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The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Punnapra-Vayalar — The blood-red uprising that shaped Kerala's Left
The story so far V.S. Achuthanandan, the communist icon who passed away at the age of 101, was one of the last living flagbearers of the historic Punnapra-Vayalar uprising of 1946 in Kerala. The movement, which played a critical role in shaping Kerala's political landscape, was the crucible that forged his lifelong commitment to justice and resistance. What was Punnapra-Vayalar uprising? The Punnapra-Vayalar uprising of 1946 was a mass revolt by workers and peasants against the autocratic Travancore monarchy and the autocratic rule of Diwan C.P. Ramaswami Iyer. Rooted in the coastal belt of Alappuzha, particularly in the villages of Punnapra and Vayalar, the movement was spearheaded by the nascent Communist Party of India, which mobilised coir workers, agricultural labourers and tenants who were bearing the brunt of feudal exploitation and starvation in the wake of World War Two. At the heart of the protest was rising discontent against the Diwan's proposal to keep Travancore an independent nation, separate from the Indian Union, an idea modelled on the American presidential system. The communists were objected to this 'American model', coining the slogan: 'Throw the American model into the Arabian Sea!' A revolt fuelled by suffering The economic hardship was acute. Food shortages, black market, inflation, unemployment and starvation plagued the people. Landlords, backed by the State, ruled with impunity. In the face of such cruelty, the coir workers' union and the communist party began building ward committees and organising local resistance in Cherthala and Ambalapuzha taluks. By 1945, a general strike was held across Alappuzha, Cherthala and Muhamma, demanding basic rights and rations. The response was swift and brutal in the form of martial law and police repression. The flashpoint On 25 October 1946, as Travancore prepared to declare independence with a U.S.-style constitution, unrest was already boiling over. The All Travancore Trade Union Congress had called for a general strike starting October 22. Thousands of workers took to the streets, marching toward the reserve police camp at Punnapra, demanding freedom. When the protesters reached the camp, the officer-in-charge gave the order to open fire. Several demonstrators were shot dead. The officer and five policemen were also killed in the clashes that followed. Outraged, over 1,000 communists in Vayalar retaliated with crude spears (varikuntham, as it is locally called) carved from arecanut tree stems and killed several police personnel. The Diwan responded by declaring martial law. By October 27, the Travancore army, with naval support, had surrounded Vayalar. Outgunned, the rebels resisted fiercely but were eventually crushed. The exact toll remains uncertain, but hundreds of communists lost their lives in the brutal crackdown. Achuthanandan's role Achuthanandan, then a 23-year-old coir worker and newly minted Communist, was deeply involved in organising workers ahead of the uprising. Though arrested before the final clashes, he played a crucial role in mobilising resistance. After the uprising, V.S. went underground. Escaping to Kottayam through the backwaters, he trekked 30 km to reach Poonjar as instructed by Travancore Communist Party acting secretary K.V. Pathrose. In Poonjar, he hid in the homes of sympathisers but was soon caught and subjected to intense torture. He was presumed dead and nearly dumped in the forest. But he survived and was treated in Pala hospital before being transferred to the Poojappura Central Jail in Thiruvananthapuram. Aftermath and legacy Though the uprising was violently suppressed, it dramatically shifted Travancore's political trajectory. It symbolised the awakening of class consciousness among the oppressed and laid the ideological foundation for the rise of Left politics in the State. Less than a year later, Diwan C.P. Ramaswami Iyer resigned and left the State after an attempt on his life. This struggle also led to the beginning of a process through which the two princely States of Travancore and Cochin were first made into what was known as the Travancore-Cochin State. Seven years later, they were merged with the Malabar district of the British-ruled Madras presidency to form the new, united linguistic State of Kerala. In 1957, following the first-ever elections to the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the first democratically communist government came to power under the leadership of E.M.S. Namboodiripad. The communists regard Punnapra-Vayalar uprising as not isolated. It was part of a broader wave of militant actions across Kerala — Karivellur, Kavumbai and Thillankeri in Malabar saw similar uprisings. But the resistance in Alappuzha stood out for its intensity, sacrifice, and impact. The slogan 'the blood of Vayalar is our blood' became a rallying cry for generations of Left activists. A life lived in the spirit of resistance For Achuthanandan, the uprising was a turning point that charted the rest of his life. As a trade unionist, Leader of the Opposition, Chief Minister and elder statesman of the Left, he carried the spirit of Punnapra-Vayalar into every phase of his public life. With his passing, Kerala also looses a bridge to its revolutionary past. But the legacy set by V.S. has ensured that the fire lit in 1946 lives on in Kerala's politics, memory and conscience.
Business Standard
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Shivam Enterprise Pharma Division Launches New Range of Capsules and Tablets Section Under the Visionary Leadership of Mr. Sahil Diwan
New Delhi [India], July 12: Shivam Enterprise, a trusted name in the pharmaceutical industry for over two decades, is all set to expand its horizons with the launch of a new segment dedicated to capsules and tablets. This significant move marks another milestone in the company's journey, driven by the relentless efforts and visionary leadership of its Managing Director, Mr. Sahil Diwan. Since joining the company in 2019, Mr. Sahil Diwan has infused new energy into Shivam Enterprise. With a clear vision and unwavering dedication, he has been instrumental in steering the company toward unprecedented growth. His leadership has not only brought innovation and modernization but also positioned the company as a responsible contributor to national healthcare efforts. Shivam Enterprise gained widespread recognition during critical times such as the black fungus outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Mr. Diwan's leadership, the company played a crucial role by manufacturing essential injections to combat black fungus and developing various healthcare products vital for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. These contributions, acknowledged by both government bodies and healthcare professionals, showcased the company's commitment to social responsibility and public welfare. Now, with the launch of the new capsules and tablets division, Shivam Enterprise is poised to reach even greater heights. This new venture is aimed at enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products, addressing a broader range of healthcare needs across the country. Mr. Sahil Diwan's dedication knows no bounds—his tireless efforts and strategic vision are transforming Shivam Enterprise into a modern, future-ready pharmaceutical powerhouse. As the company embarks on this new chapter, it continues to uphold its core values of quality, innovation, and service to society. With a solid foundation built over 20 years and a dynamic leader at the helm, Shivam Enterprise is not just launching new products—it is redefining the future of healthcare in India.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Time of India
Man shoots himself to frame cousins to settle score over property dispute
Lucknow: Kakori police arrested a man who shot himself to falsely implicate his cousins in an alleged case of murder attempt — all to settle a dispute over property. His elderly accomplice was also taken into custody on Friday, said police. Akash Yadav, alias Aryan, 25, Yadav, a resident of Maunda village under Kakori police station limits, fired a .315 bore country-made pistol at his own shoulder with the help of his associate Diwan, 70, to falsely accuse his relatives in a land dispute. Initially, Akash filed a complaint on July 8 claiming that two unidentified men on a motorcycle attacked him with a pistol. A case under section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered, and police launched an investigation. "However, discrepancies in Akash's statements and medical reports raised suspicions. Forensic examination revealed the bullet wound on his left shoulder was inflicted from close range, indicated by blackening around the entry wound," said DCP West Zone, Vishwajeet Srivastava. During sustained interrogation, Akash confessed to staging the attack to implicate his cousins Raju and Ashish Yadav, with whom he had a long-standing land dispute. He also alleged that Ashish earlier misbehaved with his wife, prompting him to register a case. With the mango harvest over and no one present in the orchard, Akash conspired with Diwan and shot himself. The weapon and ammunition were later recovered from a concealed spot near the boundary wall of his orchard. Both accused have been booked under relevant sections of the BNS and Arms Act, including charges for criminal conspiracy, fabrication of evidence, and unlawful possession and use of firearms, the police said.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran's Pezeshkian expresses ‘regret' to the emir of Qatar
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed his 'regret' to Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani over Tehran's missile attack on a US base on Monday. In a phone call on Tuesday with the emir, Pezeshkian noted that neither Qatar nor its population were the target of the attack on the Al Udeid Air Base, the United States base in Qatar, and that it did 'not represent a threat' to the Gulf nation, the Diwan (emir's office) said in a statement. '[Pezeshkian] stressed that the State of Qatar will remain a neighbouring, Muslim, and sisterly state, and expressed his hope that relations between the two countries will always be based on the principles of respect for the sovereignty of states and good neighbourliness,' the statement said. Iran launched 19 missiles at the US base, which is the largest in the Middle East, with Qatari defence forces intercepting 18 of them, according to officials from the Ministry of Interior. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched this 'powerful and devastating missile attack' in response to the 'blatant military aggression' by the US on Iran's nuclear facilities on Sunday. Translation: His Highness the Emir receives a phone call from His Excellency Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the Iranian attack, a series of flares and loud explosions were observed in Qatar's capital, Doha, as well as other areas of the country. Qatari officials confirmed that the airbase was evacuated before the attack. According to the Diwan, the emir 'reiterated Qatar's strong condemnation' of the attack, considering it a 'flagrant violation of its sovereignty and airspace'. 'His Highness the Emir also expressed that this violation is completely inconsistent with the principle of good neighbourliness and the close relations between the two countries, especially since Qatar has always been an advocate of dialogue with Iran and has made strenuous diplomatic efforts in this regard,' the statement and Qatar have long enjoyed fraternal relations, and the Qatari government has condemned both the Israeli and US attacks on Iran. But Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani spoke at a news conference on Tuesday of a 'scar' to relations between Doha and Tehran that would need time to heal. Earlier on Tuesday, Qatar's Foreign Ministry said it sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council, denouncing the IRGC's 'extremely dangerous escalation' and saying the attack posed a 'direct threat to regional peace and security'. The tit-for-tat attacks between the US and Iran come amidst the conflict between Israel and Iran, which began on June 13, after the Israeli army struck multiple targets inside Iran. Hours after the attack on the Al Udeid Air Base, US President Donald Trump announced late on Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire. Nevertheless, both countries have accused each other of violating the truce.
Business Recorder
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Middle East crisis: solar imports in Pakistan could become costlier on increased freight
The cost of solar panel imports was feared to increase in Pakistan if Iran-Israel conflict continued for a longer period, importers told Business Recorder on Tuesday. Israel's aggression in Gaza has continued for the last 18 months, but the Middle East crisis intensified after Israel began attacking Iran on June 13, saying its 'longtime enemy' was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. After two weeks' clashes, US President Donald Trump said a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was in force on Tuesday, urging both sides to 'not violate it' on the 12th day of the war between the two arch-foes. However, Gaza crisis still persists along with chances of renewal of Iran-Israel conflict. 'Shipping costs are around $2,500 per container in Pakistan, and if the Middle East conflict intensifies, this cost could reach up to $3,000 per container,' said Diwan International Pvt Ltd Director Muhammad Faaz Diwan told Business Recorder. According to Diwan, the pre-container shipping cost (freight cost) rose more than 100% in the last two months, from $1,200 to now $2,500. Explaining the reasons behind the cost increase, he noted that the US had imposed duties on China, but the duties were suspended for 90 days. 'As a result, China received a surge of orders from the US, which led to increased freight costs.' Diwan said the freight costs would increase further if Iran-Israeli clashes continued for a longer period. He also mentioned that importers were paying an additional 3% advance tax on imports. 'If a 10% tax is imposed on solar panels, the total tax burden on importers would reach 13%, leading to higher solar panel prices.' It may be noted that the government, in its budget proposals for FY2025-26, suggested 18% tax on imported solar panels, and later reduced it to 10%. Diwan noted that the cost per watt of solar panel was approximately Rs28, and if the 13% tax was imposed, the cost would rise to Rs32 per watt for importers. He remarked that Pakistani citizens were facing dual challenges: high electricity rates and load shedding, which is why many opt for solar panels, according to Diwan. However, he emphasised that even with the tax, solar panels would remain within the consumer's budget if they calculated the long-term savings. Meanwhile, regarding Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb's statement accusing traders of hoarding and creating artificial shortages, Diwan rejected the claim, saying if traders were hoarding, solar panel prices would have skyrocketed — which has not happened. On the question of local solar panel manufacturing, Diwan stated that approximately 98% of the solar panels used in Pakistan were imported. 'The remaining 2% are locally made but substandard, mainly used in rural areas or for small-scale needs. These panels have low durability.' He stressed that until a top-tier 1 manufacturing facility was established in Pakistan, no kind of duty should be imposed on solar panels. 'Once a tier-1 factory is operational in Pakistan, the government can then impose GST [goods and services tax] and import duties to encourage local competition,' Diwan said. 'Imposing taxes on panels without local manufacturing is equivalent to blocking the entry of high-quality products into Pakistan.' 'Massive demand, lack of clarity on taxation' Inverex CEO Muhammad Zakir Ali told Business Recorder Pakistan imported 17 gigawatts worth of solar panels in 2024, while in 2025, imports have already reached 8 gigawatts so far, according to Ali. He explained that demand for solar panels in Pakistan was very high due to rising electricity rates and frequent load shedding, pushing people to shift towards alternative energy sources. Speaking about alternative energy, Ali stressed the need for clarity in taxation policies, as the government's announcement of 18% tax, followed by a reduction to 10%, created confusion among people. He also stated that setting up a solar panel industry in Pakistan had become inevitable. 'Currently, 95% of the solar panels used in the country are imported, and the remaining 5% are not up to international standards.' Ali emphasised that establishing such an industry would create employment opportunities and enable Pakistan to meet its growing demand locally. 'Need for immediate local manufacturing and financing' Fusion Tech chairman Salim Memon stressed that local manufacturing must begin at the earliest to meet the country's rising demand for solar panels. He also urged the government to introduce bank financing schemes for solar panels to make green energy accessible to the common man. He highlighted the need for complete local manufacturing—from solar panels to inverters, and criticised the current practice saying what was referred to as 'manufacturing' in Pakistan was 'merely assembling'. Memon stressed that the time had come for Pakistan to initiate a true solar panel manufacturing industry.
