Easy money, peasy trouble: How Kerala youths fall prey to 'mule' scams

It is not uncommon these days to find college students and young professionals turning to part-time and online jobs for making a quick buck. The worrisome part is that some of them get lured into traps laid by cybercriminals seeking to exploit this trend. Fraudsters lure individuals into fraudulent schemes that misuse the victims bank and UPI accounts for illegal activities. They disguise themselves as job providers on social media, offering attractive commissions for simple tasks. Once victims share their banking and UPI details, their accounts are used to funnel illicit money. We call them mule accounts, a police officer explains. Those who unknowingly participate not only risk losing their funds but may also face serious legal consequences. Cyber experts in Kochi warn that this is not just financial fraud it can be part of a larger criminal network, and can lead to grave offences. People have to be wary of offers or schemes that sound too good to be true, says an officer. Kerala South Zone IG S Syamsundar says he received at least 10 scam calls over the past couple of months How it works Explaining the modus operandi of this new fraud, a top police officer says the fraudsters typically approach victims through social media ads or direct inquiries, offering lucrative part-time or online jobs with attractive pay/commissions. However, they rarely provide clear details about the work. Sometimes, they weave convincing stories, such as needing staff for share trading or marketing transactions. Once they gain the victims trust, they demand personal bank and UPI account details. The scam involves transferring large sums of money into the victims account and instructing them to send it to designated accounts while deducting a commission. Tempted by seemingly easy income, many victims comply without questioning the legality of these transactions, the officer notes. Young individuals often fall into these traps, sometimes unknowingly becoming part of fraudulent networks. Many might be unaware of the illegal activities they are aiding. All such cyber frauds share a common red flag demands to transfer money into private accounts. This is often the first sign of a scam, says South Zone IG S Syamsundar. The scammers select their prey randomly, either by collecting details from various sources or by tricking victims into sharing their own information. Syamsundar tells TNIE that he himself received at least 10 such calls over the past couple of months. He adds that many youths fall into such traps despite knowing the risks and the actual purpose behind these transactions. Fraudsters often target individuals with lower incomes, who are more likely to fall for such schemes, he says. The ease of opening bank accounts has also contributed to this issue. Fraudsters exploit this by creating accounts using fake documents and operating them for a short period before abandoning them when KYC (Know Your Customer) verification becomes due. Some bank managers allegedly facilitate these frauds. We are closely monitoring their involvement, says Syamsundar. A social issue Cyber security expert Nandakishore Harikumar believes such frauds should be viewed as a social issue. Many young people jump into scams, driven by an attitude of making easy money without concern for legality, he says. They justify their involvement as minor compared with other scams because of the relatively small amounts of money involved. He also points out the role of social media, through which several dubious schemes are promoted. There have to be stricter regulations and monitoring, he says. Frauds will continue to pop up in various new, creative forms. Nandakishore says its worrisome to note that people are willing to share their bank account details or provide SIM cards to anonymous persons for cryptocurrency exchanges or small commissions. Engaging in fraudulent online activities that may not appear serious at the surface level could eventually lead to even non-bailable offences or charges under the National Security Act, he notes. Our financial intelligence units are highly capable of flagging suspicious accounts and tracking transactions. Young people must be aware of these risks and avoid such schemes. Links to drug use Law enforcement authorities also express concerns that the easy money schemes could be fuelling drug use among the youth. Most often, those involved in scams related to mule accounts initially receive a significant amount of money for handing over control of their bank accounts, says Assistant Commissioner (Cyber Crime) M K Murali. As they continue, they get comparatively smaller amounts, ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, for further involvement. If this easy money reaches school and college students, there is a high risk that it might be used for drug consumption or other illegal activities, Murali notes. Scamsters not only tempt individuals with financial gains but also push them to recruit more people into the system, turning them into active participants in fraudulent networks. The final warning that officers as well as experts share: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is fake. Easy money doesnt come that easy.

Mani gave a human touch to legislation, says Governor

Ernakulam consumer panel orders water treatment plant supplier to pay compensation

Flash strike at IOCs bottling plant hits supply of LPG cylinders

The supply of LPG cylinders to Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts was disrupted following the flash strike

Illegal boards, flags in public places: Kerala HC expresses concern over inaction by State

Court says it has received nearly 200 complaints from individuals in Kollam, which was now filled with boards and flags on streets and other public areas

Power usage at market complex: Kochi Corporation Council may have to take a call on footing bill

Disconnection of power supply brings to light unresolved issues in the operation and maintenance of the market complex

Kerala HC expresses concern over rise in drug-related cases in State

Court upholds cancellation of bail of an accused in a narcotics case who was arrested again in a similar case

Elephant that ran amok at Edakochi banned from parading for 15 days

A team of three veterinary doctors, including one from the Social Forestry department, will be constituted to examine whether the elephant is fit to be paraded

Future Generali India Insurance opens first all womens branch in Kochi

Asked why Kochi has been chosen the first city, Rau said Kerala has a history of enlightenment when it comes to diversity and gender access. Women here are highly educated and their participation rate is lower

HC seeks explanation from Thiruvambady Devaswom

Devaswom accused of allegedly collecting deposits from people against promissory notes and operating like a non-banking financial institution

ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City Need A Point To Qualify For Top 6 Against Kerala Blasters FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant: Mumbai City FC will play Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Friday. The Islanders need just a point to qualify for the playoffs as they are tied on 33 points with the sixth-placed Odisha FC. However, the Juggernauts have finished their league run whereas Mumbai City FC still have two matches in hand. Kerala Blasters FC are out of that contention, placed ninth with 25 points from 22 encounters. Mumbai City FC had beaten Kerala Blasters FC by 4-2 in the reverse fixture back in November, and are eyeing their 24th league double in ISL history levelling FC Goa for doing so the most number of times in the competition. Kerala Blasters FC have given away 36 goals this season, matching their highest tally in a single ISL campaign (2020-21). They have also let in 34 goals against Mumbai City FC, with only FC Goa (50) netting more past them. Despite their defensive issues, Kerala Blasters FC have found the back of the net 31 times this season. They have only improved this tally in two previous campaigns, 2021-22 (37 goals) and 2023-24 (33 goals), showing that they will want to blend defensive organisation with similar offensive consistency in the remaining games. The Islanders are unbeaten in their last eight away games (W4 D4) and have a chance to equal their longest such streak on the road (9 games from October 2022 to February 2023). Mumbai City FC average 14.5 shots per game, the third highest in ISL 2024-25 (behind NorthEast United FC 16.2 and Mohun Bagan Super Giant 15.5). However, their shot conversion rate stands at just 8.5 per cent, the third lowest this season, which reflects in them being the fourth-least scoring (27) team in the competition. The two sides have played 21 games, with Mumbai City FC winning on 10 instances and Kerala Blasters FC emerging victorious five times. Six games have produced draws. Kerala Blasters FC interim head coach TG Purushothaman maintained that he wants his side to sign off positively from the season. I want to approach these games in a good manner. We will have to give in our best efforts, he said. Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky said that he is optimistic about his team moving forward. I want to approach these games in a good manner. We will have to give in our best efforts, he said. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

ED raids SDPI offices at two locations in Kerala

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided two Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) offices in Kerala on Thursday as part of a nationwide search operation. The raids took place at SDPI offices in Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram. According to sources, ED officials from New Delhi and Chennai conducted the raid, with assistance from the ED Kochi unit. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel provided security for the raiding team. ED has seized several registers, booklets, and bank documents following the search, which started at around 9 am. The search will continue on Friday. ED has been conducting searches at SDPI offices in 14 locations across 10 states since the morning. The search was conducted following the arrest of SDPI national president MK Faizy earlier in the week. ED New Delhi filed a case against Faizy under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2023. The allegation is that SDPI received funds from the Popular Front of India (PFI) from within India and abroad via illegal channels. These funds were used for various political activities. The Union government has already imposed a ban on PFI for allegedly engaging in anti-national activities. Even though it was claimed that SDPI is a political wing of PFI, the party leadership denied any links between the two entities. ED raids Social Democratic Party of India office in Jharkhand's Pakur

Three teachers suspended in connection with alleged ragging incident on school campus in Kochi

Department of General Education, Kerala, has also transferred another teacher on the basis of an inquiry ordered by the Deputy Director of Education, Ernakulam

Five students booked for assault on Class 10 boy in Kochi school washroom

The assault at a private school has left the boy with a broken nose and multiple damaged teeth

Anti-drug drive in schools, higher educational institutions across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid rising cases of substance abuse among students, separate anti-drug campaigns are being planned in higher educational institutions and schools across the state. While the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD) under the Higher Education Department has planned a campaign named Snehathon, CBSE schools across the state will join hands to implement an initiative named PRAJNA, focused on anti-drug awareness, prevention, and empowerment. Higher Education Minister R Bindu told reporters here on Wednesday that IHRDs campaign has been named Snehathon as it plans to spread the message of love in the wake of violent tendencies among the youth, mostly fuelled by substance abuse. As part of Snehathon, 88 institutions under IHRD will organise various programmes on Friday (March 9) that also includes a mass run named Run Away from Drugs. The mass run will be flagged off by the higher education minister in Kollam. The run, planned at 7.30 am on Friday, will be attended by people from various sections of society. IHRD students will join hands to create a symbolic Snehamathil (wall of love). This will be followed by a public meeting to create awareness against substance abuse in which prominent personalities from various fields will interact with the students. Meanwhile, the official launch of PRAJNA will take place during the Council of CBSE Schools Keralas (CSSK) state convention, scheduled for the first week of April in Kochi. Governor Rajendra Arlekar, who has extended wholehearted support for the campaign, will formally announce the initiative during the event. In line with the governors recommendations, the preliminary framework of the project was formally handed over to him by Indira Rajan, secretary general of the National Council of CBSE Schools, along with CCSK state general secretary Suchitra Shaijinth. PRAJNA would rely on strong collaboration between CBSE schools, the general public, legal experts, and government departments, ensuring a collective approach towards creating a safe and disciplined learning environment, Indira Rajan said. With participation from 1,500 CBSE-affiliated schools, the initiative is set to reach over 3 million students, along with teachers, non-teaching staff, parents, and school management teams working in unison to implement the programme. PRAJNA will be launched with the active participation of teachers, parents, students, and management. Collaboration with law enforcement, mental health professionals, and social workers will be ensured. PRAJNA - The approach Holistic and phased implementation from lower grades to senior students. Regular monitoring and assessment of the project to track progress and impact Integration of the campaign into existing academic and co-curricular frameworks

Six arrested in Aluva drug bust

KOCHI: The police nabbed six persons, including two women, with 4kg of cannabis and 855g of hashish oil in a major drug bust in Aluva on Wednesday. The arrests were made as part of Operation Clean, an extensive anti-drug drive progressing in Ernakulam Rural district. According to the police, the first arrest was made on Tuesday night, at Pump Junction, Aluva, where officers apprehended Mamata Digil, 28, a native of Odisha, with 4kg of cannabis. Further inspection led to an early morning raid near the Aluva railway station, where five more suspects were caught with a bag containing 1kg of hashish oil. The others arrested are Odisha natives Shiva Gowda, 29, Kulder Rana, 55, and his wife Moina Rana, 35, and their associates Santosh Kumar, 32, and Ram Babu Soona, 32. The suspects were apprehended while transporting drugs from Odisha via train. They sell cannabis in Kerala at Rs 25,000 per kilogram before returning on the next available train. To avoid suspicion, they posed as a family. Shiva Gowda was identified as the leader of the group. The seized hashish oil is valued at approximately Rs 25 lakh per kilogram, the police said. The operation was carried out by the Aluva police and the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force team.

Motor vehicle inspector in Kozhikode booked for amassing disproportionate wealth

KOCHI: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has registered a case against a motor vehicle inspector (MVI) for allegedly acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The VACB Ernakulam special cell filed a case on Wednesday against S P Biju Mon, a resident of Kaloor and MVI at the Koduvally Sub RTO in Kozhikode. He previously served as a regional inspector at the Ernakulam Transport Office. The case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. An official statement said a preliminary inquiry revealed that Biju had allegedly amassed assets worth approximately Rs 1.69 crore, including four flats valued around Rs 1.5 crore in Ernakulam and surrounding areas, during his tenure as MVI. Of this, assets worth Rs 61.33 lakh were found to be beyond his income. Following these findings, the VACB conducted raids on March 5 at his residence in Kaloor, his temporary accommodation at Koduvally, Kozhikode, and his ancestral house at Kavalam in Alappuzha. The searches were carried out under the directive of VACB police superintendent P A Mohammed Arif. During the inspections, officials seized 66 documents related to the alleged illegal accumulation of wealth.

Over 1k streetlights to come up on Container Road to reduce accidents

KOCHI: In what could significantly reduce accidents on the Container Road, the 17.12km stretch connecting Kalamassery with the Vallarpadam International Containership Terminal will soon be lit up with 1,106 streetlights. Having finished setting up lamp posts, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started providing live power connections, as part of implementing a Rs 100-crore project aimed at giving a major makeover to the accident-prone Container Road. The installation of streetlights will be completed by the end of this month and the entire stretch lit up. Weve almost finished the retarring of the road, including the service roads, and also started the signage marking from the Vallarpadam side. Reflectors are also being placed on either side of the road, a top NHAI official told TNIE. Earlier, the Kerala High Court had asked the state government to take measures to make the stretch safer for traffic after a spate of fatal mishaps were reported. The main issues identified then were illegal parking of container lorries on the roadside and an absence of streetlights. The court ordered an immediate removal of all encroachments and placed restriction on the parking of trucks on the road. The NHAI had come under fire for failing to provide essential infrastructure on the stretch despite collecting a hefty toll. A number of accidents occurred when motorists ram haphazardly parked container lorries at night in the absence of streetlights. Also, there were instances when miscreants dumped truckloads of garbage on the roadside and the surrounding water bodies. All 11 bridges on the stretch are being strengthened for a smooth flow of traffic by raising the deck. The work also includes replacement of bearings and expansion joints, repairing of cracks/damage, and relaying of the approach roads. The work has entered the final phase, the official added. The work on the project had commenced last April. This is the first major strengthening and improvement work since the highway corridor was commissioned in 2015.

Conclave to revamp coir, handloom and cashew industries

KOCHI: The industries department will host a conclave to revitalise Keralas traditional industries coir, handloom, and cashew. The event aims to address existing challenges in these sectors and develop projects focused on innovation and modernisation. Future initiatives will be based on recommendations from the expert committee appointed by the government. Industries Minister P Rajeeve said that the conclave would take a decisive step towards the future growth of these sectors. As part of the initiative, three separate conclaves will be held in different locations across the state, followed by a joint conclave in Alappuzha in April. The first phase will include a coir conclave in Alappuzha, a cashew sector conclave in Kollam, and a handloom conclave in Kannur. After this, a joint conclave will be held in Alappuzha in the last week of April, the minister said. The conclave will feature participation from experts and officials from three sectors, major institutions like the National Institute of Fashion Technology, industrialists, exporters, trade unions, entrepreneurs, and research institutions. Representatives from marketing and online sales platforms, including Walmart, will also attend. Based on the recommendations of the expert committees appointed by the government, innovation plans are being formulated in each sector. The minister said the conclave organised in this regard will formulate plans to overcome the challenges of the traditional sector.

Ayyankuzhi industrial region uninhabitable, finds PCB study

KOCHI: A Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) study has deemed the Ayyankuzhi industrial region, near Ambalamedu, uninhabitable because of severe pollution. The PCB said so in a report submitted to the Kerala High Court after a 30-day study, according to District Collector N S K Umesh. The HC had earlier ordered the state PCB to submit a comprehensive report on the situation at Ayyankuzhi. The report was submitted on January 25. The district administration has also submitted a report in which we agree to the PCB findings. The HC will make further decisions based on the report, Umesh told reporters on Wednesday. The findings mean that over 44 families currently residing on nine acres in the region will soon have to be rehabilitated. Pollution has been a major concern for the residents of Ayyankuzhi, with major industries located in Ambalamedu. The PCB report stated: The results of continuous air quality monitoring in the area indicate that the concentrations of particulate matter, specifically PM 2.5, exceed the permissible limits multiple times. The higher level of PM 2.5 may contribute to the health issues of residents. Noise level-monitoring results also indicate values above the permissible limits, both during the day and at night. Continuous exposure to higher noise levels during the night may negatively affect the overall health of the residents. The water quality from the wells in the Ayyankuzhi area indicates exceeding levels of pH, turbidity, phenolic compounds which do not meet potable standards. It is respectfully submitted that in view of the above, the air quality, noise levels, and well water quality in the area do not lie within the desirable standards for residential purpose, the report said. According to a medical camp conducted by the Ernakulam district medical office in the region in 2023, health issues like dyspnea on exertion, cough, nasal allergy, recurrent respiratory infections, chest heaviness, and fatigue were the common ailments detected among the residents. Many residents in the region are reported to be suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Though the report had come nearly two months ago, no action has been taken by either the government or the industries regarding the issue. People continue to live in the region, exposing themselves to a harmful environment, said social activist Promod Lukose. He said only the Ayyankuzhi pollution is being addressed now. The plight of residents in Ambalamugal, Adoorkara, and other nearby pockets is not too different. That too should be given serous consideration, added Promod, who is also the president of the Ambalamugal South West Residents Association. Higher level of PM 2.5 Findings mean that over 44 families currently residing on nine acres in the region will soon have to be rehabilitated The concentrations of particulate matter, specifically PM 2.5, exceed the permissible limits multiple times Noise level-monitoring results also indicate values above the permissible limits both during the day and at night

Kerala Film Chamber to hold talks with ministers

KOCHI: Kerala Film Chamber and the film bodies on Wednesday decided to hold a discussion with the state government and put on hold the strike planned from June 1. The decision comes following the meeting between the Minister for Cultural Affairs, Saji Cherian, and the general secretary of the Kerala Film Chamber, Saji Nanthyatt. The cultural minister has invited representatives of the film bodies to discuss the issues in the industry. The interventions of multiple government-level departments, including the local self-government, finance, cultural affairs, and KSEB are required to solve the issue. So, the chamber has sent a letter to the CM and the minister for cultural affairs to hold a meeting before March 15, he said. The chamber has been demanding a relaxation in entertainment tax and other subsidies from the state government. If the meeting is not held before March 15 or fails to find a solution for the current issues, the chamber will go ahead with the indefinite strike, shutting down the industry from June 1. We have also given notices to the theatres to take permission from the chamber to release films after June 1, he added. Meanwhile, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), earlier in an official statement, announced that the actors association will not support the cinema strike announced by the Kerala Film Producers Association. The meeting held in Kochi was attended by the representatives of Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA), the Kerala Film Distributors Association, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), and the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEOUK). In protest against loss, film bodies in Kerala announce strike from June 1

Lakeside waterlogging: High-level meet decides to take up Vembanad desilting

KOCHI: An online meeting convened by Industries Minister P Rajeeve to discuss severe waterlogging along the banks of the Vembanad in Ernakulam district has decided to expedite steps to remove silt and sediment accumulated on the lake bed. TNIE had highlighted the trials and tribulations of lakeside communities in a report on Wednesday. The meeting, attended by elected representatives and top officials, decided to implement short-term and long-term projects to avoid waterlogging. The local self-government department joint director will ensure availability of funds from panchayats. Rajeeve will hold discussions with the Cochin Port Authority on conducting dredging operations to remove the silt and sediment. The government will urge port authorities to start dredging in the notified areas immediately. Talks will be held with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on utilising the dredged sand for its projects. The possibility of using the sand to develop an artificial beach in Chellanam will also be explored. The meeting also decided to highlight the waterlogging as a fallout of climate change and seek assistance from the Centre. The irrigation department has been directed to avail `5 crore and complete installation of sluice gates to control water ingress from Vembanad Lake. The minister directed officials to present project proposals for installation of sluice gates to the disaster management authority within 10 days. The district administration will coordinate the departments of disaster management, fisheries, irrigation, local self government, the Goshree Island Development Authority and water authority to mitigate the impact of waterlogging. Steps will be taken to provide compensation for houses of riparian residents damaged from waterlogging. Tahsildars and village officers will be responsible for identification of beneficiaries. The meeting also decided to consider the Kerala Disaster Management Authoritys proposal to conduct an hydraulic study of the riparian habitat. District collector N S K Umesh said medical camps will be held in affected local-body areas considering the pollution of water sources due to saline water ingress. A proposal will be submitted to the government to consider the families affected by the Punargeham project for rehabilitation. The irrigation department said a proposal has been submitted to split the Rs 4.85 crore project for construction of a retaining wall and two sluice gates into three projects.

Walayar sisters parents named accused in three more cases

KOCHI: The CBI on Wednesday arraigned the parents of Walayar sisters in three more cases for abetting the minors sexual abuse and alleged suicide. Earlier, CBI had arraigned the parents- mother and stepfather in six cases. The central agency on Wednesday filed a report before the CBI Court in Kochi for arraigning parents as accused. These cases were earlier closed following the deaths of Pradeep Kumar, a close associate of the parents, and Madhu M alias Kutty Madhu, a cousin of the victims. However, CBI in its investigation found that the parents of the victims abetted sexual harassment and suicide in these cases also. Thus the parents are now accused in nine cases. CBI probe found that the couple played an active role in abetting and facilitating the crime, as well as engaging in wilful negligence as parents - offences punishable under relevant sections of the IPC, POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. CBI also filed petitions seeking further investigation in these three cases. Considering the petition, the court permitted the CBI to conduct further investigation into one case in which Kutty Madhu is accused. The decision on allowing further investigation in the remaining two cases will be taken on March 25. After further investigation, the CBI will file chargesheets in these cases. Meanwhile, CBI has also filed a report in the court to arraign parents of the victims as accused in two cases involving an under-aged accused. These cases are currently under consideration by the Juvenile Justice Board, Palakkad.

ED files final complaint in NH case

When kidnap victim turned out to be a glittering fraud

This one might seem like a film script: a routine police probe into an abduction case in Aluva unexpectedly uncovers a web of financial fraud spanning several states. The victim here, initially believed to be the kidnapping target, eventually turned out to be a wanted fraudster involved in cheating cases across Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The case came to light on January 26, when Sashi, a 63-year-old lottery vendor from Kurumassery, witnessed a disturbing scene near the Aluva District Hospital. A seven-member gang was seen attempting to shove two men into separate cars. Amidst the melee, one person managed to escape, while the other was forcefully taken into a blue-coloured vehicle. Sashi dialled 112, alerting the police. Within minutes, the alert was relayed to the Aluva police station, and the officers of Ernakulam rural police chief and the district range DIGs office. We contacted the witness and rushed to the scene. An FIR was registered, and the alert was sent to all nearby police stations, a senior officer says. District rural police chief Vaibhav Saxena swiftly formed two teams to identify the vehicles and suspects. One team was sent to the hospital area where the incident took place. Another one was sent to conduct checks in isolated places near Aluva, says an officer, who was part of the probe. While scanning the area where the abduction had occurred, we found an abandoned bag containing some replica ornaments. We then checked for CCTV cameras and spotted one just opposite the road where the abduction took place. By noon, the police identified the registration number of the blue car. Efforts to contact its owner were unsuccessful, prompting officers to track the associated phone number. Details of the vehicle were shared with all nearby police stations, leading to a breakthrough within hours. By 1pm, a police team intercepted the car in Uliyannoor, followed shortly by the second vehicle. Seven men were arrested: Althaf Azeez, Adil Azeez, Hydrose, Fasil, Muhammad Amal, Muhammad Arif Khan, and Shijo Jose, all from Aluva and nearby areas. The police also rescued the victim, Gommaya, a Karnataka native. When officers checked Althafs mobile phone records, they discovered he had contacted Gommayas father and demanded Rs 5 lakh as ransom. It was also found that one of the accused had contacted a police officer at another station, who, unaware of the case, directed Althaf to present Gommaya in that station. As the investigation progressed, a shocking revelation emerged. Althaf claimed that he came in contact with Gommaya in December 2024. Gommaya told him that while digging his land, a large chunk of gold was recovered. He was ready to sell it at a meagre price, says the officer. Althaf purchased the gold for Rs 3 lakh, but later realised that the metal was brass. When he demanded his money back, Gommaya refused. Althaf and his friends devised a plan to lure Gommaya to Aluva. As part of the plan, one of Althafs friends contacted Gommaya, expressing interest in purchasing gold. They decided to meet at the Aluva railway station. Upon arrival, Gommaya and his friend were picked up by Althafs friend and dropped near the district hospital, where the rest of the gang was waiting. The twist in the tale came when the police did a background check on Gommaya. We discovered that he was wanted in cheating cases in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, says Aluva Station House Officer M M Manjudas. We contacted the Karnataka police and found that an arrest warrant was pending against him. He had duped several people with fake gold. The next day, Karnataka officers arrived in Aluva and arrested Gommaya. He has been remanded in judicial custody. Althaf and his friends were also remanded, but later released on bail. Instead of resorting to abduction or similar retaliatory action, they should have reported the fraud to the police, says Manjudas. He notes that these types of scams are becoming increasingly common. People should understand that no one would sell gold at a dirt-cheap price. Financial frauds not just cybercrimes are also on the rise, Manjudas cautions.

German band sways Kerala with historic European folk music

Recently, Kochi was witness to a rare feat. The Playfords, a band that works with German folk tunes and dances, mesmerised the Kerala audience with several old tunes that transport one to a bygone era. With the music that made a population stand up and dance, church hyms from forgotten times, all mixed with modern elements and interpretations, The Playfords opened up a new world in front of Malayalis. The performance was even more special as they collaborated with veena artist Arunitha Mohan. The Playfords is now on an India tour arranged by the Goethe Institut. With Bjrn Werner on vocals, Annegret Fischer (Anna) on recorders, Claudia Mende on baroque violin, Benjamin Dreler on viola da gamba, Nora Thiele playing percussion, and Erik Warkenthin on baroque guitar, lute, and chitarrone, the ensemble is travelling with their peppy, dance tunes. TNIE caught up with the band for a free-wheeling chat from their inception to their love for the old-world tunes and dances. Excerpts: How did The Playfords start? Anna: It was 24 years ago. Eric and I studied at the music college in Weimar, Germany. And we were part of a project on early music on John Playfords (17th century English publisher and composer) The Dancing Master. It had 500 old tunes. and we experimented with those tunes. Our first performance was in a castle. There, someone came asking whether they could book us for a performance. For that, we needed to have a band first (laughs). And that evening, we found the band, The Playfords. This combination of Eric, Benjamin, Nora, Bjorn, and me started playing together exactly 20 years ago. The Playfords performing in Kerala with Veena artist Arunitha Mohan And how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before? Bjorn: I would say we take traditional songs and old tunes, and make our own arrangements. We find the feeling of these tunes and try to adjust them to the contemporary times. Then, we combine the old music with the modern. The style is called early music and folk music. Its like the music for dancing, celebrations and being happy. But we also like to arrange serious songs to relax and go deep within searching for the meaning. Ultimately, we like to mix different styles from different centuries and cultures. For example, now we have the opportunity to get into the Indian style of music and to find inspiration to create more. Anna: Even in Germany its difficult to explain. Because people think we are classical musicians, but we are not. We call ourselves a band because we arrange and we improvise. So improvisation is a big part of our music. But people have to listen to us to get to know what we do. Could you walk us through your creative process? Anna: Well, sometimes it depends on the programme. Say an event for the Thirty Years War of Germany (1618 to 1648). We will select music for that. And there was this big Luther Reformation jubilee 500 years of the division of the church into Catholic and Protestant. So we made a programme on Luther (Martin Luther) songs. The process is we meet a lot, we try a lot, and we put some in the bin. Bjorn: Its chaotic. We dont have a leader, so everyone can say what they want. And thats a big problem (laughs). We discuss a lot, and sometimes we are only discussing. However, its a very creative way of finding a good solution. How do you feel about performing in Kerala? Bjorn: Its very amazing to play our music in India because its a completely different area and culture. Here, I cant sing like in Germany. We were at a dancing festival in Thiruvananthapuram, and I saw Indian dance (Bharatnatyam). Its a combination of acting and dancing. And it was inspiring also for my singing. When I sing now, I always think about this dance. Anna: Also, I wonder how Indian people will feel when they listen to our music. Because its a rare genre even in Europe. What we do is very niche its a quite small scene. I sometimes think early music is more connected to pop, modern music than to classical music. So if you listen to a lot of pop music, I think you can find elements in the early music. Benjamin: We started from Germany, where the weather was at minus 10 degrees. Here, its 35 degrees. And in our concert, we have some songs like Alas, or Cold Winter. What will Indian people imagine when we sing about the cold winter? We are a little bit unsure, but lets see. Are you planning to use Indian classical music in future? Both are very different. Indian music has several elements and its a little difficult to match with the slow and old tunes that we use. However, its also easy to blend because both have string instruments. Here you have veena, a beautiful string instrument. I have noticed you guys take inspiration from Renaissance music. If you could perform with any artist, who would it be? Anna: I would say, Sting. I have liked him since I was young and he has also worked with early music, lute songs. Bjorn: For me, its Gnter Uecker or maybe Anselm Kiefer. They are German contemporary sculptors and painters. Benjamin: I would like to play with Anushka Shankar, and theres an artist who works with Sephardic music from Israel, so she too. I would also like to play together with Nora Jones and Diabelli, who is a composer. We can show the popular music from today is really ancient music. The base of todays music is old music. Whats the most unique or interesting way that you have experimented with old music? Anna: There was a concert, where we played lute music with electric guitar. Nora played the harpsichord and synthesisers. We did a mixture of John Dowland, a very famous composer from England who lived in Copenhagen in the 17th century. We did some electric beats and bass with his music. So, I think that was the most innovative thing so far. What was your most memorable or favourite performance? Anna: Belarus, it was a very nice trip for us. We were invited by the Goethe Institute. Also, in Leipzig. Theres a famous concert hall where we played in the beginning. It was the town of Johann Sebastian Bach, and I think, the hall existed even during Bachs time. Then, we founded a little festival at our place in Weimar. Its already in its 12th edition. We also have a little society that supports us. It is a big party with dance sessions, where a dance master instructs people on what to do. Its very special for us. The Playfords If you could give advice to musicians who want to start into classical music, what advice would you give? Bjorn: Play what you want.The most important thing is dont play so much alone. Look for people to work together. Look around and be inspired while playing with other people. Thats very important. And find your own words, your own music. Find your special expressions. Anna: I think improvisation is also important. Because when I play a little tune, I never play the same the second time. I always embellish, add something different or another feeling to it. The sheet music is not your God. Just go and change things. From your collection, what are you playing in India? Anna: Well, we have a mixture of our German songs. There are some early traditional songs, church songs, chorus from the Luther programme and the hymn of the Lutherans. We also have songs by Goethe because Goethe is somebody who lived in Weimar, our town. At home, we have never played Goethe, but we are doing it for India. Bjorn: We are bringing our home countrys music. I thought if I heard an Indian musician in Germany, I would be happy if it was the original. So we decided to bring our own songs, our German music.

Iron maidens of Kerala

Bodybuilding has for long remained a male-dominated domain in the state until now. Women, these days, are smashing societal notions to win laurels at competitions. TNIE reporters Anu Kuruvilla & Parvana K B speak to five such iron-willed women who ace at flaunting their beauty, brains and brawn Anju S ...I will kick them Miss Trivandrum Physique 2020, Miss Kerala Physique (for three consecutive years since 2020), and Miss India Fitness 2023 Anju S, 28, has achieved impressive milestones through dedication and hard work. She started this journey in 2020, primarily to improve her physique. At that time, I weighed only 36kg, Anju recalls. However, what started as a personal fitness goal took a new turn when her partner encouraged her to try competing. At that point, I was looking for something that really challenged me and made me genuinely happy, says Anju. Everyone in my family is into dance and music, but I was never interested in them. As I gave bodybuilding a shot, I knew I had found what I truly love. Anju had to break several taboos. I faced a lot of questions from relatives and others. The first issue was the dress code. Then, the misconception that women can build muscle only with the use of harmful supplements or hormones, she says. I have always believed that action speaks louder than words, and thats exactly how I proved myself. The confidence and strength I have gained, both mentally and physically, have been my answer to societys questions. Anju believes things have changed for the better now. Now, people are more accepting, she says. When I go to public spaces, people recognise me and ask me to show my muscles. They would also get to know that if they say something bad, I will kick them (laughs)! Anju adds that her greatest joy comes from seeing more women stepping into the world of bodybuilding. There was a time when we could count the number of women in this field on our fingers. But now, its a growing community where we share poses, outfits, and knowledge, supporting each other along the way, she beams. Rosemy Bibin My mother went ballistic For 30-year-old Rosemy Bibin, the journey from being a gym trainer to a bodybuilder happened unexpectedly. It all started while working as a trainer at a gym in Qatar. She took up a set of workouts suggested by her husband, who is also a gym trainer. I diligently did the sets, and that brought visible changes to my body. And just for the fun of it, when I sent a picture of my upper back to my husband, he told me to take up bodybuilding, Rosemy beams. However, as with other female bodybuilders, Rosemys decision to become a professional bodybuilder didnt sit well with her family. My mother went ballistic. She is the kind who believes a steady office job is suitable for a woman. I still remember her response when I told her about my decision to become a gym trainer after graduation, says Rosemy. That did not stop Rosemy. Her first win was the 2024 Miss Ernakulam title. Thereon, she won quite a few trophies: first runner-up at the World Fitness Federations (WFF) 2024 Miss India championship, second runner-up at WFFs 2024 Miss Kerala, second runner-up at WFFs Womens Sports Model round, and second runner-up at Kerala Decathlon Open Womens Physique Championship 2024. Bhumika S Kumar They had an issue with the bikini Becoming an athlete was a childhood dream for 22-year-old Bhumika S Kumar, a postgraduate student in fashion technology from Palakkad. However, in her younger days, a frail physique prevented her from participating in sports or physical activities. I was a very weak child. I could not even attend PT classes with classmates in school, she recalls. That got me obsessed with becoming strong. Initially, Bhumika trained by following YouTube videos. Later, she joined a gym for professional guidance. Her family, however, was unsupportive. They were concerned only about my studies. For instance, when I was involved with NCC during my undergraduate days, my family grumbled over the fact that I was missing classes. So, as expected, they objected to my decision to take up bodybuilding, Bhumika says. Their primary grouse was about me wearing bikinis for competitions. Then, the other issue was over my taking supplements. Then, there was the issue of my physique turning muscular and the changes in my voice. All of this had people ridiculing me. Some called me a man. Bhumika, however, did not get bogged down. And she now aces competitions. She has won Miss Ernakulam, Miss Kerala and Miss India twice in 2024 and 25. The young woman is not all brawn, though. Bhumika also plans to launch a fashion brand of her own. For me, while fashion technology is a profession, bodybuilding is a passion. I need to earn my living and also require funds to take care of the expenses for training and diet supplements, she says. Unlike in the case of male bodybuilders, it is tough for women to get sponsors as they believe that we wont last long in the sport. In my case, I am here to stay. Sreeya Iyer Now, I train men as well In 2018, when Sreeya Iyer stepped into the fitness world, she was one of the very few women in the field. What started as a way to cope with a difficult breakup soon turned into a passion that reshaped her life. When I first started working out, I found it relaxing. I pushed myself hard, and started winning at competitions. At the time, managing without sponsors was a big challenge, says the 34-year-old. I took a break, yet people kept reaching out with questions about fitness. That motivated me to strive for certifications. I moved to online training, then personal coaching, and eventually, I opened my own gym. I was a TV anchor by profession, but the respect and financial stability I found in this field have been far greater. Sreeya won the Miss South India title in 2018, along with the Miss Trivandrum title for three consecutive years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Today, she serves as a judge for the Kerala State Body Building Association. I come from an Iyer family, where our diet was strictly vegetarian. I wouldnt even eat cakes because they contained eggs, she says. Switching to a non-vegetarian diet was very difficult for me, but my profession required it. I knew what I wanted. I have received my fair share of negative comments. I dont expect to change everyones mindset, but when women say I have inspired them, it makes me proud. She sees a positive shift in Kerala, where womens bodybuilding is gradually gaining acceptance. Many still label this a testosterone-driven field, but I see it differently. Women have vast potential in this field we are just as capable, Sreeya asserts. Now, Im training men as well. Women should step into this field with confidence, rise above the judgments, and prove their worth. Mubeena P A Can you imagine a Muslim woman in bodybuilding...? Life hasnt been easy for Mubeena P A, a 35-year-old mother of three. However, the one thing that gave her the confidence to take lifes struggles by the horns was the time she spent in the gym. Can you imagine a Muslim woman taking part in a bodybuilding event that has her wearing a bikini? she smiles. But for me, bodybuilding gave me the confidence to live. Life has been throwing curveballs at me. One was my divorce, and another was the complications caused by an intestinal surgery. When looking at life ahead after the divorce, Mubeena decided to take up working out. That led to an interest in bodybuilding. I have been doing bodybuilding for a year now. Of course, there are health issues related to the injury that I suffered from medical negligence. But when it comes to working out, it has never bothered me, she says. Mubeena, who works at a beauty parlour, says she has faced a lot of insults for taking part in bodybuilding competitions. The number of women who compete in events is low, maybe because they involve them wearing bikinis. And this invites ridicule from society, unlike in the case of modelling or glamour events, she says. That, however, doesnt bother me or hamper my passion. That shows. Mubeena has won medals at Miss Ernakulam, Miss Kerala, Open Kerala, south India championshipships this year. She was second runner-up at Miss India 2024. Mubeena believes in following a proper diet plan and workout to sculpt her body. Steroids are a big no-no for me, she says.

Vembanad lake dredging to be expedited to curb tidal flooding, says Kerala Industries Minister

A meeting of the State authorities and the Cochin Port Authority will be convened to discuss the matter, and a district-level coordination facility will be set up to oversee the works

Kerala HC orders removal of flex boards from temple premises in Kozhikode

Two leptospirosis deaths in Ernakulam over past one month

The district reported a total of 35 suspected and confirmed cases of leptospirosis over the past four weeks

Six arrested allegedly with ganja, heroin in Ernakulam

The seizures were as part of the ongoing Operation Clean campaign of the Rural police

CB on the lookout for remaining 12 accused in alleged loan scam in Perumbavoor Urban Cooperative Society

The investigators have so far arrested four, including three from the board of directors

Captive elephant turns violent, runs amok in Kochi

Elephant brought for temple festival in Kerala gets agitated, damages several vehicles

Kochi: An elephant brought for a temple festival here on Wednesday suddenly became agitated in the evening and damaged several vehicles, police said. The incident occurred around 5 pm near the Edakochi Sreekrishna Temple, an officer from Palluruthy police station said. The tusker had been brought for the festival at the Sreekrishna Temple, he added. 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 .

Insufficient: Kerala HC on states present anti-ragging measures

Insufficient: Kerala HC on states present anti-ragging measures Kochi: Expressing concern at the present set of ragging laws, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday orally pointed out that rules need to be framed under the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998, to effectively tackle the menace. The court also pointed out that the UGC has [] The post Insufficient: Kerala HC on states present anti-ragging measures appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Conduct awareness programmes to curb child marriages among tribals in Wayanad: HC

Kerala Blasters FC vs Mumbai City FC, ISL 2024-25: Match Preview, Live Streaming, Predicted XI and Full Squads

ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC face off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Kochi.

Biological parents consent needed for adoption of child by step-parent: Kerala High Court

Plea by a re-married woman seeking to relax the stipulation of obtaining consent from her former husband for adopting her child by her new husband under the step-parent category dismissed

Film chamber puts on hold strike plan, to hold discussions with Minister for Culture

Minister for Culture Saji Cherian informs chamber representatives that government is ready to discuss issues raised by the apex body of the Malayalam film industry

Family-owned businesses contribute 70% to Indian GDP

KOCHI: Family-owned business enterprises play a pivotal role in India's economy, contributing 70 per cent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounting for 80 per cent of all businesses. These enterprises also employ 60 per cent of the nation's workforce, underscoring their significance in driving economic growth, said speakers at the Kerala Family Business Conclave 2025. Speaking at the conclave, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Kochi, R. Dinesh, Immediate Past President of CII and Executive Chairman of TVS Supply Chain Solutions, emphasized the importance of knowledge and expertise for the younger generation in family businesses. Having a deep understanding and comprehensive knowledge of the intricacies of a business is essential for effective management, he stated. R Nandini, chairperson of CII Southern Region and managing director of Chandra Textiles Pvt Ltd, highlighted the evolving nature of family business networks and the need for modernization. The landscape of family businesses, both globally and in India, is dynamic and evolving. As these enterprises navigate contemporary challenges and opportunities, focusing on professionalization, technological adoption, and succession planning will be critical, she said. Pallavi Joshi Bakhru, partner and Family Office Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP noted that India is home to the third-largest number of family businesses in the world. A 12-member international delegation from the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Sweden, and Finland attended the conclave. Various sessions at the event underscored the crucial role of innovation and sustainability in shaping family enterprises. Speakers highlighted that family businesses often take a long-term perspective, which aligns well with sustainable practices and the preservation of wealth across generations. The discussions at the conclave reinforced the importance of professionalization, innovation, and sustainability in ensuring the continued success of family-owned enterprises, positioning them as key contributors to India's economic future.

CISF to launch first Great Indian Coastal Cyclothon covering 6,553 km; 14 women to be part

CHENNAI: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is set to launch its first-ever Great Indian Coastal Cyclothon, where 125 personnel, including 14 women, will cycle around 6,553 km along Indias western and eastern coasts in 25 days, on March 7. The event is being organised as part of the 56th CISF Day. This was announced at a press meet by SR Saravanan, CISF Inspector General, Southern Sector, on Tuesday. The event will be be flagged off virtually by Union Home Minister Amit Shah from CISFs regional training centre at Thakkolam in Ranipet district on March 7. The cyclists will start from Bakkhali in West Bengal and pass through Chennai and Puducherry on the east coast, finishing at the Swami Vivekananda memorial in Kanyakumari. Similarly, on the west coast, the cyclists will start from Lakhpat in Gujarat and traverse through Surat, Mumbai, Goa and Kochi to end in Kanyakumari. Cultural shows and programmes have been planned at cities along the way. Public can join the cyclothon and choose any stretch of their choice. People can also participate virtually. Registrations could be done on www.cisfcyclothon.com, where all the details are available.

Dalit Bandhu memorial lecture held at SSUS

Kochi Corporation holds development seminar

Tamil Nadu man arrested for assaulting son in Kerala

KOCHI: The police have arrested a Tamil Nadu man who, in a fit of rage, assaulted his 11-year-old son for having lost his geometry box and books. Shivakumar, a native of Villupuram, who resides at Toshiba Junction in Thrikkakara North, also pushed the boy into a bucket of water, the police said. The Class VI student suffered a broken arm and is under treatment at a hospital. The incident took place on Saturday around 8.30pm. Shivakumar, who has been living separately from his wife and child, had come to stay with his father for two days. The accused who works as a milkman and woodcutter had bought the geometry box and books for his son, but they went missing from the childs possession. On Saturday, Shivakumar came home intoxicated and angrily demanded to know if the missing items had been found. He then took a piece of firewood lying outside and beat the boy all over his body. Hearing the childs cries, neighbours rushed to the scene and took him to the hospital. Doctors discovered that he had suffered a fracture in his left wrist and immediately informed the Kalamassery police. In his statement, he claimed that he beat his son because he was not studying properly and did not expect his hand to break. The accused was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.

Sail out to sea on Womens Day in Kochi; Nefertiti calls

KOCHI: Women love travelling as much as men do. And what better way to celebrate International Womens Day than to sail out to the sea and bask in the gloriously setting sun, surrounded by crystal blue water, while relaxing on the sun deck. On the occasion of the Womens Day on March 8, cine actress Athira Harikumar will lead 150 women from across the state to sail aboard Nefertiti, the first sea-going luxury cruiseliner of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), which is headed by R Girija IAS (Retd). In a first-of-its kind initiative, the Budget Tourism Cell (BTC) of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the KSINC have tied up to roll out an exclusive All Women Evening Cruise with DJ package on the sea-going Egyptian-themed ship on March 8. As many as 150 women from across the state will be part of the special sea voyage abroad Nefertiti as part of Womens Day. It will be fun and frolic all the way. Cine artist Athira Harikumar will accompany the mothers and sisters on the voyage. KSINC CMD Girija IAS will honour elderly women who are part of the trip. The beneficiaries enjoy a flat discount of Rs 600, said a top BTC official. P S Pramoj Shanker, chairman and managing director, KSRTC, said, Happy to roll out the unique package which sends a message of women empowerment. The BTC has now become popular among the people, thanks to the active support of Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. We will soon take up the day cruise package as well based on passengers demand. The women, who avail the package through the KSRTCs BTC cell, will travel from Payyannur (38), Thrissur (35), Chengannur (42), Kollam (35) depots in specially-arranged buses and reach the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) jetty at Bolgatty, before setting sail on Nefertiti. Nefertiti is a miniature of a big ship and boasts all navigational facilities, including radars, GPS, and lifesaving and communication equipment. The only MS-class tourism vessel in Kerala would sail into the Arabian sea close to the international shipping channel as part of the Evening Cruise with DJ package at 4pm and return five hours later. Fun and entertainment programmes, which include an enthralling live music, dance shows by gifted artists, mimicry, live DJ performance, and a delicious buffet dinner, are sure to keep spirits high. International Womens Day is a celebration of the success women have achieved across various fields. Im extremely happy to be part of the special package rolled out by the KSRTCs budget cell in tie-up with the KSINC. On the day, KSRTC is also offering many womens only packages from various depots to scenic locations like Wonderla (Ernakulam), Anchuruli and Ramakkalmedu (Idukki) among others, Athira, who has starred in films like Palthu Janwar and DJibouti, told TNIE. For package enquiries, contact: 9846475874.

Kerala HC sets up special bench to hear plea to end ragging

KOCHI: Amid a spate of ragging incidents in the state, the High Court on Tuesday formed a special bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C Jayachandran to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to eliminate ragging in educational institutions. The bench will take up the case at 1.45pm on Wednesday. The court made the decision when the PIL filed by the Kerala State Legal Service Authority (KeLSA) seeking to form state-level and district-level monitoring committees to ensure the effective implementation of the existing anti-ragging laws came up for hearing. According to KeLSA, these committees, comprising representatives from the government, legal service institutions, and civil society, including teachers and parents, would be tasked with overseeing the implementation of anti-ragging guidelines, regulations, and judicial decisions while ensuring strict compliance by educational institutions. KeLSA for creation of confidential feedback loop The petition stated that ragging is a deeply entrenched social menace that continues to plague educational institutions, causing severe psychological, emotional, and even physical harm to students. Despite the existence of laws, regulations, and judicial directives aimed at eradicating ragging, incidents persist, highlighting significant gaps in enforcement and accountability. The prevalence of such acts not only undermines the safety and security of students but also reflects systemic failures in the implementation of preventive measures. The recent tragic incidents at the Government Nursing College in Kottayam serve as a harsh reminder of the deep-rooted malaise that continues to haunt our educational system. The states failure to curb this brutal tradition has left young minds vulnerable, with precious futures put at risk, all for the sake of an archaic and barbaric ritual disguised as initiation- an ice-breaking activity between seniors and juniors of educational institutions, the plea stated. To ensure transparency and inclusivity in the monitoring process, KeLSA recommends the creation of a confidential feedback loop where students, parents, and teachers can report concerns anonymously. The introduction of a 24x7 toll-free helpline would further enhance accessibility to support services, allowing victims to seek immediate assistance without fear of retaliation, stated the petitioner.

Political influence leaves cooperative societies vulnerable to corruption in Kerala: Report

KOCHI: Pointing out that the Karuvanur Cooperative Bank case represents one of the largest and most damaging frauds in the cooperative history of Kerala, the amicus curiae appointed by the Kerala High Court has filed a report stating that most cooperative societies are dominated by political parties, making them vulnerable to corruption and favouritism. The report highlighted that administrative members are appointed based on political connections rather than merit, and these connections often shield fraudulent activities from legal or administrative action. To prevent future frauds, the report recommended independent, regular, and rigorous audits by external auditors. The cooperative sector of Kerala was once an important pillar of the socioeconomic development of the state. At present, it is facing an unprecedented crisis of trust. The cooperative became so politicised that, combined with the lack of any oversight, it became a fertile ground for mismanagement and corruption, said the report filed by Advocate D Kishore, the amicus curiae. Political interference in banks or societies creates an atmosphere of impunity that encourages more corruption, the report pointed out. Loans are sanctioned to individuals or groups based on political connections rather than proper procedures or collateral requirements, it said. To strengthen the framework, the amicus curiae suggested that audits by outside auditors who are independent, regular, and vigorous can be helpful in identifying frauds early. These must be done from time to time to ensure transparency and proper health of the financial conditions of cooperatives. A dedicated compliance monitoring cell should be established in each cooperative society for continuous compliance with legal and financial regulations. The body should monitor the implementation of financial policies and ensure that standards are maintained constantly, Advocate Kishore noted. The report stated that the department of cooperatives and the registrar of cooperative societies have failed to enforce proper auditing mechanisms, including compliance. Many irregularities could have been prevented if the audits were conducted more strictly. Cooperative societies are not subjected to rigorous oversight from financial regulators like (how) commercial banks are. As a result, compliance and monitoring have had gaps within their systems, it said. The report also said that tax evasion, under different terms such as MDS (monthly deposit scheme) orGDS (group deposit scheme), is rampant under the furtive protection offered by Keralas cooperative societies. The registrar of chits (inspector general of registration, Kerala) is to be directed to take immediate steps to prevent the illegality committed by the cooperative societies in conducting the chit business under various schemes like MDS, GDS, GDCS, MMDS etc. The cooperative societies/banks should conduct chits after getting registration under the CFI Act, 1982, the amicus curiae report said.

EoI worth Rs 1.75 lakh crore received during Invest Kerala Global Summit: Minister P Rajeeve

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Industries Minister P Rajeeve on Tuesday said that Expressions of Interest (EoIs) worth Rs 1.75 lakh crore were received during the Invest Kerala Global Summit held recently in Kochi. During the question hour, the minister said that the focus should now be on implementing the current investment promises. He emphasised that discussion should not be about investment summits held by previous governments or future summits. He said that cooperation from everyone is essential to move forward with the projects. He said that meetings and discussions are being held with various stakeholders, including trade unions, under the supervision of the chief minister. Former industries minister P K Kunhalikutty questioned the minister for refusing discussions on past summits and argued that, had the public sector been properly utilised during Emerging Kerala, the states current financial situation wouldnt have been so dire. The minister said that learning from past experiences, both the ruling and opposition parties should work together to realise the current investment commitments. He highlighted that the assembly had unanimously passed a law allowing non-red category industries to operate without a licence for up to three-and-a-half years and he clarified that the Pollution Control Board would be giving clearance for the red-category industries and no exemption will be granted under this law for such industries.

Pocso case against woman on husbands complaint unfortunate, says Kerala HC

KOCHI: Observing that registering a Pocso case against the mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old child based on the complaint of the father is unfortunate, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday granted bail to the mother in the case. Kodungallur police had registered a case against the mother for allegedly committing sexual assault on her daughter. The court noted that there is a matrimonial dispute between the couple and a dispute regarding the custody of the child. The husband filed a complaint stating that the mother sexually assaulted her one-and-a-half-year-old child. Of course, it is a matter of investigation. But, the way the matrimonial disputes are going in our society is shameful to all of us, said Justice P V Kunhikrishnan. The court said, It is unfortunate that a case like this is registered against the mother of a one-and-half-year old kid. She is a mother of a breast-feeding child. She delivered a child in the relationship with the complainant. The report filed by the sub-inspector stated that more inquiry is to be conducted before proceeding with the case. That itself shows that even the investigating officer is not convinced about the statement of the complainant, said the court. While deciding another bail application a week ago, the court observed that there cannot be any unilateral investigation based on the complaint of a lady, treating it as gospel truth. The court said that the same principle is applicable vice versa, too.

Exploring the Sambar spectrum: Regional variations and recipes

Theres something about a hot plate of sambar-rice, a generous drizzle of ghee on top, and a side of crispy chicken fry or vendakka fry that takes us straight back to our school lunch breaks elbowing friends for the last bite while debating whether Tamil Nadu mess sambar was superior to Udupi-style sambar. Some of us are purists, sticking to our grandmothers recipe, while others (like me, fully prepared for judgment) have a soft spot for the slightly sweet Karnataka sambar. A little jaggery with my dosa? Absolutely. South Indians claim sambar like its their birthright, and rightfully so its on every menu, in every home, and probably running through our veins at this point. But what if I told you that theres a myth that suggests this beloved dish was actually invented for a North Indian king? Legend has it that in the 17th century, King Shahaji of the Thanjavur Maratha dynasty wanted to whip up a batch of amti dal, a Maharashtrian staple. The problem? Kokum, the usual souring agent, was nowhere to be found. So, like any good cook on MasterChef, he improvised swapping in tamarind instead. The result? A rich, tangy lentil stew that was allegedly served to his cousin, Chhatrapati Sambhaji, inspiring the name sambar (or Sambhache Ahar Sambhajis food). A fun story, sure. But is it true? Hard to say. Food historians argue that sambar, or at least its huli (spiced tamarind-lentil stew) equivalent, existed in Karnataka long before Shahajis kitchen experiments. So, while we can appreciate a good royal origin tale, south India was probably already simmering up versions of this dish before a Maratha king took the credit. The great sambar debate Every South Indian state has a different take on sambar, and every household swears theirs is the best. Theyre all correct, of course, because every mothers sambar is objectively the best. At the end of the day, sambar isnt just a dish - its a personality trait. Whether you like it thick or thin, tangy or sweet, one thing is for sure: theres no wrong way to eat it. For those of us who arent bound by generational bias, lets take a quick tour of the sambar spectrum plus, a few recipes to try at home from the natives. Tamil Nadu: The OG Arachuvitta Sambar Tamil Nadus version is thick, rich, and made with freshly ground masala none of that store-bought nonsense. This is the one that hits different at weddings, temples, and anywhere someones serving it with hot ghee on rice. Just bold flavours, perfectly balanced tanginess, and that one uncle saying, Inga sambar vera level da! Here is Chitra Paatis Kumbakonam sambar The secret? Freshly ground masala and not letting anyone else stir the pot. Chitra, 75, keeper of family recipes. Ingredients: Toor dal: 1 cup (cooked until soft) Tamarind: 1 lemon-sized ball (soaked and pulp extracted) 1 small brinjal, 1 drumstick, 1/2 cup yellow pumpkin (or any combo of veggies) Mustard seeds: 1 tsp Curry leaves: 1 sprig Asafoetida: 1/4 tsp Dried red chillies: 2 Ghee: 1 tbsp (for finishing touch) For the sambar powder: Coriander seeds: 1 tbsp Chana dal: 1 tsp Fenugreek seeds: 1/2 tsp Dried red chillies: 2 Peppercorns: 1/4 tsp Grated coconut: 1 tbsp Method: 1. Dry roast the sambar powder ingredients, grind into a fine powder. 2. Heat oil, temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, and red chillies. 3. Add vegetables, tamarind pulp, salt, and turmeric. Cook until the vegetables are soft. 4. Stir in cooked dal, ground masala, and a pinch of jaggery (Paatis trick). Simmer for 5 minutes. 5. Finish with ghee on top. Serve with hot rice, appalam, and your life will change. Karnataka: The Slightly Sweet Udupi Sambar Karnatakas Udupi sambar is where things get a little divisive its got a subtle sweetness, thanks to a pinch of jaggery. Raghavendra, an Udupi restaurant chef, defends it passionately: You people dont get it our sambar is balanced, refined. Its an art. Raghavendras Udupi Sambar Secret ingredients: Coconut, jaggery, and a more aromatic spice blend. Best paired with: Crispy, golden-brown dosas or vadas. Ingredients: Toor dal: 1 cup (cooked until soft) Tamarind paste: 1 tbsp Jaggery: 1 tbsp 1/2 cup diced pumpkin, 1 small brinjal, 1 drumstick Mustard seeds: 1 tsp Curry leaves: 1 sprig Dried red chilli: 1 Asafoetida: 1/4 tsp For the spice paste: Coriander seeds: 2 tbsp Cumin seeds: 1 tbsp Dried red chillies: 3 Grated coconut: 1 tbsp Method: 1. Roast and grind the spice paste ingredients. 2. Heat oil, temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, and red chilli. 3. Add the vegetables, tamarind, jaggery, and salt. Cook until soft. 4. Stir in cooked dal and the spice paste. Simmer for 5 minutes. 5. Serve with crispy dosas. Andhra Pradesh: The Spicy Pappu Charu Andhra folks dont have time for thick, slow-cooked sambar. They prefer pappu charu, which is thinner, tangier, and packs a spicy punch. Amulya Chokkalingam from Vijayawada says, Its basically a hotter, better version of sambar. Sorry, not sorry. Secret ingredients: Tamarind, green chilies, and a suspiciously generous amount of garlic. Best paired with: Hot rice and a serious appetite. Ingredients: Toor dal: 1 cup (cooked until soft) Tamarind paste: 1 tbsp Green chillies: 2, slit Turmeric: 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds: 1 tsp Curry leaves: 1 sprig Garlic: 2 cloves, crushed Dried red chilli: 1 Method: 1. Heat oil, temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, and garlic. 2. Add green chillies, tamarind paste, salt, and turmeric. Let it simmer. 3. Mix in cooked dal and enough water to reach the desired consistency. 4. Serve with hot rice and a dollop of ghee. Kerala: The Coconut-Laced Sambar Keralas sambar is what happens when a dish gets the full spa treatment aromatic, rich with coconut, and bursting with flavour from Varutharacha (roasted coconut) masala. Prameelas Varutharacha Sambar If your sambar doesnt have roasted coconut, are you even from Kerala? Prameela, 60, Kochis unspoken sambar queen. Ingredients: Toor dal: 1 cup (cooked until soft) 1 small raw banana, 1 drumstick, 1/2 cup ash gourd, 1 small carrot (or whatevers in your fridge) Tamarind: 1 lemon-sized ball (soaked and pulp extracted) Mustard seeds: 1 tsp Curry leaves: 1 sprig Dried red chilli: 1 Asafoetida: 1/4 tsp For the Varutharacha (Roasted) Masala: Grated coconut: 2 tbsp Coriander seeds: 1 tbsp Fenugreek seeds: 1/2 tsp Dried red chillies: 2 Method: 1. Dry roast the masala ingredients until golden brown, then grind into a smooth paste with water. 2. Heat coconut oil, temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, and red chilli. 3. Add chopped vegetables, tamarind pulp, and salt. Cook until vegetables are tender. 4. Stir in cooked dal and the roasted coconut paste. Simmer for 5 minutes. 5. Serve with Kerala matta rice, pappadam, and pazhampori (because yes, some of us love that combo).

What connects a kappela, a stretch of pipeline & a US president?

With the usual roads leading to Edappally often chocked with traffic, there has arisen a need for commuters to find other ways around the snarl-up. Pipeline Road in Thrikkakara is one such alternative. Though neglected for decades, the spike in movement on this stretch has seen local administration allotting money and resources for its upgradation in recent years. Now, the road offers almost seamless passage for commuters headed towards Lulu Mall in Edappally, Thrikkakara or Palarivattom. The intersection of all these individual pathways is the Kennedy Mukku Junction, where an imposing kappela (chapel) stands ever-watchful, guiding the motorists to their destinations. Take a left from Kennedy Mukku Junction. Youll know when you see the kappela we tell commuters seeking directions to Lulu Mall. The kappela is now like a signpost on this stretch, says Romal Varghese, a local resident. Kennedy Mukku Junction Indeed, with the kappela acting as a way-stop , Kennedy Mukku Junction too has become quite popular. More so because its name is one that invokes curiosity in all. Why Kennedy? Does it have anything to do with the worlds most famous Kennedy of all, one may wonder as they pass by. Well, indeed it does. The junction is named after John F Kennedy, the youngest man elected to the Oval Office. Kennedy served as the 35th president of the US during the height of the Cold War. However, his tenure was cut shot when he was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Yet, even within that short span, his Camelot presidency made him the icon of the 1960s across the world. A name so recognisable that transcends to cultural icon status. So when news broke out about his assassination, this small suburb of Edappally earlier known as Pallypattu Kavala was thrown to sorrow. In the early 1960s, the residents of the locality had come together to form a club. It was named after John F Kennedy following his assassination. Over time, the whole junction came to be known as Kennedy Mukku, says Antony Paravara, a local politician and former councillor of the area. Kennedy Mukku Junction November 22 is also the day when a 36-inch-long pipeline of the Kerala Water Authority was laid and joined in Pallypattu Kavala an otherwise unremarkable corner of the town. If the pipeline made the junction, the news of Kennedys assassination gave it its name, says Venu T K, a local resident. V Shambashivan, a 73-year-old resident of the area, concurs. We were kids when the pipeline was joined. Later on, it was extended to other areas. But by then, the name Kennedy Mukku had stuck, he says. Saint George's kappela continues to be the landmark of the area. Locals, especially the elders, meet at this intersection most evenings for long chats encompassing US politics and more. With the directions becoming well known now, motorists dont pause at Kennedy Mukku like they once used to. But the few who do invariably also wonder, why Kennedy.

Citizens liberty cannot be curtailed for participating in stir, says Kerala High Court

Tidal flooding throws life out of gear in areas close to backwaters, sea in Ernakulam

Affected areas include coastal Chellanam, Thannonnithuruthu, Kumbalanghi, Edakochi, and Kuzhuppilly; 500 homes flooded in Edakochi area, says Corporation councillor Jeeja Tenson; comprehensive plan sought to address issue

Man held on charge of fracturing sons palm in Kochi

PCB drops action against 15 industrial units in Edayar

Industries department to appoint specialists to help MSMEs

Under RAMPO scheme, 500 experts, including engineers and MBAs, will be hired on contract basis to help micro, small, and medium enterprises become more competitive and innovative.

Mahakavi G Sankara Kurup Cultural Centre in Kochi vandalised, earthmover torched

KOCHI: Kochi's Mahakavi G Sankara Kurup Memorial Cultural Centre was vandalised by unidentified persons in the wee hours of Tuesday. An earth-mover machine parked nearby was also torched. The cultural centre located atAbraham Madamakkal Road near Marine Drive was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in February last year. The Centre hosts cultural events and art exhibitions on a regular basis. According to Prathapan K K, a watchman, he and his colleague made a security round and went inside the museum at around 10 pm on Monday. At around 1 am, when we came out of the museum for a regular security round, it was found that lights installed outside were vandalised. As many as 12 lights installed at the pathway to the gallery were damaged. Similarly, four spotlights installed on the inscriptions of Sankara Kurup were damaged. Also, a motor pump and water line, using which water is pumped to a small pool at the gallery, were vandalised. Soon we informed the caretaker and police officials, Prathapan said. KS Ramadas, the caretaker of the cultural centre, said that an earth-moving machine was found partially burnt. Glasses of another earthmover were also damaged. The earthmovers were parked adjacent to the museum as part of the construction work of the new Director General of the Prosecution Office. Someone seeing the fire reported it to the fire department, and the fire was doused by around 1 am. However, only after the fire was doused did the security persons realise that the lights at the cultural centre were damaged. Unfortunately, we don't have any CCTV cameras installed in the area, Ramadas said. Ernakulam Central Police registered a case following the complaint filed by SITCO Associates, who is constructing the Director General of Prosecution Office in Kochi. The company owned two earthmover machines which were vandalised by the accused person. Kochi Corporation has also filed a police complaint requesting a probe into the incident. We have found that there are security cameras in another building located at Abraham Madamakkal Road. We are examining the camera footage. Also, we are collecting statements from people who passed by the area in the early morning. The security persons at the cultural centre claimed that no persons were seen in the area during the night, a police officer said. The cultural centre is developed and maintained by Kochi Corporation.In a press release issued by Kochi Corporation, the incident took place after midnight in the cultural centre, which has round-the-clock security services. By the time the security personnel arrived after hearing the noise, the attackers had already fled the scene. Based on the complaint, the police visited the site and conducted an inspection. Viewing the attack on a key public institution in the city center as a serious matter, the Kochi Municipal Corporation Secretary has filed a complaint with the police, demanding a thorough investigation, said the release.

Five UP natives get rigorous jail terms for minors rape

KOCHI: The Fast Track Special Court in Perumbavoor sentenced five Uttar Pradesh natives to rigorous imprisonments of varying durations, including a double life sentence, in connection with the sexual abuse of a minor at Eloor, Kochi five years ago. The convicts are Farhad Khan, Haroon Khan, Ashu, Faheem, and Shahid, all migrant workers who lived in a rented house rent near the victims home. In 2020, the convicted persons offered to get the minor girl a SIM card, took her to multiple locations, both alone and as a group, and abused her sexually. Haroon was sentenced to 40 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000. Farhad was acquitted in one case but sentenced to life imprisonment until death in two others. He was also ordered to undergo 60 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1.5 lakh. Shahid was sentenced to life imprisonment until death in one case, 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, and fined Rs 75,000. Ashu was sentenced to 40 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000. Faheem was sentenced to double life imprisonment until death in two cases, 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, and fined Rs 1.5 lakh. Special court judge Dinesh M Pillai pronounced the verdict. Special prosecutor Sindhu argued the case for the prosecution. The sixth person arrested in the case will face trial in a separate case.

Mission Vyttila decongestion: Government considers elevated corridor project

KOCHI: In a bid to decongest the key Vyttila Junction, a chief secretary-level meeting on Monday deliberated short-term and long-term actions for the same. As a long term measure, it took up the four-lane elevated corridor project linking Vyttila with Chittethukara near Infopark. The moves comes in light of a recent feasibility study by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) which found the project effective in addressing the traffic congestion woes in the region. According to sources, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) might be entrusted with the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) of the five-km long elevated corridor from Vyttila to Chittethukara, with a major portion of it passing over Kaniyampuzha river, once the project is approved. Authorities are also considering introducing a toll in the proposed path to cover the project cost. The project is proposed along the banks of Kaniyampuzha river to minimise land acquisition. The initial alignment was through heavily-populated areas and would have resulted in much higher project cost, said a senior NATPAC official. He further said, The project is mooted to start from a point between Vyttila and Chakkaraparambu along the NH-66, instead of the busy Vytilla Junction, and will run till Chittethukara linking it to the Seaport-Airport Road. The official pointed out that, While the Infopark Expressway already links Chittethukara to Infopark, the upcoming Thammanam-Pullepady Road project would connect the city areas till Vyttila. Hence, the elevated corridor aims to link both these roads to facilitate quick and easy travel from the city to the Infopark. Currently, the only road that connects the city to Infopark is the heavily congested Civil Lane Road, where the Kochi Metro is implementing the 11.2-km-long Phase II Metro Corridor Project connecting the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium station with Infopark. As people coming from the south side find it difficult to proceed to Infopark, the corridor will have a connecting road to Eroor, which will facilitate vehicles to proceed to Tripunithura side quickly without getting caught in traffic congestion. We also target the traffic through congested parallel roads like Thuthiyoor, and Blood Bank roads, the official added. Temporary solutions The meeting also decided to implement temporary measures to decongest the Vyttila Junction. Steps would include scaling portions of the 16-metre roundabout at the junction and chipping off edges of traffic medians there to facilitate direct entry of buses coming from Kundannoor side to the Vyttila Hub through Kaniyampuzha Road. Vyttila councillor Sunitha Dixon highlighted that the traffic congestion at Vytilla Junction is worsening day-by-day, adding that an urgent solution is needed. Vyttila is one of the busiest junction in the state with over one lakh passenger car units passing through the junction every day. A serpentine queue of vehicles is witnessed during the morning and evening peak hours. 5-km-long corridor The five-km-long elevated corridor would connect Vyttila to Chittethukara, with a major portion passing over the Kaniyampuzha river The four-lane elevated corridor is mooted to start from a point between Vyttila and Chakkaraparambu along the NH-66, and will run till Chittethukara linking it to the Seaport-Airport Road Project is proposed along banks of Kaniyampuzha river to minimise land acquisition

No more vegetables and fish, please: KSRTC to parcel service patrons

KOCHI: While the catchy tagline Deliver anywhere in Kerala in 16 hours has worked wonders for KSRTCs Courier & Parcel venture, it has also resulted in its customers queuing up with perishable items like vegetables and fish. The quick delivery, however, attracted a lot of customers with consignment stocks of short-lived supplies. As a result, complaints regarding perishable goods transit began to pour in. Finally the KSRTC has stopped accepting easily-spoiled consignments amid its burgeoning business that brought a total revenue of `8 crore to its coffers in the last 11 months. We began the courier service mid 2023 and after some time, we began consignments with a lot of perishable food items like mushrooms, fish and vegetables. They expect us to make the delivery in a very short span. However, we rely on our passenger buses to make the delivery. We could only ship the consignment in the next available bus with sufficient facilities. There began to arise complaints of damaged or spoiled goods due to excessive transit time, improper temperature control and the like, which are not in our hands, explained an official. Now weve stopped taking perishable goods. People expect us to deliver the same quickly, for instance two hours to transport a fish box to Alappuzha. We could only ship them in the next bus after completing all the formalities. The passenger buses will take more time as they have to halt at stops and get delayed due to reasons like traffic congestion, he added. This is even as the corporation was able to deliver most of the consignments within 16 hours, with the average delivery time around 10 hours. We missed the schedule in only 5% of cases, that too due to unavoidable reasons. Even professional courier agencies utilised the service due to our reliability, the official said. Courier service a burgeoning business While the novel venture helped the corporation to rake in `3.73 crore in revenue in little over a year of operations, the average monthly revenue has increased to `50 lakhs. The parcel counter in Vytilla Hub is the best performing counter with a revenue of `30 lakh per month. Now the most shipped consignment is machine parts. Regular customers now know the timings of long-distance buses, for example Kalpetta, and hand over the consignments just before the bus arrival. This will ensure delivery in minimum time, the official said.The KSRTC now has 46 parcel counters in the state, besides the two outside the state, including in Coimbatore and Nagercoil. Weve also plans to start counters in Karnataka, the official said. The corporation, meanwhile, effected a marginal hike in parcel services from February 10 in the wake of the high demand. Challenges to be addressed However, a major challenge is the lack of space and personnel at the counters. For instance, the facility at Vytilla Hub is a small cabin and often the staff is forced to keep the consignments outside the counter at public spaces. Also, there is an urgent need to increase the staff strength at the parcel counters. Currently only three staff are deployed at centres like Vytilla hub. While the management has promised to deploy more staff, the workers are yet to start receiving the incentive promised, 5 per cent for counter staff, 5 per cent for conductor and 5 per cent for driver. Providing the incentives will only result in higher business volume as the motivated staff would put in more effort, said a worker on the condition of anonymity.

Healthcare expensive abroad, many return to spend sunset in Kerala retirement homes

KOCHI: After having resided in Muscat, Dubai, Sharjah, and later, the US with their kids, Thrissur natives Mallika Paul and her husband decided to return to Kerala to spend their retired lives here. However, when her husbands health took a hit and the pandemic struck, Mallika moved to an assisted living facility with him after a brief stay at their Thrissur home. As an elderly couple, we found it difficult to stay at our home. Also, when my husbands health worsened, we had to depend on a home nurse. Though our children urged us to return to the US and stay with them, we wished to stay here. Later, we decided to find a facility and move out, said Mallika, who has been staying at Bless Retirement Living for the past three years. Industry officials said the number of well-heeled elderly Malayalis, who return to Kerala to spend sunset years at an assisted living facility, is rising due to high healthcare costs in developed countries, and because it lets them be with friends and relatives. Babu Joseph, president, Senior Living Association of Kerala, said elderly Keralites settled in the UK, US, or Gulf countries return to Kerala due to several reasons, one of them being that their relatives and families are here. Also, the medical care available here is of high quality. They can spend their retirement in a safe place. The cost of living in developed countries is also much higher, he said. Post pandemic, there has been a significant rise in the number of such returnees, said Jiji Philip, the CEO of Travancore Foundation, an assisted living facility in Kottayam. During the Covid pandemic, and following the lockdown, elderly people realised that it is not safe to stay alone at home. For many, it is not possible to spend their retired lives in other countries owing to cultural, financial and other reasons. So they choose senior living homes in Kerala that have better facilities, Jiji said. Jijo, the MD of Bless Retirement Living, said such people prioritise living standards. In the US and other nations, the cost of such facilities is much higher than in Kerala. (Here) The same standard of living is ensured at a much lower cost. Thus most of them tend to return to Kerala and stay here. Also, as they are living in a community with lots of activities to keep them engaged and people to take care of them, they decide to settle here, Jijo said. Health is another reason, said Jiji. People choose to stay at assisted living facilities as they are concerned about their health. Staying at home is safe as long as the health condition is satisfactory, he said. Such facilities have nurses and social workers, so residents do not have to worry about health issues and treatment. Some people may have memory issues as well. In such cases, they feel more comfortable as there are trained people around to help, he emphasised. Mallika said staying in such facilities can help develop a sense of community living. I am an artist. Here, I have a few students aged between 75 and 85 years. We have several activities and expeditions to stay engaged. Also, the residents, especially those who are ill, are provided better care and treatment, making such facilities a better option, she said. Almost all returning to Kerala from the US, UK, or Gulf countries are those who left India in the 1970s and 1980s. Many have deep roots in Kerala and wish to go back to them. Also, even if they are at home, they are not interested in living a lonely life and may wish to have people around. In such cases, they may choose an assisted living facility. However, Jiji said the trend may not continue for long. We cannot expect people who left Kerala after the 2000s to return and choose to spend their retirement here, said Jiji.

Green hydrogen buses to ply on Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri route soon

BHUBANESWAR : Green hydrogen buses will soon ply on the Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri route as part of the Centres ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission. Sources said after detailed scrutiny, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned five pilot projects comprising a total of 37 vehicles (buses and trucks), and nine hydrogen refuelling stations across as many different routes in the country. The vehicles that will be deployed for the trial include 15 of those that run on hydrogen fuel cell and 22 others that are hydrogen internal combustion engine-based. These vehicles will run on 10 different routes across the country including Odishas Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri stretch. The remaining eight routes finalised are Greater Noida-Delhi-Agra, Ahmedabad-Vadodara-Surat, Sahibabad-Faridabad-Delhi, Pune-Mumbai, Jamshedpur-Kalinga Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram-Kochi, Kochi-Edappally, Jamnagar-Ahmedabad, and NH-16 Visakhapatnam-Bayyavaram. These projects are likely to be commissioned in the next 18-24 months, paving way to the scale-up of such technologies in India, MNRE officials said. The works have been awarded to major companies like TATA Motors Ltd, Reliance Industries Limited, NTPC, ANERT, Ashok Leyland, HPCL, BPCL and IOCL and the total financial support for these projects will be around `208 crore, they added. Sources said the project will be implemented in Odisha with an investment of Rs 19.5 crore by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), to facilitate the transition from fossil fuel-based buses to eco-friendly hydrogen-powered buses. A tripartite MoU has been signed among NTPC, GRIDCO and CRUT for the purpose. According to MNRE authorities, the pilot projects will test effectiveness of hydrogen-based vehicles and refuelling stations, and evaluate their technical feasibility, performance and economic viability for rollout of hydrogen-based vehicles and hydrogen refuelling stations under real-world operational conditions to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.

Accused returns from UAE, nabbed by NIA sleuths in Kerala

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a Malappuram native who had absconded after being named an accused in the 2020 Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case in which diplomatic baggage was used to illegally send gold from the UAE. Ramzan Parancherry alias Sabu Pullara, 40, who is the 34th accused in the case, was in the UAE and did not return to India after the NIA arraigned him. On February 20, he arrived at one of the airports in Kerala and was intercepted by the immigration department as the NIA had issued a lookout circular against him in 2020. Subsequently, the NIA took him into custody and recorded his arrest. On March 1, a court in Kochi granted the custody of Ramzan to the NIA for four days. He will be produced before the court again when NIA custody ends on Tuesday. According to NIA sources, Ramzan was part of the group that sent gold from the UAE using diplomatic baggage addressed to the UAE consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. His arrest is key to getting information about the other accused holed up in the UAE. Also, the interrogation of the accused will provide further information about the modus operandi of the group in the UAE and their funding, a source said. There are around 35 accused in the case, with the central agency having arrested around 25 persons so far. The gold concealed in the diplomatic baggage arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 30 and it was opened on July 5. A total of 166 kg of gold was sent through the channel on 21 occasions since November 2019.

Student outfits step up efforts to tackle drug menace on campuses in Kerala

KOCHI: With discussions intensifying over the link between drug use and violence in schools and colleges across the state, student political outfits have launched various initiatives to rid campuses of the narcotics menace. Leading the charge, the SFI kicked off its campaign on Monday by organising a statewide human chain across all campuses where the students union is under the outfits control. After forming the human chain, the members pledged to abstain from drugs and actively contribute to eradicating this issue, P S Sanjeev, SFI state secretary, told TNIE . As part of its broader efforts, the SFI has decided to establish counselling facilities on campuses to assist students struggling with mental health issues and other personal challenges. We will ensure that students facing difficulties receive the necessary support. Additionally, we will take strict measures to help those reporting misconduct or harassment, Sanjeev said. The KSU has also announced its plans to tackle drug-related issues on campuses, including the formation of vigilance squads. We intend to set up monitoring cells similar to anti-ragging committees to combat drug abuse. These squads will include teachers, PTA members, local residents, and excise officials. They will be established in all 140 assembly constituencies, said KSU state president Aloshious Xavier. In addition, KSU is preparing to stage a protest against the state government, accusing it of failing to take strong action against drug-related violence on campuses. We will organise awareness campaigns to educate students about the dangers of drug use and ensure they understand the consequences, Xavier added. The SFI has also decided to form its own drug-monitoring vigilance squads. These teams will include teachers, PTA representatives, and excise officials, ensuring legal backing for their operations, Sanjeev said.

Age of rage? A look into the recent violent incidents in Kerala

The killing of Muhammed Shahabaz, a Class 10 student from Thamarassery, has sent shockwaves throughout Kerala. Not just for the loss of a young life, but for the brutality with which the murder was executed and by whom. Shahabaz was slain during a clash that ensued between students of two schools in a neighbourhood. The reason an argument that broke out during a farewell event at a nearby tuition centre. This was Sunday last week. The days after saw passionate messages (even death threats) flung on social media platforms, festering the issue. Finally, on March 1 the pent-up anger and aggression culminated in a violent brawl on the street. Shahabaz succumbed to an injury sustained to the head on the day. Five Class 10 students have been charged with his murder. It was clear during the preliminary phase of the investigation that this was a premeditated attack. According to the police, the accused had created social media groups to coordinate their move. Whats also worrying is the fact that the incident occurred when these students were presumably preparing for the SSLC examinations, and just days after another equally brutal case made headlines. A worrying trend On February 24, 23-year-old Afan surrendered at the Venjaramoodu police station after murdering five people, including his grandmother and girlfriend. According to the police, the instigation for this horrific killing spree was financial issues, including a debt of over `60 lakh. The two incidents are only the latest in a string of violent crimes reported in recent months across the state where the accused turned out to be youngsters and teenagers. According to Dr T K Anandi, writer and former gender advisor to the state government, several teachers from around the state have raised the matter of anger issues festering among children. Cases of violence were not uncommon. But not to this frequency. And certainly not to this degree, she says. Today, even simple arguments evolve into fist fights in no time and many students have been reported to carry weapons such as knives to school, Anandi informs. Wrong influences But what is the reason for this aggression? While we have seen political leaders attempt to link these acts to the suspects potential political affiliations and the increasing pressure of narcotics on society, many attribute them to a decline in morality. However, psychiatrists and experts warn that there may be underlying causes still. The use of aggressive violence in movies is, no doubt, an influencing factor, says Dr Arun B Nair, professor of psychiatry at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. Though movies with macho aggression have existed in the past too, whats worrisome in the present scenario is its frequency and accessibility. Children have impressionable minds, Arun points out. However, its not just the movies these days. Its most mass media, the professor says. Social media and the internet have umpteen content that may not be appropriate for children. But it is accessible to them anyway. Today, theres also this over-glorification of the idea that masculinity means physical strength, he adds. Erosion of discipline In Kerala, which is increasingly becoming a semi-western society, theres also an erosion of restraint. A lack of structured discipline, Arun points out. Dr M S Pranav, consultant psychologist at Solace Neurobehavioral and Child Guidance Centre, concurs. In earlier times, individuals were subjected to strict social norms, restrictions, and a structured system, which acted as a form of behavioural control. But today, teenagers and youngsters are neither restricted nor controlled, nor do they face struggles for basic needs, Pranav says. As a result, the psychologist continues, even minor issues like feeling insecure, self-doubt, or seeking attention can escalate into extreme behaviours. Adding to this, Dr Femi Abdullah, a consultant psychiatrist and a sexual medicine practitioner, highlights the role of desensitisation (i.e. the gradual loss of emotional sensitivity due to repeated exposure to violent content) among teens and youth. To a teenager, a violent hero appears cool. When they are constantly exposed to violent depictions in movies and games, real-life violence no longer feels shocking. Over time, they become desensitised to aggression, making it harder for them to handle even minor criticism, which fuels anger and resentment, Femi explains. She also stresses that substance abuse intensifies violent tendencies among youth. Rage is on the rise, says Anoop John, a teacher at Ramamangalam High School. According to him, it was the pandemic that was a catalyst for this disturbing trend. Before the pandemic, there was a healthy connection between students, parents, and teachers. But now, were seeing a shift, he says. Students today are exposed to a range of content, even hate-inducing ones. As a result, empathy, love, and respect... these values are fading. Today, its all about me, myself, and I. An unhealthy self-prioritisation is taking over, Anoop says. Absence of support systems According to Anoop, teachers are often hesitant to address problems because they lack a solid support system. Thats not all. Parents are often dismissive and keep denying when teachers point out issues, he adds. To elaborate, he cites a recent incident. A teacher addressed a childs behaviour to their parents. But it escalated when the parents dismissed the situation and accused the teacher of spreading false information, landing her in trouble. This is wrong. Society and government should stand with teachers, he says. S Syamsundar, the South Zone IG, stresses the vital role that teachers play in preventing such incidents. Teachers are key to curbing violence in schools. Teaching is not just a job. Its a social responsibility, the officer says. However, he flagged that it was concerning that no school or teacher has reported instances of drug abuse among students, despite it being on the rise. Teachers should not suppress such issues out of fear of tarnishing the schools reputation or affecting future admissions. If this trend continues, the situation will only worsen. Adequate measures need to be taken quickly, he says. Additionally, when an issue happens, it is important for teachers to look beyond the classroom and assess if the student faces any challenges at home, and offer help accordingly. Then only could true resolution be possible. Society, government and parents should work together towards such long-term solutions for generational change, Anoop adds. Lack of a home Anandi also points to the home front as an important factor. Today, a majority of households are nuclear families, where both parents would be working. Tired parents often have very little time to spend constructive time with children. In turn, children lack judgement-free space to open up to their parents. This adds to the alienation of the children, who then start depending on other unknown mediums for validation and acceptance. All these will slowly become fertile ground for aggressive behaviours, she says. There are, no doubt, several contributing factors, such as the mechanical way of life, family backgrounds, and other underlying issues. A detailed socio-psychological analysis is needed to fully understand these incidents of the past few months. Ultimately, I would say it is a collective failure on the part of parents, teachers, and society as a whole, says P Vijayan, ADGP. Communities are key Dr Arun cautions that portraying youth and children as morally depraved and villains in society will not solve the issue. What we need is a constructive solution. Children need communities within and outside the home where they can healthily develop. The education system should also focus on students mental and emotional development, not just employability, he says. He suggests that social service activities and programmes that promote positive behaviour should be introduced early in a students life. Community services from home and school such as visiting orphanages, old-age homes, and animal rescue centres will help develop children emotionally. Along with these, we need programmes where art and sports are encouraged, he says. Anandi agrees. Todays children are very creative and sensitive. And they need all our support, especially at this huge turning point. What they need is a healthy community. Having a gym in every panchayat, libraries that are accessible to children, art and sports programmes, and much more attention to humanitarian and social sciences, etc., will go a long way in helping them, she says.

POCSO court convicts five for sexual abuse of minor girl

The accused lured the victim, who spoke Hindi fluently, by promising her a SIM card and took her to various places, where they sexually abused her both individually and as a group

Office assistant held on bribery charge in Kochi

SSLC examinations off to a smooth start in Ernakulam

Over 32,900 students registered for the exam across various schools in Ernakulam; four educational sub-districts had a total of 325 exam centres

Consumer Panel asks finance firm to pay compensation

The owners of Popular Finance were directed to pay the amount to Mary George from Thiruvananthapuram, who had filed a complaint with the commission

159 arrested under special anti-drug drive in Kochi

Gosamrudhi cattle insurance scheme launched in Ernakulam

The insurance scheme provides coverage to dairy farmers and their cattle, including cows and buffaloes, against risks such as animal death and a decline in milk yield

Lenten season begins on note of dissent in Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese

The joint circular urged archdiocesan priests and laity to end disputes over Mass celebrations and make a fresh start with the Lenten season

HC flays police for not removing stage erected on road in Kannur

Auditing of cooperative societies by external auditors required, HC told

HC restrains recovery of loans taken by those affected by Wayanad landslides

Court asks Stage government and SLBC not to take coercive steps till the Centre decides on States request for loan waiver

Renowned surgeon George P Abraham found dead at Kerala farmhouse

KOCHI: Renowned urologist and kidney transplant surgeon George P Abraham was found hanging at his farmhouse in Nedumbassery near Aluva on Sunday. George, aged 75, was a resident of Elamkulam in Kochi. He worked as a senior surgeon at a private hospital in Kochi. He is known for conducting highest number of kidney transplants in Kochi. On Sunday evening, George and his brother Paul reached GP Farmhouse, owned by the former, at Thuruthissery near Nedumbassery. George later told his brother that he wanted to spend some time alone. Soon, Paul left the place. However, as there was no further response from George, his relatives returned to the farmhouse and found him hanging from the handrails of the staircase using a rope. As per the FIR registered at Nedumbassery police station, George was depressed after being diagnosed with some disease. The death happened between 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm. Georges body is shifted a hospital in Aluva. The body will be handed over to relatives after postmortem. Nedumbassery police registered a case for unnatural death and started an investigation into the incident. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)

Unified Mass row: Synod supporters burn circular from Major Archbishop, vicar before Syro-Malabar Church headquarters

Catholic Nazrani Sangham protests against allowing both synod-approved unified Mass and what they called schismatic mass at the same altars in the archdiocese

Kerala HC Division Bench dismisses Kannur ADM Naveen Babus wifes plea for CBI probe into his death

Earlier, a single judge had rejected her plea for a CBI probe

Renowned nephrologist George P. Abraham found dead at farm house at Ernakulam in Kerala

He reportedly carried out over 2,000 kidney transplantation surgeries and many laparoscopic urological surgeries over a career spanning about 25 years

Classmates toss itching powder on girl student in Kochi; case against five students

KOCHI: Amid discussions over streaks of violence among youth in the backdrop of a Class X students death in Thamarassery, the Infopark police have registered a case after classmates threw velvet bean (naikurana) powder -- which causes severe itching -- on a girl student at the Government High School, Thengod, in Kakkanad. The police have booked five students under the Juvenile Justice Act and two teachers under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, an officer with the Infopark police station said. We registered the case on Saturday based on a complaint by the girl, a class X student, on whom the itching powder was allegedly thrown in the first week of February, the officer said. The police will take further action once the SSLC examinations are over, he added. The incident came to light after the girl and her mother spoke to a television channel, alleging that some students threw itching powder on her while she was lying head-down in class after an exam. In the subsequent days, things became worse, and due to the medications she was taking, she was neither able to attend school nor study properly for the upcoming SSLC exams, the girl claimed. Her mother alleged that the school authorities initially refused her permission to take the SSLC exams citing insufficient attendance. However, after the general education department intervened, the school authorities have reportedly allowed the girl to write the exams beginning on Monday.

Metro Connect buses boost Kochi Water Metro ridership by 10% on Vyttila-Kakkanad route

KOCHI: The introduction of Metro Connect electric buses have resulted in increased commuter patronage of Kochi Water Metro, especially on the Vyttila-Kakkanad route with a 10% rise in ridership. Weve registered a 10% growth in passenger ridership, which was in the range of 1,400-1,600, post introduction of the AC electric feeder buses on the Kakkanad-Infopark route. People are gradually shifting to the green mode of water transport. Weve increased the service frequency to one boat every 20 minutes. Free parking space is also being provided at Vyttila metro terminal, said Sajan P John, chief operating officer (COO) of Kochi Water Metro. KMRL had introduced the 33-seater electric buses on January 15, deploying them on the Aluva-Airport, Kalamassery-Medical College, Kalamassery-Cusat, Kalamassery-Infopark, and Kakkanad Water Metro Terminal-Infopark-Collectorate routes. While the services proved to be a hit on the airport route, the initial response was not much encouraging in the Kakkanad-Infopark section. More people are switching over to the feeder bus and water metro. The cumulative average daily ridership of e-feeder bus services has now touched 3,000. Even on the Infopark route, the daily ridership has risen to 220 commuters per bus from the initial 40, said a senior KMRL official. Authorities aim to attract daily commuters, especially those working at Infopark, to its services. With the KMRL set to introduce e-feeder buses on two more routes, including the High Court-MG Road section, authorities expect a further rise in ridership. It is hoping to achieve an average daily ridership target of 7,000 passengers when it starts services in the High Court-Willingdon Island-Mattancherry section by April first week. According to sources, authorities are eyeing an operational break-even with hopes to achieve a daily collection of Rs 2.5 lakh. Currently, the average daily ridership has crossed the 6,000-mark and crosses the 10,000-mark on weekends. It had achieved a record daily ridership of 15,222 passengers on December 29, 2024. Four more pontoons at High Court terminal Meanwhile, the Kochi Water Metro has begun the work of four more pontoons at the High Court terminal. Once the work is completed, there will be eight pontoons at the High Court to facilitate service augmentation. We will also start new routes, including the High Court-Mattancherry section, Sajan said. The construction of the second pontoon at Vyttila terminal will also commence soon.

Kerala to set up transgender protection cells in all police districts

KOCHI: On February 7, 33-year-old transwoman Angel Shivani, who works as an assistant makeup artist in Kochi, was waiting outside Palarivattom metro station. On seeing her, a Palluruthy man, without a hint of provocation, beat her up with an iron rod. Angel suffered multiple fractures. Considering the recent spurt in attacks against the transgender community across Kerala, the government has given its nod for a Transgender Protection Cell (TPC) in every police district in the state. The order was issued last week. In 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) had issued a directive to state governments to initiate such cells in all districts of the country. Earlier, the Women, Children and Weaker Section (WCWS) Cell, functioning under the ADGP law and order, used to handle complaints filed by transgender persons. Now, however, it has been decided to start TPCs in all 20 police districts in the state. Currently, womens cells are operational in all police districts. TPCs will function as a subsidiary of these cells. They start functioning by the end of the year, a police officer said. According to officers, TPCs will deal with complaints of atrocities against transgender people. Similarly, it has come to the notice of authorities that members of the community are exploited for criminal activities. TPCs will also arrange counselling sessions for transgender people to bring them to the forefront of society. Counselling units with the womens cells will be utilised for this purpose. Womens cells are currently headed by women circle inspectors, who will also head the TPCs. As per the government order, officers attached to TPCs can seek records and interview persons arrested by local police in cases of atrocities against transgender persons, the officer said. Arunima, a patron of the Transgender Congress and the first transgender member of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), said starting TPCs is a welcome move, but it is not sufficient to ensure the protection and welfare of the community. It is certainly good to have TPCs that deal with our issues. However, we have several apprehensions regarding the initiative. The TPCs would be operated by women police officers. There is no representation of transgender people, Arunima said. According to her, Kerala police should recruit community members to the force to deal with their specific issues. There should be a dedicated police station for transgenders in all districts. As a counter to this demand, people cite the example of the transgender people who quit their jobs in the Kochi Metro. People from our community resigned from the Kochi Metro due to poor salaries, said Arunima, adding, Only we can understand our issues. Other states have been recruiting transwomen and transmen to the police force. We made a request with the government in this regard several years ago. However, there has been no response.

Kudumbashree crime mapping survey finds more women in Kerala reporting abuse

KOCHI: Increasingly more women in Kerala are speaking out as well as waging a battle against the crimes committed against them at home, workplace or in public by those known to them or by complete strangers. The worlds biggest crime mapping survey being conducted by the Kudumbashrees Gender Development Department in the state to identify crimes being committed against women and provide proper help to those affected has revealed the fact. In Ernakulam, the mapping for the financial year 2024-25 was conducted in six panchayats namely Alangad, Kanjoor, Kuzhuppilly, Chendamangalam, Mudakuzha and Varappetty and covered 5,600 women aged between 18 and 48 years. It collected details about the various types of crimes committed against them, including economic, physical, sexual, verbal, mental, emotional and social, and found the number of women reacting against the crimes and reporting them had risen greatly. When it came to financial crimes by life partners, relatives, friends, officials, co-workers and strangers, 1,174 women took action by seeking help from the police while 1,033 didnt. In cases of physical assault by partners, relatives, friends, officials, co-workers and strangers, 912 women sought legal action while 780 didnt, a Kudumbashree official told TNIE. In sexual assaults by partners, relatives, friends, officials, co-workers and strangers, 1,165 women approached the police while 774 didnt. The mapping also showed that besides taking legal action many respondents also tried methods like keeping their distance from the assailants, reporting them to their immediate family members, approaching organisations or resigning from their jobs. However, it was found that the number of women who decided to fight against those who wronged them by themselves was very large. The official said 50 women from each ward of the grama panchayats were selected and their responses collected via Google Forms. Spot mapping was also carried out by volunteers, said the official. The educational qualifications of the respondents ranged from Class X to Post-graduation. Professionally, 2,962 were without jobs, 44 were students, 575 and 1,150 were employed in the private and public sectors, respectively, while 930 were self-employed. The official said the report prepared on the study was presented before the Kudumbashree CDS chairpersons at a conclave held recently. A discussion was held on the findings and suggestions of the report. It was attended by representatives of the grama panchayat, CDS and officials. The opinions were collated and a report submitted at the panchayat level. After that, further actions were formulated, which would be implemented soon, said the official.

Kozhikode youths develop AI-powered coconut harvester Coco-bot; set to revolutionise farming

KOCHI: The dearth of trained climbers has been a serious issue faced by coconut farmers in the state. According to the Coconut Development Board (CDB) database, of the nearly 32,925 climbers trained over 12 years, only 673 are active. Soon, however, such worries could be a thing of the past, thanks to the states first artificial intelligence-powered coconut harvester. Developed by four youths from Kozhikode, Coco-bot has already caught the eye of some major players like Marico Ltd, which produces the popular Parachute brand coconut oil. Coco-bot is different from other coconut-climbing robots in the market in that it is compact, lightweight, and has AI trained on datasets. And, the fact that the idea took shape in the bathroom only adds to its allure! The journey started from my bathroom, says Ashin P Krishna, founder and CEO of Altersage Innovations Pvt Ltd. It happened in 2020 while I was taking a bath, all the while reminiscing about my inability to make it to the Indian Science Congress (ISC). Then a Plus-Two student, he had developed an air-conditioner, which he submitted to ISC. However, the theme that year was innovation in agriculture, recounts Ashin. But the same air-conditioner made it to the semi-finals of an international contest held in China. As a reward, we received the chassis of a robotic tank. Fast forward to 2020, and I was in the bathroom thinking about it looking out of the ventilation. I thought, if only I had made an innovative project for the agriculture sector. It was then that I noticed the coconut tree right outside my bathroom. And, that was the light-bulb moment for me. I decided to make a futuristic robot that can climb coconut trees and harvest the nuts, says the 23-year-old. Ashin P Krishna, founder and CEO of Altersage Innovations Pvt Ltd. Ashin assembled his team and did research and development for a year. We built one from scratch and brought out a prototype in 2021, he adds. In 2023, the team presented its idea to the Kerala Startup Mission and received funds. The same year, the idea was further developed at the 36-hour Hackathon Vaiga organised by the state government. And we won the first prize, Ashin says. Following their success at the hackathon, the robot got noticed by Nabard. Riyas Muhammad and Rakesh V, district development managers of Nabard, contacted us and provided us with funds. The others who played a big role in the journey weer Prof E Sasindran, chairman, and K Sadanathan, vice chairman of Vadakara Coconut Farmers Producer Company, adds Ashin. In 2025, the first titration of the prototype was held. Coco-bot has many advantages over the competition. AI enables it to identify mature nuts and harvest them. Right now, Coco-bot is semi-automatic. But our final product will be fully automatic. Coco-bot can be handled by a single person instead of the more than three required for other types, he says, adding that these are the features that attracted the attention of consumers. The robot weighs 10 kg and can adapt to the various shapes of individual coconut tree trunks. The locking mechanism takes only five seconds to activate, adds Ashin. The startup received funds from Kerala Agriculture Universitys Raftaar agri-business incubator and has been invited by Maker Village in Kalamassery, Kochi. The startup was first incubated at IIM Kozhikode.

Training project to enhance palliative care services in Kochi

New material recovery facility under Chelode Chellanam

The facility is expected to enhance waste segregation and processing while addressing issues such as indiscriminate dumping and open burning of waste

As Lent begins, Syro-Malabar hierarchy faces opposition from rebels, supporters

The priests and the faithful of the archdiocese rejected the circular on the Mass issue by the Major Archbishop and his vicar, calling it blatant lies

Kerala govt. plans to ban plastic bottles, cups and carry bags at hill stations, Kerala HC told

Solid waste management charge will be collected at the entry points to tourism centres

Expedite land acquisition for Warangal airport: Telangana CM

Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday, March 1, asked officials to expedite the land acquisition process for the airport in Warangal districts Mamnoor. He stressed that the Warangal airport should be modeled on the Kochi Airport and ensure the design should create continuous activity in the new airport. The airport must have 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 .

CBSEs draft scheme for two Class X exams creates confusion

KOCHI: CBSEs draft scheme for two exams for Class X has raised doubts and created confusion. As per the draft scheme, two exams will be conducted for Class X to enable students to improve their performance. However, according to stakeholders, the draft scheme doesnt consider various factors. One major concern raised by parents is the schedule for the two exams. As per the tentative date sheet, it can be seen that the exams extend to May and the results would only come in by the end of May or early June. However, in Kerala and most of the southern states, the admissions to Class XI under state boards start in May and finish by June. Hence, students from CBSE who want to join the state boards would find themselves in a difficult situation, said a teacher of a CBSE school in Kochi. Getting a chance to improve their marks is very good, said the teacher. However, how beneficial would it be if the results come in after the last date to submit the applications for the state board Plus I course? she asked. Another factor that has not been taken into consideration is the adverse climatic conditions in May. Another teacher at a prominent school in the city said, When there stands a directive that students shouldnt be forced to write exams when the summer is at its peak, especially in South India, scheduling exams in May seems to be contradictory. Earlier, on the day the draft scheme was published on the CBSE website, the non-inclusion of certain regional and foreign languages led to widespread confusion, and protests erupted from various quarters. However, later the CBSE issued a clarification saying that the list of subjects contained in the draft date sheet had been given only as an example. All subjects and languages offered will be continued in the academic year 2025-26, clarified CBSE. Meanwhile, the National Council of CBSE Schools (NCCS) is undertaking a nationwide initiative to consolidate state-wise feedback on the proposed two-exam policy, said Indira Rajan, secretary general, NCCS. This initiative considers key factors such as student well-being and academic pressure, operational and administrative challenges, evaluation criteria and student performance, integration with higher education and career opportunities, as well as varied climatic conditions and regional challenges during this period. Gathering diverse perspectives will help in refining the policy to ensure it is both effective and feasible for implementation across different educational environments, said the letter sent to the managements and principals of CBSE-affiliated schools all over India. As part of the effort, the Council of CBSE Schools Kerala will be collecting inputs from schools across the state to present a unified perspective. The consolidated feedback will be compiled into a memorandum and submitted to the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and CBSE authorities, ensuring that the concerns and recommendations of schools are effectively communicated at the national level, said CCSK.