'I saw my father fall': Kochi woman recalls terror attack in Pahalgam
Arathi R Menon, a Kochi native, returned home after her father was killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Menon, her father, and her twin sons were attacked in Baisaran, often called 'Mini Switzerland'. She recounted the horrifying experience of witnessing her father being shot and fleeing into the forest with her children.
KMRL Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online for 04 Assistant Manager, JGM and More Posts Before May 07
The Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 04 Assistant Manager, JGM and More posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official KMRL website. The last date to submit the application form is 07-05-2025.
Waqf Amendment to save 97 per cent Muslims from exploitation by elites
KOCHI: The workshop organised by BJP state committee to discuss the Waqf Amendment provided a platform for a healthy discussion on Wednesday. While, BJP national secretary Arvind Menon claimed that the amendment will save 97% poor Muslims from exploitation by 3% elites in the community, rights activist A P Ahmed and Ex Muslims of Kerala president Arif Hussain supported the amendment claiming that the community should forget the communal arguments and support reformation within the community. Meanwhile, Munambam Waqf agitation leader Fr Joshy Mayyattil unleashed a scathing attack on the BJP for not explaining how the amendment will help ensure the rights of Munambam residents. Inaugurating the workshop at BTH in Kochi, Menon said the Waqf Amendment is not a communal issue involving the Hindus and Muslims but it has opened the way for empowerment of the marginalised sections of the community. While welcoming the BJP initiative to bring the Waqf amendment, Fr Joshy asked the BJP leaders why they are not explaining how it will benefit the Munambam people.
Delay in identifying alternate routes delays Madukkarai underpass work
COIMBATORE: The delay in identifying alternate routes and diverting traffic for the Madukkarai Marappalam expansion work has led to increased congestion, and created a traffic bottleneck on the stretch between Kerala and Coimbatore. While the Palakkad Railway division was ready to start the work, the delay in mapping alternative routes for road traffic diversion has been under discussion for more than two months and it has halted the entire work, said police sources. The district police announced a traffic diversion on March 14, and the work was expected to start immediately. However, it was dropped citing difficulties in regulating traffic. As the road traffic remained the same, the underpass expansion was halted. Once the district administration approves the traffic diversion, the Railways department (Palakkad division) will initiate the construction of the underpass. The state highways department will develop the junction by acquiring land. However, the proposed route for traffic diversion through Madukkarai Market Road and Chettipalayam Pirivu has another railway crossing (underpass) where a drainage canal disrupts the traffic. Before creating a traffic diversion, this must be fixed, said an official attached with the highways department. Heavy vehicles diverted on the Salem - Kochi national highway must access the L&T toll plaza. Many colleges and schools are operating in the stretch and their vehicles will be charged once the diversion is implemented. Hence, an exemption has been sought from toll charges until the diversion is removed, said the official. The Railways has sought one year to construct the underpass. While the police and the highways department are working on alternate routes, the education and transport departments are gathering a list of vehicles that need an exemption from paying toll. After obtaining NHAI approval, the diversion will be implemented, the official added. Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar said, We have discussed this with all stakeholder departments. A detailed plan needs to be worked out along with the police department, and the diversion will be created at the earliest. The wooden railway bridge, located 2km from the Kochi-Salem national highway, is the only easy access point to the road connecting Kerala and Coimbatore and has no toll plazas till the border. Based on the growing traffic, the Coimbatore district administration proposed a plan to dismantle the existing structure and reconstruct the railway bridge with a four-lane carriageway, and Rs 34 crore has been allotted for the purpose on a 50:50 fund sharing basis between the Railways and the highways department.
Pahalgam terror attack: body of Keralite brought to Kochi
Wife Bids Tearful Adieu To Navy Officer Vinay Narwal Killed In Pahalgam Attack
Chandigarh/Kochi, Apr 23: There was hardly a dry eye as Indian Navy officer Vinay Narwals wife Himanshi bid adieu to him embracing his coffin wrapped in the tricolour. Married on April 16, the couple was on their honeymoon trip to Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam when terrorists killed the officer in cold blood in front of his wife. Let his soul rest in peaceWe should all be proud of him in every way. And we will make him proud in every [] The post Wife Bids Tearful Adieu To Navy Officer Vinay Narwal Killed In Pahalgam Attack appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kerala man killed in Pahalgam returned a few yrs ago
A Kerala man, Ramachandran (65), was killed in a terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, leaving his wife unaware of his death. Ramachandran and his wife, Sheela, were on a holiday with their daughter and grandchildren when the attack took place. The couple was known for their love of travel and had recently returned to Kochi after living in the UAE. The family is in shock and mourning Ramachandran's death. The Kerala government has launched a help desk to assist Keralites affected by the terror attack.
Young Navy officer killed in Pahalgam attack remembered for cheer, dedication
Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, 26, was tragically killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Described as cheerful and dedicated, the Haryana native served at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. Recently married, he was vacationing in Kashmir when the attack occurred.
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Mortal Remains Of Malayalee Tourist To Arrive In Kochi Today
The family members have received information that the body would be shifted to Srinagar after the completion of medical and legal formalities.
Unaware of newly-wed navy officer's death in Pahalgam attack, mother distributes sweets in Karnal
Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a Naval officer, died in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. His family in Karnal was unaware of the tragedy initially. They were celebrating his recent marriage. Vinay and his wife Himanshi were on their honeymoon in Jammu and Kashmir. They had planned to visit Vaishno Devi temple. Vinay's grandfather expressed grief and called for action against Pakistan. The entire village mourned the loss of the young officer. He was posted in Kochi, Kerala.
26-yr old Navy officer, married just 5 days ago, killed in Pahalgam terror attack
Defence officials confirmed that the 26-year-old officer, who was posted in Kochi, had travelled to Kashmir for a short vacation after his marriage on April 16. His wedding reception was held on April 19.
Newlywed Naval officer from Haryana killed in Pahalgam terror attack
CHANDIGARH: Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old naval officer from Karnal, Haryana, was among the 26 people killed in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, also called 'Mini Switzerland', on Tuesday. He had recently married Himanshi from Gurugram on April 16, and the couple was on their honeymoon in Kashmir. Their wedding reception had taken place just days earlier, on April 19. As per reports which reached here, Narwal was shot in chest, neck and left arm and was brought dead to the hospital. There is no confirmation about the condition of his wife, Himanshi. He completed his Class 10 from Saint Kabir School in Karnal, pursued his Class 12 in Delhi, and went on to earn a B Tech degree from Sonepat. Defence officials confirmed that Lieutenant Vinay Narwal was posted in Kochi and had joined the Indian Navy two years ago. Originally from Bhusli village in Karnal district, he was currently residing in Sector 7, Karnal. He is survived by his father, Rajesh Narwal, a superintendent with the GST wing of the state excise department in Panipat; his mother, Asha Narwal; his younger sister, Srishti; and his grandfather, Hawa Singh, a retired police officer. Singh said, We have come to know that the terrorist asked the religion and then fired. He and his wife was having food at that time and he was shot in the head. In the information given to us we were told that in the attack he was shot in the head. His father, sisters, father-in-law and mother-in-law have left for Srinagar. When he was three and half years old we had shifted from our village to Karnal. He did his Class X from here and Class XII from Delhi. Then he did his B Tech from Sonepat. Then through SSB he was directly got commissioned in the navy as second Lieutenant and about one and half years ago he was promoted as Lieutenant, he said. Singh said, His grandson always wanted to serve in the armed forces and since childhood when he use to see military vehicles he use to ask me many questions. I had served in the BSF and I knew how tough is the job guarding the borders and then I joined Haryana Police. As the news of his death reached the neighbors and locals went into a shock and described Narwal as a young officer with a bright future. People gathered at Narwal's residence in Karnal to mourn his death with his family. Vinay a navy officer was married about four days ago, everyone was happy. We have received the information that he was killed by terrorists and died on the spot said, Naresh Bansal, a neighbor.
Body of Keralite killed in Pahalgam terrorist attack likely to be flown into Kochi tonight
Air India flight AI 1828/AI 503 likely to transport deceaseds body from Srinagar to Delhi, then to Kochi; Last rites on April 24, 2025
Body of Keralite killed in Pehalgam terrorist attack likely to be flown into Kochi tonight
Air India flight AI 1828/AI 503 likely to transport deceaseds body from Srinagar to Delhi, then to Kochi; Last rites on April 24, 2025
KOCHI: The police have uncovered significant details pointing to the involvement of Sukanth Suresh P in the events leading to the suicide of a 24-year-old Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer in Thiruvananthapuram. According to the police report submitted to the Kerala High Court, an examination of the late officers bank records revealed that, starting from October 2024, she had been transferring her entire salary to Sukanths account on the very day it was credited. Sukanth, a fellow IB officer, collected the money from her on the false promise of marriage, the police added. The police registered an FIR based on the complaint of the officers father who stated that his daughters suicide was due to the threat and compulsion imposed by Sukanth after cheating and sexually exploiting her on the false promise of marriage. The report filed by K Premkumar, Inspector, Pettah police station, Thiruvananthapuram, said that more than 20 witnesses, including the officers friends and roommates, were examined and their statements recorded. Everyone stated that she was in extreme mental agony arising out of the mental torture inflicted by Sukanth, who was in a relationship with her, the report said. The two attended training together at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, during April-May in 2024, and Sukanth was posted with the immigration department in Kochi. The woman was working at Thiruvananthapuram airport. During the period, Sukanth enticed the victim to have a physical relationship with him by deceitful means by promising to marry her, the report said. The police said that she conceived from Sukanth and the pregnancy was aborted at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on July 4, 2024. After she informed her parents about the relationship, they gave consent for marriage. Though she approached him several times to marry her, Sukant denied her request, after which she fell into depression. Excerpts from counter-affidavit filed by victims mother Sukanth had only an evil motive of sexually abusing her daughter, and thereafter, simply informed her that he was withdrawing from the proposal. Large amounts were also extracted from the late officer Sukanths allegation in the anticipatory bail plea that her parents objected to the proposal of marriage was an utter lie Her daughters dreams were crushed, not by fate, but by the calculated deceit of Sukanth
Navy officer from Karnal killed days after wedding in Pahalgam terror attack
Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Karnal, Haryana, was tragically killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Narwal had recently married and was on leave, enjoying a short vacation in Kashmir. Defence officials confirmed that the 26-year-old officer, who was posted in Kochi, had travelled to Kashmir for a []
Shot in chest, neck, arm: Family recalls last talk with Navy officer from Haryana killed in Pahalgam
Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Karnal, Haryana, tragically lost his life in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. He was honeymooning with his wife, Himanshi, after their recent wedding on April 16. The officer, posted in Kochi, sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the hospital, leaving his family devastated.
Kochi native among J&K terror attack victims
KOCHI: A Kochi native was among those killed in Tuesdays Pahalgam terror attack. As per news reaching the family, N Ramachandran, 65, son of Narayana Menon of Srambickal family in Edappally, was shot dead by terrorists when he went for trekking along with daughter Arathy to Pahalgams Mini Switzerland around 3 pm on Tuesday. Arathy escaped unhurt. Ramachandran, a businessman who was based in Qatar, had returned to Kochi recently. He went to visit Kashmir along with wife Shiela Ramachandran, Arathy and two grandsons on Monday. The family boarded a flight from Kochi to Hyderabad from where they got the connection flight to Srinagar. According to family members, Shiela and the two children were not with Ramachandran when the tourist group was surrounded by terrorists. It was Arathy who informed relatives about the incident. She said her mother and children are safe.
Curbs on groundwater extraction in Kerala's Palakkad district trigger farmer protests
KOCHI: The decision of the state ground water department (GWD) to impose restrictions on extraction of groundwater from borewells for irrigation purposes in the critical zones of Chittoor and Malampuzha taluks in Palakkad district has triggered protests by farmers. Meanwhile, the Palakkad district groundwater officer has written to the department seeking to relax the curbs to allow crop-based allocation of water. The state had implemented the Kerala Ground Water (Control and Regulation) Act in 2002. Areas where removal is more than 90% of the annually extractable water are classified as critical while areas that extract 70-90% are categorised semi-critical. Chittoor and Malampuzha, besides Kasaragod taluk are the critical zones in the state. The farmers of Chittoor and Malampuzha blocks grow coconut trees, paddy, plantain and vegetables which are all water-intensive crops. However, the Palakkad Gap area, which includes Chittoor and Malampuzha, is a comparatively rain-shadow region where annual rainfall is a mere 1,500 mm. In the parched farmlands, farmers depend on groundwater resources to water crops. However, the imposed restrictions, including making permits must for sinking borewells, ceiling on daily extraction, installation of flow meters, etc., have irked farmers. The restrictions are not practical. We need to irrigate paddy and vegetables. There is acute shortage of water in Chittoor where we cultivate plantain, paddy and vegetables extensively. If the government wants to restrict the extraction of groundwater, they should provide us water from the dam through canals, said Pandiyode Prabhakaran, a local farmer. Meanwhile, groundwater levels are depleting in Vadakarappathi, Eruthempathy and Kozhinjambara areas where borewells are 400-600 ft deep. The district-level evaluation committee has the authority to sanction motors in the 3-5 HP range. It is the state-level authority that approves motor pumps of over 5 HP capacity. Flow meters were introduced based on the Ground Water Control and Regulation Act, 2002. However, we did not make it mandatory until an inspection team from the accountant generals office highlighted lapses in 2023. There are many restrictions on allocation of permits for installing borewells, which we have relaxed. We grant permits to dig wells and after that provide a conversion permit which will help farmers get free power. We have urged farmers to install flow meters and submit the original receipt while applying for conversion permits, said GWD Palakkad district officer Arts K Purushotham. He said many applicants submitted fake receipts of flow meters, which was revealed during the audit. So now the GWD has started inspecting farmlands to ensure that flow meters are installed. Farmers are provided a book in which they have to note down the meter reading every day. We conduct yield tests before granting conversion permits to decide the availability of water in the underground resource based on which the maximum extractable quantity is fixed. Considering the protest, I have written to the state authority to provide relaxation on the maximum daily extractable water based on crops, he said.
Gautam death homicide, not suicide: Kerala HC in CBI probe order
KOCHI: T K Vijayakumar and Meera of Veloor were brutally murdered when the couple was seeking justice for their son Gautam, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances eight years ago. Accepting the homicide angle, the High Court had ordered a CBI investigation into Gautams death on February 19. Subsequently, the CBI launched an investigation into the case in March. While ordering a CBI probe, the High Court observed that the inquest report shows that there were serious injuries all over the body of the deceased. The postmortem report reveals two incised horizontal wounds on the front neck. The postmortem certificate further reveals that as a result of the said incision wounds, the platysma, right sternohyoid muscle, superior belly of the right omohyoid muscle,right sterno cleido mastoid muscle, and right external jugular vein were cut. The cause of death was also opined to be the injuries sustained to the neck and chest, said the court. The mahazar was prepared by the Kottayam West Police after seizing the car of the deceased, which was found 240 m away from the place where his body was found. The mahazarshows that there was blood all over the front seat as well as the rear seat of the car. A knife blade (box cutter) covered in blood was found on the rear seat of the car. All these materials suggest a strong probability of homicide and not a suicide, as found by the local police in the final report, said Justice Kauser Edappagath. In his petition before the HighCourt,Vijayakumar stated that his son, Gautam Vijayakumar, who was running a business at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, left his house in Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam, on June 2, 2017, around 7.15 pm. He was driving his Maruti Suzuki Brezza to meet his friend Prashob, who owned a shop at Pulimoottil Junction, Kottayam.At approximately 8.05 pm, Gautam called his mother, informing her that he was on his way back home. However, he never returned. Upon enquiring, Prashob told Gautams father that he had left the shop alone in his car around 8 pm to return home. The petition further said that Gautams body was found on June 3, 2017, lying on the railway track near Caritas Hospital. The probe was handed over to the CrimeBranch of the Kottayam West police. After the, the Crime Branch filed a final report stating that it was a case of suicide. It was concluded that the wounds were self-inflicted and the deceased had taken his own life by jumping in front of a moving train. Advocate T Asaf Ali, counsel for the parents, said that without applying mind and without conducting any investigation at all, the local police filed a final report stating that it was a case of suicide. Sons mysterious death shattered family June 3, 2017 -Vijayakumars son, Gautham Vijayakumar, is found dead near the railway tracks adjacent to Caritas Hospital, Kottayam Police concluded injuries on Gauthams body as self-inflicted and concluded that he had died by suicide 2019 - Citing dissatisfaction with the initial investigation of the local police, Vijayakumar demands a CBI probe. Vijayakumar approaches High Court seeking a CBI probe High Court rules that multiple injuries, especially on the neck, cannot be self-inflicted 2025 - The High Court says it was not a suicide, but murder, and ordered a CBI investigation March 2025 - CBI begins an investigation into Gauthams death Vijayakumar and his wife had fought for five years to obtain the court order
Shine needs professional help: FEFKA
KOCHI: B Unnikrishnan, the general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) on Tuesday, said the federation had spoken to actor Shine Tom Chacko, who is facing complaints of drug abuse and inappropriate behaviour with a co-star, and issued him a warning. We met Shine and discussed the issue. He needs to seek professional help to kick the habit. We cannot cooperate with such people, he said. FEFKA had earlier discussed the issue with representatives of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) too, he said. We informed them that we have reservations over cooperating with people involved in such cases. At a time when we are conducting anti-drug awareness campaigns, if AMMA members are involved in such activities, we cannot work with them. This applies to our members too, the filmmaker said, adding that when one of its members was caught in a similar issue, FEFKA had suspended him. Meanwhile, the internal committee of the film Soothravakyam, whose members met on Monday and recorded the statement of both parties, is yet to submit the report.
No move to impose load shedding, says KSEB
KOCHI: Responding to allegations of undeclared load shedding, top officials of the KSEB said the demand has not peaked and the situation is manageable. Consumers had complained about undeclared load shedding across the state on Monday. Considering the crisis in 2024, when the daily consumption crossed 115 million units, the KSEB had made short-term power purchase agreements to meet the additional demand in March and April. However, the daily consumption rarely crossed the 100 MU mark this year. The daily consumption in April crossed the 100 MU mark only on Monday. The previous record for the month was 99.22 MU on April 17. We have been receiving frequent summer rains in April which led to a decrease in demand. Normally we purchase around 200 MW from the real-time market after assessing the demand. On Monday, the consumption increased to 100.6 MU and we could not get power from the real-time market as there was a shortage of around 3,000 MW in the national grid. There were outages at some generation stations which triggered the crisis, said a top KSEB official. Maximum power consumption in April April 22 100.6 MU April 17 99.22 MU Peak load in April April 21 5,100 MW April 7 5,053 MW
Global honour for CIALs green energy innovation
KOCHI: The Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), which runs the worlds first fully solar-powered airport in Kochi, has received international recognition for its sustainable energy project at Payyannur in Kannur district. The Green Airports Recognition 2025 Awards -- instituted by the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East -- honoured CIAL for its terrain-based solar power plant at Payyannur, CIAL said in a statement. Awarded in the 615 million passengers per annum category, this recognition places CIAL among the leading environmentally conscious airports across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, the statement said. The ACI programme celebrates exemplary environmental initiatives that contribute to greener and more sustainable aviation infrastructure. CIAL managing director S Suhas received the award from ACI president S G K Kishore in a ceremony hosted by ACI at New Delhi. CIAL continues to expand its green initiatives through periodic upgrades in energy capacity as part of its infrastructure development. Committed to sustainable development, the company has been enhancing green energy to meet the energy needs owing to the continuous infrastructure development. At present, the total installed capacity of CIAL is 50 MW, he said.
IN PICS: Action from Federation Cup Athletics Championships in Kochi
Despite the scorching summer heat and sporadic showers, the Maharajas College Stadium in Kochi was abuzz with activity as athletes from all over the country gathered for day 2 of the 28th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships. This is only the second time that Kerala is hosting the event, the first being in 2021 at Kozhikode. Organised by the Kerala State Athletics Association under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India, the four-day event, which began on Monday, will see over 470 athletes compete in as many as 38 track and field events. Among the fray are Olympians and national record holders, including Jyoti Yarraji (quarter-mile hurdles), Gurindervir Singh (fastest man in India), Kishore Kumar Jena (javelin), Praveen Chitravel (triple-jump champion), among others. A contingent of 27 athletes is representing Kerala at this years event. Though none of them finished on the podium on Day 1, Malayalis were indeed among the winners. Quartermilers Sneha K and Manu T S, and Mohammad Lazan (110m hurdles), who represented JSW, won bronze medals in their respective events. No matter the result, the enthusiasm these youth had for sports was evident. And as the sun dipped on Tuesday, it was clear that the remainder of the event would be as scintillating as the days before, if not more. The event is considered the selection trials for the Asian championships, to be held in South Korea next month. Jyothi Yarraji after winning 100m hurdles Lilly Das after winning gold in the 1,500m run Maria Jaison during pole vault event Muhammed Anees, who won bronze in long jump Nithya Gandhe after winning the 100m race Pranav Pramod Gaurav, who won gold in the 100m race Rupal Chaudhary after winning 400m run Triple jumper Sandra Babu during training Decathlete Tejaswin Shankar warming up
4 cardinals, including two from Kerala, eligible to vote for new Pope
Kochi: Four cardinals from India, including two from Kerala, are eligible to vote in the cardinals conclave, expected to be held at the Vatican next week, to elect the new Pope following the death of Pope Francis, church sources said here. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, as per the 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 .
Students death: police find no evidence of ragging
The inquiry was limited to the allegation of ragging, while the rest of the investigation is being carried out by the Hill Palace police under the Kochi City police
International Cruise Terminal in Kochi to get interior upgrade
As companies go hub-and-spoke, flex office boom spreads to tier-II cities
Shared office spaces are becoming popular in smaller cities. Companies are setting up offices away from big cities. This helps them find talent and save money. WeWork and Awfis are expanding to cities like Jaipur and Kochi. These cities are becoming important for business growth. Governments are also supporting this trend with tax breaks.
Kerala will go ahead with Global City project despite Centres withdrawal, says Minister Rajeeve
KOCHI: Industries Minister P Rajeeve has said that the state government will go ahead with the Global City Project in Ayyampuzha, part of the Kochi-Bengaluru industrial corridor, despite the Centres withdrawal from the project. He was speaking during a meeting of the land owners held at Ayyampuzha on Monday. Earlier, the minister visited the proposed project site at Ayyampuzha near Angamaly. A committee, including the district collector, MLA, and grama panchayat president, will be formed to coordinate the future activities of the project, the minister said. The Centres withdrawal has resulted in the state incurring an additional burden tuning to crores, giving rise to concerns regarding the projects feasibility. When the Kochi Gift City project was first conceived as part of the industrial corridor, it was agreed that the Union and state governments would equally share the project cost. Later, the projects name was changed to Global City when the state was informed that the Gift City is being mooted exclusively for Gujarat. Despite this, the Union government informed that the project cannot be allotted as part of the Kochi-Bengaluru industrial corridor. This resulted in a scenario where the state has to implement the ambitious project all alone. The initial plan was to set aside Rs 500 crore to acquire 500 acres of land for the project. However, following the Centres withdrawal, the total land being acquired has been limited to 358 acres. A sum of Rs 849 crore has been handed over to KIIFB. Out of the total 358 acres, only 215 acre-land will be available for handing over to entrepreneurs. The same will result in a substantial push in the price of land to be handed over. The state is examining various ways to turn the project into a feasible one, Rajeeve added. Pollution-free, modern industries will be established on Travancore Rayons land: Minister KOCHI: With the establishment of industries, including an electronics park on the Travancore Rayons land, not only Perumbavoor but the very face of Kerala is set to transform, Industries Minister P Rajeeve said on Monday. He was visiting the project site, which has been taken over by KINFRA. The minister emphasised that only environmentally sustainable and modern industries will be set up in the area. The industrial development will take place in two phases. Out of the total 68 acres, 30 acres have already been handed over to KINFRA. Technical procedures, including tendering, have been completed. Construction work will commence once final government approval is received.In phase I, industries such as consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, robotics, ayurvedic products, food processing units, and e-commerce warehouses are planned. An estimated cost of around Rs 22 crore is expected.Phase II will begin once the remaining land is made available. This phase will include research centres, incubation centres for startups, plug-and-play facilities for rapid industrial deployment, and sectors like nanotechnology, consumer electronics, AI, robotics, and food processing.
LDF government to play up development milestones on fourth anniversary
KASARGOD: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of the second LDF government, highlighting its developmental achievements. At the state-level inauguration held at Kalikkadavu Ground in Kasargod, he launched the Ente Keralam exhibition and fair, reflecting on Keralas journey under Left rule. Addressing the crowd, Vijayan said, In 2016, people entrusted us with rebuilding a state in ruins. With their unflinching support, we advanced despite setbacks and lack of support from expected quarters. While he refrained from directly naming the Opposition or the Central government, his remarks pointed at political adversaries accused of stalling aid during critical junctures. Some groups tried to block our path by denying assistance. But Kerala, with the peoples cooperation, not only survived but excelled. The states resilience astonished both the nation and the world, he said. Despite what he called a lack of aid from the Centre, the state received several national awards for good governance. Vijayan highlighted major infrastructure achievements, citing the completion of long-pending road projects and the expansion of national highways that reduced travel time across the state. Key developments such as the GAIL pipeline, City Gas project, Idamon-Kochi Power Highway, and the ambitious greenfield, coastal, and hilly highways were highlighted as accomplishments.
Shine Tom Chackos hotel escape during raid under scrutiny; Kochi police doubt actors explanation
The actor told the police that he fled as he feared for his life since he mistook police personnel for goons
Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko was detained by Kochi police in a drug case and released on bail. Actress Vincy Aloshious accused him of inappropriate behavior.
Stolen phone help police trace gang behind burglary in TN's Erode
ERODE: The police arrested a gang of six people, including a 15-year-old boy, for stealing from a house along the Salem-Cochin National Highway in Kanjikovil near Perundurai in Erode a week ago. The gang was traced by the police after one among them used a stolen mobile phone with a replacement SIM card. The accused were identified as Selva (24), Ramesh (24), Sakthivel (29), Siranjeevi (37), M Kumar (26), and a 15-year-old boy, all from Thoraipakkam in Chennai. The burglary happened at the house of Rajendran (60), a retired court staff, of Mullampatti area in Kanjikovil after Rajendran went to visit his son in Chennai with his family On April 10, police said. The next day the neighbours found the back door on the first floor of the house open and informed Rajendran. Upon returning, Rajendran found that Rs 26,000 in cash, three watches and a mobile phone had been stolen. He then filed a complaint at the Kanjikovil police. During the police probe the stolen mobile phone was found active. Through this, the police traced the gang of six people, including Selva. Police arrested them on Saturday, police added. The gang had travelled from Chennai to visit a private yoga centre in Coimbatore. On the way, they stopped the car at Mullampatti area on the Salem-Kochi National Highway and took rest. They saw Rajendran's house locked and climbed through the pipe at the back of the house, went to the first floor, and entered the house through the back door. The gang used that mobile phone with a replacement SIM card, which made it easy for us to catch them. There are already criminal cases against this gang in Chennai, a police officer said.
Hepatitis A cases rise sharply in Kerala; 16 deaths reported till April this year
KOCHI: Despite multiple efforts to contain the spread of communicable diseases, Kerala continues to report a surge in Hepatitis A cases. The state recorded 3,227 confirmed cases and 16 deaths this year until April 16, with Ernakulam, Malappuram and, more recently Kozhikode, emerging as the worst-affected districts. According to health experts, the spike indicates that the underlying reasons for the spread of the disease have not been addressed effectively. While the health authorities and local bodies are super-chlorinating water sources in affected areas, this measure alone is insufficient. Super-chlorinating just a few water bodies cannot contain the overall spread. The increase in cases suggests that drinking water sources are being contaminated with sewage. We need consistent efforts to clean and purify water sources, said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, convenor of the Indian Medical Association Research Cell, adding that illegal waste dumping must be curbed and a scientifically proven method for septic waste disposal must be implemented. In 2024, the state recorded 7,943 Hepatitis A cases and 81 deaths, with multiple outbreaks reported, especially in Malappuram and Ernakulams Vengoor. The disease tends to spread during summer when there is a water scarcity. People often end up consuming contaminated water when clean water is unavailable. Mere filtration and treatment methods may also prove ineffective, said Dr Anish T S, professor with the Department of Community Medicine at Government Medical College, Kozhikode. The general population here has low immunity to the disease. The elderly population, especially those with existing conditions such as lifestyle disease, fatty liver and alcoholism, are at higher risk, compared to children. These factors can cause serious complications and even prove fatal, he added. Meanwhile, public awareness about the condition and its complications has led to an increase in testing. Hepatitis A vaccines are available, however, they involve out-of-pocket expenses and are not included in the national vaccination programme. Those who havent had a prior infection or vaccine must consider getting vaccinated, Dr Rajeev advised. Stressing the need for a multi-pronged intervention to tackle the spread, Dr Anish said, We must strengthen sewage treatment and develop a more systematic waste management framework to prevent soil and water contamination. With the arrival of the monsoon, experts caution about an increased risk of other waterborne diseases such as leptospirosis and dengue due to possible flooding. Avoid self-medication According to Dr Rajeev, treatment should be sought at the earliest if a person develops symptoms. Relying on traditional and home remedies for viral hepatitis will invite complications. Delaying treatment can lead to organ damage, including kidney failure from dehydration. The patient should get prompt medical attention. Early detection and hospitalisation, if necessary, can save lives, he said.
KOCHI: Recent allegations of drug abuse and misconduct on film shooting locations, highlighted by actor Vincy Aloshiouss complaint against her co-star Shine Tom Chacko and a separate narcotic case involving him, have reignited discussions on these issues. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), the internal complaints committee and the monitoring committee of the film chamber on Monday will hold meetings to discuss and investigate Vincys complaint. We have been requesting the state government, police and excise to deploy shadow police at shooting locations to prevent drug abuse. Multiple pleas in this regard have fallen on deaf ears. The film bodies, meanwhile, have limitations, said Saji Nathyatt, the general secretary of the Kerala Film Chamber. Saji added that such issues affect not only the particular movie but also the entire industry. Involvement of artists and crew members in such cases leads to indiscipline on shooting sets, delayed production and post-production works, and an increase in overall expense. It affects the work environment of the set as well. Hence, for smooth functioning, we need to refrain from such activities, he emphasised, urging people in the industry to come forward and file complaints to ensure better monitoring and action. G P Ramachandran, a film critic based in Kerala, pointed out that artists have greater influence on the public, and such incidents set negative examples. No one is 100% perfect. However, actors should be more cautious, disciplined and socially responsible, as a large number of people, especially youngsters, look up to them, he said. However, he said that while these developments create a negative impression about the industry, with better content, quality films and performances, the goodwill can be maintained, as cinema is primarily considered an artistic product.
Police defer Shine Tom Chackos questioning in drugs case as actor plans legal move
KOCHI: The Kochi City police have decided not to interrogate Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko on Monday, in connection with the drugs case in which he has been arraigned as the first accused. After having initially issued a notice to the actor to appear before the investigation team, the police informed him that his appearance was not required at this stage, said a source with the Kochi City police. A meeting of assistant police commissioners, led by Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya, will be held on Monday to review the case. Further interrogation dates will be decided based on the outcome of the meeting, the source said. Meanwhile, with the police intensifying efforts to trace his alleged drug connections, the actor is learnt to be preparing to approach the court to quash the FIR against him. Sources close to Shine said he intends to proceed with legal steps only after receiving the forensic examination results of the samples collected by the police. On Saturday, Shine was arrested and later released on bail, following an hours-long interrogation, after he allegedly fled from a hotel in Kochi during a narcotics raid on Wednesday. Vincy will cooperate with probe, her stand is courageous: Rajesh Palakkad: Excise Minister M B Rajesh on Sunday said that actor Vincy Aloshious has expressed her willingness to fully cooperate with the investigation into the recent revelations made against her co-actor Shine Tom Chacko. Speaking to reporters in Palakkad, the minister lauded Vincys courageous stand and said the film industry has a responsibility to support such brave individuals instead of sidelining them. She spoke to me personally. I appreciate her firm stand. Her decision not to act alongside individuals who use drugs reflects great determination and moral clarity. It is important that more people in the film industry come forward with such bold positions, the minister said. He further said that Vincy has assured him she is ready to reveal everything she knows and has no hesitation or fear in cooperating with the authorities. The industry must ensure that individuals like her, who show such bravery, are protected and not ostracised for speaking the truth. That is their moral responsibility, Rajesh added. The ministers remarks come in the wake of Vincy Aloshious making public statements that hinted at drug abuse in the Malayalam film industry, triggering widespread discussion.
BJP leaders reach out to Christian community on Easter; discuss Munambam land dispute
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid the waqf land row in Kochis Munambam and the residents apprehensions whether the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 would resolve their woes or not, top Kerala BJP leaders conducted Christian community outreach on Easter Sunday by visiting churches and meeting prominent leaders of the community across the state. While BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar called on Cardinal George Alencherry in Thiruvananthapuram, Union Minister Suresh Gopi met Thrissur Archbishop Andrews Thazhath and later Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church head Baselios Joseph I in Kochi. The BJPs Easter outreach, a practice the party is following meticulously for the past couple of years, assumes significance this time in the wake of the criticism surrounding Union Minister Kiren Rijijus statement last week that the 2025 Act might not directly address the Munambam land dispute. The partys renewed efforts appear aimed at mending fences and strengthening ties with the Christian community. During his meeting with Alencherry at Lourde Forane Church in Palayam in the state capital, Chandrasekhar, accompanied by senior BJP district leaders, conveyed Easter greetings and belated birthday wishes to the cardinal. He also expressed hope that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would help resolve the long-pending Munambam land dispute, and backed Rijijus remarks that the amended Act provides a legal pathway for resolution by enabling parties to approach the Supreme Court. His (Rijijus) remarks were well-intentioned, and I believe the Munambam issue will be resolved once the Act is implemented following the Supreme Courts ruling, Chandrasekhar said. He also pointed fingers at parties in Kerala for failing to address the issue in the past. Speaking to mediapersons later, Cardinal Alencherry described the meeting as informal. He said the Union and state governments appeared keen on resolving the Munambam issue, and added, They say people will benefit once the practical aspects of the law are implemented. Suresh Gopi attends special Easter prayers Suresh Gopi attended special Easter prayers at churches in Thrissur. He participated in the Holy Mass at Ollur Mary Matha Church and Puthanpally Mary Matha Catholic Church. He also met Archbishop Andrews Thazhath at Bishops House and Baselios Joseph I at his residence in Mulanthuruthy, where the Munambam issue was also discussed. The BJPs state leadership had directed party workers to join the Christian community for Easter celebrations. In previous years, BJP leaders from the booth-level up would visit homes of members of the community and convey Easter wishes under the banner of Sneha Yathra, which used to begin 10 days before Easter.
S Satheesh elected as new CPM Ernakulam district secretary
KOCHI: S Satheesh, CPM state committee member and long-time party organiser, was unanimously elected as the new Ernakulam district secretary of the CPM on Sunday. The decision was made during the district committee meeting attended by CPM state secretary M V Govindan. Satheesh replaces C N Mohanan, who has been elevated to the CPM state secretariat. Hailing from Kothamangalam, Satheesh is a seasoned leader with strong grassroots support. He rose through the ranks of the SFI and DYFI and previously served as the vice chairman of the State Youth Board. There were no other nominations. Satheesh was unanimously elected, confirmed outgoing secretary C N Mohanan, addressing reporters after the meeting. He praised Satheesh as a very good cadreyoung and dynamiccapable of effectively leading the party at the district level. The newly formed Ernakulam district secretariat now comprises 12 members, including two new entrantsK S Arun Kumar and Shaji Muhammad. In his response, Satheesh said he would uphold the partys ideology and fulfil his duties with commitment. Though this is seen as a generational change, the party includes all generations. I will work to expand and popularise the partys ideological foundation in the district, he said. Satheesh also emphasized the importance of combating right-wing politics and drawing more people towards the Left. Dismissing concerns over internal divisions, he added, There is no factionalism within the party in the district. My goal is to further strengthen unity and collective spirit. The meeting was also attended by CPM central committee member P Rajeeve, state secretariat members M Swaraj, K K Jayachandran, and state committee members C M Dinesh Mani, K Chandran Pillai, S Sarma, and M Anilkumar
Commuters along Civil Line Road have a nightmarish ride due to Kochi metro works
Motorists to and from the IT hub and other establishments in Kakkanad have no other option since the metro agency has not redeveloped alternative roads that run parallel to Civil Line Road
Actor Shine Tom Chacko Arrested For Drug Use After 4-Hour Long Interrogation, Later Released On Bail
Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko was arrested by Kochi police after a four-hour drug case interrogation. He was booked under the NDPS Act for allegedly fleeing a hotel.
Actor Shine Tom Chacko arrested in Kochi after fleeing anti-drug raid
Actor Shine Tom Chacko was arrested by the Kochi City police on Saturday after more than four hours of questioning at the Ernakulam Town North police station. The arrest comes months after Chacko was acquitted in a 2015 drug case. The actor was summoned to the police station around 10 am for questioning regarding an [] The post Actor Shine Tom Chacko arrested in Kochi after fleeing anti-drug raid appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Actor Shine Tom Chacko, Who Had Fled During Raid, Arrested For 'Drug Use'
Malayalam film actor Shine Tom Chacko, who fled from a hotel in Kochi during a narcotics raid earlier this week, was arrested by Kochi police on Saturday after about a four-hour long interrogation in connection with a drug case.
Malayalam Actor Shine Tom Chacko arrested in drug case
Shine Tom Chacko, a Malayalam film actor, faced arrest by the police on Saturday. The arrest relates to a drug case. He was interrogated for four hours regarding an incident at a Kochi hotel. He allegedly fled during a narcotics raid. Police booked him under the NDPS Act. He appeared for questioning after a police notice.
Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko arrested in connection with narcotics raid in Kochi
KOCHI: Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko has been arrested by the Kochi city police in connection with a narcotics raid at a hotel in Kochi , where he allegedly fled the scene. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, specifically for consumption of narcotic drugs, abetment, and criminal conspiracy. According to a top police source, the actor is likely to be granted bail. In response to a police notice, Shine Tom Chacko appeared for interrogation at the Ernakulam town north police station on Saturday morning, arriving 30 minutes ahead of schedule. He declined to comment to reporters upon arrival. The police had initially summoned him to appear at 10.30 am, but he arrived at the station by 10 am, accompanied by his lawyers. Following his arrival, interrogation in the presence of two Assistant Commissioners began. Police have also obtained his phone records from the past months as part of the interrogation. The ongoing interrogation is based on a detailed questionnaire of around 32 questions which were prepared by the police in connection with the incident. Police sources stated that, during the interrogation, Shine stated that he did not realise it was the police who had knocked on his hotel room door during the narcotic raid in Kochi, and that he fled out of fear, mistaking them for individuals intending to harm him. Meanwhile, Shine appeared before the police in response to a formal notice asking him to explain his actions. The notice was served after officers visited his residence in Thrissur, after failing to reach him by phone. Since the actor was not home at the time, his father, C P Chacko, accepted the notice on his behalf.
Actor Shine Tom Chacko appears before Kochi City police for questioning in drug raid incident
Police have reportedly prepared a detailed questionnaire of 30-odd questions, including why Shine Tom Chacko fled a hotel in Kochi upon seeing the police team on Wednesday night
26-year-old Kochi man keeps alive an ancient Portuguese exorcism hymn
Godson Gladwin has been performing Devastha Vili, believed to have been composed by St Francis Xavier in the 16th century
Haunting Cargoes, an exhibition of paintings by Sovan Kumar on at Durbar Hall Art Gallery, uses the truck as a symbol for personal and political
Food poisoning: 12 migrant workers hospitalised in Kochi
Health officials said the illness reportedly followed consumption of home-cooked food
Malayalam actor Vincy Aloshious not to file complaint against Shine Tom Chacko
Malayalam actor Vincy Aloshious not to file complaint against Shine Tom Chacko Kochi: Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko, who escaped during a police raid in connection with an alleged drug use complaint against him, was caught in another controversy when his colleague Vincy Aloshious accused him of misbehaviour. Aloshious, who had previously spoken about [] The post Malayalam actor Vincy Aloshious not to file complaint against Shine Tom Chacko appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Kochi maritime start-up bags 1-crore grant under CSL-IIT Madras programme
CASA moves Supreme Court seeking to join Waqf Amendment case
KOCHI: In a surprise move, the Christian Alliance & Association for Social Action (CASA) has filed an impleadment application before the Supreme Court in connection with the petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The apex court is currently hearing a batch of petitions filed by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and others questioning the constitutional validity of the amendment passed by the parliament earlier this year. The application was filed by Kevin Peter, state president of CASA, who stated that the outcome of the case will have a direct bearing on the interests of hundreds of Christian families. CASA has sought to be included as a respondent in the matter, citing the plight of over 600 families residing in Munambam in Ernakulam district, whose land has been declared waqf property without due process. CASAs move is seen as part of its strategy to be more active politically ahead of the next Kerala assembly elections in 2026. CASA had earlier announced its plans to contest in the election as an ally of the BJP-led NDA in Kerala. In its plea, CASA contended that the residents have lawfully possessed and occupied the 400-acre land for decades, based on valid sale deeds and revenue records. The association argued that the Waqf Boards claim stems from a disputed 1950 document, which had already been declared a gift deed not a waqf deed by the Kerala High Court in a 1975 ruling. CASA emphasised that the unilateral classification of the land as waqf property has stripped the residents of their revenue and property rights, impacting their ability to access loans or carry out basic legal transactions. It asserted that the recent amendments to the Waqf Act are a crucial step in preventing such arbitrary actions.
Germany happy with Kochi Water Metro, keen to fund more vessels
KOCHI: Pleased with the positive impact of the Kochi Water Metro, the German government now wants to take its cooperation with the project to the next level, with plans including funding of vessels and extending technical assistance, among others. Yes, were thinking of funding more boats through the KfW Development Bank. Were also considering other measures, which are being finalised. We want to continue with the progression. Well continue to extend ongoing technical cooperation with GIZ, which is also backing KMRL [Kochi Metro Rail Ltd] with last-mile connectivity. Weve seen the electric buses and e-rickshaws plying on the roads as a result of this, Caren Blume, deputy head of development cooperation at the German embassy in New Delhi, told TNIE. The move assumes significance in the wake of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) entrusting the Kochi Water Metro Ltd (KWML) with conducting a feasibility study to replicate the countrys first water metro project in several other cities in the country. Together with the state of Kerala and the city of Kochi, Germany is striving to create a comprehensive environmentally friendly transport solution for cities, including waterways. We want the transport to be comfortable and attractive for people to use, affordable and accessible to all citizens. We hope to set an example that will inspire other cities to follow suit. The Indian government is already exploring a similar system in 24 more locations across the country, Caren said. A top KWML official confirmed that the German government is interested in collaborating with the project to develop a water metro in 17 locations, namely Ayodhya, Dhubri, Goa, Guwahati, Kollam, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Patna, Srinagar, Varanasi, Mumbai, Vasai, Mangaluru, Gandhinagar and Alappuzha, as well as the Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar islands. We understand that they are willing to fund the project in other cities. Initially, a total of 17 locations were proposed. Now, there is talk of including seven more cities. However, the same has not been conveyed to us, said Sajan P John, chief operating officer, KWML. The German ministry for economic cooperation and development (BMZ), through the German state-owned bank KfW, is currently supporting KMRL with the loan of 110 million euros to implement the water transport system. The association with KMRL is actually part of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) between India and Germany. The partnership is aimed at making the transportation system more environmental friendly, accessible to the disabled and also safe for women and children, Caren added. Impact visible The envoy noted that the German side is pleased with the Kochi Water Metro project taking off on expected lines. It is great to see the positive impact of this innovative method of transport on the travel habits of the population between the mainland and the islands. It is both modern and sustainable. Even though the water metro is a new concept, the positive impact is already visible with Kochi residents. With more users, more benefits will be visible in areas such as employment, inclusion, reduction of greenhouse gases and a reduced travel time, Caren pointed out. The project further addresses the challenge of inner-city traffic, as identified in the Comprehensive Mobility Plans and aligning with national policies that promote integrated traffic solutions. Kochi Water Metro is going to be further integrated into the existing and future public transportation system of Kochi and linked even more closely with other climate-friendly means of transport such as low-emission buses or metros, the German envoy said. Established in 2022 through a deal between the premiers of the two countries, the GSDP aligns Indo-German development efforts to tackle pressing climate and sustainability challenges. 110-mn euro loan The German govt has granted a loan of 110-mn euros to implement the water metro system It is interested in collaborating for development of water metros in 17 locations Ayodhya, Dhubri, Goa, Guwahati, Kollam, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Patna, Srinagar, Varanasi, Mumbai, Vasai, Mluru, Gandhinagar, Alapp-uzha, Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar islands
Crushed by dreams! Keralas overseas education craze setting debt trap for families
KOCHI: Education loans can be brutal. Sherly Paul (name changed), a widow from Kochi, learned this the hard way. In 2010, she availed a Rs 20 lakh loan from the State Bank of India to fund her elder sons BTech in London. But by the time the loan was paid off in 2015, she had coughed up nearly Rs 50 lakh, thanks to a steep interest rate of around 15% and the burden of paying a 33% margin money on each disbursal. When an instalment of `13 lakh had to be paid for semester fees, the bank provided only Rs 10 lakh. We had to come up with Rs 3 lakh every time, she recalls. In 2016, she took another education loan Rs 35 lakh from Canara Bank for her sons postgraduate studies in the US. This time, the interest rate was lower, starting at 11% and eventually dropping to 9%. But the total repayment still ballooned to Rs 50 lakh. We pledged gold jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh last year to settle the loan, she says. When I considered another education loan for my younger son, my elder son asked, Do you want to go through the same trauma? Fortunately for Sherly, her son landed a well-paying job in the US after his degree. But many others havent been as lucky. Dr Sathish, a member of the faculty at a homoeopathy college in Chottanikkara, borrowed Rs 20 lakh for his sons education in the UK. His son worked part-time along with his studies to repay part of the loan. But after two years of searching for a job in Europe following graduation, he returned to Kerala unemployed. And hes not alone. A growing number of students are returning to Kerala on the expiry of their two-year post-study visa, having failed to secure proper employment abroad. Many spend their final months overseas working in retail stores, fuel stations, pubs, and other gig jobs just to stay afloat. The growing pressure on families is staggering. In most cases, overseas education was seen as a golden ticket a route to high-paying foreign jobs and upward mobility. Instead, its become a financial sinkhole for many. Kerala most exposed The numbers reveal the scale of the crisis. As of December 31, 2024, Kerala topped the country in education loan exposure, with outstanding loans totalling Rs 9,387.11 crore spread across 2,57,669 student accounts. This means nearly as many families are carrying the burden of overseas education-related debt. In comparison, Maharashtra had Rs 6,158.22 crore in education loans, Andhra Pradesh Rs 5,168.34 crore, and Telangana Rs 5,103.77 crore. Whats more alarming is that Rs 880.74 crore worth of loans in Kerala have already turned into non-performing assets (NPAs), accounting for 9.38% of the states education loan portfolio. With defaults rising, banks are increasingly invoking the SARFAESI Act to recover dues by selling off mortgaged properties usually land or home deeds used as collateral for loans above Rs 7.5 lakh. Were seeing a surge in such cases, an official with a private bank said. Most families had pinned all their hopes on a foreign job, and now theyre unable to meet repayments. Rise in legal interventions Legal interventions are becoming common, too. When banks move to auction mortgaged properties, borrowers often rush to courts for a stay, a Kochi-based lawyer said. Technically, the courts have no jurisdiction, but banks often agree to settlement plans to avoid prolonged legal battles. According to Renu A, MD of Godspeed, a Kochi-based overseas education consultancy, poor planning and misaligned aspirations are at the heart of the problem. Many students choose destinations or courses without understanding their strengths or researching job market trends, she says. They end up in areas with limited employment prospects or in institutions that dont give them the competitive edge. What began as an aspiration to leapfrog into global careers is turning into a cautionary tale.
Historic Vypeen church keeps alive Portugese-era Good Friday traditions
KOCHI: Overlooking the placid waters of the estuary at the southern tip of Kochis Vypeen Island, the majestic Our Lady of Hope Church has carved a historical niche dating back over four centuries. Walk into the church on Good Friday and one is taken back in time with its centuries-old rituals and sacred objects from the colonial Portuguese era. Be it the life-size wooden sculpture of the dead Christ, which is more than 500 years old, unique traditions or the rare tapestry depicting Jesus lacerated body, one gets the feel of being in a church in medieval Europe. Steeped in history, Our Lady of Hope Church, which comes under the diocese of Cochin, still maintains age-old rituals and traditions during Good Friday, says assistant vicar Fr Paul Palliparambil. He says there are certain traditions dating back to the 1500s that are still zealously preserved by members of the Anglo-Indian community. On Good Friday, the centre of attraction is the 7-ft-long wooden sculpture of the dead Christ. It is really special as it was brought from Portugal, says Desmond Dcosta, president of the Vypeen branch of the All-India Anglo Indian Association. Believed to have been gifted to Franciscan missionaries by King Manuel of Portugal, the sculptures head and limbs are moveable. Unique tapestry depicting lacerated body of Christ unveils on Good Friday At one point in time, it used to be nailed to the cross for the passion play on Good Friday, adds Desmond. According to him, although the passion play has been discontinued, every Good Friday, the sacred sculpture is taken out of its resting place, washed, dressed and placed on an ornamental wooden catafalque for veneration. This process is accompanied by intricate rites performed by a select group of Anglo-Indian men who belong to one of the confraternities. Another ancient ritual is the anointing of the five wounds of Christ, says Llewellyn Paynter, a senior member of one of the confraternities. We recite prayers honouring the five wounds and anoint them with friars balsam before the statue is vested and placed on the catafalque. It is then taken in procession around the church by 12 members of the confraternity dressed in black robes and hoods representing the Apostles of Jesus, he says. The statue sports a wig made from hair donated by women who undertook a fast before doing so. The nails used for crucifixion and the crown of thorns are also kept near the image. After believers have paid their respects to the sacred sculpture, the doors of the church are closed and the priest recites the closing prayer. The canopy of the catafalque is then removed before everyone leaves. At 3am, selected members of the confraternity reassemble to wash the sculpture and dry it before wrapping it in linen and placing it back in its resting place. On Good Friday, the church also witnesses the unveiling of a rare tapestry showing the body of Christ with all lacerations.
P Bhaskaran: Remembering the penchanter of Malayalam cinema
IT is sweet to be simple, but being simple is indeed difficult. And it is even more difficult to understand the minds of those who are simple. Hence, it is no easy task to peek into the mind of the man who wrote an ode to his land as Maamalakalkappurathu marataka pattuduthu a song that retains the same freshness as the deeply romantic Alliyambal kadavil. Both songs enchant not only through their lyrical beauty but also through a fulfilling simplicity that made them songs the common folk would hum as they went about their routines. Years have passed since they were written, and yet they continue to radiate that same simplicity, remaining as enchanting as ever. The songs, in many ways, reflected the writers Pullattupadathu Bhaskaran, better known as P Bhaskaran qualities, which his followers and those close to him fondly remember as his centenary celebrations come to a close on April 21. His words were simple, yet they emanated from deep and ruminative thought. They also bore a natural empathy that underscored his connection to the masses. There were themes of romance, rebellion and revolution. Probably, that has to do with his life experiences. He jumped into the freedom movement when just 18 and even served a jail term, notes former C-DIT deputy director Mohan Kumar K, who has edited a compilation of writings on Bhaskaran that will be released on April 21 in Kochi. P Bhaskaran (with specs) at an AIR recording session As part of the communist movement, he worked at the grassroots, where he came into close touch with common people and their issues. All these shaped the poet in him, who had started writing poetry by age 18. His taste was immensely Keralite, as could be seen from the references to flora in his poetry manjanipoo, alliyambal, etc. He was probably the first to envisage Kerala as one entity and had even written an anthem for a united Kerala. Revolutionary zeal Some see a Tagorean influence in Bhaskarans poetry in his devotion to nature, pristine human emotions, the ways of the world, and the surreal hope that transcends material divisiveness. However, veteran lyricist and filmmaker Sreekumaran Thampi begs to differ. All three popular poets of the times P Bhaskaran, O N V Kurup and Vayalar Rama Varma followed the Changampuzha style. And later, as they moved on, they found their own distinct space. Still, of the three, it was Bhaskaran maash who found his voice earlier, and that too in a way that was highly empathetic, he says. As a communist, too, Bhaskaran had deep roots, although in the popular imagination Vayalar and ONV were seen as more prominent revolutionary poets. From left: Actor Sathyan and P Bhaskaran with former prime minister Morarji Desai His landmark work that served as an impetus to the communist movement in Kerala, Vayalar Gargikunnu, was written when he was just 22. In fact, he became a member of the communist party at 18. He brought the spirit of revolution into his writings akin to the zeal of French revolutionary-era writers, says Thampi, who considers Bhaskaran his guru and credits him with mentoring his early career. His rebelliousness was natural and rooted in humanity something that is rare now. The passion in his poems stood out, whether they were revolutionary or deeply romantic, as in Orkuka vallappozhum, for which he won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1982. Thampi adds that Bhaskarans revolutionary ideals gradually transformed into spiritual reflection towards his later years, but he remained a communist at heart he believed that to feel for the downtrodden, one need not be a card-carrying party member. In fact, there was a fiery revolution in Osyathu, which he wrote in the 1980s after leaving cinema for literature. It was about how he wanted his veins to be kneaded as coir and used to build homes for the downtrodden, he recalls. From right: P Bhaskaran with K J Yesudas and M S Baburaj Tiff with EMS Bhaskarans disenchantment with the communist party began during his involvement with the Purogamana Sahitya Sangham. At the peak of his popularity in both films and poetry, E M S Namboodiripad asked him to stop writing love poems and to focus instead on revolutionary themes alone. Bhaskaran maash was not one to yield. He responded by citing how Mao Tse-tung used to write love poetry, Thampi smiles. Differences between him and the party grew from there. He did not renew his membership, and his ties with the party weakened. In fact, it wasnt the Left government but another dispensation that made him chairman of KSFDC in the 1980s. Yet, he remained a communist at heart till the end. Bhaskaran looked at hearts a born poet, mentored by the likes of Mahakavi Vallathol. He was a genuine man whose life trajectory followed a natural, unpretentious path. He had no insecurities. Why else would he work with me in nine of his films where I wrote the screenplay? We wrote songs together. And not just me even in his first independent directorial film Raarichan Enna Pouran, he cast newcomers. His empathy was what stood out, Thampi recalls. Despite being a legendary poet, theatre personality, film producer, and journalist and also having charted a distinct path for Malayalam cinema through the National Award-winning Neelakkuyil (1954), which he co-directed with Ramu Karyat and won the National Award, Bhaskaran has been quite overlooked when it comes to recognition, believe his fans and researchers. His poems have not been studied deeply. His revolution wasnt tokenism it changed the face of Malayalam cinema in content and style. He was instrumental in the growth of several legends who began as talents nurtured by him, notes Mohan. His term at Kozhikode Akashvani, where he collaborated with the likes of M S Baburaj, K Raghavan, and others to produce fabulous poetry and songs, could be called a golden period of Malayalam literature. He also brought local, folk tunes from the community level to the public domain. Take, for instance, the song Kayalarikathu valayerinjappol the hallmark of this song is that it made Mappilapaattu a popular genre. For all these reasons and more, Thampi and poet K Satchidanandan have stressed that Bhaskaran was the first among Keralites eligible for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement. Bhaskara mudra For fans, however, official recognition doesnt matter. The multi-faceted genius of Bhaskaran maash poetry is well-established through the seamless transition of his songs from the backstages of communist dramas to the simple yet intimately appealing film songs that followed, says music exponent and author P Kirathadas. His songs were devoid of poetic or ideological jargon. While his contemporary Vayalar Rama Varma sometimes digressed into philosophy and idealism, Bhaskaran maash always carried natures intrinsic melodies in his work. As Gireesh Puthenchery once said, there was always a Bhaskara mudra in his songs. The pleasantness in his rhymes was palpable, reflecting an inherent celebratory mode of life in all its pathos, romance, and ecstasy. He wrote for Malayalis who saw their own lives on the screen, he says. He had a magic pen to cast a spell. Bhaskarans versatility enabled him to work with all four prominent music directors of that golden era Devarajan Master, Baburaj, K Raghavan, and V Dakshinamurthy, Kirathadas notes. To me, the best combination was Bhaskaran, Baburaj, and S Janaki. Remember Thaliritta kinakkal? Then, of course, the lovely Oru pushpam maathramen sung by K J Yesudas in the mesmerising Desh raag, he says. And among his films, Iruttinte Athmavu was exceptional. It has glimpses of perfect film-making. Entrepreneur and singer Sajith Pallipuram, another P Bhaskaran devotee, says he will do anything for PB as he takes a break from a business meeting for speaking to TNIE. Sajith recalls what his grandmother once told him: As you grow, it will be P Bhaskarans songs that will stay with you. They will inspire you, haunt you, endear themselves to you like nothing else. His songs will speak to you as I am speaking now or as your own child might one day and they will either bring a smile to your lips or a tear to your eye. Her words, I realise now, were profoundly true, he says. P Bhaskaran didnt write songs; he wrote life itself in a way only a true poet can, he says. Time was another of Bhaskaran masters favourite themes, subtly explored in Orkuka vallapozhum, where he implores his lover to remember him occasionally, as time effaces all memories. Kirathadas and Sajith believe one cannot hope to see another P Bhaskaran in the future. All that music and poetry lovers can do is to remember that once, such a soul treaded the literary world.
Steeplechaser Sable to run in season-opening Diamond League Meeting on April 26
Sable is set to miss the April 21-24 Federation Cup National Championships in Kochi, which is the final selection event for the Asian Championships in Korea next month
Kochi city police to summon actor Shine Tom Chacko
CCTV visuals has emerged of the actor allegedly fleeing a hotel in the city
Maundy Thursday ceremonies held in Kochi
The police carried out the raid based on a tip-off about a drug peddler staying in the hotel. Upon checking the registration at the reception, they discovered that the 41-year-old actor who has acted in 94 films, had also checked in
WCC urges stricter enforcement of ICC norms on film sets after Vincy Aloshiouss allegations
KOCHI: Following actor Vincy Aloshiouss recent revelations regarding inappropriate behaviour from a co-actor allegedly under the influence of drugs during a film shoot, the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has issued a statement supporting her decision to speak out. In a social media post, WCC acknowledged the incident as an opportunity to bring attention to the widespread use of alcohol and narcotics on Malayalam film sets. The collective expressed solidarity with Vincy for voicing her concerns and stressed the importance of a safer workplace for women in the industry. WCC reiterated the legal mandate established by the Kerala High Court, which requires every film set to have an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in place to address grievances related to workplace harassment, as per the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act. The committee is tasked with handling complaints confidentially and fairly. 'He made the situation very uncomfortable': Vincy Aloshious on why she wont work with drug-using co-stars The Women and Child Development Department has also begun workshops to educate ICC members about their responsibilities and the legal framework. WCC emphasised that production houses must ensure the presence and registration of ICCs and that their members are known to all employees on set. If any complaints arise, they must be directed to the ICC, and producers are responsible for facilitating this. The organisation noted that sexual harassment is not limited to physical assault but includes any conduct that causes discomfort to women in the workplace. The functioning of ICCs is being monitored through a system set up under the direction of the Womens Commission, in coordination with the representatives from cinema organisations. WCC called on all film workers to verify the existence and functionality of ICCs on their sets and reaffirmed that the responsibility of maintaining a drug-free and harassment-free work environment lies with both the production units and individual workers. The statement concluded with a reminder that the ICC mechanism is meant to protect and empower women workers to perform their roles with dignity and equality.
KOCHI: A couple of days after she openly stated that she will not work with actors who use drugs , Malayalam film actor Vincy Aloshious has lodged a formal complaint with the Kerala Film Chamber against fellow actor Shine Tom Chacko , accusing him of inappropriate behaviour on the sets of the upcoming film Soothravakyam . Film Chamber general secretary Saji Nanthyatt said that stringent action would be initiated against the actor following due procedure. Aloshious has also approached the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) regarding the alleged misconduct. Jayan Cherthala, convenor of AMMAs ad hoc committee, said the association stands with Aloshious and assured full support to the actor. In a recent social media post, Vincy Aloshious had shared details of the incident, alleging that the inappropriate behaviour occurred under the influence of narcotic substances. In an Instagram video, she recounted that both she and a female colleague faced uncomfortable situations due to the co-actors actions. He said, Ill fix it for you, in front of the crew when I had an issue with my costume. It was humiliating, she said in the video. She further alleged that the co-actor was spitting out a white powder-like substance during a rehearsal, suggesting drug use on set. Malayalam actor Sreenath Bhasi withdraws anticipatory bail plea in hybrid cannabis case Aloshious, who was speaking at an anti-drug awareness programme recently, had declared that she would no longer work with individuals who consume drugs on film sets. Meanwhile, actor Shine Tom Chacko came under further scrutiny after he was seen fleeing a hotel in Kochi during a raid conducted by the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) in the early hours of Thursday. The hotel, located near Townhall metro station in Kaloor, was under surveillance following a tip-off regarding alleged drug abuse. CCTV footage reportedly captured two individuals, including Chacko, leaving the premises hastily as the police team arrived. However, the search of the hotel room did not yield any narcotic substances, and no case was registered. We've confirmed that one of the persons who ran out was Shine Tom Chacko. But no case was taken as we couldn't recover any substance, ACP Narcotic Cell Abdul Salam K A told TNIE. The cops will interrogate the actor, especially on why he ran out of the hotel, and those who accompanied him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The New Indian Express (@newindianexpress) Incidentally, Shine Tom Chacko was acquitted in a 2015 drug case on April 14 by the Ernakulam additional sessions court, citing procedural lapses on the part of the police during the drug seizure and the arrest. Recently, another young actor Sreenath Bhasi withdrew his anticipatory bail petition filed in connection with the seizure of hybrid cannabis allegedly found with a woman in Alappuzha before the Kerala High Court. The decision came after it came to be known that he was not among the movie stars who had come under the police scanner in the case. According to the actor's petition, the Excise Enforcement and Anti-Narcotic Special Squad, Alappuzha district, had arrested Christina, alias Tasleema Sultan, from a resort in Alappuzha with contraband meant for sale. During interrogation, she had reportedly given a statement that she knew almost all the cine actors in the Malayalam film industry and had sold them the drug. Malayalam actors Sreenath Bhasi, Prayaga Martin questioned in cocaine, liquor seizure case
Kerala HC issues notice to CM Vijayan, daughter Veena in CMRL payoff case
KOCHI : The Kerala High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena T on a revision petition filed by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, against the Vigilance Courts order rejecting his plea seeking a Vigilance probe into the alleged financial transactions between CMRL and Exalogic Solution Pvt Ltd. When the petition came up for hearing, the court was told that Advocate Gilbert George Correya is taking notice for Respondent 1 (Pinarayi Vijayan) and Respondent 7 (Veena Thaikandiyil). Justice K Babu noted this and issued notices to CMRL and Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd. The Vigilance Court had rejected the MLAs petition on May 6 citing that the documents produced by Kuzhalnadan were not sufficient to prove the allegations. There was no prima facie evidence to support the allegations and hence the petition didnt fall within the ambit of the Prevention of Corruption Act. In his revision petition, Kuzhalnadan stated that the Vigilance Court had issued the order without examining the evidence produced by him in detail. The petition was filed based on the findings of the interim settlement board of the Income Tax Department. The Board found that CMRL had made payments to Exalogic Solutions, a defunct company owned by Veena, without receiving any service. The petitioner alleged that favours were done by the chief minister to the company in lieu of the payment made to Exalogic. The court will hear the matter on July 2. Meanwhile, the court decided to hear the petition filed by Gireesh Babu of Kalamassery, who died during the pendency of the case, on the same matter on July 2. The petition was against the order of Vigilance Court, Muvattupuzha, rejecting his plea for a probe in the CMRL pay-off case.
Satheesans statement unacceptable: Kerala Waqf Board
KOCHI: The Kerala State Waqf Board has strongly condemned the remarks made by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan regarding the Munambam land issue, terming them baseless and irresponsible. In a meeting chaired by chairman M K Zakheer, the board stated that Satheesans comments against a statutory body which has been functioning as a model institution in the state are unacceptable and must be retracted. The State Waqf Board, in a statement released here on Wednesday, emphasised that there is clear evidence, including court verdicts, establishing the disputed land in Munambam as Waqf property. It noted that the legal steps taken by the board in response to an appeal filed by the Farook College Managing Committee were misrepresented as part of a conspiracy by the leader of the Opposition. Satheesan has consistently asserted that the land in Munambam is not Waqf property and has criticised both the Union and state governments for their handling of the dispute.
Kochi sanitation workers trust to field candidates in civic polls; aims to amplify public voice
KOCHI: Pulling a surprise ahead of the local body elections scheduled later this year, the Kochi Corporation Sanitation Workers Charitable Trust has announced that it will field its own candidates in some of the civic bodys 74 divisions and back independent candidates in others. The move is aimed at ensuring that the voices of the common people are heard in the corporation council, said office-bearers of the trust, which has been active in the corporation for the past nine years, working for the welfare of around 2,000 sanitation workers. They said they aim to support candidates with strong local backing and a genuine desire to help their communities. Our candidates may not necessarily be sanitation workers or members of the trust. We welcome anyone who wants to bring about a change and is committed to the welfare of the community, said Raju Mannulipadom, the president of the trust. If a candidate is qualified and has strong community support, we will lend them our backing, he said. Francis Paiva, a social activist and a member of the trust, said their goal is not to dominate local governance but to assist the community. Charitable trust optimistic about public support As a charitable trust, we have been active among the public. Having a representation in the council will give us greater opportunities to address pressing issues, he said. The Kochi Corporation Sanitation Workers Charitable Trust is composed of Haritha Karma Sena members, contingent workers and other local government employees. The trust is optimistic about garnering support for its candidates. We need a change in governance. There is significant lack of development and welfare initiatives, said Raju. Our aim isnt necessarily to win all 74 seats in the election. If we can secure at least 10 seats, it would ensure our participation and representation in the council, allowing us to advocate for the concerns of the working-class community, he said. Raju also highlighted the pressing need to improve essential services in the corporation, including healthcare, education and transportation.
Woman dies in road accident in Kochi
Call for mass fast to mark 2000th day of public demand to protect Chellanam-Fort Kochi coast
Chellanam-Kochi Janakeeya Vedi leaders have appealed to residents of the coastal village to join the hunger strike from wherever they are in the world and to send in pictures and reports of their participation in the mass actio
Relief for CM Vijayan, daughter and CMRL as Kerala HC orders status quo in SFIO case
Relief for CM Vijayan, daughter and CMRL as Kerala HC orders status quo in SFIO case Kochi: Giving relief to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Vijayan, and Kochi-based mining company CMRL, a vacation bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered status quo for two months on a trial courts decision to [] The post Relief for CM Vijayan, daughter and CMRL as Kerala HC orders status quo in SFIO case appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Kerala HC orders status quo in CMRL pay-off case
KOCHI: Putting a temporary halt to further proceedings in the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) pay-off case, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed that status quo be maintained for two months. The interim order was issued by Justice TR Ravi while considering a petition filed by CMRL challenging the Additional Sessions Courts acceptance of a chargesheet filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). CMRLs counsel submitted that the SFIO had filed a chargesheet in the case, and the Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court took cognisance of the offence without hearing the accused. He referred to Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which states that no cognisance shall be taken by a magistrate without providing the accused an opportunity to be heard. He further argued that, under Section 226, the chargesheet should be dismissed for not adhering to the directives under Section 223. ARL Sundaresan, Additional Solicitor General of India, appearing for the Union government, opposed the petition. He contended that the case falls under the Companies Act, special legislation, and thus is not subject to BNSS procedures. He also pointed out that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs authorised an investigation on January 12, 2024, and the SFIO was appointed on January 31, 2024both dates preceding the BNSSs commencement on July 1, 2024. Therefore, he argued, the proceedings must be governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). However, CMRLs counsel refuted this, stating that BNSS should apply to cases where court procedures commenced after July 1, 2024. Since only the investigation began before BNSS came into force, and the cognisance was taken post-BNSS, the new law should govern the procedure. The court observed that the petition raised significant legal questions with wider ramifications, particularly regarding the applicability of BNSS. Justice Ravi noted that the core issue relates to whether the cognisance taken by the Sessions Court was valid under the current legal framework. Sundaresan requested the court not to stay the proceedings but instead direct the Additional Sessions Court to adjourn further steps, including the issuance of summons. However, CMRL sought a formal stay order. After considering both sides, the court directed the ASGI to file a detailed report and ordered that status quo be maintained for two months. The matter will be heard in detail after the High Courts summer vacation.
Munambam agitation will continue till goal is achieved, says Fr Tharayil
KOCHI: Fr Antony Tharayil, vicar of Kadappuram Velankanni Matha church, where the Munambam residents are protesting to secure rights of their land, said the agitators submitted various queries to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding the Waqf amendment and how the Centre was planning to solve it. The minister has assured us that it would take three weeks to complete the process related to the formation of the statutes and laws as per the new amendment bill. Care will be taken to ensure that the Munambam residents issue gets a permanent solution, he said. The Union minister also promised that the Union government has drawn up plans to help Munambam residents cause. The agitation has entered its 155th day and the arrival of the Union minister brings us hope. The minister has said within three weeks a solution to the Munambam issue will be arrived at, Fr Tharayil said. The vicar said when the minister was acquainted with the futility of legal course, he said the government was looking at alternatives. The vicar said the protest will continue until the residents goal is achieved.
Centre will ensure justice to people of Munambam: Minister Kiren Rijiju
KOCHI: The BJP and the Union government will stand with the people of Munambam to protect their land rights, said Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju. The Centre will follow up the case and ensure that justice is served to the people of Munambam, the minister said during his visit to the coastal village to attend a thanksgiving function organised by NDA on Tuesday. He also interacted with the residents who have been protesting against the claim of the Waqf Board on their land. Earlier, interacting with reporters in Kochi, the minister said the Centre is in the process of formulating the Waqf legislation. The ministry will urge the state government to direct the district collector to revisit the entire status of Munambam land. The state should initiate all steps to ensure justice to the people of Munambam. The ministry will give all documents and advisory support for the process, he said. Before the amendment to the Waqf Act, the people of Munambam did not have any legal option but to approach the tribunal. Now, the provisions of the law are in favour of the people. The Waqf Board and the Waqf Tribunal will be reconstituted. As per the amendment, there will be non-Muslims also in the Waqf Board as claims have been made on the land owned by members of other communities. Both sitting and retired judges can be members of the tribunal. There was an observation by the High Court regarding the Waqf claim on Munambam land. The residents can challenge it in the Supreme Court, Rijiju said. The minister said the Waqf Boards claim will not stand as the provisions have been violated. When you create a waqf, it is for the purpose of religious or charitable cause. The land (in Munambam) was given for educational purpose. If it is not used for the purpose for which it was given, it ceases to be waqf property. These are important factors, he said. I believe that both the LDF and the UDF have not assisted the Munambam people in their fight for rights, said Rijiju. There is a campaign to set a narrative that the Centre is working against Muslims. We are here to provide justice to the needy. It is not only Christians but also crores of poor Muslims, women and destitute who have been deprived of the benefits they should have got from waqf properties, he said. Residents victims of vote bank politics, says Rijiju The 600 fishermen families who paid their hard earned money for land and were paying tax were denied rights suddenly as the Waqf Board declared the 404 acres of land as waqf property. The government will ensure that incidents like Munambam will not repeat, he said. The minister said henceforth, if any property has to be declared waqf it must be through a deed. The property must have valid documents and properties under dispute or legal procedure cannot be settled as waqf property. The verification of property has to be done by the collector, he said. The minister said cases have piled up before the ministry regarding waqf claims. In some instances, the Waqf Board unilaterally declared a particular location as waqf property. Some organisations claimed that Parliament of India is a Waqf property. Another gentleman claimed that one-third of Delhi is Waqf property. Just because there was a Muslim ruler, the whole territory cannot become their property, the minister said. Launching a scathing attack on the LDF and UDF for not supporting Munambam residents, Rijiju said those innocent people are victims of vote bank politics. You cannot beat the Leftists and the Congress in creating false narratives. They have mastered in poisoning the minds of the people, he said. Rijiju visited Varapuzha Archdiocese of Latin Catholic Church as well as met members of Syro-Malabar Catholic Public Affairs Commission.
Rijiju appeals to Muslim community not to be used as vote bank by opposition
Addressing a press conference in Kochi, Rijiju said he had also appealed to the Congress and UDF to vote and support the Waqf Amendment Bill and not play vote bank politics
Dont become vote bank for communists, Congress: Union Minister Rijiju appeals to Muslim community
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday appealed to the Muslim community not to allow themselves to be used as a vote bank by opposition parties, including the Congress and the Left, noting that once they become a vote bank, they will be treated as a commodity. Addressing a press conference in Kochi, []
Kiren Rijiju accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of inciting violence
Kochi, Apr 15: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of inciting violence by her remarks asking people to protest against the Waqf Act and declaring that she will not implement it in her state. The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, speaking at a press conference here, asked how the West Bengal CM can declare she will not implement the amended Waqf Act passed by the Parliament. How? How can she say she will [] The post Kiren Rijiju accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of inciting violence appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
KOCHI: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on April 15 said that the amendments in the Waqf Act were not targeted at the Muslim community and instead were meant to correct 'past mistakes'. The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, speaking at a press conference here, said that the intention of the Union government was to ensure that in India there is no provision for anybody to forcefully and unilaterally take away someone's land. He said that the Waqf law was amended as certain provisions in it gave unprecedented power and authority to the Waqf Boards. This is not targeted at Muslim community. It is to correct mistakes of the past, he said. Rijiju, who was flanked by Union Minister of State George Kurien and state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said that following the amendment, 'there will be no arbitrary declaration of a land as Waqf property'. His statement comes amid protests by various Muslim groups against the amendment, which have turned violent in some parts of West Bengal. The Waqf Bill, passed by the Parliament, received the assent of the President on April 5. The ruling NDA has strongly defended the legislation as beneficial for minorities, while the opposition has described it as 'anti-Muslim'.
Two interstate burglars held for house break-in in Kerala's Kochi
The prime accused has a similar case registered against him at Aroor police station in Alappuzha district
Shine Tom Chacko, others acquitted in 2015 drug case
KOCHI: Criticising the police over procedural lapses during seizure and arrest, the Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court has acquitted all the accused in the 2015 drug case that allegedly involved Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko. The court remarked the accused have not been found guilty of the offences cited. It also slammed the police for failing to prove Shine and the other accused had used cocaine. The prosecution had stated the accused conspired together to sell, possess, and consume cocaine. It argued that Reshma Rangaswamy, Blessy Sylvester, Shine Tom Chacko, Tincy Babu, and Sneha Babu accused 1 to 5, respectively organised a smoke party at a flat near Kavalakkal Temple in Kochi on January 30, 2015. Reshma was found in possession of seven grams of cocaine, kept in 10 small packets in her jeans. The court, however, remarked that the deposition of the witnesses shows a lot of omissions and contradictions. As per the witnesses statements, the seized drugs had been submitted to the then inspector with Kadavanthra police station, the probe officer. However, he was not present during the seizure. The Kadavanthra SI, at the time of his examination, clarified these are typographical mistakes, the order said. The court said chemical analysis reports showed no traces of cocaine in the blood samples of the accused. It said the body search of the female accused was done without the presence of a female gazetted officer, which is a mandatory requirement under the NDPS Act.
Despite Gaza war, tourist groups from Kerala have been visiting Holy Land
KOCHI: The conflict in the Gaza Strip has not put a damper on those looking to visit the Holy Land and surrounding regions. According to data released by Israels ministry of tourism, nearly 50% of the 9,600 visitors from India in 2024 were pilgrim tourists. And, around 90% of these visitors hailed from Kerala. Thomas Mathai, director of Riya Travels and Tours India Pvt Ltd, says, Despite the strife in Gaza, tours to the Holy Land are happening and that too in comparatively good numbers. Two batches that couldnt travel when the war was at its fiercest left recently. There have been no issues, he told TNIE. According to him, more groups will be making the trip towards the end of April. But, pilgrimage tourism has not caught up with youngsters. It is very rare to see youths participating in the Holy Land tour. They might plan a trip to Israel and other places in the region but the spots that they visit are non-religious, says Thomas. The two groups that are due to leave this month comprise 100 passengers. The elderly are a part of every group. They consider this trip as a fulfilment of their religious aspirations, he adds. He points out that the groups approached them voluntarily. We never canvased them. In May, we have five groups travelling to the Holy Land, says Thomas. Kandirickal Travels confirmed that though numbers have dropped since the start of the Gaza conflict, the tours are taking place. It has one group preparing for the tour. Basically, the peak months are September and October, an official said. Amruta Bangera, director of marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT)-India global, said pilgrim tourists constitute a large portion of inbound visitors to Israel. Individual tourists are very rare. Travellers from India generally want to experience Jerusalems Old City, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, floating on the Dead Sea, Jaffa, Haifa, snorkelling in Eilat, Ramon Crater and a city break in Tel Aviv. The biggest attractions among Christian pilgrims are Nazareth and Bethlehem, she added. We are getting a good number of pilgrim groups organised by tour agencies and churches. Many of these groups are led by priests or bishops. We conduct seminars in Kerala to educate them about the facilities to ensure a seamless tourism experience, Amruta adds. Regarding the safety aspects due to the conflict in Gaza, she says, Locations away from the Gaza border are safe. Tourists are not allowed to places near the conflict zone. Proper safety checks are in place to ensure the tourists remain safe. Pilgrims progress Nearly 50% of the 9,600 visitors from India in 2024 were pilgrim tourists Around 90% of these visitors hailed from Kerala Elderly are part of most groups, while youngsters choose non-religious spots
Kerala Police look to add firepower with AK-203 rifles
KOCHI: Kerala Police is set to enhance its firepower with the procurement of advanced AK-203 assault rifles a modern derivative of the legendary AK-47. The department has floated a tender for the purchase of 250 AK-203 rifles. An amount of Rs 2.5 crore has been allocated from the Police Modernisation Fund for the purpose. We are looking to replace some of the ageing rifles in the police armoury with more advanced firearms. We prefer the AK-203 as it is an upgraded version of the AK-47, which is already in use by our armed wing, a senior officer with the Kerala Police Headquarters said. At present, we plan to procure around 250 rifles, at an expected cost of `1 to `1.5 lakh per unit. More rifles may be acquired in subsequent phases, the officer said. The AK-203, widely used by the Indian Army, is known for its reliability, durability and accuracy. They are manufactured in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh through a India-Russia joint venture. So far, the Army has received nearly one lakh AK-203 rifles, with an additional 70,000 units on order. Apart from military use, several states are also considering AK-203 rifles for their police and commando forces. Currently, the Kerala Police arsenal includes AK-47s, Insas (Indian Small Arms System) rifles, self-loading rifles (SLRs), and Ghatak rifles. The vintage .303 rifles, once a staple of the force, have been phased out and are now used only for ceremonial purposes. The most modern weapon in the current inventory is the German-made Heckler and Koch MP5 submachine gun, with 20 units procured in 2020. The force also uses pistols procured from international firearms companies. The AK-203 weighs approximately 4kg (without a loaded magazine) and is designed to chamber a 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge compared with the 5.56 mm calibre of the Insas rifle. With an effective range of 400 to 800 metres, the AK-203 supports both 30-round detachable box magazines and 50-round quad-column magazines. It also features accessory rails to mount telescopic sights and night vision devices, enhancing accuracy in low-light conditions. Report flags modernisation funds under-utilisation In 2020, the CAG report was critical of the under-utilisation of the modernisation fund by Kerala Police and its ageing weapons. Until now, advanced weaponry has been primarily used by the Thunderbolt commando unit of the Kerala Police, which is deployed for anti-Maoist operations in the districts of Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kannur. However, with Maoist activity in the state seemingly on its last leg, the new rifles are expected to be distributed to armed units engaged in general security operations.
New norm throws a spanner in Kochi Greenfield Bypass works
ThammanamPullepady Road project moves at a snails pace despite govt. notifications
Stakeholders say the proposed 3.70-km four-lane corridor is crucial to revive MG Roads commercial prospects which was affected during the construction of the Kochi metro viaduct
NIA to collect Tahawwur Ranas voice sample to match, corroborate call records
NEW DELHI: The probe team is planning to collect the voice sample of Tahawwur Rana , the extradited mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, to corroborate the call recordings already in possession of the National Investigation Agency. The agency is also preparing to take him to different places in India, including Kochi, where he had visited several times before and after the carnage took place on November 26 that year, sources said. According to the sources, before taking his voice sample, the investigators would need Rana's consent and if he refuses, the NIA team can decide to approach the court. Once courts permission is obtained, experts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory will be roped in to collect the voice samples, they added. The collected voice sample then could be used for matching Ranas call record and the investigators would be able to know if he was talking on the phone while giving instructions to the attackers, who caused mayhem, leading to the deaths of 166 people and injuring several hundred. According to the sources, the mystery witness, who is in the NIA custody, belongs to Kochi, and the investigators plan to take Rana to the southern city and confront him with the person. Rana had also visited the city several times before the attack was unleashed several times and the same person helped him and another accused in the case, David Coleman Headley, in arranging travel logistics. It is learnt that at least two officers of the NIA Kochi unit are part of the team of 12 investigators, who are questioning Rana. The sources said, investigators are also looking into whether Rana was connected to Dawood Ibrahim or his criminal network known as D-Company, which is based in Dubai. Rana is being questioned not just for his role in the Mumbai attacks, but also to see if he was involved in planning similar terror attacks in other Indian cities, they added. Keeping this in mind and also to retrace events that took place 17 years ago to unravel the full scope of the conspiracy, the sources said, the NIA probe team may take Rana to various locations across the country. Besides telling about his origins in Pakistan, family, education, immigration to Canada with his wife and opening the immigration and travel agency in Chicago, Rana largely remained uncooperative, the sources said, adding that he has so far been claiming his inability to recall the chain of events but has confirmed his presence in Mumbai at least one week before the attack.
Mother of tribal youth found dead in custody seeks CBI probe in Kerala HC
KOCHI: Omana, the mother of Gokul a tribal youth who was found dead in the bathroom of the Kalpetta police station while in police custody on March 31, in connection with the disappearance of a minor tribal girl has approached the Kerala High Court seeking a CBI probe into the case. She has alleged that her son was subjected to mental torture. Serious irregularities and illegalities were committed by both the police and jail authorities in unlawfully detaining the deceased overnight at the police station without any evidence of his involvement in a cognisable offence. Furthermore, no information regarding his detention was communicated to his parents or relatives. The petitioner strongly suspects the involvement of police officials in the alleged suicide of her son. The police authorities, instead of conducting a fair and impartial investigation, are likely to suppress crucial evidence and shield the culpable officials. Therefore, a CBI probe is essential to unearth the truth.
Kerala to increase reward for reporting waste dumping violations to 25% of the fine
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major move to curb the dumping of waste in public places, the local self-government department (LSGD) is set to hike the reward for reporting violations to 25% of the total fine imposed. The decision was taken following the reporting of a recent violation by singer M G Sreekumar. The musician had to cough up a Rs 25,000 fine for dumping waste in the Kochi backwaters. Currently, LSGD offers a maximum reward of Rs 2,500 for reporting waste dumping and other violations. LSGD Minister M B Rajesh said the department is seriously considering raising the reward amount so that the informant will receive 25% of the fine imposed. If a violator is fined Rs 50,000, the informer will receive a reward of Rs 12,500, the minister told TNIE. In an effort to strengthen enforcement, the state government has revised the fine amount by amending the Kerala Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance and the Kerala Municipality (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 as part of the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign, which aims at making the state garbage-free by March 30, 2026. As per the amendment, a spot fine of up to Rs 5,000 can be imposed for littering in public or private places and violation of waste management rules can lead to a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 and up to one year imprisonment. 6,458 complaints received The response to the WhatsApp number -- 9446700800 -- introduced by the department has been overwhelming, the minister said. Individuals can report dumping of waste and pollution of waterbodies by providing evidence in the form of photos or videos of the violation, along with details including location and time of the offence. Since its launch, the WhatsApp number has received around 6,458 complaints relating to violations, with around Rs 33,875 issued as reward. The most number of complaints were from Thiruvananthapuram (1,088) and Ernakulam (1,025) districts. These were followed by Malappuram (605), Kollam (588), and Kozhikode (579).
Fire breaks out at dance academy in Kochi
New direct flight launched from Kochi to Phuket
Tribunal hears petition challenging inclusion of Munambam land in Waqf registry
KOZHIKODE/KOCHI: The Waqf Tribunal that is hearing a petition filed by the Farook College management committee on the Munambam land issue discussed a vital question as to whether there is any bar on selling a property not registered under the Waqf Board. The tribunal chaired by Judge Rajan Thattil posed the question while hearing the committees petition challenging the Waqf Boards act of including the land in Munambam in the Waqf registry. In a related development, the Kerala High Court on Friday restrained the Waqf Tribunal from passing final orders in the proceedings connected to the Munambam land dispute cases until May 26. A division bench comprising Justice Amit Rawal and Justice K V Jayakumar passed the interim order on a petition filed by the Waqf Board challenging the tribunals order rejecting its plea to call for records regarding the cases from the Subordinate Judges Court in Paravoor, Ernakulam. The board had sought the records on the ground that they have a direct bearing on the proceedings pending before the tribunal. The HC, however, said the tribunal could go ahead with the proceedings. The court issued a notice to the respondents, including the Farook College managing committee, and posted the petition for May 26. In Munambam, Muhammad Siddique Sait handed over 404 acres of land to the college management in 1950. But the Waqf Board included the land in the registry only in 2019 following the findings of Nizar commission appointed by LDF government in 2007. Munambam a waqf property, says document Prior to that, the land was not registered under the Waqf Board. The Farook College management had sold land before 2019 and the Tribunal wanted to know whether the transactions would amount to violations or not. The college committees claim is that it is entitled to sell that as it is a gift and not a Waqf property. In the meantime, a decades-old document has come to light which stated that the land in Munambam was waqf property. The Waqf Board presented the affidavit, filed by a person who managed the property on behalf of Farook College, before the Tribunal. The affidavit was filed by a person named Kalanthan in the case before the Paravoor sub-court in 1970. The case was against 14 persons living in Munambam, and the affidavit said all the claims of the persons submitted before the court were false. The affidavit asserted that the land was given to the college management committee as waqf and has been used as waqf property. The tribunal began fresh hearing in the case on April 8 and is holding sessions on a daily basis. It is discussing all the issues concerning the case in a detailed manner.
Final hearing in 2017 Kerala actor abduction case on May 21
KOCHI: The final hearing in the 2017 actor abduction and assault case will be held at Ernakulam District Principal Sessions Court on May 21. The court on Friday completed hearing the prosecution and defence counsels. The defence sides final hearing, which began on December 11, 2024, was followed by the prosecutions submissions which started on April 8. After reviewing the trial records, the court is expected to seek any required clarifications from the prosecution and the defence counsels on May 21 as part of the final hearing procedure. A date for the judgement will be decided thereafter. The court had earlier resolved to complete the hearing before the commencement of the one-month-long summer vacation, which begins on Saturday. Meanwhile, on Friday, the defence submitted a formal objection, urging the court not to grant any additional time to the prosecution for further arguments, citing that the argument stage had already concluded. The trial, which commenced in January 2020, saw the examination of 261 witnesses. The case pertains to the abduction and sexual assault of a popular actor on February 17, 2017, while she was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi in a moving vehicle. A total of nine individuals are facing trial in the case. Actor Dileep, who has been charged with criminal conspiracy, is listed as the eighth accused. Kerala HC dismisses actor Dileep's request to transfer investigation to CBI
Karuvannur bank scam: Kerala HC directs crime branch to not 'shield politicians'
KOCHI: Kerala High Court on Friday directed the crime branch to start a probe against all persons, including CPM leaders, whose names appear in the Enforcement Case Information Report, in connection with the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank fraud . Dont shield politicians, said Justice D K Singh, warning that if the investigating officer is not probing the case properly, the court will take action against him for dereliction of duty. If any political leader puts pressure, record the call and bring it to court, the single judge told the investigating officer. The court passed the order on a petition filed by M V Suresh, a former employee of the bank, seeking a CBI probe into the cases. The investigating officers were also present in the court. The investigation officers who were present in the court submitted that the investigation would be completed and the chargesheets filed within three months. Karuvannur bank scam: CPM amassed Rs 100 crore undisclosed wealth, alleges ED
Karuvannur bank scam: CPM amassed Rs 100 crore undisclosed wealth, alleges ED
KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank fraud, has found that the CPM amassed undisclosed wealth to the tune of Rs 100 crore over the past 10 years in Thrissur district. Multiple bank accounts were opened for collecting funds and later closed to evade tracking by investigating agencies and the Election Commission, the ED said in a report filed before the High Court in response to a petition seeking CBI probe into the Karuvannur scam . The source of the deposits were party levies, election fund, commission from beneficiaries of illegal loans from Karuvannur Bank, and contributions by nominated members, who in turn collect commission from borrowers, the report said. Meanwhile, the High Court on Friday directed the crime branch to start a probe against all persons, including CPM leaders, whose names appear in the Enforcement Case Information Report in connection with the Karuvannur scam. According to the ED report in High Court, the funds collected were partly utilised for local expenses, party meetings, acquisition of land and buildings for the party, and election-related expenses. These bank accounts, deposits, and assetsincluding local party officeswere not declared in the audited financial statements of the CPM at the district, state, or national levels, the ED said. This also constitutes a violation of the Election Commissions guidelines on mandatory declaration of accounts by political parties, the report stated. Upon examining the balance sheets of the Thrissur district committee of the CPM as of March 31, 2023, it was found that 25 bank accounts belonging to 17 area committees of the CPM were not disclosed. These accounts held Rs 1.73 crore and fixed deposits amounting to Rs 63.98 lakh. Further, the actual amount of deposits in these undisclosed accounts over the past 10 years is projected to exceed Rs100 crore, as the figures mentioned reflect only the closing balances as of November 30, 2023, said the report of the Enforcement Directorate, Kochi Zone, filed on April 11. Karuvannur bank scam: Kerala HC directs crime branch to not 'shield politicians' Further investigation under way: ED The ED said senior CPM leaders were involved in the transactions and unprecedented money laundering was carried out by them. Sunil Kumar T R, then secretary of the bank, deposed before the ED that membership was granted by providing fake addresses in the loan applications. He deposed that the loans were granted due to pressure from bank director board members and political leaders, including then CPM Thrissur district secretary A C Moideen, party vetran Palolli Muhammed Kutty, and then Ernakulam district secretary P Rajeeve. He added thata CPM party subcommittee controlled the day-to-day affairs of the bank. The ED said it is presently in the process of further probe and has summoned various persons, including political leaders connected with offence of money laundering arising out of theKaruvannur scam. Karuvannur scam According to the ED, there was deep-rooted conspiracy to embezzle money from the public and make gains for the party as well as its leaders Multiple bank accounts were opened for collecting funds and later closed to evade tracking by probe agencies and EC These bank accounts, deposits, and assets were not declared in the audited financial statements of the CPM at the district, state or national levels. This is also a violation of the EC guidelines ED findings A R Peethambaran, former Karuvannur local committee secretary, deposed before ED that CPM opened various accounts in the bank for various purposes The copy of the audited balance sheet, as of March 31, 2023, of the CPM Thrissur district committee submitted by M M Varghese, secretary of CPM, discloses only four bank accounts & 4 fixed deposits There are big loan sharks like the 14th accused Satheesh Kumar, who have more than 20 illegal agents, who find their prey in the innocent, unfortunate loan defaulters of other nationalised and other banks. The accused trap them by offering to help close those loans
IN PICS: The Vishu festive spirit of Kochi
As the Malayali New Year inches near, the celebratory spirit is becoming ever more radiant. Especially so given that the festival hallmark is indeed the konna poovu (cassia fistula or golden showers), which, with its electric yellow shade, brightens both the physical and the ethereal space. In keeping with the divinity of the occasion, plans too are afoot at homes, workplaces and institutions to usher in a new year that is as radiant as it is hopeful. Nothing does it best than the kani i.e. the first sight of the morning. An assortment of accessories both at home and work are laid out to receive the divine grace, along with, of course, fruits and vegetables, and valuables. An idol of Krishna takes centre stage among them. The first sight of the day is indeed auspicious. For the young ones, this occasion is especially thrilling as it is when they would get kaineettam (pocket money) from the elders, and for the onlookers, a trip down memory lane. In the lead up to the day, markets are abuzz, too, as people make last-minute purchases and iron out plans for the long weekend. One trip here and is abundantly clear just how special Vishnu is for the masses as konna poovu is nearly out of stock. To make do, several traders have, as in years prior, laid out plastic variants as well. Not just of the flower, but also of kani accessories.
