Uncut screenplays a big draw at Chennai book fair

Uncut screenplays a big draw at Chennai book fair

0.01.2025

Chennai: Famous American film director Stanley Kubrick once said, “If it can be thought or written, it can be filmed.” At the ongoing 48th Chennai Book Fair, there is a surge in cinema enthusiasts, film school students and aspiring filmmakers to purchase uncut screenplay books of famous Tamil movies.

Madurai native Krishna Kumar A, 24, whose curiosity for Kamal Haasan movies was piqued by his father, a hardcore fan, always enjoyed writing movie scripts. “And for the past three years, I've been coming here for books related to screenwriting and technical aspects of filmmaking. So far, I've purchased books on Akira Kurosawa and Intertextual Cinema. I have screenplay books of 'Pisasu' by Mysskin, 'Saani Kaayitham' by Arun Matheswaran, and 'Chithha' by Arun Kumar.”

In the same stall, film school student Yogesh Kumar V picked up 'Character Matters' by Sai Vijendran to better understand character building and arcs. “I watched '96' as a teenager and wondered how a movie could feature a passive protagonist, with melodrama built around his past feelings for a girl. I hope to find answers here.”

There's a steady stream of visitors in the 16-35 age group, said Thaha M of Pesamozhi stall. “Being exclusive stall for cinema-related books, screenplay combos of Lokesh Kanagaraj including 'Managaram', 'Karthi', 'Master', 'Vikram' and 'Leo', Vetrimaran's 'Vadachennai', 'Asuran' and 'Viduthalai' Mysskin's' Pisasu', 'Nandalala' and 'Yutham Sei', are among the bestsellers,” he said. The combo prices start at 1,700.

Shameer Ahmed, another film school student, came for books explaining shots in movies by Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Ingmar Bergman and Akira Kurosawa. “I bought The Pervert's Guide to Cinema by Slavoj Žižek.”

Stalin terms draft UGC norms “overreach”

Stalin terms draft UGC norms “overreach”

TNN | Jan 8, 2025, 03.57 AM IST

Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday criticized the Center for releasing the draft UGC Regulations, 2025. He said the new regulations granting governors broader control over vice-chancellor appointments and allowing non-academics to hold these posts were a direct assault on federalism and state rights. "This overreach is unacceptable, and Tamil Nadu will fight it legally and politically," Stalin said.

The draft regulations state that the chancellor shall constitute a search-cum-selection committee comprising three experts, including a nominee of the chancellor who shall be the chairperson of the committee, a nominee of the chairman of the University Grants Commission, and a nominee of the apex body of the university such as syndicate/senate/executive council/board of management/equivalent body of the university. Currently, the state govt nominates its members to the committee.

Taking to X, CM said, “This authoritarian move by the Union BJP govt seeks to centralize power and undermine democratically elected state govts. Education must remain in the hands of those chosen by the people, not dictated by governors acting at the BJP govt's behest.”

Noting that education was a subject under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, the CM said the state govt considered the move of the UGC to issue this notification unilaterally as unconstitutional. "Tamil Nadu, which leads the nation with the highest number of top-ranking HEIs, will not remain silent as our institutions are stripped of autonomy," he added.

Addressing reporters, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam alleged that the regulation was part of a broader plan by the BJP to let "Hindutva and RSS forces infiltrate" the education sector in the country.

University Need Not Insist On +2 Passing Certificate To Determine Eligibility For 3-Yrs LLB Course If Student Produces First Degree: Karnataka HC

University Need Not Insist On +2 Passing Certificate To Determine Eligibility For 3-Yrs LLB Course If Student Produces First Degree: Karnataka HC

Mustafa Plumber

7 Jan 2025 2:25 PM

The Karnataka High Court has said that the question of considering Higher Secondary (10+2) pass certificate for admission to LLB course would be irrelevant as long as the candidates were to have a First degree issued by any recognized University.

A single judge Justice Suraj Govindaraj held thus while allowing the petition filed by one Rakesh Shetty and said “In respect of proviso to Rule 5, (Bar Council Rules) the question of considering equivalence of JOC (Job oriented Course) with +2 would not be relevant, since the petitioner holds a B.Com degree, which being a First Degree was sufficient for the University to consider for issuance of eligibility certificate."

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Shetty completed his 10th standard in the year 1997 and instead of pursuing +2, he underwent Job-Oriented Pre-University Diploma in Computer techniques (JOC) in the year 1999. Thereafter, he took up Bachelor of Commerce degree (B.Com) and completed the same in the year 2008. In 2024, he made an online application on 24.06.2024 with Soundarya College of Law which came to be accepted however, his application for issuance of eligibility certificate was rejected by the Karnataka State Law University on the grounds that JOC could not be considered as equivalent to Pre-University course.

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The petitioner argued that JOC was accepted to be a proper eligibility for the petitioner to take up his B.Com course. Thus there was no reason for the respondent University to now deny him eligibility certificate.

The counsel for the University on the other hand submitted that a JOC could not be held to be an equivalent for 10+2 without the petitioner having taken up a 'language' in the said course. Further, as per the instructions issued by the Bar Council of India, the JOC has not been held to be equivalent to 10+2 and what has been mentioned by the Bar Council of India is 10+2+3 year degree.

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Findings:

The court noted that in terms of Clause (a) of Rule 5, an applicant who has graduated in any discipline of knowledge from a University established by an Act, may apply for three years' degree program in law.

Further, in terms of proviso, it is stated that applicants who have obtained +2 Higher Secondary pass certificate or First Degree Certificate from distance or correspondence method shall be considered eligible for admission in the Integrated 5-Years course or 3-Years LL.B . course, as the case may be.

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The explanation to the proviso states that the applicants who have obtained 10+2 or graduation/post-graduation through Open Universities system directly, without having any basic qualification, are not eligible for admission to the Law Course.

Following which the Court emphasized, “What is required is +2 Higher Secondary Pass Certificate or First Degree Certificate. "

Court observed that the language of the proviso is "disjunctive", meaning if the First Degree certificate has been issued, the question of reference of +2 Higher secondary Pass Certificate would not arise. It held,

" So long as the First Degree certificate is available, the question of reference to +2 Higher Secondary Pass Certificate would not arise in terms of the proviso to Rule 5 of the Bar Council of India Rules. On a plain reading of the said provision, it is only if a candidate were to have done only +2 and applied for Integrated Five Year course, then the requirement of +2 being either 10+2 of CBSE or ISCE or II PUC would be relevant.”

Noting that in the case of the petitioner he has done his JOC, which was regarded to be eligibility enough for him to take up his B.Com course, the court held the B.Com degree "would mean the First Degree certificate as contained and referred to in the proviso to Rule 5."

It added "In view of my reasoning in respect of proviso to Rule 5, the question of considering equivalence of JOC with +2 would not be relevant, since the petitioner holds a B.Com degree, which being a First Degree was sufficient for the University to consider for issuance of eligibility certificate. "

Accordingly it allowed the petition and directed the University to issue an eligibility certificate.

Appearance: Advocate K Prasanna Shetty for Petitioner.

AGA RK Prathibha FOR R-1.

Advocate Girish Kumar FOR R-2.

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 5

Case Title: Rakesh Shetty AND State of Karnataka & Others

Case No: WRIT PETITION NO.31737 OF 2024

Cause Of Action For Claiming Family Pension Arises Only Upon Death Of Pensioner; Speculative Claims Not Valid: Delhi HC

Cause Of Action For Claiming Family Pension Arises Only Upon Death Of Pensioner; Speculative Claims Not Valid: Delhi HC

Pranav Kumar

7 Jan 2025 6:20 PM

Delhi High Court: A Single Judge Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna ruled that a claim for family pension requires a valid cause of action, which only arises on the death of the pensioner. The court allowed a revision petition filed against a suit seeking a mandatory injunction for the processing of family pension. It ruled that family pension under Rule 50 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 is only triggered upon the pensioner's death, and speculative claims based on future uncertain events cannot constitute a valid cause of action.

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Background

Ms. Kumkum Dania was a government school teacher from Delhi. She had joined the school before her marriage, and had already superannuated in 2018. Thereupon, she had continued working under re-employment terms.

Ms. Dania was married to Mr. Kulbhushan Dania since 1990. However, the relationship was strained from the outset, and they separated in 2008. Kulbhushan alleged that she deliberately failed to update her marital status and omitted his and their children's names from her school service records to deprive him of family pension. . benefits. He sought a mandatory injunction for processing the family pension and asked for an inquiry into Ms. Dania's alleged misconduct.

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However, Ms. Dania argued that her failure to update her marital status was unintentional and was rectified as soon as it came to her attention. She accused Kulbhushan of harassing her through repeated complaints and legal actions. However, the trial court dismissed her application under Order VII Rule 11 CPC. Aggrieved, she filed a revision petition against the trial court order.

Arguments

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Ms. Dania argued that family pension rights arise only upon the pensioner's demise. For this reason, she submitted that Mr. Dania could not claim family pension under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. She argued that the application must be dismissed as it does not disclose any cause of action.

However, Mr. Dania argued that Ms. Dania's failure to properly declare all her family members in the service records amounted to misconduct. He explained that to rectify this, he sought an injunction from the trial court to expedite the processing of his family pension. He argued that Ms. Dania's deliberate non-disclosure prevented him from being recognized as a family member who is eligible for pension under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972.

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Court's Reasoning

The court considered the definition of “family pension” under Rule 50 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021. It explained that as per the rule, the entitlement only arises upon the death of the pensioner and provides benefits to the surviving family. . members. It clarified that during the lifetime of a government employee, only the employee is entitled to receive the pension and not his family.

Further, the court noted that the cause of action must be grounded in present and enforceable rights. Since Ms. Dania was alive and receiving her pension, it ruled that no actionable claim for family pension could arise. The court stated that speculative claims based on future uncertain events cannot constitute a valid cause of action.

The court rejected Mr. Dania's claim that not declaring family members in service records disallows them from claiming pension. It clarified that even if names are omitted, eligible family members can apply for pension benefits as and when provided by the pension rules.

Noting the broader context of the litigation, the court held Mr. Dania's repeated complaints and legal proceedings against Ms. Dania to be acts of harassment. Consequently, the court allowed the revision petition, set aside the trial court's order, and dismissed the suit.

Decided on : December 24, 2024

Neutral Citation : 2024 DHC 10038 | Kumkum Denmark v. Kulbhushan Denmark

Counsel for the petitioner : Mr. NK Kantawala and Mr. Amaya M. Nair

Counsel for the respondents : Mr. Naushad Ahmed Khan and Ms. Supriya Malik; Mr. Sumit Kumar Khatri and Mr. Parv Passi

TTE booked for sexually harassing passenger on train in Tamil Nadu

TTE booked for sexually harassing passenger on train in Tamil Nadu

According to sources, the 34-year-old passenger from Kumbakonam was traveling with her mother and child and boarded the train at Tambaram around 11 pm on Sunday.

Express News Service

07 Jan 2025, 7:36 am

MAYILADUTHURAI: A ticket examiner has been booked for allegedly sexually harassing a female passenger aboard the Uzhavan Express from Chennai to Thanjavur. The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mayiladuthurai registered a case on Monday and launched a search for the accused.

According to sources, the 34-year-old passenger from Kumbakonam was traveling with her mother and child and boarded the train at Tambaram around 11 pm on Sunday.

She requested the TTE, identified as Thomas Wellesley, for a lower berth as she had been allotted an upper berth during booking, sources said. Although the TTE arranged a lower berth, he harassed the passenger by making inappropriate comments as the train passed from Villupuram to Mayiladuthurai.

When the harassment escalated, the woman raised alarm as the train neared Mayiladuthurai around 3:45 am. Sensing trouble, the TTE got down from the train at Mayiladuthurai and fled. Based on the woman's complaint, the GRP filed a case under Sections 75 (1) (sexual harassment) and 75 (2) of BNS and Section 4 of the TN Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

Reminders to recite anthem sent well in advance, but ignored, says Raj Bhavan

Reminders to recite anthem sent well in advance, but ignored, says Raj Bhavan

A statement from the Raj Bhavan, after the governor walked out, charged that the Constitution and the national anthem were once again insulted in the Assembly.

Governor RN Ravi walks out of Assembly on Monday (File Photo | ANI)

Express News Service

07 Jan 2025, 8:47 am

CHENNAI: Governor RN Ravi, who has been at loggerheads with the DMK government ever since he assumed office in 2021, clashed with the government on Monday over the old issue of non-recital of national anthem at the beginning of his customary address of the Assembly. . .

A statement from the Raj Bhavan, after the governor walked out , charged that the Constitution and the national anthem were once again insulted in the Assembly.

"The national anthem is sung or played at the beginning and the conclusion of the governor's address in every state assembly in the country," the statement said. Pointing out that it is mandatory as per the “National anthem code,” it said even after “repeated reminders” conveyed “well in advance”, the requests were ignored.

Within 10 minutes of the governor leaving the House, the Raj Bhavan said in a post on X that when the governor noticed that only the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu was sung, he “respectfully reminded” the House of its Constitutional duty and “fervently appealed” to the chief minister and the speaker to play the national anthem, but “they cussedly refused”.

Highlighting it as a matter of "grave concern," the tweet said the governor left the House in "deep anguish", not wanting to be a party to such brazen disrespect to the Constitution and the national anthem.

The Raj Bhavan stressed that the governor has "unwavering love, respect and admiration for the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu" and has always upheld the sanctity of Tamil Thai Vazhthu and sang it with reverence at every event.

In another tweet, Raj Bhavan also expressed concern over "total censorship" of the proceedings of the Assembly on Monday, which reminded of "Emergency days".

It said people of Tamil Nadu “were deprived of the actual proceedings of the House and conduct of their representatives therein and instead were fed only the doctored versions of the state government.”

A Vishnu temple studded with historical inscriptions

A Vishnu temple studded with historical inscriptions

Thirukannapuram is considered one of the five Krishnaranya Kshetrams, the others being Thirukannangudi, Kapisthalam, Thirukannamangai, and Thirukovilur.

Photos: Chithra Madhavan

Chithra Madhavan

06 Jan 2025, 10:56 am

Thirukannapuram a village, close to Nannilam, is well-known for its Vishnu temple enshrining the main image named Neelamegha Perumal, and the processional deity (utsava-murti) Sowriraja Perumal, after whom the temple takes its name. This temple is a Divya Desam (sacred place eulogised in the Tamil pasurams (Tamil verses) of the Azhvars or important devotees of Vishnu). Periazhvar, Andal, Kulasekhara Azhvar, Thirumangai Azhvar and Nammazhvar have sung the praise of this deity.

The name Sowriraja Perumal literally means 'Vishnu with long tresses'. According to the Sthala Puranam or traditional story of this temple, it was to save a priest of this shrine from the wrath of a king, that God Vishnu here suddenly sported long hair. Thirukannapuram is considered one of the five Krishnaranya Kshetrams, the others being Thirukannangudi, Kapisthalam, Thirukannamangai, and Thirukovilur.

This east-facing temple has a large and picturesque temple-tank called Nitya Pushkarini in front. The presiding deity, Neelamegha Perumal is in a standing pose, holding the Sankha and Chakra in the proyoga mode (discus ready to be hurled at enemies) in the upper hands while the lower right hand is in varada hasta (boon-giving gesture) and lower left hand is in uru hasta (resting on the thigh).

This image is flanked by Goddesses Sridevi (Lakshmi) and Bhudevi (Goddess of the Earth) while Garuda and Dandaka Rishi are also seen here. The presiding deity and utsava-muti are enshrined in the Utpalavadaka Vimanam. Some of the inscriptions in this temple mention the ancient name of the deity as Thirukannapurattu Azhvan and Savuri Perumal, while the name Thirukannapuram has been retained over the centuries. This village was situated in the territorial subdivision called Geyamanikka Valanadu. The main image of Goddess Lakshmi is known as Krishnapura Nayaki while the utsava-murti is called Kannapura Nayaki.

Numerous donative inscriptions have been found in this temple, many of them belonging to the Chola era. An epigraph of Vikrama Chola (1118-1135 CE) records a donation for growing red lotuses for worship in this temple. An interesting and detailed stone record belonging to the reign of Rajaraja Chola III (1216-1250 CE) mentions the lease of land to merchants on a street called 'Savuri Perumal Perunderuvu' for building shops and houses on the condition that they should pay certain taxes. . on their goods to the temple.

This order was issued while the deity was seated with consorts on the seat called 'Nambikaliyan' under the canopy of pears called 'Ravanantakan' in the Neeravi Mandapa on the fifth day of the marriage festival in the month of Chaitra, listening to the verses of Shatakopa (Nammazhvar).