Amoebic encephalitis claims one more life in Kerala

26-year-old woman, a native of Nedumangadu, had developed fever and headache in the first week of October

Kerala HC directs secretaries of local bodies to remove unauthorised boards from public spaces

Necessary action must be initiated against those who installed them, says High Court Bench

NCC music band from Kerala selected for Republic Day parade

Newman College team is the first NCC mens music band from Kerala to participate in the R-Day parade

KAUAPEDA workshop stresses blockchain, AI tools for safer, traceable food supply chains

Sessions covered blockchain platforms, data security, drone-based monitoring and policy needs to accelerate adoption across Keralas spice and coffee sectors.

Delhivery opens all-women distribution centre in Kerala

Delhivery's Kochi centre employs women across roles, including operations, delivery, and team leadership, and is equipped to process more than 1,000 parcels a day.

A neurosurgeons art operation

Beauty is most beautiful when it is simple. Trust a neurosurgeon, someone who has studied the labyrinths within the brain, saying that. The contours are difficult to manoeuvre, yet their beauty lies in their precision. Surgical precision. Immersed in one of her favourite paintings with an injured hand. Dr Usha Shajehan, who was a neurosurgeon for over two decades, probably understood the simplicity of beauty best through her profession. Her paintings, to be exhibited at the Vylopilly Samskriti Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram from November 22 to 26, will reflect this understanding amply. The 140 paintings that will be on display were created over the past year. A friend, Leela, the wife of Prof. I S Gulati, urged me to take up painting again. I had not painted for the entirety of my career, when complex brain surgeries filled up my time, says Dr Usha. During that phase, there was no mood for colours or sketches. But somewhere within me lingered a passion that had been awakened long ago, when I was 18. A friend named Sreedevi saw my biology sketches and told me I could sketch and paint. That stirred something within me. I did some artworks then, but on entering the medical world, I kept them as a cherished memory. Dr Ushas painting spree restarted last year when she was asked to touch up some prints of Jamini Roy that hung on Leela Gulatis wall. That exposed me once again to the world of paintings, she says. Some of Dr Usha's works: Quiet Majesty 'Ignite your soul' From then on, it was quite a passion unleashed. I painted relentlessly over 140 frames in a year. Some days, it used to be more than two paintings. Dr Ushas paintings reflect her penchant for simplicity, as does her attitude. What I see around me is a beautiful piece of poetry called life. And that is what strikes me the most. I want to paint it in all its lucidity. It shouldnt spark any intellectual tug-of-war, she says. Aligned with this thought, she paints an elephant basking in all its majesty, letting nature reveal itself through little nuances. So too are her watercolours of the verdant life in the woods. The gurgling ponds, stretches of greenery around softly undulating hills, and wildlife that reflects a quiet contentment in serene, simplistic environs. 'Waiting' 'Guardian Angel' It is the simple, organic happiness that I wanted to capture. Thats what most people seek. Havent you seen how works by Raja Ravi Varma or Jamini Roy even now fill souls with a unique sense of charm and calm? The beauty of nature, of life, of everything around me that naturally, seamlessly, and effortlessly stretches beyond the apparent towards the innate is what appeals to meand what I paint. I dont go looking for it. It just happens. I call it a higher influence a touch of grace or a feeling of oneness, quite Advaitic in a way, says the Kochi-born doctor based in Thiruvananthapuram. Drs Usha and Shajehan She loves working her brush inspired by the photographs taken by her husband, Dr Shajehan Shivasankara Pillai, who was also a neurosurgeon. He is an avid photographer, whose works form a body on their own. We travel quite a bit, and these journeys inspire both of us. I also take inspiration from his photographs and paint accordingly, says Dr Usha, who is also a keen cyclist, swimmer, and explorer. The couple quit medicine three years ago. We had enough of the field, although we enjoyed every bit of it. We felt it was time to delve into something that connected with our core, says Dr Usha. I learnt a lot from my profession diligence, nuanced discipline, steadfastness, and above all, fast and precise work. These now help me in pursuing my passion. Dr Ushas upcoming exhibition will be inaugurated by her good friend, Wing Commander S K G Nair (retd), who will do the honours in a very informal manner. If celebrities come to inaugurate, it becomes more of a publicity gimmick. I responded to a friends request to conduct the exhibition. Yet, to me, this is a very personal space. I wish to share it with those who want to be in the same space. The paintings selected too are that way, she says. The slow pace Dr Usha has tuned herself to defines most of her paintings, which are classified into collections such as Sunset, Waterscapes, Divine Presence, Fields, and Light and Shade. There are works in different media too watercolour, pastels, acrylic, etc. 'A Taste of the Past' I am an untrained painter who learnt the colour choreography all by myself. Training would have stripped me of my instinct. The instinct, I feel, is natures way of connecting to me, she says, pointing to her first oil pastel, painted at the Vazhalikkavu Bhagavathi Temple at Thozhupadam in Thrissur. I painted with a sling because I had injured my arm in a fall. But the entire scene created in me an undying urge to paint. I titled it Ignite Your Soul to show how the call from the soul cannot be ignored.

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Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: Former Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar Arrested

A Padmakumar is a senior CPI(M) leader in Pathanamthitta district and has represented Konni constituency in the Kerala legislative assembly

Stepfather Of Kerala Teen Who Escaped ISIS Indoctrination Has A History

The stepfather of a 16-year-old teenager in Kerala, who escaped from a religious study centre that tried to make him join ISIS, has turned out to be the brother of a suspect in another terror case from 2016, sources said.

Former TDB president Vasu in SIT custody over Sabarimala gold theft case

KOLLAM : The Kollam Vigilance Court on Thursday sent former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president N Vasu to the custody of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the theft and misappropriation of gold slabs from the Sabarimala temple. The custody ends at 4 p.m. today, after which he will be produced before the court. He will be interrogated at the Kollam Police Club. The prosecution argued that police custody was essential to examine Vasus role in the case and to verify whether he had any direct financial links with the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, and whether he benefited from the alleged theft. The court accepted the argument. The defence opposed the custody, stating that Vasu had already been questioned once and that further custodial interrogation would cause mental and physical distress. They also argued that the alleged incident did not occur during his tenure as either TDB president or commissioner. The court rejected the objections. Vasu has been named the third accused in the case involving gold-plated copper casings that covered the stone carvings and sculptures of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. According to the SIT, the slabs were incorrectly recorded as copper in a letter submitted by Vasu to the Board. The Board approved the letter on 26 February 2019 and later decided to hand over the slabs to Potti on 19 March 2019. The removal was carried out based on an order issued by Devaswom Secretary S Jayashree. The investigation report cites serious lapses on the part of officials, including Vasu, and states that the gold was lost due to irresponsible administrative actions and failures within the Board. Vasu was arrested on Tuesday by the SIT appointed by the High Court to probe the alleged misappropriation of the gold-plated casings.

Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT questioning former TDB president A. Padmakumar

Though there is no official confirmation on the proceedings, it is suspected that Padmakumars arrest may be recorded after the interrogation

After Kerala HC order, Travancore Devaswom Board caps Sabarimala spot bookings at 5,000 per day

Restrictions on spot bookings will remain in place till November 24

After HC rap over overcrowding, Sabarimala spot bookings capped at 5,000 a day

PATAHNAMTHITTA: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Thursday announced that spot booking for Sabarimala darshan has been capped at 5,000 people per day, officials said on Thursday. The spot booking was capped following the Kerala High Court's direction, a press release said. Spot booking will be available only at the Nilakkal and Vandiperiyar centres. The facility has been temporarily suspended at Pampa, Erumeli, and Chengannur and the restrictions will remain in place until November 24, officials said. TDB has urged devotees arriving for Sabarimala darshan to secure their slots through the Virtual Queue system as far as possible. Kerala High Court's division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar criticised TDB, saying that the situation at the shrine had recently spiralled out of control as nearly two lakh pilgrims arrived within 48 hours of the temple opening on November 17. With nearly one lakh pilgrims were allowed darshan every day during the MandalamMakaravilakku season and more than 50 lakh visiting annually, the judges said the present arrangements were far from adequate.

Sabarimala Darshan: Spot Booking Capped at 5,000 Every Day

The spot booking was capped following the Kerala High Court's direction

Case of Trafficking, Organ Theft in Iran: NIA Probes Accused's Health Club in Kerala

Investigation shows that organ donors were primarily from Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and the organ recipients were from various North Indian states, with the network charging up to Rs 50 lakh per transplant

Southern Railway to launch Indias first coast-to-coast parcel express train between Royapuram (Chennai) and Mangaluru Central

The timetabled logistics service connecting key business hubs of Tamil Nadu and Kerala will commence on December 12 from Mangaluru

Kerala local body polls: Fed up with neglect, Mundamveli apartment residents to field own candidate

Residents of P&T Apartment Complex at Mundamveli have decided to boycott candidates of all major political fronts contesting from the Mundamveli East division of Kochi Corporation

Kerala local body polls: UDF will weaponise govt. policies in civic battle, says E.T. Mohammed Basheer

In a candid chat with The Hindu, the Indian Union Muslim Leagues national organising secretary and Lok Sabha member from Malappuram asserted that State-level politics, especially the policies of the State government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, will be the focus of the upcoming elections

Kerala local body polls: No clear favourites in southern districts

While the ruling LDF, traditionally strong in the region, is seeking to expand its welfare projects, its opposing fronts, UDF and NDA, are inviting voters attention to the inadequacies in such schemes and other hyper-local concerns

Kerala local body polls 2025: A keen contest in the offing in Kalamassery municipality

A traditional bastion of the Congress for nearly three decades, the civic body has remained in the UDF kitty. However, in the 2021 byelection the Left front gave the UDF a tough fight

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Murder of a merchant without a past

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Long before police pieced together the lies he lived and died for, Harihara Varma built a life like a man who knew how to stay just outside the reach of questions. He sold gemstones whose origins he never fully explained, claimed ancestral links he never proved and told stories so confidently that even seasoned buyers found themselves leaning in. It was these tales that drew a group of young men into his orbit, ultimately paving way for his demise. What happened on December 24, 2012, was a murder wrapped inside a scam. Varma walked into what he believed was a business deal with buyers from Karnataka who posed as high-profile men looking to acquire rare and precious stones. In truth, everything about that meeting was scripted, a trap the gang spent seven months constructing. They used SIM cards acquired using fake Aadhaar cards. They created a fictitious persona the son of a Karnataka minister to make the deal look grander. A lawyer, the sixth accused, was the middleman. The meeting place was the lawyers daughters locked house in Vattiyoorkavu. The police would later say the planning was almost immaculate. But as retired Intelligence Range SP R Prathapan Nair, who was part of the Special Investigation Team, puts it, No matter how meticulous, there will always be a lead. Harihara Varma In this case, the lead was a phone number the killers thought they had erased. All their devices were destroyed after the murder, every SIM discarded. But one phone number they had used to contact Varma, eight months earlier, resurfaced under the Vattiyoorkavu mobile tower on the very day the murder took place. It was enough. Once police pulled that thread, the rest of the conspiracy was solved. The gangs plan was not to kill him but to sedate him, take the stones and disappear. When negotiations failed and Varma refused to finalise the deal, they tried sedatives and then chloroform. The dosage went wrong, and the robbery turned into homicide. But the real mystery of the case was not the murder. It was the man at the centre of it. Police soon realised that very little about Harihara Varma was real. His tales of a Poonjar ancestral lineage and inherited jewels were fabrications. His documents raised more questions than answers. To this day, officers believe he might have been an orphan, someone who ran away in his teens, wandered across northern India, and slowly built a new identity. The police made enquiries to various royal families. However, they couldnt find anyone named Bhaskara Varma and his son Harihara Varma. Even the stones that drove the conspiracy turned out to be far less valuable than believed. Then assistant commissioner, now Kozhikode Rural SP K E Baiju, recalls how the team searched across the country for an accredited gem expert to authenticate Varmas collection. There was none. The stones were eventually deemed semi-precious, worth about `30 lakh together, nothing to justify the greedy fantasy that led to his death. They thought it was worth `300 crore, says Baiju. Varmas wife, Girija Menon, later moved the court, saying some stones had ties to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. But since the investigation could never establish anything substantial, thecourt later dismissed it. She had lived with him for more than 15 years. Yet, even when the investigation reached its most crucial stages, his wife did not disclose his identity. I believe she knows. But we cannot force them into polygraph tests, adds Baiju. The case was later handed over to the crime branch. They found 3,647 gemstones, which included 65 pearls, 73 emeralds, 22 chrysoberyl stones, 4 rubies, 5 sapphires and 29 yellow sapphires. Several were brilliantly cut, some were unpolished, some were of doubtful quality, and 341 of them were later determined to be artificial. However, a geologist who examined them would testify that 3,306 stones were naturally formed precious stones, even if not all were high-value gems. The killers Jithesh, Ajeesh, Rakhil, and Ragesh were eventually convicted and handed life sentences. Joseph and lawyer Haridas were acquitted. The murder investigation was closed with clarity. However, the tale of Varma, his origins, his curated persona, and his secrets remain unresolved to date. The man left behind no verifiable past. CasE diary This weekly column brings you exciting, intriguing police stories, straight from the crime files

BJP team to visit Sabarimala, file report to Centre on lapses

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior BJP leader P K Krishnadas said in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday that a BJP team will be visiting the Sabarimala in the coming days to assess the facilities at the hill shrine and submit a detailed report on the serious lapses to the Union government. He said the party would soon announce the members of the visiting team, adding that BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar had already briefed the Prime Minister on the situation. Our team will visit Sabarimala in the coming days, and the ground report will be submitted to the Centre at the earliest. The state government is playing politics with Sabarimala. This situation has to change, he said. The BJP will not remain a silent spectator as issues mount at the hill shrine, he asserted. Krishnadas said out that the party has already launched a statewide signature campaign on the Sabarimala issue. Asked about the state BJP leaderships letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in October demanding a CAG audit, a CBI probe into the alleged Sabarimala gold theft, and comprehensive auditing of temples, he said the Centre would respond soon. The BJP leader also accused the state government of neglecting basic arrangements such as drinking water, medical care and infrastructure. He alleged that Rs 110-crore drinking water project sanctioned five years ago remained incomplete and that devotees in medical emergencies were being taken to Konni Government Hospital, which, according to him, lacked adequate facilities.

Neyyatinkara braces for tight fight as LDF, UDF eye majority

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Neyyatinkara municipality one of the oldest local bodies in the state is set for a tight fight as the LDF and UDF prepare to lock horns, while the BJP aims to increase its seats. Though the LDF has traditionally held a strong presence, the last term saw a shift in momentum with the UDF securing 17 seats in the 44-member council. LDF which is ruling the municipality has 18 members while BJP has 9 seats. Located near the upcoming Vizhinjam International Seaport, Neyyatinkara holds vast development potential. However, the municipality continues to suffer from a slew of civic issues ranging from traffic congestion due to delayed NH works, bad roads, ineffective waste management, and lack of basic infrastructure. Developing Neyyatinkara into a major satellite city aligned with the infrastructure demands of the Vizhinjam Port, improving motorable roads, setting up an industrial estate, heritage conservation, and establishing a multiplex theatre are among the main offerings by all three political fronts LDF, UDF and BJP. Both the LDF and UDF claim that there is no triangular fight and that the real contest is between them, asserting that the BJP is not in the picture. Both fronts claim that the BJP will not increase its seats, let alone manage to win the same number it secured last term. After delimitation, the number of wards in Neyyatinkara Municipality has increased by two. The new wards are Chemmanthattu and Therannur, taking the total number of wards to 46. CPM Neyyatinkara area secretary T Sreekumar said that the LDF will return to power more strongly this time. The LDF has fielded young candidates, with only five candidates above 50 years of age. He said that the LDF is planning a slew of development activities to elevate Neyyatinkara into a model city. Once the Vizhinjam Port becomes fully operational, Neyyatinkara is set to witness major development in tourism and allied industries. Our aim is to bring development aligned with the port. We plan to create a comprehensive tourism circuit within the municipality by connecting all key destinations. A multiplex theatre complex is lacking here, and a major thrust will be given to conserving and developing the cultural and heritage aspects of Neyyatinkara. As for the elections, the BJPs seat share will come down this time, and the real contest will be between the LDF and the UDF, said T Sreekumar. The UDF is hoping to win a minimum of 25 seats and capture the Neyyatinkara municipality. The recent allegations of sexual harassment and abetment of suicide against UDF municipal councillor Jose Franklin have put the party on the defensive, though the UDF maintains that the controversy will not affect its electoral prospects. District Congress Committee general secretary Vinod Sen said that the LDF has failed to carry out basic infrastructure development in any of the wards and that this will reflect in the local body elections. The municipality is lagging 15 years behind because of the lack of development. We have announced all our candidates without any internal issues or fights, and we were able to launch the campaign. We are confident that we will win this year. He alleged that the ward delimitation was done in such a way that the CPM and BJP gained advantage. The reservation has come as a blow to the BJP, and in many of their sure seats they are now fielding women candidates against their plan, he said. Meanwhile, the BJP is hopes to increase its presence in the municipality. At present, the party holds nine seats in the 44-member council. S K Jayakumar, a BJP candidate, said that the LDF and UDF have been ruling the Neyyatinkara Municipality for decades, making it one of the most poorly developed municipalities in the state. Our aim is to bring the development that this 112-year-old municipality truly deserves. The LDF has failed to bring any development that matches the growth happening around us. We want to change this and ensure real development, said Jayakumar.

Kochi police probe self-styled nun for online threat to bomb Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

KOCHI: Police have launched an investigation into a self-proclaimed nun of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) who called for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to be harmed, on social media on Wednesday. The suspect, Teena Jose, an advocate residing at Pookkaranmukk near Padma Junction, came under scrutiny following intelligence inputs and a complaint submitted to the director general of police. However, no case has been formally registered, a top source with Kochi city police said. The alleged threat appeared in the comments section of a Facebook post shared by Selton L DSouza on the CMs participation in the local-body election campaign. Teena allegedly called for a bomb attack on the chief minister. When questioned by a special squad, she claimed it was merely an emotional remark, the officer said. An officer with Ernakulam Central police said, While the incident falls under our jurisdiction, a case has not been registered as no formal complaint has been received. Since the remark was made on a public platform, anyone can file a complaint, after which action will be taken. Meanwhile, in a press release, CMCs Vimala province said the congregation strongly condemns Teenas social media post suggesting harm to the chief minister. Teenas membership was revoked in 2009 under canonical laws and she is not permitted to wear the religious attire, the press note said. The congregation also clarified that all of Teenas actions are entirely her personal decision and responsibility.

Missed Sabarimala darshan turns blessing

PATHANAMTHITTA: For Girija Murali from Kollams Kallambalam, this years Sabarimala pilgrimage was to be a long-awaited spiritual moment. Carrying virtual queue passes, she began the climb with hope, accompanied by two children and six other women, as part of a 17-member group. But on Tuesday, the hill shrine was overwhelmed by an unexpected surge of pilgrims forcing Girija, two children and six other women to turn back from Pampa to Nilakkal. Exhausted and anxious thinking that they would not be able to have darshan despite having valid passes, they began the journey downhill, their disappointment quiet but palpable. But what unfolded next turned that despair into relief. When the matter came to ADGP S Sreejiths attention, chief coordinator for Sabarimala Police, he immediately instructed officers to ensure darshan for the group. Police personnel traced the women, and guided them all the way back up the hill, ensuring that the elderly and the children were comfortable through every step of the climb. Soon, Girija and the others finally stood before Lord Ayyappa with their hands folded -- a moment they thought had slipped away just hours earlier. After a peaceful darshan, the group descended the hill, expressing gratitude to the officers who had intervened at the right time. According to the ADGP, the difficulty arose because several pilgrims reached Pampa on Tuesday without virtual queue passes.

Spot slots cut to 5,000 to manage pilgrims rush in Sabarimala

PATHANAMTHITTA/KOCHI : A drastic reduction in spot bookings and tighter restrictions on forest routes were among the measures taken by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Wednesday to manage the unprecedented rush of devotees that caught authorities unawares and led to complete system collapse in Sabarimala on Tuesday, the second day of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The decision follows strong remarks by the Kerala High Court earlier in the day. Cautioning there was a real chance a catastrophe could occur at the hill shrine, the HC ordered assessment of Sabarimalas carrying capacity. The TDB capped spot booking to 5,000 pilgrims per day, from the earlier 20,000, until Monday, and said only 5,000 pilgrims would be allowed via forest routes, including Pullumedu. The first unit of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also took charge at Sannidhanam. The 30-member team from the 4th Battalion of NDRFs Thrissur Regional Response Centre has been stationed along critical stretches near the Sopanam and along the Nadapanthal. Seven more booking counters were started at Nilakkal, with the base camp also serving as the first point of restriction. Preparations should have started six months ago Two hundred more staff members have been deployed at the queue complex, and another 200 will be added to manage toilet cleaning and sanitation-related work, TDB president K Jayakumar said. As many as 2,98,310 pilgrims have offered darshan at the shrine till the start of the pilgrimage season on November 16. ADGP S Sreejith said all pilgrims reaching on the date allotted in their virtual queue pass will be able to offer darshan. The HC had rapped the TDB for lapses in preparations. A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar observed that only a controlled number of devotees should be permitted entry. Noting that the arrangements for the pilgrimage season should have started six months earlier, the bench orally remarked that though the TDB is responsible for ensuring all facilities are in place, there appears to be no coordination. Measures taken for Crowd Management Spot booking capped at 5,000 pilgrims per day until Monday. Considering rush at Sannidhanam, this can be raised to 10,000 Max 5,000 pilgrims allowed on forest routes Virtual queue cap continues at 70,000 devotees a day. NDRF unit deployed at Sannidhanam 7 new booking counters opened at Nilakkal 200 staff deployed at queue complexes; 200 more to be engaged for cleaning toilets and sanitation-related works

Engineering students develop software to track EVMs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two engineering students have developed a software to track the movement of more than half a lakh electronic voting machines (EVMs) to and from polling stations in the local body elections. Named EVM Track, the software was developed by Ashin C Anil and Jeswin Sunsi, third-year BTech students at SRM Institute, Chennai, under the supervision of State Election Commissions EVM consultant L Suryanarayanan. Ashin hails from Thiruvananthapuram, while Jeswin is a native of Thrissur. The software was formally launched by State Election Commissioner A Shajahan on Tuesday. EVMs that includes 50,693 ballot units and 1.37 lakh control units have already been subjected to first-level checks and are ready to use.

Parties tap womens networks to fight Kerala local body elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Political parties in Kerala are increasingly turning to women-centric grassroots networks such as Kudumbashree, ASHA workers, and the Haritha Karma Sena to identify promising candidates for the upcoming local body elections. With their deep connection to households and communities, many women find the transition from social service to electoral politics remarkably seamless. Like other states, Kerala also mandates 50% reservation for women in local self-governance under the Panchayati Raj Act, 2005. Since its implementation, womens participation has steadily expanded, with many now contesting even in general wards, breaking beyond the confines of reserved seats. According to officials, scores of members belonging to these women-centric networks are contesting local body polls. ASHA workers are one such force who have unmatched reach within communities. Consistent household visits, health surveys, mobilisation for immunisation drives, and child welfare interventions have given them a trustworthy image in society. There are around 26,000 ASHA workers in the state. 57-year-old Sunitha C, an ASHA worker since 2007, is contesting from the Chethukadavu ward of Kunnamangalam block panchayat. This is her second stint in electoral politics, having earlier served a successful five-year term between 2015 and 2020. A mother of two, Sunitha credits her family for their unwavering support. Things have changed. Women today are more empowered and capable of excelling in any field. I feel more women should come forward. Many are still hesitant, but they must step into the mainstream and inspire others to break the shackles, she said. Her long association with the community helps her campaign effortlessly. People are very welcoming because they know me well as an ASHA worker. I have always balanced both my responsibilities without compromise, she added. Another women-centric network Kudumbashree continues to be Keralas largest pool of women leaders. Its vast neighbourhood network of over 45 lakh members provides women exposure to livelihood activities, community engagements making them natural leaders with social commitment. According to Kudumbashree officials, hundreds of Kudumbashree members are contesting elections and in Thiruvananthapuram alone more than 50 women members are contesting. Anitha Y V, 49, is contesting her first election from the Peringamala ward under the Venganoor grama panchayat. A Kudumbashree member for the past 20 years, Anitha says the mission transformed her personality and confidence. Before Kudumbashree, I was a homely person. Today, I am who I am because of it. Im contesting from a general ward, and people already recognise and support me. I believe voters across political divides will back me, she said. She added that the gender divide in politics is slowly narrowing. Despite reservations for women, many are now contesting in general wards too. People are raising issues like poor road conditions, which will be a priority for me, she added. Just like Kudumbashree and ASHA workers, members of the Haritha Karma Sena - the backbone of Keralas decentralised waste management system - are also emerging as candidates in the upcoming local body polls. Their daily engagement with households and public spaces has made them familiar faces in their communities and strong contenders in electoral politics. There are around 37,000 Haritha Karma Sena members in the state. 41-year-old Sheeba Suresh, who is contesting from the Chenkulam ward of Pooyapally panchayat, sees the election as an opportunity. Politics has long been male-dominated, but things are slowly changing, and Im happy to be part of that change, said Sheeba, who has been a Haritha Karma Sena member for the past eight years. Sheeba believes her close interactions with residents will work in her favour. People know me well because of my work. If I win, I want to ensure my ward and public spaces remain clean and hygienic, she added. Senior politician K K Shailaja said that womens reservation has played a crucial role in bringing hundreds of women into the political mainstream. ASHA workers, Kudumbashree members, and Haritha Karma Sena workers contest elections because they are trusted in society and deliver excellent services. The past two local body elections clearly show a surge in such representation. Women are not just confined to reserved seats; many are confidently contesting from general wards as well, Shailaja said. Why parties turn to women-centric groups Deep household-level reach High public trust due to service roles Natural transition from community work to politics Asha workers: Health network turning political force 26,000 ASHA workers in Kerala Daily household visits and health surveys build strong public rapport Many entering electoral politics; trusted for reliability and visibility Kudumbashree: Keralas biggest women leadership pipeline 45 lakh members across neighbourhood groups Exposure to livelihoods and community work builds leadership traits Hundreds contesting polls; 50+ in Thiruvananthapuram alone (till date) Members widely recognised due to long community engagement Haritha Karma Sena: Waste-warriors turn candidates 37,000 members in Kerala Daily contact with households through waste collection Strong familiarity with residents makes them natural contenders

Face value! Giridharans moustache proves a smash hit on campaign trail

KANNUR: In the busy run-up to the local-body election, the UDF candidate for ward 9 of Valapattanam grama panchayat has been drawing attention for reasons far removed from political slogans or campaign promises. A popular figure in his locality of Kalarivathukkal, Giridharan V V stands out instantly in any crowd with his large, carefully groomed moustache, that has become his signature. Locals say that he looks like a character straight out of a film, and his distinguishing style has made him easily recognisable on the campaign trail. While others rely on posters and loudspeakers, the 70-year-olds unique look has already made him a memorable figure this election season. I used to maintain a small moustache before joining the military in 1976. After two years, I started growing it, and it started to gain attention. Throughout my service, both senior officers and colleagues appreciated my moustache. The only time I ever trimmed it was for my wedding, after which I let it grow back to its full, signature form, says Giridharan. It was smooth sailing as Giridharan went door-to-door on the hustings in his neighbourhood. But further afield, people were pleasantly surprised to see a candidate with such a striking face. But once his campaign photos began circulating, his distinctive moustache started attracting wider attention. What was once a local trademark soon becoming a talking point beyond the ward, adding to his popularity as the election season progressed. Many venture to ask him about his distinctive facial hair, with some even requesting permission to touch it -- which he obliges, albeit with a little hesitation. Several others make do with requests for photographs and selfies. Giridharan adds that even in Kalarivathukkal, people to whom his name may not ring a bell identify him by his moustache. Hailing from a family with a strong Congress background, several of his relatives have contested elections in the past. Growing up in such an environment gave Giridharan an early understanding of politics, which eventually inspired him to step forward and contest the election himself.

Kerala HC order to constitute crowd management expert panel for Sabarimala

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to constitute a Sabarimala Infrastructure & Crowd Management Expert Committee, comprising specialists in transport engineering, urban and regional planning, civil engineering, disaster and crowd management, environmental science, public health, IT systems and data analytics. The experts shall analyse data, undertake field studies, and devise a comprehensive management plan in coordination with the TDB, police, forest department, health services, and district administration. The committee shall prepare a scientific master plan for each season after determining the carrying capacity of all nodes, and shall conduct both pre-season and post-season reviews to continually improve facilities. Further, the committee shall conduct a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based amenity audit, identifying, mapping, and geo-tagging all toilets, drinking water points, shelters, and medical kiosks, to detect blind zones and assess overall efficiency. In addition, a structural safety audit of walkways, barricades, railings, stairways, and holding areas is essential. This combined baseline data set shall form the backbone for all future decisions. The court said that no devotee must be subjected to unreasonable waiting without adequate shade, drinking water, sanitation, medical facilities, or rest areas. TDBs submission Though the Virtual-Q booking cap was fixed at 70,000 and spot booking was limited to 20,000, the inflow of pilgrims was so overwhelming that over 30,000 pilgrims were given entry without prior booking On the first day of the season, when the Nada opened at 4 pm, the permissible cap for entry was 30,000. However, on that very day, approximately 53,278 pilgrims reached Sannidhanam On Nov 17, though the Virtual-Q booking was capped at 70,000, the total footfall at Sannidhanam was 98,950, including spot bookings

What is SIR & why has it left voters confused?

KOCHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is currently conducting the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala . The first such exercise since 2002 is intended to review, update and streamline voter records ahead of the 2026 assembly election. What exactly is SIR? SIR is a detailed, one-time verification drive of electoral rolls, far more comprehensive than annual summary revisions. It involves booth-level officers (BLOs) visiting households, distributing forms and collecting updated voter details. Crucially, the process requires furnishing information that was recorded in the SIR conducted in 2002, including legislative assembly constituency (LAC), booth number and serial number. Given the 23-year gap since the last SIR, most voters understandably have no recollection of details and this seems to be the main challenge in the exercise. Why 2002 data is hard to trace The most significant challenge is the inability to fetch the old data from the Election Commission website. The main stumbling block is that one cant access old SIR data from the ECI website using the old voter ID number. Such a provision would have made the process much easier, said Gireesh Kumar, a BLO from Kudappanakunnu. Young voters and non-resident Indians (NRIs) who have relocated back home are among those struggling the most. One case Gireesh cited involved an elderly voter who returned from abroad long after 2002. He is now 83. His nearest relatives are all dead. Even if his father had a vote back then, he has no idea when or where he would have cast his vote. Were at a loss on how to retrieve the data, Gireesh said. Others are discovering discrepancies in previous rolls. I didnt have a voter ID card in 2002 since I was a minor, said Durga K S, a health official. Im struggling because I require my fathers details. He doesnt remember the booth he voted in, and it seems his name was misspelled then, which makes the search more difficult. Intervention by authorities To ease the burden, authorities have begun organising dedicated SIR help camps. Here, BLOs guide people through the online search system and assist in identifying 2002 records. We held the first of the series of camps on Tuesday. Many more will be held in the coming days, said Remya Nandanan, BLO in charge of Panangad. Reassuring voters, she said that there is ample time to complete the process. Voters neednt panic. They need to update their data only by May, before the assembly election. But, sooner the better.If a voters 2002 data cannot be traced, the ECI may send a notice for further verification. In some cases, the name may be withheld from the draft electoral roll until supporting documents establish eligibility. The most common issues faced by voters and their solutions What if voter has no recollection of booth name while retrieving 2002 data online? A. Log on to www.ceo.kerala.gov.in. Select your district and choose your LAC. Skip the Booth Name box and go straight to Voter Name. The name is to be entered in Malayalam. Those who are not well versed with the language can select the link given at the bottom of the page. You can type in English and the Google Tool will give the corresponding Malayalam word. How to deal with changes in administrative boundaries due to delimitation? A. The SIR form will have the contact number of BLO at the top. Ring up and confirm under which LAC you now fall before starting to take the previous SIR data online What to do if your name or house name is spelt wrongly in the voter ID or previous SIR? A. Continue with the data as it is, for now, as the voter list changes are temporarily frozen till the end of the SIR process. Once the same is completed, its advisable to change the name or house name as they appear in the Aadhaar card using Form 8 and submitting an application for the same. Confusion over old and new EPIC number, and where should the same be used? A. The two 10-digit EPIC numbers (in alphanumeric code) will be distinct in certain cases and unchanged in others. The new EPIC number of the spouse should be given in the first part of the form. The old EPIC number should be furnished in the second part -- data on a voters previous SIR details. How to go about confusing queries, especially with regards to previous SIR data on nearest relative of the voter (at bottom right side of the form)? A. One can easily get confused as to what to write in the right side column of the second part of the form -- Details of a voters relative included in the list of the last SIR. Against Voters Name, one must enter the name of the nearest relative (like father). Below that appears the EPIC No. One should provide the old EPIC number here. Then is Name of Voters relative. Here the name of the nearest relative of your nearest relative should be given. If you have given your fathers name, then you should enter the name of your grandfather (fathers father or the nearest relative of your father) there.

Thiruvananthapuram IS case catches NIA interest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The partner of the United Kingdom-based woman, accused of indoctrinating her teenage son to join the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation, is the brother of a convict in the Kanakamala IS module case, police said. This has evoked NIAs interest and the national agency is now closely monitoring developments, they said. Sideeq, brother of the womans partner Ansar, had served three years in prison and was released early this year, police said. It was Sideeq, who got the boy admitted in an orphanage near Attingal upon his arrival from the UK. Though the boy did not mention Sideeqs role in the alleged offence which took place in the UK, police said the involvement of the man has aroused their interest in the case, and has caught the attention of the NIA. The Venjaramoodu police had registered a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on the basis of the boys complaint. As per the FIR, the boy gave a statement that Ansar showed him IS propaganda videos, including violent killings, and tried to groom him to join the terror group. The woman, who hailed from Nedumangad, had married the boys biological father, who hailed from a Muslim family in Pandalam. She was a Christian who converted to Islam after the marriage. They later moved to the UK. Ansar blackmailed boy, states FIR Their marriage hit a rough patch after Ansar entered their lives. Reportedly a family friend, Ansar soon got close to the woman. The statement given to the cops by the boy said his father did not like the proximity his mother had with Ansar, and parted ways with her. Ansar played ISIS-related songs to motivate him to join the group. His mother too endorsed Ansars view. When his parents were away, Ansar took the boy to a group of men, who spoke Arabic and were referring to guns and funeral prayer. Ansar gave him cigarettes and encouraged him to smoke. Later, Ansar threatened the boy that he would tell his parents about his smoking habits if he revealed to them about the videos, the FIR said. The boy is very close to his father and he told the cops that he wants to move back to the UK to join him. His mother, who is now in the state, told the cops that the boy was sent back to Kerala as he used to misbehave with his younger sister.

Malayalam losing appeal among SSLC students

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Are school students in Kerala steadily losing interest in Malayalam as a medium of instruction? As per the data from the Pareeksha Bhawan, the number of students who wrote SSLC exams in Malayalam has seen a significant fall from 55.93% in the 2018-19 academic year to 36.56% in 2024-25. Of the 4,27,017 students who appeared this March, only 1,56,161 wrote the exam in Malayalam medium, which is 87,000 less than the 2,43,409 students who appeared in 2019. Education experts attributed the fall to the public perception that studying in English medium will help students in future. Pareeksha Bhavan officials said the drop was due to the reduction in students studying in the Malayalam medium. A senior education department official said the ratio of English to Malayalam admission had nearly reached 70:30 in primary classes. The key reason is the public perception that English is somehow a better medium of instruction, said K Anvar Sadath, CEO of Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE). However, choosing English as the medium may not always translate into results, he said. Malayalam medium no. expected to fall in coming years We have noticed that the standard of students English in some Malayalam medium schools is excellent. So it is not the medium, but the language activities carried out in a school that would help improve communication skills, he said. Jayaprakash RK, director of State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), said the shift was an indicator of the rural-urban continuum Kerala had attained, and that the middle-class belt had widened. So, most parents wish to get their children admitted to English medium schools. The students who wrote the SSLC exam in 2025, joined Class 1 by 2014-15. So technically, these figures only represent a parents aspirational level a decade ago. The Malayalam medium numbers are only expected to fall in the coming years, he said. When contacted, Aikya Malayala Prasthanam state convenor R Nandakumar said the drop in numbers could lead to stagnation of development in the state. Malayalam is the baseline of all developments that have taken place in Kerala. A non-affinity to Malayalam could mean our students may not have proper awareness about their land, forests or seas. How can we expect a change if they dont know this? he said. Maintaining he was not against teaching English in schools, Nandakumar, however, said, If the right interventions are not made, this could lead to unprecedented problems.

Keralas best panchayat readies for poll battle

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Over 30 kilometres away from the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city lies a panchayat which made the state proud recently. Earning the 53rd rank in the list of best grama panchayats of the country in the Mission Antyodaya rankings and becoming the state topper, the Parassala grama panchayat had made significant strides in some key areas, including education and healthcare. While the ruling LDF plans to bank on its achievement for the upcoming local body polls, the UDF is trying to regain the lost terrain by countering these claims. The BJP is also aiming to score well here, expecting to gain ground by increasing its vote share. Attributing the Antyodaya achievement to the panchayat governing boards efforts to continue those of its predecessor, panchayat president Manjusmitha L said that they tackled multiple issues pragmatically. The Parassala crematorium, which became fully functional during our tenure, helped us manage the bodies of people who died of Covid, not just from here, but also from different parts of the city, she said. Manjusmitha highlighted the newly inaugurated buildings for the hospitals here, including the Parassuvaikal Family Health Centre and Ayurveda Hospital. Being a panchayat which shares borders with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, many residents of that state also avail facilities of our hospitals, she said. Smart classes have been introduced to five out of seven government lower primary schools here. Politically, Parassala grama panchayat had not been a forte of any fronts, as LDF and UDF used to switch power after every five years. However, LDFs consecutive wins in the last two councils have increased the spirit of the party, its members said. Many key measures, including a good auditorium and proper management of agriculture, were taken by the LDF councils, said Sunil M, the member of Muriyathottam ward. However, the opposition parties are claiming that the council has failed miserably in implementing grassroots-level welfare activities. While acknowledging that some development was brought in the school education sector, Congress leader Vinayanadh V R said that they were surprised when the rankings came out. There is not even a proper panchayat office for Parassala today. As Railways acquired the land where we had the erstwhile office, now the office is functioning in what was built for an AC hall, he said. Criticising the councils boasting of its giant leap in the health sector, Vinayanadh alleged that the newly constructed buildings of the Siddha and Homoeo hospitals are yet to be opened to the public. Amplifying another common problem, he alleged that the byroads of the panchayat continue to be in a dilapidated state. Highlighting a grave issue, Vinayanadh also mentioned that the residents of the panchayat are facing an acute water crisis in most of its regions. Even though the panchayat governing board says that the water distribution is only a key issue in certain areas, they hope the issue will be resolved to a large extent once the ongoing water tank construction is completed. Claiming that there is strong anti-incumbency among the commoners, Vinayanadh said that even the leftist people have expressed their willingness to vote for them. Though political differences exist, the BJP candidate of the panchayats Nediyamoodu ward, Ajayakumar M, opined that the current council has been performing relatively well. However, there are still areas to improve-- including the speedy construction of the much-needed bus terminal at Karali, he said.

INTERVIEW| UDF is stronger than ever; public will send a clear message: IUML leader Salam

MALAPPURAM: As local-body election fever grips the state, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is busy ironing out issues within the party and the United Democratic Front, of which it is a key constituent, and strengthening its grassroots presence. In a conversation with TNIE, the partys state general secretary P M A Salam talks about the UDFs preparedness, the impact of the special intensive revision (SIR) process, and how the election results will reflect public sentiment. Excerpts: Is UDF and IUML prepared for the election? It appears there are some issues within the UDF regarding seat-sharing... We are fully prepared. From the state level to the ward level, UDF workers are reaching out to the public to understand their concerns. Compared to previous elections, the UDF is stronger this year. It is true that there are some isolated issues, but once the nomination process is completed, there wont be any problems. There are reports that Youth League workers are confronting IUML leaders at election conventions over not following the three-term policy... There may be some localised issues. We strictly follow the three-term policy. It is very evident that this policy has been implemented in all local bodies where we have announced candidates. IUML was the first political party to approach the Supreme Court against the SIR. How do you think the process will affect the election? The entire SIR process is putting pressure on both the public and booth-level officers (BLOs). It will be impossible to complete the process during the election period. The public frustration with the central government will reflect in the election results. To what extent do you think the election will be a referendum on the performance of the Pinarayi Vijayan government? For the last ten years, people of the state have suffered under the Pinarayi Vijayan government. There is inflation, tax hikes, and many other challenges they face in their daily lives. As was evident in the Palakkad and Nilambur by-elections, people will register their resentment through their votes. So you believe the outcome of the local-body elections will be a pointer to the assembly poll? Yes, but unlike in the assembly election, local issues and individual candidates will carry more weight with the public.

Rebel rhythms: Revolutionary voice of Dalit Subbaiah reborn on film

The documentary Dalit Subbaiah: Voice of the Rebels opens with the rituals of his passing, but very quickly, the singer returns to us. In the songs he left behind, in the laughter of his family, in the memories held by his community, Subbaiah steps back into the spotlight. His presence moves softly through the film, as if he never really left. It shows him not only as a singer, but as a man who lived by conviction. Subbaiah never sang for wealth; he sang for justice. His voice rose against caste discrimination, against landlessness, and even against the subtle casteism he observed within Christian communities. Influenced by Periyar, BR Ambedkar and Buddhism, Subbaiah wrote songs that gave courage to those who felt unheard. His wife preserved photos, letters and small treasures from his journey, keeping his communitys memories safe. Today, with the film winning at the International Documentary & Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) and reaching the Academy Screening Room, his voice travels farther than he ever imagined. Director Gridaran MKP speaks to CE about the making of the film, the artistic struggle behind it and the long road ahead. Excerpts follow: How did the win at IDSFFK change the journey of the film? The moment we won, certain festival-linked channels became available. Through that, we realised we could actually submit the documentary to the Academy Screening Room. Until then, it wasnt even in our imagination. That win created the route. So the Oscar possibility began from there? Yes. Once you enter the Academy Screening Room pool, the film carries a different weight globally. It becomes part of an international conversation. We began taking the work more seriously, thinking carefully about each step ahead. Pa Ranjith and Gridaran with the citation from IDSFFK What are the practical challenges now? The next one or two months are crucial. We must market the film within a tight window so that Academy members actually watch it. That is the difficult part. We dont know how far our reach can go or what unforeseen expenses will appear. Were simply taking it step by step. People say the Oscar race itself is expensive. Do you feel that pressure? Definitely. Film festivals and the Oscar ecosystem require big names, people who will push and promote the film repeatedly. At IDSFFK, we learned how the festival system works. But the Oscars are a completely different world. The scale is enormous. What role did Neelam and Yazhi Films, who produced the documentary, play in shaping it? Pa Ranjith sir gave us the idea. He suggested telling a story about Margazhi Makkalisai artistes. Once he began documenting the event himself, the direction of the project shifted. After watching our early footage, he encouraged us to explore the layered experiences of oppression and resistance. After IDSFFK, he called again and told us: Documentaries dont end with making the film. We must take it to people. That clarity helped. His name brought visibility. Many screenings opened up because of it. Did you watch many documentaries before working on this? Hardly. I only began watching while we were already deep into production. I saw things like Hip-Hop Evolution to understand the trend, though the language was difficult for me. Years ago, Id watched documentaries which taught me that even pure visual records can be emotionally strong. But I didnt want to imitate anything or make it too intellectual. We wanted something simple, raw and honest. What, according to you, makes Dalit Subbaiahs music protest music? Subbaiah never wrote songs for entertainment. Everything he sang came directly from the people around him their pain, their anger, their landlessness, their caste struggles. He listened to their problems and turned them into songs. That honesty is what makes his music political. His emotions never hide the problem, they make it sharper. What do you hope young musicians take from Subbaiahs work? That protest music isnt about shouting slogans. Its about the truth. Subbaiah showed that you can sing with beauty and still hit the political nerve. If even one young artist listens to him and thinks, I should speak honestly about my world, that itself is a continuation of his rebellion. The documentary uses animation at crucial points. Why did you choose that? We could never capture some events through live footage, either because they were sensitive or because there was simply no material available. Animation allowed us to depict these truths without compromising anyones safety. It also added a certain emotional rhythm, something close to docu-drama. The minimal style came from our tight timeline, especially approaching the festival deadline. Editing seems to have been one of the hardest parts. Why? We only had small bits of footage fragments, not full scenes. Creating a rhythm out of that was extremely difficult. The film was nearly two hours long in the beginning. We kept refining until it was 88 minutes. The fear was always there: Will this get boring? Will the tone slip? Our producers, Manoj and Pa Ranjith, never interfered creatively. Their only advice was, Dont let the film become sentimental. Keep the emotion, but dont drown in it. That helped a lot. What were the biggest production challenges? Documentary-making itself. It requires enormous time and labour, but people rarely value that. Many in our team worked without expecting anything. The sound team never asked for extra payment. Hari did six months of animation and then asked if he could help further. Even our editor sat with us for two to three extra months, every day from morning to night. Without that dedication, the film wouldnt exist the way it does. Did constraints affect the final look of the film? Absolutely. Ideally, everything should be polished to perfection, what we call 5.1 clarity. But some locations allowed only one day of work. Some scenes remain raw because of that. Surprisingly, these limitations added honesty to the film. We used 4K equipment, and what mattered was clarity. How did you ensure that the revolutionary tone of his writing was preserved in the documentary? Our producers were very clear about not interfering with the political content. They didnt ask us to soften anything. Their only suggestion was that the emotion should not drag the film into sentimentality. We had to keep Subbiahs anger, his clarity, and his politics intact. The story had to lead everything. Structurally, the documentary is non-linear. Why? Subbaiahs life has a clear timeline, but showing it plainly felt too simple. Manoj asked me, How can such an important person exist without us knowing him? So we broke the chronology. We allowed friends, activists, singers, and ordinary workers to enter at different points. Those 15-20 minutes of voices workers, theatre artists are my favourite. What do you hope global viewers take away from this? Many people outside India still wonder if caste is real because they dont see it around them. Through Subbiahs life, they can understand its depth and violence. If the film reaches people who hold power, on a social, cultural, and political level, and shifts something even a little, that is enough. Personally, what does this documentary mean to you? To me, this film is an archive. A history. And also a continuation of Subbiahs rebellion. If one viewer walks away asking, What am I responsible for?, then the purpose is fulfilled. What comes next? Weve applied to Berlin, Sundance, Rotterdam, and Hot Docs filmfestivals. Were waiting. Meanwhile, were screening the film anywhere people ask, even in small villages and film schools like Yatra Film Academy in Puducherry. As many people as possible should watch it and critique it. That is how these films grow.

Measures will be implemented to resolve landslides on Thamarassery pass: Gadkari to Priyanka

WAYANAD (Kerala), Nov 19: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has informed Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra that steps have been taken to implement long and short-term remedial measures to resolve the landslide problems at the Thamarassery pass, the party said in a statement. Priyanka had written to Gadkari about the issue after landslides had disrupted traffic on the pass, a major route connecting Wayanad with the nearby Kozhikode district, for several days in August. She had sought a study by [] The post Measures will be implemented to resolve landslides on Thamarassery pass: Gadkari to Priyanka appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Senior living: A golden period begins for developers on rising NRI interest

Developers and operators say NRI demand is becoming more visible across major southern and northern hubs. Kerala continues to attract buyers due to its large expatriate population in the Gulf and western markets.

Heavy sheet falls from elevated highway structure at Chandiroor

The forgotten 316 families in Kochi: victims of development speak out

The acquisition of land for ICTT connectivity displaced 316 families across seven villages spanning three Assembly constituencies and six local bodies in Ernakulam

Crime Branch nabs U.P. native in medical seat fraud after five years on the run

The accused operated mainly from Delhi andNoida, and placed large-scale advertisements on online and social media platforms promising medical admissions in reputed institutions across Indi

HC declines Vinus plea for voter list inclusion; SEC restores Vyshna Sureshs name

BJP to prepare blueprint for development of capital in six months if voted to power, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar

He says poor waste collection and clogged drainages are among the main achievements of the ruling LDF and calls Congress the e B team of CPI(M)

Mankada sub-district takes early lead in Malappuram district school arts festival

Fact-finding team alleges brutal assault of prisoners in Viyyur High-Security Prison

It demands judicial inquiry into human rights violations inside Viyyur jail as well as other prisons in the State

Karnataka Seeks Kerala's Cooperation For Safe, Smooth Movement Of Sabarimala Devotees

As you are aware, Karnataka contributes a significant number of pilgrims to Sabarimala each year. In this context, I request the kind cooperation of the Government of Kerala in ensuring smooth facilitation and safety of a large number of devotees from our state, particularly during November to January: Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh

Ranji Trophy: Kartikyeya and Aryan hang in to thwart Kerala

The duo rescues Madhya Pradesh after the visitors attack reduces the home team to 126 for eight while in pursuit of a target of 404; Baby andAparajithhelp themselves to centuries

TKM college to host expo to mark 100 years of quantum science

Ex-Deputy Collector joins the poll fray in Kozhikode

E. Antihakumari, who retired from service in May 2025, is contesting the local body election as LDF candidate from the Mathottam ward of the Kozhikode Corporation

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan pays tribute to V.K. Damodaran

Pinarayi calls the late scientist a visionary who shaped Keralas peoples science movement

Sabarimala situation under control, says M.A. Baby

Rift in BJP comes to the fore in Palakkad municipality

A memorandum signed by 117 BJP supporters has appealed to the RSS to reconsider the decision to field BJP State treasurer E. Krishnadas in Pattikkara. They say prefer a candidate from the ward

4-year-old run over and killed by school bus in Idukki, another child injured

Accident occurs on the premises of Giri Jyothi CMI Public School in Idukki. Police seize vehicle, take driver into custody

National Mission on Tuber Crops proposed for popularising tuber crops

Proposal presented at the 20th International Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops under way in Thiruvananthapuram

Muslim body seeks separate government nodal agency for Haj and Umrah pilgrims

Highlights need for a dedicated department at the Centre through the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Minority Welfare, similar to the model followed by the State of Kerala

Safe health advisory issued for pilgrims going to Sabarimala

It comes in view of cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis (a rare, severe infection of the brain) caused by Naegleria fowleri being reported in Kerala

Alappuzha Collector issues explanation as audio of him warning BLOs triggers row

No parking facility for Sabarimala pilgrims at Kumily

Forest department has denied permission to Sabarimala pilgrims to park vehicles at Anavachal parking ground in Kumily

Drugs Control dept. seizes fake drugs worth 2 lakh

Ranji Trophy: Gujarat And Saurashtra Emerge Victorious, Rinku And Dhull Hit Centuries In Draws

Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy: Gujarat and Saurashtra registered outright wins on the last day of 2025/26 Ranji Trophy round five, while India left-handed batter Rinku Singh and Yash Dhull struck big centuries in drawn encounters for Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, respectively. At Abhimanyu Cricket Academy in Dehradun, Gujarat defeated Uttarakhand by 146 runs, with Vishal Jayswal claiming four wickets and Siddharth Desai picking three scalps. Aarav Mahajan top-scored for Uttarakhand in the second innings with 60, but despite a promising start, the middle order faltered and crashed to a loss. Saurashtra defeated Goa by an innings and 47 runs in their Ranji Trophy fixture at the Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground C in Rajkot. Left-arm spinner Parth Bhut was named Player of the Match for finishing with a match haul of nine wickets two scalps in the first innings and seven wickets in the second innings to dismiss Goa for 180 after enforcing the follow-on. At Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Ground, Coimbatore, Rinku hit a commanding 176 to steer Uttar Pradesh to getting three points via a crucial first-innings lead over Tamil Nadu in their Elite Group A clash. Resuming from his overnight score of 98, Rinku got his ninth first-class century in the morning session before converting it into a 247-ball effort laced with 17 fours and six sixes. He also stitched vital partnerships with Shivam Sharma (53) and Kartik Yadav (59) to keep UP in contention for taking the lead. Though he eventually fell to P Vidyuth in the 143rd over, Aaqib Khan and Kunal Tyagi held their nerve to secure a slender but valuable five-run lead that gave them three points. After UP were bowled out for 460, TN made 103/2, but got only one point. While B. Sachin was out after reaching his fifty, N. Jagadeesan was dismissed for 44. Their dismissals made the way for both teams to shake hands and settle for a draw. With the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy coming up, TN will now have M. Venkataramana taking over as head coach from M. Senthilnathan. At Madan Paliwal Miraj Sports Centre in Rajsamand, skipper Dhull stood tall for Delhi after being made to follow on by Rajasthan. Dhull hit a majestic 189 off 242 balls, laced with 27 fours and two sixes, as he helped Delhi to stave off an innings defeat and escape with one point. At Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, Assam produced a gritty rearguard effort to deny Bengal six points in their Group C clash by batting out 120.4 overs to secure a draw. Despite making 200 in the first innings, Assam showed remarkable resistance, with Denish Das (73), Sumit Ghadigaonkar (48), and Sibsankar Roy (52) hitting crucial knocks while Abdul Kuraishi remained unbeaten on 23 off 68 deliveries in the final session, as Assams last batting pair survived 44 balls. At Madan Paliwal Miraj Sports Centre in Rajsamand, skipper Dhull stood tall for Delhi after being made to follow on by Rajasthan. Dhull hit a majestic 189 off 242 balls, laced with 27 fours and two sixes, as he helped Delhi to stave off an innings defeat and escape with one point. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The resistance denied Kerala their first win of the season, with last years runners-up collecting three points from the drawn encounter. Sachin Baby and B. Aparajith struck centuries in a 176-run partnership that led to Kerala declaring at 314/5. Kerala looked on course for a win, but Pandey and Kartikeya ensured MP survived being bowled out by reaching 167/8 in 69 overs. Article Source: IANS

Student killed in road accident in Kozhikode

Youthful vibe in Punalur municipality poll campaign

Kerala CEO Seeks Public Support for SIR Exercis

Kelkar assured that BLOs would not be pressured, and all necessary support would be given to help them carry out their duties

Call to protect wetlands with active public participation

Tropical Bio Summit 2025 begins at Kerala Fisheries varsity

District Business Reform Action Plan to be implemented in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Palakkad

District Business Reform Action Plan is a State-driven exercise enabling States to take the lead in driving business reforms at the district level as part of ease of doing business initiatives

Control room opened to handle complaints on brewing of illicit liquor in Kozhikode

Polling days to be declared holidays

UDF delegation to highlight pilgrim woes at Sabarimala

Law enforcers fail in regulating crowd, causing a potentially disastrous pile-up of pilgrims far beyond the holding capacity of Sabarimala, says Satheesan

BES to conduct essay contest for students

Four-year-old girl dies after being hit by reversing school bus on school campus in Kerala

IDUKKI: A four-year-old playschool student died in a tragic accident on the premises of Girijyothi CMI Public School, Vazhathope, on Wednesday morning. The victim, Hazel Ben, a resident of Thadiambad, was allegedly run over by a school bus around 9 a.m. Hazel had arrived in a different vehicle and was walking towards her classroom with a friend when a bus reversing inside the courtyard allegedly hit both children and ran over Hazel. Staff members immediately rushed the two to the Idukki Medical College Hospital, but Hazels life could not be saved. Her friend, three-year-old Inaya Faisal, suffered severe leg injuries. She remains under treatment at the medical college and underwent emergency surgery due to the seriousness of the injury. Taking responsibility for the incident, the school management described it as something that should never have happened. According to the authorities, the children had strayed into the path of the moving bus, leading to the tragedy. School principal Fr Jomi and PTA president Sibi George said that if any lapse was committed by anyone, it would be examined thoroughly. The management added that several staff members, including two teachers and an ayah, were present at the time, but the situation unfolded too quickly to prevent the accident. Meanwhile, Idukki police have taken the bus driver into custody and initiated further investigation.

'Unacceptable': Kerala Minister Condemns Ex-Catholic Nun's 'Bomb & Kill' Threat To CM Pinarayi

In Facebook post, Teena Jose, who is reportedly a former nun and advocate, commented a bomb should be thrown at the CM during his campaign for local body elections

New owlfly species discovered from Kerala after 134 years

The species, Protidricerus albocapitatus, was found in the Nedumkayam forest in Malappuram district

US tariffs prove dearer to Keralas coir product exports, with a 400 crore loss this quarter

Tariff increase has severely impacted the competitiveness of coir in the US market

Kerala HC dismisses Mayoral candidate and filmmaker V M Vinu's appeal to include his name in voters' list

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by filmmaker V M Vinu, fielded as Mayoral candidate of Congress in Kozhikode Corporation, seeking a directive to the district collector to consider his appeal against the removal of his name from the voters' list. While dismissing the petition, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan said, Simply because the petitioner is a celebrity, there can be no preference to him. He's only an ordinary citizen of this country. When the petition came up for hearing, the court asked, Do you have a case in which anybody deleted you from the electoral roll? Did the celebrity not read the newspaper? Even after the published draft list, the citizens will get a chance to add their names to the list. Why did you not file an objection? The petitioner's counsel submitted that the ruling party deleted his name. In response, the court asked, Why were you blaming other political parties? The United Democratic Front leaders approached Vinu and asked him to contest the election to the Kallayi division, number 37 of Kozhikode Corporation, and he decided to contest the election. However, at the time of filing the nomination papers, it came to the notice of the petitioner and others that his name was not included in the list. V M Vinu met the Electoral Registration officer only to get to know that the time was over. Thus, he filed an appeal before the district collector, which is still pending. According to the petitioner, he has taken all the steps to contest the election. The court had said that the preparation of electoral rolls started on July 19. A preliminary voters list was published, and there was an opportunity for the petitioner to object if his name was not there. Thereafter, the final voters list was published on September 2, and again, after revision, a final voter list was published ed October 15. However, the petitioner has not objected at that stage either, the court remarked. The Commission provided chances to citizens whose names were not mentioned in the final voters' list to update, and they were allowed to submit objections on November 4 and 5. The counsel for the petitioner states that his name is deleted because there is a political rivalry. I'm surprised to see such an argument from the petitioner. This is the fault of the petitioner himself. He need not blame others, and he has to blame himself. There's nothing in it. The petition is dismissed, said the Single Judge.

Kerala Police intensify manhunt for prime suspects in teenagers murder

The investigation team has not ruled out the possibility that the gang may have fled across the State border into Tamil Nadu

Allegations of financial mismanagement in BJP-controlled cooperative society surface amid Kerala local body poll campaign

Report of Cooperative department ordering office-bearers of BJP-controlled Peringammala Labour Contract Cooperative Society to pay a total of 4.16 crore to make up for societys losses surface in public domain

Dheepam Launches a New Range of Charcoal-Free Agarbattis

Dheepam, the iconic legacy brand from Kaleesuwari, known for its purity and devotion, has launched its new range of premium charcoal-free Agarbattis, further strengthening its presence in the spiritual wellness category. This expansion marks a significant milestone as Dheepam now offers various fragrances, including five newly introduced scents, designed to enhance every prayer and meditation experience.   Dheepam Agarbatti For decades, Dheepam has been deeply rooted in Indian households, symbolising faith and tradition through its trusted lamp oils. Extending this heritage, the brand’s new Agarbatti collection brings the same promise of authenticity, cleanliness, and serenity. Agarbattis hold a profound place in Indian spirituality, believed to elevate prayer, meditation, and emotional wellbeing. Dheepam’s charcoal-free incense sticks offer a cleaner burn, less smoke, and longer-lasting aroma, making them a safer and more enjoyable choice for daily use. The range features unique signature fragrances like Sambrani — along with their celebration fragrances like Nandalala bliss, Vinayaka Vibes and Festival of Lights. Each fragrance is thoughtfully crafted to suit diverse preferences, whether for daily pooja, meditation, yoga, relaxation, or creating a peaceful ambience at home. Strengthening its footprint across South India, Dheepam’s new Agarbatti range has now been newly launched in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, bringing its trusted spiritual offerings to more households across the region. With unique coloured sticks, charcoal-free formulations, and prices at INR 10, INR 20, and INR 55, Dheepam ensures high quality remains accessible to all. Now available in stores across multiple states, Dheepam Agarbattis invite consumers to experience a more meaningful, serene, and divine ritual every day. Experience the divine essence with Dheepam – the trusted name in every prayer. Contact: 4446143999/4446143991 www.instagram.com/kaleesuwari_refinery

Strict action promised after obstruction of BLOs work in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rathan U Kelkar on Wednesday said that stringent legal action will be taken against those who obstructed the work of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Malappuram and Idukki districts. BLOs are constitutionally nominated officers working for the Election Commission. We have asked the district collectors to initiate strict criminal action against whoever obstructs this work, as per Section 121 of the BNS, the CEO said at a press conference here. He added that collectors have also been asked to approach the local police for support in case of any issues related to the BLOs duties. Kelkar further stated that legal action will also be taken against individuals who launch cyberattacks against BLOs and spread fake news and misinformation. Stating that over 97% of enumeration forms have already been distributed across the state, the CEO said some BLOs have begun the digitisation process. Over 5 lakh forms have already been digitised, he said. Earlier in the day, Kelkar had appreciated the BLOs for their efforts in completing this stage of the process. According to the CEO, more than 55,000 individuals have been marked by the BLOs as untraceable. These categories include shifted, deceased, duplicates, and others. Over 29,000 people have been identified as deceased, 20,000 as shifted, 3,800 as duplicates, and more than 4,500 as untraceable. The specific details of this will be released in the next all-party meeting scheduled for this Saturday, Kelkar said. He noted that urban areas in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam remain challenging for distributing the enumeration forms. Expressing condolences to the family of Payyannu BLO Aneesh George, who died by suicide while executing the SIR process, Kelkar said the district collectors report has already been sent to the Election Commission. We also reiterate that all kinds of possible support will be extended to Aneeshs family, he said, adding that the investigation is underway. Addressing concerns raised by BLOs who did not report to work on the day of the strike following Aneeshs death, Kelkar said that no action will be taken against them. We understand their sentiments. This is also misinformation, which demotivates the BLOs who have been working efficiently, he said. The CEO also clarified that rumours about action against BLOs who fail to adhere to the deadline are fake. He refuted allegations that certain district collectors are threatening or pressurising BLOs to complete their work on time. Commenting on the support from political parties, Kelkar said there has been an increase of more than 4,000 booth-level agents in the process. BLOs have been instructed by the CEO to organise meetings with BLAs nominated by recognised political parties to ensure maximum accuracy and transparency. They can easily identify and avoid duplication, he said.

Opposition UDF chargesheet portrays Kerala as a State in decline under nearly a decade of LDF rule

V.D. Satheesan says UDF will expose LDFs smokescreen of lies about the States development, including tall claims about eradicating extreme poverty, in doorstep conversations and town hall meetings with voters

Kerala High Court Pulls Up State Over Sabarimala Crowd Management, Asks For Report On Steps Taken

According to submissions made by the Travancore Devaswom Board, even after implementing spot bookings, more than 10,000 additional devotees managed to climb the hill.

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer warns of stern action against those obstructing BLOs from conducting SIR work

Complaints regarding work pressure on BLOs will be looked into, says Rathan U. Kelkar

Alleged death threat to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Facebook sparks political row

Alleged comment referred to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, stating that this world, which killed a good man like Rajiv Gandhi, can do that as well

Watch: Names of children killed in Gaza read out in Thiruvananthapuram

Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram turned into a space of remembrance on November 16. People gathered on the cultural street to read out the names of children killed in Gaza, making sure their identities were not lost in numbers. The event, called The Names of Gaza and organised by the Chinta Ravi Foundation, brought together activists, civil society members and ordinary citizens.

Survivor turns author: Satyan Warriers CanSwar aims to end cancer taboos in Kerala

THRISSUR: Even though there are numerous campaigns across the country sharing survival stories of people diagnosed with cancer, in Kerala it still remains a taboo to talk about the disease. Whether within extended families or among close friends, there is an aversion to speak openly about cancer diagnosis and treatment. For Satyan Warrier, an IT professional residing in Athani, this became clear when he had to face the situation himself. This experience inspired him to write the book CanSwar , detailing his diagnosis, treatment and survival of a life-threatening disease. It was in December 2015 that Satyan first consulted a doctor in Bengaluru after suffering from fever. Though he took the medicines prescribed by the doctor, the fever didnt subside and dengue was initially suspected. Blood tests revealed a low platelet count, prompting further investigations. When indications of a possible cancer appeared, Satyan resigned from his job in Bengaluru to pursue advanced medical care. After consultations, the diagnosis at Aster Medcity confirmed Stage IV Aggressive T-cell Lymphoma. T-cells are usually produced in our bone marrow, but in my case, they were turning cancerous at the production stage and invading other cells in my body. Hence, the only practical solution was a bone marrow transplantation. However, we did explore potential treatments in the US, where clinical trials for new medicines were underway, he said. However, he decided not to experiment with unproven therapies and chose to proceed with bone marrow transplantation. Fortunately, his twin brother Vijayan was a perfect donor match. After undergoing chemotherapy, Satyan returned to life following the bone marrow transplantation procedure. The chemotherapy just before the surgery was too intense. To mentally prepare for the transplant while enduring such harsh treatment was an incredibly difficult phase. Yet, when I look back, I feel confident, he said. Life gradually returned to normal, but one day Satyan had to be admitted to the hospital again with a fever. It was an eye-opener for me. Now I respect my body and lead a life taking care of myself. From my eating habits to my daily routine, surviving cancer has transformed me as a person, Satyan added. Satyan wrote the book with the aim of encouraging people to talk openly about cancer survival and treatment. He began writing about his journey while undergoing treatment in the hospital. Even though his handwriting was shaky and the process was difficult, he was determined to document his thoughtscontinuing to write even on days when getting out of bed was a struggle. I had decided to write about my experience during the treatment itself. After surviving, many people began sharing their journeys with me. Yet, few are willing to talk about it publicly. Some feel ashamed of their illness, while others are simply afraid. This mindset must change, people should feel free to share their experiences, Satyan opined. The book captures his thoughts, experiences and the ways he fought back the disease. Satyan was diagnosed with a rare form of T-cell Lymphoma with fewer than 1,000 reported cases worldwide. It is the first such case reported in India. As per Dr Arun Warrier, Senior Consultant (Medical Oncology) at Aster Medcity, even diagnosing such a condition was challenging.

SC to hear plea challenging SIR in Kerala on Nov 21

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to urgently list a plea seeking postponement of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala in view of the upcoming elections to the Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs). A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai said the matter would be listed 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 .

Kerala Teen Alleges Mother, Her Friend Encouraged Him To Join ISIS, Case Registered

Kerala Police filed a UAPA case after a teen alleged his mother and her friend encouraged him to join ISIS. The incident surfaced after his return from the UK.

CJI lists Kerala Govt, IUML pleas to defer SIR in Kerala for hearing on November 21

Kerala argues that conducting the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls (SIR) concurrently with the local body elections would overwhelm available personnel and hinder essential government functions

Kerala district administrations seek volunteers for SIR of electoral rolls amid pressure on BLOs

House-to-house enumeration phase of SIR has been mired in controversy with BLOs, political parties and service organisations complaining that BLOs are overburdened with work on account of operational overlap with upcoming local body elections and pressure to meet unfair deadlines

3-year-old killed, another child injured after school bus runs over students in Keralas Idukki

After a bus dropped students off in front of the school, they walked towards the back of the vehicle to enter the classroom. Soon, another school bus entered the spot which hit the children and ran over them