Kerala govt to press Centre for regulating exorbitant airfares: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that the state government would continue to pressurise the union government to regulate the exorbitant ticket charges imposed by airline companies on Haj pilgrims and expatriates. Airline companies are charging huge amounts as ticket fare from Haj pilgrims and expatriate Keralites who come to the home 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 .

Nail art is Thiruvananthapurams latest fashion fix

Nail makeovers are in high demand in Thiruvananthapuram, driven by the growing number of dedicated nail art studios and salons offering the service

Families that work out together shed pounds together: Weight loss study

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Battling obesity and getting rid of a stubborn potbelly isnt just about appearance -- its a fight for better health and a longer life. Yet, despite the well-known benefits of weight loss, many struggle to shed the excess pounds. The report on a 2015-17 study by the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) -- which was released on Monday -- is sure to shake up the way we think about fighting obesity. Instead of focusing on individuals alone, researchers have found that getting families involved can make a huge difference, offering a promising approach to weight management and long-term health improvement. The trial, which tracked 1,671 participants across 750 families over two years, found that a comprehensive intervention could make a significant impact on obesity-related health markers like weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. The results are impressive. Families that took part in the study saw real improvements in their health. Participants lost an average of 2.6 kg, saw a decrease in body mass index (BMI), and trimmed their waistlines by over 4 cm. Meanwhile, those in the control group, who didnt receive the same level of support, gained weight. This family-based model not only prevented diabetes and other non-communicable diseases but also boosted life expectancy by 3-4 years. A hands-on approach, where trained health workers (ASHAs) visited families regularly, helped them set health goals, and offered practical advice on eating better, getting more exercise, and reducing harmful habits like smoking and drinking. In comparison, families in the control group received only enhanced usual care, which consisted of basic counselling and annual screenings. By involving entire families, the intervention created a supportive environment where healthier behaviours were encouraged and sustained. Families, and not just individuals, were encouraged to make small, lasting changes together, like adding more fruits and vegetables to their meals, walking more, and cutting back on salt and sugar. These changes werent just about individual effort -- they were about creating lasting habits within the family dynamic. We demonstrate that our resource-sensitive, context-specific, and culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention model in families effectively reduces the average weight, waist circumference, and body mass index at the population level. Although new pharmacological interventions, which are highly costly, are effective in reducing weight at an individual level in high-risk groups, they would not have achieved a similar effect at the population level. The very high prevalence of abdominal obesity, especially among women in Kerala, calls for population-wide efforts to reduce obesity and diabetes risk, said Dr Jeemon Panniyammakal, leader author and additional professor at the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies at SCTIMST. The research findings come at a time when pharmaceutical companies are betting big on expensive medications to address the global obesity crisis. Dr Jeemon said family-level intervention is also money saver for the health system. The return on investment in our intervention model is guaranteed. Our rough estimates suggest that every Rs 100 invested in our intervention return Rs 1,300 over ten years, given its potential impact on delaying diabetes incidence by at least three years. The study demonstrates that by focusing on the family unit, its possible to foster sustainable behaviour changes that lead to lasting health benefits. Prolific Progress The PROgramme of Lifestyle Intervention in Families for Cardiovascular (PROLIFIC) risk reduction trial ran from 2015-17 It involved 1,671 participants from 750 families 368 in interventional group and 382 families in usual care group 65% of participants were women Counting the cost of obesity 71% women and 57% men in Kerala have abdominal obesity 38% of women are obese, against national average of 24% 36% of men are obese, against national average of 22.9% In India, an estimated 135mn people are obese Kerala is positioned eighth in terms of obesity among males and ninth in case of females Source: National Family Health Survey-5, 2019-20 BMI Meter Below 18.5 Underweight 18.5-24.9 Normal 25-29.9 Overweight 30 and higher Obese

Charging EVs from public stations at night will burn a hole in pockets

KOCHI: Now, you need to plan even the charging of your electric vehicles! Starting April 1, charging electric vehicles (EVs) from public charging stations during the evening and night hours will cost more. The moves comes after the Kerala Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) approved the tariff revision applicable to public EV-charging stations. And the KSEB is set to implement the change widely. Under the new tariff approved, separate rates will be applicable for solar (9am to 4pm) and non-solar (4pm to 9am) hours, as against the single rate system followed so far. While a consumer will be charged Rs 5 per unit during solar hours, they have to pay a higher rate -- Rs 9.30 per unit -- during non-solar hours. As of now, a single tariff of Rs 5.50 per unit (Rs 100 per KW) is being charged. KERC issued the notification regarding the revised tariff on December 5, but it is yet to be enforced widely. To implement the same, KSEB has to reset the time zone of the meters to solar and non-solar hours, a senior KSEB official told TNIE. He said the revised rates will be applicable once the newly-programmed meters from the testing lab are installed at public charging stations. The first lot of the meters is out and the process will take one or two weeks more, the official said. On cue, private players have already hiked the rates. Weve made a corresponding increase at our charging stations. Among the private players, EVOK still provides the lowest rate. We now charge Rs 13.80 per unit during solar hours and Rs 17 per unit during non-solar hours, said Reji Mohan, president of Electric Vehicles Owners Kerala (EVOK). While KSEB officials claim the move is to encourage charging of vehicles during productivity hours, criticism has risen from various quarters that the move will adversely affect the changing public transportation sector as well. For a majority of such vehicles are charged at night to facilitate uninterrupted services during the day. Most of our e-buses are charged at night. The rise in tariff is huge, from Rs 5.5 per unit to Rs 9.30 per unit. The increased power charges will act as a huge burden. KSEB authorities should exempt at least public transport vehicles, a KSRTC official said. The KSRTC Swift operates over 100 e-buses in Thiruvananthapuram city, with plans afoot to set up public EV charging stations at various bus depots to cash in on the demand. The e-auto drivers will be one community that will be affected the most. The move will result in added expenses to the drivers as most of them charge their vehicles during non-solar hours. KSEB should withdraw the tariff revision, said M B Syamantha Bhadran of the Ernakulam Jilla Auto Drivers Cooperative Society. The KSEB has already implemented the revised rate in charging stations of institutions like the Kochi Water Metro Ltd. Were already been charged under the new tariff. The net effect with regard to expense is more or less the same as they have taken away the fixed charges, a senior Water Metro official said.

BJP sets in motion new experiment with technocrat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With a new president taking over the mantle of the BJPs state unit, Kerala politics is witnessing a paradigm shift. In a state that has always been a playground of hardcore traditional politicians, Rajeev Chandrasekhar s ascent marks the first time a technocrat-turned-politician is heading a political party. For the ruling LDF and principal opposition UDF, the development presents a new political turf. And for the state BJP, this is a new experiment the national leadership has decided to carry out. In south India, only in two states Tamil Nadu and Kerala has the BJP failed to topple the prevailing political ecosystem. Of the two, Tamil Nadu has been the priority for the party. Of late, however, the BJP national leadership has realised the importance of Kerala too. Chandrasekhars appointment comes at a time when the two states have been engaged in an ideological and political battle against the RSS-BJPs Hindutva plank and the Union governments expansion of power over states. While the CPM defies BJPs Gujarat Model of development with the Kerala Model, in Tamil Nadu, the DMK is taking on the Hindutva ideology with the Dravidian ideology. Now, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the only two states posing a threat to the Centres alleged aggressive unitary state politics, political analyst Ajith Sreenivasan told TNIE . These states are the symbol of federal rights. Hence, the BJP, which had overcome all obstacles in its path, like the abrogation of article 370, will not entertain such an ideological and political threat. Much like making former IPS officer K Annamalai its state president in Tamil Nadu and propagating the Hindutva ideology against Dravidian politics, the BJP leadership has now decided to take on the Kerala Model. So far, it has been the national leaders from PM Modi to Union ministers who took on the Kerala model of development, either when they came to the state or spoke in the parliament. However, by making a successful, ultra-rich businessman-turned-politician and a former Union minister with 18 years of experience the state president, the BJP would aim to confront the narrative the Left puts forward. The main political parties havent addressed the issues of the states youth who comprise 30% of the population, political commentator Premkumar said. DYFIs startup programme was an exception. Rajeev Chandrasekhar is an apt representation of the politics the BJP has put forward in the country. He is not a seasoned politician. But at the same time, he is a tech-savvy personality who always speaks about development and about presenting an alternative development politics to the youth. However, according to political analyst Arun Kumar, there is another side to it. He can also deliver communal politics very well, which we all saw in the Kalamassery bomb blast incident. He will not hesitate to play that card. That is a volatile combination, he said. Chandrasekhars entry also signals the start of a new era in the state BJP unit which has been crippled by groupism.

No celebrations causing disruption on final day of exams: Minister Sivankutty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Schools should not allow celebrations that could lead to conflicts on the final day of annual examinations, General Education Minister V Sivankutty has said. Teachers must be particularly vigilant in that regard, he said. Processions involving vehicles within school premises are to be prohibited and police presence should be ensured if necessary. The minister conveyed these directives during the regional meetings of education officers. Sivankutty convened virtual meetings of the northern and southern education regions to discuss various matters, including anti-drugs awareness campaigns, comprehensive quality education scheme, implementation of minimum marks for Class 8 students, vacation-time teacher training, and the distribution of textbooks. Raising awareness among students about the harmful effects of drug abuse and blocking their access to intoxicants have become urgent priorities. The minister announced that the education department will introduce and implement more initiatives addressing this issue. Regarding the implementation of subject minimum marks in Class 8, the government has approved a revised evaluation methodology. Support systems will be provided during vacation periods to enhance students academic quality and assist in their promotion to the next class. The distribution of textbooks for the 2025-26 academic year will be inaugurated by the chief minister in the second week of April.

Kerala court asks jeweller to refund customer at current market price

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) has directed a jeweller to refund the price of a defective ornament at its current market price. The petitioner, a female nurse hailing from Alappuzha, was awarded a compensation of Rs 15,000 as well. The woman purchased gold anklets weighing 15.820g from a jewellery shop in Alappuzha. After six months of use, tiny gold particles on the anklets broke off, she said. The jeweller rejected her demand for a replacement and repaired it instead. A promise was made that it would be replaced if the problem recurred. However, when the problem repeated, the jeweller neither replaced nor repaired it, she complained. When the case came up before the Alappuzha District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, the jeweller alleged that the damage could be due to her profession. As a nurse, she had to handle or make contact with chemicals and medicines and hence there was a greater chance of the durability of the gold getting affected. Another chance was wear and tear, the jeweller argued. The district commission, however, ruled in the womans favour. It directed her to return the ornament and asked the jeweller to refund the bill amount of Rs 53,880, pay Rs 5,000 as compensation, and Rs 2,000 as costs. Aggrieved by the inadequacy of the amount, the woman approached the state commission. The case was heard by an SCDRC bench comprising its president Justice B Sudheendra Kumar, judicial member Ajith Kumar D, and member Radhakrishnan K R. The bench observed that the market value of gold on the date of purchase or the date of complaint or even the date of order would be much less than the market rate on the actual day of refund. Since the material involved in this case is gold, the complainant is entitled to get the amount as on the date of making payment, it said. The SCDRC also enhanced the compensation and costs awarded by the district commission. The jeweller was directed to pay the market value of 15.820g of gold as on the date of refund, in lieu of the return of the ornament. Also, Rs 15,000 should be given as compensation and Rs 5,000 as costs, the state commission ordered.

Kerala police receive record number of tip-offs on drugs from public this month

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The growing public outrage against drug abuse is driving an unprecedented crackdown, with police receiving a record number of tip-offs on traffickers and users this month. According to official data, police have so far received 1,793 pieces of information, many leading to arrests and drug seizures. The Anti-Narcotic Control Room (ANCR), operating under the Law and Order ADGP, received 3,865 calls, of which 636 provided actionable intelligence, leading to police intervention. Similarly, the Yodhav project, launched to combat drug use, saw an overwhelming response, with the public reporting 1,157 drug-related cases via WhatsApp this month. A senior police official attributed the surge in public cooperation to heightened awareness following violent crimes linked to drug abuse. Recent brutal murders that shook the state, such as the Venjaramoodu mass murder , may have motivated people to report drug-related activities. With increased discussions on the issue, the public is more vigilant and willing to share information, the official said. Kerala Police join hands with seven states to fight drug, criminal mafia In January and February 2025, ANCR received only 17 and 13 specific tip-offs, respectively. However, March alone accounted for 636 reports, bringing the total for the year to 666. The Yodhav project also saw a sharp increase in engagement, with reports rising from 73 in January and 227 in February to over 1,000 in March. Police sources confirmed that public input has been instrumental in recent raids. Under the special drive D-Hunt, authorities have conducted 72,980 raids, registered 7,265 cases, and arrested 7,539 individuals. In addition to intelligence inputs, public information has played a key role in our operations. This has enabled us to seize 468 kg of ganja and nearly 4 kg of MDMA, which is a significant quantity, said a police source.

Vazhagramam digging in to secure countrys banana heritage

KOCHI: In this age of rapid urbanisation with its penchant for change and a shift from the past it takes a village to nurture and protect a prized heritage. Picture a village built on the passion of nearly 17,000 enthusiasts of the banana and its starchier cousin, the plantain. Their collective love for the humble fruits has blossomed into a living library, boasting hundreds of varieties a genetic trove that even university research wings would find hard to match. Founded by the charismatic Vazha Chettan (Banana Brother), this lush community, which exists solely in the digital space, is on a mission is to cultivate a banana revolution in Kerala. Vinod S of Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram, began Vazhagramam several years ago. The Facebook group now has members worldwide, with a strong core in Kerala. It has ignited a fervent passion for banana cultivation, emphasising the crucial need to conserve local varieties prized for their therapeutic and unique properties. I began banana farming at the age of 12. Initially, I was driven by a desire to conserve and learn more about this fascinating fruit. My search for Chingan variety, known for its curative properties, including remedies for chicken pox, sparked a deeper interest. As I delved deeper, I discovered that there are numerous varieties of banana, each with unique qualities, Vinod recalls. Today, he cultivates over 600 varieties of banana on his four-acre farm. The motivation behind the group was to promote sharing of knowledge and the cultivation of the fruit in every village. The group has now expanded beyond Kerala and India, but most transactions still take place among members in the state. Group members share ideas, knowledge, and plant suckers frequently, he says. Call for documenting banana varieties Moreover, the collective has played a crucial role in identifying and preserving banana varieties that were on the verge of extinction, Vinod adds. He points out that Thiruvanthapuram and Kanyakumari districts used to be major banana cultivation regions where a variety called Thiruvanathapuram once thrived. Vazhagramam is a vibrant community of enthusiasts passionate about bananas, says Nishanth M K, a banana farmer from Wayanad who cultivates over 300 varieties on his farm. In Kerala, were familiar with only a handful of varieties, but there are hundreds more that are not only delicious but also nutritious and offer health benefits. Citing the example of Grantha Pacha, which was on the verge of extinction, Nishanth highlights the importance of preserving rare varieties. Another variety, Karinkadali, found in the Pathanamthitta region, is believed to have medicinal properties beneficial for children. Nishanth emphasises the need for future endeavours, including creating a comprehensive database and documenting the various banana varieties. While were a social collective, we havent yet conducted scientific research, he notes. The group often meets at seed festivals, although offline meetings are rare. Diversity and variety are the cornerstones of a healthy ecosystem, he stresses. Bananas, with their short life cycle, offer a nutritious and economical food source, making them an ideal crop for sustainable development. The collectives efforts take on a larger significance in the face of diseases threatening the very existence of banana varieties. The Panama disease, which ravaged plantations in the mid-20th century, nearly wiped out the Gros Michel banana, a global favourite. Farmers subsequently shifted to the Cavendish, which now accounts for 97% of global exports, due to its resistance to Fusarium wilt. However, a new and highly virulent strain, Tropical Race 4 (TR4), now poses a significant threat to Cavendish and other local varieties, which are a staple for millions. This outbreak starkly exposes the vulnerability of relying on a single export variety grown in monoculture, putting global banana availability at risk. According to the National Horticulture Board (NHB), banana originated in the humid tropical regions of Southeast Asia, with India being one of its primary centres of origin. The modern edible varieties have evolved from two species -- Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana -- and their natural hybrids, which were first found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Globally, banana production is estimated to be around 86 million tonnes per annum. India is the worlds largest producer of bananas, accounting for an annual output of approximately 14.2 million tonnes.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar takes over as president of BJP's Kerala unit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar took over as the state president of BJP on Monday. In an apparent indication of his focus on the partys future in Kerala, Chandrasekhar said what the people need is not the nokkukooli Kerala, but a prosperous, industrious and investment-friendly one which provides opportunities to the youth. This message should reach every house in the state. Kerala should become developed so that the people will also prosper. For that, an NDA-BJP government should be in power in the state. My task is to bring an NDA-BJP government to power in Kerala. I will retreat only after accomplishing this. I will be with the people all the time. The BJP should have political success in the state, Chandrasekhar said in his first address to party leaders and workers after taking charge as state president in Thiruvananthapuram. He also invoked Sree Narayana Gurus verse, Become enlightened through education, strengthened through organisation, and prosperous through hard work. Rajeev highlights need for states development Opening a new political front against the ruling Left, the businessman-turned-politician said Kerala lags behind compared to other southern states. Why is Kerala not attracting investment? The youth go to other states looking for opportunities. The people have lost belief in politics. Change is the need of the hour. Keralas current state of affairs is similar to the national situation in 2014 when Narendra Modi came to power for the first time. In 2014, India was in economic distress. The global changes currently happening are favourable to the nation, he said. Union minister and the leader in charge of the election of the state president in Kerala, Pralhad Joshi, said Rajeev Chandrasekhar has with him the blueprints for Kerala and the state BJP. The BJP is in power or in opposition in the majority of states, except in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Though the Union government has given Rs 1,400 crore to the state through NHM, the latter is claiming that the Centre had not issued financial assistance for ASHA workers. Kerala will not progress under the Communists, he said. Prakash Javadekar, the prabhari of the state, said the partys new state president will tour all districts and lead the party. Saha prabhari Aparajita Sarang, former state president K Surendran, Union ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian and other leaders also spoke on the occasion. A formal meeting of the available core committee members meeting was also held. Surendran, along with Suresh Gopi, George Kurian, Rajagopal, former state chiefs V Muraleedharan, Kummanam Rajasekharan, P K Krishnadas and C K Padmanabhan are part of the 30-member national council. Other prominent faces in the newly-elected national council include Anil Antony, P C George and Padmaja Venugopal.

Flights of fancy

The sound was different, unlike the usual rumble that usually cuts across the air as aircraft buzz past near her home, near the landing area of the Thiruvananthapuram airport. This one seemed heavier, loaded. Anamika G S, who was dozing off, got stirred. She quickly grabbed her camera, darted out into the open, and began clicking the American National Air Cargo 747, which rarely stops over at the airport for refuelling. Unable to manage good pictures due to poor light, she went to bed determined to wake up early to catch the flight in action before heading to St Marys HSS, Pattom, where she is a Class XII student. The picture she took the next morning is now one of her prized possessions. It speaks of her passion for planespotting. I was drawn to the hobby while I was a toddler. There would be hardly anyone who hasnt done it, running out to gaze at aircraft flying over their homes. Children especially love it, Anamika smiles. My home being near the airport was an incentive. And so was my fathers (Gopakumar Mathrika) interest in photography and association with the Plane Spotters Kerala (PSK) collective. Anamika is now PSKs youngest and only female member. The group was formed in 2000 and has members that include professional flyers as well as hobbyists. Anamika began clicking pictures of the aircraft on a mobile phone when she was around five or six but started serious photography only during the pandemic, when she began using a Nikon camera to capture the charm of the flying machines. It was surreal. To me, just watching them was exciting. The thrill it gives me is inexplicable, she says. Planespotting has become an integral part of me. So much so that I can identify the flights just by their sound now. Anamika G S Anamikas hobby is not just about the fun factor. It is an act of public alert too, because some of her recent pictures of bird hits, how waste is being dumped near the airport attracting birds, and how kites and birds are posing a danger to flights have awakened the authorities to this hazard. Several of her frames, showing birds nearly hitting the aircraft, or kites or advertisement balloons slowing or stopping flight take-offs or landings, have been circulating widely on social media and have caught the right attention. Incidentally, there was a bird hit at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on Monday. Her most recent initiative has been to create pamphlets on the hazard and circulate them to school students and the public alike. Come vacation, the skies will be dotted with kites. There needs to be caution, she says. Anamika, who has exhibited her clicks once, proudly highlights that some of her pics have been published on www.jetphotos.com, an international website on aircraft. She also recalls her photo of Air India One, which was used as the default picture on the flight tracker as it took off from JFK airport after Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent US visit. My name appeared beside the picture, Anamika gushes. I had clicked the aircraft when the prime minister visited Thiruvananthapuram. Yet another prized shot of hers is the click of a Japanese Air Force plane that landed in Thiruvananthapuram. It was six to seven months ago. There was an air of mystery around it, she recalls. Planespotting as a serious hobby has not been given its due here, Anamika notes. There are designated spots for it in other countries. But here, the only place where people used to assemble to watch, near a school by Shankhumukham beach, has also been barricaded, she says. We planespotters do not merely click pics. We also record the make, the sound, engine type, the position of the cockpit, etc. Such a database has helped authorities across the world during grave accidents or moments of crisis. Even otherwise, plane spotting is a beautifully heady activity that is as soothing as it is exciting. Anamika adds that planespotting avenues can boost tourism as well. Authorities should make sure that there are designated spots inside the airport, where plane spotters can assemble and click, or just bond over the machines, she says. Anamika wants to go to Bengaloru or Delhi to Airbus A 380, the worlds largest passenger airliner. Maldives is a dream spot, too. I always follow Maldived on the flight tracker, she says. I would love to visit all airports across India. Once the holidays start, I will visit Nedumbassery. Does she plan to become an aviator? No, says Anamika. I want to be a doctor. But my passion for aircraft will keep soaring.

Mudavanmugal: Once a summer retreat of the Travancore royal family

Mudavanmugal is a small, elevated region in Thiruvananthapuram. The name has multiple interpretations, with one popular belief suggesting that it originates from Mudavan, the name of a tribal leader who once lived there. Another theory links it to the slang word muda or moda, widely used in Thiruvananthapurams local dialect. In this slang, moda can mean arrogance or a display of power, or attitude as in the phrase moda kaanikuka, which means to show arrogance. However, historian Vellanad Ramachandran explains that most place names in Kerala are primarily derived from geographical features, and in this case, mudavam refers to an elevated area. The word Mudavam means something high, and Mudavanmugal refers to the upper part of such an elevated land. When a language is in its early stages of development, a single word often carries multiple meanings, he says, adding, This is how the word muda came to have not only the meaning of elevated but also to show arrogance or to act as a superior person. According to Ramachandran, Keralas geography can be broadly categorised into four types: highlands, lowlands, flatlands, and water-associated regions. Highland areas are often named using words like kunnu or mudavam, while lowland areas are identified with terms like koppam or kuzhi. Flatlands are referred to with words like nirappu or mannam, and water-associated regions use terms like kadal, kayal, or poovam. In this context, Mudavanmugal fits into the highland category. Historically, this area was not of much significance and remained an overgrown, less-developed region for a long time. Thiruvananthapuram itself gained prominence when Dharma Raja (Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma) shifted the capital from Padmanabhapuram in the late 1780s, primarily to focus on defence against Tipu Sultans invasions. Later, during the reign of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (18131846), the Navaratri festival was relocated from Padmanabhapuram to Poojappura, which led to the development of that area as a spiritual and cultural centre. This, in turn, brought indirect importance to the neighbouring Mudavanmugal, Ramachandran adds. He also says that there was a palace in Mudavanmugal that once served as a summer retreat or resting place for the Travancore royal family. The last person to stay there was Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. That palace has now been converted into Sree Chitras staff quarters, notes Ramachandran.

UAE: Prominent Indian doctor dies in car accident in Kerala

In a tragic incident, a prominent United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Indian expatriate, Dr Bindu Philip, lost her life in a car accident in Kerala while travelling home from Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Monday morning, March 24. The 48-year-old gynaecologist, who worked at NMC Medical Centre in Buhairah Corniche, Sharjah, was on a short visit to India 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 .

Looking forward to crossing swords again: Tharoor congratulates new Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Looking forward to crossing swords again: Tharoor congratulates new Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar Thiruvananthapuram: Congress Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor extended his congratulations to former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar who was unanimously elected as the new President of the BJPs Kerala unit on Monday. Congratulations and best wishes to the newly elected Kerala State President [] The post Looking forward to crossing swords again: Tharoor congratulates new Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Bengaluru-bound IndiGo flight aborts take-off after bird hit in Thiruvananthapuram

In local body election year, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Budget expected to be a balancing act

Deputy Mayor P.K. Raju will present the civic bodys Budget for 2025-26 on Tuesday

Centre favourable towards AIIMS in Kerala: Prof K V Thomas

KOCHI: Delhis Special Representative for Kerala, Prof K V Thomas, has held discussions with the central government regarding the demand for AIIMS in Kerala and has secured a favourable response. He met with Ankita Mishra Bundela, senior secretary in charge of AIIMS at the Union Ministry of Health in Delhi onMarch 24 for the discussions. Kerala House's additional resident commissioner Chetan Kumar Meena was also present. One of the four new AIIMS institutions to be sanctioned by the Centre is expected to be allocated to Kerala. The state government has proposed Kozhikode as the location for the institute,a statement by Prof Thomas said here. Before final approval, a team from the Union Health Ministry will visit the proposed site to assess infrastructure availability, road, rail, and air connectivity, as well as proximity to national highways. The team is expected to visit the location soon after the ongoing Parliament session, according to the Senior Secretary. The Union Health Ministry has also expressed interest in discussions with the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding AIIMS. Additionally, ProfThomas stated that central funding has been secured for the Sree Chitra Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, along with the upgradation of three medical colleges. The colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, and Kozhikode will receive financial assistance from the central government,he stated.

Kerala government to roll out mega anti-drugs campaign in April

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will convene a mega meeting of various stakeholders on March 39 to prepare a detailed action to curb drug abuse, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said. The meeting will be attended by subject experts, leaders of youth and student outfits, office bearers of cinema, cultural and media organizations and, representatives of teachers and PTA associations, the CM added while addressing a high-level meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday to initiate a campaign against drugs. The CM said the government will coordinate with the public and various departments to shape up a strong campaign against drugs. By merging various ongoing campaigns, a strong anti-drug campaign will be initiated in April. The CM added that the Chief Secretary will form a committee comprising heads of various government departments to prepare a blueprint of an anti-drug action plan. During the meeting, the CM suggested starting an anti-drugs campaign among students from the Lower Primary class onwards. To attract students to sports, more programmes should be organized. Measures should be taken to ensure that hostels and other public spaces remain drug-free. The enforcement activities of police and excise departments should be intensified, he said. The CM further instructed the local self-government department to take measures to close down shops selling narcotics. The sniffer dogs should be increasingly used to detect drugs and sophisticated drug-detecting equipment should be purchased, he said. The meeting also decided to liaise with police officers of other states if required to combat drug trafficking. The screening will be strengthened in seaports, airports and railway stations. Measures to curb online sale of drugs will be taken.

Mission is Viksit Keralam, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar after becoming BJP chief in Kerala

Mission is Viksit Keralam, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar after becoming BJP chief in Kerala Thiruvananthapuram: Newly appointed Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday said his mission is Viksit Keralam inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Viksit Bharat. Born to a man with an Indian Army background in Gujarat, studied in Thrissur (Kerala) and other schools [] The post Mission is Viksit Keralam, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar after becoming BJP chief in Kerala appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Indigo flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru cancelled as eagle hits engine during take-off

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An Indigo flight (6E 6629) from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru was cancelled on Monday morning after an eagle hit the engine during take-off at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The incident occurred at 7:30 am when a bald eagle struck the left engine of the aircraft, prompting the pilot to apply the brakes to avoid a potential mishap. The plane was safely taxied back to the maintenance area. The airline has arranged for another aircraft to continue the flight at 6 pm. The service delay was attributed to ongoing runway maintenance work. Some passengers were relocated to a hotel, while others, living nearby, returned home.

INTUC criticises ASHA workers' strike despite Congress's support

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: INTUC, the trade union affiliated with Congress, has once again voiced its opposition to the ongoing strike by ASHA workers , despite the Congress leadership publicly declaring their support. Anoop Mohan, State Vice President of INTUCs Young Workers Council and Youth Convener of KPCCs Policy Research Division, criticized the strike in an article for the unions publication, 'Indian Thozhilali'. He argued that ASHA workers need a constitutional guarantee and the right to regular wages as per the 11th State Pay Commission. Mohan expressed that INTUC does not support the protest led by the SUCI outside the Secretariat, although it has taken a considerate stand on the issue. The strike is about increasing the honorarium for ASHA workers. The word 'honorarium' refers to a gift package, and the governments payment should not be seen as a discretionary gesture to ASHA workers who perform critical preventive health activities in the community, he stated in the article. Congress offers support to ASHA workers, to hold protest marches against Kerala government The article also took aim at Congress leaders visiting the protest venue, suggesting that it had become a selfie point for some individuals to increase their social media presence. Previously, INTUCs state president and president of the All Kerala Pradesh ASHA Workers Congress, R Chandrasekharan, had criticized Congress leaders for supporting the protest by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association. This led to the launch of a parallel protest by the All Kerala Pradesh ASHA Workers Congress. Despite this, the Congress leadership ignored the alternate protest and visited the main protest site to show solidarity with the ASHA workers. In a gesture of support, UDF MLAs boycotted the ministers' responses during a budget discussion on March 20. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan has since called on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to meet with ASHA workers and resolve the ongoing issue.

Intelligence Bureau officer found dead in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:In a suspected case of suicide, an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer was found deadon the Chakka railway trackon Monday. The deceased has been identified as Megha (24), an officer in the immigration wing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Pettah police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Megha had left work after completing her shift on Monday morning. The cause of death remains unclear. Megha is a native of Pathanamthitta. Police arrived at the scene and shifted the body to the hospital for further procedures. (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.)

KSUM-led delegation bags honour at national expo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A startup delegation of the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) hogged the limelight at the 32nd Convergence India Expo, the countrys largest technology and infrastructure event, in New Delhi, by winning a major honour, besides lapping up investment opportunities. A contingent of 24 startups took part in the three-day (March 19 to 21) expo at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, where they held around 30 meetings with investors and 100 potential business discussions. They also showcased their innovations and strengthened the connect with investors and technology leaders present there. Convergence India Expo 2025 is organised by Exhibitions India Group and India Trade Promotion Organisation, the premier trade promotion enterprise of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Agri-tech startup Fuselage Innovations emerged the winner at the Startup Pitch Hub of the expo, qualifying for a fully sponsored exhibition space at Expand North Star Dubai in October and G-Tex Europe in Berlin in May. Kochi-based Fuselage will also get a place at the Super Challenge 2025 Startup Conference in Berlin (June) as well as the Supernova Challenge Pitch in Dubai. Ten startups made it to the final round of the event. Apart from Fuselage, three others were also from from Kerala C-DISC Technologies, Genrobotic Innovations and Inker Robotic Solutions. C-DISC Technologies initiated talks with a Maharashtra-based foundation for marketing expansion. Mojgenie IT Solutions has been roped in for providing their service for an international summit.

Legal action, education must go hand-in-hand to bring change

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dansari Anasuya, the Telangana minister for panchayat raj and rural development, rural water supply, and women and child welfare, was in Thiruvananthapuram to attend the Dalit Progress Conclave. In an interaction with TNIE, she discusses the struggles of marginalised groups and the need for policy changes. The three-time MLA from Mulugu, fondly called Seethakka, also shares her vision for a more inclusive and empowered future. Excerpts How do you see caste discrimination evolving in India? Is it changing? Casteism has existed for centuries. The mindset of our people has been shaped to believe in a hierarchy some are seen as upper caste while others are considered lower caste. Many believe that lower caste people dont deserve equal opportunities. This idea of dominance is ingrained deeply in society. Discrimination exists between people within the same society. But in reality, we are all equal. However, our mindsets are conditioned to think otherwise. Do you think the current government policies are helping dalits and marginalised communities? We do have the SC/ST Atrocities Act, but it is not being implemented effectively. Many who insult or mistreat dalits still go unpunished due to political and social influences. Upper caste individuals who commit caste-based violence or discrimination often escape accountability. Education is important. We must teach children at home and in classrooms that all people are equal. Stronger enforcement of laws is needed. Perpetrators must be punished, and at the same time, we must create awareness through education. Both legal action and education must go hand in hand to bring real change. Dalit leaders hold positions in politics, but do you think their voices are truly heard? Thats the issue. Even when dalit leaders attain positions of power, they continue to face disrespect. In Telangana, for example, a minister recently made a derogatory remark about the Speaker who comes from a marginalised community. Such remarks, especially when made in legislative assemblies, show how deep-seated caste discrimination still is. When a dalit person holds a high office, there is often an attempt to undermine them. Upper caste people assume they alone have the right to power and governance. This mindset has existed for centuries and is now being reinforced in political spaces. Even recently, I was criticised for living in a government-provided official bungalow. The comment was not about the house itself. It was about the belief that only upper caste individuals have the right to such privileges. Despite attempts to educate students on caste issues, why do we still see resentment towards reservation policies? In the past, caste-based suppression was so strong that dalits and other marginalised communities were denied basic education. Today, students sit together in classrooms, but casteism persists. There is a growing trend of discrimination based on caste and religion, which is being fuelled by political interests. Some parties deliberately create divisions for electoral gains. Political entities are using communal and caste-based divides to gain votes, which is dangerous for the future. Dalit and tribal women face double discrimination, in terms of both gender and caste. How can they be uplifted? Education is the most important tool for upliftment. However, marginalised communities still struggle to access quality education. Schools in villages and tribal areas lack resources, while urban private institutions offer better facilities, including computer education and communication training. This disparity in education creates an uneven playing field. While upper caste students gain global knowledge and opportunities, many from dalit and tribal backgrounds struggle with basic literacy. Equal opportunities in education must be ensured, regardless of caste or geography. Only then can we bridge the gap.

Thiruvananthapuram to host programmes to mark World Tuberculosis Day today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George will inaugurate the programmes related to the World Tuberculosis Day and mark the conclusion of the 100-day action plan for TB prevention at Vailoppilli Samskruthi Bhavan Hall in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. V K Prashanth MLA will preside over the event. The programme, scheduled for 12 pm, is jointly organised by the Health Department, National Health Mission, State TB Cell, and District TB Centre. The theme for the World Tuberculosis Day this year is Yes! We can end TB!. In her message, the health minister emphasised that a collective effort is essential to eradicate tuberculosis. She highlighted the various schemes implemented by the health department to combat the disease. As part of TB prevention, a 100-day campaign was organised from December 7 to March 17. This initiative helped increase the TB examination rate from 1,500 to 2,201 per lakh population annually. During this campaign, 81.6 lakh people at high risk of tuberculosis were identified across the state, and by the first week of March, over 75% of them were screened. Detailed tests were conducted on 1,98,101 individuals who showed symptoms. The minister also noted that 5,588 tuberculosis patients were identified, and treatment was promptly ensured. The Central TB Division is granting TB-free status to gram panchayats that meet specific criteria. TB elimination task forces have been established in 83% of Keralas gram panchayats. As a result, 59 panchayats and one municipality in Kerala were declared TB-free in the bronze medal category in 2023. In 2024, 47 of these retained their status and were upgraded to the Silver Medal category. Additionally, 84 new gram panchayats and 7 municipalities became eligible for TB-free status in 2024, receiving the bronze medal in their first year.

Thodupuzha murder rekindles concerns over organised crimes

KOCHI: The murder of a businessman from Thodupuzha on Saturday has brought to light concerns over organised and contract-based attacks by gangs in the state. Despite police claims of implementing strict measures to curb criminal activities, there has been a noticeable rise in cases where listed goons from one area operate in other regions, evading the eyes of law enforcement. Additionally, individuals booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA) continue to participate in illegal activities, often trespassing into restricted areas. We are very much aware and concerned about goondas operating outside their areas of influence, and are making efforts to curb their activities. But, apart from such cross-border activity, organised attacks by criminal gangs are in drastic decline, a top police source said, on condition of anonymity. In the Thodupuzha incident itself, the probe into a fugitive booked under KAAPA ultimately led the police to uncover the murder, after a missing-person case was filed, he said. Responding to the involvement of Edavanakkad, Kochi-based goons in the murder, Kochi city commissioner Putta Vimaladitya said, We are closely monitoring all enlisted goons within the city and tracking them using geo-tagging, by marking their locations on Google Maps. Moreover, we have our eyes on listed goondas and KAAPA accused outside our jurisdiction. However, we can only track them within our limits. How can we possibly monitor someone committing a crime in Kasaragod or Kannur? He pointed out that drug abuse and narcotics trafficking are some key factors fuelling organised crime. All such activities are being closely monitored, he added. According to S Syamsundar, south zone IG, Organised and quotation-based attacks by criminal gangs are usually reported in urban pockets like Kochi, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram. However, these activities are largely under control due to initiatives such as geo-tagging, the invocation of KAAPA, and preventive measures like bind-over orders. If a district has around 800 active goons, criminal gangs typically operate in small groups of around four or five members. Through strict police action, three to four members of each gang are neutralised, either through arrests or legal curbs. As a result, the remaining members are forced to withdraw from illegal activities due to a weakened gang structure, he pointed out. These measures do not yield instant results but require time to take full effect, Syamsundar added. He assured that any goon involved in illegal activities will be swiftly apprehended by police, as law enforcement agencies have access to a centralised database of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems, which enables statewide and nationwide monitoring of offenders. Meanwhile, Fort Kochi sub-collector K Meera said preventive measures and subsequent detention serve as useful precautionary steps, but they are not entirely effective in curbing organised crime. In cases of public nuisance or as a preventive step, we can initiate bind-over proceedings under Sections 126 and 129 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Typically, this involves a bond ranging from one to three years, with a penalty amount between Rs 1-5 lakh. If an individual who is subjected to the bind-over process breaks the act, they will be detained and held accountable for the penalty, potentially leading to the forfeiture of their properties, she explained. Meera elaborated, In such cases, we act as a judicial authority with the powers of a sub-judicial magistrate and can even take suo motu action. However, the ultimate responsibility for controlling criminal activities, including organised and quotation-based attacks, lies with law enforcement agencies.

Change in public mindset must for Dalits social progress: Governor Rajendra Arlekar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The countrys biggest failure even after eight decades of independence is that no one has taken the progress of dalits and backward communities seriously, Governor Rajendra Arlekar said on Sunday. He was inaugurating the one-day Dalit Progress Conclave in Thiruvananthapuram, organised as part of the 15th anniversary celebrations of Ramesh Chennithalas Gandhigramam project. Social progress can only be achieved if the mindset of the people changes. It is because this change has not occurred that the social progress of dalit communities in the country still remains distant. B R Ambedkar was one of the greatest visionaries the country has ever seen. However, his birth anniversary is celebrated only by dalit communities in India. This needs to change. Every Indian should celebrate it, Arlekar said. Presiding over the function, Chennithala pointed out that landlessness is the biggest issue faced by dalit and tribal communities. He said plantations whose lease periods have expired should be reclaimed and distributed to the landless. Over the past 15 years, the Gandhigramam activists have sought to understand the issues faced by dalit colonies by spending every New Year among these communities. The Dalit Conclave is a continuation of this initiative. The opinions emerging from this session will be submitted to the state and Union governments for further action, he said. In his keynote address, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said, with the introduction of KIIFB projects, dalit and tribal communities lost crores of rupees from their allocated funds. He claimed the states dalit and tribal communities have been the biggest victims of the KIIFB initiative implemented by the Left government. He further alleged that by cutting down on allocations, crores of rupees meant for the uplift of these communities were lost. He stressed on the need for a new Kerala model that integrates dalit and tribal communities into the mainstream. Prakash Ambedkar, dalit movement leader and B R Ambedkars grandson, said dalits in India must be freed from mental enslavement. He insisted that funds allocated for dalit development should not be diverted to other purposes and called for a special banking system to support dalit entrepreneurship, suggesting that 95% of loans should be provided with only 5% security. Chidambaram MP Thirumavalavan emphasised that the term dalit is a unifying identity for the oppressed and should not be viewed as derogatory. Such a term is necessary to represent all marginalised communities collectively, he said. Highlighting the historical atrocities faced by dalit and tribal communities, Telangana minister Dansari Anasuya said they had survived these challenges through unity and resilience. The event also honoured Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh who has been elected to Parliament eight times and Padma Shri awardee Lakshmikutti Amma. Gujarat legislator Jignesh Mevani, J Sudhakaran and M R Thampan also addressed the gathering.

Ive been sidelined in Congress due to my caste: MP Kodikunnil Suresh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader and MP Kodikunnil Suresh on Sunday opened up about his grievance of being continuously sidelined within the party due to his dalit identity. The remarks have taken on a political significance amid discussions around leadership change in the party ahead of next years assembly election. I have had to overcome numerous crises and adverse situations in my lifes journey. Perhaps it is because of who I am that I managed to survive and stand here today, Kodikunnil said, speaking at the Dalit Progress Conclave organised by the Gandhigramam Project, initiated by senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala. Chennithala and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan were present on the dais. In an emotionally charged speech, Kodikunnil said he had even faced discrimination in the electoral race from a reserved constituency. During the last Lok Sabha election, a major debate within and outside the Congress was whether Kodikunnil should contest from Mavelikkara. Despite differing opinions within the state unit, he managed to secure an eighth nomination, largely due to his close ties with party president Mallikarjun Kharge. The poor representation of state leaders at his campaign, unlike in other constituencies, was also a point of discussion at the time. Responding to the allegations, Satheesan, in his speech, called Kodikunnil a hardworking Congress leader. He told us that he did not want to contest, but we stood by him. I was the one who insisted that he should contest. Ever since taking up leadership of the party, we have never sidelined him. I have always considered him a dear brother, and he knows that, he said.

BJP central leaderships trust lands Rajeev at helm of partys Kerala unit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The trust that the BJPs central leadership places in entrepreneur-politician Rajeev Chandrasekhar was for all to see as the 60-year-old was raised to the helm of the partys faction-ridden state unit. The crucial state president post is the third assignment in Kerala that the BJP brass has entrusted the suave and articulate former Union minister. In 2016, Rajeev was handpicked as the NDAs Kerala vice chairman with the mission of widening the saffron alliances base in the state. He was instrumental in winning the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) over to the NDA fold. In 2024, he was entrusted with the task of preventing Shashi Tharoor from becoming a four-time Thiruvananthapuram MP. A year after drastically eating into Tharoors victory margin in a keenly watched fight comes Rajeevs third and most crucial assignment of heading the BJP Kerala unit with the dual mission of forging internal unity and significantly expanding its base. Having spent most of his public life in Karnataka, Critics have termed Rajeev an outsider. However, with roots in Kerala, he has intervened in many critical issues of the state and also helped address the grievances of many Malayalis living outside the state. The BJP central leadership believes that entrusting the reins of the party in the hands of a person with a successful entrepreneurial history and a global outlook would draw many educated youth to its fold. The partys ongoing efforts to woo the Christian community is also expected to get a shot in the arm given Rajeevs wider acceptance with hardcore Sangh parivar leaders. Born on May 31, 1964 in Ahmedabad to Air Force officer M K Chandrasekhar and Andavalli Amma, Rajeev did his graduation in electrical engineering from the Manipal Institute of Technology. After completing his masters from the Illinois Institute of Technology in the US, Rajeev completed an advanced management programme from Harvard. After serving as an IT professional for a few years, he married Anju, daughter of BPL group chairman T P G Nambiar. After joining BPL in 1991, he launched its mobile phone division in 1994 which was later merged with a global telecom company. In 2005, he founded the investment firm Jupiter Capital In 2006, he contested as a BJP-backed independent candidate to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. Rajeev, who has been a Rajya Sabha MP for 18 years, secured a berth in the second Narendra Modi government as minister of state for electronics and IT, skill development and entrepreneurship and jal shakti from 2021-24.

Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar to take over as Kerala BJP president

Thiruvananthapuram: BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is likely to become the state president of the saffron party, as he is the sole nominee for the post, party sources said. A formal announcement will be made following the partys state council meeting Monday. BJPs central observer Prahlad Joshi is expected to officially declare []

Water crisis plagues Kazhakoottam as demand and supply gap widens

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Yet another summer is here and Kazhakoottam the rapidly developing IT city continues to grapple with a severe water crisis. According to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), there is a 10 MLD gap in the demand and supply and presently they are ensuring water supply by controlling the valves. Several wards in the Kazhakootam constituency, including Edavacode, Sreekaryam, Chellamangalam, Powdikonam, Chempazhanthy, Njandoorkonam, Mannanthala, Attipra, Kulathoor, Kazhakootam and Kattayikonam, struggles with water crisis. Lack of mini tankers for supplying water to residential areas with road accessibility issues is a major crisis in many areas in Kazhakootam. Chellamangalam ward councillor Gayathri Devi C said that unavailability of mini water tankers is a major challenge. She said that there are many pockets where big tankers cannot reach and the KWA doesnt have long hoses to supply water to such areas. Hundreds of families in my ward are at the receiving end and we have to request for the water a day ahead. The big water tankers are unable to reach these problem areas and they park on the PWD main road. Its a huge stress for families here, said Gayathri Devi. Complaints galore even before the peak summer as the water crisis aggravates in many parts. Around 400 families under the Arasumoodu Residents Association have been struggling with a severe water crisis for years now. We have staged so many protests and now they are supplying water twice a week, said secretary S Gopakumar, Arasumoodu Residents Association. According to KWA, the number of accommodation units is rapidly increasing in Kazhakoottam and there are already around 80 major flats. We are controlling the valves to ensure water supply to Technopark and other major institutions in the region. When the crisis worsens, the corporation will be making arrangements to supply water in tankers for the residents, said an official of KWA. Age-old pipelines and recurring bursts are the main reasons why the KWA is unable to meet the growing demand in Kazhakootam area. It is learned that the pipeline from Peroorkada to Manvila is more than 25 years old and the project to replace the pipeline with new ones got approval back in 2019. A senior official of KWA told TNIE that the Rs 68 crore project has been tendered. The contractor has already placed the order for pipelines and the work will begin immediately, said the official. Owing to apathy and delays in making decisions, the project encountered cost escalation. Growing demand Around 400 families under the Arasumoodu Residents Association have been struggling with a severe water crisis for years The number of accommodation units is rapidly increasing in Kazhakoottam, according to Kerala Water Authority Age-old pipelines and recurring bursts are main reasons why KWA is unable to meet the growing demand in Kazhakootam area

Kerala's Vijayamohini Mill employees begin day-and-night agitation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Joint Trade Union has started Save NTC, a day-and-night agitation in front of the Vijayamohini Mills at Thirumala, in connection with the fifth anniversary of its closure. The agitation has been launched raising various demands which include reopening the mill, clearing pending pay arrears, ensuring ESI and PF coverage, providing working capital to mills under the National Textile Corporation and urgent intervention by the Union ministry of textiles to address employees demands. CITU state vice-president S Pushpalatha inaugurated the strike on Saturday. INTUC state vice-president Johny Jose presided over while Jyothish Kumar of district Mazdoor Sangh delivered the keynote address. Leaders of different political parties and trade unions addressed the agitation. Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan will address the workers at the valedictory function on Sunday. Earlier CITU leader M T Antony wrote to MP A A Rahim to take up textile workers issues in Parliament and before the Union ministry of textiles. Immediate financial assistance should be given to NTC to pay its liabilities. Also a proper plan for its revival and restructuring should be announced, he said. Vijayamohini Spinning Mills employs 400 people directly. The closure of the mill led to unpaid salaries, financial hardship and local struggle with unemployment and financial flow exacerbating the crisis, said Antony.

Literature triumphs when politics fails

Bhubaneswar: Literature triumphs when politics fails, said senior Congress leader, Thiruvananthapuram MP, and noted author Shashi Tharoor, emphasising the power of literature in shaping society. Speaking on the second day of the 11th Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) 2025 Saturday, Tharoor highlighted the role of writers in fostering change and preserving democratic values. During a conversation []

5-month-old under care of Kerala Child Welfare Council dies of breathing issues

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A five-month-old baby, that was under the care of Kerala State Council for Child Welfare (KSCCW), died at SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday morning. On experiencing respiratory issues, the baby was rushed to the hospital for medical care but couldnt be saved. KSCCW general secretary G L Arun Gopi said that the baby had been sick and underwent treatment for the two weeks at SAT Hospital. He had got discharged only a week ago and was kept under special care at the council. This morning, the baby had a cough and experienced a breathing issue. He was immediately taken to SAT and initially kept under observation. However, the issue worsened, following which he was declared dead, said Arun, adding that the exact cause of death can be found only after postmortem examination. This is the second infant death being reported at the Ammathottil this month. Earlier on March 1, a two-month-old baby died because of suspected aspiration. We are yet to get the postmortem report of the baby, said Arun. The Child Council has Ammathottil facilities at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam Malappuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Kasaragod and Kannur. Most of the babies we welcome have weak immunity because of lack of care and breast-feeding. We have a total of 91 caregivers at our facility to take care of the children, said Arun.

Artist Ayilam Unnikrishnan no more

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned Kathaprasangam artist and theatre activist Ayilam Unnikrishnan, 73, passed away on Saturday at 3 pm while undergoing treatment for pneumonia at the Thiruvananthapuram Super Specialty Hospital. The mortal remains will be kept for the public to pay homage at Bharat Bhavan on Tuesday from 10 am, followed by a viewing at his house, Nisha Nivas in Pangappara, from 11.30 am to 3 pm. The funeral will be held at 3.30 pm at Shanthitheeram, Kazhakooottam. Unnikrishnan, who was also a former secretary of the Kumaranasan Memorial in Thonnakkal, began his journey in Kathaprasangam during his time at S N college in Varkala. Inspired by legendary Kathaprasangam artists like V Sambasivan and Kedamangalam Sadanandan, he later became a disciple of Manamboor D Radhakrishnan. He received several accolades, including the Kerala State Award, Sambasivan Award, Kedamangalam Award, Paravur Sukumaran Award, and Edakochi Prabhakaran Award. He is survived by wife Santhanavalli and sons Rajesh, Rakesh and daughter-in-law Devi Rakesh.

Kerala's Bevco explores ad route to generate revenue

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Advertising is more effective when people are relaxed because they are then more likely to believe what ads say, ad gurus aver. If that is true, potential advertisers in Kerala will soon get a mega avenue to advertise their products, where around two lakh people head to every day, looking to lift their dopamine levels. The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco), the state-run monopoly in retail liquor sales, is planning to offer advertisers two options to canvas its customers. One is to publish advertisements on the reverse side of the invoice given to customers at retail outlets. Second is to install LED display walls at outlets. Bevco has already invited expressions of interest (EoI) from agencies and companies interested in advertising on invoices. The bids will be scrutinised and the winners selected by April. We have 282 outlets statewide. Together, they generate around 60 lakh invoices a month. The advertisement revenue will help us cover the billing cost or even more, Bevcos chairman and managing director Harshita Attaluri told TNIE. The invoice is printed on 55 GSM single-colour thermal paper and its reverse side is offered to advertisers. Certain types of advertisements, like those of liquor or other undesirable goods and services, will not be permitted, Attaluri said. The corporation is devising the conditions and deliverables for the second option of installing LED display walls at retail outlets. The project is in a nascent stage. There will be certain conditions, like free display of corporations communication materials including statutory warnings and information for customers. It will be launched at outlets where sufficient space is available, she said. Super premium outlets Bevcos first super premium outlet, modelled on duty-free shops at airports, will come up at Manorama Junction, Thrissur, next month. Others to be launched in the first phase are at Vyttila and Vadakkekotta Metro Station in Ernakulam and Gokulam Mall in Kozhikode. The shops will offer a world class buying experience. Our aim is to open at least one shop in every district, the Bevco CMD said.

Kerala government to dismiss teachers without K-TET in aided schools

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has cracked the whip on aided school managers who have appointed teachers without K-TET qualification after the 2019-20 academic year. K-TET is an examination to assess the quality of teachers from lower primary to high school level in state schools. In a recent circular, the Director of General Education (DGE) said teachers appointed without K-TET qualification after July 15, 2021 the date from which appointments after the 2019-20 academic year are effective will be removed from service. Some aided school managements have appointed teachers without K-TET qualification. On rejection of such appointments, fresh proposals for approval of appointments are submitted by managements from the date of the teachers passing K-TET. Such practices should be curbed, the DGE said. The DGE directed education department officers to disqualify managers who appoint teachers without qualification and to remove such teachers from service. Also, those promoted without K-TET will be reverted. Their promotion will be approved only from the date of passing the qualifying exam, the DGE said. Meanwhile, aided school managements have said that only a small section of managers have made such appointments. We had already directed our members not to appoint teachers without K-TET after 2019-20. As per our estimates, the number of such appointments would not exceed 8-10 in each district, said Nazer Edarikode, state president of Kerala Private (Aided) School Management Association to which over 3,000 schools are affiliated.Aided school teachers have blamed the government for not strictly enforcing the insistence on K-TET for appointment. Numerous extensions have been given for teachers appointed from 2012 to 2020 to qualify K-TET. The management have made use of the lenient attitude of the government to make fresh appointments over the past four years, said Indulal A V, general secretary of Kerala Aided Teachers Association. After giving close to 10 chances for aided teachers appointed in the 2012-2020 period to pass K-TET, the government has set May 2025 as the final deadline for them to clear the exam. According to estimates, close to 2,600 aided school teachers appointed during this period are yet to clear the exam. Meanwhile, there are widespread complaints about the K-TET exam from teachers. The questions in K-TET are far removed from reality and do not assess actual teaching skills, said a teacher.

Fight should be united: Kerala Congress chief at JAC meeting against delimitation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There should be no double standards in the fight for democracy and federalism, said state Congress president K Sudhakaran. In an apparent dig at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over his breakfast meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the KPCC chief said breakfast and dinner diplomacy have no place in such a fight, said Sudhakaran. He was speaking at the Joint Action Committee meeting convened by Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin against delimitation. Addressing the conclave, Sudhakaran said precautions should be taken while taking on governors, who have been appointed with specific targets. Delimitation suits only BJP as it dominates North: Kerala CM says sword of Damocles hanging over South There should be a united fight to protect democracy and federalism. The Congress is always against Fascist approach. It should be opposed with a strong will, not with a half-hearted mind, said Sudhakaran. He added that federalism has been facing major threat under the current administration. Right from the time Modi government assumed office, there were constant attempts to weaken non-NDA governments. Governors are being used to weaken and destabilise these governments, he said. Delimitation: Does India need more MPs?

ASHA workers to stage mass fasting in front of Kerala Secretariat on March 24

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Asha Health Workers Association has scheduled a mass fasting protest in front of the Secretariat on Monday. Their indefinite strike has entered its 41st day, with the hunger strike ongoing for three days. State general secretary M A Bindu, along with Asha workers Sobha M and K P Thangamani, are leading the protest. Asha workers who can join in person will participate in Mondays mass fasting, while others will observe it at local centres or workplaces. Various supporting organisations will also gather at the Secretariat. In a show of support, Arnab, a Class III student from Sarvodaya Central School, Nalanchira, donated his merit scholarship to the association, handing it over to state president V K Sadanandan. Meanwhile, the state government criticised the protest, calling it politically motivated. Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian claimed an organised group was inciting the public, ignoring financial constraints. Speaker A N Shamseer insisted the government has done its best, urging an end to the strike. Higher Education Minister R Bindu questioned why ASHA workers did not raise their concerns with Union Minister Suresh Gopi, but instead sang to him, referencing a film song he had acted in. ASHA workers agitation: Stage set for talks between Veena George, Nadda

Kerala comes out with cost-cutting measures in government offices

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has decided to discontinue office attendant and typist posts in offices where the e-office system is in place. Since digital operations have reduced the need for such roles, vacancies in these positions will only be filled if absolutely necessary and that too on a contract basis. The state government issued these in the new expenditure control orders as part of its financial strengthening measures. The directives are to be implemented immediately as per the order. Another major decision as per the order is to shut down traditional payment counters for government services. With online payment facilities now widely available, maintaining these counters is seen as financially unviable. Employees working in these counters will be reassigned to their respective parent departments. The orders also mandate strict regulations on the use of government vehicles, restrictions on exceeding budget allocations and a reassessment of ongoing projects to discontinue those that are no longer necessary. Also, departments must redeploy idle drivers and limit expenses for seminars and training programmes. All department secretaries and heads have been instructed to ensure compliance with the new directives.

Kerala de-addiction centres see massive influx

KOZHIKODE: Vineetha, a resident of Kurudimukku near Koyilandy, would never have imagined a day when she would send her son away to a de-addiction centre. Her voice trembles as she recounts the heartache of watching her 21-year-old son, once a bright and loving boy, fall into the clutches of drug addiction. We pleaded with him, tried everything, but when he started threatening to kill me and others in our family, I knew it was life or death, she says, holding back tears. I had no choice but to contact a de-addiction centre, she says. Vineethas grief is echoing across Kerala. Parents, overwhelmed by fear and desperation, are turning to rehabilitation centres in huge numbers as drug abuse especially of synthetic substances spirals out of control among the states youth. The de-addiction centres in Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Ernakulam are stretched to their limits. We are running at full capacity, and even have waiting lists now, says Dr Ramesh Pillai, senior psychiatrist at Jeevan De-addiction Centre in Wayanad. Amid threats, woman hands over drug-addict son to police in Kerala According to data with Vimukthi, the de-addiction programme of state excise department, the first two months of 2025 witnessed a staggering 11,174 in-patient cases. Pathanamthitta recorded the highest number of admissions with 1,446 cases, while Kannur had the lowest (183). The out-patient figures were even more shocking 1,38,635 in two months. The most alarming figure, however, is the increasing number of addicts below the age of 18. In the first two months of 2025, 588 minors were sent to rehab centres, a sharp increase from previous years. Psychiatrists call for timely intervention In 2021, 681 minors were admitted to rehabilitation centres, while the figures increased to 1,238 in 2022, and 2,885 cases in 2024. Its an alarming situation. We used to mainly treat people who are in their late twenties and above. But today, were flooded with young adults between 16 and 22 years, says Dr Ramesh Pillai. Wayanad is home to around 15 rehabilitation centres and calls from frantic parents pour in daily. We can only accommodate 50 inmates at a time because we prioritise specialised care, adds Dr Pillai. Joint Excise Commissioner Pradeep V A attributes this surge in admissions to a shift in parental attitude and increased cooperation from educational institutions. Parents are panicking and bringing their children in much earlier, Pradeep tells TNIE.Schools and colleges, which once concealed such issues, are now actively tipping us off. The ganja seizure at Kalamassery Polytechnic is just one example of how deeply this issue has penetrated educational spaces, he says. In the first two months of 2025, Vimukthis counselling centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode received 4,581 direct cases, and its helpline handled over 18,698 calls three times more cases than same period last year. 251 individuals involved in drug peddling arrested in Kerala's Operation D-Hunt Health experts say the rising drug abuse cases is a symptom of a larger social crisis. When I started my career, alcohol was the main issue, says Dr Arun B Nair, professor of Psychiatry at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. Post-Covid, weve seen a sharp rise in synthetic drug abuse. Many of these youngsters are unemployed and socially disconnected. Lack of empathy, patience, and human connection has left them vulnerable. Instant gratification is the new norm when desires arent met, they turn impulsive and reckless, says Dr Arun. Psychiatrists warn that without timely intervention, this generation risks facing severe psychological disorders, criminal tendencies, and irreversible physical health damage. We are no longer dealing with just addiction. We are battling a growing emotional and social disconnect, he says. Meanwhile, parents like Vineetha are left hoping for a miracle. I just want my son to come back home healthy and whole, she says. No mother should have to choose between saving her child and protecting her family, she says. Alarmed by the escalating crisis, the state government has announced plans to expand de-addiction infrastructure and intensify awareness campaigns targeting both parents and the youth through the Vimukthi mission.

Volunteers play guardians as Olive Ridleys return to the Thiruvananthapuram shoreline to lay eggs

Wildlife Trust of India volunteers are bent on protecting around 230 eggs of the turtles, which returned to the districts coast last year after a gap of around 10 years. The group has moved the eggs, which face numerous threats, to a safe place and enlisted local people for their safekeeping

Coral patches on reef off Thiruvananthapuram coast point to need for proper seabed biodiversity survey

Kerala CM warns of sword of Damocles over delimitation, calls move politically driven

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has warned that the Union Governments proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies could drastically reduce the representation of southern states in Parliament , punishing them for successfully implementing population control policies. Speaking at the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting in Chennai on Saturday, Vijayan warned that the delimitation process was being pushed forward without consultation and described it as a sword of Damocles hanging over southern states. The Union Governments actions, from fiscal policies to language policies to cultural policies and now even the fixation of representation, are destabilising Indias federal system and democratic framework. This cannot be allowed to pass, he said. Pinarayi stressed that federalism was not a privilege granted by the Union but a constitutional right of the states. Our collective resistance is not just about seats; it is a fight to preserve Indias soul as a diverse and inclusive democracy, he said. Unfair delimitation politically weakens states, undermines democracy: TN CM Stalin at JAC meeting The chief minister alleged that the BJP-led Union Government was moving ahead with delimitation without consultation, driven by political motives rather than democratic principles. If delimitation is undertaken after the Census, northern states will see a large increase in seats, while southern states will face a significant reduction. This benefits the BJP, which holds greater influence in the north. If representation is determined purely by population, Kerala and other southern states will suffer, despite having responsibly controlled population growth since 1973, he said. Our states are now being punished precisely for our sincere implementation of the National Population Policy of 1976, he continued. The Union Government once praised us for achieving population control targets, yet now, the same government is penalising us by reducing our political representation and financial allocations. He noted that Keralas share of central tax revenues had already been reduced, citing a drop from 3.875 per cent during the 10th Finance Commission to 1.925 per cent in the 15th Finance Commission. Effective population control leads to increased public health spending, but while devolving funds, no special consideration is given to states that bear this financial burden, Pinarayi argued. If our parliamentary representation is further reduced while our share of the nations wealth continues to decline, we will face an unprecedented situation where both our rightful share of funds and our political voice to demand them diminish simultaneously, he said. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, and Punjab have now united in protest. The Kerala CPM stated that this meeting, called by M.K. Stalin, marks the beginning of a coordinated resistance. Pinarayi warned that the proposed delimitation could lead to a centralisation of power that undermines Indias federal character. The current effort at delimitation disrupts the balance between the Union and the States, disproportionately empowering those that failed to implement national policies like population control. States that prioritised education, healthcare, and gender equity will be penalised for their progressive choices, discouraging future human development initiatives, he said. He cited constitutional and historical precedents supporting federalism. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar warned against the tyranny of the majority, and the Sarkaria Commission reaffirmed that federalism is not a mere administrative arrangement but a fundamental feature of the Constitution. Ignoring these principles revives colonial-era centralisation, which history has shown to be detrimental to Indias unity, he said. Highlighting the broader impact of the proposed changes, Pinarayi emphasised that Indias strength lies in its cultural and linguistic diversity. Our cultural and linguistic diversities are assets that strengthen our nation. Keralas Kudumbashree initiative, which empowered millions of women, and Tamil Nadus mid-day meal scheme, are state-led innovations that became templates for the entire country. Centralising power will stifle such localised solutions, he said. He criticised the Union Government for failing to clarify whether the pro-rata distribution of seats would be based on the current strength of Parliament or population figures. The Union Government must alleviate our concerns. It is their responsibility to refrain from unilateral measures and uphold democracy and federalism, he said. Pinarayi concluded by calling for consensus before proceeding with delimitation. We must ensure that the delimitation exercise retains our current proportional share of parliamentary seats. This meeting lays a strong foundation for the Joint Action Committee, which will take forward our collective stand at the national level, he said.

251 individuals involved in drug peddling arrested in Kerala's Operation D-Hunt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of Operation D-Hunt, 251 people were arrested in a statewide crackdown on March 20. A total of 2,765 individuals suspected of involvement in drug sales were subjected to checks and registered 236 cases. The seized substances included 38.756 grams of MDMA, 24.683 kg of cannabis, and 168 cannabis-laced beedis. The operation was aimed at identifying and taking strict legal action against those involved in drug storage and distribution. The initiative was carried out under the direct supervision of the ADGP of the law and order wing. Police invoke SAFEMA against drug peddler in Kerala, confiscate assets A 24-hour Anti-Narcotics Control Room is in place to receive information from the public about drug-related activities. Authorities have assured that all informants' details will be kept confidential. To strengthen the crackdown on drug trafficking, the state-level Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Cell and NDPS Coordination Cell are working in coordination with range-level intelligence units. Kerala police zoom in on 25 dark web drug traffickers Amid threats, woman hands over drug-addict son to police in Kerala

'Meeting against delimitation coincides with AKG's death anniversary': Kerala CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the joint action committee meeting on the issue of Lok Sabha constituency delimitation was being held in Chennai coinciding with the 48th death anniversary of CPI(M) stalwart A K Gopalan, popularly known as AKG. Vijayan, in a Facebook post, said that AKG's struggles to protect constitutional values are part of India's history and his memory will give strength to the ongoing fight to protect the federalism of the country and the rights of the states. The CM is presently in Chennai for the meeting called by his counterpart M K Stalin against the central government's move to carry out a parliamentary constituency delimitation. Vijayan had earlier termed the Centre's move as unilateral and hasty. In his Facebook post, the Kerala CM also recalled AKG's socio-political contributions. Vijayan said that AKG led the fight against various evil practices, displacement of people and all kinds of denial of rights. He strongly spoke in the Lok Sabha against the Emergency that undermined the Constitution and made Parliament a platform for struggle against the erosion of democracy, he said in his post. Vijayan said that it was AKG's work and organisational capacity that made a place for the Left party in the people's hearts.

ASHA workers agitation: Stage set for talks between Veena George, Nadda

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid controversy over Health Minister Veena Georges Delhi trip, the meeting with Union Health Minister J P Nadda is likely to happen next week. The Union minister announced his availability for the meeting, in Delhi. The state minister had sought an appointment with the Union minister to discuss various issues including the ASHA workers issue. The controversy surrounding the unsuccessful attempt by Veena George to meet Union health minister continued to stir debate even after her return to the state on Friday morning. Veena George blamed certain media outlets for spreading misinformation about the purpose of her visit to Delhi. I never disclosed my intentions about the Delhi trip to anyone. What I mentioned was that I would meet the Union minister within a week. In Delhi, I told the media that if I couldnt secure an appointment that day, I would arrange a meeting on another suitable day, said Veena George. She further defended her actions, explaining, There was nothing wrong in trying to meet the Union minister during my trip, especially when ASHA workers are on strike. This comment was in response to allegations that she had gone to Delhi to meet representatives of the Cuban government. Meanwhile, the hunger strike by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association entered its second day, although they chose to stay out of the ongoing controversy. ASHA workers' hunger strike enters second day, Minister Veena George defends Delhi trip ASHA workers blockade Secretariat, demand honorarium hike and benefits The minister knows best about arranging meetings with the Union minister. Let there be discussions. Our focus is on finding a solution to our demands. We have made basic requests that the state government can easily implement, said M A Bindu, general secretary of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association. Representatives from the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association, including Bindu, state committee member R Sheeja, and Thiruvananthapuram district committee member Thankamani are participating in the hunger strike. Sheeja became unwell and the police shifted her to the General Hospital on Friday evening. Former Union minister V Muraleedharan, Kerala Latin Catholic Womens Association representative Jain Ansil Francis, Mahila Congress state vice-president R Lakshmi, and Secretariat action council convener M S Irshad visited the protesters. In another development, ASHA Workers Federation, affiliated to CITU, also launched a protest against the Central Government, demanding that ASHA workers be recognised as regular employees, with their honorarium raised to `26,000. Fedeartion general secretary P P Prema said protest marches towards Central government offices were held at 15 locations in the state. ASHA workers launch hunger strike; Oppn boycotts House in solidarity

Kerala police zoom in on 25 dark web drug traffickers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police have identified 25 people, mostly Keralites, who are engaged in drug trafficking through dark web. The cyber division and the technical intelligence wing had launched the drive to identify the drug traffickers operating via dark web an encrypted portion of the internet that cannot be indexed by search engines and require special software and tools to access it after detecting a surge in such illegal transactions in the cyber space. The police had found that drug traffickers were actively scouting for buyers on dark web sites. Sources said cyber sleuths found that the dark web drug traffickers operated not just from Kerala but from various South Indian cities, including Bengaluru, as well. Most of the men identified were found to be IT professionals or tech-savvy youths, from affluent backgrounds, said a highly-placed source. On the basis of the dark web patrolling, the police have so far arrested some of the 25 identified traffickers. Majority of those identified transacted via bank accounts In cases where the traffickers are stationed outside the state, the details have already been shared with the respective state police units for further action, said sources. Compared to the old-fashioned ways of peddling, which is risky as the anonymity of traffickers can easily be blown off, the dark web sale is considered safer. There are no physical interactions between the buyers and the sellers, and hence, its difficult to identify the traffickers. In the dark web, both sellers and buyers post information about availability and requirement of drugs. Once the deal is fixed and money transferred, the contraband is delivered at the doorsteps via courier, the source said. All but one of the 25 drug traffickers identified transacted through their bank accounts. In one case, a crypto currency was used. A majority of them seem to have lowered their guard a bit to lure new customers and took the cash through payment apps, the source said. The traffickers, the source said, could have sourced the drugs from abroad as well as from domestic rackets that store the contraband in large quantities. However, the identified online peddlers were found supplying only a moderate quantity of drugs to their customers, the source added. After analysing the online and offline trafficking, we have understood that large drug shipments are not coming to Kerala. Its a portion of the consignment thats stored somewhere else which makes its way to the state, the source said.

Trains, courier services now key routes for narcotics smuggling in Kerala

KOZHIKODE: A recent joint analysis by the states excise and police departments has raised serious concerns over the sharp rise in drug trafficking via trains and courier services, which are now being identified as primary conduits for smuggling narcotics into the state. Data reveals that drug seizures on trains have shot up dramatically this year. In 2024, authorities seized 559 kg of narcotics worth approximately Rs 2.85 crore from trains operating within Kerala. However, in just the first two months of 2025, 421 kg of drugs valued at Rs 2.16 crore were intercepted, signalling a worrying trend. This surge is unprecedented, a senior officer with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) said. Nearly 75% of the amount of narcotics seized in the whole of 2024 was confiscated in just January and February of this year. We have arrested 31 individuals acting as carriers, and investigations suggest a well-coordinated network operating across state lines. The figures currently available pertain solely to the Thiruvananthapuram railway division, hinting at the possibility of even larger trafficking operations across other divisions in the state. Police invoke SAFEMA against drug peddler in Kerala, confiscate assets Kerala police zoom in on 25 dark web drug traffickers According to Navin Prasath, assistant security commissioner, RPF, As the illegal transportation of drugs and narcotic substances through trains is on the rise, RPF Palakkad division has formulated a multi-layered enforcement plan in collaboration with government railway police (GRP), excise and local police. Surveillance cameras have been installed at key railway stations in the division and are being monitored 24x7. The vulnerability of trains is being analysed and frequent random luggage checks are conducted by RPF personnel in association with other law-enforcement agencies. We have procured a sniffer dog who is being trained for deployment at major railway stations and key transit points. The special squad is analysing suspicious booking of tickets by former convicts and effective intelligence sharing is being carried out between RFP, GRP, excise and local police, he added. RPF officials attribute the spike to increased vulnerability of passenger and cargo trains. Trains, due to their connectivity and high volume of passengers, have become soft targets of smugglers. We have intensified checks, deployed additional personnel, and are using sniffer dogs and surveillance technologies to stem the flow, the officer added. Excise officials expressed similar concern over courier services especially unregulated and illegal operators who function beyond the purview of existing transport laws being exploited by drug syndicates. In January and February alone, over 50 kg of ganja smuggled through courier services were seized following tip-offs. Amid threats, woman hands over drug-addict son to police in Kerala

BJP next state president by Monday; Jacob Thomas among the probables

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending all uncertainties, the BJP central leadership has started the process of electing a new state president for its Kerala unit by issuing a circular. As per the circular, central election officer Pralhad Joshi will receive the nomination for the post on Sunday. The state leaders are clueless about who will be the next president. However, party sources said that, in all likelihood the national leadership might choose a fresh face to lead the party for the next local body and assembly elections which are crucial. Former police chief Jacob Thomas is being considered as a favourite for the post. If the national leadership goes by its earlier decision, the party will have its first-ever Christian president. He has a 60:40 chance. But this is BJP. No one knows what will happen next? There are also chances that the national leadership will go for a more experienced leader, a senior BJP leader told TNIE. As per the election process, the national leadership would ask the leader whom it finds suitable to be the next president to file the nomination. As a cadre party, usually there would not be any contenders. The new president will be announced on Monday at a meeting of around 2,000 leaders including district presidents, secretaries, state council and state committee members, state office- bearers and mandalam presidents. The meeting will be held at Udaya Palace Convention Centre at 11.30. According to party sources, former president V Muralidharan had expressed his inconvenience to hold the post when the discussions to select a new president started. Though the central leadership approached former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, he also conveyed his inconvenience. This leaves incumbent president K Surendran, and senior leader M T Ramesh as frontrunners. If the leadership decides to choose a woman as the next president, Shobha Surendran has an edge though majority of leaders have reservations about her. K Surendran has been holding the president post for five years. As the national leadership postponed the election process in view of the last LS election, his term extended to two more years. Since an individual can hold the post of president for two successive terms within a three-year period, he has another term left. He also has a chance to hold the post again. However, the national leadership had changed all state presidents who completed five years, another BJP leader told TNIE. It was under Surendrans leadership that BJP won the first parliament seat in the state and increased its vote share by over 19%.

Theyyam takes centre stage at Ayiravalli temple

Fire has several possibilities: it can express intense emotions, display raw power, serve as a cleansing act and bear witness to events rooted in the soil, the soul, logic, and ancient tales. Its sheer fieriness itself sets a mystic mood. And when this fire takes centre stage, the dance of the Theyyam assumes divine proportions and the aura is surreal. Thiruvananthapurams Ayiravalli temple premises at Karumom witnessed such a spectacle on March 20 when the Kandanar Kelan and Wayanadan Kulavan Theyyam was staged here as part of the shrines annual festival in an event titled Theeyyaatu Mahotsavam. Theyyam performance Like every Theyyam story, this too has roots running deep into the lands psyche. It tells of Kelan, who lost his life in a raging fire that consumed the surrounding forest. He was later revived by Wayanadan Kulavan, the son of Shiva, who had been entrusted with the task of collecting an intoxicating drink from the palm trees for the deity. Kulavan brings Kelan back to life and elevates him to the position of a deity. Rameshan Peruvannan and his team from Payyanur have been staging this Theyyam for generations, and 22 of them told the story to the masses who assembled at the rustic premises of the Ayiravalli temple. This temple itself is known for its unique ritualistic traditions. The presiding deity is Arjuna, and the Dheevara community, which has been overseeing its management, practices the Kauleya (Shaivite) tantric tradition setting the perfect stage for the performances. Our worship system is unique; its not about mantras or priests, but rather gestures and austerities. For instance, if the person designated to perform the pooja is unavailable, I can step in, provided I know the proper rituals. So, there is no particular caste or creed that holds significance here, says Manoj B, president of the shrine management. It is due to the democratisation of traditions that the temple decided to host Theyyam here. The shrine management partnered with Gotheertham, a community that was formed in 2019 to promote ritual arts. Our community wants to promote ritualistic arts across Kerala, and have decided to concentrate on making Theyyam a regional art rather than its current localised nature, says Navaneeth Bahuleyan, who is part of Gotheertham. They are committed to retaining the authenticity of Theyyam, which has sometimes been questioned in performances outside its traditional setting. A few years ago, the capital city hosted a Theyyam performance as part of a temple festival, but it was met with skepticism by viewers, who felt it lacked the true essence of Theyyam from the local kavu. While Theyyam has been performed across the country and even abroad, its often staged as a tourist attraction. Many of these performances are carried out by individuals trained in institutions. Theyyam, however, is a tradition passed down through generations. It should be taught and learned from the community, says Navaneeth. For instance, he continues, the Wayanadan Kulavan is typically performed by members of the Theeya community. To preserve its authenticity, we invited one such family that prepares Theyyam artists from the Vannan community. The team performed after the inaugural ceremony attendedby the CPI(M) state secretary and Taliparamba MLA M V Govindan, and music director and composer Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri Once the ritual began with the Thottampaatu (a song that introduces the plot) and other formalities of the art, the performers fully immersed themselves in the sacred display, which prominently featured fire. Several pyres were prepared, and the Theyyam performers dove into them, emerging from the flames. The fires were then combined into a single large pyre. The ritual dance continued through the night, with locals gathered in prayerful awe. We are committed to popularising this art in every way possible. We plan to organise more such performances in shrines, where Theyyam is traditionally performed, says Navaneeth. With this commitment, the temple festival season (from February to May) can expect to see more Theyyam performances in Thiruvananthapuram in the years to come.

Bee attack at the Thiruvananthapuram Collectorate sparks safety concerns and ecological debate

Forest officials have voiced concerns about the ecological impact of destroying the natural ecosystems of honey bees that play a vital role as pollinators.

Thiruvananthapuram inching closer to garbage-free status, says Health standing committee chairperson

Thiruvananthapuram corporation council meet calls for speeding up remaining work before the declaration of the city as garbage free by the end of this month. The declaration requires the local bodies to first satisfy 13 guidelines, including the setting up of at least one material collection facility.

Summer Specials to operate between Mumbai LTT and Thiruvananthapuram

ASHA workers' hunger strike enters second day, Minister Veena George defends Delhi trip

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy surrounding the failed attempt by Keralas Health Minister Veena George to meet Union Health Minister JP Nadda continued to stir debate even after her return to the state on Friday morning. Minister George blamed certain media outlets for spreading misinformation about the purpose of her visit to Delhi. I never disclosed my intentions about the Delhi trip to anyone. What I mentioned was that I would meet the Union Minister within a week. In Delhi, I told the media that if I couldn't secure an appointment that day, I would arrange a meeting on another suitable day, said Veena George. She further defended her actions, explaining, There was nothing wrong with trying to meet the Union Minister during my trip, especially when ASHA workers are on strike . This comment was in response to allegations that she had gone to Delhi to meet representatives of the Cuban government. Meanwhile, the hunger strike by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association entered its second day, although they chose to stay out of the ongoing controversy. The minister knows best about arranging meetings with the Union Minister. Let there be discussions. Our focus is on finding a solution to our demands. We have made basic requests that the state government can easily implement, said MA Bindu, General Secretary of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association. ASHA workers launch hunger strike; Oppn boycotts House in solidarity ASHA workers blockade Secretariat, demand honorarium hike and benefits The CITU, which has been critical of the ASHA workers protest, also launched a protest against the Central Government, demanding that ASHA workers be recognized as regular employees, with their honorarium raised to Rs 26,000. They marched towards the Post Master Generals office in Thiruvananthapuram in support of this cause. Opposition UDF MLAs criticized Health Minister Veena George for allegedly misleading the ASHA workers ahead of their hunger strike by promising a meeting with the Union Minister. Despite her efforts to arrange a meeting through her office and the Resident Commissioner in Delhi, she was unable to meet Nadda. On Wednesday, the Health Minister held an unsuccessful meeting with the ASHA workers. Although the government acknowledged the validity of their demands, no progress was made on key issues such as raising the monthly honorarium to Rs 21,000 and providing retirement benefits of Rs 5 lakh. With no tangible outcome, the ASHA workers rejected the Health Ministers appeal to end their strike. The ASHA workers, who have been protesting in front of the Secretariat for the past 40 days, began a relay hunger strike on their 39th day of protest . State will raise wages of ASHA workers if Centre chips in: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

State will raise wages of ASHA workers if Centre chips in: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has told the LDF leadership that though the state government has financial constraints, it is ready to increase the honorarium for ASHA workers if the Union government increases the incentive. He told the LDF meeting held at AKG Centre on Thursday that the programme is a Centre-state joint project and the state government has sent Health Minister Veena George to New Delhi for holding talks with Centre. In the meeting, the CPI and RJD asked the chief minister to resolve ASHA workers issue through dialogue. The issue was first raised by Varghese George of RJD in the meeting which met to finalise the LDF governments fourth-year celebrations. Varghese reminded the LDF leadership that the front has progressed through protests for the rights of the people. The government must initiate a dialogue with the ASHA workers and consider their demands, he said. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam supported the demand of the RJD representative and also asked the CM to initiate steps for a dialogue with the ASHA workers. Talks fail, ASHA workers to begin indefinite fast on March 20 Earlier, the CPI Executive held at MN Smarakam on the same day, raised its concern over the continuing protest of ASHA workers. Members pointed out that though the government is unable to consider the demand to raise the honorarium because of economic constraints, the protesters demands are genuine. SUCI which is supporting the protest might be trying to take a political advantage out of the issue. However, the media and opposition are supporting them. Since the media considers SUCI as a Left organisation they are supporting the former against the government. The issues raised by the protesters could not be resolved easily. However, it does not mean that the government could ignore the issue, some leaders reportedly said. Meanwhile, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam told the meeting that since it is an issue of labourers, the AITUC has been asked to look into it. He said he had personally requested the chief minister to resolve the issue. UDF-LDF clash over anganwadi workers strike ASHA workers launch hunger strike; Oppn boycotts House in solidarity

ASHA workers launch hunger strike; Oppn boycotts House in solidarity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Further pressurising the government, ASHA workers have initiated a relay hunger strike in front of the Secretariat, marking the 39th day of their ongoing protest. Representatives from the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association, including state general secretary M A Bindu, state committee member R Sheeja, and Thiruvananthapuram district committee member Thankamani, have volunteered to participate in the hunger strike. Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George, who was in Delhi for a pre-scheduled meeting with Cuban government representatives, was unable to meet with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda. Despite efforts made through her office and the resident commissioner of the state in Delhi, the meeting did not take place. This sparked criticism from ASHA workers, who accused the minister of misleading them by creating the false impression that she was taking urgent steps to address the issue. In response, the minister clarified that she had made another attempt to secure an appointment and that the meeting would occur once the Union minister granted it. In a show of solidarity, UDF MLAs boycotted the ministers response during a discussion on budget grants. Led by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, the MLAs marched from the Martyrs Column in Palayam to the protest site to express their solidarity with the strike. Satheesan announced the boycott decision, explaining that it was in response to the treasury benches attempts to interrupt his speech on the ASHA workers issue in the assembly. The protest by ASHA workers is reaching a critical point, yet it is being treated with disdain by the ruling party MLAs, including the ministers, Satheesan said. Therefore, we have decided to boycott the ministers response. He also reiterated his demand for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to meet with ASHA workers and resolve the issue. Earlier, former KSDMA member and activist K G Thara inaugurated the hunger strike, criticising the governments indifference to the plight of ASHA workers. The government will face criticism for leaving ASHA workers in the rain. They attempted to undermine this protest, which is shameful for any democratic government, she said. Former KPCC president V M Sudheeran and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala visited ASHA workers earlier in the day. On Wednesday, the health minister had a failed meeting with ASHA workers.

UDF-LDF clash over anganwadi workers strike

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ongoing agitation by a section of anganwadi workers demanding better pay had a domino effect in the assembly as well, as the ruling and opposition engaged in a heated exchange over the matter. Moving the notice for adjournment motion, Muslim League MLA Najeeb Kanthapuram said the state government was forcefully trying to stop the protest without showing any leniency to the women agitators. He raised political tempers saying that if the LDF government had absolute power, it would have run tanks over the agitators as happened in Tiananmen Square in China. The treasury bench exploded in anger as Najeeb trained his guns on Health Minister Veena George, who was absent, and asked how many protests she had been part of. Law Minister P Rajeeve questioned the rationale of making such personal remarks and responded that late PM Manmohan Singh never took part in any protests. Despite that he was respected by all. He said despite being a central-sponsored scheme, the state was paying 80% of anganwadi workers honorarium. He said steps are being taken to disburse the honorarium, which is now coming in three phases, by fifth of every month. He added that the state provides Rs 12,500 for workers with 10 years of experience and Rs 13,000 for further experienced. Helpers receive Rs 8,500 for 10 years of service and those having more service get Rs 9,000, he maintained. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan in his walkout speech said the anganwadi workers and helpers were being paid meagre amount and they were forced to spend from that pittance to purchase necessary items and pay electricity bills. He said by questioning the right of the workers to protest, the CPM has become a capitalist force rather than a party of workers. Satheesan also turned his ire towards the chair and accused Speaker A N Shamseer of doing little to protect the speech of UDF members. Talks fail, ASHA workers to begin indefinite fast on March 20

Around 700 government officials under vigilance scanner for corruption

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 700 government officials are under the scanner of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on charges of corruption. Of these, 200 have been included in the officers of dubious integrity (ODI) list, highly placed sources told TNIE. The 200 officials had investigations carried out against them in the past, only to wriggle out of the predicament. The remaining 500 officials faced no such action, but vigilance had received multiple tip-offs on their involvement in graft. Sources said that most of the officials who were arrested in sting operations featured in the list that vigilance sleuths had prepared. TNIE could not ascertain the department-wise or district-wise number of officials in the list, but according to sources most of the tainted officials were from the revenue department, followed by the local self-government department, the water authority, and police. Sources said those included in the ODI list had been the subject of inquiries in the past. Some of them were the subject of sting operations, but owing to various reasons they managed to evade detection. There were many complaints and some of them were subjected to sting operations. But they managed to give cops the slip. Those people feature prominently on our radar, a vigilance officer said. Regarding the remaining 500 officials, there have been strong inputs suggesting their involvement in graft. But due to lack of complaints they have not been not investigated into. But we treat them as suspects and are closely watching them, the officer added. VACB has arrested 23 government officials this year for taking bribes. The number of tainted officers arrested last year was 39. A senior vigilance officer attributed the increase in arrests to improved cooperation of the public. Earlier, there was this tendency of delaying services to people who register complaints with vigilance. That prevented people from reaching out to us. We took special care to do away with that practice. Now, we have made provision to ensure that those who raise complaints are not denied the services they are entitled to, the officer added. VACB has also broken with its tradition of not going after tainted central government officials, with three arrested so far this year.

Thamarassery mosque committees take hardline approach to drug abuse

KOZHIKODE: In a powerful show of community resolve, mosque committees in Thamarassery, a usually quiet and tightly-knit region of Kozhikode district, have drawn a line: Anyone caught dealing or abusing drugs will be cast out, socially and spiritually. The move comes as the region reels from a spate of violent crimes linked to drug abuse. Two chilling murders one in which a young man, P Ashik, allegedly hacked his mother to death in Puthupady, and the other in which Yasir allegedly murdered his wife Shibila in Eengappuzha were the final straw. Both crimes, police said, were rooted in drug abuse. This is no longer just about individual cases, its about protecting the very fabric of our society. We cant allow drug culture to destroy families and community values, said a committee member who wished to remain anonymous. The initiative has begun gaining momentum across Thamarassery. Many mosques in the region have taken a proactive role in combating the growing drug menace. Islamic preachers, or Khateebs, have been addressing the issue during daily and Friday prayers. Everyday, during prayers, we hear Khateebs reminding us how addiction is tearing our youth and families apart, said a worshipper, adding, They are even visiting homes, speaking to families about the damage the drugs are causing. In 2023, the Beemapally Muslim Jamaath Committee in Thiruvananthapuram had taken an equally firm stance, banning drug offenders from the community for 10 years and imposing Rs 50,000 as fine. Even those offering legal support to the accused faced sanctions. Despite initial warnings, many members ignored the message. So, we had to escalate the penalties, said M K M Niyas, the committees general secretary. In 2022, the Padannakkad Ansarul Islam Jamaath Committee in Kasaragod had also cracked down on drug-related offences after noticing a resurgence of drug mafia. The committee expelled several members and announced that youths caught in drug-related crimes would be barred from marriage approval within the community and also denied post-burial rites. In Thamarassery, locals view the mahals latest decision as a necessary, if sombre, intervention to protect future generations. It is painful, but we cant sit idle while drugs ruin our people, said another committee member. The message is clear: The community is ready to prioritise collective well-being over individual leniency. Other mahals in the region said they too will soon be making similar announcements.

Meet the Devis

P G Deepamol, ambulance driver Lifesaver on wheels P G Deepamol made history in 2023 as Keralas first woman ambulance driver. She took up professional driving to support her family, but its also her passion. In 2021, she even completed a solo motorcycle journey from Kottayam to Ladakh. V J Joshitha, cricketer Gamechanger Hailing from a small village in Kalpetta, Wayanad, Joshithas cricketing career began early when she was selected for the Kerala Cricket Associations Krishnagiri Cricket Academy while studying in Class 6. She etched her name in history as the first woman from Kerala to be part of an India U-19 World Cup winning team this year. Team Ezha Heritage guardians Swathy Subramanian, Savita Rajan, and Ritu Sara Thomas co-founded Ezha, a heritage conservation and architectural design consultancy committed to creating sustainable, culturally rich spaces by reviving traditional knowledge systems. Their work has earned prestigious accolades, including the Unesco Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation (2023), the IIA Kerala State Golden Leaf Award, and the India Design ID Honours 2025. Usha Nangiar, Koodiyattam artist Art to heart Usha P K, better known as Usha Nangiar, is a beacon of Kerala traditional arts. Born into the Kuzhupilli Nambiar family of Mizhavu performers, she specialises in Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu. Trained by legends, she has spent decades performing and conducting workshops worldwide. Sheela Kochouseph, entrepreneur Sartorial queen Sheela Kochouseph founded VStar Creations in 1995, starting with ethnic wear and expanding into lifestyle apparel and innerwear. Today, the brand has a significant presence in south India and the Middle East. Sheela started the Women Entrepreneurs Network (WEN) to guide aspirants. R N Rejitha, CRMG crane operator Graceful dexterity R N Rejitha is an ace CRMG crane operator at Vizhinjam Port. She is part of a nine-member team of women managing these massive cranes for container operations a first in India. Rejitha is a powerful example of empowerment in the maritime industry. Sister Roselin Chirayil, founder of Snehatheeram Poornima Indrajith, actor & designer Creative couturier A prominent name in the film industry, Poornima Indrajith ventured into fashion in 2013 with the launch of her couture label Pranaah. Passionate about reviving Kerala handlooms, she blends tradition with modernity. One of her handloom creations stole the spotlight at the recent Oscars. Sreekumari Ramachandran, author Write angle Sreekumari Ramachandran is a bilingual writer with an repertoire of 40 books on diverse subjects. She gained wide recognition for her English translation of Aithihyamala. She has worked with Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, and heads the Kerala Chapter of Indian Society of Authors. Latha K, chef Culinary celebrity Hailing from a small village in Kozhikode, Latha Ks culinary journey is as remarkable as her flavours. A hotel management graduate, she honed her skills in top restaurants across India and beyond. Now, as master chef at Malabar Cafe, Grand Hyatt Kochi, she preserves and elevates Kerala culinary traditions. Maya Mohan, educator Teaching right Maya Mohan is a distinguished educator and recipient of the National Award for Best Teacher. In 2016, she founded Tattwa Centre of Learning, Kochi, a micro-school dedicated to personalised education and skill development. Earlier, she served as principal of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Vaduthala. V P Suhara, social activist and writer Champion of justice V P Suhara has dedicated nearly five decades fighting for womens rights, especially Muslim womens empowerment in Kerala. She founded NISA in 1997, advocating gender justice. As a writer, Suhara provides a voice for countless women facing systemic oppression. Sister Roselin Chirayil, founder of Snehatheeram Angel of mercy Moved by the suffering of the mentally ill while working in mental health centres and Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Sister Roselin founded Snehatheeram Charitable Society in 2002. The organisation rehabilitates individuals by offering a home, medical care, and compassion. Sudhamma Chandran, forest guide Bridging worlds Sudhamma Chandran arrived in Thattekad as a young bride, fearful of the dense forest surrounding her new home. Now, 54 years later, she leads visitors into the same wilderness. A cancer survivor and widow, Sudhamma won the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award in 2023.

Household debt in India increasing alarmingly, affecting savings: Economist Pinaki Chakraborty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Global debt, both public and private, has increased manifold during the last decade which poses a serious threat even to the existence of common people across the globe, said Pinaki Chakraborty, eminent economist and former director of NIPFP. Delivering Professor I S Gulati centenary lecture on the third day of the International conference on 'Rethinking public Finance for Emerging development challenges', he said that the total global debt increased in recent times to 237 per cent of the world GDP. The total debt of individual households had increased to 94 per cent of the GDP. The huge increase in household debt in India is alarming and creates serious issues in the development and investment of the country. He said that the total household debt in India during 2010-11 was 8 per cent of GDP and has now edged up to 37 per cent which is quite annoying. According to him, the sizable increase in private debt in turn affects the size of financial savings in India. The accruing debt is a serious concern and this may create big problems to banking and financial institutions. The net financial savings had plummeted during the last few years, he added. Is the Everything Bubble bursting and is another Great Depression looming? He also said that the volume of direct benefit transfer has dropped in India although governments are increasing budgetary allocations to social security measures. This has dropped from 20 per cent to 15 per cent during the last five years . Another pressing issue, according to him, is the unprecedented increase in the level of inequality in the global economy . The divide is expanding in inter country and inter personal levels, he said. Dr. Thomas Issac, former Finance Minister of Kerala said that development issues would not be discussed fruitfully without reducing international disparity. He said that developed and rich countries are keeping away from global issues like climate change which put added pressure on developing and poor nations. Poor nations are suffering heavily due to the pressing issues like climate change. Former Finance Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Haseeb A Dabru said that federalism in India needs sharp changes beyond just sharing of tax income. Federalism is not mere sharing of tax revenue. The federal structure must change accordingly which recognises the dignity and income sources of states. All the regulating systems in the country are under the control of the central government. This is causing excessive pressure on states. This should change. The opinion of the states should be taken in terms of deciding monetary policy. He suggested that the Reserve Bank needs to be reorganized in the model of the Federal Reserve in the USA. India emerging from valley of gloom, but economic nirvana will have to wait Professor Nanak Kakwani, Professor Jayati Ghosh, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor Sushil Khanna, Professor M. Suresh Babu, Director of Madras Institute of Development Studies and Professor K.J Joseph, director, GIFT also spoke on the occasion. Dr Haseeb A Dabru, former Finance Minister, Jammu and Kashmir and Dr. Thomas Issac chaired Professor I S Gulati centenary lecture on 'A perspective on Fiscal Prudence, Rules and Risks. Dr A V Jose, former director, GIFT made the commemoration of Professor I .S Gulati. Earlier, a plenary session on 'Revisiting FRBM for Viksit Bharat opined that provisions of FRBM Act might hinder the growth of states hence, there should be an amendment in the act in order to make India Vikasit Bharath by 2047. Opening the discussion Professor D.K. Srivasthava, member, the 12th Finance Commission said that the states are performing better in achieving the targets like fiscal deficit as per the act. Professor Tapas K Sen chaired the session. Professor Ashima Goyal, Professor Rathin Roy, R Mohan, IRS, Professor M.R Narayana, Professor Lakhwinder Singh and Professor K P Kannan also shared their thoughts on the subject.

Steps under way to address drinking water shortage in Kochi, says Kerala Water Resources Minister

The government has allocated 2,511 crore for modernising water supply schemes in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, says the Minister

Kerala Court convicts three in Mysuru healer Shaba Sherif's murder; a rare case in which victim's body was not recovered

MALAPPURAM: The Manjeri Additional District Court on Monday convicted three men for the murder of Mysuru-based traditional healer Shaba Sherif. The case is one of the rare instances in Kerala where a murder conviction was secured without the recovery of the victims body. The court pronounced the three accused persons guilty of culpable homicide. The three are, first accused, Shaibin Ashraf (42) of Kaipenchery in Nilambur, second accused, Ponnakkaran Shihabudheen (36) of Sultan Bathery, and the sixth accused, Naduthodika Nishad (41) of Nilambur. The court will pronounce their sentence on Saturday. Shaba Sherif was killed in October 2020 after being held captive for over a year. The group dismembered his body and dumped the remains in the Chaliyar River near Edavanna. Nine other accused in the case were acquitted. The police had initially named 15 individuals in the case. Among them, Fasil died in Goa, while one suspect remains at large. The prosecution also proved charges of conspiracy and destruction of evidence. The prosecution was able to secure conviction despite being not able to recover the victims body. A video showing Shaba standing with his legs shackled in a room inside Shaibins house, released by Thangalakath Noushad (41) of Sultan Bathery, became a key piece of evidence. Noushad later turned approver. Additionally, a strand of Shabas hair recovered from Shaibins car was confirmed through DNA testing. Shaba Sharif murder: Probe team summons retired SI for quizzing Public Prosecutor E M Krishnan Namboothiri commended the police for successfully proving the charges despite the challenges. By finding the trio guilty, the court has sent a strong message that criminals will not go unpunished even if they destroy most of the evidence. The police, under former Malappuram SP Sujith Das and former Nilambur CI Vishnu, put in great effort to investigate the case and ensure justice was served, he said. Malappuram SP R Viswanadh described the verdict as a proud moment for the Kerala Police, stating that they had successfully established the murder in court despite the absence of the victims remains. Shaba, 60, operated a clinic in Mysuru, where he was known for his traditional treatment of haemorrhoids. Shaibin, an industrialist, initially approached him under the pretext of seeking treatment for a patient. However, his true intent was to obtain the secret formula of Shabas medicine and launch a business. Convincing Shaba to travel to Kerala, he imprisoned him in a room at his house in Nilambur when the healer refused to divulge his secret. Over time, Shaba suffered severe physical assaults. In October 2020, Shaibin, in a fit of rage, kicked him in the chest, leading to his death. To cover up the crime, he, along with Shihabudheen, Noushad, and Nishad, dismembered the body and disposed of the parts in the Chaliyar River. The murder remained undetected for over a year and a half. It came to light after a falling-out within the group led Shaibin to file a theft complaint against Shihabudheen, Noushad, and Nishad in April 2022, accusing them of stealing Rs 7 lakh and a laptop. The Nilambur police arrested two of them, while the Thiruvananthapuram police handed over Noushad. During questioning, Noushad confessed to the murder, providing crucial details. His statement led to Shaibins arrest, who later admitted to the crime. Meanwhile, the Mysuru police informed their counterparts in Malappuram that Shabas family had lodged a missing person report on August 2, 2019. Investigators also obtained the video footage of Shaba held captive, which was later confirmed by his family.

A home chef in Thiruvananthapuram opens a pop-up store for the festival season

Sheebas La Fleur at Kowdiar will function for three months covering Ramzan, Vishu, Easter and Id-ul-adha

BPCL to develop first hydrogen-fueled VTOL aircraft ecosystem

BPCL will establish hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for VTOL aircraft developed by BluJ Aerospace via its forthcoming Hydrogen Refuelling Stations in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram

Behind the Scene, a one-of-its-kind app to streamline film production, launched in Malayalam cinema

The app, developed by Shameer Sharafudeen and Renjith Raghunathan from Thiruvananthapuram, is currently being used in several Malayalam movies

Excise nod for Kerala Agricultural Universitys Nila wine

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nila, the native wine brand from the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), is likely to hit the market in a month. The excise department on Tuesday approved the labels for the three types of wines under the brand to be launched in the first phase. The university is now devising a marketing plan for the premium quality products - Nila Cashew Apple Wine, Nila Pineapple Wine and Nila Banana Wine. Cashew apple wine is made from fruits grown in tropical humid climates. These fruits have a characteristic tart and astringent flavour. The products alcohol content is 14.5 pc. The banana variety is produced from Keralas indigenous Palayamkodan fruit which has a soft texture with slightly acidic and aromatic flavour. The pineapple wine is derived from the unique Mauritius variety which was accorded GI tag recently. Both these products have an alcohol content of 12.5 pc. As per rule, the products can be sold only through the State Beverages Corporation. Initially, the products will be available at selected outlets of Bevco. The prices would be anywhere below Rs 1,000 for the 750 ml bottle. The research and manufacturing of the wine products is by the Department of Post Harvest Technology under the College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara. The production unit is situated on the college campus. Department head Dr Saji Gomez said they have standardised seven types of wines. The others, based on jackfruit, coconut water, Indian blackberry and nutmeg rind will be launched in subsequent phases, he told TNIE . Saji said the banana and pineapple were sourced from local farmers.

Tharoors global-citizen push lands Congress in tight spot, again

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shashi Tharoors attempts to integrate his global-citizen image with his peoples politics have once again landed the Congress in a tight spot. While speaking at an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, Tharoor praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Admitting his failure in analysing the position taken by India on the Ukraine-Russia war, he said India is now in a position to help create lasting peace in the region, and that Modi could hug the presidents of both Russia and Ukraine. Within no time, the BJP welcomed the former UN under-secretary general and four-time Thiruvananthapuram MPs remarks. Though, both the state and national leaderships of the Congress remained tight-lipped, the dissatisfaction was evident. A national leader told TNIE on condition of anonymity that the party has adopted a wait-and-watch policy. Unlike Tharoor, we will not tell the media what we are up to. It is against propriety for a party leader to oppose its declared positions. When you are part of an organisational structure there are limits to personal opinions. If a person continues to speak at variance, it shows that he has no interest in party policies and positions, he said. Tharoors praise came just days after Rahul Gandhi unleashed an attack on a section of leaders in the state unit for their alleged connivance with the BJP. Moreover, at a consensus meeting called by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul, the former warned Kerala leaders against hailing Modi. The warning came after Tharoor praised the PM on his visit to the US following Donald Trumps inauguration. Tharoor's remarks on PM Modi, LDF stir controversy in Congress Meanwhile, the state Congress leadership is of the opinion that after the meeting in Delhi the ball is now in the court of the high command. We had our reservations about Tharoor praising the LDF government . However, it was Rahul who took the initiative to meet him personally. Hence, the decision has to come from the high command, a senior leader said. However, there is a perception within the Congress and the UDF that Tharoor is presenting himself in a new avatar: as a leader who looks after the interests of the state and nation beyond party politics. They also believe that his statements are but a teaser. Tharoor presents himself as an honest, neutral politician. These two values have a wide market among the public. When Tharoor was criticised for praising the Modi-Trump meeting, the MP defended himself and said that he spoke with the countrys interests at heart and that he couldnt always stick to party policy. This is an announcement for the stakeholders in politics, he said. Although there is a truce within the Congress, the Tharoor camp knows very well that state leaders would not accept his candidacy for chief minister. After he competed against the will of the Gandhi family for the Congress president post relations between the two hit a low, up until the recent meeting in Delhi. The Congress is also watching BJPs response. BJP national leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Sambit Patra, and Kerala president K Surendran have all welcomed Tharoors statement. The Congress knows well that it is in no position to lose leaders with immense public support at a time when the party had suffered repeated setbacks in assembly elections. This position could give Tharoor further wiggle room.

Lack of dedicated cyber cell hits excise drive against drug menace

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as drug flow to the state continues unabated, the excise department is trying to tackle the menace with a big handicap. The excise does not have a proper cyber cell to collect information required to crack down the organised drug racket. Though the state government time and again maintains that the excise cyber cell is working, all it does is social media patrolling and forwarding the requests to police for digital details. Excise sources said the excise cyber cell has two tech-savvy officers in each district, but their main job is to coordinate with the police to identify mobile tower location and the call detail records (CDRs) apart from patrolling social media platforms to track drug peddling. Though the police cyber cell provides information sought by the excise, on many occasions the response is languid, resulting in the suspects getting away. An excise officer said about 100 requests for locating the mobile tower of suspects and accused are forwarded to the police on an average basis from a district each month. The police cyber cell gives priority to their cases. So on many occasions, our requests get overlooked and the response is delayed. Owing to this, the culprits weve been tracking manage to escape, said the officer. As per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) rule, the police are the only nodal agency allowed to set up a cyber cell in the state. Because of this stipulation, ramping up excise cyber cell would not serve any purpose as it wont be able to access details nor tap phones as its police counterpart. Excise sources said the only viable option is to set up a police cyber cell exclusively to handle excise cases. The delay in getting information from the police cyber cell affects our enforcement activities. On many occasions we get to know that the suspect we have been tracking has gone to Andhra Pradesh or other states to procure drugs. If we get cyber inputs, such as tower location, we can identify the route the peddler is travelling. By the time we get information from the police cyber cell, we lose track of the peddler, an excise source said. In Tamil Nadu, Prohibition and Excise Wing of the state police helms the anti-narcotic activities and hence sharing of information has never been an issue. In Kerala also there was a demand to bring the excise enforcement wing under the home department. This came after the Malappuram hooch tragedy in 2010. However, the state government did not pay any heed to it.

Non-Hindu believers should be given entry into temples, says Sivagiri Mutt chief

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Declaring that it was time for sweeping overhaul of certain temple customs, Sivagiri Mutt chief Swami Satchidananda announced the launch of a campaign to make the temples in Kerala accessible to believers from all religions. The campaign, coming a century after the inter-religious meet convened by Sree Narayana Guru, will raise demands such as allowing temple entry to non-Hindus who are believers of Hindu gods and lifting the shirt ban on male devotees. The campaign will begin at Guruvayur temple where singer K J Yesudas was denied entry in the past as he was a non-Hindu. It is time for a sweeping overhaul of temple customs that undermine the ideals of equality and social justice, Satchidananda said. He said Yesudas devotional songs praising Guruvayurappan are famous and are played at the temple daily, yet his request for entry was turned down. There are many non-Hindus like him who are believers of Hindu gods. They should be given entry in temples, he told TNIE , adding that he will lead a march to the temple raising the demand. As per the custom at Guruvayur temple, only Hindus can pray inside the temple. Those born in other religions are required to produce a certificate from Kozhikode-based Arya Samajam stating they have converted to Hinduism. In several Kerala temples, non-Hindus need to furnish a self-affidavit saying they are a believer of Hinduism. Satchidananda felt both models are outdated. Non-Hindus visit a temple as they have faith there. They should not be forced to produce a written proof for that. Keralas temples should follow the model of some famous temples in North India which do not ask for any certificate, he said. Social justice still anillusion in Kerala:Sivagiri Mutt head Thantris neednt comment on social issues, says Swami Satchidananda Swami Satchidananda also rejected the claim often made by some thantris that Keralas temples follow a different system of thantric worship. Thantris powers are restricted to thantric and Vedic practices. They need not comment on social issues. Our demands allowing hassle-free entry of non-Hindus in temples and lifting the shirt ban on male devotees are social issues. Thantris have no role in these issues, he said while reminding that historic reforms in temple customs were not achieved with the permission of thantris. Im also against the current practice in which the thantri position at major temples is reserved as a hereditary right of certain communities, he said. Satchidananda had mooted the idea to lift the shirt ban during the annual Sivagiri pilgrimage in January. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was at the venue, seconded the idea. However, none of the five government-controlled boards have implemented it so far. But Satchidananda is hopeful. Several temples under the SNDP and the Chakkulathukavu Devi temple managed by a Brahmin family lifted the ban. The devaswom temples will follow it, he said. Swami also suggested equal distribution of devaswom jobs among Hindu communities. Around 90% of devaswom jobs, ranging from that of priests to office jobs, are held by people of upper castes. Equal representation of all communities should be ensured in future recruitment, he said.

Talks fail, ASHA workers to begin indefinite fast on March 20

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With multiple rounds of talks, including at the minister level, failing to yield results, ASHA workers are set to launch an indefinite strike from Thursday. Representatives of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association had met NHM director Dr Vinay Goyal on Wednesday morning and Health Minister Veena George in the evening. Despite the government acknowledging the legitimacy of the workers demands, there was no progress on key issues, including increasing the monthly honorarium to Rs 21,000 and providing retirement benefits of Rs 5 lakh. With no concrete action forthcoming, the ASHA workers rejected both Goyal and Veenas requests to call off their strike. S Mini, vice-president of the association, said many members had volunteered for the hunger strike. Three ASHAs, selected via a draw of lots, will begin hunger strike at 11am, she said. Tripling honorarium not immediately feasible: Minister Veena George The workers, who have been protesting in front of the Secretariat for the past 38 days, had been hopeful when they were invited for talks with Goyal. However, disappointment set in when the talks failed, leaving many in tears. Their hopes were briefly revived when Veena invited them for another discussion at the assembly building. However, when that too ended without a resolution, the workers alleged the discussions were merely an attempt to placate them ahead of their hunger strike. The government expects ASHA workers, who serve the most marginalised sections of society, to sympathise with its financial constraints. However, we do not believe the states coffers are empty. They have funds for other salary hikes and extravagant celebrations, none for us, said an ASHA representative who attended the discussions. Veena said the demand to increase the honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 was not immediately feasible. The government is not against raising the honorarium, but tripling it requires careful consideration, she said, while claiming that only around 400 of the states 26,125 ASHA workers were participating in the strike. She also dismissed allegations of excessive workload. There is no additional work beyond what is mandated by national standards. The Centre has not increased the incentive since 2006. It is disappointing that ASHAs have resorted to a hunger strike, she said, while also adding that the government respects democratic protests and is handling the situation accordingly. Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and requested to hold talks with the ASHAs. Satheesan said the CM had responded positively to the request. The government should take proactive steps to resolve the issue. If a solution is reached, I will be the first to commend them, he said. Centre will raise incentive of ASHA workers: Union Health Minister J P Nadda

A candlelight concert with Malayalam hits

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The popular Candlelight Concerts are set to host their next event in the city, presenting a special musical evening dedicated to Malayalam movie soundtracks. The event will take place at Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum, offering a unique experience where live performances unfold entirely under candlelight. The event, titled Candlelight: Best of Malayalam Movie Soundtracks, will be held on March 22 at 7pm. The evening will feature performances by Wind Stories, with Varun Kumar S J on the flute, Reji J V on the keyboard, and Nithin V handling percussion. The setlist includes iconic Malayalam film songs such as Kadalinakkare from Chemmeen , Thumbi Vaa from Olangal , Sreeraagamo Thedunnu from Pavithram , Pramadhavanam from His Highness Abdulla , and Malare from Premam , along with several other memorable tracks. The concert will run for 60 minutes and doors will be open 30 minutes before the starting time. Entry is restricted to those aged eight and above, with attendees below 16 required to be accompanied by an adult. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For tickets, visit the Live Your City website.

Kerala should focus on iconic tourism destinations, says Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Noting that the state is a major contributor to the growth of tourism in India, Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday promised total support of the centre to take forward the states pioneering initiatives in the tourism sector. Speaking at a meeting held here to review the progress of tourism projects in the state, Shekhawat said the state should focus on one or two iconic destinations even as it opens new products to boost tourist footfall. State Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas and Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi were present. Kerala contributes immensely to the growth of tourism in India. Keralas tourism sector holds huge potential for further growth. This calls for launch of new products especially focusing on beach, ayurveda, wellness, heritage, pilgrim and spiritual tourism. At the same time, the state should focus on one or two iconic destinations to further consolidate its standing as a global destination, said Shekhawat. Holding that Kerala will continue to be a major contributor to the countrys tourism growth story, Riyas wanted the centre to clear the states proposal for a special package focusing on ayurveda and beach tourism to scale up international and domestic arrivals, which will help increase the countrys foreign earnings. The centres support is important in the global marketing campaigns being carried out by the state as a global destination of diverse attractions, Riyas said.

Palode residents fret as wild boar shooters lock horns with officials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Residents of Palode are growing increasingly anxious as the shooters enlisted by the Vithura panchayat to tackle the escalating wild boar menace have locked horns with forest authorities, disrupting operations. The standoff stems from the forest departments warning that the shooters could face charges under the Wildlife Protection Act if they continue hunting wild boars. In protest, the shooters have refused to respond to emergency calls, leaving villagers and local officials struggling to manage the crisis. The Vithura panchayat had enlisted seven licensed shooters to control the wild boar population, which has been causing extensive damage to farms and human settlements. However, for the past week, the shooters have been non-cooperative, ignoring distress calls from residents and authorities. We fought hard to secure better honorariums, and the government finally approved a hike. But now, forest officials are threatening to book us under the Wildlife Protection Act. If that happens, well be in serious trouble, said one of the shooters. Until we receive clear legal clarification, we wont respond to calls, he said. According to the shooter, they have ignored at least 15 emergency calls in the past week due to these concerns. In response to the crisis, the Vithura panchayat has submitted a letter to Forest Minister A K Saseendran and senior department officials, urging intervention. Panchayat vice-president Manjusha G Anand said that wild boar intrusions have increased sharply with the arrival of summer. Additionally, wild animals such as elephants and gaurs have been straying into human settlements. The shooters are refusing to cooperate, and we have received no official clarification from the forest department, said Manjusha. She said that the department had temporarily suspended the culling of wild boars due to complaints regarding carcass disposal. However, the government recently lifted the ban following a panchayat resolution. To address the deadlock, the panchayat has scheduled a special committee meeting on Thursday. The forest department has also called for a separate meeting on the same day, and local officials hope the issue will be resolved. Meanwhile, a senior forest official, when contacted, downplayed the controversy, calling it a miscommunication. We have spoken to both the panchayat authorities and the shooters. As per the current government policy, they are allowed to shoot wild boars. The confusion arose due to misleading communication from one of our officials, which unfortunately escalated the situation, the official said.

Hydrogen-fuelled VTOL aircraft ecosystem to be launched in Kerala

KOCHI: Giving a major boost to sustainable aviation, the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has entered into a quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BluJ Aerospace, Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), Government of Kerala, and Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to develop the first hydrogen-fuelled Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft ecosystem globally. The MoU was executed by BPCL renewable energy head Ranjan Nair, ANERT CEO Narendra Nath Veluri, IFS, BluJ Aerospace CEO Maruthi Amardeep Sri Vatsavaya and CIAL airport director Manu G on March 12. The pivotal agreement aligns with Indias goal of attaining net zero emissions by 2070 and represents a significant stride in aviation innovation. The project aims to transform urban and regional air mobility by integrating green hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft, enhancing speed, reducing noise, and improving efficiency, while substantially cutting down carbon emissions. Green hydrogen holds the potential to transform aviation and urban mobility. This partnership reflects our resolve to lead in clean energy solutions that are innovative and practical for a sustainable future, said BPCL chairman and MD G Krishnakumar. The BPCL will establish hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for VTOL aircraft developed by BluJ Aerospace via its forthcoming Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Furthermore, it will engage in R&D endeavours focused on designing and developing an Indigenous Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Hydrogen Fuel Cell, characterised by high power density to facilitate vertical lift-off, thereby, advancing Indias hydrogen technology capabilities. BPCLs upcoming HRS will be strategically positioned to facilitate research and pilot projects within Keralas Hydrogen Valley Programme, which is spearheaded by the ANERT. These stations will be essential in promoting commercial hydrogen applications and encouraging the wider uptake of hydrogen-powered transportation solutions. With this initiative, BPCL strengthens its position as a leader in green energy solutions, setting the groundwork for Indias progression towards hydrogen-based aviation and transportation.

Why mothers bear the exam brunt?

A few years ago, a video went viral in which a boy was seen learning how to write the alphabet. Tutoring him was his mother, who was also handling another child, an infant, in her lap. In the video, the sobbing child threatens to complain about her to his grandparents and father, telling her he no longer liked her. The mother, unfazed, urges him to keep writing, warning that if he didnt, he would be taken to task. The video evoked sympathy for the child, who was seen as the victim of a pushy mother. Children should be allowed to bloom and sprout like a flower, read a comment. Nowadays, children are being groomed into robots, read another. Childhood is being strangled the comments followed. What do mothers here think about being pushy? They can say what they want. When the child does well, there will be many to take the credit, but when it doesnt, only the mother will be blamed by even those who speak tall about child rights, snaps Apoorva Paramjyoti, who has currently taken a break from her corporate job to be with her daughter in Class 10. Even otherwise, I want my child to do well. Hence, I will dream for her and will tell her to groom her life well. I will take all efforts to meet that end. From the days of yore, motherhood has been venerated as the next best thing to the divine, and the onus of grooming a child has rested on the mother. She may be undereducated, burdened with chores, or busy with a high-profile job, but she must attend to her childs lessons with the same diligence she expects of the child. Indian mothers are famously dutiful, and even in the West, mothers are often singled out as responsible for their childs progress. Even Napoleon, the creator of the Napoleonic Code, which stresses equality, is said to have proclaimed: Give me an educated mother, I shall promise you the birth of a civilised, educated nation. Is this a natural instinct or a mindset imposed on her by patriarchy? Its a question worth pondering. My mother wasnt very educated, but she insisted that we do well and sat with us as we studied, says Jyotiraditya Tiwari, an aerospace engineering student. I have seen mothers from resource-poor areas engaging more ambitiously with their children. Sindhu Jagan, who chose not to work to focus on her children full-time, says there is no doubt that women lay the educational foundation of a child. But my question is, why should it be on women alone? she asks. I believe men are a bit casual about it. For them, if the child doesnt do well, they think they will do it later. Why fuss? But for me, and most mothers, small steps make the larger picture bright. Athira Jose, a mother of two daughters, also chose not to work to give full attention to her children. In my case, it was pick and drop, even. I had to forsake my dance classes for that. But I always told myself, it is for my children, she says. It is indeed a period of stress, especially in the case of younger children. But in the last five years, theres been a hint of change. Load-sharing is happening in many families, as more women take up stressful jobs. Not just academics Yet, when it comes to childrens education, mothers nerves often fray more than others, almost as if by choice. As though the childs performance is intrinsically linked to their credibility as a mother. Bushra Begum, associate professor of sociology at the University of Kerala, quotes American gender studies scholar Judith Butlers assertion that gender is a performance. Gender roles are constructed and internalised by women, and as mothers, they want to perform and be successful in multiple roles in this competitive world, says Bushra. If they are not able to perform well in those roles, it leads to desperation and unwanted stress. This shows how mothers are compelled to perform constructed feminine roles in nurturing. Mothers, however, rarely analyse the reasons behind their feelings. The stress is considered part of the package. The equation is simple. If I want my child to perform well academically, I need to put in time and effort. Not just academically. Many mothers, including myself, take care of childrens excellence in extracurricular activities such as sports as well, says Ammu Krishna, who is now busy getting her 10-year-old son ready for the annual exams. Stress is inevitable. Some may argue that mothers willingly take on pressure when she could let the child fail and learn it the hard way. To let them evolve organically. That may be possible in the case of older children, but I feel it may not work with younger ones. The media professional adds that a child should know it is important to take exams seriously. It sets the template for bigger things in life, like a sense of responsibility. And as for mothers handling it alone, lets face it: In the construct of an average Indian family, it is the mother who does it all, she smiles. Triple stress Dr Arun B Nair, professor of psychiatry at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, terms it triple stress. First, there is the stress of reproduction and child nurturing. Then the productivity role, where she has to work, and then the community responsibility of household management, he explains. Then, she often has to look into her childs lessons even while cooking or caring for others. Often, she has to learn things she may never have learnt or left in high school. But it directly affects the way her competency is viewed, and she becomes competitive at times regarding her childs performance. And, generally, it is a thankless job as well. All this affects her health, disrupts her sleep cycle, and leads to health issues and conflicts in her interpersonal relationships. There is another kind of stress when mothers care for their teenager, says Rachana S, an accountant and mother of a 15-year-old. They have been cared for so far, and suddenly, the children want to do everything independently, she says. The mother becomes helpless because she doesnt know how to help the child or where he or she stands academically. Then, there are cases of suicides among teenagers due to parental pressure. Every time I urge my daughter to study, I question whether I am being too harsh or putting her under pressure. Jaya Gopinath, whose daughter is in Class 12, echoes similar views. It has been months since I have slept well, she says. I dont know how to help her because she doesnt discuss her academics with me, saying the teachers are there to take care. I let her be, but the thought of how she will fare and what will happen to her future consumes me. Self-imposed? Some feel it is their joyful duty to aid their child in studies. Like Archana Vinod from Kowdiar, mother of two boys aged 14 and 12: My husband does teach the children, but I feel satisfied when I teach them myself. I feel it is mostly upon me to take care of the academic affairs of the children. I feel its not an obligation but my duty, she says. For others like Rachana, it is not only because it is their duty but also because society expects them to play this role. My husband is unbothered most of the time. His nonchalance makes me take charge, she says. I have been taking leave from work as my daughters Class 10 board exams approach not to help her cover the syllabus, but because I feel responsible for the weight of her success or failure. If something goes wrong, I will be blamed. Simone de Beauvoirs The Second Sex critiques such traditional expectations surrounding motherhood. To be a mother is not a sufficient reason for a woman to renounce herself; she must not honour a contract in which she loses all, writes the French philosopher. She also critically examines how motherhood is shaped by social expectations rather than personal choice. Simone argues that motherhood, rather than being purely a natural instinct, has become a role imposed on women by a patriarchal society. The same patriarchy is the reason why teaching as a profession is often seen as a womans job. This notion emerged as a product of a society that wanted to invest only in professions that showed quick results, says Sivakumar Vasavan, who researches sociology and human behaviour. Teaching is not something that yields quick results. Hence, the money in it began to wane, and women were handed over these jobs because they do not need to be paid better than men in a patriarchal setup. A mother, to a woman, is one who does not have a self. This, perhaps, could be a brainwashed existence. Some may call it a mothers soul call. Times are changing. Yet, the idea of a self-effacing mother runs so deep that even children often expect mothers to be so, says Apoorva. The only question is how much of it is instinct and how much is a constructed mindset? This is something to contemplate.

Thiruvananthapuram Corporations Budget to be presented on March 25

The Malayali flying the Communist flag in London

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: USSR, the erstwhile homeland of Communist revolution may be a Jurassic Park for the rest of the world, but not for the average Malayali. Kerala had the first democratically elected Communist government in the world. Marx, Engels and Lenin still matter a lot to Communist Malayalis who are sure to be gladdened by good news from England. It was where Karl Marx spent his last years and wrote seminal works including the three volumes of Das Kapital and the The Communist Manifesto along with Friedrich Engels. Now, Janesh Nair a native of Kottayam, Kidangoor has been elected secretary in that very same England of the Association of Indian Communists (AIC) an international wing of the CPM. Janesh is the first Malayali to be elected to this post. The AIC has members from England and Ireland. Janesh was elected in the 20th conference of the AIC held at Southall in London on March 15-16, in which 116 delegates from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland attended. Till date, this post has been occupied by the Indian diaspora from Punjab and other North Indian states. Janesh is a staunch SFI, DYFI and CPM party member from Kidangoor where he spent his youth, he settled in England in 2003. Speaking to The New Indian Express from London, he said that despite limitations, the party unit has successfully carried out several anti-racist campaigns there and organised a protest in front of the Indian High Commission in support of the farmer's protest held in India. When I came here, I didn't know that there was a party unit of the CPM in London. Hence, we formed a few progressive forums with like-minded people. It was in 2011-12 that I took membership in the AIC. Now we have 28 units in England alone, said Janesh who works as a Surgical Practitioner at Manchester Foundation Trust Hospital. AIC also has a mass organisation India Workers Association in England affiliated to it. In 1990, the AIC collaborated with the Shaheed Udham Singh Welfare Trust to campaign for the public release of Udham Singh's last words. Udham Singh was executed in 1940 for assassinating Michael O'Dwyer who ordered the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. We tasted success in 1996, Janesh said. He also said that former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was expelled from the party for his extreme positions, is a regular guest of the AIC's programmes. Janesh also told this paper that his name in the official records in Kerala is Janesh C. I am not a person who likes caste identity. However, in the passport, the officials expanded the initials too. So my father's name Chandrasekharan Nair was included. Here people often call you by the last name, he rued. For many CPM state and national leaders, visiting England has become a 'dialectical pilgrimage' as they visit the tomb of Karl Marx and the British library frequented by Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Former general secretary Sitaram Yechuri, PB members Pinarayi Vijayan, MA Baby and MV Govindan are among the CPM leaders who have visited England. Earlier there were very few Malayali party members, said Janesh. However, within a few years, this scenario changed, and people from Kerala have now become a majority. The AIC directly reports to the CPM central committee. The conference was inaugurated by politburo member Ashok Dhawale, he said. Like the CPM conferences held in Kerala, the conference in London too started with the hoisting of the red flag, and the conference leaders then visited Marx's tomb to pay homage afterwards. The conference unanimously elected a 19-member executive committee including two women. The AIC was officially formed in 1967, soon after the split in the Communist party of India, under the guidance of the former party supremo Harkishan Singh Surjit.

Wayanad rehabilitation: Kerala government to provide Rs 26.56 crore compensation to Elston Estate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government will provide Rs 26.56 crore to the owners of Elston Estate in Wayanad as compensation for the land acquired from them. 64.4075 hectares of land will be acquired from the estate for building a township to rehabilitate the landslide victims at Meppadi. The Cabinet meeting on March 19 decided to sanction Rs 26,56,10,769 from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). The land falls in the Kalpetta village in Vythiri taluk. Rs 10 lakh educational assistance will be given to each of the seven children who lost both their parents and 14 children who lost one of their parents in the landslide. The money from the CMDRF will be credited to the bank account of the District Collector. The monthly interest will be given to the guardians of the children. The corpus can be withdrawn only when the beneficiary attains 18 years of age. The money is in addition to the assistance given by the Women and Child Development Department, earlier. The Cabinet meeting sanctioned various posts in the project implementation unit for the township. Posts of accounts officer and civil engineer will be created. The post of Finance and Accounts Officer will be renamed as Finance Officer. The special officer of the project will be given powers to recruit staff and the special officer of the Wayanad township project will be appointed as chief of the project implementation unit.

Kerala government to celebrate fourth anniversary in grand manner in April, May

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government is all set to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the government in a grand manner. A cabinet meeting held on March 18 decided to conduct the celebrations in April and May. A series of events will be organised at the local self-government institution level, district level, and state level. The chief minister will participate in events across all districts. The programme will begin in Kasaragod on April 21 and conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on May 21. Meetings will be organised with beneficiaries of various government schemes and prominent personalities. Also, district-level exhibitions and trade fairs exhibiting the government's developmental and welfare initiatives will be held for a week. District-Level Meetings April 21- Kasaragod April 22- Wayanad April 24- Pathanamthitta April 28- Idukki April 29- Kottayam May 5- Palakkad May 6- Kollam May 7- Ernakulam May 12- Malappuram May 13- Kozhikode May 14- Kannur May 19- Alappuzha May 20- Thrissur May 21- Thiruvananthapuram State-level public events will also be organised in addition to these events. Discussions will be held with various groups under the leadership of respective departments, including youth (Youth Welfare Department), women (Women Development Department), Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST Department), cultural figures (Cultural Affairs Department), professional students and researchers (Higher Education and Health Departments), and professionals (Science & Technology Department). State-Level Meetings May 3- Youth Welfare - Kozhikode May 4- Women Development-Ernakulam May 10- Culture - Thrissur May 11- Higher Education - Kottayam May 17- Professionals' Discussion - Thiruvananthapuram May 18- SC/ST Welfare - Palakkad In addition to exhibitions, discussions, sports competitions, and other programmes will also be conducted. For the smooth execution of the events, district-level organising committees will be formed, with the respective district minister as chairman and the district collector as the general convener. The chief secretary has been assigned to issue necessary guidelines and oversee further actions. Regional Review Meetings To make governance achievements more accessible to the public and ensure the timely completion of development projects, regional review meetings will be held under the leadership of the chief minister. These meetings will also identify and resolve obstacles in ongoing development projects. Four such meetings will be held in May. The chief minister, along with ministers, the chief secretary, department secretaries and heads of departments will evaluate the progress of developmental initiatives in various districts. Any administrative or technical challenges will be identified and addressed. These meetings will be a continuation of the regional review meetings conducted in September and October 2023. Issues from the 2023 review meetings that remain unresolved, major developmental projects raised by MLAs during the meeting with the chief minister, constituency-level projects planned as part of the 'Nava Kerala Sabha', and the rehabilitation of rural roads will be discussed in the regional review meetings. The progress of government initiatives such as extreme poverty eradication, the Nava Keralam Mission (including LIFE, Aardram, the Public Education Protection Campaign, and the Haritha Kerala Mission), and the Malinya Muktha Nava Keralam programme will also be evaluated. Schedule for Regional Review Meetings May 8- Palakkad (Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur) May 15- Thiruvananthapuram (Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta) May 26- Kannur (Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode) May 29 - Kottayam (Ernakulam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Kottayam) The chief secretary has been entrusted with issuing guidelines and coordinating the organisation of these review meetings. The district collectors of the respective regions will be responsible for conducting the meetings. The Electronics and IT Department Secretary has also been tasked with developing the necessary software for managing the review process.

Cabinet approves Rs 1,482 crore underground rail project for Vizhinjam Port

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cabinet has approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a Rs 1,482.92 crore underground railway line connecting Vizhinjam International Port to Balaramapuram railway station, aiming for completion by December 2028. The 10.7-km-long railway line, prepared by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), includes a 9.43-km underground tunnel due to geological conditions. The project has received administrative sanction, and land acquisition is in its final stages. Port Minister V N Vasavan recently told the assembly that 4.6 hectares of land in Balaramapuram, Pallichal, and Athiyannoor villages are being acquired for the project. The land acquisition process is in its final stages, the minister said. KRCL was tasked with preparing the DPR in 2018, which was submitted to Southern Railway in 2019. It received approval in 2022, followed by clearance from the Ministry of Environment on 17 July 2024. Additionally, work is progressing on a 1.7-km road linking the port to NH-66. Once the port begins gateway container movement, the road and rail links are expected to boost the local economy.

Bomb Threat Triggers Much Bigger Problem At Kerala Collectorate - A Bee Attack

A bomb threat inspection at Thiruvananthapuram Collectorate turned chaotic when a disturbed beehive led to a bee attack, injuring officials, police, and journalists.

Vigilance nabs school PTA president, three others for attempting to extort headmaster in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau officials on Tuesday arrested four men from Venjaramoodu while they were extorting money from a headmaster of a government-aided school to withdraw the complaints they had filed with the government against him. The arrested have been identified as Prasad, Biju Thankappan, Allesh and Rakesh Roshan. The accused were nabbed while they were receiving Rs two lakh from the headmaster of St Joseph HS, Piravom. Biju is currently the PTA president of St Joseph HS, while Allesh is a PTA executive member. Prasad was a former PTA executive member, while Rakesh worked in a bike showroom as a manager. The complainant in the case was set to retire from service on March 31. Prasad had filed phoney complaints against him alleging irregularities in the school funds. Biju and Allesh called the headmaster to Prasad's house on the pretext of conducting a settlement talk. The Vigilance said the trio made the headmaster believe that they have to meet an education department officer in Thiruvananthapuram to solve the matter. They took him to Thiruvananthapuram on February 27 and introduced him to a man, who claimed to be a senior officer in the education department. The man, Rakesh, was a manager in a bike showroom pretending to be a government official. Rakesh convinced the headmaster that his retirement benefits will be blocked if action is taken on the complaint. Prasad initially took Rs 30,000 from the headmaster as travel expenses and bribed the officer. Later, the group threatened the headmaster and asked him to pay Rs 15 lakh to Rakesh to settle the matter. When he said he did not have that much money with him, they directed him to pay Rs five lakh. The headmaster informed the Vigilance about the incident and the Vigilance sleuths set a trap for the quartet. The four were arrested while they were taking Rs two lakh from the headmaster at Venjaramoodu. Those arrested were produced before Muvattupuzha court.

Bee attack chaos at collectorate leaves many injured in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The day went from bad to worse for hundreds of employees at Thiruvananthapuram collectorate on Tuesday as they fell victim to a massive bee attack while evacuating the premises after a bomb threat. The incident took place around 2.30pm when all employees were gathered in front of the collectorate, as per the emergency protocol, after the office received a bomb threat via email. The collectorate has a staff strength of 800, and they had all gathered outside as the bomb squad and the police reached the scene. That was when the bees attacked. Several employees, including the revenue divisional officer (RDO), were stung. Some took refuge inside cars, while others ran all the way outside the main gate, but to no avail. The police officers, bomb squad personnel as well as mediapersons who had reached the spot in response to the bomb threat also suffered stings. TNIE photographer B P Deepu was among those injured. He was admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. District Collector Anu Kumar later told TNIE that around 75 people were injured seven of them severely in the bee attack. They are under observation at the MCH and their condition is stable, she said. Meanwhile, the threat turned out to be hoax. We lost so many working hours, she said. Among those under observation at the MCH is Vichithra, a temporary staffer. Onlookers said she was badly stung while trying to save a colleague, a person with disabilities.

Police complete evidence collection in Thiruvananthapuram's Venjaramoodu mass murder case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police have completed evidence collection in the Venjaramoodu mass murder case. On Tuesday, the investigation team conducted a detailed reconstruction of events, taking the prime accused Afan to seven locations, including the house in Perumala, where his girlfriend, Farsana, and younger brother, Afsan, were murdered. Afan will be presented before the court on Wednesday as his custody period comes to an end. The case registered by the Venjaramoodu police revolves around the brutal murders that took place in the last week of February. As part of the probe, the accused was taken to his house in Perumala, where he recounted the gruesome sequence of events without any visible remorse. He detailed how he killed Afsan and Farsana and left his mother, Shemi, in a critical state. The police also took him to a financial institution where he had pawned a gold chain, allegedly to cover his expenses after the crime. He was also led to several shops where he had purchased the hammer for the murders as well as the bag that was used to carry it. The police escorted him to stores where he had bought cigarettes, Pepsi, chilli powder, and rat poison during the crime spree. Following the completion of the process, he was taken back to Venjaramoodu police station. His three-day custody period ended on Tuesday. He will be produced before the court and sent back to jail. Meanwhile, the police have said that Afans mother, Shemi, stands by her previous statement that she fell from the cot and got injured. However, the police believe that her stance will not impact the cases progress.

Centralised instrumentation, research lab launched at Govt Womens College in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Marking a significant step forward in higher education research in the state, the Centralised Instrumentation & Research Lab (CIRL) was inaugurated at Govt. Womens College. This is the first of three such labs being set up under the Kerala Network for Research Support in Higher Education (KNRSHE), a Centre of Excellence initiative. Higher Education Minister R Bindu inaugurated the lab on Monday. Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasised that these research labs will play a crucial role in transforming Keralas knowledge economy. The state government is committed to promoting advanced research by integrating the latest technologies. She added that the initiative would provide students and researchers with world-class facilities, enhancing their academic and research opportunities. Rajan Varghese, Member Secretary of the Higher Education Council, presided over the function. The event was also attended by Prof. Jiju P. Alex, Member, Kerala State Planning Board, Sunil John, Additional Director, Higher Education Department, Anila J. S, Principal, Govt. Womens College. The state-of-the-art research infrastructure at the Centralized Instrumentation Lab will provide cutting-edge facilities for researchers. The lab is equipped with modern scientific instruments, enabling universities and colleges to collaborate on advanced research projects.

Keralas beer consumption more than doubled in a year; toddy sees declining trend

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is experiencing a beer boom. Be it in cities or in rural areas, people seem to have developed a special liking for the beverage, resulting in a dramatic increase in beer consumption in the state. At the same time, the traditional drink of toddy is seemingly losing fizz, with its consumption witnessing a declining trend. As per the latest data, Keralas per capita beer consumption has more than doubled in just a year. The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24 from the National Statistics Office showed that beer consumption was high in the urban areas of the state, with monthly consumption increasing from 0.032 litres in 2022-23 and 0.066 litres in 2023-24. The corresponding data in the rural areas shows a rise from 0.029 litres to 0.059 litres. The estimated number of households with beer consumption in the states rural areas rose from 92,800 in 2022-23 to 1,73,000 in 2023-24, the report showed. In urban areas, the figures increased from 1,11,900 to 2,16,100 during the period. Among Indias rural areas, Sikkim topped the list in beer consumption in 2023-24, with a monthly per capita consumption of of 0.927 litres, followed by Goa (0.717 litres). While Kerala is ranked 17th in the segment, the lowest consumption was reported from Bihar and Himachal Pradesh (both 0.01 litres). Toddy consumption shows a declining trend in state At 1.475 litres per person, Sikkim topped the urban segment as well. The lowest consumption was reported from Chhattisgarh (0.07 litres). Kerala is ranked 15th in this category. The national average for rural and urban areas was 0.058 litres and 0.119 litres, respectively. Beer consumption is high in districts from Ernakulam to Kasaragod, especially the Malabar region, when compared to other districts, said D Rajkumar Unni, a bar hotel owner. Beer is preferred by people during hot climates, especially migrants from north Indian states, he said. Keralas per capita monthly consumption under the foreign/refined liquor or wine category increased from 0.069 litres in 2022-23 to 0.086 litres in 2023-24 in rural areas. In urban areas, the consumption was 0.061 litres and 0.091 litres, respectively. The national average for rural and urban areas in 2023-24 was 0.042 litres and 0.067 litres, respectively. Rural Kerala was ranked 22nd while urban Kerala is positioned at 18th in the country. The estimated number of households in rural Kerala having consumption under this category increased from 4,07,700 in 2022-23 to 6,60,800 in 2023-24. The figures for urban Kerala were 3,22,400 and 6,46,500, respectively. Toddy consumption, however, showed a declining trend. The per capita monthly consumption in rural areas decreased from 0.018 litres in 2022-23 to 0.01 litre in 2023-24. The corresponding data in urban areas was 0.009 litres and 0.006 litres. N V Chandrababu, chairman of Kerala Toddy Workers Welfare Fund Board, said societal changes and lack of modernisation of toddy shops could be the reasons behind the declining trend in toddy consumption. In the past, a significant number of the toddy customers were labourers in the traditional sectors. They have been replaced by migrant workers who prefer IMFL or other substances. Old-styled toddy shops often fail in the competition with modern bars and beer parlours. Modernised toddy shops providing tasty food still attract people, he said, adding that the shortage of toddy tappers is an emerging crisis for the sector. Per capita monthly consumption in 2023-24 (in litres) Kerala Beer Rural: 0.059 Urban: 0.066 Foreign liquor, Wine Rural: 0.086 Urban: 0.091 All-India Beer Rural: 0.058 Urban: 0.119 Foreign liquor, Wine Rural: 0.042 Urban: 0.067

Minister Sivankutty criticises Union Minister Sitharaman for spreading misinformation about Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamans statement in Rajya Sabha about the state is misleading, said Minister for General Education and Labour V Sivankutty. He accused the Union minister of trying to defame the state by highlighting isolated incidents . He said nokkukooli has been banned in the state and that the labour department has taken strict action whenever such cases have been reported. Sivankutty said the state has a strong stance against unfair labour practices. He pointed to Government Order 511/2018/Labour, which bans excessive wage demands and wages without work. He said the state has enforced this order strictly. He added that the state provides a better labour environment than BJP-ruled states. He said Kerala has been a model for labour welfare and has maintained strong labour-employer relations despite global efforts to weaken labour protection laws. Kerala is the first state in India to introduce and implement a labour policy, he added. A satisfied workforce is important to the states development and social security. He said the state promotes a development-friendly labour culture and has become a model for sustainable growth. According to data from the Reserve Bank of India and the central government, the state offers the highest wages in the country. Daily wages in many sectors are more than twice the national average. The state has fixed minimum wages in 85 labour sectors. Sivankutty said welfare boards have provided over Rs 9,080 crore in benefits, including pensions, to more than 70 lakh workers, including those in the unorganised sector. The government has ensured maternity benefits, safe night shifts for women, and modern workplace facilities, including in textile sector. Sivankutty added that workers from across the country migrate to Kerala for jobs because of the better work environment. He said the state treats them as guest workers and has taken steps to provide them with healthcare and housing. He added that labour unions in the state have rejected outdated practices like nokkukooli. The minister accused Sitharaman of spreading false claims due to an anti-communist and anti-Kerala bias. He invited her to visit the state and understand its labour environment. He said industrialists have recognised Kerala as an industry-friendly state. He also accused the central government of trying to impose anti-worker labour codes, saying Nirmala was part of that.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman breaks breakfast diplomacy with a bang on Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Six days after the breakfast camaraderie between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took place at Kerala House, the serenity was broken on Tuesday when the latter unleashed a fierce attack on the CPM and Kerala in the Rajya Sabha. The sudden outburst of anger and criticism against the alleged nokkukooli and the industries being closed has surprised both the Congress and the Left. The Union ministers attack on the CPM came at a time when the Congress in the state accused the CPM of forming a nexus with the BJP ahead of the next assembly election. After the proactive role taken by Governor Rajendra Arlekar by bringing together the MPs from the state and his readiness to be present at the meeting between the CM and the Union finance minister, the CPM and the government have been in a positive mood about the outcomes. In Parliament, the CPM MPs from the state had taken extra care while raising questions to the finance minister. On Wednesday in Rajya Sabha, while asking a question, CPM MP John Brittas expressed gratitude to the minister for going over to Kerala House to have breakfast with Pinarayi. Nirmala Sitharaman does not like anyone obstructing her while she is replying or speaking in Parliament, an MP told TNIE. If she is obstructed or provoked, she will go after that MP and his or her party, he said on condition of anonymity. Kerala CPM MPs are careful not to provoke her unnecessarily. However, while Nirmala was replying to the Manipur budget discussion, CPMs Rajya Sabha parliamentary party leader and MP from West Bengal, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, said what is happening in Manipur is unprecedented. He also told the minister that the present government could not compare the situation with that of the earlier. An annoyed minister reportedly asked Bikash whether he is from the CPM, and went on to ask whether he had any doubts about it, CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar told TNIE. Then she criticised Bengal and went on to say that the nokkukooli still existed, and that kind of Communism had killed industries in WB and Kerala, he said. Sandosh also raised objections to the ministers comments. Kerala CPM is upset with the developments. We fight with the Centre on various issues, a senior CPM leader told TNIE. That is a political fight. In parliamentary politics there exists a give-and- take situation. We cant destroy it through careless action, he said.