Kerala: Passionate and creative side of men in khaki

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Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 (IANS) The men in khaki – Kerala Police officials, who are often seen as tough personalities, also have a passionate and creative aspect, which came to the fore with two top officials making a mark in the Malayalam film industry.

S.Sreejith- Additional Director General of Police, apart from his busy policing job, also finds time for his musical journey, which has now transcended a few borders.The other prominent cultural personality who has also made a mark apart from being an upright police official is 51-year-old Sunil G. Cherukadavu, holding the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and presently in the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. He is now an accomplished lyricist and has had success both in the film industry and otherwise.Speaking to IANS, Sreejith said that by now he has sung songs in Malayalam films, and a few films are yet to be released.”The problem is that there is very little time at my disposal to explore my passion- singing, as my job is primary, and hence, passion takes a back seat. But despite that, I try my best to do justice to my passion. I have a classical musical event next month, where I will join luminaries from the field,” said Sreejith, who is also known for his policing brain, which has come in handy in resolving many cases.Cherukadavu told IANS that right from his college days, he used to pen his thoughts. He shared that while working as a Circle Inspector in the state capital district many years back, a request came to write a song for a school.”It was my first one and I am hugely thankful to musician Parthasarathy Master who gave me the due support and confidence. Since then, I have had no reason to look back and by now have written over 200 pieces, mostly songs and poems,” said Cherukadavu.”By now, I have written lyrics for a few Malayalam films and was very happy that Sreejith Sir agreed to sing my song. A few films for which I have written the lyrics are due for release. Since my job requires a good amount of travel, I run my imagination wild and get the fodder for my lyrics during that time,” added Cherukadavu.Meanwhile, Sreejith, who, after a brief stint in a non-policing job, has returned to the Police Headquarters, said he has already moved the papers to ensure a Police orchestra team is set, as there are quite a few talented men in Khaki, whose talents have to be utilised.”The Himachal Pradesh Police has very pro-active programmes for taking the creative talents of its force, and I am confident that very soon, the Kerala Police also will nurture and promote in-house talents,” added Sreejith.–IANSsg/svn

Jolt to YSRCP as Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Zakia Khanam quits

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Amaravati, May 14 (IANS) In another setback for the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Zakia Khanam on Wednesday resigned from the Council and the party.

She sent her resignation as MLC to Council chairperson Koyye Moshen Raju.Khanam, who was nominated to the Council under the Governor’s quota in July 2020, hails from Rayachoti in Annamayya district.She was the first Muslim woman to become the MLC and also the first woman Deputy Chairperson of the council.Khanam is the sixth MLC to quit YSRCP since the party lost power to the TDP-led NDA in June last year.Earlier, Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy, Karri Padmasri, Pothula Suneetha, Marri Rajasekhar and Jayamangala Venkataramana resigned from the Council. They all cited dissatisfaction with the party’s functioning as the reason for their resignation.Council Chairman Moshen Raju has yet to accept any of the resignations. They repeatedly urged the chairman to accept their resignations and even staged protests over the delay in accepting their resignations.With Zakia Khanam’s exit, YSRCP’s strength in the 57-member Council has decreased further, even though it still enjoys a majority. The resigning leaders claim they are leaving due to disagreements with Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership and policies.The YSRCP has 31 members in the Council even after the resignation of six MLCs. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has 10 members, while its coalition partners BJP and Jana Sena, have one member each. Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) has four MLCs.A spate of resignations has hit Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP since its crushing defeat in the Assembly elections.The party, which had won 151 seats in the 175-member Assembly in 2019, was reduced to just 11 seats in the elections held in May last year.Several leaders have quit the YSRCP.Those who have resigned include four Rajya Sabha members. In January, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s close aide and Rajya Sabha member Vijaya Sai Reddy resigned from the upper house of the Parliament and the party.–IANSms/svn

Dismissal of MP Minister Vijay Shah sought by MRM for remarks against Col. Sofiya Qureshi

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New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) The Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) on Wednesday, issued a sharp condemnation of Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah for his derogatory remark against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The organisation has demanded his immediate dismissal, calling the statement a grave insult not only to the Indian Army officer but also to the dignity and honour of the Indian Armed Forces.In a public address, BJP Minister Shah allegedly referred to Colonel Qureshi as a “sister of terrorists,” a statement MRM says strikes at the heart of national unity and the values upheld by the armed forces.Shahid Sayeed, National Convener of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, called the remark deeply offensive and a calculated attempt to undermine the integrity of the Army.“At a time when the entire nation is standing united against external threats and saluting the bravery of our soldiers through operations like ‘Operation Sindoor,’ such a disgraceful statement is not only unacceptable but extremely unfortunate,” he said.According to Sayeed, the comment not only tarnishes the image of a dedicated officer of the Indian Army but also demoralises the thousands of women and men serving with distinction in the nation’s military.The incident prompted an emergency meeting of MRM’s National Conveners’ Council. Following deliberations, the organisation released a strongly worded statement calling for BJP Minister Vijay Shah’s dismissal, legal action against him, and a formal apology to both Colonel Qureshi and the Indian armed forces.MRM emphasised that this is not merely a political issue but one that touches on the fundamental values of respect, equality, and national pride.“Indian soldiers, regardless of gender, religion, or background, are the pride of our nation. Any attempt to malign them is a direct attack on India itself. The people of this country will never accept such behaviour from any public representative,” Sayeed stated in the release.MRM affirmed its full support for Colonel Qureshi, praising her service and courage, and reiterated its unwavering commitment to the Indian Armed Forces.The organisation stressed that those who insult the military and attempt to politicise or communalise its integrity must be held accountable under the law.–IANSrs/rad

Justice B.R. Gavai sworn in as 52nd Chief Justice of India

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New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday administered the oath of office to Justice B.R. Gavai as the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in a swearing-in ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national Capital. Justice Gavai, the 52nd CJI, will have a tenure of over 6 months, and he will demit office on November 23, 2025.On April 29, the Centre cleared the appointment of Justice Gavai to the highest judicial office of the country after then CJI Sanjiv Khanna had recommended him as his successor last month.”In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Judge of the Supreme Court, to be the Chief Justice of India with effect from 14th May, 2025,” had said a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.In the last six years, he was a part of around 700 Benches dealing with matters pertaining to a variety of subjects, including constitutional and administrative law, civil law, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration law, electricity law, education matters and environmental law.He has authored around 300 judgments, including that of the Constitution Bench on various issues, upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights, human rights and legal rights of citizens.Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, Justice Gavai became a permanent Judge in November 2005.Before elevation to the Bench, he practised in constitutional law and administrative law, and acted as Standing Counsel for Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation, and Amravati University.He was appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor in the Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench in August 1992 and served till July 1993.He was appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000.–IANSpds/rad

Justice B.R. Gavai to take oath today as 52nd CJI

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New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to take oath on Wednesday as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who demitted office on May 13 after a brief tenure as the 51st CJI. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office.Justice Gavai will become the second Chief Justice of India from the Dalit community, after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who served as CJI from 2007 to 2010.Justice Gavai will serve as the head of the judiciary until November 23, 2025, giving him a tenure of just over six months.A respected jurist, Justice Gavai was born on November 24, 1960, and began his legal career when he enrolled at the Bar on March 16, 1985, at the age of 25.He practised law at the Bombay High Court independently from 1987 to 1990 and later at its Nagpur Bench. He was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003 and was elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019.Justice Gavai comes from a distinguished background. His father, Ramakrishna Suryabhan Gavai, was a prominent Ambedkarite leader and founder of the Republican Party of India (RPI).Fondly known as Dadasaheb, the senior Gavai was also a member of the Lok Sabha from Amravati and served as the Governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala between 2006 and 2011 during the tenure of the Congress-led UPA government. He passed away in 2015, four years before his son’s elevation to the Supreme Court.Justice Gavai’s rise to the top of India’s judicial system is being viewed as a milestone for social representation in the higher judiciary.As CJI, he will lead the apex court through a critical period, with a docket that includes important constitutional matters, legal reforms, and high-profile cases that could shape the future of Indian jurisprudence.–IANSrs/rad

Two-day 11th National Conference of Women in Police begins in Chennai today

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Chennai, May 14 (IANS) Tamil Nadu is hosting the 11th edition of the National Conference of Women in Police (NCWP) on May 14 and 15 at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy (TNPA), near Chennai.Organised in collaboration with the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), the two-day event seeks to recognise the resilience, contributions, and evolving role of women in policing, while also addressing systemic and structural challenges they face.The conference builds on the momentum of Tamil Nadu’s Golden Jubilee Celebration of Women in Police, held in March 2023, where Chief Minister M.K. Stalin first announced the idea of a national platform for women in law enforcement.The state has since led the way with initiatives like the All-Women Police Offshore Sailing Expedition (June 2023) and the All-India Police (Special) Shooting Competition for Women (June 2024), both commemorating 50 years of women’s service in the Tamil Nadu Police.Held under the theme ‘Women Police and Empowerment: Best Practices, Challenges, and the Way Forward’, the NCWP will facilitate high-level discussions on critical areas such as gender-sensitive recruitment, inclusive training and uniforms, career advancement, mental health and work-life balance, welfare schemes, and strategies to combat human trafficking.Over 140 women police officers from Tamil Nadu are participating in the conference, alongside delegates from state and central police forces across India.The event aims to serve as a knowledge-sharing forum to showcase best practices and explore actionable policy reforms.The inaugural session, held on Wednesday, was attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.The valedictory function on May 15 will be presided over by Tamil Nadu Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin.Eminent speakers at the conference include Srimathi Shivasankar (Global Head, HCL Technologies), actor and activist Rohini Molleti, mental health expert Dr. C. Ramasubramanian, former Madras High Court judge Justice Prabha Sridevan, and former NDRF Director General P.M. Nair.The event marks a significant step in highlighting women’s leadership in law enforcement and in creating a more equitable policing ecosystem nationwide.–IANSaal/rad