Corruption allegations against BJP councillors roil Thiruvananthapuram Corporation council meeting

Councillors of rival parties nearly came to blows on more than one occasion in a tense meeting in which no other agenda was discussed

Nitin, Ravada, Yogesh in final race for Kerala Police Chief post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With only four days left for State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb to step down, the UPSC on Thursday shortlisted DGPs Nitin Agrawal, Ravada A Chandrasekhar, and Yogesh Gupta as probables to replace him. The meeting, which was also attended by Shaik and Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak, went by seniority and picked the three from the list of six names that was forwarded by the state government. The onus is now on the state government to pick one officer from among the three. The other three names, Manoj Abraham, Suresh Raj Purohit, and M R Ajith Kumar, were not considered by the UPSC as the first three names made the cut on account of their seniority. Nitin, a 1990-batch IPS officer, is the senior-most among the lot. He was the BSF Director General before being repatriated to the state. Currently serving as the Road Safety Commissioner, he is set to retire by June 2026. Ravada is the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The 1991-batch officer will also retire by June next year. Having been with a premier institution, Ravada has expressed his willingness to rejoin Kerala Police in case he is selected, though the central government has offered him the post of Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. If he gets the call, then the promotion of ADGP M R Ajith Kumar to DGP rank will hit a roadblock, as the state can only have four officers of DGP rank. The state government had asked the Centre to create an additional cadre post of DGP, but the request has not been entertained. The tenure of Yogesh, Director General of the Fire and Rescue Services, will run till 2030. He was recently moved out of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau over differences with the state government. It remains to be seen whether that perceived rift will affect his prospects.

Even free bird must watch skies: Congress hits back at Tharoor over his 'permission to fly' post

The rift between senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and the partys top brass is becoming increasingly visible, with sharp exchanges through cryptic social media posts and pointed counter-attacks. A day after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appeared to take a veiled swipe at Tharoor, suggesting that For some people, it's Modi first, the Thiruvananthapuram MP took to social media with a telling post. Sharing a photo of a bird in flight, Tharoor wrote, Dont ask permission to fly. The wings are yours, and the sky belongs to no one. The post was widely seen as a response to criticism from within his own party. pic.twitter.com/dNkwZb721E Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 25, 2025 Congress MP Manickam Tagore swiftly counter-fired with his own bird-themed caution. Dont ask permission to fly. Birds dont need clearance to rise. But today, even a free bird must watch the skieshawks, vultures, and eagles are always hunting, he wrote, warning that freedom is not free, especially when predators wear patriotism as feathers. Dont ask permission to fly. Birds dont need clearance to rise But in today even a free bird must watch the skieshawks, vultures, and eagles are always hunting. Freedom isnt free, especially when the predators wear patriotism as feathers. #DemocracyInDanger pic.twitter.com/k4bNe8kwhR Manickam Tagore .B . (@manickamtagore) June 26, 2025 Tagores post also featured images of predatory birds, a clear symbolic jab in the ongoing tussle. The tensions have been brewing since Tharoor was picked by the government to lead an all-party delegation abroad as part of Indias diplomatic push following the Pahalgam terror attack. Tharoors repeated praise for the Modi governments handling of the situation, especially Operation Sindoor, has not gone down well with Congress. His public remarks, including a recent newspaper column where he described Prime Minister Narendra Modis energy, dynamism and willingness to engage as a prime asset for India, only deepened the unease within the party. The Congress leadership, which had initially backed the Centres post-attack response, later questioned aspects of the ceasefire agreement and the extent of American involvement, taking a sharper stance against the government. Tharoor, however, remained supportive of Indias outreach and the counter-terror operation, which some in the party viewed as tacit approval of the Modi governments narrative. The situation escalated when Kharge, in one of his strongest public remarks against Tharoor, questioned his loyalties without naming him. For us, its the country first, but for some people, its Modi first, Kharge said, adding that while the party valued Tharoors command over the English language, it was increasingly at odds with his political messaging. Speculation over Tharoors possible shift to the BJP gained momentum after these developments, though the Congress MP has repeatedly dismissed such talk, insisting that his praise for Operation Sindoor was a statement of national unity, not a signal of political realignment.

'Even a free bird must watch': Shashi Tharoors cryptic post ruffles Congress feathers, triggers 'vultures' warning

Following Shashi Tharoor's cryptic social media post, the Congress party has intensified its criticism of the Thiruvananthapuram MP. Manickam Tagore cautioned Tharoor to be wary of 'hawks' and 'vultures,' while Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge indirectly criticized Tharoor for allegedly prioritizing Modi over the nation.

Veteran Communist leader V S Achuthanandan remains critical

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan remains in a critical condition at a private hospital here, days after suffering a cardiac attack, doctors said on Thursday. The 101-year-old Marxist leader was admitted earlier this week and continues to be treated in intensive care by a team of specialist doctors. According to the latest 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 .

Bharat Mata row: Kerala minister R Bindu slams Governor Arlekar for politicising universities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after clashes in Kerala University over the display of Bharat Mata portrait, Higher Education Minister R Bindu has hit out at Governor Rajendra Arlekar accusing him of trying to politicise universities and attempting to get wider acceptance for the 'RSS version' of Bharat Mata. Reminding the Governor that universities were secular institutions, the Minister defended the varsity's attempts to maintain it that way. She added that the Governor was presenting a symbol that was not at all suitable for a pluralistic society. The Governor is carrying along with him an archaic image of the RSS version of Bharat Mata wearing a silk saree and holding a saffron flag which is not accepted in independent India. It should be seen as a ploy to get wider acceptance for the RSS' Bharat Mata concept, she told reporters on the sidelines of an event here on Thursday. On Wednesday, the Kerala University's Senate House campus witnessed huge protests by SFI and KSU activists against the display of Bharat Mata portrait at a function organised by a pro-right wing organisation in which the Governor was the chief guest.Clashes broke out between student activsts and BJP-RSS supporters who were among the audience. Amid tense situation, the Governor arrived for the function, offered floral tributes before the portrait and also criticised the manner in which the students staged protests. Bharat Mata row: CM Pinarayi to convey dissent to governor

Monsoon rains intensify in Kerala; orange alert in seven districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Monsoon rains intensified in Kerala on Thursday with some parts of Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts getting flooded and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert in seven districts in the morning. The IMD issued an orange alert in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts for three hours in the morning. An orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm. Meanwhile, continuous rains in Wayanad district's Mundakkai-Chooralmala region resulted in the Chooralmala River being in strong spate, with muddy water flowing forcefully and eroding the banks near the Bailey bridge. Last year in July, deadly landslides in the region had claimed over 200 lives and destroyed countless homes. Heavy rain triggers flood fears in Wayanad's Chooralmala, one year after deadly landslides

Rising number of unclaimed bodies at Thiruvananthapuram MCH mortuary sparks concern

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The rising number of unclaimed and unidentified dead bodies at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital mortuary has become a growing concern. Between May 1, 2024 and May 13, 2025, a total of 63 such bodies were cremated after remaining unidentified and unclaimed. As of Monday, 20 remain in the mortuary. Of these, seven have received police clearance for cremation and are awaiting procedural completion. The remaining wait in cold storage for someone to identify them, or for formalities to be completed. According to hospital officials, most of these bodies are of men aged above 50. They may have been from within the city or other states, but who have lived here for years. Some are abandoned by their families. Others may have walked away from their pasts. Many are simply homeless. A large number are brought in with serious or failing health conditions. This number can change any day. Many people come here in critical condition and we give them the best treatment. But often they are unwilling to reveal who they are or where they come from. We can only hope they recover and speak up, but sometimes they dont make it, said Dr T P Jayaprakash, resident medical officer at the MCH. Step-by-step process Unclaimed bodies go through a step-by-step process. Once a person dies without an identity or relatives, the hospital informs the police. The police then verify whether the deceased has anyone to claim the body. If there is none, a letter is submitted to the RMO. This is followed by clearance by the city corporation and only then can the hospital proceed with cremation at Santhikavadam, at government expenditure. Sunilkumar B S, superintendent of the MCH, said the system works without disruption despite the rising numbers. We have 48 mortuary chambers. Bodies are typically disposed of within three-five weeks. Sometimes it stretches beyond a month if the police or corporation processes take longer. But there has never been a situation where we couldnt manage, he said. Police verification is more easy when the person is a local. In such cases, identification is often quicker, and notices or newspaper alerts may not be required. However, for unidentified bodies from outside the district or state, the police initiate wider inquiries. Notices are issued and advertisements are published in newspapers to trace family members or anyone who might recognise the person. There have been instances where relatives turn up years later asking for a death certificate for property claims or other legal reasons. Record of DNA Sometimes, people go missing from home and families never look for them until a legal matter brings it up. Even when there is no one to claim them, the hospital takes DNA samples of all unidentified bodies. When they do come, we can only help if DNA is on record, the RMO added. Interestingly, not all the unclaimed bodies are cremated. If they meet certain health criteria and are not severely decomposed or affected by organ failure, some are handed over to the anatomy department for academic use. This must happen within two weeks. The bodies are stored at 8 degrees Celsius, which keeps them preserved for up to two to three weeks. After that, decomposition begins, and the conditions must be adjusted. There is no deep-freezing facility in the mortuary. Storing bodies at sub-zero temperatures would be costly. We dont store bodies under -10C. That kind of infrastructure is expensive. We go by standard procedures, said the RMO. Postmortem is mandatory in case of deaths in accidents or under suspicious circumstances. The hospital handles cases from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and sometimes even Kanyakumari. From Kanyakumari, we receive people who may be originally from there but living here. We dont take cases directly from other states, said the RMO. Verification can take longer for patients brought in from remote police station limits. That is when we see delays. It is not easy when police stations are in distant areas and communication takes time, he added.

Exhibition in Thiruvananthapuram sheds light on 50 years of Emergency

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Marking 50 years since the declaration of the Emergency in India, the AKG Centre for Research and Studies organised an exhibition on Tuesday that revisited the dark, silenced chapter in the countrys democratic history. Titled Emergency: 50 Years Since the Semi-Fascist Regime, the exhibition featured a wide collection of rare newspaper clippings, photographs and archival materials from the 1975-77 period. One of the most striking displays was a newspaper clippings of the blank editorial that was published against censorship imposed on the press. Also on display were political cartoons by R K Laxman and others, who used satire to criticise the regime during a time when free expression was under threat. There is a pressing need to hold exhibitions and discussions to remind what led to Emergency, because we are living through what feels like an undeclared Emergency. With laws like the UAPA, frequent ED raids, and increasing interference from the central government, efforts to silence the press, dissent, and public voices are intensifying. The raid on NewsClick and other media outlets are examples, said C N Mohanan, director of AKG Centre for Research and Studies. Photographs showed scenes from the period. Protesters on the streets, mass arrests, and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announcing the Emergency on All India Radio. The exhibition also documented the controversial forced sterilisation drives and underground protest movements through posters and photographs. One of the exhibits is a cartoon by Abu Abraham, depicting then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signing an ordinance from his bathtub. It shows how he was rushed into approving the Emergency ordinance without cabinet consent. Each exhibit is a reminder of that dark period. This exhibition offers just a glimpse into the vast story of the Emergency into which one can dive into, added C N Mohanan. Posters of films that fell under the scanner during the Emergency were on display. Aandhi and Kissa Kursi Ka, both known for their criticism of the political climate, were displayed. These films faced censorship, bans, and in the case of Kissa Kursi Ka, complete destruction of its original prints. Another clipping was from A Prison Diary, the writings of Snehalata Reddy, a theatre artist and social activist who was imprisoned for eight months during the Emergency.

Fake disability certificates: Health department on alert, doctors under scrutiny in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The health department is taking steps to streamline the process for issuing disability medical certificates following allegations of a scam involving fake certificates. The department intends to oversee the issuance of certificates by medical boards at the taluk, district and medical college levels. The decision follows an order from the Chief Ministers Office directing the state police chief to launch a statewide investigation into the fraudulent certificates. Certificates are typically reviewed only when a specific complaint is filed. However, we are working on implementing a more transparent and efficient system without causing delays, a department source said. The scam was exposed after the Society for Educating and Empowering Differently Abled filed a complaint with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau regarding a teacher appointment in Kannur. It was revealed that the medical certificate had exaggerated the applicants disability to secure a job intended for individuals with disabilities. As many as thirty fake certificates were created in Kuttiyadi, Kozhikode, alone. There should be action against the doctors involved in this racket, said Kulathur Jaisingh, a High Court lawyer and public activist who appealed to the Chief Ministers Office for an expanded investigation. Disability certificates are essential for individuals with disabilities (PWD) to access educational opportunities, employment, insurance benefits, and travel services. It can take at least three months to obtain a certificate through the Swabalamban portal. These certificates are issued for 21 different disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The Kerala Social Security Mission, the Health Department, and local self-government bodies also hold camps to issue certificates and Unique Disability Identity cards.

Bharat Mata row: CM Pinarayi to convey dissent to governor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The standoff between the Left government and the governor over the Bharat Mata row is likely to escalate further as the state government has decided to formally convey its dissent to the Raj Bhavan. The state cabinet on Wednesday decided to send an official communication to Governor Rajendra Arlekar expressing a difference of opinion over using the image of Bharat Mata carrying a saffron flag, at official functions being held at Raj Bhavan. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will write to the governor pointing out that only those images and symbols which are in line with the Constitution can be displayed at official functions. Displaying other images and symbols during official functions are not acceptable as per the Constitution, the chief minister will tell the governor. The cabinet has decided to look into the matter seriously and take it up with the governor. We cannot insist that it should not be displayed at private functions attended by the governor. But in official events irrespective of whether its being held at Raj Bhavan or not no such symbols or images should be displayed, said sources. The cabinet decision comes amidst the Opposition allegations that the state government has failed to convey its position to the Raj Bhavan. UDF had attacked the chief minister for his silence on the issue. Law Minister P Rajeeve told the media that the government has a declared position on the matter. Usually government official functions will have only the national flag, national anthem and other symbols/images approved by the Constitution. Deviating from this practice should be viewed as showing disrespect to national emblems. Naturally the same will be brought to the governors attention, said the minister. Police prevent SFI workers from barging into the university campus | Vincent Pulickal

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu to experiment with Kerala-developed seeds in space

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As Indias Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other astronauts, headed to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission on Wednesday, he has taken along with him six varieties of seeds developed exclusively in Kerala, along with other specimens, for conducting various experiments in space. The main aim of the experiment with seeds is to examine how space conditions such as micro-gravity impact the germination, growth, and viability of food crop seeds. Since the conditions in the ISS are limited, the experiment would identify factors that can help in the development of crops in restricted environments. The experiment is the brainchild of the Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, (IIST), established by ISRO. The seeds were developed by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in its various centres. The European Space Agency has also partnered in the project for its technical aspects. The seeds selected for the space experiment include locally-developed crop varieties noted for their high yield. The specimens are: Jyothi and Uma (rice), Kanakamani (cowpea), Thilakathara (sesame), Soorya (brinjal/eggplant) and Vellayani Vijay (tomato). The seeds require complex hardware support to ensure their survival in space and also to record the minute changes that happen over the days. Shukla will not be required to open the seed chamber for the experiment but he will be involved in capturing the scientific imagery and carrying out visual inspection of the specimens, Prof K G Sreejalekshmi of IIST, who is the principal investigator of the project, told TNIE. The specimens were sent to space to also validate the findings of earlier experiments carried out by the space biology wing of IIST in a simulated micro-gravity environment. The findings, we believe, will help in the development of climate resilient crops that can survive with limited resources, Sreejalekshmi said. According to Beena R of KAU, who is the co-principal investigator of the project, close to 4,000 seeds in six varieties were sent to space. These will be brought back to earth and planted in controlled environments. Detailed analysis will be carried out to assess changes in growth, resilience and productivity after their prolonged exposure in a micro-gravity environment, she said.

India passing through undeclared Emergency, says CPM general secretary M A Baby

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India is passing through an undeclared Emergency, CPM general secretary M A Baby said in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. He was speaking after inaugurating the first-ever event conducted by the CPM to commemorate the Emergency . This is the ninth year of undeclared Emergency. The Union government is backed by the RSS and the latter is using the government machinery to implement its semi-fascist policies, Baby said. Criticising the RSS, Baby said the organisations basic structure is based on fascism. RSS is a mysterious organisation. Its leadership is not chosen through a democratic process, he said. Baby asked people to be vigilant against RSS attempts to bring India under a fascist regime. CPM state secretary M V Govindan said democracy and secularism are under threat in the country. We are facing an even worse situation than the Emergency. The Union government is proceeding to take India to a new level of neo-fascism. But people who have faith in democracy are confident of defeating these attempts, Govindan said. Further, the CPM leader said: We are ruled by people who openly said they would convert India into a one-religion country. They want to draft a new Constitution based on Chaturvarnya and Manu siddhantha. Journalist Prabir Purkayastha delivered a talk at the event. He said fear prevails in the country and those criticising the Centre are being jailed. But, he said, the people who survived divisive forces and the Emergency can overcome the current situation as well. CPM politburo member A Vijayaraghavan, district secretary V Joy, AKG Research Centre director C N Mohanan and R Parvathi Devi attended. Purkayastha released the book Amarshathinte Avishkarangal, edited by Baby. It contains memories, stories, cartoons and pictures related to the Emergency.

KFON gets national licence, to give 75k BPL connections by March

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking a giant leap in the internet arena, the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) has acquired the Internet Service Provider-Category A licence, which will give KFON operational permission throughout the country. Launched by Kerala government to erase the digital divide, KFON aims to establish 75,000 new BPL connections by March 2026. Though the new licence opens before us a pan-India market possibility, that is not the intended aim, KFON managing director Santhosh Babu told TNIE. He said with the Category A licence, KFON can collaborate with bigger organisations like metro rail networks, which will expand its business further. The company will also be able to provide internet to people living on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. KFON, which currently has over one lakh customers, earlier held a Category-B licence that allowed it to operate within the state. KFON has already provided more than 14,000 connections to people in the BPL category, and has now set a higher goal of 75,000 new connections by the end of this financial year. Towards that end, the government has agreed to provide us Rs 60 crore. If the fund is received in a timely manner, we wont have any issue in achieving the target, Santhosh said. Those availing BPL connections -- which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis -- will not have to pay internet charges for the first year. With a turnover of around Rs 267 crore, KFON is also planning to collaborate with other companies in a consortium format to increase its revenue. The internet service provider is trying to acquire a Virtual Network Operator licence, which will open new spaces in the tech industry. However, a lack of human resources remains a hurdle for the firm.

KU turns battle zone as Bharat Mata image at governor's event sparks protests

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The display of an image of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag at an event attended by Governor Rajendra Arlekar in Kerala University (KU) triggered massive protests by SFI and KSU activists on Wednesday, leading to a tense situation for nearly two hours at the varsitys senate house campus. The trouble began when the image, allegedly used by the RSS in its functions, was spotted at the Senate Hall, the venue of the event organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. The programme, scheduled to begin at 5.30pm, was organised by Sree Padmanaba Seva Samithi, a pro-right wing organisation and attended by BJP leaders, party workers and supporters. On being informed, KU Registrar K S Anil Kumar told the organisers that religious symbols could not be used in a programme held at the varsity. As organisers were reluctant to call off the programme, Anil told them in writing that the event had been cancelled for violating the terms and conditions for using the hall. By then, SFI workers gathered outside the hall in huge numbers, shouting slogans. Pro-left Syndicate members joined in. KSU workers also marched to the varsity and some attempted to enter the hall, leading to arguments and eventually fist fights with BJP supporters who were in the audience. The police soon intervened. Meanwhile, Arlekar informed the registrar he would be attending the event. Amid tight security, he arrived around 6.25pm and offered floral tributes before the image of Bharat Mata. Such Emergency wont be tolerated: Guv on protests In a veiled message to the ruling Left, Arlekar said his non-confrontational nature should not be mistaken as compromise. The governor also urged protesters to shun intolerance and adopt the path of dialogue. When I came to Kerala I publicly said it is not my nature to have confrontation every time. But not having confrontation doesnt mean I will be compromising, Arlekar said, adding, Such intolerance was not the ethos of this soil. We have to talk, discuss. The governor also decried the undemocratic manner in which the student activists staged protests at the varsity. Not allowing the governor to enter the hall! Is this democracy? I dont want to target anybody, but this type of Emergency cannot be tolerated, Arlekar said, adding that he was not a political leader and did not have political enmity with anyone. With student activists still gathered outside the main gate, the governors motorcade took an alternative exit route after the event. SFI workers later took out a march from KU against alleged moves to turn universities into Sangh parivar centres. SFI will stage fierce protests if the plan is to turn public events into RSS functions, SFI state secretary P S Sanjeev told reporters. KSU has called an educational bandh in the state on Thursday. The student outfit has called for bandh in view of alleged attack by RSS-Yuvamorcha workers on KSU activists, who protested against the governor at University senate hall on Wednesday.

UK's stranded F-35 fighter to be repaired in India

NEW DELHI: The F-35B Lightning II fighter of the British Royal Navy, stranded in Thiruvananthapuram, will be repaired at its present location, for which a team will be flown in from the UK, the British High Commission (BHC) said. We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible...We thank the Indian authorities for their continued support, a spokesperson for the BHC said. The Royal Navy F-35B fighter was recovered following an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of June 14, 2025. The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales as it was caught in adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely, the BHC said. The Indian Air Force had extended assistance in the recovery of the aircraft. Operating from the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the fighter was undertaking routine flying outside the Indian ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone), with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield. On having declared a diversion of an emergency, the F-35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery, the IAF spokesperson had said. As earlier reported by The New Indian Express , the UK Carrier Strike Group, comprising HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Richmond, visited India for a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in which the Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Tabar, a submarine, and P8I aircraft participated in the North Arabian Sea. The aircraft subsequently developed an engineering issue while on the ground, which precluded its return to the carrier. Initially, the engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and decided that the support of a UK-based engineering team was needed. At this time, there is no forecast for when the aircraft will be repaired. The F-35 is a fifth-generation maritime fighter with 'short take-off and vertical landing' (STOVL) capability. To minimise disruptions to regular airport operations, the aircraft will be moved to a space in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility hangar once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams arrive. Throughout this diversion incident, we have worked closely with all Indian authorities, including the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and are extremely grateful for their support, the spokesperson said. The safe landing, logistics, and continuing security and organisational support provided by India in responding to this situation further demonstrate the close coordination and deepening relationship that exists between the Armed Forces of the UK and India.

Reverberations of Zohran Mamdanis New York Mayoral campaign in far away Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Automobiles Limited launches electric icecream carts for Milma

Ten electric carts each will be provided to the regional cooperative milk producers units in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode

Bharat Mata image row: CM Vijayan to write to Governor expressing objections

Bharat Mata image row: CM Vijayan to write to Governor expressing objections Thiruvananthapuram: The standoff between the Kerala government and Raj Bhavan over the use of the Bharat Mata picture in official functions at the Governors residence is likely to deepen as the Vijayan-led cabinet has decided to send an official communique to Governor Rajendra [] The post Bharat Mata image row: CM Vijayan to write to Governor expressing objections appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Heavy rain triggers flood fears in Wayanad's Chooralmala, one year after deadly landslides

WAYANAD: Heavy rains over the past 24 hours have raised fears of fresh flooding and landslides in Wayanad's Mundakkai-Chooralmala region, just a year after deadly landslides claimed over 200 lives there. District officials reported on Wednesday that the Chooralmala river is in strong spate, with muddy water flowing forcefully and breaching the banks near the Bailey bridge. Soil stored along both riverbanks for renovation work has been washed away, causing water to spill onto the Attamala road and surrounding areas. Local residents say they believe new landslides have occurred in the hills, particularly uphill near Punchirimattam inside forested areas. However, officials say there has been no confirmation so far. We have no confirmation of new landslides inside the forest, uphill Punchirimattam, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said. The loose debris from previous events is coming down with the rain. This will likely continue for some time until all eroded materials are washed off, it said. Residents remain anxious, remembering the July 2024 disaster that flattened homes, injured dozens, and left hundreds without shelter. District administration officials say the flash flooding is a result of widespread rain in the hills. However, they maintain that there is no immediate danger and are monitoring the situation closely. Further downstream, the Kabani river has also seen rising water levels at Mananthavady and Panamaram. With the Banasura dam nearing full capacity, a red alert remains in place for nearby regions. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for 11 districts, including Wayanad, warning of moderate rainfall and strong winds up to 50 km/h over the next three hours. Light rain and gusty winds are also expected in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha.

CPI accuses CPM of lack of coordination during Nilambur bypoll

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI state leadership accuses the CPM of a lack of coordination between the LDF partner parties during the Nilambur by-election campaign. In the state executive held on Tuesday, the leaders also said that CPM was simply implementing the decision taken by CPM state secretary MV Govindan and A Vijayaraghavan without even consulting the front partners. The CPI has decided to raise this in the next LDF state committee meeting. The district leadership also reported that the CPI workers had worked meticulously. Our minister, K Rajan and GR Anil campaigned for the LDF candidate. However, as the CPM had not assigned any public programmes to the CPI ministers, they had only participated in the programmes organized by the local party units, the leadership told the committee. The leaders also accused that no roles were assigned for the other LDF parties in Nilambur. Since CPI has its own party machinery, we have worked as much as we can. In the Wayanad parliament by-election in which a CPI candidate had contested, we provided vehicles and looked after the workers. However, in Nilambur, the CPM didn't even ask us whether we need any of it, the leaders said. How Satheesan and Team UDF scripted stunning Nilambur bypoll victory in Kerala The executive asked the state secretary to raise the issue before the LDF. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam has told the meeting that the leadership would definitely raise the issue. Meanwhile, in the editorial published in its mouthpiece Janayugam on Tuesday, the CPI has called upon the LDF to prepare for retrospection and corrective measures. It also said that the Nilambur by-election result could not be viewed as an evaluation of the government's performance. However, the front leadership must evaluate factually the governance of LDF government, and many issues which are yet to be sorted out, such as the policy approach towards different sections of the people, the threat faced by the high range farmers and Scheduled Tribes from the wild animals in view of the Nilambur result. An introspection should be made whether the influence of the front partners was duly used. It is decisive for the continuing work. If the front can learn lessons and take corrective measures from the defeat of the Nilambur by-election, the LDF can overcome all the adverse conditions, it said.

Bonding over board games, bridge and LEGO in Kerala capital

Four people sit around a table, dice roll across the board, cards change hands, and laughter bubbles up between turns. Its a scene slowly becoming part of Thiruvananthapurams evolving cultural fabric. Once limited to ludo, snakes and ladders, or chess, i.e. games usually pulled out during school holidays or evenings at home, board gaming is now expanding into something communal. Indeed, from Dungeons & Dragons to strategy board games, a quiet but consistent revolution is taking shape across cafes and creative corners in the capital city. At the centre of this movement is Playfolio, a community initiative launched a year ago. Our goal was to bring people together through the joy of play, says Anurag R, one of the founders. We always believed that games can help us connect, de-stress, and grow, regardless of age. What began as spontaneous game nights at Eves Coffee soon evolved into regular events, workshops, LEGO builds, and casual meetups. The community grew through word of mouth and WhatsApp groups. Four core circles have since emerged: board games, Dungeons & Dragons, contract bridge, and LEGO play. Seeing this growth, we felt it was time to bring everything under one banner, and that is how The PlayFest initiative came into being, says Anurag. We want to include everything from board games and open mics to reading circles and casual sports. The idea is to create inclusive, creative spaces. A board game session in progress Strategic Sundays I was always into board games, but it was hard to find others who shared that interest here, says Mukund V, coordinator of the Trivandrum board game group. With more cafes in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad promoting gaming culture, Eves Coffee became Thiruvananthapurams launchpad. The group now plays a wide range of games from classics like Monopoly and Catan to titles like Secret Hitler, Blood on the Clocktower, and Mafia. Theyve even started hosting tournaments. You dont need to know the rules beforehand, Mukund stresses. Well teach you. There are always a few experienced players ready to guide. We just want everyone to enjoy at least one full round. The community gathers every Sunday at Eves Coffee, and the table is always open to anyone who wants to join. A LEGO build at PlayFest Hands-on Imagination A box of LEGO bricks, a flat surface, and some time, that is all it takes for colours to come together and shapes to rise. There are no rules, no scores, just creation. At Eves Coffee, the LEGO table sits slightly apart from the noise, inviting anyone to build whatever comes to mind. LEGO is taking slower but steady steps, says Swetha S, who coordinates the LEGO community. We started with open sessions anyone could drop by and build. People shared photos of their creations in our group. Thats how it grew. PlayFest is now planning themed LEGO events where people build around a story or emotion. A summer camp was held recently, and the group now has about 20 active members. There will be more crowds in the future that want to get involved in this for sure. Also, LEGO is for all ages - the official age range is 4 to 99. Its not complicated, and its completely accessible to anyone who wants to create, Swetha smiles. Children exploring LEGO at the PlayFest summer camp. A game of minds At first glance, contract bridge might seem like just another card game. But for a small group that gathers regularly at Eves Coffee in Anayara, its a source of mental challenge, social bonding, and a thrill. Among the most vocal champions of the game is Jaget Babu, a former professor at the College of Engineering, Trivandrum (CET), who believes that the bridge offers lifelong value. Bridge is not based on luck. Its more about thinking, strategy, and cooperation, which is why its often called a mind sport, Jaget Babu says. Jaget discovered bridge in the 1980s at the British Library Bombay (then in the YMCA building). Later, he played regularly in Mumbai and carried the passion wherever he went. On returning to Thiruvananthapuram, he approached Eves Coffee to introduce bridge. They agreed, and he trained the first batch in February. Bridge is played by four people, two on each team. The game has two parts: bidding and playing. In the first, teams estimate how many rounds or tricks they can win and choose a trump suit. In the second, they play to meet their bid or stop the opponents from meeting theirs. Its open to anyone aged 8 and above no experience needed, he says. A Contract Bridge game session Storytelling with dice For fans of Stranger Things, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is instantly familiar. Its the game Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin played in the basement. First published in 1974, D&D is a collaborative fantasy role-playing game. The best way to explain D&D is this its like playing a story instead of reading one, says Surya, founder of Dragons Waltz, the citys D&D group. Players become characters in an unfolding narrative, guided by a Dungeon Master (DM). Dice rolls decide the outcomes of their actions, adding drama and unpredictability. The community began in December 2023, when a few strangers met for their first game. In many countries, D&D is part of the mainstream gaming culture. We wanted that here too, Surya says. They launched Dragons Waltz officially on December 6. Free weekly sessions were held, usually lasting four to five hours. From just two players, the group now has over 30 active members and a WhatsApp community of more than 100. Through platforms like Reddit, word about the community began to spread and attracted interest from beyond Thiruvananthapuram. To include those who could not attend in person, we have now started hosting online sessions through Discord, says Surya. A D&D session in progress The big picture What started as small weekend gatherings is now an emerging subculture in Thiruvananthapuram. For some, its a break from the digital world. For others, its a way to meet like-minded people. From strategic showdowns to story-driven adventures, quiet LEGO builds to competitive card battles, these micro-communities are indeed shaping new ways for the city to come together.

Old rivals meet, recall tales of golden days at assembly reunion in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As senior leaders started walking into the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall of the assembly, ex-MLA PC George shook hands with Speaker A N Shamseer and had a light conversation with CPM leader P K Sreemathy. Politics took a back seat when politicians met their contemporaries to make way for a delightful event, the Peythozhiyunna Ormakal programme in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Over 146 ex-MLAs participated in the event that honoured them, along with other MLAs who completed 25 years in the assembly, former assembly secretaries, senior journalists and retired employees of the assembly. Inaugurating the function, Shamseer said that the ceremony is similar to alumni meetings held on campuses, drawing parallels between the legislative assembly and a university. Even though the MLAs have heated debates inside the assembly hall, we do not have any issue with each other outside. That is the beauty of democracy, the Speaker hailed the democratic values followed by politicians in Kerala. Mentioning that the state assembly has a rich legacy on its own, he also added that a Kerala model can be considered not just in health and education sectors, but also in the effective organisation of assembly sessions. It is indeed a delight to see the senior leaders who have worked alongside us, senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told TNIE. Stating that many of them have made risky moves and made sharp decisions at the right time, he mentioned that he respectfully admires these leaders. I was also part of the 24-hour-long assembly session in which K R Gowri Amma passed the Anti-corruption Bill, ex-minister J Mercykutty Amma told TNIE, as she walked down memory lane. Relatively a fresher, Congress Chandy Oommen too expressed his happiness of seeing seasoned politicians who worked as his fathers contemporaries to shape Kerala. I met a former legislator, who got appreciated after his first speech in the assembly, he said, adding that he has come here mainly to know more about the leaders experiences, directly from them. He also agreed with the view of using the rich experience of former legislators for the welfare of the state, which was mentioned by former speaker M Vijayakumar in the meeting. Ex-speaker N Sakthan appreciated the efforts taken by the senior politicians to attend the programme, despite their poor health, with some even coming in wheelchairs. The sight of politicians shaking hands with people they have had heated arguments within the same assembly building was the reflection of camaraderie, a reflection of democratic etiquette. The function was attended by deputy speaker Chittayam Gopakumar, ex-minister Pandalam Sudhakaran, assembly secretary N Krishna Kumar, among others.

Smart City plans monthly pass to ensure max use of Palayam MLCP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an effort to reduce waiting time, provide hassle-free parking, and offer cost-effective solutions for regular users, Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL) is set to introduce a monthly pass system for the multi-level car parking (MLCP) facility at Palayam. Currently, users are charged Rs 15 per hour for parking at the MLCP. The monthly pass initiative is being introduced to address low patronage at the Palayam MLCP and to cater to growing demand from local residents and business owners who require long-term parking. There are people in the locality who lack space to park their vehicles at their homes and resort to roadside parking. Concerns about vehicle safety have prompted many to approach us with requests for a more feasible long-term parking solution, said an SCTL official. According to the official, monthly pass holders will be able to park for extended periods - even three to four days at a stretch - without paying the cumulative hourly fee. Users opting for the monthly pass can save up to 40% compared to the current hour-based charges. The proposal is under the Smart City Boards consideration and is likely to be taken up in the upcoming meeting, the official added. SCTL has initiated a study to identify vacant slots at the Palayam MLCP that can be reserved for monthly pass users. Meanwhile, two more MLCPs - one at East Fort and another at the Medical College Hospital (MCH) - are nearing completion. According to sources, the MCH facility is expected to be completed within the next two weeks, with trial runs scheduled to begin soon. In addition, the Rs 20-crore MLCP at Putharikandam is expected to be ready by next month. We have also received a request from the Railways for dedicated parking lots at the Putharikandam MLCP for railway commuters. The proposal is currently under review, the official said. Fee benefits Pass holders will be able to park for extended periods - even 3 to 4 days at a stretch - without paying cumulative hourly fee Users can save up to 40% as compared to the current hourly charges

Concession pass: KSRTC to make the smart switch

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The KSRTC is set to roll out student concession passes as smart cards. Students from classes 1 to 12 will be able to use the chip-based card for travelling on a specified route for 25 days a month. The smart cards would be introduced within 20 days, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said. KSRTC has decided to replace paper passes with smart cards embedded with chips. These can store route details and track the number of travel days. Conductors will validate the card by scanning it on the ticketing machine, he said, adding that the paper system was laborious and the new format would be more efficient. Plus One students will be eligible for a smart card with two-year validity. The annual fee of the concession card will remain unchanged at `110. KSRTC also plans to extend the smart card facility to persons with disabilities. Around four lakh general-purpose travel cards will be introduced for the public and made available in the market.

Pullad bids emotional adieu to Ahmedabad plane crash victim Ranjitha

PATHANAMTHITTA: The air was thick with grief as the last rites of Ranjitha Gopakumaran Nair, one of the victims of the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, were performed in her hometown, Pullad, Pathanamthitta, on Tuesday. Ranjitha, 39, a nurse, died while preparing to return to work in the UK after a brief leave. Her body, identified through DNA testing, arrived at Thiruvananthapuram airport at 7.15 am and was received by Ministers V Sivankutty and G R Anil, who paid homage on behalf of the state government. The body was accompanied by Ranjithas brother, Ratheesh G Nair, and uncle, Unnikrishnan, as it was taken to her native place. Upon arrival at Pullad, a public viewing was held at Sri Vivekananda HS at 10 am. Political and administrative dignitaries joined the grieving public, offering their condolences. Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, CPM general secretary M A Baby, MLA Mathew T Thomas and former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan were among those present. MP Anto Antony and MLA Pramod Narayan, also paid their respects alongside District Collector S Prem Krishnan and District Police Chief V Ajith. Ranjithas body was later taken to her under-construction home adjacent to her ancestral house in Pullad. The house was a dream she had long cherished, symbolising her aspirations to settle back with her family. The hearse paused at the site, as her loved ones reflected on the life she had planned but could not live.After a brief time, on the house premises, her son Induchudan, along with her nephews Kashinath and Sriram, lit the funeral pyre. Due to severe burns, DNA testing was the only reliable method to identify her remains. While her brother, Ratheesh G Nair provided a sample, it did not match. This led to samples being collected from her mother and two children three days ago at their home in Pullad, making Ranjithas final journey possible.

Pooram row: Kerala government awaits crime branch report to take a call on Ajith Kumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb filed his report on former Law and Order ADGP M R Ajith Kumars alleged lapses during the 2024 Thrissur Pooram, all eyes are now on the outcome of the crime branch investigation on the conspiracy behind the Pooram fiasco. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced a three-tier probe -- one by Shaik, one by the crime branch headed by ADGP H Venkatesh and another by DGP Manoj Abraham -- after the high-level team headed by Shaik had reported lapses from the part of Ajith in Pooram handling. Manoj, who probed the lapses of officials from various departments fielded for Pooram duty, had earlier filed a report with the government. The crime branch investigation, sources said, is nearing completion and a report is expected soon. The State Police Chiefs report filed with the government on Monday reportedly carried critical remarks on Ajith acknowledging lapses from him. Despite being in Thrissur, he did not attend the calls of minister K Rajan when the pooram was disrupted. The officer was not present during the night when the untoward incidents unfurled and the report mentioned that the officer did not perform his responsibility. The state government, its been learnt, will decide on further course of action against Ajith only after perusing the crime branch report. The UDF has been pushing the allegation that the Pooram was sabotaged to give electoral mileage to NDA Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency candidate Suresh Gopi. That the fiasco occurred only days prior to the Lok Sabha poll and Sureshs comfortable win lend further weight to the allegation. Ajith, who was in Thrissur when the unsavoury episode unravelled, was accused of turning a blind eye to the incident.

PM Modi: Gurudevan-Gandhiji meeting remains inspirational even today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The meeting between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, which took place hundred years ago, remains inspirational and relevant even today, and serves as a powerful source of energy for social harmony and collective goals of a developed India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said. The prime minister was inaugurating the centenary celebration of the historic meeting between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday. He said even today when he takes major decisions for the betterment of these communities, he remembers Gurudev. The ideals of Sree Narayana Guru are a great asset to humanity. For those committed to the service of the country and society, Sree Narayana Guru serves as a guiding light. Sree Narayana Guru was undeterred by opposition and unafraid of challenges. Varkala has long been referred to as the Kashi of the South. Whether Kashi is in the north or the south, for me, every Kashi is my own, he said. During the 2013 natural disaster in Kedarnath, in which many from Sivagiri Mutt were stranded, the Mutt approached me, as I was then the chief minister of Gujarat. In times of crisis, ones attention first turns to those they consider their own, those they feel a sense of belonging and responsibility toward. There can be no greater spiritual satisfaction for him than the sense of kinship and trust shown by the saints of Sivagiri Mutt. When foreign ideologies attempted to undermine Indias civilisation, culture, and philosophy, Sree Narayana Guru made us realise the fault did not lie in our original traditions, but needed to truly internalise our spirituality, the PM said.

Priorities change, Kerala couples delay parenthood

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Parenthood is generally viewed as a deeply fulfilling experience, but it is not on the priority list of a good number of people in Kerala! In a curious trend that may not go down well with the older generation, newly married couples in the state are increasingly postponing parenthood, presumably influenced by factors such as career aspirations and financial stability. Between 2019 and 2023, the percentage of couples who had their first child within four years of marriage came down from 90.29% to 86.19%, showed data with the economics and statistics department. Of the total 3.93 lakh children born in 2023, 1.70 lakh were firstborns, of whom 86.19% were born within four years of marriage. The year 2019 saw 4.80 lakh child births in the state, including 2.17 lakh firstborns. Of the first children, 90.29% were born in the first four years of marriage. Couples who had their first child in 5-9 years of marriage rose from 7.59% in 2019 to 10.57% in 2023. First-time parents in the 10-14 year category too increased from 1.41% to 2.17%. Women are increasingly prioritising education and career over early motherhood. This shift towards higher education and career aspirations is leading to delayed marriages and parenthood. Also, urbanisation has brought about increased exposure to modern ideas, career opportunities and financial independence, causing couples to delay parenthood, said Sandhya R S, professor and Head of the Sociology Department of Kerala University (KU). More and more men are giving importance to their partners career goals and bodily autonomy, opined Bushra Beegom R K, assistant professor at Kerala university and president of the Kerala Sociological Society. A range of factors, from globalisation to social media, has widened the horizon for youths. Many women are focused and have a plan for the future. Childbearing would not be on top of their bucket list, she said. Dip in first-time mothers aged 2024 The data showed a decline in first-time mothers in the 20-24 age group from 47.46% in 2019 to 41.75% in 2023. Those who embraced motherhood in the 25-29 age group rose from 32.34% to 37.90%, and in the 30-34 age group from 8.24% to 11.35%. Deferment of first pregnancy allows couples to establish a strong foundation in their relationship before adding a child to the mix, said Dr Reji Mohan, associate professor in the department of reproductive medicine at SAT Hospital under the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. Easy availability of contraception and abortion facilities is helping couples in better family planning. As age advances women become more mentally and physically mature to accept the natural process of delivering normally, he said. While many women successfully conceive and deliver healthy babies in their 30s, its important to be aware of the potential risks. They include declining fertility, chances of miscarriage, increased risk for complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia and chromosomal anomalies, he added. First-time mothers (in %) Mothers age 2019 2023 15-19 9.45 5.38 20-24 47.46 41.75 25-29 32.34 37.90 30-34 8.24 11.35 35-39 1.96 2.70

Why did CPM not protest Pinarayis detention during Emergency, asks Goa Governor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai severely criticised the CPM for not protesting against the arrest and detention of Pinarayi Vijayan during Emergency. Pinarayi Vijayan was beaten up and detained in his innerwear. I wonder why was there no protest by the CPM in its stronghold Kannur against this. It was fear, he said. Pillai was speaking at the release of his two books here on Tuesday. The function was attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Andhra Pradesh Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer. Pillai said his book on Emergency gives due credit to Pinarayis fight because justice should be done. My publisher has uploaded 10 pages of my book on Rediff. In that Pinarayi is featured in his innerwear and it reached the world over. The biggest beneficiary of my book is Pinarayi, he said. Pillai said the only organisation which took to the streets against Emergency was the Lok Sangharsh Samiti which had the backing of RSS. Around 8,000 people under the Samitis banner protested without fearing arrest or jail. Still, it is not mentioned in Emergency-related articles by mainstream media, he said. All media succumbed to the pressure of Indira Gandhi fearing arrest. Only Ramnath Goenka was an exception. He was a fighter, Pillai said. Pillai criticised Pinarayi for misinterpreting facts in his media address recently. Constitutional supremacy is a cornerstone of modern democratic governance, said Syed Abdul Nazeer. Constitutional supremacy ensures that the Constitution remains the highest source of law and that all other laws and governmental decisions are subject to its authority, he said. 50 years of Emergency: The Kerala story When Pinarayi could no longer get up

Former CM VS Achuthanandan's health shows improvement

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The health condition of veteran CPM leader and former chief minister VS Achuthanandan, who's undergoing treatment at a city hospital, has slightly improved. The hospital issued a medical bulletin on Tuesday morning. The bulletin said the treatment is being led by a team of doctors consisting a cardiologist, neurologist, intensive and a nephrologist. Earlier in the day chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited Achuthanandan in the hospital. The CM talked to doctors and Ahcuthanandan's family members. Achuthanandan was hospitalized on Monday, following cardiac issues. The 101-year-old leader who was incapacitated following a stroke in 2019, reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and respiratory issues on Monday morning. He was rushed to the hospital and was admitted in the intensive care unit, with doctors closely monitoring his condition. On Monday a host of left leaders including CPM general secretary MA Baby, state secretary MV Govindan and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam had visited the hospital.

Middle East Shutdown Disrupts Kerala Flights

With the Israel-Iran ceasefire easing tensions, airlines have begun rescheduling flights, bringing relief to stranded travellers.reports Asian Lite News A sudden closure of airspace over parts of the Middle East late Monday caused widespread disruption across Keralas four major international airports on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded as numerous flights were cancelled. Display boards at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur airports showed long lists of cancelled and delayed flights, leaving travellers in a state of uncertainty. However, with reports emerging that the situation is beginning to normalise after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced, many have heaved

Gulf tensions: Multiple flights disrupted across India; airlines issue alert

Flight operations at Delhi's IGI Airport faced major disruptions with 48 cancellations, impacting Air India and IndiGo significantly. Airports across India, including Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru, experienced delays due to airspace restrictions over Qatar and the Gulf region. Cochin and Lucknow airports issued advisories amid heightened Middle East tensions following Iran's missile strike on U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq.

Congress celebrates Nilambur win as morale booster ahead of assembly polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was a Monday morning painted in shades of triumph at the KPCC office in Thiruvananthapuram. While the vote count in Nilambur played out on television screens, the mood at Indira Bhavan was already celebratory, as if the Congress had sensed the result long before the final numbers came in. There were no dramatic swings or heart-stopping lead changes to rattle nerves. The moment Aryadan Shoukath began taking the lead, there was confidence felt at the KPCC office. Every number only confirmed what the Congress workers there believed from the start, that Nilambur was coming home. The leaders came early. Ramesh Chennithala, Adoor Prakash, K Sabarinath, K Sarathchandran and others walked in with all smiles. They settled in front of the TV with no visible tension but only anticipation that slowly turned into celebration. This is the semi-final before the big one. And we have made our shot count, said Ramesh Chennithala, watching the screen with a half-smile as the leads widened. He called it a clear mandate against the LDF government and said the Pinarayi government has now lost the moral right to continue. What we have now is only a caretaker government, he added. As the final lead turned into a confirmed victory, the mood inside KPCC office came alive with cheers. Sweets came out. The courtyard rang with slogans hailing Shoukath and targeting the LDF government. The Congress flags waved high in the capital sky. The cheers were not just about one win. They were about the return of momentum. They were about reclaiming lost ground. They were about setting the stage for the assembly elections that now feel closer than ever. K Sabarinath called it a morale booster. This gives us the energy to come together and fight as a team. After delimitation in 2011, Aryadan Mohammed won Nilambur by 5,000 votes. Since then, the seat has gone to the CPM. This time it is an 11,000-vote win. Thats no ordinary victory. Thats a message, he said. He also pointed to the weight of Shoukaths opponent. M Swaraj is not just any candidate. He is a state secretariat member. The entire state machinery and party stood behind him. If the people still voted for us, it shows the depth of anti-incumbency. Even many left-leaning voters may have stayed away or turned silent in protest. As firecrackers lit up the Nilambur sky and Aryadan Shoukath was lifted on shoulders amid cheering crowds; the cheers, the claps, the pride, all found its way into the hearts of party workers watching from hundreds of kilometres away in the capital. The KPCC office felt every beat of that joy. And now, with one hand already raised in victory, the Congress workers at KPCC said they are not looking back. Their eyes are set on the assembly elections. They have tasted blood. And they are ready.

Collector steps in to address tribal issues in Thiruvananthapurams Podiyakkala hamlet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To address a slew of issues faced by the tribal community in Thiruvananthapuram, the district administration has started interventions. District Collector Anu Kumari visited the Podiyakkala tribal hamlet in Vithura grama panchayat on Sunday. The collector interacted with the residents to evaluate their living conditions and address their concerns. The major issue they raised was the man-animal conflicts, Anu Kumari told TNIE . People are at risk of attacks by elephants, bisons and wild boars. Though trenches have been dug to prevent such incidents, their irregular maintenance remains a shortcoming. I have instructed the officials to take up effective maintenance. We will have support from the NABARD team also, as digging trenches in hard and rocky areas cannot be carried out by forest officials alone, she said. Anu Kumari also visited the homes of two victims of animal attacks. We faced two wild animal attacks in the past two years, said Peppara ward member Latha Kumari, adding that wild animals destroy their crops, mainly bananas and tapioca. The authorities have ensured the distribution of drinking water to 75 families in the hamlet, Latha said. She stated that the issue of dilapidated roads in the area was also raised in the meeting with the collector, which is expected to be resolved immediately. Another major issue raised was the increased student dropouts post Plus II, for which the collector directed to identify job-oriented training courses that can be provided to the students. I was very happy to see that the basic amenities at Podiyakkala, including ration distribution, healthcare administration, etc were functioning properly, the collector said. She also interacted with the tribal chieftain during the visit. The panchayat member added that monthly health check-ups, travel facilities for tribal students under the Vidyavahini scheme, etc have also been effectively functioning. The collector visited the hamlets with officials from tribal, education, forest, health, water and local self-government departments.

Middle East-bound flights resume from Thiruvananthapuram amid Iran-Israel War

Israel Iran war: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport resumed flights to the Middle East on Tuesday morning after regional airspace reopened. Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia operated early flights without disruption, while some services remained cancelled due to instability. Authorities added extra staff and counters to manage delays.

Robot Ria wins hearts at Loyola Colleges four-year UG programme launch

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: I can be a bridge connecting technology and human values, said Ria, the humanoid robot developed by Machani Robotics, sparking wonder and curiosity among a crowd of students and parents in Thiruvananthapuram. The interactive session with the robot was held as part of the inaugural ceremony of four-year undergraduate programmes at Loyola College of Social Sciences on Monday. Kolkata St Xaviers University vice-chancellor Fr John Felix Raj inaugurated the ceremony, named Deekhsharambham, which had Kazhakoottam MLA Kadakampally Surendran as the guest of honour. The humanoid robot said it can provide emotional support to the students. However, it clarified that it cannot be a designated counsellor which requires other qualifications. During the event, Surendran said the government is trying to inculcate innovative ideas among students through the Young Innovators Programme. The legislator also launched the Venture Studio at the institution, being developed by Bengaluru-based Xarpie Labs. The studio is aimed at enhancing the quality of education. The labs will provide students more than what the syllabus has to offer, Xarpie Labs CEO Sreekanth K Arimanithaya, an alumnus of Loyola College.

Middle East crisis: Several flights from Kerala to Gulf sector cancelled

KOCHI: Passengers flying from Kerala to the Gulf sector and back are severely affected after a number of flights to the Gulf sectors have been cancelled in the wake of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Flight services by various airlines to destinations including Doha (Qatar), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), and Muscat (Oman) were cancelled,since Monday night. This following the missile attack by Iran on US military bases in Qatar in retaliation for the American bombing of its nuclear sites, which has put the commercial air operations in the region at risk. Due to the evolving situation in the Middle East, certain flights are delayed, rerouted or cancelled as a precautionary measure. We advise all passengers to check flight status regularly via the airlines official website or airport displays. Also stay updated through MS/email alerts from your airline, read a passenger advisory issued by the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). The cancelled flights from Kochi included AI 953 (COK-DOH), SG 018 (COK-DXB), 6E 1403 (COK-AUH), 6E 1493 (COK-RKT), 6E 1271 (COK-MCT), 6 E 1272 (MCT-COK), 6E 1206/055 (BAH-COK-DMM), SG 017 (DXB-COK), 6 E 1404 (AUH-COK), AI 933 (COK-DXB), AI 934 (DXB=COK, IX 494 (KWI-COK), IX 441 (COK-MCT), IX 476 (DOH-COK), IX 475 (COK-DOH), IX 442 (MCT-COK) and IX 461 (COK-KWI). Similarly, several flights from Thiruvananthapuram, Calicut and Kannur too were delayed, rerouted or cancelled. n view of the evolving situation and the closure of certain airspaces in the Middle East, Air India Express has temporarily suspended flights to the region. Impacted guests are notified of changes directly on the contact details registered with the airline. We regret the inconvenience due to circumstances beyond our control and request guests to update their contact details for real time updates and check their flight status on airindiaexpress.com or chat with Tia for cancellations and refund options,an Air India Express spokesperson said. As a result of the ongoing situation in the Middle East and suspension of Qatar airspace, AIR India Express has diverted our Doha-bound flight from Kochi to Muscat and returned our flight bound from Kannur. We have no other flights bound for Qatar. The AIE has no aircraft on the ground in Qatar. We are monitoring the situation closely and will take all necessary precautions for the safety and security of our guests and crew, with inputs from the relevant authorities, he added.

Body of Ranjitha killed in Ahmedabad plane crash brought home

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The mortal remains of Ranjitha, a native of Pathanamthitta who tragically lost her life in the Ahmedabad plane crash, arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday morning. Her body was brought aboard an Air India flight from Delhi, which landed at 7 am. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty received the remains on behalf of the state government. Leaders including G.R. Anil, M.A. Baby, and M.V. Govindan also paid their last respects. The body will now be transported to her hometown of Pullad in Pathanamthitta district. Kerala nurses dream to settle at home meets tragic end in Ahmedabad crash A public viewing is scheduled at Sri Vivekananda High School in Pullad from 10 am, allowing the local community to pay their respects. The cremation will take place in the compound of her family home at 4:30 pm. Minister V.N. Vasavan is expected to attend the funeral and offer condolences on behalf of the state government. Ranjitha was the youngest daughter of Gopakumaran Nair and Tulasi. A nurse by profession, she had been working in the United Kingdom and was preparing to return to Kerala to rejoin government service. She was among the 230 passengers aboard Air India Flight 171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 12. Kerala nurses tragic death in Air India crash leaves cancer-stricken mother, two children in grief

Flight operations affected after Qatar shut airspace

Flight operations to and from several airports in the country were disrupted due to airspace closures in Qatar and parts of the Gulf region on Monday. This included (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, and Mangaluru International Airport. In addition, Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow and Cochin International Airport in Kerala also []

Flight disruptions to continue, although airspaces in West Asia reopened

Additional seating arrangements for passengers and counters for airlines are being set up in Terminal 2 of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to handle the situation

Kerala to set up green checkposts, enforce plastic ban at hill stations from October 2

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to protect its ecologically fragile hill stations and tourist destinations, the state government is gearing up to establish green checkposts and introduce an entry fee system at panchayat or district levels to enforce the High Courts ban on plastic bottles and single-use plastics (SUPs). LSGD Minister M B Rajesh told TNIE that the government will implement the ban at any cost and that aggressive enforcement will be launched from October 2, when the ban order comes into effect. The enforcement will focus on key eco-sensitive panchayats and tourism hubs including Munnar, Kumily, Elappara, Athirapally, Nelliampathy, Vythiri, Sulthan Bathery, and Ambalavayal where destinations such as Thekkady, Vagamon, Chalakudy-Athirappill y sector, Pookode Lake, Karlad Lake, and the Wayanad Heritage Museum are located. The minister said that green checkposts will be established at major access points to screen incoming visitors and vehicles for banned plastic items. The High Courts directive prohibits the use of plastic water bottles with capacity below five litres and soft drink bottles below two litres. To support the enforcement mechanism, the government will levy an entry fee, which will be used to fund the hiring of green volunteers, deploy monitoring staff, and manage operational costs to enforce the ban order. The government is fully committed to enforcing the High Court order, and aggressive action will begin across the state from October 2. Ahead of the enforcement, a campaign focusing on plastic ban by the HC will be launched immediately. This will continue for three months. A meeting will be held with the stakeholders including hotels, restaurants and tourism industries, said Minister Rajesh. In addition to enforcement, the LSG department will launch a state-wide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to raise awareness about the ban, encourage public participation, and promote behavioral change among tourists and local communities. One of the biggest challenges in front of the government is the limited availability of alternatives to plastic products. To address this, the LSGD has roped in Kudumbashree Mission to scale up the production and supply of eco-friendly substitutes like cloth bags and biodegradable packaging. The state aims to replicate the Munnar Green Corridor across all hill destinations, combining enforcement with community engagement and sustainable alternatives. Strict implementation Focus on key eco-sensitive panchayats and tourism hubs Green checkposts at major access points to screen incoming visitors and vehicles for banned plastic items Entry fee to be used to fund hiring of green volunteers, deploy monitoring staff, and manage operational costs

Wayanad to get first weather radar, boosting disaster readiness in high ranges

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending a long wait, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is setting up its first radar station in Wayanad, a move expected to significantly enhance weather forecasting and disaster preparedness in the high ranges. The X-band doppler weather radar system will be installed on land provided by the Pazhassiraja College in Pulpally. A 30-year lease agreement was signed on Wednesday between IMD, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority and college authorities. Given Wayanads vulnerability to landslides, the installation is being hailed as a game changer. The radar will monitor rainfall within a 100km radius, covering Wayanad and adjoining areas in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, said IMD Kerala director Neetha K Gopal. The demand for a radar station in the region dates to 2010. Though the project was marked high-priority, identifying suitable land proved difficult. Locations in Kozhikode and Kannur were also considered before zeroing in on Wayanad. Official clearance came this April. Until now, Wayanad was not adequately covered by the Kochi radar, which hampered weather alerts and early warnings. Last year, a series of major landslides in Meppadi panchayat left nearly 300 people died. Minor mudslides have been reported this year in forested areas. Neetha clarified that while the radar itself does not predict landslides, it provides crucial rainfall data that supports forecasts by other central agencies. Landslides are impacts. The radar gives us better rainfall input, which feeds into impact-based forecasting, she explained. The MoU marks a critical step toward setting up the facility. Weve discussed electricity and internet connectivity. Once the land agreement is signed, we can proceed with the rest, Neetha said. The radar system is being supplied by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) at a cost of Rs 6 crore.

Nilambur loss a warning for LDF as anti-Pinarayi sentiment gains ground in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Can Nilambur be considered a harbinger of the turn Kerala politics will take in 2026? More than losing a sitting seat, what would be deeply worrying for the Left would be the underscoring fact that the poll outcome as a whole could be termed a verdict against what P V Anvar terms Pinarayism. That Anvar polled close to 20,000 votes clearly goes to show a political climate wherein an anti-Pinarayi sentiment can be utilised to reap electoral gains. This is a rude wake-up call to avowed Leftists who continue to behave like ostriches with their head in the sand, refusing to acknowledge their fast-eroding base of voters in Kerala. The first-time loss of a sitting seat during the second Pinarayi term has cast a shadow over the Lefts hopes of a consecutive third term. As local body polls approach, the writing on the wall is clear for the front. Obviously, a major course correction, for both LDF and Pinarayi, in addition to setting a poll agenda that doesnt revolve around Pinarayi alone, has become inevitable. Bad calls? Overemphasis on UDFs pact with Jamaat-e-Islami, miscalculations over fissures within UDF, presumption the Anvar factor would eat only into the UDF vote base might have went wrong for LDF. Still, It succeeded in protecting its mass base Happy we could win back Nilambur after nine years, says UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath

Kerala police chief files report critical of ADGP Ajith Kumars conduct

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With only eight days left for his retirement, State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb, who had probed the allegations against former Law and Order ADGP M R Ajith Kumar in connection with the Thrissur Pooram fiasco, on Monday filed his report with the state government. The report has contents critical of the conduct of the officer, sources said. The report allegedly said there was a lapse from the part of Ajith during the whole episode. Revenue Minister K Rajan had testified before the police chief that when the Pooram faced disruption, he tried to reach Ajith over phone. However, Ajith did not respond. To this, the officer stated before the police chief that he had returned to his room after overseeing all the security preparations. By the time the minister telephoned him, he had fall asleep and hence he did not see the calls. The report said the reply of the officer that he fell asleep showed that he erred in his performing his duties fully. Sources said the report has adverse remarks against the officer, including his meetings with the RSS office-bearers, but its yet to be known what the general outlook of the full report is. The 2024 Pooram was disrupted allegedly due to police high-handedness precipitating a political row. The fiasco occurred prior to the Lok Sabha polls and there were allegations that the Pooram was sabotaged for political purpose. After NDA candidate Suresh Gopi managed to win the seat, the allegation grew in strength and was endorsed by LDF candidate V S Sunil Kumar and UDFs K Muraleedharan.

DNA match confirms identity of Air India crash victim from Pullad; family prepares for final rites

PATHANAMTHITTA: Nearly two weeks after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives, a grieving family in the quiet village of Pullad is finally on the verge of closure. The DNA identity of Ranjitha Gopakumaran Nair, a 39-year-old nurse who lost her life in the crash, has been matched with her mother Thulasi. Her family is now preparing for her last rites on Tuesday. According to family sources, her mortal remains will arrive at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Tuesday morning. From there the body will be taken to her hometown, Pullad. At her ancestral home, Thulasi clutches her daughters photograph - a cherished memory of the youngest member of her family, whose dreams and aspirations were abruptly cut short. DNA confirmation brings the first glimmer of relief for a family devastated by the tragedy. A painful wait and farewell Ranjitha was among the victims of the ill-fated flight from Ahmedabad to London on June 12. Due to the severe burns sustained by passengers, DNA testing was the only reliable method to identify her remains. While her brother, Ratheesh G Nair, initially provided a DNA sample, it did not match. This led to samples being collected from her mother and two children three days ago at their home in Pullad. The long wait for results had placed immense emotional strain on the family. Ratheesh, who has been coordinating with authorities in Ahmedabad, stayed back in the city alongside their uncle, Unnikrishnan, to expedite the process. Meanwhile, her elder brother, who was abroad, came home and stayed with the family. We have been informed by officials that the DNA results have confirmed her identity, Anil Kumar, a close relative of the family told TNIE on Monday. According to the family, they have planned to hold a public viewing of Ranjithas body at SVHS, her alma mater in Pullad, before proceeding with the cremation. The local panchayat, in collaboration with the family, has been making arrangements for the ceremony over the past week. Preparations for the final journey have already been arranged at the SVHS School. Ranjitha was an inspiration to many. She worked hard to build a better life for her family despite the setbacks in her personal life, and we want her final rites to honour her, a panchayat official said. The school authorities and alumni have extended their support to the family during this difficult time. Born to Gopakumaran Nair and Thulasi, she was the youngest of three siblings. After graduating with a nursing degree from Pandalam, she began her career in Gujarat and later moved to Salalah, Oman, where she worked for several years. Last year, Ranjitha relocated to the UK to pursue better opportunities, while taking a long leave from her government job at Pathanamthitta General Hospital, which she had secured five years ago. During her brief return to India, she had completed paperwork to renew her government position and was finalising plans to move into the new house she had been building in Pullad. She dreamed of settling down in her hometown with her children and mother. She worked tirelessly to provide for her family, said Aneesh Varikkannamala, a family friend and KPCC secretary. Her children, Induchoodan, a Class 10 student, and Idhika, in Class 3, remained at the centre of her dreams. She was a loving mother who always put her family first, said a relative. For Thulasi, the confirmation of her daughters DNA brings a bittersweet sense of relief. We can finally bring her home, she said, her voice trembling with emotion. As the final arrangements are made, the village of Pullad stands united, ready to bid farewell to one of its dearest daughters.

Kerala film conclave to be held in Thiruvananthapuram in August

The even is held as part of the framing of a policy for the Malayalam film industry

Semi-final before the big match: How Congress celebrated Nilambur win

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was a Monday morning painted in shades of triumph at the KPCC office in Thiruvananthapuram. While the vote count in Nilambur played out on television screens, the mood at Indira Bhavan was already celebratory, as if the Congress had sensed the result long before the final numbers came in. There were no dramatic swings or heart-stopping lead changes to rattle nerves. The moment Aryadan Shoukath began taking the lead, there was a confidence felt at the KPCC office. Every number only confirmed what the Congress workers there believed from the start, that Nilambur was coming home. The leaders came early. Ramesh Chennithala, Adoor Prakash, K Sabarinath, K Sarathchandran and others walked in with all smiles. They settled in front of the TV with no visible tension but only anticipation that slowly turned into celebration. This is the semi-final before the big one. And we have made our shot count, said Ramesh Chennithala, watching the screen with a half-smile as the leads widened. He called it a clear mandate against the LDF government and said the Pinarayi government has now lost all moral right to stay in office. What we have now is only a caretaker government, he added. As the final lead turned into a confirmed victory, the mood inside KPCC came alive with cheers. Sweets came out. The courtyard rang with slogans hailing Shoukath and targeting the LDF government. The Congress flags waved high in the capital sky. The cheers were not just about one win. They were about the return of momentum. They were about reclaiming lost ground. They were about setting the stage for the assembly elections that now feel closer than ever. K Sabarinath called it a morale booster. This gives us the energy to come together and fight as a team. After delimitation in 2011, Aryadan Mohammed won Nilambur by 5000 votes. Since then, the seat has gone to the CPM. This time it is an 11,000-vote win. Thats no ordinary victory. Thats a message, he said. He also pointed to the weight of Shoukaths opponent. M Swaraj is not just any candidate. He is a state secretariat member. The entire state machinery and party stood behind him. If the people still voted for us, it shows the depth of anti-incumbency. Even many left-leaning voters may have stayed away or turned silent in protest. As firecrackers lit up the Nilambur sky and Aryadan Shoukath was lifted on shoulders amid cheering crowds; the cheers, the claps, the pride, all found its way into the hearts of the party workers watching from hundreds of kilometres away in the capital. The KPCC office felt every beat of that joy. And now, with one hand already raised in victory, the Congress workers at KPCC say they are not looking back. Their eyes are set on the assembly elections. They have tasted blood. And they are ready.

Former Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan hospitalised after heart attack, condition stable

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Veteran Communist leader and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan was hospitalised on Monday after experiencing cardiac problems. The 101-year-old leader is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. According to sources close to his family, his condition is stable. Achuthanandan, who has been bedridden since suffering a stroke in 2019, reportedly had a cardiac arrest and faced breathing difficulties on Monday morning. He was quickly taken to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit, where doctors are closely monitoring his health. Achuthanandan is the only surviving leader among the 32 who walked out of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1964 to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He served as the Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly three times and was the CPMs state secretary for many years. He remained an active member of the Kerala Assembly until 2021.

Delhi-Bound Air India Flight Cancelled After Suspected Bird Hit

Air India Flight AI 2455 from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi was cancelled due to extended engineering checks after a suspected bird hit.

Air India's Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram flight suffers bird hit

Air India cancelled its ThiruvananthapuramDelhi flight (AI2455) on June 22 after the inbound aircraft (AI2454) suffered a suspected bird hit upon landing. The airline cited extended engineering checks for the cancellation and apologized for the inconvenience. Passengers were offered refunds, rescheduling options, accommodation, and alternative travel arrangements.

None should think they can speak as they like: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Apparently disapproving of CPM state secretary M V Govindans bypoll-eve remarks related to CPMs association with the RSS at the time of Emergency, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a stern warning against loose talk in front of the mike. The strong words from the partys most senior politburo member came at a review meeting on Sunday, with CPM state committee and district secretariat members in attendance, ahead of the local body elections. The reprimand came at the end of his speech. No one should think they can say anything as they like in the next six months, Pinarayi said while looking back at Govindan who was seated on the dais. However, speaking after the chief minister, Govindan never mentioned the criticism. Pinarayi also reminded the party leaders that CPMs stand against religious extremism has been accepted widely by the people. There is no need to cover up our open objection against parties like Jamaat-e-Islami, SDPI and the banned Popular Front of India. We have taken that stand withstanding much pressure. And it has been widely received, with acceptance from within the Muslim community. A section of the Muslim League has also objected to the UDF-Jamaat-e-Islami association. The CPM had openly declared that we dont want the extremist forces vote. Likewise, the Hindutva forces have also strengthened their activities. They have been carrying out their work around temples and believers. We should not view it as trivial, he said. The chief minister also said that, in certain local bodies, there had been flaws on the part of officials and the ruling council. The LDF has a favourable situation politically. Hence, we should use it in favour of the LDF, he added. Govindan, who presented the organisational report, pointed out that party workers have to visit houses and form committees at ward levels.

Thiruvananthapuram murder case: Postmortem confirms woman was smothered, assaulted

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The postmortem report of Sheheena, who was allegedly murdered by her brother in an apartment in Mannanthala on Saturday, confirmed smothering and tranquillisation as reasons for death. The report also revealed multiple injuries on her chest, ribs and right arm, indicating she was brutally beaten. The police have identified her brother, Shamsad, as the main accused. The investigation suggests the murder was the result of an argument over her relationships. The police said Shamsad was upset about his sisters friendships and claimed she had destroyed her marriage and often video-called her friends. The confrontation reportedly escalated into a violent scuffle that led to her death. Shamsads friend Vaisakh, a native of Chempazhanthy, has also been booked for helping destroy evidence and assisting in the attempted shifting of the body. Both men were produced in court and remanded. A forensic team and dog squad examined the crime scene on Sunday. The police confirmed that Sheheena had been living separately from her husband for the past six months and was staying with her family. Her parents, who discovered the crime and alerted the police, are yet to give formal statements. They were allegedly prevented from entering the apartment by the accused, who were said to be intoxicated at the time. A detailed probe is on, said the police.

Kerala to revise 31 rules to attract more investment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has decided to amend 31 different rules to make the state more-investment friendly. The amendments will help the state realise the investment proposals received at the Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS). The meeting also discussed the formation of a task force under the local self-government department for the speedy implementation of proposals. The revision or amendments are proposed to the rules related to local self-government institutions, departments of revenue, power, environment, labour, agriculture and higher education, said an official release. Relaxations will be made in the rule pertaining to road width requirement prescribed in the Kerala Building Rules, 2019. The maximum area prescribed for commercial buildings in category-II panchayats will be enhanced. Changes will be made in the documents required while applying for building permits on leased lands. Guidelines to regularise constructions made under the Kerala MSME Facilitation Act 2019 will be revised. Parking guidelines for resorts and hotels in the tourism and hospitality sector will also be revised. For this, conditions for assessing building area will be changed. The meeting decided to expedite the unique thandaper (title deed or ownership document) initiative to ensure transparent and efficient land utilisation. Applications for land conversion for project proposals received at the IKGS will be prioritised. A circular will be issued to define the powers of agricultural officers in land category change.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple employee under scanner for milk theft

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Yet another theft incident has come to light at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, this time involving a store employee. According to the officials of the temples vigilance wing, the staffer had been stealing 10 litres of milk, meant for use at the temple, every day. He had been under surveillance following repeated complaints. A tip-off led the vigilance team to the Annadanapura area of the temple, where milk packets were found abandoned. According to sources, the CCTV visuals later confirmed his involvement. It is suspected that he had been diverting milk supplied by Milma for unauthorised sale outside the temple. Sources also indicate that he returned the stolen packets to the Annadanapura after learning that he was being watched. The temples vigilance wing has launched a formal inquiry into the incident. A detailed report is expected to be submitted within two days. A total of 20 packets were found to have been taken. The CCTV footage has confirmed his involvement. Given the earlier complaints, we were already suspicious. The investigation is under way and no action has been taken against him yet, said a vigilance official on condition of anonymity. The latest is the second theft reported at the temple within two months despite tight security. In the previous case, a 107g of gold rod used for soldering purposes went missing from the strongroom . It was later recovered two days later, buried in the soil and wrapped in cloth. Following contradictory statements from suspects, the Fort Police sought court permission to conduct polygraph tests on eight men.

Consumer panel rules rain damage covered under flood clause in insurance policy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) has ruled that damage due to heavy rain can be considered as a peril falling under the flood and inundation clause in an insurance policy. An SCDRC bench comprising president Justice B Sudheendra Kumar, judicial member Ajith Kumar D and member K R Radhakrishnan made the ruling citing Supreme Court orders, while considering the appeal plea filed by a Palakkad native against the district commissions denial of compensation. The bench directed the firm, United India Insurance Co Ltd, to pay Rs 32,500 as losses and Rs 5,000 as costs. The complainant had availed a Standard Fire and Special Perils policy from the firm after paying a one-time premium of Rs 5,898.90. It covered the residential building, compound wall and well belonging to him. During the term of the policy, the compound wall collapsed in heavy rain. A surveyor assigned by the firm assessed the loss at Rs 32,500. However, the company rejected the claim saying rain or heavy rain was not a peril covered under the policy. It said coverage is for destruction or damage directly caused by storm, cyclone, typhoon, hurricane, tempest, tornado, flood or inundation excluding those from earthquake, volcanic eruption or other convulsions of nature. The district commission had upheld the companys argument.

ED steps in as Alappuzha hybrid ganja case reveals global trafficking links

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has collected documents relating to the seizure of hybrid ganja worth `2 crore from Alappuzha in April, indicating that the case has wider ramifications which are beyond the ambit of an excise department probe. The files regarding the case in which three people including a couple are accused were received by ED officers from excise sleuths by May-end, sources said. The excise had already filed a chargesheet in the case, indicting Tasleema Sultana, alias Cristina, 41, her husband Sultan Ali Akbar, 43, and a male accomplice K Firoz as the accused. Tasleema and Firoz were arrested on April 1 after they were found possessing 3kg of hybrid ganja, a substance more expensive than synthetic drugs such as MDMA. The contraband was intended to be sold among high-profile users in Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts. Tasleemas husband was arrested a week later after it was discovered that he was actively involved in the operation. During the probe, the excise allegedly unearthed details indicating that the couple had connection with transnational rackets involved in gold, sex, and drug trafficking. Following this, the excise officer probing the case had filed a report recommending transfer of the case to central agencies as multiple angles some of them outside the excise departments purview had popped up during investigation. Sources said the ED was interested in the case as Sultan was found to have transacted a large volume of money. He had also flown to several countries, including Malaysia and Thailand, which evoked suspicion. It was revealed that Sultan, posing as a dealer of electronic gadgets, travelled frequently to these countries, where he is suspected of using his connections with gold and drug traffickers to carry out illegal activities. To mask his travel history, sources said, Sultan reportedly obtained duplicate passports three times by falsely claiming his previous ones had been lost. He was found to have travelled to Malaysia seven times, and on at least two occasions, returned using either a short-term passport or an emergency certificate. The case had evoked wide interest as Tasleema had connections with the film industry. She had reportedly told the sleuths during interrogation that she had supplied drugs to some Malayalam film stars. The excise case has 55 witnesses, one of them being actor Sreenath Bhasi. Beyond excise ambit During the probe, the excise allegedly unearthed details indicating that the couple had a connection with transnational rackets involved in gold, sex, and drug trafficking. Following this, the excise officer probing the case had filed a report recommending transfer of the case to central agencies as multiple angles some of them outside the excise departments purview had popped up during investigation.

Fake doctor arrested after two-year GPA battle in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a two-year legal and investigative battle, the General Practitioners Association (GPA) has finally succeeded in getting a man arrested for working as a doctor as well as a nurse in multiple hospitals without the required qualifications. Jobin Babu, of Perambra, was arrested by the Ambalavayal police in Wayanad. He allegedly forged his credentials to secure jobs in several hospitals in Kozhikode and Wayanad. The arrest followed the Kerala High Courts admission of a writ petition filed by the GPA, which highlighted systemic failures in identifying and prosecuting unqualified medical practitioners. Though the arrest has come as a relief to the GPA and the medical community, doctors expressed concern that Jobin had been attending to patients unchecked for years. Jobin had falsely claimed to have earned an MBBS degree from Pariyaram Medical College. It was his estranged wife, a registered doctor, who lodged a complaint with GPAs anti-quackery cell, alleging that he had been misusing her registration number to forge credentials. We submitted evidence to the police and the district medical officer two years ago. Still, he was allowed to continue practising. He was so brazen, he didnt even attempt to escape, said Dr Ashik Basheer, the GPA state president. Dr Basheer also pointed out another disturbing case of a medical college dropout who, after being exposed in Mavelikara, simply relocated to Idukki and resumed his illegal practice. Such cases, he said, underscored the urgent need for a regulatory framework to identify and eliminate impersonators. The GPA said the authorities took action only after it moved the HC seeking a mechanism to report and prevent medical impersonation. The writ petition specifically criticised the Kerala State Medical Council (KSMC) for its inaction and lack of oversight. The KSMC refused to acknowledge complaints initially. It only started responding after we named them as a respondent in the case, Dr Basheer said. Though the KSMC has the power to register and regulate clinical practitioners in Kerala, it is yet to establish an effective process to identify and act against quacks. Dr Harikumaran Nair G S, president (modern medicine) of KSMC, did not respond to repeated calls from TNIE.As per rules, only those registered with the KSMC - the body that succeeded the Travancore-Cochin Medical Councils - are permitted to practice modern medicine in Kerala.

Insider track | Message from Bangladesh National day

Despite recent unease in India-Bangladesh ties, India chose political symbolism over bureaucratic representation. On June 19, the government sent a clear signal by ensuring political-level representation at Bangladeshs National Day celebration in Delhi. In a gesture that didnt go unnoticed, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh attended the event as chief guest, underlining that the shared bonds of history, culture, and language still matter. The evening also marked the first public appearance of Bangladeshs new High Commissioner, Riaz Hamidullah, who stepped into the spotlight at a sensitive time in bilateral relations. Singh struck a hopeful note, calling for mutually beneficial cooperation and deeper connectivity between the neighbours. Hamidullah, in turn, evoked the shared legacy of 1971, reminding the audience of Indias critical support during Bangladeshs liberation war. We are neighbours, partners in progress, he said, keeping it simple and pointed. Search on for next G20 Sherpa With Amitabh Kant quitting the government after 45 years of service, the government has initiated the process of appointing the countrys new G20 Sherpa. Sources indicate that the name is expected to be announced within the next couple of weeks. The names doing the rounds in the power corridors include Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu. Goyals name is in vogue due to his experience in handling international trade-related engagements, as well as his role as the Sherpa before Kant entered the scene. Prabhu also served as Indias G20 Sherpa. However, a section within the government believes that an IFS officer may be considered for the post, as the new Sherpa will face a tough challenge in the backdrop of the prevailing geopolitical situation, particularly in West Asia. Other senior functionaries who held the position include IAS officer Shaktikanta Das and economist Arvind Panagariya. Congs unending Tharoor woes On a fresh assignment, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor appears to be gaining clout in the Modi government and political circles with his impressive diplomatic skills. Currently, on a two-week diplomatic mission to various countries, Tharoor continues to keep the Congress on edge about his next move. While the Congress High Command has not made any effort to reach out to him after his multi-nation tour on Operation Sindoor, the differences between the two camps appear to have only widened. Tharoors close associates say the MP will sit and decide his future course of action upon his return. His patience is running thin, a leader confided. More disgruntled senior leaders share similar sentiments, said the aide. Surveys galore in poll-bound Bihar The Congress appears to be grappling with a problem of plenty over election surveys in poll-bound Bihar. While survey teams led by master strategist Sunil Kanugolu are already at work, Congress Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru has deployed another team to conduct a door-to-door survey to gauge public sentiment on the selection of candidates and other campaign-related decisions. Congress insiders attribute it to the friction between Kanugolu and Allavaru. It is no secret that the two leaders enjoy proximity to the top brass. Both survey findings are to be presented to the Congress High Command for a final decision on candidate selection and other issues. However, there is internal disquiet among some ranks that poll surveys have become a profitable business for leaders and that the AICC is spending a considerable amount of funds beyond what is necessary for effective monitoring and oversight. Minority outreach hiccups Congress looks to be struggling to maintain internal cohesion as it attempts to weave an effective minority outreach strategy in poll-bound Bihar. A meeting of the Muslim leaders from Bihar and Delhi last week ran into rough weather when several members questioned the partys strategy for Muslims and selection of the right candidates. Chaired by AICC minority department chief Imran Pratapgarhi, the meeting at the partys new headquarters, Indira Bhawan, drew nearly 40 leaders in attendance. Seventeen percent of Bihars population is Muslim. A senior leader, a JNU alumnus, pointed out that a sitting MLA, the only Kulhaiya Muslim from the Seemanchal region, had not been invited to the meeting. Some members also alleged that there are efforts to replace this MLA with another close to CLP leader, Shakeel Ahmad Khan. The Seemanchal region, with a 47 percent Muslim population, comprises 24 assembly seats. If the party cannot do justice to its Muslim leaders, how will it gain the confidence of the community? asked a leader.

New ride-hailing platform by Thiruvananthapuram startup going places

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a city where ride fares can swing with the clock and the weather, a new app is catching the attention of commuters in Thiruvananthapuram. Launched in May, Mapto is starting to win over users with its promise of fixed fares, no surcharges and zero commission fees. Developed by Laan Global Technologies Services Pvt Ltd, a Technopark-based startup, the app currently offers autorickshaw services in the city and plans to roll out cab options soon. The app is gaining popularity among users who are fed up with fluctuating fares and hidden charges. Unlike many platforms, Mapto doesnt alter prices based on peak hours, changing weather, festive seasons or time of day. There is no drama, says 25-year-old Arya Asok, who recently started using the app for her daily commute. I know how much Ill pay even before I leave the house. Thats not something I could say about other apps. It did have certain bugs initially, but works well now. Currently functional only in Thiruvananthapuram, the company is planning to expand the application to Kollam in two months. Within two years, it aims to make this application accessible from all remote areas of the state. The app was designed by a team mostly working remotely from across the state. The brains behind the venture, directors Sudheep R and Selvaraj R, say the idea was born nearly two years ago, before many mainstream apps began exploring driver-to-user direct models. While it took time to bring the concept to market, they believe the delay has allowed them to fine-tune their service to better meet real-world needs. At that time, paying drivers directly was still a radical idea. Now, others are catching up. But we have spent two years building something solid, said Sudheep. Finding the right name was a journey in itself. We considered over 50 options before landing on Mapto, said Selvaraj. Its short for Map to your destination and reflects our goal of guiding people without complications. Maptos user base is still small, but growing. By the end of May, users had started booking rides. By now, 50 rides have been completed. Driver onboarding officially began on May 1. Around 1000 drivers have been onboarded by now. We aim to increase the number of users to 10,000 by the end of July. We have completed around 50 rides by now. By the end of next month, the number of rides per day would also be increased, said Selvaraj. The platform, currently free of commission for drivers, plans to introduce a minimal subscription model once it becomes sustainable. The first ride of the day will carry a nominal Rs 10 charge, but all subsequent rides will remain commission-free. On other platforms, we lose a big chunk of earnings to commissions. Here, we can keep what we earn. The app doesnt take up much space on the phone, and its dark mode really helps save battery. So far, I have received four rides. The fixed fares make things easier. Theres no need to bargain with customers, and the rates are fair. One drawback right now is that we cant see if any vehicles are nearby. If we could view availability, wed know whether to wait or move to a different spot. That feature hasnt been added yet, said Rajesh Kumar, a driver with Mapto who previously worked with other online cab platforms. Looking ahead, the team wants to expand beyond cities and into the states villages. According to them,the states urban population is expected to rise from 47.72% in 2011 to 96% by 2036. Mapto hopes to bridge this shift by enabling rural drivers to operate from their own neighbourhoods, and by giving users a reliable ride-booking option right from their doorstep, added the directors.

British F-35B fighter jet stranded in Kerala after emergency landing

A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for over 72 hours. The jet made an emergency landing following a reported technical snag during its transit The post British F-35B fighter jet stranded in Kerala after emergency landing appeared first on Fusion - WeRIndia .

Indian seafarers stranded aboard vessel near Iran, Families await word amid escalating tensions

NEW DELHI: Aparna Suresh has not heard from her husband for the past seven days. With each passing hour, the family's anxiety deepens. Her husband, 26-year-old Avinash Amal Kumar, is among 23 crew members aboard the Mirage (IMO: 9254422), a merchant navy vessel currently off the coast of Iran, a region fraught with tension as hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States escalate. My husband told me a week ago that they were planning to sign off due to the Iran-Israel conflict. That was the last update I received. Since then, theres been nothing but silence, said Aparna, speaking from Thiruvananthapuram. Decoding Tehrans next move: How Iran could respond to US military strikes She believes many of the crew are from South India. Despite repeated appeals to the ships management company Deewine Ship Management and Marine Services Ltd she says no clear information has been provided. They said they are unaware of the full situation. I just want my husband and the other crew members brought home safely, she added. Making matters worse, Aparna shared that Avinashs father, a heart patient, is currently hospitalised. Avinash is the only son. Things are quite bad at home. When contacted, the companys manager, Vivek Kumar, confirmed that 23 Indian crew members are aboard. The foreign owner of the vessel has been informed. There are approximately 250 merchant vessels in the area. We are in touch and hope to update all crew members at the earliest, he said. The Mirage is one of many vessels currently operating in the Persian Gulf, a region now under heightened military surveillance and risk. On Friday, U.S. forces launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, fuelling fears of a broader regional escalation. Israeli strikes on Iran killed 865 people, wounded 3,396 others, says human rights group

CBFC demands name change for JSK- Janaki Vs State of Kerala, starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi

When the Thiruvananthapuram office of the CBFC cleared the film and forwarded it to the headquarters in Mumbai, the officials there demanded a change in the title and the name of the titular character of Janaki, apparently because the name also refers to the Hindu goddess Sita. Director says the changes will do immense damage to the film

Minister Sivankutty alleges Raj Bhavan behind ABVP protests; BJP accuses CPI(M) of 'violence'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday claimed that the protests by the BJP's youth and student groups against him , over the 'Bharat Mata' controversy, were aimed at causing riots in the state and were allegedly held on instructions of the Raj Bhavan. Hitting back at the CPI(M), BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the Left party of trying to suppress protests by resorting to violence against the protestors. He warned that if the Left government uses force to suppress protests, it will face retaliation in the same manner. Earlier in the day, Sivankutty told reporters that he has been attacked and his travels obstructed during the last couple of days after he walked out of a programme at the Raj Bhavan where a portrait of 'Bharat Mata' -- as seen in RSS events -- was displayed. He said that as a minister, MLA and a citizen, he has the right to protest against the actions of the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and that is what he did. The Governor has said that he will continue with it (the portrait) and we have not responded to that, he added. Bharat Mata and the protocol of dignity: A Kerala Raj Bhavan perspective Subsequently, the BJP youth wing Yuva Morcha and student organisation -- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) -- attacked him and obstructed his vehicle at various places in the state during the last two day, the minister claimed. Meanwhile, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, in an interview given to BJP mouthpiece Janmabhumi, said that the concept of 'Bharat Mata' became more clear to him when he was jailed during the emergency period in the country. He said that during that time he saw the concept of Bharat Mata as being above ideology and politics. I got a strong urge to work more for Bharat Mata. The inspiration to become a 'sangh pracharak' also became stronger during that time, he said in the interview. Sivankutty, during his press conference in the morning, also alleged that at one such protest, ABVP activists tore apart the national flag while some acted as suicide squads and jumped in front of his moving vehicle., a claim reportedly denied by the student organisation. The minister also alleged that the protests and attacks against him were being carried out on the instructions of the Raj Bhavan, ut they were unable to gather enough youth for the same. ABVP and Yuva Morcha activists had waved black flags at the minister's vehicle in Kozhikode on Saturday and also burned his effigy in protest against his walkout from the Raj Bhavan event. Sivankutty said that ABVP and Yuva Morcha should realise that showing support to the Governor, who is allegedly acting contrary to the Constitution, will turn people against them. He also claimed that two hardcore RSS activists in the Raj Bhavan were advising the Governor to act in this manner. The minister said that he will not name them, but everyone knows them very well. The Congress too spoke out against the Governor's recent actions and said the Raj Bhavan should not be turned into a venue for political activities. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph also said that protests against the Governor's actions need not be taken to the streets. Later in the day, Chandrasekhar, in a statement, claimed that it was the CPI(M) which was behind the violence against the ABVP and Yuva Morcha protestors because the BJP exposed the Left party's anti-nationalism and appeasement politics. He also accused the Left parties of being intolerant towards protests against them. Unacceptable to make Governors residence a venue for RSS agenda: Kerala CM on Bharat Mata portrait row The BJP leader said that protests against the Governor by the Students Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India -- the student and youth wings of the CPI(M), respectively -- were acceptable, but agitations against a Left minister were not. This is an authoritarian style of communist parties, he claimed. He warned that if attacks on BJP and related organisations' workers are not stopped, the Left parties and their leaders will have to pay a heavy price. If the CPI(M) is trying to suppress the protesters by taking the law into its own hands, and if the police decide to help them by standing by, then the national movements, including the BJP, will take to the streets, the BJP leader said. He also said that criticising and insulting the 'Bharat Mata', a sentimental concept for the country, was not acceptable and whosoever dares to do so will face a strong protest in a democratic manner. Chandrasekhar further warned that if the Left government's decision was to suppress the protests by force, there were those on the other side who were capable of retaliating in the same manner. The southern state has been witnessing a tussle between Arlekar and the Marxist party-led LDF government over the display of 'Bharat Mata portrait' during official events at the Raj Bhavan here.

IAS officer Prasanth alleges Chief Secretary A Jayathilak intervened to extend his suspension

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suspended IAS officer Prasanth N has released documents to support his charge that Chief Secretary A Jayathilak had intervened to get his suspension extended despite the suspension review committee initially deciding to revoke it. The IAS officer had indicated on social media on Friday that he would release the evidence to show how his suspension was extended. Prasanth released the minutes of the suspension review committee, chaired by former Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan, that met on April 23. The panel had recommended that Prasanths suspension be revoked pending finalisation of disciplinary action against him. However, after Jayathilak assumed charge as Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary Rajan Khobragade was to be included in his place in the panel as Prasanths allegations were directed against the former. Jayathilak, in a note on May 3, said reconstitution of the panel with another member was not required and the two members of the suspension review committee could take necessary action. On May 7, the suspension review committee decided that Prasanths suspension, that was on for six months, be extended by another 180 days. Sources close to Prasanth said the intervention by Jayathilak had prompted the panel to extend his suspension.

Brand new cricket nets grace Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cricket is all the rage in the country, both in terms of aspiring players and sporting infrastructure. But then, theres a price to pay to access the best facilities that help young players refine their skills -- which can deter those from poorer families. In the state capital, there is now an answer: The new cricket nets at the Central Stadium. The two 50m-long nets were built within a short span of four months, under the supervision of the Kerala State Sports Council. The project was the brainchild of council secretary Vishnu Raj P who hopes to provide space for quality cricket training to all aspirants, at minimal cost. The concrete and astro pitches of the new nets make it easier for players to get back on track after light rains. Floodlights have also been installed. Trainees can make use of the facilities for an annual fee of `900 each, which is less than even the monthly fee of many cricket coaching centres. Lower fees dont imply lower quality, says Vishnu Raj. We have well qualified coaches who engage with their young wards, he said. A cricket enthusiast himself, the civil service officer adds that such training will allow coaches to identify potential talent. A significant number of students who attend our training come from economically weaker backgrounds, says Mathew Mathew, the coach at the facility. The location of the facility is ideal-- being in the heart of the city and close to many schools, he added. The trainees could not have asked for more. While the earlier nets were only partially covered, the new ones are fully covered, which minimise the risk of injury, points out 17-year-old cricket aspirant Ananthu Binu. All-rounder Jacob Mathew, who is in 11th grade, said the new nets are long enough for pace bowlers to take their full run up. Others added that the two pitches help accommodate more trainees. Around 20 students attend training daily. We now have the ecosystem in place: Talented players, eminent coaches and excellent facilities. And the fact that players like Sanju Samson hail from this city will motivate children even further, coach Mathew exclaims. The nets can be detached and moved easily if the situation so demands, which is usually the case at the stadium -- a regular venue for parades, government programmes, sports and arts events, etc,. Vishnu Raj has bigger aspirations for the stadium. We are considering the possibility of renting out the net space so that people of all age groups can utilise the facility. Moreover, this will provide another revenue source, he adds. We have done our part. Now, it is up to the aspirants to make the best use of the facilities, Mathew said. Let us not miss on talents for lack of opportunities for growth. Quality over cost The concrete and astro pitches of the new nets make it easier for players to get back on track after light rains Trainees can use the facilities for an annual fee of J900 each The new ones are fully covered, which minimise the risk of injury

Political spat over Bharat Mata image spills over into streets

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With tensions escalating between the LDF government and the governor over the image of Bharat Mata with a saffron flag, the political spat spilled over into streets with CPM and BJP workers crossing swords across the state. Close on the heels of Education Minister Sivankutty walking out of a function at Raj Bhavan on Thursday in protest against Governor Rajendra Arlekar paying floral tributes to the image, the Left and BJP leaderships engaged in a war of words over the past two days. A day after a march taken out by SFI activists to the Raj Bhavan turned violent in the state capital, BJP-Yuva Morcha activists staged protests against Sivankutty in Kozhikode on Saturday. Tensions flared during the minsters visit as the protesters who waved black flags at him were stopped by SFI activists, triggering a clash between them. In Thiruvananthapuram, BJP activists from Pappanamcode took out a march to Sivankuttys MLA office in the evening. Following this, CPM took out another march against the governor, leading to minor clashes between CPM and BJP workers. ABVP is controlled by RSS-ruled Raj Bhavan Later in the night, fresh clashes erupted between BJP and CPM workers near the Thiruvananthapuram railway station. BJP workers gathered at the railway station to protest against Sivankutty who was arriving by Vande Bharat Express. As protests intensified, CPM and DYFI members too reached the spot, leading to heated exchanges and confrontation between the two groups. Earlier in the day, the BJP district leadership organised a protest meet in front of the Secretariat. During the meet, which was led by senior leader V Muraleedharan, party workers offered floral tributes to the portrait of Bharatamba. Meanwhile, Sivankutty alleged that ABVPs black flag protest against him was staged on the orders from the Raj Bhavan. The ABVP workers who protested in Thiruvananthapuram tore the national flag placed in front of my vehicle. This is an insult to the national flag. ABVP is controlled by the RSS-ruled Raj Bhavan, said Sivankutty. While both the CPM and CPI leaderships came down heavily on the governor for not adhering to constitutional values, the BJP shot back saying only those who have loyalty towards China would hesitate to offer floral tributes to the portrait. Those who have loyalty towards the country would garland the Bharatamba image, said Muraleedharan. The Congress leadership, however, chose to put the blame on the ruling Left, saying it had already warned about Raj Bhavans saffron turn. Terming the new developments mere drama, the Congress also hinted at a hidden nexus between the CPM and BJP leaderships. In another development, the Raj Bhavan rejected media reports that in the wake of protests, it proposes to seek central forces protection for the governor. There has been no such move or plan by the Raj Bhavan, it said, adding that the governor has total faith in the commitment and efficiency of the Kerala Police. They have been performing their duty extremely well and to the best of the Raj Bhavans satisfaction, said a statement from Raj Bhavan, strongly ruling out any threat, direct or indirect, to the governor.

Minister Sivankutty: 30 per cent marks must in year-end exams from Class V to IX

KOZHIKODE: Amid allegations that the quality of general education is declining, a high-level meeting of the General Education Department has decided to implement minimum marks scheme from Class V to IX. This was informed by Education Minister V Sivankutty at a press conference in Kozhikode on Saturday. It was earlier decided that students should obtain at least 30 per cent marks in the year-end exams in Class VIII, subject-wise, and that students who do not achieve this should be promoted to the next class by providing additional study support during the vacation. This suggestion drew a lot of social attention. Students, teachers and parents realised the importance of the study support. Along with this, we also realised the importance of achieving the learning objectives in each class. This is not an activity that should be done only after the end-of-year examination, the minister said. In Classes V to IX, 30 per cent marks will be mandatory for written examinations on a subject-wise basis. The minister said that this is not to limit or filter out the excellence of children to 30 per cent, but to raise all children to the desirable level set by the curriculum. Education department-level monitoring will be strengthened to ensure the implementation of the project. Deputy Directors of Education, DEOs, AEOs, DIET Principals, Vidyakiranam District Coordinators, and Samagra Shiksha Keralam District Project Coordinators will be trained in these matters at the state level. The respective education officers will provide training to the head teachers of schools in their jurisdiction. The training of head teachers of all public schools in Kerala will be completed by July 15. It has also been decided to conduct cluster training on July 19 with the participation of all teachers in school-level activities of the comprehensive quality education programme, timely detection of the learning status of students, and providing necessary learning support. Revised textbooks for Special Schools This year, for the first time in the history of education in the state, it has been decided to prepare and provide special textbooks for the children of special deaf schools. The books have been prepared under the leadership of SCERT considering the special abilities of these children. The release and distribution of these books will be held on June 30 at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for the Deaf, Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram. HEAD TEACHERS SHOULD HANDLE MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME Meanwhile, the minister reiterated that head teachers should also bear the responsibility of the controversial changed menu of the mid-day meals scheme such as vegetable fried rice, lemon rice and vegetable biryani. The schools can take financial support from the CSR fund, NGOs and individuals to run the project. The headmaster has to manage these roles and theyre salaried for this. Buying commodities on credit and paying them later is a usual thing. No head teacher will land in debt for feeding students, said the minister, in response to head teachers complaint regarding lack of enough government financial support to run the midday meals scheme. PTAs in schools to be strengthened The government is seriously considering strengthening the Parent Teacher Associations in public schools academically. As part of the curriculum reform, it has been decided to prepare books for parents and provide orientation based on this. The Department of General Education is planning to organise district-level, state-level art and sports competitions for PTAs this year to enable parents to actively participate in school activities. Minister Sivankutty also criticised the Union Government in connection with the fund crisis in Samagra Shiksha Keralam projects. If the interventions/activities being carried out by Samagra Shiksha Keralam are not carried out, a situation will arise in which a large number of children from marginalised sections will not be able to enter school. Samagra Shiksha Keralam is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme. Although Kerala is providing funds for this, the Centre has stopped the funding saying that the state has not agreed to the PM SHRI scheme. The students of common people and marginalised groups will be affected by this, said Sivankutty.

A tale of twists and turns of two leaders in Kerala during Emergency

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Half a century after the country suffered through Emergency, the twists and turns that it left behind in Kerala continues to spin curious political tales. As the nation prepares to observe the 50th anniversary of Emergency on June 25, not many would be aware of how two veterans of state politics, switched to the other side of the political spectrum during the period. The dark days of the Emergency are obviously something that the entire Congress leadership in Kerala would want to forget; but not him. Senior Congress leader and former speaker N Sakthan Nadar would probably be the only leader who has happy memories associated with the period. Sakthan who was part of the Kerala Congress -- not a Congress ally back then -- underwent a two-month jail term in the initial days of Emergency in 1975. Beginning his public life via student politics at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Sakthan went on to win the student union election at Thiruvananthapuram Law College as a Kerala Student Congress (KSC) candidate. He was district secretary of the Kerala Congress when he took part in the anti-Emergency protest. He was arrested from the picket line at the Secretariat. It was 1975. A host of leaders such as C K Hareendrdan and Selvaraj served jail terms with me. Comrade K Anirudhan was our leader in prison. I was in jail for two months, recounts Sakthan. As fate would have it, the Kerala Congress became part of the Congress-led political front in 1976 and Sakthan crossed over to the other side. It was Mani sir (K M Mani) who brought me into politics. In 1977, I was fielded as a Kerala Congress candidate. In 1984, I joined the Congress and became minister and speaker. Incidentally, Im the only leader in the entire country who has served as pro-tem speaker, deputy speaker and speaker of the house in the same assembly session, Sakthan told TNIE. The tale takes an interesting turn, with the entry of the other leader. Even as Sakthan moved to the Congress, at around the same time, a prominent Congress leader decided to part ways with the grand old party. As the Emergency entered its final phase, the ripples were felt in Kerala, too. As a wave of resentment within the party triggered a counter move against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, prominent leaders like Jagjivan Ram and H N Bahuguna left the Indian National Congress condemning Gandhis actions to form Congress for Democracy in 1977. Neelalohithadasan Nadar, a Congress leader from Kerala, followed suit. I was the only leader from South India to resign my AICC membership. EMS had announced that they would welcome those who left the Congress, fighting against Emergency. He extended all support to me. Thats how I became part of the Left front, Neelan, as he is popularly known, shared with TNIE. He later became minister in the LDF cabinet. However the ironies of Kerala politics during Emergency do not end here. During the 1977 assembly elections, the Kerala Congress fielded Sakthan as its candidate from Kovalam against none other than Neelalohithadas who had just left the Congress and was contesting as a Left independent. While Sakthan had the Kerala Congress symbol of horse as his symbol, Neelan was given two leaves. In an election where independent candidates garnered much attention, with the resultant confusion among voters over horse and camel symbols playing a crucial role, Neelan won by a narrow margin. In 1982, Sakthan however won from Kovalam.

Hoteliers, bottling sector in Kerala slam ban on PET bottles

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A sweeping ban by the High Court on the sale of bottled drinking water under 5 litres and soft beverages in bottles below two litres has drawn sharp criticism from multiple corners as traders and customers termed it an impractical decision. Hotels, restaurants and packaged drinking water and beverage industries in the state felt the move was ill-conceived and could adversely affect business. With the order set to come into effect on October 2, stakeholders across the state have slammed the move as impractical, and issued without a proper study. According to them, the order will deprive the public of safe and accessible drinking water. Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association (KHRA) condemned the directive terming it as an ill-conceived move that is going to adversely impact daily life of the public. KHRA president G Jayapal said the ban could severely disrupt daily operations of hotels and restaurants. Moreover, the public will be left without a reliable source of safe drinking water. Implementing the HC ban would be a major blow to consumers, they pointed out. With only a couple of months before the ban comes into effect, the industry is gearing up to move the Kerala High Court seeking a review of the order. According to the Kerala Packaged Drinking Water Manufacturers Association, the ban order was issued without proper study or discussion with the stakeholders. The association said the ban would deal a big blow to Keralas tourism industry, which relies heavily on packaged drinking water.

UKs F-35B stealth fighter jet stranded in Kerala for a week

New Delhi: A team of technical experts from the UK is expected to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram in the next couple of days to examine a stranded F-35B Lightning stealth fighter jet of the Royal Navy, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one 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 .

UK team to arrive in Kerala to inspect stranded F-35B stealth fighter of Royal Navy

NEW DELHI: A team of technical experts from the UK is expected to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram in the next couple of days to examine a stranded F-35B 'Lightning' stealth fighter jet of the Royal Navy, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters, made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the Royal Navy, reportedly had a problem in its hydraulic system. The people cited above said a team of experts from the Royal Navy is arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to inspect the aircraft. Few days ago, a maintenance team from the Carrier Strike Group inspected the aircraft but could not address the glitch, they said. The Indian Air Force last week said it was providing all necessary support for the ectification and subsequent return of the aircraft. The aircraft was undertaking routine flying outside Indian Air Defence Identification Zone with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield, it said in a brief statement. The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy last week. It is learnt that the aircraft could not return to the carrier on the night of June 14 due to bad weather and made the emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. The F-35B is the only fifth generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, making it ideal for operating from smaller decks, austere bases and ships. Known simply as the 'Lightning' in British service, the F-35 model is the short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet that is designed to operate from short-field bases and air-capable ships.

UK's F-35B stealth fighter jet stranded in Kerala for a week

A UK team of technical experts is set to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram to examine a stranded Royal Navy F-35B 'Lightning' stealth fighter jet, which made an emergency landing on June 14 due to a hydraulic system problem. The advanced aircraft, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, couldn't return to the carrier due to bad weather.

Fresh UK Crew To Arrive In Kerala With Spares To Inspect F-35B: Sources

A team from the British navy carrying spare parts will arrive in Kerala to inspect F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which has been stranded in Thiruvananthapuram for a week, sources have told NDTV.

Chief Justice calls for coordination between government offices and legal services authority

Delivers inaugural address at Legal Services Summit 2025 organised by Thiruvananthapuram District Legal Services Authority

Impact of sea fury on Thiruvananthapuram coast

Fisherfolk at Kannanthura attempt to save their homes and shoreline by stacking sandbags and unused fishing boats. A coastal road adjacent to St. Peter's Church at Kannanthura. Seventy-year-old Pelkis Amrutham and his wife Amalolbhavam watch helplessly as the sea closes in on their house at Kannanthura. A Vettucaud resident looks into the advancing sea from his home. After over a decade, monsoon fury has returned to haunt Kannanthura and Vettucaud two densely populated coastal hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram. Fierce sea surges and relentless coastal erosion have once again displaced dozens of fisher families, laying bare the vulnerability of Keralas 590-km shoreline.Year after year, thousands of coastal residents are forced to flee their homes as the sea continues to trouble them with alarming intensity. According to various studies, over 55% of Keralas coastline is at risk of erosion. A study by the University of Kerala a few years ago reveals a staggering loss of 647 acres of coastal land along a 58-km stretch in Thiruvananthapuram district alone over the past 14 years, making it one of the worst-hit regions. Despite the recurring threats and displacement, the state governments response has been largely limited to announcements and budgetary promises. On the ground, little has changed. For the coastal population living on the frontline of the climate crisis, the absence of sustained intervention and long-term protection measures amounts to a grave policy failure.

Dance classes @ Technopark help employees juggle tech and taal

This dance class has no name. It also doesnt have strict timings. Missing a session doesnt mean missing out on the lessons. What is more interesting is that it is housed within Technopark, where time itself often grows weary clocking in hours beyond the stipulated workday, thanks to calls and meetings with clients or higher-ups across the globe. I used to encounter many wannabe dancers who had to leave midway because their job wouldnt allow them the time, says Saraswathy Devi S, a techie herself, who has doubled up as a dance teacher. There are many techies who start their day at 9 a.m., and finish late as their work can run late into the evening. So, attending dance classes in prime city locations becomes difficult, especially on weekdays. Weekends, too, may get busy depending on the project they are involved in. Hence, many were forced to set aside their passion for dance. This made me think: Why not help them? Saraswathy Devi S. That thought led her to start classes with four students at Technoparks Club House on January 1. Seniors at the company where I worked encouraged the idea and supported me in balancing the classes with my job, she adds. Subsequently, however, I quit the job as I wanted to explore a career shift into business development. Saraswathy is an accomplished artist, having learnt dance since the age of six. My mother, Remadevi K M, is a dancer. She and my father, Prakash S, encouraged me to take up dancing first under V Mythili and then with Gayathri Suresh. I have trained under other gurus as well, she says. I have been passionate about the world of arts. Even my choice of engineering college was influenced by my love for the arts and the possibilities to explore them. I am a chenda player and have taken part in school Kalolsavams. I have learnt mural art as well. After my engineering, I was placed in Bengaluru, but I returned to Thiruvananthapuram, partly to pursue my passion. Saraswathy says she is particularly grateful to her mother. I remember her struggling to take me to dance classes while also caring for my little sister. She ensured there was no break in my training. I understand the hearts of those who are forced to forego dance due to life situations. That is what inspired me to organise this class at Technopark, she says. Classes are held on weekdays in the evenings. Students can step out if they need to take office calls or attend meetings. Missed classes are made up for over the weekend. I have students of all ages from freshers to professionals. To be able to provide such a space for them is a gratifying experience, she smiles. Vishnu V Nair, a lead strategist in Kerala governments IT high-power committee, welcomes Saraswathys initiative. It is great to have extracurricular curricular activities at tech hubs. This is not the only initiative at Technopark. Sporting activities are also organised for employees, he adds. We also have activities for employees children. Currently, we are planning to introduce chess and football programmes soon.

F-35B Stealth Jet: Why The Crown Jewel Of British Navy Has Been Stranded In Kerala For A Week

UKs most advanced fighter jet has been stuck at Thiruvananthapuram airport since June 14. Sources say India offered hangar space and technical help but the British Navy declined

MLA VK Prashanth, Collector Anu Kumari take part in Yoga Day demonstration in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vattiyoorkavu MLA VK Prashanth and Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Anu Kumari participated in the Yoga Day demonstrations organised in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. The legislator inaugurated the district-level Yoga Day programme at Central Stadium here. The ex-Mayor said that Yoga should be proactively propagated throughout the world and appreciated the efforts of the AYUSH mission in popularising the traditional discipline. 'Yoga is a comprehensive package, said collector Anu Kumari, mentioning the physical, mental and spiritual gains one can achieve through it. She also congratulated the mission for starting over 10,000 yoga clubs in the district during 2024. The programme, which had over 500 participants, aged from 10 to 80 years, from over 53 Yoga clubs of the district. The yoga demonstration was followed by a public meeting and a yoga dance competition. The Green Yoga Club also distributed saplings of medicinal plants to the participants in the ceremony organised by the National AYUSH Mission Kerala. The function was attended by national AYUSH mission state programme manager Dr Saji PR, Homoeopathy department Deputy Director Dr VK Priyadarshini, District Medical Officers Dr Manjula Sree Thankachi (Homoeopathy) and Dr Mini S Pai (ISM), among others.

Concerns over tardy progress of much-delayed Nemom road project in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A key road in General Education Minister V Sivankuttys Nemom constituency is better off as an off-roading trail, say locals. Riddled with potholes, which keep increasing with every passing monsoon, widening of the Thirumala-Thrikkannapuram road has been under consideration for the past 20 years. All these years, the 3.6km-long stretch, which connects several wards to the Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil highway, has been marked for widening from around 8m to 15m. But, with the project getting tangled in red tape, people have been facing the music. Bhaskaran Nair, a resident, said he has parked his car at a plot a few metres from his house due to the bad condition of the road just outside his house. The senior citizen adds that it has become impossible for two-wheeler riders to navigate the stretch without incident. Good road infrastructure is important for businesses to flourish. But given the condition of this road, people tend to avoid it, a local shopowner said. With e-commerce and online deliveries already eating into revenue, he says that rent, and not business, remains the only constant. Several businesses have moved from the area. Accidents are a daily occurrence. Two-wheeler riders suffer the most, but such incidents never get reported, say auto-rickshaw drivers. Besides the physical toll that motorists endure, is the damage to vehicles. Most of us are helpless when passengers ask us to avoid potholes. Some residents complain that their legislator rarely visits the constituency. However, Sivankuttys office denied most of the allegations. Although the project was taken up 20 years ago, land acquisition was completed only in the last 18 months. We expect the road to be completed by December, an official said. Road-widening activity has picked up, with construction of the retaining wall progressing from Thrikkannapuram, say locals. With the assembly election due next year, the work has now covered over a kilometre. The land acquired for widening is now used by people to park vehicles and even dispose of work debris, a resident said. Meanwhile, authorities plan to raise the road, but shopowners are concerned that this will lead to waterlogging along the sides. The slow progress has evidently been exacerbated by lack of coordination among government departments. KSEB and PWD officials have been trading blame for delays on their part. Work is progressing at a very slow pace. People are willing to cooperate, but the response from authorities has been slack, especially with regard to work on the drainage system, said Thrikkannapuram ward councillor Jayalakshmi P S. The damage to byroads as a result of the widening project should also be rectified in a time-bound manner, she added.

30 habitual offenders detained under KAAPA so far this year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Intensifying its action against history-sheeters, the city police have taken 30 habitual offenders into preventive detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA) so far this year. The detention orders of the repeated offenders were passed by the district collector acting on the inputs provided by the police department. Police sources said that KAAPA is being used wide and effective to crack down on those involved in heinous crimes. Those detained will be jailed for a year. Apart from preventive detention, the police have banished 37 serial offenders from the district. DCP Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh said the city police have been pro-actively preparing Rowdy History-Sheets (RHS) in all the police stations so that when they repeat a serious offence, the department can quickly recommend action against them under the KAAPA. RHS is a dossier of all the contacts, background and antecedents of a criminal. We have kept all the files on the habitual offenders ready so that when we got to know that theyve committed a crime somewhere, we can immediately collect all relevant details and recommend proper legal action against them, he said. The city police have also started to make habitual offenders sign a bond that they will not commit any other offence for a definite period.

High-level tech committee assigned to finalise plan to protect Thiruvananthapuram's Shankhumukham Beach

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After much hue and cry, a high-level meeting convened by Antony Raju MLA has decided to coordinate the construction and protection activities at Shankhumukham Beach one of the popular beaches in the capital city. The meeting has decided to prioritise protective measures to save the fast-eroding Shankhumukham Beach without it losing its tourism appeal. The meeting discussed the proposals and recommendations put forward by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the technical suggestions given by M V Ramana Murthy, technical advisor to the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) and director of the Deep Ocean Mission. The fisheries and Irrigation departments jointly reviewed the proposals. The major proposal under consideration for Shankhumukham is a shoreline protection project involving geotubes and sand nourishments. The Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation has proposed the installation of geotubes at a depth of 6 metres, 200 metres offshore, along a 1.5-km stretch of the beach for protection. Additionally, the irrigation department has submitted a plan to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to construct two groynes -- one each on the northern and southern sides of the beach extending 235 metres from the coast and spaced 160 metres apart. The PWD has also suggested increasing the length of the existing diaphragm wall as another defence mechanism to curb erosion. The meeting has assigned a high-level technical panel, guided by Ramana Murthy, to finalise and approve a viable plan and submit it to the state government. A meeting of the panel members will be held within this month. The aim is to complete the project before the onset of the next monsoon season. To protect the existing Arattu Mandapam at Shankhumukham, the irrigation department has proposed the installation of a 120-metre geo-bag wall on its western side. The tourism department has been requested to grant immediate approval for this component, following the urgent submission of the proposal.

Declare wild pigs as vermin for at least six months: Kerala forest minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of the Centre rejecting its request to bring amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, the state has again approached the Union Ministry with the same demand. In a letter to the ministry, Forest Minister A K Saseendran pointed out loopholes in the Centres stance that the chief wildlife warden has powers to effectively deal with human-wildlife conflict. The minister urged the Centre to declare wild boars as vermin at least in villages identified as conflict hotspots for a period of six months. Saseendran, in his letter to Union Minister for Environment and Forests Bhupender Yadav, pointed out that the chief wildlife warden has only limited powers to act swiftly in critical situations involving human-wildlife conflicts. Chief wildlife warden is empowered first to capture, tranquilise or translocate a dangerous animal. If these options are not feasible, then only the chief wildlife warden may permit killing of the identified wild animal listed in Schedule I of the Act. These procedural constraints have limited the wardens ability to act swiftly in critical situations, he said. Despite the state adhering to all relevant advisories and guidelines issued by the Centre, human-wildlife conflicts continue to escalate in Kerala. The current framework often delays timely action, thereby limiting the states ability to effectively mitigate conflicts and protect human lives and livelihoods, said the minister. The state further pointed out that the act does not provide a clear definition of dangerous animal. It would be highly beneficial if the Centre could consider amending the Act and Rules as well as simplify the standard operating procedures for eliminating dangerous animals, said Saseendran. Raising the demand once again to declare wild boars as vermin, the state pointed out that such a declaration should be made in villages identified as hotspots. If such a declaration is made at least for a short period of six months, it would not only facilitate site-specific management of the species but also significantly contribute to mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. The minister also demanded funds to the tune of `620 crore for various projects for preventive measures. The Centre has not yet considered the states demand for special assistance. This has hindered our efforts, he said.

Tharoor on fresh diplomatic push, leaves for Russia

NEW DELHI: Days after wrapping up a multi-nation tour on Operation Sindoor, the Centre has assigned Congress MP Shashi Tharoor a second round of diplomatic outreach to countries such as Russia, the UK and possibly Greece, said sources. The Thiruvananthapuram MP, who left for Moscow on Friday, is on a two-week mission, said sources familiar with the developments. The mission aims to further bolster Indias position among all-weather allies and to amplify the countrys voice, said sources. During the two-week trip, Tharoor will be liaising with Indian diplomatic missions in various countries. His visit to Russia assumes significance amid the softening of the ties between the US and Pakistan. India has reasons to worry after Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, recently held a one-on-one meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House for more than two hours. Sources said that the government was keen on sending Tharoor for another round of diplomatic push as the all-party delegation led by him was considered as one of the most impactful ones. The team led by Tharoor has also visited the United States, where they met Vice President J D Vance and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. During the meeting with Landau, the Tharoor-led delegation explained to him Indias stance against terrorism, with Operation Sindoor being launched in response to the brutal April 22 Pahalgam terror attack . Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tharoor and all the other members of the all-party delegations of Operation Sindoor at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg last Tuesday, sources said that the PM held a separate meeting with Tharoor the next evening. The PM spoke with Tharoor for an hour on the new assignment and his responsibilities, said the source. During his meeting with the MPs, the PM is learnt to have said that such endeavours could be institutionalised in future. Tharoor, who is the head of the standing committee of the External Affairs Ministry, has also chaired the meeting of the panel on June 17. It was not clear whether Tharoor had informed the Congress leadership about the new diplomatic mission.

Study links microplastics to rise in gallbladder cancer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While plastic pollution along Keralas coast continues to spark concerns, a new study by cancer researchers from the states medical colleges has set alarm bells ringing about a possible link between microplastics and gallbladder cancer (GBC). The research, published in the Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology, draws a connection between GBC and microplastics found in the Ganges, one of the most polluted rivers in India. The study suggests that the potential carcinogenic effects of microplastics in such water bodies could help explain the rising incidence of GBC, including in regions like Kerala. While earlier studies have explored the link between environmental pollutants and GBC, the latest research focuses specifically on the role of microplastics tiny plastic fragments less than 5mm in size in triggering the disease. Though the full impact of microplastics on human health is still being studied, researchers point to mounting evidence that the particles can cause harmful effects, including immune system activation, inflammation, oxidative stress (damage caused by unstable molecules), disruption of gut microbiota and interference with fat metabolism, all of which may contribute to cancer development. The study also notes that elevated rates of GBC are not confined to the Gangetic belt alone, but are also seen in other regions with high levels of riverine microplastic pollution. With an estimated 21,000 new GBC cases reported in India per year, the findings are crucial for regions like Kerala, where plastic contamination is on the rise. Gallbladder cancer rates in Kerala remain relatively low compared to other parts of the country. However, oncologists have observed a steady increase in cases, said Dr Aju Mathew of the department of oncology, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery, one of the authors of the study. If pollution in our water bodies continues to grow, it could trigger a major health crisis, with cancer being one of the long-term consequences, he said, while emphasising the importance of pollution control, noting that the findings should serve as a warning. This study suggests polluted water bodies could increase the risk of gallbladder cancer. As a society, we must act to mitigate the health hazards posed by environmental pollution, he said. The study was co-authored by Dr Jeffrey Mathew Boby from the Department of medicine, Kozhikode Government Medical College. India generates around 15 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, of which only about 25% is recycled, according to a UNDP report (2018-24). The rest often ends up in the environment, where it breaks down into microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics (less than 100 nanometres in size). Several studies have shown how these particles enter the food chain through marine life, posing long-term risks to human health.

Raising their game! Ex-varsity circuit hockey players live the global dream

KOLLAM: They have aged like fine wine giving the world a taste of their talent and skill. Marking a comeback in a sport they once cherished, a group of four middle-aged women from the state, who in their youth were active on the national university circuit, have raised their game: Now, making a mark in the field of international masters hockey. Leading the charge is Saritha Devi, a 55-year-old schoolteacher from Thiruvananthapuram. The Indian captain guided her team to a gold at the recent World Masters Games in Taiwan. Becoming an international player was always my dream. After university, family pressures took over. But the passion never faded. Now, in my fifties, Im determined to keep playing for the national team as long as health permits, Saritha told TNIE . My university days were filled with dreams and aspirations. Playing hockey was a dream come true, and I lived it during my time at university, recounts Sheeba R, 50, another member of the team. The Kerala players in the squad were active at the university level in the 1990s. But after marriage, our paths diverged. Society has never backed women sportspersons making a comeback, the former from Thiruvananthapuram points out. For 30 years, I lived for my family. Now that my children are independent, I want to live for myself and explore my passion. At this age, Im not afraid, adds Sheeba. Despite the global success, the players face persistent challenges. We receive no government backing -- not even basic infrastructure or financial aid. We have often paid from our own pockets to travel and train. We have even been denied access to public grounds. But we didnt give up. After much struggle, we secured permission to practise at the University Stadium in the state capital. That itself felt like a win, emphasises Saritha. Saritha Devi (L) in action during a match at the World Masters Games People keep saying its time to hang up our boots, but were not ready to quit. At 55, I still have aspirations. Even though we dont receive any government help, our determination and passion keep us going. Still, we hope that someday, some kind of support will come our way. But until then, well continue with what we love, because passion doesnt retire, says Geetha Mohan, another team member who works as an insurance agent in the state capital. Swapna S P, a former RTO officer, describes her return to the game as a return to the joy and dreams of her college days. When I started playing again, it felt like I should have started earlier. We all got stuck in a comfortable life, and by the time you realise it, its often too late. But thanks to the Masters Games, we got a chance to live our dreams again. Despite societal pressure and age barriers, weve decided to move forward and pursue what we love most, stresses Swapna, who is from Ernakulam. All four players returned to the national circuit in 2021. They are now preparing for their next international outing next year.

Nearly half of Wayanads tourism constructions illegal: Government study

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nearly half of all tourism-related constructions in Wayanad are operating without a valid licence, according to a study by the local self-government department. The comprehensive report, released last week on sustainable and responsible tourism, has uncovered widespread regulatory violations, rampant illegal operations, and blatant environmental disregard affecting the districts tourism sector. The study by the planning wing of the department revealed that nearly half of all tourism establishments in Wayanad -- including resorts, homestays, and serviced villas -- are operating illegally. Only 56% of these properties hold the mandatory LSGD licence, a mere 16% are registered under GST, and just 53% have secured consent from the Pollution Control Board (PCB) -- a critical requirement for ensuring environmental compliance and responsible operations. One of the most alarming revelations is the unchecked operation of tourism properties within environmentally sensitive and hazardous zones. Numerous establishments have been built or are under construction in designated High Hazard Zones (HHZ) or within 500-metre buffer zones identified for landslide and flood vulnerability. These zones are particularly fragile given Wayanads history of tragic landslides and frequent human-wildlife conflicts. Yet, many tent stays and resorts in these regions lack even basic safety measures such as fencing or emergency response infrastructure. Meanwhile, Wayanad district panchayat president Samshad Marakkar has called for crackdown on illegal tourist establishments. Expressing concern over the growing number of tourist accidents linked to unauthorised resorts and accommodations, he said that many of these facilities operate without the knowledge of local bodies. Several of these resorts are located in remote, inaccessible areas with poor or no road connectivity. In emergencies, rescue operations become extremely difficult, he said. He added that the study would serve as a baseline document and that the district panchayat has recommended the formation of special inspection squads under each local body to identify, inspect, and take corrective action against illegal constructions. These property owners must be compelled to produce updated building plans. Even those holding licences have constructed unauthorised extensions. Local bodies are losing significant tax revenue because of this unchecked expansion, he said. Marakkar further stressed the urgent need for the state government to establish a legal framework for camping sites, tents, and tree houses. Right now, local bodies have no authority over these facilities. Its time the government steps in and sets clear regulations, he added. The town planning department has attributed the surge in violations in Wayanad to the misuse of K-SWIFT (Kerala Single Window Interface for Fast and Transparent Clearance) -- an online platform designed to streamline the process of obtaining various licences and approvals for businesses. As part of the study, field surveys began in 2021 with an initial list of 2,764 properties. Over a span of 89 days, the survey team successfully visited 2,478 properties, covering 89% of the total. However, detailed assessments were completed for only 1,040 of them. The remaining 1,438 could not be fully surveyed due to several challenges including data duplication. Notably, 116 properties had no records beyond their names, making verification and any further follow-up virtually impossible. Near buffer zones The study by the tourism dept planning wing revealed only 56% of properties hold the mandatory LSGD licence, a mere 16% are registered under GST, & only 53% have consent from Pollution Control Board Numerous establishments built or are under construction in designated High Hazard Zones or within 500-m buffer zones identified for landslide and flood vulnerability

In Pics: Waves of woes at Kerala capital's shoreline

After over a decade, monsoon fury has returned to haunt Kannanthura and Vettucaud two densely populated coastal hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram. Fierce sea surges and relentless coastal erosion have once again displaced dozens of fisher families, laying bare the vulnerability of Keralas 590-km shoreline. Year after year, thousands of coastal residents are forced to flee their homes as the sea continues to trouble them with alarming intensity. According to various studies, over 55% of Keralas coastline is at risk of erosion. A study by the University of Kerala a few years ago revealed a staggering loss of 647 acres of coastal land along a 58-km stretch in Thiruvananthapuram district alone over the past 14 years, making it one of the worst-hit regions. Despite the recurring threats and displacement, the state governments response has been largely limited to announcements and budgetary promises. On the ground, little has changed. For the coastal population living on the frontline of the climate crisis, the absence of sustained intervention and long-term protection measures amounts to a grave policy failure. A fisherman is caught in the raging waves while trying to place sandbags to protect his house from sea erosion at Vettucaud A Vettucaud resident looks into the advancing sea from his home Seventy-year-old Pelkis Amrutham and his wife Amalolbhavam watch helplessly as the sea closes in on their house in Kannanthura The coastal road adjacent to St. Peters Church at Kannanthura A coconut tree stands precariously with its roots exposed due to severe sea erosion at Kannanthura Monsoon surges have begun swallowing 42-year-old Isabel's single-room house at the fragile coastal edge of Kannanthura

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation dstributes electric tricycles

After a robust start, monsoon slips into lull phase

We expect a revival or another vigorous spell only by the end of the first week of July, says Neetha K. Gopal, IMD Director, Thiruvananthapuram