Thiruvananthapuram News

Confusion over voters list, polling booths mark voting in Thiruvananthapuram coastal wards

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The coastal belt of Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation saw chaotic and uneven voting on Tuesday as thousands of residents turned out for the local body polls. Many voters struggled to find their assigned polling booths, while others discovered their names were missing from the voters list, forcing them to return home without casting their votes. Local activists estimated that 60 to 100 voters were absent from each polling booth in the coastal wards. Vishnu M, 31, who arrived at St Philomenas Girls High School in Poonthura, said he could not vote as his name was missing from the list, even though his entire family was able to cast their ballots. Similarly, 55-year-old Susamma had to check four different booths in search of her 23-year-old daughters name, but could not find it. The confusion follows ward delimitation, which reduced the number of coastal wards under Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from 17 to 14. Many families found members assigned to different booths or wards, leading to long queues at some locations while other booths remained nearly empty. Gertrude Perera, 60, said she and her daughter waited for hours at different booths due to the reallocation. CPM district secretary V Joy blamed the delay in starting the delimitation process for the confusion. Like old days, the political parties are not visiting homes for distributing slips and adding voters. These visits happen based on the political affiliation of the families and hence many people in the coastal wards were unable to cast their votes, said V Joy. Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan blamed the election commission and the LDF government for the unscientific ward delimitation and adding bogus votes. There has been a lot of confusion in the voters list and the public struggled to take part in the elections. This will affect all political fronts, not just the UDF, he said.

Techies step out of Technopark to cast votes in Kerala local body polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Election fervour gripped the city on polling day, and Technopark, home to nearly 80,000 employees across more than 450 companies, was no exception. The usually bustling IT campus ran with minimal staff as many professionals left their desks to cast their votes. Most companies followed employee-friendly policies in line with Election Commission directives, offering leave, work-from-home options, or flexible hours. Client support teams were allowed to adjust schedules without worrying about biometric attendance. Employees working for Bengaluru and Hyderabad-based firms also received 'civic duty' allowances, excusing them from online meetings to vote. However, some employees from Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu chose to attend office, preferring not to travel home midweek. Many employees travelled back to their native places to vote, even though polling fell midweek, said Rajeev Krishnan, state convenor of Prathidhwani, an IT employee welfare organisation, who voted in Aruvikkara. He noted that only about 30% of those settled in Thiruvananthapuram from other districts had updated their voter registrations. For some, the connection to their hometown outweighed convenience. I shifted from Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram 13 years ago, but never updated my registration. Having a vote back home still carries value, said Vishnu V S, an employee at Technopark Phase II. Despite modest numbers, voter registrations in the Kazhakoottam constituency, which houses the IT hub, have been rising. On polling day, voters queued early at booths in Kazhakoottam, Karyavattom, Kulathoor, Chanthavila, Kuzhivila, and Poundkadavu. This is my first time voting in a local body election, though I have voted in assembly polls since shifting here 16 years ago, said Rakesh Rajan, after casting his ballot at Government UPS, Kuzhivila. He added that many of his apartment-mates were missing from the rolls. People checked the voters' list only at the last minute. I updated my name online and attended the hearing. The State Election Commission should have campaigned better to ensure inclusion. Others faced similar frustrations. IT professionals Suhail Seth and Nejma said they were excluded from the rolls despite voting in the previous local body election at Kuzhivila.

Low turnout puts parties in a fix in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Kerala Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To MLA Rahul Mamkootathil In 2nd Rape Case

Rahul Mamkootathil had on Saturday approached the Thiruvananthapuram sessions court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the sexual harassment case.

New bridge, old roads on mind, Thiruvananthapuram's tribal belt casts votes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tribespeople of Thodumala ward in Thiruvananthapuram's Amboori grama panchayat are grateful to the government for the Kumbichal bridge. The newly-opened, but yet-to-be-inaugurated bridge has significantly cut down the travel time of the residents of the ward's 11 tribal settlements and also reduced their dependency on boats their lone mode of transport until now. However, as the capital's tribal belts cast their votes in the local body elections on Tuesday, one question lingered: Will the bridge sway voters' sentiments? Neither do we favour a party, nor do we vote based on it. However, nothing has helped us in recent times like the bridge. Earlier, we depended on boats, whose availability was always uncertain, said 20-year-old Raman, who cast his first vote on Tuesday. We have been seeing remarkable developments in our area, one of which is this bridge. However, I don't know how it will reflect in the results, said the film aspirant. Generally, tribal belts see active participation in elections. I never miss an election, said Sarasu, after casting her vote at the Government Tribal LP School in Puravimala. Initially confused upon seeing three EVMs kept together, she exercised her franchise eventually with the help of a polling officer. Election officer applying ink to tribal voter Sarasu before voting at the Government Tribal LP School, Puravimala on Wednesday. Over 50% polling at the booth was completed by afternoon, thanks to the jeeps arranged by various political parties to ferry voters. Voters who could not spot a jeep walked a few kilometres to their booth and cast their votes. Meanwhile, though people are happy with the bridge, many highlight the poor condition of roads leading to their settlements, which they say makes their journeys dreadful. Some roads were repaired recently. However, there remain places like Thenmala, located deeper in the forest, inaccessible to vehicles. If a person there falls ill, he/she will have to be carried some distance, before getting a vehicle to any hospital, said a resident. Oorumooppan Chandran Kani expressed hope that the government that built the bridge will also build good interior roads. Funds have already been allocated for this, he said. Some tribal residents are upset about losing touch with their culture. Today, our people are not aware of our old rituals or songs. We need a representative who will help us retain our identity and be available, regardless of the voter's political affiliation, said Reena, another resident. Damage caused by wild animals is another concern. We voted early in the morning and returned to work. Look at the destruction caused by the animals, an elderly farmer said as he and his wife tried to salvage what they could after wild elephants and boars damaged their crops in Amboori.

Allen Could Miss Part Of NZs T20Is Against India If Scorchers Reach BBL Finals

Big Bash League: New Zealand opener Finn Allen may miss part of the five-match T20I series in India, scheduled for January 2026, due to his upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) commitments with Perth Scorchers. The T20I series against India, starting on January 21 in Nagpur, and followed by matches in Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram, is regarded as vital preparation for New Zealand ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Before this, New Zealand will play three ODIs in India from January 1117 and Allens availability for the T20Is depends on the defending champions Scorchers progress in the BBL. If the Scorchers reach the final on January 25, Allen may not be available until the fourth T20I on January 28. However, if they do not qualify, Allen is expected to be available for the full T20I series. Pending selection, Ill head straight to India once the Big Bash finishes up for us, Allen was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday. Allen is one of five players who have signed casual agreements with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), providing flexibility between national duties and franchise commitments. Playing for New Zealand is still, for me, the pinnacle and the reason why I love playing is to represent my country. But cricket's obviously evolving and changing year on year. New Zealand Cricket's been really good to work with over the last wee while. (I'm) confident about getting back into some Black Caps stuff after the Big Bash and hopefully can continue that, he added. Allen is one of five players who have signed casual agreements with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), providing flexibility between national duties and franchise commitments. Playing for New Zealand is still, for me, the pinnacle and the reason why I love playing is to represent my country. But cricket's obviously evolving and changing year on year. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In that tournament, his knock of 151 runs, including hitting a record 19 sixes for San Francisco Unicorns against Washington Freedom, left everyone jaw-dropped. Allen last featured for New Zealand in March, scoring 27 off 12 balls in an eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Wellington. Article Source: IANS

Rahul Mamkootathil granted anticipatory bail in second rape case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major relief for Rahul Mamkootathil- MLA, the additional district and sessions court has granted him anticipatory bail in a second rape case registered against him on the complainant of a 23-year-old woman. Rahul's counsel had swiftly moved the pre-arrest bail after the High Court granted him protection from arrest in the first rape case till a verdict is given on his anticipatory bail plea, which is scheduled to be heard on December 15. The pre-arrest bail plea was moved on Saturday after the High Court gave Rahul an interim protection from arrest. Rahul's counsel argued that the allegation was politically motivated and there was no mention of the complainant's name, and place and time of occurrence of the alleged crime in the complaint. The complainant did not approach the police directly when she had all the options to do so and instead mailed it to the KPCC chief, which showed that there was something fishy in the move, the counsel argued. His lawyer also highlighted the High Court order and sought a favourable verdict. The prosecution countered this by arguing that the complainant has already given a detailed statement before the police and the allegation was serious in nature. The anticipatory bail plea was moved in the second case after the police appointed a special team to probe the case. The department had appointed AIG G Poonkuzhali to lead the team to investigate the complaint filed by a 23-year-old woman, who is a resident of Bengaluru. Poonkuzhali, who is now attached with the police headquarters, had recorded the statement of the complainant. The complainant had testified that she was raped after being given fake marriage promise. The offence took place in a homestay where she was brutally assaulted.

Rahul Mamkootathil gets anticipatory bail in second sexual assault case

Thiruvananthapuram: A court here on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in a second case of sexual assault against him. The MLAs lawyer, advocate Ajithkumar (Sasthamangalam), confirmed the grant of relief to the legislator by the sessions court here. Mamkootathil had already got an interim protection from arrest from the Kerala 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 .

Will not accept Veer Savarkar Award: Shashi Tharoor

Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday categorically stated that he would not accept an award named after VD Savarkar, nor attend a related event, even as a senior party colleague wanted the Congress MP to not accept any honour named after the ideologue whom he claimed bowed before the British. Tharoor said that he will 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 .

Will not accept Veer Savarkar Award nor attend the ceremony: Shashi Tharoor

Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi, Dec 10: Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday categorically stated that he would not accept an award named after VD Savarkar, nor attend a related event, even as a senior party colleague wanted the Congress MP to not accept any honour named after the ideologue whom he claimed bowed before the British. Tharoor said that he will NOT accept the Veer Savarkar Award and also wont attend the event where it will be presented in the absence of clarifications about [] The post Will not accept Veer Savarkar Award nor attend the ceremony: Shashi Tharoor appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Blame government, not just IndiGo for aviation crisis: CPI-M's A A Rahim in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: CPI-M leader A A Rahim on Wednesday held the union government responsible for the recent IndiGo crisis, arguing that it was the direct result of unchecked privatisation and deregulation that has turned India's aviation sector into a duopoly. He urged the government not to dilute Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules to accommodate the airline. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Rahim said the crisis was not IndiGo's alone. The sole culprit behind this huge crisis is the Union government. This is the direct outcome of the government's neo-liberal economic policies, privatisation and deregulation of the Indian aviation sector, he said. Pointing to market concentration, Rahim said IndiGo now operates 65.6 per cent of all flights while Air India handles 25.7 per cent. More than 90 per cent of the Indian aviation sector is controlled by just two bosses, IndiGo and Tata, he said. The CPI-M leader dismissed the government's promise that Air India's privatisation would transform the airline. In terms of safety, quality of service, and quality of aircraft, the situation is extremely poor. The government created a misconception that the public sector is useless, while private players are capable of miracles, Rahim said. He accused Air India of exploiting the IndiGo crisis. What is Tata's Air India doing during this so-called IndiGo crisis? It is profiting from human distress, he alleged. Citing his own experience, Rahim said despite a government order last Friday capping airfares at Rs 18,000 for routes above 1,500 km, he found a Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram economy class ticket priced at Rs 64,783 for same-day travel on Wednesday morning. What control does the government have? The government has no control over private carriers, he said. Rahim warned against diluting FDTL rules or granting exceptions to IndiGo. He called for strong regulatory mechanisms to control airfares and ensure passenger safety in a duopolistic market.

Will not accept 'Veer Savarkar Award' nor attend the ceremony: Shashi Tharoor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday categorically stated that he would not accept an award named after VD Savarkar, nor attend a related event, even as a senior party colleague wanted the Congress MP to not accept any honour named after the ideologue whom he claimed owed before the British. Tharoor said that he will not accept the Veer Savarkar Award and also won't attend the event where it will be presented in the absence of clarifications about its nature or the organisation presenting it. Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, also said that it was irresponsible on the part of the organisers to announce my name without my having agreed to receive it. Earlier in the day, Congress leader K Muraleedharan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that no party member, including Tharoor, should accept any award in the name of Veer Savarkar as he had bowed before the British. Muraleedharan said that he does not believe that Tharoor will accept the award as doing so would insult and embarrass the Congress party. Tharoor later told reporters in the national capital that he heard about the award on Tuesday and that he was not going for the ceremony. I heard about it yesterday only. I am not going. I am not here, he said in response to a question on Wednesday on his participation in the award ceremony. Subsequently, in a post on social media platform 'X', the Congress MP said, In the absence of clarifications about the nature of the award, the organisation presenting it or any other contextual details, the question of my attending the event today or accepting the award does not arise. I have come to know from media reports that I have been named a recipient of the Veer Savarkar Award, which is to be presented today in Delhi. I only learned about this announcement yesterday in Kerala, where I had gone to vote in the local self-government elections. There in Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 10, 2025 He further said that he learned from media reports that he was named as a recipient of the award when he went to Kerala to vote in the local body polls on Tuesday. He said he had clarified then that he was neither aware of, nor had accepted, such an award. Despite that, today in Delhi, some media outlets continue to ask the same question. Therefore, I am issuing this statement to clarify the matter unequivocally, Tharoor added. Following Tharoor's statement, Aji Krishnan, the secretary of the Highrange Rural Development Society (HRDS) India which is presenting the award, told a TV channel that the Congress MP was informed about the matter well in advance. He said that representatives of HRDS India and the chairman of the award jury had met Tharoor at his residence to invite him and the MP had asked for a list of the other recipients of the award. We gave him the list. He has not yet informed us that he will not come for the event. Perhaps he is scared as the Congress has made it an issue, Krishnan claimed. Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev said it was Tharoor's decision whether to accept the award or not. Tharoor was chosen as one of the recipients of the inaugural Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025, instituted by HRDS India, on Wednesday in New Delhi. On Tuesday, he had said that he heard about the award through the media and that he was not aware who was giving it. I am not aware of anything related to the award. Let me find out what it is, he had said.

Coastal outskirts keep democracy moving in Thiruvananthapuram amid low turnout

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For a city long shadowed by its reputation for lacklustre polling, Thiruvananthapuram seemed to slip deeper into that pattern on election day. In the citys upscale neighbourhoods, where voter apathy has become almost ritual, the silence was unmistakable. By noon, turnout still hovered stubbornly below 30%, a telling sign of the indifference that had marked the morning. At the Kowdiar LP School, nestled in one of the citys quietest upscale pockets, the polling station wore a unhurried look through the morning. Only a handful of voters trickled in at a time, the queue seldom growing beyond two or three people. Then, just before 10.45am, the hush lifted. The arrival of Governor Rajendra Arlekar briefly transformed the otherwise languid booth into a flurry of activity, drawing curious glances. Although the governor arrived prepared to wait his turn, the sparse early-morning turnout meant his time in the queue was fleeting. But as the sun climbed higher, the scene began to shift. Slowly, elderly voters emerged, some leaning on canes, others guided by family. Retired college teacher Johny K John and his wife Elizabeth Thomas have treated every election like an unbreakable family ritual since settling in the capital three decades ago. Their sons John and Thomas, working in Kochi and Kozhikode respectively, boarded overnight trains just to make it home in time to vote alongside their parents. There is definitely a sense of apathy, especially among the younger generation, Elizabeth said. However there are still many who realise that their vote matters, she said. Aparna V P, a first-time voter in the local body polls, echoed that sentiment. My vote is for development and for a city with better, more reliable infrastructure, the BCom student said. Coastal wards told a very different story. By afternoon, polling stations in Beemapally, Valiyathura and the Port wards were buzzing, with queues that refused to thin even after the 6pm deadline. For us, our daily bread comes first. Food first, democracy later, said Jeremias, a 59-year-old fisherman from the Port ward. He had stepped out to get his fishing net repaired but sprinted back as the clock neared closing time. At Kachani ward, voting flowed steadily from early morning. But not everyone arrived in calm spirits. Senior citizen Krishnankutty stood fuming outside the Kachani Government High School booth, where the premises had been dug up for construction. Moments earlier, he had nearly stumbled over the debris while trying to navigate his way to the entrance. No wonder people stay indifferent, he said, frustration unmistakable in his voice. We are already tired of pothole-ridden road. Now, even the polling station is a mess. My vote will definitely reflect my resentment. he said.

Local body polls: Diluted ink, faulty EVMs cause chaos in Sasthamangalam ward

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first phase of local body elections began on Monday amidst crises and uncertainties across the capital district. In a critical incident, election ink applied to voters forefingers at the Sasthamangalam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation faded within minutes. Sources from Booth 2 of the Raja Kesavadas NSS Higher Secondary School polling station reported that the ink was diluted, causing it to disappear quickly. In the same ward, a female voter was not permitted to vote due to discrepancies in the electoral roll. Vasantha Gokulam, 84, whose name appeared as Vasantha Gokul with incorrect age and photograph, was denied voting at Booth 3. Meanwhile, the voting machine at Booth 2 of Karavaram Panchayat Ward 20 was found to be non-functional. A replacement was provided two hours later, sources said.

Statement of woman to be recorded in harassment complaint against noted film-maker P T Kunju Muhammed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cantonment police will record the statement of the woman, who had filed a complaint against noted film-maker and two-time MLA P T Kunju Muhammed accusing him of sexual harassment. The police had on Monday registered a case against the director, who was the chairman of the committee to select films for the Malayalam Cinema Today section of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), for sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman, which are non-bailable offences. On account of local body polls, the police did not take any steps on the complaint on Tuesday. Police sources said they will contact the complainant and record her statements. The place where the incident occurred- which is a city-based hotel- will be inspected to prepare a mahazar. Following that, the accused will be issued a notice for appearing before the investigators. The complainant is a woman working in the film industry. According to the victim, the incident occurred at a city hotel a month ago during the screening to select films for the upcoming International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). Kunju Muhammed was part of the committee to select films for the Malayalam Cinema Today section of the festival. Both Muhammed and the victim were staying at the hotel. The accused allegedly invited the woman to his room and misbehaved with her. The woman strongly resisted and left the room. Muhammed was elected to the Kerala Assembly twice as a Left-backed independent candidate. P T Kunju Muhammed

UDF upset over Adoor Prakashs open support for Dileep in actor assault case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major constituents in the Opposition UDF want the Congress leadership to restrict UDF convener Adoor Prakash, whom they feel, has been getting the front into back-to-back crises. The latest in the series was his open support for actor Dileep in the actor assault case on the poll day morning. Hours after the first phase voting for local body election began in the state, opposition UDF received a body blow with Adoor Prakash voicing his support for actor Dileep in the actor assault case. Speaking to the media in Pathanamthitta after casting his vote, Prakash said Dileep got justice with his acquittal in the case. He added that being a close acquaintance of Dileep, he felt personally happy. He criticised the government for its move to go in for an appeal. As the statement, which is in stark contradiction to the party position, invited heavy backlash from within the Congress and the UDF, the High Command quickly intervened for damage control and directed Prakash to amend his stance. Under fire, the senior leader made a U-turn later in the day, saying his words were misinterpreted and that justice was not served to the survivor. However, by then, the polling-day damage had already been done. A slew of Congress leaders were quick to distance themselves from Prakash, while senior Left leaders condemned the remark. The major goof-up triggered strong resentment from within both the UDF and the Congress. The Congress High Command was visibly upset with the remark and quickly intervened. AICC Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and KPCC president Sunny Joseph spoke to Adoor Prakash, following which the latter issued a clarification. The party position is very clear. As the KPCC president clearly explained, we do not support the verdict. Senior leaders like Leader of Opposition (V D Satheesan) and Muraleedharan too have clearly stated the party line, Deepa Dasmunshi told TNIE. The poll-day debacle did not go down well with UDF constituents too. What Prakash said was his personal opinion. It has nothing to do with the UDF position, said IUML general secretary P M A Salam. With the PCC chiefs quick intervention, the damage was contained, but the damage was there. Earlier in the case of Rahul Mamkootathil too, he took such a position. Its time the Congress took some clear action in his case, another senior UDF leader told TNIE. Theres strong resentment within the Congress too. Its highly shameful. How can such a statement be made on polling-day day morning? Earlier he supported Rahul Mamkootathil too. Its time the leadership intervened, opined a Political Affairs Committee member. A slew of senior leaders including Sunny Joseph, V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and Shashi Tharoor, in addition to Mahila Congress leader Shanimol Osman rejected Prakashs statement.

Davies Kollannur, a beacon of hope for transplant patients, dies at 57

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Davies Kollannur, who courageously altered the course of his life three times, has now sailed beyond the horizon for the final time. Davies who survived three life threatening ordeals- two kidney transplants and a battle with leukemia disease- stood as asymbol of resilience and hopefor thousands oftransplantpatients in Kerala. The man who lived with extraordinary courage, quietly slipped away on Monday night in Thrissur, following a sudden respiratory distress at 57. He left behind a legacy that still refuses to fade. A decorated transplant sportsman, Davies won a silver medal for India at the 2011 Sweden International Transplant Games in Badminton, followed by a bronze in singles and silver in doubles at the Durban International in South Africa in 2013. He was also a two time (2003, 2006) national championin Badminton in National Transplant Games.For thousands of transplant patients inKerala, Davies was not merely a survivor, he was proof that a broken body could still carry an unbroken will. His death arrived abruptly without warning as if knowing that any hint of danger would awaken his instinct to fight. He was active even on his last day. He spoke to me around 8 pm about how his day went, said his kindred soul Jayasree CG. After that the next thing I heard was that he was gone, she said.Davies was working as a transplant coordinator at Daya General Hospital in Thrissur. Born and raised in Villadom, Kolannur Veedu, Thrissur, Davies gow up with the cultural beat of the city, Pooram procession, decorated Elephants and temple- Church grounds. After graduation, he worked as an Assistant Manager in an Italian hotel in Pune for three years. Like many young Keralites, he later moved to Saudi Arabia, workIng as a Chief Cashier in a fashion retail outlet until the first tragedy struck him at the age 30 years,when his both kidneys failed. He was forced to return home and begin dialysis. Hemet Dr TT Paul, nephrologist at West Fort hospital in Thrissur who changed his course of life later. In the late 1990s dialysis facilities were scarce in Thrissur or Ernakulam, forcing patients to travel to Coimbatore or Chennai. Davies underwent nearly 300 dialysis sessions before receiving his transplant under Dr. TT Paul on August 25, 2001. At that time transplant recipients were advised to avoid physical exertion and lead a quiet life. As Davis began gaining weight, Dr. Paul urged him to resume exercise, rekindling his lost love for badminton. Doctor reassured him that he attached kidney will not fall off, if you play badminton. Davies took up the racket and never looked back. After winning gold medals at the National TransplantGames in 2003 and 2006, he stepped onto the international stage and brought home several medals in 2011 and 2013. Impressed by his spirit, Dr. Paul and the hospital authorities invited Davies to join the West Fort hospital as a transplant coordinator in 2003, using Davies and his positive energy to utilise. Life tested him again in 2014, when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He underwent chemotherapy at CMC Vellore and Amritha Hospital in Ernakulam without taking a single day leave, determined not to abandon the kidney patients who relied on him. Later an infection left him unconscious for 15 days in West Fort Hospital. On those nights Dr. Paul, who considered Davies a son, sat by bedside readingO Henry's 'Last Leaf'. He later told Davies's friends that perhaps words might succeedwhere medicine hadfaltered. In the short story, 'Last Leaf', when a young artist falls ill and thinks that she would die when the last leaf falls from anivy vine outside her window. Then to save her and from losing hope, her neighbour, a failed artist painted a realistic leaf on the wall. Though Davies came back to life, cancer and the treatment had caused him dearly as his body rejected the transplanted kidney. On 12 January, 2016 the second time surgery took place for organ transplantation. After his discharge from hospital he rejoined for work and resumed badminton. Davies and Dr. Paul had then started workingat Daya General Hospital. On December 8, 2025 he was active. still speaking to those who needed him. Hours later, he was gone, after a sudden collapse from respiratorydistress.If he had received even the faintest warning, Davies would have survived it, Jayasree said, her voice steady but heavy. He always fought back. On Tuesday, Dr. Paul sat alone in the St. Mary's Church, Ponganamkad waiting as he had done countless times in his homesforDavies with his gentle smile and humour. But for thousands whose lives he touched, Davies hasn't vanished.

Kerala local body elections: Big promises, bigger dreams

KOCHI: keralas local body elections have traditionally centered on the basics roads, drains, streetlights and waste management. But this time, the three major fronts the CPM-led LDF, Congress-led UDF and BJP-led NDA have released manifestos that read less like routine civic checklists and more like ambitious blueprints for parallel futures. If polls were a contest for imagining the most expansive version of Keralas cities, this election would easily qualify as the masterclass in political imagination. The full-fledged, multi-page poll documents for corporations and districts in particular carry a flood of promises some practical, some aspirational and some that wander into the territory of wishful planning. Growing public expectation Micro-level manifestos in local body elections mark a significant shift in Keralas political culture. While many promises may be aspirational or beyond the immediate powers of local governments, the trend itself signals a growing public expectation for accountability and decentralised decision-making. Detailed ward or city-specific pledges push parties to engage more closely with voters everyday concerns and create a record against which their performance can later be measured. In an increasingly urbanised and globally aware electorate, such granular manifestos encourage healthier debates on governance and, over time, can strengthen the relevance and responsiveness of local bodies even if the feasibility of the promises remains uneven. Im happy, said D Dhanuraj, founder-chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). Praising the sudden surge in detailed manifestos, he said, This will help prompt more discussion on decentralised government, and the public will demand such things. He also believes that global political trends and high-profile campaigns elsewhere may be influencing Keralas political tone. He sees the trend as healthy: When you promise 100 things and dont implement even 10%, someone will question you. I see it as the next level of development as we move towards greater decentralisation. For him, the very presence of detailed manifestos marks a shift toward increased accountability. Economist Jose Sebastian, however, has a sharply different view. The manifesto is a wrong trend. Its becoming a mockery, he said. According to him, none of the fronts, regardless of ideology, explain how they plan to mobilise funds for these expansive promises. Its all tall promises without any substance. Just to create a narrative, he says. Sebastian also argues that Keralas local governments are not autonomous enough to shoulder these grand visions. They have become implementing agencies of central and state schemes. If they had focused on their own resource mobilisation, we wouldnt be in this situation. With the first phase of polling over on Tuesday and the second set for Thursday, the electorate has already begun casting its verdict on these big-ticket manifestos. Saturdays results will reveal which promises resonated, and which remained on paper. OLYMPICS IN TPURAM & METRO TO COIMBATORE? Leading the pack in audacity is the BJP. Its manifesto for the Thiruvananthapuram corporation promises to prepare the capital to serve as one of the venues for the 2036 Olympics. The host city is still undecided, and Ahmedabad is widely tipped as Indias official bidder, but the NDA is confident Thiruvananthapuram can aim high. If that wasnt bold enough, the party has also promised to extend the Kochi Metro all the way to Coimbatore a proposal that would involve overcoming the trifecta of funding challenges, inter-state coordination and monumental infrastructure planning. Alongside these headline-grabbing pledges, the party has also offered more grounded commitments: a Surat-inspired drainage system, Indore-style waste management, and centrally-monitored street lighting. A FULLY SMART KOCHI The Congress-led UDF has filled its Kochi corporation manifesto with everyday urban concerns: garbage, mosquitoes, traffic jams, stray dogs and public health. Its major pitch is a Zero Waste Kochi project aimed at resolving the long-standing issues surrounding the Brahmapuram waste plant. The manifesto also promises to turn Kochi into South Indias first total smart city, a vision based on efficient mobility, digital governance and better civic services. The list of promises is sweeping: garbage-free streets, mosquito control, smoother traffic and a crackdown on drug lobbies. If executed, it would address many chronic complaints of Kochis residents. However, whether these proposals survive the constraints of local body finances remains unclear. INFRA-HEAVY AGENDAS FOR KOCHI, U.N. GOALS ROADMAP FOR KOZHIKODE The CPM-led LDF has released detailed manifestos for multiple corporations. In Kochi, its focus is on practical improvements: canal rejuvenation, systematic road cleaning, value-added waste products, and EVs for the Haritha Karma Sena. It also proposes an electric bus network with KSRTC, renovation of key bus stands and new mobility solutions like multi-level parking and bike sharing. In Kozhikode, the LDF has gone a step further. Its manifesto states the corporation will work to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2031 if the front returns to power. The document outlines a sweeping development agenda: Transforming Kozhikode into an IT hub; implementing a light metro project; continuing the City Road Improvement Project; building new roads and infrastructure; and constructing a flyover at Eranhipalam. LDF, which has governed Kozhikode for over 45 years, attributes its long run to timely implementation of development projects, an argument it hopes will resonate again.

Kerala local body polls: On D-Day, party veterans steal the show

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Conventional politicking and canvassing have largely given way to tech-driven exercises, mostly carried out by youths. However, one thing has largely remained unchanged. On the D-day, it is the senior party workers who turn out to be the most indispensable players. With their decades-long experience and grassroots connections, they scan through the voters list, mark each votes polled, and check if any of the names that they deem as sure votes are yet to be polled. If thats the case, those voters are immediately contacted and arrangements are made to ferry them to the polling station, if required. Without veterans, the election day activities can hardly be proceeded with meaningfully. The decades of experience gained from the political crucible empower the oldies to asses which are their votes and which are not. And who they should transport to the polling booth and whose failure to turn up should make them happy. At the Congress booth, near Perumala LPS, that falls in Pullampara panchayat under Vamanapuram assembly constituency, H Shajahan is busy marking in the voters list, using a red pen, the names of those who have exercised their franchise. This is to find out those still to vote. A man in his fifties, Shajahan knows Nagarukuzhy ward like the back of his hand. Then, using another colour, he marks the names that he feels are party votes and are yet to be polled. Its 11am, and before 4pm, we need to ensure that our votes are polled, Shajahan said. The question arises: How is it possible to assess who are party voters and who arent? Its because of the long experience in local politics that we are able to gauge votes. Congress H Shajahan I have around 40 years of experience in politics and around 30 years in poll management. Only seasoned people can do this job, he said. A little further, K Tulaseedharan Nair is busy doing similar work with the voters list, in the CPM dugout. The 63-year-old is the agent of the LDF candidate in the ward and is awaiting a paper thats due from the polling station. Every hour, our agent inside the polling station sends us the serial number of the votes cast. In our dugout, we mark these numbers on the voters list and check how many of our votes have been polled. Veteran party workers know the political inclination of the voters. This is partly done by observation and feedback from people who they meet regularly. In around 90% of the cases, our assumption turns true, he said. Poll managers, as they can easily be called, vouch that the role of the veteran local politician can never be replaced by any technology. Even AI is no match for them in this context. They know each family and individual. In some families, members vote en-bloc for a party, while in some, there is a vote split. So, you cannot guarantee full votes even from a party family. Thats when the personal rapport and networking of the local veterans come into play. They can differentiate between votes in a single family, and generally, it turns to be precise, Shajahan said. Tulaseedharan, however, said around 5% voters never telegraph their political inclination and hence their votes cannot be deemed as for or against a particular party. Similar is the case with new voters, Shajahan said. As the action ends at dusk, the poll managers count their votes and predict the outcome. The prediction is around 90% accurate, Tulaseedharan averred.

Civil Aviation Ministry inspects 10 major airports after Indigo flight disruptions

NEW DELHI: Following widespread disruptions in Indigos flight operations, senior officers from the Civil Aviation Ministry began inspections at ten major airports across the country on Wednesday. The inspections, ordered by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, are expected to continue till Friday. The airports under review include Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Guwahati, Goa, and Thiruvananthapuram. Officers at the level of Deputy Secretary, Director, or Joint Secretary have been tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment of on-ground operations. The inspections will cover flight delays and cancellations, airport congestion, queue management at check-in counters, security and boarding gates, status of information dissemination to passengers on delays and alternative arrangements. Officers will also review manpower availability for operational duties, staffing of airline help desks, and the provision of essential amenities such as drinking water. The Ministrys move comes as part of ongoing efforts to stabilise flight operations and ensure passenger convenience amid the recent operational crisis at Indigo.

Local body polls: Thiruvananthapuram district records 67.42% voter turnout, down from 70.02% registered in 2020

As many as 19,63,684 people cast their votes on Tuesday

Kerala votes in first election without V S Achuthanandans presence

ALAPPUZHA: For the first time in the electoral history of the state, a poll is being held without the presence of veteran Communist leader and former chief minister V S Achuthanandan. His wife Vasumathi and son V A Arun Kumar cast their votes at the Buds School polling station in Punnapra South, Alappuzha. In the 2020 local body elections, Achuthanandan could not cast his vote as he was bedridden following a stroke and was under treatment at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Before heading to the polling booth, Vasumathi, Arun Kumar and his wife paid homage at Achuthanandans memorial at Valiyachudukad, where he was cremated in July this year. Arun Kumar told the media that his mothers health was also not good, but she was determined to cast her vote. So, we arrived at the Velikkakathu house on Monday evening. Many relatives and neighbours visited and exchanged pleasantries with the family, he said. He also recalled that during every election, his father would arrive a day ahead of polling and spend time with relatives and neighbours at the Velikkakathu house. This is the first election without him, Arun Kumar added.

Kamalini, Vaishnavi Included As India Announce 15-member Squad For Sri Lanka T20Is

Sri Lanka T20Is: After a match-winning performance against South Africa in the Women's ODI World Cup final, Shafali Verma rejoins the Indian team for the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka starting on December 21. The 15-person team includes G. Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma, both of whom played for India in the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup. Smriti Mandhana has been named Harmanpreet Kaur's deputy in the leadership department as the latter leads the Women In Blue in the series against Sri Lanka. The Women's Selection Committee has picked Indias squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka Women, BCCI said in a statement. The team also includes other members of the recent World Cup-winning squad, as the selection committee has named Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Renuka Singh Thakur. The team's two wicketkeepers are Richa Ghosh and Kamalini. Indias five-match T20I series will begin on 21st December in Visakhapatnam, which will also host the second game on 23rd December. The action will then shift to Thiruvananthapuram for the final stretch, with the third T20I scheduled on 26th December, followed by the fourth on 28th December and the series finale on 30th December. The two venues will share the spotlight as India round off their year with a back-to-back contest in the shortest format. The team also includes other members of the recent World Cup-winning squad, as the selection committee has named Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Renuka Singh Thakur. The team's two wicketkeepers are Richa Ghosh and Kamalini. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Indias squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma Article Source: IANS

'Won't accept double standards': Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on FEFKA's plan to readmit Dileep

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malayalam dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on Tuesday said she would resign from the FEFKA in protest against what she called the organisation's ushed move to take back actor Dileep following his acquittal in the 2017 actor assault case. Bhagyalakshmi, who has previously held several positions in the Film Employees Federation of Kerala, told reporters that she could not accept double standards in the case and would stand firmly with the survivor. She said the trial court's verdict was not final until upheld by higher courts, and that FEFKA and other film bodies should have waited for the legal process to conclude. On Monday, FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan said Dileep would be reinstated once he submitted a request. We had expelled him within two hours of him being named an accused, and we will reverse the action now that he has been acquitted, he said. Expressing happiness over the verdict, Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA) president B Rakesh also said the body would readmit Dileep if it received a formal request. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) too backed the court's decision, saying in a Facebook post that he law will take its own course. Meanwhile, screenwriter and actor-director Renji Panicker welcomed the judgment, saying he believed he real guilty persons had been punished. He said the court had found no evidence of conspiracy involving Dileep. Unless the higher courts reverse the order, I can only go by the trial court's decision, he added. Responding to criticism from the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which said the survivor had not received full justice, Panicker said, Those who expected a different verdict will naturally be upset. I stand by the court's verdict and believe the guilty have been given the right punishment. A Kerala court on Monday acquitted Malayalam cinema star Dileep in the sensational 2017 actress sexual assault case, in which six persons, including the main accused, charged with committing the crime, were pronounced guilty. In a case that made national headlines while sending shockwaves over the top actor's alleged involvement in the matter, three others, including Dileep's close friend Sarath, were also acquitted. Dileep, whose real name is P Gopalakrishnan, claimed there was a eal conspiracy by some police officials and a section of the media to implicate him in the case earlier with an eye on destroying his career.

'Won't adopt double standards': Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on FEFKA's plan to readmit Dileep

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malayalam dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on Tuesday said she would resign from the FEFKA in protest against what she called the organisation's ushed move to take back actor Dileep following his acquittal in the 2017 actor assault case. Bhagyalakshmi, who has previously held several positions in the Film Employees Federation of Kerala, told reporters that she could not adopt double standards on the case and would stand firmly with the survivor. She said the trial court's verdict was not final until upheld by higher courts, and that FEFKA and other film bodies should have waited for the legal process to conclude. On Monday, FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan said Dileep would be reinstated once he submitted a request. We had expelled him within two hours of him being named an accused, and we will reverse the action now that he has been acquitted, he said. Expressing happiness over the verdict, Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA) president B Rakesh also said the body would readmit Dileep if it received a formal request. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) too backed the court's decision, saying in a Facebook post that he law will take its own course. Meanwhile, screenwriter and actor-director Renji Panicker welcomed the judgment, saying he believed he real guilty persons had been punished. He said the court had found no evidence of conspiracy involving Dileep. Unless the higher courts reverse the order, I can only go by the trial court's decision, he added. Responding to criticism from the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which said the survivor had not received full justice, Panicker said, Those who expected a different verdict will naturally be upset. I stand by the court's verdict and believe the guilty have been given the right punishment. A Kerala court on Monday acquitted Malayalam cinema star Dileep in the sensational 2017 actress sexual assault case, in which six persons, including the main accused, charged with committing the crime, were pronounced guilty. In a case that made national headlines while sending shockwaves over the top actor's alleged involvement in the matter, three others, including Dileep's close friend Sarath, were also acquitted. Dileep, whose real name is P Gopalakrishnan, claimed there was a eal conspiracy by some police officials and a section of the media to implicate him in the case earlier with an eye on destroying his career.

Inippu in Thiruvananthapuram serves sweets and seasonality

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers claims airline's operations are now stable

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers stated in a video message that the airlines operations are now stable following a wave of disruptions. The airline has faced over 400 cancellations nationwide, affecting major airports including Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai, though airport authorities confirmed that passengers are being assisted and there are no terminal or airside issues.

Kerala local body polls sees over 32% turnout in first five hours

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A voter turnout of 32.04% was recorded in the first five hours of polling in the first phase of the local body polls in seven districts of the state. Electors are choosing representatives to the three-tier panchayats in rural areas and municipalities and corporations in urban areas. Voting is being held in 15,422 polling stations from 7 am to 6 pm. Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi and the states Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan were among the prominent voters who queued up to cast their votes in the first hour of polling. Polling in the first phase is underway in seven districts, which include Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam. A total of 11,167 wards spread across 595 local bodies are facing the polls on Tuesday. This includes 8310 wards in 471 grama panchayats, 1090 wards in 75 block panchayats, 164 divisions in seven district panchayats, 1317 wards in 39 municipalities and 232 wards in three Corporations. As many as 1.32 crore voters, including 62.50 lakh men, 70.32 lakh women and 126 transgender persons figure in the voters' list in local bodies that are going to polls in the first phase. A total of 36,629 candidates are in the fray in the seven districts.

Kerala local body polls: Fronts make fervent bid to sway electoral outcome on the day of silent campaigning

Silent campaigning unfolded across three Municipal Corporations, 39 municipalities, seven district panchayats, 75 block panchayats, and 471 grama panchayats spread over Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts.

Congress,CPM allying with Jamaat, says Rajeev

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM and Congress are allying with Jamaat-e-Islami, which works towards establishing an Islamic state, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Monday. He said the outfit had extended political support to both the fronts as revealed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a meet the press. He accused the LDF and UDF of locking on to political goals without considering the cons of its maneuvers and urged the public to vote for NDA to put an end to this. He also alleged that the UPA government did nothing for the state when there were eight union ministers from Kerala and the Narendra Modi had provided more assistance than the Congress-led governments. He also accused the fronts of doing nothing on gold heist from Sabarimala temple and added that they have turned the devaswom board into a centre for middlemen. Lack of development, corruption, criminal negligence, and incompetence are what the alternating governments have given the people of Kerala over the years. Despite the people giving them opportunities many times, they gave nothing back to the people. If anyone has done anything to protect the interests of the people of this land, it is solely the Narendra Modi government, he added.

LSG dept steps in to solve Varkala project row

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following the tussle between Varkala municipality and the tourism department over the implementation of the controversial Varkala Dakshin Kashi project launched at the ancient Janardhana Swamy Temple under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme the local self-government principal director on Monday convened a meeting with all stakeholders to resolve the issue. Principal director Geromic George directed the municipality secretary to grant the required approvals after legally vetting all documents. The Varkala municipality had issued multiple stop memos to the tourism department, the most recent one on December 2, asking that all construction activities be halted immediately. However, the Urulungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) continued construction and excavation on the Varkala cliff without securing mandatory permissions. The Rs 25 crore Centre-funded project, aimed at improving basic facilities and enhancing the pilgrim experience, was launched around three months ago without obtaining required approvals from the Varkala municipality, the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA), the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), and the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The municipality issued its first notice on September 25. The meeting, convened on the request of the tourism department, was attended by representatives of the District Disaster Management Authority, the tourism department, KCZMA, and Varkala municipality. Geromic said the municipal secretary has been instructed to legally examine and approve the project. The tourism department will submit the project drawings for approval on December 11. Varkala municipal secretary G Mithran told TNIE that the tourism authorities informed the meeting that the applications for approval from the municipality will be uploaded on Thursday. After processing, we will forward the application to KCZMA. We are also awaiting a report from the DDMA, G Mithran said. He added that the project currently lacks approval from the Pollution Control Board (PCB). Construction activities are also prohibited within 100 metres of the cliff face. We must verify whether this is being followed. KCZMAs approval is required in this regard as well, he added. S J Sajeev, president of the Environment Protection and Research Council, who filed the complaint against the alleged illegal construction by the Tourism Department, said the Archaeological Survey of India has a major role in conserving the Varkala cliff. He said the revenue department should demarcate the entire cliff to bring clarity and help prevent illegal constructions.

Ink issues and faulty EVMs cause chaos at start of local body elections in Thiruvanthapuram

THIRUVANTHAPURAM: The first phase of local body elections began on Monday amidst crises and uncertainties across the capital district. In a critical incident, election ink applied to voters forefingers at the Sasthamangalam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation faded within minutes. Sources from Booth 2 of the Raja Kesavadas NSS Higher Secondary School polling station reported that the ink was diluted, causing it to disappear quickly. In the same ward, a female voter was not permitted to vote due to discrepancies in the electoral roll. Vasantha Gokulam (84), whose name appeared as Vasantha Gokul with incorrect age and photograph, was denied voting at Booth 3. This appears to be a deliberately created issue, as similar problems occurred in the last local body elections. No major parties checked this while distributing the election slip, which raises doubts, said Resmi TS, the AAP candidate for the ward. Discussions to allow her vote are currently ongoing. Meanwhile, the voting machine at Booth 2 of Karavaram Panchayat Ward 20 was found to be non-functional. At least 50 voters left after discovering the EVM was damaged, sources said, adding that polling officials had assured a replacement would be provided soon. Voting for the first phase in seven districts of the state began at 7 am, with electors choosing representatives for three-tier panchayats in rural areas and municipalities and corporations in urban areas. Voters queued at polling stations as early as 6.30 am. Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi and the states Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, were among the prominent voters who cast their ballots in the first hour. The first phase covers Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts. A total of 11,167 wards across 595 local bodies are going to polls, including 8,310 wards in 471 grama panchayats, 1,090 wards in 75 block panchayats, 164 divisions in seven district panchayats, 1,317 wards in 39 municipalities, and 232 wards in three corporations. As many as 1.32 crore voters, including 62.50 lakh men, 70.32 lakh women, and 126 transgender persons, are listed to vote in this phase. A total of 36,629 candidates are contesting in the seven districts. Voting is taking place across 15,422 polling stations, 480 of which have been designated as sensitive.

Kerala local body polls: Voting under way for first phase in seven districts

Voters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam will cast their ballots today

CET researchers develop tech for safe micro-grids

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what could benefit critical sectors and even remote tribal hamlets that rely on localised renewable energy-based power sources, a team of researchers from College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET) have invented a technology to increase the safety and reliability of electrical micro-grids. Micro-grids are mini versions of the larger power grids that can supply electricity to a specific area, such as a neighbourhood, campus, or even a large building through sources such as solar energy. The technology that accurately detects islanding conditions and faults in grid-connected micro-grids, has won CET a patent from the Government of India. Islanding occurs when a part of the grid stays energised by local sources such as solar power during an outage. It is highly dangerous as it creates severe safety risks such as electrocution, damage to equipment and destablisation of the grid. Even under challenging scenarios such as fluctuations in solar power generation or unstable variations in micro-grid loads, the universal adaptive relay developed by us demonstrated precise and dependable performance, said lead researcher Prof Rajeev T of the Department of Electrical Engineering, CET. The team comprised former research scholar Divya S Nair and former MTech student Sindhura Miraj. The research was conducted as part of a project funded by NaMPET, with technical collaboration from Dr Vinod V, Associate Professor ay GEC Barton Hill and C-DAC scientist Aby Joseph. The patented technology enables the universal microcontroller-based relay with the training knowledge to precisely detect and differentiate between islanding, non-islanding, and fault conditions. The relaying technique has two operational levels: the phase deviation control technique that performs the first level, and the hybrid detection technique that performs the second. The invention adopts a unique hybrid detection approach capable of distinguishing between islanding and non-islanding scenarios. This approach effectively pinpoints faults in grid-connected AC micro-grids. The system can also avoid nuisance tripping and unintentional islanding without compromising operational speed., Rajeev explained. Micro-grids are of immense benefit to far flung areas such as tribal settlements where drawing conventional power lines poses a lot of challenges, said R Harikumar, Dir Energy Management Centre (EMC)-Kerala under the state power department. The invention, he noted, would help in improving safety and efficiency of such grids. Meanwhile, the EMC is in discussions on developing urban micro grids in the state that would power critical emergency response and command centres, especially during times of natural disasters. Holding promise CET researchers universal microcontroller-based relay technology has won a patent Invention effectively pinpoints faults in grid-connected AC micro-grids Hybrid detection approach distinguishes hazardous and non hazardous situations Technology avoids nuisance tripping and thereby enhances operational speed

Empowerment program: Sports department to train women and girls in martial arts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Marking an ambitious move to foster womens safety and empowerment, the department of sports and youth affairs is all set to roll out a self-defence and empowerment training programme for girls and women, by training them in martial arts including boxing, karate, kalarippayattu and taekwondo. Officials confirmed that the programme will be inaugurated this month, and the initial procedures will begin soon. The training will be provided in a full-fledged manner to school students from the next academic year, senior officials remarked. Planning to roll out in multiple phases, the training will initially be provided to the police officers who are trainers of Student Police Cadets (SPC), who will, in turn, train their cadets. Special training will also be given to around 2,000 physical education teachers of schools. These teachers will later look after the training for other students in schools, further plans for which will be decided by the education department later. The department is also planning to execute this as a continuous programme to provide free training for all women without age bar, with Jimmy George Indoor Stadium as its key centre. A detailed handbook on how to provide training has already been prepared by the sports department with the help of experts from the State Council for Educational Research and Training. More modules for this programme will be released in the coming years. More than physical training, the course will comprise anti-panic training, measures to increase assertiveness and situational awareness. Our aim is to have at least two periods weekly in the school dedicated to this in all government and aided schools, which will be mandatory for all girls. We will also ask them to submit videos of students engaging in this mass activity to monitor the quality of the programme, said a higher official from the sports department. He added that all students will be trained in all four martial arts, along with fitness training.

Bun maska-chai: The viral combo sweeping Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Yummy butter spread between a tasty bun, dipped in hot tea this simple combination has endeared itself to Keralites. Originally from the Irani cafes of Mumbai, the dish is trending all over Kerala, with food vloggers making it the talk of the town. And the origin of this sudden craze for bun maska in the state could be traced to a couple from Kochi The Chai Couple and what they call their single-minded decision. When Saran Dileep and Sreelekshmi T S decided to return from abroad and choose and pursue a passion in Kochi, they were unsure about where to start. An avid tea lover, Sreelekshmi felt there should be a place that answers an everyday question: Where can we get good chai? That thought grew: What if we add some snacks, but not the usual oily ones? Overnight, the duo bought some charts, took a table from their house and borrowed their grandmothers flask. The next morning, they were ready in front of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor, armed with a limited number of buns and some tea. The Chai Couple Cafe, and the viral bun maska-chai combo, took off. Instead of beginning a fully-fledged shop, we thought of experimenting, to see if people like what we offer, said Saran. Maintaining that the dish is their version of bun maska, he said never in their dreams did the two think it would become a statewide trend. Terming it a result of both word of mouth promotion and support of food vloggers, Saran commented they are happy to see the dish going viral. Our confidence is in our customers, said Sreelekshmi, adding that many, including their first-ever tea customer, return to their food spot. One of our customers is even developing our new token system, she said, adding that they have always been keen on not compromising on quality. Food vloggers across the state say the bun maska-tea combo has gone viral. Niyadh Basheer (@foodencyclopediatrivandrum) said the key complaint he hears from foodies is the dish being out of stock. There are shops open till 2am, selling bun maska and tea in Thiruvananthapuram. Techies have taken over spaces in the Technopark side, where they sell bun maska, he said, adding that the capital citys thattukada culture has boosted peoples love for the dish. Devayani S Thilakan (@toastory) says the affordable nature of the dish has made it attractive for college students in Kozhikode. We commonly see students who are visiting the beach, gathering at shops selling the items, she said.

India To Have Training Camp In Bengaluru Ahead Of Womens T20Is Against Sri Lanka

The T20I: The Indian womens team is set to have a preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, starting from Tuesday, ahead of the five-game T20I series against Sri Lanka, set to begin on December 21. The T20I series against Sri Lanka will be Indias first international assignment after winning the 2025 Womens ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai on November 2. IANS understands that the Indian womens team members will have their annual testing done in the next two days before the preparatory camp focuses on honing their skillsets, fitness levels, and getting them match fit. India and Sri Lanka will play the first two T20Is on December 21 and 23 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The remaining three matches will be played on December 26, 28, and 30 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The series against Sri Lanka will kickstart Indias preparations for the 2026 ICC Womens T20 World Cup, to be held in England from June 12 to July 5. India has never won the silverware in the shortest format, with their best result being the runners-up finish in the 2020 Womens T20 World Cup in Australia. IANS also understands that the Amita Sharma-led womens selection committee had a meeting on Monday to finalise Indias squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, and an announcement is expected to be made soon. This will be the first squad to be picked by the Amita-led selection panel, who took charge from September 28, and who make the cut will make for an interesting watch. IANS also understands that the Amita Sharma-led womens selection committee had a meeting on Monday to finalise Indias squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, and an announcement is expected to be made soon. Also Read: Live Cricket Score After the T20I series against Sri Lanka, the Indian team players will feature for their respective franchises in season four of Women's Premier League (WPL), set to run from January 9 to February 5, 2026, in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. Post that, India will travel to Australia for the multi-format tour set to happen from February 15 to March 6. Article Source: IANS

First phase of Kerala local body polls on Tuesday; voting to begin at 7 a.m.

Votes will be polled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Phase-I of the local body elections covering wards in 595 local bodies across Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts.

'Not the final verdict': Retd DGP B Sandhya on actor assault case verdict

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Responding to the sessions court verdict in the actress assault case, acquitting actor Dileep of conspiracy charges, former DGP B Sandhya said that this is not the final verdict in the case. Conspiracy is always a challenge to prove in court, and this is not the final verdict. We have higher courts too, and let us see how things unfold, she said while addressing the media here. Sandhya led the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that investigated the case. Hinting that the survivor will approach the higher courts, the IPS officer also said that she hopes the investigation team and the prosecution will fight for justice. We will be there with the victim, both the prosecution and the probe team, and we will go forward, she said. Appreciating the probe team for their efforts, Sandhya also noted that the issue has led to several positive changes in the Malayalam film industry. On the other hand, Cultural Minister Saji Cherian said that the government will look into the court's observations in detail, check for any shortcomings in the evidence, and act accordingly. We will have to take a collective decision, and it will be taken likewise, the minister responded. Reiterating that the government is always with the survivor, irrespective of whoever is on the other side, the minister said that further comments will be made after studying the court verdict.

Kerala local body polls: First-time voters in capital to receive warm welcome at model polling stations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: First-time voters will be accorded a warm reception on Tuesday as they arrive at the two model polling stations in the district to caste their vote in the local body elections. Besides, the model booths, set up on the southern and northern sides of Government LPS at Chemmaruthi, will have special facilities for persons with disabilities (PwDs), senior citizens, pregnant women and sick persons. They include wheelchairs, seats, first-aid, drinking water and clean toilets. Sick people, pregnant women and senior citizens and PwDs will have priority in queue. There will also be four Young polling stations, in Neyyattinkara, Nedumangad, Attingal and Varkala municipalities, where the polling officers will be youngsters. The highlight would be selfie points where youngsters can take photos. There will be Pink polling stations, where the staff will be women. They are booth 33-Medical College, booth 3-Medical College HS Staff room number 110, 58-Karamana, 04- Government Girls High School, 38-Nanthancode, 5-Holy Angels ISC main building, 42-Pangode, 02-Seventh Day School north portion, Pangode, 43-Thirumala, 08-Saraswathy Vidyalayam, Arappura, 50-Valiyasala, 06-LBS Institute, Poojappura, 86-Vanchiyoor, 05-St Josephs School, 89-Chakka, 06-Government UPS Chakka. Women arriving with infants will be given seating. First-time women voters will be given reception. The booths will be decorated with pink balloons. EVM commissioning Commissioning of all EVMs has been completed. Commissioning of machines under the Pothencode block division was held at St Xaviers College, Thumba. District Collector Anukumari, ADM Vineeth T K and training nodal officer Saji R S reviewed the commissioning. Election guide An election guide for the district was brought out by District Information Office and District Election Wing. It has details on all local self-government institutions, officers holding different positions, candidates, details of voters, model code of conduct, polling stations, distribution and collection centres. Inclusive space The two model booths, set up on the southern and northern sides of Govt LPS at Chemmaruthi, will have have facilities for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women

Conclave in Kerala to suggest changes to Centres labour code

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The one-day Labour Conclave, being convened to suggest changes towards the nationally implemented labour code, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on December 19, at Hotel Lemon Tree here. Labour Minister V Sivankutty will preside over the event which is aimed at identifying the issues with the labour code in regard to Keralas labour market and how changes can be implemented to resolve them. The conclave will be attended by Finance Minister K N Balagopal, Law Minister P Rajeeve, national level trade union leaders, scholars, law experts, and academicians from across the country. Organised by the state government in association with the Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment (KILE), the conclave will have multi-faceted discussions regarding the state-specific aspect of the law. Top officials from the labour department have said that the suggestions and concerns put forward by the stakeholders will be consolidated and sent to the Union government and the President within a week or two of the conclave. We will be discussing how certain elements in the labour code are not suitable for our state, a senior official said. The sources from the labour department said all key trade unions have been invited to participate in the conclave. Ministers from non-BJP ruled states have also been invited to the event. Two sessions the implications of labour codes within the context of the states labour market and alternative strategies to address the adverse impact of the codes will be held at the conclave. The officials have also said that the people involved in drafting the codes are also likely to take part in the event to provide more insights. Earlier, Minister Sivankutty had said that the state will not implement the labour codes, after a meeting with the representatives of various trade union leaders.

Thiruvananthapuram resonates with colourful kottikalasham as campaigning ends

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the curtains fell on public campaigning for the local body elections, political parties brought their 20-day campaigns to a vibrant close with high-decibel celebrations across major junctions of the capital city during the traditional kottikalasham on Sunday. From 3 pm onwards, party workers thronged junctions including Peroorkada, Vazhottukonam, Pettah, Kodunganoor, Kazhakoottam, Jagathy, PMG, Muttada, and Sasthamangalam. Supporters, particularly women, turned the streets into a spectacle, dressed in bright colours, and traditional attire bordered with party flag motifs. Party workers danced to drumbeats, waving festoons and balloons, while police maintained order by standing between rival groups. District leaders joined the festivities to project confidence ahead of the polls, expressing optimism about the outcome in the tightly contested corporation. In Peroorkada, candidates arrived in open vehicles accompanied by drumbeats. NDA candidates drew attention by climbing onto a crane lifted high above the crowd, while UDF and LDF candidates chose to wave from vehicles or the ground. The day began with candidates touring their wards in open vehicles and bike rallies adorned with massive party flags. Many supporters sported Che Guevara-style berets, while in Kunnukuzhi, the LDF candidate surprised the public with yellow shirts emblazoned with his image in red. At Jagathy, Kerala Congress (B) candidate Poojappura Radhakrishnan campaigned alongside party chief and Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, aiming to wrest the seat from the BJP, which has held it for 15 years. The high-octane finale was not without tension. In Pothencode, clashes erupted between UDF and LDF supporters, prompting police intervention. Across the corporation, a triangular contest has emerged in many wards. Both NDA and UDF have leaned heavily on anti-incumbency sentiment. The Congress leadership, determined to wrest control from the LDF, has fielded a mayoral candidate and intensified campaigning in coastal areas where it suffered losses in the previous election. The LDF, meanwhile, anticipates that Congresss push may erode BJPs urban vote base, strengthening its own prospects. All three major fronts also face intense competition from rebel candidates.

30th International Film Festival of Kerala to open with Palestine film

Thiruvananthapuram: The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) beginning here on December 12, will open with the film Palestine 36, directed by Annemarie Jacir. Historical drama portraying Palestinian uprising against British colonisation The film is an epic historical drama which portrays the Palestinian uprising against the British colonisation. The opening film takes its name 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 .

Congress leader Chennithala links Sabarimala gold theft to global smugglers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Adding a new dimension to the Sabarimala gold theft row, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged that international antique smugglers are part of the conspiracy. In a letter addressed to the special investigation team (SIT), dated Saturday, Chennithala said he received this information from a person in the know of these smugglers activities, which he later verified. The SIT will take a statement of the senior leader on Wednesday. Even though Chennithala mentioned that the informer is willing to furnish facts and figures before the SIT, no additional summons have been issued. In a complaint addressed to ADGP H Venkatesh, the Congress leader alleged that a deal worth Rs 500 crore was struck as part of a conspiracy between the devaswom board and antique smugglers. Calling it a tip of the iceberg, he adds that the Sabarimala gold theft is part of a well-orchestrated plan to plunder and smuggle priceless antiques, idols and other valuable articles from prominent Hindu temples. Chennithala said he has information about the involvement of certain ill-famed businessmen and organised rackets who have spent huge sums within the state for this purpose. The fact that the original gold and other items smuggled from Sabarimala have not been recovered is proof of the involvement of international rackets, he wrote, adding that the High Court observation that the theft resembles the operation of notorious antique smuggler Subhash Kapoor deserves more attention in this context.

A final good-bye that transcended boundaries of religion, tradition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the premise of an ancestral home now rests a man who was born a Hindu, lived as a Muslim, and was loved by all! Yet, having chosen to convert to Islam in his middle age, the man from Mudapuram, in Chirayinkeezhu, never forced anyone in his family to follow in his path. On Sunday, the family of Abdul Rahman, 76, previously known as Suvarnan, bid farewell to him following Islamic practices. Heartwarming scenes unfolded at their home near the family temple, adding another chapter to the real stories from Kerala! After serving in the Indian Navy as a petty officer for a brief period, Suvarnan migrated to Saudi Arabia for employment. Interactions with friends there attracted him to the Quran and Islam. If something captures his interest, he would carry out thorough research about the subject and come to a conclusion. That happened here, too, when he decided to lead his life as a Muslim and changed his name to Abdul Rahman around 35 years back, says Suhas, Abduls son. Even though the extended families had their concerns about the conversion, he laid everything to rest through his friendly dealings with each and every one. Not even once did my father ask my siblings or me to choose Islam. All he stressed was to choose what we feel right, and today we give that space to our children too, Suhas said. While fighting cancer over the last two and a half years, Abdul asked his family to perform his last rites in the Islamic tradition. And when Abdul breathed his last on Saturday, his children sought help at nearby mosques. In no time, they were assured support of the Islamic fraternity. People from several masjids nearby arrived to bid farewell, said one of Suhas friends. And the crowd, included people from other faiths who flowed in large numbers to honour a man who lived a unique life. Hasan Musaliyar, who led the janazah prayers, hailed all the mourners. This is something I have not seen in my 20 years as imam. It was a sight where humanity was placed on a higher pedestal above religious boundaries, he said.

Kerala cops request for officers info over MDMA seizure to further strain ties with customs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The frosty ties between the police and the Commissionerate of Central GST, Excise and Customs are expected to worsen as the cops have served a notice on the latter seeking information of customs officers in connection with the probe into the seizure of 1.25 kg of MDMA in July. The MDMA was brought from Oman to Thiruvananthapuram airport and trafficked in a container carrying dates. Acting on a tip-off, the police tailed the vehicles and arrested four people in Attingal on July 9. In August, the Varkala DySP wrote to the customs seeking detailed information of officers who were on duty on the day, to ascertain whether the traffickers received any inside help. Since there was no response, notices were sent repeatedly, the latest a month back. This did not go down well with customs officials who felt the police were exceeding their powers. Customs sources said the police action was devoid of legal standing and meant to create a bad impression about the agency. When a flight lands, there will be around 300 passengers, who will be carrying around 600 bags. Its neither possible nor prudent to open and inspect every luggage. We go for intrusive checks of a person if we have any inputs, or if something suspicious comes up during baggage screening or frisking, said a source. The police justify the notices citing suspicions as to how the traffickers managed to evade every security measure at the airport. However, customs sources said organic items going through the baggage scanner are highlighted in a particular colour. Since the drug was placed with organic food items, it could not be detected. The customs policy is not to go for detailed inspection of all passengers by opening their luggage. Nowhere is that allowed. Harassing passengers in the name of inspections is something no customs agency in the world will attempt, said the source.

Over 10,000 prisoners in Keralas jails excluded from SIR

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than 10,000 prisoners lodged in jails across the state will not be part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the office of the Chief Election Officer has said. The reason: SIR guidelines do not mention how to execute the process in the case of prisoners. Senior officials with the office of the CEO-Kerala said prisoners will not be considered for SIR as they are not ordinarily residents of their address since they are in jail. They will have to apply again for inclusion in electoral roll upon their release, the officials said, adding that the eligibility will be decided by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). As of October 20, there were more than 10,053 prisoners 9,802 men and 251 women housed in around 57 jail institutions in the state. They include 4,598 remand prisoners, 1,130 undertrials and 4,004 convicts. Being carried out based on the electoral rolls as of October 27, the SIR process in the state began on November 4. SIR guidelines only mention that individuals above 18, who are ordinarily residents of their address, and are otherwise not disqualified from voting, may be included in the process, said a higher official with the CEO office. With the current provisions, all prisoners convicts, remand prisoners and others will be excluded from the process, the official said. When a person is jailed, he/she is not permitted to vote. However, their names will not be removed from the electoral roll. As of October 20, there were more than 10,053 prisoners housed in around 57 jail institutions in the state. But since the conditions are different here and the prisoners cannot be treated as ordinarily residents of their address, we dont have a legal provision to accommodate them in the SIR process, the official said. They will have to reapply as a fresh voter to be part of the electoral roll, the final decision of which rests with the ERO, the official added. Complete denial of democratic rights: Karassery Speaking about the issue, writer and social activist M N Karassery said this is a complete denial of democratic rights. A person, sometimes a remand prisoner, may be found innocent within weeks or months after being arrested and jailed. It is immaterial whether they vote or not, but arent they supposed to have their names in the voters list? he said, adding that this could have long-standing implications. In India, a person can contest in an election even if he/she is in prison. But if you are off the electoral roll, your right to contest in an election gets challenged, he told TNIE .

Kottikalasam marks end of campaigning for local body polls in Thiruvananthapuram

On Monday, the party workers and candidates will be involved in a round of silent campaigning

Bloodywood to headline rock music festival in Thiruvananthapuram; Avial, other bands in line-up

Uforia 2025 will be held at the LuLu Mall Open Arena on December 20 from 4 p.m. onwards

IFFK fervour takes over Thiruvananthapuram

Just one more week to go before the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) descends for the thirtieth time in Thiruvananthapuram. For this edition, the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy will be using one more screen to show films (Kripa 1) thus taking the total number to 16, says its secretary and executive director of IFFK, C Ajoy. This invariably also hints that there would be more screenings for enthusiasts to relish in the IFFK curated basket. In addition, two additional packages are also included in the curated list: one comprising chosen Suvarna Chakoram award winners up to 2020, and another package of 10 films on select IFFK lifetime achievement awardees. The usual packages of films to be shown at the festival include seven films in the Indian Cinema Now category, 14 films in the International Competition category, eight in the Kaleidoscope section, and 12 in the Malayalam Cinema Today category. To me, the highlight is the Ritwik Ghatak centenary package with gems like Meghe Dhaka Tara and Subarnarekha in the list. Quite a tribute on the veterans centenary year, says Jyotirmayi Manoj, who has been to IFFK several times. Unlike previous editions, she will be attending this years IFFK as a film school student. More in the focus segments include the retrospective on Saeed Mirza, which includes the iconic filmmakers noted takes such as Salim Langde Pe Mat Maro and Arvind Joshi Ki Ajeeb Dastan. Meghe Dhaka Tara, part of Ritwik Ghatak centenary package. Saeed Mirzas Nukkad and Albert Pinto ko Gussa Kyo Aaaya were so part of our growing up. The man deserves this, and we too deserve to watch him more, smiles Prasad K Balan, who is planning to visit Thiruvananthapuram for IFFK, taking a break from his sound designing work in Mumbai. Another retrospective in the IFFK bouquet this year is on Egyptian director Youssef Chahine, with the choicest among his 37 films being included. The anime trip continues this year too as Signatures in Motion, with a list of four award-winners from the Annecy Animation Film Festival, the exclusive fete for anime films being held in France since 1960. Striking in the list is Zaven Najjars hard-hitting adaptation of Ahmadou Kourouma's 2000 novel about the trials of a child soldier who gets caught up in civil wars in Liberia. The Spirit of Cinema award this year is for Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, a Canadian filmmaker who tells stories that shatter perceptions of Black people and contribute towards their social uplift, even while creating spaces that reflect healing and unity. When Morning Comes, her debut film that premiered at the TIFF 2022, is being shown at the IFFK. The presence of masters in IFFK continues with Indonesian director Garin Nugroho, whose five movies are being shown Bird Man Tale, A Poet: Unconcealed Poetry, Samsara, Whispers in the Dabdas, and Letter to an Angel. While IFFK is being given finishing touches, its regulars are gearing up to visit from different parts of the state and beyond. Hotels are being booked at a speed faster than last year, and city-based film buffs are gearing up to host their friends from other places. It is the time of the year when we get together. I have not missed even one festival since 2008, says Noufal Mariam Plathur from Kannur. The research associate at the University of Keralas Kariyavattom campus claims he has been offered an official pass this year, as his article that appeared in the magazine Yuvatara was selected as the best by the Chalachithra Academy. With the Academy giving finishing touches to IFFKs smooth functioning, the wait is now for the jury list as well as the eminent names who are to grace the occasion.

Candidates make a final pitch to voters as open campaigning for the first phase of the local body polls in Kerala ends

In play in the first phase of polling on Tuesday are three Municipal Corporations, 39 municipalities, seven district panchayats, 75 block panchayats, and 471 grama panchayats spanning Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts

K. Muraleedharan sees strong pro-UDF wave, expects coalition to win 55 seats in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls

Sabarimala gold theft: Ramesh Chennithala alleges involvement of international antique smugglers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former home minister and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has raised a new allegation that international antique smugglers are part of the Sabarimala gold theft. In a letter addressed to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) dated Saturday, the leader states that he received this information from someone with knowledge of these smugglers' activities. Alleging that a deal worth 500 crores had already taken place in the issue, he states in the letter that the Sabarimala gold theft is part of a conspiracy between the Devaswom board and antique smugglers. Mentioning that the informer is not ready to disclose the details before the public, but is willing to furnish facts and figures before the SIT whenever called upon. Chennithala also states that he has checked the informer's version and has found it to be true. Calling the Sabarimala gold theft a tip of the iceberg, the leader also states that he has received information about the involvement of 'certain ill-famed businessmen and organised rackets' who have spent huge sums within the State for this purpose. Chennithala calls this a 'well-orchestrated plan to plunder and smuggle priceless antiques, idols and other valuable articles from prominent Hindu temples' in the letter. Alleging that the non-recovery of the original gold and other smuggled items from Sabarimala is proof of involvement of international rackets, he mentions that the High Court observation that the gold theft resembles the operation of notorious antique smuggler Subhash Kapoor, and the case deserves more attention in this context. ED approaches court seeking copies of documents in Sabarimala gold loss case

BJP seeks central probe into alleged corruption in corporation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday said the party has sent letters to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, demanding a detailed inquiry into what it alleges is large-scale corruption and financial irregularities in the CPM-led Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Chandrasekhar said the CPM, which has governed the corporation for the past 10 years, spent nearly `20,000 crore in the name of development, yet the city continues to struggle with basic civic issues. Despite spending such a massive amount, Thiruvananthapuram still suffers from unresolved waste management, sewage and drainage failures, streetlight issues, and poor road conditions. There is no doubt that corruption is the reason, he said. He added that the corporation received around Rs 1,000 crore from the Union government over the last five years, but there is little visible progress. The party has requested a comprehensive central agency investigation into these alleged irregularities. The complaint lists several concerns, including the purchase of 50 electric vehicles for waste management, alleged corruption in procuring 1,629 laptops for children in the coastal fishing community between 2018 and 2024, the spending of `2.24 crore under the pretext of addressing the stray dog issue, d suspected irregularities in the Rs 1,000-crore Smart City project. Chandrasekhar also made an open appeal to the chief minister, urging him to address the larger issues facing the state. He said the chief minister must speak openly about the development stagnation, corruption in local bodies, unemployment, price rise, and the overall financial mismanagement that is affecting ordinary citizens. This corruption carried out in the name of development cannot be allowed to continue, he said. Senior BJP leader S Suresh said the party would ensure accountability. We will ensure action against the Marxist leadership that looted the Thiruvananthapuram corporation. From V Sivankutty to Arya Rajendran, it has been a continuous chain of CPM mayors engaged in corruption in the city. We are expecting the Union government to initiate a probe into these financial irregularities, Suresh said.

Will ask for special team to probe suicide of BJP leaders, says Kerala minister Sivankutty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: General Education Minister V Sivankutty has said that he will request Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to depute a special team to probe the suicide of two BJP leaders in Thiruvananthapuram. The families of councillor Thirumala Anil and Anand K Thampi are in despair and disagreement with the BJP leadership. Being their MLA, I will seek a special team to probe the deaths, the minister said in a press conference here on Saturday. Alleging that Anils family members had handed over complaints regarding this to BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, he said that no action was taken on this. Sivankutty also said that the new corruption allegations, which surfaced days before the election, are the BJP leaders excuse to turn his face away from the complaints given by the family of the deceased councillor. Having received these complaints, how can Rajeev Chandrasekhar evade responsibility? he asked. Launching a scathing attack on Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Sivankutty said that the recent corruption allegations he made against the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation are coming out of fear of failure. BJP will fail in half of the sitting seats in the corporation. LDF will secure a win in 75 seats, he said. The minister, who mentioned that the BJP leader is making baseless allegations against the corporation, also criticised that the BJP state chief is clueless about the basic details of these schemes.

AI Christian Housewife turns up heat on Congress, LDF ahead of polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the first phase of local body elections only days away, Sangh Parivar strategists have launched an AI-driven outreach campaign targeting Christian voters. The initial phase of polling, scheduled for December 9, will cover seven districts with substantial Christian populations such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Ernakulam. The AI-generated campaign video circulated discreetly, accuses the Congress of neglecting the Christian community and the LDF of appeasement politics. Though the video did not claim any authorship, apparently to avoid any potential election code violation, it elaborates on why sections of the Christian community are beginning to view the BJP more favourably. In the video, an AI-generated Christian housewife alleges that following the deaths of senior leaders K Karunakaran and Oommen Chandy, and K M Mani along with the withdrawal of A K Antony from active politics, the community has become orphaned. The video claims that the declining Christian population, youth migration and the vacant homes have deepened the communitys insecurity. The Congress is even objecting to EWS (Economically weaker section) reservation for Christians. Congress did not raise a finger when a Bishop was manhandled, it said. It further questions Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan for what it describes as his justification of Jamaat-e-Islami, while highlighting issues such as the Munambam waqf land dispute and the hijab row at a school run by a Christian management. It asserts that BJP alone stood by the community in these matters. In Kerala, the RSS is also said to be playing a key role through long-term social engineering aimed at fostering closer ties with Christian community. A senior leader told TNIE on condition of anonymity that the RSS has been holding discussions with Church representatives for over three years. The church and RSS have decided not to publicise these dialogues. This is an extension of the engagement that began when K S Sudarshan was the Sarsanghchalak. The current Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, declared in Bengaluru in November first week that the RSS would initiate dialogues to end divisions in society. Discussions are under way with all sections, including Pentecostal groups, he said. According to him, while RSS was represented in these talks by its official functionaries, the Church participated through trusted community leaders to avoid political controversy. We have now asked our cadres to actively reach out to the Christian community. In turn, the Church is encouraging its laity to reassess its perception about RSS, he added. A senior BJP office-bearer said, through the references in the video, the party is positioning itself as the only credible alternative for Christian voters. In Thiruvananthapuram we are close to seizing power, he said. In Kollam and Alappuzha districts, we will have good advancement in Karunagappally and Kayamkulam respectively. The outreach programme and the confidence we have built with the Churches are expected to reflect in Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam as well. The BJP has fielded the maximum number of Christian candidates in the local body polls outperforming the Congress and Kerala Congress parties. However, various churches denied while some declined to speak about the dialogue between them and RSS.

Political parties demand further extension of SIR time-frame in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Terming the Election Commission of Indias extended time-frame for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state as inadequate, major political parties, except the BJP, have demanded further extension of the enumeration deadline at least till the end of December. The political parties made the demand at a meeting convened by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)-Kerala Rathan U Kelkar here on Saturday. Representatives of the CPM, Congress and IUML expressed concern over the 20.75 lakh voters whose enumeration forms have yet not been collected. M Vijayakumar of the CPM expressed doubts over the exact number of voters who have been left out. While CPIs Sathyan Mokeri questioned the undue haste on the part of the ECI, M K Rahman of the Congress cautioned that at least 34 lakh voters will be expelled from the draft electoral roll. IUMLs Mohammed Shah pointed out that the time-frame from December 23 to February 4 during which Electoral Registration Officers will conduct hearings on complaints of voters would not be sufficient to complete the exercise. BJPs J R Padmakumar demanded that proper hearing should be conducted before any voters are excluded from the electoral roll.

Crime branch probes claims linking Dileep to Pulsar Suni, threats to investigators

KOCHI: On November 25, 2021, while the trial in the case was progressing, fresh trouble surfaced for the eighth accused, actor Dileep. Filmmaker P Balachandra Kumar levelled grave allegations, claiming that Dileep possessed a copy of the visuals of the assault captured by prime accused Pulsar Suni. He also alleged a close relationship between the two and accused Dileep of conspiring to endanger the lives of investigating officers. The revelations led the Crime Branch to register a fresh case against Dileep and others. In a petition submitted to the chief minister, Kumar said he visited Dileep at his Padmasarovaram residence in Aluva on December 26, 2016, to discuss a movie. On that day, he happened to travel with Suni, who was at the house along with Anoop, Dileeps brother, in a red Maruti Swift car. Anoop introduced Suni to him during the trip. From Anoops words, I understood that the young man had a lot of money with him and was taking it somewhere, Kumar stated. He also referred to a deliberation he had with Dileep on Suni, when the actor allegedly revealed certain details about the sexual assault. They met again on April 15, 2017, in Thiruvananthapuram as part of talks over the movie Professor Dinkan. When Kumar brought up Suni, Dileep reportedly responded saying that nothing happened, before going on to describe the abuse in detail, as though he had witnessed it firsthand. Dileep also instructed the director not to disclose the fact that Suni had visited his residence. In his plea, Balachandrakumar said that on September 12, Anoop, over a WhatsApp call, relayed the desire of Dileep, who was then in jail, to meet him. He met Dileep at Aluva sub jail the next day. Emerging from the meeting, he found Dileeps brother and brother-in-law waiting outside, and the latter handed him `50,000. According to Kumar, Anoop messaged him again, on October 6, to convey Dileeps intention to hold another meeting. The two met at a house in North Paravoor, and spent the entire day together. Dileep repeated the warning not to disclose that Suni had been to his house. The petitioner further stated that he visited Dileep on the morning of November 15 for discussions on a film. During their conversation, Dileeps friend Baiju arrived and the conversation veered toward the clips. Growing suspicious, Kumar recorded parts of the exchange, claiming that the recording pertained to offences in this case. He also recorded a phone conversation between Dileep and Anoop where they talked about how a witness had been influenced and that `5 lakh had been spent for this purpose. Dileep allegedly said that he could have easily coughed up `1.5 crore. Hearing this, his brother-in-law Suraj remarked that Suni could have collected the money from any place of his choice. Another friend of Dileep arrived and discussed the investigation and a plot to attack Suni and his gang on their release from jail. The filmmaker said that on the same day, a person who had come to meet Dileep entered the room with a tablet. Dileep, Suraj, Anoop, and another man named Appu watched a video, and Dileep invited Balachandrakumar to view it, saying it showed the cruel deeds of Pulsar Suni. In his petition to the CM, Kumar expressed the fear that Dileep or his associates may kill him, and that the actors manager had urged him not to reveal anything for his own safety. He produced a pen drive containing 24 voice clips to substantiate his allegations. Based on his revelations, the ADGP (crimes) of the crime branch headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram registered a case on January 9, 2022. The crime branch found that within days of Kumars disclosure, Dileep and others had discontinued using their mobile phones, concealed them and begun using new ones. Dileep deliberately withheld a phone he had used for 221 days, during which time he had made 2,075 calls, claiming it was not in his possession. Investigators identified 81 points from Kumars statements and collected evidence connecting them. Dileep and five others were booked under sections 116 (abetment), 118 (concealing design to commit offence), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. Following the revelations, the survivor approached the High Court, submitting that further investigation was necessary to arrive at the truth. (to be concluded)

Court to hear Rahul Mamkootathils bail plea in second case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Additional District and Sessions Court on Saturday admitted the anticipatory bail plea of Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, in a second rape case registered against him, but refused to grant him interim protection from arrest till the bail plea is heard on Monday. Rahuls counsel swiftly moved the pre-arrest bail after the High Court granted him protection from arrest in the first rape case till a verdict is given on his anticipatory bail plea, which is scheduled to be heard on December 15. Rahuls counsel argued that the allegation was politically motivated and there was no mention of the complainants name, and place and time of occurrence of the alleged crime in the complaint. The petition was moved within an hour after the High Court gave Rahul protection from arrest. His lawyer highlighted the High Court order and sought a favourable verdict. The anticipatory bail plea was moved in the second case after the police appointed a special team to probe the case. The department had appointed AIG G Poonkuzhali to lead the team that will investigate the complaint filed by a 23-year-old woman, who is a resident of Bengaluru. Poonkuzhali, who is now attached with the police headquarters, will directly monitor the probe, while the investigation will be headed by a crime branch DySP. The team also comprises an inspector, two sub-inspectors and women officers. Police sources said they have got in touch with the victim, who agreed to cooperate with the investigation. She has been told to communicate a convenient time and place to get her statements recorded, sources added.

Fringe political players eye local gains in Kerala, challenging Keralas dominant fronts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Meet the political parties that command other states but barely make a blip on Keralas electoral radar. Branded as fringe actors, the modest seat tallies of such parties are often mocked when set against the states entrenched fronts. Yet political observers caution that dismissing them outright may be a mistake. Their strength in select strongholds could send out quiet tremors capable of nudging the trajectories of Keralas major political fronts. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leads the pack in terms of the sheer number of candidates fielded in the upcoming local body election. The party, that once ruled Delhi and is now in power in Punjab, had entered the civic election arena in 2015 with around 80 candidates but failed to open its account. AAP first tasted success in 2023 when its candidate won a panchayat ward in Idukki in a bypoll. In the upcoming civic polls, AAP has fielded a total of 380 candidates across various local bodies in all districts. We will put up an impressive performance in this local body election and are particularly confident of winning seats in Kozhikode and Kochi corporations and a district panchayat division in Idukki, said Vinod Mathew Wilson, AAP state president. AAP could be an alternative for voters who are averse to the ideologies and practices of the three major fronts. But it would be a form of negative voting that is not beneficial in the long run. Instead, AAP should offer positive alternatives such as revival of the anti-corruption plank on which it was originally based, and taking up issues facing the marginalised sections and the downtrodden to stay relevant, opined Prof M N Karassery, political observer and social critic. Meanwhile, DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), the ruling party in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, is upbeat about a rousing performance in the local body election in Kerala. The party, led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, has fielded candidates in 23 wards. Of these, nine candidates are in Kollams Punalur municipality and one in Thenmala grama panchayat while.the remaining 13 have been fielded in Devikulam and Peermade taluks of Idukki. It is for the first time that DMK is contesting under the partys official rising sun symbol in Kerala, and we are confident of a good show this time around, said K R Murugesan, DMK Kerala state secretary. Punalur has been a stronghold of the Dravidian party for many years. Notably, in the 2023 election to Punalur Service Cooperative Bank that falls under the municipal limits, all 13 candidates fielded by the DMK came second, pushing the UDF to third spot. AIADMK (All Indian Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu, has been a player in Keralas electoral scene for the past few decades. As the partys official two-leaves symbol has been reserved for Kerala Congress (M) in the state, the partys candidates have been contesting under the hat symbol. As many as 30 AIADMK candidates are contesting the upcoming local body election, mostly in its strongholds in Idukki and Palakkad. We have renewed our ties with the BJP-led NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu but in Kerala we have decided to go it alone. In the two wards where our candidates are contesting in Thiruvananthapuram district, the BJP is also in the fray, pointed out Haribabu V Pillai, Kerala state secretary, AIADMK. He added that the party would put up an impressive performance in Idukki and Palakkad districts where it has fielded candidates in 16 and 12 wards respectively. We are hopeful of improving our tally in 2015 when we won as many as six wards, he added. Meanwhile, a section of political analysts are of the view that other-state parties see the local body election in Kerala as part of a larger game-plan. For many such parties, fielding candidates is primarily part of reviving their cadre ahead of the assembly election. Though they may not win the seats they contest, the votes they poll would be shown as a sign of strength in certain pockets and used as a bargaining chip against major fronts in the upcoming elections, opined A Jayashankar, political commentator. It is more of a spoiler effect that parties from other states pose in their strongholds in Kerala, Jayasankar said. In areas where linguistic minorities are a sizeable number, disillusionment with the LDF and UDF favours such fringe parties, he said. Most of these voters would have been taken for a ride in successive elections by the dominant fronts and they would naturally be on the lookout for a platform to express their resentment. Whether their favoured candidate would win the election is a different question altogether, he remarked. Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), that has made inroads into the migrant population and also minorities in the states hilly areas, has opted out of the fray this time around. Owing to differences between the state unit and its newly appointed state convener P V Anvar, the partys symbol has been frozen by the poll panel. AITC state president C G Unni dismissed claims that independents backed by AITC are contesting the civic elections. The party will face the elections officially only after its internal elections are completed, he added. AIADMK Total candidates THIRUVANANTHAPURAM TPuram municipal corporation: 1 (Medical College ward) Neyyattinkara municipality: 1 (Perumpazhuthoor ward) PALAKKAD Palakkad town & Kozhinjamapara panchayat: 12 candidates IDUKKI Devikulam, Marayoor & Munnar areas: 16 candidates DMK Total candidates KOLLAM (10) Punalur municipality: 9 wards Thenmala grama panchayat: 1 ward IDUKKI (13) Devikulam taluk: 7 Peermade taluk: 6

Baby boy found in Thiruvananthapuram Ammathottil

LDF will win 75 seats in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation: Sivankutty

Says BJP will lose more than half its sitting seats; terms allegations by BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar political bankruptcy

Man held for rape, assault of elderly woman in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping and assaulting an 85-year-old woman and abandoning her on the roadside in this district, police said on Saturday. The incident took place under Venjaramoodu police station limit on Wednesday evening. Agin, a lottery agent, was apprehended on Friday, they said. According to police, the elderly 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 .

20-Year-Old Man Held For Rape, Assault Of 85-Year-Old Woman In Kerala

A 20-year-old man was arrested for raping and assaulting an 85-year-old woman in Thiruvananthapuram. The victim was also brutally beaten with a stick.

IndiGo flight disruptions hit Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad airports

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport saw six domestic flights cancelled throughout the day; At Ahmedabad Airport 7 arrivals were reported and 12 departures cancelled between 12 am and 6 am on December 6

IndiGo Chaos Hits Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad Airports

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the formation of a high-level four-member committee to review the circumstances leading to widespread operational breakdowns at IndiGo

'Stranded for 48 hours, luggage lost': Passenger shares ordeal amid IndiGo crisis; flight disruptions at Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad airports

Indigo's operational challenges have led to widespread flight cancellations for five days, stranding passengers and causing lost luggage. One of the passengers said he was stranded for two days and his luggage is still lost. The airline has cancelled nearly 1,000 flights, impacting major airports like Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad. The DGCA has ordered a probe into IndiGo's failure to prepare for new duty regulations.

From criticism to curiosity: How BJPs manifesto grabbed eyeballs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an election season dominated by long, text-cluttered manifestos, the NDA has thrown a curveball. Its Thiruvananthapuram corporation manifesto, released on November 30, has become one of the most talked-about campaign documents in the city not for its content alone, but for its strikingly unconventional, infographic-driven design that looks more like a colourful route map than a political pledge sheet. The moment the pamphlet is opened, voters are greeted with a bright roadmap graphic winding across the pages, carrying the partys promises like pit stops on a journey to 2030. Instead of marathon paragraphs, the BJP also presented its core commitments in seven punchy, quick-read boxes a format insiders say was crafted to make the manifesto instantly readable. But what truly propelled the manifesto into public conversation was not its visuals alone it was the oppositions furious reaction to a single line: the BJPs proposal that Thiruvananthapuram could be pitched as one of the event venues of the 2036 Olympics. We have mentioned that we would request the Centre to make Thiruvananthapuram one of the event venues for the 2036 Olympics, a senior BJP leader overseeing campaign coordination said. But the UDF and LDF went after us aggressively on this proposal. Ironically, that made our manifesto go viral. Everywhere we went, people asked us to show them our Olympics proposal and wed pull out the pamphlet. Even ground-level BJP workers admit the new look caught them off guard. We didnt expect this level of excitement. People look at the design first, then start asking questions about the Olympics, a party volunteer said. Party sources said that BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar personally pushed for the clean, modern format, insisting that the voter should understand the partys priorities in one glance. One councillor candidate described the reaction from colleagues: Some were sceptical. Some feared it would be subject to trolls. But the leadership said, lets take the risk. And it became a hit. Designers involved in the project said they were initially worried people might mock the roadmap look. But this time, the gamble paid off. Whether well repeat it in the Assembly elections thats a secret, said a member of the graphics team. While some voters welcomed the change and others dismissed it, many agreed that the format is undeniably different. Im unlikely to read an entire manifesto because of my schedule, but I went through the BJPs version since the points were easy to grasp. Im not sure if this approach will work, but it is impressive, said Tom Joseph, a software engineer and city resident. I personally prefer the old style of manifestos. I dont like this new format, but I must admit it caught my attention, said Divya Gopinath, a senior citizen. Insiders hint that the party is already brainstorming more innovative formats for upcoming manifestos. If everyone starts copying this style for the Assembly polls, why should we repeat it? a senior leader quipped. Well bring in a new surprise. For now, the BJPs colourful roadmap manifesto has become a curious subplot in the citys campaign trail a reminder that in politics, how you present your promises can sometimes create more buzz than the promises themselves.

Vietnamese films to be screened at IFFK

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vietnamese films will take the centre stage at the Country Focus section in the 30th edition of the International Film Festival Of Kerala (IFFK) scheduled to commence in the state capital from December 12. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, the festival will screen five critically acclaimed Vietnamese movies Glorious Ashes directed by Bui Thac Chuyn, The Tree House by Truong Minh Qu, Cu Li Never Cries by Pham Ngoc Lan, Dont Cry Butterfly by Duong Dieu Linh and Once Upon A Love Story by Trinh Dinh Le Minh highlighting the cultural, emotional and political aspects of the nation. The attempt is to underscore cinemas role in documenting historic resistance, cultural survival and the profound human costs of conflict. Global favourites Festival Favourite package will have globally celebrated movies including It Was Just An Accident by Iranian director Jafar Panahi, Sentimental Value by Danish-Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier, A Poet by Colombian director Simn Mesa Soto, The Mastermind by American director Kelly Reichardt, No Other Choice by South Korean director Park Chan Wook, Bugonia by Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, The Secret Agent by Brazilian director Kleber Mendona Filho, If I Had Legs Id Kick You by American director Mary Bronstein, Father Mother Sister Brother by American director Jim Jarmusch, The Presidents Cake by Iraqi director Hasan Hadi, Dreams by Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud, Sirat by French-Spanish director Oliver Laxe and Young Mothers by Belgian filmmaking duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne.

ECI extends SIR deadline in Kerala owing to civic polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the time-frame of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala owing to the upcoming local body election. As per the revised schedule, the enumeration period has been extended till December 18 and the draft electoral roll will be brought out on December 23. The period of filing claims and objections to the draft voters list will be from December 23 to January 1. The poll panel will conduct hearing and verification on the claims and objections from December 23 to February 14 . The final publication of electoral roll will be done on February 21, the ECI informed late on Friday. On December 2, the Supreme Court had asked ECI to consider the request to extend SIR in Kerala by a week or so in view of the local body elections in the state. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)-Kerala informed ECI that SIR draft electoral roll for Kerala was slated for publication on December 16 and that at present, over 95% of the enumeration forms have been digitised. As the CEO also informed that full digitisation of the forms would be completed by December 11, the ECI decided to extend the SIR time frame for the state. On November 30, the ECI had extended the schedule of the ongoing SIR in 12 states, including Kerala, and Union Territories, by a week.

Post Rahul Mamkootathil's exit, Congress to see major realignment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after Congress expelled Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, and as the aura around his mentor Shafi Parambil fades, the partys factional map is being ripped apart and redrawn. The once prominent power axis that ran the organisation, has started to crumble almost overnight, triggering realignment inside the party. Sidelined youth leaders, who had long been suppressed, have seized the moment and asserted themselves. Congress insiders say that this is only the beginning of a deeper shake up as various factions attempt to reposition themselves in the changed political landscape. Emboldened by Rahuls exit and Shafis diminishing clout, a group of youth leaders is reportedly uniting across factional lines to challenge the organisations celebrity culture. Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadans Facebook post on Friday, is seen as an indicator of this emerging realignment. In his post, Mathew urged the party to reflect on the Rahul episode, warning that artificial creation of celebrity politicians undermines organisational values. Taking a subtle dig at Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, he said, When political work is handed over to celebrities, they tend to protect individuals as part of a commercial mindset rather than safeguarding the party. It is time for internal cleansing in Congress. Several youth leaders such as T Siddique, V T Balaram, C R Mahesh, M Liju, Chandy Oommen, and Abin Varkey reportedly align with this view point. Many of them had earlier opposed the reel culture promoted by the Shafi- Rahul duo during the Nilambur by-election. These leaders now share the common sentiment of ordinary workers. They recognise that if celebrity- reel driven political culture dominates, people will abandon the Congress, said a senior leader. Meanwhile, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, though out of power for almost four years, is gaining support among leaders for his stern stand against the new power axis. MLAs such as Anvar Sadat, T J Vinod, Eldos Kunnapally, I C Balakrishnan, Sajeev Joseph share Chennithalas stance. Satheesan camp which is now reduced to a few loyalists with him such as M Vincent MLA, has also begun maneuvering to reclaim lost ground. An online article critical to both Shafi and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash for protecting Rahul is seen as an attempt to regain the influence. Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, has emerged as a unifying figure, accepted by youth leaders and the divided A and I groups. Many previously ineffectual leaders have now sought shelter under him, said a senior party leader.

Ernakulam tops state in per capita GDDP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ernakulam district retained the top slot in nominal Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) figures for 2024-25 released by the economics and statistics department recently. The districts GDDP was Rs 1,67,661.90 crore (quick estimate), up from Rs 1,50,991.63 crore (provisional estimate) in the previous financial year. Residents in the district recorded the highest per capita GDDP of Rs 4,67,428. In terms of nominal GDDP, the value of goods and services produced in a district at current market prices, Ernakulam was followed by Thrissur (Rs 1,30,104.05 crore), Thiruvananthapuram (Rs 1,24,342.30 crore), Kollam (Rs 1,19,217.76 crore) and Malappuram (Rs 1,08,492.85 crore). All these districts had the same ranking in 2023-24 as well. At the bottom of the list was Wayanad with a GDDP of Rs 2,27,19.57 crore. Alappuzha came second in per capita GDDP, a key indicator of a districts economic health and peoples standard of living. The per capita GDDP, a districts GDDP divided by its population, helps in measuring the average income and economic output per person. Kollam recorded the third-highest per capita GDDP of Rs 4,41,719, followed by Kottayam (Rs 4,08,523) and Idukki (Rs 4,04,881). The lowest per capita GDDP was reported in the most populous district of Malappuram Rs 2,20,533. According to C Veeramani, director of the Centre for Development Studies, per capita GDDP is an indicator of a districts development and the residents standard of living. It reveals the inequality in income distribution among residents of different districts. Ideally, the gap between districts should be low, he told TNIE. Growth rate At 10%, Pathanamthitta recorded the highest year-over-year growth rate in per capita GDDP. The growth rate was based on the real GDDP or the total value of goods and prices produced in a district, adjusted for inflation. Kottayam, 8%, recorded the second highest growth rate and Malappuram the lowest, at 2%.

Illegal flex boards mar green election campaign in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralas green election initiative is under strain as widespread use of prohibited campaign materials, especially polycotton, continues unabated despite stringent restrictions. With parties relying heavily on polycotton for campaigning, the state government has launched an extensive enforcement campaign, leading to large-scale seizures and hefty fines on printing units, manufacturers and dealers in the recent drives. The crackdown has triggered a strong backlash. The Sign Printing Industries Association with over 1,500 members has warned of a statewide shutdown of printing activities, protesting against the raids and demanding that use of polycotton, which they claim is PVC-free and cost-effective, be permitted. This year, Green Protocol has been made part of the Model Code of Conduct. The Suchitwa Mission has also intensified pre-election awareness drives, insisting that all campaign materials must use only paper, pure cotton or polyethylene-based material. However, manufacturers argue that compliance is becoming nearly impossible given the tight election timeline. Importing sufficient quantities of polyethylene- currently the only approved alternative -requires long waiting period and high financial risk. We have informed the Election Commission and requested approval to use polycotton. Polyethylene takes at least 50 days to arrive after placing an order, and its shelf life is only three months. If we fail to utilise it in time, the financial loss will be massive, said Sanjay Panicker, general secretary, Sign Printing Industries Association. Industry representatives have submitted documents proving that recycling systems are available for disposing of polycotton. Secretary of Kerala Signage Suppliers Association, Barnapas Pradeep, said polyethylene is imported from China. There are limited sources for getting it in India. The material available here is not of good quality and printing machinery often gets damaged if it is used, he said.

Ernakulam reports highest number of influenza infections in Kerala

A total of 340 cases and two deaths, one each in Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram, were reported in November

Local body polls: Thiruvananthapuram district to have 3,264 polling stations

'No means no, only yes means yes': Shashi Tharoor introduces bill to criminalise marital rape

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday introduced three private members bills in the Lok Sabha, including one seeking to criminalise marital rape, asserting that India must move from a no means no framework to only yes means yes. In a post on X, the MP from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram said criminalising marital rape is an urgent necessity in India's legal framework and introduced his private member's bill to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and remove the marital rape exception, reaffirming that marriage cannot negate a woman's right to grant or deny consent. India must uphold its constitutional values and move from 'No Means No' to 'Only Yes Means Yes'. Every woman deserves the fundamental right to bodily autonomy and dignity within marriage, protections our legal system fails to provide. Marital rape is not about marriage but about violence. The moment for action has arrived, he said. The criminalisation of marital rape is an urgent necessity in Indias legal framework. I introduced my Private Members Bill today to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and remove the marital rape exception, reaffirming that marriage cannot negate the womans right to grant or pic.twitter.com/FLd2OxCvvj Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 5, 2025 The statement of objects and reasons accompanying the bill noted that Section 63 of the BNS, 2023, currently excludes marital rape from punishable offences, allowing men to engage in non-consensual sex with their wives provided they are over 18. This, the statement added, is a colonial-era legal relic rooted in patriarchal notions that treat wives as property, leaving married women legally defenceless and undermining their rights to dignity, safety, and bodily autonomy. Allowing a husband to force sex upon his wife disregards her autonomy and perpetuates a culture of control and gender-based violence. Similarly, factors unrelated to a woman's autonomy, such as her caste, profession, clothing choices, personal beliefs or past sexual conduct, should never be used to presume her consent. Such assumptions not only perpetuate gender-based inequality but also violate her fundamental rights and dignity. They must be unequivocally rejected, the statement said. Tharoors second private members bill seeks to establish a permanent States and Union Territories Reorganisation Commission. According to the bills statement, this body would guide future state and Union territory reorganisation based on objective data, administrative efficiency, economic viability, national unity, and public consent. A pre-planned, consistent study of reorganisation will ensure informed decision-making and stable administrative units rather than knee-jerk reactions, it noted. His third bill proposes amendments to the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, in response to overwork and burnout among Indias workforce. Highlighting that 51% of workers log more than 49 hours a week and 78% report burnout, Tharoor emphasised the need to legally secure the right to disconnect, limit working hours, and establish grievance and mental-health support mechanisms.By focusing on employee well-being, this Bill seeks to create a more sustainable and productive workforce for Indias future, the statement said. Today I introduced a Private Member's Bill to amend the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. With 51% of Indias workforce clocking over 49 hrs/week and 78% experiencing burnout, tragically exemplified by the death of young Anna Sebastian Perayil, it is pic.twitter.com/9M3UzLS33U Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 5, 2025 Private members bills allow MPs to propose legislation on issues they deem important, though most are withdrawn after government responses. (With inputs from PTI)

Kerala local body polls 2025: open campaigning for Phase 1 to end on December 7

Seven districtsThiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulamgo to the polls on December 9 in the first phase

Special trains to operate from Mumbai to Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram

Genesys wins 17.38 crore contract for Indias first 3D subsurface mapping across six Adani Group airports

The project will deploy 3D Ground Penetrating Radar technology to map underground utilities at airports in Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati and Ahmedabad

SIT to probe second sexual assault case against expelled Kerala MLA Mamkootathil

Thiruvananthapuram: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe a second case of sexual assault against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, police officials said on Friday. The SIT will be led by G Poonguzhali, Assistant Inspector General at the Police Headquarters. The team also includes a DSP rank officer and sub-inspectors, officials added. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Woman IPS officer to lead probe in second rape case against Rahul Mamkootathil

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police department has appointed a woman IPS officer to head the probe into the second rape case against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. AIG G Poonkuzhali will lead the team investigating the complaint filed by a 23-year-old woman with the KPCC and forwarded to the State Police Chief. The woman, who is a resident of Bengaluru, had alleged that the MLA raped her at a homestay during a visit to the state and also physically tortured her. The complaint was mailed to the KPCC, which duly forwarded it to the Police Chief. The Bengaluru-based woman alleged that the MLA raped her at a homestay during a visit to the state and also physically tortured her. She emailed her complaint to the KPCC, which then forwarded it to the State Police Chief. Police asked the woman to file an official complaint through the same email used to approach the KPCC. She reportedly agreed, after which a case was registered against Rahul. Her statement will be recorded soon.

IndiGo flight disruptions persist, stranding hundreds at Kerala airports

Indigo has cancelled two inbound flights to Thiruvananthapuram from Pune and Bengaluru, and six flights, including arrivals and departures, remain delayed for hours on Friday

Kerala local body polls: Shifting urban currents pose challenge toLDFsdominance in Thiruvananthapuram

The LDF has a comfortable majority in the Corporation, but in many wards it was a neck and neck fight; of the four municipalities, three are likely to witness three-cornered contests; in the rural belt, both UDF and NDA have intensified campaigns around development lapses and local issues

Enforcement squads struggle as poll campaign materials flood city

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Local body polls are taking a heavy toll on the capital, with illegal flex boards and campaign materials defacing public spaces across Thiruvananthapuram. Medians, footpaths and even electric posts have been taken over by unauthorised campaign displays, despite the green protocol being in force. There are four enforcement squads at the district level and 25 under the city corporation. However, officials say enforcement is proving extremely difficult this time. According to Suchitwa Mission authorities, unlike Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, monitoring violations during local body polls is challenging as elections are held at the ward level. Thiruvananthapuram district has 96 local bodies, including the district panchayat, the corporation, four municipalities, 11 block panchayats and 73 grama panchayats. With thousands of candidates in the fray, enforcement teams are able to carry out only random checks. Adding to the challenges, the entire responsibility for conducting local body elections falls on the Local Self-Government Department. Almost every official in local bodies has election duties as returning officer or assistant returning officer. Enforcement is just one among many responsibilities, making large-scale action difficult, an official said. This year, the green protocol has been integrated into the Model Code of Conduct in a statutory manner. The Suchitwa Mission has also intensified pre-election awareness campaigns, insisting that all campaign materials must be made solely of paper, pure cotton or permissible polyethylene-based materials. So far, enforcement squads have conducted 317 inspections, seized 688kg of banned materials and collected `16,500 in fines till Tuesday. A Suchitwa Mission official said district squads are struggling because an official from the respective local body must be present during enforcement.We have our limitations, and the secretary of the concerned panchayat or local body is responsible for enforcement. We are carrying out random inspections every day, the official said. Squads also face resistance when attempting to seize illegal materials, leading to disputes with candidates and political parties. Flex boards with fake QR codes are being used extensively for campaigning, the official added.

Doha-Kochi Air India Express Flight Diverted To Thiruvananthapuram Amid Bad Weather

The flight safely landed at Thiruvananthapuram and later departed for Kochi once conditions improved.

Guv-govt tussle on cards over VC selection

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Signalling a fresh showdown with the state government, Governor Rajendra Arlekar has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court rejecting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans recommendation to appoint two academics of his choice as Vice Chancellors of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and Digital University, Kerala (DUK). As directed by the Supreme Court, two separate search-cum-selection committees headed by Justice (Retd) Sudhanshu Dhulia had shortlisted VC probables for both universities. On the basis of the panels reports, the chief minister had recommended to the governor that C Sathish Kumar and Saji Gopinath be chosen as VCs of KTU and DUK respectively. However, the governor in his affidavit said he recommends the appointment of Ciza Thomas for KTU and Priya Chandran for DUK. The governor contented that the academics were shortlisted by both search panels, further validating their exemplary merit. Arlekar also pointed out that no documents were provided to him relating to credentials of VC probables shortlisted by the CM. The governor has also taken exception to the chief ministers remarks in the recommendation that Ciza was not suitable for appointment to the VC post. The governor stated that the reasons cited by the chief minister to reject Cizas candidature were based on certain news reports.

200 take part in sports meet for children with disabilities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nearly 200 children with disabilities took part in a special sports meet organised by the Trivandrum Physiatrists Club to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. The event aimed to foster inclusion, confidence, and sporting excellence was held at the Sports Authority of Indias Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Kariavattom. The programme was inaugurated by Dr Selvan P, president of IAPMR Kerala. In his keynote address, Dr Roy R Chandran, state secretary of IMA Kerala, lauded the childrens spirited performances, remarking that they represent the promise of the nations future. The gathering was also attended by Dr Padma Prasad, president of IMA Chirayinkeezhu, and Dr Najeeb A, district programme coordinator of Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), along with leading physiatrists in the state. Sessions on sports medicine and rehabilitation were led by Dr Harsha P S (sports medicine consultant, SAI-LNCPE), Dr Neena T V (sports medicine consultant, Rajiv Gandhi Sports Centre), and Dr Sindhuja N S (PMR specialist). Their talks highlighted the expanding role of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR) in sports, disability care, and inclusive community health.

Court dismisses Rahuls pre-arrest bail plea

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Delivering a devastating blow to Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, the Principal District and Sessions Court on Thursday rejected his anticipatory bail plea noting that the evidence produced by the prosecution prima facie revealed his involvement in the offences. The Palakkad MLA was booked by the local police on November 27 on charges of raping his woman acquaintance and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy. The hearing of the plea behind closed doors that started on Wednesday continued into Thursday. The court pronounced its verdict in the afternoon dashing the hopes of the Congress legislator to redeem some of the lost ground. Following the verdict, the embattled leader was expelled from Congress. Rahuls argument primarily rested on three things: That his relationship with the woman was consensual and the rape charge wont stand, the allegations were politically motivated, and the miscarriage was voluntarily caused by the woman. The petitioner tried to portray his relationship with the woman as consensual and a romantic one and argued that there can be no promise for marriage with a lady, who is already married. Regarding the charge of causing miscarriage, he said the victim herself volunteered to take the pills and he had no role in that. The case was politically motivated and concocted by the CPM and BJP. It was done to deflect attention off some other matters during the election time. However, the prosecution strongly countered the petitioners argument by placing before the court detailed WhatsApp chats, medical records highlighting the plight of the victim after miscarriage and statements of witnesses. The court said prima facie materials showed that the accused insisted on termination of pregnancy. Shredding Rahuls argument that the miscarriage was caused with the womans consent, the court said the consent was elicited under pressure and cannot be considered as consent. Second survivor agrees to give statement The crime branch team had issued a notice urging the woman, who had filed a second complaint against Rahul, to inform the cops about the time and place where she wanted to get her statements recorded. The woman reportedly agreed to file her complaint with the cops and give a go ahead to initiate legal measures. Push for custodial interrogation Rahuls counsel canvassed for a limited custody, but the prosecutor opposed it saying custodial interrogation was required following which the court dismissed the pre-arrest bail plea. It also noted that the offence was of grave nature and granting anticipatory bail will adversely affect the probe. The court in its judgement also said that the victim in her statement had mentioned that she consumed the pill after the petitioner raised suicide threat.

Celebrity leaders fall leaves Congress scrambling

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress partys decision to expel Rahul B R, popularly known as Rahul Mamkootathil, marked a dramatic fall for the young Palakkad MLA who once enjoyed widespread popularity across Kerala. A Youth Congress president with a massive fan following at a time, Rahuls meteoric rise ended in ignominy after mounting sexual assault allegations forced the party to take the ultimate action. Until August 21, Rahul was a political superstar, commanding blind loyalty from supporters who even targeted senior party leaders critical of him. His influence, rivalled only by his mentor, Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil, made him Keralas first celebrity leader. With his fall, the Congress faces political and moral fallout merely a week away from the local body elections. A senior leader said, He got what he asked for. It would now be a herculean task for the Congress to bring itself back on the campaign trail. There is also relief. However, though the leadership terms the decision timely, Congress insiders argue that acting even a day earlier could have handed the party a moral advantage. Now, everyone realises we were waiting for the courts decision. Had anticipatory bail been granted, the party might have acted differently, said a KPCC office-bearer. Political commentator Sreekumar Manayil noted that the delay had another consequence. Congress failed to highlight the LDF governments shortcomings as its leadership was occupied with the Rahul episode. The party lost valuable campaign time. Both Congress and CPM now face a mixed political scenario, he said. The leaders noted that the delayed decision to expel the MLA had a direct link to the support Rahul continued to enjoy even after he was suspended. Still, despite the controversy, the leaders insisted that local voters remain primarily concerned with ward-level concerns. However, it is uncertain whether issues like the Sabarimala gold theft case or CPM MP John Brittas involvement in the PM SHRI project will influence voters. Who benefits from the Sabarimala controversy is up for debate as BJP is also seeking a share of the spoils. Chances are, it is unlikely to become a major factor in the local body elections, said the Congress leader. Rahuls ouster is also expected to tone down the all-out attacks he and Shafi had mounted against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM, an aggressive style of politics that netted them fans. N Sreekumar, former resident editor of Veekshanam Daily, said, The intensity of their attacks grew after Rahul became the Youth Congress president, and peaked during the Nilambur by-election. With Shafi now under scrutiny for mentoring Rahul, that aggressive approach is likely to diminish. While supporters of Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan had hoped to reap political benefits from the Rahul row, sources say the overall power equation within Congress remains largely unchanged. Satheesans role in the local body polls is at par with other leaders. If the UDF sweeps the polls, it will benefit the leadership. The axis between KPCC president Sunny Joseph, working presidents A P Anil Kumar, P C Vishnunadh and Shafi Parambil, and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash is intact and retains influence with backing of AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, a senior leader noted.

Ex-army officer under Houthi captivity set free after five months

ALAPPUZHA: A retired Indian Army officer from Kayamkulam, who was taken captive by Houthi rebels in war-torn Yemen, was released after five months on Wednesday. Anilkumar Raveendran, 52, of Sreejalayam, Pathiyoor, Kayamkulam, was held by the security forces under the Houthi-controlled Yemeni government since July 7. He was serving as a security officer on board the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MV Eternity C, which was attacked and later sunk in the Red Sea. Anilkumar told TNIE after arriving from Yemen on Thursday that the rebels did not physically torture him. However, the five-month captivity in a room, somewhere in Sanaa, was a mental torture. He and 10 others were in captivity, including nine Filipinos and one Greek national were released. On Wednesday night, he arrived in Oman and reached Nedumbassery on Thursday noon. In July, the cargo vessel was on its way to the Israeli port of Eilat when it came under attack. Houthi militants, who have intensified strikes on international shipping amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, seized the vessel and later destroyed it. At the time, the ship carried crew from India, the Philippines, Russia, and Greece. Four crew members were killed in the assault, while six, including Augustin from Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram, were rescued by the European Union Naval Force and repatriated within a week. However, 11 others, including Anilkumar, remained in captivity. Anilkumar joined the shipping company five years ago through Ocean Group Overseas Consultancy, Palakkad. A former soldier, he retired after 19 years of service. His wife is Sreeja, son Anuj, a BSc Emergency Medicine student, and daughter Anugha, a Plus-I student.