Like previous editions, the 14th edition of International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFOK 2024) which began in Thrissur on Friday has also set out with lofty goals. Organised by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, the festival.
The recent reports exposing the looting, corruption and money laundering in some of the cooperative banks in Kerala indicate a deeper decadence gripping the sector. Simplistic and mechanical formulations and political rhetoric will only delay.
More soundbyte than substance
As electioneering enters the last lap it is becoming clear that, like the past couple of editions, this campaign will also end up skirting meaningful debates on fundamental issues facing Kerala, though the state is passing through one of the most acute crises since its formation in November 1956.
The ruckus, slogans and fiery arguments on TV channels and at public places are centred on peripheral issues and scams like gold smuggling, the Enforcement Directorate, ‘counter-cases’ and `clandestine deals’ between parties and groups etc. The myopia of the political leadership, the casual attitude of people and the complicity of the media may have contributed to the perpetuation of such a shallow campaign, intellectuals like K P Kannan point out.
1st patient unsure of pursuing studies in Wuhan January 30, 2021, 7:42 AM IST
A year after contracting Covid-19, India’s first patient is more worried about pursuing her studies while health professionals – who managed her condition – vividly recollect their struggles. She was pursuing MBBS at a college in Wuhan, the epicentre of Covid-19 outbreak in China. She tested positive on January 30, 2020 when she arrived home.
Now, she is unsure about returning to her college as the Covid threat continues. “She is attending a coaching programme in Thrissur to make up for her lost academic days. She now views her Covid infection as a minor chapter in life, though at that point all of us were worried. She doesn’t want to talk to anyone about it,” said her father. District medical officer Dr KJ Reena reminisced how she came to the district hospital with slight fever, throat pain and was admitted for treatment.