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Two Kozhikode natives held in cyber fraud case

KOCHI: The police on Wednesday arrested two more persons in a cyber fraud case involving an Aluva resident who lost Rs 1.15 crore. The duo Abdul Khadar, 59, of Nadakkavu and Amir, 25, of Farook, had arranged bank accounts for online fraudsters, who approached the victim, claiming that they were officers with the Mumbai police and that an arrest warrant issued by the Supreme Court was pending against him. They further told the victim to transfer money to a bank account as part of verification, promising that it would be returned once the process was carried out. However, the money was not returned, following which the victim approached the police. Earlier, two persons were arrested by the Ernakulam Rural police for selling their bank accounts to the fraudsters through Khadar and Amir. The arrested purchased bank accounts from individuals by paying money.

The New Indian Express 28 Mar 2024 12:34 pm

Stressed over Ponnani, IUML drops action against MSF leaders

KOZHIKODE: Apparently feeling shaky in its stronghold of Ponnani ahead of the elections, the IUML has dropped the disciplinary action initiated against former leaders of its students arm MSF, who had raised a banner of revolt in connection with the Haritha issue. The two former MSF leaders, Latheef Thurayur and K M Fawaz, are associated with K S Hamsa, the LDF candidate in Ponnani. The duo was part of the core group formed by Hamsa after his ouster from the IUML. A section of leaders of Haritha, the girls wing of the MSF, had alleged that the student outfits president, P K Navas, insulted them during a meeting. The issue snowballed into a controversy with some MSF leaders also joining the issue. The girls, including Haritha leader Najma Thabsheera, approached the State Womens Commission and a case was registered with the police. An IUML statement on Wednesday said the former leaders of Haritha have agreed to withdraw the case against Navas. The disciplinary action against former MSF leader Latheef Thurayur and K M Fawaz has been dropped after they tendered an apology before the party, it said, adding the respective party units will decide the area of activity of the re-inducted persons. However, it is learnt that the MSF leadership is unhappy with the decision to reinstate Latheef and Fawaz. The MSF leaders reportedly registered their strong protest with party president Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty. Sources said a section of the IUML leaders are also unhappy with the decision as they think that it may create an impression that the party is feeling insecure ahead of the polls. They feel that it would send a wrong signal that the IUML is smelling danger in constituencies like Ponnani and would lead to an unnecessary discussion on the Haritha issue, which had almost been forgotten.

The New Indian Express 28 Mar 2024 11:56 am

Defamatory posts against Shailaja: LDF seeks action

KOZHIKODE: The LDF has filed a complaint with the Election Commission demanding action against defamatory posts against K K Shailaja, the LDF candidate in Vadakara, on social media. Complaints were also given to the chief minister, DGP, IG, Rural SP and district collector. The complaint filed by LDF Vadakara constituency secretary Valsalan Panoli stated that the abuse through social media was with the knowledge, consent and instigation of the UDF candidate in Vadakara. The UDF candidate, activists and their political sympathisers are violating the election code of conduct through Facebook groups and other social media platforms. They are spreading highly derogatory and abusive comments so as to tarnish the image of the LDF candidate. Morphed images insulting K K Shailaja and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan are also being spread, the complaint stated. The complaint further said: In social media, abusive, vulgar and sexually coloured remarks are being posted under the Instagram posts and reels of the LDF candidate by UDF activists social media profiles apparently with the approval of the UDF candidate. The social media posts are being spread with an intention to illegally influence the voters of the Vadakara constituency. Meanwhile,a press note issued by the LDF stated, Congress workers have been social media posts against the teacher in a manner that cannot be accepted under any circumstances.

The New Indian Express 28 Mar 2024 10:55 am

Legacy-rich Ponnani seeks waves of change

KOCHI: A daytime trip through Ponnani in the month of Ramadan may not yield what a reporter is looking for in the time of elections. Apart from posters and banners at some places, there are no visible signs of busy political activities that characterise pre-elections days. You chose the wrong time, says M P Rafi, a journalist in Tirur. The streets of Ponnani come to life at night after the fast is broken. Some candidates prefer indoor meetings and get-togethers till Ramadan is over. During this period, processions on roads happen mostly at night. But appearance can be deceptive. Though physical campaigning is minimal in the Lok Sabha constituency, where IUML rebel K S Hamsa is taking on his former party colleague Abdusamad Samadani, who is the incumbent MP of neighbouring Malappuram, subterranean moves are already under way. Both sides are busy storing ammunition that can be fired in the last leg of the campaign, after Eid-ul-Fitr. Ponnani has a rich tradition of value-based politics, which has become almost extinct now, says writer K P Ramanunni, a Ponnani resident. The Congress had stalwarts like Advocate Ramunni Menon while E K Imbichi Bava represented the communist party, he points out. When Bava decided to fight an election against Menon, someone asked Bava, who didnt have much formal education, what he could do against Menon who was an LLB-holder. Bava answered that all LLB holders can vote for Menon and the rest will vote for him! LLB-holders were rare in those days, Ramanunni recalls. Thunchan Parambu in Tirur, a cultural landmark of the constituency Imbichi Bava used to walk miles to meet the legendary communist K Damodaran to study the basics of communism, he reminisces. Ponnani has a legacy of inclusive culture from the days of Sheikh Zainudeen Makhdums in the 16th century. It was a more prominent port than Kozhikode and trade with other countries flourished from here. Ponnani Valiya Palli was a centre of learning and Vilakkathirikkal was the name of the learning process. Ponnani was known as the Mecca of Kerala, Ramanunni says. Ponnani holds a special place in the cultural landscape of Kerala, too. The river Nila had nurtured the literary pursuits of towering figures in Malayalam, from Thunchath Ezhuthachan to M T Vasudevan Nair. MT once wrote that Nila, which he knew closer, was dearer to him than the oceans that hide innumerable secrets in their bosom. Writers and artistes including Uroob, Akkitham, M Govindan, Namboodiri, Kamala Surayya, Nalappattu Narayana Menon and Balamaniamma were part of the Ponnani Kalari. But, in any election, it is not the glorious past of any constituency that is discussed. And so, the people of Ponnani will be more concerned about issues closer to their lives. The candidature of Hamsa, who is contesting on a CPM symbol, has evoked some curiosity among the voters. The LDF picked him considering his proximity to the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama and with the hope that he will be able to create a division in the traditional Muslim vote bank. But Samadani, an orator par excellence, can easily sway voters UDFs way with his linguistic skills. The BJP has fielded Nivedita Subramanian, the state president of Mahila Morcha. Mohammad Yusuf, a Ponnani resident, says the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will influence voters in the constituency. Many of us are concerned about the Act as we feel it targets Muslims. Moreover, the incumbent MP of Ponnani, E T Mohammed Basheer, has failed to bring development to the constituency, which is why he has opted for Malappuram this time, he says. At the same time, there are those like Mohammad Shareef, a resident of Ayiroor in Perumpadappa, who feel people are not concerned about issues such as the CAA, a hot topic this election campaign especially in the Malabar region. What we need are basic necessities like drinking water and food items at lower prices, he stresses. Mohammed Kutty, who lives near the Ponnani KSRTC bus stand, believes the anti-people policies of the Union government are a major talking point this election. The BJP-led government is doing nothing to assist common people and is seen as working for the big corporates. People, including Hindus, are facing difficulties in India because of rising prices. This election holds significance as people aim to remove the BJP government from power, he says. There are issues related to sea erosion and potable water that are often sidelined in the dust and din created by the political campaign. Candidates have promised their manifesto will be prepared after consultation with the voters and by incorporating their suggestions. The people in Aliyarpalli, Marakkadavu, Murinjazhi, Puthuponnani and Veliyancode have faced severe sea erosion in the past.

The New Indian Express 28 Mar 2024 7:53 am

Kerala LS polls: Cross & knots

KOCHI: As the Lok Sabha election heat simmers in Kerala, all eyes are on how the Christian community which constitutes 18.4% or 61.41 lakh of the states population will vote. What are the issues that influence them? Will the community get closer to the BJP this time? If not, will it be a vote en masse for the LDF or rally behind the Congress-led UDF? While all political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the community, the task is easier said than done. The main reason being that Christians are not one single bloc. The community comprises various denominations Syro-Malabar Catholics and Latin Catholics, Jacobite/Orthodox Syrians, Mar Thoma Syrians, Church of South India (CSI), Pentecost/Church of God members and Dalit Christians. And, each segment has its own interests, issues, and demands. Traditionally, the Syro-Malabar Catholics, who make up 23.46 lakh (38.20% of Christians in the state), are considered close to the Congress. However, things have been gradually changing over the past two decades. UDF candidate Shashi Tharoor during Palm Sunday celebrations in Thrivananthapuram In contrast, the Jacobite segment of the Malankara Church lean towards the ruling Left front. The Jacobite Syrian Christian community has 4,83,000 members, and the Orthodox Syrian community about 4,94,000. Together, they number 9,77,000, according to a 2016 paper by K C Zachariah of Centre for Development Studies (CDS). The Christian community is not a monolithic block, nor were communal sects in their attitude to issues and in their outlooks, explains Fr Paul Thelakat, former spokesman of the Syro-Malabar Church. Pluralism has been an important component of the Christian make up. It has resisted the herd mentality. The declining influence of the Congress over the Church, especially among Syro-Malabar Catholics, is attributed to several factors. Several years ago, the Church and its flock considered communists an anathema. Voting for Hammer-Sickle-Star (CPM party symbol) was a strict no. But, it has completely changed now, points out Congress veteran Prof. K V Thomas, who is now LDF governments special representative in Delhi. Over the years, the Left front has made significant inroads into the Christian community, while the Congress influence has eroded. NDA candidate Suresh Gopi at Palm Sunday celebrations of the Latin Church in Thrissur A major reason for this is the absence of leaders such as Oommen Chandy and K M Mani, who had special rapport with the church leaders. Writer Paul Zachariah, a keen observer of Christianity in Kerala, explains that its not just about the leaders religion. He points out the sway former Congress chief minister K Karunakaran held over the Church leadership and the community. So, the rapport factor has nothing to do with the religion of the leaders. Among the current lot, only Ramesh Chennithala (former opposition leader) has some sort of acceptance within the Church and its leadership, he adds. Prof. Thomas, who is now acting as a bridge between the Left government and the Church leadership in Kerala, says theres a vacuum in Congress leadership in Kerala. What about the BJP? The rise in concerns over jihad among a section of the community, viewed along with Prime Minister Narendra Modis frequent meetings with Church leaders, seems to indicate that the gap between the saffron party and Christians is getting bridged brick by brick. Some [Christian] leaders who have moved to the BJP are mere fortune hunters, comments Zachariah. According to Fr Thelakat, the BJP knows well that, in order to win in Kerala, they need the support of either of the minority groups. Christian fundamentalism, too, is on the rise. There are clear anti-Islamic feelings in certain parts of Kerala, often based on mimetic rivalry emanating from socio-economic and demographic reasons, he adds. Meanwhile, in the north and northeast, Christians are persecuted in the name of conversion. While the equation sounds complex, this election will certainly be closely watched to analyse if the Christian community is, indeed, warming up to the BJP in Kerala. That would be a paradigm shift in the state. If so, which will be the constituencies where the BJP gains? If not, who will be the beneficiary LDF or UDF? We will know the answers on June 4. Christian population in Kerala Total: 61.41 lakh Catholics: 37.44 lakh (61% of total Christians in Kerala -- 23.46 lakh is Syro-Malabar and 9.33 lakh Latin Catholics) Jacobite Syrian Christian: 4,83,000 Orthodox Syrian: 494,000 (together 977,000) Mar Thoma Syrians: 405,000 CSI: 274,000 Pentecost/Church of God: 214,000 Dalit Christians: 160,000 ISSUES THAT CONCERN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Rise in number of deaths due to wild animal attacks in Wayanad, Idukki, Kannur where large number of Christian settlers Syro-Malabar Catholics Low prices of rubber and spices mostly Syro-Malabar Catholics Depleting fish resources fishers mostly Latin catholics Jacobite Syrian Christian loss of large number of churches to Orthodox The district with the largest number of Syro-Malabar Catholic Christians is Kottayam (13.4%), followed by Idukki (12.9%) Districts with a large number of Syro-Malankara Catholics are Ernakulam (16.7%) and Kozhikode (13.0%). Latin Catholics, the principal district of residence is Ernakulam (24.4%) Source: Religious Denominations of Kerala by K C Zachariah (2016)

The New Indian Express 28 Mar 2024 7:38 am

Villagers block Geology dept. officials in protest against quarry project

The officials visited Kodiyathur panchayat in Kozhikode on Wednesday as part of the procedures initiated to clear permits for a granite quarry near Gothambu Road at Thonichal

The Hindu 27 Mar 2024 7:39 pm

BJP, LDF start high-octane campaign in Wayanad, Congress awaiting Rahul

KALPETTA: Wayanad constituency, which has drawn national attention due to the candidature of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, has finally come alive as the BJP announced K Surendran as its candidate. Surendran started his campaign with a road show on Tuesday. CPIs Annie Raja, who is the LDF candidate, completed the first and second phases of the campaign. The UDF election campaign is yet to gather momentum. Party workers hope that Rahul Gandhi will reach Wayanad for campaigning in the first week of April. NDA candidate K Surendran was received by state, district leaders of NDA at Lakkidi on his arrival in the constituency Tuesday. Later, a roadshow was conducted from Lakkidi to Kalpetta Canara Bank premises. With the road show of K Surendran, the NDA campaign has become more energetic. We have been carrying out campaigning at ward and constituency levels for the past two weeks. We have started poster campaign, constituency- wise conventions and other traditional as well as social media campaign, said Prashanth Malavayal, NDA convenor in Wayanad constituency. Annie Raja took out a procession in Eranad Assembly constituency in Malappuram district on Tuesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will attend LDF rallies at Mukkam in Thiruvambady Assembly constituency in Kozhikode district, and Nilambur and Vandoor Assembly constituencies in Malappuram district on April 1. Meanwhile, the Wayanad district Congress leadership has informed that Rahul Gandhi will reach the constituency next week. The constituency conventions as part of the first phase of the campaign are over. The formation of booth-level committees is going on along with the ward-level family conventions. Though Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to reach the constituency by April 2, party workers and district leaders are carrying out the campaign with the aim of increasing the victory margin of Rahul Gandhi this time, DCC president N D Appachan said. Rahul Gandhi will face 'same outcome as in Amethi', says BJP's Wayanad candidate K Surendran

The New Indian Express 27 Mar 2024 12:01 pm

Kerala: Pro-IUML group in Samastha lashes out at CPM over CAA

KOZHIKODE: The pro-IUML faction in the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama has launched a campaign to block CPMs efforts to woo Muslims by raising issues such as the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA). The group has launched a social media campaign to expose the anti-Muslim face of CPM, while the party is busy holding anti-CAA rallies in the state, mainly in Malabar. In a Facebook post, writer Moyin Malayamma said the presence of Musaliyars in CPMs Constitution Protection Rally in Malabar was not a good sign. It is the negation of the stand they took in the past 95 years. Are there no threats from the CAA outside Malabar? Is the area a part of Pakistan? Answer is very simple. It is only party propaganda. Those who have common sense will understand it. Feel pity over those who join it even after understanding the agenda, he wrote in the post. It is the support extended by the rival group in Samastha to LDF candidate in Ponnani K S Hamsa that infuriated the pro-IUML group most. None of the Samastha leaders or scholars has said Hamsa is their candidate. It is not Samasthas tradition to be subservient to the communists, says a message circulating in pro-IUML groups. The message adds that the history of the Samastha is that it showed a way out for the Arival Sunnis (Kanthapuram group) who hobnobbed with the CPM. Some red musaliyars who are dreaming of material benefits might have said so. But Samastha is not responsible for it, the message said, apparently referring to the pro-CPM remarks by Samastha mushawara member Umar Faizi Mukkam. Other campaign materials being circulated in the group are harsher. A poster recalls the remarks by CPM leader Kadakampally Surendran. CPM is the party of Kadakampally Surendran, who said the content of Malappuram is communal, after the partys electoral defeat, said the poster. Another said CPM is the party of EMS who spoke against Sharia laws. CAA notification set to turn up LS poll heat between Congress, CPM in Kerala Another post highlights the statement from CPM state committee member K Anil Kumar, who had said it was CPMs contribution that many Muslim girls have come forward to discard the head scarf. Yet another post says it was SFI that staged Kithab, the play presented by school students accused of hurting religious sentiments. It is not the first time the pro-IUML group is campaigning against CPM. It had alleged that the LDF government was promoting liberalism and gender neutrality through school curriculum. Sunni scholars like Bahaudeen Nadvi had recalled the past incident of religious leaders from Malappuram burning the red flag of the communists to protest the irreligious ideology.

The New Indian Express 27 Mar 2024 8:39 am

With focus on career dreams, Gen Z goes zzz... over polls & politics on campuses in Kerala

KOCHI: With the recent controversies over campus politics in Kerala, one might expect the majority of college students in the state to be caught in the heat and dust of election action. Well, that does not seem to be the case. The elections couldnt have come at a worse time for a major chunk of young voters, who are now laser-focused on their semester exams. Unlike in the past, when elections used to be hot topics of discussion among students on college campuses, there clearly is a lull this time. The new crop of students, especially the first-time voters, seem to be apolitical, says Neha Valsaraj, a second-year BA English student at Pazhassi Raja NSS College in Mattannur, Kannur. Whether national or regional, politics does not stir them. Their attitude is as if all the hullabaloo around doesnt affect them. Aravind K S, a third-year MSc student at Cusat in Ernakulam, echoes similar observations. Besides those actively involved in student politics, others are largely disinterested in political activities, he says. If we were to take a survey on the campus, the numbers would clearly illustrate the current scenario. The majority are students who prefer to remain neutral. Heavyweight candidates such as BJPs Rajeev Chandrashekar and Congresss Hibi Eden have understood this trend, and are striving to attract young voters by announcing new-gen projects and connecting with them on a personal level. In a move to attract students in the tech sector, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the NDA candidate in Thiruvananthapuram, has promised to set up AI labs in 10 colleges in the constituency. Meanwhile, Congress and LDF leaders such as Hibi, K Muraleedharan, M K Raghavan, Elamaram Kareem and K K Shailaja have been visiting campuses and engaging directly with students. Sivaram, a second-year student at Ernakulam Government Law College, the student community on campuses can be divided into three groups. The first group has clear-cut affiliations to political parties, the second votes based on the candidates profile, and, finally, those who dont delve much into poll politics, he says. The last group forms the majority. Moreover, nobody has any time to think about politics due to exams. The only thing that bothers these apolitical students are their marks and career prospects, says Aravind. According to student organisations, many of these students might not even exercise their franchise, he adds. NDA candidateRajeev Chandrasekhar interactingwith students of LBS Institute, TPuram Kerala enrols nearly three lakh young voters in five months 3.88L young voters in Kerala Lack of job opportunities here, and the lure of greener pastures abroad are also making students apolitical. Its as if: We wont be here, so why bother? Neha points out another factor: the ban on campus politics by autonomous colleges. Unlike in the past, most campuses, except government ones, dont have active student politics, she says. Agreeing with Neha, Sarin S, a fourth-year BTech student at Saintgits College of Engineering (Autonomous) in Kottayam, says, Students are not politically aware. Ask students on our campus, and you will find that most would vote for a party or candidate as instructed by their families. He adds that theres also a general disdain among the youth that whoever wins elections would only worry about filling ones own pocket and do nothing for the countrys welfare. Are any efforts being made to make students more politically aware? Yes, a lot of awareness campaigns are being held in colleges, says Vaidyanathan S, first-year B.Com student at St Josephs College, Devagiri, in Kozhikode. Student leaders have been campaigning. They have also been training students on the process of voting and its importance. Awareness campaigns are being held by the district administration as well, says Neha. However, this doesnt necessarily translate to political awareness among students, she adds.

The New Indian Express 27 Mar 2024 8:25 am

Kerala LS polls: Back-to-back bang-bang!

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two recent elections stood out distinctively in Keralas political history for the dynamic voting patterns that deviated from the norm. They were wave elections. After the 1980s, when the UDF and LDF were formed, in most Lok Sabha elections, the UDF always had an edge, except in 2004. In the case of assembly elections, the pendulum system was a given. Shocking landslides were a rarity. However, the April 2019 parliament election and the 2021 state assembly election, Kerala witnessed back-to-back stunners. The 2019 general elections came after the flood of the century in 2018. While some pinned the blame on the then LDF government, others lauded it for the way it managed the crisis. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhis candidature from Wayanad, along with the impression created about the Congress returning to power at the Centre, tilted the balance in UDFs favour. Then, of course, the then LDF governments stand on the Supreme Court verdict on womens entry into the Sabarimala temple led to polarisation of the Hindu votes against the Left. For the first time after the Nilakkal protest in 1982, the Sangh Parivar, which led a strong protest against the state governments haste in implementing the SC verdict, saw a golden opportunity. But its hopes were dashed. The possibility of a Congress comeback at the Centre drove Muslim and Christian votes in favour of the UDF. Upsetting the BJPs calculations, a large chunk of Hindu votes also swayed in its favour, helping it win 19 of the 20 parliament seats. An unprecedented sweep in Kerala. After two years, a belligerent UDF took on the LDF in the assembly election held in May 2021. The LDF appeared to be on the backfoot. The sensational case over gold smuggling via diplomatic channels and the consequent arrest of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans principal secretary M Sivasankar by the ED had left the LDF shaken. Add to that, other scandals and allegations over mismanagement of the 2018 flood relief and the pandemic. The age-old anti-incumbency factor seemed to be on the boil. The UDF eyed an easy walkover. However, the LDF surprised poll pundits with an impressive comeback in the local self-government elections, held soon after the general election. The UDF and the BJP were dismayed. Kerala Lok Sabha polls: Ping! The social media war is on Sweet poll o mine: Kozhikode chocolatier crafts candidate-themed treats for election season The UDF still banked its hopes on the pendulum factor in electoral politics of Kerala, where the two mainstream fronts came to power in alternate intervals. That, however, would not be the case. The LDF governments Covid crisis management, along with the distribution of free ration kits, seemed to retain voter confidence. With the anti-incumbency factor fizzling out, the LDF created history by retaining power for a consecutive second term by any government except the Congress-CPI government led by C Achutha Menon in 1977. The LDF was reelected with 99 of the total of 140 seats up by 8 from its 2016 tally. Family matters K Muraleedharan: Son of former chief minister K Karunakaran, Muraleedharan is a four-time MP and two-time MLA. The Congress has fielded him in Thrissur, his fathers home turf. He was elected as an MP from Kozhikode in 1989, 1991, 1999, and Vadakara in 2019. He was elected to the state assembly from Vattiyoorkavu in 2011 and 2016. Rahul Gandhi: Son of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul is contesting for the second time in Wayanad. In the 2019 general election, he contested from Amethi, his then sitting seat, and Wayanad. He lost to Smriti Irani of the BJP in Amethi, a traditional fief of the Gandhi family, but won in Wayanad with a record margin. Hibi Eden: Son of the late Congress leader and MP George Eden, Hibi was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019 while he was representing Ernakulam in the state assembly. He replaced former Union minister K V Thomas, and is now seeking a second term in Parliament from Ernakulam. Francis George: Francis George, son of Kerala Congress founder K M George, has been elected twice as MP from Idukki. In 2020, he merged his Janadhipathya Kerala Congress, with the P J Joseph faction of the Kerala Congress. He is now seeking a mandate in Kottayam as a candidate of the UDF. A Vijayaraghavan: A former MP and member of the CPM politburo, Vijayaraghavan is the husband of Higher Education Minister R Bindu. Having previously represented Palakkad in Parliament (1989), he is vying to reclaim the seat, which the party lost in 2019. Anil Antony: Son of former chief minister and veteran Congress leader A K Antony, Anil is contesting as a BJP candidate in the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency. Previously a leader of the Congress IT cell, he joined the BJP last year. Thushar Vellappally: Thushar Vellappally is the son of Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the SNDP Yogam. Thushar is contesting in the Kottayam LS seat as a candidate of the NDA. Thushar is the president of BDJS and serves as the vice-president of the SNDP. In 2019, he contested from Wayanad. Bridging the Gulf Congress leader Shafi Parambil, the UDF candidate in Vadakara, is in Qatar to campaign among the Keralites in the country. Former League leader and the LDF candidate in Ponnani K S Hamsa will leave for the UAE within two days. Besides encouraging voters to return to Kerala during polling, these visits are intended to canvas votes of their relatives back home. Raising funds, of course, is another reason, say sources.

The New Indian Express 27 Mar 2024 8:21 am

Unlocking Success: The Rise of Product Management at Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode

IIMK excels in Product Management education, offering diverse career paths and entrepreneurial support. With industry connections and a focus on innovation, it prepares next-gen leaders for success in dynamic business landscapes.

The Economic Times 26 Mar 2024 1:14 pm

Kerala elections: The Mahe question: Takes two to tango or tangle?

KOZHIKODE: Sandwiched between Kozhikode and Kannur districts of Kerala, Mahe could likely throw up an amusing political scenario, courtesy the local political compulsions that are at variance with the scene in Kerala. The CPM, which is locked in a tough fight with the Congress in Kerala, is likely to ask its cadre in Mahe to back the Grand Old Party. Mahe assembly constituency, which has about 32,000 voters, is part of the Puducherry Lok Sabha constituency. The INDIA bloc has fielded Congress leader V Vaithilingam, former chief minister of Puducherry and sitting MP, to take on Minister for Home and Education A Namassivayam of the BJP. The CPM has declared that all avenues should be explored to ensure the BJPs defeat wherever possible. If the party sticks to the stand in Puducherry, party workers in Mahe will be voting for Vaithilingam even as their comrades in neighbouring constituencies Vadakara and Kannur will be striving to defeat Congress candidates Shafi Parambil and K Sudhakaran, respectively. We are fighting the elections as the United Democratic Secular Front (UDSF) in Mahe, of which Congress and IUML are main constituents, said Ramesh Parambath, Congress leader and Mahe MLA. Unlike in the past, a good number of CPM voters do not harbour any antagonism towards the Congress this time. There are two local committees in Mahe and Palloor, which are under the Thalassery area committee of the CPM. As a spill-over of the political climate in Kannur and Kozhikode, the CPM workers have an inherent dislike for the Congress. Earlier, the CPM had fielded its own candidate in Mahe for the Lok Sabha elections to respect the sentiments of the party cadres, Ramesh recalled The Congress is directly taking on the BJP this time. The Muslim cadres of the CPM may not like a split in the anti-BJP votes in a crucial election that is going to decide the future of the nation. Sunil Kumar K P, Mahe local committee secretary of the CPM, said the party had fielded its own candidates in the past. In the last Lok Sabha elections, we supported the party launched by film actor Kamal Hassan, he said. It is up to the Kerala state committee of the party to take a decision on the election strategy as we come under the Kerala unit. A decision will be taken soon considering all the factors. LS polls in Kerala to witness CPMs do-or-die battle to retain national party status Mahe will go to polls in the first phase of the elections on April 19. The campaign is moving at a slow pace here, and we hope that it will gain momentum with the UDSF convention, to be held next Sunday, said Ramesh. We use the DMK flag, which leads the front, in the campaign. In some places, we also use the flag of the CPI, which is a part of the INDIA bloc. However, the CPM flag has never been used during our campaigns. Kerala: Congress panel to brainstorm poll tactics today Holy protests! Night marches against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have become a convenient campaign tool for the CPM in Malappuram district in the month of Ramadan. The mode helps the Muslim cadres to take rest during day time in the hot season and to become active after breaking the fast in the evening. Most often, the night marches are taken out after the Taraweeh prayers. Small groups taking out marches with burning torches in their hands has become a ubiquitous scene in the district.

The New Indian Express 26 Mar 2024 8:18 am

North Kerala sees spike in e-auto numbers, south lags behind

KOCHI: Electric autorickshaws are taking over the roads in the northern districts of Kerala while the south still lags far behind. As per the data available with the Parivahan in the first three months of 2024, around 20,000 electric vehicles were registered in the state. During the 2023-24 financial year, the state saw the registration of 4,068 electric autorickshaws, 61,787 two-wheelers and 9,712 light motor vehicles. There has been a significant rise in the number of e-autos in northern districts like Kozhikode and Malappuram while not much is happening in this sector towards the south, said Ramanunni M, CEO and co-founder of chargeMOD. According to him, there are 3,500 e-autos in Kozhikode city and there are around 6,000 in the district while there are only 1,500 or so in Ernakulam. However, in tandem with the increase in the number of e-vehicles, a proportionate increase in the number of charging stations is not happening, especially in Malabar. If the charging stations are counted, the numbers are high in Ernakulam compared to Kozhikode and Malappuram. There are only 140 charging points in Kozhikode city which has the highest concentration of e-autos in the state, Ramanunni said. According to Mohammed Salim, secretary of E-auto CITU Sarovaram Section in Kozhikode, the numbers are increasing every year since the drivers are finding it more economical than traditional autorickshaws. But deficiency of charging stations is proving to be a problem, he said. Taking into consideration this issue, our company which is the only public electric vehicle charge provider for EV autos in Kerala, has decided to install 500 slow chargers and 100 fast chargers aiming to reinforce our presence in Kerala. This is in addition to the existing 1,500 charging stations in Kerala, Ramanunni said. Explaining more about the issue, Jithin S Nair, CEO of Vaan Moto, said, Besides the deficiency of charging stations, another problem that e-auto drivers face is the time needed to charge their vehicles. At present, a single charging requires around four to five hours. And the range of the vehicles is very less too. The e-autos being brought out by the Kerala Automobiles Limited (KAL) has a range of around 100 km. The need of the hour is fast chargers or a facility for battery exchange. This was something that we had taken up with the state government. More three-wheeler owners will take to EV if these facilities are made available, Jithin said. According to Salim, at present, the situation is such that squabbles between the two-wheeler riders and e-auto drivers have become a common affair in Kozhikode city. The same is true in other places in the state too, he adds.

The New Indian Express 26 Mar 2024 8:05 am

Kodiyathur panchayat seeks Kozhikode Collectors intervention to curb illegal sand mining

Police accused of cold-shouldering the local bodys demand to intensify surveillance and take legal action

The Hindu 26 Mar 2024 12:04 am

LS polls: BJP fields state chief Surendran against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad

LS polls: BJP fields state chief Surendran against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad Announcing candidates for the remaining four seats in Kerala, the BJP has fielded its state chief K Surendran in the high-profile Wayanad constituency against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Scholar and former vice-chancellor of Sree Sankara Sanskrit University, K S Radhakrishnan, and actor-turned-politician G Krishnakumar will contest from the Ernakulam and Kollam constituencies respectively, the party announced on Sunday. T N Sarasu, former government college principal, would seek electoral luck from Alathur in the northern Palakkad district. The BJP is striving to break the decades-old bipolar politics dominated by the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala. The party had earlier announced the candidates for 12 seats. Its ally BDJS will contest four seats in the state. With the surprise candidature of Surendran in Wayanad, a traditional Congress bastion, the BJP is trying to give a fitting reply to its opponents by fielding a strong candidate against Rahul Gandhi. CPI's Annie Raja is the candidate of the state's ruling Left in the constituency. Surendran, the face of the saffron party's fierce agitations against the entry of young women into Sabarimala years ago, has been serving as the president of the state unit of the BJP since 2020. Hailing from Ulleyeri in Kozhikode district, Kunnummel Surendran, who began his career as Wayanad district president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, had unsuccessfully contested from Pathanamthitta in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Though he was fielded from Konni in the assembly bypoll in the same year, he couldn't make it. Known as a close confidant of Union Minister V Muraleedharan, Surendran lost the Manjeswaram constituency by a mere 89 votes in the 2016 Assembly polls. A well-known scholar, writer, orator, and academician, K S Radhakrishnan joined the BJP in 2019. He served as the vice-chancellor of Sree Sankara Sanskrit University in Kalady and the chairman of the state Public Service Commission during the tenures of the Congress-led UDF governments in the state before beginning his political career. He unsuccessfully contested from the Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Fifty-five-year-old G Krishnakumar is an actor-turned-politician and is currently a national council member of the BJP. In 2021, Krishnakumar contested on the BJP ticket to the state assembly from Thiruvananthapuram. T N Sarasu, a former government college principal who hit headlines over her confrontations with the Left student union, will contest from Alathur to take on sitting MP and Congress leader Remya Haridas and State Devaswom Minister and senior CPI(M) leader K Radhakrishnan. Kerala's 20 Lok Sabha constituencies will go to polls on April 26.

devdiscourse 25 Mar 2024 9:51 am

Maliyekkal house, a launchpad for communist partys election campaigns

KOZHIKODE: One of the videos that have gone viral this Lok Sabha election campaign is that of LDF candidate K K Shailaja being welcomed to the Maliyekkal family with a song, composed in the traditional Mappilapattu style. Shailaja is not the first CPM candidate to have started a campaign from that particular house in Thalassery. For decades, from the era of Pattiam Gopalan to more recent campaigns, prominent CPM figures have kickstarted their electoral journeys from the Maliyekkal house. This deep-rooted connection finds its origins in a tale of camaraderie. While contesting from Thalassery, former chief minister E K Nayanar had quipped that he needed only the votes from the Maliyakkal family to win the election. The family shares a special bond with the communist party in Malabar, serving as a historical backdrop to the regions political landscape. Formerly staunch Congress loyalists, the Maliyekkal family shifted their allegiance when T C Pookkutty, a family member, forged friendships with active communist party workers in Kerala. Among Pookkuttys circle were iconic leaders such as A K Gopalan (AKG), Pattiam Gopalan and C H Kanaran, whose influence gradually transformed the Maliyakkal household into a bastion of communist activism. Reflecting on that transformative period, Amina Hamid, a Maliyekkal family member and former Thalassery municipality chairperson, told TNIE, Pookkutti Karanavar is the one who turned us into communists. Since then, regardless of gender, we have dedicated ourselves fervently to the communist cause. Since childhood, we have actively participated in CPM election campaigns. Even now, as a 68-year-old widow, I remain committed to serving my party. From the 18-year-old Muhammad Hani Sajid to the 82-year-old Salhi Maliyekkal, the family boasts over 200 voters. Our family members reunite during elections. It is like a vacation for us. Family members from different countries come to our ancestral home to rally for their chosen candidates, Amina said. The Maliyekkal family is also famous for creating songs for the CPM. My elder brother, Shabu Maliyekkal, was a hardcore SFI activist during his time at Brennen College. He is the one who started writing songs for party campaigns. During the Thalassery riot, EMS held an all-party meeting in front of our house. As part of the peace campaign, all the members of our family travelled around in a van singing a peace song. For this election too, we are composing songs in support of Shailaja teacher, Amina pointed out. Some family members do hold strong ties with the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League. Aisha Mammotty, 81, remains loyal to the Congress because of her husbands family legacy. Whatever my politics, I have some personal connections with some communist party members Aisha said.

The New Indian Express 25 Mar 2024 7:58 am

Arrest of Kejriwal to divert attention from electoral bonds scam: Kerala CM Vijayan

Arrest of Kejriwal to divert attention from electoral bonds scam: Kerala CM Vijayan Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said the electoral bonds scam is the biggest corruption ever witnessed in India and added the BJP government at the Centre arrested his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal to divert attention from the same. Addressing the third consecutive rally organised here by the CPI(M) against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), Vijayan alleged the BJP-led Central government and the Sangh Parivar give scant regard to the rule of the law in the country. He alleged that the Sangh Parivar was trying to take control of the Constitutional institutions and even threatening the country's judiciary. ''The Union government, BJP, Sangh Parivar, they all very well know that the Supreme Court order on the electoral bond scam was harmful to them. They wanted to divert the attention from this topic and for that they have arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal,'' Vijayan said. The chief minister said when the idea of electoral bonds was floated, the CPI(M) had opposed it as it was a tool for corruption and moved the Supreme Court against it. ''The electoral bonds scam is the biggest corruption ever witnessed in India. How did they get the courage to engage in such blatant corruption? They (BJP) thought they would never be questioned,'' he added. With the arrest of Kejriwal, Vijayan said the Sangh Parivar was trying to send a message that they are above the law of the land and will do anything to implement their agenda. Talking about the anti-CAA protests of 2019 and the subsequent violence and riot in Delhi, the chief minister referred to the inflammatory slogans of Union Minister Anurag Thakur and said it was the CPI(M) which went on to file a case against him. Vijayan attacking the Congress over its stand on the CAA. He alleged that at a time when the whole country was protesting against the contentious Act, the Congress MPs were participating in a feast organised by the party president. ''During the protests, none of the Congress leaders were present. Rahul Gandhi was abroad. It was the Left leaders who were arrested by the Delhi Police. At that time we had only one MP, A M Arif from Alappuzha who spoke against the CAA. Now, the Congress leaders are saying that they had opposed the Act technically,'' Vijayan said. The chief minister alleged that the Sangh Parivar unleashed violence upon the ant-CAA protesters in Delhi and the BJP government at the Centre gave silent permission to the rioters. ''Around 53 people were killed, many went missing, over hundreds were injured in the riots. The houses, shops, establishments of numerous Muslims were attacked in the violence orchestrated by the Sangh Parivar,'' he said. Vijayan said the CAA was an RSS agenda being implemented by the BJP government. The Left party is organising massive anti-CAA rallies at five places in the state. The first rally was held in Kozhikode on March 22. A rally was held in Kasaragod district on Saturday. Two more rallies will be held in the coming days in Malappuram and Kollam. The CAA was passed in December 2019 and it subsequently got the President's assent, but there were protests in several parts of the country against it, with many opposition parties speaking out against the law, calling it ''discriminatory''. The CAA aims to expedite citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

devdiscourse 25 Mar 2024 12:41 am

Kerala: BJP fields its state president Surendran against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad

KOCHI: In a surprise move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded its state president K Surendran from Wayanad, who is pitted against Congress's Rahul Gandhi and CPI's Annie Raja. The saffron party has also announced candidates in the remaining three constituencies in Kerala -- Dr K S Radhakrishnan in Ernakulam, Dr T N Sarasu in Alathur and actor G Krishnakumar in Kollam. However, the big surprise came at Wayanad, a constituency that has attracted national interest after the war of words between the INDIA block alliance partners Congress and CPI over Rahul Gandhi's candidature. Party insiders said the move to field Surendran in Wayanad is a strong message from BJP's national leadership that the party is ready for a big fight in the hill constituency. Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha seat again in spotlight due to Rahul Gandhi's candidacy Surendran, who has been serving as the BJP state president from February 2020, contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Pathanamthitta, where he finished third behind the Congress and the CPM candidates. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Surendran contested from two constituencies, viz., Konni and Manjeswaram, securing 32,811 and 67,000 votes respectively. A native of Ulliyeri in Kozhikode, Surendran has been serving as the general secretary of the BJP for the last 10 years. The NDA candidate in Wayanad during the 2019 polls was Thushar Vellapally of BDJS. In the election, Rahul Gandhi beat the nearest CPI candidate PP Suneer by a margin of over 4.31 lakh votes. The NDA candidate Thushar came a poor third, polling about 78,000 votes. Decoding Rahul Gandhi's face-off against Annie Raja in Wayanad and what it says about the India bloc Dr Radhakrishnan and Krishnakumar will also be attempting to register their first win after failing in their previous attempts. Dr Radhakrishnan finished at a distant third in Alappuzha in 2019 LS polls while Krishnakumar lost from the Thiruvananthapuram assembly seat in 2021, ending behind Antony Raju of the LDF and V S Sivakumar of the Congress. Meanwhile, it will be a debut election for Dr Sarasu, the former principal of Govt Victoria College, Palakkad. She was in the news in 2016 when a section of her students greeted her with a 'ceremonial wreath' during her retirement day. Cracks in INDIA widens as Tharoor, Raja in war of words over Wayanad

The New Indian Express 24 Mar 2024 11:05 pm

Stuck in strife, NITC switches to online classes

KOZHIKODE: As the student protest continues against the action of the authorities in rescheduling the hostel timings on the campus, the classes at National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) have been made online. An NITC circular informed that classes will be held online from March 23 to April 5. Regular classes will start after that and the year-end semester exam will be held on April 17. Online classes have been started for students in undergraduate courses like BTech and BArch. The end semester examination will be held in offline mode as per the revised academic calendar for the winter semester from April 17. Academic activities for ITEP, postgraduate and PhD students shall continue as usual, stated a notice issued by A V Babu, Dean (academic), NITC. The students alleged that online classes were introduced to quell students stir. According to students, the new order is also a retaliatory measure against the series of protests held by the students on the campus against the decision to suspend Vysakh Premkumar, a fourth-year BTech student, in January. Action was taken against Vysakh, a Dalit student, for protesting at the celebration programme organised by the Science and Spirituality Club of the campus on January 21, a day before the Ram Temple consecration took place on January 22. The strike by the students demanding the withdrawal of the suspension of Vysakh received much attention and the authorities later withdrew the order. Rajanikant G K, Dean (Students welfare), issued a circular on March 20 imposing a night curfew at the hostel and new time regulations for the canteen that is presently open 24 hours. Later the students intensified their protest on Friday, blocking teachers and staff and disrupting the classes. The latest order to conduct online classes was issued while the students were continuing with their protest in front of the campus. The offers 11 UG programmes and 29 PG programmes, including MBA, and the campus has a total of 6,500 students.

The New Indian Express 24 Mar 2024 8:53 am

Kerala: Ezha receives honourable mention at Domus Awards

KOCHI: Ezha, an all-woman team of conservation architects from Kerala, has received an honourable mention at the International Domus Awards 2023 for their efforts in conserving the nearly 600-year-old mandapam at Kunnamangalam Bhagawati Temple near Karuvannur in Kozhikode. This is the first project from Kerala to receive the honour. According to the jury, The restoration of the mandapam stood out for the attention paid to the cultural, religious and processual meanings. On receiving the award, the Ezha team members said, We are grateful for this recognition our second on the international stage. This motivates us to accomplish more. Ezha is made up of Swathy Subramanian, Savita Rajan and Ritu Sara Thomas. Earlier, they had won the UNESCO award for cultural heritage conservation and the Indian Institute of Architects Golden Leaf award for the same project. The ninth edition of the Domus Awards, instituted by the University of Ferrara in Italy, also saw Field Architects, a Gujarat-based architecture firm founded by Faiza Khan and Suril Patel, clinch the silver medal for their work in conserving the Palay houses of Old Phey in Ladakh.

The New Indian Express 24 Mar 2024 8:36 am

Kerala CM says idea of equality in Constitution shredded through CAA

Kerala CM says idea of equality in Constitution shredded through CAA As Kerala inches towards the polling date of April 26, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Centre on Saturday over the implementation of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and said the idea of equality enshrined in the Constitution is being shredded through the law. Addressing a massive anti-CAA rally organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) at this northernmost district of the state, Vijayan attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and alleged that the ideology and structure of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were adopted from Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini's fascism. He also alleged that the RSS, which controls the BJP-led government at the Centre, does not recognise secularism. ''Our country is secular but the RSS never accepted secularism. It wants to make India a theocracy and remove secularism. It considers some of us as enemies. It had declared religious minorities and communists as internal enemies,'' Vijayan said. He referred to RSS ideologue M S Golwalkar's quote in one of his books that had termed Christians, Muslims and Communists as internal enemies of the country. ''Its (RSS') ideology was not from any ancient texts or myths or vedas or from the Manusmriti but was taken from Hitler. We saw the genocide that followed Hitler's rule, which shocked the entire mankind. However, Hitler's actions were praised by the RSS in India. They announced that internal issues of a country should be resolved by taking an example from Hitler's Germany,'' the Left leader said. He also said RSS leaders had visited Mussolini and adopted the fascist organisational structure. Vijayan said the strength of India always lies in its unity in diversity. ''All of us differ in our beliefs, languages, cultures, food and attire. We are diverse in many fields and that is why we hold our diversity so dearly,'' he said. The chief minister said crores of people are worried and concerned over the CAA, which he alleged targets the Muslims in the country. ''The idea of equality enshrined in our Constitution is being shredded through this law,'' he said. Vijayan said protests erupted across the globe when the CAA was announced in India and the world leaders criticised the move. ''Because none of the civilised societies in the world can accept citizenship based on religion. We should remember that even when the entire world opposed his actions, Hitler remained unfazed. The RSS is following his footsteps,'' he said. Vijayan also attacked the Congress, which backed out from a joint protest against the CAA. The chief minister continued his attack on the Congress leadership, alleging that they were completely silent even after the rules for the implementation of the CAA were notified recently by the Centre. The Left party is organising massive anti-CAA rallies at five places in the state. The first rally was held at Kozhikode on Friday. Three more rallies will be held in the coming days at Kannur, Malappuram and Kollam. The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently, got the president's assent, but there were protests in several parts of the country against the law, with many opposition parties calling it ''discriminatory''. The Act grants citizenship to undocumented migrants of all religions -- except Muslims -- from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

devdiscourse 24 Mar 2024 12:27 am

CAA Part of RSS Plan to Enforce Mansumriti in India says Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram: For the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, the Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) issue could not have come at a better time. As campaigning for the crucial Lok Sabha polls gains momentum, the Left parties are putting in maximum effort to reverse the significant defeat they suffered in 2019. They consider the CAA as a major issue that could help the ruling front make electoral gains, especially in Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts, which have a sizable Muslim population. Pinarayi questions Rahul and Kharge's silence on CAA. The public meetings organized by the Left under the banner of the Citizenship Protection Council have turned into platforms for criticizing the Congress. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the main speaker at these meetings, does not hold back in attacking Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Rahul Gandhi didn't say a word about the CAA during his Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. Why is there complete silence? Why are they taking such a stand? he asked. The chief minister criticized Kharge for dilly-dallying on the CAA issue. The Left has intensified its criticism of Congress to gain support from the minorities in the state. This move is seen as a response to the support the minorities gave to the UDF in 2019, helping it win 19 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats. The LDF's focus on the Citizenship Act has raised concerns within the UDF, prompting the KPCC to announce a state-wide anti-CAA protest. The Youth Congress has taken further action by blocking trains in Kozhikode. The Left, on the other hand, is ensuring broader participation of organizations, including Muslim outfits. Leaders of Muslim organizations such as Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, an association of Sunni scholars, Kerala Muslim Jamaath, and Muslim Education Society (MES), have praised the stance taken by the Left leadership. However, they want all like-minded political parties to come on board to oppose CAA. Additionally, leaders of backward and Dalit organizations are also being brought in under the banner of Navothana Samrakshana Samithi. The Left is also making a conscious effort to ensure that these public meetings are not seen only as a pro-Muslim initiative but also reflect the LDFs consistent stand against what it calls the Sangh Parivar agenda to turn Muslims into second-grade citizens and impose Manu Smriti-driven Hindutva agenda. At the public meeting in Kozhikode, the chief minister spoke about CAA as part of RSSs diabolic agenda. The RSS has set certain targets for commemorating the centenary of its formation which falls in 2025. They opposed the constitution right from the beginning, he said while citing the editorial that appeared in RSS mouthpiece Organiser in 1949. RSS wants the Manusmriti to be the guiding document to run India The chief minister also referenced Savarkar's words: Manu Smriti is that scripture which is most worshipable after Vedas. The Hindu nation, which has been the basis of our culture, customs, thought, and practice since ancient times. This book has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation for centuries. Even today, the rules followed by millions of Hindus in their lives and practices are based on Manusmriti. Today, Manusmriti is Hindu Law. That is fundamental. Pinarayi stated that the large turnout at the public meeting was a significant warning to the Sangh Parivar forces. It signals a unified opposition to the implementation of the CAA before the general elections. He reiterated that the Kerala government will not implement the CAA, NPR or NRC, and called for unity against these divisive and oppressive laws.

Deccan Chronicle 23 Mar 2024 8:22 pm

Kerala: Caste bias haunts Muslim families in Changanassery, equality still a dream

KOTTAYAM: The racial remarks by Kalamandalam Sathyabhama against Mohiniyattam performer RLV Ramakrishnan brought to light the caste-based discrimination that is deep-rooted in Kerala society. Many face bias because they hail from the wrong caste. Some 40 Muslim families in Changanassery are among those at the receiving end of this prejudice. Labelled Keezhnadappukar, or lower section of the community, the families continue to struggle to get equal treatment and recognition from their own, despite directives from constitutional bodies asking those concerned to recognise their rights. The discrimination faced by the Osthan, Labbai, and Modeen communities from the Puthoorpally Muslim Jama-at in Changanassery came to light when Aneesh Sali, who resides within Puthoorpally mosque limits, attended a general body meeting there on July 2, 2023. It was over a road dispute, hence Aneesh attended the meeting and signed the register. A couple of days later, he received a letter from the Jama-at committee. It said, Your ancestors and their descendants have not traditionally attended general body meetings. As outlined in section 16, sub-section f (of the Jama-at Constitution), you are classified as members under the category of Keezhnadappukar. Your presence at the meeting was considered a mistake and should not happen again. Aneesh belongs to Osthan community, who are traditionally barbers by profession. Labbai community members are engaged in leading funeral-related services, while those in Modeen community are responsible for the prayer call, (adhan or bankuvili). The letter left Aneesh feeling perplexed and disappointed. he soon filed a petition before the Kerala Waqf Board against the communication. He secured a favourable order, but was denied permission by the Jama-at to attend the next general body meeting held last October. Then, the divisional waqf officer in Kottayam issued a directive to the Jama-at to comply with the boards order. The committee disregarded it. Then, Aneesh and 11 other people, including office-bearers of the Muslim Equality Empower Movement (MEEM), filed an interlocutory application (IA) with the Kerala Waqf Board seeking criminal proceedings against M H M Haneefa, secretary of the Jama-at. On February 28, for the first time in Kerala, the board issued an order to initiate prosecution action against Haneefa under Section 61 (F) of the Waqf Act, 1995, for caste bias. It also directed the divisional waqf officer in Kottayam to file a prosecution case against the Jama-at. However, justice still eludes the community members as the Jama-at has appealed the board order before the Kerala Waqf Tribunal in Kozhikode. Though Aneesh also lodged a complaint during Nava Kerala Sadas last December highlighting the discrimination, no action has been taken on his plea yet. The Jama-at has denied allegations of caste discrimination. As per the Jama-at constitution, individuals from the three sections are classified as Keezhnadappukar, which does not imply lower caste status. While they are not allowed to attend general body meetings as per the constitution, they are permitted to attend prayers, and avail wedding and funeral services, said Haneefa. He said a by-law committee will be established after Ramadan to address the communities request. We are considering amending the constitution to allow them to attend general body meetings. Though they will get voting rights, they will not be able to join the administrative council as they lack Moulid rights, he said.

The New Indian Express 23 Mar 2024 8:28 am

Congress not sincere in protests against CAA: Kerala CM

KOZHIKODE: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has lashed out at the Congress for not showing sincerity in the protests staged inside Parliament and on the streets against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Addressing a rally against CAA here on Friday, he said that it was the left MPs and leaders who took the lead in organising agitations all across the country. Indirectly referring to Congress, Pinarayi said that some political parties who earlier stood with the state government against CAA, have come out with different opinions on the matter now. We can understand the reason behind RSS-BJPs intentions when they are mocking the state governments stand against CAA. But what will we do if the Congress leader himself takes a stand against the states resolution against CAA in the assembly, Pinarayi asked. Instead of standing together with crores of citizens affected by citizenship amendment, the-then KPCC president took a stand against the state for holding protests against CAA and NRC in 2019. From then on the Congress never tried to correct its mistake. So, from their stand we should understand that the Congress national leadership itself has failed to take a stand against CAA, said Pinarayi. CPM to intensify campaign against Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Kerala When the whole nation came to the streets on December 11, 2019, as the Central government passed CAA in Parliament, the Congress leaders were attending a feast at a prominent Congress leaders house. When many national leaders including Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat led a protest in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi was not even in the country. A M Arif was the only MP from Kerala who raised his voice in the Lok Sabha against the amendment. When left MPs led by Elamaram Kareem and Binoy Viswam protested against CAA in Rajya Sabha, Congress MPs from Kerala were hiding in the corner, he said. Stay CAA rules: Kerala government to Supreme Court Kerala CM terms Congress untrustworthy on CAA Pinarayi also lashed out against Modi government for implementing the RSS agenda of dividing citizens on the basis of religion. Our constitution guarantees secular status to the nation. But the BJP government is trying to transform it into a religious country. It is part of RSS conscious agenda of implementing Manusmriti. The CAA is a continuation of the agenda, he said. Starting from Kozhikode, the anti-CAA rally will be held in Kasaragod, Kannur, Malappuram and Kollam from March 22 to 27.

The New Indian Express 23 Mar 2024 8:16 am

Hot weather may persist in April in Kerala: Study

KOZHIKODE: The sweltering heat and rising mercury levels will continue to bother people in April and may even lead to water scarcity in many districts, an analysis by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) has indicated. As per the study, the state may witness the most number of hot days in the coming month. If we do not receive adequate summer rainfall, the excess use of available water resources for irrigation, industrial, and other domestic needs will ultimately trigger a decline in the quantum of surface and groundwater resources, said CWRDM executive director Manoj P Samuel. Our study suggests the likelihood of rising temperatures across Kerala, more specifically in Kozhikode. The district has recorded a 14% deficit in annual rainfall. If summer rain fails to deliver, there will be a water crisis, he said. An analysis of the data from weather observatories at Kottaparamba in Kozhikode and Manimalakunnu in Ernakulam from June 2023 to March 2024 revealed a 14 % deficit in rainfall. The extreme rainfall in previous years that triggered flash floods, waterlogging, and landslides all led to the depletion of groundwater in Kerala. An analysis of the water storage in irrigation projects revealed a decline in water levels in half the states reservoirs. There has been a significant reduction (37%) in the Mangalam irrigation project in Palakkad from last year.

The New Indian Express 23 Mar 2024 7:56 am

Kerala: NITC students on warpath against night curfew on campus

KOZHIKODE: A wave of dissent is sweeping the campus of the National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NITC) with students staging a massive protest against the authorities decision to enforce a night curfew on the campus. On Friday morning, a large number of students staged a demonstration in front of the campus gates, blocking teachers and disrupting normal the activities of the institute. The unrest kick-started after Rajanikant G K, Dean of Students Welfare, issued a circular on March 20 outlining new regulations mandating students to return to their hostels before midnight. The circular also states that the campus canteen will close by 11 pm, effective immediately, as part of the efforts to regulate student activities and ensure compliance with new curfew regulations. The canteen facility was earlier available for 24-hour. According to the circular, the move aims at restoring order on campus amid escalating tensions. It also warned that non-compliance will result in the suspension of students from hostels. As the dean left the campus on Friday citing health concerns, a large number of students gathered in front of the main office of the college registrar. Later in the evening, the registrar and the director of NIT-C met the representatives of the Students Affairs Council (SAC). However, the conciliatory meeting reportedly failed to reach a consensus, and the students have decided to continue with their protests. Students maintain that the imposition of the curfew disproportionately affects those with afternoon schedules, as their academic engagements carry over into the night. New norms Students have been directed to return to their hostel rooms before midnight The circular states that the campus canteen will close by 11 pm. New regulations are restrictive and arbitrary We have been repeatedly asked to keep our mouths shut on various issues that have been happening on the campus, said Vysakh Premkumar, a fourth-year BTech student at NIT-C. We protested in front of the campus from morning till evening, until the institute director called us for a meeting. Our protest is a reflection of a broader sentiment of frustration and defiance among the students, as the new regulations are restrictive and arbitrary, he added. Meanwhile, CPM leader Elamaram Kareem held talks with the students and college officials. Talking to the reporters, the LDFs Kozhikode LS candidate, said: I have put forward a suggestion before the college officials to implement the new reforms in a phased manner. The demands put forward by the students are logical and the college authorities must consider them. The students agitation comes a few weeks after tension prevailed on the NIT-C campus following a protest by a section of students against the celebration of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In the circular issued on Wednesday, the dean said, I would like to emphasize that unrestricted late-night access and late-operating canteens have presented serious challenges to the administration. After careful consideration and consultation, and reflecting on the challenges and concerns that have arisen, we have decided to implement changes to our night curfew policy and late-night canteen operation. It has become apparent that late-night snacking has led to unhealthy food choices, contributing to poor dietary habits and adversely affecting your overall health. We have observed a concerning trend where mindful eating has been forgotten, and this is reflecting poorly on your physical well-being, the circular said.

The New Indian Express 23 Mar 2024 7:45 am

Encroachment on waterbodies in Kozhikode goes unchecked

River protection committee accuses officials of supporting encroachment mafia

The Hindu 22 Mar 2024 9:44 pm

CPM to intensify campaign against Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Kerala

KOZHIKODE: The CPM has decided to use the sentiments among the Muslim community over the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) as a major campaign for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The party will organise six rallies on the issue in different parts of Kerala, which will be addressed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The first programme will be held in Kozhikode on March 22, followed by Kasaragod on 23, Kannur on 24, Malappuram on 25 and Kollam on 27. The party has also decided to organise night marches at various places against the implementation of the CAA. Though the UDF also is in agitation against the CAA, the CPM has scored some points on the issue. Pinarayi has repeatedly declared that Kerala will not implement the Act and the LDF government has moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Centres move. It remains to be seen whether the CPMs stand on the CAA would bring in votes from the Muslim community to the partys kitty. Addressing a meeting at Kizhakkethala in Malappuram on January 16, 2020, Pinarayi assured that neither the CAA nor the National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be enforced in the state, and there would be no establishment of detention centres associated with their implementation. The speech significantly bolstered the LDFs influence in the Muslim-majority district. The LDF leadership is confident that the chief ministers presence during the campaign will amplify support and augment the LDFs vote share in Malappuram. The LDF has already orchestrated numerous night marches in Malappuram against the CAAs implementation. Vote bank The party firmly believes that taking a resolute stance against the Act will significantly boost the prospects of LDF candidates in the Malappuram district. A boost in vote share will particularly help the LDF candidate in Ponnani, K S Hamsa, as the LDF had a majority in four of the seven assembly segments in the parliamentary constituency in the last assembly elections

The New Indian Express 22 Mar 2024 8:58 am

Mosques in Kerala to call for water conservation

KOZHIKODE: Messages on the importance of conserving water will reverberate across most mosques in Kerala on Friday, March 22, which is being observed globally as World Water Day. The Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Qutbah (SKJQ), a feeder organisation of Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, has asked all quatibs to spread awareness on water conservation during Friday prayers. The move gains importance in view of the water shortage currently plaguing Karnataka and sweltering summer heat back home in Kerala. Islam gives paramount importance to judicious use of water. Prophet Muhammad had said water for wudu (ablution) should be used sparingly even if one is doing it in the flowing river, SKJQ general secretary Nazar Faizi Koodathayi told TNIE. The organisation has urged believers to exercise care while performing ablution under a running tap, as it may lead to unnecessary wastage of water while moving from one organ to another. It is advisable to depend on ablution tanks for wudu when there is water shortage. After ablution, the water should be used for agriculture or other purposes, Faizi said. He said supplying drinking water is a pious deed that will be rewarded in heaven. A person had asked the Prophet about how he could ensure heaven for his deceased mother. The Prophet replied that he should distribute drinking water among people, he said. He said creating awareness on saving water has become imperative in Kerala too even though it is available here in plenty, as changes in the climate are posing a danger to life. Decline in rainfall and depletion of groundwater are signs of an impending catastrophe, Faizi said. 40% of sources polluted Around 40% of our water sources are polluted. People should be made aware of such things and should be exhorted to prevent a disaster, Faizi said. Faizi believes future wars will be fought for water. Israel attacked Lebanon for the water in Litani river. One of the reasons for the US aggression on Iraq was to get water from the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, he said. Faizi said the Quran had several verses that underlined the importance of water. Surah 23, verse 18 says, We send down rain from the sky in perfect measure, causing it to soak into the earth. And We are surely able to take it away. Similarly, Surah 67, verse 29 says, Did you even consider: if all the water that you have (in the wells) were to sink down into the depths of the earth, who will produce for you clear, flowing water? he said.

The New Indian Express 22 Mar 2024 7:56 am

Tamil Nadu LS polls: Its CPM vs SDPI in Dindigul constituency

KOZHIKODE: The Dindigul constituency in Tamil Nadu will witness an interesting fight between the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and CPM this Lok Sabha election. While SDPI is contesting the polls in alliance with AIADMK, CPM is in the DMK-led front. The CPM has fielded its Dindigul district secretary R Sachidanandam in the seat, that the party took from DMK by offering it the Coimbatore seat. Though the SDPI says it is happy with the alliance with AIADMK as it will help mainstream the party, the move had raised eyebrows as AIADMK was in the NDA until the last elections. However, SDPI said it went ahead with an alliance with AIADMK only after the latter left the NDA. We are looking at the present policies of AIADMK, not the past. Many parties will be in quandary if the past of their allies is dug up. CPM was the ally of the Jan Sangh in the 1977 elections, said SDPI national general secretary Abdul Majeed Faizi. He said SDPIs partnership with AIADMK will make the latters return to the NDA almost impossible. We will be contesting in Dindigul on AIADMKs symbol. It will be more convenient for us as we have no registered symbol, said Faizi. The party has announced 17 candidates so far. Those for the remaining seats in states, including Kerala, will be declared within a week. In the 2019 LS polls, SDPI contested in nine seats in Kerala. Faizi said there was a delay in deciding the partys election strategy in Kerala as they were busy with Jana Munnetta Yathra, which concluded on March 2. The decision on the seats and candidates is taken by our Kerala unit. We have asked them to expedite the process, said Faizi. Exploring ways to defeat the BJP has been the SDPIs stance. Hence, SDPI may not contest in seats where BJP has a chance to win, to ensure votes against the latter are not divided.

The New Indian Express 22 Mar 2024 7:38 am

UDF, LDF MPs urged to come up with performance report

P.C. George opens the election convention of NDA candidate M.T. Ramesh in Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency

The Hindu 21 Mar 2024 10:11 pm

Thoothukudi: IIM-grad, ex-Congressman files nominations as independents

THOOTHUKUDI: Two independent candidates, namely J Sivaneswaran and N Radhakrishnan, filed their nomination with the Collector-cum-District Electoral Officer G Lakshmipathy here on Wednesday. Sivaneswaran, of Umarikadu, told reporters that he pursued M.Tech from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) , Calicut, and MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode. Noting that this is his third time contesting since 2019, Sivaneswaran said, I am contesting the general elections only to create awareness among public to participate in politics in a bid to break the jinx that it is only meant for the affluent. Stating that he has never made any election promise, the techie added, I would spend one lakh rupees on the campaign. He further said, I will be with the people on ground zero and throw light on the conditions of public facilities, and will rally to get funds for basic amenities from the central government. Meanwhile, N Radhakrishnan, a farmer and former Congressman, said that he decided to contest the elections to throw light on farmers' rights. I will ensure free education for students above Class 11, and input for agriculture free of cost, he said, and added that he would campaign on foot.

The New Indian Express 21 Mar 2024 11:03 am

Meet actress who was born a boy, faced harassment, did odd jobs to survive, made debut with superstar, then became..

Anjali Ameer was born in November 1995 in Kozhikode, Kerala. So far, in her career, she has appeared in films like 'Peranbu', 'Ammu', and 'Suvarna Purushan'. Her debut film 'Pernabu', made for Rs 4 crore, earned Rs 7.2 crore at the box office.

DNA India 21 Mar 2024 10:02 am

Kerala enrols nearly three lakh young voters in five months

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the run up to the Lok Sabha election, close to 3 lakh youths in the age group of 18-19 years have been enrolled in the states electoral roll during the past five months. The number of young voters that stood at 77,176 when the draft voters list was brought out on October 27 last year, rose to 2.88 lakh on January 22 when the final electoral roll was published. It further rose to 3.70 lakh on March 18. Chief Electoral Officer (Kerala) Sanjay Kaul said the rise in enrolment of young voters is the highest in the country during the same period. The CEO was addressing a news conference after chairing a meeting with political party representatives here on Wednesday. The CEO said the state has a total of 2.72 crore voters as on March 18. This included 1.31 crore men, 1.40 crore women and 337 electors in the transgender category. The state has 24.9 lakh voters in the age group of 85 years and above. The revision of voters list was currently under way and March 25 has been set as the cut off date to apply for enrolment so as to be eligible to vote in the Lok Sabha election on April 26. The new applicants will be included in the supplementary voters list to be brought out on April 4. The state has a total of 25,358 polling booths, including 181 auxiliary polling stations set up in areas where there are a large number of voters. Drinking water, toilet facility, ramps, wheelchairs and power supply have been ensured. Help-desks will be set up on the polling station premises for assisting the voters. In a first, creches will be set up in polling locations with more than four booths. Webcasting facility will be extended to an additional 20 to 30% of the polling booths. Kerala: 2.7 crore voters figure in final electoral roll; 2.88 lakh young voters newly enrolled LS polls in Kerala to witness CPMs do-or-die battle to retain national party status Lok Sabha Polls 2024: PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad As per the preliminary assessment, 777 polling stations in the state have been identified as sensitive. The state expects 70 companies (around 8,400 personnel) of security forces to be deployed for the election, the CEO said. Asked about the case in Kozhikode where a person was found to possess three electors photo identity cards, the CEO said a criminal case would be filed against the applicant. Our assessment is that it was a deliberate attempt to claim that the electoral roll is not good, Kaul said. He admitted that there was a lapse on the part of the booth level officer in not properly cross-verifying the application. On complaints of a large number of duplicate entries in the electoral roll in Attingal constituency, the CEO said only 390 entries were found to be erroneous. On duplicate entries detected across the state over the past week, he said they constituted only 0.01% of the total electorate of 2.72 crore.

The New Indian Express 21 Mar 2024 7:40 am

Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu | Song - Nee En Aakasha

Watch the song 'Nee En Aakasha' from Malayalam movie 'Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu' starring Leela Samson and Jayarajan Kozhikode. 'Nee En Aakasha' is sung by Govind Vasantha and music of the song is given by Govind Vasantha. Lyrics of 'Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu' song 'Nee En Aakasha' are written by Anil Lal. 'Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu' also stars Anu Sithara, Deepak Parambol, Noby Marcose and Irshad Ali in pivotal roles. To know more about 'Nee En Aakasha' song from Leela Samson and Jayarajan Kozhikode starrer 'Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu' watch the video.

The Times of India 21 Mar 2024 6:26 am

Rescued Neapolitan mastiff dies after excess dose of rabies vaccine

The expired vaccine was given to four dogs at the house of an animal rescuer at Kattangal in Kozhikode on March 12. One of the dogs died on March 17 following the alleged crude administration of the drug

The Hindu 20 Mar 2024 10:34 pm

Ahead of LS polls, Kozhikode Collector warns of strict action against those spreading fake news

Public can inform the authorities about fake news on the toll-free number 1950 set up by the election commission

The Hindu 19 Mar 2024 9:38 pm

Tragic Murder of Anu, Mujeeb Rahman's Criminal History Unveiled

Kochi: A tragic incident unfolded on March 11, 2024, in Kozhikode, Kerala, where a 26-year-old woman named Anu was brutally murdered. Her semi-nude body was discovered in a drain, sending shockwaves through the community. Police swiftly apprehended Mujeeb Rahman in connection with the crime. Rahman, aged 48, allegedly lured Anu into his car under the guise of offering her a ride, only to rob and murder her en route. Investigations revealed Rahman's extensive criminal history, including prior incidents of rape and robbery. The incident took place in the Valur area of Kozhikode, near Perambara, as Anu was returning home from the hospital. Rahman, riding a stolen motorcycle and concealing his identity with a helmet, encountered Anu and offered her a lift. Mistaking Rahman for a neighbor, Anu accepted the offer and got on the bike. However, Rahman led her to a deserted drain where he ruthlessly attacked and killed her. After committing the heinous act, Rahman stripped Anu of her belongings, leaving her partially unclothed body in the drain before fleeing the scene. Police initiated an investigation upon discovering Anu's body the following day. CCTV footage captured a suspicious red-colored bike at the location, leading authorities to focus their efforts on Rahman. Subsequently, Rahman was apprehended and, during interrogation, confessed to the crime. Further scrutiny of Rahman's criminal record revealed a staggering history, with over 50 cases registered against him, including instances of rape and robbery. Rahman's criminal activities date back to when he was just 20 years old when he perpetrated his first murder by killing a jewelry shop owner. In 2020, Rahman committed a horrifying act of raping an elderly woman near Mukkam in Kerala, resulting in 13 cases registered against him in that locality alone. Victims of Rahman's previous offenses expressed dismay at his release from jail, lamenting that proper punishment could have prevented Anu's tragic demise. Delhi Police Arrests Members of Interstate Illegal Arms Supply Gang Israeli Military Launches Operation Near Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital Gulfam Kills Wife in Meerut After Influence by Maulvi, Arrested

News Track 19 Mar 2024 8:38 pm

Summer rain records 5-yr low in Kerala, experts say El Nino impact

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: March rains are rare, but the situation this year has so far been even more exceptional with the month registering a five-year low. Summer rain has been distressingly scant, with some districts experiencing no rainfall or significant deficits. The state has only received 1.4mm of rain so far, far below the normal 18.8 mm. Just five years ago, the average rainfall had reached 20mm, largely because of widespread rain in southern districts. Weather experts attribute the scanty rainfall to the impact of El Nio, a climate phenomenon that warms the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean. The rainfall this season has been consistently low, with even traditionally wetter southern districts experiencing significant deficits, said Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kottayam, and Kollam typically receive the most rainfall in March, but this time, they have seen dramatic decreases. For example, Pathanamthitta, which usually receives 63 mm of rain, has only received 8.9 mm so far while Ernakulam received just 6.4 mm compared to the five-year high of 40 mm. The activation of rain has been delayed since mid-March, likely because of the impact of El Nio, said Rajeevan. However, he predicts the northern districts may see more rain by April. The prolonged dry spell has also led to an increase in maximum temperatures (2-4 degrees Celsius above normal). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts for several districts Palakkad, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, and Ernakulam until March 20. Residents in these areas should expect hot and uncomfortable weather because of high temperatures and humid air during the period. Rainfall in March (Five-year low this time) 2020 19.9mm 2021 19.7mm 2022 10.6mm 2023 9.8mm 2024 1.4mm Summer Rain Status (March 1- 18) Malappuram No rain Kasaragod No rain Kannur No rain Kozhikode No rain Wayanad No rain Idukki Large deficient Kottayam Large deficient Palakkad Large deficient Thrissur Large deficient TPuram Large deficient Ernakulam Large deficient Alappuzha Large deficient Kollam Large deficient Pathanamthitta Large deficient Kerala Large deficient (Source: KSDMA)

The New Indian Express 19 Mar 2024 8:38 am

K-Rice flies off shelves, Kerala govt orders 8k MT more

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The positive response to K-Rice, its initiative to provide rice to people at subsidised rates, has prompted the government to place orders for more quantities of cereal grain from suppliers in other states. Sources said, Supplyco, which is the procurement agency, has placed an order for another 8,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice. As per the data, 1.6 lakh families have purchased K-Rice so far. Of the 2,000 MT of rice bought in the first phase, nearly 1,800 MT have been distributed so far. Three varieties Jaya, Kuruva and Matta are available for purchase. Jaya rice is being distributed in the Thiruvananthapuram region, Matta in Kottayam and Ernakulam regions and Kuruva in the Kozhikode region. The procurement is done through the governments electronic tender system and suppliers are mostly from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The local Matta variety, however, is purchased from suppliers across Kerala. Meanwhile, the government is making efforts to make Supplyco outlets more lucrative ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. It has begun the process to procure essential commodities that are then sold at subsidised rates via Supplyco outlets. Priority cards The Food and Civil Supplies Department has decided to supply priority ration cards to 19,384 families which had been on its waiting list. They will be included in the Priority Household (PHH) Category funded by the state government. Mustering Mustering for priority ration card holders has been temporarily stopped due to technical issues. The National Informatics Centre and Kerala State IT Mission are working on the issue and the process will be resumed at the earliest. K-Rice rates Jaya: I29 per kg Kuruva, Matta: I30 per kg 5kg will be distributed per card

The New Indian Express 19 Mar 2024 7:59 am

Sakhas grow, RSS bifurcates Kerala into north & south prant committees

KOZHIKODE: The growth in the number of sakhas in Kerala has prompted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to bifurcate its existing prant committees into two in the state. The decision was taken at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagpur from March 15 to 17. Ernakulam will be the headquarters of the south committee, which will include districts from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. Districts from Kasaragod to Thrissur will come under the north committee, to be headquartered in Kozhikode. RSS sources told TNIE that discussions on the bifurcation had been on in the organisation for a long time. Usually, a prant committee has around 2,000 sakhas under it. In Kerala, we have over 4,000 sakhas now, said a top RSS leader in Kerala. The RSS leadership said a new prant committee has been formed in Kerala for organisational convenience. We have four prant committees in Uttar Pradesh and three in West Bengal. The need for bifurcation was felt in Kerala too, said a source. The decision has also come as a relief for workers, said the source. There was an issue of workers and leaders from Kasaragod travelling to Thiruvananthapuram for meetings. Organisational works will be easier with the setting up of a new committee, said the source. The RSS has 37 sangh districts in Kerala. Under the new arrangement, 17 of them will come under the north committee while the remaining 20 will come under the south. S Ramesan and K K Balram will be prant sanghchalaks of the south and north committees, respectively.

The New Indian Express 19 Mar 2024 7:54 am

Monson cheating case: Probe officer accused of extortion

KOCHI: Sleuths from the Kochi unit of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Monday recorded the statement of a businessman, the complainant in a cheating case registered against conman Monson Mavunakal, after he accused the investigating officer of extortion. The VACB Ernakulam SP had summoned Yakoob Purayil, a native of Mukkam in Kozhikode, after the latter filed a complaint before the VACB director accusing Crime Branch DySP Y R Rustom, who has investigated cheating and rape cases against Monson, of extortion. Yakoob and five other businessmen from Kozhikode are the complainants in the cheating case. Yakoob alleged that Rustom extorted money from him on several occasions. After his statements were recorded, Rustom told reporters outside the VACB office that he handed over proof substantiating his allegations to the officials. I have handed over all the evidence to the VACB. The probe officer threatened me to pay money several times, citing various reasons. He put the main cheating case against Monson involving financial transactions on the back burner. They were only interested in the rape cases against him. Money was also demanded claiming police officers draw low salary. On most occasions, account numbers of other persons were provided for transferring money, Yakoob alleged. He also alleged that Rustom added and removed names from the list of accused on whim. We never said anything about IG G Lakshman, but he was made an accused in the case. Some persons of interest were deliberately excluded from the case, Yakoob alleged. Theft at Monsons house: Probe begins The Ernakulam North police have launched a probe into the alleged theft of antiques from the rented house of conman Monson Mavunkal at Kaloor in Kochi. Monson, who is in jail, had recently lodged a complaint with the crime branch alleging that antiques had gone missing from his museum. Following a search on Monday, crime branch officials said 15 items were found to be missing.

The New Indian Express 19 Mar 2024 7:51 am

Kerala: Perambra murder accused has chilling criminal history

KOZHIKODE: Kondotty Mujeeb aka Mujeeb Rahman, who was arrested for the murder of Anu Prajil of Valoor near Perambra recently, is a notorious criminal with 56 cases registered against him in various police stations across the Malabar region. Mujeeb allegedly drowned Anu in a stream and stole her ornaments on March 11, after offering her a lift on a stolen motorbike. Booked for the first time at the age of 20 for the murder of a Tirur jewellery shop owner, the 48-year-old has been involved in various crimes including sexual assault, robbery, and plunder, and the list goes on. Though booked, Mujeeb had walked out of jail in most cases after securing bail. What is baffling people is how a person with such a chilling criminal history could be let roaming free. An elderly woman, who was sexually assaulted by Mujeeb at Mutheri near Mukkom in 2020, told TNIE that he should be hanged for all the crimes he committed. Had he been punished earlier, Anu of Perambra would not have been killed, she said. Operating with a calculated precision, Mujeebs criminal activities revolved around exploiting the vulnerability of unsuspecting women. His modus operandi: Offer lifts to people on his motorbike or other stolen vehicles, including autorickshaw, only to swiftly transform into a predator, snatching the victims valuables before disappearing into the abyss of anonymity. Born in Kondotty, Rahmans early life remains a mystery, with scant details emerging about his upbringing. Yet, what unfolds is a narrative of deviance and deceit that has left a trail of trauma in many lives. As many as 13 cases have been registered against Mujeeb in Kondotty. For local residents, Mujeeb has always been a fierce person and has maintained little relations with the people of his native place. According to the 2020 Mutheri rape case survivor, a hotel worker, she faced brutal sexual assault at the hands of Mujeeb, who gave her a lift in a stolen autorickshaw in July. He reportedly tied her up and raped her, before stealing her money. Mujeeb, who was arrested for the case, escaped after tricking the police but was caught from Koothuparamba in Kannur district. In that case, the accused was remanded for one and a half years, said Perambra DySP K M Biju. 56 cases registered against Mujeeb in six districts He is a habitual offender. From sociopathic tendencies to a predatory instinct honed by years of criminal behaviour, Rahmans profile paints a portrait of a man driven by urges towards money and sex, Biju said. In the Mutheri case, though the police filed the chargesheet on time, the trial got delayed and he later secured a bail from the court. In the latest incident, Mujeeb, who reached Iringannur near Perambra on March 11 on a bike stolen from Mattannur, saw Anu, who was walking from her own house to go to the hospital with her husband. He approached the 26-year-old woman saying he would drop her off at a nearby place, if necessary. He was wearing a helmet and a coat. According to the police, the woman, who initially hesitated to get on the vehicle, later took the lift thinking that he might be someone from the neighbourhood. On the way, Mujeeb pushed her into a nearby stream and killed her by stomping her head in the water. He then snatched away her ornaments.

The New Indian Express 19 Mar 2024 7:24 am

When tribal students from Wayanad had their first experience of the sea

Over 350 tribal students from Wayanad visit Kozhikode to experience sea for the first time

The Hindu 18 Mar 2024 9:03 pm

Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha | Song - Naadake Nadakam

Watch the song 'Naadake Nadakam' from Malayalam movie 'Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha' starring Rajesh Madhavan and Chithra Nair. 'Naadake Nadakam' is sung by Aloshi Adams, Sannidhanandan, Ashok T Ponnappan, Subramanian K V and Rakhi Ramachandran and music of the song is given by Dawn Vincent. Lyrics of 'Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha' song 'Naadake Nadakam' are written by Vaisakh Sugunan. 'Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha' also stars Sudheesh Kozhikode, Jinu Joseph and Sharanya Ramachandran in pivotal roles. To know more about 'Naadake Nadakam' song from Rajesh Madhavan and Chithra Nair starrer 'Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha' watch the video.

The Times of India 18 Mar 2024 5:47 pm

Kerala Muslim groups call for Lok Sabha election date change to avoid clash with Friday prayers

KOZHIKODE: All major Muslim organisations in Kerala have urged the Election Commission (EC) not to hold Lok Sabha elections on Friday as it would cause inconvenience to believers. A statement signed by 19 leaders of the organisations, including IUML and Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, pointed out that the first phase of the elections falls on a Friday, April 19. The second phase is on April 26, also a Friday. The decision will create a difficult situation for Muslims, the largest minority community in the country, to fully take part in the election process in the biggest democracy in the world, the statement said. Terming the decision discriminatory and a violation of constitutional rights, the leaders said Muslims in Kerala, who constitute 30% of the population, will also be affected by it. Thousands of officials on election duty and booth agents wont be able to participate in the Friday prayers, it said Therefore, the EC should fix another day for the elections. The Kerala government should officially raise the demand before the EC, it said. Secular parties urged to put pressure on EC The statement also exhorted the secular parties to put pressure on EC to change the dates. IUML, other Muslim organisations to move ECI seeking change in LS poll date which falls on Friday The signatories in the statement include IUML state president Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama president Syed Muhammad Jiffiri Muthukoya Thangal, Kerala Muslim Jamaat leader Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar, Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen president T P Abdulla Koya Madani, Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala amir P Mujeeb Rehman, Dakshina Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama general secretary Thodiyoor Muhammad Kunji Moulavi, Wisdom Islamic Mission president P N Abdul Latheef Madani, Kerala Samsthana Jem-Iyyathul Ulama general secretary A Najeeb Moulavi, KNM-Makarzidawa president E K Ahamed Kutty, Muslim Service Society leader P Unneen and Darul Huda Islamic University vice-chancellor Bahaudeen Nadvi.

The New Indian Express 18 Mar 2024 8:21 am

Kozhikode entrepreneur's e-vehicle venture forges green path in Malawi

KOZHIKODE: In a move that will revolutionise transportation in Malawi, Brijesh Balakrishnan, a young entrepreneur hailing from Cheruvannur, Kozhikode, has forged a partnership with the government of the southeast African country. Balakrishnans innovative electric-vehicle company is now poised to export eco-friendly two-wheelers and three-wheelers to the landlocked nation. The collaboration was sealed at a function held in Bengaluru. Malawi, a country known for its commitment to sustainability and green initiatives, sees the introduction of e-vehicles as a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner modes of transportation. Balakrishnans company, Axeon Ventures Pvt Ltd, has been making waves in the e-vehicle industry with its cutting-edge technology and commitment to the environment. With his experience in the automobile industry, Balakrishnan believed in going to the core of sustainable development and coming up with the most creative and high-end solutions. In 2017, he along with his friends started building e-vehicles after an extended period of trial and error. Our goal is to decrease carbon emissions, lessen the effects of climate change, and enhance air quality in communities all around the world by utilising technology and sustainability. Were revolutionising the battery-powered vehicle sector through innovation, quality, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, said Balakrishnan. The manufacturing unit of Kozhikode-headquartered Axeon is in Coimbatore. The company has already sold around 500 e-vehicles in different parts of the country. New chapter in India-Malawi relationship His vehicles have garnered attention on the global stage, thanks to their affordability, reliability, and eco-friendly design. In a recent achievement, his team helped the students of Westhill Government Polytechnic College assemble 30 e-autos. Along with Brijesh, there are nine other directors for the company. The agreement with Malawi underscores Balakrishnans vision to expand his companys reach beyond Indias borders and contribute to sustainable development efforts on a global scale. By providing Malawi access to his vehicles, he aims to address transportation challenges while fostering economic growth and environmental conservation in the region. The partnership marks a new chapter in the relationship between India and Malawi, showcasing the potential for mutually beneficial collaborations between the nations. As the demand for sustainable transportation solutions continues to rise worldwide, initiatives like this highlight the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing pressing environmental concerns. With the support of the Malawian government and the expertise of Balakrishnans team, the future looks promising for the adoption of electric vehicles in Malawi, paving the way for a greener and a more sustainable future in east Africa.

The New Indian Express 18 Mar 2024 8:16 am

Kerala: Habitual offender, accomplice held for womans death in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: After nearly a week of uncertainty, the Perambra police have found that the 26-year-old woman whose body was recovered from a stream near the Nochad primary health centre was in fact murdered. The breakthrough came after the police arrested Mujeeb Rahman, a habitual offender and thief, from Vazhakkad in Malappuram for the crime. The body of Anu Prajil, daughter of Vasu of Valoor near Perambra, was found in the stream on March 12. Though the police initially felt it was a case of suicide, they intensified their probe after her relatives said Anus gold ornaments were missing and that there was not enough water in the stream for a person to drown. Mujeeb, a Kondotty resident who is involved in around 55 cases, including an attempt to rape, was nabbed on Saturday. The police said Mujeeb drowned Anu in the stream and looted her ornaments. Another Kondotty resident, Aboobacker, who helped Mujeeb sell the ornaments, has also been arrested. As per the police, Anu left her parents house at Valoor to go to a hospital on March 11. Her husband, Iringannur native Prajil Raj, was supposed to pick her up at Muliyangal on the way. Mujeeb is known to offer lift to women and snatch their chains. On the morning of March 11, he was fleeing on a motorcycle he stole from Mattanur when he spotted Anu on the way. He approached her, spoke to her and offered a lift to the next junction, said Perambra DySP K M Biju. He said the victim and the accused did not know each other. Later, Mujeeb took Anu to the stream and drowned her. He looted her jewellery and fled, Biju said. Anu and Prajil got married a year ago. She had recently gone to her parents house as her mother had underwent surgery. Prajil went to Muliyangal to pick her up but Anu never arrived. The relatives lodged a missing complaint when Anu did not reach home by evening. While searching for her, the police found a body from the stream the next day, March 12. Anus relatives identified the body, but her mother Saraswathy said though Anus earring was found on the body, her necklace, two rings, bracelet and anklets were missing. The police later recovered Anus phone and purse from a ditch near the stream. The investigation The postmortem examination concluded that mud and water entered Anus lungs, causing her death. Later, the forensic surgeon from Kozhikode Medical College Hospital inspected the place where Anus body was found. The police checked CCTV footage, one of which showed Anu on a motorcycle with a man. A probe focusing on the motorbike and analysing more CCTV footage led the police to the vehicle theft case in Mattanur, and finally to Mujeeb.

The New Indian Express 18 Mar 2024 7:52 am

Capturing the beauty of Kozhikodes landmarks

The Hindu 18 Mar 2024 2:05 am

Pilot project to record carbon emissions in govt.-owned seed farms in Kerala

The farms located in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ernakulam, and Kollam districts and the Athirappally tribal valley are involved in the one-year project

The Hindu 18 Mar 2024 1:57 am

Fuel shortage hits police surveillance in Kozhikode city

The yet-to-be revised fuel quota norms and increasing fuel prices have reportedly forced the police to cut short the number of flash patrol activities under Janamaithri scheme in residential areas

The Hindu 18 Mar 2024 1:50 am

IUML and Muslim groups in Kerala object to holding Lok Sabha elections on Friday

KOZHIKODE: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and several other Muslim organisations have raised an objection to holding the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala on a Friday. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC), Kerala will go to polls on April 26, Friday. IUML state general secretary PMA Salam said holding the election on a Friday will cause problems for believers. He said the party will bring the issue to the attention of the EC. Lok Sabha elections to be held in 7 phases from April 19 to June 1, counting on June 4 The Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF) has also expressed concern over holding the election on Friday. In a statement issued in Kozhikode on Saturday, SKSSF state secretariat asked the EC to postpone the election to another day. It said conducting elections on Friday will cause inconvenience to people from the Muslim community deputed on poll duty or as booth agents of political parties to participate in Friday juma prayers. Meanwhile, the Wisdom Islamic Organisation has asked the state government to officially demand the EC to hold the elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on some other day, citing inconvenience of believers. State president P N Abdul Latheef Madani said all secular forces should put pressure on the poll panel to change the date of elections.

The New Indian Express 17 Mar 2024 8:16 am

Heatwave criteria not suited for Kerala, experts blame inadequate weather infrastructure

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when Kerala is reeling under one of its harshest summers, following prolonged dry spells and erratic weather patterns the state is also staring at a major challenge in terms of inadequate weather readings and infrastructure. Adding to the woes, experts point out that the national criteria for declaring heatwaves are not suited for Keralas weather patterns. High humidity levels, brought on by its tropical climate, make summers worse in the state, they say. Even as sweltering heat plays havoc, experts and agencies here are grappling with inadequate predictions that hinder more specific public warnings. The 100 automatic weather stations (AWS) installed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have been giving erratic and invalid predictions. There are also no weather stations in four districts Kasaragod, Wayanad, Idukki and Pathanamthitta which cheats the state out of a comprehensive picture of the prevailing conditions. State Disaster Management Authority member secretary Sekhar Lukose Kuriakose said the national criteria for heatwave declaration is not suited for Kerala. We need to develop local thresholds for heat-related health warnings. We need to undertake studies in this regard and have already initiated steps to come up with state-specific criteria that will be essential for the state in the coming years, he told TNIE. According to IMD, a heatwave is defined as a maximum temperature of 40 Celsius or more for the plains, 37C or more for coastal stations and 30C for hilly regions. An increase of 4-5C from the normal is considered a heatwave condition, while an increase of 6C or more is considered a severe heatwave condition. Kerala: Sultry nights signal beginning of summer, temp to touch 38 degrees Celsius We have a moist heatwave situation in Kerala because of the rise in temperature and humidity. The heat we experience here is way more than the actual temperature. Unfortunately, the state is unable to meet the criteria set by IMD and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The state government should take steps to collaborate with IMD and come up with state-specific criteria, said MG Manoj, a scientist with Cusats Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR). He stressed the need for more research in the area. We need more weather readings and infrastructure, a long-pending demand in Kerala. In the future, more weather infrastructure should be set up at identified strategic points across the state for better predictions on microclimate changes. More data is essential for further studies and solutions, he added. Kerala faces hottest summer in decade: Soaring temperatures drive power consumption to record highs Early onset of summer sees increase in waterborne diseases in Kerala The human body reacts differently to varying temperatures, health experts said, amid calls for increased inclusion of health management in climate change and mitigation policies of the government. Heatstroke and heat rash are only included as heat-related events by the NDMA. This should change and health should be given top priority, while devising policies for climate mitigation. We are trying to raise this point and educate policymakers to give due consideration to matters of health, said Dr Anish T S, associate professor, community medicine, Malappuram Medical College Hospital. Meanwhile, K Santhosh, director, IMD Thiruvananthapuram, said they follow the national criteria. We follow the national criteria for weather-related declarations and the IMD headquarters make decisions on matters whether a state should have a specific set of criteria for heatwaves or not, Santhosh said. Calibrating weather stations cannot be a sudden process, he said. The Kerala Met department has proposed the setting up of more weather stations in the state to cover all districts, he added. Mild heat waves prove deadlier over time in India, study reveals urgent need for revised heat warnings Yellow alert in 10 districts KSDMA has issued a yellow alert for 10 districts in the state owing to a rise in temperature till March 20. All districts with yellow alert warnings are likely to record 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal temperature. Maximum temperature is likely to be around 39 degrees Celsius in Kollam and Palakkad districts, while Alappuzha and Kozhikode districts will record 38 degrees Celsius. Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts are likely to record 37 degrees Celsius. Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kannur districts will record 36 degrees Celsius.

The New Indian Express 17 Mar 2024 7:51 am

Congress not able to counter BJPs destructive policies: Elamaram Kareem

Elamaram Kareem, LDF candidate for the Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency, says the Congress is trying to counter the BJPs radical Hindutva with soft Hindutva; AIIMS, development of Beypore port, more IT-based industries and operation of wide-bodied aircraft at Calicut airport among his agendas for Kozhikode

The Hindu 17 Mar 2024 5:33 am

Entries invited for new batch of DCIP

Kozhikode district administration invites applications for the 27th batch of the District Collectors Internship Programme

The Hindu 16 Mar 2024 8:33 pm

Fire in her belly: Kerala's women blaze through barriers to become firefighters

KOCHI: At the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Academy in Thrissur, a team of women are preparing to fight fire, handling the high-pressure hydraulic hose, as part of a mock drill. They have just arrived from Thiruvananthapuram, where they attended the passing-out parade after being trained at this academy. Their demeanour reflects the raw energy and exuberance that natures most feared element bears. They display the dual nature of fire warmth and lethality. Indian mythology contains stories of powerful women born from fire, like Draupadi. Or of Sita, whom fire could not scorch. Or Kannagi, who set a city afire with her grief and fury. Yet, traditionally, women were kept away from fields that were considered fiery. However, the winds of change have been blowing across India. And Nari Shakti has been on the rise. The latest venture of women into the male bastion of firefighting in Kerala is yet another example. The batch of 82 women has found their way into the Fire and Rescue Services, six decades after its formation. These womens induction, after the passing-out parade on Womens Day (March 8), made Kerala home to the largest batch of female firefighters in the country. Their first task was to take on the notion that women were unfit for the physically demanding job. They went through the rigours of a six-month-long training programme and have come out blazing, reducing regressive barriers to ashes. A mock drill It did take time for the notions to change. But then, everything happens in its own time. Didnt it take years for women to be recruited in the police, excise, and forest departments? asks M G Rajesh, regional fire officer and director of the academy. The new group includes 26 postgraduates, 50 graduates, four B Tech graduates, three B Ed graduates, and two diploma/ITA holders. At least 27 among them are married, and 12 are mothers. They were selected after a Public Service Commission screening, which included physical and aptitude tests. They are now packing up for a six-month training at fire stations across Kerala, after which they will be ready for actual deployment. It has been an exciting journey so far, says Megha Dickson, of Alappuzha. From rescuing people in the mountains to handling chemical accidents, we have been trained to tackle various kinds of emergencies. Our training included industrial fire safety, underwater rescue, flood rescue, self-rescue, first aid, rescue in smokey and dark rooms, and basic life support (BLS). The academys facilities were great, and they made sure we followed safety rules every step of the way. The trainees sneer at the doubts raised on the toughness quotient required for the job. I never imagined I could lift a person heavier than myself through a ladder, but I was able to do that, says Anu S from Malappuram. The move to induct women has bearings on the role that women could play during rescue efforts, says district fire officer Reni Lukose. When we go on rescue missions, women and children are often the ones in distress, he explains. The presence of women in our team can have a soothing effect. Women fire and rescue officers can also help manage stress during difficult situations. Moreover, he adds, there is a need to educate individuals, especially in rural regions, about BLS techniques. The involvement of women officers in this initiative is important because they can organise hands-on training sessions and engage with womens groups within communities better, he notes. The first batch was admitted into the academy on September 4, 2023, after which they underwent the training and now the induction. It is a proud moment to be part of the training process, says Havildar Renitha, who is part of a group tasked with providing support to the new batch of women firefighters. Anusree V P, of Kozhikode, says it was a proud moment as her 10-year-old daughter was present during the passing-out parade. She always wanted to become a teacher. However, after seeing me in uniform with the cap, she also wants to be in a similar job, she adds. Knowing that she is proud of me fills my heart with joy. Societal challenges are tougher to tackle than physical ones, says in Sneha C M from Kollam. The first question from those who heard I was joining the force was: Dont you have any other job options? The notion that women cannot handle such jobs is ingrained in peoples minds. However, I am confident that we can prove them wrong, she says. Pics: S Lal Binsi S P, from Thiruvananthapuram, recalls how she took the physical test for the job just two years after giving birth to her child. People were astonished when they heard about my training achievements after the C-section. Many of us lacked a sports background. Yet, we have come a long way, she smiles. Tanur Fire and Rescue Service station officer Rajendranath M, who was in charge of ground training, admits that doubts had indeed been cast on the endurance levels of the trainees. However, they kept surprising us with their grit, he says. The higher-ups appreciated us after the parade. Now on, more women will be encouraged to join services like this. The motto of the force is We Serve to Save, and the women seem to understand it well. It is not just a job; it is a noble service, says Geetumol K M from Kottayam. A sense of achievement was palpable in all members of the team, well-emphasised by the commander of the passing-out parade, Sneha Dhinesh, who hails from Ernakulam. The parade was in front of the chief minister on Womens Day. The confidence I gained from here is going to propel me throughout my life, she says. There are 100 new posts for women in the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services. Officials in the academy suggest this allocation is insufficient. The recommendation is that each of the 129 fire stations in the state should have at least four women officers.

The New Indian Express 16 Mar 2024 10:12 am

Govt. school students from Kozhikode to represent India in global science fair

International Science and Engineering Fair to be held in Los Angeles, US, from May 11-17

The Hindu 16 Mar 2024 12:55 am

Work begins on upland highway in Kozhikode

The 5.55 kilometre stretch from Peruvannamuzhi to Chembra is being developed into a 12-metre-wide road at a cost of 31.46 crores

The Hindu 15 Mar 2024 10:07 pm

Landsharks suspected to be behind fire outbreak at old Comtrust factory building in Kozhikode

Fire that engulfed factory buildings around 9 p.m. on March 14 caused destruction to a substantial portion of dilapidated buildings and their roofs

The Hindu 15 Mar 2024 12:17 pm

Bee fences on forest borders among major steps to curb wildlife conflict, says Kerala CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an attempt to prevent wild elephants from straying into human habitats, the state will install bee fences on forest borders, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. Since honey would attract bears, such fences will be grown only in forests that do not have the presence of bears. He said the number of wildlife attacks was on the rise due to the hot weather. A high-level meeting on Thursday reviewed the arrangements to prevent wildlife from straying into human habitats. A 24-hour control room has been opened at the forest headquarters. Emergency operation centres will be opened in 36 forest divisions. WhatsApp groups have been formed in the circle and division levels of the forest department to pass on warnings to the people. Efforts are on to form WhatsApp groups at the panchayat level, too. The service of 900 temporary watchers is utilised in areas where attacks are reported. Shrubs are being cleared at 66 plantations in the Wayanad region. Steps are being taken to purchase 64 pump action guns, two tranquilliser guns and four drones. As many as 264 vigilance committees were formed at the panchayat level. Steps have been taken to ensure the availability of water inside forests. A total of 341 ponds in Wayanad forest region and 249 in Idukki are being preserved. Of the Rs 13.70 crore set aside for providing compensation to wildlife attack victims, Rs 6.45 crore has been distributed. A seminar will be held in April to discuss ways to prevent wildlife attacks. Fight is between LDF & UDF Rejecting LDF convenor E P Jayarajans claims, Pinarayi said the electoral fight in Kerala was between the LDF and the UDF. The LDF will win the election and the BJP will face a huge setback, he said. Recently, Jayarajan had claimed that the major fight was between the LDF and the BJP and that the Congress got weakened in the state. He also said that the BJP has fielded good candidates in Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal, Thrissur and Kozhikode. Pinarayi also criticised Congress leader K C Venugopal for fighting the election though he will not win. The politically enlightened people of Kerala will not allow him to lose his Rajya Sabha membership. But he should introspect whether his decision was wise. Suppose he wins, the BJP will gain from it. BJP candidate will have an easy win from Rajasthan, he said. Poonjar issue: CM stands by statement In what could create political ripples during the Lok Sabha poll campaign, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday reiterated his stand on the attack against a priest at Poonjar. During an interaction with minority leaders, he had stated that the students who were involved in the car racing on the church premises were Muslims. The chief ministers remark had invited flak from different community leaders. I stand by what I said, he said in reply to a question at the press conference. The assistant vicar of Poonjar St Marys Forane Church was struck by cars when he intervened to stop a group of school students from racing vehicles on church premises last month. I n reply to another question over the investigation against his daughter, he said he had already stated his version. He expressed displeasure over the question by asking whether the reporter had hearing loss.

The New Indian Express 15 Mar 2024 8:13 am

I-League 2023-24: Gokulam Kerala snatch three points from Aizawl in Kozhikode cliffhanger

Kozhikode (Kerala), March 15 (IANS) Matija Babovic scored a brace to help Gokulam Kerala FC beat Aizawl FC 4-3 at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, on Thursday to move to the third spot in the I-League 2023-24 table. The teams were locked 2-2 at half-time of the match, which ultimately proved to be a []

bhaskarlive 15 Mar 2024 12:27 am

Bankers in Kozhikode told to monitor transactions in view of Lok Sabha elections

Surveillance on dormant accounts and those managed by political parties or candidates to be strengthened

The Hindu 14 Mar 2024 8:57 pm

Vengeri overpass work likely to be completed in three months

The project to be completed across the six-lane Kozhikode bypass will smoothen traffic flow on the Kozhikode-Balussery route

The Hindu 14 Mar 2024 8:23 pm

Calicut Book Club to chronicle Keralas cultural history of 50 years

As part of the golden jubilee of the club, a collective of readers and book lovers in Kozhikode; the articles will be based on lectures by experts on various topics

The Hindu 14 Mar 2024 7:38 pm

Death of lawyer: Mother moves Kerala High Court seeking CBI probe

KOCHI: Prasanna, the mother of the late Aneeshya S, who served as an assistant public prosecutor at the Munsiff Magistrate Court in Paravur, Kollam, approached the Kerala High Court on Wednesday seeking a CBI probe into her daughters death. Aneeshya died by suicide alleging physical and mental harassment from higher-ups on January 21. Advocate Jani A, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the deceased faced continuous harassment and torture from deputy director of prosecution (DPP) Abdul Jaleen and assistant public prosecutor (APP) Shyam Krishnan. They sent unwanted and insulting comments about her in the official WhatsApp group of the prosecutors. Despite registering an FIR, the police have not carried out any probe into the incident. The comparison of the tower location and attendance register would bring out the truth which was tried to be brought out by the deceased regarding the illegal and improper attendance of the APPs in the courts. The investigating officer is reluctant to probe this aspect. The enquiry officer is a close friend of Jaleel, the counsel said. Paul Muthoot murder case: HC upholds conviction of Kari Satheesh The Kerala High Court on Wednesday confirmed the conviction and sentences imposed upon the second accused, Satheeshkumar alias Kari Satheesh, in the Paul Muthoot George murder case. The court said it was the second accused who inflicted stab injuries on Paul, which resulted in his death. Hence, the court upheld the conviction of the accused for various offences, including murder. It set aside the conviction of Satheesh for the offence under section 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons) of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). There were 14 accused in the case. After the trial, the fourteenth accused was acquitted, while the others were convicted and sentenced for the offences they were charged with. Paul was murdered on the Pallathuruthy-Perunna road in Alappuzha district in 2009. Directive to produce safety audit report of airports The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Union government to produce the safety/surveillance audit report, both by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airport Authority of India (AAI), of three airports in the state for the past five years, including the latest one. The court issued the order on the petition filed by Advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy of Ernakulam, seeking to produce the last five safety audit reports for the airports in Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Forward list of cops considered for IPS post The High Court has directed the state government to forward the list of police officers, who are under the zone of consideration for conferment of Indian Police Service (IPS), for the vacancies of 2021 and 2022 through the single window system within two weeks. The division bench issued the order on the petition filed by Shanawas A, and K Mahesh Das, who were superintendent of police, Crime Branch challenging the delay on the part of the state in forwarding the proposal. Senior advocate N Nandakumara Menon, counsel for the petitioners, said that as of now, there exist 15 vacancies.

The New Indian Express 14 Mar 2024 10:38 am

Patients suffer as drug supply to Kozhikode MCH stops

KOZHIKODE: The decision of All-Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA), Kozhikode chapter, to stop the supply of medicines and other necessary equipment and surgical devices to Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kozhikode, has affected its functioning, leading to a dire situation for hundreds of patients. Since the hospital management has not called for a meeting with the association to settle or clear the issue, the members of the association have decided to meet the district collector, who is also the head of the Hospital Development Society (HDS) on Thursday to raise the concern. It is estimated that the government owes around Rs 75 crore to the distributors as pending dues from August 2023. According to MCH sources, cardiovascular surgeries, implant procedures and other surgeries have been postponed due to lack of necessary medical devices, including stents, gloves, and valves. The functioning of the dialysis unit of the hospital has also been affected due to the current crisis. The pharmacies of the hospital have been closed temporarily, citing technical issues but in reality the pharmacies are facing acute shortage of certain drugs. The worst affected are the patients with neurological disorders and psychiatry problems, as these medicines are expensive in private pharmacies. Medicines for diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol which are in high demand have also started facing a shortage, informed MCH sources. C Sivaraman, secretary of AKCDA, said, We had stopped supplying drugs and other medical devices to MCH from March 10. Our demand is to at least clear the dues till December 2023. The members of the association are finding it extremely difficult to move ahead with the business due to the delay in settling huge bills. Based on the decision that will be taken at the meeting to be held with the district collector, an appropriate decision on resuming supply or continuing with the protest will be taken.

The New Indian Express 14 Mar 2024 8:19 am

Botany teacher, students in action to save pest infected Eenthu trees

They have already covered 325 affected trees in Kozhikode and Kannur districts to set a unique model of free service with public participation

The Hindu 13 Mar 2024 10:32 pm

Kerala Tourism Department's International Paragliding Fest opens at Vagamon tomorrow

Kerala Tourism Department's International Paragliding Fest opens at Vagamon tomorrow The International Paragliding Festival Kerala, organised by the Department of Tourism to catapult the state as an ideal destination for adventure tourism, will begin tomorrow at the famed hill station of Vagamon in Idukki. Kerala Tourism and Public Works Minister PA Mohamed Riyas will inaugurate the event at Vagamon Adventure Park at 4 pm. The state Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine will preside. The festival will last until March 17. Kerala Tourism is organising four international championships this year to showcase Kerala's adventure tourism potential to the world. The first of these is the Paragliding Festival. Dean Kuriakose MP, PJ Joseph MLA, MM Mani MLA, Vazhur Soman MLA, A Raja MLA, Sheri Sebastian Kulatungal MLA, District Panchayat President KT Binu, Tourism Director PB Nooh, District Collector and DTPC Chairman Sheeba George, KATPS CEO Binu Kuriakose will also attend the function. The event will feature international paragliding champions and world-renowned riders. Army, Air Force, and Navy adventure units will also participate in this competition. More than 100 nationally and internationally renowned gliders will participate in India's largest aero sports adventure festival. Paragliding competitions will be held in Mini XC, Spot Landing at Top Landing Spot, Mini Acrobatics Show, Hike and Fly, Ground Handling and Thermaling. The spot landing competition is designed to showcase the precision and expertise of paragliders as they demonstrate their ability to land accurately on a designated sport. This challenge will test the participants' skills and provide an exciting spectacle for the audience. The participants will be judged based on their approach control and final landing accuracy. The prize money is Rs 3 lakh. Around 35,000 in-person spectators and 20 lakh viewers worldwide on digital platforms are expected to witness the action. The competitions are jointly organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) under the Department of Tourism and Idukki District Tourism Promotion Council with the technical support of the Paragliding Association of India. Other international adventure recreation championships hosted by Kerala this year are the International Surfing Festival (Varkala), the International Mountain Cycling Championship (Mananthavadi, Wayanad) and White Water Kayaking Festival (Thusharagiri, Kozhikode). (ANI)

devdiscourse 13 Mar 2024 5:32 pm

Hunting or killing of wild animals that become dangerous to human life necessary: Annie Raja

At the heart of a labyrinth of issues emerging as major talking points in the Wayanad parliamentary constituency, where CPI's Annie Raja is challenging Congress leader and sitting MP Rahul Gandhi, is the human-animal conflict. Loss of human lives, besides loss of property and crops in wild animal attacks has caused much anguish, anger and pain among the locals. How can this issue be addressed? In a telephonic conversation with The New Indian Express , Annie Raja acknowledged that the human-animal conflict is happening frequently in Wayanad. She said that as a native of Aralam near Wayanad she knows the anguish and pain of the people well. The CPI candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls said that she is meeting people and listening to what they have to say about preventing human deaths and destruction of properties and crops in wild animal attacks. The CPI (M) -led LDF government has done well to declare the human-animal conflict a state-specific disaster, Annie Raja noted. Moreover, the Kerala government has also held dialogues with the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Among a slew of measures taken during the dialogues was the formation of a committee comprising Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu officials to mitigate the conflict, she pointed out. Further, Annie Raja said that the Kerala government has been demanding that the Centre amend the Wildlife Protection Act so as to, among other things, permit hunting or killing of wild animals that become dangerous to human life. This is necessary, she felt. Rs 100-croreplan to mitigateman-animal conflicts in Wayanad People protest carrying the body of Ajeesh Panachikkal, who died in wild elephant attack in Mananthavady. It may be noted that on March 11, Kerala Karshakasangham took out a march to the AGs office and staged a dharna under the aegis of the Samyuktha Kisan Morcha to demand that the Centre amend the Wildlife Protection Act to save human lives. Annie Raja, meanwhile, reminded that the human-animal conflict does not pertain to Wayanad or Kerala alone. It's a national issue. Hence, all stakeholders have to sit together and chalk out a solution. We've to take into consideration the broader picture -- climate change, loss of habitats etc -- while addressing the issue, Annie Raja noted. There is no quick-fix solution. Say, it's not kind of wielding a magic wand to find a solution overnight. It will take time, she added. When she talks about finding a holistic solition to the issue, she means, what kind of crops can be raised so that they are not raided by the animals, how to address the problem of animals straying out of the forests in search of food and water, etc. Kerala wild elephant population declines by 58%, only 84 tigers in Wayanad Annie Raja also said steps should be taken so as to ensure that the inter-state night traffic ban on NH-766 (Kozhikode-Kollegal National Highway which passes through Bandipur Tiger Reserve) is lifted. The local economy is hit by the ban. The Centre suffers a huge loss (GST) because of this, Annie Raja points out. Meanwhile, amid the loss of several human lives including that of one Ajeesh in Wayanad in February 2024, the Malayalam magazine Madhyamam had human-animal conflict as its cover story in its March 11-18, 2024 issue. The editorial headlined, Kaadu, Jeevitham Manushayar (Forest, Life, Humans) underlined the need for finding a scientific solution to the issue. Annie Raja, who has been part of the law-making process in different capacities outside the parliament -- by way of campaigning, lobbying with MPs, ministers, meeting bureaucrats etc -- said that this experience gives her confidence in addressing the human-animal conflict in Wayanad parliamentary constituency. She recalled: We had arranged a meeting of a delegation of Bishops from Kerala with the Prime Minister to discuss the human-animal conflict in 2015. At the time I hardly imagined I will be contesting an election from Wayanad. Nine years later, here she is... FROM OUR ARCHIVES: Wayanad elephant attack: With 20 human deaths last year, it is anever-ending man-animal conflict

The New Indian Express 13 Mar 2024 4:16 pm

Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency to witness a battle between 3 veterans

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 13 (IANS) The Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency will see a battle of three seasoned political veterans from the three different political fronts. The Congress has asked its veteran sitting member M. K. Raghavan to defend the seat, who in 2019, completed a hat trick from the constituency; and taking on him is versatile []

bhaskarlive 13 Mar 2024 11:33 am

691 booked as protesters stage anti-CAA marches across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of the Centre notifying the rules for the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the state has witnessed high-octane protests yet again. Till Tuesday morning, the police registered cases against 691 people across the state, even as 18 were arrested, for carrying out protest marches against the implementation of CAA. The most number of people were booked in Ernakulam, where the Aluva East police registered cases against more than 500 agitators affiliated to the SDPI. The Aluva East police also registered a case against 13 PDP men. The two parties had organised protest marches towards the railway station. In Thiruvananthapuram, more than 100 SDPI workers and 20 MSF workers were booked by the Museum police for staging a march to the Raj Bhavan against the CAA. The Kozhikode Town police booked eight Fraternity Movement members for holding a protest. The police have recorded the arrest of the agitators there. Kerala political unrest: Govt yet to withdraw CAA protest cases; IUML challenges Act in Supreme Court Meanwhile, the Vadakara police registered cases against 25 Youth League workers for carrying out a protest march, and arrested seven. In Koyilandy, as many as 25 MSF workers were booked, three of whom were arrested. In a majority of the cases, the accused were slapped with bailable sections. Police sources said the department is expecting various political parties and outfits to stage more protests in the coming days. CAA notification set to turn up LS poll heat between Congress, CPM in Kerala Major sections invoked against protesters IPC 143- Unlawful assembly IPC 147- Rioting IPC 283- Road obstruction IPC 353- Using criminal force to deter a public official from performing his duty CAA rollout: Centre launches web portal for eligible people to apply

The New Indian Express 13 Mar 2024 8:43 am

Framing of CAA rules spawns protests across Kerala

Youth Congress workers block trains in Kozhikode and Ernakulam. LDF activists lay siege to AGs office incapital. DYFI activists vandalise BJPs election hoardings in Thiruvananthapuram. SDPI takes out march to Raj Bhavan

The Hindu 13 Mar 2024 3:57 am

Protests against CAA continue in Kozhikode

The Hindu 12 Mar 2024 10:09 pm

Distributors yet to resume drug supply to Kozhikode MCH

They had stopped providing fresh stock from March 9 citing pending dues of 75 crore

The Hindu 12 Mar 2024 8:43 pm

Amid heat wave, candidates schedule campaigns wisely in Kozhikode

Outdoor campaigns are mostly avoided during peak hours; Kozhikode district is expected to experience a temperature ranging from 33 to 37 degrees Celsius during the day for at least 10 more days

The Hindu 11 Mar 2024 10:17 pm

Indias first museum dedicated to cooperatives is coming up in Kozhikode

The International Cooperative Museum, a 150 crore project of the Karassery Service Co-operative Bank, will showcase the work of some of the 8 lakh cooperatives in India today

The Hindu 10 Mar 2024 12:28 am

Finance department approval for road development schemes in Kozhikode and Kollam

1,312.7 crore set aside for Kozhikode city road development project and 436.15 crore will be spent on land acquisition for road works in Kollam

The Hindu 9 Mar 2024 6:49 pm

Rahul Gandhi to recontest from Wayanad as Cong announces first list of 39 candidates for LS polls

Rahul Gandhi to recontest from Wayanad as Cong announces first list of 39 candidates for LS polls Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha polls from Kerala's Wayanad once again as the party announced its first list of 39 candidates on Friday. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has been fielded by the party from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal from Alappuzha (Kerala) and Shashi Tharoor renominated from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. However, the party has denied ticket to sitting MP T N Prathapan from the Thrissur constituency, while Venugopal will contest from the lone seat that the Congress lost last time. Tharoor will be contesting from the seat for the fourth time in a row from Thiruvanathapuram. Venugopal said the first list has 15 general category candidates while 24 are from the SC, ST, OBC and minority communities. He also said there are 12 candidates below the age of 50 years, eight between 50 and 60 years, 12 between 61-70 and seven from 71-76 years. There are, however, only three women candidates among the first list of 39 candidates. Congress treasurer Ajay Maken said the list has a good mix of youth and experienced leaders, besides those who have been associated with the Congress party from their student and youth days and are connected with the grassroots. ''The Central Election Committee had met yesterday and has selected 39 candidates in the first list, which includes former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel,'' he announced at a press conference. Asked whether senior leaders have been asked to contest the Lok Sabha polls, Venugopal said this is the Lok Sabha election which will decide the future of the country. ''Our target is to win the maximum number of seats in this Lok Sabha election to eradicate this fascist government. That is the target. We are searching (candidates) for winning each and every seat wherever we can win. ''Senior leaders are there in this list and will be there in coming lists also,'' he said, indicating many senior leaders would figure in the forthcoming lists of the party. Among the candidates declared, six are from Chhattisgarh, seven from Karnataka, 16 from Kerala, four from Telangana, two from Meghalaya and one each from Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura and Lakshadweep. Among the candidates declared by the party after the CEC cleared it, include Bhupesh Baghel from Rajnandgaon, Shivkumar Dahariya from Jangir-Champa (SC), Jyotsana Mahant from Korba, Tamradhwaj Sahu from Mahasamund, Rajendra Sahu from Durg, Vikas Upadhyay from Raipur (all from Chhattisgarh). Besides, D K Suresh, brother of Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, has been fielded once again from the Bangalore Rural constituency, H R Algur (Raju) from Bijapur (SC), Anandaswamy Gaddadevara Math from Haveri, Geetha Shivarajkumar from Shimoga, M Shreyas Patel from Hassan, S P Muddahanumegowda from Tumkur and Venkataramegowda (Star Chandru) from Mandya in Karnataka. In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi will contest from Wayanad, K C Venugopal from Alappuzha, Rajmohan Unnithan from Kasaragod, K Sudhakaran from Kannur, Shafi Parambil from Vadakara, M K Raghavan from Kozhikode, V K Sreekandan from Palakkad, Ramya Haridas from Alathur (SC), K Muraleedharan from Thrissur, Benny Behanan from Chalakudy, Hibi Eden from Ernakulam, Dean Kuriakose from Idukki, party's chief whip in Lok Sabha Kodikunnil Suresh from Mavelikkara (SC), Anto Antony from Pathanamthitta, Adoor Prakash from Attingal and Shashi Tharoor has been renominated from his Thiruvananthapuram constituency. For the Lakshadweep (ST) seat, the party has fielded Mohd Hamdullah Sayeed, while in Meghalaya, former chief minister Vincent H Pala will contest from Shillong (ST) and Saleng A Sangma from the Tura (ST) seat which the TMC was earlier demanding. For the lone Nagaland seat, S Supongmeren Jamir has been fielded while in Sikkim the party has fielded Gopal Chettri. In Telangana, the party has fielded Suresh Kumar Shetkar from Zahirabad, Raghuveer Kunduru from Nalgonda, Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy from Mahbubnagar and Balram Naik Porika from Mahabubabad (ST). For the Tripura (West) seat, the Congress has fielded Ashish Kumar Saha in its first list. The announcement came a day after the CEC finalised the names for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections following a discussion on over 60 Lok Sabha seats from 11 states and Union territories. Discussions were held on Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Sikkim, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Lakshadweep. ''We are in election mode and are on an aggressive path of campaigning with Rahul Gandhi undertaking the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra which is currently in Gujarat,'' Venugopal said. The Nyay Yatra will end on March 17 in Mumbai with a mammoth rally and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is writing to all INDIA bloc partners to attend that joint public rally, he said. There are speculations that Rahul Gandhi may also contest from Amethi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Raebareli, a seat which was previously held by Sonia Gandhi. Both the seats are considered bastions of the Gandhi family and the local units of the Congress have demanded that the two scions of the Congress first family should contest from there. Venugopal, however, did not answer questions on whether Rahul Gandhi would contest from Amethi too and said the seats will be declared after they are cleared by the CEC. He said the next meeting of CEC headed by the Congress chief would be held on March 11.

devdiscourse 8 Mar 2024 10:04 pm

Congress Announces Candidates for Kerala, Rahul to Contest from Wayanad

Thiruvananthapuram : With the Congress retaining 14 sitting MPs including Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad, the opposition United Democratic Front in Kerala does not want to take any chances with its electoral prospects in the coming Lok Sabha polls. The Congress decision to field Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad again will certainly give a boost to the UDF in the coming elections. However, it is too early to say whether his presence would result in a landslide for the UDF as was witnessed in the 2019 elections when the Congress-led front won 19 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats. Interestingly, election surveys in the past have shown that Kerala is one state where Rahul Gandhi is way ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when it comes to peoples choice for the top post. Notwithstanding the criticism against him, the former Congress president has maintained a strong bond with the people of Wayanad who he considers as his family. The Left, on the other hand, will be unhappy with the Congress decision as the CPI had already expressed its views against his candidature. CPI Kerala state secretary Benoy Viswam had questioned the logic behind fielding Rahul from Kerala where the main fight is with the Left which is part of the India alliance. The CPI wanted him to contest from a state where the main rival is the BJP, to send a strong message across the nation. Rahul who won the Wayanad seat by a margin of over 4 lakh votes in 2019, is pitted against Annie Raja of the CPI this time. The BJP is yet to declare its candidate. However, political observers say that if the India alliance emerges as a major contender to the BJP-led NDA in the runup to the polls, it would enhance the vote-catching value of Rahul Gandhi. The Congress has added strength to its list by including AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal from the Alappuzha constituency. Alappuzha was the only seat won by the CPM in 2019 when its candidate A M Ariffs victory came as a consolation for the ruling front. Meanwhile, In a strategic move, former chief minister K Karunakaran's son and sitting MP from Vadakara K Muraleedharan has been shifted to Thrissur constituency where the sitting MP T N Prathapan was set to contest this time as well. The change of candidate was reportedly necessitated by Karuanakarans daughter Padmaja Venugopals entry into the BJP the other day. The party fears that Padmaja could make a dent into the traditional vote bank of Congress, especially among the supporters of late Karunakaran. It feels that Muraleedharan could checkmate any possibility of a shift in the Congress vote bank. The Congress candidate in Thrissur is locked in a tight triangular contest with ruling LDFs V S Sunil Kumar who is a former minister and Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi of the BJP. The Congress had already launched a campaign for T N Prathapan and also painted the constituency with graffiti seeking votes for him. However, with the party leadership pulling him out of the contest, the party workers will have to start the campaign afresh. Prathapan is expected to be given a ticket in the assembly elections to be held in 2026. Former Youth Congress president Shafi Parampil who is a sitting MLA from Palakkad, will now take on the former minister and CPM heavyweight K K Shailaja from Vadakara seat. Congress star candidate Shashi Tharoor will take on Rajeev Chandrashekhar, a first timer, in the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. The LDF has fielded veteran leader Pannyan Raveendran of the CPI from the constituency. Congress list of candidates Kasargod - Rajmohan Unnithan Kannur - K Sudhakaran Vadakara - Shafi Parambil Wayanad - Rahul Gandhi Kozhikode - M K Raghavan Palakkad - V K Sreekandan Alathur - Ramya Haridas Thrissur - K Muraleedharan Chalakudy - Benny Behanan Ernakulam - Hibi Eden Idukki - Dean Kuriakose Alappuzha - K C Venugopal Mavelikkara - Kodikunnil Suresh Pathanamthitta - Anto Antony Attingal - Adoor Prakash Thiruvananthapuram - Shashi Tharoor

Deccan Chronicle 8 Mar 2024 9:34 pm

Fashion designer from Kozhikode makes Guinness bid for biggest handloom skirt

The skirt, with a circumference of 108 metres, has Theyyam motifs printed on it

The Hindu 8 Mar 2024 7:34 pm

LLB | Song - Malarukalilum

Watch the song 'Malarukalilum' from Malayalam movie 'LLB' starring Sreenath Bhasi and Karthika Suresh. 'Malarukalilum' is sung by K. S. Chithra and Harishankar and music of the song is given by Bijibal. Lyrics of 'LLB' song 'Malarukalilum' are written by Santhosh Varma. 'LLB' also stars Roshan Rahoof, Sudheesh Kozhikode and Sreejith Ravi in pivotal roles. To know more about 'Malarukalilum' song from Sreenath Bhasi and Karthika Suresh starrer 'LLB' watch the video.

The Times of India 8 Mar 2024 7:26 pm

Kozhikode girls band together to form all-girl musical group on International Womens Day

The band named Euphonic will arguably be the first all-girl music troupe in Kerala

The Hindu 7 Mar 2024 9:28 pm