Artist Yamini Mohans works on show in Kochi explores the human condition

Yamini Mohan explores the personal and societal through her works on show at Kashi Art Cafe in Kochi

Tea prices dip at Kochi auctions as arrivals improve

Kerala loose tea traders and upcountry buyers lend fair support

Farmers rage as wild animal attacks claim 25 lives in Kerala this year

KOCHI: Protests are raging in the high ranges of Kerala over the rising incidents of wild animal attacks. As many as 25 people have died in wild animal attacks since January 1, 2025, of which 19 were killed by wild elephants and two were devoured by tigers. Three persons died in wild boar attacks while one was killed by an Indian gaur. As the forest department claims to have bolstered steps to curb such attacks, farmers blame it on the apathy of the officials. Reacting to the latest incident, in which Kalathipadickal Gafoor was mauled to death by a tiger , Kerala Independent Farmers Association (KIFA) Kalikavu unit president Sakir Vadayil said they had filed a complaint with Nilambur South Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) on March 14 regarding the presence of a tiger at Karuvarakund, Kalikavu and Chokkad areas. The DFO had visited the spot and confirmed the presence of the tiger after checking the pugmarks. However, the forest department did not take any steps to catch it. The government should book the DFO for negligence which led to the death of the sole breadwinner of the four-member family, he said. However, DFO G Dhanik Lal said that after confirming the presence of the tiger, the department was continuously monitoring the area. It was a moving animal and was not spotted in recent days. We have installed camera traps in the area and have launched a search for the tiger, he said. Terming the incident as unfortunate, a top official said the department has identified 273 panchayats as human-wildlife conflict zones of which 30 are hotspots. We have deployed 28 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) and have intensified night patrolling in the conflict zones. As many as 36 control rooms have been established at the division level and the activities are coordinated by a state control room. We are installing Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System (Anidars) alarms, sensor walls, early warning system and camera traps in the conflict zones to avoid wild animal attacks. Besides solar fencing, rail fencing, elephant trench and elephant walls are being built to stop wild animals from straying into human habitations, he said. Recent tiger attack Deaths: January 24, 2025 - Radha, 48, Pancharakolli, Wayanad May 15, 2025 - Gafoor, Kallamala, Vandoor, Malappuram Injured: January 26, 2025: Jayasurya, 28, Wayanad Casualty in wild animal attacks since January 1, 2025 Death in elephant attacks: 19 Tiger attacks: 2 Wild boar attacks: 3 Indian Gaur attack: 1 No. of people injured in wild animal attacks Elephant attack: 16 Tiger attack: 1 Wild boar attack: 70 Indian Gaur attack: 4 Bear attack: 1

Turkish firm handling ground operations in airports including Kochi ousted

KOCHI: A Turkish firm handling ground operations in various airports in the country, including Kochi, was denied the security clearance on Thursday by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The move follows the Turkish government openly supporting Pakistan post Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces after the Pahalgam terror attack. Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd provides the services at nine airports Kochi, Kannur, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, and Ahmedabad. The development is expected to affect international flight operations from these airports, including Kochi and Kannur. The firm can no longer operate as the BCAS issued an order on Thursday revoking its security clearance. While it will have no bearings on the domestic operation, the international operations of at least 10 airlines from Kochi will be hit, a senior CIAL official told TNIE . Celebi is one of the three firms handling the ground operations in the Kochi airport. The two others are Bird Worldwide Flight Services (India) Pvt Ltd (BWFS) and Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AITSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India. Airports handling 10 to 15 million passengers are allowed to engage up to three ground handling firms. CIAL handled over 1 crore passengers for the second consecutive year in 2024. Hence we availed ourselves of the service of three firms, the official added. The company handles everything from passenger services and load control and flight operations to ramp services. Earlier, the BCAS issued an order revoking the security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India, which is part of Turkiye-based Celebi. Turkiye had backed Islamabad and condemned Indias recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, which also used weapons including drones supplied by Turkiye, in the four-day war with New Delhi. Meanwhile, IndiGo Airlines is facing a lot of backlash on social media as it has a code share partnership with Turkish Airlines and Corendon Airlines and leases its aircraft from both domestic and international operations. Air India Express also signed a deal in February with Turkish Technic for the maintenance of its Boeing 737 fleet.

Saudisation wont have immediate effect on nurses prospects: Experts

KOCHI: While the Saudi Arabia governments move to increase the proportion of its citizens in nursing jobs to 44% has raised concerns among the Malayali nurses fraternity, experts point out that the policy will not have an immediate effect on their job prospects. For nurses are in high demand in the post Covid world, they say. Saudi has been bringing changes to its policies for around 20 years now. But Malayali nurses have found opportunities in other countries as well. Also, they dont have to worry as it may take some time for the policy to be implemented, says Irudaya Rajan, chairperson of the International Institute of Migration Development, who has been closely watching the migration trends in India. The labour policy, known as Saudisation, is being implemented from 2016, beginning with a 38% reservation in nursing jobs. The move is disturbing for the emigrant community as the Gulf nation accounts for the biggest share of Malayali nurses in the world, at 21.5 %.Since its start, Saudisation has been affecting a few sections of nurses every year. While the government has a system to regulate and maintain the numbers, Saudi is currently facing a severe shortage of nurses. So, the new policy wont have much of an impact, says Saleem, a Malayali nurse working in Saudi Arabia. Through its policies, Saudi is aiming to become self-sufficient in the healthcare sector. According to Renjith Scaria, the Karnataka unit president of the Indian Nurses Association, the norms may affect new applicants as the recruitment to European countries has remained suspended for the past few months. Nurses have again started looking for jobs in Arab countries. Though the new policy may reduce job opportunities for new applicants, it doesnt affect the nurses currently working in Saudi, Renjith says. The policy changes have however seen nurses benefits being cut and salary negotiated, he adds. In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, massive opportunities have opened up in the healthcare sector across the globe. The migration trend is changing. Many nurses follow step migration, going to the Gulf countries to make the move to Western countries easier, Rajan points out. Concurring with Rajan, Saleem says that Saudi is just a transit for many nurses moving to European countries. The policy wont be a major concern for Keralites. Recruitment will continue as the nurse turnover rate has been very high post Covid, he says. However, Rajan stresses the significance of keeping education standards high. We need to update the syllabus regularly and provide quality training. Nurses are in demand everywhere, he says.

Air India Express launches Flash Sale with fares starting at Rs 1300

KOCHI, May 15: Air India Express announced a Flash Sale, with Xpress Lite fares starting from Rs 1300 and Zero Convenience Fee on the airlines website www.airindiaexpress.com and mobile app. Xpress Lite is a special zero-check-in baggage fare available only on the airlines website, a release said. The airline also announced Xpress Value sale fares starting from Rs 1524 across major booking channels. The sale is for flight bookings made until May 18, 2025, for travel between June 1 and [] The post Air India Express launches Flash Sale with fares starting at Rs 1300 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Closure of catering unit in Kochi: no worker in kitchen had health cards

Health wing officials had submitted a report on action taken to the Kochi Corporation secretary; stale food seized from the unit was sent to Brahmapuram for disposal

Mayor contests Behras claim on launching boat services through rejuvenated canals in Kochi

The services may be feasible only through Edappally, Chilavannoor and part of Thevara-Perandoor canals considering their width. At best, pedal boats can operate in other canals, says Mayor

First phase of infrastructure for Palakkad Smart City to cost 1,100 crore

The initiative is part of the upcoming Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor project

Youth killed in shocking road rage incident involving CISF officers in Kochi's Nedumbassery

KOCHI: A 24-year-old man, Ivin Jijo, lost his life in a disturbing incident involving two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers in Nayathode, Nedumbassery, late Wednesday night. Ivin, a resident of Thuravoor and a chef by profession, was reportedly struck and dragged nearly a kilometre on the bonnet of a car driven by the officers. According to Nedumbassery police, the incident followed a road dispute. Both vehicles were headed in the same direction around 11:30 p.m. when Ivin attempted to overtake the CISF officers car but was not allowed to pass. An argument broke out, during which Ivin stepped out and confronted the officers, standing in front of their vehicle. Without warning, the car accelerated, hitting Ivin and causing him to fall onto the bonnet. Instead of stopping, the officers continued driving for almost a kilometre with Ivin in the vehicle. He eventually fell off, sustaining severe injuries. Though rushed to a hospital, he was declared dead during treatment. The officers -- sub-inspector Vinayakumar and constable Mohanan, both posted at Cochin International Airport -- fled the scene but were later taken into custody. Police have booked them under multiple charges, including attempted murder. We have begun a thorough investigation and collected CCTV footage from the area, said an officer from Nedumbassery police. The case has raised serious concerns over the conduct of uniformed personnel and the consequences of escalating road rage.

Two CISF officers held over motorists death in suspected road rage incident near Kochi airport

Police declined to identify the CISF officers, stating that their arrests have not yet been recorded

Kerala's Urus may find wind in their sails again, this time as showpieces, luxury icons

KOCHI: For over two millennia, Keralas majestic urus handcrafted wooden dhows ruled the waves of maritime trade, ferrying cargo across the Arabian Sea to ports as far as Mesopotamia. While their original utility has waned, a new chapter is quietly being written by craftsmen who believe the uru can sail into the future, this time as luxury collectibles, cultural showpieces, and architectural wonders. Chirayil Sadashivan, a master uru builder from Anjarakandy and the founder of Kalpitham Wood Marine Industry, is at the helm of this revival. Armed with a unique technique, Sadashivan has broken from centuries-old tradition to develop a method where urus can now be built from virtually any type of wood including mahogany, anjili, and more instead of relying solely on native hardwood. This changes everything, Sadashivan tells TNIE. Whether its for a seaworthy vessel, life-sized houseboat, or even a six-foot showpiece to be placed outside a hotel or home, we can custom-build to any size, using the wood the buyer prefers. In a market where traditional sailing dhows see little demand, this innovation opens doors to new possibilities: miniature uru models for collectors, luxury yachts for Gulf clients, and land-based house dhows for the tourism and hospitality industry. Once an exclusive cargo ship for Arab traders, the uru is now being reimagined as a statement piece. Sadashivan envisions boutique resorts lined with elegant uru suites, cultural parks showcasing model urus, or personal showpieces gracing mansions in Dubai or Doha. His associate, M V Sasi, echoes the sentiment: Theres no point lamenting the fall in cargo orders. The world has changed. We simply need to adapt, and the uru still has the charm and the history to thrive in this new form. Even in Beypore, once the nerve centre of uru-making, veteran builder Sathyan Edathodi acknowledges the shift. Arabs are the only ones ordering full-sized boats now. But if people start asking for uru as art, as furniture, as experience... were ready, Sathyan says. As Sadashivan continues to lobby for support, with memorandums sent to the ports department, there is cautious optimism that this ancient art form can be revived, not out of nostalgia but through reinvention. SREEKRISH NAIR

Forest department invites public ire for KSRTC bus seizure

KOCHI: The people are unhappy with the forest department. Its decision to impound a KSRTC luxury bus for 24 days for causing the death of a deer in Wayanad and the revision of guidelines for sanctioning compensation to dependents of wild animal attack victims have not gone down well with the public. On April 19, the forest department impounded a KSRTC Scania bus plying between Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru after it hit a deer at Muthanga in Wayanad. A case was registered under Section 9 of the Wildlife Protection Act and the bus was kept in custody for 24 days, leading to huge loss to the KSRTC. The bus was released on May 13 after the KSRTC executed a bond worth Rs 13 lakh before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Sultan Bathery. It (the April 19 incident) was an accident. The deer suddenly crossed the road (and got hit by the bus). However, the forest department registered a case for hunting, entirely ignoring the fact that it was an accident. If this is its approach towards a public sector firm you can imagine what will happen if the accused is a person, said Paul Mathews, a farmer in Sultan Bathery. A forest official said that the case was registered as per the law and that the department cannot bypass rules. Forest Minister A K Saseendran, too, said the department did not do anything to deliberately cause difficulty to the KSRTC. Revision of compensation norms sparks discontent When the officials contacted me, I told them to take action according to the law and avoid a situation where the driver loses his job as it was an accident, he said. Meanwhile, an order issued by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) revising the guidelines for the distribution of compensation to families of wild animal attack victims has sparked protests among farmers. The KSDMA order says the state government will provide a compensation of `10 lakh to the families, of which `4 lakh will be contributed by the KSDMA and `6 lakh by the forest department. However, the farmers claimed the order was an attempt to divert Centres funds. The office memorandum issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) says the Centre will provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for death or permanent incapacitation of humans in conflict with wildlife. The compensation granted by the state government is reimbursed by the MoEF&CC. The decision to split it and entrust the KSDMA to pay 40% of the sum is an attempt to divert the central fund, alleged Alex Ozhukayil, chairman of Kerala Independent Farmers Association. Forest officials said the ex gratia is provided by the Centre under centrally-sponsored schemes like Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Tiger and Project Elephant. The claim that Centre provides Rs 10 lakh as compensation for deaths in wild animal attacks is a misinterpretation. The Centre provides 60% of the fund for centrally-sponsored schemes, which include habitat management and other projects. We got only Rs 70 lakh last year from the Union government for paying compensation. In 2023-24 we distributed Rs 23 crore as compensation but the central allocation was just Rs 30 lakh, said a senior forest official.

Kochi airport embarks on major digital shift

KOCHI: The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is set to take a significant leap in digital innovation with the launch of CIAL 2.0, a comprehensive initiative aimed at streamlining airport operations and enhancing the passenger experience. Chief Minister and CIAL Chairman Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the project, developed at a cost of `200 crore, at the CIAL Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre on May 19. CIAL Managing Director S Suhas, IAS, said the digital transformation is part of a broader mission to modernise the airports core infrastructure. The upgrades focus on strengthening cybersecurity, increasing operational efficiency, and introducing AI-driven technologies to ensure smoother and more secure journeys for passengers. One of the highlights is the Cyber Defence Operations Centre (CDOC), the first full-scale, on-premise server facility of its kind at any Indian airport. Set up with support from CDAC, the centre is designed to provide real-time threat intelligence, 24/7 monitoring and quick response to digital threats. The initiative also introduces a wide range of advanced technologies across the airport. These include AI-powered surveillance systems with over 4,000 intelligent cameras, full-body scanners, and an automated tray retrieval system to ease congestion at security checkpoints. The security infrastructure is further reinforced with the inclusion of liquid explosive detectors, portable X-ray scanners, and threat containment vessels. Behind the scenes, CIALs operational backbone is undergoing a significant revamp. The airport operational database has been upgraded, flight information and announcement systems have been enhanced, and a new data centre based on hyper-converged infrastructure has been established to support seamless operations. Following the launch, the Aero Digital Summit will be held at the same venue from 2:30pm to 8.30pm, concluding with a panel discussion focused on the future of technology and innovation in the airport sector.

When police had to 'break up' a runaway love story

'Man missing and kidnapping complaints are not uncommon in Kerala, and law enforcement agencies are well equipped to deal with either. However, sometimes, these are often filed against runaway lovers by their family members who disapprove of the relationship. A similar complaint was recently received by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) stationed at Ernakulam Town. But this one stood out for its very uncanny ending that left the officers and the victim perplexed. The incident occurred in early April. Raghavendra (name changed), a 26-year-old who hails from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was seen wandering nervously at Ernakulam Town railway station. He had with him a large travel bag and was often seen glancing at his phone, as if waiting for someone. RPF officers on duty approached him to check if he needed any assistance. To them, the man muttered, I lost my girlfriend. Initially, the officers suspected a missing person case. When they enquired for more details, Raghavendra showed them photographs of the woman. He admitted, they had only been chatting online and he had never met her in person. Indeed, their relationship had blossomed entirely through social media. He had come all the way down to Kerala for their first meeting, carrying with him hopes of marriage. Curious and confused by the strange circumstances, officers took him to the nearby RPF office for a proper inquiry. Assistant sub-inspector Suresh P Abraham took charge of the case. Soon, Raghavendra narrated the whole story. Five months earlier, he had come across a profile on Instagram belonging to a woman named Ashwathy, supposedly hailing from Kannur. Enchanted by her appearance and intrigued by her Malayali charm, he sent her a friend request, which she readily accepted. Their conversations began casually just a friendly hi, but with time, their exchanges drew deeper and more personal, eventually turning into what Raghavendra described as love. The emotional intimacy between them culminated in a virtual proposal. Interestingly, from Ashwathy. She wrote, Shall we get married?. It was this question that prompted Raghavendra to hurtle down to Kerala. The investigation soon thickened the RPF reviewed his phone and chat history, and cyber experts with the RPF and the Kochi city police helped trace the Instagram account. But what they learned subsequently was outright shocking. Ashwathy was not a real woman, but an AI-powered chatbot. When this was relayed back to Raghavendra, he refused to even acknowledge it, never mind accept it. But after he was shown clear evidence, the matter sank in, and the young man broke down in tears. Sitting before ASI Suresh, Raghavendra cried, I believed her I believed everything she said. This was unlike any cyber fraud case we handled. The man, it seems, truly believed in the love he found online and had even bought a wedding dress for the girl, Suresh says. Reiterating the need to be cautious when engaging the cyber space, Kochi city police commissioner Putta Vimaladitya states, There is an uptick in the number of cyber offences. People fall in love with accounts they stumble online without even knowing whos on the other side. They even share personal information and build emotional connections. There are many who exploit this. Further, the officer stressed the importance of responsible behaviour and called for a clear code of conduct when in digital spaces.

Catering unit found serving food to Railways sealed after health officials seize stale food from kitchen

Health wing of the Kochi Corporation raids catering unit at Kadavanthra, finds large quantities of stale food and kitchen in unhygienic condition

Expired food seized during surprise inspection of Vande Bharat caterer in Kochi

KOCHI: The health wing of the Kochi corporation, on Wednesday, seized stale food from a catering unit in Kadavanthra. The unit, which supplies food for Vande Bharat Express, was functioning without proper licences and documents, officials said. We seized stale meat, chicken, eggs, masalas and food grains from the unit. For the past several months, it has been functioning without a licence. Though the corporation issued notice multiple times and imposed a fine, there was no response. Thus, today we carried out a raid, said V V Suresh, the health inspector of Kadavanthra health circle. The corporation also closed and sealed the unit. There is no person in charge. A few migrants are working at the facility. The food items are months old. From the packing papers and containers, we found that the food is being supplied to the railways, he added. Further action will be taken against the unit. The corporation had also received complaints from the residents about the improper sewage treatment. The wastewater has been flowing into a nearby stream. The residents have also raised complaints. We are looking for the owners of the unit, said Suresh.

Kerala vegetarian caterer supplying to railways caught with expired food

Kochi: Stale and expired food material were found at a catering unit in Kochi, Kerala, which allegedly supplies food to the Indian Railways, a state health department official said on Wednesday. The catering unit, named Brindhavan Vegetarian Restaurant, was also found to be disposing of food and other waste into a nearby canal in violation 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 .

Expired Food Found at Kochi Unit Allegedly Supplying Railways

Health officials seal catering unit for storing stale food and dumping waste in canal; Vande Bharat food boxes recovered.

Kochi Corporations health wing raids, seals unhygienic canteen serving stale food on trains

About 50 kg of stale chicken reportedly found in godown

Missing teenagers from Fort Kochi found in Thiruvananthapuram

A team from Fort Kochi police has gone to Thiruvananthapuram to bring them back

Man attacks youth in North Paravoor over Instagram messages to his sister, arrested

KOCHI: A man allegedly attacked a youth for sending messages to her smartphone, in North Paravoor. Mukhtar, a resident of Vedimara near Chendamangalam, attacked Ajmal, 25, a resident of Ernakulam, over alleged social media texting. The suspect has been booked under charges of wrongful restraint and voluntarily causing hurt, as per various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The attack appears to have stemmed from suspicion and anger over the victims interaction with the accuseds sister on social media, said an officer with the North Paravur police. The incident took place around 2.30 pm on Tuesday. After learning that Ajmal would be passing through Vedimara, Mukhtar waited in front of a tea shop near a tyre store. When Ajmal arrived, he was stopped and questioned about the messages. During the conversation, Mukhtar allegedly assaulted him. The suspect was arrested following the incident, said the officer.

CBSE Class 10 results: Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada top in pass percentage

KOCHI: The Thiruvananthapuram region has got a tough contender for the first position in Vijayawada in terms of the highest pass percentage in the country when the 2025 Class 10 results were announced. The Thiruvananthapuram region shared the glory with the Vijayawada region for the highest pass percentage in the country, with a score of 99.79 per cent each. Bengaluru came third with 98,90 per cent. The overall pass percentage for Class X in the country this year was 93.66 per cent, an increase of 0.06 per cent from 2024s 93.60 per cent. A total of 23,71,939 students had appeared for the Class X examination in the country. The Thiruvananthapuram region comprises schools in Kerala and Lakshadweep. In the gender-wise pass percentage, girls trumped boys by 2.37 per cent. The pass percentage for girls was 95 per cent, an increase of 0.25 per cent from 2024s 94.75 per cent. As for boys, the pass percentage was 92.63 per cent, a decrease of 0.08 per cent. The transgender category saw an increase in the pass percentage from 91.30 per cent in 2024 to 95 per cent in 2025. In the case of institution-wise performance, the Navodaya Vidyalaya topped the pass percentage list with 99.49 per cent, and Kendriya Vidyalaya came second with 99.45 per cent. The number of students who scored above 95 per cent in the country was 45,516. The number of students who have been placed in compartments this year was 1,41,353. In the Thiruvananthapuram region, girls did better than the boys in the pass percentage by 0.10 per cent - 99.84 per cent against 99.74 per cent. Lakshadweep showcased a pass percentage of 90.69 per cent.

6,000 tonnes of invasive species removed from Wayanad forest

KOCHI: Forest Minister A K Saseendran, on Tuesday, said that the forest department removed 6,000 tonnes of Senna spectabilis, an invasive tree species that has been destroying the biodiversity of Wayanad forests. According to the minister, public sector paper manufacturer Kerala Paper Products Ltd (KPPL) removed around 5,000 tonnes of senna from Wayanad Wildlife Division, while 1,100 metric tonnes of senna was removed by other agencies from the North Wayanad division. Apart from KPPL, the forest department has engaged P K Timbers and two contractors to remove the invasive species. In the past four years, the forest department has been able to remove senna from around 1,000 acres of forest land, as a measure to restore natural vegetation. Last month, the cabinet had decided to engage more agencies, including Western India Pvt Ltd, to remove the species. Restoring the forest ecosystem after removing the senna will help improve the habitat, and ensure food and water to the wild animals. This will help in reducing incidents of wild animals straying into human habitations, said Saseendran.

Kochi-based reviewers video to be featured in Booker Prize event

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Never in his wildest dreams did Shon Joy imagine that a book review he posted on his social media handle would catch the attention of the Booker Prize Foundation. His video review of Anne Serres A Leopard-Skin Hat one of six books shortlisted for this years International Booker Prize has garnered attention for its clarity and insight. And whats more, his video will be used as part of the official content for the upcoming Booker event. When I posted the review on Instagram, I never expected such a response from the official handle of The Booker Prizes, Shon told TNIE.I tagged them because I was reviewing a book shortlisted by them. This is a huge achievement for me and I was more than happy to give my consent to use my video for their official content for the upcoming event. He said the Booker Prize authorities have promised to credit his account. I too am eagerly waiting for the winner. An engineering graduate by qualification, Shon decided to pursue his passion for reading and writing, becoming a professional copywriter and author. Belonging to Thrissur, he currently resides in Kochi and is an active participant in literary discussions, reading clubs, and is a prolific book reviewer across digital platforms. A major turning point was his interaction with iconic Malayalam writer M Mukundan. I got the unique opportunity to interact and spend a day with him at Mayyazhi as part of an event organised by DC Books to celebrate 50 years of Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerangalil. He inspired me to read more international books and discussed the books shortlisted for this years International Booker Prize. I decided to read and review all six shortlisted books. A Leopard-Skin Hat was the first book I posted, which got the response from them, Shon said.

When Indian missile boats struck Karachi in 1971 Indo-Pak war

KOCHI: The Arabian Sea was silent, still as death, as three missile boats moved stealthily under the cover of darkness from Okha in Gujarat towards Karachi in Pakistan. It was a suicidal mission, almost! The sailors, however, had only one thought on their minds strike the targets successfully. These events of the night of December 4, 1971, replayed in retired Indian Navy officer Commodore A D Raos mind as reports poured in of the escalation of the confrontation between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. The mission carried out as part of Operation Trident proved a resounding success, that too at a time when technology was not as advanced as today. Everything was top secret, Commodore Rao, who was 27 at the time and belonged to the 25th Missile Squadron, tells TNIE. Even the transportation of the boats, made by the Russians, was done in a very clandestine manner. India had bought eight boats of the OSA class fitted with the Styx missiles. Operation Trident was also the first time that India used the Indian Navys missile boats and anti-ship missiles in war. Living in Kochi for more than 30 years, Rao recalls how he found himself in the middle of a fierce war four years after getting commissioned into the Navy as an officer. It seemed as if the four years of training and related activities were a sort of preparation for the war, he says. Elaborating on the mission and the strategies adopted, Rao says, The plan was to launch a quick attack on Karachi and then run. We were told to write letters to our families before leaving for the mission in the dead of the night from Mumbai on December 3. Of the eight missile boats, the three that were sent for the mission were INS Nipat, INS Nirghat and INS Veer. I was on INS Veer, which was commanded by Lieutenant CommanderOm Prakash Mehta, as the third officer. An OSA class missile boat He was part of the team sent to the USSR in 1969 for training in using the missile boats and the Styx surface-to-surface missiles. It was not an easy mission to carry out. The target, Karachi, was more than 1,000km away while the operational radius of the missile boat was only 500km. Another important factor that made the mission tough was the range of the Styx missile. The missiles had a range of only 40km. So, for them to strike the target, we had to get very close, Rao says. However, as the boats which were towed from Mumbai to Okha using survey class frigates and then escorted by Petya-class frigates INS Kiltan and INS Katchall sailed towards Karachi in a broad formation, INS Veer developed engine trouble. One of our four engines stalled. Our speed dropped from 20-22 nautical miles per hour to 17. However, the other boats kept going and spotted two Pakistani warships doing crossover patrolling, he recounts. INS Nirghat fired two missiles at PNS Khaibar and sank it. INS Nipat fired missiles at a cargo vessel, MVVenus Challenger, and its escortPNSShah Jahan, aC-classdestroyer. PNS Shah Jahan suffered irreparable damage while the cargo ship that was carrying weapons for Pakistan sank. INS Veer was given the task of targeting ships coming in from the Karachi harbour. We fired a missile at PNS Muhafiz, which was a minesweeper, and sank it. INS Nipat continued to Karachi and fired missiles that struck the Kemari oil storage tanks, Rao adds. He remembers the commotion that was created after the IAF fighter planes too joined the attack. The Pakistanis were confused. They thought it was an aerial attack. There was total miscommunication among them. In the melee, they even forgot to use the codes for communication, Rao says. After carrying out the attack, done under total radio and radar silence, the boats fled to a designated port at Porbandar. We didnt go to Okha since it was understood that Pakistans retaliatory strike would happen there. They didnt disappoint us and struck Okha, which had been cleared of all ships, he says. From Porbandar, the boats refuelled and moved towards Mumbai. We were told to hug the western coastline. We were welcomed by Admiral Sourendra Nath Kohli, who was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of theWestern Naval Command during the war, with a band, Rao adds.

Made to international specs, skating facility in Ernakulam looks to get state athletes on a roll

KOCHI: In the quiet, laid-back village of Panikkarambalam, near Perumbavoor town, a dream project has come to fruition. Keralas first international-level roller skating rink has been conceived and realised by Siyad K S, a former international skater, with the intention of making the sport more popular in the state. Being a moderately expensive sport, skating has failed to catch on in Kerala. But Siyad has defied the odds in setting up the 200m polyurethane (PU) synthetic bank track, which is enclosed by a 280m road circuit, in the middle of a forested area. The story began 15 years ago when Siyad, an eight-time state champion who has represented the country in the world championship in 2009, moved to Perumbavoor to take up the job as a skating instructor at a private school. I arrived full of hope, with a bag full of skates, preparing for a promising start to my coaching career. But to my disappointment, only four students showed any interest in the sport, he said. I set out in search of more interested children and this finally gave rise to summer classes. Thats how it all began, says Siyad, a native of Thodupuzha. Setting up the facility did not prove easy. Siyad had to mortgage his house, borrow money from friends and parents of enthusiastic students to build the rink, which was completed in January 2025 at a cost of over `1 crore. There are only three standard skating tracks in Kerala, two of which are in Palakkad. Skaters practising at the Asiad International Roller Skating Academy A track of this quality had become a necessity. Many from across the state come here to practice. The difference in quality is very visible, points out Gayathri Leemon, who has been a skater for 10 years. Kerala alone did not have an international-level skating rink and this reflected in our performance in national competitions. The facility could lead to the state producing more promising skaters, she says. Hailing from Iringole, near Perumbavoor, Gayathri is a two-time national champion who represented the country in the world championship in Italy last year. The rink is home to Siyads Asiad International Roller Skating Academy. Two of its 60 trainees have already made it to the national team. Many children from Kochi travel regularly to Panikkarambalam for training sessions. Adin, 8, makes it to the rink daily from Kakkanad. Like Adin, several children from the city regularly come for practice sessions, often two times a day, his father Jomy George said. The facilitys rural setting is also contributing to its popularity. The houses nearby have been making room to accommodate skaters arriving for regular training. The circuit, which will host the 8th ranking national roller skating championship from May 15-19, has also been attracting skaters from all over the nation for pre-championship practice sessions. Dont skate like skaters from Kerala was a refrain heard in national skating circles in the past. Siyad, who has also been at the receiving end of the humiliation despite his achievements, wanted to change the perception. I want to see the dominance of Kerala skaters in the upcoming championships and my efforts are solely aimed at achieving it, he adds, full of optimism.

Saltwater crocodile found dead in Odishas Bhitarkanika

Kendrapara: The carcass of a five-foot-long male saltwater crocodile was found dead Tuesday in Kochia rivulet near Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) in Kendrapara district, said an official. Saltwater crocodiles are protected species under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Forest officials retrieved the carcass from the water body. It has been sent to the veterinary []

Kochi-Bangalore Industrial Corridor Gathers Steam: Palakkad Node Gets Green

Vijayawada ends Thiruvananthapurams 11-year reign at the top in CBSE Class XII results

KOCHI: The CBSE Class XII results for 2025 brought a notable change in the region-wise pass percentage rankings, with the Vijayawada region ending the Thiruvananthapuram regions uninterrupted eleven-year streak at the helm. With a stellar 99.60% pass percentage, Vijayawada edged out Thiruvananthapuram, which stood strong at a commendable second place with 99.32%. Since its formation in 2014, the Thiruvananthapuram region had consistently recorded the highest pass percentage in the country, peaking at 99.91% in 2024. Despite being dethroned, the region continues to shine with one of the highest success rates nationwide, well above the national average of 88.39% -- an improvement of 0.41% from last year. The CBSE has divided the country into 17 regions with 26,675 schools affiliated to it. The Chennai region secured the third position with a pass percentage of 97.39%. Among the institutions, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas led the way with 99.29%, followed closely by Kendriya Vidyalayas at 99.05%. Girls outperformed boys nationally, registering a pass percentage of 91.64% compared to 85.70% among boysa 5.94% gap. Notably, transgender students recorded a 100% pass rate. In the Thiruvananthapuram region, this trend held true as well. Of the 21,030 girls who appeared, 20,938 passed, while 19,999 out of 20,188 boys cleared the exam. Lakshadweep, under the Thiruvananthapuram region, achieved a perfect 100% pass rate. Internationally, CBSE-affiliated schools reported a 95.01% pass rate among 21,782 students. Meanwhile, 24,867 students nationwide scored above 95%, and 1,11,544 crossed the 90% threshold. However, 1,29,095 students were placed in the compartment category. Students seeking to improve their results will get an opportunity to appear for the supplementary examination in July 2025, which will follow the same syllabus as the main exam.

Kerala constitutes civil defence panel to deal with crises

KOCHI: Against the backdrop of the recent hostilities between India and Pakistan following the terror attack in Pahalgam , the Kerala state government has constituted a state-level advisory committee on civil defence to oversee preparations for potential emergency situations. The formation of the committee follows a directive issued by the ministry of home affairs (MoHA) to all states on May 5. In response to the threat of possible retaliation from Pakistan, civil defence drills have been carried out across the state. The newly formed committee is responsible for monitoring civil defence preparedness and coordinating with military and paramilitary forces in the event of emergencies. Chaired by the chief secretary, the committee includes representatives from key state departments such as home, health, fire and rescue, police, the local self-government department (LSGD), revenue, and disaster management. It also includes members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The committee has been constituted to coordinate with security forces during exigencies. It will plan and guide various civil defence activities in the state. In the event of an emergency, operations will be monitored with support from police, fire force, military, and paramilitary agencies. Regular meetings will be held to assess the situation and address any gaps. Security forces will also provide inputs to strengthen civil defence efforts, a senior officer with fire and rescue said. The committee is expected to remain operational beyond the current security situation. It will enhance coordination with security agencies, especially during disaster scenarios where assistance from central government and defence forces is critica, the officer added.

Thiruvananthapuram mans startup emerges as a credible eye in sky amid Operation Sindoor

KOCHI: As Operation Sindoor unfolded with strategic precision across Indias western front, a lesser-known yet critical player emerged from the digital shadows. Kawa Space, an Indian spacetech startup founded by Thiruvananthapuram native Kris Nair, emerged as one of the most credible sources of satellite-based intelligence during the campaign. While misinformation spread rapidly on social media, many turned to maps and images released by Kawa Space and its enigmatic founder. Their X (formerly Twitter) handles consistently shared high-resolution satellite imagery showing the extent of damage inflicted on Pakistani targets. Crucially, these images have not only added credibility to Indias claims but also served as visual proof of the impact of its operations. The images, shared with credible defence-related websites including Alpha Defence an independent firm known for its high-quality commentary on defence, aerospace and geopolitics have become an essential tool in decoding the progress of Operation Sindoor. On Sunday evening, Nair hinted at a significant development: The next image analysis report is one hell of a banger. The following day, he posted a cryptic line: O Black Mountains, what are you hiding in your shadowed heart? accompanied by a wide-angle satellite image believed to show the Kirana Hills, a remote and rocky region in Pakistans Punjab province long rumoured to house nuclear infrastructure. While it remains unclear whether the location was targeted, the post sparked intense speculation and drew attention to the growing role of Indias private space sector. Founded in March 2019, Kawa Space was envisioned as a critical application and infrastructure layer for the global space industry. Originally built to serve the broader geospatial tech ecosystem, it has now repositioned itself as a global intelligence and defence space company. We dont do civilian industry stuff anymore, Nair stated bluntly a clear signal of the companys pivot towards high-stakes, security-focused operations. Startups evidence-backed assessments gained trust Our mission is to harness the power of satellites orbiting our planet and help people reap their benefits to improve life on earth, he says. Yet, beneath the commercial ambition lies a intense nationalistic drive. Among our team are those who have worked on every front of sovereignty and national security, Kawa Space says on its website. Theyve flown jet fighters deep into enemy territory, commanded warships, and fought wars youve heard of and the ones you havent. In the face of rampant misinformation, Kawa Spaces methodical, evidence-backed assessments have gained the trust of defence watchers, journalists, and policy insiders alike. In war, truth is often the first casualty. But as Operation Sindoor reshapes regional dynamics, a small satellite startup is making sure the truth or at least a clearer picture of it can still be seen, from up above.

Whats in a name? Great deals as it turns out for Kochi Metro

KOCHI: Kochi Metro stations are taking on new names. With average daily ridership inching towards the one-lakh mark, there is increased demand for co-branding the stations. In fact, firms have already lapped up rights to 18 of the 25 metro stations in the Aluva-Tripunithura corridor. The remaining seven stations are currently up for the taking. The high-visibility stations Tripunithura Terminal, Ernakulam South, MG Road, Vyttila, Kaloor, Maharajas College and Kadavanthra are open for co-branding, a senior KMRL official said. Of these, the rate for Ernakulam South has been set at Rs 52 lakh per year, followed by MG Road, Vyttila, Kaloor and Maharajas College (Rs 42 lakh), Kadavanthra (Rs 37 lakh), and Tripunithura Terminal (Rs 30 lakh). All the stations in the phase-1 corridor are attracting immense interest, the official said, adding the Aluva metro station generates the highest revenue from the process. Were witnessing renewed interest from companies following the increase in ridership. Average daily ridership has crossed the 90,000-mark. The co-branding rights are allotted through a transparent tendering process, the official added. Metro ridership has increased substantially in the last over one year, with passenger footfall averaging 1 lakh for at least 20 days every month, since July 2024. Daily commuter patronage has witnessed a steady rise, averaging 18,552 in 2020-21, 31,229 in 2021-22, and 68,168 in 2022-23. It came in at 88,292 for 2023-24, while it exceeded the 90,000-mark in 2024-25. Benefits for licensees The branding, which will see the clients name suffixed to the metro stations name, will be displayed at the entry/exit points of stations in LED screens and on direction maps inside trains and at stations. The licensee will be provided five station pillars for advertisements comprising 10 boards. According to the official, announcements within trains will identify stations by their co-branding names at least 480 times a day. Five slots of 20 seconds each on display panels in trains will be provided for client advertisements every day. Also, 20 advertisement slots, each lasting 20 seconds, will be provided daily which will play out on display panels at the respective stations . The brands will become part of local culture, as the stations become landmarks in navigation and daily conversations, the official said.

Crisis intervention centre a ray of hope for transgenders in Kerala

KOCHI: Aiming to provide round-the-clock protection to transgender people in the state, the social justice department has set up a Transgender Crisis Intervention Centre in Kakkanad. First-of-its-kind in the state and perhaps in the country, the facility is soon to be functional. It will offer 24-hour counselling facilities and shelter to transgender people who are struggling. The facility, completed at a cost of Rs 24 lakh, was inaugurated by Social Justice Minister R Bindu on Monday. Transgender people face sexual harassment, physical assault and mental abuse from individuals around them. Often neglected by their family, they even encounter violence at home. In such cases, they can seek shelter at the facility, said district social justice officer Cino Xavi. The project aims to create an inclusive space for transgender individuals. Counsellors will be available to provide mental health support to them for handling emergency situations and coping with stress. If necessary, we will also provide legal and medical support, added Cino. The infrastructure has been constructed with a capacity to accommodate 25 to 30 transgender individuals at a time. They will be provided with accommodation facilities for two weeks up to a month. The intention is to ensure their protection and encourage them to actively participate in social activities, said Shyama S Prabha, project officer and a member of the state transgender justice board. Meanwhile, Sino further said that the project would be expanded to other districts, too. The facility will be functional after completing the appointment procedures. Once it is functional, we will be planning the expansion. It will be run by members of the transgender community. Qualified staff will be appointed one coordinator and three counsellors as well, he said.

Fire department to buy drones, life detectors ahead of monsoon in Kerala

KOCHI: Taking a cue from the search operations following last years devastating landslide at Chooralmala in Wayanad, which claimed 298 lives and left 32 people missing, the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Department has decided to equip its units with advanced tools for future disaster response. The department will procure state-of-the-art drones and life detectors designed to locate people trapped under debris. The search efforts after the Chooralmala tragedy extended for several weeks, as rescuers had to manually clear debris while searching for survivors and remains. Drones from private firms and sniffer dogs were deployed during the operation. The Chooralmala operation was a wake-up call for the department, highlighting the urgent need for modern equipment that can be deployed in disaster-hit areas. Ahead of the upcoming monsoon, weve decided to procure tools that will play a crucial role in search and rescue efforts, said a senior Fire and Rescue Department officer. According to the officer, the department has invited tenders to buy two life detectors each priced at Rs 89.9 lakh. These detectors use advanced sensors to pick up even the slightest vibrations and can detect seismic and acoustic frequencies, such as breathing or movement beneath the debris. The equipment is designed to operate under extreme weather conditions and can be used not only during natural disasters but also in incidents such as building collapses. The department is also set to acquire two aerial drones, each costing Rs 7.5 lakh, to enhance rescue operations. During the Chooralmala landslide, we had to rely on private agencies for drone services. The drones we plan to procure must function effectively in all weather conditions, including heavy rain. In addition to high-resolution and thermal imaging cameras for body heat detection, they will assist in firefighting, surveillance, tactical operations, and data collection. Drones proved useful during the Brahmapuram fire containment efforts, the officer added. According to officials, efforts will be made to expedite the delivery of the equipment once the tendering process is completed. We will request suppliers to deliver the equipment within a short time-frame, ideally within a month, so it can be deployed during any natural disasters during the monsoon season. Preparatory work to tackle calamities such as floods and landslides has already begun. Additional units will be deployed in areas identified as vulnerable during the monsoon, the official said. On alert mode The department has invited tenders to buy two life detectors each priced at Rs 89.9 lakh These detectors use advanced sensors to pick up even the slightest vibrations and can detect breathing or movement beneath the debris It will acquire two aerial drones at Rs 7.5 lakh each The drones are equipped with thermal imaging cameras for body heat detection and will assist in firefighting, surveillance

Phase-I of Science City in Kottayam set to start functioning from May 29

KOTTAYAM/KOCHI: The decade-long wait for the Science City, touted as the first one in South India, is coming to fruition. The construction of the Science Centre, which is the first phase of the project coming up at Kozha near Kuravilangad in Kottayam on 30 acres of land, has been completed and it will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on May 29. The project is being established under the auspices of the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum under the Department of Higher Education. Besides the Science Centre, the Science City project also envisages a planetarium, motion simulator, augmented reality/virtual reality theatres, musical fountain, light and sound show, astronomical observatory, gardens, visitor facilities, entrance gate and related infrastructure. A science park and dinosaur enclosure have also been developed, along with a telescope to enable public to dabble in astronomy. The Science Centre building spans 47,147 sq ft, and houses science galleries of Fun Science, Marine Life and Science, Emerging Technology, 3-D theatre, temporary exhibition area, activity centre, seminar hall, conference hall and workshops. The first phase works are nearing completion, with essential infrastructure such as internal roads, campus electrification, a water supply system, a visitor canteen, and rest room facilities being finalised. The establishment of the Science Centre was projected to cost Rs 14.5 crore in 2015, with equal financial contributions from both the Central and state governments. The construction was entrusted to the National Council of Science Museums, a prestigious institution under the Central government. However, the Central funds were not forthcoming and with cost escalation, the entire funding burden had to be borne by the state government. The state government has invested approximately Rs 50 crore to develop the necessary facilities, said Higher Education Minister R Bindu. According to her, the proposal for the second phase is ready and a budget of Rs 45 crore has already been drawn up. A large-scale Bio-diversity Park is also under development within the campus in collaboration with the Uzhavoor block panchayat and Kuravilangad grama panchayat, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The park will host a diverse collection of flora native to Keralas forests, including medicinal herbs, rare and endangered species, orchids, carnivorous plants, ornamental and aromatic varieties, bamboo species, and palms, she added. A system has been envisaged to include boards with the name of the plant, botanical name and other details for the visitors to understand each plant. Once the bio-diversity garden is completed, it will become the biggest botanical garden in the country in terms of bio-diversity, said the minister. The construction of the bio-diversity garden will also be inaugurated by the Chief Minister along with the inauguration of the first phase of the Science Centre.

Kochi recalls old war tale of 1965 mystery bomb

1965. India was at war with Pakistan. It was a pitch-dark, silent night. The streets were empty, and electricity was cut off. Jayachandran, then a lower primary student, remembers sirens blaring. To date, that boy, now better known as CICC Jayachandran wonders if a bomb had struck Kochi back then a popular urban legend in town. Do you remember when Pakistan dropped a bomb into Kochi backwaters? Jayachandran, who runs the famous CICC Book Stall, recently posted on Facebook. Many people replied. Some say the incident happened, and some say it couldnt have happened, he says. There are no public records of a bomb attack on Kochi in 1965, he admits. However, I believe that something did happen. It may not have been a bomb, and it may not have been Pakistan that was behind it. But I remember the panic of the day, the loud sirens... the presence of officers across the city, Jayachandran says. Representational Image The question is about an old speculation that a projectile landed in a marsh on Willingdon Island, a strategic location thats home to the naval command, the Kochi port and the old airport. Stories about this bomb spread among many soon after, says Jayachandran. Writer N S Madhavan, he adds, mentions this in his book Lanthenbetheriyile Luthiniyakal (Litanies of the Dutch Battery), which won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. Now, once again, the mystery bomb has become a topic of discussion. Most people point out the impossible parameters the range limitations of weaponry those days, the distance between Pakistan and Kochi, and the lack of historical records. Writer M K Sanoo clearly remembers all the wars of his lifetime. I, too, have heard that a bomb did fall in Kochi during the 1965 war and that it failed to detonate, says the 94-year-old literary critic. But its just hearsay. I have not come across any details about it. M K Das, veteran journalist and author of Cochin: Fame and Fables, laughs at the question. Well, there have been stories that a Japanese bomb fell in Kochi during World War II. And yes, many more stories about a bomb during the 1965 war. But there is absolutely no proof about either, he says. Former Kochi mayor and state convener of Intach K J Sohan remembers those days vividly. It was indeed a scary time. Willingdon Island was a strategic location for us, for a society gripped in poverty. All the grains, including wheat, used to reach us through the port, he says. Pakistan had the American-supplied Sabre aircraft, which had additional fuel tanks. That made many fear a possible attack, even so far out in our Kerala. Amid the repeated blackouts and sirens, one day, Sohan recalls, the news spread of a bomb hitting Willingdon Island. Everyone got scared, and many families decided to flee. Many packed up and rushed to the railway station, he says. However, Sohan explains, it was just a scare. No military officials confirmed it. There is no proof or record of it. Some say something might have fallen off one of our own ships or aircraft, he adds. Well, be it myth, legend or tales passed through generations, the bomb story definitely is an interesting tidbit. Every time there is a conflict, old-timers like us recall the sirens and the bomb (that wasnt there) as we sip a cup of hot tea. Now, you folks continue the tradition, Sohan smiles.

Suspicious call on Navy assets triggers security alert, civilian arrested

A security alert was triggered at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi after a suspicious phone call from a civilian number sought information about sensitive naval assets. A 31-year-old man from Kozhikode has been arrested in connection with the May 9th incident.

Man arrested for call to Kochi naval base seeking INS Vikrants location

According to police sources, the accused claimed to be undergoing psychiatric treatment, though this remains to be verified

Kochi To Have More Navigable Waterways As Canals Set For Transformation Under Rs 3,716 Crore Urban Revival Plan

Maharashtra police search home of Kerala activist held for plotting war against govt

Maharashtra police searched the Kochi residence of Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, a student activist and journalist from Kerala, who was arrested in Nagpur. Sydeek faces charges including preparing to wage war against the Indian government, provoking riots, criminal intimidation, and making statements conducive to public mischief. The search was conducted with assistance from Kerala's Anti-Terrorist Squad.

NRI deposits in Kerala banks head towards Rs 3-trillion mark

KOCHI: Kerala is on the verge of crossing a major financial milestone: deposits from non-resident Indians (NRIs) in its banks are likely to cross Rs 3 trillion in the January-March 2025 quarter, if the last years trend continued. As of December 31, 2024, non-resident (NR) deposits stood at Rs 2,86,063 crore -- up nearly Rs 24,000 crore from the year before. This marks a 9.4% increase year-on-year. The data for this years January-March quarter is yet to be released. NR deposits are foreign currency accounts maintained by NRIs, different from personal remittances sent to families. Even so, a large part of remittances ends up in these accounts, driven by interest rates and currency exchange benefits. It has been a steady climb. Kerala crossed the Rs 1-trillion mark in NR deposits back in December 2014. It doubled that figure by March 2020. And in the last five years alone, deposits have grown by another Rs 1 trillion. One key driver has been the weakening of rupee. Over the past five years, the Indian currency has depreciated from Rs 75.71 per US dollar to Rs 85.45 -- a 13% drop. This adds more value to every dollar sent home, boosting deposits. Remittances have also made a strong post-pandemic recovery, with a 19-20% increase. Kerala accounted for 19.7% of all remittances to India in 2023-24, second only to Maharashtra at 20.5%. In 2020-21, Keralas share dipped to 10.2% while Maharashtra surged ahead to 35.2%. But Kerala has since closed much of the gap. According to Reserve Bank of Indias March 2025 bulletin, India received $118.7 billion in remittances in 2023-24 -- more than double the $55.6 billion recorded in 2010-11. Kerala alone accounted for $23.39 billion. The United States is now the top source (27.7%), followed by the UAE (19.2%). Back in 2016-17, the UAE led with 26.9%. Grouping the UAE with other Gulf countries -- Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain -- takes their combined share to 37.9%. According to K V Joseph of the International Institute of Migration and Development, remittances from the Gulf may fall in the coming years, while inflows from the US, the UK, and Canada could rise. Gulf countries, he noted, have limited space for skilled workers. Larger countries like the US offer more opportunities, though policy changes -- especially in the US -- remain a concern. Dr Divya Balan, assistant professor of international studies at FLAME University, Pune, sees a more complex picture. While students and skilled workers are increasingly heading West, she believes the Gulf will remain important for many Malayalis. She points to a shift in migrant profiles: more students, more professionals, and more loans taken to finance migration. This, Divya says, could help maintain strong inflows -- especially if migrants secure long-term employment and residency.

Panel directs builder firm to refund customer who didnt get promised flat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed a builder company to give full refund and compensation to a customer who did not get the promised apartment. The commission rejected the companys argument citing insolvency proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The complainant, a Thiruvananthapuram native, had booked a 3-bedroom apartment in a project proposed at Karakulam village in the district. The total cost was Rs 55,17,277. As per the agreement, construction had to be completed within 18 months from the date of agreement i.e., March 18, 2017. Though the complainant paid Rs 43,00,123, the work was not carried out by the builder. The builder also did not respond to the communications sent by him. The complainant had availed a housing loan of Rs 41 lakh at 8.5 per cent rate of interest from the Punjab National Bank Housing Finance. The former managing director of the company filed an affidavit before the SCDRC along with the order passed by the NCLT Kochi branch. He cited that the NCLT has appointed an Insolvency Resolution Professional and they are incapacitated in participating in the proceedings of the company. The SCDRC bench comprising its president Justice B Sudheendra Kumar, judicial member Ajith Kumar D and member KR Radhakrishnan heard the case. Advocates Ponnan Alex and Sreevaraham NG Mahesh appeared for the petitioner. The commission, however, observed that Section 3 of the Consumer Protection Act, stipulates that an aggrieved consumer can approach the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in addition to the existing remedies. Proceedings pending before the NCLT is not a bar for the complainant to approach the commission for redressal of grievances, it said. The commission found deficiency in service on the part of the builder. It directed the company to refund Rs 43 lakh with 9 per cent interest besides Rs 3 lakh as compensation and Rs 20,000 for litigation costs. Case file Apartment project at Karakulam in Thiruvananthapuram Consumer paid Rs 43 lakh He availed a housing loan for Rs 41 lakh @ 8.5 pc interest Builder failed to deliver apartment Commissions direction to builder firm Refund Rs 43 lakh at 9 per cent interest Rs 3 lakh compensation Rs 20,000 as litigation costs

36 per cent of highways in Kerala unsafe for motorists

KOCHI: More than one-third of the highways in the state are prone to accidents, reveals a latest study report prepared by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). According to the Road Safety Action Plan for Kerala State (2025-2030), more than 2,200 km of road corridors -- national highways (NH) and state highways -- in the state are found to be crash vulnerable. The study has been done to facilitate the government to form a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan which aims to cut the accident fatalities in the state by half by 2030. While a whopping 60% (1,089.4 km out of the total 1,811.52 km) of the NH is accident-prone, 26% of the state highways (1,144 km out of the total 4,342 km) falls under the category. Combined, 36% (2,233km out of 6,153 km) of the highways are crash vulnerable, shows the report. The Average Annual Traffic Crashes (AATC) for all major categories of roads in Kerala was found to be higher for NH with 5.15 crashes/km, followed by state highways (2.23 crashes/km). Other roads reported a low crash rate of around 0.10 crashes/km, the report states. As per the report, a major portion of the vulnerable stretches is in Thrissur (289.9 km) while Ernakulam is second with 265.7 km, followed by Kozhikode (224.3 km), Malappuram (219.7 km), Alappuzha (192.4 km), Kottayam (183.1 km), Thiruvananthapuram (174) km), Palakkad (168.2 km), Kollam (143.1 km), Kannur (137.8 km), Pathanamthitta (83.8 km), Kasaragod (55.3 km), Idukki (49.8 km) and Wayanad (47.7 km). Out of the states total road network of 2.05 lakh km, NATPAC identified a total of 323 vulnerable road stretches. Of these, 149 stretches are on the NH and 174 on the state highways. Meanwhile, NATPAC has identified a total of 4,592 black spots across the state, with Ernakulam having the highest number of such stretches (703), followed by Thiruvananthapuram (694) and Thrissur (548). A total of 374 priority black spots have been identified, where immediate rectification action is required. They are further classified into Priority I (250 locations) and Priority II (124 locations). While 227 priority black spots were identified on NH, 84 were identified on State Highways and 63 on other roads, says the report. In the wake of the persistent increase in road accidents over the past decade, the state is now preparing a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan to address the challenges and achieve safe mobility. The main objective of the Road Safety Action Plan for Kerala is to enhance safety on roads in line with the Integrated System Approach, thereby reducing road crash-related fatalities and injuries to at least 50% in the state by 2030, the report says. Kerala, which recorded 9.5% of the total road accidents across the country, is third among states. With 13.9% of the total accidents, Tamil Nadu tops the chart, followed by Madhya Pradesh (11.8 %). Despite its relatively small geographical size, Kerala faces significant road safety issues, with a high incidence of crashes resulting in fatalities and injuries. As per the figures made available by the State Crime Records Bureau, the number of accidents on the state roads increased from 36,000 in 2014 to 48,141 in 2023 and 48,919 in 2024.

Churches hold special prayers for country and frontline soldiers

KOCHI: Churches of various Christian denominations in Kerala, led by their vicars and supreme heads, prayed for divine intervention on Sunday to ease tensions and end the conflict between India and Pakistan. Prayers were also offered for the safety of Indian soldiers on the front line. The Malankara Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan and Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, offered prayers for the country and for the soldiers. The parishioners also prayed that peace be restored without further escalation. For us living in the southern tip of India, the war may be just news. However, there is a large community in Indias border villages whose life and livelihood are in crisis. Many soldiers, including those from Kerala, are on the battlefield. Their families are worried. It is the commitment of every Indian to work for the country. However, we should realise that wars and riots are always a threat to societys existence, the Catholicos said in a communique to the laity. Jacobite Church members too offered special prayers on Sunday. Catholicos Baselios Joseph I, in a message to the laity, said, War and riots are challenges to humanity. This is the time to pray for the country. Our prayer should be that we are not dragged into war and that peace is restored. May God strengthen the countrys rulers to lead India to security and peace with diplomatic excellence at this crucial juncture. He said this was the time for us to face this adverse situation with unity, beyond party, religious and political factions, along with the country. We should pray with one heart that the clouds of unrest be lifted and the blue sky of peace spread, and that lasting peace be established in the country as soon as possible, he said.

Nepali SSLC student shines with full A+, including for Malayalam

KOCHI: The headmaster and teachers of Irumpanam Vocational Higher Secondary School (VHSS) are ecstatic. Sidhath Cheetri, who hails from Nepal and is the lone foreign student at his school, secured an impressive A+ in all six of his subjects one of them Malayalam in the SSLC examination held earlier this year. Sidhath is a very good student and had even joined the Roshini project to improve his Malayalam. His efforts paid off, said headmaster Reni V K. Roshni is the Ernakulam district administrations project aimed at improving language proficiency of migrant workers children. Reni said Sidhaths brother had been their student and scored A+ in all subjects in SSLC. Sidhath joined us in Class 8. He studied from Class I to 7 in a school at Kodamkulangara. He has been consistent in his studies and plans to take up the science stream for Plus-I, Reni said. Sidhath and his family have been living in Kerala for more than 14 years. His father is an attendant at Varma Hospital in Tripunithura and his mother works in a supermarket. He is one of the 95 Nepali students studying in Kerala schools. As per the statistics released by General Education Minister V Sivankutty in the assembly, 24,061 students from other states and 350 from other countries are enrolled in Class 1 to 12 in Kerala schools (2024-25). Ernakulam has the highest number of such students. Of those from other countries, a majority hail from Nepal (364), followed by the Maldives (two) and Sri Lanka and the Philippines (one each). An official with the Roshni project said implementation of the Jyoti project will shed more clarity on the number of students from outside studying in Kerala. The present available data is the one compiled by the labour and statistics departments. Once the Jyoti project is launched, data on students in schools in other districts can be mapped; the number will be higher. We have a clear understanding about the number of students in Ernakulam due to the Roshni project. In Ernakulam, 40 schools have implemented the project, which has helped students from other states, he said. Sivankutty said the Jyoti project will be implemented in the state soon, as announced by the chief minister. The general education department, along with local bodies, will initiate steps to implement the project in every district, he said. Meanwhile, the Roshni project official attributed the issue of dropouts to the change in migration pattern among workers from other parts of the country. Before the pandemic, the workers stayed in one place for more than a year. Now, migration has become seasonal. If they work at a particular place for six months, they shift to another district for the next six. This depends on their job profile and availability of work. And when the parents move, the children too are withdrawn from the school, said the officer.

15 Kerala students from Punjab reach Kochi

Pope Leo XIV: The Augustinian from Chicago

In the frenzied days leading up to the papal conclave following Pope Franciss passing on April 21, speculation was rampant: would the next pope be from Africa, perhaps the first Black Pope in modern history? Or would Latin America once again lead the Church? Papal predictions are famously unreliable, and once again, the white smoke proved the pundits wrong. Instead of an African or Asian cardinal, the Church chose a relatively unknown Augustinian from Chicago with deep missionary roots in Peru. When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost stepped onto the loggia overlooking St. Peters Square as Pope Leo XIV, he immediately set a different tone, speaking not in English, his native tongue, but in Spanish and Italian. This wasnt just a linguistic flourish. It was a statement. Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese and proficient in Latin and German Leo XIV is among the most linguistically adept popes in Church history. Yet his decision to forgo English in his first appearance spoke volumes: a signal of solidarity with Latin America and a style rooted more in communion than communication. Born in 1955 to a French-Italian father and Spanish-American mother, Robert Francis Prevost grew up in Chicagos multicultural neighbourhoods. He is the first pope from the US, and the second from the Americas after Pope Francis of Argentina a milestone for a Church that has grown rapidly in the Western Hemisphere. After studying mathematics and philosophy at Villanova University, he entered the Augustinian order in 1977 and later earned a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Ordained in 1982, he was soon sent to Peru, where he lived out a mission rather than a career. In Trujillo, he became not just a priest but a builder of communities. For over a decade, he led formation for Augustinian candidates, served as judicial vicar, taught theology, and ministered in poor and neglected neighborhoods. That immersion gave him a distinctly missionary spirituality grounded in humility, solidarity, and proximity. He was later called back to leadership: first as Provincial of the Augustinians in Chicago, then as Prior General of the global order elected to a rare second term. Pope Francis took notice. In 2014, Prevost was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo and soon became its bishop. By 2023, he led the powerful Dicastery for Bishops in Rome. With nearly 80% of the College of Cardinals appointed by Francis, Leo XIVs election is widely seen as continuity. Yet insiders suggest something more nuanced: a continuation of mission, yes but with greater doctrinal clarity and institutional steadiness. While shaped by Franciss pastoral style, Leo XIV is more traditionally inclined on some moral teachings. In 2012, he voiced concern over Western media normalising practices at odds with the Gospel, including same-sex relationships. His nuanced orthodoxy could be the centrist anchor many bishops quietly longed for neither regression nor rupture. Even his papal garb signaled a subtle shift. Donning the red mozzetta over his white cassock, a vestment Francis set aside, Leo XIV paid homage to tradition and governance, signaling reverence for the Ministry of Peter. His choice of name Leo XIV is itself a message. It recalls Pope Leo XIII, who in 1891 issued Rerum Novarum, the encyclical that founded modern Catholic social teaching. The name evokes strength, reform, and a commitment to justice rooted in doctrinal fidelity. The lion-hearted Leo XIV seems poised to continue Franciss outreach to the peripheries, but with more institutional traction. At just 69, Leo XIV is younger than his two predecessors at their elections Francis at 76 and Benedict XVI at 78. He is the 267th pontiff in the Churchs history and possibly its next long-haul leader. A decade or more of his leadership could shape the Church in lasting ways, especially amid growing polarisation and secular pressure. His election recalls the long and stabilising pontificate of John Paul II, who served for over 26 years and visited more countries than any pope in history. One looming question now: will Leo XIV be the pope to finally visit India? Despite its vast Catholic population, neither Benedict XVI nor Francis made the trip. By contrast, John Paul II visited India twice once in 1986, then again in 1999. Leo XIV, however, is no stranger. As Prior General of the Augustinians, he visited Kochi in 2004 and again in 2006. Those past encounters with Indian Catholics have sparked hope that under this pontificate, India will no longer be a forgotten frontier but a priority in the Churchs global vision. Tennis, Twitter and marinated fish: Things to know about Pope Leo

Robert Francis Prevost: The Augustinian from Chicago

In the frenzied days leading up to the papal conclave following Pope Franciss passing on April 21, speculation was rampant: would the next pope be from Africa, perhaps the first Black Pope in modern history? Or would Latin America once again lead the Church? Papal predictions are famously unreliable, and once again, the white smoke proved the pundits wrong. Instead of an African or Asian cardinal, the Church chose a relatively unknown Augustinian from Chicago with deep missionary roots in Peru. When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost stepped onto the loggia overlooking St. Peters Square as Pope Leo XIV, he immediately set a different tone, speaking not in English, his native tongue, but in Spanish and Italian. This wasnt just a linguistic flourish. It was a statement. Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese and proficient in Latin and German Leo XIV is among the most linguistically adept popes in Church history. Yet his decision to forgo English in his first appearance spoke volumes: a signal of solidarity with Latin America and a style rooted more in communion than communication. Born in 1955 to a French-Italian father and Spanish-American mother, Robert Francis Prevost grew up in Chicagos multicultural neighbourhoods. He is the first pope from the US, and the second from the Americas after Pope Francis of Argentina a milestone for a Church that has grown rapidly in the Western Hemisphere. After studying mathematics and philosophy at Villanova University, he entered the Augustinian order in 1977 and later earned a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Ordained in 1982, he was soon sent to Peru, where he lived out a mission rather than a career. In Trujillo, he became not just a priest but a builder of communities. For over a decade, he led formation for Augustinian candidates, served as judicial vicar, taught theology, and ministered in poor and neglected neighborhoods. That immersion gave him a distinctly missionary spirituality grounded in humility, solidarity, and proximity. He was later called back to leadership: first as Provincial of the Augustinians in Chicago, then as Prior General of the global order elected to a rare second term. Pope Francis took notice. In 2014, Prevost was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo and soon became its bishop. By 2023, he led the powerful Dicastery for Bishops in Rome. With nearly 80% of the College of Cardinals appointed by Francis, Leo XIVs election is widely seen as continuity. Yet insiders suggest something more nuanced: a continuation of mission, yes but with greater doctrinal clarity and institutional steadiness. While shaped by Franciss pastoral style, Leo XIV is more traditionally inclined on some moral teachings. In 2012, he voiced concern over Western media normalising practices at odds with the Gospel, including same-sex relationships. His nuanced orthodoxy could be the centrist anchor many bishops quietly longed for neither regression nor rupture. Even his papal garb signaled a subtle shift. Donning the red mozzetta over his white cassock, a vestment Francis set aside, Leo XIV paid homage to tradition and governance, signaling reverence for the Ministry of Peter. His choice of name Leo XIV is itself a message. It recalls Pope Leo XIII, who in 1891 issued Rerum Novarum, the encyclical that founded modern Catholic social teaching. The name evokes strength, reform, and a commitment to justice rooted in doctrinal fidelity. The lion-hearted Leo XIV seems poised to continue Franciss outreach to the peripheries, but with more institutional traction. At just 69, Leo XIV is younger than his two predecessors at their elections Francis at 76 and Benedict XVI at 78. He is the 267th pontiff in the Churchs history and possibly its next long-haul leader. A decade or more of his leadership could shape the Church in lasting ways, especially amid growing polarisation and secular pressure. His election recalls the long and stabilising pontificate of John Paul II, who served for over 26 years and visited more countries than any pope in history. One looming question now: will Leo XIV be the pope to finally visit India? Despite its vast Catholic population, neither Benedict XVI nor Francis made the trip. By contrast, John Paul II visited India twice once in 1986, then again in 1999. Leo XIV, however, is no stranger. As Prior General of the Augustinians, he visited Kochi in 2004 and again in 2006. Those past encounters with Indian Catholics have sparked hope that under this pontificate, India will no longer be a forgotten frontier but a priority in the Churchs global vision.

Kerala excise dept battling severe resource crunch amid anti-drug operations

KOCHI: In the face of extensive operations to curb drug abuse and narcotics trafficking in the state, the excise department, the nodal agency handling such cases, is grappling with severe shortage of manpower and other resources. Even when it receives tip-offs on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) activities, the department often relies on other law enforcement agencies, including the police, to track suspects and gather crucial data. We carry out numerous raids and operations to tackle drug-related offences. But in most cases, we rely heavily on police and other agencies to trace suspects and gather vital data due to outdated technology and limited resources, an excise officer said on condition of anonymity. At times, other agencies carry out seizures and apprehensions based on those tip-offs, he said. For instance, when the department needs a suspects call records or digital footprint, it must send a formal request to the superintendent of police or approach the cyber cell. This process often takes up to 24 hours, during which time the accused may flee the state. By contrast, the police force can access the same information within 5-10 minutes, the officer added. Ernakulam assistant excise commissioner Suresh M said, Although we are actively participating in Operation Clean Slate, the state initiative against drug trafficking, the department continues to struggle due to inadequate technology and workforce. He highlighted the acute shortage of drivers for night-time patrols. Still, our officers carry out their responsibilities with sincerity, and the results speak for themselves, he added.Addressing the burden of workload, Suresh pointed out that while officers are entitled to 20 casual leaves annually, in addition to weekly offs and public holidays, staff shortage often makes it impossible to avail leave. On a positive note, he emphasised that there is no shortage of vehicles in the department, as new two- and four-wheelers are added each year.

Stop overconsuming content on India-Pakistan conflict to avoid anxiety: Experts

KOCHI: With the conflict between India and Pakistan threatening to escalate, there is a lot of information and misinformation circulating in the media and on social media. However, health experts warn that round-the-clock consumption of news and visuals of the hostilities can have a negative impact on the mental health of people, particularly children and the elderly, causing anxiety and insomnia. They are calling on the public to refrain from overindulging and spreading related content to prevent conflict anxiety. Just like Covid-19, precautions should be taken to deal with a war-like situation. Consumption of misinformation and content related to the conflict can lead to anxiety. It may even affect the ability of people to act and implement precautions, said Dr C J John, a Kochi-based psychiatrist. The misinformation can create a deeper impact, especially in children and the senior population, who are more vulnerable. Children are not aware of the realities on the ground. So they may panic, thinking that it would consume them all. The elderly are not used to the information-overload. Thus, they may take the information seriously, which will end up affecting their mental health, said Dr Arun B Nair, associate professor of psychiatry at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital. Family members should constantly reassure children, the elderly, and those who are susceptible to anxiety disorders. We need to support them. They should not be watching news and visuals constantly. We need to cut down on misinformation. Listening to daily briefings or advisories issued by the government can help understand developments. It helps in adhering to instructions, he said. With the exchange of hostilities occurring mostly after sundown, watching news and visuals late at night can affect sleep, leading to stress and anxiety issues. Some may experience panic attacks, sudden and intense restlessness, breathlessness, sweating, and a feeling of losing their mind. It may persist for 10-15 minutes and occur repeatedly. This can result in insomnia, Dr Arun said. He added that youngsters and people who actively engage on social media should refrain from spreading misinformation. Though the conflict is a new experience for youngsters, they are aware of what is happening with Israel, Gaza and Ukraine. So, there is some desensitisation happening. Do not spread messages harming the state and affecting communal harmony, he emphasised.

Keralas Covid death data among most accurate, CRS figures show

KOCHI: Amid persistent allegations that Kerala under-reported its Covid-19 death toll, new data from the Civil Registration System (CRS) has reinforced the states pandemic-reporting credibility. Figures reveal that Kerala had one of the smallest discrepancies between officially reported Covid deaths and actual excess fatalities. According to the CRS, Kerala recorded 68,981 excess deaths during the pandemic, while the state officially reported 44,235 deaths -- a difference far narrower than in several other states. In contrast, Gujarat recorded 2,63,253 excess deaths against an official toll of just 5,816. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh has also posted a significant gap. The report shows the fact that our state has not reported pandemic-related deaths other than the excess deaths caused by direct infection. The report also tells the world that ours is one of the societies that has most effectively dealt with the Covid pandemic, Health and Family Welfare Minister Veena George wrote on Facebook. Kerala had been criticised for its high caseload and death figures during the pandemic, with some states accusing it of inflating numbers. However, the new data suggests that rather than over-reporting, Keralas figures were closer to the actual toll -- due in part to a more transparent and robust surveillance system. The minister added that the state was criticised by the opposition, which alleged that deaths are not being recorded accurately and that its systems have failed. There was a resolution moved by the opposition and an investigation carried out by a team from the Centre, she added. Health experts say that a variety of factors contributed to the discrepancy between official Covid death count and excess deaths across states, including limitations in data collection mechanisms. There are always excess deaths during epidemics, and they may not all be directly reported as Covid-related, said Dr B Ekbal, a public health expert and former member of the Kerala State Planning Board. He said Keralas relative success lay in its ability to manage serious Covid cases in public hospitals, offering ICU care, ventilator support, and access to expensive medication -- all free of cost. Kerala has a high elderly population and a high morbidity rate. Yet, we were able to reduce mortality through reverse quarantine and effective hospital management, Dr Ekbal added. Dr Roji M John, another public health expert, pointed out that Keralas stronger health infrastructure and better surveillance systems meant the state was more capable of accurately recording both cases and deaths. We cant directly compare Kerala to other states. Health infrastructure and data accessibility are not uniform across the country, he said. Both experts agreed that under-reporting in other states may stem from weaker data systems and differences in recording practices. Dr Ekbal also noted that international comparisons should be handled cautiously. India and other Asian countries had relatively lower death rates than the west -- possibly due to genetic factors or existing immunity from other diseases. But what matters now is improving the accuracy of health data across all states, he said. The new figures come as a vindication for Keralas health authorities, who maintained consistent reporting even under pressure. Experts now say the focus must shift to improving data systems nationwide to ensure more accurate health responses in future crises.

500 Indian govt, pvt entities targeted by hacktivist groups

KOCHI: Amid Indo-Pak standoff, a report from a leading cyber-security threat intelligence platform stated that more than 500 Indian government and private entities were targeted by pro-Pakistani and Bangladeshi hacktivist groups, following the Pahalgam terror attack. As per the report by Falcon Feeds.io, a cumulative total of more than 200 cyber attacks were identified and analysed during the period between April 22 and May 8, 2025, of which over 55 per cent were Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, a malicious attempt to overwhelm and disrupt the normal traffic of targeted servers. In addition to DDoS attacks, the hacktivist groups also carried out website defacements, data breaches, and leaks. Every geopolitical conflict today has a cyber dimension, because cyber warfare is a modern strategy of war. Here too, pro-Pakistani and Bangladeshi hacktivists launched offensives, but none were successful, said a cybersecurity analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity. Even as we speak, Indias Income Tax portal experienced a brief slowdown due to an ongoing cyberattack. But, because of robust infrastructure and real-time monitoring, we neutralised the threat swiftly, he said. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the pro-Pakistani and Bangladeshi hacktivist groups did not limit their cyber attacks to high-profile targets. Even smaller websites, including those of educational institutions and hospitals, were hit. While cyberattacks and counterattacks are routine, targeting schools, hospitals, and private entities are considered to be a heinous activity by Indian authorities, the analyst added. Responding to the particular cyber attacks, cyber security expert Nandakishore Harikumar, whose threat intelligence team tracked around 200 hacktivist groups during the Israel-Hamas conflict, said, Most attacks during this period were mid-scale, with airports becoming the main targets. Despite some temporary slowdowns, none of the attacks succeeded. The impact of these attacks was minimal simply as the infrastructure of our websites were prepared. He also emphasised that unlike in other global cyber conflicts, Russian-linked actors were notably absent in these attacks. Nearly 96 per cent of these cyber attack coordination happened via Telegram. Hacktivist groups often hire DDoS services through Telegram, because setting up and maintaining cloud infrastructure for such attacks requires significant resources, said Nandakishore. Weve been monitoring around 500600 of these groups in recent years, he said. While the current impact is limited, Nandakishore warned of future risks. Right now, these groups havent been able to penetrate critical infrastructure. But if they do, the consequences could be severe. It could disrupt supply chains and severely damage our cyber systems. Digital security must be treated with the same seriousness as physical security, he said.

Kochi Corporations ABC centre to strengthen operations with more staff

Two more veterinary surgeons are to be appointed, in addition to the one full-time surgeon and a Corporation surgeon who visits the unit thrice a week; deployment of two more vehicles is expected to increase the daily capture of stray dogs

Bus rams into container taking U-turn at Kumbalam poll plaza in Kerala; 28 injured

KOCHI: At least 28 people, including the driver of a tourist bus, were injured after the bus rammed into a container lorry that was taking a U-turn just before the Kumbalam toll place in the wee hours of Saturday. The driver of the tourist bus Nandanam suffered a leg fracture; however, the condition of all the injured is stated to be out of danger. The mishap occurred at 2.50 am. A long container lorry was redirected just before the toll plaza. Such vehicles are not allowed to enter the Kumbalam-Aroor section where the construction of the elevated highway is progressing. As the container lorry was taking a U-turn to proceed via Kundannoor-Tripunithura route, a speeding private bus going to Thiruvananthapuram rammed into it, police said. Initial probe suggested that the tourist bus driver might have dozed off. Some of the passengers stated that the driver might have dozed off. Further probe is on, the police added. The front portion of the bus was damaged in the mishap. The tourist bus driver was taken out by the Fire Force after cutting open the drivers cabin. A crane belonging to the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) was also used for the rescue act. The victims, hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, were returning after attending a family function in Malappuram when the accident took place. Many sustained fractures, and nearly six were advised to undergo CT scans, said a spokesperson of the Lakeshore Hospital, where the injured have been admitted. The Panangad Police lodged a case. Meanwhile, a minor traffic congestion is being experienced at the Kumbalam toll plaza after the vehicles proceeding to the Alappuzha side are being redirected through the service road following the mishap.

Kerala: Hybrid weed smuggling outpaces gold after customs duty reduction

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Believe it or not, hybrid ganja is fast emerging as the new gold for international smuggling cartels having Kerala links. The Union government slashing the customs duty on imported gold from 15% to 6% in July 2024 has weaned many of the rackets away from smuggling of the precious metal and some of them have switched to smuggling of hybrid ganja as it fetches a higher profit margin, sources in the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs Preventive Commissionerate (CCP) told TNIE . Customs Preventive Commissionerate sources said since the customs duty was slashed, in the last eight months, the seizure of gold was reduced by one-fifth. The seizures made during August 2023 to March 2024 were five times more than seizures made in the corresponding period post the duty cut. The figure for the seized gold in the first eight months of the year was around 350kg, which dropped to about 70kg for the corresponding period after the duty was slashed, the CCP source said. A senior DRI official, who did not want to be identified, said the profit margin has dropped in the case of gold smuggling and after the duty cut, there has been an increase in cases of seizure of hybrid ganja. Since July 2024, about 90kg hybrid ganja has been seized from Kochi airport alone. The most recent seizure in the state was made from Karipur airport where 12kg hydroponic weed was caught on May 1. The DRI official said the dip in profit prompted many operators to ditch gold smuggling and switch to hybrid ganja. The maximum profit from smuggling 1kg gold is less than Rs 8 lakh. If caught, they have to successfully land similar consignment seven to eight times to offset the losses. Hence, mid-level rackets have left the scene. Many of them prefer hydro ganja smuggling owing to the big margin. As much as 1kg hydro ganja can fetch Rs 1 crore in international market. They have a high demand in the Middle-East, and Kerala is a major transit hub en route to Gulf countries. A total of 1kg of the drug is costly than MDMA of the same quantity and hence the peddlers are interested as there is demand for the drugs among elite drug abusers, the DRI source added. The decline in gold smuggling has impacted the professional carriers and the agencies felt those desperately hooked to the shady profession might try a hand in smuggling hydro weed. The gold carrier earlier used to get `1 lakh as commission for smuggling 1kg of gold. His travel expenses were also taken care of by the racket on whose behalf he operates. Now, the commission is less than `50,000. Many of the carriers have dropped out. We are watching whether they are migrating to weed smuggling, said the DRI source. However, the Customs source said there is a slim chance for the gold carriers to dabble in drug smuggling as well due to the risk involved. Most of the carriers are known to us. Drug trafficking is a more serious offence and they mostly wont be willing to take risks as they know we are watching them. Also, gold smuggling might have come down, but it has not gone extinct, said the customs official.

Keral police reshuffle: Manoj to head vigilance, Ajith new excise commissioner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior IPS officer M R Ajith Kumar has been appointed as the new Excise Commissioner. He will take charge in a newly created ex-cadre post that carries the status of Additional Director General of Police. The appointment is part of a major reshuffle ordered by the state government. Manoj Abraham has been posted as the new Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. He was previously serving as the Director General of Fire and Rescue Services. Yogesh Gupta, who held the Vigilance director post, has now been transferred as the Director General, Fire and Rescue Services. G Sparjan Kumar, who was heading Intelligence, has been moved to the post of Inspector General of Police, Crimes I, in Thiruvananthapuram. P Prakash, who was the Inspector General of Police, Crimes III in Kozhikode, has been transferred and made Inspector General of Police, Coastal Police. Several other IPS officers have also been reassigned. Balram Kumar Upadhyay, who was the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, will now serve as Director of the Kerala Police Academy. Mahipal Yadav, the outgoing Excise Commissioner, has been posted as Additional Director General of Police, Crimes. K Sethu Raman, who was serving as Inspector General of Police and Director at the Kerala Police Academy, will now take charge as Inspector General of Police and Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services in a newly created ex-cadre post. A Akbar, who held the post of Inspector General of Police, Crimes II, Kochi, has been transferred and posted as Inspector General of Police, Internal Security. The reshuffle comes into effect immediately.

Munambam: Kerala HC declines to vacate interim order

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday declined to vacate the interim order issued by a division bench on April 11, restraining the Waqf Tribunal, Kozhikode, from passing final orders in the proceedings concerning the Munambam land dispute cases until May 26, 2025. The court also adjourned the hearing of the case to May 26. The court was considering an application filed by Joseph Benny, of Munambam, seeking to vacate the interim order. The petitioner also sought to implead in the petition filed by Kerala State Waqf Board challenging the tribunals order rejecting its plea to call for records from the Subordinate Judges Court, Paravur, Ernakulam district, regarding the cases. The Board sought to call for the records on the ground that the records had a direct bearing on the pending proceedings before the tribunal.

NCB holds meeting with Malayalam film bodies amid rising drug cases

KOCHI: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) held a closed-door meeting with representatives of Malayalam film industry bodies on Friday amid a spate of drug-related cases involving film personalities. The session, held at the NCB office in Kendriya Bhavan, Kakkanad, from 3 pm to 4 pm was convened after a series of arrests, including that of directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, and writer Shalif Mohammed, who were found in possession of hybrid ganja at an apartment in Kochi last month. In addition, actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi were recently questioned by the excise department in connection with a drug seizure case in Alappuzha. NCB deputy director chaired the meeting, which was attended by two other officials and five representatives from major industry bodies. These included Jayan Cherthala representing the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), and Sibi Malayil from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA). Representatives from the Film Producers Association were also present. Udta Kerala: Saving the young from the drug menace blighting God's own country According to sources, the meeting aimed to assess the situation and explore preventive measures to curb drug abuse at shooting locations and film events. The NCB also discussed suggestions from the representatives for strengthening monitoring at film production sites. Jayan Cherthala, vice-president of AMMAs ad hoc committee, said the rise in drug use in the industry was addressed during the meeting. We have informed them that there is an alarming rise in the number of drug abuse cases in the state, as well as in the industry, he said. He added that AMMA had put forward a few suggestions, which will be announced later by the officials. Earlier, in 2022 and 2023, film bodies including the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA), AMMA, and the Film Chamber had urged the police and excise departments to act against drug abuse in the film industry. Saji Nanthyatt, general secretary of the Kerala Film Chamber, had earlier told TNIE that drug use by artists and crew leads to indiscipline on sets, delays production and post-production work, and increases costs. It affects the working environment of the set. For smooth functioning, we need to refrain from such activities, he said.

Kerala's St Augustine Study Hall members on cloud nine

KOCHI: When Dominique Mamberti, the Cardinal Protodeacon, announced the name of the new pontiff from the balcony of St Peters Basilica at the Vatican around 10:50pm (IST) on Thursday, a group of priests at St Augustine Study Hall in Aluvas Mariyapuram jumped in joy. They had two reasons to celebrate: One, Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was one of them, a member of the Order of St Augustine (OSA). Two, the pontiff had visited their regional house twice. Of the eight priests at the OSAs regional house, Fr John Bosco was especially ecstatic. The new pontiff had taken part in the priesthood ordination ceremony of six of us from the St Augustine Study Hall in 2004, recalled Fr Bosco. The pontiff, then the prior general of OSA, arrived at the regional house and stayed here for two weeks. During his stay, he interacted with everyone at the hall and also those who came to meet him, he told TNIE. Fr Bosco described the new pontiff as a down-to-earth person. Those interacting with him wont feel they are talking to a person holding a high post. Back then too, it was as if he was one of us. I remember him placing his hand on our heads and blessing us after the ceremony, said Fr Bosco, who got ordained on April 22, 2004, along with Fr Robert Roy Manjalikattu, Fr Augustine Thomas Puthenveettil, Fr Shiju Varghese, Fr Anosh S and Fr Tiby Peter. Of them, four are now in Spain, one is in Kollam and Fr Bosco is at the regional house in Aluva. He said the pontiff visited the St Augustine Study Hall in 2006 and was here for two days. He had come for the meeting of regional superiors of OSA from the Asia Pacific region, Fr Bosco said. Fr Justin Joseph, who is also at the OSA regional house, recalled how he met the pontiff, then a cardinal, in the Vatican in February 2024. Fr John Bosco (second from right) along with Fr Wilson, Vicar of OSAs Mariapuram Church, and other priests of St Augustine Study Hall at Aluva browse through the photo album of the 2004 ordination ceremony of the six deacons. I had gone there for an official meeting. I met the new pontiff, who was a cardinal then and was stationed at the Vatican as a member of the Dicasteries for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), for the Doctrine of the Faith, for the Eastern Churches, for the Clergy, for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, for Culture and Education, for Legislative Texts, and a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State. He had arrived with other members of the community at the dining hall for lunch. I had heard about him a lot from my fellow priests and was happy to see that everything they said about him was true, said Fr Joseph. He said the new pontiff had been very happy to see the delegation from Kerala. He sat with us for lunch and discussed various things associated with the Church in India and Kerala. He shared the memories he made during his visit to Kerala, and wanted to know whether anything had changed since then. When we invited him to visit Kerala, he expressed his willingness, and told us that since he was free this year, he would love to come down if we organised some programmes, said Fr Joseph. The visit might now be delayed as he has become the head of a country and there are protocols involved, said Fr Joseph, while recalling how Cardinal Prevost had served them food during the lunch. Trip down memory lane for Kerala Catholics: When Pope Leo XIV visited God's Own Country

The AI whisperers of Kerala

Imagine living in your home while the entire wiring, plumbing, and structure are being upgraded without moving out or experiencing interruption. Thats how Dbiz.ai approaches digital transformation. We dont disrupt. We rewire, says Vinu Peter, Chief of People and Culture at Dbiz.ai, in his office at Infopark, Kakkanad. We rebuild the IT infrastructure of businesses while they continue with their operations. Its all done in phases room by room, with no noise or mess. The customer is part of the journey throughout. Headquartered in Singapore, with a strong operational base in Kakkanad, Dbiz.ai is making quiet but powerful waves in the world of digital engineering. The company focuses on tier-II and tier-III, often family-run businesses, helping them rearchitect their fragmented IT ecosystems into cohesive, cloud-based, scalable infrastructures. These companies have grown over decades. Their IT systems were built in silos servers in one room, applications in another. Now, theyre stuck with slow, outdated tools that dont communicate, says Vinu. We step in to rebuild it all but without tearing down the house. Sanjay and Vinu Peter Engineering with empathy Dbiz.ais backbone is its Foundry team, a group of senior technologists, each with over 25 years of deep expertise in data, cloud, enterprise applications, and systems integration. When the team engages with a client, it comes in full force bringing a 360-degree approach to uncover inefficiencies and redesign systems that align with real business goals. Their approach isnt just about technology its about user experience, business continuity, and cultural sensitivity. We focus on building trust. We talk their language. And most importantly, we make them feel a part of the transformation, adds Vinu. The journey The founders Girish Karunakaran (CEO), Anoop R Nair (Chief of Technology), Vadivelan Rajendiran (President, ASEAN), and Vinu Peter initially worked together at Attinad Software, a Technopark-based startup. Attinad was a standout success, ranked the 6th fastest-growing tech company in India by Deloitte in 2015. We were the first South Indian company to feature in that top 10, recalls Vinu. The team worked on high-profile projects, including Netflixs recommendation engine, Airtel Movies, and SonyLivs backend infrastructure. Later, they joined forces again at Softvision (SPI/Software Paradigm Infotech) under Girishs leadership. Cognizant acquired Softvision in 2018, in what was its largest acquisition at the time over half a billion dollars. As part of the leadership team, they stayed through a three-year integration process, helping build Cognizant Softvision, a digital engineering unit with over 15,000 employees. By 2021, the group exited to start fresh. CEO Girish Karunakaran Global footprint Today, Dbiz.ai operates in Singapore, Australia, India, the Middle East, and the US, with over 700 employees globally. Of these, more than 500 are in India, with Kochi as the largest base. In 2022, Dbiz.ai acquired Factweavers Technologies, a 60-member data and Elasticsearch specialist firm with a strong customer base in the US. We didnt want to build that capability from scratch. Their founders Vineet and Jalal were trusted peers. It made strategic sense, Vinu shares. The companys client base is primarily in NBFCs, logistics, container freight systems, healthcare, and education. Australia is our biggest market. We manage the digital transformation of Australias largest container freight system, and Abu Dhabis biggest real estate firm is one of our long-term clients, says Vinu. Culture that cares Beyond growth, Dbiz.ai is equally known for its employee-first culture. The perks go well beyond the norm, including a honeymoon sponsored for newly married employees, four-day international trips (like Bali or Vietnam) for employees completing five years, gifts for newborns of employees, iPhones for 10-year veterans, quarterly rewards and annual freshers intakes. We dont just talk about work-life balance we enable it, Vinu says. Offices, referred to as studios, are designed as collaboration hubs, not cubicle farms. A new 20,000 sq.ft studio at Infopark, Kochi will include sleeping pods, massage chairs, and a cycling track all aimed at fostering creativity and comfort. Attrition is impressively low at just 10%, and hiring is steady, with 15-20 freshers inducted each year.

Trip down memory lane for Kerala Catholics: When Pope Leo XIV visited God's Own Country

As the Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA), Fr. Robert Francis Prevost visited Kochi, in 2004 and 2006.

Kerala High Court upholds government's decision to limit KAS appointments despite valid ranklist

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has held that an appointing authority has the power to decide not to fill up a particular number of vacancies on genuine and reasonable grounds, even if a valid PSC ranklist is in force. The court held that the government has shown genuine and sufficient reasons for not appointing more than 105 candidates from the ranklist to the post of Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) junior time scale (trainee). The court issued the order on appeals filed by the state government and others challenging the order of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal, which held that candidates included in the ranklist have every right to be considered for appointment. The tribunal order came on a batch of petitions filed by candidates included in the KAS junior time scale trainee ranklist who challenged the order fixing the cadre strength at 105. Quashing the order of the tribunal, the HC said that it is well-settled law that an appointing authority may, for good and sufficient reason, take a decision not to fill up existing vacancies even if a valid ranklist is in force.

Elevation of Sunny Joseph as KPCC chief reshapes Congress power play

KOCHI: The Congress partys announcement of Sunny Joseph as the new KPCC president has triggered a realignment of internal power blocs, while also showcasing a deliberate attempt at social balancing. The move gave outgoing chief K Sudhakaran a dignified exit and installed his close confidant at the top, keeping his influence intact, said sources. Sunny, a three-time MLA and a practising Syro-Malabar Catholic, enjoys broad acceptability in his constituency and has received strong backing from Church leadership, including Archbishop Joseph Pamplany of Tellicherry, Archbishop Thomas Tharayil of Changanacherry, and the Ernakulam Archdiocese, sources told TNIE. Sources said mounting displeasure from influential dioceses had created pressure on the Congress leadership to ensure that the KPCC presidents post went to a Syro-Malabar Christian. The decision is viewed as a strategic step to retain the traditional Catholic vote bank that had started warming up to the BJP. The Congress high command also ensured social balance. Alongside Sunnys elevation, Adoor Prakash, an Ezhava, was made UDF convenor; P C Vishnunath, a Nair, and Shafi Parambil, a Muslim, were appointed working presidents, along with A P Anil Kumar from the SC community. Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal succeeded in placing two of his loyalists Vishnunath and Anil Kumar in key roles. However, Venugopals third preferred name, Anto Antony, was left out marking a significant setback and indicates his waning influence with the Congress High Command. Anto had positioned himself as the Catholic face of the party with support from Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Church, but his campaign reportedly suffered due to a lack of acceptance from the Syro-Malabar hierarchy -- especially Changanacherry, Ernakulam-Angamaly, and Tellicherry -- and a disconnect with grassroots workers. Further complicating his prospects were concerns over his familys shift to the Pentecostal faith, which did not sit well with traditional Syro-Malabar segments. His active encouragement in the appointment of another Pentecostal, Sharmeela Reddy, as Andhra Pradesh Congress chief, raised serious concerns about political opportunism, an informed source said. With support from leaders like Muraleedharan and Ramesh Chennithala, Sunnys rise was smooth. But attention now turns to his working relationship with Opposition Leader V D Satheesan. With local body polls around the corner, the new leadership team has little time to settle in. The absence of a woman in the top leadership continues to be a glaring omissionespecially with the Womens Reservation Bill set to take effect in 2029. It seems, this round of appointments for the Congress in Kerala, is less about change and more about calibration -- an effort to steady the ship, with the Church and community math firmly in mind.

Man disguises as woman in salwar to vandalize neighbours CCTV in Mulanthuruthy over privacy dispute

KOCHI: In a bizarre incident, a 45-year-old man, irked by the positioning of a CCTV camera at his neighbours house, allegedly trespassed into the compound dressed in a salwar and shawl to damage the surveillance equipment at Vettikulam near Mulanthuruthy. The accused, who left the country a day after the incident, is now seeking relief from the court to avoid arrest upon his return. The incident occurred on October 23, 2024, at the residence of a 55-year-old woman. Around 10.30 pm, a person dressed in a yellow salwar and blue shawl entered her property and damaged a CCTV camera installed on the lawn. The next morning, the woman noticed that the camera had been vandalised and filed a police complaint. Upon reviewing the footage, police discovered that the individual was not a woman, but a man in disguise. Following a detailed examination, we identified that the suspect was a neighbour. Unfortunately, he left the country immediately after the incident, said an official with the Mulanthuruthy police. According to the police, the accused allegedly objected to the angle of the CCTV camera, claiming it compromised his privacy by capturing views of his house. There had been a verbal altercation between the neighbours shortly before the vandalism.Recently, the accused approached the Ernakulam District Principal Sessions Court seeking an anticipatory bail in the case. According to him, he was falsely implicated and the complaint was an act of personal vengeance. He claimed that despite requesting a repositioning of the camera, the complainant refused to cooperate. However, opposing the plea, the government counsel submitted CCTV footage showing the accused damaging the camera while dressed in disguise. The court noted that instead of resorting to vandalism, the accused should have approached the authorities.He is not supposed to take the law into his hands or cause damage to private property, the court observed, adding that the complainant had suffered a financial loss of Rs 50,000. Granting bail in this case would send a wrong message to society, the order stated. The accused has now approached the Kerala High Court, which considered the matter on Tuesday and posted it for further hearing on May 30. Police are awaiting for Kerala High Court decision on the anticipatory bail petition to take further action.

Sensor manufacturing facility to be set up in Thrissur through Keltron-C-MET collaboration

KOCHI: A sensor manufacturing common facility centre will be established at Mulankunnathukavu in Thrissur district through a joint initiative between Keltron and C-MET, functioning under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. This was announced by Industries Minister P Rajeeve on Thursday. The project will utilise land owned by Keltron at Mulankunnathukavu. The understanding was reached following a meeting between Industries Minister P Rajeeve and S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The land, which is currently under liquidation, will be reclaimed and repurposed for the proposed project. Approval from the High Court will be sought to proceed with the reclamation process. The project includes the expansion of C-MET and the establishment of the sensor manufacturing common facility centre in collaboration with C-MET. Once this project is realised, it will pave the way for industrial development based on sensor technology, said Rajeeve. Keltron prepared the project proposal based on a concept submitted by C-MET. For the expansion of the central government organisation C-MET, five acres of land owned by Keltron will be handed over to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The remaining seven acres of land will be utilised for the establishment of the joint sensor manufacturing common facility centre. The proposed project also includes the establishment of a sensor incubation centre, sensor-integrated chips, and electronic components as part of the collaborative initiative.

How a train journey led to a lifeline: Online community gives seniors a lease of life

KOCHI: The world can be a daunting place for those aged 60 and above, especially when one becomes the soft target of scamsters and others trying to exploit your inability to navigate the maze of technological evolution. This was the sad truth that a 30-year-old realised on a train journey. Shijin K P got to experience first-hand how travel agents dupe the elderly by promising them travel packages at exorbitant rates. Taking note of the issues faced by seniors, he formed a WhatsApp community, named How Old Are You, to help them in their time of need. Shijin details the events that led to the formation of the community, which today has more than 400 members, all of whom are over 55 years of age and from different walks of life. The journey on board Mangala Express from Kerala to Delhi was the turning point. During the journey, which took over two days, I interacted with co-passengers, who were mostly those above 60. Talking to them, I realised that they were all travelling to Delhi for various purposes and had relied on travel agents for bookings. I understood that they had been robbed blind by agents. And when I pointed it out to them, most of them said that since they had no one, including children, to rely on, they paid good money to ensure a safe journey. Shijin was pained by the situation of the elderly co-passengers, who were all retirees. On the entire journey, I decided to help them out with things like accessing food and other necessities. The language barrier was another problem that I helped them out with, says Shijin, who later discussed the issues with his friends in Delhi. We formed the community and decided that the first task would be to make the seniors tech-savvy, says Shijin. He and his friends began teaching the members on use of WhatsApp, Google Meet and other apps. The senior citizens were then taught the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI). We then created activities that helped them connect with their old selves and brush up on their latent talents like poetry writing. Initially, it was tough, but as the sessions progressed their writing skills developed significantly and we even had members composing songs on Suno AI, he adds. The community holds mental health classes. Police officers have been roped in for advice on guarding against online fraud. Besides these sessions, tour programmes are conducted for members. Sharing his experience of the initiative, K V Sreedharan Nair, former regional manager of Emami Realty, says, I am an active member of the community. Being a senior citizen, I feel that spending time with our peers, irrespective of their caste, creed, or geographical divide, is beneficial. I am the convenor of a seniors group called YoungOldees, which has a reading room and a sports club. We are all members of How Old Are You. Though very young Shijin manages the group very well. He frequently communicates with each member, enquiring about their health and other matters. Another community initiative has involved utilising the expertise of retirees to keep them engaged and help make them financially independent. One such initiative that will be launched very soon will involve handmade soap made of natural products. We will provide all the raw materials and also help members with marketing and sales. All the proceeds from the sales will go to them. For the initiative, I am planning to learn soapmaking, after which I will train the seniors, Shijin points out. He has lined up various other plans that includes designing games to fight dementia and senior daycare facilities in the unoccupied houses of NRIs across the state.

NHAI's promise: Ernakulam to Thiruvananthapuram in just 2.5 hours as NH-66 upgrade nears milestone

KOCHI: Motorists will be able to cover the 220-km long Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram stretch in just 2.5 hours, instead of the present five to six hours, once the NH-66 widening works get completed. The six-laning of the NH-66 from Thalappady in Kasaragod to Mukkola in Thiruvananthapuram, spanning 644 km, is currently progressing. While four out of the total 22 stretches are set to be opened to traffic in a months time, over 60 per cent work has been completed in the remaining stretches. There will be no traffic signals and right turns on the entire stretch from Thiruvananthapruam to Kasaragod, except at Madavana Junction (Aroor-Edappally NH-66 bypass). The right turns and U-turns, which will slow down the traffic, wont be allowed in the widened stretch. The vehicles need to take the service road and cross by using the underpasses to take a U-turn, said a senior National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official. The design speed is 100 kmph. For example, the Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway will have three exit ramps, leading to the service roads below. The same will come up at Aroor, near Our Lady of Mercy Hospital at Chandiroor and Kuthiyathodu. However, the time-saving will come at a price as the commuters will need to pay separate toll for using stretches like the 12.75-km-long Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway, which is under construction. In the Ernakulam-Alappuzha section alone, there will be three toll booths at Kumbalam, Eramalloor (elevated highway) and at Kalavoor. The motorists, though, need to pay a separate toll, in addition to the fees being levied at Kumbalam toll plaza, for travel through the elevated highway, which is 24-metre wide. However, they have an option to use the service road below the stretch. The elevated highway is aimed at catering to the fast-flowing vehicles, the official added. Out of the total 22 stretches of NH-66 widening, the work on the Thalappady-Chengala (39 km), VengalamRamanattukara (28.4 km), Ramanattukara-Valanchery (39.68 km) and Valanchery-Kapirikkad (37.35 km) has entered the final phase. Among the remaining reaches, 65 per cent of the work of the Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway and 60 per cent of the widening work of Edappally-Moothakunnam section has been completed. Meanwhile, the process to set up a new greenfield highway connecting Palakkad and Kozhikode will begin soon. The tender to award the work for the 121-km-long proposed high-speed corridor will be floated soon, the official said. The highway, which is proposed under the Bharatmala project, is expected to reduce travel time between Palakkad and Kozhikode to two hours and decongest the traffic on the existing NH 966. Original completion date of NH-66 widening: December 31, 2025 Anticipated completion of NH-66 widening: January 31, 2026 Designed speed of widened NH: 100 KMPH Total kms being widened: 644 km (From Thalappady (Kasaragod) to Mukkola (TPuram) Total stretches of works: 22 Stretches of works in finishing stage: 4 Average percentage of work completed: 60 Percentage of work completed in Aroor-Thuravoor: 65 Percentage of work completed in Edappally-Moothakunnam: 60

IOS Sagar returns to Kochi with personnel of nine friendly navies, coast guards

IOS Sagar returns to Kochi after month-long deployment: Indian Navy

Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command congratulated the crew of India and nine friendly foreign countries during the grand reception ceremony held at Naval Base in Kochi upon the return of IOS Sagar, an official statement said

De-addiction centres will be set up in all districts: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that de-addiction centres would be established in all districts in the state as part of the governments intensified efforts to combat substance abuse among children and youth. Speaking at the district-level review meeting held at the KINFRA Convention Centre in Kakkanad as part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the state government, the chief minister said that awareness campaigns targeting children, parents, and teachers will begin in June to curb smoking in public spaces and the growing use of drugs. Teachers will be trained to counsel students, and awareness sessions will be provided for parents and educators. Children must be given the opportunity to play and grow, and their interests should be nurtured. One teacher in each school will be trained in counselling, Pinarayi added. Highlighting the need for collective support, the CM said schools, parents, and society must accept and support children who return after treatment for substance addiction. He noted that some children suffer serious psychological consequences from drug use, and this underscores the need for de-addiction centres across all districts. Facilities to promote childrens artistic and athletic skills will be set up at the school and ward levels. The CM was responding to a question from Justice Narayana Kurup. Addressing other issues, the CM said steps would be taken to resolve space constraints in IT parks and that new parks are being planned under the Highway IT Corridor Project. This was in response to a question from IT professional Kavya. He assured that the government is committed to implementing both large and small-scale projects and will adopt a supportive stance as long as projects align with prevailing circumstances. This was in reply to economist Dr M P Sukumaran Nairs question. Responding to a question from Anganwadi teacher P J Ranjumol, the CM said the government has decided not to assign the staff in the Anganwadi sector duties from other departments, and acknowledged concerns regarding increased workload. Regarding the rising number of young people going abroad for education, the CM said it cannot be prevented but added that the governments focus is on introducing innovative courses and improving academic standards in Kerala. If we can ensure academic quality, students from abroad may come here to study, he said in response to a question by Dencare MD John Kuriakose.

Would this development have been possible with UDF in power, says CM Pinarayi

KOCHI: Reflecting on the developmental milestones achieved by the LDF governments under his stewardship, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday posed a rhetorical question to the massive crowd gathered before him: Would any of this have been possible if the UDF had remained in power? Addressing an LDF rally held to mark the fourth anniversary of the government, the CM launched a sharp attack on both the BJP-led central government and the Congress-led opposition in the state, accusing them of neglect and apathy during crucial moments when Kerala needed support the most. Brimming with pride, Pinarayi said the government will on November 1 officially declare Kerala the first state in the country to eradicate extreme poverty. He asserted that Navakeralam is not just a vision, but a reality being shaped in the present. We approached the people with a manifesto containing 600 promises, and they placed their trust in us. A popular slogan emerged: LDF will came, and everything will be better. Today, that transformation is visible across all sectors, said Pinarayi. He went on to list the developmental achievements of his government, beginning with the revival of the public education system. When we assumed office, nearly five lakh students had dropped out of government schools. Through persistent efforts, over ten lakh students have returned to government schools, including children of migrant workers, he said. If the UDF government had continued in 2016, the entire public education system might have collapsed. Pinarayi added that the LDF government introduced special initiatives to address the education of migrant workers children, treating it as a serious issue, even in the national capital, these children often do not receive proper schooling. Sharpening his criticism of the Congress-led UDF, Pinarayi alleged that they committed a criminal offence in the acquisition and development of national highways, which could have been done free of cost. Even after a decision in an all-party meeting to acquire 45 metres of land for NH development, no action was taken. It was the LDF government that approached the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and agreed to bear 25% of the land cost to ensure progress. The Rs 5,600 crore spent by the state is a penalty for the UDFs negligence, he said.

WHO honours Ernakulams Bandhu Clinic for promoting refugee, migrant health

KOCHI: Bandhu Clinic, the mobile clinic for migrant workers in Ernakulam district, has been selected as one of the 140 global experiences in promoting refugee and migrant health by the World Health Organization (WHO). Only two clinics from India have found a place the list. The clinic was established with the aim to provide migrant workers with affordable and accessible primary healthcare services, and the selection in the WHO list showed the projects success, said officials. WHO listed Bandhu Clinic for its services for screening and vaccination during Covid among inter-state migrants. Explaining the initiative, Benoy Peter, director, Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID), the implementing agency of the project, said the residential areas of migrant people were mapped in the initial phase of the project. The mobile clinics visit the locations to cover some of the most vulnerable among the migrant workers, including brick kiln workers, migrant women in fish processing units, migrant fishers, nomadic communities, footloose migrant labourers and migrant families. The intention was to provide quality primary healthcare services consistently at a location and time convenient to migrant workers, he said. The clinics visit the location on a weekly, monthly, and fortnightly basis. Currently, there are two Bandhu Clinics functional in the district. One clinic covers around 40,000 migrants across multiple locations. In a year, one clinic provides 15,000 treatment services to some of the most vulnerable migrant workers in the district at an operational cost of around `250. With the success of the project, NHM and CMID plan to add more clinics to saturate the coverage in the district.

LeT recruits from Kerala trained at targeted camps

KOCHI: Terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had recruited people from Kerala in 2008 to be trained at its camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan, which were dismantled in Operation Sindoor, the precision attacks by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7. Five youths Fayiz and Fayaz from Kannur, Abdul Rahim and Abdul Jabbar from Malappuram and Yasin from Ernakulam were selected by LeT operative Thadiyantavide Nazeer to be trained under the outfit and were sent to the LeT camp. It was alleged that Nazeer and his aides lured the youths through the classes he held in various parts of northern Kerala. The plan was that after training, two persons would return to Kerala while the remaining three would join the jihad in Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, security forces, which intercepted the messages these persons sent to Kerala, surrounded them in 2008. Four persons except Jabbar were killed by the forces in the ensuing encounter at Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir. Jabbar was later arrested by the police in Hyderabad. It was some problems faced by Yasin and Fayiz at the LeT camp that led to the fiasco. The two wanted to return home and Rahim wanted Nazeer to intervene to sort out the issues. Nazeer spoke to the duo over the phone and convinced them that returning from jihad was not allowed in religion. Moreover, the LeT commander at the camp also threatened the recruits. Investigations revealed that LeT had established direct contact with some elements in Kerala. K P Sabir alias Ayub, from Kannur, is believed to be the key figure in implementing the LeT plan in Kerala and was involved in all the discussions. Sabir left for Delhi two days before others journey and made all the arrangements needed in the capital. After the group reached Delhi, he escorted them to Kashmir and personally handed over the recruits to the LeT handlers. Sabir left the country after news of the encounter appeared in the media. He is still absconding. LeT had helped Nazeer flee to Bangladesh and stay there for around one year before his arrest in 2009 end. The NIA Court in 2013 found 13 persons guilty in the case and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The Kerala High Court in 2022 upheld the verdict of 10, and acquitted three persons. Wali alias Reehan, a Pakistan national, was an accused in the case but he was not arrested.

Bevco set to introduce QR code-based tracking of bottles

KOCHI: Starting June, the Kerala State Beverages Corporation Ltd (Bevco) will implement a QR code-based track-and-trace system for all liquor bottles it sells in the state. Bevco MD Harshita Attaluri explained that the QR-code system will enable complete tracking of liquor bottles, right from the stage of production. Around 80% of liquor sold in Kerala is bottled within the state and must comply with QR-code labelling by May 5, she said. For the remaining 20%, comprising liquor bottled in other states and foreign liquor, Bevco will affix QR codes, ensuring all bottles have track-and-trace labels before June 1. This initiative, according to Bevco sources, will simplify the work of enforcement agencies in tackling counterfeit products and duty evasion. Moreover, over the past few years, the organisation has significantly digitised its operations, achieving seamless forward and backward integration of liquor supplies and consumption. A key innovation is its scientific inventory management system, which generates supply orders based on customer demand and consumption patterns. This automated system tracks customer purchases, shop and warehouse inventory levels, and computes supply orders, minimising human intervention and reducing the risk of malpractices or corruption. Bevco, the states sole liquor retailer, plans to expand its presence to 300 outlets by the end of the current fiscal year. This will include 14 super-premium outlets. It currently operates 278 outlets, with 155 offering self-service or premium counter facilities. We will refurbish or relocate outlets that are not customer-friendly or easily accessible, said the official. Additionally, Bevco plans to revamp the packaging of its best-selling Jawan rum, including the label and cap design. The corporation intends to launch a premium version of Jawan, to be produced at its two distilleries in Pathanamthitta. Were currently automating at least one of our 14 production lines, which will require infrastructure renovation. Notably, ours might be the only plant in the state with manual lines, she said. Furthermore, the state-run company plans to launch its own brandy brand from the Malabar Distillery (MDL) in Chittoor, expanding its product portfolio. The states alcoholic beverage sales reached Rs 19,730.66 crore in 2024-25, up from Rs 19,069.27 crore in 2023-24, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3.5%. Meanwhile, the contribution to the state exchequer for the last fiscal stood at Rs 17,209.97 crore, compared with Rs 16,613.16 crore in the previous fiscal.

Bihar womans memoir becomes lesson in Kerala class VI textbook

KOCHI: Never had 22-year-old Dharaksha Parveen, a migrant woman from Bihars Darbhanga district, dreamt that one day a brief memoir she wrote would be made into a lesson and that too in Kerala General Education Departments Class VI Malayalam textbook. But that has happened! In the 2025-26 academic year, Class VI students throughout the state will study her lifes journey from Bihar as a 10-year-old to a Malayalam teacher in the school where she mastered the language. Speaking to TNIE , Dharaksha, who arrived in Kerala 12 years ago in 2013, says, My father came before us. For him, Kerala has been home for the past 25 years. We now live at Muppathadam Thandirikkal Colony in a rented house. According to her, the events that led to her writing getting selected for the Malayalam textbook happened after a small piece of news appeared in a vernacular daily in 2023. Narayanan Mash from Palakkad happened to come across the news. It was a story about a function held at GHS Binanipuram, where I now teach craft and also Malayalam under the Roshini project, she says. Narayanan Mash contacted Jayashree teacher associated with the Roshini project at my school. She sent him my location and address. He, along with his team, came to my house and held discussions with me for an entire day. It was during the discussions that he asked me to write something in Malayalam for a book, says Dharaksha. She agreed and wrote a piece in a letter format addressed to her friend in Bihar. In the letter, I talked about my life in Kerala, achievements, important events and the people here. I sent the write-up to Narayanan Mash. It was then edited and finally selected as a lesson in the Class VI Malayalam textbook after thorough scrutiny, she adds. According to her, the friend she addressed her letter to is a girl she studied with in Class VII in Darbhanga. She is now married. That would have been my fate too if I hadnt come to Kerala. When I arrived and joined Class V at GHS Binanipuram, it was difficult for me to study. The medium was Malayalam. But after I began going for classes under the Roshini project, I began to grasp the language. I depended heavily on pictorial books and put in double the effort, says Dharaksha. Now, she not only speaks Malayalam fluently but also teaches the language to other migrant children under the Roshini project. How did that come about? Dharaksha says, After completing Plus-II, I applied for a post with the Roshini project. I aced the qualifying test and interview to get the teaching post. She now aims to build a house for her parents. I want to do that before I get married. Normally, it is considered the responsibility of the sons. But I want to change that. As to whether she will go back to Bihar, Dharaksha says, Never. I will settle down here. Even my parents are not interested in going back. There is no future for us in Bihar. Both my brothers also have the same plans.

Kerala govts Jyoti to guide children of migrant workers from streets to school

KOCHI: If everything goes to plan, you wont see any children of migrant workers wandering the streets or engaged in work in the state from the new academic year. This follows the launch of a comprehensive initiative by the state government on Wednesday to bring the children of migrant workers here to the schools to support their progress and welfare. The programme Jyoti, which will be implemented by the local bodies along with the schools in the respective regions, will see an aggressive door-to-door campaign by the officials to ensure that no children of school-going age wander in the streets of the state, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. It is estimated that around 35 lakh migrants are working across various sectors in the state, and they have become integral part of Kerala. This initiative marks a significant step towards cultural and educational integration, reaffirming Keralas commitment to inclusive development, said the chief minister. Jyoti was launched at the face-to-face programme with the chief minister held at Kinfra Convention Centre at Kakkanad, as part of the fourth anniversary of the Pinarayi 2.0 government. The local bodies need to play an important role in ensuring the success of the programme. The teachers of the schools in an area, along with the local bodies need to visit the families of the migrant workers to convince them of the importance of sending their children to the schools, said the chief minister. The launch of Jyoti programme follows the success of similar initiatives by the Left government in recent years. While the Roshni scheme is assisting the children of migrant workers to overcome the language barrier and learn Malayalam, English and Hindi, the Changathi project launched by Kerala Literacy Mission aims to help migrant labourers with enough knowledge of Malayalam. Both projects have seen tremendous response, especially in Ernakulam, which is a key hub for migrant workers in Kerala. Benoy Peter, executive director at Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID), which is working closely with migrant workers at grassroots, welcomed the initiative, pointing out that this opens up multiple benefits for the children of migrant families. When the migrant workers go out from their homes for jobs, the schools are the most safest place for their children, he said. But, its not an easy task to bring the children of migrant workers to school. Under Right to Education Act, there is no need for any document for a child to be enrolled into a school. But, our schools insist of Aadhaar, birth certificate, to enrol a child, to upload into the software, Benoy said. In their native states, the births happen at homes, and they dont have the birth certificates as these are not registered. So enrolment in primary schools and their retention is a big task, he said. There is also the issue of out-of-pocket expenses even for free schooling. Stitching a pair of uniforms will cost around Rs 1,500. Then there is the expenses for school bag, umbrella, books etc. We find that children from families with multiple children, single parent families, particularly women-headed, struggle, said Benoy.

Albicelestes Kerala visit set to run aground over funding

KOCHI: The much-anticipated visit of the Argentina football team, including star player Lionel Messi, to Kerala appears uncertain over failure to mobilise funds for the teams appearance fee. Reports now suggest that the Latin American football giant will instead play friendly matches in China, Angola, and Qatar in October and November this year, casting doubts on Keralas earlier announcement. The proposal, first revealed last November by state Minister for Sports V Abdurahiman, aimed to bring the reigning world champions to play two international friendlies in the state, one of which was to be held in Kochi. However, it appears that delays in arranging finances have affected the project. Initially, the sponsorship was given to a faction of the All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (AKGSMA), which planned to raise the required funds -- around Rs 100 crore -- through sales via their Oloppo app. Of this, Rs 70 crore was reported to be the appearance fee for the team alone. But when this failed to take off, the state government reportedly shifted sponsorship to the Reporter Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd , which owns the Reporter TV news channel. Sources indicate that the deadline to confirm the agreement has passed without meeting the necessary financial commitments. This has likely led to the team exploring other venues for their international fixtures. Further speculation arose after Argentine sports journalist Gastn Edul posted on social media that the national team would be playing two matches in China and one each in Angola and Qatar. Though he mentioned that the schedule was not fully confirmed, the update suggests that Argentinas October window is likely occupied. Back in March, HSBC India, which had partnered with the Argentina football team to promote the sport in India and Singapore, had announced, through an official statement, that the team would travel to India in October 2025. This announcement reinforced public expectations in Kerala, following earlier claims by the state government that the necessary permissions from the Reserve Bank of India and the Union Sports Ministry had been secured. Despite repeated attempts, HSBC India has not responded to queries about the teams schedule. Minister Abdurahiman, when asked about the current status, declined to comment and said the sponsors would provide updates. The sponsors will respond to the queries, he told TNIE recently. The official sponsors also remain unreachable.

CBI takes over probe into Masters Finserv investment scam

KOCHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the probe into the multi-crore Masters Finserv investment scam. The investigation was handed over to the CBI from the Crime Branchs Economic Offences Wing (EOW) following the directions of the Kerala High Court. The CBI registered an FIR on April 20, taking over the probe in 53 cases earlier filed at various police stations across Kochi, Ernakulam Rural, Pathanamthitta, and Palakkad. The main accused is Abin Varghese of Thrikkakara and his wife Srirenjini. The case has been registered under multiple sections of the IPC and the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes (BUDS) Act. According to CBI officials, 41 cases were registered at police stations including Thrikkakara, Palluruthy, Ernakulam South, Maradu, Panangad, Kalamassery, Palarivattom, Ernakulam Central, Ernakulam North, Kadavanthra, Elamakkara, and Infopark. Nine cases fall under the jurisdiction of Ernakulam Rural Police, two at Palakkad, and one at Thiruvalla. CBI officials stated that the agency took over the case due to the large-scale financial losses suffered by investors. Ebin, who previously worked at various share trading firms, established Masters Finserv in Kochi in 2014. He attracted investments from high-profile individuals by promising 24 per cent annual returns, capital guarantees, and the option to reclaim the capital on demand. Initially, the company delivered on its promises, but payments began drying up by 2020. Many investors reportedly lost between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 7 crore each. Police arrested Ebin multiple times in 2023 following a slew of complaints. Separately, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a case against Masters Finserv and Ebin under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) last year. The EDs investigation found that Ebin allegedly cheated investors of Rs 73.9 crore. Subsequently, the ED attached properties worth Rs 30.41 crore, identifying them as proceeds of crime, and filed a chargesheet before the PMLA Court in Kochi.

Cochin cancer centre nearing completion

KOCHI: Ernakulam is taking a major step in cancer care as the construction of the Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC) nears completion. The facility, located in Kalamassery, will be fully ready by May 15, and have all major infrastructure and installations, including an advanced MRI system, in place, said Health Minister Veena George. Works on CT operation theatre, modular operation theatre and other equipment are progressing, she said. Accompanied by Industries Minister P Rajeeve, District Collector N S K Umesh and other key officials, Veena visited the site to review the works. Final permissions including fire and pollution NOCs and drug licences are expected this week. The CCRC is being developed with funds from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), alongside the new Medical College in Kalamassery. The two facilities aim to turn Ernakulam into a major medical hub, said Veena. She said 43 super speciality positions like neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, and cardiac surgery have been filled and modern diagnostic tools including a 256-slice CT scanner will be acquired.

Flat, villa owners decry increase in water tanker delivery rates in Kochi

KOCHI: The Consortium of Flat and Villa Owners Association (CFVOA) has come out against the Ernakulam district collectors unjustified move to allegedly increase delivery rates of water tankers. Drinking water from the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is not available in many locations in the district, and the residents there depend on the water supplied via tankers. The unilateral hike in the delivery rates without any consultation is grounds for protest. The Ernakulam District Drinking Water Transporters Welfare Association (EDDWTWA) had earlier frozen the decision to increase the price by 45% to 55% over the existing rate, the consortium said. The members said following protests, the collector and the deputy collector (disaster management) had held discussions with the parties concerned on several occasions. However, the price hike will now help tanker owners and cause distress to the residents of flat and villa complexes. When the EDDWTWA created a similar crisis in 2019-20, the then district administration had effectively resolved the problem, said a member. The office-bearers of the consortium warned of strong protest if the current unjust rate hike is not immediately withdrawn and a practical decision not taken. However, EDDWTWA secretary Ramachandran said there was no unjust hike in the rates. In reality, the step taken by the district collector led to streamlining of the rates. Earlier, tanker owners charged erratic rates and the same varied from place to place. Now, tankers will have to charge a uniform rate. The rates have not been hiked, he said. The rates we demanded were not agreed upon. Instead, the RTO was directed to fix the charge. It should be considered that the rates have been fixed only for domestic consumers, not for commercial ones, Ramachandran said. Now, for a tanker supplying 2,000 litres of water, the rate is Rs 1,000 per load. For a tanker carrying 6,000 litres, the rate is now Rs 1,200 per load. For 12,000 litres, the charge is Rs 2,600 per load and for higher volumes like 18,000 litres or 20,000 litres and above, the charge is lower. Tanker owners can charge only Rs 170 per litre per load for volume of water above 18,000 litres, he said, adding that this was not the case earlier. I supplied water to areas where I could charge anywhere from Rs 130 per litre to Rs 240 per litre. It varied depending on the area, he said. Ramachandran said in the case of tanker water rates for commercial establishments, which are on the much higher side, the collector has said the charges can be made uniform if the institutions approach him with complaints.

Gap between private bus services in Kerala to be widened to 10 minutes minimum

KOCHI: In the wake of increasing instances of accidents involving private buses due to rash driving, the state government is all set to increase the interval between two services to a minimum of 10 minutes. Private buses are indulging in competitive driving with the gap between two services being 2-3 minutes. As per the advice of the Transport Commissioner and the Road Safety Commission, the gap between two private bus services will be increased to 10 minutes. The move is aimed at reducing mishaps, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar told reporters here. The same will be applicable to buses operating town-to-town services. However, the government is also mulling increasing the interval between two city bus services to five minutes. The measure are being introduced following a study undertaken by the Road Safety Commission based on factors like accidents, deaths and speeding instances. The commission is expected to submit a letter to the government to implement the same in the next few days. The decision will be implemented in a weeks time. Weve temporarily stopped issuing permits as part of implementing this...Even if the bus owners go to court against the decision, we will present the current scenario, especially accident rates involving private buses, before the court. The measure is to save the lives of innocent people, the minister said. According to him, the move to eliminate unhealthy competition will benefit the private bus operators themselves in the long run. Ive consciously taken measures to avoid competition between the private and KSRTC buses. The move saw the collection of both KSRTC and private buses improve. Similarly, when the MVD enforced the setting up of cameras inside private buses, they opposed it at first. However, the bus owners were surprised that the same resulted in an increase in collection amount as the bus crew couldnt indulge in unfair practices like embezzlement, Ganesh Kumar said. The government has already tightened permit cancellation procedures in the wake of a sharp rise in fatal private bus accidents, by granting Regional Transport Authorities (RTA) the power to suspend permits for reckless driving.

Vyttila decongestion plan banks on free left turns

KOCHI: A new traffic arrangement plan, involving creation of free left turns and doing away with the traffic signal, will be implemented to decongest the busy Vyttila junction where serpentine queues of vehicles is a regular affair. On Tuesday evening, a high-level delegation led by Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar visited the busiest junction in the state to study the traffic issue and work out a new plan. The minister was accompanied by Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam, Special Secretary (Transport) P B Nooh, Mayor M Anilkumar, Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya, and officials from the MVD, police, PWD, NHAI, and Kochi corporation, among others. The traffic issue at Vyttila is complicated. Well implement the decongestion plan in two stages. First, well introduce a single-lane traffic flow system in 500-metre sections on the Elamkulam-Vyttila and Thykoodam-Vyttila stretches. This is to facilitate a free left turn for vehicles proceeding to the Palarivattom side from the Elamkulam side, Ganesh Kumar said. Later, portions of the traffic island below the flyover at the junction will be scaled. Thus, vehicles coming from the city and proceeding to the Vyttila Hub or the Tripunithura/Alappuzha side can proceed without any hindrance. Similarly, both sides of the traffic island under the flyover will be chipped off (two metres on each side) to facilitate three-lane traffic towards Palarivattom and Kundannoor from the junction. Currently, only single-lane traffic is possible there. If the size of the traffic island is reduced, buses coming from the city can move to the Vyttila Hub directly. To facilitate the same, permission of the authorities concerned, like the NHAI, will be sought. Funds with the Road Safety Authority will be utilised for the purpose, the minister said. Another key challenge will be to ensure the free flow of vehicles coming out of the hub and proceeding towards the Tripunithura and Kundannoor sides. Earlier, the transport minister had taken the initiative to implement traffic reform experiments successfully at Kalamassery and Edappally. Vyttila has over one lakh passenger car units passing through the junction every day. Heavy congestion is witnessed during peak hours, especially on the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road stretch and the road towards Tripunithura. An urgent solution is needed as the traffic issue is worsening by the day, Vyttila councillor Sunitha Dixon said.

T'puram levels up leisure time with new-gen games

Recreational gaming, the go-to weekend escapade in metro hubs, is now gaining popularity in the capital city as well. From soapy football fields and VR combat zones to high-speed laser tag and paintball arenas, these high-energy activities are reshaping how leisure time is spent. Also, these activities bring together fun, fitness, stress relief, and social bonding in one refreshing package. A growing number of people friends, colleagues, corporate teams are visiting these venues in groups to join in the action. The challenging game of paintball calls many city folks to Paintball County near Infosys. A single flag sits at the centre and two teams, suited up in jackets, vie for the win. The mission is clear to capture the flag and bring it back. But theres one catch. Do it without getting splattered by a storm of paint. Every dash, every dive, every shout pulses with tension. This adrenaline-charged showdown is a regular scene here. Along with the paintball action, the venue offers soapy football, foam parties, rain dance, and cricket nets with a bowling machine. Three friends Hemanth Retnakumar, Sachin Kumar, and Shamji N S with a passion for games, saw a gap in the market for paintball in Thiruvananthapuram. Within 2-3 months of identifying the need, they launched the venture, the only dedicated paintball space in the city. We offer multiple gaming options, but the main event is Capture the Flag, which gives you the feel of a battlefield. It is all about strategy, stealth, and quick reflexes. Paintball has an age limit. We only allow players aged 12 and above, says Hemanth. It was not that easy at first to establish the arena in the city, they say. Paintball was not something popular here at the time. We opened in March last year, and for the first couple of months, business was slow. But now, things are improving. In addition to techies, we now see schoolchildren, families, and medical college students coming in on weekends and holidays, Hemanth shares. Apart from paintball and foam parties, there are archery and table football as complementary activities. For paintball, the cost is Rs 350 per person, with groups of 4-12 people required to play. Soapy Football starts at Rs 900. The Sector 7 Games is a different story. The focus here is on laser tag. Actually, around a year ago, I first thought why Thiruvananthapuram and even Kochi didnt have many recreational options for grown-ups. If you look at Funtura in Lulu Mall, its mainly focused on kids. In other cities like Bengaluru, there are plenty of places for adults. Laser tag, escape rooms, mini go-karting, paintball...,says Govind Ajayakumar, co-owner of Sector7 Games in Kazhakuttam. He shared his concern with his friend Ajesh Anil, who worked in Technopark. Soon, Govind visited several laser tag centres in Bengaluru. The duo launched their gaming centre on March 15. The centre mainly has a game called laser tag. If youre familiar with games like PUBG or Call of Duty, then you know the thrill of battle and strategy. Laser tag brings that experience to life in a real-world setting, he says. The game is on a 1,500-square-foot indoor arena thats air-conditioned and designed like a battlefield. Players wear jackets fitted with sensors on the front and back, and each player is given a gun that emits a signal. When you hit them, the system registers it through Wi-Fi, and you score a point. The game has different modes, including classic team battles and more strategic ones. Hyper grid, another game, is like running through a labyrinth of flashing lights, with every move tracked by sensors that respond to your speed and precision. Its all about moving fast and thinking quickly. The thrill builds as you race to score points and complete challenges, making it a high-stakes, heart-pounding experience that tests both body and mind. Sector7 Games also offers several Virtual Reality games too. Its not all fun and games by the end of a session, youll feel like you just hit the gym, adds Govind. Laser Tag costs Rs 349 for 20 minutes. Hyper Grid, with 10 levels and 3 difficulty modes, is Rs 199 for 15 minutes. Virtual Reality games are Rs 99 for 10 minutes.

'Art of no war': How Kerala artists are using their works as a call for peace

As global tensions mount, nations are at war, and daily bomb blasts, rising death toll and scattered bodies of children become a daily occurrence, a bunch of artists from Kerala has decided to express their anguish in front of the world. The powerful online exhibition titled No War, No Violence, which opened on May 1 on the website of Kochi Arts & Science Space (kartsci.org), addresses various concerns of postmodern, technological warfare. kartsci.org Curated by Vladimir Esaulov, the founding trustee of the KASS Charitable Trust, with commentary by historian Johny M L, the show features 24 Kerala-based artists exploring the human cost of war and the hope for peace through painting, sculpture and digital media. According to the website, the collective was formed through years of dialogue among artists committed to art as active resistance. Several participants, such as Pushkin E H and Sajitha R Shankar, are known for addressing social injustice in their work while emerging voices like Shinod Akkaraparambil offer new perspectives on modern conflict. kartsci.org Curator Esaulov says the exhibition is a chorus of voices saying enough. These artists come from different backgrounds, but they share a commitment to using creativity as a force against destruction. Pushkins works, part of his series Being Humane Is Modernity. Nothing Else, is in solidarity with the people of Palestine. His artistic statement opens with a stark quote from American writer Susan Sontag: War tears, rends. War rips open, eviscerates, war scorches. War dismembers. War ruins. Yet amid the darkness, Pushkin incorporates botanical motifs, hinting at the potential for healing. War is one of the most profitable industries on this planet, he says. Its buyers are the powers of nations, and the result is the suffering of those who simply wish to live in peace. Jalaja P Ss Floating Space offers a poetic reflection on resilience. We are like tiny boats, overloaded with the wreckage of wars, floating on turbulent waters, she writes. But we continue to move forward, carrying fragments of what was lost. At the centre of each of her works are Ambedkar, Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi. They are on a boat, sitting at the centre, people on either side rowing in opposite directions. In a more meditative tone, Shinod Akkaparambils watercolour series Between Scars and Stars: A Journey Through Conflict and Hope captures the dual nature of human experience trauma and hope, despair and renewal. His abstract forms evoke emotional landscapes. Johns Mathew takes a critical look at the machinery behind the brutal battles with his digital artwork titled War. War happens not because people hate each other but because someone profits from it, he writes. My work is a mirror held up to those motives. kartsci.org The exhibition includes works by Anil Thambai, Gopakumar R, Harindran T K, Jalaja P S, Jaysree P G, Johns Mathew, Joshe Joseph, Madhu Venugopalan, Murali Cheeroth, Nijeena Neelambaran, Prasad Kumar K S, Radha Gomaty, Sajitha R Shankar, Santhosh T V, Sasi K K, Shijo Jacob, Sonya Joseph, Sreeja Pallam, Sukesan Kanka, Tensing Joseph, Tom Vattakuzhy, and Wilfred Kocheekkaran. Despite the variety in medium and message, the artists are united by a collective belief that art can confront violence and inspire change. As historian Johny writes in the exhibition note, Art does not stop wars, but it can break the silence that allows them to continue. Every piece here is a refusal to let destruction have the final word.

Meet Divi Bijesh, a rising chess prodigy from Kerala

Divi Bijesh is a nine-year-old chess prodigy from Thiruvananthapuram who sees 10 moves ahead in the geometry of sixty-four squares knows when to castle out of trouble, when a knight belongs on the rim, and when its ready to leap into the fight, when a pawn is just a pawn, and when its the start of a winning plan. She reads the chessboard like a pro, which is why it came as no surprise when she was awarded in January the Woman Candidate Master title by the international chess body FIDE, thus becoming the youngest girl from the state to achieve this distinction. It was my son Devnath Bijesh who first started playing chess. Divi joined in as a companion to him. She was just seven then. When we went for a national competition for my son, we thought of letting her participate too, just to give it a try. It was completely unexpected, she ended up playing in the National Under-7 Girls Championship. At that time, she had only just started training, but still managed to finish as runner-up. That was a real turning point. We realised then that she had a natural talent, and decided to give her professional coaching, says Bijesh S, father of Divi. Divi Bijesh From that moment, she began her journey with the chessboard and pieces, a journey that has since earned her over 60 titles across international, national, and state-level competitions. Recently, Divi brought glory not only to Kerala but to the entire country at the FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships in Rhodes, Greece. Competing in the Under-10 girls category, she outshone her peers in the Rapid format, scoring an impressive 10 out of 11 points to win Indias only gold medal at the tournament. Her success continued with a silver in the Blitz section. Im so happy to be part of the competition and win medals for my country. It was an amazing experience, says Divi with the thrill of achievement. A fourth grader at Alan Feldman Public School in Thiruvananthapuram, Divi juggles her globe-trotting chess career with school life and still manages to stay ahead in class. There are two types of tournaments. The first is the Selection tournaments, which offer no financial rewards, only certificates, and the honour of representing the country. The second type is organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and is open to all players, including Grandmasters. These tournaments measure an individuals talent. Divi Bijesh We have mostly participated in Selection tournaments, but now we are planning to shift our focus to these higher-level tournaments, Bijesh explains. Our next major goal is to compete in the upcoming World Cup in Georgia. I dont really get nervous when I play, says Divi, with the calm of someone far older than nine. I just enjoy it. I watch a lot of chess games online, especially those of Magnus Carlsen. He is my favourite player. Her father, Bijesh, who had a career in IT, made a life-changing decision to support Divis growing passion. He resigned from his job to accompany her to tournaments and has been without a steady income for the past eight months. Its a financially challenging period for us, he admits. At first, we thought it was just about learning the game. But when she started winning golds even at the international level, we didnt want to hold her back. I quit my job to be by her side, but the expenses are overwhelming. Divi Bijesh Divi currently trains under coach Sreejith G S at Master Chess Academy, Manacaud. I have been training Divi since 2022. She is an exceptionally talented child. I would even say she is gifted. What makes her stand out is not just her attacking style but her ability to shift gears when needed. She knows when to play sharp and when to stay solid, adapting to the demands of the game. Thats not something everyone can do. But talent alone is not enough in chess. It also takes hard work and commitment, and Divi has both. Our sessions are two-and-a-half hours offline, and she also attends online classes. Whatever books or problems I give her, she comes back completing everything. The nine-year-old won the national championship in the Under-11 girls category at the tournament held in Hyderabad. That says everything about her ability, Sreejith points out. He further adds, What she really needs now is strong sponsorship support. We have approached the government but havent received a response yet. As her coach, Im also doing what I can on my side. These days, especially after Gukeshs win, many kids are getting into chess. Theres so much talent out there, but most of them lack proper guidance, financial support, or encouragement from schools. In Divis case, shes fortunate. Her parents are as passionate as she is, and her school is very supportive. The only missing piece is financial help. If she gets that, I believe she can scale up to the next level. Like every chess player, Divi dreams of becoming the world champion. Its not just her ultimate goal, but also the dream of her father Bijesh and mother Prabha, who works at a private firm. While they know there are many steps ahead, they are all determined to see her reach that dream one day.

An Ernakulam suburb that traces its name to Tipus invasion

Located in North Paravoor, where narrow roads lead to sleepy little junctions and the backwaters that never seem far away, Vedimara is more than just a dot on the map. The place name carries some firepower. It is a name that makes people pause, chuckle, speculate, and, sometimes, reflect. Ask local residents where the name comes from, and you are likely to hear a story. Or five. Vedimara municipal councillor Jahangir T Y starts off with an amusing tale. I hail from the Rowther Muslim community. There were just five to ten Rowther families living here at one time, he says. Our elders say the name Vedimara came from an action-packed moment that no one from their generation could forget. Once some of them were playing cards near the waterbody behind the Panikkarachans temple. On spotting a police patrol team, the men ran helter-skelter. In panic, one of the men fastened a rope around his waist and jumped into the water. The story goes that an officer shot the rope with his revolver, and the man was forced to come up. So the name evolved from gunshot (vedi) and hiding (mara). Jahangir adds that the Vedimara junction looks almost the same, but life around it has changed completely. Things were tough back then, he adds. People had no means, there was little education. But today, we have 24/7 transport, well-settled families, and students aiming high. Not everyone gives the name as much weight as Jahangir. I always thought it had something to do with fireworks, smiles Reshma Salim, who runs a tailoring shop near the main road. Maybe our place was once known for festivals and celebrations. Bijoy Thomas, a school bus driver, offers a more straightforward take. Vedi means gunshot. Mara could mean something that hides or covers, he says. So maybe it was a place where people took cover from firing? Perhaps there is some link to some old war. Another oldtimer, Sulekha, a fish vendor, says she grew up in the area but never thought about the name. But when someone asks, one does start to wonder why Vedimara and not something else? she smiles. Let me know if you get to know. Francis Joseph, who has lived in Vedimara for over five decades, echoes Bijoys view. Older folks used to say there was once a raised sandy area here maybe a small hill or dune, he says. Could be that it had something to do with hiding or taking cover. The name always felt like it hinted at some danger or urgency. The most credible theory, however, comes from Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram president P Prakash, whose book Kochiyile Sthalanamangalude Charithram offers interesting nuggets about place names in the city. Bijoy and Francis were right. According to Prakash, the name Vedimara traces back to Tipu Sultans invasion in 1790. It unfolded over three months in this region. This place witnessed heavy cannonfire, he notes, adding how the Travancore forces resisted the raids. It was said to be one of the most fatal zones, with cannon fire causing numerous casualties. The dead were buried here. In those days, a small hill existed in the area a sand mound that rose naturally as if to protect the soldiers under attack. Many cannon balls were excavated from the area later. Thus, it was that mound, which was later flattened, that led to the name Vedimara. Well, from Tipus cannon to the police revolver, Vedimara has a story at every corner. While the truth behind the name may have got buried with time, the echoes refuse to fade.

Steps will be taken to prevent reckless driving: Minister

Excise arrests filmmaker Sameer Thahir in hybrid ganja case, gets bail

KOCHI: Filmmaker Sameer Thahir was booked and later released on station bail, in connection with the hybrid ganja case, which involved directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, on Monday. Sameer was arrested by the Excise Department after a three-hour-long interrogation. Khalid, Ashraf, and one of their companions, Shalif Muhammed, were apprehended with 1.5 grams of cannabis from Purva Grandbay apartments in Kochi, around 3 am on April 27. We interrogated Sameer using both a prepared set of questions and follow-ups based on context. He stated he was unaware that Khalid and Ashraf were using drugs. He admitted that he visited the flat which was rented in his name, around noon that day, and at the time, only Ashraf was present and he left by the evening, said an officer from the probe team who requested anonymity. The officer added that Sameer was booked under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, specifically for allowing premises to be used for the commission of an offence.

Keralas skill development initiative gives job aspirants a STAR-rating

KOCHI: What next? That was a question many students from economically backward families or those lacking job-specific skills faced. High fees would make additional courses in private institutions near impossible to take. But the stars of good fortune are now shining bright for such students. Enter STARS (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States). Under the central scheme, Kerala has launched an initiative that will see the setting up of 210 Skill Development Centres (SDC) in the state. These centres will become functional in the second week of May. Another plus is the placement facilities available. Rajalakshmi D, who passed Class 10, is a beneficiary of the STARS Skill Development Course. For students like me, who come from financially weak families, centres like SDC offering free courses that equip you with specific skills making you employable is a blessing, Rajalakshmi tells TNIE . She is one of around 700 students in the pilot batch to benefit from tailor-made courses started in 2024. I joined the fitness trainer course at the SDC at GVHSS, Kunjathur, in Kasaragod district. The training, theoretical and on-the-job, there made me employable. And the result is there for everyone to see. I got placed with a top fitness centre in Kanhangad, Rajalakshmi says. The programme is being implemented by the general education department in association with the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) to equip students up to the higher secondary level with skills that will enable them to get employed in fields they have an aptitude for. Elaborating on the initiative, an SSK official says, In the pilot phase, one centre each was launched in all 14 districts of the state. Each centre had a batch of 50 students. Forty percent of the 700 students have been placed in various sectors. Following up on the success of the pilot initiative, the state government decided to expand the project. The centres offer 29 courses, including plant tissue culture, GST assistant, assistant robotics technician, drone service technician, electric vehicle service technician, hydroponics, and AI devices installation or operator. All courses have been tailor-made to suit the demands of the job market. Anybody between the ages of 15 and 23 who has passed Class 10 can apply for the courses, the official said. Another beneficiary of the STARS SDC project is Sreejith A, a diploma holder in electronic engineering. I did two diploma courses after completing Plus Two. After learning about the SDC courses, I decided to do the electric vehicle service technician course. As soon as I finished it, I got a job offer from OLA. I found the teaching style, and even the courses at the centre, very professional, he says.