The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Reporter's Diary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Reporter's Diary

Just about a month or two after the road from the Jacob's Junction down to the Bakery Junction was tarred, it has been dug up again at two places by the Kerala Water Authority.

The official reason given for this is that two manholes on the road had collapsed and that it required urgent maintenance.

However, it is pointed out that these manholes could have been strengthened when the road was being tarred. It is also pointed out that this is a typical example of the non-existent coordination between agencies such the PWD and the KWA.

Now that the road has been dug up, that much portion of the road will remain as it is, till the next round of tarring, which could be as far as a year away. As it is, only one hole has been covered, while the other is still open. The position of the holes in the road makes them a very serious hazard to motorists, especially for two-wheeler riders.

* * *

Every regime change in the State sees popular comedy shows on TV scrambling to change their cast to fit the role of the new political leaders at the helm. Finding the right person with features resembling known leaders is a major challenge.

But surprisingly, TV channels manage to come up with striking look-alikes to mimic the politicians they represent. By the time the new Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, and his Cabinet colleagues settled into their jobs, their mirror images were already entertaining mini screen viewers through skits and political satires.

But the general consensus is that there is nothing to beat the performance of the former Chief Minister, A.K. Antony's screen image who has been regaling TV viewers for years with his characteristic features and trademark gestures.

* * *

The change of guard in the State seems to be visible in the capital, especially the Government Secretariat. The local leaders of the Congress who were reluctant to enter the Secretariat during the tenure of A.K. Antony, now step in without any inhibitions and freely call at the Ministers' offices.

No wonder, the corridors of the Secretariat which wore a deserted look till a fortnight ago, have now started bustling. The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, has raised a lot of expectations among his partymen and now they are looking forward to a similar change in the style of functioning in the police stations too.

By G. Mahadevan,

T. Nandakumar

and N.J. Nair

By G. Mahadevan,

T. Nandakumar

and N.J. Nair

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