New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee yesterday greeted Malayalis across the country and the world on the eve of Onam, the state festival of Kerala. “On the auspicious occasion of Onam, I express my warm greetings to the people of Kerala, and all Malayalis across India and the world, Mukherjee said in a message. Onam is celebrated to mark the return of its legendary King Mahabali to Kerala, who was loved by his subjects for being a just and benevolent ruler. The people of Kerala, irrespective of caste, religion and economic status join the festivities, giving it a strong secular mooring. Onam symbolises the yearning of people for a just and caring social order as well as a political system that gives primacy to good governance. “May this festival inspire us to redouble our efforts to achieve the constitutional vision of a society marked by justice — social, economic and political. May Kerala’s joy in this festive season pervade the entire country,” he added.
Kerala bar owners to move SC
Thiruvananthapuram: Around 600 bar owners in Kerala yesterday decided to move the Supreme Court against an interim Kerala High Court verdict upholding the state government’s new liquor policy. The bar owners have requested that bars should be allowed to be run till the final verdict of the Kerala High Court comes. The Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association’s petition will come up for hearing at the Apex Court on Tuesday, said an association office bearer. The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by the association challenging the new liquor policy of the government.
Saradha scam: MP cites Mamata role
Kolkata: Suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh, now behind bars in connection with the Saradha scam, yesterday told a city court that he should be jointly interrogated with scam kingpin Sudipta Sen and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Ghosh, who was remanded to CBI custody till September 12, later alleged that it was the chief minister who benefited the most from Saradha’s media arm, which the journalist-turned-politician had been heading before the group went bust. While Ghosh’s proposal has been welcomed by rival parties, the Trinamool accused the Rajya Sabha member of dragging Banerjee’s name to save his skin. IANS
