An Open Letter to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

 

Respected Thiru M.K. Stalin,

We, the people of Kerala, write to you with a heartfelt plea concerning the Mullaperiyar Dam, a structure that has been serving as a vital lifeline for Tamil Nadu while posing an ever-growing threat to the safety of millions in Kerala. We come to you with the utmost respect, recognizing your leadership and the compassion you have consistently shown towards your people and neighbors alike.

Under your stewardship, Tamil Nadu has been witnessing remarkable progress and development. Your commitment to the welfare of your state, combined with your proactive and empathetic approach to governance, has earned you admiration not just in Tamil Nadu but across the nation particularly in Kerala. We witnessed your leadership during the recent Wayanad tragedy, where you swiftly extended support to Kerala in our time of need. This act of kindness further cemented the brotherly bond between our states, a relationship built on mutual respect and shared heritage.

As neighboring states, Kerala and Tamil Nadu share more than just borders; Being Dravidians we share families, cultures, and a history of cooperation. Many Tamil families have found their homes in Kerala, and similarly, many Malayalees have settled in Tamil Nadu. This intermingling of our peoples is a testament to the deep-rooted connections between us. It is with this spirit of unity that we approach you today.

We understand the critical importance of the Mullaperiyar Dam to Tamil Nadu, particularly in terms of water resources. We want to assure you that Kerala harbors no objections to Tamil Nadu continuing to draw water from the dam or benefiting from its resources. Our concern is singular and straightforward: the safety and lives of nearly five million people who live downstream of this aging dam.

As you know, the Mullaperiyar Dam, over a century old, has served its purpose admirably. However, time and nature have taken their toll, and the structure's continued integrity is a growing concern. The thought of a potential failure is a nightmare that we live with daily, knowing the devastating impact it would have on our communities.

Our request to you, Honorable Chief Minister, is not to diminish Tamil Nadu's benefits from the dam, but to explore together a solution that ensures the safety of all. We are confident that under your wise and compassionate leadership, a way can be found to secure both the lives of those in Kerala and the water needs of Tamil Nadu. We are sad to admit that our politicians are less interested or scared to solve the issue. 

We appeal to your sense of justice, your deep commitment to human welfare, and the brotherly relations between our states to take decisive action that would address the fears of the people of Kerala. Your decision on this matter could save millions of lives and further strengthen the bonds of trust and friendship that have always united Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

With deep respect and hope,

The Concerned People of Kerala

Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris: Who Will Win?

As the 2024 presidential election looms, speculation intensifies around a potential showdown between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. While both figures have their strengths and significant followings, many are curious about Trump's chances of securing a victory against Harris. Here’s a look at the factors that could give Trump an edge in this hypothetical match-up.

Trump's Solidified Base

Donald Trump’s base is one of the most dedicated and energized in modern American politics. His supporters see him as an outsider willing to take on the establishment and fight for their interests. This unwavering loyalty provides Trump with a dependable voting bloc that is likely to turn out in large numbers, especially in crucial swing states. His ability to mobilize and energize his base is a significant advantage.

Economic Messaging

Trump’s economic policies, including tax cuts and deregulation, were well-received by many, particularly within the business community and among working-class voters. His emphasis on job creation and economic growth resonates with a broad segment of the electorate. If he can effectively communicate a vision for economic recovery and growth post-pandemic, it could be a compelling message against Harris.

Law and Order Stance

Trump's "law and order" stance appealed to many voters concerned about crime and civil unrest. During his presidency, he positioned himself as a defender of law enforcement and a bulwark against what he described as the chaos and lawlessness in some American cities. This message could resonate strongly, particularly if public concerns about crime remain high leading up to the election.

Campaign Savvy and Media Presence

Trump is a master of media manipulation and has a keen sense for what issues will galvanize his supporters. His use of social media, rallies, and unconventional campaign tactics allows him to dominate news cycles and set the agenda. His direct communication style, while polarizing, ensures that he remains at the forefront of political discourse.

Kamala Harris: Challenges and Perceptions

While Kamala Harris has her strengths, including her historic candidacy and experience as a senator and vice president, she also faces challenges. Harris has been a polarizing figure, and her approval ratings have fluctuated. Some voters perceive her as too progressive, while others critique her for being part of the political establishment. Trump could exploit these perceptions to his advantage, painting Harris as out of touch with mainstream America.

Battleground States and Electoral Strategy

Trump's previous campaigns showed his ability to flip key battleground states by appealing to rural and working-class voters. States like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, which are crucial to winning the Electoral College, have significant populations that responded well to Trump's message in 2016 and 2020. A focused campaign strategy targeting these states could be pivotal.

Conclusion: Trump’s Edge

While a contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris would be fiercely competitive, Trump has several advantages that could tip the scales in his favor. His dedicated base, strong economic messaging, and adept media presence provide a solid foundation for a successful campaign. Additionally, his ability to frame Harris as a candidate who is too progressive or out of touch with key voter demographics could be a significant factor.

Ultimately, predicting the outcome of any election is fraught with uncertainty. However, given the factors at play, Trump could very well have the upper hand in a direct contest against Kamala Harris, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic and closely-watched election in 2024.

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Major Arch Bishop's Final warning circular to the rebels (PDF)

How could UDF win 18 seats in Kerala? Factors that helped.

The recent Parliament elections in Kerala resulted in a significant triumph for the United Democratic Front (UDF), which secured 18 out of 20 seats. 1 seat was won by BJP candidate Suresh Gopi in Thrissur and just 1 seat only was won by an LDF candidate. As the saying goes, "success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan" there are many claiming credit for the results! In fact the main person who helped the landslide victory for UDF is none other than than Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of kerala and his CPI(M) party only. Yes, the overwhelming victory of UDF in Kerala was primarily a resounding rejection mainly of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala and Modi's dictator rule in the centre.

Factors in Thrissur

In Thrissur, the BJP candidate Suresh Gopi's victory can be attributed to his long-term efforts in the constituency and a unique appeal to religious sentiments. Gopi's offering of a golden crown to the Holy Virgin Mother and his compassionate work in the area garnered significant local support especially that of the Christian community which was UDF vote bank. His victory was not at all a reflection of Modi's influence but rather a recognition of his personal dedication and service to the community.

Pinarayi Vijayan's Troubled Tenure

The LDF, under the leadership of Pinarayi Vijayan, has been marred by numerous allegations of corruption, nepotism, inefficiency, and rising crime rates. The electorate's growing frustration with these issues played a critical role in the shift towards the UDF. Vijayan's government has been accused of mishandling key sectors, including education and public safety, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among the people.

Corruption and Nepotism

Under Vijayan's rule, the LDF government faced severe criticism for rampant corruption and nepotism. Scandals involving most of the CPI(M) leaders including the chief minister and his family, and misuse of public funds eroded public trust. The perception that the government was serving the interests of a select few rather than the broader populace fueled anger and disillusionment among voters.

Inefficiency and Rising Crime

The LDF's tenure saw a significant increase in crime and lawlessness, which the government appeared unable and unwilling to control. The student wings of the Communist party always took law in ther hands. This sense of insecurity among the public, coupled with inefficiencies in governance, further alienated the electorate. The failure to address these pressing issues effectively was a major factor in the electorate's desire for change.

Drug and Liquor Menace

Another significant concern during Vijayan's tenure was the rise of drug and liquor problems and the highhandedness of the goonda raj. The government's inability to curb these issues led to a societal degradation that affected everyday life in Kerala. Families and communities bore the brunt of these issues, leading to widespread resentment towards the ruling party.

Education and Social Services

The degradation of the education system under the LDF's governance was another point of contention. The public perceived a decline in the quality of education and social services, which had long been a hallmark of Kerala's development. This perceived decline was a stark contrast to the high standards expected by the people, further contributing to the LDF's unpopularity.

National Sentiment Against BJP

The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been accused of persecuting minorities, particularly Christians and Muslims. His long silence on the Manipur violence is clear evidence  of his direct or indirect involement in the violence between two races there. This sentiment resonated strongly in Kerala, where the minority and secular-minded population has a sizable strength. The fear of rising intolerance under Modi's rule pushed many voters towards the UDF, seen as the only alternative..

Conclusion

The UDF's landslide victory in Kerala was not just a result of their campaign but a clear rejection of Pinarayi Vijayan's administration. The electorate's dissatisfaction with the LDF's corruption, inefficiency, rising crime, and degradation of social services was the driving force behind the shift. Voters sought a change from the troubled tenure of the LDF, and the UDF emerged as the preferred alternative for a return to stability and good governance.

Kerala KSRTC Depot Updated Phone Numbers

These are the latest telephone numbers of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Depots:

കേരളാ കെഎസ്ആർടിസി ഡിപ്പോകളുടെ ഫോൺ നമ്പറുകൾ

അടൂർ - 0473-4224764 - Adoor

ആലപ്പുഴ - 0477-2251518 - Alappuzha

ആലുവ - 0484-2624242 - Aluva 

ആനയറ - 0471-2749400 - Anayara

അങ്കമാലി - 0484-2453050 - Angamaly 

ആര്യനാട് - 0472-2853900 - Aryanadu 

അരയങ്കാവ് - 0475-2211300 - Aryankavu 

ആറ്റിങ്ങൽ - 0470-2622202 - Attingal 

ബാംഗ്ലൂ‍ർ - 0802-6756666 - Bangalore 

ചടയമംഗലം - 0474-2476200 - Chadayamangalam

ചാലക്കുടി - 0480-2701638 - Chalakudy 

ചങ്ങനാശേരി - 0481-2420245 - Changanasserry

ചാത്തന്നൂ‍ർ - 0474-2592900 - Chathannoor

ചെങ്ങന്നൂ‍ർ - 0479-2452352 - Chengannur

ചേ‍ർത്തല - 0478-2812582 - Cherthala

ചിറ്റൂ‌ർ - 0492-3227488 - Chittoor (Kochi)

എടത്വ - 0477-2215400 - Edathua

ഈഞ്ചക്കൽ - 0471-2501180 - Eanchakkal

ഈരാറ്റുപേട്ട - 0482-2272230 - Erattupetta

എറണാകുളം - 0484-2372033 - Ernakulam

എരുമേലി - 0482-8212345 - Erumeli

ഗുരുവായൂ‍ർ - 0487-2556450 - Guruvayoor

ഹരിപ്പാ‍ട് - 0479-2412620 - Harippad

ഇരിങ്ങാലക്കുട - 0480-2823990 - Iringalakkuda

കൽപ്പറ്റ - 0493-6202611 - Kalpatta

കാഞ്ഞങ്ങാട് - 0467-2200055 - Kanhangad 

കണിയാപുരം - 0471-2752533 - Kaniyapuram

കണ്ണൂർ - 0497-2707777 - Kannur

കരുനാഗപ്പള്ളി - 0476-2620466 - Karunagappally

കാസർഗോഡ് - 0499-4230677 - Kasargod 

കാട്ടാക്കട - 0471-2290381 - Kattakada

കട്ടപ്പന - 0486-8252333 - Kattappana

കായംകുളം - 0479-2442022 - Kayamkulam

കിളിമാനൂർ - 0470-2672217 - Kilimanur

കൊടുങ്ങല്ലൂർ - 0480-2803155 - Kodungalloor

കൊല്ലം - 0474-2752008 - Kollam

കോന്നി - 0468-2244555 - Konni

കൂത്താട്ടുകുളം - 0468-2253444 - Koothattukulam

കോതമംഗലം - 0485-2862202 - Kothamangalam

കൊട്ടാരക്കര - 0474-2452622 - Kottarakkara

കോട്ടയം - 0481-2562908 - Kottayam

കോഴിക്കോട് - 0495-2723796 - Kozhikodu

കുളത്തൂപ്പുഴ - 0475-2318777 - Kulathupuzha

കുമളി - 0486-9224242 - Kumali

മാള - 0480-2890438 - Mala

മലപ്പുറം - 0483-2734950 - Malappuram

മല്ലപ്പള്ളി - 0469-2785080 - Mallappally

മാനന്തവാടി - 0493-5240640 - Manathavadi 

മണ്ണാ‍ർകാട് - 0492-4225150 - Mannarkad

മാവേലിക്കര - 0479-2302282 - Mavelikkara

മൂലമറ്റം - 0486-2252045 - Mulamattam

മൂവാറ്റുപുഴ - 0485-2832321 - Muvattupuzha

മൂന്നാ‍ർ - 0486-5230201 - Munnar

നെടുമങ്ങാട് - 0472-2812235 - Nedumangadu

നെടുങ്കണ്ടം - 04868-234533 - Nedumkandam

നെയ്യാറ്റിൻകര - 0471-2222243 - Neyyattinkara

നിലമ്പൂർ - 04931-223929 - Nilambur

നോർത്ത് പറവൂർ - 0484-2442373 - North Paravur

പാലാ - 0482-2212250 - Pala

പാലക്കാട് - 0491-2520098 - Palakkadu

പാലോട് -0472-2840259 - Palodu

പമ്പ - 0473-5203445 - Pamba (Pampa)

പന്തളം - 0473-4255800 - Panthalam

പാപ്പനംകോട് - 0471-2494002 - Pappanamkodu

പാറശ്ശാല - 0471-2202058 - Parassala

പത്തനംതിട്ട - 0468-2222366 - Pathanamthitta

പത്തനാപുരം - 0475-2354010 - Pathanapuram

പയ്യന്നൂർ - 0498-5203062 - Payyannoor

പെരിന്തൽമണ്ണ - 0493-3227342 - Perinthalmanna

പേരൂ‍ർക്കട - 0471-2433683 - Peroorkkada

പെരുമ്പാവൂർ - 0484-2523416 - Perumbavoor

പിറവം - 0485-2265533 - Piravam

പൊൻകുന്നം - 0482-82213 - Ponkunnam

പൊന്നാനി - 0494-2666396 - Ponnani

പൂവാ‍ർ - 0471-2210047 - Poovar

പുനലൂർ - 0475-2222626 - Punalur

പുതുക്കാട് - 0480-2751648 - Puthukkadu

റാന്നി - 04735-225253 - Ranni

സുൽത്താൻ ബത്തേരി - 0493-6220217 - Sulthan Batteri

തലശ്ശേരി - 0490-2343333 - Thalasserry

താമരശ്ശേരി - 0495-2222217 - Thamarasserry

തിരുവല്ല - 0469-2602945 - Thiruvalla

തിരുവമ്പാടി - 0495-2254500 - Thiruvambady

തൊടുപുഴ - 0486-2222388 - Thodupuzha

തൊട്ടിൽപാലം - 0496-2566200 - Thottilpalam

തൃശൂർ - 0487-2421150 - Thrissur

തിരുവന്തപുരം സെൻട്രൽ - 0471-2323886 - Trivandrum Central

തിരുവന്തപുരം സിറ്റി - 0471-2575495 - Trivandrum City

വടകര - 0496-2523377 - Vadakara

വടക്കാഞ്ചേരി - 0492-2255001 - Vadakkancherry

വൈക്കം - 0482-9231210 - Vaikam 

വെള്ളനാട് - 0472-2884686 - Vellanadu

വെഞ്ഞാറമൂട് - 0472-2874141 - Venjaramoodu

വികാസ് ഭവൻ - 0471-2307890 - Vikas Bhavan

വിതുര - 0472-2858686 - Vithura

വിഴിഞ്ഞം - 0471-2481365 - Vizhinjam

Mar Raphael Thattil is the 4th Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church

The Synod, comprising all the Bishops of the Syro Malabar Church, convened at Mount St. Thomas, the headquarters on 8 January 2024, with the sole agenda of electing a successor for Mar George Alenchery, who resigned as the Major Archbishop of the Church in November 2023.

On the first day of the Synod was dedicated to prayers and meditation, seeking divine assistance and wisdom from the Holy Spirit. The Bishops earnestly prayed for discernment, pledging to exercise their discretion judiciously, free from any personal sentiments.

Successfully accomplishing their objective on the second day (i.e., yesterday 9-1-2024), the Synod, guided by the Holy Spirit, elected Mar Raphael Thattil as the new Major Archbishop.

The proceedings on the second day of the Synod, which took place on January 9, 2024, resulted in the election of Mar
Thattil as the new head of the Church. The election results had been submitted to the Holy See for approval, and the official announcement was just made at Mount St. Thomas in Kakkanad by Mar Mathew Moolakkattu, the Archbishop of the Kottayam Knanaya Diocese, on behalf of the Syro Malabar Synod.

Mar Raphael Thattil presently serves as the Bishop of the Shamshabad Eparchy, encompassing the largest areas in India.

Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA: A Lone Warrior Against Corruption Vying for Newsmaker 2023

In the throes of debates and the fervent voting process to elect Manorama Newsmaker 2023, one name has emerged as a symbol of courage and integrity in Indian politics – Mathew Kuzhalnadan, the Congress MLA from Muvattupuzha. As the year draws to a close, anticipation mounts regarding Kuzhalnadan's potential triumph, given his fearless battle against corruption and powerful leaders within the CPIM party including the Chief Minister and his daughter.

Challenging the Powerhouse:

At the heart of Kuzhalnadan's candidacy for Manorama Newsmaker 2023 lies his audacious confrontation with corruption within the powerful CPIM party. In a move that sent shockwaves through Kerala's political landscape, Kuzhalnadan stood alone in challenging the notorious Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter. The allegations centered around their purported receipt of substantial sums from industrialist Kartha, who had secured a controversial contract to mine black sand from Kerala's coast, a venture deemed detrimental to the state's welfare.

A Lone Battle:

Undeterred by the enormity of the challenge, Kuzhalnadan waged a solitary battle against corruption, a virtue that resonated deeply with the people of Kerala. The CPIM party, notorious for its strongholds and unwavering loyalty, responded with anger and attempts to tarnish Kuzhalnadan's reputation. However, his unblemished record and unyielding commitment to the truth left the CPIM mafia empty-handed, unable to find any fault with the fearless MLA.

The People's Champion:

Kuzhalnadan's stance against corruption catapulted him into the limelight, transforming him into a mass leader. The people of Kerala, weary of political malfeasance, rallied behind his cause, celebrating a leader who dared to challenge the status quo. Kuzhalnadan's fearlessness and calm demeanor in the face of adversity endeared him to the public, marking him as a true champion of the people.

A Potential Newsmaker:

As the debates and voting process unfold, the expectation is palpable that Mathew Kuzhalnadan will secure the coveted title of Manorama Newsmaker 2023. His unwavering commitment to the principles of transparency, justice, and accountability has resonated not only with his constituency but with the broader public as well. Kuzhalnadan's journey from a lone warrior against corruption to a potential newsmaker symbolizes the power of individual integrity and the yearning for positive change in the political landscape.

Conclusion:

In the final days of the Manorama Newsmaker 2023 election, Mathew Kuzhalnadan stands as a testament to the resilience of those who fight for truth and justice. His unwavering dedication to the cause of eradicating corruption has elevated him from a local MLA to a symbol of hope for a better political future. As the people eagerly await the results, Kuzhalnadan's journey remains a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the impact that one principled individual can have on an entire state and, potentially, the nation.