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Kerala Lottery Result Today Live: Samrudhi SM-35 Winning Numbers For December 28, 2025
Kerala Lottery Result Today Live Updates, 28-12-2025: Heres Guessing Numbers for Samrudhi SM-35 for Sunday, December 28. Check the full list of winning numbers from 3 pm.
CPMs Priyadarshini is district panchayat president
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF retained control of the Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat on Saturday with V Priyadarshini assuming office as its ninth president. She was sworn in by District Collector Anu Kumari at a function held at the district panchayat hall. Priyadarshini, an LDF member elected from the Kallambalam division, secured 15 votes in the presidential election. UDF candidate Agnes Rani, representing the Venganoor division, polled 13 votes. LDF member B P Murali, elected from the Navayikulam division, was chosen as vice-president, also securing 15 votes, while UDF nominee Sajith Muttappalam received 13 votes. Murali was administered the oath of office by President Priyadarshini. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Minister V Sivankutty, Kadakampally Surendran, MLAs V Joy, D K Murali and G Stephen, former district panchayat president D Suresh Kumar, and other members of the panchayat. With 15 seats, the LDF had already secured a clear majority in the 28-member district panchayat. The UDF, which improved its tally to 13 seats from the previous term, fielded Agnes Rani in an attempt to challenge the ruling front. However, the LDF succeeded in retaining both the top posts. The NDA failed to open its account. The members of the district panchayat are: Adarsh Elakamon (Elakamon), Deepa Anil (Kilimanoor), Sudheersha (Kallara), P V Rajesh (Vembayam), J Yahia (Anad), K R Shaiju (Palode), Pradeep Narayan (Aryanad), L P Maya Devi (Vellanad), Gopu Neyyar (Poovachal), J P Annie Prasad (Ottasekharamangalam), Athira Grace (Vellarada), I Vijayaraji (Kunnathukal), S K Ben Darwin (Parassala), C R Pranakumar (Mariyapuram), Freeda Simon (Kanjiramkulam), Anjitha Vinod Kottukal (Balaramapuram), Agnes Rani (Venganoor), B Shobhana (Pallichal), S Suresh Babu (Malayinkeezhu), R Preetha (Karakulam), S Karthika (Pothencode), Mahani Jaseem (Kaniyapuram), Mini Jayachandran (Murukkumpuzha), Sajith Muttappalam (Kizhuvilam), S Sheela (Chirayinkeezhu), Nabeel Kallambalam (Manamboor), and V Priyadarshini (Kallambalam).
CPM stalwart V S Achuthanandan passed away on July 21 at the age of 101, leaving an indelible imprint on not just the Communist movements political markings, but on every milestone woven into the states socio-cultural fabric. Poverty eradication sustained? On November 1, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared Kerala free of extreme poverty making it the first state in the country to achieve the status. Though the nature of the announcement, with Mammootty in attendance, made it seem as much a PR moment as a policy milestone, the state government deserves credit for making a sustained effort to identify extremely poor families. Rajeev Chandrasekhar succeeded K Surendran as the states new BJP chief. Initially branded an outsider , Rajeev emerged as a power player after the partys victory in TPuram corporation. The Malayalam film fraternity came together to pay rich tributes to actor, screenwriter, and director Sreenivasan , whose satirical films reshaped popular cinema and made generations laugh. Gold-clad plates being removed from the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple as part of the SIT probe into the alleged misappropriation and sale of gold, carried out by falsifying records to show them as copper during refurbishment in 2019, exposing systemic fraud and potential links to smuggling rings. Fierce sea surges and relentless coastal erosion have displaced dozens of fisher families, laying bare the vulnerability of Keralas 590-km-long shoreline. According to various studies, over 55% of Keralas coastline is at risk of erosion. There has also been a staggering loss of 647 acres of coastal land along a 58-km stretch in Thiruvananthapuram district alone over the past 14 years, highlighting the urgent need for effective coastal protection measures in the state From the start, the state governments Messi project was riddled with confusion, shifting sponsors, and half-baked plans that kept fans guessing whether Argentine superstar Lionel Messi would ever set foot in the state. The anticipation, however, ended in vain. The AMMA made history, electing Shwetha Menon as its president the first woman to hold the post in the film bodys 30-year history A stray dog stands atop a boundary wall marked with civic poll campaign graffiti and posters, capturing a striking contrast between the feverish political outreach across the state and the persistent issue of stray dog menace, which continues to trouble the public. Last respects being offered by the family of N Ramachandran , a 65-year-old Kochi native who was among the 26 civilians killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 this year Mundakkai natives Radha and Pathumma embrace at Puthumala graveyard on the first anniversary of the devastating Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides in Wayanad . The day was marked by sombre remembrances, prayers, and reflections on the tragedy that struck on July 30, 2024, claiming over 298 lives Mother Eliswa , the first nun of the Catholic Church in Kerala, was elevated to the rank of blessed in November. It was on April 14 that Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Mother Eliswa People throng the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court premises following the acquittal of Dileep in the actor assault case after the prosecution failed to establish conspiracy charge against him. Six accused were convicted. The lynching of Ramnarayan Baghel , a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, on suspicion of theft at Walayar in Palakkad sits uneasily with Keralas image as a fully literate state. Ramnarayans wife, Lalitha, breaks down on seeing his body. This is the 5th lynching of a migrant in the state in the past decade Kochi-Muziris Biennale began in December, featuring 22 venues and seven collaterals, significantly widening the socio-historical as well as political footprints of the new-age art exhibition
Bengaluru hospitals see increase in flu symptoms
BENGALURU: Bengaluru is witnessing a noticeable surge in seasonal influenza and other respiratory infections as the city heads into the year-end, with doctors reporting a sharp rise in patients presenting with flu-like symptoms. There has been nearly a five-fold increase in outpatient visits for respiratory symptoms over the last few weeks, said Dr Sachin Kumar, director of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at Sakra World Hospital. He said the current trend is being closely monitored due to the rapid spread of the H3N2 strain. He added that hospitals are also seeing a significant rise in paediatric cases, with many children reporting symptoms. Around 2030% of our outpatient visits are currently due to influenza-like illness, said Dr Koushik N, senior specialist Pulmonologist at Aster RV Hospital. While most cases remain mild and resolve within three to five days, he said elderly patients, immunocompromised individuals and those with comorbidities face a higher risk of complications, including pneumonia. We are currently seeing around 20 cases of viral influenza and other infections, with H3N2 being the more common variant, said Dr Mahesh Kumar JM, internal medicine specialist at KIMS Hospital. Cold weather, year-end travel and crowding were contributing factors, he said. The increase comes even as the Health Department has issued an advisory warning of a likely rise in influenza cases between January and March. With people moving between cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Kerala, Chennai and other destinations, infections are being carried from one region to another and spreading rapidly after return. Emergency departments are also reporting a steady inflow of patients. We are seeing patients almost every day with fever, cough and cold, with multiple influenza variants, said Dr Sruthi Bhaskaran, Head of Emergency Medicine at Vasavi Hospitals. Dos 1. Elderly should take influenza vaccination 2. Wear masks during travelling 3. Early consultation if symptoms persist
Light, flower show becomes favourite weekend spot in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The streets along Kanakakunnu Palace were flooded with people and crammed with vehicles not a new sight to a Trivandrum resident in the festive days. Big-sized reindeer leading the way for Santa Claus sleigh at the mega entrance to the palace, trees lit up in colourful lights, and thematic light designs the Vasantholsavam light and flower show has become the best weekend getaway for all Trivians, with people of all age groups coming up to see how lights tell tales! The 8-year-old Parie from Chhattisgarh was full of surprises the colours made a lasting impact on her. My favourite was the dragon. and I loved the flowers too, she said, by listing out the colours she saw inside. Her parents, both working at the ISRO at Veli here, said that they came here early that evening so that the child could enjoy everything inside peacefully. Not just them, tourists from different districts and states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were actively part of the programmes here. Standing outside the mirror maze was Bhavya, a college student, who still seemed not to be out of how mirrors around the room and lights inside gave her an out-of-the-world experience. Another youngster remarked that rather than decorating the entire stretch of roads with lights, as done during Onam time, creative works like the designs of spores would be better. Coming from Kollam, Class XI student Devananda said that the celebrations resembled those of the Kollam festival. As usual, the nights are busier here than the evenings. While parents led the children to see the lights, the children led their parents towards the stalls that sell snacks and attractive toys. However, not all people have the same opinion about the festival. Athul Sivadas, a media student, mentioned that this years show is not as good as that of the previous years. Being a resident of this city, I know how well-arranged the programme was in the previous years, but this time, everything feels like a rushed, last-minute arrangement, he opined. Getting mixed reviews The festival has recieved mixed reviews from the public. For families, the festival seems to be the perfect getaway, as kids find the illuminations fascinating. For others, this years festival appeared to not be as good as that of the previous years
Six arrested for fake Instagram honeytrap, assault and extortion in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Aryancode police have arrested six persons for allegedly creating a fake Instagram profile using a young womans photographs to cheat and extort money from a man, and for brutally assaulting him when he came to meet them. The arrested are Nidhin, 24, his brother Nidheesh, 25, Sreejith alias Sreekuttan, 24, Akhil alias Sachu, 26, and two Plus-II students. According to the police, the gang targeted Mahesh Mohanan, 40, a native of Kunnathoor in Kollam, by creating a fake Instagram account and chatting with him regularly. After gaining his confidence, they allegedly told him that the woman was alone at her house and asked him to come to Aryancode on December 22. When Mahesh reached the spot, the accused allegedly detained him and assaulted him. His hand was fractured and he suffered stab injuries. The gang also allegedly snatched his mobile phone and ATM card, obtained the PIN, and withdrew Rs 21,500 from his bank account. The accused further demanded Rs 2 lakh as ransom and threatened to falsely implicate him in a Pocso case if he failed to pay Rs 1 lakh immediately, the police said. Realising that Mahesh did not have more money, the gang allegedly abandoned him at Neyyattinkara and fled. Injured and disoriented, he managed to reach Parassala, where he approached the local police station. He was later shifted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. Based on information received from the Parassala police, a team led by Aryancode SHO Thanseem Abdul Samad traced and arrested the accused. The police said Nidhin and Nidheesh are involved in several criminal cases registered at Neyyattinkara, Marayamuttom, Parassala and Kattakkada police stations. All the accused have been remanded in judicial custody. Withdrew Rs 21,500 from victims bank account When Mahesh reached the spot, the accused allegedly detained him and assaulted him. His hand was fractured and he suffered stab injuries. The gang also allegedly snatched his mobile phone and ATM card, obtained the PIN, and withdrew Rs 21,500 from his bank account.
Kathakali artist to weave Pahalgam terror attack into solo performance
KOCHI: Moved by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22 this year, a kathakali artist has composed a 45-minute dance drama that conveys the shock, grief, and outrage over the incident. Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, a kathakali artist settled in the UK for the past four decades, has choreographed a solo performance incorporating four evergreen Malayalam film songs composed by legendary music director G Devarajan to deliver the anguish over the attack. The first performance will be staged at the Devarajan Master Museum and Research Centre at Paravoor in Kollam district on January 9. The songs selected for the performance are Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal from the film Ashwamedham (1967), Chandra Kalabham Charthi from Kottaram Vilkanundu (1975), Manjalayil Mungi Thorthi from Kalithozhan and Ayiram Padasarangal Kilungi from the film Nadhi (1969). While Manjalayil was written by P Bhaskaran, the other three songs were by Vayalar Rama Varma.Initially, I thought of composing the lyrics for the performance. However, I felt that using these immortal songs would help connect with the audience easily, Vijayakumar told TNIE. The story depicts the tragedy that befell Himanshi Narwal, the wife of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, whose photograph that showed her sitting numb beside husbands body triggered outrage across the world. The couple, married just six days earlier, was on a honeymoon trip to Kashmir when the tragedy occurred. The photograph was so disturbing that I couldnt sleep for days. I felt a strong urge to express my anguish through my art, Vijayakumar said. He said the story starts with the heroine dreaming over her marriage.For that, I have adapted the song Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal. After marriage, the couple reaches Kashmir, and the stunning mountains, lush valleys, and the serene lakes create a perfect landscape for their love to flourish, for which I have adapted the song Chandra Kalabham.... And Manjalayil Mungi Thorthi conveys the intimacy of the lovers, he said. Subsequently, the artist will convey the terror attack through manodharmam, an expressive dramatic narration. The woman hears the gun shots and frantically runs around in search of her husband. She finds men lying dead in pools of blood and desperately searches for her husband, and finally finds his bullet-riddled body. The performance will end with the lines Omale... Onnu Chirikkoo Orikkal Koodi, which is part of the song Ayiram Padasarangal Kilungi. Vijayakumar and his wife Barbara have played a key role in popularising kathakali in the Western world, with the couple having organised more than 3,000 kathakali stage shows in Europe during the past four decades. Barbara is the first woman artist to take up chutty, the intricate make-up for kathakali. A native of Manimala in Kottayam district, Vijayakumar met Barbara when she arrived in Kalamandalam to learn chutty in 1975.
Congress sets February deadline for first list of assembly poll candidates in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A confident Congress is moving to finalise the first list of its assembly election candidates by February 2026. The candidate announcement is expected to coincide with the conclusion of a UDF state tour led by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan on February 28, according to party sources. The tour, slated to begin from Kasaragod on February 1, is intended to gauge public opinion ahead of the preparation of UDFs election manifesto. Like the Congress, other partners have also been asked to reach an early consensus on candidates in select seats so they can be presented at a rally featuring the candidates during the concluding programme in Thiruvananthapuram, a Congress leader said. The partys core committee has decided to begin the process of identifying potential and probable candidates in January, following the two-day Mission 2026 meeting scheduled for January 4 and 5. Leaders pointed out that, with Mission 2026, the Congress will formally mark the beginning of the final stage of election preparation which will continue till the election date is declared. The party will assess Congress chances in each constituency, with the high command having stressed winnability as the sole criterion for choosing candidates. There will be no group considerations or factional manoeuvring. The candidate selection will be merit-based, guided by leadership assessment and a three-tier survey process conducted by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), a KPCC office-bearer said. Party leaders are hopeful of achieving consensus on candidates in several constituencies by mid-January. A Congress review reportedly indicated that a significant section of the Nair community, which had shifted to the BJP in recent years, has returned to the party in the local body polls. Leaders also claimed that Christian votes have realigned with the UDF. The combined effect of these two factors was reflected in the results in Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur and Pathanamthitta districts. The outcome of results in district panchayats, where the UDF bagged seven, also reveals the strength in political votes, a UDF leader said.
Tribals call off Nilambur land protest, move Kerala HC
MALAPPURAM: The Nilambur tribal community has called off its 221-day-long land struggle in front of the Malappuram collectorate, launched against the violation of a written assurance given by the district collector on land allocation. The Tribal Land Struggle Committee has now decided to pursue a legal battle, with a case already filed before the High Court. One of the key assurances given during the settlement of the first Nilambur land struggle was the allocation of 50 cents of land each to 60 tribal families. The first agitation, which lasted 314 days, concluded on March 18, 2024. However, the promised land was not allotted even after the stipulated deadline. Despite repeated representations at various administrative levels, including complaints to the revenue department, no concrete action was taken. As a result, the committee launched a second agitation in front of the collectorate on May 20, 2025, demanding that the collector honour the commitment and release the land.
Malayalam film industry sees box office highs but widespread losses in 2025
KOCHI: Despite several record- and ground-breaking films, 2025 was a challenging year for the Malayalam movie industry. Big releases such as Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra , L2: Empuraan , and Thudarum set box office records, pointing to the industrys ability to produce sweeping films. However, the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) maintains that only 15 of the 184 Malayalam films released this year were profitable. It has also been a year in which the industry encountered several challenges from the release of monthly collection reports to the re-censoring of films. Lokah, the first Malayalam female superhero flick starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, released in August, became the industrys first film to make it to the Rs 300-crore club. The Mohanlal-Prithviraj combinations big-budget film, Empuraan , entered the Rs 200-crore club, as did another Mohanlal-starrer Thudarum . Film Exhibitors Federation chairman Liberty Basheer said the year was comparatively better for theatres in the state. After the Covid interruption, family audiences are choosing theatres big screens with better audio effects over OTT to watch films. The experience of watching a film is important for moviegoers now. This reverse trend has helped theatres in the state, he said.Also, we need occasional mass films such as Lokah and Empuraan to attract audiences to theatres. People will dole out money to watch quality fare, he added. Former KFPA vice-president G Suresh Kumar said the industry took a loss of R500 crore this year. Films like Thudarum and Lokah generated good box office revenue. But most of the films failed in theatres. Considering their budgets, long shooting schedules, and production costs, the loss is massive, he stated. Backing the numbers released by KFPA, Basheer emphasised that the number of box-office hits are virtually the same every year.We come out with some 10-15 hit and superhit films annually. Earlier, we only had 40-50 new releases a year. Now, with more technicians and producers, this number has jumped to 150-200. But only some 10% of these draw audiences to theatres, Basheer said. Earlier in the year, KFPA initiated the process of releasing monthly collection reports, claiming that the transparency would help producers better understand industry trends and financial outcomes. However, when a section of producers argued that box office figures should not weigh in entirely on whether a film is a commercial success in this era of digital rights and other revenue streams, the association put an end to the publishing of monthly figures. The re-censoring of Empuraan , Suresh Gopi-starrer JSK: Janaki V v/s State of Kerala , and Shane Nigams Haal was also a topic of intense discussion in film circles and among the public. According to Suresh Kumar, the total number of films released declined from 212 in 2024 to 184 in 2025 as mainstream OTT platforms displayed an unwillingness to purchase Malayalam films. REEL DEAL Top box-office hits of the year Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra L2: Empuraan Thudarum Dis Ira Hridayapoorvam Alappuzha Gymkhana Kalamkaval Officer on Duty Eko Rekhachitram
Dance of death delves into depths of human dread in Kerala
IVARMADOM: Dying into a dance, An agony of trance, An agony of flame that cannot singe a sleeve W B Yeats, Byzantium It was an unlikely setting for a theyyam performance. But the grim backdrop provided by the still-burning embers of funeral pyres set the stage for the ritual dance of Chudala Bhadrakali, the ferocious deity associated with death, and Pottan Theyyam, a manifestation of Shiva. The theyyam ritual is performed in the early hours of December 26 on the grounds of the crematorium where on average 25 to 30 bodies are consigned to the flames every day. We halted funeral activities for three days to prepare the space for the kaliyattam said K Sasikumar, secretary of the Ivarmadom Heritage Preservation Committee, which organises the event. The venue is meant to banish the horror associated with crematoriums. Death is a natural phenomenon that needs to be accepted without fear. People often shudder at the thought of crematoriums, which they visit only to perform the last rites of those near and dear, said Dr Sethumadhavan, president of the committee. The fear of death is the root cause for many diseases and it is important to remove it from the mind, added Sethumadhavan, an ayurveda physician. He said that Thiruvilwamala, where Ivarmadom is situated, is associated with the legend of Naranathu Branthan, whose encounter with Chudala Bhadrakali at a crematorium is narrated in the folklore. There is no place linked to their meeting, but the story lends a new dimension to the presence of Bhadrakali in the kaliyattam, he said. Guruthi being offered to Chudala Bhadrakali at the Kaliyattam at Ivarmadom crematorium; There is no figure among the various theyyams of Malabar who exactly matches Chudala Bhadrakali, whose form is an adaptation of theyyams such as Rakthachamundi, Rakhthewari and Moovalamkuzhi Chamundi, said A V Ajayakumar, secretary of the Kerala Folklore Academy, which is associated with the staging of the kaliyattam. Usually, theyyam is not performed at crematoriums because there is an observance called pula associated with death. But the kaliyattam at Ivarmadom is an ideal concept because here Chudala Bhadrakali is performing at a chudala (crematorium), he said. The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi used to oversee the kaliyattam. The duty was handed over to academy four years ago because we have been handling all aspects of theyyam. Anish Perumalayan, from Iritty in Kannur, has been performing as Chudala Bhadrakali for the past 11 years, Ajayakumar said. All electric lighting is switched off when Bhadrakali emerges from the manthra sala (the green room), with the initial performance lit exclusively by ola choottu (torches made from dry coconut fronds). Next year will be the 12th staging of the kaliyattam and we are planning scale the event, said Sasikumar, committee secretary.
Sabarimala mandala season ends with record Rs 332.77 crore revenue
P'THITTA: Unperturbed by the controversies surrounding the alleged theft of gold from the Sabarimala temple, devotees continued to throng the hill shrine in large numbers and made generous offerings during the mandala pilgrimage season. As the temple closed its sanctum sanctorum on Saturday night, marking the end of the mandala season, the total revenue stood at a record Rs 332.77 crore, according to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). During the previous season, the total revenue after 41 days of the mandala pilgrimage was Rs 297.06 crore. The temple closed at 10pm on Saturday after Harivarasanam, following the mandala pooja held in the morning. The temple will reopen on December 30 evening for the makaravilakku festival. TDB president K Jayakumar said the revenue collected till Friday stood at Rs 332,77,05,132 generated through offerings (kanikka), sale of appam and aravana prasadam, room rent and auction proceeds. Kanikka alone accounted for Rs 83.17 crore of the total amount. This season, the revenue saw an increase of Rs 35.7 crore, even though the count is for 40 days, reflecting the growing faith of devotees, Jayakumar said. So far, more than 30.56 lakh devotees have visited the shrine this season. On Friday, 37,521 pilgrims had darshan, while 17,818 devotees reached the shrine till 1pm on mandala pooja day. Aravana prasadam production to be scaled up Last season, the total pilgrim count at the end of the mandala period was 32.49 lakh. Travancore Devaswom Board president K Jayakumar said despite heavy rush on peak days, the devaswom board and the police and various departments worked in coordination to ensure smooth darshan throughout the season, barring minor confusion on the opening day. He said the aravana prasadam production will be scaled up once the temple closes on Saturday night. When the shrine reopens for makaravilakku, a buffer stock of 12 lakh tins of aravana will be available. The existing cap of 10 tins per devotee is expected to continue, and arrangements will be made to dispatch additional quantities by post after January 20.Preparations for the makaravilakku festival were reviewed at a meeting held at Pampa on Friday under Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan. Another meeting involving the forest department will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on December 29 to address issues related to forest routes, including Pulmedu, said Jayakumar.
Amid rehabilitation project delay, calendar on Priyankas Wayanad visits sparks row
KALPETTA: Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi came in for sharp criticism on social media after she released a New Year calendar featuring photographs of her visits to the district, with critics arguing that the gesture was insensitive as the Congress failed to build the houses the party had promised to families affected by the Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslide even 16 months after the disaster. One comment under a critical post by a CPM cyber page Red Beats read: Our dear MP Priyanka Gandhi set an example by giving calendars to the homeless in Wayanad. Next she will distribute wrist watches to people without hands. The criticism intensified after a video released by the MPs office showed KPCC working president A P Anil Kumar, MLA, releasing the calendar. Left-affiliated cyber groups spearheaded the online attack, targeting the Congress party over the delay in implementing the Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslide rehabilitation project. Although Kalpetta MLA T Siddique had announced before the local body elections that the Congress had paid an advance to acquire land for the project, the land registration process is yet to be completed. At a press meet in Kalpetta on December 3, Siddique acknowledged the delay, attributing it to difficulties in identifying legally dispute-free land. There was some delay for the Congress party on the project as we were searching for a property without legal issues. Now the location has been identified and the advance has been paid. The design and construction plans are in the final stages. We are planning to build 100 houses, he said. Siddique also stated that the District Congress Committee (DCC) would soon release details of the property. However, no further clarification has since been issued by Congress leaders. When contacted, Wayanad DCC president T J Issac told the TNIE that the registration process was under way. We will soon complete the registration of the property identified in Kalpetta. We are expecting to sign the documents in the coming days. The party leadership has prepared a preliminary list of beneficiaries, which will be released shortly, he said. Meanwhile, questions are being raised over the lack of transparency surrounding the Stand With Wayanad - INC mobile application launched to collect distress relief funds after the disaster. The application is currently inactive and no official details regarding the amount collected or its utilisation have been made public. None of the Congress sources are ready to comment on the matter. In contrast, construction under the state governments rehabilitation project is progressing rapidly. The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS), which is executing the project, is aiming to complete 301 houses by January. Roof slab concreting has been completed for around 190 houses, and work is on round the clock. Plastering is also progressing swiftly. Laying of roads, power supply, and drainage work are expected to be completed by January. Our primary objective is to ensure basic facilities at the site. Construction of the remaining houses and other community facilities will be taken up in the next phase, said a KIIFB official overseeing the project.
SIR: Kerala to set up help desks to aid untraceable voters
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to account for the list of untraceable voters that has surfaced as part of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the state government will set up help desks across village offices to ensure the inclusion of all eligible persons. In a government order issued by the general administration department on Friday, district collectors have been instructed to deploy two officers each to these help desks to ensure that eligible voters are not left out of the process. Over 24,08,503 distributed enumeration forms were not returned, of which 14.61 lakh were marked as either absent, untraceable, permanently shifted or enumeration form shifted, while 6.49 lakh were declared deceased. Another 1.36 lakh were listed under others. In addition, the order also mentions about 19.32 lakh people who have been included in the draft roll need to furnish more documents for final approval. Combined, over 43.4 lakh people in the state may have to furnish documents for hearing and further processing. The help desks are meant to ease this process. SIR: Order suggests campaigns to spread awareness The order, which mentions that nearby buildings may be used to facilitate help desks if the current provisions are insufficient, also states that officers from other departments may be reassigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the process. Special emphasis has been accorded to hamlets, hilly areas, and coastal belts, as the order mentions the reallocation of anganwadi, ASHA, and Kudumbashree workers to these areas. The order also suggests campaigns to spread awareness about the inclusion of people above the age of 18. The order, which states that the SIR process was carried out in Kerala amidst the local body polls, also mentions that the state had approached the Supreme Court to extend the SIR deadline. Despite the request to extend the deadline by two weeks, the Election Commission of India refused to do so.
The BJP, which won its first Corporation election in Kerala, has chosen a familiar local face to be the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram
When 'Bulldozers' Cross State Lines: Pinarayi Vijayan AndDK Shivakumar In A War Of Words
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hit back at Kerala Chief Minister PinarayiVijayan over his criticism of ademolition drive in Bengaluru
Dramatic scenes mark election of Kasaragod district panchayat president
CM Siddaramaiah defends Bengaluru eviction drive as legal move against encroachment
New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday defended the eviction drive at Fakir Colony in Bengaluru, saying it was a necessary action against the illegal occupation of government land. Siddaramaiahs reaction comes as a response to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan, who had condemned the alleged bulldozer action in Bengaluru. Vijayan had on Friday Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Parties, public cry foul as SIR drive excludes lakhs of voters in Kerala
As debate rages over the reported exclusion of around 24 lakh voters from the draft voters list of Kerala, after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, Tiki Rajwi takes a closer look at the process to understand the concerns raised by both voters and political parties.
Kerala Capital Thiruvananthapuram 'Omitted' From Rail Upgrade List, Shashi Tharoor Writes To Centre
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor slammed the alleged omission of the Kerala capital from the 48 major cities' infrastructure upgrade initiative announced by the Ministry of Railways as part of the Vision 2030
Kerala SIR Process: Help Desks To Assist 43 Lakh Voters
Two officers will be temporarily assigned to each help desk to guide the public and provide assistance
Kerala students emerge winners in Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2025
Binoy Kurien is Kannur district panchayat president
SIR: govt. to open help desks for voters
Kerala SIR: notices to be issued a week before the hearing date
Notice will be served on voters in the draft roll who could not be mapped with the 2002 SIR list
Buon NatalerallyturnsThrissur into alivingcanvas of Christmasjoy
Over 15,000 Santas participate in the festive procession, blending faith, culture, technology and charity
Second phase development works in full swing at Feroke railway station
Will develop local body as space of happiness: Ernakulam district panchayat president
Bird flu: over 28,500 birds culled in Alappuzha in two days
Besides the culling of birds, 584 eggs and 8,380 kg of feed were destroyed
Mary Thomas, T.K. Sudheesh take oath as Thrissur district panchayat president, vice-president
LDF candidates secure decisive victories in district body elections; formal oath-taking ceremony graced by Ministers, officials, and political leaders
Sheela Stephen elected Idukki district panchayat president
UDFs T.S. Siddique is the vice-president. Kerala Congresss Sheela will hold the post for a year, while Congress nominee Mini Sabu will be in charge for the remaining four years of the term
LDF gets president, BJP vice-president in Parali
New local body heads take charge in Kozhikode
The monitoring cells will include senior party leaders, those with administrative experience, and retired officials from local institutions, says DCC chief
Thousands witness Mandala puja at Sabarimala
Sabarimala Ayyappa temple will be closed on the night of December 27, marking the culmination of the Mandala puja season, and will open at 5 p.m. on December 30 for the Makaravilakku festival
Little KITEs camps: 15,000 students to develop weather models in Kerala
Students are learning the scientific methods behind modern weather determination and the functioning of weather forecasting centres
No loss of land due to cricket stadium project, claims SSUS
The V-C accuses the Save University Campaign Committee of launching a misleading campaign against the project
Kerala to issue draft notification on minimum wages for private hospital staff in a month
P.C. Thomas seeks airport, major infrastructure projects for Kuttanad
Calicut Archdiocese to host Felix Natalis in city on December 28
Draw of lots favours LDF in Koppam, Thrithala
Kerala parties seek exemption from voter hearings during SIR
Thiruvananthapuram: Political parties on Saturday requested the Kerala CEO to minimise hearings of voters as part of the SIR of the electoral rolls. The request was raised during a meeting convened by Chief Electoral Officer Ratan U Kelkar with representatives of political parties as part of the SIR process. At present, over 19.32 lakh voters Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
As SRV school turns 180 , its glorious legacy is in peril
The decline in the number of students marks more than a mere fall from grace for a school that, until the 1990s, boasted thousands of students spread across multiple divisions in each grade
Demolitions in Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivkumar spar over Bengaluru bulldozer demolition drive
Congress loses power for first time in Peringottukurissi
Candidate backed by LDF-IDF combine elected president of the panchayat governing body
Safety measures to be in place for smooth conduct of Cochin Carnival
Maximum number of police personnel will be deployed for keeping law and order. Strict action will be taken against stalls that fail to adhere to safety guidelines
R. Lathadevi takes charge as Kollam district panchayat president
No understanding with CPI(M), BJP and SDPI in local bodies, says Satheesan
Such dispersals occurred primarily on account of adjustments made to limit the number of voters to 1,200 per polling station in line with an EC decision, say officials
Improving organ donor risk mapping and traceability
With over three lakh animal bites annually, human rabies has been an escalating public health challenge in Kerala in recent years. This sparks conversations about risk of donor-derived infections that evade routine screening and the adequacy of current organ donor screening protocols
Laly James suspension exposes rift in Thrissur Congress
Allegations of cash-for-posts in the mayoral selection mar Congress first day in power in the Thrissur Corporation, sparking open revolt and a bitter blame game
BJP sets history by capturing power in two panchayats in Palakkad
BJP retains control of the Palakkad municipality for a third consecutive term. The party wrests power from LDF by securing 10 seats in the 19-member Akathethara panchayat, and winning eight of the 14 wards in Pudur.
UDF assumes power in 71 of 82 panchayats in Ernakulam
Twenty20 backs the Congress-led UDF in Vadavucode-Puthencruz grama panchayat; the LDF has been restricted to seven panchayats
Kudumbashrees Technoworld to become Keralas first women-led IT incubation centre
MVD issue notices to online firms over safety risks posed by 10-minute delivery service
Action has been taken against firms found to have breached safety standards
Defamatory post: Congress leader released from police custody
N. Subrahmanian was asked to appear before the investigating officer at Chevayur police station again on December 29
Lights, flowers add zing to year-end festivity in Thiruvananthapuram
Tastefully done lighting themes blend seamlessly with the flower arrangements at Vasantholsavam, attracting visitors in hordes
A. Mahendran sworn in as Alappuzha district panchayat president
Kochi metro and water metro to operate additional services on New Years Eve
On the night of December 31, Kochi water metro services will resume after a short break on the High CourtMattancherry and High CourtVypin routes
Keralas Technopark invites EoI from co-developers for QUAD project at Technocity
A pre-bid meeting to brief interested developers on the EoI details will be held at 4 p.m. on December 30.
Resigned Congress members join hands with BJP in Thrissur's Mattathur to elect panchayat president
THRISSUR: In a dramatic turn of events, eight Congress councillors who resigned from the party joined hands with the BJP to elect independent candidate Tessy Jose Kallarakkal as the president of Mattathur grama panchayat on Saturday. Of the 24 wards in Mattathur, the UDF won eight, the LDF 10 and the NDA four, while two independents were also elected. The LDF fielded one of the independents, Ouseph, as its presidential candidate, while the UDF backed the other independent, Tessy. Tessy won the election with the support of the UDFs eight votes and three votes from the BJP. We resigned from the Congress to protest the failure of the district and block-level leadership to intervene in internal disputes. There were issues right from the candidate selection stage, and matters worsened after the results were declared. We hope the district leadership will step in and resolve them, said Linto Pallipparambil, one of the Congress ward members who resigned. Meanwhile, KPCC chief Sunny Joseph suspended DCC general secretary T M Chandran and mandalam president Shafi Kalluparambil from the party for acting against organisational decisions. By losing local body polls, has Pinarayi already lost Kerala? And what of Tharoor and BJP?
'Kerala is my lucky place': Renuka Singh ahead of fourth T20I vs Sri Lanka
India's women's cricket team aims for a fourth T20I win against Sri Lanka. Pacer Renuka Singh is a key player, finding success in Thiruvananthapuram. She has improved her bowling with new variations. Renuka's dedication and preparation are evident. She is a crucial part of India's future plans, with potential for success in upcoming tournaments.
Congress in shock as its own members stage revolt in Mattathur, tie up with BJP
All eight Congress members quit the party en masse, backing an independent candidate as panchayat president in dramatic power shift
Kerala CM Vijayans statement came after the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) and the police demolished over 150 houses in Kogilu Layout on December 20, leaving nearly 500 people homeless
KMB enforcement wing inspects houseboats, fines violators in Kerala
The KMB enforcement squad recently imposed a fine of 1.30 lakh against some violators in Kozhikode district
Kerala CM slams Kogilu Layout demolitions in Bengaluru
On December 20, government agencies demolished over 150 houses in Fakeer Colony and parts of Waseem Layout in Kogilu Layout, Yelahanka, leaving nearly 500 people homeless.
Congress Leaders Quit, Tie Up With BJP To Take Control Of Kerala Panchayat
In a major political twist in the Mattathur panchayat in Kerala's Thrissur district, all eight Congress members resigned en masse and joined hands with the BJP to take control of the council.
Uma Thomas, MLA petitions KPCC for split chairperson term in Thrikkakara
Since the formation of the municipality, the UDF had traditionally opted for split terms, often with disastrous consequences, or yielded to hard bargaining by rebels-turned-independent councillors
Don't interfere in our state's affairs: Shivakumar tells Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has responded to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's criticism of an anti-encroachment drive in Bengaluru. Shivakumar stated that Vijayan should not interfere in Karnataka's affairs without knowing the facts. He clarified that the drive targeted illegal land occupation on a dangerous waste dump site.
Karnataka DCM Shivakumar lashes out at Kerala CM Pinarayi over remarks on Bengaluru demolition drive
BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday lashed out at Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan for interfering in evictions in an encroached land in Bengaluru. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the DyCM said it is unfortunate that senior leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan has commented on this without knowing the facts of the matter. The land which was cleared of encroachment was a solid waste pit. There are many health-related issues in the area due to this. We also have humanity, and we have given them an opportunity to move to other areas, he said. Shivakumar said leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan should not interfere in such matters. Land mafia sets up slums in order to encroach upon the land at a later stage. We wont let that happen. We are willing to give houses under the Rajiv Gandhi scheme if there are eligible people, he said, responding to Kerala CMs remarks that the Karnataka government was involved in Bulldozer Raj in Bengaluru. The DyCM stated that they are only protecting government land in the middle of the city and will send a message regarding this to Congress party leaders in Kerala. We dont have Bulldozer culture, I appeal to Pinarayi Vijayan not to talk like that, he said. Responding to protests by some people, he said they are all politically motivated statements and protests. He should not comment on matters of our state without knowing the facts. This is a political gimmick in view of the upcoming Kerala elections, the DyCM said.
'We are not into bulldozers': DK Shivakumar hits back at Kerala CM over Bengaluru demolition drive
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has criticized Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's remarks on a recent Bengaluru demolition drive. Shivakumar stated that senior leaders should understand ground realities before commenting, emphasizing the action was to protect public land from encroachers and land mafia, not targeting any community. He urged Vijayan to avoid making statements without full knowledge of the situation.
Keralas Opposition Leader V. D Satheesan calls CM Pinarayi Vijayan an autocrat
He further alleged that CPI(M)s cyber cell has been engaged in constant personal attacks against senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi
BJP targets Congress over its association with Jamaat-e-Islami in Kerala
The BJP has accused the Congress-led UDF in Kerala of aligning with extremist Islamic organizations. State BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged that such alliances endanger Kerala and India. This comes as the ruling CPI(M) also intensified its attacks on the UDF. The BJP leader emphasized that extremist groups should not infiltrate democratic institutions.
CWC meet: Congress top brass discuss strategy for 2026 polls, action against Centre over G RAM G law
Senior Congress leaders on Saturday attended a crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the partys highest decision-making body, to discuss the political situation ahead of multi-state assembly elections next year and chart its response to the governments repeal of the UPA-era rural employment scheme MGNREGA. The party is deliberating its strategy after the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, was replaced by the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G). The extended CWC meeting is being attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, including Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. Presidents of Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) are also present. The meeting comes ahead of assembly elections due next year in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with leaders expected to deliberate on the partys electoral strategy. The Congress is set to finalise its action plan to counter the government following the repeal of MGNREGA. The VB-G RAM G Bill was passed during the recently concluded winter session of Parliament and has since received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu. The Congress and other opposition parties have strongly objected to the new law, saying the removal of Mahatma Gandhis name from the scheme is an insult to his legacy. Under the new law, rural households are guaranteed 125 days of wage employment in a financial year for adults willing to undertake unskilled manual work. Unlike the earlier central scheme, the programme will now be funded jointly by the Centre and states in a 60:40 ratio.
Top Congress leaders attend working committee meet, discuss further action against VB-G RAM G law
The meeting comes ahead of next year's Assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and the leaders are expected to deliberate on the party strategy
CWC Meet: Congress Discusses Next Steps on G RAM G Law
The meeting comes ahead of next year's assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and the leaders are expected to deliberate on the party strategy
Watch: Dushyant Sridhar interview: On collaborations and spirituality | Margazhi
Popular vedic speaker and harikatha exponent Dushyant Sridhar talks about the essence of spirituality, how he cites modern examples when he talks about ancient scriptures and his journey as a storyteller so far. He also explains why he appears on advertisements, and why he walked the ramp during a recent fashion event in Chennai that celebrated classical musicians. Dushyant also talks about the trips he puts together for yatris; in 2026, he has Kerala, Cambodia and Egypt on the list.
Defamatory post: Congress leader in police custody
He had already been booked under various sections of the BNS for the defamatory post against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
Sabarimala gold theft case: Congress leader N Subrahmanian in custody over photo controversy
KOZHIKODE: The probe into the Sabarimala gold heist has turned into a major political confrontation in Kerala, with the police taking a Congress leader, N Subrahmanian, into custody over a controversial social media post linked to the case. N Subrahmanian, a member of the KPCC Political Affairs Committee, was taken into custody by the Kozhikode Chevayur police for allegedly sharing a photograph depicting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alongside the prime accused in the gold theft case, Unnikrishnan Potti . The core of the controversy involves the alleged theft of gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols of the Sabarimala temple. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) found that several kilograms of gold were missing from the sacred items. Prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, a priest-turned-businessman, allegedly siphoned off gold under the guise of electroplating and renovation work between 2014 and 2019. Potti was arrested in October after a ten-hour questioning session. The SIT has since arrested multiple high-profile figures, including former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) presidents A Padmakumar and N Vasu. Political temperature soared when N Subrahmanian shared a picture on Facebook showing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with Unnikrishnan Potti, accompanied by a caption questioning the deep relationship between the two. The Chevayur police registered a case under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Kerala Police Act for allegedly attempting to provoke a riot and promote enmity. Subrahmanian, while being taken from his home after a police search, stated, I shared a real image taken from a video shared by the Chief Minister's Office itself. This is an attempt to suppress the opposition's activities. The CPM, however, labelled the image as a fabricated AI-generated photo. They clarified that the original footage was from a public function in August, and Potti was merely a bystander who was edited into the frame to look like he was in a private conversation with the CM. Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT reaches Tamil Nadu, records Dindigul mans statement
Kerala Lottery Results Today 27/12/2025; Karunya KR-736 Winning Numbers
Kerala Lottery Result Today, 27-12-2025: Heres Guessing Numbers for Karunya KR-736 for Friday, December 27.
Bravery awards for 9-yr-old, 11-yr-old posthumously
NEW DELHI: Nine-year-old Vyoma Priya lost her life while trying to save a six-year-old during an electrical accident in their gated community park in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore. Kamlesh Kumar, an 11-vear-old, died while bravely attempting to save another child in the Durgawati river near Jaipur village in Bihars Kaimur district. The two were among the 20 young boys and girls who were conferred with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. Lauding the award-winning children for bringing pride to their families, communities, and the entire country, the President said, The greatness of a country is certain when its children are filled with patriotism and high ideals. Remembering the brave deeds of the two children who were awarded posthumously, she said, Nine-year-old daughter Vyoma Priya and 11-year-old brave son Kamlesh Kumar lost their lives while saving the lives of others with their courage. The President also conferred the awards in six categories bravery, art and culture, environment, social service, science and technology and sports. The President praised 10-year-old Shravan Singh from Chak Taran Wali, Ferozepur, Punjab, who showed exceptional courage during Operation Sindoor by making daily high-risk supply runs to frontline soldiers and motivating his family and community to support the Army, despite constant threats from hostile drones. Shravan Singh, amidst the risks associated with war during Operation Sindoor, regularly delivered water, milk, and lassi to the Indian soldiers stationed at the border near his home. Whereas, the differently-abled daughter Shivani Hosuru Uppara has achieved extraordinary accomplishments in the world of sports, overcoming economic and physical limitations, she said. It is because of talented children such as the seven-year-old Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika that India is considered a chess powerhouse on the world stage. Ajay Raj and Mohammed Sidan P, who saved the lives of others with their bravery and intelligence, deserve the praise they receive, she said. Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made a name for himself in the highly competitive and talent-filled world of cricket and has set many records, she added. Among those the President mentioned was Muhammed Sidan P, an 11-year-old Class 6 student from Palakkad, Kerala. He saved his two friends from electrocution while they waited for their school bus. Talking about the significance of the Veer Bal Diwas, the president said that about 320 years ago, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, and his four sons had made the supreme sacrifices while fighting for truth and justice.
Invalid votes recorded in Thiruvananthapuram mayoral election
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the mayoral election, 97 valid votes were polled out of the 101-member council. V V Rajesh won the election with 51 votes, including the support of Independent councillor M Radhakrishnan. Two votes were declared invalid. LDF candidate R P Sivaji secured 29 votes, while Congress-led UDF nominee K S Sabarinadhan managed to get 17 votes. Two UDF votes those of K R Cletus, councillor from Nanthancode, and S Lathika, councillor from Venganoor were declared invalid due to errors in signing. Independent councillor Sudheesh Kumar from Powdikonam, a Congress rebel, did not cast his vote in either election. Voting did not take place in the Vizhinjam ward, where polling has been postponed following the death of a candidate. In the deputy mayoral election, Asha Nath was elected with 50 votes. LDF councillor Rakhi Ravikumar received 28 votes, while UDF candidate Mary Pushpam secured 19 votes. Two ballots those of BJP councillor Vayalkara Ratheesh from Poonkulam and LDF councillor Liju S from Ulloor were declared invalid.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF has decided to initiate legal action in connection with the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation mayoral election. CPM leader S P Deepak alleged that 20 BJP councillors took their oath of office in violation of rules and that their votes should not be counted in the mayoral election. According to the petition of S P Deepak, 20 BJP councillors took the oath in violation of rules. Chempazhanthy Udayan of Mannanthala ward and Sugathan R both of them swore in the name of Sree Narayana Guru. Pappanamcode Saji of Melamcode ward, R C Beena of Nedumcaud ward, Saritha P of Manacaud ward and Harikumar of Fort ward swore in the name of Padmanabhaswamy. Deputy Mayor Asha Nath and Vinod R of Cheruvakkal ward swore in the name of Bharatmata, Pangode councillor Vishnu Mohan swore in the name of Udayannoor Devi, Valiyasala councillor Soorya V S took the oath saying Kavilamma, Sreedevi S K of Ponnumangalam ward in the name of Bhagavat. Ponkulam councillor took the oath in the name of martyrs of his institution, Gopakumar of Thiruvallam ward took oath in Thiruvallam Parasuramans name. Sruthi S S of Attukal took oath in the name of Attukalamma, and Kamaleswaram councillor V Giri swore in the name of Irukulangara Durga Bhagavati. Deepa S Nair of Perunthanni swore in the name of Padmanabha and Mahavishnu. Sreekanteswaram councillor Sukanya O took the oath in the name of Sreekanteswaran Ayyappan. Jaya Rajeev of Kadakampally swore in the name of Ayyappa. Attipra councillor Sunil S S took the oath in the name of Karyavattom Sree Dharma Sastha, and Akkulam councillor Mini P S swore in the name of Gurudeva and martyrs of her institution. Deepak said the councillors swore in the name of deities and martyrs, which he claimed was unconstitutional. However, District Collector Anukumari rejected the demand. The collector stated that once the councillors took the oath and signed the register, they were legally recognised as councillors. She also pointed out that any objection should have been raised at the time of oath-taking and signing, and added that the aggrieved parties may now approach the court if they wish to contest the matter. Speaking to the media later, Deepak criticised the collectors stand, calling it strange and a challenge to democracy. He said a complaint regarding the alleged violation had been submitted two days earlier along with a video clip as evidence.
Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh, deputy mayor reach out to Sreelekha amid murmurs of dissent
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Newly elected mayor V V Rajesh and Deputy Mayor Asha Nath on Friday evening visited BJP councillor R Sreelekha at her residence, amid reports that she was unhappy over being denied the mayoral post. Sreelekha had left the council hall soon after Rajesh took oath and before he delivered his first address, even as Opposition councillors were still present. She did not participate in the celebrations, triggering speculation within political circles. Following the visit, Rajesh said the meeting was part of an outreach effort to interact with senior leaders in the corporation. We are meeting all important leaders and began with this visit. We also discussed upcoming initiatives in the health sector with Dr Sethunath, he said, adding that Sreelekha had assured her support for the corporations activities. However, a party source said Sreelekha continued to be upset over missing out on the mayoral position, and that the BJP leadership was making efforts to pacify her and maintain unity within the council. It is learnt that strong backing from the RSS helped Rajesh stake his claim to the post. A section of party leaders had reportedly opposed Sreelekhas candidature, citing her lack of political experience. The source said the party leadership felt that the BJP, which does not enjoy an absolute majority in the council, required a leader with stronger political acumen to steer the corporation through a challenging phase.
Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT reaches Tamil Nadu, records Dindigul mans statement
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The special investigation team probing the Sabarimala gold theft cases has extended the probe to additional areas in Tamil Nadu as part of its effort to verify information provided by a businessman that a racket involved in trafficking idols could have played a role in the gold heist. The SIT knocked on the doors of a Dindigul-based man, identified as M S Mani, under the suspicion he was the same person the businessman had mentioned in his testimonial. The businessman, a close contact of senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, told the SIT that four panchaloha idols were bought by a Tamil Nadu-based antique collector from Kerala and that they reached the hands of an international smuggling racket. The businessman mentioned the antique-collector as D Mani. It was while verifying the statement that the sleuths reached the doors of the Dindigul man, who identified himself as M S Mani. The man told reporters that the investigators did not tell him which case his statement was recorded in. While clarifying his name was M S Mani, he said he had no connection with either the antique trade or Sabarimala. He said one of his friends Balamurugans phone number might have been misused by suspects, which could have led the cops to him. The SIT scrutinised the IT returns documents and also showed photographs of a couple of people to him and asked whether he could identify any of them. His reply, sources said, was negative. However, sources said Chennithala and the businessman, whose identity has been kept under wraps, confirmed it was the Dindigul man they had mentioned about. The SIT will issue summons to him to appear in person in Thiruvananthapuram, a source said. Highly-placed sources said the development should not be construed as a breakthrough. Besides Dindigul, a few more places in Tamil Nadu, including Virudhunagar, have been searched by the SIT.
Congress councillor levels pay for Thrissur mayor post charge
THRISSUR: Congress councillor from Laloor division Laly James on Friday levelled major allegations against DCC president Joseph Tajet and parliamentary committee chairman Rajan Pallan, accusing them of denying her the Thrissur mayor post as she could not pay the party fund. Joseph refuted the allegations. The Congress on Thursday announced Dr Niji Justin from Kizhakkumpattukara division as its Thrissur mayor candidate. Laly said she was overlooked despite winning with a higher majority than the other candidates and Niji was chosen as she paid the required money. Two days back, Joseph called me into the DCC office along with other party leaders. They asked me if I could pay the party fund. I couldnt. I took up this opportunity to serve people, not to garner wealth and hence couldnt give the money when they asked, she told TNIE. Despite this, Laly voted in Fridays mayor election. I will continue as a member and party councillor despite disagreements, said Laly, a fourth-time councillor.
Sabarimala pilgrim footfall crosses 30 lakh this season
PATHANAMTHITTA: The number of devotees who have visited the Sabarimala temple during the ongoing pilgrimage season has crossed the 30-lakh mark. As per official figures till December 25, a total of 30,01,532 pilgrims have had darshan at the hill shrine. In the previous season, the pilgrim count had crossed the 30-lakh mark by December 23 itself, with 30,78,044 devotees. By December 25, 2024, the total number of pilgrims stood at 32,49,756, while in 2023, around 28.42 lakh devotees had visited the shrine by the same date. This season witnessed unprecedented rush right from the beginning, prompting the authorities to enforce strict restrictions on virtual queue bookings and spot bookings, following directions from the High Court. The highest number of pilgrims this season was recorded on November 19, four days after the temple was opened, when 1,02,299 devotees offered prayers. The lowest turnout was on December 12, with 49,738 pilgrims. Compared to previous years, the rush on Sundays was relatively lower this season. On Sunday, December 21, a total of 61,576 devotees visited the shrine. On other days, the footfall remained above 80,000, with 85,847 pilgrims on Monday, 83,845 on Tuesday, 85,388 on Wednesday and 89,729 on Thursday. In view of the mandala pooja, the number of pilgrims allowed through the virtual queue has been reduced to 30,000 on Friday and 35,000 on Saturday (December 26 and 27). Spot booking has been capped at 2,000. Meanwhile, restrictions were imposed on the movement of pilgrims from Pampa from Friday morning in connection with the Thanka Anki procession. By 9 am, a total of 22,039 devotees had completed darshan, officials said.
Two pilgrims collapse, die on forest route to Sabarimala
IDUKKI: Two Ayyappa pilgrims who proceeded to the Sabarimala temple via the Sathram forest route collapsed and died at different locations on Friday. Both the deceased were natives of Tamil Nadu. The first incident occurred at Sathram, where Balaji, 43, a native of Karur district, collapsed while walking along the forest route after obtaining online darshan pass. According to fellow pilgrims, he developed extreme fatigue after walking around 500 metres, sat down to rest and suddenly collapsed. Forest department officials and health department personnel stationed at Sathram rushed to the spot, but he had already died. The body was shifted to the Vandiperiyar Primary Health Centre, and after inquest by Vandiperiyar police, was sent to Idukki Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination. The second incident was reported near Seethakulam along the Sathram-Sabarimala forest route, where B Rajakumar, 52, of Thanjavur collapsed and died. The police and health department staff from Pulmedu reached the spot and confirmed the death. The body was taken to the Vandiperiyar PHC, following which the Kumily police conducted the inquest and shifted it to Idukki MCH for autopsy. The police said the bodies would be handed over to relatives after postmortem procedures. Authorities have reiterated advisories urging pilgrims to avoid overexertion, especially while using the forest routes, and to immediately seek medical assistance in case of fatigue or health distress.
65-year-old tribal woman killed in wild jumbo attack in Wayanad
KALPETTA: A 65-year-old tribal woman was killed in a wild elephant attack in Thirunelli, Wayanad. The body of Chandini, a member of the Paniya community from Cherumathur Unnati in Appapara, was found inside the forest under the Thirunelli forest station limits on Friday. Chandini was a resident of the Aloor tribal settlement at Paralikunnu near Kambalakkad. Forest officials said she had been staying with her daughter Priya at Cherumathur settlement in Appapara. However, she went missing on Thursday night. Forest officials carried out a search during which her body was found along the uphill stretch of the Panavalli-Appapara forest road. Officials also spotted fresh footprints of a wild elephant in the area. Thirunelli Forest Range Officer Ranjith Kumar S said Chandini left her daughters house around 11.30pm on Thursday to visit another daughter at Panavalli Unnati. When she failed to reach her destination, the family became anxious and informed the forest department. During a search, her body was recovered inside the forest, he said. The postmortem examination conducted at Mananthavady Medical College confirmed that the cause of death was an elephant attack. She suffered severe injuries to the chest due to trampling, and there were also marks indicating that the tusks had pierced her body, the officer added. Forest officials said movement through forest roads at night had been banned due to the ongoing breeding season. There are strict restrictions in place. Chandini appears to have taken a shortcut through the forest, avoiding the forest guards. It is suspected that she was attacked by a herd, possibly accompanied by a calf, Ranjith said He further said that Minister O R Kelu has directed officials to ensure prompt compensation to the family. An initial instalment will be released immediately, he added. Chandinis body was handed over to her relatives after postmortem examination and cremated at Appapara Unnati on Friday evening.
AMMA For the first time in its three decades of existence, women assumed charge of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), with Shwetha Menon and Cuckoo Parameswaran elected president and general secretary respectively. The leadership change followed the resignation of the 17-member executive committee, which included Mohanlal, in September last year after the release of the Hema Committee report. Brain-eating amoeba The brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) claimed 45 lives in the state, according to the health department. Kerala witnessed a surge in the number of cases in August and September, raising serious concerns about public health surveillance. Chirakkal Dr Haris Chirakkal, head of the urology department, flagged a shortage of equipment at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital, triggering an internal probe. Following the revelation, Dr Haris was subjected to targeted attacks for criticising the government and slapped with a show-cause notice. The health department drew more fire when the portion of a building at Kottayam MCH collapsed, killing a woman and injuring two others. Dadasaheb for Mohanlal Actor Mohanlal was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Indian cinemas highest honour, making him the second Malayali to receive the recognition after filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. 'Empuraan' The Prithviraj-Mohanlal film 'L2: Empuraan' found itself in the eye of a storm following its April release after right-wing groups claimed that its riot scenes bore resemblance to the 2002 Gujarat violence. They forced the makers to carry out cuts, alleging anti-Hindu narrative. Fresh Cut controversy Kozhikode witnessed fierce protests against Fresh Cut Organic Products poultry-waste processing plant over air and water pollution, and foul odour. Tensions escalated in October following violent clashes between residents and police, which led to injuries to officers and cases being registered against leaders of the agitation. The issue triggered political involvement and regulatory scrutiny, including National Green Tribunal (NGT) intervention and disputes over the units licence. GOAT Kerala missed out on Lionel Messis GOAT India Tour primarily due to logistical issues, lack of FIFA-standard facilities, funding delays, bureaucratic hurdles, and disagreements between organisers and the Argentine Football Association, leading to cancellation of the planned November event and its replacement with a Hyderabad leg to cover the southern region. Honey M Varghese Honey M Varghese, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Ernakulam, hit the spotlight after presiding over the 2017 actor abduction and assault case and delivering the verdict in December. The judgment convicting six accused, and acquitting actor Dileep, the eighth accused, drew both praise and criticism. Invest Kerala The state government organised the Invest Kerala Global Summit on February 21 and 22, offering a platform for investors, multinational companies, and startups to explore investments. After 10 months, according to Industries Minister P Rajeeve, the state was able to attract investments worth `35,463 crore and 50,000 new job opportunities. Joblessness Unemployment in the state saw a spurt with the number of jobless youths in rural areas rising to 76 per thousand in 2023-24, from 65 in the previous year, way above the respective national average of 25 and 24. Kerala had the fourth-highest rural unemployment rate in both years, according to the Handbook of Statistics on Indian States. Over the past 10 years, Kerala recorded its highest rural unemployment rate 107 per thousand in 2014-15. Killer in the family In one of Keralas most macabre family murders of the year, 23-year-old Afan went on a killing spree in Venjaramoodu, murdering his grandmother, uncle, aunt, teenage brother, and girlfriend, while his mother survived with serious injuries. Police said he travelled between three crime scenes on a motorcycle before surrendering. He was hospitalised after claiming to have consumed rat poison, before attempting suicide in custody. 'Lokah' 'Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra', Mollywoods first female-led superhero film, was released in August. Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan and directed by Dominic Arun, it became the first Malayalam flick to enter the `300-crore club. Mob lynching Ramnarayan Baghel, a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, was killed in a mob attack in Walayar, Palakkad. The crowd allegedly assaulted the 31-year-old while shouting Bangladeshi, triggering statewide outrage over hate crimes and migrant safety. Nimisha Priya The case of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who is on death row in Yemen, saw major developments in the year. Her scheduled execution in July was postponed amid intense negotiations over blood money. Organ donation Organ donations in Kerala reached a five-year peak. Ernakulam General Hospital became Indias first district-level hospital to perform a heart transplant when woman from Nepal received the heart of Shibu, a Kollam resident. Polls The local body elections, widely seen as the semi-final ahead of the 2026 assembly polls, delivered a sharp political message. The UDF emerged as the biggest gainer, wresting control of four corporations. The BJP made headlines by capturing Thiruvananthapuram corporation, while the LDF was left with just Kozhikode corporation. The year also saw a by-election to the Nilambur assembly seat in June, where Congress Aryadan Shoukath defeated CPMs M Swaraj. Quality of national highways The national highway network in the state has been undergoing a major upgrade. However, cave-ins of under-construction stretches in Malappuram and Kollam exposed serious lapses and violations, raising questions about the quality of the work. Rahul Mamkootathil Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil courted controversy following sexual misconduct allegations and rape cases by multiple women. The party suspended the 36-year-old and followed it up with expulsion. Sabarimala The special investigation teams probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case exposed a nexus involving former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials. A total of 4.5 kg of gold went missing from the hill shrine following repair work in 2019. Former TDB officials, including A Padmakumar, N Vasu and Murari Babu, were arrested. Following new developments, the SIT expanded its investigation into other states. Transshipment terminal The Vizhinjam Transshipment Terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May, establishing it as Indias first deepwater hub. It achieved rapid operational success, handling 1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and major vessels like MSC Irina by the year-end, all while preparing for phase II expansion to extend berths and the breakwater for even greater capacity, solidifying its role as a global competitor to Colombo. Universities The year saw a standoff between the governor and the government over appointments of vice-chancellors to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University Kerala, DUK). Following the deadlock, the apex court intervened, leading to the formation of a committee to recommend candidates. A consensus was arrived at and Dr Ciza Thomas (KTU) and Dr Saji Gopinathan (DUK) were appointed as VCs. Vedan Rapper Hirandas Murali aka Vedan was arrested in a narcotics case and later booked over sexual assault allegations. The governments decision to honour him with the state film award for best lyricist sparked debate. Wild animal attacks Wild animal attacks continued, with four people killed by tigers alone in 2025. From 2016 to early 2025, 919 persons have been killed and nearly 9,000 injured in encounters with wild animals. Kerala officially requested the Centre to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The main goal is to allow the culling of wild animals that are a direct threat to people and property. Xtreme poverty eradication The state government declared Kerala as extreme poverty-free in November, through the Extreme Poverty Eradication Project (EPEP). The project identified 64,006 families as extremely poor. The announcement, however, sparked controversy, with the opposition questioning the lack of transparent and census-based data, and alleging political motivation. Year of Youth Youth emerged at the forefront of politics, particularly during the local body elections, with major parties fielding candidates from student wings such as KSU and SFI. Zoological Park, Thrissur Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the long-awaited Thrissur Zoological Park in Puthur in October. The designer zoo is expected to transform the region into a global tourism destination. Tributes P Jayachandran (Jan 9) Legendary playback singer P Jayachandran died, leaving behind melodies that defined an era. With his rich, emotive voice and thousands of unforgettable songs, he remains etched in the musical memory of South India. Shaji N Karun (Apr 28) Acclaimed filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji N Karuns passing marked the loss of one of Indias most poetic cinematic voices. Through internationally acclaimed films and visionary storytelling, he carried Malayalam cinema to the global stage. V S Achuthanandan (July 21) Former chief minister and Communist stalwart V S Achuthanandan affectionately known as VS passed away at the age of 101. A towering public figure, he leaves behind a legacy of principled politics, uncompromising integrity, and decades of unwavering service to the people of Kerala. M K Sanoo (Aug 2) Leaving behind a life devoted to literature and human values, writer, critic, and social activist Prof M K Sanoo died, aged 96. A compassionate public intellectual and cultural guide, his works and interventions shaped Keralas literary and social landscape. T J S George (Oct 3) Renowned journalist and thinker T J S George passed away, closing a luminous chapter in Indian public discourse. A Padma Bhushan awardee and prolific columnist, his fearless commentary and deeply insightful writing enriched journalism over six decades. Sreenivasan (Dec 20) Veteran actor, writer, and filmmaker Sreenivasan bid farewell after a remarkable journey in Malayalam cinema. For nearly five decades, his sharp wit, humane storytelling, and timeless humour shaped the soul of popular cinema, touching generations of viewers and creators alike. text: Anna Jose and Rajesh Abraham EDITING: Prasad V Mathew and Niharika Pramod DESIGN: arjun k j
