SmartCity Kochi exit row between Kerala government and Dubai-based Tecom Investment drags on
While Tecom insists that any exit shall be treated under provisions of the Indo-UAE treaty, the State government has objected, arguing that the project falls under the Original Framework Agreement signed between the parties
The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat, Old Goa A Sitaram Ayurveda Experience . Overlooking hundreds of acres of tranquil reserve forests, this first of its kind private sanctuary is entirely dedicated to wellness in collaboration with Sitaram Ayurvedas 104-year tradition backed by deep knowledge around the healing science of Ayurveda. In a world filled with constant noise and distraction, the property invites discerning guests to pause, listen inward, and reconnect with their own rhythm. Every stay here is an intimate journey of restoration, where authentic Ayurveda supports each guests unique path to better health and lifelong wellbeing. The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat, Old Goa - A Sitaram Ayurveda Experience With The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat, we have created a pioneering wellness sanctuary in India that offers a comprehensive experience to address unique lifestyle needs and concerns of each guest. The stays here start from minimum 7 nights and are all-inclusive healing journeys focused on providing highly personalised programmes for medical wellness, rather than a recreational leisure escape. In essence, the retreat seamlessly combines transformative experiential luxury with authentic Ayurveda for deep restoration, says Kapil Chopra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Postcard Hotel. In an industry-first collaboration with Sitaram, our intimate retreat supports long-term health, balance and wellbeing by integrating their century-old healing legacy of Ayurveda with the calm of nature, thoughtful design, nourishing cuisine, and perceptive service offered by The Postcard Hotel, adds Chopra. Dr. Vignesh Devraj, MD (Ay), Founder and Chief Physician, Sitaram Retreats, adds, The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat represents a meaningful convergence of place, purpose, and healing. At its core, Ayurveda is about restoring balance and tapping into the bodys innate potential to heal. Our retreat harmonises these ancient principles with guided consultations, medical insights and personalised care at every step of the tailored wellness programmes. We offer guests a holistic path to recovery and renewal in the privacy of their own space, as they reconnect with themselves and cultivate a path to better health and balance. Surrounded by pristine forests in Old Goa, the retreat encourages quiet reflection. At the heart of this estate stands a magnificent 300-year-old banyan tree, that defines the sense of place and atmosphere of calm. With only six thoughtfully designed rooms, it offers ultimate privacy where healing unfolds at an unhurried pace. The sunlit rooms rest beneath a canopy of trees, each with a private balcony overlooking lush gardens and the valley beyond. The sense of stillness and seclusion of Old Goa has been the focal point of conceptualising The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat. Enveloped by forests and open to light, air, and nature the spaces have been intentionally designed to slow the senses, allowing guests the freedom to turn inward and experience healing at their own pace, adds Kapil Chopra . Transformative hospitality with an authentic Ayurveda experience Beyond its serene setting, the retreat offers a deeply immersive journey into authentic Ayurveda. Each stay starts with a personalised consultation with resident physicians, who then create a programme tailored to individual constitutions (doshas) and health needs. Attentive care and medical insight at every step offer each guest a curated path towards balance, wellbeing, and lasting renewal. This is not a conventional holiday, but a careful immersion into Ayurveda where every element of each day from treatments to diet to rest is carefully crafted. Each wellness journey ranges from 7 nights to 14 or 21 nights, and unfolds at a gentle pace to support deep healing and balance. Mornings begin with traditional Ayurvedic rituals, mindful nature walks, and soulful yoga sessions, setting a calm and grounded tone for the day ahead. Then guided one-on-one consultations with resident doctors, are followed by treatments that may include healing massages, cleansing therapies, meditations, and holistic wellness sessions. Restorative dining is an integral part of each guests healing journey, tailored to individual doshas and guided by Ayurvedas principle that food is medicine. Prepared in consultation with physicians all nourishing meals served at specific times of the day highlight fresh seasonal produce, and can be enjoyed in serene pavilions that open to the Mandovi River. The all-inclusive packages at The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat offer a comprehensive wellness experience. Recommended stays start from 7 nights at an inaugural price of INR 3,40,000 for single occupancy, and INR 4,50,000 for double occupancy. Guests can also opt for longer stays of 14 to 21 nights for more long-term recovery and deeper restoration. Prices are inclusive of taxes, cover airport transfers and all aspects of the stay including daily meals and beverages, prescribed treatments and medications during the stay, private doctor consultations, and yoga sessions. Rooted in the essence of Ayurveda, personalised stays at The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat are not only for those looking for treatments, but also guests who are seeking good health to strengthen immunity and restore long-term balance. About The Postcard Hotel Kapil Chopra, along with a team of seasoned luxury hoteliers including Akanksha Lamba, Anirudh Kandpal, and Raman Bansal, embarked on a visionary journey to create extraordinary experiences for discerning travellers. In December 2018, they unveiled The Postcard Hotel a brand driven by boldness and ambition, committed to redefining the rules and elevating the standards of experiential luxury. The Postcard Hotel is now opening 8 new hotels in the next 12 months making it the fastest growing uber luxury hotel brand in the world. Today, The Postcard Hotels growing collection spans India and beyond. In Goa, its four retreats Old Goa, Saligao, Cuelim, and Hideaway capture the regions charm, while The Postcard on the Arabian Sea offers sweeping oceanfront serenity. In Gujarat, The Postcard Gir Wildlife Sanctuary immerses guests in the land of the Asiatic Lion, and The Postcard Mandalay Hall in Kochi brings art and heritage together in an evocative setting. Further afield, The Postcard in the Durrung Tea Estate, Assam, and The Postcard in the Himalayan Willows, Leh, offer uncharted adventures and tranquil escapes. Internationally, the brand extends its philosophy through The Postcard Dewa in Thimphu, Bhutan, and The Postcard Galle in Sri Lanka each a celebration of place, culture, and understated elegance. @thepostcardayurvedaretreat . About Sitaram Ayurveda Founded in 1921, in Kerala, India Sitaram Ayurveda began as Sitaram Anglo Ayurveda Pharmacy with a mission to provide education and accessible Ayurvedic healthcare to all. With the support of royal patrons, inspiration from the Punkunnam Sitaramaswamy Temple, and dedication of pioneering founders Sitaram became Indias first Ayurvedic joint-stock company, established in Thrissur. Over a century later, its legacy continues to be trusted across generations, guided by tradition, and renewed through science. With 104 years of tradition, Sitaram Ayurveda is a living, evolving ecosystem rooted in the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda from in-house Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing and a dedicated R&D team that continuously innovates, to experienced Ayurvedic doctors who guide every formulation. The companys name embodies Ayurvedic ideals: Sita referencing abundance/harvest, and Ram indicating rest and wellbeing.
No elections in Kochi Corporation Standing Committees as UDF secures majority in all eight panels
Election to the posts of standing committee chairpersons will be held on January 13
Jeethu Joseph revealed the release plans during a private event in Kochi
EPFO Kochi office holds session with industry leaders
Maiden Kochi Corporation council meeting witnesses heated political debate over PMAY-U project
KochiMuziris Biennale to host a comprehensive seminar and sculpture exhibition in Irinjalakuda, revisiting the philosophy, modernism, and vision of Malayalam writer Anand
Former Kerala Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju Passes Away
Ebrahim Kunju died while undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, kidney issues, and heart ailments at a private hospital in Kochi: Reports
Mumbai rides late, Bhubaneswar moves fast, and Kochi behaves best: How India Ubered in 2025
Uber India's 2025 report shows a massive surge in travel. Indians took 3.2 million Uber rides, covering 11.6 billion kilometers. Late-night travel was popular in Mumbai and Kolkata. Intercity trips and electric vehicle usage also saw strong growth. Uber Pet services also gained traction, highlighting evolving mobility needs across the nation.
How Indians Ubered in 2025: Kochi rated the best, Mumbai preferred late-night trips
Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune ubered the most last year
Kerala plans plastic recycling industrial park in Kochi
Brahmapuram near Koch has been identified as a potential site for the plastic recycling industrial park
AQI levels moderate in Kochi, claims PCB
PCB officials in the district attribute the spike in AQI levels to temperature inversion
Bank in Kochi receives hoax bomb threat
The threat messages reportedly claimed that ammonium nitrate had been planted at multiple locations inside the bank
IRCTC launches special five-day Dubai tour package
Jaipur: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has launched a special Dubai tour package to coincide with Republic Day celebrations this month, officials said on Sunday. The four-night, five-day package, priced at Rs 94,730 per person, will allow tourists from cities Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Kochi to travel to Dubai 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 .
Stray dog attack exposes safety lapses at Kochi taluk hospital
The hospital has been without a compound wall for years after the previous one was demolished for proposed renovation works funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board
Kochi Mayor spreading falsehood regarding doorstep collection of biomedical waste, alleges LDF
The previous LDF council had never decided to charge 45 per kilogram for biomedical waste collection, says the LDF Parliamentary Party leader in the Corporation.
Over 3,000 drug cases registered in Kochi city limits in 2025
The rise in numbers reasserts the growing concern over drug use in the city, though increased police surveillance is cited as a reason for the figures going up
The High Court had directed the eviction with police assistance in an interim order dated December 16, 2025
UDF mulls split terms for standing committee chiefs in Kochi Corporation
Elephant brought for temple fest collapses and dies in Kochi
The jumbo was not paraded after it showed some uneasiness
166 booked under KAAPA in Ernakulam in 2025
KAAPA was invoked against 58 people within the Kochi City police limits, while the Ernakulam Rural police used the law to rein in 108 alleged anti-social elements
KSRTC launches second double-decker bus in Munnar for sightseeing
Like the first bus, this bus too will operate on the Anayirankal route along the Munnar-Bodimettu stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway. The new bus has 12 seats on the lower deck and 38 on the upper deck
Kerala rings in New Year on a high with record liquor sales of 125.64 crore
Among Bevco outlets, Kadavanthra outlet in Kochi topped the list with sales of 1.17 crore on New Years Eve
2026: What Kochi wants to sustain from the past year
Efficient public transport, child-friendly initiatives, and a vibrant environment for art and culture... this is what Kochi wants to take forward to 2026
KWML readying plans to extend Water Metro service to Thopumpady, Edakochi
Preliminary work for mega drinking water project in Kochi likely to begin soon
Kochi Biennale painting gets backlash from Christian groups; artist defends work
Kochi: Noted artist Tom Vattakuzhy on Wednesday rejected allegations of distorting the depiction of Christs Last Supper in one of his paintings displayed at Kochi Biennale, a day after the Catholic Church had raised strong criticism against it. While speaking to a TV channel, he said the respective painting, part of the Biennales curated show, 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 .
Watch: Fort Kochi rings in the New Year with ceremonial burning of Pappanji effigy
Artwork Depicting Last Supper Sparks Protests By Church Groups In Kerala
An art exhibition at Kerala's Kochi-Muziris Biennale has been temporarily closed after protests erupted over a painting that Christian groups alleged insulted the depiction of Jesus Christ's Last Supper.
Kochi Metro sets New Year record with over 1.61 lakh passengers
On December 31, Kochi Metro achieved a new milestone by recording its highest-ever daily revenue of 44,67,688
In One Year, VinFast Went From a Whisper to a Roar in India's EV Market
On a morning in New Delhi, the Bharat Mobility Global Expo buzzed with the familiar hum of Indias automotive giants. Visitors wandered between displays of combustion engines and gleaming show cars, the kind of scene Delhi has hosted for decades. But in one corner of the hall, the crowd slowed. Two premium compact electric SUVs sat under the lights, the VF 6 and VF 7, their sharp V-shaped signatures glowing long before anyone registered the name on the stand. VinFast has quietly climbed into the ranks of Indias top electric vehicle brands VinFasts debut in India on Jan 17 of last year caught even veteran showgoers off guard. The company had brought right-hand drive versions tailored specifically for Indian consumers, a quiet signal that it was here with purpose, not testing the waters. Still, few in the hall recognized the badge. Amid the hum of announcements and clicking shutters, one visitor leaned toward a friend and asked, Who are these people? That question did not hang in the air for long. In the weeks that followed, a group of Indian journalists traveled to Vietnam to see where the cars came from. What they discovered in the northen city of Hai Phong reframed everything. I had no idea VinFast is such a big group , auto journalist Swati Agrawal recalled. I saw the factory, the manufacturing plant, and not only cars, even scooters, buses, electric buses. Everything is being manufactured in one place. Three lakh cars per year. This is not a small brand. Her reaction points to a deeper story. VinFasts sudden visibility in India is not merely an export push. It is the latest chapter in Vietnams own industrial transformation, one that has accelerated quickly enough to catch even Asias seasoned automotive observers off guard. A 400-Acre Factory From Nothing By the time the expo lights dimmed, the next act of VinFasts India story had already begun taking shape in Tamil Nadu months earlier. To choose a location for its plant, the company surveyed fifteen sites across six states. Tamil Nadu, with its manufacturing-ready infrastructure and active support for green mobility initiatives, rose to the top. What happened next showed how the brand like to act. And its right there in the name: Fast. In late February 2024, when the groundbreaking ceremony began on a sun soaked, low lying tract of land near Thoothukudi, the site was still empty. By Aug 4, 2025, it housed Indias newest electric vehicle factory, a 400-acre complex with body shop, paint shop, general assembly, logistics warehouse, and supplier-ready zones. We entered India with nothing , CEO Pham Sanh Chau said at the inauguration ceremony. No land. No factory. No team. The only thing we had was a deep resolve and a belief that this area could become a leading hub for electric vehicles and auto components in South Asia . He gestured to the plant behind him. In just fifteen months, we transformed this land into a modern, highly-automated factory . When the first VF 6 and VF 7 rolled out that morning, they were the first VinFast vehicles to be made-in-India, by the hands and minds of Indian people, for Indian customers. They are a symbol of the aspirations and resilience of the Indian people as they reach for a better, cleaner future , Chau said. The plant is expected to create 3,000-3,500 direct jobs and several thousand more across the supply chain as auxiliary partners move into the region. Suppliers have already expressed readiness to relocate workshops near the factory, a sign of confidence in Thoothukudis rise as an automotive production base. In parallel, VinFasts India team has moved quickly to build the retail and service backbone that can make or break an EV brand in this market. By end of 2025, the company had opened 35 dealerships, stretching from Delhi, Gurugram and Noida in the north to Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi and Hyderabad. Yet the most unusual part of the ecosystem lies in aftersales support. VinFast partnered with RoadGrid, myTVS and Global Assure with the aim of creating a full-fledged third-party service centers before the first customer deliveries. Global Assure will operate a round the clock helpline, roadside assistance and mobile service. RoadGrid and myTVS will handle charging, maintenance and diagnostics, including support in areas where VinFast does not yet have a showroom. For a country where questions about EV service often outweigh questions about EV design, this infrastructure may prove decisive. Financing, long a barrier for EV adoption in India, has also been addressed through agreements with major banks including HDFC Bank, Yes Bank, Axis Bank, and others. These arrangements offer everything from dealer inventory financing to 100 percent on-road customer loans, with bank officers stationed directly in showrooms for simplified approval. This is how you support an EV transition , one banker at the Chennai showroom launch said. You do not just sell cars. You build systems . And in the months since customer deliveries began, VinFast has quietly climbed into the ranks of Indias top electric vehicle brands. Industry registration data shows the company already placing among the countrys top 10 EV brands, a notable shift for a name that was unfamiliar to most Indians at the start of the year. Its early momentum, built on steady deliveries and expanding visibility on the roads, has reinforced what many analysts have begun to observe. I love one thing about Vingroup , Swati says. They know what they are doing. And if they have a plant in India, people will think you are not going to just sell the product and leave . She adds, In India, if you give good price, good range, and good service, the customers are yours. Why this first year matters The rollout of Made-in-India VF 6 and VF 7 has already begun shifting industry perception. In April 2025, ABP Live named the VF 7 Most Awaited New Car, praising its design and advanced features. At the Jagran Hi-Tech Awards later in the year, VinFast was named EV Manufacturer of the Year, and the VF 7 won EV Disruptor of the Year. VinFast embodies the spirit of innovation and progress driving Indias EV transformation, said Jagrans auto editor Arjit Garg. He commented that the company has displayed a rare clarity of direction for a newcomer and a people-first vision that aligns with Indias long-term mobility goals. VinFasts long-term commitment became even more visible on Dec 4, 2025, when VinFast signed a new MOU with the Government of Tamil Nadu to expand its Thoothukudi facility by an additional 200 hectares. The second-phase investment will add production lines for electric buses, e-scooters and charging infrastructure, deepening localization and strengthening Indias emergence as a regional manufacturing hub. For many observers, the expansion underscored that the companys commitment runs far beyond its initial launch. With the factory inaugurated, dealerships opening, service networks activating and customers already booking, VinFast enters 2026 as a steady companion in Indias electric transition, intent on growing with the country. Indian visitors to Vietnam say the brands trajectory feels familiar yet refreshing. Piyush, a journalist and content creator, thinks back to the sight of VinFast cars filling Vietnams streets. I can imagine something similar happening in India, he says. Maybe after five or six years.
Outlet manager, youths booked after alleged ruckus over chicken dish in Kochi
Kochi rings in New Year with carnival fervour
Fort Kochis viral Christmas tree shines bright with more than 100,000 lights
A rain tree in Fort Kochi, over 200 years old, decked up with sparkling lime yellow lights has become the most popular Christmas tree in the country
Traffic block: Idukki Collector bans road-widening work
Works on Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway continues to cause hours-long traffic blocks on the route to Munnar
Coimbatore police open new checkpost near Walayar on Salem-Kochi Highway
He says his work is not a distortion of The Last Supper as alleged by those opposing it. A statement by the curators says the artwork depicts Mata Hari, a historically documented figure and a convicted spy
The work in question is a painting by artist Tom Vattakuzhy displayed as part of Edam exhibition at Garden Convention Centre in Kochi. The venue was shut down temporarily on Tuesday after protests by various groups
1,200 police to be deployed for crowd management at New Year revelry in Fort Kochi
New Year celebrations, mainly the burning of Pappanji effigies, will be held this year at Parade Ground and Veli Ground
Global spice routes conclave to unveil heritage network
The three-day event to be held in Kochi from January 6 will explore new ways to strengthen cultural and heritage tourism among a host of countries which are part the famed global trade corridor
Mohanlal's mother Santhakumari passes away at 90 due to..., Mammootty pays final respects
Mohanlal's mother Santhakumari spent most of her life in Thiruvananthapuram, before Mohanlal brought her to Kochi following a stroke. The medical episode left her paralysed, and she remained bedridden for nearly a decade.
Actor Mohanlal's mother Santhakumari passes away
She was 90. The death occurred at the actors residence at Elamakkara in Kochi. Santhakumari had been ailing for some time owing to neurological disorders
Major fire guts several shops in Kochis Broadway
No casualty was reported though the blaze is estimated to have caused losses to the tune of lakhs of rupees
Look, an investor A recent startup event in Kochi had young entrepreneurs, some right out of college, putting up stalls detailing their ambitious projects. It so happened that this correspondent was accorded a warm welcome to the venue, with the organisers and the top Kerala Startup Mission officials going out of their way to extend greetings. People, especially those manning the stalls, took note. Unaware of the buzz around my entry, I walked up to the stall of a startup that developed games. The enthusiastic founders started explaining their product and their business idea. Good story, I thought, and took the discussion forward. Soon, with a flourish, the youngsters took out their visiting cards and requested a meet-up to discuss their product further. Suddenly, the realisation dawned: They are after funding and I am their prospective investor! Oh no, Im a journalist, I corrected, setting off loud laughter. The founders, however, were quick to clarify that a story on them would be just as important. Anu Kuruvilla Jackfruit for lunch, in the wild On an assignment to the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, I set off from Kottayam at dawn, armed with a notebook and on the strength of a cup of coffee. En route from Marayur, I hoped to find some shop. Instead, the road slipped quietly into reserve forest stretchesno shops, no tea stalls only trees and wildlife warnings. Past the checkpost and a five-kilometre drive through the sanctuary, I was at my destination a tribal settlement -- around 2 pm. By then, I was so hungry I felt capable of devouring an elephant! As is their custom, the Muthuvan community welcomed me warmly. An elderly woman offered coffee, and on learning I had missed lunch, the tribal chief promptly plucked out an elephant-sized treat -- a ripe jackfruit. He sliced it open, served as fresh as any. Perhaps it was the hunger, or the kindness, but that was the sweetest jackfruit ever! Talk of hospitality. Nejma Sulaiman Deja vu in Paris A week-long stay for a climate conference in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, enabled this reporter to see up close its impressive civic sense, love for arts, polite behaviour, and the way Parisians valued privacy. But on September 18, as I walked around the streets, a sense of shared culture hit me. There it was, playing out in front of my eyes a massive protest march... in Paris! The metro system and the suburban rail service were disrupted, not to speak of traffic snarl-ups, as thousands of workers led by 10 trade unions marched down the streets protesting President Emmanuel Macrons proposal for budget cuts. Placards, slogans, and dancing on the streets as if I was back witnessing one of the routine protests on the Palayam-Secretariat stretch in Thiruvananthapuram. My journalist friend quipped: A cultural connect! Manoj Viswanathan Fritters? No, politics Covering local body elections entails travelling to the remote corners of a district, Kasaragod in this reporters case. Having reached the border town of Muligadde, hardly a kilometre from Karnataka, after a long day, my friend and I sought refuge at a roadside shack for some refreshment. We attempted to strike a conversation on politics, in chaste Malayalam. The shop owner returned a blank look and called in his cook. The elderly man began explaining the fritters on offer, in Tulu! It was our turn to return that blank look. I racked my brain to brush up on some Kannada. The conversation then turned into an interesting mixture of Tulu, Malayalam and broken Kannada. But none of us understood what the other was saying! Finally, two other customers came to our rescue. Its about politics, chetta! Well, the awkward smiles said it all: Theres plenty to learn in a district that speaks seven languages. Arockiaraj J Location live, assault invited Amid the political uproar over a sexual assault complaint, this correspondent rang up a police officer in Malappuram to verify certain facts. Instead of offering the usual grim response, the officer jumped straight into describing a critical turn of events, in all seriousness: An IUML worker abused that particular survivor while chatting in a local WhatsApp group. He then picked a fight with CPM workers, dragged their wives into it, shared his live location daringly, and went home and slept. The CPM workers took the location pin seriously, followed Google Maps, reached his house, and attacked him while he was snoring! The moment he finished the account, we burst out laughing, simultaneously. That, the officer said, was the first instance in his career of a victim sending an invitation to the attackers. (The IUML worker suffered minor injuries and the CPM workers were caught.) Lakshmi Athira Love in the time of AI Out of nowhere, the RahulAshwathi Chechi romance flooded Keralas social media timelines. Emotions ran wild and shares multiplied before questions could even arise. The story felt so real a childhood rescue, a life-altering sacrifice, and a love wrapped in pure Malayali sentiment that thousands admired it without blinking. But the deeper I dug, the touching love story turned into a reporters nightmare. As the cinematic fog cleared, a digital villain came to the fore: artificial intelligence! No real Rahul, no heroic lorry scene, just an expertly crafted AI narrative that hijacked human empathy and went viral. By the time the truth surfaced, the damage or rather the business was done, proving yet again that in the age of scrolling thumbs and soft hearts, feelings trend faster than facts. Pooja Nair Looming deadline and a deep dive More than eight years after the traumatic night, and nearly five years after the trial began, the long-awaited verdict in the 2017 actor abduction and sexual assault case was pronounced on December 8. Actor Dileep was acquitted, while Pulsar Suni and five others were convicted. For the public, it was a verdict. For this correspondent, it was the culmination of years of reporting marked by shock, exhaustion, and quiet pain. Four days after the verdict, on December 12, I reached the court at 9 am. The courtroom was jam-packed, heavy with anticipation. By 11 am, the sentence was announced. A familiar ritual followed, of reporters waiting for the verdict copy. Hours passed. Afternoon slipped into evening. At 9 pm, I was still on the court premises, empty-handed, deadline looming. With no copy of the verdit in sight, I headed to the office to file the main story and allied reports. Even after finishing those, the hunt for the all important document continued. At 10.30 pm, news broke that the verdict copy was out. Immediately, I called my source, a lawyer representing two of the accused persons. He received the copy at 11 pm and I rushed to collect it. The days final edition was drawing close. Back in the office, I opened the massive order -- 1,709 pages! I couldnt help but stare at it for a few seconds. Quickly, the deadline bell rang in my head, and I dived into the details. Thankfully, almost immediately, my eyes caught a crucial section: the court posing questions on the person behind the alleged quotation. I read that portion at breakneck speed, focused only on what mattered most for the story. Somehow, through fatigue and adrenaline rush, I finished writing in time. I felt a rare happiness, more relief than joy, having filed a story based directly on the verdict the very same day. P Ramdas
Pappanji to be burnt at Kovalam Crafts Village
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bringing the long-running Fort Kochi Pappanji tradition to Kovalam, a 40-feet-high effigy has been set up at the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village and will be set on fire at midnight on December 31 as part of the New Year celebrations. This is the first time Kovalam is formally adopting the Pappanji ritual, believed to symbolise bidding farewell to the old year and its troubles. The effigy has been built over 10 days by a team of around 10 artists. The structure has been designed to be visible from a distance inside the campus. Chief Operating Officer T U Sreeprasad added that the preparations were in the final stage. Public viewing of the effigy will be allowed till 3 pm on December 31. From 7 pm, stage programmes will commence at the venue, which will continue till midnight. The burning of the effigy along with a fireworks display will mark the beginning of the New Year. As Kovalam is now joining the list of venues hosting Pappanji burning, organisers expect the event to grow into an annual New Year attraction similar to the Fort Kochi model, though on a smaller scale to begin with. The celebrations are being held under the banner Epilogue, the fourth edition of the New Year event at the venue.
ED quizzes Malayalam actor Jayasurya, wife in money laundering case
KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday interrogated Malayalam actor Jayasurya and his wife Saritha Jayasurya, in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged cheating scam involving an online investment platform. According to sources, the ED received information indicating that Jayasurya had entered into an agreement to serve as the brand ambassador of an online bidding application named Save Box. The platform is an alleged fraudulent investment scheme operated by Swathik Rahee, also known as Swathi Rahim. The case originates from at least four FIRs registered by the Thrissur police, which allege that investors were cheated through the Save Box scheme. The ED had earlier recorded Rahims statement, in which he claimed that a portion of the funds collected from investors was diverted to the film industry, with certain transactions allegedly involving the 47-year-old actor. As per the official, Rahim told investigators that a part of the money was paid to Jayasurya for endorsing the scheme as its brand ambassador. He further alleged that around Rs 30 lakh was paid to the actors wife. While a portion of the sum was allegedly paid in cash, the rest was transferred to a bank account in the name of the boutique run by her. Based on these claims, the ED summoned Jayasurya and his wife to verify the allegations and to examine the nature of their association with the scheme. The agency is currently probing the proceeds of crime generated in the case, the source added.
Kerala temples strike gold with silver
KOCHI: For decades, silver in Keralas temples lived in the shadows always the bridesmaid to glittering gold, rarely the bride. Offered by devotees as lamps, vessels and ornaments, and tucked away in backspaces and strongrooms, the white metal was long treated as ceremonial surplus rather than serious wealth. That changed dramatically in 2025 as the global silver prices crossed the $77-an-ounce mark this week, gaining over 167% so far this year. A stunning surge in silver prices has pushed the once-overlooked metal into the spotlight, turning dusty temple inventories into valuable financial assets. Nowhere is this shift more visible than at the iconic Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple. Long content to keep its silver holdings out of sight, the temple recently monetised nearly five tonnes of the metal, unlocking about Rs 35 crore in the process. As per available data, the Guruvayur temple receives an average 120125 kg of silver annually as offerings from devotees. In November 2025 alone, it received 12.154 kg of silver, followed by 8.025 kg in December. Similarly, big temples like Attukal and Sabarimala, as well as Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple receive huge offerings in silver in various forms like lamps, bowls, statuette, said B M Nagarajan of Rajan Jewellery in Chalai, Thiruvananthapuram. Miniature human figurines are offered for prosperity and good health. When I started my shop 50 years ago, a half-gram figurine in silver (alroopam) cost about 50 paise. Today, it costs over Rs 25, he said. Ezhikode Sasi Namboothiri, who has served as melshanti at both Sabarimala and Guruvayur, said silver has always been an intrinsic part of temple rituals, with some traditions placing it ahead of gold because of its properties. Price rally has altered market psychology For certain poojas, silver bowls are mandatory. People have been offering miniature human figures to temples for decades, and silver has been the preferred metal, he said. Trade bodies say the price rally has altered market psychology. S Abdul Nazar, general secretary of the Gold & Silver Merchants Association, told TNIE that silver prices have surged sharply, at times even outperforming gold. Investment demand, its inclusion in the US critical minerals list, and momentum buying have all played a role, he said. Silver, he added, is now trading around Rs 250260 per gram, up from about Rs 100125 per gram a year ago. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami, chairperson of the India Gold Policy Centre -IIMA, said silver prices are set to increase further. I dont perceive any immediate downside. At best, it may plateau sometime soon. Again, the causes are due to macroeconomic factors and global markets. India is impacted, but has little influence on this, she added.
Kochi Mayor promises corruption-free governance, to hold public hearings
She says a special drive will be conducted to collect tax dues without overburdening citizens to ensure the Corporations financial stability
Kochi Mayor unveils 50-day action plan ahead of Assembly polls
V.K. Minimol says action plan will aim at finding solutions to multiple challenges, including waterlogging, waste management, mosquito eradication, and stray dog menace
A mistrial, a matriarch, a memory. An exhibition at the Kochi Muziris Biennale, tells the story of Eliamma Matthen, whose inter-generational fight against one familial injustice, changed the very trajectory of her life and her family. In Lilies in the Garden, explore the role of women as witnesses to injustice, keepers of history, and agents of creative survival
Traffic blocks, NH works hit Eravikulam footfall
IDUKKI: Despite the holiday season, prolonged traffic congestion caused by ongoing development works on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi national highway has begun to affect tourist movement in and around Munnar, with the impact most evident at Eravikulam National Park. Tourists heading to the hill station continue to face long hours of gridlock, especially along the Neriamangalam-Munnar stretch and within town limits. The congestion, which worsens during weekends and peak hours, has discouraged many from planning short trips, residents said. A park official said daily turnout has dropped sharply in recent days. The number of visitors, which was earlier above 3,000 a day, has now dropped to between 2,000 and 2,400. Although arrivals were good till December 25, there has been a clear decline since then, the official said. According to the official, road congestion has played a major role in the dip. Due to bad traffic hold-ups from Neriamangalam to Munnar and within town, tourists from within the state are not travelling to Munnar for weekend visits. Most of the current visitors are from outside Kerala, mostly from Tamil Nadu and northern states, he added. However, the data from other tourist centres in Munnar presents a mixed picture. According to the District Tourism Promotion Council, visitor numbers at Mattupetty remained largely steady during the holiday period, hovering between 344 and 450 a day between December 20 and 27. In contrast, the Botanical Garden witnessed a steady rise in footfall, with numbers increasing from 1,612 on December 20 to over 5,000 on December 27, indicating that tourists are preferring easily accessible attractions within town limits. On social media platforms, tourists who visited the hill station have been urging prospective visitors to avoid crowded tourism spots, warning that long hours of traffic congestion could completely spoil the holiday mood. Meanwhile, nearby Vattavada has witnessed good tourist numbers. There has been a considerable inflow of tourists since the Christmas holidays, and hotels and homestays are almost fully booked, said Azhakesh K G, a resident. Offering a broader perspective, Benny, a homestay owner in Munnar, said perceptions of a tourism slowdown often stem from selective viewpoints. The idea that Munnar tourism is low usually comes from people who view the situation negatively or from operators running low-quality or unlicensed rooms. Reputed, experience-focused properties are still getting good guests, he said. Industry stakeholders said unless traffic management improves and road development works are expedited, congestion could continue to influence how tourists move within Munnar and its surrounding destinations during peak seasons.
Kerala HC relief to man who lost legs while trying to board moving train in 2022
KOCHI: Setting aside a previous order of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT), the Kerala High Court recently held that a passenger who lost his legs while attempting to board a moving train was entitled to compensation. Justice S Manu delivered the ruling on a petition filed by Siddharth K Bhattathiri, 26, a journalist, challenging the RCTs decision denying him compensation on the ground that the injury he sustained in the 2022 incident was self-inflicted. The RCTs counsel had opined that since the petitioner attempted to board a running train, the injuries sustained were the result of his own actions and therefore did not qualify for compensation under the Railways Act. However, the HC, while allowing the petition, held the expression self-inflicted injury under the Railways Act refers only to injuries caused by a deliberate and intentional act. Injuries resulting from negligence or lack of caution cannot be categorised as self-inflicted, it observed. Based on the reasoning, the HC directed that the respondent shall pay a compensation of Rs 8 lakh to the petitioner and same shall carry interest at the rate of 6% from the date of accident. Advocates Adil P, Muhammed Ibrahim Abdul Samad and Shabeer Ali Mohamed appeared for Siddharth. On November 19, 2022, Siddharth, then a journalist with Kairali TV, was travelling on the Kochuveli-Hazrat Nizamuddin train. He alighted at Surat railway station to buy drinking water. When the train started moving, he attempted to board, but slipped and fell, and had to have both his legs amputated.
The year we are leaving behind will be mostly remembered for the conflicts that escalated, the political landscapes that changed, the technological advancements that pushed all known boundaries, and for a multitude of things for which we must feel grateful. Here's a look back at the year in art. Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer by Gustav Klimt When the hammer came down to smash records It was a good year at the auction house. After 20 minutes of intense bidding, Gustav Klimts Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer sold for a record $236.4 million, making it the second most expensive artwork ever sold at an auction, with da Vincis Salvator Mundi obviously occupying the first place. The painting is a full-length portrait of the daughter of Klimts patrons. Confiscated by the Nazis after Austrias annexation in 1938, the painting was acquired by a private collector when it resurfaced in the market in the early 80s. After decades out of public view, the artwork made a splash when it appeared at a Sothebys auction in November. It was more than just a good year for women artists at art auctions. Mexican artist Frida Kahlos self-portrait from 1940, titled The Dream (The Bed), fetched $54.7 million at Sothebys in November, making her painting the most expensive artwork by a female artist ever sold at an auction. As for the living women artists, South African artist Marlene Dumass painting from 1997, titled Miss January, sold for $13.63 million at Christies, shattering previous auction records for contemporary female artists. Although we still have a long way to go to bridge the gender pay gap, these records are positive signs of the growing recognition of female artists in an otherwise male-dominated art market. Best drama of the year The Louvre Heist, without a doubt was dubbed the drama of the year. Not just that, the theft of priceless crown jewels in broad daylight from the Louvre Museum in Paris will perhaps go down in history as the heist of the century. Petty local criminals executed this daring plan by gaining access to the first floor with a mechanical ladder and cutting through the glass, before escaping on a scooter with their loot. 2025 saw the rise of several such museum robberies. Another audacious raid that even used explosives happened at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands in January, which led to the loss of invaluable Dacian gold artefacts. In September, a museum in Bristol reported the theft of 600 artefacts linked to the British Empire. In true Hollywood style, two masked gunmen walked into an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in So Paulo one December morning, seized eight artworks by Henri Matisse and five by Brazilian modernist Portinari and fled on foot. In November, a Roman museum was robbed, and numerous Roman-era gold coins were taken away, while more than 1000 items were stolen from the Museum of California in October. There has been an increasing interest in cultural artefacts and masterpieces by renowned artists among criminal networks, and it is time for all institutions to reassess their security measures to ensure the protection of their collections. Statue of Liberty by Amy Sherald Crackdowns on art The change in the political climate in many countries has left museums and cultural institutions in a state of instability. Governments used their authoritarian control over the budgets allocated to institutions to interfere with the institutions programmes. Threats to cut funding were used to coerce museums to align with government approved ideologies. In the US, the Trump administration used this tactic with the Smithsonian Museum in order to force it to comply with a content review. Most institutions also face the pressure of censorship, with strict orders being given indirectly to avoid controversial topics. American artist Amy Sherald cancelled her show at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery after officials expressed doubts about the inclusion of her portrait of a Black Transgender woman as the Statue of Liberty, as they did not want to antagonise President Trump. Germany also witnessed the cancellation of several shows which had the crisis in Gaza as the primary theme, as it went against the states pro-Israel stance. The Indian government denied permission to screen 19 films at the 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala, held in December, without stating any concrete reasons to do so. Films that focused on Palestine were on the list, along with a few, like the Spanish film Beef , that were banned merely for their titles. The tensions within federally funded institutions due to political interference have definitely affected artistic expression, and 2025 was certainly a tough year for most museums that struggled to retain their autonomy and integrity. Ram V Sutar A world lost forever The world of art bid adieu to many luminaries this year. While the world mourned the loss of renowned filmmaker David Lynch, iconic architect Frank Gehry, artist Alison Knowles (a prominent figure in the Fluxus Movement) and several other artists, collectors and museum directors, India also said farewell to many who left enduring legacies. Himmat Shah, one of Indias foremost sculptors, passed away in March, Mohammad Abdul Rauf, a national award-winning craftsman in Bidri art, left us in February, while Ram V Sutar, who became internationally famous for the worlds tallest statue, the monumental Statue of Unity, died in December. Although these brilliant minds may no longer physically exist, they will continue to inspire and influence art for generations. Despite a year that felt like a roller coaster ride, there is a yearning for peace and clarity as we await the brand new year. It is heartening to have the Kochi Biennale which opened on December 12, as a wonderful experience to end the year with or perhaps to welcome 2026! So go ahead and indulge in some art and culture to kick start the year!
Rishikesh forest survey sparks mass rail blockade; protesters clash with police
DEHRADUN: Tensions erupted in Rishikesh today as hundreds of local residents, fearing displacement due to a Supreme Court-mandated survey of forest land, staged a dramatic protest on active railway tracks. The blockade, led largely by women, brought rail traffic to a standstill and escalated into clashes with security forces. The disruption occurred near the Mansa Devi Railway Crossing, where residents gathered to express outrage over the Forest Departments demarcation exercise. The survey follows Supreme Court directives concerning encroachment on designated forest areas. We will give up our lives, but we will not give up our land, chanted protestors, many of whom have occupied the land for decades, as they sat firmly on the tracks. Rail operations were immediately affected. The Gangotri Express, heading towards Yog Nagari station, and another train arriving from Kochi were delayed for nearly an hour and a half, causing significant inconvenience to passengers and disrupting the wider network schedule. The situation turned tense when, during attempts at negotiation, stones were allegedly hurled at security personnel. Police reportedly responded with a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, but demonstrators remained resolute. Additional PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) units were deployed, and senior administrative and police officials are currently at the site. The dispute originates from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in which the Supreme Court directed the Forest Department and District Collector to survey and reclaim vacant forest land. Local councillor Abhinav Singh Malik sought to reassure residents, stating, This action is being taken under the highest courts order. Only demarcation is underway. There is no need to panic. The next hearing is on 5 January, which everyone is awaiting. Malik added that a committee could be formed, if necessary, to present the residents case before the Supreme Court. Protesters are demanding that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal be invited for dialogue, urging the government to convene a special assembly session to grant rights over the occupied land through legislation. The dispute concerns roughly 2,866 acres of land in the Rishikesh region. Records show that the land was leased for 99 years to the Pashu Lok Seva Mandal Sansthan on 26 May 1950, with the lease expiring in 2049. The terms specified its use for animal husbandry, horticulture, fodder production, and allied activities. Subsequent inquiries revealed the land was allegedly used for unauthorised commercial activities and sub-let to third parties, violating the original lease agreement.
Railway police nab two for alleged theft in Kochi
Days after India's aviation ministry issued a 'no objection certificate' to AlHind Air and FlyExpress, Kochi-based Alhind Air airlines, has put over 120 of its employees on a o work, no pay leave. Here's why.
Ola Electric fast-tracks rollout of 4680 Bharat Cell powered vehicles
New Delhi: Ola Electric on Sunday said it has scaled up deliveries of its 4680 Bharat Cell powered S1 Pro+ (5.2 kWh) across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Karnataka. The company has commenced deliveries across Coimbatore, Kochi, and Hyderabad, along with continued ramp-up in Bengaluru, Ola Electric said in a statement. The S1 Pro+ (5.2 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 .
CPM stalwart V S Achuthanandan passed away on July 21 at the age of 101, leaving an indelible imprint on not just the Communist movements political markings, but on every milestone woven into the states socio-cultural fabric. Poverty eradication sustained? On November 1, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared Kerala free of extreme poverty making it the first state in the country to achieve the status. Though the nature of the announcement, with Mammootty in attendance, made it seem as much a PR moment as a policy milestone, the state government deserves credit for making a sustained effort to identify extremely poor families. Rajeev Chandrasekhar succeeded K Surendran as the states new BJP chief. Initially branded an outsider , Rajeev emerged as a power player after the partys victory in TPuram corporation. The Malayalam film fraternity came together to pay rich tributes to actor, screenwriter, and director Sreenivasan , whose satirical films reshaped popular cinema and made generations laugh. Gold-clad plates being removed from the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple as part of the SIT probe into the alleged misappropriation and sale of gold, carried out by falsifying records to show them as copper during refurbishment in 2019, exposing systemic fraud and potential links to smuggling rings. Fierce sea surges and relentless coastal erosion have displaced dozens of fisher families, laying bare the vulnerability of Keralas 590-km-long shoreline. According to various studies, over 55% of Keralas coastline is at risk of erosion. There has also been a staggering loss of 647 acres of coastal land along a 58-km stretch in Thiruvananthapuram district alone over the past 14 years, highlighting the urgent need for effective coastal protection measures in the state From the start, the state governments Messi project was riddled with confusion, shifting sponsors, and half-baked plans that kept fans guessing whether Argentine superstar Lionel Messi would ever set foot in the state. The anticipation, however, ended in vain. The AMMA made history, electing Shwetha Menon as its president the first woman to hold the post in the film bodys 30-year history A stray dog stands atop a boundary wall marked with civic poll campaign graffiti and posters, capturing a striking contrast between the feverish political outreach across the state and the persistent issue of stray dog menace, which continues to trouble the public. Last respects being offered by the family of N Ramachandran , a 65-year-old Kochi native who was among the 26 civilians killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 this year Mundakkai natives Radha and Pathumma embrace at Puthumala graveyard on the first anniversary of the devastating Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides in Wayanad . The day was marked by sombre remembrances, prayers, and reflections on the tragedy that struck on July 30, 2024, claiming over 298 lives Mother Eliswa , the first nun of the Catholic Church in Kerala, was elevated to the rank of blessed in November. It was on April 14 that Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Mother Eliswa People throng the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court premises following the acquittal of Dileep in the actor assault case after the prosecution failed to establish conspiracy charge against him. Six accused were convicted. The lynching of Ramnarayan Baghel , a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, on suspicion of theft at Walayar in Palakkad sits uneasily with Keralas image as a fully literate state. Ramnarayans wife, Lalitha, breaks down on seeing his body. This is the 5th lynching of a migrant in the state in the past decade Kochi-Muziris Biennale began in December, featuring 22 venues and seven collaterals, significantly widening the socio-historical as well as political footprints of the new-age art exhibition
Kathakali artist to weave Pahalgam terror attack into solo performance
KOCHI: Moved by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22 this year, a kathakali artist has composed a 45-minute dance drama that conveys the shock, grief, and outrage over the incident. Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, a kathakali artist settled in the UK for the past four decades, has choreographed a solo performance incorporating four evergreen Malayalam film songs composed by legendary music director G Devarajan to deliver the anguish over the attack. The first performance will be staged at the Devarajan Master Museum and Research Centre at Paravoor in Kollam district on January 9. The songs selected for the performance are Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal from the film Ashwamedham (1967), Chandra Kalabham Charthi from Kottaram Vilkanundu (1975), Manjalayil Mungi Thorthi from Kalithozhan and Ayiram Padasarangal Kilungi from the film Nadhi (1969). While Manjalayil was written by P Bhaskaran, the other three songs were by Vayalar Rama Varma.Initially, I thought of composing the lyrics for the performance. However, I felt that using these immortal songs would help connect with the audience easily, Vijayakumar told TNIE. The story depicts the tragedy that befell Himanshi Narwal, the wife of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, whose photograph that showed her sitting numb beside husbands body triggered outrage across the world. The couple, married just six days earlier, was on a honeymoon trip to Kashmir when the tragedy occurred. The photograph was so disturbing that I couldnt sleep for days. I felt a strong urge to express my anguish through my art, Vijayakumar said. He said the story starts with the heroine dreaming over her marriage.For that, I have adapted the song Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal. After marriage, the couple reaches Kashmir, and the stunning mountains, lush valleys, and the serene lakes create a perfect landscape for their love to flourish, for which I have adapted the song Chandra Kalabham.... And Manjalayil Mungi Thorthi conveys the intimacy of the lovers, he said. Subsequently, the artist will convey the terror attack through manodharmam, an expressive dramatic narration. The woman hears the gun shots and frantically runs around in search of her husband. She finds men lying dead in pools of blood and desperately searches for her husband, and finally finds his bullet-riddled body. The performance will end with the lines Omale... Onnu Chirikkoo Orikkal Koodi, which is part of the song Ayiram Padasarangal Kilungi. Vijayakumar and his wife Barbara have played a key role in popularising kathakali in the Western world, with the couple having organised more than 3,000 kathakali stage shows in Europe during the past four decades. Barbara is the first woman artist to take up chutty, the intricate make-up for kathakali. A native of Manimala in Kottayam district, Vijayakumar met Barbara when she arrived in Kalamandalam to learn chutty in 1975.
Malayalam film industry sees box office highs but widespread losses in 2025
KOCHI: Despite several record- and ground-breaking films, 2025 was a challenging year for the Malayalam movie industry. Big releases such as Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra , L2: Empuraan , and Thudarum set box office records, pointing to the industrys ability to produce sweeping films. However, the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) maintains that only 15 of the 184 Malayalam films released this year were profitable. It has also been a year in which the industry encountered several challenges from the release of monthly collection reports to the re-censoring of films. Lokah, the first Malayalam female superhero flick starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, released in August, became the industrys first film to make it to the Rs 300-crore club. The Mohanlal-Prithviraj combinations big-budget film, Empuraan , entered the Rs 200-crore club, as did another Mohanlal-starrer Thudarum . Film Exhibitors Federation chairman Liberty Basheer said the year was comparatively better for theatres in the state. After the Covid interruption, family audiences are choosing theatres big screens with better audio effects over OTT to watch films. The experience of watching a film is important for moviegoers now. This reverse trend has helped theatres in the state, he said.Also, we need occasional mass films such as Lokah and Empuraan to attract audiences to theatres. People will dole out money to watch quality fare, he added. Former KFPA vice-president G Suresh Kumar said the industry took a loss of R500 crore this year. Films like Thudarum and Lokah generated good box office revenue. But most of the films failed in theatres. Considering their budgets, long shooting schedules, and production costs, the loss is massive, he stated. Backing the numbers released by KFPA, Basheer emphasised that the number of box-office hits are virtually the same every year.We come out with some 10-15 hit and superhit films annually. Earlier, we only had 40-50 new releases a year. Now, with more technicians and producers, this number has jumped to 150-200. But only some 10% of these draw audiences to theatres, Basheer said. Earlier in the year, KFPA initiated the process of releasing monthly collection reports, claiming that the transparency would help producers better understand industry trends and financial outcomes. However, when a section of producers argued that box office figures should not weigh in entirely on whether a film is a commercial success in this era of digital rights and other revenue streams, the association put an end to the publishing of monthly figures. The re-censoring of Empuraan , Suresh Gopi-starrer JSK: Janaki V v/s State of Kerala , and Shane Nigams Haal was also a topic of intense discussion in film circles and among the public. According to Suresh Kumar, the total number of films released declined from 212 in 2024 to 184 in 2025 as mainstream OTT platforms displayed an unwillingness to purchase Malayalam films. REEL DEAL Top box-office hits of the year Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra L2: Empuraan Thudarum Dis Ira Hridayapoorvam Alappuzha Gymkhana Kalamkaval Officer on Duty Eko Rekhachitram
Over 4 kg of suspected hybrid ganja seized at Kochi airport
Kochi metro and water metro to operate additional services on New Years Eve
On the night of December 31, Kochi water metro services will resume after a short break on the High CourtMattancherry and High CourtVypin routes
IUML pushes hard for 30 seats in upcoming Kerala state assembly elections
MALAPPURAM: With the assembly elections approaching, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has mounted an aggressive pitch for a larger share of seats within the UDF, setting its sights on around 30 constituencies five more than the 25 the party contested in 2021. The Muslim Leagues renewed ambition is no longer confined to its traditional Malabar strongholds; it is now pressing for a strategic expansion into southern Kerala, signalling a decisive shift in its electoral calculus. At the core of IUMLs demand is its performance in the recent local body elections. Party leaders argue that improved seat and vote shares especially in southern districts have strengthened their bargaining position. The League is seeking winnable seats in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha, regions where its presence was once marginal but is now electorally relevant. We recorded an 80% winning rate in the local body polls and performed strongly in southern Kerala as well. Seeking more seats in the UDF is our right, said IUML state general secretary P M A Salam. He said seat-sharing talks are expected to conclude by January 15 and that the party anticipates a positive response when it places its demands before the UDF leadership. Stressing the party deserves more seats, a senior IUML leader said the party was promised 27 seats in 2021. However, due to last-minute adjustments within the UDF, we were able to contest only 25 seats, of which we won 15just six fewer than the Congress. In the 2025 LSG polls, we secured 3,203 seats, finishing third among parties in Kerala. Therefore, we deserve to contest at least 30 seats, the leader said. IUML smashes Malabar stereotype; tally 220 in southern local bodies league likely to strictly enforce three-term policy In the south, Kollam has emerged as a key testing ground for the party. Despite an ongoing rift with ally RSP, the IUML is eyeing Eravipuram, invoking the memory of its 1991 victory when senior leader P K K Bava defeated the RSP while it was part of the LDF, according to sources. They said the IUML no longer wishes to contest from Punalur, where it failed miserably for the last two terms. Salam, meanwhile, dismissed reports of a possible seat swap with the Congress involving Guruvayur. Some leaders aspiring to contest from Guruvayur, with the help of certain media, are creating such stories. We are not bothered about it, he said. However, internal party deliberations suggest a more intricate reshuffle is under way. IUML sources indicate a strong possibility that the party will contest from Pattambi, while firmly rejecting speculation that Muslim Youth League president K M Shaji could be fielded from Kasaragod. There is no chance Shaji will be considered from Kasaragod. He may be given Koduvally if M K Muneer opts to contest from Kozhikode South, a senior leader said. The party is also considering ceding Thiruvambady to the Congress to facilitate Malappuram DCC president V S Joys candidature, while pushing for Trinamool Congress leader P V Anvar as the UDF candidate in Beypore. The IUML is also expected to strictly enforce its three-term policy with few exceptions for the senior leaders potentially sidelining several sitting MLAs and opening the door for a generational shift. Youth League leaders such as P K Firoz, P M Sadiq Ali and P K Nawas are said to be in contention. Reflecting trends from the local body elections, the leadership is also weighing the option of fielding two or more women candidates. With prominent women Youth League leaders, including Najma Thabsheera and Fathima Thahiliya, already elected to local bodies, the Vanitha League may emerge as the primary beneficiary. The Congress, meanwhile, is signalling resistance. A senior Congress leader, said the IUMLs expectations may be scaled down. We expect the League to ask for 30 seats, but we can offer only 27 or 28 at most. Giving them more winnable seats in the south would mean sacrificing the seats currently held by sitting Congress MLAs. Their best chance is to secure two or three additional seats in Malabar, he said. Adding to the strain is IUMLs deep dissatisfaction over its representation in the governing bodies of local self-governments in southern Kerala. League leaders say they had anticipated at least 35 chairperson or vice-chairperson posts in the region, but not even half that number materialised. The party is particularly aggrieved over te Congresss refusal to concede deputy mayor posts in Kochi and Kollam, despite IUML support being crucial in several civic bodies.
Keralas NR bank deposits race past Rs 3 trillion
KOCHI: Keralas banking sector has raced past a historic landmark. For the first time, non-resident (NR) deposits in banks in the state crossed the Rs 3-trillion mark a symbolic threshold that underscores the states deep economic umbilical link with its global diaspora. As on September 30, 2025, NR deposits stood at Rs 3,03,464.57 crore, up from Rs 2,86,987.21 crore three months earlier an increase of Rs 16,476.79 crore, or 5.75%, in a single quarter. The rebound is particularly striking because the April-June quarter had seen a rare dip, when deposits slipped 2.31%, or Rs 6,634.92 crore the first decline in several quarters. The long-term trajectory, however, has been one of steady ascent. Kerala reached its first trillion in March 2015, before doubling it by March 2020. It took another five years to vault past Rs 3 trillion. At the heart of this surge lies a mix of sentiment, economics, and strategy, according to banking industry officials. A weaker rupee, attractive deposit rates, and renewed post-pandemic remittance momentum have strengthened inflows, they said. Historically, a weakening rupee relative to the USD has resulted in increased inflows into NRE accounts. This years inflows have followed this established trend, said Joy P V, EVP & country head - retail liability & fee products of Federal Bank. Weakening rupee may support remittance The bank, which leads Keralas NR deposit league table with Rs 85,250.08 crore, credits its performance to deep remittance linkages and trust built over decades. Federal Banks strong rupee drawing arrangement and wide global correspondent network make remittances easy for NRIs. With innovative and tailored savings products, competitive interest rates, and relationship-led banking, we have consistently earned customer trust. Along with favourable exchange rates, these have helped attract substantial inflows to NRI accounts, Joy said. Federal Bank on top If Federal Bank holds the crown for volume, Canara Bank has delivered the quarters biggest headline-grabbing leap. Its NR deposits more than doubled from Rs 10,935.71 crore to Rs 21,914.95 crore, an astonishing Rs 10,979-crore jump in just three months. No other bank in Keralas NR portfolio comes close to that kind of growth spurt this quarter a burst that bankers attribute to targeted mobilisation campaigns and aggressive rate positioning. The State Bank of India remains a strong second in the rankings, with Rs 80,234.07 crore in NR deposits as of September, reinforcing its formidable base among long-standing expatriate customers. Bankers agree that currency dynamics have played a decisive role. Over the past five years, the rupee has slid from around Rs 75.71 to about Rs 85.45 per dollar a depreciation that has made every dollar remitted to India stretch further. For many NRIs, the arithmetic is irresistible: stronger foreign earnings converted at weaker rupee levels, topped with tax-free interest on NRE and FCNR deposits. The weakening of the rupee increases the effective value of foreign currency remittances, making investments and deposits in India more attractive, said Biji S S, SGM & head branch banking, South Indian Bank. Attractive interest rates, favourable remittance rates, confidence in Indias long-term growth, and improved digital onboarding have all contributed to higher inflows. Biji believes the trend isnt a flash in the pan. A moderately weakening rupee is likely to support sustained NRI inflows in the near to medium term. NR deposits remain attractive because they offer higher risk-adjusted returns compared to many overseas markets, tax-free interest on NRE/FCNR deposits, full repatriability, and a robust, well-regulated banking system. The broader macro backdrop reinforces that optimism. Remittances to India have staged a strong revival post-Covid, and Kerala continues to rank among the countrys biggest recipients -- even as migration patterns diversify and newer corridors such as the US gain prominence alongside the Gulf. For now, Keralas Rs 3-trillion milestone isnt just a round number its a testament to the enduring economic power of its diaspora. NRI deposits in Kerala banks head towards Rs 3-trillion mark
New airlines that got green signal from Centre will struggle to offer competition, say experts
NEW DELHI: The sudden clearance to operate in Indian skies given to two airlines that had been awaiting the nod for nearly a year appears to be a strong message from the Centre in light of the disruption caused by Indias largest domestic carrier IndiGo from December 1 to 9. The two new airlines are Kozhikode-based Alhind and Hyderabad-headquartered FlyExpress, while Shank Air, based in Uttar Pradesh, was also given the nod last year and plans to begin operations in 2026. Aviation professionals and experts, however, unanimously feel there is no way the newbies can take on dominant players like IndiGo or the two airlines from the stable of the Air India Group Air India and Air India Express. Captain C S Randhawa, president of the Federation of Indian Pilots, is quite critical of the decision. Stating that the newbies can never break the duopoly exercised by the existing airlines, he added, All these three airlines have neither enough funding nor expertise. The best of airlines have not survived. No regional airlines have survived in this country. These airlines are not a threat to any operating airlines in the country as they cannot survive on non-UDAN routes. They face the challenges of finances, aircraft leasing, pilot availability, sustainability, competitive fares and reliability, he stated. The government needs to get fuel under GST and give subsidies to encourage big corporate houses to enter aviation with a big bang to break the monopoly or duopoly. Regional airlines only increase regional connectivity. There is an urgent need for the government to have a relook at the aviation policies of the country, Captain Randhawa explained. He also claimed that Alhind had shut its Kochi office and terminated all employees. Shank Air was still struggling to obtain certification for Air Operator Certification and get aircraft on lease, he added. Training the specific pilots to operate the ATR aircraft or smaller aircraft would take more than eight months. The average life of a regional airline is approximately 3-7 years. Therefore, such airlines starting up with 1 or 2 aircraft fail in prolonged operations and shut shop, he added. Aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan gave zero chances of the new airlines offering any competition. Where are the captains? The title of a 1971 Robert Stirling novel 'Shell Never Get Off the Ground' is apt to describe their situation, he said. A representative of the other leading pilot association, Airline Pilot Association of India, told TNIE, Where are the big aircraft for these airlines to start their operations? IndiGo presently has 434 aircraft and it took them two decades to reach this position. The new airlines need to lease A320 aircraft only from them. Orders placed at Boeing by Air India for the 737s are getting delayed. It will take the new airlines at least two decades to reach the position of these airlines. Spicejet and Akasa Air have been around for some time but they have between 20 and 30 aircraft each and cannot match up to the airlines yet, he added. Captain G R Gopinath, who pioneered the low-cost airline concept in the country through his Air Deccan, said, Permitting new airlines to operate is good for the country as the industry will become more vibrant. The public stand to benefit as the prices will be kept under check. Airlines will become more effective and service-minded. It is good that the government is doing it and it will benefit all. In an earlier interaction with TNIE in Kerala, Alhind CEO Reena Abdul Rahiman said the Thiruvananthapuram-Kochi-Kozhikode sector was their priority. To facilitate this, the company had started a base in Kochi airport as early as August 2024. Alhind Air will begin its operations with two ATR 72-600 aircraft, with plans to scale up to seven within the first year. Alhind Air is also mulling operating in certain routes under the UDAN scheme like Kochi-Mysuru, the airlines operations manager T C Vivek had informed TNIE. Alhind Group, with a turnover of over Rs 20,000 crore and more than 130 offices in India and overseas, is headquartered in Kozhikode and has a regional office in Delhi. This reporter repeatedly tried reaching the offices of Alhind and Shank Air but got no response.
UP man on the run after alleged highway robbery held from Kochi
New Mayor V.K. Minimol vows crackdown on corruption, focus on mobility
The new Mayor of the Kochi Corporation outlines her priorities and vision for the city, which she says are aligned with the broader agenda of the UDF and will be reflected in the maiden budget to be presented by the new governing committee in the coming months.
New Mayors, municipal chairpersons take charge in Kerala
V.V. Rajesh takes over as the first BJP Mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, four United Democratic Front Mayors, three of them women, take oath in Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, and Kannur Corporations. The lone LDF Mayor, O. Sadasivan, sworn in as Mayor of the Kozhikode Corporation
Kochi Mayor was chosen strictly in accordance with KPCC guidelines, says Satheesan
The UDF had announced mayoral candidates in advance only in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, says Satheesan
Kochi Muziris Biennale: How the Indian art world sees it
The countrys top gallerists, collectors and curators weigh in on what the Kochi Biennale means to them
BJP State Secretary and Kodunganoor ward councillor VV Rajesh elected as first BJP mayor in Kerala
The Bharatiya Janata Party achieved a historic win in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. V V Rajesh became the mayor, marking the BJP's first municipal corporation victory in Kerala. The United Democratic Front secured victories in Kollam, Kochi, and Thrissur Corporations. The Left Democratic Front won in Kozhikode, and the UDF is set to lead Kannur.
Four-time councillor V.K. Minimol elected as Kochi Mayor
Projects commissioned, India set to overtake US in metro network length
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Railways has claimed that India is on course to overtake the United States in total metro network length as ongoing projects are commissioned. Metro and suburban rail networks are currently operational across 1,090 km in 26 cities, including both major metros and Tier-2 cities, making urban mobility faster and more economically affordable for low- and middle-income groups. The Ministry further stated that despite the rapid expansion of metro and suburban rail services, no fare hike has been implemented so far by the government, reflecting its concern for low- and middle-class commuters. Speaking to this newspaper on Wednesday, an official at the Ministry said that Indias metro network has grown exponentially from just 248 km across five cities in 2014 to 1,090 km in 2025, spanning 26 cities- both metro and Tier-2. This represents a remarkable 340% growth over the past decade. He said that metro expansion has taken place not only in major cities but also in Tier-2 cities such as Bhopal, Indore, Kanpur, Nagpur, Pune, Surat, Agra, Lucknow, Jaipur and Kochi. He added that metro services were operational over just 27 km in 2002, which increased to 50 km in 2004, 101 km in 2009, 249 km in 2014, 647 km in 2019, 945 km in 2024 and 1,090 km in 2025. According to the official, the commissioning of metro lines has increased nine times compared to pre-2014 rates, with the aim of accelerating urban transport infrastructure under the NDA government. Highlighting the work done on metro and suburban rail services during the current NDA government, the official said that urban mobility has been made affordable and efficient, with metro travel costing 5060% less per passenger-km than private vehicles. He said this has significantly reduced daily commuting costs and eased traffic congestion on roads. Citing figures, the official further added that affordable fare slabs, typically ranging between Rs 20 and Rs 60 at launch in cities such as Bhopal, demonstrate accessibility for low- and middle-income commuters. He further stated that average daily metro ridership across the country now stands at around 1.15 crore, which is four times higher than the 28 lakh daily ridership recorded in 2014.
Mob lynching: Kerala govt announces Rs 30 lakh aid to victims family
KOCHI, Dec 24 : Kerala government on Wednesday announced financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh to the family of Chhattisgarh native Ramnarayan, who was killed in an alleged mob lynching incident near Walayar in the northern Palakkad district. Addressing a press conference here, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said a Cabinet meeting decided to grant the aid to the family of Ramnarayan, from the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund. Of the total Rs 30 lakh being granted, Rs five lakh each [] The post Mob lynching: Kerala govt announces Rs 30 lakh aid to victims family appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
London-Based Odia Diaspora Sweta Mohanty and ParthaSarathi Panda Champion Modi 3.0 Art Exhibition
KOCHI, Dec 24 : A remarkable exhibition titled Modi 3.0 was inaugurated last evening at the Nehru Centre in Londonoften regarded as one of the worlds leading hubs for artfeaturing works by talented artists who travelled from India specifically to showcase their creations. The title itself reflects the inspiration behind the exhibition, as the artists collectively captured the prevailing sentiment of India and Indians across the worldone defined by confidence, optimism, and pride in the nations progress. Through diverse styles [] The post London-Based Odia Diaspora Sweta Mohanty and ParthaSarathi Panda Champion Modi 3.0 Art Exhibition appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
IUML to get one-year term for Deputy Mayors post in Kochi Corporation
DDMA temporarily shuts 12 shops at Mather Bazaar in Kochi for flouting safety norms
Big Tree Fest adds glow to Fort Kochi's year-end verve
Time slows down in Fort Kochi every December. There is always something special about the Christmas - New Year season in this nook of the world. Its not just about the old-world charm and colonial hangover the place is known for. The special vibe comes from the communitys warmth and camaraderie. And at the centre of this stands a 400-year-old rain tree at Veli Ground. Gathering around this tree during festivities has been an age-old tradition. Over time, however, this tradition has evolved into whats called the Big Tree Festival. A celebration rooted in memories of the neighbourhood. Held annually from December 23 to January 1, the festival has grown into one of Fort Kochis most anticipated year end events, drawing thousands of people. Its beginnings, however, were modest. As they say, Christmas in Fort Kochi is not assembled overnight. In 1999, a group of teenagers who spent most evenings playing cricket at the ground wondered why their neighbourhood did not have a communal Christmas tree. That casual chit-chat after a match spurred the idea of a community-led celebration. Those teenagers united by sports evolved into a collective identity when three local clubs Sparks, Eagles and Sharjah came together to form SES Kochi, which was later renamed Knights United. For the past 25 years, the group has been organising the Big Tree Festival. Members of the group say they view the tree as a local matriarch. We protect and care for the tree throughout the year, says Swaraj T R, secretary of Knights United. Several other trees in the area have fallen due to neglect. But this one remains firmly rooted. The initial concept of the tree fest was to have a homely gathering of residents, says Sanoj P S, president of Knights United. People would get together and share their food and joy of Christmas until the New Year, he recalls. The scene, however, changed with social media. Now domestic and foreign tourists throng the tree festival. As part of this years celebration, the tree is now adorned with claybells, ball string lights, about 1,800 LED strips, and a 40kg neon star. The festival experience extends beyond the tree. A 350m stretch of road leading to the Veli Ground is lined with arches, stars and festive hangings, turning the approach itself into part of the celebration. We must thank Nixon Jose Antony a brother to the group whose encouragement during the early years helped us sustain the effort. He is now a police officer, but continues to guide in spirit, says Sanoj. The festival has no business motives, he adds. Members of Knights United including daily wagers do the decorations by taking leave from their jobs. We dont have any big title sponsors or funders. Its a typical middle-class festival for middle-class people. The lights on ceremony will be held on Christmas day, with actor Soubin Shahir, and local socio-political figures expected to be in attendance. Cultural programmes will be held on a daily basis, culminating in New Year celebrations on January 1. The organisers urge visitors to park vehicles at least 100m away from the venue to avoid congestion in the neighbourhood.
Internal dissent within Congress over selection of Kochi mayor candidate intensifies
KPCC general secretary and two-time councillor Deepthi Mary Varghese alleges selection process discrepancies
Septuagenarian scripts history, wins powerlifting gold at Asian tourney
KOCHI: In a performance that defied his age, K K Velayudhan has scripted history by winning gold at the Asian Masters Classic Powerlifting Championship held in Istanbul, Turkey. The 71-year-old, who hails from Muttikulangara in Palakkad, won the precious metal in the 59kg category at the championship, which took place from December 1 to 10. It is indeed very special to win. Its been a dream I harboured for a long time. Im thrilled to have finally achieved it, Velayudhan told TNIE. With the gold-winning performance, he also bagged the Best Lifter title, much to the astonishment of many in the audience. To win this rare title, one has to get at least two of three lifts in each of the three categories perfect. Velayudhan sir did that effortlessly, said Afsal Fakrudeen, part of his support staff. Yet another distinction is the fact that this title was won across three Master categories i.e. age 41 and upwards. It is no small feat, Afsal stressed. Indeed, the win has drawn attention from both within and outside the Indian sporting community, particularly at the masters level. A former weightlifter from the 1980s, it was only three years ago that the septuagenarian started rigorous practice. I had to take a break of nearly four decades to take care of my family, my children. My priority until now was my wife, my three daughters, and their futures. So my ambitions in sports had to take a backseat, he recalled.w Now, he is preparing for the World Powerlifting Championship to be held in the UAE in June 2026. I became a sportsperson in my 20s. Now, in my 70s, I want to remain a sportsperson. My journey goes forward, and as do my ambitions, Velayudhan said.
New UDF associates Anvar & Janu meet Satheesan, praise leadership
KOCHI: Letting bygones be bygones, past fire-breathing accusations melted into broad smiles on Tuesday, as Opposition Leader V D Satheesan and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) leader P V Anvar publicly reaffirmed their political camaraderie, by draping each other in tricolour shawls. Underscoring the strength of new associate members joining the UDF fold, the event was attended by Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha (JRS) leader C K Janu. Satheesan ceremonially presented shawls to Janu also, and to the new mayor-designate and introduced the Kochi Corporations new leadership to the alliances associate party leaders. Speaking to reporters at the Government Guest House in Kochi after the meeting, both Anvar and Janu praised the UDF and its leadership, and assured that they would stand firmly with the alliance. I am here to meet the Opposition leader, and it was important for me to express our gratitude. I am in a fight against Pinarayism, and I will continue with that. The question of contesting seats does not arise now. The UDF leadership will decide whether I should contest or not, said Anvar. He added that even if the UDF asks him to take part in the election campaign across all 140 constituencies, he would do so wholeheartedly. Janu said the UDF is the only political front that embraces all sections of society and functions in a truly democratic manner. Within the UDF, there is democratic decency and a space where every voice is heard. Over the past nine years, we received neither consideration nor a hearing within the NDA alliance, she said. She stated that the scars of the Muthanga incident have never faded and that she speaks about it wherever she goes. Yet, the UDF is the only alliance capable of politically uplifting communities that are treated as backward, Janu added.
For these women of the cloth, creativity is cloak of visibility
KOCHI: Creativity and faith are both a calling that can come together in the artistic process. Nuns who embody this union may be considered rather rare to come by. But, then, there are those in the habit of overturning popular perception. Sr Lismys journey as a cinematographer began in the silence of her Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) convent. It was a chance encounter with a simple camera that stirred to life an interest. My superiors at the CMC Nirmala Province in Thrissur supported my desire to pursue academic training in media: a bachelors and masters in journalism and mass communication, and a diploma in cinematography and editing, says Sr Lismy, who took her vows in 2007. She began by shooting music videos for religious retreats. It later evolved into a full-fledged ministry. Now, I work as a freelance filmmaker and also manage a digital recording studio that produces Christian devotional music, documentaries, short films, and inspirational reels, she adds. Over the years, Sr Lismy has directed nearly 300 music videos, 35 documentaries, numerous short films, and reels. My first music video was born during a retreat. The moment lit a fire in me, not just creatively but spiritually, she says. Listing the projects close to her heart, Sr Lismy says Nanmayude Sugandham (The Fragrance of Virtue) tells the story of individuals who endure profound suffering, yet live with hope and dignity. Another work, Pidakkozhi (The Hen), a true story of redemption, received the 2024 Phoenix Film Award. These are not just productions; they are encounters with grace, she points out. Today, her content reaches global audiences through platforms such as Nirmala Media TSR and Camera Nun YouTube channels, the Sr Lismy CMC Instagram and Facebook profiles, and several other collaborative YouTube channels. Together, these platforms have had over 7.78 million views. According to Sr Lismy, cinematography may seem unconventional for a nun. But I believe that art, when guided by faith, becomes a ministry, she adds. She began with a small Sony camera, with the outdoors her studio. Now she operates from her recording space, Nirmala Media Digital Recording Studio. For Sr Roswin CMC, being a nun made it possible to find the artist in her. The habit gave me the freedom to express my art. My life as a religious person instilled in me discipline through prayer and meditation. And this, in turn, helped me refine my artistic expression, says the member of the Mary Matha Provincial House, in Vengoor, Ernakulam. For Sr Roswin aka Sr Malu Joy art runs in her blood. Watching her father paint and create magic by designing gardens got her hooked from childhood. She joined the convent after completing SSLC. It was here that Sr Roswins destiny as an artist began to take shape. During Covid, I painted biblical scenes and lettering on the convent walls. Impressed with my work, the mother superior got me admitted to RLV College Tripunithura, where I was able to hone my skills, recounts Sr Roswin. And now her creations rub shoulders with those of artists from all over the world at the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. She is the first nun to be part of the event. Sr Roswin draws inspiration from the elderly nuns and visitors at the convent. My works dont idealise. I try to render my subjects as imperfect, fragile humans, who bear the marks of labour, time and resilience, she adds. From using waste paper as a canvas and the sidewalk as an exhibition venue during her student years, to expanding the contours of her drawings with notations gleaned from conversations with her subjects, Sr Roswin has come a long way.
Congress picks V.K. Minimol, Shiny Mathew for split mayoral term in Kochi Corpn.
In a first, Ernakulam district-level hospital performs heart transplant; Nepal woman gets new life
KOCHI/TPURAM : In a landmark moment for Indias public healthcare, the Ernakulam General Hospital (GH), performed a heart transplant on a Nepalese woman on Monday, marking the first time a district-level government hospital in the country has undertaken such complex procedures. Durga Kaami, a 22-year-old woman from Nepal, received the heart of Shibu, 46, a Kollam resident who was declared brain dead on December 21 following a road accident. After his family comprising mother Shakunthala and siblings Shiji S and Saleev S consented to organ donation, the heart was airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College (GMC) and brought to Ernakulam by noon. The surgery was led by the GHs cardiothoracic surgeon Dr George Vallooran. Durga, who suffered from a rare genetic heart condition since childhood, was under the care of cardiologist Dr Paul Thomas at the hospital. The procedure was completed by evening, and Durga was shifted to the ICU. The development has set a new benchmark for district hospitals across the country, highlighting Keralas advances in organ transplantation and equitable healthcare access, officials said. Shibu gifts life to six people; 22nd cadaver donation coordinated by K-SOTTO this year This is a proud moment not just for the hospital, but for the entire public health system, said a source with the hospital. Though Durgas family had registered with the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO) eight months ago, she was initially excluded from the priority list for organ allocation as she is not an Indian citizen.Her family moved the Kerala High Court. Based on the courts order in November, Durga was included in the list, said Dr Shahirshah, superintendent of Ernakulam GH. Having lost her mother and sister to the same condition, Durga had been staying at an orphanage with her brother. Owing to the high medical expenses in Nepal, the siblings came to Kerala for her treatment with the support of a Keralite who runs the orphanage. Meanwhile, Shibu was also instrumental in giving a lease of life to six others. One of his kidneys was transplanted at Thiruvananthapuram GMC and the other at Kollam Travancore Medical College. His liver was donated to Thiruvananthapuram KIMS Hospital, while two corneas were given to patients at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology. In addition, Shibus skin was handed over to the Skin Bank at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College. Shibu, who worked at a hotel in Kazhakkoottam, suffered serious injuries in an accident on December 14 at Mookattukunnu in Kollam. On December 21, doctors at Thiruvananthapuram GMC confirmed brain death. Health Minister Veena George expressed gratitude to Shibus family for their decision to donate organs despite their grief and conveyed her condolences. Incidentally, this was also the 22nd cadaver donation coordinated by K-SOTTO this year, the highest in nine years.
Sabarimala gold theft row: New doubts rise as jeweller claims he donated gold plate door in 2019
KOCHI: At a time when former presidents of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) are facing a probe into the alleged disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala temple, Govardhan, a jeweller from Ballari arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), has claimed that the newly gold-plated door frame was donated by him in June 2019. He stated that he donated 184g of gold, valued approximately at Rs 9 lakh. UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya had sponsored the gold cladding of the temple, including the roof, pillars, inscriptions, dwarapalakas, and doors,in 1999. The disclosures made in Govardhans bail plea, filed before the High Court on Monday, have added to suspicions that the original doors and frames were replaced with gold-plated frames in 2019. According to Govardhan, the door frame was handed over to Unnikrishnan Potti to be taken to Sabarimala. He later returned to Ballari and subsequently visited Sabarimala to attend the poojas and the assembly of the door frame. The bail plea also stated that there was no pecuniary loss to the TDB, as the entire gold obtained from Smart Creations was returned in full to the Board in 2019. Despite this, when the SIT visited his shop and residence in Ballari on October 24, they forcefully seized 474.970g of 24-carat imported gold, valued at Rs 59,40,449.79. Govardhan further claimed that a total of Rs 1.40 crore was spent by him on poojas, offerings, donations, and the gold seized by the SIT. The bail petition was filed through senior advocate P Vijayabhanu and advocate Thomas J Anakkallunkal. According to the petition, Govardhan became acquainted with Unnikrishnan Potti, the prime accused in the case, in 2007. Subsequently, at Pottis instance, he made several donations to Sabarimala. By the end of 2018, Potti informed him that the Sreekovil main door was proposed to be replaced and asked whether he would like to sponsor it. Considering it a rare honour and privilege, Govardhan agreed. The gold-plating work was carried out at Smart Creations, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai. He stated that he incurred approximately Rs 35 lakh towards the entire project, including procurement, labour, and transportation. Govardhan further submitted that after the completion of the dwarapalaka work in September 2019, he was informed by Pankaj, managing director of Smart Creations, or by Unnikrishnan Potti, that 474.97g of gold extracted from the cladding remained at Smart Creations. He then arranged to collect the gold through Kalpesh, an employee of Shenky, owner of Shri Kalikund Jewellers, Chennai, who handed over the gold to him in Ballari. At the relevant time, gold was valued at about Rs 14,97,288, calculated at approximatelyRs 3,120 per gram for 22-carat gold. As directed by Unnikrishnan Potti, the amount was remitted through demand drafts in favour of the executive officer, Sabarimala, Sree Dharmasastha Annadhana Trust. The court will hear the bail plea on Tuesday, December 23.
Forensic examination clears actor Shine Tom Chacko of drug use charges
KOCHI: The forensic report in the narcotics case against actor Shine Tom Chacko, that came out on Sunday, has revealed that the forensic examination failed to establish the actors drug consumption. Following the report, the police are likely to drop further proceedings in the case registered at the Ernakulam Town North police station. The case related to the summoning, interrogation, subsequent arrest and bail of the actor, following allegations that Shine and a friend had consumed narcotics in a hotel room near the Town Hall Metro Station on April 17, 2025. The incident sparked controversy after Shine was seen fleeing the hotel room during a DANSAF inspection upon noticing police personnel. We were waiting for the forensic science laboratory report of the actor and co-suspect Ahmed Murshad, 25, to confirm drug consumption before proceeding further with the case, said police. Adding further, K A Abdul Salam, narcotic ACP with Kochi city, said the actor was never arrested in the case and that they were awaiting the FSL report. The actor was booked under bailable sections and only an investigation was initiated. No coercive action was taken, nor was he arrested. As per law, the investigating officer has the authority to issue a notice and summon a person, and that is exactly what was done in this case, said Salam.
Actor Chacko gets clean chit in drugs case
Kochi police have dropped drug charges against actor Shine Tom Chacko and a co-accused after forensic reports confirmed no narcotic substances were found. The case, which gained attention in April following a hotel raid where the actor allegedly jumped into a pool to evade police, has now concluded with clean chits for both individuals.
Congress core committee yet to reach consensus on mayoral candidate in Kochi Corporation
The core committee comprises of UDF chairman Dominic Presentation, District Congress Committee president Mohammed Shiyas, and senior leader N. Venugopal
Two tanks within Kochi Corporation limits need urgent intervention, says KWA
The assessment was done in the wake of the recent incident at Thammanam, where a 1.35-crore-litre water tank burst, leading to water supply disruption and causing significant damage to nearby properties
Forensic report clears actor Shine Tom Chacko of drug use charges
The drug case was registered after Shine Tom Chacko created quite a stir by fleeing a hotel in Kochi during a raid conducted by District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force in April
