Delhi as Minimum Temperature Drops to 4.3°C; Flight and Train Operations Disrupted Due to Fog

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 21 (IANS) Kerala has long been a trendsetter in various initiatives, and one such example is now inspiring the Telugu film industry. The Andhra Pradesh government is gearing up to honour its veteran actors, following the footsteps of the Kerala government, said Kerala’s Minister for Cinema and Culture, Saji Cherian.

Speaking to IANS, Cherian shared that it was his idea to celebrate the yesteryear actresses who graced Malayalam cinema. This vision was realized during the recently concluded International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

“It was a monumental day for us as organisers, for the audiences who relived memories of their favourite stars, and especially for the actresses themselves. The event brought immense joy to everyone involved, and its success has caught the attention of the Andhra Pradesh film industry. The Andhra Pradesh government is now planning a similar celebration,” Cherian told IANS.

The event, held last Sunday, rekindled the golden era of Malayalam cinema with a special program aptly titled ‘Marakkillorikkalum’ (Never Forgotten). Nearly two dozen iconic actresses were honoured during the ceremony.

The celebrated stars included K.R. Vijaya, T.R. Omana, Vidhubala, Bhavani (Lisa), Shobha (Chembarathi), Hema Chaudhary, Kanakadurga, Reena, Shanthi Krishna, Sreelatha Namboothiri, Surekha, Jalaja, Menaka, Anupama Mohan, Santha Kumari, Mallika Sukumaran, Sachu (Saraswathi), Usha Kumari, Vinodhini, Rajasree (Gracy), Vanchiyoor Radha, and Vanitha Krishna Chandran.

Cherian noted, “We showcased iconic roles from select films for each actress on screen. The response was overwhelming, and we received widespread appreciation for the event.”

At 59, Cherian, a self-confessed film enthusiast, was visibly thrilled to see his own favourite stars of yesteryears being celebrated.

Last Sunday, at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala, while addressing the event honouring veteran female actors from the Malayalam Film Industry, Cherian said that the Kerala government has also initiated steps to introduce legislation ensuring safe workplaces for women, including in the film industry.

–IANS

sg/skp

Jaipur, Dec 16 (IANS) A clash erupted on Monday during the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) meeting in Jaipur over the absence of Congress National General Secretary and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot’s photo from the meeting banners.

Sources said that the issue arose when some Congress members expressed displeasure about the missing picture of Pilot which led to a heated exchange.

State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra defended the decision, citing protocol as the reason behind the banner design. The matter was first raised by State Secretary Narpat Meghwal, followed by Vibha Mathur, who questioned the implications of omitting Pilot’s image.

“How can we talk about strengthening the party when a prominent leader’s photo is missing?” they argued.

The duo questioned why the banner featured former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s picture and not of Sachin Pilot’s. In response, Dotasra reiterated that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) protocol governs such decisions in PCC meetings. Vibha Mathur, granddaughter of former Chief Minister Shiv Charan Mathur and a known Pilot supporter, joined the debate, expressing strong objections.

Dotasra dismissed the criticism, asserting that the photos on posters adhered to Congress guidelines and urged members to focus on party unity. “If anyone wants to feature leaders’ photos, they can do so in their own programmes,” he stated.

The controversy stemmed from a banner prominently displaying images of senior Congress leaders from the central and state levels but excluding Sachin Pilot. Addressing the issue, Dotasra downplayed the incident, calling it an internal matter. “They expressed their concerns, and we acknowledged them,” he remarked.

Vibha Mathur, currently a PCC Secretary and considered a staunch Sachin Pilot supporter, has held various positions in the Congress, including spokesperson for the IT Cell.

During the meeting, Dotasra announced a review of officials’ performance within the organisation. Noting the absence of 23 officials from the meeting, he warned of consequences for inactivity. “Only those who fulfil their responsibilities will remain in the organisation,” he emphasised, adding that block-and division-level executives would soon be formed.

The incident meanwhile underscored persistent tensions within the Rajasthan Congress, reflecting ongoing power struggles.

–IANS

arc/dan

Ranchi, Dec 12 (IANS) On the final day of the special session of the Jharkhand Assembly on Thursday, the issue of sand shortage in the state sparked heated discussions both inside and outside the House.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, Babulal Marandi, brought up the crisis during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address.

Marandi stated, “The sand crisis has become a pressing issue across the state. The government has failed to auction sand ghats. Police arrest individuals and file cases against them for transporting sand for house construction. If the government cannot auction the sand ghats, it should consider making sand freely available for construction work.”

He further demanded accountability from the government regarding alleged looting at the sand ghats. “The government talks about schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas and Abua Awas, but sand is unavailable even for these programs,” he added.

Marandi also raised the issue on social media. In a post on X on Thursday, he said, “The shortage of sand in Jharkhand has increased the difficulties of the people. Out of 444 sand ghats, only 51 have been approved, and out of these, only 24 are producing sand.

“Due to this, construction work in the state has come to a complete halt. Sand prices have reached record levels. In just 10 days, the price of a trolley of sand has increased by Rs 12,000. In other districts of Jharkhand including Palamu, sand is being sold at Rs 25 to Rs 40 per bag.”

“This shortage has affected not only house construction but also important projects like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. If this crisis is not resolved soon, development work in the state may be badly affected. Hemant ji, to provide relief to the people of the state and get the construction sector back on track, it is necessary that black marketing of sand be completely banned and concrete and strict action be taken against the sand mafia,” he added.

Earlier, BJP MLA Kushwaha Shashi Bhushan Prasad Mehta staged a sit-in at the Assembly gate before the session began.

Mehta emphasised the impact of the shortage on key housing projects, including PM Awas and Abua Awas, and called for immediate government intervention. He also raised the matter in the House, stating that in his home district, Palamu, sand is being sold at exorbitant rates of Rs 45-50 per kilogram.

Former Chief Minister and BJP MLA, Champai Soren, speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, hit out at the government’s unfulfilled promises.

“The government announced free sand for house construction, but this is not being implemented. Instead, people transporting sand are being penalised. The government’s words and actions do not align,” he said.

–IANS

snc/skp/rad