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In shifting sands of politics, faith is moving mountains
KOCHI: ... The futures in the air I can feel it everywhere Blowing with the wind of change... The Scorpions ballad on profound changes taking place in Europe in the early 1990s can hold a mirror to the evolving political picture in central Kerala. Winding ones way though Meenachil River-kissed Pala, Poonjar, and Bharananganam, the highlands of Idukki, and the gently rolling regions of Thrissur and Ernakulam, the shift is very evident -- and splashed across compound walls. Posters of candidates from traditional, influential Christian families now bear the lotus symbol. What was once considered odious has become a defining feature of this local body elections. In a development that is without precedent, the BJP has allotted nearly 1,900 seats to Christian candidates. And the shift isnt just numerical its psychological. The untouchability factor that kept the community away from the saffron party for decades is wearing thin, according to political observers. BJP state vice president Shone George is keen to highlight the momentum. In Christian belts such as Poonjar and Pala, around 60% of our candidates are Christians, he said. The feedback from house visits is remarkable. Families are warm, receptive many are big Narendra Modi fans now. While asserting that radical Islam has pushed Christians closer to the BJP, Shone concedes the party struggled to keep up with demand. We couldnt find enough Christian candidates everywhere. But KCYM members, Catholic Congress workers they are coming forward. This is just the beginning. This election marks a psychological break, according to political observer Milton Francis. The untouchability is gone. The acceptability of BJP candidates has grown sharply not just among affluent Christian families but even among Church leaders, he said. In the high ranges, Thrissur, Iritty, Nadapuram, Peravoor, and Taliparamba Christian votes are decisive. The BJP is fielding Christian candidates even in Kozhikode, reflecting how much the ground has shifted, he pointed out, adding that many families view Rajeev Chandrasekhar as an acceptable, professional, credible face of the party. The Catholic Congress, the official lay organisation of the Syro-Malabar Church, echoes the communitys evolving political posture. Its president, Rajeev Kochuparambil, says the organisation welcomes the new assertiveness of Christian voters. This time, there has been a sharp increase in the number of seats the BJP has allotted to Christian candidates, he said. Our stand is simple the communitys issues must be taken up by elected representatives. We are not opposed to any political party or front. But once elected, representatives must be willing to listen to our concerns. However, Apu John Joseph, Kerala Congress state chief coordinator and son of party supremo P J Joseph, argues that the BJPs sudden embrace of Christians is shallow. The arrest of two Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh earlier this year, on allegations of forced conversion, exposed this, he said. The incident was a realisation that the BJPs newfound affection has no real grounds, Apu added. It reminded Christian leaders that the BJP is no friend of Christians. Those who were drifting towards them are now having second thoughts. Apu counters the BJPs narrative of Christian under-representation within the UDF. Four of our MPs Dean Kuriakose, Anto Antony, Hibi Eden, and Francis George are Catholic. Benny Behanan is Jacobite. Nearly 28% of UDF MPs are Christian, far above the communitys share of population, he said. Kerala Congress (Joseph) is contesting in 615 local-body seats this time, up from around 500 in 2020. Within the LDF, the Kerala Congress (M), which contested around 850 seats in 2020, is now fighting 930-plus seats. A political analyst says this more liberal seat allocation to Kerala Congress parties by both UDF and LDF can be attributed to the rising influence of the BJP within the Christian community. Both KC (M) and Kerala Congress have increased their footprint to thwart the BJPs moves to capture the Christian vote, he said. These parties sense that the BJP has made its way into spaces that were once exclusively theirs. A senior KC (M) leader, requesting anonymity, concurred. People are fed up with the Congress infighting. The untouchability factor is slipping away even traditional UDF voters are coming to us and the BJP, he said. Meanwhile, even smaller flash points such as the Munambam land dispute and the Palluruthy school hijab row sharpened the communitys anxieties on identity and institutional autonomy, issues the BJP has used to deepen its outreach. But, for the saffron party, this election is an opening. Local-body polls will set the trend, Shone insisted. We will go full steam by next years assembly election.
Kerala SIR: Two-day mega camps from November 29
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ahead of the December 4 deadline for winding up the enumeration phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) will organise mega camps on Saturday and Sunday (Nov 29 & 30) at the assembly constituency level to speed up the process. CEO-Kerala Rathan U Kelkar told TNIE that the mega camps will be held at three to four locations in each assembly constituency. The main focus of the two-day special camps is to complete the digitisation of all enumeration forms that have been filled, signed and returned by the voters to the respective Booth Level Officers (BLOs). However, voters who have not yet given back the forms can also utilise the opportunity to return them at the mega camps after contacting their respective BLOs, Kelkar said. According to the official, enumeration forms have been distributed to 99% of the 2.78 crore voters who figure in the electoral roll as on October 27, 2025. Of these, BLOs have collected back 85% of the forms on which the digitisation process is currently underway and is nearing the 70% mark. The process is expected to be completed over the weekend, the official said. The poll panel chose Saturday and Sunday for the mega camps as a large number of forms were returned by voters during these days in previous weeks.
Weekend pay, full-time hope: Keralas new gulf boom
KOCHI: For decades, northern Kerala has lived in step with the Gulf. The regions dreams, remittances, and ambitions have long flowed back from desert skylines. Now, that old migration story has a new plotline football. Over the past decade, Malabars obsession with the beautiful game has fused with Gulf migration, spawning a booming parallel football universe powered by the Malayali diaspora. Clubs, tournaments, and weekend leagues have mushroomed across Riyadh, Dubai, Sharjah and Doha. And young talents once chasing professional careers at home are now chasing paychecks and opportunities abroad. When Gokulam Kerala FC lifted the I-League trophy in 2022, 24-year-old Abhijith E M from Vadapuram, Malappuram, was among the champions. Fast-forward three years: the I-League winner is now turning out for Blasters FC Vazhakaad and other Malayali clubs in Riyadhs vibrant tournaments. At the same time, in Dubai, Safvan P from Nilambur who once played in a village sevens side was handed an offer that changed his life: play for Abreco FC and get a job with a company that backs the club. Its been building for ten years, but now its exploding, says Malappuram-based coach M Kamaludheen, father of India international Mohammad Uwais. Talented boys leave proper football to play sevens. They lose the stamina and the structure required for the eleven-a-side game. Then they move to the Gulf, where the local leagues pull them in with money and security. So many who played with my son in state tournaments are now playing there. For these young men often from modest backgrounds the deals are irresistible. A player who earns Rs 30,000 a month in Kerala can earn the same per match in Gulf amateur leagues. And the match fees come with something Kerala rarely offers: a job.Theres money, plenty of it, and so many opportunities, says Abhijith. I first went as an extra player for weekend games. Now Im a regular for a club. Life is better, yes. But I went only because after years in professional football, I still couldnt make it here. Powerful Malayali football associations thriving abroad fund this footballing migration machine. The biggest among them, the Kerala Expat Football Association (KEFA), runs dozens of tournaments and leagues across the UAE and beyond. The scale is staggering: over 1,500 players and 150 registered amateur clubs, almost all Malayali-run. Most players work day jobs for the sponsoring companies and turn into crowd-drawing footballers on weekends. Even ISL-level players come sometimes, says Safvan, who has been with Abreco Freight for three years. We work for the company, win titles for the club. Its a proper system. Back home, the reality remains dim. In recent times, only a handful of Malayalis have broken into the Indian national team which languishes at 142 in the FIFA rankings. With low wages, uncertain futures, and limited opportunities, many promising players simply walk away from the sport or walk into the Gulf, which now promises a different kind of football career. Lafin Shalu from Mannarkad, who recently landed a Railways job through sports quota, knows the story too well. Many of my teammates were national university champions. Today, theyre all in Gulf football, he says. They had no choice to stay here. No security, no future. This has to change. What once began as migration for survival has now evolved into migration for sport and sometimes, for a second chance at a dream. The Gulf, for Keralas footballing youth, has become both a stadium and a lifeline.
Domestic dilemma: Not a November to remember for Keralas tourism industry
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Wake me up when November ends! With domestic arrivals remaining unusually low despite the onset of the traditional peak season, Keralas tourism industry has hit a sour note. According to stakeholders, bookings and occupancy have plunged by 40%, making this one of the worst Novembers for the sector in recent memory. Munnar, one of the states most sought after hill stations year round, mirrors the crisis. Insiders say vacationers are skipping Kerala this season, with occupancy hovering around 40% and picking up only on weekends. In previous years, November occupancy levels ranged from 70-75%, making the current slump particularly alarming as the sector heads into the Christmas-New Year rush. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat remain the key domestic source markets for Kerala. In 2024, Kerala received around 2.2 crore domestic tourists. I have been in the industry for 25 years, and this is one of the worst seasons ever. November is normally the peak, but this year there is a slump in both inbound and outbound arrivals, said Anish Kumar P K, executive committee member, Association of Tourism Trade Organisations, India. Last year, over three crore Indians travelled abroad, while only around 93 lakh foreign tourists visited India. This gap is hurting tourism. High airfares are a major reason, and both the Centre and state should take steps to address it, he said. Director of Stride Hotels Pvt Ltd Sudhish Nair said Munnar has never witnessed such a steep drop in occupancy. Munnar has never seen such subdued season There is no steady flow of tourists. We are getting bookings only on weekends. We have reservations for the week from December 24-31, but otherwise there is no consistent inflow. Munnar has never seen such a subdued season, he said. He added that occupancy in Munnar normally stays between 75% and 90% during this period, making the current slump unprecedented. Observers say this years dip in arrivals may be linked to the Kumbh Mela, with many travellers exhausting their annual outings. As per our analysis, the Kumbh Mela could be a reason for the decline in arrivals, as scores of people from across the country travelled for the event. Another major factor are the high airfares. Kerala is increasingly becoming an expensive destination. Hotel occupancy is now only around 50%. There are plenty of enquiries for the Christmas-New Year period, but they are not converting into bookings because of steep airfares, said Manu P V, member of the Tourism Advisory Board and the Kerala Travel Mart managing committee.
INTERVIEW| Expect saffron surge in local body elections
KOCHI: Kerala has reached the threshold of a development era and the local body election results may herald a political change, says Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) president and SNDP Yogam vice-president Thushar Vellappally. The NDA will wrest power in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur corporations and several municipalities, he told TNIE. Excerpts: Which factors will favour the NDA? NDA-ruled states in North India are witnessing a major transformation in human development while Kerala is lagging behind. Youngsters are leaving the state. The state is financially unstable. People anxious about Keralas future are looking at the NDA as an alternative. What is your development plan for local bodies? In local bodies where NDA is voted to power, we will present a development plan. We will identify schemes for each local body and initiate steps to get funds from the Centre. The state government has refused to implement several central schemes like the PM SHRI on political grounds. Do you think the Sabarimala issue will work in favour of the NDA? I think reports of gold theft at the temple may influence voters in some localities. The Ezhava community has been traditionally affiliated to CPM. Now, BJP is claiming there has been a change in their approach. The change in the communitys outlook has been phenomenal. As per an analysis by the BJP national leadership, around 35-40% of the Ezhavas have started shifting loyalty towards NDA. The formation of BDJS has provided them a platform to get into the national stream. Both NSS and SNDP Yogam general secretaries recently came out in support of the LDF government. Will this confuse members of the communities who are NDA supporters? The community leaders expressed their approval towards the positive initiatives of the government. They have not tried to mobilise votes for any particular party. How is the coordination among NDA allies after Rajeev Chandrasekhar took over as BJP state president? It is excellent. No other party had a president with such calibre. We have to accept his personality. I feel his positive approach will help BJP grow in the state.
Tribespeoples boycott threat pays off in Vattavada, Edamalakkudy of Idukki district
IDUKKI: The tribal communitys threat of boycotting the upcoming local body polls has triggered a political tremor in Idukki, forcing development work in Vattavada and Edamalakkudy to finally move after years of official inertia. In Vattavada, five Muthuvan settlements had unanimously declared a non-participation campaign, citing two unresolved issues: the Block 59 land dispute and the 16-km Chilathiyar-Swamiyaralakkudi-Koodalarkudi-Valsapetti-Ullavayal road, pending for decades. The dispute involves 2,939 acres in Block 59, of which 1,384 acres are revenue land, 550 acres were declared reserve forest in 1,908, and 1,005 acres remain under the Forest Department. Continued errors in the Basic Tax Register, wrongly marking revenue land as forest, have prevented residents from receiving title deeds, aggravating mistrust. An all-party meeting last week assured that 25% of the road work will be completed before the 2026 assembly elections. This has prompted the settlements to withdraw their boycott for now. Local body member Ramaraj said a joint survey led by the forest and revenue departments is crucial to settling the long-standing confusion in Block 59. The digital resurvey has already begun in Vattavada, but the disputed stretch where boundary stones were placed differently will now be jointly verified. Once the classification errors in the records are corrected, and the land is properly identified as revenue land, the process of issuing title deeds to the tribal settlements can move forward, Ramaraj said. The road project has crossed a crucial technical milestone, with level survey proceedings completed. Officials said the next step is the preparation of the final estimate, after which construction is expected to begin using a 60:40 funding pattern between the Union and state governments. Considering how long we have been denied basic infrastructure like motorable roads, every party has come forward to stand with us this time, district panchayat member and tribal settler C Rajendran said. But tribal leaders warn their consent is provisional.If the promises are not fulfilled, we will pull back our candidates for the assembly elections, said tribal chief Ramaswamy. We are not here to remain as vote banks unless our necessities are met. In Edamalakkudy, the tribespeoples pressure has yielded their first breakthrough in years. Construction on the Pettimudi-Societykudi road restarted two weeks ago after a deadlock lasting months. Of the total 7.7 km, 4.9 km had already been concreted; the remaining stretch is finally undergoing formation work. We decided to boycott the elections. But after officials accelerated the work, we withdrew from that position, said Muthuvan Adivasi Samudaya Sangham president M Palraj. With four tribal-reserved wards in Vattavada Koodalarkudi, Koviloor, Vattavada South and Edamanal the political fronts are now facing a sharp contest. In these wards, all major parties have fielded candidates, reflecting the rising electoral weight of the settlements.
Can't sit on it, act on VC hiring report in a week: SC to Kerala governor
The Supreme Court has directed the Kerala Governor, acting as chancellor, to decide on a report by an SC-appointed committee regarding vice-chancellor appointments within a week. Justices Pardiwala and Viswanathan emphasized the governor cannot delay acting on the report, which was formed with mutual consent. The court expects a prompt decision following the committee's findings.
Lakshadweep completes digitisation of SIR forms
TRP rigging: Broadcast Audience Research Council to conduct audit
The channel reported what it claimed was a TV ratings racket involving a Kerala-based broadcaster and a Mumbai-based BARC employee identified as Premnath. Following the report, the matter has triggered a police inquiry led by Kerala State Police Chief Ravada Chandrashekhar.
Rajmohan Unnithan launches scathing attack on Rahul Mamkootathil
Rising water level: T.N. starts to draw more water from Mullaperiyar following Kerala request
Kozhikode district school arts fest: city sub-district emerges overall champion
VACB trapped 68 public servants on graft charges this year
SC questions Kerala governor over inaction on Dhulia's report
The Supreme Court has put the spotlight on the Kerala governor over the prolonged delay in addressing the report related to vice-chancellor appointments. Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, who led the committee that prepared the report, has seen the court step in with a clear demand for expediency.
Mammootty reveals college friend who came up with his stage name, watch
Mammootty reunited with his college friend Sasidharan, the man who accidentally gave him his iconic stage name, during a celebratory event in Kerala. The emotional moment mirrored a scene from Katha Parayumbol, drawing warm reactions from fans
History Congress sees papers on Thiruvananthapurams multifaceted history
Kerala Governor cannot sit on report on V-C postings: SC
State tells court that Governor failed to act on a list of names shortlisted by a former SC judge-led committee and forwarded by CM as per SC directive; SC says Governor cannot treat the report as an ordinary piece of paper
Indias latest Rare Earth minerals production move is sure to boost its Geopolitical status
New Delhi can effectively influence supply chain to emerge as an eventual exporter By T N Ashok In the unassuming coastal sands of Kerala and Tamil Nadu lie minerals with an outsized claim on the future. Rare earth elementsseventeen chemically similar metals with unpronounceable names like neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymiumare the sinews of modern [] The post Indias latest Rare Earth minerals production move is sure to boost its Geopolitical status appeared first on Northlines .
IFFK to honour Canadian filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall with Spirit of Cinema award
Train services hit by locomotive failure at Kalamassery
As a precautionary safety measure, train movements on the adjacent main line were temporarily suspended, and services were operated in both directions on the single line, say railway sources
Manaf murder case: court convicts accused after 30 years
NIA arrests PFI activist accused of RSS leaders murder in Kerala
Kochi: An absconding accused in the murder case of RSS leader K S Sreenivasan has been arrested by the NIA, sources said. The arrested person, Shahul Hameed of Palakkad, is the 55th accused in the case, officials said. Hameed was taken into custody upon his arrival from Oman at the New Delhi airport and was Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Two-day seminar on climate-weed interactions held at College of Agriculture, Vellayani
The present case dealt with the prolonged impasse between the State and the Governor over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors to the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological and Digital Sciences Universities
SCTIMST launches space medicine centre and bioastronautics fellowship
It has also launched the Centre for Skills and Simulation Lab (CSSL) at its Biomedical Technology Wing, Poojappura.
Kerala Congress MLA Seeks Anticipatory Bail in Sexual Harassment Case
The police have constituted a SIT & issued a lookout circular to prevent the suspended Congress leader from leaving the country
SHRC seeks govt. intervention to secure housing for circus artiste
Kudumbashree accounts for 42% of women candidates for local body polls
Of the 39,609 women candidates in the fray, 16,589 belong to the Kudumbashree network
Mortuary attendant-turned-candidate banks on years of public service
Cashew import scam: HC expresses dissatisfaction yet again
Grant holiday for employees to vote, Kerala SEC tells private firms
Sivankutty writes to Union Labour Minister demanding withdrawal of labour codes
Minister conveys State governments concern that several provisions in the labour codes have overlooked crucial aspects of labour rights, workers welfare, and the foundational values of social justice in India
NEERI study finds high levels of faecal contamination in Thevara-Perandoor, Edappally canals
The study was initiated after the National Green Tribunal directed the government to take steps to check the indiscriminate degradation of canals caused by illegal discharge of untreated wastewater into them
Mamkootathils arrest being delayed to help him destroy proof: Surendran
Former BJP State president says influential people are involved in helping Mamkootathil go into hiding
Stepfather sentenced to 78 years in jail for sexual assault of minor girl
Kerala Minister's Trojan Horse Jab At Senior Congress Leader KC Venugopal
Kerala CPI(M) leader and state minister V Sivankutty on Friday launched a scathing attack against AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, calling him a Trojan horse deployed by the BJP to destroy the Congress.
Reception for Kerala tribal artistes in Meghalaya
The 15-member tribal team is in the Northeast to perform at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland
Kerala Congress MLA Seeks Anticipatory Bail In Sexual Assault Case, SIT To Take Over Probe
Kerala MLA Rahul Mankootathil seeks anticipatory bail after police file rape and miscarriage charges. Congress suspended him, CPI(M) and BJP demand resignation. SIT to probe case.
Kerala native found with40 lakh in unaccounted cash in Coimbatore
Keralas population projected to rise till 2041, then dip
IIMAD, PFI report says life expectancy in the State is projected to go up from 75.1 years in 2026 to 82.9 years by 2051. Also, by the middle of this century, Kerala will have the lowest share of children, at 12.8%
CPI(M) rebel steps up fight in Cherukunnu, levels charges of corruption, intimidation
Kerala Governor to review functioning of university hostels, citing rising student unrest
The issue will be taken up during his interaction with 14 Vice-Chancellors at a programme scheduled at Calicut University on December 2.
From Congress stronghold to swing seat: Edappally set for another fierce battle
Sitting councillor Deepa Varma is seeking another term and is being discussed as a possible mayoral candidate; debutant Abdul Latheef remains confident of reclaiming the seat for the UDF; and BJPs C. Nandakumar says rival fronts are downplaying his partys role out of concern over its growing influence
Kerala: Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil booked for rape
In his petition, the Congress leader said he shared a long-standing friendship with the complainant and categorically denies all charges of rape and of coercing her to have an abortion
Tribesperson injured in bear attack at Nedumkayam
KTU launches group personal accident insurance scheme for students
Under the scheme, students and their families will be eligible for financial assistance of up to 13 lakh depending on the nature of the accident.
Realtors disappearance: probe sought against cops involved in initial investigation
87 midshipmen receive B.Tech at Ezhimala academy
Keralas sky dining malfunction leaves tourists stranded
Kerala: Four tourists, with two children among them, were stranded about 150 feet above ground near Anachal on Friday after the crane lifting a sky-dining restaurant malfunctioned. #WATCH | Munnar, Kerala | Tourists were stranded at a private sky dining setup in Anachal, Idukki, after a technical failure in the crane, today; Rescue operation underwayThe Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Tourists Stranded 120-Feet Above Ground At Kerala Sky-Dining Facility, Rescue Op Underway
Tourists were stranded 120 feet above ground at a sky-dining facility in Anachal, Idukki after a crane fault. Rescue teams from Munnar are working to safely bring everyone down.
Tourists Stranded In Kerala Sky-Dining Restaurant After Crane Malfunctions
Four tourists, with two children among them, were stranded about 150 feet above ground near Anachal on Friday after the crane lifting a 'sky-dining' restaurant malfunctioned.
Names Of Researchers, Places From Kerala Approved For Naming Martian Features
3.5-billion-year-old crater will be named after pioneering geologist M S Krishnan : International Astronomical Union (IAU)
WATCH: 5 stranded mid-air in sky dining restaurant near Munnar in Kerala, rescue opsunderway
Media reports said that a four-member family from Kannur district and a restaurant staff member have been trapped in the sky dining restaurant. According to the operators, they cannot lower the crane as its hydraulics have stopped working.
The hospital was selected from 57 nominations from 51 countries in the Asia-Pacific region
Tourists stuck 120ft up in air: Sky dining goes wrong in Kerala; rescue under way - video
Concerns about the practical issues that stand in the way of the implementation of the Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulations) Act, 2018 have not been addressed even after several rounds of discussions with the government, say Kerala Private Hospital Association and Indian Medical Association
Suspended Kerala MLA booked for rape, FIR alleges forced abortion
Thiruvananthapuram: The police FIR against suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil alleged that he raped the complainant multiple times even when she was pregnant. As per the FIR, Mamkoottathil assaulted the complainant and raped her on multiple occasions. It stated that on March 17, the womans videos were recorded at her apartment, and he allegedly threatened Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Five tourists trapped 120 ft up in sky dining restaurant near Munnar in Kerala; rescue efforts on
Diners were hoisted on to sky dining to enjoy panoramic view of Anachal village in the hill station. But due to a technical malfunction in the crane, they were left stranded
NHAI suspends Ashoka Buildcon from participating in ongoing or future bids for one month
Ashoka Buildcon faces a one-month suspension from National Highways Authority of India bids. This follows an incident during the construction of a six-lane elevated corridor in Kerala. A show-cause notice was issued after two precast girders fell, resulting in a fatality. The suspension will last until an expert committee concludes its investigation.
To honour the invaluable contribution made by private schools in elevating the stature of education, sports and culture in the country, Chandigarh University in collaboration with Federation of Private Schools and Associations of Punjab (FAP) felicitated principals, teachers and students from over 800 schools across India during the 5th edition of the FAP National Awards 2025 held at Chandigarh University campus. Haryana Governor, Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh, addressing the awardees during the inauguration of 2-Day FAP National Awards 2025 Ogranised by Chandigarh University Governor of Haryana, Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh, inaugurated the FAP National Awards 2025 as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by his wife Mitra Ghosh. Besides Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu who presided over the event as Guest of Honour, the other dignitaries who graced the event included Dr G Immanuel, Chairman of Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE), singer, actor and lyricist Gurnam Bhullar, Chandigarh University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Raviraja N Seetharam, Senior Managing Director Chandigarh University Deepinder Singh Sandhu and President of FAP Dr Jagjit Singh Dhuri. On the opening day of FAP National Awards 2025, 782 schools, teachers, principals and meritorious students from 18 States & UTs were felicitated with the awards. During the inaugural ceremony, 20 awards were given for Lifetime Achievement, Academic Achievement, Pride of India- Academic Achievement and Pride of India- Sports Achievement Awards. In all, Lifetime Achievement Award was given to 50 principals and teachers, Pride of India- Academic Achievement Awards were given to 315 awards students of 105 schools and 41 schools were given awards for achievements in sports. Pride of India- Sports Achievement Awards were also given to 356 students. In the two-day award ceremony, awards will be given to teachers, students and schools from 18 States and Union Territories including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Bihar. These Awards will be given in four categories including The Best School Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Pride of School Award and The Best Student Award (Pride of India) for their futuristic vision and meritorious achievements in the domains of academic, sports, cultural and social contribution. In his inaugural address, Governor of Haryana, Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh said, “ Private sector plays a pivotal role in elevating the standard of school education in our country. Of about 14.72 lakh schools in India, there are 3.40 lakh private schools which account for 23% of the total schools. I strongly feel that an organization like FAP must come forward in ensuring the children from weaker sections of society have their fair representation in private schools as well which will further promote equity and inclusiveness in education .” “ Our progress in education also reflects the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji under whom historic reforms have strengthened India's position as a global education hub. The PM Shree scheme has modernized over 4,500 schools providing world class infrastructure and access. The National Education Policy has placed research, innovation, and knowledge at the center of learning. As a result, India's ranking in the Global Innovation Index has improved from 81 in 2014 when Prime Minister Modi ji had come to power to 39 in 2025 which is a remarkable achievement. Patent filings have grown up by 31% and India now ranks 4th globally with 1.3 million academic research publications in the last five years. The government's decision to reduce patent application fee is by 80% for institutions has accelerated this change ,” the Governor added. Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh further said, “ Moreover, the education budget has risen from Rs 79,451 Crore in 2014 to a historic figure of Rs Rs 1,28,650 Crore in 2025-26. As we honor today's achievers let us reaffirm our collective commitment to shaping a brighter more innovative and inclusive future for India's children .” Commending the award recipients for their significant contributions in shaping the minds of the youth, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, said, “ As an educationist, I can say that whatever change that has come in the society has come because of teachers. Our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s has given the vision of a Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047. I am sure the biggest role in realizing this vision will be played by the provided educational institutions and private school teachers because it is not possible for government to do everything or even fulfil the need of quality education which is being fulfilled by the private institutions for making this vision a reality. So today India has emerged from the 11th largest economy in the world to become the fourth largest economy. Even children from the poorest of the poor backgrounds can touch the heights of progress with the power of education. Five years ago, no one had thought that private schools would get the same honor and respect as government schools. Which has been possible through these FAP Awards. ” “ Children from the poorest of backgrounds can touch the skies of progress with the power of education. Affectionate and devoted teachers play the most important role in giving strength to the flight of children. The new National Education Policy 2020 aims to make India a Global Knowledge Superpower. Our educational institutions and teachers have to contribute actively in school education, higher education and skill education to achieve this goal. I am sure our teachers will establish India as a Global Knowledge Superpower with their crucial contribution ,” he added. Dr G Immanuel, Chairman of Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE) said, “ Now around the world now there is a lot of competition happening and every school education board is trying to compete from with other board. The best practices are being transferred easily. Most of the boards are going for STEAM education now. Earlier, STEM education which means Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education was followed. Now, to this we added Art. Art is very important because Art is part of everything. In STEM education, Art is being added to make it more collaborative, more useful for everybody .” Warning against the dangers of digital information, Dr G Immanuel said, “ Learning doesn't happen and only within the school premises in the schools, colleges or universities. It happens everywhere anyway with lots of information freely flowing. Now one has to regulate this. Unless we regulate this information to decide which information should be taken in and which information should not be taken in, it may affect and cause a problem. Therefore, as educators we need to reach out to the children and have some regulatory system as unregulated information may cause a lot of havoc for everybody. Now, digital information is causing problems for everybody. There are countries and universities around the world who are going back to physical books and physical way of teaching because e-books, smart boards, they are causing lot of problems. ” In his address, President of FAP Dr Jagjit Singh Dhuri said, “ Private schools are playing a pivotal role in school education. But despite this, the contribution of private schools in India’s transformation in the education sector was ignored and the teachers at private schools were not given due recognition for the crucial role they are playing in providing quality education with utmost dedication and hard work. So, the purpose of FAP awards is to give due recognition to private schools and their teachers in society with these awards. This initiative not only recognizes the efforts of private schools who have reached the pinnacles but also encourages other schools to compete for achievements in the fields of academics, sports, cultural heritage, infrastructure and facilities .” “ We are honoured that FAP has become the only educational federation in the world to award 11001 management members, principals, teaching and non-teaching staff and students from across India with FAP National Awards between 2021 to 2025 for achievements in academic, sports and cultural domains at no financial cots to any recipient. The award for this record was presented to us today by Dr Aravind Lakshminarayanan, CEO of Nobel World Records Private Limited, during inauguration of the 5th edition of the FAP National Awards 2025 which is matter of great joy and satisfaction for us ,” he added. About Chandigarh University Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. www.cuchd.in
Special squads in action against illicit liquor trade in Kerala ahead of local body polls
Strike squads deployed to expose hooch dens and smuggling of liquor. Tribal regions to get special attention
UDF convener Adoor Prakash questions timing of the allegations, while dissent within Congress grows, with Rajmohan Unnithan, MP, warning of backlash for inaction. Protests erupt in Mamkootathils constituency as CPI(M) and BJP leaders condemn Congress for allegedly shielding offenders
From Italy to Kerala, in search of art and its completeness
The dim-lit stage, with its hand-stitched curtain of bold geometric designs barely concealing the artist, set the mood. The warm hues from the flickering kalivilakku (traditional lamp) added an aura that evoked centuries of aesthetics and a way of life where art was inseparably woven into human existence. It was in such a setting at the Margi theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday that Giulia Tonello debuted her Kathakali performance. It marked the culmination of three months of rigorous training for the Turin-born artist, whose English is still tinged with Italian and whose Malayalam is, at best, pidgin. And the stage became the true test of her learning. Giulia grew up with art all around her grand piazzas, Baroque architecture and classic museums like the Museo Egizio and the National Museum of Cinema that define Turin in northwest Italy. She had found in her city art expressions that spoke silently yet eloquently. Yet, something was amiss, she says. Art was there, but more as part of the whole than as the whole itself. Giulia being readied as Krishna by her guru Sadanam Vishnu Prasad. The 25-year-old came to Thiruvananthapuram in September, seeking that sense of completeness. The eclectic movements and deep, soulful expressions of Kathakali drew her in. Its so complete an art, says the theatre studies student from the University of Turin, who is in Kerala on a scholarship. Here, artists live it every bit. Back home, art is everywhere but not many artists imbibe it in whole. There is no growing into or unison with the art like it is here. Giulia found the wholeness she was seeking in Kathakali, notes Sadanam Vishnu Prasad, who trained her in purapaadu (introduction), mudraparichayam (hand gestures), and kaalsadhakam (adavus or legwork) the foundational lessons in Kathakali. Kathakali is indeed a complete art form, with delicate balances of nritya, nritta, and natya (dance, drama, and body movements) as well as sangeetam and vadyam (music and percussion), he adds. Giulia took stage ahead of a performance of Nalacharitam Third Day by the Margi troupe. We prepared her in 18 classes. It was very intensive, and her determination was exemplary, says Vishnu, seated in the green room painting facial makeup patterns in predominantly green hues and accenting them with other softer colours, all traditionally Ayurvedic blends. Giulias role for the evening was that of Lord Krishna. Purapaadu is the introductory dance, mostly legwork. It is to invoke the gods for their blessings for a bright path ahead, she explains. Final look: Giulia Tonello Back in Italy, Giulia is part of three theatre groups. It was during one performance that my professor told me I should go to Kerala to learn more about theatres ultimate expressions, she says. For this, he suggested that I first gain the balance of mind, body, thoughts, and soul. He had taken up Kalari and Kathakali himself, and recommended the same to me. And here I am, she says, sitting through the elaborate five-hour Kathakali make-up process. As the chutti artist begins, she remains still while strips of paper, cotton, and cloth dipped in rice water are pasted along her face in a semi-spherical frame. One of her friends at Margi opens her notebook kept beside and gestures what the jottings in Italian were. Giulia suppresses a chuckle, and points to her sketches of mudras and expressions on the subsequent pages of the book to give a glimpse into her diligence. Her notebook is filled with drawings of mudras and notes on talam. I wrote down everything so that I could practise after my 90-minute training session every day, Giulia says. Language often stood between Giulia and her guru, as both had only a smattering of English. But there was a language that emerged between us from all this of gestures and the grammar of Kathakali, she adds. Guilia recalls rushing from her rented accommodation in Kamaleshwaram to CVN Kalari for training sessions at 6 am every day. Then she would head to Margi for her Kathakali lessons around noon. I would again go back for kalaripayattu in the evening, and then at home by 6pm, I would practise the days lessons for about 60 minutes. The regimen was difficult at first, but slowly, I got tuned to a discipline and lifestyle that I began to enjoy. Art, as I wanted, began to fill my life, she notes. On her off days, she found time to travel to Kanyakumari, visit temples, and even attend a Carnatic concert. I had googled about Kerala after my Kalari trainer in Paris introduced me to the state in June. But it was very different when I came here, she says. Its been amazing. And I find the penchant for art here so impressive. One does not see this in Italy. Though I loved the food here, I did miss pasta and made it once in a while at home. Vishnu asks her to stop speaking so as to avoid disrupting the facial makeup process. Now she knows everything the way of life. She would come rushing from Kalari for Kathakali lessons and wouldnt have eaten anything. She would then share our food. She adjusted well to everything here. Giulia, who will leave for Italy on December 6, hopes to return next August for advanced training in the various veshams (roles) of Kathakali. Before that, she wishes to host her friends from Margi in Turin with help from her university. The world should know about the hidden talents of these wonderful artists who have given their life for this art. Such involvement is rare, she smiles, before turning still and silent for the chutti.
Cyclone Ditwah: Five Colombo-bound flights diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five flights bound for Sri Lankathree from the Middle East and one each from Malaysia and India were diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL) due to prevailing cyclone Ditwah warning in Colombo on Friday. The diverted flights include two Srilankan Airlines flights, one each from Dubai and Doha, one Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi and one AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur, and an Indigo flight from Mumbai to Colombo the TIAL said. The Indigo flight resumed the journey and departed to Colombo at 11.32 am. Passengers of the rest of the flights would be shifted to hotels by the airlines concerned and their ground handling agencies, according to the officials. The flights started diversion from early morning at 3.44 am.
From fan to friend: A Keralites life-long bond with Dharmendra
63-year-old Saifullah Cholakkal from Malappuram reflects on his deep, personal friendship with Bollywood icon Dharmendra, cherished memories, and profound loss
Washington play features the sweet bond between fantasy fiction kings Lewis & Tolkien
The play, Lewis and Tolkien, was staged in the Museum of the Bible, Washington DC earlier this month. This unusual play, directed by Andrew Borba, was presented by World Stage Theatre. It evokes the friendship of two brilliant thinkers, C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien, who influenced each others work and profoundly impacted literature and faith in the 20th century and up to the present day. The stage was set in Oxford, in the backroom of the now famous pub, The Eagle and Child. This pub, fondly referred to as The Bird and Baby, was the scene of their weekly meetings with a literary group called The Inklings, that included friends and fellow academicians like Hugo Dyson, Nevill Coghill, Owen Barfield and Charles Williams. Written by Dean Batali, the play imagines the famous duo meeting years later, shortly before Jack Lewis death in 1963. It opened on an oddly acrimonious note, with Lewis resenting Tolkiens disapproval (as a Catholic) of the formers marrying an American divorcee, Joy and with Tolkien referring to Lewiss obituary (printed by mistake before his death) and asking about Warnie, Jacks beloved elder brother. The barmaid, Veronica, is a catalyst in the discussion. Familiar with Lewiss stories for children, she asks Tolkien what he has written about hobbits and orcs and elves and a story about a ring which he insists is not a symbol or allegory for atomic power. (Tolkien was allergic to the allegorical mode of story-telling.) Picture of the celebrated writer-duo from the play brochure. The well-known discussions about The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) are revisited, with Tollers loud objection to the sudden and incongruous irruption of Santa Claus into the story. Similarly, there were some elements of the Narnia tales that he described as odious, childish and silly, terms which must have rankled in his friends mind. Lewis for his part managed to send his child protagonists to Narnia on seven trips before Tollers finished his extended tale of a journey with a purpose in this case, not a Quest to find the Great Ring but to cast it away! It was interesting to hear Arye Gross (as Tolkien), relating how the opening line of The Hobbit and the subsequent trilogy came to him. In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit a line scribbled absent-mindedly at the back of an essay he was grading. To Veronicas question, Lewis explained how during Operation Pied Piper in war-torn England, some children were sent, like the Pevensie children to live with the Lewis household at The Kiln. And this was the springboard for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (easily one of the most intriguing titles for a childrens book!) However, unless the audience was very familiar with the authors and details of their oeuvre, the many references to Boxen, the nature of myth and allegory, the momentous talk on Addisons Walk, sub-creation and the carefully crafted and scripted languages of Middle-Earth like Quenya, the language of the Elves and so forth, must have been thrown away. The device of using Veronica to ask rather obvious questions to explore various background issues, seemed rather contrived. Veronicas Cockney accent was hard to decipher, while the two professors should have had more of a British accent to carry conviction. However, the play has clearly been well researched. Though the resentful and awkward ambience at the start seemed rather overdone, the mood relaxed as the play progressed, and the shared laughter and the nostalgia of the close, recalled the ambience that must have surrounded the Inklings in their heyday. Some moments stood out: Tolkien speaking eloquently about eucatastrophe the moment of grace; Hugo Dysons dismayed reaction to a new chapter of LOTR Not more Elves!; Lewis reproaching Tollers, his closest friend at one time, for drifting away The silence that came out of you was loudest of all; and their explosion of laughter over the Romantics who never had an original thought. Arye Gross appeared to be a better fit for Tolkien than Bo Foxworth for Jack Lewis. Both professors must have been older men, but Bos Lewis looked more sprightly than he would have been in 1963, the year he died. On the whole, the idea of a meeting between these celebrated scholars, authors and friends, was a good one, and this play was a creative and effective exploration of the possibility. It may have the added fallout of getting more readers interested in reading the amazingly evocative books written by this famous pair. Imagine never having pushed past the coats of the wardrobe into the snowy land of Narnia, seeing the light of a lone lantern and the face of a faun, meeting the Witch and coming face to face with Aslan! (Although in the play, Lewiss other works like the Ransom space series is not mentioned, nor Mere Christianity and the other brilliant books that brought theology within the purview of the common man.) Imagine never picturing a hobbit, never seeing Gandalfs firework displays, escaping from the Black Riders and finding refuge in Rivendell; imagine never meeting Frodo and Samwise and Gollum, freezing as the Eye of Sauron sweeps searchingly over all Middle-Earth, gazing at the beautiful Lady of Loth Lorien, encountering Elves and orcs and walking trees and tree shepherds all the rich history and varied creatures of Tolkiens sub-creation! Imagine never hearing the language of the Elves (very far removed from the Christmas elves) never hearing them singing: We still remember, we who dwell, In this far land beneath the trees, The starlight on the western seas! (The author is a veteran journalist. Views expressed are personal)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP Thiruvananthapuram Corporation election candidate and retired DGP R Sreelekha has courted a fresh controversy by making a social media post questioning the rationale behind the victim filing of sexual abuse complaint against Rahul Mamkootathil MLA before CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Sreelekha wrote that she was with the victim, but questioned the alleged delay made by the woman in filing the complaint. She also asked whether filing of complaint before the CM was to facilitate the accused flee after switching off his phone and obtain anticipatory bail. She also raised apprehension whether the move was meant to save big names involved in the Sabarimala gold theft case .
CPI(M) panchayat member arrested for assaulting BLO during SIR in Kerala
Sabarimala pilgrims season to push demand for tea in central Kerala belt
The central Travancore belt witnesses a 5-10 per cent increase in tea sales during the season as pilgrims prefer to buy packet teas on their way back home
Police say charges against Palakkad MLA include rape, obtaining sexual consent through deceitful means, possibly by holding forth a false promise of marriage, and coercing a woman into terminating her pregnancy
Four Colombo-bound flights diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport due to bad weather
Two were Srilankan Airlines flights, one each from Dubai and Doha, one was an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi and the last one an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur
Five Colombo-bound flights diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport due to bad weather
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five flights, three from the Middle East region and one each from Malaysia and India, bound for Sri Lanka were diverted to the international airport here on Friday due to bad weather over Colombo, TIAL said. TIAL said that more flights are likely to be diverted to Thiruvananthapuram in view of a cyclone warning over Colombo. Two were Srilankan Airline flights, one each from Dubai and Doha, one was an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi and one an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL) said. The fifth was an Indigo flight from Mumbai to Colombo, it said. The Etihad Airways aircraft landed here at 3.44 am, the AirAsia flight at 4.37 am and the Srilankan Airlines flights at 7.44 am and 7.55 am, TIAL said. The Indigo flight landed here at 9.49 am, it added. The flights which landed at the Thiruvananthapuram airport in the morning are still here due to the bad weather conditions in Colombo, a TIAL official said.
NGT directs CPCB to trace hundreds of missing Endosulfan barrels
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Plantation Corporation of Kerala (PCK), and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to investigate the disappearance of hundreds of barrels of the banned insecticide Endosulfan in Kerala and submit a detailed report by the first week of January. Endosulfan, a highly toxic organochlorine insecticide known to cause severe environmental and genetic harm, was banned by the Supreme Court of India in 2011. According to the CPCBs first report submitted on January 1, 2024, a total of 278 barrels of Endosulfan were documented in Kerala, of which only 20 barrels had been recovered at the time. However, in a subsequent report released on July 16, 2025, the CPCB stated that only 69 barrels had been located and recommended that they be disposed of through incineration. These discrepancies prompted environmental activist and petitioner Ravindranath Shanbhogue to raise the issue before the NGT. He expressed concern over the CPCBs findings, which suggested unscientific and illegal dumping of Endosulfan in the hilly regions along the KeralaKarnataka border. Shanbhogue has demanded that the CPCB and associated agencies fully trace the missing barrels to eliminate any remaining traces of the toxic pesticide. There is growing apprehension that many barrels may have been improperly disposed of, posing a serious risk of groundwater and well contamination. The presence of nearly 6,600 Endosulfan victims across 45 local bodies in Kasaragod underscores the gravity of the situation. Endosulfan exposure, exacerbated by years of aerial spraying over cashew plantations in Kasaragod has led to severe health impacts among residents, including genetic disorders, endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental problems, and cancer. In its hearing and order issued on October 29, the NGT directed the Plantation Corporation of Kerala to conduct a joint investigation with the State of Kerala, Kerala SPCB, and CPCB. The agencies must submit a comprehensive report detailing the fate of the missing barrels, the extent of soil and water contamination, and the remedial measures required. The Tribunal stated that all costs must be borne by the Corporation. The NGT also mandated that all analyses be carried out under the supervision of the CPCB or Kerala SPCB, with the option to engage expert agencies. The final report must be circulated to the petitioner and legal counsels for filing objections.
Kerala local body polls: Rivals will seek to loosen LDFs firm grip on Kollam Corporation
Since the formation of the Corporation in 2000, the Left front has been in power. This time, the CPI(M) is not fielding a single sitting member of the current council, hoping that a totally new line-up will get voters approval. While the UDF is looking for a recovery from a major setback in the 2020 elections, the NDA, having tripled its seats in 2020, is highly optimistic about its prospects
Kerala local body polls: Writing on the wall is clear, charm of poll graffiti doesnt fade
The old world charm of the wall art is something that political parties and candidates do not want to miss. Graffiti has evolved in terms of colour, design and font
Lack of potable water and proper waste disposal mechanism have been issues faced by areas near Vizhinjam for decades. Dwindling catch, eroding beaches and fewer employment opportunities will be key issues in the coastal areas in the local body elections
SHO fires at accused after being attacked with machete
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Station House Officer (SHO) of Aryancode opened fire at a habitual offender when the latter tried to attack him using a machete. The shot was fired by SHO Thanzeem Abdul Samad after Kiran, who was included in the Kerala Anti Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA) list and banished from the district, attempted to assault him. As per law, Kiran has been barred from entering the district. Despite this, he returned to his house within the Aryancode police station limits on Wednesday night. When the police found out about this, they went to his residence to detain him on Thursday morning. The plan was to take him into custody and then move him to preventive detention for violating KAAPA rules. When the police demanded Kiran to turn himself in, he refused to comply. Instead, he reportedly drew a machete and charged at the SHO. The police alleged that he swung the weapon at the SHO twice. Despite warning, Kiran charged at the officer again, following which Samad fired at him. The bullet, however, did not hit Kiran and he was unhurt. Though he managed to get away initially, the cops eventually nabbed him and took him into custody.
Indywoods Being wins award at IFFI hackathon
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indywoods AI-generated film Being has won the prestigious Best AI Visualised Film Award at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) - CinemaAI Hackathon 2025. It was selected from over 500 entries received globally. The hackathon featured a 48-hour competition where the top 10 teams created a 2-minute film on a mystery theme revealed at the event. Set in the mist-laden groves of North Kerala, Being traces the echo of a childhood moment that forever reshaped a life. Being was screened on 25th November at Waves Film Bazaar, where it received appreciation for its unique visual expression and creative interpretation of memory. Winning this award is an important milestone for Indywood. Being shows how technology and emotion can coexist beautifully, and this recognition strengthens our resolve to explore the future of storytelling through AI-driven creativity, said Sohan Roy, producer and founder director of Indywood. The film was conceptualised by storyteller Sumeshlal and visually crafted by Alby Nataraj. Indywood is involved in a wide range of creative, including large-scale film productions, international co-production opportunities, film industry expos, talent development programmes, and technology-driven cinema solutions.
MVD to cancel licence of motorists who endanger safety of pedestrians
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major crackdown on traffic violations, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has announced that driving licences of motorists who endanger pedestrian safety at zebra crossings will be cancelled. Transport Commissioner C Nagaraju said the department has observed widespread disregard for pedestrian rights. Many two-wheeler and four-wheeler drivers fail to show courtesy to pedestrians, especially at zebra crossings. Several motorists even stop or park their vehicles directly on zebra crossings, defeating their very purpose, he noted. The commissioner added that in some areas, footpaths are being misused as parking spaces, reflecting a dangerous driving culture that has contributed to thousands of pedestrian deaths. According to official data, 800 pedestrians have died in road accidents this year, with senior citizens accounting for nearly 50% of the fatalities. The primary cause, officials said, is motorists failing to slow down at zebra crossings, often forcing pedestrians to run across or hesitate in confusion. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, Section 184, violators will face legal action, including a fine of Rs 2,000. Repeated violations will lead to cancellation of driving licences. As per traffic rules, drivers are required to slow down gradually and stop at least three metres before a zebra crossing whenever a pedestrian is seen waiting to cross the road. Courtesy and anticipation of pedestrian movement are now being emphasised as key criteria for retaining a driving license. The Kerala High Court has also directed stringent enforcement of laws against errant drivers. Police and MVD officials will penalise those who stop or park vehicles on zebra crossings, with cancellation of licences forming part of the enforcement drive.
Vets, vax & woofs: Kochi's stray dogs get anti-rabies shots
Over the past few days, young men and women sporting bright yellow T-shirts have been spotted running with pole-nets behind stray dogs across the city. Many have been wondering what they were up to, considering the national attention strays have drawn in recent times. Well, these youths are members of several NGOs that have joined forces for a vaccination campaign. The Worldwide Veterinary Services Mission Rabies, in partnership with the Animal Rescue Kochi collective, has deployed about 200 volunteers across wards under the city corporation, and the Chellanam and Kumbalangi panchayats. Their target: to vaccinate 10,000 stray dogs. Notably, as per the corporations estimates, there are as many strays within the city limits alone. The five-day vaccination drive, which started on November 24, is being carried out by NGO volunteers from across the country especially Goa, the base of Mission Rabies India and from several other nations. Notably, the campaign comes amid rising judicial and public pressure. Kerala recorded 3.63 lakh dog-bite cases in the past year, a third linked to strays. In July, the High Court slammed civic bodies for inaction, noting over 1 lakh bites and 16 deaths in just six months this year. The court rejected culling and directed a humane, structured approach centred on sterilisation, vaccination, and monitoring. Among the chief coordinators of the ongoing vaccination drive is Sajith Sajan, a veterinary nurse and founder of Animal Rescue Kochi. known for his efforts in organising fundraisers, adoption drives, and community outreach. Animal Rescue Kochi acts as a base for the campaign. We collaborate and coordinate drives with other organisations, Sajith says. Working alongside him is British veterinary nurse Julie Corfmat, the Kerala head of Mission Rabies, who has spent nearly two decades working with street dogs across India. Last year, Mission Rabies collaborated with Animal Rescue Kochi and ran a 14-day anti-rabies vaccination campaign across Chellanam, Kumbalangi, and 30 wards under the Kochi corporation. The team vaccinated about 3,000 dogs through field mapping, door-to-door searches, and mobile vaccination units, shares Julie. The success of that drive led to the current campaign, for which they met with the authorities to develop a strategy. So far, we have come across two cases of rabies-infected dogs during this particular drive. The total has now reached 25 since July in Kochi, Sajith says, underscoring the urgency of the mission. When a dog suspected of being infected is identified, it is taken away for isolation, observation and, if needed, euthanasia in an ambulance that remains on standby. Other dogs in the area are given supplementary vaccine shots. Two types of teams hand-catching and net-catching are deployed. Each has three to four volunteers armed with nets, vaccine shots, and paint markers. All the friendly dogs, the ones that we can handle, are vaccinated by hand. The aggressive ones are caught in a net, says Julie. We vaccinate, mark, and also conduct a post-vaccination survey to assess the coverage. Right now, we have 36 teams in action. Volunteers during a net catching drive TNIE joins a hand-catching team, led by 26-year-old Lokesh Yukiy from Goa, who has been with Mission Rabies for six years. The team also includes Sakshi, 18, from Shimla, and Dr Vishnu, a veterinarian from Kollam. On their second drive of the day, they head towards Nambiapuram in Palluruthy. For the next three hours, we trace a loop: Hospital Road, MLA Road, Nera Lane, Nambiapuram Road, AroorThoppumpady Road, and back to the Corporation Ground. The first dog approached the volunteers with curiosity, tail wagging. A quick jab, a green paint mark on the head, and hes off. Shy, older dogs retreat on seeing the team, while some puppies tag along like supervisors. On Hospital Road near Palluruthy, Sakshi emerges from a dark corner of a building with three pups. They are vaccinated gently, set free. A little later, Sakshi slips under an old pushcart to coax out another nervous dog. The mutt, however, manages to scoot. Such moments have become routine for us, she smiles. On MLA Road, the lanes narrow, and clusters of community dogs appear some playful, some cautious. One family brings out their pet indie dog. Dr Vishnu gives the little one a shot and hands a small card with the vaccination details to the family. Why do you paint the head? Will you take the marked dogs away? ask some curious children trailing the team. Volunteers explain the drive and importance of anti-rabies vaccination. Some older residents of the area demand that the strays be relocated, opening up conversations about coexistence and community responsibility. As we return to Corporation Ground, the teams tally for the day stands at 10 dogs. Those left would be covered by the net team the next day. On average, these teams together cover 250 to 300 dogs a day. Volunteers during the vaccination drive The modus operandi closely mirrors Goas rabies-elimination programme, which is said to be a success model. When Mission Rabies launched a pilot in Goa in 2014, the findings were alarming: among 45 suspected animal cases, 39 tested positive. What followed was public-health collaborations. Mission Rabies, the state government, and hundreds of trained volunteers created a model based on mass vaccination, surveillance, and rapid response, Sajith explains. In 2015, an MoU formalised the partnership. In a month-long campaign, over 63,000 dogs were vaccinated with the support of 500 veterinary professionals from 16 countries. A rabies hotline was introduced for immediate reporting, and door-to-door coverage ensured no pockets of the state were missed. By 2021, he adds, Goa was officially declared a rabies-controlled area after three consecutive years without a single human rabies death. Monitoring, surveillance, and annual vaccination cycles continue even today. Similar to Goas rapid-response system, a dedicated rabies hotline for Kochi is set to be launched soon. Sajith adds that vaccination is vital as animal birth control measures may not always be feasible due to manpower and logistical constraints. Corporation veterinary surgeon Dr Ambili T R echoes the view. The drive being conducted by Mission Rabies supplements ongoing efforts to curb issues related to stray dogs, including the animal birth control (ABC) and public awareness campaigns, she says. The ABC centre in Brahmapuram is already functioning, and we are looking to expand it further. The centre also has up to 27 kennels and space for dogs to play and rest. There are also four large caged enclosures. We also opened one centre in Tripunithura this year. There is a limit to how much a local civic body can do, so such collaborations are critical.
On Mars, A Touch Of Kerala: Periyar, Varkala And ISROs Cradle Mark Their Presence
These names are not meant to commemorate the towns themselves but to draw from a wide pool of options for planetary nomenclature.
In vote-bank theatre, Ezhavas still in search of key role
KOCHI: Taking up 24% of the states population, the Ezhavas constitute the most significant demographic. But as better-organised groups haggle their way to political gains, the states biggest community has remained a mute spectator. Once treated as untouchables, Ezhavas have transformed into a progressive, well-educated community, making significant contributions to Keralas social and economic development. But in politics, they have failed to secure their due share. With 27 MLAs from LDF, the community, for the first time, received representation in proportion to its population in the 15th assembly in 2021. However, just five ministers from the community were named. The Nairs, who constitute just 12% of the population, got seven, further souring sentiments. The Ezhavas have been traditionally associated with left parties. The role of Communists in organising the Punnapra-Vayalar agitation for protection of the rights of the underprivileged, and the struggles to remove inequality and untouchability greatly influenced the community. However, recent shifts in the communitys political affiliation has shocked the ruling CPM. In the 2024 Lok Sabha (LS) election, the BJP led the way in 11 assembly divisions, while coming second in eight. In many of these segments, including Attingal, Kattakkada, Kazhakkoottam, Irinjalakuda, Haripad, Kayamkulam and Palakkad, Ezhavas hold sway. The 2019 LS poll and 2021 assembly election saw the BJP widen its support base in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Kollam on the back of public sentiment over the Sabarimala stir. This coincided with a shift in Ezhava voting patterns in the three districts. While Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of SNDP Yogam, has been a staunch supporter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, BJP has made inroads into the community. The Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), formed in 2014, gave it a platform to further push the agenda. With Vellappallys son Thushar at the helm of BDJS, a key NDA ally, connecting with the community has been easy sailing for BJP. From the 65% backing in the 2011 assembly election, LDF saw its Ezhava vote share decline. According to BJP, around 35-40% of the community has shifted loyalty in its favour. An increasing number of Ezhava youth are getting lured by the saffron front. It is true the influence of BJP is increasing in the community. The appeasement politics of the ruling party and opposition, reluctance to appoint Ezhavas in key posts and bias in allocation of funds have alienated the community from both the fronts, said a senior SNDP Yogam leader. However, the BDJS is not feeling secure in the NDA. Ezhava leaders in BDJS and BJP say there is lack of trust at lower levels. There is perfect coordination between BJP and BDJS at the state level, but when it comes to the rank and file, there is lack of trust. Most BJP leaders at district and mandalam levels belong to the Nair community and do not accept Ezhava leaders. If this is resolved, the BJP-BDJS combine will emerge as a strong third force, said a state-level BDJS leader. Nair-Ezhava tensions, BJPs reluctance to deliver posts once promised to BDJS, lack of mutual trust and poaching of BDJS leaders are factors hampering NDAs growth in Kerala. I feel it was LDF that respected the community. BJP treats us as second-class citizens. But there is a strong sentiment within the community against Muslim appeasement and this may work in the partys favour this time, he said. But why have the Ezhavas failed to claim their rights? The Ezhavas have been politically sensitive and ideologically committed, due to their long association with the Communists in the struggle for rights. They could have united on the caste basis and bargained with political parties, but they preferred to stick to their ideology. When K R Gouri Amma was denied chief ministership and V S Achuthanandan was sidelined, they were disheartened and started drifting away from CPM. Now there is a growing affection towards the BJP, said political observer P Sujathan.
Kerala will urge Centre to revoke labour code: Minister V Sivankutty
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday announced that the state will urge the Union government to withdraw the newly implemented Labour Code. Addressing the press here after an online meeting with trade union leaders, the minister said that the states stand on the unilaterally passed labour code will be conveyed to the Union Minister of Labour and Employment. He said that the state will soon send an e-mail regarding this to the Centre, following which the disagreement will be directly communicated to the Union Ministry after the labour conclave on December 19. Mentioning that the state will seek legal advice, Sivankutty said that the labour conclave will address key areas, including how the code will affect employees, possibilities of how Kerala can draft a separate rule, and to what extent a state can interfere in this. The meeting, which passed a resolution against the code, came to this decision unanimously, Sivankutty added. Upon being asked about the opinion of the Sangh Parivar organisation Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Sivankutty said that the representative remained silent regarding the decision to send the letter.
Action against bus after drunken crew incident
KOZHIKODE: The fitness certificate of a private bus operating on the Kozhikode-Bengaluru route has been cancelled following the circulation of a viral video of drunk bus crew on duty. The bus, belonging to private bus operating firm Bharathi Travels, was brought to the Chevayur test ground on Thursday, after the video sparked widespread protest. The video showed both the driver and cleaner of the bus in a drunken state while on duty, raising concerns about passenger safety on long-route private buses. According to the passengers of the bus, timely intervention of a few alert fellow travellers prevented what could have been a major tragedy. The bus was made to undergo a detailed mechanical and safety check, after which the authorities decided to cancel the fitness certificate since safety precautions were not followed. Officials stated that strict action will be taken against the crew and those responsible for compromising the safety of the passengers.
Remarried Muslim woman cannot be denied right to maintenance: Kerala HC
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday held that a Muslim woman cannot be deprived of benefits under right to maintenance in the name of remarriage. Dismissing a revision petition filed by the former husband of the petitioner, Justice Kauser Edappagath ordered payment of maintenance and fair provision to the divorced woman and her minor daughter, though she has remarried. The petitioner had divorced the woman by pronouncing talaq in 2011 and she remarried in 2014. After the divorce, the woman filed a petition under Muslim Women Protection Act claiming maintenance and return of gold ornaments before the family court. The family court disposed of the petition granting monthly maintenance till the date of remarriage. The Court observed that a Muslim husband is legally bound to provide reasonable and fair provision for future maintenance to the divorced wife under the Muslim Personal Law. A Muslim husbands obligation to provide maintenance to his divorced wife arises immediately after pronouncement of talaq and not at the time of adjudication.
Rahul Mamkootathil Case: Kerala Congress MLA Charged For Rape, Coercion To Terminate Pregnancy
Suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil is facing a police case after a woman lodged a sexual exploitation complaint. The probe has been transferred from Valiyamala to Nemom.
Wildlife Bill: Kerala CM seeks MPs help to get Presidents nod
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to facilitate effective Centre-state interactions, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the MPs from the state to intervene to get Presidents nod for the Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill. The permission is crucial as the bill passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly simplifies major obstructions in the 11th section of the Wildlife Protection Law 1972. In an online meeting convened on Thursday, the CM asked MPs to raise the demand for the disbursal of central share to be provided to the victims of the human-animal conflict. The meeting was attended by state ministers and other officers concerned. Seeking the MPs intervention to reinstate two tranches of Rs 6,757 crore and Rs 3,323 crore, which were cut from the states borrowing limits in the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26, respectively, Pinarayi reiterated the stand to increase the states borrowing limit to 3.5%. Pointing out that the centre only provided Rs 260.56 crore for the Meppadi-Chooralmala rehabilitation against the states demand of Rs 2,221.03 crore, Pinarayi asked MPs to help the state avail of its deserving share. Urging that the central government should increase its share in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) 2.0, the CM asked the MPs to intervene to avoid the display of PMAY boards during its implementation. Making an attempt to reduce the duration of the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragode rail journey, the CM urged MPs to raise the demand for conducting surveys for the third and fourth line on the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru section, along with the deployment of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail here. Other key projects, including AIIMS, Attappady Irrigation Project, and the rail projects on the Angamaly-Sabari, Thalassery-Mysore, and Nilambur-Nanjangud routes, should also be highlighted before the Union government, the CM stressed.
Party rules out further action despite formal complaint against the MLA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In spite of a formal sexual harassment complaint filed against him by the victim, the Congress leadership has ruled out any further disciplinary action against Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA. KPCC president Sunny Joseph told TNIE that the party has already taken all necessary steps and would continue the status quo. There is no situation that requires further action. We have already suspended Rahul from the primary membership, removed him from the Congress parliamentary party, allotted a separate seat for him in the assembly and excluded him from all official programmes. What he is doing in Palakkad is in his capacity as an MLA, he said. Asked about the possible arrest by the investigating agency, Sunny said that there was no precedent in Kerala politics requiring an MLA to resign or to be expelled solely because of an arrest. There is a sexual harassment case against CPM MLA M Mukesh, who has even been chargesheeted. Yet the CPM did not seek his resignation, he noted. Congress sources said Rahul is likely to file an anticipatory bail application. The party and UDF were expecting complications after a new screenshot of alleged chat and an audio clip surfaced. While opinion remains divided within the Congress on how far action should go, the leaderships argument for maintaining the status quo has been bolstered by unexpected support from the IUML. The IUML is of the view that Congress should not shift its stance according to the ball. In Kerala, CPM has set the precedent in similar cases, said IUML state general secretary PMA Salam. Did they remove M Mukesh MLA or expel A Padmakumar after the latters arrest. If Rahul has committed an offence, he should be punished. But due process must be followed, he said. A section of Congress leaders pointed to earlier cases involving MLAs M Vincent and Eldhose Kunnapally, who were arrested in similar circumstances, but they were not expelled or asked to resign. KPCC president Sunny Joseph, working presidents A P Anil Kumar, P C Vishnunath, and Shafi Parambil, and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash and a majority of leaders believe that any impulsive action would harm the party and give an advantage to political opponents. The CPM has no moral authority to criticise Congress. Their own track record is far worse, said a leader. However, a section led by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and K Muralidharan are of the view that Rahuls involvement in the Palakkad local body campaign could damage UDFs prospects. Some UDF allies have also warned of a possible political blowback. The Congress leaders in Palakkad said that Rahul had a major say in selecting candidates. DCC president A Thankappan and V K Sreekandan, MP, were of the opinion that since the candidates insisted on Rahuls presence, the party has nothing to do. For Rahul also this is a time to express gratitude to the local leaders who had worked for him in the by-election. How could he stay away when these ordinary workers expected a major role from him? sources close to Rahul asked.
Rahul stays away from campaign; leaders keep mum
PALAKKAD: As in the past one week, on Thursday evening, Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was all set to hit his unofficial election campaign trail once again this time for his party candidates contesting in Kannadi grama panchayat. His loyal entourage had prepared the route, UDF local leaders and supporters had gathered, and the door-to-door march was minutes away from starting. But at 4.30pm, everything collapsed in an instant. News broke that a woman had directly submitted a sexual harassment and misconduct complaint against Mamkootathil to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Secretariat. The announcement spread like wildfire in Palakkad and the MLAs entire plan for the evening crashed on the spot. He cancelled the campaign without a word, went completely incommunicado, and within minutes his MLA office was shut tight, signalling a full-blown political crisis. His MLA office was immediately shut, phones went unanswered, and the once-all-visible legislator suddenly became unreachable. A close aide offered just a one-liner: The MLA is in Palakkad. No decisions yet. Moments later, Mamkootathil attempted damage control through a Facebook post, insisting he had done no wrong and vowing to prove innocence before the court of law and the court of the people. No more escape routes The political fireworks intensified as BJP leaders moved rapidly to corner the Congress. Prasanth Sivan, BJP Palakkad district president (east), who has led persistent protests against Mamkootathil, declared that the last remaining excuse used to shield the MLA had collapsed beyond repair. For months, the ruling and opposition fronts hid behind one scripted dialogue - no complaint, so no action. Today that shield is gone, he wrote, accusing the Left and the Congress of jointly denying justice to the survivor. Sivan added that only the BJP had consistently challenged the silence and stood against the injustice everyone else tried to bury. Leadership in disarray The Congress local leadership already rattled by AICC general secretary K C Venugopals recent firm reminder that Mamkootathil remains suspended, and that the questions about the Congress MLAs campaign activities for the UDF should be directed to local leaders in Palakkad was thrown into further disarray. While Mamkootathil had been freely campaigning despite his suspension, district leaders now rushed into full defensive mode, refusing to answer questions and insisting the state leadership will respond. With the local body poll campaign set to reach its peak next week and the UDF desperately trying to wrest control of the Palakkad municipality from the BJP the latest controversy surrounding the Palakkad MLA has plunged the front into a full-blown crisis.
Play dropped from Kerala youth fest after protests from Hindu groups
MALAPPURAM: Veeranatyam, the play that had drawn strong protests from Hindu organisations for insulting Hindu mythology during the Malappuram Revenue District School Youth Festival, will not be staged at the state school youth festival. According to the Hindu Aikya Vedi, the management of Kottoor AKM HSS has assured that disciplinary action will be taken against Shaukat, the teacher who directed the play. The organisation also claimed that the school has agreed to issue a public apology to the Hindu community through a press release. The decision followed a discussion held on Wednesday between the Hindu Aikya Vedi leadership and the school authorities. Meanwhile, the school confirmed that the participating students will present a different play at the state festival. The Hindu Aikya Vedi representatives approached us with concerns about the content. We expressed regret if the performance hurt religious sentiments. We have sought an explanation from the teacher who directed it. In order to ensure that our students do not lose their opportunity, we have decided to assign another teacher to direct a new play, said Kottoor AKM HSS headmistress Saibunissa. Veeranatyam, which interpreted narratives involving the subjugation of women as presented in parts of epics such as Ramayana and the Mahabharata, won first place at the district festival. However, right-wing groups pointed out that the play included vulgar dialogues and mocked Hindu beliefs and cultural traditions.
