Sajith, the lucky winner of a Mazda car from the raffle draw of Indian Social Club Kerala Wing as part of Keralolsavam 2002. Sajith, an ordinary worker in one of the companies here is the lucky winner from about 25,000 tickets sold by the ISC K wing to raise fund for the cultural programme. He earns a small salary and the lady luck smiled on him when he was about leave Muscat back to Kerala. The grand new Mazda car came as a bonus to Sajith.

March 03, 2002 keralamonitor.com

Union Cabinet condoles the death of Loksabha Speaker Balayogi

Silence over the death of 400 innocent victims of violence.

New Delhi; Even though most of the coalition partners of BJP Led coalition government remained silent over the communal violence unleashed by vested interest in various parts of Gujarath, the Union Cabinet members vied with each other to condole the tragic death of Lok Sabha speaker Balayogi who died in a helicopter crash. Balayogi is the second high profile central politician who died in helicopter crash after Rajesh Piolot died in a similar mishap.

A special meeting of the Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was held, here today, to condole the tragic death of Shri G.M.C. Balayogi, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Cabinet observed a two-minute silence in memory of the departed soul and adopted the following resolution:

" The Cabinet, deeply mourns the tragic and untimely death of Shri G.M.C. Balayogi, honourable Speaker of the Lok Sabha, in an air mishap near Kaikalur in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, this morning. The news has shocked the entire nation.

Balayogi, as befits the high office he occupied, was a democrat to the core. He scrupulously upheld the democratic and parliamentary traditions in all circumstances. A soft-spoken man, possessed of an affable personality, he had the uncanny ability to take every section of the House along. He was tactful but always fair and impartial in all his dealings and decisions.

Balayogi was the first Dalit and the youngest among those to be elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Building upon his humble rural background, through determination he studies law and started a successful professional career. To serve the country, and the people he loved, he joined public life. His dedication to the cause of the poor and the downtrodden saw him advance steadily in the political field – from panchayat to the Parliament in a short time.

The Cabinet sends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Shri Balayogi and prays that the Almighty gives his near and dear ones the courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss." (keralamonitor.com)