Financial firm attaches private hospital in Kochi over mounting debts of parent company

SpazeOne in expansion mode as co-working space concept grows

The Kochi-based company has already expanded to Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Bengaluru, and will soon offer office spaces in Chennai, Hyderabad and Madurai

'Glamorises tobacco use': PIL against Arundhati Roy's new book cover in Kerala HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the central government to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the cover of Arundhati Roys book 'Mother Mary Comes to Me'. The petitioner,Rajasimhan, a lawyer of the High Court, contended that the cover, which features the author smoking a cigarette without a statutory health warning, violates legal provisions. The plea also sought a ban on the sale, circulation, and display of the book with the present cover design. The petitioner made it clear that he is not concerned about, and has nothing to dowith, the content and substance of the book. However, the display and depiction of smoking in the absence of the mandatory statutory health warning and in the form of glorificationof smokingas a symbol of intellectual and creative expression, is in clear violation of the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COPTA). The statutory warning, such as Smoking is injurious to health or Tobacco causes cancer, is mandatory under the Act. According to him, the cover image of the author of the book smoking a cigarette, which is widely available in bookshops, libraries, digital platforms, and through promotional materials, thereby making it public, conveys athoroughly misleading and unhealthy message to impressionable youth that smoking is fashionable, intellectually stimulating, and intrinsicallyassociated with creativity. The petition stated that the depiction amounts to advertisement of the book and indirectadvertisement and promotion of smoking and tobacco products, particularly since Arundhati Roy is a globally renowned public intellectual, and her actions exert a strong influence over youth and thereading public, particularly the teenage girls and womenfolk who are still keeping aloof in the Indian society from openly and publicly displaying smoking and drinking habits. He added that permitting such publications will defeat the purpose of nationwide anti-tobacco campaigns, including the National TobaccoControlProgramme(NTCP), and will set a dangerous precedent encouraging others, particularly the younger generation, to glamorise tobacco use. The petitioner further sought a directive to the publisher to withdraw all copies of the bookwith the cover page from the market forthwith, and re-publish/re-circulate the book with a cover page that does not depict smoking or otherwise complies with COTPA, 2003.

Case Diary: 'WhatsApp officer turns scamster in shining armour

For a law-abiding citizen, the sight of a uniformed officer carries credibility and trust. Fraudsters often exploit this very faith, slipping into the guise of men in uniform to weave their deceit. One such case recently surfaced at the Aluva police station. Suchithra (name changed), a woman in her late thirties from Vaikom, has long been an active presence on social media, especially WhatsApp. A curious learner, she often explored new features and content, though she remained cautious, aware of the growing menace of cyber frauds. In the first week of September, she received a mysterious WhatsApp message. The sender, identifying himself as Mahesh, a middle-aged man from Paravur, had typed a simple Hi. As the number was unknown, Suchithra did not open the chat. She glanced at it through her notification pop-up and ignored it. More messages followed. Mahesh claimed they were both members of a regional WhatsApp group. Curious but wary, Suchithra entered the group to verify his presence. She checked the members list and examined his display picture. Once she confirmed that he was indeed a member, she replied with a brief Hi. Next, Mahesh claimed he was a circle inspector with the police special branch in Aluva. To win her confidence, he casually referred to acquaintances and even her relatives. Hearing this, Suchithra felt reassured. She was convinced that the man on the other side of the chat was trustable, says an officer at the Aluva East police station. Well, she was wrong. Suchitra was in financial distress, making her a vulnerable target for a scam. Mahesh had carefully studied her situation. Her family was struggling, with both her husband and child battling health problems, says Sub-Inspector Nandakumar. Mahesh approached her with a fabricated story about a charity initiative run under the Kerala Police in association with certain corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Claiming to be one of the officers in charge, he promised to secure `4 lakh for house construction and an additional `1 lakh for medical expenses. Mahesh told her she needed to complete minimal formalities for the fund release. She arranged `43,000 in cash through a chit fund. She sent the money over to Mahesh through a friend, says Nandakumar, who was part of the probe team. In addition, she transferred `3,300 via Google Pay as processing fee. Mahesh also collected copies of her passport, Aadhaar card, PAN card, and photographs. As the promised funds never arrived, Suchithra pressed Mahesh to return her money and documents. Maheshs tone changed. He allegedly threatened her, boasting of his connections with local goons and a quotation gang. Realising she had been duped, Suchithra approached the police. This time, the real one. On receiving the complaint, Ernakulam rural police chief M Hemalatha constituted a special investigation team led by DySP T R Rajesh and Aluva Station House Officer V M Kerson. Using call records tracking, the team traced Mahesh near the Cusat premises in Kochi. Plainclothes officers spread through the area spotted him while he was on a phone call. They note that he was smartly dressed, and exuded the air of an officer. A similar incident was reported a month ago, where two individuals posing as police officers extorted money from travellers passing through Manappuram forest in Aluva, notes Inspector Kerson. We were in no mood to let this guy off the hook. Probe was meticulous and swift. Mahesh was produced before court and remanded to judicial custody.

When walls tell stories

Walk into the lobby of Park Hyatt Hyderabad, and your eyes are instantly drawn upwards. The ceiling blossoms into a painted cosmos: lotus petals unfurl in layers, birds wheel across the blue canopy, and surreal figures emerge among the foliage. Elsewhere, in Kochis Port Muziriz, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, the walls tell another tale. Fishermen in charcoal and gold leaf row across waters heavy with memory, their oars glinting as natural light shifts through the day. These spaces are not merely decorated; they are transformed into narrative environments. At once lush and dreamlike, the mural blurs the line between interior design and storytelling. The hand behind these works belongs to Sachin Samson, a Kochi-born artist who has made murals the medium through which interiors breathe and speak. I have always been interested in drawing and painting, Sachin recalls. Not formally at first. My father, Samson Davis (a Zoology professor), was also an artist. He wasnt a professional, but was part of Kerala Kalapeedam, an art circle founded in Kerala in 1980, where artists like Kaladharan and Bose Krishnamachari would regularly meet. I grew up surrounded by that. I remember sketching elephants I saw at the temple, actors from movies, and even people on the street. A tendency to recreate what I experienced. That instinct carried him to MIT in Pune. In the first year itself, when everything was drawing and perspective and less theory, I found my place. It felt like meeting my tribe. This clutch of creative people, new cultures, and even music I had never heard before. More than academics, it was an exchange of energy, Sachin says. Then came animation. I thought it would be fun. Just drawing, he laughs. But animation is very technical. Youre studying anatomy, physics, and kinematics. Twenty-four frames per second, all drawn by hand. It was demanding, but my professors encouraged me to experiment, and so I did, with claymation, 3D software, puppet animation, and more. That blend of traditional drawing and digital skills shaped me. Sachin Samson at work. After a stint as a character designer at a gaming studio in Bengaluru, Sachin felt restless. I didnt want to just make assets for a game or direct ads. I wanted to tell my own stories, he recalls. Sachin returned to sketching and painting full-time. Sitting in cafes, sketching passers-by, he found a meditative rhythm. I would watch people, capture their gestures, their silences. It was like travelling through their emotions. It became a daily ritual. Instagram gave me visibility, and soon, small commissions came in, he says. That rhythm found scale when he encountered the energy of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Inspired by its installations and street art, he painted his first mural during the third edition of the art festival in December 2016. A mural is like a sketchbook blown up on a wall. It was spontaneous, but once I started, I knew this was my path, Sachin says. From Kochis walls, he moved to larger commissions. Some examples besides Park Hyatt Hyderabad, and Port Muziriz in Kochi, include, The Project Cafe in Goa, and private residences like Prestige Ozone in Bengaluru, where his murals align with arches, chandeliers, and flooring patterns, integrating seamlessly into the geometry of interiors. Each work is rooted in figuration but layered with magical realism. Temples, rituals, nature, coastal life they are profound sources of emotion. Thats what I bring into these spaces, Sachin says. One of his most evocative works is Whispers from the Mangroves, a 15x8-foot mural inspired by the backwaters near his Kochi neighbourhood. Painted in deep greens and gold, it captures not only the mangrove flora but also migratory birds that frequent the area. For Sachin, these projects are less about scale and more about collaboration. When theres a spark between you and the client, something beautiful happens, he says. That ethos guided his project in Kasaragod with Stport art India, where he transformed a fishermans house into a canvas. His work, Chaavukara, studied coastal life, weaving together past and present, land and sea. It was more than artwork. It was about interacting with the community, understanding their lives. The mural becomes part of their world as well, Sachin explains. The pandemic, he adds, deepened his practice. Sachin drew on memories of travelling through Rajasthan, creating a blue-hued painting series during lockdown. Covid was about stillness, and also reflection. Rajasthan felt like a fairytalethe architecture, the music, the musicians on every corner. During lockdown, I painted from those memories. It kept me connected to the world outside. The series later entered exhibitions, marking his shift into thematic bodies of work. Each mural creates ambience but also narrative. Viewers dont just see these works they inhabit stories, he adds. Today, alongside commissioned works, Sachin continues to work on personal series. He is preparing for a new body of work with his father in Fort Kochi. The series examines Kochis cosmopolitan past, and will be exhibited in a heritage gallery space. We will be ready by the time the Kochi Biennale opens, Sachin says. As Indias hospitality and design industries increasingly look to art as a differentiator, artists like Sachin are shaping how interiors feel. His works remind us that walls, too, can be canvases telling profound stories.

Kerala sees reverse migration as 40,000 professionals return: Industries Minister P Rajeeve

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Industries Minister P Rajeeve said that the state is witnessing a reverse migration of professionals. According to a report from LinkedIn, 40,000 professionals returned to Kerala this financial year. Of them 9,800 returned from the UAE, 1,600 each from the UK and Saudi Arabia, and 1,200 from the US. The returnees are currently employed in the state, said the minister during the Question Hour in the assembly on Wednesday. The report further stated that Kerala is ranked ninth in terms of professional talent pool. At 172%, the state has the highest growth rate for talent pool. Rajeeve pointed out that the MSME sector registered a commendable growth in recent years. There were 75,000 MSMEs registered on the centres UDYAM portal when the current government came to power. Now the number has increased to 16 lakh. Of them, 3.53 lakh are new entrepreneurs and 31% of them are women, said the minister. He further said that 24 public sector enterprises in the state are profit-making, adding that the rest are on the way to become profitable Meanwhile, the Union government has suggested not to go ahead with the GIFT city project as part of the Kochi-Bangalore industrial corridor. Kerala had begun steps, including land acquisition, for the project. At first, the Centre asked the state to rename the project since there was a GIFT city project in Gujarat. Kerala then renamed the project as Global City. But later the Centre took a stand that no new project should be taken up until the Gujarat project is completed.

Kochi homemaker turns idle land into thriving green farm

KOCHI: Maya Salimkumar didnt know much about bamboo, until a few friends introduced her to its wonders. And that proved to be all the prodding she required. On her familys small plot of ancestral land in Poothotta, that had remained untouched for more than 30 years, she came up with an exquisite bamboo farm over the next three years. The idea hit when we visited some friends who were growing bamboo on the yards of their homes. That is when I realised that I could use the 50 cents of unused ancestral land for the purpose. Since I love nature and anything related to it, I agreed straight up to grow bamboo and planted the first stumps, recounts Maya. The 100 stumps of Thyrsostachys oliveri variety were planted in a September during rains and have grown into a lush plantation on her land by the river. After planting, we did nothing except for the occasional weeding. After a year, when the nearly five-foot-tall trees started to dry up in the summer, I was concerned. But with the first rains came new leaves and shoots. This is clearly a very low-maintenance hobby that is both economically viable and creates good space for leisure, the housewife from Vyttila adds. Maya and her husband Salimkumar, created the farm with the help of K C John, who heads World of Bamboo in Palakkad, who first asked them to plant bamboo as a solution to reduce dust in their house premises. Bamboo farming involves only a one-time investment. Once harvested, new shoots will emerge from the same base. Maya now expects to yield a minimum of up to Rs 3 to 4 lakh from her plantation.

Samagra Shiksha draws on local content to bridge language gap in Kerala

KOCHI: While Kerala continues to chart new pathways in education, the backwardness among tribal communities presents a stark contrast. One major reason for this, as identified by the studies conducted by Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), is the language barrier. All tribal communities have their own mother tongue, which is entirely different from Malayalam, the official language of the state. And that has seen several programmes designed for the welfare of tribal communities, including initiatives associated with education, failing to yield the desired results. Taking note of the issue, SSK decided to implement a language adaptation programme -- called Padippurassi -- designed specially for tribal students. The initiative was implemented in the 2022-23 academic year and has been bearing results, an official with SSK told TNIE. According to the official, the programmes implemented by successive governments did not work because they were of poor quality. A combination of economic, social, cultural, and geographical disadvantages led to their failure. To address this challenge, lessons and learning cards were developed in the respective tribal languages as part of the Padippurassi initiative. It has been proven that children understand concepts quickly when their mother tongue is the medium of instruction in the formative years, the official pointed out. Also, drawing content from the childrens immediate surroundingssuch as trees, flowers, streams, rivers, mountains, ornaments, food, and celebrations in hamlets -- helps with learning, the SSK official said. Padippurassi study material For example, these children have never seen a plane, nor have they celebrated festivals like Onam. Trying to base their learning experience on such examples will not work. But when we connect the lessons with things in their surroundings, learning becomes easier, the official said. Since most of the tribal languages do not have a script of their own, and the Malayalam alphabet is used to transcribe their speech, the children could be eased into lessons in Malayalam in the Upper Primary section. This helped make a smoother transition from their mother tongue to the official language, and thereby reduced the gap in learning. This approach also aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises that early-stage learning should take place in the mother tongue. By incorporating the childs own language and cultural environment, programmes like Padippurassi not only ensure better comprehension but also foster inclusivity and a stronger foundation for lifelong learning, the official stressed. The programme was introduced in select tribal languages across schools in the districts of Palakkad, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kasaragod. Initially, there was some confusion among teachers and parents as many misunderstood the programme. They thought that students would learn only in their local language, completely avoiding Malayalam. It was a herculean task for the officials to convince them of the actual objective and significance of the initiative. Gradually, however, all stakeholders accepted it wholeheartedly, the official said. The lessons and reading cards were prepared with the active involvement of the local tribespeople. In places where tribal mentors of the tribal welfare department were present, their services were used to implement the project. And in other places, teachers were trained through interactions held with individuals well-versed in the tribal language, the SSK official pointed out. An example of the remarkable outcome of the programme was brought forth before the media recently when the students of GTLPS Edamalakkudy met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. They exhibited impressive language abilities. Deeply moved by this achievement, the chief minister announced the upgrading of GTLPS Edamalakkudy. Now, the school functions as an Upper Primary School with a strength of 65 students, from Classes 1 to 7, a teacher said. General Education Minister V Sivankutty too posted a short video recently of students from GTWLPS Anavai, Attappadi, presenting a programme in Malayalam. However, due to financial constraints faced by the SSK, the programme could not be expanded to more schools or extended to all tribal languages, the official added.

The artful twists of bamboo

The human race may be guilty of many things. Corruption, greed, violence name the vices, and we could be held culpable for them all. However, one thing we have been steadfastly generous about is setting aside a day in our annual calendars for every living/non-living being that exists on planet Earth. From World Sleep Day, World Idli Day, to International Moment of Frustration Scream Day, humans have not left anything behind, ignored, or cast away. Today happens to be the humble Bamboos turn in the limelight. Its World Bamboo Day, celebrated to raise global awareness about the important role that bamboo plays in environmental protection. It is also an attempt to encourage the use of bamboo in our daily lives. Art has always been associated with this unassuming plant that often grows as wild as an artists imagination. The earliest known use of bamboo in Indian art can be traced back to the Indus Valley civilisation, when it was used to make intricate objects and furniture. However, it was primarily in China and Japan that bamboo craft gradually evolved into fine art. Bamboo carving, which originated in China, evolved into an art form in the middle of the Ming Dynasty. Bamboo stalks became a popular subject in paintings over time and a genre of its own in East Asian art. Ink was used to demonstrate the artists mastery, and the image of the bamboo stalks with leaves was always accompanied by a poem. The reason why the bamboo plant was such an obsession with East Asian artists back then was primarily because it was seen as a symbol of courage and endurance. It was even said of the 11th-century painter Wen Tong that there are whole bamboos in his heart. Today, contemporary artists have taken the versatile bamboo out of the definitions of craft and painting muse and use it in myriad ways to make sculptures and installations. Japanese artist Noriyuki Saitoh is known for his intricate sculptures of insects using bamboo. Meticulously carving the delicate wings of a dragonfly or the tiny legs of a beetle, the artist transforms bamboo into something unbelievably beautiful. Indonesian artist Firman Djamil produces most of his immersive sculptural installations using bamboo. In 2006, he created the work Bamboo Tunnel, resembling a traditional fish trap, and placed it in the forests of South Korea as a passageway that filtered air and sunlight. It was the need to strike a balance between the modern world and the fast-disappearing natural world that he wished to address through this work. And what better material than bamboo to make the point? The bamboo installation by Indian artist Asim Waqif at the fifth Kochi Biennale was a monumental 20-foot structure that stood at the intersection between art, architecture, and environmental concerns. The work titled Improvise, which had musical instruments and even a swing, was to drive home the message of the relevance of traditional technologies and materials. Bamboo may bend. But it seldom breaks. And a day is simply not enough to celebrate this strength. May these artworks serve as reminders through the years!

Private boats operating from Marine Drive continue to violate safety rules

Boats plying with passengers crowded on the upper deck, most of them standing without wearing life jackets, a common sight nowadays at Marine Drive in Kochi

Kochi metro extends e-feeder bus services to Infopark Phase 2

Call for global cooperation in teak sector

Fifth edition of the World Teak Conference begins in Kochi

TISS students develop multiple spatial dashboards for better governance of Kochi Corporation

Kochi cyber police record first arrest in 25-cr. fraud; woman remanded

The immeasurable joy of giving

'Thank you may be a beautiful expression, but there are times when it falls short of conveying all that is felt. When the darkness of death stares hard, those who step in as light to others lives deserve more than gratitude. We speak here of organ donors and their families the ones who, in the midst of grief, decide to let their loved ones vital organs give life to those in need. Two recent donations have turned focus back on this deeply egalitarian act, though statistics show Kerala still ranks only 11th in the country for organ donation. Families that take this step set extraordinary examples. It is never easy. They must brace against the biting pain of loss, and still find the strength to make a decision that offers no personal benefit. Rather, they may face criticism. Latha Sharma, wife of lawyer Neelakanda Sharma, whose heart was transplanted 10 years ago after his brain death, still recalls the harsh comments she faced from relatives at the time. Today, she is calm in the knowledge that her loved one gave another person a chance at life. This sense of continuity the feeling that their loved one still lives on through someone else sustains donor families. TNIE speaks to four such families. Nevis Sajan Mathew. Nevis's parents Sherin Mathew (third from left) and Sajan Mathew (second from right) with the recipients of their son's organs at his grave in Kottayam. Nevis Sajan Mathew, 25, slipped into a coma in his sleep after a sudden drop in blood sugar went undetected until the next afternoon. His father, Sajan Mathew, a businessman from Kottayam, recalls how his eldest child an ICAEW student who had returned from France during the pandemic was rushed to Rajagiri Hospital in Ernakulam. He was in a coma for eight days. By then, we understood life would never be the same for us without Nevis. Once brain death was confirmed, we decided to donate his organs, Sajan says. Neviss organs were given to several people with end-stage liver, kidney, and heart diseases. His corneas went to Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly, and his hands to Basavana, a Karnataka native who had lost both arms in an oil mill accident. After the donation, Sajan and his wife Sherin met Basavana at Amrita Hospital in Kochi. The sight of Neviss hands moved them deeply. We asked Basavana to cut the cake on Neviss birthday, Sajan recalls. The couple stays in touch with other recipients too. They call us papa and mama now. They speak to us every day. We are a family. Premanand, an end-stage heart patient who got Neviss heart, visits us with a stethoscope to let us hear our sons heartbeat, Sajan says, visibly moved. The family has since set up a trust to help those struggling with transplant expenses. If we had not done it, our family would have crumbled in grief. Now, my child has got eternity. We may pass away, but he will live on, Sajan smiles. Manu Manoharan Manoharan B, Manu's father. Manu Manoharan, 22, had just secured a job at the airport and was returning home to Kanjiramkulam in Thiruvananthapuram when his new bike skidded on a rain-drenched road. He went into a coma. Manu was admitted at KIMS Hospital for four to five days. Even on the first day, we were told the chances of recovery were bleak. So, we had mentally prepared ourselves, recalls his father, Manoharan B, who works in an oil mill. Honouring a declaration Manu had once made at a church meet, his parents decided to donate his organs. Later, at Medical College Hospital, he was declared brain dead, and the donation was carried out. The family, however, is not in touch with the recipients. We did try to contact those who got his kidneys. But we were treated with indifference, as though we were seeking financial benefit. Even some relatives accused us of that. But we only honoured Manus wish. We do not seek any validation, Manoharan says. The family had buried Manu in their backyard. Sometimes we sit around his grave, which we have covered with tin sheets. We sleep there at times. The very thought that he, in his death, granted life to so many brings us relief, he says. Jerry Varghese Jerry and his wife Lincy Abraham with their child. Lincy P Abraham does not know who received her husbands organs. What we went through, the decision we took, and how the donation happened is not known to them, she says. But thats okay. We dont need anything in return. Jerry Varghese, 31, a faculty member at an engineering college, was returning home to Mannanthala in Thiruvananthapuram when he met with an accident. He remained in a coma for four days. He was a kind man. Even on that day, he had gone to help someone in need. I wanted his memory and ideals to be honoured, so I suggested that his organs be donated, Lincy recalls, adding that doctors were supportive. She says the following year was tough, but she slowly rebuilt her life and now works as a guest lecturer at the College of Engineering Trivandrum. Lincy continues to live with Jerrys memory, raising their six-year-old daughter. She still thinks her father is away at work. One day, I will tell her. For now, I am happy he could help so many. I sometimes think about how he still lives in this world through others. That thought comforts me and his parents, she smiles. Subin Joseph Subin with his family at a baptism function. For Subin Josephs family, contact with recipients felt more painful than healing. A child who received his kidney once came to meet his parents. We discouraged it because they are yet to reconcile with the loss. In fact, thats why I have been asked to speak to you on their behalf, says Ambrose PJ Padayatti, Subins uncle. Ambrose recalls the morning in April 2023 when he received the news of Subins accident. He was on his way to work when a bus rammed his bike. Doctors told us chances of survival were bleak. Thats when we thought of organ donation, he says. A long-time member of a church team that facilitates organ donation, Ambrose also has a family history of giving. Last year, when a 93-year-old relative passed away, we donated her eyes, he notes. Still, the process faced hurdles. I contacted the Mrithasanjeevani authorities and they promised smooth coordination. But some family members accused us of seeking benefits, he says. Subins parents and I were clear that his organs should serve others rather than decay. Many even approached me with offers of money, but we told them to go through proper channels. The only benefit we wanted was for Subin to live on by restoring life in others, Ambrose says. His organs were eventually donated to patients at multiple hospitals. The emotions that bind all donor families is a shared sense of relief. It not only helps those in need but also gives us the feeling that somewhere our loved one is alive, granting life to someone else. The gratification it brings is beyond any material gain, says Ambrose. Difference between Brain death and Coma Brian death is different from coma, says DrNoble Gracious, state nodal officer ofMrithasanjeevani and executive director of K-SOTTO (Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation). The comatose stage is like a deep sleep state. Brain stem reflexes can be intact even then. Only when brain stem reflexes are hampered, brain death sets in. A common way to check it is by checking the pupil. If the pupil is dilated and fixed when we flash light on it. Once that is rhe case, recovery is very bleak. For declaration of brain death, comatose situation is a prerequisite but being in coma, does not mean brain death thatshows up as absence of brian-stem reflexes. Comatose patients may recover, but recovery is near-impossible for brain-dead patients. Medical processes leading to organ donation 1. Persons having irreversible catastrophic brain injury, who are comatose, and on a ventilator are considered. 2. He/She should not be on medicines and should not be able to breathe on his/her own. 3. Apnea test is performed to confirm the brain-stem death 4. Partial pressure of CO2 is monitored for respiratory drive 5. After nuerologist spots brain-stem death, a team of four doctors constituted by the Medical Superintendent ascertains it. 6. The team will consist of treating doctor, medical admin, and two doctors empanelled by the personnel authorised by the Transplantation of Human Organs. 7. They have to confirm twice within a gap of six hours, performing a battery of prescribed tests. 8. After confirmation, the organ donation team takes over and informs the relatives for donation. 9. After consent of the relatives in front of two witnesses, organ donation team alerts possible recipients based on priority. The hospital concerned then takes over the retrieval process. 10. In between, blood cross matching is done. On ticking all these points, the probable donor thus becomes an actual donor. How to register for organ donation in Kerala: 1. Visit K-SOTTO (Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation) website at ksotto.kerala.gov.in 2. Navigate to the section for pledging organs and fill out the online form. 3. Receive confirmation by getting a donor card with your unique government registration number, which is a record of your intent to donate. 4. One can also register through a similar process through the NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation) website. 5. Print your donor card after submitting your pledge. 6. Inform your family of your decision to donate.

National Highway works stall KochiCoimbatore cargo movement

Transit time has doubled to 89 hours, raising costs, disrupting vessel schedules, and eroding the competitiveness of Cochin Port.

Families begin vacating Chander Kunj Army Towers in Kochi after AWHO credits 2.97-crore advance rent to escrow account

District Collector directs financial officer to disburse amount to individual bank accounts of apartment owners

Temporary suspension of sanitary waste collection creates backlog of 3,200 orders in Kochi Corporation

Waste collection was stalled after an incinerator was shut down for maintenance on September 1. Collection set to resume from Wednesday (September 17)

KSRTCs courier venture to soon roll out door delivery & pick-up services

KOCHI: Sending parcels through KSRTCs hit courier service will soon be a much easier affair. Customers will no longer be required to deposit or pick their parcels up from the designated courier counters. Instead, the KSRTC is all set to start pick-up and door-delivery services, a long-pending demand, as part of its road map to increase efficiency, both service and in-house. To facilitate the same, the transport corporation has entrusted the courier operations to Singhu Solutions, a company based in Andhra Pradesh, on a commission basis. Well initially introduce delivery services, for which the AP-based company has been given a deadline of six months, a senior KSRTC official in charge of the parcel and courier venture told TNIE. Were striving to start the services within three to four months. Were planning to make deliveries within a 10km radius of the collection centres. The new company needs to get acclimatised to the operations and the geography here. The courier pick-up service will be provided at a later stage, he said. Currently, customers need to deposit the parcels at the designated counters and the receiving party too needs to come to the respective counter at the destination point to collect the same. Once the new services get rolling, the company officials will deliver the parcels at the doorsteps of the intended parties and also collect the parcels from the houses of customers. The KSRTC now has 46 dedicated parcel counters in the state, besides the two outstation centres of Coimbatore and Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu. The corporation has plans to start courier counters in Karnataka as well. Aims three-fold revenue The KSRTC is eyeing a three-fold increase in revenue through the parcel and courier venture by entrusting the operations to a private party. The authorities, though, rejected charges that the corporation will lose a sizable portion of the profit by doling out a commission of 19.85%to the AP company. Weve selected the company through a proper bidding process. The company is also running the courier service of the APSRTC and their annual turnover is Rs 200 crore. Though not on that level, we are eyeing a three-fold rise in revenue collection. So far, our expenses, including the staff salary, have been around 35 to 40% of the revenue. Now, the company will meet the expenses, including staff salary, the official said. Currently, the corporation enjoys an average monthly revenue of `50 lakh, with the parcel counter at Vyttila Mobility Hub the best performing one with a revenue of Rs 30 lakh per month. The KSRTC authorities refuted allegations that the entire parcel and courier service has been privatised. Weve only entrusted the operation to the private company. The software, counters, and responsibility all lies with the corporation. The only change is that the company will manage the operations and it will be paying the salaries to the staff, the official explained. Started in mid-2023, the courier service has turned profitable as the corporation promised delivery anywhere in Kerala within 16 hours. Privatisation claims The KSRTC authorities refuted allegations that the entire parcel and courier service has been privatised The software, counters, and responsibility all lies with the corporation. The only change is that the new company will manage the operations and pay salaries to the staff, said an offical

Seat swap talks gain ground in UDF ahead of upcoming Kerala assembly polls

KOCHI: Speculation is intensifying within the UDF over possible seat swaps between the Congress and its allies the IUML and Kerala Congress (Joseph) ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls. Informal discussions suggest a reshuffle of constituencies could boost the winning prospects of both Congress and its partners. As many as five seats where IUML contested and lost Kalamassery, Guruvayur, Punalur, Azhikode, and Thiruvambady are being discussed for swapping with the Congress. Among the proposals, Kalamassery could be swapped for Kochi.The IUML is also exploring the possibility of exchanging Thavanoor, where its bete noire K T Jaleel has repeatedly defeated Congress candidates, for Guruvayur, a traditional League bastion. Congress candidate K Muraleedharan led the Guruvayur segment in the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat during the 2024 parliamentary elections. Punalur is another seat in play, likely to be swapped with Eravipuram. The League is also keen on trading Azhikode for Kannur, though Congress leaders are cautious as Rijil Makkutty has emerged as a promising candidate there. Thiruvambady, meanwhile, could be vacated in favour of either Beypore or Nadapuram. The underlying calculation is that both Congress and IUML would gain by contesting from constituencies where they enjoy stronger social and community support. For instance, in Kalamassery, Industries Minister P Rajeeve of the CPM has built a formidable base through development work, farmer outreach, and other initiatives. Congress leaders believe their hand symbol could help reclaim Christian and upper-caste Hindu votes there, while IUML sees Kochi as a better fit given its Muslim and Latin Catholic presence. Within the Kerala Congress (Joseph) fold, Ettumanoor has become the main bargaining point. Congress believes it has a higher chance of victory there and is considering swapping it with Poonjar. Kuttanad is also on the radar, but KC(J) has reportedly promised the seat to Reji Cherian. That move risks upsetting the Changanassery archdiocese, which could back the LDF if it fields Joseph K Nellveli of KC-M from the constituency, said a political observer. For Changanassery, P C Thomas, deputy chairman of KC(J), is likely to stake claim. Kanjirappally too is in contention, though the name of Adv Mathew Antony, Congress AICC joint secretary and national spokesperson, is doing the rounds. Meanwhile, senior Congress MP Anto Antony is also pressing for an assembly ticket after being overlooked for the KPCC presidents post. But with the Syro-Malabar Church said to be unhappy over his Pentecostal links, the leadership is reluctant to accommodate him at the cost of straining ties with the Church. In Ernakulam, DCC president Mohammed Shiyas has begun groundwork in Kalamassery. However, if the seat ultimately stays with the League, Shiyas could be shifted to his hometown of Aluva. That scenario would mean three-time MLA Anwar Sadath may be asked to vacate the seat. Shiyas, a close confidant of Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, is seen as a rising figure in district politics. If Congress vacates Kochi, IUML could field either veteran leader Ebrahim Kunju or Adv Mohammed Shah. Shah, who played a key role in bringing IUML leaders into dialogue with Latin Church heads to settle differences over the Munambam waqf issue, is seen as a strong contender. While still at the stage of speculation, these manoeuvres underline the churn within the UDF as it seeks to recalibrate its seat-sharing strategy to improve its prospects in 2026. Sources said formal discussions with the UDF on possible seat swapping will begin only after the local body polls in November.

Traffic SI suspended for opening half-built road in Kerala

KOCHI: A political controversy is brewing over the suspension of a Traffic Sub Inspector who threw open a key road section in the middle of heavily congested Muvattupuzha town last week, soon after completion of tarring works there. The same has triggered a war of words between the Congress and the Left parties, with the latter terming the incident as an outcome of the political drama staged by Mathew Kuzhalnadan, MLA. Kuzhalnadan, however, denied the charges. It all started on Friday when Traffic SI K P Siddique threw open the MC Road section from Kacherithazham to P O Junction for traffic, on the direction of the MLA. This is even as only the first phase of tarring works got completed there. CPM area secretary Aneesh M Mathew lodged a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against Mathew Kuzhalnadan, even as the cop was placed on suspension for opening the road without informing higher officials. The police officeris a victim of the MLAs political drama. It was on the direction of the MLA that the SI conducted the inauguration of the section even as the full works on the stretch are yet to be completed, alleged Aneesh. The suspension was done by the police department after an inquiry. The SI in his explanation clearly says he acted on the direction of the MLA, he told TNIE. When contacted, Kuzhalnadan outrightly denied the charges, saying that in the first place no inauguration was carried out. However, he admitted that he had asked the SI to open the stretch for traffic. I directed the police officer to open the section, where the tarring was completed. The opening of the two-lane section, a temporary measure, will ease traffic movement. An unnecessary controversy is being created, he said.

World Teak Meet in Kochi from September 17

Kochi cyber police arrest woman in 25 crore cyber fraud

This is the first arrest in the scam, in which a Kochi-based businessperson was duped into engaging in stock trading promising high returns

Right-wing Christian group abuses author M Leelavathi for skipping birthday in support of Gaza

KOCHI: Author M. Leelavathis decision to forgo celebrating her 98th birthday on Tuesday, in solidarity with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has sparked a vile cyberattack. Her statement When I see the children in Gaza holding out their bowls for food, how can food go down my throat? was met with online abuse and mockery. One taunt read: Maybe youre just tired of plain rice. Teacher, why not try mandi rice? Maybe then youll find some happiness in your old age. Speaking to the media, the author, affectionately known as Leelavathi Teacher, reiterated that she views aging as a time for reflection, not celebration, and has never observed her birthdays. I consider everyone equal, irrespective of religion, country, or caste. In 2019, I had only rice gruel on Onam after hearing about the plight of children affected by the landslides in Wayanad, she said. Devastating landslides in Puthumala and Kavalappara in Wayanad district had claimed 76 lives in August 2019. To me, children everywhere are the same. Those who oppose me are free to do so. I hold no enmity, she added. Defending her, writer C. Radhakrishnan said: This is in very bad taste. On her 98th birthday, a revered teacher expressed her sorrow: I feel heartbroken about the children dying in Gaza. I cannot enjoy any food. While most of the media understood her sentiment, a few twisted it into a communal issue and resorted to abuse. Some media outlets have become so poisoned that they cannot recognize a mothers pain for children regardless of caste, religion, or nationality. It is tragic that even in Kerala, the media is falling prey to such divisive narratives. Leading the online attack was CASA (Christian Association & Alliance for Social Action), a Kerala-based right-wing Christian group. On its Facebook page, it ridiculed her by bringing up militant violence in Israel and the killings in Kashmir to question what it called her selective outrage. One post read: Ammachi, when 27 tourists were shot dead in Kashmir, you had no problem eating, right? If you're tired of rice and now crave halal kuzhimandi, be careful not to get a bone stuck in your throat.

Kerala's anime sleeper cells come alive and kicking with Demon Slayer

Flipping over the assumption that anime is yet to go mainstream in Kerala is the current hubbub following the release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle. The much-anticipated film of the popular Demon Slayer franchise has created an unexpected big bang at Keralas box office last week. Theatres in cities like Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are witnessing packed audiences, prompting some of them to increase the number of shows. Even if one is not well-versed with the manga, the plot is simple Tanjiro Kamado and other members of the Demon Slayer Corps take on a swarm of demons at Infinity Castle. Beyond the story, it is the art, the graphics and the character arcs that truly make this film an absolute must-watch at the theatres. Shows have been housefull. Quite a delightful surprise this season. We will continue to screen it from early morning to late night this week, says Linto Davis, owner of Vanitha Theatre in Kochi. Its similar scenes in the state capital as well. We knew that there was a fan base for the franchise here. But the peoples reception has exceeded our expectations, says a spokesperson of Ariex Plex SL Cinemas in Thiruvananthapuram. Even on weekdays, the shows are full. This trend is likely to continue next week as well. Liberty Basheer, film producer and theatre owner, is also stunned at the reception this Japanese anime movie is receiving. I didnt expect it would be such a hit here, he says. Basheers theatres screening the movie are running houseful. So are many others in the state. People, especially youngsters, arrive sporting merchandise from the anime-manga series. Some even cosplay. This success is likely influenced by two reasons, says the founder of Shinigami, an anime community in Kerala, who prefers to remain anonymous. One, during Covid, a lot of people started watching anime, and Demon Slayer was one of the favourites. Two, it is an ongoing series. So, people are curious to learn what happens next. And it is not just anime-manga fans, even those who are interested in the superhero genre are out to watch Demon Slayer. We have sleeper cells of anime fans. Thats what I realised, quips Sree Nandan, who is part of several anime communities. The level of making is so impeccable, the graphics and art so fantastic that many have even begun reading the manga because of this buzz around the film. This growing clamour has opened up larger conversations too, and one such revolves around Chainsaw Man: The Movie Reze Arc, which releases on September 26. This is another movie we have all been waiting for, says San Ramsankar, a cosplayer and anime fan. Chainsaw Man is meant for a more mature audience and so will come with age restrictions. Linto of Vanitha Theatre, however, is thrilled to play host again. Chainsaw Man will certainly be screened at my theatre, from early show to the late one, he says. Fans, meanwhile, foresee a rise in popularity of anime in Kerala. And many believe this will also translate to an interest in homegrown productions. Azeem Kattali, co-founder of Eunoians animation studio, is piqued about the possibilities. Its revealed that there are scores of anime lovers in Kerala. However, for a Malayalam anime film to be successful, we have to have a story rooted in our culture, the characters must be known to the audience, and the art quality has to match the Japanese version, he says. Sanid Asif Ali, an independent comic publisher from Kochi, is raring to go at it. Did we expect Lokah a woman superhero film to be this successful? I believe the time is conducive to carve out a space for homegrown works to flourish. Stories that are rooted in our land, culture and folklore, but in anime format, he says. Sounds good, right?

Have you heard? Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan`s Haiwaan completes first schedule

Have you heard? Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan starrrer Haiwaan has completed its first block of shooting in Kochi, Vagamon, and Ooty. Meanwhile, Janhvi Kapoor revealed that she wants Manish Malhotra tp design her wedding lehenga

Industry seeks liberal excise policy to unlock Keralas wedding market

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A month after Kochi hosted Indias first-ever Wedding and MICE Conclave, industry stakeholders say the lack of a liberal excise policy continues to hold back business in the state. Though the government eased monthly dry day restrictions, liquor policy reforms fall short of the requirement to make Kerala competitive in wedding and MICE tourism. According to estimates presented at the conclave, the state could generate up to Rs 13,000 crore annually from the Wedding and MICE segment, given its unique mix of backwaters, beaches, hill stations, and luxury resorts. However, the absence of a flexible liquor policy and high permit costs are discouraging large-scale event planners. Though the event drew around 300 wedding planners from across the country, industry representatives say converting this interest into actual business will require a more liberal excise framework that supports large-scale events and destination weddings. Currently, on average, the state hosts 350 destination weddings a year, generating around Rs 500 crore annually. But planners and hoteliers insist this is only a fraction of Keralas real potential. Another major demand from the industry is to extend liquor serving hours beyond the current 11 pm limit, which they argue is incompatible with the requirements of late-night wedding receptions, gala dinners, and corporate events. With the right policy support, Kerala can generate over Rs 13,000 crore annually from the Wedding and MICE segment. Rajasthan and Goa are booming because of liberal liquor policy, and compared to these states, Kerala can host big fat weddings and intimate weddings at half the cost. We are not getting even one percent of the total destination wedding happening in the country, Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) president Jose Pradeep told the TNIE . The wedding and MICE market expects flexibility, said an event management association member. Unless Kerala addresses excise barriers and timings, the state will continue to lose out despite its unmatched natural advantages, he said. Recently, the state government allowed star-category hotels to serve liquor on the first of every month for approved events, provided they secure a special permit by paying Rs 50,000. A restrictive excise regime continues to drive business to other states. For a large corporate MICE event, that additional cost may not matter. But for smaller weddings, its a burden. Couples simply choose another state where such restrictions dont exist, said Jose Dominic, KTM founder-president. Goa and Rajasthan are the leading Indian wedding destinations. In Kerala, Kochi, Kumarakom and Kovalam top the list. According to wedding planner Raju Kannampuzha, the state has lost the momentum it gained during the pandemic years. During COVID, borders were closed and Kerala became the natural choice. We even got a fair number of north Indian weddings. But that trend is no longer there. Now, most events we see involve either the bride or groom from Kerala, he said. He added that Kerala is being chosen mainly for intimate weddings with 100-300 guests, largely because it is a cheaper option compared to Rajasthan and Goa. Intimate weddings cost around Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore while high-end weddings cost Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore. L500 cr generated Currently, on an average, the state hosts around 350 destination weddings a year, generating around I500 crore In Kerala, Kochi, Kumarakom and Kovalam are the leading wedding destinations

Kerala Wikimedians revive India edition of Wiki Loves Earth

KOCHI: After an eight-year hiatus, the Indian edition of Wiki Loves Earth (WLE), a Wikimedia initiative to promote natural heritage through an annual global photography competition, made a return this year, thanks to the Wikimedians from Kerala. A main objective that prompted the group of Malayalam users of Wikimedia to take up the initiative was to enhance and expand nature and environment-related articles on Wikipedia in Indian languages, including Malayalam. While much of the focus has traditionally been on the English edition, its equally important to make content available in Indian languages so that knowledge becomes accessible to a wider audience. We revived and launched the campaign this year. We plan to strengthen these efforts through larger campaigns that draw the attention of individuals, communities and nature organisations, encouraging them to contribute to Wikimedia Commons, Manoj Karingamadathil, administrator of the Malayalam Wikisource Project, told the TNIE . In Malayalam, we already have dedicated Wikipedia pages on birds, butterflies, dragonflies and other local environmental topics. Our goal is to take this momentum to the national level and expand across other Indian languages. This work is timely and relevant in the context of climate change and human-wildlife conflict, where reliable and open knowledge is essential, he said. Last held in 2017, the return of the competition to India is especially significant given Indias status as one of the worlds 17 megadiverse countries. Despite occupying only 2.4% of the worlds land area, India is home to nearly 8% of the planets recorded species. Besides India, the 2025 edition saw participation from 55 countries. Over 5,000 participants worldwide joined to capture the beauty of protected natural areas. More than 77,000 new images were contributed, enriching Wikimedia projects and taking them closer to the one million milestone. WLE is organised by volunteer communities on Wikimedia projects across the globe to promote natural heritage through freely licensed images contributed to Wikimedia Commons. The initiative encourages both amateur and professional photographers to document nature reserves, protected areas, biodiversity and landscapes within their respective countries. The 2025 edition witnessed entries submitted from nearly 60 countries. The India edition received an overwhelming response with 1,372 contributors participating, 91% (1,246 users) of them first-time contributors. Over 9,764 images have been uploaded to the India category for WLE 2025 on Wikimedia Commons. The competition received uploads from across India. The national jury evaluated the photographs and selected the 15 best images from India for submission to the international finale, Irvin Sebastian, Fellow Administrator of Malayalam Wikipedia and a wildlife photographer, pointed out. The India edition places strong emphasis on local knowledge, regional biodiversity and under-represented ecosystems. Participants contribute images with detailed descriptions and accurate categorisation, enriching Wikipedia and other free knowledge platforms with high-quality visual documentation of Indias protected natural sites. The contributions are widely used to illustrate Wikipedia articles and remain freely accessible for educational and research purposes. The best photos from local winning submissions have been announced, with the best photos moving to the international round. The international jury will begin reviewing submissions, and the international winners will be announced by November or December. Onto the next level The best photos from local winning submissions have been announced 15 best images from India have been submitted to the international finale The international jury will begin reviewing submissions, and the international winners will be announced by November or December

Kerala HC flags discrepancies in records of gold plating of Sabarimala Idols

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday raised concerns over missing details of the gold used for cladding the dwarapalaka idols on either side of the sreekovil at the Sabarimala temple, pointing out discrepancies between official records from 1999 and the handover documents of 2019. When the case initiated suo motu based on the report of the Sabarimala Special Commissioner regarding the detachment of gold plates from the idols without prior permission of the court came up for hearing, a division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar directed the superintendent of police (SP) to seize and produce before the court all remaining records, including mahazars. The court further ordered the production of documents showing the quantity of gold used in 1999 for cladding the dwarapalaka idols, the name and details of the sponsor and artisan involved, the quantity used for the 2019 plating, the gold required for the ongoing 2025 process, and the manner of recovery and reuse of the gold, along with all related records. Records regarding the second set of idols and the peedam, reportedly retained in the strong room, were also sought. HC calls for detailed inquiry into discrepancies The bench noted that records clearly reveal the copper plates covering the dwarapalakas were gold-cladded and installed with the sanction of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in 1999. A general mahazar, dated July 19, 2019, states that sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty of Bengaluru had approached the TDB seeking permission, at his own expense, to carry out gold plating of the dwarapalaka idols. In the presence of the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, Sabarimala Devaswom executive officer, administrative officer, thantri of the temple, engineers, and the devaswom smith, 12 copper plates weighing 25.400kg that covered the idols were removed and entrusted to the sponsor for gold plating. The mahazar bears the signature of Potty, but notably refers only to copper plates and makes no mention of the existing gold cladding. This is quite unusual and calls for a detailed inquiry, the court observed. On July 20, 2019, the peedam on which the dwarapalakas are placed was also removed and entrusted to Potty. The plates weighed about 17.400kg. Prima facie, it appears that this peedam too underwent traditional gold plating in 1999 along with the dwarapalaka idols. Documentary evidence indicates that the lintel, along with the plates covering the dwarapalakas, had originally been cladded with gold in 1999, it said. On September 12, 2025, the court directed the chief vigilance and security officer to ascertain whether another set of gold-plated dwarapalakas was stored in the strong room. Communication in 2024 between the TDB and Potty suggested that the latter was aware of a second gold-coated set. However, the officer reported that no such set was found during preliminary verification. Further inquiry is required, the Bench said. Courts concerns If the dwarapalaka idols were gold-cladded using traditional methods in 1999, what persuaded the TDB to permit Unnikrishnan Potty to subject them to gold plating again, by taking them out of the state and without seeking the courts permission, requires probe. If the copper plates were indeed cladded with gold, records must exist documenting the same, including the exact quantity of gold used as traditional methods were followed. Communications between Potty and the board suggests another set of dwarapalaka idols is kept in the strong room. The chief vigilance & security officer (superintendent of police) has, however, been unable to trace such a set. A detailed inquiry is needed to verify its existence.

Patients recovering well after heart transplant at Kochi hospital

SC order on Waqf Amendment raises hopes of Munambam residents

KOCHI: The people of Munambam heaved a sigh of relief on Monday after the Supreme Court passed an interim order while hearing multiple petitions challenging the constitutionality of almost all sections of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. With the pronouncement of the interim order, all hurdles to finding a solution to the Munambam Waqf land issue have been removed. The major obstacle cited by the Central Government in resolving the Munambam issue had been the pendency of these petitions before the Supreme Court. Now that hurdle has been removed. With the interim order in place, the ball is now in the Central Government's court, said Fr. Antony Tharayil, vicar of Velankanni Matha Church at Kadappuram. According to him, when Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju visited Munambam in April this year, he had referred to these petitions as a major obstacle in framing laws under the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. He had said that laws to resolve the land issues faced by Munambam residents could be framed using Section 2(a), Clause 2(A), the vicar added. Residents are particularly relieved that the Supreme Court did not stay Section 2(a), Clause 2(A). This clause refers to a proposed addition in the 2025 Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which clarifies that trusts established by Muslims for purposes similar to a Waqf are exempt from the provisions of the Waqf Act. The amendment aims to distinguish secular trusts from Waqf properties, allowing such trusts to manage their assets independently of Waqf Boards. This distinction is seen as a possible solution to longstanding disputes, such as the one in Munambam, by affirming that the land in question is held by a trust and not a Waqf under the Act. It has already been proven that the land belonged to the Farook College management, which is a trust. Therefore, the sale of the land becomes valid under the new clause in the amendment, said Joseph Benny, convenor of the Munambam Bhoo Samrakshana Samithi. He added that residents are now looking to the central and state governments for a swift resolution to the issue. We will be intensifying our agitation in the coming days, he said. However, not everyone shares the residents' optimism. P. K. Ibrahim, a senior advocate at the High Court, expressed reservations about the applicability of Section 2(a), Clause 2(A) in the Munambam case. The property has been deeded as Waqf, and hence the amendment does not apply. Farook College has not been designated as a trust in the title deeds, he pointed out.

Tea prices decline at Kochi auctions amid quality drop

Rain in the high ranges last week affected the quality of the tea arriving at the auction platform

Kochi to host 5th World Teak Conference: Global meet on sustainable teak sector

Themed Sustainable Development of the Global Teak Sector Adapting to Future Markets and Environments, the conference will cover socioeconomic trends, genetics, silviculture, technology, environment, and trade.

Navy to bolster anti-sub prowess in Indian Ocean

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy is set to add to its fleet another anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft Androth, second of the eight ASW SWCs (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft), built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Calling the step important, a source said, The focus on the anti-submarine warfare is conspicuous with the Navys planned induction of 16 ASW-SWCs, the six P-8I Poseidon, and more UAVs and Drones for the purpose. The Navy commissioned the first of the 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), INS Arnala, at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in June. Eight more ASW-SWC warships are being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. The indigenous defence manufacturing augments the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the Navy. The contract for the 16 craft was signed in April 2019, to strengthen Navys Anti-submarine, coastal surveillance and mine laying capabilities. The name Androth, GRSE in its statement said, holds strategic and symbolic significance, derived from the Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, underscoring Indias commitment to safeguarding its vast maritime territories. These ships approx 77 m in length, are the largest Indian Naval warships propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination and are equipped with state-of- the art lightweight torpedoes, Indigenous ASW rockets, advanced shallow water SONAR, enabling effective submarine detection and engagement in littoral zones, said GRSE. The worry, as earlier brought out by this newspaper, remains that over the years, Pakistan and China have been adding strength to their capabilities, including the underwater. Importantly, in August, Pakistan inducted its third of the eight Chinese manufactured modern Hangor Class submarines which is Air Independent Propulsion equipped. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is concerned that its platforms are reaching obsolescence; therefore, the new additions should not only replace the older ones but also increase the overall numbers. The Chinese PLA Navy, with over 360 warships and submarines, has become the largest navy in the world, with an increased presence in maritime bodies around the globe, including the Indian Ocean, while the Indian Navys total fleet strength is over 130. The Indian Navys submarines underwater fighting capabilities, even after the addition of six indigenously manufactured Scorpene-class submarines, are plagued by obsolete boats (submarines). Although new boats have been added and newprojects are in the pipeline, the Navys submarine arm has been plagued by obsolescence and is operating 12 vintage submarines.

Proving a blessing to many, Biljith Biju and Isaac George live on through organ donation

KOCHI: Biljith Biju was a first-year engineering student at Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology (ASIET) in Kalady. The 18-year-old Nedumbassery resident was riding a motorcycle on September 2 when a lorry that went out of control ran him over. Pedestrian passersby moved him to the hospital. There was blood loss. Considering his age, a surgery was performed to save his life. But on the tenth day, he was declared brain dead, said a source. Biljiths heart, kidneys, corneas, liver, intestine, and pancreas were donated. He is survived by parents Biju and Linda, and sister Bivel. We talked to the family about the possibility of organ donation. His mother was initially unable to accept it. However, the family later contacted us to convey their desire to donate his organs, the source added. Isaac George, 33, a Kottarakkara native, passed away on September 11. He was also involved in a two-wheeler accident while returning home from work. Isaac, a former DYFI unit president, had earlier pledged to donate his organs. Being a social worker, he had submitted a declaration conveying his willingness to donate his organs. His family, including his wife, was also aware of his wish, an official with the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K-SOTTO) said. Isaac was a restaurant owner. His heart was donated to a patient in Angamaly. His liver and one kidney were transplanted to patients at KIMS, while another kidney was sent to Thiruvananthapuram GMCH. The corneas were donated to Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in Thiruvananthapuram.

Cases to be registered against portals, activists for cyber bullying actor over Mamkootathil row

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police will register cases against a bunch of social media news portals and people including activists on the charges of cyber stalking and online bullying of a Kochi-based actor, who had raised allegation that a young politician -- presumably Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil -- had misbehaved with her. Actor Rini Ann George had filed a complaint with the chief minister and the state police chief alleging that she was constantly being subjected to cyber attack after revealing that the youth leader had sent her inappropriate messages and invited her to a hotel room. Though she did not name the culprit, it was speculated that Rahul was the person under scanner. After her revelation, Rahul stepped down as Youth Congress state president.

Redevelopment of Ernakulam Junction railway station faces fresh delay as new contractor decision put off

KOCHI: Development work at the Ernakulam Junction railway station is likely to be delayed as a decision on appointing a new contractor may be taken only after one-and-a-half month. Work at the Ernakulam Town railway station too seems to be progressing at a slow pace. Sources in the railways said tenders submitted by six firms were opened on September 12. We will be carefully studying each document and conduct a thorough check to verify the credentials of the interested companies, said a Railway official. Work at Ernakulam Junction began in 2022, with an estimated deadline of 2025. The Rs 350-crore project was delayed due to the inefficiency of the contractor, Bridge and Roof Company (India). It was also found the work by contractor was sub-par. Hence, it was decided to terminate the contract and blacklist the firm from undertaking any railway projects, said the official. Owing to the delay passengers are having a tough time navigating the new arrangements. It is a mess. There is no end in sight to a work that we thought would finish in two years. Until last week, approach road to the stations makeshift main entrance was a muddy mess. Though the passengers kept seeking a solution throughout monsoon, the authorities woke up after the rain stopped, said Paul Manvattom, president, All Kerala Railway Users Association (AKRUA). He asked: How can a public sector entity be so careless in awarding such a big contract, and that too in a city as important as Ernakulam, to a company that has no expertise? Paul alleged the progress of work at Ernakulam Town station had slowed down too. As per the proposed plan for Ernakulam Junction, a separate, three-storey building will be built on the eastern side. It will have a passenger booking facility, a hospital and administrative offices. On the western side, a four-storey building will house a ticketing area, waiting lounges and a commercial area with connectivity to all platforms. Ernakulam Junction handles over 1.96 crore passengers annually. The railways expects the upgrade will accommodate the exponential growth in passenger traffic in future. The Ministry of Railways has also selected Ernakulam Town and Kollam stations for major revamping. Re-development of Ernakulam Town station was awarded as an EPC contract to M/s RANK Projects and Development Pvt Ltd, for an amount of Rs 150.28 crore on August 29, 2022. Its deadline is 36 months. Ernakulam Town station handles over 90 scheduled daily train services. Categorised as an NSG-3 station, it registers an annual passenger footfall of 1.02 crore an average daily footfall of 28,000. The Ernakulam Town to Kayankulam railway line passes through Kottayam district with major stations at Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Mavelikkara. Ernakulam Jn rly station First tendered: August 2022 First contractor: Kolkata-based Bridge and Roof Company (India) Project cost: Rs 350 crore Deadline: 36 months Status: Work stopped, new tender floated, decision on new contractor in approximately two months Passenger footfall: Over 1.96 crore annually Ernakulam Town rly station First tendered: August 29, 2022 Contractor: M/s RANK Projects and Development Pvt Ltd Project cost: Rs 150.28 crore Deadline: 36 months Status: Ongoing, work on multi-level parking and west terminal building nearing completion. No status on air concourse, foot overbridge, skywalk connectivity, platform upgradation Passenger footfall: Over 1.02 crore annually

Isaac George and Biljith Biju inspire surge in organ donation pledges across Kerala

KOCHI: Biljith Biju and Isaac George, two youngsters who were declared brain dead last week, have, through organ donation, served a purpose beyond saving lives raising awareness of the importance of their life-affirming acts of eternal kindness. And, this has reflected in the number of organ-donation pledges made in the state on Friday and Saturday. On September 13, 191 people pledged to donate organs after their death. The number was 193 on September 12. Factors like acceptance and the honour donors and their families receive, and the improved quality of life of recipients have motivated the public to pledge their organs. The impact of the recent development is reflected in the rise in the number of people who have registered for organ donation in the past two days. People across Kerala are now pledging to do so. There has been a notable increase in awareness about organ donation, said Dr Noble Gracious, executive director of the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K-SOTTO). Of the 534 organ-donation pledges made in the state in September, 384 were made on September 12 and 13, following the examples set by the families of Kottarakkara native Isaac, who was 33, and Nedumbassery teenager Biljith. There were a total of 503 pledges made in August. The decision by the families of teh youngsters declared brain dead comes when there are controversies surrounding organ donation. With news and information about the donors and recipients circulating on social media, the public has become more aware. It has motivated many people to donate organs after death too, said Gopikrishnan K M, vice chairman of Liver Foundation . Kerala, which works to promote organ donation in the state. The shift is not specific to a particular age group or geographical area and is reflected across the state, in people of all age groups. Of the total pledges, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kollam districts registered the most number. More youngsters now willing to donate organs It is not just about the number of people pledging. The rising numbers indicate that these two individuals and their families have set an example and helped raise awareness. The development has a long-term impact, he said, adding that through government initiatives and summits of families, the government has also been raising awareness. Gopikrishnan added that more youngsters are now willing to donate organs. The efforts of state and non-governmental organisations have resulted in encouraging people to do so. Pledges soar Of the 534 organ-donation pledges made in the state in September, 384 were made on September 12 and 13 On Sept 13, 191 people pledged to donate organs after their death. The number was 193 on September 12.

State sees over 500 organ pledge registrations in four days

Two back-to-back heart transplant surgeries were carried out in Kochi, on September 11 and 13, as organs were harvested from brain-dead patients in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi

Kerala Polices cybersecurity summit to focus on prevention of child abuse

Kochi will host the conference on October 10 and 11. Ahead of the meet, a 10-day training will be given for investigation officers of cyber units from all States at the Kerala Police Academy.

Journalist Siddique Kappan, 10 others booked for obstructing pedestrian movement during event in Kochi

Kochi Police have filed a case against journalist Siddique Kappan and ten others following a solidarity event held in Vanchi Square. The event was organized by human rights organizations to protest the arrest of Kerala-based journalist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, who was charged under UAPA. The FIR alleges the participants shouted slogans and obstructed pedestrian movement without permission.

INTERVIEW| Dopamine hits now more important than content

National Award-winning filmmaker Krishand first made waves with the mockumentary science fiction hybrid Aavasavyuham in 2022, followed by the police procedural comedy thriller Purusha Pretham, and Sangarsha Ghadana based on The Art of War. The adjunct professor at IIT Bombay has now returned with the web series The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang, hailed as Malayalams answer to Gangs of Wasseypur. In a freewheeling chat with TNIE, Krishand reflects on storytelling, the eyeball economy, his upcoming project with Mohanlal, and more Youre often seen as a synonym for quirkiness in Malayalam cinema. How did you first come up with the idea of bringing that quirkiness into your stories? Quirkiness has always been deliberate. Back in college, I discovered filmmakers like Guy Ritchie, the Coen Brothers, Anurag Kashyap, Abbas Kiarostami, and Emir Kusturica. Watching them made me realise quirkiness is just an extension of art. Personally, humour as a defence mechanism has always been part of me, shaped by childhood trauma, upbringing, and economic background. I embraced that and brought it into my films. I also picked up on the natural contempt among people of Thiruvananthapuram, but I present it playfully instead of harshly. Are people of Thiruvananthapuram so disdainful? Our standards are high, especially for those from the late 70s and 80s. It also comes from the Mohanlal culture you saw in Priyadarshan films. We are not easily impressed (laughs). Youre a biochemical engineer who came into the film industry How has your journey been? My father was passionate about art. He wrote poetry, acted in plays, and drew. My mother too had a strong taste for it. She encouraged me to paint. Now my daughter also draws. I believe that if you have a primary skill, you can always find a way to express yourself, even if you are introverted. That was my opening. At the same time, I was very good at my studies.Basically a padippist (laughs). But in my first year of college, through reading, I began to sense the pointlessness of it all. I realised education was tied to capitalism and hierarchy. I got interested in biotechnology because of a fascination with cyborgs and films like The Terminator. But soon I found it wasnt for me. I shifted to software and worked at Infosys. There I learnt about IDCs design programme. I had considered FTII and NID, but they were too expensive. Coming from an economically unstable background, I could not afford them. IDC, on the other hand, offered stipends. There, I made my first zombie short-film. After watching it, Santosh Thundiyil sir [cinematographer] asked me to write a screenplay for him, as he wanted a horror film. I interned with him on a Sanjay Dutt project. That experience gave me my first real understanding of how cinema works on a large scale. You mentioned that you discovered the likes of the Coen Brothers early on. How did that happen, considering you grew up mainly watching Malayalam cinema? My first exposure to world cinema was Jurassic Park. Until then, it was mostly Malayalam films, mainly Mohanlals and Mammoottys. I could even sit through films like Vidheyan. My father would explain things to me; for example, with Danny, he would break down what was happening on screen. So I grew up watching a lot of Malayalam films, and even now, I still keep watching them. Once I got a computer at home, I began watching films like Jurassic Park, Twister, The Terminator series, Rambo, and Rocky. I watch all kinds of films, and the spectacle has always felt magical to me. However, it was only after I started attending IFFK that I discovered art cinema. That got you hooked on offbeat films? No. I still like films like Mukundetta Sumithra Vilikkunnu. When I make films, I aim for that kind of entertainment, but something else always sneaks in (laughs). You mentioned earlier that youre a fan of Bharathan. Yes. In my house, Vaisali is a celebrated film, but I personally prefer Thazhvaram. I think my father was a Bharathan fan, so I grew up watching his films. I also liked Venkalam for its imagery. Bharathans strength was creating ambience through visuals. As a painter, I always think first in terms of images. Thats why Bharathan resonates with me. Thazhvaram was initially under-appreciated I watched it as a child and was scared, despite it not being a ghost film. Later, after watching spaghetti westerns and Leones works, I realised its brilliance. The villain was Western in style mysterious, not fully explained. It made me think about geography, ethnography, and character arcs in scripts. Padmarajan was rooted in literature, Bharathan spoke directly to me through cinema. Together they created magic. When did you start attending the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)? Class 12. I participated in the Childrens Film Festival, which introduced me to the works of Abbas Kiarostami. IFFK has been a game-changer for film enthusiasts in Kerala. Malayalam cinema often follows familiar tropes, though we are not yet fully affected by the eyeball economy. IFFK exposed me to innovative storytelling formats. Filmmakers like Jafar Panahi, who smuggled a film out on pen drives, have been a real inspiration. Could you elaborate on eyeball economy? I am currently working on a film titled Masthishka Maranam, which explores this very subject. Attention has been a market for long. With the advent of mobile phones, grabbing peoples eyeballs became a necessity. Now content is less important than holding attention with dopamine hits. If you win attention, the numbers grow, and with numbers comes revenue. This idea has always been part of advertising, but it became even sharper after the pandemic. Campaigns with semi-nude women were used to sell burgers. Sexual innuendo was used to sell cars. The challenge today is to create an impact within six seconds. But doesnt this hamper the organic flow of filmmaking? Its like insisting on using traditional film stock while working with digital formats for the natural, nostalgic feel of it. You have to be smart and adapt to the technology. Filmmakers like Christopher Nolan can afford that. I do not have that privilege. Do you think filmmakers like Nolan also work with this attention-deficiency issue in mind? Good filmmakers can keep the audience invested organically. They have to put double the effort today. Today, platforms tell us that we are losing attention at particular points and ask us to come up with something more interesting. You can either go with it or fight it, but I dont have the privilege to fight. I believe data is the truth. Data from the streaming platforms? Yes, there is a lot of other such data, like the screenplay eyeball test and image eyeball test. I do user tests with all my films to see where the viewers are losing interest. So I try to do something there, to keep the viewer engaged like increasing the beats per minute, increasing the cuts, or making louder portions before and after it. Trade secrets (laughs). My first exposure to world cinema was Jurassic Park. Until then, it was mostly Malayalam films, mainly Mohanlals and Mammoottys. Is Masthishka Maranam a proper cyberpunk genre film? I always wanted to make a sci-fi film, and I have long been fascinated by cyberpunk. It often depicts a world where the quality of life is poor but the quality of technology is very high. I was influenced by dystopian ideas like those in George Orwells 1984, where governments control our attention, and also by Aldous Huxley, who suggested that governments would not bother with control at all as they simply keep the people distracted. That is exactly what seems to be happening now. These days, people are more concerned with trivial things than with pressing issues. This is why I wanted to make a retro-futuristic cyberpunk film. When I first pitched the idea, many felt there was no business in it. Finally, Ajith Vinayaka backed the project, thanks to our earlier collaboration on Arun Chandus Gaganachari. For those unfamiliar with cyberpunk, the film might feel like another episode of Black Mirror, but if you know the genre, you will also see the influence of films like The Matrix. Does the success of Lokah give you confidence? Yes. With Lokah and Gaganachari doing well, I feel audiences are open to new concepts. Hopefully, we can move away from familiar kovilakam stories. I wanted Lokah to win. I admired Dominic Aruns Tharangam, especially its ending, and even cast Santhy in 4.5 Gang after watching her in it. What sparked the idea for Aavasavyuham? Did you imagine it as a mockumentary right from the outset? Yes, it was always meant to be a mockumentary. After Vrithakrithiyulla Chathuram unexpectedly got selected at IFFK, I felt encouraged. I wanted to try something crazy I had a short story called Mermaid in Kochi. I was also inspired by Chuck Palahniuks Rant, which introduced me to postmodern deconstruction. I started thinking about how to make the short story into a film. Like Stanley Kubrick said, if something can be written or thought, it can be filmed. Theres a peculiarity to your name as well as your film titles... My name was supposed to be Krishnanand, but Ammamma must have dropped syllables en route to hospital (laughs). In school, it was often misspelt, but I grew to like its uniqueness. When Amitabh Bachchan launched a production company named after himself, I thought of starting Krishand Hotel or Krishand Fried Chicken some day. Thats the backstory of Krishand Films in short (laughs). For titles, my strong Malayalam vocabulary pushes me towards literary choices. Even if not marketing-friendly. Ill keep fighting for them. Though Aavasavyuham initially found appreciation from a niche audience, Mammoottys praise was vital in popularising it among the masses It was huge. After he casually spoke about our film in a press conference, there was a sudden spike in the views. Its also surprising that people in power take note of everything thats made in the industry. The biggest turning point in my career was when I sold the film to Sony LIV and later won all the major awards that year. That got me cultural capital. After Aavasavyuham, the businessman in me woke up. I wanted to make something completely different within six months. The result was Purusha Pretham. When one looks at your works, death seems to be a constant theme. Is there a reason? Death, its rituals, the loss, the grief it is such a big process. The idea of death fascinates me. There is a lot to explore. Filmmakers like Don Palathara and Lijo Jose Pellissery have done it. More recently, S Vipin explored the theme in Vyasanasametham Bandhumithradhikal. You can easily create dark humour around death. In Purusha Pretham, Ajiths story inspired me to explore morphology and magical realism like a man turning into a frog after death, hands into flowers. Talking of death, we have heard that you are scared of ghosts.... Yes (laughs), but it is me imagining things and getting scared. I know that ghosts dont exist. It must be because of the social conditioning I come from. I keep imagining it and get quite scared. I also get scared when I stay alone for too long. I start imagining that there are things in the dark corners. What about horror movies? I dont watch them! In fact, I had to stop after watching the first 25 minutes of Bramayugam. I could not watch Bhoothakaalam properly either. Similarly, I remember watching The Shining getting really scared. You seem to apply different philosophies in your writing, like nihilism, Taoism, stoicism, etc. Is this pattern organic? National Award-winning editor Sankalp Mishra once told me films need a philosophical core for longevity. So I started exploring them. I read J Krishnamurti, Taoism, Nietzsche, Osho, etc. I live with a philosophy for a while, then unlearn it. I look at identity crises and apply them to characters. For example, Arikuttan in 4.5 Gang embodies stoicism. Talking of philosophy, the structure of your film Sangarsha Ghadana (Art of Warfare) feels unusual. How did you arrive at that choice? As the name suggests, its inspired by Sun Tzus The Art of War. I actually thought it was foolish to write a manual on how to kill people. But the book exists, and it has helped me at different stages of my life. My version is more of a study of the book. To help others understand, I included a story. My idea was also to release two gangster films around the same time. The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang is wild, funny, and explores the ecosystem of a criminal. Art of Warfare, on the other hand, is about violence and how violence breeds more violence. 4.5 Gang seems rooted in your own lived experiences, memories Growing up in Thiruvananthapuram, I saw that world firsthand. I remember festivals where we got a Five Star bar with the sadya crazy times. It was authentic to write about. But I also saw people dying from depression, suicide, accidents. A whole section fades away while others profit. Writing 4.5 Gang was also about reflecting on that. You first started pitching this idea for 4.5 Gang in 2015. Since then, have there been any changes in the structure or storyline? The storyline itself has not changed. One major difference is in the wildness of the Maitreyan character, played by Jagadish. Around that time, I had been reading a few books where criminals narrated their own stories in the first person. What struck me was that even though they were murderers and liars, they were also whitewashing their own actions. Ranjith sir had explored a similar idea in Pranchiyettan and the Saint. The idea fascinated me. So I made Maitreyan a bit more unhinged. Do the OTT platforms interfere in the minute details of the production? They follow the concept that we are creating it together. So, you have to let go of your ego. The best argument wins. I respect that. While talking to you, there is a subtle undertone of politics. So what is your politics exactly? Well, now capitalism is everywhere. I cannot fight or defeat it. Everyone is striving to make money. I am a commercial filmmaker too. So, my idea is about forming a tribe and equipping ourselves to survive within capitalism. That is my politics for now. What led you to this view? I think it has to do with age. In the early stages, many believed the Left wing was right. We thought socialism was good. Then came religion. But in the end money rules everything. We finally end up being engulfed by capitalism. We are just products within it. In 4.5 Gang, Jagadishs character asks whether you want political correctness or excitement? Where would you draw the line in writing? Even during the writing stage, many people said the female characters were not strong. But at the end of the day, I am selling a product, and one cannot always focus on the politics of it. Does stressing too much on political correctness affect creativity? There is this understanding that you should not be politically wrong. Cinemas influence is huge. I remember wanting to smoke after watching No Smoking during college days! Similarly, a friend wanted to drink right after watching Mohanlals Spirit! Do you feel its right to judge a film only through the lens of political correctness? There are plenty of critics like that. They approach every film from a particular perspective, and that is the lens through which they engage with art. We must understand that not all filmmakers are aware of, or sensitive to, political correctness. That awareness often comes through education, peer discussions, deeper engagement, or through personal experiences of suffering. The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang is getting a good response and even being compared to Gangs of Wasseypur and Vada Chennai. How do you see these comparisons? I enjoy those comparisons, but I try to stay neutral. I have drawn inspiration from many films. Angamaly Diaries influenced me with its music and rhythm. Lijo Jose Pellissery is a superb filmmaker. You will find my comments on his Facebook page (laughs). You play a surprise cameo as Vikraman... Vikraman was inspired by superstar Vijay. We couldnt secure rights, so my associate suggested I do it. Vikraman will return in Season 2. Thiruvananthapuram has a strong Vijay culture. Im a fan too, though I feel sad that hes been underutilised. You cast Vijayaraghavan in the series in a rather insignificant part... It was just for the experience. Working with him was a long-time wish. He is one of the finest actors. Does this desire to collaborate with exceptional talent also drive you to pitch stories to superstars like Mohanlal and Mammootty? Of course. When you are working in this industry, getting the chance to work with those who are regarded as the best in popular culture is a privilege. It allows you to explore the possibilities of the medium in a more expansive way. Theres buzz that your collaboration with Mohanlal is a detective comedy... It is a detective comedy with him and a sidekick, rooted in realism. That is all I can reveal at the moment. How did you get connected with Mohanlal? I connected with Mohanlal through Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju, who worked with me in The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang. For me, working with Mohanlal sir is something I never imagined would be possible in this lifetime just like working with, say, Robert De Niro. Same applies to Mammukka. However, I presented the screenplay and got some solid feedback from Mohanlal sir. Now the script has become much stronger. Were you interested in working in different languages earlier as well? I wanted to do Hindi films. But after seeing the situation in Bollywood I was not sure. When you are in an industry where you mostly get to do what you want and there are takers for it, would you really want to place yourself in a space where everything is about money? Where do you position yourself in the industry now experimental, new wave or mainstream? I get mainstream-level pay. True mainstream, however, means a big theatrical hit. I am waiting for that. Currently, I am just doing my work in one corner. My audience may be niche, but the niche is growing. Could you name five films that you often return to? Reservoir Dogs, The Matrix, The Wild Goose Lake (a Chinese film)... then there are the films I watch while having food Pandippada, for example. Every frame of it is fun. My wife loves it. And Fitzcarraldo, especially when I am struggling. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, S Neeraj Krishna, Vivek Santhosh, Krishna P S, Vignesh Madhu, Harikrishna B A Sanesh (photos) Pranav V P (video)

Mad scramble for Dalit candidates in Kerala: Congress may pay price for neglect

KOCHI: As Kerala races towards the assembly election next May, the Congress is in a desperate eleventh-hour search for Dalit and tribal candidates. The scramble has laid bare a bitter truth: The party has failed to groom and promote leaders from the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, leaving itself exposed in 16 reserved constituencies (14 SC and two ST). The shift from the past could not have been starker. Until the mid-1980s, the Congress was never short of stalwarts from backward communities. The likes of Vella Eacharan Iyyani, M P Thami, K K Balakrishnan, K Raghavan Master, Damodaran Kalassery, P K Velayudhan, K K Madhavan, T K C Vaduthala, Kittappa Narayana Swamy and Dr M A Kuttappan gave the party both legislative heft and grassroots presence. These leaders emerged not just as candidates, but as mass figures who commanded respect. But as factionalism deepened in the late 1980s and 90s, Dalit and tribal representation shrank. The main reason for the failure of Congress to promote SC/ST leaders was the endless feud between the A and I groups. It choked the rise of new leaders and created a vacuum that remains unfilled even today, said political analyst Dijo Kappen. That vacuum is now haunting the party. For decades, the leadership has relied on a handful of safe names most notably Kodikunnil Suresh and Pandalam Sudhakaran. Kodikunnil, first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989, remains an MP, while Sudhakaran has held sway since his Wandoor debut in 1982. Both men have effectively blocked the entry of younger leaders, according to critics. Congress is finding no names beyond Kodikunnil and Sudhakaran. With issues clouding Remya Haridas as well, the party has only itself to blame, remarked Ramesh Mathew, a former journalist and long-time Congress watcher. Indeed, the bench is worryingly thin. The party has no ready replacements for the 16 reserved constituencies. Meanwhile, the CPM and the BJP are making visible efforts to cultivate Dalit and tribal candidates, intensifying the Congress anxiety. A senior Congress source admitted the crisis, but insisted change was coming. The AICC wants new names from fishermen, SC and ST communities, not the tired old set such as Kodikunnil and [T N] Prathapan. We have identified promising new faces, and there will be a visible generational shift in 2026, the leader told TNIE. Sources said Sajithamol, the widow of M G Kannan, who was vice-president of the Pathanamthitta District Congress Committee (DCC) and district panchayat member, who passed away last month at the age of 42, will be among the Congress picks from the backward community for the assembly election. The stakes are high. In the 140-member House, the 16 reserved seats can prove decisive. Losing ground on this front could cripple Congress chances of returning to power. Leaders like P R Sona from Kottayam educated, with a doctorate, and active in community work represent the kind of profile the party should have nurtured years ago. Instead, the neglect of grassroots Dalit leadership has left Congress scouring the state at the last minute for candidates with credibility, said sources. The irony is stark. A party that once produced giants like K K Balakrishnan who held multiple ministerial portfolios, including harijan welfare and transport and Kuttappan, a staunch Ambedkarite who fought his way into the assembly despite factional sabotage, is today struggling to find even a handful of recognisable Dalit leaders. As the countdown to the polls begins, Congress is discovering that decades of ignoring and sidelining its Dalit and tribal leaders cannot be wished away in a frantic candidate search. The past is catching up fast and the party may pay a heavy price.

UDF MPs and MLAs skip urban conclave

KOCHI: The UDF MPs and MLAs, who were expected to attend the two-day Kerala Urban Conclave, 2025, stayed away from the event in Kochi. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan was expected to attend the inaugural ceremony, but skipped the function held on Friday. MPs Hibi Eden, Benny Behanan, Dean Kuriakose, and Francis George, and MLAs T J Vinod, Anoop Jacob, Anwar Sadath, K Babu, Eldhose Kunnappilly, Mathew Kuzhalnadan, and Roji M John, who were supposed to take part in the closing ceremony on Saturday, too, gave the function a miss. When asked about the absence of the leader of the opposition, Minister M B Rajesh said, He (V D Satheesan) had informed us that he would be attending the event. I think the he couldnt attend the event due to some inconvenience. I dont think there is a political motive behind this. Also, Vikramadithya Singh, the minister for public works and urban development in Himachal Pradesh, of the Congress, attended the event.

Kerala must now focus on generating resources: Prof M Satish Kumar

KOCHI: With the Kerala Urban Policy nearing formal adoption, Prof M Satish Kumar, chairman of the Kerala Urban Policy Commission, which was tasked with preparing it, spoke to TNIE on the states challenges and possibilities on the sidelines of the two-day Urban Conclave, which concluded in Kochi on Saturday. Excerpts: Given the shifting demographics and trends, what are the challenges faced by Kerala in implementing an urban policy? The Kerala model has raised awareness of participatory governance and equity. The challenge is to improve local self-governance and efficiency. Urban governance must consider scale Kochis Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) will vary from Kozhikode or Kasaragods. We are still dependent on analogue systems that are prone to errors and corruption; digitalisation is vital. Despite literacy, civic responsibility is low. Climate-resilient planning is slow, while Kerala faces threats of climate change, droughts in the midlands, and ignored wetlands that worsen floods. Guest workers remain unintegrated into state policies. What are the basic-level changes required to ensure proper urbanisation? Households must take responsibility for waste management. The 3Rs Reduction, Reuse, and Recycle are ignored. Kerala, with limited land, must adopt zero landfills. Citizens should not allow dumping in wetlands. We must start with youth and actively endorse environmental sustainability. What potential does Kerala hold in becoming an IT, economic and cultural hub? Economic sustainability is crucial. We must move away from dependence on state transfers and create bankable projects to access central funds. Keralas urban clusters Palakkad, Kochi-Ernakulam, and Kozhikode-Kannur can drive growth if linked to their economic strengths. What were your priorities in formulating the policy? We focused on the ageing population and the out-migration of youth. Urban policy has often been top-down. But we combined top-down with bottom-up approaches, consulting stakeholders on their vision for future cities. Innovation was key, including suggestions like geocoded data for better resource generation. We placed recommendations for both politicians and bureaucrats. The state is focusing on welfare projects. Will that be enough? It ensures political stability but not sustainability. Kerala must generate its own resources through a circular economy and monetising nature-based products. That is the only way to achieve economic sustainability.

Kerala urban push: Fintech hub, fashion city on cards

KOCHI: Keralas new urban vision aims to turn its cities into specialised growth centres, linking economic development with local strengths while ensuring fair distribution of resources. The Kerala Urban Planning Commission (KUPC) has recommended a slate of city-specific clusters from a Thrissur-Kochi Fintech hub and a Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam Knowledge Corridor to a Kannur Fashion City and Kozhikode Literature City. Industrial Smart Cities are planned for Palakkad and Kasaragod, while Kannur-Kasaragod and Thrissur-Ernakulam will be developed as education and health hubs. According to experts, the proposals build on Keralas distinctive development model that balanced social equity with growth, but they also warn that the next leap requires fresh state-led investments. Kerala has been good at distributing resources and able to provide employment, and spatial and social transformation. The majority of growth and employment in the state comes from the tertiary sector. Now Kerala needs state-led investment plans. Capacity to invest should also be improved. So the state has a role of catalyst and needs to reinvent the city structure, said Tikendar Singh Panwar, former deputy mayor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation and a member of KUPC. The focus is not just on Keralas traditional growth hubs. Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are saturated now. We need to focus on Malabar areas. With Mangaluru port and Kannur airport nearby, we have better connectivity. The traditional industries in Malabar areas should be revived and developed, said K S Hari, another KUPC member. Hari added that Kerala must turn its knowledge base into enterprise. Also some of the prominent banks and financial firms in India are from the Thrissur-Ernakulam areas. So we have people who have knowledge. The presence of higher education institutions in Thiruvananthapuram can help make the area a knowledge corridor. We need to translate knowledge and come up with industries, he said. Panwar said Keralas urban trajectory is distinct, with cities merging into rural belts and an industrial policy already in place. One of the pillars of urban development happens to be the co-drivers. Kerala is different in the way the evolution and distribution have happened. Now cities are expanding to rural areas. Also, the state has an industrial policy. We tried to bring in some formulations after referring to the industrial policy, he added. The roadmap is expected to anchor the states upcoming Nava Kerala Urban Policy, which seeks to marry economic growth with inclusive and sustainable urbanisation. Proposed projects Thrissur-Kochi Fintech hub Palakkad and Kasaragod Industrial Smart Cities Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam Knowledge Corridor Kannur Fashion City Kannur-Kasaragod and Thrissur-Ernakulam education and health hubs Kozhikode Literature City The two-day Urban Conclave in Kochi, which brought together 3,115 delegates and 275 speakers, concluded on Saturday with a strong call to professionalise urban governance and prepare Keralas cities for a sustainable future. The conclave saw participation from urban experts from 12 countries, three ministers, four foreign mayors, and eight mayors from Indian states. Minister for Local Self-Government, M B Rajesh, said recommendations include creating business development councils for cities, establishing fact-based governance systems, and setting up urban observatories in all cities within two years, backed by a state-level observatory. Recommendations focus on professionalising urban governance through participatory professionalism, performance-based grading of local bodies and officials, and enhancing citizen participation using technology. A dedicated authority for waste management coordination, digitisation to improve tax collection, leveraging climate funds and green bonds, and encouraging investments from the Malayali diaspora were also proposed, Rajesh said. The event also saw the signing of Letters of Intent with UN-Habitat and UNU-CRIS, and the release of a child- and youth-friendly city charter prepared under the UNICEFs guidance.

Kochi-1 card services hit by technical glitch

BJP alleges Kappan violated bail terms by attending Kochi protest held demanding journalist Rejaz's release

KOCHI: The BJP has complained to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Kochi City Police Commissioner, alleging that journalist Sidheeq Kappan violated his bail conditions by attending a solidarity meeting in Kochi in support of Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek. The protest, organised at Vanchi Square on Saturday with the support of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), demanded the release of Rejaz. Rejaz is a student activist and independent journalist from Kerala who was arrested in Nagpur last month. He was booked under Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after allegedly criticising Operation Sindoor Indian military strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on social media, besides raising anti-India slogans. BJP leaders claimed that the event in Kochi was used for anti-national propaganda and was attended by individuals with Popular Front of India (PFI) links, including Kappan. The appellant shall not misuse his liberty in any manner and he shall not be in contact with any person(s) connected with the present controversy in question, the complaint said, quoting from the Supreme Courts bail order on Kappan. Kappan, arrested in 2020 while on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, spent nearly two years in jail under UAPA charges before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2022. While relaxing his weekly police reporting requirement last year, the court made it clear that other bail conditions, including restrictions on contact with individuals linked to the case and surrender of his passport, would remain in force. The BJP complaint, submitted by party leaders including state spokesperson K V S. Haridas and Kochi district president Adv. K S Shaiju urged police action against Kappan and warned that allowing such meetings undermines law and order in the State.

Pahalgam attack crippled tourism in J&K: NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq

Kochi, Sep 13: The Pahalgam terror attack collapsed the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, causing a loss of crores of rupees in revenue, said JKNC MLA Tanvir Sadiq here on Saturday. Talking to news agency on the sidelines of the Urban Conclave here, where he represented the Jammu and Kashmir government, Sadiq said several [] The post Pahalgam attack crippled tourism in J&K: NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq appeared first on Northlines .

Pahalgam Terror Attack Crippled Tourism In Jammu And Kashmir: JKNC MLA Tanvir Sadiq

Kochi, Sep 13: The Pahalgam terror attack collapsed the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, causing a loss of crores of rupees in revenue, said JKNC MLA Tanvir Sadiq here on Saturday. Talking to news agency on the sidelines of the Urban Conclave here, where he represented the Jammu and Kashmir government, Sadiq said several hundreds of hotel and Shikara bookings got cancelled following the terror attack, causing a huge loss to the tourism industry there. Every booking got cancelled [] The post Pahalgam Terror Attack Crippled Tourism In Jammu And Kashmir: JKNC MLA Tanvir Sadiq appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Congress-led UDF will oppose SIR in Kerala: V D Satheesan

Kochi: Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan on Saturday alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was a BJP tactic to disrupt free and fair elections and the Congress-led UDF would strongly oppose all attempts to implement it in the state. Speaking to reporters here, Satheesan said that implementation of SIR 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 .

Antimicrobial Resistance major crisis in Indian healthcare: Expert

KOCHI, Sept 13: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major crisis in the Indian healthcare system, severely hampering the treatment of infectious diseases and leading to higher mortality, longer hospital stays, and escalating healthcare costs, according to experts. Speaking at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on War Against Antibiotic Resistance organised by the Government Medical College, Ernakulam, noted epidemiologist Dr Naresh Purohit warned that the rise of AMR could mark a return to the pre-antibiotic era when common [] The post Antimicrobial Resistance major crisis in Indian healthcare: Expert appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Union Minister Khattar seeks Centre-state cooperation; says Centre will support development projects

KOCHI: Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, speaking at the Kerala Urban Conclave, said the state will have the support of the central government in implementing development projects. He cited the example of the regional rapid transit system and said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has discussed the project with him. Once the state government prepares and submits the detailed project report, the ministry will approve and support it, he said, adding that the state should sign the MoU for the second phase of the Prime Minister Awas Yojana. With Metro and Water Metro, Kerala is also a state with a modern transportation system. The Centre and state are working together to complete the work of the second phase of Kochi Metro. India is set to become the second country, after China, with the longest metro rail system. Now we are in the third position after China and the United States of America. The discussions for four more metro rail lines in the country are progressing. Once the work is completed, India will be the second country with a metro covering a longer area, he added. Urging cooperation between the Centre and states, he said the governments may have different ideologies, but as far as development is concerned, the Centre and states should work together.

New Urbanism throws fresh challenges in state,' says State Planning Board member

KOCHI: Kerala is experiencing a unique form of New Urbanism where ruralurban inequalities are narrowing at a faster pace than elsewhere in India, but this growth comes with fresh challenges, said State Planning Board member Dr Ravi Raman. Speaking to TNIE on the sidelines of the Kerala Urban Conclave, Dr Raman said the benefits of growth have spread widely, but infrastructure and planning have not kept pace. What we are witnessing is not just urbanisation with growth. It is a core growth feature. But the narrowing of inequality is accompanied by rising pressure on basic services, he noted. The states migrant population has expanded sharply, straining already inadequate sewage systems, drinking water supply, and sanitation facilities. Migrants live in abysmal conditions. The takers have increased, but we have not created habitable conditions that can accommodate them, he said, stressing that traditional spatial planning cannot address this crisis. Poor sewage management and lack of proper waste disposal mechanisms, including in the capital, have worsened public hygiene, fuelling communicable diseases. We have to admit that higher consumption means higher waste. Waste-to-energy projects are crucial, but they are yet to take off, he said, adding that the draft Urban Policy must address these urgent issues.

KMRL bags contract worth Rs 4.4 crore to prepare detailed project report for Mumbai water metro

KOCHI: Kochi Metro Rail Ltd is making waves. In a significant milestone, KMRL bagged the contract to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) for Mumbais proposed water metro project, which will be modelled on the successful Kochi Water Metro. The consultancy assignment, worth Rs 4.4 crore, was awarded by the Maharashtra government through a competitive tender process. With this, KMRL has entered the league of national-level consultancies, on the lines of the pioneering role played by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in the metro rail sector. The DPR will build on the feasibility study earlier prepared by KMRLs consultancy wing, which explored water metro connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Kochi Metro has taken on the very challenging responsibility of preparing detailed plans for implementing the project in Mumbai, across diverse bodies of water, including canals, backwaters, port waters and sea routes. Our expertise from Kochis pioneering water metro is now being extended to create sustainable mobility solutions for other cities, said Loknath Behera, MD of KMRL. The project will cover nearly 250 km of waterways, with 29 terminals and 10 proposed routes. The assignment is expected to open up significant opportunities for KMRLs consultancy division and create an additional revenue stream for the company. KMRL is already engaged in studying water transport systems across India. Acting on the directions of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the company has taken up feasibility studies for water metros in 18 cities across 11 states and two union territories. Reports for Patna and Srinagar have been submitted, while those for Ahmedabad and Guwahati are nearing completion. These reports will be evaluated by IWAI, paving the way for future DPR work, said Shaji P Janardhanan, chief general manager, water transport, Kochi Metro. Industry observers note that if it ends up being entrusted with preparing DPRs and implementing projects in multiple states, KMRL has the potential to emerge as an international brand in sustainable urban water transport, extending the success of the Kochi model to cities across India and beyond.

Nearly 80% of states population will be in urban areas by 2050, says Urban Policy Commission member

KOCHI: Kerala is on course to frame the countrys first urban policy, with the Kerala Urban Policy Commission, formed in December 2023, submitting its final report early this year. The detailed one-and-a-half year study was carried out to formulate norms that will guide urban planning in the state for the next 25 years. TNIE caught up with Prof Dr Ashok Kumar, lead member of the commission, on the sidelines of the ongoing Kerala Urban Conclave. Excerpts: How fast is urbanisation playing out in Kerala? The study projects that nearly 80 per cent of the states population will live in urban areas by 2050. What are the key proposals in the report? A key suggestion is the setting up of a metropolitan planning committee. The state has already implemented proposals mooted in the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments of 1992 -- which established the Panchayati Raj system and urban local bodies -- such as district planning committees, local governments, etc. This is also the approach that will be effective for large settlements such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. At the regional level metropolitan planning committees can focus on the development of cities as well as surrounding areas, in a coordinated manner. Is there a shortage of people in the state for effective planning? Yes, there is a shortage of planners at every level -- beginning with the state, and extending to districts, cities, towns, and villages. We must recruit at least 50 planners every year. The commission also recommends setting up a school of learning and architecture in the state to produce the required number of specialised planners. Who should be making the policy decisions? The main idea is for elected representatives to assume charge. But they should be aided by professionals in the decision-making process. What is the one challenge posed by urbanisation that should be addressed now? The impact of climate change. Sea erosion is endangering cities and towns along the coast. Some of the settlements are at risk of being submerged. The report has proposals on mitigating climate-change concerns, particularly those faced by large settlements.

Urban Conclave calls for tailored development models, professionalisation of local bodies

KOCHI: Keralas upcoming urban policy is poised to move away from a one-size-fits-all formula and embrace a differentiated, climate-conscious, and inclusive framework to guide the states rapidly changing landscape. If Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans pitch at the Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 in Kochi on Friday is any indication, the policy will seek to balance sustainability, social equity, and economic growth while recognising the distinct needs of mega cities and satellite towns. Unless we tailor our approach, the future of Keralas urban development will not be sustainable, Pinarayi cautioned, calling the new policy a road map for balancing demographic, environmental and economic imperatives. The two-day conclave, themed Aspiring Cities, Thriving Communities, brought together planners, academics, policymakers, and international experts to finalise the contours of the policy. Discussions revolved around spatial planning, health and well-being, inclusive infrastructure, climate resilience, and economic corridors linking growth hubs with jobs and investments. A new vision The policy, shaped by the Kerala Urban Policy Commission, is expected to prioritise social cohesion, human development, and local economic growth, while assigning special focus to the youth and the elderly. The aim is to improve collective governance and strengthen local self-governing institutions. After 34 years of Panchayati Raj in Kerala, the next level is about governance and efficiency. For that, we need professionalisation of all local bodies, said Dr Satheesh Kumar, chairman of the commission. Emphasising that Keralas rate of urbanisation is higher than the national average, Pinarayi demanded urgent interventions. Todays Kerala is a blend of major cities and numerous small towns. We must address the challenges arising from rapid urbanisation and seize the opportunities it presents. This vision is what we call Nava Kerala, he said. The chief minister outlined priority areas including water resources management, waste disposal, and urban resilience. The state has water bodies that are not used properly. We need to rejuvenate them. Cities should also be made resilient to pandemics, and barrier-free, disability-friendly infrastructure should be ensured in all cities, he said, adding that poverty eradication, employment generation, and environmental protection must be built into urban planning. Core challenge Experts warned that climate change presents the most pressing challenge. Sea erosion is endangering cities and towns along the coast. Some of the settlements are at risk of being submerged. The report has proposals on mitigating climate-change concerns, particularly those faced by large settlements, Prof Dr Ashok Kumar, lead member of the commission, told TNIE . In a state battered by frequent landslides, cyclones, and flooding, the conclave called for risk-informed master plans and urban living labs to ensure peoples participation in disaster preparedness. Peoples participation is key. We need to bring a balance between the solutions. Including political leaders in capacity building and adopting gender-based approaches with women and children in focus can help, noted Dr Fathim Rashna Kallingal, technical advisor and GIZ India state coordinator. As deliberations continue, experts say Keralas new urban policy will not just map growth, but attempt to future-proof its cities against environmental shocks while keeping people at the centre of planning.

Union Minister pledges support for RRTS

The success of Kochi metro and Water Metro demonstrates Keralas potential in modern transportation infrastructure, says Manohar Lal Khattar

Kochi Metro to draft detailed project report for Mumbais water metro project

Air quality in Kerala in the range satisfactory-good: State Pollution Control Board report

Source apportionment study soon in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as part of identifying sources of pollution in the ambient air

Kochi Blue Tigers crowned KCL Champions, defeat Kollam Sailors by 75 Runs

Kochi Blue Tigers defeated Kollam Sailors by 75 runs to win the KCL Season 2 championship, showcasing a dominant all-round performance.

Kochi Metro win contract to chart Mumbais water metro future

The DPR will build upon the feasibility study earlier prepared by KMRLs consultancy wing, which explored water metro connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region

India to surpass US in metro connectivity soon: Union Minister Khattar

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced India is poised to become the second-largest country in metro rail connectivity, surpassing the US with ongoing and planned projects. Speaking at an Urban Conclave in Kochi, he highlighted India's rapid urbanization and the importance of e-mobility and cleanliness initiatives.

Nepal mayors skip Kerala Urban Conclave amid political unrest

Mayors Krishna Hari Maharjan of Tarakeshwor municipality, Bhim Prasad of Nilkantha municipality and Prahlad Sapkota of Ratnanagar municipality have skipped the conclave in Kochi

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan urges tailored urban plans, revival of water bodies to shape future cities

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday emphasised that Kerala must move away from a one-size-fits-all model of urban planning, calling for distinct approaches for megacities and satellite towns while making the revival of water bodies a central theme for the states future development. Inaugurating the two-day Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 in Kochi, Vijayan said: Each will need a separate outlook and planning framework. Their requirements, challenges, and opportunities are different. Unless we tailor our approaches, the future of Keralas urban development will not be sustainable. The Chief Minister underlined that urban flooding and water management must now take centre stage in Keralas planning discourse. Despite the state being rich in rivers, lakes, canals, and backwaters, he warned that many of these water bodies today remain unutilised. He called for a roadmap to revive and reuse them as part of climate-resilient strategies. Kerala is water-rich, but unless we rejuvenate our water resources and put them to productive use, the state will face serious challenges in the future. Urban planning must now include detailed strategies for reviving water bodies, ensuring urban resilience against flooding, and enabling equitable water use, Vijayan said. He urged experts and policymakers at the conclave to focus on actionable steps in this direction. The Chief Minister also addressed the rise of the gig economy and the changing nature of work. The nature of employment itself is changing. With gig work expanding, how do we ensure the rights, welfare, and sustainability of gig workers? This must be a part of our planning, he said. Highlighting how work-from-home, work-away-from-home, and hybrid models are reshaping the very concept of work, Vijayan noted that cities must adapt by strengthening digital infrastructure, creating co-working hubs, and adopting flexible residential models to support these new work cultures. He further highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in urban governance. AI-based traffic systems and energy distribution models are becoming widespread. Kerala must explore how to adapt these technologies to improve efficiency and quality of life in our cities, he said, calling for forward-looking discussions at the conclave. Linking the states urban agenda to broader developmental initiatives, the Chief Minister referred to the Nava Kerala Mission and flagship programmes launched since 2016, including the LIFE Mission for housing, Aardram for healthcare, Haritha Kerala for environmental rejuvenation, and the Public Education Rejuvenation campaign. He pointed to large-scale projects such as the Kochi Metro, Water Metro, Vizhinjam port, national highway upgrades, the GAIL pipeline, and the K-Fon connectivity project as examples of progress in both physical and digital infrastructure. Grassroots interventions, he said, had also played a major role. The states waste management campaign now includes over 20,000 mini material collection facilities and more than 1,400 material collection centres, supported by 40,000 Green Kerala volunteers. Nearly five lakh houses have been delivered under the LIFE Mission, while education and healthcare infrastructure have been upgraded in both urban and semi-urban areas. Vijayan stressed that the conclave was not merely an academic exercise but a platform to frame practical solutions. He urged experts to consider Keralas unique pattern of urbanisation, driven not only by industrialisation but also by social and economic factors, and to design models that take into account its density, geography, and developmental priorities. Kerala is already one of Indias most urbanised states. By 2035, over 90% of our people will live in urban areas. We must prepare now to manage this transformation in a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive manner, he said. Declaring the conclave open, Vijayan expressed confidence that discussions over the next two days would result in bold ideas, collaborative actions, and enduring partnerships to shape the states urban future.

Keralas captive elephants suffer from stress, poor care; experts call for natural habitats, better management

KOCHI: High mortality rate, growing festival frenzy and stress-related diseases are adding to the sufferings of captive elephants in Kerala. Though the gentle giants have a huge fanbase on social media, they rarely get any rest as they are made to criss-cross the state for jumbo pageantries. The death of two celebrity elephantsErattupetta Ayyappan, 55, on August 19 and Kiran Narayanankutty, 60, on August 22forced temple committees to book elephants in advance for the festival season starting in November. The owners say there are only 380 captive elephants in Kerala, 42 of them female. Of the 338 tuskers, over 50% are in musth during festival season. This means the nearly 150 remaining are overstressed as they have to attend over 1,500 festivals. The plight of celebrity elephant Puthuppally Sadhu, who fought death for 24 days and won, reveals the ordeal of the jumbos. Owned by Pothen Varghese of Vakathanam, Sadhu was suffering from impaction (erandakettu), the hardening of stool in the intestine, and could not consume food for around a month, leading to dehydration. Though veterinarians from the animal husbandry department gave him care, his health kept deteriorating. Soon, Vantara, the wildlife rescue centre founded by Reliance Foundation, stepped in and a team of veterinarians led by Dr Vaisak Viswam helped Sadhu recover. The elephant was suffering from impaction from July 28 to August 24. We contacted the Vantara and the team arrived on August 15. Within nine days, they breathed life back in Sadhu by conducting a colonoscopy and flushing out the dung mass, said Pothan Varghese. Jumbo treatment procedures in Kerala stay unchanged, he rued. Dr Sunil Kumar, expert veterinarian, said, While Vantaras treatment procedure is similar to what our veterinarians follow, our procedure and diagnosis system need improvement, he said. Our management practices are the reason behind impaction and foot diseases in jumbos. We are feeding the elephants coconut tree and palm fronds which are fibrous. During Anayoottu, we feed them rice and other grains which the microbial flora in their intestine will not be able to digest, he said. In the wild, elephants walk for around 16 hours and eat around 105 variety of leaves. As a solution, the forest department has proposed developing a 450-acre natural habitat at the Kottoor elephant rehabilitation centre, where jumbos will be able to graze in their natural environment. Dr Sunil said the venous system of the elephants is peculiar. They need to walk for hours to ensure smooth blood circulation. However, captive elephants are kept chained, which is the reason behind foot diseases, he said. Suppression of musth through medicines and starving the jumbos also cause health issues in them, said experts. Nearly half the captive jumbos in Kerala are in musth during festival season and the owners allegedly use unethical means to suppress it. Veterinarians say this would cause behavioural changes, temperamental issues and other health issues. The TN success story The Tamil Nadu forest department has ensured natural care for captive elephants at its rehabilitation centres in Mudumalai and Topslip, winning the appreciation of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Mudumalai elephant camp veterinarian Rajesh Kumar told TNIE, We dont suppress musth of elephants and provide more nutritional food during the season. To avoid impaction, we regularly leave them in the forest to graze and hydrate them. During summer, we take the jumbos to the river four times a day. They are allowed to swim; the peristaltic movement helps with digestion and easy flushing out of dung. To avoid foot diseases, we shackle the elephants in earthen ground and make them walk in the forest for long hours. The mahouts are trained to trim the nails and clean the feet regularly, a type of pedicure that ensures healthy foot.

LDF plans minorities meet to repair strained ties with Muslim organisations ahead of polls

KOZHIKODE: The LDF governments decision to organise the Minorities Sangamam comes at a juncture when the relationship between the CPM and Muslim organisations, which represent the largest minority community in Kerala, is at an all-time low. The communitys sense that the party is toeing a soft-Hindutva line with an eye on the Hindu vote bank is strengthening with each passing day. The sangamam, scheduled for mid-October, will be conducted under the department for minority welfare with the active involvement of its Minorities Commission and Minorities Development Finance Corporation arms. Representatives of Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain and Parsi communities will be invited to the event -- expected to involve around 2,000 delegates. The venue will be either Kochi or Kozhikode. The decision comes at a time when the opposition UDF has accused the government of convening the September 20 Global Ayyappa Sangamam to woo Hindu votes. The CPM hopes to counter the allegation by holding the meeting of minorities ahead of local-body and assembly elections and stop the erosion of Muslim votes. A host of developments of the last few months has vitiated already worsening ties between the CPM and Muslim organisations. And the party feels that organisations such as the Jamaat-e-Islami are trying to capitalise on the widening rift. Jamaats acceptance within the community worries the CPM, which kept the organisation at arms length till a few years ago. The support Samastha leader Bahaudeen Nadvi received from unexpected quarters for his strong remarks on communists and liberals points to the mounting disappointment in the Muslim community over CPM positions on current issues. In August, CPM Thirurangadi area committee organised a protest march to the Darul Huda Islamic University, run by the EK Sunni faction, accusing the institution of creating environmental issues for people living in the surrounding area. The Darul Huda management termed the protest politically-motivated. Nadvi is vice chancellor of the university. Protesters marched to a school in Thrissur, controlled by the Sunni Kanthapuram faction, where a teachers call to students to stay away from Onam celebrations created bad blood between the party and the organisation, which had taken a pro-CPM stance many times in the past. Both incidents have helped bolster the feeling that the left party is targeting Muslim institutions. The refusal on the part of the CPM to react to the anti-Muslim remarks of SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has also infuriated sections of the community.

Kerala police complaints body seen powerless as custodial torture cases rise; public trust declines in SPCA

KOCHI/TIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Amid recurring cases of custodial torture, the State Police Complaint Authority (SPCA) a quasi-judicial body set up to provide justice against police excesses remains a toothless tiger. Despite its mandate, the authority has been steadily losing public confidence, reflected in the sharp decline in complaints handled by it over the past decade. At a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, SPCA chairman Justice V K Mohanan admitted that the authoritys powers are limited to making recommendations. We can only recommend action, which we are doing to the best of our abilities. We do not have legal provisions to enforce disciplinary action. We have no obligation to follow up once recommendations are made, he said. The numbers speak volumes. While 671 complaints were filed with SPCA in 2014, the number dropped to 45 this year (till August 15). Overall, of the 5,218 complaints received since its inception, 5,152 have been resolved, leaving just 66 pending. Yet, the steady fall is less about efficiency and more about eroding trust. The decline shows dissatisfaction and even fear. People feel there is no point in knocking on SPCAs doors, a Kerala High Court lawyer said. Legal experts argue the authority has become irrelevant. V Aja Kumar, special public prosecutor in the 2017 actor assault case, said, Though framed as quasi-judicial, SPCA functions more like a quasi-inquiry body. Action against errant officers happens only if the department or government decides to act. Otherwise, complainants walk in and out with no result. Many recall a different era under former SPCA chief Justice K Narayana Kurup, known for his swift interventions. In one case of custodial assault in Kollam, Kurup rushed to the hospital the very next morning, recorded the victims statement, and booked the officer under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for causing grievous hurt. He also directed the officers immediate suspension. In another instance, he ordered a policeman in Kalamassery to repeatedly scribble custodial torture is unconstitutional as punishment for illegally detaining a man. That sense of urgency and accountability is missing today, a former SPCA member said. Police insiders admit that weak deterrence emboldens misconduct. If dismissals and harsh measures were enforced, such acts would drop, an officer in Kochi said.

Former Kochi Corporation councillor injured

Heart Airlifted From Thiruvananthapuram, Successfully Transplanted Into Young Patient In Kochi

Doctors at a private hospital successfully performed a heart transplant after the organ was airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram with the support of the Kerala government.

Kerala has become entrepreneurial hub, says Industries Minister

District Industries Centre organised the investor meet in collaboration with industrialists who participated in the Invest Kerala Global Summit held in Kochi and are investing over 20 crore in Malappuram

Veteran Congress leader, former Kerala Speaker P P Thankachan passes away at 87

KOCHI: Veteran Congress leader, former Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, and KPCC president P P Thankachan passed away on Thursday at the age of 87. Thankachan, who had been undergoing treatment at Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva, breathed his last at 4.30 pm. A seasoned politician known for his organisational acumen and sharp interventions in the House, he carved out a long innings in public life spanning over four decades. Born on July 29, 1939, at Angamali in Ernakulam district as the son of Rev. Father Paulose, Thankachan entered politics through the Congress and soon rose to prominence within the faction led by K Karunakaran. A trusted loyalist of the late stalwart, he became an influential player in the I group, which shaped much of the Congresss internal politics in Kerala during the 1980s and 1990s. Thankachan first entered the Kerala Assembly from Perumbavoor in 1982 and held the seat consecutively in 1987, 1991, and 1996. His tenure as Speaker of the ninth Assembly (199195) came at a time when Karunakaran wielded enormous influence in the states politics. Known for his insistence on decorum, Thankachan presided over stormy sessions with firmness that drew grudging respect across the aisle. In government, he served as Opposition Chief Whip (198791) and as Agriculture Minister in the A K Antony cabinet (199596). Later, in 2004, he was elevated as president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, a move that underscored his clout in the party hierarchy under Karunakarans influence. His career was often seen as a reflection of the ebb and flow of the Karunakaran camps fortunes within the Congress. But politics was not without setbacks. When the UDF swept to a record 100 seats in the 2001 Assembly polls, few anticipated that Thankachan would fall on his home turf of Perumbavoor. The defeat was a stunning upset and a major blow, especially since he was tipped for a key berth in the new UDF ministry. The veteran leader is survived by his family. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Kerala High Court gives nod for Global Ayyappa Sangamam with strict safeguards

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday gave the green signal for the conduct of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam on the banks of the Pampa River. A Division Bench comprising Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the order while dismissing a batch of petitions challenging the event. The Bench directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure that no event is conducted on the banks of the river Pampa in any manner that compromises its sanctity, whether by erecting permanent or temporary structures. During the days of the conclave and throughout the preparatory work, the Travancore Devaswom Board shall ensure that none of the rituals, ceremonies, or related functions are disturbed or diminished to the detriment of the devotees. Any temporary structures proposed for the event shall be strictly minimal, environmentally sustainable, inclusive, and specifically designed to prevent environmental degradation without disturbing the sacred atmosphere. All necessary steps shall be taken to ensure that no plastic bottles, cups, or other non-biodegradable waste are used or generated. The sanctity and cleanliness of the river Pampa shall be preserved at all times, and immediate measures shall be implemented to remove any waste that may inadvertently arise. In view of the anticipated presence of several eminent persons, including the Chief Minister of the State, dignitaries from neighbouring States, and foreign representatives, the TDB shall ensure that the influx of such invitees does not in any manner impair the facilities or the spiritual experience of ordinary pilgrims. Under no circumstances shall the ingress or egress of pilgrims be disrupted, whether on account of security arrangements or otherwise. The TDB shall maintain a clear, detailed, and transparent account reflecting the total cost of the event, including accommodation and travel expenses. Contributions received from sponsors shall be subjected to audit, and a copy of the audited account shall be furnished to the Special Commissioner within 45 days of the event for placement before the Court, along with a detailed report. No special privileges shall be extended to any participant, and no privilege cards shall be issued. All participants shall be treated solely as devotees of Lord Ayyappa, and no special benefit or priority shall be accorded either for visiting the temple or for any related purpose. A proper and comprehensive crowd management plan shall be drawn up and scrupulously implemented to ensure that parking facilities and the movement of ordinary pilgrims remain entirely unaffected. Adequate medical and emergency facilities shall be established and maintained at the venue to safeguard public health and safety. These directions are issued to guarantee that the event is conducted in a manner that preserves the sanctity of Sabarimala, protects the environment, ensures financial transparency, and secures the rights, safety, and spiritual experience of ordinary pilgrims as paramount, said the Division Bench.

Even in loss, Keralite Isaac Georges heart beats on to give hope to another

Heart to be flown by air ambulance to Lisie Hospital in Kochi where it will be transplanted in a 28-year-old native of Angamaly, who has been on the waiting list for a heart under Kerala governments deceased donor organ donation programme Mrithasanjeevani

Swami & his new brothersand sisters

Year 1893. September 11. The Permanent Memorial Art Palace, now the Art Institute of Chicago, was packed for the World Parliament of Religions. Among the speakers sat a 30-year-old monk, his eyes searching for something beyond the apparent. Though scheduled among the first, nervousness made him request a later slot. It was his first time facing such a massive crowd, gathered to mark the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus discovery of America. The Parliament, held as part of the Columbian Exposition, aimed to foster harmony among nations and highlight the essence of all religions. Yet, most speakers were intent on asserting the superiority of their own faith rather than affirming all as pathways to truth. When the monks turn finally came, the audience was weary of hearing praises of Shintoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Theism, Mohammedanism, Confucianism and more. Rising to speak extempore, he began with: Sisters and Brothers of America. The hall erupted in a standing ovation, the 4,000-strong audience moved by his sincerity. They listened intently as he spoke of India and its spiritual heritage, which binds creation in a sweet bond of love. It was as though the Swamis words tugged at their hearts, as it bore a camaraderie shared between beings who share earth. He spoke heart to heart rather than academic, says R Lakshmi, professor and head of philosophy, University of Kerala, who has researched the spiritual seeker and reformer in Vivekananda. What followed is history. The young monk became world-renowned as Swami Vivekananda, whose words inspired generations of youth to discover their potential. His influence spanned spiritual leaders like Sri Aurobindo Ghosh and Sree Narayana Guru, reformers and freedom fighters like Rabindranath Tagore, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Subash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh, industrialists like Jamsetji Tata who established the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore on Vivekanandas suggestion and even scientists such as Nikola Tesla, with whom he discussed links between science and spirituality. Even with Robert Ingersoll, the famed American agnostic, he had deep interactions, notes Lakshmi. Vivekananda once told Ingersoll: If I had only to learn how an apple falls to the ground, or how an electric current shakes my nerves, I would commit suicide. I want to understand the heart of things, the very kernel itself. Your study is the manifestation of life, mine is life itself. Lakshmi adds that such a scientific approach to life still appeals to the youth, even 123 years after his passing at the age of 39. When you trace events in India and in Kerala, you will find Vivekanandas influence at the core of every movement that shaped Indiabe it the freedom struggle, scientific development, the Vaikom Satyagraha, or even womens emancipation that we see now, she says. His quotes such as Life is the unfoldment and development of a being under circumstances tending to press it down and Life is without borders continue to resonate widely. Vivekanandas hope was always in the youth, Lakshmi says, pointing to his stirring words: Give me 100 energetic young men and I shall transform India. Durga Krishna, a Class 12 student preparing for JEE, finds Vivekananda motivational. I have his quote on my study board Arise, awake, stop not till the goal is reached. I think he was cool, and quite Gen-Zish in his attitude. Whenever I need a pep-up, I scroll for Vivekananda on Insta or look up the net for his quotes, says the teenager, who has been reading The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Asked if she delves deeply into their meaning, she replies: I will, probably after my exams. Concurring with Lakshmi, Anujit Sajeev, a 24-year-old research scholar, highlights that hardly a day passes by without coming across a social media poster or reel with Vivekanandas saying. However, the depth of perception is debatable. The youth now is in a state of flow, he adds. Some things must be imbibed so that it will define our life. Like how we tackle fears and struggles. Nowadays, people fall back on Vivekananda or any gurus wisdom only during duress. Once that phase passes, the lessons too are left behind. Rather, the path and process undertaken should define our attitude to life. Mountaineer Sreesha Raveendran, the second Malayali woman to scale Mt Everest, agrees. She observes that todays idea of self-love differs from Vivekanandas. Glancing at Vivekanandas works by her table, she reflects: Self-love, what the Swami meant, was about growing to ones true potential and the empathy that helps us connect with the world better. But the youth understand it as momentary care for the self. However, she adds that even superficial exposure does have value. It is like a seed sown. In the ascent of life, taking risks is important, and it is not always about summiting but about the process and the one-pointed focus in anything you do. Sreesha refers to two Vivekanandas quotes that mean a lot to her: Means to attain the goal are as important as the goal itself, and Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Commander Abhilash Tomy (retd), the first Indian to sail solo around the world, recalls a personal connection. I read Vivekananda first in 2001, a book that I found in the Naval Library in Kochi. It was on Advaita Vedanta, i.e. non-dualism. It influenced me profoundly, he says. Even while on voyages, there were several times when I felt one with whatever I was doing, whatever I see, whatever I am, where I am. I also saw a dream once where I was feeding a hungry dog and felt the animal, what I fed it, and me all are one and the same. This made me feel there is no achievement or feat. The destination takes a backseat to the process once we feel totally surrendered to what we do. Whether we achieve or not, we get enriched by the process alone. And at that point, nature, you, what we do, and the energy that prompts us to do all merge into a beautiful whole. Vivekananda is the one who opened that world to me. January 12, 1863: Born Narendranath Dutta in Calcutta November 1881: First meeting with Sri Ramakrishna, his spiritual guru January 1887: Takes monastic vows and becomes Swami Vivekananda. November-December 1892: Travels across Kerala, calls it a lunatic asylum due to its caste-related practises, inspires youth to fight caste barriers December 24, 1892: Reaches Kanyakumari, meditates on a sea rock (now Vivekananda Rock Memorial) for three days on Indias future February 1893: Embarks on a journey across India to inspire youth towards freedom and fearlessness September 11, 1893: Addresses the Parliament of Religions in Chicago May 1894: Speaks at Harvard University, calls for the need to blend Western and Eastern thoughts May 1897: Launches Sri Ramakrishna Mission, now an organisation rendering humanitarian service worldwide July 1992: Passes away at the age of 39

Tender to serve halal chicken biryani at Ksheerolsavam sparks controversy in Ernakulam

KOCHI: An invitation of tender issued by the deputy director for dairy development in Ernakulam, soliciting bids from prospective suppliers to deliver halal chicken biryani for 400 farmers attending the district-level Ksheerolsavam has triggered a controversy. The BJP took out a protest march to the district collectorate on Wednesday seeking departmental action against the deputy director for violation of service rules. The LDF government is promoting halal food products to favour caterers belonging to a particular community. This will damage the secular fabric of the state, said BJP spokesperson K V S Haridas who inaugurated the protest. BJP district president K S Shaiju said the party will approach court seeking dismissal of the officer from service. According to the BJP, the office of the deputy director had issued a tender notice on September 8, inviting bids from caterers to deliver halal chicken biryani for 400 farmers participating in the district-level Ksheerolsavam scheduled to be held on October 3 for lunch and halal Chicken 65 for 1,000 people on October 4. As the tender document triggered a controversy, the department issued a revised document inviting proposal to serve appam and egg curry for breakfast and chicken biryani for lunch on October 3, and appam and vegetable stew for breakfast and sadya for lunch on October 4. The tender documents should be submitted before 10.30 am on September 19. Responding to the allegation, Minister for Dairy Development, J Chinchurani, said she has not seen the tender as she was busy with the state conference of the CPI. I have not noticed the invitation for tender, but we cannot support such acts if the deputy director has issued such a tender document, she told TNIE. Meanwhile, CPI Ernakulam district secretary N Arun issued a statement alleging that the BJP was trying to divide society in the name of a non-existent tender. The BJP is trying to misguide the people in the name of a non-existent tender notice. I urge secular minded people to oppose such divisive moves, he said.

Bring gold sheets back to Sabarimala, Kerala High Court tells TDB

KOCHI: Coming down heavily on the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for sending gold-plated sheets of the dwarapalaka idols of Sabarimala to Chennai for repair without informing the special commissioner or the court, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the board to bring the sheets back. It also sought explanation from devaswom officials for what it said was wilful violation of the earlier directive. A division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K V Jayakumar said, Since the repair work has been undertaken without proper intimation either to the special commissioner or to this court, we deem it necessary to direct the board to forthwith stop the repair work being carried out at Smart Creations in Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai, on the sponsorship of Unnikrishnan Potti. The items transported shall be re-transported back to the Sannidhanam. The bench said the devaswom commissioner, executive officer and Thiruvabharanam commissioner shall show cause why action should not be taken against them for wilful violation of the earlier binding directions. Directive follows Sabarimala spl commissioners report In 2023, the HC had occasion to consider issues relating to the repair of the mudramala, japamala, and yogadandu adorning the idol of the presiding deity of Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha temple, undertaken without furnishing any information to the special commissioner. The court had deprecated the act and held the procedure adopted by the TDB in effecting those repairs after removing the ornaments from the sreekovil without intimating the special commissioner was highly inappropriate. The HC had issued specific directions to the devaswom and Thiruvabharanam commissioners to ensure all such activities in the temples sreekovil shall be undertaken only with prior intimation to the special commissioner to enable him to file a report before the HC if necessary and seek appropriate orders. In a report before the HC, Sabarimala special commissioner R Jayakrishnan had on Tuesday said he got information on September 8 that the gold covering of the dwarapalaka idols of the hill shrines sanctum sanctorum were detached and sent to Chennai for restoration work without the mandatory permission of the court. The TDB, admitting that the gold-plated copper sheet coverings were sent to Chennai, however, had maintained it was done strictly in line with the procedural formalities.

What is governments role, asks Kerala High Court

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday raised questions about the role of the state government in the Global Ayyappa Sangamam organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup informed the court that the government is only assisting the Board in organising the event. The court further questioned the advocate general as to how the funds for the event will be collected and utilised, why should the state conduct such a programme as part of the TDBs platinum jubilee celebrations and what is the criterion for selecting the delegates. The TDB informed the court that the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, scheduled onSeptember 20 at Pampa, will be conducted at Pampa without infringing upon the traditions and customs of Sabarimala temple and sanctity of the pilgrimage. The registration of participants is through Virtual Q Portal. The TDB added that the programme is sustained through voluntary contributions accepted through a newly opened account in Dhanlaxmi Bank in the name of Devaswom accounts officer. The court enquired the government about the invitee list for the event and whether ordinary devotees privileges would be affected during the said event. The government replied that the participation is regulated through advance registration and access passes, ensuring that crowd levels remain within safe limits. The AG also cited that the state government concerned had played a crucial role in the Maha Kumbh Mela. He added that the Ayyappa Sangamam is not meant to patronise any religion in particular. Counsel for the petitioners argued that the chief minister, who is also the chief patron of the event, has ridiculed Lord Ayyappa on multiple occasions. They also pointed out that Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin and his son, both of whom are critical of Sanatana Dharma, have been invited to participate in the event.

Early ticket talk: Congress circles in Kerala speculate on 2026 election line-up

KOCHI: With the assembly elections less than six months away, the Congress in Kerala has quietly drawn up its first draft of probable candidates. If the indications from party circles are anything to go by, the list shows a mix of established leaders, fresh faces, and a dash of celebrity glamour. In Kochi, the buzz is around Henry Austin Jr., grandson of former Union minister and diplomat Henry Austin. Currently a Kochi Corporation councillor and national coordinator of the AICC Minority Department, Henry Jr. is the frontrunner for the Kochi assembly seat. His grassroots work and deep family roots in both Alappuzha and Kochi dioceses are seen as strong assets, particularly after delimitation tilted the constituency decisively towards a Christian-majority base. In 2021, Congress candidate and former mayor Tony Chammany lost to CPMs K J Maxi. With the seat back in play, party insiders believe Henry Jr. can reclaim it. In neighbouring Tripunithura, sources said sitting Congress MLA K Babu has opted out, citing health issues. The leadership is veering towards Raju P Nair, Ernakulam DCC general secretary, and a familiar face in television debates. Congress insiders believe his easygoing style could help retain the seat, though a section is batting for actor-comedian Ramesh Pisharody, a Congressman with popular appeal. The trickiest puzzle for Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, however, is finding a safe berth for his close confidant and Ernakulam DCC president Mohammed Shiyas. Sources said Congress plan is to wrest Kalamassery from CPMs heavyweight P Rajeeve through Shiyas. With Rajeeve credited for impressive development work, Congress admits that toppling him will be a Herculean task. That forces Congress to swap Kalamassery with Kochi seat going to IUML. In Thrikkakara, the partys safest seat in central Kerala, Uma Thomas and Kochi corporation councilor Deepti Mary Varughese are vying for the seat. Party insiders whisper that when Uma was fielded after the demise of her husband P T Thomas, there was an unwritten understanding that she would serve only one term. Elsewhere in Ernakulam, both Tony Chammany and KPCC Political Affairs Committee member Ajay Tharayil are now eyeing Vypeen, a seat where the Munambam waqf land issue has generated anti-LDF sentiment. Congress hopes to cash in on the discontent, even as local factions lock horns. It seems Satheesan has a name in mind, most likely an Ezhava candidate, for Vypeen, said a source. In Alappuzha, Shanimol Osman is likely to be fielded again, despite her loss in the 2021 elections. Moving beyond Ernakulam, the list is slowly crystallising. Aritha Babu (Kayamkulam) and Veena Nair (Nemom) are near-certain names. If Congress reclaims Changanassery from Kerala Congress, veteran Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan is likely to be moved to the constituency and Nattakam Suresh is a likely pick in Kottayam, sources said. Chengannur may see a fresh face in Jyothi Vijayakumar Rahul and Priyanka Gandhis trusted translator and a former journalist whose candidature ticks both legacy and merit boxes. Bindu Krishna too is seen as a sure entry, while Shama Mohammed, despite her high-profile presence, is unlikely to make the cut given resistance from local leaders. Among younger aspirants, M Liju is being looked at for an Ezhava-dominated seat, while Youth Congress leaders Rijil Makkutty (Kannur) and J S Akhil (Kazhakkootam) are strong contenders. In Kanjirappally, the name of Adv Mathew Antony, grandnephew of Accamma Cherian and K T Thomas (ex-MLA), who are both from the area, is being considered. Joseph Vazhakkan is lobbying for Muvattupuzha or Poonjar. If Vazhakkan is shifted to Muvattupuzha, sitting MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan may be accommodated in Perumbavoor. In that case, sitting Congress MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly may have to find another seat. The Palakkad race is clearer: Congress has almost finalised Sandeep Varier, betting on his organisational skills to revive the party in the constituency. This means discredited MLA Rahul Mamkootathil may not find a seat. Despite the buzz of names, the larger strategy seems familiar. In 2021, over 55% of Congress candidates were first-timers, and 60% were aged between 25 and 50. The party is likely to repeat that formula in 2026, banking on youth energy and new faces to counter anti-incumbency narratives. Last time, though the candidates were good, the seats chosen for them were not correct. This time, that will be rectified, a leader said. Though several MPs, including Hibi Eden and Kodikunnil Suresh, are keen to contest the assembly polls, sources said none of them may be considered. Despite early preparations, the Congress faces its old nemesis: inner-party rivalries. As one senior leader quipped, Finalising candidates early is one thing. Getting everyone to agree is the real election battle.

Scientists develop designer clownfish

The research findings were published in an article by scientists Ajith Kumar T.T. and P. R Divya at the Centre for Peninsular Aquatic Genetic Resources, which is part of NBFGR, Kochi, in the journal Current Science.

Anglo-Indian community battles census neglect, loss of representation and fading identity

KOCHI: In what many describe as a perilous umbers game, India's Anglo-Indian communitydescended from European fathers and Indian mothers during colonial timesis grappling with the erosion of its political influence and cultural footprint. The 2011 census officially pegged their numbers at a mere 296, a figure hotly contested by community leaders who insist the true count exceeds 4,00,000. This statistical disparity has fuelled tangible setbacks, including the stripping away of their assured seats in legislative bodies. Compounding the issue, younger generations are increasingly emigrating or intermarrying, threatening the community's distinct identity amid India's fast-evolving society. Dr Charles Dias, a former Member of Parliament and president of the Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations in India, outlined the historical safeguards: Articles 331 and 333 of the Constitution once permitted the nomination of two Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha and one to each of 12 state legislative assemblies. However, in 2020, this provision was revoked through the 104th Constitutional Amendment in a profoundly unjust manner. Dias noted, According to the Union government, the Anglo-Indian population stands at just 296 according to the 2011 census, and they are 'well off'. These claims were rigorously challenged by opposition parties, backed by data. Countering the official narrative, Dias highlighted association-collected data showing a nationwide population of nearly 4,15,000. He further estimated an additional 50,000 individuals dispersed across urban areas, unaffiliated with any associations. Echoing these concerns, Harry Maclure from Chennai, who runs the magazine Anglos in the Wind, challenged the official census figures and called for continued representation. You go to any wedding of our community and you can see 500 people. The census data is wrong. We were a big community and the maximum recorded population is around 7.5-8 lakh, he said. Maclure acknowledged the community's decline but emphasised its relative size: It is true that we are now a dwindling community but we are bigger than the Parsi community and we do need representation. He added that many from the community are marrying outside it, making the preservation of culture and heritage an ongoing struggle. Maclure remains cautiously optimistic, noting that while old settlements are disappearing, the educated youth in the community feel more comfortable in India and could carry forward the community's legacy. Charles Dias emphasised that the Anglo-Indian community's contributions to modern India far outweigh their population size. He highlighted their unparalleled role in nation-building across sectors like education, sports, railways, post and telegraph, health, and especially the armed forces, where eight Anglo-Indians have risen to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal and over 25 have received top gallantry awards such as the Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. The three service chiefsAdmiral R L Pereira, Air Chief Marshal Denis Anthony La Fontaine, and Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browneexemplify the Anglo-Indian community's unwavering commitment to the nation, he said. Despite these achievements, the community faces significant hurdles. In 2013, the ministry of minority affairs formed a fact-finding team to study the problems and aspirations of the Anglo-Indian community in cities including Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kochi. The team's report noted that amongst the various challenges and problems being faced by members of the Anglo-Indian community in India, the more significant ones are related to (1) identity crisis, (ii) lack of employment, (iii) educational backwardness, (iv) lack of proper facilities, and (v) cultural erosion. Total- 4,15,000 Total 296

Anglo-Indians fight for visibility and voice in 'numbers game' across the country

KOCHI: In what many describe as a perilous umbers game, India's Anglo-Indian communitydescended from European fathers and Indian mothers during colonial timesis grappling with the erosion of its political influence and cultural footprint. The 2011 census officially pegged their numbers at a mere 296, a figure hotly contested by community leaders who insist the true count exceeds 4,00,000. This statistical disparity has fuelled tangible setbacks, including the stripping away of their assured seats in legislative bodies. Compounding the issue, younger generations are increasingly emigrating or intermarrying, threatening the community's distinct identity amid India's fast-evolving society. Dr Charles Dias, a former Member of Parliament and president of the Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations in India, outlined the historical safeguards: Articles 331 and 333 of the Constitution once permitted the nomination of two Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha and one to each of 12 state legislative assemblies. However, in 2020, this provision was revoked through the 104th Constitutional Amendment in a profoundly unjust manner. Dias noted, According to the Union government, the Anglo-Indian population stands at just 296 according to the 2011 census, and they are 'well off'. These claims were rigorously challenged by opposition parties, backed by data. Countering the official narrative, Dias highlighted association-collected data showing a nationwide population of nearly 4,15,000. He further estimated an additional 50,000 individuals dispersed across urban areas, unaffiliated with any associations. Echoing these concerns, Harry Maclure from Chennai, who runs the magazine Anglos in the Wind, challenged the official census figures and called for continued representation. You go to any wedding of our community and you can see 500 people. The census data is wrong. We were a big community and the maximum recorded population is around 7.5-8 lakh, he said. Maclure acknowledged the community's decline but emphasised its relative size: It is true that we are now a dwindling community but we are bigger than the Parsi community and we do need representation. He added that many from the community are marrying outside it, making the preservation of culture and heritage an ongoing struggle. Maclure remains cautiously optimistic, noting that while old settlements are disappearing, the educated youth in the community feel more comfortable in India and could carry forward the community's legacy. Charles Dias emphasised that the Anglo-Indian community's contributions to modern India far outweigh their population size. He highlighted their unparalleled role in nation-building across sectors like education, sports, railways, post and telegraph, health, and especially the armed forces, where eight Anglo-Indians have risen to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal and over 25 have received top gallantry awards such as the Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. The three service chiefsAdmiral R L Pereira, Air Chief Marshal Denis Anthony La Fontaine, and Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browneexemplify the Anglo-Indian community's unwavering commitment to the nation, he said. Despite these achievements, the community faces significant hurdles. In 2013, the ministry of minority affairs formed a fact-finding team to study the problems and aspirations of the Anglo-Indian community in cities including Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kochi. The team's report noted that amongst the various challenges and problems being faced by members of the Anglo-Indian community in India, the more significant ones are related to (1) identity crisis, (ii) lack of employment, (iii) educational backwardness, (iv) lack of proper facilities, and (v) cultural erosion. ANGLO-INDIAN POPULATION Assam 4,300 West Bengal 37,500 Bihar - 8,200 Chhattisgarh 7,500 Odisha 4,500 Madhya Pradesh 25,500 Jharkhand 7,500 Uttarakhand 5,500 Uttar Pradesh 18,500 Punjab 2,500 Haryana 3,800 Delhi 4,500 Maharashtra 27,500 Andhra Pradesh 15,500 Telangana 17,500 Goa 1,500 Karnataka 42,500 Tamil Nadu 42,000 Kerala 82,500 Total: 4,15,000 (Source: Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations in India) STATE-WISE ENUMERATION (2011 CENSUS) West Bengal -9 Odisha - 4 Chhattisgarh - 3 Maharashtra - 16 Andhra Pradesh - 62 Karnataka - 9 Kerala - 124 Tamil Nadu - 69 Total: 296

Radiant Kochi

Mission Rabies: 10,000 stray dogs to be vaccinated in three-day drive in Kochi Corporation in Kerala

A 200-strong team to be deployed as part of the mass vaccination campaign of Worldwide Veterinary Service in November

Where history meets hospitality: Kochis evolving stays

From colonial mansions and heritage bungalows to sprawling five-star luxury hotels and boutique retreats, Kochis hospitality boom has redefined the way the city welcomes the world

Kochi, a city that greets the future with enthusiasm

The next 25 years promise greater transformation of Kochi the extension of Marine Drive, expanded water and metro rail connectivity, and a climate-resilient city taking shape

Colourful characters and men from Kochi who made sporting history

From Sreesanths unpredictable brilliance and controversies, to Sreejeshs Olympic heroics and Eldhose Pauls golden leap, Kochis sporting story is a mix of drama, resilience, and glory

Kochis timeless shores: from Neolithic settlers to global traders

From ancient settlers to global empires, Kochis shores echo with stories etched in trade, faith, and tradition; every wave that touched this coast left behind a fragment of its history

Kochis culinary transformation: A quarter century of biryani, mandi, cafes, and modern menus

In 25 years, Kochis palate has evolved greatly, reflecting the changes in its culture, appetites and population

From looms to labels: Kochis fashion boom

From Chendamangalams flood-hit looms to couture studios and bridal ateliers, Kochis designers have woven a fashion story of resilience and reinvention over the past 25 years