Girl murdered by stepmother laid to rest at Nellimattom Juma Masjid in Kochi; sorcerer arrested

KOCHI: The six-year-old girl who was smothered to death by her stepmother was laid to rest at the Nellimattom Juma Masjid on Saturday. A prayer session was held as part of the funeral for Muskhan before her body was buried on the mosque premises. Her father Ajaz Khan, who is from Uttar Pradesh, was present during the funeral. Meanwhile, the police have arrested a sorcerer, Noushad, 56, whom the accused, Aneesha, had consulted twice at near Kothamangalam. As Noushad had no involvement in the death of Muskhan, the police have registered a separate case against him under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act. The police raided Noushads residence and recovered several books on black magic. The investigators found that he was performing black magic and was approached by several people to resolve their issues. Cops turn to sorcery to get murder confession at Kothamangalam

Puthuvype Beach Race: Sun, Sand & Speed

KOCHI: Among the slew of programmes that make up the Vypeen Tourism Mela, perhaps nothing is as exhilarating as the Puthuvype Beach Race. Held every year on December 26, the event sees the beach turn into a festival ground as riders and riding enthusiasts descend from all corners of Kerala and nearby states. This year will be no different. It will be akin to Thrissur Pooram here, as is the case every year, says Emmanual Abin, one of the organisers. But this year, he adds, its extra special as it is our 25th year. Indeed, since its inception in 2000, the Beach Race has evolved into a mainstay event not just of the Mela, but in the national racing scene. For many years now, we have had teams from various bike companies taking part in the festival, from TVS, Hero, KTM, etc. National racing champions too have featured. We expect even more riders to join this year, says Sachin Joseph, another organiser. To cater to them and other enthusiasts, the team behind the race has opened two new categories - the ladies and the scooter class. This will be the first time a racing event for women will be held on the beach, Sachin adds. The track too has undergone a series of upgrades. This time, two jumps will be introduced. We had jumps during the initial editions of the race. Later, they were discontinued. Now, for the 25th edition, its making a comeback. Also, there are banks, turns and flat tracks all designed to invigorate the spectators. But, of course, with all aspects of safety looked into, says Swaroop Dennis, yet another organiser. This time, the race organisation team is led by local hero and national racing champion Amal Varghese. Amal won the last two years Beach race. If he wins again, thatd be the first time a rider has won three in a row, says Swaroop. But the event is more than racing or glory. Essentially, it is about inspiring the youth, to knit them together, explains Sachin. This is one reason why the event is so loved in Vypeen. The response from the locals is overwhelming, adds Abin. With the Fort Kochi Race moving out of the beach this year, the Puthuvype Race assumes greater significance. We hope to put on a good show, says the band of friends. - Ronnie Kuriakose & Aravind B

Moozhikkulam Sala: Conduit to future via the past

KOCHI: Moozhikkulam Sala, a serene campus steeped in history and ideals of self-sufficiency, is hosting its first literary and heritage festival on Saturday. Known for its natural ambience and organic practices, the heritage centre seeks to blend history, politics, culture and music into a rich, immersive experience. The festival begins with a heritage walk exploring the Moozhikkulam temple, which boasts over 1,200 years of history. Distinguished speakers such as former minister K K Shailaja, historian Upinder Singh, and artist and historian Bony Thomas will discuss topics ranging from politics and ancient Indian history to local culture and climate change. Premkumar T R, the visionary behind Moozhikulam Sala, says several visitors had proposed the idea of holding such a fest after experiencing the atmosphere here. We seek to encourage meaningful conversations in a tranquil setting, he adds. The Sala is known for its natural beauty, efforts to preserve heritage and ecology, and fostering local initiatives such as She Cycling (teaching women to ride bicycles) and Haritha Panchayat. Their motto, Local is Our Future, underpins programmes aimed at promoting regional self-sufficiency. If this succeeds, we plan to extend it to a multi-day festival next year, Premkumar shared, reflecting the Salas commitment to preserving heritage while addressing contemporary issues. Event Schedule 9.30am Heritage Walk - Exploring the Moozhikkulam temple, a historic site 11am Discussion: History of South India 11.45am My Life as a Comrade - K K Shailaja, in conversation with S M Vijayanand, will reflect on her political career, health initiatives, and more 1.15pm Discussion: History of Ancient and Early Medieval India 2.00pm Discussion: Indigenous Freshwater Fishes in the Western Ghats 2.45p Kochhiites - Bony Thomas, in dialogue with Amita V. Joseph presents his research on Kochis vibrant history and cultural landscape 4pm Lecture and demo: Koodiyattam by Nepathya Centre for Excellence 6pm Carnatic music concert

We knew casting Santhwanams hit pair would work out well: TV actor Achu Sugandh

KOCHI: Pennine Istaayo, the short film debut by popular TV actor Achu Sugandh, has turned out to be a runaway hit with over 3.7 million views in just a month. The engaging drama revolving around the traditional pennu kaanal ceremony stars Sajin and Gopika Anil, familiar as Sivan and Anjali from the popular Malayalam soap opera Santhwanam. The story is about a chance encounter between a short-tempered traffic police constable, Prasad, and his bride-to-be Veena, that sparks a riveting ego clash. What inspired you to create Pennine Istaayo? We knew that casting Santhwanams hit pair in such a plot would work out well. We wanted to utilise their on-screen chemistry. You handled the script and direction I had ideas, but I did not want to write the script because it is a painful procedure while working on a film. However, I am now motivated to write more. Now, I believe that writing the script makes direction easier. What were the challenges you faced? Our limited budget led to significant financial constraints. I was not satisfied with the initial output, but later music and effects made my film sweet. Also, the entire crew and other well-wishers backed me. How does it feel to see your short film reap such a success? Initially, I thought people would have forgotten us. However, I was elated when my short film reached a million views within a day. I have been receiving several positive comments as well as criticisms. I appreciate both. Are you planning to continue filmmaking? Currently, I am focused on direction. I am working on a feature film project. We are discussing scripts and ideas. I love acting, and may return after this adventure. My goal is to build a production company to help newcomers.

A grand Orient-Occident fusion

KOCHI: When Yuletide comes jingling all the way, spreading mirth and radiance in hearts and hearths, there is no escape from the good things that come with it. It is a fact that Christmas is a feast for the senses. The decked-up homes, illuminated trees, soothing carols, and tempting aromas wafting from the kitchen... the Christmas magic is too strong to resist. Among all its trappings, the lavish spread of gastronomic delights steals the show. But how many of us have paused to think of the origins of this grand feast in Kerala? One would be pleasantly surprised to know that had it not been for the arrival of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the English, our Christmas would have been a bland, lacklustre affair, shorn of all its glitz and goodies. That means no stars, cribs, decorated trees, and most importantly, no cakes, cutlets, stew, and other delicacies. But then, Kerala had Christians even before the advent of Europeans, right? There is not even an iota of evidence to prove that Christmas was celebrated by the early Christians of Kerala with the pomp and elegance that we see today before our tryst with the Europeans, says veteran journalist, historian, and author Ignatius Gonsalves. It must have been an absolutely low-key, localised affair. How It All Began Ignatius explains that the great travellers, including Marco Polo, who visited Kerala before the Europeans, have not recorded anything about Christmas festivities. Even the songs of the early Christians and literature from the pre-Portuguese period fail to mention anything about celebrations connected to the birth of Christ. In fact, one should be thankful to the Europeans, especially the Portuguese, for the lip-smacking array of delicacies featuring flesh and fowl that mark the Christmas lunch. Apart from introducing red chillies, onions, and a whole range of culinary ingredients, the Portuguese taught their descendants (the Anglo-Indians) and those who adopted Latin (Roman) Catholicism the culinary arts. The Portuguese chefs tweaked their recipes with local ingredients to create fusion dishes dripping with flavour, says Ignatius, adding that the Anglo-Indian and Latin Catholic chefs deserve the credit for popularising a vast majority of chicken, beef, and pork-based delicacies in myriad avatars that grace the dining table on December 25. The Brits, meanwhile, deserve the credit for popularising the plum cake and pudding, which add the quintessential sweetness to Christmas. Dig in the Anglo Way No Christmas is complete without zooming in on the Anglo-Indians, as this community outsmarts others in radiating the spirit of the season and the bonhomie that comes with it. Their Christmas lunch is the stuff of legends, as it brings together the extended family around a table loaded with dishes. Anglo-Indian culinary expert Matilda Rodriguez says, The typical Christmas lunch comprises multiple courses. We start with bread and meat stew, followed by beef cutlet and salad. She explains that the salad comprises chopped onions, tomatoes, and green chillies in vinegar. We then serve duck roast, which is a semi-dry dish with the flavour of peppercorns dominating, along with pork roast. The latter comes with big chunks of pork with slivers of lard in a not-too-fiery preparation. Last comes the rice, gravy, and roast beef, which again is all about big chunks of slow-cooked meat that leave one craving for more, says Matilda. According to Ignatius, who belongs to the Anglo-Indian community, bebinca (a baked dish made of rice flour, ghee, and eggs) was served as dessert in olden times, adding that some families also dine on roast turkey with stuffing, pointing to the English influence. With Anglo and Latin Catholic chefs, these dishes made their way across Kerala over the centuries, giving rise to many different variants across various communities, he sums up. In short, the fusion of the Orient and the Occident has created a unique, tasty legacy for Christmas that Kerala can be proud of. Figdosi By Linette Luiz Ingredients Ripe plantains: 3, chopped into round pieces Thin coconut milk: One and a half cups Thick coconut milk: 3/4 cup Sugar: To taste Salt: A pinch Cardamom pods crushed: 2 Method In a saucepan, cook the chopped plantains, and cardamoms along with the thin coconut milk over medium heat until the pieces become soft. When the consistency thickens, add the thick coconut milk, lower the heat, and mix well. Add sugar and salt and bring it to a light boil and switch off the flame. Serve warm along with rice hoppers or string hoppers for breakfast. Beef Baffad By Kein Gonsalves Ingredients Sliced beef: 1/2 kg Turmeric powder: 1 tbsp Kashmiri chilli powder: 3 tbsp Garlic: 2 bulbs Yellow mustard seeds: 2 tbsp Cloves: 3 nos Cinnamon: 2 sticks Peppercorns: 1 tsp Coriander: 1 tsp Ginger: 1 big piece Bark of drumstick tree: 1 piece Onions: 2 nos Green chillies: 2 nos Salt: As required Vinegar: 3 tbsp Coconut oil: 2 tbsp Curry leaves: 3 sprigs Coconut milk: Add if required after the baffad cools Method: Wash the sliced beef pieces and keep aside. Add cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander, garlic, yellow mustard seeds, ginger and bark of drumstick tree and make a paste with vinegar. Mix this with the meat and keep aside for one hour. Add a little water to the meat to be cooked in the pressure cooker. Saute the onions, chillies, curry leaves in coconut oil and add to the meat and cook in the cooker until done. Eranadan prawns curry By Chef Arun Vijayan Ingredients Tiger prawns (without shell): 6 Sliced shallots: 50g Chopped ginger: 5g Crushed garlic: 5g Salt: To taste Turmeric powder: 2g Chopped tomatoes: 20g Kokum water: 10 ml Curry leaves: 2 sprigs Whole shallots: 5 Green chilli: 3 Thick coconut milk: 80ml Chopped coriander: 2g Coconut oil: 50ml For garnish: Micrograms Red oil Coconut milk Fried whole shallots Method: Crush the whole shallots and green chilli together. Keep it aside. Heat coconut oil in a pan and add the sliced shallots and tomato. Saut it until grown and add salt and turmeric powder. Add the prawns and curry leaves. Then, add kokum water and cook for 2 minutes. Add the coconut milk and adjust the gravy to a thick consistency. Finish with crushed green chilli, shallots and chopped coriander leaves. Enjoy with Appam Pentefrite By Kein Gonsalves Ingredients Finely powdered rice flour: 2 cups Eggs: 2 Salt: One pinch Milk of one coconut Coconut oil for frying Method Mix the flour, eggs and salt in a bowl. Add the coconut milk and knead well and leave it for two hours. Make small balls of dough, flatten each one with a comb and fold it. Deep fry them until they turn slightly brown. If needed, you can dust powdered sugar over the pentefrite. Lemon Butter Salmon Ingredients By Priya Harikumar Salmon: 4 (sliced)Black pepper powder: 2 tbsp Lemon juice: 1 tsp Garlic powder: 1/ 2 tsp ( optional) Salt: To taste Butter: 2 tbsp Method: Clean and pat dry the salmon pieces. Rub the marinade thoroughly on the pieces and keep aside for 10 minutes. Add butter to a grill pan, place the salmon slices. Flip it over, and cook until both sides are done. Serve hot.

New menu @ Encore by District 7 is a winner

KOCHI: Its always been a delight to dine at Encore by District 7. This time, there was a sense of added curiosity as I was there to explore the latest additions to the menu, which maintains a fine balance between continental and Asian fares. While the plush and cosy interiors remain a constant draw, I opted for the al fresco seating. Gentle breeze and a ceiling adorned with creeping vines and flowers. Perfect for fine dining. Smisha R K, who runs the restaurant, joined me at the table to introduce the new entrants. We have always focused on continental cuisine, with steaks and pasta being customer favourites, she says. However, we have noticed a growing interest in Asian cuisine in the city. As we chatted, the appetisers arrived Kanthari Beef and Orange Chicken. The latter is so popular that, according to Smisha, Its hard not to spot a table without one. I started off with it. This American-Chinese classic featured crispy, lightly battered chicken pieces, fried to perfection and coated in a tangy orange marmalade and passion fruit glaze. Garnished with fresh chillies and sesame seeds, the dish delivers a delightful burst of flavour. The tender, juicy chicken came with just the right amount of tang. Loved it. Next, I tried the Kanthari Beef Basil, a bold blend of Indian and Thai flavours. Despite being an appetiser, this fusion dish packed a punch with its heat an intensity that may not suit everyones palate. The fiery kick, Smisha revealed, came from the nam phrik topping, a special mix of rice flour, chilli, and garlic. Orange chicken While waiting for the next course, an unexpected guest arrived a cute lil kitten, one of the cafs in-house residents, curled up by our feet. Smisha chuckled, We do love pets, but this isnt a pet-friendly caf. I guess he knows exactly who the cat person is! Hes not shy about hoping for a bite! Amid the mews, arrived the Coca-Cola Brisket. While the pairing may seem unconventional, Smisha swears by cola as a top caramelising agent. The meat is braised in coke and its own sauce, slow-cooked for eight hours. The colas acidity breaks down the meat and caramelises the fat, blending with the briskets juices, she explained. Served with roasted baby potatoes and char-grilled vegetables, the cola-braised brisket had a well-balanced flavour without the cloying sweetness of the beverage. However, a slightly acidic taste lingered on. Next came the Chefs Special Turkish Beef. This seared, grilled tenderloin, served on a base of labneh with garlic and a hot-chilli coriander tempering, was a visual and gastronomic delight. Topped with pomegranate and served with flatbread, its best enjoyed by scooping up all the components together. The tender, medium-rare beef chunks were done beautifully. Coca-Cola Brisket Next in line was Sichuan Pot Roast. Hands down, it was one of the most comforting and wholesome dishes I have tried in a while. The spicy stew of pot-roasted beef shavings, mixed in a broth of celery, birds eye chilli, and fluffed egg yolk, paired wonderfully with jasmine or sticky rice, delivering a hearty experience. Shrimp crackers added to the joy. To end the meal on a sweet note, the chef presented the Burning Alaska, one of the restaurants showstoppers. Inside a rich chocolate sphere was a smooth Japanese cheesecake filling, topped with piped meringue. The grand finale involved pouring vodka over the dessert and setting it alight. As the blue flames died down, thick chocolate sauce was poured over to crack the shell. While it looked like an indulgent sugar bomb, the first bite revealed a subtle sweetness that gently hits the tastebuds. Lovely ending to a happy story, I must say.

Private suppliers set to double tanker water prices in Kochi from January 1

KOCHI: Apartment complexes and establishments relying on tanker services for potable water in Kochi could be in for a difficult start to the new year, if the decision of the suppliers is anything to go by. The water transporters, who currently charge 10 paise per litre, are set to increase the tariffs for water tankers having a capacity of more than 18,000 litres by a whopping 100% from January 1. It has been 11 years since we increased the rates. Even as all our operational expenses have skyrocketed, we are forced to go to distant places to collect water, R Ramachandran, secretary of the Ernakulam District Drinking Water Transporters Welfare Association, told TNIE. There are at least 450 tankers supplying potable water to apartments, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, hostels, corporate establishments, Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and even to the collectorate. The tankers -- with capacities ranging from 2,000, 6,000, 12,000, 18,000, 23,000, 25,000, 30,000 and 35,000 litres -- make at least five trips a day. Going by the proposed rate, an establishment using the services of an 18,000-litre tanker will have to shell out Rs 3,600 per trip. Five such trips could raise the cost of water to Rs 18,000 per day, besides service charge. Eloor and Choornikkara panchayats had recently slapped stop memos to suppliers, preventing them from drawing water from wells near the Periyar. This is another reason for the hike in rates. We are now solely depending on the Kerala Water Authority and a few wells on the outskirts of the city to source water, said V A Zakir Husain, president of the association. Besides the shortage of drinking water, the increase in expenses such as fuel charge, vehicle insurance, road tax, spare parts price, wages and allowances for employees, and maintenance cost pose challenges to their profession, the water transporters said. Meanwhile, the president of the Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council, Ranganatha Prabhu, said the Kerala Water Authority and the corporation have the responsibility to supply free water to all citizens in the city. We are worried that such moves will only lead to complete privatisation of the drinking water sector. The most-affected will be apartment residents as this will directly hit their annual budget. It is high time the apartment associations had a consolidated organisation platform to resist such undemocratic price hikes, Prabhu said.

12 anganwadi children fall ill in Kochi's Ponnurunni; poor water quality suspected cause

KOCHI: Ernakulam has reported another incident of food poisoning with as many as 13 children from an anganwadi in the Ponnurunni East division of Kochi corporation falling ill on Saturday. Earlier this month, Kalamassery and Thrikkakara municipalities had reported an outbreak of Hepatitis A and diarrhoea. Poor quality of drinking water is suspected to be the cause of the spread. Fifteen students were present in the class on Thursday. Of them, 13 had symptoms of diarrhoea. Their caretaker too is suffering from similar symptoms, said Dipin Dileep, the Ponnurunni East councillor. The condition of those affected by the spread is satisfactory, said corporation health standing committee chairman T K Ashraf. They sought treatment at various hospitals and are getting better. There were no hospital admissions, he said. The anganwadi used drinking water supplied by the Kerala Water Authority, Dipin pointed out. There is a tank in which the water supplied by KWA is stored. We have been using water from the tank for several months now. However, it has unexpectedly caused the illness. The health department officials are investigating the issue, he added.

Golden Chariot chugs with slim crowd after six years

BENGALURU: After a gap of six years, the states own luxury express train Golden Chariot chugged off from the Yeshwanthpur Railway Stations Platform-6 to Kochi on Saturday. The trip Jewel of the South was flagged off by Karnataka Tourism Minister HK Patil with 38 international tourists on board, while the train has 80-bed capacity. It is operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) along with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railways. IRCTC, which is marketing the train, has priced the ticket at Rs 67,961.79 ($800). The five-night-six-day circuit will cover Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad/ Karaikudi, Kochi and Chertala/ Mararikuluam in Kerala and back to Bengaluru. Patil told the media that Golden Chariot is a special train for South India as it showcases the culture, tourism, history, nature, wildlife and heritage of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The trains operations had been stopped from 2018 due to financial reasons. Now it has been started in cooperation with agencies from the central government. We have entered into a partnership with the Railways and hope to make profits, he said. An IRCTC official said three special customised trips were made in 2020 and 2021, but the occupancy was very poor. As a new feature, we have introduced a provision for people/ companies to book the entire train and it can be taken on the routes (chosen from the itineraries already prepared by KSTDC and IRCTC). This chartered train service option has been availed by two private companies who have made bookings to take the train for trips on December 29 and February 13, 2025. KSTDC officials, who were present on the occasion, said that for February 2025, bookings have been made to run the train on the Pride of Karnataka circuit, which is a five-night-six-day trip, covering Bengaluru, Nanjangud, Mysuru, Halebidu, Chikkamagaluru, Hospet and Goa. KSTDC sources said the operations had stopped not just because of poor bookings and the corporation was unable to break even, but also because of high haulage charges. Now even after signing agreements with IRCTC and Indian Railways, the haulage charge issues have not been ironed out. We are hoping the train does not stop again or ticket prices are not increased because of this, the source said.

Implement Forest Bill sans dilution, CSI tells Kerala government

KOCHI: At a time when the Syro-Malabar Church has launched a protest against the Kerala Forest Amendment Bill, 2024, the Church of South India (CSI) has come out in support of the bill. The Church claimed that the bill addresses critical issues related to forest conservation and provides a framework for mitigating man-animal conflict while protecting wildlife and saving the ecology. In a representation to the government, CSI Central Kerala Diocese bishop Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian and environmental advisor Mathew Koshy Punnackadu urged the government to pass the bill without dilution to safeguard the critical ecosystems. The Church urged the government to enforce the legislation leaving no loopholes for exploitation under the guise of addressing tribal concerns. Tribals have coexisted with forests sustainably for centuries and should be empowered to continue their traditional practices. Protecting forests from human interventions is critical in combating climate change. Restoring and preserving forest habitats can reduce human-wildlife conflict. Measures such as wildlife corridors and habitat restoration must be prioritised. The Church also demanded a ban on new constructions in ecologically fragile zones and strictly regulatethe existing activities. The Church advocated the implementation of the Madhav Gadgil report on Western Ghats conservation, which proposed zoning ecologically fragile areas.

Kozhikode navy officer among two recognised for outstanding voyage

KOCHI: Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa Alagirisamy, currently on a mission to sail around the globe, have bagged the prestigious Admiral Ramdas Trophy 2024 for the outstanding voyage of the year. They won the award, instituted by the Yachting Association of India (YAI), for two sorties undertaken as part of preparatory training ahead of their circumnavigation voyage. The first saw them sail from Goa to Port Blair and back in double-handed mode. The second entailed a transoceanic sortie from Goa to Port Louis in Mauritius and back. Both these voyages saw the duo cover nearly 10,000 nautical miles. While Lt Cdr Dilna hails from Kozhikode in Kerala, Lt Cdr Roopa is a Pondicherry resident. The two woman officers also won the trophy last year when they were part of a nine-member crew that went on a 188-day-long transcontinental voyage. Currently, they are nearing Lyttelton in New Zealand for their second scheduled stop on their latest expedition, which is part of the Navys Sagar Parikrama series. Other awards The YAIs Admiral R H Tahiliani trophy for the best yachtsperson of the year was jointly won by Vishnu Saravanan and Eabad Ali, while the Engineer-in-Chiefs Trophy for the best lady sailor of the year was shared by Nethra Kumanan and Neha Thakur. Hav Sikhansu Singh won the Admiral Nadkarni Trophy for the most promising yachtsman of the year. The Admiral R K Dhowan trophy for the best sailing club went to the EME Sailing Association in Hyderabad, and the Admiral Kohli Trophy for promoting the sport of yachting to Lt Col Alok Yadav. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ashok Thakkar and Lt Col M P Jaggi (retd). The YAI is the governing authority for sailing, windsurfing, motor boating, powerboat racing and personal watercraft at sea and on inland waters in India. It is recognised by the Indian Olympic Association and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Students with disabilities in Perumbavoor strike gold with wholesome products

KOCHI: We are different but not less. This is the motto of the Centre for Early Intervention Rehabilitation and Research (CEIRR), Perumbavoor, which works with persons with disabilities (PwDs). And through its actions, the institute is showing it means what it says. This Christmas-New Year season, 17 students, enrolled in the centre's Ability Zone project, are competing with big players in the baking, confectionery and handmade gifts sector. And they have made it big too, says Dr Mary Anitha, the project director. According to her, the innovative products by the students have registered good sales. Different types of candles shaped like Christmas trees, Santa Claus, reindeer, poinsettias, angels and green and red baubles were made in large quantities by the students for the Christmas sale, she said. Anitha said they could generate Rs 47,000 from the sale held at the Grand Hyatt in Ernakulam. That was just a single sale event. Many more such events are being held. For example, an exhibition sale was held as part of the Rajagiri Marathon. Right now, we are looking at exhibition sales. However, we have been getting orders from individuals too. Recently, we received orders for homemade return gifts for the wedding reception of former DGP Jacob Thomass daughter. The gifts were artisanal soaps made of rose oil. Another individual had ordered gifts for a baptism party, she said. The PwDs are also making rich plum cakes and biscuits. Those who excel in baking or candle arts are hired and continue their studies with a stipend, she said, adding that the project has been designed to develop their skills that would enable them to get jobs and earn an income. However, since very few of the students can be entrusted to function individually without the help of others, we have developed a buddy system and are also involving their parents in the training process, Anith said. She said the students are also being taught language proficiency, mathematics, English and computer. The speciality of this project is that since it is a combined curriculum, the children will be able to move to other employment sectors, she said. Students being trained to make candles

Jumbo calendars are here for a rare cause

KOCHI: Pachyderms are out in force -- and for a cause. One may be excused for assuming that printed calendars have been kicked to the curb by our shiny digital gadgets. Hold your trunks! Several groups of elephant enthusiasts have discovered that these calendars are the perfect way to lend a helping hand to those in need! Aimed at supporting mahouts who picked up injuries while caring for elephants, many groups have introduced printed annual calendars featuring stunning photographs of renowned elephants from around the state. And, these calendars are selling like hotcakes. Many mahouts have suffered injuries on the job, leaving them unable to work. This has hindered their ability to earn a living. We utilise the funds generated from selling the calendars to provide assistance to them, shares Ajith P S, an office-bearer of Aanachooru - Voice for Elephant. In addition to full-size photographs of renowned captive elephants, the calendars also feature key dates of major temple festivals across the state. They provide insights into the names of elephants, their booking numbers, and snapshots of elephant processions, capturing the essence of celebrated temple festivals. We have customers even from outside the state, and we courier the calendars as needed, explains Subrahmanian Pallipuram, president of Chunks Aanapremi Sangham, which joined the elephant calendar initiative this year. The sangham printed 3,000 dummy-sized calendars, and nearly all have been sold. The trend began about eight years ago with the Koottukombanmar Elephant Welfare Forum. Today, various groups, including Maadanga Peruma, Aanachandam, and Aanakkambam, also offer calendars to interested individuals. If you think that only captive elephants are featured in these calendars, youre mistaken! Some groups produce calendars showcasing solely wild elephants. I have shirts, coffee mugs, scarves, and wallpapers adorned with images of my favourite elephants, and the calendars are an essential part of my collection, says Shyam Kumar, a passionate elephant enthusiast.

INTERVIEW | Im living in a world of music... its just that Im not singing

Singer Minminis journey in the world of music has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her iconic rendition of A R Rahmans Chinna Chinna Asai in the film Roja catapulted her to nationwide fame, making her a household name across India. With a repertoire spanning over 2,000 songs in languages such as Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Badaga, and Odia, she established herself as one of the most versatile, ebullient playback singers of her time. However, her career has been a rollercoaster marked by a meteoric rise to stardom, the devastating struggle with singing, and a show of resilience. In a freewheeling interaction with TNIE, Minmini opens up about her highs & lows, spirituality, and how her familys unwavering love helped her overcome lifes toughest challenges Can you tell us about your first steps in music? My musical journey began at home. Both my parents were talented singers. My three older sisters also used to sing well. My father was passionate about music, and he encouraged us. He, in fact, relocated to a village on the outskirts of Ernakulam to ensure that we grew up in a pollution-free environment. Someone would be singing at any given time in our house. I was just three-and-a-half years old when my uncle first noticed my ability to grasp lyrics quickly and sing. At school, teachers were incredibly supportive. They were my first audience outside of home, and their enthusiasm played a significant role in shaping my musical journey. Did you take any formal training in music? During my childhood, there were no classical music teachers in our village. However, my mother, sisters and I would meticulously learn songs from the radio, paying attention to every detail. I still remember, it used to be a battery-powered radio, as we initially didnt have an electricity connection at home. My sisters would transcribe the lyrics into their notebooks, while I, being younger, would unknowingly absorb them. Whenever someone asked me to sing, I would recall them from memory and sing. I wasnt as serious about music as they were. I would say my early introduction to music was a blessing from within my family. How did your singing career start? It began unexpectedly when I was just 10 years old. I started singing for my cousin, who was a dance teacher. There was some dance programme and she wanted me to do the vocals. Many people appreciated my singing, and I started getting offers to participate in music programmes. Things, however, got serious when a ballet troupe, Srichakra Nritya Vihar, based in Tripunithura, approached my father, seeking permission to let me sing for them. Despite initial reservations due to the late hours and my young age, he agreed as it was a great opportunity. I eventually performed with the troupe for over three years. That experience served as a valuable training ground for me, as I had no formal classical training until then. You joined RLV College in between It would be an affront to RLV to say that I studied there (laughs). I rarely attended classes, as I used to have several music programmes, including ganamelas and cassette recordings. How did you get into cinema? It was by chance. At the CAC Studio in Kochi, [music directors] Rajamani Sir and his father, Chidambaranath Sir, had composed about 10 songs for [K S] Chitra chechi. I was called to sing the base tracks for the songs. After the recording, Rajamani sir asked if I could come to Thiruvananthapuram to sing for a film. I realised it would take five days, which required my fathers permission. The artists at the studio convinced him, explaining that it would be a big break for me to enter the film world. Thanks to their encouragement, I travelled to Thiruvananthapuram. When I arrived at the studio, I found myself in a galaxy of ace musicians. It was an incredible experience. My first recording was in Tharangini [K J Yesudass music company]. Everyone there encouraged me, and thats how my first film recording happened. It was for the film Swagatham. I was just 18 years old at the time. Whats the story behind your stage name? My official name is still P J Rosily. My father used to affectionately call me Mini or Minimon, never Minimol. I came to be known as Mini at stage shows. However, when I started working with Ilayaraja sir, he said the name Mini didnt exist in Tamil. He christened me Minmini. When did you move to Chennai? On January 1, 1991, there was a stage show in Palakkad by the CAC orchestra playing [music composer] Jerry Amaldev sirs songs. [Singer] Krishnachandran chettan, who also come to sing for the show, told me that Ilayaraja Sir had asked about me. I was so naive that I wondered, Who is this Ilayaraja? (Chuckles) He told my father that Jayan uncle (singer P Jayachandran) had been frantically trying to reach us. Next day, when my father called Jayan uncle, he told him to rush with me to Chennai. Thats how it all started. You met Ilayaraja straight away? Before meeting Raja sir, we went to Jerry sirs house in Chennai. I had been to Chennai twice before to sing for Jerry sir. During those times, we stayed at his house. That was our only connection we had in Chennai. After we reached his house, Jayan uncle also arrived. I was sitting in a room, while they were speaking about Raja sir in another room. Later, they asked me which song I would sing if Raja sir asked me to. I sang Raveendran Masters Valampiri sankhil, and they approved. Jayan uncle had earlier seen a video cassette of me singing Shanmugha priya ragamo during a stage show abroad. He asked me to sing that song if Raja sir asked for a second song. On the way, there was a huge crowd near Raja sirs house. Jayan uncle told me they were all waiting to just catch a glimpse of Raja sir. I also noticed large cutouts of Raja sir along the roadside. Despite all this, I still didnt realise the seriousness of the situation (laughs). How was your first meeting with Ilayaraja? Were you nervous? To feel nervous, one must know how great Ilayaraja is, right? Since I was clueless, I wasnt nervous at all (laughs). When we reached Raja sirs studio, we were first taken to the composing room. Raja sir was there with [lyricist] Vaali sir and Gangai Amaran sir (Ilayarajas brother and composer]. Raja Sir asked me to sing a keerthanam. I told him I didnt know any. Then he asked me to sing any song I knew well. I sang Valampiri sankhil. Raja Sir listened to the entire song and asked me how many times I had heard the song to learn it. What was your reply? (Laughs) Learning that song was a different story by itself. As I said earlier, we didnt have electricity at our house then. Our neighbours, who had electricity, used to often play the song loudly. We could hear it from our home. Thats how I learnt the song. But I didnt tell this to Raja sir. I simply said I had learnt it after hearing it two or three times. Then he asked me to sing another song, so I sang Shanmugha priya ragamo. After that session, Raja sir told me not to return to Kerala. I was so naive that I actually felt sad upon hearing this, as I had several music programmes lined up in Kerala. But my father said we would do as Raja sir instructed. Unlike me, he knew who Raja sir was. Later, I saw Asha Bhosle recording a song for Raja sir. She was a singer I admired, an icon. Thats when the scale of what I was up struck me (laughs). You later sang several songs for A R Rahman, whose style was totally different from that of Ilayaraja Singers shouldnt think too much about such things. It comes naturally if you avoid overthinking. The two are different individuals, but I, as the singer, remain the same. Their ways were different. God helped me deliver what they wanted in their respective styles. Its that simple (smiles). When did you realise you were a famous singer? It was when I started receiving a lot of letters after Chinna chinna asai. Thats when I realised people from other places were listening to my songs, just as I used to listen to Janaki Ammas songs. Such thoughts had never crossed my mind before. How did the song Chinna chinna asai happen? One day, [music director] Arjunan Master came to my house in an autorickshaw. I went along with my father in that same auto and sang the song. My sister Jansi was also there. Thats all (smiles). Nothing big happened. There used to be a rumour that K S Chitra was the initial choice to sing Chinna chinna asai... That I dont know. Maybe, its true. I also saw it mentioned in an interview with Rahman sir. After recording the song, some people asked [director] Mani Ratnam Sir whether the song was okay or if they should try another singer. I later came to know that he told them the song was fine. Rahman sir mentioned this in one of his interviews. I dont know who the initial choice was. I was a rookie then. If I had failed to deliver what they wanted, someone else might have sung it. What do you think made the song such a hit? Honestly, I dont know. Reflecting on my ignorance is amusing (laughs). Maybe because there was a similarity between the singer and the character in terms of innocence In the film, the character had at least passed Class 10, which set her apart (laughs). As for me, I entered this field knowing very little. As I mentioned earlier, I consider myself a blessed child of the Almighty to have experienced such wonderful things even before fully understanding them. Perhaps my voice reflected a certain innocence, just like the character. What was Rahmans style? Would he explain in detail what you should do? Yes, he would play the harmonium and explain. He would sing the song and show us how it was to be rendered. It was he who taught me how to sing Chinna chinna asai. Arjunan Master and Rahman sirs mother were also present at that time. Just as your career peaked, you had trouble with your voice. How did you overcome that situation? A lot of people supported me. My parents, sisters, cousins they were all there for me. I lost my voice just before my wedding. My husband, Joy, helped me a lot. He took care of me like a baby. He still does. My treatment was in Chennai. [Singer] Mano annan and his wife were there for me. I stayed at their house, and they supported me throughout the treatment. They cared for me like their own child. We consulted ENT specialists, gastroenterologists, and other doctors and did several tests, but nothing was found. It was not that I lost my voice I just could not sing in front of the mic. So, was it more of a psychological issue? That is it! (Smiles, and turns emotional) We have heard that Rahman tried to make you sing again Yes. I was not ready for it, but he insisted. It was the song Pachai kili paadum for Bharathiraja sirs film Karuthamma. In a way, I just uttered the lyrics bit by bit. He made it into a song with his skill, and technology. It was painful for me that I couldnt sing it well. Did anyone from the industry reach out to you at that time of crisis? No (smiles). No musician reached out to me. Maybe they found it hard to face me. I was their pet, and when someone like that goes through such a difficult time, people often hesitate they struggle with what to say or do to console or bring peace. Maybe they found it hard to face me, I dont know. I dont hold any sadness over that. Despite all the hardships, you have maintained a positive outlook on life. Is that because of your belief in God? What does Gods face look like? How can we define God? To me, God is love. Theres no specific figure or face. We might picture God in our minds based on what we know or how we envision, but for me, God is invisible and omnipresent. The love and happiness we share thats God. And that love, that happiness, is always around me. Whats your favourite song? S Janakis Thamara kumbilallo, Chirikkumbol koode chirikkan, Kuli kazhinju kodi mattiya; P Susheelas Maanathe mazhamukil; Vani Jayarams Seemantha rekhayil; P Madhuris Innu enikku pottu kuthan; K S Chithras Nimisham suvarna nimisham, Mouna sarovaram the list would go on. Did you listen to songs for solace while you were away from singing? No. There was a time when I fully stopped listening to songs. Listening to music brought back old memories, sad memories, and often triggered trauma. So I stopped listening to my songs. And other songs because that reminded me of my singing, recording days. So I made a conscious decision to avoid listening to songs. That said, I was not in a low place. I had my home and my loved ones to tend to. I found a lot of joy in that. What precisely did you do to take your mind off negative thoughts? How did you stay engaged? I love making food for my children. I tended to my plants like a normal homemaker. I am that as well. I am a singer only in the studio. My biggest achievement is that I was able to spend time with my kids during their development phase. It might seem trivial to some people, but no, I cherish those moments. That was the happiest phase of my life. Do you still manage to do concerts or shows? My days are still entirely filled with music. My husband and children are musicians, so what we talk and share is all music. We run a music academy in Kochi. I cannot sing as I used to do before because it is causes strain. I do stages where I only sing 4 to 5 songs now, unlike 15 or 16 songs as I used to before. You seem to be very spiritual... Yes. I cannot survive without depending on God. From childhood, I was taught that talent was a blessing from God. Whenever there was an incident, my father used to tell me God had a role in it. Thats how I grew up. When I lost my voice too, thats how I looked at it. Now I have accepted everything in my life. I am happy when I get an opportunity. If I dont, I dont worry about it. Because I am happy with the family and career I have. My husband has been a great pillar of support. I have several ailments, yet he unconditionally loves me. My God has given me the best in life. I found peace during difficult times because of the good people around me. They always treated me like chippikkul muthu (pearl in an oyster). What is the place for music right now in your life? I am living in music. Its just that Im not singing, but music envelops me everywhere. I cant imagine a life without music. Music is inside me and around always. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Rajesh Ravi, Anu Kuruvilla, S Neeraj Krishna, Mahima Anna Jacob, Anna Jose, Manisha V C S, Harikrishna B, T P Sooraj (photos), Pranav V P (video)

Notices issued to six outlets in Kalamassery for food safety violations

Health wing of the municipality reportedly found storage of food and dairy products in unhygienic conditions

Pipeline bursts at Palarivattom disrupts water supply

The damaged stretch, measuring 700 mm, is an old pipeline from Samskara Junction; KWA urged to replace old and dilapidated pipes

POCSO case accused recaptured after alleged lock-up escape

He was booked for the alleged sexual harassment of a minor girl

Fish farmers pin hopes on festive season sales

Cage fish farmers under theCMFRI will begin selling freshly caught fish from December 22

Rural police increasingly deploying PITNDPS as deterrent to curb narcotic cases

Twelve persons have been arrested under the Act till November

119 complaints settled at Kochi adalat

Girl allegedly smothered by stepmother laid to rest

12 children at anganwadi in Kochi hit by suspected food poisoning

Health wing officials of the Corporation discover contamination in water stored in the overhead tank of the anganwadi; water samples sent for testing

Supplyco Christmas fare opened in Kochi

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

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

Satheesan downplays speculation that NSS, SNDP Yogam are backing Ramesh Chennithala

Welcoming invitation by NSS to Chennithala to deliver keynote address during Mannam Jayanthi celebrations, V.D. Satheesan says several leaders had attended such meetings organised by community and religious organisations earlier

Malankara Church dispute: Tension at Mulanthuruthy church in Keralas Ernakulam during festival

Stand-off between Jacobite and Orthodox factions spilled onto the streets during church festival on Friday night with police booking a person who was reportedly part of a group that confronted the police

Court dismisses petition for stay on release of Mohanlals 3D movie Barroz

Attack on health-care institutions: Kerala HC suggests depositing an amount as bail condition

KOCHI: The HC has suggested the inclusion of depositing an amount towards damage caused as a condition for granting bail to the accused in cases registered under the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act. Justice P V Kunhikrishnan made the observation while granting bail to Nithin Gopi, an accused in a case registered in connection with attacking doctors and destroying hospital properties in Thiruvananthapuram, on a condition of depositing Rs 10,000 towards the damage. The court observed that the preamble of the Act itself indicates its intention is prevention of damages and loss to property in healthcare institutions. As per Section 4(4) of the Act, any offence under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable and non-bailable. That shows the serious concern of the Act in these types of cases. Hence while granting bail, in cases where offences under the Act are alleged and if any damage is caused to the healthcare institutions by the accused, the courts should impose the condition. If the accused are found not guilty and acquitted, they would be entitled to a refund. If the court concludes the accused is liable to pay any fine/compensation, the amount deposited can be utilised for payment of the fine/compensation.

Recovery of device triggers bomb scare in Kakkanad

KOCHI: A gadget resembling an improvised explosive device (IED) was found on a parked two-wheeler in front of a restaurant at Kakkanad on Thursday night triggering panic among people. Later it turned out that it was a device invented by students to identify drunk drivers. The incident took place around 11 pm when the device containing a diode, buzzer, capacitor and pressure device was placed on a motorcycle parked in front of a restaurant on KP Kurian Road near Infopark police station. The hotel owner who saw the device found the buzzer ticking. Soon, the police and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad were alerted. They reached the place and checked the device to find it non-lethal. Later, students of a nearby engineering college reached the restaurant to claim the device. According to the students, they invented the device to prevent drunk riding. The device is installed inside the helmet. If a rider after consuming liquor wears the helmet, it will trigger an alarm. The device fell from the helmet of a student who had reached the restaurant. However, we have registered a case and are conducting a probe, a police officer said.

Ernakulam edu institutions score high in first KIRF

KOCHI: The first-ever Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF) 2024 saw higher education institutions in Ernakulam showcasing a stellar performance. KIRF, released on Friday, had the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) taking the first spot among the universities in the state. Arts and science and engineering colleges in the district also performed well to feature among the first 10 spots in the list. Expressing joy over the achievement, Cusat vice-chancellor M Junaid Bushiri said, The first position in KIRF ranking comes as an honour for Cusat. This is a recognition for the universitys scientific research, and technology and innovation developed in collaboration with industries, in tandem with the states development. The recognition will be an impetus for the academic and research advances carried out by Cusat, he said. The list also covers arts and science colleges, engineering colleges, teacher education colleges, nursing colleges and agriculture and allied colleges in the state. Ernakulam fared well in the college section also. Two of its premier colleges featured in the top three ranks Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (autonomous) stood second behind the University College of Thiruvananthapuram while St Teresas College (autonomous) stood third.

Mattancherry boat service to resume after six years

KOCHI: After a wait of nearly six years, the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is finally set to resume boat services to Mattancherry. A New Year gift perhaps, which will enable local residents and scores of tourists to reach the popular tourist destination in 20 minutes from mainland Kochi, instead of the over-an-hour-long travel by road. An experimental exercise the deployment of a silt pusher machine to clear the backwater navigation channel of accumulated silt has paved the way for the resumption of services. The machine was recently acquired by the Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) for the Kochi corporation. SWTD was forced to approach CSML to find a way out after the irrigation department failed to carry out dredging despite being allocated crores for the purpose. Operations on the Ernakulam-Mattancherry route were stopped following the formation of large silt deposits in the backwater channel post the 2018 flood. A sum of Rs 4.5 crore was then allotted to the irrigation department to dredge the channel and restore the services. However, the department couldnt carry out the exercise due to many hurdles. The newly-acquired silt pusher machine, originally meant for cleaning drains and canals in the city, was deployed in the channel last week. We succeeded in making a one-and-a-half metre draft, which is just enough for a catamaran boat to operate. Weve fixed coconut poles on the backwater stretch to mark the channel and took a rescue boat to Mattancherry successfully. Trial runs will be conducted in the coming days and we aim to resume the ferry services by New Year, said SWTD director Shaji V Nair, who is also the CEO of CSML. With work progressing fast, SWTD has also deployed a small dredger to remove the silt, he said. A trial run was successfully held today. Well wait for a few more days to see whether the channel gets covered by silt again, he said. The irrigation department has completed the renovation of the Mattancherry boat terminal. Were even acquiring a new boat, FC-6, which will be delivered soon, taking the fleet strength in the Ernakulam region alone to nine. Well have sufficient boats, and even spare ones, to operate services to Mattancherry as well, the SWTD official said. Commuters in the segment are eagerly waiting for the boat services to resume. The authorities have failed to honour the many promises made. While we welcome the new development, action should be taken against the non-implementation of the dredging project for the past several years, said M M Abbas, president of the West Kochi Passengers Association.

Fitness review done before postponing tests for school buses: Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam

KOCHI: The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) carried out an accident prevention-based fitness review in the last few weeks before issuing the order allowing Educational Institution Buses (EIBs), whose fitness certificates have expired or about to expire soon, to continue plying for another four to five months, Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam said on Friday. His reaction comes in the wake of the TNIE report published on Friday about the recent order issued by his office allowing the extension of validity of fitness certificates of all EIBs, whose fitness has expired or is about to expire in the coming months, till April 2025. A directive was issued to all the RTOs on December 1 to conduct a preventive check of fitness of all EIBs in their respective jurisdiction. This was done not only for school buses but also for private vehicles conducting school trips. They have also been asked to convene PTA (parents teachers association) meetings and conduct awareness classes for the driving staff of the schools. The exercise was completed over the last few weeks, Nagaraju said. Earlier, experts, including former MVD officers, decried the order saying it would result in the EIBs operating without carrying out timely maintenance. This increases the risk of mishaps, especially like moving vehicles catching fire if they are not properly maintained. Also, will insurance companies approve claims if such vehicles meet with accidents? Such leniency at a time when accidents are rising will send a wrong message. Instead, the schools buses can get the test done on advance in April-May itself instead of waiting till the validity ends, or can deploy Contract Carriage vehicles for the short period when the vehicles undergo fitness test, said a former senior MVD official, while citing the mishap on November 14 when the wheels of a school bus got detached while plying at Pattanakkad in Cherthala. Meanwhile, the MVD has started a state-wide initiative, conducting vehicle checking at black spots across the state. Extension of validity The reaction of Transport Commissioner comes in the wake of the TNIE report published on Friday about the recent order issued by his office allowing the extension of validity of fitness certificates of all EIBs, whose fitness has expired or is about to expire in the coming months, till April 2025 Earlier. experts, including former MVD officers, decried the order saying it would result in vehicles operating without carrying out maintenance

Abhimanyu murder case: Mother moves Kerala HC to expedite trial

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Ernakulam Principal Session Court to submit a report on progress in the Abhimanyu murder case. The court issued the order on a petition filed by Abhimanyus mother, seeking a directive to expedite the trial. In her petition, Bhoopathy pointed out that the case was still in the preliminary hearing stage. Even six years after the murder, charges had not been framed. Hearing was put off multiple times, between July 11, 2023, and November 18, 2023, to facilitate the appearance of the accused. However, most of the accused were absent on all occasions, her plea said. The accused are highly influential persons who were released on bail without undergoing judicial custody for a significant time. The delay in commencing the trial had given undue advantage to the accused, Bhoopathy said. The petitioner pointed out that the majority of prosecution witnesses were college students and most of them had moved abroad for higher education or employment. If the trial was delayed further the presence of witnesses would become a major issue. The trial should be conducted before the memory of witnesses fades away, she pleaded. Abhimanyu, a 21-year-old from a tribal family in Idukkis Vattavada, was stabbed to death by a gang of allegedly Campus Front of India (CFI) activists at Ernakulam Maharajas College in July 2018. The murder was the sequel to a dispute between SFI and CFI workers over the placement of some posters in the college.

Archbishop gives Christmas message

BJPs Wayanad candidate goes to Kerala HC against Priyankas election

Kochi: Navya Haridas, the BJP candidate who lost to Congress candidate Priyanka Gandhi in the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll held on November 13, filed a petition on Friday before the Kerala High Court, challenging her election. Haridas in her complaint alleges that Priyanka has not given the correct statement of assets that she and her 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 .

Final report soon on developing process package to check pollution of Edappally, Perandoor canals

Indian, Vietnam Coast Guards conduct joint sea exercise off Kochi

The Vietnam Coast Guard ship CSB 8005 and the Indian Coast Guard conducted a joint exercise near Kochi. The exercise, Sahayog Hop Tac, focused on maritime security. Crews practiced pollution response, search and rescue, and counter-drug operations. The visit included cross-visits, a beach cleanup, and a volleyball match. The exercise strengthened the partnership between the two coast guards.

Meeting rejects action against priests

HC quashes MD appointment in Kerala warehousing corporation

HC grants anticipatory bail to film maker Omar Lulu

Seven injured in stray dog attack in Kalamassery

BJP candidate in Wayanad challenges Priyankas election

Navya Haridas says the Congress leaders election affidavit did not disclose essential information abouther and her family members assets

Abhimanyu murder case: HC seeks report on plea to expedite trial

Woman confesses to stepdaughters murder after police bring in sorcerer during interrogation

Nellikuzhy murder: accused had troubled childhood in penury

Coast Guard personnel of India, Vietnam hold joint sea exercises

Fans of FC Barcelona to converge in Kochi on December 21 to celebrate clubs 125th anniversary

FC Barcelona fans in Kochi celebrate clubs 125th anniversary with special event and jersey release

A quick guide to a Fort Kochi Christmas

Heritage walks, sporting events, games, music and a carnival, heres what to do in Fort Kochi during Christmas

Syro-Malabar Church sets up special tribunal for disciplinary issues in Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese

The special tribunal was set up in the wake of the continued opposition to the unified mass in the archdiocese

A non-lethal improvised device found planted near a restaurant adjacent to Infopark

Non-lethal device found outside restaurant in Kochi, believed to be a scare tactic in ongoing feud. Police investigating

An electric boat that takes the sustainable tourism route in Kochis Kadamakkudy islands

The e-boat Legend of Ousu takes a sustainable, no-pollution route on the backwaters around the Kadamakkudy islands

Beeping electronic device creates panic outside eatery near Kochi Infopark

KOCHI: An electronic device kept inside a helmet and left outside a restaurant near Kakkanad Infopark here created panic in the area after it started making a 'beeping' sound. It led to the bomb squad being called and it in turn found that the device was not an explosive, police said on Friday. The incident occurred around 11 pm on Thursday when one of the patrons of the restaurant found a helmet in a bag atop his bike. He approached the eatery owner to ask whom the bag and helmet belonged to and at that moment a beep sound began emanating from it, police told a TV channel here. It created panic among the people present at the time and they called the police. Thereafter, the bomb squad arrived and they found that there were no explosives in it, an officer of Infopark police station said. He said that the bag and device may have been left there inadvertently or to create panic or it may be a trial run also prior to planting of a real explosive. Anything is possible. We have to first find out who kept it there. Thereafter, we will be able to find out the purpose behind it, the officer said.

Tale of the Jewish Muthappan of Mattancherry

KOCHI: Jew Town in Mattancherry is a well-known tourist hub where visitors explore the remnants of a once-prosperous Jewish community of Kochi. While the Paradesi Synagogue here is world-famous, there is a lesser-known place of worship nearby. A stroll from Jew Town takes one to the densely populated neighbourhood of Chakkamadam. Here, amidst the congested houses lining a narrow alley stands a nondescript structure resembling a shrine, bearing inscriptions in Hebrew. It is the tomb of a 17th-century Jewish Biblical scholar, Rabbi, mystic and poet named Nehemia ben Abraham Motha whom the local residents refer to as Namiah Muthappan. This Muthappan, they say, possesses mystical powers, and the prayers of those who visit his tomb are often fulfilled. When someone prays to Muthappan, he removes all sorts of misery from their lives, says Mary, a local resident. Many people come here to light candles as offerings to Muthappan, especially sick people. Who is Namiah Muthappan? This Jewish figure is believed to have come from abroad and settled in Kochi. He passed away in 1615 on the 25th of Kislev the ninth month in the Hebrew calendar, which coincides with November-December in the Gregorian calendar. This date also marks the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of Lights. Nehemiah was a Kabbalist, explains Bony Thomas, artist, historian and author of Kochikkar, which throws light on various ethnic groups of Kochi. Kabbalism is a Jewish divine tradition often associated with mysticism. Nehemiah composed religious songs that were part of the prayers of the Malabari Jews. The 1757 edition of the Shingly Mahzor (the prayer book of Cochin Jews) included about 20 songs composed by Nehemiah. Interestingly, Shingly is the former name of present-day Kodungallur, where Jews arrived in 72 CE. These songs were omitted from the 1769 edition, possibly due to the insistence of European Jews. However, they have reappeared in the recent Israeli edition of the Shingly Mahzor. According to Johann Kuruvilla of the Kochi Heritage Project, Nehemiahs remains are interred at the Malabari Jewish cemetery in Chakkamadam. The Malabari Jews celebrate his death anniversary with a grand feast in accordance with Kosher regulations, he says. He is considered the patron saint of the Malabari Jews. This commemoration includes a special banquet and the singing of his hashkavah (a Sephardi memorial prayer). However, there seems to be a lack of clarity of Nehemiahs divine stature. It is important to understand that Judaism is a monotheistic religion. The concept of sainthood doesnt exist in Jewish teachings, says Bony. This is why many Jewish rabbis deemed Nehemiah Motha a fake Messiah. Lets dig in a little deeper The earliest reference in scholarship devoted to Nehemia Motha is found in the 1907 edition of the Jewish Encyclopedia, where it is stated rather misleadingly that in 1615 a false messiah appeared among the Jews of Cochin in the person of Nehemia Motha, notes the Jewish Virtual Library website. Most scholars accept that Motha was from Yemen; others say he was an Italian Jew who came to Kochi via Yemen, and still others hold that he was Polish. He married a woman from the black Jewish community. The Hebrew inscription on Nehemiah Mothas tomb provides the only factual record of his life, mentioning his father, Abraham Motha, who was also a rabbi. The epitaph reads: Here rest the remains of the famous Kabbalist, The influence of the light of whose learning shines throughout the country, The perfect sage, the hasid, and God-fearing Nehemiah, the son of The dear rabbi and sage Abraham Motha. Our master departed this life on Sunday, the 25th of Kislev, 5336. May his soul rest in peace. From rabbi to village deity After the declaration of the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, there was a mass migration of Cochin Jews to Israel, notes former mayor K J Sohan. Many Jewish-owned properties were abandoned, leading to the encroachment of these lands, including the cemetery of Malabari Jews, who were relatively poorer than their Paradesi counterparts, he says. Several tombs were also razed. However, according to legend, when people tried to demolish Nehemiahs tomb, a fire erupted and the terrain started trembling, frightening the new dwellers. Subsequently, they began offering prayers at the tomb. The tradition continues. Today, Nehemiah is revered by people of all religions, and the local residents collectively maintain his tomb. Whenever I am having a hard time, I seek the blessings of Namiah Muthappan, says a devotee. He has great powers. There & Then Weekly column on historic, iconic places in the city. Send suggestions to cityexpresskoc@newindianexpress.com

INTERVIEW | Life made me a rebel

Thrissur-native Poly Varghese is Keralas own icon in Hindustani music. Yet, he feels the state doesnt recognise his art. A product of Kerala Kalamandalam, 54-year-old Pauly started as a mridangam player and later became a Mohan veena exponent. Poly was among Grammy awardee Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatts first students. He took his music to stages across India and abroad, and forged bonds with global musicians. TNIE caught up with this Chennai-based maverick musician, who recently visited the state for the Swaryagna festival in Thiruvananthapuram. Excerpts from the interaction Lets start with some basics. Could you please tell us a bit about how Mohan veena differs from veena? See, veena basically refers to a string instrument. However, people usually refer to Saraswati veena when they say veena. There are many types Samudra veena, Rudra veena, etc. In Mohan veena, we can play five different string instruments such as sarangi, sarod, santoor, sitar, and Hawaiian guitar. My guru Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatts veena has 19-21 strings. I have added two more to play Dhrupad music. How did your guru develop Mohan Veena? My guru comes from a family with a 600-year legacy. He was a sitar player. Once a foreigner went to him with a guitar. Guruji wondered about the range of possibilities with a sitar-guitar combo. So he used his genius by adding taraf to the guitar. The instrument was later named after him as Mohan Veena. How did you get interested in music, and how did this journey begin? My beginning! My musical journey commenced at the age of eight. I started learning mridangam, and started as a Carnatic musician. I studied mridangam at Kalamandalam. But I often used to listen to Hindustani music, right from an early age. Did your family have any sort of musical legacy? No. This is something that just happened to me. Thrissur Christians are known for their business acumen I do not seem to possess such a knack for money matters. Thats why I am idly roaming around! So, what initially spurred your music journey? There was a Bhagavathar near my home. He was my fathers friend. Whenever I went to his place, I would hear him sing. His house was near the church. Also, at home, there was an old Murphy radio. Film songs would be aired from Thrissur, but they would air Carnatic music from Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram stations. This was a big problem. My sister would want to listen to film songs, and I wanted Carnatic. One day, Ammachi [ mother] was so vexed with our argument that she threw the radio! My whole world was classical music. I cannot enjoy film music even today. My family was settled in the Thriprayar part of the Thrissur district. From there, I went to academies and sabhas where music programmes were held. My father was supportive. I joined Kalamandalam after completing Class 10, without giving a second thought. When I was at Kalamandalam, I used to go to my ashans house where there was a TV. On the national network, at times, Guruji [Vishwa Mohan Bhat], who was not that famous then, would appear. I used to wonder what he played. I wrote letters to Guruji, but never received a reply. After graduating from Kalamandalam, I headed to Shantiniketan, where I met Guruji. I went with him to Rajasthan. From then, my life was at Gurujis house. I gradually stopped playing mridangam. Its been almost 30 years. It is believed that the philosophy of Indian classical music is dictated by the notion that it is from the divine I want to break such notions. I do not see any divinity. You may disagree with me. If this is divine, every occupation is. We, too, are like scavengers. Music, to me, is an art that emerges from a space of mental strife and social conflict. How can you label divinity to it? Are you trying to imply that art or talent is something that anyone can have? This [Mohan veena] was an unfamiliar instrument for me. I constantly practise this instrument. Even for a scavenger or a mason, in the beginning, it would be challenging. The skill is imparted to them by a mentor. The same goes for me; this is something I learned from a guru. This, to me, is more about activism than divinity. Isnt passion what separates art and, say, masonry? There is just a slight difference. Masonry and scavenging are livelihoods, but music isnt a livelihood for me. Doesnt art uphold a certain kind of creativity? A mason building a new structure is akin to me playing an instrument. So, if Poly Varghese decides to be a mason, he could? Poly Varghese cant be a mason, though I have done similar jobs. During my life in Kolkata, I had worked as a painter. But I cannot do it full-time. I am tuned in the way of art, but a mason is not tuned so. I cannot be a full-time construction worker because my taste doesnt work out like that. I am from a conventional Christian family. The songs I listened to while growing up were gospel music, Christian hymns. My relatives are big gold merchants in Thrissur. If I were in Thrissur town, then I too would have been a gold merchant or an entrepreneur. I cannot be a business person; I am not meant for it. Even today, I cannot commercialise my music. How do you people back home know you? When people in Thrissur organise programmes and approach advertisers for it, some businessmen, especially jewellers, wonder if there is an artist named Poly Varghese. They assume it is some keyboard player. I used to be known as Kalamandalam Poly, and that was a big hurdle. So I just removed the Kalamandalam tag. I have received a lot of laurels and honours. I even got it from Thailands Bangkok Universitys Sangeeta Ratnakara. But I do not like to hold on to all that. Some people attach Pandit to my name. I do not want to attach any titles. Are there any issues you faced as a classical musician due to your Christian identity? It affected me in Kerala. How? In Kerala, I only had three or four performances. They do not call me for any sabhas. Why do Stephen Devassys keyboard concerts get sold out? Because it is the keyboard. Let him do a Carnatic kacheri, will it sell as much? Kalamandalam Poly could have been a new brand You need to live in my shoes, and then judge. T M Krishna and I are close friends. I was living in Chennai for a while. When Krishna started getting involved in social causes linked to music, conversations began to erupt. But before Krishna came on board, I was there in Chennai for 17 years. I have played Mohan Veena on the streets and gullies of Chennai. During that time, there was a movement to get rid of LTTE in Sri Lanka. It was a political issue. Linked to that, many of us played musical instruments and were imprisoned. But no discourses happened. Why? Because T M Krishna comes from a background of privilege, and I dont. You mean caste privilege? Krishna is someone who does not hold casteist values. But caste flows as an undercurrent without even his awareness. You know how? [ TM] Krishna was thrown out of the sabha circle. I was also expelled. However, Malayalis have accepted Krishna; he is invited to literature fests and is popular in the socio-political circuit here. If Poly Varghese speaks out, that will not be the case. Even Krishna has told me that my name is a hindrance. During my mridangam days, Devarajan Master once told me that I should be known by a different name, and suggested Prasad Varadhan. I told the Master that I had a strong political stance, and that I could not change my father and mother. Are you a believer? I am not. The word belief itself is dangerous. If you start to believe something, there is something wrong with you. That means you are impeding your search, you are losing yourself to a particular subject. You said there was a problem with the Kalamandalam tag. But there have been revered artists such as Kalamandalam Hyder Ali I know what all Hyder Ali ashan had to endure. When I was studying at Kalamandalam, there was a Kathakali teachers who ridiculed me, asking on my face: What music will be there in a Nasrani (Christian)? I was so upset. Later, Hyder Ali ashan comforted me. He also taught there, but he was not even appointed as a permanent teacher there. There was also one Kalamandalam John, who was not made permanent. Do you believe in guruthwam (reverence to Guru)? It is just a fancy word. Guruthwam means the gurus blessings. They can teach you letters, words, and grammar, but art cannot be taught that easily. Artists are rebels, radical in nature. Are you saying an artist must be a rebel? No, but an artist naturally becomes a rebel due to circumstances. Experimentations in art lead an artist to go against rules. If you want to be a rebel, you must be a breaker of rules naturally or ideologically, like T R Mahalingam or Bismillah Khan. Are you a rebellious artist? Life made me a rebel, thanks to the frictions and denials I have experienced. What segregations or denials did you face as a mridangam artist? I have faced several incidents, including being shut out of stage performances due to my Christian faith. I was once made to leave the stage without performing on a reality show. Once my mridangam was thrown away from the stage at a temple I was not allowed to perform in temples. Is this segregation issue only in Kerala? Yes. I am basically a Malayali musician, but have you seen me perform in any kacheri in Kerala? Maybe four or five times. In north India, however, they were bothered only by the fact that I am a south Indian. However, as I have gained an identity, I no longer face such issues. Keralas cultural activism is superficial What hurdles does a south Indian Hindustani musician face in the north? The north-south divide is stark in my field. The famous vocalist from Karnataka, Bhimsen Joshi, also experienced it. But because of his legendary stature, he could not be avoided by the north Indian groups. Once, I was omitted from the line-up for the Konark festival in Odisha due to uproar from some quarters. Imagine my plight! But now, I do not face much discrimination. I have a Jazz Blues band with members from the US and Australia. Doing so, has opened my musical boundaries beyond Mohan Veena. We always prop up Indian classical music on a pedestal. There is not much to be gained from that in my opinion. We must transcend such musical categorisations. Music is universal. Why do you think you have not got due recognition in Kerala? One, Kerala is a consumer society. Discussions are mostly on gains/losses. Second, I am a south Indian who plays north Indian music. Also, organisations here, even the ruling Left government, are not interested in the arts. The art they know is limited to Stephen Devassy, Rimi Tomy film-oriented. Had Yesudas not sung for films, would we know him? Thats it. You worked on a film I composed for Kala Varkey, which came out in 2003. The film did not do very well. Then came Jeevamshamayi. For that, I came from Bengal. I was very interested in Baul music at that time. They wanted to recreate a similar music for the movie (breaks into a Baul song of Lalon Fakir, an 18th-century Baul/Sufi singer). How did you stumble across Baul music? Growing up, I had been familiar with Rabindra Sangeet. But I came to know of Baul only during my time at Shantiniketan. I saw several performances there and it greatly influenced me. I wanted to learn. Another aspect of Baul music that deeply influenced me was the singers ability to craft spontaneous songs that reflected their rebellious spirit. This experience sparked a desire within me to learn Bengali. I also wanted to read Rabindranath Tagores Gitanjali in its original form. I also had a great passion for playing traditional instruments like the ektara, gomukh, and dotara. What languages are you fluent in? Tamil, Bengali, Hindi, English, Malayalam, Urdu, Odiya, Marathi. I have done a drama in Marathi. Having been exposed to the cultural scenes of many states, how do you perceive the cultural scene of Kerala in comparison? I dont perceive Keralas cultural scene as being particularly profound. The cultural activism in Kerala seems somewhat superficial. Could the relative absence of such groups in Kerala be attributed to the states unique socio-cultural context, making them less relevant? The left wings shift away from cultural norms in Kerala has indeed had a significant impact. It appears that they have abandoned cultural activism. They are focused on electoral politics alone. The term activism appears repeatedly in your conversation. Do you believe it is essential for an artist to be an activist? I believe that art is not something that falls from the sky, nor is it something that is taught by a teacher. Art comes from the way you live your life. If you listen to the songs of the people around you, if you engage with others regularly, if you watch dramas, you will be affected by the problems in society. Even Nadanpattu exists as a response, right? Artists react through their songs. An artist needs people to listen to him when he sings. They receive energy from him, and he receives energy from them. An artist cant live isolated in a palace, do PR work, and move around in a Benz. What about the concept of purity in art? What remains here that is untarnished? Purity is something rooted in the Brahminical context. Does that concept still exist? Caste consciousness exists within you, even if youre unaware of it. You express it in various ways Can a fair-skinned man accept a dark-skinned wife? Even in movies, dont they lighten the complexion of dark-skinned heroines? I am experiencing it even in Australia. Are songs by Black people ever truly celebrated? Are the art forms of Black communities ever discussed on major global platforms? How long has it been since a Black artist won a Grammy Award or Oscar? Its talent that earns one honour, not colour, right? I need social acceptance. I dont think people who come to listen to me are here just for my music. I dont believe there is such an exemplary society here. Havent we moved beyond caste, at least in the realm of culture? Let me ask you a question. If you wanted to get married, would you marry a Dalit? Do you feel love for a Dalit? Love is also influenced by caste. Love is not activism Love is totally a vibrant, rebellious activism. Octavia Paz had said the world changes when two people kiss. Shouldnt an artists activism be more about music, rather than an agitation? To play well is my activism. This is my way of life. The show of culture isnt. But if you mean playing well is sticking to the conventions of purity, you might be disappointed. What is being discussed through my art are the social and political and personal issues. Arent there good artists who arent in activism mode? It is just that they dont speak. T M Krishna is a great artist and a rebel. But equally great is Sanjay Subramaniam, who doesnt show much rebellion Sanjay Subrmaniam was the one who opposed the grant of award for T M Krishna, taking a Hindutva stance. Ranjini-Gayatri, Anuradha Sriram, Trichur Brothers all did so. Ones politics will be revealed in ones music. Kabir Das, too, responded to social aspects, but never denied transcendental quality of art. Kabirs Rama is not the Rama of the masses. Ustad All Rakha, Bismillah Khan, Zakir Hussain none questioned arts divinity. Its my personal choice. I will totally deny arts facets that are not rooted in social activism. Cant music exist for the sake of experience, without activism? Thats unlikely, at least for me. Are you primarily an activist, then? Yes, I see myself as an activist, with art as my tool. Okay, lets end on a melodious note. Which is your favourite raga? Its difficult, but I can play a folk song in Khamas raga (plays his version of Oh Mridule). This is a film song I dont mind playing film songs. By the way, did you guys find me rude? Im a nave fellow (laughs, and plays Bhoopali and Mohanam ragas). TNIE Team: Cithara Paul, Anil S, Aparna Nair, Parvana K B, Varsha Somaraj, Vincent Pulickal (photos), Pranav V P (video)

Three-day celebration of local talent, food & music

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This year, Locally Made returns with a Christmas Carnival to kick off the festive season. The 8th edition of the event promises to celebrate local talent and festival cheer. The three-day gala is set to light up the Salvation Army School Ground, Kowdiar, from December 20 to 22. Organised by a five-member team led by Amal Babu, the founder of the Instagram page WhatsAroundThiruvananthapuram, the carnival aims to create visibility and opportunities for small-scale businesses in the region. The goal is to create visibility, exposure, opportunities, and a space for people from different communities to come together and showcase their small-scale businesses, says Amal. With more than 75 stalls, the event features an array of handcrafted items, artisanal gifts, eco-friendly dcor, clothing, and Christmas specials. Visitors can shop these unique items from local artists, home chefs, jewellery makers, and more. A lineup of engaging workshops, including henna art, pottery, and more, will provide attendees with hands-on experiences. Additionally, live performances by regional musicians and a one-hour spoken word special titled Antifragile will highlight stories of resilience and creativity. For food lovers, a food festival with a selection of home-cooked delicacies and festive treats awaits. Popular names in the capital like Lyzaq Honey, Home Slice Cakes, Taste Magic, Hilton Garden Inn, MRA, Chai Cult and others will present their best dishes at the food court. The musical highlight includes performances by the Street Academics, Kalla Sha Live, Kaalam music band, DJ Kolf, and more. The events official title sponsor, Luxon Tata, will showcase a 20-EV vehicle carnival as part of their green initiative. We have been organising Locally Made consistently, and moving forward, we plan to scale it up and establish it as a brand. We plan to expand the carnival to cities like Kochi and Bengaluru, Amal adds. The carnival is pet-friendly, inviting attendees to bring their furry companions. The event runs from 4pm to 10pm daily. Entry tickets are available atWhatsAround Thiruvananthapurams Instagram bio.

Health department ups vigil as hepatitis A spreads in Kalamassery municipality

KOCHI: In a disturbing development, hepatitis A spread has been reported from two divisions, Peringazha and HMT Estate, in the Kalamassery municipality. According to officials, 13 active cases have been reported from the local body limits. Following the disease spread, Minister P Rajeeve, who is also the local MLA, has directed the district medical officer to submit a report. Issues in waste management and water quality will be studied and rectified. I have directed the local authorities and the DMO to submit a report on the issue, he said while addressing the media in Kochi. The spread started with two cases reported last week. However, the number of cases shot up sharply within a few days, raising concerns. In the last week, two or three cases were reported in wards 10 and 12. However, the number of cases increased in the last two days. As many as 18 people have sought treatment at various hospitals so far. Now there are 13 active cases in the area. Asha workers have been directed to collect the details of patients who sought treatment in private hospitals and are affected with symptoms of the disease, said Nishad A K, the health standing committee chairman of Kalamassery Municipality. Following the spread of the disease, the health wing of the Kalamassery Municipality and health department officials, in a meeting held on Thursday, decided to initiate measures to tackle the situation. We have decided to chlorinate water sources within the municipality limits. Also, water samples have been sent for testing to find the source of spread, said Nishad, adding that hotels and food outlets in the area were inspected to ensure the quality of food and water served. Meanwhile, according to the data available with the state directorate of health services, Ernakulam district has reported 54 hepatitis A cases in the first two weeks of December. Earlier this year, Vengoor panchayat in Ernakulam had witnessed an outbreak of hepatitis A and the death of four people following the disease. Over 250 people were affected by the spread in April this year.

Cochin Cancer Research Centre to be opened in February

KOCHI: Ending a long wait, the Cochin Cancer and Research Centre (CCRC), a facility for cancer treatment and research in Kochi, will throw open its doors to the public by February next year. The eight-storey facility with 360 beds has been built using `384.34 crore from KIIFB, and aims to focus on cancer research and innovation, said Industries Minister P Rajeeve. He said the centre will be opened to the public by the first week of February. Once the facility becomes operational, we plan to provide space to startups in the fields of healthcare and cancer research. The facility is designed in a way that gives importance to research and innovation. At present, 7,000 sq ft of the facility has been set aside for research, Rajeeve said, adding that only 5% of its civil works are pending. He directed the officials to complete the remaining construction works at the earliest. Meanwhile, the super-speciality block at the Ernakulam Medical College Hospital will be opened to the public by May 2025. The 8.64 lakh sq ft facility, built spending `286.66 crore, has 842 beds. Interacting with the media after visiting the super speciality block site and CCRC, Rajeeve said the facilities will attract more patients to public sector hospitals in Kerala. Ernakulam has several multi-speciality hospitals, and patients from abroad are coming here for treatment. With the super speciality block, we will be able to attract such patients to public sector hospitals. It will also be a boost for medical tourism, he said.

Toddler found dead near Kothamangalam in Kerala; father, stepmother in police custody

KOCHI: The police on Thursday took a couple into custody for allegedly smothering a six-year-old girl at their house in Iramalloor near Kothamangalam. The deceased is Muskhan who lived with her father and stepmother the arrested persons at Iramalloor. The chain of events unfolded around 6am, when Muskhan did not wake up despite repeated attempts by relatives. They alerted the neighbours and the child was soon rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead. During the inquest procedure, the police became suspicious that the child died after she was smothered. The postmortem examination confirmed their suspicion, following which the police launched a detailed investigation. We took the girls father and stepmother into custody soon after the inquest procedure. While we are yet to receive any evidence against them, they are being interrogated. We are also looking at other possibilities. The forensic team has to conduct a detailed inspection of the room where the child was found dead, said a police officer. Muskhans father, a carpenter, had separated from her mother a few years ago. He married her stepmother recently. The Kothamangalam police have registered a case of unnatural death. The childs body was handed over to relatives after the autopsy.

Alhind Air to take off by mid-25; starts office at Kochi airport

KOCHI: Alhind Air, a new player in the airline sector, is set to commence operations by mid-2025. The private airline, promoted by the Alhind Group, is expecting the first of the seven ATR 72-600 aircraft to be delivered in March next year. The airline, which will start its operations with Kochi as the hub, started its office at the Kochi airport the other day. Well initially start with Kochi as our only base. However, our strategy is to adopt the multi-base concept as part of expanding our network in a phased manner once we start the operations by the middle of next year. This is vital as the ATR 72, a proven aircraft most-widely used in the country, has a maximum range of two-and-a-half hours of flying, Reena Abdul Rahiman, newly-appointed chief operating officer, told TNIE. While Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has allocated space for the office after the applications were submitted six months back, the airline has started working from the aero-lounge located at Terminal 2. Well set up a dedicated office at the allocated space once the operations start in another six months. Now the activities like recruitment of engineering and technical teams are progressing and we require a space where there is free public access, the official pointed out. While keeping regional connectivity as the foundation for organic growth, the airline also plans to expand its global footprint in the future. Our initial priority will be Kerala connectivity, the Kochi-Thiruvananthapuram-Calicut sector. We aim to connect over 40 airports across India before expanding to the Gulf in 18 months. Operations will begin with two ATR aircraft, with plans to scale up to seven ATRs within a year, Reena said, adding that the airline aims to buy wide-bodied aircraft -- either Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, after two years as part of its long-term strategy. The airline plans to connect six destinations with each of the 72-seat aircraft. Once we start the commercial operations, we plan to set up multi-bases and expand connectivity to destinations like Pondicherry, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Madurai, Goa and Mangaluru. We expect to have the delivery of the first aircraft by March and it will take another 45 to 60 days to finish the processes, including trial flying. Were hopeful of receiving the air operation certificate (AOC), the final clearance from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), by that time, the official added. The airline received the initial nod of the DGCA earlier in August. Alhind Group, which has a turnover of over Rs 20,000 crore and more than 130 offices in India and overseas, is the general sales agent for many reputed airlines. Future goals The group plans to set up multi-bases and expand connectivity to destinations like Pondicherry, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Madurai, Goa and Mangaluru It aims to buy wide-bodied aircraft either Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, after 2 years as part of its long-term strategy

Urban Commission proposes 25 per cent reservation for youth in local bodies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Urban Commission, formed to guide urbanisation for next 25 years, has come up with a slew of recommendations including 25% reservation for youngsters in local bodies, formation of metropolitan planning committees in Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, strengthened early-warning systems to address climate-related risks, professionalisation of urban governance and more. The commission submitted its interim report to the chief minister on Wednesday. LSG Minister M B Rajesh on Thursday said that the commission will be submitting the completed report by March 2025. He said that the commission has identified that Kerala is evolving into a continuous urban expanse, making it difficult to differentiate where cities begin and villages end. The urban commission headed by Satheesh Kumar of Queens University Belfast, includes national and international experts. The minister said that the recommendations are based on extensive studies, discussions focusing on 10 key areas including urbanisation, planning and design strategies, sustainable infrastructure and more. Rajesh said that the report offers comprehensive recommendations setting a roadmap for Keralas urbanisation simultaneously addressing environmental, social and economic challenges. The report strongly recommends the strengthening of LSG institutions to tackle the problems and opportunities of urbanisation. He said that the commission recommends efforts to increase own fund of local bodies by intensifying property tax collection to 90%. Key recommendations Professionalisation of urban governance Dedicated project teams for financial management of projects Metropolitan planning committees for Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Similar committees in Kollam, Thrissur and Kannur in the next decade. Business development councils in urban areas 25% reservation for youngsters SPVs under local bodies for projects Comprehensive spatial planning framework, including joint planning committees for all municipalities Strengthened early-warning systems for climate-related risks Comprehensive flood mapping and management systems Carbon audits and de-carbonisation measures by local bodies.

Supreme Court stays Kerala HC's norms on parading of elephants for Temple festivals

KOCHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the guidelines issued by Kerala High Court on parading of elephants at festivals, bringing relief to the devaswoms of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu, the major participants of Thrissur Pooram. A division bench of the Kerala High Court had imposed strict restrictions on elephant parade, directing that a 3-metre distance be maintained between elephants, and 8 metres between elephants and percussion ensemble at festivals. A Supreme Court bench comprising Justice B V Nagaratna and Justice N K Singh observed that the restrictions imposed by the High Court, contrary to the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012, were impractical. The bench noted that the High Court should not have exercised suo motu powers in the case. Verdict will ensure smooth conduct of festivals: Paramekkavu devaswom secy The High Court bench of Justice A K Jayashankaran Nambiar and Justice Gopinath P had in the November 13 judgment observed that the use of elephants in festivals was not an essential religious practice. The devaswoms approached the Supreme Court pointing out that the restrictions will bring the conduct of Thrissur Pooram to a grinding halt.We welcome the order of the Supreme Court which will ensure smooth conduct of the temple festivals. The court has accepted our argument that the restrictions are impractical. We will conduct the elephant parade adhering to the Captive Elephant Rules, 2012, said Paramekkavu Devaswom secretary G Rajesh Poduval. V K Venkitachalam, secretary of Heritage Animal Task Force secretary, said: The SC has directed to conduct festivals adhering to the Kerala Captive Elephants Rules, 2012. As per the rule, the an elephant cannot be paraded during day and night on the same day. It also directs that an elephant should not be paraded for more than six hours a day. The authorities should ensure strict adherence to the rules. We will file an appeal against the SC order when the court reopens after vacation.

Special court to deal with indiscipline in Syro-Malabar Church over liturgical matters

KOCHI: A special court has been established at Mount St Thomas, the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church, to take action as per ecclesiastical and canonical laws against the indiscipline in the Ernakulam-Angamaly archeparchy over matters of liturgy. The court was established by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil. According to Canon Law No. 89 for the Eastern Churches, the major archbishop has the right and duty to exercise disciplinary supervision over the clergy. The special court will take disciplinary action in accordance with the law, if orders and warnings are rejected. The uniform method of Holy Mass came into effect in the Syro-Malabar Church on November 28, 2021. Despite the efforts of the Pope, the Office for the Eastern Churches, the Syro-Malabar synod, the major archbishop, the apostolic administrator, and the pontifical delegate to implement uniform Holy Mass through doctrine and decree, priests have been showing reluctance to comply. Establishment of the special court became necessary as violations continue to sow division among the faithful and create great disquiet in the public, said Syro-Malabar Church spokesperson Fr Antony Vadakekkara. Such courts should normally function in diocesan centres. However, the apostolic administrator had informed the superiors that it was not possible to open the court at the diocesan office in the current situation. Therefore, at the request of Bishop Bosco Puthur and in accordance with the instructions of the Eastern Office in Rome, the major archbishop has established this special court. The court will have the authority to take action as per the canon law against priests, monks and laity of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese who commit disciplinary violations, he said.

Not waqf, Munambam land can be sold

KOCHI: In a curious move debunking the Waqf Boards claim, Farook College, Kozhikode, has said that Munambam land is not classified as waqf property, and the college received it through a gift deed. Members of the college management committee stated this on Thursday before Justice C N Ramachandran Nair, chairman of the judicial commission appointed by Kerala government to investigate Munambam land issue and submit a report. They asserted that since the property was not waqf, the college had every right to sell the land. The college management committee members, accompanied by their lawyers, met the judicial commission chairman and explained their stance on the issue. The management committees position is contrary to the Waqf Boards claim that the Munambam land is waqf property. Waqf Samrakshana Samithi members want Farook College authorities indicted Commission to visit Munambam on January 4 When contacted, the management committee members preferred not to make any comment, but reliable sources confirmed the visit. Till date, Farook College authorities have been maintaining that the Munambam land issue was sub-judice and they would make their stance public only after the judicial procedures were over. The public hearing by the commission is expected to begin inJanuary. The commission has already issued notices to residents in Munambam, Waqf Samrakshana Samithi, the State Waqf Board, the state government, religious institutions, private establishments in Munambam including hotels, resorts and nursery, asking them to submit relevant documents concerning the land within two weeks. Most of the people who were sent notice have submitted their statements. But the Waqf Board and the state government are yet to do it. The commission will visit Munambam to listen to the residents at a meeting to be held at the Munambam Church Parish Hall on January 4 from 10 am. The hearing will be held at the Ernakulam Collectorate Hall, said a reliable source. The land dispute in Munambam started when the State Waqf Board asserted ownership of land that was reportedly donated to Farook College in Kozhikode by Siddique Sait in 1950. Residents of Munambam, who purchased the land before the introduction of the Waqf Act, argue that they legally acquired the land from the college management, which was not classified as Waqf property at that time. By 2022, these families faced difficulties in paying land taxes at the village office, but the state government intervened and enabled the payment temporarily. However, the Waqf protection council challenged this decision, leading to a legal dispute. Munambam land issue: Latin Catholic council trashes waqf property claims

Accidents on the rise, but MVD lenient on fitness of school buses in Kerala

KOCHI: The recent fatal accidents that shook Kerala have sparked calls for stringent measures to reduce the number of mishaps. However, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has gone more lenient, allowing educational institution buses (EIB) whose fitness certificates have expired or about to expire soon, to continue plying for another four to five months. So far, the practice was to withdraw the vehicles from service and carry out repair and maintenance works before subjecting them for fitness tests as and when their validity ended, even if it meant the vehicle couldnt be operated for two to three weeks during the academic year. The lone exemption was provided during the pandemic. Now, as per the written directive issued to all deputy transport commissioners, regional and joint regional transport officers, the validity of the fitness certificate of all EIBs, whose fitness expired or is about to expire in the coming months, has been extended till April 2025. Its directed that fitness tests of such vehicles need to be conducted only in the month of April, May 2025. The same is aimed at avoiding subjecting the vehicles to fitness tests by the institutions multiple times in a single academic year, read the December 18 directive issued from the office of the transport commissioner. The decision was taken after the Kerala Private School Management submitted a memorandum, saying that schools had reopened after being closed for a long period during Covid in December 2021, and the same led to a situation where many schools are forced to submit school buses multiple times for fitness tests in an academic year as the validity period of some buses ends midway. The (latest) move will result in EIBs plying without carrying out timely maintenance activities. This increases the risk of mishaps, especially like moving vehicles catching fire. Also, will insurance companies approve claims if such vehicles meet with accidents? Such leniency at a time when accidents are rising will send a wrong message, said a former senior MVD official on the condition of anonymity. For instance, on November 14, the wheels of a school bus got detached due to loose nuts amid operations at Pattanakkad in Cherthala, he said, adding the same will result in a loss to the state exchequer, with vehicles skipping tests based on the year of registration. Experts call for stricter road safety measures amidst surge in road accidents in Kerala Meanwhile, MVD sources said the usual practice was that such vehicles are subjected to fitness tests at the start of the academic season itself without waiting for the expiry of the fitness validity period. If the fitness validity of a school bus is till August, the management can submit the bus for fitness certificate in April-May itself, ensuring its operation can be availed without interruptions throughout the academic year. This reduction of validity period in fact ensures the vehicle is in top condition. Now, many vehicles would be plying without carrying out the periodic maintenance tests, said a source. In Kerala, over 23,000 vehicles are being operated by schools. Of these, around 9,000 are owned by CBSE schools while the rest belong to aided, unaided schools and colleges. A huge number of vehicles are operated by private parties. The development comes even as the Ernakulam Regional Transport Office (RTO), the first in Kerala to register one million vehicles, lacks a dedicated Vehicle Testing Centre despite the rise in the number of fitness test inspections over the years. There are nearly 750 school vehicles under the Ernakulam RTO alone.

C-DOT signs pact with Kochi startup Silizium Circuits for developing low earth orbit satellite components

KOCHI: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier telecom R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, and Kochi-based semiconductor startup Silizium Circuits have signed an agreement that is considered a significant milestone for India's startup ecosystem. The pact focuses on designing and developing advanced Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite components and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Frequency (RF) front-end application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). LEO satellites hold immense national importance, both commercially and strategically. This agreement stands as a testament to the government's trust in startups, showcasing their capability to contribute to critical and high-impact projects, a release said. Silizium Circuits, founded by Rijin John and Dr. Arun Ashok, is a fabless semiconductor startup incubated with IIT Hyderabad Fabless Semiconductor Chip Incubator (FabCI), with support from the DoT and C-DOT, is now poised to lead the development of indigenous, next-generation telecommunications technology. This initiative aligns seamlessly with India's 'Make in India' philosophy, emphasizing domestic innovation and production. Furthermore, it is expected to position India as a global leader in advanced semiconductor and satellite technologies, strengthening the nation's self-reliance and technological prowess on the world stage, the release said. The new project will come under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, an Indian government initiative that aims to harness the power of startups, academia, and R&D institutions to innovate in telecommunications. By targeting under-served regions and bridging the digital divide, the TTDF will create a launchpad for startups to develop affordable, yet state-of-the-art communication solutions. LEO satellite technology has a huge potential and application to cover and connect rural areas and social relevance. It is very relevant to both commercial and strategic applications, said Rijin John, CEO of Silizium Circuits. One of the most significant players in this arena, Elon Musk's Starlink was in the news, as it too is now targeting the Indian domain. Indian telecom giants like Airtel, Jio and international companies like Amazon's Project Kuiper, OneWeb, Telesat Lightspeed, Viasat, HughesNet, AST Space Mobile and are also in the race for supremacy in this sector. With more and more LEO-related operators entering the arena, the market potential will become high for Silizium and satcom startups, officials said. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, underscored the importance of indigenous semiconductor solutions, emphasising the role of startups in addressing Indias unique communication needs. He assured that C-DOT would provide comprehensive support throughout the project lifecycle, from infrastructure to technical expertise. Indias decision to open its space sector to private players in 2020 marked a transformative shift, enabling startups to collaborate with ISRO, access world-class facilities, and contribute significantly to the burgeoning space economy.

Watercolour postcard paintings by 32 Indian artists on show at Prussian Blue Art Hub in Kochi

An exhibition of postcard-sized watercolour works at Prussian Blue Art Hub is a celebration of the art of miniature paintings

How Fort Kochis ancient rain tree became a Christmas icon

The rain tree on Veli Ground became a Christmas icon after a bunch of boys, who used to play cricket under it, decided to deck it up

Girl found dead at home at Nellikuzhy

Construction of Cochin Cancer Research Centre building in final stages

Form team for survey of captive elephants in Kerala, says HC

Woman allegedly found buried in front of home; police rule out foul play for now

Panel tells finance firm not to make unsolicited calls to consumer

Devaswoms, elephant owners welcome SC stay on Kerala HCs restrictions on parading of elephants

Thiruvambady Devaswom says regulations imposed by the High Court made the conduct of Thrissur Pooram impossible, whereas the Paramekkavu Devaswom says that the stay brought relief to many who wish to hold the Pooram as per existing traditions and rituals

SC stays Kerala HCs restrictions on use of elephants in temple festivals

SC stays Kerala HCs restrictions on use of elephants in temple festivals New Delhi/Kochi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the restrictions imposed by the Kerala High Court for the use of elephants in temple festivals. The temple trusts of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms had petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the restrictions imposed by the [] The post SC stays Kerala HCs restrictions on use of elephants in temple festivals appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Major tragedy averted as tiled-roof of school building collapses in Kochi

No casualties reported as the incident occurred a few minutes before children reached the school in Ernakulam district of Kerala

Woman buried by inebriated son at house compound in Kerala, neighbours suspect foul play

KOCHI: Police on Thursday took man into custody for burying his mother without informing relatives and authorities at the compound of her house in Vennala, Kochi.The deceased is identified as Alli K A, 78, of Vennala South, 42nd Division of Kochi Corporation. Police have taken 50-year-old Pradeep into custody. It was around 8 am neighbours found Pradeep burying something similar to a dead body in a pit dug by himself in front of the house. The neighbours knew that Pradeep was alcoholic and mentally unstable. He was a troublemaker and would not respond to them properly. So they informed Palarivattom police about the matter. Soon, the police team reached the place. When police asked him about the matter, he said that he had buried his deceased mother after performing the last rites. He was in an intoxicated state when police and neighbours reached his house, a neighbour said. According to neighbours, Pradeep's mother Alli, was a diabetic patient. Pradeep had taken his mother to the doctor on Wednesday. The doctor recommended amputation on her leg which remained unhealed for the past several months. Pradeep was running two tyre repairing shops in Vennala and Palachuvadu. He often quarrelled at the house under the influence of liquor. His wife left him around three months back. The couple has two sons and the younger son stayed with Pradeep. His sister is staying in Kangarapady. His father passed away several years back, another neighbour said. After exhuming the body, police shifted the body to Ernakulam Medical College in Kalamassery for conducting the postmortem. Police are awaiting for postmortem report to ascertain the cause of the death. Currently, Pradeep is under preventive arrest. He claimed that his mother had a natural death. He came to know about the death in the morning. We have registered a case for unnatural death under BNSS section 194. After the postmortem report is available, we will alter charges if required, a police officer said.

Elderly woman found buried in front of her house allegedly by son in Kerala

Police yet to confirm whether victim had a natural death after which body was buried allegedly by her son or any foul play was involved

Vigilance seizes liquor bottles allegedly accepted as bribe by Excise officials in Kerala

Masters who smashed the glass ceiling

KOCHI: The term master may be gender-neutral in cinema convention, but it has traditionally been associated with men, denoting experience and expertise. Times, however, have changed, and so has this tradition. This year, the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has placed a determined focus on the works of women filmmakers and technicians, highlighted by the presence of experienced and illustrious female figures in world cinema. Through masterclasses, audience interactions, mentorship of young filmmakers, and jury roles, these women showcased their expertise and proved that if they could brave the male-dominated industry of their time, women filmmakers today have a more conducive environment to leave their mark. The presence of such masters was a standout feature of IFFK, alongside a diverse array of women-centric and women-led films, presented both as part of regular sections and special packages at the week-long annual celebration of cinema. Ann Hui Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ann Hui has worked in cinema for over three decades. For her, the work itself took precedence over reflecting on gender discrimination. Filmmaking was difficult even for men, so I didnt focus much on being discriminated against as a woman, says the filmmaker based in Hong Kong. However, in hindsight, perhaps being a woman had an effect. My 2014 film Golden Era might have received a bigger budget had it been directed by a man. But I was too engrossed in work to notice. Ann, who made a big bang with Boat People, urges women filmmakers to concentrate on content rather than talking about lack of opportunities. I dont think theres much discrimination now, mainly because such things get exposed quickly. It is better to not be conscious of your gender identity. Instead, one should concentrate on doing good, great films, she smiles. Beatrice Thiriet French composer Beatrice Thiriet, part of the international competition jury and a resource person for a masterclass, is known for her melodic touch in cinema. She has faced her share of challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field. They probably doubted if I could deliver as a musician, she recalls. But I was lucky to find women directors who believed in me, and male ones too, many of whom remain close friends. Despite being overlooked early in her career, Beatrice persisted. Those days, there were hardly 10 women composers globally; now, 20 per cent of composers are women. Filmmakers include 40 per cent women. Its not as lonely for women now, asserts the 64-year-old, known for films such as Petits Arrangements avec les morts, Lady Chatterley and Bird People. Beatrice recalls a time when she used to reach out to women professionals to form a network. I still do it. That is how we can encourage more women to be equal partners in any sphere of life, she says. I belive that things will get better if we are empathetic, stay focussed and work hard. I taught the same to my four daughters as well. Agnes Godard As IFFK unfolded, one name resonated widely: that of French cinematographer Agnes Godard, head of the international competition jury. Agness illustrious career in world cinema began in the 1980s when she worked as an assistant to some of the industrys greats. Her first project was a television production, Room 666, where she met Claire Denis. This marked the start of a lasting collaboration, with their first film together being Chocolat. Agnes went on to become Deniss regular collaborator. Their 1999 film Beau Travail, for which she handled cinematography, was part of the jury package at IFFK. Reflecting on her journey, the 73-year-old says women veterans may not have drastically altered the landscape, but they initiated change. It was not easy. In my case, I was totally convinced about cinematographys role in cinema and stayed focused, says Agnes, who is a recipient of the Csar Award and the Pierre Angnieux Excellens in Cinematography at Cannes. There was some luck too, as I got to work with people who believed in me. But I have never seen them as male or female to me, they were directors. There were tough times, but I resolved never to quit and be firm. Agnes says she discovered her passion for visual storytelling by observing her father, a photographer. Decades later, she continues to lead a young, gender-diverse crew. I learn as much as I give them. If its technological advances from them, it is aesthetics from me, she says. While acknowledging the slow pace of change, she believes it is for the better. Slow change is good, safer. What is important is to be on the move. If women want something, they should stay focused and keep moving. Nana Jorjadze Georgian filmmaker Nana Jorjadze, another member of the international competition jury at IFFK, debuted as an actor in 1977 and as a director in 1979 with A Journey to Sopot. Her breakthrough work, My English Grandfather (1987), gained recognition at Cannes, but her global high point was A Chef in Love, the first Georgian film to be nominated for an Academy Award. The 76-year-old, known for her vibrant personality, credits Georgian culture for defining her cinema. To me, Georgia is known more for liveliness, love, and wine than as the birthplace of Stalin, says Nana. There is enough freedom in its structure, which is why Nutsa Gogiberidze became the first woman filmmaker in the 1920s, even though she was sent to the Gulag during the purges. So, I have not faced many issues being a woman. Nanas films remain rooted in Georgian identity, bridging the Communist era and post-Perestroika hope. Georgias identity as a historically rich culture is what I always put forward, and I have not changed that language of my cinema ever, she says. Her advice to women is to embrace their strength and identity. A woman is elementally strong with the capacity to be a mother. I have balanced many such roles, and everyone could sense my passion for cinema, says Nana. Instead of trying to be like a man, women should assert their identity and strength. If they want to do something, do it and never stop. As we wrap up, salutes to two other masters who quietly graced the IFFK: French producer Golda Sellam (a two-time festival curator), and actor Shabana Azmi, who was the guest of honour. These women masters have brought an energy of achievement to IFFK. They entered the field when few women did, strategised their work, and made an indelible mark. True inspiration for the women filmmakers of today.

Identifying dangerous driving traits to prevent accidents and save lives

KOCHI: After a polytrauma caused by a road traffic accident, a man in his late twenties is now a shattered individual. He narrowly escaped a brain injury but suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries. He lost his lower limb below the knee when his two-wheeler collided with a car during a hasty attempt to overtake. The terrifying nightmares about the accident continue to haunt him. Despite doctors reassuring him that he can lead a normal life with an artificial limb, he has not yet come to terms with the grief of losing his leg. He constantly broods about how the accident could have been avoided. The recent tragic traffic accident in Alappuzha, which resulted in the death of six medical students, has sparked discussions about its preventability. Have we learned anything from such incidents? Are we ready to address and correct the human errors behind them? SPOT YOUR ERRORS Are you easily distracted by surroundings, passengers, or sounds of mobile devices? If yes, improving focus on the road is crucial. Without it, youre at a higher risk of accidents. Do you push yourself to drive when exhausted after work? It severely reduces reaction time and judgment. Do you drive after a sleepless night? Transient sleepiness while driving leads to accidents. Do you become impatient, feeling the urge to overtake or block others? Patience is essential to avoid accidents. Let others rush ahead, youll catch up at the next block or signal. Are you a regular red light runner? Regularly jumping signals is a dangerous risky driving trait. This attitude makes you a danger to yourself and others. Do you feel anger towards other road users? If yes, gain focus and calmness. If not possible, take a short break from driving. Do you drive after drinking alcohol? Drunken driving impairs judgment and significantly increases the risk of accidents. Do you believe you can multitask while driving? A split second of full attention on the road could be the key to avoiding disaster dont miss it. Do you feel overconfident that you are familiar with the road and can even drive blindfolded? Roads and traffic are ever changing and if vigilance is lost due to bias and prejudices, you may cause errors in driving. Do you often start late and speed to reach your destination on time? Start early to cover the unpredictability of traffic. Otherwise, you may fall prey to risky and overspeed driving that creates vulnerability for accidents. If you answer these questions with honesty, you will spot your dangerous road using traits that need remediation. Personality traits that can kill Theres a category of people called the sensation seekers. They are the ones who engage in risky behaviours like speeding or reckless driving. Aggression is another dangerous trait while driving, they often tailgate, honk, and take unnecessary risks on the road. Road rage is another aggressive driving behaviour which involves angry or violent reactions to frustrations while driving. Impulsive individuals are another group that drives without thinking about the consequences, leading to mistakes. People displaying these behaviours may have underlying mental health issues that need attention. Script a safe road usage culture Our roads have mixed traffic. Alongside multi-wheeled vehicles and two-wheelers, we also have careless pedestrians crossing the road without caution. Cycles and hand-pushed carts add to the confusion. Driving in such conditions is a big challenge. Its crucial to develop a mindset that controls impulsivity, aggression, and thrill-seeking behaviours on the road. Pedestrians, too, must follow traffic rules. Drivers who violate traffic laws more than once should undergo retraining. Most of our roads are not built for high-speed driving. Its important to set a personal speed limit that allows control over the vehicle, especially when unexpected situations arise like a pedestrian crossing or another vehicle cutting into the wrong lane. Can we, as both drivers and pedestrians, work together to reduce road accidents? Mind space fortnightly column on mental health The writer is senior psychiatrist at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, and former member of the State Mental Health Authority

V K Cherian's book explores the transformative Renaissance of Malayalam cinema

KOCHI: Much has been written about how the Renaissance transformed Kerala. Malayalam cinema, too, experienced one of its own. In fact, there was an A-team a brilliant triad that ushered in this cinematic movement, according to writer-filmmaker V K Cherian. His book Noon Films and the Magical Renaissance of Malayalam Cinema provides a glimpse into the new wave in the industry during the 1970s and 1980s, the evolution of the film society movement, and the concept of arthouse or parallel cinema. Central to this narrative is what Cherian terms the A-team of Renaissance comprising Adoor Gopalakrishnan, G Aravindan, and John Abraham along with the ripples created by M T Vasudevan Nairs Nirmalyam. Cherian, as he himself notes, grew up in the Kerala of the 1970s and was a first-hand witness to the transformation that the film industry underwent. Beginning with the social orientation of early Malayalam films and moving through the socio-cultural changes of the era, he explores the impact of the library and film society movements and the emergence of new writers. Cherian takes readers through the environment that set the stage for the cinematic renaissance in the state. A film historian and close associate of Adoor and Aravindan, Cherian describes why the former remains the quintessential Renaissance man of Malayalam cinema. He also credits the Chitralekha Film Society as the primary trigger for the film renaissance in Malayalam. According to the author, if Aravindan was the poet-philosopher of contemplative cinema, John Abraham was the baptist and cult figure of the renaissance. In a succinct analysis of Nirmalyam, Cherian illustrates how MTs scripts played a pivotal role in shaping Malayalams mid-cinema movement. The book also examines other filmmakers such as K G George and the new crop of actors who challenged the conservative mould of stereotypical heroes. Cherian juxtaposes the Malayalam new wave against the broader new wave in Indian cinema. Published by Delhi-based Atlantic Publishers, the book is priced at Rs 995.

UDF demands investigation into malpractices in Brahmapuram biomining following audit report

KOCHI: The UDF councillors on Wednesday demanded an investigation following the surfacing of an audit report that pointed to malpractices in biomining at the Brahmapuram dumpyard. The report, prepared by the state audit department, found that inert waste and coarse fraction components waste were used for landfilling in the same site when the corporation paid Rs 1,690 per tonne to the agency contracted for biomining. The report stated that when waste is disposed of at the same site, the corporation does not have to pay the transportation cost. Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar said the amount was paid as processing fee. It was a query from the audit department. We have directed officials to answer the query. Also, the soil was dumped in the site as there were requirements, he said. Meanwhile, the opposition alleged that councillors queries were neglected in the council meeting. The act of landfilling in Brahmapuram with heavy metal content is a serious violation of the agreement between the Kochi corporation and the agency. It is unbelievable that corruption happens even when the bio-mining process is monitored by agencies like NITI. We demand the appointment of an agency to investigate the findings of the audit department report and the issues that affect the environment, said Antony Kureethara, the opposition leader. Bhumi Green Energy was awarded the tender for Rs 1,690 per tonne, the highest price in the country, after the Brahmapuram fire last year. According to an official with the Kochi corporation, around 70% of biomining has been completed and the remaining waste will be biomined by next March. Earlier, Zonta Infratech was entrusted with biomining at the site. We had demanded that the awarding of such a huge price for biomining should be reconsidered and the reasons for dumping 80% of the biomined waste in Brahmapuram itself should be looked into. However, the mayor did not take any action against the move, said UDF councillor M G Aristotle.

Cochin Shipyard lays keel for Navys sixth anti-submarine watercraft

KOCHI: Demonstrating its capability to manufacture technology intensive warships with high indigenous content, the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) conducted the keel laying ceremony of the sixth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft in Kochi on Tuesday. Southern Naval Command Chief Staff Officer (Training) Rear Admiral Satish Shenai and CSL director (Operations) K N Sreejith were present on the occasion. Navy Warship Production Superintendent Commodore S Parthiban, Ship Production director at Integrated Headquarters of Navy Commodore G S Sidhu, Shipyard executive directors Rajesh Gopalakrishnan and S Harikrishnan, and senior officers attended the ceremony. The contract for building eight anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft was signed between the Ministry of Defence and CSL on April 30, 2019. The Mahe class ships will replace the in-service Abhay class Corvettes of Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low intensity maritime operations and mine laying operations including subsurface surveillance. The vessels are capable of achieving a speed of 25 knots and are fitted with indigenously designed and developed state-of-the-art SONARS for underwater surveillance. The construction of five of the eight vessels have been launched and are in various stages of machinery and system outfit. The first ship of the series is scheduled to be delivered in March 2025.

Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese removes priests over Holy Mass disobedience

KOCHI: Heads are rolling in the Ernakulam-Angamaly archeparchy of the Syro-Malabar Church as apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur flexes his muscle to stem disobedience over implementation of orders on the celebration of the unified mode of Holy Mass in parishes. On Wednesday, the bishop ordered three priests to step down from their duties as administrators and vicars. On Tuesday, Mar Puthur had removed Fr Thomas Valookaran, vicar of Palarivattom St Martin De Porres church, from his official post citing non-compliance with the synods orders, which have been confirmed by the Apostolic See and exhorted by Pope Francis several times. According to church sources, as of Wednesday, action has been initiated against four priests. More heads might roll in the coming days, they said. In the order issued on Wednesday, Mar Puthur said, The administrator of Ernakulam St Marys cathedral basilica Fr Varghese Manavalan, Tripunithura St Marys Forane church vicar Fr Joshy Vezhaparambil, Palarivattom St Martin De Porres church vicar Thomas Valookaran and Mathanagar Velankanni Matha church vicar Fr Benny Palatti have been removed from administration positions of the said churches. The priests have been banned from officiating any sacraments or ecclesiastical functions, exercising the powers and duties of the administrator of the church, pastoral care of the faithful and celebrating Holy Mass. They have been asked to vacate the rooms designated for parish vicar at these churches, the order added. The priests have been directed to shift to Thrikkakara Vijo Bhavan, Pothi Santhom Bhavan or Kaloor Renewal Centre. As per the order, if priests fail to comply with the directives and engage in any anti-church activities, sterner action will be initiated against them as per the canonical laws. According to Mar Puthur, only newly appointed administrators and vicars will have complete authority in these churches. The action taken by the apostolic administrator received a mixed response with the section of priests opposing Unified Holy Mass accusing him of flouting canonical and civil laws. According to Fr Jose Vailikodath, PRO of the Athiroopatha Samrakshana Samithi, Mar Puthur has been a great failure. If he has even the slightest shame, he should resign from that position. The threatening letters that were issued to the vicars of St Martin de Porres church, St Marys Forane church, Mathanagar Velankanni Matha church, and the administrator of St Marys cathedral basilica violate canonical laws and are in disregard of civil laws. These are evidence of arrogance and insolence, he said. According to him, lawyers of the priests have responded to all the papers submitted by the archdiocesan authorities.

Kerala High Court quashes delimitation order in eight municipalities, one panchayat

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has quashed the delimitation order in eight municipalities--Mattannur, Sreekandapuram, Panoor, Koduvally, Payyoli, Mukkam, Feroke and Pattambi and one panchayat- Padanna in Kasaragod. The court declared that the delimitation exercise carried out by the local authorities was illegal. The petitioners argued that the power to vary the number of seats (wards) can be exercised by the government only after proper ascertainment of the actual population. The municipality divisions were formed in 2015 based on the Census data of 2011. Hence, a second delimitation process based on the same census data is illegal. The court said: the amendment made to Section 6(3) of the Act by increasing the number of seats cannot be made applicable to those panchayats/municipalities in which a delimitation exercise was carried out in 2015 based on the 2011 Census by the government by invoking the power under Section 4 read with Section 6(1) of the Acts. Centre asked to consider excluding airlift charges The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to consider excluding around Rs 120 crore from airlift charge arrears for rehabilitation in Wayanad. The state government informed the court that excluding arrears up to May 2021 from the I132.61 crore committed for airlift charges would free up I120 crore, in addition to I61.03 crore already available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). However, the government noted that this would require permission from the Centre and a relaxation of SDRF/National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) norms. The amount would then be used for Wayanads rehabilitation efforts. Kerala HC seeks governments view on new year party The High Court has sought the state governments opinion on a petition seeking to prohibit the proposed new year music festival on December 31 at Chulika Estate, a landslide-prone area, organised by Boby Chemmanur. What is this? Planning a New Year party there barely six months after the landslide incident? asked the court and added, We must have some sense. The court also directed to produce complete details of the programme. The petitioners alleged that massive gathering in an ecologically sensitive area is a recipe for disaster, especially amidst heavy rainfall that has rendered the region more vulnerable to landslides. The court will consider the case on Thursday. Anticipatory bail to ex-CPM leader in dowry case The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Bipin C Babu, former CPM leader from Alappuzha who quit the party and joined the BJP, and his mother Prasannakumari in a dowry harassment case. The case was registered by the Kareelakulangara police on a complaint by his wife. The petitioners alleged that the case was politically motivated as it was registered the very next day he joined the BJP. Justice P V Kunhikrishnan said, Normally, it is difficult to digest that a wife will file a complaint against the husband because he changed his political party. The court also said that his wife filed the complaint on December 2, on which date, the petitioner (husband) has not joined in BJP. Therefore, I am not accepting the contentions of the petitioners that this is a politically motivated case. I reject that. But, it is a matrimonial dispute. There is a chance for settling the disputes in the future, said the court. Comments against Pinarayi: HC quashes case against public servant The Kerala High Court has quashed a case against a Supplyco shop manager in Kasaragod for posting sarcastic comments in a WhatsApp group about the chief ministers appeal to government servants to donate a months salary to the Flood Relief Fund. Justice G. Girish issued the order while allowing the petition filed by Jamal of Badiyadka to quash the case. Jamal had posted the comment, Malayalees will happily donate their monthly salary for the state, but you have to reduce the expenditure. He was initially booked under IPC Sections 166 and 167 for disobeying the law and framing an incorrect document. The court ruled that the comment did not discourage others from donating and that the petitioners intention was not to harm the Flood Relief Scheme. HC upholds order to donate Lawrence body for med research The Kerala High Court dismissed the appeals filed by Asha Lawrence and Sujatha Boban, daughters of the late CPM leader M M Lawrence, challenging the order to hand over their fathers body to Ernakulam Government Medical College for research. A division bench upheld the single judges decision, stating there was no evidence to question the findings of the medical college principal. The daughters argued their brother M L Sajeevans affidavit, claiming their fathers wish to donate his body, was insufficient. They also contested the deceaseds request, citing his devout Christianity. However, the bench noted that Sajeevans statement, supported by two relatives, was credible. There is no contradiction in as much as the deceased could be a devout Christian and yet wished to donate his body to science, the court observed.

Experts call for stricter road safety measures amidst surge in road accidents in Kerala

KOCHI: Series of fatal road accidents have shook the state in recent days. Even more distressing is the loss of young lives in the mishaps. While external factors like road conditions are a reason, an analysis of road accident statistics shows reckless driving and carelessness have doused the hopes of many families in the state, with the tragic bus-car collision in Alappuzha in which six MBBS students died serving as a classic instance. Experts now call for initiating a series of measures that include the inclusion of road safety as a topic in the school curriculum of small children itself, continued monitoring of young drivers for a specific period even after receiving the licence, and strict enforcement of speed restrictions as per the topography and road conditions. In fact, the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) rolled out the Road Safety Youth Leadership Programme aimed at inculcating a road culture among youths. It failed to yield desired results, leading to calls for including road safety lessons right from junior classes. Under the programme, we provided awareness classes and training to students of 100 schools in Kerala, but the feedback was that it failed to cut accidents involving young drivers. We cant bring in a sudden change, rather the road safety lessons should be imparted from a young age itself. Unlike the earlier generation, the psychology of the children now is completely different. The exposure of technology, especially mobile games like car racing and all, is influencing their thoughts. Many consider getting a driving licence as getting a free hand for rash and reckless driving, said Dr Samson Mathew, director, NATPAC. Road accident victims largely comprise young people in the productive age. Around 60.5% of the victims are those aged 18-25, 26-35, and 36-45, according to the data provided by the Department of Economics and Statistics. There should be a probation period for fresh licence holders. In the Alappuzha incident, the teenager behind the wheels had received licence just four months back. During the probation period, there should be a set of restrictions like an experienced person accompanying the new driver, or speed limits. This will help them be mature drivers and drive responsibly, said Dr Samson, a professor with NIT Trichy who is on deputation as the NATPAC director. Meanwhile, despite the improvement in road conditions, the number of accidents has risen substantially. Latest data by the Kerala Police revealed that against 27,977 accidents (2,979 deaths) in 2020, there were 48,091 mishaps in 2023, and 40,821 accidents until October this year. Road-safety expert Upendra Narayan said Kerala, which experiences relatively high rainfall, requires wet road specification. Across India, we have adopted the same specification for road construction. We have very smooth surface roads now, which help in acceleration and passenger comfort. However, it affects braking of vehicles especially in wet conditions. So, regions like Kerala where rainfall is frequent require wet road specification, he said, while citing the tragic mishap at Panayampadam in which a speeding truck overturned and fell on four school students last week. Upendra, who was an international car rally driver, said the strips laid on roads to alert drivers play a vital role. These strips should be laid at curves so that drivers can apply brakes 100m prior to entering the curve. Most often, those driving the vehicle at high speed fail to judge the curve. Also during rain, due to slops at curves, water flows across the road. Most often, drivers apply brakes close to the curve. For alerting drivers about the curves, white strips can be laid across the road. These strips will also help in slowing vehicles down, he said. There is a need to strictly enforce speed restrictions based on the topography and road conditions. For instance, the maximum safe speed on MC Road is 50 kmph, while it is just 30 kmph on many other stretches, Dr Samson said. Max accidents in January, December The maximum number of accidents in Kerala occur at either the start or the end of a year, show the figures provided by the Kerala Police and the department of economics and statistics. They reveal that over 10% of the total accidents occurred in January and nearly 10% in December between 2018 and 2022. In 2023, the highest number of accidents occurred in January (387), followed by December (375). Also, the time span of 6pm to 9pm is when most road accidents happen in Kerala, followed by the 3pm to 6pm window. As many as 21.25% total accidents occurred between 6 pm and 9 pm in the five years since 2018. They include 39,601 accidents and 4,127 deaths. As many as 36,881 accidents and 3,171 deaths were reported between 3pm and 6pm during the 2018-2022 period, the data by the department of economics and statistics showed. Rs 7,000 fine for high beam The motor vehicles department (MVD), which launched vehicle inspections jointly with the police department from Tuesday in the wake of the recent fatal accidents, has started imposing strict penalties for the offences. Our effort is to create mass awareness. So even those caught for simple offences such as driving without helmet or lane violation are now being sent to attend road safety classes. Its mandatory that they attend the two-and-a-half hour class. Similarly were cracking down on vehicles using high beams, another major cause of accidents. The offenders are fined Rs 7,000, a senior MVD official said.

MVD, Kerala Road Safety Authority launch project for safe Sabarimala pilgrimage

KOCHI: Days after four members of a family were killed after their car collided with a bus carrying Sabarimala pilgrims, the Motor Vehicle Department and the Kerala Road Safety Authority have launched a joint initiative to enhance road safety during this pilgrimage season. In the newly launched initiative, as part of the Safe Zone Sabarimala Project, the authorities have published a virtual brochure with QR codes through which road safety information and instructions specifically for Sabarimala pilgrims can be accessed. Road accidents during the Sabarimala season have been increasing over the years, with vehicles carrying pilgrims from other states often meeting with accidents in the difficult and unfamiliar route to the shrine. The brochure and the instructions have been released in six languages - Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English. The brochure includes two QR codes. Scanning them or just clicking on them will fetch accident black spot videos and pilgrimage details, an official with the motor vehicle department said. This year alone, 68 accidents occurred involving vehicles carrying Sabarimala pilgrims, which left at least 56 pilgrims injured. The first QR code takes you to the official YouTube channel of MVD Kerala, where instructions for safe road transport en route to the pilgrimage are given. The section includes details on accident black spots and other danger zones in the high ranges in all prominent south Indian languages and Hindi. Some of the highly accident prone regions mentioned in the video instruction manual are Laha Veliyavalavu, Vilakkuvanji curve, Laha Cheriyavalavu hairpin bend, Plappally, Mookkuttuthara near Erumely, Kanamala and Thulappally curves, Pamanar near Vandiperiyar, Peerumedu, Kuttikanam, Valanjanganam, Muringapuzha and Kaduvappara. The second QR code leads to the website of the Sabarimala temple, where pooja booking details, virtual queue details, and information on accommodation are available.

Keel laid for anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft

Kochi Corporation to evict unauthorised street vendors after festive season

There is hardly any scope to issue more licences, says Mayor; licensed vendors to be relocated to designated locations within street vending zones after the Christmas-New Year season

Illegal boards: Kerala HC directs govt. to issue fresh circular to local bodies