KOCHI: The BJP has complained to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Kochi City Police Commissioner, alleging that journalist Sidheeq Kappan violated his bail conditions by attending a solidarity meeting in Kochi in support of Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek. The protest, organised at Vanchi Square on Saturday with the support of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), demanded the release of Rejaz. Rejaz is a student activist and independent journalist from Kerala who was arrested in Nagpur last

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) will introduce a revised pattern for the online Learner's Licence test from October 1. The change will come into effect through the MVD LEADS mobile app, which also offers learning support for candidates. Currently, the online test has 20 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must answer at least 12 questions correctly within 15 seconds per question to pass. Under the new pattern, the test will have 30 questions, with 30 seconds allowed for

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:In a decision that could trigger a major debate in Kerala, the state cabinet issued its nod for a draft legislation to eliminate wild animals posing a threat to human life. The new legislation is aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflict. A special cabinet meeting held on Saturday approved the draft legislation to permit the killing of animals, irrespective of the schedule in which it's included. Sources said the new legislation would be brought in as an amendment to the cen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George has announced that special wellness clinics for women will be launched at all 5,415 public health centres across the state. The clinics will function on every Tuesday. These clinics will focus on identifying and addressing a range of health issues, including malnutrition, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer screening, among others. The initiative is set to be officially launched on September 16. The minister urged women to make the most of this opp

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With recurrent Nipah outbreaks leaving more questions than answers, the state has launched a critical sero-surveillance initiative aimed at uncovering hidden transmission pathways. A new testing kit, developed by the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV), is at the core of the effort designed to detect Nipah antibodies in both humans and animals. With no conclusive understanding yet of how the virus makes the leap from bats to humans, this surveillance aims to identify possib

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A school that once produced Olympians for the country, but then moved away from the limelight, has now set its sights high help fulfil Indias aspirations in the 2036 Olympics. G V Raja Sports School, a first-of-its-kind-initiative in the state, is preparing for an ambitious revamp to build a comprehensive sports ecosystem. The focus is on putting in place systems for sustained training to enable the sportspersons under its wings to attain global standards. Currently recognis

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) collected 7,960 bottles on Friday under its plastic bottle return scheme, which was launched on Wednesday. A source said outlets started receiving bottles from the very first day. Most of the returns were of smaller quantities, and in some cases, customers brought bottles back within hours of purchase. The pilot phase of the scheme has been rolled out at 10 outlets each in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur. Bevco plans to expand it t

KOCHI: Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, speaking at the Kerala Urban Conclave, said the state will have the support of the central government in implementing development projects. He cited the example of the regional rapid transit system and said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has discussed the project with him. Once the state government prepares and submits the detailed project report, the ministry will approve and support it, he said, adding that the sta

KOCHI: Kerala is experiencing a unique form of New Urbanism where ruralurban inequalities are narrowing at a faster pace than elsewhere in India, but this growth comes with fresh challenges, said State Planning Board member Dr Ravi Raman. Speaking to TNIE on the sidelines of the Kerala Urban Conclave, Dr Raman said the benefits of growth have spread widely, but infrastructure and planning have not kept pace. What we are witnessing is not just urbanisation with growth. It is a core growth feature

ALAPPUZHA: CPI national secretary D Raja on Friday said no one should question the patriotism and nationalism of communists, pointing out that the RSS had no role in the countrys freedom movement. Addressing a public rally in Alappuzha in connection with the CPI state conference, Raja accused the BJP-RSS of dividing people in the name of religion while serving the interests of corporate houses. He said the Constitution defined India as a secular democratic republic, but the ruling dispensation w

ALAPPUZHA: Binoy Viswam was unanimously elected as the state secretary of the CPI for a second term at the partys state conference held in Alappuzha on Friday. Binoy, who took charge in December 2023 following the passing of former state secretary Kanam Rajendran, is also a member of the CPI national secretariat. After his re-election, he said the CPI would move forward by embracing constructive criticism. Strengthening Left unity is vital, and efforts will be made to further consolidate the LDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Kerala clearing the decks for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll, the state will face the 2026 assembly election with a newly-prepared electoral roll altogether unlike the usual practice of revising the existing voters list. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala, Rathan U Kelkar, told reporters here on Friday that the state is fully prepared to implement special intensive revision (SIR) once the Election Commission announces the schedule. He added t

THRISSUR : A voice clip alleged to be that of DYFI district secretary Sarath Prasad has sparked a controversy as it names prominent CPM leaders in Thrissur and accused them of amassing huge wealth after attaining a certain level in the party. Based on the leaked voice clip, CPM district secretary K V Abdul Khader has sought an explanation from Sarath. Meanwhile, the party has expelled DYFI Mannuthy area secretary Nibin Sreenivasan who leaked the audio clip and came out against the party in conne

KOZHIKODE: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will wait for the official announcement of the details of the proposed Minority Sangamam before reacting to the event scheduled to be held in mid-October. We have not taken any decision on the issue, said party leader K P A Majeed, MLA. It is not yet clear whether political parties will be invited for the programme or the event will be confined to religious and community leaders. The IUML may follow the collective decision of the UDF in the issue. The

KOCHI: Hardening its stance against the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for sending gold-plated sheets of dwarapalaka idols of the Sabarimala temple to Chennai for repair without following proper procedure, the Kerala High Court on Friday directed the TDBs chief vigilance and security officer (SP) to seize all the records related to the gold plating of the idols and other items since the date of original cladding. It also impleaded Unnikrishnan Potty of Bengaluru, who is sponsoring the repair, a

KOCHI: Kochi Metro Rail Ltd is making waves. In a significant milestone, KMRL bagged the contract to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) for Mumbais proposed water metro project, which will be modelled on the successful Kochi Water Metro. The consultancy assignment, worth Rs 4.4 crore, was awarded by the Maharashtra government through a competitive tender process. With this, KMRL has entered the league of national-level consultancies, on the lines of the pioneering role played by Delhi Met

KOCHI: Kerala is on course to frame the countrys first urban policy, with the Kerala Urban Policy Commission, formed in December 2023, submitting its final report early this year. The detailed one-and-a-half year study was carried out to formulate norms that will guide urban planning in the state for the next 25 years. TNIE caught up with Prof Dr Ashok Kumar, lead member of the commission, on the sidelines of the ongoing Kerala Urban Conclave. Excerpts: How fast is urbanisation playing out in Ke

KOCHI: Keralas upcoming urban policy is poised to move away from a one-size-fits-all formula and embrace a differentiated, climate-conscious, and inclusive framework to guide the states rapidly changing landscape. If Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans pitch at the Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 in Kochi on Friday is any indication, the policy will seek to balance sustainability, social equity, and economic growth while recognising the distinct needs of mega cities and satellite towns. Unless we tailor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to further distance itself from the discredited MLA, the Congress has informed the assembly speaker that Rahul Mamkootathil is no longer a member of its parliamentary party. Congress parliamentary party leader V D Satheesan on Friday evening handed over a letter in this regard to the speakers office. On the basis of the letter, Rahul will be considered as part of an independent block. Speaker A N Shamseer will decide on the seating arrangement of Rahul on September 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Blocked by a vehicle at parking? The app LetMeGoo offers a way out. Developed by Richinnovations Technologies, a Technopark-based startup, the app is designed to alert owners whose vehicles are obstructing others in parking lots. It is now live with around 512 registered users most of them in Thiruvananthapuram. The concept behind LetMeGoo dates back to 2015, when Technopark employees would share photos in WhatsApp groups to identify vehicles that needed to be moved. LetMeGo

This Onam was doubly sweet for Santhy Balachandran. The multifaceted Santhy, who first stepped into cinema with Dominic Aruns Tharangam in 2017, has returned to the spotlight with Lokah: Chapter 1: Chandra. The sensational blockbuster not only marks her debut as a writer but also credits her as dramaturgist, a role still unfamiliar to many in our cinema. Together with Dominic, she has spun a universe where Keralas yakshi myths entwine with the Wests vampire lore, creating a spectacle that feels

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday emphasised that Kerala must move away from a one-size-fits-all model of urban planning, calling for distinct approaches for megacities and satellite towns while making the revival of water bodies a central theme for the states future development. Inaugurating the two-day Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 in Kochi, Vijayan said: Each will need a separate outlook and planning framework. Their requirements, challenges, and opportunities are different. Unles

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Land owners who surrendered their land for the Vizhinjam-Navaikulam Outer Ring Road (ORR) project have approached the High Court alleging that compensation for properties acquired three years ago has not yet been disbursed. As many as 5,000 families are in a spot of bother after the 3D notification was issued. The land owners are unable to use their land for cultivation, avail education or medical loans, construct homes or even repair their dilapidated houses. The ORR Land Ow

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A collective of former vice-chancellors and senior academics from the state has written to the Chief Justice of India, expressing grave concerns over search committees constituted by the Supreme Court for selection of vice-chancellors in technological and digital universities without the representative of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The 13 signatories of the letter include G Madhavan Nair, former chairman, ISRO, TP Sreenivasan, former Vice-Chairman, Kerala State H

KOCHI: High mortality rate, growing festival frenzy and stress-related diseases are adding to the sufferings of captive elephants in Kerala. Though the gentle giants have a huge fanbase on social media, they rarely get any rest as they are made to criss-cross the state for jumbo pageantries. The death of two celebrity elephantsErattupetta Ayyappan, 55, on August 19 and Kiran Narayanankutty, 60, on August 22forced temple committees to book elephants in advance for the festival season starting in

KANNUR : Purushothaman T V, a resident of Velloor in Payyannur, has turned his humble livelihood of coconut plucking into a ticket to see the world. With the firm belief thengu chadikkilla (coconut tree never cheats), the 62-year-old built his life around the trade, and in return, coconuts rewarded him with opportunities he never imagined. Once convinced that he would never step beyond the country, Purushothaman has now travelled to countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and several Ar

THRISSUR: Considered the gold capital of Kerala, there was a time when Thrissur hosted hundreds of traditional gold artisan units that sold finished ornaments to major retailers in South India. Soaring gold prices saw the industry undergo a transformation, with customers opting for lightweight jewellery over relatively bulky traditional ones. Veppila usha, elakkathali, adukku thali, and kuzhal mothiram necklaces made here have for ages been among the most sought after gold ornaments. The exquisi

THRISSUR: For Malayalis, Thrissur evokes images of gold and finance. Traditional artisans have played a key role in transforming Thrissur into a gold-trade hub which gave rise to many of the countrys major jewellers. From the time when artisanal goldsmithing was valued to now, with the younger generation staying away from the traditional sector, C P Subrahmanian, the founder of Surya Gold Manufacturers, has been witness to the history and transformation of gold manufacturing and trade in Thriss

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For them, 10 months ago Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan was the captain - the juggernaut propelling Congress victory over CPM in each by-election. That was till November 23, 2024, the day Rahul Mamkootathil won comfortably from Palakkad assembly constituency. Satheesan was the unquestionable leader who had an overarching stature over his immediate contenders for the next CM post. But the situation has changed as he is coming under increased cyber attacks. There were cyber-

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has said that there are practical difficulties in bringing back the gold-plated sheets on the Dwarapalaka idols at the entrance of the Sabarimala temple as directed by the High Court. On Wednesday, the High Court had directed the TDB to bring back the gold-plated sheets that had been taken outside the state for restoration. Asserting that there has been no violation of temple customs in the restoration of gold-plated sheets, TDB president P S P

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The crime branch team probing the sexual harassment allegations against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil will seek legal opinion on how to proceed with the investigation if the victims refuse to file complaints. One of the victims of cyberbullying and stalking had shared screenshots and other digital evidence to corroborate the allegation. However, she has been unwilling to file a complaint. The investigators have deliberated among themselves whether they can take any legal ac

KOZHIKODE: The LDF governments decision to organise the Minorities Sangamam comes at a juncture when the relationship between the CPM and Muslim organisations, which represent the largest minority community in Kerala, is at an all-time low. The communitys sense that the party is toeing a soft-Hindutva line with an eye on the Hindu vote bank is strengthening with each passing day. The sangamam, scheduled for mid-October, will be conducted under the department for minority welfare with the active

ALAPPUZHA: A resolution presented at the state conference of the CPI has demanded the abolition of the post of governor, alleging that the Centre is misusing the institution to weaken the federal structure of the country. The resolution stated that the constitutional duty of governors is to give assent to laws and amendments passed by democratically elected state governments. However, they are increasingly withholding bills and creating crises in state legislative assemblies. Such actions are at

KOCHI/TIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Amid recurring cases of custodial torture, the State Police Complaint Authority (SPCA) a quasi-judicial body set up to provide justice against police excesses remains a toothless tiger. Despite its mandate, the authority has been steadily losing public confidence, reflected in the sharp decline in complaints handled by it over the past decade. At a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, SPCA chairman Justice V K Mohanan admitted that the authoritys powers

Southern Railway announced special trains between Thiruvananthapuram and Mumbai in view of clearing extra rush of passengers during Durga Puja holidays. According to a statement from the zonal railway, Train No.01463 Lokmanya Tilak (T) - Thiruvananthapuram North Festival Special will leave Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 4 pm from Sept. 25 to Nov. 27 on Thursdays to reach Thiruvananthapuram North at 10.45 pm on the next day (10 Services). In the opposite direction, Train No. 01464 Thiruvananthapuram North

KOCHI: Veteran Congress leader, former Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, and KPCC president P P Thankachan passed away on Thursday at the age of 87. Thankachan, who had been undergoing treatment at Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva, breathed his last at 4.30 pm. A seasoned politician known for his organisational acumen and sharp interventions in the House, he carved out a long innings in public life spanning over four decades. Born on July 29, 1939, at Angamali in Ernakulam district as the so

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday gave the green signal for the conduct of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam on the banks of the Pampa River. A Division Bench comprising Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the order while dismissing a batch of petitions challenging the event. The Bench directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure that no event is conducted on the banks of the river Pampa in any manner that compromises its sanctity, whether by erecting permanent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Kollam restaurant owner, declared brain dead after a freak accident while crossing the road, became the latest cadaver donor, giving new life to six patients. The heart of Isaac George (33) was flown to Lisie Hospital for transplant by the Home Department's helicopter by noon. The doctors are trying to transplant the heart to Angamali-native Ajin Elias. His liver and one kidney were transplanted to patients at KIMS, where he had been receiving treatment, while another kidne

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Evaluating the slow progress of the National Highway construction in the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the officials to take stringent action against the contractors who make such delays. Even though the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is working efficiently, construction work in certain areas, including Vadakara, Turavur and Thiruvananthapuram, shows only slow progress, the CM said in a review meeting here on Thursday. Instructing the officials to s

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A massive fire broke out at a Material Collection Facility (MCF) of City Corporation in Attipra near Kazhakootam on Thursday morning. Located amidst a densely populated area the blaze, reported around 4 am, was brought under control after a four-hour-long firefighting operation. According to officials, the Kazhakootam fire station, located just one kilometre away, received the emergency call and reached the spot without delay. Their swift intervention averted a major fire mis

KOZHIKODE: The toll from amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection, rose further in the state with the death of a patient at Kozhikode Medical College on Thursday, health officials said. Shaji (47), from Chelambra in Malappuram district, is the sixth person to have succumbed to the so-called rain-eating infection in Kerala in the past month. According to Medical College authorities, Shaji was admitted on August 9. His condition became critical and he died early on Thur

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The sexual harassment allegation against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil has become a hot topic of discussion on social media, with every new development on the issue gaining easy traction among netizens. The latest buzz came after activist and social commentator Rahul Easwar released an audio clip of the MLA. In the audio, the MLA was heard saying that he was under severe mental trauma following the allegations. He said he was taking paracetamol and cetirizine to get sleep, but was on

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the Kerala High Court's direction to Vice Chancellor Dr Mohnanan Kunnumal to summon a university Syndicate meeting to deliberate on the suspension of Kerala University Registrar KS Anil Kumar, the suspended official may have to wait for at least two more months for relief. The Syndicate last met on September 2, and as per varsity rules, the Vice Chancellor must convene the next Syndicate meeting only after two months. A member of the Left-backed Syndicate had approach

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Students enrolled in the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) in Kerala have long raised concerns about the lack of adequate internship opportunities. This is now set to change, as the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) is developing a dedicated portal in partnership with leading establishments from both the public and private sectors. The portal will serve not only as an internship management system but also as a state-level placement platform. It will enable

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, eight of the countrys leading research institutions based in Thiruvananthapuram have come together to form the Thiruvananthapuram Cluster, a collaborative effort aimed at advancing interdisciplinary research in science and technology. The partnership, formalised on Wednesday, is expected to accelerate innovation by combining expertise across a wide range of specialisations. The agreement was signed at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Me

Year 1893. September 11. The Permanent Memorial Art Palace, now the Art Institute of Chicago, was packed for the World Parliament of Religions. Among the speakers sat a 30-year-old monk, his eyes searching for something beyond the apparent. Though scheduled among the first, nervousness made him request a later slot. It was his first time facing such a massive crowd, gathered to mark the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus discovery of America. The Parliament, held as part of the Columbian

It is perhaps easy for the casual observer to dismiss the recent scrutiny of the popular gaming platform,Roblox, by several countries in West Asia as yet another inevitable clash between largely conservative regulators and global tech. But doing so would mean being unmindful of the unease simmering beneath tapered headlines unaccommodative of the larger context. That is, what happens when childrens play spaces are built, run, and occupied by strangers online? Readers may recall that India, too,

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The limitations of the Nishagandhi open-air auditorium as a venue for major events, that draw huge crowds, were evident once again during the Onam week celebrations. The concert featuring playback singers, Chinmayi and Vineeth Sreenivasan, held during the past two days drew an overwhelming audience, far exceeding the carrying capacity of the facility. The police, on Tuesday evening, had a hard time managing the crowd leading to manhandling and lathicharge during the concludin

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suspended IAS officer Prasanth N has accused chief secretary A Jayathilak of serious procedural violations and misuse of power, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the transfer of senior IAS officer B Ashok. The allegations come in the wake of the Central Administrative Tribunals decision to set aside the state governments transfer order, dealing a significant blow to the state administration and putting the chief secretarys office under close scrutiny. The trans

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Praising Kudumbashree for its timely adaptations to thrive in new challenges, Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh said that the mission can play a key role in lifting Keralas economy to the level of middle-income countries. Kudumbashree has empowered women in socio-political, cultural and financial domains, and now the target has to be the increase of incomes, the minister said, after inaugurating the Rural Enterprise Incubator three-day national workshop at Hotel Hycin