The Centre has sought more time to submit its counter affidavit in response to the Kerala Pravasi Association’s Supreme Court petition, which questions the effectiveness of rabies vaccines and treatments.
The court, observing that valuable lives are being lost during ongoing discussions, voiced concerns over the prolonged delay in resolving the matter. Given that the case has been pending for two years, the court directed the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Chief Secretary of Kerala to submit a counter-affidavit within six weeks or appear in-person at the next hearing.
The bench, comprising Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Sanjay Karol, heard the case (WPC No. 882/2022) listed as item 47. Despite receiving notice in 2022, the Central Government requested additional time in March 2024, stating that discussions are still ongoing to address the issue.
The petition, filed by Kerala Pravasi Association Chairman Rajendran Vellapalath and President Aswani Nambarambath, calls for an expert committee to assess the efficacy of intradermal rabies vaccines for humans and veterinary vaccines for dogs. It also urges uniform implementation of national rabies prevention guidelines and raises concerns over the rapid release of vaccines in Kerala, claiming this violates constitutional rights and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.
The petition highlighted concerns regarding the manufacturing and testing process of human rabies vaccines, as per the National Center for Disease Control guidelines, which typically takes at least 3-4 months. Shockingly, vaccines were made available in Kerala within just 14 days of production. The KPA’s petition argued that using such vaccines without proper quality checks violates Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution and breaches the 1940 Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Category: KPA Initiatives
Home / Blog / Effectiveness of Rabies Vaccine: SC Expresses Dissatisfaction with Central and Kerala Governments
Effectiveness of Rabies Vaccine: SC Expresses Dissatisfaction with Central and Kerala Governments
A Hunger-Free Kerala with KPA’s Free Meal Kits ‘It’s our Duty, not an Act of Charity”
A hunger-free Kerala is a primary goal of the Kerala Pravasi Association (KPA). Unconcerned with the politics of those who enjoy three hearty meals while others go hungry, KPA remains focused on the fact that hunger transcends religion, caste, and politics. Under the leadership of Chairman Rajendran Vellapalath, KPA has distributed approximately 4,000 free food kits to deserving individuals, providing relief amid rising prices of daily necessities. The initiative, which is active in various districts, will expand to more cities across the state. KPA views this effort as a fundamental responsibility, not an act of charity, and remains committed to delivering food to those in need, regardless of their political or social affiliations.
KPA slams ignorance of a key bill offering 33pc reservation for women in Lok Sabha
The Women’s Reservation Bill, introduced in 1996, continues to remain pending in the Parliament of India. The proposal to amend the Constitution of India to reserve 33 per cent seats in the lower house of the parliament, Lok Sabha, and in all state legislative assemblies for women, remain forgotten.
The Kerala Pravasi Association has questioned the ignorance behind leaving such a crucial bill untouched. The Women’s Reservation Bill was initially introduced in the parliament on September 12, 1996. The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by the United Front government of HD Deve Gowda.
The Vajpayee government pushed for the bill in Lok Sabha but it still wasn’t passed. Later, the UPA-I government, led by Congress, again introduced the bill to reserve seats for women in Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies in May 2008. After its reintroduction, the bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on March 9, 2010, but was still left pending in Lok Sabha. Currently, the bill remains pending in the Lok Sabha. Since then, the passing of the bill has been a subject of many discussions and yet has not seen the light of day. A matter that has been under discussions for the last 27 years.
The bill will only be passed if the ruling government supports the bill with full force, as they have the majority in Lok Sabha.
The current central ruling parties have misled the women in our country, who constitute half of the population, by including this matter in the manifesto twice and promising action within 100 days of coming into power. These promises were broken under the disguise of “being a matter to be considered with the consensus of political parties”!
Sadly this remains the fate of only the Women’s Reservation Bill. When the Agriculture Bill and the Citizenship Amendment Bill was brought to light, joint session of Parliament was called at midnight to ensure the bill was prioritized and passed on time.
Women deserve better representation in the legislatures. It is not a bounty, but a right. Why are women in our country constantly being treated as second-class citizens when governance can be acquired through their experience?
A law ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures should be just the beginning of a long journey towards reaching a target is 50 per cent.
It is time for India, the largest democratic system in the world, to set itself an example to the rest of the world, said KPA.
വിദേശ സർവകലാശാലകളെ ഇരുകൈയും നീട്ടി സ്വീകരിക്കാൻ രാജ്യം തയ്യാറാകണം.
വിദേശ സർവകലാശാലകളെ ഇരുകൈയും നീട്ടി സ്വീകരിക്കാൻ രാജ്യം തയ്യാറാകണം. ഇന്ത്യയിൽ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ രംഗത്ത് സമൂലമായ മാറ്റം അനിവാര്യമാണ്. അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര നിലവാരത്തിലുള്ള വിദ്യാഭ്യാസമാണ് ലഭ്യമാക്കേണ്ടത്. ഈ സാഹചര്യത്തിൽ നമ്മുടെ രാജ്യത്ത് വിദേശ സർവകലാശാലകൾക്ക് അവരുടെ ക്യാമ്പസ് പ്രവർത്തിക്കാൻ അവസരം നൽകേണ്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നു. ലോകം മാറുമ്പോൾ അതിനൊപ്പം കുതിക്കാൻ പുതുതലമുറകൾക്ക് കഴിയണം. വിദേശ സർവകലാശാലകൾക്ക് അവരുടെ ക്യാമ്പസ് തുടങ്ങാനുള്ള ചട്ടങ്ങൾ യുജിസി പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു കഴിഞ്ഞു. ഒരു ആഗോള വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ കേന്ദ്രമായി ഇന്ത്യയെ പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിക്കുന്നതിന്റെ ലക്ഷ്യം പ്രത്യക്ഷത്തിൽ വിദേശ വിനിമയ നഷ്ടം ലാഭിക്കുകയെന്നതാണ്. ചൈനീസ് വിദ്യാർത്ഥികൾ കഴിഞ്ഞാൽ, യുഎസ്, യുകെ, ഓസ്ട്രേലിയ തുടങ്ങിയ രാജ്യങ്ങളിലെ വിദേശ വിദ്യാർത്ഥികളുടെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ വിഭാഗം ഇന്ത്യക്കാരാണ്.
വിദേശകാര്യ മന്ത്രാലയത്തിന്റെ കണക്കുകൾ പ്രകാരം 2022ൽ ഏകദേശം 13 ലക്ഷം വിദ്യാർത്ഥികൾ വിദേശത്ത് പഠിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. കൂടാതെ RBI കണക്കുകൾ പ്രകാരം 2021-2022 സാമ്പത്തിക വർഷത്തിൽ വിദ്യാർത്ഥികൾ വിദേശത്തേക്ക് പോയത് മൂലം 5 ബില്യൺ രൂപയുടെ വിദേശനാണ്യം നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടു എന്നാണ്. ഇതൊരു മികച്ച നീക്കമാണ്, കൂടാതെ ഇന്ത്യയെ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസത്തിന്റെ ആഗോള ലക്ഷ്യസ്ഥാനമായി മാറുന്നതിന് വഴിയൊരുക്കും. വിദേശത്ത് പഠിക്കുന്ന ഇന്ത്യൻ വിദ്യാർത്ഥികളുടെ മസ്തിഷ്ക ചോർച്ചയും സാമ്പത്തിക നഷ്ടവും തടയാൻ മാത്രമല്ല, വിദേശ വിദ്യാർത്ഥികളെ ഇന്ത്യയിലേക്ക് ആകർഷിക്കാനും ഇത് സഹായിക്കും. പക്ഷെ ഇതിനൊപ്പം രാജ്യത്ത് അടിസ്ഥാന സൗകര്യങ്ങൾ വികസിപ്പിക്കാനും സർക്കാർ തയ്യാറാകണം. മികച്ച തൊഴിലവസരങ്ങൾ സൃഷ്ടിക്കപ്പെടണം. എങ്കിൽ മാത്രമെ വിദേശ വിദ്യാർത്ഥികൾ ഉൾപ്പടെ ഇന്ത്യയിലേക്ക് എത്തുകയുള്ളു.
വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ രംഗത്ത് സമൂലമായ മാറ്റം അനിവാര്യമായ ഇക്കാലത്ത് ഇത്തരം നീക്കങ്ങളെ സ്വാഗതം ചെയ്യണം. എതിർപ്പുമായി വരാൻ തയ്യാറെടുക്കും മുമ്പ് ഇത് ഭാവി ഭാരതത്തിനും വരും തലമുറകൾക്കും പ്രയോജനകരമായി തീരുന്നതെങ്ങനെ എന്നു വിലയിരുത്താൻ തയ്യാറാവണം. എന്തിനെയും എതിർക്കാൻ ഒരുങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നവർ ഇതിനെയും നഖശിഖാന്തം വിമർശിച്ച് കാലതാമസം വരുത്തും.പക്ഷെ ലോകം മുന്നോട്ടു കുതിയ്ക്കുമ്പോൾ നാം പിന്നിലായിക്കൂടാ എന്ന തിരിച്ചറിവ് നഷ്ടപ്പെടരുത്.
Home / Blog / Foreign Universities must be welcomed to prevent brain drain and financial loss for Indian students
Foreign Universities must be welcomed to prevent brain drain and financial loss for Indian students
A radical change is necessary in the higher education sector in India by welcoming International universities and institutions to the country. By giving foreign universities an opportunity to operate their campus in our country, the country can retain its foreign students, promote India as a global education hub as well as save foreign exchange losses.
In a first, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has unveiled a draft regulation facilitating foreign universities and institutions to set up campuses in India which will allow them the autonomy in determining fees, as well as a 90-day approval process.
After Chinese students, today Indians make up the largest number of foreign students in countries such as the US, UK and Australia.
By promoting India as a global education hub, the Ministry of External Affairs hopes to retain the estimated 1.3 lakh students (2022 figures) who are studying abroad. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) this accounts for foreign exchange of Rs 5 billion (FY 2021-2022), which was lost as students chose to pursue their education abroad.
Welcoming foreign universities will pave the way for India to become a global destination for education. This will not only prevent brain drain and financial loss of Indian students studying abroad but also attract foreign students to India. These institutions will also have the autonomy to decide its fee structure and will not face the limits imposed on Indian institutions, as long as they are ‘fair and transparent’. The universities must also ensure they do not offer ‘any such programs which may endanger the national interest of India or the standard of higher education in India.’
A legislative framework facilitating the entry will be put in place, and universities will be given special dispensation regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms on par with other autonomous institutions of India. The Foreign Exchange Management Act will be followed when it comes to situations involving money and funding.
But along with this, it is also time necessary for the government to develop better infrastructure, that will support international students, in the country. Better jobs and better safety must be prioritized. The long term impact on the existing Indian educational institutions may also prove to be beneficial. The current breed of outdated institutions in India will be subject to dose of competition, which will turn to be positive. It will encourage competition among various players in the country and allow faculty-to-faculty research collaboration among various universities.
Such moves should be welcomed at this time when a radical change in the field of education is necessary. Before voicing any opposition, we should be ready to assess how this move will benefit the future of education in India and our future generations. Now is not the time for cynicism and criticism.
KPA wholeheartedly welcomes the decision by the UGC.
“ആയിരം ഭവന പദ്ധതി”
ഈ പുതുവർഷത്തിൽ മുന്നോട്ടുള്ള യാത്രകൾക്ക് ഊർജവും കഴിഞ്ഞ വർഷത്തെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ സന്തോഷവും എന്നതു 25.07.2022 നു മാവൂരിൽ തറക്കല്ലിട്ട വീട് പൂർണ്ണമായും പണികൾ തീർത്തു 29.12.2022-ൽ താക്കോൽ ദാനം നടത്താൻ സാധിച്ചു എന്നതാണ്. 2022 ഡിസംബർ 29 ന് വ്യാഴാഴ്ച്ച വൈകുന്നേരം 5.30 ന് മാവൂർ ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് രാജീവ് ഗാന്ധി കൺവൻഷൻ സെന്ററിൽ ബഹു. ഗോവ ഗവർണർ അഡ്വ. പി.എസ് ശ്രീധരൻ പിള്ള മുഖ്യ അതിഥിയായ ചടങ്ങിൽ കേരളാ പ്രവാസി അസോസിയേഷൻ ട്രസ്റ്റിന്റെ പ്രവർത്തന റിപ്പോർട്ട് അവതരിപ്പിച്ചത് അത്യധികം അഭിമാനത്തോടെ ആണ്. KPA ട്രസ്റ്റ് “ആയിരം ഭവന പദ്ധതി” പ്രകാരം നിർമിച്ച ആദ്യ വീടുകളുടെയും, KPA ട്രസ്റ്റ് നൽകുന്ന സാമ്പത്തിക സഹായത്തോടെ നിർമ്മിച്ച മറ്റൊരു വീടിന്റെയും താക്കോൽ ദാനവും, കാലവർഷ കെടുതിയിൽ തകർന്നുപോയ ഒരു വീടിനുള്ള ധന സഹായവും നിർവഹിക്കപ്പെട്ടു. ”ആയിരം ഭവന പദ്ധതിയ്ക്ക്’ ഒപ്പം മറ്റു ജീവകാരുണ്യ പ്രവർത്തികൾക്കും തുടക്കം കുറിച്ചു. വാക്കുകൾക്കതീതമായ സ്നേഹവും ആവേശവുമായി പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾക്കു ആവേശമായി കൂടെഉണ്ടായിരുന്ന എല്ലാവരോടും ഹൃദയപൂർവം നന്ദി പറയുന്നു. സഹജീവികളോടുള്ള കരുതലും സമൂഹത്തോടുള്ള പ്രതിബദ്ധതയും ചേർത്തു പിടിച്ചു മാറ്റത്തിന്റെ മാറ്റൊലിയായി മുന്പോട്ടുള്ള ജൈത്രയാത്രയിൽ കരുത്തു പകരുന്നത് ആത്മാർത്ഥയോടെ പിന്നിൽ ഉറച്ചു നിന്ന സഹപ്രവർത്തകരുടെ നേരും, ആവേശവും പ്രവർത്തന വീര്യവുമാണ്. ഇനിയും മുൻപോട്ടു തന്നെ.
The energy for the journey ahead in this new year and the biggest joy of the last year is that the foundation stone house at Mavoor was completely completed on 25.07.2022, and the key was handed over on 29.12.2022. Those families start a new year with a new home. Being a reason for their dream of a home to become a reality was the happiest thing of the past year.
The key handover took place on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Mavur Gram Panchayat Rajiv Gandhi Convention Center Hon and was graced by Goa Governor Adv. PS Sreedharan Pillai who also commended the efforts and progress made by Kerala Pravasi Association Trust with great pride. Key donation of the first houses built by KPA Trust under the “Ayiram Bhawan Project” and another house built with the financial assistance provided by KPA Trust, as well as financial assistance to a house damaged due to monsoon damage, was carried out. We will enforce action in the featured nine areas through people’s participation via public funding via Crowd Funding, CSR Funds and Donations. KPA has obtained 12A, 80G, CSR and DARPAN approvals required for legal fundraising.
Once again, I would like to thank all our well-wishers and supporters from the bottom of my heart. Your sincerity, enthusiasm and collective energy of our team, who have supported us and KPA’s vision, have made this possible. I look forward to our journey ahead as we persevere to bring a change to our community.
Kerala Pravasi Association’s nine priorities include :
- Providing housing to the economically backward – complete or partial construction of 1000 houses in a timely manner.
- Provide medical insurance facilities that will enabled those in need easy access to treatment at low cost. As part of this, KPA Insurance contract was signed with a leading insurance company and the party aims to announce a medical insurance package of up to three lakh rupees.
- To provide education and training facilities to students from lower income families and prepare them for better jobs and a brighter future.
- Reaching out to physically and mentally-challenged people by providing necessary assistance. The party donated Nine wheel chairs at the event, part of this goal.
- Geriatric care that supports helpless senior citizens by providing them with physical and emotional support that often comes with ageing.
- Implement projects to supply portable water to areas facing shortage of fresh water
- Accelerate activities to implement hygienic and safe waste management and sanitation.
- Plan poverty alleviation projects by ensuring basic needs are met.
- Accelerating efforts to make women empowerment a reality rather than a slogan.
Home / Blog / Homes for the homeless: KPA Trust hands over its first home under the ‘Ayiram Bhawan Project’
Homes for the homeless: KPA Trust hands over its first home under the ‘Ayiram Bhawan Project’
The Kerala Pravasi Association Trust officially handed over the first two homes, constructed under their ‘Ayiram Bhawan’ housing project that provides housing for the economically poor in Kerala, to its righful owners.
The Key handover took place at the Rajiv Gandhi Convention Center in the Mavur Gram Panchayat and was graced by Hon. Goa Governor Adv. PS Sreedharan Pillai.
The Ayiram Bhawan Project is a key initiative led by the Kerala Pravasi Association Trust, launched to provide housing and thereby uplift the quality of life of people in Kerala. The event also saw the handover of a second house built under the financial assistance provided by the KPA Trust as well as financial assistance, announced to a house damaged during the monsoons.
Kerala Pravasi Association and Kerala Pravasi Association Trust was founded by Rajendran Vellapalath, and Aswani Nambarambath, with a vision to build a modern, strong and resilient Kerala, under the leadership and expertise of Pravasi Malayalis.
Vellapalath who is the Hon. Chairman of the KPA Trust said, “At Kerala Pravasi Association (KPA), we envision a Kerala free from poverty, by enabling Pravasi’s from across the world to give. The Ayiram Bhavan Project is KPA’s dream project that was established to rehabilitate and provide shelter to the landless and homeless people in Kerala. With today’s key handovers, we begin an ambitious journey towards changing the lives of over 3.4 million people in Kerala by 2030.
The Kerala Pravasi Association Trust relies on CSR funds, Crowd Funding where individual donations are key to raise funds for our various initiatives. We invite our Pravasi brothers and sisters and Corporate Companies and other people irrespective of their religion, caste etc to join us on this journey towards building a stronger, more resilient Kerala.” he added.
Mr. PS Sreedharan Pillai in his inaugural speech said, “The Kerala Pravasi Association Trust’s Ayiram Bhavanam Project has truly opened new opportunities for the economically poor in our state. With the help of Pravasi’s who have always played an important role towards the economical growth of our state, I applaud initiatives like the ‘Ayiram Bhavanam Project’ and take this opportunity to congratulate Kerala Pravasi Association and its founders Rajendran Vellapalath and Aswani Nambarambath for making this possible.”
Babu Nelluli, Block Panchayat President distributed the financial assistance for the construction of the next house, under the scheme.
Kerala Pravasi Association Trust also unveiled a new Health Insurance Scheme at the event. Providing access to quality health care and heath insurance is also a key area for the party.
MK Raghavan, Hon. MP, Kozhikode unveiled the scheme along with Rajendran Vellapalath and Aswani Nambarambath, Hon. Vice-Chairman, Kerala Pravasi Association Trust.
Speaking at the launch, Mr MK Raghavan said, “Kerala Pravasi Association and Rajendran Vellapalath’s vision for a resilient and stronger Kerala becomes a reality today. Their vision to provide housing, education, health care and insurance, eradicate poverty , provide access to clean drinking water, launch welfare programs for differently-abled people, with the help of the expertise and generosity of Pravasi’s, will usher in a new beginning for many.
As members of the society, it is our responsibility to extend our support to Kerala Pravasi Association and Rajendran Vellapalath and Aswani Nambarambath to bring this vision to a reality for many.”
As part of their initiatives to provide support to the differently-abled, KPA Trust also handed over wheelchairs to those in need. The wheelchairs were handed over by Gram Panchayat President, T. Ranjith.
Shaheen Khan, National Council Member gave the welcome speech and the Vote of thanks was presented by Trustee Bina Sunil. Block Panchayat Member Maimuna Katukanchiri and former Block Panchayat President Vellapalath Balakrishnan Nair also addressed the audience. Other dignitaries in attendance were Muhammad Abdul Hakeem Azhari, Hon. Managing Director of Marcus Knowledge City, Syed Muhammad Koya Thangal Jamalullaili, Hon. Kozhikode Khasi.
Aswani Nambarambath, Hon.Vice Chairman of Kerala Pravasi Association Trust added, “Access to affordable and safe housing is known to contribute towards the economic growth of a state as it will enable more people from lower income groups to move out of slums and live in proper houses.
Providing homes or financial assistance for rebuilding homes is one of the key focus areas, among nine other priorities, laid out by Kerala Pravasi Association, that we will continue to work towards to ensure deserving families have a place they can call home.”
The Kerala Pravasi Association Trust will focus on nine priorities, which cover 36 areas related to the daily life of the people, by enabling Pravasi’s across the world to give. The nine priorities include :
1. Providing housing to the economically backward – complete or partial construction of 1000 houses in a timely manner. On December 22, 2022, three houses in Mavoor were handover over to deserving families.
2. Provide medical insurance facilities that will enabled those in need easy access to treatment at low cost. As part of this, KPA Insurance contract was signed with a leading insurance company and the party aims to announce a medical insurance package of up to three lakh rupees.
3. To provide education and training facilities to students from lower income families and prepare them for better jobs and a brighter future.
4. Reaching out to physically and mentally-challenged people by providing necessary assistance. The party donated Nine wheel chairs at the event, part of this goal.
5. Geriatric care that supports helpless senior citizens by providing them with physical and emotional support that often comes with ageing.
6. Implement projects to supply portable water to areas facing shortage of fresh water
7. Accelerate activities to implement hygienic and safe waste management and sanitation.
8. Plan poverty alleviation projects by ensuring basic needs are met.
9. Accelerating efforts to make women empowerment a reality rather than a slogan.
The trust aims to enforce action in these nine areas, with people’s participation through public funding via Crowd Funding, CSR Funds and Donations. KPA has obtained 12A, 80G, CSR and DARPAN approvals, required for such legal fundraising.
More information on how to apply for these projects will be made available in the next few days. KPA Trust is currently accepting applications from individual districts, once approved by their respective ward committee. All selfless persons working in public sector in Ward / Panchayat / Municipal / Corporation Committees are invited to send their applications.
Home / Blog / Kerala Pravasi Association Trust to handover its first home under the ‘Ayiram Bhawan Project’
Kerala Pravasi Association Trust to handover its first home under the ‘Ayiram Bhawan Project’
The first house built under the Kerala Pravasi Association Trust’s ‘Ayiram Bhawan Project’ will be handed over to its rightful owner on December 29.
The key distribution of the first house in the thousand housing project and another house built with the financial assistance provided by KPA Trust will be held on Thursday, December 29 at 5.30 pm at Mavur Panchayat Community Hall. The announcement was made by the KPA National Council at a press conference held at the Kozhikode Press Club.
Goa Governor Adv. PS Sreedharan Pillai will donate the keys to the new homeowners.
As part of Kerala Pravasi Association’s other philanthropic schemes, Hon. MP M.K. Raghavan will announce the Family Health Insurance Scheme while P.T.A. Rahim (Hon. MLA) will officiate the Scheme Declaration of the Trust. Managing Director of Marcus Knowledge City Dr. Muhammad Abdul Hakeem Azhari will distribute the financial aid for the construction of other homes while Kozhikode Qazi Syed Muhammad Koya Thangal Jamalullaili will distribute wheelchairsto needy members of the society.
Kerala Pravasi Association Trust Chairman Rajendran Vellapalath will preside over the function. The event will also be graced by district panchayat member Sudha Kambalath, Kunnamangalam block panchayat president Babu Nelloli, Mavoor panchayat president T Ranjith and former block panchayat president Vellapalath Balakrishnan, who will deliver the welcome speech. Kerala Pravasi Association Trust Vice Chairman Aswani Nambarambath will present the report.
The National Council of Kerala Pravasi Association requests your esteemed at this auspicious ceremony.
Key Handover of the first home under the ‘Ayiram Bhawan Project’
The handover of the first home built under Kerala Pravasi Association Trust’s “Ayiram Bhawan Project” will take place on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 5.30 pm at the Mavur Panchayat Community Hall in Mavoor, Kozhikode.
The keys will be handed over by Hon. Goa Governor Adv. PS Sreedharan Pillai.
The event will see the handover of the project’s first home as well as another house that was made possible with the financial aid under the KPA Trust.
“The Ayiram Bhawan Project was devised for the homeless who live the toughest lives in the society. This project is aimed to build and provide 1000 houses in the first phase. Our dream is a society without homelessness. The Kerala Pravasi Association aims to be a beacon of hope for the downtrodden citizens of our homeland,” said a KPA party spokesperson.
“Along with the ‘Ayiram Bhawan Project’ we have several other philanthropic schemes in the pipeline. At the event, we will also gift 5 wheelchairs to individuals with disabilities allowing the a mobile life and greater independence.”
“We request your esteemed presence at the event and witness this momentous event as we hand over these beloved homes to the their families.”
Home / Blog / ‘Measures underway on expatriate suffrage’; Center announce its position on NRI voting rights
‘Measures underway on expatriate suffrage’; Center announce its position on NRI voting rights
The Central Government has clarified in the Supreme Court that it will soon take steps to provide facilities for non-residents and migrant workers to vote in the elections.
Attorney General R Venkataramani added that the confidentiality of the election will be maintained.
A bench headed by Chief Justice UU Lalit disposed the petitions regarding non-resident voting rights on the government’s assurance. The court while highlighting the case, said that the government should take a decision and that the Supreme Court’s interference in the power of the Parliament is limited.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had sent notices to the Center and the Election Commission, asking them to share their responses on the PIL seeking voting rights for non-resident Indians (NRIs).
Although the amendment for voting rights was introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha, it has not been introduced in the Rajya Sabha. As a result, the Chief Justice expressed that the court is not in a position to introduce and pass the amendment in the Parliament. The court also highlighted that non-resident Indians cannot demand the arrangement to vote be made for soldiers.
In 2014, Dr Shamseer Vayalil, a UAE-based petitioner approached the Supreme Court with a petition demanding that the government provide an opportunity for Indians working abroad to vote during elections, from their respective countries.
Kerala Pravasi Association (KPA) Chairman Rajendran Vellapalath and President National Council Aswani Nambarambath too filed a writ petition seeking voting rights for non-resident Indians (NRIs) in polls earlier this year.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice said that these petitions have been key in bringing the matter to the attention of the government. Advocate Harris Biran appeared on behalf of Dr Shamseer Vayalil, and advocates Kuriakose Varghese and Shyam Mohan on behalf of the Kerala Expatriate Association appeared in the Supreme Court.
SC issues notice to Centre on study over efficacy of current rabies vaccine in India
The Supreme Court last week, issued notice to the Central Government in a plea seeking to constitute an independent expert committee to study the efficacy of the current rabies vaccines in India filed by Kerala Pravasi Association.
A Supreme Court bench of justices led by Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar issued notice after hearing Advocate Kuriakose Varghese assisted by Advocate V Shyamohan, asking for a stringent committee study on the efficacy of the Intra Dermal Rabies Vaccines (IDRVs) currently being administered to humans, on account of the number of deaths that have occurred despite timely administration of the vaccines in the Country.
These deaths have posed several questions regarding the treatment protocol, and more importantly, the efficacy of the vaccines, the plea states.
The plea has been filed by Dr. Rajendran Vellapalath, Chairman of Kerala Pravasi Association and Ms. Aswani Nambarambath, President of the Party who are also leaders of the Association through Advocates Kuriakose Varghese and V. Shyamohan, KMNP Law.
The plea highlights that ‘as per the National Centre for Disease Control, manufacturing of Rabies vaccine for humans, being a complex process, needs a minimum of three to four months for manufacturing and testing. Shockingly, there have been instances where the vaccine has reached the State within 14 days of manufacture.’
‘Non-adherence to the requisite quality checks would be a direct violation of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India, apart from violations of provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder.’
The petition also seeks direction to call for the records pertaining to instances, if any, where vaccines were procured by the State Governments without statutory approvals by the Central Drugs Laboratory.
Along with this, the rise in the number of rabies infected dogs is also a matter of concern, the plea points out. This would warrant an enquiry into the quality of anti-rabies vaccines administered to dogs. It is the petitioner’s case that eliminating the risk of rabies at its source i.e., dogs, is the most effective measure to curtail the spread of rabies’
‘Further, there are studies which reveal that even a single dose of vaccine is effective in curbing rabies in dogs,’ the plea stated.
As per experts, human rabies is a 100 per cent vaccine preventable disease and the vaccines are considered to be ‘highly effective, safe and tolerated’. Perforce, without vaccination, rabies is a fatal disease, the plea adds.
‘While improper administration of IDRV is stated to be a possible reason for failure of the medicine in some cases, the recent deaths points towards the very efficacy of the vaccine.’
The petition also underscored the importance of training medical staff of how to properly deal with dog bites.
‘Moreover, it is necessary that the medical staff be trained adequately to ensure that the National Guidelines for Rabies Prophylaxis, 2019 (‘Guidelines’) can be adhered to with respect to treatment of dog bite cases. Furthermore, the Guidelines ought to be given wide publicity, especially those relating to wound management, vaccine schedule etc., to prevent high fatality,’ highlights the plea.
Apart from setting up an expert committee, the petitioners also pray for wide publicity and to ensure proper and uniform implementation of the National Guidelines for Rabies Prophylaxis, 2019, with appropriate revisions from time to time as per the latest developments endorsed by WHO.
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KPA propose new center for children with disabilities, meets Minister Atewala
Kerala Pravasi Association (KPA) Chairman and President, Rajendran Vellapalath and Aswani Nambarambath called on Mr Ramdas Atewala, President of Republican Party of India and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment at his residence in Delhi recently.
During the meeting they addressed number of key subjects with the vision to bring to life KPA’s central projects, guided by the expertise of governing bodies under the KPA trust.
Discussions were held to jointly conduct a study and work towards starting center for the empowerment of persons with disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and other disabilities in Kerala.
The new center aims to provide thousands of children the opportunity of early detection of disabilities, which is crucial to ensure early intervention and thereby ensure optimal development.
The new center, when realized, will be part of party’s goal in implementing the expertise of expatriates across 36 areas, including agriculture, environment protection, health and wellness, industrial development and manufacturing sectors, aimed to uplift and provide a sustainable livelihood to its beneficiaries.