Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15
With the local body elections round the corner, a fresh controversy has erupted after Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran received a 'World Book of Records' award in London the other day.
While the CPI(M) leaders and Rajendran's party cyber supporters celebrated the recognition with congratulatory posts, opponents ridiculed the event as a “purchased honourâ€.
The award, presented by the World Book of Records, an organisation founded by an Indian based in the UK, cited the Corporation’s sustainable development initiatives.
Sharing the news on Facebook, Mayor Rajendran wrote: “I am receiving the Certificate of Excellence at the World Book of Records function in the UK Parliament for the sustainable development works carried out in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. I dedicate this award to the movement and the people.â€
Photographs of the Mayor holding the certificate soon flooded social media, accompanied by messages of praise from CPI(M) leaders and party sympathisers.
However, critics alleged that the event was staged in a rented hall and bore no official connection to the British House of Commons, despite posters prominently displaying the Parliament’s name.
Opposition voices further mocked the award as one “secured by paying moneyâ€.
The Local Self-Government Department had earlier granted official permission for the Mayor’s visit, based on an invitation dated August 22 from the World Book of Records.
The order clarified that the recognition related to the Corporation’s large-scale “Seed Ball†campaign, which mobilised over 6,000 children at Putharikandam Maidan.
According to the government directive, the Mayor’s travel expenses were to be met from the Corporation’s own funds, with air travel sanctioned on the basis of a recommendation from the Corporation Secretary.
As congratulatory posts and satirical trolls continue to clash online, the episode has triggered debate over the legitimacy of little-known international awards and the propriety of spending public funds on overseas trips for such recognitions.
Time and again in the past five years, ever since she wrote herself into record books by becoming the youngest Mayor in 2020, she has run into trouble over the way she has functioned as Mayor.
With elections to local bodies to be held soon, the BJP, which is presently the opposition in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, is hoping to come to power in the Corporation.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Actually, the seed ball campaign involving 6000 children was a wonderful initiative for environmental awareness. If it's getting international recognition, why not appreciate? We should celebrate our local achievements getting global attention 🌱
As someone working in sustainability, I appreciate the recognition for environmental initiatives. However, the controversy around the award's legitimacy is concerning. Transparency in how public funds are used is crucial, especially before elections.
These "World Book of Records" organizations are known to give awards for money. Real achievements don't need purchased certificates. The Corporation should focus on actual development work rather than foreign trips for dubious honors.
Whether the award is genuine or not, the seed ball campaign itself was a positive step. Instead of politicizing everything, we should encourage such environmental initiatives. But yes, transparency in spending public money is important 💯
The timing right before elections makes this suspicious. If the award was legitimate, why the need to prominently display Parliament's name when it's apparently just a rented hall? This undermines genuine achievements.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.