The Hindu : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 23, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Briefly

SCIMST unit completes 5 years

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM FEB. 22. The Comprehensive Care Centre for Movement Disorders at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCIMST) here has completed five years. Since it started its surgical programme in 1998, over 130 patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders have undergone surgery at the Centre, a SCIMST press release said today. The only facility in the country using the planning system for surgeries of movement disorders in the country, the Centre followed internationally accepted protocols in selection, management and evaluation of patients. Micro Electrode Recording (MER) used for intra-operative electrophysiological guidance during the surgeries was acquired in 2000. _ PTI

Call to check conversion

A group of tribals from the North-East today called for a check on conversion of tribals in the region and said that largescale conversion had resulted in the destruction of traditional "janajati" faith and culture. Addressing a press conference here, the leader of the `Jaagata Purvanmchal', a nationwide tour programme of leaders and social workers of the North-East and chairman of the Central Nyedar Namlo (Arunchal Pradesh), Rakhi Tana Tara, said conversion was also triggering off an anti-Indian feeling in the area. "Peace can be re-established in the Northeast only if there is a sense of co-existence which could be guaranteed only by the traditional eternal Janajati faith and culture," he said. The programme was sponsored by the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Alyan Ashram, an NGO working among tribals in the country. _ PTI

Assocham awards presented

THRISSUR FEB. 22. The Excellence in Management Awards for 2004, instituted by the Associated Chamber of Commerce (Assocham), were presented to D. Ramanathan, chief executive officer of Sitaram Pharmacy, and M.C. Paul, Managing Director, KSE Limited, at a function here last night. Among those present on the occasion were P.K. Warrier, managing trustee, Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala, V.M. Xavier of John Mathai Centre, T.R. Raghulal, vice-chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, Manuel Manuel, president, Assocham, and Thejus Purushothaman, secretary.

Karoor remembrance meet

The Kerala Sahitya Akademi will hold a meeting at the Kottayam Public Library Hall on February 25 in remembrance of the writer, Karoor Neelakanta Pillai. The writer, C. V. Sreeraman, will inaugurate the meeting, according to a press release. Rosy Thomas, writer, will be the chief guest. The other speakers include Pala K.M. Mathew, director, State Institute of Children's Literature; Thumbamon Thomas, chairman, Department of Cultural Publications; Babu Kuzhimattom, director, Book Marketing Society, and U.K. Kumaran, vice-president, Sahitya Akademi. A seminar on 'Karoor and his works' will be held at 11-30 a.m. Later, in the evening, Sukumar Azhikode, writer, will inaugurate a public meeting.

Cut in pension age opposed

KOCHI FEB. 22 . The State committee of the All-India Bank Officers' Confederation has protested against the Dhanalakshmi Bank's decision to cut the retiring age of its officers to 58. The committee, meeting here on Sunday, warned that it would strongly oppose the move. It also alleged that the Dhanalakshmi Bank management was imposing its voluntary retirement scheme on the officers.

The committee said the 15,000-strong bank officers would take part in the February 24 national strike.

New office for Crime Branch

PATHANAMTHITTA FEB. 22. The Deputy Inspector General of Police, B. Sandhya, will inaugurate the newly set up office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police Crime Branch at Thiruvalla at 11 a.m. tomorrow. The Superintendent of Police, Dinendra Kashyap, will also address the function.

Man killed in clash

A 48-year-old man, C.K. Vikramankutty of Vadasserikkara Banagalvukadavu Cheriyakaitholil, was killed and three others were injured in a drunken brawl at a toddy shop at Vadasserikara on Saturday night, according to the police. The Ranni police have registered a case in connection with the incident.

Temple ritual

The `pantheerayiram vazhipadu', prior to the annual temple festival, was held at the Thiruvalla Sree Vallabha Temple with religious fervour this forenoon. The ritual comprised of offering 12,001 `Kadali' plantains as `naivedyam' to the presiding deity. The `kodiyettu', to mark the beginning of the 10-day temple festival, will be performed by the temple tantri, Akkeeramon Kalidasa Bhattathiri, on February 24.

Family fete

KOZHIKODE FEB. 22. The District Judge, M. N. Krishnan, inaugurated a family festival organised under the aegis of the Court Complex Staff Recreation Club here recently. The chairman of the club, K. Premnath, presided. The keynote address was delivered by P. K. Gopi, poet. The prizes to the winners in the contests organised on the occasion were presented by the Additional District Judge, B. Kemal Pasha.

Inauguration

The Tourism Minister, P. Sankaran, inaugurated the ground floor of the new building of the District Homeo Hospital at Eranhikkal here recently. The District Panchayat president, M. K. Nalini, presided. A. C. Shanmughadas, MLA, inaugurated the work of the first floor. The District Collector, T. O. Sooraj, inaugurated the 25-bed in-patient block and the Health Committee Standing Committee chairman, K. Narayanankutty, the out-patient block.

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