Kerala News

Compact hydroponic tray system developed

Each tray can support up to nine plants and features a fully self-contained nutrient reservoir that allows continuous nutrient circulation without external tanks or complex plumbing

Union Minister promises action on revival of HMT Kalamassery unit

Keralas first e-bike rental service launched in Kozhikode railway station

The service, which has received all necessary clearances, allows commuters to rent e-bikes at 50 per hour, 500 for 12 hours, and 750 for 24 hours

Bairabi-Sairang rail deepens Keralas apprehension about Centres stance on SilverLine

Recently, Union government has asked Kerala to revise the SilverLines DPR to address the technical and environmental concerns and also to integrate the project with existing broad gauge line passing through the State

Confusion over voters list, polling booths mark voting in Thiruvananthapuram coastal wards

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The coastal belt of Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation saw chaotic and uneven voting on Tuesday as thousands of residents turned out for the local body polls. Many voters struggled to find their assigned polling booths, while others discovered their names were missing from the voters list, forcing them to return home without casting their votes. Local activists estimated that 60 to 100 voters were absent from each polling booth in the coastal wards. Vishnu M, 31, who arrived at St Philomenas Girls High School in Poonthura, said he could not vote as his name was missing from the list, even though his entire family was able to cast their ballots. Similarly, 55-year-old Susamma had to check four different booths in search of her 23-year-old daughters name, but could not find it. The confusion follows ward delimitation, which reduced the number of coastal wards under Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from 17 to 14. Many families found members assigned to different booths or wards, leading to long queues at some locations while other booths remained nearly empty. Gertrude Perera, 60, said she and her daughter waited for hours at different booths due to the reallocation. CPM district secretary V Joy blamed the delay in starting the delimitation process for the confusion. Like old days, the political parties are not visiting homes for distributing slips and adding voters. These visits happen based on the political affiliation of the families and hence many people in the coastal wards were unable to cast their votes, said V Joy. Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan blamed the election commission and the LDF government for the unscientific ward delimitation and adding bogus votes. There has been a lot of confusion in the voters list and the public struggled to take part in the elections. This will affect all political fronts, not just the UDF, he said.

Techies step out of Technopark to cast votes in Kerala local body polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Election fervour gripped the city on polling day, and Technopark, home to nearly 80,000 employees across more than 450 companies, was no exception. The usually bustling IT campus ran with minimal staff as many professionals left their desks to cast their votes. Most companies followed employee-friendly policies in line with Election Commission directives, offering leave, work-from-home options, or flexible hours. Client support teams were allowed to adjust schedules without worrying about biometric attendance. Employees working for Bengaluru and Hyderabad-based firms also received 'civic duty' allowances, excusing them from online meetings to vote. However, some employees from Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu chose to attend office, preferring not to travel home midweek. Many employees travelled back to their native places to vote, even though polling fell midweek, said Rajeev Krishnan, state convenor of Prathidhwani, an IT employee welfare organisation, who voted in Aruvikkara. He noted that only about 30% of those settled in Thiruvananthapuram from other districts had updated their voter registrations. For some, the connection to their hometown outweighed convenience. I shifted from Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram 13 years ago, but never updated my registration. Having a vote back home still carries value, said Vishnu V S, an employee at Technopark Phase II. Despite modest numbers, voter registrations in the Kazhakoottam constituency, which houses the IT hub, have been rising. On polling day, voters queued early at booths in Kazhakoottam, Karyavattom, Kulathoor, Chanthavila, Kuzhivila, and Poundkadavu. This is my first time voting in a local body election, though I have voted in assembly polls since shifting here 16 years ago, said Rakesh Rajan, after casting his ballot at Government UPS, Kuzhivila. He added that many of his apartment-mates were missing from the rolls. People checked the voters' list only at the last minute. I updated my name online and attended the hearing. The State Election Commission should have campaigned better to ensure inclusion. Others faced similar frustrations. IT professionals Suhail Seth and Nejma said they were excluded from the rolls despite voting in the previous local body election at Kuzhivila.

24 lakh voters to reach polling booths in Palakkad on December 11

CatholicOrthodox Theological Commission meeting held in Kottayam

Low turnout puts parties in a fix in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Kerala Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To MLA Rahul Mamkootathil In 2nd Rape Case

Rahul Mamkootathil had on Saturday approached the Thiruvananthapuram sessions court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the sexual harassment case.

Vasantholsavam to be held in city from Dec. 23 to Jan 2

A day after polling, coalitions start weighing up possibilities

Do not delay anti-ragging law, Kerala High Court tells State government

Court grants a weeks time to finalise matter and posts case for next hearing on December 17

Human rights always evolving: Minister

Satheesan challenges Pinarayi Vijayan to open debate; issues detailed rebuttal to CMs posers

He responds to questions raised by the Chief Minister a day ago in an extensive statement; accuses govt. of attempting to divert attention from serious governance failures

36 lakh voters to elect their representatives to local bodies in Malappuram on Dec. 11

As many as 3,777 of the 4,343 polling stations are in panchayats and 566 in municipalities

Three powerhouses in Idukki to be shut down for repairs

Repairs complete on three generators at the Moolamattom power plant of the Idukki hydel power project. The Lower Periyar, Panniyar and Pallivasal powerhouses will be shut down for repair works

No consensus on KTU, DUK V-Cs, conciliatory meeting yields no breakthrough

Law Minister P. Rajeeve and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan, but despite an hour-long discussion, both sides remain firm in their positions

Railway to probe puja on train

Thrissur all set for local body polls

Over 27.36 lakh voters, 7,208 candidates, and a tightly coordinated security-administration machinery gear up for polling day

School Holiday on December 11: Check the states where schools will remain closed & the latest update

Schools across India face potential closures on December 11, 2025. Kerala announces a holiday for local body elections. Telangana anticipates school closures due to panchayat polls. Coastal regions like Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may see local decisions based on weather. Jammu and Kashmir's hilly areas are already closed due to winter conditions. Parents should check for state and district-specific updates.

No wave, only uncertainty: Thrissur keeps parties on edge

With traditional equations shifting, all three fronts are struggling to read the citys mind

New bridge, old roads on mind, Thiruvananthapuram's tribal belt casts votes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tribespeople of Thodumala ward in Thiruvananthapuram's Amboori grama panchayat are grateful to the government for the Kumbichal bridge. The newly-opened, but yet-to-be-inaugurated bridge has significantly cut down the travel time of the residents of the ward's 11 tribal settlements and also reduced their dependency on boats their lone mode of transport until now. However, as the capital's tribal belts cast their votes in the local body elections on Tuesday, one question lingered: Will the bridge sway voters' sentiments? Neither do we favour a party, nor do we vote based on it. However, nothing has helped us in recent times like the bridge. Earlier, we depended on boats, whose availability was always uncertain, said 20-year-old Raman, who cast his first vote on Tuesday. We have been seeing remarkable developments in our area, one of which is this bridge. However, I don't know how it will reflect in the results, said the film aspirant. Generally, tribal belts see active participation in elections. I never miss an election, said Sarasu, after casting her vote at the Government Tribal LP School in Puravimala. Initially confused upon seeing three EVMs kept together, she exercised her franchise eventually with the help of a polling officer. Election officer applying ink to tribal voter Sarasu before voting at the Government Tribal LP School, Puravimala on Wednesday. Over 50% polling at the booth was completed by afternoon, thanks to the jeeps arranged by various political parties to ferry voters. Voters who could not spot a jeep walked a few kilometres to their booth and cast their votes. Meanwhile, though people are happy with the bridge, many highlight the poor condition of roads leading to their settlements, which they say makes their journeys dreadful. Some roads were repaired recently. However, there remain places like Thenmala, located deeper in the forest, inaccessible to vehicles. If a person there falls ill, he/she will have to be carried some distance, before getting a vehicle to any hospital, said a resident. Oorumooppan Chandran Kani expressed hope that the government that built the bridge will also build good interior roads. Funds have already been allocated for this, he said. Some tribal residents are upset about losing touch with their culture. Today, our people are not aware of our old rituals or songs. We need a representative who will help us retain our identity and be available, regardless of the voter's political affiliation, said Reena, another resident. Damage caused by wild animals is another concern. We voted early in the morning and returned to work. Look at the destruction caused by the animals, an elderly farmer said as he and his wife tried to salvage what they could after wild elephants and boars damaged their crops in Amboori.

Clashes erupt after polling in Kottayam

First-time voters excited to step into polling booth

Staff shortage hits MVD special drive in Kozhikode

The appointment of the Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement) has been pending for several months, disrupting the overall coordination of flash inspections and other administrative functions

Actor rape case: survivors advocate alleges cyberattack by actor Dileep and his gang

Mini T.B. says she wont be cowed down by the cyberbullying

Thalassery municipality employee found dead

Electoral fault lines sharpen as north Kerala goes to the polls on Thursday

Seven northern districts vote on Thursday in a decisive second phase that will shape Keralas civic landscape. The LDF and UDF face intense contests across local bodies, while the BJP seeks urban breakthroughs amid polarising campaigns, community alignments, controversies influencing voter sentiment.

Operation D-Hunt: Kollam City police arrest 968 persons in 2025

Police say they focus on tracing the source of the seized drugs to effectively dismantle the entire network

Revealing identity of rape survivor: court sends YouTuber Rahul Easwar in police custody

KPCC general secretary Sandeep Varier, Mahila Congress Pathanamthitta district general secretary Renjitha Pulickan and lawyer Deepa Joseph are the other accused

Jaya Bachchan demands dedicated emergency lanes for ambulances

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan on Wednesday demanded dedicated emergency lanes on roads for ambulance movement, saying that in India, groceries reach doorsteps in under 15 minutes, pizzas in 30 minutes, but patients bleed to death due to the delay in reaching the hospital. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Bachchan demanded that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health should also look into the issue of patient death due to the delay in reaching the hospital. In a country where groceries reach doorsteps in under 15 minutes, pizzas in 30 minutes via quick commerce platforms, patients bleed to death because ambulances get trapped in traffic, lacking dedicated emergency lanes, despite the Supreme Court's 2018 directive. No national data tracks these tragedies, Bachchan said. 60 per cent of ambulances arrive late, with urban delays averaging 15 to 30 minutes due to an absence of green corridors and police escorts, missing the golden hour for 55 per cent of accident victims. No dedicated lanes on highways, despite the National Ambulance Code 2016. These critical failures need to be taken notice of and dealt with immediately, she stated. She suggested an immediate nationwide mandate for dedicated emergency lanes, with AI traffic signals, prioritizing ambulances, 30-second green corridors, enforcing the Supreme Court's 2018 ambulance corridor directive via Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, penalties on violators, and a high-level probe into ambulance delay deaths. BJP MP Rekha Sharma demanded a gender-sensitive mental health facility for traumatised women in the country. She drew attention towards the severe shortage of accessible gender sensitive mental health support, particularly for survivors of violence, harassment and trauma. While the Modi government's initiatives, such as Tele Manas and district mental health programmes, are commendable, some gaps persist, especially in rural, marginalised, and low-income communities, she said, adding that lack of awareness and scarcity of trained professionals prevent countless women from receiving timely care. Survivors of domestic violence, cyber harassment, acid attacks, trafficking and workplace abuse frequently carry long-lasting psychological scars, she told the House. The mental health system that should support them remains fragmented and under-resourced, she pointed out. She urged the government to deploy dedicated women's mental health counsellors at centres, police stations, and hospitals, ensuring immediate and specialised assistance. Tele Manas outreach should be expanded and integrated with women's helpline, self-help groups, and Anganwari worker network, she said. Mizo National Front MP K Vanlalvena demanded the central government's intervention in the issue of income tax officials harassing tribals of Mizoram. He informed the House that tribals living in specified areas in Mizoram are exempt from Income Tax and should not be harassed by Income Tax officials. BJP MP Laxmikant Bajpayee demanded the setting up of more benches of the high court in Uttar Pradesh, referring to the high pendency of cases in the courts. Subhah Barala (BJP) demanded that the Central Pollution Control Board should carefully look into the issue of water pollution in the country from various sources, which is affecting the lives of people in the country. Sumer Singh Solanki (BJP) asked for government intervention to deal with the high rate of accidents on National Highway Number 3, Sendhwa in Barwani district. He pointed out incidents of road accidents in the Bijasan Ghat area, located on the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The MP demanded building a new road in the area to stop the high incidence of accidents in the area. Manoj Jha (RJD) demanded uniform minimum wages for skilled workers in the country, saying that these are less than what workers of Bihar get in Tamil Nadu or Kerala. AAP MP Swati Maliwal highlighted the issue of sand mining in Punjab and demanded an inquiry into the issue, saying this caused man-made devastating floods in the state this year. Amar Pal Maurya (BJP) demanded setting up an agricultural university in Pratapgarh district.

Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil gets anticipatory bail in second rape case

Court directs Mamkootathil to present himself before investigating officer and cooperate with probe. Court also requires MLA to surrender his passport and not leave the country without Magistrates permission

New menus, and festive popups in Bengaluru to try this December

A Kerala Sunday breakfast, hearty Asian meals, and a winter thali to explore this festive season

Row erupts over allegations that Suresh Gopi voted in Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram

CPI, Congress question how the Union Minister voted in Thrissur for Lok Sabha polls and in Thiruvananthapuram for Kerala local body polls

Rahul Mamkootathil granted anticipatory bail in second rape case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major relief for Rahul Mamkootathil- MLA, the additional district and sessions court has granted him anticipatory bail in a second rape case registered against him on the complainant of a 23-year-old woman. Rahul's counsel had swiftly moved the pre-arrest bail after the High Court granted him protection from arrest in the first rape case till a verdict is given on his anticipatory bail plea, which is scheduled to be heard on December 15. The pre-arrest bail plea was moved on Saturday after the High Court gave Rahul an interim protection from arrest. Rahul's counsel argued that the allegation was politically motivated and there was no mention of the complainant's name, and place and time of occurrence of the alleged crime in the complaint. The complainant did not approach the police directly when she had all the options to do so and instead mailed it to the KPCC chief, which showed that there was something fishy in the move, the counsel argued. His lawyer also highlighted the High Court order and sought a favourable verdict. The prosecution countered this by arguing that the complainant has already given a detailed statement before the police and the allegation was serious in nature. The anticipatory bail plea was moved in the second case after the police appointed a special team to probe the case. The department had appointed AIG G Poonkuzhali to lead the team to investigate the complaint filed by a 23-year-old woman, who is a resident of Bengaluru. Poonkuzhali, who is now attached with the police headquarters, had recorded the statement of the complainant. The complainant had testified that she was raped after being given fake marriage promise. The offence took place in a homestay where she was brutally assaulted.

Anonymous letter on Kerala actor rape case order: advocates association writes to HC Chief Justice

Kerala High Court Advocates Association cites potential breach of confidentiality regarding order by Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court

Rahul Mamkootathil gets anticipatory bail in second sexual assault case

Thiruvananthapuram: A court here on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in a second case of sexual assault against him. The MLAs lawyer, advocate Ajithkumar (Sasthamangalam), confirmed the grant of relief to the legislator by the sessions court here. Mamkootathil had already got an interim protection from arrest from the Kerala Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

KPCC president Sunny Joseph says UDF convenors remarks on actor rape case verdict on Kerala polling day avoidable

Sunny Joseph says Adoor Prakashs statement created confusion, prompting him to clarify the partys position that Congress firmly stands with the survivor

Kerala court defers Congress leader Sandeep Variers anticipatory bail plea in survivor-defamation case to December 15

Prosecution tells court that it requires more time to process and forensically examine incriminating social media posts attributed by the complainant to Sandeep Varier. However, it is unclear whether the judge stayed Variers arrest till the next hearing

Saving the Gentle Giant: How Indias Fishers Are Leading a Whale Shark Revival

Once targeted for oil and meat, the whale shark is now being saved by fishers along Indias Arabian Sea coast. What began as a Gujarat-led conservation movement has reached Lakshadweep and Kerala. With awareness drives and rescue compensation, fishers are learning safe disentanglement techniques. Yet, inadequate support and social security gaps continue to challenge the people risking their livelihoods to protect this gentle giant. Mongabay India correspondent K A Shaji reports On a March morning in Poonthura, near Keralas capital [] The post Saving the Gentle Giant: How Indias Fishers Are Leading a Whale Shark Revival appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

From Colonial Kitchens to Kerala Plantations: The story of Indias first Christmas cake

In 19th-century Kerala, families in Pala and Kanjirappally adapted European plum cakes with local spices and rum-soaked fruits. Today, young bakers are reviving heirloom recipes, baked in small batches in borma ovens

Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT defers recording Ramesh Chennithalas statement

SIT was slated to record Chennithalas statement at Kerala Police Crime Branch office at 11 a.m. The MLAs office said SIT contacted them at 10 a.m. and informed that investigating officer was indisposed without citing any reason

Will not accept 'Veer Savarkar Award' nor attend the ceremony: Shashi Tharoor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday categorically stated that he would not accept an award named after VD Savarkar, nor attend a related event, even as a senior party colleague wanted the Congress MP to not accept any honour named after the ideologue whom he claimed owed before the British. Tharoor said that he will not accept the Veer Savarkar Award and also won't attend the event where it will be presented in the absence of clarifications about its nature or the organisation presenting it. Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, also said that it was irresponsible on the part of the organisers to announce my name without my having agreed to receive it. Earlier in the day, Congress leader K Muraleedharan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that no party member, including Tharoor, should accept any award in the name of Veer Savarkar as he had bowed before the British. Muraleedharan said that he does not believe that Tharoor will accept the award as doing so would insult and embarrass the Congress party. Tharoor later told reporters in the national capital that he heard about the award on Tuesday and that he was not going for the ceremony. I heard about it yesterday only. I am not going. I am not here, he said in response to a question on Wednesday on his participation in the award ceremony. Subsequently, in a post on social media platform 'X', the Congress MP said, In the absence of clarifications about the nature of the award, the organisation presenting it or any other contextual details, the question of my attending the event today or accepting the award does not arise. I have come to know from media reports that I have been named a recipient of the Veer Savarkar Award, which is to be presented today in Delhi. I only learned about this announcement yesterday in Kerala, where I had gone to vote in the local self-government elections. There in Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 10, 2025 He further said that he learned from media reports that he was named as a recipient of the award when he went to Kerala to vote in the local body polls on Tuesday. He said he had clarified then that he was neither aware of, nor had accepted, such an award. Despite that, today in Delhi, some media outlets continue to ask the same question. Therefore, I am issuing this statement to clarify the matter unequivocally, Tharoor added. Following Tharoor's statement, Aji Krishnan, the secretary of the Highrange Rural Development Society (HRDS) India which is presenting the award, told a TV channel that the Congress MP was informed about the matter well in advance. He said that representatives of HRDS India and the chairman of the award jury had met Tharoor at his residence to invite him and the MP had asked for a list of the other recipients of the award. We gave him the list. He has not yet informed us that he will not come for the event. Perhaps he is scared as the Congress has made it an issue, Krishnan claimed. Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev said it was Tharoor's decision whether to accept the award or not. Tharoor was chosen as one of the recipients of the inaugural Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025, instituted by HRDS India, on Wednesday in New Delhi. On Tuesday, he had said that he heard about the award through the media and that he was not aware who was giving it. I am not aware of anything related to the award. Let me find out what it is, he had said.

Kerala local body polls: As Kochi Corporation awaits new council, experts flag core urban challenges

Peoples opinions range from outright criticism to cautious optimism, and concerns about the lack of clarity on the direction Kochi city should adopt for future development

Drift with 'Cloud Dancer': Pantone's Colour of the Year

Pantones Colour of the Year is usually a global signal, a preview of what shades people may gravitate toward. But 2026s pick, a billowy, balanced white called Cloud Dancer, feels unusually intimate. It arrives at a moment suspended between overstimulation and exhaustion, a shade that feels like a welcoming, clean canvas amid complex times marked by grim, jarring notes. Yet, choosing white has triggered one of the most polarised reactions Pantone has seen in years. Recent selections carried mood and emotion: Mocha Mousse (2025) offered elegance, Peach Fuzz (2024) centred tenderness and connection, and Viva Magenta (2023) pulsed with rebellious joy. This years choice belongs to a different lineage one probably shaped by burnout, minimalism and the craving for sensory relief. Pantone calls it a conscious statement of simplification, a lofty white neutral whose aerated presence acts as a whisper of calm and peace in a noisy world. The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves, reads Pantones introductory note. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences. After years of shades that asked us to feel something, this one simply asks us to pause and breathe. The reveal, however, split the internet instantly. Reactions swung from this is just laundry white to allegations of white supremacy. This backlash simply mirrors a world more prepared for intensity than for quiet. From an un-coloured perspective, however, it seems the Cloud Dancer offers stillness and stillness isnt always exciting at first glance. Actor and designer Poornima Indrajith was, in her own words, surprised when she first saw the announcement. Coming off a year that tilted toward maximalism, she feels the shift will test the industry. Its going to be hard on designers, she says. The sudden shift might be challenging. The colour has raised too many eyebrows. For her, the challenge lies in its quietness. The colour screams minimalism, she says. This means designers will have to work harder to make it compelling through texturing, layering and subtle drama that adds depth without disturbing its restraint. Yet, she believes Kerala may be more receptive than most. In our state, Poornima adds, shades of white have always been our traditional colour, and hence we are less resistant, I feel. However, thoughtful construction will be needed. It surely needs extensive homework on surface and texture details, especially for people who prefer maximalism, Poornima notes. Even so, she sees an advantage: Indian wardrobes, unlike Western ones, rarely confine themselves to a single trendy colour. We Indians are quite conditioned to colours. Our wardrobe is blessed with not having to stick to any particular shade even if thats the colour trend and thats a saving grace for designers, she smiles. Stylist and creator Veena Surendran reads the Pantone pick as a reset point the colour you reach for when the mind craves clarity in stillness. To her, Cloud Dancer isnt a flat white but a diffused softness that behaves almost like a filter on the skin, emotionally minimal rather than clinical. Its versatility lies in how it brightens soft warm complexions, balances muted undertones and even suits high-contrast features. That adaptability makes it not loud innovation, but quiet evolution. It also leans naturally gender-neutral, opening space for structured co-ords for men, fluid drapes for women, and minimalist unisex silhouettes where form and texture do the talking. In India, Veena believes, the shade is far more intuitive than its online reputation suggests. Our climate has always favoured breathable whites, she notes. And this softer tone lifts the complexion rather than washing it out, especially against warm-neutral undertones common across the country. To keep it compelling, Veena says she would opt for texture over contrast recommending combinations like linen with raw silk, matte cotton with organza, tone-on-tone embroidery. In Kerala, it feels both familiar and updated: traditional handlooms and kasavu already live in this palette, but this softer white sheds the heavier yellow undertone, bringing a contemporary, editorial clarity, says Veena. Going beyond fashion Artist Shalini Menon sees the Cloud Dancer as a blank canvas that invites exploration. The shade, she says, opens up a lot of opportunities and possibilities because it complements rather than competes with other colours. In a world crowded with stimuli, she values how the shade offers balance: There is a bombardment of colours this neutral shade does not influence you, but you can influence it. Shalini, too, finds it culturally familiar visible in Keralas saris, mundu and pottery and emotionally uplifting, a tone that takes away from the darkness and brings calm, much like the highlights an artist uses to create relief in a painting. Poet and academic Syam Sudhakar approaches it philosophically. The name sounds soothing and peaceful. I believe the hue was always here among us, long before Pantone declared it, he says. Syam reflects on how meaning shifts for colour. Red may symbolise danger to some, whereas a red rose symbolises love. I would stress this shade carries no racial reading. White is not a white mans colour. In his view, its role is simple and almost meditative: a presence that can restore peace, even if briefly. Nithya Mariam John, a poet and assistant professor of English, has a different take. The very concept of assigning one particular colour to express a fresh start may also be homogenising, she says. Can one shade be considered an umbrella colour that paints millions of feelings about serenity, clarity, mindfulness and close reflection, all across the globe? White or not VIBGYOR, let us start afresh. Thats the bottomline. Inside homes, colour certainly takes on yet another function. Designer Midhun Babu finds serenity in the cosiness the Cloud Dancer offers. It has a soft, airy warmth that diffuses light gently, he says, noting that unlike harsher whites, it stays stable in Indian lighting. Interior designer Ebin Francis calls it a timeless colour that goes with most of the other elements, especially in Kerala homes where it pairs seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary palettes. It never overpowers a room. Textures and layering can elevate it easily ultimately delivering what they see as a feeling of calm and comfort, he says. What ties these perspectives together is the shades ability to step back rather than stand out. Instead of demanding attention, it creates room for interpretation, for texture, for quiet. And across fashion, art, design and culture, most voices converge on one idea: its power lies in what it allows rather than what it imposes. Maybe thats the quiet shift the world needs at this point. Why soft white feels calming? Soft whites reduce visual noise, helping the brain process environments with less effort. Environmental psychology links low-saturation neutrals to lower sensory load and a steadier emotional state. Even light reflection in warm whites supports cognitive ease and reduces eye strain. Neutrals function as emotionally non-directive shades, letting surrounding colours and textures set the mood. In fashion and interiors, muted whites act as balance tones, anchoring palettes without drawing attention. Whats the controversy? The Cloud Dancer has stirred up the internet for the wrong reasons. Some believe the choice is politically loaded, given global conversations around far-right white nationalism.A viral comment slammed it, calling the choice painfully tone-deaf during a time when white supremacy is resurfacing loudly in national leadership and policy. Some accused Pantone of whitewashing global colour culture by choosing a neutral white.Pantone has issued a clarification, stressing that Cloud Dancer is all about relaxation, reflection, and creativity. It explains that the colour was chosen for its emotional and creative resonance, while emphasising that the institute does not assign political narratives to colour.

Local body polls: Diluted ink, faulty EVMs cause chaos in Sasthamangalam ward

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first phase of local body elections began on Monday amidst crises and uncertainties across the capital district. In a critical incident, election ink applied to voters forefingers at the Sasthamangalam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation faded within minutes. Sources from Booth 2 of the Raja Kesavadas NSS Higher Secondary School polling station reported that the ink was diluted, causing it to disappear quickly. In the same ward, a female voter was not permitted to vote due to discrepancies in the electoral roll. Vasantha Gokulam, 84, whose name appeared as Vasantha Gokul with incorrect age and photograph, was denied voting at Booth 3. Meanwhile, the voting machine at Booth 2 of Karavaram Panchayat Ward 20 was found to be non-functional. A replacement was provided two hours later, sources said.

Thrivananthapuram records 67.42 per cent polling

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Election to local self-government institutions in the district was largely peaceful. An exception was a clash between CPM and BJP workers at Vanchiyoor. Police intervention helped in preventing untoward incidents at Vanchiyoor where BJP accused CPM of bringing bogus voters. In the morning, polling booths in rural areas were busier than those in urban areas. The districts polling percentage was 67.42 as per the data released by the State Election Commission around 7.50pm. 19.63 lakh of the 29.12 lakh persons in the voters list cast their votes. Of the total 13.53 lakh males, 9.14 lakh voted. Their polling percentage was 67.56. Of the 15.59 lakh females, 10.49 lakh cast their votes, 67.29%. 17 of the 32 transgenders in the list voted. 58.24% polling was recorded in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Among the municipalities, Neyyattinkara recorded the maximum polling, 70.36 and Varkala, the lowest, 66.39%. Among block panchayats, Pernkadavila registered the highest polling percentage, 73.94, and Varkala block the lowest, 68.65%. Governor Rajendra Arlekar cast his vote at Jawahar Nagar School. Shashi Tharoor, MP, cast his vote at Cotton Hill School, Education Minister V Sivankutty at Fort, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil at NSS College Neeramankara, State Election Commissioner A Shajahan cast his vote at St Marys HSS, Pattom, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar at Jawahar Nagar LPS, Senior Congress leaders A K Antony and M M Hassan at Jagathy UPS, V M Sudheeran at Kunnukuzhy UPS, former KPCC president K Muraleedharan at Jawahar Nagar LPS, BJP leader and former DGP Sreelekha at Cotton Hill School , and K S Sabarinadhan at RKDNSS, Sasthamangalam. turnout in district (%) Poll percentage 67.42 Male 67.56 Female 67.29 Transgenders 53.12 City corporation Polling percentage 58.24 Males 59.73 Females 56.89 Transgenders 66.67 Municipalities Attingal 68.87 Nedumangad 70.28 Varkala 66.39 Neyyattinkara 70.36 Block panchayats Nemom 71.69 Pothencode 69.98 Vellanad 72.45 Nedumangad 69.74 Vamanapuram 70.11 Kilimanoor 71.06 Chirayinkeezhu 69.09 Varkala 68.66 Perumkadavila 73.94 Athiyannoor 73.47 Parassala 71.17

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Mollywood split as Mollywood push back against the rush to reinstate Dileep

KOCHI: A swift pushback is emerging in the Mollywood against the urgency shown by major industry bodies to reinduct actor Dileep, who was acquitted in the 2017 actress abduction and assault case on Monday. Several from the industry, particularly women, have criticised the haste with which organisations signalled their willingness to reinstate the actor, terming it a betrayal of the survivor and a continuation of an unsafe culture within Malayalam cinema. Senior dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi was among the first to react, resigning from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) in protest. Bhagyalakshmi said the federations eagerness to welcome Dileep back clearly showed that the organisations will never stand with survivors. She said the major bodies were backing those with money and power instead of taking a principled stand. Scriptwriter and Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) member Deedhi Damodaran also questioned the sincerity of those claiming solidarity with the survivor while continuing to remain members of AMMA, the association the survivor had quit in protest. Real solidarity would mean stepping away from organisations that maintain status quo, she said. The backlash comes after FEFKA, the Kerala Film Producers Association, and the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA), signalled support for Dileep within hours of the verdict. FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan said the actor would be reinstated as soon as he submitted a request letter. Kerala Film Producers Association president B Rakesh echoed the view, saying there were no hurdles in taking Dileep back. AMMA, meanwhile, put out a post on social media welcoming the verdict. Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Judgment comes after eight years, justice not yet Actor-filmmaker Lal, a key witness in the case, said he was satisfied the accused had been convicted. He, however, declined comment on the conspiracy charge. I will continue to help the case at every stage, even in the Supreme Court if required, he said. Interacting with reporters after casting his vote in the local body polls in Idukki, actor Asif Ali said he welcomed the verdict and reiterated that the survivor must get justice. He, too refrained from making a detailed comment, citing contempt of court. As the industry recalibrates in the wake of the verdict, the divide between those rushing to reinduct Dileep and those insisting on standing firmly with the survivor has once again exposed the fault lines in Malayalam cinemas institutions. Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Conspiracy or not, many questions need answers

Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Conspiracy or not, many questions need answers

KOCHI: The trial court has acquitted actor Dileep in the actor abduction-assault case on the ground that the conspiracy charge against him could not be established. However, the fact that the conspiracy angle was not proved doesnt mean there was no conspiracy in the attack. The verdict, that convicted six persons and acquitted Dileep and three others, has left many questions unanswered. Hopefully, there will be more clarity when the court pronounces the sentence for those convicted and the details of the judgment are available in public domain. As of now, the question thats foremost on peoples minds is: if Dileep is indeed not guilty, who was behind the attack? And what about the justice for the survivor if all those involved arent made to face the consequences? Underlining the conspiracy angle, legal experts ask why a six-member criminal gang would target this particular actor and orchestrate a plot to assault her. The High Courts observations in the past on Pulsar Sunis financial capacity to repeatedly file bail pleas also suggest that someone may have been supporting him from behind the scenes. While rejecting Pulsar Sunis bail plea in June 2024, Justice P V Kunhikrishnan noted that the accused had filed ten different bail applications through multiple lawyers. The court observed: If the petitioner has financial difficulties, he can approach the Legal Services Authority to engage a lawyer. But he chose to engage his own lawyers, which is his right. However, from the petitioners conduct, filing bail application after bail application before the High Court and the Supreme Court, it is clear that either he is financially fit or there are some others behind the curtain helping him file these bail applications. Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Judgment comes after eight years, justice not yet Regarding the trial courts rejection of the prosecutions conspiracy charge, Advocate Raghul Sudheesh, a lawyer at the Kerala High Court, pointed out that any crime of this nature must involve a clear conspirator and motive. If it was for blackmailing, then the question arises: for whom was this act committed? he said. In the 2017 actor abduction and sexual assault case, the prosecution may have failed to present sufficient evidence to incriminate the eighth accused, Dileep. The final verdict, which is to be pronounced by the District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam, on December 12, may shed light on the doubts of common people regarding the acquittal, Raghul added. A High Court lawyer who wished to remain anonymous said several crucial questions still need answers, particularly why Pulsar Suni and the five others, who were found guilty by the trial court, would take such risks to target a specific actor. According to him, the survivor may have been singled out as part of someone elses plan. The offence committed by the six-member gang was a pre-planned act, carried out as part of a quotation given by somebody, the lawyer said. He also pointed out that the financial backgrounds of the convicted accused are extremely poor, suggesting that someone else was likely coordinating and funding the operation. He added that in criminal cases of this nature, the efforts taken by the police to establish conspiracy must be carefully evaluated.

Statement of woman to be recorded in harassment complaint against noted film-maker P T Kunju Muhammed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cantonment police will record the statement of the woman, who had filed a complaint against noted film-maker and two-time MLA P T Kunju Muhammed accusing him of sexual harassment. The police had on Monday registered a case against the director, who was the chairman of the committee to select films for the Malayalam Cinema Today section of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), for sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman, which are non-bailable offences. On account of local body polls, the police did not take any steps on the complaint on Tuesday. Police sources said they will contact the complainant and record her statements. The place where the incident occurred- which is a city-based hotel- will be inspected to prepare a mahazar. Following that, the accused will be issued a notice for appearing before the investigators. The complainant is a woman working in the film industry. According to the victim, the incident occurred at a city hotel a month ago during the screening to select films for the upcoming International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). Kunju Muhammed was part of the committee to select films for the Malayalam Cinema Today section of the festival. Both Muhammed and the victim were staying at the hotel. The accused allegedly invited the woman to his room and misbehaved with her. The woman strongly resisted and left the room. Muhammed was elected to the Kerala Assembly twice as a Left-backed independent candidate. P T Kunju Muhammed

Kerala local body polls: Missing UDF candidate traced by Chokli police

KANNUR: Chokli police have located Aruva T P, 29, the Muslim League candidate from Kanhirathin Keezhil, the 9th ward of Chokli panchayat, after her mother filed a complaint that she was missing. Aruva had gone missing from her house in Olavilam on December 6, just days before the local body elections. It later emerged that she had eloped with a resident of Chokli. She was produced before the magistrate. Following her mothers complaint, the police registered a missing case under Section 57 of the Kerala Police Act. She was found on December 9 during an investigation conducted by the Chokli police. A police officer said, We located Aruva at the house of the man she had gone with, in Chokli. It is learnt that he is a BJP supporter, though we cannot confirm that yet. The incident has thrown the entire ward into uncertainty, especially among UDF supporters who were caught completely off-guard. Adding to the drama was the fact that Chokli panchayat has long been a CPM stronghold, making the development even more striking.

Malayali medical intern gets Uzbek honour after saving woman mid-flight

KOZHIKODE: High above the clouds, somewhere between Tashkent and Delhi, a young Kerala doctor-in-training found himself in the kind of life-or-death moment most people only read about. The cabin lights were dim, passengers were settling into the long flight, and suddenly, a frantic announcement cut through the silence: If there is a doctor or medical staff on board, please inform the crew immediately. It was a 24-year-old medical intern from Tirur, Malappuram -- Dr Anees Mohamed -- who stood up. With no equipment, no hospital setting, and thousands of feet above the ground, he was the only hope for a woman who had collapsed and was rapidly slipping into danger. That single moment of decision, fuelled by instinct and training, would not only save a life but also propel him into history as the first Indian and the first foreign national of any kind to be awarded Uzbekistans rare and prestigious Hero of the Country honour. The incident occurred on July 28 this year, where a 48-year-old woman collapsed mid-air. When I checked her vital signs, I found that her heart rate had shot up, a clear case of tachycardia, Dr Anees recalled. I began carotid sinus massage immediately, and within 10-15 seconds, she started stabilising. We monitored her closely until landing and handed her over to doctors in Delhi. At an official ceremony in Uzbekistan on December 4, Dr Anees stood humbly as he received the national award. I dont take this honour for myself. This award belongs to my family, friends, supporters, my university, my rector, dean and vice dean, everyone who guided me. Thank God for this blessing, he said. Though raised and schooled in Dubai, and now training with the Tashkent State Medical University in Uzbekistan, Dr Anees remains deeply rooted in Kerala. He frequently returns to work in hospitals across the state during academic breaks. The love you receive from patients in Kerala is immense, it motivates you to work harder, Dr Anees told TNIE. Whenever I get a vacation or fellowship break, I make sure I fly home to serve here. My dream is to specialise in trauma surgery, and my first preference is definitely to return to India for my masters. He keeps a meticulous surgical logbook even as an intern and has already made headlines for assisting in a major breast cancer surgery in India. His interests include trauma surgery, plastic surgery, and microvascular reconstruction. Outside medicine, Anees is a national MMA and kickboxing champion, and also trains young athletes, one of whom recently won a gold medal at a national event. Proud parents Husain Padasseri and Rahmath Nissa T Arakkal, along with siblings Ameen Ahsan, Rana, and Fida, said they always expected big things from him but never imagined an international government honour this early in his career. The Tashkent State Medical University issued an official note of appreciation, stating: We are proud that our students like Mohamed Anees are providing medical assistance to people around the world thanks to the knowledge they gained here.

UDF upset over Adoor Prakashs open support for Dileep in actor assault case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major constituents in the Opposition UDF want the Congress leadership to restrict UDF convener Adoor Prakash, whom they feel, has been getting the front into back-to-back crises. The latest in the series was his open support for actor Dileep in the actor assault case on the poll day morning. Hours after the first phase voting for local body election began in the state, opposition UDF received a body blow with Adoor Prakash voicing his support for actor Dileep in the actor assault case. Speaking to the media in Pathanamthitta after casting his vote, Prakash said Dileep got justice with his acquittal in the case. He added that being a close acquaintance of Dileep, he felt personally happy. He criticised the government for its move to go in for an appeal. As the statement, which is in stark contradiction to the party position, invited heavy backlash from within the Congress and the UDF, the High Command quickly intervened for damage control and directed Prakash to amend his stance. Under fire, the senior leader made a U-turn later in the day, saying his words were misinterpreted and that justice was not served to the survivor. However, by then, the polling-day damage had already been done. A slew of Congress leaders were quick to distance themselves from Prakash, while senior Left leaders condemned the remark. The major goof-up triggered strong resentment from within both the UDF and the Congress. The Congress High Command was visibly upset with the remark and quickly intervened. AICC Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and KPCC president Sunny Joseph spoke to Adoor Prakash, following which the latter issued a clarification. The party position is very clear. As the KPCC president clearly explained, we do not support the verdict. Senior leaders like Leader of Opposition (V D Satheesan) and Muraleedharan too have clearly stated the party line, Deepa Dasmunshi told TNIE. The poll-day debacle did not go down well with UDF constituents too. What Prakash said was his personal opinion. It has nothing to do with the UDF position, said IUML general secretary P M A Salam. With the PCC chiefs quick intervention, the damage was contained, but the damage was there. Earlier in the case of Rahul Mamkootathil too, he took such a position. Its time the Congress took some clear action in his case, another senior UDF leader told TNIE. Theres strong resentment within the Congress too. Its highly shameful. How can such a statement be made on polling-day day morning? Earlier he supported Rahul Mamkootathil too. Its time the leadership intervened, opined a Political Affairs Committee member. A slew of senior leaders including Sunny Joseph, V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and Shashi Tharoor, in addition to Mahila Congress leader Shanimol Osman rejected Prakashs statement.

Indian Cultural Congress from December 20

30 injured as buses collide on Pampa-Nilakkal Road

PATHANAMTHITTA: As many as 30 people, including Ayyappa devotees and others, were injured when two KSRTC buses collided near the Chakkupalam curve on the Pampa-Nilakkal route on Tuesday. Traffic along the busy pilgrim corridor remained disrupted for over an hour in the afternoon following the accident. Fire and rescue services personnel reached the spot immediately, removed the damaged buses, and shifted the injured to hospitals, including Kottayam Medical College. A 10-year-old girl, Mangalam, sustained serious head injuries. Drivers of both buses suffered major injuries. According to fire and rescue service officials, the crash occurred near the Pampa Forest Station. Preliminary reports confirmed that around 30 passengers were injured. Most of the lightly injured persons were admitted to hospitals at Nilakkal and Pampa Government Hospitals. Ten passengers were referred to Kottayam Medical College. Among them, those who suffered serious injuries were identified as Mangalam, 10, Ramachandran, 52, Sathyan, 72, Krishnadevan, 52, and Vivek, 31. One side of one of the buses was completely damaged in the impact. The collision involved the Chengannur-Pampa KSRTC fast passenger bus and a Nilakkal-bound service. There were 48 passengers, including devotees, in one bus and 45 in the other. As it was peak afternoon, a number of KSRTC employees travelling after duty change were also inside the buses. A preliminary investigation has been launched to ascertain whether the accident was triggered by driver negligence, mechanical failure or the sharp curvature of the road at the accident site, a senior fire official said. On Sunday too, a similar collision involving chain-service buses on the Nilakkal-Pampa route was reported. Two KSRTC buses operating the shuttle services rammed into each other, leaving the driver injured. He was admitted to hospital, and medical sources said his injuries are not serious. None of the passengers were hurt in that incident.

Davies Kollannur, a beacon of hope for transplant patients, dies at 57

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Davies Kollannur, who courageously altered the course of his life three times, has now sailed beyond the horizon for the final time. Davies who survived three life threatening ordeals- two kidney transplants and a battle with leukemia disease- stood as asymbol of resilience and hopefor thousands oftransplantpatients in Kerala. The man who lived with extraordinary courage, quietly slipped away on Monday night in Thrissur, following a sudden respiratory distress at 57. He left behind a legacy that still refuses to fade. A decorated transplant sportsman, Davies won a silver medal for India at the 2011 Sweden International Transplant Games in Badminton, followed by a bronze in singles and silver in doubles at the Durban International in South Africa in 2013. He was also a two time (2003, 2006) national championin Badminton in National Transplant Games.For thousands of transplant patients inKerala, Davies was not merely a survivor, he was proof that a broken body could still carry an unbroken will. His death arrived abruptly without warning as if knowing that any hint of danger would awaken his instinct to fight. He was active even on his last day. He spoke to me around 8 pm about how his day went, said his kindred soul Jayasree CG. After that the next thing I heard was that he was gone, she said.Davies was working as a transplant coordinator at Daya General Hospital in Thrissur. Born and raised in Villadom, Kolannur Veedu, Thrissur, Davies gow up with the cultural beat of the city, Pooram procession, decorated Elephants and temple- Church grounds. After graduation, he worked as an Assistant Manager in an Italian hotel in Pune for three years. Like many young Keralites, he later moved to Saudi Arabia, workIng as a Chief Cashier in a fashion retail outlet until the first tragedy struck him at the age 30 years,when his both kidneys failed. He was forced to return home and begin dialysis. Hemet Dr TT Paul, nephrologist at West Fort hospital in Thrissur who changed his course of life later. In the late 1990s dialysis facilities were scarce in Thrissur or Ernakulam, forcing patients to travel to Coimbatore or Chennai. Davies underwent nearly 300 dialysis sessions before receiving his transplant under Dr. TT Paul on August 25, 2001. At that time transplant recipients were advised to avoid physical exertion and lead a quiet life. As Davis began gaining weight, Dr. Paul urged him to resume exercise, rekindling his lost love for badminton. Doctor reassured him that he attached kidney will not fall off, if you play badminton. Davies took up the racket and never looked back. After winning gold medals at the National TransplantGames in 2003 and 2006, he stepped onto the international stage and brought home several medals in 2011 and 2013. Impressed by his spirit, Dr. Paul and the hospital authorities invited Davies to join the West Fort hospital as a transplant coordinator in 2003, using Davies and his positive energy to utilise. Life tested him again in 2014, when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He underwent chemotherapy at CMC Vellore and Amritha Hospital in Ernakulam without taking a single day leave, determined not to abandon the kidney patients who relied on him. Later an infection left him unconscious for 15 days in West Fort Hospital. On those nights Dr. Paul, who considered Davies a son, sat by bedside readingO Henry's 'Last Leaf'. He later told Davies's friends that perhaps words might succeedwhere medicine hadfaltered. In the short story, 'Last Leaf', when a young artist falls ill and thinks that she would die when the last leaf falls from anivy vine outside her window. Then to save her and from losing hope, her neighbour, a failed artist painted a realistic leaf on the wall. Though Davies came back to life, cancer and the treatment had caused him dearly as his body rejected the transplanted kidney. On 12 January, 2016 the second time surgery took place for organ transplantation. After his discharge from hospital he rejoined for work and resumed badminton. Davies and Dr. Paul had then started workingat Daya General Hospital. On December 8, 2025 he was active. still speaking to those who needed him. Hours later, he was gone, after a sudden collapse from respiratorydistress.If he had received even the faintest warning, Davies would have survived it, Jayasree said, her voice steady but heavy. He always fought back. On Tuesday, Dr. Paul sat alone in the St. Mary's Church, Ponganamkad waiting as he had done countless times in his homesforDavies with his gentle smile and humour. But for thousands whose lives he touched, Davies hasn't vanished.

Seniors attack Class 9 student, triggered by year-old dress code feud in Kozhikode school

KOZHIKODE: A year-old, trivial disagreement over school dress code has culminated in violence, as a gang of six Class 10 students lured and assaulted a Class 9 student recently inside Vattoli National Higher Secondary School, leaving him hospitalised with serious head injuries. The victim, 15-year-old K V Sharon, was rushed to Nadapuram Government Hospital after the attack, where doctors immediately treated multiple wounds, requiring stitches to his head. The assault, which occurred around 1 pm on Friday, was meticulously planned. According to the complaint, Sharon was called from the playground by two seniors and led to a secluded classroom. It was there that the six-member gang trapped him and attacked him. In the complaint, the victim stated that the assailants kicked his ear and used a sharp ring to stab his head. The assault stemmed from a seemingly insignificant event. The seeds of the violence were sown during the previous years Onam festivities, when Sharon was in Class 8. His class was allegedly threatened because the seniors felt their self-chosen dress code had been copied by the younger students. This minor infraction became a source of ongoing, bitter vengeance against Sharon. The victims relatives confirmed they had attempted to resolve the issue, raising warnings during a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. Yet, the hostility festered. Sharons father spoke out, his voice laced with anguish and condemnation for the systems failure to protect his son: They held a grudge towards my son for more than a year. We had given multiple complaints to the authorities over time, but sufficient action was not taken. That is what has led to the current situation.

League, Welfare Party can never walk together: K M Shaji

KOZHIKODE: Muslim League state secretary K M Shaji has clarified the partys ideological differences with Jamaat-e-Islami, asserting that the two organisations can never walk together. Speaking to mediapersons in Kozhikode, Shaji stressed that the disagreement between the Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami is global and ideological, not something limited to Keralas political landscape. Shaji dismissed political speculation about electoral cooperation with the Welfare Party, associated to Jamaat-e-Islami. The Welfare Party issue has never been discussed even at the district level. There will be no such understanding for the Assembly elections either, he stated. Sharply criticising Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Shaji said the repeated accusations linking the Muslim League to the Welfare Party were a result of the CMs political complex. He alleged that the chief ministers electoral strategy, especially in earlier phases of campaigning, was designed to target majority votes. That strategy collapsed after the Sabarimala gold theft case. Now, he has come to Malabar looking for ways to engineer a polarisation in Muslim votes, Shaji said. Shaji further emphasised that the Welfare Party has never been an ally of the UDF. However, he pointed out that there is strong anti-Left sentiment among sections of voters in the current election. The UDF will not reject or restrict votes cast as part of this anti-Left sentiment, he clarified. Shaji said that the Muslim Leagues differences with Jamaat-e-Islami stem from international issues, not merely local electoral concerns. Just because they vote for us in an election, we will not praise them the way Pinarayi Vijayan does. We are not here to whitewash their ideology, he said.

Actor abduction and sexual assault case: Judgment comes after eight years, justice not yet

KOCHI: In a verdict that has stirred up feelings of disbelief, agony and pain among large sections of people who had rooted for the survivor, the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court on Monday acquitted actor Dileep in the 2017 actor abduction and sexual assault case, after concluding that the prosecution failed to establish the conspiracy charge against him. Soon after the acquittal, the state government said it would appeal the verdict. Judge Honey M Varghese held that the evidence presented did not conclusively link Dileep (P Gopalakrishnan), the eighth accused, to the alleged plan to abduct and assault the survivor. The prosecution had argued that Dileep masterminded and financed the crime as an act of personal vengeance, alleging that the survivor had disclosed to his then-wife, actor Manju Warrier, his relationship with actor Kavya Madhavan, his current spouse. But the court refused to accept the conspiracy theory. Dileep was arrested on July 10, 2017, and later released on bail. While the conspiracy charge against Dileep fell through, the court found six accused N S Sunil alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh V P, Salim H alias Vadival Salim, and Pradeep guilty of abducting and sexually assaulting the survivor inside a moving vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. These accused persons, the court held, had direct involvement in the crime. All the six were remanded to judicial custody, with sentencing scheduled for December 12. They have been sent to Viyyur Central Jail. Since the offences are grave and serious in nature and perpetrated against a woman, the accused are not entitled to the benevolence of the Probation of Offenders Act. Bail bonds of A1 to A6 are cancelled and they are remanded to custody. They shall be heard on the question of sentence on December 12, the court stated. 'Won't accept double standards': Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on FEFKA's plan to readmit Dileep The court also acquitted Charly Thomas, charged with harbouring the offender; ninth accused Sanil Kumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, tried for conspiracy and aiding the crime; and 15th accused Sarath G Nair,charged with causing disappearance of evidence.The court said that Mesthiri Sanil is in judicial custody in this case. He will be released if his detention is not required in connection with any other case. Detailing the sequence of events, the court noted that the survivor was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi on February 17, 2017, when a van, with the accused, rammed her car near Athani, staging an accident to abduct her. Inside the moving vehicle, Pulsar Suni raped her, recording the assault on his mobile phone for blackmail. Based on witness testimonies and digital evidence, the court convicted the six accused under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (outraging modesty), 354B (assault with intent to disrobe), 357, 376D (gang rape) of the IPC, and Sections 66E and 67A of the Information Technology Act. 'Won't accept double standards': Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi on FEFKA's plan to readmit Dileep

Kerala local body elections: Big promises, bigger dreams

KOCHI: keralas local body elections have traditionally centered on the basics roads, drains, streetlights and waste management. But this time, the three major fronts the CPM-led LDF, Congress-led UDF and BJP-led NDA have released manifestos that read less like routine civic checklists and more like ambitious blueprints for parallel futures. If polls were a contest for imagining the most expansive version of Keralas cities, this election would easily qualify as the masterclass in political imagination. The full-fledged, multi-page poll documents for corporations and districts in particular carry a flood of promises some practical, some aspirational and some that wander into the territory of wishful planning. Growing public expectation Micro-level manifestos in local body elections mark a significant shift in Keralas political culture. While many promises may be aspirational or beyond the immediate powers of local governments, the trend itself signals a growing public expectation for accountability and decentralised decision-making. Detailed ward or city-specific pledges push parties to engage more closely with voters everyday concerns and create a record against which their performance can later be measured. In an increasingly urbanised and globally aware electorate, such granular manifestos encourage healthier debates on governance and, over time, can strengthen the relevance and responsiveness of local bodies even if the feasibility of the promises remains uneven. Im happy, said D Dhanuraj, founder-chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). Praising the sudden surge in detailed manifestos, he said, This will help prompt more discussion on decentralised government, and the public will demand such things. He also believes that global political trends and high-profile campaigns elsewhere may be influencing Keralas political tone. He sees the trend as healthy: When you promise 100 things and dont implement even 10%, someone will question you. I see it as the next level of development as we move towards greater decentralisation. For him, the very presence of detailed manifestos marks a shift toward increased accountability. Economist Jose Sebastian, however, has a sharply different view. The manifesto is a wrong trend. Its becoming a mockery, he said. According to him, none of the fronts, regardless of ideology, explain how they plan to mobilise funds for these expansive promises. Its all tall promises without any substance. Just to create a narrative, he says. Sebastian also argues that Keralas local governments are not autonomous enough to shoulder these grand visions. They have become implementing agencies of central and state schemes. If they had focused on their own resource mobilisation, we wouldnt be in this situation. With the first phase of polling over on Tuesday and the second set for Thursday, the electorate has already begun casting its verdict on these big-ticket manifestos. Saturdays results will reveal which promises resonated, and which remained on paper. OLYMPICS IN TPURAM & METRO TO COIMBATORE? Leading the pack in audacity is the BJP. Its manifesto for the Thiruvananthapuram corporation promises to prepare the capital to serve as one of the venues for the 2036 Olympics. The host city is still undecided, and Ahmedabad is widely tipped as Indias official bidder, but the NDA is confident Thiruvananthapuram can aim high. If that wasnt bold enough, the party has also promised to extend the Kochi Metro all the way to Coimbatore a proposal that would involve overcoming the trifecta of funding challenges, inter-state coordination and monumental infrastructure planning. Alongside these headline-grabbing pledges, the party has also offered more grounded commitments: a Surat-inspired drainage system, Indore-style waste management, and centrally-monitored street lighting. A FULLY SMART KOCHI The Congress-led UDF has filled its Kochi corporation manifesto with everyday urban concerns: garbage, mosquitoes, traffic jams, stray dogs and public health. Its major pitch is a Zero Waste Kochi project aimed at resolving the long-standing issues surrounding the Brahmapuram waste plant. The manifesto also promises to turn Kochi into South Indias first total smart city, a vision based on efficient mobility, digital governance and better civic services. The list of promises is sweeping: garbage-free streets, mosquito control, smoother traffic and a crackdown on drug lobbies. If executed, it would address many chronic complaints of Kochis residents. However, whether these proposals survive the constraints of local body finances remains unclear. INFRA-HEAVY AGENDAS FOR KOCHI, U.N. GOALS ROADMAP FOR KOZHIKODE The CPM-led LDF has released detailed manifestos for multiple corporations. In Kochi, its focus is on practical improvements: canal rejuvenation, systematic road cleaning, value-added waste products, and EVs for the Haritha Karma Sena. It also proposes an electric bus network with KSRTC, renovation of key bus stands and new mobility solutions like multi-level parking and bike sharing. In Kozhikode, the LDF has gone a step further. Its manifesto states the corporation will work to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2031 if the front returns to power. The document outlines a sweeping development agenda: Transforming Kozhikode into an IT hub; implementing a light metro project; continuing the City Road Improvement Project; building new roads and infrastructure; and constructing a flyover at Eranhipalam. LDF, which has governed Kozhikode for over 45 years, attributes its long run to timely implementation of development projects, an argument it hopes will resonate again.

Kerala local body polls: Jumbo fear leaves Sinkukandam with a diminished electorate

IDUKKI: As the hills of Chinnakkanal went to the polls on Tuesday, an unusual silence marked ward 10, Sinkukandam -- a silence shaped not by apathy but by absence. Once home to over 1,000 voters, the ward now has only 430 on the electoral rolls, the steep drop reflecting years of wild elephant raids that forced dozens of families to abandon the 301 Colony and its surrounding hamlets. In the previous local body elections, the 301 Colony alone contributed around 100 voters; this year, barely 25 remain. According to the local residents, the decline began soon after the tribal families were allotted land there in 2002. The first death happened in 2004, when Palanisami was trampled by a wild elephant, said Sivamani, a resident. Three more people died in the years that followed. Houses were destroyed repeatedly, people simply couldnt stay here any longer. Many families relocated to Marayur, Perinchamkutti and Venkayappara, returning only occasionally to check on the land for which they still hold title deeds. Those who chose to remain learnt to live with threat. Elephant attacks became an almost daily reality, and damaged homes were repaired only to be torn down again. For safety, families began spending nights on rooftops and set up cables lined with glass bottles around their compounds, the rattling sound acting as an alarm whenever elephants approached. Residents say the elephants target houses only when they sense nobody is inside, prompting many to linger late into the evening or rely on neighbours to jointly chase the animals away. The demographic shift is now visible in the polls. Earlier, wards 9 and 10 together had more than 1,000 voters. After delimitation, this became ward 10 with only 430 voters, said Santhakumari, an independent candidate in the ward. Of the 25 voters left in 301 Colony, most have cast their votes. The settlement, meant to rehabilitate the landless, turned out to be an elephant corridor, and that has completely altered peoples lives. A total of five candidates are in the fray in Singukandam: Santhakumari, Chinju P V of BJP, Muthumari of DMK, Sini Baby of INC, and Suma Poulose of CPM.

Kerala local body polls: On D-Day, party veterans steal the show

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Conventional politicking and canvassing have largely given way to tech-driven exercises, mostly carried out by youths. However, one thing has largely remained unchanged. On the D-day, it is the senior party workers who turn out to be the most indispensable players. With their decades-long experience and grassroots connections, they scan through the voters list, mark each votes polled, and check if any of the names that they deem as sure votes are yet to be polled. If thats the case, those voters are immediately contacted and arrangements are made to ferry them to the polling station, if required. Without veterans, the election day activities can hardly be proceeded with meaningfully. The decades of experience gained from the political crucible empower the oldies to asses which are their votes and which are not. And who they should transport to the polling booth and whose failure to turn up should make them happy. At the Congress booth, near Perumala LPS, that falls in Pullampara panchayat under Vamanapuram assembly constituency, H Shajahan is busy marking in the voters list, using a red pen, the names of those who have exercised their franchise. This is to find out those still to vote. A man in his fifties, Shajahan knows Nagarukuzhy ward like the back of his hand. Then, using another colour, he marks the names that he feels are party votes and are yet to be polled. Its 11am, and before 4pm, we need to ensure that our votes are polled, Shajahan said. The question arises: How is it possible to assess who are party voters and who arent? Its because of the long experience in local politics that we are able to gauge votes. Congress H Shajahan I have around 40 years of experience in politics and around 30 years in poll management. Only seasoned people can do this job, he said. A little further, K Tulaseedharan Nair is busy doing similar work with the voters list, in the CPM dugout. The 63-year-old is the agent of the LDF candidate in the ward and is awaiting a paper thats due from the polling station. Every hour, our agent inside the polling station sends us the serial number of the votes cast. In our dugout, we mark these numbers on the voters list and check how many of our votes have been polled. Veteran party workers know the political inclination of the voters. This is partly done by observation and feedback from people who they meet regularly. In around 90% of the cases, our assumption turns true, he said. Poll managers, as they can easily be called, vouch that the role of the veteran local politician can never be replaced by any technology. Even AI is no match for them in this context. They know each family and individual. In some families, members vote en-bloc for a party, while in some, there is a vote split. So, you cannot guarantee full votes even from a party family. Thats when the personal rapport and networking of the local veterans come into play. They can differentiate between votes in a single family, and generally, it turns to be precise, Shajahan said. Tulaseedharan, however, said around 5% voters never telegraph their political inclination and hence their votes cannot be deemed as for or against a particular party. Similar is the case with new voters, Shajahan said. As the action ends at dusk, the poll managers count their votes and predict the outcome. The prediction is around 90% accurate, Tulaseedharan averred.

Heart Beat S3 to Kaattan to Kerala Crime Files Season 3: Check out upcoming Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam OTT releases in 2026

South cinema is set to dominate OTT in 2026 with a diverse slate of Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam releases. Fan-favourite series like Save The Tigers and Kerala Crime Files return, alongside new ventures from stars like Vijay Sethupathi and Kajal Aggarwal, promising compelling stories and exciting follow-ups. Read on to know what's coming in 2026.

A growing fascination for old timepieces keeps Kochi's watch repairers ticking

As fast fashion and easy-to-replace gadgets take over our lives, something unexpected is happening inside Kochis smallest shop fronts. Repairers say they are now seeing more young faces teenagers and people in their early twenties coming in with watches that have stories behind them. Instead of throwing an old piece away, they want it repaired and given a second life. Its a small but telling shift back to valuing things that last. Ambika P R, who runs Nice Watch and Services near Shastri Nagar in Maradu with her husband Ramesh C M, says the shift is unmistakable. The younger generation is much into this trend of using and reusing vintage products, she says. Students and young professionals often walk in with their parents Titan pieces or inherited mechanical watches, wanting them to be brought back to life. At the 80-year-old Gejo Watch Centre on Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, Ravipuram, the story is more layered. The shop, established in 1945, has seen the industry evolve. We are old people. Customers these days are fewer than in our prime, says George C V, the shop owner. Smartwatches, he explains, have encouraged a use-and-discard attitude. But those who come in usually do so for deep personal reasons. One boy wanted his watch repaired because it was a core memory he got it as a gift after clearing SSLC, George recalls. That sentiment keeps this trade going. Meanwhile, at Sruthy Times, Panampilly Nagar, owner Shaji K D takes a more cautious view. He says repairing old watches is not always practical. If the inside is broken, the parts must be fully replaced, and even then, we cant guarantee perfect functioning, he explains. Still, he remains committed to servicing the older styles analogue, winding and automatic watches insisting that the newer smart ones are basically unrepairable. A snap from Lonan Watch House in Thevara Junction Yet, even he admits that emotional value often wins. People bring their grandparents watches or clocks, some almost 85 years old, just to preserve the vintage charm, he says. At Ganesh and Sons Watch & Old Clock Repair, Chittoor Road, Valanjambalam, Ramesh T G highlights the biggest hurdle: spare parts. The motive is to keep something meaningful alive in a world where such pieces are becoming rare, he says. But getting original parts is difficult. He notes that younger customers increasingly request specific strap colours or metal finishes to suit their personal style another sign of vintage aesthetics finding relevance. And its not just heirlooms from decades past. Some young customers are taking charge of preserving their own family possessions. Take Angel Saju, a college student from Thevara, who still uses her mothers 20-year-old Swiss watch. She brings it in regularly for battery replacements and servicing. It still works perfectly, and it feels special to use something my mother wore every day, she says. For her, maintaining it is not a chore. Its a connection. Across Kochi, the revival is quiet but noticeable. Motivated by nostalgia, sustainability, aesthetic reasons or the desire to preserve family heirlooms, young customers are giving watch repairers something they havent felt in years: the sense that their craft still matters.

Fronts meet their match in Twenty20 in Kizhakkambalam

Local body polls: Seven southern Kerala districts record voter turnout of 70.9%

Local body polls: Thiruvananthapuram district records 67.42% voter turnout, down from 70.02% registered in 2020

As many as 19,63,684 people cast their votes on Tuesday

Ill health not a deterrent: Former minister G Sudhakaran casts vote in Kerala local body polls

ALAPPUZHA: Veteran communist leader and former minister G Sudhakaran, who had been ill for the past few weeks and remained almost bedridden after suffering multiple fractures in his leg, still made it a point to vote in the local body elections. Sudhakaran arrived at the polling booth in Paravoor Government Higher Secondary School in a car, accompanied by his wife, Jubilee Navaprabha. He stepped out of the vehicle and slowly walked to the booth with the help of a walker. The vote is the power of the common man in the democratic process, and I am committed to casting it whenever my health allows, he told reporters. Sudhakaran had been keeping a distance from the CPM district leadership since the 2021 assembly elections. His occasional criticisms had reportedly irritated senior leaders, leading them to sideline the former minister. The differences became public, prompting attempts by the party's state leadership to resolve the issue, but the rift only widened. On November 22, Sudhakaran slipped and fell in the bathroom of his house, suffering serious injuries. He underwent surgery, and doctors advised three months of complete bed rest. As a result, he was unable to attend any election campaign events, marking the absence of the senior leader from the political scene. After the incident, several leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, had visited him at his residence to inquire about his health.

Body, suspected to be of missing girl, found in Kalady

Parties put up brave face after moderate voter turnout in Kochi Corporation

Prosecution to examine the scope of appeal in actor rape case

Jubilee fete of Christ Nagar schools

Municipalities in Ernakulam record total voter turnout of 75%

Your answers to the practical difficulties of electors are mechanical, cyclostyled: Supreme Court slams EC

EC offers statistics in response to pleas for extension of deadlines by migrant workers in T.N., students in Kerala; SC says EC must protect BLOs along with States; EC blames hostile political parties for BLOs stress

Kochi Corporation records 62.52% turnout; youth apathy, roll errors blamed for slow polling

Watch: Kerala CM rejects Dileeps conspiracy claim, backs survivor

Voting Ends in The First Phase of Kerala Local Body Polls

Barring minor incidents, the polling passed off peacefully across the seven districts

Ernakulam records 74.52% voter turnout in local body polls

The polling percentage surpassed the 2020 figure of 72.49% with municipalities recording 75.09% and tri-level panchayats 77.14% voter turnout

Vibrant Kottikalasam marks conclusion of hectic campaigning in Kannur, Kasaragod

In Kannur, the day remained largely peaceful, though a large police force was deployed to maintain law and order in view of the previous elections, while in Kasaragod, the Kottikalasam peaked in Kanhangad town, where all three fronts are expected to face a close contest in the local body elections

All fronts exude confidence after first phase of local body polls

Night-time traffic curbs at Eenchakkal for flyover construction

S. Sivakumar appointed as member of NLSA

UDF rushing to offer clean chit to Jamaat-e-Islami, says Kerala CM

Pinarayi Vijayan alleges that the UDF is ready to align with organisations that have never been part of mainstream fronts, including those taking communal extremist positions

Major fronts make last-ditch efforts to woo voters in Kozhikode

While the UDF focussed on the gold theft case at Sabarimala temple, the LDF raised the issue of tactical tie-up between the Welfare Party of India and the UDF and highlited State governments achievements during the campaign

Alappuzha registers 73% voter turnout

One-way special train to Chandigarh from Thiruvananthapuram

Electioneering ends on a high note in Palakkad

Sulthan Pet emerged as the focal point of the celebrations, where thousands converged and engaged in lively cultural shows, bike rallies, and spirited processions.

Clashes erupt in Vanchiyoor over alleged bogus voting during local body polls

BJP workers accuse transgender voters of bogus voting, prompting a confrontation with CPI(M) cadre. Incidents of violence also reported in Karumam and Nedumangad