Supreme Court nod for Kerala High Court to continue execution proceedings in Kashi Math case
Kerala High Court decision of August 2026 allows Kashi Matadhipati Samyamindra Tirtha to continue execution proceedings for recovery of gold, silver ornaments and paraphernalia belonging to Kashi Math Samsthan from Raghavendra Tirtha
Shaju S. takes charge as chairperson of Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society
Schools arts fete in Ernakulam in January
Habitual offender arrested after chase in Thiruvananthapuram
The accused, identified as Suresh alias Jambulingam Suresh, who hails from Balaramapuram, had allegedly been evading arrest after a case involving an attack on a woman and her daughter on August 20
NH 66, NH 544 safety lapses in Thrissur will be fixed in a month: NHAI
Review meeting assesses progress of construction, maintenance, upgrades and safety measures on the two highways; lighting and warning signs to be installed in two weeks
Relief of residents as removal of chemical-laced soil begins in village in Keralam
The hazardous chemical waste from the now-defunct Binani Zinc Limited in Ernakulam district was illegally transported and dumped across private lands in Eriyad, a coastal village in Thrissur district, a few months ago, under the guise of regular soil for land filling, raising environmental concerns among the public. A meeting chaired by RDO decided to remove the entire material within two days
The changes are part of the corrective steps intended by the extended State committee meeting held under the monitoring of the central leadership led by general secretary M.A. Baby and other Polit Bureau members
CPI-M wears a smile, but ED cloud hangs over Vijayan camp
Digital Desk | Kozhikode, Sep 15 (IANS) The CPI-M leadership has put up a smiling face as its extended three-day Kerala state committee meeting ended here on Tuesday, but the proceedings have left little doubt that the party is still grappling with the political fallout of its electoral debacle. And, before the leadership could fully close ranks, the Enforcement Directorate investigation involving former Chief Minister and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayans family added a fresh layer of uncertainty. The timing could hardly have been more uncomfortable for the party. The day the state committee meeting concluded began with television channels flashing details of the 25-page report sent by the ED to the state police chief in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic case and alleged hawala transactions involving Vijayans daughter T. Veena and her husband and former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas. The allegations have been denied, but the political impact of the revelations could prove harder to contain than the legal questions themselves. The state committee meeting was convened in the aftermath of the partys electoral rout, which saw the CPI-M-led LDF reduced to a dramatically diminished force and forced the party leadership to confront questions over its style of functioning, political messaging and organisational weaknesses. The three-day deliberations were consequently watched for signs of a substantive course correction and, more importantly, whether responsibility for the setback would travel upwards. The leadership has sought to project unity. The two committees were slightly reconstituted, and the 307 delegates eventually joined the public meeting, where thousands of party workers and supporters had gathered. There was no visible sign of an organisation in disarray. But the ED investigation has changed the political equation in ways that cannot be settled through organisational restructuring alone. Riyas, who was present at the public meeting, appeared confident when asked about the allegations. Dismissing the media revelations, he said: No wrong has been done at all. His assertion reflects the line the leadership is likely to maintain as the investigation progresses. The larger question, however, is whether the ED probe will remain a legal battle for the individuals concerned or evolve into another political liability for a party already struggling to recover from its electoral collapse. For Vijayan, the stakes are particularly high. He has so far maintained silence on the outcome of the state committee meeting even as questions over the ED findings increasingly hover over his political legacy. For Riyas and Veena too, the unfolding investigation could become a prolonged political burden. The CPI-M may have succeeded in ending its three-day exercise with a show of confidence, but whether that confidence survives the next phase of the ED onslaught will remain the real test.
KWA to re-tender 5 MLD STP as no bidder qualifies; Work begins on 27-km sewage pipeline in Kochi
The sewerage treatment project includes three components an STP and two sewage pipeline networks of 27 km and 17 km
Kerala Man Arrested for Fraudulently Promising Foreign Visas
A man in Kerala was arrested for defrauding victims by promising visas to Canada and Australia. He faces multiple charges across the state. Kerala Man Arrested for Fraudulently Promising Foreign Visas
Kerala Man Arrested for Fraudulent Visa Promises
A man in Kerala has been arrested for defrauding several individuals by falsely promising visas for Canada and Australia. Kerala Man Arrested for Fraudulent Visa Promises
Konkani: A Living Cultural Bridge from Goa to Kerala
Konkani: A Living Cultural Bridge from Goa to Kerala Languages are more than instruments of communication. They are repositories of memory, identity, and collective experience. Konkani, spoken across different regions of India and carried by generations of communities beyond its original geographical landscape, is a remarkable example of a language that has survived migration while [] The post Konkani: A Living Cultural Bridge from Goa to Kerala appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
People should come forward to guide CPI(M): Baby
Party national general secretary says people should point out its mistakes, aberrations, and confusions at a public rally marking culmination of CPI(M)s extended State committee meet in Kozhikode
Kerala moves to enact comprehensive law for care of senior citizens
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 (IANS) The V.D. Satheesan government is working to bring in comprehensive legislation for the care and protection of senior citizens in the state, as it moves to fast-track the proposed Kerala State Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026. Satheesan on Tuesday reviewed the proposed legislation and directed that the process be expedited, with the government seeking to establish a senior citizen-friendly system in response to Keralas rapidly changing demographic profile. The proposed law seeks to promote healthy and active ageing while enabling senior citizens to continue living in their own homes, families, and social environments for as long as possible. It also proposes measures to ensure safe and quality care for those who require institutional or specialised support. The legislation is expected to introduce standards and accountability mechanisms for senior care centres, assisted living facilities, day homes, and home care agencies. The government also plans to professionalise caregiving through a Kerala Geriatric Care Certification Framework. Under the proposed framework, caregivers would undergo training, certification and background verification. A state-level register of trained caregivers is also proposed. The government expects the move to improve the quality of care while creating a skilled caregiving workforce and new employment opportunities. The Bill also envisages developing a silver economy, linking the growing needs of the elderly population with economic and employment opportunities. This would include promoting services and innovations in areas such as elderly care, healthcare, technology, assisted living, home care, and senior-friendly products. The proposed system will have state- and district-level implementation and monitoring mechanisms, along with grievance redressal arrangements to address complaints and protect the rights of senior citizens. Special provisions are also proposed for digital and financial security of the elderly and for those requiring specialised care. Satheesan stressed the need for Kerala to prepare in advance for both the challenges and opportunities arising from its ageing population. The proposed legislation seeks to create a future-ready system that places dignity, quality care, protection and active ageing at the centre of the state's senior-citizen policy. The government sees the proposed law as an important step towards building a more organised and accountable care system as the number of elderly people in Kerala continues to grow.
Mukulam portal to ensure equal opportunities for students in entrance tests: Keralam Minister
Mukulam will provide higher secondary and vocational higher secondary students free AI-based training to prepare them for entrance tests such as NEET, JEE CUET, KVPY and for admission to IISER
Mukulam portal to ensure equal opportunities for students in entrance tests: Keralam Minister
Mukulam will provide higher secondary and vocational higher secondary students free AI-based training to prepare them for entrance tests such as NEET, JEE CUET, KVPY and for admission to IISER
CM reviews draft Keralam State Elderly Persons (Care and Protection) Bill
One of its thrust areas is transformation of the care-giving sector into a professional mechanism
Bangladeshi woman arrested in Kannur for alleged illegal stay
IPS, IMA keralam units oppose Happiness and Wellness tag for mental health centres
Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), Kerala and the Indian Medical Association, Kerala say rebranding of mental health centres trivialises severe illnesses and could mislead patients about the nature of treatment offered at these essential public institutions.
Kerala HC dismisses petition challenging JJB order in Alappuzha murder case
Court says the 13 conditions imposed by the board in its order allowing escorted movement of the three CCL for evidence recovery are sufficient to safeguard them from social stigma
Kerala University institutes scrutiny into Chintha Jeromes PhD thesis
Decision based on a complaint submitted by Syndicate member R.S. Sasikumar to Vice Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal, which pointed out that no further action had been taken by the university on the issue despite the Governor having forwarded a complaint concerning the alleged widespread errors in the PhD thesis
Corruption alleged over distribution of Onam kits for Corporation employees as well as school kits for students. The kits were distributed after collecting gifts and donations from commercial establishments
80 per cent of Malayalis benefited from Modi govt: Kerala BJP
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 (IANS) Claiming that around 80 per cent of Malayalis have benefited from various initiatives of the Narendra Modi government, the BJP on Tuesday announced an extensive month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Kerala from September 17 to October 17 to mark 25 years of Modis public service. State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the campaign would focus on taking the message of service-oriented politics directly to the people. The party plans to reach at least 50 lakh people across Kerala during the month-long programme. BJP state general secretary S. Suresh said the reach of the Modi governments welfare and development initiatives in Kerala was extensive, with around 80 per cent of Malayalis having benefited from one or more of its schemes. He said the scale of the governments outreach could be gauged from schemes covering welfare, banking, digital payments and even Covid vaccination. The BJP will organise programmes at nearly 20,000 booths across the state. Around 2,000 party representatives will conduct ward-level audits to identify beneficiaries of Central government schemes and assess their reach. Special camps will also be held to identify eligible people who have not received scheme benefits and help them access them. The campaign is being organised to mark 25 years since Modi became Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001. According to the BJP, his tenure in Gujarat demonstrated an approach of turning crises into opportunities and placing development at the centre of governance. The party will also highlight what it describes as Indias major advances in infrastructure and the economy since Modi became Prime Minister in 2014. As part of the campaign, beneficiaries of Central schemes will participate in Vikas Ke Liye Deepam, lighting lamps at their homes to express solidarity with PM Modi. Drawing and speech competitions on Swapna Bharat will be held for school students from September 17 to October 7, while Anganwadi Utsav will be organised from September 25 to October 7. Blood donation and medical camps will be held from September 25 to October 2. The BJPs help desks, launched a year ago, will coordinate the activities. Seva Samarpan Month will be observed officially in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Palakkad and Thrippunithura municipalities and BJP ruled panchayats. On October 7, Vikas Jyothi Yatras will be held from 30 BJP organisational district centres across Kerala, culminating in public meetings attended by party workers and beneficiaries of Central government schemes. Chandrasekhar said the campaign was aimed at conveying the message that public service should be the foundation of politics and sharing with people the journey of Modis 25 years in public life.
Puja festival: special train to Chennai from Thiruvananthapuram extended
Four from Munnar scale remote Ramjak mountain in Himachal Pradesh
Kannan M., Vinod Jacob, Prince Jacob, and Shijo Jose complete the arduous expedition in 10 days
Ceiling panel collapses at hospital in Palakkad
Several people were waiting in line to collect outpatient tickets at the Government Women and Children Hospital when the incident occurred. No one was injured
Ceiling panel collapses at hospital in Palakkad
Several people were waiting in line to collect outpatient tickets at the Government Women and Children Hospital when the incident occurred. No one was injured
Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, holds convocation
The function marked the institutions 151th year in legal education
Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, holds convocation
The function marked the institutions 151th year in legal education
CPI(M)s Keralam meet condemns ED action against Pinarayi, Veena, Riyas
In a resolution passed on the concluding day of the meeting on Tuesday, the party says the political witch-hunt being conducted by the ED will be strongly resisted both legally and politically
Resident of care home steps into a new life
Shalini, who grew up under the protective care of Government After Care Home for Adolescent Girls at Injavila, Kollam, marries Sudheesh of Anchalummoodu
Resident of care home steps into a new life
Shalini, who grew up under the protective care of Government After Care Home for Adolescent Girls at Injavila, Kollam, marries Sudheesh of Anchalummoodu
After catering fraud, association releases list of licensed caterers in Keralams Kottayam
Move assumes significance in the wake of two families in Kottayam being allegedly cheated by a Kanjirappally-based catering service, which failed to deliver food for wedding receptions organised by the families
Clicking a stars death explosion from 45 million years ago
The student astronomy club of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram clicks the image of supernova SN 2026aaiv that was observed in a spiral galaxy located roughly 45 million light years away from earth
CPM Censures MV Govindan After Kerala Poll Debacle, Overhauls Leadership
CPM revamps leadership, takes corrective measures after Kerala poll rout
Suspense continues over vice-chairperson election in Pala municipality in Keralam
Inability of Nagara Vikasana Munnani, an alliance of Left Democratic Front councillors and rebel Congress members, to select a consensus candidate has opened an opportunity for the United Democratic Front, which is stepping up efforts to wrest the post even as the LDF weighs fielding its own candidate
Hindi Day celebrated at Victoria college
Hindi Nahin Toh, a play written and directed by Mr. Sahadevan, was staged on the occasion.
Yellow alert for three Keralam districts on September 16
Farmers self-respect will be restored: Minister T. Siddique
Agriculture Minister T. Siddique says the government is committed to bringing the younger generation back to farming. Agricultural clubs have been started in 500 schools, and grace marks for students engaged in farming activities are under consideration.
Kerala solo vlogger detained in Afghanistan: What happened to Backpacker Arunima
A solo trip through Afghanistan turned into a frightening ordeal for Arunima I P, a travel vlogger from Kerala, after local authorities in Bamyan threatened to arrest her for travelling without a male companion or guide. Arunima, who travels under the name Backpacker Arunima, initially posted that she had been arrested by the Mujahideen and [] The post Kerala solo vlogger detained in Afghanistan: What happened to Backpacker Arunima appeared first on Tfipost.com .
Farmer-scientist interaction programme held in Wayanad
The programme highlighted the importance of scientific livestock management, balanced nutrition, and improved reproductive management for enhancing livestock productivity
Vallathaikkadavu bridge to open to traffic next week
The new bridge is expected to ease travel through the hilly agricultural areas of eastern Kozhikode
Sabarimala pilgrimage preparations face delays as deadline nears
Concerns have been raised over stalled infrastructure projects, including sanitation, road improvements, and essential amenities at stopover points, which could hinder the influx of pilgrims.
Sabarimala pilgrimage preparations face delays as deadline nears
Concerns have been raised over stalled infrastructure projects, including sanitation, road improvements, and essential amenities at stopover points, which could hinder the influx of pilgrims.
Speaking at a discussion with representatives of farmers organisations from forest fringe areas on measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and other issues in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, Minister says that any acquisition of land, if found unavoidable, will be carried out only after providing compensation
Speaking at a discussion with representatives of farmers organisations from forest fringe areas on measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and other issues in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, Minister says that any acquisition of land, if found unavoidable, will be carried out only after providing compensation
Kollam railway station redevelopment to be completed by December 2027
An advanced Building Management System will centrally monitor and regulate passenger-related services, automatically adjusting station lighting, announcements, and other amenities based on real-time crowd density
UCC move part of RSS Hindu Rashtra agenda: INL
Sangh Parivars objective is to impose the culture, laws, and way of life of the majority community on all sections of people in the country and thereby establish the Hindu Rashtra it envisages, says INL
Agimol Pradeep wins global nursing award for tackling South Asian donation gap
UK nurse Agimol Pradeep wins global award for tackling South Asian organ donation gap Beat 134,000 entrants from 214 countries in award's biggest-ever year Her initiative Upahaar has registered over 10,000 South Asian stem-cell donors since 2012 Will use $250,000 prize to expand her work and fund nursing education A UK-BASED nurse who has spent over a decade tackling low rates of organ and stem-cell donation among South Asian communities has been named the world's best nurse, winning the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026 and a $250,000 prize. Agimol Pradeep, a senior transplant coordinator at King's College Hospital and honorary senior lecturer at the University of Salford, was chosen from among 134,000 registrations across 214 countries and economies, in the award's largest-ever field. She was celebrated at a ceremony in Kochi on Saturday, attended by Kerala chief minister VD Satheesan and senior healthcare and nursing leaders. Her mission began when an Asian patient in the UK asked her whether his ethnicity played a role in his more than three-year wait for a kidney transplant, while others appeared to receive one within months. The question stayed with her and led her to investigate wider disparities in transplant access affecting South Asian patients. If I didn't know the depth of it, how do I expect my patients to know about it? Pradeep said, recalling the moment that inspired her to dig deeper. Her research into South Asian patients and families found that low donor registration was not down to a lack of willingness, but a lack of information. She uncovered myths, religious concerns and misplaced fears holding people back including worries that treatment would suffer, that signing up could put their own life at risk, and concerns about organ trafficking. It is all about people knowing about it, she said, stressing the need to make conversations around donation more normal, and adding that awareness should begin in schools. In 2012, she joined clinicians and community members, including kidney donor and advocate Father Davis Chiramel, to launch Upahaar, an initiative promoting organ and stem-cell donation specifically within South Asian communities. What began as a small group has grown to around 100 volunteers, and the initiative has now registered more than 10,000 stem-cell donors each one a potential lifeline for patients with blood cancers, for whom genetic compatibility within their own community can be critical to finding a match. The response has been largely positive, Pradeep said, with around 80 per cent of people at community events welcoming once their concerns are addressed, particularly among younger people. Create an open space for conversation that will give you a positive result, she said. Her impact extends beyond donor awareness. Pradeep contributed to regulatory changes allowing internationally trained nurses to return to the UK workforce, helping ease nursing shortages work that, alongside her transplant advocacy, earned her the British Empire Medal. She plans to put half her prize money into expanding Upahaar to more communities and countries, with the rest funding nursing education to encourage more nurses to become advocates. Winning the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is an extraordinary honour, but more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to take a lifetime of work further, Pradeep said. Her goal remains ensuring that a person's chance of a life-saving transplant is never determined by their ethnicity or community. (With inputs from agencies)
Keralam to introduce Hazard Perception Test for driving licence aspirants
Applicants will have to clear the test within 30 days of passing the learners test and and only those passing it can attend the ground and road tests
Agimol Pradeep, an Indian-origin nurse, won the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026. She received $250,000 for her work promoting organ and stem-cell donation awareness. Pradeep will use half the prize money to expand Upahaar's mission for patients needing transplants. The award recognized her leadership and impact in nursing globally. Kerala's Chief Minister highlighted the worldwide scarcity of nurses during the event.
CPI(M) Begins Organisational Revamp in Keralam After Poll Defeat
The party intends to intensify its ideological fight against communalism and the growing influence of right-wing forces in Keralam's social and cultural space, the CPIM Kerala state Secretary MV Govindan said
Ravada A. Chandrasekhar says Kerala Police havereceived nine complaints regarding an AI-generated satirical video allegedly showing Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan dancingwith Kerala State Electricity Board workers and the police have approached Meta seeking removal of the video from its social media platforms
Kerala LLB3 (KLEE 3-year LLB) counselling 2026 vacant seat round check the latest allotment schedule, registration process, fee, eligibility and direct link to the official portal cee.kerala.gov.in.
Meet Levin Paulose: The 12-year-old Kerala schoolboy who builds DIY robots
Kerala M.Pharm 2026 Second Phase Option Registration - Check Dates, Fee
CEE Kerala has opened M.Pharm 2026 second phase online option registration from 14 to 17 September 2026. Check dates, eligibility, fee, allotment schedule, and the direct registration link at cee.kerala.gov.in.
Study on Keralam ELSA-3 shipwreck shows persistent nurdle pollution, evolving ecological impacts
In the aftermath of the May 2025 accident, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) initiated short term (rapid) and long term (two years) impact assessment studies through Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) in Thoothukudi.
Reimagining Keralam Roundtable to Implement for 73 Budget Projects
The initiative brings together more than 40 government departments and agencies to work out implementation plans, with priority given to projects involving multiple departments
Kochi to Host Cybersecurity Hackathon in October: Keralam Police Chief
He said that the eight-day conference will bring together cyber security experts, law enforcement agencies, industry leaders, researchers, technology professionals, academicians and students from across India and around the world
Justice C.S. Dias directs Chottanikkara Judicial First Class Magistrate court to start proceedings from September 22 and dispose of the matter within six months
Keralas Reimagining Keralam to chart roadmap for 73 major projects
More than 40 government departments and agencies will participate in discussions to determine project ownership, resources, funding and implementation strategies
Keralam power crisis: KSEB invites bids for power supply for next three months
Electricity board floats tender to procure 300 MW to 800 MW to meet power demand from October to December this year
Cyber security, hacking conferences to be held in Kochi in Oct, says Keralam Police chief
The eight-day conference will bring together cyber security experts, law enforcement agencies, industry leaders, researchers, technology professionals, academicians and students from across India and around the world
Fire breaks out at automobile service centre in Keralams Kochi; none injured
The blaze broke out when workers were uninstalling steel frames of the facility as part of relocation
CPI(M) Faces Internal Criticism Over Leadership Style After Kerala Election Loss
CPI(M) leaders question Pinarayi Vijayans leadership style following a significant electoral defeat in Kerala. CPI(M) Faces Internal Criticism Over Leadership Style After Kerala Election Loss
Kerala to launch three-day conference on 73 development projects
The News Mill
Crime Branch vs Kerala PSC: Who will blink first in probe into irregularities?
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 (IANS) The standoff between the Crime Branch and the Kerala Public Service Commission over the questioning of its members in the Planning Board examination irregularities case is set to intensify, with the investigating agency refusing to yield and preparing to ask the members to appear before it for questioning. Sources familiar with the developments said the Crime Branch is all set to write to the PSC members, making it clear that they will have to come to the Crime Branch headquarters to give their statements. The move comes after the PSC conveyed that its members would not appear at the Crime Branch office and that they were willing to cooperate if the investigators came to the PSC headquarters instead. The emerging confrontation is now turning into a test of authority between a constitutional recruitment body and a criminal investigation agency. The Crime Branch is understood to be of the view that the constitutional status of the PSC does not confer any special protection on its chairman or members from being questioned in a criminal investigation. The agency is also maintaining that proceedings before a Legislative Assembly committee and a criminal investigation are entirely different and cannot be equated. The PSC, however, has relied on its constitutional status and protocol to resist the summons. The Commission had earlier taken a similar stand when its secretary was summoned by the Assembly Petitions Committee. The High Court had subsequently ruled that the secretary need not appear, taking into account the constitutional status of the PSC. The Crime Branch is not treating that order as a bar to its investigation. The agency has already registered a case over the alleged irregularities in the Planning Board recruitment examination, though no one has so far been named as an accused. The SIT headed by IG Ajitha Beegam has been examining the role of PSC officials and members in the controversial examination and selection process. The questioning of the Commission members is being viewed as a crucial next step. The investigators had initially decided to question the members involved in the process and subsequently record the statement of PSC Chairman M.R. Baiju, who had personally conducted the interview for the post. The Crime Branch has already identified serious lapses in the evaluation process and sought action against officials found responsible. It has also sought a review of two appointments made on the basis of the controversial examination. With the PSC refusing to come to the Crime Branch headquarters and the agency preparing to reiterate its demand, the immediate question is who will blink first. The dispute could ultimately move into the legal arena if the two sides fail to resolve the issue. For the Crime Branch, allowing the PSC's position to prevail could complicate the investigation into the examination irregularities. For the PSC, appearing before the police could set a precedent concerning the manner in which members of a constitutional body are questioned. As the clock ticks, the next communication from the Crime Branch to the PSC members could, therefore, determine whether the confrontation ends in compliance, negotiation or a fresh legal battle.
Kochi to host Keralams c0c0n 2026cybersecurity conference in October
Organised by Kerala Police, the event will bring together cybersecurityprofessionals, government and lawenforcement agencies, industry leaders, researchers, technologyexperts, academicians and students
Keralam elderly welfare: Govt sets up CM-led council to coordinate, monitor activities
14-member governing council will ensure the welfare of the elderly, their safety, health care, social participation, mental health, and financial security
Kerala Woman Vlogger Says Solo Trip Led to Arrest Threat In Afghanistan
A Keralite woman travel vlogger, who had earlier claimed that she was arrested by the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, has now said that local authorities threatened to arrest her in Bamyan.
Power crisis puts Satheesan govt under pressure; Oppn mounts attack
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 (IANS) The power crisis is fast emerging as the first major political and administrative challenge for the V.D. Satheesan government, with the Left Opposition stepping up its attack over the continuing power cuts and contrasting the situation with the previous decade when Kerala had largely remained free of scheduled power restrictions. Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph's admission on Tuesday that no final decision has been taken on buying power from NTPC at around Rs 30 a unit has added to the uncertainty. The minister said such high-cost procurement would impose a huge financial burden on the state and would require Cabinet approval. He also declined to say how long the current power cuts would continue, saying the government was trying all possible options to resolve the crisis at the earliest. The CPI(M) led Left is using the shortage to portray the new government as incapable of managing the power sector, pointing out that routine cuts had virtually disappeared during the 10 years of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. The political challenge for the Satheesan government is that consumers, rather than statistics on power availability, are now directly experiencing the impact of the shortage. But power sector experts argue that the present crisis cannot be viewed merely as a failure to procure enough electricity at short notice. Engineering physicist and power sector expert K.S. Manoj said the shortage exposed a deeper vulnerability in Kerala's power system, its dependence on external power, volatile procurement costs and the absence of sufficiently strong long-term planning. The immediate question is the cost of keeping the system running. If 300 MW were to be purchased continuously at Rs 30 per unit, the power bill alone would work out to about Rs 2.16 crore a day, or nearly Rs 65 crore for 30 days. The actual financial impact, however, would depend on the quantity procured, duration and contractual terms, said Manoj. He said that KSEB needed a full-time professional Chairman and Managing Director with expertise in power-system management. He says the issue should not become an IAS-versus-technocrat debate, but that whoever heads the utility should have the technical competence, managerial ability, accountability and continuity needed to handle decisions involving power procurement, generation, transmission and electricity markets. The crisis has also revived questions over Kerala's long-term power strategy. The state needs an integrated 15-20 year plan covering demand growth, hydropower availability, renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy storage and the possibility of national-level power shortages. The focus, the expert says, should shift from merely adding installed capacity to ensuring firm and flexible power during periods of peak demand. Hydro and pumped-storage potential, battery storage, renewable generation, demand response and a diversified procurement portfolio would have to form part of such a strategy. The present crisis is also likely to bring earlier long-term power purchase agreements under renewed scrutiny. Such agreements, the expert argues, should be assessed through an independent technical and financial review rather than through political blame. For the Satheesan government, however, the immediate political reality is more pressing. Until supply stabilises, the Opposition is likely to keep presenting the power cuts as evidence of administrative failure, while the government will have to explain why a state that went through a decade with virtually no routine cuts is now facing a shortage severe enough to consider buying power at an exceptionally high price. The real test, therefore, is not merely how the government gets Kerala through the present shortage, but whether it can prevent the cycle of shortage, emergency procurement, high costs and renewed shortage from becoming a recurring feature of the state's power sector.
Kerala vlogger on solo trip to Afghanistan faced arrest
A Keralite woman travel vlogger, Arunima, faced threats of arrest in Bamyan, Afghanistan, for violating local laws that prohibit women from travelling alone. She recounted being questioned by authorities and needing assistance to proceed, highlighting the challenges faced by solo female travellers in the region.
Keralam power crisis: Regulatory panel urges KSEB to fast-track battery energy storage projects
Indications are that all the five large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) planned across the State are likely to be in place only toward the end of 2026
Meta Blocks Viral AI-Generated Dance Video of Kerala Leader VD Satheesan in India
Kerala gold trade sector pins hopes on proposed jewellery park
Association asks Centre to cut gold import duty to 6%, citing smuggling and a weak rupee
New Revelations in CMRL-Exalogic Case Spark Political Turmoil in Kerala
Allegations of money laundering linked to former Kerala CMs family intensify political tensions ahead of CPI(M) conference. New Revelations in CMRL-Exalogic Case Spark Political Turmoil in Kerala
Hindu Festivals Draw Controversy Over Krishna-Chicken Ads
A controversy in Kerala has brought the sensitive question of religious imagery in commercial advertising into sharp focus after restaurant promotions featuring Lord Krishna alongside chicken and other non-vegetarian dishes surfaced online. The visuals, circulated around Lord Vishnu, triggered strong reactions from sections of the Hindu community, who argued that using revered deities to promote [] The post Hindu Festivals Draw Controversy Over Krishna-Chicken Ads appeared first on Tfipost.com .
The directive, issued based on monitoring of the States public distribution system, will affect 5,370 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card holders(6,401 beneficiaries)and 38,909 Priority Household (PHH) card holders(60,300 beneficiaries)
Theft reported at Keralam MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadans under-construction house; police launch probe
Case filed based on complaint that electrical wires worth 50,000 reportedly stolen from Kuzhalnadans property
CPI(M) leader Mohamed Riyas rejects hawala allegations against wife and Pinarayis daughter T. Veena
Riyas says the 'scribblings' found by ED during its probe into CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case were related to a future business endeavour Veena was planning
Discussions also covered the States expanding port and aviation infrastructure, as well as its pool of talent comprising world-class doctors, engineers, and IT experts
Pinarayi Vijayan era under fire as CPI(M) meet on Kerala poll debacle reaches its sharpest point
Digital Desk | Kozhikode, Sep 15 (IANS) The CPI(M)s extended state committee meeting entered its concluding day on Tuesday with the party facing an unusually open and sharp internal questioning of the leadership style that has dominated Kerala for nearly three decades, with former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan clearly at the centre of the criticism. The three-day meeting, convened to review the Lefts crushing electoral defeat, has witnessed an unprecedented degree of criticism from district committees and delegates. Much of it has been directed, directly or indirectly, at the style of functioning that evolved around Vijayan, who first became state secretary in 1998 and remained in that position until 2014 before serving as Chief Minister from 2016 to 2026. The Kollam district committee reportedly bluntly linked the decline of communist parties elsewhere in the world to the arrogance of their leaders, while the Kannur committee said the decade of LDF rule had weakened the organisation. The 2026 Assembly election campaign claims that there was no alternative to the LDF, was also criticised as having worked against the party. The criticism assumes added significance because the Central Committee report itself had acknowledged serious organisational and political shortcomings. Delegates have demanded that the party should make its mistakes and the corrective measures it proposes to take clear to both the people and its cadre. Though Vijayan has not been the principal speaker in the discussions, the thrust of the criticism is unmistakably linked to the political style associated with him. State secretary M.V. Govindan has also come under criticism, particularly over the party organisation and its failure to arrest the electoral decline. All eyes are now on Govindans reply to the discussions. His response is expected to indicate how the state leadership intends to address the unusually candid criticism without allowing the debate to turn into an open leadership challenge. The political reality, however, appears to favour continuity. Despite the intensity of the criticism, there is little indication that the meeting is preparing the ground for an immediate change at the top. A dramatic leadership change involving either Vijayan or Govindan would require a major political intervention that does not appear imminent. For now, the focus is on whether Govindan can acknowledge the concerns raised by the delegates, defend the leadership where necessary and offer a credible course correction. The extended state committee will conclude with a massive public rally in Kozhikode in the evening. The party has claimed that over a lakh people will participate. The rally may provide the leadership an opportunity to project unity. But the debate inside the meeting has already ensured that the question of the Vijayan era and its legacy can no longer be kept outside the partys post-poll reckoning.
Kerala Vlogger Says She Escaped Arrest Threat in Afghanistan
The authorities in Bamyan told her that she had violated the law and would be arrested, the vlogger claimed
CMRL-Exalogic case: Reports say Veena's diary has 'hawala' details, Riyas trashes claims
Digital Desk | Kozhikode, Sep 15 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorates latest revelations in the CMRL-Exalogic case, that surfaced in the media on Tuesday, showing some purported documents allegedly containing pages of a diary linked to Veena Vijayan, rattled the CPI(M), which is holding a three-day convention in Kerala. The EDs 25-page communication to the State Police Chief, details of which were out in the media, on the concluding day of the three-day CPI(M) meeting, alleges that documents seized from the rented residence of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans daughter T. Veena contain evidence of money laundering and that hawala channels were used to transfer money abroad. The reports mentioned that the agency has also alleged that the former Minister and Veenas husband, P.A. Mohammed Riyas, had a role in the transactions. A 16-member WhatsApp group, comprising Riyass staff, friends and associates, was used in connection with hawala transactions. One number in the group was reportedly saved as Minister Riyas. The reports said that the agency has also purportedly identified a Koduvally native in the group whom it suspects of involvement in hawala operations. It is alleged that Veena and Riyas travelled together to Dubai, including in May 2024, as part of efforts to move money and establish a benami garment business in Veenas name. Notes allegedly written by Veena, seized during a May 27 raid at the residence in Thiruvananthapuram where she had stayed with Pinarayi Vijayan, have also been cited in the reports. The ED claims Veena acknowledged that she had written the notes, according to the reports. The disclosures could hardly have come at a more politically sensitive moment for the CPI(M). The extended state committee meeting was convened primarily to examine the Lefts crushing poll defeat and its drastic loss of political ground. The timing of the purported ED revelations has therefore added another layer of embarrassment to a party already under pressure to explain the electoral debacle. The mood was palpable on Tuesday morning when CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby and state Secretary M.V. Govindan emerged to proceed to the meeting venue. Both leaders maintained stoic silence when confronted with questions on the fresh allegations and walked away without responding. Riyas, however, launched an unusually sharp counterattack, dismissing the reports as a deliberately scripted campaign to tarnish his and his familys image. If this is important evidence, would it be released in this manner? he asked, rejecting as completely false propaganda the claim that Veena had admitted that the money involved was black money. Riyas said Veena had been questioned three times and that the ED had not asked her a single question about hawala transactions. He questioned the timing of the disclosures, pointing out that they emerged on the very day the CPI(M)s extended state committee meeting concluded. Describing the allegations as a precisely written script, Riyas said those behind it deserved the National Award for Best Screenplay. He maintained that he would fight the allegations legally and was not afraid. The EDs allegations and Riyass counterattack have now ensured that an issue the CPI(M) leadership may have hoped to keep outside the partys poll-debacle deliberations has become an unavoidable political talking point. More importantly, Riyas is a member of the power state secretariat committee, the crucial body of the state party unit.
Meet Agimol Pradeep, Indian-origin nurse who won $250,000 global nursing award
In a remarkable achievement, Indian-origin nurse Agimol Pradeep has clinched the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026, celebrated for her impactful advocacy in organ and stem-cell donation. The $250,000 award will see half allocated to Upahaar's efforts in expanding organ donation initiatives. This recognition not only emphasizes the vital contributions of nurses to healthcare but also aligns with Kerala's efforts to bolster its nursing workforce amid persistent global shortages.
TN govt plans university for AI, quantum computing, other emerging technologies
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 15 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department is preparing to establish a specialised university focusing on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology, climate technology and space technology. The proposed Periyar Institute of Emerging Technology will initially function as an autonomous institute under Anna University. The university has been entrusted with preparing a detailed project report covering its academic structure, infrastructure, research priorities, funding requirements and international collaborations. The institute is expected to begin its first academic session within five months. The governments long-term plan is to transform it into an independent university with powers to award degrees and conduct advanced, application-oriented research. The proposed institution will collaborate with leading universities, research centres and industries in India and abroad. Anna University will coordinate the initial partnerships and design specialised degree programmes aligned with developments in advanced technologies. The institute will focus on building a pool of highly skilled graduates and researchers capable of contributing to emerging industrial and scientific sectors. Its academic programmes are expected to combine classroom learning with research, product development and industry-based applications. The Higher Education Department is simultaneously working to establish an institute of excellence dedicated to basic sciences. Legislation required for setting up the institution is likely to be introduced during the current academic year. Modelled on the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, the proposed institute will have degree-awarding powers and concentrate on postgraduate education, doctoral programmes and postdoctoral research. Its principal fields will include physics, chemistry, mathematics and computational biology. Tamil Nadu also plans to collaborate with internationally recognised research institutions to develop academic programmes and research facilities that meet global standards. Around 30 prominent institutions currently undertake basic science research across India. Tamil Nadu is expected to become the third state, after Kerala and Odisha, to establish a state-level research institute exclusively for basic sciences. Alongside these initiatives, the government has relaxed requirements for establishing private universities. The minimum land requirement has been reduced from 100 acres to 12 acres in Chennai and 18 acres in other municipal corporation areas. The mandatory endowment fund has also been lowered from Rs 50 crore to Rs 25 crore. The changes are intended to attract credible educational institutions, encourage investment and expand access to specialised higher education and research facilities across the state.
PIB Srinagar media delegation visits Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum
Chennai, Sep 14: A 13 member media delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, organised by Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar, visited Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum at Muttukadu, Tamil Nadu, on Monday as part of press tour being conducted by PIB Srinagar from Sep 13 to 19. The delegation was briefed about the museum and its heritage structures by curator Lakuma Chebrolu. She explained the architectural features of the traditional homes preserved at the museum and provided information about the different regional styles represented there. The museum houses reconstructed traditional heritage homes from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The delegation was informed that the houses were carefully dismantled and reconstructed at the site with the involvement of regional artisans and traditional master builders. The visiting media delegation also explored the traditional streetscapes and living environments recreated at the museum, providing an insight into the architectural and cultural traditions of the southern states. Sharath Nambiar, Director, Dakshina Chitra, interacted with the delegation and briefed them about the history of the museum and its role in preserving India's tangible and intangible cultural heritage. He also highlighted the support extended by the Government, particularly the Ministry of Culture, which provided land for the institution and continues to extend assistance from time to time. The visit provided the media delegation an opportunity to understand the preservation and presentation of traditional architecture, indigenous crafts and performing arts, and their relevance for contemporary audiences. Later the delegation also met Sanjay Ghosh, Deputy Director, CBFC Chennai. The delegation is led by Shahid Mohammad Lone, Field Publicity Officer (FPO), Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), serving as the Conducting Officer, with Ifham Ul Islam Information Assistant, PIB Srinagar accompanying the delegation. The media tour of Srinagar based journalists is also significant since Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu are states paired together under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB).
According to the law of this country, a woman cannot travel alone, the vlogger, who runs the Facebook page Backpacker Arunima, said in a fresh social media post. She added that she had earlier been denied a permit in Jalalabad because she was travelling alone
Kerala HC issues notice to Mani C. Kappan on petition seeking disqualification as Pala MLA
The matter will be considered again on September 22
Kerala Aims to Boost Fisheries Sector Revenue to 5% of States Income
Keralas fisheries minister aims to increase the sectors revenue contribution to 5% through new initiatives and improved safety measures. Kerala Aims to Boost Fisheries Sector Revenue to 5% of States Income
