Latest news with #Vinayan
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sandra Thomas files nomination for KFCC secretary post
Film producer Sandra Thomas on Saturday filed the nomination for the post of secretary in the election to the executive committee of the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) scheduled on August 27. She told media persons that she has learnt the lessons from her defeat in the election to the executive committee of the Kerala Film Producers' Association on Thursday. 'But I was able to garner around 110 votes, indicating that there are around 110 opposing views against the panel that won the election,' she said. She has also filed the nomination to the post of member of the executive committee in the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce. 'I am hopeful that the nomination for the post of general secretary will be accepted during the scrutiny scheduled on Monday, August 18,' she said, On the social media post by filmmaker-producer Vinayan that the election to the executive committee of KFPA was not held in a democratic manner, she alleged that he was right as the election venue was mostly filled with persons, who were not members of the producers' body. 'My fight against the mafia-like groups within Malayalam film bodies will continue,' she said. On the election of women in the lead roles in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), she said that it was a welcome move. However, they will be judged by their actions, especially on various issues faced by women in the industry, she said.
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
Meenangadi panchayat bags C. Achutha Menon Memorial Award for best agricultural practices
Meenangadi grama panchayat in Wayanad district has earned State-level recognition in agriculture by adopting innovative methods to integrate farming into the daily lives of its people. The panchayat has bagged the C. Achutha Menon Memorial Award for best agricultural practices in Kerala. In addition, Jyothi C. George of the Meenangadi Krishi Bhavan has been recognised as the third-best agricultural officer in the State. Over the past few years, the panchayat has consistently allocated more than the mandatory 30% of its budget to agriculture and allied activities. 'It has been a long-pending demand of farmers here. We prioritised one crop each year and worked to revive our organic farming structure,' said K.E. Vinayan, panchayat president. While coffee, black pepper, and areca nut remain the regular crops in Meenangadi, ginger, plantain, and elephant foot yam are also cultivated as interim crops. Through the 'Mannorukkam' project, the panchayat encouraged the cultivation of additional tubers, including colocasia, Asiatic yam, and sweet potato. The total available agricultural land was divided into clusters, and the soil was tested. Based on the results, soil health cards were distributed among the farmers, and a soil fertility map was published. To bridge fertility gaps, the panchayat distributed organic fertilisers. A school poultry scheme was also introduced, under which interested children were given 10 chickens each for egg production. The eggs were purchased by schools for the mid-day meal scheme, and the proceeds were deposited in the children's 'Sanchayika' accounts. 'This created an interest in both farming and savings among children,' Mr. Vinayan said. The Karshika Karma Sena (agricultural action group), which had remained inactive for years, was revived to provide subsidised services to farmers. 'Over time, we developed a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem by producing all types of fertilisers locally instead of depending on external agencies. This also helped ensure the quality of our crops and products,' Mr. Vinayan added. Another highlight was the creation of an Oxygen Park, where 144 bamboo shoots of 14 species were planted on 52 cents of barren land. 'We have bagged the Swaraj Trophy for best panchayat in Wayanad district for the past four years. Funds remain our only limitation,' the panchayat president said. Mr. Vinayan will receive the award on behalf of the panchayat from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday (August 17), the first day of Chingam, observed as Farmers' Day in Kerala. The award carries ₹10 lakh in cash, a memento, and a citation.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Kerala Film Producers' Association election not held in democratic manner, alleges filmmaker Vinayan
Filmmaker-producer Vinayan has alleged that the election held to the executive committee of the Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA) on August 14, 2025 was not held in a democratic manner. 'Even the person who had supported my nomination to the post of general secretary could not cast his vote owing to the threat and offers from a section that had been in power for long,' alleged Mr. Vinayan in a Facebook post on Friday (August 15, 2025). Mr. Vinayan said a senior producer who had stood with him in the election had turned silent owing to fear at the last minute. It indicated the power wielded by the group, who wanted to convey the message to others that they will control the association for long. He alleged that the outgoing committee was not able to clear the doubts over whether the association would have legal control over the director board of the Producers' Digital Cinema, a content-mastering unit, launched under the KFPA. He alleged that the group that had been in power for long was not keen on increasing the membership count to retain their control over the body. He also praised the president of the association's general body meeting for not allowing a person, who stood up to launch a verbal attack against producer Sandra Thomas. He also alleged that nobody restrained members of other organisations, including the Film Employees Federation of Kerala and Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes, who were found inside the voting hall amid allegations that the producers' body had surrendered its identity before such organisations. The KFPA election had hit the headlines, especially after the rejection of the nomination filed by to the post of president. Her plea against the decision by the returning officer was rejected by the Ernakulam Sub Court. B. Rakesh and Listin Stephen were elected as president and general secretary.
