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Examine if hydropower generation can be shifted to night, Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission tells Kerala State Electricity Board

Commission has made the suggestion on the assumption that shifting production to night will help address the after-6 p.m. electricity shortages, thereby avoiding expensive power procurement from outside the State. Commissions rationale is that Keralam has surplus power during the daytime on account of the sharp rise in solar power capability in recent years

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 4:44 pm

Keralam dairy farming: Malabar Milma sanctions 1.72 crore as cattle feed subsidy

Cattle feed will be available at reduced rates throughout September 2026 across all primary dairy cooperative societies in the Malabar region

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 4:17 pm

Kerala NEET MBBS/ BDS NRI Final Category List 2026 Out - Direct Link to check Online @ cee.kerala.gov.in

CEE Kerala has released the NRI Final Category List 2026 for MBBS/ BDS admission on 4th September 2026. Check your category status, required documents, and how to download the confirmation letter at cee.kerala.gov.in.

FreeJobAlert 4 Sep 2026 4:00 pm

Udit Raj Discusses Key Issues Including Mandatory HIV Testing and Womens Participation in Politics

New Delhi, September 4: Congress spokesperson Udit Raj addressed several pressing issues, including the demand for mandatory HIV testing before marriage in Kerala, ISROs achievements, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankars visit to Ukraine, statements from AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, the FCRA amendment bill, and the participation of women in politics. He raised questions regarding the ... Read more Udit Raj Discusses Key Issues Including Mandatory HIV Testing and Womens Participation in Politics

Udaipur Kiran 4 Sep 2026 3:59 pm

Kerala Government Charts Future Course at Strategic Leadership Workshop

Keralas Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan leads a workshop to redefine the states long-term development strategies. Kerala Government Charts Future Course at Strategic Leadership Workshop

Morningstar 4 Sep 2026 3:43 pm

Internet leaves citizens vulnerable to profiling and surveillance, says former Orissa HC Chief Justice S. Muralidhar

Calls for intervention by human rights institutions to address risks posed by internet and AI

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 3:38 pm

CPI(M) defeat in Keralam Assembly polls not due to single factor, says A. Vijayaraghavan

CPI(M) leader says the party had conducted a comprehensive assessment of the election results, beginning at the grassroots level, following which the State Committee and Central Committee reviewed the findings

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 3:21 pm

One Last Kiss: Retiring Kerala Driver's Unique Farewell To Bus Goes Viral

The touching moment resonated with social media users, many of whom praised his deep bond with the vehicle that had been a constant companion throughout his career.

NDTV 4 Sep 2026 3:05 pm

Amid row over remarks on women, Kanthapuram urges followers not to be provoked' into controversies

In a Facebook post, veteran Sunni scholar says discussions should provide healthy platforms to objectively assess ideas and learn new things

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 2:47 pm

Indian researchers map colonial spiders venom gland, uncover molecules with potential for future cancer and antimicrobial drug research

The researchers cautioned that the findings represent an early stage of biomedical research and require extensive validation before any clinical application becomes possible

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 2:34 pm

Kochis Sarita theatre reopens after renovation, blending nostalgia with a modern makeover

One among the oldest theatres in Kochi, Sarita reopens with a bigger screen, better sound and upgraded seats

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 2:28 pm

Gita Gopinath warns AI could make India

GITA GOPINATH, one of the most influential economists in the world, has spoken of the challenges that India faces because of the advent of AI. Gopinath, who held the number two position at the International Monetary Fund, but returned to academia last year, also expressed deep concern about how the trade wars unleashed by US president Donald Trump are damaging the world economy. Gopinath was born in India and now lives in America as a US citizen; she was picked out by the Financial Times in 2021 as one of the 25 most influential women of the year. She is currently the Gregory and Ania Coffey professor of economics at Harvard University, where her neighbour is the Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen. She previously served as the first deputy managing director of the IMF from January 2022 to August 2025. This was the number two position in the organisation. Before that, she also served as chief economist of the IMF between 2019 and 2022. Her job, then as now, is to try and bring stability to the global economy. Last week she occupied the Lunch with the FT slot in an interview with the papers US economics editor, Claire Jones. Now that she is no longer constrained by her position at the IMF, Gopinath feels free to attack Trumps tariff wars. Kenneth Rogoff Alex Wong/Getty Images I joke to my former colleagues that I can now use my whole vocabulary, she said. I can actually say trade wars instead of trade tensions. Theres always a sense that you dont want to trigger a crisis in a country, for sure, she says though she adds that she was probably way more guarded than she needed to be, according to the FT. Now back in academia, it is clear Gopinath intends to use her newfound freedom to speak out in defence of the postwar economic order of free trade and financial integration coming under unprecedented attack from the Trump administration, added the FT. It said: She is less sympathetic when it comes to President Donald Trumps attempts to upend the economic order that she has devoted her lifes work to. But the high tariffs that have dominated Trumps economic agenda in his second term constitute straight-out protectionism in an extreme form and its not just about countries you think you have some rivalry with, but towards your allies. I dont know any economist whod say this is a good set of policies. Gopinaths background is that she was born on December 8, 1971, in Kolkata into a Malayali family from Kannur, Kerala, and studied at Nirmala Convent School in Mysore. She received a BA from Lady Shri Ram College for Women of the University of Delhi in 1992 and an MA in economics from Delhi School of Economics in 1994. She further completed an MA at the University of Washington in 1996. She earned her PhD in economics from Princeton University in 2001 after completing a doctoral dissertation titled Three essays on international capital flows: a search theoretic approach, under the supervision of Ben Bernanke, Kenneth Rogoff and Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas. She was awarded Princetons Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Research Award while doing her doctoral research. The FT said: At school in Mysore, in the south-western state of Karnataka, Gopinath was obsessed with science. But her father and some cousins convinced her to try for the Indian Administrative Service an elite government service and thought studying economics in Delhi would help. By the time Gopinath arrived in 1989 at the highly competitive Lady Shri Ram College, however, she had decided to apply for political science as a backup. When she said she would like to try out for economics too, the principal a political scientist became annoyed. I got super nervous and said sure, sure, put me down for political science. A senior student responsible for registering people for the course intervened. If it was not for her, I would have done political science. It was completely random, she says. The FT pointed out: Indias balance of payments crisis in the early 1990s brought the IMF to the country and, for Gopinath, the dismal science to life. After a masters at the Delhi School of Economics, she headed to the University of Washington and then to Princeton, where her doctoral advisers were Gourinchas, future Fed chair Ben Bernanke and Kenneth Rogoff. She credits Rogoff as her biggest professional mentor, saying that he was ahead of his time in doing all he could to encourage his female students. The fact that there are quite a few women in international finance [shows] Ken has [had] an important role to play, she says. Gopinath retains her close India links: While her schedule at Harvard is nowhere near as hectic as it was during her time at the IMF, Gopinath continues to travel the world including back to India. She expects to make four trips this year to see her parents, elder sister and other family members. Gopinath is a US national and an overseas citizen of India. I ask her if America still feels like home. Very much so, she says. Its a great country, no doubt about that...it frees you up from a whole lot of daily worries that people have in many countries including India. Sometimes at 2am, Im filling gas at a gas station and Im not worried. And that is so liberating because it frees you up to do much more exciting work. I definitely feel much safer here than, for example, if I were in Delhi, [where] Id be careful about where I was going. Gopinath warns technological change could pose challenges for Indias software services sector Indraneel Mukherjee/AFP via Getty Images She outlined the harm that Trump had done to US academia: Gopinath still believes US universities are the best places to pursue a doctorate in economics even though there are many more private-sector opportunities in India now than when she left in 1994. However, Trumps immigration clampdown would, she says, have made her think twice about coming here now. It would [have felt] too risky, too uncertain, too unpredictable. She adds: Thats a big mistake what the US has been fantastic at is drawing talent from around the world. That used to be valued and praised and recognised, and now, unfortunately, were going in the other direction. Gopinath was asked if there are parallels between Trumps and Indian premier Narendra Modis disdain for mainstream economic thought and the institutions, such as the IMF and Harvard, that practise it. Many economists, including Gopinaths office neighbour Amartya Sen, criticised the Indian governments shock decision in November 2016 to ban 86 per cent of cash overnight, with no warning, as part of a crackdown on the shadow economy. Modi responded to Sen by declaring that hard work was more powerful than Harvard. Gopinath replies swiftly: I never thought Id say this, but I think the economic policies in the US are more heterodox compared to the policies in India. Quite obviously so. Gopinaths comments on India are measured: While Gopinath lauds India for the huge economic reforms the country has made since she left, there remains a lack of jobs for young people. Many like she once did continue to pursue public-sector roles, spending their twenties preparing to sit exams amid a paucity of secure private-sector jobs that offer healthcare. She worries that the advent of AI will exacerbate the problems associated with Indias complex bureaucracy especially in an economy that has relied heavily on software services for good jobs. If youre in a country where its hard to start a business, its going to bite a lot, she says. The US is super easy In India its still complicated If they dont fix that ease of doing business, its even more consequential now than it was before AI.

easterneye 4 Sep 2026 2:13 pm

Kerala student held for morphing photos into obscene content

Kochi: Police on Friday formally recorded the arrest of a college student for allegedly morphing photographs and videos of teachers and female students into obscene content and circulating them on social media, officials said. The arrested student was identified as Sreehari S, a second-year BBA Logistics student of Bharata Mata College, Thrikkakara. Sreehari was taken 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 .

The Siasat Daily 4 Sep 2026 2:07 pm

Keralam govt raises expenditure ceiling for IT hardware for Ministers, private secretaries, dept heads

Expenditure ceiling on IT hardware increased from 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh. The order by Electronics and IT department Special Secretary says hike was necessitated by the considerable increase in the market rates of common IT hardware

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 1:05 pm

Kerala: Satheesan govt expands investigations, puts Vijayan era under scrutiny

Kerala: Satheesan govt expands investigations, puts Vijayan era under scrutiny Thiruvananthapuram: The V.D. Satheesan government appears to be borrowing a page from the playbook of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, steadily expanding investigations into decisions and actions of the previous administration through a series of probes. What began with high-profile investigations into the alleged Messi [] The post Kerala: Satheesan govt expands investigations, puts Vijayan era under scrutiny appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Mangalorean 4 Sep 2026 12:35 pm

Kerala: Mar Thoma Priest Calls For HIV Tests Before Church Marriages, Says Brides Must Be Checked For

A remark by a priest and trustee of the Mar Thoma Church calling for HIV tests before marriages within the Church has triggered controversy in Kerala, as reported in Kerala Kaumudi. Dr K Thomas made the remarks at a Mar Thoma Church family gathering in Thiruvananthapuram on 30 August 2026. He also said that the [] The post Kerala: Mar Thoma Priest Calls For HIV Tests Before Church Marriages, Says Brides Must Be Checked For Abuse appeared first on The Commune .

The Commune Mag 4 Sep 2026 12:11 pm

CEE Released LLB3

CEE Kerala has released the KLEE 2026 second phase provisional allotment list for 3-year and 5-year LLB courses on September 2, 2026. Check how to download your allotment letter from cee.kerala.gov.in.

FreeJobAlert 4 Sep 2026 11:33 am

Kerala bus driver kisses vehicle goodbye after driving it for 8 years. CM reacts

Kerala bus driver kisses vehicle goodbye after driving it for years CM reacts

India Today 4 Sep 2026 11:31 am

Keralam CM hails KSRTC drivers dedication after emotional farewell, vows to enhance stature of public transport

Sharing a video posted by The Hindu on X, Chief Minister highlights driver Paul Kurians devotion to duty

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 11:31 am

Ministers Begin 2-Day Strategic Leadership Retreat at IIM Kozhikode

The programme, titled 'Reimagining Keralam', brings together the state's political leadership, IIM Kozhikode faculty and international experts to discuss issues that will shape the state's future

Deccan Chronicle 4 Sep 2026 11:00 am

Reimagining Keralam: Council of Ministers attend two-day strategic leadership retreat at IIM-K

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan light the traditional lamp marking the beginning of two-day workshop led by IIM-K faculty members and experts from international institutions for discussions on issues ranging from AI and climate resilience to public health, ageing, employment, higher education and fiscal sustainability

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 10:45 am

Messi visit row: Keralams UDF govt finalises terms of reference for SIT probe into LDFs botched move

Home Department on Thursday constituted an SIT, headed by ADGP, Law and Order, P. Vijayan, to conduct a comprehensive probe into previous governments alleged collaboration with a private sponsor

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 10:20 am

Fading fear of HIV puts focus on rising STI risks among youth in Keralam

The virus no longer carries the deterrent power it once did and changing sexual behaviour is putting young people at risk of sexually transmitted infections. The numbers seeking care at the 23 District STI/RTICentres under the Kerala State AIDS Control Society have been rising steadily. September 4 is World Sexual Health Day

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 8:34 am

Arts of combat: Keralites try their hand at new martial arts

Martial arts other than Kalaripayattu, Karate and Kung Fu are gaining acceptance in Keralam. Tiki Rajwi meets some of the trainers and practitioners of combat sports to understand the changing trends

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 8:16 am

From Franco battle to 'Stand By Me': 3 nuns stitch new future

Three nuns in Kerala, who supported a nun accusing a Catholic bishop of rape, have launched a clothing venture called 'Stand By Me'. Facing financial hardship after their assistance was stopped, they revived tailoring skills to earn a livelihood. This initiative provides them with independence and a new purpose, expanding from local orders to online sales and employing workers.

Rediff 4 Sep 2026 1:27 am

Kanthapuram clarifies remarks on women amid criticism

He says we are not the ones who advocate that women be buried or confined

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 12:31 am

Im Game movie review: Dulquer Salmaan-starrer squanders a winning idea

In Im Game, starring Dulquer Salmaan, filmmaker Nahas Hidhayath manages to keep the hold on the audience only for a while, before indulging in familiar narrative patterns

The Hindu 4 Sep 2026 12:07 am

KGPA seeks comprehensive review of Western Ghats ESA proposal

Kerala Grama Panchayat Association calls for field-level verification of the proposed boundaries in Kozhikode district. It urges the government to address local concerns before finalising the notification.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 11:24 pm

Kerala Cabinet Heads to IIM-K for Governance Crash Course

The Kerala Cabinet will attend a two-day governance workshop at IIM-K, focusing on modern challenges and interactive learning. Kerala Cabinet Heads to IIM-K for Governance Crash Course

Morningstar 3 Sep 2026 11:18 pm

Kerala High Court welcomes renaming of mental health centres as happiness and wellness centres

We are sure that the change of name will catalyse the change that we want to see, says a Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 10:55 pm

Muttil tree-felling case: Kerala High Court refuses to stay trial court proceedings against accused

In their discharge petition, the accused argued that no permit was required for transporting the timber sold and that the charges were unsustainable

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 10:45 pm

ED conducts searches across T.N., Keralam, Karnataka, Telangana in eight cases linked to drug trafficking

The operation links to the national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan initiative for a drug-free India

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:54 pm

Periyar pollution: PCB serves closure notice on chicken rendering unit in Edayar

The action was taken after inspections by officials of the Environment Surveillance Centre of the Board in Eloor found unauthorised effluent discharge through the stormwater outlet pipe into the river

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:36 pm

Student taken into custody on charges of circulating morphed images of fellow students and teachers

The incident had created an uproar among the students of the college, who staged a protest on the campus demanding stringent action against him

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:32 pm

Political Affairs Committee members resent delay in revamping Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee

Concerns were raised about the diminishing connection between the party and the public as the government progresses on welfare initiatives, underscoring the need for effective communication of its achievements.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:28 pm

Ambulance Abandoned, Kerala Villagers Carry Patients Through Forests

Locals emphasise that if the authorities immediately intervene to resolve the administrative stalemate and make the ambulance roadworthy, it will significantly alleviate the severe medical transport hardships.

NDTV 3 Sep 2026 9:21 pm

Keralam to expand higher education facilities, programmes: Minister

Speaking at the first convocation of Amal College of Advanced Studies (Autonomous) at Nilambur, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John says the government will create a supportive environment for educational institutions, including self-financing colleges, to introduce new courses and programmes based on changing needs.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:15 pm

Keralam to expand higher education facilities, programmes: Minister

Speaking at the first convocation of Amal College of Advanced Studies (Autonomous) at Nilambur, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John says the government will create a supportive environment for educational institutions, including self-financing colleges, to introduce new courses and programmes based on changing needs.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:15 pm

Kerala State Electricity Board spends 1,190 crore on power purchases during April-August 2026

Power procurement made under short-term contracts and via power exchange. Panel criticises KSEB for delay in commissioning battery energy storage system projects and failing to make use of the low-cost power available through the Solar Energy Corporation of India

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:02 pm

SHRC recommends appointment of S. S. Lal as Special Rapporteur to study problems in health sector

Dr. Lal should hold discussions with various State-level agencies and officials, study the health sector issues in depth, and submit an interim report with his observations and recommendations to the commission within a maximum of two months, says the panel

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:55 pm

Nepal floods: six with roots in Keralam still remain missing

According to NoRKA Roots,52 peoplehadregistered for help with its help desk in thewake of thedisaster. Of them 46 have been accounted for

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:40 pm

12 respite care centres proposed under Anbu Veedu project in Kozhikode

The project under the Social Justice department offers temporary accommodation for those who suffer from autism, intellectual disabilities, neuro-development disorders, and bedridden patients when their caregivers need a break from their duties

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:34 pm

CPI(M) denies reports that party leadership differs over reasons for Assembly poll debacle in Keralam

M.V. Govindan says right-wing media has cherry-picked Pinarayi Vijayans speech and distorted his statement to portray that the party leadership is at odds with itself regarding the reasons for the LDFs defeat

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:32 pm

Sabarimala gold theft case: Kerala HC directs SIT to submit final report by Sept. 25

Having perused the detailed report placed before us and the steps taken by the investigating agency thus far, we find that the investigation has proceeded substantially and that the remaining steps are required to be completed expeditiously so that the matter can be brought to its logical conclusion, says Divison Bench

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:13 pm

ED conducts searches across multiple districts in Keralam in two separate drug cases

Searches conducted at four locations linked to the accused in the suspected hybrid ganja case; houses of four accused in Kozhikode also searched; searches relate to the seizure of nearly 17 kg of suspected hybrid ganja in Ernakulam in June and 949.26 grams of suspected MDMA at Calicut airport in October last year

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:10 pm

Special Investigation Team will probe financial misappropriation in bid to bring Messi to Keralam: Chennithala

Home Minister says Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) P. Vijayan will lead the team

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 7:54 pm

Neelakurinji bloom attracts tourists to Munnar tea plantation

The stunning display was last witnessed at the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations in 2014. KDHP opened the hills to visitors on September 3 for trekking upon payment of an entry fee.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 7:31 pm

IAF Museum Inaugurated After Renovation in Thiruvananthapuram

Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann, AOC-in-C, Southern Air Command, inaugurated the newly renovated Indian Air Force (IAF) Museum at Akkulam Tourist Village in Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam. The revamped museum showcases the rich history, heritage and achievements of the Indian Air Force.

The Times of India 3 Sep 2026 6:46 pm

Kerala Leader Meets Ronaldos Sister During Her Visit

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan met Elma Aveiro, sister of football star Cristiano Ronaldo, during her visit to the state. Satheesan said he spoke to her about the immense passion and affection Malayalis have for football and Ronaldo.

The Times of India 3 Sep 2026 6:46 pm

Teachers Day: Artistes on the teachers who influenced them

Ahead of Teachers Day, artistes talk about the teachers who have left an indelible mark on their artistic journey

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 6:35 pm

TOI ground report from across India: When school means buffaloes and buckets

A day after highlighting the plight of govt schools in Rajasthan, TOI reporters did a ground check in many other states. They found the story across India - leaking school buildings, absent teachers & lack of toilets. Keralam, though, is an exception.

The Times of India 3 Sep 2026 6:17 pm

Kerala University Result 2026 Out - Direct Link to Check UG

Kerala University has released results for UG & PG exams on 2nd & 3rd September 2026. Get direct PDF result links, exam names, publish dates, and step-by-step instructions to check your result at exams.keralauniversity.ac.in.

FreeJobAlert 3 Sep 2026 5:27 pm

Women should remain confined at home: Kerala Grand Muftis RemarkIgnited Debate on Rahul Gandhis Patriarchy

Kerala grand mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad has triggered a fresh controversy after saying women should remain within their homes and should not enter the public sphere. Speaking at the Hubbul Rasool conference in Kochi, the cleric, also known as Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, defended the purdah system and said it was intended to protect womens Continue reading Women should remain confined at home: Kerala Grand Muftis RemarkIgnited Debate on Rahul Gandhis Patriarchy The post Women should remain confined at home: Kerala Grand Muftis RemarkIgnited Debate on Rahul Gandhis Patriarchy appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .

Our Voice WeRIndia 3 Sep 2026 4:56 pm

Kerala High Court Upholds 10-Year Jail Term For Man In Minor's Assault Case

Justice A Badharudeen dismissed the appeal filed by the accused, Reji, confirming the trial court's verdict and directing that his bail bond be cancelled.

NDTV 3 Sep 2026 4:50 pm

Keralam PWD readies 3.26-crore plan to fortify three rehabilitation plots for Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal evictees

Strengthening two marshy plots at Thuthiyoor, allotted to 56 and 118 families, and a similar plot at Mulavukad for 14 families has long been a demand of the beneficiaries

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 4:48 pm

Zebra Crossings: 1,038 Kerala motorists booked in new campaign to ensure pedestrians

Thiruvananthapuram Zebra Crossings may be meant to give pedestrians the right of way, but a statewide enforcement drive has found The post Zebra Crossings: 1,038 Kerala motorists booked in new campaign to ensure pedestrians right of way appeared first on Bilkul Online .

Bilkulonline 3 Sep 2026 4:42 pm

Keralams Kochi Corporation to invite EoI for consultants to tap into 500-crore bond market

We have been in consultations with regulatory bodies such as SEBI as a prelude to the process. Initially, we are exploring the prospects of issuing municipal bonds worth 150 crore to finance development and infrastructure projects, along with green bonds worth another 150 crore to support environment-friendly and climate change mitigation initiatives, says Mayor

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 4:20 pm

Freedom or tradition? How Gen Z girls in Keralam are responding to Kanthapurams controversial remarks on women

While progressive youth condemn the clerics statement as regressive and patriarchal, traditionalists argue they were misconstrued or intended to protect community values

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 3:51 pm

Stand By Me: Keralam Rape Survivor Nuns Launch Clothing Brand

Years after one of them accused former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape and embarked on a legal battle that drew nationwide attention, she and two fellow nuns who stood by her were facing a different kind of challenge -- making a living on their own terms

Deccan Chronicle 3 Sep 2026 3:17 pm

British vlogger says Indian five-star hotels match Dubai and the UK. But why compare them in the first place?

Highlights: Jaggard said Mumbai's Taj Palace delivered a five-star experience comparable with hotels he has experienced in Dubai and the UK. He felt Karachi's Pearl Continental fell considerably short of the Indian hotel standard he had experienced. British restraint, Indian warmth and South Asian hospitality traditions are different expressions of luxury, not necessarily competing versions of the same thing. Architecture, history, food and local traditions can be as important to a luxury stay as room size, service and facilities. A hotel can be world-class without behaving like a London hotel, thankfully, because otherwise there would be very little point in travelling. Travel vlogger Harry Jaggard has offered his verdict on luxury hotels in India and Pakistan, and, unsurprisingly, the internet has something to say about it. Speaking on a Holafy podcast, Jaggard recalled staying at Mumbai's Taj Palace and Karachi's Pearl Continental. His conclusion was fairly blunt: the Indian property, he said, felt like a genuine five-star hotel, comparable with the luxury he has experienced in Dubai and the UK. Pakistan's Pearl Continental, by comparison, apparently did not make the cut. Jaggard said the Karachi hotel was owhere near the standard of the Indian hotels he had experienced. He went further, suggesting that while an Indian five-star hotel feels like a five-star property in Dubai or Britain, a Pakistani or Bangladeshi five-star hotel can feel more like a four-star or even three-star establishment. Quite the hotel report card. He also praised India's economic growth and rising affluent and middle-class population, arguing that the country's expanding wealth is increasingly reflected in its luxury hospitality sector. But there is a rather large problem with this comparison: why are we assuming a British hotel is the universal measuring tape for luxury in the first place? See on Instagram Britain does hotels. India does hospitality. A luxury hotel in Britain often prides itself on being discreet. Staff are polished, the interiors are restrained and the service is designed to make everything feel effortless. In other words, if you barely notice anything happening, the hotel is probably doing its job. India tends to take a somewhat different approach. Here, hospitality can be deliberately visible. Guests may be welcomed with flowers, traditional rituals, a cup of chai or a staff member who remembers where they travelled from. The property may smell of incense, serve regional dishes and incorporate centuries-old architectural traditions. That is not a failed attempt at British luxury. It is Indian luxury. And judging it by whether it behaves like a London hotel rather misses the point. You cannot remove culture from hospitality Take a heritage hotel in Rajasthan. Its courtyards, carved stonework, frescoes and palace architecture are not simply expensive decoration. They are part of the story of the place. A luxury property in Kerala may draw on local architecture, waterways and cuisine. A hotel in Mumbai can exist within the city's colonial, commercial and cinematic history. Then there is the Taj Palace in Mumbai, the property Jaggard praised. Its appeal is not merely the size of its rooms or the polish of its service. It carries history including the devastating 2008 terrorist attacks and the hotel's subsequent reopening and restoration. That cultural and historical context cannot be recreated by installing another marble bathroom and putting a five-star plaque outside. And then there is food British luxury hotels can certainly do food brilliantly. But Indian hospitality has an unfairly enormous culinary advantage: India has an extraordinary number of regional food traditions packed into one country. A hotel breakfast can move from dosas and idlis to parathas, poha and regional sweets before the croissant has even had time to become fashionable. Dinner might mean Goan seafood, Punjabi dishes, Hyderabadi biryani or South Indian specialities sometimes under the same roof. Calling this etter than British food would be just as simplistic as calling it worse. It is simply different . And that difference is precisely what makes travel interesting. The same five-star badge does not mean the same experience There is, of course, a legitimate point behind Jaggard's comments. Luxury standards matter. Cleanliness, service, maintenance, food quality, room standards and consistency can be assessed objectively. Some hotels in India, Pakistan, Britain and elsewhere will simply provide better service than others. But a hotel's star rating does not erase geography. A five-star hotel in London is operating within one cultural tradition. A five-star hotel in Mumbai is operating within another. A palace hotel in Rajasthan, meanwhile, can offer something that neither can reproduce: a sense of place that is inseparable from its surroundings. Trying to rank them all as though they are competing entries in Britain's Got Hotels is rather missing the point. iStock The more interesting question Instead of asking whether Indian or Pakistani hotels are as good as British ones, perhaps the better question is what each destination does with luxury. Britain has perfected discretion, consistency and polished service. India can offer grandeur, warmth, food, history and extraordinary cultural immersion. Pakistan has its own architectural traditions, hospitality culture and heritage properties that deserve to be judged on their own merits rather than simply against a British benchmark. Jaggard's experience is valid. His preference is valid too. But perhaps the five-star hotel industry does not need a single winner. After all, if every luxury hotel in the world tried to feel like a British hotel, travelling would become rather boring.

easterneye 3 Sep 2026 3:03 pm

Wife accused husband working abroad of cruelty over sons maintenance; Kerala HC cancelled complaint on this ground

Wife accused husband of not providing basic needs and maintenance for their 16-year-old son while he was working abroad. She had initially filed a complaint with the Judicial Magistrate first class in Changanacherry. The husband won the case in Kerala High Court. Read the article to know how.

The Economic Times 3 Sep 2026 2:56 pm

Keralam will not permit private practice by govt doctors: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Thursday, September 3, said the state government would not permit private practice by government doctors. Replying to queries about a meeting convened by the Director of Medical Education (DME) on private practice by doctors, Muraleedharan said there was no such move on the part of the government. Allowing 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 .

The Siasat Daily 3 Sep 2026 2:55 pm

Watch: KSRTC drivers tearful farewell to bus on retirement day goes viral

Paul Kurian, a driver attached to KSRTC Kumily depot in Keralams Idukki, completed his last duty on September 2. After parking the bus at the end of his shift, he kissed the steering wheel and saluted the vehicle before walking away

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 2:52 pm

Keralam CM Deletes Post Against Grand Mufti | CM Vijay Unveils Big Vision for Tamil Nadu

A day after strongly condemning the comments on women by Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan has removed his video post from social media. A world-class Olympic City, a dedicated Motorsports City, and a push to bring Formula 1 to Chennai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has stepped on the sports gas with a number of big announcements.

NDTV 3 Sep 2026 2:40 pm

Mar Thoma Church trustees call for mandatory HIV test before marriage sparks debate

During a family meet recently, Rev. K. Thomas said he favoured a system under which marriages in Mar Thoma Church would be solemnised only after prospective bride and groom had undergone HIV tests

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 2:24 pm

Orthodoxy redux: On Keralam, religion and Muslim womens rights | The Hindu Editorial

Religion is oft used as a tool to suppress women in the public sphere

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:56 pm

Sabarimala gold case: Ex-TDB chief P.S. Prasanth granted bail on medical grounds

Prasanth was shifted from jail to a hospital in August after suffering brain haemorrhage. Kollam court had earlier dismissed his bail petition, after which filed a fresh petition was filed citing need for advanced medical treatment

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:54 pm

New Operation Sindoor Corner unveiled at upgraded Akkulam Air Force Museum in Kerala

New Operation Sindoor Corner unveiled at upgraded Akkulam Air Force Museum in Kerala

The Economic Times 3 Sep 2026 1:34 pm

Kerala CM slams Muslim cleric for sexist remarks, religious leaders hit back

Kerala CM slams Muslim cleric for sexist remarks religious leaders hit back

India Today 3 Sep 2026 1:33 pm

Pinarayi Vijayan Visits Injured Student Protestors, Condemns Police Raj

What we are seeing is an attempt to deal with ordinary democratic protests in Kerala through police raj. This can only be seen as a deliberate approach, he said

Deccan Chronicle 3 Sep 2026 1:01 pm

Keralam: CPI(M) leader slams Islamic scholar

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby on Thursday, September 3, flayed Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyars remarks advocating restrictions on womens presence in public spaces and said that most religions show reluctance to recognise gender equality. Baby alleged that Kanthapurams remarks are similar to the views expressed by the RSS. Kanthapuram, while 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 .

The Siasat Daily 3 Sep 2026 12:54 pm

UDF nominees oppose Sanskrit varsity Syndicate decision to cancel incomplete exam tabulation registers

In a communication to Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, UDF nominees point out that blanket cancellation of decision taken at July 17 Syndicate meet allowing officials, who were found to have not signed on tabulation registers prepared before issuance of final marks lists, is not practical

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 12:29 pm

Civil Police Officer in Kozhikode suspended for 'misusing official position during spa visit

Inquiry reportedly finds that accused availed of spa services without payment. He is also alleged to have asked for money, saying that it was to be handed over to a superior officer for permitting uninterrupted operations of spa

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 12:15 pm