Latest news with #Manoharan
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala: Even six years after getting titles, tribals of Nelliyampathy denied right to pay land tax
NELLIYAMPATHY (PALAKKAD): 'How can a government give us titles and then deny us the right to prove we own the land?' asks Manoharan, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak. A member of the Malasar tribe in Nelliyampathy residing in the Bhagavathi Mooppan Tribal Colony, Manoharan is among 127 tribal families caught in a cruel paradox - granted land titles after a 16-year-long struggle, yet they are being denied the basic right to pay tax in their own names. The land ownership titles, or pattayas, were distributed in 2018 to 127 tribal families from the Malasar and Irular communities during a highly publicised government function in Palakkad by the then government. The gesture was seen as a long-overdue acknowledgement of their fight for land, which began in 2002 - a few weeks ahead of the well-known Muthanga land agitation. 'It took 16 long years for the authorities to finally allot one acre each to 127 families,' 52-year-old Manoharan told TNIE. 'Today, 186 families are living on the land, which was once part of the state-run Nelliyampathy Orange Farm. But even now, we can't pay land tax in our names. What kind of ownership is this?' The problem, according to officials, lies in the fact that the allotted land was originally classified as a forest village. The subdivision records necessary to complete the transfer of ownership are still being prepared. As a result, local village offices have refused to process tax payments, citing jurisdictional limitations under the forest department. 'This is not just about land tax. It's about dignity, recognition, and the right to live without fear of eviction,' said V S Prasad, a local political leader who has been supporting the tribal community's demands. 'Without proper documents and recognition, these families remain vulnerable, despite the pattayas in their hands.'
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tribal families in Kerala's Nelliyampathy still denied land tax rights six years after getting pattayas
NELLIYAMPATHY (PALAKKAD): 'How can a government give us titles and then deny us the right to prove we own the land?' asks Manoharan, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak. A member of the Malasar tribe in Nelliyampathy residing in the Bhagavathi Mooppan Tribal Colony, Manoharan is among 127 tribal families caught in a cruel paradox - granted land titles after a 16-year-long struggle, yet they are being denied the basic right to pay tax in their own names. The land ownership titles, or pattayas, were distributed in 2018 to 127 tribal families from the Malasar and Irular communities during a highly publicised government function in Palakkad by the then government. The gesture was seen as a long-overdue acknowledgement of their fight for land, which began in 2002 - a few weeks ahead of the well-known Muthanga land agitation. 'It took 16 long years for the authorities to finally allot one acre each to 127 families,' 52-year-old Manoharan told TNIE. 'Today, 186 families are living on the land, which was once part of the state-run Nelliyampathy Orange Farm. But even now, we can't pay land tax in our names. What kind of ownership is this?' The problem, according to officials, lies in the fact that the allotted land was originally classified as a forest village. The subdivision records necessary to complete the transfer of ownership are still being prepared. As a result, local village offices have refused to process tax payments, citing jurisdictional limitations under the forest department. 'This is not just about land tax. It's about dignity, recognition, and the right to live without fear of eviction,' said V S Prasad, a local political leader who has been supporting the tribal community's demands. 'Without proper documents and recognition, these families remain vulnerable, despite the pattayas in their hands.'
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Man dies after falling from tree
T'puram: A 60-year-old man, who suffered a severe head injury after falling from a tree, died on Tuesday at medical college hospital. The deceased has been identified as Manoharan of Kachani . The incident occurred on May 5 when he accidentally fell while cutting a tree on the premises of a house at Charachira. Despite being rushed to MCH, he succumbed to multiple fractures and a severe head injury at 1am on Tuesday in the ortho ICU. Museum police registered a case under BNSS Section 194. Following postmortem, the body was released to family members. 2 held with 25g ganja: Two West Bengal natives were arrested with 25g of ganja and 0.23g of brown sugar from Chala market on Monday. The arrested persons were identified as Bikram Mandal, 32 and Sukumar Mandal, 25, both of Malda. During a regular patrol near Chala, police found the duo in a suspicious situation and during examination, the drug was seized from them. The accused brought the drugs from Orissa for sale here, police said. Ganja was packed in 12 covers and brown sugar in seven packets. Fort police have registered a case. TNN
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Exploring new frontier in dark tourism
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is exploring a new frontier in tourism with the rising global interest in dark tourism – a niche segment that focuses on sites associated with tragedy, conflict and historical depth. According to Tourism Malaysia's data, there were over 20.14 million tourists and RM71.3 billion in tourism receipts in 2023. As such, the potential economic benefits of dark tourism are undeniable. Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said dark tourism offers not just a sense of adventure but also serves as a platform to educate visitors about Malaysia's rich historical and cultural heritage. He said while paranormal tourism remains relatively underexplored, trends in cultural and heritage tourism indicate growing interest in immersive, story-driven travel experiences, particularly among younger generations like Gen Z. 'This aligns with the National Tourism Policy 2020–2030, which emphasises the importance of cultural and heritage-based tourism as a pillar for future growth. 'Malaysia lacks specific regulations governing dark tourism. However, existing laws such as the National Heritage Act 2005 protect historical sites, ensuring that promotional activities are conducted ethically and with cultural sensitivity,' he said. Additionally, the Tourism Industry Act 1992 enforces responsible practices among tourism operators. He said tour operators interested in developing dark tourism experiences must obtain approvals from local councils, heritage departments and law enforcement agencies, especially for activities like night tours, ghost hunts or paranormal investigations. Manoharan stressed on the importance of site preservation and public safety. He also highlighted that private or abandoned properties require permission from landowners and relevant authorities before being marketed as attractions. Tourism Malaysia has identified several locations with strong potential for dark tourism. These include Bukit Kepong in Johor, which was the site of a deadly 1950 siege during the Malayan Emergency. In Kedah, the Weng Communist Tunnel offers a glimpse into the conflict era. The Sungai Buloh Leprosarium in Selangor was once the world's second-largest leper colony. Pulau Bidong in Terengganu housed Vietnamese refugees from 1978 to 2005. Ancient sites like Niah Caves and Gua Cha hold archaeological and cultural value. The Crag Hotel in Penang, a colonial-era landmark, adds historical charm to Penang Hill. The Penang War Museum, once a British fort, offers a sobering look into wartime history. Pulau Jerejak, formerly a military base and quarantine station, is now a tourist destination with a layered past. In Sabah, the Agnes Keith House in Sandakan portrays colonial life through preserved furniture and antiques, and is part of the Sandakan Heritage Trail. Manoharan said when promoted responsibly, dark tourism not only preserves heritage but also enriches the travel experience.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Deepen your knowledge
My daughter has completed Food Technology and is wondering whether to pursue or Food Science in India or abroad. How can we help her?Manoharan Dear Manoharan, An focuses on Applied Science and Engineering principles with an emphasis on practical applications, technology development, and industrial processes. An focuses on fundamental scientific principles and research which emphasises theoretical knowledge and in-depth scientific study. What are your daughter's interests and goals? Does she want to work in industrial settings, optimising processes, and developing new technologies ( Or is she more interested in research, exploring scientific principles, and contributing to academic knowledge ( Does she have specific interests within food technology such as food safety, nutrition, product development and so on? Where does she see herself in 5-10 years? Studying in India has the following advantages: lower tuition fees and living expenses, a familiar cultural environment and chance to develop a strong network within the Indian food industry. Studying abroad will give her exposure to advanced research and technologies, international networking opportunities, enhanced career prospects in multinational companies and exposure to different cultures. Research countries that have strong food science programmes, their eligibility criteria, visa requirements and work opportunities after study. Check university rankings and faculty expertise, and review each programme's curriculum to ensure that it aligns with her interests and career goals. In India, the IITs, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), and state agricultural universities are good. Let her gather relevant information and seek guidance from her professors. Get her to connect with alumni who have pursued or in Food Science in India and abroad and see how their careers have taken shape. Help her identify the most important factors influencing her decision. Create a list of pros and cons and make a table comparing vs. in India vs. abroad. Support her in exploring options and gathering information and encourage her to take ownership of the decision-making process. I am doing B.A. (Hindi and Political Science) at Delhi University. I am from a lower-middle-class family from Rajasthan. Everyone expects me to prepare for the Civil Services because I am studying in Delhi. I don't like the Civil Services but am confused about my career options. Please help me. Ravindra Dear Ravindra, It is okay to feel confused, especially with the pressure of expectations and the desire to find a fulfilling career. Think about and clarify what you are interested in: subjects or activities you enjoy, the work environments you see yourself in, and the values important to you? Are you good at writing, research, public speaking? How are your analytical and critical thinking skills? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Please meet a competent career counsellor to get a career profile that will help you. Options you can explore are journalism and media, content writing, teaching (for which you need to do a translation and interpretation, public relations and so on. Once you identify what you are interested in, gain practical experience via internships, volunteering and freelance opportunities. Network with professionals and reach out to people working in your fields of interest to get clarity. Also, have an honest conversation with your parents about your interests and career goals and explain your reasons for not wanting to write the UPSC exams. I am doing a Climate Change and Environmental Science. What are the potential career paths? Aishwarya Dear Aishwarya, There are a wide range of career paths: environmental consulting, climate change analysis and research, sustainability management, environmental policy and advocacy, environmental education and communication, geospatial analysis and remote sensing, corporate social responsibility and so on. Seek internships or volunteer opportunities with organisations and companies to understand the workplace and job roles. Attend conferences and workshops on these topics and connect with professionals in the field. Consider an in Environmental Science, Climate Science, or related fields or a Master's in Public Policy or Environmental Policy or an MBA with a focus on Sustainability. What is the scope of Environmental Science with GIS and Remote Sensing? Are there scholarships for Ph.D. programmes? Om Prakash Dear Om Prakash, An in Environmental Science with GIS and Remote Sensing offers job opportunities in environmental consulting, government agencies such as ISRO and state pollution control boards, research institutions, NGOS, international organisations and the private sector. Specialised Master's programmes are available in Geospatial Analysis, Remote Sensing Applications and Environmental Modelling. You can also consider a Ph.D. in Environmental Science or Geospatial Science. In India, scholarship options include the CSIR-NET JRF, UGC-NET JRF, fellowships from the Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). International scholarships such as the Fulbright Scholarships (the U.S.), Chevening Scholarships (the U.K.), and DAAD Scholarships (Germany) are also available. Many universities also offer scholarships and research assistantships based on academic merit or research potential.
