Thiruvananthapuram News

Malayali women's Kashmir adventure fuelled by teen love for thump

It was something they had dreamt of since they were teenagers. A dream that sprouted from a shared fascination for motorcycles, and the thump. They wanted to be riders. For Shyni C V, that passion has now become as essential as breathing. For Uma Mahesh, the enduring love has slowly turned into a realisation. And for Nishi Khan, it felt like finally coming home. The three women, all in their 40s, recently completed a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride. That teenage dream has now evolved into a lifestyle for the trio. Uma, who heads a business in Kochi, knew how to ride a motorcycle by 18. But she mustered the confidence to get one for herself only last year. When I was a young woman, people looked at me differently for riding a motorcycle, she recalls. Stare I got meant I had to stop. And I was given a gender-appropriate two-wheeler instead. But the call of the thump persisted. After years spent building a career and family, she finally decided to go full throttle. I met Shyni, who is an ace rider. She had done five all-India trips, Uma says. Nishi Khan, Shyni C V and Uma Mahesh pose in front of the CRPF camp in Jammu Nishi, too, received her licence as soon as she turned 18. But I was never able to buy a motorcycle for myself, she rues. It was during the lockdown that I rekindled my dream, thanks in part to social media reels. Soon, she bought her dream machine. She also came to know of Shyni during a Womens Day celebration. Quite poetic, isnt it? The trio soon decided to embark on an adventure: a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride with a cause Say No To Drugs. Among riders in India, Shyni is a familiar figure. Her driving school in Thiruvananthapuram trains women to ride motorcycles. And taking Nishi and Uma on their maiden long-distance ride is something she was always happy to do. The trio set off from Kanniyakumari. But as we started crossing geographies, things became difficult, recalls Uma. What kept us on the road was that thrill, that excitement of reaching a new place. They reached Delhi amid a flood. Our planned schedule drowned in the waters and we were stuck there for a week, Nishi says. Rain followed them all the way to Kashmir. There were floods. All the roads were damaged. It was pouring everywhere, says Uma. The trio at Kanniyakumari It took the trio 20 days to cover over 3,400km from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir. After spending a few days there, Uma returned to Kochi via Goa and Nishi took a detour from Chandigarh with another biker group headed to Ladakh, before returning to Thiruvananthapuram. Shyni, who accompanied Uma till Goa, headed back to Rajasthan for another impromptu all-India ride. Called the first woman Iron Butt of India, she is on her sixth cross-country trip. I reached Guwahati from Patna today. And after speaking at a school to students about the dark side of drugs and addiction, I will ride on first to the ongoing Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, and then to Arunachal Pradesh, Shyni says over phone. Inspired, Uma and Nishir are dreaming of even more journeys.

10 flights delayed at Thiruvananthapuram airport

IFFK 2025: Garin Nugroho to be the filmmaker in focus

The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala will be held in Thiruvananthapuram from December 12 to 19

Indian Navy showcases maritime power at Navy Day 2025 in Thiruvananthapuram

Senior dignitaries, including Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, senior officials from the Centre and State, military leaders, and thousands of spectators witnessed the impressive display

Rape case: Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil expelled from Kerala Congress

KPCC President Sunny Joseph, confirming the expulsion, said that the party had taken the step after reviewing the gravity of the charges. The Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court has rejected Mamkootathils plea for anticipatory bail in the alleged rape case

Christmas 2025: How choirs of churches in Thiruvananthapuram are getting ready for carol services

Choirs of various churches take part in ecumenical carol services organised by different organisations

Photos: Navy showcases maritime prowess, multi-domain combat capabilities

Thiruvananthapuram: From indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to frontline frigate Udaygiri, the Indian Navy on Wednesday showcased its maritime prowess and multi-domain combat capabilities with an operational demonstration off the coast of Keralas Thiruvananthapuram, which was witnessed by President Droupadi Murmu. Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, attended the event on Shangumugham Beach 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 expels Palakkad MLA facing sexual harassment charges after court rejects his anticipatory bail plea

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Left with no other option, the Congress in Kerala expelled Rahul Mamkootathil, MLAwho is facing sexual harassment chargesfrom the party. The action came minutes after the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, leaving the leadership with little room to defend or protect him. The court also refused to issue a directive preventing his arrest. KPCC president Sunny Joseph said Rahul has been expelled from the partys primary membership. The decision, taken with the approval of the AICC, follows mounting complaints and pending cases against the Palakkad MLA. Speaking to the media, the Congress leadership noted that it is now up to Rahul to resign his MLA post. Both KPCC president Sunny Joseph and UDF convener Adoor Prakash stated that Rahul should step down as a legislator. There had been growing dissent within the Congress over what many leaders described as an undue delay in taking strong action against the Palakkad MLA. The party has been facing increasing pressure, both internally and externally, to act against the young legislator. Several senior leaders, including former KPCC presidents V.M. Sudheeran and K. Muraleedharan, had demanded stringent action against him. Although the expulsion was widely expected on Wednesday, sources indicated that a section of party leaders preferred to wait for the courts decision before finalising the move. The leadership reportedly reached a consensus on Thursday, following the courts rejection of the plea, prompting the KPCC to formally announce the expulsion.

India committed to keeping oceans open, stable, rule-based: President Murmu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Ocean region is a highly strategic and critical maritime space, and being positioned at its centre, India bears a special responsibility towards it, said President Droupadi Murmu. Addressing the operational demonstration conducted by the Indian Navy at Shankhumukham beach as part of the Navy Day celebration, she said the country is committed to the idea of the oceans remaining open, stable and rule-based. Stressing the need for ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, she said the region is a conduit for global energy supplies and trade. Indias approach is collaborative rather than competitive. Our country is promoting shared awareness, capacity building, and the peaceful use of the seas, she added. Highlighting the Navys diverse roles, she said it plays an important role in driving sustainable development. She also mentioned about the rich maritime heritage of the country the Cholas, Cheras, Chhatrapati Shivaji and Kunjali Marakkar- and said maritime awareness was anchored in civilisation memory. She also extolled the states maritime legacy and said its warriors defended the coast against European invasion in the sixteenth century. The ancient port of Muziris was one of the important gateways through which India interacted with the world, she added.

Physiatrists club to host sports meet for special children in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Trivandrum Physiatrists Club will host a special sports meet for children with disabilities on Thursday, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. The event is scheduled at the Sports Authority of India - Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Kariavattom. Nearly 200 children facing diverse challenges, guided by Samagra Shiksha Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram district, will take part in a range of athletic and team events designed to foster inclusion, confidence, and sporting excellence. The event will be inaugurated by Dr Selvan P, president of Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR), Kerala. Distinguished guests include Dr Roy R Chandran, state secretary IMA, Kerala; Dr Padma Prasad, president IMA, Chirayinkeezhu; Dr Pradip Dutta, academic in-charge, SAI LNCPE; and Dr Najeeb A, DPC SSK, Thiruvananthapuram, along with leading physiatrists in the state. The meet underscores the expanding role of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in sports, disability care, and inclusive community health. The event is being organised in collaboration with IMA Chirayinkeezhu, IAPMR Kerala Chapter, and KIMSHEALTH.

IFFK 2025 to celebrate masters of world cinema

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will bring together landmark works of three celebrated filmmakers Saeed Akhtar Mirza, Garin Nugroho, and Youssef Chahine through Retrospective and Special Focus sections, from December 12 to 19. Three films by Saeed, one of the leading voices of Indian Parallel Cinema, will be screened in the Retrospective section. They include Naseem (1996), which won two National Film Awards and portrays the growing communal tensions before the Babri Masjid demolition through the tender bond between a teenage girl and her grandfather. Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, which received the National Award for Best Hindi Film, examines the marginalisation of Muslims in urban India through the life of Salim Pasha, a young man with a physical disability, while Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan explores the purposeless existence of a privileged businessmans son. Saeed, an FTII graduate and currently the chairperson of the K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, is known for films rooted in progressive political thought. Garin Nugroho in focus The Contemporary Filmmaker in Focus section will highlight five films by acclaimed Indonesian director Garin Nugroho, regarded as one of the most influential voices in Southeast Asian cinema. His works have been showcased at Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and Locarno. The films selected are Bird Man Tale, which follows a teenagers pursuit of love against the backdrop of Papuas independence struggle; A Poet: Unconcealed Poetry, an award-winning black-and-white prison drama that exposes Indonesias political repression; Samsara (2024), a silent love story set in 1930s Bali that explores ritual and desire; Whispers in the Dabdas, which critiques corruption in the justice system; and Letter to an Angel (1994), a lyrical tale of a boys faith in an angel, notable as the first film shot on Sumba Island. Tribute to Youssef Chahine Commemorating the birth centenary of Egyptian master Youssef Chahine, IFFK will present three of his finest works Cairo Station (1958), which tells the tragic story of a differently abled newspaper vendor consumed by obsession; Alexandria Again and Forever (1989), an autobiographical reflection set against a hunger strike in Egypts film industry; and The Other (1999), which boldly explores the themes of globalisation, consumerism, and intolerance. Chahine, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at Cannes, was a towering figure in Arab cinema who introduced Omar Sharif to the world and brought Egyptian cinema to international prominence. Films of Saeed Akhtar Mirza Naseem Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan

Suresh Gopi defends Olympic event proposal in BJP manifesto

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday defended the proposal in BJPs manifesto for Thiruvanthapuram corporation to bring an Olympic event to the capital city, dismissing the criticism raised by General Education Minister V Sivankutty. When the Olympics is coming to India, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Alappuzha, in fact all 14 districts must have their share of participation. When someone presents such a great dream of bringing an Olympic event venue to the state capital, it is unfair for a politician to dilute such an attempt, he said. He stressed that the Olympics could usher in a new era of economic mobilisation. Hosting such a grand event will generate significant revenue for the country. Regular tourism activities and cultural exchange programmes will naturally take place, he said, adding that politicians should not attempt to dilute such visionary proposals. Reiterating his stand on establishing AIIMS in Alappuzha, Suresh Gopi pointed to the districts current condition and said the decision aligns with the motto Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas (Together, for everyones growth, with everyones trust). I suggested Alappuzha because development must be ensured where it is most needed, he said. Later, the minister visited the Poonkulam colony in Thycaud to campaign for NDA candidate Kasthuri Anirudhan. When residents apprised him of their difficulties, he said, Change will happen, and it should start by you giving an opportunity for BJP. The BJP will ensure change, and development is the partys key goal. NDAs election manifesto for the corporation, released on November 30, ignited a political row after it proposed efforts to make the city one of the event venues for the 2036 Olympics. Leaders from both the UDF and LDF ridiculed the idea, with senior Left leaders like Minister Sivankutty calling it an attempt to mislead voters and Congress leader K Muraleedharan dismissing it as a hollow promise. BJP leaders, however, stood firm, with Rajeev Chandrasekhar and others, and now Suresh Gopi, also insisting the proposal is achievable. As the debate gained traction, several BJP leaders, including V V Rajesh and party ward councillor candidates, have begun highlighting the Olympics venue pledge prominently in their campaign meetings.

Navy Day demo paints mighty picture in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As a MiG-29K fighter jet thundered off from INS Vikrant, there was pin-drop silence among the spectators who had gathered in their thousands along Shankhumukham and other beaches nearby. The might of Vikrant the countrys first indigenous aircraft carrier and the magnificent sight of the jet punching through the skies painted orange by the descending sun was awe-inspiring. The state capital was on Wednesday evening treated to an exhilarating demonstration of operational capabilities by the Indian Navy as part of its Navy Day celebrations. It was the first time that Kerala was playing host to the marquee event, which offers a glimpse into the multi-domain combat proficiency and battle-readiness of the Navy. Fighter aircraft MiG-29 taking off from aircraft carrier INS Vikrant during the celebrations The demonstration commenced after INS Kolkata gave a 21-gun salute to welcome President Droupadi Murmu, who was the chief guest on the day. As many as 19 warships, a submarine, four fast-interceptor craft, and 32 naval aircraft including fighters and helicopters took part in the event. The MH-60R helicopters, led by Captain Sidharth Rana, offered a grand salute to the President by flying at low altitude and dipping its nose in flight, setting the tone for a mesmerising evening that displayed Navys precision, power projection, co-ordination, and expertise. Apart from the President, Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi were also in attendance. Warships INS Imphal, INS Udayagiri, INS Kolkata and INS Tamal closed the beach front and fired flares illuminating the skies. Three Chetak choppers were the next to take the stage and flew a banner formation in the flypast. Navys trainer jet, Hawk, performed a bomb-burst manoeuvre, while special forces simulated Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations that deal with pirates. Another attraction was the combat freefall performed by Navy MARCOS commandos off a Dornier aircraft flying at 8,000ft. Using parachutes, they made pinpoint landings at the drop zone and one of the members walked on to the dais to present a memento to the President. Equally admired was the performance of the combat diving team, who ran a simulation of how vital infrastructure is targeted during war. Hawk advanced training jets, P-8I Neptune aircraft, Narang and Chetak choppers also stole the show. Navy Chief meets CM TPuram: Ahead of the Navy Day celebrations in the state capital, Chief of Indian Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday. Meeting him at the CMs chamber at secretariat, Dinesh Tripathi formally invited him to take part in the Navy Day celebrations. Following the meeting, CM posted on X that they exchanged regards and ideas for further strengthening our collaborations.

Kerala Congress veterans push for Rahul Mamkootathils expulsion amid rape case, split over timing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress in Kerala has begun deliberations on expelling Rahul Mamkootathil from the party following calls from senior leaders for his removal. However, the leaders remain divided over the timing of any action against the rape-accused Palakkad MLA. While senior leaders including V M Sudheeran and K Muraleedharan have called for Rahuls immediate expulsion from the party, veterans including Ramesh Chennithala say the leadership would take a call after the courts verdict in the case. For its part, the AICC leadership has passed the buck to the state unit. The issue concerns both legal and political morality, said Sudheeran. The situation has become serious. Rahul has lost the right to continue in the Congress. He should be expelled. He also has no right to continue as MLA. I hope the leadership will take stern action, he said. Emphasising that it is time for severe action, Muraleedharan said those entrusted with the responsibility of serving people must act morally. Besides the former KPCC presidents, senior leaders Ajay Tharayil and former MLA Shanimol Usman have openly sought Rahuls expulsion. However, Chennithala, two KPCC working presidents and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash argued the court ruling should precede a final decision. We took disciplinary action against Rahul, even before a complaint was registered against him. Now, the matter is before the court. Let law take its course. The party will take a decision after the court delivers its verdict, Chennithala said. Meanwhile, the AICC instructed the state leadership to take appropriate measures. Deepa Dasmunsi, the AICC general secretary in-charge of Kerala, has briefed the national leadership on the current political situation in the state. Exit imminent, feel leaders KPCC working presidents and the UDF convenor have contacted state Congress president Sunny Joseph to discuss the matter. The Thiruvananthapuram District Sessions Court on Wednesday postponed further hearing on Rahuls anticipatory bail petition to Thursday. However, leaders believe Rahuls exit from the party is imminent. As of now, organisational procedures remain in place, with the discussion involving Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, Adoor Prakash, former KPCC presidents, other senior leaders and working presidents expected to reach a conclusion, most likely on Thursday. Fresh case registered TPuram: The Crime Branch has registered a new rape case against Rahul Mamkootathil based on the complaint forwarded by KPCC president Sunny Joseph. Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court on Wednesday posted the MLAs anticipatory bail plea to Thursday for further hearing An MLA cant be Sexual predator Calling Rahul Mamkootathil a sexual predator, Congress leader Shama Mohamed also demanded the MLAs expulsion from the party. The Congress Party in Kerala should expel Mamkootathil. An MLA of the Congress cannot be a sexual predator, she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

LDF promises professional makeover in running of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Fronts manifesto for Thiruvananthapuram Corporation makes a host of promises under the broad tagline of Capital City, Happiness City. On waste management, it lays stress on waste treatment at source for households, while a centralised treatment plant using Biomethanation will be set up to treat bio waste from bulk waste generators

Kerala records 100 new HIV cases each month

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala, long considered a low-prevalence state for AIDS, is witnessing a worrying rise in HIV infections among young people aged 1524. Their share of new cases has climbed from 9% in 2022 to 15.4% in 2025, with an average of 100 new HIV-positive cases reported monthly. Data shows that 62.6% of infections are linked to unprotected sex with multiple partners, while 24.6% are associated with same-sex relations. Another 8.1% stems from infected needles. Migration for education and work has further heightened the risk. Despite ongoing interventions, the annual number of new cases remains steady at around 1,200, and currently, 23,608 people live with HIV in Kerala. A report by Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) found that the lifestyle of young people is contributing to the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. There seems to be a clear lapse in creating proper awareness about sexual health and hygiene. There is a need to increase awareness among youths. Many are unaware that even a single sexual encounter carries risk, said Reshmi Madhavan, Joint Director of the KSACS. She noted that campaigns have helped identify patients in high-risk groups and provide early treatment. KSACS has intensified awareness efforts with Red Ribbon volunteers, conducting campaigns in 210 schools and colleges using a specially designed KSRTC bus. Social media outreach has also grown, with more young people engaging silently with KSACS content. District-wise, Ernakulam reports the highest number of cases, followed by Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur, while Wayanad records the lowest. Yet, concerns remain about underreporting. HIV is not a notifiable disease, and patients have the right not to disclose their status. With 72% of the public relying on private healthcare, actual numbers may be higher, Reshmi added. Currently, only 83% of people living with HIV in the state know their status, short of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target for 2025, which aims that by 2025, 95% of all people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART achieve viral suppression. The state provides treatment through 18 centres (including three private), with nearly 18,000 patients receiving free daily ART. Additionally, 10,000 patients receive monthly financial support of Rs 1,000. HIV prevalence World : 4.08 crore India : 25 lakh Kerala : 23608 New cases 2022-23 : 1183 2023-24 : 1263 2024-25 : 1213 2025- 26 (till Oct) : 818 Total : 4477 Main Route of Transmission Heterosexual sex : 62.6% Homosexual/Bisexual sex : 24.6% Through infected needles/Syringes : 8.1%

Court posts Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathils bail plea in rape case for further hearing on December 4

Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court conducts hearing in camera. Investigators say prosecution sought more time to produce additional materials

Kerala court adjourns Rahul Mamkootathil bail plea verdict to Thursday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram District Sessions Court on Wednesday postponed the anticipatory bail of Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil , who faces charges of raping a woman and forcing her to undergo an abortion, to Thursday. The hearing was held in a closed room at the request of both sides. Saying that several documents still need to be examined, the court posted the matter for further arguments on Thursday, when the verdict will also be announced. The court directed the prosecution to submit an additional document. After the hearing, the defence requested that the prosecution assure the court that Rahul Mamkootathil would not be arrested until the verdict. The court did not approve the request, and Special Public Prosecutor Geena Kumari said no such assurance could be given. The argument lasted 1.5 hours. The defence argued that the complaint was fabricated as part of a political conspiracy. They claimed the relationship between Rahul and the complainant was consensual and maintained that the abortion was done with her consent. Digital records and situational evidence were submitted to support their allegation of a conspiracy. They further argued that the woman remained in touch with Rahul even after the alleged incidents and continued to maintain a close relationship with him. They claimed the allegations were the result of a CPM-BJP nexus and said the complainant and her husband had links with the BJP and took it up as it is election. Digital evidences were submitted to support the argument that the woman was in touch with her husband when the alleged rape took place. The prosecution dismissed the conspiracy argument and said the MLA had threatened and exploited the woman after she approached him seeking personal help. The prosecution argued that Rahul did not cooperate with the investigation. The court was informed that the woman was raped multiple times and forced to abort. Police report submitted to court noted that the rape took place. Evidence of forced abortion was too submitted. Statements from doctors who treated her, accounts from friends and other witnesses, hospital records, and WhatsApp chats were submitted. It was also alleged that abortion pills handed to her by Rahuls friend Joby Joseph caused serious health problems. The special investigation team formed to probe the case has meanwhile, widened its search for Rahul beyond the state. He has been absconding since last Friday. Police have already charged Rahul with rape, forced termination of pregnancy and recording private images without consent. According to the FIR, the woman was raped several times in Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad. It states that Rahul first assaulted and raped her at her flat in Thiruvananthapuram on March 4, forced her to record a nude video on March 17, and raped her again on April 22. The report says she was later taken to Palakkad, where she was assaulted for two days even after Rahul learned she was pregnant. Joby Joseph has been named the second accused for allegedly supplying the abortion pills. Meanwhile, self-proclaimed men's rights activist and TV commentator Rahul Easwar, arrested for allegedly defaming and disclosing the identity of the woman who accused Rahul Mamkootathil of rape and coercion to terminate a pregnancy, was remanded to two days custodial interrogation. He will be in custody till 5pm on Thursday. His bail plea will be taken up on December 6. The SIT has also been assigned the investigation of a fresh case filed against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.

Time to use 'Brahmastra' against Rahul Mamkootathil: Congress leader K Muraleedharan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Demanding stringent action against suspended party MLA Rahul Mamkootathil , who is facing fresh sexual assault allegations from another woman, Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Wednesday said it is time to use the Brahmastra. Muraleedharan said that he expects quick and strong action from Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph after discussions with all party leaders. Speaking to reporters here, the Congress leader said that the decision to resign as MLA has to be taken by Mamkootathil himself. Once the umbilical cord is cut, the party has no role in that. The person concerned has to decide, he said. Muraleedharan said that the party suspended Mamkootathil even before there was any written complaint before it or the police. Now that there are written complaints before the party and the police, strong action will be taken against him. In native parlance, it is time to use the Brahmastra, he said. The Congress leader said that a complaint was given to the KPCC chief by the latest complainant and it has been forwarded to the DGP as Mamkootathil has been suspended from the party. Had he not been suspended from the Congress, then the party would have carried out an investigation into the allegations, he said. He said that Mamkootathil was given the responsibility to help the people and not engage in the activities that he is accused of. If he has engaged in the activities he is accused of, he is not fit to work in the political or any other domain, he said. Asked whether there are any sympathisers of Mamkootathil in the party, Muraleedharan said that the Palakkad MLA is on his way out and his supporters can join him. Cops fail to nab Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil; court to hear pre-arrest bail plea today When reporters pointed out that the CPI(M) has not taken similar action against its leaders facing such allegations, the Congress leader said that the Left party's stand does not concern us. Our stand is to protect the image of our party from being tarnished, he added. The latest complainant against Mamkootathil is a 23-year-old woman, living outside Kerala, who has sent the complaint to the party high command and the KPCC. Mamkootathil has been absconding for the past few days after police registered a sexual assault and forced abortion case against him based on a complaint submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan last week by a different woman. Based on the complaint to the CM, a case has been registered under sections 64(2)(f) (rape by a person in a position of trust or authority), 64(2)(h) (rape knowing the woman is pregnant), 64(2)(m) (repeated rape of the same woman), 89 (causing miscarriage without consent), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the Palakkad MLA. Police have also invoked section 66(E) of the Information Technology Act for the alleged recording and threat of misuse of private images. Mamkootathil was suspended from the primary membership of the Congress on August 25. He earlier resigned as Youth Congress state president after Malayalam actress Rini Ann George accused a young leader of misbehaviour, prompting protests by the BJP and the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M). Subsequently, several women and a transgender person also levelled allegations against him. Mamkootathil was elected as MLA in November last year in a by-election to the Palakkad seat, following former MLA Shafi Parambil's election to the Lok Sabha from Vatakara.

HSBC INDIA Expands its Presence in Gujarat with a New Branch in Vadodara

HSBC India on Saturday unveiled its new branch in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking a significant step in its strategic expansion across the country. This launch signifies the banks 27th branch in India and its second in Gujarat, following Reserve Bank of Indias approval earlier this year to open 20 new bank branches in key cities. Chef Ranveer Brar, Her Highness Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Maharani of Baroda & Sandeep Batra, Head, International Wealth & Premier Banking, HSBC India, at the branch inauguration Vadodara, known for its rapid economic growth and industrial prowess, is emerging as a significant hub for wealth creation. The city is home to a burgeoning population of affluent, High Net Worth (HNW), Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW), and non-resident clients in one of Indias rapidly growing wealth and industrial hubs. HSBCs new branch is strategically positioned to meet the financial and wealth needs of this customer segment. The expansion reinforces HSBCs focus on the wealth opportunity in India, where it is the leading international bank offering a full spectrum of solutions and services to clients across International Wealth and Premier Banking, and Corporate and Institutional Banking. Commenting on the launch, Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking, HSBC India , said, As entrepreneurial spirit and innovation continue to drive economic growth and personal wealth, affluent customers are increasingly adopting a global outlook. They are seeking a trusted partner who is able to consistently serve them across jurisdictions. Our new branch in Vadodara reflects our commitment to being closer to our customers and delivering world-class banking solutions tailored to their unique needs. As the leading international bank in India, we remain focused on enabling our clients to unlock opportunities and achieve their aspirations, both in India and internationally . With this addition, HSBC now has a network of 27 branches across 15 cities in India. HSBC has maintained a strong presence in India for over 170 years, supporting customers in their financial journeys both locally and globally. Further HSBC India will open branches in Amritsar, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Faridabad, Indore, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Mysuru, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Patna, Rajkot, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram and Vishakhapatnam. About HSBC India HSBC India offers a full range of banking and financial services through 27 branches across 15 cities. HSBC is one of India's leading financial services groups, with around 44,000 employees in its banking, investment banking and capital markets, asset management, insurance, software development and global resourcing operations in the country. It is a leading custodian in India. The Bank is at the forefront in arranging deals for Indian companies investing overseas and foreign investments into the country. About HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 60 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,099bn at 30 September 2024, HSBC is one of the worlds largest banking and financial services organisations.

Trouble continues for Swadeshi Darshan 2.0 at Varkala temple

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversial Varkala Dakshin Kashi project launched at the ancient Janardhana Swamy Temple under the Swadeshi Darshan 2.0 scheme has run into fresh trouble with the Varkala municipality slapping yet another stop memo on Tuesday demanding immediate halt of the initiative. The municipal authorities had on September 25 served the first stop memo to the tourism department over the project, which aims to improve basic facilities and enhance the overall pilgrim experience, citing procedural lapses, including lack of approval from the local body, Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA), Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) and Geological Survey of India (GSI). Varkala municipality secretary Mithran G told TNIE that the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, the implementing agency, launched piling activities and excavation of the Varkala Cliff, a geo-heritage site certified as ecologically fragile by a GSI study report, without securing mandatory nod from the KCZMA and KSDMA. A day after receiving the first stop memo, the tourism department convened an online meeting on September 26 and assured all that only minor work and site preparation will be carried out. However, Mithran said their recent site inspection revealed that there was extensive soil removal using JCB and piling work was also under way. The tourism authorities had assured such works will be carried out only after getting the clearance from the municipality, he said. This prompted the civic body to issue the second stop memo. According to the municipality, the land falls within CRZ-II under the notification of the 2019 Coastal Zone Management Authority. Clearance from KCZMA is mandatory for any construction within 500m of the high tide line. We have written to the district collector, KCZMA and KSDMA and will initiate further action based on the response, Mithran said. The Varkala Cliff was declared a geo-heritage site by the GSI in 2014. GI studies classified it as an environmentally fragile region, warning that construction activities could compromise the cliffs stability. It recommended restricting construction to beyond 100m from the cliffs edge. Recently, the collector had issued a stop memo to another private resort project on the South Cliff mandating GSI clearance for further construction activities. Environment Protection and Research Council president S J Sajeev, who raised the complaint, alleged the Swadeshi Darshan 2.0 project was launched without obtaining mandatory clearance. The tourism department is demolishing the cliff in the name of this project, which lacks even a proper detailed report. The project is planned in an unscientific manner, posing serious threat to the centuries-old temple, alleged Sajeev. Procedural lapses First stop memo was issued on September 25 to the tourism department citing procedural lapses According to the municipality, the land falls within CRZ-II under the notification of the 2019 Coastal Zone Management Authority

KSRTC Budget Tourism Cells Navy Day trips a hit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell (BTC) has successfully tapped into public enthusiasm for the Navy Day celebrations scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. The BTC has received bookings for 110 chartered trips, a chunk of it from southern districts, that will bring nearly 5,000 passengers from across the state. We are overwhelmed by the demand. Bookings had to be halted due to entry and parking restrictions, said an officer with the BTC, adding that school groups, ex-servicemens associations and other organisations made up the bulk of passengers. To make the journeys memorable, the packages include sightseeing in the capital city, covering attractions such as the Kappukad Elephant Sanctuary, planetarium, zoo, Vizhinjam harbour, Poovar and the Veli Tourist Village. Trips will conclude in the evening at Shankhumukham, where the Navy Day show is scheduled. We plan to conclude sightseeing by evening and head to Shankhumukham, said the officer, adding that the visiting locations and schedules have been customised as per the needs of passengers. Launched in November 2021, the BTC has steadily grown in popularity. This year, it earned `4.13 crore in October and `2.71 crore till mid-November, against a revenue target of over `40 crore for the year.

Cops fail to nab Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil; court to hear pre-arrest bail plea today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All eyes are now on the principal district and sessions court that will take up the anticipatory bail plea of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been booked for rape and coerced termination of pregnancy of his female acquaintance, on Wednesday as the verdict will have a profound bearing on the Congress party and the political career of the young legislator. The plea will be considered at a time the state police are scrambling to locate MLA, who has been evading them since the Thiruvananthapuram cyber police registered a case against him on Thursday. Unverified reports say he fled the state on Friday and landed in Tamil Nadu, where he stayed for a day. Later, he moved to Hosur where he remained till Tuesday morning in a farm house and left the place before the cops raided the place. The cops expressed doubts that he has been getting steady support from certain quarters, which they assess has political proximity with him, that facilitated his crossing over from Palakkad to Tamil Nadu and beyond. The police have decided to register cases against those who harbour Rahul as they felt that without external assistance, he could not remain on the run for long. New complaint against suspended Congress MLA Mamkoottathil emerges on eve of bail hearing Meanwhile, legal sources said the prosecution will strongly object to the anticipatory bail plea citing that the allegations were grave in nature and there were enough materials to substantiate the charges levelled against the 36-year-old. Rahuls hopes would hinge on the evidence that he had filed before the court in sealed envelopes on two occasions. Even as the cops remained unsuccessful in tracking down Rahul, who went absconding after being booked for raping a woman acquaintance and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy, the beleaguered legislator has filed additional pieces of evidence via his counsel in sealed covers before the principal district and sessions court, which will hear his anticipatory bail plea on Wednesday. Rahul as well as the prosecution have filed requests before the court to hear the anticipatory bail plea in a closed room owing to privacy concerns. The police are learned to have obtained medical reports corroborating that she suffered from excessive bleeding resulting from unguided termination of pregnancy done at the behest of Rahul. The photos provided by the victim that depicted her plight after being allegedly abused by Rahul and the conversations they had on WhatsApp will also form the crux of the prosecution argument. Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil's friend denies complainants claims

BJP Kerala chief to contest from Nemom in 2026 Assembly elections

THRISSUR: BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday said that he would contest the 2026 assembly elections from Nemom constituency. He was speaking at the Meet the Press programme titled Vote Vibe of Thrissur Press Club. Nemom constituency in Thiruvananthapuram is an important one for BJP as its senior leader O Rajagopal had won the seat earlier. Currently, Minister V Sivankutty is the MLA from Nemom. Though there were reports that Rajeev was likely to contest in the assembly election, it is the first time he has revealed the name of the constituency from where he plans to contest. Urging people to give a chance to the NDA, Rajeev said that Vikasith Thrissur would be their promise. He also put forward certain schemes like doorstep governance through digital technology. He pointed out that in most local bodies in Kerala, at least 30 to 40 per cent of budget funds was being wasted, which should be avoided. To a question on AIIMS in Kerala, the BJP state chief responded that the state government didnt acquire the land for the institution.

SC nod to allocate Kerala's open prison land for BrahMos, SSB & forensic university

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Supreme Court has approved the Kerala governments request to allocate a portion of land from the Nettukaltheri Open Prison to key central institutions. The order was issued by a bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath on Tuesday. As per the verdict, 257 acres will be handed over to BrahMos Aerospace, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU). Of the 257 acres approved for allocation, BrahMos Aerospace will receive about 180 acres, while roughly 32 acres each will be allotted to the SSB and the NFSU. Out of the total 457 acres, the remaining 200 acres will continue to be reserved for the functioning and future requirements of the open prison. The court had earlier placed restrictions on diverting open-prison land for non-prison purposes. The state government approached the apex court seeking relaxation of these conditions, citing the national importance of the proposed projects. Standing counsel Nishe Rajen Sonker represented the state government in the case. Senior state government officials said the clearance would pave the way for major defence and security infrastructure in Kerala. The DRDO had requested land for BrahMos Aerospace to expand its capabilities in producing next-generation missiles and strategic hardware. Officials also noted that the presence of an SSB battalion in the southern region would significantly strengthen national security. The NFSU campus is expected to develop into an important institutional and academic centre for forensic sciences. Parassala MLA C K Hareendran welcomed the verdict, calling the BrahMos facility a crucial project for the state.

Fund allotment to local bodies declining in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state governments actual fund allotment to local self-government institutions (LSGI) has seen a significant drop in recent years. The total amount sanctioned to the three-tier LSGIs steadily declined from Rs 11,400 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 9,050 crore in 2023-24. In the latest year for which actual accounts are available, 2023-24, the transfer was Rs 5,100 crore less than the Budget allocation. The core of Keralas decentralisation is a formula-based equitable devolution of untied funds to local bodies. The sanction is in three streams a general purpose fund to meet traditional functions and establishment expenses, maintenance fund for assets management, and a development fund to meet development expenditures. Other LSGI revenue sources are Central Finance Commission awards and own funds. As per the formula devised by the State Finance Commission (SFC), the state government is bound to transfer 4% of States Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) to the general purpose fund and 6.5% to the maintenance fund. A portion of the state plan outlay is devolved as the development fund. An analysis of fund transfers in recent years showed that the government failed in its devolution commitment. In 2023-24, Budget allocations for the general purpose fund, maintenance fund and the development fund were Rs 2,244.30 crore, Rs 3,646.99 crore and Rs 8,258 crore respectively. At the same time, the actual receipts were lower Rs 1,675.96 crore, Rs 1,344.81 crore and Rs 6,029 crore respectively. The drop, however, was not due to a decline in the SOTR. In fact, the tax revenue, Rs 74,329.01 crore, was 3% higher than the previous year. Based on the tax revenue, local bodies were eligible for amounts even higher than the budget allocation Rs 2,973.16 crore as the general purpose fund and Rs 4,831.39 crore as the maintenance fund. Sources in the LSG department attributed the declining share to the fiscal strain of the government and the unprofessional functioning of LSGIs. Treasury restrictions were in place for most of the year, which slowed bill payments. Also, most of the LSGIs do not plan and execute work in a timely manner. They undertake a major portion of work in the latter half of the financial year, and by that time, treasury restrictions would be severe, said an officer. The State Finance Commission does not have a role in ensuring that the devolution formula is followed intact. The commissions responsibility ends with the submission of recommendation on the formula, said a source. Devolution index: Kerala ranked 2nd Even as the state governments share declines, Kerala still fares better than most of its counterparts in devolution to panchayats. The state is positioned second, after Karnataka, in the devolution index in Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States 2024 published by the Indian Institute of Public Administration. Kerala occupies first place in Framework, second position in Accountability and Finances, and ranks third in the dimension of Functionaries. The dimension of Finances carried the maximum weightage in the index. This dimension was based on several indicators like timely release of the 15th Finance Commission grants to panchayats, regular and effective functioning of SFC, SFC transfer to panchayats, power to collect revenue, funds available with panchayats, expenditure by panchayats as percentage of states public expenditure, and accounts and budget. The state has tried to devolve most of its functions to panchayats and has at the same time maintained a transparent system of transferring money under the panchayats window. The institution of the State Finance Commission in Kerala has emerged to be the most effective in the recent past. Panchayats in Kerala utilise funds adequately and share the top slot as far as the indicator related to fund utilisation is concerned, the report said.

Back to basics: With poll aspirations, five ex-MLAs look to retrace their steps in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking their politics to the grassroots, five former MLAs are contesting the upcoming local-body elections. And, it looks to be back to the basics for Anil Akkara, K S Sabarinadhan, E M Augusthy, R Latha Devi, and K C Rajagopalan. Taking his campaign to the Sanskrit College ward of Adat grama panchayat, in Thrissur district, Anil is no stranger to local governance. He led the panchayat as president for two successive terms from 2000 and represented the same ward in 2005. His election as Congress MLA of Wadakkanchery in 2016 adds heft to his candidature. I am no stranger here. During my time, it was a model panchayat. But both the LDF and the BJP failed to preserve our legacy. This time, our focus is on rebuilding its former glory and ensuring development and progress, Anil said. Seeking the backing of the Maramon ward of Mezhuveli grama panchayat, in Pathanamthitta district, CPM veteran K C Rajagopalan is also banking on local ties. He had served as vice-president of the panchayat in 1979 and its president in 1988. Rajagopalan, who won the Aranmula assembly seat in 2006, had stepped down from active politics after turning 75 last December. Having dedicated myself to both small and large development projects in this panchayat over the years, I am a familiar face here. Though I have not held official positions recently, the strong encouragement from local residents and party workers willed me into the picture. I am determined to continue advancing welfare initiatives across all sectors, said Rajagopalan. Featuring in local-body polls for the first time, senior CPI leader Latha Devi is the LDF candidate in the Chadayamangalam division of Kollam district panchayat. A former MLA from the same region, she considers the contest a return to her political roots. Carrying the UDF banner in the Kowdiar ward of Thiruvananthapuram corporation, former Aruvikkara MLA Sabarinadhan has been projected as the Congress mayoral face. The party hopes his candidature will help revive its position in the capitals civic body. There is a strong desire among the people for change. We have the early-bird advantage, and being a familiar face adds trust and credibility. With high expectations all round, hopes are running high, said Sabarinadhan. Bringing his legislative experience to the local level, AICC member and three-time MLA Augusthy is contesting from the Irupathekkar ward of Kattappana municipality. He made it to the assembly from Udumbanchola in 1991 and 1996 and from Peermade in 2001. I began my journey as a panchayat member in Kattappana in 1978 and later held other positions. I consider local-body elections as important as assembly and Lok Sabha polls, Augusthy said. R Latha Devi LDF candidate in the Chadayamangalam division of Kollam district panchayat K S Sabarinadhan UDF candidate in Kowdiar ward of TPuram corporation K C Rajagopalan LDF candidate in Maramon ward of Mezhuveli grama panchayat in Pathanamthitta E M Augusthy UDF candidate in Irupathekkar ward of Kattappana municipality in Idukki Anil Akkara UDF candidate in Sanskrit College ward of Adat grama panchayat in Thrissur

Kerala govt hospitals lag in deceased organ donation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has been actively encouraging cadaveric organ donation to help save lives. However, when it comes to identifying brain-dead patients and persuading bereaved families to donate the organs of their loved ones, the states own hospitals are trailing private transplant centres by miles. In the past five years, where private hospitals identified around 20 deceased donors a year, government hospitals across Kerala could together manage just two. Lack of coordination in public institutions has slowed things further. In all, Kerala has 64 transplant centres, including major government facilities at Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode and the Ernakulam General Hospital. Since 2012, government hospitals have recorded just 58 donations out of 339 statewide. To improve coordination, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) appointed nodal and assistant nodal officers in southern, central and northern regions to screen potential donors in ICUs and facilitate cadaver donations. However, the situation has not improved. This year, public centres carried out 16 of the 62 transplant surgeries but converted only two cadaver donations out of 19. The higher number of organ donations in private hospitals creates the impression that brain deaths occur only there. However, patients die on ventilators in government medical colleges, too. If brain death is certified and communicated properly, more lives can be saved. We are yet to build such a system, said a senior officer with the DME. To address the gap, the health department has designated the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K-SOTTO) as the sole authority for both deceased and living donor programmes. By bringing all public transplant units under K-SOTTO, the government aims to improve efficiency, strengthen coordination and build public trust. Under the new unified command system, organ donation activities will be streamlined and made more transparent. All units are now under the administrative, functional and financial control of K-SOTTOs executive director. Transplant coordinators can also be assigned duties beyond their zonal jurisdiction during emergencies or special circumstances. Clash over poor performance Mohan Das M K, professor of Nephrology at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College, publicly criticised the functioning of K-SOTTO and announced his resignation as nodal officer for the southern region, alleging failure in the cadaver donation programme. In response, Dr Noble Gracious S S, the K-SOTTO executive director, accused Das of neglecting his duty to promote organ donation, noting that only one cadaver donation was facilitated at the Thiruvananthapuram GMC in two years. He said disciplinary action had been initiated against Das for failing to perform his responsibilities and for portraying K-SOTTO in a negative light. Donors identified by hosps in 2025 Thiruvananthapuram MCH: 1 Kottayam MCH: 1 Private: 17

Thiruvananthapuram gears up for Navy operation demo on Wednesday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capital city, on Wednesday, will witness the precision, power and operational preparedness of the Indian Navy as it plays host to the operational demonstration being held as part of the Navy Day celebrations. The event will be held at Shankhumukham beach in the evening. President Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest. Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union and state ministers and senior bureaucrats will attend the function. The Navy Day is being celebrated to commemorate the Navys successful attack on Karachi port in 1971 India-Pakistan war. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, said the demonstration will provide an opportunity for citizens to understand the Navys state-of-the-art platforms and multi-domain operations, reflecting its preparedness and the ability to deliver power and precision across the maritime spectrum. As many as 19 war vessels, one submarine, four fast-interceptor craft and 32 naval aircraft, including fighters and helicopters, will take part in the demo, he added. The public will be allowed entry by 2.45pm. The President will arrive at the airport at 4.10pm. The demonstration will start after her arrival at the venue by 5.15pm. She will return to Delhi on Thursday. As per the Navy communique, the MH-60R helicopter will offer a grand salute to the President by dipping its nose in flight at a low altitude. Warships will later take over and conduct W manoeuvre, which will be followed by banner formation by Chetak choppers. The special forces will display visit, board, search and seizure operations. Simulated missile launch from warships, submarine sail past, high-speed run by fast interceptor craft and water jet fast attack craft, and MiG-29k launch and recovery operations from the aircraft carrier are the other highlights. The excitement will be carried on further through Hawj AJT combat manoeuvres, helicopter landing on a moving ship, composite fly past and firing of anti-submarine rockets. Hornpipe dance and beating retreat will be the other star attractions. Meanwhile, the city police will enforce traffic regulations from noon on Wednesday.

Lack of transparency of Chinese vessels in Indian Ocean a concern: Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Presence of Chinese naval assets in the Indian Ocean is not a threat but their lack of transparency is a matter of concern, said Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Southern Naval Command. Addressing the media on the eve of the Navy Day operational demo, he said the Navy has noted Chinese search vessels and surveillance platforms conducting under-sea domain activities, and occasional presence of sub-marines in the Indian Ocean Region. The Vice Admiral said though the Chinese have the right to do so, he clarity with which they are willing to contribute to the security of global commons is opaque. The Chinese navy had often claimed that their enhanced presence in the Indian Ocean Region was to counter the threats posed by pirates and the statement of the Vice Admiral is viewed as a refutation of the Chinese position. Sameer, however, said the Indian Navy has been monitoring Chinese ships closely. We have our eyes on them. We are sure that our maritime interests are not for a moment jeopardised by their presence, he added. Regarding indigenisation in Navy manufacturing, he said it has been achieved 90% in the floating components, while 60% and 50% in the moving and combat components, respectively. Our aim is to become fully self-reliant by 2047. He added that the nature of threat via sea has not changed, and the biggest concern now was the trafficking of narcotics.

India-Maldives joint military exercise begins in Thiruvananthapuram

The exercise will include tactical drills, joint mission planning and exchange of best practices, aimed at improving coordinated responses to shared security challenges

Police exclude Thiruvananthapuram Mayor, MLA from chargesheet in KSRTC spat case

The Mayors brother, Aravind, remains the only accused in the case

Navy to ramp up its presence in Lakshadweep; Bitra detachment to be ready next year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Navy will ramp up its presence in Lakshadweep, an archipelago of 36 Islands, which have strategic significance being close to the arterial shipping lanes in the Arabian sea. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, said the Navy looks forward to placing its weapon systems there and will develop its infrastructure in the islands. The Navy has currently got its footprints in Minicoy, Agatti and Bitra islands. The Air Force has already announced plans to upgrade its airport in Agatti and set up an air base in Minicoy. Chief of Staff of Southern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Upal Kundu said the Navy is setting up a detachment in Bitra island, which is more or less completed. He said the facility will be functional by next year. Lakshadweep currently has two naval bases- INS Jatayu and INS Dweeprakshak. The Vice Admiral admitted that the fragility of the Lakshadweep ecosystem has been factored in and the expansion activities will take place in a measured way. We don't want to upset the ecosystem, he added. The development of defense infrastructure in Lakshadweep islands comes at the time of heightened maritime security threats. As per the Navy, they had deployed more than 35 ships and conducted 1000-plus boarding operations in the last one year to deal with piracy and attacks on ships.

Russian group Razgulay to perform in Thiruvananthapuram on December 6

Kerala designates K-SOTTO as sole authority for deceased, living donor programmes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department has designated the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K-SOTTO) as the sole authority for both deceased and living donor programmes in the state. By bringing all public transplant centre units underK-SOTTO, the department aims to enhance efficiency, strengthen coordination, and build greater public trust in organ donation and transplantation. A direct representative ofK-SOTTOwill now be involved in every stage of the process. A unified command system in the organ transplantation sector, the government aims to make organ donation activities across the state more transparent and faster. This decision is expected to bring significant relief to many patients awaiting organ transplant surgeries in Kerala. Until recently, each zonal office under the Deceased Donor Multi Organ Transplant Programme (DDMOTP) was managed by a Nodal Officer and Assistant Nodal Officer, senior faculty members nominated from the respective medical colleges, along with two contract-based Transplant Coordinators. The Principals of medical colleges or zonal nodal officers exercised control over coordinators and fund utilization. Under the new system,K-SOTTOhas the authority to assign duties to transplant coordinators beyond their zonal jurisdiction whenever emergencies or special circumstances arise. Previously, the organ donation programme required rapid decision-making across multiple hospitals but remained fragmented at the zonal level. To address this, the Health Department has placed all units under the administrative, functional, and financial control ofK-SOTTOs Executive Director. The zonal offices of DDMOTP will now be renamed asK-SOTTOZonal Offices. K-SOTTO to draw guidelines to promote swap-kidney transplant Organ transplantation demands seamless coordination among various teams. AK-SOTTOrepresentative will serve as the single point of contact, handling family counselling, mobilising transplant teams for organ retrieval, and overseeing coordination at the transplant site itself, explained Dr. Noble Gracious SS, Executive Director ofK-SOTTO. TheK-SOTTOrepresentative will also coordinate the certification of brain stem death, which requires examination by four doctors on two occasions, six hours apart. Public trust grows when people see the involvement of government agencies, transparency in procedures, and fairness in organ distribution. Every step is facilitated, monitored, and organised byK-SOTTOwith support from the central administration in Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. Noble Gracious added. He further noted that continuous policy interventions have strengthened the deceased donor programme, which was once met with scepticism. Policy changes are delivering results. Our outreach, awareness drives, and training programmes have expanded, and the public is increasingly aware of the governments role, which has greatly enhanced trust, he said.

Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram flight diverted to Mangaluru International Airport owing to medical emergency

New complaint against suspended Congress MLA Mamkoottathil emerges on eve of bail hearing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : A fresh complaint of alleged sexual assault has surfaced against suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil , a day before the principal district and sessions court is set to consider his anticipatory bail plea. The complaint has been filed by a 23-year-old woman from Bengaluru, who has written to the KPCC and senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, alleging that the Palakkad MLA assaulted her despite her repeated resistance. According to sources, the party leadership has handed over the complaint to police officials. The complainant alleges that the crime branch already has her details and has urged the Congress leadership to prevent him from holding any role involving public engagement, especially with women and children. She further states that Rahuls alleged proposal to her was a deliberate deception. Earlier, a case was registered against Mamkoottathilafter a woman accused him of sexual assault and forcing her to terminate a pregnancy. Youth Congress leader aproaches High Command seeking organisational probe against Rahul Mamkoottathil Mamkoottathil denied the allegations against him, calling them politically motivated, in an anticipatory bail petition filed in a court on the same day. The complainant had approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with her grievance on Thursday, after which the case was registered. As per the FIR, Mamkoottathil assaulted the complainant and raped her on multiple occasions. A special investigation team has been constituted, and a lookout circular has been issued to prevent the accused from leaving the country. Mamkoottathil was suspended from the primary membership of the Congress on August 25. He had earlier resigned as Youth Congress state president after Malayalam actress Rini Ann George accused a young leader of misbehaviour, prompting protests by the BJP and the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M). Subsequently, several women and a transgender person also levelled allegations against him. Mamkoottathil was elected as MLA in November last year in a bypoll to the Palakkad seat, following the election of former MLA Shafi Parambil to the Lok Sabha from Vatakara. The new allegations come at a time when the party is already under scrutiny over previous accusations levelled against the leader.

Excise seizes 30 litres of illicit liquor hidden inside family temple in Kerala's Neyyattinkara

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The excise team in Neyyattinkara seized 30 litres of illicit liquor that had been kept hidden among idols and photographs inside a family temple. The stash was found during inspections carried out as part of election-related enforcement. Officials said the accused, Arjunan, locally known as Potti, a resident of Punnakkad, Neyyattinkara, had been storing large quantities of liquor and supplying it to customers. The excise squad, acting on inputs, raided the premises and found the illegal trade being run under the cover of a place of worship. The inspection was led by Excise Inspector A. K. Ajayakumar and Preventive Officer M. S. Arun Kumar. Further investigation is under way.

Malaysia Airlines increase Thiruvananthapuram-Kuala Lumpur service to daily flights

The increase in service will benefit passengers and tourists from Kerala as there is ample connectivity from Kuala Lumpur to various parts of the world including Australia and New Zealand

Activist Rahul Easwar continues hunger strike in remand, says wife Deepa

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Activist Rahul Easwar, who is currently under judicial remand, is continuing his hunger strike, his wife Deepa Rahul Easwar said on Tuesday. Deepa, who plans to visit him in jail today, said further decisions regarding the case would be taken after meeting him. According to her, Rahul refused the food and juice offered to him when he was taken to jail. He is moving forward with his fast, just like during the Sabarimala issue, she told reporters. Deepa alleged that the police arrived at their home without serving any prior notice. We informed the court that no notice was received. These are false cases. Even now, it is unclear which part of the video was cited to deny him bail, she said, adding that they were consulting lawyers on the next legal steps. She also said that while the initial charges were bailable, non-bailable sections were added later in the night. Police may seek custody. We will take further decisions after meeting Rahul. He has never done anything to hurt anyone. He is in jail for speaking out against inconsistencies in another persons claims, she said. Calling the arrest a protest for justice, Deepa questioned the prosecutions allegation that Rahul used objectionable language in the video. They claim he used a bad word but cannot specify which one. There is no clarity on whether he revealed the victims name or identity, she said. Deepa also referred to debates during the MeToo movement and argued that the incident highlights the need for a Mens Commission. The reputation of both women and men is equally important. I want my children to know I stood for what was right, she added.

Three forest officers missing during tiger census found safe after night-long search in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bringing an anxious overnight search to an end, the three forest officers who went missing during a tiger census in the ParuthipallyPeppara block were found safe on Tuesday morning, officials said. They were traced near Erattumukku around 8:30 am after a search that continued through the night. Section Forest Officer Vineetha, Beat Forest Officer Rajesh and Beat Forest Assistant Rajesh R had set out on Monday morning for fieldwork as part of the tiger census. They were scheduled to return to the camp shed at Pandippara by evening, but failed to return. According to Forest Department officials, the Rapid Response Team (RRT) and beat officers launched a search operation as soon as the officers were reported missing. All three were familiar with the terrain, and one of them, the beat forest assistant, had taken the same route during the previous tiger census. They are believed to have strayed off the trail during the survey. There had been communication through one of their mobile phones earlier in the day, but they stopped responding by evening, officials said. The officers were carrying GPS devices and walkie-talkies. As teams were preparing to extend the search into neighbouring Tamil Nadu forests on Tuesday morning, a breakthrough came when a forest watcher spotted the officers near Erattumukku around 8:30 am. Although the area is not a deep interior forest, the disappearance triggered considerable concern within the department. Further procedures are underway, the DFO said.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar challenges Kerala CM over masala bond borrowing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP has intensified its attack on the Left government by placing the Masala Bond controversy alongside the Sabarimala gold scam as key themes in its election campaign. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday publicly challenged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan through posts on Facebook and X, raising pointed questions over the financial decisions linked to the Masala Bond issued by KIIFB. Chandrasekhar questioned why the state had borrowed Rs 2,100 crore from foreign markets at 9.5 per cent interest when cheaper borrowing options were available domestically, alleging that the move placed an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. He further claimed that the government had quietly paid Rs 21 crore as commission, demanding to know who benefited and why foreign intermediaries were involved when other states raise bonds within India without such charges. Masala bond notice triggers political debate days before local body polls Why did the Chief Minister go to London to raise money? Who received the Rs 21 crore commission? Why avoid Indian markets where interest rates are lower? Who bears the forex risk, and were FEMA approvals secured as mandated by law? Chandrasekhar asked, stressing that an honest government would have already addressed these concerns. He accused both the CPM and the Congress of lacking transparency, arguing that public funds cannot be treated as party resources shielded from scrutiny. He added that the Masala Bond and Sabarimala gold issues must be thoroughly investigated and not covered up. Party insiders confirmed that the BJP intends to foreground these two issues, projecting them as examples of alleged loot and financial mismanagement by the Left administration. While the CPM has dismissed the Enforcement Directorates notices relating to the Masala Bond as politically motivated, the BJP maintains that the matters require serious investigation by central agencies. KIIFB to repay Rs 2,150-crore masala bonds on schedule Despite the party reiterating development as its primary campaign plank, leaders say corruption will not be overlooked. We have already made it clear that our key goal is development. But that doesnt mean we will ignore the corruption of the Left government, said a senior BJP leader overseeing the states campaign. The Masala Bond issue is being raised across constituencies, and along with the Sabarimala gold scam and other controversies, it will become a major talking point in the coming days. With Chandrasekhar signalling that the BJP will resist any attempt to bury the Masala Bond and Sabarimala cases, party cadres are preparing to amplify both topics as key political weapons in the run-up to the polls.

Failure to return employees PF deposits illegal, says rights panel

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Issuing a directive to the KSRTC managing director, State Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas said that it is illegal to delay the return of employees provident fund deposits remitted during their service period. The action follows a complaint that a retired employee of the Vikas Bhavan depot, who retired in May 2024, had not yet received his dues. The order states that the amount must be returned within two months. KSRTC had reportedly refused to release the PF amount citing that the complainant had taken a loan from HDFC Bank, which he needed to repay. In the explanation submitted before the rights panel, the chief law officer said that due to the financial crisis in the corporation, pension and other benefits could not be disbursed on time. The scheme prepared by the corporation for disbursing pension and related benefits has already been approved by the Kerala High Court. Benefits are being distributed accordingly, the report stated. It also claimed that PF amounts had been released to those who retired until May 2023. However, complainant P S Pradeep Kumar said the corporations claim was incorrect, as he had received information under the Right to Information Act that employees who retired after him had also been given their PF deposits.

Rallies, public meets must follow law & order: State election commissioner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Election Commissioner A Shajahan has issued a directive stating that all campaign rallies and public meetings held as part of the local body elections must follow law and order as well as the relevant legal provisions and the directions issued by the High Court and the Supreme Court. Political parties and candidates must inform the local police in advance about the venue and timing of any public meeting so that the police can make the arrangements necessary for crowd and traffic control. Parties must ensure that their supporters do not disrupt or interfere with meetings or rallies organised by other parties. Distributing pamphlets, raising questions, or creating trouble either directly or indirectly at another partys event is prohibited. No party should conduct a rally through the venue where another partys meeting is in progress. Party workers must not remove wall posters or publicity materials put up by rival parties, the directive said. Before planning an event, parties and candidates must confirm that there are no prohibitory orders in force at the venue. If any such orders exist, they must be strictly obeyed unless prior permission for exemption is obtained from the authorities. Disrupting a public meeting, causing disorder, or instigating such acts can lead to imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to `1,000, or both. This applies to any political meeting held during the election period. Using loudspeakers or other sound equipment for meetings requires prior permission from the authorities. Sound systems may be used only within the noise limits set by law. For rallies, organisers must decide in advance the starting point, route, and ending point, and inform the police so that traffic arrangements can be made. They must also check whether any restrictions are in place along the route and comply with them unless officially exempted. Rallies must be planned in a way that they do not obstruct traffic. Very long rallies should be split into smaller groups to avoid congestion. Traffic rules must be followed without fail. All instructions issued by police on duty during rallies must be obeyed. If more than one party plans rallies along the same route at the same time, organisers must coordinate with each other to avoid clashes and traffic blocks, seeking help from local police if needed. Parties and candidates must ensure that participants do not carry items that could provoke violence. Carrying effigies of leaders of other parties, burning such effigies in public, or similar acts are punishable, the directive said further.

Construction of breakwater at Muthalapozhi harbour gains pace

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The construction of breakwater as part of the Muthalapozhi harbour development project is progressing rapidly in Thiruvananthapuram. The `177-crore project, approved by the Union government under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), was launched in May this year with an aim to prevent the recurring accidents at the harbour mouth. According to the harbour engineering department, the casting of tetrapods for the breakwater is moving at a steady pace, and around 25m of the proposed 425m structure have already been completed. However, fishermen have expressed dissatisfaction over the halted dredging activities. A senior official of the department told TNIE that the plan is to complete at least 300m of the breakwater before May. The weather is favourable, and the government has decided to execute the work without further delay. The only major challenge is sourcing rubble for the breakwater. Around six lakh tonnes of rubble are required, and frequent quarrying bans imposed across the state during rough weather are slowing procurement. If everything goes to plan, we are hopeful of completing the project within the deadline, the official said. Located at the meeting point of Vamanapuram river and the Arabian Sea, Muthalapozhi is a hub for large-scale fishing activities in the district. As many as 160 large fishing vessels and about 400 small ones operate out of the harbour offering livelihood to 20,000 people. However, over 70 lives have perished in the area in the past eight years. As per the study conducted by the Central Water and Power Research Station, extending the breakwater is the only solution to mitigate the impact of the unscientific breakwater at the harbour, which is cited as the cause for growing accidents at the harbour mouth. However, the harbour department has failed to carry out dredging activities in a full fledged manner despite the launch of the project. Sajeev Salahudeen, vice-chairman of the Muthalapozhi Avakasa Samrakshana Samithi, alleged that the dredger brought from Azheekal in May for large-scale dredging is lying idle. Right now, the sea is not rough and the fishermen are able to venture into the sea without encountering major accidents. But things will get worse after a few months. We have been following this up with the authorities repeatedly who have been assuring us that dredging will begin immediately. However, nothing is happening on the ground. We are unable to protest because this is the only time of the year when we are able to go fishing in the sea. Else our families will starve, he said. Meanwhile, the harbour department officials said that dredging is not being carried out owing to the rough weather conditions. The dredger is fully functional and the sand bar at the harbour mouth needs to be removed. We attempted to do this work last week but couldnt risk doing it due to the rough sea alert. The machinery is very expensive and we are scared that the dredger will drift off into the sea and we wouldnt be able to recover it. We will launch the work immediately. The weather is favourable until mid-May, said the official. Besides the breakwater construction, the project also proposes technological, mechanical and electrical upgradation at the harbour. The construction of the toilet block which is part of the project is already underway and once the elections are over we will float the rest of the tenders. Around 9 tenders will be invited for various works including renovation of wharf, auction hall and other auxiliary structures, said the official.

Cuteness chori along the thin line between creative & cringe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the election season in full swing, voters across the state are weighing their choices. They are scanning candidates positions on development, welfare, neighbourhood issues, and party lines. Well, this usual stuff. But now, running parallel to these familiar considerations, another trend has emerged in the campaign space: rise of the glamour and cuteness quotient. Notably, a large number of young candidates, especially women, have stepped into the contest, and social media has catapulted many of them into instant micro-celebrities stealing hearts. Some are just out of college, or in the middle of a course. Troll pages, meme accounts, and short-form videos are celebrating candidates not for their politics, but for their looks, style, and on-camera appeal. Creators have also jumped in, pairing posters of young candidates, especially women, with syrupy background tracks in place of campaign songs or slogans. One meme doing the rounds shows boys alongside a candidate poster, wondering if there was any chance to vote in that panchayat where an attractive woman is contesting from. Another one shows men expressing disappointment over their ward not having the glamour quotient. On Instagram, a reel with the caption Now election days shows a smiling man getting swayed by a slide show of young women candidates representing various parties. Chakkara chundil thechu vechoru punchiri goes the background song. And this one has got 33 lakh views, 3.4 lakh shares, and over 1,200 comments. While some such memes and reels are creative and cute, others appear cringe and crass. And most of these trending candidates are well aware of this, and are clear about the boundaries. Social media does help connect with youngsters, but the way some troll pages turn women candidates into crush content or flirtatious reels is not right. While online, all I do is share posters and updates, says 23-year-old Absalna, LDF candidate from Chadayamangalam blocks Chingeli division. We are political representatives. A candidate should be recognised for their political stand, their ideas, their ability to serve society not their age, gender, or appearance. What worries me is how social media often sexualises women for fun. Twenty-five-year-old Swathy S Kumar, the NDABJP candidate from Edavacode ward, says she actively uses social media as part of her campaign. However, she is equally aware of its nasty side. Some memes and comments reflect a deep-rooted patriarchal mindset, she says. Moreover, when a woman wins, there will always be someone claiming that its because of her looks rather than her work. Swathy hopes candidates on-ground efforts are not marred by social media timepass. Many of these trolls use my posters, too. I just mark them not interested or report them. I just want to work with the people and improve our surroundings. Vyshna Suresh, the Congress candidate for the Muttada division of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, echoes the same sentiment. Social media can help as well as harm, she says. However, it remains the only space where candidates can reach people across generations. She believes only a tiny fraction of users circulate trivialising memes. Honestly, Keralas voters are not that gullible. People here have a strong political culture. We are not that shallow as a society, she says. For Amal Sivadas, UDF candidate from Panakunnam ward in Mararikulam North grama panchayat, the trend is apolitical in nature, but youngsters alone cannot be blamed. Many youngsters are unaware of what is happening around them. Mocking them only pushes them further away from politics. We are now focusing on bringing them into the campaign, says the footballer. Political commentator J Prabhash attributes the social media trend to the demographic shift being witnessed. Local body elections have always been a training ground where parties groom young aspirants for bigger roles. However, what is different this time is the sheer number of newcomers in the fray, he notes. Moreover, when voters do not care much about ideology or morality, attention naturally shifts to other cues. Politics, in general, turns into a performance art at times. And glamour can become part of the show.

Sadeers voice helping candidates hit the right notes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sadeer Karunyam is feeling a little flustered. For a man in his 40s who runs a recording studio near Venjaramoodu, what has got his goat is the fact that his clients are pestering him to prioritise their work even if it means jumping the line. Since the local-body polls were announced, Sadeers clients are all politicians, from across the spectrum. All of them want their work completed first. Some approach me in the morning, with the instruction to have their work done by the same evening. Even when I convey my inability to do so because of work assigned earlier by other candidates, many pester me. Its annoying, he says. In an election scenario, this is a common dilemma. But it blows up during local polls. Without a proper announcement using a sound system and speaker placed atop a running vehicle, election campaigns can seem incomplete. Pressing local issues peppered with general political and socio-economic concerns make for a good announcement, points out Sadeer. The introduction of candidates as the darling of the masses and the peoples face may appear trite, but there are still takers for these usages and no campaign announcement proceeds without these mentions, he adds. The recording itself is a laborious process. The script is prepared either by those who run the studio or by the candidate or party. The script is as important as the voice over as without rhyme, creativity, and to-the-point messaging it can sound superfluous, and add to the agony of the recordist. Candidates often come up with lengthy narratives. Recently, someone handed me a script that read: Sulochanakku aattin koodu, vidyakku veedu, madhuvinu chikilsa sahayam (goat shed for Sulochana, house for Vidya and medical aid for Madhu). Such announcements tend to backfire and attract ridicule. In such cases, the feedback is immediately shared and an alternative script is prepared. The writer should be aware of local issues, as well as the general political scenario. Writers prepare a party-wise theme bank by relying on political satire and news that appear in various media. An announcement usually lasts five-seven minutes. In the case of high-profile candidates and high-voltage contests, customised songs are also arranged. A song recorded with live orchestra can burn a hole in the wallet, with karaoke content costing much less. Technology has also left its imprint. Now, web and mobile applications are used to reduce costs. However, the quality of output is questionable. With candidates preferring pre-recorded announcements, running descriptions have mostly been pushed to the background. However, the scenario shifts towards the end of campaigning, when candidates target their rivals with specific allegations and counter criticism pointed at them. At this stage, there is no time for recorded answers. Live announcements come handy in such crunch situations, says Sadeer. I have had candidates offended by announcements seeking a personal explanation. That happens mostly in the case of scripts prepared by rival candidates and we have to placate them, he adds. Moreover, studios have to be very careful while recording as any content deemed illegal could invite legal action. Unlike live commentary, a recorded announcement is evidence of whatever has been said. That increases the risk, he points out. Another issue is payment. Some clients keep it due. In the case of candidates who lose, its more prudent to just forget it. It will never come, stresses Sadeer.

Ahead of hearing, Rahuls counsel files additional proof

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as police remained unsuccessful in tracking down Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been booked for raping a woman and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy, the beleaguered legislator has filed additional pieces of evidence via his counsel in sealed covers before the principal district and sessions court, which will hear his anticipatory bail plea on Wednesday. The current set of evidence, sources said, filed on Monday contained more WhatsApp text messages and audio and video files, accompanied by a certificate containing hash value of the records, details of the device used and the algorithm used to generate the hash. Legal sources said the accused submitted documents to further buttress his claim that he had a consensual relationship with the woman and the affair continued when she remained with her husband. In his plea, Rahul had claimed he and the complainant had a long-standing friendship. He said he entered into a friendship and later a sexual relationship with the woman knowing she was married. He denied allegations of assault and noted that he neither raped her nor forced her to undergo an abortion. Rahul had on Saturday through his advocate, submitted evidence in a pen drive to support his claims. In his petition, Rahul had stated that he should not be held responsible for the survivors pregnancy. To support this, he submitted photographs of the couple together during the period in which the assault is alleged to have happened, along with material that he claims shows the abortion was done on her own willingness and was not coerced. The third evidence was a WhatsApp chat where the woman was allegedly forced to file a complaint against Rahul by the head of the firm where she had worked. Rahul had alleged that the firm is politically aligned to BJP. Meanwhile, the police felt Rahul might still be enjoying patronage and support of a section of Congress workers and leaders. This, they felt, was the reason why they could not trace him despite using the entire police machinery. The investigators, meanwhile, expressed doubts that Rahul may have used the vehicle registered in the name of an actress to flee the district on Thursday after reports emerged of the victim meeting CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Masala bond notice triggers political debate days before local body polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just days to go for the local body elections, the Enforcement Directorates notice to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has kicked off a political debate. Notices were also served on former finance minister and vice-chairperson of KIIFB Thomas Isaac and CEO K M Abraham alleging FEMA violation in the utilisation of funds. Opposition Leader V D Satheesan reiterated his partys stand that there was massive corruption and serious rule violations in the masala bond issue. Masala bonds were floated for a high interest rate of 9.723 pc, neglecting low interest loans available in the market. Rs 1045 crore was the interest for Rs 2150 crore mobilised. However, he raised suspicion over the real intention behind the notice. The present notice is to threaten the CPM and the CM in the wake of the LSG polls. In Kerala, the ED threatens CM by sending notices whereas in other states it hunts BJPs political enemies, he said. Terming the notice a joke, Congress state president Sunny Joseph alleged that it was a classic example of nexus between the central and state governments ahead of the elections. The notice is part of a deliberate attempt to divert public attention from the controversies surrounding Sabarimala and other issues haunting the LDF government. Finance Minister K N Balagopal said the notices were aimed at creating a controversy during election time. It also disproved the allegations of nexus between the BJP and the CPM. CPM state Secretary M V Govindan criticised the Congress double stand. The Congress would call it political vendetta when their leaders are summoned by the ED. But it takes a different stand in cases involving the CPM. We have always stood against the ED being misused against political parties, he said. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala slammed the LDF government stating that the KIIFB masala bond was not a public issue but a private deal that benefitted the Canadian company CDPQ which holds crucial shares in SNC - Lavalin company. Thus, it percolates to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is one among the accused in Lavalin case.

Kerala is considering five-day work week in govt offices

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is once again considering the introduction of a five-day work week in all government offices. However, service organisations have reacted with caution to the plan, warning that any attempt to curtail employees rights, including leave entitlements, would be strongly opposed. The Chief Secretary has convened a virtual meeting with representatives of service organisations at 5pm on December 5 to discuss the matter. The proposal, first considered two years ago, was withdrawn after strong opposition from service organisations, including Left outfits, which alleged the government intended to cut down leave entitles. According to government sources, the public administration department revived the discussion after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, during a meeting on the rising drug abuse problem in the state, stressed the need for parents to spend more time with their children as part of prevention strategies. This time, the government appears to be moving more cautiously. In the letters sent to office-bearers of service organisations, it did not include any draft proposal. Instead, unions have been asked to submit their opinions and suggestions via email on or before December 5. The Opposition-aligned service organisations argue that the absence of a draft proposal raises questions about the governments intention. The pro-Congress Kerala Secretariat Employees Association (KSA) and NGO Association have welcomed the proposal in-principle. We will not compromise on rights of employees However, we will not compromise on employees rights, including casual leaves, said KSA president Ershad M S. He noted that the employees had previously rejected the proposal as it sought to reduce the number of casual leaves. A five-day work is a good idea. We can also discuss adjusting office timings to ensure working hours are covered, he said. Government offices currently function from 10.15am to 5.15pm in cities and 10am to 5pm in rural areas. Employees are entitled to 20 casual leaves annually. There was also a proposal earlier to make the fourth Saturday a holiday, but that too was dropped when the government attempted to interfere with employees rights, Ershad added. NGO Association president Jaffar Khan A M said service organisations cannot offer meaningful feedback without receiving the proposal and sufficient time to study it. An issue of this importance should not be discussed online. It requires an offline meeting with a proper draft. Employees are currently engaged in Election Commission duties for SIR and work till evening. Holding an online meeting at 5pm makes it even more difficult, he said. Pro-CPM organisations, including Kerala Secretariat Employees Association (KSEA) and NGO Union and other organisations, have welcomed the proposal. We are yet to discuss the matter, said KSEA general secretary S S Deepu. NGO Union general secretary Ajith Kumar M A said that it would give its opinion after receiving the government proposal. When it was proposed earlier, e-governance was not very popular in government offices. Now local self-government institutions and the revenue department are issuing certificates throughe-governance system, making it easier for employees to work offline too, said a NGO Union leader.

Kerala college joins Indias push for self-reliance in chip production

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of initiatives to achieve self reliance in the semiconductor sector, two application-specific integrated circuit (IC) chips designed by a college in Kerala have been successfully fabricated at the Union governments Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Punjab. The chips, relating to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in vehicles, were designed at IHRD Model Engineering College (MEC), Kochi. The fabricated chips were handed over to the MEC project team by Union Minister of Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw at SCL last week. Even though IC chips are widely designed in India, their fabrication is mostly carried out outside the country. The completion of the entire process from design to fabrication within India is part of efforts at building a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem in the country. According to IHRD director V A Arun Kumar, the chips were designed by MEC as part of the Chips to Startup project of the central ministry. The college received approval for the five-year-long research project on January 15, 2024, with a grant of `86 lakh. The two fabricated IC chips are designed for object detection and object tracking. They are developed as the initial phase of the ongoing research project on ADAS, explained Jobymol Jacob, chief investigator of the project and head of the electronics engineering department at MEC. Faculty members Jagdeesh Kumar P, Rashid ME, research scholars, project staff and MTech and BTech students of the institution are also part of the project team. According to Jobymol, the project employs AI to assess data collected by cameras, radar and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) to detect and also track moving objects so as to make necessary decisions. Besides MEC, six other institutions in the state are undertaking research under the Chips to Startup programme. It is noteworthy that our team was able to complete the design of the two crucial chips in 16 months and cross the fabrication stage in 22 months, Jobymol said. The development of the first set of chips has come as a shot in the arm for the MEC team, that has plans to design similar units as part of their research project.

Rahul Easwar remanded; police seize laptop

Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police book him under various Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act

2 Elderly Women Suffer Facial Injuries In Stray Dog Attack In Kerala

Two elderly women were attacked by a stray dog in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, leaving them with serious facial injuries.

Rahul Easwar, arrested for 'defaming' rape survivor, remanded to 14 days judicial custody

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rahul Easwar, who was arrested for allegedly insulting the modesty of the woman who had filed a rape complaint against Rahul Mamkootathil MLA, was remanded to 14 days' judicial custody by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here on Monday. The court noted that the allegation was serious in nature and since the investigation is at the nascent stage, letting Rahul out on bail would send a wrong message to the public. He was shifted to Poojappura district jail. Rahul told the media that the police lied before the court and he will go on a hunger strike in prison. Earlier, while being taken to his house by the cops for recovering his laptop, which was reportedly used to edit and upload content against the victim, Rahul had alleged that the cops wanted him to do posts criticizing Mamkootathil. The cyber police on Sunday arrested activist Rahul Easwar and booked four others, including Congress leader Sandeep Warrier, for allegedly unleashing a cyber attack against the woman, who had filed a complaint of rape and forceful termination of pregnancy against Rahul Mamkootathil MLA. Rahul was detained on Sunday afternoon and his arrest was recorded later in the night after sustained interrogation. He was initially booked under BNS sections 72 and 79 and IT Act sections 43 and 46 -- for insulting the modesty of woman and revealing identity of survivor. Will continue speaking for Rahul Mamkootathil, says Rahul Easwar Later, additional non-bailable sections were added. The cyber cops sprang into action and registered cases against five people after a massive cyber attack was reported against the complainant. The three others who were booked are Mahila Congress leader Renjitha Pulickan, Deepa Joseph, and Deepa Mathew. The police action came following the complaint registered by the survivor, who had alleged that her personal details were being circulated on social media. As per the FIR, the accused shared the details of the woman, including her photographs, on Facebook and YouTube. Same sections have been invoked against all the accused.Rahul had courted controversy after allegedly making statements that outraged modesty of women on social media as well as during TV channel discussions. Sandeep was caught in a fix after allegedly posting the picture of the woman on his Facebook page. The cyber police decided to ramp up action against the cyber attackers after the victim was subjected to massive cyber attacks. The police sources said instructions have been given to the district police chiefs, under whom the cyber stations function, to effectively monitor cyberspace and take action against those who post demeaning content against the rape survivor.

Rahul Mamkootathil case: Sandeep Warrier seeks anticipatory bail after being booked for cyberattacking victim

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader Sandeep Warrier has filed an anticipatory bail plea before the principal sessions court after the cyber police booked him on the charge of revealing the identity of the victim, who had filed a complaint of rape against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. Sandeep in his plea, said the police were politically motivated and stated that he did not reveal the image of the victim nor her identity as alleged. The marriage picture of the victim was shared a year back on Facebook, which got engagement in the recent days forcing it to appear on the newsfeed, the plea said. The police on Sunday had arrested activist Rahul Easwar on charges of attempting to outrage the modesty of the woman and sharing her identifiable details during channel discussions and on social media platforms. Rahul has been arraigned as fifth accused, while Sandeep is the fourth accused. Mahila Congress leader Ranjitha Pulickal, lawyer Deepa Joseph and Deepa Mathew are the other accused in the case. The cyber police registered the case after the survivor filed a complaint alleging cyber attack against her. She had also shared the URLs from which the comments and posts were made against her on cyberspace. Followingly, the police sprang into action. SIT searches Rahul Mamkootathils flat in Palakkad

Shashi Tharoor misses key Congress meeting again as ties with party deepen strain

Thiruvananthapuram MP and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday missed yet another crucial party meeting, fueling speculation about his strained relationship with the Congress as the Winter Session of Parliament commenced. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, chaired by Sonia Gandhi on Sunday, was convened to finalise the partys strategy for the session, which is expected to be dominated by debates on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls and national security in the wake of the recent Delhi blast. I didnt skip it. I was on a plane coming from Kerala. Thats all, Tharoor told reporters outside Parliament when asked about his absence. His office clarified that he was travelling with his 90-year-old mother at the time, while Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also missed the meeting, citing local body election commitments. #WATCH | #ParliamentWinterSession | Delhi | On not attending the all-party meeting yesterday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, ... I did not skip it, I was on a plane, coming from Kerala... pic.twitter.com/S0Bb3uGyPb ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2025 Tharoors repeated absences are seen as part of a pattern that has strained his ties with the party, particularly since Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Earlier, he had skipped a meeting called to discuss the SIR issue, citing ill health, yet attended an event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a lecture and subsequently praised the PM on social media. The senior leaders public endorsements of figures like Modi and BJP veteran LK Advani, coupled with his critical remarks on the Nehru-Gandhi family in an article recently , have further accentuated the rift. While he acknowledged dynastic politics in his critique, he refrained from drawing parallels with BJP leaders families, a move that drew both praise and criticism from within and outside the party. Deserves sympathy: KC lashes out at Tharoors remarks on dynastic politics Congress leaders have openly questioned Tharoors allegiance. Spokesperson Supriya Srinate called his praise of the Prime Ministers lecture petty, while former MP Sandeep Dikshit questioned his commitment, asking, If you believe someone is doing good for the country by going against Congress policies, why are you in Congress? If you are not explaining this, then you are being hypocritical. Tharoor, a former member of the Congress rebel group G-23 and a former candidate for Congress president, has long voiced reformist ideas. However, his statements in recent months, particularly his support for government actions following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, have clashed with the party line, aggravating tensions with senior leadership, including Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. Why are you in Congress if you think BJPs strategies are better: Party lashes out at Tharoor after praise for PM The timing of Tharoors absences is politically significant as Kerala gears up for Assembly polls early next year. Observers suggest that any decision by Tharoor to quit the Congress could have repercussions for the party in its home state. Meanwhile, the Winter Session of Parliament began amid heightened political drama, with the Congress-led Opposition pushing for debates on SIR and national security, underscoring the challenges the party faces in presenting a united front. Despite speculation, Tharoor has downplayed any discord, insisting that he had informed the high command about his inability to attend the meeting. Yet, his repeated absences and independent positions on key issues continue to make him a controversial figure within the party, raising questions about his future role as both a senior leader and a parliamentarian.

Beginning Of The End? Shashi Tharoor Misses 2 Key Congress Meets In A Row

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's strained ties with the party leadership may be headed for a climax. The four-time Thiruvananthapuram MP has missed back-to-back party meetings

Two youths killed as KSRTC bus collides with bike

ALAPPUZHA: Two youths were killed after a KSRTC bus collided with a motorcycle on the national highway late on Sunday night. The deceased have been identified as 25-year-old Gokul P and 25-year-old Sreenath from Thamallakkal from Thamallakkal in Haripad. The accident occurred around 11:30 pm near the Union Bank, west of the Haripad Government Hospital. According to police, the victims were returning home on their motorcycle after having dinner at a hotel when the crash happened. Both sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot. Eyewitnesses alleged that the KSRTC bus, which was heading towards Thiruvananthapuram, was overspeeding at the time of the incident. The impact of the collision threw the riders onto the road, leading to fatal injuries. The bodies have been kept at the Government Hospital mortuary and will be handed over to the families after post-mortem procedures on Monday, police said.

Video: 300 Indians Evacuated From Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka By Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force has evacuated over 300 Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Ditwah and brought them to the Thiruvananthapuram airport.

Explore the Akkulam Glass Bridge in Thiruvananthapuram for an adrenaline-filled, scenic experience

The Akkulam Glass Bridge was inaugurated in October after nearly a years delay. The structure, 50-metre-long and 2-metre-wide, and suspended above the Akkulam Lake, can support 20 people at a time

ED issues show cause notice to Kerala CM, ex-finance minister Issac in KIIFB masala bond case

NEW DELHI/ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Enforcement Directorate has issued a Rs 466-crore FEMA show cause notice to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, former finance minister Thomas Issac, and the CM's chief principal secretary K M Abraham in the KIIFB Masala Bond case, officials said on Monday. The notice, which does not require a personal appearance, was issued about 10-12 days ago by the federal probe agency under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). A show cause notice is issued after the end of the investigation in a FEMA investigation, and the contravention quantified in it is akin to a penalty. The probe is related to the end-use of Rs 2,000 crore raised by KIIFB through masala bonds, and its compliance with the FEMA norms. KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board) is the primary agency of the state government for financing large and critical infrastructure projects and had raised Rs 2,150 crore in 2019 through its debut masala bond issue as part of its plan to mobilise Rs 50,000 crore to fund large and critical infrastructure projects in the state.

IAF brings home 104 stranded Indians from Sri Lanka amid disasterresponse

Colombo: India on Monday evacuated its last batch of stranded nationals from Sri Lanka, as New Delhi intensified its assistance to Colombos rescue operations for Cyclone Ditwah disaster victims, officials said. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the last batch of 104 Indian passengers stranded at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo reached Thiruvananthapuram, onboard an IAF aircraft, 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 .

India evacuates last batch of stranded citizens from Sri Lanka, intensifies relief efforts

COLOMBO: India on Monday evacuated its last batch of stranded nationals from Sri Lanka, as New Delhi intensified its assistance to Colombo's rescue operations for Cyclone Ditwah disaster victims, officials said. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the last batch of 104 Indian passengers stranded at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo reached Thiruvananthapuram, onboard an IAF aircraft, at around 6.30 am, the Indian High Commission here said in a social media post. In a press release, the mission said India has intensified its assistance to Sri Lanka's rescue efforts and expanded operations across several affected regions. Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant had airlifted several people to safer locations, while IAF helicopters carried out search operations in Kotmale, a worst-hit central hill area with no road access due to landslides and flooding, it said. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, India's specialised Disaster Response Agency for Search and Rescue and HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) activities, who arrived yesterday in Colombo, carried out rescue operations in Kochikade, working closely with Sri Lanka authorities, the release said. NDRF teams are now working in Puttalam and Badulla areas, which are severely impacted and cut off, it said. NDRF assisted families affected by severe flooding and helped ensure their immediate safety, it said. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Air Force confirmed the death of a pilot after a Bell 212 helicopter crashed while trying to deliver relief supplies in Wennappuwa on the north-western coast. The incident happened when the pilot was steering the chopper away from crowds on the ground and attempting a water landing in a bid to avoid civilian casualties. Five other Air Force personnel remain in critical condition. Separately, the Sri Lanka Navy said five sailors who went missing during rescue operations in Chundikulam in the northern province were found dead. Sri Lanka has been grappling with widespread flooding, landslides and infrastructure collapse triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, leaving several districts isolated and severely straining the countrys disaster-response capacity. As of Sunday, 334 people have been killed, with 370 missing, in catastrophic floods and landslides caused by extreme weather

Top three city pitch for Thiruvananthapuram in BJP manifesto

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday released the NDAs election manifesto for the Thiruvananthapuram corporation, promising rapid urban transformation and asserting that the state capital would be elevated to one of the top three cities in the country by 2030 in terms of development. Chandrasekhar said the NDAs central focus is the comprehensive development of the capital city. He criticised the LDF for what he termed decades of stagnation and corruption. LDF has ruled the corporation for 45 years. What have they done for this city? There is no development, and corruption runs deep in the administration. About 40 percent of streetlights dont function, and several areas still lack access to drinking water in this capital city, he said. Chandrasekhar assured that a BJP-led council would bring transparent governance and visible development to the corporation. Senior BJP leader and Kodunganoor ward candidate V V Rajesh alleged large-scale corruption in the corporations waste management activities. The city generates 450 to 500 tonnes of garbage every day. The corporation spends nearly Rs 31.5 lakh daily on disposal through contractors. There is no processing plant for waste management, Rajesh said.

UDF banks on anti-incumbency, BJP eyes expansion as LDF defends turf

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nedumangad municipality, an LDF stronghold since 1995, is heading into a tight contest as all three fronts have stepped up their strategies for the upcoming local body polls. The LDF, which has held the council for more than three decades, is banking on its long run in power to retain control. The UDF is trying to tap into possible anti-incumbency while the BJP is aiming to make inroads and expand its presence. In the previous local body polls, the LDF won 27 of the 39 wards. Incumbent chairperson C S Sreeja said the LDF will retain its fortress this time as well. With several accomplishments to project, she says people trust the Left to lead the municipality again for the next five years. All the welfare activities here have been planned for the common people and will continue that way. A new public stadium, an ultra modern hygiene market and a modern slaughterhouse are among the new projects. We also have various welfare programmes for women, children and the elderly. Palliative care is one of the key priorities, Sreeja said. She added that Nedumangad was the first municipality in the state to make 35 anganwadis smart, and work is under way to increase the number to 40. In 2020 local body elections, the UDF had secured a total of eight seats. The number had slipped from 2015s 13 seats. This election offers the front a chance to regain the lost seats and it believes anti-incumbency will work in its favour. People know the difficulties they face under the Left rule. Though pensions have been raised to Rs 400, the rates of all other basic amenities have gone up, including the electricity, water, and bus charges. The political situation has changed and we are confident of winning maximum seats, said opposition leader Punkunnam Aji. He said the building tax burden has hit people the most, and claimed it has gone up five to six times in two years. According to him, the UDF will win 22 to 23 seats this time and come to power. He also noted that in 2010, the LDF had taken in independent candidates to retain control and said the same situation hasnt changed much. The BJP, which hopes to expand its seat share after holding four wards in two consecutive terms, has faced hurdles due to internal tensions. The controversy over Mahila Morcha leader Shalini Anils suicide attempt after being denied a ticket and her later selection as a candidate had put the party under scrutiny. We hope the recent controversy will not overshadow the work we have done on the ground. The party has fielded 37 strong candidates and we are aiming to win 22 seats and come to power in the municipality for the first time, said BJP councillor Thara Jayakumar.

Kunnukuzhy residents distressed over wading through sewage water

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Imagine walking through stinking sewage water inundating the path to your house every day. That is the reality of residents of Kalavihar Nagar Lane 2 in the former Kannammoola ward (now Kunnukuzhy, after delimitation) of Thiruvananthapuram corporation. Water from a drainage, which passes through the boundary of a house, has been leaking through the gaps in the slabs here, ultimately reaching the road and flooding it. A pipe had been placed through the boundary walls of the house for the sewage water to flow out from here. The water is logging the entire road in certain points, making it nearly impossible for the residents to not step into it. The situation is much worse when it rains. Water inundates long stretches of the roads here, said K A Vasukuttan, a retired Malayalam professor who lives in the area. Mentioning that the area is mostly inhabited by families and students who have enrolled for short-term courses, he said that the waterlogging has also been bothering them. A nearby vendor said that direct contact with the gutter water has led to skin issues that have been troubling him for months. As soon as I reach my home, I wash my feet with salt water. Even the corporation authorities are not able to intervene in this, with the local body elections fast-approaching, said Adv Stalin M, resident. Another woman from the locality pointed out that she refrains from stepping out of her house without a vehicle. We have complained to the authorities multiple times but in vain. Even the councillor does not respond to our plaints, she said. Meanwhile, Kannammoola ward councillor Sarana S S mentioned that officials from the corporation, including the overseer and the engineer, have already visited the site. Highlighting that the issue arose due to encroachment in the area, she said, Many residents have built their houses on encroached areas, because of which the old drainage now goes through the boundaries of some houses. We can only issue notice to the owners. We have also noted that certain houses redirect their sewage waste into this drainage, which will also be tracked down.

Will use extension of SIR deadline to improve procedures

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Election Commission of Indias decision to extend the deadline of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in nine states and three union territories will come as a relief for officials and political parties in Kerala. The commission has postponed the proceedings, which were to be wrapped up by December 4, to December 11, as per the new schedule released on Sunday. The draft list of voters, which was expected by December 9, will now be published on December 16 -- after local-body polls in the state. Claims and objections can be filed from December 16 to January 15. The final electoral roll will be released on February 14, 2026.

Cops intensify manhunt for absconding Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police team probing the complaint of rape and forced termination of pregnancy filed against Rahul Mamkootathil MLA has intensified its manhunt to track him down before the additional district and sessions court takes up his anticipatory bail plea on Wednesday. The police team on Sunday searched Rahuls apartment in Palakkad to collect evidence. The complainant alleged that Rahul had raped her for two days in that apartment in the last week of May this year. Though the police checked the CCTV visuals, the exercise proved to be futile as the cameras only had a months backup. The police questioned the personal staff of Rahul and scrutinised his phone call records, sources said. The police have been extensively searching for digital leads to track down the legislator, who went absconding after the survivor filed a complaint against him. The cops collected CCTV visuals from several pockets in the district in a bid to identify the route he might have taken to flee from the district. The intelligence wing has also been collecting details in a bid to locate Rahul. Sources said the primary assessment of the intelligence wing is that Rahul could be taking the help of his loyalists to lay low. The sources added that some of the Congress leaders, who have a rapport with Rahul, were under surveillance for their suspected role in assisting the accused. The investigators, meanwhile, have collected medical records of the victim, which would be presented before the court when the anticipatory bail plea comes up for hearing. The cops had identified two hospitals where the woman sought treatment following heavy bleeding owing to unguided termination of pregnancy.

SIT searches Rahul Mamkootathils flat in Palakkad

PALAKKAD: The investigation into the sexual assault allegations against Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil intensified on Sunday as a Kerala Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted a detailed search at his apartment in Kunnathurmedu, Palakkad. The operation, which began in the morning and continued into the evening, was carried out jointly by officers from the Thiruvananthapuram team and the Palakkad Crime Branch. According to police sources, investigators inspected the buildings security room to trace CCTV footage from the dates the survivor claims she had visited the flat. The survivors statement alleges that Rahul brought her to the Palakkad apartment and assaulted her there. However, officers confirmed that no CCTV recordings from the relevant period were available, as the DVR system does not store footage for such an extended duration. Police are expected to send the hard disk from the CCTV system for forensic analysis to determine whether any recoverable or deleted data can be retrieved. Two cars belonging to the MLA were found parked at the flat during the inspection; MLAs driver and a private secretary were learnt to be present at the flat at the time of investigation. Meanwhile, police sources indicate that Rahul is believed to be in Coimbatore, prompting teams to expand searches across Kerala and into Tamil Nadu. A lookout notice has already been issued as the MLA remains untraceable. These local developments come in the backdrop of the wider investigation, in which Rahul Mamkootathil faces serious charges including alleged rape, criminal intimidation, and coerced abortion. His associate Joby Joseph has been named as the second accused. The FIR cites multiple non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to repeated assault and causing miscarriage without consent. The case gained momentum after the survivor submitted a formal petition to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 27. The MLA has already approached the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail, with the hearing set for December 3.

National film awards have come to represent the worst on offer: Adoor Gopalakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The national film awards continue to invite ridicule, with veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan taking an unsparing dig at what they have come to represent. More recently, movies that win the national awards have been that years worst. Jury members are mostly people who lack experience and even popularity. The awards were constituted to recognise and promote quality, but the opposite is happening these days, he said. Speaking to the mediapersons after interacting with the journalism students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan at his residence on Sunday, he said there is no transparency in the decision-making process.

BJP promises to make Thiruvananthapuram an Olympics venue

Olympic venue, 100% benefit of Central projects for Thiruvananthapuram city: tall promises in BJPs manifesto for Corporation election

IAF and other airlines fly homestranded tourists from Sri Lanka

Over 320 passengers flew from Colombo on two Indian Air Force aircraft to Hindon near Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday

Kerala: Home department suspends DySP for sexually exploiting woman in custody

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Home Department has suspended Vatakara DySP Umesh A, who was accused of sexually exploiting a woman whom he had detained for immoral trafficking while serving as Circle Inspector in Vadakkenchery station in 2014. The government action was based on a special report filed by the State Police Chief, which found the officer guilty of grave official misconduct, indiscipline and abuse of power. The incident came to the fore via a suicide note penned by Cherpulassery station Inspector Binu Thomas. Binu, who died by suicide on November 15, had worked under Umesh as Vadakkenchery Sub-Inspector. The note mentioned that Umesh sexually exploited the woman, who was taken into custody for engaging in immoral trafficking, after releasing her without registering a case. After letting her go, accompanied by Binu, Umesh went to her place and coerced her into having a physical relationship with him. The note also mentioned that Umesh received bribes from the woman and four other men, who were detained alongside. The police had conducted an inquiry into the allegation raised by the deceased officer. The Palakkad Crime Branch DySP filed an adverse report against Umesh after conducting a preliminary inquiry. The woman also gave a statement that she was sexually exploited by Umesh. The police will soon conduct an oral inquiry against the officer following which disciplinary action will be initiated against him. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)

Accused in Manorama murder gets life term

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vanchiyoor court on Saturday sentenced Adam Ali, a native of Bengal, to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 90,000 in the Keshavadasapuram Manorama murder case. The court found that he strangled 70-year-old Manorama and dumped her body in a well near her house in 2022. The verdict came after dramatic scenes in the courtroom earlier in the day. Moments after he was pronounced guilty, Adam Ali ran out of the courtroom. Lawyers and police officers chased him and caught him outside the court premises. The escape attempt occurred just before the court was to begin hearing arguments on sentencing at 2 pm. As per the investigation, Adam had been working as a domestic help at the neighbouring house and often visited Manoramas home to drink water. Familiar with him, she would let him in without suspicion. The police said he strangled her, stole her jewellery and carried the body out of the house. CCTV footage proved decisive in the probe. The visuals showed him carrying the body to an adjacent plot, dragging it to the edge of a well, tying stones to the legs and pushing it in to hide the crime. This footage led the police to confirm the murder. Then 21 years old, he had boarded a train out of the state but was intercepted by the Chennai RPF, who handed him over to the Kerala Police. The investigation was led by then Medical College Police Station SHO Harilal.

BJP state chief shares images of Potti with Sonia, Pinarayi, says gold theft part of larger conspiracy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday shared photographs of Unnikrishnan Potti - the key accused in the Sabarimala gold scam - with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, reiterating through a post on his Facebook and X handles that the case is part of a larger conspiracy involving both the Congress and the CPM. In a strongly worded statement, Chandrasekhar said that the arguments we put forward from the beginning have now been proven right, alleging that the scam had its origins during the Congress-led government. He claimed that the images of Potti with top leaders exposed what he described as an unholy nexus between the two rival parties. Chandrasekhar added that the Congress silence during the massive protests by Hindu devotees over the issue raised serious questions. He further alleged that, without the sustained agitation by BJP workers and believers, the INDIA alliance partners would have buried the case. According to him, the CPM and the Congress, despite projecting themselves as political opponents in Kerala, have been partners in this crime. He asserted that Potti was only a small link in a wider network and alleged that more influential figures within the INDIA bloc were involved. The BJP leader called for an independent and impartial investigation by central agencies to ensure that all those responsible are brought before the law. Chandrasekhars post included two photos: one showing Unnikrishnan Potti alongside Sonia Gandhi, and another with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Later in the day, responding to questions on the case registered against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, Chandrasekhar alleged that the timing of the action was aimed at diverting attention from the Sabarimala gold scam. He accused the CPM and Congress of working together to shift public focus and said the BJP would highlight the Sabarimala issue prominently during the election campaign. Reiterating his earlier charges, Chandrasekhar said the Sabarimala gold loot began even before the CPM came to power and pointed to earlier photographs of Unnikrishnan Potti with senior Congress leaders as evidence.

Global cancer prevention summit to be held in Jan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aiming to make Cancer Safe Kerala a reality, the Global Preventive Onco Summit will be held at the Hotel Hyatt Regency here from January 26 to 28. Touted to be the worlds first-ever cancer prevention conclave, the event will bring together cancer specialists from India and abroad, including experts from the Mayo Clinic in the United States and the World Health Organisation. Hosted by the Thiruvananthapuram-based Swasthi Foundation, and supported by leading institutions like Aster India and Apollo Group of Hospitals, the programme will also have Kerala University of Health Sciences and various international oncology doctors organisations as its collaborators. The initiative will focus on discussions led by health experts and policy planners on how to prevent, defend, and reduce the risk of cancer. Organisers are also planning to set up a cancer prevention research and study institution through public-private partnerships. Kerala University vice-chancellor Mohan Kunnummal, Indian Association of Surgical Oncology president-elect Dr Chandramohan K, Indian Medical Association south zone vice-president Dr Sreekumar R C, and others will attend.

Navy Day fete: Arrangements under way at Shankhumukham

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : In the run-up to the Navy Day celebrations at Shankhumukham beach, the city corporation has come up with elaborate arrangements and restrictions to ensure the smooth conduct of the event scheduled for Wednesday. The event that will offer the public the opportunity to witness the Indian Navys multi-domain operational capabilities is expected to be attended by over 46,000 spectators. To address the growing bird hit menace being reported in the airport area, the civic body has imposed a total ban from Sunday to Wednesday on slaughtering and operations of poultry shops in the Vallakadavu and nearby areas, an official with the corporation told TNIE. The civic body has also launched a comprehensive awareness campaign to prevent littering in public places. We have mobilised around 200 sanitation workers for cleaning operations from Monday. All byroads and roads from Shankumugham to Vettucaud Church have already been cleaned up. Extensive special cleaning activities will be held from Monday, the official said. Around 200 dustbins will be installed to prevent littering during the event. Arrangements are being made by the authorities to accommodate people along the coastline from Shankhumukham to Kannanthura. The civic body is arranging large water tanks for drinking water supply at the venues. Green protocol will be enforced strictly and drinking water will be made available at the venue. Bio toilets will be set up, the official said. President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be attending this years event. The Operational Demonstration will showcase the Navys frontline platforms and its role as the Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region, guided by the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). The event will highlight the Navys combat capabilities, technological advancements, and operational readiness, reflecting Indias growing maritime strength and self-reliance.

Police to build strong case before next move against Rahul

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The special investigation team probing the sexual harassment charges against Rahul Mamkootathil, is set to collect more solid evidence against the MLA, before going to the next step. Before summoning the MLA for interrogation, the team is focused on recording witness statements and gathering further evidence to submit before the District Sessions Court on Wednesday when Rahuls anticipatory bail plea will be considered. Sources said the police are unlikely to launch an all-out manhunt until the matter comes up before the court. Since it is unlikely that the accused would be granted bail with such serious charges slapped against him, police are trying to strengthen evidence, sources said. There are indications that the police have started reaching out to women who had earlier raised allegations, to formally register complaints against Rahul. However, both Rahul and his friend Joby Joseph are under surveillance to ensure they do not evade investigative limits. Sources indicated that any move to take him into custody is expected to happen later next week. The probe team on Saturday started recording statements of witnesses. The statement of the doctor who treated the survivor was recorded. Police have also begun the verification of medical documents submitted by the survivor. Meanwhile, refuting Rahuls claim that their relationship began while the woman was still married, more details from the survivors statement have come out. She reportedly told officers that she met Rahul only after separation from her husband. The survivor further told police that she was first raped by Rahul on March 4, 2025, while she was living alone in a flat in Thiruvananthapuram. In her complaint, the survivor said Rahul initially expressed desire for a child, forced her into pregnancy and later forced her to undergo abortion saying the child would affect his future in politics. In his anticipatory bail plea, Rahul had claimed that he and the complainant had a long-standing friendship. He stated in the petition that he entered into a friendship and later a sexual relationship with the woman knowing she was married. He further denied the allegations of assault and noted that he neither raped her nor forced her to undergo an abortion and that the womans allegations are fabricated. On Saturday, Rahul, through his advocate, submitted a pen drive as additional evidence to support his claims. In his bail petition, Rahul had stated that he should not be held responsible for the survivors pregnancy. To support this, he submitted photographs of the couple together during the period in which the assault is alleged to have happened, along with material that he claims shows the abortion was done on her own willingness and was not coerced. The third evidence is a WhatsApp chat where the woman is forced to file a complaint against Rahul by the head of the firm where she is working. Rahul had earlier alleged that the firm she works for is politically aligned to BJP. Amid indications that Rahul Mamkootathil had gone into hiding in Palakkad following the case, new information suggested that he reached Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. Sources said he visited a lawyers office in Vanchiyoor. According to the lawyer, Rahul arrived on Friday afternoon, signed the petition, handed over documents, WhatsApp chats and audio clips in his possession, and then left in an hour. Rahuls mobile phone was switched on briefly on Friday morning and its location showed Palakkad. It was switched off soon after. The political campaigns against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil continued on Saturday with BJP leader K Surendran criticising the Congress leadership for what he described as a deliberate attempt to shield the legislator from police scrutiny. Surendran claimed that both KPCC and AICC have received multiple petitions from women complainants, yet none of them have been formally passed on to law enforcement agencies. Speaking to the media in Palakkad, Surendran questioned how the Leader of the Opposition has failed to alert the police despite acknowledging that serious complaints exist. If the Congress is truly guided by political morality, he said, the party should have already asked Rahul to step down.

Everyone free to eat what they want but dont provoke others

Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri, the master chef of school arts festivals for the past two decades, is an unassuming individual who swears by the divinity of cooking, a task demanding utmost passion and deep dedication. In a freewheeling chat with TNIE, he opens up about his culinary journey spanning over three decades, why he believes in the individual freedom to choose what to eat, the controversies over beef and menu in school festivals, and the speciality of the much-talked about traditional Kerala sadya. Excerpts Youve made a name for yourself in Keralas culinary world. But its said your entry was accidental Yes. After acquiring my masters in physics, I struggled to get a job. I attended around 126 tests in five years, but with little luck. During those days in the 80s, Brahmins had two other options priesthood and cooking. I chose cooking because it gives instant results. Those days, you were an ardent admirer of M T Vasudevan Nair. Its heard that you passed through a phase of existential dilemma In my birthplace Kurichithanam there was a library in our neighbourhood. Reading became a habit since Class 5. Reading and travelling gifted me experiences. Thats how I developed a craze for MTs works. I also loved the poetry of Ayyappa Paniker and Balachandran Chullikkad. At the time, I had visited most states, as part of job-hunting. In between, I tried my luck in business and other small ventures. But they failed, and resulted in financial liabilities. I even thought of ending life. That was a period after Kerala society had undergone several changes. As a member of the Brahmin community, what was your life like then? The situation wasnt favourable for educated and qualified people. Reservation is a big problem. In that sense, I feel a uniform civil code is necessary. Imagine people standing in a queue under a hot sun. Some are invited and given lemon juice. The rest are excluded. Back then, such was the scenario. Opportunities were fewer. I wasnt very bright... my life evolved through reading and travel. Since you belong to a forward community, it was natural to have such an opinion. But do you still hold the same view? Certainly. Back then, I even had an inferiority complex for being a Brahmin. Now, in many places, there are attempts to make people Brahmins by giving them poonool (sacred thread) and teaching them mantras. It was the reverse then. I thought about the possibility of getting into the reservation category. It (reservation) is something which should not have been done in a place like India. From my travel to other countries, I understood there is no reservation there. People get employment based on merit. Skill should be the criterion, shouldnt it? Wasnt it necessary during that period, considering the social situation then? True, but how far have we changed from the social situation back then? Today, while beneficiaries of reservation occupy the highest levels of society, many from my community struggle for food, although they do not reveal it because of self-esteem or false pride. You mentioned the rigours of being a Namboothiri. Any perks of being a Namboothiri? My name is P D Mohanan. I changed it to Pazhayidom Namboothiri to establish myself as a cook. The tag found acceptance among people. Isnt there apathy from within your community towards those employed as cooks? In the 2000s, cooks were akin to aanakkar (those looking after elephants) and vedikkettukar (those engaged in fireworks). People engaged in cooking usually didnt present themselves well, didnt wash, ate pan, and dressed untidily. I could change this make them believe they have a place in society. Nowadays, cooks appear in whites (smiles). You once said business isnt meant for Namboothiris Successful ones are very rare. There could be two reasons. One, lying is quite difficult for them. Nobody can do business truthfully. One should know how to hide certain truths. Secondly, business is not meant for people who dont know how to handle money. They dont have much idea on aspects like utilisation of finances, investments, and returns. How did your situation change after those bitter life experiences? After my unsuccessful business venture, I got a job at a book stall in Ottapalam. While there, I happened to befriend a person, someone who handled funerals. He was a charming personality and a voracious reader, proficient in Malayalam, Sanskrit and English. I learnt lifes basics from him. I learnt that we cannot judge a person by his colour or job. He suggested that I try my hand at cooking and encouraged me to take up the profession. My career started with cooking for some 50 persons gathered at a local temple for namajapam. Had you tried cooking at home? No. Even today, I cant do it. My basic unit is a serving for 100 people. I can do any multiples of that. But anything below 100 would be an utter flop (laughs out). Isnt that easier than preparing food for 10,000 people? My interest grows with the number of people. Its a great pleasure to cook for a lakh (laughs). But it will be difficult if you ask me to cook for ten. I dont know how to prepare a dish with one or one-and-a-half spoons of ingredients. Women who cook at home are the best at that. The taste of homely food lies in their care and goodness. Its different from the commercial cooking I do. Did you have such love for cooking initially? It took five years to learn even the basics. I kind of established myself in 2001-02 when I prepared food for a Travancore royal family ceremony. It has been 25 years since you became the chef for school youth festivals. What changes have you noticed over the period? In the initial years, there was mass contribution... people and students would pool resources. Local residents would volunteer to assist. These were then not just events, but a place of togetherness. Also, back then, it was just a simple meal. Now, theres more diversity, including payasam on all days. In 2009, the current form of youth festival started... a common festival replaced separate events for HS, HSS, VHSS. Workload increased. Though the number of festival days was reduced, we increased the number of items by 20%. Do you follow the same menu, irrespective of the place, or make changes in line with regional differences? We usually follow the Travancore style, but also include a regional dish as a special item. Do you have the freedom to fix the menu? Earlier, we did, but stopped it with the 2023 controversy. Now, its an e-tender, wherein the menu is given. That said, we still retain the flexibility to make minor adjustments based on practical experience. Whats your focus, more dishes or more special items? We limit the menu to 12 dishes, but we experiment with payasams to add variety. There are so many possibilities... weve even created yam and pumpkin payasams. How have your travels influenced your approach to food preparation? Food exists to satisfy hunger and taste is born from hunger. If someone isnt hungry, eating loses its meaning. Ive seen people struggling to find food as well as prepare it. Such experiences made me view cooking as a form of worship. It taught me that serving food isnt just a taskit is a divine responsibility. Viewed as such, we approach it with true commitment. When we view the process of cooking and serving as divine, taste naturally follows. Its said that you start cooking with a prayer I always pray before cooking. No matter how busy we are, we never begin cooking without first taking a bath. Food is meant to be served to others, so we must treat it with respect and care. We also make it a point not to waste food. What exactly do you pray? My first prayer is that nothing untoward happens to any child because of the food. Second, my own actions should never harm the food. Third, my attention should not falter. Is there any truth in the saying that food tastes better when cooked on firewood? Vessels placed on firewood receive even heat, while on a gas stove, maximum heat is concentrated directly above the burner, increasing the risk of burning. Firewood allows slow cooking, which enhances flavour. The only caution is to ensure that smoke does not seep into the food. Each district differs in food preferences. What is Keralas food habit per se? Its difficult to define a single food habit for Kerala. We need to look at traditions that existed even before the formation of the state. Food practices vary widely across regions. For instance, in areas north of Kozhikode, non-vegetarian dishes are inseparable from daily meals. The food habits of northern, southern, and central Kerala cannot really be compared. What about authenticity of food? Everyone claims their food is the most authentic. In Thiruvananthapuram, people prefer dishes arranged in three layers on the banana leaf almost like a rainbow. For them, appearance matters more than taste. In northern Kerala, the spread is simpler, but they are very particular about flavour. Which sadya is better? Isnt the Thiruvananthapuram sadya considered superior? People may claim, but no one can insist thats the absolute truth (laughs). How about the serving style? In Thiruvananthapuram, people are very particular about the order of serving. For instance, if you serve pulissery before pradhaman, they may stop eating altogether. In other regions, this isnt the case. Is there a specific gastronomic order to follow in a sadya? Not really. A vegetarian sadya is built around six fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. Whether the sadya has 10 dishes or 36, basic taste elements remain the same. The idea that digestion depends on following a strict sequence is not accurate, but certain practices do matter. You are vegetarian. How do you manage non-vegetarian dishes? We have a separate team and separate utensils for non-veg items. Whats your favourite food? I enjoy rice with curd and cut-mango-pickle. If rasam is added, Im even happier. Your take on the controversy over non-veg food during the school arts fest in 2023 The government provides an estimate about the number of people whod dine. The exact count is way different. Last year, the government said thered be 12,000 diners daily. But 20,000 people ate each day. Non-veg cannot be given to so many people. Food is prepared in a single kitchen and preparing meat is impossible. Even if meat is supplied, it will rot by the time its taken for preparation. Else, the government should install a freezer and a generator. In school games, food is prepared in five kitchens. Hence, non-veg dishes are served there. Politics over food is heating up Human digestive system is seven times longer than the height of a person. Digesting non-veg food is difficult, and could lead to health issues. Human body is more suited for a vegetarian diet, but now humans are used to being non-vegetarian. Brahmins too consume non-veg... Brahmins consuming non-vegetarian food is not unusual. Bengali Brahmins and some Maharashtrian Brahmins traditionally eat fish and do not claim to be strict vegetarians. Their food habits are shaped by regional culture. Kerala follows a different system, where certain Brahmin communities practise vegetarianism strictly. This has contributed to a perception that all Brahmins must be vegetarian, and in some cases, it has also created a sense of superiority among groups who identify strongly with vegetarian practices. Personally, I dont believe that some Brahmins have higher status. Ultimately, such divisions are meaningless. It is up to each individual to decide their way of life, including what they eat. The problem arises when one insists that you should eat what I eat. Vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, which one is good for health? Non-vegetarian food can boost stamina quickly. But its wrong to say that vegetarians have no strength. Vegetarian food boosts stamina slowly. Look at elephants; they are incredibly strong, yet they eat only plant-based food. Does the food we eat affect our character? Hitler was a vegetarian, yet he was an extremely cruel man. Food alone does not determine a persons character. Some people say eating spicy or salty food can make a person angry. There are people who get irritated easily after eating such food. The food we eat helps build body and health, but does not automatically shape our nature or behaviour. A non-vegetarian does not become short-tempered because of meat, neither does a vegetarian become peaceful by avoiding meat. Personality depends on the individual, not on whether they eat vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. On the changing food culture in Kerala, especially Arabic food Arabic food culture has adversely impacted the health of Keralites. Sudden changes in diet and the habit of eating food unsuited to our system have led to numerous health issues. Having such dishes occasionally is fine, but making it a regular habit just because they are popular is not right. Food should match climate and lifestyle. A major reason behind such trends is social media. Food bloggers and influencers constantly promote and encourage people to try dishes without considering health. How has the spread in traditional functions evolved? Over the years, the menu served during traditional functions has undergone a noticeable change. Earlier, the practice was to keep the previous days meal simple and light. Even non-vegetarian items, if served, were limited and uncomplicated. Today, the simplicity of the pre-wedding menu has largely disappeared. Heavy non-veg meals and elaborate spreads have become common even on the previous day. The sadya, once reserved for the wedding day, is now served frequently across various functions. The number of sadyas has increased, while exclusivity and ritual significance of the feast have decreased. Is non-vegetarianism increasing in Kerala? Non-vegetarianism itself has not necessarily increased, but there has been a noticeable shift in food habits. Many who were traditionally vegetarian now eat non-vegetarian food, while some non-vegetarians have moved towards vegetarian options. In short, there has been an interchange of preferences over the years. Why are vegetarian hotels shutting down? One major issue is that genuinely good vegetarian hotels, especially hygienic ones, are becoming rare in Kerala. This decline is not because people have stopped eating vegetarian food, but because many vegetarian establishments fail to maintain standards such as attractive interiors, clean and well-presented spaces, or even neat uniforms. Non-vegetarian hotels, on the other hand, generally maintain certain standards whether it is the quality of food, hygiene, or affordability. You once served sadya to PM Narendra Modi. How was the experience? I had the opportunity to serve a traditional Kerala sadya to Narendra Modi during the BJP national council meet. It was a completely vegetarian sadya. Cooking the sadya was quite challenging because of the security setup. But everything went smoothly. He ate the whole sadya; not a single item was left on the plantain leaf. He told me the food was excellent. I had prepared around 30 items including four varieties of payasam. I have prepared food for our chief minister too. Which is the most difficult food to cook veg, non-veg, or north Indian? Most difficult to prepare is vegetarian food, because each item has to be cooked separately in its own vessel, with its own method and time. In non-vegetarian cooking, if you make two gravies and one masala paste, you can finish many dishes. In north India too, most items have a gravy base, and once that is prepared, many dishes can be completed. In Kerala, beef is a political topic. People discuss whether eating beef is right or wrong. Whats your view? If you ask me whether it is wrong to eat beef, I will say no. People have the freedom to eat what they want. If someone tells us not to slaughter cattle, then what do we do with the animals that are already old and nearing death? I dont think eating beef is wrong. Politicians project the issue in a certain way thats the real problem. People should be free to choose what they eat, but they should not hurt others in the process. If you want to eat, eat... but dont try to provoke others. We talk about diversity, but real diversity is respecting individuals. Each person should be able to live according to their own beliefs. If someone sits next to you and eats non-veg, do you feel uncomfortable? Sometimes I might. In such cases, I try to sit elsewhere, where I feel comfortable. Kerala is known as a spice capital, yet our traditional meals are actually mild and subtle Traditional Kerala food is not very spicy. But now, the interest in spicy food has increased. It depends on what people have grown used to. You have been cooking for the past 27 years. How do you look at your life now? I have served food to 2.6 crore students. I have understood that this job has its own dignity and divinity. Ive no disappointments. I believe I was able to win peoples trust. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Anil S, Aparna Nair, Parvana K B, Varsha SomarajVincent Pulickal (photos) Pranav V P(video)

Congress had received complaints against Rahul, admits Chennithala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what may prove costly for the Congress in the run-up to the elections, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has admitted that the party acted against Rahul Mamkootathil after the then KPCC president and the Leader of Opposition received multiple complaints against the Palakkad MLA. This is the first time that a senior party leader has publicly said so. The open confirmation by Chennithala counters the party leaderships public claims that it had not received any harassment-related complaints against the young leader. The Leader of Opposition, the then KPCC president and party leaders received several complaints (against Rahul Mamkootathil). It was then that the party unanimously took such a decision, he said, while addressing reporters in Kozhikode on Saturday. He was responding to questions on whether the party had taken disciplinary action against Rahul based on strong conviction or in the light of the allegations. He further said it was an individual issue. Law will take its own course. What can we do, he asked. The leadership had earlier maintained that Rahuls removal as Youth Congress state president and his suspension from the primary membership of Congress were solely based on the allegations that emerged later. State Cong prezs claim contradicted Several Congress leaders had told TNIE months ago that around 18 complaints, both written and through email, had reached Indira Bhavan, the party state headquarters. However, back then, KPCC president Sunny Joseph had dismissed the same. Now, the Congress admitting that it had received complaints against Rahul, but chose not to reveal the same, could invite more legal-political backlash. With local body elections fast approaching, both the LDF and the BJP are likely to target the UDF for covering up such serious complaints against the MLA.

Mayors step aside as assembly beckons

KOCHI : A student who has passed Class 10 cannot be admitted back to Class 8. General Education Minister V Sivankuttys recent quip, made while explaining why Thiruvananthapuram mayor Arya Rajendran is not being fielded in the upcoming local-body polls, has quickly become a metaphor for moving the needle on ascending the political ladder in the state. His comment suggested that politicians who have completed a full term are ready for the next stage, widely interpreted as a nod to Aryas prospects in the 2026 assembly election. Sivankuttys own political journey underscores the point. Long before he entered the assembly and became a minister, he served as mayor of Thiruvananthapuram from 1995 to 2000, one of the earliest examples of a local-body chief rising to state-level leadership. The CPMs V K C Mammed Koya, who later represented Beypore in the assembly, also took the same route after serving as mayor of Kozhikode. This trajectory is now becoming the norm rather than the exception. Kozhikode mayor Beena Philip, Kochi mayor M Anilkumar, and Thrissur mayor M K Varghese are also staying out of the fray, prompting widespread speculation that they are setting the stage for bigger battles. Anilkumars name is already under consideration for the Tripunithura constituency. Analysts say that this is part of a larger shift in political grooming within Kerala. With decades of decentralisation empowering municipalities and corporations, local bodies have become the states most effective leadership training ground. Earlier, student politics was the route to the assembly. Today, the panchayati raj system shapes political grooming, said senior journalist Jacob George. Past examples are clear. Former Thiruvananthapuram mayor V K Prashanth eased his way into the assembly. In Thrissur, former mayor R Bindu became a minister. In the Congress, Ernakulam MLA T J Vinod who spent 25 years as a councillor and later became deputy mayor says his years in local governance remain foundational. Local bodies are where the real training happens, he said. Experts welcome the trend. This is common worldwide, noted Dr D Dhanuraj of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), a Kochi-based think-tank. Even in India, several leaders during the freedom struggle had served as mayors or deputy mayors. Local-level politicians should be promoted. They know the issues on the ground and can represent their constituencies more effectively, he said, adding that such a trend also helps strengthen a partys organisational base. Former legislator Sebastian Paul said mayors, who often oversee areas spanning multiple assembly constituencies, naturally gain a wide administrative perspective. With reservations limiting repeated mayoral terms, it is logical for them to move to the assembly, he said. As Kerala heads into the local-body elections, several mayors not on the ballot signals more than a reshuffle. It captures a clear political shift: Local bodies have become Keralas launch pads to the assembly and many of todays mayors may soon be graduating to their next class in state politics. Meanwhile, parties are also using this local-body election to promote a new generation. Across panchayats, municipalities, and corporations, CPM, Congress, and BJP have all fielded young candidates who are being groomed as future leaders. Party insiders say this is a deliberate move as senior mayors and councillors prepare to move up to the assembly, fresh faces are being placed at the grassroots to build the next rung of leadership.

Survivor's statement proves Congress MLA Rahul Mamkottathil's claims wrong

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More details from the survivors statement have now emerged in the sexual harassment case against Rahul Mamkootathil, which refute the claims made by the Palakkad MLA. Rahul in his anticipatory bail plea, had indicated that their relationship began while the woman was still married, however, the survivor has reportedly told the investigating officers that she met Rahul only after her separation from her husband. Her marriage, held on August 22 last year, lasted barely a month, and the couple had lived together for just four months. It was five months after this, that Rahul came into the picture, she said. Rahul had filed the anticipatory bail plea in the Thiruvananthapuram district sessions court. In the plea, the legislator claimed that he and the complainant had a long-standing friendship and stated that he entered into a friendship and later a sexual relationship with the woman knowing she was married. The plea says he felt sympathy for her after learning about the abuse in her marriage and that this was how the relationship developed. He further denied the allegations of assault and noted that he neither raped her nor forced her to undergo an abortion and that the womans allegations are fabricated. Rahul also claimed the woman recorded their phone conversations to trap him. In her complaint, the woman said Rahul initially expressed a desire for a child, then forced her into pregnancy, and later pressured her to undergo an abortion saying the child would affect his future in politics. Meanwhile, the special team probing the case will begin recording witness statements from Saturday. The statements of the survivors friends and the doctor who treated her after she fell ill following the intake of abortion pills will be recorded today. Rahuls anticipatory bail plea will be considered by the Sessions Court here on Wednesday. On Friday, the survivors confidential statement and medical examination were completed. Amid indications that Rahul Mankootathil had gone into hiding in Palakkad following the case, there were speculations that he had reached Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. It is indicated that he visited the lawyers office in Vanchiyoor. According to the lawyer, Rahul arrived on Friday afternoon to file a petition. He signed the petition in person, handed over documents, WhatsApp chats and audio clips he claimed were evidence in his possession, and then left in an hour. Rahuls mobile phone was switched on briefly on Friday morning and its location showed Palakkad. It was switched off soon after. Earlier, there had been reports that he had left the state. Meanwhile, Congress mouthpiece Veekshanam had published an editorial supporting Rahul, claiming he was a victim of conspiracy and alleged that the CPM was using the case to move attention away from the Sabarimala controversy. The headline read Let the one without sin be the first to throw a stone. The Congress later rejected the editorial. Party leaders said instructions had been issued to correct the mistake and asserted that such a write-up should never have appeared. KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the Congress had suspended him in unison. VD Satheesan said those who wrote it should be questioned.

Thiruvananthapuram district school arts festival to begin at Attingal on December 1

TEDx TPuram returns

After a six-year pause, TEDxThiruvananthapuram is preparing for a comeback on December 20, at Technopark Phase III. The 2025 edition carries the theme Local Mission, Global Vision, and marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for the city-branded TEDx event. TEDxThiruvananthapuram began in 2016 and ran three editions under licence-holder Vishnu Prasad. When he migrated to a different country, the event slowly slipped into silence. Earlier this year, the responsibility fell to Arun Surendran, strategic director and principal of Trinity College of Engineering. A city-based label carries its own kind of weight. There are TEDx events by IIST, CET, and the College of Agriculture Vellayani. But their possibilities stay within the campus. A city licence gives a wider canvas, he says. When the license was granted, we felt a responsibility. We are organising this in the name of the city, so it has to be the best possible version of the event. Since this is a revival edition, the team decided to begin small. They are keeping it to a half-day event with a carefully curated format. There are only 100 seats this year, and 70 of them are open to the public. This years event brings together eight speakers from very different fields. Former ISRO Chairman S Somanath, who led the Chandrayaan-3 soft landing mission, will speak about his journey. Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS, known for projects such as Nammude Kozhikode, KFON, and Ente Bhoomi, will share insights from his administrative work. Nizamudeen A IAS, Director of the Kerala Institute of Local Administration, brings the governance perspective. Rima Kallingal Dance practitioneracademic Methil Devika, actor and screenwriter Santhy Balachandran, academic and researcher Litty Chacko (known for her work on medieval mathematician Sangamagrama Madhavan and the Kerala School of Mathematics), theatre and television actor Sajana Chandran S (who retired as joint general manager at AAI), and race director of Kovalam Marathon Shinomol Palathanath, complete the speaker line-up. Talks will run from 2pm to 6pm, each session restricted to 1518 minutes. Also, TED has allowed the organisers to have Malayalam talks this year as long as subtitles are provided. All these talks will go up on the official TEDx channel, which has over 45 million subscribers, Arun says. Next year, the team plans to scale up. It will be a full-day event with more speakers and more themes. This year, the priority was to bring TEDxThiruvananthapuram back, revive it with the highest possible quality. Once that foundation is strong, we can grow it, keep improving it, and steadily increase the Malayalam content, he adds. The ticket price has been set at `2,500. To register, visit: tedxthiruvananthapuram.com .

Bun Maska trend picks up in Kerala

Unassuming and adaptable, the humble bun has made itself present all around the world. From street-side vendors to gourmet restaurants, buns appear in countless forms, inspired by the region. Its origins may be tough to trace, but its presence is hard to ignore. Europe has its long-standing bun traditions. Englands hot cross bun still finds pride of place every Good Friday. The brioche bun, Frances latest gift to the world from its rich culinary traditions, is now a burger essential worldwide, redefining the simple bread roll. Further north, Swedens cinnamon-laced kanelbulle captures the spirit of fika, the countrys cherished coffee break ritual. Across Asia, varieties of steamed buns are found, different from Europe baked versions. From China, the soft and pillowy bao often filled with pork, chicken, vegetables or something sweet, has become a global favourite. Japans anpan, with its sweet red-bean filling, continues to evoke nostalgia. In India, the reliable pav that anchors Mumbais vada pav or pav bhaji, both street-side staples. The subtly sweet Mangalorean bun, paired with coconut chutney, remains a unique variety found here. Then there is the bun maska brought to India by the Parsi community, who fled Iran during religious persecution, a simple bun sliced, buttered generously and served warm with Irani chai. Finding its ground in the Irani cafes of Pune and Mumbai, the bun maska has become so popular that they are also available closer home in Kerala. Cities like Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have trending spots that are visited by the young and old alike. Spots in Thiruvananthapuram offer you the choice to have your bun maska with coffee or hot chocolate, not limiting the option to just tea. In Kochi, Sreelakshmi and Saran, who run a bun maska stall, have tweaked the recipe with a few secret spices, nothing overpowering, just enough to make the flavour linger longer. Buns have become cultural connectors, appearing in markets, trendy cafs and home kitchens alike. They cradle, wrap, soak and uplift; no longer remaining just pieces of bread to have on the side or simply skip. Whether steamed, baked, stuffed or spiced, buns continue to hold their place at the global table. Here are some recipes you can easily try at home. With inputs from Tanvi Manoj Kurup and Safahath C N. Spicy Chicken Filled Bun Spicy Chicken Filled Bun Ingredients Oil: 3 tbsp Chopped onion: 1 Chopped garlic: 4 cloves Grated ginger: 1 tsp Ground chicken: 450 g Kashmiri chilli powder: 1 tsp Cumin powder: 1 tsp Turmeric: tsp Tomato paste: 3 tbsp Salt: tsp, adjust to taste Pepper: tsp Red chilli powder (optional): tsp Green peas: cup Sesame seeds (optional): as needed Burger buns: 68 Butter (for toasting): 1 tbsp Beaten egg or milk (for shine): as needed Method Heat oil in a pan and saut the chopped onion until soft. Add garlic and ginger, cook for a minute, then add the minced chicken and all the spices. Cook until the chicken dries up, mix in tomato paste, peas, salt and pepper, and let the filling come together. Slit the pre-made buns and lightly toast them on a tawa with a little butter. Fill each bun generously with the warm spiced chicken mixture. Cover and heat on low for 12 minutes so the buns turn soft and the flavours settle. Serve hot, sprinkled with sesame seeds. Paneer Tikka Stuffed Buns Ingredients Paneer (cubed): 200 g Curd: 3 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder: 1 tsp Turmeric: tsp Garam masala: tsp Salt: tsp (adjust to taste) Oil: 2 tbsp Onion (sliced): 1 Capsicum (sliced): 1 Burger buns or naan buns: 46 Butter (for toasting): 1 tbsp Method Mix paneer with curd, spices and salt. Marinate for 15 minutes. Heat oil, saut onion and capsicum, then add the marinated paneer and cook until dry. Slit buns, toast lightly with butter, and fill with the tikka mixture. Heat on low for 12 minutes until warmed through. Paneer Tikka Stuffed Buns Korean Gochujang Chicken Buns Korean Gochujang Chicken Buns Ingredients Shredded cooked chicken: 1 cup Gochujang: 1 tbsp Soy sauce: 1 tsp Honey: 1 tsp Garlic (chopped): 2 cloves Oil: 1 tbsp Spring onions (chopped): 2 tbsp Sesame seeds: as needed Burger buns or steamed buns: 46 Butter (for toasting, if using burger buns): 1 tbsp Method Heat oil and saut garlic. Add gochujang, soy sauce and honey, mix well, then stir in shredded chicken. Cook until the sauce coats the meat. Toast buns (if using burger buns), fill with chicken, top with spring onions and sesame seeds, and warm briefly on low heat. Serve immediately. Masala Egg Bhurji Buns Ingredients Eggs: 4 Onion (finely chopped): 1 Tomato (chopped): 1 Green chillies (chopped): 1 Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tsp Turmeric: tsp Red chilli powder: tsp Salt: tsp (adjust to taste) Oil: 2 tbsp Coriander leaves (chopped): 1 tbsp Burger buns or pav: 46 Butter (for toasting): 1 tbsp Cheese (optional): as needed Method Heat oil, saut onions, chillies and ginger-garlic paste. Add tomatoes and spices; cook until soft. Pour in whisked eggs and scramble gently. Mix in coriander. Toast buns with butter, fill with hot bhurji, add cheese if using, and heat on low for 12 minutes. Masala Egg Bhurji Buns Thai Peanut Veggie Buns Thai Peanut Veggie Buns Ingredients Cabbage (shredded): 1 cup Carrot (grated): cup Bell pepper (sliced): cup Garlic (minced): 1 clove Oil: 1 tbsp Peanut butter: 2 tbsp Soy sauce: 1 tsp Lime juice: 1 tsp Salt: tsp Burger buns: 46 Coriander leaves: 1 tbsp Method Heat oil and saut garlic, then add all vegetables and cook lightly, keeping them crunchy. Mix peanut butter, soy sauce and lime juice; add to the pan and toss well. Adjust salt. Fill toasted buns with the mixture, top with coriander and warm briefly on low heat. Tawa Bun Pizza Ingredients Buns (large 3 or small 6, sliced into halves): as needed Onion (finely chopped): 1 small Capsicum (finely chopped): 1 small Sweet corn (boiled): cup Tomato (deseeded & chopped): 1 small Grated cheese (processed or mozzarella): cup Sauce & Seasoning Tomato ketchup: 3 tbsp Tomato sauce or pizza sauce: 1 tbsp Dried mixed herbs or oregano: tsp Red chilli flakes: tsp Garlic powder: tsp (or minced garlic: tsp) Salt and pepper: to taste Butter or oil (for toasting): 12 tsp Method Mix onion, capsicum, tomato and sweet corn with ketchup, sauce, herbs, chilli flakes, garlic, salt and pepper. Spread this vegetable mixture over the cut side of each bun. Top generously with grated cheese. Heat a thick tawa on lowmedium flame and grease it lightly with butter or oil. Place the buns on the tawa, cover with a lid and cook for 46 minutes until the cheese melts and the base turns crisp. Remove and sprinkle extra herbs or chilli flakes if desired. Serve hot. Tawa Bun Pizza CoffeeGulkand Mascarpone Bun CoffeeGulkand Mascarpone Bun Ingredients Buns (halved): 46 Mascarpone (or cream cheese): 3 tbsp Instant coffee (dissolved in 1 tsp warm water): 1 tsp Gulkand: 1 tbsp Sugar: 1 tbsp Toasted walnuts (optional): 1 tbsp Method Whisk the mascarpone until smooth. Stir in the dissolved coffee, then add the gulkand and sugar, mixing until well combined. Warm or lightly toast the buns on a tawa if you prefer a crisp edge. Spread a thick layer of the coffeegulkand cream inside each bun. Top with toasted walnuts for added crunch. Serve slightly chilled for a tiramisu-style dessert bun.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar shares photos of Sabarimala gold scam accused Potti with Sonia Gandhi, CM Pinarayi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday shared photographs of Unnikrishnan Potti the key accused in the Sabarimala gold scam with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, reiterating in a Facebook post that the case is part of a larger conspiracy involving both the Congress and the CPM. In his strongly worded statement, Chandrasekhar said that the arguments we put forward from the beginning have now been proven right, alleging that the scam had its origins during the Congress-led government. He claimed that the images of Potti with top leaders exposed what he described as an unholy nexus between the two rival parties. Chandrasekhar added that the Congress silence during the massive protests by Hindu devotees over the issue raised serious questions. He further alleged that, without the sustained agitation by BJP workers and believers, the INDIA alliance partners would have buried the case. According to him, the CPM and the Congress, despite projecting themselves as political opponents in Kerala, have been partners in this crime. He asserted that Potti was only a small link in a wider network and alleged that more influential figures within the INDIA bloc were involved. The BJP leader called for an independent and impartial investigation by central agencies to ensure that all those responsible are brought before the law. Chandrasekhars post included two photos: one showing Unnikrishnan Potti alongside Sonia Gandhi, and another with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Weve been right from the beginning - the Sabarimala gold loot is part of a much larger conspiracy and started many years ago during Congress period. Unnikrishnan Pottis photos with Sonia Gandhi expose the deep CongressCPM nexus behind this crime. Now we know why Congress pic.twitter.com/FqOKjfUfmA Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@RajeevRC_X) November 29, 2025

Environmental nod for Outer Ring Road project in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The long-delayed Outer Ring Road (ORR) project has got a fillip with the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) formally granting environmental clearance for the ambitious project. The move comes close on the heels of a recent Supreme Court order that ex-post facto clearance may be granted under conditions. Meanwhile, the land owners who surrendered their land for the project have threatened to boycott both the upcoming local body and assembly elections to protest the delay in the disbursal of compensation. According to official sources, the minutes of the meeting by SEAC granting environmental clearance will be soon tabled in the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) meeting to be held next month for the final approval. Making things worse a section of land owners have moved the High Court challenging the land acquisition notifications issued without a detailed project report or environmental clearance. The validity of the 3(a) notification issued for the land acquisition for the project expired earlier this month. There is an active stay order and the government cannot cancel the 3(a) notification when there is an active stay order. Hence the validity of the existing notification will not be gone, said an official. As many as 6,500 land owners have handed over their property for the ORR project. Chandramohan Nair, convenor of the action council representing the landowners, said that though the state claims Kerala to be extreme poverty-free, the present status of the landowners are worse than extreme poverty because the government failed them. The government issued a 3D notification for around 11 villages and the land owners should be given compensation immediately. We will boycott the elections if they dont disburse the compensation immediately, said Chandramohan Nair. Meanwhile, the alignment revision which aims to minimise extensive hill cutting along the 77 km stretch is under way and is expected to be finalised only by December 2025. When contacted, PWD secretary K Biju told TNIE that it will take some time to finalise the DPR. The approval of DPR is crucial for releasing compensation for the land owners. The project, estimated to cost Rs 8,398.46 crore, is being implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The land acquisition cost, initially estimated at Rs 1,800 crore, has now nearly doubled to `3,800 crore as of August 2025. Under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, beneficiaries are entitled to 12 per cent annual interest on delayed compensation from the date of land possession to the date of payment further increasing the financial burden on the state and central government. The ORR project got the Union governments in-principle approval in 2019.The 77-km stretch from Navaikulam to Vizhinjam via Thekkada passes through 31 villages. As per the plan, the six-lane road will be 45 m wide and will have 10 m-wide service lanes. Recently, the NHAI marked the road as NH 866.

Thiruvananthapuram restaurant owner caught dumping waste made to clean it up himself

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A restaurant owner in Thiruvananthapuram who repeatedly dumped waste in a public place was caught in a joint operation by local residents and the police and was made to clear the entire pile himself. The accused, identified as Shamli, who runs a restaurant near the Government High School, Varkala, had allegedly been dumping waste near the Ilakamon water tank for several days. The stench from the waste pushed local residents to launch a search on their own. They examined CCTV footage from nearby houses and spotted a car arriving with sacks of waste. However, with the number plate masked, they could not immediately identify the culprit. Their breakthrough came when they sifted through the garbage and recovered bills issued from Shamlis restaurant. The residents then approached the Ayiroor police with the evidence. Confronted with the proof, Shamli admitted to the offence. The police and local residents made him clean up the entire heap of waste he had dumped. The panchayat later imposed a fine on him.

Varkala cliff, Papanasam beach face neglect despite rising tourist arrivals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the tourism season gathers momentum with visitor arrivals steadily rising, the iconic Varkala cliff and Papanasam beach continue to present a grim picture of neglect despite their status as an ecologically sensitive geo-heritage site on the Unesco tentative list. The laterite cliff is now marred by safety, sanitation, and environmental concerns. Tourists are greeted by poorly -lit pathways. Littered beaches and untreated sewage flowing directly into the sea and onto the shore owing to the lack of proper liquid-waste management among several hoteliers have become major turn-offs for visitors. Adding to the discomfort is the growing menace of stray dogs. Tourists use mobile flashlights to navigate a poorly-lit path to the beach Inadequate maintenance has left walkways, public amenities, and view points in a deteriorated condition. Meanwhile, the ambitious Varkala Master Plan designed by Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited to offer comprehensive solutions ranging from improved waste management and organised parking to enhanced pedestrian facilities and cliff conservation remains in a limbo. It is notable that the destination received 5.98 lakh domestic tourists and 19,749 foreign tourists last year.