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Electoral fault lines sharpen as north Kerala goes to the polls on Thursday
Seven northern districts vote on Thursday in a decisive second phase that will shape Keralas civic landscape. The LDF and UDF face intense contests across local bodies, while the BJP seeks urban breakthroughs amid polarising campaigns, community alignments, controversies influencing voter sentiment.
Operation D-Hunt: Kollam City police arrest 968 persons in 2025
Police say they focus on tracing the source of the seized drugs to effectively dismantle the entire network
Jaya Bachchan demands dedicated emergency lanes for ambulances
NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan on Wednesday demanded dedicated emergency lanes on roads for ambulance movement, saying that in India, groceries reach doorsteps in under 15 minutes, pizzas in 30 minutes, but patients bleed to death due to the delay in reaching the hospital. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Bachchan demanded that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health should also look into the issue of patient death due to the delay in reaching the hospital. In a country where groceries reach doorsteps in under 15 minutes, pizzas in 30 minutes via quick commerce platforms, patients bleed to death because ambulances get trapped in traffic, lacking dedicated emergency lanes, despite the Supreme Court's 2018 directive. No national data tracks these tragedies, Bachchan said. 60 per cent of ambulances arrive late, with urban delays averaging 15 to 30 minutes due to an absence of green corridors and police escorts, missing the golden hour for 55 per cent of accident victims. No dedicated lanes on highways, despite the National Ambulance Code 2016. These critical failures need to be taken notice of and dealt with immediately, she stated. She suggested an immediate nationwide mandate for dedicated emergency lanes, with AI traffic signals, prioritizing ambulances, 30-second green corridors, enforcing the Supreme Court's 2018 ambulance corridor directive via Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, penalties on violators, and a high-level probe into ambulance delay deaths. BJP MP Rekha Sharma demanded a gender-sensitive mental health facility for traumatised women in the country. She drew attention towards the severe shortage of accessible gender sensitive mental health support, particularly for survivors of violence, harassment and trauma. While the Modi government's initiatives, such as Tele Manas and district mental health programmes, are commendable, some gaps persist, especially in rural, marginalised, and low-income communities, she said, adding that lack of awareness and scarcity of trained professionals prevent countless women from receiving timely care. Survivors of domestic violence, cyber harassment, acid attacks, trafficking and workplace abuse frequently carry long-lasting psychological scars, she told the House. The mental health system that should support them remains fragmented and under-resourced, she pointed out. She urged the government to deploy dedicated women's mental health counsellors at centres, police stations, and hospitals, ensuring immediate and specialised assistance. Tele Manas outreach should be expanded and integrated with women's helpline, self-help groups, and Anganwari worker network, she said. Mizo National Front MP K Vanlalvena demanded the central government's intervention in the issue of income tax officials harassing tribals of Mizoram. He informed the House that tribals living in specified areas in Mizoram are exempt from Income Tax and should not be harassed by Income Tax officials. BJP MP Laxmikant Bajpayee demanded the setting up of more benches of the high court in Uttar Pradesh, referring to the high pendency of cases in the courts. Subhah Barala (BJP) demanded that the Central Pollution Control Board should carefully look into the issue of water pollution in the country from various sources, which is affecting the lives of people in the country. Sumer Singh Solanki (BJP) asked for government intervention to deal with the high rate of accidents on National Highway Number 3, Sendhwa in Barwani district. He pointed out incidents of road accidents in the Bijasan Ghat area, located on the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The MP demanded building a new road in the area to stop the high incidence of accidents in the area. Manoj Jha (RJD) demanded uniform minimum wages for skilled workers in the country, saying that these are less than what workers of Bihar get in Tamil Nadu or Kerala. AAP MP Swati Maliwal highlighted the issue of sand mining in Punjab and demanded an inquiry into the issue, saying this caused man-made devastating floods in the state this year. Amar Pal Maurya (BJP) demanded setting up an agricultural university in Pratapgarh district.
Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil gets anticipatory bail in second rape case
Court directs Mamkootathil to present himself before investigating officer and cooperate with probe. Court also requires MLA to surrender his passport and not leave the country without Magistrates permission
New menus, and festive popups in Bengaluru to try this December
A Kerala Sunday breakfast, hearty Asian meals, and a winter thali to explore this festive season
Row erupts over allegations that Suresh Gopi voted in Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram
CPI, Congress question how the Union Minister voted in Thrissur for Lok Sabha polls and in Thiruvananthapuram for Kerala local body polls
Anonymous letter on Kerala actor rape case order: advocates association writes to HC Chief Justice
Kerala High Court Advocates Association cites potential breach of confidentiality regarding order by Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court
Rahul Mamkootathil gets anticipatory bail in second sexual assault case
Thiruvananthapuram: A court here on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in a second case of sexual assault against him. The MLAs lawyer, advocate Ajithkumar (Sasthamangalam), confirmed the grant of relief to the legislator by the sessions court here. Mamkootathil had already got an interim protection from arrest from the Kerala 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 .
Rahul Mamkootathil Gets Anticipatory Bail in 2nd Sexual Assault Case
Mamkootathil had already got an interim protection from arrest from the Kerala High Court in the first case of sexual assault and forced abortion against him.
Sunny Joseph says Adoor Prakashs statement created confusion, prompting him to clarify the partys position that Congress firmly stands with the survivor
Prosecution tells court that it requires more time to process and forensically examine incriminating social media posts attributed by the complainant to Sandeep Varier. However, it is unclear whether the judge stayed Variers arrest till the next hearing
Saving the Gentle Giant: How Indias Fishers Are Leading a Whale Shark Revival
Once targeted for oil and meat, the whale shark is now being saved by fishers along Indias Arabian Sea coast. What began as a Gujarat-led conservation movement has reached Lakshadweep and Kerala. With awareness drives and rescue compensation, fishers are learning safe disentanglement techniques. Yet, inadequate support and social security gaps continue to challenge the people risking their livelihoods to protect this gentle giant. Mongabay India correspondent K A Shaji reports On a March morning in Poonthura, near Keralas capital [] The post Saving the Gentle Giant: How Indias Fishers Are Leading a Whale Shark Revival appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
From Colonial Kitchens to Kerala Plantations: The story of Indias first Christmas cake
In 19th-century Kerala, families in Pala and Kanjirappally adapted European plum cakes with local spices and rum-soaked fruits. Today, young bakers are reviving heirloom recipes, baked in small batches in borma ovens
Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT defers recording Ramesh Chennithalas statement
SIT was slated to record Chennithalas statement at Kerala Police Crime Branch office at 11 a.m. The MLAs office said SIT contacted them at 10 a.m. and informed that investigating officer was indisposed without citing any reason
Kerala local body polls: As Kochi Corporation awaits new council, experts flag core urban challenges
Peoples opinions range from outright criticism to cautious optimism, and concerns about the lack of clarity on the direction Kochi city should adopt for future development
Drift with 'Cloud Dancer': Pantone's Colour of the Year
Pantones Colour of the Year is usually a global signal, a preview of what shades people may gravitate toward. But 2026s pick, a billowy, balanced white called Cloud Dancer, feels unusually intimate. It arrives at a moment suspended between overstimulation and exhaustion, a shade that feels like a welcoming, clean canvas amid complex times marked by grim, jarring notes. Yet, choosing white has triggered one of the most polarised reactions Pantone has seen in years. Recent selections carried mood and emotion: Mocha Mousse (2025) offered elegance, Peach Fuzz (2024) centred tenderness and connection, and Viva Magenta (2023) pulsed with rebellious joy. This years choice belongs to a different lineage one probably shaped by burnout, minimalism and the craving for sensory relief. Pantone calls it a conscious statement of simplification, a lofty white neutral whose aerated presence acts as a whisper of calm and peace in a noisy world. The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves, reads Pantones introductory note. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences. After years of shades that asked us to feel something, this one simply asks us to pause and breathe. The reveal, however, split the internet instantly. Reactions swung from this is just laundry white to allegations of white supremacy. This backlash simply mirrors a world more prepared for intensity than for quiet. From an un-coloured perspective, however, it seems the Cloud Dancer offers stillness and stillness isnt always exciting at first glance. Actor and designer Poornima Indrajith was, in her own words, surprised when she first saw the announcement. Coming off a year that tilted toward maximalism, she feels the shift will test the industry. Its going to be hard on designers, she says. The sudden shift might be challenging. The colour has raised too many eyebrows. For her, the challenge lies in its quietness. The colour screams minimalism, she says. This means designers will have to work harder to make it compelling through texturing, layering and subtle drama that adds depth without disturbing its restraint. Yet, she believes Kerala may be more receptive than most. In our state, Poornima adds, shades of white have always been our traditional colour, and hence we are less resistant, I feel. However, thoughtful construction will be needed. It surely needs extensive homework on surface and texture details, especially for people who prefer maximalism, Poornima notes. Even so, she sees an advantage: Indian wardrobes, unlike Western ones, rarely confine themselves to a single trendy colour. We Indians are quite conditioned to colours. Our wardrobe is blessed with not having to stick to any particular shade even if thats the colour trend and thats a saving grace for designers, she smiles. Stylist and creator Veena Surendran reads the Pantone pick as a reset point the colour you reach for when the mind craves clarity in stillness. To her, Cloud Dancer isnt a flat white but a diffused softness that behaves almost like a filter on the skin, emotionally minimal rather than clinical. Its versatility lies in how it brightens soft warm complexions, balances muted undertones and even suits high-contrast features. That adaptability makes it not loud innovation, but quiet evolution. It also leans naturally gender-neutral, opening space for structured co-ords for men, fluid drapes for women, and minimalist unisex silhouettes where form and texture do the talking. In India, Veena believes, the shade is far more intuitive than its online reputation suggests. Our climate has always favoured breathable whites, she notes. And this softer tone lifts the complexion rather than washing it out, especially against warm-neutral undertones common across the country. To keep it compelling, Veena says she would opt for texture over contrast recommending combinations like linen with raw silk, matte cotton with organza, tone-on-tone embroidery. In Kerala, it feels both familiar and updated: traditional handlooms and kasavu already live in this palette, but this softer white sheds the heavier yellow undertone, bringing a contemporary, editorial clarity, says Veena. Going beyond fashion Artist Shalini Menon sees the Cloud Dancer as a blank canvas that invites exploration. The shade, she says, opens up a lot of opportunities and possibilities because it complements rather than competes with other colours. In a world crowded with stimuli, she values how the shade offers balance: There is a bombardment of colours this neutral shade does not influence you, but you can influence it. Shalini, too, finds it culturally familiar visible in Keralas saris, mundu and pottery and emotionally uplifting, a tone that takes away from the darkness and brings calm, much like the highlights an artist uses to create relief in a painting. Poet and academic Syam Sudhakar approaches it philosophically. The name sounds soothing and peaceful. I believe the hue was always here among us, long before Pantone declared it, he says. Syam reflects on how meaning shifts for colour. Red may symbolise danger to some, whereas a red rose symbolises love. I would stress this shade carries no racial reading. White is not a white mans colour. In his view, its role is simple and almost meditative: a presence that can restore peace, even if briefly. Nithya Mariam John, a poet and assistant professor of English, has a different take. The very concept of assigning one particular colour to express a fresh start may also be homogenising, she says. Can one shade be considered an umbrella colour that paints millions of feelings about serenity, clarity, mindfulness and close reflection, all across the globe? White or not VIBGYOR, let us start afresh. Thats the bottomline. Inside homes, colour certainly takes on yet another function. Designer Midhun Babu finds serenity in the cosiness the Cloud Dancer offers. It has a soft, airy warmth that diffuses light gently, he says, noting that unlike harsher whites, it stays stable in Indian lighting. Interior designer Ebin Francis calls it a timeless colour that goes with most of the other elements, especially in Kerala homes where it pairs seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary palettes. It never overpowers a room. Textures and layering can elevate it easily ultimately delivering what they see as a feeling of calm and comfort, he says. What ties these perspectives together is the shades ability to step back rather than stand out. Instead of demanding attention, it creates room for interpretation, for texture, for quiet. And across fashion, art, design and culture, most voices converge on one idea: its power lies in what it allows rather than what it imposes. Maybe thats the quiet shift the world needs at this point. Why soft white feels calming? Soft whites reduce visual noise, helping the brain process environments with less effort. Environmental psychology links low-saturation neutrals to lower sensory load and a steadier emotional state. Even light reflection in warm whites supports cognitive ease and reduces eye strain. Neutrals function as emotionally non-directive shades, letting surrounding colours and textures set the mood. In fashion and interiors, muted whites act as balance tones, anchoring palettes without drawing attention. Whats the controversy? The Cloud Dancer has stirred up the internet for the wrong reasons. Some believe the choice is politically loaded, given global conversations around far-right white nationalism.A viral comment slammed it, calling the choice painfully tone-deaf during a time when white supremacy is resurfacing loudly in national leadership and policy. Some accused Pantone of whitewashing global colour culture by choosing a neutral white.Pantone has issued a clarification, stressing that Cloud Dancer is all about relaxation, reflection, and creativity. It explains that the colour was chosen for its emotional and creative resonance, while emphasising that the institute does not assign political narratives to colour.
Coastal outskirts keep democracy moving in Thiruvananthapuram amid low turnout
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For a city long shadowed by its reputation for lacklustre polling, Thiruvananthapuram seemed to slip deeper into that pattern on election day. In the citys upscale neighbourhoods, where voter apathy has become almost ritual, the silence was unmistakable. By noon, turnout still hovered stubbornly below 30%, a telling sign of the indifference that had marked the morning. At the Kowdiar LP School, nestled in one of the citys quietest upscale pockets, the polling station wore a unhurried look through the morning. Only a handful of voters trickled in at a time, the queue seldom growing beyond two or three people. Then, just before 10.45am, the hush lifted. The arrival of Governor Rajendra Arlekar briefly transformed the otherwise languid booth into a flurry of activity, drawing curious glances. Although the governor arrived prepared to wait his turn, the sparse early-morning turnout meant his time in the queue was fleeting. But as the sun climbed higher, the scene began to shift. Slowly, elderly voters emerged, some leaning on canes, others guided by family. Retired college teacher Johny K John and his wife Elizabeth Thomas have treated every election like an unbreakable family ritual since settling in the capital three decades ago. Their sons John and Thomas, working in Kochi and Kozhikode respectively, boarded overnight trains just to make it home in time to vote alongside their parents. There is definitely a sense of apathy, especially among the younger generation, Elizabeth said. However there are still many who realise that their vote matters, she said. Aparna V P, a first-time voter in the local body polls, echoed that sentiment. My vote is for development and for a city with better, more reliable infrastructure, the BCom student said. Coastal wards told a very different story. By afternoon, polling stations in Beemapally, Valiyathura and the Port wards were buzzing, with queues that refused to thin even after the 6pm deadline. For us, our daily bread comes first. Food first, democracy later, said Jeremias, a 59-year-old fisherman from the Port ward. He had stepped out to get his fishing net repaired but sprinted back as the clock neared closing time. At Kachani ward, voting flowed steadily from early morning. But not everyone arrived in calm spirits. Senior citizen Krishnankutty stood fuming outside the Kachani Government High School booth, where the premises had been dug up for construction. Moments earlier, he had nearly stumbled over the debris while trying to navigate his way to the entrance. No wonder people stay indifferent, he said, frustration unmistakable in his voice. We are already tired of pothole-ridden road. Now, even the polling station is a mess. My vote will definitely reflect my resentment. he said.
Local body polls: Diluted ink, faulty EVMs cause chaos in Sasthamangalam ward
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first phase of local body elections began on Monday amidst crises and uncertainties across the capital district. In a critical incident, election ink applied to voters forefingers at the Sasthamangalam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation faded within minutes. Sources from Booth 2 of the Raja Kesavadas NSS Higher Secondary School polling station reported that the ink was diluted, causing it to disappear quickly. In the same ward, a female voter was not permitted to vote due to discrepancies in the electoral roll. Vasantha Gokulam, 84, whose name appeared as Vasantha Gokul with incorrect age and photograph, was denied voting at Booth 3. Meanwhile, the voting machine at Booth 2 of Karavaram Panchayat Ward 20 was found to be non-functional. A replacement was provided two hours later, sources said.
Thrivananthapuram records 67.42 per cent polling
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Election to local self-government institutions in the district was largely peaceful. An exception was a clash between CPM and BJP workers at Vanchiyoor. Police intervention helped in preventing untoward incidents at Vanchiyoor where BJP accused CPM of bringing bogus voters. In the morning, polling booths in rural areas were busier than those in urban areas. The districts polling percentage was 67.42 as per the data released by the State Election Commission around 7.50pm. 19.63 lakh of the 29.12 lakh persons in the voters list cast their votes. Of the total 13.53 lakh males, 9.14 lakh voted. Their polling percentage was 67.56. Of the 15.59 lakh females, 10.49 lakh cast their votes, 67.29%. 17 of the 32 transgenders in the list voted. 58.24% polling was recorded in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Among the municipalities, Neyyattinkara recorded the maximum polling, 70.36 and Varkala, the lowest, 66.39%. Among block panchayats, Pernkadavila registered the highest polling percentage, 73.94, and Varkala block the lowest, 68.65%. Governor Rajendra Arlekar cast his vote at Jawahar Nagar School. Shashi Tharoor, MP, cast his vote at Cotton Hill School, Education Minister V Sivankutty at Fort, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil at NSS College Neeramankara, State Election Commissioner A Shajahan cast his vote at St Marys HSS, Pattom, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar at Jawahar Nagar LPS, Senior Congress leaders A K Antony and M M Hassan at Jagathy UPS, V M Sudheeran at Kunnukuzhy UPS, former KPCC president K Muraleedharan at Jawahar Nagar LPS, BJP leader and former DGP Sreelekha at Cotton Hill School , and K S Sabarinadhan at RKDNSS, Sasthamangalam. turnout in district (%) Poll percentage 67.42 Male 67.56 Female 67.29 Transgenders 53.12 City corporation Polling percentage 58.24 Males 59.73 Females 56.89 Transgenders 66.67 Municipalities Attingal 68.87 Nedumangad 70.28 Varkala 66.39 Neyyattinkara 70.36 Block panchayats Nemom 71.69 Pothencode 69.98 Vellanad 72.45 Nedumangad 69.74 Vamanapuram 70.11 Kilimanoor 71.06 Chirayinkeezhu 69.09 Varkala 68.66 Perumkadavila 73.94 Athiyannoor 73.47 Parassala 71.17
Kerala Lottery Result Today, December 10, 2025 Live: Sthree Sakthi SS-497 Winning Numbers
Kerala Lottery Result Today Live Updates, 10-12-2025: Heres Guessing Numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-497 for Wednesday, December 10. Check the full list of winning numbers from 2 pm.
Mollywood split as Mollywood push back against the rush to reinstate Dileep
KOCHI: A swift pushback is emerging in the Mollywood against the urgency shown by major industry bodies to reinduct actor Dileep, who was acquitted in the 2017 actress abduction and assault case on Monday. Several from the industry, particularly women, have criticised the haste with which organisations signalled their willingness to reinstate the actor, terming it a betrayal of the survivor and a continuation of an unsafe culture within Malayalam cinema. Senior dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi was among the first to react, resigning from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) in protest. Bhagyalakshmi said the federations eagerness to welcome Dileep back clearly showed that the organisations will never stand with survivors. She said the major bodies were backing those with money and power instead of taking a principled stand. Scriptwriter and Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) member Deedhi Damodaran also questioned the sincerity of those claiming solidarity with the survivor while continuing to remain members of AMMA, the association the survivor had quit in protest. Real solidarity would mean stepping away from organisations that maintain status quo, she said. The backlash comes after FEFKA, the Kerala Film Producers Association, and the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA), signalled support for Dileep within hours of the verdict. FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan said the actor would be reinstated as soon as he submitted a request letter. Kerala Film Producers Association president B Rakesh echoed the view, saying there were no hurdles in taking Dileep back. AMMA, meanwhile, put out a post on social media welcoming the verdict. Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Judgment comes after eight years, justice not yet Actor-filmmaker Lal, a key witness in the case, said he was satisfied the accused had been convicted. He, however, declined comment on the conspiracy charge. I will continue to help the case at every stage, even in the Supreme Court if required, he said. Interacting with reporters after casting his vote in the local body polls in Idukki, actor Asif Ali said he welcomed the verdict and reiterated that the survivor must get justice. He, too refrained from making a detailed comment, citing contempt of court. As the industry recalibrates in the wake of the verdict, the divide between those rushing to reinduct Dileep and those insisting on standing firmly with the survivor has once again exposed the fault lines in Malayalam cinemas institutions. Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Conspiracy or not, many questions need answers
Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Conspiracy or not, many questions need answers
KOCHI: The trial court has acquitted actor Dileep in the actor abduction-assault case on the ground that the conspiracy charge against him could not be established. However, the fact that the conspiracy angle was not proved doesnt mean there was no conspiracy in the attack. The verdict, that convicted six persons and acquitted Dileep and three others, has left many questions unanswered. Hopefully, there will be more clarity when the court pronounces the sentence for those convicted and the details of the judgment are available in public domain. As of now, the question thats foremost on peoples minds is: if Dileep is indeed not guilty, who was behind the attack? And what about the justice for the survivor if all those involved arent made to face the consequences? Underlining the conspiracy angle, legal experts ask why a six-member criminal gang would target this particular actor and orchestrate a plot to assault her. The High Courts observations in the past on Pulsar Sunis financial capacity to repeatedly file bail pleas also suggest that someone may have been supporting him from behind the scenes. While rejecting Pulsar Sunis bail plea in June 2024, Justice P V Kunhikrishnan noted that the accused had filed ten different bail applications through multiple lawyers. The court observed: If the petitioner has financial difficulties, he can approach the Legal Services Authority to engage a lawyer. But he chose to engage his own lawyers, which is his right. However, from the petitioners conduct, filing bail application after bail application before the High Court and the Supreme Court, it is clear that either he is financially fit or there are some others behind the curtain helping him file these bail applications. Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Judgment comes after eight years, justice not yet Regarding the trial courts rejection of the prosecutions conspiracy charge, Advocate Raghul Sudheesh, a lawyer at the Kerala High Court, pointed out that any crime of this nature must involve a clear conspirator and motive. If it was for blackmailing, then the question arises: for whom was this act committed? he said. In the 2017 actor abduction and sexual assault case, the prosecution may have failed to present sufficient evidence to incriminate the eighth accused, Dileep. The final verdict, which is to be pronounced by the District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam, on December 12, may shed light on the doubts of common people regarding the acquittal, Raghul added. A High Court lawyer who wished to remain anonymous said several crucial questions still need answers, particularly why Pulsar Suni and the five others, who were found guilty by the trial court, would take such risks to target a specific actor. According to him, the survivor may have been singled out as part of someone elses plan. The offence committed by the six-member gang was a pre-planned act, carried out as part of a quotation given by somebody, the lawyer said. He also pointed out that the financial backgrounds of the convicted accused are extremely poor, suggesting that someone else was likely coordinating and funding the operation. He added that in criminal cases of this nature, the efforts taken by the police to establish conspiracy must be carefully evaluated.
Kerala local body polls: Missing UDF candidate traced by Chokli police
KANNUR: Chokli police have located Aruva T P, 29, the Muslim League candidate from Kanhirathin Keezhil, the 9th ward of Chokli panchayat, after her mother filed a complaint that she was missing. Aruva had gone missing from her house in Olavilam on December 6, just days before the local body elections. It later emerged that she had eloped with a resident of Chokli. She was produced before the magistrate. Following her mothers complaint, the police registered a missing case under Section 57 of the Kerala Police Act. She was found on December 9 during an investigation conducted by the Chokli police. A police officer said, We located Aruva at the house of the man she had gone with, in Chokli. It is learnt that he is a BJP supporter, though we cannot confirm that yet. The incident has thrown the entire ward into uncertainty, especially among UDF supporters who were caught completely off-guard. Adding to the drama was the fact that Chokli panchayat has long been a CPM stronghold, making the development even more striking.
Malayali medical intern gets Uzbek honour after saving woman mid-flight
KOZHIKODE: High above the clouds, somewhere between Tashkent and Delhi, a young Kerala doctor-in-training found himself in the kind of life-or-death moment most people only read about. The cabin lights were dim, passengers were settling into the long flight, and suddenly, a frantic announcement cut through the silence: If there is a doctor or medical staff on board, please inform the crew immediately. It was a 24-year-old medical intern from Tirur, Malappuram -- Dr Anees Mohamed -- who stood up. With no equipment, no hospital setting, and thousands of feet above the ground, he was the only hope for a woman who had collapsed and was rapidly slipping into danger. That single moment of decision, fuelled by instinct and training, would not only save a life but also propel him into history as the first Indian and the first foreign national of any kind to be awarded Uzbekistans rare and prestigious Hero of the Country honour. The incident occurred on July 28 this year, where a 48-year-old woman collapsed mid-air. When I checked her vital signs, I found that her heart rate had shot up, a clear case of tachycardia, Dr Anees recalled. I began carotid sinus massage immediately, and within 10-15 seconds, she started stabilising. We monitored her closely until landing and handed her over to doctors in Delhi. At an official ceremony in Uzbekistan on December 4, Dr Anees stood humbly as he received the national award. I dont take this honour for myself. This award belongs to my family, friends, supporters, my university, my rector, dean and vice dean, everyone who guided me. Thank God for this blessing, he said. Though raised and schooled in Dubai, and now training with the Tashkent State Medical University in Uzbekistan, Dr Anees remains deeply rooted in Kerala. He frequently returns to work in hospitals across the state during academic breaks. The love you receive from patients in Kerala is immense, it motivates you to work harder, Dr Anees told TNIE. Whenever I get a vacation or fellowship break, I make sure I fly home to serve here. My dream is to specialise in trauma surgery, and my first preference is definitely to return to India for my masters. He keeps a meticulous surgical logbook even as an intern and has already made headlines for assisting in a major breast cancer surgery in India. His interests include trauma surgery, plastic surgery, and microvascular reconstruction. Outside medicine, Anees is a national MMA and kickboxing champion, and also trains young athletes, one of whom recently won a gold medal at a national event. Proud parents Husain Padasseri and Rahmath Nissa T Arakkal, along with siblings Ameen Ahsan, Rana, and Fida, said they always expected big things from him but never imagined an international government honour this early in his career. The Tashkent State Medical University issued an official note of appreciation, stating: We are proud that our students like Mohamed Anees are providing medical assistance to people around the world thanks to the knowledge they gained here.
Judgment leaked? Key details of actor assault case verdict out a week before
KOCHI: Raising serious concerns about judicial confidentiality in the 2017 actor abduction and sexual assault case, a top advocates body on Tuesday confirmed it had received an anonymous letter detailing the crucial content of the verdict in the case, a week before it was pronounced. Dated December 2, the letter, sent by an Indian citizen, claimed that the upcoming verdict scheduled for December 8, 2025, in the high-profile case would exclude seventh accused Charly Thomas, eighth accused Gopalakrishnan alias Dileep, and the ninth accused Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, and that judgment would be delivered only against the remaining six accused. The letter was sent to the Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) which forwarded it to the Chief Justice on December 8, the same day the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court pronounced its order. Association president Yeshwanth Shenoy confirmed to TNIE that the association did receive the letter and that it was forwarded to the Chief Justice for appropriate action. Describing the situation as a potential serious breach of confidentiality, Shenoy stressed that an inquiry ought to be initiated to determine how such sensitive information could have leaked. I have not yet received a response from the High Court. The content of the letter has the potential to denigrate the judicial system. Hence, a proper investigation is needed to find the origin of the letter, he said. According to the letter, there were 12 accused persons in the case, SC 118/2018 Pulsar Suni vs State of Kerala, pending before Ernakulam Principal District Judge Honey M Varghese. Among them, the 10th accused was made an approver, and the 11th and 12th accused were discharged. After this, 9 accused remained, it stated. Advocates association seeks thorough probe The letter alleged that Judge Honey M. Varghese prepared the judgment through her close associate, Shirley, and, by showing it to Sharath, a hotel businessman and the close companion of the 8th accused, secured a deal, and is going to pronounce this order on December 8, 2025. The letter claimed that two senior Kerala High Court judges and another judge, who is in charge of Ernakulam district, have extended support to her in all matters, which is what encourages the sessions judge to engage in such acts that undermine justice. In its letter to the Chief Justice, the KHCAA stressed that, regardless of the cases outcome, the individuals named in the letter must be verified. Pointing out that this will have serious repercussions on the reputation of the judiciary and its integrity, the association requested the chief justice to forward the same to the vigilance registrar or any other agency to thoroughly probe the entire episode.
UDF upset over Adoor Prakashs open support for Dileep in actor assault case
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major constituents in the Opposition UDF want the Congress leadership to restrict UDF convener Adoor Prakash, whom they feel, has been getting the front into back-to-back crises. The latest in the series was his open support for actor Dileep in the actor assault case on the poll day morning. Hours after the first phase voting for local body election began in the state, opposition UDF received a body blow with Adoor Prakash voicing his support for actor Dileep in the actor assault case. Speaking to the media in Pathanamthitta after casting his vote, Prakash said Dileep got justice with his acquittal in the case. He added that being a close acquaintance of Dileep, he felt personally happy. He criticised the government for its move to go in for an appeal. As the statement, which is in stark contradiction to the party position, invited heavy backlash from within the Congress and the UDF, the High Command quickly intervened for damage control and directed Prakash to amend his stance. Under fire, the senior leader made a U-turn later in the day, saying his words were misinterpreted and that justice was not served to the survivor. However, by then, the polling-day damage had already been done. A slew of Congress leaders were quick to distance themselves from Prakash, while senior Left leaders condemned the remark. The major goof-up triggered strong resentment from within both the UDF and the Congress. The Congress High Command was visibly upset with the remark and quickly intervened. AICC Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and KPCC president Sunny Joseph spoke to Adoor Prakash, following which the latter issued a clarification. The party position is very clear. As the KPCC president clearly explained, we do not support the verdict. Senior leaders like Leader of Opposition (V D Satheesan) and Muraleedharan too have clearly stated the party line, Deepa Dasmunshi told TNIE. The poll-day debacle did not go down well with UDF constituents too. What Prakash said was his personal opinion. It has nothing to do with the UDF position, said IUML general secretary P M A Salam. With the PCC chiefs quick intervention, the damage was contained, but the damage was there. Earlier in the case of Rahul Mamkootathil too, he took such a position. Its time the Congress took some clear action in his case, another senior UDF leader told TNIE. Theres strong resentment within the Congress too. Its highly shameful. How can such a statement be made on polling-day day morning? Earlier he supported Rahul Mamkootathil too. Its time the leadership intervened, opined a Political Affairs Committee member. A slew of senior leaders including Sunny Joseph, V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and Shashi Tharoor, in addition to Mahila Congress leader Shanimol Osman rejected Prakashs statement.
Indian Cultural Congress from December 20
30 injured as buses collide on Pampa-Nilakkal Road
PATHANAMTHITTA: As many as 30 people, including Ayyappa devotees and others, were injured when two KSRTC buses collided near the Chakkupalam curve on the Pampa-Nilakkal route on Tuesday. Traffic along the busy pilgrim corridor remained disrupted for over an hour in the afternoon following the accident. Fire and rescue services personnel reached the spot immediately, removed the damaged buses, and shifted the injured to hospitals, including Kottayam Medical College. A 10-year-old girl, Mangalam, sustained serious head injuries. Drivers of both buses suffered major injuries. According to fire and rescue service officials, the crash occurred near the Pampa Forest Station. Preliminary reports confirmed that around 30 passengers were injured. Most of the lightly injured persons were admitted to hospitals at Nilakkal and Pampa Government Hospitals. Ten passengers were referred to Kottayam Medical College. Among them, those who suffered serious injuries were identified as Mangalam, 10, Ramachandran, 52, Sathyan, 72, Krishnadevan, 52, and Vivek, 31. One side of one of the buses was completely damaged in the impact. The collision involved the Chengannur-Pampa KSRTC fast passenger bus and a Nilakkal-bound service. There were 48 passengers, including devotees, in one bus and 45 in the other. As it was peak afternoon, a number of KSRTC employees travelling after duty change were also inside the buses. A preliminary investigation has been launched to ascertain whether the accident was triggered by driver negligence, mechanical failure or the sharp curvature of the road at the accident site, a senior fire official said. On Sunday too, a similar collision involving chain-service buses on the Nilakkal-Pampa route was reported. Two KSRTC buses operating the shuttle services rammed into each other, leaving the driver injured. He was admitted to hospital, and medical sources said his injuries are not serious. None of the passengers were hurt in that incident.
Davies Kollannur, a beacon of hope for transplant patients, dies at 57
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Davies Kollannur, who courageously altered the course of his life three times, has now sailed beyond the horizon for the final time. Davies who survived three life threatening ordeals- two kidney transplants and a battle with leukemia disease- stood as asymbol of resilience and hopefor thousands oftransplantpatients in Kerala. The man who lived with extraordinary courage, quietly slipped away on Monday night in Thrissur, following a sudden respiratory distress at 57. He left behind a legacy that still refuses to fade. A decorated transplant sportsman, Davies won a silver medal for India at the 2011 Sweden International Transplant Games in Badminton, followed by a bronze in singles and silver in doubles at the Durban International in South Africa in 2013. He was also a two time (2003, 2006) national championin Badminton in National Transplant Games.For thousands of transplant patients inKerala, Davies was not merely a survivor, he was proof that a broken body could still carry an unbroken will. His death arrived abruptly without warning as if knowing that any hint of danger would awaken his instinct to fight. He was active even on his last day. He spoke to me around 8 pm about how his day went, said his kindred soul Jayasree CG. After that the next thing I heard was that he was gone, she said.Davies was working as a transplant coordinator at Daya General Hospital in Thrissur. Born and raised in Villadom, Kolannur Veedu, Thrissur, Davies gow up with the cultural beat of the city, Pooram procession, decorated Elephants and temple- Church grounds. After graduation, he worked as an Assistant Manager in an Italian hotel in Pune for three years. Like many young Keralites, he later moved to Saudi Arabia, workIng as a Chief Cashier in a fashion retail outlet until the first tragedy struck him at the age 30 years,when his both kidneys failed. He was forced to return home and begin dialysis. Hemet Dr TT Paul, nephrologist at West Fort hospital in Thrissur who changed his course of life later. In the late 1990s dialysis facilities were scarce in Thrissur or Ernakulam, forcing patients to travel to Coimbatore or Chennai. Davies underwent nearly 300 dialysis sessions before receiving his transplant under Dr. TT Paul on August 25, 2001. At that time transplant recipients were advised to avoid physical exertion and lead a quiet life. As Davis began gaining weight, Dr. Paul urged him to resume exercise, rekindling his lost love for badminton. Doctor reassured him that he attached kidney will not fall off, if you play badminton. Davies took up the racket and never looked back. After winning gold medals at the National TransplantGames in 2003 and 2006, he stepped onto the international stage and brought home several medals in 2011 and 2013. Impressed by his spirit, Dr. Paul and the hospital authorities invited Davies to join the West Fort hospital as a transplant coordinator in 2003, using Davies and his positive energy to utilise. Life tested him again in 2014, when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He underwent chemotherapy at CMC Vellore and Amritha Hospital in Ernakulam without taking a single day leave, determined not to abandon the kidney patients who relied on him. Later an infection left him unconscious for 15 days in West Fort Hospital. On those nights Dr. Paul, who considered Davies a son, sat by bedside readingO Henry's 'Last Leaf'. He later told Davies's friends that perhaps words might succeedwhere medicine hadfaltered. In the short story, 'Last Leaf', when a young artist falls ill and thinks that she would die when the last leaf falls from anivy vine outside her window. Then to save her and from losing hope, her neighbour, a failed artist painted a realistic leaf on the wall. Though Davies came back to life, cancer and the treatment had caused him dearly as his body rejected the transplanted kidney. On 12 January, 2016 the second time surgery took place for organ transplantation. After his discharge from hospital he rejoined for work and resumed badminton. Davies and Dr. Paul had then started workingat Daya General Hospital. On December 8, 2025 he was active. still speaking to those who needed him. Hours later, he was gone, after a sudden collapse from respiratorydistress.If he had received even the faintest warning, Davies would have survived it, Jayasree said, her voice steady but heavy. He always fought back. On Tuesday, Dr. Paul sat alone in the St. Mary's Church, Ponganamkad waiting as he had done countless times in his homesforDavies with his gentle smile and humour. But for thousands whose lives he touched, Davies hasn't vanished.
Seniors attack Class 9 student, triggered by year-old dress code feud in Kozhikode school
KOZHIKODE: A year-old, trivial disagreement over school dress code has culminated in violence, as a gang of six Class 10 students lured and assaulted a Class 9 student recently inside Vattoli National Higher Secondary School, leaving him hospitalised with serious head injuries. The victim, 15-year-old K V Sharon, was rushed to Nadapuram Government Hospital after the attack, where doctors immediately treated multiple wounds, requiring stitches to his head. The assault, which occurred around 1 pm on Friday, was meticulously planned. According to the complaint, Sharon was called from the playground by two seniors and led to a secluded classroom. It was there that the six-member gang trapped him and attacked him. In the complaint, the victim stated that the assailants kicked his ear and used a sharp ring to stab his head. The assault stemmed from a seemingly insignificant event. The seeds of the violence were sown during the previous years Onam festivities, when Sharon was in Class 8. His class was allegedly threatened because the seniors felt their self-chosen dress code had been copied by the younger students. This minor infraction became a source of ongoing, bitter vengeance against Sharon. The victims relatives confirmed they had attempted to resolve the issue, raising warnings during a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. Yet, the hostility festered. Sharons father spoke out, his voice laced with anguish and condemnation for the systems failure to protect his son: They held a grudge towards my son for more than a year. We had given multiple complaints to the authorities over time, but sufficient action was not taken. That is what has led to the current situation.
Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Judgment comes after eight years, justice not yet
KOCHI: In a verdict that has stirred up feelings of disbelief, agony and pain among large sections of people who had rooted for the survivor, the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court on Monday acquitted actor Dileep in the 2017 actor abduction and sexual assault case, after concluding that the prosecution failed to establish the conspiracy charge against him. Soon after the acquittal, the state government said it would appeal the verdict. Judge Honey M Varghese held that the evidence presented did not conclusively link Dileep (P Gopalakrishnan), the eighth accused, to the alleged plan to abduct and assault the survivor. The prosecution had argued that Dileep masterminded and financed the crime as an act of personal vengeance, alleging that the survivor had disclosed to his then-wife, actor Manju Warrier, his relationship with actor Kavya Madhavan, his current spouse. But the court refused to accept the conspiracy theory. Dileep was arrested on July 10, 2017, and later released on bail. While the conspiracy charge against Dileep fell through, the court found six accused N S Sunil alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh V P, Salim H alias Vadival Salim, and Pradeep guilty of abducting and sexually assaulting the survivor inside a moving vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. These accused persons, the court held, had direct involvement in the crime. All the six were remanded to judicial custody, with sentencing scheduled for December 12. They have been sent to Viyyur Central Jail. Since the offences are grave and serious in nature and perpetrated against a woman, the accused are not entitled to the benevolence of the Probation of Offenders Act. Bail bonds of A1 to A6 are cancelled and they are remanded to custody. They shall be heard on the question of sentence on December 12, the court stated. 'Won't accept double standards': Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on FEFKA's plan to readmit Dileep The court also acquitted Charly Thomas, charged with harbouring the offender; ninth accused Sanil Kumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, tried for conspiracy and aiding the crime; and 15th accused Sarath G Nair,charged with causing disappearance of evidence.The court said that Mesthiri Sanil is in judicial custody in this case. He will be released if his detention is not required in connection with any other case. Detailing the sequence of events, the court noted that the survivor was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi on February 17, 2017, when a van, with the accused, rammed her car near Athani, staging an accident to abduct her. Inside the moving vehicle, Pulsar Suni raped her, recording the assault on his mobile phone for blackmail. Based on witness testimonies and digital evidence, the court convicted the six accused under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (outraging modesty), 354B (assault with intent to disrobe), 357, 376D (gang rape) of the IPC, and Sections 66E and 67A of the Information Technology Act. 'Won't accept double standards': Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on FEFKA's plan to readmit Dileep
Kerala local body elections: Big promises, bigger dreams
KOCHI: keralas local body elections have traditionally centered on the basics roads, drains, streetlights and waste management. But this time, the three major fronts the CPM-led LDF, Congress-led UDF and BJP-led NDA have released manifestos that read less like routine civic checklists and more like ambitious blueprints for parallel futures. If polls were a contest for imagining the most expansive version of Keralas cities, this election would easily qualify as the masterclass in political imagination. The full-fledged, multi-page poll documents for corporations and districts in particular carry a flood of promises some practical, some aspirational and some that wander into the territory of wishful planning. Growing public expectation Micro-level manifestos in local body elections mark a significant shift in Keralas political culture. While many promises may be aspirational or beyond the immediate powers of local governments, the trend itself signals a growing public expectation for accountability and decentralised decision-making. Detailed ward or city-specific pledges push parties to engage more closely with voters everyday concerns and create a record against which their performance can later be measured. In an increasingly urbanised and globally aware electorate, such granular manifestos encourage healthier debates on governance and, over time, can strengthen the relevance and responsiveness of local bodies even if the feasibility of the promises remains uneven. Im happy, said D Dhanuraj, founder-chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). Praising the sudden surge in detailed manifestos, he said, This will help prompt more discussion on decentralised government, and the public will demand such things. He also believes that global political trends and high-profile campaigns elsewhere may be influencing Keralas political tone. He sees the trend as healthy: When you promise 100 things and dont implement even 10%, someone will question you. I see it as the next level of development as we move towards greater decentralisation. For him, the very presence of detailed manifestos marks a shift toward increased accountability. Economist Jose Sebastian, however, has a sharply different view. The manifesto is a wrong trend. Its becoming a mockery, he said. According to him, none of the fronts, regardless of ideology, explain how they plan to mobilise funds for these expansive promises. Its all tall promises without any substance. Just to create a narrative, he says. Sebastian also argues that Keralas local governments are not autonomous enough to shoulder these grand visions. They have become implementing agencies of central and state schemes. If they had focused on their own resource mobilisation, we wouldnt be in this situation. With the first phase of polling over on Tuesday and the second set for Thursday, the electorate has already begun casting its verdict on these big-ticket manifestos. Saturdays results will reveal which promises resonated, and which remained on paper. OLYMPICS IN TPURAM & METRO TO COIMBATORE? Leading the pack in audacity is the BJP. Its manifesto for the Thiruvananthapuram corporation promises to prepare the capital to serve as one of the venues for the 2036 Olympics. The host city is still undecided, and Ahmedabad is widely tipped as Indias official bidder, but the NDA is confident Thiruvananthapuram can aim high. If that wasnt bold enough, the party has also promised to extend the Kochi Metro all the way to Coimbatore a proposal that would involve overcoming the trifecta of funding challenges, inter-state coordination and monumental infrastructure planning. Alongside these headline-grabbing pledges, the party has also offered more grounded commitments: a Surat-inspired drainage system, Indore-style waste management, and centrally-monitored street lighting. A FULLY SMART KOCHI The Congress-led UDF has filled its Kochi corporation manifesto with everyday urban concerns: garbage, mosquitoes, traffic jams, stray dogs and public health. Its major pitch is a Zero Waste Kochi project aimed at resolving the long-standing issues surrounding the Brahmapuram waste plant. The manifesto also promises to turn Kochi into South Indias first total smart city, a vision based on efficient mobility, digital governance and better civic services. The list of promises is sweeping: garbage-free streets, mosquito control, smoother traffic and a crackdown on drug lobbies. If executed, it would address many chronic complaints of Kochis residents. However, whether these proposals survive the constraints of local body finances remains unclear. INFRA-HEAVY AGENDAS FOR KOCHI, U.N. GOALS ROADMAP FOR KOZHIKODE The CPM-led LDF has released detailed manifestos for multiple corporations. In Kochi, its focus is on practical improvements: canal rejuvenation, systematic road cleaning, value-added waste products, and EVs for the Haritha Karma Sena. It also proposes an electric bus network with KSRTC, renovation of key bus stands and new mobility solutions like multi-level parking and bike sharing. In Kozhikode, the LDF has gone a step further. Its manifesto states the corporation will work to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2031 if the front returns to power. The document outlines a sweeping development agenda: Transforming Kozhikode into an IT hub; implementing a light metro project; continuing the City Road Improvement Project; building new roads and infrastructure; and constructing a flyover at Eranhipalam. LDF, which has governed Kozhikode for over 45 years, attributes its long run to timely implementation of development projects, an argument it hopes will resonate again.
Kerala local body polls: Name missing, Mammootty unable to cast vote in election
KOCHI: While Ernakulam district celebrated democracy on Tuesday, Malayalam actor Mammootty missed out as his name was not found in the electoral rolls. The actor, who now resides in Vyttila under the Ponnurunni division of the Kochi corporation, was unable to vote in the 2020 local body elections owing to similar reasons. He (Mammootty) cast his vote in the previous assembly and Lok Sabha elections, but not in the 2020 corporation polls. When we realised his name was missing from the electoral rolls, we contacted his manager and requested the necessary documents to complete the formalities. However, at the time, the actor and his family were abroad for his treatment and were unable to proceed, said a public representative in Ponnurunni who is also a CPM supporter. However, she said the name of Mammoottys wife, Sulfath, was in the voters list. The actors family had last cast votes at booth 4 of CKC LP School in Ponnurunni.
Kerala local body polls: Jumbo fear leaves Sinkukandam with a diminished electorate
IDUKKI: As the hills of Chinnakkanal went to the polls on Tuesday, an unusual silence marked ward 10, Sinkukandam -- a silence shaped not by apathy but by absence. Once home to over 1,000 voters, the ward now has only 430 on the electoral rolls, the steep drop reflecting years of wild elephant raids that forced dozens of families to abandon the 301 Colony and its surrounding hamlets. In the previous local body elections, the 301 Colony alone contributed around 100 voters; this year, barely 25 remain. According to the local residents, the decline began soon after the tribal families were allotted land there in 2002. The first death happened in 2004, when Palanisami was trampled by a wild elephant, said Sivamani, a resident. Three more people died in the years that followed. Houses were destroyed repeatedly, people simply couldnt stay here any longer. Many families relocated to Marayur, Perinchamkutti and Venkayappara, returning only occasionally to check on the land for which they still hold title deeds. Those who chose to remain learnt to live with threat. Elephant attacks became an almost daily reality, and damaged homes were repaired only to be torn down again. For safety, families began spending nights on rooftops and set up cables lined with glass bottles around their compounds, the rattling sound acting as an alarm whenever elephants approached. Residents say the elephants target houses only when they sense nobody is inside, prompting many to linger late into the evening or rely on neighbours to jointly chase the animals away. The demographic shift is now visible in the polls. Earlier, wards 9 and 10 together had more than 1,000 voters. After delimitation, this became ward 10 with only 430 voters, said Santhakumari, an independent candidate in the ward. Of the 25 voters left in 301 Colony, most have cast their votes. The settlement, meant to rehabilitate the landless, turned out to be an elephant corridor, and that has completely altered peoples lives. A total of five candidates are in the fray in Singukandam: Santhakumari, Chinju P V of BJP, Muthumari of DMK, Sini Baby of INC, and Suma Poulose of CPM.
Kerala local body polls: On D-Day, party veterans steal the show
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Conventional politicking and canvassing have largely given way to tech-driven exercises, mostly carried out by youths. However, one thing has largely remained unchanged. On the D-day, it is the senior party workers who turn out to be the most indispensable players. With their decades-long experience and grassroots connections, they scan through the voters list, mark each votes polled, and check if any of the names that they deem as sure votes are yet to be polled. If thats the case, those voters are immediately contacted and arrangements are made to ferry them to the polling station, if required. Without veterans, the election day activities can hardly be proceeded with meaningfully. The decades of experience gained from the political crucible empower the oldies to asses which are their votes and which are not. And who they should transport to the polling booth and whose failure to turn up should make them happy. At the Congress booth, near Perumala LPS, that falls in Pullampara panchayat under Vamanapuram assembly constituency, H Shajahan is busy marking in the voters list, using a red pen, the names of those who have exercised their franchise. This is to find out those still to vote. A man in his fifties, Shajahan knows Nagarukuzhy ward like the back of his hand. Then, using another colour, he marks the names that he feels are party votes and are yet to be polled. Its 11am, and before 4pm, we need to ensure that our votes are polled, Shajahan said. The question arises: How is it possible to assess who are party voters and who arent? Its because of the long experience in local politics that we are able to gauge votes. Congress H Shajahan I have around 40 years of experience in politics and around 30 years in poll management. Only seasoned people can do this job, he said. A little further, K Tulaseedharan Nair is busy doing similar work with the voters list, in the CPM dugout. The 63-year-old is the agent of the LDF candidate in the ward and is awaiting a paper thats due from the polling station. Every hour, our agent inside the polling station sends us the serial number of the votes cast. In our dugout, we mark these numbers on the voters list and check how many of our votes have been polled. Veteran party workers know the political inclination of the voters. This is partly done by observation and feedback from people who they meet regularly. In around 90% of the cases, our assumption turns true, he said. Poll managers, as they can easily be called, vouch that the role of the veteran local politician can never be replaced by any technology. Even AI is no match for them in this context. They know each family and individual. In some families, members vote en-bloc for a party, while in some, there is a vote split. So, you cannot guarantee full votes even from a party family. Thats when the personal rapport and networking of the local veterans come into play. They can differentiate between votes in a single family, and generally, it turns to be precise, Shajahan said. Tulaseedharan, however, said around 5% voters never telegraph their political inclination and hence their votes cannot be deemed as for or against a particular party. Similar is the case with new voters, Shajahan said. As the action ends at dusk, the poll managers count their votes and predict the outcome. The prediction is around 90% accurate, Tulaseedharan averred.
South cinema is set to dominate OTT in 2026 with a diverse slate of Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam releases. Fan-favourite series like Save The Tigers and Kerala Crime Files return, alongside new ventures from stars like Vijay Sethupathi and Kajal Aggarwal, promising compelling stories and exciting follow-ups. Read on to know what's coming in 2026.
A growing fascination for old timepieces keeps Kochi's watch repairers ticking
As fast fashion and easy-to-replace gadgets take over our lives, something unexpected is happening inside Kochis smallest shop fronts. Repairers say they are now seeing more young faces teenagers and people in their early twenties coming in with watches that have stories behind them. Instead of throwing an old piece away, they want it repaired and given a second life. Its a small but telling shift back to valuing things that last. Ambika P R, who runs Nice Watch and Services near Shastri Nagar in Maradu with her husband Ramesh C M, says the shift is unmistakable. The younger generation is much into this trend of using and reusing vintage products, she says. Students and young professionals often walk in with their parents Titan pieces or inherited mechanical watches, wanting them to be brought back to life. At the 80-year-old Gejo Watch Centre on Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, Ravipuram, the story is more layered. The shop, established in 1945, has seen the industry evolve. We are old people. Customers these days are fewer than in our prime, says George C V, the shop owner. Smartwatches, he explains, have encouraged a use-and-discard attitude. But those who come in usually do so for deep personal reasons. One boy wanted his watch repaired because it was a core memory he got it as a gift after clearing SSLC, George recalls. That sentiment keeps this trade going. Meanwhile, at Sruthy Times, Panampilly Nagar, owner Shaji K D takes a more cautious view. He says repairing old watches is not always practical. If the inside is broken, the parts must be fully replaced, and even then, we cant guarantee perfect functioning, he explains. Still, he remains committed to servicing the older styles analogue, winding and automatic watches insisting that the newer smart ones are basically unrepairable. A snap from Lonan Watch House in Thevara Junction Yet, even he admits that emotional value often wins. People bring their grandparents watches or clocks, some almost 85 years old, just to preserve the vintage charm, he says. At Ganesh and Sons Watch & Old Clock Repair, Chittoor Road, Valanjambalam, Ramesh T G highlights the biggest hurdle: spare parts. The motive is to keep something meaningful alive in a world where such pieces are becoming rare, he says. But getting original parts is difficult. He notes that younger customers increasingly request specific strap colours or metal finishes to suit their personal style another sign of vintage aesthetics finding relevance. And its not just heirlooms from decades past. Some young customers are taking charge of preserving their own family possessions. Take Angel Saju, a college student from Thevara, who still uses her mothers 20-year-old Swiss watch. She brings it in regularly for battery replacements and servicing. It still works perfectly, and it feels special to use something my mother wore every day, she says. For her, maintaining it is not a chore. Its a connection. Across Kochi, the revival is quiet but noticeable. Motivated by nostalgia, sustainability, aesthetic reasons or the desire to preserve family heirlooms, young customers are giving watch repairers something they havent felt in years: the sense that their craft still matters.
Fronts meet their match in Twenty20 in Kizhakkambalam
As many as 19,63,684 people cast their votes on Tuesday
Ill health not a deterrent: Former minister G Sudhakaran casts vote in Kerala local body polls
ALAPPUZHA: Veteran communist leader and former minister G Sudhakaran, who had been ill for the past few weeks and remained almost bedridden after suffering multiple fractures in his leg, still made it a point to vote in the local body elections. Sudhakaran arrived at the polling booth in Paravoor Government Higher Secondary School in a car, accompanied by his wife, Jubilee Navaprabha. He stepped out of the vehicle and slowly walked to the booth with the help of a walker. The vote is the power of the common man in the democratic process, and I am committed to casting it whenever my health allows, he told reporters. Sudhakaran had been keeping a distance from the CPM district leadership since the 2021 assembly elections. His occasional criticisms had reportedly irritated senior leaders, leading them to sideline the former minister. The differences became public, prompting attempts by the party's state leadership to resolve the issue, but the rift only widened. On November 22, Sudhakaran slipped and fell in the bathroom of his house, suffering serious injuries. He underwent surgery, and doctors advised three months of complete bed rest. As a result, he was unable to attend any election campaign events, marking the absence of the senior leader from the political scene. After the incident, several leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, had visited him at his residence to inquire about his health.
Kerala votes in first election without V S Achuthanandans presence
ALAPPUZHA: For the first time in the electoral history of the state, a poll is being held without the presence of veteran Communist leader and former chief minister V S Achuthanandan. His wife Vasumathi and son V A Arun Kumar cast their votes at the Buds School polling station in Punnapra South, Alappuzha. In the 2020 local body elections, Achuthanandan could not cast his vote as he was bedridden following a stroke and was under treatment at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Before heading to the polling booth, Vasumathi, Arun Kumar and his wife paid homage at Achuthanandans memorial at Valiyachudukad, where he was cremated in July this year. Arun Kumar told the media that his mothers health was also not good, but she was determined to cast her vote. So, we arrived at the Velikkakathu house on Monday evening. Many relatives and neighbours visited and exchanged pleasantries with the family, he said. He also recalled that during every election, his father would arrive a day ahead of polling and spend time with relatives and neighbours at the Velikkakathu house. This is the first election without him, Arun Kumar added.
Body, suspected to be of missing girl, found in Kalady
Parties put up brave face after moderate voter turnout in Kochi Corporation
Prosecution to examine the scope of appeal in actor rape case
Jubilee fete of Christ Nagar schools
Municipalities in Ernakulam record total voter turnout of 75%
Kochi Corporation records 62.52% turnout; youth apathy, roll errors blamed for slow polling
Watch: Kerala CM rejects Dileeps conspiracy claim, backs survivor
CM slams Congress for opposing all development activities initiated by govt.
Voting Ends in The First Phase of Kerala Local Body Polls
Barring minor incidents, the polling passed off peacefully across the seven districts
Ernakulam records 74.52% voter turnout in local body polls
The polling percentage surpassed the 2020 figure of 72.49% with municipalities recording 75.09% and tri-level panchayats 77.14% voter turnout
Vibrant Kottikalasam marks conclusion of hectic campaigning in Kannur, Kasaragod
In Kannur, the day remained largely peaceful, though a large police force was deployed to maintain law and order in view of the previous elections, while in Kasaragod, the Kottikalasam peaked in Kanhangad town, where all three fronts are expected to face a close contest in the local body elections
All fronts exude confidence after first phase of local body polls
Night-time traffic curbs at Eenchakkal for flyover construction
UDF rushing to offer clean chit to Jamaat-e-Islami, says Kerala CM
Pinarayi Vijayan alleges that the UDF is ready to align with organisations that have never been part of mainstream fronts, including those taking communal extremist positions
Major fronts make last-ditch efforts to woo voters in Kozhikode
While the UDF focussed on the gold theft case at Sabarimala temple, the LDF raised the issue of tactical tie-up between the Welfare Party of India and the UDF and highlited State governments achievements during the campaign
Alappuzha registers 73% voter turnout
One-way special train to Chandigarh from Thiruvananthapuram
Electioneering ends on a high note in Palakkad
Sulthan Pet emerged as the focal point of the celebrations, where thousands converged and engaged in lively cultural shows, bike rallies, and spirited processions.
Clashes erupt in Vanchiyoor over alleged bogus voting during local body polls
BJP workers accuse transgender voters of bogus voting, prompting a confrontation with CPI(M) cadre. Incidents of violence also reported in Karumam and Nedumangad
Delay in conducting polls in Mahe cannot be attributed to Commission
BJP Accuses CPI(M) of Fake Voting Through Transgenders in Kerala Capital
BJP cadres showed on TV the electoral rolls of both booths in Vanchiyoor in support of their claim that there were no transgender voters in the lists
Palakkad sets up 2,749 polling booths; Tamil ballot labels in 93 wards
Around 28.6 lakh voters will cast their ballots from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday. In six grama panchayats near Tamil Nadu, ballot labels will feature candidates names in Tamil, reflecting the regions linguistic diversity.
Mercury plunges to single digits in Ghat areas of Kerala
Mercury plunges to single digits in places such as Kundala dam on Monday night, where the lowest temperature of 7.5C was recorded, Munnar 9.4C, and Vattavada 9.7 C
Moderate turnout in Pathanamthitta
Idukki records 70.26 % polling till 7 p.m. on December 9
70.09% polling reported in Kollam
From octogenarians to first-timers, voters queue up to exercise their franchise
Kottayam reports fall in polling percentage
Remote Pachakkanam records only one vote
Pachakkanam polling station in the Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the remote polling stations in the State. A 11-member team was deputed to the booth for the polling process
Collector seeks cooperation from political parties, voters for peaceful polling in Kannur
A total of 5,472 candidates are in the fray across all three tiers of panchayats and urban bodies
All arrangements in place for local body polls in Thrissur: Collector
Over 27.36 lakh voters to cast votes; there are 54,204 are first-time voters.
604 local bodies in seven northern Kerala districts to see elections on Thursday in Phase II
High-octane finish to Thrissurs local body poll campaign
A total of 7,284 candidates are in the fray for 2,204 seats in the district. The LDF aims to retain its dominance, while the UDF seeks to reclaim crucial seats, Meanwhile, the NDA hopes to make a significant impact.
Thirty injured as two KSRTC buses collide near Pampa
Political parties complain of electoral roll discrepancies in Kochi
Adoor Prakashs remark rewrites poll-day narrative in central Travancore
His remark about actor Dileep getting justice in actor rape case draw flak from LDF, with leaders terming it a reflection of anti-women stance harboured by Congress
'Won't accept double standards': Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on FEFKA's plan to readmit Dileep
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malayalam dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on Tuesday said she would resign from the FEFKA in protest against what she called the organisation's ushed move to take back actor Dileep following his acquittal in the 2017 actor assault case. Bhagyalakshmi, who has previously held several positions in the Film Employees Federation of Kerala, told reporters that she could not accept double standards in the case and would stand firmly with the survivor. She said the trial court's verdict was not final until upheld by higher courts, and that FEFKA and other film bodies should have waited for the legal process to conclude. On Monday, FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan said Dileep would be reinstated once he submitted a request. We had expelled him within two hours of him being named an accused, and we will reverse the action now that he has been acquitted, he said. Expressing happiness over the verdict, Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA) president B Rakesh also said the body would readmit Dileep if it received a formal request. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) too backed the court's decision, saying in a Facebook post that he law will take its own course. Meanwhile, screenwriter and actor-director Renji Panicker welcomed the judgment, saying he believed he real guilty persons had been punished. He said the court had found no evidence of conspiracy involving Dileep. Unless the higher courts reverse the order, I can only go by the trial court's decision, he added. Responding to criticism from the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which said the survivor had not received full justice, Panicker said, Those who expected a different verdict will naturally be upset. I stand by the court's verdict and believe the guilty have been given the right punishment. A Kerala court on Monday acquitted Malayalam cinema star Dileep in the sensational 2017 actress sexual assault case, in which six persons, including the main accused, charged with committing the crime, were pronounced guilty. In a case that made national headlines while sending shockwaves over the top actor's alleged involvement in the matter, three others, including Dileep's close friend Sarath, were also acquitted. Dileep, whose real name is P Gopalakrishnan, claimed there was a eal conspiracy by some police officials and a section of the media to implicate him in the case earlier with an eye on destroying his career.
The Kerala government has released its list of public holidays for 2026, designating specific days for state employees, banks, and financial institutions. The notification, issued under the Negotiable Instruments Act, includes a comprehensive list of festivals and observances, with Sundays also declared as public holidays.
Citizens rescue 13-foot whale shark entangled in fishing net in Kerala`s Kollam
This rescue marks Kollam districts first recorded whale shark rescue and the 50th along the Kerala coast since the launch of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) Save the Whale Shark Campaign in 2017, in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department and supported by Oracle
Refreshing, Creative & Cool: India Post Gets A 'Gen-Z' Extension Counter At Kerala's CMS College
At its heart, the new counter is built on a philosophy that resonates deeply with the student community: Of the students, by the students, for the students.
LDF convener in Kerala revives debate on SilverLine, BJP sees red
T.P. Ramakrishnan claims the Railway Ministry has come up with a new proposal for enhancing rail connectivity in the State.
Pinarayi says prosecution handled the case effectively and the verdict will undergo legal scrutiny before further action
Lal says it was him and not late Congress MLA P.T. Thomas who first informed then State Police Chief Loknath Behera about the survivors ordeal
Entering the final stretch, Nagalassery panchayat candidates make a run for it
PALAKKAD: Election campaign mornings rarely begin with the patter of running shoes. On Saturday, Nagalassery grama panchayat in Palakkad district woke up not to blaring announcements, but to the sight of candidates pacing through Koottanad -- an uplifting spectacle in the thick of an election. In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, a vibrant community of runners from Peringode under the Thrithala constituency -- who go by the name Runners Peringode -- brought together candidates from across the political spectrum for a unique fitness-driven campaign moment. Of the 61 contenders for the December 11 election, a remarkable 46 turned up, tying up their laces and leaving their political differences behind, at least for the morning. The run, organised as a 'promo event' ahead of the inaugural Peringode Heritage Marathon, scheduled for January 25, quickly turned into one of the most refreshing campaign visuals of this election season. Party workers, fitness enthusiasts, and early risers lined the route, watching with curiosity and applause as rivals ran shoulder to shoulder. For the organisers, the message was simple yet powerful: A healthier community begins with healthier leaders. Candidates spend their days on the move, meeting people and navigating the pressures of the campaign. This run is a reminder that physical and mental well-being matter -- and not just for those in public life, said M P Mani, president of Runners Peringode. Kerala local body polls sees over 32% turnout in first five hours Over a hundred people participated in the 'Run With Candidates' event, flagged off by senior civil police officer (CPO) Dharmesh of Chalissery station. The run started from New Bazar bus stop and wound its way to Koottanad bus stand, transforming the route into a lively corridor of camaraderie and good humour. Contestants jogged together, shared light moments, and offered friendly encouragement -- a stark contrast to the tensions that often accompany the final days of an election. It became, in many ways, their symbolic final lap'' before polling day. Candidates used the opportunity to connect informally with morning walkers, wave to shopkeepers opening for the day, and make their last-minute appeal with a smile instead of a slogan. From 67-year-old Aryan Master, the CPM candidate in Vadakke Vavanoor (ward 3), to 24-year-old Farhath C P, the Congress candidate for Valaramkunnu (ward 11), the participants were of all ages, backgrounds, and political journeys -- united for a common cause. Running, according to experts, boosts heart health, reduces stress, sharpens focus, and builds community connections. These are qualities the organisers hope will inspire not just candidates, but the governance they aspire to lead. As Nagalassery approaches polling day, Saturday's run has set a new benchmark for what healthy competition must look like. It proved that here, the race for leadership can also be a race towards fitness, friendship, and a more spirited civic life.
Kerala schools closed on Dec 9 in south and Dec 11 in north for local body elections
Kerala schools will remain closed on December 9 in southern and central districts and on December 11 in northern regions for the 2025 local body elections. The closures apply to schools designated as polling stations, ensuring smooth voting and EVM setup. Polling will be held in two phases across 1,199 local bodies, with vote counting scheduled for December 13. Authorities have prepared EVMs, control units, and digital systems for real-time monitoring and election management.
A flashback to Kochis first thriller corporation election
Kochis engagement with organised civic governance began long before India became independent. The Dutch established the Fort Kochi municipality as early as 1664, marking one of the oldest experiments in municipal administration in the subcontinent. By 1866, Fort Kochi had become the first modern municipality in the state, during a period when the British residents took over the charge and served as the chairmen. As administrative systems evolved, voting rights were gradually extended to tax-paying citizens, setting the stage for more participatory urban governance. Mattancherry municipality followed in 1873, while Ernakulams municipality had been formed even earlier in 1823, by the British residents to oversee the regions administration. Together, they laid the foundation for what would eventually become a consolidated urban entity. Fast forward to November 1, 1967. It was almost certain that CPM leader M M Lawrence would become the first mayor of the newly formed Kochi corporation that day. The Left front had secured 13 seats, while the Congress-led fronts A A Kochunni Master had managed 11. The Left front workers were ready with crackers to celebrate the win. There was huge excitement, considering that it was the first corporation election ever. But things flipped in a matter of hours, says former mayor and historian K J Sohan. A single cross-vote pushed the mayoral contest into a tie. The final tally stood at 1212. Hence, the election of Kochis first mayor came down to chance. The draw of lots sealed the result, and Kochunni Master became the first mayor of Kochi. The idea of merging Kochis fragmented local bodies had been discussed throughout the early 1960s. It was the Mattancherry municipal council that first passed a resolution in 1960 recommending a unified civic administration. The Kerala Assembly later endorsed the proposal, and by July 1967, the plan for a consolidated corporation received formal approval. The new civic body combined the municipalities of Ernakulam, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, together with the panchayats of Palluruthy, Edappally, Vennala and Vyttila. The newly created urban entity spanned roughly 83.5sq.km , bringing together neighbourhoods with distinct histories and identities under a single administrative structure for the first time. It was a challenging time for the newly elected leaders, as they had to concentrate on the budgeting and integration of the wards that had been formed under a single corporation, says Sohan. While the first council was elected for a five-year term, elections were postponed, and the council continued for over a decade. The second election to the corporation was held only in 1979. It would take another decade for true democratic reforms. The turning point came with the 74th Constitutional Amendment in 1992, which granted municipalities across India a clear constitutional status, says Sohan. Regular elections every five years became mandatory. Provisions for reservation, including one-third representation for women, were introduced. As Kochi heads into another municipal election, its civic history stands as a reminder that surprises are nothing new. Will there be any this time?
Bhagyalakshmi alleges the federation failed to stand with the survivor
Actor Bhagyalakshmi resigns from Kerala film body over move to reinstateDileep
Actor Bhagyalakshmi resigns from Kerala film body over move to reinstateDileep
EC legally has no right to hold SIR: Congress MP Manish Tewari
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday claimed that the Election Commission legally has no right to conduct the SIR and it must be stopped, as he asserted that many Opposition leaders as well as people now feel the need to raise questions over the poll body's neutrality. Initiating a discussion on Election Reforms in the Lok Sabha, Tewari said the first election reform should be to amend the law of 2023 on the selection of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners. He said the law stipulates that the panel be comprised of the prime minister, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and a cabinet minister. It is my suggestion that two members should be added to this panel -- the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. If such a committee is formed then 'theek se khela hobega' and it will play an important role in removing the doubts over the Election Commission (EC), Tewari said. The Congress leader said that BR Ambedkar ensured that the EC would be a permanent body. It was expected of the EC that it will work as a neutral umpire, but regretfully I have to say that many members sitting on this side (pointing to opposition benches) and many people feel the need to raise questions over its neutrality, Tewari said. He said Article 327 gave rights to the Parliament to make laws for the voters list and delimitation. I have to say with regret that the Special Intensive Revision (of electoral rolls) is being discussed throughout the country. The SIR is happening in many states, but I am saying with a lot of responsibility that legally EC has no right to conduct SIR, Tewari said. There is no provision for SIR in Constitution or in law. This is just a right to EC that if there is any thing wrong with the electoral roll of any constituency it can correct it for reasons that need to be recorded in writing and made public. Only then you can conduct SIR, you cannot do SIR for whole of Bihar or the whole of Kerala, the Congress leader said. If you have to do SIR then do it separately in constituencies where there is a problem with the electoral roll after recording the problems in writing and then only it can carry out SIR. I would like to ask the government where are the reasons in writing, he said. Stop this SIR. There is no provision in law which allows the SIR to go ahead. You will say that were the SIRs conducted earlier illegal, to which my answer is that multiple wrongs don't make a right, he said. Tewari said that in India's democracy there are two stakeholders -- people who vote as electors and political parties that participate in the poll. Constitution makers ensured that every Indian above 21 years has a right to vote at a time when voting right was given on narrow principles in various countries. He said the biggest election reform was by then PM Rajiv Gandhi in 1988-89 by reducing the voting age from 21 to 18.
