Tamil Nadu rain alert: A deep depression over the Strait of Malacca is intensifying and is forecast to become Cyclone Senyar and the weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Incessant rainfall in several districts of Tamil Nadu has already crippled normal life in the state with more showers expected in the coming days.
Nations maritime heritage to soon adorn walls of Kochi Naval Base
KOCHI: Murals depicting the landmarks in Indias maritime history right from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the modern day will adorn the walls of the Kochi Naval Base. The Better Kochi Response Group (BKRG), has launched an initiative to create a 1.3-km-long mural wall that will chronologically depict Indias expansive maritime history. Once completed, it will be the longest mural in the country, and the project will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for consideration, said BKRG president and architect S Gopakumar on Tuesday. Launching the brochure for the proposed mural project, Cochin Shipyard CMD Madhu S Nair said the mural project will help remind the new generation of our maritime history and reconnect them with our past. At one time India accounted for 30% of the worlds GDP, but our youths remain largely unaware of Keralas maritime legacy. Our ship-building prowess was famous and even now the Urus (wooden dhow) made by our craftsmen in Beypore are being used by countries in the Middle East, he said. There are around 250 panels along the 103-km-long stretch where artists, historians and curators will create murals about maritime history in a chronological order. Each panel will be handled by a lead artist supported by one or two junior artists and art students. The Navy has already requested the tourism department to develop a walkway alongside the Naval Base compound wall. The Cochin Shipyard has promised to donate H20 lakh for the project and many builders have come forward to support the initiative. Cochin Shipyard CMD Madhu S Nair handing over the brochure of the mural project taken up by the Better Kochi Response Group to Commodore V Z Job The maritime legacy of India right from the Indus Valley Civilisation which was carried forward by the Mauryas, Cholas, Chatrapati Shivaji and the Zamorins will be depicted in murals in a chronological order, said Vice Admiral Prem Sudhan who will coordinate the initiative. The mural wall will narrate how Rani Abbakka of Ullal, Chatrapati Shivaji, Tipu Sultan, Kunhali Marakkar and Travancore resisted the western forces, he said. Traditionally Keralites have not been seafarers, but we have received benefits of maritime trade. There were thriving ship building yards at Kallayi and Vypeen and the guidance of Portuguese and Dutch helped us build warships. We had supplied warships to European countries and the UK. One of the warships built in Kerala was used in the Battle of Waterloo, said journalist and former Resident Editor of TNIE, M K Das. On completion, the mural wall is expected to become a major tourist landmark for Kochi and serve as an educational resource offering students and the public deep insights into Indias maritime heritage.
Varappuzha bridge to be opened in Dec 1st week, to ease NH 66 traffic
KOCHI: In a significant relief for commuters battling acute traffic congestion, the first of seven major bridges along the 26-km Edappally-Moothakunnam stretch of NH 66 is scheduled to be opened to traffic in the first week of December. The key structure new Varappuzha bridge promises to significantly ease the bottleneck caused by vehicles plying in both directions on the old bridge. The 1.03-km-long new bridge was constructed in a record 604 days at a cost of Rs 100 crore by Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt Ltd. Notably, it incorporates added safety measures, including eight PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras that are remotely controlled to move horizontally, vertically, and zoom in or out. The bridges design utilises the balanced cantilever method, a decision driven by its location over the Periyar, which falls under the purview of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The final approach work of the bridge is progressing and will be opened to traffic from the first week of December. It has been designed to suit a speed of 100 kmph, as is the case in most of the widened NH stretches. We chose the balanced cantilever method due to the specific vertical and horizontal clearance required to ensure the safe passage of vessels and boats beneath, a senior NHAI official said. The old Varapuzha bridge, inaugurated on January 16 in 2001, was the first balanced cantilever bridge constructed in Kerala. The new bridge will ease traffic, besides offering views of beautiful landscapes for travellers, the official said. Optimal design for long spans The balanced cantilever method is a construction technology particularly suited for spans exceeding 50 metres, generally up to 150 metres, which is longer than those in normal bridges. The new bridge has 26 spans in total, with the river portion featuring two 83-metre spans and a large 120-metre central span to accommodate navigational traffic below. This relatively speedy and cost-effective construction method is ideal for difficult terrain or over perennial water bodies. The process involves building the bridge in segments that are concreted into formwork fixed to a special movable steel structure called a form traveller. Construction proceeds from the pier outwards towards the mid-span in a balanced manner: the number of segments on the right- and left-hand side of the pier must be the same for a stable cantilever configuration. Once the two opposing cantilevers meet at the mid-span, the span is bridged. A key visual feature of this design is the absence of a cap over the piers. 70% work over on Edappally-Moothakunnam stretch The opening of the new Varappuzha bridge comes in the backdrop of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) hastening construction activities, which had been stalled for nearly a year because of a scarcity of red soil for filling work. Weve signed a pact with the Cochin Port Trust to use dredged soil from the shipping channel as an alternative and temporary measure to speed up widening. Were also applying for Soil Borrow Areas, from where we can dig and procure red soil, the NHAI official said. According to him, nearly 70% of the Rs 1,618-crore project to widen the Edappally-Moothakunnam NH 66 stretch into a six-lane road has been completed. This 26.03-km segment is the first of five reaches in the overall 164-km Edappally-Ramanattukara NH 66 widening effort. The work includes the construction of a railway overbridge (ROB), four flyovers, seven major bridges (including the Varappuzha bridge), eight minor bridges, and various vehicular and pedestrian underpasses. Were aiming to complete the widening of the stretch by April. Now, a key challenge is the new Edappally RoB construction, where weve completed the superstructure work. However, the substructure work is pending. Were yet to get permission from the Southern Railways. If it is granted quickly, the RoB work can be completed by January, the official said.
Dont file FIRs, please' says comedian Abish Mathew
Long before he became one of the most recognisable comedy voices, Abish Mathew was a radio jockey in Delhi a young man with an instinct for humour. From there came the YouTube hits, comedy clubs, the specials, the tours, Comicstaan, Son of Abish, improv sets, sketch videos, and an evolving stage persona that refuses to sit still. Abish has never been just a stand-up; he is a host, writer, performer and creator who is constantly evolving. He recently brought his latest set, Abish Mathew and His Many Talents: Part Two, to Kochi. We sat down to chat the next morning after the performance. When I walked into the venue, he was already hunched over his iPad, stylus in hand replaying the previous nights recording and marking every response. Where the audience laughed, where they chuckled or applauded, and where a joke didnt quite land. It was an almost surgical review of the art of laughter and perhaps the most fitting snapshot of a performer who is constantly fine-tuning himself. In this chat, Abish opened up about discovering clowning, the science of humour, the chilling effect on comedy today, and the emotional weight of drawing from personal history. Excerpts: What do you prefer calling yourself artist, comedian, something else? I honestly dont know. My music teacher once told me that you dont define your own genre; the audience tells you what you are. Your job is to create in the moment. So, we are nothing but references of things we love. And if we merge them, we become unique. If someone calls me an artist, Ill happily take it. But I personally prefer freelancer as that identity keeps me accountable. It reminds me of discipline, deadlines and employment. In any creative field, you need one for the kitchen, one for the soul. Art should feed your spirit, but something must also pay the bills. Ive been fortunate that my passion became my profession, but timing mattered. If YouTube hadnt happened when it did, or if that whole wave with AIB, Vir (Das), hadnt come at the time, I might have ended up in an advertising agency. What brought you to clowning? I had first discovered clowning years ago through Cirque du Soleil on YouTube. David Shiner, Mila Uesoft clowns who could make an audience the centre of the show without saying a word. As I grew up, I found stand-up, later improv, and forgot about clowning. A workshop in Mumbai by Pyotr Sikovar (Furioso) re-ignited something. His idea of the flop blew my mind going with an idea, letting it fail, and staying in the failure. The audience roots for you precisely because you never succeed. The power dynamic is beautiful. Abish during a performance You recently went to Norway to explore clowning. How was that experience? The Norway Clown Camp was a month-long residency on a farm with 1520 people from around the world. Philip Burgers (Dr Brown) taught us. He is someone Id admired for years. Seeing him in person and learning the importance of making eye contact with the audience, being vulnerable and uncomfortable all of it changed something in me. I feel more fearless on stage now. Is this why clowning has become important to you? Absolutely. Clowning forces me to keep quiet. Thats my new challenge can I make an audience laugh in silence? But even clowning will flirt with political incorrectness. The goal is not to test limits but to understand: both the comedian and the audience are flawed. You also study comedy. Do you like calling yourself a nerd? Im a comedy nerd, 100%. Before I touched the stage, I was obsessively researching comedy. I get very excited when someone writes a bit, and I become curious to know how did they think of it. From all the interactions I have had with other comedians, I have realised that, many of the jokes werent written on paper they happened serendipitously maybe because of something an audience member said or it just came to them as a thought on stage. Is that true for you too? Yes. Earlier, I believed a joke had to be perfect before I went on stage. Now I write diligently, but I also allow discovery. I talk to myself in the mirror, rehearse jokes and review every set. If something works accidentally, I make a note of it so its not lost. Recently, a joke about men and women dancing or moving their pelvis differently at sangeet ceremonies worked three times in a row. I dont know if its a good joke yet but Ill explore it until it proves itself or fails. Do concepts like theories of humour influence you? Very much. Superiority theory, surprise theory... Recently, I learnt about benign violations. It was introduced to me by Viggo Venn (who won Britains Got Talent), a world-renowned clown. Benign violation is humour that violates softly, just enough to be funny but not offensive. Like the pelvis joke. My hope is that even my parents would laugh that is the sweet spot. Push beyond that, and it stops being benign; it just becomes crass. In recent years, comedians have been targeted frequently. Do you feel its becoming more difficult to be a comedian today? Yes. Theres the chilling effect.Someone explained it to me like this: once, being homosexual was illegal, but the police wont come to your house to check. Still, the fear shaped who you are outside your house. That same chilling effect has seeped into comedy. Some comedians boldly say, I will talk anyway, and you admire that courage. You aspire to get there. But if you dont have financial, legal or network support, especially in India, what happens to you? Its absolutely okay to disagree with something I said or did. Just dont file FIRs, please. Vent it out. Come threaten me on Instagram DM, and I will understand. Or maybe block you (laughs). Its not just comedians the audience has changed too. Theres this cultural shift of, If I cant say it, then you cant say it. Most people catch themselves doing it and stop themselves from acting on it. Ideally, scrutiny should go towards hate speech not jokes but thats not how it plays out. So you end up doing family-friendly humour even when you want to talk about bigger things. Do you feel freer in Kerala? 100%. The audience here shares a similar social and political mindset. Not identical views just an openness. We grew up not understanding politics, but this is the age where we finally speak about the country a little bit, right? There are comics who do it more confidently than I do, and I hope to get there. Kerala gives me that space. Also, Kerala laughs at political humour in a way few other places do. Its cultural. I grew up in Delhi, but I used to watch Munshi. Political commentary has been part of humour here for decades. So there were bold artists before us. When I know the audience is my audience, whether its Kerala or Gujarat, I can be open. If its a corporate gig or a festival, where I dont know whos coming, I have to be more careful, not just for me, but for the organisers too. Youve performed a song in one of your sets, which revealed the story behind your name. A combination of your older brothers names (Anish+Binish). There was so much grief in it (since Binish passed away before you were born), how did that song come about? During the lockdown, I was alone and had creative space. In that silence I discovered things about myself. I realised that writing lyrics or rhymes makes you more intentional than when youre just clicking keys on a keyboard. So I wrote a draft and almost forgot about it. Then Spoken Fest asked me to perform. A poet-artist friend, Shantanu, heard it and told me to develop it. So I did a spoken-word version. Later, when I did Abish Mathew and His Many Talents, I included a 10-minute piece of that, because quite a few people encouraged me to do so. It didnt fit a stand-up show; its quite a downer. So I added it somewhere in the middle. That piece makes me emotional. There are times I almost choke up. I had to practice to control it because if I cried on stage repeatedly, it would look like self-obsession. The special Im releasing ends with that song and the guitar part I added mirrors how I felt. Whats next? I am working on a new bit, a special in development. I do want to talk about what this love is. what it is like to be married, why does one need to be married. But I haven't gotten there yet. I have just been able to get to a point where I am talking about my experiences of love. Now that might become a separate special, before that I need to spend a little bit more time with myself on these things. Now, being married twice, theres insight there. Life is very different now. I see myself as two different people with two different people. And I think: Oh my God, Abish. You are the problem! I want to talk about my married life through my lens. It will be challenging but worth it. It will be about me, my insecurity, which I know many men will relate to. Thats what I want to tackle in this bit.
Amore and More: a candid chat with the new Italian Consul General in B'luru Giandomenico Milano
With two post-graduate degrees under his belt, the newly appointed Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru is no stranger to exam stress, but something recently took him right back to those times: wine sommelier exams. I graduated in July after writing three different exams, it was kind of scary to back and feel that anxiety, laughs Giandomenico Milano, as a spread of Italian snacks, including tiny amaretti, cannoli and pieces of focaccia beckon the reporters gathered for an informal chat with him. He adds, Ive always had an interest in wine and the culture behind it. This programme was two years of studying the chemistry, geography and the history of it. It was fascinating. Its been a busy three months for Milano, with getting settled into a new city with his wife and two kids and planning one of his first major events as the Consul General The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World. He notes that the initiative is far more than a culinary celebration and describes it as an expression of Italian culture, identity and values. Bengalurus dynamic dining landscape, he observes, makes it an ideal setting for such a cultural exchange. Welcoming chef Italo Bassi, he adds, enhances the programmes significance, with his Michelin recognition, deep grounding in Italian tradition and contemporary creative flair. Sharing his first impressions of the city, Milano says, Id say theres no better place than Bengaluru, even though Im a bit biased. I think we Italians and Bengalureans have a lot of energy and the same values rooted in tradition and innovation. Its this mix he wants his tenure in Bengaluru to embody. He says, When people think of Italy, they think of food, fashion, art and history which we are happy about but more than that, Italy is also always reinventing itself in areas like robotics, aerospace and design innovation. We recently had a strong Italian presence at Bangalore Tech Summit too. Even though there are just roughly 100 Italians in the city, many of whom Milano has met, he reveals, Surprisingly, there are also 100 Italian companies in the city involved in a mix of IT, innovation, food and hospitality. Milano, who grew up in the Molise region in Southern Italy nestled between Rome and Naples, describes it as a not very well-known but an authentic place rooted in tradition. He adds, I had a very free upbringing in the countryside and a happy childhood but I wanted to see the world. Perhaps thats been one of the drivers to have this career to connect and discover. That desire to discover led him to jobs at embassies in Ethiopia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka before bringing him to Bengaluru, but this is not his first brush with India. When I was in Sri Lanka, India was close so I travelled to Delhi, Rajasthan, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Kerala and saw the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Ajanta Ellora caves in Maharashtra. Travelling gives you flexibility and opens your mind to face any counterpart, he says. However, his favourite has been a recent trip to Mysuru, as he says, I went during Vijayadashami the palace was stunning and the parade impressive. Milano also has plans for events across music, art, and technology. A multilingual speaker of Spanish, Italian, English, and French, one area of interest is language, as he explains, There are not many Italian speakers in Bengaluru and the South compared to North India so wed really like to encourage that. Were looking into organising opportunities to meet and have conversations with an Italian speaker. Has he picked up any Indian languages? Milano says, I try to include a few Kannada phrases in speeches with the help of my colleagues, but I need to improve! So far, my biggest problem has been with learning the alphabet. With that, it was time to say ciao (and namaskara) to the Consul General, the sweetness of amaretti lingering on the tongue with the promise to return for more tastes of Italy that he hopes to bring to ooru.
Ootupurai, the traditional feeding house in Kanniyakumari temples
Ootupurai, where Brahmins were served free meals, was once a familiar institution across southern Travancore and Kanniyakumari district which remained part of Kerala until 1957. Although the British administration ordered the discontinuation ofthissystem in 1922, it survived in several temples long after the decree.
TN working with Kerala: Minister
KOCHI: The inclusion of a Bharat Mata image at a National Law Day programme held on the Kerala High Court premises has triggered strong protests from the All India Lawyers Union (AILU), even as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who attended the event, reignited the debate by alleging that resistance to the symbol reflects a form of modern untouchability and a degradation of Indias cultural ethos. The Sangh Parivar organised the programme, affiliated Bharatheeya Abhibhashaka Parishad and attended by the Governor on Tuesday. AILU, Kerala High Court Committee, alleged that the display of the image on the court premises amounted to a serious challenge to constitutional values and an attempt to saffronise even the premises of the higher judiciary. In a statement, AILU state secretary Adv. C M Nazer said using the High Court venue for such symbolic displays, especially in the presence of a Governor who political opponents have earlier accused of endorsing hardline Hindutva position, was deplorable and unacceptable. He said the incident sends a dangerous message to the public and risks eroding confidence in the judiciarys secular character. Using the High Court platform to promote divisive imagery is a direct affront to the Constitution. It shows that attempts at saffronisation spare no institution, not even the higher judiciary, the statement said. The lawyers body, calling the development deeply disturbing, demanded an urgent inquiry into how the image was displayed and strict action against those responsible. AILU has submitted its protest to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, seeking immediate intervention to safeguard the neutrality and dignity of judicial institutions. Addressing the gathering on Cultural Nationalism in Indian Constitution, Governor Arlekar linked the ongoing controversy to what he described as a wider cultural disconnect. Weve reached such an extent now that even Bharat Mata is considered as untouchable. Many dont attend the programmes because of Bharat Mata, he said. He attributed this mindset to a disruption in our education system allegedly caused by colonial influence. The dispute is rooted in the continuing public spat between the Governor and the state government. The administration had earlier objected to a specific Bharat Mata portrait used at Raj Bhavan events, which features a lion and a saffron flag. Ministers have argued that this particular depiction is not a secular national symbol but allegedly reflects a political and religious ideology associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), prompting them to boycott official functions. Defending the symbol, Arlekar recounted an instance at Raj Bhavan, When Bharat Matas portrait was kept there, somebody came there and asked, Whos this lady... this is the degradation of our cultural ethos. He also linked the sentiment to the national pledge: During my childhood, I was perplexed as to how everyone is my brother and sister. I asked my teacher, but couldnt get a satisfactory answer. But afterwards, I came to know why... because we have one mother, that is Bharat Mata. If we dont celebrate Bharat Mata, what will we celebrate? The Governor further dismissed multiculturalism as western thinking, insisting that India has a single, unified Indian culture or Bharatiya culture. He said, The rainbow has different shades, but its still one rainbow. So also, our culture is one though there may be different shades... our diversity is not the cause of our differences, in fact its the cause of our being united. Calling for a cultural reawakening, he added, Nationalism is nothing but saving our culture, stressing the need to abandon colonial thought to restore national pride.
MVD cracks down on violations by private buses in Kochi
Lawyers union condemns use of Bharat Mata portrait at Governors High Court event
Uttarakhand turns to hydroseeding to tackle persistent landslides on Badrinath highway
DEHRADUN: Facing relentless landslides in one of India's top 10 most vulnerable districts, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now turning to an advanced biological solution, hydroseeding, to stabilise a critical stretch of the Badrinath Highway near Kameda in Gauchar. This shift comes after earlier engineering interventions allegedly failed to contain the erosion that has long threatened this vital route. The 120-metre stretch near Kameda, located in the highly landslide-prone Rudraprayag district, experiences significant debris flow during the monsoon season. For over five years, the slope above the highway has continually shed soil, rocks and boulders, frequently disrupting traffic for hours. For more than five years, the slope here has been unstable. When the rains hit, large boulders roll onto the highway, stated a local resident, requesting anonymity due to the frequent closures. Previously, NHAI had attempted stabilisation using conventional engineering methods. Steel netting anchored by 6 to 8-inch iron rods (anchors) was installed into the slope before the monsoon. However, heavy rains led to substantial slippage, allegedly rendering the nets ineffective. Now, the focus has shifted to Hydroseeding Mulch, a technique involving the spraying of a mixture of seeds, water and fertiliser onto the slope. We are employing Hydroseeding Mulch to prevent further landslides in this steep terrain. We anticipate this method will be effective, said JP Sharma, Project Manager at RCC Developers, associated with the project. We are currently verifying the existing anchors before fully implementing this technique, as this method has proven successful in mountainous regions. Hydroseeding is an advanced bio-engineering technique designed to rapidly establish a protective layer of grass or vegetation on steep slopes, roadsides and mining areas. The mixture includes mulch fibres that bind the soil together, preventing erosion from heavy rain or wind, while the seeds germinate to create a living root structure for long-term stability. The urgency of this stabilisation effort is underscored by recent data classifying India's most vulnerable zones. Official sources confirm that Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand are among the top 10 most landslide-prone districts in the country. Apart from Rudraprayag and Tehri in Uttarakhand, the list of high-risk districts also includes: Kerala: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode. Jammu and Kashmir: Rajouri and Poonch. Sikkim: South and East Sikkim. The NHAI hopes that this biological intervention will finally stabilise the Badrinath route before the next monsoon season arrives.
2025 local body polls: Kerala has 75,632 candidates in the fray
Malappuram has the highest number of candidates, 8,378, followed by Ernakulam, 7,374
Defending Mamkootathil embarrasses Congress, says Youth Cong. leader
She says the MLA shall be expelled from the primary membership of the party and workers need to be saved from the humiliating situation of needing to respond to the sexual misbehaviour allegations against him
Rebels set to spoil party for all three fronts
Hundreds of political leaders appear to have taken their cue from M.K. Varghese, a Congress rebel-turned-Independent, who became Mayor of the Thrissur Corporation with the support of the Left Democratic Front, and have thrown their hats into the ring against the official candidates of their own parties
Seat-sharing row triggers resignation in Kasaragod DCC
CEO says only students of ELCs in schools and colleges and NSS volunteers who have time and are volunteering will be included
Megalithic rock engravings at Erikulam Valiyapara identified as cow and deer figures
Kerala local body polls: P.V. Anvar makes a dismal campaign launch
Rebel wave sweeps Kottayam and Pathanamthitta
SC directs Kerala to establish primary schools in areas lacking them
Kerala, T.N. to collaborate in industries sector
In Cheralayi, minority factor adds zest to four-cornered contest
LDF hopes to cash in on the addition of minority-centric areas to the division; Former BJP leader Shyamala S. Prabhu, who is contesting as an Independent, says she wants to address infrastructure issues in the new areas; BJP seeks vote for continuity of development, while UDF flags civic issues
Sabarimala sees eight cardiac deaths just eight days into the pilgrim season
During every pilgrimage which lasts over two months, on an average, some 150-odd cardiac events occur, resulting in about 40-42 deaths. This season, cardiac deaths has been moving at an unusual pace
Kerala sadya to be served at Sabarimala Annadanam centre
Embezzlement at social media influencer's outlet: Crime Branch files chargesheet
Three employees and the husband of one of them embezzled 66 lakh from the jewellery outlet owned by BJP leader and actor Krishnakumars daughter Diya Krishna
16th International Theatre Festival to stage 24 productions
Ten international and 14 Indian groups to perform from January 25 to February 1
Kerala BLO Removed From Duty Over 'Indecent Exposure' During SIR Drive
Police in the Tavanur jurisdiction have registered a case and initiated a full investigation into the matter
Kerala CPM Leader Sentenced To 20 Years Imprisonment For Hurling Bomb At Police
The incident occurred on August 1, 2012, when the CPM called a state-wide protest against the arrest of then CPM district secretary P Jayarajan in connection with the Ariyil Shukoor murder case. According to the prosecution, DYFI workers Nishad and Nandakumar, along with two others, A Mithun and K V Kripesh, arrived on two motorcycles in Payyannur and hurled a country-made steel bomb at a police jeep
UDF, BJP campaign boards vandalised in Kannur
India's Left faces an introspective period marked by declining vote shares and ideological confusion, evident in West Bengal and Tripura. While Kerala remains a stronghold, it too faces challenges, prompting questions about the party's ability to adapt and reinvent itself amidst shifting political landscapes and strategic alliances.
SIR: over 50% of enumeration forms collected, 35% of them fully digitised in Thrissur
District Election Officer and Collector Arjun Pandian visits the dedicated camp set up for receiving and digitising these forms
Congress cant suspend Mamkootathil twice for one offence, says Satheesan
Police book shopkeeper, staff on charge of blocking traffic in Kumily town
K. Muraleedharan alleges CPI(M)-BJP electoral pacts across Kerala
Chennithala demands probe into purchase of substandard medicines by govt. agency
Tiruvallur police arrest two persons, bust inter-State ganja supply chain
The police say a few individuals, originally from Tamil Nadu, who work in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, have been assisting persons from Tamil Nadu and Kerala procure ganja by acting as intermediaries between cultivators/suppliers and inter-State buyers
SC Directs Kerala To Set Up Primary Schools In Areas Lacking Educational Facilities
The court upheld a Kerala High Court order that required the state to set up a school in an area lacking educational facilities within a 3-4 kilometre radius
SIR Phase II: Over 50.54 crore enumeration forms distributed with 99.16 per cent coverage
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday issued a detailed data list on the number of enumeration forms distributed among electors and their digitisation in the past 21 days since the exercise was launched on November 4. Out of the total 50,97,44,423 existing voters, 50,54,82,771 of them have been handed over the pre-filled forms, clocking 99.16 per cent, and over 28 crore (56.34 per cent) of them have been digitised. According to the ECI data, among the States, the maximum of over 15,38,71,940 crore forms have been handed over in Uttar Pradesh, which has a total voters base of 15,44,30,092. SC seeks response of EC on fresh plea of MDMK leader Vaiko against SIR in Tamil Nadu In West Bengal, where the ruling TMC has been opposing the exercise, 7,64,59,129 voters have been handed over the enumeration forms against the total voters base of 7,66,37529. In the second phase after Bihar, the ECI has launched the SIR in nine states and three Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and the UT of Puducherry, which are going to assembly polls next year. The ongoing Enumeration Phase will continue till December 4, 2025. BJP trying to implement CAA through SIR in border areas, alleges West Bengal CM at Bongaon rally States such as Goa and Lakshadweep have achieved 100 per cent distribution of enumeration forms, reflecting efficient ground-level coordination, the ECI data revealed. Besides these two, all the states and Union Territories have crossed the 99 per cent mark in the distribution of enumeration forms. Meanwhile, Election Commission officials have managed to digitise over 56 per cent of the signed enumeration forms received, with Lakshadweep striking a rate of 99.33 per cent with 57,428 in absolute number against the total of 57,813 voters. Uttar Pradesh has reported the slowest rate of digitisation with 34.03 per cent, with an absolute number of 5,25,53,479. More than 5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 7.64 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have been deployed to ensure every eligible elector is reached, the ECI said, adding that all recognised political parties have been asked to appoint additional BLAs to strengthen field-level verification and enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls.
Sunni leaders sore over UDFs tie-up with Welfare Party of India in Kerala
Complaint of violation of model code of conduct
Shyamala Prabhu quits after more than three decades in BJP
In Focus podcast | What does Keralas Zero Extreme Poverty announcement really mean
R. Ramakumar speaks to us about the gap between Keralas estimates and the Central governments Antyodaya Anna Yojanas numbers, and the wider questions this raises about poverty measurement and verification.
Kerala Sadya to Replace Pulao and Sambar in 'Annadanam' in Sabarimala
TDB president K Jayakumar said pulao and sambar were earlier served at the hill shrine as part of annadanam, which was not appropriate for devotees
Two youth detained on charge of assaulting differently abled BLO
With the dance festival that kicks off on November 27, choreographer P Sreejith, dancers Paris Laxmi and Abhilash VS hope to change how contemporary dance is practised
Ahead of National Milk Day, Milma launches five new premium products
Kerala Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J. Chinchurani will inaugurate the State-level National Milk Day celebrations on November 26 in Kollam. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal will preside over the function
Kerala BLO Removed from Duty for Public Indecency During SIR Work (VIDEO)
A Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Kerala was removed from duty after he exposed himself in public while conducting electoral roll work. Officials have ordered a probe.
Kerala government rejects poll panels proposal to deploy schoolchildren for conducting SIR
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Government has objected to a proposal from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) - Kerala seeking to utilise the services of school children for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a statement, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said deploying volunteers of National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) from schools would disrupt their studies. The Minister said academic activities were going ahead in full swing in the states schools with the terminal exams round the corner. In such a scenario,deploying students for enumeration anddigitisation works of SIR for 10 days at a stretchcannot be accepted, the minister said. Even though social service activities are encouraged among NSS and NCC volunteers, deploying them for such duties for a prolonged period was improper as it would lead to loss of instructional days,the Minister reminded. Sivankutty said directions have been given to officials of the General Education Department to ensure that students are not deprived of their classes.The Ministeradded that 5523 staff, including 2.,938 teacherof the General Education Department have already been deployed as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for SIR-related work. Meanwhile, SIR was fast progressing in the state with digitisation of 28% of the enumeration forms already completed. According to CEO-Kerala Rathan U Kelkar, the enumeration phase of SIR is expected to be completed soon.
Malayali 'Manavatty' arrack shines at Scotland election convention
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Befitting the popular adage that a Malayali can be found in every corner of the world, UK-based Malayali arrack brand 'Manavatty' was the star of the Scotland National Party (SNP) convention held ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections in Edinburgh. The Manavatty bottles, co-signed by the first minister of Scotland John Swinney and the brand founder John Xavier, were sold at attractive prices after a tight auction held here for the party's candidate adoption and fundraising convention programme. The event was held as an 'Adoption Night' programme, reminiscent of the Scottish political history from the 1970s. However, even amidst the heated political discussions, the special edition bottles of Manavatty became an attraction. The ceremony was also attended by Scottish cabinet minister Fiona Hislop and Michelle Thomson, former connectivity minister Stewart Stevenson, and other candidates including former MP David Linden, councillors Pauline Stafford and Dennis. Adding a desi touch to the event, Indians, including Jain University director Tom Joseph, representatives of the British Tamil Forum, Karnataka Association UK, and SanTV, were also present here. The event was followed by cultural programmes led by five popular musicians. Manavatty, which was developed in the United Kingdom by the Kochi native John Xavier, is now produced under the London Barren Limited company. Shot to popularity earlier this year, the arrack blended the traditional arrack vatting techniques and modern brewery methods.
Kerala actor assault case: Court to pronounce verdict on December 8
The prosecution case is that the accused raped the woman actor in a moving car on February 17, 2017. The first accused, alleged the prosecution, recorded the alleged act in a mobile phone following the conspiracy
BJP Kerala general secretary S. Suresh criticises circulation of Sthree Suraksha pension forms, alleging that it is part of a deliberate effort to sway voters
Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 records multi-platform growth
Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 proved a major hit in Kerala. The show saw a substantial rise in viewership on JioHotstar and Asianet. Digital engagement surged, with video views and watch time increasing significantly. Connected TV viewing also grew.
BLO removed from post for public display of nudity during SIR work in Kerala
The alleged incident happened while the BLO was filling up the enumeration forms while surrounded by people, including women, in Malappuram district
Kerala Man Dies After Father Hits Him With Metal Rod Over Luxury Car Demand
A 28-year-old man, who had been under treatment after being fatally hit with a metal rod on his head by his father for demanding a luxury car, has died, police said on Tuesday.
Kerala-born Ershad Kunnakkadan, at 33, has become the top leader of the digital commerce platform Gumroad, proving that consistent effort and curiosity can surpass formal credentials.
Son dies from head injury after clash with father over Rs 50 lakh bike in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 28-year-old man who had been undergoing treatment after being assaulted by his father during an argument over a luxury bike worth Rs 50 lakh died on Monday. Hriddhik, a resident of Pournami, Kunnumpuram in Vanchiyoor, succumbed to his injuries at the Medical College Hospital on Monday morning. Police had earlier registered an attempt-to-murder case against his father, Vinayanandan, who was later released on bail. With Hriddhiks death, the charge will now be altered to murder. The assault took place at their home on October 9. Hriddhik had first attacked Vinayanandan with a knife after demanding money to buy the luxury bike. In retaliation, Vinayanandan hit Hriddhik on his head with an iron rod. Police said that Hriddhik used to frequently attack his parents and that he had mental health issues. The family had reportedly hid his condition due to fear of social stigma, and he had not been receiving proper treatment. Due to Hriddhiks persistent demands, the family had earlier taken a loan to buy him a bike worth Rs 12 lakh. However, ahead of his birthday, Hriddhik picked a fight again, insisting that he be given another bike costing Rs 50 lakh. Vinayanandan runs a cafeteria in Kunnumpuram. Hriddhik, who had studied catering technology in Bengaluru, was their only son. He is survived by his mother Anupama. The family had been living in Vanchiyoor in a rented house. After the post-mortem, the body was taken to their ancestral home in Kalady and cremated by Monday evening.
Cyclone Senyar Likely To Form In 48 Hours; IMD Warns Of Heavy Rain Across Southern States
Cyclone Senyar may form over the region, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Andhra, Yanam, and Andaman.
Malayalam social drama Feminichi Fathima, a Kerala State Film Awards 2025 winner under different categories, is set for its digital premiere in December. The film, lauded for its raw portrayal of a homemaker's fight for dignity. Its success was amplified by Dulquer Salmaan's distribution. Read on to know where you can watch it online after the digital release.
Two held with suspected synthetic drugs
Six who robbed three women in guise of cops arrested
BENGALURU: The HAL police arrested six miscreants who had robbed three women posing as policemen at the victims room in a residential complex in Marathahalli. The robbery took place on November 11 and the accused were arrested recently. The main accused, said to be the friend of the 37-year-old complainant, had gone to her room to celebrate her birthday. The other accused who are his associates had barged into the room and started checking the room, claiming it to be a search operation. They demanded Rs 5 lakh from the victims, saying they suspected illegal activity. The gang left with two mobile phones. They threatened the victims that they would come back if the money is not arranged. The police had registered a dacoity case against. The three women were staying at a co-living space on the fifth floor of the residential complex at AECS Layout in Marathahalli. The main accused, Nazas alias Shaalu, his associate Sarun, both from Kerala, and KT Vishnu, Diwakar, Madhu Kumar and Kiran have been arrested. The complainant had become friends with Nazas after meeting him in the area. Nazas had hatched the plot assuming that there could be gold ornaments in the room. The accused had taken away mobile phones, saying they will be returned only after Rs 5 lakh is arranged. Among the accused, Sarun was arrested in another honey-trap case, police said.
Kerala local body polls: Kudumbashree candidates bank on people connect to sail through
The intersection of involvement in the Kudumbashree network and political ambitions has become the go-to for political parties of all hues in order to pick candidates for the local body elections
Kerala Lottery Result Today, November 25, 2025 Live: Sthree Sakthi SS-495 Winning Numbers
Kerala Lottery Result Today Live Updates, 25-11-2025: Heres Guessing Numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-495 for Tuesday, November 25. Check the full list of winning numbers from 3 pm.
Dec 14 rally against vote theft a pure Congress show
NEW DELHI: INDIA bloc constituents will not take part in the December 14 rally being organised by the Congress to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI)s alleged vote theft. Party leaders insist that it will be a purely Congress affair and the decision to go solo was firmed up at the AICC review meeting early last week. A senior Congress leader told this newspaper that the rally at Ramlila Maidan would be completely a Congress show aimed at conveying that the party has consistently been at the forefront of exposing irregularities in the electoral process. We have been campaigning on this issue for months and has collected five crore signatures from across the country against vote chori. The party has invested its organisational strength on the matter. This protest is specifically our initiative, the leader said, adding that the party is expecting a huge turnout driven by state units that have been asked to mobilise workers from constituencies where alleged irregularities have surfaced. According to sources, the decision was finalised during the AICC review meeting chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with key office-bearers from 12 states and Union Territories (UT), where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls is underway. The meeting was attended by former party president Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretaries, state unit chiefs, Congress Legislature Party leaders and secretaries of 12 states and UTs where the SIR is underway. The states and UTs are Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will go to polls in 2026. Phase 2 of the SIR exercise began on November 4 and will continue till December 4. The party has alleged that the EC is now a blatantly partisan player that is completely destroying the very concept of a level-playing field for all political parties. After the EC rolled out the second phase of the SIR on October 27, opposition-ruled states Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala have escalated their objections to the ECs move by seeking legal options. Despite being a key constituent of the INDIA bloc and a primary opposition party, the Congress had not convened a joint meeting or crafted a coordinated strategy with its alliance partners on the SIR issue until now. On Sunday, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the EC, linking the ongoing SIR directly to the deaths of 16 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) over nearly three weeks. Gandhi alleged that the ECs rushed, paperwork-heavy process is a deliberate ploy to harass citizens and enable voter fraud. Decision finalised during AICC review meeting According to sources, the decision was finalised during the AICC review meeting chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with key office-bearers from 12 states and Union Territories (UT). The meeting was attended by former party president Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretaries, state unit chiefs, Congress Legislature Party leaders and secretaries of 12 states and UTs where the SIR is underway.
Rebels trouble LDF & UDF as Thiruvananthapuram corporation election picture becomes clear
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With scrutiny of nominations completed on Monday, a full picture of the electoral contests to the Thiruvananthapuram corporation council has become clear and the two leading fronts are grappling with a surge in rebel candidates. Even senior leaders have entered the fray as independents, placing the LDF and the UDF in a tight spot ahead of the polls. In a contrast to previous elections, the LDF is facing serious internal rebellion this time. None of the LDF rebels withdrew their nominations despite last-minute attempts by the party leadership to persuade them. The LDF faces rebel threats in Vazhottukonam, Ulloor, Kachani, Chempazhanthy, and Vizhinjam. In Ulloor, former local committee member and former Deshabhimani bureau chief K Sreekantan is contesting independently. In Chempazhanthy, former block panchayat president Annie Ashokan has entered the race after raising allegations against MLA Kadakampally Surendran. In Vazhottukonam, local committee member K V Mohanan filed his papers in protest against the candidate selection. Nettayam Satheesh is contesting from Kachani, while N A Rasheed is in the fray from Vizhinjam. The UDF too is encountering similar challenges, with rebels active in four wards. Sudheesh Kumar in Poundkadavu, former councillor Krishnaveni in Punchakkari, INTUC mandalam president P Lalu in Kazhakoottam, and Youth Congress leader Hissan Hussain in Vizhinjam have all filed nominations as independents. While an IUML candidate is contesting in Poundkadavu, the RSP has put up its candidate in Punchakkari. Seat-sharing disagreements have further complicated matters for the UDF. In a fallout of the disputes, the Kerala Congress (Joseph) is contesting in five wards. Former Kerala Congress (M) member Vijayamoorthy is contesting from Vizhinjam. In the Port ward, Baby Pereira is in the fray, while Nirmala Thomas is contesting in Palayam. In Kazhakoottam, former grama panchayat member A M Hussain is the candidate, and in the Sainik School ward, Kerala Youth Front district president Thekkeveettil Sujith is also contesting. Despite the growing list of dissidents, senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan has dismissed the concerns. There is no concern for the party regarding the rebels. All of them have already been expelled. The rebels in Mannanthala and Poundkadavu were removed recently. The Kazhakoottam rebel could not withdraw his nomination in time, but he has submitted a notice expressing his intention to withdraw. Let them remain in the fray; the party has no issues with it. None of them will be taken back, nor will they be considered for the assembly elections, Muraleedharan said. Anavoor Nagappan too maintained that the rebel presence would not weaken the party. The party will take all necessary action against the rebels. Their presence will not affect our campaign or the election in any way. Our preparation has been strong and will continue without disruption, he said. Rebel threats LDF faces rebel threats in Vazhottukonam, Ulloor, Kachani, Chempazhanthy, and Vizhinjam UDF too is encountering similar challenges, with rebels active in four wards Seat-sharing disagreements have further complicated matters for the UDF
Wild boar attacks spike as culling halts following seizure of shooters weapons
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Wild boar attacks are surging across the state, with culling operations coming to a complete halt following the declaration of local body elections. Farmers and residents in vulnerable regions are bearing the brunt as district collectors have directed all licenced firearm holders to deposit their weapons at police stations an order that contradicts the Election Commission guidelines. According to the Commissions circular, only specific categories of licence holders are required to surrender their arms during elections individuals released on bail, those with a history of criminal offences, and persons previously involved in rioting or election-related violence. The rules mandate that a screening committee, comprising the district magistrate and the superintendent of police, must review each case individually before issuing directions. Amid mounting distress among farmers and shooters, the Kasaragod District Gun Licensees Association has approached the High Court, seeking urgent intervention against the directive issued during election time. The circular does not authorise blanket or district-wide orders. We are getting numerous calls from farmers for crop protection but we are unable to offer our services. We gave a memorandum to the chief minister, state police chief, and the authorities concerned but havent received any response, said Pradeep Rao Mepodu, president of the Kasaragod District Gun Licensees Association. Across Kerala, empanelled shooters authorised to undertake wild boar culling have had all their weapons detained, bringing control operations to an abrupt stop. The freeze has intensified the wild boar crisis in several districts. In a tragic incident highlighting the gravity of the situation, an autorickshaw driver who sustained grievous injuries in a wild boar attack in Thiruvananthapuram died on Sunday. The attack occurred in the Kallara-Pangode region, where wild boar intrusions and crop destruction remain persistent concerns. The fatality has raised alarm about the consequences of suspending culling for nearly a month until the end of local body elections. Jeevan Kumar, an empanelled shooter and a schoolteacher from Kallara, said that crop destruction is rampant in the region. Every day, farmers are coming to me and even the forest authorities have asked for intervention, but I am helpless as my weapons have been seized. The same wild boar that killed the autorickshaw driver here had earlier attacked another person. The shooters are unable to help and the authorities are turning a blind eye to the issue. Wild boars are roaming around freely and destroying crops, and people are scared to venture out after dark, Jeevan said. By July this year, local bodies had culled at least 4,734 wild boars as part of conflict mitigation efforts. Local bodies were given the responsibility of eliminating wild boars that destroy crops or threaten human life in May 2022.
Footfall at Sabarimala crosses 7.5L; spot booking capped at 5,000 again
PATHANAMTHITTA: With the Mandala-Makaravilakku season witnessing a steady rise in pilgrim inflow, authorities have limited spot booking for darshan at 5,000 for Tuesday, even as the total footfall at Sabarimala crossed 7.5 lakh by Monday evening. Authorities also confirmed that the virtual queue booking will allow darshan access for up to 70,000 pilgrims. Despite a surge in pilgrim turnout, smooth darshan continued at the hill shrine on Monday, the ninth day of the annual pilgrim season. A total of 90,393 devotees had offered prayers at the hill shrine by 7pm on Monday. The rush remained high throughout the day, with long queues from early morning, yet darshan was completed without long waiting hours. On Sunday, 84,605 pilgrims had darshan at the shrine. Officials expect the numbers of devotees to rise in the coming days. Meanwhile, cool weather and intermittent rain continued in the Sabarimala hills. Tight security and real-time monitoring Elaborate security arrangements remain in effect across Sannidhanam and base stations. Continuous surveillance is being maintained through around 450 CCTV cameras, jointly monitored by the police and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). Dedicated control rooms ensure round-the-clock monitoring of all major points -- enabling quick intervention in case of emergencies or crowd surges. Nearly 90 cameras overseen by the police cover critical spots from Chalakkayam to Pandithavalam, while 345 TDB cameras focus on high-density locations including Marakkoottam, the flyover, Valiyanadappanthal, Sopanam and Malikappuram. Drinking water supply To ensure unhindered access to clean drinking water, the Water Authority has set up 193 kiosks from Pampa to the upper reaches of Sannidhanam supported by modern purification and distribution systems, while 105 kiosks have been installed along the pilgrim pathway from Pampa to Nadappanthal. The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the engineer in charge of the AchankovilKonni road, extensively used by Sabarimala devotees, to file a statement on the measures taken to repair the road. The court had earlier directed that the road, which was in a dilapidated condition, should be repaired before the Sabarimala pilgrimage season. The directive comes in continuation of a previous order issued in September by a division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K V Jayakumar, which instructed various departments to take coordinated action to ensure proper maintenance of all roads used by pilgrims. The court had also asked the amicus curiae for the special commissioner to examine and report on deficiency. During the hearing on Monday, the amicus curiae submitted that all the other aspects have been complied with the exception of the Achankovil-Konni road.
Youth stabbed to death; Congress leaders son held
KOTTAYAM: A 23-year-old youth was stabbed to death following a dispute over a drug deal at Manikunnam near Kottayam in the early hours of Monday. The deceased is Adarsh, a native of Manganam near Puthuppally. Abhijith, 24, of Kottayam and son of Congress leader and former Kottayam municipal councillor V K Anilkumar (Titto), was taken into custody by the police in connection with the incident. The incident took place in front of Anilkumars house around 4.30am. Police said the violence stemmed from a drug-related transaction between Abhijith, who is a history-sheeter, and the deceased Adarsh. Adarsh had reportedly borrowed MDMA worth `1,500 from Abhijith and also pawned his scooter. An argument over these matters led to a clash during which Abhijith stabbed Adarsh.
LDF secures 14 wards in Kannur unopposed as nomination scrutiny ends
KANNUR: With the completion of the final scrutiny of nominations in Kannur, the LDF has secured uncontested victories in 14 wards across the district. The presiding officers have rejected a total of four nominations, two from Anthoor municipality, both filed by UDF candidates, and two from Kannapuram panchayat, one each from the UDF and the BJP rendering the CPM unopposed. LDF candidates have now secured six wards of Kannapuram, three wards of Malapattam panchayat, and five wards of Anthoor municipality. In Anthoor municipality, CPM candidates K V Premarajan in Thalivayal ward and E Rajitha in Kodallur ward were declared winners without facing any opposition. Similarly, in Kannapuram panchayat, Usha Mohan in Ambalapuram ward and Mohanan T E in Chemmaravayal ward were elected unopposed, marking a significant outcome shaped entirely by the scrutiny process rather than electoral competition. In Kannapuram panchayat, the nomination of INC candidate in Ambalapuram ward was rejected after the nominator denied the signature during scrutiny, and in Chemmaravayal ward, the nomination of BJP was rejected because the nominee refused to sign, both under Section 55(2)(c) of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. In Anthoor municipality, the nominations in both Thaliyil ward (INC) and Kodallur ward (IUML) were rejected after the respective nominees submitted written and in-person statements confirming that they had not signed the nomination papers. The nomination papers of the Congress in Malappattam and Anthoor and the BJP in Kuthuparamba were rejected on close scrutiny due to fake signatures.
Roof concreting of 50 houses in Wayanad done
KALPETTA: The township project of the state government, aimed at the rehabilitation of Wayanad landslide survivors, crossed a major milestone on Monday with the completion of the roof concreting of the 50th house. The construction work at Elstone Estate, being carried out by the Uralungal Labour Contract Society (ULCCS), is progressing at a remarkable speed. Currently, the roof concreting of four houses is being completed daily on an average, and officials said it will soon be ramped up to 10 houses per day. Over 1,200 workers are engaged in round-the-clock, shift-based construction. Alongside housing units, work on internal roads, a sewage treatment plant, drinking water storage facilities, and drainage networks is advancing in parallel. Road connectivity across all five zones of the township has been established. Over 1km of stone has been laid on the 12-metre-wide main internal road from the townships primary gate to make it motorable. In total, 11.72km of internal roads will be completed as part of the project. As of Sunday, foundations have been laid for 302 houses, while pillars have been erected for 108 homes. In units where pouring, plastering, wiring, and plumbing have been finished, first-phase painting is under way. Authorities aim to complete the concrete work for all houses by December 25 and hand them over to families by January. Additional manpower and state-of-the-art equipment have been deployed to speed up work.
UDF is weakening, BJP irrelevant in Kochi corp
KOCHI: As his tenure nears end, Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar speaks to TNIE on his assessment of the past five years, LDFs challenges in the corporation and his advice to his successor. Excerpts: How do you evaluate your five-year performance? Are there any regrets about projects you wished you had completed? The public and media should evaluate my performance; I get positive response from the public. Considering the circumstances we faced during our tenure, including the by-elections, I am satisfied with our work. We completed 72 projects. I hope some projects that we initiated, like the one to rehabilitate street vendors and destitute, and for canal rejuvenation, are continued by the next council. Given that Kochi has mostly been a UDF stronghold, and LDF managed only a narrow win last time, what are the Lefts chances this time? The UDF has a negative attitude towards governance and development projects. When a project is launched, they allege they conceived the idea and that the project was started during their term. Such allegations actually helped people understand what they had done in 10 years and how we performed in the past five years. Also, while in power, UDF faced internal conflicts. It did not happen during our term. It is being said the LDF candidates list comprises of UDF defectors. Is it difficult for LDF to find candidates? We completed the five-year term with the support of UDF rebels. We accommodate people. Our policy is to cooperate with such leaders. Our three candidates, A B Sabu, M B Muraleedharan and P M Harris, left the UDF and started working with the Left around five years ago. Also, Sheeba Durom, Mary Calista and K J Prakashan switched and joined LDF. UDF is weakening and people who lack secular credentials join BJP. What is your view on UDFs allegations and BJPs expansion strategies? UDF could not complete any projects on time, so they are levelling allegations. JNNURM was brought during the UDF term, but they did not complete it. Many projects, which they never envisioned, including Samriddhi and Shelodge, were introduced by this council. As for the BJP, it is irrelevant in the corporation. There are a few areas where it is strong; it has funds and can claim to secure more seats, but it is not practical. What are the challenges for the LDF in the corporation? The LDFs seat-sharing and candidate finalisation were smooth. Development projects implemented in the past five years gave party workers the confidence to meet the public. There is no anti-incumbency either. I believe voters would grant the Left front a formidable majority. What issues and projects should the coming mayor and ruling party look into? We have addressed most of the major issues. Canal rejuvenation should be given more priority. Cleaning and rejuvenating the canals will improve the city and help prevent waterlogging. The project is in the initial stage, and it needs to be completed. Renovation of footpaths should also be apriority.
UDF unveils manifesto, pushes for waste management, five lakh houses in five years
KOCHI: The United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday released its election manifesto, outlining a five-year plan centred on waste management, housing, public health and stronger local governance. The manifesto, unveiled in Kochi, gives sharp focus to the growing threats posed by stray dogs and wild animals. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said the document was drafted with accurate planning and clear timelines, emphasising that every project included in the manifesto is implementable in the given period. Responding to rising stray dog attacks, the UDF promises new laws to tackle the menace, strict enforcement of Animal Birth Control (ABC) measures, and monthly sterilisation drives. Noting that 3.16 lakh people were treated for stray dog bites at government hospitals in 2024, the front stressed that slaughterhouse waste must be managed properly to stop feeding the stray populations. Furthermore, to address the frequent human-wildlife conflicts, the UDF also asserted that every local body will form special squads to handle wild animal intrusions, supported by a compensation fund for affected families and farmers. Waste management forms the manifestos most ambitious segment. The UDF proposes deploying plasma technology used internationally to break down waste into syngas and inert slag -- while promoting source-level management, and involving NGOs and community groups. Value-added products from waste, new waste-to-energy plants and biogas plants in all cities within a year are also promised, along with 100% collection of biodegradable waste from households. Housing receives equal attention through the Home for All scheme, promising to build five lakh houses in five years. It aims to ensure that every eligible family receives a house within five years by integrating central government projects. The manifesto notes that Kerala has 5.91 lakh extremely poor Yellow Card holders, emphasising that improving their lives is a core priority. The front also pushes for strengthening public health measures in light of rising cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, jaundice, typhoid, cholera and leptospirosis. Local bodies will form rapid-response teams for health emergencies. ASHA workers will receive a Rs 2,000 monthly allowance from local self-government funds. The front also plans to revive the poverty eradication programme Asraya 2.0, launched during the Oommen Chandy era. The document also outlines plans for youth development, elderly welfare, and initiatives for SC/ST communities, women, migrant workers and fisherfolk. Tourism will be expanded through eco-tourism, literary, adventure, Ayurveda and water-based projects, while local markets will be modernised and investment meets organised in a PPP model. Reaffirming the need for stronger decentralisation, Satheesan said local bodies must be given more autonomy, unlimited ward-level development funds and better financial systems to ensure efficient governance. The event was attended by the KPCC state president Sunny Joseph, AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, and other leaders. Manifesto overview Plasma tech-driven waste management; biogas plants in all cities Strict ABC measures, new laws, and special squads for stray dog & wild animal attacks Home for All schmes aims to construct 5 lakh houses in five years Rapid-response health squads; B2,000 allowance for ASHA workers More autonomy and unlimited devpt funds for local bodies
AI creates flutter among voters in Kerala poll campaign
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AI-generated videos of football legend Lionel Messi have been circulating among Keralites for almost a year, making the format familiar to many. Yet in November, when K P Saleem from the Otukkungal panchayat in Malappuram used a fresh Messi video as part of his campaign strategy, it created a flutter among voters. By tapping into the regions massive football fan base, Saleem managed to score a political goal or two against his opponents. This election marks the first major political contest in Kerala after the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and parties are embracing the technology like never before. From digital avatars to content tailored for specific age groups and locations, tech-driven methods have become central to campaign strategies. However, the mainstay of local body elections remains the familiarity of the candidate and the personal one-to-one connection with voters. In the second phase of campaigning, parties continue door-to-door visits to reinforce this factor. Yet, digital marketing becomes a powerful complement. It is about setting the mood among voters. Social media now influences trends across different age groups, said Robin Alex Panicker, a tech entrepreneur closely tracking these developments. This election is unlike the one five years ago. Our digital behaviour has changed a lot. Young voters consume more content from reels on social media, so this trend naturally enters the election. Those who ignore the medium cannot reach these voters, he added. Most candidates now have some form of digital strategy, though the scale differs. There is demand to manage the entire digital campaign of a party or assist in placing advertisements targeted to specific geographic areas, explained Sham Mohammed, director of Storycat Creative Pvt Ltd. He noted that individual candidates often want their pictures transformed into videos with constituency locations as the backdrop. Pointing out new possibilities, Midhun Mohan, managing director of Green Ads Global, said, We can make a candidate read out a script to capture lip movements, expressions, and emotions, and then create a digital twin or AI avatar. With different prompts, we can generate multiple videos. The scalability is quite high. Similarly, Tinu Easo Cherian and Kiranraj V R, co-founders of Originative Nest, observed that AI advancements have overcome earlier shortcomings. We can now create longer videos in a cost-effective manner. Soon, we will be able to upgrade the resolution to match big-screen quality, they said. At the same time, the rapid spread of these tools has also raised concerns. In a bid to address this, the State Election Commission has formed expert panels to monitor and regulate AI-generated content during the local body elections, aiming to prevent misuse and ensure a fair process. Despite these concerns, experts believe AIs role in campaigns will only grow in the upcoming assembly elections. Messi magic International football players making announcement in Malayalam, driving KSRTC bus K P Saleem from the Otukkungal panchayat uses Lionel Messis digital twin to take a dig at Sports Minister V Abdurahiman Startups/digital marketing companies working with political parties to make personalised campaign materials Benefits of using AI Personalised voter outreach based on demographics and interests Efficient resource allocation for campaign events and ads Real-time feedback from public sentiment tracking Scalable communication across platforms and languages Data-driven decision making for strategy refinement AI tools used in elections Automated content generation for campaign messaging Facial and voice recognition in voter verification systems Chatbots for voter interaction and FAQs Predictive analytics to forecast voter behaviour Risks and ethical concerns Privacy violations from data harvesting Algorithmic bias affecting fairness Manipulative targeting of vulnerable groups Lack of transparency in AI-driven decisions Spread of misinformation via deep fakes or bots
Kochi firm first private entity in India to design Navy warship
KOCHI: When the Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe on Monday, it was not just the launch of a new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, it was a landmark for Indias private ship design ecosystem. The Mahe-class lead ship, built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), is the first Indian naval vessel designed by a private firm. And it has a Kochi tag. Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd (SEDS), a naval architecture company operating out of Kakkanad, has etched its name as a pioneer in the sector. INS Mahe, the first of eight shallow-water ASW corvettes, represents both a technological leap and a shift in how India is opening its defence architecture to private players. Frontline ships like aircraft carriers will continue to be designed by the Warship Design Bureau. But the government has been encouraging private sector participation to strengthen the shipbuilding ecosystem. INS Mahe is the first major result of that effort, said Hariraj Puliyankodan, COO of SEDS which employs 153 people. Designing the corvette required navigating tight spatial, weight and machinery constraints. These ships have to carry advanced sensors, weapons and equipment in a very compact frame. The design kept evolving with each requirement from the Navy, he said. Mahe now leads her seven sister ships, all under construction or trials at CSL. SEDS role in naval projects does not end with the Mahe-class. The company also provided the design for the Indian Navys massive `20,000-crore fleet support ship programme, currently being built at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. This project had originally been contracted to Turkey. But when ties with Turkey soured, the deal was cancelled. The project was restarted entirely in India, and we designed the vessels from scratch, said Antony Prince, CEO of SEDS. SEDS designed Coast Guards Aadesh-class fast patrol vessels These enormous ships, built with double bottoms and double hulls in the cargo areas, are meant to replenish combat vessels with fuel, ammunition, spare parts, provisions and personnel during long deployments. The first ship in the class will be commissioned soon, Antony said. Antony brings over 50 years of maritime experience, spanning ship operations, management, construction and design. He also heads GTR Campbell Marine Consultants Ltd in the Bahamas. Around 2007, CSL was struggling for orders. The company brought in international projects, but realised India didnt have private ship design firms. So I started SEDS, he said. The success of the Trader series at CSL validated the move, and the firm soon began recruiting naval architects from Cusat to build in-house expertise, he said. Today, SEDS 153-member team works across defence and commercial ship design. It has brought in orders from Denmark and Germany to major Indian yards such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata. Closer home, SEDS designed the Coast Guards Aadesh-class fast patrol vessels 20 of which were constructed by CSL. The commissioning of INS Mahe underscores the Navys push for potent platforms capable of operating in Indias vast coastal and shallow-water regions. The corvette integrates weapons, sensors and communication systems into a powerful combat suite designed to detect and neutralise submarines. Engineered for sustained operations, the Mahe-class will serve as the Navys frontline coastal defence layer.
72,005 in the fray for local body elections in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A total of 72,005 candidates are officially in the fray across the state for the upcoming local body elections, as per provisional data released by the State Election Commission late on Monday. The final picture of the candidates became clear after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended on Monday. The list of candidates includes 37,786 women, 34,218 men and one transgender person. Meanwhile, all major fronts are facing the menace of rebel candidates who have refused to withdraw their candidature despite efforts by party leadership to mollify them. While the LDF and the UDF have five rebel candidates each in Thiruvananthapruam corporation, 11 rebels are causing headache to the Congress-led front in Kochi corporation. Six-time BJP councillor Shyamala S Prabhu, who turned a rebel this time, is taking on the official candidate of the saffron alliance in Kochi corporations Cherlai ward. While the UDF has six rebel candidates in the fray in Thrissur corporation, four rebel candidates are poised to play spoilsport for the LDF that rules the civic body. The BJP-led NDA too has a rebel candidate in Vadookara ward, its sitting seat in Thrissur corporation. Kannur, the lone UDF-ruled corporation, has rebel trouble for the Congress-led front in three seats. A CPM rebel candidate in Kannur corporation withdrew his candidature on Monday, offering relief to the LDF. Relief for Wayanad UDF as YC rebel withdraws The UDF in Wayanad heaved a sigh of relief after Youth Congress leader Jasheer Pallivayal, who had entered the fray as a rebel for the district panchayat, withdrew his nomination on Monday following last-minute intervention by senior party leaders. In Alappuzha district panchayats Ambalappuzha division, the conflict within the UDF over the seat has been resolved, with the IUML agreeing to withdraw its rebel candidate at the last minute. The LDF has already secured 14 seats unchallenged. In Kannur, LDF secured two additional unopposed victories in Anthoor municipality after the nomination papers of UDF candidates were rejected during fresh scrutiny on Monday. With this, five LDF candidates have been elected unopposed in the civic body.
Kerala HC for app to alert public about missing Bengaluru native
KOCHI: In a significant decision to help locate Suraj Lama, a Bengaluru native who went missing in Kochi soon after being deported from Kuwait last month, the Kerala High Court has asked the state government to develop a mobile app that can issue a unified alert containing his details to various social media platforms. The court issued the directive while considering a habeas corpus petition filed by Santon Lama, Surajs son. It noted that the app should be created in coordination with the Kerala Police Cyberdome and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. During the hearing on November 21, the court directed the states counsel to develop an application capable of circulating a unified WhatsApp message across social media platforms, ensuring it reaches users across cyberspace, especially within Kerala, said a source with the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA), which is providing legal assistance to Santon. As per the plan, the app will send a unified alert mentioning details of Suraj, the time of his disappearance and other information to all social media platforms. The app will not be for public use. Meanwhile, Santons counsel said the state government had informed the court that missing person posters, including Surajs photograph, had been displayed at major pilgrim centres, including Sabarimala. The government also said they had arranged for public announcements about Suraj during the morning and evening sessions at Sabarimala, the counsel said. Aluva DySP T R Rajesh, who is heading the special investigation team (SIT) formed to trace Lama, said they had covered almost entire Ernakulam and Thrissur. We are once again carrying out searches focused on medical colleges, shelter homes and locations that that may have been missed earlier. We are also checking unidentified bodies, he said. Rajesh said the SIT has proposed additional measures, including issuing alerts during phone calls. When contacted, Santon told TNIE that he was thankful to all involved in the search of his father.
Forklifts, cranes are motor vehicles, must be registered
KOCHI: Machines like forklifts and cranes, though used exclusively on private factory premises, fall under the category of motor vehicles and must be registered and taxed accordingly, the Kerala High Court has stated. Justice Mohammed Nias C P made the ruling while dismissing a petition filed by a company challenging a MVD directive prohibiting it from operating two forklifts and a hydraulic crane without registration and valid insurance. His counsel argued that the equipment operates strictly as material-handling machinery within a fully enclosed factory premises and is never driven on public roads. However, the respondents contended that the forklifts and cranes are roadworthy and capable of being used on public roads at any time, and added that the petitioners factory premises are accessible to workers, visitors and other vehicles, and hence constitute a public place. The court observed that Section 2(28) of the Motor Vehicles Act uses a broadly inclusive definition of motor vehicle, covering any mechanically propelled vehicle adapted for use on roads.
Comeback shot! Kerala lines up first-ever basketball franchise league
KOCHI: For decades, basketball ruled Keralas playgrounds, especially in schools and colleges. The state produced stars who dazzled on national and international courts, and galleries once filled up for neighbourhood games as if they were festival matches. Now, in an ambitious bid to relive that golden era and bring back the lost frenzy, the Kerala Basketball Association (KBA) is set to roll out the states first-ever exclusive basketball league in April 2026. The developmental competition titled Basketball League Kerala to debut in Kochi is KBAs biggest push yet to revive a sport whose grassroots sheen has dimmed even as Keralas women continue to shine on the national stage. Back then, basketball courts were always packed, just like football or volleyball. We have lost that completely, recalled veteran player George Zachariah, captain of Keralas 1983 senior nationals squad. College teams used to dominate. Now, its the school teams that are doing well. This league is a great chance to revive the sport. In its first season, the league will feature only Kerala-based players and is structured as a full-fledged talent pipeline. It is being organised in association with Kochi-based Starting Five Sports Management which has struck a 20-year partnership with KBA and Pune-based ABCFF League, the team behind Maharashtras successful basketball league. Scouting begins this December, when registered players in four categories U-14 boys and girls, and U-18 boys and girls will compete in a unique One Minute to Hoop Skill (OMH) challenge. Shortlisted players will go through match-play trials in late January, after which 100 players will enter a digital auction powered by virtual points. Six franchise teams will build their squads from this pool. Leagues like this make children serious about the sport from a very young age, said Anirudh Pole, CEO of ABCFF and a coach who helped build Maharashtras league in just four years. BLK Season 1, scheduled from April 2 to 12 at the Regional Sports Centre, Kochi, will pack in 72 matches the biggest competitive stage Keralas U-14 and U-18 talent has ever had. The tournament will be streamed on FanCode. It will also open the doors for 48 Kerala coaches, alongside referees and support staff, to be part of the league ecosystem. Looking at Keralas basketball arc, KBA life president and former state captain P J Sunny pointed to the financial strain that has stunted the sports growth. Expenses have been really high. It has affected the number of high-level tournaments. We need money both to support players and to run advanced facilities. Were trying to revive all that now, he said at the launch event in Kochi. KBA officials added that a senior league too is planned for next season.
Kerala Local body polls 2025: SEC faces demand for postal ballots ahead of polls
Unlike the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, local body polls do not have a provision for postal ballots; Postal ballots are restricted to officials on election duty
Police book flea festival organisers after crowd surge triggers chaos
Two flights from Kochi cancelled due to volcanic eruption in Ethiopia
UDF grapples with dissension as rebels surface across Corporation divisions
Cyclone Senyar: Heavy Rain Likely In These States; Check Expected Landfall Timing, Path
IMD warns Cyclone Senyar, with heavy rain expected in Andaman, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Andhra Pradesh, Yanam. Check its path and other details.
Kerala local body polls: 72,005 candidates in the fray as per provisional data
Season of desertions and shifting of allegiances
Navy gets its silent hunter, 80% home-grown INS Mahe
Army chief General Dwivedi launches warship, says in age of multi-domain warfare, true strength of the armed forces lies in synergy, adds that Army, Navy and Air Force form the trinity of Indias strategic strength
KWA initiates steps for construction of new water tank at Thammanam
Row over seat-sharing: Congress workers lock party office in Manjeswaram
Two held on charge of assaulting minors
Rebel threat to UDF, LDF in Kozhikode
