KOCHI: Crime Branch has started a probe into the murder of 72-year-old Saramma at her residence in Kothamangalam. The probe team recently visited the victims house for evidence collection. Saramma was found hacked to death at her residence in Kallad near Kothamangalam on March 24. As many as 48g of gold ornaments, including chains and bangles she was wearing, were missing. Police, which first probed the case, failed to trace the people behind the incident, following which the case was referred t

KOCHI: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has said that candidates for the local body elections should be chosen based on their potential to win and influence people rather than their proximity to party leaders. He was delivering the inaugural address at the Congress district leadership camp, Mission 2025 - Navaveeryam, in Aluva. Satheesan criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan government for hampering the three-tier panchayat administration and adopting an anti-people approach. UDF will adopt a profes

KOCHI: With an aim to enhance first and last-mile connectivity, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will soon introduce 15 e-buses on four major routes linking with its metro stations, with the focus on Aluva-Airport section, where it will deploy five of its new electric buses. Till now, the feeder buses were operated by leasing out the buses of various companies like Kleen Smart Bus Ltd (KSBL). Now the metro agency will roll out its own e-buses and talks are progressing with the KSRTC for the opera

KOCHI: There is a saying that Karkidakam is a month when the sun heads southon the celestial sphere, leaving Keralites to deal with torrential rain.The phenomenon called dakshinayana begins on July 16 and Kerala transforms into a giant puddle. With that, your bodys problems decide to throw a rave party because the climate starts messing with the Pitta, Vata, and Kapha. At least thats what Ayurveda says. Basically, it is considered to be the season when your bodys internal balance decides to go o

KOCHI: Its been 33 years since 80-year-old John Leslie has been lighting candles at his mothers grave without fail. Seven is the count one for her and the rest in memory of dearly departed loved ones. Over the years, the melted wax has formed a towering structure at her grave at the cemetery inside St Francis Assisi Cathedral near Kacheripady. Atop this pillar of wax, he now places and lights a large candle in memory of his mother Rosakutty Alexander, who passed away in 1991. She was widowed at

KOCHI: International travellers arriving at the Kochi airport could soon enjoy a seamless immigration process through self-authentication at specially designed smart gates at the immigration counters, enabling them to complete the process in just 20 seconds. The Kochi airport, operated by Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), will become the second airport after Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, to implement the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)'s prestigious 'Fast Immigratio

Heres our round-up of the latest gadgets that are a perfect addition to your shopping list Honor 200 5G Honors new smartphone is state-of-the-art with an incredibly sharp 6.7 AMOLED display and an ultralight body, which is elegant. The 7.7mm device is refreshingly slim to hold, with the Quad-curved design making usage a pleasure. Powered by the robust SD 7 Gen 3 processor and MagicOS 8.0, Honor 200 runs smoothly, no matter what you throw at it. While an innovative 2nd Gen Silicon-Carbon battery

KOCHI: Ottanthullal artist Kalamandalam Janardanan passed away at his residence Bhaktivilasam at Kurichithanam in Kottayam on Thursday. He was 79. Janaradanan, who had completed his training in Ottanthullal in the second batch of Kerala Kalamandalam, played a key role in popularising the satirical artform. He was bestowed with the Ministry of Cultures fellowship for outstanding artists. He had won many awards, including the Kerala Kalamandalam Diamond Jubilee Award and the Ambalapuzha Kunchan Na

KOCHI: A mayors council meeting held in Kannur on Thursday came down heavily on the Railways for washing its hands of the onus of cleaning railway culverts despite the occurrence of the Amayizhanchan canal tragedy. The divisional railway manager recently sent letters to all mayors stating that the railways had no responsibility in the cleaning up of railway culverts. The meeting strongly protested the same. The railway lines have been set up across canals having natural water flow. Cleaning of

KOCHI: Around 5 pm, most of the students from the nearby government school had left the area. However, one student, seemingly in ninth or tenth grade and wearing a school uniform, lingered near a high-end bicycle parked at Changampuzha Park, Kochi. In an instant, he took off with the bicycle like a professional thief, while the road turned empty. Showing the video footage, 19-year-old Aadhi Krishna said, More than a bicycle, it was one of the most valuable gifts in my life from my father after I

Since taking charge as city police chief early this year, S Syamsundar has rolled out several innovative strategies, targeting both the supply and demand sides of drug abuse, enhancing surveillance, revamping night patrolling and ensuring the welfare of fellow officers in the force. In a free-flowing chat with TNIE , Syamsundar outlines the projects, their challenges and more... Excerpts: Its been six months since you assumed charge as city police chief. What do you think are the main issues pla

KOCHI: Nissan fans in the country have been a little apprehensive about its business plans in India, as the company has only one model in the market right now. Though the value-for-money compact SUV Magnite continues to attract buyers, Nissan is badly in need of a much larger vision. But, no more negativities, please! Nissan has announced a clear strategy to win Indian hearts five new models in three years. All are SUVs, too. To begin with, they have launched the premium seven-seater SUV X-Trai

KOCHI: Recently, singer-songwriter Gowry Lekshmi faced cyberattacks over one of her songs released more than a year ago. The song Murivu talks about her personal experiences, especially child sexual abuse. A woman artist speaking up about personal traumas almost always invites a floodgate of online abuse. It was true in the case of Gowry as well. Trolls descended on her social media pages and soon, comments poured in. They mocked the incidents portrayed in the song, her dress; slut-shamed and di

KOCHI: If it was a love for music that saw Shahana, who hails from a small hamlet in Thrissur, to become DJ Sanaah, one of the earliest woman disc jockeys in Kerala, it was sheer determination that kept her there. In a span of a decade, she overcame societal trapping and a less-than-inclusive industry to become one of the most sought-after DJs out there, with regular shows on the international circuit and a FIFA gig under her belt. In a candid conversation, TNIE maps DJ Sanaahs meteoric rise, he

KOCHI: Egoism is at its peak in a conflicted marriage. Instead of introspecting on what one can do best to save the relationship, the energy is spent on accusing and blaming the partner. The members of the families of origin also line up for the big fight. Not all marriages are indeed compatible. The uncompromising attitude and inability to respect differences make harmonious living difficult. Marriages are scripted well when the couple can respect differences and manage them well. In a seriousl

KOCHI: The health wing of the Kochi corporation seized and destroyed around 200kg of stale fish at Palluruthy following a routine check on Wednesday morning. The inspection carried out at five stalls in the area with the help of a food testing unit was held as part of the corporations special drive to ensure that only fresh and quality fish are sold in the city. Of the six stalls, four were found operating in hygienic conditions. We found that the vendor was selling stale fish to people at a low

KOCHI: The Aluva police have registered a case against Faisal, a resident of Kodikuthumala and owner of F and S Fish Stall in Aluva, for allegedly threatening health squad members, including the health inspector of Keezhmad gram panchayat, with a weapon during an inspection. The police have charged Faisal with obstructing official duties and making threats to life. According to a police officer, the complaint was lodged by the health official on Tuesday, prompting immediate action. Following the

KOCHI: The rapid increase in the number of vehicles over the years has literally clogged the Kochi roads, with an average delay of four minutes being observed on major corridors. However, the loss of time due to slow-moving traffic on stretches like Edapally-Aluva Road along NH 544 is as high as 14.5 minutes. The details are revealed in a study held as part of the preparation of the draft Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) which found that a maximum delay of 14 to 15 minutes is observed on severa

KOCHI: The Periyar Anti-pollution Joint Committee on Wednesday handed over the expert committee report to Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian. The committee studied various parameters, including the reasons behind the fish kill, activities and incidents that led to the pollution of the river, the steps that need to be initiated to revive the river and the loss sustained by the fishermen and farmers. According to Charles George, general convenor of the committee, the committee has found that the fish

KOCHI: A panchayat in North Paravoor is in the grip of a fear of foxes following a sudden increase in the population of the species first spotted in the region after the 2018 flood. With foxes coming in packs and attacking cattle and pets, especially during the night, the worried villagers of Karumalloor panchayat approached the forest department with a demand to trap the animals and shift them back to the forest. Officers from the Malayattoor forest division finally laid cages to trap the anima

KOCHI: Amid arguments over the removal of a slab above a culvert, the Vyttila councillor allegedly assaulted a hotel employee on Tuesday. Sunitha Dixon, a UDF representative in the corporation, slapped a female employee of Artic Hotel, Vyttila, during a discussion over removing the slab in front of the hotel. A video clip of the incident went viral on social media and the police registered a case against the councillor after the hotel employee lodged a complaint, said a cop. The councillor arriv

KOCHI: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will finalise the new updated Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), a long-term vision for desirable mobility patterns in Kochi city, in three months before submitting the same for the consideration of state and Union governments. The agency has started collecting feedback and suggestions on the draft CMP from all segments of the community, including peoples representatives, political executives, various government bodies, leading city development organisation

KOCHI: A new comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) for the city being readied by the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has proposed the development of a mass transit system for an additional 97 km in the city and its suburbs, including a new metro rail connectivity in the 18-km Aluva-Angamaly (via CIAL) and the 14-km Kalamassery-Tripunithura (via Kakkanad) mobility corridors. The draft CMP identified eight additional major mobility corridors, including the Paravoor-Aroor (35km) and High Court-Munambam (30

KOCHI: Standing atop three wooden planks set against the backdrop of a white dhoti, Krishna Priya filmed herself flaunting her self-stitched outfits, weaving a narrative of creativity and self-expression online. This 20-year-old fashion designer hailing from Eramalloor in Alappuzha district aspires to walk the illustrious carpet of the Cannes Film Festival, inspired by the trailblazing success of Nanci Thyagi, a self-made young designer from a rural north Indian town, whose own design made waves

KOCHI: Twenty-five years have passed since Capt Jerry Prem Raj, Vir Chakra, laid down his life for his beloved country on Tiger Hill in Kargil in 1999. The war which began on May 3, 1999 and ended on July 26, 1999 was fought in a harsh, high-altitude environment posing unique challenges. It was the deadliest and largest war fought between India and Pakistan which saw 527 soldiers attaining martyrdom and 1,363 hurt. As the nation observes another Kargil Diwas on July 26, the state reminisces ab

KOCHI: Following up on an incident in which an altercation between the passengers of a car and a motorcyclist over mud-splashing led to a father-son duo being allegedly dragged along the road by the car passengers for some distance, the police on Monday registered separate cases against the two groups. The incident happened on Sunday evening when the car splashed muddy water on Chittoor Ferry resident Akshay and his sister who were travelling on the motorcycle. Akshay chased the car, leading to

KOCHI: A tip-off from none other than Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar helped the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) seize a scooter that had a doctored number plate and was involved in multiple traffic violations detected by the AI cameras in Angamaly over the past seven months. The owner of the scooter has been booked and fined. Last week, while his convoy was passing through the national highway stretch in Angamaly, Ganesh saw two youngsters on the scooter driving recklessly, without helmets. He

KOCHI: Closure of the two-kilometre Kundannoor-Thevara bridge on NH 966 for a couple of days resulted in traffic going haywire in the city on Monday. Well, treat that as just a sample. Another traffic diversion, this time for over three weeks for a major work on the stretch, is on the cards. A project for the pavement milling and retarring of the entire 5.9-km stretch from Kundannoor Junction to CIFT Junction in Willingdon Island at a cost of Rs 12.85 crore has received administrative sanction

KOCHI: The repair of the key Kundannoor-Thevara bridge on NH-966 has come under fire with local residents and Maradu municipality authorities complaining that the work has turned to be a mere pothole-filling exercise, with minimum tarring. The common refrain: It wont last long. The two-km bridge was closed for traffic at 10pm on Friday to carry out maintenance activities after the pothole-riddled stretch witnessed a spate of accidents. The PWD NH wing wrapped up the work by Monday evening and th

KOCHI: Muhammed Bin Farooq has always enjoyed his childhood, especially the school holidays he spent on paddy fields and by tranquil lakes. One of his favourite pastimes then was spending hours fishing for barb and dragon head fish (varal). After carrying these fish home in plastic bags, he used to carefully transfer the prized catch to glass bottles and aquariums. He loved watching the colourful beings swimming around. While all fish intrigued him, the ornamental varieties enchanted him as a ch

KOCHI: There was a time in the not-too-distant past when the entire country gasped for breath in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation was so dire as the virus swept all over the globe. During those days, the state saw many heroes rise to the occasion. Antony Joseph, the owner of Manorama Oxygen Pvt Limited, was one such person whose contribution saved many lives. This gentle soul breathed his last on Sunday night. The one thing that was essential in keeping people alive as the v

KOCHI: The runaway success of the recently released Maria Just Maria by Sandhya Mary has spawned a chain of conversations on mental illnesses. More precisely, how these health conditions should ideally be depicted in literature and other art forms. The novel, expertly translated into English by Jayasree Kalathil, begins where most writers conclude their works: in a psychiatric hospital. We have its protagonist Maria pointing this out in the very opening chapter. There are so many stories and fil

KOCHI: As many as 68 food outlets in 14 circles (assembly constituencies) of Ernakulam district have been fined, and six hotels closed down by the Food Safety Department following a two-day special drive. Operation Life, a statewide inspection drive held last Wednesday and Thursday on the directive of Health Minister Veena George, aimed to ensure no food safety rules were violated in hotels and food outlets and to warn and act against establishments that failed to follow rules. As many as 387 fo

KOCHI: Kallu Vachu Kaadu is an oasis of calm in the sprawling metropolis. The 56-acre island off Thekkumbhaghom in Tripunithura is home to eight families who cherish the simple pleasures of life. Country boats ferry supplies and a touch of the outside world to this secluded haven. Yet, for all its beauty and tranquillity, the island also poses its inhabitants with a set of challenges, particularly during the monsoon flood, poisonous snakes, and treacherous waters. For 53-year-old carpenter Muru

KOCHI: Round-the-clock work without any time for leisure will make any person dull. So, how about having a music band at your office? What if you can hop in and take a music break? Well, ClaySys Band has been providing such refreshing experiences for the employees of the IT company ClaySys Technologies. The band is a brainchild of Vinod Tharakan, managing director of ClaySys Technologies. A music lover himself, Vinod believes work-life balance isvery importantin todays world. The initial idea fo

KOCHI: Chef Thomas Zachariass culinary journey is a captivating adventure that began in Kochi, deeply influenced by his grandmothers kitchen. He then embarked on an extensive exploration of Indian cuisine through his Chef on the Road expedition, traversing 25 states and immersing himself in diverse culinary traditions and ingredients. Along this journey, he gained a profound understanding of Indias rich culinary heritage and the critical role of millets, once a dominant grain but now overshadowe

KOCHI: From modest beginnings four decades ago, the Southern Air Command (SAC) the countrys youngest air command has come a long way, proving its mettle and spreading its wings relentlessly. As the SAC celebrates its 40th anniversary, it is time to revisit the journey of its glorious service. Establishment of SAC headquarters Until the early 1980s, the Central Air Command in Allahabad was responsible for providing air defence to the entire Indian Peninsula and its island territories. However,

KOCHI: Before the colonial-era homes, the historical buildings, the hipster cafes and art galleries, antique shops and Instagram-worthy nooks, what first catches the eye in Fort Kochi is Tippu Sulthan. No, not the Mysuru ruler, but the hotel Tippu Sulthan. Tucked away on the busy Calvathy lane and bang opposite the teeming ferry, the centuries-old hotel welcomes all tourists and locals alike in a humble salute. Today, however, the 18th-century establishment has started to show its age. Though

KOCHI: At a time when questions are being raised on the standard of education in Kerala, the upswing in the number of foreign students arriving in the state for higher studies paints an interesting picture. Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam and the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) registered 885 and 1,600 foreign applications, respectively, this year. This is a climb from 571 and 1,100 applications from the previous academic year. While big varsities are indeed the preferr

KOCHI: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will soon commence dedicated services connecting the coastal regions, with a focus on providing direct connectivity to islanders in and around Vypeen region to various centres in Ernakulam. Weve started planning the services, which will be operated at regular intervals. There will be more services during peak hours. The same will provide islanders with direct connectivity to various destinations in Kochi city like Vyttila hub, Ernakulam

KOCHI: Vaikippoyo Acharyaputra? Of all the euphoric moments that Kalki 2898 AD gave its audiences, this one dialogue stands as an exceptional case. Along with the staging and visualisation, this dialogues impact could be heard from theatres, very loudly. That one dialogue marks a monumental moment in Malayalam dubbing. As Kalki enjoyed a full house run in cinemas, an English series, The Boys , released on an OTT platform with a Malayalam dubbed version, is eliciting laughs among the audience. Ho

KOCHI: Today, every seasoned criminal understands that without solid material evidence, their chance of a courtroom acquittal is high. This often leaves police chasing shadows, even when suspects are apprehended quickly. The robbery at a spa in Pullepady, Kochi, is a prime example. In the wee hours of June 14, a four-member gang stormed the establishment, held the staff at knifepoint and took off with jewellery, mobile phones, a laptop, an iPod, cash, and the owners car. The same day, the spa ow

KOCHI: In the late 1950s, the antics of two children from Kizhukkamthookku village kept Malayalis glued to comic strips. Every generation could identify with the quirks of the 12-year-old twins Boban and Molly, from jumping fences and making light of their father Pothens strict ways to stealing dosas right under their mothers nose. Their acts were immortalised by cartoonist V T Thomas, popularly known as Toms, through his drawings straight for six decades. Apart from Boban and Molly, the strips

KOCHI: Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds battered Ernakulam district for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. While two houses were completely destroyed, 71 residences suffered partial damage. Though the water level in Periyar subsided, the IMD has issued an orange alert for the district on Thursday. In its forecast, IMD said that heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue at isolated places in the state till July 21. The relief camp at Kuttikkattukara Govt UPS in Paravur taluk was wound

KOCHI: Despite a favourable order from the Kerala High Court, there is no end to the woes of 66 buyers of the stalled Dewa Pier-20 luxury apartment project at Marine Drive in Kochi. In its order on March 25, a single bench, of Justice N Nagesh, had asked the Union Bank of India -- which headed the 13-bank consortium that sanctioned the loan for the apartment project -- to pay the home buyers coming under the Dewa Investors Association Rs 24.76 crore within a month. However, even after nearly fou

KOCHI: The motor vehicles departments Ernakulam district enforcement wing has generated approximately Rs 54 lakh for the state exchequer through a month-long special drive known as Operation Dhar (Dazzling Light Hunt Alteration & Retrofitment). The initiative targeted violations like alterations to vehicles, modifications to silencers, installation of loud horns, and tampering with or concealing number plates. The drive was launched on June 1 on the directive of the Kerala High Court to take str

KOCHI: Parkinsons Disease (PD) affects over 10 million people globally, making it the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimers disease. The ageing population and improved diagnostic techniques contribute to the rising prevalence worldwide. Despite extensive research, there is currently no cure for PD, emphasising the importance of holistic approaches to disease management. Research suggests that dietary habits play a pivotal role in alleviating symptoms and improving the ov

KOCHI: The dedication of the many gathered at the kathakali training centre in Tripunithura is palpable. Pupils as young as seven and as old as 63, most of them women stand in disciplined rows. A sprightly veteran guides them with each step, demonstrating each Mudra with practised ease and precision. A gamut of dramatic emotions, from grief to joy, flickers on his face. The disciples follow him step for step, going the extra mile to bend their backs to make the stance text-book perfect. Gracef

KOCHI: As the achingly sweet sound of veena and violin and the spirited rhythm of tabla and mridangam filled the concert hall in Sydney, Australia, the hundreds of Indians in the audience were transported home. Among them were Sajan Raj and Swathy Mohan, a Malayali couple who shared a deep love for music. For the duo, whove relied on music to remain closer to their home country, the event organised by Sydney Art Lovers was nothing short of a magical experience. Returning that night, the couple,

KOCHI: After the resounding success of its first two editions, the Indian Navy is returning this August with THINQ 2024, a national-level quiz competition. This year, the theme of THINQ is Viksit Bharat, aligned with the Union governments vision to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047. The contest is open to all students from Class 9 to Plus II across the country. It will be conducted in hybrid mode and unfold in four stages ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of participants. T