Kerala battered by intense rains; trees uprooted, one killed

In view of predictions of intense downpours to continue, a holiday was declared for educational institutions in 9 districts of the state, including Malappuram, Kozhikode, Pathanamthitta, Kannur, Kasaragod, Thrissur, Wayanad, Kottayam and Idukki

Thrissur gears up for monsoon, directive to follow dam rule curves to mitigate flood risks

Collector asks officials to assess potential rise in river levels and the impact on surrounding areas before releasing water from dams

Red alert in Thrissur on Monday, Collector declares holiday for educational institutions

Heavy rains lash Kerala, 1 dead in tree fall incident

Intense rains lashed Kerala on Sunday, uprooting trees across the state, including one that fell on a moving train in Thrissur and another that caused a fatality in Kozhikode. Houses were damaged, rivers were in spate, and shutters of some dams were raised as the southwest monsoon gained strength. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) placed five northern districts - Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod - under a 'red alert' for the day, predicting extremely heavy rainfall there.

Kerala battered by intense rains; Uprooted trees cause damage, fatality

Intense rains lashed Kerala on Sunday, uprooting trees across the state, including one that fell on a moving train in Thrissur and another that caused a fatality in neighbouring Kozhikode. Houses were damaged, rivers were in spate, and shutters of some dams were raised in the state as the southwest monsoon gained strength. An uprooted tree crashed onto a moving train near the railway bridge in Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur district on Sunday morning. Tragedy was averted as the loco pilot acted swiftly to stop the train, authorities said, adding that no casualties were reported in connection with the incident. As the heavy downpour continued, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) placed five northern districtsMalappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragodunder a 'red alert' for the day, predicting extremely heavy rainfall there. Almost all districts in the state received widespread rains since the previous night, causing severe waterlogging in low-lying areas and traffic snarls. Widespread uprooting of trees caused extensive damage to houses and vehicles across the state and claimed the life of a person in the Kozhikode district. Pavithran, a 64-year-old native of Villyappally in Kozhikode, died after an uprooted coconut tree fell on him while he was riding a scooter. Water levels in the Punnapuzha River, flowing through the Chooralmala-Mundakkai region in Wayanad, and the Korapuzha River in Kozhikode were steadily rising following incessant rainfall, residents said. In landslide-battered Chooralmala in Wayanad, continuous heavy rains caused anxiety among locals the previous night. We are yet to recover from the shock of last years landslide. We havent slept properly at night, fearing heavy rains and something worse, an elderly local told a TV channel. In Pathanamthitta district, a family narrowly escaped tragedy when huge uprooted trees fell on their tile-roofed house near Ezhamkulam during strong winds and heavy rains the previous evening. My daughter narrowly escaped as she had just stepped out of the house when the trees fell on the roof, a family member said, pointing to the broken roof of their old, small house. Five shutters of the Malankara dam in Idukki district were raised on Sunday morning to release excess water, according to an official statement. Residents living along the banks of the Thodupuzha and Moovattupuzha rivers were advised to exercise caution following the dams water release. Tragedy was averted in the heart of Kollam city when a huge flex board, erected by the roadside, fell, locals said. A house and vehicles were damaged after uprooted trees fell on them in Kunnathunad and Munambam Harbour, respectively, in Ernakulam district. An incident of a mudslide was reported in Kuppam in northern Kannur district following continuous rains. Due to the inclement weather, forest authorities on Sunday banned tourists from entering the ecotourism centre in Ponmudi. A zonal review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, scheduled to be held in Kannur on May 26, was postponed due to heavy rains, a CMO source said. Meanwhile, the IMD issued an orange alert on Sunday for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts. The IMD had announced the early onset of the monsoon in the state on Saturday, noting that Kerala is witnessing the monsoons early arrival after a gap of 16 years. A 'red alert' indicates heavy to extremely heavy rainfall of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an 'orange alert' means very heavy rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm.

Thrissur man secures Arunachal govt job using forged Cusat certificate

KOCHI: A former student of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has landed in legal trouble after it was found that he secured a government job in Arunachal Pradeshs Public Works Department (PWD) by submitting forged educational documents. The accused, who is from Thrissur, allegedly submitted a fake BTech mechanical engineering certificate despite actually graduating in BTech information technology from Cusat in 2006 with good marks. He reportedly used a certificate belonging to a friend and altered the name and registration number to match his own. The fraudulent act went undetected during the initial verification by the Arunachal Pradesh PWD. He was appointed to the department in 2018 and continued in the post for over five years, a police officer said. However, trouble began when the department initiated a qualification verification drive three months ago for all its employees, a first-time effort to ensure authenticity of credentials. As part of the process, the submitted documents were sent to Cusat for verification. On close scrutiny, Cusat officials discovered that the accused had never studied mechanical engineering and had instead completed a degree in information technology. The university promptly informed the department and also filed a formal police complaint. Based on this, the Kalamassery police registered an FIR against the person and launched a probe. He is expected to be summoned for questioning soon. Police are now investigating how the forged certificate was created and whether he had assistance from any certificate forgery rackets for the act. The police said they would contact their counterparts in Arunachal Pradesh to verify whether any investigation was conducted into the incident there. Also, if the forged document was created in Arunachal Pradesh, they will seek the assistance of the police there as part of the probe, said an officer.

District-level anti-drug campaign concludes in Thrissur

The Statewide anti-drugs rally, which began in Kasaragod on May 5, is scheduled to conclude in Malappuram on May 26

IMD declares red alert for seven districts in Kerala

IMD sounds a red alert for the Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Idukki, and Malappuram districts.

Monsoon gathers pace, Kerala braces for extreme rain events

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is bracing for extreme rain events with the southwest monsoon gathering pace. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red, orange and yellow alerts for many districts for the next four days. A red alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Saturday. As per the forecast issued on Friday, a well-marked low pressure area has formed over the Arabian Sea and it is likely to intensify and move in a northerly direction and further intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours. As per forecast, conditions are likely to become favourable for the monsoon to make landfall over Kerala in the next two days. Squally weather, with 35-45 kmph winds gusting to 55 kmph, is likely to prevail along and off the Kerala coasts. Sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough till Tuesday in the state. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during these days. Red alert* Kannur and Kasaragod (Saturday) Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (Sunday) Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (Monday) Orange alert** Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad (Saturday) Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad (Sunday) Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad (Monday) Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (Tuesday) Yellow alert*** Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha (Saturday) Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam (Sunday) Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha (Monday) Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram (Tuesday)

273 Covid cases so far this month in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has reported 273 cases of Covid in May so far, with Kottayam reporting the highest case count of 82. Other districts that reported the most cases are Thiruvananthapuram (73), Ernakulam (49), Pathanamthitta (30) and Thrissur (26). Health Minister Veena George has called for an enhanced district-level surveillance in the wake of the Covid spread in Southeast Asian countries. Speaking at a meeting of district medical officers and surveillance officers, the minister asked the district authorities to report Covid cases properly. In a statement issued here on Friday, the minister asked the people to take preventive measures. Those having cold, cough, sore throat or respiratory problems should compulsorily wear masks. The elderly, pregnant women, and the critically ill should wear masks while in public places and when travelling. Masks are mandatory in hospitals. People are also advised to wash hands frequently with soap. The minister has also asked different stakeholders to intensify epidemic prevention measures. Vigil should be maintained against cholera and Hepatitis A. Strict action under the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023, will be taken against those polluting drinking water sources.

Kerala braces for challenging monsoon; NDRF teams to be deployed from June 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Memories of last years devastating landslides in Wayanad still fresh in the mind, Kerala has ramped up preparedness, including deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, to deal with extreme rain events as the southwest monsoon gears up to make an early entry. The northern districts are bracing for extreme rain in the coming days with weather models forecasting an early and strong monsoon onset by Sunday. Even before the seasons official onset, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts across northern Kerala due to cyclonic activity. In view of the impending monsoon and heavy rain, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) is gearing up to deploy NDRF teams at vulnerable locations likely in central and north Kerala. Sources said Kerala has requested seven more teams in addition to the two stationed in Thrissur. Kerala is well-prepared to face the monsoon, said KSDMA member-secretary Shekar Lukose Kuriakose. Monsoon is arriving a week early and NDRF teams will be deployed from June 1. We cannot advance their deployment as they have their own calendar, said Shekar. Collectors asked to be prepared, says KSDMA member-secy In the wake of the red alert, the state relief commissioner chaired a meeting with all district collectors on Friday. Sekhar said they reviewed the status with the dam rule curve committee and all collectors have been directed to be prepared for emergency response. He said all arrangements were in place to disseminate rain-related warnings to the public. We have introduced KaWaCHaM (advanced disaster warning system). During the red alert recently, we sounded sirens to alert the public. It was very effective. Even the NDMA is impressed by our preparedness and at the last meeting, mentioned that Kerala and Odisha are the only two states that are well prepared, he said. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has started operating a early warning system for landslides from last year, and started sharing the warnings with the KSDMA, albeit on an experimental basis. An official said landslide susceptibility maps provided by the GIS and National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) are being used for disaster preparedness. We have been using the maps provided by the NCESS. From last year, GIS has been sharing its maps. We have shared this with DDMAs. Special focus will be given to highly vulnerable districts, including Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad and Kannur, Sekhar said.

Bishop Mathew Makil elevated to rank of Venerable by Pope Leo XIV

KOCHI: Within a week of being inaugurated as the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV has authorised the promulgation of decrees for elevating Indian bishop Mathew Makil, Colombian nun Agnese Arango Velsquez and Spanish bishop Alessandro Labaka Ugarte to the rank of Venerables. The decree was published on Thursday by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the prefect of the dicastery. Mar Makil was declared a Servant of God in 2009. He was known as the peacemaker, who worked to bring amity between the northerners (who considered themselves descendants of the community founded by St Thomas) and the southerners (who saw themselves as successors of Mesopotamian migrants). His efforts culminated in a proposal submitted to the Holy See in 1911 to divide the vicariate of Changanacherry into two distinct vicariates: One for the southerners and one for the northerners. Pope Pius X accepted the proposal and created the vicariate of Kottayam for the southerners, entrusting its leadership to Mar Makil. Born in Manjoor, Kottayam, he became a priest in 1865, at the age of 14, and served in the parish ministry until he was appointed the vicar general of Kottayam in 1889. Three years later, he founded a religious congregation, the Sisters of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose primary mission was the education of girls. His pastoral ministry was vibrant and dynamic, eventually leading to his appointment as apostolic vicar of Changanacherry in 1896. As vicar general, Fr Makil was very much interested in the spiritual life, education and uplift of Knanaya women. When Pope Leo XIII reconstituted the two Syro-Malabar vicariates into three, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Changanacherry, in 1896 and appointed indigenous bishops, Monsignor Makil was appointed titular bishop of Trallus and vicar apostolic of Changanacherry. On October 25, 1896, Mar Makil was ordained bishop of Trallus and vicar apostolic of Changanacherry in Kandy by Monsignor Zaleski. Having no facilities for the higher education of Catholics in Travancore, Mar Makil sought and got government approval for St Berchmans School although the vicariate of Changanassery was then in financial difficulties. He actively promoted catechetical formation, school education, the creation of religious organisations and associations, and the fight against poverty, which afflicted much of society at the time. He also encouraged vocations to consecrated life.

Covid-surveillance to be strengthened in Kerala

State reports 273 cases of covid so far in May this year, with Kottayam reporting 82 cases, Thiruvananthapuram (73), Ernakulam (49), Pathanamthitta (30) and Thrissur (26) cases

125 kg of ganja seized in Thrissur, four arrested

Ganja was being smuggled from Odisha to central Kerala in a lorry. Thrissur Rural police make seizure under Operation D-Hunt and part of the 20252026 School Safety Campaign

Kerala severe weather alert: Heavy rains disrupt daily life; Thrissur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and 3 more districts on high alert till May 27

Kerala is experiencing heavy rainfall, disrupting normal life. The India Meteorological Department has issued orange alerts for several districts. Red alerts are in place for Kannur, Kasaragod, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Pathanamthitta and Idukki will also have a red alert. Strong winds are expected, and fishing is banned along the coasts. High waves are also predicted in some coastal areas.

Heavy rains disrupt life in Kerala; orange alert issued in six districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rains continued to lash various parts of Kerala, affecting the normal way of life, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday sounding an orange alert in six districts of the state for the day. The IMD also said that the monsoon was likely to arrive in the state in the next two days and that there was a possibility of widespread rain in Kerala during the next seven days. It issued an orange alert in Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of the state for the day. Besides that, it issued a red alert in Kannur and Kasaragod from May 24 to May 26 and in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad for May 25 and 26. It also issued a red alert in Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts for May 26. Additionally, it issued an orange alert in nine districts of the state for May 24, seven on May 25, four on May 26 and six on May 27. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm, and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. The IMD also said that there was a possibility of strong winds along the coastal areas and the interiors and cautioned people, including fishermen, to take precautionary measures. It has been directed that fishing be not permitted along the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts from Friday to May 27. Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) said there was a possibility of high waves of up to 3.5 meters at various places along the coastal areas of the state on Saturday.

Political storm intensifies as MoRTH blacklists KNR Constructions over NH-66 collapse in Malappuram

KOCHI: The political storm over damage to portions of the NH-66 in the state showed no sign of easing even as the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Thursday blacklisted Hyderabad-based KNR Constructions, holding it responsible for the collapse of the under-construction stretch at Kooriyad in Malappuram on May 19. In a strongly-worded remark against the Congress-led Opposition, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused it of politicising a project entirely managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The LDF is being unfairly targeted for issues beyond its control. The land was acquired as a duty to the nationtheres no fault in that, he said in Kollam. The reaction came on the heels of a scathing attack by Opposition leaders who accused the government of conveniently distancing itself from the fiasco. NH-66 had two fathers. After the collapse, it has become an orphan, quipped Congress leader K Muraleedharan. In a release, the MoRTH said, Taking strict action against the concessionaire, NHAI has disallowed KNR Constructions Ltd from participating in ongoing/future bidding forthwith. It said the Highway Engineering Consultant (HEC), entrusted with overseeing the widening of NH-66 into a six-lane facility on the stretch from Ramanatukkara to Valanchery bypass, has also been disallowed from participating in ongoing and future bidding. Two senior officials, one from each company, were placed under suspension. The action comes a day after a central team of experts, led by Professor G V Rao of IIT Delhi, visited the site and submitted a preliminary report to the ministry. The team will visit all problem areas on various stretches of NH-66 widening and submit a report to the MoRTH. We have received the order debarring the contractor from future tenders being floated by MoRTH, NHAI, NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd) and BRO (Border Roads Organisation). A couple of officials have been placed under suspension over the unfortunate incident, said an official of NHAI, project implementation unit (PIU)-Palakkad. Construction firm puts blame on soil conditions In a communique to the stock exchanges, KNR Constructions Ltd acknowledged that the NHAI suspended its concessionaire KNR Ramanattukara Infra Private Ltd from participating in the ongoing/future bidding for project works for one month period or completion of investigation by the expert committee whichever is later. The company sought to blame the soil conditions for the collapse of the service road on the elevated stretch at Kooriyad in Malappuram. Due to some indeterminate subsoil conditions in the said location and high water table, one of the approach ramps with the vehicular underpass...has yielded and caused excessive settlement. As a result, the service roads are slightly distorted. All efforts are being exercised to reinstate the service road facility on either side of the main carriageway at the earliest, the company said. KNR Constructions later accepted responsibility, with executive director Jalandhar Reddy saying the firm is even ready to construct a new bridge there if needed. Well proceed strictly as per the recommendations, he told reporters. This is the second time that the MoRTH has placed KNR Constructions in blacklist. Meanwhile, as rain continued to lash northern Kerala, multiple incidents of cracks appearing and damage to service roads was reported from other work sites in Malappuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur. While the NHAI acknowledged the lapse on the part of the contractor in the case of Kooriyad incident, it dismissed concerns being raised over the formation of cracks in other work sites. NHAI project director (Palakkad) Anshul Sharma attributed the Kooriyad incident to the formation of cavities and pressure on the foundation due to heavy rain. This caused the paddy field, where the road was constructed, to expand, crack and slide, which caused the accident, he said, while ruling out charges of unscientific construction. Damage to NH-66 May 12: Migrant labourer killed, 2 hurt after section of hillock collapses during the construction of retaining wall for NH-66 at Mattalayi in Kasaragod May 19: Section of under-construction NH at Kooriyad in Malappuram collapses May 20: Cracks, some of them 100m long, form on stretch at Thalappara in Malappuram, as well as at Malaparamba in Kozhikode and at Manathala in Thrissur. Service road caves in at Chemmattamvayal in Kasaragod May 21: Multiple landslips hit work site in Kuppam, Kannur; crack appears on road near Mavungal; service road near Kooliyangal in Kasaragod collapses

Heavy rain likely across Kerala from May 24, says IMD

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an increase in rainfall intensity across the state starting Friday, with heavy to very heavy showers expected between May 24 and May 28. A yellow alert has been issued for all districts except Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam on May 24. From Saturday onwards, orange alerts will be in place for several northern districts as rain is expected to intensify. In a special bulletin, the IMD said that conditions are likely to become favourable for the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala within the next 2-3 days. A low-pressure area has formed over the east-central Arabian Sea off the south Konkan-Goa coasts and is likely to move northward, intensifying into a depression over the next 36 hours. Another low-pressure system is expected to form over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around May 27. Strong westerly and northwesterly winds are expected to prevail over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region during the next seven days. Orange alert May 24 - Kannur, Kasaragod May 25 - Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod May 26 - Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod Yellow alert May 23 - Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod May 24 - Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad May 25 - Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram May 26 - Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki

Thrissur records 82.39% pass in Higher Secondary Exams

Denial of ASHAs rights undermines democratic values, says Bishop

The Metropolitan Bishop of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was speaking at a gathering held in front of the Thrissur Corporation office to receive ASHAs Statewide protest march

Elderly woman killed in elephant attack in Thrissur; death toll hits 27 this year

THRISSUR: A wild elephant attack in Malakkapara, in the Athirapilly panchayat of Thrissur, claimed another life on Thursday, as an elderly woman became the latest victim of the ongoing wild animal attacks in Kerala. With this, the total number of deaths in wild animal attack in Kerala this year has risen to 27 in the state. Mary, 67, was found dead near her house. As per the local sources, Mary and her daughter were living in a house near the left canal of Sholayar dam in Malakkapara, Valparai region. At around 1 am on Thursday, Mary came out of her house hearing noises. The wild jumbo was moving so close to her house that she was attacked when ventured out of the house. The region has been reporting the presence of wild elephants frequently with some even attacking at forest vehicles as well.

Wild elephant tramples 75-year-old woman to death at Malakkappara in Keralas Thrissur

Elephant reportedly attacked her house around 1 a.m. while she was sleeping

Sethubandhanam: An exhibition that captures how art binds three generations of a family

At Sethubandhanam, an art exhibition at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi, the eclectic tastes of three generations are on display. Art, to the family members, is a sethu or a bridge that connects them. The show opens with the works of the patriarch, who left behind a collection of creations. K Balasubramanian was a known figure in the art world an artist, playwright, and illustrator. His works, spanning from the early 1960s, have been proudly showcased here. Nearby, one can see creations by his children Shalini B Menon and Kailash Menon. Different, yet a continuation of a creatively inclined family. While Balasubramanians works mostly centre around illustrations published in magazines such as Chandrika and Mathrubhumi , his childrens works are in watercolour and acrylic, each on different tangents. See these strong lines, thats something you can find in the art of those days, explains Shalini, a painter and sculptor. He drew them with pencils and ballpoint pens, and each line stood out. Its like creating magic. Most of his works were born out of necessity. They were part of work, the only source of income back then. He didnt have the privilege of time to pursue art at leisure. From illustrations for short stories to comic strips, and the rare oil paintings and crayon works, the first hall of the exhibition is filled with Balasubramanians monochrome pieces. It gets more colourful as one explores further. Kailashs paintings capture the hidden beauty of veils across cultures the ghoonghat, hijab, and the mysterious faces behind them, in subtle elegance. It is a political subject. However, in my travels in Rajasthan, I came across many women who wear the veils, from various cultures. I just wanted to depict the beauty for now, the femininity, the colours and the atmosphere, he explains. The NIFT graduate has always worked in creative fields textiles, fashion or art. And when he dedicates himself to pursuing art, inspiration comes from various quarters mythology, culture, his travels, and personal experiences. You can see, along with a few paintings from my series Sisterhood, there are also a few works that admire the architecture of Jaipur, he adds. His most recent works an unfinished series are also displayed at the exhibition. Drawing inspiration from Operation Sindoor, the series explores women and the cultural practice of wearing sindoor (vermillion). In the charcoal works, the sindoor stands out in bright red. The other side of the hall is slightly muted beautifully so. Resplendent with the flowing beauty of watercolours, Shalinis works are a nostalgic trip. Stories of childhood. My father always used to talk about Wadakkanchery in Thrissur. His stories were about the people, the serene life of those days, and the temple festival. I tried recreating them, she smiles. Memories are at the core of her works her old family home (tharavadu) just before it was demolished, her aunts, her fathers kalan kuda (crook-handle umbrella), the hills welcoming a roaring rain... Thats what I love to paint exploring the beauty and the melancholy of my memories, tales I heard, and the nature around us. However, I have also started experimenting nowadays, she says, pointing to her most recent works a bangle market, the familiar yet unfamiliar scene of a temple, and so on. The exhibition is striking in its simplicity, be it the way the works are arranged or the way they were chosen. I wanted it to feel intimate, close to heart, just like a family. Its not a curated or elaborate show. But its ours, created, selected and exhibited by us, says Shalini. And Sethubandhanam succeeds in that. It was our father who suggested holding this exhibition. In 2018, when we were all together at our home, he just expressed why not? However, in 2020, my parents died within 19 days, putting a stop to all these plans. It was a hard time for us, says Shalini. None of the artists in the family, including Balasubramanian, ever learnt painting professionally. Everyone began their art journey purely out of interest, and continues out of passion. My background is in finance, Kailash was in the corporate sector, though related to creative art, and our father had tried a bit of everything creative. He had even won a Sahitya Akademi Award for his play Choli. Now, the next generation has also picked up their brushes, Shalini smiles. The third generation Vishnu, Arpana and Agney, all college students have also displayed their experiments with art here. Vishnus sports-themed multimedia collages, Agneys little frames of sketches, and Arpanas watercolour paintings hint at the family affair sustaining. In a way, the thoughts, wishes, dreams, politics, and environment of three generations reflect in their art. And Sethubandhanam has aptly bridged them with hearts and all the chaos of a family. Swipe to see more works

Kerala: Four mega projects worth Rs 1,211 crore kick off post investment summit

KOCHI: Barely three months after signing MoUs at the Invest Kerala Global Summit in Kochi, four major projects worth Rs 1,211 crore have officially taken off, marking a clear shift in the states investment climate from promises to execution. Industries Minister P Rajeeve confirmed that these big-ticket ventures including Joy Alukkas Groups Rs 300 crore residential-cum-hospital project in Ernakulam and Dynimateds Rs 800 crore deep-tech visual communication facility in Alangad have broken ground. Theyre joined by Positive Chip Boards (Rs 51 crore) and M S Wood Alliance Park (Rs 60 crore), signaling that investor intent is translating into action. These aren't isolated cases. Another wave of eight projects worth Rs 2,675 crore is set to begin construction within this month, followed by projects totaling Rs 1,117 crore in June. The biggies in the queue? Sutherlands Rs 1,500 crore BPO centre in Kochi, Kalyan Silks Rs 500 crore investment in Thrissur, and Bluestar Realtors Rs 00 crore logistics hub. But what really puts Kerala on the investment fast-track is the creation of a High-Level Advisory Committee to ensure these projects dont get stuck in red tape. Power Panel Alert This newly constituted panel will be chaired by Industries Minister Rajeeve, with the Principal Secretary (Industries) as vice chairperson and KSIDC managing director as convenor. Heavyweight institutions like CII Kerala, FICCI Kerala, KSSIA, KSIDC Board, Directorate of Industries and Commerce, and KINFRA will all have representation. The panel will review progress, iron out bottlenecks, and ensure that inter-departmental delays dont derail investor confidence. Adding teeth to the action plan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will chair a high-level policy meeting on June 19 to take stock of summit-signed MoUs and their implementation. A real-time web portal has already gone live for investors to track their projects, and a five-stage escalation mechanism is in place for grievance redressal. With over Rs 1.96 lakh crore worth of investment proposals in the pipeline and 4.8 lakh potential jobs on the horizon, the state is shaping up to be a serious player in Indias industrial growth map. In short, Kerala is not just hosting investment summits anymore it's delivering on them, Rajeeve said.

Rajiv Gandhi is the true architect of decentralisation: Thrissur DCC president

'This is not amazon rainforest', netizens awestruck after seeing most beautiful, unique cricket ground in thisIndianstate

An Instagram post has gone viral for showcasing a massive and lush green cricket field in Kerala's Thrissur. The cricket ground seems as if built in the densest forest. Many netizens compared the state's beautiful cricket ground as South America's Amazon Rainforest.

Kerala sanitation workers turn Instagram 'cleanfluencers'

Marie Kondo may be the worlds popular tidying-up guru, but worldwide, several cleanfluencers are making tidying up fun. Well, thats the power of social media it can make a drab and boring chore into an Instagrammable activity. In Kerala, the State Suchitwa Mission is playing one such cleanfluencer. The missions Instagram handle is full of perky videos, where the message to keep our surroundings clean is conveyed with zest and satire. Ambassadors of this outreach are not stellar personalities but regular Haritha Karma Sena workers who knock on doors every month to collect segregated waste. They pose, talk, mime, and even dance to tell people why it is necessary not to use plastic, to sort waste, and even how they, too, deserve respect. In one such reel on Instagram, a bunch of pleasantly offended group of Karma Sena workers use the Hanumankind number Big Dawgs to show their aghast at finding food leftovers in plastic wrappers. There was a reason to use these workers. They are usually shown the door when they go to collect waste. Traditionally, too, they have been treated with disdain. We also used them to drive in the message that these women do a job that can prevent a catastrophe of the magnitude of the Brahmapuram incident that happened some years ago, says Gokul Prasannan, expert, Information, Education, and Communication wing of the mission. IEC is a component of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, handled in Kerala by the Suchitwa Mission. It aims to change the social outlook towards such social causes. Diverse media are used for it. For example, in a recent movie, there is a scene where the use of disposable cups is flagged as a concern. It leaves an imprint on people, which slowly leads to a stage of effecting behavioural changes. Our modules aim to attract the young-at-heart. The idea of the recently held Vritti conclave was also that. We wanted people to visit an otherwise serious topic in a lively manner. They came for the fest like they would go to IFFK or Biennale, says Gokul. The Suchitwa Missions Instagram handle also has interviews with people who make a difference. One such digi tete-a-tete was with a caretaker at the Government Medical College and Hospital, who has set up a garden turning redundant toilet commodes into plant bases. There are also real stories of how Karma Sena workers deserve to be treated one video has two Karma Sena workers chancing upon good words written on paper chits kept in corners of a home (a la treasure hunt). In one of the chits, the owner asks them not to leave before taking a break with water kept ready for them. Our latest Instagram campaign is Perumazhaykku Oru Muzham. When said fast and in repeat, the line becomes a tongue twister. The fun in the twist deftly drive in the need for management of self and surroundings during monsoon. We even have Thrissur District Collector Arjun Pandyan doing a small role in the play, he says. The staff of Suchitwa Mission, too, star in the videos, even shaking a leg to upbeat tunes. Such pep moves are game changers. Marie Kondo or the Mrs Hinch feeds on insta may feed upon the spotless surface syndrome, but here, the task is to create a community to keep nature healthy for the future. For this, it takes people who work for the cause and those for whom the cause is being worked for, says Athira Josephine, who follows the Instagram handles of both Suchitwa and Mrs Hinch.

Heavy rain batters northern districts

Service roads of work-in-progress six-lane National Highways in Kannur, Kasaragod, Thrissur districts collapse or get flooded.

Rain-ravaged service roads worsen traffic chaos on NH 544 in Thrissur

Heavy rain lashes Kerala, TN and Karnataka; eight killed in rain-related incidents

Heavy rains lashed Chennai and neighbouring districts on Tuesday evening, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that conditions are favourable for onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala during next 4-5 days. A total of eight deaths in separate rain-related incidents have been recorded in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu so far. Meanwhile, the IMD, in the forecast bulletin issued on Tuesday at 4.30 pm, predicted widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and strong winds across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the next seven days. The southwest monsoon, which typically arrives towards the end of May, has arrived about two weeks earlier than predicted. The early onset of southwest monsoon can be attributed to climate factors like stronger westerly winds and rising sea surface temperatures, experts told TNIE . Another change in the usual monsoon pattern is the northward tilt in rainfall distribution due to a low-pressure system forming near Karnataka's coast. IMD has issued a red alert for seven districts in Karnataka --which include Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan-- and four districts in northern Kerala --which include Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode. Orange alert has been issued for parts of Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka Various parts of Karnataka continued to receive heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Heavy rain, along with thunder and lightning, was reported in coastal districts. Traffic congestion due to flooding was reported in the arterial roads of Bengaluru. At least five people died in the state, including three in Bengaluru, due to rains. Two people --63-year-old Manmohan Kamath and 12-year-old Dinesh-- died due to electrocution in Bengaluru's BTM layout on Monday while trying to use a motorised pump to clear water out of his house. Though they were rushed to a hospital soon after, they were declared dead on arrival by doctors. Another person, 35-year-old Shashikala, who worked as housekeeping staff at a software firm in Mahadevapura area, died after a wall in company premises collapsed on her. Additionally, two people died due to lightning in Raichur and Karwar regions, officials told Hindustan Times. In the 24 hours ending on Tuesday morning, the centres to receive heavy rainfall include, Guttal (dist Haveri) 11 cm, Kalasa (dist Chikkamagaluru) 10, Kolar Pwd (dist Kolar) 8, and T G Halli Hms (dist Bengaluru) 7. Five dead as IMD issues red alert for Karnataka; BJP, HDK slam Congress for celebrations amid crisis Tamil Nadu Chennai received moderate to heavy rains late Monday night and on Tuesday evening. Heavy to very heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms and strong winds were reported in several isolated places across the state. At least three people died in the state due to rains. Three people were killed in Madurai when a sunshade slab collapsed from the weight of water that stagnated in top. The three --65-year-old Ammapillai, her 10-year-old grandson Veeramani, and her 55-year-old neighbour Venkadammal-- were pulled out of debris a while later. Venkadammal was declared dead by doctors upon admission, while the two others succumbed to their injuries later. The centres to record heavy rainfall in the 24 hours ending on Tuesday morning include, 12 cm in Hosur AWS (dist Krishnagiri), 6 cm in parts of Krishnagiri, Ranipet, Dharmapuri, Salem districts, and 5 cm in parts of Coimbatore, Vellore, Nilgiris. Kerala Widespread waterlogging has been reported in several parts of north Kerala, disrupting daily life and transportation, officials said. While a red alert has been sounded for the districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode, an orange alert has been issued for Palakkad, Malappuram, and Thrissur. The remaining districts have received a yellow alert. KSDMA officials warned that extremely heavy rainfall could cause serious problems. Officials also issued safety advice, urging people living in hilly areas experiencing heavy rain, particularly those at risk of landslides, mudslides, and flash floods, to move to safer locations as early as possible, preferably during daylight hours. Stations recorded 22 cm in Kunnamkulam (dist Thrissur), 18 cm in Ams Kannur (dist Cannur); heavy rain of more than 15 cm was recorded across Cannur, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Idukki districts. Heavy rainfall likely in Andhra Pradesh for next two days

Kerala braces for more rains as four districts put on orange alert

IMD issues yellow alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts on Tuesday

Severely-congested NH 544 a nightmare for commuters in Kerala

THRISSUR: People taking the NH 544 to travel between Mannuthy and Angamaly daily are having a harrowing time due to the severe traffic congestion caused by the construction of underpasses at five locations on the stretch. The work on the underpasses at Amballur, Chirangara, Karukutty, Mulangu and Koratty, which began this year, has considerably increased travel time. For instance, the journey from Thrissur to Ernakulam, a two-hour trip on weekdays, now takes more than three-and-a-half hours due to traffic blocks. Local residents are hit too, as going to even the nearest junction has become tedious. I stay in Ollur and have to take the bus to Puthukkad daily for work. While it took me 20-25 minutes, I now reach Puthukkad only after an hour owing to the congestion at Amballur. What is the point of the highway if it takes so much time to cover just 10 km, asked Rekha, a resident. Justin, an autorickshaw driver, said they are unable to take rides through the NH 544 owing to the congestion. At Koratty and Chirangara, the traffic block stretches for at least 6 km. During medical emergencies, we are forced to take rural roads, adding to the delay, he said. In April, Thrissur District Collector Arjun Pandian wrote to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), urging it to make arrangements for easing the congestion on the route by im plementing road diversions and placing warning signals where excavation works was on. When this was not done, he ordered a halt to toll collection at Paliyekkara. The order was withdrawn after the NHAI promised necessary steps. Thrissur District Congress Committee president Joseph Tajet said people demanded underpasses as their commute was affected when NH 544 was widened to four-lane. The reason was there were no service roads. Now, the works are causing more trouble to the people, and nothing has been done to address the issues, he said, adding that the company collecting the toll was responsible for rectifying the black spots on the NH 544 and it should have done the same before collecting toll. The Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) has also flayed the unplanned construction works. The works began without any consultation with local bodies and police. What is the point of collecting toll if there are no services to show for it, said T Sreenath of KSSPs Nenmanikkara unit. In a report, the Thrissur Rural police had said that lack of warning signals near excavation sites, poor maintenance and incomplete service roads has led to chaos on NH 544 stretch.

Senior Left service organisation leader T Narayanan passes away

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Left service organisation leader and author T Narayanan, 85, passed away on Saturday. Former office-bearer of the All India Audit and Accounts Association, Narayanan served in various positions during his career. He worked in the Accountant-Generals Office in Thiruvananthapuram for 35 years and retired as Assistant Accounts Officer on March31,1998. He led strikes of Central government employees in 1968 and 1974. He held posts, including general secretary and president of the AGs Office NGO Association, president and additional secretary-general of the All India Audit and Accounts Association, state president and all-India organising secretary of the Confederation of Central Government Employees. He was a member of the governing body of the Kerala State Institute of Childrens Literature and served as treasurer of the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare. Narayanan was born on September22,1940, in Nhangattiri, Pattambi in Palakkad. His wife T Radhamani is former president of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad and vice-president of the Central Government Pensioners Association. He is survived by daughters N Sukanya, member of the CPM Kannur district secretariat and joint secretary of the Democratic Womens Association, and Susmitha, news editor at Mathrubhumi, Palakkad. His sons-in-law are former MLA James Mathew and U P Joseph, member of the CPM Thrissur district secretariat. His books published by the Kerala Bhasha Institute include Vidyabhyasam, Samskaram, Samooham, Mathi Manushya Kathanugayikal and Vayanayum Pratikaranavum. The cremation will be held at Thycaud SanthiKavadam at 4.30 pmon Sunday.

Kerala State Information Commission rules courts not exempt from RTI Act

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Courts are not outside the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act and as per Rule 12 of the law, not all information can be denied to an applicant, the State Information Commission has ruled. In an order, State Information Commissioner (SIC) A Abdul Hakeem noted that some court staff turn down RTI applications. The SIC said no information other than that pertaining to judicial proceedings should be withheld. At a time when courts, including the Supreme Court webcast their proceedings live, the practice of lower courts denying information under RTI is an offence and is punishable. A citizen is entitled to get information on all matters other than those before the consideration of judicial officers and part of judicial proceedings, the SIC said. The commissions order was based on a complaint against the information officer at the Chalakudy Munsif court in Thrissur. Joseph Jacob from Malappuram had given RTI applications seeking information in 2021 June and July but they were turned down by the information officer on the grounds that court-related matters cannot be divulged under Rule 12. When the commission sought a report, the information sought by Joseph was provided by a new information officer. Since Joseph persisted with his complaint against the previous officer, the commission decided to punish him under Section 20 (1) of the RTI Act for denying the information to the applicant. The official has been summoned for a hearing on May 28.

Upgraded roads in Thrissur officially dedicated to public

IMD forecasts heavy rainfall across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across the state in the coming days. As per the prediction, the state will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places from Monday to Wednesday. Heavy rainfall is expected in isolated places in Kerala in the coming days. An orange alert has been issued for several districts in the state for Monday and Tuesday and yellow alert has been issued for many districts till May 20. Orange alert Heavy (7-11cm in 24 hours ) to very heavy (12-20cm in 24 hours ) Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (May 19) Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (May 20) Yellow alert (7-11cm in 24 hours) Pathanamthitta and Idukki (May 17) Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (May 18). Ernakulam , Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad (May 19). Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram (May 20).

Failure to provide timely info under RTI Act will invite penal action: SIC

Hearing by Information Commission in Thrissur resolves 33 cases

Thrissurs Kairali-Sree theatres to offer word-class experience to moviegoers

Modernised complex under the KSFDC to reopen on May 27

Class 4 Kerala Paadavali features art works exclusively by girl students, women

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When revised textbooks reach state syllabus schools in the upcoming academic year, the Malayalam textbook Kerala Paadavali for Class 4 is sure to stand out. All the illustrations in the book have been drawn exclusively by girl students and women. The State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), which oversees the curriculum revision, came up with the novel idea as a women empowerment initiative. General Education Minister V Sivankutty welcomed it as a new chapter in the history of the states textbook design sector, which is considered male-dominated. The 10-member team of illustrators included two students Ananya S Subhash and Biyaanka Jenson along with teachers and professional artists. While Biyaanka, a differently abled student, was chosen from an SCERT camp to prepare textbook illustrations last November, Ananya had been a participant in the camp in its previous editions. What makes the textbook unique is the careful selection of illustrations that are aimed at stimulating the imagination of children in the 9-10 age group. The all-female team was encouraged to experiment with various styles and colours supplementing the corresponding matter in the text. SCERT initially had plans to entrust illustrations for the Class 4 and 6 Malayalam textbooks exclusively to girl students and women. However, the plan was restricted to Class 4 as lower primary textbooks need more illustrations compared to other classes. In 2023, students of the Government Model Residential School, Wadakkanchery, Thrissur had painted on stones and turned them into works of art. The stones they painted were featured on the cover of the revised Art Education Activity book of Class 5 last year.

Congress plans to regain lost ground in Central Kerala

KOTTAYAM: As the new KPCC team, led by president Sunny Joseph, returns to Kerala after winding up its maiden meeting with high command, it is expected that the predominant focus of the new leadership will be to strengthen its base in Central Kerala. The AICC leadership is of the view that restoring its lost prominence in Central Kerala will be crucial in returning to power in Kerala after a decade-long gap. Earlier, election strategist Sunil Kanagolu had also submitted a report highlighting UDFs vulnerabilities in the region and recommended strategies to bolster both the party and the coalition. The Central Kerala districts, stretching from Pathanamthitta to Thrissur, are traditionally considered as strongholds of the UDF. However, UDF had struggled significantly in these districts for the past few Assembly elections. In the previous assembly election, UDFs performance in the region was lackluster, with notable success only in Ernakulam. While the UDF faired relatively well in Kottayam district, its results were disappointing in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Thrissur districts. Collectively, these districts account for 55 Assembly seats, yet the UDF managed to secure only 16 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections, a further decline from the 20 seats it won in 2016. When the UDF came to power last time in 2011, the coalition had secured 30 seats from these districts. Taking these facts into account, senior leaders have already shared the opinion on the importance of strengthening the party in Central Kerala. Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts are the potential areas for the UDF. However, while UDF failed to secure a single seat in Pathanamthitta, we got only one seat in Idukki. Even in Kottayam, UDF won only four out of nine seats. We need to significantly improve our performance in Central Travancore region to regain power, said a senior Congress leader. The leadership is also concerned about UDFs poor performance in Thrissur where it could win only one out of 13 seats in the last election. The Christian community is often regarded as a strong supporter of the UDF. However, the coalitions performance in predominantly Christian areas has been notably disappointing, with the exception of Ernakulam, said a former KPCC general secretary. In light of these challenges, Congress and the UDF are pinning their hopes on the new, socially balanced, and youthful leadership to achieve their objectives. Coalition partners such as Indian Union Muslim League and the Kerala Congress led by P J Joseph are also satisfied with the change of guard in the Congress. Meanwhile, KPCC president skipped questions regarding the outcome of their meeting with AICC leadership. The visit to Delhi was highly successful. The AICC leadership effectively engaged with the new leadership in the state. However, we are yet to assess the areas of strengths and weaknesses, he told TNIE.

Railways to fully fund 55 RoBs as Kerala Government fails to share costs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Southern Railway has announced that it will bear the entire cost of constructing 55 Rail Over Bridges (RoBs) in the state, overriding the usual 50:50 cost-sharing arrangement with the state government. The decision comes in the wake of states inability to release its agreed share of funds, which has caused years of delay in executing several major infrastructure projects to replace busy level-crossings. A total of 126 ROBs were originally sanctioned in the state on a cost-sharing basis. However, due to the state governments failure to provide its portion of the funds, most of these projects have remained languishing, despite their importance for public safety and smoother transportation. Southern Railway has identified 55 of the most vital ROBs and decided to fund them fully in public interest. These include busy level crossings at several high-traffic areas across the state, such as LC No. 69A between Edappally and Ernakulam North, LC No. 28 between Pudukad and Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, LC No. 558 between Kappil and Varkala Sivagiri in Thiruvananthapuram, LC No. 230 between Thalassery and Etakkot in Kannur, and LC No. 567 between Kadakkavur and Murukkampuzha in Kollam. The execution of these ROBs has been entrusted to the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL), a joint venture of the state government and the Ministry of Railways. However, the projects are yet to take off due to a range of issues, including non-approval of project plans, delays in land acquisition, and pending contract finalisations.

Police action against anti-war rally in Thrissur sparks outrage

Rally, organised by the Peoples Anti-War Front, was blocked by the police and several activists were taken into preventive custody

Kochi-based reviewers video to be featured in Booker Prize event

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Never in his wildest dreams did Shon Joy imagine that a book review he posted on his social media handle would catch the attention of the Booker Prize Foundation. His video review of Anne Serres A Leopard-Skin Hat one of six books shortlisted for this years International Booker Prize has garnered attention for its clarity and insight. And whats more, his video will be used as part of the official content for the upcoming Booker event. When I posted the review on Instagram, I never expected such a response from the official handle of The Booker Prizes, Shon told TNIE.I tagged them because I was reviewing a book shortlisted by them. This is a huge achievement for me and I was more than happy to give my consent to use my video for their official content for the upcoming event. He said the Booker Prize authorities have promised to credit his account. I too am eagerly waiting for the winner. An engineering graduate by qualification, Shon decided to pursue his passion for reading and writing, becoming a professional copywriter and author. Belonging to Thrissur, he currently resides in Kochi and is an active participant in literary discussions, reading clubs, and is a prolific book reviewer across digital platforms. A major turning point was his interaction with iconic Malayalam writer M Mukundan. I got the unique opportunity to interact and spend a day with him at Mayyazhi as part of an event organised by DC Books to celebrate 50 years of Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerangalil. He inspired me to read more international books and discussed the books shortlisted for this years International Booker Prize. I decided to read and review all six shortlisted books. A Leopard-Skin Hat was the first book I posted, which got the response from them, Shon said.

Jumbos turned violent owing to laser lights, says Paramekkavu Devaswom

THRISSUR: Though Thrissur Pooram this year concluded without any hitches, it seems the allegations didnt. Paramekkavu Devaswom, one of the factions that organises Thrissur Pooram, has come out against the use of laser torches or laser light sources in festival grounds, which they suspect was the reason behind elephants turning violent amid the parade. Paramekkavu Devaswom secretary G Rajesh alleged that the elephant didnt attack any people, after turning violent and all it did was to run amok. There is some reason behind the elephant turning panic and it should be probed. We suspect that some people with vested interest focused laser light on the elephant, leading to a chaotic situation, he said. The devaswoms urged the district administration and police to ban laser lights in festival grounds for the safety of public. Both devaswoms had raised allegations against an animal rights organisation for conspiring to focus laser lights on the eyes of paraded elephants to deliberately create issues. In the incident during Thrissur Pooram, tusker Uttoly Raman came charging at people amid the elephant parade of Madathil Varavu ceremony of Thiruvambady Bhagavathy at midnight. The tusker didnt attack anyone. Instead it ran through a pocket road for about a kilometre. As many as 60 people were injured after they fell while trying to run away from the violent tusker. The condition of three people who suffered injuries during the stampede was critical, but through right intervention and treatment, they were brought back to stable health. In addition, allegations of laser torch being focused on elephants were reported from several other festivals. According to P S Ease, wildlife expert and biologist, If laser light can drive animals away or frighten them, it could have been the most effective method to resolve human-wild animal conflicts across Kerala. He urged the festival organisers to come up with evidence to support their argument that it was laser lights that troubled the elephants. Heritage Animal Task Force chairman V K Venkitachalam said that the allegations were baseless and the organisers were trying to hide their faults through it. Many elephants paraded in Thrissur Pooram this year were either injured or in ill health. How they got a fitness certificate itself is a mystery. It is to hide these drawbacks that devaswoms came up with such an allegation, he added. Three elephants ran amok during pooram Every year, at least 100 elephants participate in Thrissur Pooram for all the elephant parades together. This year three elephants ran amok amid the 30-hour-long rituals. The elephants were paraded only after obtaining fitness certificate from a team of veterinary experts.

State govt. anniversary: Chief Minister to chair Thrissur district meet on May 14

Ente Keralam mega expo in Thrissur from May 18

Kalathode Nachu murder: Six PFI activists sentenced to life term in Kerala

THRISSUR: A Thrissur court has sentenced six Popular Front activists to two concurrent life terms for the murder of CITU worker Nachu at Kalathode. The convicts - Shajahan (50), Valiyakath Shabeer (30), Kattuparambil Nawas (47), Amal Salih (31), Sainuddin (51), and Valiyakath Shihas (40) - were found guilty of hacking Nachu to death with a sword (koduval) in front of the Kalathode Mosque on October 22, 2021. The incident occurred around 3:30 pm, Nachu, who had recently started selling fresh fish by the roadside, was allegedly attacked by three men while he was talking to a friend. The police had retrieved CCTV visuals proving the conspiracy between the five accused at the house of Sainuddin. The High Court had banned the accused from entering the district except for the hearing of the case as the witnesses received threats. The prosecution presented 68 witnesses, 200 documents and 22 items towards proving the case. Phone call details from October 15 to 21 were also submitted towards proving the case. District Public Prosecutor K. B. Sunilkumar and team appeared for the prosecution.

36 per cent of highways in Kerala unsafe for motorists

KOCHI: More than one-third of the highways in the state are prone to accidents, reveals a latest study report prepared by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). According to the Road Safety Action Plan for Kerala State (2025-2030), more than 2,200 km of road corridors -- national highways (NH) and state highways -- in the state are found to be crash vulnerable. The study has been done to facilitate the government to form a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan which aims to cut the accident fatalities in the state by half by 2030. While a whopping 60% (1,089.4 km out of the total 1,811.52 km) of the NH is accident-prone, 26% of the state highways (1,144 km out of the total 4,342 km) falls under the category. Combined, 36% (2,233km out of 6,153 km) of the highways are crash vulnerable, shows the report. The Average Annual Traffic Crashes (AATC) for all major categories of roads in Kerala was found to be higher for NH with 5.15 crashes/km, followed by state highways (2.23 crashes/km). Other roads reported a low crash rate of around 0.10 crashes/km, the report states. As per the report, a major portion of the vulnerable stretches is in Thrissur (289.9 km) while Ernakulam is second with 265.7 km, followed by Kozhikode (224.3 km), Malappuram (219.7 km), Alappuzha (192.4 km), Kottayam (183.1 km), Thiruvananthapuram (174) km), Palakkad (168.2 km), Kollam (143.1 km), Kannur (137.8 km), Pathanamthitta (83.8 km), Kasaragod (55.3 km), Idukki (49.8 km) and Wayanad (47.7 km). Out of the states total road network of 2.05 lakh km, NATPAC identified a total of 323 vulnerable road stretches. Of these, 149 stretches are on the NH and 174 on the state highways. Meanwhile, NATPAC has identified a total of 4,592 black spots across the state, with Ernakulam having the highest number of such stretches (703), followed by Thiruvananthapuram (694) and Thrissur (548). A total of 374 priority black spots have been identified, where immediate rectification action is required. They are further classified into Priority I (250 locations) and Priority II (124 locations). While 227 priority black spots were identified on NH, 84 were identified on State Highways and 63 on other roads, says the report. In the wake of the persistent increase in road accidents over the past decade, the state is now preparing a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan to address the challenges and achieve safe mobility. The main objective of the Road Safety Action Plan for Kerala is to enhance safety on roads in line with the Integrated System Approach, thereby reducing road crash-related fatalities and injuries to at least 50% in the state by 2030, the report says. Kerala, which recorded 9.5% of the total road accidents across the country, is third among states. With 13.9% of the total accidents, Tamil Nadu tops the chart, followed by Madhya Pradesh (11.8 %). Despite its relatively small geographical size, Kerala faces significant road safety issues, with a high incidence of crashes resulting in fatalities and injuries. As per the figures made available by the State Crime Records Bureau, the number of accidents on the state roads increased from 36,000 in 2014 to 48,141 in 2023 and 48,919 in 2024.

Early onset? Monsoon likely to reach Kerala on May 27

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala looks all set to experience the earliest onset of monsoon since 2009. Going by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon is likely to reach the state on May 27 this year earlier than the usual date of June 1. Normally, southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. According to IMD officials, the monsoon had arrived in the state on May 23 in 2009. In 2011, 2018 and 2022, it reached on May 29. The arrival of the main rain-bearing system over the Indian mainland is marked by the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala. Its a significant indicator that shows transition from the hot season to the rainy season. The IMD issues operational forecasts for monsoon onset using an indigenously developed statistical system with a model error of 4 days. The monsoon onset is predicted based on six factors minimum temperatures over north-west India; pre-monsoon rainfall peak over south peninsula; mean sea level pressure over subtropical Pacific Ocean; outgoing long wave radiation over south China Sea; lower tropospheric zonal wind over northeast Indian Ocean and upper tropospheric zonal wind over Indonesia region. The Met departments operational forecasts for monsoon since 2005 were correct except in 2015, said an official statement. Meanwhile, IMD has issued hot and humid weather warning in the state for Sunday. Maximum temperatures are likely to be around 38 degrees Celsius at isolated places in Thrissur district and around 37 degrees Celsius in Kottayam, Kollam and Palakkad districts.

Anti-war rally blocked in Thrissur

Thrissur group to give a musical twist to fibromyalgia awareness

THRISSUR: A Thrissur-based group is set to use music to create awareness about fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. On World Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12, Nadabrahmam Foundation will organise a music concert based on certain ragas to create awareness about the disease and the scope of music therapy. K Venugopal, the general convener of the foundation said discussions about fibromyalgia began when one of their members was diagnosed with the disorder. Until then, we were not that familiar about the long-term disorder that is often left unattended. What makes it more important is the fact that women are more vulnerable to it. Hence, our collective decided to address it, making it the theme of our next musical evening, he said. On the day, the foundation will also launch a documentary about Fibromyalgia. Titled The Hurt Without Scar, the documentary has been directed by Nisha Nair. Nisha recollects how she was affected by fibromyalgia and how her parents, friends and relatives viewed her condition without understanding it properly. It was after some time in her life that she came to learnt about her condition, Venugopal said. The day will also see talks on fibromyalgia and associated aspects by gynaecologist Geetha Anallur, Dr Ramdas A R and Dr Baspin K. Fr Paul Poovathingal will talk about Music-The Healing Medicine, while Sugatha Prasad will talk about Music Therapy Through Ragas. Fr Paul will also lead the team of singers. The highlight of the musical evening will be the songs. They are based on certain ragas that highlight the importance of musical therapy, Venugopal said. Vinod K, an executive member of the foundation, said immense effort went into selecting the songs. The songs are based on Kamboji, Mohanam, Hidustani Desh, Neelambari ragas. These give a soothing, relaxing effect to the listeners. Mohanam has been found to be very effective for mental stress, as per experts in musical therapy, he said. Senior consultant neurologist Raghunath B will inaugurate the programme at Thrissur Town hall. On Republic Day, the Nadabrahmam Foundation had organised a music concert in which it presented patriotic songs and felicitated a military veteran who took part in the Kargil War.

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