An insurance cover with a tight security for the ODI at Kochi
Monday, April 3 2006
Kochi has become a sure stop for one-day internationals. The city now boasts of at least one ODI a year.
There are multiplicities to the ODI match played between India and England on April 6th here, apart from Kerala’s very own speedster Sreesanth, which will be a crowd-puller. The ODI has been insured by New India Insurance Co Ltd for Rs 6.5 crore and there’s an unusually tight security at the venue.
The policy covered the ODI against various risks such as fire, earthquakes, terrorism for Rs. 4.5 crore, along with a public liability insurance for Rs one crore, with per person limit of Rs one lakh and a special contingency insurance for Rs one crore to cover the entire match in case of cancellation without a single ball being bowled due to the insured risks, said R Parthasarthy, New India Insurance Kerala chief regional manager.
Kochi Mayor Mercy Williams was presented with the documents on the insurance cover by Parthasarthy at a function here.
Ernakulam range DIG K Padmakumar, has promised an elaborate security apparatus in place, with 2,500 policemen including ''special commandos'' being posted at vantage points at the international stadium and in the city on the day.
For the first time, video cameras will be installed at all entries to the stadium. "The aim is to keep a record of all spectators who come to witness the event," said Padmakumar.
He added, "Water in glass bottles and food in metal containers will not be allowed into the stadium. It's a strict `no' to cigarettes, lighters and so on. Not even nail cutters will be allowed inside, for fear of them being used as `missiles'. Still and video cameras too should not be taken inside the stadium. So is the case with crackers and inflammables. Persons found drunk will be detained at the entrance itself."
The police force will be led on the field by 24 Dy.SPs. Special commandos of the police, personnel of City Shadows, the mufti police force in the city, and women police constables too will be posted.
A 24-hour police control room has begun functioning at the stadium. The Kerala Cricket Association has arranged medical facilities.
City Police Commissioner P Vijayan says "Any untoward incident will be taken serious note of by BCCI observers and will turn out to be a black spot on Kochi as a cricket venue."
The two teams will arrive here on Tuesday morning from Goa.
Golden jubilee celebrations to mark take over of Minicoy Light House
Sunday, April 2, 2006
A Naval ceremony to celebrate 50 years of the take over of the Minicoy Light House in Lakshadweep Island from British administration was held on April 2.
This 121-year-old lighthouse, built in 1885, has been a guiding beacon to all mariners who pass by.
Though India attained Independence on Aug 15, 1947, the British government did not transfer the administration of the Light House till April 1956, a navy press release said. Both houses of British Parliament had to pass a separate legislation which also required the 'Queens assent'.
The Naval Headquarters had sent INS Tir under the command of K M Nanavati along with 8midshipmen to help in the takeover. On Apr 2 1956, the Indian flag was unfurled atop the light house.
Among the retired officers of the 8th course who sailed to Minicoy for the function were Vice Admiral A C Bhatia, Rear Admiral P P Sivamani, Commodores' J P Carnerio, A J Lobo and M Kondath, Commanders S K Chatterjee, L K Mathur, H K Nag and K S Sood and Lt Cdr L Kumar. The Director General,Light House and Light Ships of India, Manmohan Singh Suman, presented a Ponnada (Shawl) to them.
The Light Houses in the Lakshadweep would be revamped and upgraded for better services said Suman.
A creative attempt to protect Mangalavanam Sanctuary
Sunday, April 2, 2006
`Haritham,' a documentary on the Mangalavanam bird sanctuary, directed by Rajendraprasad, was released on Sunday.
The documentary is an attempt to educate people to protect the sanctuary and the mangrove vegetation, said environmentalist Kallen Pokkudan.
He added that no development activities at the expense of nature should be permitted in the State.
Mangalavanam, the patch of mangrove greenery, the unique tidal wet land with rich in bio diversity faces serious threats to its existence. There is a reported fall in the number of birds visiting the sanctuary.
The destruction of mangrove forests and deforestation in the name of development will have serious consequences, warns Haritham. The documentary has remarks from experts and environmentalists like Medha Patkar, Maneka Gandhi, Kallen Pokkudan, CR Neelakandan, Dr CM Joy and Dr R Sugathan.
Haritham is an effort of people from different walks of life who believe in the struggle against all threats to the existence of mangroves and environment and preserve its value for the generations to come, said Rajendraprasad. He is an environmental activist and also a producer of several other short films.
The documentary has been produced by Jaycee Foundation and Gothrabhumi films.
Various environmentalists such as, U.K. Gopalan, C.R. Neelakandan, J.J. Kuttikad, Rajendraprasad and M.R. Sethumadhavan were present for the release fuction.
