Bullet tanker carrying liquid propylene overturns in Kochi, lifted after hours of effort

Accident occurs reportedly after driver lost control of the tanker and it hit a median while manoeuvring a turn at Kalamassery around 11.15 p.m.

Koonamthai womans death: Victims ornaments, cell phone missing

KOCHI: Police investigating the suspected murder of a 55-year-old woman in Koonamthai have found that her ornaments were stolen. Some of the suspects, including people associated with the deceased in her real estate business, are being interrogated by the police. It was on Sunday night that Jayesy Abraham, a native of Chundikuzhi in Perumbavoor, was found dead in the bathroom of her rented apartment at Koonamthai. Koonamthai womans death: Autopsy reveals head injuries Police initially believed that she slipped in the bathroom. However, the postmortem report revealed that she died after being hit by a hard object on her head. Her relatives told us that Jayesy was wearing three gold bangles and a chain. But it was not found at the apartment. Her mobile phone is also missing, said a police officer. Meanwhile, it was reported that police have recovered CCTV footage from a house near the apartment. A person wearing a T-shirt was found roaming the road near the apartment at around 9 pm. Police said that the person has been identified and is being questioned.

Online taxi drivers union demands separate parking at airports in Kerala

KOCHI: Office-bearers of the Online Taxi Drivers Union (OTDU), a state-level independent association representing drivers working with ride-hailing companies, have called on airport authorities in Kerala to allocate dedicated parking spaces for online taxis. All major airports across the country have established separate parking areas for online taxis, but this is not the case in Kerala. The online taxi service has become an integral part of the transportation landscape, and its usage is expected to grow in the coming years, said Adv T R S Kumar, chief patron of OTDU. Kumar added that despite submitting a formal request for dedicated parking spaces last year, no action has been taken. We strongly suspect that the authorities are favouring the traditional taxi mafia in the state, he said. The union also alleged that several conventional taxis operating at Kochi airport are using illegally obtained permits, but no action has been taken against them. We follow all rules and regulations, yet we are denied justice, Kumar said. Currently, nearly 10,000 drivers are employed in the online taxi sector across the state. Although the online taxi service has been operational in Kerala for about eight years, attacks on our members remain frequent, particularly in Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Munnar, Thrissur, and Kozhikode. The safety of online drivers has not yet been assured, said Jijo Zachariyas, general secretary of OTDU. Additionally, the government has drafted a bill to regulate online taxi companies, but it has not been presented to the legislature.

KSRTC to deploy sleeper buses from airports to ensure night connectivity

KOCHI: The lack of public transportation from major airports in the state during night is a perennial issue even as most of the key flights to and fro are either at early morning or late night. This often forces flyers to arrive much early at the airports or hire taxis, often spending a hefty sum. Those flying in at odd hours too struggle to avail affordable transport modes for last mile connectivity. All these would be a thing of the past soon, with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) planning to deploy new AC Sleeper buses, initially at the Kochi airport before expanding to other airports. The highlight of the services will be that the buses wont have scheduled departure timings and will leave only after the flights arrive. Currently, there is no night connectivity to airports. The KSRTC will operate AC Sleeper buses having sufficient luggage space for the benefit of air passengers flying out or arriving in these night flights. There will be no specific departure timing for the buses and the same would be coordinated with flight timings. That means, if the flight arrives late, the buses will wait at the airport, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar told TNIE. The corporation would soon place orders for 30 buses, with more luggage space, on the model of the recently-introduced premium superclass buses. Were waiting for the next government aid to place the orders for the buses. They will be deployed at the Kochi airport as soon as the buses start arriving. The services will be mainly to destinations in Malabar and those in central Kerala like Kottayam, Tiruvalla and Pathanamthitta, the minister pointed out. Earlier, a team of KSRTC officials led by the Ernakulam district transport officer held talks with the CIAL authorities on providing airport connectivity, after the corporation was forced to stop a majority of its low-floor AC buses operating to Nedumbassery airport post Covid. The corporation then planned to tie-up with the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd and operated electric feeder buses in the Aluva-Nedumbassery section. However, both sides couldnt reach a consensus over profit-sharing, ultimately leading to dropping of the project. Now, the KMRL has purchased 15 electric feeder buses and is set to deploy them in various routes. The feeder buses are undergoing registration and testing, and will be deployed for services soon. The buses will connect the airport (Aluva to airport), medical college (Kalamassery-Medical College), Infopark (Kakkanad Water Metro Terminal-Infopark) and other destinations which lack transportation facilities, said a KMRL spokesperson. Earlier during talks, the airport authorities agreed to allot a station master office at the airport for KSRTC, sources said. At a later stage, a facility will be introduced where the air passengers can also book KSRTC AC Sleeper buses along with booking the flights, a senior KSRTC official added.

Sugarcoated masterpieces

KOCHI: Every Indian household, without an exception, would have at least that one cursed member whose medical reports have eternally transformed the hitherto taken-for- granted humble laddoos and exotic chocolate cakes into forbidden temptations. While the rest of the family go about their meals with wild abandon, this condemned representative of the clan has to make do with satisfying sweet cravings with recollections of tastes once familiar and attainable. Welcome to the world of diabetes the condition that has taken our nation by storm and crowned us as the diabetes capital. Today, sugar is viewed through the lens of suspicion. We look desperately for alternatives to sweeten our tongues. We try to ignore the dessert counter at buffets, mustering every ounce of mental strength to walk past it without a pause and somehow, make it to the salad section. We make new year resolutions to banish it from our lives for specified periods. Yes we, the newly converted health freaks, are slowly and steadily declaring our personal wars on the sweetest discovery of all time. You would then be surprised to know that the same sugar was a much sought-after symbol of luxury and fine living, centuries ago and was even lauded for its medicinal properties. Sugar sculptures graced many banquet tables, pronouncing the wealth and power of the host. It all started with sugar being used as an artistic medium for religious purposes. The Ming Dynasty in China used a technique called sugar painting to create animals and figures. The Ottoman Empire, in the 16th and 17th centuries, made figurines from sugar to be used for festivals. But, all credit goes to the Europeans to turn it into a show of wealth in the medieval period. Jitha Karthikeyan The sweetest period was the Renaissance period indeed. Sugar was a very expensive commodity back then and only the rich could afford it. Confectioners were entrusted with the task of making magnificent sculptures with sugar, shaped in the form of palaces and cathedrals as well as heroes like Venus and Hercules from mythologies. Until the 18th century, these sugar sculptures were very popular at all grand feasts as a display of money and status. Renowned artists were called upon often, to create these sugarcoated luxuries. These edible delights had late expiry dates, which enabled hosts to also gift them to honoured guests, to be relished later. How elaborate the sculpture was depended on how exclusive the occasion was. When Henry III of France visited Venice, the sculptures at the banquet were created with pure white sugar and resembled marble! Luxuries, they may have been, but their history certainly was not so sweet. It was this demand for sugar that enabled the slave trade and the horrific working conditions in the sugarcane plantations. Sugar however, continues to inspire contemporary artists as a medium, primarily due to its flexibility. Berlin-based artist Joseph Marr uses sugar for his sculptures and has even had visitors licking his creations at his shows! Sugar may have played havoc with the lives of those who overindulged, but when life is hard, it sure feels good to spice it up with some sweet sugar!

How to handle violence by persons with mental disorders

KOCHI: Severe psychotic disorders affect less than 1 per cent of the population. Those with a predisposition for aggressive behaviour make up less than 5 per cent of this group. However, portrayals of violent psycho characters in films and web series often perpetuate the myth that individuals with mental disorders are inherently dangerous. Sensationalised reports of isolated incidents of violence further fuel stigma. Aggression in persons with mental disorders typically occurs when symptoms are ignored or treatment is discontinued, and often only when triggered by specific situational factors. Genesis of aggression Violence in mental illness arises from psychopathology. For example: A person with psychosis may act aggressively as a defensive strategy if they harbour the false belief that others are trying to harm or kill them. Someone with schizophrenia experiencing hallucinations that command them to attack might act based on such delusions. A manic individual, driven by grandiosity and irritability, may easily provoke quarrels with others. What is the usual public reaction to a person with mental disorder reacting violently in public? Adverse comments or gestures. This will only add fire to psychotic fury. Many fail to recognise that they are dealing with an individual suffering from a neurobiological condition. De-escalate and facilitate treatment Aggression in such situations stems from symptoms of a disorder. Some individuals refuse treatment because they do not accept that they have a psychiatric condition. This can lead to behaviours that endanger themselves or others. To prevent harm, urgent treatment is essential. When a person loses the capacity for decision-making, it is the duty of their family or community to ensure treatment, even against their will, as part of their right to quality care. The Mental Health Care Act provides for supported and emergency admissions in such cases. Hesitancy to act often results in preventable violent incidents. However, all such admissions and treatments must be scrutinised by statutory bodies to prevent misuse and protect human rights. Mental health review boards, chaired by judicial officers, function in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kannur for this purpose. Tips to tackle A person harbouring delusional fears may become suspicious of anyone approaching them. Threatening stimuli can provoke defensive aggression. The following steps can help de-escalate the situation: Listen without engaging in an argument Use a calm, soothing tone of voice Avoid provocation or confrontation Adopt a positive and friendly attitude Express concern for the individuals well-being Offer food or drink Distract with a positive activity Remove dangerous objects from the area Use verbal redirection and set boundaries Maintain close observation Ensure personal safety and be prepared to apply physical force if necessary Important to avoid Large gathering of onlookers Unpleasant or chaotic surroundings Loud or irritating noises Intimidating eye contact Unnecessary invasion of personal space Confrontational or threatening gestures/messages Role of police When a person with a mental disorder refuses treatment and poses a threat to themselves or others, the police can initiate proceedings for their admission to a public mental health establishment as per the Mental Health Care Act. The police can also report cases of ill-treatment or neglect of mentally ill individuals to the magistrate, who can order their admission and treatment. Relatives or citizens can approach the police for assistance in securing professional help for an unwilling individual. Educating relatives about the illness is crucial. Practices like chaining, locking up, or dismissing the disorder as mere bad behaviour and depriving treatment are illegal. Police officers must be trained to handle such situations sensitively. Treat with dignity Symptoms of mental illness, no matter how embarrassing, can be controlled with treatment. Once individuals gain insight, they often understand the necessity of forced intervention during their illness. However, their past aggressive behaviour should not lead to stigma or marginalisation. They deserve to be treated with dignity. The writer is senior psychiatrist at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, and former member of the State Mental Health Authority

Kerala: Kadalundi government schools wall transcends geographical boundaries

KOCHI: A wall is not just brick and mortar. It represents a regions culture and the technology employed in its construction. In a matter of pride for residents, a wall of Government Fisheries LP School at Kadalundi will adorn Wall House, a dream project executed by Vikram Divecha, a visiting assistant professor in Arts and Art History at the New York University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Though the school was established in 1921, the wall selected for the Wall House project is only 26 year old. The building was constructed using laterite stone in 1999, but the authorities decided to demolish it as it was declared unfit. Wall House is envisioned as an indoor centre encasing hundreds of walls and facade sections extracted from buildings slated for demolition across the globe. In this undertaking of an urgent archiving of the present, each wall is selected by local communities and researchers, a process of shifting of authorship that challenges the notion of traditional museology, Vikram told TNIE. At its core, these walls are about people. Once released from architecture, they hold the potential of being reborn as a social object. Each wall serves as a starting point for expansive sociocultural mappings of time and place. The wall fragments stand in as bearers of histories of tenants, infrastructure, materiality, aesthetics, and culture. A gift to the future, these community of walls will become ambassadors of an alternative and inclusive cultural history, he explained. Vikram said he always knew a wall from Kerala will hold special meaning for Malayalis in the UAE. It was fate that I was approached by the Faizal and Shabana Foundation about salvaging a wall from a school in Kerala. This exactly fits my approach as I want local communities to select the wall. The removal and transportation of the wall is funded by Jameel Arts Centre, he said. The wall of Kadalundi Government Fisheries LP School being ransported in an open container Transporting wall took 8 days by road, cost Rs 1.4L Headmistress P Reena said it was a matter of pride for the school that a wall of its demolished building will be displayed at the Wall House in Abu Dhabi. We were approached by the foundation seeking permission to preserve the wall, when we decided to demolish the building. The wall features a picture representing Kerala culture, Reena said. Ceekay Global Trading Co in Kozhikode, owned by Kerala Exporters Forum secretary Munshid Ali, is transporting the wall. The biggest challenge was taking the wall from Kadalundi to the Kochi port, said Munshid. Though the distance from Kozhikode to Kochi is only 200 km, it took eight days for the trailer truck carrying the wall to reach Kochi. The 18-wheel low floor vehicle brought from Telangana had to take the Kozhikode-Palakkad route to avoid disruption of traffic. We decided to move the trailer only during night, but it was a Herculean task to remove the low-hanging power cables, he said. The normal fare to transport a container from Kozhikode to Kochi is `30,000, but Munshid had to pay `1.4 lakh due to the risks involved in transportation. The wall was loaded onto an open container brought from Mumbai by Sree Trans Logistics on Wednesday. Cargo vessel SSL Kaveri will set sail from Kochi port to Jebel Ali Port in UAE with the wall on Thursday.

Ambition, focus: A navy mans tireless march to movie stardom

KOLLAM: Jayan is a Malayali movie icon who continues to live on in the hearts of millions, even 41 years after his untimely demise. Yet, few are aware of the legendary actors stint as a navyman a chapter of his life that remains largely unexplored. Speaking to TNIE, former chief petty officer G K Pillai, Jayans fellow seaman for nearly four years, offered a rare glimpse into this lesser-known side of the famed thespian. M Krishnan Nair or M K Nair to his naval colleagues, Jayan joined the Navy through the cadet entry scheme in the 1950s. According to Pillai, Jayan aspired to be a commissioned officer a dream he pursued relentlessly but was unable to fulfil. Jayan worked hard towards becoming a commissioned officer. However, the Navys rules at the time did not permit sailors in the engineering, electrical and electronics department to rise to the commissioned ranks. His attempts to switch to the executive branch, where such promotions were possible, proved unsuccessful. Yet, Jayan never lost hope and remained focused on building a successful life for himself. He was also a smart NCC cadet during his school days, Pillai recalls. Pillai remembers Jayan as a multifaceted individual with exceptional talents. He was a sharp shooter, a fitness enthusiast, and an accomplished athlete who won prizes in Navy competitions. Jayan also excelled as a forward in the Navigation and Direction Schools football team. The competition was fierce due to the Navys policy of directly recruiting engineering graduates as trainee officers in the engineering, electrical, and electronics branches. This disappointment eventually pushed him to pursue a career in cinema. While posted at INS Venduruthy in Kochi during the late 1960s, Jayan made several attempts to break into Malayalam cinema. Though initially unsuccessful, he persisted, recounts Pillai. Jayan reached out to Pillai for help. Pillai facilitated a meeting with legendary actor Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, who introduced Jayan to Malayalam cinema. I took him to Thikkurissys home at Jawahar Nagar, in Thiruvananthapuram, and introduced him. Thikkurissy promised to recommend Jayan to cinema producers. A few days later, he took Jayan to Merryland Studios and requested the late Subramaniam to offer him a role. Jayans persistence paid off, and he eventually achieved his dream of becoming an actor, Pillai reminisced. Jayan underwent two years of initial training at INS Circars, Visakhapatnam, followed by professional training at INS Valsura, Jamnagar, specialising in electrical and electronics equipment. He was trained in radio, radar, sonar, and wireless systems in the radio branch. Upon completing his EMR course, Jayan was posted at the Navigation and Direction Training School at INS Venduruthy. He later served on board INS Rana and INS Mysore. Before retiring as a master chief petty officer in 1972, he was stationed at the TAS School at INS Venduruthy.

Kerala government should reclaim waqf land, says protection panel

KOCHI: At a time when people residing in the controversial land in Munambam want the authorities to settle issues related to their property. The Kerala Waqf Samrakshana Samithi has taken a clear stand that the state government should reclaim the waqf land and utilise it for the original purpose for which it was handed over to Farook College authorities. Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, the Samithi made it clear that the cardinal mistake in the entire issue was made by Farook College authorities, who transacted (sold) the waqf land to third parties which is purely illegal under the Waqf Act. The Samithi members said: Once the waqf land is misused, then as per the Waqf Act, its ownership automatically gets vested in the Waqf Board, a state body, and thus the state government has the total authority to reclaim the land. In the Munambam case, the land was actually handed over for educational purposes, and the Farook College authorities illegally sold the land to third parties. Section 32 of Waqf Act clearly states that such lands should be reclaimed by the Waqf Board. Once the land is reclaimed, it should be used for the original purpose, said samithi convener Adv Mujeeb Rahman. When specifically asked about the residents in the Munambam land, the Samithi made it clear once again that the residents were cheated by the Farook College authorities and some mafia with vested interests. The state has the responsibility to solve the matter with humanitarian consideration, said Rahman. The state government should relocate the residents and the amount needed for this should be collected from Farook College authorities as compensation. Currently the campaign by Church heads is misleading the public. Some even say that the 404 acres in Munambam is not even waqf land, which is completely incorrect, said Adv M M Aliyar, an expert in Muslim Personal Law, who also spoke in the press conference. On the statement made by Opposition Leader V D Satheesan during a solidarity meeting the other day that the land in dispute at Munambam is not wafq land, the samithi members clarified that a division bench of the Kerala High Court had struck down the state government order allowing the inhabitants to pay the land taxes as it is a waqf land. The ruling was made by the High Court on December 12, 2022. When such a ruling still stands, the statement by the Opposition Leader, who is also an advocate by profession, is making a fake propaganda aimed at pleasing the Christian Churches, as part of vote bank politics, Rahman said. When TNIE pointed out the Christian Church heads recent claims that the King of Travancore leased Munambam property to Abdul Sattar Musa Haji Seth in 1902, Aliyar made it clear that it was not a lease, but a gift deed which is clearly stated in previous records and also in the ruling made by the High Court on December 12, 2022 and all previous rulings. It was Seth who made the property a waqf land and then handed it over to the Farook College authorities for educational purposes. A waqf property cannot be transacted, he said, adding: If the protesters feel that its not a waqf land, then why not they (the present protesters in Munambam) approach the High Court or the Supreme Court, according to Rahman. The Samithi said the state government should resolve the Munambam issue, taking into account the provisions of the Waqf Act.

Waqf Samrakshana Samithi demands rehabilitation package for commoners of Munambam

The special package shall be for commoners, and large-scale landowners and owners of resorts that have come up in Munambam shall be excluded from its purview, it says

Kerala HC dismisses plea of school teacher booked under POCSO Act

Spike in Hepatitis A cases in Ernakulam

Ernakulam has reported eight deaths from Hepatitis A and over 560 confirmed cases since January this year

India focussed on developing content creators' economy: Ashwini Vaishnaw

India is focusing on its content creators to showcase its rich heritage and culture. The country's creative economy is now a USD 30 billion industry. It contributes nearly 2.5 percent of GDP and provides livelihood to eight percent of the workforce. More cities like Guwahati, Kochi and Indore are becoming creative epicenters.

HC expresses concern over lack of proper footpaths in Kochi

District Collector directed to take action on the courts orders regarding street lights and footpaths in the city

Coastal police seize fishing boats used for film shooting off Chellanam coast

Trade unions to continue protests against ADB-assisted drinking water project in Kochi

HC calls for records from sessions court in Manjeswaram election bribery case

State government has challenged a sessions court verdict acquitting Surendran and five others from the case in the HC

Formulate plan to rein in illegal makers of plastic cups, plates, HC tells PCB

PCB asked to file an affidavit stating how it proposes to take effective measures against the manufacturers and in which areas the board will require assistance

Artist Nikhil Chopra to curate Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) 2025

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned artist Nikhil Chopra and his team HH Art Spaces will be the curators of the upcoming Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) 2025, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced here on Wednesday. The event will be from 12 December 2025 to 31 March 2026.The mega show will feature 60 artists and artistic practices from India and across the world. The curator was selected by a committee comprising internationally acclaimed artists. They were Shanay Jhaveri, Dayanita Singh, Rajeeb Samdani, Jitish Kallat and Bose Krishnamachari. 50-year-old Chopra is an artist whose work blends performance, drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture and installation. He critically explores the issues of identity, politics, history and the body. Chopra, whose work had featured in the second KMB, had won acclaim for its offbeat approach. We are thrilled to announce Nikhil Chopra and HH Art Spaces as the curators for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025. Their deep-rooted commitment to the arts, along with their visionary approach to curating, will undoubtedly shape a remarkable chapter for the Biennale, KMB president Bose Krishnamachari said.

Sixth edition of Kochi Muziris Biennale from December 2025, Nikhil Chopra to be curator

As many as 60 contemporary artists to be part of the edition to be held from December 12, 2025 to March 31, 2026

US-based NOV opens its first Digital Technology Centre in the country in Kochi

KOCHI: US-based MNC, NOV has opened its Digital Technology Center (DTC) at Infopark Kochi. The 17,000-square-foot office at Lulu Cyber Tower 2 includes a Software Engineering Center, Corporate Digital Services, and a Customer Support Center. NOV with over 150 years of expertise in the global energy sector and a workforce of 34,000 worldwide, currently operates manufacturing facilities in Pune and Chennai, India. The newly launched Digital Technology Development Center in Kochi is NOV's first in the country. Currently, employing 70 professionals, NOV aims to double its workforce in Kochi by the first quarter of next year. Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeeve, who inaugurated the facility onMonday, pointed out that Kerala is ranked first among industry-friendly states, citing the state's industrial policy, which prioritizes environment, people and industry. He also emphasized that Kochi has become a preferred IT destination globally, driven by its world-class infrastructure, superior connectivity, and availability of highly skilled technical talent. NOV aims to strengthen its global growth by building a strong foundation of skilled professionals. Excellence in service, innovation, and global expansion are the core values of NOV, which are also reflected in the companys workplace culture, said Staale Jordan, VP of Product IT, NOV. He added that the investment-friendly environment at Infopark and the support from the state government have been instrumental in helping NOV expand its operations in India.

Argentina football team, including Messi, set to visit Kerala for exhibition matches

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Football fans in Kerala are set for an unforgettable experience as the Argentina national football team, featuring the legendary Lionel Messi, will visit the state next year. Sports Minister V Abdurahiman confirmed the exciting development during a press briefing on Wednesday, announcing that the team will participate in an international exhibition match organised by the state government. The event, titled Olopo Magic, is being spearheaded by the All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (AKGSMA) with financial backing from local merchants. The Olopo app, launched during the Grand Kerala Consumer Festival, is the primary facilitator for the event. Fans can secure entry passes through reward points earned via purchases at retail outlets partnered with the app. According to the minister, two matches are planned as part of the event, with Kochi being considered as the primary venue. The opponent team is yet to be announced. A high-level delegation led by Minister Abdurahiman recently travelled to Spain to hold discussions with the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Describing the meetings in Madrid as highly productive, Abdurahiman stated, We had excellent discussions on hosting an exhibition match in the state. As a follow-up, an AFA delegation will visit the state within two months. The discussions also included the possibility of establishing football academies in Kerala to improve sports infrastructure. Key representatives, including KVVES state president Raju Apsara, AKGSMA state president Justin Palathra, and state sports council president Sharaf Ali, were present at the press conference. This landmark event is expected to bring global attention to Keralas footballing fervour and further solidify its reputation as a hub for the sport in India.

Teens taekwondo kick atop Kilimanjaro

KOCHI: Though only 13, Anna Mary, who hails from Alappuzha, has already conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The 5,895m tall mountain is the highest peak on the African continent and the tallest freestanding one in the world. Anna got to its summit (Stella Point, which is 5,756m high) and, believe it or not, performed Taekwondo kicks. Of course, not before soaking in the stunning sights all around. This was a dream journey for her, fuelled by her love for travel and adventure. It was just after the pandemic that I felt an urge to engage in sports, Anna says. This led to her joining the rock climbing club at the Regional Sports Centre in Kadavanthra, Kochi. The first time I scaled that wall, I knew I had found something special. she says. Her interest in mountaineering was further kindled by stories from a few trekking friends who had returned from the Everest Base Camp. This inspired Anna and her father, who is a techie and an avid trekker, to plan their adventure. We wanted to do something even more thrilling, Anna says. So, in June, she and her father embarked on an expedition to Friendship Peak in Manali (4,800m). On returning, Anna intensified her training. She incorporated long-distance running and cycling into her regimen. Perhaps what proved key was her taekwondo training. Taekwondo taught me discipline and built my physical strength, Anna says. One of the most exhilarating parts of her Kilimanjaro expedition was climbing the Barranco Wall. The diverse landscapes, too, added to the experience. We trekked through rainforests, moorlands, and lava rock formations. Each day brought new scenery, she adds. The journey was not without its difficulties. On the final ascent, I was exhausted, and the cold wind was relentless, Anna recalls. I learned that when faced with challenges, if we give up, we lose sight of our goals. Her motivation was bolstered by her guides: Jackson, Ayyub, and Sebastian. They are our heroes. They motivated us every step of the way. I also learned an invaluable lesson with a good team, we can achieve anything, Anna adds. This student of St Marys HSS, Cherthala, believes that many young people today waste valuable time. Theres a lack of positive activities to channel energy into, and unfortunately, some fall into harmful habits, she says. Her advice to other teenagers is simple: Get addicted to sports. The Kilimanjaro summit is only the first stop in Annas mission to scale the Seven Summits. She also has her sights set on Chimborazo Mountain in Ecuador. Its the closest point to the sun on Earth, she says.

Moving Mountains

KOCHI: Climbing peaks is akin to a marathon up a rock wall with a bag of bricks on your back, battling freezing winds, dizzying heights, and pushing ones limits. Shaikh Hassan Khan, a state secretariat employee with a passion for adventure, loves doing that. His dream was to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents. And, a few days ago, he became the first person from Kerala to achieve this feat. My love for the mountains began in 2015 when I was posted in Delhi for work. Thats when I started sneaking off for trips to the hills whenever I could, says Shaikh. On one such journey, I ended up at the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering in Darjeeling. I felt a spark, and alongside my civil service training, I took a 28-day basic mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. By the end of the course, I was completely hooked. Not long after, I climbed Mount Satopanth, a 7,000-metre peak, and that was just the beginning of my journey. The Thiruvananthapuram native scaled his first summit, Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341ft) in Tanzania, in February 2021. At 3pm on November 10 this year, by waving the Tricolour atop Mt Kosciuszko, the highest peak in Australia, Shaikh completed the Seven Summits challenge. I cant put into words how jubilant I felt as I stood atop Mt Kosciuszko with the Indian flag, wearing the mundu in the cold just to add a bit of Kerala vibe, Shaikh smiles. His earlier conquests include Mt Vinson in Antarctica, Mt Everest in Asia, Mt Denali in North America, Mt Elbrus in Europe, and Mt Aconcagua in South America. Shaikh also holds a world record for unfolding the largest Tricolour atop Mt Everest, a feat that he achieved on the 75th anniversary of Indias Independence. I carried a 30x20ft flag. It was heavy, but its symbolism outweighed its physical weight, he says. On his return from the Everest Eco Expedition, Shaikh carried back more than just memories; he lugged down over 100kg of junk. About challenges of mountaineering, Shaikh concedes that there have been moments of doubt when giving up seemed tempting, but his passion pummelled through those blocks. Solitude can be daunting, but its also a space for self-reflection, he adds. I use solitude to connect with my inner self. During expeditions, I also rely on mindfulness techniques, journaling, and reminding myself of the people who believe in me. What about physical fuel? I take calorie-dense foods like nuts, energy bars, and dried fruits for quick energy boosts, he says. I consume complex carbohydrates like oats and rice for sustained energy, and ensure adequate protein intake through dehydrated meal packs. I also carry electrolyte tablets to replenish myself. Most importantly, we need to listen to our bodies and eat regularly, even when our appetite is low. Reflecting on his three-year Seven Summit journey, Shaikh recalls the most memorable moments that deepened his appreciation for nature and reaffirmed his commitment to environmental conservation. Climbing Mt Vinson in Antarctica, the sheer purity of the place humbled m making me realise how small we are compared with nature, he says. And when I stood on the rim of Mt Kilimanjaro at sunrise, watching the golden light spread across the savannah, I felt like the world had paused. It was a powerful reminder of why I climb to experience natures raw beauty. For Shaikh, conquering the Seven Summits is just the beginning. At 37, he now aims to become the first person in the world to scale the highest peak in every country over the next five years. However, securing sponsorships for a less popular sport like mountaineering remains a challenge. I often find myself knocking on 100 doors to get one to open, he says. For my Everest expedition, I had to take loans and faced a lot of struggles. But for my trips to Antarctica, Russia, and Kangchenjunga, Al Muqtadir jewellery stepped in as sponsor. My alma mater, Musaliar College of Engineering, supported my American expedition. I didnt have any sponsor for the Australian one, but my friends raised the funds to make it happen. Shaikh rues that the governments efforts to promote sports in Kerala are minimal. I dont expect much, he says. My goal is to inspire others through my Seven Summits journey and attract sponsors for my next challenge covering 195 countries. I remain hopeful that someone will see the value in my effort and offer support. Going beyond the thrill factor, Shaikh says he has been raising awareness about climate change and world peace. I have seen the effects of climate change up close, he says, suddenly turning grim. The ice on the peaks is melting, and theres more rainfall in North America than ever. Everywhere I go, I try to spread the message about whats happening to our planet and share it through my social media. Shaikh is also planning a project focused on cleaning the beaches in Kerala, believing that to inspire others to take action, one must lead by example. He asserts that every human has infinite potential within. Standing atop the peaks, I realised that the summit is not just a physical goal but a metaphor for life itself. The unexpected revelation was the power of resilience within me an ability to push beyond limits, he says. The journey taught me that every small step matters, and that great achievements often require one to go through solitude, discomfort, and uncertainty.

From Indiras pro-Hindu turn to Modis new phase

KOCHI: In How Prime Ministers Decide, Neerja Chowdhury digs deep into her decades-long career as a political reporter to bring you a captivating glimpse into the inner workings of Indias highest political office. The work featuring the legacies of six pivotal leaders Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, V P Singh, Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh is part biography and part political analysis, and a compelling study of leadership. It was awarded the 2024 Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman (Best Debut Non-fiction) by The New Indian Express Group . Neerja tells TNIE that she was inspired to write the book upon realising that the real story of how decisions were made at the top was very different from public perception. While many believe that the prime minister is the most powerful person and can do anything s/he wants, she explains that this is not entirely the case. The PM has to contend with all kinds of pressures lobbies at work, nationally and internationally, pulls of caste, community, religious pressures from within ones own party. Also, no prime minister inherits a clean slate, she says. Each must navigate the baggage of the past while steering the nation forward. Kitchen cabinets and close coteries play a key role. Sometimes, Neerja says, they include individuals from outside the official system. For instance, Kapil Mohan and Anil Bali of the Mohan Meakin family (famous for their Old Monk rum). They were close confidants of Indira Gandhi, she says. RSS support to Indira One of the books intriguing themes is how prime ministers handled crises. For instance, Indira Gandhis declaration of the Emergency in 1975 was driven by her fear of losing power, leading her to suspend democratic rights and consolidate authority. Yet, she bounced back. Indira adopted a four-pronged strategy. This included winning over former adversaries like Raj Narain, marginalising potential threats, and most interestingly, mobilising support through temple-going and her pro-Hindu turn. She told friends privately she never admitted this publicly that but for the RSSs support for her in the 1980 general elections, she might not have come back to power with such a thumping majority. That was a time when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was secularising his politics and Indira Gandhi was Hinduising her political persona, Neerja says. Raos ultimate non-decision According to the author, Rao inherited a very difficult situation when he took over as PM after Rajiv Gandhis assassination in 1991. The country was aflame with passions over Mandal and Mandir. Jammu & Kashmir was burning, and so was Punjab, she notes. Moreover, the government was on the verge of an economic collapse. Within a year, Rao stabilised the economy, and calmed the political temperatures. He also put into place new initiatives on foreign policy. However, Raos failure to handle issues of caste and religion was his undoing. A year into his term, the Sangh-BJP combine upped the ante on building a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Rao tried to buy time through various means. But he shied away from dismissing the Kalyan Singh government in Uttar Pradesh, which was openly working for a Mandir in Ayodhya, she notes. Neerja believes this was because Rao felt that imposing central rule in UP would enable the BJP to throw its net wider politically and give his opponents in the Congress the opportunity to dethrone him as prime minister. Vajpayees flip-flops and advice to Sonia Vajpayee started off as a pacifist in the 50s, having penned a poem on the devastation that had taken place when the nuclear bombs were dropped in Japan. In the 60s, in line with his partys policy, he was a nuclear hawk, after China exploded its nuclear device. In the 70s, he became a nuclear dove again as a member of the government of Morarji Desai, who was opposed to India going nuclear. In 1998, as prime minister, Vajpayee went for a nuclear test, taking India to the global high table. Neerja says Vajpayee was a master at doing flip flops, and yet managed to retain his image as a moderate. Another interesting revelation is Vajpayees unexpected advice to Sonia Gandhi not to accept prime ministership in 2004. This counsel, apparently, influenced her decision to appoint Manmohan Singh instead. Manmohans killer instinct The quiet but firm resolve of Manmohan Singh is another focal point. Manmohans push for the Indo-US nuclear deal faced significant resistance, including from the all-powerful Sonia Gandhi who was half PM and the Left. Dr Manmohan Singh did not yield ground, Neerja notes. He displayed a killer instinct which few thought he possessed. But he did not display this determination or steeliness over any other decision, says Neerja. Centralisation of power This is yet another significant theme in her book centralisation of power with the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). Indira Gandhi was the first leader to make the PMO all-powerful, Neerja notes. By the time of Narendra Modi, whose leadership is only briefly touched upon in her book, the PMO emerged as the epicentre of decision-making. Modis centralisation of power, Neerja says, marked the zenith of this trend. Add to this his emphasis on cultural nationalism, and we are looking at a distinct departure from the leadership styles of previous leaders. A new phase in Indian politics.

Moment of monochrome clarity

KOCHI: There is a stillness to his works, but they still brim with life. When artist Dhanesh Mamba decided to transfer the vibrant traces of Istanbul as seen through the eyes and lenses of legendary Turkish photojournalist Ara Gler, to canvas, his task was to convert the richness in each image through the flowing hues of watercolours. The Durbar Hall gallery, for a short time, was reminiscent of Istanbul, its history, cobbled walkways and the people that make the city. In the quiet depth of monochrome, Dhaneshs works offered a fresh perspective on the historic citys everyday life. Through 49 delicate watercolour paintings on handmade paper, Dhanesh reimagined scenes immortalised by Gler celebrated as the Eye of Istanbul. Known for his powerful black-and-white images capturing Turkiyes cultural essence, Glers work found a new voice in this interpretation, inviting viewers to experience the rhythms of Istanbuls harbours and streets in a contemplative light. Each painting captured a piece of history that Ara Gler once photographed, giving new meaning through the watercolour and Dhaneshs intricate strokes. Gler once remarked, Art is a product of imagination. But the photograph is real; time freezes, and the photo taken becomes a snapshot of history. Striving for this realism, Dhanesh studied Glers work with dedication and infused his own personal touch within each frame, adding a new layer to this renewed interpretation. The Kannur-born, UAE-settled artists fascination with monochrome began in one of his work trips to the latters home country. In Turkiye, I stumbled upon an exhibition of Glers works. Every frame was in black and white, but none of them failed to capture the old city teeming with life in all crannies, especially, the harbours and seashores, says Dhanesh. Its there that he met Gler in person. Glers work vividly captures the bustling life of Istanbulshipping boats, crowded markets, children playing on the streets, weary workers, and the ever-watchful cats and seagulls. These scenes stirred memories of Ayikkara, my hometown, and its vibrant coastal landscapes. A resident of the UAE for over 25 years, Dhanesh fondly calls it his second home, yet his heart remains deeply rooted in his hometown. And his past and present works are intertwined with both these places, blending storytelling with imagery, capturing men and women, deserts and lush green fields, sand dunes, and water droplets. Decades ago, in the 80s, all I had was a sketchbook and pencil. Fifty paise would fetch my friends and me a rented bicycle for the day. We used to cycle to the beach harbour, eager for a glimpse of life by the ocean fishermen, vendors, boats, crows, and even the cats waiting for their days meal, the calm and chaos of everyday life. Not having a camera never stopped me. I used to sketch the most intriguing frames I found there, Dhanesh recalls his home with childlike enthusiasm. He speaks fondly of Ayikkara, Thayyil, Muzhapilangad, Kawai, and Dharmadam. After returning to Dubai, he began reinterpreting Glers evocative stories, translating them onto paper with his own unique watercolour strokes, delving into the narratives hidden within the photographs. It was like discovering a mentor. And thats when his fascination with black and white began. However, the project took shape when he returned to Kannur and devoted an entire year to completing his series, pouring himself into his work with meticulous dedication. While his earlier vibrant canvases radiated energy, portraying lifes rhythm, Dhaneshs recent monochromatic pieces focus on light, shadow, and the subtlety of emotions. The evolution of these works, capturing raw emotions and evocative narratives, turned into a transformative journey for the artist too, making it unforgettable for the viewers as well as the artist.

Understanding the lungs

KOCHI: On the third Wednesday of November every year, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) organises World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Day in association with COPD patient groups and healthcare professionals. The day is observed to spread awareness about lung diseases, their prevention, and the importance of early diagnosis and management to avoid medical complications and fatalities. This years theme Know Your Lung Function underscores the importance of gauging lung function also known as spirometry of a person which can help diagnose, monitor and treat COPD. The global initiative assumes significance in the wake of growing fatality among patients who fail to get proper treatments at appropriate times. The day is significant since COPD is debilitating and one of the top three causes of death globally though it is preventable and curable. This is why awareness about the disease assumes importance, especially in the wake of growing air pollution. What is COPD? COPD is a disease that affects the lungs. It is a condition in which the air-conducting tubes in the lungs get persistently narrowed accompanied by damage to the lung structure, particularly the small units of the lung that carry oxygen to blood. These changes occur due to exposure to toxic air. As a consequence, patients develop difficulty in breathing. What are the symptoms? The primary symptom is persistent breathlessness, which worsens over time. Another common symptom is cough, which progresses from intermittent to persistent. Most patients also have increased phlegm. What are the risk factors? Exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution and household smoke, especially due to burning of firewood at home are the main risks. Even passive exposure to tobacco smoke can be dangerous. In addition, some patients are genetically predisposed to develop COPD. How is it diagnosed? COPD is diagnosed with the help of a device called Spirometer. The test is called spirometry, where one is asked to blow into a tube forcefully. Based on the attempt, one will get a computer-generated assessment of lung capacity as well as the degree of narrowing of the air-conducting tubes. Spirometry will be useful not only for the diagnosis of COPD but also for assessing the response to the treatment. How is it treated? The main treatment is using medications that dilate the narrowed air-conducting tubes. This will reduce symptoms and improve the amount of oxygen in the blood. A small proportion of COPD patients will also require medication to reduce inflammation. There are also surgical options to treat the disease. COPD exacerbation A COPD exacerbation is often referred to as a Lung Attack, which is akin to a heart attack in some respects. It is a condition in which someone with COPD develops acute breathing difficulty. An exacerbation will require an increase in the medication. The writer is a senior consultant of respiratory medicine at SP Medifort Hospital

The lost charm of collecting autographs

KOCHI: One of the most interesting stories about autograph collecting is from 1932 when the Waterman Pen Company launched a major campaign to collect autographs in their special albums. More than 150,000 boys and girls under 16 participated. Waterman exhibited the winning albums and the top 30 entries at the 1933 Chicago World Fair and then returned them to the collectors. There were 333 prizes, comprising 133 cash prizes (including a grand prize of $1000), 100 Waterman Fountain Pens and 100 Waterman Mechanical Pencils. It was indeed an interesting marketing campaign. During my teenage years (in the 1990s), I remember asking my classmates to write messages and sign autographs on the last day of high school. Getting a celebrity autograph was almost impossible, especially if you lived in a small town. When one of my friends got a signed photo from actor Juhi Chawla, he became a celebrity in school. The first major celebrity autograph I received was from actor Rajinikanth, who was sitting at the next table when I went for dinner with friends at Hotel Atria in Bengaluru. I have kept an album of all the autographs I have collected from theatre stalwarts such as Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, and musicians from Jagjit Singh to Zakir Hussain. My most precious autograph book is of the entire Indian cricket team from a charity dinner after a friendly match. There was a time when I had numerous signed cricket bats from Nasser Hussain to Chaminda Vaas! Lets go back to the history of collecting autographs. The word autograph comes from the Greek word autographon ,which means written with ones own hand. In Greece and Rome, rulers usually sealed their decrees with a wax seal and sometimes they signed their names in ink. The Greeks valued these documents and built some of the first libraries to hold them. But it was the Romans who seemed to have been the first to collect them. VR Ferose That trend died when Rome fell in 476 AD. No signature of the ancient Greek and Roman rulers survived. Collecting autographs became fashionable again during the Renaissance period (1300-1600). Alba Amicorum (friendship albums), which originated in Germany, was the earliest example of an autograph album. Wealthy travellers asked the personalities they met along the way to make entries into the elaborately made books. The album proved how well-connected they were to high-ranking people. One of the first specialised publications about autograph collecting, Handbuch fr Autographensammler[Handbook for Autograph Collectors]by Johannes Gnther,was published in1876and contains 290 pages. It has since been digitised and is available on the internet as an e-book. Clergyman and writer William Buell Sprague (1795-1876) collected the autographs of the signatories of the United States Declaration of Independence. At the time of his death, he had collected more than 100,000 autographs! Guenther Mecklenburg (1898-1984) wrote the first modern handbook in the field: Von Autographen-sammeln [On Collecting Autographs]. Published by Stargardt in 1963, it has been out of print for a long time. One of my favourite books in this category is Two Hitlers and a Marilyn by Adam Andrusier. It is a funny yet poignant memoir. Today, autograph collecting is a dying art as more people are interested in clicking selfies. However, autographs are still sold by auction houses and the industry is worth billions.

Residents form night patrolling groups to keep Kuruva gang at bay

KOCHI: Panicked by the recent theft attempts by members of the notorious Kuruva gang at Chendamangalam and North Paravoor, residents have started night patrolling in the areas in coordination with the police. One such group, at Karimpadam ward in Chendamangalam, comprises youngsters trained in martial arts like kalari and karate. On October 13, two half-naked persons wearing masks had tried to break into 10 houses in Chendamangalam and North Paravoor. Though they did not succeed, the entire incident left the residents in panic. The people, including those in the neighbouring wards, are afraid as they have never faced such a situation before. This is a rural area. Until now, they had only heard about such theft attempts by dangerous groups taking place in cities, said Shyja Sajeev, councillor of Karimpadam ward where four of the 10 theft attempts took place. A 12-member community watch group was formed at Karimpadam for night patrolling. After the theft attempts, Ernakulam Rural SP Vaibhav Saxena asked us to provide the names of the people who volunteered to coordinate with police. We selected 12 youngsters, several of whom are trained in martial arts, to coordinate with the police and conduct night patrolling. It starts at 12.30am and continues till 3-3.30am. The youngsters roam the byroads in groups and stay on the lookout for people moving around in a suspicious manner, she said. North Paravoor municipality chairperson Beena Sasidharan said residents decided to carry out night patrolling in groups as the police are unable to cover the entire stretch.For months, we had been asking the police to strengthen night patrolling, but they always gave the excuse that there is not enough manpower to cover all the places. While there have been minor thefts in the area, it is for the first time we are witnessing theft attempts by an organised gang, she said. Meanwhile, the police are yet to get confirmation that the two persons who tried to break into houses in Chendamangalam and North Paravoor were Kuruva gang members. The police said they had shared the suspects images with the Tamil Nadu police and collecting information.

Better facilities, connectivity need of hour to cater to rising Kovai IT sector

COIMBATORE: While employees and industrialists have welcomed the move to enlarge office space in IT companies, with over 11 lakh sq ft of additional space created by government and private parks, they emphasise that the development of infrastructure and connectivity should be on a par with rising employment opportunity in the sector. Sources said the citys existing IT spaces will get additional office space following inauguration of the 2.17 lakh sq ft Elcot IT Park. The upcoming project of Elcot Parks will also have an office space of 3 lakh sq ft on Villankurichi road. Apart from this, almost 6 lakh sq ft of office space will be put to use through private institutions such as KPR IT Park at Neelambur bypass, SVB IT Park and L&T Park on Kochi Bypass near Chettipalayam. Employment for over 85,000 is expected to be generated through developing office spaces. R Gokul, an IT employee from Chettipalayam said, The development of office spaces for IT firms definitely helps Coimbatore economically. Along with an increase in workforce in the sector, facilities should be improved. For instance, there is no proper public transportation connectivity for IT employees. Currently, big and small companies are providing work-from-home options 2-3 days a week due to lack of office space. However, with extra office space, work-from-home options will come down in 2025 as most companies, including mine, are prepared to work in the office full-time. Hence, it is a need of the hour to improve public transport. M Karthikeyan, president of Codissia said, We have been demanding the state and central government to increase infrastructure facilities to the city in light of the growth of IT sector. With an increasing workforce, families of employees will also migrate to the city. This should be considered while planning the city for the next few decades. We have also advocated for the development of infrastructure and connectivity during the meeting with the recent finance commission. J Sathish, Director of Kongu Global Forum, said, To improve connectivity, the government of India should expedite the works for outer bypass roads and expansion of airports. Even now, we lack train and air connectivity. Coimbatore Junction, North Coimbatore Junction and Podanur Junction should be improved to accommodate more trains. Also, metro works should commence without further delay.

Industries minister flags off Kerala Automobiles Limiteds battery-powered garbage collection cart

KOCHI: Industries Minister P Rajeeve flagged off an electric cart designed and manufactured by the state-run Kerala Automobiles Limited (KAL) at a function held at Changampuzha Park on Tuesday. The cart attached with a garbage box and tipping mechanism will be used as a model vehicle by the corporation to transport biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. The cart will be modified as per the requirements of the field staff appointed for waste collection. KAL authorities said the cart can carry up to 310kg and since it is battery-powered, there is lower expense and lesser air pollution. KAL MD V S Rajeev told TNIE that they are expecting a considerable order from the Kochi corporation soon. We will take first-hand feedback from corporation workers and redo the vehicle design accordingly. The price of one cart is `2.7 lakh. We will soon approach other local self-government bodies to roll out more carts, he said. Mayor M Anilkumar presided over the inaugural ceremony. Standing committee chairman T K Ashraf received the key. Principal secretary, industries, A P M Muhammed Haneesh and others spoke. Meanwhile, Rajeev said the KAL dream project of manufacturing battery-powered two-wheelers will be reality soon. KAL will soon roll out the e-scooters partnering with Lodz Mark Industries Public Ltd, a Mumbai-based automobile manufacturing company. The authorities of the company will meet the finance minister next week. KAL has kept aside a 10,000 sq ft area for the project already, the MD said.

Koonamthai womans death: Autopsy reveals head injuries

KOCHI: With an autopsy report revealing multiple head injuries, the police suspect that the 55-year-old woman who was found dead at an apartment in Koonamthai near Kalamassery was murdered. The deceased Jayesy Abraham, belonging to Chundikuzhi in Perumbavoor was staying alone at a rented apartment in Koonamthai and was found dead in the bathroom on Sunday night. The incident came to light after Jayesys daughter, who is in Canada, failed to get her on the line despite several attempts. She then contacted the Kalamassery police who found Jayesy dead in the bathroom. According to the police, the postmortem revealed that she suffered severe injuries to her head, suspectedly from being hit by some object. Her mobile phone was also found missing from the house. The police said there is no CCTV camera at the apartment and no one saw any person at Jayesys apartment on Sunday night. At the same time, the police have collected the call data records of Jayesys mobile phone and have recorded the statements of those close to her.

Cochin University's postwoman dies as tanker lorry rear-ends motorcycle at Athani

KOCHI: A 33-year-old postwoman, a familiar face in and around the Cochin University campus and South Kalamassery, has become the latest victim of a road accident in Kochi. Vidya K Nambeesan, who was working with the Cochin University Post Office, died when a tanker rear-ended the motorcycle on which she and her husband were travelling, at Athani on the National Highway stretch on Tuesday morning. In the impact, the duo fell to the ground and the lorry ran over Vidya. Her husband, Vinay R Nambeesan, is battling for life at a private hospital in Aluva after suffering a serious head injury in the accident that took place around 8am. The duo, natives of Kothakulangara in Angamaly, was travelling to their respective workplaces when the accident took place. Vinay works at a private IT firm near Kalamassery. Though Vidya was rushed to the Government Hospital in Aluva, her life couldnt be saved. Vinay, who has been shifted to a private hospital in Aluva, underwent surgery and is currently under observation. The Nedumbassery police have registered a case against the lorry driver and initiated a probe. The body of the deceased was handed over to relatives after a postmortem examination. The cremation will be held at Angamaly on Wednesday. The couple is parents to three-year-old twins.

Online licence for tourism enterprises soon: P Rajeev

KOCHI: A proposal to introduce online facility for processing the applications for tourism enterprises is under active consideration of the government, Industries Minister P Rajeev said on Tuesday. Rajeeve said the facility will be launched soon, enabling ventures to link even with the existing portals for approval by panchayats. The ministers announcement came at the sectoral meeting of tourism and hospitality sector convened by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) as a build-up to the Invest Kerala Global Summit, to be held in Kochi on February 21 and 22. Inaugurating the meeting, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas pitched for a single-window system for issuing different permits for tourism enterprises. Authorities have initiated intensive efforts to start innovative initiatives in the field of travel and hospitality, Riyas revealed. He highlighted the need for a single-window system to sanction various permits for tourism enterprises, like the case with other industries. At present, there is a liaison system at the tourism department. It should be stabilised and brought under a single-window system, he told the delegates. Riyas said the department has come up with an investment desk that is engaged in the evaluation of its further activities. Linking it with the industrys single-window system will be of great benefit, he added. The minister also said unified system to start an incubator for start-ups in the tourism sector will be ready soon. Rajeeve, while noting that tourism held the highest investment potential among all sectors in Kerala, said the travel and hospitality industry had the capacity to generate maximum employment with minimum investment. Calling upon entrepreneurs to develop novel ideas and products in the tourism sector, he assured all support from the government on this front.

Thiruvambady Devaswoms actions during Pooram suspicious, CDB in Kerala HC

KOCHI: The Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) has told the Kerala High Court that certain actions of the Thiruvambady Devaswom during the Thrissur pooram had given rise to suspicions that they were aimed at aiding certain political parties to influence the Lok Sabha elections. Giving credence to the CPIs claim of a concerted effort to disrupt the pooram, the CDB, in a report submitted to the HC, said a series of incidents that occurred during a one-year period ahead of the prestigious event supported the allegation of a conspiracy to undermine the festival. The Thiruvambady Devaswoms dubious actions included disrupting the pooram by involving in discussions individuals who had no connection to it or the festival. The involvement of BJP leaders B Gopalakrishnan and district president K K Anishkumar and RSS leader from Kannur Valsan Thillankeri has further strengthened these suspicions, the report said. Adding to the controversy, Suresh Gopi, who was then BJPs candidate from Thrissur, openly intervened in the issue. Despite it being a no-traffic zone, he broke the law by using a Seva Bharathi ambulance, allegedly to provoke anger that could force a stop to the festival midway, which could further his electoral interests. He also spread false information through channels and social media, claiming that the pooram was in disarray, the report said. It also stated that Gopi had spread the news that issues had been settled following his intervention. Public accusations and counter-allegations aired on channels and in newspapers by office-bearers have brought disgrace to the public discourse. These incidents confirm suspicions about the Thrissur Pooram conspiracy, stated the report. According to the CDB report, one glaring example of the conspiracy is the delay of the fireworks display, which was scheduled for 3 am but was postponed until 7.15 am. Pooram: Call to set up high-powered committee This delay should be viewed as an unethical pressure tactic by the Thiruvambady Devaswom, it said. A list of 160 individualscomprising 85 workers and 65 committee memberswas submitted by Paramekkavu Devaswom seeking permission to stand on the highly regulated pooram ground during the fireworks. However, the ThiruvambadyDevaswom initially refused to provide a similar list, the report said. Eventually, they agreed to participate in the fireworks display only on the condition that all individuals they nominated be allowed on the ground. For the first time in the history of Thrissur Pooram, which is attended by lakhs of people, the festival was arbitrarily reduced to a mere formality due to the obstinacy of one of its partner temples. This led to an unprecedented delay in the most popular fireworks display, disappointing thousands of spectators who had gathered to witness the pooram, said the report. The report also stated that there would be a chance for conflicts and pressure tactics during the Thrissur pooram in the coming years. A high-powered committee should be formed under the aegis of the CDB in coordination with district administration and Thrissur corporation to ensure proper conduct of the pooram rituals in future, said the report which was filed in response to a batch of petitions filed on the Pooram disruption.

Womans killer saw Drishyam five times for ideas to mislead cops

ALAPPUZHA: Jayachandran, whose confession led to the recovery of the body of a missing woman on Tuesday, had watched Malayalam megahit Drishyam directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal and Meena five times to get ideas for destroying evidence and misleading the police. The police recovered the body of Vijayalakshmi, 49, a native of Kulasekharapuram in Karunagappally who had been missing since November 6, from a vacant land near a newly-constructed house at Karoor near Ambalappuzha, after Jayachandran, 50, her paramour, confessed to killing her and burying the body there. An officer said Jayachandran, a fisherman from Karoor, killed Vijayalakshmi on the suspicion that she was in a relationship with another person. The Karunagappally police had launched a probe after Vijayalakshmis relatives lodged a complaint saying she had been missing since November 6, the same day when Jayachandran allegedly murdered her. On the day, Jayachandran invited Vijayalakshmi to his house, saying he will be visiting the Ambalappuzha temple. His wife and son were not at home at the time, said an officer. It is learnt he killed Vijayalakshmi by hitting her on the head with an iron rod, dragged the body to the vacant house near his home, and buried her in the land adjacent to it. After the murder, Jayachandran took Vijayalakshmis phone and went to Ernakulam in a KSRTC bus. Upon reaching there, he discarded the phone in a Kannur-bound bus, said an officer. During interrogation, he told us that he saw Drishyam five times and that it was an inspiration to destroy evidence. He had left the phone in the bus to mislead the police, the officer said. Body of 40-year-old missing woman found buried at Karoor in Alappuzha Vijayalakshmi However, passengers of the bus found the phone before it left the station and handed it to the conductor, who in turn gave it to the station master. Looking to return the device to its owner, the station master and other employees turned the phone on. As soon as they did, the Karunagapally police probing Vijayalakshmis disappearance got an alert. They traced its tower location and contacted the Kochi police, which retrieved the phone. Recovery of the device proved crucial in the investigation. For it contained WhatsApp texts between Vijayalakshmi, who had been living separately from her husband for the past few years, and Jayachandran, who is married. They also regularly contacted each other over the phone, the police found. They traced Jayachandran and reached Karoor, only to find that he had gone fishing in the sea and would return after a week or two. In the meantime, the police collected the statement of Jayachandrans wife, who said she knew Vijayalakshmi. Suspecting that Jayachandran was trying to escape, the police contacted the fishing boat owner and ensured he was on board. When the boat reached Azheekkal on Sunday as per the polices instructions, Jayachandran was taken into custody. He readily confessed to the crime. He said he burnt Vijayalakshmis dress inside the empty house; investigators have found ashes there. CCTV visuals from the Ambalappuzha temple premises and the statement of a witness helped the police conclude that Vijayalakshmi was with Jayachandran on the day of the crime, said an officer. Jayachandran regularly came to the Azheekkal harbour, while Vijayalakshmi was a worker there. They were in a relationship for the past two years. The police suspect they also had financial dealings. An officer said the exact cause of death will be revealed only after an autopsy. The gold ornaments worn by Vijayalakshmi and the murder weapon were confiscated from Jayachandrans house.

Fruit bats destroy Rudraksha yield, Kerala farmer sues forest dept

KOCHI: Fruit bats causing damage to crops is nothing new. But a farmer suing the forest department seeking a huge compensation for the loss he incurred owing to the flying mammals is not something common. C D Adarsh Kumar, whose main source of income were two Rudraksha trees in his orchard, was a successful farmer until recently. He said he earned a handsome Rs 1 crore per year from his four-acre land until a few years back. He used to sell quality Rudraksha beads from the two trees. However, a colony of bats that feed on unripe fruits have left him devastated. The resident of Kallekulam, Poonjar, has been unable to earn a penny from the farmland in the past three years, and landed in a debt trap. Facing recovery proceedings from banks, Adarsh has moved the Pala sub-court seeking a compensation of Rs 2.25 crore from the forest department. However, can the forest department be held responsible for the crop loss caused by fruit bats? Adarsh says the custodian of forest is responsible for the loss caused by protected wild animals that intrude into farmlands outside the forest. I developed a biodiversity park on my four-acre farmland over the past 35 years, where I grow rare and exotic fruit trees. The fruit bats started attacking the trees since 2015-16, and I have not been able to earn even a penny in the past three years. I had to sell some trees to meet my familys expenses in the past couple of years. The Poonjar Cooperative Bank and Kerala Bank have initiated recovery proceedings against me for loan default, Adarsh said in his petition filed on November 14. Adarsh said he used to get beads with four to 20 faces from the Rudraksha trees. Rudraksha tree Forest dept has to pay me compensation Some beads like Gauri-Shankar fetch fancy prices. Beads with five faces are common and are sold for `10 per piece. However, I can grow four saplings from a bead which I sell for `100 each. Besides, there are fruits like Durian, Filosan, Borneo avocado and Rambutan in my orchard which provided me steady income. However, for the past three years, I havent been able to harvest the yield as a big colony of bats is feeding on my crops regularly, he said. He said he has a liability of `1.67 crore with the Poonjar bank and a little over `1 crore with the Poonjar branch of Kerala Bank. I also took a loan of `4 lakh in my wifes name. The banks will attach my property and my family will be on the streets soon. The fruit bats have devastated my life and the forest department has to pay me compensation, said Adarsh. Kerala Independent Farmers Association (KIFA) legal consultant advocate Jose J Cheruvil said fruit bats are a protected species categorised under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. If farmers kill them or fire gunshots to scare them, it will be considered an offence. However, wild animals should be restricted in the forest and as custodian of forests, the forest department has to be held accountable for the devastation caused by animals. As per the strict liability principle, the department is liable to pay compensation if wild animals stray into the property of farmers and destroy crops. The compensation extended by the department is meagre and we are demanding that the amount be enhanced considering the value of the crop, he said.

Remittances from Kerala make Norths rural pockets rich

PERUMBAVOOR: Its a hot Sunday afternoon at the Gandhi market in Perumbavoor, a town which is home to a large migrant population, mostly from West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha. Hundreds of migrant workers, who work in and around this small town near Kochi, have thronged the market to spend their weekly holiday -- purchasing cheap dresses, recharging their mobile phones, shopping groceries for the new week, or just catch up with their friends and relatives. But, perhaps the biggest business in the market is something else -- cash transfers. Tucked in a corner of the markets entrance is Mijanur Travels, an ordinary-looking shop run by Mijanur Rahman, in his 40s. Sunday is the busiest day in the week for Rahman, who hails from Murshidabad, West Bengal. People come here with the cash earned during the week gone by, and send it to their spouses or relatives back home in Guwahati, Nagaon, Bhubaneswar or Murshidabad. On a Sunday, I transfer anything between Rs 2-3 lakh for customers. There are some Sundays when Rs 4 lakh or more is transferred, he says. The remittances range from Rs 1,500 to 5,000, and even Rs 10,000 in some cases, and the small size of transactions means there could be as many as 100-150 such money transfers on a Sunday. Rahman charges Rs 12 per Rs 1,000 remittances -- Rs 8 for the services provider (Pay World, BharatPe, Paytm. etc) and Rs 4 as commission. Abhijul Islam of Assam Mobile Shop, a native of Nagaon, has been running a similar money transfer outlet inside the market for nearly three years. He says Assamese workers, who mostly work at plywood factories in the region, deposit the cash on a weekly basis while the Bengali workers, who are engaged in daily wage jobs in construction field, farms or other low-skilled works, deposit the money once in two or three days. Explains Lijin J, who runs a train and air-ticket booking shop in Perumbavoor: For the migrant workers, who stay along with three or four persons in a room, its not safe to keep the cash in the room. So, whenever they save Rs 3,000 or more, they immediately transfer the money back home. Mijanur Rahman helping a customer with transaction at Mijanur Travels, which is also a money remitting shop. There could be at least 30 shops in Perumbavoor engaged in money transfers. The business is booming, thanks to the high daily wages in Kerala and the shortage of workers in almost every sector that requires unskilled or semi-skilled workers. A 2021 study on In-migration, Informal Employment and Urbanisation in Kerala by Dr Jajati Keshari Parida of Department of Economic Studies, Central University of Punjab, and Dr K Ravi Raman, member, Kerala State Planning Board, found that about Rs 7,500 crore is going out of Kerala annually as remittance to other states. Binoy Peter, executive director of Perumbavoor-based Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID), reckons this figure is a gross underestimation. As per our conservative estimates, the migrant population in Kerala could be remitting at least Rs 17,000 crore per annum to their home states, he says. According to CMIDs calculation, there are over 35 lakh migrant workers in Kerala, who are earning a total of Rs 49,000 crore here. On a conservative basis, we have to assume that a migrant worker is earning Rs 700 per day, 20 days per month, for 10 months, he explains. Dr D Narayana, economist and former member of the Kerala Public Expenditure Review Committee, was involved in the first comprehensive study on migrant population in the state, in 2012. His report found that there was a 25-lakh strong migrant population during that time, growing at 8 % per year. The migrant population in Kerala could be at least 48 lakh now, he says. There are no sectors where migrant workers are not present in Kerala, from construction to plantation, hotels to resorts, fisheries to grocery stores, and barber shops to high-end saloons. Many sectors in Kerala would come to a standstill if migrant workers stop working, Dr Narayana says. Adds Planning Board member Raviraman: While they are in Kerala, they become integral to what I would call right making/state making process. According to Benoy, the resilience shown by rural India is due to the remittances by the migrant population, not just in Kerala, but also in other states. Significantly, the robustness of the informal Kerala economy is mainly due to the spending power of the migrant population on local goods and services here. While most of the Kerala households now depend on shopping malls or use e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart for their purchases, and commute through Uber or their private vehicles, the small grocery shops, hotels, the private buses and autorickshaws largely survive on the spending by the migrant population here, he says. Going by CMIDs estimates, the migrant population could be spending anything between Rs 30,000 crore to 32,000 crore in Keralas informal economy. Social remittances are as important as financial remittances. The migrants see boys and girls, without discrimination, going to schools here. They dream about providing better education and jobs for their kids. There are village heads in north Indian states, who have been migrant workers here. Obviously, they will try to replicate this in their villages, says Benoy Peter.

Fisherfolk given ultimatum to vacate land near flyover

Home nurse held for alleged theft at Maudanys house

Woman found unconscious and later declared dead was probably murdered, suspect police

Opposition parties slam delimitation of Corpn. divisions as politically-motivated to benefit CPI(M)

Kanayannur taluk office shifting: 1 crore to be allocated for renovation works

No respite from leptospirosis in Ernakulam

Ernakulam has recorded two deaths and over 60 cases of suspected and confirmed cases of leptospirosis over the last month

HC directive to Pampa SHO to maintain law and order

Boundaries, number of divisions in Kochi Corporation undergo sweeping changes as per draft of delimitation of wards

The total number of divisions following the delimitation exercise has gone up from the existing 74 to 76 with the formation of four new divisions and elimination of two existing ones, which got subsumed into other divisions following the redrawing of the boundaries.

Landowners affected by proposed Kochi Bypass project stage dharna

ICG to host largest national maritime search and rescue exercise

Indigo flight makes emergency landing at Kochi airport

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing at Kochi airport, passengers, crew safe

KOCHI: An IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Male made an emergency landing at the Kochi airport on Tuesday afternoon due to a technical issue, but all the 140 persons on board were safe. The pilot of 'flight 6E 1127' requested an emergency landing permission around 2 pm citing the technical glitch and was soon diverted to Kochi. A full emergency was declared at the airport at 2.05 pm, and the A321 aircraft landed safely at 2.21 pm. The emergency was promptly withdrawn at 14:28 hours following the safe conclusion of operations, a CIAL spokesperson said. The aircraft carried a total of 140 persons on board, including 136 passengers and 4 crew members. Among the passengers, there were 91 Indian nationals and 49 foreign nationals, categorized as 71 males, 56 females, 9 children, and 4 infants.CIALs preparedness and swift response ensured the safety of all passengers and crew on board, he added. All passengers were subsequently accommodated on an alternate flight to ensure minimal disruption to their travel plans.

IndiGo's Bengaluru-Male flight faces tech issue; diverted to Kochi

Kochi: An IndiGo plane from Bengaluru to Male was diverted to Kochi on Tuesday afternoon due to a technical issue, according to sources. The flight to the capital of Maldives was being operated with an A321 aircraft, information available on the flight tracking website Flightradar24.com showed. The sources said the aircraft faced a technical issue, following which it was diverted to the Kochi airport and landed safely there at around 2.20 pm. The number of passengers onboard the plane could not be immediately ascertained. A statement from IndiGo is awaited.

Everything to know about Keerthy's soon-to-be husband

South Indian actress Keerthy Suresh, known for her role in 'Baby John,' is reportedly getting married to her long-time boyfriend Antony Thattil in December. The wedding will be a private affair in Goa, with only family and close friends in attendance. Antony, a Dubai-based businessman originally from Kochi, prefers to maintain a low profile. The couple's love story dates back 15 years to their high school and college days. Keerthy has previously hinted at her relationship, emphasizing the importance of friendship and mutual respect in a romantic partnership.

Sonic x Shadow Generations: Dizzying crash course in speed

KOCHI: I played the latest edition of the Formula 1 series earlier this year. Its a game that, if nothing else, simulates very realistically the experience of driving the fastest cars on earth. So it feels rather odd for me to tell you that Sonic x Shadow Generations is the only game Ive played this year that forced me to confront the thrills and the dangers of speed. These two games are quite different from one another, although they both involve the idea of racing. F1 is about being incredibly accurate and finicky about specific movements and tracks you make on the race course. In Sonic, I just play as a hedgehog that is sent hurtling through a trail. Its one thing to steer your way through a track and overtake other players, but its a whole other experience to feel like a coconut being dragged by the current of a river. The Sonic games are very much the latter, and the absolute lack of control makes things a lot more exciting. But it can be all too much when youre playing the series for the first time ever, like I did. There is always so much happening in Sonic. Where do I start? There are two acts in each level - the second act has the three-dimensional, modern take on the hedgehog. He talks and looks like what you would imagine any normal hedgehog teenager would look and sound like. The first act is more traditional, the game looks like a platformer, and the hedgehog is a quiet, 2-D version of himself. But when I say that a lot is happening, this introduction doesnt quite cut it. Regardless of the Act, I feel like I am back at the old videogame arcade. A hundred different things around me, in bright shiny colours, vying for my attention. Theres loud music playing. There are the precious rings on the screen that I need Sonic to run towards. The speed increases as he goes on a downward spiral. But look - theres rings above the platform and even more below. I cant take both the paths. I cant choose between them. The hedgehogs speed has now reached a feverish height. Im confused. I stumble. A robot throws a fireball at me. As I fumble around collecting my rings before they disappear, I mindlessly crash back into the robot. Its all over. I have to replay the level again from the last checkpoint. And theres the time counter now, flashing the numbers in front of me. The same mistake with the fireball and the lane choices for the 12th time? It seems to ask. But thats sort of the whole point of Sonic isnt it? The repeated crashes on the course make you realize that the game is mostly about smoothly hitting the movements. Speed boost, jump, speed boost again, hit the robot on its head. You learn only by failing - a crash course in every sense of the word. Eventually, maybe after a couple of years, I will clear a level with an S rating. If youve been considering a Sonic game, and never played the series before - I would recommend Shadow Generations. None of the Sonic games are simple, so its not worth looking for a beginner-friendly version. The level progression in this latest game is smooth, it looks amazing, and I left the game feeling like Ive developed ultra-human reflexes. Theres a lot to do outside of the main missions too! Strangely enough, one of the best parts of the game was a strange one-off pinball minigame on the map. It might just the best version of pinball Ive played. When you eventually get to it, the game also unlocks a whole parallel campaign with Shadow as a playable character. Sonic x Shadow Generations is available across consoles - including the Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation, and the PC. Make sure you use a controller if youre playing the game on the PC version!

Waking up in love: Rekindling morning intimacy

KOCHI: When you wake up in the morning, do you find yourself taking some time to orient yourself to the world around you? A good majority of us, even those with multiple alarms set up within minutes to ensure they dont fall back asleep, spend a few minutes more in bed before we start the day. Sometimes, it is about just wanting to crawl back into the relaxed sense of deep sleep, and at other times, we might be trying hard to hold on to the quickly dissipating mists of sweet dreams, or even scary nightmares, before they disappear in the wake of day. We might take some time to stretch and breathe, getting used to our body again, and if we are over forty, trying to get our muscles and joints moving again. For many of us, all this lasts very few seconds before the alertness comes rushing in and we jump out of bed towards the endless list of things to be done. That little time between being fully awake and fully asleep is so fleeting. The question is: How often and how much of that time do you spend feeling love, thinking of your partners and connecting with them? When you do have the privilege and good fortune to go to sleep with and wake up with someone you love, the last thing you do before going to sleep and the first thing you do when you wake is to reach out for a hug or a cuddle, or any little moment of connection; it feels truly good. That intimacy is special but we often take it for granted. Mahesh Natarajan As relationships get into a longer-term territory of cohabitation, people often drift into their routines. One wakes up earlier, the other wants to watch TV late into the night, there are household duties that make one of them necessarily get up an hour earlier, work demands time away we end up sacrificing the easy intimacy of waking up together, feeling loving thoughts. It is worse if we are living on our own, sleeping alone. We start to forget loving when we wake up. We wake up and get ready to be busy, whatever the busyness might be about.Unless you are literally in love with your work, want to work 70-80 hours a week and get sad if the working week is made five days a week instead of six, if anyone asks you what is the most important thing in your life is you are not likely to name your busy-ness but who you love. When that is so, why not take a moment to love in the morning? As much as we stretch out our limbs, why not stretch out our feelings of love as well? Take a minute every morning to be kind to yourself and everyone around you. You are likely to have a better day. (The writers views are personal)

Mornings are the best time to write says Ruskin Bond

KOCHI: High in the foothills of the Himalayas, surrounded by lush greenery and the cool embrace of winter mist, Ruskin Bond leads a quiet, unhurried life with his family. His is a simple existence, largely unchanged for decades, yet is rich with inspiration one that has fuelled a literary legacy spanning generations. With over 500 short stories, essays, poetry collections, novels, and writings for both children and adults, Bond remains a prolific storyteller even at 90. In recognition of his unparalleled contribution to literature and his role as a bridge between generations of readers, he was recently presented the Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024 by The New Indian Express Group. A big award like this encourages me to keep writing a little longer, perhaps even long enough to pick up a few more awards! Bond quips. His charm is matched only by his humility. The recognition feels particularly fitting for a writer whose works have shaped the imagination of generations of young Indians for nearly 70 years. From his small wooden cottage in Landour, Bonds stories have touched readers of all ages. Ive met people who grew up reading my books. Its lovely to have written for two or three generations and to still be doing so, reflects Bond, who turned 90 this year. Natures narrator Born to an English father and an Anglo-Indian mother in present-day Uttarakhand, Bond knew he wanted to be a writer from an early age. I wasnt much good at anything else except football, and I wasnt good enough for Manchester United or Arsenal! he shares. Ruskin Bond After completing his schooling, Bond moved to the UK but returned to India soon after. The one highlight of the period was the publication of his first novel, The Room on the Roof a semi-autobiographical story about Rusty, an orphaned Anglo-Indian boy which earned him the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. He was just 17 then. I thought, Well, since this is something I enjoy doing, why not try to make a living from it? Bond recalls. Of course, there were lots of ups and downs, but for most of these 70 years, Ive been writing full-time and earning a reasonable income. I have had dozens of publishers over the years. I could write a book about publishers, though if I did, no one would publish me after that (laughs)! Initially a self-described serious writer focusing on adult fiction, Bond eventually shifted to childrens literature, a genre where he truly found his stride. His focus on timeless themes childhood, nature, and human relationships sets him apart. My stories dont age because I dont write much about political issues or topical events those things date very quickly, he explains. In todays rapidly-urbanising India, Bonds works serve as a portal to a simpler existence. Most of the educated middle class in urban areas have little contact with nature. So, when they read about it, it appeals to them, he reflects. More and more young people want to have adventures and escape the cities. Keeping up with the times At 90, Bonds daily routine is simple. Mornings are the best time for writing. I sit in a sunny spot on the balcony and write for about half an hour to an hour. Im a very lazy writer! After that, I have a good breakfast and then spend time reading or doing other things. Lunch is another highlight. Ive reached 90 without ever following any specific diets! he laughs. Ruskin Bond receives Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman for Lifetime Achievement Im probably a reader first and a writer second. I go through two or three books a week. I read for pleasure and enjoy good crime fiction, detective stories, and even old, forgotten books. Bond still writes by hand, preferring the trusty ballpoint pen, which he calls the greatest invention. This week, his latest work, Rhymes for the Times (Penguin India Puffin; Rs 350), a collection of humorous poems and limericks, was released. We live in a very nonsensical world today, so I thought I might as well write some nonsense! he says. I find great pleasure in crafting sentences, telling stories, and reflecting on the past people Ive known and met. After all, stories are about people, and my interest in life drives me to put it all down. A greedy writer Bonds Anglo-Indian heritage once made him feel like an outsider, but today he feels firmly rooted in Indian identity. Its not so much of a problem now, but 20 or 30 years ago, it was different. When I checked into a hotel, theyd ask for my passport, and When did you arrive in India? My reply was always the same: May 19, 1934 I came by stork! I was dropped here! he laughs. What does Bond hope for his works in the future? It would be nice if children and adults continue reading my books. You could call me a greedy writer I want readers of all kinds! he shares. If a writer can inspire young readers to take an interest in the natural world and books what more could a writer ask for?

Loo chronicles: Digital sanctuary for modern age

KOCHI: Every toilet can be best imagined as a sanctuary for a time-blind person perched on the porcelain throne, scrolling through their phone. Social media is rife with reels and posts poking fun at this universal human quirk: lingering in the loo long after the task is done.In a world that constantly demands performance and adherence to societal standards, toilets may well be the ultimate safe space, offering guilt-free solitude. For some, its a place to escape the real world, while for others, its where they plan their day down to the last detail. A recent study of over 2,000 people in the UK revealed 43 per cent people like to lock themselves away to enjoy the quiet. About 13% responded they do so just to get time away from their partners. There are, in fact, some who proudly proclaim the loo is their fave reading space, or even mini bar. Some term it an oasis or daily sanctuary. To understand this loove story better, we spoke to some self-proclaimed loonatics to uncover their insights. Sanctuary & solitude Ajith K Prakash, a 33-year-old musician, describes himself as a lifelong loover. I used to sing songs inside the toilet and loved the reverb it created I still do. As a child, it was my hideout, offering sweet respite from studying and other responsibilities. Now, its become a habit, and it feels wrong not to spend a specific amount of time there, he says. For many, the bathroom is the ultimate space for random scrolling, guilt-free. Over time, toilets have evolved from being detached outdoor spaces to modern, attached bathrooms with European-style closets, making them far more comfortable for loonatics. When my parents built a new house, I had a toilet to myself with a European-style closet, Ajith recalls. It allowed me to sit comfortably for longer periods. Theres no other place in the world where you can truly be at peace with yourself, even when youre doing absolutely nothing. Theres a certain beauty to it. For 29-year-old businessman Nebu James, the loo is more than just a digital sanctuary its also a place for decision-making. All my major life decisions choosing the Commerce stream in Plus I or deciding to assist my fathers business were made while on the pot, he chuckles. He notes that the move to attached bathrooms represents a paradigm shift in how people interact with their private spaces. Our ancestors relieved themselves on open land, far from living spaces. Today, toilets are accessible in every home, a privilege we take for granted, Nebu says Nebu adds the addiction to using smartphones has created a generation of people who cant attend to natures call without watching a reel or two. For Akhil (name changed), an assistant professor, the bathroom is a haven for solitude. As a kid, I carried comics like Balarama into the toilet. As an adult, this evolved into newspapers and then smartphones, he smiles. But on most working days, I prefer just sitting there in silence, planning my day. Its the only place where you are truly unbothered. I scroll the hell out of my phone on my days off from work! Ladies club Well, though globally men spend more time in the toilet, there is a rising tribe of women loonatics too. Writer Archita Raghu is one of them. During my school days, I would sleepily head to the bathroom and read Harry Potter, Tintin or a newly borrowed library book. It was the most peaceful place to read. I would sit there for ages until my mom starts yelling, she laughs. It became a place where I read best, and stories unfolded. I would be late to school every day, but never compromised on toilet time. Later, the toilet became a space where she studied, revised before exams, found refuge when I fought with my parents, chumma cry a bit alone, or watch films. Archita, however, doesnt share a similar bond with public toilets. That said, loos in pubs have also been spaces of female solidarity, where I have held the hair of strangers as they have puked, or hands of women as they cried, where we have spoken about queerness, done each others lipsticks or tipsily made confessions we would never make outside of that space, she laughs. Shrija G, a media professional, feels toilets are a space where one can be naked, literally and metaphorically. I am a bit hysterical about being observed. I dont have to worry about that in the toilet, she says. Shrija adds toilets are where she contemplates her life. For instance, when I am in the loo I often talk to myself and replay the conversations I have had with people, she says. As I am getting older, my time in the loo is getting cut short, but I stay there for about 20 minutes. Because I cant get out of the loo until Im done with self-reflection. Case for moderation Dr Arjun Ajith, a 29-year-old gynaecologist, says he spends just about five minutes in the toilet due to his demanding schedule. He also warns of the physiological and psychological risks of prolonged toilet use. Spending excessive time on the pot can dilate veins near the anus, leading to issues such as haemorrhoids, he notes. Dr Tony Joseph, a gastroenterologist, elaborates: Prolonged use of European-style closets can alter the anorectal angle, making bowel movements more difficult. This can result in rectal prolapse, pelvic floor dysfunction, anal fissures, constipation, and lower back pain. He adds that using phones or other distractions while on the toilet creates a dependency on external stimuli, making it harder for individuals to defecate without such distractions, reinforcing poor toilet habits. This behaviour prolongs bathroom visits unnecessarily, disrupting daily routines and productivity, says Dr Tony. It can delay personal and professional schedules, and make it difficult to maintain a balanced lifestyle. That reminds me of a piece of advice from Dr Farah Monzur, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Stony Brook Medicine on Long Island, New York. You dont want to go [to the loo] with the mindset that you will be there for a long time. Because then youll want to bring something to keep the mind occupied, she recently told CNN. Make sitting on the toilet bowl as uninteresting as possible. Historical haven The association between toilets and sanctuary predates smartphones. Consultant psychologist Prof. Mohandas M points out that men historically used toilets as private sanctuaries. From stashing cigarettes or alcohol to hiding porn magazines, toilets have always been a space for mental and physical relief for some, he says. Today, this behaviour has extended to smartphones. This isnt a gendered phenomenon everyone does it. Theres a term, nomophobia, for the anxiety people feel when detached from mobile connectivity. Taking phones to the loo is an extension of this fear. Toilets may serve as more than just functional spaces, but fans would do well to strike a balance. Whether its for planning, introspection, or mindless scrolling, its time for loovers and loonatics to descend from their ivory towers and healthy efficient bathroom habits. After all, even solace has its limits. Risks & recommendations While the psychological comfort of toilet time is undeniable, its essential to adopt healthy habits to avoid long-term complications Limit toilet time to 5-10 minutes. Avoid distractions such as phones Use a footstool for optimal posture Establish regular bowel habits Seek medical advice for persistent issues A matter of time An online survey revealed that men spend an average of 1 hour and 35 minutes on the toilet weekly nearly 14 minutes a day compared to women, who spend just 55 minutes weekly, or around 8 minutes a day. The survey also showed that 86% of men read everything from politics to porn while on the pot, compared to 27% of women.

Southern Naval Command to lead 'sea vigil' coastal defence drill with CRPF support

KOCHI: As part of a national-level exercise coordinated by the Indian Navy to validate Indias maritime defence and security capabilities, the Southern Naval Command will organise a coastal defence exercise Sea Vigil along the coasts of Kerala and Lakshadweep on November 20 and 21. The Joint Operations Centre of the Navy will coordinate the operation in association with 16 agencies in Kerala including the Coast Guard, Coastal Police and the fisheries department. This exercise is aimed at validating and enhancing measures adopted to bolster coastal defence. Sea Vigil, coordinated by the Indian Navy, is a national-level exercise that provides a holistic appraisal of Indias maritime defence and security capabilities. Similar exercises will be organised by the naval commands at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Andaman simultaneously, which will be coordinated by the naval headquarters, said Captain S Omanakuttan, in charge of safety and security, at a media briefing held at the Kochi Naval Base. The Joint Operations Centre (JOC) in Kochi was set up as the nodal centre to coordinate with all coastal security stakeholders in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. IT is equipped with all facilities to monitor the coastline. The fourth edition of Sea Vigil for Kerala and Lakshadweep will be coordinated by Southern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral V Srinivas. The exercise will provide an opportunity to assess the preparedness of all maritime security agencies and to identify their strengths and weaknesses, said JOC Officer-in-Charge Commander Krishnadas. As the first phase, a coastal defence and security readiness evaluation has been launched, which will conclude on Tuesday, he said. The evaluation will audit infrastructure, assets and standard operating procedures available with each stakeholder involved in coastal security. During the second phase, simulated attacks will be carried out at select Vital Areas and Vital Points on November 20 and 21. The exercise will witness enhanced preparedness, response mechanism, surveillance capabilities and coordination between all the security agencies, Krishnadas said. The 590km-long coastline of Kerala has been divided into four zones for the exercise. Kerala has one major port and 17 minor ports, apart from 204 notified fish landing centres and 43 non-notified fish landing centres. The agencies will use the help of fishermen in gathering intelligence. There will be two forces involved in the operation. The Red Force will be the infiltrators who will try to attack coastal assets like ports, oil rigs, single point moorings, cable landing points and critical infrastructure. The Blue Force will represent the national security force trying to foil such attacks. Both teams will have their own strategy. Numerous meetings and interactive sessions have been conducted to ensure seamless coordination between the Navy and the 21 agencies involved in the operation, Omanakuttan said.

KSRTC enhances flexibility for Sabarimala pilgrims with extended ticket validity

KOCHI: Now, Sabarimala pilgrims returning after offering prayers at hill shrine need not worry about missing the KSRTC buses they have booked online owing to late arrival. In a novel initiative, the KSRTC has decided to extend the validity of online tickets from Pampa to various destinations to 24 hours after the departure of the specific service. This means pilgrims can catch another bus of the same category to the same destination if they miss the one they had booked. The Sabarimala hill shrine often witnesses heavy rush of devotees who often wait hours in queues for their turn to have darshan. Even when the temple was opened for monthly poojas last month, there was unprecedented rush, forcing the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to extend darshan timings. Pilgrims often book return tickets as well when they make the advance reservation. However, a lot of them miss the buses due to the heavy rush and queues. This was a regular complaint in previous seasons. Hence, we introduced the extended validity facility from this season, said a senior KSRTC official deployed at Pampa. However, in group bookings, if individual members are travelling in separate buses using this facility, they will have to produce their ID cards KSRTC will soon start interstate long-haul buses from Pampa when the rush increases as the season advances.A super-fast bus service has started operating from Guruvayur. The other long-haul buses, including interstate services, will be announced soon as and when there is heavy rush of pilgrims in another one or two weeks. Weve applied for permits to operate services to Chennai, Theni, Tirunelveli, Madurai and Kanyakumari, the official said. The KSRTC also aims to operate Pampa-Nilakkal (21 kms) chain services at a frequency of five buses per minute during peak hours. The per-head fare is Rs 80 for AC buses and Rs 50 for non-AC buses. 2.26 LAKH DEVOTEES OFFER DARSHAN AT SABARIMALA SABARIMALA: As many as 2.26 lakh devotees have visited the Sabarimala temple this Mandala-Makaravilakku season till 5 pm on Monday. Though the virtual queue slots for darshan were fully booked till November 30, with the average daily online booking capped at 70,000, the actual arrival of devotees showed a marked fall. Spot booking too showed similar decline. The Devaswom Board indicated that the slowdown was short-term and would increase after the pandranduvilakku the first 12 days of the 41-day season. BUS FIRE: HC SEEKS REPORT FROM KSRTC KOCHI: Kerala High Court on Monday asked the KSRTC to file a report on the incident in which a moving bus, which was not carrying devotees, caught fire and was gutted at Attathodu while it was on its way from Nilakkal to Pampa on Sunday. When the suo motu cases relating to the arrangements being made for Sabarimala pilgrims came up for hearing, KSRTC counsel submitted that the vehicle destroyed in the fire was registered in 2016 and its fitness certificate is valid up to 2028. The counsel said the corporation was conducting an inquiry into the cause of the accident. The forensic expert had examined the vehicle and the corporation would file a report in this regard.

Ward member booked for locking panchayat president, members inside hall in Kochi

KOCHI: The Chengamanad police on Monday registered a case against a member of Parakkadavu panchayat for locking the panchayat president and standing committee members while they were holding a meeting at the panchayat hall. The case was registered based on a complaint filed by the panchayat assistant secretary against Sebastian Vazhakkala, who is an independent member representing Kodussery ward. The related incident took place on November 13, when the president chaired a meeting to review projects under the panchayats planning scheme at the office hall around 2pm. Sebastian, who was agitated over the panchayat not procuring a vehicle for Haritha Karma Sena to move waste accumulated at various parts of the panchayat, disrupted the meeting. He claimed that no other projects would be permitted unless the vehicle was procured. Subsequently, he locked the door of the hall from outside and left the place. Later, other members broke the lock and helped people come out. The case was registered under BNS Section 127(2) for wrongful confinement and Section 221 for obstructing public servants in the discharge of public functions. According to police, the accused will be interrogated in the coming days.

Gender equality forums unite to celebrate men

KOCHI: Not just women, but men too face social, mental and legal issues, like being named in fake dowry harassment cases or mental health challenges. Championing their cause, at least four main gender equality forums have joined hands for the first time to celebrate the lives of men and boys; and to highlight the various challenges, ahead of International Mens Day falling on November 19. A bike rally was held from Thrissur to Kochi on Sunday as part of a series of events being held to celebrate the occasion and advocate for mens rights. Its for the first time we are celebrating Mens Day. We decided to hold the bike rally today as many are working, and it would be more convenient for them to actively participate on a weekend. Were not against womens rights. What were advocating is mens rights and welfare in the same way that society currently serves womens interests, said Girish M, president of Gender Equality Movement (GEM). Besides GEM, the organisers of the Movement for Equal Rights India are Mens Rights Foundation (MRF), Purushavakasa Samrakshana Samithi (PSS) and Mens Advisory Network (MAN). A rally comprising 30 bikes was flagged off at 8am from Thekke Gopura Nada in Thrissurs Thekkinkadu Maidan and ended at Vanchi Square near the Kerala High Court in Ernakulam. On November 19, a candle procession will be held at Thekkinkadu Maidan. A main issue highlighted by the Movement for Equal Rights India is the misuse of laws aimed at protecting women. The laws originally intended to protect womens rights are being increasingly misused. Now a situation has arisen when we need to talk about mens rights, said Gokul P R, secretary, Purushavakasa Samrakshana Samithi. Gokul said he himself has been fighting a fake case for the last 21 years and is awaiting verdict.He said at least 2% of such cases are false accusations. By the time a man is found not guilty, a good period of his life would be over. So a dedicated support mechanism for men to prevent misuse of the laws is the need of the hour. Also, suicide among men is also rising at an alarming rate. However, the issues are rarely discussed in society, Gokul said.

Munambam dispute: Thangal, Kunhalikutty hold meeting with bishops of Latin Church

KOCHI: In a significant move to ease the simmering tension over the Munambam land dispute, Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and P K Kunhalikutty, two most senior leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), called on Latin Catholic bishops at the Varapuzha archdiocese headquarters in Ernakulam on Monday. Representatives of the Munambam-Kadapuram Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti also participated in the discussions. After the meeting, they jointly stated that the onus is on the state government to find a solution to the issue in an amicable manner, and assured all support in this regard. The discussion, which lasted more than an hour, came ahead of the state governments high-level meeting on November 22 to resolve the land dispute at Munambam where about 615 families mostly from the Latin Christian community are fighting for rights to their land following claims by the Waqf Board. Sixteen bishops of the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Bishops Council (KRLCBC), including Varapuzha Archbishop Mar Joseph Kalathiparambil, attended the meeting, which assumed political significance as it was held on the final day of the campaigning for the Palakkad assembly by-election. Sources said Thangal, who arrived in Kochi on Sunday night from Kozhikode, was planning to visit Munambam on Monday and discussed this with KRLCBC president Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal. However, the bishop invited him to the Varapuzha archdiocese bishops house for a meeting. According to KRLCC sources, the Church has been in contact with Thangal and Kunhalikutty regarding the Munambam issue. After the meeting, Thangal, Kunhalikutty and Bishop Chakkalakal told reporters that they want an amicable settlement to the issue and that the onus is on the state government to bring everyone together to arrive at alegally binding solution. The Munambam issue needs to be resolved at the earliest since it would become even more complex with each passing day, Thangal said. Call meet of all stakeholders immediately, says Thangal Everyone present at the meeting agreed upon the fact that there are both legal and factual aspects associated with the issue, Thangal said. The government must call a meeting of all the stakeholders immediately after the election to arrive at a permanent solution, he said. Kunhalikutty said there are some technical problems related to the issue, which can be solved only by the state government by calling a meeting of all stakeholders. Thangal had recently called a meeting of the Farook College committee and other Muslim organisations. At the meeting, they passed a mandate that this issue needs to be solved amicably. Even the Farook College Committee has expressed their desire for an amicable solution, said Kunhalikutty. Bishop Chakkalakal said Thangal, Kunhalikutty and various Muslim organisations have expressed their solidarity with the residents of Munambam. Thangal and Kunhalikutty told us that they will approach the state government to seek a solution to the issue at the earliest. The bishop highlighted how everyone is working to keep the secular fabric at Munambam intact. Thangal and Kunhalikutty are positive that the issue can be solved amicably. We too have the same belief. We have to maintain communal amity in our society. This is not a religious issue, he said.

Kerala sees rise in thefts by other-state gangs

KOCHI/TIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid heightened apprehension that organised gangs from neighbouring states, that specialise in heists, are lying low in the state, awaiting a chance to strike, police data reveals that such incidents involving non-Keralites have been witnessing a steady rise. As many as 1,378 theft cases involving non-Keralites were registered in the last 45 months and there has been an increase in such incidents each year, official data shows. According to data prepared by the home department, which was placed before the assembly last month, 192 cases of theft involving non-Keralites were registered in 2021. This rose to 360 in 2022. In 2023, the number increased further to 519. Till the end of September this year, 307 such cases were registered. Records reveal that cops managed to arrest the accused and bring them to justice in 1,325 cases. Not much headway has been made in the remaining 53 cases. In 1,044 cases, officers partially or fully retrieved the loot. This year, stolen valuables have been recovered in 224 cases. The corresponding figures for the previous three years stood at 411, 263, and 146 respectively. Sources with the State Crime Records Bureau said they dont readily maintain the break-up of thieves on the basis of their state of origin. Recent incidents of theft reported in Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts have brought non-Keralite gangs of robbers back into the limelight. The modus operandi in these cases suggest a striking resemblance to professional gangs that hail from the hinterlands of Tamil Nadu. Theft cases involving other-state burglars 2021 - 192 2022 - 360 2023 - 519 2024 - 307 (till Sept) Special team formed to probe alleged Kuruva gang burglary attempts in Kochi Increase in elderly-only homes could result in spike in burglaries: Ex-cop As senior police officer said the public need not panic as the situation is fully under control. Cops are actively pursuing cases. There is no cause for concern. Meanwhile, a sub-inspector working with Ernakulam Rural Police, who has travelled to other states in several cases, said that a majority of ATM theft cases involve people from other states. According to him, thieves from other states believe that Malayalis keep gold and valuables at home. We had probed a case in which a three-member gang arrived on a flight and carried out thefts at four houses and returned on another flight. Also, most of our houses are occupied by elderly people nowadays as a majority of youngsters are moving abroad. The elderly keep cash at home rather than use digital transaction modes. Unlike local thieves, burglars from other states are hardcore criminals who arent afraid to take the lives of innocent people, the officer said. In April, Muhammad Irfan, a Bihar native, came to Kochi driving his car and stole jewellery worth over `1 crore from the house of filmmaker Joshiy in Panampilly Nagar. Most recently, two gangs from New Delhi and Mumbai stole 39 mobile phones during a DJ concert at Bolgatty in Kochi. Retired Superintendent of Police George Joseph said thefts involving other state gangs have increased compared to the time he was in the police. There have also been thefts involving people from Thiruttu Gramams in Tamil Nadu. Now, many youngsters, even if they are unemployed, use smartphones worth over `1 lakh. The popular trend here is to invest in gold. Burglars know that even if they enter a house randomly, they can get hold of gold ornaments. Considering the migration trend, such burglaries are likely to go up in the coming years as only elderly persons would be home in many houses, he said.

Coast Guard to hold largest search and rescue drill at Kochi

NEW DELHI: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is gearing up to host Indias largest national maritime search and rescue exercise (SAREX-24) which will have a major gathering of international representatives. The plan is to hold it alongside the 22nd National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board Meeting at Kochi, Kerala on November 28-29. The ICG on Monday said, The two-day event will feature the largest ever real-time simulations aimed at honing the skills required for effective search and rescue (SAR) operations, collaborative efforts among regional and international maritime stakeholders. This gathering of maritime experts will not only enhance SAR capabilities but also strengthen SAR linkages with the participation of more than 40 international observers from partner nations. The event, themed Enhancing SAR Capabilities through Regional Collaboration, is set to redefine maritime safety standards across the region and beyond. It will underscore the essentials of global cooperation in safeguarding lives at sea and advancing maritime security standards. As per the ICG SAREX-24 stands as a testament to Indias burgeoning influence as a global leader in maritime security. The exercise highlights Indias proactive stance in fostering stronger regional coordination for maritime safety. This initiative demonstrates Indias commitment to not only bolstering its own SAR capabilities but also contributing to global maritime safety standards. The event will showcase Indias leadership in enhancing operational readiness and establishing stronger regional coordination in maritime safety, said the ICG. The workshop will serve as a crucial platform for sharing best practices and strengthening ties with friendly nations. This increased engagement in international cooperation is pivotal for addressing the complexities of modern maritime challenges. 7 fishermen rescued from Pak maritime agency An Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship successfully rescued seven Indian fishermen on Nov 17, apprehended by a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship. Despite efforts by the PMSA ship to retreat, the ICG ship intercepted the PMSA ship and persuaded them to relieve Indian fishermen, Coast Guard said. The ICG ship was able to retrieve the seven fishermen safely, it said, adding the fishermen were in stable medical condition.

Kochi airport to open doors to first imported pet on November 28

KOCHI: Pet lovers can now rejoice as the first pet to be imported via Kochi airport will fly in from Brussels, Belgium, on November 28, opening the doors for those who do not want to leave their pets behind while travelling back home or permanently relocating to Kerala. A senior citizen named Devika is taking along her pet dog, fulfilling a long-standing wish. She has continuously written to us, seeking a nod to import her pet dog. However, we didnt have the facility till recently. She will finally see her dream come true on November 28, a senior CIAL (Cochin International Airport Ltd) official said. The dedicated Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS), aimed at preventing the introduction of exotic diseases, a mandatory step in facilitating the import of pets, was inaugurated at the airport on October 10. Until recently, pets could only be imported through six major entry points in India - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Earlier, Keralites had to bring their pets through Chennai airport, which caused inconvenience to the passengers, as they had to again travel by road to the state. The new facility will reduce the cost and effort of importing animals to Kerala, offering a more convenient option. Well soon update the rules and guidelines for pet import on our website, the officer said. Those wishing to import their pets must initiate the import authorisation application process at least two months before the travel dates, and the same explains the month-long wait for the first pets arrival in Kochi. The pet dog will be kept in a quarantine facility for a minimum of 15 days. If it does not show any sign of illness during this period, it will be released to its owner, he added. The establishment of the pet import quarantine facility at the airport was made possible through the efforts of Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian. He received numerous requests from Malayalees settled abroad to introduce the facility at the Kochi airport. A particularly compelling plea came from a youngster settled overseas, who shared that his aged mother, who had been living with him for the last ten years, was reluctant to return to Kerala without her pet kitten, with whom she shared a special bond. The family wanted to fly directly to Kochi with the cat, but the nearest AQCS facility was only in Chennai, which forced them to travel there first. On his next visit to the Kochi airport, the minister took up the matter with the airport authorities, which led to a presentation on the AQCS project. Immediately, he took it up at the ministry level. Additionally, the facility to export pets abroad through the Kochi airport was launched in July, with a Lhasa Apso puppy named Luka making history as the first pet to fly from Kochi to Dubai via Doha. The pet cargo was handled by Qatar Airways. The CIAL has established several facilities including a 24-hour air-conditioned pet station, a dedicated cargo section, a veterinary doctor on call, a customs clearance centre and a facilitation centre for travellers accompanying pets for export and import.Previously, CIAL had authorization only for domestic pet arrivals and departures. Now, with the clearance, pets can be imported or exported as cargo in specially prepared cages on flights.

Rs 12 cr, bank deposits of Rs 6 cr seized from Santiago Martin: ED

CHENNAI: The Enforcement Directorates searches at 22 premises linked to lottery baron Santiago Martin across six states, including TN, last week led to recovery and seizure of Rs 12.41 crore unexplained cash and freezing of bank deposits of Rs 6.42 crore, the agency said on Monday. Various digital devices, incriminating documents, records of huge investment in immovable properties in Coimbatore Chennai, Mumbai, Dubai and London and huge investments in share markets were found, the agency said in a release. Searches were held in connection with an investigation against Martin and his entity M/s Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited and other associates. Four printing presses where lottery tickets have been printed were also covered by the operation. ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by Meghalaya Police on complaint by the Director of Meghalaya State Lottery and Kerala Police FIRs taken over by the CBI. The main allegations against the group are that they illegally captured the lottery market by not allowing others to operate, selling fake lottery tickets, manipulating winning prizes and purchasing big prize winning tickets against cash payment for converting black money into white leading to huge loss to the exchequer and general public. The agencys investigation has further found that over 90% of the business of the company is in the lottery tickets with face value of Rs 6 against which most of the prizes are below Rs 10,000 which is non-taxable. No proper record is maintained by the company regarding prize winners or sold and unsold tickets. Lottery schemes are designed by the company in such a way that substantial profit goes to the company and the organising state gets a very small portion of revenue. The searches were conducted in West Bengal, Karnataka, UP, Meghalaya and Punjab apart from TN. In the previous probe in the matter in EDs Kochi zone, it was found that Martin and his company had acquired around Rs 920 crore in lottery business from proceeds of crime.

Two killed in early morning road accident in Kochi

A year after launch of heli-tourism, sector still at a nascent stage in Kerala

Though the idea of linking scenic destinations in Kerala with Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram seems attractive, developing a dedicated traffic of guests on these routes will take time

ISRO chairman to inaugurate Mannam training institute in Kochi

Indian Coast Guard to host India's largest maritime rescue exercise

NEW DELHI: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is gearing up to host India's largest National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-24) which will have a major gathering of international representatives. The plan is to hold it alongside the 22nd National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board Meeting at Kochi, Kerala on 28-29 November. The ICG on Monday said, The two-day event will feature the largest ever real-time simulations aimed at honing the skills required for effective Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, collaborative efforts among regional and international maritime stakeholders. This gathering of maritime expertise will not only enhance SAR capabilities but also strengthen SAR linkages with the participation of more than 40 international observers from partner nations. The event, themed 'Enhancing SAR Capabilities through Regional Collaboration', is set to redefine maritime safety standards across the region and beyond. It will underscore the essentials of global cooperation in safeguarding lives at sea and advancing maritime security standards. As per the ICG, SAREX-24 stands as a testament to India's burgeoning influence as a global leader in maritime security. As India ascends to the position of the world's third-largest economy. The exercise highlights India's proactive stance in fostering stronger regional coordination for maritime safety. This initiative demonstrates India's commitment to not only bolstering its own SAR capabilities but also contributing to global maritime safety standards. The event will showcase India's leadership in enhancing operational readiness and establishing stronger regional coordination in maritime safety, said the ICG. The workshop will serve as a crucial platform for sharing best practices and strengthening ties with friendly nations. This increased engagement in international cooperation is pivotal for addressing the complexities of modern maritime challenges. The event's emphasis on regional collaboration reflects India's strategic approach to ensuring comprehensive maritime security and operational excellence, emphasised ICG. As per the Coast Guard, This landmark gathering reaffirms India's unwavering dedication to advancing SAR capabilities, fostering regional cooperation, and achieving the highest standards of operational excellence in maritime safety. By hosting SAREX-24, the Indian Coast Guard underscores its role at the forefront of global maritime security efforts, showcasing its preparedness and resilience in safeguarding maritime interests. As the world watches, SAREX-24 is poised to set new benchmarks in maritime safety, reinforcing India's position as a leading force in the realm of international maritime security, Indian Coast Guard said.

IIT Guwahati, IRS launch Indias first underwater welding & deep diving certification programme

IIT Guwahati's Technology Innovation Hub and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) successfully conducted India's first training and certification program in underwater welding and deep diving. The program, held at the Neel Diving Academy in Kochi, provided participants with theoretical and practical training, culminating in certification upon successful completion of rigorous underwater welding exercises and evaluations.

Two killed after bike crashes into bridge handrail in Tripunithura

KOCHI: Two youths were killed after the motorcycle they were travelling on crashed into the handrail of a bridge in Tripunithura, near here, early on Monday, police said. The accident occurred at the Mathur Bridge in Tripunithura at around 1.30 AM. The deceased have been identified as Nivedita (21) from Meppadi, Wayanad, and Subin (19) from Kollam, police said. Kochi City Police said that a case has been registered in connection with the incident. The bodies are kept in a hospital and will be handed over to their relatives after necessary procedures are done, the police added.

Residents demand return of Janamaithri patrolling groups

KOCHI: On edge after the news broke of notorious Kuruva thieves being at large in Alappuzha, various residents associations and pourasamithis (citizens groups) have urged the Kochi city police to revive surveillance groups, comprising locals and Janamaithri police officials, to patrol residential areas. The Janamaithri patrol team had been very effective. However, it lost its charm following the pandemic. With news of Kuruva thieves breaking into houses being reported in city limits, it is high time we revive and resume the patrolling system, said P D Rajesh, president, Kattithara Road pourasamithi. Rajesh has written to the Maradu police requesting them call up a meeting immediately to address peoples concerns. He said Kattithara has a number of elderly residents and many locked houses. Burglary attempts and cases of public nuisance were relatively fewer when we had the joint patrolling groups. Now such groups are non-functional and need to be revived, he said. Unlike in the city limits where the presence of police patrolling teams and CCTV surveillance are in place, the outskirts are easy targets for thieves. Even gangs using substance are now opting for vacant areas in the outskirts for their activities. The Janamaithri patrolling will curb this, said another resident.

Fodors travel guide places Kerala on its No List 2025

KOCHI: Is Kerala falling victim to overtourism? Has the surge in tourism activities aggravated natural disasters, particularly in eco-sensitive areas in the state? If Fodors travel guide is anything to go by, it would seem so. Fodors Travel, a California-based online tourism information provider, has come out with a No List 2025 which mentions 15 destinations from across the world, including Kerala, where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and the local communities. As per Fodors, the locations named in the list are popular for a good reason. They are stunning, intriguing and culturally significant. However, some of these highly coveted tourist spots are collapsing under the burden of their prominence, it says. Kerala has been placed under the head Destinations Beginning to Suffer. Placing Kerala in the list, the international travel guide has cited the landslides in Wayanad and the shrinking lakes and backwaters to make its point. The other destinations that have been deemed beginning to suffer are Kyoto and Tokyo in Japan, the British Virgin Islands, Agrigento in Italy, Oaxaca in Mexico and Scotland North Coast 500. It quotes environmentalists and experts to highlight how the surge in tourism has aggravated the impact of natural disasters, especially in areas where development has obstructed the natural flow of water, thereby increasing landslide risks. And the development is largely unregulated, unsustainable and harmful to the communities and ecosystem of the state, says the producer of English-language travel guides, founded in 1949, about Kerala. It quotes the data released by the Kerala tourism department on tourist arrivals in the state in 2023. Last year, the state hosted a record-breaking 21.8 million domestic tourists and 6,49,057 international visitors. As per the department, the expectations are even higher this year. The magazine cites the massive landslides that struck the villages of Mundakkai and Chooralmala, which claimed around 400 lives. The disaster occurred in a region suffering environmental degradation due to overdevelopment. Numerous government reports have warned of these dangers over the past decade, but have often been ignored, says Fodors. It notes that nearly 60% of Indias 3,782 landslides between 2015 and 2022 have occurred in Kerala. The travel guide also points towards another key attraction, Vembanad Lake. The backbone of Keralas backwater tourism is shrinking due to floods, illegal constructions, and increased and unchecked tourism. The proliferation of houseboats and resorts is threatening the lakes health, it says.

Floating bridge at Kuzhuppilly beach to reopen by month-end

KOCHI: The floating bridge at Kuzhuppilly Beach will reopen towards the end of this month, bringing a new wave of activity to the popular destination. The bridge, which initially opened in October 2023, was closed in May 2024 after the Southwest monsoon made landfall caused by rough seas. The bridge is part of a tourism department initiative to install floating bridges across eight coastal districts. The floating bridge was closed in late May due to the monsoons impact, as the rough seas made it unsafe for visitors, Vince K, director of Float Adventures, which implemented the project, told TNIE. He confirmed that the bridge is set to reopen by around November 28, with final preparations underway. From October 2023 to May 2024, the floating bridge attracted over 50,000 visitors, with daily foot traffic often exceeding 1,000 tourists. It was a huge hit, Vince said. The upcoming season will feature several key upgrades for safety and comfort. As per a safety study conducted by the National Institute of Technology and its recommendations, the number of handrails on the bridge has been increased. Vince also highlighted that additional anchors have been installed to stabilise the bridge and reduce sway during rough seas. Additional lifeguards will be stationed at the beach, and a rescue boat will remain available for emergencies.

Painting contest held in honour of Sugathakumaris 90th birthday

KOCHI: The Sugatha Prakrithi All-Kerala Nature Painting Competition was held at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Kochi, as part of the 90th birth anniversary celebrations of the renowned poet and environmental activist Sugathakumari. The competition saw students grouped into five categories. Children from LKG to Class 4 were given the theme Nature, students in Classes 5 to 7 were tasked with painting scenes near a waterfall, while Classes 8 to 10 focused on depicting An Evening by the Seaside. Higher Secondary students were assigned the theme Natural Disasters. Students from LKG to Class 4 were allowed to use any medium, while those from Class V onward were required to use watercolour or acrylic paints. The competition offered prizes for the top three winners: first prize Rs 10,000, secondprize Rs 5,000, and third prize Rs 2,500. In addition, mementoes and certificates will be awarded to the winners and three consolation prize recipients. The prize distribution ceremony will take place on November 30 at 5pm at the Kochi International Book Festival Auditorium, Ernakulathappan Grounds. During the inauguration of the competition on Saturday, Putta Vimaladitya, Commissioner of Police for Kochi City, encouraged students to plant trees and grow alongside them, emphasising the importance of contributing to nature and society.

Sabarimala season: Kudumbashree to roll out eco-friendly saree bags

KOCHI: The Kudumbashree Mission has been conducting a Plastic free Campaign in connection with the Sabarimala pilgrimage for the past several years in which one major initiative was the distribution of cloth bags to cut plastic usage. This time though, it didnt receive any state funding, but the members of the poverty eradication and women empowerment programme are bent on contributing to natures cause during the two-month long pilgrimage season. The mission is now set to roll out saree bags and distribute the same to shop owners and pilgrims, thanks to a unique saree challenge to collect raw-material for churning out eco-friendly cloth carry bags. Unlike the previous occasions, we got no government funding or sponsorships this time and hence we decided to make the cloth carry bags through the saree challenge initiative. The members are visiting each and every house to collect sarees and shawls that are not being frequently used. Our stitching units then convert the same into carry bags. We intend to distribute the first set of the bags by November 20, said Adhila S, Pathanamthitta district co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Mission. The Kudumbashree women will collect plastic covers and bottles from pilgrims and give them cloth bags in return. They will collect the same with the help of forest guards at Laha, Kanamala forest check posts. The cloth bags will also be distributed to shop owners en route to the holy shrine. We aim to distribute 200 cloth bags to pilgrims daily. The first lot of 10,000 cloth carry bags will be churned out by this month end, she added. Haritha Karma Sena members visiting households to collect sarees The saree challenge was originally started during the Onam season as part of efforts to make Pathanamthitta a plastic-free district. However, the initiative failed to make serious headway then and the Kudumbashree couldnt meet the deadline of September 5 to roll out the eco-friendly bags. Meanwhile, the Kudumbashree is also holding talks with authorities to set up food courts at two places along the Pampa-Sannidhanam trekking path, for the first time. Since the tendering process of shop outlets was over, we have initiated discussions with the forest department to allot space, said Sreekanth A S, Kudumbashree Programme Officer. The mission has also leased out an Amenity centre of the District Tourism Promotion Council at Pandalam and launched a Premium Cafe. Starting next week, only vegetarian food will be served in view of the pilgrimage season. There is sufficient parking space for pilgrims. Other organisations like Milma too have opened outlets there, the official added.

Indian economy capable of handling global shocks: RBI Governor

Kochi: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has said that the Indian economy is strong enough to handle any adverse fallout from global events. Today, the growth of the Indian economy presents a picture of stability and strength, Das said while addressing an event at the launch of the Kochi International Foundation here. 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 .

Kochi researcher to embark on Antarctic expedition soon

Kerala: KSEB's seaplane move yet to take off

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when the seaplane project , connecting water bodies and airports in Kerala, snowballed into a major controversy over the LDF government delaying it by a decade, the KSEB had evinced keen interest to launch it in 2022. The KSEB had sought Expressions of Interests from aviation service providers to operateamphibious floatplaneand/or helicopter services between their dams and reservoirs which received excellent feedback. This was mooted during former KSEB chairman and managing director B Ashok's tenure, but did not go further after he was shifted from there. The tourism department had earlier burnt its fingers by launching the country's first seaplane coughing up Rs 18 crore which had to be grounded owing to stiff opposition from fishermen during Oommen Chandy government's tenure. The ambitious project of the KSEB to operate floatplane and/or helicopter services between their dams and reservoirs saw them inviting EoI during April 2022. KSEBL had planned to take up their ambitious project at the first stage in the Banasurasagar Dam in Wayanad and Mattupetty Dam in Idukki. In fact when the tourism departments seaplane took off fromKochi's Bolgatty Marina on Monday, it landed smoothly at the Mattupetty dam. The trial run by the 17-seater seaplane has been part of the Union Ministry of civil aviations initiative to explore the possibilities of inland transport using amphibious aircraft. Ashok recalled to TNIE that two operators had come quoting Rs 2500 and Rs 1000 each as landing fee towards the seaplane project. Unfortunately, the successive CMD maintained that it should be the state government floating the project, and not KSEB, before the union civil aviation ministry who does not want the state to operate. Instead, they sought an operator. It was at this point the project came to a standstill, said Ashok. The role of the board would have been only that of a facilitator of the project. Float Planes have been introduced earlier in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sardar Sarovar Dam inGujarat.The advantage for having a float plane is that it requires only a floating dock, adhering to the Director General of Civil Aviation and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security guidelines. Also, it can also fly to the four regular airports in the State. For operating helicopters, helipads have to be established in the destinations. An incumbent senior board official told TNIE that the seaplane project envisaged by the KSEB should have taken off as it would have only benefited the consumers. The board has 18 major reservoirs with five big dams which have got national importance. The revenue from the seaplane project would have benefited only the consumers as it would have brought down the power tariff, said a senior board official. The KSEBL had also envisaged providing joy rides in these destinations, wherein sorties can be done for a small duration of time to give the tourists a first-hand feel of a float plane/helicopter. Greens to move Kerala HC against Mattupetty seaplane operations

Talent speaks louder than words at school science festival in Kerala

ALAPPUZHA: As the allotted time for the work experience events was almost to end, Ajay Balu, a Class V student from Rahmania School, Kozhikode, was busy crafting items from waste materials. A regular participant at the State School Science Fair for the past three years, the visually impaired 10-year-old boy was thrilled to learn arts, attend the event and acquire more skills. I have learnt to make craft items from waste materials and made swings, tables, chairs etc here. I have been trained by my teachers for the past two months and am excited to participate in these events, says Ajay. What is more exciting is that Ajay was trained by a visually impaired instructor from Malappuram. Noushad T has been working in the field of teaching art and craft to students with special needs for more than two decades now. Being a visually impaired person, I was trained by several teachers in my school days. Now I am passing it on to these children, he says, adding that children with special needs are skilled in arts. There may be challenges. These children, however, show a talent for comprehending and completing tasks quickly. It is an advantage, he adds. As many as 957 students from 43 special schools across the state participated in the work experience category for visually and hearing impaired students in LP, UP, high school and higher secondary sections, held on Saturday. The competition was held in 22 categories. At another end of the hall was G Vishnu, a Class X student, making life-like sculptures out of clay which won him the first prize in the category. Vishnu, a hearing-impaired artist, had bagged the first prize in clay modelling competitions for the past five years in the State School Science Fair in the work experience category and was also the first prize winner in cartoon and painting competitions in the State School Arts Fest. Vishnu, a student of Fr Agotino Vicinis Special School in Kochi, has been trained by Kochi-based sculptor Stanley from a very young age. Training kids with difficulties is a task in the initial stages. But when they find interest in the craft, they grasp it quickly. Vishnu is an exceptionally talented student and you can see that in the art he made with years of training, said Stanley.

Vyttila mobility hub carriageway repairs to begin December

KOCHI: Commuters and private bus operators have had a harrowing time for over a year after the main carriageway of the Vyttila Mobility Hub degenerated into a mesh of craters and cracks. The bus operators, while questioning the rationale behind the collection of user fees, even threatened to boycott the integrated multi-modal transportation terminal, citing that the uneven carriageway has resulted in increased maintenance cost of buses. Now there is light at the end of the tunnel. The work to restore the carriageway, besides the setting up of some additional amenities at the passenger waiting arena, is set to commence in a couple of weeks when the tendering process is expected to get complete. The Cochin Smart City Mission Ltd (CSML) is executing the project for the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society (VMHS). The carriageway repair work will start in the first week of December. The tender for the Rs 4.94-crore project has been already floated and the technical bids will be opened on November 21. We need a maximum of two weeks for evaluation of the bids and the awarding of the contract, said a senior CSML official. The scope of the work also includes bus bay lighting, setting up of fans, more seating arrangements, and proper signages. Weve already completed the restoration of the service road and the setting up of drains. Now the service road is well lit and we are set to install proper lighting facilities at the passenger waiting areas as well, the official said. Open space devpt soon Meanwhile, two firms have been zeroed in for the Rs 4.62-crore Open Space development at the hub, which includes a Nature-theme park. The same would come up adjacent to the bus waiting bays of the terminal. We are in the final stage of the tendering process and the work will be awarded in a week. The project involves developing the 5.5-acre land behind the 13 bus bays into a green landscape where passengers can unwind, which will also serve as a recreational park for local residents. There will be six access paths from the bus bays to the park. Also, CCTV cameras will be installed at both the entry and exit points to facilitate user fee collection, the official said. Angamaly KSRTC depot renovation on cards Meanwhile, the same issue, sinking of tiled portions, also plagued the Angamaly KSRTC bus station, a main stopover, for long. Now the work to repair and restore the carriageway of the Angamaly station too will start soon. The work was being postponed due to fund paucity. Now, Angamaly MLA Roji M John has agreed to allocate Rs 35 lakh from his MLA fund to carry out the repair work which will start soon, a senior KSRTC official said.

Special team formed to probe alleged Kuruva gang burglary attempts in Kochi

KOCHI: The police have formed a special team to investigate multiple burglary attempts allegedly linked to the notorious Kuruva gang in the Chendamangalam and North Paravoor areas. Two cases have been registered in connection with the incidents, one at the Vadakkekara police station and the other at North Paravoor police station. Ernakulam Rural police chief Vaibhav Saxena visited the areas where the suspected theft attempts occurred. He confirmed that a special team, led by Munnambam DySP, has been assigned to investigate the incidents. While we have not yet confirmed the involvement of the Kuruva gang, we are gathering information based on CCTV footage showing individuals attempting burglaries at several residences. Our team is working to identify the suspects. Additionally, we have increased night patrolling in the district to prevent further incidents. We are also closely monitoring bus and railway stations, as well as areas where migrant workers reside. The first case was filed by Vadakkekara police after a woman from Karimpadam reported an attempted break-in at her home on the night of November 13. According to her complaint, two masked individuals attempted to enter her house around 2.20 am by damaging the kitchen door. The burglars fled when the family switched on the lights. The second case was registered by North Paravoor police based on the complaint of a 55-year-old woman from Paravuthara. She reported that unknown assailants broke the lock on the kitchen work area of her house and tried to force their way inside.

Kuruva gang member escapes custody in Kochi, recaptured after intense search

KOCHI: Police launched a massive search operation after a person suspected to be a member of the notorious Kuruva thieves gang which carried out multiple thefts in Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts escaped from the custody of cops in Kochi on Saturday evening. However, after a four-hours-long search operation, police managed to nab the Tamil Nadu resident Santhosh Shelvan from a marshy place in the Kundanoor area. According to sources, a police team from Alappuzha tracked Santhosh and other gang members including women and children staying at small tents near Kundanoor bridge. The police team reached the place and took three persons including Santhosh into custody by around 5.30 pm. As the accused persons were shifted to police vehicle, the gang including women and children attacked cops. Even though police prevented two persons from escaping, Santhosh managed to flee with his handcuffs. Soon police launched a search operation in the area. Police alerted residents at Kundanoor, Maradu, Thevara and Kumbalam area to be on high alert and inform police if anyone is found roaming in suspicious manner. Police also circulated message and a photograph of Santhosh to residents associations in Kochi. Police later included Fire and Rescue Service department scuba team as the accused escaped through the marshy area near Kundanoor bridge. Also, railway and KSRTC officials were alerted as there was a chance that the accused might escape to Tamil Nadu. However, by around 10 pm, the search team located Santhosh in a marshy area near Kundanoor bridge. He was later shifted to Mannancherry police station. The accused persons are being questioned at the police station and their arrest will be recorded later.

Kerala HC raises concerns over Muslim survey by US company

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has raised concerns over a controversial survey involving questions relating to the Muslim community conducted in the state by an American company in 2010, calling it suspicious and recommending a further probe. The court expressed surprise at a foreign entity conducting a survey in India with questionable intent, and directed authorities to take appropriate action. The court made the remarks while dismissing a petition filed by TNS India Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, seeking to quash a case against four employees linked to the survey conducted in Friends Nagar, Attakkulangara, Thiruvananthapuram. According to the FIR, the survey booklets included questions targeting the Muslim community, which had the potential to disturb communal harmony. Justice P V Kunhikrishnan stated that foreign companies cannot conduct surveys or research in India without prior approval from the Centre. The case revolves around a 2010 agreement between Princeton Survey Research Associates, Washington, and Taylor Nelson Sofres PLC (TNS India Pvt Ltd), whereby the American firm commissioned TNS India to conduct a study in India. Similar surveys were conducted in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. No Centre sanction for conducting survey: HC It is surprising to see that a foreign company is conducting a survey in our country with a set of suspicious questions. The survey itself raises concerns. India is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic, and there is no significant divide among our communities. Religious harmony is one of the pillars of our nations integrity, Justice Kunhikrishnan said. The court stated there was no sanction from the Central governmentfor the conduct of such a survey. An investigation by the state police is not enough in this case. If these types of surveys are allowed to continue, the same willaffect the security of our country and importantly religiousharmony. The Union government should take it very seriously,and if there is any intention to topple the integrity of ourcountry by conducting such surveys, appropriate steps shouldbe taken per the law, it stated. The court directed the Fort Police Station, Thiruvananthapuram, to submit a report on the investigation to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs within one month. It also directed the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs to take necessary steps and conduct further investigations if required, in line with the law. The Union government must address such matters seriously to ensure the nations security and communal unity, it added. The company argued before the court that the booklets were a questionnaire prepared to support a study on a project titled Green Wave 12 for its client Princeton Survey Research Associate, Washington DC, USA. The petitioner contended that the research was to help clients understand a countrys traditions, values, and attitudes. The company had conducted surveys in 54 locations across India and there were no complaints on earlier occasions. Some of the questions in survey What poses the second greatest threat to Islam today? If the respondent is a female, is she wearing the hijab(head covering) or niqab (full body covering)? How much of a role do you think Islam plays in the political life of India a very large role, a fairly large role, a fairly small role, or a very small role?

Kerala HC quashes NOC denial for Juma prayer hall

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has ruled that opposition from one community to the establishment of a religious place by another does not automatically lead to disharmony or a breach of peace. The court issued the order on a petition filed by K T Mujeeb of Kozhikode, challenging the Kadalundy panchayat secretarys decision to deny an NOC for a Juma prayer hall on his property. The district administration had cited concerns of potential law and order issues due to objections from other communities. However, the court disagreed, stating that such concerns could not justify blocking the establishment of a religious site, especially when no evidence of a threat to peace was provided. The court emphasised that in a democratic country, the right to practice ones religion should not be curtailed based on mere opposition from others. The court directed the collector to reconsider the application in accordance with the appropriate guidelines.

Chargesheet filed against director Ranjith

KOCHI: The police on Saturday filed a chargesheet against director Ranjith in a case filed for molesting a Bengali actor in 2009. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case filed the chargesheet at Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court. The police had registered a case against Ranjith under IPC sections 354 (for outraging the modesty of a woman) and 509 (for acts, words and gestures intended to insult a womans modesty). It was in 2009, that the victim reached Kochi to discuss a film project. Ranjith allegedly made sexual advances at his apartment in Kaloor. The victim came out against the director after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report on issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The report has rocked Kerala cinema over revelations of harassment by several actors.

Flights to Kochi up this Sabarimala season

Air India Express Expands Winter Operations from Vijayawada and Vizag

Vijayawada: Air India Express has announced a major increase in its flight operations from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam for the winter season, boosting its weekly flights from 173 to approximately 250, marking a remarkable 45% rise. The airline has also expanded its direct routes, including new connections between Hyderabad and Gwalior, and Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, while increasing flight frequencies on several key domestic routes, including from Hyderabad to Bengaluru and Kochi. With the growth of its fleet to over 90 aircraft, Air India Express winter schedule has grown by 30% compared to last year. The airline is set to operate over 400 daily flights this season, up from 325 last winter. New routes introduced this season include connections from Chennai to Goa, Jaipur, and Pune, as well as Delhi to Indore. Additionally, starting December 1, the airline will begin operations to two new destinationsJammu and Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). The frequency of international flights to Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, and Muscat has also been increased. From Vijayawada, Air India Express operates 23 weekly flights connecting the city to three domestic destinationsBengaluru, Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnamalong with one international destination, Sharjah. The airline will also provide one-stop connectivity to 15 other domestic destinations, including cities like Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Kochi, and Varanasi. From Visakhapatnam, Air India Express operates 28 weekly flights connecting directly to three domestic citiesBengaluru, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada. The airline also offers one-stop connections to 21 other domestic destinations and three international citiesDammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh. The list of domestic cities includes popular destinations such as Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, and Thiruvananthapuram. Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India Express, emphasized, By increasing our operations from these cities, we are reinforcing our commitment to the region, offering better connectivity to the rest of India and the Middle East. We are proud to be the only airline offering international flights from Vijayawada. Our new aircraft, featuring a Kalamkari-inspired livery, reflects our dedication to celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Telugu-speaking region.

Indias growth story remains resilient as global economy lags: RBI governor Shaktikanta Das

KOCHI: Even as the global economy is still recovering at a slow pace, the Indian growth story presents a picture of stability and strength, despite the recent surge in retail inflation, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said here on Saturday. Inflation has gone up in the last two months, but on the whole, its expected to moderate in the coming months. However, the Indian economy is very stable, thanks to factors like the external sector. Our current account deficit last year was 1.1 per cent as against 7 per cent in the 2010-11 period. It is well under control in the first quarter of this year. Our reserves have gone up significantly. The latest figures (Friday) put the same at 675 bn USD, the fourth highest in the world, and enough to meet the requirements of 12 months of imports or meet any other parameters, Das added, while pointing out that the Indian economy is withstanding global risks. He was speaking while officially launching the Kochi International Foundation, an intellectual platform of influential personalities from various fields, functioning on the lines of the New Delhi-based India International Centre. However, he cautioned that there is no room for complacency, citing that there are many challenges like the effects of geo-political conflicts, economic fragmentation resulting in supply-chain disruptions, the challenges of rising import duties, or even the climate change issues. He also outlined the chief areas on which the country should focus while moving forward continue with ongoing structural reforms especially that regarding land and labour, adopt a multi-sectoral approach of development, move towards greater formalization of the economy (GST, UPI etc), and widening the credit delivery system. The RBI Innovation Hub at Bangalore has come out with a product called Universal Lending Interface (ULI). Its going to be in a transformational change in credit delivery, like what UPI has done with regard to payment systems in India, Das said. The RBI governor also stressed the need to make swift technological advancements. Earlier, Das observed that the last five or six years have been extremely challenging for the global economy, especially Covid. Global growth is holding on. But there are signs that it is (again) slowing down. However, India has been an exception. The economic recovery that India made after the pandemic was one of the best. When every country is facing a growth slowdown, the Indian economy in the last three years, has recorded an annual growth rate of 8 %. The RBI growth projection for the current year is 7.2 % while many international agencies like the IMF have given a growth projection of 7 %. So, on the whole, the Indian growth story remains resilient, Indian economy remains strong and I would say very robust and we are much better placed than perhaps the rest of the world, the RBI governor added. Dr M Ramachandran, former Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, and former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, one of the founders of KIF, said the foundation will be an exclusive community of people from business, finance, education, literature, judiciary, science and technology, public administration, sport and culture among others. Structured on the lines of various international centres in Indian metros, we would like to set up a world-class facility where minds meet and expand, opinions converge and clash, and connections are forged, he said. The other founders of KIF include Justice (Rtd) Satheesachandran; Dr Viju Jacob, Executive Chairman, Synthite Industries; Paul Antony, former Chief Secretary; Dinesh P Thampi, VP and Head of TCS Kerala; Madhu Radhakrishnan, Lawyer and Maria Abraham, Executive Editor, Dhanam Publications.

Kochi Corporation urges public to alert authorities about illegal hoardings