Old cellar found at construction site of Kerala excise department office building

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A cellar was discovered at the construction site for the new range office for the excise department at Amaravila in Thiruvananthapuram the other day. The new office is being built after demolishing the old building. A small cellar structure was found when the ground was cleared for basement work. The cellar is located close to the shed that served as a parking lot. Staffers were clueless of the structure. We contacted some seniors, but they too were unaware of it, said an officer. The discovery led to the spread of rumours among local people that the structure was constructed during the princely rule in the erstwhile Travancore. The site is located near the road leading to Padmanabhapuram in Tamil Nadu, the former palace of the erstwhile Travancore royal family. However, some others claim that the structure would have been built by the department decades ago. According to them, it was used to store confiscated spirits. The rumours would probably end with the site visit and examination by archaeology experts. We came across media reports on the cellar. Our technical team will visit the spot. They will identify the structures age, E Dinesan, director of the archaeology department told TNIE.

Palestine solidarity marks international documentary and short film festival opening

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 16th edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala kicked off in the state capital, expressing solidarity with Palestine. Minister for Local Self-Governments M B Rajesh inaugurated the festival at a splendid ceremony at the Kairali Theatre in the city on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, he highlighted that the festival features four Palestinian films. He said that Kerala has always stood, and continues to stand, in solidarity with Palestine which has been surviving a genocide. All the films being screened here are about the fight for emancipation and human survival in one way or the other. Films like Farming the Revolution on the farmers protest, Fight Shall Continue about Jharkhand mining, and documentaries on coal mining in Chhattisgarh, which are often sidelined by mainstream media, find a platform in this festival, Rajesh said. The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Naresh Bedi and Rajesh Bedi, known as the Bedi Brothers. Naresh shared their experiences with conservation and wildlife documentary-making. Accepting the award, he said that documentaries have a huge archival value. Rajesh Bedi humorously added that his brother had covered everything he wanted to say. Documentaries are the backbone of humanity, he said. The festival catalogue was released by Additional Chief Secretary Rajan N Khobragade by handing over a copy to jury chairperson for fiction Urmi Juvekar. Kerala State Film Development Corporation Chairman Shaji N Karun released the daily bulletin by handing over a copy to jury chairman for non-fiction Rakesh Sharma. Looking forward to watching the short films and long documentaries, Sharma said it is an opportunity for the viewers to not judge the worlds shown but to learn from them. Shaji N Karun and curators Amudhan R P and Urmi Juvekar also spoke. Kerala State Chalachithra Academy vice-chairman Premkumar delivered the introductory speech while secretary C Ajoy extended the vote of thanks.

K B Ganesh Kumar disowns order to penalise bike riders found talking

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The differences between Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar and MVD officers came to the fore after a directive by the Transport Commissionerate to penalise bike riders found talking to pillion riders became a talking point. The directive is seen as challenging to implement, and the minister quickly distanced himself from it stating that it was issued without his knowledge. He also said the idea conceived by the officers was not only difficulty to implement but also impractical. The directive, issued by Joint Transport Commissioner K Manoj Kumar, instructed enforcement officers to penalise bikers found talking, citing potential distractions that could lead to accidents. The MVD officers, however, said that the directive originated from the ministers office based on a representation he received on bike accidents. The directive followed a fatal accident when a bike rider rear-ended a lorry after he got distracted by the conversation of the pillion rider. The direction was issued with a good intent and the enforcement officers were told to create awareness among bikers. Currently, there is no provision under the rule to fine them for talking, said an officer on condition of anonymity.

27 detained under KAAPA during first half of 2024

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid a noticeable rise in criminal activities in the district, the Trivandrum city police are implementing stringent measures by invoking the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA) against offenders. As per police data, 27 persons have been detained under KAAPA during the first half of this year. In an effort to curb criminal behaviour, six restraining orders were also issued against antisocial elements. A total of 37 proposals for detention orders under KAAPA were submitted to the district collector and 27 were approved after review. The district collector has the power to issue detention orders under KAAPA, while deportation orders are issued by police officers of superintendent rank or higher. The act is typically invoked against offenders involved in at least three active serious cases. There will be more action in the coming months as offenders were cracked down with special operations. KAAPA cases werent specifically looked at since one and half months have passed since the operations.T he cases will be looked into more seriously. There is a specific procedure for this and it needs to be followed, said City Police Commissioner Sparjan Kumar. To identify habitual offenders, authorities review criminal records from the past seven years. Active cases against individuals are scrutinised and if two to three serious crimes are registered against a person, they are closely monitored for antisocial activities. Proposals for detention are submitted following a thorough review. Those deemed less dangerous may be deported. A regular monitoring of their activities through day and night adds into account of proposals, said a senior police official. Station House Officers (SHOs) of all police stations are put on high alert to ensure a swift response to any criminal activity. This will also strengthen the overall security of the district, added Commissioner.

Happy and excited, cinephiles throng documentary-short film festival

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A creative fire consumed the Kairali, Nila, Sree theatre complex on Friday as the 16th International Documentary and Short Film Festival (IDSFFK) kicked off with full fanfare. The day unfolded with the screening of the Spanish short film No Wolves , No Lambs by Jose Luis Acosta. An eager crowd stepped into the theatre as the trailer showcased immense potential with interesting cinematography and screenplay. Jagan Kumar, a film enthusiast, says the way the film is shot adds a lot to the dark and suspenseful mood. The music also feels perfect, making the candy sweeter for the eye. Most of the documentaries and short films portrayed today were of foreign origin. 48 Hours by Soban Verajha, a Sri Lankan short , and The First Look by Luis E Pars, a Spanish short, were screened today. The inauguration of the festival was held at the Nishadandi Theatre, with the screening of the documentary Ernest Cole: Lost and Found by Raoul Peck. The documentary is centred around the photographer, whose tour of the apartheid-ridden streets of South Africa led him to chronicle the horrors the country witnessed. Parvathy Rajesh, a student, says, she was eagerly waiting for the IDSFFK inauguration as the opening ceremony includes her favourite documentary Lost and Found. I am also excited about the weekends, especially for the animated movies. I love how the animation industry in India is growing. I am already a fan of Japanese anime creators and I am eagerly waiting for Indias creativity, she says. Not only the cinephiles, but the restaurant owners in the city are also happy, thanks to the brisk businesses. Rajest S T, the owner of a coffee shop nearby, says, We are getting good sales in the evening.

The ignored lives of the invisible

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The recent death of a conservancy worker, Joy , in the Amayizhanchan canal hit headlines across the state. However, for sanitation workers like Shibu, the news did not come as a surprise. This was at least reported. But last year, my friend died after returning from cleaning a septic tank in one of the neighbourhoods around Cheriyathura. As soon as he entered the washroom to cleanse himself, he fainted. People called it natural death. But just after work in an environment where you are required to hold your breath to stop the stench from entering every bit of your insides, can it be so easily disposed of as natural? he wonders. The tale of the man-eating garbage dump in Thiruvananthapuram The death of 42-year-old Joy while cleaning the Amayizhanchan canal two weeks ago may have upped the angst about the citys erroneous waste disposal and management systems. However, a graver issue remains unnoticed. Hence, the plight of the conservancy workers, especially those involved in manual scavenging, remains invisible in society. As per a 2013 Act, manual scavenging is prohibited either as employment or engagement, with a proper mechanism in place for their rehabilitation. Now, they are an invisible lot. Most are scared to speak up as they are engaged by contractors who take up sanitation work for government establishments. One such conservancy worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, stays near Manchavila on the outskirts of the district, where Joy hailed from. He refused to speak because he feared the job he occasionally gets also would go away from him. I have a family to take care of, he mumbles as he walks away. A contract labourer of KWA cleans a clogged manhole at General Hospital on Vanchiyoor road Even now they are approached for cleaning septic tanks and entering manholes. The workers say their condition remaining fragile. Most of us suffer from respiratory ailments, explains 21-year-old Manu, who works along with Shibu. While getting into the septic tank, first, we have to let out the toxic gases. Then we smear our bodies with kerosene and dump some of the fuel into the pit to counter the stench, he explains. Some seniors drink before entering the pit, or else they may not be able to tolerate the stench. It chokes our breath. If we wear masks, it adds to the choking, says Manu. The corporation vehicles that clear such waste operate mostly within the city. However, in the coastal fringes and suburban areas, it is still the human hands that do the work. The roads here are dingy and hence the vehicles cannot come and take away the waste. Thats why we are approached. Usually, it is Rs 500 per pit of the septic tank and three people have to work in one. We work after sundown so as not to disturb others in the locality, says Rajan Chinnathambi from Valiyathura. This work comes in rare for the conservancy workers, as Thiruvananthapurams sewage treatment systems are a tad better, says Adv Gopi Kochuraman, state nodal officer of the National Safai Karmachari Commission. The waste is taken to the Mutthathara plant in Thiruvananthapuram, whereas in Kochi, it is let into the water bodies. We had flagged the issue with the corporation several times, but a solution is yet to come, he says. That is why workers are usually approached during the monsoon when septic tanks get filled up with rain water and sand seeping in. We have to manually dig another pit and pull out the waste by getting into the tank, explains Manu. With this work coming in trickles, the workers find jobs as cleaning staff, casual workers or even construction labourers. Sometimes, the corporation employs us on a temporary basis to clean the drains, adds Murugan. Whats the law Manual scavenging needs to be supplemented with facilities such as the proper provision of safety gear and monthly medical check-ups. To this, Shibu adds, We are not given any safety gear for cleaning as is stipulated. No gloves, no gumboots, no masks, nothing. The workers usually complain of respiratory ailments but are susceptible to different kinds of illnesses due to the hazardous work environment. And yet, we have hardly heard of the medical scheme, says Shibu. According to Gopi, he had a tough time reaching out to the workers. Finally, after much enquiry, we found information about some places in the city where manual scavenging is still being done. It is done covertly. By the side of some platforms of the railway station here, there are septic tanks and pits that are cleared using these workers. This work is usually done on Mondays. On Monday, our team is going to inspect one such activity, he says. However, though people are made to engage in such work, not many are receiving any benefits stipulated by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation. None of the scheme benefits has reached the workers or their families. The schemes have to be routed through three nodal agencies State Backward Classes Development Corporation, State Womens Development Corporation, and State SC/ST Commission. However, till now, the benefits have not reached the people concerned. And the workers themselves are not aware of the reservations for them in fields such as education, says Gopi. Also, Kerala does not have an exclusive commission for such workers, he adds. Nobody monitors their needs. After 2021, the national commission is taking up at least part of their concerns in the state, he adds. However, none of the workers TNIE spoke to knew of the benefits and rehabilitation schemes due to them. Neither are there unions to voice their demands. Their children study unnoticed in schools because if they are known to be conservancy workers children, they may face their peers scorn. So, I have told my kids to tell everyone their father is a construction worker, Shibu says. And to pay their childrens tuition, they take up extra work. Our struggle should end with us. Our kids shouldnt have to do this anymore, says Rajan. At least, the next generation should be free, he smiles.

No capital city as unhygienic as Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala High Court

KOCHI: Highlighting the pathetic condition of Thiruvananthapuram due to waste, the Kerala High Court on Friday said no other capital city was in such an unhygienic condition. Amici curiae report highlights chinks in waste management in Thiruvananthapuram During a special sitting it held following the death of a sanitation worker who had gone missing in the filth-filled Amayizhanchan canal , the division bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath also suggested the authorities visit Sri Lanka to understand its waste management methods. The HC observed that the report of the amici curiae appointed to assess the condition of Amayizhanchan canal in Thiruvananthapuram presented an embarrassing situation for the state. The tale of the man-eating garbage dump in Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram is currently in a dire state. Nowhere else can you find a capital city in such an unhygienic condition? All capital cities in the world are...visual treat. Even in India, most of the capital cities are visual treats. But the report of the amici curiae pointed out that every part of Thiruvananthapuram is piled up by garbage. How could this happen in a place which is under the nose of the government, asked the bench. It suggested that authorities visit countries like Sri Lanka to understand their waste management methods. If you want to understand how cities are kept clean, you dont have to travel far. Just go to Sri Lanka and see the number of tourists visiting the country and the cleanliness of the roads and streets. You cant find a single piece of litter. Sri Lanka is not a rich country, the bench commented. It also referenced Singapores waste management techniques, where plastic waste is burnt to generate substantial energy, such as electricity. The court urged authorities to seek expert help and adopt waste management techniques used in other countries. Explain plan to prevent further dumping of waste in canal The HC asked the government to explain its plan to prevent further dumping of plastic waste into the canal and how it intends to remove the existing waste. Sarada Muraleedharan, additional chief secretary, who appeared online, said trash booms would be cleaned daily, and that the government plans to set up facilities for collecting non-biodegradable waste and the existing Thumboormuzhi plant for bio-waste processing. The court requested a detailed report on the action the government plans to take, emphasizing on the importance of keeping the city clean. Sarada said the state acknowledged its responsibility for the contamination of the Amayizhanchan canal and will submit a report outlining the problems and actions to be taken to clear the plastic waste. The court also remarked that merely registering criminal cases is insufficient. It urged the government to initiate confiscation proceedings to prevent repeat offences and consider installing CCTV cameras to monitor violations. Sarada said 10 cameras from the Smart City Mission would be installed, along with street lamps for proper lighting at garbage-prone points.

SRM-AP student qualifies for Paris Olympics 2024

VIJAYAWADA: Jyothika Sri Dandi, a first-year BA student at the Easwari School of Liberal Arts, SRM University-AP, has qualified for the Indian Womens 4x400 metres relay team for Paris Olympics 2024. Congratulating Jyothika, SRM-AP sports director Dr Dhiraj Parasher remarked, To become an Olympian is a monumental mark in the career of an athlete. We are swelled with pride and offer unwavering support as we soundly believe that Jyothika will create history and return as an Olympic champion. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora also expressed his pride by stating, Jyothika is a national treasure that instils a belief and ambition in every young girl who dreams of being an Olympian. We at SRM University-AP wish her success and victory as she crafts her name in the tapestry of champions. Hailing from Tanuku town in West Godavari district, the two-time national champion had her breakthrough in 2021 when she secured gold in the 400-metre race at the Indian U-23 Championships. Her winning streak continued as she won the Indian National Open Championships for 400 metres race in Thiruvananthapuram and a bronze at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok. Her performance at the 2024 World Relays Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, secured the Indian womens relay team a ticket to the Paris Olympics.

Kerala: Get new power connections in seven days

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Now consumers can get a power connection within seven days of applying. Similarly, e-vehicle charging outlets will be set up in multi-storey buildings. The State Electricity Regulatory Commission has brought out the Kerala Electricity Supply Code (fifth amendment) 2024, with a slew of changes in the existing code. In a major boost to micro and small-scale industries, the amended code proposes that domestic connection can be used for enterprises with a connected load of up to 4 kw. The amended electricity supply code has simplified the procedures for consumers to apply for various power connection-related services. Similarly, access to services has been made online. Now, consumers need not roam around offices for new connections, reconnection, tariff change and other related matters. The code stipulates that power connection should be given within seven days under normal circumstances and within a month in difficult regions. The amended code has stipulated provisions for consumers to pay the required fee for power connection based on connected load/demand load. Also, the amendment has clear provisions for imposing a fine if consumers use households equipment, using more than the connected load.

Experts stress on surveillance, research to prevent outbreak in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The seriousness of managing a Nipah outbreak, which involves dealing with a virus with a high mortality rate, has initiated a discussion among health experts on the protocol to be followed in the affected regions. Having dealt with Nipah outbreaks four times before, some experts feel more focus should be on surveillance and research. The Nipah virus strain prevalent in Kerala is believed to have originated in Bangladesh and is characterised by relatively low infectivity (with an R0 value of 0.4) but a high mortality rate (ranging from 40% to 75%). The basic reproduction number (R0) indicates how quickly a disease can spread within a population. Nipah patients typically become contagious when severely ill, limiting transmission primarily to close caregivers and healthcare settings. We should prioritise surveillance, improve diagnostic capabilities, implement infection control measures, and invest in research, said Dr Althaf A, an epidemiologist and professor at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, who studied the 2018 Nipah outbreak in the state extensively. Globally, the Nipah virus has caused approximately 800 cases and fewer than 500 deaths over its 26-year history. While the authorities underscore the need for stringent restrictions as Nipah is listed by WHO among 10 viral diseases with pandemic potential, health experts say this listing is intended to prioritise resources to develop tests, treatments, and vaccines rather than mandating severe containment measures. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) holds a different perspective, advocating for strict containment measures through restrictions. Scientists from NCDC, who often lead central delegations to affected states, emphasise this aspect. Dr Anish T S, an associate professor of community medicine at the Government Medical College in Manjeri, Malappuram, acknowledges the necessity for initial restrictions during outbreaks. During the onset, limited information prompts immediate restrictions in contact locations. This approach aids authorities in initiating timely responses, gaining social cooperation for contact tracing, and raising public awareness. However, prolonged curbs are unnecessary, Dr Anish said. With the latest outbreak showing signs of subsiding, discussions are already under way to ease restrictions, starting from Anakkayam. The Malappuram district administration has enforced stringent measures in two panchayats, Pandikad and Anakkayam, to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Lives of survivors not normal Nipah survivors in Kerala endure a silent struggle Kochi: Five years after surviving Nipah, 21-year-old Gokul Krishna, a resident of North Paravoor in Ernakulam, has had a difficult existence. Despite overcoming the viral infection, his struggles continued even after he was discharged from the hospital. He spent almost two months in the hospital. But even after receiving treatment, he continued to have a number of health problems, including memory loss and sensitivity to light and sound. He constantly required assistance from someone as he was unable to stand or walk properly. He couldnt climb the stairs and suffered from respiratory issues as well, said his mother, Vasanthi. Gokul was an electrical engineering student when he contracted the disease in 2019. Now he is attending a training programme for the course he completed. People who have survived Nipah need care and attention. Their lives are not as normal as others. Gokul worked very hard to recover from the illness. But we continue to be concerned about his health and future, his mother said.

Kerala grappling with destructions caused by heavy rain, wind

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the southwest monsoon currently on in the state after keeping its date with the met departments forecast, the state is grappling with increasing incidents of incessant rain and hostile weather conditions. Lately, gusts and strong winds have caused widespread chaos across the state, uprooting trees, damaging property and even resulting in fatalities.The upkeep of trees, which is crucial to prevent such disasters, is often neglected due to the fragmented responsibility among various agencies. According to official data, between June 19 and July 23 around 151 houses were destroyed and 3,118 residences were partially destroyed in the state. As many as 64 people lost their lives in various monsoon-related calamities. It is learnt that after the onset of the monsoon, around seven people died in various incidents involving uprooted trees. On Tuesday night, a 42-year-old woman was crushed to death at Peroorkada in Thiruvananthapuram when an ageing Banyan tree came down. Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) member-secretary Shekar Lukose Kuriakose told TNIE that it was high time the Local Self-Government Institutions came up with a specific tree management policy for revenue land in its jurisdiction to ensure the protection and safety of the public. He said that a sizeable number of the recent rain-related incidents were caused by uprooted trees. Based on data available, incidents involving uprooted trees alone accounted for the deaths of seven persons. Besides, there were instances of electrocution after trees collapsed on power lines. Also, lives were lost after trees fell atop houses, he said. Many of the trees on revenue land are not in good health and trees need to be managed. We cannot allow trees to grow on revenue land like they do in the wild. Such dangerous trees and branches need to be pruned regularly and new trees need to be planted in their place, he added. The adverse weather conditions prevailing in the state round the year is keeping the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services on their toes throughout. According to Fire and Rescue Services Director General K Padmakumar, emergency situations arising out of adverse weather have become a routine throughout the year. Now, its not during monsoon alone that calamities occur due to adverse weather situations. We attend to a minimum of 25 to 35 calls in each district daily, he said. Recognising the growing threat posed by wind and gusts, the KSDMA is now gearing up to develop a comprehensive wind action plan. However, lack of reliable data poses a major challenge in devising an effective strategy. Its a challenging job and we have initiated efforts to draw up an action plan. But its going to take a while, he said. KSEB suffers G51.4-cr loss in 10 days Kochi: The KSEB has suffered a loss of Rs 51.4 crore due to heavy rain and wind that battered the state during the past 10 days. According to the KSEB, 1,694 high-tension electric poles and 10,836 low-tension poles were damaged as uprooted trees and branches fell on power lines from July 17 to 26. Power distribution was disrupted under the distribution network of 5,961 transformers, affecting 11 lakh consumers.

Kerala: Sudhakaran, Satheesan draw daggers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the competition and one-upmanship between state Congress chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan breaching the limits and threatening to dampen the spirits of party workers stirred up by the Lok Sabha poll results, many senior leaders think its time for the high command to intervene and rein in the two leaders. Delimitation panels: Congress rift widens as Sudhakaran cancels Satheesans circular A day after Sudhakaran snubbed him by cancelling a circular he issued in his capacity as the Congress legislature party leader, an annoyed Satheesan boycotted the Thiruvananthapuram district executive meeting, which he was scheduled to preside on Friday. The meeting was slated as part of the Congress Mission 2025 programme. The two leaders have shared a strained relation for quite some time. A few days ago, the Sudhakaran camp had approached the party national leadership against Satheesan, alleging that the LoPs loyalists had been deliberately planting stories against the KPCC chief. On Thursday, Sudhakaran had called an online meeting of KPCC office-bearers where a few general secretaries targeted Satheesan for coming up with a circular on the strategy to be adopted for local body polls. Sudhakaran came out with a six-page circular, cancelling Satheesans dossier. Sudhakaran, who is in Delhi as the Parliament is in session, had no qualms in admitting there were certain issues with Satheesan. But they would be resolved soon through talks, he said. Satheesan denied issuing any circular. Party must identify those who leak wrong news I did not come out with a circular. The party needs to identify those leaders who leak such (wrong) news to the media. The meeting of office-bearers was held as they had to share something with the party president. It needs to be probed who is giving this news to the media, Satheesan told reporters at Palode. In fact, TNIE has the one-page circular issued by Satheesan on 18th July. This newspaper had reported on Thursday about Satheesans circular on constituting delimitation committees at the district and constituency levels as well as reporting of the Wayanad executive in lower committees. Its reliably learnt that Deepa Dasmunshi, AICC general secretary in charge of the state, had also held talks with the party office-bearers regarding Satheesans circular. A source close to the LoP said that KPCC general secretaries who feel insecure are behind the controversy. Satheesan had mentioned in his circular that a leader from the same district, but not from the same constituency/local body has to be entrusted with the responsibility of forming the delimitation committees. The incumbent general secretaries are apprehensive of losing their power and are behind the controversy. Now let the Congress high command intervene and resolve the issue, said the source. At the virtual meeting of the office-bearers held on Thursday, KPCC general secretary M J Job from Alappuzha and senior Congress MP and working president Kodikunnil Suresh rallied behind Satheesan.

Amici curiae report highlights chinks in waste management in Thiruvananthapuram

KOCHI: Amici curiae report submitted in the High Court reveals that the systems that have been put in place by the Thiruvananthapuram corporation, the Southern Railway and the irrigation department for the management of waste and maintenance of the canal, as they stand, are grossly deficient and ineffective. The area where the canal flows under the railway premises is prone to clogging because of siltation and accumulation of waste. This area requires specific attention and needs to be de-silted at regular intervals to ensure smooth flow of water. The waste collected by the corporation and Southern Railway must be quantified and tracked till its final destination, to ensure that the same does not re-enter the stream, said the report. A graveyard made of waste in Thiruvananthapuram The report of the amici curiae about the waste management system in Thiruvananthapuram city also suggested that the corporation must take immediate steps to identify all garbage-vulnerable points, especially along all canal and drainage systems, and prevent dumping of waste. The irrigation department must plan and undertake an operation, akin to Operation Anantha, in association with the corporation, the Southern Railway and other stakeholders. The dumping of waste into the canal near Bakery Junction needs to be prevented by all means, by undertaking necessary steps for effective surveillance including, but not limited to, installing CCTV cameras, policing, and suitable punitive action against violators. If CCTV cameras are installed, the same should be monitored frequently and the violators should be booked, with the assistance of the police and motor vehicle department. Vehicles, if any, used for unauthorised transportation of waste should be impounded, following the law. Routine canal cleaning drives should be undertaken by the corporation for the removal of waste as well as de-siltation. The report further suggested that the portion of the canal flowing through Rajaji Nagarrequires special attention. The fencing on the sides of the canalneeds to be reinforced. The area should be subjected to frequentinspections and surveillance, to ensure that no waste is dumpedinto the canal. If required, the assistance of the police needs tobe extended to the corporation and the irrigation department. Thecorporation must immediately invest in the edification of the residents of the Chenkalchoola colony as regards the issue of waste entering the canal. Steps should also have to be taken to ensure that the waste from outside the colony is not brought into the colony and dumped in the canal or elsewhere. According to the amici curiae, if the trash booms and the gratings placed in the canals are to be effective, no waste material should be allowed to pass through them. The sacrificial allowance for the trash-boom should be kept at a minimum. The corporation may explore the deployment of more than one trash boom sequentially. The iron gratings should not be opened at all. In case they are required to be opened, the accumulated waste should be removed and alternative mechanisms should be put in place to prevent the waste flowing downstream when the gratings are removed formaintenance. The objective should be to ensure that the wastedoes not reach the area under the railway premises. The Southern Railway, as a bulk waste generator, must put in place a proper functional in-house system for handling and management of solid waste, irrespective of the facilities provided by the corporation, the report said.

Congress appears to revert to infighting ahead of local body byelections in 49 wards

V.D. Satheesan skips Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committees camp executive, summoned to put the party on the path to victory in the crucial local body byelections, which is deemed to be a bellwether of the States voting behaviour ahead of 2025

16th edition of IDSFFK kicks off in Thiruvananthapuram

As many as 335 films from 54 countries will be screened during the six-day festival at the Kairali Sree Nila theatre complex

Free monoclonal antibodies for all haemophilia patients under 18: Kerala Health Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George announced that the health department will now provide monoclonal antibodies to all haemophilia patients under 18 to reduce complications from uncontrolled bleeding. This initiative, implemented through the Aashadhara scheme, aims to ensure comprehensive care and treatment for haemophilia patients. Currently, around 300 children receive the costly medication Emicizumab each month. The health department has been offering the drug to selected patients as preventive treatment since 2021. However, it is the first time in the country that a large set of patients have been covered. The Minister described this move as revolutionary, marking a significant step toward achieving the goal of eliminating bleeding and disability for haemophilia patients. The advanced preventive treatment will eliminate the need for bi-weekly hospital visits for injections, which had previously caused disruptions in school and work for families. Previously, preventive care involved administering blood clotting factor concentrates, which could potentially lead to drug resistance if used indiscriminately. There are over 2,000 haemophilia patients in the state enrolled in the Aashadhara scheme. The health department has also decentralized treatment by making the medication available in 72 hospitals. The Haemophilia Federation of India has been advocating for the inclusion of innovative products like Emicizumab in the national treatment guidelines. Prophylaxis or preventive treatment should enable people with hemophilia to lead healthy and active lives including participation in most physical and social activities (at home, school, work, and in the community), similar to the non-hemophilic population. It has also been found that people with haemophilia initiated on early prophylaxis have shown the best long-term outcomes.

Traffic woes is a main concern in Thiruvananthapuram: Commissioner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: G Sparjan Kumar, who has assumed charge as the new city police commissioner, says his immediate priority will be to ease traffic woes and curb the cyber and narcotic cases within the city limits. As a first measure, the commissioner has asked the officers on traffic duty to remain in their deployed areas till late at night. Our prime concern is traffic management. The cops have been asked to wear reflective jackets, which will give them maximum visibility in low-light situations. The public will get to know that the cops are around and that will help in better traffic management, he says. The Commissioner also batted for enhanced cooperation between the police and other stakeholders, including the district administration and the corporation. A meaningful joint effort would go a great way in addressing traffic issues, he says, adding that, the department will soon start collecting data on the number of private taxis, including autorickshaws, that are currently operating in the city limits as part of general safety enhancement. To prevent illegal plying of autorickshaws during the night, the department will devise a method, wherein the police stations concerned will be intimated about the vehicles that are available for night travel. Earlier, there was a system of autorickshaw drivers signing a register kept at the police stations before commencing night duty. Thats not being widely practised now. So, we are thinking of bringing in some system to keep the cops in the loop so they can know which autorickshaws are plying within their limits during the night. A final decision in this regard will be taken after due consultations with drivers, he says. According to him, strict action being taken against illegal parking has made a positive impact. Sparjan, who is helming the city police for the second time, says cyber crimes and narcotic cases are the other areas he is keenly watching. According to the official data, Rs 35 crore was lost to cybercriminals in the last six months just from the city. One solution is ramping up awareness and he says, efforts will be regularly made to inform the public on cyber financial frauds. Narcotics The police have intensified their surveillance and the anti-narcotic special force is constantly monitoring the situation. We have ongoing projects meant to deal with the matter. Crimes and narcotics are closely connected. I had a meeting with the Station House Officers recently, and we have decided to ramp up our anti-narcotic drive. We are hopeful of getting positive results in the coming days, he adds. Traffic stats 500 cops are posted on traffic duty in the city limits till 10 pm at their respective points Officers are deployed across 110 traffic points Project Whitecarpet has been enforced to prevent unauthorised parking Special attention to avoid unauthorised use of footpaths More traffic wardens will be deployed to collect fees from vehicles parked in designated parking areas

German film fest kicks-off in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Banner Film Society, Thiruvananthapuram, in collaboration with the Goethe-Zentrum, is hosting a German Film Festival in the city. The festival to be held at Lenin Balavadi will be inaugurated by the vice-chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, Prem Kumar. Director of the Goethe-Zentrum Syed Ibrahim will be the chief guest. Film critic M F Thomas will preside over the function. The festival will kick off at 9.30am with a screening of Toubab , a poignant comedy-drama by Florian Dietrich that explores the life of Babtou, a Senegalese immigrant in Germany, as he tries to adapt to his new surroundings while staying true to his roots. The inaugural session will commence after the screening. At 11.15 am, Precious Ivie , directed by Sarah Blasskiewitz, will be screened. The film explores the lives of two Afro-German half-sisters as they navigate their cultural identities and family bonds in contemporary Germany. The afternoon screening at 2.30 pm will feature Prince , directed by Lisa Bierwirth. This gripping drama follows a young mans struggles with adulthood and societal expectations. The festival will conclude with the screening of The Last Execution by Franziska Stunkel at 4.30 pm. The haunting film recounts the true story of Werner Teske, the last person executed in East Germany. Entry is free for all

Wild gaur found in Thiruvananthapuram's Technocity tranquillised

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The wild gaur that was on the loose in the state capital causing panic and alarm among the residents of Andoorkonam panchayat and nearby areas has been finally tranquillised by the rapid response team (RRT) near Pirappancode in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The unexpected appearance of the wild gaur in the suburbs of the capital city had triggered widespread panic, with residents reporting sightings of the animal roaming freely in the Technocity area near Digital University campus to the forest authorities. It continues to be a mystery concerning how the wild gaur, which lives in dense forests, was spotted around 40 kms away from Palode, the nearest forest cover. Despite multiple attempts on Thursday, the wild gaur managed to evade capture on Thursday. On Friday, the forest officials resumed their operation as early as 6.30am and managed to immobilise the gaur with tranquilliser darts. We cant drive it back as the forest area is very far away. Hence, we sought the permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden to tranquillise the gaur. We didnt want to make the situation risky as the wild gaur was stressed yesterday. Our attempts to tranquillise the gaur failed yesterday. We camped in the location to monitor the gaur all night, and on Friday morning it travelled around 10-15kms. We finally caught it at Pirappancode. Its a densely populated area and we didnt want to provoke the animal, said a top official with the Forest Department. By afternoon, all arrangements were made to transport the wild gaur to Neyyar-Peppara area. Its an ideal location for wild gaur. There is food and water and the gaur is young and healthy. The place where we darted the wild gaur was swampy and hence it was a tough task to transfer it to the truck and take it back to the forest, the official added. Police authorities, Fire and Rescue team and revenue authorities were present during the operation. Two doses were darted for tranquillising the wild gaur. We will not be keeping the gaur for observation and as it is healthy. Once it regains consciousness, it will be released to the forest area, the official added.

KPCC secretary R V Rajesh seeks action against Thiruvananthapuram sub-collector

HIRUVANANTHAPURAM : KPCC secretary R V Rajesh has approached chief secretary Dr V Venu with a complaint against Thiruvananthapuram sub-collector Ashwathy Sreenivas who allegedly shouted at him and asked him to get out. He demanded the chief secretary to take disciplinary action against the sub-collector. In the complaint, Rajesh stated that it happened when he attended a meeting to resolve the protest and siege of National Highway at Neyyattinkara on Sunday night following the death of 28-year-old Krishna Thankappan due to medical negligence. Thiruvananthapuram Malayinkeezhu native Krishna had allegedly died due to medical negligence at Medical College Hospital on Sunday after she was shifted from Neyyattinkara General Hospital. Following her relatives request, Rajesh reached the mortuary at Medical College Hospital. Rajesh recalled to TNIE that he held talks with the sub-collector and Neyyattinkara DySP where it was decided that the tahasildar should hold the inquest. The discussion was held in the presence of late Krishnas relatives. It was decided that the medical records at the Neyyattinkara General Hospital should be handed over. But I realised that there was tampering in the medical documents and urged the sub-collector to conduct a probe into this. She shouted at me and asked me to get out. As part of doing the inquest, the block panchayat and grama panchayat members were forcefully removed by the police as per the sub-collectors orders, said Rajesh who is also a former chairman of State Youth Commission. He added that this led to further protests which saw the relatives of Krishna deciding to block the NH at Neyyattinkara. However, Ashwathy Srinivas told TNIE that she was asked by the government to meet the family of the deceased patient and not others. I wanted to meet the family and to address their concerns. They were ready to cooperate and I listened to them, said Ashwathy.

NGO alleges human rights violation against political inmates at Kerala's Viyyur central jail

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Janakeeya Manushyavakasha Prasthanam has urged the state government to initiate action against the officials of Viyyur jail for violating the human rights of political prisoners. In a statement, the organisation alleged that the Viyyur prison officials had frisked Maoist prisoner and Chhattisgarh native Deepak by removing all his clothes. This happened when he was escorted to the prison after treatment at Thrissur Medical College. He had been accompanied by hundreds of armed Thunderbolt personnel all through the journey. Hence, there are no chances of illegal smuggling of goods to the jail. However, the jail authorities insisted that they had doubts that Deepak had smuggled in cannabis and forcefully undressed him. He was also beaten up, the statement said. Deepak has started a hunger strike in protest against the inhuman actions of the jail authorities, said Janakeeya Manushyavakasha Prasthanam convener Hari. Earlier also the jail authorities had engaged in such activities and tried to frisk another Maoist prisoner Roopesh by removing his clothes and the court had intervened in this matter, he said.

Finding cinematic gems

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Memories may be frames frozen in time but they could be heard too. This journey back to the roots of a sound designer to capture The Sound of Memories is what Namit Venugopal wanted to show through his short film all ready to be shown in the competition campus section of the 16thIDSFFK, which will kick-off in Thiruvananthapuram on July 26. Namits is one of the eight films handpicked from a bunch collected from over 100 campuses across Kerala under the exclusive section for films made by talents as young as 18 and fresh out of school. Organisers say the platform is probably the only one of its kind across the country to offer a theatre release of this magnitude for projects made by youngsters who dream of being filmmakers. Jithin G, 22, who holds a video production diploma from Safari Media Academy in Kochi, feels the forum will help him connect with a young audience. I was inspired by the lives of my father and some elders as I put together the documentary Phases, which depicts the complex journey from birth to old age. The aim is to provide an insight into the emotions and the regret of not doing things as they dreamed, he says. Most of the campus films portray emotional fallouts in a personal sphere, from the after-effects of bullying shown in Pramod Sachidanandans Mutton Cutter and Vignesh A Bhaskars Society Barks to stories of play, of heartbreaks and survival in Jithin Cheeran Rejis Forever Blues to Nasim Namsads Ente Yathraykkidayil. The idea is to spread the message to enjoy every little moment of life. The audience at IDSFFK will help us do that, says Jithin. Febin Martin, too, joins the chorus that movies should strike a chord even with a layperson watching a movie. His short film Hitham reveals a couples journey to parenthood. As they face the difficulties of infertility, the film takes a dark turn, revealing the psychological toll and problems in their partnership. Hitham is Febins final-year film project as part of his post-graduation, which will get a theatre release at IDSFFK. This is an alluring prospect for people like me who want to do good cinema. Social media may have now made it easier for those who want to be filmmakers but nothing like a theatre release after all the hard work I have put into it, says Febin, who graduated from SH College, Thevara. A film that seems a tad out of this pack is Ved Prakashs The Shirt, about an ancient tribal tradition where people never unfasten the buttons on their shirts. The array of movies was handpicked by a team, says Bharat Jayakumar, programme assistant of IDSFFK. The movies are such that they showcase life and are an opportunity for the youngsters to not just display their skills but also to interact with stalwarts and masters and fine-tune their craft, he says. The Sound of Memories by Namit Venugopal The torch bearers There are many popular filmmakers, who started off their cinema journey, with campus films screened at IDSFFK. Many have gone on to become filmmakers of repute. Last years IFFK awardee Fazil Razak whose long feature Thadavu fetched him laurels is one such. I graduated from UC College in Aluva and I had screened my short film at IDSFFKs campus section. The best part of the festival is you get many reviews both good and bad and insights as to how to better the filmmaking. I understand the grammar of films from such interactions, he says. Zakkaria Mohammed, the maker of Sudani from Nigeria, is also another talent who started his career screening short films at festivals. In my case, it was not just the IDSFFK where I showed my film in 2010. It was also VIBGYOY fest in Thrissur, the Sign festival and several others across Kerala, which has such a culture of refined film appreciation. Such exposure and reviews that come after it is what helps young minds, he says. For many campus filmmakers, these are stories that they expect to derive inspiration from. It is not even about short films or feature films. It is about films. What we feel about, we deliver through the medium when it has to be short, it is short and when long, it is long, says Fazil. The gender query The Competition Campus section is filled with a variety bunch but it did pose a gender question. Of the eight films selected, none of them were made by a female filmmaker. As per the programme team of IDSFFK, the number of entries was also few. But it would be unfair to see a gender problem in this, as the other sections have included several films made by women. The 14thIDSFFK had several films from budding women directors. We also have a time slot of two hours, within which we can only show so many films, says Bharat Jayakumar, programme assistant of IDSFFK. The number of aspiring women filmmakers taking up courses in institutes in Kerala also doesnt show a happy figure. Namit Venugopal, whose film The Sound of Memories is included in the campus section, says, in the LV Prasad Media and Film Institute where he studied, the number of women students was very few. This could be because many prefer to go to high-end institutes like SRFTII, FTII and others outside the state. However, Jithin feels the low count of women in filmmaking courses could be because of the duration. Most diplomas are just for six months. However, there were a few married women who came to study visual media at my institute (Safari Media Academy in Kochi) out of sheer interest, he says.

Delimitation panels: Congress rift widens as Sudhakaran cancels Satheesans circular

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The online meeting of KPCC office-bearers called by party president K Sudhakaran saw him expressing strong displeasure against Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan for coming out with a directive to form committees ahead of the local body elections. Sudhakaran came out with a detailed circular cancelling Satheesans circular which was issued in his capacity as Congress Legislative Party leader. The party general secretaries informed Sudhakaran about Satheesans circular which they were initially not aware of. They expressed their strong displeasure about Satheesans move to Sudhakaran as it is the prerogative of the state president to come out with circulars. A senior KPCC general secretary told TNIE that Satheesan was not blamed, but the office-bearers were unhappy with the norms being compromised. Sudhakaran cancelled Satheesans circular and instead came up with a detailed circular. The issue was resolved immediately, said a senior KPCC general secretary. Congress in Kerala to form delimitation panels at all levels to strengthen grassroots Its learned that Satheesan had come out with a circular on forming delimitation committees at the district and constituency levels which have to be completed by July 3. Camp-level meetings in the line of Wayanad conclave have to be organised at the district and lower levels which also have to be completed by July end, stated the circular issued by Satheesan. Even when the leadership is trying to play down the latest controversy surrounding Sudhakaran and Satheesan, certainly, the latter is definitely peeved with the developments. Despite the Congress's central leadership urging the two leaders to work united, they are at loggerheads. K C Venugopal, AICC general secretary (organization), Deepa DasMunshi, AICC general secretary in charge of the state, and P V Mohan and Perumal Viswanath, the two AICC secretaries in charge of seven districts each, were huddled with Sudhakaran and Satheesan at the Wayanad conclave.

Bat surveillance arduous task for ill-equipped Kerala govt departments, preparing a plan need of the hour

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the risks associated with bats as carriers of zoonotic diseases such as the Nipah virus , the state departments involved in One Health lack the expertise to conduct effective bat surveillance. Currently, health and animal husbandry departments rely on NIV Pune, which uses mist nets, and the forest department for surveillance efforts. However, experts pointed out that the surveillance period has been limited to a few periods whereas year-long monitoring of bats in different geographies is the need of the hour. Surprisingly, the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), the sole institution equipped to scientifically study bats, is not included in the One Health programme. Fruit bats, particularly Pteropus species, serve as natural reservoirs of the Nipah virus. Yet the precise mechanism of transmission to humans remains poorly understood. While the animal husbandry department has started monitoring domestic animals, consensus suggests that fruit bats primarily contribute to disease transmission. It is documented that bats tend to shed the virus during stressful periods such as birthing, food scarcity, or overcrowding. NIV has the know-how to capture the bats using mist nets. We are coordinating with them and forest department on bat surveillance, said Dr Sanjay Devarajan, Disease Investigation Officer, at the State Institute for Animal Diseases (SIAD). The animal husbandry department has initiated animal surveillance with a focus on pigs, the most susceptible species, within five-kilometre radius of the epicentre at Pandikkad in Malappuram. The vets suspected pigs as intermediate hosts in the previous episode of Nipah in 2023. As of now, involvement of domestic animals including pigs (domestic and wild) in the occurrence of Nipah has not been established. The pigs may develop fever and barking cough when infected with Nipah, said Dr Sanjay Devarajan. An animal pathologist, who was involved in animal surveillance in 2018, said bat surveillance is still a daunting task. There is a lot of paraphernalia required for capturing bats. We need approvals from the forest department to capture bats. It is high time the forest department formulated a mechanism for bat catching in the wake of Nipah recurrence, he said. Nipah is still considered to be a medical and livestock issue. There is a need to understand the wildlife and its habitat to understand the reason for the spread of the disease, he added. Department of animal husbandry has issued an advisory to field veterinary officers, farmers and laboratory vets regarding precautions to be taken to prevent infection in animals. Farmers and animal owners are advised to adhere to appropriate biosecurity, quarantine measures, hygiene and disinfection.

Over 50 per cent Keralites get Ayush treatment in a year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than half of Keralas population avails treatment under the Ayush systems of medicine in a year, with women outnumbering men, the first-ever Survey on Ayush 2022-23 by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has revealed. The NSSO, under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, also said Ayush had slightly higher number of takers in urban Kerala than rural areas. In rural Kerala, 567 per 1,000 people used Ayush in one year, while in urban areas, the number was 587 per 1,000 people. This was higher than the national average of 463 (rural) and 529 (urban). The survey covered the year between July 2022 and June 2023. Also, Ayush had more female takers than males in rural and urban areas 615 females and 514 males (rural) and 648 females and 520 males (urban) per 1,000 people each, according to the survey. Awareness about Ayush was also high in Kerala, with 982 per 1,000 people in rural areas, and 993 per 1,000 people in urban areas familiar with it. The national average was 948 and 960, respectively. However, fewer Keralites 181 (rural) and 279 (urban) per 1,000 people made use of any Ayush system solely for rejuvenation. The national average was 445 and 476, respectively. As a result, out of 36 states and UTs, rural Kerala ranked 35th in the category, while urban Kerala ranked 31st. Wellness and rejuvenation programmes have higher takers among upper middle-class section of the state, opined Dr Saji P R, state programme manager (ISM) in National Ayush Mission Kerala. Ayush spending 2nd highest in rural Kerala Commoners use Ayush for treating illnesses rather than rejuvenation therapies. Even 'Karkidaka Chikitsa' is mostly availed by people suffering from some kind of ailment. In fact, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani have excellent rejuvenation programs, Saji said. When it came to using Ayush solely for therapeutic purposes, rural Kerala topped the country with 592 per 1,000 people, more than double the national average of 282. Urban Kerala had 525 takers in the category, against a national average of 258. The survey also showed Ayush treatment was more expensive in Kerala than other places. The yearly average expenditure per person in rural Kerala was Rs 1,090 against the national average of Rs 472, making it second after Goa, which spent Rs 1,342. The per-person average expenditure in urban Kerala was Rs 1,203 per year against the national average of Rs 574, making it fifth in the country. Lakshadweep topped the list at Rs 2,130. Higher infrastructure, labour and material costs are reasons behind the higher treatment costs in the private sector. A sizeable population depends on the private sector, Saji said. Survey terminology The NSSO survey covered the healthcare systems: Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy, collectively termed Ayush. It defined 'rejuvenation' as wellness measures aimed at health promotion and specific disease prevention, which includes advocacy of healthy lifestyle. 'Therapeutic' was defined as curative measures administered by Ayush physicians with an intention to cure a disease.

A lustrous 18th birthday gift! Sridath gets Ironman title

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sridath Sudheer, a resident Of Thenhipalam in Malappuram, celebrated his 18th birthday in true endurance sports style. He qualified in the Ironman European Championship in Hamburg, Germany on his 18th birthday, where he swarmed, cycled and ran for 226.2 km in 13 hours when the cut off time was 16 hours. This Dubai born-and-brought-up lad is now eying the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to compete in the triathlon and win a medal for India. Sridaths journey in sports started at the young age of 11 where he went on to win a black belt in karate. Gradually, he started playing football. At the age of 14, Sridath decided that he wanted to pursue diverse sporting disciplines. Under the guidance of two Malayali coaches in the UAE, Pradeep Kumar of Aqua Nation Sport Academy and Mohandas Puthukkattu of Kerala Riders, Sridath honed his skills in triathlon swimming, cycling and running. His recent completion of the Ironman race in Hamburg has made him one of the youngest Ironman finishers in the world. Sridath was beaming with pride while recalling to TNIE that he is the first Malayali and third sports personality in the world to complete the Ironman category on his 18th birthday. My current coach in cycling is a Russian Artem Tom Moskovkin. Andrey Glushchenko, a Ukrainian who has represented Ukraine in the Olympics three times and is a World champion medalist in triathlon, has also trained me. I chose the Dubai governments Knowledge and Human Development Authoritys Rahhal programme, a hybrid learning model that helped me balance my academics and sports. I am looking forward to watch the triathlon event in the Paris Olympics. I aim to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and win a medal for India in triathlon, said Sridath. Son of Sudheer Kumar, a service head (director) with a leading electronics company and Ranjitha Ravi, a homemaker, Sridath is getting ready to start his college life by pursuing BBA in Business Analytics from University of Wollongong, Dubai. His goal is to win a medal in the 2026 Asiad in Japan followed by the Commonwealth Games. Despite living in Dubai, the Kerala Triathlon Association (KTA) and Indian Triathlon Federation have been rendering help to Sridath on the upcoming triathlon events that happen around the world. Whos a triathlete A triathlete trains to achieve endurance, strength and speed. This tough sport requires focused persistent and periodical training for each of the three disciplines, cycling, swimming and running as well as combination workouts and general strength conditioning.

Youths capture the spirit and essence of Kerala one ripple at a time

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As racing boats gear up to vie it out at the prestigious boat races on the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, four youths have teamed up to capture the spirit and essence of the states adrenaline-raising traditional water sport on the dial of a watch. To begin with, Olam (ripple), the special edition watches, have Malayalam numerical engravings, instead of Roman numerals, on a green background. The green colour was selected after analysing the aerial photos of the 44 rivers (flowing through the state), said Sohan Balachandran, an IIT Mandi student, who along with three others, pioneered the project. Others involved in the project are Anish Dandwani, Nishad S N and Dilip Maniyappan. A golden circle skirts the green background, and it in turn is encircled by an off-white ring. The off-white is inspired by the traditional Kaithari handloom and the golden colour by the Kasavu mundu, a traditional dress of Malayali. The hands of the clock are in the shape of an oar and the second hand is in the shape of the handle of an oar while rowing the boat, Sohan said. Olam is the next generation watch of Nazhika (a measure of time), a limited edition watch they produced in 2019. Nazhika had Malayalam numerical engravings on the dial. We only produced 40 watches to depict the Malayalam saying nazhikakku nalpathu vattam (forty times one nazhika). Those watches were made from the parts of old HMT watches and instead of leather we used synthetic components to make it eco-friendly, Sohan said. This time the watches are made with the best equipment. The case steel is made with stainless steel nickel alloy 904 grade. The back of the case is made up of surgical steel. And the glass cover is anti-reflective and waterproof even under 100 metres below water level. It also got a techy meter and stop watch. All the materials were brought from different parts of the world. The machine is from Seiko, Japan and other parts are from Taiwan and Hong Kong. It all started when Sohan accidentally contacted Nishad who had placed a watch to sell on an online platform. Then our mutual interest in watches prompted us to start a community. First, we started a WhatsApp group. Then we started a community on Facebook and Instagram. It was a group from the age group of school students to older people. The only point that unites us is our never -ending admiration about watches. We will produce 400 watches this time. The first 200 batches will be released at August end, said Sohan.

DYFI to hold protests in Kerala against Union Budget 2024-25; calls it anti-youth

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, July 25: DYFI, the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, on Thursday announced that it would hold protests from July 27 to August 1 against the Union Budget 2024-25 for being anti-youth and against the interests of the state. Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) State Secretary V K Sanoj said the []

Killed by the job

N. Joy died in the swirl of canal water and the rubbish that the citizens of Thiruvananthapuram threw into the public spaces. His death has woken the administration up to the high risks sanitation workers face. S.R. Praveen speaks to the force that keeps the city clean, only to find that while two agencies blame each other, it is really the citizens who need a behaviour change

States should not overstep on foreign affairs: MEA to Kerala govt after 'external cooperation' official appointment

NEW DELHI: Kerala government's decision to appoint a bureaucrat as Secretary for External Cooperation is beyond their constitutional jurisdiction, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. The Constitution of India under the 7th Schedule, List 1 - Union List, Item 10, clearly specifies that foreign affairs and all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country are the sole prerogative of the Union Government. It is not a concurrent subject and definitely not a state subject. Our position is that state governments should not intrude in matters that are beyond their constitutional jurisdiction, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. It may be recalled that on July 15, the Kerala government issued an order giving K. Vasuki, Secretary in the Labour and Skills Department, the additional charge of matters connected with External Cooperation. BJP lawmaker P.P. Chaudhary had termed this move as unconstitutional. The Kerala governments action in issuing such an order and appointing an IAS officer as Foreign Secretary to handle external affairs is unconstitutional. It encroaches on subjects allocated to the Union government and the Union List, Chaudhary had said. Meanwhile, Congress leader and MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor has attempted to downplay the entire episode. It is appropriate for the state to manage issues involving their residents abroad. Foreign relations are controlled by the Union government and no state government has any independent foreign relations. However, it is appropriate for state governments to manage issues involving their residents abroad, Tharoor said.

Riders Engaging in Conversation With Pillion Passenger Will Attract Fine in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has the double helmet rule which mandates the rider as well as the pillion to wear the helmet while riding a two-wheeler but a new directive has come into place in the State, where a rider should not have engage in a conversation with the pillion passenger. According to Kaumudi online report, a rider should not engage in a conversation with a pillion passenger and if the rider does, then it will attract fines. The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has sent circulars to all the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to enforce this rule. The new directive is aimed at reducing road accidents and it highlights that conversations between the rider and pillion lead to distractions, which may lead to accidents. The Joint transport commissioner K Manoj Kumar asked the RTOs to take action if they noticed such a thing, said the report. However, the fine for violating the directive has not yet been disclosed. The report further states that the officials are confused on how this will be implemented.

Cinephiles, its time for a short celebration

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Just six months after the excitement of IFFK, cinephiles will once again get a chance to witness and celebrate a diverse array of films at the 16th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK). The festival, which kicks off on July 26, will showcase over 300 short films and documentaries across various categories. The French American documentary Ernest Cole: Lost and Found by Raoul Peck , which won the Golden Eye prize at Cannes this year, will open the festival with a powerful exploration of apartheid through the eyes of South African photographer Ernest Cole. The key highlight is a package of 31 animation films over three categories six will be screened in the international category, seven in the Indian animations category, and 18 in the Speculum India Anima category curated by filmmaker and animator Shilpa Ranade. An Ode to Resilience: Tales from Palestine , featuring four films exploring the lives of Palestinians will be another focus, says festival deputy director H Shaji. Voices, Whispers, and Silences: Films on Social Justice , curated by R P Amudhan, includes seven productions documenting the struggles of individuals facing discrimination. Shweta Ghoshs We Make Film , depicting the challenges of disabled filmmakers, and Jyothi Nishs B R Ambedkar: Now and Then , explores social inequalities through the eyes of a Dalit feminist filmmaker are the other highlights. A Road Less Travelled: Portrait of Liv Ullmann , directed by Dheeraj Akolkar, will showcase two documentaries on the legendary Norwegian actor and director. Liv Ullmann A Road Less Travelled and Liv & Ingmar will offer an intimate look at Ullmanns life and her collaborations with filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. A still from Palestine Island Additionally, a package of seven African short films will delve into themes such as ancestry, survival, and self-discovery. Ahmed Samir, director of Mirah, will be present to interact with delegates. Ten short films selected from the Urban Short Film Competition conducted by the Charles Correa Foundation addresses issues such as drinking water, construction waste, and e-waste in Indian cities. IDSFFK will also pay homage to four stalwarts of Indian cinema who passed away this year: directors Kumar Shahani, Sriyanka Ray, film critic Chelavoor Venu, and sound recordist A M Padmanabhan. Shahanis early works The Glass Pane and Manmad Passenger will be screened. Two interactive sections Meet the Director and Face to Face will be featured at the festival. A master class on screenwriting led by renowned screenwriter Urmi Juvekar is scheduled on July 27 and a conversation with Naresh Bedi and Rajesh Bedi on July 28. The Indya Anima Session, featuring a discussion with Shilpa Ranade and participating filmmakers in the animation category, will be held on July 29. A conversation with film editor Jabin Merchant is scheduled for July 30, he says. Another key event is an interactive session titled A Sonic Landscape: A Session with Resul Pookutty. The festival will conclude on July 31 Life-Time Achievement Award IDSFFK will honour the Bedi Brothers Naresh Bedi, and Rajesh Bedi with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Documentary Cinema for their contributions in shaping public perceptions of Indias wildlife through impactful documentaries and photographs. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the award at the festival opening ceremony on July 26.

Wild gaur on the loose in Thiruvananthapuram's Technocity; special team deployed to tranquillise it

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Residents of Andoorkonam in the state capital were startled and left in shock and fear after spotting a wild gaur roaming near Technocity campus. The young wild gaur, typically found in dense forest, strayed far from its natural habitat, triggering concern among locals. On Tuesday, the panchayat authorities reported about the presence of the wild gaur to the forest department. Subsequently, a Rapid Response Team (RRT) was deployed to catch the animal that was roaming around human settlement. As many as 50 members from two forest ranges are camping at the spot. We have been monitoring the movements of the gaur. The animal, which looks young, is in the Technocity campus which has good vegetation. Tranquillisation efforts were attempted but the gaur is agitated and we couldnt do it today. Hence we called it a day for today and the team will resume attempts to safely tranquillise the animal tomorrow morning at 6.30 am, said an official of the forest department. According to officials, it is unusual for a gaur to venture so far from its natural habitat. There is no forest area in the vicinity and we have a forest area in Palode which is very far away. We have no idea how this wild gaur ended up here. It can survive without a herd and the place it is now has good vegetation, said the official. A forest veterinary doctor has arrived from Thekkady to assist with the operation. Velloor ward member Archana R said that many people have spotted the wild gaur in the past weeks. It was yesterday we got the footage and we immediately reported it to the forest department. Its a populated area and people are scared, she said.

Forest headquarters does not have a gun, borrows one from the Thiruvananthapuram zoo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The forest department, headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram, has cut a sorry figure as it does not have a gun to tranquillise any wild animal that strays into human habitation. They have only a gun at Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady. The forest department took a gun, Dan Inject on a loan basis from the city zoo to dart the wild gaur which strayed into human habitation at Kazhakkoottam on Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, the forest authorities approached the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo officials seeking their Denmark-made Dan Inject to dart the five-year-old male wild gaur. A top zoo official confirmed to TNIE that their gun has 75-m range which has the capacity of 5 ml, 10 ml and 15 ml darting. The forest department officials told us that their gun is an old model where its efficiency is not up to the mark. So we gave one among the two guns we have to the forest department team involved in the darting of the wild gaur, said a top zoo official. However, a senior forest official said that they dont have a gun in the three ranges Kulathupuzha, Palode and Paruthipally under the Thiruvananthapuram forest division. The forest department has got a gun only at Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady. The wild gaur was spotted in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday morning giving us little time and there was no option but to take it from the city zoo, said a senior forest official. Meanwhile, the mystery regarding the presence of a wild gaur in a human habitation has caught the forest officials unawares. Forest officials told TNIE that since the nearest forest is 30 km away at Palode forest range, it is a mystery how a large herbivore which weighs more than 800 kg strayed into a human settlement from that far.

Continuance of Sree Narayana Guru open varsity V-C In-charge raises eyebrows

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammed Khans decision, to allow Sreenarayana Guru Open University (SGOU) vice-chancellor in-charge V P Jagathy Raj to continue in the post after his retirement as professor, while denying the same benefit to Prof Bijoy Nandan, former V-C in-charge of Kannur University, has been widely criticised in academic circles as discriminatory. The Acts of both universities mention the upper age limit for appointment of a regular vice-chancellor as 60 years. But the Acts do not mention anything regarding the tenure of a V-C in charge. Both Jagathy Raj and Bijoy were given V-C positions a few months before attaining their retirement age of 60 years as professors. They were asked to discharge duties of the vice-chancellor in addition to their current roles as professors. Jagathy Raj, then a senior professor and former director of the School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), was appointed the V-C in charge of SGOU in March, just two months before his retirement on May 31. Interestingly, on Jagathy Rajs retirement day as professor, the Raj Bhavan issued a notification permitting his continuance in the V-C post. According to a source with the Raj Bhavan, the decision was taken on the basis of a formal request from Jagathy Raj seeking an extension of his tenure. The chancellor, being the competent authority in the matter of V-C appointments, decided to allow Jagathy Raj to continue, said the source. Bijoy, who was then a professor in Department of Marine Biology, Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), was given the V-C charge in Kannur University in December last year. This was after the Supreme Court annulled the reappointment of Gopinath Ravindran as Kannur University V-C. The Governor has had a bitter fight with Raveendran and members of the varsitys apex bodies over a series of issues. However, on the very day of Bijoys retirement as professor on May 31, the Raj Bhavan issued a notification announcing a new vice-chancellor in-charge for Kannur University. Prof Bijoy was reportedly kept in the dark about the move till the last moment. Notably, Bijoy had also requested the Governor to allow him to continue in office, a few months before reaching the retirement age of 60 years, but the request was kept in abeyance.

Kerala government cuts building permit fees; effective from Aug 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a welcome move for aspiring home owners and developers, the state government on Wednesday brought in a significant reduction in building permit fees . The new permit fee rates, which will come into effect on August 1, offer cuts of up to 60% in corporations and 50% in panchayats, Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram. The government decided to enforce major cuts in permit fees after the CPM state leadership intervened in the issue. The recent party state committee meeting discussed the matter and observed that the hike in permit fees, introduced last year, had put additional burden on the people. The hike had invited severe criticism from different corners. Considering these aspects, the government took the decision. Announcing the reduction at a press conference, Minister Rajesh said, The new rates will see at least a 50% reduction in permit fees for residential buildings ranging from 81 to 300 square metres in panchayat areas. For buildings between 81 to 150 square metres, the permit fees in corporations will be reduced by 60%. The permit fees for houses per square metre will be reduced from Rs 50 to Rs 25 in panchayats, from Rs 70 to Rs 35 in municipalities and from Rs 100 to Rs 40 in corporations. The government has introduced a 5% rebate for property tax paid by April 30. According to the norms mandated by the Central Finance Commission, the own fund or revenue of local bodies should grow in proportion with the states GDP in order to get grants, he pointed out. As many as 24 municipalities in the state have failed to meet these targets, leading to the loss of grants from the Finance Commission. Both the Comptroller of Auditor General and the Finance Commission have urged the state to take urgent measures to increase the own fund of the local self-government institutions, Rajesh said. Back to back floods and the pandemic have financially crippled local bodies and many of them are depending on the gap fund from the state government to meet their daily expenses, he pointed out. Further, the minister said that the revised permit fees have not adversely affected the construction sector. In 2022-23, 3,28,518 permits were issued by grama panchayats, which increased to 3,59,331 in 2023-24, showing a 9.37% rise. The total value of housing projects registered in 2023 amounted to `6,800 crore, which shows the hike in permit fee hasnt affected the construction sector, he said. Blaming the Opposition for creating a negative campaign against the hikes, the minister said the Opposition raised the issue in the assembly only 14 months after the new property tax and permit fee came into effect. He pointed out that many Congress-ruled local bodies initially passed resolutions refusing to implement the revised tax rates within their jurisdiction. All of these local bodies are showing double standards by collecting the revised rates and utilising those funds, he said. He also pointed out that a 25% increase in property tax every five years is recommended by the Finance Commission. The new tax reforms were postponed again and again because of natural calamities and the pandemic and was finally implemented in 2023. To reduce the burden on taxpayers, the government introduced only a 5% annual increase over five years instead of a 25% one-time increase, Rajesh said.

Kerala government cancels 2015 order on quarry permission

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet meeting on Wednesday cancelled the controversial 2015 order that allowed the revenue department, specifically district collectors, to permit quarry and crusher industries to function on land assigned under title deed for housing and agricultural purposes. The Kerala High Court had earlier issued an order against using assigned land for other purposes. Though the quarry owners challenged the HC order in the Supreme Court, they withdrew the petition after the apex court endorsed HCs view. Other cabinet decisions A special court will be established in Ernakulam to hear cases registered under the provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The meeting approved the draft guideline prepared by the State Planning Board to revamp the district plan. The meeting decided to reappoint 17 special government pleaders in the High Court for three years from August. Performance incentive grant will be given to eligible local self-governments in the Pampa basin falling in Alappuzha, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts . The subsidy programme for cargo movement through inland waterways extended for three years, effective from November 27, 2021. The tender for the resurfacing of the Thiruvananthapuram-Vizhinjam Road was approved.

Section of BJP leaders in Kerala anguished over recalling K Subhash

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The RSS decision to call back its leader K Subhash, state BJPs longest-serving organising general secretary, from the party and the silence thereafter on the successor has created anguish among a section of party leaders and workers as they fear that the power vacuum would fuel factionalism that has been lying low in the state unit for the past few years. Leaders cutting across factions agree that it was Subash who had ended the factionalism that bedevilled the state unit. Earlier, a section of leaders were dissatisfied with the highhandedness of the official group. And these leaders had withdrawn from the mainstream and kept silent in protest against the alleged factionalism. It was Subash who met these leaders individually and travelled across the state to take them into confidence. Subash had contained factionalism and ensured that every leader counted. By reining in the supremacy of the official group, he successfully brought in all sections into the party. Earlier some leaders in the official group were calling the shots. With the withdrawal of the RSS pracharak we fear that factionalism will return to the party, a senior leader told TNIE . With two assembly byelections and one Lok Sabha byelection round the corner, there is anguish in the party over the way the candidate selection might take place. Subash is the longest-serving organising general secretary of the BJP with a service of over a decade. He had been requesting the RSS to call him back for the past three years. His return to the RSS come at a time when the state BJP has performed superbly in the 2024 Lok Sabha election winning the Thrissur seat and finishing second in some other seats. Subash has been appointed north Kerala prantha sahasambarkka pramukh. However, the RSS is yet to propose a new pracharak as the organising general secretary to the BJP national leadership. The RSS is withdrawing its pracharak from the BJP in some states and also from its parivar organisations, an RSS leader told TNIE on condition of anonymity. One reason is that the BJP has grown into a strong political organisation nationally, and is in power in many states. Recently, RSS had withdrawn a pracharak from the VHP in the state, he said.

Kerala to set up underground sewage treatment plants to combat pollution

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first-of-its-kind initiative to combat pollution of water bodies while addressing land constraints, the government is set to introduce underground sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the state. Bringing a major shift in the states wastewater management strategy, the initiative spearheaded by the local self-government department (LSGD) aims to address water pollution and overcome the growing public resistance against such waste treatment facilities. The underground STPs will be piloted in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur districts. Efforts are on to identify locations to install the same. There are plans to set up an underground STP at the Legislative Assembly complex too. The LSGD has also directed the local bodies to draw up proposals for setting up underground STPs. LSGD Minister M B Rajesh told TNIE that the STPs will be strategically located underground so that the land can still be used for other purposes. He said the project will be implemented immediately. The unavailability of land and stiff protests from the public are the huge challenges that the state faces when it comes to waste management projects. We need to protect our canals and other water resources and the lack of sewage treatment facilities is a major challenge. Hence, we formulated this approach as underground STPs can be established without disrupting land utilisation in densely populated areas. We can set up a playground or a parking lot or utilise the land for other purposes, said Rajesh. The decision to go ahead with the project immediately comes as a response to the escalating pollution of water bodies across the state and the tragic death of sanitation worker N Joy, who lost his life while cleaning the Amayizhanchan canal in Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala: Missing sanitation worker Joys body recovered after 46-hour-long efforts The High Court has directed the state government to take strict action to clean up the canal. Suchitwa Mission director U V Jose told TNIE that a decentralised way is more practical in Kerala. Underground STPs will be effective in densely populated cities and panchayats where land availability is an issue. Such units will cater to a certain population or establishments, he said. As per official data, Kerala generates about 8,000 m3/day of septage or faecal sludge, and currently, there are only two STP facilities in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The minister said that treating sewage at the source will significantly reduce the contamination of our rivers and lakes. We will be implementing the project initially on government-owned lands, including the public sector offices and the land owned by the LSGIs. We have already discussed the project with the Speaker to establish an underground STP at the assembly complex. If all goes well, we will set up a treatment plant there, said Rajesh. Rajaji Nagar Colony in Thiruvananthapuram, located close to the infamous sewer, is another critical spot identified by the authorities causing pollution to the Amayizhanchan canal. Owing to the lack of facilities, the sewage and wastewater from the colony are directly discharged into the canal. We are looking for an ideal spot at Rajaji Nagar. It is possible to set up the underground STP at a playground in the area. The land can still be used as a playground, he added. An official said that the project is getting a good response from the local bodies. We have started receiving project proposals from the LSGIs. We started working on the project around two months back. There are many such successfully run facilities in Chennai and Bengaluru. An expert team, including officials from Suchitwa Mission and the State Pollution Control Board visited these facilities, said the official.

Kerala to have 25 Campus Industrial Parks this year: Minister P. Rajeeve

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will grant permission for 25 higher education institutions to set up Campus Industrial Parks (CIPs) this year, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve has announced. These institutions were selected from among 80 that submitted expressions of interest. The minister made this announcement while inaugurating the CIP project launched by the Department of Industries and Commerce (DIC).The Minister also launched the project's website on the occasion. This path-breaking project will bring about a historical and revolutionary transformation in the government and private academic sector. Educational institutions must consider giving grace marks to students engaged in entrepreneurship through the CIPs, he said. Rajeeve noted that the institution's standard was one of the parameters considered when granting approval for establishing the CIP. He emphasized the need to strengthen links between educational institutions and industry to address the current skill gap. The state's Industrial Policy 2023 has identified 22 priority sectors. The government has also finalized policies regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG), hi-tech manufacturing, export, and logistics sectors. A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary (Industries & Commerce), stated that the project will promote startups among students. The Industries and Commerce Department, along with the Higher Education Department, will provide critical support for this initiative, he said. The units will also receive assistance to scale up, he added. Industries Director S. Harikishore proposed a vote of thanks. Director of Collegiate Education K. Sudheer, KINFRA Managing Director Santhosh Koshy Thomas, and representatives of various educational institutions attended the event. Government and private educational institutions, including arts and science colleges, polytechnics, and ITIs with a minimum of five acres of land, can apply for setting up Campus Industrial Parks. A minimum of two acres of land is necessary to set up a Standard Design Factory (SDF). The developer permit will be allotted for a period of 30 years. Applications can be submitted through the web portal of the Industrial and Commerce Directorate, along with the NOC given by the Higher Education Department. A maximum of Rs 1.5 crore (Rs 20 lakh/acre) will be provided to an educational institution for developing infrastructure facilities such as roads, electricity, drainage, ETP/CETP, laboratory, testing, and certification at the Campus Industrial Park. Financial aid of Rs 1.5 crore will also be provided for setting up SDF and related basic facilities.

Kerala Cabinet nod for Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals in Thiruvananthapuram

It will be a joint venture of Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment and Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation.

Kerala To Set up Industry Parks in Educational Institutions

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Wednesday launched an ambitious programme to address the lack of available land for industrial infrastructure development and to tackle the issue of industry-academic disconnect in Kerala by starting campus industry parks in educational institutions across the state. Kerala Law and Industries Minister P Rajeev inaugurated the State Industries Department's programme, terming it a historic initiative that would transform the future of industries in Kerala. Already, 80 educational institutions have expressed their interest in starting campus industry parks, and this year we will be giving permission to 25 of them, Rajeev said, adding that this number is not fixed and more parks will be approved if they are exceptionally promising. The industry department, along with the higher education department in Kerala, conducted a land mapping of educational institutions in the state and discovered that many of them have excess land beyond the stipulated area required by the governing authorities. In Kerala, the non-availability of land and its high cost are hindrances to the development of industrial infrastructure. So, we explored ideas to find land and came up with the concept of starting campus industry parks, the minister added. Rajeev mentioned that the decision was made after a series of deliberations and discussions with various stakeholders. We first consulted industry experts to understand their expectations from the government. We also held discussions at the district level. Through these discussions, we identified the requirements and issues faced by the industry and formulated an industry policy, Rajeev said. He noted that 22 key sectors have been identified as suitable for Kerala's unique conditions, leading to the decision to start campus industry parks in addition to private industry parks, a first in the country. The parks are designed with the intention of strengthening academics. Students will have the opportunity to work in these industrial parks. The idea is to commercialise the research topics of the students through these parks, apart from providing hands-on, practical, course-related training to students, the minister said. He added that the parks would be allotted regardless of whether the institution is government, aided, or self-financed. The only condition is that they must meet the eligibility criteria, the minister said. The government will also provide infrastructure development incentives to these parks, amounting to Rs 1.5 crore per institution.

Will Vijayan join list of CMs boycotting NITI Aayog meet on July 27?

Thiruvananthapuram: All eyes are on the forthcoming NITI Aayog meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as by now four chief ministers have refused to attend it as a mark of protest against the Union Budget. The chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh have gone on record saying that 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 .

Capt Jerry Prem Raj: Braveheart of Kargil

KOCHI: Twenty-five years have passed since Capt Jerry Prem Raj, Vir Chakra, laid down his life for his beloved country on Tiger Hill in Kargil in 1999. The war which began on May 3, 1999 and ended on July 26, 1999 was fought in a harsh, high-altitude environment posing unique challenges. It was the deadliest and largest war fought between India and Pakistan which saw 527 soldiers attaining martyrdom and 1,363 hurt. As the nation observes another Kargil Diwas on July 26, the state reminisces about the martyrdom of one of its brave sons. Chella Thayee, Capt Jerry Prem Rajs mother, remembers every line that her son had written in his last letter. With eyes brimming with tears, she says, I am very proud to be known as Jerrys mother. Wherever I go, everyone gives me love and respect because of my son. So, I always feel that Jerry has achieved eternal life. She recalls that he had written about buying a satellite phone for her once he came home after his duty. Born on April 7, 1972, Capt hailed from Venganoor village in Thiruvananthapuram. He joined defence following in the footsteps of his elder brother who served in the Indian Air Force. Jerry joined the IAF at 18, training as an instrument fitter. Later, he joined the Indian Army and was commissioned into the 158 Medium Regiment. In May 1999, he got married to Praseena but unfortunately had to cut short their honeymoon and report to duty. Taking a trip down memory lane, his elder brother Rejinald Pavithran, says, Jerry was stationed in the Drass sector of Jammu and Kashmir. As part of Operation Vijay, launched to reclaim territories infiltrated by Pakistani forces, he served as the Forward Observation Post Officer with the 2 Naga Battalion. To keep his younger brothers memories alive, Rejinald maintains a chronicle of the life and legacy of Jerry. Within the pages of the book reside not just writings, but the essence of Jerrys indomitable spirit. Jerry was a born leader. From winning a baby show at six months to excelling as a cricketer and captain in school, he showed exceptional talent and determination, Rejinald says. He had a deep passion for the Army and pursued his dream relentlessly, eventually becoming a respected officer. His warmth, storytelling ability, and love for Mohanlal films made him unforgettable to all who knew him, he says. This year, his family is taking a pilgrimage to the Drass War Memorial, in Kargil, Ladakh. It is the land where he died, fighting for his country 25 years ago. Our journey is a testament to Jerrys sacrifice and the legacy he left behind, says Rejinald. Baiju Sasidharan, a close friend and confidant of the Captain, vividly recalls their final journey together aboard a train bound for Ernakulam. During the journey, Jerry spoke passionately about his responsibilities and the inherent risks he faced while defending the nation, says Baiju. Colonel Sandeep Ahlawat, a coursemate from the SS-64 course, OTA, talks of how amidst the chaos of battle, Capt Jerry exemplified that nothing divides a soldier. He was an Indian at heart, a soldier who was unwaveringly devoted to our nations cause.

Budget 2024: Receipts from tax pool to go up; Kerala cheers gold duty cut

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The only silver lining for Kerala in the Union Budget 2024-25 is a 13% increase in the amount it would receive as its share from union taxes and duties, equalling to Rs 24,008.82 crore (Budget Estimates), and a reduction in the basic customs duty on gold and silver, which could deepen value addition and boost local manufacturing. With the Union government anticipating robust tax collection for the next fiscal, the state is likely to receive a proportional increase from the divisible pool of Rs 12,47,211.28 crore (BE). However, the grants-in-aid to the state have been steadily declining, standing at Rs 11,532.80 crore (BE) for this fiscal, compared to Rs 11,660.20 crore (Revised Estimate) of the last fiscal. For a state that buys the most gold jewellery in the country, the reduction of customs duty on gold and silver to 6% from the current 15% will effectively reduce the overall taxes on jewellery. Stakeholders point out that this will greatly benefit consumers, boost local manufacturing, and reduce the incentives for smuggling gold.

Nipah virus: Kerala health department ramps up source tracing efforts

MALAPPURAM: The health authorities on Tuesday intensified efforts to find the source of Nipah virus that infected the 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad. Health Minister Veena George said an expert team led by R Balasubramanian from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) started working in the Pandikkad area to collect samples from bats on the day. Earlier, the health department identified the presence of bats in an area a few kilometres away from the house of the Nipah victim. The boy had consumed an infected wild hog plum from the area. If the presence of the virus is detected in bat samples, genetic testing will be conducted. CCTV cameras have also been installed in the area in Pandikkad, where the boy is suspected to have contracted the virus, to detect the presence of bats, the minister said. The efforts of NIV experts will help identify the specific strain of the virus present in the bats, she said. To determine whether animals were infected with the virus, the district veterinary centre has collected samples from cattle and other domestic animals in Pandikkad. The samples were sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal to identify the presence of the virus in animals, said the office of the chief veterinary officer of the district veterinary centre. As many as 17 samples from individuals in the contact list of the Nipah victim tested negative for the virus on Tuesday. However, the health department asked those in isolation to continue their 21-day quarantine and warned of legal action under the Public Health Act against those who violate the protocol. Currently, there are 460 people in the contact list of the Nipah victim, of whom 220 are in the high-risk category. Among those in the high-risk category, 142 are health workers. As many as 19 people in the contact list are being treated in various hospitals. Among them, 17 are at Manjeri Government Medical College Hospital and two in Thiruvananthapuram. As part of the disease prevention activities, strong preventive measures are being carried out at the field level. The health department officials have visited 18,055 houses in Pandikkad and Anakkayam grama panchayats so far. A total of 728 fever cases have been reported in Pandikkad, and 286 in Anakkayam. The contact tracing is being conducted flawlessly, ensuring that no infected person is left out, the minister said. Mental support is being provided to those in the contact list. The call centre has assisted 329 people with concerns related to Nipah. Online classes are being conducted for the students in the schools in Pandikkad and Anakkayam panchayats where Nipah restrictions are imposed. The education department said facilities will be arranged for students from schools outside these two panchayats and in the contact list to study online. Under control Currently, there are 460 people in the contact list of the Nipah victim, of whom 220 are in the high-risk category Among those in the high-risk category, 142 are health workers 19 people in the contact list are being treated in various hospitals

Six Russians Detained by Tamil Nadu Police

Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) : Six Russians were detained by police for questioning as they were found roaming around in the vicinity of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, a senior official said on Tuesday. When the Russians, which included a woman, were found by local fishermen moving around in their coastal village of Idinthakarai on Monday, they alerted the police. The foreigners were accompanied by two persons from Valliyoor near here and a car driver, hailing from Thiruvananthapuram. The Russian nationals were questioned by Kudankulam police for nearly six hours, the official added. In the past, Idinthakarai village had been the hub of anti-nuclear protests. Kudankulam has two 1,000 MWe nuclear reactors built with Russian assistance and four more similar units are coming up at the same complex.

Customer experience accreditation for Thiruvananthapuram airport

Police Night Squad To Monitor Illegal Garbage Dumping At Thiruvananthapuram

There is a very positive response from the general public in sharing information about litterers.

This Shop In Thiruvananthapuram, Selling 10 Types Of Dosas, Is Locals Favourite

The shop doesn't sell non-veg dishes except, egg dosa and egg omelette.

Union Budget 2024-25 aimed at saving life of NDA coalition at Centre: Kerala FM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Tuesday slammed the Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 by calling it a political exercise aimed at saving the life of the NDA coalition at the Centre. Balagopal said the budget was anti-people and anti-nation which did not take into account the needs of various states, including the legitimate requirements of Kerala. The Minister said the budget indicates that the Modi government is not fit to talk about cooperative federalism. Once BJP opened its account in Kerala, they closed the account of the state, he said, expressing extreme dissatisfaction and disappointment with the Union budget. Kerala had requested the Centre to announce a special package of Rs 24,000 crore for the southern state in the Union Budget 2024-25. The state had also urgently sought a special capital investment of Rs 5,000 crore for fulfilling Kerala's part in the development of the Vizhinjam port and the surrounding region. This budget is aimed at extending the life of the NDA government at the Centre. It needs to be protested against, he told reporters in a press conference held here following the Union Budget 2024-25 announcement.

Six Russians detained by Kudankulam police on suspicion

TIRUNELVELI: Six Russians besides three others who were moving around close to the Kudankulam nuclear reactor area here were detained by the police on suspicion, a senior official said on Tuesday. The Russians, which included a woman, accompanied by two persons from Valliyoor and a car driver from Thiruvananthapuram in neighbouring Kerala were picked up by the Kudankulam police on suspicion on Monday, he said. They were interrogated for nearly six hours, the official added. Police said fishers from Idinthakarai village alerted them after noticing some foreigners moving around in their village. Kudankulam has two 1,000 MWe nuclear reactors built with Russian assistance and four more similar units are coming up at the same complex.

Thiruvananthapuram: KSEB rallies behind linemen in vendetta row

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSEB CMD Biju Prabhakar has asked the in-house vigilance department to initiate a probe on Ayroor native Rajeevan being denied electricity on Saturday, even as the board came out with medical reports to refute the consumers allegations that the linemen who came to his house to resolve the power issue had been drunk. This is the second time in two weeks that the KSEB has been accused of vendetta against a consumer. The latest incident took place on Saturday. Rajeevan alleged that the two linemen from the KSEBs Kedakulam section office who came to his house following a power failure, were in an inebriated condition. The family alleged that since they filed a complaint with the police, the linemen refused to rectify the outage. KSEB refuted the charge and said when the linemen were informed about the metre box catching fire (which resulted in the outage), they switched off the feeder and went to the complainants home. There, they were treated badly and blocked from returning. The linemen then sought help from the local police station. When the police came, the members of the household alleged that the linemen were drunk, the KSEB said in a statement.

Kerala: V Muraleedharan and Satheesan visit Krishna Thankappans home

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan visited the family of Krishna Thankappan on Monday, who allegedly died due to medical negligence, demanding immediate action against those responsible and urging the government to provide compensation to the family. Despite lodging a complaint about medical negligence, the health department failed to investigate. Following her death, records at Neyyattinkara hospital were tampered with. Krishna was admitted to the medical college hospital at 2.41pm on July 15. However, fake records from Neyyattinkara Taluk Hospital claim ECGs were taken at 3.41pm and 3.39pm on the same day. Whose interests are they protecting with these falsified records? Additionally, false records were created stating that prescribed medicines were not administered, said Satheesan. He demanded that the government compensate the economically disadvantaged family, who live on just five cents of land. Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan, inaugurating a protest meeting at Neyyattinkara, echoed the demand for a thorough investigation into Krishnas death and urged authorities to take strict action against the negligent doctor.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kudumbashrees Onam projects to take off

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kudumbashree, in its continuing effort to brighten the Onam festivities, has launched two major projects Nirappolima 2024 and Onakkani 2024. The initiatives focus on floriculture and pesticide-free vegetable production, respectively, and aim to improve local agricultural practices while providing employment opportunities to women farmers. Minister for Local Self-Government and Excise, M B Rajesh, will inaugurate the state-level projects on Tuesday. Nirappolima 2024 targets the cultivation of flowers like chrysanthemums, jasmine, marigolds, and Vadamalli on at least 1,000 acres, specifically for the Onam market. This project, supporting 3,350 farmer groups currently engaged in floriculture, aims to expand. Kudumbashree, with technical support from the agriculture department, will assist in maximising production and marketing avenues. Meanwhile, Onakkani is an intensive agricultural project focusing on growing pesticide-free vegetables such as beans, snake gourd, okra, and tomatoes on 2,500 hectares. This initiative seeks to achieve self-sufficiency in vegetable production for local consumption, directly benefiting 11,298 farmer groups. By eliminating intermediaries, the project ensures better income for farmers. Kudumbashree estimates that through these projects, 20,000 women farmers in the state will benefit from agricultural employment, with an additional 5,000 gaining from floriculture during the Onam season.

Samaritan who helped Kerala breathe during Covid is no more

KOCHI: There was a time in the not-too-distant past when the entire country gasped for breath in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation was so dire as the virus swept all over the globe. During those days, the state saw many heroes rise to the occasion. Antony Joseph, the owner of Manorama Oxygen Pvt Limited, was one such person whose contribution saved many lives. This gentle soul breathed his last on Sunday night. The one thing that was essential in keeping people alive as the virus ravaged their lungs was medical oxygen, a very precious commodity at that time. However, as hospitals filled with patients in critical condition, they couldnt meet the increasing demand for oxygen. His oxygen plant was functioning round the clock to meet the demand, says CICC Jayachandran, a member of Maharajas College Old Students Association. Jayachandran reminisced how the trucks carrying huge cylinders of medical oxygen rushed all over the state trying to reach the destinations as soon as possible. Antonys factory was supplying oxygen to hospitals from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, always accompanied by police protection, at a time when Kerala was cut off from the outside due to a travel embargo. But heroes too get singed by the indifference of the people after everything comes back to normalcy. Recently, he told me how he was yet to get payment for the oxygen that he supplied during the pandemic. He said that he didnt want the payment. But the least the hospitals could do was return the empty cylinders to the factory, says Jayachandran. Antony, who was also the general secretary of the Ernakulam Maharajas College Old Students Association, was mourned by all the officials and peoples representatives who used to call him at all times of the day during the pandemic. They recalled his contributions, says Jayachandran. Talking about his family, Vasudevan N K, a trade union member, says, His family had a publishing unit named City Press at Eloor Industrial Estate in Kochi. They were a family that had a very good relationship with the workers. However, tragedy struck Antony back-to-back. At first, his father, mother and two sisters died in a car accident. Very soon his elder brother also bid adieu. Antony took on the burden of the family at a very young age and continued to maintain the same relationship that his father and brother had with the workers, recalls Vasudevan. According to Jayachandran, Antony will be interred at their family tomb at Cheranalloor Church at 3 pm on Tuesday.

Kerala: Relief as 11 more on contact list test negative for Nipah

MALAPPURAM: Eleven people, including the parents of the 14-year-old boy who died of Nipah on Sunday, tested negative for the viral infection on Monday. Two people from Thiruvananthapuram, who visited the private hospital in Perinthalmanna on the day the Nipah victim received treatment there, and two hospital staffers, both from Palakkad, are among those who tested negative. Nine samples were tested at the Virology Lab at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (MCH), while two were tested at the Advanced Virology Institute in Thonnakkal. Health Minister Veena George said contact tracing, sample collection and testing will continue to ensure that no infection goes unidentified. At present, 406 people are on the contact list of the Nipah victim. Of them, 194 people, including 139 healthcare workers, are in the high-risk category. Fifteen people on the contact list are receiving treatment at various hospitals. Those who test negative and recover from symptoms such as fever will be discharged. However, they should continue in isolation as per protocol, she said. Seven persons had tested negative on Saturday. Meanwhile, a mobile laboratory of the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, will start functioning at the Manjeri Government MCH on Tuesday to test samples for Nipah. Experts from the NIV visited the MCH on Monday to set up the laboratory which will help the health department in testing more samples. As part of prevention efforts, strong field-level measures are being implemented under the leadership of the Health Department. Nipah transmission a puzzle despite fifth outbreak in Kerala Wild hog plum suspected as source Healthcare workers have visited 6,642 houses in Pandikkad and Anakkayam grama panchayats to identify people with symptoms of the infection. They have identified 331 fever cases in Pandikkad and 108 fever cases in Anakkayam. Of them, four from Pandikkad have been included in the primary contact list. Meanwhile, Veena reiterated that chances are high that the 14-year-old boy who died on Sunday contracted the infection after consuming a wild hog plum near his residence. According to a source, a few days before the boy developed fever, he, along with four of his friends, had gone to a spot (around 2km from his house) and bathed in a canal. He also ate a wild hog plum from there, the source added. The health minister said the boys friends have confirmed that he ate wild hog plum from a tree in the area. Also, the presence of bats in the area has been confirmed. Preliminary assessments suggest this might be the source of the virus, but further tests are needed for confirmation, she said. Veena said the virus strain identified this year is the same as the one detected in 2023. Through the tests done earlier, we had confirmed that the Nipah strain found in bats is the same as the one found in humans. So, we are sure that bats are the source of infection. We are trying to identify the presence of the virus in the fruits. Efforts in this regard are underway with the cooperation of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), she said. Veena added that though bats are the source, people should not try to kill them or destroy their dwellings as it will lead to bats spreading the infection. To collect samples from bats, a team of experts from NIV-Pune arrived in the district on Monday. They will visit the Nipah-affected areas and conduct a genomic survey. Another team of experts from the Central Animal Husbandry Department in Bhopal will also arrive in Malappuram for sample collection and study. They will track bats in the area, where the boy was reportedly infected, with the cooperation of the forest department. Plus-I supplementary allotment The Plus-I supplementary allotment in Malappuram district was conducted in adherence to the Nipah protocol. Allotment will continue in the coming days under similar restrictions. The health minister urged strict adherence to wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. The polytechnic allotment in the district will also be conducted similarly. Pension mustering should not be conducted in Pandikkad and Anakkayam panchayats now. The time for mustering in these places will be extended, Veena George said.

Kerala: VD Satheesan, MB Rajesh spar over waste management continues

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The war of words between Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan and Local Self Government Minister M B Rajesh continues unabated. Satheesan said on Monday that the minister doesnt have anything to say about the pre-monsoon cleaning drive not happening. He also said that the minister cannot walk away from the responsibility for the outbreaks triggered by garbage. Satheesan was speaking to reporters at Malayinkeezhu after visiting the house of Krishna Thankappan, the 28-year-old woman who allegedly died of medical negligence at Neyyattinkara hospital on Sunday. Over the past few days, the two leaders had been engaged in writing open letters blaming each other for the failure of waste management disposal mechanism. When it was anticipated that it would fizzle out, Satheesan came out with fresh criticism against the minister alleging that there was a move to portray him in a bad light claiming that he was against Haritha Karma Sena. It shows his shrewdness and if the minister was this intelligent, he could easily make strides in his department, said Satheesan. He clarified that he never said anything bad about Haritha Karma Sena.

Kerala: Comradely yours to be CPM mantra in temples

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Apparently taking lessons from its past mistakes and failures, the CPM is up for a major policy shift, allowing its cadre to practice religious rituals and visit temples and other places of worship. It doesnt stop there. The party members are also encouraged to take the reins of temple management. TNIE had, on June 21, reported that the CPM would take a more liberal stance on matters of faith and beliefs. The three-day state-level leadership summit of the CPM which concluded in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday decided to reverse some of the key resolutions approved by the partys Palakkad plenum in 2013. The plenum had restrained party leaders and cadres from performing religious rituals and going to temples. It had also banned party members from being part of temple committees. The decision that party members should not conduct rituals like Ganapathi homam as part of housewarming ceremony had triggered a controversy then. The 2024 Lok Sabha election debacle had a catalytic effect on the CPMs major policy shift. During the review of the election results and analysis of the voting pattern, it dawned on the leadership that the rigid stand on matters of faith had cost the party dearly. There was a significant swing in the Hindu votes to the BJP which was detrimental to the CPM. The cracks that appeared in its citadels in Malabar sounded the alarm bells for the party. The CPM has assessed that the Sangh Parivar has tightened its grip over the believers through its closely knitted networks in temples. When the CPM cadre vacated their positions in temple management committees, it was the Sangh Parivar activists who took over. The RSS influence on matters of faith, temple rituals and believers is the main reason for the right-wing leanings in society, the party state committee felt. And it has decided to work among the devotees, aiming to corner the communalists from true faithful.

Kerala government scraps plan to replace plastic bottles at Bevco

KOCHI: Though the state government had previously announced in its liquor policy that plastic liquor bottles would be gradually phased out, the plan has been shelved because of pressure from liquor companies, sources said. On an average, 9.5 lakh liquor bottles are sold daily through Kerala State Beverages Corporations (Bevco) 277 outlets across the state, with 70% of these being plastic bottles. Liquor companies are of the view that glass bottles are not manufactured in Kerala and that importing them from other states is expensive. As Bevco has the monopoly to hike the liquor price, they passed the buck to the corporation, forcing the authorities to backtrack from its policy. The improper disposal of empty liquor bottles on roadsides, vacant plots, and in canals and streams with impunity has exacerbated the garbage menace, as seen in the death of a sanitation worker in the Amayizhanchan canal in Thiruvananthapuram. Bevco, in collaboration with the Suchitwa Mission, had chalked out a plan to collect unusable bottles and deliver them to recycling facilities with the help of Kudumbashree workers. But the initiative was abandoned because of financial constraints and a lack of storage facilities, sources said. The governments policy is to phase out non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastic bottles and replace them with environment-friendly, reusable glass bottles. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated in the assembly last year that waste disposal is a priority for the government and the phasing out of plastic bottles used for the distribution of alcohol is being considered because of their environmental impact. Cherian Philip, the former coordinator of the LDF governments Nava Kerala Mission, alleged that the government abandoned all its missions, including the plastic ban announced five years ago. All the missions have failed to achieve their objective, he said. With there being approximately 18 distilleries or bottling units in the state, the cost difference between plastic and glass bottles is significant. While a 750ml plastic bottle costs between Rs 10 and Rs 13, a glass bottle costs between Rs 20 and Rs 30. The cost of breakage during loading and unloading also deters companies from switching to glass bottles, it is learnt. Since Bevco is not a producer company, it has to formulate a scheme under which liquor companies can take back the used bottles. The Tamil Nadu government has launched a scheme where an additional Rs 10 is charged from the customers and the money is returned when they submit the empty bottle. Bevco can look at these kinds of options, said a source. When contacted, Bevco managing director Yogesh Gupta told TNIE that it is unclear how long it will take to replace plastic bottles. The collection of plastic bottles is progressing under the Haritha Kerala Mission, he added. According to Bevco sources, the use of plastic bottles for the storage of IMFL has been scientifically proven to be harmless and does not pose a health hazard.

Kerala: Amid NEET fiasco, CDIT performs neat KEAM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid the controversies surrounding the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the NEET examination, the flawless execution of the Kerala Engineering, Architecture and Medical Examination (KEAM) 2024 underscores the efficacy of leak-proof computer-based testing. This year, the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) conducted KEAM entirely online, leveraging the technical expertise of the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (CDIT). Similar in format to NEET UG, the examination involved 1,13,447 applicants across nearly 200 centres in the biggest such test conducted so far. It is worth noting that there have been no allegations of question paper leak or malpractice so far as students who have cleared KEAM are looking for admissions to various colleges. CDIT, an autonomous body under the Department of Electronics and IT, is giving a tough competition to well-established software companies involved in computer-based tests. CDIT could provide seats to all aspirants unlike in the case of NEET where the students who fail to get a centre in Kerala have to look for centres outside the state. This is the first time a statewide government entrance exam has been conducted online with such comprehensive technical infrastructure, said an official with CDIT. In contrast, NTAs NEET UG used approximately 9,000 computer nodes, whereas CDIT managed 20,000 computers across 130 institutions for six sessions in Kerala from June 5 to 10. Additional centres were set up in Delhi, Mumbai, and Dubai. In Kerala, only the Public Service Commission (PSC) and large IT service providers like TCS conduct computer-based tests. PSC conducts exams in secure environments at its centres. For KEAM, CDIT relied on systems from both government and private institutions, developing custom software with stringent safety protocols to safeguard exam integrity and prevent tampering. The question set is chosen by the entrance commissioner a day before the exam and stored encrypted at the data centre. These questions are downloaded 15 minutes before the exam at a local computer in the exam centre. Once the questions are downloaded, the laptop is disconnected from the internet and is connected only to the computers of students in the hall. The question paper is decrypted and displayed on the screen in front of the students. Once the answers are marked, it is stored in the data centre through the main laptop at the exam centre, the official said. To prevent tampering or other security issues, we used a technology called remote booting to enhance the security of the CDIT-Computer Based Exam software. The computers at the students end are connected only to the laptops at the exam centre. The students cannot close or tamper with the screen because of our custom-made open-source operating system, the official pointed out. To enhance safety, the CDIT staff collected the IDs of around 25,000 machines used for the exam. The remote booting software allowed only those machines registered. Since the exams are conducted in different sessions, the CEE-appointed expert committee normalised the results using a formula approved by NTA. In the previous years, CEE conducted KEAM on OMR sheets. Over one lakh students from Kerala applied for both NEET UG and KEAM. At the national level, there were 23.8 lakh applicants for NEET. Over 79,000 students appeared for KEAM in Kerala. CEE used to conduct entrance tests for medical admissions too. After the NEET imbroglio, several states have been demanding the Centre to revert back to the state-based entrance tests.

K Sudhakaran camp petitions Congress national leadership against Kerala opposition leader Satheesan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The loyalists of Congress state president K Sudhakaran have approached the Congress central leadership against the camp led by Opposition Leader V D Satheesan for repeatedly coming up with false news against him through an online media site. The issue was raised in the recent political affairs committee meeting held in Wayanad by the Sudhakaran camp. Sudhakarans followers suspect that the ploy is to oust him and bring in a loyalist belonging to the Satheesan camp as state president. The rapport between Sudhakaran and Satheesan had not been smooth ever since the delay in reinstating the former as Congress state president after the general elections. But the duo has been careful not to show their discomfiture before the media or in the party programs. But senior leaders are aware that all is not well between the two. At the recent Wayanad conclave, K C Venugopal, MP, who is also the AICC general secretary (organisation), had a word with the two leaders and urged them to work united. A senior leader close to Sudhakaran told TNIE that over the past several months there has been a series of news coming up in a certain online news portal from Kottayam. A move has been going on against Sudhakaran by vested interests who regularly come up with stories based on rumours. The modus operandi of the Satheesan camp is that they will not deny such news which will give credence to those reports. As long as it is not denied, its half-truth. Sudhakaran is fed up with false news coming up against him on this particular website. He has taken up the issue before the central leadership and they have taken note of it. Satheesan camp wants their loyalist to come up at the helm of the party, said a senior Congress leader. Kerala: Post-poll developments likely to alter equations in Congress leadership After Sudhakaran, removal bogey now turns to Leader of Oppn Satheesan Before the Lok Sabha elections, Sudhakaran was targeted by a section within the party citing his illnesses. But later when it was confirmed that it was a wrong medical diagnosis, the perpetrators within the party remained low. Satheesan camp has vehemently denied the allegations raised by Sudhakaran camp. How can one say that all negative news, especially in an online website, coming up against Sudhakaran has been hatched by the Leader of Opposition? Its being too silly. On several occasions, Satheesan was also targeted. If such issues have to be highlighted before the central leadership, then we will have time only for that, a source said.

Leaders, cadre failed to address peoples issues, feels CPM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Party cadre and leaders failed to address the issues faced by people and this led to the huge setback suffered by the LDF in general and the CPM in particular in the recent LS elections. This was the overall tone of the state committee members and leaders who attended the two-day state committee meeting held at the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Replying to the discussions, state secretary M V Govindan told the meeting that unless party leaders address peoples issues, the CPM would not be able to make progress. The party should take up peoples issues and concerns related to their daily struggles. The behaviour of party cadres is also important. They should go to the common people and understand their problems. They should also report to the party leadership if any intervention is needed to alleviate their problems, he said. At the meeting there was severe criticism about the bad condition of roads in rural areas. Many members said that if the roads are not maintained properly it would adversely affect the prospects of the party in the coming LSG elections. Had the welfare pensions been distributed before the election, it would have helped the front, felt some members. The CPM also decided to strengthen the activities of the SFI and DYFI. The party will also take up the waste management issue seriously. The party would also chart out a series of protests against the central government on different issues. To thwart the intrusion of RSS-BJP into the SNDP through BDJS, the CPM decided to intensify its campaign against saffronisation. We are not against the SNDP. We are against the communalisation of Sree Narayana Gurus vision. It will continue, Govindan said. EP episode not a closed chapter, says CPM Thiruvananthapuram: Indicating that LDF convener E P Jayarajan is likely to face action over his meeting with BJP leader Prakash Javadekar, the CPM has said that the party would take up Jayarajans 'organisational aberrations in the next state-level meeting. Answering a question after the two-day state committee meeting on Monday, CPM state secretary M V Govindan said that E P Jayarajan issue is not a closed chapter. Those who need to be corrected will be corrected. Those who have to correct will correct their stand and move forward, said Govindan.

194 of Kerala Nipah victim's contacts are high-risk

The health department said two of the persons on the contact list are from Palakkad, while four are from Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram airport tariff raised due to under-recovery during Covid-19: Centre

The Union govt. also says that the hike in tariff is due to delay in revision due to privatisation

Anu Kumari assumes charge as Thiruvananthapuram District Collector

The 2018 batch Civil Service officer began her career as an Assistant Collector in Thiruvananthapuram. She previously served as the Director of the Kerala State IT Mission.

CPM Vows to Thwart BJP RSS Plan to Communalize OBC Ezhava Community in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Close on the heels of the massive rout in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, the CPM has resolved to confront the BJP directly in the state, particularly to challenge the latter's efforts to gain a foothold within the dominant OBC Ezhava community which has traditionally been a stronghold of the Marxists. The Ezhava community makes up 23 percent of the state's population. The CPM considers the decline in its Ezhava vote base as a contributing factor to its electoral defeat. However, what concerns the CPM is the notable rise in the BJP's vote share in constituencies with a predominant Ezhava population. We will not permit the BJP to impose their saffron agenda on the SNDP, established by the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, who championed the philosophy of one caste, one religion, and one God, said CPM state secretary MV Govindan at the end of the party's state committee meeting. The state committee of CPM has formulated a strategy based on the poll review reports from its district committees. In response to continuous attacks from the BJP, SNDP, and their political wing the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), over alleged minority appeasement, the CPM has resolved to confront the communal policies of the Muslim League as well. The CPM aims to convey that both majority and minority communalism are mutually reinforcing and must be combated with equal vigour. Govindan stated that the BJP's religious nationalism should be met with a robust ideological campaign within the state. The BJP is promoting communal ideologies among the faithful for their political gains and even using religious places which requires an effective counteraction, he alleged. The SNDP leaders are directing their attacks at the CPM and personally targeting Marxist leaders. The BDJS, predominantly constituted by the Ezhava community, is tactically employed by the BJP as a tool to execute the divisive strategies of the RSS, he alleged. The CPM has resolved to combat the saffronisation agenda being implemented by the RSS via the BDJS. We will approach the people to expose the BJP -RSS's scheme to saffronise the SNDP. We will not permit an illustrious organization like the SNDP to be saffronized, he alleged. Govindan criticized the Muslim League for collaborating with religious fundamentalists. The communal stance of the Muslim League will also be exposed. Currently, a political scenario has unfolded in Kerala where communal entities are clashing with each other to expand simultaneously. The CPM believes that communal organizations are rallying individuals along religious lines and engaging in conflicts to bolster their organisational strength. Such actions are undermining the communal harmony that Kerala is renowned for globally. There are reports of the RSS attempting to create divisions among minority groups within the state. The CPM aims to expose the questionable strategies of the RSS and safeguard minority groups. It has prioritized minority protection as a key responsibility. The CPM contends that there is an orchestrated effort in new media, including social media, to cast the party negatively. Measures will be implemented to fortify the party's organization in urban regions. A segment of the media persists in its unrestrained attack and does not shy away from any measures to oppose the CPM. In light of this, the party plans to utilize social media to effectively ideologically counter such assaults, the party said.

Nipah virus: Keralas anxious wait for 13 test results

Out of 350 people on Nipah victims contact list, four are from Thiruvananthapuram and two from Palakkad

Former Kerala inspector, removed from service, attempts suicide

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former police inspector R Jayasanil, who was removed from service, allegedly attempted suicide at the police quarters in Palayam on Sunday night. The former cop was found in an unconscious state by Museum police, who had reached the spot after his wife alerted them that her husband was not answering any of the phone calls. The Museum police sources said the ex-cop was found in an unconscious state around 10 pm. Cops suspect he could have consumed poison, but Jayasanil refused to divulge any details regarding his suicide attempt to the investigators. Jayasanil was removed from rolls on the allegation that he had extorted cash from resort owners. Another allegation of sexually abusing a Pocso-case accused is under investigation. Jayasanil was a Station House Officer at Ayiroor when he was accused of allegedly raping a 27-year-old youth, who is an accused in a Pocso case. The officer was accused of sexually assaulting the youth whom he summoned from abroad by threatening that the police would seek Interpols service to nab him from the gulf country. According to the complainant, the officer directed him to reach the police quarters with Rs 50,000 as a bribe to scuttle the probe. This was after the officer reached a settlement with the youth's lawyer. The youth was told to stay back at the inspectors place where he was abused later in the night, the complainant had alleged. Jayasanil was dismissed after the police began taking action against the cops involved in grave crime cases. Jayasanil has filed an appeal against his dismissal, which is under consideration. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm)

Nipah test results of 13 Individuals in contact list of victim to be released on Monday evening

MALAPPURAM: The test results of samples taken from 13 individuals on the contact list of Nipah victims from Pandikkad, Kerala, will be released on Monday evening. Nine of these samples are being tested at the Virology Lab at Kozhikode Medical College, while four are being analyzed at the Advanced Virology Institute in Thonnakkal. The results are crucial for Nipah prevention efforts in Kerala, as the 13 individuals include two from Palakkad and four from Thiruvananthapuram. The two individuals from Palakkad are employees of a private hospital where the boy received treatment, while those from Thiruvananthapuram visited the hospital in Perinthalmanna on the same day the boy was treated. Six of these 13 individuals are exhibiting symptoms of the disease. Additionally, the parents of the student who died from Nipah are among those whose samples were sent for testing. 14-year-old Nipah patient dies, Kerala strengthens vigil to prevent spread At present, the contact list includes as many as 350 people, with 101 of them categorized as high-risk. Among the 350 people, 68 are healthcare workers. The private bus used by the student to travel to his tuition center after contracting the disease has been identified. The people in the bus who came in contact with the boy are being determined with the help of CCTV footage. Health Minister Veena George said, The friends of the child have confirmed the Nipah-infected child ate hog plum from a tree in the area. Also, the presence of bats in the area has been confirmed. Preliminary assessments suggest this might be the source of the virus, but further tests are needed for confirmation. A team led by Dr. Balasubramaniam from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) will arrive today in Malappuram to monitor the bats. The health minister said, The state has identified that the Nipah strain found in bats is the same as the strain found in humans. Efforts to detect the virus in fruits are ongoing with the cooperation of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Face masks compulsory in Malappuram Wearing face masks in public places in the district has been made mandatory. Although stringent restrictions have only been declared in two panchayats, each individual has a responsibility to prevent the disease from spreading, the Minister reminded. Those currently under observation must remain in isolation for 21 days as per protocol. The strict observation period starts from the last contact with the patient, the minister said. To identify fever cases in Pandikkad and Anakkayam panchayats, 224 fever surveillance teams have been deployed. These teams are conducting door-to-door inspections. In Anakkayam, 80 teams are in the field, and in Pandikkad, 144 teams are working. The animal husbandry departments surveillance team is also conducting field inspections to monitor diseases in domestic animals. They are collecting samples from animals as well. Counseling will be provided to the classmates of the deceased child to offer mental support. The education department has been instructed to conduct online PTA meetings and counseling sessions. Plus One allotments are being conducted in the schools in the district, strictly adhering to Nipah protocols. A review meeting was held in the Malappuram district collectorate conference hall under the leadership of the Minister. Nipah transmission a puzzle despite fifth outbreak in Kerala

Former cop, removed from service, attempts suicide at police quarters in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former police inspector R Jayasanil, who was removed from service, allegedly attempted suicide at the police quarters at Palayam on Sunday night. The former cop was found in an unconscious state by Museum police, who had reached the spot after his wife alerted them that her husband was not answering phone calls. The Museum police sources said the ex-cop was found in an unconscious state by 10 pm on Sunday. The cops suspect he could've consumed poison, but sources said Jayasanil refused to divulge any details regarding his suicide attempt to the investigators. Jayasanil was removed from rolls on the allegation that he had extorted cash from resort owners. Another allegation of sexually abusing a Pocso-case accused is under investigation. Jayasanil was a Station House Officer at Ayiroor when he was accused of allegedly raping a 27-year-old youth, who is an accused in a Pocso case. The officer was accused of sexually assaulting the youth whom he summoned from abroad by threatening that the police would seek Interpols service to nab him from the gulf country. According to the complainant, the officer directed him to reach the police quarters with Rs 50,000 as a bribe to scuttle the probe. This was after the officer settled with the lawyer of the youth. The youth was told to stay back at the inspectors place where he was abused later in the night, the complainant had alleged. Jayasanil was dismissed after the police began taking action against the cops involved in grave crime cases. Jayasanil has filed an appeal against his dismissal, which is under consideration. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)

Fisherman dies after boat capsize at Aarattukadavu in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A fisherman lost his life, when a fishing expedition ended in disaster in the wee hours on Monday. The deceased was identified as Pathrose (59) of Mariyanadu. The incident happened in Aarattukadavu when a group of six fishermen set out to sea. Their boat was caught in strong waves and capsized midway. Pathrose, Jose, Josekutty, Shali, Sevi and Sumesh were in the boat. Although all of them managed to swim ashore, meanwhile Pathrose was strongly hit on the boat when it overturned. According to coastal police, Pathrose was taken to Mariyandu Hospital with serious injuries from where he was referred to medical college hospital, but he died while being taken to hospital. His body has been taken to the Medical College Mortuary. Pathrose is survived by wife and four children.

IDSFFK 2024: 31 animation films to be screened in three categories

A package of 31 animation films spread over three categories will be one of the highlights of 16th edition of International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala to be held in Thiruvananthapuram from July 26 to 31

Kerala government to establish 13 new playgrounds to public soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thirteen new playgrounds readied under the governments 100-day action plan will be inaugurated soon, the sports department has said. In a statement, the department said the works were launched under the project one playground in each panchayat and are expected to cater to every sports-related need of all the sections of society. Construction of another four playgrounds was announced earlier and some of them have been built, it said. Playgrounds at Chirakkara in Chathannoor assembly constituency and Chadayamangalam will be opened to the public in August. The playground at Kallikkadu in Parassala assembly constituency is ready, said the statement. The playgrounds are being built with the theme sports for all and health for all, said the statement, adding that the grounds will cater to sporting requirements of all, including women and senior citizens. Open gym and walking track will be set up too. In phase-I, the government sanctioned the construction of 124 playgrounds, estimated to cost Rs 1 crore each. The government has sanctioned Rs 60 crore for the project. The rest of the amount will be funded through corporate social responsibility funds, local body funds and other sources. Play on! The new playgrounds will come up at Koloor (Chirayinkeezhu assembly constituency), Thazhakkara (Mavelikkara), Sathyan Nagar (Nemom), Mulakuzha (Chengannur), Manimala (Kanjirapally), Puthenchantha (Poonjar), Erattayar (Udumbanchola), Kuriyanmala (Muvattupuzha), Wadakkanchery, Sreekrishnapuram (Ottappalam), Olavanna (Kunnamangalam), Kalliasseri (Kunhimangalam) and Pinarayi (Dharmadam)

War of letters between MB Rajesh, VD Satheesan intensifies over garbage issue in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The letter war between the minister for local self government M B Rajesh and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan over the garbage issue, which led to the death of a sanitation worker last week, continued on Sunday. Replying to Rajeshs open letter to him, Satheesan wondered how the minister could claim everything was fine when he IS in the midst of waste. None, including CPM workers, who read the ministers open letter would agree with his claims, Satheesan wrote on Sunday. He maintained that the Opposition will extend wholehearted support to the LDF governments proposals on waste disposal. In his latest open letter to Rajesh, Satheesan said, In your letter, you invited me to see the revamped crematorium at Guruvayur. If waste disposal centres undergo a facelift, it would be a welcoming change. The rise in water-borne diseases reveals the state government has been a total failure when it comes to waste management and disposal, Satheesan wrote. He also sought to know whether the state government had initiated any probe into last years fire at the Brahmapuram dumpyard.

Kerala government launched mission-mode initiative to boost Farmer Producer Organisations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To boost agricultural growth and support small-scale producers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched a mission-mode initiative to strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) across India. The initiative was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister P Prasad at the districts FPO saturation seminar. Addressing the challenges faced by small-scale producers, Prasad highlighted the importance of farmer collectivization. Rising production costs, unfair pricing, climate change, and other factors pose significant challenges to small-scale producers in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. In todays competitive economy, these producers face limitations in addressing these challenges individually. This is where producer groups become relevant, he said. The minister also detailed the state governments schemes for the upliftment of FPOs. Kerala has established itself as a global brand in education and health, matching the standards of developed countries. It is time to market the states high-quality products and services under the unique Kerala brand and influence the global market, he added. He mentioned that major products from the state could gradually be brought under the Kerala brand, ensuring their authenticity, quality, and ethical production practices. Deputy Collector Jinu Punnoose, who presided over the event, emphasised the importance of farmer collectivization in the current scenario. These groups need to focus more on their regional products while promoting organic farming. I urge FPOs to adopt various central and state government schemes and advance through machine planting and intercropping, she said. The event commenced with a welcome address by NABARD District Development Manager Premkumar T K. ATMA Project director Anitha James, PAO Anil Kumar S, Agri deputy directors Smitha B, Rejimol M M, Sindhu ADA Marketing, and LDM Arun spoke.

Kerala womans death during treatment sparks row, doctor comes under fire

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 28-year-old woman from Kattakkada who developed complications while undergoing treatment for a kidney stone died at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday morning. The family of Krishnapriya Thankappan of Sharat Bhavan at Manappuram in Kattakkada have alleged medical negligence behind her death. The police have registered a case. As per her husband Sharat, Krishnapriya initially sought treatment at Thycaud government hospital on July 12 for severe stomach pain. She was diagnosed with kidney stones and referred to a surgeon. She was treated at the taluk hospital in Malayinkeezhu before being admitted to the Neyyattinkara General Hospital (GH) on July 15. There, her condition worsened after receiving intravenous medication, and she was swiftly transferred to the MCH seven days ago and put on ventilator support. Her family alleged the surgeon at the GH failed to properly address her condition. The police registered a case against the doctor under Section 125 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for endangering life. Rallying behind the doctor, the hospital authorities said the medication administered to Krishnapriya was routine for acid reflux. However, her relatives claimed the doctor did not consider her allergies before administering the injection and failed to conduct the necessary tests. The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) also defended the doctor and said the complication could be a result of an allergic reaction. The incident is unfortunate. However, it is misleading and baseless to say the woman died of medical negligence. The doctor gave only pantoprazole, a commonly used drug for stomach pain. The patient might have developed severe allergic reaction to it. Some people have allergic reactions not just to vaccines and drugs, but also to some food items. It cannot be termed medical negligence, said the KGMOA district unit said in a statement. Such baseless allegations will affect the morale of doctors who work with dedication despite the shortage of resources, said the KGMOA, while demanding a just and scientific inquiry into the incident. Relatives stage protest Relatives of Krishnapriya and some political party members staged a protest outside the Neyyattinkara General Hospital with her body on Sunday evening. The police used force to prevent the protesters from entering the hospital premises. KSHRC orders probe The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has ordered a probe into the death of Krishnapriya after her husband alleged medical negligence behind her demise. KSHRC acting chairperson and judicial member K Baijunath instructed the Thiruvananthapuram District Medical Officer to submit a report within 15 days. Shashi Tharoor expresses shock Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has sought a probe into the alleged medical negligence that claimed the life of Krishnapriya and demanded steps to prevent such incidents. Expressing shock at the 28-year-olds death, Tharoor also said there was no point in elevating the General Hospital to district hospital. BJP takes out protest march The BJP took out a protest march to the Neyyattinkara General Hospital on Sunday demanding strict action against doctors involved in recent incidents of alleged medical negligence. Inaugurating the march, BJP parliamentary party leader in Neyyattinkara municipality Shiburaj Krishna said the party will intensify its protests. Maintaining that the womans death was not an isolated incident, Shiburaj said the health department was yet to seek an explanation from the Neyyattinkara General Hospital, while Health Minister Veena George was mum

Nipah transmission a puzzle despite fifth outbreak in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The recurrence of Nipah in the Kozhikode-Malappuram area continues to perplex authorities and experts alike. Kozhikode reported outbreaks in 2018, 2021, and 2023, while Malappuram reported cases in 2018 and 2024. Ernakulam recorded a single case in 2019. Despite directives from the government to conduct extensive surveillance in Kozhikode to understand the persistence of the virus since September last year, there has not been much headway. A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) detected Nipah virus antibodies in bats from Kozhikode and Wayanad. However, the reasons behind the virus localised impact and its transmission in humans remain unclear. Fruit bats, recognised as carriers, are widespread, and experts suggest multiple factors such as climate variations, environmental degradation, and the characteristics of index cases ( people who first contracted the virus from an animal) contribute to outbreaks in the Kozhikode-Malappuram region. Dense forest cover, climate change driving zoonotic diseases in Kerala When Nipah was first reported in Malaysia in 1998, it was pointed out that bats that were affected by El Nino came up to urban dwellings in large number. In Bangladesh and Bengal, the bat excreta led to the outbreak. We are yet to establish a clear link. But there is a commonality among the victims (index cases). All of them are males in the age of 12 to 25, who are active and adventurous, said Dr Althaf A, a public health expert and professor at Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He pointed out that establishing the epidemiological link requires sustained efforts. An animal pathologist who has done extensive study on bats in Kozhikode in 2018 said, on conditions of anonymity, that the virus-carrying bats may not be limited to Kozhikode and Malappuram. There are bats everywhere. There are also many places in Kerala which have conditions similar to that of Kozhikode which includes the presence of mangroves, urban forest, etc. We need to find if certain bat colonies harbour more viruses and the factors behind it. It is proven that bats unload more virus when they are stressed during the birthing, food scarcity, overcrowding, inclement weather etc, he said. Vigil tightened in Wayanad dist District Medical Officer Dr P Dineesh has said that special vigilance should be exercised in Wayanad, following the confirmation of Nipah infection in Malappuram district. The 14-year-old who died of Nipah had gone on an excursion to Wayanad a week ago. Health centres in the district have been directed to strengthen surveillance activities further. The DMO said that people should be more cautious because the antibody was confirmed in bats from Noolpuzha and Mananthavady Pazhassi Park in the district last year.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan condoles death of 14-year-old boy infected with Nipah

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday expressed condolences over the death of the 14-year-old boy who succumbed to Nipah in Malappuram. Vijayan said all efforts were made to save the teenager. State Health Minister Veena George informed that the 14-year-old boy from Kerala's Malappuram, who was under treatment at Kozhikode medical college for Nipah infection, died on Sunday. George said the boy from Pandikkad suffered a massive cardiac arrest at 10.50 am on Sunday and efforts to revive him failed. He was on a ventilator and was not conscious. The urine output had reduced this morning. After the massive cardiac arrest, the revival efforts failed and he passed away at 11.30 am, she said. 14-year-old infected with Nipah virus in Kerala dies, Centre to assist in tackling outbreak The chief minister, in a statement, exhorted everyone to work together to combat the Nipah virus and implored citizens not to destroy the natural habitats of bats. He also cautioned people against eating fruits half bitten by animals and those found abandoned, besides avoiding the honey found in plantain trees. In case of any contact with bats, their excreta or anything they may have bitten, wash hands with soap or use sanitizer. Contact the Nipah control room for clarification if any, he informed. The health minister said currently there are three people under isolation at Kozhikode Medical College where the deceased boy was undergoing treatment. At Manjeri Medical college, four high-risk category people are admitted, out of which one person is in ICU, the minister said, adding that the results of their samples will be out today itself. The minister said the boy went to school on May 11 and till now there are not many cases of patients with symptoms. State prepared to tackle Nipah outbreak, says Kerala Health Minister Earlier in the day, George had informed that there were a total of 246 people in the contact list of the boy out of which 63 were under the high-risk category. We will be testing all under the high-risk category but initially those with symptoms will be tested. We have labs in the state and a mobile lab from the Pune NIV is arriving in the state, she said. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition, V D Satheesan termed the death as unfortunate and said the government failed to address the issue of deterioration of public health in Kerala. It was unfortunate that a boy lost his life due to Nipah. This shows that infectious and communicable diseases are still prevalent in the state. The opposition had raised the issue of the spread of epidemics and the deterioration of public health in the state Assembly, but the government has failed to address it, Satheesan said. He claimed that the primary reason for Kerala's public health crisis is the halt in waste removal. The state is suffering from a lack of pre-monsoon cleaning, he said. The government does not have any data on any disease. We had COVID-19, cholera, shigella, hepatitis and now Nipah. Action should be taken to prevent the spread of deadly diseases by coordinating all departments urgently. We are not trying to blame the government. The government should take action. Everyone should follow the instructions of the health department, Satheesan said. He said the UDF will organise a health conclave to discuss the issues faced by public health in the state. The state government had announced recently that a special action calendar was being prepared for the prevention of a Nipah outbreak, which has haunted the state on four occasions in the past. Nipah outbreaks have been reported in Kozhikode district in 2018, 2021 and 2023 and in Ernakulam district in 2019, and the presence of Nipah virus antibodies had been detected in bats in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts. Centre to deploy team to support Kerala in probing Nipah virus case

State prepared to tackle Nipah outbreak, says Kerala Health Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the outbreak of the Nipah virus in Malappuram, Kerala Health Minister Veena George stated that the state is fully prepared to tackle the issue. She informed that 214 people are on the primary contact list, whereas 60 are high-risk and all those on the contact list should be isolated. The Health Minister said that after the Nipah virus was confirmed in Malappuram, preventive measures have intensified. Vigorous activities have been going on since this morning. The state is prepared. On the basis of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) formed as part of the government order for Nipah control, 25 committees have been constituted. Contact tracing started on Saturday morning. There are 214 people in the primary contact list. 60 people who were closely involved in this are in the high-risk category. 30 isolation rooms have been arranged in Manjeri Medical College. Apart from this, necessary isolation wards have also been arranged in Kozhikode Medical College. Route map will be published, she added. The minister requested those who were in those places at the time to contact the control room. George said that all high-risk contacts will have their samples tested. The patient has been shifted to Kozhikode Medical College. A 24-hour NIPA control room has been opened. Those with Nipah symptoms should call the control room. Fever can be accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: headache, fits cough, breathing problem. If you have respiratory symptoms, you are more likely to spread it to others. In the case of Nipah disease, the symptoms may increase with time and the risk of spreading the disease may increase as the severity of the disease increases, she added. She further asserted that everyone in the district must wear a mask when they go out in public places. Avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Those on the contact list should be isolated. Even if only one person in a household is on the contact list, do not come in contact with others. Don't be afraid at all. Earlier, the Health Minister said on Saturday that a 14-year-old boy has tested positive for the Nipah virus in Kerala's Malappuram. NIV Pune has confirmed that the suspected case of a 14-year-old boy is Nipah positive. A contact list of the boys will be prepared and the samples of those in a high-risk category will be sent for testing. A meeting will be held with the district collector and district police chief to discuss the restrictions to be imposed in the 3 km radius of the epicentre. Residents of Malappuram should wear masks compulsory and remain cautious, she said. Kerala: Malappuram teen tests positive for Nipah The minister also convened a high-level meeting on Saturday in the Malappuram district after reports of a suspected case of the 'Nipah' virus in the state. The meeting discussed the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of the public. The officials also reviewed the current situation and the steps taken so far to control the outbreak. She reached Malappuram to lead the efforts to control the outbreak. The government has also constituted committees to oversee the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Nipah virus control. The meeting was attended by top officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the Director of the National Health Mission, and the District Collectors of Malappuram and Kozhikode. As per officials, the samples of the suspected patient were sent to the Pune virology lab. Last month, the Kerala Health Minister announced that Nipah prevention efforts will be intensified in the state, particularly during the critical months of May to September, when the virus is most likely to spread.

After poll loss, CPM looks to ease stance on faith, believers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Taking a cue from its recent election debacle, the CPM in Kerala is set to take a more liberal stance on matters of faith and beliefs. Marking a major shift from its stated position, the Communist party plans to offer support and legitimacy to lakhs of its members who are believers. The leadership is learnt to be preparing to take an inclusive approach by welcoming the faithful, especially those from the Hindu community, into its fold. The two-day party state committee, which begins on Sunday, will discuss these issues in detail as part of an organisational and political course correction. The CPM has decided to introspect on its declared position on faith and believers, a critical insider in the party said. The party faced a similar setback in 2019, over the issue of permitting women to enter Sabarimala temple. Rahul Gandhis decision to contest from Wayanad also delivered a body blow. The leadership, from then state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to district leaders, visited households, particularly Hindu homes, and admitted to their failings. However, after the 2021 assembly election, the CPM failed to read the writings on the wall. The leadership has now understood that to defend against the onslaught of right-wing forces, it will need to drastically shift its positions, he said. The CPMs change of stance is based on the fact that Indian society is still feudal in nature and since a peoples revolution has not happened there is no scope for dialectical materialism. Faith is the most important factor affecting society, a state secretariat member said. And a vast majority of people are believers. The CPM often failed to address these sections, even though leaders talked about faith and believers, he said. Meanwhile, many party insiders felt it was the position taken at the Palakkad plenum which directed members to keep a distance from rituals and temple-related activities that alienated believers. The CPM leadership believes that influence of the BJP-RSS over matters of faith, temple rituals and believers is the reason for the right-wing leanings in society. Keeping this in mind, the party has decided to initiate steps to protect the rights of believers in temples and other places of worship. Temples should not fall into Sangh Parivar hands Temples should not fall into the hands of the Sangh Parivar. By offering support and legitimacy to lakhs of believers in the CPM, we think we would be able to differentiate between genuine believers and communalists, party secretariat member said. Creating a secular faith assumes greatest importance. The party is not against cadres and supporters going to any place of worship. What we have said is that office-bearers should keep away from these rituals. But, in the new circumstances, the Left has to come out with a clear position, the secretariat member added.

Ripple effects of MS outage felt

Hyderabad: A total of 24 Hyderabad-bound domestic flights were cancelled on Saturday as a ripple effect of the blue screen death. The airlines assured passengers they have the option of rebooking a flight or refund. The flights that were cancelled were to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Raipur, Lucknow, Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram and Goa. Around 200 flights had been cancelled on Friday due to the global Microsoft outage. They included 20 departures and 17 arrivals in Hyderabad. According to experts, although rectification of the MS glitch was repaired, its ripple effects will continue to be felt for a few more days. Meanwhile, authorities at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here confirmed operations at the airport have become normal.

21 IndiGo, 3 Air India Express flights cancelled in Hyderabad today

Hyderabad: As many as 24 flights were cancelled on Saturday, July 20, from Hyderabad to various Indian cities. Flights from Hyderabad to cities including Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Thiruvananthapuram, Raipur, Vishakapatnam, Bangalore, Pune and Goa were cancelled even as the airport systems were working well after the IT outage in Microsoft Azure that occurred the 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 .

Southern Railway rejects reports of bifurcation of Palakkad division

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Southern Railway on Saturday outrightly rejected media reports on the bifurcation of the Palakkad Division and made it clear that no discussion, proposal or plan was initiated in this regard. In a statement, Divisional Railway Manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi reiterated that the assertions made in these reports of bifurcation, specifically with respect to the Mangaluru area being transferred to a new zone or division, were unfounded. We wish to clarify that these reports are speculative and lack any factual basis. There have been no discussions, proposals, or plans concerning the bifurcation of the Palakkad Division of Southern Railway. The Southern Railway further said that the recent meeting conducted at Mangaluru with public representatives and railway officials was solely for discussing rail development and connectivity enhancement in the Mangaluru area. It had no intent or discussion on the bifurcation of Palakkad Division. We understand the concern this misinformation has caused among the public and would like to assure everyone that there are no bifurcations planned for the Palakkad Division, the statement added.

Nipah outbreak suspected in Kerala's Malappuram; high-level meeting convened

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday convened a high-level meeting to take steps to prevent a Nipah outbreak in the state. The meeting was convened in the wake of an outbreak of the virus infection that was suspected in northern Malappuram district. According to local media reports, a boy from Malappuram, who is under treatment in a private hospital in neighbouring Kozhikode, was suspected to have symptoms of Nipah and his samples were sent to a central lab for a detailed scientific examination. As per a statement from the Health Minister's office, the final test results were yet to be received but steps, as per the Nipah protocol, have already been initiated in the morning. The actions would be coordinated according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) formulated as per the government order with regard to Nipah prevention, it said. The health minister would reach Malappuram soon and lead the Nipah prevention activities, the statement added. Various higher officials, including the health secretary, National Health Mission state director, district collectors of Kozhikode and Malappuram and health director took part in the meeting, it added. The state government had announced recently that a special action calendar was being prepared for the prevention of a Nipah outbreak, which has haunted the state on four occasions in the past. Nipah outbreaks have been reported in Kozhikode district in 2018, 2021, and 2023, and in Ernakulam district in 2019, and the presence of Nipah virus antibodies had been detected in bats in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam districts.

Microsoft outage | 24 flights cancelled at Hyderabad airport on Day 2

The affected routes include Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Raipur, Lucknow, Visakhapatnam, Goa, and Thiruvananthapuram

The tale of Indias youngest air command

KOCHI: From modest beginnings four decades ago, the Southern Air Command (SAC) the countrys youngest air command has come a long way, proving its mettle and spreading its wings relentlessly. As the SAC celebrates its 40th anniversary, it is time to revisit the journey of its glorious service. Establishment of SAC headquarters Until the early 1980s, the Central Air Command in Allahabad was responsible for providing air defence to the entire Indian Peninsula and its island territories. However, it was deemed geographically too far to exercise effective control and meet the increased security demands emerging from the changing geopolitical situation around the southern peninsula. A need was, therefore, felt to establish an Operational Air Command covering the geopolitical area of south India, extending to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. On July 20, 1984, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi inaugurated the headquarters of the Southern Air Command (SAC) at Belhaven Palace an old palace of Travancore king located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city with Air Marshal TJ Desa as the first Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. As personnel strength and operational relevance increased, the need for a command headquarters emerged. This led to the construction of the headquarters complex at Akkulam, which was inaugurated by Air Chief Marshal S K Sareen on April 6, 1996. By August 8, the Command and the unit moved from Belhaven Palace to the new complex. Strategic operations One of SACs successful operations was associated with the Indian Peace Keeping Forces in Sri Lanka called Operation Pawan between July 1987 and September 1989. AN-32s under SAC maintained the air link with its air bases and various divisional headquarters across Sri Lanka to support nearly 1 lakh troops and paramilitary forces. On November 3, 1988, Maldives faced an attempted coup. The Union government responded and accordingly, a joint operation of the Army and the Air Force (Operation Cactus) was launched. Two IL-76 carrying Army troops took off for the Maldives from Air Force Station Agra. The same day, a tactical operation room was immediately set up by the Southern Air Command. The next day, a detachment of SAC and Air Force Station Agra reached Maldives. Within 50 minutes, a two-way communication facility was established with the Indian mainland. Humanitarian assistance The first recorded history of humanitarian assistance rendered by the SAC was on August 19, 1986. The IAF had undertaken air-dropping of essential medicines for the dysentery-affected tribal community at Pulobhabi, a remote locality on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Then, during a flood in Andhra Pradesh in May 1990, SAC undertook a massive relief operation. On December 26, 2004, tsunami struck Indian coasts. During the time, the first aircraft to land on a partially submerged runway at Carnicobar Airfield was SACs AN-32. Similarly, helicopter display team Sarang, located at Air Force Station Sulur, played a significant role in Op Raahat in the Uttarakhand floods during July 2013. When Cyclone Ockhi hit the southern peninsula in 2017, the IAF reached out to the civil population for their rescue. Operation Karuna during the 2018 Kerala floods deserves a special mention. IAF responded to the states request and pressed its workhorses such as the AN-32s, the Gajraj IL-76, the versatile C-130 and the Globemaster C-17 aircraft into action. The NDRF response teams were airlifted from Arakkonam to Kozhikod by AN-32 aircraft. Helicopters ventured into areas inaccessible by even local boats, attempting some daredevil landings in adverse weather conditions. The sorties were undertaken braving bad weather, and at times the aircraft had to be flown below the minimum operational altitude without flight plans. IAF also mobilised 20,000kg of relief material through the Air Force Family Welfare Association.

Kudumbashree on a mission to spread happiness in households

KOZHIKODE: Kudumbashree is looking to spread the joy around. It is set to open happiness centres in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram aimed at boosting the happiness index of households. The initiative, part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission, will begin in August and roll out in two phases, starting with 168 community development societies (CDS). In Kozhikode, the project will be implemented in model CDS such as Nanmananda, Puthupadi, Mavoor, Olavanna, Chorode, Tiruvallur, Meppayur, Balussery, Chemancheri, Kavilumpara, Naripetta, Edacheri, and Cheruvannur. Local happiness committees will first conduct surveys to assess the living conditions and physical and mental health of households, identifying and addressing issues in families with low happiness levels. Committees at local, district, and state levels will be established, involving representatives from various departments, local bodies, and the Kudumbashree tri-level organisation system. Training for these committees will be completed by July 30, with ward-level training for ADS members starting August 1. A survey will be conducted focusing on families in the model CDS where happiness centres will be established and a detailed plan will be prepared to raise the happiness index of those families. Based on this project, a happiness index will be prepared according to the social situation of Kerala and the project activities will be started after conducting an evaluation under the leadership of experts in various fields, Kudumbashree executive director Jafar Malik said in a press note. The Happiness Project will focus on diverse areas, including economic sustainability, environment, hygiene, art, literature, mental health, nutrition, and democratic values. Each local self-governing body will form a committee chaired by the panchayat president or municipal chairperson, with the CDS chairperson as the convenor. Members will include representatives from welfare, health education, arts, sports, literature, culture, yoga, environment, and the bala sabhas. In each CDS, ward-level associations, called Idams, comprising ten to forty families, will be formed. A monitoring team with representatives from various departments, Kudumbashree, and community members will oversee and evaluate the project activities. Kudumbashree aims to set a benchmark by achieving significant improvements in the happiness index.

Ideological elixir, CPMs remedy for rot within

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the CPM gears up for a major course correction, the partys state leadership is fully aware that any minor, superficial move would only prove futile as the rot within is quite deep. Its imperative to impart ideological lessons to the party cadre, said a senior leader as the all-important state leadership meet of the CPM started in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. This is the first time that the party is faced this kind of challenge in Kerala since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. But, this is different. The party organisation has become politically weak, and the cadres are ideologically bankrupt. The cadre must be made ideologically strong before we can go to the masses. We will start the corrective measures soon, a senior CPM leader told TNIE. The state secretariat reportedly prepared a draft proposal for the rectification process which covered political and organisational matters. The two-day state committee meeting will discuss the rectification measures to be taken. Several organisational issues, including those involving senior leaders like E P Jayarajan, whose actions during the Lok Sabha election and the controversies surrounding him had subjected the CPM and its government to much embarrassment, would come up for discussion at the meeting. Even though Jayarajan is a central committee member, the Kerala leadership has the right to take up issues concerning the state. CPM plans to check erosion in Hindu vote base Even his post of LDF convenor would be at stake if the state leadership opts to act tough. The CPM plans to come up with measures to check the erosion in its Hindu vote base. As per its evaluation, BJPs campaign that CPM was wooing the minority in the LS election had affected even the cadres. Even though minority protection is lefts declared programme, a large section of cadres were influenced by the RSS propaganda. The RSSs presence in Kerala dates back to the 1950s. But never before has its voice been as audible as it is now, a CPM state secretariat member said. The CPM has to convice people that the party is against communalism, and not against faith and beliefs. We have to explain to the people that being a believer doesnt mean that one is communal, he added.

Sarang aerobatic display marks four decades of Southern Air Command

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Commemorating four decades of the Southern Air Command (SAC), the Sarang helicopter display team performed a breathtaking aerial display at Shanghumugham Air Force base on Friday. The second of the four-day event featured five choppers, whose synchronised brilliance provided a gush of visual thrill. The event started with a procession of the Indian Air Forces Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT) followed by the Sarang team. The display by the Sarang team, which has been dazzling audiences since its formation in 2004, celebrated the agility and manoeuvrability of the Advanced Light Helicopters and the skills of IAF pilots. The audience, including IAF officers, students and teachers, watched in awe as the choppers performed complex manoeuvres such as the dolphins leap, cross-over break, double arrow cross, level mesh, vine glass, Sarang heart, and Sarang split. Commanding Officer Santhosh Kumar Mishra led the formations with co-pilot Squadron Leader Rahul, a Keralite. SAC celebrations will also be held at Lulu Mall on Saturday and Sunday. Various stalls with information on IAF career prospects and the National Cadet Corps have been planned. A simulator offering firsthand flying experience of IAF aircraft will also be on hand. Display of light-weight radar and missile simulators showcasing IAFs air-defence prowess and the Garud commandos weaponry have also been planned. The event will feature drill demonstrations by the AWDT, besides performances by the IAF Symphony Orchestra and the Air Force Band.