THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 13 January 2007 — The Kerala government has decided to petition the Supreme Court against the High Court order ruling crucial provisions in the law concerning private professional colleges illegal and unconstitutional. “We have also decided to hold talks with self-financing professional colleges to reach a consensus on admissions, fees and quotas in these institutions,” Chief Minister Achuthanandan told reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting. The court had struck down provisions on admissions, minority status of these institutions and fee structure.
Suraiyya Says Goodbye to Kochi
Kamala Suraiyya, the well-known author who embraced Islam in 1999 has announced her decision to leave Kochi for good and spend the rest of her life with her younger son Jayasurya, a media consultant who lives in Pune, Maharashtra. “I’m leaving Kerala with a heavy heart,” the internationally known author said.
Supported only by a maid, she had been leading a lonely life in the Kerala port city. Though she had stopped appearing in public, she kept giving interviews to media at regular intervals and sparking controversies in the process.
She had recently given away her ancestral property in Punnayurkulam, Thrissur, to the Kerala Literacy Academy. “I want to begin life afresh. But I am too old to move out frequently. I hope my literary friends will give good company in my new house,” the 71-year old said.
She first co-authored two books in Kochi — one with late N.P. Mohamed and then with Dr. Sulochana, followed by novels, short stories and poems that received wide critical acclaim. “I cannot manage on my own now. My sons are there and let them take care of me now,” she said. “What choice do I have? I don’t have any friends here. My maids have also become old. So, let me go from here.”
Eco-Tourism Kicked Off in Ponmudi
The state government has declared the hill station of Ponmudi near here as an eco-tourist spot with stringent regulations against polluting the environment. The project will ensure security to visitors and protect the forest grassland ecosystem, Forest Minister Benoy Vishwam said. The project will also help the authorities eliminate garbage from the hill resort and create employment opportunities to the local community. The forest authorities also hope to find a permanent solution to forest fires in summer. The Forest Protection Council comprising 120 families will provide facilities for visitors. Signboards, hoardings and dustbins will put in the resort. Adventure tours will be organized with the help of experienced guides.
