kochi News

From Jaipur to Kochi, how tier-2 and 3 cities are fast emerging as the new GCC battleground

India's Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem is expanding beyond major metros into tier-2 cities like Jaipur and Kochi. This shift is driven by rising costs and talent competition in tier-1 hubs, offering scalable operations at lower expenses. While fresh graduates are available, experienced professionals still favor established metro ecosystems.

Accused in 2017 Kerala actress assault case attempts suicide after arrest

KOCHI: One of the accused in the 2017 actress assault case tried to commit suicide, police said on Saturday. Manikandan, the third accused in the case, was arrested on Friday night and booked for creating a nuisance after consuming alcohol, police said. Thereafter, he was released on station bail after which he attempted suicide by cutting the veins of his hands, an officer of Palarivattom police station said. The incident occurred very close to the Palarivattom police station after he was released on bail, the officer said. Locals and police officers immediately took him to the nearest hospital and his life was saved, the officer said. What is the exact reason behind his suicide attempt is not known, he added. Manikandan was later discharged from the hospital and sent with his family members, police said. The suicide attempt by Manikandan comes in the wake of a Kerala court on Tuesday saying it will on December 8 pronounce judgement in the 2017 actress assault case in which actor Dileep is one of the 10 accused. The actress-victim, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, was abducted and allegedly molested in her car for two hours by some persons who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017 and later escaped in a busy area. The entire act was filmed by those persons to blackmail the actress. There are 10 accused in the case, including actor Dileep, and all of them, including prime accused Sunil N S also known as 'Pulsar Suni', are out on bail. All 10 accused have to appear before the trial court on December 8 when the verdict will be pronounced.

Ramp work for high-speed corridor on Aroor-Thuravoor stretch begins

KOCHI: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has commenced the critical construction phase for the entry and exit ramps of the six-lane elevated highway stretch between Aroor and Thuravoor, a crucial development set to ease congestion on the heavily choked Ernakulam-Alappuzha corridor. However, the momentum of work is being severely hampered by delays in the relocation of key electrical infrastructure by the KSEB. The 12.75-km elevated highway is designed to provide rapid transit for fast-flowing vehicles, bypassing the local traffic below. To facilitate connectivity, a total of three specialised passages, or ramps, are being constructed to allow vehicles to ascend and descend the high-speed corridor. The ramps are coming up at Aroor (RHS in Alappuzha direction) near Our Lady of Mercy Hospital at Chandiroor (RHS), and at Kuthiyathodu (LHS). The construction involves significant engineering work. The longest among the three is being set up at Kuthiyathodu (401.23 m) while the ramp at Chandiroor is 399.77-m long and the one at Aroor extends to 279.66 m, said a senior NHAI official. While the elevated highway promises substantial saving of time for commuters, this convenience will come at a financial cost. Motorists will be required to pay a separate toll for using the six-lane elevated stretch, the longest single-pillared skyway in the country. Were setting up a new toll plaza specifically for the elevated highway since the construction cost is high. But the same is intended in anticipation of the future rise in vehicular traffic in the section, and to facilitate quick travel, the official pointed out. This new fee will be levied in addition to the existing charges collected at Kumbalam toll plaza, and at another toll booth to be set up at Kalavoor (near Kripasanam), once the highway widening process gets completed. However, the official noted that motorists have the option to utilise the parallel service road below if they wish to avoid the elevated toll. Extra high-tension lines a major hurdle A main hurdle that currently cripples the construction of the ramps is the presence of the extra high tension lines of the KSEB at three points, including the one at Aroor. If the extra high tension line is shifted by the KSEB on a war footing, all the work on the 12.75-km Aroor-Thuravoor stretch will be completed by March 2026, lest the work will get delayed, the NHAI official said. However, the NHAI rued that despite submitting multiple requests to the KSEB, the progress has been slow. We got the reply that they are now focusing on similar work in the Kochi Metro second phase route and they can do the work on the NH section only after that. But we need to remove just three such lines. The non-removal of these critical lines prevents the final connection of the ramps and threatens to push back the commissioning of the high-speed corridor, the official added.

Curb pollution in Pampa caused by discarded clothes: Kerala High Court

KOCHI: Expressing concern over pollution in the Pampa caused by the discarding of clothes by Sabarimala pilgrims, the Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to launch a campaign against the practice. The TDB must educate pilgrims that discarding clothes in the river is not a ritual, the Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar ordered. Large quantities of clothes are discarded in the river by pilgrims bathing in the Pampa on their return from Sabarimala, with many of those following the practice being from other states. The court said the TDB should launch a campaign to educate pilgrims that no such ritual exists, the court said. SADYA TO BE SERVED TO PILGRIMS FROM TUESDAY Pathanamthitta: As part of the Annadanam initiative, a full-fledged traditional Kerala sadya (meal) will be served to pilgrims at Sabarimala from December 2, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president K Jayakumar said on Friday. The sadya will will be served between 12 noon and 3 pm, using steel plates and tumblers. Each day, a different variety of payasam will be served. Jayakumar clarified that due to practical constraints the sadya will not be served on banana leaves as traditionally done. There is an issue of availability and also of disposal. The leaves could create complications at the incinerator and may even attract elephants. Therefore, we have decided to use specially designed steel plates to serve the meal. The plates will arrive today, he said. A forest official engaged in catching a snake KSRTC LAUNCHES NEW INTER-STATE SERVICES FOR SABARIMALA PILGRIMS Kochi: In a move aimed at easing travel for millions of pilgrims from neighbouring states visiting the Sabarimala temple, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has launched new interstate bus services connecting Pampa directly to destinations in Tamil Nadu.The services in the Pampa-Coimbatore section have commenced. The bus operating in the Coimbatore-Pampa section departs at 9.30pm, allowing pilgrims to reach the holy base camp in the morning. The return journey from Pampa to Coimbatore is scheduled for 9am.KSRTC is all set to inaugurate the Pampa-Tenkasi service starting Saturday. The bus from Tenkasi will depart at 7pm, providing an overnight journey to Pampa. The return bus from Pampa to Tenkasi will leave at 9am. SABARIMALA FOOTFALL CROSSES 11-LAKH MARK Pathanamthitta: The number of devotees who have had darshan at Sabarimala this pilgrimage season has crossed 11 lakh. As of 7 pm on Friday, a total of 11,17,450 pilgrims have visited the shrine. On the 13th day of the Mandalam season, from midnight to 7 pm on Friday, 79,442 pilgrims trekked to Sannidhanam. Despite the rush, devotees are returning after a smooth darshan, as a result of the effective crowd management arrangements in place. Forest dept ramps up facilities on forest route Pathanamthitta: In a wildlife management effort to ensure the safety of Sabarimala pilgrims, the forest department has so far captured 65 snakes from the Sannidhanam-Pampa belt and released them deep inside the forest, since the start of the pilgrimage season. It has introduced extensive safety and support measures for pilgrims trekking via the traditional forest routes. To address emergency situations along the trail, four emergency medical centres and one hospital-level facility have been set up.

Coming soon: Bedrolls for hire on sleeper trains to Chennai

KOCHI: Are you planning a train journey in sleeper class in the next few months? If so, you can cross off packing that bedsheet and pillow to make your trip comfortable. Taking note of problems faced by passengers, the Chennai division of Southern Railway has announced that from January 1, 2026, the transporter will provide sanitized, ready-to-use bedrolls on an on-demand, on-payment basis. Travellers from Kerala too would be able to avail the facility since two trains from the state have been included in the list of services in which this facility will be introduced.The train services from Kerala are the 22651/22652 Chennai-Palakkad Express, the 12695/12696 Chennai CentralThiruvananthapuram Express, and, the 22639/22640 Chennai-Alappuzha Express, a railway official said. Announcing the initiative, the Chennai division, in a communique, said that till now sleeper class passengers did not have access to an organised provision of bedrolls. To address this, the Chennai division implemented a pilot project under the New Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme during 2023-24. The pilot project received an overwhelmingly positive response from passengers, prompting the Railways to introduce this service as a regular non-fare revenue initiative. Under the scheme, a bedsheet, pillow, and pillow cover can be obtained on payment of Rs 50; and a pillow and pillow cover for Rs 30. Passengers can get hold of a single bedsheet for Rs 20. The passengers associations have welcomed the move. This initiative will help passengers travelling to Chennai or Mangaluru. Nearly all passengers on Chennai Mail and other trains make do with their bags as pillows while sleeping on bare berths. Now, that wont be necessary. Another thing that makes this initiative good is that it is not compulsory, as in AC, where the fee for bedsheets, pillows, and blankets is included in the fare, said P Krishnakumar, general secretary of Thrissur Railway Passengers Association.

Is deeply divided Congress shooting itself in the foot in Rahul Mamkoothathil sexual assault case??

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sexual-harassment case filed against Rahul Mamkootathil has left the Congress in Kerala deeply divided, with one faction led by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan calling for stern action and another, headed by UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, backing the Palakkad MLA. After remaining silent for weeks, Satheesan spoke out on Friday after police issued a lookout notice. Speaking at an event in Kochi, he reiterated that his stand is based on his conviction. It is not just my view, but the collective stance of the party leadership. Even if all of Kerala rises like the roaring Arabian Sea, I will not abandon my conviction. People will realise this later. Satheesan received the unwavering support of Ramesh Chennithala, his long-time rival. The two were vocal against any kind of clemency for Rahul in the party. Ramesh said he had repeatedly demanded strong action against Rahul. Though, I questioned the option of suspension over strong action, I have come around to favour it, he said. It was Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan who lambasted Rahul, insisting the party should not divert from its position. Rahul was challenging the survivor on media. No one has the right to speak against the survivor. Anyone doing so cannot be considered a Congressman, he said. Party insiders say there is a split within the leadership in dealing with the crisis in the wake of local-body elections -- and that it does not bode well for the party chances. Discord among senior leaders over Rahul Mamkootathil puts Congress in a fix Satheesan and his supporters argue the Congress should demonstrate strong principles to differentiate it from other parties. The UDF has been in opposition for nearly a decade. To a challenge with multiple advantages, we must show the public that we are different and can act on our beliefs. Unfortunately, we are missing the point, a leader said. Many senior leaders who remain non-partisan echoed the sentiment. This is not about the sentiment of women voters. We now have a distinct section in society who desires good governance, another senior leader said. Meanwhile, a majority of senior leaders, including those holding key party posts, favours a pragmatic approach, prioritising electoral strategy over personal agenda. Leaders who support Rahul include former KPCC chief M M Hassan and K Muraleedharan who alleged the case is politically motivated. The CPM always has these survivors ready. This is an attempt to divert the Sabarimala gold theft issue, he said.

Weekend pay, full-time hope: Keralas new gulf boom

KOCHI: For decades, northern Kerala has lived in step with the Gulf. The regions dreams, remittances, and ambitions have long flowed back from desert skylines. Now, that old migration story has a new plotline football. Over the past decade, Malabars obsession with the beautiful game has fused with Gulf migration, spawning a booming parallel football universe powered by the Malayali diaspora. Clubs, tournaments, and weekend leagues have mushroomed across Riyadh, Dubai, Sharjah and Doha. And young talents once chasing professional careers at home are now chasing paychecks and opportunities abroad. When Gokulam Kerala FC lifted the I-League trophy in 2022, 24-year-old Abhijith E M from Vadapuram, Malappuram, was among the champions. Fast-forward three years: the I-League winner is now turning out for Blasters FC Vazhakaad and other Malayali clubs in Riyadhs vibrant tournaments. At the same time, in Dubai, Safvan P from Nilambur who once played in a village sevens side was handed an offer that changed his life: play for Abreco FC and get a job with a company that backs the club. Its been building for ten years, but now its exploding, says Malappuram-based coach M Kamaludheen, father of India international Mohammad Uwais. Talented boys leave proper football to play sevens. They lose the stamina and the structure required for the eleven-a-side game. Then they move to the Gulf, where the local leagues pull them in with money and security. So many who played with my son in state tournaments are now playing there. For these young men often from modest backgrounds the deals are irresistible. A player who earns Rs 30,000 a month in Kerala can earn the same per match in Gulf amateur leagues. And the match fees come with something Kerala rarely offers: a job.Theres money, plenty of it, and so many opportunities, says Abhijith. I first went as an extra player for weekend games. Now Im a regular for a club. Life is better, yes. But I went only because after years in professional football, I still couldnt make it here. Powerful Malayali football associations thriving abroad fund this footballing migration machine. The biggest among them, the Kerala Expat Football Association (KEFA), runs dozens of tournaments and leagues across the UAE and beyond. The scale is staggering: over 1,500 players and 150 registered amateur clubs, almost all Malayali-run. Most players work day jobs for the sponsoring companies and turn into crowd-drawing footballers on weekends. Even ISL-level players come sometimes, says Safvan, who has been with Abreco Freight for three years. We work for the company, win titles for the club. Its a proper system. Back home, the reality remains dim. In recent times, only a handful of Malayalis have broken into the Indian national team which languishes at 142 in the FIFA rankings. With low wages, uncertain futures, and limited opportunities, many promising players simply walk away from the sport or walk into the Gulf, which now promises a different kind of football career. Lafin Shalu from Mannarkad, who recently landed a Railways job through sports quota, knows the story too well. Many of my teammates were national university champions. Today, theyre all in Gulf football, he says. They had no choice to stay here. No security, no future. This has to change. What once began as migration for survival has now evolved into migration for sport and sometimes, for a second chance at a dream. The Gulf, for Keralas footballing youth, has become both a stadium and a lifeline.

INTERVIEW| Expect saffron surge in local body elections

KOCHI: Kerala has reached the threshold of a development era and the local body election results may herald a political change, says Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) president and SNDP Yogam vice-president Thushar Vellappally. The NDA will wrest power in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur corporations and several municipalities, he told TNIE. Excerpts: Which factors will favour the NDA? NDA-ruled states in North India are witnessing a major transformation in human development while Kerala is lagging behind. Youngsters are leaving the state. The state is financially unstable. People anxious about Keralas future are looking at the NDA as an alternative. What is your development plan for local bodies? In local bodies where NDA is voted to power, we will present a development plan. We will identify schemes for each local body and initiate steps to get funds from the Centre. The state government has refused to implement several central schemes like the PM SHRI on political grounds. Do you think the Sabarimala issue will work in favour of the NDA? I think reports of gold theft at the temple may influence voters in some localities. The Ezhava community has been traditionally affiliated to CPM. Now, BJP is claiming there has been a change in their approach. The change in the communitys outlook has been phenomenal. As per an analysis by the BJP national leadership, around 35-40% of the Ezhavas have started shifting loyalty towards NDA. The formation of BDJS has provided them a platform to get into the national stream. Both NSS and SNDP Yogam general secretaries recently came out in support of the LDF government. Will this confuse members of the communities who are NDA supporters? The community leaders expressed their approval towards the positive initiatives of the government. They have not tried to mobilise votes for any particular party. How is the coordination among NDA allies after Rajeev Chandrasekhar took over as BJP state president? It is excellent. No other party had a president with such calibre. We have to accept his personality. I feel his positive approach will help BJP grow in the state.

NIA arrests PFI activist accused of RSS leaders murder in Kerala

Kochi: An absconding accused in the murder case of RSS leader K S Sreenivasan has been arrested by the NIA, sources said. The arrested person, Shahul Hameed of Palakkad, is the 55th accused in the case, officials said. Hameed was taken into custody upon his arrival from Oman at the New Delhi airport and was 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 .

Fasal Gafoor stopped at Kochi airport following ED circular

Pazhampori chaat, butter chicken bao the stars at Tummy Singh, a multicuisine restaruant in Kochi

Vets, vax & woofs: Kochi's stray dogs get anti-rabies shots

Over the past few days, young men and women sporting bright yellow T-shirts have been spotted running with pole-nets behind stray dogs across the city. Many have been wondering what they were up to, considering the national attention strays have drawn in recent times. Well, these youths are members of several NGOs that have joined forces for a vaccination campaign. The Worldwide Veterinary Services Mission Rabies, in partnership with the Animal Rescue Kochi collective, has deployed about 200 volunteers across wards under the city corporation, and the Chellanam and Kumbalangi panchayats. Their target: to vaccinate 10,000 stray dogs. Notably, as per the corporations estimates, there are as many strays within the city limits alone. The five-day vaccination drive, which started on November 24, is being carried out by NGO volunteers from across the country especially Goa, the base of Mission Rabies India and from several other nations. Notably, the campaign comes amid rising judicial and public pressure. Kerala recorded 3.63 lakh dog-bite cases in the past year, a third linked to strays. In July, the High Court slammed civic bodies for inaction, noting over 1 lakh bites and 16 deaths in just six months this year. The court rejected culling and directed a humane, structured approach centred on sterilisation, vaccination, and monitoring. Among the chief coordinators of the ongoing vaccination drive is Sajith Sajan, a veterinary nurse and founder of Animal Rescue Kochi. known for his efforts in organising fundraisers, adoption drives, and community outreach. Animal Rescue Kochi acts as a base for the campaign. We collaborate and coordinate drives with other organisations, Sajith says. Working alongside him is British veterinary nurse Julie Corfmat, the Kerala head of Mission Rabies, who has spent nearly two decades working with street dogs across India. Last year, Mission Rabies collaborated with Animal Rescue Kochi and ran a 14-day anti-rabies vaccination campaign across Chellanam, Kumbalangi, and 30 wards under the Kochi corporation. The team vaccinated about 3,000 dogs through field mapping, door-to-door searches, and mobile vaccination units, shares Julie. The success of that drive led to the current campaign, for which they met with the authorities to develop a strategy. So far, we have come across two cases of rabies-infected dogs during this particular drive. The total has now reached 25 since July in Kochi, Sajith says, underscoring the urgency of the mission. When a dog suspected of being infected is identified, it is taken away for isolation, observation and, if needed, euthanasia in an ambulance that remains on standby. Other dogs in the area are given supplementary vaccine shots. Two types of teams hand-catching and net-catching are deployed. Each has three to four volunteers armed with nets, vaccine shots, and paint markers. All the friendly dogs, the ones that we can handle, are vaccinated by hand. The aggressive ones are caught in a net, says Julie. We vaccinate, mark, and also conduct a post-vaccination survey to assess the coverage. Right now, we have 36 teams in action. Volunteers during a net catching drive TNIE joins a hand-catching team, led by 26-year-old Lokesh Yukiy from Goa, who has been with Mission Rabies for six years. The team also includes Sakshi, 18, from Shimla, and Dr Vishnu, a veterinarian from Kollam. On their second drive of the day, they head towards Nambiapuram in Palluruthy. For the next three hours, we trace a loop: Hospital Road, MLA Road, Nera Lane, Nambiapuram Road, AroorThoppumpady Road, and back to the Corporation Ground. The first dog approached the volunteers with curiosity, tail wagging. A quick jab, a green paint mark on the head, and hes off. Shy, older dogs retreat on seeing the team, while some puppies tag along like supervisors. On Hospital Road near Palluruthy, Sakshi emerges from a dark corner of a building with three pups. They are vaccinated gently, set free. A little later, Sakshi slips under an old pushcart to coax out another nervous dog. The mutt, however, manages to scoot. Such moments have become routine for us, she smiles. On MLA Road, the lanes narrow, and clusters of community dogs appear some playful, some cautious. One family brings out their pet indie dog. Dr Vishnu gives the little one a shot and hands a small card with the vaccination details to the family. Why do you paint the head? Will you take the marked dogs away? ask some curious children trailing the team. Volunteers explain the drive and importance of anti-rabies vaccination. Some older residents of the area demand that the strays be relocated, opening up conversations about coexistence and community responsibility. As we return to Corporation Ground, the teams tally for the day stands at 10 dogs. Those left would be covered by the net team the next day. On average, these teams together cover 250 to 300 dogs a day. Volunteers during the vaccination drive The modus operandi closely mirrors Goas rabies-elimination programme, which is said to be a success model. When Mission Rabies launched a pilot in Goa in 2014, the findings were alarming: among 45 suspected animal cases, 39 tested positive. What followed was public-health collaborations. Mission Rabies, the state government, and hundreds of trained volunteers created a model based on mass vaccination, surveillance, and rapid response, Sajith explains. In 2015, an MoU formalised the partnership. In a month-long campaign, over 63,000 dogs were vaccinated with the support of 500 veterinary professionals from 16 countries. A rabies hotline was introduced for immediate reporting, and door-to-door coverage ensured no pockets of the state were missed. By 2021, he adds, Goa was officially declared a rabies-controlled area after three consecutive years without a single human rabies death. Monitoring, surveillance, and annual vaccination cycles continue even today. Similar to Goas rapid-response system, a dedicated rabies hotline for Kochi is set to be launched soon. Sajith adds that vaccination is vital as animal birth control measures may not always be feasible due to manpower and logistical constraints. Corporation veterinary surgeon Dr Ambili T R echoes the view. The drive being conducted by Mission Rabies supplements ongoing efforts to curb issues related to stray dogs, including the animal birth control (ABC) and public awareness campaigns, she says. The ABC centre in Brahmapuram is already functioning, and we are looking to expand it further. The centre also has up to 27 kennels and space for dogs to play and rest. There are also four large caged enclosures. We also opened one centre in Tripunithura this year. There is a limit to how much a local civic body can do, so such collaborations are critical.

In vote-bank theatre, Ezhavas still in search of key role

KOCHI: Taking up 24% of the states population, the Ezhavas constitute the most significant demographic. But as better-organised groups haggle their way to political gains, the states biggest community has remained a mute spectator. Once treated as untouchables, Ezhavas have transformed into a progressive, well-educated community, making significant contributions to Keralas social and economic development. But in politics, they have failed to secure their due share. With 27 MLAs from LDF, the community, for the first time, received representation in proportion to its population in the 15th assembly in 2021. However, just five ministers from the community were named. The Nairs, who constitute just 12% of the population, got seven, further souring sentiments. The Ezhavas have been traditionally associated with left parties. The role of Communists in organising the Punnapra-Vayalar agitation for protection of the rights of the underprivileged, and the struggles to remove inequality and untouchability greatly influenced the community. However, recent shifts in the communitys political affiliation has shocked the ruling CPM. In the 2024 Lok Sabha (LS) election, the BJP led the way in 11 assembly divisions, while coming second in eight. In many of these segments, including Attingal, Kattakkada, Kazhakkoottam, Irinjalakuda, Haripad, Kayamkulam and Palakkad, Ezhavas hold sway. The 2019 LS poll and 2021 assembly election saw the BJP widen its support base in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Kollam on the back of public sentiment over the Sabarimala stir. This coincided with a shift in Ezhava voting patterns in the three districts. While Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of SNDP Yogam, has been a staunch supporter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, BJP has made inroads into the community. The Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), formed in 2014, gave it a platform to further push the agenda. With Vellappallys son Thushar at the helm of BDJS, a key NDA ally, connecting with the community has been easy sailing for BJP. From the 65% backing in the 2011 assembly election, LDF saw its Ezhava vote share decline. According to BJP, around 35-40% of the community has shifted loyalty in its favour. An increasing number of Ezhava youth are getting lured by the saffron front. It is true the influence of BJP is increasing in the community. The appeasement politics of the ruling party and opposition, reluctance to appoint Ezhavas in key posts and bias in allocation of funds have alienated the community from both the fronts, said a senior SNDP Yogam leader. However, the BDJS is not feeling secure in the NDA. Ezhava leaders in BDJS and BJP say there is lack of trust at lower levels. There is perfect coordination between BJP and BDJS at the state level, but when it comes to the rank and file, there is lack of trust. Most BJP leaders at district and mandalam levels belong to the Nair community and do not accept Ezhava leaders. If this is resolved, the BJP-BDJS combine will emerge as a strong third force, said a state-level BDJS leader. Nair-Ezhava tensions, BJPs reluctance to deliver posts once promised to BDJS, lack of mutual trust and poaching of BDJS leaders are factors hampering NDAs growth in Kerala. I feel it was LDF that respected the community. BJP treats us as second-class citizens. But there is a strong sentiment within the community against Muslim appeasement and this may work in the partys favour this time, he said. But why have the Ezhavas failed to claim their rights? The Ezhavas have been politically sensitive and ideologically committed, due to their long association with the Communists in the struggle for rights. They could have united on the caste basis and bargained with political parties, but they preferred to stick to their ideology. When K R Gouri Amma was denied chief ministership and V S Achuthanandan was sidelined, they were disheartened and started drifting away from CPM. Now there is a growing affection towards the BJP, said political observer P Sujathan.

Remarried Muslim woman cannot be denied right to maintenance: Kerala HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday held that a Muslim woman cannot be deprived of benefits under right to maintenance in the name of remarriage. Dismissing a revision petition filed by the former husband of the petitioner, Justice Kauser Edappagath ordered payment of maintenance and fair provision to the divorced woman and her minor daughter, though she has remarried. The petitioner had divorced the woman by pronouncing talaq in 2011 and she remarried in 2014. After the divorce, the woman filed a petition under Muslim Women Protection Act claiming maintenance and return of gold ornaments before the family court. The family court disposed of the petition granting monthly maintenance till the date of remarriage. The Court observed that a Muslim husband is legally bound to provide reasonable and fair provision for future maintenance to the divorced wife under the Muslim Personal Law. A Muslim husbands obligation to provide maintenance to his divorced wife arises immediately after pronouncement of talaq and not at the time of adjudication.

Inter-state buses remain off road, continue strike over unfair taxes

KOCHI: The inter-state private bus sector continues to reel from a major crisis, with a significant number of services, especially those connecting Kerala, remaining off the road, making the lives of hundreds of commuters difficult. Operators are now demanding that the governments of Kerala and Karnataka follow the example of Tamil Nadu by offering a tax exemption to make operations financially viable. Tamil Nadu has provided a glimmer of hope by verbally instructing border officials to exempt tax for buses from neighbouring states like Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, prompting a slow resumption of services to destinations like Chennai and Coimbatore. The services to these destinations are being conducted without any issues for the last four to five days. Kerala and Karnataka too should adopt a relief stance similar to that of Tamil Nadu, Rijas A J, vice-president of Intercity Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India and owner of Sona Travels, told TNIE. A significant number of interstate luxury private buses conducting services to Bengaluru and Hyderabad from various points in Kerala remain off the road. Only a small section of operators who were forced to pay the quarterly tax until December are plying buses now, but they warn that a failure by the governments to act swiftly would force a complete industry shutdown. The issue is yet to be solved. Many, who have not yet paid the quarterly taxes, are not operating, he stated. Highlighting the impact on the key Kochi-Bengaluru route, Rijas said that a number of operators including big players like FlixBus and Shyamoli Paribahan continue to suspend all their trips to Kerala. Industry sources confirm the severity, pointing out that out of 152 night services in the Ernakulam-Bengaluru sector, 72 are non-operational. The core of the crisis is the unfair taxes levied by the state governments. Operators argue that the financial burden is immense and unsustainable. An operator needs to pay Rs 12 lakh tax for running a single service (two buses) for a 90-day period, an operator explained. This crippling cost is pushing bus owners toward a financial cliff, with fears of asset seizure by lending institutions looming early next year. The demand for tax relief is amplified by competitive pressures. Operators cannot increase ticket prices for fear of driving away passengers, especially with the introduction of new alternatives like the Vande Bharat train service on the Kochi-Bengaluru sector. The services cant be operated with the huge tax being levied, another operator stressed. The protest was initially triggered by Tamil Nadu bus operators opposing what they termed illegal tax and levying of fine by Kerala authorities. Now, the focus has shifted to urging Kerala and Karnataka to adopt a similar relief stance to that of Tamil Nadu. ] The disruption is causing major inconvenience, as these luxury buses normally transport an estimated 4,000 people daily to major hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Madurai. As private bus travel remains largely unavailable, travellers are increasingly dependent on KSRTC and rail alternatives. A senior KSRTC official confirmed they are operating additional services to Bengaluru to manage the surging demand. Swift action urged Operators are demanding the governments of Kerala and Karnataka to follow the example of Tamil Nadu by offering a tax exemption Warn that a failure by the governments to act would force a complete shutdown They argue that the financial burden is immense

CM Pinarayi seeks MPs' support for wildlife bill approval, union fund disbursement

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to facilitate effective centre-state interactions, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the MPs from the state to intervene for the President's nod in the Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill. This permission is instrumental as the bill passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly simplifies the major obstructions in the 11th section of the Wildlife Protection Law 1972. In an online meeting convened on Thursday, the CM also asked the parliamentarians to stress for the disbursement of the central share to be provided to the victims of the human-animal conflict. The meeting was also attended by the state ministers and other officers concerned. Seeking the MP's intervention to reinstate the sum of 6,757 crores and 3,323 crores, which were cut from the state's borrowing limits in the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26, respectively, Pinarayi reiterated the stand to increase a state's borrowing limit to 3.5%. Pointing out that the centre only provided 260.56 crores for the Meppadi-Chooralmala rehabilitation against the sought support of 2,221.03 crores, Pinarayi also asked the parliamentarians to help the state avail its deserving share. Urging that the central government should increase their share in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) 2.0, the CM also asked the MPs to intervene to avoid the display of PMAY boards before them. Making an attempt to reduce the duration of the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargode rail journey, the CM urged to initiate the third and fourth line survey in the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore section, along with the deployment of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail here. Other key projects, including AIIMS, Attappady Irrigation Project, and the rail projects in the Angamaly-Sabari, Thalassery-Mysore, and Nilambur-Nanjangud routes, should also be highlighted before the union government, the CM stressed. He also mentioned that the point of call for foreign airlines to begin services from the Kannur Airport had not yet been provided, despite repeated requests. The CM also asked the MPs to raise questions in the parliament regarding the central nod for the Kochi Global City (Node 2) as part of the Kochi-Bangalore Industrial Corridor. Seeking interventions to exempt all Khadi products from GST, the CM also said that kerosene must be availed at subsidised rates for fishing requirements. He further noted that the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Right Rules 2025 were notified without consulting the opinion of states, as part of which a letter was already sent to the Prime Minister. Disbursement of other funds, including GST loss compensation and a 1000 crore package for foreign returnees, was also discussed in the meeting.

Hospitals shouldnt deny care over failure to pay fees: Kerala High Court

KOCHI: Hospitals should not deny initial life-saving care to a patient on the grounds of non-payment of advance fee or lack of documents, ordered a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday. Considering an appeal filed by private hospital managements and Indian Medical Association challenging the order issued by a single judge on implementation of certain provisions of the Kerala Clinical Establishments Act, 2018, the bench of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice V M Syamkumar ordered that the hospital authorities should ensure that all investigation reports pertaining to the treatment are handed over to the patient along with discharge summary at the time of discharge. The hospitals should ensure safe transfer of the patient to a higher centre with proper documentation and communication when indicated. The hospitals should display, at the reception and on its website, the list of services offered and the baseline and package rates for commonly performed procedures with a note that unforeseen complications or additional procedures will be itemised. All information regarding key facilities, including bed categories, availability of ICU and operation theatre, laboratory facilities and ambulance should be provided. A summary of patients rights, including emergency care, informed consent, confidentiality, access to medical records and grievance redressal pathway should be displayed, the order said.

INTERVIEW| There is a visible change in approach towards BJP

KOCHI: The BJPs campaign for the local-body elections is focused on development issues, state general secretary Anoop Antony says in a conversation with TNIE, adding that political equations in the state has changed. Excerpts: The BJP has not been able to corner power in Kerala, where politics has been largely bipolar. What is your strategy for this election? The equations have changed. We have focused our campaign on development issues. There are concerns that have been neglected by both fronts. There is a visible change in the approach towards the BJP. There is a strong sentiment against the gold theft at Sabarimala and the state government is facing backlash from devotees. This will work in our favour. What are your expectations? In the previous election, we wrested control of 19 panchayats and two municipalities. This time round, the NDA will rule Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur corporations, besides hundreds of panchayats and several municipalities. We are presenting a novel concept of new-age governance. The focus will be on weeding out corruption and bringing the benefits of hitherto unknown central schemes to the common man. We organised development seminars in all local bodies and compiled suggestions of projects to be taken up. We will be releasing the development documents for each local body within a week. What is special about BJPs election manifesto? In local bodies where the BJP will be in majority, the party will introduce a development blueprint within 45 days. The document will have details of development projects that will be implemented over the next five years. But people will also evaluate the partys performance... I accept there were internal issues in Palakkad and Pandalam. But those were resolved amicably without impacting governance. Palakkad is the first municipality in Kerala to be brought under blanket CCTV surveillance. Both Palakkad and Pandalam ensured that the benefits of central schemes reach the common man. We are fighting the election highlighting our achievements. The BJP has been trying to woo the Christian community. Do you believe the outreach will deliver results? There has been a change in the approach of the Christian community. We have fielded a large number of minority candidates this time. The shift in Christian votes will definitely benefit the NDA. The BJP is the single-largest party contesting this election as we have fielded candidates in 19,871 wards.

Shifting gears: Keralas EV wave surges despite hike in road tax

KOCHI: Keralas appetite for electric vehicles (EVs) is growing faster than ever. With 95,899 vehicles registered in 2025, the state has so far added 12,631 more EVs than in the wthole of last year - with still over a month to go. This is up over 15% annually, a big leap from 2024s 9.83%. The trend is led overwhelmingly by electric two-wheelers, which have become the new favourite of Keralas young commuters, gig workers and even families looking to cut fuel costs. Dealers say the shift in public mood over the past two years has been dramatic. In the beginning, customers were hesitant. Range anxiety was huge, says Noble Jacob M, vice president (projects) at EVM Group. But post-2023, the mindset flipped. EV two-wheelers started selling faster than we expected. Price corrections played a major role in this behavioural shift. In several brands, the gap between petrol or diesel variants and their electric frameworks or systems designed to simulate or perform specific tasks once over 50% higher has now dropped to less than 25%, making EVs significantly more approachable. And the low noise, vibration and harshness levels make EVs extremely comfortable for everyday use, Noble adds. If the sales figures are any indication, nothing not even the 2025 road tax revision has managed to slow down enthusiasm in the state. EVs that cost up to Rs 15 lakh still attract a 5% tax, but those priced between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh now fall under 8%, and models above Rs 20 lakh attract 10%. Yet, August of this year saw 10,904 new EV registrations, the highest monthly tally in the states history. Dealers attribute the boom not just to affordability, but also to the expanding range. The market has far more players now, says Manoj Kurup, secretary of the Kerala Automobile Dealers Association. However, the flip side is that infrastructure has not kept pace. Home-charging is common, but apartment residents especially in cities are still struggling. Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam says public mindset has undergone a fundamental shift. Todays EVs are far more efficient. That has boosted confidence. Our taxes are still lower than those on fossil-fuel vehicles. And Kerala will soon be ready to embrace fuel-cell technology as well. With monthly sales in 2025 displaying consistent strength from 8,113 in January to 9,141 in October and 7,039 in November Keralas EV story isnt just about numbers. Its about a state decisively nudging towards an electric future, one scooter and one car at a time, say industry officials.

Four years in hell: Munambam residents rush to claim back legal rights as Kerala HC removes waqf cloud

KOCHI: For the people of Munambam, the past four years were nothing short of a waking nightmare. Life turned upside down in 2019 when, without warning, the Kerala Waqf Board formally registered their land as waqf property. The move went unnoticed for months. COVID lockdowns muted all government transactions. People continued living in their homes, unaware that the ground beneath them had quietly been marked as someone elses. Then came 2021 the year the earth slipped from under their feet. When some residents walked into village offices to pay their routine land tax, they were turned away. The message was blunt, almost surreal: This is not your land. It is waqf property. Everything came to a stop for us. We have been living in hell, says 51-year-old Laiji Antony. It felt like our homes built with our lifes savings were slipping away. Without revenue rights, residents couldnt pay land tax, couldnt pledge property for loans, couldnt even dream of selling or legally transferring land. A brief flicker of relief came in 2022 when a single bench of the High Court allowed residents to resume paying taxes. But the joy evaporated overnight. The order was stayed immediately after an appeal by the Kerala Waqf Protection Forum. By 2023, the legal battlefield expanded. Farook College management challenged the Waqf Boards registration before the Waqf Tribunal. Residents who had purchased land from the college filed petitions in the High Court seeking restoration of tax payment rights. The Munambam Land Protection Council, representing the families, took the fight to the court and to the streets. Helpless but unyielding, they launched a relay hunger strike in October 2024 at the Kadappuram Velankanni Matha Church. The agitation entered the 410th day on Wednesday, says 60-year-old Shiny Martin. That faith thickened into hope on October 9, 2025, when the Kerala High Court ruled that the Munambam land was not waqf property. That was the first ray of light, Shiny says. A sign from the Almighty. On Wednesday, the High Court granted temporary restoration of revenue rights. Taxes could finally be paid. Lives could begin to move again. We are leaving the agitation pandal, our home for the past 410 days, with happiness, says 92-year-old Mary. Now, Munambam waits for one last milestone the final verdict. After four years of fear, they finally dare to believe the nightmare may truly be ending. TIMELINE 1962: Local residents file case in Paravur Sub Court challenging Farook Colleges ownership 1967: O.S. No. 53/1967 filed in Paravur Subordinate Judges Court questioning waqf status 1971: Court rules in favour of Farook College 1975: Kerala High Court upholds ruling; land treated as waqf property at the time 2008: Complaint by Nassir Manayil alleging encroachment triggers Waqf Board inquiry 2019: Waqf Board registers property as waqf land (Sept 25); move later challenged 2022: HC Single Bench briefly allows residents to pay property tax; order stayed on appeal 2023: Farook College files two petitions before Waqf Tribunal against Waqf Boards registration 2023: Residents file HC petitions seeking acceptance of land tax Oct 10, 2025: HC rules Munambam land is not waqf property Nov 26, 2025: HC single bench grants temporary revenue rights pending final verdict

Most Kochi city campuses untouched by election fever

While the local body elections have not caused any ripples on campuses, a few students are clear about their own politics

75 kg of suspected ganja seized, six held in Kochi

Movement Festival to make dashing debut in city

As Kochi evolves, so does its appetite for newer expressions. True to that, now the city is set to host a unique artistic movement with the debut of the Movement Festival of Kerala (MOFK), an exciting celebration of contemporary and experimental dance. Curated by dancer-choreographers Paris Laxmi, Sreejith P and Abhi V S under their collective Boho, MFOK will mark the first major event presenting contemporary movement alongside reimagined classical forms. Co-curator Laxmi says the festival hopes to build a sustainable framework for alternative dance practices in Kerala. We felt like there is a need for such a festival here in Kochi and in Kerala because there is a lack of it, she adds. When we want to train in contemporary dance, we travel to other states. So, why not create those opportunities here instead? Boho has been laying the groundwork since its inception almost four years ago, hosting regular workshops by Indian and international choreographers. The passionate experiment is now home to a growing community of dancers eager for new movement vocabularies. Earlier, the response was not very encouraging, Laxmi recalls. But now, people are actually showing up and watching these things. I feel Kochi is opening up to contemporary art forms, and the shift is visible. The festival opens on Thursday (November 27) at the Kerala Fine Arts Hall with Reflet, a production by the Xuan Le Dance Company from France, presented by Alliance Franaise of Thiruvananthapuram. This premiere marks the first performance of the companys India tour. From November 28 to 30, the festival moves to JTPAC, where the audience can expect a diverse line-up spanning experimental, classical-rooted, and multidisciplinary expressions of movement. Performances include Jaaga Illa by Vishwakiran Nambi Dance Company, C-Tactile by Shruthi Datar, To-Mould by Somya Kautia & Sarah Elsworth, Pinnal by Divya Nayar, Mol by Myn Dance Company, Nerpala by Dileep Chilanka, and Jwala by internationally acclaimed choreographer Mythili Prakash. For the curators, diversity is key. All performers are unique in their own way very different styles, says Laxmi. Some come from Bharatanatyam, some from hip-hop, some from experimental forms. We wanted to give the audience many flavours, not have a set pattern. Though its the debut edition, MFOKs vision is long-term. We want to make this festival happen every year, Laxmi says. This is our effort to build a culture of contemporary dance in Kochi first, and then Kerala. We hope to have more international events and to expand the possibilities for artists here. With a bouquet of international collaborations, MFOK seems like the beginning of a new chapter in Keralas performance landscape one defined by curiosity, exchange and creativity. Tickets to the events are available at www.indiaeve.com

Building a home for art in the city

Community, for Ananthapadmanabhan V, was a concept he became familiar with very early in life by watching his mother. When they were in Dubai, she was involved in different community activities, helping women in difficult situations return home, supporting small charities for animals, and organising simple fundraising events like school bake sales. He often assisted her in these efforts, and over time, this exposure influenced how he viewed people, support systems, and collective responsibility. After returning to his hometown and taking up photography, he realised that the values he learned in childhood were still driving the way he looked at the world. When I was working as a photographer, any event that was connected to a community, I would do it for free because I liked the concept, he says. But he also began noticing that in Thiruvananthapuram, dedicated communities for artists were few. The city had musicians, dancers, poets, visual artists, photographers, and many talented individuals, but they were scattered and lacked a shared space to meet, collaborate, and grow. I wanted to create a community where everybody could come, connect, collaborate, perform, and grow, the 29-year-old said. This thinking led to the creation of The Ark Art, Rhythm and Collective. He explains that many emerging artists hesitate to step forward because they do not know the right people. Someone constantly posting music videos online may never meet instrumentalists who could collaborate with them. My goal is to give upcoming artists visibility, opportunities, and a supportive group of people who share the same creative energy. Basically, I want to create an ecosystem for artists to create good memories, Ananthapadmanabhan adds. Although the idea has been in his mind for a long time, he has been actively working on it for about a month. To get started, he personally contacted around 100 artists across the city. About 3035 responded, forming the initial foundation of the group. A band has already formed from within this early pool. Another challenge artists in Thiruvananthapuram face, he says, is the lack of accessible venues. Even well-established groups often spend significant amounts just to organise a meet-up. To address this, The Ark has taken up Ambalathil Hall at Ambalamukku and is converting it into a creative community space - something closer to an art caf than a traditional club. The venue can host around 300 people, and the initial goal is to organise at least four different events or host four different creative communities every month. The idea is to create a common umbrella for the many artistic communities in the city. The Arks first open mic will be held on December 7 at that space, with more than 25 upcoming artists set to perform, including over 10 instrumentalists, a Bharatanatyam showcase, and several singers. So, people know that a new community is opening and they are all welcome, he says. Another programme is being planned for December 14, featuring a dance and rap battle. These kinds of events usually push artists to travel to Kochi or other cities. I want them to happen here, so people dont have to leave the city to find opportunities, he said. For updates, follow @the_ark_tvm on Instagram.

In Tripunithura, BJP hopes for a saffron tide, CPM confident of 3.0

KOCHI: Caught between the remnants of royal heritage and the challenges of democracy, Tripunithura has been craving for development for decades. Narrow roads, traffic snarl ups, drinking water scarcity and lack of proper waste disposal plans add to the woes of the town, which was once the capital of the princely state of Kochi. After the formation of Tripunithura municipality in 1980, the CPM-led LDF ruled for three decades until the UDF wrested power in 2010. The CPM returned to power in 2015 and has completed the second consecutive term, albeit with the support of the UDF. With the extension of Kochi Metro to Tripunithura railway station, the municipality had proposed to transform the area into an integrated transit hub by shifting the bus terminal to the area and interconnecting the railway and metro stations. However, the project needed major investment. A few months ago, the GCDA informed the government that it was ready to prepare a detailed project report, but the state is yet to grant approval. The LDF managed to make the municipality financially stable. Still, we need government support to implement the bus terminal project as we have to acquire four acres of land. During the third term, we plan to establish Kudumbashree industrial units in all wards and market their products, and will implement a complete waste disposal plan. The new administration will bring out a progress report on our manifesto every year, said CPM leader S Madhusoodanan. BJP leader K V S Haridas said the situation favours his party. Despite the presence of rebel candidates, the BJP had 17 members in the previous council. There is discontent brewing among people due to acute water scarcity and lack of waste management system. The BJP held seminars and prepared an integrated plan for the towns development which will be implemented with support from the Centre, he said. The UDF was ridden by factionalism in the 2020 local body elections. This time, it was the first to announce its candidates, and believes it will reflect in the results. After the UDF-led council in 2010, there have not been any development projects in Tripunithura. There is dissatisfaction with the CPM regime and BJP is facing backlash due to infighting, said DCC secretary Raju P Nair. The Thannerchal park developed by UDF in 2015 was converted into a dumping yard by LDF. . There was a proposal to develop the road to Tripunithura railway station for the development of bus terminal. However, widening was dropped midway, adding to traffic congestion. There is no job opportunity for youngsters. The people are frustrated with LDF and BJP is confined to a few wards. The UDF will return to power with clear majority, Raju said.

Nations maritime heritage to soon adorn walls of Kochi Naval Base

KOCHI: Murals depicting the landmarks in Indias maritime history right from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the modern day will adorn the walls of the Kochi Naval Base. The Better Kochi Response Group (BKRG), has launched an initiative to create a 1.3-km-long mural wall that will chronologically depict Indias expansive maritime history. Once completed, it will be the longest mural in the country, and the project will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for consideration, said BKRG president and architect S Gopakumar on Tuesday. Launching the brochure for the proposed mural project, Cochin Shipyard CMD Madhu S Nair said the mural project will help remind the new generation of our maritime history and reconnect them with our past. At one time India accounted for 30% of the worlds GDP, but our youths remain largely unaware of Keralas maritime legacy. Our ship-building prowess was famous and even now the Urus (wooden dhow) made by our craftsmen in Beypore are being used by countries in the Middle East, he said. There are around 250 panels along the 103-km-long stretch where artists, historians and curators will create murals about maritime history in a chronological order. Each panel will be handled by a lead artist supported by one or two junior artists and art students. The Navy has already requested the tourism department to develop a walkway alongside the Naval Base compound wall. The Cochin Shipyard has promised to donate H20 lakh for the project and many builders have come forward to support the initiative. Cochin Shipyard CMD Madhu S Nair handing over the brochure of the mural project taken up by the Better Kochi Response Group to Commodore V Z Job The maritime legacy of India right from the Indus Valley Civilisation which was carried forward by the Mauryas, Cholas, Chatrapati Shivaji and the Zamorins will be depicted in murals in a chronological order, said Vice Admiral Prem Sudhan who will coordinate the initiative. The mural wall will narrate how Rani Abbakka of Ullal, Chatrapati Shivaji, Tipu Sultan, Kunhali Marakkar and Travancore resisted the western forces, he said. Traditionally Keralites have not been seafarers, but we have received benefits of maritime trade. There were thriving ship building yards at Kallayi and Vypeen and the guidance of Portuguese and Dutch helped us build warships. We had supplied warships to European countries and the UK. One of the warships built in Kerala was used in the Battle of Waterloo, said journalist and former Resident Editor of TNIE, M K Das. On completion, the mural wall is expected to become a major tourist landmark for Kochi and serve as an educational resource offering students and the public deep insights into Indias maritime heritage.

Varappuzha bridge to be opened in Dec 1st week, to ease NH 66 traffic

KOCHI: In a significant relief for commuters battling acute traffic congestion, the first of seven major bridges along the 26-km Edappally-Moothakunnam stretch of NH 66 is scheduled to be opened to traffic in the first week of December. The key structure new Varappuzha bridge promises to significantly ease the bottleneck caused by vehicles plying in both directions on the old bridge. The 1.03-km-long new bridge was constructed in a record 604 days at a cost of Rs 100 crore by Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt Ltd. Notably, it incorporates added safety measures, including eight PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras that are remotely controlled to move horizontally, vertically, and zoom in or out. The bridges design utilises the balanced cantilever method, a decision driven by its location over the Periyar, which falls under the purview of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The final approach work of the bridge is progressing and will be opened to traffic from the first week of December. It has been designed to suit a speed of 100 kmph, as is the case in most of the widened NH stretches. We chose the balanced cantilever method due to the specific vertical and horizontal clearance required to ensure the safe passage of vessels and boats beneath, a senior NHAI official said. The old Varapuzha bridge, inaugurated on January 16 in 2001, was the first balanced cantilever bridge constructed in Kerala. The new bridge will ease traffic, besides offering views of beautiful landscapes for travellers, the official said. Optimal design for long spans The balanced cantilever method is a construction technology particularly suited for spans exceeding 50 metres, generally up to 150 metres, which is longer than those in normal bridges. The new bridge has 26 spans in total, with the river portion featuring two 83-metre spans and a large 120-metre central span to accommodate navigational traffic below. This relatively speedy and cost-effective construction method is ideal for difficult terrain or over perennial water bodies. The process involves building the bridge in segments that are concreted into formwork fixed to a special movable steel structure called a form traveller. Construction proceeds from the pier outwards towards the mid-span in a balanced manner: the number of segments on the right- and left-hand side of the pier must be the same for a stable cantilever configuration. Once the two opposing cantilevers meet at the mid-span, the span is bridged. A key visual feature of this design is the absence of a cap over the piers. 70% work over on Edappally-Moothakunnam stretch The opening of the new Varappuzha bridge comes in the backdrop of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) hastening construction activities, which had been stalled for nearly a year because of a scarcity of red soil for filling work. Weve signed a pact with the Cochin Port Trust to use dredged soil from the shipping channel as an alternative and temporary measure to speed up widening. Were also applying for Soil Borrow Areas, from where we can dig and procure red soil, the NHAI official said. According to him, nearly 70% of the Rs 1,618-crore project to widen the Edappally-Moothakunnam NH 66 stretch into a six-lane road has been completed. This 26.03-km segment is the first of five reaches in the overall 164-km Edappally-Ramanattukara NH 66 widening effort. The work includes the construction of a railway overbridge (ROB), four flyovers, seven major bridges (including the Varappuzha bridge), eight minor bridges, and various vehicular and pedestrian underpasses. Were aiming to complete the widening of the stretch by April. Now, a key challenge is the new Edappally RoB construction, where weve completed the superstructure work. However, the substructure work is pending. Were yet to get permission from the Southern Railways. If it is granted quickly, the RoB work can be completed by January, the official said.

Dont file FIRs, please' says comedian Abish Mathew

Long before he became one of the most recognisable comedy voices, Abish Mathew was a radio jockey in Delhi a young man with an instinct for humour. From there came the YouTube hits, comedy clubs, the specials, the tours, Comicstaan, Son of Abish, improv sets, sketch videos, and an evolving stage persona that refuses to sit still. Abish has never been just a stand-up; he is a host, writer, performer and creator who is constantly evolving. He recently brought his latest set, Abish Mathew and His Many Talents: Part Two, to Kochi. We sat down to chat the next morning after the performance. When I walked into the venue, he was already hunched over his iPad, stylus in hand replaying the previous nights recording and marking every response. Where the audience laughed, where they chuckled or applauded, and where a joke didnt quite land. It was an almost surgical review of the art of laughter and perhaps the most fitting snapshot of a performer who is constantly fine-tuning himself. In this chat, Abish opened up about discovering clowning, the science of humour, the chilling effect on comedy today, and the emotional weight of drawing from personal history. Excerpts: What do you prefer calling yourself artist, comedian, something else? I honestly dont know. My music teacher once told me that you dont define your own genre; the audience tells you what you are. Your job is to create in the moment. So, we are nothing but references of things we love. And if we merge them, we become unique. If someone calls me an artist, Ill happily take it. But I personally prefer freelancer as that identity keeps me accountable. It reminds me of discipline, deadlines and employment. In any creative field, you need one for the kitchen, one for the soul. Art should feed your spirit, but something must also pay the bills. Ive been fortunate that my passion became my profession, but timing mattered. If YouTube hadnt happened when it did, or if that whole wave with AIB, Vir (Das), hadnt come at the time, I might have ended up in an advertising agency. What brought you to clowning? I had first discovered clowning years ago through Cirque du Soleil on YouTube. David Shiner, Mila Uesoft clowns who could make an audience the centre of the show without saying a word. As I grew up, I found stand-up, later improv, and forgot about clowning. A workshop in Mumbai by Pyotr Sikovar (Furioso) re-ignited something. His idea of the flop blew my mind going with an idea, letting it fail, and staying in the failure. The audience roots for you precisely because you never succeed. The power dynamic is beautiful. Abish during a performance You recently went to Norway to explore clowning. How was that experience? The Norway Clown Camp was a month-long residency on a farm with 1520 people from around the world. Philip Burgers (Dr Brown) taught us. He is someone Id admired for years. Seeing him in person and learning the importance of making eye contact with the audience, being vulnerable and uncomfortable all of it changed something in me. I feel more fearless on stage now. Is this why clowning has become important to you? Absolutely. Clowning forces me to keep quiet. Thats my new challenge can I make an audience laugh in silence? But even clowning will flirt with political incorrectness. The goal is not to test limits but to understand: both the comedian and the audience are flawed. You also study comedy. Do you like calling yourself a nerd? Im a comedy nerd, 100%. Before I touched the stage, I was obsessively researching comedy. I get very excited when someone writes a bit, and I become curious to know how did they think of it. From all the interactions I have had with other comedians, I have realised that, many of the jokes werent written on paper they happened serendipitously maybe because of something an audience member said or it just came to them as a thought on stage. Is that true for you too? Yes. Earlier, I believed a joke had to be perfect before I went on stage. Now I write diligently, but I also allow discovery. I talk to myself in the mirror, rehearse jokes and review every set. If something works accidentally, I make a note of it so its not lost. Recently, a joke about men and women dancing or moving their pelvis differently at sangeet ceremonies worked three times in a row. I dont know if its a good joke yet but Ill explore it until it proves itself or fails. Do concepts like theories of humour influence you? Very much. Superiority theory, surprise theory... Recently, I learnt about benign violations. It was introduced to me by Viggo Venn (who won Britains Got Talent), a world-renowned clown. Benign violation is humour that violates softly, just enough to be funny but not offensive. Like the pelvis joke. My hope is that even my parents would laugh that is the sweet spot. Push beyond that, and it stops being benign; it just becomes crass. In recent years, comedians have been targeted frequently. Do you feel its becoming more difficult to be a comedian today? Yes. Theres the chilling effect.Someone explained it to me like this: once, being homosexual was illegal, but the police wont come to your house to check. Still, the fear shaped who you are outside your house. That same chilling effect has seeped into comedy. Some comedians boldly say, I will talk anyway, and you admire that courage. You aspire to get there. But if you dont have financial, legal or network support, especially in India, what happens to you? Its absolutely okay to disagree with something I said or did. Just dont file FIRs, please. Vent it out. Come threaten me on Instagram DM, and I will understand. Or maybe block you (laughs). Its not just comedians the audience has changed too. Theres this cultural shift of, If I cant say it, then you cant say it. Most people catch themselves doing it and stop themselves from acting on it. Ideally, scrutiny should go towards hate speech not jokes but thats not how it plays out. So you end up doing family-friendly humour even when you want to talk about bigger things. Do you feel freer in Kerala? 100%. The audience here shares a similar social and political mindset. Not identical views just an openness. We grew up not understanding politics, but this is the age where we finally speak about the country a little bit, right? There are comics who do it more confidently than I do, and I hope to get there. Kerala gives me that space. Also, Kerala laughs at political humour in a way few other places do. Its cultural. I grew up in Delhi, but I used to watch Munshi. Political commentary has been part of humour here for decades. So there were bold artists before us. When I know the audience is my audience, whether its Kerala or Gujarat, I can be open. If its a corporate gig or a festival, where I dont know whos coming, I have to be more careful, not just for me, but for the organisers too. Youve performed a song in one of your sets, which revealed the story behind your name. A combination of your older brothers names (Anish+Binish). There was so much grief in it (since Binish passed away before you were born), how did that song come about? During the lockdown, I was alone and had creative space. In that silence I discovered things about myself. I realised that writing lyrics or rhymes makes you more intentional than when youre just clicking keys on a keyboard. So I wrote a draft and almost forgot about it. Then Spoken Fest asked me to perform. A poet-artist friend, Shantanu, heard it and told me to develop it. So I did a spoken-word version. Later, when I did Abish Mathew and His Many Talents, I included a 10-minute piece of that, because quite a few people encouraged me to do so. It didnt fit a stand-up show; its quite a downer. So I added it somewhere in the middle. That piece makes me emotional. There are times I almost choke up. I had to practice to control it because if I cried on stage repeatedly, it would look like self-obsession. The special Im releasing ends with that song and the guitar part I added mirrors how I felt. Whats next? I am working on a new bit, a special in development. I do want to talk about what this love is. what it is like to be married, why does one need to be married. But I haven't gotten there yet. I have just been able to get to a point where I am talking about my experiences of love. Now that might become a separate special, before that I need to spend a little bit more time with myself on these things. Now, being married twice, theres insight there. Life is very different now. I see myself as two different people with two different people. And I think: Oh my God, Abish. You are the problem! I want to talk about my married life through my lens. It will be challenging but worth it. It will be about me, my insecurity, which I know many men will relate to. Thats what I want to tackle in this bit.

Degradation of our cultural ethos: Governor Arlekar links opposition over Bharat Mata image at Kerala HC event

KOCHI: The inclusion of a Bharat Mata image at a National Law Day programme held on the Kerala High Court premises has triggered strong protests from the All India Lawyers Union (AILU), even as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who attended the event, reignited the debate by alleging that resistance to the symbol reflects a form of modern untouchability and a degradation of Indias cultural ethos. The Sangh Parivar organised the programme, affiliated Bharatheeya Abhibhashaka Parishad and attended by the Governor on Tuesday. AILU, Kerala High Court Committee, alleged that the display of the image on the court premises amounted to a serious challenge to constitutional values and an attempt to saffronise even the premises of the higher judiciary. In a statement, AILU state secretary Adv. C M Nazer said using the High Court venue for such symbolic displays, especially in the presence of a Governor who political opponents have earlier accused of endorsing hardline Hindutva position, was deplorable and unacceptable. He said the incident sends a dangerous message to the public and risks eroding confidence in the judiciarys secular character. Using the High Court platform to promote divisive imagery is a direct affront to the Constitution. It shows that attempts at saffronisation spare no institution, not even the higher judiciary, the statement said. The lawyers body, calling the development deeply disturbing, demanded an urgent inquiry into how the image was displayed and strict action against those responsible. AILU has submitted its protest to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, seeking immediate intervention to safeguard the neutrality and dignity of judicial institutions. Addressing the gathering on Cultural Nationalism in Indian Constitution, Governor Arlekar linked the ongoing controversy to what he described as a wider cultural disconnect. Weve reached such an extent now that even Bharat Mata is considered as untouchable. Many dont attend the programmes because of Bharat Mata, he said. He attributed this mindset to a disruption in our education system allegedly caused by colonial influence. The dispute is rooted in the continuing public spat between the Governor and the state government. The administration had earlier objected to a specific Bharat Mata portrait used at Raj Bhavan events, which features a lion and a saffron flag. Ministers have argued that this particular depiction is not a secular national symbol but allegedly reflects a political and religious ideology associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), prompting them to boycott official functions. Defending the symbol, Arlekar recounted an instance at Raj Bhavan, When Bharat Matas portrait was kept there, somebody came there and asked, Whos this lady... this is the degradation of our cultural ethos. He also linked the sentiment to the national pledge: During my childhood, I was perplexed as to how everyone is my brother and sister. I asked my teacher, but couldnt get a satisfactory answer. But afterwards, I came to know why... because we have one mother, that is Bharat Mata. If we dont celebrate Bharat Mata, what will we celebrate? The Governor further dismissed multiculturalism as western thinking, insisting that India has a single, unified Indian culture or Bharatiya culture. He said, The rainbow has different shades, but its still one rainbow. So also, our culture is one though there may be different shades... our diversity is not the cause of our differences, in fact its the cause of our being united. Calling for a cultural reawakening, he added, Nationalism is nothing but saving our culture, stressing the need to abandon colonial thought to restore national pride.

MVD cracks down on violations by private buses in Kochi

Housewives must be recognised as part of 'toiling class', suggests Study

KOCHI: A new doctoral study has made two sharp observations on Kerala: Housewives must be recognised as part of the toiling class, and receiving a LIFE Mission housewhile socially empoweringdoes not significantly deepen a womans personal transformation. The research, authored by Nisha Jose, wife of Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K. Mani, argues that the States welfare architecture, although strong in infrastructure and allocations, still struggles to translate material gains into psychological and behavioural empowerment for women. The thesis scrutinises Keralas progress and highlights a critical gap. While women who receive a house under the LDF governments flagship LIFE Mission experience noticeable improvements in social standing and family recognition, the research finds that this shift does not automatically produce inner autonomy, confidence, or expanded decision-making power. In Nishas words, ownership does not substantially contribute to personal transformation, a finding that challenges the widely held assumption that asset creation alone is a direct pathway to womens empowerment. As of November 2025, Kerala has completed 4.71 lakh houses and allotted more than 5.08 lakh under the LIFE Mission, making it one of the most ambitious state-led housing interventions in the country. 'Rimi' short film: Celebrating housewives The study acknowledges the scale and intent of this effort, but points out that its impact is uneven across social, financial, and personal domains. Women gain visibility within the household and community, and the security of a permanent home reduces long-term precarity. Yet the internal shifts associated with empowerment remain limited, suggesting that welfare schemes need to be paired with interventions that focus on behavioural change, financial literacy and sustained institutional engagement at the grassroots. The thesis becomes especially significant when it turns to the late K. M. Manis Theory of the Toiling Class, a framework that has long shaped Keralas economic thinking. Mani positioned marginal farmers, artisans, traders, teachers, and other self-employed workersthose dependent primarily on labour rather than capitalat the centre of a new socio-economic category. 45,026 females committed suicide in 2021, over half were housewives: NCRB Nisha expands this theory in a direction Mani did not anticipate, arguing that housewives, whose unpaid labour sustains households and supports children, elders, and persons with disabilities, also belong within this category. Their work is relentless, indispensable, and foundational to the functioning of the economy, even though it is neither waged nor formally recognised. By inserting housewives into the toiling class, the study reframes Keralas understanding of labour and broadens an influential economic theory to acknowledge a vast, invisible workforce that keeps the state running. This conceptual expansion was developed with the participation of researcher Nisha Anna John, who co-authored the theoretical sections of the study. Together, their work argues that the category of the toiling class cannot remain limited to income-generating labour alone, and must include those who labour without wages yet hold up the social structure. The research also enters the policy conversation at a timely moment. On November 10, 2025, the Kerala Finance Department announced a new monthly pension of Rs 1,000 for financially vulnerable women and transgender persons between 35 and 60 years, holding pink or yellow ration cards and earning below Rs 1 lakh annually. This acknowledgement of unpaid work echoes similar schemes launched in Karnataka and Haryana. The study notes that transfer payments to homemakers tend to re-enter the circular flow of income through household consumption, generating multiplier effects that stimulate economic demand while improving gender dignity. Submitted to Sri Balaji University, Pune, the thesis evaluates gender budgeting, welfare implementation, and institutional mechanisms between 2021 and 2025. It observes that Keralas gender budgeting allocations have risen from 5.5% in 200809 to over 20% in the most recent budgets, reflecting sustained political commitment. Yet awareness among panchayat and municipal officials remains inconsistent, and many implementers are unfamiliar with the analytical framework of gender budgeting. Institutions such as the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) help translate policy into practice, but the research argues for stronger bottom-up planning, decentralised accountability, and better communication across administrative levels. In bringing together an evaluation of welfare delivery, an examination of gender budgeting, and a reimagining of Manis toiling class theory, the study offers an important reminder. Keralas welfare state may have built the houses, but its next challenge is to nurture the deeper personal transformation that empowers women from within. And by recognising housewives as part of the toiling class, the research insists that the state must finally acknowledge the unseen labour that has long held its social fabric together.

Malayali 'Manavatty' arrack shines at Scotland election convention

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Befitting the popular adage that a Malayali can be found in every corner of the world, UK-based Malayali arrack brand 'Manavatty' was the star of the Scotland National Party (SNP) convention held ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections in Edinburgh. The Manavatty bottles, co-signed by the first minister of Scotland John Swinney and the brand founder John Xavier, were sold at attractive prices after a tight auction held here for the party's candidate adoption and fundraising convention programme. The event was held as an 'Adoption Night' programme, reminiscent of the Scottish political history from the 1970s. However, even amidst the heated political discussions, the special edition bottles of Manavatty became an attraction. The ceremony was also attended by Scottish cabinet minister Fiona Hislop and Michelle Thomson, former connectivity minister Stewart Stevenson, and other candidates including former MP David Linden, councillors Pauline Stafford and Dennis. Adding a desi touch to the event, Indians, including Jain University director Tom Joseph, representatives of the British Tamil Forum, Karnataka Association UK, and SanTV, were also present here. The event was followed by cultural programmes led by five popular musicians. Manavatty, which was developed in the United Kingdom by the Kochi native John Xavier, is now produced under the London Barren Limited company. Shot to popularity earlier this year, the arrack blended the traditional arrack vatting techniques and modern brewery methods.

UDF is weakening, BJP irrelevant in Kochi corp

KOCHI: As his tenure nears end, Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar speaks to TNIE on his assessment of the past five years, LDFs challenges in the corporation and his advice to his successor. Excerpts: How do you evaluate your five-year performance? Are there any regrets about projects you wished you had completed? The public and media should evaluate my performance; I get positive response from the public. Considering the circumstances we faced during our tenure, including the by-elections, I am satisfied with our work. We completed 72 projects. I hope some projects that we initiated, like the one to rehabilitate street vendors and destitute, and for canal rejuvenation, are continued by the next council. Given that Kochi has mostly been a UDF stronghold, and LDF managed only a narrow win last time, what are the Lefts chances this time? The UDF has a negative attitude towards governance and development projects. When a project is launched, they allege they conceived the idea and that the project was started during their term. Such allegations actually helped people understand what they had done in 10 years and how we performed in the past five years. Also, while in power, UDF faced internal conflicts. It did not happen during our term. It is being said the LDF candidates list comprises of UDF defectors. Is it difficult for LDF to find candidates? We completed the five-year term with the support of UDF rebels. We accommodate people. Our policy is to cooperate with such leaders. Our three candidates, A B Sabu, M B Muraleedharan and P M Harris, left the UDF and started working with the Left around five years ago. Also, Sheeba Durom, Mary Calista and K J Prakashan switched and joined LDF. UDF is weakening and people who lack secular credentials join BJP. What is your view on UDFs allegations and BJPs expansion strategies? UDF could not complete any projects on time, so they are levelling allegations. JNNURM was brought during the UDF term, but they did not complete it. Many projects, which they never envisioned, including Samriddhi and Shelodge, were introduced by this council. As for the BJP, it is irrelevant in the corporation. There are a few areas where it is strong; it has funds and can claim to secure more seats, but it is not practical. What are the challenges for the LDF in the corporation? The LDFs seat-sharing and candidate finalisation were smooth. Development projects implemented in the past five years gave party workers the confidence to meet the public. There is no anti-incumbency either. I believe voters would grant the Left front a formidable majority. What issues and projects should the coming mayor and ruling party look into? We have addressed most of the major issues. Canal rejuvenation should be given more priority. Cleaning and rejuvenating the canals will improve the city and help prevent waterlogging. The project is in the initial stage, and it needs to be completed. Renovation of footpaths should also be apriority.

UDF unveils manifesto, pushes for waste management, five lakh houses in five years

KOCHI: The United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday released its election manifesto, outlining a five-year plan centred on waste management, housing, public health and stronger local governance. The manifesto, unveiled in Kochi, gives sharp focus to the growing threats posed by stray dogs and wild animals. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said the document was drafted with accurate planning and clear timelines, emphasising that every project included in the manifesto is implementable in the given period. Responding to rising stray dog attacks, the UDF promises new laws to tackle the menace, strict enforcement of Animal Birth Control (ABC) measures, and monthly sterilisation drives. Noting that 3.16 lakh people were treated for stray dog bites at government hospitals in 2024, the front stressed that slaughterhouse waste must be managed properly to stop feeding the stray populations. Furthermore, to address the frequent human-wildlife conflicts, the UDF also asserted that every local body will form special squads to handle wild animal intrusions, supported by a compensation fund for affected families and farmers. Waste management forms the manifestos most ambitious segment. The UDF proposes deploying plasma technology used internationally to break down waste into syngas and inert slag -- while promoting source-level management, and involving NGOs and community groups. Value-added products from waste, new waste-to-energy plants and biogas plants in all cities within a year are also promised, along with 100% collection of biodegradable waste from households. Housing receives equal attention through the Home for All scheme, promising to build five lakh houses in five years. It aims to ensure that every eligible family receives a house within five years by integrating central government projects. The manifesto notes that Kerala has 5.91 lakh extremely poor Yellow Card holders, emphasising that improving their lives is a core priority. The front also pushes for strengthening public health measures in light of rising cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, jaundice, typhoid, cholera and leptospirosis. Local bodies will form rapid-response teams for health emergencies. ASHA workers will receive a Rs 2,000 monthly allowance from local self-government funds. The front also plans to revive the poverty eradication programme Asraya 2.0, launched during the Oommen Chandy era. The document also outlines plans for youth development, elderly welfare, and initiatives for SC/ST communities, women, migrant workers and fisherfolk. Tourism will be expanded through eco-tourism, literary, adventure, Ayurveda and water-based projects, while local markets will be modernised and investment meets organised in a PPP model. Reaffirming the need for stronger decentralisation, Satheesan said local bodies must be given more autonomy, unlimited ward-level development funds and better financial systems to ensure efficient governance. The event was attended by the KPCC state president Sunny Joseph, AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, and other leaders. Manifesto overview Plasma tech-driven waste management; biogas plants in all cities Strict ABC measures, new laws, and special squads for stray dog & wild animal attacks Home for All schmes aims to construct 5 lakh houses in five years Rapid-response health squads; B2,000 allowance for ASHA workers More autonomy and unlimited devpt funds for local bodies

Kochi firm first private entity in India to design Navy warship

KOCHI: When the Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe on Monday, it was not just the launch of a new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, it was a landmark for Indias private ship design ecosystem. The Mahe-class lead ship, built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), is the first Indian naval vessel designed by a private firm. And it has a Kochi tag. Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd (SEDS), a naval architecture company operating out of Kakkanad, has etched its name as a pioneer in the sector. INS Mahe, the first of eight shallow-water ASW corvettes, represents both a technological leap and a shift in how India is opening its defence architecture to private players. Frontline ships like aircraft carriers will continue to be designed by the Warship Design Bureau. But the government has been encouraging private sector participation to strengthen the shipbuilding ecosystem. INS Mahe is the first major result of that effort, said Hariraj Puliyankodan, COO of SEDS which employs 153 people. Designing the corvette required navigating tight spatial, weight and machinery constraints. These ships have to carry advanced sensors, weapons and equipment in a very compact frame. The design kept evolving with each requirement from the Navy, he said. Mahe now leads her seven sister ships, all under construction or trials at CSL. SEDS role in naval projects does not end with the Mahe-class. The company also provided the design for the Indian Navys massive `20,000-crore fleet support ship programme, currently being built at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. This project had originally been contracted to Turkey. But when ties with Turkey soured, the deal was cancelled. The project was restarted entirely in India, and we designed the vessels from scratch, said Antony Prince, CEO of SEDS. SEDS designed Coast Guards Aadesh-class fast patrol vessels These enormous ships, built with double bottoms and double hulls in the cargo areas, are meant to replenish combat vessels with fuel, ammunition, spare parts, provisions and personnel during long deployments. The first ship in the class will be commissioned soon, Antony said. Antony brings over 50 years of maritime experience, spanning ship operations, management, construction and design. He also heads GTR Campbell Marine Consultants Ltd in the Bahamas. Around 2007, CSL was struggling for orders. The company brought in international projects, but realised India didnt have private ship design firms. So I started SEDS, he said. The success of the Trader series at CSL validated the move, and the firm soon began recruiting naval architects from Cusat to build in-house expertise, he said. Today, SEDS 153-member team works across defence and commercial ship design. It has brought in orders from Denmark and Germany to major Indian yards such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata. Closer home, SEDS designed the Coast Guards Aadesh-class fast patrol vessels 20 of which were constructed by CSL. The commissioning of INS Mahe underscores the Navys push for potent platforms capable of operating in Indias vast coastal and shallow-water regions. The corvette integrates weapons, sensors and communication systems into a powerful combat suite designed to detect and neutralise submarines. Engineered for sustained operations, the Mahe-class will serve as the Navys frontline coastal defence layer.

72,005 in the fray for local body elections in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A total of 72,005 candidates are officially in the fray across the state for the upcoming local body elections, as per provisional data released by the State Election Commission late on Monday. The final picture of the candidates became clear after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended on Monday. The list of candidates includes 37,786 women, 34,218 men and one transgender person. Meanwhile, all major fronts are facing the menace of rebel candidates who have refused to withdraw their candidature despite efforts by party leadership to mollify them. While the LDF and the UDF have five rebel candidates each in Thiruvananthapruam corporation, 11 rebels are causing headache to the Congress-led front in Kochi corporation. Six-time BJP councillor Shyamala S Prabhu, who turned a rebel this time, is taking on the official candidate of the saffron alliance in Kochi corporations Cherlai ward. While the UDF has six rebel candidates in the fray in Thrissur corporation, four rebel candidates are poised to play spoilsport for the LDF that rules the civic body. The BJP-led NDA too has a rebel candidate in Vadookara ward, its sitting seat in Thrissur corporation. Kannur, the lone UDF-ruled corporation, has rebel trouble for the Congress-led front in three seats. A CPM rebel candidate in Kannur corporation withdrew his candidature on Monday, offering relief to the LDF. Relief for Wayanad UDF as YC rebel withdraws The UDF in Wayanad heaved a sigh of relief after Youth Congress leader Jasheer Pallivayal, who had entered the fray as a rebel for the district panchayat, withdrew his nomination on Monday following last-minute intervention by senior party leaders. In Alappuzha district panchayats Ambalappuzha division, the conflict within the UDF over the seat has been resolved, with the IUML agreeing to withdraw its rebel candidate at the last minute. The LDF has already secured 14 seats unchallenged. In Kannur, LDF secured two additional unopposed victories in Anthoor municipality after the nomination papers of UDF candidates were rejected during fresh scrutiny on Monday. With this, five LDF candidates have been elected unopposed in the civic body.

Kerala HC for app to alert public about missing Bengaluru native

KOCHI: In a significant decision to help locate Suraj Lama, a Bengaluru native who went missing in Kochi soon after being deported from Kuwait last month, the Kerala High Court has asked the state government to develop a mobile app that can issue a unified alert containing his details to various social media platforms. The court issued the directive while considering a habeas corpus petition filed by Santon Lama, Surajs son. It noted that the app should be created in coordination with the Kerala Police Cyberdome and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. During the hearing on November 21, the court directed the states counsel to develop an application capable of circulating a unified WhatsApp message across social media platforms, ensuring it reaches users across cyberspace, especially within Kerala, said a source with the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA), which is providing legal assistance to Santon. As per the plan, the app will send a unified alert mentioning details of Suraj, the time of his disappearance and other information to all social media platforms. The app will not be for public use. Meanwhile, Santons counsel said the state government had informed the court that missing person posters, including Surajs photograph, had been displayed at major pilgrim centres, including Sabarimala. The government also said they had arranged for public announcements about Suraj during the morning and evening sessions at Sabarimala, the counsel said. Aluva DySP T R Rajesh, who is heading the special investigation team (SIT) formed to trace Lama, said they had covered almost entire Ernakulam and Thrissur. We are once again carrying out searches focused on medical colleges, shelter homes and locations that that may have been missed earlier. We are also checking unidentified bodies, he said. Rajesh said the SIT has proposed additional measures, including issuing alerts during phone calls. When contacted, Santon told TNIE that he was thankful to all involved in the search of his father.

Forklifts, cranes are motor vehicles, must be registered

KOCHI: Machines like forklifts and cranes, though used exclusively on private factory premises, fall under the category of motor vehicles and must be registered and taxed accordingly, the Kerala High Court has stated. Justice Mohammed Nias C P made the ruling while dismissing a petition filed by a company challenging a MVD directive prohibiting it from operating two forklifts and a hydraulic crane without registration and valid insurance. His counsel argued that the equipment operates strictly as material-handling machinery within a fully enclosed factory premises and is never driven on public roads. However, the respondents contended that the forklifts and cranes are roadworthy and capable of being used on public roads at any time, and added that the petitioners factory premises are accessible to workers, visitors and other vehicles, and hence constitute a public place. The court observed that Section 2(28) of the Motor Vehicles Act uses a broadly inclusive definition of motor vehicle, covering any mechanically propelled vehicle adapted for use on roads.

Women ride their way to wheeling dreams

Even before we are born, many stereotypes are attached to us. They linger in the colours were wrapped in, the toys placed in our hands and the expectations adults whisper. Even the machines we ride have assigned gender. Somewhere along the way, a gearless two-wheeler, aka scooty, became the sensible and safe choice for women, while the heavier, more powerful motorcycle was framed as a natural extension of masculinity. The road never made these rules; society did. A woman riding a bike becomes a cultural decay, and a man choosing a scooty is teased for being less manly. But slowly, and quietly, this has begun to shift. Recently, social media has been flooded with videos and advertisements about motorcycle training communities, and most of them are dedicated specially for women, opening new lanes of confidence, independence, and long-awaited freedom for many. One such reel that has been trending with nearly 290 thousand views is of a retired 60-year-old woman from Coimbatore, who took up a two-day bike-training to fulfill her desire to ride a gear-bike, thereby ticking it off her bucket list. Hitting the road The sexagenarian was trained by Caf Cruisers, founded by Abisek Shravn, who saw a gap in training. Almost no one was focusing on creating riders, he says. Riders groups welcomed those who already knew how to ride, but rarely those who didnt. His goal became clear: build riders, not just gather them. As structured riding modules took shape from slow-speed mastery to road simulations the unexpected happened. During our early sessions, we noticed many women approaching us discreetly, he says. Today, the fastest-growing group in Caf Cruisers is women aged between 28 and 45 years, with a significant rise in women aged above 40 and 50 years. Meanwhile, Nomad Bikers Club grew out of the lack of a safe, judgment-free space for women to learn and make mistakes. The founder, Mayas journey to building a for women, by women community began with her own experiences of not having that space. Male riders have had the privilege of learning to ride a bike because one of their friends or cousins would confidently give it to them, she says. But that space is not there for women. After a difficult experience in college and later an incident with a slipping clutch downhill, Maya realised women werent just denied motorcycles; they were denied the room to make mistakes. That became her fuel. What began with Sunday free-of-cost sessions on a friends Splendor slowly expanded across 20-plus cities. My motto was that people should not go through what I went through, she says. Even if they drop the bike, its fine. That is when the fear is broken. Caf Cruisers For Fais N, founder of CRF Women On Wheels, the journey began in a moment of personal darkness. He was navigating depression when teaching a woman to ride brought him a spark of joy he hadnt felt in long. The first time I saw happiness in the eyes of a woman who learnt riding from me, something changed, he recalls. From there, the community grew into an international platform. His one-day intensive training, built on trust and full refunds if a student doesnt learn, has taken women from fearing a two-wheeler to riding across India. Age is never the problem mindset is. And we help them break that mental block, he says. These origin stories may differ, but they converge at a shared purpose: dismantling a fear that was built over decades. The first gear For many women entering these riding communities, learning to handle a motorcycle isnt just about balancing a machine; its about unlearning years of conditioning and stepping into a kind of freedom they were never encouraged to claim. Aruna, a 53-year-old from Bengaluru, trained with Nomad Bikers Club after years of travelling pillion. I realised I never got the chance to learn because nobody even showed me that was an option for women, she says. Determined to change that, she signed up for training. I was afraid of fallingbut the trainers were extremely patient. I started riding within the first 30 minutes. Today, she rents bikes and goes on mountain trips, rides her kids around, and worries far less. I am not scared of anything these days, she adds, proud that her elder daughter, too, has now joined the programme. Nomad Bikers Club For Soumya, a 32-year-old from Kochi, deciding to learn to ride with the Nomad Bikers Club was tied to healing. Widowed young, she wanted to take her son on the Bullet he loved. I was scared. The bike is heavy. How will I do it? But within two days, she was riding through the streets confidently. Now she drops her son off at school on the bike. He loves to talk about the ride to everyone, she smiles. Her brother, once doubtful, is now proud. Arpita Tibrewal, a 37-year-old yoga instructor from Coimbatore who trained with Caf Cruisers, had long dreamt of riding. The biggest fear was safety. If I hurt myself, who will handle the kids? she says. The training shifted that fear. They taught me safety procedures, gear, and things about the vehicle that were important. Riding has begun to reshape her confidence. Riding makes you feel powerfreedom is a byproduct of learning it. Her husband knows shes training, but the rest of her family doesnt. Ill tell them when I go for my first bike trip, she says. Different stories, one shared outcome: the road, once off-limits, now belongs to them. For the future As these stories multiply, the communities behind them are imagining a road that looks very different from the one they first stepped onto. For Maya, the future is not about expanding aggressively but protecting the emotional core that built Nomad Bikers Club in the first place. She doesnt want the training to become mechanical or commercialised. We can have trainers in every city, but the comfort space wont feel the same, she says. Maya imagines a future where bike training becomes as normal as tuition classes, where women dont have to pay or travel miles for the chance to learn because someone at home will simply hand them the keys. These days arent far, she says. The hype will fade, and it will just become a part of life. Caf Cruisers Abisek views the road ahead through a structural lens. To him, the impact goes deeper than women learning to balance a machine; it reshapes how families understand mobility and responsibility. His vision for Chennai is a city where riding is treated as a life skill, not a risk. What inspires him most is the cultural shift already unfolding: husbands encouraging wives, daughters pushing mothers to learn, families cheering when a woman completes her first road session. This, he believes, is how confidence spreads, quietly, through shared moments. Fais brings yet another perspective one rooted in emotional transformation. His platform grew from a place of personal healing, but the mission remains unchanged. He has seen women who once trembled at the clutch ride across Himalayan passes. If that can happen, he believes, anything can. And perhaps that is the beauty of this movement. These women are not just learning to ride; they are reclaiming space, speed, and agency, one gear at a time.

Massive ash cloud drifts toward northern India as Ethiopias Hayli Gubbi erupts after 10,000 years

After the long-silent volcano erupted for the first time in nearly 10,000 years, a massive ash cloud from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi has begun drifting toward northern India. The eruption covered the nearby village of Afdera in dust and pushed thick plumes across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman before the cloud shifted eastwards. According to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), the explosive activity began around 8.30 am UTC and marked the volcanos first known eruption in almost 10,000 years. Although the eruption has now stopped, the Toulouse VAAC said that a large ash plume is moving toward northern India, prompting meteorological agencies to closely monitor its trajectory. Even though no injuries have been reported, local officials worry economic implications for the local community of livestock herders. The volcano, part of Ethiopias Erta Ale Range, last showed activity around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. After the eruption, volcanic ash was observed over parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Airlines issued cautionary messages for flights passing through the Middle East. Indias aviation regulator, DGCA, has instructed all airline operators to follow a volcanic advisory issued by the Airport Authority of India. In view of the DGCA advisory, several airlines, including Akasa Air, KLM, Air India and IndiGo, cancelled flights operating on routes that pass through the affected corridor. An Air India flight from Delhi to Tokyo was cancelled moments before take-off. Flights to Jeddah and Dubai from Kochi were also cancelled as a precaution. An IndiGo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted to Ahmedabad as a safety measure. Akasa Air said it was monitoring the situation and assessing potential impacts on nearby regions in line with international aviation guidelines. Following recent volcanic activity in Ethiopia and the resulting ash plume in the surrounding airspace, our flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for 24th and 25th November 2025 have been cancelled, the airline said in a statement. SpiceJet said volcanic ash may impact flight operations flying through the affected regions. In a statement, the airline added, Passengers travelling to/from Dubai (DXB) are advised to keep a check on their flight status, noting that safety teams are coordinating with aviation authorities. The Afar region is known for frequent earthquakes. Residents told The Associated Press they heard a loud sound and felt what they described as a shock wave. It felt like a sudden bomb had been thrown with smoke and ash, one resident said. By Monday, the village near the Danakil desert, a popular tourist destination, remained covered in ash. Tourists and guides travelling to the desert were stranded in the village, according to a report by AP . Local authorities also shared images and videos showing a towering plume of ash rising from the volcano. (With inputs from Agencies)

Two flights from Kochi cancelled due to volcanic eruption in Ethiopia

Indian Navy Commissions 1st Indigenous Anti-Submarine Craft, INS Mahe

Designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, INS Mahe is the lead ship of eight vessels in her class.

LSG polls: UDF unveils manifesto with thrust on waste management, housing, and curbing stray dogwildlife threats

KOCHI: Aiming to regain control of Keralas local bodies, the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday released its election manifesto, outlining a tight, five-year action plan centred on waste management, housing, public health, and strengthened local governance. The manifesto, unveiled in Kochi, places immediate emphasis on the growing threats posed by stray dogs and wild animals. Leader of the Opposition V D Satheeshan said the front focused on accurate planning and clear timelines, adding that every project is implementable. We have proposed projects that can be implemented and completed within five years. Our focus while preparing the manifesto was accurate planning and clear timelines, he said, addressing a news conference here. Against the backdrop of rising humanwildlife conflict and a spike in stray dog attacks, the document promises amendments to laws to deal firmly with stray dogs, strict enforcement of Animal Birth Control measures, and monthly sterilisation drives. It also seeks to cut off food sources by regulating slaughterhouse waste and ensuring 100% collection of biodegradable waste from households. The UDF highlights the severity of the issue, noting that 3.16 lakh people were treated for stray dog bites at government hospitals in 2024. For increasingly frequent wild animal intrusions, every local body will form special squads and maintain a dedicated fund for victim compensation and crop protection. Waste management forms one of the most ambitious pillars of the manifesto. Along with promoting source-level segregation, the UDF proposes deploying plasma technology used in several developed countries to break down waste into syngas and reusable slag. The front also promises value-added products from waste, new waste-to-energy plants, and biogas plants in all cities within a year, with active involvement of NGOs and community organisations. Housing receives equal priority through the proposed Home for All scheme, which aims to ensure a house for every eligible family by integrating central projects and completing the programme in five years. With 5.91 lakh extremely poor Yellow Card ration card holders in Kerala, the UDF says its core goal is to make their life prosperous. Public health measures also occupy a central part of the manifesto, particularly as Kerala grapples with rising cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, jaundice, typhoid, cholera and leptospirosis. Local bodies will be equipped with rapid-response squads for health emergencies and disasters. ASHA workers, who recently staged protests, are promised a monthly allowance of 2,000 from local self-government funds. The front will also relaunch Asraya 2.0 first introduced under Oommen Chandy to strengthen poverty eradication efforts. The manifesto further lays out initiatives for youth development, elderly welfare, SC/ST communities, women, migrants, and the fisherfolk. Tourism and entrepreneurship receive a significant push, with region-specific plans for ecotourism, agritourism, literary tourism, Ayurveda, adventure, and water tourism. Local markets will be modernised with Western technologies, and investment meetings will be held in a PPP model. Reaffirming the need for greater local autonomy, Satheeshan said panchayats, municipalities and corporations must be strengthened with adequate powers and resources. The UDF promises unlimited ward-level development funds and more efficient financial management to ensure truly decentralised governance. The event was attended by the KPCC state president Sunny Joseph, AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, and other leaders.

GST trap hinders renovation of Fort Kochis Chinese nets

KOCHI: The Chinese fishing nets, historic, cantilevered structures that define the coastline of Fort Kochi, are languishing in disrepair, their much-needed restoration stalled for years despite a Rs 2.40-crore grant. The urgency for restoration was underscored when a worn-out platform of one of the nets gave way, with 11 foreign visitors falling into the water last Friday. While the tourism department had entrusted the Kerala Industrial and Technology Consultancy Organisation (Kitco) with the task of refurbishing 11 nets, the fishermen-owners point towards the insistence of the latter in having a GST (Goods & Services Tax) account for receipt of the grant, and cite it as the reason for not carrying out the repair. In fact, the mishap involving the foreign tourists happened after a plywood plank, set up temporarily instead of hard wood, gave in, resulting in the collapse of the platform. Kitco, though, maintains that GST is mandatory for benefit of government funds, while promising that it will award a tender for urgent repairs in four weeks. The delay in the repair of the Chinese nets happened due to bureaucratic requirement for the owners to secure a GST account. Why do the poor fishermen need to take a GST account? They are not doing any large business or export. In fact, the non-repair has been affecting their livelihood for years, said K J Sohan, former Kochi mayor and a heritage enthusiast. Compounding the loss, the valuable teakwood and ironwood logs sourced years ago have started decaying. Following the continued insistence, the owners finally formed a collective Fish Net Association and secured a GST account. But, the owners lament that they have still not received the funds for repair. Chinese fishing net owners plead for quick release of fund In fact, some of the owners, who carried out basic repair work on the assurance of fund extension by Kitco, now finds themselves debt ridden and plead for quick release of the assured sum. I took a loan of nearly Rs 5 lakh for the basic restoration work of my Chinese net. It has been three years since I submitted the expense bills. We also secured a GST account and submitted the revised bills. But they have not cleared it yet. Now we are struggling to repay our loans and facing huge debt, rued Vincent, an owner. When contacted, a top Kitco official said, The chief technical examiner of the tourism department has cleared the revised bills. Since they have the GST account, the fund will be issued soon. The tax for the government fund needs to be deducted. In fact, we will start the repair in four weeks. There is a court directive to carry out the repair with the involvement of owners. A five-member high-power committee was formed by the tourism department, with the local MLA as convenor. There was a delay in getting the funds, but now all hurdles have been cleared, the Kitco official said, while admitting that the administrative sanction for the repair was given as early as 2015. Meanwhile, Kitco has initiated the process to refurbish the Chinese net platforms using sandalwood. The tender process for the same will be completed in two weeks and the work in another four weeks, the official said. According to GST expert K S Hariharan, as per existing provisions, a GST account is not strictly necessary for the owners to receive the restoration fund or loan, as they are currently not engaged in highly remunerative or export-related work. KITCOs insistence on a GST account may stem from foreseeing substantial tourism revenue from the restored nets. GST registration is only mandatory if a business revenue exceeds `20 lakh. Furthermore, once registered, the owners would be liable to pay tax, either 5% or 18%, based on their earnings. The owners, though, can take a GST account and afterwards cancel the same, he said.

Kochi may see more fever casesas weather patterns change

A total of 9,848 fever cases were reported in the month up to November 18, 2025, according to Health department statistics

20 NDPS cases registered in special drive in Kochi

Vizhinjam to play role in Keralas green hydrogen initiative

Plans afoot for regional green hydrogen ecosystem, with Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as hubs, under the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) initiative

Navy to commission first of eight Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft in Mumbai

NEW DELHI: Amid Pakistans plans to augment its underwater combat capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to commission Mahe, the first of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday. The ceremony will be presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff. In a statement, the Indian Navy said, The commissioning of Mahe will mark the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian. She will serve as a Silent Hunter on the Western Seaboard powered by self-reliance and dedicated to safeguarding Indias maritime frontiers, the Navy added. With over 80 per cent indigenous content, the Mahe-class showcases Indias growing mastery in warship design, construction, and integration. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, Mahe represents the cutting edge of Indias Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative in naval ship design and construction. Compact yet powerful, the ship embodies agility, precision, and endurance qualities vital for dominating the littorals. Designed with a blend of firepower, stealth, and mobility, the ship will undertake submarine-hunting missions, coastal patrols, and the protection of Indias vital maritime approaches. Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ships crest features an Urumi, the flexible sword used in Kalaripayattu, symbolising agility, precision, and lethal grace. The ships being manufactured at CSL are part of the Navys larger plan to upgrade its anti-submarine warfare capability. The Mahe-class ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors. They are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, as well as low-intensity maritime operations and mine-laying tasks. The ASW-SWC ships are 78 m long and the displacement is approximately 900 tonnes. They can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots with an endurance of up to 1,800 nautical miles, the Navy said. Two contracts for sixteen Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft ships eight each to be built by CSL, Kochi, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata were signed in April 2019. Given Indias vast 7,516.6-kilometre coastline with twelve major ports, 184 minor ports, and 1,197 island territories, coastal surveillance for anti-submarine warfare operations is considered critical. The induction of these specialised ships, featuring a lower draught, is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navys shallow-water ASW capability, with improved performance of weapons, sensors, hull-mounted sonar, and towed sonar systems. The Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft have been named after ports of strategic importance along Indias coastline, and will carry forward the legacy of the erstwhile minesweepers that bore the same names. Chinas role in Pakistans underwater capability build-up China continues to be Pakistans largest arms supplier, with the ongoing Hangor-class submarine project being the latest example. Under the programme, eight new submarines are scheduled for induction into the Pakistan Navy, with the first likely to be commissioned in the first half of 2026. Three of these have already been launched by Chinese manufacturers. Significantly, all these submarines will be equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology, which allegedly enhances the submerged endurance of submarines several-fold. An AIP system allows a submarine to remain underwater, away from enemy sensors, for extended periods without surfacing. None of Indias submarines currently possess AIP technology.

Anand Mahindra likes Kerala city and its architecture, buildings. 6 things to do see there

Industrialist Anand Mahindra highlighted Kochi's growing appeal, drawing attention to Fort Kochi's rich colonial history and cultural magnetism. The city offers immersive experiences like exploring local markets by tuk-tuk, witnessing iconic Chinese fishing nets, and appreciating Kathakali performances, the Dutch Palace, and the historic Jewish Synagogue.

Kochi Man Kills Sex Worker, Collapses While Dragging Her Body Out In Plastic Sack

Police said the two parties had an argument over financial matters and, in a fit of rage, the accused struck the woman on the head with an iron bar intending to kill her

Judicial officer moves SC against High Courts disciplinary action

KOCHI: A judicial officer in Kerala has approached the Supreme Court challenging the disciplinary action initiated against her by the Kerala High Court for stopping the proceedings in 1,910 cases. The petitioner, Sony A S, who served as the Judicial First Class Magistrate III in Kollam from August 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 had allegedly disposed of 1,910 cases indiscriminately, without recording any reason. A Division Bench of the Supreme Court consisting Justice Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has sought a response from the state government on her plea challenging the two orders issued by Kerala High Court upholding the disciplinary penalty and rejecting her request to restore her seniority. Sony A S, while serving as the JFCM in Kollam had invoked her powers under Section 258 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to stop the proceedings in the cases involving minor offences like rash driving. The petitioner argued that the orders were passed in good faith to reduce the backlog in accordance with administrative directions encouraging magistrates to prioritise contested trials. She said the Registrar of Kerala High Court had issued appreciation letters for reducing backlog. However, in September 2018, she was served a charge memo alleging deliberate disobedience of an office memorandum. The disciplinary proceedings culminated in withholding two increments with cumulative effect in April 2022. Sony said her probation was already delayed by several years and the penalty further affected her seniority and promotion prospects. She argued that the action was contrary to the Judges (Protection) Act, 1985 and the Kerala Judicial Officers Protection Act 1963, which safeguard the judges from disciplinary or civil action for acts done in good faith while discharging judicial functions.

Rebels, turncoats pose headache for fronts in Kerala local body elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Local body polls often act as a launch pad for new political faces, making them a keenly watched affair. These elections spawn leaders, disruptors, and at times kingmakers. Unlike general elections, voters are often kinder to those hopping from one party to another, finding fault with the policies they had espoused earlier, and contesting on a new label. The cabin of democracy during local body polls is so accommodating that there is room for turncoats and rebels. It is no different this time either. The three major political fronts LDF, UDF and NDA are having to deal with aspirants who can upset their apple cart. In Thiruvananthapuram corporation, where the LDF is locked in a seesaw fight with the NDA to retain power, intra-party feud in at least two divisions are giving the left coalition a headache. Former Desabhimani Thiruvananthapuram bureau chief K Sreekandan, a party member for the past four decades, is contesting from Ulloor ward, an LDF bastion, as an independent. He decided to throw down the gauntlet after the CPM agreed on another candidate. The bitterness prompted Sreekandan to come out against former minister and party strongman Kadakampally Surendran, accusing him of a deal with the BJP. In Chempazhanthy, former CPM local committee member Annie Asokan is contesting as a rebel candidate. The Kazhakoottam block panchayat president from 2004 to 2010, she chose to be a rebel after the party opted for Sheela Mohanan. Annies ire was also directed against Kadakampally. In CPMs sitting ward of Vazhottukonam, former CPM branch secretary K V Mohanan is contesting as a rebel candidate. His justification of going against the party is that a person having real estate interests has been picked as the candidate. For the UDF, too, which is trying to offset the previous electoral losses, is also bogged down by defections. K Maheswaran Nair, a former Leader of Opposition in the corporation and a four-time councillor from the Poojappura ward, has joined the BJP and is contesting from Punnakkamugal. Former Congress leader Padmini Thomas, who had joined the saffron party, is the NDA candidate in the Palayam ward. Another former Congress leader, Thampanoor Satheesh, is in the fray in Thampanoor for the NDA. In Kochi corporation, defection has been the order of the day. In the previous elections, the LDF won 33 seats and managed to garner the support of two independent candidates to grab power in the 74-member council. The UDF won 31 seats, while the NDA and independent candidates won five each. Muslim League rebel T K Ashraf, who had supported the LDF last time and was given the health standing committee chairperson post in return, has made a homecoming and has been fielded as the UDF candidate from North Kaloor. P M Harris, a League councillor and a former public workbns standing committee chairperson, is the LDF candidate against Ashraf. On its part, the LDF has fielded six former UDF councillors to retain power. In Vyttila division, CPM former area committee member V P Chandran has been fielded as an independent candidate by the UDF. In a tit-for-tat response, former KPCC member A B Sabu was fielded by the CPM as their candidate. Thoppumpady councillor Sheeba Durom, who was suspended from the Congress party in 2023, will now contest the election on behalf of the LDF from the same ward. Gracy Joseph, the LDF candidate in Kathrikadavu division, was a UDF councillor and was suspended by the Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) in 2020. Another candidate, M B Muraleedharan, contesting from Vennala, was a three-term Congress councillor and was also the UDF parliamentary party secretary. Former Congress councillor Mary Calista Prakashan, who represented the Mundamveli division, is contesting from the same ward on a CPM ticket this time. Malini Kurup, a three-term councillor, has already left the Congress after being denied the Girinagar seat. This came as a shocker for the Congress which had witnessed its Vyttila councillor Sunitha Dixon joining the BJP and declared as its candidate in Ponnurunni East. Devankulangara councillor Santha Vijayan too defected. In Thrissur corporation, which has a rich history of turncoats becoming kingmakers, there is no dearth of rebels and turncoats this time too. Mayor M K Varghese himself was a Congress rebel candidate after the party denied him a seat in 2020. Varghese won the election and pledged support to the LDF, which cobbled up votes barely enough to catapult it to power. Varghese entered into a pact with the LDF and became the mayor. Former deputy mayor and LDF councillor for 15 years, Beena Murali has announced that she will contest from Krishnapuram as an independent. She had resigned from the CPI after being refused a seat. Janata Dal (S) councillor Sheeba Babu has now joined the BJP and will contest as the party candidate from Kalathode. The BJP too has to endure rebel woes as I Lalithambika, the partys councillor from Kuttankulangara, has deserted the ship. She is contesting as a CPI-backed independent from the same division. UDFs Kuriachira councillor Nimmy Rappai has left the Congress and is now contesting as an LDF-backed candidate. In Kannur corporation, the spotlight for the past 10 years was on P K Ragesh, a rebel Congress leader. He helped shape the corporations political landscape by helping to elect its first mayor, E. P. Latha of the LDF, in 2015. At the time, the UDF and the LDF had won 27 seats each in the 55-member council, while Ragesh secured a seat as an independent after breaking away from the Congress. By extending his support to the LDF, he was made the deputy mayor. However, in 2019, he shifted his stance by successfully backing a UDF-led no-confidence motion against Latha. Later that year, following compromise talks initiated by K Sudhakaran, he rejoined the Congress, paving the way for Congress leader Suma Balakrishnan to become the mayor while he retained the post of deputy mayor. He was expelled in 2023 from the party due to an internal feud. Now, he is working through the Rajivji Cultural Forum, which plans to field candidates in several wards of the corporation under the banner of Aikya Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi. Senior leaders who switched sides Former Congress leader K. Maheswaran Nair, ex-Leader of the Opposition in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Now contesting as NDA candidate Thampanoor Satheesh, once a close aide of K Karunakaran, is now contesting for the NDA from Thampanoor Former rebel Congress leader P K Ragesh became deputy mayor under the LDF regime. Now, he leads Aikya Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi LDF candidate in Kathrikadavu, Gracy Joseph, was earlier a UDF councillor. She was suspended from Congress in 2020 Muslim League rebel T K Ashraf had supported LDF last time. He has made a homecoming and is now the UDF candidate from North Kaloor in Kochi Thrissurs ex-deputy mayor, CPIs Beena Murali, is contesting from Krishnapuram as an independent CPM former area committee member V P Chandran has been fielded as an independent candidate by the UDF in the Vyttila division of the Kochi corporation Forgiving voters Unlike general elections, voters are often kinder to those hopping from one party to another, finding fault with the policies they had espoused earlier, and contesting on a new label during local body polls

NIA to probe wider conspiracy in 2010 Kerala professor hand-chopping case

KOCHI: Nearly 15 years after the brutal hand-chopping attack on college professor T J Joseph, and the arrest of first accused Savad last year, the National Investigation Agency is set to carry out further investigation to determine whether more members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) were involved in the heinous assault. According to NIA, the custodial interrogation of Savad, who allegedly severed the professors right palm, had exposed a network of alleged PFI operatives who sheltered and arranged employment to him in Tamil Nadu and Kerala while he was on the run. Further investigation is necessary to secure additional scientific evidence and ascertain the role of other individuals in the wider conspiracy that may have fuelled the attack, the agency told the NIA Special Court in Ernakulam on Thursday. The court accepted the agencys Kochi units request. As per the NIA chargesheet, the accused attacked Joseph, former Malayalam professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha, on July 4, 2010. It said Savad chopped off the victims right palm and threw it away in the nearby compound as part of executing their radical belief. While chopping off the hand, Savad uttered that This hand that insults Islam will not be used in future, the NIA chargesheet said. After nearly 14 years on the run, Savad was arrested by the NIA on January 10, 2024 from Kannur, where he was living under the pseudonym Shajahan. The NIA had filed a chargesheet against 27 accused persons under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act and Indian Penal Code. After the trial, the NIA Special Court in Ernakulam convicted 19 accused in 2023. Since Savad was absconding, the case against him was split up and refiled. Trial of Savad and Shaffer pending In its latest submission, the NIA said after the crucial arrest, the investigation found that Shaffer C, a PFI cadre, willfully arranged shelter and provided other logistics support to Savad at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur from 2020 till his arrest. He was arraigned as the 55th accused and remanded in judicial custody. Savads custodial interrogation revealed that PFI cadre/leaders arranged shelter and secured employment for him at Pandrimalai in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, and in Kannur. Savads lawyer termed the NIAs move a tactics to delay his pending trial. The trial of Shaffer is also pending. Recap July 4, 2010: Seven PFI members attack Malayalam prof T J Joseph, chop off his right wrist for allegedly hurting religious sentiments 2015 & 2023: A Total 19 accused were convicted by NIA court; trial was held in two phases January 10, 2024: First accused Savad arrested from Kannur after nearly 14 years; trial pending

Over 5.75 lakh devotees visit Sabarimala temple in first week of pilgrimage season

KOCHI (Kerala), Nov 22: Over 5.75 lakh devotees have visited the Sabarimala temple since it opened for the mandala-makaravilakku season on November 16, authorities said on Saturday. A press release from the Information and Public Relations Department said that as of 7 pm on Saturday, more than 5.75 lakh pilgrims had visited the hill shrine. On Saturday alone, 72,845 devotees reached the sannidhanam till 7 pm. While the flow of devotees continues without interruption, all arrangements for smooth darshan have [] The post Over 5.75 lakh devotees visit Sabarimala temple in first week of pilgrimage season appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Cruise season kicks off amid hopes of revival

A new addition to this years package tours is Kadamakkudy, which is fast emerging as one of the sought-after tourist destinations in Kochi

'Vivah' in real life: Kerala hospital's emergency room turns into wedding venue in Kochi, video goes viral. Here's what happened

It was an emotional scene at one of the emergency rooms at a hospital in Kerala's Kochi where a man married the injured bride. The couple Avani and V M Sharon were forced to tie the knot in the hospital after the bride met with an accident and sustained serious injuries. With the permission of hospital authorities, the marriage of Avani of Kommadi, Alappuzha and V M Sharon of Thumboli was solemnised at VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi.

Unidentified woman found dead in Kochi; man seen sitting beside body detained

The police said it is suspected that George murdered the woman following a financial dispute and his attempt to abandon the body failed as he was allegedly drunk and too tired

Woman found murdered, body wrapped in sack in Kochi

KOCHI: An unidentified woman was found murdered and wrapped in a plastic sack in the compound of a house in Thevara here, police said on Saturday. The body, discovered on the tiled courtyard beside the house, was first spotted by the volunteers of Haritha Karma Sena, the cleaning squad. The house owner was also found near the body. They soon informed the local councillor who in turn alerted the police. As per the preliminary investigation, the man was in relationship with the woman and murdered her following an argument. An investigation is on to find out the exact reason and method of killing, a police officer said. His arrest would be recorded soon and a probe is on to find out the details of the deceased woman, police added.

Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks Announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to Strengthen the Coffee Value Chain from Bean to Cup

Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR a Starbucks Reserve location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy. Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup Strengthening Indias coffee value chain from bean to cup Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, Indias coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from Indias key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee. The FSP will set up technical model farms in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency. The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing model farms within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives. The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen Indias entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, India is one of our fastest-growing markets. Were partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. Its a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup . Sunil D'Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape Indias thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tatas footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India . Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for Indias ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the companys plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees). The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating Indias coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations. As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers - serving the worlds finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of Indias coffee landscape. Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening Indias coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks . About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or starbucks.com . About Tata Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.

Smooth darshan continues, pilgrim turnout crosses five lakh at Sabarimala

SABARIMALA: With crowd pressure easing considerably on Friday, Sabarimala witnessed a smoother darshan experience for devotees even as the pilgrim turnout crossed five lakh since the MandalaMakaravilakku season began on November 16. By 7pm on November 21, the pilgrim count stood at 4,94,151. On Friday alone, up to 7pm, 72,037 pilgrims completed darshan. Reports from the base camp and hill trek not only point to improved crowd flow, but also indicate that the queue has stretched longer in some spots. On various sections of the forest path, waiting periods are rising despite spot-booking controls being in place, said devotees. At the base camp at Nilakkal and along the Pampa-Sannidhanam route, organisers have stepped up various amenities for pilgrims. Those standing in queue for long periods are being provided seating, snacks, and water. Many devotees said the management measures had eased the climb. Officials said the challenge will be on maintaining smooth movement as large batches of devotees are expected to arrive in the days ahead. Meanwhile, the cap of 5,000 spot bookings per day continues to remain in force to avoid overcrowding. Based on sector-based capacity assessments, the TDB authorities have assessed that up to 66,936 pilgrims can be accommodated safely between Pampa and Sannidhanam at any given time, including 12,500 at Pampa, 2,500 around the darshan complex, 1,500 on the flyover, 1,200 at Thirumuttom and 800 on the precincts of Malikappuram. HC RELAXES CAP ON PILGRIM ENTRY Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday permitted the Sabarimala executive officer, in coordination with the chief coordinator and the special commissioner, to make minor modifications to the cap imposed by the court on the number of pilgrims visiting the hill shrine. If the inflow of pilgrims is low, the authorities can relax the rule and allow entry to more devotees provided the concentration of pilgrims shall, at all times, remain strictly within the green zone limits, the court said. Travancore Devaswom Boards counsel submitted that after the orders of the court and the curbs imposed on the inflow of pilgrims, crowd density has significantly reduced. It may be appropriate to permit the executive officer and the chief coordinator to take decisions based on the actual inflow of pilgrims. The court allowed the request and adjourned the case regarding crowd management to December 3.

Kerala HC breather for ADGP Ajith Kumar

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday quashed a Vigilance Court order directing an inquiry against ADGP M R Ajith Kumar in a disproportionate assets case. The court said the state governments sanction is needed to initiate proceedings against him in the case that had been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Meanwhile, the court also expunged all disparaging and adverse remarks against the chief minister, who had accepted the vigilance reports as part of official duty, in the order issued by the Vigilance Court. The court issued the order on a petition filed by Ajith Kumar seeking to quash the order of the Vigilance Court, Thiruvananthapuram, that rejected the report of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau giving a clean chit to the officer in an allegation regarding amassing of wealth, and constructing a house spending crores of rupees. The court said the governments sanction is needed to initiate proceedings against him in the case that had been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The petitioners in such cases can re-approach the court if the government accorded the sanction to prosecute the ADGP.

New species of deep-sea octopus squid found in Kerala

KOCHI: Scientists at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have found a new species of deep-sea squid in the Arabian Sea. The species, scientifically named Taningia silasii (Indian octopus squid), is the second confirmed species of the globally rare genus Taningia and has been formally described in the international journal Marine Biodiversity. The specimen was collected from nearly 390m depth off the Kollam coast. Measuring 45cm in length, the squid belongs to the family of Octopoteuthidae, the adults of this species are known for their distinctive absence of tentacles, though they are true deep-sea squids. Principal scientist Geetha Sasikumar and technical officer Sajikumar K K led the research. Until now, Taningia danae found in Atlantic waters was the only known species in this genus. DNA barcoding showed more than 11% genetic divergence from the Atlantic species, confirming the specimen as a distinct species, said Geetha. Although called the octopus squid, it is a squid that possesses only eight arms and lacks the two long tentacles typically seen in other squid species. Members of this family can also attain large sizes, said Sajikumar. The species has been named in honour of marine biologist and former director of CMFRI E G Silas.

Two UP natives held in Karnataka for leaking Indian Navy vessel secrets, suspected link to Pakistan

UDUPI : The Udupi police on Thursday arrested two individuals from Uttar Pradesh, who were allegedly sharing confidential information pertaining to Indian Navy vessels, to unknown persons in Pakistan. The arrested individuals are Rohit (29) and Santri (37) both of Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh. While Rohit is a contract employee of Udupi Cochin Shipyard in Malpe, Santri worked on contract basis for Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, Kerala. Udupi SP Hariram Shankar told reporters here on Friday that based on a complaint filed by the CEO of Udupi Cochin Shipyard, Malpe, on Thursday Malpe police registered a case under section 152 of the BNS and sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. The police then arrested the accused Rohit and Santri, who are diploma holders. Udupi Cochin Shipyard, in Malpe, is an institution under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. This institution has a subcontract with a company named M/S Shushma Marine Private Limited. Rohit and Santri were recruited by this company to work as insulators. Earlier, Rohit worked at Cochin Shipyard Limited, in Kochi where ships related to the Indian Navy are constructed and repaired, SP said. While working in Kerala, Rohit illegally shared, via WhatsApp, confidential details like repair schedule about ships related to the Indian Navy and gained unlawful benefits. Even after coming to Cochin Shipyard Limited at Malpe, he continued to obtain information from his friend in Kochi and again shared it through WhatsApp with an unauthorised person thereby engaging in activities that could endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India and pose a threat to internal security the SP said. Responding to a query, the SP said that through discussions with other agencies, it is likely that they might have shared the information with Pakistan. It is suspected that the duo have been sharing information for the past 18 months. Currently, Udupi police are handling the case. However, generally, in cases where the national security aspect is involved, national investigation agencies also take it up. The accused have been produced before a court, which has remanded them to judicial custody until December 3. The digital devices used by the accused have been seized, he added. The SP concluded by remarking that the duo received money multiple times and their custody will be sought by the police on Saturday.

Kochi's Chellanam 20-20 suffers collective meltdown after success in last poll

KOCHI: In the local body elections of 2020, Chellanam, a coastal village in Kochi, saw a unique collective gaining traction. Declaring an all-out war against all mainstream political parties, a WhatsApp collective that grew into a political party contested the elections and snatched power. Fast forward to 2025, Chellanam 20-20 is nowhere to be seen. The aspiring collective has lost ground and support, and matters have come to such pass that is it not contesting the elections this year. The attrition within the party defection of members and disintegration has led to the decline of the collective. Formed as a volunteering group during the Covid surge, like-minded residents of the village engaged in a daily battle with a battering sea, contested the ensuing local body elections, surprising all major fronts. Campaigning through social media and gathering support, Chellanam 20-20 contested in all 21 wards of the panchayat, winning eight seats. The collective has not held any activities or meetings under the party banner in the last few years. After snatching power in the panchayat, and losing it later in a no-confidence motion, the party has technically ceased to come together, said Simal Antony, who had won from ward 7 (Police Station ward) under the Chellanam 20-20 banner. Coming to this years elections, none of us who won last time as part of the collective is planning to contest, he added. Since the last civic polls, Chellanam panchayat has seen a dramatic turn of events and multiple presidents being sworn in. The LDF, with a clear majority under CPMs K D Prasad as its president, ruled the local body till October 2021 (for around 9 months). But the front was ousted after eight Chellanam 20-20 members and four UDF members voted in favour of the no-confidence motion. The change saw the UDF-Chellanam 20-20 alliance gaining power in the local body with the collectives K L Joseph becoming the panchayat president. Shortly afterwards, two members of the party -- Joseph and member Mary Simla -- defected to the LDF, and the alliance lost majority. The party disintegrated gradually and ceased operations completely. Chellanam 20-20 had joined hands with the successful collective of Kizhakkambalam Twenty20 in the last Lok Sabha polls, but its members told TNIE that there was no merger of the two apolitical parties.

Wedding held in Kochi hospital after bride suffers spinal injury

Mayavi represents LDF: Kothattukulam candidate becomes overnight social media star

KOCHI: Whats in a name, people may ask. For Maya V, the LDF candidate for ward number 26 in Kothattukulam, a good name means great fame. When the CPM picked her as candidate, everything was normal. But within a day, she became a star on social media as memes comparing her with Mayavi, the mischievous and playful goblin from a cartoon series published by a childrens magazine. People were creating memes based on the movie Mayavi with actor Mammootty in the lead role. Everything was normal till I went to bed two days ago. In the morning my comment box was filled with notifications. I enjoy the trolls and I am happy that it gave me big publicity. There were memes with Dakini, Kuttoosan and Luttappi, the evil characters of the cartoon series looking at me with jealous eyes. People welcome me with smiles and it is a big advantage in an election. Today, as I went to file the nomination media persons were eagerly waiting for me. It is an honour, says Maya V. A stand up comedian by profession, Maya V has been participating in a comedy programme of a popular TV channel for the past three years. A resident of Pavithreswaram in Kollam district, Maya settled down in Koothattukulam after her marriage with Siji Damodaran, who works as a chef in Ernakulam. My mothers name is Vasanthi and the initial V was added to my name during school admission. After all Mayavi of the cartoon series is a good character, she said. Maya V is locked in a triangular fight with Bhaskaran of the UDF and Jayan of the BJP in her ward.

Providential escape for German tourists in Chinese net mishap in Fort Kochi

Thiruvananthapurams Gen Z has something to say

Kerala is once again sliding into the election season, with the local body polls set to be held on December 9 and 11. Across the state, walls are sprouting posters, flex boards, and party colours. Small campaign offices have appeared in lanes and junctions. Political parties have now placed their candidates on the field, and campaigning is in full swing. But this election has a new audience watching from the front row Gen Z. The 13-to-28 crowd, stepping into civic life with a mix of scepticism, curiosity, and the tech-era clarity. Some are voting for the first time; others are just beginning to understand the dynamics of local governance what a ward is, what a panchayat does, who controls the streetlights, why a pothole doesnt get fixed for months..... Whether they know it or not, Gen Z has emerged as a decisive force in this electorate, and the future that these elections are building towards. Here is a sample of how Gen Z views the local body polls, how connected they feel to the political process, and what changes they hope to see in the city once the results are announced on December 13. Chalai Market needs a makeover Gokul S Vijay, 24, social media manager Its been four to five years since the renovation work began at Chalai Market, but we still havent seen much progress. The condition of the roads in and around the market is poor. Large vehicles pass through very narrow lanes, creating congestion. Almost all major market-related activities in the city depend on Chalai, but the physical space and infrastructure there are not enough to handle the volume of business. A complete and well-planned redevelopment of the market is one of the urgent needs. Compared to many other districts, Thiruvananthapuram maintains its roads reasonably well. However, parking remains a major issue, especially in busy areas like Thampanoor. Another important concern is waste management. While waste is collected regularly, I have heard that much of it is sent to Tamil Nadu cement plants for burning. That means we still do not have a fully functional and sustainable waste management system, and this needs to be addressed seriously by the new administration. Gokul S Vijay Adwaith Nair Focus on suburban roads Adwaith Nair, 17, Class 12 student I have become more familiar with the candidates and political discussions this year. But the excessive noise from campaign vehicles and loudspeaker announcements are disturbing. The roads in suburban/rural areas are in bad shape. Improving them should be a priority. Also, many students do not always want to study at home, so setting up small community libraries or study spaces in each locality would be a great support. Need more spaces like Manaveeyam Veedhi Xavior Raymond, 25, content writer Among Gen Z, there is a strong sense of awareness, even if society assumes otherwise. Most of us have our own individual politics, even if we dont always express them through party affiliations. Over the past five years, Thiruvananthapuram has seen major improvements in infrastructure, roads, and waste management. But one thing the city still needs is more public spaces where people can gather, relax, and enjoy the evenings like Manaveeyam Veedhi. Compared with cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapurams nightlife is still limited. More such open community spaces in the city would make a big difference. Xavior Raymond Bhadra Vineeth Mohan Campaigns often ignore flats Bhadra Vineeth Mohan, 17, Class 12 student I used to live in a flat until recently, so I was not very exposed to the election process as campaigns rarely reach apartments. This time, candidates visited our house, which was new to me. If you ask me, one major area where the local body needs to improve is Primary Health Centres. I often go with my grandmother, and while the facilities exist, the atmosphere is not hygienic. Many essential services, like scans, are not always available there. Strengthening these will provide affordable private care. We also realised, when my grandmother became wheelchair-dependent, that many public places in the city lack proper accessibility. Improving infrastructure and making the city more disability-friendly should be a priority for the next local government. Need more streetlights Aksana Mujeeb, 18, psychology student With the ongoing road works, commuting has become difficult. And many places still dont have proper streetlights, which makes travelling at night unsafe. For students like me, the only free time is after college, which is usually at night. To feel safe while going out, measures like well-lit roads and better security should be ensured across the city. Aksana Mujeeb Archana Sathyan, Need a safe city Archana Sathyan, 20, engineering student I hope for a city where we can move around with freedom and without fear. The local body has an important role in ensuring this by installing and maintaining proper streetlights, setting up CCTV cameras in public spaces, and making roads and walkways safer for women. These are basic responsibilities that can directly improve safety, especially for youngsters who travel. Youth gives hope Abhimanyu Jaala, 24, freelance journalist Since the last two election cycles, political parties have been giving more space to young candidates. This gives me hope. One urgent issue we must address is the drainage problem. Even a small spell of rain leads to flooding in the city, causing inconvenience and disruption to daily life. Despite being one of the most well-planned cities in Kerala, this remains a major challenge that needs immediate attention. Abhimanyu Jaala

A wedding against all odds: Bride injured in accident marries in hospital

KOCHI: What began as a morning of excitement for Avani, a native of Thumpoly in Alappuzha, turned into an ordeal no bride imagines. She had left home early on Friday, eager to get her bridal makeup done before heading to the temple for her wedding. But an unexpected accident involving Avani and her brother-in-law abruptly diverted her journey to the hospital. Initially rushed to Kottayam Medical College Hospital, she was later referred to VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi for specialised care. Despite the intense pain from her spinal injury, Avanis determination, and that of her groom, Sharon, remained unshaken. What unfolded next was a rare, deeply emotional moment inside the hospital. As Avani lay on a bed in the emergency ward, Sharon tied the thali around her neck, fulfilling their wedding vows with close family members standing as witnesses. Avani was admitted to the emergency department. Her marriage was scheduled between 12:15 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. The grooms family requested that the ceremony be held at the hospital. With the managements permission, we arranged the wedding here, said a spokesperson for VPS Lakeshore Hospital. Soon after the ceremony, Avani was shifted to the ICU. She is scheduled to undergo spinal surgery on Saturday under the care of Dr Sudhish Karunakaran, head of neurosurgery, VPS Lakeshore Hospital. Meanwhile, guests who arrived for the wedding at the venue in Alappuzha were treated to a sumptuous meal, as planned earlier.

Kochi Muziris Biennale 2025: A behind the scenes look at the work by the production team

What goes on behind the scenes of Indias biggest art extravaganza, the Kochi Muziris Biennale

Malabari chicken curry among new dishes on Air Indias global menu

KOCHI: Air India on Thursday announced the introduction of its new global menu across its fleet. The menu draws inspiration from Indias diverse culinary tapestry, from the royal kitchens of Awadh to the coastal flavours of southern India, while incorporating global influences through Pan-Asian, European Bistro, and geo-specific star dishes. The new menu, which includes Kerala-style Malabari chicken, has been introduced on most international ex-India routes, including flights from Delhi to London Heathrow, New York, Melbourne, Sydney, Toronto and Dubai; from Mumbai and Bengaluru to San Francisco; and from Mumbai to New York, to name a few. It will be progressively rolled out across all international sectors as well as on domestic routes. The menu weaves a delicious story that combines the flavours of India with influences from global cuisines. To strike a chord with every traveller, there is a portfolio mix of region-inspired meals and global cuisines such as European bistros and pan-Asian. The region-inspired meals like south-Indian cuisine brings alive the heritage of India giving the travellers an authentic dining experience, the airline said. Guests travelling First Class will enjoy gourmet meals, artisanal breads, signature desserts, and bespoke wine and champagne pairings. Business Class offers multi-course gourmet meals with customisable options and curated beverage pairings, while Premium Economy and Economy feature upgraded meal trays with balanced, wholesome options with familiar regional flavours and enhanced presentation. Signature Indian dishes to be served include Awadhi Paneer Anjeer Pasanda (Veg Awadhi Thali), Murgh Massalam (Non-veg Awadhi Thali), and south Indian platter in First and Business Class. Rajasthani Besan Chilla, Malabari chicken curry, and Malai Palak Kofta in Premium Economy. At the very core, the new food and beverage enhancements draw inspiration from Air Indias commitment to continuous innovation and transforming the customer experience. We are reimagining the inflight dining experience that resonates with the tastes and preferences of global travellers. Our thoughtfully curated menu caters to guests from different cultural affinities who prefer delectable gourmet meals, said Rajesh Dogra, chief customer experience officer, Air India.

Trans woman moves Kerala HC to contest from women-reserved seat in Thiruvananthapuram

KOCHI: Amaya Prasad, a trans woman candidate of the Congress, approached the Kerala High Court on Thursday seeking a directive to the returning officer to accept and process her nomination under the women-reserved category for the Pothencode division in Thiruvananthapuram, and to permit her to contest the election as a woman in accordance with her legally recognised gender identity. In her petition, Amaya said she is a trans woman who has undergone complete medical, psychological and legal transition, and has been officially certified as female under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. She said she seeks to contest the upcoming district panchayat election from Pothencode division, which is reserved for women. On November 19, when she approached the returning officer to file her nomination, she was informed that, in the absence of an express provision in the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act or Rules allowing trans women to contest from women-reserved seats, her nomination was likely to be rejected and that she must obtain directives from the High Court. This stance, Amaya argued, violates her statutory right to a self-perceived gender identity. Amaya said several court orders had recognised that transgender women are entitled to be treated as women for all legal purposes, including political participation. The court admitted the petition and issued notices to the State Election Commission and the Union and state governments.

Panchayats in Kerala turn self govts with pioneering projects

KOCHI: From reducing carbon emission, fighting cervical cancer, and reviving rivers to radio park for elders, palliative care, menstrual hygiene, and veterinary care on wheels...the projects implemented by local bodies in Kerala over the last five years have been innovative, diverse and people-centric. The state governments achievements in digital literacy and extreme poverty-eradication were made with the support of local bodies. Around 152 local bodies have joined the net-zero carbon campaign to cut greenhouse gases, ensure safe disposal of waste and implement energy efficient practices. The degree for all scheme implemented by West Kallada panchayat, the journey of happiness taken up by Aruvappulam panchayat for the disabled, the music troupe for disabled launched by Elikulam panchayat and the Bhoomika biodiversity park project of Kodakara panchayat are examples of pioneering and unconventional projects launched by rural local bodies. Local bodies in Kerala have transformed into local self governments and have more responsibilities and functions, too. During the past five years the state government distributed Rs 70,000 crore to local bodies as development fund, maintenance grant and special purpose fund. No other state has implemented such devolution. Besides, special drives for digital literacy and eradication of extreme poverty were successfully implemented with active participation of local bodies, Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh told TNIE . The Planning Board has a resource group that provides guidelines on identifying projects. Besides, there is a core coordination committee headed by the minister which helps local bodies streamline projects based on guidelines. Representatives of all departments are members of this committee, which meets every month. We have published guidelines for implementation of projects in local bodies. When they come up with innovative ideas we hold discussions on making them feasible. Projects that do not fall under guidelines are considered by a state-level committee, said Planning Board member and resource group head Jiju P Alex. The state governments achievements in digital literacy and extreme poverty-eradication were made with the support of local bodies. For its part, the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) provides training to elected representatives and employees of local bodies. Over the past five years, it bagged two national awards for capacity building of local bodies. Kodakara panchayat transformed an abandoned funeral ground into a biodiversity park by availing funds from the state biodiversity board and the CSR initiative of Apollo Tyres. A butterfly garden, herbal garden, sacred grove and Miyawaki forest have all been developed on the 74-cent plot. A gymnasium, yoga centre and library function in the space previously used for funerals, says panchayat president Ambili Soman. In 2024, Perumbadappu panchayat in Malappuram won the national award for initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation and livelihood protection. The panchayat has spent Rs 2.72 lakh for poverty alleviation, points out president Bineesha Mustafa. In 2023, Alappuzhas Veeyapuram panchayat won the award for best self-sufficient infrastructure. Manickal in Thiruvananthapuram was second in the best panchayat category at the 4th National Water Awards instituted by the Jal Shakti Ministry for implementing schemes for revival of rivers and enriching water resources.

Kochi looks at bleak cruise season as Red Sea tensions cut big liners

KOCHI: Kochis 202526 cruise season is shaping up to be one of the weakest in recent years, with the port witnessing a distinctly lukewarm flow of foreign liners and little sign of recovery through the rest of the season. The World Odyssey may have opened the season under the Semester at Sea programme, but beyond that, the arrival list looks unusually thin. According to Cochin Port Authority data, only 14 foreign cruise ships have visited so far this financial year. Between October 2025 and May 2026, the core cruise season, just eight foreign liners are expected. Port officials say the decline is largely driven by the continuing volatility in the Red Sea. We saw many cancellations after the Red Sea issue and the Houthi attacks, a senior official said. The attacks, triggered by the Gaza war, have severely disrupted the Red Sea shipping corridor, forcing cruise companies to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope a longer, costlier route that has led many to drop Asian itineraries. The geopolitical uncertainty has particularly hit long-distance voyages that bring large foreign cruise liners to Kochi. The weakness is visible in the seasons line-up. Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Kerala committee member Paulose Mathew notes that only one major foreign liner, Royal Caribbeans Celebrity Millennium, is scheduled, and even that for just two calls. Except Celebrity Millennium, all other ships have a capacity of less than 1,000. Where are the big vessels with over 2,000 passengers? he said. Kochi had seen strong cruise movement before the pandemic. In 201819, 49 ships brought in 65,000 passengers. Covid froze the sector, with gradual recovery in subsequent years. This year, the slowdown is unmistakable. Both tourism and port officials admit that the Red Sea crisis continues to cast a long shadow over Kochis cruise prospects. Kochi had seen strong cruise movement before the pandemic.

Renewed visa Israeli gift for Kannur womans heroics during Hamas attack

KOCHI: There are many real-life heroes among us who dont court attention, but end up getting recognised nonetheless. During the Hamas offensive of October 7, 2023, Sabitha Baby displayed great presence of mind and bravery in safeguarding the elderly couple she was caring for in Kibbutz Nir Oz, a settlement in southern Israel, near the Gaza border. And, as it ended up, the 40-year-olds effort didnt go unnoticed. The Israeli government has approved Sabithas second-term B1 regular work visa, which is automatically renewed annually for every five-year term. This is a gracious gift from the Israeli government. Now, if I want to stay beyond five years, I can renew my visa, Sabitha told TNIE by phone from Nir Oz. The standard duration for an Israeli caregiver work permit/visa (B1) is five years and three months. The countrys regulations permit extensions or re-employment under specific guidelines for caregivers who have been in the country for between 52 to 63 months. New guidelines allow workers to take on temporary positions while still in Israel, up to the 63-month limit. Prior to October 7, 2023, Israel used to recruit workers from Gaza, said Sabitha, who hails from Kannur. However, this stopped after the Hamas attack. The need for trained caregivers and workers in other sectors increased. The elderly couple who were under Sabithas care passed away not long after this. At the time, she had completed three years and eight months in her caregiving role in the country. Taking a job with another employer, she continued working in Israel for four years and five months. The Israeli government allows a caregiver to stay back for a year, under a humanitarian visa, if the patient being cared for dies during the period of the visa. After the surviving member of the couple she was caring for was transferred to a nursing home, Sabitha only had a few months left on her visa. So, she decided to apply for jobs that open up when contracted caregivers take vacation leave. Around the time, I received a call enquiring whether I would be ready to work in Nir Oz. I was contacted by Dalit, the daughter of the elderly couple, Rachel and Shmoulic, whom I had been taking care of when Hamas struck. She asked me to come back as she had a job for me in the community. I was contracted to look after an elderly woman named Margalit Moses, who had been abducted by Hamas. She was released as part of the second ceasefire deal, said Sabitha. Good fortune smiled on Sabitha when the Moses family and Dalit moved papers highlighting her contribution in safeguarding Israeli citizens. The government cleared the papers within two hours and granted me a regular visa. This is a rarity in Israel, added Sabitha. Reliving the memories of the Hamas offensive, Sabitha said, The house we lived in had been converted into a transit spot by militants. Hence, it was not burnt down. All other houses on both sides of the streets had been looted and gutted, their occupants either abducted or killed. Sabitha and her colleague Meera managed to barricade the safe room of the house for more than 12 hours. Since arriving in Israel in 2021, I have witnessed frequent bombings. But, October 7, 2023, was something very different. We were saved by the grace of God, she reminisced.

Ongoing interstate pvt bus strike, festive rush send airfares soaring in Kerala

KOCHI: The ongoing indefinite strike by several private-bus operators across south India has seen airfares go through the roof, particularly on key sectors such as Kochi-Bengaluru and Kochi-Hyderabad. This, coupled with the early rush for Christmas booking has pushed flight ticket costs to new highs, with some fares more than double their normal range. Ticket prices on Kochi-Bengaluru route for Thursday ranged from Rs 8,730 to a staggering Rs 29,400, compared with the normal range of Rs 2,300-7,000. And, fares on the Hyderabad-Kochi sector for December 21 (Sunday) hover from Rs 12,418 to Rs 27,900, far exceeding the normal Rs 3,200-5,000 range. According to Biji Eapen, national president of the IATA Agents Association of India, the average flight ticket price for the week leading up to Christmas has already breached the Rs 10,000 mark and is expected to skyrocket further as the festival season approaches. Airfares from Kochi to sectors like Bengaluru and Hyderabad have rises, while those for the Christmas season have skyrocketed. The situation will be worse as we near the festival season. The continuing strike by inter-state private bus operators is a key factor. Airlines follow a dynamic pricing system despite instructions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to increase flight capacity and cap fares during the festive season and publish on their websites in advance the move to hike fares. The sector is unregulated. In fact airlines can increase the demand artificially by showing lower seat capacity, he pointed out. Bus operators crisis The root cause of the current travel chaos lies in the ongoing protest by inter-state private bus operators, who are demanding relief from what they describe as unfair taxes levied by Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. While a small group of operators have resumed service, the majority are continuing the strike, said Rijas A J, vice-president of the Intercity Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India and owner of Sona Travels. The financial burden is immense. An operator must pay Rs 12 lakh as tax for running a single service (two buses) for a 90-day period. This unsustainable cost is pushing bus owners into a crisis, with many fearing their assets could be seized by lending institutions by early next year. We also cant increase ticket prices as the same will result in a drop in demand. This is especially so with the newly launched Vande Bharat service on the Kochi-Bengaluru sector, Rijas said. The crisis has impacted even major players. FlixBus, a multinational giant, has reportedly threatened to halt operations in sectors like Alappuzha-Bengaluru and Alappuzha-Hyderabad due to the tax issue, having already drastically cut down on services. With private bus travel largely unavailable, travellers are increasingly reliant on KSRTC and rail alternatives. A senior KSRTC official confirmed that the corporation continues to operate additional services to Bengaluru. Furthermore, the Railways has stepped in, announcing the augmentation of coaches in trains destined for Chennai, such as the addition of one sleeper coach to Train No 22640 (Alappuzha-MGR Chennai Central Express) for several days in late November.

Kochi to host Konkani literary conference

Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman Sky One, Lauds 'Fare Se Fursat' Initiative by the Government of India

Alliance Air, under the Government of India, connectssmaller cities and Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns to the main aviation network,bringing remote regions into India's aviation network. Building on this regional focus, the state-owned carrier introduced the Fare Se Fursat (One Route, One Fare) model last month, marking a significant step towards affordable, uniform ticketing across its routes. The initiative covers sectors such as Delhi-Shimla, Shimla-Dharamshala, Hisar-Chandigarh, Jabalpur-Jagdalpur, and Jalgaon-Ahmedabad, among others. These routes underscore the enduring significance of a public airline in connecting diverse geographies and fostering balanced regional development. Further connections such as Vidyanagar-Bengaluru, Kochi-Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, and those in the northern and northeastern regions, including Guwahati-Aizawl, Imphal-Dimapur, and Jorhat-Tezu, demonstrate the airlines expanding network. By bringing previously unexplored destinations into focus, Alliance Air supports the governments effort to strengthen regional air connectivity. Meanwhile, the introduction of Fare Se Fursat reflects a well-structured measure to encourage domestic air travel and reinforce Indias aviation ecosystem. Industry experts view this model, launched under the broader framework of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity programme, as a potential turning point for affordable and inclusive air travel nationwide. Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman Sky One The purpose of aviation itself is to make air travel more people-oriented. One of the major concerns for passengers has always been the airfare. During peak seasons, they often have to pay higher prices, and when booking at short notice, they bear the impact of volatility. And if the state comes forward to address this concern, it is undoubtedly a positive step , ,said Jaideep Mirchandani, group chairman of Sky One . According to the official statement, Alliance Air will introduce a single fixed fare that remains unchanged, regardless of the booking date, even on the day of departure. This pilot initiative will be in effect from October 13 to December 31, 2025. Although it will initially apply only to selected routes, further decisions will be taken after assessing its operational feasibility and passenger response. The key question however is just who stands to benefit the most from this move? I think passengers who travel frequently between Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will benefit the most. Alliance Air generally operates on short and medium routes under the UDAN scheme. Its fleet mainly consists of ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, which are suitable for smaller airports and can carry up to 72 passengers. The airline also operates a few ATR 42-600 aircraft with a capacity of 48 passengers and one Indian-made Dornier 228 aircraft that can accommodate 17 passengers. Naturally, this approach will make air travel more people-friendly, added Mr Mirchandani . The aviation expert says that measures related to fares and amenities, which may seem insignificant to high-net-worth individuals, hold great value for the common traveller. Without assigning blame, he points out that initiatives such as UDAN Yatri Cafes, offering tea for Rs 10, coffee for Rs 20, and snacks for Rs 20 at airports, can make a real difference to regular passengers. Gone are the days when air travel was seen as a privilege of the elite. It should be accessible to more people, ensuring dignity and affordability. We are now addressing one of the biggest concerns of passengers: airfare. I am curious to see howthis move will impact private airlines in the country after the pilot phase. It will be interesting to observe how they adapt and incorporate similar measures within their domestic realms , concluded Mr Mirchandani .

Kerala local body polls: Fed up with neglect, Mundamveli apartment residents to field own candidate

Residents of P&T Apartment Complex at Mundamveli have decided to boycott candidates of all major political fronts contesting from the Mundamveli East division of Kochi Corporation

Kochi police probe self-styled nun for online threat to bomb Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

KOCHI: Police have launched an investigation into a self-proclaimed nun of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) who called for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to be harmed, on social media on Wednesday. The suspect, Teena Jose, an advocate residing at Pookkaranmukk near Padma Junction, came under scrutiny following intelligence inputs and a complaint submitted to the director general of police. However, no case has been formally registered, a top source with Kochi city police said. The alleged threat appeared in the comments section of a Facebook post shared by Selton L DSouza on the CMs participation in the local-body election campaign. Teena allegedly called for a bomb attack on the chief minister. When questioned by a special squad, she claimed it was merely an emotional remark, the officer said. An officer with Ernakulam Central police said, While the incident falls under our jurisdiction, a case has not been registered as no formal complaint has been received. Since the remark was made on a public platform, anyone can file a complaint, after which action will be taken. Meanwhile, in a press release, CMCs Vimala province said the congregation strongly condemns Teenas social media post suggesting harm to the chief minister. Teenas membership was revoked in 2009 under canonical laws and she is not permitted to wear the religious attire, the press note said. The congregation also clarified that all of Teenas actions are entirely her personal decision and responsibility.

Spot slots cut to 5,000 to manage pilgrims rush in Sabarimala

PATHANAMTHITTA/KOCHI : A drastic reduction in spot bookings and tighter restrictions on forest routes were among the measures taken by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Wednesday to manage the unprecedented rush of devotees that caught authorities unawares and led to complete system collapse in Sabarimala on Tuesday, the second day of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The decision follows strong remarks by the Kerala High Court earlier in the day. Cautioning there was a real chance a catastrophe could occur at the hill shrine, the HC ordered assessment of Sabarimalas carrying capacity. The TDB capped spot booking to 5,000 pilgrims per day, from the earlier 20,000, until Monday, and said only 5,000 pilgrims would be allowed via forest routes, including Pullumedu. The first unit of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also took charge at Sannidhanam. The 30-member team from the 4th Battalion of NDRFs Thrissur Regional Response Centre has been stationed along critical stretches near the Sopanam and along the Nadapanthal. Seven more booking counters were started at Nilakkal, with the base camp also serving as the first point of restriction. Preparations should have started six months ago Two hundred more staff members have been deployed at the queue complex, and another 200 will be added to manage toilet cleaning and sanitation-related work, TDB president K Jayakumar said. As many as 2,98,310 pilgrims have offered darshan at the shrine till the start of the pilgrimage season on November 16. ADGP S Sreejith said all pilgrims reaching on the date allotted in their virtual queue pass will be able to offer darshan. The HC had rapped the TDB for lapses in preparations. A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar observed that only a controlled number of devotees should be permitted entry. Noting that the arrangements for the pilgrimage season should have started six months earlier, the bench orally remarked that though the TDB is responsible for ensuring all facilities are in place, there appears to be no coordination. Measures taken for Crowd Management Spot booking capped at 5,000 pilgrims per day until Monday. Considering rush at Sannidhanam, this can be raised to 10,000 Max 5,000 pilgrims allowed on forest routes Virtual queue cap continues at 70,000 devotees a day. NDRF unit deployed at Sannidhanam 7 new booking counters opened at Nilakkal 200 staff deployed at queue complexes; 200 more to be engaged for cleaning toilets and sanitation-related works

Kerala HC order to constitute crowd management expert panel for Sabarimala

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to constitute a Sabarimala Infrastructure & Crowd Management Expert Committee, comprising specialists in transport engineering, urban and regional planning, civil engineering, disaster and crowd management, environmental science, public health, IT systems and data analytics. The experts shall analyse data, undertake field studies, and devise a comprehensive management plan in coordination with the TDB, police, forest department, health services, and district administration. The committee shall prepare a scientific master plan for each season after determining the carrying capacity of all nodes, and shall conduct both pre-season and post-season reviews to continually improve facilities. Further, the committee shall conduct a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based amenity audit, identifying, mapping, and geo-tagging all toilets, drinking water points, shelters, and medical kiosks, to detect blind zones and assess overall efficiency. In addition, a structural safety audit of walkways, barricades, railings, stairways, and holding areas is essential. This combined baseline data set shall form the backbone for all future decisions. The court said that no devotee must be subjected to unreasonable waiting without adequate shade, drinking water, sanitation, medical facilities, or rest areas. TDBs submission Though the Virtual-Q booking cap was fixed at 70,000 and spot booking was limited to 20,000, the inflow of pilgrims was so overwhelming that over 30,000 pilgrims were given entry without prior booking On the first day of the season, when the Nada opened at 4 pm, the permissible cap for entry was 30,000. However, on that very day, approximately 53,278 pilgrims reached Sannidhanam On Nov 17, though the Virtual-Q booking was capped at 70,000, the total footfall at Sannidhanam was 98,950, including spot bookings

What is SIR & why has it left voters confused?

KOCHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is currently conducting the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala . The first such exercise since 2002 is intended to review, update and streamline voter records ahead of the 2026 assembly election. What exactly is SIR? SIR is a detailed, one-time verification drive of electoral rolls, far more comprehensive than annual summary revisions. It involves booth-level officers (BLOs) visiting households, distributing forms and collecting updated voter details. Crucially, the process requires furnishing information that was recorded in the SIR conducted in 2002, including legislative assembly constituency (LAC), booth number and serial number. Given the 23-year gap since the last SIR, most voters understandably have no recollection of details and this seems to be the main challenge in the exercise. Why 2002 data is hard to trace The most significant challenge is the inability to fetch the old data from the Election Commission website. The main stumbling block is that one cant access old SIR data from the ECI website using the old voter ID number. Such a provision would have made the process much easier, said Gireesh Kumar, a BLO from Kudappanakunnu. Young voters and non-resident Indians (NRIs) who have relocated back home are among those struggling the most. One case Gireesh cited involved an elderly voter who returned from abroad long after 2002. He is now 83. His nearest relatives are all dead. Even if his father had a vote back then, he has no idea when or where he would have cast his vote. Were at a loss on how to retrieve the data, Gireesh said. Others are discovering discrepancies in previous rolls. I didnt have a voter ID card in 2002 since I was a minor, said Durga K S, a health official. Im struggling because I require my fathers details. He doesnt remember the booth he voted in, and it seems his name was misspelled then, which makes the search more difficult. Intervention by authorities To ease the burden, authorities have begun organising dedicated SIR help camps. Here, BLOs guide people through the online search system and assist in identifying 2002 records. We held the first of the series of camps on Tuesday. Many more will be held in the coming days, said Remya Nandanan, BLO in charge of Panangad. Reassuring voters, she said that there is ample time to complete the process. Voters neednt panic. They need to update their data only by May, before the assembly election. But, sooner the better.If a voters 2002 data cannot be traced, the ECI may send a notice for further verification. In some cases, the name may be withheld from the draft electoral roll until supporting documents establish eligibility. The most common issues faced by voters and their solutions What if voter has no recollection of booth name while retrieving 2002 data online? A. Log on to www.ceo.kerala.gov.in. Select your district and choose your LAC. Skip the Booth Name box and go straight to Voter Name. The name is to be entered in Malayalam. Those who are not well versed with the language can select the link given at the bottom of the page. You can type in English and the Google Tool will give the corresponding Malayalam word. How to deal with changes in administrative boundaries due to delimitation? A. The SIR form will have the contact number of BLO at the top. Ring up and confirm under which LAC you now fall before starting to take the previous SIR data online What to do if your name or house name is spelt wrongly in the voter ID or previous SIR? A. Continue with the data as it is, for now, as the voter list changes are temporarily frozen till the end of the SIR process. Once the same is completed, its advisable to change the name or house name as they appear in the Aadhaar card using Form 8 and submitting an application for the same. Confusion over old and new EPIC number, and where should the same be used? A. The two 10-digit EPIC numbers (in alphanumeric code) will be distinct in certain cases and unchanged in others. The new EPIC number of the spouse should be given in the first part of the form. The old EPIC number should be furnished in the second part -- data on a voters previous SIR details. How to go about confusing queries, especially with regards to previous SIR data on nearest relative of the voter (at bottom right side of the form)? A. One can easily get confused as to what to write in the right side column of the second part of the form -- Details of a voters relative included in the list of the last SIR. Against Voters Name, one must enter the name of the nearest relative (like father). Below that appears the EPIC No. One should provide the old EPIC number here. Then is Name of Voters relative. Here the name of the nearest relative of your nearest relative should be given. If you have given your fathers name, then you should enter the name of your grandfather (fathers father or the nearest relative of your father) there.

The forgotten 316 families in Kochi: victims of development speak out

The acquisition of land for ICTT connectivity displaced 316 families across seven villages spanning three Assembly constituencies and six local bodies in Ernakulam

Schoolgirl injured after falling off bus in Kochi

Over 470 flat and commercial units lack STPs, Kochi Corporation tells PCB

Kerala HC dismisses Mayoral candidate and filmmaker V M Vinu's appeal to include his name in voters' list

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by filmmaker V M Vinu, fielded as Mayoral candidate of Congress in Kozhikode Corporation, seeking a directive to the district collector to consider his appeal against the removal of his name from the voters' list. While dismissing the petition, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan said, Simply because the petitioner is a celebrity, there can be no preference to him. He's only an ordinary citizen of this country. When the petition came up for hearing, the court asked, Do you have a case in which anybody deleted you from the electoral roll? Did the celebrity not read the newspaper? Even after the published draft list, the citizens will get a chance to add their names to the list. Why did you not file an objection? The petitioner's counsel submitted that the ruling party deleted his name. In response, the court asked, Why were you blaming other political parties? The United Democratic Front leaders approached Vinu and asked him to contest the election to the Kallayi division, number 37 of Kozhikode Corporation, and he decided to contest the election. However, at the time of filing the nomination papers, it came to the notice of the petitioner and others that his name was not included in the list. V M Vinu met the Electoral Registration officer only to get to know that the time was over. Thus, he filed an appeal before the district collector, which is still pending. According to the petitioner, he has taken all the steps to contest the election. The court had said that the preparation of electoral rolls started on July 19. A preliminary voters list was published, and there was an opportunity for the petitioner to object if his name was not there. Thereafter, the final voters list was published on September 2, and again, after revision, a final voter list was published ed October 15. However, the petitioner has not objected at that stage either, the court remarked. The Commission provided chances to citizens whose names were not mentioned in the final voters' list to update, and they were allowed to submit objections on November 4 and 5. The counsel for the petitioner states that his name is deleted because there is a political rivalry. I'm surprised to see such an argument from the petitioner. This is the fault of the petitioner himself. He need not blame others, and he has to blame himself. There's nothing in it. The petition is dismissed, said the Single Judge.

Need not record votes of mentally challenged persons digitally: Kerala HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition seeking a directive that the votes of persons with mental disabilities be recorded digitally on a separate electronic voting machine while they cast their votes in the 2025 general election. Justice P V Kunhikrishnan said that the persons with mental illness or persons with intellectual disabilities are also citizens of this country, and they are our brothers and sisters. We should hold them close to our hearts and not insult them by treating them as a separate class. The court issued the order on a petition filed by Jomon Jacob and Thomas Palliyil, of Pala. According to the petitioners, voters who are currently in a rehabilitation centre for persons with mental disabilities are unable to cast their votes according to their will, and therefore, their votes are to be kept in a separate electronic voting machine and recorded digitally while they cast their votes in the ensuing general election of 2025. They alleged that around 60 voters were included in the list of the Pala municipality. They are residents of Mariya Sadhanam, a rehabilitation centre for persons with mental challenges. The court observed that no documents were produced to show that they are mentally challenged or have a mental illness. They are not even a party in this writ petition, at least in a representative capacity. Section 74(1)(b) of the Kerala Municipality Act says that a person shall be disqualified for registration in an electoral roll if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court. There is absolutely no case to the petitioners that the voters in the list are persons of unsound mind and stand so declared by a competent court. The court added that in a democratic process, it is necessary that ineligible persons are not included in the electoral roll. That does not mean that anyone can declare a person to be of unsound mind and approach the High Court seeking to exclude them from the regular voters list and to place them in a separate class, allowing them to vote on a separate electronic voting machine.

Seven apartment complexes in Kochi yet to submit affidavits on STP issue

Woman arrested for allegedly inflicting burns on 4-year-old daughter in Kochi