THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when Varkala is being celebrated globally after finding a place on the Unesco tentative list, the historic cliff is ironically facing one of its worst phases of destruction with even government-approved projects contributing to the violations. Allegedly, the government has granted approval for two major projects that have encouraged large-scale interventions on the fragile and fast-eroding cliff. The government has given approval for a `25-crore project under the S

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving a bitter sight to book lovers in the capital city, over 700 books have been placed on low-lying chairs and platforms in the Malayalam section of the State Central Library here. When asked about the situation, the authorities stated that the books mostly new had been kept there for nearly a month. However, officials attributed this to the lack of furniture in the library. Even though we have been receiving many books, we do not have enough furniture or racks to keep t

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mentioning that the essence of being an artist is to be honest to oneself and his surroundings, veteran Carnatic vocalist T M Krishna said that art which does not engage with time is useless. If an artists art is not in conversation with the time, place and environment they live in, it is not art, he said after receiving the fifth P Govinda Pillai Memorial National Award at the Senate Hall here on Saturday. Talking about traditional musicians like Thyagaraja Swamikal and Muth

Kerala is once again sliding into the election season, with the local body polls set to be held on December 9 and 11. Across the state, walls are sprouting posters, flex boards, and party colours. Small campaign offices have appeared in lanes and junctions. Political parties have now placed their candidates on the field, and campaigning is in full swing. But this election has a new audience watching from the front row Gen Z. The 13-to-28 crowd, stepping into civic life with a mix of scepticism,

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five people, including the main culprit involved in the murder of an 18-year-old youth near Thycaud on Monday, surrendered before the court. Jagathy natives, Ajin aka Jobi, 27, Abhijith, 26, Kiran, 26, Valiyavila native Nandu, 27, and Panniyode native Akhil Lal, 27, surrendered before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Thursday and were remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. The five had fled to Tamil Nadu after fatally stabbing Allan, a native of Rajaji Nagar, w

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The centuries-old Murajapam-Lakshadeepam festival began at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple on Thursday. A maha ganapathy homam performed by temple thantri Tharananelloor Satheesan Nambooripad marked the commencement of the festival, celebrated once in every six years. Vedic scholars from different parts of the country chanted vedas in the temple. Special veda mandapas have been set up on the four nadas of the temple. The 56-day-long festival will see the chanting of Rig Veda,

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first municipality in the district and the third in the state to have won the ISO certification for citizen services, Attingal is a key area to look upon, not only on the political front but also in development aspects. The municipality was formed even before the country attained Independence. The picture of the local body election is all set here, with the ruling LDF planning to root its campaign on its Attingal-model development claim, and the opposing UDF and BJP raisi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Long before police pieced together the lies he lived and died for, Harihara Varma built a life like a man who knew how to stay just outside the reach of questions. He sold gemstones whose origins he never fully explained, claimed ancestral links he never proved and told stories so confidently that even seasoned buyers found themselves leaning in. It was these tales that drew a group of young men into his orbit, ultimately paving way for his demise. What happened on December 2

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP on Wednesday held a mega meeting here with the 101 NDA candidates contesting in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections, assuring that the party would ensure comprehensive development in the state capital if voted to power. Addressing the public, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the party would present a detailed development plan for the city within 45 days of assuming office, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also be present for the ann

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Neyyatinkara municipality one of the oldest local bodies in the state is set for a tight fight as the LDF and UDF prepare to lock horns, while the BJP aims to increase its seats. Though the LDF has traditionally held a strong presence, the last term saw a shift in momentum with the UDF securing 17 seats in the 44-member council. LDF which is ruling the municipality has 18 members while BJP has 9 seats. Located near the upcoming Vizhinjam International Seaport, Neyyatinkara

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nearly 19 DPharm and BPharm students of Kerala Academy of Pharmacy, Kandala, have decided to go on hunger strike against the managements reluctance in releasing their SSLC and Plus 2 certificates despite repeated requests. The students had decided to drop out of the college due to alleged lack of facilities and poor attitude of the authorities. Multiple students said they took the decision nearly four months ago, but have been stuck as the college has refused to release their

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the local body election campaign moves to the second phase, the UDF will release its manifesto for Thiruvananthapuram corporation this week. Congress campaign chief K Muraleedharan said the document focuses on voter priorities, fixing drinking-water shortages, repairing roads and improving waste management, and not just on high-tech promises. We are taking our pledges door to door. First we produced a chargesheet on the LDFs corporation rule, now we will present our manife

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two youths have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old youth who was stabbed to death on Monday while trying to stop an argument over a football match. The Cantonment Police arrested Sandeep, 27, of Jagathy and Akhilesh, 20, of Kunnukuzhi. A minor student is also in police custody. The 16-year-old boy from Jagathy is being questioned. Sandeep and Akhilesh, who are the sixth and seventh accused in the case, are currently under arrest. Sandeep, who has bee

In Thiruvananthapuram, far from the usual global fashion circuits, a small group of friends are experimenting with socks. The project started three years ago. They never imagined how far the idea would eventually take them. Now, the project has turned into Haspo a brand that exclusively designs socks. Hapso didnt begin as a business idea at all. It grew out of an art community called Happyccino, formed five to six years ago by engineers, designers, photographers, and self-taught artists who sim

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a shocking incident, a 19-year-old was stabbed to death after he intervened in a clash that broke out between a group of youngsters on Monday near the Shri Dharma Shastha Temple at Thycaud. The deceased has been identified as Alen, a resident of D-47, Thoppu, near Aristo Junction. Cantonment Police have taken four youths into custody following the incident. The incident took place around 5 pm. According to the police, about 30 youngsters had gathered near the temple after

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police have identified the key witness in the case in which a girl was kicked off a moving train in Varkala . The youth who rescued Archana the friend of the seriously injured Sreekutty and overpowered the attacker, Suresh, a native of Vellarada, was traced on Sunday. The rescuer has been identified as Sankar Paswan, a native of Bihar and an employee with a private firm at the Kochuveli Industrial Estate. His statement has been recorded. The investigation team had earli

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is placing a strong emphasis on improving passenger experience to build loyalty and attract more customers. Following the introduction of air-conditioned waiting rooms at major depots, the corporation is now experimenting with a range of innovative products and services aimed at enhancing its premium offerings. We are committed to offering a world-class travel experience. Along with improving amenities for a more enjoyable journ

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the sun set in the capital city on Sunday, the names of the children who died in Gaza during the Israel-Palestine war echoed through the walls of the Manaveeyam Veedhi. Over 150 renowned faces from the socio-cultural and political spaces of the state expressed their solidarity for Palestine, as they wore a Palestinian keffiyeh and uttered the names of the children who passed away. Marking an end to the Names of Gaza programme, the event had the Palestinian Ambassador to In

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Election Commission has strengthened its vigil against the use of AI in poll campaigns, state election commissioner A Shajahan has informed. Strict steps will be taken against fake pictures and voice messages misusing technology. Candidates and political parties should ensure credibility in campaigning, he said in a statement. The commission has issued clear guidelines in this regard. Provisions of IT Act 2000, IT (Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, BNS 2023, Mo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mounting disputes over electoral rolls, spike in rebel candidates, and attempt to suicide are keeping political parties on edge in Thiruvananthapuram corporation, ahead of the local body polls. Fresh allegations have come up in the electoral rolls of the Muttada division after the supplementary list published on Saturday revealed serious discrepancies, including 22 individuals recorded under the same house number. The controversy erupted when CPM Muttada branch member Dhanesh

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

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: 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

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: 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

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The stray dog attack reported from the Museum premises has triggered widespread concern across the capital, with the City Corporation flooded with calls demanding the removal of dogs from public institutions. However, the absence of adequate shelters has landed the civic authorities in a fix. On Wednesday, the Corporations dog squad captured four dogs from the public office premises following complaints from officials. We are getting numerous requests from various establishme

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The health department has achieved a milestone by bringing 1,001 medical institutions under the e-Health project. This includes 19 medical college institutions, 33 district/general hospitals, 87 taluk hospitals, 77 community health centres, 554 family health centres, 99 urban family health centres, 15 specialty hospitals, 3 public health laboratories, and 114 other health facilities. So far, over 2.63 crore people have obtained permanent UHID registrations through e-Health. M

Thiruvananthapurams film culture didnt appear overnight. It grew through small groups that gathered to watch movies, which rarely made it to mainstream screens. The early groups that took root in the 60s and 70s brought world cinema into the city and encouraged people to watch, argue, and think about films with a seriousness that shaped the citys viewing habits. Over time, the scene changed with some groups fading out and others holding their ground, keeping the culture alive in different ways.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suspended IAS officer Prasanth N marked the anniversary of his suspension with a strongly worded Facebook post on Tuesday alleging large-scale corruption and administrative misconduct by senior bureaucrats, including Chief Secretary A Jayathilak and former Chief Secretary Sarada Muralidharan. Prasanth said his suspension stemmed from a Facebook post quoting the film Manichitrathazhu Madampalliyile manorogi which he described as a harmless idiomatic expression misunderstood

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The stray dog menace in the capital city has assumed alarming proportions as about five morning walkers were bitten by a dog inside the museum premises on Tuesday. I was walking when the dog suddenly lunged at me from behind and bit my legs. One of the wounds is quite deep. It was scary and the security guards let the stray dogs roam freely inside the compound and I have seen them chasing two-wheelers many times. Its dangerous, said 62-year-old Thampy Bal, one among the five

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An early announcement of candidate list for Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in the upcoming local body polls seems to have backfired on the Congress. Close on the heels of candidate announcement, discontent has been brewing in the party. The growing divisions within the party, particularly in wards under the Kovalam Assembly constituency, have been coming out. Youth Congress state secretary Hisaan Hussain resigned on Monday, citing disputes over candidate selection and is expe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance Court, Thiruvananthapuram, has sentenced a former KWA executive engineer for five years rigorous imprisonment in a graft case. John Koshy, who was an executive engineer in the KWA Thiruvananthapuram Public Health (North) division, was found guilty of accepting Rs 25,000 as bribe for sanctioning bills of a contractor, who had undertaken relaying of 110 mm AC pipes from Chekkalamukku to Society Mukku in 2017-18 period. When the contractor approached the accused to

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Calligrapher Narayana Bhattathiri has been appointed as the director of the World Calligraphy Association, becoming the first Indian to hold the position. The announcement was made on November 6 during the inaugural ceremony of the Jikji International Calligraphy Exhibition held in Cheongju, South Korea. Bhattathiri also served as a jury member for this years exhibition. As part of the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the World Script Calligraphy Associ

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram is set to host its first anime-themed food carnival as Hanami, the Pan-Asian restaurant at Uday Suites, joins hands with Shinigami Studios for the two-day Eat-Taku Fest on November 15 and 16 (4pm to 7pm). The festival combines food, pop culture and community, offering a lineup of anime-inspired dishes and drinks, DJ sessions featuring popular anime tracks, cosplay appearances, themed games and stalls selling merchandise. Organisers say the idea is to create

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapurams film culture didnt appear overnight. It grew through small groups that gathered to watch movies, which rarely made it to mainstream screens. The early groups that took root in the 60s and 70s brought world cinema into the city and encouraged people to watch, argue, and think about films with a seriousness that shaped the citys viewing habits. Over time, the scene changed with some groups fading out and others holding their ground, keeping the culture alive

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A woman died and two others were seriously injured when a car lost control and crashed into a streetlight pole after hitting the divider near Pattoor Junction, close to the General Hospital. The deceased is Muneera Beevi, 48, a resident of NRA 133, Nadavam Residence Association. Her husband Abdul Rasheed, 56, and daughter Fida Fathima, 25, are undergoing treatment in critical condition at KIMS Hospital. Muneeras nephew Salman, 19, who was driving the car, too suffered injurie

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SFI members on Monday organised a protest against C N Vijayakumari, the head of the Sanskrit department of the Kerala University (KU), over her alleged castiest remarks against a research scholar. Demanding her resignation, the students burned her in effigy and took down the professors name board from her office. The SFI activists also raised slogans against Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal, alleging that Vijayakumari indulges in anti-student activities with his support. The

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of the local body election declaration on Monday, the LDF leadership announced has its candidates for the polls in Thiruvananthapuram corporation. Notably, Mayor Arya Rajendran will not be contesting this time. According to sources, Arya is likely to contest from the Nemom constituency in the upcoming assembly polls. At the same time, a slew of senior leaders, including CPM district committee member and former Kerala State Council for Child Welfare chairper

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The release of the BJPs list of 67 candidates for the Thiruvananthapuram corporation elections on Sunday triggered discontent within the NDA, with Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) district president Prem Raj expressing dissatisfaction and announcing plans to field 20 candidates later in the evening. However, the issue was resolved on Monday after BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar held discussions with BDJS leaders at the partys state headqua-rters. From the BDJS side, P

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former DGP R Sreelekha is among the key faces in the BJPs list of 67 candidates for the Thiruvananthapuram corporation elections, announced on Sunday by state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the party headquarters. The list also features senior leaders such as VV Rajesh and P Ashok Kumar, athlete Padmini Thomas, and several prominent entrants from the Congress. Former Congress leaders K Maheshwaran Nair and Thampanoor Satheesh, who joined the BJP last year, have been fielde

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To promote sustainable urban development and improve the quality of life in the city, the Thiruvananthapuram corporation has partnered with K-DISC, KILA, and Social Alpha under the Innovations in Sustainable Urban Transition initiative supported by the University of Toronto India Foundation (UTIF). The collaboration comes under K-DISCs One Local Government, One Idea (OLOI) programme, which helps local bodies implement innovative and transformational projects. The partners hav