Latest news with #Vijayan
The Hindu
25 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pinarayi remembers V.S. Achuthanandan as a strong-willed leader with legacy of fighting injustice
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan portrayed the late Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader V.S. Achuthanandan as a proletarian leader of 'extraordinary will power, an unflinching sense of political purpose and a decades-old communist legacy of fiercely resisting injustice'. In a statement, Mr. Vijayan said the centenarian communist had dedicated his life to the people. Mr. Achuthanandan's life remained intertwined with the history and formation of modern Kerala. Mr. Vijayan said that Mr. Achuthanandan's contributions as Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition, CPI(M) State secretary, a member of the Polit Bureau for 23 years, and Chairperson of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission were unmatched. 'End of an era' Mr. Achuthanandan's passing marks the end of an era. His departure is a loss for the Communist movement and also the democratic progressive movement in the country. Mr. Vijayan said memories of working together with Mr. Achuthanandan swamped him. He recollected the trials and tribulations that Mr. Achuthanandan faced in his long life. Mr. Achuthanandan was at the forefront of the fight against feudalism, serfdom, casteism, and exploitation during the Colonial era. The Communist movement in Kerala elevated him as the State's Chief Minister. Mr. Vijayan said that Mr. Achuthanandan was the last of the 32 leaders who formed the CPI(M) after the 1964 split. Mr. Achuthanandan was the last link between the independence movement and contemporary politics. 'A valuable political presence has now eclipsed,' he said. Mr. Vijayan said Mr. Achuthanandan's name was synonymous with the storied Punnappara-Vayalar uprising against landlorship, oppressive feudalism and serfdom. 'Mr. Achuthanandan contributed to the growth of the communist movement. In turn, the party contributed to Mr. Achuthanandan's rise as a powerful working class leader and later Chief Minister,' Mr. Vijayan said. He recalled Mr. Achuthanandan had joined the Communist Party at the age of 17 in 1940. Mr. Achuthanandan led the resistance against bonded labour, slave wages and caste oppression. He organised bonded agriculture workers in Alappuzha, challenging landlords and the Colonial police. Mr. Achuthanandan initially formed the Travancore Karshaka Thozhilali Union, which later became the Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union, the biggest farmworkers labour collective in the State. Working class agitations The scores of working class agitations led by Mr. Achuthanandan changed the socio-political landscape of Kuttanad. He led the struggle for State takeover of excess land, minimum wages, equal pay for men and women agricultural workers, permanence in their employment, and an end to bonded labour. The proletarian agitations led by Mr. Achuthanandan sounded the death knell of the 'chapa sambradayam', where employees tossed metal tokens to a waiting crowd of workers for daily wage employment in the Kochi port. Mr. Vijayan remembered that Mr. Achuthanandan had slept rough, gone without victuals and toured remote villages in Kuttanad to organise farmworkers against the feudal regime. The government arrested Mr. Achuthanandan in 1948 after it proscribed the communist party. Mr. Achuthanandan rose through the ranks in the party and was its member for 85 years. 'VS turned his experience into strength for the communist movement,' he added. 'Anchored the party' Mr. Achuthanandan were among the tall leaders who anchored the party when revanchist and extremist tendencies buffeted the organisation following the 1964 split. Mr. Achuthanandan transcended politics by focusing on environmental conservation, human rights and gender equality, gaining mammoth public acceptance in the process.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala CM & governor hold talks on university governance
T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan met governor Rajendra V Arlekar at Raj Bhavan on Sunday evening amid rising problems at universities in Kerala. The face-to-face meeting lasted nearly an hour from 3:30pm. It came at a time when the higher education sector is facing legal administrative and political challenges. Sources said they discussed issues like vice-chancellor appointments as well as the fate of university amendment bills. These bills were passed by the state assembly but withheld by the governor. Official statements from Raj Bhavan and the chief minister's office did not reveal the meeting's agenda. However it is learned that the govt's plan to appoint interim VCs to new digital and technical universities was also discussed. The governor must approve the panel recommended for these appointments. The meeting came after a recent flashpoint between the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the governor. SFI had protested against Arlekar's comments on a Bharat Mata picture with a saffron flag. This protest triggered fresh tensions between the governor and the govt. The timing of the meeting close to the SFI agitation gave a political edge to what is usually a procedural meeting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Though the meeting has political significance it also followed protocol. Usually chief ministers meet governors after foreign trips to update them. Vijayan had returned from a medical visit to the United States. Though Vijayan and Arlekar were both at Kerala House a few days earlier they did not meet there. This added to speculation about their strained ties. Vijayan's Raj Bhavan visit is usually routine after foreign travel but now has a wider political meaning. The govt and the governor have often clashed over university governance including legislative autonomy and chancellorship powers. Sunday's talks likely covered more than just formal matters.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala CM refutes Opposition Leader's charges on Digital University Kerala, defends graphene project and audit procedures
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday (July 25, 2025) issued a strong rebuttal to allegations of financial irregularities and illegal activities at Digital University Kerala (DUK), raised by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan. In a detailed response, the Chief Minister termed the claims as 'factually incorrect' and defended the State's handling of the university's operations and its flagship Graphene Aurora project. Mr. Satheesan had earlier written to the Chief Minister demanding a Vigilance investigation into alleged corruption. He alleged that the university violated statutory norms and had made unauthorised advance payments to a private company, India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC), which is involved in the Graphene Aurora programme. He also accused faculty members of misusing university infrastructure to float multiple private companies for project implementation, and that the university has not undergone any audit since its inception. Rejecting these claims, Mr. Vijayan termed the allegation that no audits were conducted at DUK as baseless. 'A statutory audit has been carried out. The audit for the financial year 2023–24 has been completed. The university has formally requested the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to undertake further audits. Further steps are awaited from the CAG,' the Chief Minister stated. 'In line with policy, regulations' Addressing the accusations regarding I-GEIC, he elaborated that the formation of the company was in line with the university's declared policy and regulations. 'The claim that advance payments were made illegally is false. The company was formed in compliance with the university's statutes and with prior approval from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,' he said. Mr. Vijayan also defended the integrity of those involved in the management of I-GEIC. 'The chairman of the company is M. Madhavan Nambiar, a former Secretary of Civil Aviation of the Government of India. Other key members include senior industry professionals formerly associated with Tata Group, such as M.A. Pathan and Kamesh Gupta, as well as Prof. Alex Thomas from the university.' The Chief Minister went on to clarify that the university's regulations encourage faculty entrepreneurial initiatives and support R&D through non-profit entities. Moreover, as a modern university, DUK is expected to generate funding for faculty and research projects independently. Misrepresenting these legitimate activities as corruption is a deliberate distortion, he added. He also accused the Opposition of attempting to tarnish the reputation of transformative projects for 'political gain.'
News18
9 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Kerala CM rejects corruption claims at Digital University, defends transparency
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 21 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday strongly denied allegations of corruption at the state-run Digital University, calling the claims made by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan 'factually incorrect" and 'misleading". Satheesan, in a letter sent to the Chief Minister on July 12, had called for a vigilance probe into what he described as financial fraud, misuse of power, and illegal project handling at the prestigious university. The leader of Congress-led UDF also alleged that shell companies formed by faculty members were being used to divert university projects and funds. The Digital University operates under the state's IT department, with the Chief Minister himself serving as its Pro-Chancellor — a fact Satheesan highlighted while calling for accountability. He also claimed that the lack of auditing since the university's inception had opened the door to corruption. Responding in writing, Vijayan dismissed the allegations, stating that a statutory audit has been completed up to the 2023–24 financial year and that the university has formally requested the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to carry out further audits. The next steps are now pending with the CAG, he said. Refuting claims that advance payments were made illegally to the I-GEIC organisation, the CM called the accusation 'baseless." He questioned the logic behind labelling it a 'fraudulent organisation" and pointed out that the company's board includes respected names such as Madhavan Nambiar, a former Civil Aviation Secretary to the Government of India, and others with links to Tata Steel and leading academic institutions. Vijayan defended the university's practice of encouraging faculty-led innovation and entrepreneurship, stating that its regulations allow faculty members to form non-profit entities for research and development. He added that such project-based activities are also a means of securing salaries and operational funds, as part of a modern, self-sustaining university model. The CM concluded by suggesting that portraying these approved projects as corruption was a deliberate attempt to discredit the university and mislead the public. PTI TGB TGB ROH view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 13:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Guruvayur Devaswom warns devotees against online fraudsters
Authorities of the Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple have warned devotees about online fraudsters posing as agents for temple darshan and offerings. Guruvayur Devaswom chairperson V.K. Vijayan said in a video posted on the temple's official Facebook page that no private agency or WhatsApp group has been authorised to arrange visits or collect payments on behalf of the temple. The warning came after the devaswom board received a complaint from a devotee who said they were cheated by one such WhatsApp group. 'No agency has been authorised by the Guruvayur Devaswom to arrange darshan or to collect money for offerings,' Mr. Vijayan said. He urged devotees to stay alert and not hesitate to report any such incidents to the authorities.
