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Kerala / The New Indian Express

Investigation into BSNL Engineers Cooperative Society scam recommends recovery of Rs 362 crore from officials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The investigation into the BSNL Engineers Cooperative Society scam has concluded, recommending the recovery of Rs 362 crore from 19 governing body members and one employee. Conducted by the cooperative department, the inquiry identified liabilities stemming from three governing bodies operating since 2007. The misappropriated total comprises Rs 257.34 crore in principal and Rs 104.67 crore in interest, calculated at an 18% rate up to December 31, 2024. The largest recoveries

2 Apr 2025 8:52 am
Training programme to curb sexual harassment in Mollywood

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to ensure safer workplace in the Malayalam film industry, the women and child development department will be rolling out a specialised training programme to enforce the provisions of the POSH Act. Health and Women and Child Development Minister Veena George will inaugurate the state-level launch of the initiative at KTDC Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan will preside over. Prominent figures from the Malayalam film in

2 Apr 2025 8:46 am
Thiruvananthapuram: Excise raids government college mens hostel, seizes ganja

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a crackdown on drug use in student hostels, an excise team seized 20 g of cannabis during a raid at the Government College Hostel for Men near LMS Church, Palayam, on Tuesday. The contraband was found in room number 455, which, according to hostel residents, was occupied by Pandiyaraj, a native of Chokkanad Estate in Munnar. However, students informed officials that Pandiyaraj had vacated the room early Monday morning. The excise department has since intensified search for

2 Apr 2025 8:44 am
No April fools! KSRTC staff get full salary on first day

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSRTC has started disbursing salaries in full on the first of the month, starting April 1, fulfilling the promise made by the Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. On Tuesday, a sum of Rs 80 crore was distributed as salaries to employees. This is the first time since December 2020 that KSRTC employees are receiving salaries in full on the first of the month. April is also the eighth consecutive month that KSRTC employees are receiving their salaries in a single instalment. The

2 Apr 2025 8:39 am
Sabarimala temple opened for festivals

SABARIMALA: The Sabarimala temple was opened on Tuesday for 18 days to celebrate annual and Vishu festivals.Melsanthi Arunkumar Nampoothiri opened the sreekovil at 5pm in the presence of thantri Kandararu Brahmadathan and Kandararu Rajivaru. No rituals were performed at the sreekovil in the evening. Darshan for devotees are restricted to those who possess virtual queue passes and should undergo verification at the counters at Pampa Anjaneya auditorium before the gate at Pampa. However, devotees

2 Apr 2025 8:08 am
How can accused demand CBI probe, Kerala HC asks actor Dileep

KOCHI: How can an accused in a case demand a CBI probe? A division bench of the Kerala High Court posed the question to actor Dileep, the eighth accused in the 2017 actor assault case, while hearing his plea challenging a single judges dismissal of his request for a CBI probe. Dileep submitted that a CBI probe was essential to ensure fair and impartial investigation into all the aspects of the case, particularly the real nature of the incident and the conspiracy that led to the registration of t

2 Apr 2025 8:05 am
IB officers death: Family alleges sexual assault

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The family of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer at Thiruvananthapuram Airport who had died by suicide, has raised allegations regarding her death. Her father told the media that his daughter was a victim of sexual assault by a colleague and that they had submitted related evidence to the Pettah police. The family arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday morning and handed over hospital records as proof. The father said that the police are examining these records and coordin

2 Apr 2025 8:01 am
Congress MPs from Kerala in tight spot as Church toughens stand on Waqf Bill

KOCHI/KOTTAYAM : The Congress MPs from Kerala, especially the Christian members, are in a tight spot after the party took an official stand to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill, which will be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. BJP has taken a stand in Kerala that the dispute over Munambam land between the Kerala State Waqf Board and 600-odd families, mostly Christians and Hindus, who are living in the 400 acres of land for generations, can be resolved in favour of the residents once the Bill is pas

2 Apr 2025 7:59 am
Missing MBA answer scripts: Kerala University to conduct retests on April 7, 22

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala University (KU) has decided to conduct the re-examination of the 71 MBA students of the 2022-24 batch whose answer-scripts went missing from an evaluators custody, on two dates. Candidates unable to appear for the re-examination on April 7 can do so on April 22, KU Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal announced after a high-level meeting of university officials on Tuesday. The Controller of Examinations had earlier announced that the re-examination would be held on Apr

2 Apr 2025 7:54 am
Kerala familys plea for info on missing cat Simba moves netizens

KOZHIKODE: Four years ago, when their father Riyas gifted them Simba, Riffa, Risha and Risal were ecstatic. Within no time, the cat, a Russian breed, became an inseparable part of their lives. When the family from Karikamkulam in Kozhikode lost Riyas last year, Simba became their source of comfort, joy and solace. Now, the family is facing another tragedy. Simba has been missing from their home since Friday, and the family has been looking everywhere for it. A video of them pleading for their pe

2 Apr 2025 7:48 am
KSRTC floats tender to give courier service pro touch

KOCHI: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) plans to take its courier service to the next level by initiating measures to appoint a professional agency to run its popular logistics initiative, a development expected to give other courier companies a run for their money. Despite the success, authorities have courted sharp criticism for mismanaging the service in the face of growing demand. Critics cite poor infrastructure facilities including tiny counters, lack of personnel, and u

2 Apr 2025 7:44 am
Vadakkupurathupattu to commence at Vaikom temple on April 2 after 12 years

KOTTAYAM: The Vadakkupurathupattu, a sacred ritual performed only once every 12 years at the Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, is set to commence on Wednesday. According to authorities, arrangements are in place to perform the ritual. The Kodiarchana, a ritual being held as part of the Vadakkupurathupattu, has been ongoing since March 17. The rituals will come to a close with Valiya Guruthi ceremony on April 13. Legend has it that during the rule of the Vadakkunkur Rajas, a devastating epidemic struc

2 Apr 2025 7:41 am
Made in Kerala boats making waves in India and beyond, orders pour in

KOCHI: Kerala is becoming a boat manufacturing hub, especially in the small vessel category, as evidenced by the number of boatyards operating in the state. As per the statistics from the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB), the authority has issued accreditations to around 80 to 85 boatyards in Kerala, most of them concentrated in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. And many of these boatyards boast of orders not only from other states but also countries like Canada and Israel. Joy Jacob, the CEO of Mat

2 Apr 2025 7:39 am
Kerala to introduce cool roof policy to beat the heat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Grappling with increasing heat stress, Kerala is all set to come up with a cool roof policy. With this, Kerala will be the second state in the country after Telangana to introduce the cool roof policy, which promotes indoor cooling strategies and empowers local self-government institutions (LSGIs) and other agencies in implementing effective heat mitigation solutions. Energy Management Centre (EMC) director R Harikumar told TNIE that the draft cool roof policy is nearing comp

2 Apr 2025 7:36 am
Meeting between state, Union Health Minister paves way for fresh talks with ASHA workers in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A meeting between the state and Union health ministers, Veena George and J P Nadda, has paved the way for renewed talks with the protesting ASHA workers. While previous discussions had failed to reach a resolution, Veena now backed by an assurance from Nadda to look into key issues including the Rs 637-crore central due that has restricted the states actions hopes to reassure the ASHA workers protesting in Thiruvananthapuram. She has already expressed her intention to meet

2 Apr 2025 7:33 am
Bhajan rockstars Nandagovindam to perform in Thiruvananthapuram

The scene at Vaikom Mahadeva temple on March 31 was euphoric almost like a rock band in action with fans singing along. However, the music wasnt headbanging stuff but a fluid melody, soul-stirring, with emphatic troughs and crests, and above all, a sense of blissful peace. It was the Nandagovindam team who are on a spiritual music journey across Kerala in action, staging a selection of songs drawn partly from the traditional sampradaya bhajan culture and partly from lilting tunes adapted from

2 Apr 2025 6:13 am
A ratio problem that's plaguing T'Puram Medical College Hospital

Keralas highly acclaimed public health sector has often made headlines for its achievements. However, a closer look reveals several areas that need improvement, one of the most important being the shortage of staff. This issue was highlighted by the recent CAG report, which noted a shortage of 1,160 doctors, 978 nurses, 716 paramedics, and 4,430 other staff across government hospitals in Kerala. In the case of doctor-to-population ratio on the basis of availability, only two districts Pathanamt

2 Apr 2025 6:00 am
Cheers & jeers: Bevco gets excise licence for premium outlet in Kochi Metro station

City residents will soon have more modern and convenient options to purchase liquor as the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) is all set to launch premium outlets at the Vyttila and Vadakkekotta metro stations. According to a top official, Bevco has received the Excise licence for the Vyttila station outlet, while its application for the one at Vadakkekotta is being processed. The licencing procedures are expected to conclude by next week. Once approved, we will enter into a lease agreem

2 Apr 2025 6:00 am
Keltron records revenue of Rs 1,056.94 crore; highest in company's history

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keltron, the state-owned electronics enterprise under the Kerala Industries Department, has recorded a revenue of Rs 1,056.94 crore for the financial year 2024-25. This marks the highest revenue in the companys history. When the second Pinarayi Vijayan government assumed office in the 2021-22 fiscal year, Keltrons revenue stood at Rs 521.71 crore. The latest figures show that the company has now surpassed the Rs 1,000 crore milestone, significantly improving upon the previous

1 Apr 2025 10:30 pm
Kerala HC refuses to ban 'Empuraan'; asks petitioner to show FIR that the movie incites violence

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday refused to pass an interim order banning the screening of the Mohanlal starer film ' L2: Empuraan ' in theatres. The court issued a notice to the central and state governments and directed them to file statements, if any. Justice CS Dias said that notice to the other respondents, including actor Mohanlal and director of the film Prithviraj Sukumaran are dispensed with. The court issued the order on the petition filed by VV Vijeesh, District Committee membe

1 Apr 2025 5:25 pm
BJP Thrissur district committee moves Kerala HC seeking a ban on 'L2: Empuraan' film

KOCHI: The BJP Thrissur District Committee member on Tuesday approached the Kerala High Court seeking a directive to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in New Delhi to immediately ban the screening of the Malayalam film ' L2: Empuraan ' in theatres to prevent further controversy and avert potential communal unrest. Soon after the release of the film,it faced a backlash from a section of people over some scenes, including ones seen as referring to the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in the Gujar

1 Apr 2025 2:08 pm
CPM set for Madurai Congress with calls for the deepest introspection

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Having touched rock bottom nationally, both electorally and politically, the CPM is on a last-ditch attempt to win back its mass base. Literally shrunk to the bare minimum, the party is keen to expand its independent strength, as it gears up for its 24th Congress in Madurai from Wednesday. Keen to emerge from the rut the largest Communist party in the country finds itself in, the CPM wants to convert the support it garners from mass and class agitations into electoral victori

1 Apr 2025 8:42 am
Financial hurdles delaying Thiruvananthapurams abattoir project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The commissioning of a modern abattoir in Thiruvananthapuram, a long-held dream of the city corporation, continues to face indefinite delays because of financial hurdles. The Rs 9.58-crore slaughterhouse project at Kunnukuzhy has remained in the finishing stages for the past several years as the corporation keeps delaying the release of funds for the purpose. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board had sealed the slaughterhouse almost 13 years ago citing pollution issues. Si

1 Apr 2025 8:23 am
Painguni festival from April 2 to 11 at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The annual Painguni festival at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram will be celebrated from April 2 to 11 with special rituals and cultural programmes. The festival will begin on April 2 with the flag hoisting between 8.45 am and 9.30 am, followed by the Mannuneerukoral ritual at 10.15 am and the Mulapooja at 6.45 pm. The Valiya Kanikka ritual will take place on April 9, while the Pallivetta ceremony is scheduled for April 10. The festival will conclude with the

1 Apr 2025 8:21 am
Kerala Consumer panel asks agency to pay Rs 4 lakh to burn victim injured in LPG leak

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) awarded Rs 4 lakh compensation and litigation costs to a man who sustained 45 pc burn injuries in an LPG cylinder leak. The commission found fault with two insurance companies which did not provide relief to the victim. The Kollam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission had earlier directed Indane and its agency in Kottarakkara to pay Rs 4 lakh compensation to the injured. The SCDRC order came on an appeal petit

1 Apr 2025 8:20 am
Kerala LoP Satheesan launches global anti-drug campaign in Vienna

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan inaugurated the global campaign against drug abuse, organised by the World Malayali Federation, in Vienna. The WMF plans to run the campaign across 166 countries and Kerala. Enforcement doesnt mean rise in the increasing number of cases. Instead the source of drugs should be eliminated. The government machinery should break the supply chain of drugs and narcotic substances, pointed out Satheesan. Unlike in the past, now non-residents are wor

1 Apr 2025 8:13 am
Union ministers welcome CBCI, KCBC move urging MPs to back Waqf Bill

KOCHI: The statements by Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) urging political parties to back the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which regulates waqf property in the country, has found resonance with members of the Narendra Modi cabinet, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Both CBCI and KCBC said the Waqf Amendment Bill will help the people of Munambam to fully restore the rightful owne

1 Apr 2025 8:03 am
Kerala Congress parties in a fix over KCBC call on Waqf bill

KOTTAYAM: With political parties setting their sights on local-body elections at the end of the year and assembly elections in 2026, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Councils stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has placed Kerala Congress factions in a tight spot. With KCBC publicly urging Kerala MPs to vote in favour of the bill in Parliament, both Kerala Congress (M) and Kerala Congress, led by P J Joseph, are faced with the difficult choice of either going against their respective coalitions positi

1 Apr 2025 7:59 am
CPM workers display murder convicts pictures at fest procession in Kerala

KANNUR: A celebration by CPM workers with flags featuring photographs of those convicted in the 2005 murder of BJP member Elambilayi Sooraj, during a temple festival recently has sparked a controversy. The BJP Kannur leadership has condemned the act. The flags displaying the pictures of all the convicts were used at the Kuttichathan Madom festival in Parambayi during the kalasha procession on Sunday night. The event, which included DJ performances and other programmes as part of the kalasham var

1 Apr 2025 7:51 am
On Eid-ul-Fitr, faithful swear to fight drug menace in Kerala

MALAPPURAM: Say no to drugs was a refrain at functions organised by Muslim religious organisations to mark Eid-ul-Fitr across the state on Monday. The Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF), under the EK faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (Samastha), and the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) organised statewide initiatives against drug abuse. The Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) Malappuram East District Committee, under the Samastha AP faction, launched a campaign targeting the

1 Apr 2025 7:49 am
New trend taking shape in Kerala as expats seek home away from home

KOCHI: Paul Johnson (name changed), a Keralite working for the United Nations in Vienna, recently built a 3,000 sqft home in Koratty, his hometown in Thrissur district. Though he and his wife are settled in the Austrian capital, they see their new home in Kerala as a place to spend nearly half the year after retirement. Our children see it as a way to reconnect with their roots. Additionally, healthcare in Kerala is more accessible, with shorter wait times compared to Europe. Many overseas insur

1 Apr 2025 7:46 am
Five days on, L2: Empuraan continues to divide opinion

KOCHI: Five days into its theatrical release, L2: Empuraan continued to spur heated debates, accusations and trolls. While industry insiders and political parties voiced support for the Mohanlal-starrer, the Sangh parivar, including RSS mouthpiece Organiser, continued its attack on the flick. On Monday, ministers Saji Cherian and P Rajeeve, filmmaker Ashiq Abu and others expressed solidarity with Prithviraj Sukumaran, director of the movie. The film should be watched by everyone. It gives a mess

1 Apr 2025 7:44 am
Ernakulam General Hospital sets its heart on another milestone in Kerala

KOCHI: A district-level hospital that performs open heart surgeries, kidney transplants and more than 1,300 keyhole surgeries may seem a myth. However, with infrastructure development, team building and resources, the Ernakulam General Hospital (GH) has been achieving milestones one after the other, bringing hope to people in Ernakulam and nearby districts. The GH is set to create history by becoming the first district-level hospital to perform a heart transplant. It will be executed under the h

1 Apr 2025 7:38 am
IMD predicts widespread rainfall on April 3

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IMD has predicted widespread rainfall across the state on Thursday and Friday. Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm or lightning are likely at isolated places during the period. The agency has issued yellow alerts in Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad on Thursday, and in Ernakulam and Thrissur on Friday. IMDs prediction is based on the impact of a north-south trough that runs from a cyclonic circulation over Marathwada to north Tamil Nadu and an upper air cyclonic circula

1 Apr 2025 7:35 am
Kerala HC grants divorce citing husbands neglect of family life

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has observed that a husbands disinterest and indifference toward family life and his lack of intimacy with his wife indicate his failure to fulfill his marital duties. While granting divorce to a woman who claimed that her husband showed no interest in sexual relations or family life but was compulsively pursuing spiritual activities such as temple visits, the court said, A marriage does not grant one partner the authority to dictate the spouses personal beliefs, whe

1 Apr 2025 7:25 am
Pen strokes or pixels? The great debate around AI in art

Once, in Japan, there lived a dreamer named Hayao Miyazaki. With a sketchbook in hand and many stories in his mind, he longed to create something that felt alive, something that could capture the magic hidden in everyday moments, tender emotions, and visually rich landscapes. Together with his friend Isao Takahata, Miyazaki founded Studio Ghibli. Instead of the loud, flashy visuals that were popular in animation at that time, they created scenes with hand-drawn frames painted with soothing colou

1 Apr 2025 6:00 am
Breaking into film industry is just step one; sustaining it is real challenge

Sandeep Pradeep is a dreamer one who breathed cinema with every heartbeat from a young age. At just 15, he was already making short films, driven by his passion for acting. Yet, like many dreamers, he feared the uncertainty of the path ahead and briefly considered other career options. But fate, as if hearing his wish, nudged him back to where he belonged in front of the camera. His debut in Pathinettam Padi was just the beginning, but it was his role as Basils brother in Falimy that truly put

1 Apr 2025 6:00 am
Union Ministers welcome KCBC's letter to Kerala MPs seeking support for Waqf Amendment Bill

KOCHI: The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) letter to all Kerala Members of Parliament (MP) urging them to back the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill found resonance among the Narendra Modi cabinet members. The bill, which seeks to do away with unjust and unfair clauses detrimental to the Munambam people, has been hailed as necessary by the KCBC and supported by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar t

31 Mar 2025 4:34 pm
ASHA workers cut hair to mark 50th day of protest against Kerala government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ASHA workers marked the 50th day of their day-night protest by cutting their hair in a powerful act of defiance against the ongoing delay in addressing their demands. Padmajam and Beena, two ASHA workers, shaved their heads, while state representatives of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association cut their locks in front of the Secretariat, at the main protest site. Similar acts of solidarity were carried out across the state. Before cutting their hair, the workers loosened

31 Mar 2025 2:11 pm
'L2: Empuraan' row: 'Prithviraj is the voice of the anti-nationals,' says RSS mouthpiece

The RSS mouthpiece Organiser continued to target actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran over L2:Empuraan, even as the movie shattered records with its massive worldwide opening. Actor-filmmaker Prithviraj is the director of the movie Empuraan . The Organiser on Sunday acknowledged that the actor-director has shared Mohanlal's Facebook post expressing regret for the distress caused by the movie. The RSS mouthpiece also added that the production team of Empuraan has announced that the film will und

31 Mar 2025 12:29 pm
Youtuber held for blocking convoy of Priyanka Gandhi MP in Kerala

THRISSUR: A YouTuber has been arrested here for allegedly blocking the convoy of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, police said on Monday. The Mannuthy police took Aneesh Abraham, a resident of Elanadu, into custody in connection with the incident and released him later on station bail, a police officer said. His car was also seized. The incident occurred around 9.30 pm on Saturday at Mannuthy Bypass Junction while Vadra was travelling from Vandoor, Malappuram, to Kochi Airport, a

31 Mar 2025 11:57 am
CISFs coastal cyclothon to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on March 31

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A coastal cyclothon organised by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will reach the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thumba on Monday. Around 75 cyclists, who began their journey from Lakhpat Fort in Gujarat, are expected to arrive at the venue before noon. They have already covered nearly 3,700 kilometres along the Western coast, passing through coastal states including Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. Following the event in the capital, they will head to Kany

31 Mar 2025 9:04 am
CM Pinarayi Vijayan rallies behind Empuraan, hits out at Sangh Parivar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Condemning the hate campaign unleashed by the Sangh parivar against the cast and crew of the recently released film L2:Empuraan , Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the atmosphere of fear instigated by right-wing groups was concerning. In a Facebook post, he said he watched Empuraan, which is poised to take the Malayalam film industry to greater heights, at a time when the makers of the movie are under attack from the Sangh parivar. He said the right-wing groups were

31 Mar 2025 8:21 am
Commission calls for city-specific hubs, road map for urbanisation in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Constituted by the state government in December 2023, the Urban Policy Commission (UPC) has submitted its final report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wherein it has recommended a slew of measures, including setting up of city-specific hubs to exploit local potential and preparation of a road map for urbanisation by addressing all concerns. The report calls for developing Thrissur-Kochi as the financial technology (fintech) hub of the state. It also proposes growing Palakk

31 Mar 2025 8:15 am
Involvement of minors in narcotics cases rising

KOCHI: As Kerala grapples with a growing drug menace, the rise in involvement of minors in drug trafficking and drug abuse cases has baffled enforcement agencies. The trend, they say, indicates peddlers are deliberately targeting school students. According to the excise department, 170 minors have been caught for the smuggling and trading of drugs since 2022. The officials report a surge in cases registered against minors under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act since 2022

31 Mar 2025 8:10 am
Kochi corporation failed in allocating funds, says Opposition

KOCHI: Opposition councillors of the Kochi corporation on Sunday accused the corporation of failing in preparing a proper plan to spend the fund earmarked by the state government for the 2025-26 financial year. While the state government allocated a plan fund of Rs 88 crore in the budget, the plan prepared by the corporation for the fiscal is only for Rs 82 crore, the UDF councillors alleged. The government had issued an order saying local self-government bodies should formulate an annual plan i

31 Mar 2025 8:06 am
Think-tank set up to monitor drug abuse, violence among youth: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has constituted a think-tank to monitor in detail drug abuse and rising violent tendencies among the youth, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Sunday. He was speaking at a meeting of experts from various sectors and representatives of student and youth organisations to chalk out an action plan against rising instances of drug abuse and violence in the state. Pinarayi said a web portal will be set up through which the public can confidentially in

31 Mar 2025 8:03 am
Centre approves two major tourism projects in Alappuzha, Palakkad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant boost to Kerala Tourism, the Centre has given administrative and financial approval for two projects with a total outlay of Rs 169.05 crore to enhance the appeal of water tourism in Alappuzha and the Malampuzha Garden in Palakkad. The projects were submitted by the state tourism department, seeking clearance under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme of the Union Tourism Ministry. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) drawn up by the state tourism department were revie

31 Mar 2025 8:00 am
Bus operators to stage statewide protest seeking hike in student ticket fare in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the next academic year approaches, private stage carriage operators are gearing up for a statewide protest against the delay in increasing student ticket fares. T Gopinathan, general secretary of the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation will lead a protest march from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram from April 3 to 9. The organisers are calling for urgent government intervention to support the industry by increasing student ticket fares, renewing private bus permits, regul

31 Mar 2025 7:57 am
Deceased IB officials family alleges financial exploitation by colleague

PATHANAMTHITTA: The family of Megha Madhusudhanan, an intelligence bureau official who was found dead near a railway track in Thiruvananthapuram on the morning of March 24, has alleged financial exploitation by her colleague, citing evidence from her bank account statements. Madhusudhanan, Meghas father, alleged that a major portion of her salary was regularly transferred to the account of Sukanth Suresh, her colleague from Edappal in Malappuram, since May 2024. There is evidence of repeated mon

31 Mar 2025 7:53 am