Latest news with #Cherian
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dispute erupts over Kollam-Theni NH widening plan
Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian has demanded an urgent review of the proposed alignment for the widening of the Kollam-Theni National Highway (NH) 183. In a statement issued here on Thursday, Mr. Cherian said that it would have been possible to prepare an effective plan without causing the loss of around 3,000 houses, shops, places of worship, and other structures along both sides of the 16-kilometre stretch from Kollakadavu to Aanjilichuvadu, and further up to Pravinkoodu on MC Road. He said the new highway was planned to be 24 metres wide, twice the width of the existing road. 'The new alignment should be designed in a way that does not cause inconvenience to the public,' the Minister said. A detailed complaint had already been submitted to the National Highways Authority of India, he added. Meanwhile, Kodikkunnil Suresh, MP, has criticised Mr. Cherian's stance against the 'widening of the Kollam-Theni National Highway 183 into a four-lane road.' In a statement issued on Friday, Mr. Suresh said that it was due to his intervention that a decision was made to widen the existing road, which requires minimal land acquisition. 'This decision has the full support of both the Central and State governments. The statements made by Minister Saji Cherian are intended solely to create confusion among the public,' Mr. Suresh said. The Mavelikara MP said the decision to widen the road was taken after conducting various studies. 'Widening the road is the most suitable option for the national highway development. Accordingly, the alignment was approved, the 3A Gazette Notification for land acquisition was published, and the project cost is currently under consideration by the Finance Committee,' he said. Mr. Suresh said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the State government held a favourable stance on the Kollam-Theni National Highway development. Mr. Cherian has taken a different position, possibly due to vested interests, he alleged.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Culture Minister launches logo for Kerala film policy conclave
The proposed policy for the Malayalam film industry, to be presented at the Kerala film policy conclave in August, will address all the long-time demands and pertinent issues, including women's safety, implementation of labour laws and the formal recognition as an industry, Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian has said. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday to announce the conclave and launch its logo, he said that the film policy will be formulated based on the discussions at the conclave. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the two-day conclave at a function to be held at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall inside the Legislative Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram on August 2. The conclave, which will comprehensively discuss various aspects of cinema, will be attended by representatives of the 17 States that have formulated the film policy, representatives of the National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism, personalities from the Indian film industry as well as international experts, various film organisations and experts in the fields of labour and law. Mr. Cherian said that comprehensive discussions will be held on various issues related to the film sector. The conclave will have nine sessions over two days. After the inaugural session on the first day, five sessions will be conducted. All these sessions will be held simultaneously at five different venues. There will be a plenary session in the afternoon in which moderators from each discussion will present reports based on their discussions. This will be followed by an open forum at 4.30 p.m., in which representatives can raise questions related to the reports. Ideas emerging from the discussions will be codified and incorporated into the film policy. Wide-ranging process 'Such a wide-ranging, democratic process to formulate a policy for a film industry is unprecedented. The policy will be a comprehensive one in which every department of cinema will be considered and the concerns of every person will be addressed,' said Mr. Cherian. Cultural Affairs department Additional Chief Secretary Rajan N. Khobragade, Cultural Affairs department Director Divya S. Iyer, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairperson Premkumar, Kerala State Cultural Activists Welfare Fund Board chairperson K. Madhupal, Kerala State Film Development Corporation managing director P.S. Priyadarshan and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy secretary C. Ajoy were present.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Saji Cherian praises services of private hospitals
Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian on Monday credited private health-care facilities for their services, recounting how one such hospital saved his life years ago when he fell critically ill with dengue fever after being treated at a government hospital. Talking to reporters here, Mr. Cherian said people, including Ministers, taking treatment at private hospitals was just normal practice. His remarks on the health-care facilities came while defending Ministers seeking treatment at private hospitals. 'Wherever people can get good treatment first, they will go there and what is wrong with that,' he asked, asking how many Ministers actually prefer government facilities. Personal experience Recounting a personal experience, Mr. Cherian said he was 'almost dead due to the treatment at a government hospital' after being admitted for dengue fever in 2019. 'When I was almost dead due to the treatment at the government hospital, it was recommended to take me to the Amrita hospital. I had remained there unconscious for 14 days and had been cured later,' he said. The Minister further said private hospitals may have more technologies and there is nothing wrong with people going there for advanced treatment. Mr. Cherian's statement came amidst a raging debate over the alleged lapses in government hospitals and medical colleges in the State. Clarification However, the Minister later came up with a clarification that he never tried to belittle the services provided by the government hospitals and that a section of the media distorted what he said. In a Facebook post, Mr. Cherian said lakhs of people are depending on the government hospitals in the State, and he was mentioning the circumstances in which people had to depend upon private health-care facilities. Distorting the statements in this regard was condemnable, he said, and requested people to reject such propaganda being made with political motives.
New Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Minister Saji Cherian alleges spike in 'divisive politics' in Kerala
Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian on Wednesday flagged concerns about significant surge in divisive politics in the state. He cited recent protests against Zumba dance, demands to rename the Suresh Gopi-starrer Janaki vs The State of Kerala and a communal campaign run by a newly formed Christian outfit which is spreading "anti-Islam" sentiments, with RSS backing, to create "political divisions among minorities", as reasons for his claim. Speaking at an event, Cherian alleged that certain vested interests were deliberately spreading "contempt and animosity in society". "Divisive politics is rising on a large scale in Kerala," he asserted. The state government led by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had introduced the Zumba, a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance, to help reduce stress among school children and discourage drug abuse. However, Muslim outfits and clerics argued that Zumba was against the Islamic precepts while a right-wing cultural outfit accused the government of promoting Zumba at the cost of Yoga and other traditional art forms. Cherian pointed out while one group opposes Zumba in schools, another is targeting the film 'Janaki', claiming its title disrespects a goddess. Sources said the film, directed by Pravin Narayanan, was denied screening clearance because 'Janaki' another name for Goddess Sita cannot be used for such a character. Cherian criticised the Congress-led UDF for supporting demands to review the government's decision to introduce Zumba in schools.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Politics of division creeping into Kerala society: Minister Saji Cherian
Politics of division is making inroads into Kerala society, Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian has said. Speaking at a function in Alappuzha on Wednesday, Mr. Cherian said that while one group was opposing zumba dance, another was deliberately targeting the film JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala. Terming the Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (CASA) 'a communal outfit', the Minister said it was spreading anti-Muslim propaganda. 'CASA has the backing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Their aim is to create division in society,' Mr. Cherian said. 'Communal agendas' He said the actor in the film JSK is a BJP leader. 'Janaki is the name of a deity. Films with this title have been released in Kerala in the past without sparking any controversy. But now, those currently in the censor board are promoting communal agendas,' the Minister said. He questioned whose interests the Opposition was seeking to protect in Kerala. 'Whatever indecent or communal statements someone makes, the Opposition in Kerala is turning them into political weapons to gain support from communal forces,' Mr. Cherian said. He also alleged that the Congress party was increasingly being overshadowed by the Indian Union Muslim League.
