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

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

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George said that the health department is planning to conduct a study on the rising cases of heart diseases among youth, following several incidents of sudden cardiac deaths. She also spoke about creating community awareness on life-saving procedures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an emergency procedure used during cardiac arrest, in connection with the upcoming World Heart Day. The ministers remarks came during the release of 10 Commandme

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A wide variety of gifts, including sculptures, paintings, statues, idols and mementos, received by Governor Rajendra Arlekar and his predecessors will soon be put up for public display at Raj Bhavan owing to its cultural, artistic and educational value. The governor held discussions in this regard with P S Manjula Devi, director of Department of Museums and Zoos, on scientific classification and methods of exhibition of the artifacts. The Raj Bhavan also houses invaluable wor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the Onam celebration procession moved through the city, a band played the popular Malayalam song Shanthamee Rathriyil, much like how the festivities were enjoyed in the state capital the night before. The ceremonial procession, which was flagged off by Governor Rajendra Arlekar, provided a visual treat for thousands of people, of all age groups, gathered there. The governor began his speech by calling Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan his elder brother. Arlekar said the week

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A report by Crime Branch DySP K A Vidyadharan has found serious lapses and misconduct by police officials in the case involving the wrongful detention and torture of Bindu R, a Dalit domestic worker. The investigation pertains to the alleged theft of a 2.5-sovereign gold chain from the house of Omana Daniel, where Bindu used to work. On April 23, Bindu was taken to the Peroorkada police station for questioning after Omana filed a complaint claiming that her gold chain was mis

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Thiruvananthapuram district collector and PRD director M Nandakumar, 69, passed away on Tuesday at a private hospital in the city. He had been in coma after a brain surgery that led to allegations of medical negligence. A case was registered. Nandakumar was appointed Thiruvananthapuram district collector in October 2011. He is survived by wife N S Sreelatha (retired assistant registrar, Cooperative Department), children N S Vishnu Nandan (University of Calgary, Canada)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 75-year-old man from the Maldives has successfully undergone a Trans catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure guided by advanced 3D-CT imaging at KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvananthapuram. He was suffering from severe aortic valve stenosis, a serious condition in which narrowing of the hearts aortic valve restricts blood flow from the heart, leading to increased pressure within the heart chambers. The patient came to the outpatient department with severe breathlessness. Det

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capital will host a two-day international workshop organised by the Energy Management Centre (EMC)-Kerala under the states department of power on the topic Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Transition for Achieving Net Zero and Sustainable Development Goals from Tuesday (September 9). Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty will inaugurate the workshop at 10 am on Tuesday at EMC. While Puneet Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Power Department) will welcome the gathering,

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Central funds to the tune of over Rs 1,148 crore to Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) pending, the general education department has decided to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the acute shortage. The government will also look to get the PMs appointment to inform him about the challenges faced by the states education sector, General Education Minister V Sivankutty told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. The government is planning a state-level convention to e

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city has been choking, gasping for air due to traffic congestion during the ongoing Onam Week celebrations even as the states largest multi-level car parking (MLCP) facility at Palayam remains woefully underutilised. Ironically, vehicles are being parked right in front of the complex while the `30-crore facility that can accommodate 300 cars continues to record poor occupancy. Even on peak Onam days, only around 200 vehicles were parked at the facility. People are hesitan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A drunken argument between a man and his son ended with the father allegedly hacking the youth to death at their house near Ulloorkonam in Thiruvananthapuram last week. As per the Pothencode police, the incident took place around noon on Thiruvonam day, Friday, but came to light only on Sunday. They said Unnikrishnan confessed to hacking his son Ullas, 35, to death at his house in Navodaya Nagar close to Karyavattom Greenfield Stadium. He is being interrogated in detail, said

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vizhinjam International Seaport has set a new operational benchmark by handling MSC Virginia, a container vessel with a draft of 16.95 metres the second-highest draft ever handled in India. The ship departed for Spain on Sunday morning after completing cargo operations at the port. MSC Virginia had arrived at Vizhinjam from Adani Mundra Port with a draft of 16 metres. Following the handling of nearly 5,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo, the draft increased

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Upon receiving a complaint about a homestay fraud allegation at the Gandhari Amman Kovil road, Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday visited the site and ensured immediate police action in the issue. The minister, who was accompanied by Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil and MLA I B Satheesh, acted upon a complaint filed by Nedumangad natives Naseera Beevi and her daughter Nevin Sulthana. According to Naseera, they entered into an agreement to run a homestay in the city wit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar will flag off the closing procession of the Onam celebration at Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state ministers, and cultural icons are expected to participate in the event, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said in a press conference on Sunday. The procession from Vellayambalam to East Fort will start by 4 pm and feature nearly 1,000 artists performing 91 art forms. Reflecting the

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralas child mortality rate is now less than that of the US. Keralas child mortality rate is 5 per 1,000 births, lowest in the country as per the latest Sample Registration System report. Infant mortality rate for the United States is 5.6. Keralas mortality is lower than that of developed countries, Health Minister Veena George said in a statement on Saturday. The minister congratulated health workers and other stakeholders who worked for this. Keralas infant mortality rate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the city corporation has inaugurated the states first fully modernised abattoir, its operations are yet to gather full steam amid concerns raised by butchers and meat traders. After remaining shut for over a decade, the city corporation inaugurated the slaughterhouse, modernised at a cost of Rs 10 crore, very recently. The civic bodys decision to levy a slaughtering fee of Rs 1,500 for large animals has come as a heavy blow to the butchers and meat vendors. Meat trade

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the eve of Thiruvonam, Governor Rajendra Arlekar visited veteran actor Madhu on Thursday to convey Onam greetings. Governor arrived at Madhus residence in Kannammoola with traditional Onam gifts, including kasavumundu, upperi, sharkkaravaratti, pappadam, fruits, and payasam. He was accompanied by his wife Anagha Arlekar, grandson Srihari, and Union Minister Suresh Gopi. According to Raj Bhavan, the governor enquired about Madhus health and said it was a matter of pride to

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state capital on the eve of Thiruvonam witnessed Uthradapachil an unprecedented rush with people thronging the streets for last minute purchases. Traffic at Overbridge, East Fort, Chalai, Pazhavangadi and MG Road intermittently halted with shoppers dominating the streets for buying vegetables to textiles to celebrate Onam. Almost every street leading to Chalai, Palayam and MG Road three popular shopping areas were taken over by shoppers and pedestrians. Many feel that

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Onam shopping and festive travel peaking, the Kazhakkoottam-Kaniyapuram stretch of National Highway 66 is witnessing heavy traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. The choked corridor, which serves as a major entry and exit point to the state capital, has turned into a bottleneck for motorists, IT employees, and local residents. The NH development work at Kaniyapuram and the dilapidated service road are the major reasons for the worsening traffic situation. Thos

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The residents of Vattiyoorkavu spent a tense Tuesday night stranded in their own homes after underground cabling work by the KSEB left an entire stretch inaccessible. The work, carried out on the road behind the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, saw trenches dug along nearly one kilometre, blocking entry to houses and preventing the movement of emergency vehicles. The digging began on Tuesday evening and continued past midnight, with the stretch only restored by

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid the raging controversy over the appointment of vice-chancellors to various universities, the decision of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) syndicate to reappoint the registrar and controller of examinations (CoE) several months after the end of their term is likely to end up in a legal tangle. On completion of their four-year terms, the two officials, who were on deputation from affiliated engineering colleges, were reverted to their parent institutions si

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the residents of Kochar Road, Sasthamangalam, Onam this year has turned into a season of hardship. Even in the middle of the festive season, nearly 100 families living on the Kochar Road stretch are reeling under acute drinking water crisis owing to apathy from the part of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA). Residents of Subramanian Lane, Madathu Vilakam Lane, and adjoining areas near the Alakapuri Auditorium have been struggling without regular water supply for the past si

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Highlighting that the contributions of the Womens Commission in the last 30 years had been instrumental in raising women s digniity, the commission president, P Sathidevi, mentioned that women should be more aware about their rights in the current period of social change. She was speaking after the district-level sitting of the commission at the Cotton Hill School on Tuesday. Emphasising that women have been stepping into different work streams and the issues there need to be

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Revving up the festive spirit of Onam, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas on Tuesday evening switched on the illuminations across the state capital, heralding the start of the week-long Onam celebrations organised by the Kerala tourism department. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will formally inaugurate the state-level festivities at the Nishagandhi Open Air Auditorium at 6pm on Wednesday. The entire stretch from Kowdiar to Manacaud has been lit up with rows of dazzling light

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vegetables worth Rs 4.7 crore were procured across the state on the opening day of the Onam Farmers Markets 2025 organised by the agriculture department. The initiative aims to ensure better returns for farmers, provide safe food to consumers, and curb price hikes during the season. According to the department, produce worth Rs 2.9 crore was directly procured from farmers. Another Rs 1.8 crore worth of vegetables were sourced through Horticorp and the Vegetable and Fruit Prom

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of growing complaints, the state government has decided to convene meetings of private ambulance operators in all districts to discuss issues related to the transport of critically ill patients. The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The chief minister highlighted that there have been repeated complaints against private ambulance drivers for avoiding government hospitals and taking accident victims to private hospita

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Supreme Court judge Rohinton Nariman on Monday called fraternity and secularism the twin pillars of the Indian Constitution, warning that distortions of history and divisive rhetoric pose a grave threat to national harmony. Speaking at a lecture on Fraternity in a secular state - The protection of cultural rights and duties organised by the Vakkom Moulavi Foundation Trust (VMFT), Nariman said Indias diversity makes its constitutional framework unique and incomparable t

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A government employee collapsed and died while taking part in the Onam celebrations on Monday evening. Junaise Abdullah, who worked as the deputy librarian at the Kerala Legislative Assembly, collapsed while participating in a group dance in the Sankara Narayanan Thampi Hall here. Though his colleagues initially felt that he had fallen after missing a step, they later rushed him to the general hospital in the assemblys ambulance. Assembly officers called off the Onam celebrat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the fragrance of Onam festivities rising, the state capital is witnessing significant rise in floriculture. Flower farming in the district has grown from 216.82 hectares in 2024 to 221.5 hectares in 2025, according to Poovili 2025, a report prepared by the department of economics and statistics. The report, released by MLA V K Prasanth, was prepared to understand the current status of floriculture in the district and to identify growth trends, challenges faced by farmers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated 15 major development projects worth over Rs 180 crore at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, on Monday. These included completed projects worth Rs 98.79 crore, and foundation stones were laid for new projects amounting to Rs 81.50 crore. The chief minister described the projects as a reflection of the governments patient-centric public health policy. These new facilities will bring in a revolutionary change in patien

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malayinkeezhu is rewriting the rules of rural well-being. Over the past two years, the grama panchayat has been working on creating happiness gramams that encourage people to pause, connect and breathe easy. The idea emerged after a survey conducted by the panchayat found worrying patterns, including rising cases of suicide and divorce, and increased emotional disconnect among families. It was not just about infrastructure or employment, but also encompassed loneliness and la

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Investing in education delivers the highest return for any society aiming for progress, said Nobel laureate in Chemistry, professor Morten P Meldal. He was addressing participants during an online lecture at the third RGCB Research Conference, organised by BRIC Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), held in Munnar on Saturday. Prof Meldal emphasised that nations such as Vietnam, Poland, Finland, and Denmark have achieved significant economic and developmental strides

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A youth died in a road accident on the National Highway 66 in Kazhakkoottam on Sunday morning. Balaramapuram native Shibin, 28, died after the Thar jeep he was driving crashed into a pillar at the elevated highway near Technopark in the wee hours. While Shibin died on the spot, four of co-passengers Rajaneesh, 27, Kiran, 29, Akhila, 28, and Sreelekshmi, 23 suffered injuries and are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals. The incident happened when the group o

Anime has a funny way of sneaking into lives. One moment, someone is casually watching an episode to see what the hype is about, and the next, its 3 am, six seasons deep into a shonen series, passionately explaining to friends why One Piece is not a cartoon. For years, anime fans in Thiruvananthapuram binged their favourite shows in their rooms. But that is changing now as the Onigiri Order, a small yet growing community, brings otakus in the city together. What began as a casual WhatsApp group

Onam has tiptoed in, and the city is draped in festive hues. Markets are filled with chendumalli, vadamalli, thumba, arali, roses, and the ever-fragrant jasmine. Streets are busy with people dressed in their ethnic attire women in kasavu sarees and men in their classic mundu and kurtas, running around for last-minute shopping or to join celebrations. Colleges and institutions kick-started their Onam celebrations. For students, this is the one week to bring out their best look, click endless pic

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first-of-its-kind move, the Thiruvananthapuram zoo will send serum samples of sambar deer to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB) in Palode. The aim is to assess how effective the anti-rabies vaccine has been in wild deer following the recent rabies outbreak inside the zoo. The decision comes in the wake of two sambar deer dying of rabies within a span of one week. The anti-rabies vaccine being used on the deer was developed for domestic ani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police on Friday arrested a doctor of Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital for alleged medical negligence after a patient accused him of leaving a guide wire in her chest following a surgery. The Cantonment police arrested Dr Rajeev Kumar on the complaint of Kattakada resident S Sumayya. She alleged that the 50-cm-long wire, a surgical tool used in laparoscopy, was left in her chest following a thyroid surgery on March 22, 2023,. The 26-year-old claimed she faced serious h

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thousands of devotees took part in Navapoojitham, the birth anniversary celebrations of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru at Santhigiri Ashram at Pothencode in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. At the event, Samuel Mor Theophilus Metropolitan of the Believers Eastern Church highlighted the enduring relevance of Gurus vision in todays fragmented world. We are living in a time when humanity is being destroyed by the inability to see fellow human beings as equals. The vision that Nav

Its the 13th over. Kochi Blue Tigers star player Sanju Samson is on the crease. The bowler takes his position and makes his move. Sanju swings, connects. Several pairs of eyes, around 1,000, follow the ball as it goes high, looking as it is trying to kiss the skies. People hold their breath Will the ball be caught? Or will the Keralite add another sixer to his name? The crowd erupts as they get their answer seconds later. The ball has sailed over the fence. Its a maximum. Amid the cheers, a ch

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Asraya, an all-woman charitable organisation dedicated to supporting cancer patients at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), has entered its 30th year of service. The organisation held its 29th annual general body meeting at the TSSS hall at Vellayambalam on Wednesday. Gowri Parvathy Bayi, member of the erstwhile Travancore royal family, inaugurated the event. She highlighted the catastrophic health expenditures that families of cancer patients often face. To be healthy is a gre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first-ever cycle track, hailed as a landmark step towards green mobility has quickly turned into a disappointing affair for cyclists and citizens in the city. Opened recently with much fanfare, the track along the Vellayambalam-Thycaud stretch lies in shambles blocked by parked vehicles, encroachments and crippled by unscientific design. Frustrated by administrative apathy, activists are gearing up for an online campaign Save the Cycle Track. Bicycle mayor of Thiruvanant

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While walking inside the premises of the Jawahar Balabhavan, Arunima was startled- a four-legged, unknown thing walked towards her. At a time when dog bite issues are on the rise, she was somewhat relieved when she understood that it was a robo-dog, controlled by another human. The Liberate Festival of Knowledge, Technology and Society, held at Jawahar Balabhavan here, was home to several intriguing elements like the Unitree Go2 robo-dog exhibited by the Kerala Startup Missio

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The alleged suicide of Aryanad panchayat member S Sreeja triggered dramatic scenes in the state capital on Tuesday, as Congress workers staged a protest demanding action against CPM members allegedly responsible for her harassment. After completing formalities at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Congress workers took Sreejas body in a funeral procession to Aryanad junction around 4pm, where it was placed for the public to pay homage. Congress workers insisted that the

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The death of Aryanad panchayat member S Sreeja, 47, on Tuesday has triggered a political storm, with allegations that she was driven to suicide following harassment by the CPM. Sreeja was found dead in a shed near her residence on Tuesday morning. The controversy erupted a day after CPM members held a meeting against her, accusing her of financial fraud and failing to return money borrowed from several individuals. Opposition Leader V D Satheesan demanded an inquiry into the

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has demanded that a vigilance probe should be carried out into alleged irregularities in Anert. Referring to the government transferring Anert CEO Narendranath Veluri, Chennithala said the issues in Anert cannot be resolved by transferring Veluri. What happened in Anert was corruption to the tune of hundreds of crore. This cannot be addressed merely by transferring one official. There should be detailed investigation, said Chennithala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 17th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) will have its curtains falling on Wednesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the award for the festival winners at the valedictory ceremony held at the Kairali Theatre on Wednesday at 6 pm. The lifetime achievement award for outstanding contributions to the field of documentary filmmaking will be presented to acclaimed independent director Rakesh Sharma at the function by the chief mins