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Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Briefly

Photography competition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM AUG. 28. A State-level agricultural photography competition is being organised in connection with the Golden Jubilee of the `Kerala Karshakan' magazine being brought out by the Farm Information Bureau of the Agricultural Department. Pictures that depict the richness of the agricultural sector of the State in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry or dairy development would be considered for the competition. The entries in colour (12 x 10 cm) along with the original negative should be sent to the Principal Information Officer, Farm Information Bureau (FIB), Kaudiar P.O., Thiruvananthapuram-3, so as to reach him by September 25. The FIB would have the right of the selected photographs and it would be published in the publications of the department, including `Kerala Karshakan'. The entries should not have been published previously or sent for any other competition. Cash awards of Rs. 5,000, Rs. 4,000 and Rs. 3,000 would be given to the first, second and third prize winners respectively. Consolation prizes of Rs. 750 each would be given to 10 persons. More details could be had from the FIB on all working days directly or over telephone.

Decision welcomed

The NGO Association has lauded the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, and the Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayan, for restoring the pre-January 2002 commutation factor for employees retiring from service. Its president, Kampara Narayanan, in a statement, described it as the best thing after the restoration of leave surrender facility. He urged the Government to give retrospective effect to the decision so that some 40,000 employees who had retired from service between January 2002 and July 2004, could also benefit from it. He said that those who had joined service after January 16, 2002, were paid only basic salary till May 2003. He asked the Government to take quick decisions on the arrears to be paid to them and the uncertainty over their pension. He also wanted the Government to pay the salary of the employees for the 31-day period during which they were on strike.

C-DiT bags order

The State Government-owned C-DiT has received orders for preparing the holograms of six prominent scientists of the Pushpa Gujral Science City in Punjab, which is the first science city in the country. The science city is a joint venture of the Union and the Punjab Governments. The C-DiT views the order as a recognition of its efforts to make the hologram technique a creative medium. Meanwhile, the agency is going ahead with a project to prepare life-size holograms of the Chief Ministers and leading Parliamentarians of the State for the Department of Parliamentary Affairs. The project is part of the C-DiT's move to set up the first Holographic Eternal Assembly Gallery of the country in Kerala.

SSLC grading system

KOZHIKODE AUG. 28. The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) has criticised the decision of the Government to postpone the SSLC grading system, and described it as a retrograde step. The decision would place the students in a difficult position. K.K. Sivadasan, State convener of the KSSP Education Committee, pointed out that classes had already been conducted for three months in accordance with the changes introduced in the grading system. Changing to another system now would pose difficulties for them, he added. He said that the tremendous amount of work put in for projects and assignments to streamline the new curriculum would now be wasted and alleged that it was a covert attempt to help the unaided school lobby.

KCL designs solar heater

KOLLAM Aug. 28. The public sector Kerala Ceramics Limited (KCL) at Kundara, near here, has designed and erected a solar drier for drying China clay. The designing of the gadget forms part of the energy-saving measures introduced in the company. The drier was formally commissioned by the managing director of KCL, K. Rajashekaran Pillai, in the presence of the general manager of KCL, A. Devikanandan, on August 26.

Many takers for KSINC cruise

KOCHI AUG. 28. The first day of the new backwater cruise introduced by Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) on Onam drew a good response from tourists. According to an official of the Corporation, the sunset cruise had 50 bookings indicating a keen interest in the cruise. The official said that the first cruise, the Lunch Cruise, which started at 12.45 p.m. had fewer bookings but he attributed it to the Onam celebrations during which most people remained indoors in the morning hours. The Dinner Cruise, which starts at 7.30 p.m., too has attracted many people, he added. This is the first time that KSINC, which operated ferryboats in Ernakulam, is venturing into the field of tourism. The Corporation has entered the field with Sagararani. Those interested could make reservations for the cruise. The Corporation has made arrangements with tour operators, said the KSINC official.

60 injured in accident

Thrissur Aug. 28. About 60 persons were injured when two buses of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (RT-362 and RT-68) collided with each other at Perambra, near here, this evening. According to the police, the injured were taken to a private hospital at Chalakudy. Eleven of them were admitted and four referred to other hospitals for specialised treatment.

The condition of one of the drivers, K. A. Varghese, was reported to be serious. The rest were discharged after treatment for minor injuries.

Three hurt in clash

KOLLAM Aug. 28. A gang of anti-social elements barged into the Onam celebrations venue at Puthenchantha Junction, near Uliyakovil, today and unleashed a reign of terror. Three persons participating in the festivities were brutally beaten up. They have been hospitalised. Several women were also taking part in the celebrations when the gang struck. The gang, however, escaped from the scene before the police arrived. The Kollam East police have registered a case.

Avani Avittam festival

KOZHIKODE AUG. 28. `Yajur Upakarmam - 2004' will be held at the Tali Brahmana Samooha Madhom here in connection with the Avani Avittam festival on August 29.

`Brahma yajnam', `Devi-hrishi tharpanam', `Mahasankalpam', `homam' and `Vedarambhom' also will be held on the same day at the Madhom. `Gayathri japam' will be held on August 30 and `Sama upakarmam' on September 16.

Brochure released

The brochure of the Government Youth Hostel here has been released by Additional Divisional Magistrate (ADM), P. Balan, at a function organised in connection with the Hostel Foundation Day celebrations. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Balan noted that youth hostels were also a platform for social integration. A copy of the brochure was received by deputy collector and District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) Secretary, K.C. Gopinath. The District Tourism Club coordinator, Sreedharan Palayad, presided. The deputy collector, C. Gopalan, the DIET lecturer, P. Jayadevan, and the hostel warden, T. Sasidharan, also spoke. A one-day tourism awareness camp held as part of the celebrations was inaugurated by K.M. Priyadarshanlal.

Photography contest

A wildlife photography contest will be conducted by the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), in connection with the Wildlife Week observance. The topic is `Our wildlife'. The photograph must depict the natural habitat. One person can send up to three entries in the size of 8 inches by 12 inches. The first prize is Rs.5,000, second prize Rs.3,000 and the third prize Rs.1,000. The entries should reach C.J. Thomas, `Bhoomika', Karupisseri P.O., Kozhikode-673010, by September 20. Telephone: 9447204182.

Avani Avittam festival

KOZHIKODE AUG. 28. `Yajur Upakarmam - 2004' will be held at the Tali Brahmana Samooha Madhom here in connection with the Avani Avittam festival on August 29. `Brahma yajnam', `Devi-hrishi tharpanam', `Mahasankalpam', `homam' and `Vedarambhom' also will be held on the same day at the Madhom. `Gayathri japam' will be held on August 30 and `Sama upakarmam' on September 16.

Brochure released

Photography contest

A wildlife photography contest will be conducted by the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), in connection with the Wildlife Week observance. The topic is `Our wildlife'.

The photograph must depict the natural habitat. One person can send up to three entries in the size of 8 inches by 12 inches. The first prize is Rs.5,000, second prize Rs.3,000 and the third prize Rs.1,000. The entries should reach C.J. Thomas, `Bhoomika', Karupisseri P.O., Kozhikode-673010, by September 20. Telephone: 9447204182.

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