My queries.

I've queries over three of the news bytes that seem to be grabbing headlines. Without much ado, let me go over them.

Rampant Use of Drugs

The rampant use of drugs by the glamorous men and women in tinsel town have been coming out into the public domain for the past few weeks. While one liked and adored many of these actors and actresses, a doubt has set in as to whether these people are worth our adulation and love. The investigation is poised to go a long way, going by the involvement of many of the so called 'A' listers and it might be a bit too early to zero in on the names that are already out. The funny thing is that many of these folks who had taken on the 'no drugs' campaign has been unusually quiet thus far: are they also junkies or are they scared of the drug cartel, I wonder? They have indeed let us down!

My query. Do these artistes require a snort or a shot of drugs to help them emote? If yes, I don't want them to be my heroes and heroines, anymore!

The Reconstruction of a Flyover

The Rs.42-crore flyover at Palarivattom, in the heart of Ernakulam town, was closed for traffic just three years after its commissioning in 2016, because of major cracks. That a flyover develops defects within three years of its use is preposterous and the makers should have been made to go through a public inquiry, shamed and sent to the hangman's noose for having let down the country and their countrymen by swindling public money. The PWD and Roads minister of the time, Mr Ibrahim kunju is going through an investigation but I'm cynical about its outcome. Metroman E Sreedharan who conducted a detailed inspection, had submitted a report to the state government ruling out total demolition and recommending partial reconstruction to restore it.

The state government had gone ahead with Mr Sreedharan's recommendations.

The High Court's decision directing a 'load test' prior to the demolition has been turned down by the Supreme Court. Consequently, the government is going ahead with the work and promises to finish the work within 8 months.

Hope the timelines are adhered to. Can't think of driving through the Edappalli-Palarivattam-Vyttila-Kundannoor stretch when the reconstruction work would be on in full swing but there's a glimmer of hope - that it will be managed well - since E Sreedharan would be overseeing it!

A Correct Judgement

The CJM Court in Thiruvananthapuram has dismissed the state government's plea to withdraw the case pertaining to the mayhem in the state's Legislative Assembly in 2015. The confusion created and the destruction of property on the part of the opposition, then, was to prevent the then finance minister, KM Mani, from presenting the state's annual budget. If convicted, six LDF MLAs including two current ministers, who were involved in the case, could end up in jail for up to five years and also face an embargo from contesting elections.

The government has decided to take up the verdict for review, in the High Court.

Does it mean that the lawmakers can get away with anything and everything on the floor of the Assembly? 

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by about a half past 9. Evaluation of the JSS, Kollam was being monitored based on the feedback received from there. The rain seems to have receded because of the consequent warmth in weather.