Veteran Malayalam actor G K Pillai dies at 97
Thiruvananthapuram(PTI): Veteran Malayalam actor G Kesava Pillai, popularly known as G K Pillai, considered as one of the oldest actors in the industry, died at the age of 97, family sources here said.
A constant presence in the film and television serials for the last 65 years, he breathed his last at his home here following age-related ailments, they said.
Known for his profound voice, sturdy physique and unique articulation style, Pillai acted in over 320 movies and a handful of soap operas in his sprawling career.
Born in the year 1924 at Chirayinkeezhu in the district, he joined the army at the age of 16 years. After completing his 12-years-long military service, he returned to the home state and brushed his longing for acting.
His acquaintance with evergreen actor Prem Nazir paved him way for entering the tinsel town and "Snehaseema" a 1954 film, was his first movie outing.
Though he established himself as an actor through villainous roles, he enacted a handful of lovable character roles in his later career in both films and serials.
"Snapaka Yoyannan", "Sthanarthi Saramma", "Ashwamedham", "Aromal Unni, "Choola", "Harichandran", Karyasthan" and so on were some among his popular movies.
After being a busy actor till 1980s, he suddenly took a break from the acting career and later returned to the industry in 2005 through TV serials.
"Kunkumapoovu" and "Kadamattathu Kathanar" were some among his popular serials.
He is survived by six children and his wife died years ago.
Condoling his death, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remembered Pillai as an actor who gained a place in the minds of different generations through his unique acting style.
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Kejriwal responds to EC, says water received from Haryana 'extremely poisonous' for human health
New Delhi (PTI): AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday responded to the Election Commission notice over his claim the Haryana government was "mixing poison" in Yamuna, and said raw water received from the BJP-ruled state in the recent past has been "highly contaminated and extremely poisonous" for human health.
In the 14-page reply to the Election Commission, the former Delhi chief minister said if such "toxic water" is allowed to be consumed by human population it would lead to grave health hazard and fatality.
Kejriwal said he only wanted to highlight the "urgent public health crisis" due to the quality of drinking water in the city, and he violated no law or Model Code of Conduct, hence the issue should be closed.
He said the "alleged statements" attributed to him were made as it was his public duty to red flag the "severe toxicity and contamination" of raw water received from the BJP-ruled state.
Following a complaint filed by the BJP over the matter, the Election Commission issued the notice to Kejriwal on Tuesday, giving him time till Wednesday 8 pm to furnish his reply.
Kejriwal also said the ammonia level in raw water received from Haryana was so "extreme" that water treatment plants in Delhi are unable to process and bring it down to safe and permissible limits for human consumption.
Following their party chief's response, the AAP issued a statement, saying, "It is an undisputed fact that there is 7 ppm ammonia in Yamuna water, A Delhi Jal Board CEO letter admits toxicity is 700 percent higher than the permissible limit."
In his response to the EC, Kejriwal also alleged that Haryana's "failure" in controlling pollution in Yamuna has resulted in an "unprecedented public health crisis" in Delhi. He alleged "indiscriminate" discharge of industrial waste in the river by the state.
The AAP supremo said Haryana is an upper-riparian state and Delhi, ruled by his party, has no role to play in the high level of toxic water being made available to the city.
"Due to such high level of toxic content in the raw water supplied by Haryana, the water treatment plants in Delhi are operating below capacity and there is a shortage of treated water in Delhi," he claimed.
Saying that access to clean water is a basic human right, the AAP chief asserted that raising this critical issue cannot be considered an offence.
"The said statement by no stretch of the imagination can be termed inciting enmity between different groups or prejudicial to national integration," he said.
On the contrary, the substance and purpose of these statements are rooted solely in the public interest, aimed at highlighting a legitimate civic concern that requires urgent institutional intervention, he asserted.
He requested the EC to intervene in the matter and issue appropriate directions to Haryana so safe water is made available to the people of Delhi.
