Kerala

Either it’s a mathematical miracle, or, (and we guess this is more likely), at least 64,473 poor little rich people in the state are petty thieves of the state coffers.

TNM Staff

There’s a mysterious occurrence in Kerala that has left people with basic mathematical skills stunned. May be, we need Avengers-style quantum mumbo-jumbo to figure this one out… Apparently, some BMW and Mercedes-Benz owners in Kerala are so poor, that they are availing government subsidies, welfare schemes and pensions meant for those who have an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh. Either it’s a mathematical miracle, or, (and we guess this is more likely), at least 64,473 poor little rich people in the state are petty thieves of the state coffers. Kerala Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac on Wednesday revealed that 64,473 people, who avail of the various welfare schemes provided by the Kerala government, which is Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500, own high-end vehicles. “It was during a trip to identify the ineligible pension applicants that this blood-boiling mean act caught my attention,” wrote the Finance Minister in a Facebook post, who has identified 64,473 people who own luxury cars and are yet included in the welfare scheme list. Of this, 61 applicants own Mercedes-Benz, 28 own BMWs, 2,465 own the latest model of Skoda, 296 own Honda and 191 own Mahindra Scorpio, revealed the post. “There people who own BMW and Benz cars are extending their hands for the meager pension amount meant to eliminate hunger for the poorest of the poor,” he said. Taking a dig at these ineligible pension beneficiaries, the minister says, "What is the point in owning these cars? It is not an easy task to get money for petrol." The Thomas Isaac’s department has also identified another group of pension beneficiaries, whose ration cards also feature their children who own such luxury cars. The department has identified 94,043 such beneficiaries. “We are not stopping their welfare benefits now,” he said in the post, adding, “However, we will run investigations on their financial background.” A panchayat-wise list will be handed back to the secretary. After examining their financial status, it has to be notified if the people in the list are eligible for a pension. “People not eligible for such schemes can voluntarily give up their pension benefits; no action will be taken against them. The government is also planning to levy a fine on finds such ineligible candidates,” he added. According to the Kerala government’s website, 4,218,306 beneficiaries are availing of the Social Security Pension Schemes. The various schemes include Agriculture Labour Pension, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension, Indira Gandhi National Disabled Pension Scheme (Mentally/PhysicallY), Pension to Unmarried women above 50 years and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme. However, the common criterion to be eligible to avail of these scheme is that the annual income of the whole family must be less than Rs 1 lakh.

Opinion

Hanan did not fit their image of a "poor little girl" appealing to their mercy. She is neatly dressed, her hair cut fashionably, her voice assertive even in the face of adversity.

Sowmya Rajendran

19-year-old Hanan Hamid from Madavana in Kerala is a fighter. A day after she shot to fame on the Internet as the college student who sold fish for a living, she was subjected to a horrifying onslaught of abuse on the same platform. For the uninitiated, Hanan became the poster girl for hard work and resilience after a Mathrubhumi article spoke about her difficult life and how she makes a living from selling fish. What the article did not mention was that Hanan has been doing several odd jobs to make both ends meet, including working as a junior artiste in the film industry. Instead of highlighting her battles, the report focused on her poverty. After other media outlets picked up the story, the Sherlock Holmes within several citizens in Kerala awoke. They landed on her Facebook page and discovered her dubsmash videos and selfies with celebrities. How could a "poor" girl do such things? From asking how she could afford to own a ring and wear gloves to sell fish, the "detectives" made another leap - Hanan was faking her poverty to land a role in a film. Such was the strength of the online lynch mob that director Arun Gopy, who had earlier offered Hanan a role in his upcoming film with Pranav Mohanlal, said that he'd withdraw the offer if Hanan's claims were proved to be false. But, it's important to ask what claims these were in the first place. Hanan has not portrayed herself as a voiceless victim anywhere; she has battled life from childhood, looking after an ill mother who is separated from Hanan's father. But Hanan has refused to be cowed down by her situation. She has continued to study, even learning to play the flute along the way at Kochin Kalabhavan. She has also done small roles in films like the critically acclaimed Take Off. As subsequent reports by Manorama and several other media outlets show, Hanan has not lied about her ear surgery or circumstances. The Al Azhar College in Thodupuzha where Hanan is a third year Chemistry student, has confirmed this as well. Unable to find new jobs, from this Monday on, Hanan woke up at the crack of dawn, studied, bought fish, attended college, and rushed back to sell her wares till late evening. Before this, she has worked at a snacks shop and gone to collect fish. On a Facebook Live initiated by the director of her college, Hanan talks about the abuse that she has been subjected to. The frail teenager can barely control her tears as she recalls how she has been doing odd jobs - from giving tuition classes to doing event management and radio programmes - to make ends meet, since childhood. Despite her sadness at how she has been treated, you can see Hanan's eyes light up as she talks about how she'd write poetry, how she was appreciated for her work, and the small rewards that came her way. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.0'; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Posted by Paijas Moosa on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 Speaking about the gold ring which had caught the attention of the Sherlock Holmes club, Hanan said, "I bought this from Malabar Gold last month. I haven't had it for a long time. I bought it from the money I earned by doing event management in several places in Kerala and outside. It is my own money. Everyone has their desires and so did I." Hanan goes on to speak about how she got into selling fish, giving details and even the contact number of a man who'd helped her. This is Hanan's testimony, in her trial by social media. Why exactly were hundreds of people so eager to launch an attack on the young woman? Without pausing to check their information? Hanan did not fit their image of a "poor little girl" appealing to their mercy. She is neatly dressed, her hair cut fashionably, her voice assertive even in the face of adversity. Simply put, Hanan takes care of herself and doesn't try to hide it. She also has dreams and desires, something the poor are supposed to deny themselves. It is her spirit, which made her famous, which also made people turn against her. But this is not Hanan's problem. It is ours. She has neither asked for our sympathy nor our support before she went viral. The abuse she was subjected to has affected her health but Hanan is still defiant. She will go back to the market, and she will continue to sell fish, she has said. Even if those who threw stones at her from behind their screens don't have the grace to apologise, the least they can do is to let her be.

Crime

The state government has been ordered to file a status report in the case by August 6.

TNM Staff

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Kerala government to furnish a status report by August 6, in the case of alleged rape and molestation by four priests of the Malankara Orthodox Church. It has also ordered a stay on the arrest of two accused priests viz. Father Jaise K George and Father Sony Varghese, till August 6. This decision by the Supreme Court comes a day after the Kerala High Court granted bail to Father Job Mathew, one of the four priests accused in the rape case. Another priest, Johnson V Mathew, an accused in the same case had secured bail on Monday. The high court on Wednesday asked Job Mathew to surrender his passport, just as it had asked Johnson V. Mathew to do so. Job Mathew was also asked to present himself before the probe officer once every week. He was the first to be arrested in the case on July 12, by the Crime Branch police probing the case. The Crime Branch of Kerala had initially charged four priests in connection with the case, including the two who have now secured bail. Father Sony (Abraham) Varghese and Father Jaice K George who moved the Supreme Court, have managed to get a stay order on their arrest till their petition is finally disposed. While Johnson V Mathew has been charged with outraging the modesty of a woman, the other three have been charged with rape. The victim had accused five priests of sexually abusing her for a decade, after which her husband filed the complaint. It was Fr Job Mathew in the beginning who first exploited her and then started blackmailing her. When she sought help from another priest, he too, threatened her and shared her contact with a fellow priest and she was eventually exploited by five of them. The National Commission for Women is monitoring the case. One of the priests escaped action as the victim mentioned only four names, according to the police.

Justice

News media as well as social media called it justice for Udayakumar’s mother after 13 long years. But one young man sitting outside the Kerala secretariat disagrees...

Korah Abraham

People in Kerala woke up on Thursday morning to pictures of Prabhavathi Amma in the front pages of all major newspapers. The 67-year-old was in tears after a CBI special court sentenced two policemen to death, for the custodial murder of her son in 2005. News media as well as social media called it justice for the mother after 13 long years. But one young man sitting outside the Kerala secretariat disagrees. Sreejith, who has been sitting in protest for 957 days now, asks, “How can you call it justice when it took 13 years to come out with a verdict?” Sreejith's brother Sreejeev, too, was a victim of custodial violence – in 2014. “For a mother, the loss of her son cannot be replaced by anything. I don’t think she will feel any happiness even if the guilty are punished," says Sreejith. In January this year, following a social media storm, Sreejith was able to gain massive support from different corners of the state. While common people marched for him on the streets of Kerala, actors like Nivin Pauly, Parvathy and Tovino Thomas also spoke up for him. Speaking about all the support that seems to have died down now, Sreejith says, “It was something I didn’t call for. It picked up by itself.” “Even as thousands gathered to support me, there were certain groups of people who were trying to hijack the cause and to take it away from me,” he adds. Sreejith fears that these were people who were closely associated with the police and the people in power. “Just last month, I had filed a complaint with the CM of Kerala saying that if people who are responsible for the murder of my brother are not brought under the law before my protest reaches 1000 days, then I will stage a fast unto death,” says Sreejith. Sreejith also says that for the first time since he had started protesting, he would like the people of the state to stand by him. “Earlier this year, people of the state came together for me without me requesting them to do so. But right now, I desperately need the support of the people,” he says. Though the CBI started investigating the case this year after tremendous public pressure forced the Kerala government to approach the agency, Sreejith resumed his strike after his statement was recorded by CBI. In his 957 days of protest, Sreejith has gone on a hunger strike many times and he tells TNM that he’s been on a hunger strike for the past 4 days. Sreejeev's death Sreejith’s brother Sreejeev was taken into custody by the Parassala police on allegations of theft in May 2014. Days after this, Sreejeev died in a hospital. While police officials maintain that Sreejeev consumed poison, his family accused the officers of murder. In 2016, the Police Complaint Authority investigation found that his death was indeed caused by custodial torture and that the police version of the event was false. Also read: Udayakumar lock-up death in Kerala: Five cops found guilty 13 years after murder

Kerala Floods

The total amount allocated by Kerala government to various districts in the state in June and July stands at Rs 63.05 crores.

TNM Staff

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority on Thursday declared Alappuzha and Kollam districts as 'flood-hit'. Declaring that the decision was taken in the State Executive Committee meet of the Authority held on July 25, the press release from the Chief Minister's Office said that the farmers in the two districts are eligible for crop insurance amount. "As compensation for the damages caused by the floods, Rs 2.44 crore has been allocated to Alappuzha district in the State Executive meet of the Authority. In this Rs 1.69 crore will be spent for rebuilding the bunds and to remove waterlogging in the affected areas. The Authority also decided that the paddy field committees would be responsible for these activities," said the press release. The Authority also allocated Rs 35 lakhs for the repair of AC road, which passes through Kottayam and Alappuzha districts. Dismissing the allegations on social media about discrimination in allocating flood-relief package to districts as baseless, said that this social media campaign was aimed at spreading misinformation and to misdirect the people. According to the statement, Alappuzha and Kollam districts have been allocated Rs 19.92 crore and Rs 1.16 crore as flood relief package and the total amount allocated by Kerala government to various districts in the state in June and July stands at Rs 63.05 crores. The statement also said that the amount given for repairing roads damaged due to the floods are not added in the flood relief given in June and July."The details of the amounts given to districts in June and July would dispel the rumours that some districts in north Kerala were given more money than the districts in south Kerala which were the worst affected in the flood," said the statement. "The numbers that are doing the rounds on social media saying that Malappuram district was given 26 crores while the other districts were only allocated 10 crores is not true. These are the costs incurred because of work during the previous years. The amount spent during this year will include the projects that were started during the time of the UDF rule. When a natural disaster happens, it is as per the request by the collectors that each district is allocated money. If there is any balance amount from the previous years, that amount will also be included in the allocation of money," the statement added. Non-stop rains caused havoc in many districts in Kerala last week. Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha were the worst-affected districts. Around 40 deaths were reported due to rains and the subsequent flooding in these districts.

Flood

For an outsider, this seems a more dangerous proposition as the boats would rock after a strong gust of wind.

Saritha S Balan

All images: Sreekesh Raveendran Nair

A few bags of rice, packets of chilli powder, bunches of bananas, vessels with cooked food and clothes hung out to dry... These are the first things one notices as they enter a big boat at the Mullassery ward in Kainakiri panchayat in Kuttanad. Seventeen families, who could no longer live in their houses that had been wrecked by floods, have made the boat a temporary relief camp. Though the government has opened many relief camps across the Kuttanad region in Alappuzha district of Kerala, many have chosen to live on boats as the camps were crowded. For an outsider, this seems a more dangerous proposition as the boats would rock after a strong gust of wind. But for the 67 people of these families, the boat has become their temporary homes as they wait for the water to recede. “The boat is hired for a daily rent of Rs 1000. The daily rent for the tarpaulin to roof the boat is Rs 200. The tarpaulin roof can blow away in the wind anytime and we are vigilant about that,” says Sanal Kumar, who lives in the boat. Sanal and others had first tried to protect the bund in the nearby agricultural land from collapsing. They then built a side wall with sacks of sand to prevent rain water from entering their homes, but it was all in vain. By July 17, the torrential rain had ravaged both agricultural lands and houses. As the flood waters rose, people in Mullassery had few options. Possibly the safest and driest option they could think of was boats, which are docked in the backwaters. In Kuttanad, a region in one of the lowest altitudes in India, bunds are regularly built to protect agricultural lands and houses from being affected during incessant rains. “On July 17, the bund fell. We all rushed out of the houses to prevent it; but our efforts were in vain. We all panicked, women began screaming, and none of us slept that night. There was chaos all around. We would hear screams from the neighbourbood and would try to rush there,” Vinod, who stays in the boat says. On the boat, partitions have been made for men and woman. While women sleep on one side, men have been restricted to the other. Though help for flood-affected people has been pouring in from the outside world, with billionaire businessmen, media houses giving financial assistance, NGOs and educational institutions pitching in with groceries and vegetables, the people on the boats get almost nothing. “It maybe because we are too isolated, so the help doesn’t reach us. We don’t know where the help goes. It’s tough for us to pay for the daily rent for the boat, the tarpaulin, we are all daily wage labourers,” says Mohanan. Life in relief camps For thousands in Kuttanad, life has become a nightmare. More than finding a place to sleep or sourcing food, what rattles them is the paucity of toilets. The ones that have been set up near the camps are overflowing. In an auditorium at the panchayat at Kainakiri East, 47 people from 16 families have been housed. On July 16, they all had to run to the nearest shelter to save their lives. “We came here with the clothes on our backs, nothing else. For the first two days we didn’t eat anything, and managed to survive on black tea and chips. It was terrible, the toilets were not usable anywhere. It was only after a few days that water receded in a few parts and we were able to use toilets in some houses,” says Thankamani at the relief camp at the auditorium. It will take many more days for the flood waters to completely recede. The women groan in desperation when they talk about menstruation. “Sanitary napkins are being distributed; some have got it while others have not. Even if we get it, where would go and change?” asks Anju, a woman in her 20s. Anandam, Kusumam and Symala, all living with Anju in the camp, nod their heads in agreement. “If we pay Rs 10 for the boat, we can go and use the toilet at the school there,” says Thankamani pointing her fingers at the St Mary’s school which is on the other side of the shore. The ground floor of the auditorium is still flooded, forcing people to cook and sleep on the first floor. The clothes they now wear were donated by outsiders and not one person in the relief camp has been able to go back home. Collecting rain water and buying water to cook Across camps, there is a lack of water to cook or even to drink. For people of Kuttanad, who have lived their lives surrounded by water, the lack of water resources seems ironic. Kuttanad, Kainakiri panchayath, the lowest lying area in Alappuzha district is the worst affected. “We are collecting rain water and using it for cooking. When the rain was strong the cans in which we were collecting water flew away. We now go to Alappuzha and buy water for drinking and cooking purposes,” says Lakshmikutty Amma who camps in the boat. Manesh from Chennakari, says, “The government gives us food, but we need to find money to pay the boat fare to Alappuzha. We also need money to buy firewood. We are collecting money from the families who live here and buying water and firewood”.

Crime

The girl’s mother allegedly forced her into sex work for financial reasons.

TNM Staff

Image for representation

Parassala police have arrested 5 people after it was found that they sexually exploited a minor girl. The 16-year-old class 11 student had allegedly been forced into sex work by her own mother for the past 6 months. The incidents would take place in her house or other locations as decided by the accused. Police have arrested 27-year-old Robert, 25-year-old Rajeesh, 22-year-old Alex, and 23-year-old Jijjin as well as the girl’s mother. The police team was led by Neyyattinkara Deputy Superintendent of Police Harikumar, Circle Inspector G Binu, Sub Inspector Vineesh VS, civil police officers Shajji Kumar, Aneesh, Pramod Kumar, and woman police officers Jeeja and Nirmala. A criminal case was registered four months ago by police for sexual exploitation against the minor girl’s father, who is currently in custody. The accused in the case, Vijish, reportedly took the girl to various places where she was allegedly gang-raped. It seems that the girl’s mother had forced her into such work for financial gains. She also has a brother who is currently studying at an orphanage. Earlier in May, another woman in Thiruvananthapuram was arrested after her daughter filed a complaint with the police saying that her mother forced her to have sexual relationships with her mother’s alleged lovers. The class 9 girl stated that her mother would frequently bring home her lovers. The lady had reportedly even trapped one of the lovers in a criminal case by accusing him of child abuse, after the two had a fallout.

Death

The leader, aged 76 years, passed away after he suffered a cardiac arrest in his home in Kasaragod.

TNM Staff

Former Kerala minister and senior leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Cherkalam Abdullah, passed away on Friday. He was 76 years old. Abdullah was at home in Cherkalam in Kasaragod on Friday, when he suffered a cardiac arrest, IANS reported. He had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mangalore for quite some time, reportedly for heart-related ailments. He was shifted to his home on Thursday as per his wishes. He was born on September 15, 1942, to Barikkad Mohammed Haji and Asyamma. Abdullah was minister for Local Self-Governments in the Congress-led AK Antony government from 2001-04. He was a four-time legislator from Manjeswaram constituency in Kasaragod district, representing IUML from 1987. IUML is an ally of the Congress, which currently leads the Opposition in the state. He lost the 2006 Assembly polls and since then didn’t return to the fold of electoral politics. But he was active in the party and was a member of the party state committee. He began his political career as a student leader and worked his way up the party order. He had also held different posts at the district leadership of the party. He was state treasurer of the IUML and also Kasargode district chairman of the United Democratic Front, apart from being a Waqf Board member and the district General Secretary. It was during his stint as minister, that the women empowerment programme of the state government, "Kudumbasree", especially in the Muslim-dominated areas in the northern districts of the state got strengthened. Later, he made a mark as the Chairman of the Committee on the Welfare of the Backward Class Communities. IUML senior leader PK Kunhalikutty MP and the party state president Panakkad Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal had visited him in hospital recently. Abdullah is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. With IANS Inputs

Controversy

The Kerala CM's office has instructed the police to take action against those harassing and abusing Hanan.

TNM Staff

While on one side Hanan Hamid, the 19-year-old who became an Internet sensation as the college student who sold fish, is being hounded on social media, there is another group of people who have come out in her support. This includes Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan as well as CPI(M) leader and Administrative Reforms Commission chairman VS Achuthanandan. Two days ago, Mathrubhumi had published an article, which highlighted the struggles of a college student who makes a living from selling fish. Although she became the poster girl for hard work and resilience, she was soon attacked with a barrage of abuse on social media. Praising Hanan for her hardwork, Pinarayi said, “It's a matter of great pride when one is self-dependent as a student. The satisfaction one gets is immense if they fund their studies with the money they earn. Only those who have gone through such experiences in life will understand it.” The CM then said that Hanan's stature was above this. He elaborated on it, "Hanan did not just study, but she became the pillar of support for her family. When I understand her life experiences, I feel proud of her. Move ahead bravely, Hanan. Don't lose the confidence that you showed while battling difficult circumstances, Kerala is with you." For wearing gloves, a gold ring, and sporting a nice haircut and neat clothes, Hanan was accused of lying about her background and pulling off such a stunt for publicity. The third-year student of Al Azhar College in Thodupuzha does odd jobs to make ends meet. She conducts tuition classes, does event management and radio programmes, in addition to selling fish. The Chief Minister's office has now asked the Kerala police to take action against those harassing and abusing Hanan. The CM's office has also asked Ernakulam District Collector to provide protection for Hanan. A section of SDPI members have allegedly issues threats to Hanan for not wearing a purdah. Addressing Hanan on the harassment she received on social media, the Chief Minister said, "Campaigns on social media are like a double-edged sword. People need to exercise more caution in their interactions on social media. People start campaigns without knowing the truth, this will only lead us into more trouble. Hanan should advance without weakening before such campaigns and we pledge our support to her.” Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader VS Achuthanandan demanded that the Cyber Crime police file cases against those who harassed Hanan on social media. He also said that there was a concerted campaign against the teenager and the police needed to book the culprits. The leader also congratulated Hanan for her resilience. Union Minister KJ Alphons too supported Hanan and slammed abusers. "Kerala sharks stop attacking #Hanan. I'm ashamed. Here is a girl trying to put together a shattered life. You vultures!" he wrote. Read: The hounding of Hanan: How a spirited Kerala young woman has been let down

Accident

The car was traveling from Angamaly to Kollam after tracing a missing woman.

TNM Staff

In a tragic incident, a police vehicle which was traveling to Kollam after tracing a missing woman, met with an accident in Alappuzha killing three people – including the woman. The car was moving from Angamaly in Thrissur to Kottiyam in Kollam. The deceased have been identified as civil police officer Sreekala (40), Haseena (30), and the driver of the vehicle Naufal. One more person has been seriously injured in the accident. The car was completely destroyed in the accident. The deceased were brought out of the car after the parts of car were broken. The car collided with a lorry near Karoor at Ambalapuzha in Alappuzha. The accident occurred early in the morning on Friday, and the three people inside the car died on the spot. “The deceased are those who were traveling in the police vehicle. In the lorry, only the driver was there. We are yet to find out what caused the accident,” Ambalapuzha police said. Haseena, a native of Kottiyam had been missing since June 6. According to the police, she had left home owing to family issues. The police had been in search of her following a missing complaint from her family. On Thursday, the Angamaly police informed Kottiyam police that they traced Haseena. Following this, a team of police personnel including Sreekala had left for Angamaly. The team also had Nissar, another civil police officer of the station, who has been seriously injured in the accident and admitted at a private hospital in Kochi. “The dead bodies of Sreekala, Haseena and Naufal have been kept at the Medical College Hospital in Alappuzha where the post-mortem procedures have begun,” a police personnel at the Kottiyam police station said.

Literature

The writer also comments on the intolerance that's on the rise in Kerala, with the most recent example being the withdrawal of Hareesh's novel.

Cris

No, there is no Sameera Parvin; it is just a literary trick that is picking up. You see, right from the beginning to the end of the book Jasmine Days, you are led to think Sameera wrote it. That the original was in Arabic and that Benyamin, the writer we know as the author of Aadujeevitham, merely translated it into Malayalam. Now, Benyamin, attending a literary festival in Alappuzha, reveals that it is all a part of the fictional world. That he wrote the original, he created Sameera, a Pakistani expatriate in a Middle East country, witnessing a revolution. “It is a new style. Fiction begins from the cover page,” he laughs, like a man who has played a trick on you. Many readers end up thinking so, he admits. Even on Google, if you search for his book, some poor blighter has written about the original in Arabic, supposedly penned by Sameera. But then you brush that little joke aside. There is a much larger tale waiting inside the book. “It comes from my own experience of living in a Middle East country like Bahrain for so many years,” Benyamin says. He had often wondered how the people could live through a dictatorial government, and if they didn’t desire democracy. And then, the revolutions happened. The Arab Spring happened. However, in Jasmine Days, he doesn’t name a country. It is called the ‘City’. “It needn’t have a name, it shouldn’t be specific, for it can be any Middle Eastern country. And I wanted to write from two different perspectives of what goes on in a country in strife, in revolution.” He is talking about two books here. In Malayalam, they had come together -. Mullappooniramulla Pakalukal and Al Arabian Novel Factory. Jasmine Days is only one part, from Sameera’s perspective, and has now been translated into English by Shahnaz Habib. The other part, that will be translated to English later, is from the perspective of a journalist and Sameera’s book will appear as a novel that is banned in the country. “They can be standalone books, but there is a connection,” Benyamin explains. Several of the characters in the book – Sameera's family that had settled in the City for many years, the youth in her office, and others – are based on real life people that the author has met. Sameera lives in Thai Ghar, where thai – her dad’s big brother - has brought his brothers and their families, given them good careers and comforts. Sameera, who comes from Pakistan, gets her dream job of an RJ. The employees there are divided. Sameera, a Pakistani, expresses her obvious dislike for India and in turn, a team she calls Malayalam Mafia lectures to her about their proud heritage. Benyamin is not worried that this could be used against him in this day and age when anything remotely critical of the country can bring you the label of an anti national, fiction or not. Later in the novel, he easily brings around the characters to show that everyone goes through the same pain and suffering, living in a country in strife. There is a touching scene when the Malayalam Mafia she had always been fighting with takes Sameera safely to her home on a day all their lives are in danger. It is not just his experience of living in a Middle East country that you see in the novel. Benyamin has studied a lot, done his research of history and politics. He writes about the centuries-long Shia and Sunni differences, what they suffer at each other’s hands, the friendships despite all this. Benyamin puts at the centre of Sameera’s life, a character called Ali, a young man she becomes very close with but one who cannot be comprehended at times. He is a Shia Muslim who had to suffer a lot from his childhood, lose his father and a brother. This has put some dents in his otherwise cheerful, music-loving burger-eating regular-youngster qualities. Some dents go really deep, Sameera later discovers. The revolution that is at the centre of the novel takes place in a square in front of Sameera’s flat. “It is mostly what I saw from my own flat in Bahrain,” Benyamin says. It has to be, it cannot be so realistic otherwise, through mere words. It was important to Benyamin that it came in the voice of a young woman. “Women go through the most terrible experiences,” he says, leaving the rest of the line incomplete. When anything goes wrong in a country, as it happens in a family, you gather. The chains, always at a threateningly close distance, will cover her up at the mere suggestion of trouble. It is women who are supposed to be hurt again, when in Kerala, a new controversy broke out about S Hareesh’s novel Meesha. Certain lines of a conversation between two people in Hareesh’s novel offended some. There came threats to his life, to his family’s lives, and Hareesh withdrew the novel that was being published chapter by chapter in a Malayalam magazine. “The intolerance that you see in the rest of the country is also coming to Kerala. It is not a particular section of people either. It comes from all sorts of communities and parties, one can’t just tolerate a stance that’s different from one’s own. We are growing backwards from the time Kerala saw the navodhana prasthanam (renaissance),” Benyamin says. He lists recent incidents like the row over Dalit artist Asanthan Mash’s body which was placed facing a temple, of the death of Kevin killed over an intercaste marriage, and of Manik Roy, the migrant Bengali accused of stealing a chicken and beaten to death. “In the case of Hareesh, the problem they found was that it was insulting to women. And so they react by insulting the women at his home. Look at the irony,” Benyamin says.

Faith

Kerala Catholic Bishops Council says National Women's Commission has ridiculed the Orthodox church by recommending abolishing of age-old practice of confession.

TNM Staff

Representational Image

The National Women's Commission (NWC), which has been closely monitoring the case where a woman was sexually exploited by five priests in Kerala, has recommended that the practice of confession should be abolished in churches as it can lead to incidents like blackmailing of women. This has evoked mixed response. Eby Varghese, the victim’s husband, too, has come forward in favour of the recommendation. Eby had complained that one of the priests used his wife’s confession to blackmail and exploit her. The incident, which has shaken the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has raised concerns over the age-old practices inside it. Eby told TNM, “The priests used my wife’s confession to sexually abuse her. Even if the churches are keen to continue the practice, the current procedure should be abolished. There is no need for women to confess to men, for the chances of misusing it is high. Instead, women can confess to a nun or a superior who heads the nuns at a convent. Similarly, men should confess to men only.” Meanwhile, Archbishop Soosa Pakiam, the Trivandrum Catholic Archdiocese and the president of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), told the media on Friday that the recommendation by the Commission has ridiculed the church and that it has sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister. “Confession is an integral part of faith and the Commission has acted beyond its jurisdiction in the case. The NCW chairperson should not make such irresponsible statements. We are tempted to think there is hidden agenda. Some misdeeds do not always mean that a practice can be targeted. They should have discussed this with the church.” The Crime Branch, which is currently investigating the case, has booked the priests for rape and molestation. ‘Self-reformation is the need of the hour, not confession’ According to Eby, “Self-reformation is the need of the hour, not a repeat of evil deeds and confession. Even the Pope is aware of it, but the churches will not agree, because, eliminating the practice would mean the bishop or the head priest will lose control over the other priests. The Bible neither supports confession nor say anything about this practice. As far as we know, it is the church headed by priests that later introduced and imposed the practice.” Jomon Puthenpurackal, an activist who fought against the Church and has been instrumental in exposing the death of Sister Abhaya in 1992, too has come out against practice. “The Commission made the recommendation based on the instances of blackmailing and raping women using confession secret. When the sexual harassment of a woman by priests of the Orthodox church was exposed, the other churches said it was an internal issue of that church. Now, ever since the Commission made this recommendation, this is no longer an internal issue for the heads of other churches. They have become aware that it would question their very existence and hence responded,” said Jomon, adding, “The basic and prime realisation is that one should be capable of keeping their own secrets or share it with God; there is no need to share with anyone.” Syro-Malabar church denies receiving nun’s sexual harassment complaint against bishop ‘Want priests punished, I have proof’: Kerala church sex-for-silence survivor's husband

Child Rights

After the assessment, the children will be given admission at MES school in Edathala.

TNM Staff

Image courtesy: Times of India

The three children from North Paravur, who were allegedly held captive in their home by parents for a decade, will be given admission at MES school in Edathala after psychological assessments are conducted on them. According to a report in The Times of India, Ernakulam Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Friday directed the authorities of MES orphanage in Edathala to conduct psychological assessment of the children. The assessment is being conducted to decide which class the boys must be admitted to. “We have asked the school authorities to allow children to sit in classrooms till the admission procedure gets over. CWC has also directed the orphanage officials to make arrangements to take Aadhaar cards for the children. They have birth certificates but it is in their house at Paravur. Officials can take the certificate only when the house is opened. Father of the children has not appeared before the committee today,” said CWC chairperson Padmaja Nair. The boys, aged six, 11 and 12, were given homeschooling by the parents. They were rescued based on complaints by their neighbours and are presently in the custody of CWC. As per the committee’s advisory, the children and their mother will continue to stay in the orphanage, as per the directive of district collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla. The parents, Abdul Latheef (47) and mother Lekha had allegedly confined the children to their house and prohibited them from any social interaction, even to run errands. A preliminary investigation by authorities had found that the children had not been given any primary education. Reports have also quoted the father as saying that he did not believe in the India education system and the children were being raised in an education syllabus being followed in Arab countries.

Accident

The deceased Sukumaran Nair was standing near the shop when the bus with 16 students lost control.

TNM Staff

A school bus carrying 16 students of St John’s School lost control and rammed into a tea shop at Keraladipathyapuram near Mannanthala in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. One person was killed and 19 others sustained injuries. The deceased has been identified as 53-year-old Sukumaran Nair from Mukkolakkal. According to The Hindu, although he was taken for an emergency surgery, the doctors could not save him. He died at 8.15 pm on Friday. All the injured have been taken to the Medical College Hospital. The students in the bus are aged between 13 and 16 years. Sukumaran was standing next to his scooter when the bus rammed into the shop. Hrishikeshan Nair, who was standing along with the victim, was critically injured. While all students in the bus escaped with minor injuries, Soman, the bus driver, too, was badly injured in the impact. Both Hrishikeshan and Sukumaran were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but are reported to be stable. The bus that belonged to the Sarvodaya Vidyalaya School, Nalanchira, were carrying students from St John's School, from the same campus. Minister Kadakampally Surendran has asked the Medical College superintendent Dr M Sharmmad to ensure full treatment to the injured. Health minister KK Shailaja, too, has given instructions to give free treatment to everyone injured in the accident. The accident took place in the evening – around 4.45 pm – when Soman lost control of the school bus and turned towards the tea shop. People in the shop ran away for safety but Rishikeshan and Sukumaran were stuck in front of the bus.

Online Abuse

Noorudeen Sheikh, the man who did a Facebook live claiming Hanan was a fraud, is being questioned.

TNM Staff

The Kerala police on Saturday took into custody a person alleged to have been the key tormentor of Hanan Hamid, the 19-year-old Kerala student. Hanan, who had become an instant hit on the internet after she was featured in a newspaper as a student who sold fish after college hours. But vicious trolling started within a few hours with baseless allegations doing the rounds that she was only putting up an act. Noorudeen Sheikh, the man who did a Facebook live claiming Hanan was a fraud, is being questioned and a First Information Report has been registered against him, a police officer said. He has been booked under various sections of the IT Act, besides provisions attracting non-bailable offences. Hanan Hamid, a final year graduate student of Chemistry studying in a college near Kochi had attracted attention after it came to light that she was eking out a livelihood by selling fish and also doing odd jobs as a junior artiste in films. All Hamid was doing was trying to take care of an ailing mother, who has been separated from her husband. It was Sheikh who had first taken selfies with Hamid when he came to know of her struggles. Later, however, he went hammer and tongs against her and posted the pictures questioning her condition, after she was also seen in a few pictures with superstar Mohanlal. Soon Sheikh's post went viral and Hamid was slammed as "a fake and doing all she did only to impress superstar Mohanlal in order to land a role with his son Pranav Mohanlal in an upcoming film.” Speaking to the media, after hearing of his arrest, Hamid said she is very happy to hear the news. “Now, I have realised that with the support I am getting from the government and my college, I have got so many guardians," said Hamid. The police, keeping track of the social media posts, have said more people who have abused the college girl would also face consequences. It was after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Facebook post supporting Hamid on Friday that the police registered a case against the cyber bullies. On Saturday, Vijayan, speaking to reporters in Kochi said: "The thumb rule for those on the social media is to be careful with their statements." The Left has also come out in support of Hamid as also the Women's Commission. (With IANS Input)

Sexual harassment

In a Facebook post, Arathi Renjith narrates how filmmaker and activist Rupesh Kumar misbehaved with her on a bus journey. Rupesh responds to the post.

TNM Staff

www.azhimukham.com

Arathi Renjith, journalist with Malayalam magazine Azhimukham, put up a long post on Facebook on Friday. She wrote in detail about a scary trip she had to take early this month with Rupesh Kumar, a filmmaker and writer. According to Arathi’s post, Rupesh, known for his strong opinions and Dalit activism, misbehaved with her. Though Rupesh later replied to the post and agreed to nearly everything she said in the post, he tried justifying his act. The incident happened on July 7, when Arathi was going to Thoothukudi to do a story on life after the Sterlite protests, and Rupesh was accompanying her from Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, on a bus. Their conversation started off on the right foot as they discussed politics and life. However, somewhere along, Rupesh showed Arathi her profile picture on Facebook and said that he decided to tag along after seeing the photo. Arathi felt uneasy. She thought to herself that this was the same man who spoke about the absence of Dalit women in media organisations in Kerala and inequality of women at the time of a debate on the politics of Kaala. “As time passed, I realised he is an irritating worm that found joy in the likes and comments he got for his Facebook statuses,” she wrote. As night fell, a drunk Rupesh wanted to kiss her and hug her. She held him off, saying she would kill him if he touched her. “And then, he uses another trick on me, claiming that he has never received the love of a parent and was separated from his wife. He wants love, he says. When I yell at him to lie away from me, he starts crying. I wanted to beat him to death!” Arathi wrote. Though Rupesh slept soon enough, Arathi could not sleep a wink. When she questioned him the next day, he asked her, ‘Then why did you come on a journey with me for such a long distance?’ “I came to do my job and thought I came with a media person, 'not a man',” she wrote. He apologised, saying he was drunk. Rupesh's explanation Rupesh made another Facebook post, replying to Arathi's post, with what he calls an explanation, although, it starts off as a series of admissions. He admits that they travelled together, that he liked her photo, that he was drunk and that he pulled away when she asked him to lie away from her. He also made it clear the next day that he had no intention of attacking her. He also wrote that she travelled with him back to Thiruvananthapuram after her assignment. Also, in his post, he claimed that the two spoke to each other like friends after the incident, and that Arathi even sent him her stories. Although Rupesh did not contest Arathi's version, he claimed that his intention was not to assault her. “It is after all this she wrote such a post. I spoke to her about my life because I felt close to her. I have nothing to say if she claims that my crying was an attempt to violate her," he said. He reveals that he has chatted with a lot of women, flirted with some, loved some and has had sex with some. “But this cannot be allowed to be called as a violation. Yes, I have misbehaved with some and I have realised that.” Reacting to her accusation that he has used his privileges as a Dalit activist and social media to violate women, he says, ‘If any woman has felt that I have tried to violate her, I apologise to her. If they still want to proceed against me, they may do so. But I have decided to move on. Besides, with this post, my poverty is only likely to increase,” he wrote.

News

Abdurahman had waited for two years to get his BPL card and when he finally got it, it came as an APL card.

TNM Staff

Image courtesy: Asianet News

A senior citizen tried to commit suicide in front of the Aluva Taluk Supply Office on Saturday. Abrurahman poured petrol over himself for not getting his BPL card, after many attempts to avail one. "I haven't got ration in a year. They would tell me to get it from the ration shop. But the shopkeeper would not give me ration. I now have both my old card and a new card," says the old man to media, after his attempt to take his life was prevented by people who had gathered at the supply office. "He was angry that his card was not converted to BPL. For some time now, we have not been issuing BPL cards. But I have made a special request in his case and the report is now ready from the Collectorate," Anil Kumar, Aluva Taluk Supply Officer, told TNM. Abdurahman had come a week earlier too and threatened to commit suicide, Anil says. "He thinks I can give him the card and that am not doing it. But it is not with me. The report has gone to the district supply office and it should come back soon. It takes time for these things, but he is not ready to wait." Abdurahman has reportedly waited for two years, having given his request and followed it up many times. He lives in a porampokku (places for shared communal use). And after many attempts, he got his new card but it came as an APL one. He and his aged wife cannot avail medical benefits without a BPL card. The elderly man was however not arrested for the attempt to take his life. "There is no case. He did that to get his APL card converted to BPL. We took him home," said a policeman at the Aluva police station.

Tourism

Kerala’s Tourism Development Corporation aims to reach out to women travelling to the state for short trips through this initiative.

TNM Staff

Image for representation.

The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) will soon open its first ‘all-women’ hotel, run for and by women. The hotel, to be called ‘Hostess,’ will be up and running in Thiruvananthapuram in six months. It will be India’s first public sector hotel to be run entirely by a female staff and will be located at KTDC complex at the main bus station, near the Central Railway Station. ‘Hostess’ will have 22 AC Rooms and two AC Dormitories with the capacity to accommodate upto 28 persons at once. Dormitories are stated to be available at a rate of Rs 500 for every four hours. Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran inaugurated the construction work on Wednesday in the state’s capital. M Vijayakumar, KTDC chairman, was said, “This all-women hotel is first of its kind initiative to form a government institution in the country. We give more emphasis on security and safety features besides comfort and convenience. If it becomes a success we will come up with similar hotels.” ‘Hostess’ will reportedly have all the latest facilities, including automated security services, technology-based check-in and check-out systems, a fitness centre, and will also include complimentary breakfast for all guests. KTDC Managing Director told media, “The government has given the administrative sanction of Rs 17.5 crore to set-up a 42-room budget hotel in Kanyakumari, tourism has now become a priority for the state.” The initiative aims to target women travelers, athletes, and researchers. In addition to the women-run hotel, the state is also undertaking other projects to promote tourism. 39.6 crores have been sanctioned by the government of Kerala towards development work at Muzhappilangad beach near Kannur and another Rs 7.69 crore for 'Kumarakom waterscapes.'

United Nations

This prize is considered the UN’s highest environmental honour.

TNM Staff

Image for representation.

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) will be honoured by the UN with the ‘Champion of Earth Prize’ for the year 2018, after having successfully implemented the use of solar energy rendering it the world’s only airport run on solar power, as per reports. This comes just three years after the airport took on a gargantuan task in October 2015: to power the airport fully and exclusively through solar energy. This prize is considered the UN’s highest environmental honour. An official statement by the UN’s Global Chief of Environment and Executive Director of UNEP, Erik Solheim, to the airport Managing Director V J Kurian read, “This is the United Nation’s highest environmental accolade and reflects your leadership in the use of sustainable energy." Further stating, “As the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, you set an ambitious example that we hope many others will follow. The award will be presented at a gala ceremony on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2018.” A team from the UN led by Solheim himself had previously visited the Kochi airport to learn more about its solar initiatives and had met authorities as well as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The idea of a solar powered airport came from managing director V J Kurian. “We showed the world that big infrastructure projects like Airport can be put into operation fully using alternative energy sources. By September 2018, the solar capacity at CIAL will be increased to 40 MWp, with a power potential of 60 million units per annum and resulting in a cost saving of approximately Rs.40 crore per annum to the airport. This will also avoid CO2 emissions by more than 9 lakh metric tons over the next 25 years, which is equivalent to planting 90 lakh trees or not driving 2400 million miles," he reportedly said. In 2005, the UN established the ‘Champions of Earth’ awards to honour environmental leaders of society.

Human Interest

The collective saves drowning people and road accident victims, apart from a host of other rescue activities, all free of cost.

Sreedevi Jayarajan

On Monday (July 23), the body of one of the Mathrubhumi reporters who went missing in the Mundar floods in Kottayam, Kerala was retrieved. The missing men had gone to report on the floods in Kuttanad when their boat capsized in the Kariyar river earlier this week. Oddly, the hunt for the men and retrieval of the body was undertaken not by police divers or the fire department, but by a 42-member group of local rescuers, that includes women. This group of rescuers call themselves ‘Nanma Kootam’ (Goodness Collective) and rightly so, for they are a huge boon to the locals of Erattupetta and neighbouring areas. Since its inception, Nanma Kootam, under the leadership of founder Ashraf Kutty, has taken great risks and saved 11 people from the brink of death. The collective comprises 10 expert divers, including 3 women. Needless to say, saving drowning people and diving to retrieve missing persons is their forte. But the members undertake a host of other activities such as rescuing victims of road accidents and donating blood. Simply put, the group functions to do good for people. And it all started with one man – 35-year-old Ashraf who inspired an entire community of youngsters to join him in saving lives. How it began “I was 12 when I jumped headlong into the Meenachil river to pull out a 55-year-old lady. She had drifted all the way from Illapangal to the neighbouring Erattupetta through the channel near my house. When I swam close to her, she grabbed me with a deathly grip, nearly drowning us. But I managed to rescue her. This was my first rescue mission and the urge to save lives has only grown since,” says Ashraf. Growing near the Meenachil, Ashraf’s father would toss coins into the depths of the river and train him to retrieve them. By the age of 5, Ashraf was comfortable in the river, and soon navigating the deep, murky waters became as easy as breathing for the little boy. “My father used to help people. He regularly dived to retrieve things that people lost in the water and even saved several lives. Back then there was no internet, so he lived as a not-so-well-known hero,” says Ashraf with a laugh. Inspired by his father, Ashraf too jumped in the river to help people. He was followed by his family members who would dive along with him in case of any crisis. “There are around 10 members in my family who are expert divers. These include the 3 women who are part Nanma Kootam now. Haseena, Jaseela and Raliyath are all in their 30s and regularly participate in rescue missions,” Ashraf adds. Ashraf soon realised that kindness has an appeal, when several young men from all over Erattupetta joined him in his rescue missions. The collective then grew from a one-man-army into the 42-member-strong battalion that it is today. In fact, the group was christened ‘Nanma Kootam’ by a doctor they had rescued from a road accident in Vagamon. “He was touring Vagamon and the car fell into a ravine. We rescued him and one year later, he met us all and gave us this name,” recalls Ashraf. How they work Today, Nanma Kootam covers a significant chunk of Erattupetta. “We have done 11 successful rescue missions and retrieved 7 bodies, including that of the journalist from Mundar. We operate in Vagamon, Poonjar, Erattupetta, Teekoy, Pala and neighbouring towns. Of the 11 rescue missions, 6 are road accident victims who had fallen into the ravines in Vagamon. Five were those who drowned, including school kids who slipped and fell while crossing the river,” says Ashraf. In the 3 years since they have become an official group, the collective has divided its operations into several verticals. “We have 10 people who clear the way, carry the rescue equipment and call the police if needed. Ten are expert divers. We also have a few persons with physical disabilities who immediately call and inform us in case of accidents. Once we receive the message, we round up whoever is present and head to the site,” Ashraf explains. The group, especially Ashraf, has become indispensable to the local authorities who contact him in case of drowning accidents. “The police officers and fire force call us and we turn up. In Erattupetta, the circle Inspector and I are the ones who resuscitate victims by giving them oxygen,” Ashraf says. Ashraf acknowledges that his passion comes with its own nightmares and recalls one chilling incident that happened a few years ago, which still haunts him. “I dived into a 35-foot deep well at 9 in the night. It was to save a 11-year-old boy from drowning. But sadly by the time I got to him he was already dead. The locals pulled us both out with a rope made by tying together veshtis and mal mal towels,” he says. Can’t stop, won’t stop Two decades later, there is no stopping Ashraf Kutty or the team he has built over the years. “I will still jump into any water body, whatever be the case,” he says with a reassuring confidence. If this wasn’t impressive enough, what comes next is sure to blow your socks off. Ashraf admits that each and every rescue mission has been done free of cost by the collective. “We don’t charge money. We, instead, arrange Rs 42,000 to those who’ve been rescued. Each of our members pitch in Rs 1000. Sometimes we even arrange Rs 3 or 4 lakh from friends in the Gulf to bear the hospital bills of victims who can’t afford it,” he says.

Poor little rich people: 65K luxury car owners in Kerala avail welfare pension

The hounding of Hanan: How a spirited Kerala young woman has been let down

Kerala church abuse: SC stays arrest of 2 accused priests, asks for status report

Even as Udayakumar killers get death, Sreejith still fights outside Kerala Secretariat

Alappuzha and Kollam districts declared 'flood-hit', farmers to get crop insurance

Ground report: In flood hit Kuttanad, boats and ferries act as makeshift relief camps

Thiruvananthapuram: Mother forces minor daughter into sex work, 5 arrested

Former minister and IUML leader Cherkalam Abdullah passes away

'We are proud of her': Pinarayi and Achuthanandan pledge support to Hanan

Police vehicle collides with lorry in Alappuzha, three dead

Of 'Jasmine Days' and revolution: Writer Benyamin speaks to TNM about art and society

Women’s Commission wants confession abolished, bishops’ body protests

3 Kerala boys allegedly confined at home from birth to get psychological assessment

School bus rams into tea shop in Thiruvananthapuram, one dies

Man who started hate campaign against Kerala student Hanan Hamid arrested

Woman reporter accuses Kerala activist of misbehaviour, writes about her ordeal

Upset at not getting BPL card, Kerala man attempts suicide in front of Taluk office

Kerala Tourism to launch hotels for women, run by women in Thiruvananthapuram

UN awards ‘Champion of Earth Prize’ to Cochin International Airport

Meet Kerala diver who started a group that rescues people whose lives are at risk