Kerala CMs statement on angioplasty becomes a talking point among doctors
In a recent function, V.D. Satheesan had mentioned about avoiding unnecessary angioplasty. While many doctors object to the 'generalised statement,' a few agree with the CM that unnecessary procedures have become the norm. However, all agree that a person coming into the emergency with a suspected heart attack should in no way distrust the doctor. The Interventional Cardiology Council of Kerala says that publics apprehension over unnecessary medical procedures should not delay life-saving treatment during an emergency
Pretty in pink, but Malarikkals lilies worry ecologists
A two-year study for the Kerala State Biodiversity Board finds the water lily, which appeared in Malarikkal after the 2018 floods, has shown unprecedented and uncontrolled growth; ecologists flag its impact on local aquatic plants, water flow and sunlight penetration, besides concerns over methane emissions from decaying plant biomass; the seasonal bloom has transformed Malarikkal into a tourism hotspot, bringing additional income to farmers, boat operators and local residents
Weather today October 6: The India Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall and thunderstorms across several states through October 11, with isolated heavy rain likely in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Karnataka. Gusty winds, lightning and strong surface winds are also expected in several areas, while widespread rainfall is likely in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Kerala.
Kerala Bids Emotional Farewell To Tusker Pallattu Brahmadathan
Brahmadathan was killed by lightning on Sunday evening. He had been tethered near the house of his owner, Advocate Rajesh Pallattu, president of the Kerala Festival Coordination Committee.
Construction of Vaduthala railway overbridge, Perandoor-Vaduthala bridge to begin on October 7
The new bridge, which is being constructed across the Perandoor Canal and will connect Vaduthala and Perandoor, will serve as a key transport link and enable people to travel quickly from Container Road via Vaduthala to Kaloor, thereby bypassing the congested National Highway
Silver jewellery worth 5 lakh stolen from shop
Malappuram to host KSTA State conference in February
Kerala Launches Brand Wayanad Initiative to Boost Tourism
Keralas Brand Wayanad initiative aims to transform the region into a premier global tourism destination, enhancing local culture and economy. Kerala Launches Brand Wayanad Initiative to Boost Tourism
In Keralam, affordable private health care is easier said than done
Keralam governments efforts to draft a new Bill in this regard brings the Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulations) Act 2018, back into focus; the private health sector is still holding out against the Act, which aims to bring the entire health sector, public and private, under a regulatory framework
Man dies days after alleged police assault in Chirayinkeezhu
Pickup carrying cattle to Kerala seized in Puttur
Man booked for allegedly misusing NAD officials seal
The police registered the case based on a complaint filed by the Deputy General Manager of Naval Armament Depot
'Pinarayi, Mattannur, Kalliassery': Calicut varsity to inspect hostel after room names row
Digital Desk | Kozhikode, Oct 5 (IANS) Pinarayi, Mattannur, Kalliassery, Koothuparamba, and DC Office - the names may sound like places on a political map of Kerala, but at the University of Calicut, they are the names of rooms in the men's hostel. The names Pinarayi, Mattannur, Kalliassery and Koothuparamba are all CPI-M's strongholds that have found their way onto hostel doors, along with the DC Office. Whether the names represent political influence, student humour, or simply the imagination of hostel residents is now part of the debate. And now, those names have brought the hostel under the university authorities' scanner. The university has decided to inspect the hostel following complaints from students over the naming of rooms after areas identified with the CPI-M. The university said the inspection was being ordered after receiving complaints. The decision has added a new political interest to what might otherwise have remained an unusual hostel naming practice. If this were the time of a Left government, there might have been little mystery about where the campus debate would eventually lead. But with the Congress-led UDF government now in power, the question being quietly asked in campus and political circles is: what will the inspection finally find? The names themselves have become the talking point. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) says students often give names to blocks and rooms according to their interests and imagination and that similar practices could be seen in hostels across Kerala. The SFI also turned the spotlight on the university authorities, alleging that the hostel had not received proper painting or maintenance for a long time. The controversy, however, has moved beyond the question of what students chose to write inside hostels. With the university now deciding to inspect the premises, the findings are likely to be watched closely.
The court says Rugby should be included in State-level sports events as it is part of the National School Games
Parliamentary panel visits HMT Kalamassery unit
The panel will recommend measures to the Union government and concerned authorities to expedite the revival of the cash-strapped PSU
K.M. Basheer media awards to be presented on October 8
The awardees are S. Mahesh Kumar (Manorama News), M.K. Suresh Kumar (Siraj) and T. Moideen Kutty (Siraj).
Bairakuppa bridge model to be followed for funding Ponnani, Angadipuram projects: Basheer
Inadequate hostel facilities continue to haunt medical college students in Kozhikode
According to functionaries of the students union at the college, female students are the worst affected. Though the construction of two new hostel buildings is almost complete, they are yet to be thrown open for stay.
Kerala BJP questions need for new Administrative Reforms Commission
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 5 (IANS) The Kerala BJP has questioned the need for another Administrative Reforms Commission in the state, asking the V.D. Satheesan-led government to first explain what happened to the recommendations of the previous panel before spending more public money on a new one. BJP National Executive member Kummanam Rajasekharan on Monday said the government should reconsider the decision to constitute the Fifth Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by IUML leader M.K. Muneer with Cabinet rank. The commission was formally constituted through a government order on October 1. Kummanam pointed out that the Fourth Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, was constituted in August 2016 during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government. It submitted 13 reports before its term ended. The commission cost the state exchequer Rs 10.79 crore up to April 30, 2021, according to figures given by the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the Assembly. The Kerala Development Report 2026 says five of the 13 reports have since been approved and implemented, while the remaining reports are still under consideration. A committee headed by the Chief Secretary was constituted to examine the recommendations. Kummanam has now demanded that the government make public the exact status of each recommendation and explain the results achieved from the money spent on the previous commission. He questioned whether the state needs another commission when the Administrative Reforms Department already has a mechanism to examine and follow up on reform proposals. Again a chairman. Again Cabinet rank. Again staff. Again office. Again vehicle. Again travel allowances. Again public money, Kummanam said, questioning the financial burden of the new arrangement. He demanded that the government disclose the total expenditure involved, including the chairman's salary and allowances, personal staff, office facilities, vehicle and travel expenses. The relevant question is not how many commissions have been constituted, but what changes they have brought about in governance, he said. The appointment of Muneer with Cabinet rank has already triggered a political controversy within the ruling UDF, with UDF convenor Adoor Prakash expressing displeasure that he was not consulted on the decision.
Kozhikode Corporation revises annual plan; escalator to be installed near mofussil bus stand
The decision was taken at a special council meeting held on October 5 in the wake of the government sanctioning an additional allocation of 40.92 crore for spillover projects.
24x7 specialty care at Punalur taluk hospital is a success, says Keralam Health Minister
The initiative, which aims at easing overcrowding at medical college hospitals and making specialist care available without delay, was piloted at the Punalur taluk hospital
Kerala HC allows Malayalam rapper Vedan to travel abroad
The court directs the Regional Passport Officer to issue a customised PCC listing the criminal cases pending against the rapper
CPI(M) alleges double standards in police action against protests in Kasaragod
Speaking to the media on Monday, CPI(M) Kasaragod district secretary M. Rajagopalan alleged the police are adopting double standards in dealing with protests against Minister O.J. Janeesh, arresting and remanding DYFI activists while allegedly taking no comparable action against BJP workers involved in similar protests.
Kerala: AKG Centre land to be measured after HC order
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 5 (IANS) The land on which the CPI(M)s iconic AKG Centre stands in the state capital will be measured on October 6 following a direction from the Kerala High Court, bringing a decades-old dispute over the extent of the land allotted to the party into a crucial new phase. The Thiruvananthapuram Tahsildar has been directed to carry out the measurement. Notices have been served on Kerala University and the CPI(M), asking them to ensure the presence of their representatives when the measurement is conducted, Congress leader and Kerala University Syndicate member R.S. Sasikumar said on Monday. The measurement follows a public interest litigation filed by Sasikumar challenging the allotment of Kerala University land for the construction of the AKG Centre for Research and Studies. The land was allotted in 1977 during the tenure of then Chief Minister A.K. Antony for setting up the research centre named after CPI(M) founder leader A.K. Gopalan. Sasikumar has alleged that while the government order sanctioned only 15 cents of land, the CPI(M) and the AKG Centre have a substantially larger area, including portions allegedly belonging to Kerala University and government puramboke land. Sasikumar said the issue was not new. In 1987, then Leader of the Opposition K. Karunakaran had raised the land issue in the Assembly. The then Left government had reportedly maintained that the land could be measured if Kerala University raised the matter. The issue has acquired another dimension following the controversy surrounding Exalogic, the IT firm linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans daughter, Veena Vijayan. Sasikumar questioned how a private business entity could have an address connected to the AKG Centre. The AKG Centre complex, which housed the CPI(M)s state headquarters until April 2025, continues to have offices and a spacious air-conditioned auditorium used for party meetings and other functions. The CPI(M) has since shifted its state headquarters to a new multi-storeyed building located nearby. With the measuring exercise scheduled for Tuesday, the focus now shifts from the long-running allegations to the actual boundaries and extent of the land in official records and on the ground. The land measurement may now determine a political and legal dispute that has remained alive for nearly five decades.
Kerala: Brand Wayanad takes shape as Priyanka Gandhis tourism push meets govt plan
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 5 (IANS) Wayanad is set to get a new identity as a carefully managed global tourism destination, with the state government scheduled to unveil its much-discussed Brand Wayanad project on Tuesday, an initiative that Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi has been advocating for some time. She has been speaking about a comprehensive tourism push to showcase the hill districts natural beauty, culture and adventure potential. Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh will unveil the project at Vythiri Village Resort on Tuesday, with Agriculture Minister T. Siddique presiding over the event. The initiative has been listed as part of the V.D. Satheesan government's 100-Day Action Programme. The project is significant as it seeks to move Wayanad beyond the conventional image of a hill station and position it as a distinctive tourism ecosystem combining nature, local life, agriculture and tribal culture. Priyanka Gandhi has been advocating better infrastructure and wider promotion of the district as a tourism destination. Her predecessor as Wayanad MP, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, had also repeatedly sought greater attention to the districts tourism potential and its capacity to generate livelihoods for local communities. The government initiative now seeks to provide a formal framework for that vision. Responsible tourism will be at its core, with modernisation of homestays and the promotion of Wayanad as a safe and sustainable global destination. The emphasis will be on experiences rather than merely sightseeing, including coffee plantations, local cuisine, agricultural life, tribal heritage, rural experiences and the districts unique landscape. Wayanad coffee, spices, traditional rice varieties and honey will be integrated into the tourism experience. GI-tagged Wayanad Robusta coffee will be promoted globally through a farm-to-cup model. The En Ooru heritage village will be expanded to showcase indigenous tribal culture. A Tribal University and Heritage Knowledge Centre will also be established at a cost of Rs 50 crore. The government also plans a Wayanad CSR Exchange, an e-waste-free campaign and greater corporate participation in the districts development. For Wayanad, the message is clear: tourism is no longer being viewed simply as bringing more visitors to the hills. The new approach aims to turn the district itself, including its landscape, people, produce, culture and way of life, into the brand. For the government, however, the real test will be whether Brand Wayanad can translate that vision into better-managed tourism and higher incomes for the people who call the hills their home.
Case registered over Facebook post falsely attributed to Sudhakaran
The Kannur Cyber Crime Police have registered a case and launched an investigation against the owner of a Facebook account for allegedly circulating a fake post using the photograph and name of Congress leader K. Sudhakaran.
Case registered over Facebook post falsely attributed to Sudhakaran
The Kannur Cyber Crime Police have registered a case and launched an investigation against the owner of a Facebook account for allegedly circulating a fake post using the photograph and name of Congress leader K. Sudhakaran.
Four injured as stage set up for Wildlife Week celebrations collapses in Keralams Thekkady
Three police officers and a light-and-sound technician sustain injuries; major catastrophe averted as incident happened minutes after conclusion of events inauguration by Forest Minister Shibu Baby John
Regular classes at Cusat School of Engineering shift online after chickenpox outbreak
Four cases of chickenpox reported from a hostel block over the past few days
Bribery: BJP stages protest march to CPI(M) councillors office
Wild elephant kills 80-year-old woman in Kollam
The VB-G RAM G worker was walking to her worksite when she came under elephant attack. Local people stage protest, following which authorities decide to drive the elephant back to the forest
Probe sought into 379 tribal children losing ICDS benefits over face recognition issues
Thampu also seeks monthly nutrition kits and pension for people with sickle cell anaemia, timely assistance under the Janani Janma Raksha Yojana, and an increase in employment days under the Tribal Plus scheme to 150
Watch: Keralam BJP challenges probe into Gyanesh Kumar
Keralam BJP has questioned the State governments decision to order a preliminary vigilance inquiry into allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar dating back to 2006. BJP MLA B.B. Gopakumar questioned the timing of the probe and alleged double standards in handling corruption cases.
Technopark to have prefabricated IT building
Chinnakkanal human-elephant issue man-made, says Keralam Forest Minister
Shibu Baby John blames Forest departments earlier proposal to establish 301 Colony human settlement as root cause of issue; former Munnar DFO denies charges
Man sentenced to 10 years RI for sexually assaulting 14-year-old niece
Keralam government seeks report as around 150 community kitchens in Attappady shut
Minister directs officials to speed up ongoing drinking water projects in Palakkad district amid a sharp fall in rainfall this year
Kerala UDF Convenor Meets Kharge Amid Reports Of Rift With CM V D Satheesan
UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge amid differences with Kerala CM V D Satheesan over decision-making.
UDF convener seeks AICCs intervention in lack of consultations within Keralams ruling alliance
Adoor Prakash, who had earlier targeted the government for 'keeping the ruling alliance in the dark' about two key political appointments, meets AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge; Keralam Electricity Minister too meets Kharge
Film-maker Sathyan Anthikad and industrialist P.K. Ahammed are all set to get Doctor of Letters degree while scientist E.D. Jemmis will be presented with a Doctor of Science degree
Sanitary napkin vending machines in public places as part of WOMN
Sanitary napkin vending machines, besides incinerators, will be installed at public places, beginning with KSRTC depots/terminals, to reduce womens anxiety about being caught unprepared for such emergencies during travel.
Nine snakeboats to vie for honours at Thazhathangadi boat race in Keralams Kottayam
Meeting held at Collectorate under the chairmanship of Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan decides to expedite preparations for the event, which will be held as part of the Champions Boat League (CBL)
State to unveil Brand Wayanad to position Wayanad as a safe, sustainable global destination
The aim of the project is to present Wayanad in the global market not merely as a tourist destination, but as a unique ecosystem offering experiences of its nature, lifestyle and culture.
Home-bound elderly care lays thrust on home-based comprehensive assessment
Health departments Care of Homebound Elderly in Comprehensive Elderly Care Action Plan proposes structured continuum of care beginning with early identification.
Home-bound elderly care lays thrust on home-based comprehensive assessment
Health departments Care of Homebound Elderly in Comprehensive Elderly Care Action Plan proposes structured continuum of care beginning with early identification.
Hi-tech paddy seed warehouse to open at Alathur in Palakkad, Keralam, on October 6, 2026
Facility built at 75 lakh under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana will store Uma (MO16) paddy seeds
Hi-tech paddy seed warehouse to open at Alathur in Palakkad, Keralam, on October 6, 2026
Facility built at 75 lakh under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana will store Uma (MO16) paddy seeds
Tusker Pallattu Brahmadathan, who died in a lightning strike, cremated in Keralam
The animal was cremated on a plot near the Pallattu house at Melambara near Pala following a post-mortem examination
Tusker Pallattu Brahmadathan, who died in a lightning strike, cremated in Keralam
The animal was cremated on a plot near the Pallattu house at Melambara near Pala following a post-mortem examination
4.63 lakh fish fingerlings to be released in Palakkad reservoirs
The programme will cover six reservoirs in the district: Walayar, Kanjirapuzha, Mangalam, Pothundi, Chulliyar and Meenkara
The comments are in response to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesans remarks on avoiding unnecessary investigations and angioplasty
TDB employees union stage protest
The union staged a demonstration outside the TDB headquarters, demanding that the traditional appointment procedure be followed.
Kerala University has released the time table for third semester degree examinations, October 2026. Check the list of UG programmes how to download the PDF, and answers to common questions.
Justice A. Badharudeen orally states that there was a larger conspiracy in the alleged irregularities in the evaluation process of the examination conducted to appoint Chief (Industry and Infrastructure Division), in the Kerala State Planning Board
Wayanad township: Second-phase house construction to be completed by October 31
Agriculture Minister T. Siddique said the draw of lots for allotting the houses to the beneficiaries would be held this month.
Start-ups, investors, industry to meet at IIT Palakkad innovation summit
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate the meet named SAMAGRA 2.0: IIT Palakkad Innovation Summit 2026 to be held at Hyatt Regency on October 29 and 30
Kerala BJP Councillor Agrees Not To Step Down Days After Handing In Letter
BJP state general secretary S Suresh acknowledged that her announcement had put the party on the defensive, but assured that the issue had been resolved. State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is set to meet her.
BJP Keralam unit questions State govts anti-corruption inquiry against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
BJP MLA B.B. Gopakumar says the delayed action against Gyanesh Kumar raises suspicion
Not all minority voters deserted us in Assembly polls, says CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretary
Mehboob, however, admitted that a section of voters from those communities, who had earlier supported the Left, could have voted against it
Not all minority voters deserted us in Assembly polls, says CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretary
Mehboob, however, admitted that a section of voters from those communities, who had earlier supported the Left, could have voted against it
He calls it politically motivated and intended to wreck the bank, while a plea is pending before Co-operative Audit Director to review audited figures
He calls it politically motivated and intended to wreck the bank, while a plea is pending before Co-operative Audit Director to review audited figures
Not Against CEC, But Our ex-PWD Secy: Keralam Minister on Vigilance Probe Against Gyanesh Kumar
Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had earlier ordered an investigation by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) against Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities during his tenure as the states Public Works Department Secretary in 2006
SIT reportedly finds serious violations of procedures and recommends action against Abdurahiman under Prevention of Corruption Act
Wild elephant tramples 80-year-old woman to death in Keralam
Forest Department officials later reached the spot in Kollam and drove the elephant back into the forest
Chander Kunj Army flats handover for demolition stalled as AWHO representatives fail to turn up
Army Welfare Housing Organisation reportedly informs district administration officials that it is awaiting authorisation from headquarters in Delhi
Kerala HC questions PSC over 58-mark evaluation lapse in Planning Board exam
The court questioned how answers carrying 58 marks could simply be left unevaluated and said the allegation was extremely serious. The PSC is an institution on which lakhs of job aspirants depend, the court observed, stressing that its credibility and the hopes of the younger generation must be protected
'Bribes', Gyanesh Kumar & Malaysian Engineers Death: What Is the 2006 Kerala Corruption Case?
Kerala has ordered the reopening of a 2006 Vigilance probe into alleged corruption linked to the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), during the tenure of Gyanesh Kumar as PWD secretary. The investigation follows the death of Malaysian engineer Lee See Been, a chief project manager with PATI-BEL, the Indo-Malaysian firm executing the World Bank-funded road project. Kumars name allegedly appeared in two purported notes left by the engineer. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the earlier probe was abandoned midway despite allegations of external pressure. Acting on a complaint from Congress leader Malayankeezhu Venugopal, Chennithala ordered a comprehensive reinvestigation.
Messis Keralam visit row: ED to register money-laundering case
Kochi unit of ED to register Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act after revelations of financial transactions worth crores in connection with the failed bid
Kerala reopens probe against Gyanesh Kumar in 2006 graft case: What we know
Kerala has reopened a Vigilance probe into alleged corruption linked to a 2006 road project involving CEC Gyanesh Kumar, amid Opposition protests demanding his resignation
Keralam govt requests NGT to exempt it from creating ring-fenced account for liquid waste management
Principal Bench of tribunal in New Delhi had earlier asked the authorities to set up a single, centralised ring-fenced account at the State level to deposit the funds earmarked as environmental compensation for improper waste management
Complaint, submitted to CPI(M)s Keralam leadership by a woman associated with party lawyers organisation, is understood to have included evidence
Kerala: Two held in Kalamassery gang rape case, absconding woman among suspects
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 5 (IANS) Two persons have been taken into custody in connection with the alleged gang rape of a young woman in Kalamassery in Kerala's Ernakulam district, while police are on the lookout for two others, including a woman, Kochi City Police Commissioner S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said on Monday. The Commissioner said all aspects of the case were being investigated and that police were looking for the remaining accused. One of those in custody is suspected of links with several spas operating in Kochi. The woman had allegedly been drugged and sexually assaulted after being lured to a lodge at Edappally near here, hours after she was interviewed for a job in a spa. Police said she had come across an advertisement on OLX seeking a manager for a spa. She attended a personal interview on September 2. Later that evening, a woman allegedly contacted her and asked her to come to a lodge at Edappally. An Uber taxi was reportedly arranged for her to reach the lodge. According to the police investigation, the woman was offered juice after reaching the lodge. She allegedly became unconscious after consuming it and was subsequently gang-raped. Police suspect that the victim was kept at the lodge for a day. She was allegedly given drugs and alcohol and subjected to repeated sexual assault during this period. The alleged gang rape took place on September 2 and 3. The victim, who was living with her husband in Kochi, is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. Police said a woman was also among those who allegedly sexually assaulted the victim. Two persons have been arrested so far, while two more, including the woman, are yet to be apprehended. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the job advertisement, the role of the spa connections of one of the accused and the sequence of events leading to the woman being taken to the lodge. The police are also probing whether others were involved in the crime and whether similar incidents had taken place earlier.
Referring to the vigilance inquiry ordered by Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in connection with a 2006 case, Keralam Health Minister K Muralidharan on Monday said that this specific case is not against the CEC but against the former Keralam Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary. There were a lot of complaints against him when he was the government secretary in the State of Kerala. So, this time, more complaints have been raised by some important persons. Only for that reason, the government has taken the case. There is no other way, he said. Speaking to ANI, he clarified that this is not a politically motivated case and is based on several complaints filed at the time Gyanesh Kumar was acting as the PWD Secretary in the State. That is not a politically motivated case. See, when he was the government secretary in Kerala, there were a lot of complaints at that time. Even the ruling party and opposition, both of them g...
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Complainant gets Rs 1.63L payout after scooter failed to deliver promised mileage
A consumer commission in Kerala ruled in favor of a customer regarding an electric scooter. The customer experienced multiple defects, including poor battery performance and a defective wheel bearing system. After the commission's investigation, they found the manufacturer's service insufficient and defective. The company was ordered to refund Rs 88,000 and pay additional compensation and litigation costs. The manufacturer must comply within 45 days or face further financial penalties.
Hundreds pay tribute, bid goodbye to gentle giant 'Brahmadathan' in Kerala's Melambara
Digital Desk | Kottayam, Oct 5 (IANS) All roads seemed to lead to Melambara, near Kottayam in Kerala, as hundreds of people, including Christian priests and scores of elephant lovers, made a beeline on Monday to bid a final farewell to 'Pallatt Brahmadathan', Keralas much-loved pachyderm who died after being struck by lightning. For years, 'Brahmadathan' had been a familiar and much-loved presence not just on temple festival grounds but also beyond them. At times, the gentle giant would visit churches too, winning the affection of people across communities. On Monday, priests and ordinary people came to pay their final respects to the elephant they had grown fond of. There was little of the usual festive noise. Instead, there was silence, grief and a stream of people wanting to have one last look at the 54-year-old elephant. Brahmadathan died at around 6.30 p.m. on Sunday after lightning struck him while he was resting in a shed near the house of his owner, advocate Rajesh Pallatt, at Melambara. For elephant lovers, his death was not merely the loss of another celebrated tusker. Keralas festival grounds had lost a familiar personality. Standing 10 feet 2 inches tall, Brahmadathan combined an imposing presence with an unusually gentle temperament. His broad forehead, heavy tusks, sandalwood coloured temples and majestic bearing made him a favourite wherever he went. But it was his gentleness that people remembered most. For nearly 25 years, he was accompanied by his mahout, Kunnakkattu Damodaran Nair of Lakkattoor, affectionately known as Omanachettan. Their relationship was unlike an ordinary mahout-elephant bond. Omanachettan believed Brahmadathan did not need to be restrained with chains. Even when crowds gathered around him, he remained confident that the elephant would harm no one. At the Pallatt family home, Brahmadathan was allowed to remain without being chained as long as Omanachettan could see him. Even during temple festivals, the stick carried by the mahout was more for the confidence of spectators than for controlling the elephant. The bond went beyond words. Brahmadathan did not initially understand Malayalam, and Omanachettan learned Hindi to communicate with him. In return, he taught the elephant Malayalam commands. One incident became part of their legend. During a festival at Ganeshmangalam Temple in Vadanappally, another elephant, which had become unruly, came towards Omanachettan. Brahmadathan reportedly intervened and protected his mahout, putting himself between the danger and the man he trusted. When Omanachettan died in June 2021, Brahmadathan was taken to his house. He raised his trunk in what appeared to be a final tribute to his old companion. The sight left those present in tears. Brahmadathan had arrived in Kerala in 1999 from the forests of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, where he had been a kumki elephant. He was brought to Puthuppally in Kottayam by Pothen Varghese and his brother Chacko and was known as Puthuppally Brahmadathan. The Pallatt family acquired him in 2010, after which he became known as Pallatt Brahmadathan. He went on to become a star of Keralas festival circuit, taking part in the Thrissur Pooram in 2015 and carrying the sacred idol during the Paramekkavu night Pooram in 2018. Ettumanoor Ezhara Ponnana, Vaikom Ashtami, Thirunakkara, Sakthikulangara and Thodupuzha were among the other major festivals where his majestic presence was eagerly awaited. He even had a ritual of his own. On returning from festivals, Brahmadathan would often be taken before Lord Krishna at Guruvayur, where he would raise his trunk in what devotees saw as a respectful salutation. Fans called him Saayippu, Pallatte Kutty and simply Brahman. His popularity extended to social media, where an Instagram page dedicated to him attracted admirers. On Monday, however, there were no festival lights, percussion or colourful caparisons. There were only tearful eyes and folded hands. And in the quiet that followed, Kerala is bidding goodbye to a gentle giant who had spent decades bringing grandeur to its festivals and affection to the hearts of people far beyond the temple grounds.
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation: R. Sreelekhas resignation bid puts BJP in a spot
UDF government already falling apart, says M.V. Jayarajan
He alleged that the government was failing to focus on peoples problems, including preventing power outages, filling vacant doctor posts, supplying medicines to hospitals and ensuring their availability and distribution
Woman Drugged, Gang-Raped After Being Lured With Spa Job Offer In Kerala
The survivor informed her husband about the incident and later lodged a complaint with the police.
Delhi to remain hot today; heavy rain likely in parts of South India
Heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe, south interior Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Monday
Kerala chief minister to introduce draft law for senior citizens
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Keralam CM VD Satheesan launches new KSRTC services and projects
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Once thought extinct, a plant becomes star of Wildlife Week at Keralams Parambikulam
The exhibition as part of Wildlife Week at Parambikulam has been named after Haplothismia exannulata, a tiny plant that was found again in the forest 26 years ago after more than a century without a trace
Keralam Health department introduces district-level system to monitor medicine stocks
The district-level teams have been instructed to conduct direct inspections at hospital pharmacies and stores rather than relying solely on records
The incidents happened a day after an alleged threat by Cantonmentsub-inspector Gokulsurfaced in the aftermath of the recent clash between Youth Congress and SFI activists in the capital city
