NIA arrests prime accused in trafficking people to Iran for organ transplantation in Kerala

Ernakulam native Madhu Jayakumar was arrested after he arrived from Iran on November 8. He is being questioned at NIA office in Kochi

Kerala teen dies after falling from a building

DUBAI, Nov 14: A Kerala teen, who was visiting Dubai, died after falling from the top of a building in Deira, local media reported. Mohammed Mishal, 19, from Kozhikode district of Kerala, was visiting his cousins and had been in Dubai for about 15 days, Gulf News reported. The incident occurred on November 7 when Mishal reportedly went to the terrace of a multi-storey building to take photographs of flights. He was staying with his cousins here while his [] The post Kerala teen dies after falling from a building appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NIA arrests prime accused in trafficking people for organ transplantation in Kerala

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Madhu Jayakumar, the prime accused in a human trafficking case involving organ donation to Iran. Jayakumar, who arrived from Iran, was apprehended and remanded to NIA custody. The case, initially investigated by local police, revealed a network luring distressed individuals for illegal organ transplants in Iranian hospitals.

Kerala local body polls: LDF announces Palakkad district panchayat candidates

Kerala local body polls: IDF strikes deal with LDF in Peringottukurissi

Is Singing A Patriotic Song A Crime In Kerala?

Did you know that singing a patriotic song glorifying your motherland could be considered a crime in Kerala and might even land you in trouble? No, this is not a hypothetical scenario; this is exactly what happened last week. In connection with the flagging off of a new Vandebharat train between Kochi and Bengaluru, the Continue reading Is Singing A Patriotic Song A Crime In Kerala? The post Is Singing A Patriotic Song A Crime In Kerala? appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .

Jail Official Stabbed By Prisoners In Kerala

Police officials said the accused's arrest would be formally recorded soon, after which they would be produced before the court for remand proceedings.

Kerala local body polls: BDJS looks to shed poor-performer tag, bargains for more seats this time

BDJS leaders feel that the party shall be given its due credit for the impressive performance of many BJP candidates in the 2024 general election in the State, especially in constituencies such as Alappuzha, which has a sizable number of voters belonging to the Ezhava community

Riding on pro-farmer push by LDF govt., KC(M) eyes bigger role in the front with Kerala local body polls

Pinarayi governments legislative and policy moves have breathed a new life into the pro-farmer politics espoused by KC(M), which CPI(M) considers as a vital cog in its expansion strategy for Central Travancores traditionally anti-Left pockets. However, CPI seems sceptical about the regional partys attempts to project itself as the coalitions second-in-command

Kerala local body polls: Tight triangular contest on the cards in Iritty

Kerala Lottery Result Today, November 14, 2025 Live: Suvarna Keralam SK-27 Winning Numbers

Kerala Lottery Result Today Live Updates, 14-11-2025: Heres Guessing Numbers for Suvarna Keralam SK-27 for Friday, November 14. Check the full list of winning numbers from 3 pm.

Vettucaud church feast from November 14

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The annual Vettucaud Kristhuraja Feast, one of the most prominent religious festivals in the capital, will begin at the Madre de Deus Church on Friday and continue till November 23. The inaugural pontifical Holy Mass will be led by Rev Dr Kristhudas Rajappan of the Latin Archdiocese on Friday at 4.30 pm, followed by the ceremonial flag hoisting by parish priest Dr Edison Y M. Keys to four newly completed houses under the parish housing scheme will also be handed over at the ceremony, according to the Vettucaud Parish Council. On November 22, Very Rev Mons C Joseph will lead the evening prayer, followed by a grand procession that will pass through Kannanthura St Peters Church and Kochuveli St Josephs Church before returning to Vettucaud. Regional holiday declared In connection with the Vettucaud Church feast, the district collector has declared a regional holiday from the afternoon for all educational institutions and government offices under the Thiruvananthapuram and Neyyatinkara taluks.

KGMCTA strike hits outpatient care across Kerala medical colleges

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hundreds of patients were inconvenienced on Thursday as doctors under the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) staged a state-wide protest, disrupting outpatient services and planned surgeries across medical colleges. OP clinics were run by house surgeons and senior residents, while academic sessions and other non-emergency services were affected. Authorities at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College said the impact was minimised through prior planning. Non-emergency surgeries were rescheduled in advance, considering the protest was announced weeks ago, said a senior professor. As part of the protest, KGMCTA boycotted OP services, non-emergency surgeries, and student classes. However, treatment for admitted patients, casualty services, labour rooms, ICUs, emergency surgeries, and postmortem procedures continued without disruption. KGMCTA has been protesting since July 1, citing unresolved demands despite repeated representations and discussions with the government over the past four years. Despite submitting several representations and holding multiple rounds of discussions with the authorities over the past four years, no satisfactory outcome has been achieved, prompting KGMCTA to launch the protest. However, the organisations demands have not yet been implemented. During the discussion held with the health minister on November 10, neither the minister nor the finance department made any favourable decision, nor was there any clear assurance that the associations demands would be fulfilled, according to state president Dr. Rosnara Beegum T and General Secretary Dr. Aravind C S. Even after previous OP boycotts on October 20, 28, and November 5, the government has not taken steps to address the issues, the association said. Protests are scheduled to be held on November 21 and 29. Key demands include rectifying salary anomalies in the entry-cadre of assistant professors, expediting PSC appointments, releasing pending pay revision arrears, avoiding unnecessary temporary transfers, ensuring regular appointments as per NMC norms, increasing sanctioned doctor posts based on patient load, and upgrading infrastructure in government medical colleges. KGMCTA warned that without a favourable response, it may escalate the protest to an indefinite strike after the local body elections. Meanwhile, the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association announced its decision to withdraw from VIP and e-Sanjeevani duties starting November 15, citing workplace safety concerns. The association has been on a non-cooperation protest since November 1, demanding safe working conditions in government hospitals.

PM SHRI row: Minister Sivankutty, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam lock horns

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the state government sent a letter to the Centre on the PM SHRI row, Education Minister V Sivankutty and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam engaged in a fresh round of war of words on Thursday. Expressing doubt over the release of Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) funds after clarifying the states stand on PM SHRI to the Centre, Sivankutty said that he will not be accountable if the Centre refrains from disbursing these funds worth Rs 1,152.77 crore. While the minister said that the letter was nobodys win or loss, Binoy Viswam remarked that he doesnt know what has intimidated his respected friend for such a reaction. Responding to Binoys earlier remark that the CPI knows the core of Left politics, Sivankutty said that the CPM does not need to learn the same from any other place. Binoy even saw the cabinet sub-committee in a dismissive way. But the committee will convene, note everyones opinions, and present a detailed report to the chief minister, the education minister said in a press conference here. However, Sivankutty reiterated that there is no decision yet to completely withdraw from the scheme. Countering nearly every statement the CPI secretary made on Wednesday, the minister said, I came across statements from certain spaces that they are the only people who can safeguard Left values in India, and protect the education sector from the communal agenda of RSS. This can create misunderstandings among people, and hence I wanted to clarify it, Sivankutty said. Binoy Viswam stated that he does not know what prompted Sivankutty to make such a statement. My political consciousness will not let me intimidate or get intimidated by someone, especially with the local body polls approaching, he told the media. Reiterating that the letter marks a political victory for the LDF, Binoy said he takes the ministerial sub-committee seriously.

Better to approach SC: Kerala High Court to state on SIR petition

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday suggested it would be appropriate for the state government to approach the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of Indias (EC) decision to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala. Hearing the states petition to defer the SIR until after the local body elections, Justice V G Arun made the suggestion, saying several other states had also filed Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) against the exercise. At the hearing, Advocate General K Gopalakrishna Kurup said the state had not questioned the SIRs validity as of now, but was seeking its deferment until the LSG polls were over. The state is of the view that the SIR...is not conducive to the democratic polity of the country, he said, and sought to reserve the states right to challenge the SIR in appropriate proceedings, if necessary. However, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, the EC counsel, said the states petition was a clever ploy aimed at ultimately pushing the SIR beyond the elections. The state contended that conducting the SIR simultaneously with the local body polls would hinder its smooth conduct, which the state said were a massive exercise requiring deployment of 1.76 lakh personnel from government and quasi-government services, along with an additional 68,000 police and security personnel. The state would face an administrative deadlock, the AG said. Dwivedi submitted that the SIR was announced on October 27, and by now, 55% of the enumeration work was over. The entire process is to be concluded within one month, ending on December 4. It involves only obtaining the electors signature. The state should have approached the Supreme Court. Any intervention at this point by the HC would interrupt the process mid-way, he said.

Supreme Court bins TNs pleas against Mekedatu dam proposal

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain two applications filed by Tamil Nadu against Karnatakas move to construct a new reservoir at Mekedatu across the inter-state river Cauvery calling them premature. While the first application challenged the permission granted by the Central Water Commission (CWC) to Karnataka for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR), the second application was against the execution of the Mekedatu project, seeking a direction to the CWC to return the DPR submitted by Karnataka. The Karnataka government had submitted the DPR regarding the Mekedatu project to the CWC in 2018. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice NV Anjaria on Thursday said the plan would be approved only after considering the objections of Tamil Nadu as well as the opinion of expert bodies such as the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). At this stage, the CWC order only permits the preparation of the DPR, that too after taking into consideration the objections of Tamil Nadu, and the expert opinion of the CWMA and CWRC, the bench pointed out. It is further to be noted that the CWC had further directed that the prior approval of the CWMA and CWRC would be a prerequisite for the consideration of the DPR. In that view, we find the present application is at a premature stage, the bench said. The court also referred to its order passed in August 2023. We reiterate what was observed in our order that we dont possess expertise. This court time and again has reiterated that this court should refrain from areas which are best reserved for experts, the bench observed. TN can raise objections with centre: SC Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, submitted that the project would be detrimental to TN farmers who depend on Cauvery waters for their livelihood. The CWRC should not be allowed to approve the Karnatakas DPR. The SC should take the final decision on the issue, he said. Rohatgi further argued that the reservoir is being built at an altitude higher than where Tamil Nadu is to get the water, i.e. the measuring station at Biligundlu, which would adversely affect the release of water to the downstream state. The court added that if the DPR is approved by the CWC, then Tamil Nadu would be free to take such steps to challenge it as permissible in law. The judges said, It is only in the stage of a DPR. What is the problem with that? You (Tamil Nadu) should raise your objections to the central government or the appropriate body, the court said. Advocate Shyam Diwan and other lawyers, appearing for Karnataka, said that even if the new dam is built, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala will not be affected. By the order of the SC, Karnataka is duty-bound to deliver 177.25 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu and if the same is not affected, then they (Karnataka) should be able to go ahead with the reservoir project. The 2018 SC verdict has not imposed any restriction on Karnataka regarding the Mekedatu project or any other project within its territory, the counsels said. DKS welcomes verdict Bengaluru: Welcoming the ruling, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, said, Justice has flown from the seat of justice. Asserting that the state had merely sought its rightful share he said a reservoir would be constructed within Karnataka at its own cost. Min says state can still oppose project, opposition slams govt Chennai: Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said the SC has allowed Tamil Nadu to convey its opposition to Mekedatu project to CWMA and CWC and that no decision can be taken without hearing the lower riparian states views. Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP state chief Nainar Nagenthran and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday expressed anguish over the order. The DMK government has failed to present strong arguments in the SC and safeguard Tamil Nadus rights, EPS said

Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT to conduct scientific tests at Sannidhanam

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has sought the permission of Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru, through the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), to carry out scientific examinations at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam. Acting on the Thantris suggestion, the court has granted approval to conduct the tests on November 17. The move comes in compliance with a Kerala High Courts previous directive asking the SIT to complete all scientific analyses before the commencement of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. As per the rituals, the Thantri informed the court that the divine consent of the presiding deity must be sought before any scientific examination in and around the sanctum sanctorum. Accepting this, the court allowed the procedure to be carried out after the ucha pooja and closure of the temple at 1 pm on November 17. The SIT plans to collect copper samples from the dwarapalaka idol plates, side door frames, and other metallic fixtures that were not sent for gold plating. These samples will be subjected to detailed physical and chemical teststo verify allegations of plate swapping.

Elephants ahead! LED boards to warn travellers in Idukki

IDUKKI: If youre driving through the misty Marayur forest stretch, dont be startled when a glowing LED screen suddenly flashes: Elephants on the road! or Go slow! -- it is the forest departments new way of keeping you and the gentle giants safe. In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Kerala, the department has installed digital display boards at two key forest check posts -- Chattamunnar on the Munnar-Udumalpet interstate route and Payas Nagar on the Marayur-Kanthalloor road. The boards will alert motorists about the presence of wild elephants, bison, and even dense fog ahead, helping travellers plan their drive safely through one of the most wildlife-active routes. Each board flashes real-time messages like Misty road, Elephants on the road, and Go slow, aimed at reducing accidents caused by poor visibility and sudden animal crossings. Two digital boards have been set up at the forest check posts at Chattamunnar and one at Payas Nagar. The stretch between Chattamunnar and Munnar, and between Marayur and Chinnar, is known for frequent elephant sightings, especially Padayappa, a well-known tusker in the region. These digital warnings will help prevent panic and reckless driving when animals appear on the road. If the system proves effective, we plan to expand it to other forest routes in the division where human wildlife encounters are frequent, said DFO P J Suhaib.

Interview| People understand that govts welfare measures are mere election gimmick

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With his eyes firmly fixed on the upcoming local-body elections, state Congress president Sunny Joseph talks to TNIE about Congress campaign themes, its stance on key issues, and allegations raised by rivals. Excerpts: What are the main issues being raised in this election? The Congress is highlighting the governments anti-people policies and its move to undermine decentralisation by cutting funds meant for local bodies. Funds allocated for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes have also been slashed. We will also focus on issues such as price rise, unemployment, and the crises in the agricultural and coastal sectors. The breakdown of law and order is another major concern. How does the Congress view the Sabarimala issue? The party is taking a strong stand on the matter. The governments actions have hurt devotees and caused widespread resentment. This issue has deeply affected the public, and that sentiment will reflect in the election result. The chief minister announced welfare measures and hike in pensions ahead of polls. Will this help the LDF? No, it wont. People understand that this is nothing but an election gimmick. The government has failed to fulfil the welfare promises of the last assembly election. If there was genuine commitment, the pensions would have been distributed much earlier. Will internal issues within the Congress affect its performance? There are no internal issues in the Congress. The party is united and well-prepared. We were the first to announce our candidates in Thiruvananthapuram. Meetings of KPCC general secretaries, DCC presidents, and others have all been held smoothly. There is complete unity within the organisation. The LDF alleges that Congress has an understanding with the Welfare Party, which is linked to the Jamaat-e-Islami... It is the LDF that has struck such deals. Wasnt it aligned with Madani? Their suitability seems to be limited to those who side with them.

Keep a watch on CPM during SIR process: Congress leader KC Venugopal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sounding an alert on potential manipulation, the Congress leadership has asked its Kerala unit to keep a close watch on the CPM as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls is under way in the state. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal issued the directive during a meeting with KPCC office-bearers and district Congress committee presidents, and with members of the Political Affairs Committee. If it is the BJP in north India, in Kerala it is the CPM which should be monitored in the case of the Special Intensive Revision, the Congress leadership has cautioned the KPCC office-bearers, Venugopal told the meeting. He warned that irregularities could occur in the process of updating the voters list as booth level officers (BLO), who are government employees, may act under the influence of the ruling party. In north India, where most states are ruled by BJP, we have seen instances of manipulation in the SIR process. Similarly, in Kerala, the CPM-led governments employees deputed as BLOs could misuse their positions to influence the voters list, he said.

Ramayana from Sitas perspective gets epic Malayalam retelling

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ever heard of a lyrical retelling of Ramayana from Goddess Sitas perspective? A Sita, who even while bemoaning her fate as an orphan and a castaway, chose to walk into Mother Earths bosom, rather than return to take her rightful place as the Queen of Ayodhya. Chandrabati Ramayana, a 16th century work by Bengals first woman poet Chandrabati is one of the first versions of the epic that retells it from Sitas point of view. And now, it is available in Malayalam, as Chandrabati Ramayanam, thanks to writer Geethanjali Krishnan, who learnt Bengali and translated the work directly to Malayalam. In Geethanjalis own words, it took her almost three years, one to learn the language including the alphabets, and another two to translate. By 2024 end, I completed the work. Learning Bengali was not very difficult, as it shares similarities with Hindi and Malayalam. Bengali, Malayalam and Sanskrit have many Pali words, she said. In accordance with the erstwhile oral poetic traditions handed down generations and cutting across native tongues, Chandrabati Ramayana captures life through the female gaze, and reflects upon the trials and tribulations rural women were so accustomed to at the time. Chandrabatis take on Sita is in stark contrast with the widely-popular version. That this Ramayana hardly contains any reference to the battles waged in the course of Lord Rams life makes it unlike Valmikis rendition. I felt it needed to be retold in other languages, says Geethanjali Inspired by it, Geethanjali took it upon herself to translate Chandrabatis work into Malayalam. While many others have translated Bengali works to Malayalam, its the first direct translation of Chandrabati Ramayana to Malayalam. Being the first female Ramayanam, I felt it needed to be retold in other languages. Its one of the few such tales told from Sitas perspective. In many such tales, she is Ravanas daughter, she said. Geethanjalis translation has a foreword by translator Sunil Naliyath as well as elaborate notes by academic and writer, late Nabaneeta Deb Sen, and independent Bangla filmaker N Rashed Chowdhury. Poet K Jayakumar released the book in the state capital last week.

Home and away Can Twenty20 up its game?

KOCHI: When Twenty20 swept 17 of 19 seats in Kizhakkambalam grama panchayat in 2015 barely two years after its formation it was seen as a political anomaly. This corporate-backed civic experiment had unexpectedly evolved into a hyperlocal movement. Its subsidised Bhakshya Suraksha Market, welfare and infrastructure interventions, and the much-discussed Gods villas seemed to signal a new model of local governance, one that voters rewarded again in 2020. That election also marked the partys first major expansion: it retained Kizhakkambalam and extended influence to three neighbouring panchayats Aikaranad, Mazhuvannoor, and Kunnathunad. Now, a decade into its dramatic entry, Twenty20 is attempting its most ambitious leap yet. The party has announced plans to contest in 55 local bodies, including key municipalities such as Maradu, Tripunithura, and Thrikkakara, as well as Kochi corporation. The pitch is clear: Positioning itself as the alternative for voters tired of the traditional UDF-LDF binary. But can a hyperlocal movement built around a corporate ecosystem scale into a statewide political force? Political observers say the answer is almost certainly no. In the beginning, the party had possibilities. But it could not keep up with its promises. The founders political statements affected its image as an independent force. The party does not have a clear roadmap or agenda to grow in Kerala, and many early leaders have left, said senior journalist and political analyst M G Radhakrishnan. The party has selected panchayats across Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Ernakulam, where it currently holds two district panchayat seats, to further its ambitions. But analysts argue that geographical spread alone does not guarantee political depth. According to Dr D Dhanuraj, founder of the Centre for Public Policy Research, a Kochi-based think tank, expansion beyond a local cluster requires the organisational muscle of alliances. In Kunnathunad and nearby areas, Twenty20 can operate independently. But to win assembly or Lok Sabha seats, you need a strong institutional framework, clear policies, and committed cadre. That is a continuous and long-term process, he said. Twenty20s immediate impact, however, cannot be dismissed. In the 2021 assembly election, it contested eight seats in Ernakulam and significantly dented the UDFs prospects in Kunnathunad, Kochi, Kothamangalam, and Vypeen. Its founder, Sabu Jacob, maintains that Twenty20 is the only force willing to address chronic civic failures. LDF and UDF have failed to tackle even basic issues like mosquito menace, waterlogging, drinking water scarcity, waste disposal, and traffic congestion. These are areas ripe for corruption, which is why established parties hesitate. Only Twenty20 can take these issues head-on, he earlier told TNIE. But even Sabu acknowledges setbacks. The Kitex Groups decision not to invest further in Kerala, he admits, curtailed the states development potential a move widely seen as politically charged. Political observers unanimously agree: Twenty20 may retain Kizhakkambalam and its neighbouring strongholds, and may even snatch a few more local bodies. But a pan-Kerala presence remains unlikely. They may win in pockets. But expanding even within Ernakulam -- let alone the state is going to be difficult, Radhakrishnan said. Dhanuraj echoed this point, noting that the partys influence is heavily concentrated. People in panchayats around Kizhakkambalam may elect them. But building presence in districts where they have no history or local grounding is an entirely different challenge, he said. As Kerala heads into local body elections, Twenty20 appears poised to disrupt and potentially spoil the prospects of the major fronts, particularly the UDF. But the broader question remains: Is it an emerging political alternative or simply a hyperlocal outlier with limited room to grow? For now, analysts say its future is firmly tied to where it began: Kizhakkambalam and its immediate neighbourhood. In a league of its own Twenty20s performance over the previous two local-body elections in Kizhakkambalam and neighbouring panchayats Local body Seats won /total seats Kizhakkambalam 17/19 Kizhakkambalam 18/19 Aikaranad 14/14 Mazhuvannoor 14/19 Kunnathunad 11/18

Rajeshs death leaves pall of gloom over Pallippad

ALAPPUZHA: A pall of gloom has fallen over Pallippad village in Haripad following the death of Rajesh , the sole breadwinner of his six-member family. Rajesh toiled tirelessly to support everyone. Though he was an auto driver, he took up long-distance driving at night and engaged in construction and other daily-wage jobs to earn additional income for his family, which includes his parents, said Satheesan, a relative. Rajeshs wife, Shylaja, is a homemaker. Their children, Jishnuraj and Krishnaveni, are students. Krishnaveni, who suffers from diabetes, requires expensive treatment, said Krishnan Kutty, a neighbour. On Tuesday, Rajesh had travelled to Tamil Nadu in a pickup van to collect eggs, stepping in temporarily for the vehicles regular driver who was on leave. He took up the task hoping to earn a little extra, Krishnan said. Haripad MLA Ramesh Chennithala said, Negligence of the construction firm has extinguished the light of an entire family. I will raise this issue in the assembly. The CMDRF has sanctioned `1 lakh for funeral expenses.

Road works likely to worsen logjam amid pilgrimage rush

KOCHI: The annual Mandala pilgrimage season to the revered Sabarimala Ayyappa temple is set to commence in a week, bringing with it the customary massive influx of devotees from across South India. However, this year, the sacred journey threatens to devolve into a chaotic ordeal, thanks to the unfortunate timing and sluggish pace of major road works that are creating severe bottlenecks across Central Kerala. The convergence of heavy traffic and widespread construction is set to test the patience of pilgrims and local commuters alike. NH 544 bottleneck at Amballoor One of the most immediate and critical gridlocks is forecast for the Thrissur-Angamaly section of NH 544, specifically at Amballoor. The construction of an underpass here is progressing at a snails pace. The work should have been completed before the pilgrimage season began. A heavy traffic congestion is being experienced at Amballoor now. Neither have they readied any alternative roads nor any traffic diversion plans have been formulated so far. Most of the alternative roads are in a dilapidated condition, said lawyer-cum-Congress leader Shaji J Kodankandath. He warned that the issue will turn much worse with the impending arrival of vehicles from neighbouring states, highlighting a serious lack of foresight in planning. A top NHAI official, however, refuted the charges, maintaining that measures are in place. In Amballoor, the police have identified diversion roads to help ease traffic congestion. Additional traffic marshals have also been deployed, and necessary traffic signboards have been installed, the official said, placing the responsibility for traffic management squarely on local law enforcement. Elevated highway woes on NH 66 Further south, the construction of the elevated highway on the 12.75-km-long Aroor-Thuravoor section of NH 66 presents another critical choke point. The dilapidated Ezhupunna-Kumbalangi road through which heavy vehicles are being diverted from Thuravoor due to highway construction The dilapidated condition of alternative routeslike the Thuravoor-Thycattussery and the Thuravoor-Ezhupunna-Kumbalangi Coastal Roadwill force most vehicles onto the main highway, where construction is heavily under way. While a slight, temporary relief has been felt following court intervention, which led to the deployment of traffic wardens and the start of tarring work on marshy stretches, the overall situation remains precarious, said Sanoob Aziz, a member of the Janakeeya Jagrata Samiti. Aziz emphasised the need for authorities to hasten the process before the pilgrimage starts and to immediately clear construction waste and rebuild roads where work is complete, demanding a war-footing response. Responding to the concerns, a senior NHAI official claimed significant progress, stating, Weve already completed 80% of the construction works in the Aroor-Thuravoor section. The official promised to complete structural elements like piers by January but shifted blame for immediate delays to another agency. A major hurdle is the setting up of high tension power lines at two locations. The KSEB is going slow on the same, he said. Tough ride on MC Road, and a distant solution The anguish is not confined to the National Highways. The MC Road from Angamaly to Muvattupuzha will also suffer due to existing works, with heavy congestion expected around Kalady and Muvattupuzha town. While the finance department recently sanctioned a significant Rs 377.8 crore for the renovation of 82 roads, this relief will not materialise in time for the current pilgrimage. Regarding the perpetually clogged Muvattupuzha Junction, a senior NHAI official offered a future solution, confirming that the tender for the detailed project report for a Muvattupuzha bypass has been awarded to a consultancy firm, HEC Pvt Ltd, which has been given six months to prepare the report. For the thousands of pilgrims set to arrive in the coming days, however, this promise of a bypass is a far-off hope. The acute traffic congestion at Amballoor junction

Trailblazing trio: Kochi Water Metro to get first female pilots

KOCHI: Kochi Water Metro is making history, not just as Indias first water metro system, but by breaking gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. Three determined womenArunima A of Alappuzha, Lekshmi R S of Kollam, and Sneha S of Thiruvananthapuramhave successfully completed their rigorous nearly three-year training and will soon become the countrys inaugural female trainee boat pilots. The journey to the cockpit The trio, who all hold diplomas in electronics and electrical engineering, initially faced apprehension about entering this field. However, their dedication and the supportive environment provided by the Kochi Water Metro turned that nervousness into confidence. As Lekshmi shared, We only had diploma certificates, but were selected after appearing in the entry test... The masters and trainers were very much supportive, and the training went smoothly. Ask them about the toughest section. Pat comes the answer, Steering the boat and roping in the Fort Kochi (High Court- Fort Kochi) section is tough. We are also now adept at doing urgent maintenance work if required, Lekshmi adds. For Arunima, the journey was transformative. When I applied, my kin were a little apprehensive over whether I could steer such a large complicated vessel. But now they are extending all their support... They are now proud that women are coming into the field. Their extensive training regimen, which included a stipend of up to Rs 19,000 plus benefits, was designed to ensure complete competence in operating the modern, electric vessels. To become independent pilots, they need to get the Serang Certificate issued by the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB). The trio from the first batch completed the mandatory two-year training and have applied for the licence. Once they get it, we aim to deploy them as solo boat pilots. They are as good as anyone, said Kochi Water Metro chief operating officer Sajan P John. The training equipped them to handle every task -- from handling ropes, to becoming proficient in the complex functionalities of the boats. Once we learn the complex functionalities, these boats are smoother to handle than the mechanised ones as everything can be controlled from the cockpit, noted Reni Mathew, manager (HR), KWML. The training also includes drills and emergency courses. It includes the actions to be taken on a war footing during emergencies. For instance, if a commuter falls into the water, measures like throwing floating devices like lifebuoy, and using ropes to pull them into the boat and all. Then what to do when the boat goes out of control. For instance, when getting drifted by high tides. There is an emergency steering on the rear side of the boats. The training covers all that, said Balu Alex Varghese, Safety Officer. The next crucial step for the pilots is obtaining the Serang Certificate (Boatmasters Licence) issued by the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB). This certification is mandatory to permit them to operate a vessel independently. Having completed the two-year training, they are now in the process of applying for the licence. Once certified, the Kochi Water Metro plans to deploy them as solo boat pilots, officially launching their careers and setting a precedent for other women.

Congress declares 22 more candidates for Kochi Corporation; withholds announcement in two wards as surprise

Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan to formally present all 62 party candidates

CPI threatens to go it alone in Thrikkakara

Surprise omissions, rising rebels shake up Congress campaign in Kochi

Former ACP who probed ADM Naveen Babu death case to be CPI(M) candidate

Kottur ward, from where he is contesting, is considered a CPI(M) stronghold

Kalpathy chariots to roll from today

Pre-test for digital census begins in Kerala

One more student of Kannadi school found dead

KSU flays Congress for ignoring its panel of candidates

Laughter, memories, mutual respect mark Kochi Corporation Councils farewell session

Verdict in Palathayi sexual abuse case on November 14

Local body polls: Final picture likely to emerge soon in Kozhikode

While the LDF declared most of its candidates for the district panchayat, the Congress announced its second list of nominees, including filmmaker V.M. Vinu, for the Kozhikode Corporation

Kerala govt. discontinues practice of appointing Senior Professors

Designation of Senior Professor was granted to those who had served at least 10 years as Professor and qualified through a special interview process

Vettucaud church fete: half-day holiday in Thiruvananthapuram, Neyyattinkara taluks on Friday

Kerala Local Body Polls 2025: rebel trouble for various fronts in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Most of the rebel trouble cropped up after candidate declaration by the parties

Local body polls 2025: NDA announces second list of candidates for Thiruvananthapuram

BJP fields Hindu Aikyavedi district president A. Kasturi from Thycaud ward against G. Venugopal of the LDF and M.R. Manoj of UDF.

Kerala HC directs State govt. to decide on jailed Maoist leaders request to publish book he wrote in prison

Roopesh T.R., an alleged Maoist leader and a UAPA convict, wrote Bandhitharude Ormakurippukal (Memoirs of the Incarcerated), while in prison

LDF finalises seat-sharing in Kasaragod district panchayat

Veteran ayurveda practitioner C.A. Raman passes away

Hunger stir launched seeking closure of poultry waste rendering unit at Ambayathode

Karshaka Congress leader Biju Kannanthara, who recently filed a petition against DIG Yathish Chandra, opened the strike at Ambalamukku

Anticipatory bail plea of former TDB official dismissed

Conservationists urge Kerala Governor to withhold assent to contentious wildlife Bill

Mass petition raises concerns over the Bills potential to undermine the States wildlife protection laws and disrupt the countrys ecological security

Kasthuri, CPI(M) leader Sampaths brother, becomes BJP candidate

Rahul Mamkootathil attends Congress meeting

Students roll out daily newspaper at Pattambi sub-district arts festival

Latika Subash to contest in Kottayam municipality

Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III meets Coptic Orthodox head in Cairo

They held discussions on strengthening ties between the two Churches.

Repair work in progress at Moolamattom power plant in Idukki

Leakage in the main intake valves of generators 5 and 6 is being fixed. The annual maintenance of the two generators is also being taken up simultaneously

Hearing what children have to say on Childrens Day

Women and Child Development department will organise Njangalum Parayaam on November 14, Childrens Day, to garner childrens opinion in connection with realising the goal of child-secure Kerala

Congress workers cross over to KC(M) ahead of local body polls

Should not be held responsible if education funds are withheld: Sivankutty

Reacting to CPI State secretary remarks, Minister says he does not want to conduct a post-mortem on who backtracked from the values of the Left

'Husband Hit Me On Head With Set-Top Box': Popular Kerala Relationship Coach

A relationship coach from Kerala has accused her husband, also a popular influencer, of physically assaulting her.

19 year old Indian teen dies in Dubai while photographing planes

A 19-year-old Indian teen, Mohammed Mishal from Kozhikode, Kerala, died in Dubai after falling from a building while photographing airplanes. Visiting his cousins on a short trip, Mishal sustained fatal injuries and was rushed to Rashid Hospital. The only son in his family, he was a civil engineering student with entrepreneurial ambitions. Repatriation of his body to India is underway.

Greenpeace report on shipwreck seeks to fix liability on MSC

Report exposes how the shipping company has systematically expanded its operations using ageing vessels and exploiting regulatory loopholes and flag-of- convenience practices, causing environmental disasters in South Asia

Concrete Girder Falls On A Van At An Elevated Highway Construction Site In Kerala, Driver Killed

It took more than four hours for the rescue workers and residents to move away the beam from the vehicle and extricate Rajesh from under the vehicle which was completely crushed under its impact

Kerala local body polls 2025: A dyed-in-the-wool communist for over four decades to contest this election as UDF Independent

A former councillor who represented the then Champakkara ward of the Kochi Corporation P.V. Chandran was expelled by the CPI(M) last year and is contesting the newly delimited Vyttila ward under the UDF banner

Woman under treatment at Kannur MCH found dead

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Ahead of polls, Kerala govt rolls out Prajwala scholarship scheme for job aspirants

Prajwala Connect to Work scholarship will provide a monthly assistance of 1,000 to eligible candidates, aged between 18 and 30 years, for a maximum period of 12 months

Kerala bureaucrats, environmentalists to approach Governor against controversial wildlife bill

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Alleging that the newly passed Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill is an 'election gimmick' and 'politically motivated,' retired bureaucrats and environmentalists plan to approach Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to seek rejection of the controversial legislation. A letter signed by a group of 80 retired IAS and Indian Forest Service officers, environmentalists, and other prominent figures, including Medha Patkar, Maneka Gandhi, and Pandhuranga Hegde, will be handed over to the Governor by Coexistence Collective, Kerala, on Friday. They pointed out that the bill violates the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972. The collective also claimed that it lacks any scientific basis and ignores recommendations from the state planning board and the human-wildlife conflict working group. No discussions were held with any stakeholders or scientific experts regarding the bill, said N Badusha, a member of the collective, at a press meet. He added that certain privileges for wild animals, ensured by the Constitution, are stripped away by the new bill. The group alleged that the state government is politicising wildlife conservation to secure vote banks from the hilly belts in upcoming elections. They also stated that the bill was presented and passed in the assembly before obtaining sanction from the National Board for Wildlife, making it invalid. The bill neglects the powers of the chief wildlife warden, expands jurisdiction for killing wild animals, and violates guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The collective claimed legalising the killing of wild animals through fear campaigns has a sinister aim and could turn the state into a graveyard for wildlife. Members also criticised the bill for failing to address the root causes of human-animal conflictsuch as changes in land usage, loss of ecosystems, mining, uncontrolled urbanisation, and imbalanced ecotourism. They argued that decentralising authority to declare animals as 'vermin' threatens federalism and could weaken Indias international commitments. Other key signatories include Goa Foundation director Claude Alvaris, former National Board of Wildlife member Praveen Bhargav, lawyer Ritwik Dutta, former principal chief conservators Prakriti Srivastava, OP Kaler, PN Unnikrishnan, and Surendrakumar, among others.

Kerala govt medical college teachers association strike hits functioning of colleges

Other than emergency, casualty and labour room services, other departments and classes for medical students were disrupted

Kerala HC suggests state move Supreme Court against ECs Special Revision drive

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday suggested that it would be appropriate for the state government to approach the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of Indias decision to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala. During the hearing of the petition filed by the state government, Justice V G Arun said it would be better to approach the Supreme Court, as several other states have also filed Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) against the SIR. The court will pass an order on Friday on the states petition seeking deferment of the SIR until the local body elections are over. Advocate General K Gopalakrishna Kurup argued that the state has not questioned the validity of the Election Commissions SIR and that the writ petition is confined solely to seeking its deferment within the state until the local body elections are concluded. The state government contended that conducting the SIR simultaneously with the local body elections would hinder their smooth conduct. The general elections to the LSGIs are a massive exercise requiring the deployment of 1,76,000 personnel from government and quasi-government services for election-related duties, along with an additional 68,000 police and other security personnel for election-related security duties. The state pointed out that elections to the LSGIs in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam have been scheduled for December 9, while those in Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod are scheduled for December 11. The election notification will be issued on November 14. The last date for filing nominations is November 21, scrutiny will be on November 22, and withdrawals will be allowed until November 24. Counting will be held on December 13, and the last date for completing the election process is December 18. The guidelines show that the SIR involves a comprehensive and cumbersome procedure. The state would face an administrative deadlock if it conducted the LSGI elections and the SIR simultaneously, the Advocate General submitted. Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, counsel for the Election Commission of India, submitted that the SIR exercise was announced as early as October 27. BLOs were appointed and trained, and the SIR began on November 4. By now, 55 percent of the enumeration work has been completed, and the entire process is to be concluded within one month, ending on December 4. This exercise involves only obtaining the electors signature. The enumeration forms are pre-filled with the Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers, addresses, and other details. These forms are taken door to door by BLOs and agents of political parties, who obtain electors signatures before uploading the completed forms. More than half the exercise has already been completed, and the process is underway. The state should have approached the Supreme Court, Dwivedi submitted, adding that any intervention at this point by the High Court would interrupt the process mid-way.

Mysuru police probe fake Facebook account linked to Kerala womans number used in cyberattack on K.C. Venugopal

Offensive post appeared from a Facebook profile which reportedly used the same mobile number linked to the complainant. The woman, who has been residing in Mysuru for years, said she has been using a phone number registered under the name of her sister, who works abroad

Driver killed as girder collapses on pick-up van during elevated highway work in Kerala

According to police, the accident occurred around 2.30 a.m. when workers lifted the girder and placed it on a hydraulic jack, which then skidded, causing the massive concrete beam to fall onto the pick-up van passing below

Driver killed as concrete girder collapses on pickup van at Aroor-Thuravoor flyover in Kerala

ALAPPUZHA: A tragic accident occurred early Thursday morning in the AroorThuravoor elevated highway construction area when a massive concrete girder fell onto a pickup van, killing its driver. The deceased has been identified as Rajesh (36), Jishnubhavan, Pallippad, Haripad. The incident took place around 2.30 am, when the pickup van, loaded with eggs, was travelling from Tamil Nadu toward Alappuzha after unloading goods in Ernakulam. The girder collapsed near Chandhiroor, trapping the vehicle completely underneath. According to officials, two girders fell, one entirely and another partially, causing extensive damage to the vehicle. Rajesh, who was not the vehicles regular driver, had been called in for duty as a substitute. Rescue workers took nearly three and a half hours to remove the girder and recover the body after dismantling parts of the van. Each girder reportedly weighs around 8,000 kilograms and measures 32 meters in length. Traffic on the national highway has been restricted following the accident. Vehicles from the Alappuzha side are being diverted through Arookutty, while those from Ernakulam are rerouted via Poochakkal and Cherthala X-ray Junction. The deceased has been identified as Rajesh (36), Jishnubhavan, Pallippad, Haripad. The vehicle owner alleged that the mishap was caused by negligence on the part of the construction contractor. Public Works Minister P A Muhammad Riyas has sought a report from the PWD secretary regarding the incident. Aroor MLA Daleema Jojo expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating that while safety measures are usually in place, it appeared something had broken unexpectedly. We had already informed the district collector about the need for strict safety arrangements, she said. Local residents said accidents are frequent in the flyover construction area and that authorities often fail to take corrective action despite repeated warnings.

Interview: Can AI Comprehend The Complexities Of Indian Courtrooms?

As Kerala High Court mandates Adalat AI to transcribe witness depositions, Decode spoke to lawyer Leah Verghese to understand the implications of AI in courtrooms.

Kerala Lottery Result Today, November 13, 2025 Live: Karunya Plus KN- 597 Winning Numbers

Kerala Lottery Result Today Live Updates, 13-11-2025: Heres Guessing Numbers for Karunya Plus KN- 597 for Thursday, November 13. Check the full list of winning numbers from 3 pm.

From pier to pixel: campaign for Kerala local body elections gets digital makeover

Hiring professional photographers and content strategists, candidates are exploring digital tools to drum up their campaign on social media to attract young voters

Museum dog attack sparks demand to remove strays from public institutions

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The stray dog attack reported from the Museum premises has triggered widespread concern across the capital, with the City Corporation flooded with calls demanding the removal of dogs from public institutions. However, the absence of adequate shelters has landed the civic authorities in a fix. On Wednesday, the Corporations dog squad captured four dogs from the public office premises following complaints from officials. We are getting numerous requests from various establishments to remove stray dogs. But the lack of shelters to house them remains a serious challenge, said an official. In the wake of Tuesdays incident where five morning walkers were attacked by a stray dog the Museum authorities have decided to tighten regulations inside the campus. Consumption of food brought from outside has been restricted to prevent dogs from being attracted to the premises. We have put up display boards prohibiting eating in certain areas. Our resources are limited, but efforts are on to implement these measures effectively. People leaving food waste around is one of the main reasons for dogs entering the premises. One more dog was removed from the premises on Tuesday morning, said P S Manjula Devi, director of Museum and Zoo. She added there has been no decline in the number of morning walkers or visitors since the incident.

e-Health project rolled out in 1,001 medical institutions in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The health department has achieved a milestone by bringing 1,001 medical institutions under the e-Health project. This includes 19 medical college institutions, 33 district/general hospitals, 87 taluk hospitals, 77 community health centres, 554 family health centres, 99 urban family health centres, 15 specialty hospitals, 3 public health laboratories, and 114 other health facilities. So far, over 2.63 crore people have obtained permanent UHID registrations through e-Health. More than 6.73 crore people have sought medical care using temporary registration, and 16.85 lakh patients have been admitted through the e-Health system. Digital technology has been effectively implemented in the health sector, with recent initiatives including digital payment options, online OP ticketing, the MeHealth app, and Scan and Book facilities, said Health Minister Veena George. Through e-Health, patients can now book OP tickets in advance. The system also allows patients who need follow-up treatment to take advance tokens directly from the hospital. Advance tokens can be booked via the e-Health portal or the MeHealth app, significantly reducing waiting times. e-Health project district-wise TPuram: 150 Kollam: 61 PThitta: 37 Alappuzha: 65 Kottayam: 57 Idukki: 32 Ernakulam: 100 Thrissur: 99 Palakkad: 68 Malappuram: 106 Kozhikode: 89 Wayanad: 37 Kannur: 62 Kasaragod: 38

Kerala government informs Centre about PM SHRI freeze

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two weeks after the LDF decided to put on hold implementation of the PM SHRI scheme following opposition from the CPI, the state government on Wednesday formally conveyed the same to the Centre, but not before a reminder from the ally. The government sent the letter after CPI ministers P Prasad and K Rajan met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the morning. General education secretary K Vasuki sent the same after consultation with the Advocate General, the ministers office said. The CPI had been unhappy over the delay in formally conveying the fronts decision to the Centre. Speaking to reporters in the morning, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam reminded the government about sending the letter. The LDF government will never be part of PM SHRI; it is a political decision taken by the front. The cabinet has agreed to it. The LDF and government decided to send a letter conveying the decision to the Union government. If this does not happen, we will see, Binoy said. After the minister informed that the letter had been sent, Binoy termed it a victory of LDF politics. This is LDFs contribution to student and teacher organisations protesting against the RSS agenda in the education sector, he said. He also said only the media was doubtful whether the government will send the letter. The CPI had no such doubts, he said. The CPI had opposed the governments move to sign an MoU with the Centre on implementing the PM SHRI in the state. It was then decided that the scheme will be put on hold until a seven-member cabinet sub-committee chaired by Sivankutty reviews it. The panel is yet to hold its first meeting.

Capture myopathy caused by scare behind death of 10 deer at Puthur Zoo

THRISSUR: The postmortem examination of the 10 spotted deer, that were found dead inside their enclosure at the Zoological Park at Puthur, found capture myopathy as the cause of the death. Capture myopathy is a condition in which the animals experience acute pressure when they get scared. It should be the attack of stray dogs that scared them and resulted in their death, said veterinary surgeon Arun Zacharia. Meanwhile, small bite marks were found on the body of three spotted deer during the autopsy of the carcasses. The deer were found dead in the morning on Tuesday. Stray dogs had trespassed into the enclosure where spotted deer were accommodated. While all other animals are kept inside the kraal, spotted deer are left to wander around in their enclosure, considering their habits. Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G Krishnan said that the zoo authorities had identified the way through which stray dogs had entered the enclosure. Steps have been taken to close any such passages that could allow stray dogs into the zoo campus. Waste management will also have to be taken care of seriously, as it is the main factor that attracts stray dogs, he added. Meanwhile, Forest Minister A K Saseendran had sought a report on the incident within two days and a detailed report within 2 weeks. Friends of Zoo, an informal organisation that played a crucial part in setting up of Puthur Zoo, had sought a safety audit into the entire zoo to avoid any unlikely incidents that risk the lives of animals in the future.

Prevention of Corruption Act to be invoked in Sabarimala gold theft case

PATHANAMTHITTA: In a major development in the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is set to invoke provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, following a directive from the Kerala High Court. According to officials, in such a scenario, the case may be transferred to the Vigilance Court in Kollam, which has jurisdiction over Pathanamthitta district, for further proceedings. The inclusion of the PC Act marks a crucial phase in the investigation as the SIT steps up its probe into the alleged involvement of senior TDB officials. The team, which had earlier moved the High Court seeking its permission to invoke provisions of the Act, is expected to press corruption charges against TDB officers for their wilful mis-classification of the gold-plated panels covering temple carvings and sculptures before handing them over to the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, under the pretext of refurbishment. The probe gathered pace after the recent arrest of former TDB president N Vasu, who allegedly played a central role in the controversial transfer of the gold-plated door panels at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam to the sponsor, Unnikrishnan Potti. Vasu, who was arrested on Tuesday, was produced before the Pathanamthitta Judicial First-Class Magistrate Court (I) and remanded till November 24 by Judge Karthika Prasad. He is currently lodged in the Kottarakkara Sub Jail. The SITs move to bring the PC Act into the investigation also comes amid its reported move to question CPM leader and former TDB president K Padmakumar.

Dispute over seat sharing, BDJS boycotts NDA candidate announcement meetings

KOCHI: Expressing discontent over the highhanded approach of BJP in seat sharing, Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), a major partner of the NDA in Kerala, boycotted the meetings held in Ernakulam and Alappuzha to announce candidates for the local body elections on Wednesday. The BDJS had demanded 10 seats in Kochi Corporation. However, as talks failed to reach a consensus, the BJP announced only 32 candidates in the 76 seats in Kochi Corporation. In Alappuzha South organisational district, the NDA had organised four meetings to announce the candidates at Mavelikkara, Kayamkulam, Chengannur and Haripad on Wednesday. The announcements were made by BJP state secretary S Suresh, state general secretary Anoop Antony, senior leader P C George and state vice-president B Gopalakrishnan. However, the absence of BDJS leaders reflected the growing discontent in the front. Despite Alappuzha being a stronghold of BDJS, there was no reference about party president Thushar Vellappally in the poster of the programme. The BJP unilaterally announced candidates in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode corporations. Even in Palakkad municipality, there was no discussion. This is against the principles of cooperation within the alliance. If the BJP does not want our support, we are ready to contest alone. We will be announcing our candidates for 20 seats in Thiruvananthapuram in a couple of days. Though BJP state president is ready to negotiate, some leaders of the party are very arrogant in their approach, a senior leader of BDJS told TNIE. Meanwhile, Rajeev Chandrasekhar has convened a meeting of NDA leaders in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday to discuss the issues.

INTERVIEW | Government has acted decisively, Sabarimala is not a worry : LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As Kerala heads for local-body elections, LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan says the ruling front will focus on development and welfare initiatives. Discussing priorities and challenges in an interaction with the TNIE , the senior CPM leader stresses that the alliance does not see the Sabarimala gold-theft controversy hurting its chances. Excerpts: What key issues will the LDF raise in this election? The Left government has completed 10 years in office. During this period, it has undertaken numerous welfare and development initiatives for the people. At present, the government is implementing the Knowledge Mission to create large-scale employment opportunities. Several development activities with a strong local focus have also been carried out during this period. Many new initiatives and solutions closely connected to peoples daily lives have been implemented through local self-government institutions. Will Sabarimala issue prove to be setback for LDF? The government has taken a firm stand against all forms of wrongdoing. Strict action is being taken against officials involved in criminal activities. The LDF is not worried about the issue, since the government has acted decisively to bring offenders before the law and recover what has been lost. Human-wildlife conflict is emerging as a major concern in several parts of the state. How will it affect the alliance? The forest and wildlife protection laws currently in force are central laws, and they contain several shortcomings when it comes to protecting human life and preventing wildlife attacks. The Left government took the initiative to propose amendments to address these flaws. Will basic civic issues such as stray dogs, roads, and health-sector problems backfire on LDF? All primary health centres are functioning effectively, meeting the needs of ordinary people. The crowding in medical colleges itself is proof of improved services if the facilities havent improved, such large numbers of people wouldnt be seeking treatment there. The public knows well that the government has taken responsible steps to address issues like health, stray dogs, and other civic concerns. Has the LDF ensured adequate youth representation? Candidate selection has been based on the specific needs of each locality. We have given significant importance to youngsters and women, ensuring their strong presence in the candidate list.

LDF to face stronger challenge in Anthoor as UDF, BJP steps up campaign

KANNUR: Anthoor municipality, a CPM stronghold, is gearing up for a tough battle in the upcoming elections, with both UDF and NDA preparing to challenge its dominance. In a significant political move, the UDF had reopened its Anthoor Congress mandalam committee office at Bakkalam after a gap of four and a half decades, marking the partys re-entry into the local political scene, despite contesting the last two elections without a party office. Anthoor, which became a municipality in 2015, was earlier a panchayat that had been merged with Taliparamba in 1990. Kannur DCC president Martin George said, With the opening of the new party office in Anthoor, Congress workers have regained their enthusiasm and energy. There has been a great change in the political scenario in Anthoor. In the 2015 local body elections, 14 wards in the municipality saw no opposition candidates against the LDF, highlighting the partys absolute dominance in the region. However, by the 2020 elections, that number dropped to just six, signalling a shift in the political landscape as both the UDF and NDA began to strengthen their presence and field candidates across more wards. Interestingly, Kanool and Morazha remain the only two wards that have consistently gone uncontested in favour of the LDF in the last two local body elections. Since its formation in 2015, the municipality has remained a stronghold of the LDF, which secured victory in all 28 wards during both the 2015 and 2020 local body elections. The Anthoor mandalam committee office was reopened on the 30th death anniversary of Anthoor Dasan, the former mandalam president who was killed in 1995. Recalling the incident, the DCC noted that during the 1995 panchayat elections, CPM workers, angered by Dasans decision to field Congress candidates in Anthoor, brutally hacked him to death on October 26. Following his murder, political activities of Congress in the area had come to a standstill, as CPM dominance and threats prevented the reopening of the committee office for decades.

BJP looks to progress with professional edge

KOCHI: With a technocrat at the helm of affairs, the BJP is banking on professionalism and development to upset the decades-old bipolar politics in Kerala. Understanding the pivotal role of panchayats in expanding its support base at the grassroots level, the party has been persevering for the past six months -- reorganising booth-level committees, forming election-management committees at ward level and preparing panchayat-specific development agenda. Besides, its cadre has been actively enroling new voters, an exercise done by only the CPM in the past. The party has added around 8 lakh new voters over the past few months. The BJP studied long-pending projects and explored central initiatives that can be utilised in each local body. Based on the effort, a development agenda has been prepared that will be presented before voters along with the party manifesto. The projects proposed for corporations such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have been sent to a Mumbai-based agency to be repackaged in a professional manner. We have prepared development plans for each local body diligently by identifying projects and discussing with local leaders and professionals. Our teams will visit houses and expose the long forgotten projects and the possibilities of unexplored central projects. There has been a shift in the outlook of voters and we believe this will lead to change, BJP state general secretary Anoop Antony said. Among the six corporations, the BJP is focusing on Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur. In the capital, the party topped the vote count in 71 corporation ward segments in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. In the Thrissur assembly constituency, Suresh Gopi posted a 14,117 vote advantage over his nearest rival. In Ollur, Suresh Gopi led by 10,000 votes. The BJP believes the last Lok Sabha election has transformed the election scenario, that will allow the party to post major gains in the local-body polls. The BJP is expecting discontent among Hindu voters over the Sabarimala gold theft to work in its favour in the south. In the central districts, the party is banking on its appeasement of the Christian community.

First-off-the-blocks UDF looks to press advantage in local body polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a gap of nearly 15 years, a sense of renewed hope appears to be sweeping through the ranks of the Congress-led UDF. Workers believe the alliance is finally poised to reemerge as a formidable force before the assembly election in 2026. According to senior leaders, the last time the UDF stormed the local bodies was in 2010. Since then the front has consistently disappointed, especially in 2015 and 2020 when the LDF consolidated its position. With these polls being viewed as a do-or-die battle, the Congress and allies see it as a curtain raiser to the assembly election. Despite a series of setbacks in recent years, the Congress has succeeded in energising its workers and local leadership. The end justifies the means, a Congress political affairs committee member said. We will not settle for nothing less than success, he said. At its Wayanad chintan shivir, the party unveiled Mission 2025, detailing its strategies and road map for local-body polls. Our workers visited homes before our opponents even began preparatory work, said KPCC working president P C Vishnunadh. We distributed leaflets highlighting the failures of the state and central governments, and for the first time, ward committees were authorised to collect funds from the public through coupons, he said. The UDF also focused on ensuring that voters affiliated to the front are added to the voters list. For the first time in decades, the Congress candidate selection process was uneventful. In Thiruvananthapuram corporation, the party released its list while both CPM and BJP were still finalising candidates. In the 2020 local-body election, the UDF lost Kochi and Thrissur corporations as rebels played spoilsport. This time, we were able to fix issues that arose at the grassroots level, Vishnunadh said. KPCC leaders were named to oversee activities in 14 districts, while senior party leaders were given charge of the six corporations. The leaderships decision to leave candidate selection to ward committees resulted in lowering the number of defectors. The UDF will raise the Sabarimala gold-theft controversy as a key issue this election. The opposition front will also look to milk any anti-incumbency against the LDF government. It will also focus on unemployment, the states financial strain and setbacks in the health sector, besides local issues.

LDF is banking on its welfare plank, history to retain edge in Kerala local body polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One of the trolls doing the rounds on October 29, the day Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rolled out a slew of welfare measures, was a tale of shared lament of two CM-hopefuls in the opposition UDF. It served to highlight, in no uncertain terms, how the out-of-the-blue dole outs would weigh on the upcoming local-body polls. Eyeing no less than a convincing win in the election to the three-tier bodies -- which is being viewed as a semi-final, coming as it does a few months ahead of the assembly election -- the LDF hopes to ride the wave of its welfare push. Determined to repeat the fronts success in previous elections, Pinarayi seems to have left no stone unturned. Over the past decade, the Left has held a upper hand in local-body polls. Moreover, being the ruling front has its advantages, as the very fact that it controls the levers of policy making can convert into votes. With this in mind, the front is opting for a multi-pronged approach, in which highlighting the state governments initiatives and how they reflect at the grassroots level is key. On the other hand, sufficient attention has been accorded to candidate selection by fielding a judicious mix of known faces, youngsters and women. What could, however, go wrong for the LDF would be a backlash on two fronts: Sabarimala and human-wildlife conflict. The gold theft controversy linked to the hill shrine and subsequent allegations could spell doom in the assembly election, if not the local-body polls. Countering the public perception over Sabarimala at the macro-level and fighting the human-wildlife narrative at the micro-level could be major challenges before the front. CPM secretariat member M Swaraj exuded confidence that the LDF governments development and welfare initiatives would reflect positively in the polls. The CPM feels that Congress early announcement of candidates may not yield the desired results. Even while the Left projects the UDF as its primary opponent, it perceives the challenge posed by the BJP, especially in corporations such as Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur. At a time when it is nurturing hopes of a third consecutive assembly term, nothing short of a compelling win will do for the LDF!

Keralas Goutham Krishna wins national sub-junior chess title, qualifies for world championship

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: International Master Goutham Krishna H continues to make waves. His latest exploit: national sub-junior title. The 15-year-old from Thiruvananthapuram was crowned champion in the 50th National Sub-Junior (Open) Chess Championship held recently in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. With the win, Goutham has qualified to represent India in the FIDE World Youth (Under 16) Chess Championship to be held in Italy next year. Goutham showcased remarkable consistency, focus, and fighting spirit throughout the event. He emerged the national champion with an impressive score of 9.5 out of 11 points, said Sreejith G S, Gouthams coach and FIDE-certified instructor. Goutham, who earned a cash prize of Rs 90,000 and a trophy at the event held from November 2 to 10, is a Class X student of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kodunganoor. This is the second major achievement by the chess prodigy in a months span. In October, the teenager had emerged as the first runner-up in the 62nd National Senior Chess Championship in Andhra Pradesh. He had competed with 21 chess players ranked above him to clinch the second spot. On round nine of the event, Goutham had defeated Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, a five-time champion at the Commonwealth and national levels. In 2022, Goutham was crowned national champion in the Under-12 category. He currently has an International Chess Federation commonly referred to by its French acronym FIDE rating of 2425 and a GM norm under his belt. Two more GM norms and a rating above 2,500 would earn Goutham the title of Grandmaster. In May, Goutham was in supreme form at the third International Chess Tournament in Kuwait. The prestigious event involved 329 players from across the globe, including 30 GMs. Despite being seeded 30th, Goutham demonstrated remarkable poise and panache, securing second place and a cheque for 9,000 US dollars.

Staff, space crunch chokes Kozhikode MCH

KOZHIKODE: In the dim, overcrowded corridors of the old block at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), one of Keralas largest and most reputed public health institutions, pain and exhaustion have become routine. The smell of antiseptic mixes with the stifling heat of human suffering as patients lie side by side on thin mats, clutching their saline bottles hung from iron window grills and door handles. Even the verandas have turned into makeshift wards. Glucose drips dangle from nails on the walls. Nurses crouch on the floor to insert IV lines, while resident doctors move from one patient to another, bending down to check blood pressure or oxygen levels. This is not how medicine should be practised, said a senior physician, shaking his head. It breaks our hearts to see patients lying on the floor, but we have nowhere to put them. The old block is the worst affected. The wards are bursting at the seams, said a senior resident in the medicine department. We examine more than 500 patients daily. There are moments when two or three patients share one bed, and when even thats impossible, they lie on the verandah. Sometimes, even that space runs out. Inside Ward 9, a 58-year-old from Malappuram lies near the door, his saline bottle tied to a piece of rope hanging from a window latch. We came here because we cant afford private hospitals, he said weakly. But here, we are surviving, not healing. The mosquitoes dont let us sleep. Still, where else can we go? In another corner, Sujatha (name changed) wipes her daughters forehead with a damp cloth. Yesterday, she had a bed, today shes back on the floor. We keep moving from bed to floor, from one ward to another. Its humiliating and painful, but what choice do we have, she said. Doctors, visibly exhausted, try their best to cope. We are treating over 300 outpatients a day, and in some cases, close to 1,000, not counting emergency cases, said a senior resident who requested anonymity. There simply isnt enough staff or space. Sometimes, we have to check patients sitting on the floor because theres no place to even stand. The hospital, which caters to patients from five northern districts, has long been plagued by severe staff shortages. Out of 393 sanctioned doctor posts, 61 remain vacant. In the medicine department alone, five assistant professor posts and three senior resident positions are unfilled. Nurses too are stretched beyond limits, caring for up to 50 patients each, a ratio compared to the ideal 1:4 standard. Health activists say the situation exposes deep cracks in the states public health claims.The government keeps boasting about Keralas healthcare model, said social activist N P Pramod. But when patients are lying on the floor of a medical college hospital in 2025, its clear the system is collapsing from neglect. The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has repeatedly questioned the authorities for inhumane conditions, yet little has changed. We issued directives months ago, said a commission official. But the ground reality remains the same -- overcrowding, lack of beds, staff shortage, and patients suffering in silence. Hospital officials admit to challenges The shortage worsened after the 2019 batch of house surgeons completed their term, said a senior hospital administrator. We are in the process of appointing non-academic junior residents to fill the gap, but only a few have joined so far. Recent mishaps have added to the chaos. A few months ago, a fire in the MRI units UPS room and another in an operating theatre forced temporary evacuation of patients. They were crammed into older wards, adding to the overcrowding. For nearly three months, we shared space with double the number of patients, said a nurse. Even basic care became impossible. Now, at least the Super Speciality block of the MCH looks pretty decent with patients being treated as humans, said a bystander there. Recently, members of the Kerala NGO Union, Government Nurses Association, and the Government Officers Association formed a human chain around the campus, protesting what they called an attempt to weaken the public health sector. Crisis inside MCH Overcrowded wards Patients lying side by side on floors and verandas Saline bottles tied to window grills and wall nails Up to 3 patients sharing one bed in some wards

Bengaluru man combs every Kochi street, bylane in search of missing father

KOCHI: In the rush of cars and bikes in Kochi city, a young man sat quietly on the steps of a commercial complex near Pathadipalam metro station. Suddenly, he leapt up and ran towards an elderly passerby, his eyes searching the mans face with desperate hope, only to turn away disappointed. The 35-year-old man then returned to his spot, beside a fading poster that read Missing: Suraj Lama. Santon Lama, son of 59-year-old Suraja Bengaluru resident who went missing in Kochi after being deported from Kuwait last month has had the same routine every day: combing every shortcut, bypass and street across Ernakulam district in search of his father. Every time my phone rings, hope fills my heart. Yesterday night (Tuesday), I got a call from Perumbavoor about a possible sighting. I rushed there and searched till morning, but in vain, said Santon. Suraj worked in Kuwait for nearly 30 years, running his own restaurant. He was deported to Kochi after reportedly suffering memory loss caused by methanol poisoning. After his condition worsened, Suraj was transferred to a deportation centre and sent to India. Two days after his arrival, we received a photo of an air ticket from one of his friends in Kuwait, revealing that my father had been deported via Jazeera Airways on October 4 and landed in Kochi the next day, said Santon. He said, I recently rented a bike to ease my search. Every morning, I fill its tank and ride through the streets, residential areas and bylanes across Ernakulams rural belt - from Aluva to Perumbavoor - looking for my father. By evening, I return to the city and continue looking in public places, including the shelter home premises. At night, I go from one metro pillar to another, checking the people sleeping there, hoping to find my father among them. Santon Lama I wish to find my father and reunite him with my mother After a missing persons complaint was filed, a Kochi Metro feeder bus driver claimed he saw Suraj at the Aluva metro station. There were also reports of him being spotted near a house in the Thrikkakara area. None of the leads panned out. The police had admitted Suraj to Kalamassery Medical College Hospital on October 10, but he disappeared from there, Santon said, his voice cracking. He said his father wasnt deported using his passport, but through some special arrangement. How did he pass immigration? Why was he sent to Kochi instead of Bengaluru? Why didnt the Kuwaiti officials inform us? And how could the airport authorities let an ailing elderly man leave unattended? So many questions and not a single answer. Is this the treatment a common citizen deserves? he asked. I am not looking for a confrontation with the authorities. As his only son, I wish to find my father and reunite him with my mother in Bengaluru, who is living a life drained of hope, Santon said. The police and authorities grow weary of the prolonged search for Suraj. However, Sunny remains deeply grateful to everyone involved. After we filed a habeas corpus petition, the High Court directed the Kerala Police to respond and form a special investigation team, which included me. Migrant workers in Ernakulam, especially in the Perumbavoor Bengali Market, have been incredibly supportive, even setting up an inquiry booth. Moreover, Justice Devan Ramachandran of the High Court personally reached out to me after learning about the case and extended his support, Santon said. On the fate of his fathers restaurant at Al Salmiya in Kuwait, Suraj said he had hardly thought about it. All he is concerned with is finding his father, no matter how many days it takes.

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