Date:28/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/28/stories/2006052812130400.htm

Kerala

Public Relations Department booklet heaps praise on Chief Minister

Special Correspondent

20,000 copies of the booklet `Nerinoppam' have been printed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Information and Public Relations Department of the State Government has formally entered the V.S. Achuthanandan era with a booklet titled `Nerinoppam.'

The book opens with a preface by Principal Secretary Jiji Thomson in which he pays glowing tributes to the CPI(M) leader.

He describes Mr. Achuthanandan's personality as one that had loomed large in the relentless mass struggles in the last six decades. Mr. Achuthanandan had won the respect of even his opponents through his activities as the Leader of the Opposition during the last five years, it says.

He led uncompromising struggles against anti-people policies, thereby growing to be the most popular people's leader of the State.

Mr. Achuthanandan had even attracted national attention through his extraordinary ability to intervene in any issue affecting the people and suggest solutions. It was to a person who was capable of discharging all responsibilities with the seriousness which they deserved that the people handed over the power.

The official described Mr. Achuthanandan's uncompromising stand against corruption as his hallmark. The security of women and the weaker sections of society was ensured. The Chief Minister's promise to implement policies and programmes on a war footing to provide employment to the unemployed youth was an instance of his insight into people's feelings.

He then presented the booklet as a brief document which made clear the new Government's stand and outlook The Government proposed to accord top priority to ensuring social justice and welfare of the most backward. The Government represented the people's hope of building a clean Kerala through Mr .Achuthanandan, who was a proponent of clean politics.

The preface is followed by Mr.Achuthanandan's address to the people, which was broadcast by AIR and telecast on television channels on May 18. The booklet also contains the editorials on the Achuthanandan era of four leading Malayalam newspapers.

The cover shows a close-up of a smiling Mr. Achuthanandan, with the issues that he had taken up as the Leader of the Opposition in the backdrop.

The inside of the cover carries the picture of Governor R.L. Bhatia administering the oath of office to him. The back cover carries a full length picture of Mr. Achuthanandan in his favourite posture of holding a portion of the dhoti with his left hand. One of the editorials carried inside is the backdrop.

The inside of the back cover carries a picture of the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues posing with the Governor after the swearing-in ceremony.

The Information and Public Relations Department has printed 20,000 copies of the booklet in a private press in the city for free distribution.