CPI(M) led Front suffers set back in Kerala polls

The CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front in Kerala suffered a major set back in the three-tier local body elections with the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front surging ahead in both the urban and the local areas.

In a major blow to the LDF, the UDF wrested the Kochi Corporation after three long decades. The Left Front was also thrashed the UDF in Thrissur Corporation. In the last civic polls, the UDF had lost all the five corporations.

The LDF could only manage with Thiruvanathauram and Kollam corporations.

Of the 74 seats in Kochi Corporation, the UDF had got a clear majority, winning 47 seats. The LDF won in 23 while the BJP and independents won in two seats each. Out of the total 55 seats in Thrissur Corporation, the UDF made a clean sweep with 45 seats. The LDF had to be contended with just six seats and two seats each was won by the BJP and Independents.

It was a tight fight between the two fronts in Thiruvanathapuram, in which the Left front got 53 seats and the UDF 38 seats. The BJP has won in six seats while others won three seats. It was only in Kollam that the LDF had a comfortable win. They bagged 34 seats while the UDF got 19 seats. Two seats went to independent candidates.

Counting for the Kozhikode Corporation will be done Oct 31.

The UDF also had an upper hand in the municipalities. It won 39 of the Municipalities whereas the LDF got only 18 municipalities.

The LDF was behind the UDF in the District Panchayat, block Panchayat and grama panchayats.

In the last elections, the Left Democratic front was in power in 12 of 14 district panchayats, 33 of the 53 municipalities, 114 of 152 block panchayats and 688 of 984 gram panchayats.

Vishnunarayanan Namboodiri gets Vayalar award

Poet Vishnunarayanan Namboodiri has won this year’s Vayalar Award for his collection of poems ``Charulatha``.

One of the prestigious literary awards in malayalam, the Vayalar Award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a bronze statue.

A jury consisting of M Thomas Mathew, K S Ravi Kumar and S V Venugopalan Nair had selected Charulatha for the award.

Swanthriyathey Kurichu Oru Geetham, Bhoomi Geethangal, Pranaya Geethangal, Mukhamevide, Ujjyiniyile Raapakalukal and Apharajitha are some of the important works of Mr Namboodiri.

He had also got Vallathol Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award and Odakuzhal award.

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Women in 40s have good sex lives

When talking of women and sex, it has been revealed that women who are in their 40s have better sex life.

The survey, conducted by the British Top Sante magazine, has said that women in their 40s have a better time in bed than at any other age of their life.

The magazine had come out with the report after surveying 2,000 women. It said that that women in their 40s were less self-conscious about their bodies, which made them more confident under the sheets.

More than 80 per cent of the women said they were now more adventurous with their partner than during their 20s.

The survey also says that 68 per cent of women in their 40s were fully aware of which love-making technique gave them the most pleasure.

Big B wins again

Big B Amitab Batchan wins the third time the Best Actor award at the 57th National Film Awards. Bengali actress Ananya Chaterjee won the Best Actress award for `Aabo Hawa` and Rituparno Ghosh became the Best Director.

``Kutty Srank``, directed by Shaji N Karun got the awards for the Best National Feature Film, Best Cinematography (Anjali Shukla), Best Screenplay and Best Costume (Jayakumar).

Farooque Sheikh won the Best Supporting Male Actor Award for his performance in ``Lahore``. Arundhati Nag won the Best Supporting Female Actor Award for her performance in ``Paa``.

Malayalam film "Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja" won Best Film in Malayalam, Best Sound Designer (Resul Pookutty) and Best Background Score (Illayaraja).

Rupam Islam and Nilanjana Sarkar were adjudged the best male and Female Playback Singer awards.

Hindi film ``3 Idiots`` won the award for the Best Popular Film for wholesome entertainment and ``Delhi 6`` won the Nargis Dutt Award for the Best Film on National Integration.

Sanjay Chauhan got the Best Debut Director award for ``Lahore``. Shyam Benegal's ``Well done! Abba`` got the award for Best Film on Social Issues.

Local body elections in 2 phases

The elections to the local bodies in Kerala will be conducted in two phases on October 23 and 25.

Announcing the decision, the state election commissioner said Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kasargodu & Kannur districts would go to polls on October 23. Kottayam, Alapuzha, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts will go to polls on October 25.

The model code of conduct came into effect as soon as the date of elections was announced. The official notification regarding elections would be published on September 27.

The Nominations would be accepted till October 4. The scrutiny of the nominations would take place on October 5 and the last date of withdrawal of nominations is October 7.

Counting of votes is scheduled for October 27. The new office bearers would assume office on November 1.

Elections would be held to 978 Grama Panchayats, 152 Block Panchayats, 14 District Panchayats, 59 Municipalities and five corporations. Mattanoor municipality would not go for polls as the term of office of the governing body would end only on 2011.

Virginity behind 106 long years

A woman living in Edinburgh who turned 106 thinks that her virginity is the reason behind her long life.

Isa Blyth has never been kissed and attributes her strong will to being single, the media reported.

"I'm not sure if anyone ever tried it on - but they never got anywhere! She says she never felt the need for romance and never had time for a man. She never had time to be sad. She's an amazing character. You wouldn't believe she is106," the Sun quoted the lady's niece, Sheena Campbell, as saying.

Isa born in 1904 kept busy by going to flower club and church."I think she was also a bit of a maiden lady as she was the first-born and acted as a head with her six brothers and sisters," the Sun quoted the niece.