Railways to operate special trains from Kerala for Mahakumbh Mela
Railways have also announced special train services to clear extra rush during the Christmas and New Year period
Kerala presents its proposals in a memorandum to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday
Kerala seeks more time for registering exotic pets
The registration campaign didnt evoke much response in the State and only 650 applications were received, said State Forest officials
Congress disputes Natesans imputation about a power struggle for the CMs post in the party
Kerala Congress chief K. Sudhakaran said the party was competent in choosing its CM candidate when the time came and has an array of leaders who were immensely suited to the top post
Sobha Group's philanthropic arm is establishing Devi Home in Palakkad, Kerala, to provide housing and support for orphaned girls and elderly women. The 42,000 sq ft facility will accommodate 144 residents, offering education, skill-training, and essential needs.
Tribal woman gives birth inside a jeep in Kerala's Konni
PATHANAMTHITTA: A 21-year-old tribal woman from the Avanippara Tribal Colony gave birth inside a jeep near Konni in Pathanamthitta district while she was on her way to the hospital on Sunday. According to sources, the young woman was about to be admitted to a nearby hospital on Monday. Sajeedha, a health worker from the Kokkathodu Primary Health Center (PHC) who reached the spot, said the mother and the child, a baby boy, were safe and there was no cause for concern. The health worker provided the delivery care while her daughter, Baseena, a third-year MBBS student at KMCT Medical College in Kozhikode, also assisted her mother in taking the woman and the baby to an ambulance. The mother and the child were taken to the Pathanamthitta General Hospital after half an hour's journey. Baseena who was at home while her mother was being rushed for a medical emergency also joined for the medical help. When they reached the spot, they found the woman lying inside the jeep. Though the child was delivered at the time, they had to intervene to take care of the mother to stop the bleeding. Sajeedha said the road to the tribal hamlet was in extremely poor condition and with much difficulty they took care of both the mother and child while taking them to an ambulance and later to General Hospital in Pathanamthitta. When they were returning, Baseena carried the baby and Sajeedha took care of the mother. According to the residents, the route to Avanippara, through the rough terrain of the forest, is not maintained for a long time. They said their journeys, including to the hospitals, is an extremely difficult task.
Tribal woman gives birth in jeep in Kerala
Pathanamthitta: A pregnant tribal woman gave birth to a baby boy inside a jeep in the midst of a forest in this district on Sunday. The woman, resident of a tribal colony in nearby Avanippara, went into labour while en route to the government hospital, sources said. Local tribal officials and forest personnel reached the spot and arranged for an ambulance, which transported the mother and the newborn to the general hospital here. Later, Sajitha, a nurse who accompanied the woman, told the media that their condition is stable as of now and they are doing well.
TNIE Impact: Kerala officials transport waste from Tamil Nadu villages back to their state
TIRUNELVELI: In a historic move, Kerala officials, including those from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, visited six sites in Tirunelveli villages where Keralas biomedical, plastic, food, and other wastes had been illegally dumped . The officials began removing the waste with 16 Kerala-based trucks to transport it back to their state, following directives from the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which took suo motu case based on TNIE s report. This marks the first time in history that the waste dumped in Tamil Nadu by Kerala is being sent back to its original state. The Kerala team, led by Dr Gopukumar, Public Health Officer of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, arrived at the Government Girls High School in Nadu Kallur at 8.55 am for discussions with Tamil Nadu officials, including Cheranmahadevi Sub-Collector Arpit Jain, Tirunelveli Assistant Collector (Training) Ambica Jain, tahsildars, block development officers, and police inspectors. Officials from both states formed six teams to visit the sites where the waste was dumped. At 9.50 am, excavators began loading the waste onto trucks. The illegally dumped waste was discovered in Kodaganallur, Palavoor, two sites in Kondanagaram, Sivaniyapuram, and Elanthaikulam villages. On January 16, TNIE visited two of these locations and escalated the issue to the district administration and police, leading to two cases being registered at the Sivanthipatti police station after a 37-day delay. Two held for facilitating dumping of Kerala biomedical waste in Nellai The New Indian Express published a detailed report on January 17, prompting the NGT to take suo motu action. The NGT directed the Kerala government to either transport the waste back or deal it with a waste management firm. Meanwhile, another site was identified in Thidiyoor village, where also Kerala waste was found dumped. Police have launched an investigation. So far, six cases have been registered by Tirunelveli police against the waste transporters and staff of a waste management organisation. Four people three from Tamil Nadu and one from Kerala have been arrested.
Senior Congress MP Venugopal said the Centre had hurriedly amended the Conduct of Election rules after the High Court in Haryana ordered the ECI to release the documents sought by INDIA bloc allies
Team from Kerala begins cleanup of hazardous wastes dumped in Tirunelveli district
The waste found in the places including Pazhavoor, Kodaganallur, Kallur and Kondanagaram comprised biomedical materials including syringes, blood samples and other hazardous waste mixed with solid wastes
Asserting 'communal Muslim alliance' behind Congress victory in Wayanad in Lok Sabha elections, CPI(M) leader A Vijayaraghavan said that the worst extremist elements in the minorities were in with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
A. Vijayaraghavan alleged that the worst fundamentalist groups helped catapult Mr Gandhi to victory in Wayanad.
Kerala Lottery Results December 22: Akshaya AK-682 Sunday lucky draw result TODAY 3 pm
For the drawing on December 22, 2024, 3 pm, the code is: Akshaya AK-682. Akshaya Lottery is just one of the many events that take place throughout the week.
Kerala Sends Team to Retrieve Illegally Dumped Medical Waste in Tamil Nadu
Amid public outrage, the Kerala government has dispatched a team to Tirunelveli to retrieve medical waste illegally dumped in several areas of Tamil Nadu. The team, led by a senior officer and supported by eight trucks from Thiruvananthapuram, began removing the hazardous waste on Sunday, according to local media reports. The waste was found in areas bordering the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border sparking local protests. Residents filed complaints with the Suttamalli police, leading to the registration of six cases. Two individuals, including the owner of the truck and a supervisor from a Kerala-based waste management company, have been arrested for their role in the illegal disposal. The National Green Tribunals southern bench has ordered the Kerala government to complete the removal by December 23. Tirunelveli District Collector Karthikeyan questioned the Kerala teams assessment of the waste, suggesting that if it were non-hazardous, there would be no need for such covert operations. He emphasized the need for strict action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
GoM from Andhra Pradesh to study free bus travel scheme in other states
VIJAYAWADA: The State government will constitute a Group of Ministers (GoM) to study the implementation of free bus travel scheme for women in other States. Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad issued an order to this effect on Saturday. While Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy has been appointed as chairperson of the GoM, Ministers G Sandhya Rani (Women and Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare) and Vangalapudi Anitha (Home) are the members. Principal Secretary (Transport, Roads and Buildings) has been appointed as the Convener of the GoM. The GoM has been tasked with submitting its report to the State government as early as possible so that further action can be taken. Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Punjab and Kerala are the States that are currently implementing the free bus travel scheme for women. It may be pointed out that providing free bus travel to women in the State was one of the promises under the Super Six guarantees made by TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu in the run up to the elections. Other promises included creation of 20 lakh jobs and unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month, Rs 20,000 financial aid to farmers per year, Rs 1,500 to every woman and Rs 15,000 to every school-going child, and three free LPG cylinders per year for every household. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president YS Sharmila Reddy lashed out at the TDP-led NDA government in the State for prolonging the implementation of the scheme. Accusing the coalition government of not being sincere, she said the State government is not committed to fulfilling its promise. She pointed out that in Telangana and Karnataka, the Congress implemented the free bus travel scheme for women within 100 days of forming the government. Emphasising that the APSRTC management has already expressed its readiness for implementing the scheme, Sharmila sought to know why the Naidu government was delaying it. The government should at least launch the scheme as a new year gift to the people and prove its sincerity, she said.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As per the direction of Education Minister V Sivankutty, a detailed report on the snake bite incident involving a student at the aided Chenkal UP School was submitted to the director of public education, K Shanavas, by the deputy director of education on Saturday. The report will be forwarded to the minister after incorporating the directors recommendations. The ministers office has also informed that actions will be taken as per the findings of the report. The victim, Neha, 12, is the daughter of Shibu and Beena from Chenkal. The school only offers classes 5, 6, and 7. With fewer than 50 students enrolled, the school has been neglected for many years. The incident happened around 12.30pm on Friday during a Christmas celebration programme. Neha felt a sharp pain in her leg, which was later identified as a snake bite. Teachers immediately killed the snake and rushed Neha to the Vattavila Primary Health Centre. She was later admitted to Neyyattinkara General Hospital, after which she was shifted to the Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment. After the blood test at the hospital, Nehas condition was found to be satisfactory. The snake that bit the student was identified as a non-venomous species, Churutta.
Thiruvananthapuram police show soft side to SFI workers accused of serious crimes
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state polices motto may be Mridhu Bhave Dhrida Kruthye, which means soft in temperament and firm in action, yet the force seems to getting used to forgetting the second part of the Sanskrit phrase when it comes to acting against SFI activists accused of serious crimes. Under fire for its languid response to the assault of a disabled student by SFI members of University College , city police have again come under the scanner for their failure to nab five activists who attacked a student from Lakshadweep on Saturday morning in the aftermath of the previous incident. Muhammed Fayaz Khan of Kavaratti was attacked inside the University College mens hostel in Palayam for allegedly coming to the aid of Muhammed Anas, a differently abled student, who was attacked by SFI members on December 2. Anas was allegedly attacked for refusing to tie an SFI flag to a tree within the campus. A native of Konniyoor, Anas, a second-year degree student, was hit on the head with an iron rod and stomped on his weaker leg. Following the incident, police registered cases against Amal Chand, Midhun, Alan Jamal, and Vidhu Uday -- all leaders of the CPM students wing -- under non-bailable sections. However, officers failed to arrest the culprits even after the additional chief judicial magistrate court rejected their anticipatory bail plea. The accused have now approached the High Court and police said they are awaiting the courts order before planning their next move. Meanwhile, Museum police claimed that those named in the Fayaz case have gone into hiding. Fayaz sustained injuries to his ear and arms after SFI members barged into his hostel room and attacked him. Officers claimed to have conducted searches at the homes of the accused, but to no avail. A Museum police source said they would arrest the culprits within this week. We are working hard on the case and the accused would be arrested soon, the source said. The Lakshadweep native belongs to the scheduled caste, which led to the invocation of the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Despite this, police have reportedly been lethargic in tracking down the accused, precipitating criticism that it was slow-pedalling on the probe under political pressure. Ironically, both victims are also affiliated to the SFI.
Puthuvype Beach Race: Sun, Sand & Speed
KOCHI: Among the slew of programmes that make up the Vypeen Tourism Mela, perhaps nothing is as exhilarating as the Puthuvype Beach Race. Held every year on December 26, the event sees the beach turn into a festival ground as riders and riding enthusiasts descend from all corners of Kerala and nearby states. This year will be no different. It will be akin to Thrissur Pooram here, as is the case every year, says Emmanual Abin, one of the organisers. But this year, he adds, its extra special as it is our 25th year. Indeed, since its inception in 2000, the Beach Race has evolved into a mainstay event not just of the Mela, but in the national racing scene. For many years now, we have had teams from various bike companies taking part in the festival, from TVS, Hero, KTM, etc. National racing champions too have featured. We expect even more riders to join this year, says Sachin Joseph, another organiser. To cater to them and other enthusiasts, the team behind the race has opened two new categories - the ladies and the scooter class. This will be the first time a racing event for women will be held on the beach, Sachin adds. The track too has undergone a series of upgrades. This time, two jumps will be introduced. We had jumps during the initial editions of the race. Later, they were discontinued. Now, for the 25th edition, its making a comeback. Also, there are banks, turns and flat tracks all designed to invigorate the spectators. But, of course, with all aspects of safety looked into, says Swaroop Dennis, yet another organiser. This time, the race organisation team is led by local hero and national racing champion Amal Varghese. Amal won the last two years Beach race. If he wins again, thatd be the first time a rider has won three in a row, says Swaroop. But the event is more than racing or glory. Essentially, it is about inspiring the youth, to knit them together, explains Sachin. This is one reason why the event is so loved in Vypeen. The response from the locals is overwhelming, adds Abin. With the Fort Kochi Race moving out of the beach this year, the Puthuvype Race assumes greater significance. We hope to put on a good show, says the band of friends. - Ronnie Kuriakose & Aravind B
A grand Orient-Occident fusion
KOCHI: When Yuletide comes jingling all the way, spreading mirth and radiance in hearts and hearths, there is no escape from the good things that come with it. It is a fact that Christmas is a feast for the senses. The decked-up homes, illuminated trees, soothing carols, and tempting aromas wafting from the kitchen... the Christmas magic is too strong to resist. Among all its trappings, the lavish spread of gastronomic delights steals the show. But how many of us have paused to think of the origins of this grand feast in Kerala? One would be pleasantly surprised to know that had it not been for the arrival of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the English, our Christmas would have been a bland, lacklustre affair, shorn of all its glitz and goodies. That means no stars, cribs, decorated trees, and most importantly, no cakes, cutlets, stew, and other delicacies. But then, Kerala had Christians even before the advent of Europeans, right? There is not even an iota of evidence to prove that Christmas was celebrated by the early Christians of Kerala with the pomp and elegance that we see today before our tryst with the Europeans, says veteran journalist, historian, and author Ignatius Gonsalves. It must have been an absolutely low-key, localised affair. How It All Began Ignatius explains that the great travellers, including Marco Polo, who visited Kerala before the Europeans, have not recorded anything about Christmas festivities. Even the songs of the early Christians and literature from the pre-Portuguese period fail to mention anything about celebrations connected to the birth of Christ. In fact, one should be thankful to the Europeans, especially the Portuguese, for the lip-smacking array of delicacies featuring flesh and fowl that mark the Christmas lunch. Apart from introducing red chillies, onions, and a whole range of culinary ingredients, the Portuguese taught their descendants (the Anglo-Indians) and those who adopted Latin (Roman) Catholicism the culinary arts. The Portuguese chefs tweaked their recipes with local ingredients to create fusion dishes dripping with flavour, says Ignatius, adding that the Anglo-Indian and Latin Catholic chefs deserve the credit for popularising a vast majority of chicken, beef, and pork-based delicacies in myriad avatars that grace the dining table on December 25. The Brits, meanwhile, deserve the credit for popularising the plum cake and pudding, which add the quintessential sweetness to Christmas. Dig in the Anglo Way No Christmas is complete without zooming in on the Anglo-Indians, as this community outsmarts others in radiating the spirit of the season and the bonhomie that comes with it. Their Christmas lunch is the stuff of legends, as it brings together the extended family around a table loaded with dishes. Anglo-Indian culinary expert Matilda Rodriguez says, The typical Christmas lunch comprises multiple courses. We start with bread and meat stew, followed by beef cutlet and salad. She explains that the salad comprises chopped onions, tomatoes, and green chillies in vinegar. We then serve duck roast, which is a semi-dry dish with the flavour of peppercorns dominating, along with pork roast. The latter comes with big chunks of pork with slivers of lard in a not-too-fiery preparation. Last comes the rice, gravy, and roast beef, which again is all about big chunks of slow-cooked meat that leave one craving for more, says Matilda. According to Ignatius, who belongs to the Anglo-Indian community, bebinca (a baked dish made of rice flour, ghee, and eggs) was served as dessert in olden times, adding that some families also dine on roast turkey with stuffing, pointing to the English influence. With Anglo and Latin Catholic chefs, these dishes made their way across Kerala over the centuries, giving rise to many different variants across various communities, he sums up. In short, the fusion of the Orient and the Occident has created a unique, tasty legacy for Christmas that Kerala can be proud of. Figdosi By Linette Luiz Ingredients Ripe plantains: 3, chopped into round pieces Thin coconut milk: One and a half cups Thick coconut milk: 3/4 cup Sugar: To taste Salt: A pinch Cardamom pods crushed: 2 Method In a saucepan, cook the chopped plantains, and cardamoms along with the thin coconut milk over medium heat until the pieces become soft. When the consistency thickens, add the thick coconut milk, lower the heat, and mix well. Add sugar and salt and bring it to a light boil and switch off the flame. Serve warm along with rice hoppers or string hoppers for breakfast. Beef Baffad By Kein Gonsalves Ingredients Sliced beef: 1/2 kg Turmeric powder: 1 tbsp Kashmiri chilli powder: 3 tbsp Garlic: 2 bulbs Yellow mustard seeds: 2 tbsp Cloves: 3 nos Cinnamon: 2 sticks Peppercorns: 1 tsp Coriander: 1 tsp Ginger: 1 big piece Bark of drumstick tree: 1 piece Onions: 2 nos Green chillies: 2 nos Salt: As required Vinegar: 3 tbsp Coconut oil: 2 tbsp Curry leaves: 3 sprigs Coconut milk: Add if required after the baffad cools Method: Wash the sliced beef pieces and keep aside. Add cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander, garlic, yellow mustard seeds, ginger and bark of drumstick tree and make a paste with vinegar. Mix this with the meat and keep aside for one hour. Add a little water to the meat to be cooked in the pressure cooker. Saute the onions, chillies, curry leaves in coconut oil and add to the meat and cook in the cooker until done. Eranadan prawns curry By Chef Arun Vijayan Ingredients Tiger prawns (without shell): 6 Sliced shallots: 50g Chopped ginger: 5g Crushed garlic: 5g Salt: To taste Turmeric powder: 2g Chopped tomatoes: 20g Kokum water: 10 ml Curry leaves: 2 sprigs Whole shallots: 5 Green chilli: 3 Thick coconut milk: 80ml Chopped coriander: 2g Coconut oil: 50ml For garnish: Micrograms Red oil Coconut milk Fried whole shallots Method: Crush the whole shallots and green chilli together. Keep it aside. Heat coconut oil in a pan and add the sliced shallots and tomato. Saut it until grown and add salt and turmeric powder. Add the prawns and curry leaves. Then, add kokum water and cook for 2 minutes. Add the coconut milk and adjust the gravy to a thick consistency. Finish with crushed green chilli, shallots and chopped coriander leaves. Enjoy with Appam Pentefrite By Kein Gonsalves Ingredients Finely powdered rice flour: 2 cups Eggs: 2 Salt: One pinch Milk of one coconut Coconut oil for frying Method Mix the flour, eggs and salt in a bowl. Add the coconut milk and knead well and leave it for two hours. Make small balls of dough, flatten each one with a comb and fold it. Deep fry them until they turn slightly brown. If needed, you can dust powdered sugar over the pentefrite. Lemon Butter Salmon Ingredients By Priya Harikumar Salmon: 4 (sliced)Black pepper powder: 2 tbsp Lemon juice: 1 tsp Garlic powder: 1/ 2 tsp ( optional) Salt: To taste Butter: 2 tbsp Method: Clean and pat dry the salmon pieces. Rub the marinade thoroughly on the pieces and keep aside for 10 minutes. Add butter to a grill pan, place the salmon slices. Flip it over, and cook until both sides are done. Serve hot.
After long wait, Kochi's Kumbalam-Thevara bridge dream inches closer to reality
KOCHI: The Kumbalam-Thevara bridge, a long-pending demand which would substantially reduce commuting time between the city and its southern outskirts, is finally set to become a reality. Despite having received a budgetary allocation from the state government in 2016, the project failed to take off following opposition from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), which argued the bridge would obstruct the movement of vessels along National Waterway 3. Now, after numerous revisions of design and alignment, the IWAI is set to give a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the PWD Bridges Section, the implementing agency. Another major issue, that of land acquisition, too has been sorted out with the officials completing the survey. Initially, we planned to construct a straight bridge connecting Kumbalam to Thevara Ferry. However, the IWAI expressed reservations, citing the bridge pillars would obstruct the smooth passage of vessels along National Waterway 3. Weve to change the alignment five times and the bridge design six times to finally satisfy the IWAI authorities. Now we expect the NOC from the central agency by next week, said a senior PWD official. The department has also begun attempts to get the Coastal Regulation Zone clearance, for which an agency has started a rapid Social Impact Study, the official said. An IWAI official confirmed that the regional office had forwarded a report on providing NOC to the bridge project to the headquarters in Noida three weeks ago. The same is now expected in a weeks time, the official said. The bridge will now be constructed in a curved manner, with a total length of 714.70 metres. It will start from Thevara Ferry and land beside the Water Metro terminal at Kumbalam. A total of 23 pillars will be constructed across the Kumbalam kayal. The issues related to the acquisition of around 30 cents of land have also been resolved and the individual surveys completed, the PWD official said. The next step is the issuance of 19(1) notification, following which an estimate of the project cost will be prepared and submitted to the KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board). Since the project received financial approval long back, the tendering process can be initiated without delay, the official added. The bridge will reduce the travel distance between Kumbalam and Thevara by nearly 10km and save half an hour. The issue had grabbed attention after local residents held a hunger strike a decade ago, demanding bridge connectivity. In 2016, KIIFB approved `97.45 crore for the project. As per the initial proposal, the bridge was expected to be completed within 36 months, but it never took off. Once the bridge is built, the residents of Kumbalam, Aroor, and Nettoor and Thevara can travel to and from these areas without having to navigate city traffic. Despite being just four kilometres away from the city, Kumbalam residents now have to travel 16 to 18km on the busy Aroor-Edappally stretch of NH 66 and get past four traffic signals to reach Kochi.
Private suppliers set to double tanker water prices in Kochi from January 1
KOCHI: Apartment complexes and establishments relying on tanker services for potable water in Kochi could be in for a difficult start to the new year, if the decision of the suppliers is anything to go by. The water transporters, who currently charge 10 paise per litre, are set to increase the tariffs for water tankers having a capacity of more than 18,000 litres by a whopping 100% from January 1. It has been 11 years since we increased the rates. Even as all our operational expenses have skyrocketed, we are forced to go to distant places to collect water, R Ramachandran, secretary of the Ernakulam District Drinking Water Transporters Welfare Association, told TNIE. There are at least 450 tankers supplying potable water to apartments, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, hostels, corporate establishments, Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and even to the collectorate. The tankers -- with capacities ranging from 2,000, 6,000, 12,000, 18,000, 23,000, 25,000, 30,000 and 35,000 litres -- make at least five trips a day. Going by the proposed rate, an establishment using the services of an 18,000-litre tanker will have to shell out Rs 3,600 per trip. Five such trips could raise the cost of water to Rs 18,000 per day, besides service charge. Eloor and Choornikkara panchayats had recently slapped stop memos to suppliers, preventing them from drawing water from wells near the Periyar. This is another reason for the hike in rates. We are now solely depending on the Kerala Water Authority and a few wells on the outskirts of the city to source water, said V A Zakir Husain, president of the association. Besides the shortage of drinking water, the increase in expenses such as fuel charge, vehicle insurance, road tax, spare parts price, wages and allowances for employees, and maintenance cost pose challenges to their profession, the water transporters said. Meanwhile, the president of the Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council, Ranganatha Prabhu, said the Kerala Water Authority and the corporation have the responsibility to supply free water to all citizens in the city. We are worried that such moves will only lead to complete privatisation of the drinking water sector. The most-affected will be apartment residents as this will directly hit their annual budget. It is high time the apartment associations had a consolidated organisation platform to resist such undemocratic price hikes, Prabhu said.
12 anganwadi children fall ill in Kochi's Ponnurunni; poor water quality suspected cause
KOCHI: Ernakulam has reported another incident of food poisoning with as many as 13 children from an anganwadi in the Ponnurunni East division of Kochi corporation falling ill on Saturday. Earlier this month, Kalamassery and Thrikkakara municipalities had reported an outbreak of Hepatitis A and diarrhoea. Poor quality of drinking water is suspected to be the cause of the spread. Fifteen students were present in the class on Thursday. Of them, 13 had symptoms of diarrhoea. Their caretaker too is suffering from similar symptoms, said Dipin Dileep, the Ponnurunni East councillor. The condition of those affected by the spread is satisfactory, said corporation health standing committee chairman T K Ashraf. They sought treatment at various hospitals and are getting better. There were no hospital admissions, he said. The anganwadi used drinking water supplied by the Kerala Water Authority, Dipin pointed out. There is a tank in which the water supplied by KWA is stored. We have been using water from the tank for several months now. However, it has unexpectedly caused the illness. The health department officials are investigating the issue, he added.
Kerala government seeks special packages at Centres pre-budget consultation
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A special package of Rs 24,000 crore and Rs 2,000 assistance for Wayanad rehabilitation were among the demands made by the state at the pre-budget consultation held by the Union government. The state is fiscally stressed due to the cut in central transfers, stoppage of GST compensation and revenue deficit grant, Finance Minister K N Balagopal told the meeting. The curtailing of normal borrowing ceiling added to the states financial woes, he said. The minister said there was a continuous decline in Keralas share from the divisible pool - from 3.875 pc during the 10th Finance Commission to 1.925 pc during the 15th Finance Commission. The state is facing a crisis despite making a commendable increase in its own tax revenue. The share of Keralas own revenue in the total revenue expenditure was 63.58 pc, when compared to the national average of only 53.9 pc. He also requested the Centre to provide Rs 2,000 crore special package for the rehabilitation of the landslide victims in Wayanad. The affected area is no longer habitable due to natural disasters and potential hazards and hence the state government plans to relocate survivors to a new township. The rehabilitation plan aims to incorporate global best practices, adhering to the Sendai Framework and Build Back Better principles. Balagopal reiterated the states demand for a special assistance to the tune of Rs 5000 crore to the Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited. The minister called for a rethink on the Union governments new methodology, from 2022-23, for fixing the ceiling on open market borrowing.
Kerala motor vehicle department: Private vehicles may be lent to friends & kin in exigencies
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Putting an end to misinterpretations and concerns over the use of private and rental vehicles, the transport commissioner has said that private vehicles may be used by the owners family members or friends without being deemed a violation. In a press note, the commissioner clarified that it is acceptable to lend vehicles to relatives or friends in emergencies without charging a fee. However, regular use of private vehicles by third parties or their engagement for commercial activities like transporting passengers to airports, railway stations or tourist spots without authorisation is an offence, the release said. The motor vehicles department (MVD) also issued a warning against renting private vehicles for monetary, or other, benefits. The commissioner, in the press release, said such practices are punishable under the MVD Act, and can invite even cancellation of registrations. Advertising such services through media platforms is also a punishable under the Motor Vehicles Act, it said. Private vehicles with more than eight seats are registered based on an affidavit declaring they are solely for the use of owners and their families and permitting their use by a third party is a violation of the law. The MVD clarified that there are strict legal provisions for renting vehicles. Any person can rent private vehicles under the rent-a-cab scheme. Individuals or institutions applying for such licences must own a minimum of 50 all-India tourist permit vehicles and meet the criteria mandated under the act. Two wheelers can similarly be rented under the rent-a-bike scheme. Applicants for this licence must have at least five motorcycles or bikes registered as transport vehicles. The department said it issues distinctive number plates for rental vehicles. Rent-a-cab vehicles have black plates with yellow writing while electric vehicles under the scheme have green plates with black lettering.
Golden Chariot chugs with slim crowd after six years
BENGALURU: After a gap of six years, the states own luxury express train Golden Chariot chugged off from the Yeshwanthpur Railway Stations Platform-6 to Kochi on Saturday. The trip Jewel of the South was flagged off by Karnataka Tourism Minister HK Patil with 38 international tourists on board, while the train has 80-bed capacity. It is operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) along with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railways. IRCTC, which is marketing the train, has priced the ticket at Rs 67,961.79 ($800). The five-night-six-day circuit will cover Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad/ Karaikudi, Kochi and Chertala/ Mararikuluam in Kerala and back to Bengaluru. Patil told the media that Golden Chariot is a special train for South India as it showcases the culture, tourism, history, nature, wildlife and heritage of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The trains operations had been stopped from 2018 due to financial reasons. Now it has been started in cooperation with agencies from the central government. We have entered into a partnership with the Railways and hope to make profits, he said. An IRCTC official said three special customised trips were made in 2020 and 2021, but the occupancy was very poor. As a new feature, we have introduced a provision for people/ companies to book the entire train and it can be taken on the routes (chosen from the itineraries already prepared by KSTDC and IRCTC). This chartered train service option has been availed by two private companies who have made bookings to take the train for trips on December 29 and February 13, 2025. KSTDC officials, who were present on the occasion, said that for February 2025, bookings have been made to run the train on the Pride of Karnataka circuit, which is a five-night-six-day trip, covering Bengaluru, Nanjangud, Mysuru, Halebidu, Chikkamagaluru, Hospet and Goa. KSTDC sources said the operations had stopped not just because of poor bookings and the corporation was unable to break even, but also because of high haulage charges. Now even after signing agreements with IRCTC and Indian Railways, the haulage charge issues have not been ironed out. We are hoping the train does not stop again or ticket prices are not increased because of this, the source said.
Implement Forest Bill sans dilution, CSI tells Kerala government
KOCHI: At a time when the Syro-Malabar Church has launched a protest against the Kerala Forest Amendment Bill, 2024, the Church of South India (CSI) has come out in support of the bill. The Church claimed that the bill addresses critical issues related to forest conservation and provides a framework for mitigating man-animal conflict while protecting wildlife and saving the ecology. In a representation to the government, CSI Central Kerala Diocese bishop Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian and environmental advisor Mathew Koshy Punnackadu urged the government to pass the bill without dilution to safeguard the critical ecosystems. The Church urged the government to enforce the legislation leaving no loopholes for exploitation under the guise of addressing tribal concerns. Tribals have coexisted with forests sustainably for centuries and should be empowered to continue their traditional practices. Protecting forests from human interventions is critical in combating climate change. Restoring and preserving forest habitats can reduce human-wildlife conflict. Measures such as wildlife corridors and habitat restoration must be prioritised. The Church also demanded a ban on new constructions in ecologically fragile zones and strictly regulatethe existing activities. The Church advocated the implementation of the Madhav Gadgil report on Western Ghats conservation, which proposed zoning ecologically fragile areas.
10 special trains announced for Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Railways has announced 10 special trains to the state to cater to the increased travel demand during Christmas in 2024 alongside 149 special train trips across various Railway Zones for Christmas. Additionally, 416 special train trips have been scheduled to ensure smooth travel for Sabarimala pilgrims. Trains for state Train No.06039/06040 Tambaram-Kanniyakumari-Tambaram weekly superfast special Train No.06043/06044 Dr. MGR Chennai Chennai Central-Kochuveli-Dr.MGR Central Weekly special Train No.06037/06038 Kochuveli-Mangalore weekly unreserved Antyodaya Special Train No.06021/06022 Kochuveli-Gaya-Kochuveli weekly special Train No.06007/06008 Kochuveli-Banaras-Kochuveli weekly specials. The total of 149 Christmas-special train trips across various zones and 416 Sabarimala-specific trips aim to address the surge in travel demand during the festive season while ensuring smooth and convenient travel for passengers. Highlighting the governments commitment to public convenience, Ashwini Vaishnaw approved these special train services as part of the responsive governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Special trains for Christmas 2024: South Western Railway (SWR): 17 trips Central Railway (CR): 48 trips Northern Railway (NR): 22 trips South East Central Railway (SECR): 2 trips Western Railway (WR): 56 trips West Central Railway (WCR): 4 trips Special trains for Sabarimala pilgrimage: South Western Railway (SWR): 42 trips Southern Railway (SR): 138 trips South Central Railway (SCR): 192 trips East Coast Railway (ECOR): 44 trips. The services were sanctioned after George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking better travel options for the public during Christmas and the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
Errors in Wayanad landslide rehab list trigger outrage
KALPETTA: Significant errors have been found in the beneficiary list for the Wayanad landslide rehabilitation project, including the exclusion of many affected families and duplication of names, triggering protests by survivors. According to the Disaster Victims Strike Committee, which is leading the protest, many genuine victims said they were left out of the list. The committee members alleged that the district administration data showed no survivors from 17 affected families, which is not the case. The errors and lapses have raised concerns about the integrity of the process, they said. Prepared by the sub-collector and published on Friday, the draft list of beneficiaries for the first phase of the rehabilitation project comprised 388 families. We lost everything to the landslides our home, land, and peace. And now we find our names missing from the list. It feels like we are invisible to the authorities, said Ahamed Koya from Mundakkai, who lost his house and property in the July 30 landslide. In one ward, the same names appear twice, while our familys name doesnt appear at all. Is this what we deserve after surviving such a tragedy? They say they will fix the errors within 15 days. But how can we trust them when such big mistakes were made in the first place? We need justice, not just promises, he said. Weve been protesting for days now, but it feels like no one truly understands our pain. We need our voices heard, not ignored, Koya said. Kalpetta MLA T Siddique said: These discrepancies stem from shortcomings in the data collection process, for which various sources such as ration card details, information from local government departments, and rapid assessment surveys were used. The landslides impact extends to families in Mundakkai, Attamala, and Chooralmala. Residents allege that the draft list falls short of reflecting the disasters full extent. Govt committed to including all affected Many families which suffered a total loss of their homes or substantial property damage have been omitted, while others who seemingly dont qualify have been incorrectly included, they alleged. Meanwhile, Revenue Minister K Rajan clarified that the draft beneficiary list is only a preliminary document, and the governments primary objective is to provide relief to all affected individuals, with eligibility being the sole criterion for determining beneficiaries. He said the citizens have a 15-day window to submit objections or suggestions. The government is committed to including everyone affected by the disaster. There is no need for anyone to worry, he said. He said all objections and suggestions will undergo thorough review, demonstrating the governments commitment to accuracy and fairness. The draft was compiled by merging data from panchayat and revenue records, which may lead to some names being repeated. This is a natural occurrence in draft lists and will be addressed before finalisation, he added. The Mananthavady sub-collector led the preparation of the list with inputs from revenue and panchayat officials. Authorities have assured protesters that a revised list will address the omissions within 15 days and that a final list will be ready in 30 days. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has announced that grievances about the preliminary list can be submitted until January 10, 2025. Assistance centres have been set up at the Vellarimala village office and the Meppadi grama panchayat office to support affected individuals. Complaints can also be sent via email to subcollectormndy@gmail.com, with acknowledgments provided for all submissions.
At 3.16 per cent in five years, Kerala's economic growth 4th lowest in country
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite topping the national charts on various human-development indices, Keralas economy has been limping for some time now. A recent central bank report further cemented the condition that the state finds itself in. In the Reserve Bank of Indias Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2023-24, Kerala took the 30th spot among select 33 states and Union territories (UTs) in terms of economic growth over a five-year period. Keralas average annual growth rate (AAGR) in gross state domestic product (GSDP, at constant prices) between 2018-19 and 2022-23 stood at 3.16%, with only Delhi (3.13%), Uttarakhand (2.16%) and Goa (0.70%) performing worse. Mizoram topped the chart with 6.75% growth, followed by Chhattisgarh (6.64%) and Gujarat (6.26%). Major south Indian states also registered commendable growth during the period. While Karnatakas economy grew by 5.62%, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh posted 5.61%, 5.27% and 5.19% expansions, respectively. The quick estimate for 2023-24 showed that Keralas GSDP improved to rs 6.35 lakh crore, posting a 6.52% year-on-year (YoY) growth, from the previous years Rs 5.96 lakh crore (+4.24% YoY). The handbook did not have data for all states/UTs for this year. Telanganas growth rate was pegged at 9.24%, followed by Tamil Nadu (8.23%), Andhra Pradesh (7.35%), and Karnataka (6.60%). There are various factors behind Keralas slow growth rate, economist Mary George said. The state is yet to be industry-friendly in the true sense and hence big investments are limited. Kerala continues to grapple with militant trade unionism, she said. The agriculture sector is facing a crisis due to price falls and human-wildlife conflicts. The drop in NRI remittances following the pandemic and outward remittances through migrant labourers have compounded the states woes, Mary added. Exponential increase in states expenditure on disaster relief The handbook showed that Kerala performed well in important social indicators like maternal mortality (MMR) and life expectancy. Kerala topped the chart in MMR with 19 deaths per one lakh births. At six deaths per 1,000, Keralas infant mortality rate was the fifth lowest in the country. The unemployment rate in rural Kerala was 76, fourth highest in the country. Unemployment in the urban areas saw a significant decline from 104 in 2019-20 to 67 in 2023-24, 19th position in the country. The report also threw light on the exponential increase in state governments expenditure on relief following natural calamities. Keralas expenditure rose by 232% from Rs 14,181 lakh in 2011-12 to Rs 47,060 lakh in 2023-24. At 3,13,376 lakh, the highest spending was in the flood-hit 2018-19. In the states finance sector, Keralas own tax revenue saw a quantum jump in 2022-23, from Rs 58,341 crore in the previous year to Rs 70,189 crore. The budget estimate for 2023-24 is Rs 81,039. The states own non-tax revenue too rose from Rs 10,463 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 15,355 crore in 2022-23. The estimate for 2023-24 is Rs 17,089 crore. Kerala had the fifth-highest pension expenditure in the country in 2023-24. The pension liability rose from Rs 26,689 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 28,240 crore in the current year.
Kozhikode navy officer among two recognised for outstanding voyage
KOCHI: Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa Alagirisamy, currently on a mission to sail around the globe, have bagged the prestigious Admiral Ramdas Trophy 2024 for the outstanding voyage of the year. They won the award, instituted by the Yachting Association of India (YAI), for two sorties undertaken as part of preparatory training ahead of their circumnavigation voyage. The first saw them sail from Goa to Port Blair and back in double-handed mode. The second entailed a transoceanic sortie from Goa to Port Louis in Mauritius and back. Both these voyages saw the duo cover nearly 10,000 nautical miles. While Lt Cdr Dilna hails from Kozhikode in Kerala, Lt Cdr Roopa is a Pondicherry resident. The two woman officers also won the trophy last year when they were part of a nine-member crew that went on a 188-day-long transcontinental voyage. Currently, they are nearing Lyttelton in New Zealand for their second scheduled stop on their latest expedition, which is part of the Navys Sagar Parikrama series. Other awards The YAIs Admiral R H Tahiliani trophy for the best yachtsperson of the year was jointly won by Vishnu Saravanan and Eabad Ali, while the Engineer-in-Chiefs Trophy for the best lady sailor of the year was shared by Nethra Kumanan and Neha Thakur. Hav Sikhansu Singh won the Admiral Nadkarni Trophy for the most promising yachtsman of the year. The Admiral R K Dhowan trophy for the best sailing club went to the EME Sailing Association in Hyderabad, and the Admiral Kohli Trophy for promoting the sport of yachting to Lt Col Alok Yadav. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ashok Thakkar and Lt Col M P Jaggi (retd). The YAI is the governing authority for sailing, windsurfing, motor boating, powerboat racing and personal watercraft at sea and on inland waters in India. It is recognised by the Indian Olympic Association and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Ho, Ho, Ho! This Xmas, spread joy with personalised Santa greetings
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Six tech-savvy youths from the state have come together to develop an Artificial Intelligence-based web application designed to send personalised Christmas greetings and messages in Santa Claus voice. The application -- www.santacallingai.com -- which has gained significant traction globally, especially in the US and the UK, features interactive responses from Santa, offering a festive and fun experience for users. The idea was conceptualised by Sidharth N, who had previously developed a prank-call tool. Inspired to create an AI-powered solution for festive greetings, he collaborated with Richin R Chandran (CEO, Richinnovations Technologies), Muhammad Shanoob (CEO, Inventy International), Vignesh (UI/UX designer), Ajnas N B (developer), and Dheeraj Dileep (Cusat student). The concept took shape during the startup conclave, Huddle Global 2024, organised by the Kerala Startup Mission in November. The team turned the idea into reality within a week. The app features two modes: a Nice Santa for children and a Naughty Santa for adults, while ensuring child-friendly interactions by filtering out sensitive or inappropriate terms. Users can enjoy the first four minutes for free, with additional minutes available at a price. Initially piloted in Kerala, the app proved successful and has since expanded to target both Indian and global audiences. Currently, greetings are available in English and Hindi, with plans in place to expand to other languages. However, the existing AI tools have limitations in generating content in South Indian languages, including Malayalam, co-developer Richin R Chandran said. A notable feature of the app is its interactivity, allowing Santa to answer questions sensibly, enhancing the user experience. In addition to individual users, the app also offers a B2B option, enabling employers to send Christmas wishes to employees. The underlying technology used in this has potential applications in tele-sales, customer support, and automated conversational services. The innovative app has already attracted interest from numerous Indian and international clients, building Keralas reputation as a hub for innovative tech solutions. This AI-driven tool by the young entrepreneurs is bringing a new AI-generated festive cheer to audiences worldwide. The web application was launched on December 11 and within 10 days the page views crossed over 34,000 . The visitors to the web application have crossed 4,000. The rate for service for above 4 minutes is `19 in India, $5 outside India per minute.
Jumbo calendars are here for a rare cause
KOCHI: Pachyderms are out in force -- and for a cause. One may be excused for assuming that printed calendars have been kicked to the curb by our shiny digital gadgets. Hold your trunks! Several groups of elephant enthusiasts have discovered that these calendars are the perfect way to lend a helping hand to those in need! Aimed at supporting mahouts who picked up injuries while caring for elephants, many groups have introduced printed annual calendars featuring stunning photographs of renowned elephants from around the state. And, these calendars are selling like hotcakes. Many mahouts have suffered injuries on the job, leaving them unable to work. This has hindered their ability to earn a living. We utilise the funds generated from selling the calendars to provide assistance to them, shares Ajith P S, an office-bearer of Aanachooru - Voice for Elephant. In addition to full-size photographs of renowned captive elephants, the calendars also feature key dates of major temple festivals across the state. They provide insights into the names of elephants, their booking numbers, and snapshots of elephant processions, capturing the essence of celebrated temple festivals. We have customers even from outside the state, and we courier the calendars as needed, explains Subrahmanian Pallipuram, president of Chunks Aanapremi Sangham, which joined the elephant calendar initiative this year. The sangham printed 3,000 dummy-sized calendars, and nearly all have been sold. The trend began about eight years ago with the Koottukombanmar Elephant Welfare Forum. Today, various groups, including Maadanga Peruma, Aanachandam, and Aanakkambam, also offer calendars to interested individuals. If you think that only captive elephants are featured in these calendars, youre mistaken! Some groups produce calendars showcasing solely wild elephants. I have shirts, coffee mugs, scarves, and wallpapers adorned with images of my favourite elephants, and the calendars are an essential part of my collection, says Shyam Kumar, a passionate elephant enthusiast.
55th GST Council Meeting: Plan to formalise special cess for disaster relief
JAISALMER : The GST Council on Saturday decided to formalise a procedure for states to levy special cess to raise money for disaster relief. This was decided after Andhra Pradesh sought the Councils permission to levy a 1% cess on goods and services in the highest rate bracket of 28%. Andhra Pradesh request for a 1% cess will be referred to a Group of Ministers (GoM) as was done previously for a similar request by Kerala in 2018. At a press conference after the GST Council meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that since similar requests have been made earlier as well, we are of the view that there should be a laid-out procedure to deal with such requests in future. Besides floods, several states wanted drought to be brought under the definition of disaster, she added. Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav told the media that the state in August and September had faced unprecedented rains and flood, which caused severe financial loss to the state. we will need a sum of Rs 15,000 crore to come back to normalcy. Therefore, we requested the Council to allow us to levy a cess of 1%, said Keshav, adding that most states were supportive of the Andhras demand. Meanwhile, the 55th GST Council meeting ended without any major decisions being taken. The much-awaited decision on lowering GST rates on health and life insurance premium has been deferred as the Council was of the view that the issue needs more discussions. Among the changes in tax rates, the Council decided to increase the GST rate from 12% to 18% on sale of all old and used vehicles, including electric vehicles. Caramelised popcorn would attract 18% GST as it comes under sugar confectionery.
INTERVIEW | Im living in a world of music... its just that Im not singing
Singer Minminis journey in the world of music has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her iconic rendition of A R Rahmans Chinna Chinna Asai in the film Roja catapulted her to nationwide fame, making her a household name across India. With a repertoire spanning over 2,000 songs in languages such as Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Badaga, and Odia, she established herself as one of the most versatile, ebullient playback singers of her time. However, her career has been a rollercoaster marked by a meteoric rise to stardom, the devastating struggle with singing, and a show of resilience. In a freewheeling interaction with TNIE, Minmini opens up about her highs & lows, spirituality, and how her familys unwavering love helped her overcome lifes toughest challenges Can you tell us about your first steps in music? My musical journey began at home. Both my parents were talented singers. My three older sisters also used to sing well. My father was passionate about music, and he encouraged us. He, in fact, relocated to a village on the outskirts of Ernakulam to ensure that we grew up in a pollution-free environment. Someone would be singing at any given time in our house. I was just three-and-a-half years old when my uncle first noticed my ability to grasp lyrics quickly and sing. At school, teachers were incredibly supportive. They were my first audience outside of home, and their enthusiasm played a significant role in shaping my musical journey. Did you take any formal training in music? During my childhood, there were no classical music teachers in our village. However, my mother, sisters and I would meticulously learn songs from the radio, paying attention to every detail. I still remember, it used to be a battery-powered radio, as we initially didnt have an electricity connection at home. My sisters would transcribe the lyrics into their notebooks, while I, being younger, would unknowingly absorb them. Whenever someone asked me to sing, I would recall them from memory and sing. I wasnt as serious about music as they were. I would say my early introduction to music was a blessing from within my family. How did your singing career start? It began unexpectedly when I was just 10 years old. I started singing for my cousin, who was a dance teacher. There was some dance programme and she wanted me to do the vocals. Many people appreciated my singing, and I started getting offers to participate in music programmes. Things, however, got serious when a ballet troupe, Srichakra Nritya Vihar, based in Tripunithura, approached my father, seeking permission to let me sing for them. Despite initial reservations due to the late hours and my young age, he agreed as it was a great opportunity. I eventually performed with the troupe for over three years. That experience served as a valuable training ground for me, as I had no formal classical training until then. You joined RLV College in between It would be an affront to RLV to say that I studied there (laughs). I rarely attended classes, as I used to have several music programmes, including ganamelas and cassette recordings. How did you get into cinema? It was by chance. At the CAC Studio in Kochi, [music directors] Rajamani Sir and his father, Chidambaranath Sir, had composed about 10 songs for [K S] Chitra chechi. I was called to sing the base tracks for the songs. After the recording, Rajamani sir asked if I could come to Thiruvananthapuram to sing for a film. I realised it would take five days, which required my fathers permission. The artists at the studio convinced him, explaining that it would be a big break for me to enter the film world. Thanks to their encouragement, I travelled to Thiruvananthapuram. When I arrived at the studio, I found myself in a galaxy of ace musicians. It was an incredible experience. My first recording was in Tharangini [K J Yesudass music company]. Everyone there encouraged me, and thats how my first film recording happened. It was for the film Swagatham. I was just 18 years old at the time. Whats the story behind your stage name? My official name is still P J Rosily. My father used to affectionately call me Mini or Minimon, never Minimol. I came to be known as Mini at stage shows. However, when I started working with Ilayaraja sir, he said the name Mini didnt exist in Tamil. He christened me Minmini. When did you move to Chennai? On January 1, 1991, there was a stage show in Palakkad by the CAC orchestra playing [music composer] Jerry Amaldev sirs songs. [Singer] Krishnachandran chettan, who also come to sing for the show, told me that Ilayaraja Sir had asked about me. I was so naive that I wondered, Who is this Ilayaraja? (Chuckles) He told my father that Jayan uncle (singer P Jayachandran) had been frantically trying to reach us. Next day, when my father called Jayan uncle, he told him to rush with me to Chennai. Thats how it all started. You met Ilayaraja straight away? Before meeting Raja sir, we went to Jerry sirs house in Chennai. I had been to Chennai twice before to sing for Jerry sir. During those times, we stayed at his house. That was our only connection we had in Chennai. After we reached his house, Jayan uncle also arrived. I was sitting in a room, while they were speaking about Raja sir in another room. Later, they asked me which song I would sing if Raja sir asked me to. I sang Raveendran Masters Valampiri sankhil, and they approved. Jayan uncle had earlier seen a video cassette of me singing Shanmugha priya ragamo during a stage show abroad. He asked me to sing that song if Raja sir asked for a second song. On the way, there was a huge crowd near Raja sirs house. Jayan uncle told me they were all waiting to just catch a glimpse of Raja sir. I also noticed large cutouts of Raja sir along the roadside. Despite all this, I still didnt realise the seriousness of the situation (laughs). How was your first meeting with Ilayaraja? Were you nervous? To feel nervous, one must know how great Ilayaraja is, right? Since I was clueless, I wasnt nervous at all (laughs). When we reached Raja sirs studio, we were first taken to the composing room. Raja sir was there with [lyricist] Vaali sir and Gangai Amaran sir (Ilayarajas brother and composer]. Raja Sir asked me to sing a keerthanam. I told him I didnt know any. Then he asked me to sing any song I knew well. I sang Valampiri sankhil. Raja Sir listened to the entire song and asked me how many times I had heard the song to learn it. What was your reply? (Laughs) Learning that song was a different story by itself. As I said earlier, we didnt have electricity at our house then. Our neighbours, who had electricity, used to often play the song loudly. We could hear it from our home. Thats how I learnt the song. But I didnt tell this to Raja sir. I simply said I had learnt it after hearing it two or three times. Then he asked me to sing another song, so I sang Shanmugha priya ragamo. After that session, Raja sir told me not to return to Kerala. I was so naive that I actually felt sad upon hearing this, as I had several music programmes lined up in Kerala. But my father said we would do as Raja sir instructed. Unlike me, he knew who Raja sir was. Later, I saw Asha Bhosle recording a song for Raja sir. She was a singer I admired, an icon. Thats when the scale of what I was up struck me (laughs). You later sang several songs for A R Rahman, whose style was totally different from that of Ilayaraja Singers shouldnt think too much about such things. It comes naturally if you avoid overthinking. The two are different individuals, but I, as the singer, remain the same. Their ways were different. God helped me deliver what they wanted in their respective styles. Its that simple (smiles). When did you realise you were a famous singer? It was when I started receiving a lot of letters after Chinna chinna asai. Thats when I realised people from other places were listening to my songs, just as I used to listen to Janaki Ammas songs. Such thoughts had never crossed my mind before. How did the song Chinna chinna asai happen? One day, [music director] Arjunan Master came to my house in an autorickshaw. I went along with my father in that same auto and sang the song. My sister Jansi was also there. Thats all (smiles). Nothing big happened. There used to be a rumour that K S Chitra was the initial choice to sing Chinna chinna asai... That I dont know. Maybe, its true. I also saw it mentioned in an interview with Rahman sir. After recording the song, some people asked [director] Mani Ratnam Sir whether the song was okay or if they should try another singer. I later came to know that he told them the song was fine. Rahman sir mentioned this in one of his interviews. I dont know who the initial choice was. I was a rookie then. If I had failed to deliver what they wanted, someone else might have sung it. What do you think made the song such a hit? Honestly, I dont know. Reflecting on my ignorance is amusing (laughs). Maybe because there was a similarity between the singer and the character in terms of innocence In the film, the character had at least passed Class 10, which set her apart (laughs). As for me, I entered this field knowing very little. As I mentioned earlier, I consider myself a blessed child of the Almighty to have experienced such wonderful things even before fully understanding them. Perhaps my voice reflected a certain innocence, just like the character. What was Rahmans style? Would he explain in detail what you should do? Yes, he would play the harmonium and explain. He would sing the song and show us how it was to be rendered. It was he who taught me how to sing Chinna chinna asai. Arjunan Master and Rahman sirs mother were also present at that time. Just as your career peaked, you had trouble with your voice. How did you overcome that situation? A lot of people supported me. My parents, sisters, cousins they were all there for me. I lost my voice just before my wedding. My husband, Joy, helped me a lot. He took care of me like a baby. He still does. My treatment was in Chennai. [Singer] Mano annan and his wife were there for me. I stayed at their house, and they supported me throughout the treatment. They cared for me like their own child. We consulted ENT specialists, gastroenterologists, and other doctors and did several tests, but nothing was found. It was not that I lost my voice I just could not sing in front of the mic. So, was it more of a psychological issue? That is it! (Smiles, and turns emotional) We have heard that Rahman tried to make you sing again Yes. I was not ready for it, but he insisted. It was the song Pachai kili paadum for Bharathiraja sirs film Karuthamma. In a way, I just uttered the lyrics bit by bit. He made it into a song with his skill, and technology. It was painful for me that I couldnt sing it well. Did anyone from the industry reach out to you at that time of crisis? No (smiles). No musician reached out to me. Maybe they found it hard to face me. I was their pet, and when someone like that goes through such a difficult time, people often hesitate they struggle with what to say or do to console or bring peace. Maybe they found it hard to face me, I dont know. I dont hold any sadness over that. Despite all the hardships, you have maintained a positive outlook on life. Is that because of your belief in God? What does Gods face look like? How can we define God? To me, God is love. Theres no specific figure or face. We might picture God in our minds based on what we know or how we envision, but for me, God is invisible and omnipresent. The love and happiness we share thats God. And that love, that happiness, is always around me. Whats your favourite song? S Janakis Thamara kumbilallo, Chirikkumbol koode chirikkan, Kuli kazhinju kodi mattiya; P Susheelas Maanathe mazhamukil; Vani Jayarams Seemantha rekhayil; P Madhuris Innu enikku pottu kuthan; K S Chithras Nimisham suvarna nimisham, Mouna sarovaram the list would go on. Did you listen to songs for solace while you were away from singing? No. There was a time when I fully stopped listening to songs. Listening to music brought back old memories, sad memories, and often triggered trauma. So I stopped listening to my songs. And other songs because that reminded me of my singing, recording days. So I made a conscious decision to avoid listening to songs. That said, I was not in a low place. I had my home and my loved ones to tend to. I found a lot of joy in that. What precisely did you do to take your mind off negative thoughts? How did you stay engaged? I love making food for my children. I tended to my plants like a normal homemaker. I am that as well. I am a singer only in the studio. My biggest achievement is that I was able to spend time with my kids during their development phase. It might seem trivial to some people, but no, I cherish those moments. That was the happiest phase of my life. Do you still manage to do concerts or shows? My days are still entirely filled with music. My husband and children are musicians, so what we talk and share is all music. We run a music academy in Kochi. I cannot sing as I used to do before because it is causes strain. I do stages where I only sing 4 to 5 songs now, unlike 15 or 16 songs as I used to before. You seem to be very spiritual... Yes. I cannot survive without depending on God. From childhood, I was taught that talent was a blessing from God. Whenever there was an incident, my father used to tell me God had a role in it. Thats how I grew up. When I lost my voice too, thats how I looked at it. Now I have accepted everything in my life. I am happy when I get an opportunity. If I dont, I dont worry about it. Because I am happy with the family and career I have. My husband has been a great pillar of support. I have several ailments, yet he unconditionally loves me. My God has given me the best in life. I found peace during difficult times because of the good people around me. They always treated me like chippikkul muthu (pearl in an oyster). What is the place for music right now in your life? I am living in music. Its just that Im not singing, but music envelops me everywhere. I cant imagine a life without music. Music is inside me and around always. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Rajesh Ravi, Anu Kuruvilla, S Neeraj Krishna, Mahima Anna Jacob, Anna Jose, Manisha V C S, Harikrishna B, T P Sooraj (photos), Pranav V P (video)
Lack of facilities, public resistance land Kerala in grip of medical-waste crisis
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is grappling with a medical-waste crisis as incidents of illegal dumping in neighbouring states become a major concern. The dumping of medical waste in Tamil Nadu has landed the state under the scanner of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has reiterated its call for urgent measures to address the critical issue. According to sources, only 70 tonnes of medical waste generated daily in the state are being handled scientifically. And the fact that the health department and the state government have no clue as to the actual number of medical-waste generators is exacerbating the situation, they add. Currently, Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Ltd (KEIL) and Indian Medical Association's Image are the two agencies in the state processing medical waste. According to the IMA, only 60% of the total medical waste generated in the state is being managed scientifically, as per rules and regulations stipulated under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016. The state requires more medical waste management facilities, Image chairman Dr Abraham Varghese pointed out. As per rules mandated by the National Pollution Control Board (PCB) and state PCB, Kerala has only two accredited agencies for managing biomedical waste. And 30-40% of medical-waste generators are managing their refuse illegally through unauthorised service providers, Dr Abraham told TNIE. According to available information, only 28,000 establishments avail the services of KEIL and Image. In an effort to ensure the scientific handling of medical waste, the state government, jointly with the IMA, has moved to set up another plant in Adoor with the capacity to treat around 15 tonnes of medical waste daily. The process for execution of the project has been completed, including public hearings. Owing to public resistance the government has put the project on hold. We just need the go-ahead from the government to implement the project, he said. Special LSG department team to investigate dumping of medical waste in Tamil Nadu The state government and the health department have been accused of being in the dark about the actual generation of medical waste. LSGD Minister M B Rajesh said medical-waste management is a critical issue, which will be taken up at an upcoming meeting with the health department. We will take urgent measures to address the crisis, Rajesh told TNIE. The minister added that premier institutions like the RCC can set up their own plants for managing waste. Public resistance is becoming a major challenge for the state government in setting up waste management facilities. Chief secretary Sarada Muraleedharan said that there have been relentless efforts for the past many years to identify suitable locations for setting up these facilities. The proposed waste management projects were torpedoed by stiff public resistance. We have identified umpteen number of suitable locations but nobody wants the waste to be disposed in their own backyard. This attitude should change, so as to resolve our waste management crisis. We are forced to depend on other states because of this, she said. Improper disposal Biomedical waste generators include hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary hospitals and clinics, animal houses, pathological laboratories, blood banks, health care facilities, and clinical establishments Only KEIL and IMAGE are the two accredited agencies eligible for managing medical waste 30 to 40% of the medical waste generators are managing their medical waste illegally through unauthorised service providers
GoM to Dwell on 1% State Calamity Cess Under GST Framework
Vijayawada : The 55th GST Council led by union finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman will constitute a Group of Ministers (GoM) to consider permitting states to impose a calamity cess of one per cent on luxury goods under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. The levy is aimed at providing financial relief to states in the aftermath of natural calamities. Andhra Pradesh finance minister Payyavula Keshav came up with the proposal of levying one per cent calamity cess on luxury goods, attracting over 5 per cent GST, being transported in a state. He recalled a precedent in Kerala when one per cent cess had been levied for flood rehabilitation in 2019. Later, speaking to media, Nirmala Sitaraman disclosed that APs move, along with other states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Telangana, on levying the calamity cess received unanimous support in the council. These states expressed their willingness to take part in the GoM. They assured that the group would deliberate on various aspects, including the nomenclature and applicability of this cess for different calamities. When Payyavula Keshav raised the matter, he received accolades from his counterparts from other states. The AP finance minister thanked Nirmala Sitaraman for agreeing to set up the GoM.
Two engineering students drown in Idukki waterfall
GST Council decision may offer solutions to IGST-related issues: Kerala
Kozhikode Corpn. to act against encroachment on Kottooli wetlands
Council to seek relocation of HP depot at Elathur owing to the recent diesel leak
Alleged assault by KWA staff: Human Rights Commission orders probe by KWA Chief Engineer
The Commission files case suo motu in incident which took place at KWAs Pongumoodu section office in Thiruvananthapuram
Curtain goes up on 11-day Swarayala Samanwayam dance, music fete
Kerala estimates distressed reverse migration from Canada at 20-30%
KU senators forum alleges irregularities in data handling and evaluation
Calicut varsity to get 100 crore under MERU scheme
India-Latin America trade and collaboration prospects discussed at Kerala University conference
CPI(M) strips P.K. Sasi of two more posts
Veeyapuram chundan wins Presidents Trophy, Pallathuruthy Boat Club retains Champions Boat League
Rowing the Karichal snake boat, PBC won a cash prize of 25 lakh as well as the trophy at the races held on Ashtamudi Lake. Village Boat Club came first and Nirnam Boat Club third at Saturdays races, marking an exciting climax to the nine-team championship organised by Kerala Tourism
Minimum temperature to drop considerably by first of January
All set for decrease in minimum temperature at night and gradual increase in maximum day temperature with the cessation of rainfall
Question paper leak: M.S. Solutions CEO files anticipatory bail
Malabar Garden Festival begins in Kozhikode
KU publishes first-semester results under FYUGP
India-South Korea art exchange project begins at Mala
Two youths die in road accident
Vendors death puts CPI(M) on the defensive
Sabu Thomas was found dead hanging on the premises of CPI(M)-controlled Kattappana Rural Cooperative Society on Friday morning. He attempt to withdraw 2 lakh from his account to meet medical expenses of his wife was denied by bank
The commission was constituted last year to formulate a comprehensive urban policy to guide Keralas development activities for the next 25 years
Suspended IAS officer sends legal notice to Chief Secretary and two other IAS officers
Amid raging protests, CSI Church comes in strong support of Forest Bill
CSI Church calls the Bill a significant step forward in safeguarding Keralas critical ecosystems. The Church urges the government to pass the Bill without dilution and ensure its rigorous implementation
Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslide: protest against discrepancies in first draft list of beneficiaries
Govt. launches probe into snakebite incident at Chenkal school
Health Department to hold antibiotic literacy drive in panchayats
Kollam district to revise off-site plan for chemical emergencies
Plan is being updated to include more detailed information about chemicals used in industries and those transported through roads and railways within the district
Kerala secures 405 cr. under PM-USHA to boost higher education infrastructure, inclusivity
State government had submitted proposals and presentations to secure the funding, which will be shared on a 60:40 basis between the Central and State governments, with Kerala contributing 40% of the cost
Double life term in Kanjirappally twin murder case
A personal chat between George and his sister in Bengaluru proved pivotal in establishing the premeditation and preparation for the crime
Bhima Jewellery Thiruvananthapuram enters Guinness World Records with 200 crore single-day revenue
Bhima Jewellery celebrated its 100th anniversary with a record-breaking single-day turnover of 200 crores in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram, earning a Guinness World Record. The milestone saw sales of over 250 kg of gold and 400 carats of diamonds across three showrooms, driven purely by customer trust and loyalty. Bhima now plans ambitious expansions to take its legacy of purity and trust to a global audience.
Cyberattack against Justice Ramachandran reportedly over judgment directing secretaries of local self-government institutions to ensure removal of unauthorised flags and boards erected on public places
KBFCs interim head coach TG Purushothaman has rejected the possibility of any drastic changes to the team after taking over the charge.
Class 7 Student Bitten by Snake in Classroom; Kerala Government Orders Probe
Heartbroken community members gather to mourn the loss of four-year-old Jessica, who tragically succumbed to a snakebite in Banaganapalle Heartbroken community members gather to mourn the loss of four-year-old Jessica, who tragically succumbed to a snakebite in Banaganapalle Pathanamthitta: A class seven student was reportedly bitten by a venomous snake inside a classroom in nearby Neyyattinkara, Kerala on Friday. The incident took place during Christmas celebrations at the upper primary school. The girl student was rushed to the nearby government hospital and her conition is currently stable, reported PTI. Following the incident, the Kerala government on Saturday ordered a probe into it. The General Education Minister V Sivankutty said instructions have been given to the Director of General Education to carry out a probe into the incident and submit a report at the earliest.
Kerala Lottery Results December 21: Karunya KR-685 Saturday lucky draw result TODAY 3 pm
Each successive draw is designated by an alphanumeric code. For the drawing on December 21, 2024, 3 pm, the code is: Karunya KR-685.
ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters FC and Mohammedan SC face off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Kochi.
Malankara Church dispute: Tension at Mulanthuruthy church in Keralas Ernakulam during festival
Stand-off between Jacobite and Orthodox factions spilled onto the streets during church festival on Friday night with police booking a person who was reportedly part of a group that confronted the police
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) warns that populist measures like free electricity and transport, while offering immediate relief, are straining state finances. These schemes hinder investment in crucial infrastructure, impacting long-term economic stability. High debt levels and growing subsidy burdens exacerbate the problem, with some states spending ten times more on operational costs than development, limiting future growth potential.
GST Council defers decision on insurance tax cuts amid lack of consensus among states: Sources
The GST Council's 55th meeting in Jaisalmer faced a deadlock over proposed GST rate cuts for term and health insurance. Several states, including West Bengal, Kerala, and Karnataka, expressed concerns over potential revenue losses, leading to the deferral of the decision.
Girl student bitten by snake in classroom; Kerala govt orders probe
A Class VII student was reportedly bitten by a venomous snake during Christmas celebrations at school in Neyyattinkara on Friday
'All We Imagine As Light' leads Barack Obama's 2024 recommended movies list
Los Angeles: Filmmaker Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light has topped former US president Barack Obama's list of recommended films for the year 2024. Obama has made it an annual tradition to share his favorite books, movies, and music of the year, a habit that began during his presidency and continues post office. The former US president shared the latest list on his social media pages on Friday evening. Here are a few movies I'd recommend checking out this year, Obama wrote in the caption. All We Imagine As Light, a Malayalam-Hindi film that marks Kapadia's feature directorial debut, was listed on the top, followed by Ralph Fiennes-starrer Conclave; The Piano Lesson by Denzel Washington's son Malcolm Washington; Mads Mikkelsen's Danish film Promised Land; and The Seed of the Sacred Fig by exiled Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof. The curated list, which often leads to public interest and discussions, also includes Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two; Anora, which won Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival; Ddi, a coming-of-age movie by Taiwanese American film director Sean Wang; documentary Sugarcane; and A Complete Unknown, filmmaker James Mangold's biopic on country music legend Bob Dylan. An official India-French co-production, All We Imagine As Light charted history by becoming the first Indian title from India to win the Grand Prix Award at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The film follows two nurses Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha) from Kerala navigating life and love in Mumbai along with their friend and cook Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam). The movie was recently named Best International Film by the New York Film Critics Circle and won an award in the same category at the Gotham Awards. At the Golden Globe Awards 2025, the film received nominations for Best Motion Picture Non-English Language and Best Direction (Motion Picture ) for Kapaida. It has also bagged a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Critics Choice Awards. The film is being distributed in the US by Janus Films and Sideshow. Rana Daggubati's Spirit Media released the film across India in November. Besides the list of recommended movies, Obama has also shared his favourite music and books of 2024.
Potential Disaster: Kerala HC Denies Nod To Sunburn Festival In Landslide-Hit Wayanad
Sunburn festival organisers have been criticized by local residents who have alleged illegal constructions at the event venue.
Kannur University faces allegations over premature result leak
Kerala High Court order on delimitation a blow to State govt., says M.K. Muneer
Delimitation plan was not discussed in the Legislative Assembly
Attack on health-care institutions: Kerala HC suggests depositing an amount as bail condition
KOCHI: The HC has suggested the inclusion of depositing an amount towards damage caused as a condition for granting bail to the accused in cases registered under the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act. Justice P V Kunhikrishnan made the observation while granting bail to Nithin Gopi, an accused in a case registered in connection with attacking doctors and destroying hospital properties in Thiruvananthapuram, on a condition of depositing Rs 10,000 towards the damage. The court observed that the preamble of the Act itself indicates its intention is prevention of damages and loss to property in healthcare institutions. As per Section 4(4) of the Act, any offence under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable and non-bailable. That shows the serious concern of the Act in these types of cases. Hence while granting bail, in cases where offences under the Act are alleged and if any damage is caused to the healthcare institutions by the accused, the courts should impose the condition. If the accused are found not guilty and acquitted, they would be entitled to a refund. If the court concludes the accused is liable to pay any fine/compensation, the amount deposited can be utilised for payment of the fine/compensation.
Ernakulam edu institutions score high in first KIRF
KOCHI: The first-ever Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF) 2024 saw higher education institutions in Ernakulam showcasing a stellar performance. KIRF, released on Friday, had the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) taking the first spot among the universities in the state. Arts and science and engineering colleges in the district also performed well to feature among the first 10 spots in the list. Expressing joy over the achievement, Cusat vice-chancellor M Junaid Bushiri said, The first position in KIRF ranking comes as an honour for Cusat. This is a recognition for the universitys scientific research, and technology and innovation developed in collaboration with industries, in tandem with the states development. The recognition will be an impetus for the academic and research advances carried out by Cusat, he said. The list also covers arts and science colleges, engineering colleges, teacher education colleges, nursing colleges and agriculture and allied colleges in the state. Ernakulam fared well in the college section also. Two of its premier colleges featured in the top three ranks Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (autonomous) stood second behind the University College of Thiruvananthapuram while St Teresas College (autonomous) stood third.
'Marco' movie review: Gruesome violence makes it an unpalatable experience
Ever since its announcement, Marco has been promoted as the most violent film from Malayalam. All the promos, including the posters, songs and teaser, screamed violence and bloodbath. After watching the film, its safe to say that these claims werent mere marketing ploys. Forget Malayalam, Marco has some of the most disturbing moments ever seen in an Indian film. But the problem is, theres no real purpose or method to the endless spree of killings, which are as gory as they can get. Why is Marco so violent? We dont know. Or why are the syndicate members so barbarous? Again, we dont know. Sure, they are villains and are expected to kill people. But what we see in this film are not the usual murders. Instead, ears are bitten off, limbs chopped with saw machines, heart, eyes, and intestines ripped out, and a baby pulled out from a mothers fetus with bare hands. Yes, you read that right. Marco is a result of the increasing acceptance in Kerala for non-Malayalam films with hyper-masculine narratives. Realising the market potential, the makers have dished out an excessively violent action film, which is a cocktail of films like KGF, John Wick, Animal , and many other such celebrated works. To be fair, director Haneef Adeni shows his potential in crafting a visually appealing, sinister world, with black as the dominant colour. He also conceives and executes a couple of terrific action sequences, which are anything unlike what we usually see in Malayalam cinema. The director, who has a knack for presenting his heroes in stylish avatars, finds the right person for it in Unni Mukundan. Mostly dressed in suits, the actor looks fit and dapper as Marco , the killing machine. But looks aside, the character lacks meat. An adopted son, he is driven by love and loyalty to the Adat family. When one of them is tragically killed, Marco sets off on a mission to nab the killer and protect the remaining family members. Though tried and tested, its still a decent storyline for a revenge film. Haneef Adeni, who has also penned the screenplay, begins the film on an intriguing note. Information is dropped gradually for us to form a faint picture of the Adat family, its head George (Siddique), the gold smuggling syndicate he is part of, and of course, Marco . But the writing isnt consistently engaging. Haneef also employs old-school techniques like letting other characters hype the hero before his intro. Here, we see a bunch of kids singing paeans on their uncle Marco and his bravery. But thats all that Marco is. He is powerful and ferocious but hardly uses his brains. At one point, Jagadish, who plays one of the villains, mocks, I appreciate your valour, but Im really sorry about your brain. For a good part of the first half, Marco is tricked and misled by people around him. Likewise, when his family is under the threat of an attack, Marco doesnt have any backup plans and relies purely on his brute power. What happens over the next 10-15 minutes is gut-wrenching, quite literally, and Marco is reduced to a mere spectator. Marco also has a girlfriend to whom he is engaged, but he hardly cares. When she calls him out as toxic and a perfect red flag, he says, But this obsession and toxicity is my expression of love. Well, he is a flawed guy, straight out of a Sandeep Reddy Vanga film, and he can very well say that. Thankfully, the film steers clear of sexual violence, a norm in revenge flicks these days. The films best part is its action set pieces. A particular sequence modelled on the iconic corridor fight from Old Boy has Unni fighting hundreds of henchmen in a cramped stairway. Unlike the other fights in the film, this brilliantly executed scene has a sense of purpose and urgency. The close-combat choreography also makes it thrilling. Chandru Selvakumars excellent work behind the camera and Shameer Muhammeds editing are a massive asset to the film as they make up a lot of the writing flaws. As mentioned above, Haneef resorts to dated ideas like supporting characters needlessly hyping the hero, cops landing on coincidental evidence, and the villain kidnapping a pregnant woman. Its also just a matter of time before the M134 Minigun template joins the dated idea category. The KGF influence becomes all the more evident in the dialogues, with some of them even ending up unintentionally funny. Like, when Unni asks his accomplice whose hand has just been severed, Ninakku vedhanikkunnundo? Marco becomes extremely hard to sit through towards the end when a family, including kids and women, is subjected to brute torture. Violence is never the problem; why and how you show it holds the key. It is ridiculous how insensitively these portions are filmed and then repeatedly played to amp up the emotions. If it was intended to make the viewer feel Marcos pain and rage, the makers should realise that such a callous portrayal only distances us from the proceedings on screen. But if the idea is to make us squirm and puke, then yes, mission accomplished. Film: Marco Director: Haneef Adeni Cast: Unni Mukundan, Siddique, Jagadish, Abhimanyu Thilakan, Kabir Duhan Singh, Anson Paul, Yukti Thareja Rasting : 1.5/5
Dad, stepmother get RI for brutally assaulting boy in Idukki
IDUKKI: Eleven years after a five-year-old boy, Shafeeq, was brutally attacked by his biological father and stepmother in Idukkis Kumily, leaving him in a near-death condition, the Thodupuzha First Additional Sessions Court judge Ash K Bal sentenced the duo to rigorous imprisonment (RI) on Friday. Shafeeqs father Shareef of Kumily, the first accused, was sentenced to seven years RI and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000. In default of payment, he shall undergo rigorous imprisonment for one more year. Shafeeqs stepmother Aneesha, the second accused, was sentenced to 10-year RI and fined Rs 2 lakh. In default, she shall undergo two years of rigorous imprisonment, the court order said. Shafeeq was hospitalised on July 15, 2013, with severe head injuries, burns, and fractured bones. Shareef claimed Shafeeq sustained the injuries after falling off a ladder. However, doctors realised he had been brutally tortured. The police arrested Shareef and Aneesha following an investigation, which revealed the boy had been starved for days and severely abused. Shafeeq remained in critical condition, with a deep head injury causing 75% brain haemorrhage. Doctors warned of brain death, but Shafeeq survived. Will spend the rest of my life for Shafeeq: Caretaker Shafeeq is looked after by a caretaker named Ragini A H, who was appointed by the state government in 2013, after Shafeeqs relatives were reluctant to take his guardianship while he was undergoing treatment at Christian Medical College Hospital in Vellore. Raginis life is now in an inseparable bond with Shafeeq as the 48-year-old single woman, a resident of Elappara, has virtually become his mother. Ragini said when she first met Vavachi, his face was pale, lying in coma with injuries all over the body and serious head injury that wiped out his memory. Doctors had little hope. However, I used to hold his hands all the time and kiss him on his forehead. Whether it was a miracle or Gods grace, he moved the fingers of his left hand on the fourth day of treatment, she said. Although I am happy with the judgment, the the trauma the child had to endure cannot be compensated with the punishment, Ragini said. Since her life is closely attached to Shafeeqs, she has no plans to marry, Ragini said. I am content with my present life and I will spent the rest of it looking after my child and my parents, she said. Shareef & Aneesha, the accused persons
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following the suicide of a commando attached with the Special Operations Group of the state police on December 15, the State Police Association has alleged that the suicide was the end result of inhumane treatment meted out towards subordinates by senior officers. The association state committee passed an unusually strong-worded resolution which said there was information that the commando training stoops to the level of persecution of individuals in accordance with the mental condition of the senior officers. The details coming from the SOG justifies this (information). Such an incident is not appropriate for the police force. The association cannot see this death merely as a suicide committed under stress, the resolution said. Vineeth, a havildar with the SOG based in Areekode, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The colleagues of the deceased had given statement to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that the suicide was abetted by the highhandedness of Assistant Commandant Ajith Kumar. The family members of Vineeth also had alleged that the senior officer harboured grudge towards Vineeth for talking on behalf of another commando, who had died during training three years ago. The incident created a big furore among policemen, prompting the association, which usually takes a diplomatic stand, to come up with terse statements. The resolution also criticised the training methodology being followed in the case of commandos and said age-wise relaxation in efficiency standards is not provided unlike the National Security Guard (NSG). The association also asked for redeployment of cops working in the wing after a fixed period and decried the decision not to allow union activities in SOG and India Reserve Battalion.
Commando Vineeth suicide case: SIT records statements of family members
MALAPPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the death of Indian Reserve Battalion commando Vineeth C, has recorded statements of his family members. The team visited the house of Vineeth in Wayanad on Thursday to record the statements. Statements were taken from Vineeths wife, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and friends. Vineeth was found dead inside a washroom at the Special Operation Group (SOG) camp in Areekode last Sunday. According to the police, Vineeth died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the washroom at the camp. After recording the statements, Kondotty DySP K C Sethu, who leads the investigation, said that Vineeth was also facing family issues. From our investigation, we found that Vineeth was dealing with some family problems. I am not disclosing further details about these issues. We will investigate all aspects of the case, Sethu said. The SIT had earlier recorded statements from Vineeths colleagues who were the first to arrive at the washroom after the commando was found dead. Forensic surgeon Hithesh Sanker also conducted an examination of the washroom as part of the investigation. Several allegations have been raised in connection with the case, which the SIT is tasked with scrutinising. In a WhatsApp message sent to a friend moments before his death, Vineeth had mentioned the intense training at the SOG camp. The message suggested that he was struggling to complete the training under Assistant Commandant Ajith.
Biomedical waste: Embarrassed Kerala sends officials to Tamil Nadu for damage control - South First
Biomedical waste: Embarrassed Kerala sends officials to Tamil Nadu for damage control South First
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KOCHI: The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) carried out an accident prevention-based fitness review in the last few weeks before issuing the order allowing Educational Institution Buses (EIBs), whose fitness certificates have expired or about to expire soon, to continue plying for another four to five months, Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam said on Friday. His reaction comes in the wake of the TNIE report published on Friday about the recent order issued by his office allowing the extension of validity of fitness certificates of all EIBs, whose fitness has expired or is about to expire in the coming months, till April 2025. A directive was issued to all the RTOs on December 1 to conduct a preventive check of fitness of all EIBs in their respective jurisdiction. This was done not only for school buses but also for private vehicles conducting school trips. They have also been asked to convene PTA (parents teachers association) meetings and conduct awareness classes for the driving staff of the schools. The exercise was completed over the last few weeks, Nagaraju said. Earlier, experts, including former MVD officers, decried the order saying it would result in the EIBs operating without carrying out timely maintenance. This increases the risk of mishaps, especially like moving vehicles catching fire if they are not properly maintained. Also, will insurance companies approve claims if such vehicles meet with accidents? Such leniency at a time when accidents are rising will send a wrong message. Instead, the schools buses can get the test done on advance in April-May itself instead of waiting till the validity ends, or can deploy Contract Carriage vehicles for the short period when the vehicles undergo fitness test, said a former senior MVD official, while citing the mishap on November 14 when the wheels of a school bus got detached while plying at Pattanakkad in Cherthala. Meanwhile, the MVD has started a state-wide initiative, conducting vehicle checking at black spots across the state. Extension of validity The reaction of Transport Commissioner comes in the wake of the TNIE report published on Friday about the recent order issued by his office allowing the extension of validity of fitness certificates of all EIBs, whose fitness has expired or is about to expire in the coming months, till April 2025 Earlier. experts, including former MVD officers, decried the order saying it would result in vehicles operating without carrying out maintenance
Suspended IAS officer issues legal notice to chief secretary, top officials in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suspended IAS officer Prasanth N has issued a legal notice to chief secretary Sarada Muraleedharan and IAS officers A Jayathilak, and K Gopalakrishnan besides a vernacular newspaper, alleging grave misconduct, including document fabrication, forgery, manipulation of official records and criminal conspiracy. Prasanths legal move is against an inquiry report prepared by Jayathilak, in his capacity as additional chief secretary, that held the former responsible for missing files and attendance irregularities during his tenure as the founding CEO of Unnathi, the state governments SC/ST empowerment initiative. According to the legal notice, the inquiry report was intended to malign Prasanth and was based on two letters that were allegedly fabricated and uploaded on the governments e-office portal. These letters were signed by Gopalakrishnan, the then director of industries, and were allegedly uploaded in August, just before Jayathilak and Gopalakrishnan moved out of the department. The two letters mentioned that files related to Unnathi were missing. However, the charge was proven false by a government letter that showed that both officers were in possession of all the files. The notice said that the actions of both officers were punishable under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhitha (BNS) and also violated the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. The vernacular daily has been served legal notice for carrying the news report on the missing files. The legal notice also pointed out that the chief secretary was formally informed of the actions of the officers but failed to act, allowing the continued manipulation of government records by the perpetrators. The notice said the chief secretarys actions would attract charges of abetment under the BNS. The legal notice also demanded a public apology from the accused besides a detailed inquiry into the actions of Jayathilak and Gopalakrishnan.
CPM dismisses P Mohanans view on MEC 7
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM has dismissed its Kozhikode district secretary P Mohanans statement that MEC 7, a group that promotes physical exercise, has links with Jamaat-e-Islami and banned Popular Front of India (PFI). State secretary M V Govindan told media on Friday that Mohanan retracted his stand as the party does not hold such an opinion. CPM never said MEC 7 group has become a tool in the hands of communal elements. We dont view any groups that are engaged in physical exercise as part of communalism. Mohanan has clarified that he was advising caution that there are chances fringe elements might infiltrate these groups, Govindan said. He also dismissed CPI state secretary Binoy Viswams criticism against the governments decision to include ADGP M R Ajith Kumar in the promotion list for DGP. CPM has not discussed the issue. I disagree with his opinion that the government decision is not suited to the Lefts position.
Abhimanyu murder case: Mother moves Kerala HC to expedite trial
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Ernakulam Principal Session Court to submit a report on progress in the Abhimanyu murder case. The court issued the order on a petition filed by Abhimanyus mother, seeking a directive to expedite the trial. In her petition, Bhoopathy pointed out that the case was still in the preliminary hearing stage. Even six years after the murder, charges had not been framed. Hearing was put off multiple times, between July 11, 2023, and November 18, 2023, to facilitate the appearance of the accused. However, most of the accused were absent on all occasions, her plea said. The accused are highly influential persons who were released on bail without undergoing judicial custody for a significant time. The delay in commencing the trial had given undue advantage to the accused, Bhoopathy said. The petitioner pointed out that the majority of prosecution witnesses were college students and most of them had moved abroad for higher education or employment. If the trial was delayed further the presence of witnesses would become a major issue. The trial should be conducted before the memory of witnesses fades away, she pleaded. Abhimanyu, a 21-year-old from a tribal family in Idukkis Vattavada, was stabbed to death by a gang of allegedly Campus Front of India (CFI) activists at Ernakulam Maharajas College in July 2018. The murder was the sequel to a dispute between SFI and CFI workers over the placement of some posters in the college.
