The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy officials had an uneasy time on the stage at the closing ceremony of the 9th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala when the chairpersons of the fiction and non-fiction juries presented their jury reports. Both film-maker Kamal Swaroop and cinematographer K.U. Mohanan are not known for mincing their words, and Tuesday was no different. Mr. Swaroop was the first one to have a go at the lack of quality in some competition sections. This prompted the academy Chairman to jokingly tell him not to reveal too many ‘secrets’.
Mr. Mohanan, who was given a friendly warning by the Chairman before he started his speech, was more direct as he made a request for better standards in the initial selection of the films as it was an excruciating task for the jury to sit through some of the mediocre works. The open comments from the jury could prompt some serious introspection the next time the academy sits down to select films.
The onset of monsoon has brought along with it concerns of health hazards caused by heaps of garbage accumulated in various parts of the city. While the city Corporation has launched a pre-monsoon cleaning drive, the ground reality is that much more needs to be done to address the issue. The civic body is yet to remove the garbage piled up along the Oottukuzhy Panavila road. During the monsoon, the leachate from the waste is likely to flow towards the Rajaji Nagar colony where 971 families reside. Similar was the situation at various other locations where waste materials have been dumped close to residential areas. With not many days left for the southwest monsoon to achieve its peak intensity, the Corporation should consider roping in residents’ associations or voluntary organizations to overcome the challenge. Going by the enthusiasm shown by several individuals and organizations during the recent World Environment Day, one only wishes such observances were held frequently.
(Reporting by
S.R. Praveen and Sarath Babu George)
