Kerala Lottery Result, 19 May 2024: Akshaya AK 652 Winners Out; Check Prize Here

Kerala Lottery Result for Akshaya AK 652: You can download the lottery sambad from keralalotteries.com on 19 May.

Another mix-up in surgery at Kerala govt hospital: Patient says wrong implant inserted in his hand

Another mix-up in surgery at Kerala govt hospital: Patient says wrong implant inserted in his hand Allegations of medical negligence continued to haunt the Government Medical College Hospital here, with a man lodging a complaint with the police on Sunday alleging that an implant meant for another patient was wrongly inserted into his broken hand. The fresh allegations surfaced just days after a doctor was suspended for allegedly operating on the tongue of a four-year-old girl, instead of surgically removing the child's sixth finger. An officer of the Medical College police station said an FIR is being lodged over the alleged mix-up that took place at the Medical College Hospital on Saturday. ''The man has raised some suspicions regarding his surgery. A detailed investigation is required to ascertain the claim in the complaint,'' the officer told PTI. The man was admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital for surgery after being referred from the Beach Hospital (Government General Hospital), where he was admitted following a road accident. The error in the treatment was reportedly detected in an X-ray after the surgery. There was no immediate reaction from the hospital or the state health department on the issue.

Southwest monsoon makes onset over Nicobar Islands, says IMD

The annual rainfall phenomenon is expected to reach Kerala by May 31. The date of monsoon onset over Kerala has varied widely over the last 150 years, the earliest being May 11 in 1918, and the most delayed being June 18 in 1972, according to IMD data. The rain-bearing system arrived in the southern state on June 8 last year, May 29 in 2022, June 3 in 2021 and June 1 in 2020.

Southwest monsoon makes onset over Nicobar Islands: IMD

Southwest monsoon makes onset over Nicobar Islands: IMD Southwest monsoon, the lifeline of India's farm-based economy, on Sunday made its onset over the Nicobar Islands, the southernmost region of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said here. ''Southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of the Maldives, and the Comorin area and some parts of the South Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and South Andaman Sea on Sunday,'' the weather office said. The annual rainfall phenomenon is expected to reach Kerala by May 31. The date of monsoon onset over Kerala has varied widely over the last 150 years, the earliest being May 11 in 1918, and the most delayed being June 18 in 1972, according to IMD data. The rain-bearing system arrived in the southern state on June 8 last year, May 29 in 2022, June 3 in 2021 and June 1 in 2020. Last month, the IMD had forecast above-normal rain in the monsoon season in India with favourable La Nina conditions, cooling of equatorial Pacific Ocean, expected to set in by August-September. La Nina conditions help in a good monsoon season over India. Large parts of the country are battling a brutal heatwave with maximum temperatures touching 48 degrees Celsius, shattering records in several states and severely impacting health and livelihoods. Southern India experienced heatwave spells in April. The crippling heat is straining power grids and drying up water bodies triggering drought-like conditions in parts of the country. A prediction of above-normal monsoonal rainfall, therefore, comes as a huge relief to the fast-developing South Asian nation. The monsoon is critical for India's agricultural landscape, with 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relying on it. It is also crucial for replenishing reservoirs critical for drinking water, apart from power generation across the country. June and July are considered the most important monsoon months for agriculture because most of the sowing for the kharif crop takes place during this period.

CPO suspended for allegedly aiding accused in domestic violence case to flee country

CPO suspended for allegedly aiding accused in domestic violence case to flee country A civil police officer of the Kerala police has been suspended for allegedly helping an accused in a sensational domestic violence case leave the country. Police sources said on Sunday that a senior civil police officer (CPO) of the Pantheerankavu police station in Kozhikode city has been suspended after an internal inquiry revealed allegations that he was in regular contact with Rahul P Gopal, who is accused of brutally assaulting and attempting to kill his newly-wed wife in this district. Facing a probe into the case, Rahul left the country a few days ago, prompting the police to approach Interpol to issue a Blue Corner notice against him. Earlier, the station house officer of the Pantheerankavu police station was suspended for his alleged lapses in the investigation. The woman alleged that the police in Pantheerankavu, where her matrimonial home is located, did not register a case of attempted murder despite her complaint clearly stating that her husband tried to strangle her using a mobile phone charging cable. The woman's family alleged that Rahul brutally assaulted and attempted to kill her following an argument over dowry, barely a week after their wedding on May 5. The in-laws of the bride have denied the allegation that they had demanded dowry. The incident came to light last week following allegations by the bride and her family against the accused man, which were aired on news channels.

Heavy rains prompt warnings and travel bans in many Kerala districts

Thiruvananthapuram: As rains lashed many parts of Kerala, authorities on Sunday urged people, particularly those living in hilly and coastal areas, to exercise vigil. The Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts for Sunday and Monday, and sounded orange alerts for four other districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Kerala on high alert: Heavy rains prompt warnings, travel bans in many districts

Thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds up to 40 km/h are expected in several districts. The Meteorological Department issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts, and orange alerts for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam. The Idukki District Collector has banned night travel in hilly areas, and mining activities have been halted in Ernakulam and Kottayam. The heavy downpour led to waterlogging in Thiruvananthapuram, disrupting normal life.

Kerala on alert for extremely heavy rainfall in three districts

As per the latest updates, Kerala is likely to receive heavy rainfall till at least May 23

LIVE: Kerala Lottery result today 19.05.2024 Akshaya AK.652 result

LIVE Kerala Lottery result today Akshaya AK result

Telangana: Reviving sparrow songs in rural Nirmal

ADILABAD: While the chirps and chatter of birds used to provide a background score to the lives of people, especially in rural areas, across the erstwhile Adilabad district, the distinct drop in the number of sparrows has alarmed nature lovers. An once ubiquitous presence in the porches of households and on branches of trees, sparrows have now become a rare sight, bemoan locals. However, the Nirmal Mandal Samikya has launched the Back to Roots initiative to bring the olden days back apart from adding a stream of income for local tillers. Earlier, farmers would hang a small bundle of paddy from the balconies, windows and cattle sheds so that sparrows could feed on it, especially during the summer. It is also believed that waking up to the chirps of sparrows in the morning helps bring wealth into the household. Speaking to TNIE , District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) project officer P Vijaya Laxmi says they greenlit the initiative in April to ensure that the birds do not die from want of food and water, especially during the summer season. Birds can even use other parts of the crop to build nests, she explains. I watched a few YouTube videos where farmers in states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu and even some parts of Andhra Pradesh are using this system to feed the birds, especially sparrows, the project officer adds. Residents place paddy bundles around the windows in Nirmal district Vijaya Laxmi explains that farmers growing different crops are told to grow paddy in a small patch of land. After the harvest, I offer training at the Samikya office on how to pack the paddy. It is then placed near the balconies or on the exterior of houses in sheds, she says, adding that the bundles are in good demand and have been selling for `500 each. New market sensation Meanwhile, locals have started using these bundles as thoranam (traditional decorations) at the entrance of houses. Some have even placed special orders for housewarming events. Residents of Nirmal have welcomed the initiative and supporting it with their wallets. They feel that this would help the Samikya generate some revenue and in turn, help the local populace apart from adding to the fauna of the area. It must be noted that sparrows also serve as a marker for lead pollution in soil and other contaminants. Such is the craze of the paddy bundles that many were used to decorate themed polling stations in Mudhole and Lokeshwaram mandals. Several of these polling stations saw 100% voter turnout, says Vijaya Laxmi. In the near future, the DRDA plans to sell the bundles to other markets and consumers online.

Death of APP: Sanctity of inquiry report comes under scanner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Serious doubts have been raised about the way a fact-finding inquiry has been conducted on the suicide of Aneeshya S, assistant public prosecutor, Munsiff Magistrate Court Paravur, Kollam, and the allegations of ill-treatment she raised against her colleagues in her suicidal note. The director general of prosecution on January 23 ordered a fact-finding inquiry and deputed Sheeba K, deputy director of prosecution, as the inquiry officer. However, the family of Aneeshya and the Justice for Aneeshya Solidarity Committee which are demanding a CBI inquiry into the death have questioned the sanctity of the report. In reply to an RTI application, the Prosecution Directorate has revealed that no terms of reference were mentioned while ordering the fact-finding inquiry. And the RTI reply also revealed that No criteria were formed for recording statements from officials. It was the inquiry officer, acting on her logic, who decided to record the statements of officials in Kollam district. P E Usha who is associated with the solidarity committee, told TNIE that by not framing the terms and conditions of the inquiry, the basic right to justice has been denied. The director general of prosecution has deputed deputy director of prosecution for inquiry when one of the accused is also in the same rank. The inquiry officer recorded the statement only from Kollam while many of the officials with whom Aneeshya had shared her ill-treatment from higher authorities and colleagues were transferred to other districts. By avoiding them, the inquiry officer committed a grave mistake. The RTI reply revealed that no one had ever approached the inquiry officer voluntarily to give a statement, she said. I had sent an email from my official e-mail ID to the deputy director of prosecution, Sheeba, about my willingness to give a statement. But no reply came, Premnath, former deputy director of prosecution, Palakkad, told TNIE.The Justice for Aneeshya Solidarity Committee has alleged that the government has not taken a decision on the inquiry report but it was submitted before the High Court when the accused persons bail application was considered. In the RTI reply, it is clearly stated that the report has been submitted before the government for consideration. Then how could it be submitted before the court? It is also learned that the inquiry officer had gone through all the documents which she thought were proper. How could a fact-finding inquiry be done as per the whims and fancies of an individual? Usha asked. The Solidarity Committee on Friday met Governor Arif Muhammad Khan and submitted a representation seeking his intervention to order a CBI inquiry before evidence in the case is destroyed.

Devarajan Masters statue eclipsed by rolls of construction materials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : At Manaveeyam Veedhi, the cultural hub of the city, stands the commemorative statue of G Devarajan, fondly known as Devarajan Master. However, this tribute to the celebrated composer is now barely visible behind huge rolls of construction pipes and other materials, thanks to the ongoing Smart City project. Once the construction works on Manaveeyam Road were completed, we thought that the materials would be removed. But its still here, covering Masters face. Such negligence towards an iconic figure is unacceptable. Either the statue must be relocated or the materials must be removed as soon as possible, said the artistic community of Manaveeyam. The communitys frustration is palpable, as they see this clutter as more than just a physical obstruction. They say it is a snub to a man who brought great cultural richness to the state. The pile of construction materials is not just an eyesore but a symbol of misplaced priorities, said Hari, a local artist. Smart City project officials have said that the materials will be cleared within a month. The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd (ULCCS) is managing the Smart City project. A minor road cutting at Vazhuthacaud needs to be completed. After finishing the work at Manaveeyam Veedhi, the works are ongoing on the Vellayambalam road. All the work is expected to be concluded within a month. The materials stored on the road will be removed once the work is completed, said an official. As the Smart City project advances, the community hopes that the legacy of Devarajan Master will not be overshadowed by the development. They call for a balance between progress and preserving the cultural heritage that defines Manaveeyam Veedhi. The statue of Master is a reminder of the importance of honouring those who have influenced the cultural scene in the state. This respect should be reflected in the citys efforts towards development, added Hari. For years, Devarajan Square has been a focal point for many musical programmes held at Manaveeyam. The square is where annual events are held on the masters birth and death anniversaries, organised by the Devarajan Master Foundation.

Kerala: MSF secretary protests at meet chaired by edu min, held

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : MSF state secretary Noufal Kulappada, who staged a surprise protest at the meeting chaired by Education Minister V Sivankutty, was arrested by the police on Saturday. The minister had convened a meeting of youth organisations to discuss the arrangements for school reopening. Noufal waved a t-shirt at the minister, alleging a shortage of Plus-I seats in northern districts. The t-shirt bore the writings 45,530 seats are Malabars right and Malabar is in Kerala. Noufal stood up in protest immediately after the meeting began. As the minister criticised his act, members of organisations owing allegiance to the LDF forcefully took Noufal out of the hall. He then staged a sit-in protest outside the hall and was later arrested by the Cantonment Police. The minister later clarified that the government had sanctioned more seats in the northern region when compared to the previous year, adding that more seats cannot be sanctioned. Opposition parties, including the Muslim League, and various youth organisations had earlier criticised the government for the shortage of seats. The meeting was attended by office-bearers of different students and staff organisations. According to the opposition parties, the number of seats in the northern districts is inadequate to cater to the demand. Malappuram alone has a shortage of 14,000 seats.

Museums are historical testimonies of time: Kadannappalli Ramachandran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Minister for Ports, Museums, Archaeology and Archives Kadannappalli Ramachandran said that museums were the empirical evidence of a period and history. He was speaking at the state-level inauguration of the International Museum Day celebrations at Thiruvananthapuram Museum Band Stand. The minister said that the attempt to rewrite and tamper history must be recognised. The right knowledge of the land and time should be imparted to the new generation. The theme for this years International Museum Day is Museums for Education and Research. We should be able to convey this message to people and make the day meaningful, he said. He pointed out that the state government is taking a stand to ensure the protection and maintenance of museums. The modern day concept is a museum that tells story. Museums can also create intellectual and thought-provoking changes, he added. The minister also inaugurated traditional measuring instruments, artifacts and rare metal oil lamps at the Art Museum, a selfie point and an exhibition at the Njana Theruvu. International Museum Day is observed on May 18 every year under the aegis of the International Council of Museums (ICOM). As part of it, seminars, quiz and presentation of folk art forms like parunthaattam and kummatikali for the students will be organised.

Kerala: State electricity boards equipment for remote power flow control stolen

KOCHI: It seems the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has to tackle the theft of not only power but its equipment too. Recently, a Feeder Remote Terminal Unit (FRTU) -- used to control power flow remotely -- was stolen from Alinchuvadu near Vennala. The Palarivattom police have launched a probe into the incident based on a KSEB complaint. The theft came to the notice of KSEB officials on May 15 following maintenance work at the Ring Main Unit (RMU) installed near a tyre shop at Alinchuvadu. The officials found that the RMU box was open and the FRTU inside missing. The price of the lost FRTU is estimated to be between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh. RMU is used to operate the electricity flow in 11KV lines while FRTU is used to operate the unit remotely from the station. We can also monitor the electricity flow and consumption using FRTU. It is a medium-sized box with switches, a KSEB official said. The electricity board officials suspect the theft happened between May 10 and 15. The previous inspection was carried out on May 10, when FRTU was in place. We have never heard of such a theft before. There is a possibility of scrap collectors being involved in it. But only a person with some knowledge about electricity operation can dislodge it. It was a KSEB property with a serial number written on it, the official said. The police are checking footage from CCTV cameras installed at shops nearby to identify the culprit. We are striving to identify and nab the accused as soon as possible, Palarivattom Station House Officer Richard Varghese said. In recent months, cases have been frequent where copper wires were stolen from factories and air-conditioners from houses. That apart, there is also a rise in the number of cases related to the theft of batteries installed in heavy vehicles parked in open places. In most cases, the arrested persons have sold these objects to scrap dealers for a good price.

Kerala: MP Premachandran denies role in withdrawal of 2013 Secretariat siege

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : A day after a slugfest on solar protest relating to the Secretariat siege in 2013 being called off abruptly hogged headlines, RSP leader N K Premachandran, who was then in the LDF camp, claimed that he had not held any intermediary role. Talking to reporters at RSP state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, Premachandran rubbished senior journalist John Mundakkayams revelations. Defending the efforts of the CPM leadership to stop the Secretariat siege, Premachandran maintained that it was quite natural of them to end the protest. He further said that this was the first time someone came forward claiming that there was some sort of a give and take on the siege. I was neither a part of any intermediary talks related to ending the solar protest nor was I entrusted to take such a role. The claims made by John Mundakkayam are baseless. When I was addressing the protesters, I got the intimation to reach AKG Centre to attend the LDF meeting as the RSP representative. By then, the LDF had taken the decision to call off the siege,, said Premachandran. Later, Premachandran along with Pinarayi Vijayan reached before the Secretariat and announced that the siege had been called off.

Kerala: Congress blasts CPM over memorial move

KANNUR: The CPM came under heavy fire from the Congress on Saturday over its move to build a memorial for Shaiju and Subish, two party workers who were killed in a bomb-making incident in 2015. While state Congress president K Sudhakaran drew parallels between CPM and terrorist organisations, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said CPM state secretary M V Govindan should be arrested if he takes part in the memorials inauguration. The CPM, however, said there was nothing wrong in building memorials for its workers. The memorial, funded with public contributions, has been built at AKG Nagar in Chettakandi near Panur and will be inaugurated by Govindan on May 22. What message is CPM sending to Kerala society by building a martyrs memorial for comrades killed during bomb-making? CPM is doing in Kerala what terrorist organisations are doing in the world. That the memorial building is being inaugurated by the CPM state secretary is proof the party condones terrorist activities, Sudhakaran said in a statement. Duo died defending CPM from RSS terror Training his guns on the chief minister, Sudhakaran said, Pinarayi Vijayan has been leading the politics of terror for the past two or three decades. The party is trying to spread terror across Kerala under the governments shadow. Questioning CPMs double standards, Satheesan said, The party had denied the allegations in 2015. Still, the bodies of the deceased were received by P Jayarajan, then CPM Kannur district secretary. Demanding police action against leaders who practise and justify such anti-social activities, he said, Govindan should be arrested if he takes part in the event, presenting criminals as martyrs. Meanwhile, Jayarajan told TNIE that both Shaiju and Subish were CPM workers and there was no fault in building memorials for them. We have been observing their martyrs day since 2016. They died defending CPM from RSS terror. Even in 2015, our party never disavowed the victims. Our demand was an inquiry into the blast, Jayarajan said. Shaiju and Subish died on June 6, 2015, when a bomb they were making exploded in a secluded area atop a hill. Four others were injured at the time. The CPM had distanced itself from the incident at the time, with then state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan denying any CPM links with the deceased and the explosion. (With inputs from TPuram)

Case against Boby Chemmanur for holding Boche Tea lucky draws

KOZHIKODE: Meppady police in Wayanad registered a case against businessman Boby Chemmanur for selling lucky draw tickets with tea powder packets. Meppadi police registered the case on a complaint filed by Wayanad District Assistant Lottery Officer. The government lottery department alleged that under the guise of a private company called Boche Bhumi Putra Private Ltd, Boby Chemmanur is selling lottery tickets along with tea powder packets under the guise of sales promotion. The case has been registered for holding a lucky draw contest of Rs 10 lakh daily while selling Boche tea powder packets. The case has been filed under various sections of the Lotteries Regulation Act, including fraud and illegal conduct of lotteries. As per the department, the lucky draw would affect the sale of government lottery tickets. The company provides coupons to those who purchase tea powder packets under its promotion name Boche Tea Lucky Draw. It will be drawn daily. Daily prizes range from Rs 100 to Rs 10 lakh. The company also says that it will give a bumper gift of Rs 25 crore. Special shops were opened for this purpose and the project got a lot of publicity. The Directorate of State Lottery has also started an investigation into the luck draw. However, Boby Chemmanur has denied all allegations related to the lucky draw. Officials of Boche Tea informed that the lucky draw coupon is provided free with Boche Tea. Boby Chemmanur told reporters in Kalpetta on Saturday, Boche Tea Lucky Draw is legal and the complaints related to it are baseless. Lucky draw is associated with Boche Tea promotions and does not fall under the rules and regulations of lotteries. Currently, various companies are charging `38 to `125 for 100g of tea powder. Boche tea is priced at `40 per 100g packet. A daily first prize of `10 lakh, other cash prizes and a bumper prize of `25 crore are awarded to the winners of the lucky draw. The introduction of Boche Tea has not reduced even 1% of the state governments lottery business. We have presented our side to the court regarding the complaint. Sales of Boche tea will continue as usual.

Offering water to those in need is an act of piety for Khalid Haji

KASARAGOD: For nearly a decade, Khalid Abdul Rahman has been a saving grace for fellow residents of Kottappuram, near Nileshwar. During the summer months, he collects water from a borewell on Kottappuram Shihab Thangal Charitable Trust land. And between 5am and 1pm every day, the 64-year-old supplies the precious liquid in a tanker to around 500 families in the locality. I started supplying water to make up for the shortage in the area. We faced the same issue at my ancestral home. That is when I realised how precious a commodity water is. If anyone asks for water, I ensure that it is delivered, says Rahman, who is affectionately called Khaild Haji. He supplies four loads of water amounting to 14,000 litres every day. Some days, this goes up to five. And Rahman, who was based in Kuwait, doesnt charge a penny for his efforts. Every summer, for the last nine years, he has been coming home for his vacation just to supply water. Recently, he left his job in the Gulf and settled in Kottappuram. In addition to providing water to those in need, he also supplies it for special occasions, such as weddings. As his activity all these years was mostly confined to his vacation time, Rahman used to sell off his tanker lorries every two-three years most of the time taking a big loss. Rahman sees his mission as an act of piety. Once while I was distributing water, residents tried to offer money that they had collected from among themselves. I declined and said that I would stop supplying water to that area in the future. This proved an effective deterrent, he says.

Kozhikodes water man is the summer saviour of his village

KOZHIKODE: In the bustling business of drinking water supply in Kerala, one man stands out with his extraordinary selflessness. V T Pavithran, a resident of Pathiyarakkara, in Kozhikode, has been tirelessly providing free drinking water to his village for the past three years. The 59-year-old, who owns a modest light-and-sound shop, has taken it upon himself to ensure that no one in his community goes without clean water during the scorching summer months. Pavithrans mission is driven by a simple yet profound principle: every person in his village should have access to clean drinking water. Using his own water tanker, he collects water from two local wells and delivers it directly to the homes of his neighbours. Each day, he fills the 1,500-litre tank twice and distributes the water free of charge. The endeavour is supported by the generosity of local well owners and the assistance of his friend, K V Babu, who helps with the distribution. In the last three days alone, more than 100 families in Maniyur panchayats Pathiyarakkara Valiyaparambath and other areas have received much-needed water. With several areas facing severe shortages, Pavithran is preparing to extend the reach of his efforts. The villagers, who often receive only a weekly supply of salty water through the Jalanidhi project, are immensely grateful for Pavithrans help. His commitment stems from witnessing the hardships his neighbours face, particularly during summer, when water scarcity peaks. Pavithran, who dropped out of school after high school, views his mission as a vital social responsibility. My wife and children are my strong supporters. I dont have any big dreams. I just want to do my bit to help people, Pavithran shares. For the people of Pathiyarakkara, Pavithrans water tanker is not just a vehicle; it is a symbol of hope and a testament to the power of kindness.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan returns to Kerala after 11-day foreign trip

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accompanied by his family, has returned to the state after an 11-day private foreign trip. They landed at Thiruvananthapuram airport at 3 am on Saturday. Pinarayi was accompanied by his wife Kamalam and grandson, while his son-in-law and Minister P A Mohamed Riyas and wife Veena T are expected to return later. The CM and his family embarked on a private tour to Indonesia, UAE, and Singapore on May 6. The details of his foreign trip were kept confidential, with cabinet ministers informed at the last moment after securing approval from the Central government. In his final online cabinet meeting before departing, the CM informed ministers of his return date to be May 18 or 19.

Kerala HC to rule on Jisha murder case appeal tomorrow

KOCHI: The High Court will pronounce the judgment on an appeal filed by Muhammed Ameer-Ul-Islam, who was sentenced to death for raping and murdering LLB student Jisha in Perumbavoor, challenging the conviction on Monday. The court will also decide whether to confirm the death sentence or impose another lawful sentence on him. In addition to challenging the death sentence, Ameerul had sought a re-probe in the case by a central agency. According to him, the sessions court arrived at a conviction and awarded the sentence by taking into consideration societys demand for stringent punishment rather than relying on evidence. It was evident in the verdict of the sessions court,the appeal stated. The prosecution submitted that the brutal crime shocked the conscience of the judiciary and society.

New guidelines: CCTVs at colleges, hostels in Kerala, ex-servicemen for security

KOCHI: In what could turn out to be a controversial move, the state government has decided to install CCTV cameras at select points with common access in colleges and hostels, like the entrance and exit gates. This is stated in the standard operating protocol and procedures to be followed by educational institutions for the smooth functioning of campuses and hostels. The government guidelines also say that the security of the campus and hostels is to be entrusted with ex-servicemen as far as possible. The government had constituted a committee -- in the wake of the stampede that killed four youths and left nearly 50 injured at an event on the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) campus -- to put forward a set of guidelines for the smooth functioning of campuses and hostels of universities and affiliated colleges. The committee filed the report and the government framed the guidelines keeping in mind the safety and security of students. The government also produced the set of guidelines before the High Court in response to a petition filed by Kerala Students Union (KSU) president Aloshious Xavier seeking the appointment of a judicial commission to conduct an independent and impartial inquiry into the stampede that happened on the Cusat campus on November 25, 2023. The guidelines state that college councils have to constitute separate committees for boys and girls, comprising five members each, to monitor and supervise the functioning of hostels. The institution head will be the chairman and the hostel warden the convener. If any complaint is received from hostel inmates or the public to the head of the institution about the misbehaviour of students or about activities like keeping weapons, consumption of alcohol, using drugs on campus or hostel rooms, steps will be taken as per rules. The room for security personnel should be located near the entry gate, the guidelines state. Restricting the entry of the public, the guidelines stipulated that outsiders including former students would be allowed to enter the college campus only for genuine reasons. They will not be allowed to enter the classrooms and hostel rooms in any case. The guidelines said that all celebrations on the campus, including union activities, should be held only after getting permission from the head of the institution. During summer vacation, the union office key should be kept with the head of the institution, the guidelines state. Other stipulations No type of vehicle should be used during celebrations inside college campuses and hostels. Student vehicles will be allowed only up to the designated parking area. The college authorities must provide security for the vehicles parked and the expenses in this regard will be met from college/PTA funds. Bike races, motor car races, and elephant processions should not be permitted inside the campus. For all student programmeson the campus, the presence of teachers is mandatory and the programme should not be permitted beyond 9pm. Complaint boxes must be installed in all colleges. One complaint box is to be separately marked for lodging complaints addressed to the police. The mobile number of the police officer at the district level must be mentioned in the complaint box.

TN farmers fear opening river sand quarries will lead to water crisis

CHENNAI: The state governments attempt to reopen river sand quarries in the delta districts after nearly nine months has evoked mixed reactions from farmers, sand lorry owners and civil engineers. Farmers have voiced strong concerns, urging the government not to reopen the quarries, as they fear the extraction of sand from riverbeds will affect water storage and flow in the region. KV Elankeeran, president of Federation of Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, told TNIE, The use of machines to take sand from riverbeds in the Cauvery region has led to water scarcity, especially in areas like Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai. These areas have seen a significant drop in groundwater levels. Pointing out that the neighbouring states such as Karnataka and Kerala have started using manufactured sand (M-sand) and plastering manufactured sand (P-sand), Elankeeran urged the state government to reconsider reopening the quarries. On the other hand, S Yuvaraj, president of Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owners Association, emphasised the importance of river sand for quality construction. However, he suggested avoiding the use of machines for mining in river beds. Instead of machines, manpower can be used for sand extraction. The ban on machinery use in the Palar river should be applied to other rivers as well, Yuvaraj suggested. He noted the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has instructed the water resources department not to use machines for excavating river beds. After the Model Code of Conduct for the parliament elections is lifted, Yuvaraj said, he is planning to submit a detailed proposal for mining activities to the government. MC Vasantha Kumar, secretary of Metropolitan Civil Engineering Association told TNIE, Gujarat has a council for professional civil engineers, and Karnataka recently passed a bill for their own council. We have been requesting the state government for long to set up a similar council. He added, If the council is established, civil engineers, along with the government, can spread awareness among the public regarding balanced use of both river sand and M-Sand. Highlighting that the construction cost has gone up from `2,150 to `2,450 per square feet, he said this is the right time to intervene in the issue. A senior government official responded saying, While discussions on reopening quarries in delta districts are under way, we are yet to decide on the number of quarries. After the MCC is lifted, the government will take a policy decision, and quarry operations may start by the end of June or July.

Rise in attacks on TTEs raises security concerns in Kerala

KOZHIKODE: Attacks on travelling ticket examiners (TTEs) have become a daily occurrence in Kerala. Last Wednesday, two separate incidents of attacks on TTEs were reported. In Kozhikode, a man from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was arrested for attacking a female TTE on the Mangalore-Chennai Mail train. On the same day, Manoj Varma from Uttar Pradesh and Shammi Raja from Thiruvananthapuram were attacked in Wadakkanchery on the Bengaluru-Kanyakumari Express. These repeated incidents are not only alarming but also raise serious concerns about the security provided to railway employees. According to railway data, there have been four reported attacks on TTEs in 2024. However, considering the frequent clashes between TTEs and passengers in Malabar region, the actual numbers could be much higher. Most of these attacks occur when TTEs question passengers who board reserved compartments with general tickets. Some of these clashes have resulted in serious injuries to TTEs and even fatalities. On April 2, 48-year-old TTE K Vinod was pushed to death from a moving train by a migrant worker. Vinods death caused significant panic among railway employees. Yet the attacks continue. On May 12, another TTE Vikram Kumar Meena, a native of Rajasthan, was attacked when he asked a passenger to produce his ticket. Meena, who suffered a blow to his nose, is currently undergoing treatment for his injuries. The railways is taking rigorous actions to address these altercations. We are trying our best to provide safety for our employees. As part of preventive measures, the railways has strengthened RPF/GRP escorts, implemented preventive checks, and is closely monitoring suspicious persons. We are also conducting extensive patrolling and passenger checks both on station premises and on board. Additionally, we are organising awareness campaigns among passengers, said an official of Southern Railway Palakkad division. Officials also stated that the railways is assisting victims in pursuing legal action against offenders. We are trying to avoid unnecessary altercations between TTEs and passengers. However, if any incidents occur, the railways will assist the victim employees in lodging complaints with the GRP or local police. In 2024 alone, four such cases have been reported in Kerala, all of which have resulted in the arrest of the offenders, the official added. Deboarding unreserved passengers from reserved coaches is the primary cause of these altercations. Increased passenger footfall during the summer vacation has led to overcrowding in general compartments. As a result, passengers try to board reserved coaches with general tickets. A TTEs duty is to restrict the entry of unreserved passengers into reserved coaches. Another issue is that in all these incidents, the accused were intoxicated, the official said. However, passengers associations said the Railways policies are the major reasons for the recurring attacks. The Railways is cutting down the number of general compartments and increasing reserved coaches to boost revenue. However, they are not providing any alternative solutions to reduce the rush in general compartments. Thats why passengers are boarding reserved coaches, leading to clashes with TTEs, said Rasheed Kavvayi, a member of the Zonal Railway Consultative Committee. Measures taken As part of preventive measures, the railways has strengthened RPF/GRP escorts, implemented preventive checks, and is closely monitoring suspicious persons It is also conducting extensive patrolling and passenger checks both on station premises and on board Additionally, awareness campaigns being prganised among passengers

Express Dialogues | If we are a little mad, anything is possible: Director Blessy

You come from a space with not much film or literary background How did the journey begin? My father died when I was three. So, I dont even have the concept of father. Mother was very protective. She died when I was 16. I was very lonely my only refuge was a theatre that was just across my home. It became an integral part of my growing up; the film bug must have bit me there. From a young age, I wanted to be a film director. My native place, Tiruvalla, was never known for any cultural or literary activities. D C Kizhakemuri had once said that the houses in Tiruvalla had only the Bible and bank passbook, and there was no serious reading (smiles). But, somehow, I got hooked on reading from a young age. On a lighter note, I can tell you a story that may explain my love for literature. My grandfather was a Menon from Ponnani. He had his name, Achutha Menon, inked on his arms. His family name was Chalappurathu. The family got converted and migrated to Tiruvalla. Writer Uroob was from Chalappuram. So I, too, can claim a great lineage (laughs out). When did you realise filmmaking was your way forward? I was a member of a film society, Sudhrishya. Later, I became its secretary at a time when the society was struggling. I grew up watching the works of famous filmmakers such as Sergei Eisenstein, Ingmar Bergman, and Jean-Luc Godard by bringing 16mm films from archives in Thiruvananthapuram, or films such as Kolangal by K G George, Utharayanam by Aravindan, and Kanchana Sita from General Pictures office in Kollam. Back then, I would take a bus to Tiruvalla with a big box carrying the film reels (smiles). Those experiences taught me the seriousness of filmmaking. K G George, who was from my town, was another huge inspiration. You were an assistant director to Padmarajan, Jayaraj, and Lohithadas. You worked with them for 18 years. Why did it take you so long? The 18-year journey didnt tire me, despite the remuneration being low. Assisting Padmarajan was a matter of immense pride, but I realised I would always be his shadow if I continued. Working with legends like Padmarajan and Lohitadas taught me several things. I always wished my first film would be as notable as Padmarajans or Bharathans. I pursued several people, including Lohithadas, for a script. As luck would have it, since none wrote a script for me, I had to write it myself (chuckles). It is said that Mammootty gave you the confidence to write the script for Kaazhcha... I had worked with Jayaraj on five films; the last one I assisted on was 4 the People. After Desadanam, Jayaraj told me that I would be directing the next film from his production house, New Generation Cinema. Desadanam was a big hit, and being asked to direct his next venture was a significant recognition. It was a shock and a great honour. However, even though my dream was to make a film, when the moment arrived, I realised that I was not prepared. I didnt have a story or script. I spent some days thinking it over, and finally, after spending two days alone, a visual came to me: a country boat with a child perched on one end, and images reflected on him. The visual surprised me, and I actually prayed, understanding that I could develop a film from it. At the same time, when I looked through a window of the house where I was staying, I noticed a business sign of a projector rental company. It was Babu Janaradhans company, which rented 16mm projectors. Interestingly, the sign had been there for the past five years, yet I had never noticed it before. All I had was these visuals. I told the concept to Jayaraj. He didnt respond positively, unsure how to develop it into a full script. Then, I told Sreenivasan, who agreed to write the script. Months later, when some financiers approached me, I went back to Sreenivasan with the idea. He discouraged me, suggesting it resembled Cinema Paradiso and would be challenging to write scenes involving characters speaking different languages. Disheartened, I shared my frustration with Murali Nagavally, a good friend. After hearing the idea, Murali encouraged me, saying films with such ideas should be made. I approached Jayaraj again. He suggested that I meet Mammootty. Although I knew Mammootty well, I was apprehensive about casting him as Madhavan, a simple man from a rural area, since he was a big star at the peak of his career. What was Mammoottys response? When I narrated the story to him, he asked me who would write the script. I suggested Lohithadas, but Mammootty felt it wasnt his style. We discussed several writers, and finally, he encouraged me to write it myself, offering to correct it later, if needed. I asked several people, including Ananthapadmanabhan and P F Mathews, to write the script. Fortunately, they were all busy. With Mammoottys dates secured and no one available to help, I was compelled to write. I then read the script to Mammootty. After listening to two pages, he asked me to leave the script with him to read the rest later. When the film was released, the script was published. Mammootty, at the launch, admitted that he had not read the whole script. After two pages, he was convinced it was very good (smiles). After Kaazhcha, you got state awards (screenplay and direction) for Thanmathra. Was it the experience gained through Kaazhcha that helped you overcome the writers block? The story of Thanmathra was there in my mind even before I wrote Kaazhcha. After reading Padmarajans short story Orma, I had discussed it with Lohithadas. He pulled out, saying the subject was too scientific and complicated. I didnt have the confidence to write. But after writing Kaazhcha, I gained confidence. Now, I like writing the scripts for my films. Aadujeevitham took a long time about 16 years for conceptualisation, shooting and release. The world changed a lot during that period. Did you try to reflect the changes in the film? No. Because it was a subject that transcended the limits of time and space. Even now, the story seems to be something very unbelievable. This is what makes the story relevant across the timeline. Hence, I never thought of changing the storyline. I started writing the script in 2015. Since then, there was no change in the basic structure of the story. However, we did make use of the advanced technologies during the post-pandemic shoot. Was Prithviraj Sukumaran the first choice to play Najeeb in Aadujeevitham? I discuss all my films with (actor) Vikram. He was keen. But when I decided to do it in Malayalam, only Prithviraj was in my mind. We have heard that you worked hard on stripping the confidence off Prithvirajs eyes to transform him completely... Prithviraj has a confident personality, which people might mistake as arrogance. The truth is his confidence stems from his vast knowledge, and it reflects in his energy levels. However, Najeeb is not such a person. So, Prithviraj had to be restrained. The film Pranayam tells the tale of a love triangle. However, in most such storylines, one of the three is painted in a bad light. That was not the case in Pranayam. How did you arrive at the idea? What is love? It is generally believed to be a creation of a relationship between a man and a woman. But I dont think about it along the same lines. I have learnt that God is love. My behaviour or the way we talk and smile are all different types of expressing love. It is only after a certain age that a person walks through the most wonderful stages of life. Your initial plan was to cast Mammootty in Pranayam. Then what happened? The concept for Pranayam came to me even before Kaazhcha and Thanmathra I had discussed the film with Mammootty during the shooting of Palunku. Mammootty suggested we do it later. In fact, I narrated the story of Pranayam to him before writing the script. I remember, S N Swami and Shaji Kailas were also present. Mammootty noted that he would be playing an elderly character. I had planned for him to play Achuthan Menon (eventually done by Anupam Kher), a character similar to my grandfather. As I started writing the script, new sequences emerged, and I felt the need to consult Mammootty about his comfort with the role. When I sought a meeting, he questioned if I had doubts about the role. I explained that he needed to understand how I had been developing his character. I met him on the day Venu Nagavally passed away, and narrated the script during our journey. After listening to it, Mammootty suggested casting someone else. I had anticipated that, and accepted the situation without any argument. Then came Mohanlal? Not really... I then approached S P Balasubrahmanyam. He loved the plot, but expressed doubts about his ability to perform the subtle acting required, and also concerns about the language. The film, focusing on three elderly characters, needed intense detailing. The search for the right actor affected script-writing. During a trip to Dubai, I visited the shooting location of Roshan Andrewss Casanovva, which starred Mohanlal. Lalettan (Mohanlal) asked about my plans, and I briefly narrated the story. The issue with casting Mammootty was about finding someone to play his younger self. This was a technical challenge. Lalettan also raised this concern. After lunch, Lalettan surprised me by offering to play Mathews, a philosophy professor confined to a wheelchair a less prominent role compared with his usual central characters. I could never have asked him to play Mathews, but his willingness energised me. After discussing with Lalettan, I decided to approach Anupam Kher for the film. Since Anupam Khers youth looks were relatively lesser known, casting another actor for his younger self was not a challenge. How would you recall the experience of directing two superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal? As a beginner, when I was working with Mammootty, I noticed that he gets disturbed when there is a crowd. Once, he asked me: What do you think? I am Mammootty, not Madhavan (character in Kaazhcha). I replied, I cant shoot the film thinking that you are Mammootty. I can only consider you as Madhavan. I still dont know where I got the courage from. Maybe its a blessing (smiles). We share a very friendly bond. He understood it. He used to tell me that I needed to be loud and should shout to lead. He has helped me a lot. While planning a project with Mammukka, one should fully convince him. He is comfortable when we clear all his doubts. Mohanlal is a different story. The location of Bhramaram was set in the remote area of Nelliyampathy, where transportation, water supply, and even generator facilities were challenging. The entire crew, including the producer and cameraman, expressed their displeasure over the location. However, all the dissatisfaction dissipated with just one response from Lalettan, who emphasised that shooting would be possible only by acknowledging the challenging conditions (smiles). Some intimate scenes in your films had stirred controversies. How do you respond to them? Controversies are triggered when someone finds it hard to digest another persons efficiency. The aim is to grab attention. I dont think every controversy needs to be addressed. There were some controversies associated with Aadujeevitham as well, including a ban in some Gulf countries and contradicting statements about an intimate scene with a goat. There was propaganda that the book [Benyamins Aadujeevitham] had been banned in Arab countries, and thats why we couldnt shoot the film in that region. Similarly, even before censoring, it was said that the film wouldnt be released in the Gulf. It was all part of some deliberate efforts. But, eventually, the film had a simultaneous release across India and the UAE. Later, we managed to release it in most Gulf centres, except Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Marketing has become crucial these days. Whats your take? The digital revolution has opened immense possibilities to take a film to the audience. Social media offers plenty of scope to publicise a film. The market has widened, along with the number of distributors and exhibitors. But, at the same time, there is also a lot of politics within the industry. Take, for instance, PVRs recent stance on not screening Malayalam films. My film, which was running with packed audiences, was dropped without any prior notice. That is the kind of monopoly that one has to be cautious about. All the issues have now been sorted, thanks to the intervention of Lulu Groups MD, Yusuffali M A. He managed to find a solution even as the government stood helpless. The PVR group had no other option but to accept his proposal, as he owns several big malls across the country. But, unfortunately, the brief boycott took a big toll on my film. Was there loss in momentum for Aadujeevithams box office collections after this issue? We lost more than 100 screens outside Kerala for three days due to the stalemate. When the issue got sorted, things got tougher as they resumed screening my film alongside three newly released films. Obviously, those films got better showcasing. So, that caused a loss for you? Of course. How did the film Aadujeevitham influence Blessy as a director and as an individual? I feel it reflects the world that supports our dreams, as Paulo Coelho and others have said. I also wrote that life could be more beautiful than the dream if we know how to live it. The things we think are impossible can become possible. For instance, we never thought we would be able to shoot in a place like the Sahara Desert in Algeria and return alive. If death is not an issue, then there is nothing to fear. If we are a little mad, anything is possible. During your conversations, you often mention gurutvam (blessings of mentors). Who do you view as your guru? No doubt, its Padmarajan sir I experience his presence a lot during shoots. When we plan a project, before starting its shooting, the prayer in my mind is that the film shouldnt turn out to be an embarrassment for sir (Padmarajan) in my capacity as his disciple. Which are your favourite Padmarajan films? My favourite is Oridathoru Phayalvaan. You come across as a staunch believer. Do you pray often? When I am alone, I pray. I like it. I havent prayed for myself in the past three to four years. I know that God knows about me, so I dont have to pray for myself. I pray for others. Thats my spirituality. Do you feel exhausted after Aadujeevitham? Yeah. I badly need some more sleep, and some time to travel (smiles).

Communicable diseases: Managing the malaise

KOCHI: With ecological concerns brought on by human activity contributing to the worsening scourge of communicable diseases, the question needs to be asked: are we digging our own graves? With incidence of Hepatitis A on the rise, Kerala is battling another epidemic. Just till May 16 of this year, there have been 2,048 confirmed cases and 15 deaths reported, with Malappuram and Ernakulam districts the worst affected. This compares adversely with the whole of last year, when 1,073 cases and seven deaths were confirmed. Hepatitis A outbreaks are commonly caused when sewage gets mixed with drinking water, especially when it is not adequately chlorinated afterwards. Illegal dumping of septic waste and improper food handling by infected persons can also lead to such situations. The ability of this virus to remain active for several weeks in wastewater helps worsen its spread, says Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, chairman of the Indian Medical Associations Kerala research cell. Among Hepatitis viruses, the A variant is the least harmful. However, it has the capacity to affect a large number of people within a short period, and when that occurs its severity is amplified, according to Dr Rajeev. A breakout occurs when there is an environmental issue. What is important is to identify the source. The outbreak of Hepatitis shows that our drinking water sources are still not safe, points out Dr V Ramankutty, a leading epidemiologist and health economist. However, the phenomenon is not new in the state, which has been battling several communicable diseases for several years. Recently, the West Nile virus caused two deaths one in Thrissur and the other in Palakkad. Last year, the state witnessed a spike in the number of dengue cases spread by the Aedes mosquito. Kerala reports the most number of Hepatitis A cases in the country. However, according to an ICMR study, seroprevalence the proportion of individuals within a population affected by disease at a specific time point in the state is less than 50%, while at the national level it is more than 75%. More cases are reported here as a result of our extensive testing regime, says Dr Anish T S, professor, Department of Community Medicine, Manjeri Government Medical College. Dengue was first detected in Kerala in 1998. In 2017, the state experienced the worst outbreak. Cases of Zika, West Nile, Leptospirosis, Shigella and Nipah have also been reported in the state in the last two years. Curbing spread The total prevention of communicable diseases is not possible. But we can limit the spread. The number of deaths increases in proportion to the number of cases. So limiting the number of infections is important, Dr Anish stressed. The number of deaths increases with a rise in the number of people infected. The total number of deaths is proportionate to the number of cases in the community. Also, the condition can turn severe for people above 40 years of age or people who suffer from co-morbidities, especially liver disease that may or may not be previously known, added Dr Rajeev. The caseload can also affect the quality of patient care. There is a difference in the care a patient receives when there are 100 cases, compared to when there are 1,000 cases. If a hospital is filled with dengue or leptospirosis cases, doctors and nurses may not be able to accord full attention to patients. This can affect recovery, according to Dr Anish. The presence of lifestyle diseases, especially those which affect the liver, can worsen the condition and even lead to death. Prevention is key To prevent the further spread of diseases, ensuring clean drinking water, vector (mosquito) control measures, waste management, and cleaning prior to the monsoon season are important. Neither hepatitis A nor dengue is officially a seasonal disease. However, they spread when the conditions are favourable, says Dr Rajeev, adding that filtration and chlorination can help prevent hepatitis A. Chlorinating water bodies without basic filtration is not beneficial as the virus can remain embedded in dirt, he added. Pre-monsoon cleaning and mosquito-reduction activities are important. The state follows this every year. However, we need to intensify it, said Dr Anish. Canal and drain cleaning, as well as efficient waste management systems, can help reduce vector breeding and therefore, the spread of many diseases. As monsoon season arrives, it is important to take preventive measures early, according to Dr Rajeev. Vigilant system Climate change has also been linked to the rise in cases of Hepatitis, Dengue and leptospirosis. This is a worldwide phenomenon, and not specific to Kerala. Our system is sensitive to changes. Moreover, our health system has a stringent testing and diagnosis protocol, as a result of which positive cases rarely go unreported. The health machinery kicks into action looking for the cause whenever there is an unusual death, said Dr Anish, adding that even private hospitals in the state are equipped to detect the presence of viruses, including Zika, Nipah, etc. It is positive that we are identifying the presence of even rare viruses. Now, we need to focus on identifying sources and eliminating them. Climate change is a factor that will also need to be addressed, Dr Ramankutty said. The public, too, has a role to play. Over the years, people have become more aware of the presence of viruses and bacteria. They also know about prevention and containment measures. Such measures are important as they help reduce the size of the outbreak, notes Dr Anish. Dr Ramankutty added that common people should also make can effort to reduce the spread of Dengue. Limiting the spread of dengue and other vector-borne diseases is not an easy task. Dengue is spreading even in advanced countries like Singapore. So we need to be more cautious, he said. Delayed treatment can lead to complications. Following home remedies and thereby delaying medical care and lack of supportive care can also be fatal. A multi-pronged strategy and approach is the need of the hour.

Kerala: SWTD eyes cruise tourism revenue with online ticketing system

KOCHI: Pressing on with its revival measures in tune with the changing times, the Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is all set to introduce an online reservation system, aimed at facilitating advance booking of seats for tourists in its popular cruise services from anywhere in the world. Well roll out a dedicated mobile app that can be used in Android and IOS mobile phones. Initial discussions are over. It has been decided to install GPS (Global Positioning System) in all the boats and develop a special software to facilitate online booking and tracking, SWTD director Shaji V Nair told TNIE. Once the facility is introduced, tourists from anywhere can reserve seats in our popular tourist cruise boats like Vega-2 and Indra and thus plan their trips in advance, he said. Currently, the 120-seater Vega-2, operating on the Alappuzha-Pathiramanal-Kumarakom-Kainakary route, is the most popular tourist cruise service. The boat, having an onboard dining facility, runs at full capacity almost on all days. Similarly, the recently launched Indra the countrys largest solar-electric boat, operating in the Kochi backwaters has been a hit with the tourists. The daily collection for the 100-seat cruise vessel has crossed Rs 20,000. The 90-seater See-Kuttanad and See Ashtamudi too are raking in revenue for the department. The online reservation system will also cover the water taxis plying in the Muhamma section. Were also rolling out 20-passenger capacity tourist boats to take the visitors to interior routes. Tourists will also be able to book seats in such boats, SWTD director said. Meanwhile, the online ticketing system will be extended to passenger boats as well. However, one cannot reserve seats in advance. They can buy tickets online and board the boats. Were in the process of introducing ticket machines with scanners. Besides, card payment and UPI mode will be introduced soon at the ticket counters where only cash is currently accepted, he said. While 40% tickets on passengers boats will be sold online, the rest will be set aside to be sold through counters to facilitate local commuters. We hope to implement the plans into action in six months, Shaji said. For over five decades, SWTD has been operating a network of water transportation services across the state. Facing tough competition from the widening road network and water metro services in Kochi, SWTD has embarked on a revival mode. The same includes modernisation of its fleet and an image makeover, by introducing the operating staff in a completely new avatar ironed khaki uniforms bearing name plates, shoulder flaps, stars, and brown shoes and belts.

Keralas oldest theatre club to celebrate 75th anniversary

ALAPPUZHA: Kerala Peoples Arts Club (KPAC), the oldest theatre organisation in the state, is all set to celebrate its 75th anniversary. KPAC secretary A Shajahan said that the club has decided to arrange year-long celebrations as part of its platinum jubilee and also to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of playwright Thoppil Bhasi. On the occasion, KPAC will re-launch the drama Olivile Oormakal which was penned and directed by Bhasi. Director Adoor Gopalakrishnan will inaugurate the programme at Karthika Thirunal Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Headquartered at Kayamkulam in Alappuzha, KPAC was very influential in popularising the Communist movement in the state. During the past 75 years, KPAC has staged 66 dramas. Its dramas were performed on 2.5 lakh stages across the world including the USA, Canada and Gulf countries. The first drama of KPAC was Ente Makananu Sheri (My Son is Right).It is said that KPAC was formed in the 1950s by a group of law students -- N Rajagopalan Nair, G Janardhana Kurup, Isaac Thomas, and S Prabhakaran Nair. They decided to stage Fyodor Dostoyevskys Karamazov Brothers in Malayalam. Though a public notice was printed in the name of Kerala Peoples Arts Club, nothing came out of it and the name KPAC was later fixed when the four met at Ernakulam for the production of the same play, said Shajahan. However, he added that the origin of KPAC has been a topic of endless debates and discussions. According toO N V Kurup, Rajagopalan Nair, G Janardhana Kurup, Rajamony, Sreenarayana Pillai and O N V together sought Prof M P Pauls advice and assistance to form a theatre and they decided to stage a drama, and later the name KPAC emerged at a discussion at CP SathraminThiruvananthapuram. Yet another version subscribes the naming of KPAC to a project report submitted bywriter Kottayam Sreeni to the Kerala State Committee of the Communist Party of India. Shajahan said. The deep friendship between N Rajagopalan Nair and Janardhana Kurup also saw them coming together tocreate the playEnte Makananu Sheri. Janardhana Kurup, MLAs N Rajagopalan Nair and T A Mytheen Kunju, M P Kuttappan, K S George, Sulochana and Janaki acted in it. Kottayam Sreeni was the troupe convenor and Poojappura Krishnan Nair was its manager. The play was inaugurated at VJT Hall, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1951 and it marked the beginning KPACs saga of success, Shajahan said.

Kerala Rains Live Updates: IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Kerala; red alert for 3 districts

Keralas move to build check-dam across Silandhi river poses risk to water security, say experts

South African government for speedy issuance of visas for Indian tourists

The first quarter of 2024 witnessed 16,000 Indian visitors visiting South Africa

Forum moots water treatment plant in Palakkad to boost Keralas mango exports

Training in human resource development at Kerala Institute for Entrepreneurship Development

Surveillance on 350 Female MNC Staff as ISIS Targets Women Employees

NEW DELHI: In a massive operation, security agencies have mounted surveillance on as many as 350 women employees in the critical security verticals of multinational companies, mostly American in origin. Sources privy to the development said these women, handling sensitive roles in the security architecture of multinational companies, are being targeted by international terror outfits like ISIS with the ulterior motive of exploiting them for future sinister plots. A banned terror outfit from Kerala has reached out to these women under the guise of similar jobs or being employed by such companies. They have also taken accommodations in proximity to their residences, the sources said. The Kerala-based terror group, which subsequently shifted its headquarters to Shaheen Bagh in the national capital over a decade ago, has planted its handlers to tap female employees who might be oblivious to the insidious terror tactic. While the activities of the local terror outfit were first noticed by the agencies about six months ago, the surveillance net was cast about two months ago. The women being targeted by the terror groups are mostly employed in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. Besides surveillance, the agencies are also investigating their family backgrounds to enlist support in persuading the women from going astray. ISIS is estimated to have targeted the Indian diaspora in West Asia, who in turn identified gullible women professionals back home to enlist them for their insidious agenda. These women could be used to cause major operational disruptions in the MNCs, potentially affecting consumer interests and damaging India's brand image. Through surveillance, the agencies aim to unravel the larger network of terror groups and their expansive footprint to secure national interests, the sources said. While ISIS has no intention of holding territory in India, they aim to recruit cadres to further the Jihadi agenda in the outfits theaters of influence. Without divulging specifics, a source in the Delhi police said, We do keep a watch on such suspects through technical and human means when we get specific leads. What has worried the agencies is that technically proficient youths have joined ISIS ranks. The recent conviction of a professionally qualified Kashmiri couple, the husband being an engineering graduate with an MBA and the wife having an IT background, who joined ISIS and were recently convicted in a terror case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), highlights this trend. The Kashmiri couple was linked to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province, a front group of ISIS, despite holding degrees like B.Tech and MBA. Jahanzaib Sami Wani and his wife, Hina Bashir Beigh, moved to the national capital in 2019 from Jammu and Kashmir. Jahanzaib was employed at a United Kingdom-based company, and his spouse had a bachelors degree in computer applications with an MBA. She served at some banks before taking a break for her wedding on October 6, 2019, when Srinagar was still under lockdown after Article 370 was repealed by the Centre on August 5 that year. The couple was convicted on terror charges on May 6 in the 2020 case originally registered by the special cell of the Delhi police and subsequently taken over by the NIA. The couple was convicted on terror charges on May 6 in the 2020 case originally registered by the special cell of the Delhi police and subsequently taken over by the NIA.

Kerala State Womens Commission chief slams media over reckless reporting of Pantheerankavu domestic violence case

Youth Congress stages protest against CM

Youth Congress protest against Kerala CM over law and order in state, burn his effigy

Raebareli Lok Sabha Constituency: Rahul Gandhi to take on BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh at Congress' bastion

Raebareli Lok Sabha Constituency: Rahul Gandhi to take on BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh at Congress' bastion Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh is one of the hotly contested seats, as it has been the stronghold of the Gandhi family and this time Congress has fielded Rahul Gandhi to contest against Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dinesh Pratap Singh. After representing Amethi from 2004 to 2019, Rahul Gandhi has shifted to Rae Bareli this time. Raebareli is considered the Gandhi family bastion. Sonia Gandhi, the then Congress chief, won Raebareli last time in 2019. The BJP has fielded state minister Dinesh Pratap Singh against Rahul Gandhi, who has also contested from Wayanad in Kerala, while BSP has fielded Thakur Prasad Yadav. Raebareli, the most-watched seat in the fifth phase, will go to the polls on May 20. The results will be announced on June 4. The Raebareli Lok Sabha Constituency comprises five Assembly segments, including Bachhrawan, Harchandpur, Raebareli, Sareni, and Unchahar. The constituency is a general seat. This time, instead of Sonia Gandhi, Congress has pitted Rahul Gandhi, who will be up against BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh, who was also a three-time MLA. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded Thakur Prasad Yadav for this seat. Dinesh Pratap Singh has won the Vidhan Sabha elections of Uttar Pradesh three times, twice on a Congress ticket (2010 and 2016) and once on a BJP ticket (2022). Singh was in Congress earlier and in 2018, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Despite his defeat to Sonia Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, he secured a significant 38 per cent of the total votes, marking the highest tally received by any BJP candidate in the constituency. Earlier, the BJP candidate from Raebareli took a dig at Rahul Gandhi and said that the Congress leader has sent his peon to contest from Amethi against the BJP's Smriti Irani. Does Rahul Gandhi really want to win Amethi and Raebareli? If he really wanted to win Amethi, why would he give a Lok Sabha ticket to his peon from Amethi? Rahul Gandhi will lose both Raebareli and Amethi seats, he said. Raebareli has traditionally been Congress' bastion. Singh had lost to Sonia Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Raebareli constituency was represented by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi from 2004 to 2024. Prior to that, Sonia Gandhi had represented the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency after she entered politics and contested for the first time in 1999. After the former Congress chief announced that she would not be contesting the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the suspense was on the corner that who would fight the elections from Congress. Ending the speculations, Congress finally announced that Sonia Gandhi's son Rahul Gandhi. Notably, Rahul is a sitting MP from Kerela's Wayanad seat and is also contesting in 2024 from the same. On May 17, in her first public address in the ongoing election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls, Congress leader and AICC President Sonia Gandhi urged the people of Raebarelli to accept his son Rahul Gandhi just like the way they accepted her while assuring that he won't disappoint them. This was Sonia Gandhi's first public address in Raebareli, her erstwhile constituency in a long time, and she recalled the 'age-old' roots of the Gandhi family with the people of the constituency. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were also present alongside her during her address. I am very happy that I got the opportunity to come among you after so long...You all gave me the opportunity to serve you as an MP, this is the biggest treasure of my life. For the last 100 years, the roots of our family are connected to the soil of this land. This relationship is as pure as Ganga Maa. It started with the farmer's agitation of Awadh and Raebareli, Sonia Gandhi said addressing the public meeting. In Indira Ji's heart, there was a special place for Raebareli. I have seen her work very closely, she had immense affection for you all. I have given the same teachings to Rahul and Priyanka, that Indira Ji and the people of Raebareli had bestowed upon me; respect all, protect the weak, fight for people's rights against injustice, don't be sacred, because the roots of struggle is very strong, Sonia Gandhi said. My aanchal (end of a saari, also refers to protective shelter) was always filled with your love and affection. Your love never made me feel alone Everything I have is yours...I am handing over my son to you. You have to accept him and keep him, just like you accepted me. Rahul will not disappoint you, the Congress leader said while making an emotional appeal to the people to accept her son. Sonia Gandhi held the seat for four consecutive terms since 2004, before she took the Rajya Sabha route to the Parliament this year. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Sonia Gandhi won the seat with a margin of 167,178 votes. Sonia Gandhi got 534,918 votes with a vote share of 55.08 per cent and defeated Dinesh Pratap Singh from BJP who got 367,740 votes (38.4 per cent). In the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, Sonia Gandhi won the seat and was polled 526,434 votes with a vote share of 63.80 per cent. BJP candidate Ajay Agrawal got 173,721 votes with 21.05 per cent voters. Polling for 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is being held across all seven phases. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

Phase 5 of Lok Sabha polls to decide fate of Rahul Gandhi, Smriti Irani, Rajnath Singh among others

Phase 5 of Lok Sabha polls to decide fate of Rahul Gandhi, Smriti Irani, Rajnath Singh among others Voting for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held on May 20, which will cover 49 seats across 6 States and two Union Territories. Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, 14 are from Uttar Pradesh, 13 from Maharashtra, 7 from West Bengal, 5 from Bihar, 3 from Jharkhand, 5 from Odisha and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The fifth phase will witness key contests in various constituencies. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya will be looking for electoral success. Key candidates and constituencies in Phase 5 polls Raebareli Rahul Gandhi, who also contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, is facing Congress defector and three-time MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP in Raebareli. Rahul represented Amethi from 2004 until 2019. In her first public address in the ongoing election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls, Congress leader and AICC President Sonia Gandhi urged the people of Raebarelli to accept his son Rahul Gandhi just like they accepted her, while assuring that he won't disappoint them. I am very happy that I got the opportunity to come among you after so long...You all gave me the opportunity to serve you as an MP, this is the biggest treasure of my life. For the last 100 years, the roots of our family have been connected to the soil of this land. This relationship is as pure as Ganga Maa. It started with the farmer's agitation for Awadh and Raebareli, Sonia Gandhi said, addressing the public meeting. Sonia Gandhi held the seat for four consecutive terms since 2004, before she took the Rajya Sabha route to the Parliament this year. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday expressed confidence that BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh will defeat Rahul Gandhi here and took a dig at the Congress leader, stating that he should have told people of Wayanad in Kerala that he will contest from two seats. Anyone can contest from anywhere but Rahul Gandhi should have said before the elections that he is going to contest on two seats. I think, from a democratic point of view, it is not right to hide it. He should have told the people of Wayanad about it and then asked them to make their choice. When you see a threat in a post-poll survey, and then you come to Raebaerli, I think it is not correct, he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that Uttar Pradesh paves the way for the country and BJP will face its heaviest defeat here. INDIA Alliance and Akhilesh Yadav are going to win here. I give it to you in writing, a storm of INDIA Alliance is coming to Uttar Pradesh. I give it to you in writing, BJP is going to face its biggest defeat in the country, here in Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi said. Uttar Pradesh has made up its mind that a change has to set in here, that a change has to set in in India and that is why the decision has been made. The public has made up its mind, he added. Amethi Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma, also the Gandhi family's close aide has been fielded against Smriti Irani in Amethi. Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma has expressed confidence in winning the polls.Not contesting to lose. I have faith in the alliance, Sharma said in an interview with ANI. He said that the Amethi constituency was developed by the Gandhi family and urged voters to vote for the INDIA bloc based on their development work.The Gandhi family developed this constituency. Vote for us based on our development work and our (the Gandhi family's) legacy. Vote for them (BJP) for development work they have done, he said. Kishori Lal Sharma, a close associate and loyalist of the Gandhi family, is originally from Punjab's Ludhiana. He has been working for the Congress Party in Amethi for years. BJP candidate Smriti Irani said that people in the constituency have understood that development is possible when the leader has good character and the government has clarity in its policies. The people of Amethi have accepted me as their family. I am a voter in Amethi now. The people have understood that if the government is clear with its policy and the leader has good character, then a lot of development is possible in very little time, Smriti Irani told ANI here on Monday. The Amethi seat has been represented by Rahul since 2004, and he remained a member of Parliament from the constituency until 2019. His father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, too, was an elected member of Amethi in the Lower House from 1981 till his death in 1991. Sonia Gandhi contested elections from there in 1999 before passing the baton on to Rahul in 2004. Lucknow Defence Minister and BJP candidate Rajnath Singh will face Samajwadi Party candidate Ravidas Mehrotra in this seat. Rajnath Singh will be aiming for a third straight win in Lucknow. Rajnath Singh in 2019 had defeated Samajwadi Party Poonam Shatrughan Sinha with over 6.3 lakh votes. He had defeated Congress candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi by a margin of 2,72,749 votes in 2014. Rajnath Singh said that he tried to fulfil the dreams of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and left no stone unturned for the city's development. We have diligently worked towards realising Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji's vision for Lucknow, and we remain committed to advancing it further in the future. Lucknow currently ranks tenth globally, and we aim to elevate it to the fifth position, Singh said. Mumbai North The BJP has fielded Union Minister Piyush Goyal against Congress' Bhushan Patil from the Mumbai North seat. Union Minister and BJP candidate from Mumbai North, Piyush Goyal expressed confidence in the party's victory.I have faith in the work done under PM Modi's 10 years of governance. The public has made up its mind to give 400+ seats to PM Modi and the Mumbai North parliamentary seat will be won with a record margin, Goyal said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gopal Shetty from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Lok Sabha seat, defeating Congress actor-politician Urmila Matondkar by over 4.65 lakh votes. There were 16.47 lakh eligible voters in the 2019 elections from this constituency. Congress candidate Bhushan Patil said that him being a local will benefit his constituency. There are a lot of issues which need to be solved in my constituency. Piyush Goyal is a high-profile personality and meeting him is a bit difficult for common people I am local and connected to the people of the area, which will be a beneficial thing for me, he said. Mumbai North Central In a bid to retain the sitting seat, the BJP has fielded 26/11 special prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, replacing two-time MP Poonam Mahajan against Congress' Varsha Gaikwad from Maharashtra's Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat. Varsha Gaikwad is currently serving as Dharavi MLA. Nikam, a senior Public Prosecutor, has appeared for the government in several high-profile cases, including the 26/11 Mumbai attack case. On his candidature, Nikam called it an important step in his life. For the common masses, Prime Minister Modi has worked a lot. He has increased the prestige of the country around the globe and he wants to contribute to his vision. No one can call our nation a banana country. I am not in politics for any gain. I have fought against organised crime, I have never fought from the accused side ever. A post as public prosecutor was not even well known in those days. I am glad I could put a stamp on it, Ujjwal Nikam told ANI during one of his campaigns. Kaiserganj After dropping sitting MP Brij Bhushan Singh from the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha seat and going with his son Karan Bhushan Singh, the move from the Bharatiya Janata Party retains the seat's contest within the family, highlighting the influence of the six-time Member of Parliament. The 67-year-old BJP's strong man was not given a ticket in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief has been accused of sexual harassment by six women wrestlers, who had protested against him for a long period last year. Earlier this month, a Delhi court ordered that charges be levied against him. Brij Bhushan Singh's son Karan Bhushan Singh is in the electoral fray against the Samajwadi Party's candidate Ram Bhagat Mishra, the elder brother of Shravasti zila panchayat president and former BJP MP from Shravasti, Daddan Mishra, while Bahujan Samaj Party has fielded Narendra Pandey. Karan, Singh's younger son, will look to keep the family's hold on the seat tight, with his father Brij Bhushan having won from there six times, while his mother Ketaki was also a former MP from Gonda. Brij Bhushan's elder son, Prateek, was also an MLA from Gonda twice. In the 2019 election, Brij Bhusan Singh got 5,81,358 votes, beating BSP candidate 3,19,757. Hajipur LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan is aiming to carry forward father Ram Vilas Paswan's legacy. He is pitted against RJD's Shiv Chandra Ram. From 1977 to 2014, the seat was won eight times by Ram Vilas Paswan, who lost only twice, in 1984 and 2009. Chirag's decision to shift his constituency from Jamui to Hajipur, which has been a stronghold for the LJP, is aimed at asserting his position as the political heir to his father. In the 2019 elections, LJP candidate and Chirag Paswan's uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras emerged victorious, securing the seat for the first time, defeating RJD's Shiv Chandra Ram with a margin of 2,05,449 votes. Saran Rohini Acharya, the daughter of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, is contesting against BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy. BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy recorded resounding wins against Lalu Prasad's kin in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2014, he defeated former CM Rabri Devi, wife of Lalu Yadav, from Saran. In the 2019 polls, he trounced Chandrika Rai, the father-in-law of Lalu's son Tej Pratap Yadav. Dismissing the Opposition claims, the BJP's Saran Lok Sabha candidate and former Union Minister, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, said the electoral outcome in Bihar was a foregone conclusion as his party was well on course to win all 40 seats in the state. As far as I can see, there is no election in Bihar as we are well on the way to winning all 40 seats in the state and are also confident of sailing past 400 seats across the country, he said. Meanwhile, RJD leader Rohini Acharya has criticised BJP's manifesto saying the issue of employment has disappeared from it. They should raise the issues of the people. The issue of employment has disappeared from the BJP's manifesto. They are only targeting Lalu Prasad's family, she said. Baramulla National Conference (NC) leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah is pitted against Sajad Lone of the Peoples Conference (PC) and Mir Mohammad Fayaz of Peoples Democratic Party. People's Conference President Sajad Lone slammed the National Conference leader, Omar Abdullah, and urged the people of Kashmir to stop him from humiliating the region by defeating him from the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat. Lone said, Let him stop humiliating the people of Kashmir. I am 100 per cent sure that for all this humiliation, he will get a gift on the result day. If there has been a saffron debut, then it was for Omar Abdullah. He was a minister whose party had passed an autonomy resolution that the Vajpayee government rejected in Parliament and he still stayed as a minister for two years. (ANI)

Weeks after polls, tension over Muslim vs Kafir text in Kerala refuses to quell

The Vadakara constituency in Kerala is still simmering, weeks after the Lok Sabha elections were conducted, over the alleged instigation of communal sentiments during the polling. There seems to be a perennial trading of allegations between the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF over a WhatsApp message that remarked Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Kerala court stays suspension of Metropolitan of Knanaya archdiocese of Syrian Orthodox Church

Kerala court stays suspension of Metropolitan of Knanaya archdiocese of Syrian Orthodox Church A Kerala court on Saturday stayed the suspension of the Metropolitan of the Knanaya archdiocese of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church who was relieved of all his powers and responsibilities by the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Aphrem II a day ago. A Munsiff court here passed the order on a plea moved by the supporters of the Metropolitan -- Mor Severios Kuriakose. The court said that the status quo shall continue till May 25 when the petition will be heard in detail. During the day, supporters of Kuriakose, who was also the 'Samudaya' Metropolitan of the Knanaya archdiocese, gathered at the Knanaya Church headquarters at Chingavanam in protest against his suspension. They also burned the order of suspension and an effigy of Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Aphrem II. Besides that, they took down the flag of the Patriarch and raised that of the Knanaya archdiocese. On Friday, in an official communication conveying the suspension to Kuriakose, the Patriarch had said that he was ''not setting a good example in the clergy and believers'' as mandated in the Constitution of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. The action was taken following a hearing on the same day with regard to the charges against Kuriakose of alleged lack of concern and action from his side on the issue of Indian Orthodox priests conducting 'Passion Week' services in Knanaya parishes in the USA. The Patriarch had said the explanations given by Kuriakose were not satisfactory. ''We are unconvinced about your explanation regarding the reception given to the Catholicos of the Indian Orthodox Church,'' the Patriarch had said in the communication. It had also said that Kuriakose's actions amounted to ''challenging the authority of the Holy Throne of Antioch''. It had also reminded him that his titles of Archbishop and Chief Metropolitan of the Knanaya Archdiocese of India were taken back ''because you were found unworthy of it''. ''The present charges against you show that you did not introspect and mend your ways even after that,'' it had further said. ''Hence, with a heavy heart, we are constrained to hereby suspend you. You are relieved of all your powers and responsibilities as a Metropolitan and the 'Samudaya Metropolitan' of our Knanaya Archdiocese during the period of suspension. ''You are restrained from all episcopal and priestly functions and duties until further proceedings and order from us. We are praying for your repentance after thorough reflection and remorse,'' the order of May 17 had said. The Patriarch's order had further said that the suspension of Kuriakose will be reconsidered and reviewed if the church was convinced of his repentance. Following the decision, supporters of Kuriakose had protested in front of the Knanaya Church headquarters at Chingavanam here on Friday also.

Court stays suspension of Knanaya Metropolitan

Hepatitis A advisory issued by health department in Kerala

Handrub solutions containing alcohol are not useful to prevent hepatitis virus spread, according to advisory

Restrictions on tourism activities in Idukki in view of red alert

Two shutters oftheMalankara dam raisedby10cm each on Saturday evening

Heavy rainfall: Ban on quarrying, mining till further orders in district

Fifth phase: Campaigning ends for 49 seats; Amethi, Rae Bareli, Baramullah in limelight; WB sees highest security deployment

Fifth phase: Campaigning ends for 49 seats; Amethi, Rae Bareli, Baramullah in limelight; WB sees highest security deployment Campaigning concluded on Saturday for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls covering 49 constituencies in six states and two UTs including the high-profile Rae Bareli and Amethi seats from where former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani are in the fray respectively. In Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, former chief minister Omar Abdullah, who is among 22 candidates in the fray, held a roadshow in Soibugh - a central Kashmir village that was once a hotbed of militancy- on the last day of campaigning. While temperatures soared across the country, there was no let up in the campaign heat as the Lok Sabha election season entered the last fortnight. The Election Commission on Tuesday said it expects star campaigners, particularly of the national parties, to lead by example in the remaining three phases of the Lok Sabha polls and not vitiate the delicate fabric of society. With over 40 of these seats with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Prime Minister Narendra and other BJP leaders tried to fend off the challenge posed by the INDIA bloc parties by raising the pitch on issues of appeasement, dynastic politics, Ram temple, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), corruption and welfare initiatives taken by his government. ''If the SP and the Congress come to power, they will send Ram Lalla back to the tent and bulldoze the temple,'' Modi claimed. He also alleged that the opposition wanted to bring back Article 370. The Congress and other INDIA bloc parties accused the BJP of polarising voters with its ''Hindu-Muslim politics'', and not focusing on issues like unemployment and inflation. They also persisted with their offensive on the issues of reservations and protecting the Constitution. On Monday, polling will be held in 13 seats in Maharashtra, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, seven in West Bengal, five in Bihar, three in Jharkhand, five in Odisha and one each in J-K and Ladakh. This round covers the least number of seats (49) in the seven-phase election. The parties also wrapped up canvassing in 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha, where BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is among the candidates. Among other prominent candidates in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls are several Union ministers including Rajnath Singh (Lucknow, UP), Piyush Goyal (Mumbai North, Maharashtra), Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti (from Fatehpur, UP) and Shantanu Thakur (Bangaon, WB); LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan (Hajipur, Bihar), Shiv Senas Shrikant Shinde (Kalyan, Maharashtra ), and BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy and RJD president Lalu Prasad's daughter Rohini Acharya (both Saran, Bihar). Gandhi, who has contested from Wayanad in Kerala, is also in the fight for Rae Bareli, a Nehru-Gandhi family pocket borough that was represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi since 2004. The BJP has fielded UP minister Dinesh Pratap Singh. On Friday, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi tried to strike an emotional chord as she said at a rally that she is giving her son to the people of Rae Bareli and ''Rahul will not disappoint you''. ''My everything is all given by you. So, brothers and sisters, I am giving you my son'' said Sonia Gandhi, as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stood by her side on the stage at the rally. Speaking before his mother, Rahul Gandhi said the ''youth across the country have made up their mind that they don't want Narendra Modi''. ''Narendra Modi will not remain prime minister after June 4 and the INDIA coalition government will be forme,'' he said. In Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani, who had defeated Rahul Gandhi in 2019, is seeking a second term, while KL Sharma, an aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded by the Congress. From Lucknow, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is eyeing a fourth term. He is up against sitting SP MLA (from Lucknow Central) Ravidas Mehrotra. During a rally in Lucknow, Singh said, ''These elections are also to see who has raised the country's stature in the world.'' In the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, which covers the temple town of Ayodhya, the electoral contest is mainly between sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh, who is seeking a hat-trick, and Awadhesh Prasad, the SP MLA from Milkipur (SC) assembly constituency in Ayodhya. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on May 15 announced that if the INDIA bloc is voted to power, it will double the quantity of free rations provided by the BJP government to the poor. Farmers' loans will be waived and Minimum Support Price will be guaranteed, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Tuesday. In Baramulla, besides Abdullah, former separatist Sajad Lone, former MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias 'Engineer Rashid', who is currently lodged in the Tihar jail, and the PDP's former Rajya Sabha member Fayaz Ahmad Mir are also contesting. With the separatist-sponsored boycott politics a thing of past now, the people are expected to participate in the elections in large numbers to chose their favourite. Political parties fielded their stalwarts as they gave the last push in Maharashtra where elections will conclude with polling in 13 constituencies in North Maharashtra and Mumbai Metropolitan Region on May 20. Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday addressed campaign rallies in Kalyan and Dindori in support of the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti coalitions candidates and also held a roadshow in northeast Mumbai. Modi was again back in Mumbai on Friday for a rally in the citys Shivaji Park. Opposition bloc INDIA also held a rally the same day at the city's Bandra Kurla Complex that was attended by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. On the concluding day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held public meetings at Malegaon in Nashik district and Palghar to canvass for Mahayuti candidates. Security has been stepped up in West Bengal's seven constituencies, with over 57 per cent of the polling stations identified as sensitive in the fifth phase, the highest till now in this election. Over 60,000 personnel of central forces, besides around 30,000 personnel of the state police, have been deployed, which is more than in the four previous phases in the state, an official said. Star campaigners, including Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and her nephew and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, have held rallies for their respective party candidates. In Barrackpore, BJP candidate Arjun Singh is contesting against TMC's Partha Bhowmick and CPI (M)'s Debdut Ghosh. In Serampore, TMC's sitting MP Kalyan Banerjee is fighting against BJP's Kabir Shankar Bose. In Hooghly, actor-turned-politician Locket Chatterjee of the BJP is contesting against a fellow member of the film fraternity, Rachana Banerjee of the TMC. Voting will take place in Saran, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, Sitamarhi and Madhubani Lok Sabha seats of Bihar. In Saran, former Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy's bid to score a hat-trick has been challenged by RJD president Lalu Prasad's daughter Rohini Acharya, who had donated her kidney to her father. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who has suffered a back injury, campaigned for his elder sister in Saran. The curtains also came down on Saturday over campaigning for three Lok Sabha seats and Gandey assembly by-poll in Jharkhand. With the conclusion of Phase 4, polling for general elections had crossed the halfway mark as it was completed in 23 states/UTs and 379 Lok Sabha constituencies out of 543. The sixth and seventh phases are on May 25 and June 1 respectively. The counting of votes is on June 4.

Kerala Blasters FC extends contract with Adrian Luna until 2027

The News Mill

Avian flu: 10,671 birds culled in Alappuzha

Farms in Krishnagiri advised to destroy poultry products procured from Kerala in the last one month

Muslim Youth League to launch stir for additional Plus One batches

MSF protests over Plus One seat shortage at meeting called by Minister

Heavy rain forecast for state in last week of May

Visakhapatnam : A low pressure area is likely to form over southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22. It is likely to move initially northeast-wards and concentrate into a depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal around May 24. It is too early to assess its path and forecast whether it will intensify into a deep depression and cyclone. But the system will bring in heavy rains throughout the last week of May over north coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, said senior scientist at IMD Amaravati Dr. S. Karunasagar. A source said conditions are favourable for further intensification of the system. However, as there are dissimilarities between models and forecasts, it would be difficult to say further without more clarity. Karunasagar said the system is likely to propel the southwest monsoon towards the Kerala coast. The monsoon might touch Kerala on June 1 as per the usual schedule and Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh on June 5 or June 6. Currently, a trough from south Chhattisgarh to Comorin area is running to south interior Karnataka across Telangana and Rayalaseema 3.1 km above mean sea level. The cyclonic circulation over Rayalaseema and adjoining north Tamil Nadu extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level has become less marked. Under these two systems, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty wind with speed reaching 3040 kmph are likely at isolated places over north coastal and south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema from Sunday to May 22.

CPI(M) lionising criminalsby building memorials in their honour: Cong.

Party flays CPI(M) move to honour the memory of two party workers, who died in an accidental blast while making a crude bomb at Panur in Kannur in 2015

Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki on red alert for extremely heavy rainfall on May 19 and 20

Corporation to introduce slit pusher and slot trapper to clean canals an drains

New jumping spider species discovered

Two held with ganja

Southern states draw maximum participation in Indias biggest skill competition, TN tops the list

NEW DELHI: Indias biggest skill competition has drawn maximum participation from the southern states, with Tamil Nadu witnessing the highest number of competitors who are showcasing their expertise in areas as varied as traditional crafts to the latest technologies. From Tamil Nadu 86 participants - the highest from any state in India - are competing in the India Skills Competition 2024, followed by Karnataka with 61 competitors. This year, IndiaSkills is witnessing the participation of over 900 candidates from 30 states and Union Territories in 61 skill areas. Apart from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the other southern states are Andhra Pradesh (42), Kerala (34) and Telangana (33). Officials said the southern states have stamped their authority at the India Skills Competition 2024, emerging as the undisputed powerhouses by sending a formidable combined force of 265 skilled competitors. Driven by targeted skill development schemes, these southern states are fueling a skill renaissance, aligning human resources with industrial needs, the officials added. According to Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Managing Director, NSDC International (NSDCI), India is excelling in the WorldSkills Competition, moving from 39th to 11th place. This progress reflects our nation's advancement in skills. The NSDC's dedication has been crucial, offering continuous support and training to our competitors, he added. Through the Skill India Mission and collaborative efforts from state and central governments, we have made unprecedented progress, emphasizing that skills can conquer the world, he said. Apart from the southern states, Odisha has also drawn a good number of competitors. As many as 64 candidates are participating in the five-day event, which will conclude on May 19. The other states are Maharashtra (57) and Punjab (53). This year the participants will get the opportunity to earn credits, within the National Credit Framework. The NSDC, working under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is implementing the event. The winners of IndiaSkills 2024, with the help of best industry trainers, will prepare for the WorldSkills Competition scheduled to take place in Lyon, France in September 2024 and will bring together 1,500 competitors from over 70 countries. About 2.5 lakh candidates registered for the competition on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal, out of which 26,000 were shortlisted through a process of pre-screening. This data was shared with the states for organising the state and district level competition, out of which 900+ students were further shortlisted for the IndiaSkills National competition. This year, IndiaSkills is supported by more than 400 industry and academic partners like Toyota Kirloskar, Autodesk, JK Cement, Maruti Suzuki, Lincoln Electric, NAMTECH, Vega, Loreal, Schneider Electric, Festo India, Artemis, Medanta, and Cygnia Healthcare. Among the 900 participants are more than 170 women who are competing in trades like logistics and freight forwarding, web technologies, visual merchandising, fashion technology, graphic design technology, painting and decorating, electrical installations, industrial design technology, and renewable energy. This time new-age skills like autonomous mobile robotics, automobile repairing, cloud computing, and mechatronics are also garnering a lot of popularity in this edition of IndiaSkills 2024, officials said.

Indian orchids set to be a big draw at Londons Chelsea Flower Show

Around 65 species from the Western Ghats, northeast India and the Andamans, selected from the collection of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will be on display at the five-day event scheduled from May 21. The aim is to showcase their beauty and focus on their conservation

RPF, police directed to maintain vigil against attack on TTEs

Nadda rejects opposition claims, says BJP will retain North in LS polls and will be ahead of Congress in South

Nadda rejects opposition claims, says BJP will retain North in LS polls and will be ahead of Congress in South BJP president JP Nadda has hit out over south mein saaf and north mein haaf' jibe at the party by some opposition parties and asserted that the BJP will retain its Lok Sabha seats in north India while having a lead over Congress in the southern states. In an interview with ANI, Nadda expressed confidence of the BJP winning the Odisha assembly polls and also forming a government in Andhra Pradesh with its allies. He said the BJP will sweep Lok Sabha polls in Odisha and will achieve a landslide victory with its allies in parliamentary polls in Andhra Pradesh. The BJP is in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP) in Andhra Pradesh. Nadda said the BJP will sweep the northern parts of the country in Lok Sabha polls as it did in the 2019 elections. We are keeping ourselves intact in the North and will retain (tally in) Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal, Jammu, Haryana, and Delhi, Nadda said. In Andhra Pradesh, we are going to form a government and in the parliamentary election, BJP and TDP are going to sweep. In Telangana, we are getting more than double (of the seats won last time), and in Tamil Nadu also we are getting a good start. We are also opening our account in Kerala and will maintain our seat share in Karnataka, Nadda. The BJP had done very well in Karnataka in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and won 25 of 28 seats. Asked if BJP will retain an equal number of seats, Nadda said they would get 25 and plus, minus one seat might happen. That's why in the South as well, we will have a lead over Congress in the tally. And in East as well we will maintain our tally Nadda said. Leaders of Congress and some other opposition parties have taken south mein saaf and north mein haaf' (wiped out in the south, half in the north) jibes at BJP, claiming that the party will not perform well in the Lok Sabha polls. Asked if Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is allergic to him and Home Minister Amit Shah, Nadda said she has sensed that Bengal is getting out of her hands. She is allergic to everyone, this time Mamataji has sensed that Bengal is getting out of her hands. We will win a good number of seats in Bengal. They (TMC) will be in a minority, we will have a majority, Nadda said. We will form government in Odisha and BJP will have a landslide victory in the parliamentary election, Nadda said in response to a question. Asked about BJD leader VK Pandian's remarks that BJP does not have a CM face against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Nadda said the party did not have a CM face in states such as Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and emerged victorious in assembly polls. We did not have in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and in Chhattisgarh, he said, adding that the party did not take long to decide its CM candidates after victory in assembly polls. On poll-related violence in West Bengal, Nadda said law and order is a state subject. We (the centre) can support them but Mamata Banerjee's intentions are not clear. Her intention is dubious. He slammed the West Bengal CM over the Sandeshkhali violence and accused her of being silent. She was silent on the case of Sheikh Shahjahan, the High Court had to give the inquiry to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Women were shouting and you even didn't bother, he said. Asked about the allegations of Mamata Banerjee that the Sandeshkhali incident was a conspiracy of the BJP, Nadda said, Dishonest administrator, dishonest politician. If I'm the CM and a case like this comes to me, I'll say that I'll investigate into this. I'll go into the details of it. Why was she quiet at first and later she blamed the BJP. She compromised with the nation for a vote bank. TMC is providing shelter to infiltrators and giving them ID cards and ration cards, making them voters, this is anti-national activitiy They also give protection to such people, Nadda added. BJP President further accused Mamata Banerjee of spreading misinformation regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act. She is spreading misinformation about CAA. She's doing anti-national things. CAA will not be given to someone who is coming from outside. Doesn't Mamata understand this, is she so illiterate? No. She understands everything. But she is trying to misguide the innocent people. (ANI)

Year-long celebrations to mark 75th anniversary of KPAC and birth centenary of Thoppil Bhasi

Celebrations to begin with a programme at Karthika Thirunal Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on May 22 which will be inaugurated by filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Adrian Luna signs contract extension with Kerala Blasters FC

Heavy to very heavy rainfall to continue over south Peninsular India till May 23: IMD

Heavy to very heavy rainfall to continue over south Peninsular India till May 23: IMD Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to continue over south Peninsular India till May 23 with extremely heavy falls during May 19-21, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Southwest Monsoon is very likely to advance into the South Andaman Sea, some parts of Southeast Bay of Bengal and Nicobar Islands around May 19, the IMD said. It further said that a cyclonic circulation lies over south interior Tamil Nadu and neighbourhood in low and mid-tropospheric levels. A trough runs from south Chhattisgarh to South Interior Karnataka and another trough runs from Marathwada to a cyclonic circulation over south interior Tamil Nadu in lower tropospheric levels. As per the IMD, under the influence of the cyclonic circulation, fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe, Lakshadweep, south Karnataka and Isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Telangana and Rayalaseema during next 7 days. The IMD has also predicted isolated heavy rainfall very likely over Coastal Karnataka from May 19-22, South Interior Karnataka from May 21-22, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema on May 18 and Lakshadweep from May 18-21. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe on May 18 and 22 and South Interior Karnataka during May 18-20. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall also very likely over Tamil Nadu and Kerala during May 19-21, it added. Isolated light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds is very likely over Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh on May 18 and 19. Further, according to an IMD release, a cyclonic circulation lies over northeast Assam and the neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels. The IMD said that under the influence of the cyclonic circulation, scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds very likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next seven days. Isolated heavy rainfall likely over Sikkim during May 18-20, Arunachal Pradesh on May 18-19, Assam and Meghalaya during May 18-20, Nagaland, Manipur on May 18. Isolated very heavy rainfall also likely over Meghalaya on May 19 and 20, it said. The IMD also said strong surface winds very likely to prevail in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during the next five days. (ANI)

Kerala Police File FIR Against Businessman for Lottery Scheme Masked as Tea Promotion

Kerala Police File FIR Against Businessman for Lottery Scheme Masked as Tea Promotion The Kerala police have registered an FIR against businessman Boby Chemmanur following a complaint by the state lotteries department, which alleges that he promoted his new tea product by including lottery-style prize coupons, negatively impacting the state government's lottery business. According to the FIR filed by the Wayanad Meppadi police, Chemmanur, also known as Boche, sold tea packets with lottery-model coupons in a high-priced and non-transparent way. This allegedly caused significant financial losses to the state lottery business. The FIR, launched on the basis of the complaint lodged by the Assistant District Lottery Officer, Wayanad, states that Chemmanur made huge profits through this scheme. He has been charged under IPC Sections 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 294-A (Keeping an office or place for illegal lotteries), and various sections of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act. A phone call seeking his reaction remained unanswered.

Severe Heat Wave Grips Northwest India: Health and Productivity at Risk

Severe Heat Wave Grips Northwest India: Health and Productivity at Risk The extreme heat scorching large parts of northwest India will continue for another five days, with Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh predicted to bear the maximum impact. A brutal heat wave swept swathes of north India on Friday, with the maximum temperature soaring to a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius in southwest Delhi's Najafgarh, the highest this season in the country so far. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted a severe heat wave over the plains of northwest India during the next five days and a heat wave over the east and central regions during the next three days. The Met office also issued a red warning for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and west Rajasthan, stressing the need for ''extreme care for vulnerable people''. It issued an orange alert for east Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and emphasised ''high health concern'' for vulnerable people, including infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases. The Met office said high humidity could add to people's inconvenience in Goa and sub-Himalayan West Bengal. The IMD also said warm night conditions are likely in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and west Rajasthan over the next two-three days. High night temperatures are considered dangerous because the body doesn't get a chance to cool down. Increasing nighttime heat is more common in cities because of the urban heat island effect, in which metro areas are significantly hotter than their surroundings. In view of the general elections in India, experts have warned of an increased likelihood of heat-related illnesses in people exposed to the sun for prolonged periods or engaging in heavy work. Researchers at Climate Central, a US-based group of climate scientists, said 543 million (54.3 crore) people in India will experience at least one day of extreme heat during May 18-21. ''Human-caused climate change has made this intense heat much more likely. The high overnight temperatures make this event particularly alarming,'' said Andrew Pershing, vice-president for science at Climate Central. Heat waves can be deadly, with the elderly and children particularly at risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1,66,000 (1.66 lakh) people died as a result of heat waves between 1998 and 2017. Extreme temperatures can also impact economies. People are less productive during hot weather, even if they work indoors, while children struggle to learn in extreme heat. A 2022 study said extreme heat resulted in labour productivity loss of USD 2.1 trillion equivalent in 2017. On Friday, maximum temperatures surged to 47.4 degrees Celsius in Najafgarh and 47.1 in Haryana's Sirsa. According to India Meteorological Data (IMD) data till 7:30 pm, Najafgarh was the warmest place in the country. Before this, Kalaikunda in the Gangetic West Bengal region had recorded a high of 47.2 degrees Celsius on April 30. The threshold for a heat wave is met when the maximum temperature of a weather station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in the coastal areas, and 30 degrees in the hilly regions, and the departure from normal is at least 4.5 notches. A severe heat wave is declared if the departure from normal exceeds 6.4 notches. April witnessed record-smashing maximum temperatures in east, northeast, and southern peninsular India, prompting health warnings from government agencies and a few states to suspend in-person classes in schools. Several places recorded their highest-ever April day temperatures, with the mercury soaring to 47 degrees Celsius. At least two people died in Kerala due to suspected heatstroke during this period. On Wednesday, a group of leading climate scientists said similar heat waves could occur once every 30 years, and these have already become about 45 times more likely due to climate change. The scientists from the World Weather Attribution group emphasised that heat waves intensified by climate change are making life much tougher for people living in poverty across Asia. The IMD had earlier warned of extreme heat in India during the April-June period, coinciding with the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections that end on June 1.

Trailer Of India's 'First' AI Film Monica: Oru AI Story Out

The Monica: Oru AI Storytrailer launch event was held at Gokulam Park Convention Centre in Kochi, Kerala.

5 months after hit-and-run, Kerala Police trace driver in Telangana

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police team at Mundakayam police station in Kottayam district has won accolades for its perseverance in solving a hit-and-run case which happened on December 15, by tracing the vehicle to Telangana. Pradeep Chandran, SHO at Mundakayam police station who was part of the probe team, told IANS that they registered the case Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Seeking promised jobs, Moolampilly evictees in Kerala to go for mass submission of applications in protest

As many as 316 families were evicted from seven villages in Moolampilly in Kerala for Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal project in 2008

'But who will take your son?': Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sonia Gandhi's emotional pitch in Raebareli

A day after Sonia Gandhi made an emotional pitch in Raebareli for Rahul Gandhi saying handing over my son to you, he won't disappoint you, BJP leader and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a dig at Congress leaders saying ut who will take your son? Former Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi passed the constituency to son Rahul after 20 years. Along with Kerala's Wayand, Rahul is contesting this Lok Sabha elections from Raebareli.

Monsoon Update: Good news, monsoon is coming soon in this state; there will be heavy rain

Monsoon Update: Earlier, the Meteorological Department has said that monsoon will enter Kerala on May 31. After this it will gradually move towards other states. Know when monsoon will arrive in Telangana Monsoon Update: Amidst the scorching heat, people are eagerly waiting for the monsoon. Meanwhile, good news has emerged for Telangana. Actually, monsoon is [] The post Monsoon Update: Good news, monsoon is coming soon in this state; there will be heavy rain first appeared on informalnewz .

In Kerala, This Hanuman Temple Carries Paintings Depicting Chapters From Ramayana

The Hanuman idol is seated on a black marble platform with an umbrella installed on top of the deity for protection from harsh weather conditions.

Kannur CPI(M) builds memorial for 2 party workers who died while making bombs

Kannur CPI(M) builds memorial for 2 party workers who died while making bombs Thiruvananthapuram: In a shocking development that came to light on Saturday, Kerala CPI(M) Secretary MV Govindan plans to inaugurate on May 22 a memorial that has been built to honour two party workers who lost their lives while making bombs in June [] The post Kannur CPI(M) builds memorial for 2 party workers who died while making bombs appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Kerala Set For Heavy Rainfall, Red Alert Issued In 3 Districts: Weather Office

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala in the coming days and issued a red alert in some districts of the state for May 19 and 20.

Kerala Set For Heavy Rainfall, Red Alert Issued In 3 Districts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala in the coming days and issued a red alert in some districts of the state for May 19 and 20.

IMD warns of cyclonic circulation over Tamil Nadu, issues rainfall alert for 5 states

IMD reports heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and coastal and south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala due to a cyclonic circulation over Tamil Nadu and adjoining region. Over the next week, expect widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds in some regions of these states.

Kerala to receive heavy rains; IMD issues red alert in some districts for May 19, 20

The IMD issued the red alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts of the state for May 19 and 20. Additionally, an orange alert was issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam for those two days. The weather department further issued an orange alert in nine districts for May 21 and said some of them were likely to receive rains similar to that of a red alert.

Robbery Suspect Escapes TN Police Near Kerala's Viyyur Jail

Robbery Suspect Escapes TN Police Near Kerala's Viyyur Jail An accused in several cases of robbery and theft has escaped from the custody of Tamil Nadu police right outside Viyyur central jail, where he was brought back after being produced in a court in that state, Kerala police said on Saturday. The accused -- Balamurugan -- escaped from police custody on Friday night. He is allegedly involved in over 50 cases of thefts and robberies, majority of them in Tamil Nadu, an officer of Viyyur police station said. The officer said that police were going through CCTV footage to ascertain exactly how the criminal escaped from the police vehicle in which he was brought to the prison. The police in Kerala have also launched a manhunt to trace and capture the criminal, the officer said.

Keralas coalition politics heats up as Rajya Sabha seats come into play

CPI(M) and Congress, which helm ruling LDF and Opposition UDF respectively, face a crucial test of coalition management skills on allocation of three Rajya Sabha seats that turn vacant a month after Lok Sabha election results are declared

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan cuts short foreign trip, back in State

Officials say strengthening pre-monsoon showers in Kerala, outbreaks of infectious diseases, and threat of landslips and flooding have possibly compelled Pinarayi Vijayan to shorten his holiday

CM Vijayan returns to India after cutting short three-nation private trip with family

CM Vijayan returns to India after cutting short three-nation private trip with family Thiruvananthapuram: Amid the controversy surrounding his private three-nation trip, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family returned to Kerala in the wee hours of Saturday, cutting the tour short. The furore over the trip began as there was no official intimation [] The post CM Vijayan returns to India after cutting short three-nation private trip with family appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Notorious criminal from Tamil Nadu escapes from police custody at Viyyur jail in Kerala

Balamurugan escaped from custody of Tamil Nadu police while he was being taken back to Viyyur jail from a court around 9 p.m. on May 17

LIVE: Kerala Lottery result today 18.05.2024 Karunya KR-654 result

LIVE Kerala Lottery result today Karunya KR result

Meet actress who is set to work in India's most expensive film, started career with superhit TV show, then gave..

Born to a Sindhi family from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Sonia Balani made her debut in the showbiz world in the year 2012. She is best known for playing the role of Asifa in 'The Kerala Story'.

Sufi Languor & Krishnas Leela

Odissi danseuse Madhulita Mohapatra is on a mission. To introduce the exquisite beauty and richness of Odissi dance to the people of Kerala. Despite being one of the nine classical dances recognized by the Sangeet...

Southwest monsoon likely to hit Telangana in 2nd week of June

HYDERABAD: As the state continues to experience pre-monsoon showers, the weather in the upcoming weeks would continue to remain favourable with low temperatures and intermittent rains, according to officials. Moreover, the southwest monsoon is very likely to hit Telangana in the second week of June, with good progress of the monsoon in the initial phase. The IMD said that the southwest monsoon is very likely to advance into south Andaman Sea, some parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal and Nicobar Islands around May 19. Mahesh Palawat, the vice president of meteorology and climate change at Skymet Weather, speaking to the TNIE, said, Monsoons will set up over Kerala around May 31 or June 1. The monsoon progress in the first week will be satisfactory as there will be a cyclonic circulation over Kerala and adjoining areas, and a low pressure area over Myanmar, which will pull the monsoon current. We expect that monsoon will very likely hit South Telangana in the second week of June and the progress will be good. Palawat further said that the remainder of May will also experience rain activities and decreased temperatures, with low possibilities of a heatwave. The rain activities will subside after May 21, after which, temperatures are likely to rise by the end of May. But the temperatures will not be as severe as the initial phases of summer and there is a weak possibility of a heatwave, Palawat added. As of Friday, very heavy rains were reported in the districts of Hyderabad, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, Jogulamba Gadwal, Nagarkurnool, Suryapet, Wanaparthy, Bhadradri Kothagudem and neighbouring areas. As per the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS), the maximum temperatures in the state were 39.8Celsius in Adilabad, while Mehdipatnam in Hyderabad recorded the highest temperature of 35.9Celsius. Temperature to dip further in Telangana after light rains Under the influence of the cyclonic circulation, the state will continue to experience light to moderate rains or thundershowers till May 23 and a yellow alert has been issued till May 21. In addition, maximum temperatures will experience a further dip below 35Celsius in the week ahead. For the next 48 hours, the city is likely to experience cloudy skies, and light to moderate rains or thundershowers are very likely to occur towards evening or night. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 33Celsius and 24Celsius respectively, with north-easterly surface winds of around 4-6 kmph.

Sugar rush from Alangadu in Kerala

KOCHI: A sweet revolution is taking place on the banks of Periyar the revival of a once-forgotten crop. To rejuvenate sugarcane farming in the Periyar river basin and restore the prominence of Alangadan sharkara, the Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has established a jaggery production unit in Alangad. Till around 60 years ago, Alangad was known for its homegrown sugarcane and jaggery, which was even served in the feasts of royal families, says Shinoj Subrahmanian, principal scientist and head of KVK, Ernakulam. Due to high labour costs and lack of technological developments in farming, sugarcane disappeared from the regions agri-map, he adds. Today, most jaggeries available in Kerala come from outside the state. However, there is a high demand for homegrown, traditional varieties. For example, Marayoor sharkara. But Marayoor alone cannot meet the states demand, says Shinoj. This was what invariably led KVK to reintroduce and popularise Alangadan sharkara. Its primary goal is to produce chemical-free, high-quality jaggery and establish a branded marketing channel for jaggery from Alangad, potentially earning it a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in the future. The first set of sugarcane was planted in the 2022 November-December period and it was ready for harvest next December. KVK sourced CO86032, a high-yielding and disease-resistant sugarcane strain from ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore. Initially, farmers were reluctant. But as we presented the idea of a jaggery production unit, 11 farmers joined. More joined thereafter, Shinoj says. The team had also visited Marayoor to understand how to make jaggery the traditional way. The harvest started stage by stage during March-April. Its continuing even now. The unit, set up in February this year, with support from Alangad Co-operative Bank, has a capacity of 80kg per day. Currently, 25kg of jaggery is being made daily, he adds. With harvest and production in full swing, more farmers are keen to join the drive. The homegrown jaggery is now available for `180 per kg from the Alangad Co-op Bank.

Cocktail hour

KOCHI: It is always a pleasure to sip on a deliciously crafted cocktail after a hectic day. Its not just a drink; its art in a glass. Making cocktails has always beenan art form performed by bartenders around the world since the 1800s. These delightful drinks, which are carefully made by mixing spirits with various ingredients, have had a star on every special occasion since then. Initially inspired by British punches large bowls filled with spirits, fruit juices, and spices the term cocktail first popped up in a newspaper on March 17, 1798. The exact birthplace of the first cocktail remains a mystery, but an amusing early mention from 1803 describes it as a cure for a hangover. A few years later, in 1806, a New York publication provided a more precise definition: a stimulating liquor composed of any kind of sugar, water, and bitters. On May 13, each year, cocktail lovers around the globe come together to celebrate World Cocktail Day. This special day is dedicated to exploring new and exciting flavours, as well as recognising the historical importance of these beloved mixed drinks. Its a time for both amateurs and experts to explore and honour the art of cocktail-making. This year, to celebrate the day, the UDS Group of Hotels hosted a unique event Keralas first-ever Cocktail Live Contest at the Uday Samudra Beach Hotel in Kovalam. The contest kicked off with around 50 contestants. And three winning new recipes emerged, curated by Mushalim S K from Leela Raviz, Kovalam, Jayakarthick J from Hilton Garden Inn, Trivandrum, and Renjith Reji from Hyatt Regency. Here are the recipes. Ist prize: Cu Curry Bomb Cocktail By Mushalim S K Ingredients Bombay sapphire gin infused with curry leaf: 60ml Cucumber slices: 6 Curry leaves: 10 Lime juice: 30ml Simple syrup: 15ml Tonic water: A splash Method: Muddle cucumber slices in a cocktail shaker, add lime juice, simple syrup and gin. Shake weel with ice cubes. Double strain the mixture into a chilled glass. Add tonic water. III prize: Masala Tea Cocktail By Renjith Reji Ingredients Vodka Baileys Cardamom Triple sec syrup Nutmeg Candied ginger Grated cinnamon Method Muddle ginger and cardamom in a cocktail shaker, add rst of the ingredients and shake well with ice. Pour into a glass and garnish with grated nutmeg, grated cinnamon and candy ginger. II prize: Midori Twist Cocktail By Jayakarthick J Ingredients Honeydew syrup: 10 ml Sweet and sour: 10 ml Gin: 60ml Young Basil: 5 leaves Pineapple juice Method Muddle basil and pineapple juice with sweet and sour mix and honeydew syrup. Pour gin and shake well with ice cubes. Garnish with fresh pineapple slice.

Paliam Palace beckons all to witness the splendour of Muziris

KOCHI: As part of the International Museum Day (May 18), the Muziris Heritage Project, which oversees the conservation of the legendary port of Muziris and the nearby region, has announced that their museum at Paliam Palace will be open well into the night. This is the first time that a museum in Kerala will remain open for tourists at night, says Manoj Kumar K, the managing director of the Project. Entry to the Paliam Palace, which is open from 2pm to 9pm, is free for all on the day. The idea behind this move is to make museums more accessible to people. In throwing open our doors past the regular hours, we hope to invite people, who are otherwise caught up in the tangle of work and commute, to experience what museums have to offer, says Ibrahim Zabin, marketing manager of Muziris Project. A slew of programmes has been arranged at the Muziris sites, primarily aimed at students and the youth. They include a presentation on the project, a guided tour, and a quiz. Live demos of handloom-making, pappadam-making, pottery works and goldsmithery, too, will be on at the site. With these, we hope to bridge the gap between local artisans and students, and engage the community in a positive way, says Zabin. The initiative goes hand in hand with the theme of this years Museum Day Museums for Education and Research, which aims to see museums not only as a portal to history, but as avenues to foster learning and cultural understanding. At night, a lit-up Paliam Palace will be host to Chakyar Koothu performance by Kalamandalam Sreenath, accompanied by mizhavu played by Kalamandalam Rahul T S. It will be followed by a violin performance by a local artist Adishesh. What is under way at Muziris is the largest heritage conservation project in India. What distinguishes the region is that it is a living heritage site. It is vital to make the future generations aware about the need for conservation, Zabin explains. The International Museum Day, established by the International Council of Museums, serves as a platform to promote the role of museums in cultural exchange and development. For details, contact 9020864649. KNOW YOUR HERITAGE No trip to Muziris is complete without pitstops at the other heritage spots here, namely the Chendamangalam Synagogue, Paravur Synagogue, Kottappuram Fort, and the Sahodaran Ayyappan Museum. These places are open from 10am to 5pm. Paliam Palace is the home of Paliathu Achans, prime ministers to Kochi kings Chendamangalam Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Kerala Paravur Synagogue houses the history of Jews in Kerala Kottappuram Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1523, sits strategically at Periyars mouth Sahodaran Ayyappan Museum illustrates the life and work of the eminent social reformer

Frequent laptop thefts becoming headache for Kerala police

KOCHI: The frequent incidents of laptop theft at Kakkanad and places near Infopark are turning out to be a headache for cops. Now, the laptop thief has once again struck an IT firm in Infopark from where nine laptops were stolen on Wednesday night. In the past one month as many as four laptop thefts were reported at Infopark Police Station alone. Till now, no persons have been arrested. The latest theft was reported at a company named DBIZ AI Solutions Private Ltd functioning on the first and second floors of Infopark phase-1. The theft came to notice when employees returned to the office. As many as nine laptops of Lenovo, Apple and Dell were found stolen. Apart from it, a Sony PlayStation was also found missing. It was found that the office was not locked the previous night. Someone who was familiar with the place broke into the office and stole the electronic gadgets. We have received the visuals of the accused after examining the CCTV camera. The stolen goods are worth around `6 lakh. We have started a probe into the incident, Anilkumar V S, Station House Officer, Infopark Police Station, said. Early this month, two theft incidents were reported at two mens hostels in Kakkanad from where as many as six laptops were stolen. The thefts were reported at Mohans Home in Chittethukara and Planet Homes Mens Hostel in Kuzhikkattumoola. Last Month, a similar theft incident was reported at a hostel in Kakkanad. As far as laptops stolen from hostels are concerned, the cases were reported in rooms occupied by IT employees. IT employees staying in the same room work in different shifts. So, they do not lock their rooms so that roommates working in different shifts can enter the room, he said. Police are probing whether the same persons were involved in all theft cases. Whether any interstate gang is behind these thefts is being probed. We cannot confirm whether all these cases are interlinked. There is also the possibility that different burglars are involved in these cases. However, we are conducting a probe. We have asked people to lock their rooms when they go outside. Use locks having multiple keys so that all inmates can have a key with them, he said.