Latin American
countries are in the race for the Suvarna Chakoram (Golden
Pheasant), the top honour in the competition section of the 8 th
edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) to
be held at Thiruvananthapuram from December 12 to 19. Eight
films have entered the Indian Panorama Section and Six in
Malayalam Cinema Today. ‘World Cinema’ the attraction of the
festival, screens about 40 films. Ms. Chantal Ackerman package
is the coup of the festival. Focus on China and Chris Marker
are two of the other packages.
The best film award, carrying a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh
would be shared by the producer and the director of the award
winning film. Another award of Rs. 1 lakh would be given to
the director of the best film to be selected by the delegates
through a poll.
Four Malayalam films: Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s latest film
Nizhalkkuthu T.V.Chandran’s Padam Onnu: Oru Vilapam, Ravjiv
Vijayaraghavan’s Margam and Sathish Menon’s Bhavam have
found their way into the competition section. World renowned
photographer Mr. Piotr Jaxa, will premier his latest exhibition
of photographs titled Poets of film light during the festival. Kodak
and Cinematographers Combine, will conduct a seminar on
The Cinematographer as co-auhtor.
About 150 films will be screened in five venues, during the
festival.
Ezhuthachan Puraskaram
for T. Padmanabhan
Noted short story writer Mr.T.
Padmanabhan has been chosen for this
year’s Ezhuthachan Award. This
prestigious State Government award
for the overall contribution to
Malayalam language and literature, carries a purse of Rs. 1 lakh,
a statuette and a citation.
Renowned sculptor and Chairman of the Kerala Lalitha
Kala Academy Mr. Kanayi Kunhiraman and noted
Cartoonist Mr. Yesudasan appreciates the stone sculptures.
Granite
sculptures from
the ‘State
G r a n i t e
Sculpture Camp’
organised in
connection with
the inauguration
of the Artist’s
studio of the
Kerala Lalith
Kala Academy
were exhibited at
the Durbar Hall
Kala Kendra.
November 2003
Edited, Printed, Published and Owned by G. Rajasekharan IAS, Director, Department of Information and Public Relations for Government of Kerala.
Published from Thiruvananthapuram and Printed at Akshara Offset, Thiruvananthapuram.
For free circulation