Kochi, Oct 2 : Veteran Malayalam film personality Thampi Kannanthanam passed away on Tuesday at a private hospital near here after several days of illness, the film fraternity said. He was 65.
Kannanthanam was a producer, director and have also acted in a few films.
He was admitted to the private hospital last week.
A multi-faceted film personality, Kannanthanam was a hugely successful and celebrated director and often regarded as the one who took Mohanlal to his career high in "Rajavinte Makan" in 1986. After this film, Mohanlal had never looked back in his career.
Mohanlal told the media over the phone from Kulu-Manali in Himachal Pradesh, that without any qualms he would say Thampi Kannanthanam moulded him into the star he was today.
"A long time good friend of mine has passed away and his long standing wish of making a sequel to our block buster 'Rajavinte Makan' now will never happen again," said Mohanlal.
In all, Kannanthanam directed 16 films between 1983 and 2004 and produced seven films while he acted in 10.
Kannanthanam began as an assistant to ace filmmakers Sasikumar and then with Joshy and when he started on his own, most of what he did, turned out to be a success.
Known for his jovial nature and one with no airs, he was liked by all sections of the film industry.
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
