Delimitation Commission hearing held in Thrissur

UDF will provide permanent solution for human-wildlife conflicts when it returns to power, Satheesan

Malayora Samrakshana Yatra reaches Thrissur

2,916 drug-related cases reported in Thrissur in 2024;3,157 arrested

Parading elephants must be at least one metre apart: Thrissur festival monitoring panel

A model demonstration of the elephant parading was held here on Thursday morning

Three arrested for stealing Rs 68,000 from petrol pumps across six locations in Kochi

KOCHI: Police on Wednesday arrested three persons who carried out thefts at six petrol pumps in the past two weeks. The arrested are Yadhukrishnan, 27, of Vadakkekara, Baiju, 28, of Kodungalloor, and Nizar, 26, of Kandamthara, Perumbavoor. According to police, on January 24, the gang carried out thefts at petrol pumps in Okkal and Vattakkattupady near Perumbavoor. They broke the shutter locks and stole Rs 55,000 from a petrol pump in Vattakkattupady and Rs 13,000 from another outlet in Okkal. Perumbavoor police after registering the case checked CCTV cameras in the area to identify Yadhukrishnan who was involved in multiple criminal cases. Later, the accused persons were arrested from Vadakkekara and Thrissur. In the interrogation, the accused persons confessed that they stole a motorcycle from Mulavukad in Kochi on January 14. Later, they made a robbery attempt at a house in Puthenvelikara. They roamed around on the stolen motorcycle during daytime and identified petrol pumps. On January 17, the gang broke into a petrol pump in Kodanad and stole money. Later, they targeted petrol pumps in Perumbavoor. After stealing money from petrol pumps in Perumbavoor, they moved to Kottayam district. Similar thefts were carried out at petrol pumps in Kottayam, Ettumanur and Kaduthuruthy. They targeted petrol pumps that did not operate late at night. According to them, owners keep money at petrol pumps and it is easy for them to carry out theft at these places, a police officer said. Yadhukrishnan was listed as a rowdy at Vadakkekara police station. He was involved in criminal cases registered at Munambam, Ernakulam Central, North Paravoor, Aluva and Cheranalloor police stations. He was detained under KAAPA, but was released from jail recently. The arrested persons were produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody.

BJP appoints Christian, Ezhava, Nair leaders as district presidents in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a political masterstroke the BJP hopes would change its fortunes in the state, the party leadership has set in motion its biggest social engineering to incorporate the different sections of highly complex vote banks. The decision to appoint three district presidents from the Christian community, nine from Ezhava, and 13 from the Nair community has been seen as a carefully manoeuvred move to dislodge the existing power system in the state electoral politics. Four women have also been appointed to the post, besides two leaders from the Scheduled Caste communities. Though the BJP had been undertaking social engineering to reach out to the Christian community, this is a first-of-a-kind attempt to promote more Christian faces to the local and mid-level leadership. Suresh Gopis victory in the Lok Sabha election from Thrissur was viewed as the result of the Christian outreach programme. However, there were complaints from the Christian community that they had been neglected while appointing office-bearers. If we fail to consider their demands and aspirations, the whole process would be affected, a senior BJP leader told TNIE. The BJP took up the social engineering plan based on a report state president K Surendran submitted to the national leadership. The report was prepared after a careful study of the voting patterns of different communities in each assembly segment. The Lok Sabha election results showed that a section of Christian votes went to the BJP candidate, as evident in Thrissur. The party leadership also realises that there is a growing anti-incumbency sentiment, especially among women, against the LDF government which has been in power in the state for the past eight years. Christian representation is assured in Thrissur, Kottayam and Idukki districts, where a large section of voters belong to the community. Among the three presidents appointed, two are from the powerful Roman Catholic community while the other is from the Marthoma community. Justin Jacob has been appointed as the district president of Thrissur City and Roy Chacko as the district president of Kottayam East, both being Roman Catholics. The leadership calculates the appointment would reflect in the upcoming local body and assembly elections, especially in areas like Kanjirappally and Poonjar. We wanted Christian leaders as office-bearers in areas where the community is a major force. With this, BJP is giving a message to the community and to the Church that there are plenty of opportunities. We have already given the Christian community a cabinet berth by appointing George Kurien, a BJP state office-bearer said. The party has also appointed 34 women as mandalam presidents. The BJP incorporating more women into its leadership would pose a challenge to the CPM and the Congress, both of whom claim to champion womens rights. The postings have a mark of performance too. Kasaragod district president M L Aswini had done well in the Lok Sabha election in the constituency. Deepa Puzhakkal has been put in charge in Malappuram West and Niveditha Subramanyan in Thrissur North. Raji Prasad, who has been appointed as the Kollam East district president, is a KPMS leader. C R Praful Krishnan in Kozhikode North, Prasanth Sivan in Palakkad East, and Prakash Babu in Kozhikode City are from the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha. Prakash was the state president of BJPs youth outfit. Though there was a last-minute revolt against the appointment of Prasanth, the national leadership stood with the state president. However, like in many hardcore saffron states, the absence of Muslim leaders as district presidents is notable in Kerala too. Of a total of 30 district presidents, only three are left to be announced. According to sources, the chances of any Muslim leader being nominated are low. BJP is a party which gives equal representation to all sections of society, BJP state president K Surendran said. We have A P Abdullakutty as a national vice-president. And when the office-bearers of booth, mandalam, and district are selected, Muslims too will have enough representation.

Kombu artist Purushothaman Nair no more

KOCHI: Kombu artist Purushothaman Nair, 96, of Odakkali Edayakkudi house, died on Tuesday. Kombu is a wind instrument played along with percussion instruments in panchavadyam, pancharimelam and pandimelam. Nair has participated in percussion ensemble at Sabarimala, Thrissur Pooram, Chottanikkara, Triprayar, Ambalapuzha, Uthralikavu, Nenmara Vallangi Vela and Tripunithura Poornathrayeesa temple for eight decades. The cremation will be held on his house premises at 11am on Wednesday. He is survived by wife Janaki Amma, son Murali, daughters Latha, Jaya, Sudha and Mini, sons-in-law Rajan, Karthikeyan, Chandran and Shaji and daughter-in-law Maya.

Calicut varsity D-Zone fest ends with SFI-KSU clash, 20 injured

THRISSUR : The four-day D-Zone fest of Calicut University concluded with a huge clash between the SFI and KSU workers on the Mala Holy Grace Academy premises on Monday night. About 20 students were injured in the clash in which students were seen hitting each other using wooden logs and steel chairs. The clash occurred around 10pm after a group of SFI workers gheraoed one of the judges during the arts festival. As protests intensified, students from different political groups started attacking each other. As the injured ones sought treatment at the hospital, leaders of SFI and KSU blamed each other for creating the ruckus and injuring the students. According to KSU leader Midhun, the issue was initiated by SFI workers of Sree Kerala Varma College (SKVC). They staged protest and blocked the smooth conduct of the arts festival. They even attacked the judges as SKVC came third in this years fest. Being part of the organising committee, KSU workers had to intervene to ensure that the fest continued. However, this led to a huge clash, said Midhun. SFI district secretary Jishnu Sathyan alleged that there were flaws in the conduct of the arts fest since the beginning. On Monday, there were issues with the skit judgement and it was raised by SFI workers. While all we did was express the protest, KSU leaders came with iron pipes and attacked us, including women,said Jishnu. SKVC SFI union secretary Ashish and chairperson Gopika Nandhana, among others, were injured in the clash. Many KSU leaders, including district secretary Lijin Joseph, were also hurt. Following the clash, the arts fest was stopped abruptly. It was later continued after police intervention. Mala SI Rajesh Ayotan said that a case was registered in connection with the clash. Meanwhile, it was also reported that a group of students blocked the way of an ambulance that was transporting the injured KSU workers from the campus to hospital.

National Waterways from Akkulam to Chettuva likely to open soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The states ambitious National Waterways project is set to attain a significant milestone with the commissioning of a 235-km stretch from Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram to Chettuva in Thrissur soon. Official sources said the stretch will be made navigable and commissioned by April or May this year. The actual deadline was March 2025. Unfortunately, the work was halted multiple times at Varkala owing to local dispute. Now, the work is progressing rapidly at Kadinamkulam and Varkala. Widening of the canal is on at five locations in Varkala. We hope to complete the work in the next two months, a source said. An official with the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Department told TNIE that economic development opportunities will be explored to tap tourism, cargo movement and water transportation. Tourism enhancement will be key. We have wrapped up economic development opportunity studies in certain areas and the same will be pitched at the upcoming investors meet in Kochi. The role of private players will be essential to tap the projects tourism potential and boost local economy, said the official. The department has identified around five such potential locations between Akkulam and Kollam. Serious discussions are on to acquire these land parcels and implement development projects under PPP mode, said an official. The ambitious West Coast Waterway project aims to develop the 590-km-long canal system running parallel to the states coastline from Kovalam to Bekal. The project, designed to interconnect Keralas backwaters and rivers, aims to enhance transportation, trade, and tourism in the state by 2026. An official with the Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Ltd (KWIL), the special purpose vehicle roped in by the government for the National Waterways project, said tourism will benefit the most once 235-km stretch of National Waterways is commissioned. The State Water Transport Department can introduce boat services linking Akkulam and Kollam. Water metro is another possibility which is being explored in Ashtamudi Lake, he said. Kollam Mayor Prasanna Earnest said Ashtamudi Lake was one of the 18 locations across the country approved by the Union government for the water metro project. We have been working on it for several months and are expecting project allocation in the upcoming budget. A combined inspection was done by the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd and NATPAC, and they identified Ashtamudi Lake feasible for the project, said Prasanna told TNIE. The plan is to introduce a water metro from Kollam to Munroe Island and from there to Varkala. Ambitious Project 590-km West Coast Canal (WCC) connects Kovalam in the south to Neeleswaram in the north. It traverses through 11 districts of Kerala The waterway from Kovalam to Bekal in Kasaragod is proposed to be developed to a width of 40m and a draft of 2.20m for canals to enable large-scale movement of cargo, in phases 235 km of the WCC part of National Waterways from Akkulam to Chettuva likely to be commissioned within two months. Around H300 crore spent by the state to make the stretch navigable The phase II of the project which focuses on eviction and rehabilitation of people living on the banks of the canals is under way KIIFB has sanctioned an additional H247.3 crore to rehabilitate 1,275 families residing on the banks of Kovalam-Varkala stretch

Once an SFI leader, now a Mahamandaleshwar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For Swami Anandavanam Bharathi who was recently anointed as a Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, the countrys largest monastic order, the journey over the years has been quite distinctive. Once a rebellious leader of the SFI, the student wing of the CPM, his spiritual ascent from the land of Adi Shankaracharya has now reached a culmination point in Sanatan Dharma. Juna Akhara head Swami Avdheshanand Giri had anointed him Mahamandaleshwar, the highest level of monks in the order, on January 26. He is the third Keralite to reach this position and the first in Juna Akhara. The previous Malayali seers to earn the title did so around half a century ago. Shankaracharya is believed to have established the akhara system in northern India to train warrior monks to protect Hinduism. According to Swami Anandavanam, he is now able to accept everyone and everything as equal but with a detachment that was impossible earlier. Born to Madhavan, an employee of Madura Coats, and Anandavalli, a teacher, in Chalakudy in Thrissur district, he was named P Salil. He entered student politics through SFI while pursuing Pre-Degree at the Christ College in Irinjalakuda. After joining the Sree Kerala Varma College in Thrissur, he became the SFI unit secretary, area president, and later the district office-bearer while a degree and post-graduate student. Salil went on to become the SFI district vice-president. I studied politics. I had close relations with current Ministers P Rajeeve and M B Rajesh and other left politicians like P K Biju and T V Rajesh, Anandavanam told TNIE. He said he first went to see Kumbh Mela, in 2001, as he had some police cases against him. While applying for anticipatory bail, I was advised to stay away for some days. The Kumbh Mela was quite an experience for me. For six days, I stayed on the banks of the Ganga. At night, I would buy two bundles of grass to be used as a mat and two dried dung to escape from mosquito bite, he recalled. While his elevation as Mahamandaleshwar was an occasion to celebrate for his friends, he received some criticism too. One snub he received was from Minister R Bindu. A former teacher with the Sree Kerala Varma College, Bindu commented under a social media post, If we consider the history of Swamiji, his chances of staying there are low. Swami Anandavanam Bharathi But the seer said his actions did not cause any controversy in the SFI or the CPM at the time. After passing out from the Press Academy with a first rank, Salil joined the Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi as a journalist. That was the time I travelled frequently to Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh, and parts of Himalaya. I used to stay in ashrams, and gradually, I developed an interest in spirituality as I wanted to know more than we read and knew, Anandavanam said. According to him, spirituality is rational. When we can understand things reasonably and rationally, we call it spirituality. Sasthra means something that protects through correction. My journey to spirituality progressed after I associated with Sandeepananda Giri to edit the ashrams magazine. None of my old comrades interfered in my decision as everyone knew that I wouldnt succumb to any pressure. In my family either, he said. Salil also entered the grihasthashram for a short period, when he was working as a journalist. We can become a seer from any of the four ashrams. There is no prohibition, he said. It was during the 2013 Kumbh Mela that Salil became closely attached to Juna Akhara. Then, he was guided by a sadhu. I went through difficult sadhanas and training. I was asked to stand in the icy Himalaya, in the forest and undertake pilgrimage throughout Bharat. In 2018, I received Naga Deeksha from Juna Akhara which has around four lakh sannyasi members. As Naga Sannyasis, we are bound to protect the Hindu dharma. We can see everyone as equal, Anandavanam said. As a Mahamandaleshwar, he will work in south India from the Avadhootha Ashram in Kottarakkara.

Dear, oh, deer! Kochi's Hill Palace has a deer problem

The Hill Palace Museum, located on the serene outskirts of Kochi city, has been a must-visit destination for tourists exploring Kerala. This historical marvel offers a glimpse into the regal legacy of the Maharajas of Kochi and tales of yore. Renowned as Keralas first-ever heritage museum, it houses an extensive collection of artefacts and antiquities spanning centuries. Beyond its rich history, an all-age draw here is the deer park. However, all has not been well here. Home to spotted and sambar deer, the park has been on the blacklist of animal lovers. Its been often highlighted that the hapless creatures struggle for space in a setting thats far from ideal. I noticed some of the deer having blood stains on their horns, while some others were limping. When asked, a caretaker said they were gasping for space and fighting over territory, says Sreejith Sreedharan, a government official who often visits Hill Palace. At one time, nearly 260 deer were crammed into the two-acre enclosure, leaving them restless due to limited space and the hot climatic conditions. Over time, the numbers came down. Many of them died. Some due to natural causes, others because of diseases such as pneumonia, which killed 11 deer in 2018. Population control measures such as segregation of male and female deer also helped curb the number. But thats no permanent solution. Currently, there are 88 spotted deer and 18 sambars. Managing population explosion among the spotted deer is quite a challenge, says a forest department official. The deer park started functioning in 1992, with just 18 deer, including eight sambar variants. However, their numbers kept rising, leading to congestion. The green cover also slowly faded as the animals stripped bark off trees, causing them to dry out. Taking note of the issue, the Central Zoo Authority had issued a notice to close down the enclosure in March 2016. Nearly a decade has passed, but plans for relocating the deer remain on paper. Meanwhile, the Centre for Heritage Studies (CHS), which maintains the deer park, did take measures to make the environment more suitable for the wild creatures. A shelter to protect the animals from heavy rain and scorching heat was set up. The soil inside the enclosure was mixed with lime, as per expert advice, to prevent diseases, says a CHS official. The enclosure fencing was reinforced to prevent deer from escaping through damaged portions, as had occurred multiple times in the past. Additionally, fencing was installed around the compound wall of the palace premises to prevent the intrusion of dogs, which had previously attacked the deer. Despite these efforts, the enclosure is a far cry from the natural conditions deer live in. Its cruel to keep these animals crammed up here, says Lekshmi C P, an animal rights activist and rescue volunteer. Many animal lovers in the city have raised concerns over the delay in relocating the deer to their natural habitat, rather than keeping them as domesticated animals. They are wild animals not pets. The failure to locate a suitable space, bureaucratic delays, and the challenges of shifting the animals have proven major hurdles. Why the delay? The failure to locate a suitable space, bureaucratic delays, and the challenges of shifting the animals have proven major hurdles. Initially, it was the delay from the part of the forest department that prolonged the project. Though the Central culture ministry approved Rs 1 crore to relocate the deer, the forest department couldnt identify a suitable location to shift the deer, says a CHS official. The forest department, which was tasked with studying the translocation of the deer population from the park to forest areas, initially submitted a report to the state government suggesting the initiative be undertaken only after identifying proper and spacious habitat. Officials are awaiting the government's decision on relocating the deer The number of deer to be shifted is huge, and the animals are known to be sensitive about their habitat, a forest official explains. Hence, there is a risk of casualties if they are shifted to a new habitat suddenly. They should first be conditioned in an environment similar to forest habitats for nearly six months before being released into the wild. We have to strictly follow the standard operating procedures. This involves a lot of formalities and expenditure. It was first decided to shift the deer to Kokkara in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. However, the move was abandoned due to a lack of adequate space for the animals. Later, the forest department inspected several locations and zeroed down on Kaprikkad under the Malayattoor division. But this, too, has not been finalised. The report from the forest department is under consideration at the secretary level. Discussions were held at the ministerial level, but a concrete decision is yet to be arrived at, says the CHS official. We are awaiting directions from the government. Another option was to shift the animals to a zoo. But the authorities at Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur zoos turned down our request due to again the lack of space.

BJP expands Christian outreach efforts to district-level leadership

THRISSUR: Three persons from the Christian community figured in the list of BJPs 27 new district presidents in Kerala, indicating the partys move to take its Christian outreach efforts to its grassroots leadership. Four women were also among those named as district presidents. The appointment of leaders from the Christian community as presidents Justin Jacob in Thrissur City, Roy Chacko in Kottayam East and V C Varghese in Idukki South were made in three districts having a significant Christian population. As part of partys reorganisation, the BJP split some districts in the state into different organisational districts and units, each having separate presidents. Announcing the new appointments in Thrissur on Monday, BJP state president K Surendran told reporters that the party has ensured adequate representation of women, minorities and SC/ST segments in the reorganisation. About 30% of the booth committees are led by women, which is something only the BJP can do and be proud of. We have given opportunity to four women leaders to serve as district party presidents. We have appointed three Christian leaders to serve as district presidents. How many DCC (District Congress Committee) leaders are women? How many CPM district secretaries are mahila leaders, he asked. BJPs women district presidents are M L Aswani (Kasaragod), Deepa Puzhakkal (Malappuram West), Nivedida Subrahmanian (Thrissur North), and Raji Prasad (Kollam East). Surendran said of the 269 constituency committees of the BJP, 34 will be led by women, which, he claimed, was a revolutionary step when compared to the presence of women in key positions in other political parties in Kerala. As many as 14 persons from the Christian community and 32 from the SC/ST community are included in the partys constituency committees. The decision to split the districts was taken as part of strengthening the partys activities, Surendran said.

Kerala govt issues safety guidelines for floating bridges

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Now adventure activity providers operating floating bridges should ensure that the bridge design is authorised by vetting agencies, including government engineering colleges, IITs or NITs, before getting the NoC. After nearly a year of abrupt shutdown, the Kerala Tourism and the Kerala State Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) is gearing up to revive the much-touted floating bridges -- one of the key adventure tourism products -- by introducing stringent rules and regulations to ensure safety. The new guidelines mandate the operation of floating bridges for a period of seven months from October to April when the weather is favourable. In March, last year, 15 people, including women and children, fell in the sea after the floating bridge collapsed owing to rough waves at the Papanasam beach in Varkala exposing safety issues. The incident had cast a shadow over the entire adventure tourism activities in the state prompting the government to conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety measures and the need to lay stringent regulations to govern such water-based adventure activities in the state. Subsequently, NIT, Calicut, was roped in for drawing up the floating bridge regulations, operations and safety guidelines. An official source said the inspection of three out of the nine floating bridges at Beypore in Kozhikode, Chavakkad in Thrissur and Kuzhuppilly in Ernakulam has started. The guidelines came into effect already and we have asked the operators to keep the floating bridges at six other locations ready for inspections. The bridges will be made operational after the inspections, said the official. As per the new guidelines, the adventure activity operators should make sure that the tourists, life guards and inspection staff are covered under accident and death insurance of appropriate value. It is suggested to go for public liability insurance cover with workmen compensation for a minimum of Rs 1 crore.

Hortus Malabaricus Botanical Garden inaugurated in Thrissur

With over 1,200 plant species, including 721 meticulously documented in van Rheedes treatise Hortus Malabaricus (HM Plants), the garden is a testament to Keralas rich biodiversity and the enduring legacy of its medicinal flora.

Gender equality a fundamental principle of democratic revolutions: M V Govindan

KOCHI: In a veiled attack on Sunni leader Kanthapuram, CPM state secretary M V Govindan on Saturday stated that he is perplexed by those who oppose equal rights for women. Inaugurating the district conference of CPM at Town Hall, the party secretary emphasised that gender equality is not a new concept, but rather a fundamental principle of democratic revolutions dating back to the French Revolution. He expressed frustration that some individuals still resist this idea, despite its long history. Govindan clarified that he did not intend to target any specific person or community, but rather sought to highlight the importance of equality. I dont know how to address them, he added, emphasising his confusion regarding those who oppose gender equality. Kanthapuram had previously sparked controversy by describing gender equality as un-Islamic. Govindans comments come amid an ongoing debate about gender equality and womens rights in Kerala. He also attacked Congress in his speech saying that there is no need to get upset when one says that it was using the votes of SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi won from Wayanad. He added that the Congress and Muslim League will have to pay for their communal appeasement. The real beneficiary of minority and majority communalism in the state is the Congress. Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI together have cornered the League. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi won in Wayanad with the votes of these communalists. This was evident in the recent by-elections in Thrissur and Palakkad. This will create a widespread crisis in both the Congress and the League, Govindan said. He also criticised the approach of the central government towards the common people in the country, stating that the ruling system in the country aims to make Ambani and Adani the best businessmen in the world and urged the governing system to add progressive provisions in the constitution in favour of the common people. Senior CPM leaders P K Sreemathi, Thomas Isaac, Politburo member Vijayaraghavan, Elamaram Kareem, and others also attended the inaugural session of the conference being held at Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Nagar (Ernakulam Town Hall).

As tiger attack sparks fear and debate, distressed farmers seek translocation in Kerala

KOCHI: Less than a month into the new year, the state has lost four lives in wild animal attacks. The death of Radha, a tribal woman, in a tiger attack at Pancharakolli in Wayanad has spread fear in the high ranges. This followed the caging a week ago of a tiger that had terrorised the Pulpally area. On Saturday, a leopard was captured in Koodaranji, Kozhikode. Vijayan, a farmer from Kanjikode, Palakkad, is fighting for his life at Thrissur medical college hospital after being attacked by a wild elephant. Desperate over the loss of lives, farmers are demanding the translocation of tigers from overpopulated wildlife sanctuaries. With summer at the doorstep, waterbodies in the forest have started shrinking, forcing wild animals to enter human habitations. According to forest officials, elephants and tigers from Mudumalai and Bandipur tiger reserve migrate to the Wayanad forests during summer in search of food and water. This leads to a spike in human-wildlife conflict in the district. Easy availability of food is attracting wild animals to human habitations, say officials. The recent spike in attacks has triggered a debate on the states conflict-mitigation strategy. Farmers say solar fences are not effective in preventing wild animals from entering human habitations. The fences stop working when overrun by creepers. Meanwhile, environmentalists have mooted the idea of developing bio fences along forest boundaries. Farmers in other states use lemon trees, lemon grass, agave, thorny shrubs and beehives as bio barriers to stop wild animals. Beehive barriers ineffective We had experimented with beehives at a distance of 2.5 km along the forest border with support from agriculture department around 15 years ago. It is said that the buzzing of honey bees scare elephants away. It was effective in the beginning, but we stopped beekeeping around seven years ago as it was not affordable. The beehives are hung from a steel rope at a height of 10 m. But the bees were not staying in the hives due to strong winds. We had to place sugar syrup in the hives to attract bees and that reduced yields, said John Kochery a farmer from Myladumpara in Thrissur district. Tiger attack in Wayanad: Radha fifth victim from ST community Man-animal conflict sparks heated debate in Kerala Beehive barriers proved ineffective as elephants destroyed them in Wayanad. Stopping tigers in Wayanad is a challenging task as many settlements are located within forests. The government should conduct an analysis of prey-species distribution in the Wayanad forests to understand the real reason for the rise in conflicts, wildlife expert P S Easa said. The rise in tiger and elephant populations is the key reason for the conflict. As per the 2023 enumeration, there are 80 tigers in Wayanad sanctuary, which can carry only 20 of their numbers. As per National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines, a tiger requires 20 sqkm of territory. The solution is to translocate tigers from Wayanad to other forests with lesser tiger populations. Section 12 BB of the Wildlife Protection Act permits translocation. The state government is planning to establish a safari park in Kozhikode which can hold 18 tigers. More such safari parks should be developed. The ultimate solution is allowing scientific culling of wild animals according to the carrying capacity of the forests, said Kerala Independent Farmers Association (KIFA) chairman Alex Ozhukayil. Meanwhile the office of the chief wildlife warden said steps are being taken to establish hanging fences in conflict hot spots and to improve forest habitats by removing invasive and exotic species, converting plantations into natural forest and replenishing water bodies in the forest. We have restored 1,434, pools and check dams, 575 wetlands and 308 water resources in the forest by removing silt conducting cleaning works to ensure availability of water in the forest. The department has availed funds to the tune of `8.69 crore from Nabard for restoration of waterbodies in the forest. Besides, we are restoring 130 wetlands in Wayanad utilising Kiifb funds, said a senior forest official. The forest department has launched an eco-restoration drive with Nabard funding to remove invasive plants and restore natural forests on 5,031 hectares. The department has already removed acacia, mangium, eucalyptus and teak from 1,583 hectares of plantations which are being converted into natural forest. Undoing the damage As part of forest restoration work: Eco-restoration has been taken up in 5,031 ha 1,583.85 ha of mono-crop plantations have been converted into natural forest Clearance to remove 5,000 tonnes of senna from Wayanad forests 61,678 senna trees cut down 2,667.91 tonnes of wood removed In keeping with efforts to replenish water sources, officials restored: 1,434 pools and check dams 308 other waterbodies 574 wetlands Protests erupt as search operations continue for elusive tiger in Mananthavady

Garden variety! A lush, living tribute to van Rheedes Hortus Malabaricus

THRISSUR : The 20-acre Hortus Malabaricus, a lush tribute to the renowned 17th-century botanical masterpiece of the same name, is tucked away in Cheruthuruthy area, near Thrissur, as a living chronicle of Keralas botanical wonders. And its creators want the garden to foster a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationship between people and plants. Authored by Dutch military commander and botanist Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede, Hortus Malabaricus meticulously documented the medicinal plants and flora of the Malabar coast. The garden version brings the historic work to life, preserving over 1,200 plant species, including 720 of the 742 featured in van Rheedes treatise. The garden showcases the states indigenous medicinal plants and the distinctive biodiversity of the Western Ghats. It was created by the SciGenom Research Foundation (SGRF), a non-profit organisation started in 2010 by Sam Santhosh, an NRI from Thrissur. Many plants endemic to Kerala and the Western Ghats are endangered and can go extinct if we dont take measures to conserve them. Moreover, most of them have not been studied in detail. We hope that our garden will be a living bio-bank that will be useful to researchers from all over the world, Sam said, explaining the thought behind the venture. Sam was of the view that it is important to record and conserve the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and the idea to develop a garden based on the Hortus Malabaricus emerged from that understanding. Today, the garden is more than just a botanical archive. It is a celebration of Malabars natural legacy, says P Manoj, a naturalist who was part of the team that developed the garden. This research connects the dots between contemporary ecological knowledge and history. We want to encourage more study and cooperation in the areas of botany and conservation by preserving indigenous knowledge, Manoj pointed out. According to the team, there are a number of botanical gardens in the country where a great many species are preserved. However, a garden exclusively for plants mentioned in the Hortus Malabaricus is the first of its kind, he added. The park has more than 50 organically grown vegetables, a variety of bananas, some Andaman palms, old cycads, various types of palm, and 25 kinds of pepper, in addition to plants that van Rheede documented. It is also hosts migratory birds, rare insects and other animal life. We have preserved 55 of Vishnus sacred plants, 46 of Shivas, and 14 that both of them share. Manoj said. There are plants that symbolise the 24 tirthankaras in Jainism and a man-made stream with seven little waterfalls that extends up to the Lumbini tank, similar to the one in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. The garden will be formally opened on January 27 at 5.30pm. Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh will mark the event by planting a tree in the garden. Dr Robin Coningham, a professor at Durham University, in the UK, will be a special guest.

Kochi house burgled, 70 sovereigns of gold looted

KOCHI: Police launched a probe on Saturday after 70 sovereigns of gold ornaments were looted from a locked house at Deshabhimani Road, Kaloor in Kochi. The theft was reported at the house of a senior engineer at Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Forensic experts, fingerprint experts and police dog squad on Saturday morning examined the house after Ernakulam North Police registered a case. According to police, the house located at Friends Lane in Deshabhimani Road has been locked since March 2024. The house owner stayed in Thrissur and his wife who was a bank employee worked in Bengaluru. The children of the couple were also staying in other states. The theft took place after 12.40 am on Friday when two unidentified persons scaled the compound wall of the house. They entered the house by breaking the ventilation window of the toilet. After entering the house, they broke open an almirah in the bedroom and stole 70 sovereigns of gold, Rs 10,000 and land documents from the house, a police officer said. The stolen ornaments were worth around Rs 45 lakhs. The incident came to light after a neighbour on Friday checked footage from the CCTV cameras installed in their house. In the CCTV footage, two persons were seen scaling the compound wall. Soon, the visuals were sent to the owner of the house. On Friday night, the owner reached the house and confirmed the theft. Based on the CCTV visuals we have started a bid to identify the accused persons. We are checking accused persons who were recently released from jail. Also, it is being checked whether any other state gang was involved in the incident, a police officer said.

YouTuber distressed after haircut in jail, hospitalised

A YouTuber from Thrissur, India, who was arrested in an attempt to murder case, has been transferred to a mental health center after experiencing distress due to the jail authorities cutting his hair. Muhammad Shaheen Shah, known as 'Manavalan' (groom) on YouTube, was remanded to judicial custody for allegedly attempting to run over college students with a car. He was shifted to a hospital in Thrissur after he was seen experiencing distress and is currently under observation.

YouTuber In Distress After Haircut In Jail, Shifted To Mental Health Centre

A YouTuber from Thrissur, who was arrested in an attempt to murder case, has been transferred to a mental health center after experiencing distress due to the jail authorities cutting his hair.

After 16 yrs of association, Aslaf Parekkadan leaves CPI

KOCHI: CPI district council member Aslaf Parekkadan has resigned from the party after 16 years of association, criticising the decline of values within the organisation. He expressed his disagreement with the partys ineffective state and district leadership in a resignation letter submitted on Thursday. Aslaf, who previously served as a district panchayat member and held positions including AISF district secretary and president, said that the CPI has lost its relevance in contemporary politics. He accused the leadership of prioritising financial gain and personal positions over principled commitment, alleging that they would even undermine their own candidates during elections for personal benefit. He pointed to the significant defeat of V S Sunil Kumar in Thrissur, a traditional CPI stronghold, as a clear example of this troubling trend. Aslaf claimed that a faction within the leadership is more focused on protecting personal interests and amassing wealth, which he believes undermines the partys core ideals. In his resignation, Aslaf also announced his withdrawal from his roles as Aluva constituency secretary and district council member.

FLYing chance: Kerala-based charitable trust helping disabled find love, lead independent lives

KANNUR: In a world that often moves too fast to notice, there exists a group of unsung heroes fighting an extraordinary battle those living with disabilities. For them, every achievement, every step forward, is not just a personal victory but a testament to the resilience and the power of community. Recognising the need for their support and inclusion, several like-minded people came up with the idea for FLY (Freedom for Limitated Youth), which was established as a charitable trust on September 20, 2006. Six of the seven founder trustees of the trust were themselves disabled. Founded on the belief that every individual deserves dignity and opportunity, FLY focuses on empowering physically disabled individuals to thrive as active members of society. FLY instils self-confidence in members to embrace the mainstream and looks to shape efficient, intelligent, determined and creative individuals. We encourage and make use of their creativity to enable them to generate income, to help them lead independent lives. We currently have a music troupe and an umbrella-making group, FLY chairperson Rajeevan Mathil said. We organise yearly camps for our members. These get-togethers are an opportunity for us to mingle with each other and share our thoughts. The camps are organised with funds collected from our savings. They enable the sharing of experiences, aspirations, issues related to health and familial life, overall wellbeing and mental relaxation, he said. These camps have also become a platform to find partners. FLY now has five couples all of whom connected through the camps. Suresh Aduthila and Manju P A met at a camp in 2013. They got married three years later. I am from Kannur, while Manju hails from Thrissur. We may never have met, if not for the FLY camp. Over the next three years we interacted over phone. We shared our thoughts, likes and dislikes. We received immense support from FLY members throughout our journey. This has also been the case with the other FLY couples, said Suresh. FLY currently has more than 300 members in the state. We started with 40 members. Over the years, we have provided employment opportunities to around 40 members. We have a dream now: an office building of our own. We function from a rented building. We hope to have a place to organise events and camps, Rajeevan added.

Saphalyam flat complex in Chottanikkara unsafe, says report

KOCHI: A stability report conducted by the Thrissur Government Engineering College on the Saphalyam flat complex in Chottanikkara has found serious structural concerns in the project, built-in 2017 as part of a government housing scheme for 24 families. The report, submitted to the district collector on January 13, said the flat complex is in a dangerous state and recommended immediate demolition to avoid risking residents lives. The Saphalyam Housing Project was initiated in 2011 under the EMS Housing Scheme,utilising a 33.90-cent plot of land in ward 7 of Chottanikkara Grama panchayat. The first phase of the project included 54 one-bedroom units, each measuring 319 sq ft, spread across three floors. The cost of each unit was shared by the government, the gram panchayat, beneficiaries, and voluntary organisations, said M R Rajesh, panchayat president of Chottanikkara. The government share was Rs 2 lakh, with the grama panchayat putting in Rs 1 lakh. The beneficiary and voluntary organisations share stood at Rs 25,000 each. He said the collector reviewed the report and plans to discuss the issue on Thursday. Discussions will focus on whether the building should be demolished, where the tenants will be relocated, and other necessary steps, he said. Rajesh noted that the tenants are facing significant hardships, including problems like water leakage. The tenants future will be decided after the collectors meeting, and further action will be taken based on the outcome of the discussions, he added.

Minister V Sivankutty seeks report on students threat to teacher

PALAKKAD: General Education Minister V Sivankutty and Shajitha S, academic joint director (higher secondary), have sought a report on an incident in which a plus-two student of Anakkara Government HSS, in Palakkad, threatened to kill a teacher for confiscating the students mobile phone for using it during class time. The incident, which took place on Friday, came to light on Tuesday. Since then a video of the episode, shot by another teacher to record what transpired in the principals room during an enquiry, has gone viral. I have sought a report from the district deputy director (higher secondary) on what led to the whole incident from the perspective of both the student and the teacher. Usage of mobile phones in school is restricted and such steps are taken only for the welfare of children. Similar incidents have been reported in the recent past, too, and the department has mooted strengthening regular counselling sessions for students and interactive sessions for teachers, Shajitha said. While a section of people demanded strict action against the student, there is also opinion that the pupil should be given proper guidance a nd counselling instead of being subjected to stringent action. Sangeetha P L, a Thrissur-based psychologist, said that incidents of provocation by children in certain situations need to be studied. Such cases are highly sensitive. Unlike in the past, teenagers do not know their boundaries. They always try to push the limits. Regular interaction with children and counselling sessions, if required, are advised. Instead of dealing with such cases legally, we need to give them sufficient time to change their nature and behaviour, she told TNIE.

Kerala: Class 11 Student Issues Death Threat To Teacher For Confiscating Mobile Phone

Pathanamthitta: A Class 11 student allegedly issued a death threat to a teacher of a government school in Anakkara, Kerala, for confiscating his mobile phone. The incident occurred on Friday, and the video of it has gone viral on social media. The incident happened after the student brought his mobile phone to school, which had a strict no-phone policy. As a result of violating the rule, his phone was confiscated, which enraged him and allegedly led to a threat. In the video, the student can be seen sitting in the principals office and allegedly threatens to kill the teacher, saying, I will finish you when you step outside (the school), and also demanded to return his mobile phone. According to reports, the schools Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has filed a complaint with the Thrissur Police, and the Education department is looking into the incident.

Two Kerala Jail Officials Suspended Over Boby Case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two jail officials were suspended in Kerala on Tuesday for going out of the way to help businessman Boby Chemmanur, who was arrested and sent to Kakkanad jail recently in connection with the sexual harassment case filed by actress Honey Rose. Central zone jail DIG P Ajayakumar and Ernakulam jail superintendent Raju Abraham were suspended. The action was taken after considering the recommendations of the Jail DGP Balram Kumar Upadhyay report. According to the jail chief, the DIG of Central Zone went to the jail with Bobby Chemmanur's friends while he was in remand and allowed him to meet them in the superintendent's room. Strict disciplinary action was initiated for violating prison rules. According to the probe report, 20 jail staff members had provided testimonies regarding the incident. They said attempts were also made to influence them. The investigation revealed three VIPs from Thrissur visited Boby Chemmanur in jail. The visitors who spent around an hour with Boby, did not record their names in the visitor registrar. The report was compiled after screening the CCTV footage and examining other evidence. Earlier, the report submitted by the Jail Headquarters DIG recommended action against the Jail DIG and the jail superintendent. According to the report, 20 jail staff members provided testimonies regarding the incident, stating that attempts were made to influence them.

How BJPs Kerala Christian Outreach Is Playing Out On The Ground

When one looks back at the political developments in Kerala in 2024, two things stand out the historic victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Thrissur and a significant rise in the partys vote share. One factor ascribed to the Thrissur win was the partys ability to garner support from a sizeable number Continue reading How BJPs Kerala Christian Outreach Is Playing Out On The Ground The post How BJPs Kerala Christian Outreach Is Playing Out On The Ground appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .

Traditions set in stone

CHENNAI: While you walk through the dim hallways of the vernacular houses in south India, the breeze passes unhindered, and the feet feel the firmness on concrete floors exuding the coolness from the diligently laid stones. The corners whisper the stored secrets of coolness, and the roofs reveal layers of ancient anecdotes. The walls echo the thoughts and perspectives gone in the making of the haven, flaunting the inheritance from ancient architecture. These are traces of the traditional houses planned to combat the tropical climate enveloping the vast swathes of the south. While in Kerala, in the 18th and 19th centuries, Naalukettu tradition was looming across, in Tamil Nadu, Chettinad houses were sprawling, Gutthu houses had already thrived in coastal Karnataka since the 15th century. Krithika Venkatesh, principal architect, Studio for Earthen Architecture, says, Karaikudi houses or the Naalukettu houses are usually spoken as vernacular, but every context (structure) has its own identity and a style of architecture. Socio-cultural changes are inevitable and the changes are rapid, remarks Benny Kuriakose, a designer who has contributed to architectural conservation. As the architectural landscapes were on a transformational journey, cities started swelling with poorly-planned skyscrapers. The need to look back at ancient architecture and construe the lessons of sustainable plans has become a dire need. The ancient insights are the cornerstone of creating well-planned architectural structures in modern days. Roofing Overhanging eaves, Benny says, were an important fragment of old design that has been forgotten in modern times. There was a time when thatched roofs, stones, mud, and wood were the only options accessible; houses have gradually evolved not just to fit into the demands of functionality, but also to have an aesthetic appeal. Krithika observes, Natural grass roofing, an ancient form of roofing, is preferred by people even today, where people use manjapullu, korapullu (types of grass), which grow on mountains or lakes. We have seen 40-50-year-old thatched houses which havent had any maintenance issues. The only downside is that it absorbs a lot of water during rains, and so roofing load distribution is calculated in a manner that the small parts of the roof are replaced once in six-seven years in case of too much damage. Pantile roofs or naatu odu, handcrafted by the locals, were laid very differently based on the climate. In Karaikuidi, they were steeply placed as there is not much of wind load there. Roof tiles were placed very high in extremely dry grassland like Sivagangai, whereas, in parts of Ayampettai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpet, and Villupuram, they were placed at a much lower angle as the temperature is not high in those areas. Naatu odu were arranged in layers around 30-40 tiles per sq ft providing overhang and good insulation. Vinod Kumar MM, director, dd Architects; and convener, INTACH, Thrissur Chapter, says, The concept of tiles is that through the gaps, air flows. Beneath the roof tiles, there would be a wooden attic, called thattumpuram, which acted as a buffer, and the heat collected escaped through the tiles. According to Benny, Ceilings were made of timber as it is considered to be the most sustainable building material. External factors like plantations and dense trees girdling the house also act as the best sunshades. It was only after the industrial revolution that Mangalore tiles became famous. Krithika says, After the Industrial Revolution, we have been discovering materials to accelerate the construction process, mostly for industrial purposes. Now, we build houses with aluminium panels, glasses, engineered wood, etc but these are materials designed for Western countries. Inner-outer space While a common sight in colder areas is the use of glass as walls to trap the heat, verandahs, courtyards, kulapuras or ponds (in Kerala) all these were excellent spaces, a blend of indoor and outdoor areas that helped keep heat at bay. The thought behind these pools stretching from the stone steps descending from the house and barricaded tall stone walls on the three sides is to have privacy. The presence of ponds, shielded with the shade of steeped roof eaves and swaying dense trees, and wells usually attached to the kitchen walls kept the heat from getting inside the house by cooling down the air. Krithika explains that courtyards in homes of Tamil Nadu, for instance, were designed in such a way that suits the climate. Karaikudi courtyards were elaborate they were big because the people wanted to harvest water, whereas in Tanjavur, a region with good rainfall, there was a small courtyard, and in areas where there is extremely dry climate like Tiruttani, parts of Tirupati, courtyards were on the corner on the north or eastern side so that they get indirect lighting and not lot of heat from the courtyard itself. The meeting point of indoor and outdoor space was where the residents spent most of the daytime hours. The lengthy verandahs extending the four walls of the house were spaces where ammi kallu and aatu kallu (grinding stones) were kept. These areas were topped by wood and slanted roofs, so that sunlight would not directly hit the walls; house worked as an envelope during the heat and light, Vinod says. Krithika adds, People would wash, cook, weave, dye, and dry yarns; farming communities used the areas for grain processing. Benny notes that courtyards were also made thermally comfortable. Despite characteristics like small windows, cross ventilation was a common sight in old houses. He says, Many houses had courtyards which was a space for wind movement; it is not the temperature that is a critical factor, it is the wind movement. Vinod adds, The presence of jaali or latticework also balanced out the temperature, regulating the wind movement across the house. Darker spaces In the book In Praise of Shadows, there is a keen admiration for Japanese architecture, appreciating dimmer spaces, a concept quite alien to the Western notion of impeccable and beautiful. Well, this dimness, sudden shift in lighting, and a dip in temperature pervade the old houses of south India, too. There are some factors contributing to the dimness. Benny opens windows to a perspective: Over a period of time, things have changed. The need for light was not as much as we do today. He explains that people a few hundred years ago were not engaged much in activities like reading. The architecture was always premised on requirement, the functional element. Adding another layer of slant on the darker spaces, he says, Privacy was an important factor and so, people did not use big windows then. Krithika echoes the idea and says usually people went into their private spaces only to sleep. Spaces like bedrooms were intentionally made darker as they were otherwise used for storage. It was mostly for couples and people who needed privacy. The rest of the family would sleep on the nadai of the courtyards. Walls Another important aspect of these homes was walls. Dharmendra Kumar Arenahalli, a social historian from Mysuru says, We have more sunny days compared to coastal areas of southern Karnataka or Kerala. We have dry summer throughout the year. To combat the incessant heat, thicker walls (at least 20 inches) were made. The slurry from limestone when mixed with sand and plastered on the wall, makes the walls impervious to intense heat; the lime expands during summers and keeps the house cool. Raw stone and red-oxide floorings were affordable and heat-resilient. Some of the locally derived materials for flooring, Krithika shares, were mud, clay, adobe, rammed earth structure, laterite stones, and tiles like Madras tile, and Kadappa stone (black limestone). Occasional whitewashing (limewashing) also kept the houses from heating because of amount of time it takes to get heated up. Benny points out, Locally available materials, social and cultural requirements, climate all these factors go into vernacular architecture; traditional architecture is climate-responsive. He rues that todays workplaces and modern buildings are steering off from sustainable architecture becoming susceptible to calamities and being a menace to the environment. Understanding that it is not possible to sweep away all the technological developments in modern architecture and to move backward, he says it is possible to choose alternative materials for building houses not being oblivious to the thermal comfort but being conscious about viability and sustainability.

Thriving or Surviving?

BENGALURU: In a short time, Bengaluru has gone from being a sleepy city to the IT capital of India with people across the nation coming here to build successful careers. But how does the city fare in supporting working women? A recently released survey conducted by the Avtar Group put Bengaluru right at the top overtaking Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad to become the best city for working women in India, based on criteria like city liveability, safety, womens representation in employment, inclusivity of women in organisations across industries, transport, quality of life, and more. We asked professionals is Bengaluru really the best place for working women? KM Chaitanya, film director The Kannada film industry has to go a long way in terms of inclusion. While we have a lot of women actors; technicians and women directors are few. The scenario is changing now with more and more women stepping in and becoming cinematographers, editors, associate directors and quite a few successful directors. In terms of creating a safe working environment, theres much that needs to be done. We need a committee of women who will oversee complaints about any kind of harassment at the workplace in the film industry. Lahari, advertising professional Within the creative industry in Bengaluru, theres an expectation to put in extra hours regardless of your gender. But when you end up staying in the office until midnight, there are no provisions to get home safely. This is especially uncomfortable for women who travel great distances to get to work. Corporations tend to have better facilities for women employees but the contrast is very stark. Anumitra Ghosh Dastidar, chef I have worked all over India in Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Bengaluru. In the F&B industry, the ratio of women working as chefs is very low its a very male-dominated field. But Bengaluru has more possibilities. When I worked in Goa, no bus was available after 6pm so we would give earlier shifts to women. But here, there are women in my team who take the bus home at 10pm and feel safe doing so and we have not had any issues. Athul Madhav, programme manager, IISc Bangalore When it comes to work opportunities for women, Bengaluru is far better than Thrissur, Kerala, where I grew up. The representation and opportunities women receive are actually positive, and theyre doing a really great job. However, when it comes to safety, Im sceptical. Numerous horrific incidents involving working women have been reported in the media over the last two years. Personally, I know colleagues and friends who have experienced similar incidents. How can such a city be considered safe for women? Preethi Srinivasan, tennis coach As a tennis coach, I was definitely better recognised in Bengaluru compared to Chennai. I was not as guarded and didnt have to worry too much about how others perceived me because people were minding their own business. The remuneration was also better in Bengaluru because of the higher standard of living. The traffic is really bad but you can plan around that and still have a good work-life balance. Sneha Nair, student in Chennai I moved to Chennai from Bengaluru and can say that Bengaluru is definitely more inclusive. I live in a hostel for masters students and working women. Even though theyre taking rent from the working women, they demand that parents be present for admission and call parents if they break curfew. Its also common for flat owners to ask about their parents if renting to working women. They seem to think of women as dependents and not as individuals. Subhashree M, student One can see women from different cultural backgrounds in Bengaluru which is very comforting for women who are trying to live away from their homes. People in Bengaluru are also usually less judgemental than people in Chennai. A woman can go out partying, wear what she wants or even go for a jog in the morning without feeling judged.

Angamaly bypass project set to take off as land acquisition nears end

KOCHI: While the much-touted Angamaly-Maradu bypass project of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is caught in alignment fixation hurdles, another key project being implemented by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) to pass around the busy Angamaly town is set to take off. Once realised, motorists along the Thrissur-Edappally section of NH 544 can skip the Angamaly junction, where a serpentine queue of vehicles is a common sight. The nearly four-km four-lane bypass will start from the Karayamparambu signal junction and connect to the Angamaly railway station junction. It will run parallel to the railway line along the western side, while the proposed alignment of the 44.7-km greenfield highway project of the NHAI passes through the eastern side of Angamaly town. The land acquisition process for the `275-crore project, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has entered the last stage, and the final notification will be issued soon. The required land can be acquired when we receive the fund from KIIFB, said a senior RBDCK official. While the foundation stone was laid in January 2021, the project was delayed due to land acquisition hurdles. All hurdles have been cleared and we will start acquiring the plots upon receipt of the fund, the official pointed out. The Angamaly town is struggling to handle the huge volume of vehicles passing through the NH and the MC Road. It is the only key junction along NH 544 that doesnt have a flyover. Heavy traffic blocks have become a regular affair, especially in the Karayamparambu bridge-TELK section. A lot of travellers, especially those travelling to Kochi airport, are being affected. Since there is no alternative route to divert the traffic, bypass projects are crucial. With regard to the Angamaly bypass project, all activities relating to land acquisition such as the survey of plots, boundary marking, and fixing of compensation amount are completed. We have urged authorities to release the fund to start attaching land and complete the project on a war footing, said Angamaly municipal chairman Mathew Thomas. With regard to the Angamaly-Maradu Kochi bypass, the boundary stone-laying activity commenced from the Angamaly side in November 2024 but is progressing slowly. We are receiving a lot of grievances regarding alignment and compensation. We are striving our best to complete the land acquisition in a year. The Centre assured us that the funds for providing compensation will be allotted without any delay once the 3(D) notification (completion of land acquisition process) is issued, a senior NHAI official said. The `6,000-crore project will connect Karayamparambu near Angamaly to Kundannoor, decongesting the existing NH 544 and NH 66 sections from Angamaly to Aroor. Long-distance vehicles could bypass Kochi city and busy junctions like Aluva, Kalamassery and Edappally. Kundannoor Jn devpt to kick-start soon Meanwhile, the RBDCK is also set to kick-start the J10.53 crore project to develop the Kundannoor Junction along the NH-66 bypass. The junction has turned into a bottleneck despite the coming up of a flyover there. The main issue is the narrow service road and openings, though there is adequate space beneath the flyover. A total of 16.24 acres, mainly private land from the four corners of the junction, will be acquired. Two buildings (towards the Maradu side) will also be demolished. The 11(1) notification for land acquisition process will be issued soon, the official added.

Person from OBC community appointed Ashtapadi singer at Guruvayur temple

THRISSUR: Ashtapadi songs when the sanctum is closed for rituals is an ancient tradition still in practice at the Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur. For several years, it has been the right of certain families in and around Guruvayur to sing Ashtapadi for Lord Krishna. However, the Guruvayur Devaswom has scripted history by appointing a person from an Other Backward Classes (OBC) community to the post. Nandhakishore, 24, a resident of Atholi in Kozhikode district, joined as the Ashtapadi singer at the Guruvayur temple on January 3. After acquiring a bachelors degree (BA) in music from the Kerala Kalamandalam, he completed his masters from the Kannur University. In the meantime, he also took lessons in Ashtapadi from Sankara Marar, as he found it interesting and full of bhakthi (devotion). Ashtapadi songs are in Sanskrit, written by ancient poet Jayadeva. His text is also called Gita Govindham. It tells the story of Lord Krishna and the love between Krishna and Gopikas. In Guruvayur, on a normal day, the sanctum is closed six times for Nirmalyam, Usha pooja, Ucha pooja, Pantheeradi pooja, Deeparadhana, and Athazha pooja. Ashtapadi is sung standing beside the sopanam (the steps to the sanctum) when the sanctum is closed for these ritual every day. Being appointed to perform such a sacred task is definitely a blessing for me. I find it an opportunity to sing for Krishna, Nandhakishore told TNIE. He said he is adapting to the timings and strict rituals at the temple, which are new to him. Though each Ashtapadi has its own beauty, the seventh Ashtapadi, which begins Mamiyam Chalitha..., is my favourite, he said. In addition to the responsibilities at the temple, the singer is also learning vedas from Acharyasree Rajesh. To get the job, Nandhakishore cleared the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) exam. Earlier, the Guruvayur Devaswom had appointed artists from the backward classes inside the temple for Ilathalam and Maddalam as well. As KDRB is in charge of recruitment, the system has become transparent, Guruvayur Devaswom chairman V K Vijayan said. The recent appointments were made following reservation norms, he said. It will definitely be a change from the traditional way. In the past, when it came to employment inside the temple, people tended to choose only those belonging to certain castes, which has now been changed, the devaswom chairman said.

Three held in Thrissur for death of Kerala man who joined Russian military

The accused have been charged under the Emigration Act, human trafficking, and cheating, police said

3 arrested in Kerala for human trafficking linked to Russian military death

Thrissur: Three people were arrested on Saturday in connection with the death of a man from Kerala, who had joined the military support service in Russia. Sandeep Thomas, Sumesh Antony, and Sibi, all natives of Thrissur, were arrested for allegedly recruiting youths to Russia with promises of high-paying jobs, police said. The trio was summoned 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 .

Family meet of SMA patients held at Kozhikode IMCH

50 children and parents from Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts attended the event

Lightning strikes on the rise in Kerala; Kottayam tops the list, says study

Thrissur and Palakkad records the lowest number of lightning strikes. Primary cause of lightning strikes in Kerala is the formation of cumulonimbus clouds along the slopes of the Western Ghats, according to the study

Congress councillors protest against pitiable condition of roads in Thrissur city

Summit in Thrissur focusses on sustainable farming, raising farmers income

Fellow inmate hammers teen to death at childrens home in Keralas Thrissur

Police take 16-year-old into custody. Incident following an altercation between the boys

Kerala man, 31, feared killed in Ukraine war

One of two youths from Thrissur, trapped in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is believed to have been killed by Ukrainian forces as per information from the Indian embassy. Although confirmed verbally, official communication is still pending. His cousin, also trapped, was injured and underwent surgery in Moscow.

Thrissur youth killed on Russia-Ukraine war-front

Binil Babu, 32, and his relative Jain Kurian, 27, have been reportedly forcibly enlisted by the Russian Army for the war and their families have been desparately trying to bring them back. The latter has been injured in shelling

Kerala youth killed in Russia-Ukraine war

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : A young man from Kerala, identified as Binil Babu, who was serving in a Russian mercenary unit, has died in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He hailed from Kuttanelur in the Thrissur district. The news of his death was confirmed by the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department (Norka) and communicated to the Thrissur district administration. Another youth, Jain Kurien, who was injured in the conflict, is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow. Binil's relatives stated that they had received official communication from the embassy. Jain, who was with him, informed his relatives that Binil was seriously injured in the shelling in Ukraine. Binil Babu's death comes at a time when efforts are underway to rescue youths who have fallen victim to human trafficking and bring them back home. Jain who is a native of Kurancherry, arrived in Moscow from areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia. He informed his family members about his arrival in Moscow via a WhatsApp call. Jain was injured in the shelling in Ukraine and underwent treatment at a hospital there for a few days before being transferred to the hospital in Moscow two days ago. He even sent a photo of himself from the hospital to his relatives. Binil and Jain traveled to Russia in April last year through a family friend. They were promised jobs as electricians, but it later became clear that they were trapped there. A Malayalee agent deceived them and put them with mercenaries. A few months ago, Sandeep Chandran, a 36-year-old from Kallur Nayarangi in Thrissur, was killed in Ukraine during a shell attack while fighting alongside a Russian military unit. Reports indicate that many young men are being lured into joining Russian mercenary units with the promise of lucrative salaries. These youths, targeted by trafficking syndicates, have their passports and mobile phones confiscated. They receive minimal training before being sent to the warzone alongside soldiers.

Business summit on food processing in Thrissur on January 17, 18

Two girls die after falling into Kerala reservoir

Thrissur: Two girls died after falling into the Peechi reservoir in this central Kerala district during a visit to the site and the two other girls are in critical condition, police said on Monday. The deceased have been identified as Anne Grace (16) and Aleena (16), both from Thrissur, they said. The incident occurred on Sunday when the girls, who had arrived at a friend's house to celebrate a church festival, went to see the dam. Police, quoting residents, said the girls slipped from a rock and fell into the reservoir. Residents quickly responded and rescued four girls from the water. All were soon rushed to a private medical college hospital in Thrissur. Aleena died early Monday and Anne passed away by noon, according to the police. The condition of the other two girls remains critical, police added.

Indian Youth Dies Fighting For Russian Army On Ukraine Frontline

Binil died while fighting on the frontlines of the countrys war with Ukraine, NoRKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department) said and communicated to the Thrissur district administration.

Two elderly women killed by govt bus while heading to church in Kerala

Thrissur: Two elderly women on their way to the Parish church for morning prayers were struck by a state-run bus in this district on Sunday. The women were hit by a KSRTC bus while trying to cross a busy road in Ollur here, police said. The deceased were from nearby Chiyyaram. While one of the women died on the spot, another was declared dead at the hospital, the police quoted locals as saying.

Wayanad retains championship at State BUDS School Arts Festival

Thiruvananthapuram district secures the second position with 27 points, followed by Thrissur with 25 points

Singer P Jayachandran Passes Away

Thiruvananthapuram: Legendary Malayalam playback singer P Jayachandran passed away in a private hospital in Thrissur on Thursday. He was 80. He was under going treatment for cancer for some time. During his over six decades-long career, Jayachandran has rendered over 1600 songs across many languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telegu and Hindi. During his singing career, Jayachandran has been bestowed with several prestigious awards. National award for playback singer, five Kerala state film awards, Kerala government's J C Daniel award, Tami Nadu government's four state awards and Kalaimamani award. He leaves behind his wife Lalitha, daughter Lakshmi and son Dinanathan. Born on March 3, 1944, in Ernakulam, Jayachandran was the third son of Ravi Varma Kochanian Thampuran and Subhadrakunjmma. He recorded his first song oru mullappoomalayumaayi in 1965 for film Kunjali Marikar.

Holiday for schools in Thrissur on January 10

State School Arts Festival: Thrissur celebrates as district team returns home with gold cup after 26 years

Kerala GST department raids organisers of controversial Kochi dance event over tax evasion

Raids being conducted at office of the main organiser Mridanga Vision in Wayanad, office of Oscar Event Management in Thrissur, and that of Events India in Kochi

Inspiring odyssey of worlds first woman national hydrographer

Hailing fromThrissur,SavithriNarayanan is worlds first womannationalhydrographerfrom Canada. Her memoir,JeevithaSagaram,has been released at Kerala Legislative International Book Festival

In a close finish, Thrissur regains Gold Cup after 26 years

It was after a close fight featuring three other former champions that Thrissur could kiss the cup. The team finished with 1,008 points, just one more than Palakkad, the winner of 2019 and 2020. Kannur, the defending champion, was third with 1003 points, while Kozhikode, the 2023 winner and the most successful district in the history of the competition with 21 titles, finished fourth, with 1,002 points

Higher Education Minister expresses happiness over Thrissurs victory at State School Arts Festival

4-year-old girl killed as autorickshaw, bus collide in Keralas Thrissur

Low bird count in Kole wetlands in Thrissur worry birders

Around 1,000 terns, 576 swamphens, 55 Openbill Storks, and 261 painted Storks were spotted during the exercise

Thrissur City Police destroy seized narcotic substances

8th Thrissur International Folklore Film Festival kicks off on January 10

Thrissur Corporation Opposition leader seeks Saji Cherians apology over his remark on smoking

Rajan J. Pallan raises a motion in the council demanding that Minister for Culture apologise to the people of Kerala for his remark that smoking should not be viewed seriously; LDF councillors boycott first Council Meeting in 2025

Kozhikode to witness grand parade of over 1,000 Santas on January 4

The Calicut diocese is organising the unique event inspired by the Thrissur Archdioceses annual Boun Natale celebrations

Vaidyaratnam to Collaborate with Johns Hopkins University

Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala is managed by the Eledathu Thaikkatu Family of Thaikkattusseri, Thrissur, one among the renowned Ashtavaidya families of Kerala. Ashtavaidyas are physicians who are masters of the eight branches of Ayurveda mentioned in classical texts.

State School Arts Festival: reception for Golden Cup held in Thrissur

Golden Cup procession, which began in Kasaragod on December 31, will travel through districts and reach the festival venue in Thiruvananthapuram on January 3

Renowned Botanist K S Manilal dies at 86

THRISSUR (KERALA): Eminent botanist and Padmashree awardee K S Manilal, celebrated for translating the ancient Latin text Hortus Malabaricus into English and Malayalam, died following age-related ailments, family sources said here on Wednesday. He was 86. He was not keeping well for some time and breathed his last at a private hospital here, they said. Kattungal Subrahmanyan Manilal, popularly known as K S Manilal, was a former head of the Department of Botany at the University of Calicut. His decades-long [] The post Renowned Botanist K S Manilal dies at 86 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Woman killed during theft attemptin Keralas Thrissur

Injury to Uma Thomas: two event organisers arrested

Palarivattom police arrest CEO of company that organised the dance event at the stadium and the owner of the Thrissur-based event management company that was entrusted with managing the event

Three, including two children, killed in road mishaps in Kerala

Kasaragod/Thrissur: Three people, including two children, lost their lives in two separate road accidents in Kerala on Sunday, police said. In the first incident, two children died, and three others were injured when the car they were travelling in reportedly collided with a state-owned KSRTC bus at Padannakkadu in Kasargod district around noon. The deceased are Zainul Ruman (9) and Lehak Zainaba (12). The police said the car was completely mangled in the accident. They added that the injured were rushed to the Kanhangad District Hospital for treatment. In another incident, a 44-year-old man died after the motorcycle he was riding allegedly collided with a pickup van at Chazhur in Thrissur district. The deceased has been identified as Soni, a resident of Pullazhi, Thrissur. His 14-year-old son, Antony, sustained injuries and has been admitted to a hospital, police said. The accident occurred at around 10.30 am on Sunday. A case has been registered in connection with both incidents, they added.

Denial of permission for fireworks display in Thrissur temples triggers a row

Qatar: Indian expat boy dies in car accident

Doha: A 17-year-old Qatar-based Indian expatriate boy on Friday, December 27, died after being seriously injured in a car accident in Al Wukair, Doha. The deceased has been identified as Mohammed Haneen, a native of Punnayurkulam village in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala. He was a class 12 student of Noble International 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 .

Denial of permission for fireworks display in Thrissur temples sparks row

The district administration in Thrissur denied permission for the traditional fireworks display during the Vela Ezunnallippu ritual at Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady temples, citing safety reasons and new amendments to the Explosive Rules. Temple authorities view this as an attempt to undermine the iconic Thrissur Pooram festival.

Thrissur buzzes with festivity as Santas take over the streets

More than 15,000 people dressed as Santa Clauses add colour to the Buon Natale Christmas procession

Fracas in Left front in Kerala as CPIs V.S. Sunil Kumar guns for Thrissur Mayor

V.S. Sunil Kumar accuses Thrissur Mayor M.K. Varghese of warming up to BJP for his meeting with K. Surendran on Christmas day. Kumar claims that receiving cake from BJP State chief was part of calculated political move

Thrissur set to shine with Buon Natale celebration and 15,000 Santa Clauses

As part of the event, keys to newly built homes will be given to financially disadvantaged families from various religious backgrounds

MT, a legendary Malayalam writer who created timeless classics

Kozhikode: Noted writer and Jnanpith award winner MT Vasudevan Nair, who died here on Wednesday evening, is known for elevating the art of Malayalam storytelling to a profound level through his works. The 91-year-old writer had been hospitalised in critical condition with a diagnosis of heart failure. He was suffering several health issues including resipratory ailments for a while, according to the literary sources. M T Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as M T, is a celebrated writer, screenwriter, and filmmaker, renowned for his profound contributions to Malayalam literature and cinema. Born in 1933 in Kudallur, a quaint village in Palakkad district, Kerala, M T, through more than seven decades of writing created a literary world that appealed equally to both ordinary people and intellectuals. At the time, Kudallur was part of the Malabar district under the Madras Presidency of British India. He was the youngest of four children born to T Narayanan Nair and Ammalu Amma. His father worked in Ceylon, while M T spent his early years in Kudallur and at his paternal home in Punnayurkulam, a village in present-day Thrissur district. M T's early life and surroundings deeply influenced his literary sensibilities. He completed his schooling at Malamakkavu Elementary School and Kumaranelloor High School and graduated with a degree in chemistry from Victoria College, Palakkad, in 1953. His professional journey began as a teacher and gramasevakan at a block development office in Taliparamba, Kannur, before he joined Mathrubhumi Weekly as a sub-editor in 1957. Over the course of seven decades, he has authored nine novels, 19 collections of short stories, directed six films, around 54 screenplays and several collections of essays and memoirs. M T is celebrated for his evocative storytelling, exploring human emotions and the complexities of rural life. His novel Naalukettu (The Ancestral House) established him as a literary icon and is considered a classic in Malayalam literature. Over the years, he authored several acclaimed works, including Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam, which earned him the Jnanpith Award in 1995, India's highest literary honour. At the age of 25, he won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for his second novel, Naalukettu (1959), and a decade later, Kaalam, his fifth novel, earned him the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award. M T made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema as a screenwriter and director. He has directed seven films and written the screenplay for approximately 54 films. His films, including 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha' and 'Kadavu', are regarded as masterpieces, showcasing his ability to merge compelling narratives with visual storytelling. M T holds the distinction of winning the National Film Award for Best Screenplay a record four times, for 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha' (1989), 'Kadavu' (1991), 'Sadayam' (1992), and 'Parinayam' (1994), the most by any individual in Malayalam in this category. M T has been married twice. In 1965, he married writer and translator Prameela, but the couple separated after 11 years of marriage. They have a daughter, Sithara, who works in the United States. In 1977, he married Kalamandalam Saraswathy, a noted dance artist. They have a daughter, Aswathy Nair, who is a professional dancer. His residence on Kottaram Road in Kozhikode is named after his elder daughter, Sithara.

DLSA, Thrissur, launches project to empower students from tribal communities

Harfest carnival in Thrissur from December 26 to 31

Christmas celebrations: Orthodox priest criticises PM Modi, BJP

Thrissur (Kerala), Dec 24 (PTI) A senior priest of the Orthodox Church in Kerala on Tuesday took a swipe at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over their Christmas celebrations, citing the recent disruption of festivity in a Kerala school by VHP activists. The sharp criticism from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Churchs Thrissur diocese metropolitan, Yuhanon Mor Meletius, on his social media handle came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India in New Delhi. Over there, bishops are honoured, and cribs are revered. Here, cribs are destroyed.

Orthodox priest criticises PM Modi, BJP over Christmas celebrations

THRISSUR: A senior priest of the Orthodox Church in Kerala on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP over their Christmas celebrations, citing the recent disruption of festivities at a school in Kerala by VHP activists. The sharp remarks from Yuhanon Mor Meletius, the metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church's Thrissur diocese, were posted on his social media handle. This came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) in New Delhi. Over there, bishops are honoured, and cribs are revered. Here, cribs are destroyed. There must be a term in Malayalam for such behaviour, right? the priest said in a Facebook post. The alleged disruption of Christmas celebrations by local activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the destruction of a symbolic crib erected by children in another school in Palakkad district triggered widespread protests across Kerala recently. In response, the state government deployed a special police team to investigate the incidents. Teachings of Christ celebrate love, harmony, and brotherhood: PM Modi at Christmas event Meanwhile, the CPI, the second-largest coalition partner in Kerala's ruling LDF, also strongly criticised the Prime Ministers participation in the Christmas celebrations organised by the CBCI in New Delhi, terming it as Modi's drama of political hypocrisy. While the PM was preaching about Christ and his love to cardinals and bishops in New Delhi, his 'sangh bandhus' were disrupting Christmas celebrations in Kerala's Nallepilly and committing blasphemy, Binoy Viswam, the state secretary of the CPI, alleged in a statement. The Left leader further stated that if there was any sincerity in the Prime Ministers words at the CBCI headquarters, he should visit Manipur this Christmas with a message of love and peace. Viswam also questioned whether the PM was willing to go to Manipur. Prime Minister Modi, during the celebrations on Monday, expressed his distress over attempts to spread violence and cause disruption in society. Speaking at the event hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, Modi emphasised the importance of strengthening the spirit of love, harmony, and brotherhood, in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ. It was the first time that a Prime Minister had attended such a programme at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in India.

BJPs outreach to Christian community in Kerala faces backlash

In a seemingly sarcastic social media post on Christmas Eve, Yuhanon Meletius, Metropolitan bishop of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Churchs Thrissur Diocese, appears to spotlight sharply contrasting aspects of BJPs attempt to court Christian community in Kerala

CPI, Congress slam Kerala ADGP Ajith Kumars report on Thrissur Pooram disruption

CPI leader V.S. Sunil Kumar says timing of so-called confidential documents leak and inquiry reports contentious findings are suspicious.Satheesan alleges police disrupted Pooram with tacit approval of CM as part of CPI(M)s tacit understanding with BJP

Devaswoms, elephant owners welcome SC stay on Kerala HCs restrictions on parading of elephants

Thiruvambady Devaswom says regulations imposed by the High Court made the conduct of Thrissur Pooram impossible, whereas the Paramekkavu Devaswom says that the stay brought relief to many who wish to hold the Pooram as per existing traditions and rituals

All India radio Thrissur programme head M. Balakrishnan passes away

Family sources said the death was due to a heart attack. He was former head of Akashvani, Manjeri

SC asks Thrissur Pooram organisers to comply with Captive Elephants Rules, stays Kerala HC directions contrary to the law

Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms, which host Thrissur Pooram, had approached Supreme Court challenging Kerala High Courts back-to-back orders which included directions that elephants paraded at the festival should maintain an exact distance of three metres from each other

A nation truly becomes free when its minorities are safe: Abdurahiman

Minister inaugurates Minority Rights Day celebrations in Thrissur

Panic in parts of Thrissur as wild animals stray into human habitations

Wild elephants spotted at Athirappilly and Palappilly on Wednesday and a tiger was spotted at Palappilly on Tuesday night

Devaswoms hosting Thrissur Pooram challenge Kerala High Court directives

The temple trusts took particular objection to the High Courts comparison of the elephants at the Thrissur Pooram with the Holocaust victims.

Youth taken into custody for roller skating on busy city roadin Thrissur

Thrissur Pooram: Two Devaswoms move Supreme Court against Kerala high court's guidelines for elephant parade

The Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms have appealed to the Supreme Court against the Kerala High Court's restrictions on the Thrissur Pooram elephant parade. They argue that the court's mandated distances between elephants, fire, and the public are impractical for the historic venue and disrupt the centuries-old tradition.

Photos: Rahul Gandhi in Thrissur

Thrissur: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi paid his last respects to late P P Madhavan at his residence near Ollur, Thrissur, Kerala, Tuesday. Madhavan, personal secretary to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi passed away Monday after suffering a heart attack. Also ReadBJP, Shiv Sena counter Rahul Gandhis attack on Savarkar Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi meets 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 .

Student killed as elephant-toppled tree branch falls on bike in Kerala

Kochi: A female engineering student was killed and a youth sustained injuries when a huge palm tree branch fell on their motorcycle near Kothamangalam on Saturday. Ann Mary C V (21), a native of Thrissur, was riding pillion on the bike driven by her college mate Altaf Aboobacker (21) around 6 pm at Chembankuzhy near the Nagarampara forest office, and the branch of the tree uprooted by the elephant, fell on them, police said. Local forest officials who arrived at the scene rushed the duo to a private hospital in Kothamangalam. According to Forest officials, the area often experiences frequent wild elephant intrusions.

SCR to run Sabarimala special train services from Dec.19

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) is running Sabarimala special trains covering several important pilgrimage destinations enroute from December 19 to January 24. These trains are planned for the benefit of Ayyappa devotees visiting the Sabarimala shrine from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The devotees travelling by these special trains can conveniently plan to visit enroute pilgrimage centres of important temples in Kerala. The temples included in the circuit are the Sastha temples at Pandalam, Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, Achankovil and Erumeli. Other famous temples covering enroute stations are Golden Temple at Vellore, Annamalaiyar Temple at Tiruvannamalai, Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Srirangam, Mariamman Temple at Samayapuram (Tiruchirappalli), Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai, Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple at, Thiruparankundram (Madurai), Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple at Palani (Dindigul), Andal Temple at Srivilliputhur (Virudhu Nagar) and Sri Krishna Temple at Punalur etc. Train No. 07175 / 07176 Secunderabad - Kollam - Secunderabad specials (four services): These Special trains will stop at Moula-Ali, Cherlapalli, Nalgonda, Miryalaguda, Nadikude, Piduguralla, Sattenapalli, Guntur, Tenali, Chirala, Ongole, Nellore, Gudur, Renigunta, Katpadi, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur, Srirangam, Tiruchchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Tenkasi, Sengottai and Punalur stations in both the directions. Train No. 07173 / 07174 Kakinada Port Kollam Kakinada Port specials (six services): Enroute, these special trains will stop at Kakinada Town, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Nidadavolu, Tanuku, Bhimavaram Town, Akividu, Kaikaluru, Gudivada, Vijayawada, Tenali, Chirala, Ongole, Nellore, Gudur, Renigunta, Tirupati, Chittoor, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam, Ettumanur, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayankulam stations in both the directions. Train No. 07177 Vijayawada Kollam Special (three services): These special trains will stop at Guntur, Narasaraopet, Donakonda, Markapur Rd, Giddalur, Diguvametta, Nandyal, Koilakuntla, Jammalamadugu, Proddatur, Yerraguntla, Kadapa, Rajampet, Renigunta, Tirupati, Chittoor, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam, Ettumanur, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayankulam stations. Train No. 07178 Kollam Kakinada Town Special (three services): These special trains will stop at Kayankulam, Chengannur, Tiruvalla, Kottayam, Ettumanur, Ernakulam, Aluva, Thrissur, Palakkad, Podanur, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Chittoor, Tirupati, Renigunta, Rajampet, Kadapa, Yerraguntla, Proddatur, Jammalamadugu, Koilakuntla, Nandyal, Diguvametta, Giddalur, Markapur Rd, Donakonda, Narasaraopet, Guntur, Vijayawada, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Rajahmundry and Samalkot stations. Train No. 07175 / 07176 Secunderabad - Kollam - Secunderabad Specials (six services): These special trains will stop at Moula-Ali, Cherlapalli, Nalgonda, Miryalaguda, Nadikude, Piduguralla, Sattenapalli, Guntur, Tenali, Chirala, Ongole, Nellore, Gudur, Renigunta, Katpadi, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur, Srirangam, Tiruchchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Sivakasi, Rajapalaiyam, Tenkasi, Sengottai and Punalur stations in both the directions. Train No. 07179 Kakinada Town Kollam Special (two services): These special trains will stop at Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada, New Guntur, Tenali, Chirala, Ongole, Nellore, Gudur, Renigunta, Tirupati, Chittoor, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva and Ernakulam Town, Ettumanur, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayankulam stations. Train No. 07180 Kollam Guntur Special (two services): These special trains will stop at Kayankulam, Chengannur, Tiruvalla, Kottayam, Ettumanur, Ernakulam Town, Aluva, Thrissur, Palakkad, Podanur, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Chittoor, Tirupati, Renigunta, Guntur, Nellore, Ongole, Chirala and Tenali stations. Train No. 07181 Guntur Kollam Special (three services): These special trains will stop at Narasaraopet, Donakonda, Markapur Rd, Giddalur, Diguvametta, Nandyal, Bethamcherla, Dhone, Gooty, Anantapur, Dharmavaram, Kadiri, Madanapalle, Piler, Pakala, Chittoor, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Ettumanur, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayankulam stations. Train No. 07182 Kollam Kakinada Town Special (one service): These special trains will stop at Kayankulam, Chengannur, Tiruvalla, Kottayam, Ettumanur, Ernakulam Town, Aluva, Thrissur, Palakkad, Podanur, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Chittoor, Pakala, Piler, Madanapalle, Kadiri, Dharmavaram, Anantapur, Gooty, Dhone, Bethamcherla, Nandyal, Diguvametta, Giddalur, Markapur Rd, Donakonda, Narasaraopet, Guntur, Vijayawada, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Rajahmundry and Samalkot stations. Train No. 07185 Kollam Guntur Special (two services): These Special trains will stop at Kayankulam, Chengannur, Tiruvalla, Kottayam, Ettumanur, Ernakulam Town, Aluva, Thrissur, Palakkad, Podanur, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Chittoor, Pakala, Piler, Madanapalle, Kadiri, Dharmavaram, Anantapur, Gooty, Dhone, Bethamcherla, Nandyal, Diguvametta, Giddalur, Markapur Rd, Donakonda and Narasaraopet, stations. Train No. 07183/07184 Narsapur Kollam - Narsapur Special (Four services): These special trains will stop at Palakollu, Bhimavaram Jn, Bhimavaram Town, Akividu, Kaikaluru, Gudivada, Vijayawada, Guntur, Narasaraopet, Markapur Rd, Giddalur, Diguvametta, Nandyal, Koilakuntla, Jammalamadugu, Proddatur, Yerraguntla, Kadapa, Rajampet, Renigunta, Tirupati, Chittoor, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Ettumanur, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayankulam stations in both the directions. These special trains consist of first AC, 2AC, 3AC, sleeper class and general second-class coaches.

Flute workshop in Thrissur