TRIVANDRUM, India, 3 September 2006 — After kicking out Microsoft operating system from schools, the southern Kerala state is exploring other areas where the Windows can be replaced with freeware. According to the state education minister, M.A. Baby, high school students will completely shift to the free software by March, 2008 and all efforts are being made to popularize open source code software wherever possible. The state IT Mission has developed a number of alternatives to the monopolies, distributing freely to the public. The next target is Akshaya e-literacy project, claimed to be the world’s biggest digital community with 6.4 million people logging on to the Web through village knowledge centers. The communist government last month banned the iconic US brands Coke and Pepsi much to the chagrin of industry captains who fear a trade backlash.
Air-India
Activists of the Communist Party of India (CPI) marched to the Air-India office here yesterday after the national carrier rejected their demand for a fare cut. The police prevented the activists from entering the airline’s premises. Air-India chief V. Thulasidas, who announced eight additional services in the Gulf sector to clear the holiday rush last week, had made it clear that no fare cuts would be possible during the peak season. The airline’s low-cost subsidiary Air India Express is flying to Gulf destinations except Saudi Arabia, the biggest employer of Indian workforce in the Gulf. “The airlines operating on the sector have increased fares twofold during the vacation season. Things would have been different if these sectors are opened to private airlines, offering competitive prices,” K.V. Shamsudheen, chairman of the Pravasi Bandhu Trust that works for expatriates, said.
Pressure Mounts on Minister
The resignation of Kerala Congress (J) leader P.J. Joseph, the state’s works and housing minister embroiled in a midair sleaze, appeared imminent yesterday with various groups stepping up pressure. National Commission for Women Chairperson Girija Vyas said she would be visiting the state on Sept. 14 and 15 to probe allegations that the minister molested a former television newsreader on a King Fisher flight from Madras to Cochin on Aug. 3. The victim had given a statement to Inspector General B. Sandhya last week. Vyas is likely to submit her report to Chief Minister Achuthanandan in a couple of days. The powerful minister is also facing corruption charges in a housing scheme for the poor.
Six Get Life Terms
A local court has awarded life terms to six activists of the National Development Front (NDF), a Muslim resistance group, after it found them guilty of killing a CPI (Marxist) worker, accused of raping a housewife during the 2001 Nadapuram riots. The Second Additional Sessions Court in Calicut also fined 50,000 rupees each of which 250,000 rupees are to be handed over to the victim’s family. The prosecution argued that Binu, a taxi driver, was murdered by NDF workers after they exploded bombs to scare away people. Later, they escaped in a jeep bearing a fake registration number. Protesting the judgment, NDF leader A. Sayeed said he would appeal the verdict.
Left Takes a Right Turn
When the prime land of a closed factory went under the hammer in northern Cannanore city, the ruling CPI-M grabbed it, beating many a realtor by quoting the highest price of 64.2 million rupees to own the 3.74-acre property. The Tiruvepati Cloth Mills is now the proletarian party’s prize property. The party was on the lookout for a place to erect a memorial for late E.K. Nayanar in his communist heartland. Initially there were some murmurs from within, but the powerful leadership prevailed. “True, we have taken the land of the closed factory. Besides setting up a memorial-cum-museum for Nayanar, we will make use of the land in an appropriate way,” party district secretary M.V. Govindan said. Media reports, however, said the party planned to use the land to promote hospitality industry in a big way.
