THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just two weeks remaining for the Navy Day celebrations, the irrigation department has completed all preparatory works at Shankhumukham beach, the venue of the high profile event which will be attended by the prime minister on December 4. The authorities have already started setting up German hangers large, temporary structures used for events. The authorities are planning to set up 13 German hangers at the beach for hosting the event. A tourism department official said

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress faced a setback in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections after its youngest candidate in the Muttada ward, Vyshna Suresh, was removed from the voters list. The Election Commission took the decision after verifying a CPM complaint that the address she submitted for inclusion in the voters list was incorrect. The final voters list published on Saturday did not include Vyshnas name. The CPMs Muttada branch committee member Dhanesh Kumar had complained that the bu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM has denied a party ticket to its member B Sreekantan Nair, who represents a ward in Pullampara grama panchayat, after he came under the partys radar during the Lok Sabha election time, for liking a social media post that criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. After the issue resurfaced before the partys higher-ups recently, Sreekantan Nair was instructed not to participate in the local polls this time. However, Nair resigned from the party on November 11 and deci

SABARIMALA: The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa here will be opened on Sunday for the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. Melsanthi Arunkumar Nampoothiri, whose one-year tenure ends on Sunday, will open the sreekovil of the temple at 4.30 pm in the presence of thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru. The installation ceremony of new Sabarimala melsanthi E D Prasad will be held after opening the temple at 6 pm. As part of the ceremony, the thantri will perform kalasabhishekam on the new melsant

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A fierce blame game has erupted between the CPM and Congress, both partners in the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, following the poll drubbing suffered by the front in the Bihar assembly election. CPM state secretary M V Govindan launched a scathing attack on AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal alleging that he failed to fulfil his responsibility in Bihar. Instead of fulfilling his responsibility of strengthening the broad anti -BJP front in Bihar, Venugopal, who is

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In December 2020, when Arya Rajendran assumed charge as mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, at the age of 21, she captured national and global attention. Her elevation as the youngest mayor in the country was hailed as a bold political experiment that captured the generational and ideological shift in Keralas political landscape. Half a decade later, as the state heads for another round of local-body elections, questions abound over whether the LDF has succeeded in capitalising on i

Dr Moni Abraham Kuriakose co-founder, medical director, and CEO of Karkinos Kerala is a leading surgical oncologist and former director of the Cochin Cancer Research Centre and Narayana Health City, Bengaluru. A pioneer in technology-led, integrated cancer care, he leads Karkinos nationwide network of 85 community cancer clinics aimed at linking primary healthcare with oncology. He believes this model bringing diagnosis and support closer to the community can significantly improve Keralas per

KOTTAYAM: By granting IUML a seat in the Kottayam district panchayat, the UDF has found itself in a spot amid the local body election heat. The front fears it could lose ground in Central Travancore due to the seat allocation to IUML and its alliance with Welfare Party of India. The Congress conceded to the IUMLs demand after days of discussions. With this, the IUML will be contesting in the district panchayat after a 25-year gap. It contested for the first time from the Erumeli division in 2000

KOLLAM: How many know that a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is legally required when a person dies under the care of a doctor, whether in a government hospital, private hospital, or at home? Despite Keralas reputation as a public health model, the state shows a serious gap in the medical certification of deaths. Only 11.4% of the deaths registered in the state in 2023 were medically certified, according to the latest MCCD report of the department of economics and statistics. Out of

KANNUR: Even as the announcement of local body elections brought political buzz and excitement across the state, with other municipalities gearing up for campaigns, banners, and strategies, Mattannur stood quietly apart. The municipality will have to wait until 2027 for its turn as its administrative committee still has nearly two years left in its current term. Mattannur panchayat was established in 1962 through the merger of the Pazhassi, Kolari, and Porora villages. The region was elevated to

KOCHI: In a major development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has decided to conduct further investigation into the 2023 Maoist attack on the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) office in Wayanad, even after filing a chargesheet against five accused. Officials said the probe will continue as the forensic reports are still awaited. The agency has also sought and obtained permission from the Ernakulam NIA Special Court to conduct further investigation. The agency has submitted va

KASARGOD: For decades, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has been holding a majority in Kasaragod municipality. Unlike the rest of Kerala, the Left parties dont have a compelling presence in the town area while the Congress is comfortable to field its ally IUML that continues winning the districts first municipality ever since it was formed in 1965. Kasaragod municipality has 38 wards. And IUML consolidated its position here in the last elections compared to the 2015 polls when the League wo

THIRUVANTHAPURAM: Alleging that the BJP leadership denied a poll ticket for the local body elections, an RSS worker named Anand K Thampi committed suicide by hanging on Saturday evening. Sharing his suicide note to his friends through WhatsApp, Anand was found hanging at his home by 5.20 pm. Putting the party in a spot, the former BJP member also alleges in his suicide note that the key BJP-RSS leaders of the area are part of a soil mafia, including the current BJP candidate of the Thrikkannapur

KANNUR: In a major verdict in the Palathai rape case, the ThalasseryProtection of Children Sexual Offences (POCSO) Fast Track Special Court on Saturday sentenced teacher and BJP leader K. Padmarajan to life imprisonment till death. The court found him guilty under multiple sections of the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code on November 14. Padmarajan was ordered to undergo 40 years of rigorous imprisonment under two POCSO sections, along with life imprisonment till death under the IPC. In additi

KOCHI: Kochi has pulled off a stunning leap in Indias talent map outpacing metro giants Delhi and Hyderabad with a whopping 76.56% employability score, according to the India Skill Report 2026. The report by Education Testing Device (ETS), a global education and talent solutions firm, prepared along with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said the coastal city, long known for its culture and cosmopolitan buzz, is now stamping its author

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Renowned author, science philosopher and environmental activist Prof VK Damodaran (85) passed away on Saturday. He breathed his last at a private hospital here at 12.40 am. Son of freedom fighter VP Kutti Master and PM Mathu, he was one of the founding members of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP), and had also served the society as its president and general secretary. A seasoned academician and orator, he has authored over 20 books in his career. A former ex-officio secr

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking office at a crucial phase as the state debates the role of the Devaswom Board, K Jayakumar assumed charge as the president of the Travancore Devaswom Board on Saturday and said the new governing committee must respond to the clear expectations of devotees. If the faith of devotees has been shaken at any point we will ensure such situations are not repeated and that trust is fully restored. I see this responsibility as the call of the time, he said. He said the board wi

For over four decades, the Bank Employees Arts Movement - Ernakulam (BEAME) has stood as a beacon of cultural and artistic zest in the city. What began as a modest initiative by a group of art-loving bank employees in the early 1980s has today grown into one of Keralas most active cultural collectives. On November 17, the collective will mark a remarkable milestone its 500th monthly cultural programme. Set to be held at TDM Hall, the event promises to be a unique celebration of BEAMEs journey.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The motor vehicles department (MVD) has issued fresh directions to schools and colleges across the state to ensure the safety of students during educational tours. Authorities have been reminded that they must inform the Regional Transport Office (RTO) at least one week in advance of undertaking any trip. According to the Transport Commissioner C Nagaraju, the move comes in response to repeated concerns about unsafe practices in student transport. In previous years, inspectio

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Malappuram native has won a prolonged legal battle against an automobile dealer who cheated him by delivering a used demo bike. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed the Majeri-based dealer to refund the purchase price and an additional Rs 2 lakh as compensation and Rs 3,000 as costs. According to the complainant, the automobile dealer cheated him by selling a used demo bike under the pretext of a new one. The complainant bought a new Twister bike

KOCHI: The High Court on Friday refused to entertain a petition filed by the state government seeking to defer the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Kerala till the completion of local body polls. The court pointed out that the petitions concerning SIR in other states are pending before the Supreme Court. While closing the plea, Justice V G Arun said: Judicial discipline and comity requires this court to refrain from enter

KOZHIKODE: He can neither read nor write, but 15-year-old Ajsal from Thiruvambady in Kozhikode district has found a unique way to learn -- through artificial intelligence. A student with learning disabilities, Ajsal creates fascinating working models from discarded materials that leave everyone around him amazed. The second of three children born to Jamal and Sabeera of Cheppilamkode, Kadaikal, Ajsal spends most of his time turning waste into art. Using old wires, bottles, and cardboard, he has

KOTTAYAM: Erattupetta municipality is the youngest of urban civic bodies in Kottayam. As the name implies, the town is located on the banks of two rivers (erattu), Vadakkanar and Thekkenar, which converge to form Meenachil river, the lifeline of the region. Originally formed as a panchayat in 1954, Erattupetta was officially recognised as a local body only in 1962. It was upgraded to a special grade panchayat in 1973 and as a municipality in 1988. However, due to administrative differences, it w

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the huge defeat of the Congress and the Mahagathbandhan in the Bihar election , constituents of the UDF have urged the Congress leadership to undertake a thorough introspection. Several front partners said the results reflected a failure to effectively address peoples issues during the campaign and stressed that a clear course correction is essential ahead of the upcoming crucial assembly polls, including Kerala. Strikingly, every UDF partner TNIE spoke to echo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With tension persisting between online taxi-hailing platforms and traditional drivers across major tourist hubs in Kerala, raising concerns over passenger safety, the state government is turning to the upgraded app Kerala Savaari 2.0 as a comprehensive alternative. The home-grown, government-owned ride-hailing platform is being strengthened with new features including integration with Kerala Polices safety application, Pol-App, to ensure safer travel for women. An official as

With local body elections around the corner, the BJP is banking on anti-incumbency and highlighting what it calls developmental failures of the LDF government. In an interview with TNIE correspondent Jose K Joseph, senior BJP leader K Surendran spoke about the partys campaign priorities, the states financial situation, and issues that will dominate the polls. Excerpts: What are the key issues the BJP is raising this local body election? The BJP is highlighting the severe financial and developmen

PATHANAMTHITTA: At four years old, Achu can instantly identify a crocodile in a virtual jungle, while Aami, 3, who was once reluctant to be in class, now delights in watching a 3D apple appear before her eyes. A quiet learning revolution has been unfolding at the states first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered anganwadi in Mullanvathukkal, in Pathanamthitta districts Mezhuveli grama panchayat. The initiative has not only transformed the way students learn but also boosted regular attendance am

KOCHI: Pilgrims embarking on spiritual journey to the Sabarimala hill shrine this pilgrimage season have an enriched experience awaiting them, thanks to the novel initiative of the KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell (BTC). The corporation has rolled out an extensive set of 72 temple-connect packages for the mandala season, designed to allow devotees to offer prayers at major temples en route, weaving together a more holistic pilgrimage circuit. The initiative is being carried out in association with the

MALAPPURAM: Disagreements over seat allocation have triggered a series of clashes across IUML committees in Malappuram, with three separate meetings disrupted this week. The most serious incident occurred in Vengara on Thursday night, where a meeting called to finalise the partys nominee for the 20th ward of Kacheripady descended into chaos. Two factions, one backing the panchayat IUML president Parambil Khader, and the other supporting ex-ward member C P Khader, entered into a heated exchange t

KOCHI: With less than one month to go for the local body elections, the NDAs landslide victory in the Bihar assembly polls has come as a morale booster for the BJP rank and file in Kerala. The obliteration of the Congress has not only drained the confidence of its leaders but has also created an impression that the opposition is crumbling. In the Kerala context, the increasing trend of consolidation of Hindu votes and alienation of Christian votes are posing threat to Congress, and according to

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A four-member committee probing the death of J R Sivapriya , 26, of Karikkakom, has confirmed that she died due to an infection, but found no evidence that it originated from the SAT Hospital. The report was submitted to the DME on Friday. However, Sivapriyas family has rejected the report, alleging serious medical negligence and demanding strict action. The family had alleged that she died of a hospital-acquired infection caused by Acinetobacter. However, the inquiry found t

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the political fronts announce their candidates, the picture for the Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat election is slowly taking shape. The LDF has put out its list for all 28 divisions, while the UDF has named 12 candidates, with the rest expected over the weekend. The BJP is likely to do so by Sunday. Notably, the sitting district panchayat president, D Suresh Kumar, and vice-president Shailaja Begum are not contesting this time. The LDFs list shows CPM contesting 21

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ayurveda physician and former Director of Ayurveda C A Raman passed away at the age of 94 at a private hospital due to age-related ailments. After his official service, Raman continued working in the Ayurveda tourism sector as chief physician at Somatheeram Ayurvedic Hospital and Yoga Centre. He was also the state governments special officer for Folk Medical Therapy and a prominent figure in the traditional medicine. He had treated many eminent personalities, including former

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two new public spaces i Thiruvananthapuram are redefining what parks can be, placing inclusivity and child-friendliness at their core. While one focuses on ensuring access for all, including those with disabilities, the other aims to ease the emotional strain faced by children visiting the family court. Together, they mark a shift in how urban spaces can be designed with sensitivity and purpose. Captain Lakshmi Park A park can be lovely, well-planned, but how many in the city

KOCHI: The NIA Special Court, Ernakulam, has granted custody of Madhu Jayakumar of Ernakulam, the key accused in a case related to the alleged trafficking of people to Iran for illegal organ donation, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) till November 19. The NIA suspects that Madhu is the mastermind behind an organ-trafficking network operating in Iran, allegedly coordinating with hospitals there. It suspected that around 20 Indians have been taken to Iran under his leadership since 2019.

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the makers of Haal , starring Shane Nigam, to delete the controversial beef biryani scene along with certain dialogues, while dismissing objections raised by the Catholic Congress against the film. Justice V. G. Arun instructed the filmmakers to implement two of the six cuts proposed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). These include Excision 5, concerning a courtroom sequence, and Excision 6, which requires the removal of the beef bi

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to consider a representation submitted by Amal Neerad Productions LLP, Ernakulam, which produced the Malayalam film Bougainvillea , regarding the alleged denial of an opportunity to submit its entry for the 72nd National Film Awards 2024. The court directed that an order be issued in this regard within 10 days. Justice V G Arun issued the directive on the petition filed by Amal Neerad, partner of A

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The annual Vettucaud Kristhuraja Feast, one of the most prominent religious festivals in the capital, will begin at the Madre de Deus Church on Friday and continue till November 23. The inaugural pontifical Holy Mass will be led by Rev Dr Kristhudas Rajappan of the Latin Archdiocese on Friday at 4.30 pm, followed by the ceremonial flag hoisting by parish priest Dr Edison Y M. Keys to four newly completed houses under the parish housing scheme will also be handed over at the c

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hundreds of patients were inconvenienced on Thursday as doctors under the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) staged a state-wide protest, disrupting outpatient services and planned surgeries across medical colleges. OP clinics were run by house surgeons and senior residents, while academic sessions and other non-emergency services were affected. Authorities at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College said the impact was minimised through prior planning.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the state government sent a letter to the Centre on the PM SHRI row, Education Minister V Sivankutty and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam engaged in a fresh round of war of words on Thursday. Expressing doubt over the release of Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) funds after clarifying the states stand on PM SHRI to the Centre, Sivankutty said that he will not be accountable if the Centre refrains from disbursing these funds worth Rs 1,152.77 crore. While the minister s

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan on Thursday released the partys second list of candidates for the Thiruvananthapuram corporation. The list includes 31 candidates, of which 28 wards have been allotted to the BJP and three to its NDA ally, the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS). Unlike the first phase, the new list does not feature any prominent candidates. In the first phase, the BJP had announced candidates for 67 wards, including high-profile names such as former DGP R

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday suggested it would be appropriate for the state government to approach the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of Indias (EC) decision to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala. Hearing the states petition to defer the SIR until after the local body elections, Justice V G Arun made the suggestion, saying several other states had also filed Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) against the exercise. At the hearing,

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has sought the permission of Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru, through the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), to carry out scientific examinations at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam. Acting on the Thantris suggestion, the court has granted approval to conduct the tests on November 17. The move comes in compliance with a Kerala High Courts previous directive asking the SIT to complete all scientific analyses before the co

IDUKKI: If youre driving through the misty Marayur forest stretch, dont be startled when a glowing LED screen suddenly flashes: Elephants on the road! or Go slow! -- it is the forest departments new way of keeping you and the gentle giants safe. In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Kerala, the department has installed digital display boards at two key forest check posts -- Chattamunnar on the Munnar-Udumalpet interstate route and Payas Nagar on the Marayur-Kanthalloor road. The boards will alert

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With his eyes firmly fixed on the upcoming local-body elections, state Congress president Sunny Joseph talks to TNIE about Congress campaign themes, its stance on key issues, and allegations raised by rivals. Excerpts: What are the main issues being raised in this election? The Congress is highlighting the governments anti-people policies and its move to undermine decentralisation by cutting funds meant for local bodies. Funds allocated for scheduled castes and scheduled trib

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sounding an alert on potential manipulation, the Congress leadership has asked its Kerala unit to keep a close watch on the CPM as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls is under way in the state. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal issued the directive during a meeting with KPCC office-bearers and district Congress committee presidents, and with members of the Political Affairs Committee. If it is the BJP in north India, in Kerala it is t

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ever heard of a lyrical retelling of Ramayana from Goddess Sitas perspective? A Sita, who even while bemoaning her fate as an orphan and a castaway, chose to walk into Mother Earths bosom, rather than return to take her rightful place as the Queen of Ayodhya. Chandrabati Ramayana, a 16th century work by Bengals first woman poet Chandrabati is one of the first versions of the epic that retells it from Sitas point of view. And now, it is available in Malayalam, as Chandrabati R

KOCHI: When Twenty20 swept 17 of 19 seats in Kizhakkambalam grama panchayat in 2015 barely two years after its formation it was seen as a political anomaly. This corporate-backed civic experiment had unexpectedly evolved into a hyperlocal movement. Its subsidised Bhakshya Suraksha Market, welfare and infrastructure interventions, and the much-discussed Gods villas seemed to signal a new model of local governance, one that voters rewarded again in 2020. That election also marked the partys firs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP is steadily building momentum in Varkala, the coastal tourism and spiritual centre of Thiruvananthapuram district, with the NDA seeing a realistic chance of capturing the municipality in the upcoming local body elections . Once considered a contest largely between the LDF and the UDF, election in Varkala has now turned into a direct battle between the LDF and BJP, as the saffron party expands its organisational strength and voter base across the region. In the 2010 mu

ALAPPUZHA: A pall of gloom has fallen over Pallippad village in Haripad following the death of Rajesh , the sole breadwinner of his six-member family. Rajesh toiled tirelessly to support everyone. Though he was an auto driver, he took up long-distance driving at night and engaged in construction and other daily-wage jobs to earn additional income for his family, which includes his parents, said Satheesan, a relative. Rajeshs wife, Shylaja, is a homemaker. Their children, Jishnuraj and Krishnaven