Narrow Escape For Kerala Woman After Truck Rolls Backward, Knocks Down Scooter | Video

Case filed against Kerala CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran over 1989 postal ballot-tampering remarks

G. Sudhakaran had said postal ballots were tampered with in favour of CPI(M) candidate in 1989 polls and that even if the Election Commission is to initiate a case over the matter, it will not be a problem

Governors' approval of bills was delayed in 2024 for many states, says think tank report

NEW DELHI: Amid an ongoing debate following the Supreme Courts recent verdict in the Tamil Nadu case setting a deadline for granting assent to bills, the think tank PRS Legislative Research on Thursday released its report highlighting significant variations in the time governors took to give assent to bills in 2024. The report noted that around 18 per cent of bills across states took over three months to receive final clearance. In its report, PRS Legislative Research stated, In 2024, state legislatures passed more than 500 Bills and scrutinised their state budgets, cumulatively worth about Rs 58 lakh crore. After analysing the functioning of 31 state legislatures in 2024, PRS found that assemblies sat for an average of 20 days, amounting to approximately 100 hours in total. And during these days passed more than 500 Bills and the budgets worth Rs 58 lakh crore, the report said. It added that Odisha held the highest number of sitting days at 42, followed by Kerala with 38 and West Bengal with 36. In contrast, Manipur which is under President's Rule, met for only 14 days, Nagaland for six, Sikkim for eight, and Arunachal Pradesh for 16. As the Constitution mandates legislature to meet at least once in six months, only eleven states met this requirement through short sessions that lasted for one or two days, the report stated. 'Can SC fix timelines for assent to bills by President, Governors?': Murmu's poser to top court The report further highlighted that only 4% of bills passed in 2024 were examined by committees. Of over 500 bills, just 22 were referred to committees across seven states, with reports on 15 of them presented to their respective assemblies.As an example, it noted that 12 bills in Kerala were referred to Subject Committees. It also revealed that 28 states, on average, discussed their budgets for seven days. Kerala and Goa spent the most time on budget discussions, dedicating 18 days each, followed by Odisha with 16 days, Gujarat with 14, and Rajasthan with 13. On the other hand, six states including Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana, debated and passed their budgets within just two days. The Annual Review of State Laws report released by PRS on Thursday observed that in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Mizoram and Rajasthan, all bills received assent within a month. Across states, 60 per cent of bills obtained the governors assent within a month. In 2024, across states, there was wide variation in the time taken by governors to give assent to bills, the PRS report stated. States where a significant proportion of bills took more than three months to receive assent included Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh (72 per cent of bills), Trinamool Congress-ruled West Bengal (38 per cent), and Sikkim (56 per cent). Of all bills passed in 2024, 18 per cent received assent after more than three months. This includes bills still awaiting assent as of April 2025. The Tamil Nadu government had earlier approached the Supreme Court regarding 12 bills pending with the governor, which the legislature had passed between 2020 and 2023. After receiving notice from the court in 2023, the governor returned 10 of these bills to the assembly. When the legislature passed them again, the governor reserved the bills for the Presidents opinion. These bills remain pending. Some states have had issues with summoning of session and governor's address, the report noted, pointing out that assembly sessions begin when the governor summons the House and end when the governor prorogues it. In 2024, sessions in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal continued for more than six months without prorogation, with long intervals between sittings. In Delhi and Tamil Nadu, a session lasted from February to December 2024, with 18 sittings in Tamil Nadu. In West Bengal, a session that began in July 2023 had not been prorogued as of May 2025. In Tamil Nadu, in February 2024, the governor refused to deliver his address to the assembly and walked out of the House, a similar incident occurred in January 2025. It is notable that on 8 April, the apex court issued a verdict concerning the powers of governors in handling bills, as contested by the Tamil Nadu government. For the first time, the Court stipulated that the President should decide on bills reserved for her consideration by the governor within three months of the reference being received. Subsequently, on 13 April 2025, President Droupadi Murmu invoked Article 143(1)a provision rarely usedto seek the Supreme Courts opinion on whether judicially-imposed timelines could govern the Presidents discretion in dealing with bills passed by state assemblies. The Centre opted for a presidential reference instead of requesting a review of the verdict, a move that has triggered sharp political reactions.

SFI protest in Keralas Kannur turns violent; Congress flagpole, flex board destroyed

The protest was in response to a demonstration by Youth Congress and KSU members in Malapattam recently, which the SFI claimed insulted Dheeraj, a slain SFI activist

Search on for man-eater tiger at Kalikavu in Keralas Malappuram

Kumki elephants, drone squad deployed to help rapid response team

Still postponing your road trip? Kerala woman, with her kid and 76-year-old mother, is on a 4,000 km caravan journey

A Kerala family of seven, including a toddler and a 76-year-old, is captivating India with their 4,000 km caravan journey to Ladakh. Jelaja and Ratheesh, seasoned truck drivers, share their heartwarming adventure on Instagram, showcasing scenic routes and family bonding. Their custom caravan, equipped with all essentials, sparks curiosity about its design and cost.

Will do everything for the 10.5 lakh fisherfolk in Kerala: Minister Cherian

Will do everything for the 10.5 lakh fisherfolk in Kerala: Minister Cherian Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian claimed on Friday that the fortune of the fishermen community has changed since the Vijayan government came to power in 2016, and assured that he will do everything for the fisherfolk. In a chat with IANS, Cherian [] The post Will do everything for the 10.5 lakh fisherfolk in Kerala: Minister Cherian appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

K Sudhakaran's remark over his removal from KPCC president post leaves leaders, supporters in a tight spot

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The remarks of former KPCC president K Sudhakaran have put his close followers and leaders in a tight spot. Sudhakarans criticism against his removal from the post of Congress chief by the national leadership has not been taken in a positive way by the high command. Followingly, AICC has also instructed the senior leaders in the State not to reply or respond to the open statements made by Sudhakaran. Both AICC and state Congress leadership have decided to completely ignore the former KPCC president. The statement of Sudhakaran is a breach of party discipline, a senior Congress leader told TNIE. Both Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had conveyed to him personally about the need for a revamp and a new leadership ahead of local body and assembly elections. As a member of CWC, he is bound to ensure partydiscipline, he said. There is criticism and disappointment in the Sudhakaran camp too, against his open revolt for a second consecutive time. Sudhakaran is the only leader who was given an honourable exit from the KPCC president post by the high command after a long time, a leader close to him said. Former presidents Thennala Balakrishnapilla, PP Thankachan, VM Sudheeran, Mullapally Ramachandran and MM Hassan left without any honour. K Muralidharan and Ramesh Chennithala were two exceptions. K Sudhakaran has also been elevated to the working committee by the high command, he said. As the AICC has given a free hand to the new team led by KPCC president Sunny Joseph in reorganisation, the leaders close to Sudhakaran are in high hopes to be accommodated in the newly formed committees at various levels. They also express that by openly revolting against the high command and making remarks against senior leaders, Sudhakaran has lost the bargaining capacity and edge over hisopponents. The lack of support from his supporters is also viewed as a sign of waning grip of former Kannur strongman on his ground. Meanwhile, the VD Satheeshan and KC Venugopal camp is likely to be benefited from Sudhakarangroup's loss of power.

Charred body of a woman found in Thiruvananthapuram; police detain partner

The woman is suspected to have died around 10.30 p.m. Residents in the area reported hearing a womans screams for help around the same time

Charred body of 50-year-old woman found in Thiruvananthapuram, police probe relationship angle

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Charred body of a 50-year-old woman was found in Kaimanam here on Thursday night. The deceased has been identified as Sheeja, a native of Karumam. Her family has alleged foul play in her death. According to the local residents, upon hearing a woman screaming, they had immediately alerted the police. On searching the area, they had found the body in an unoccupied plot located in the densely populated Kuttikkattu Lane area. By the time the police arrived, Sheeja had already succumbed to severe burn injuries. According to police, Sheeja had been living with a friend named Saji, who stays near the spot where her body was found. Her family members said Sheeja and Saji had a close but troubled relationship, which they had opposed for a long time. Though the two had separated for a while, the family believes they have recently started talking again. Police suspect that Sheeja may have visited Sajis house on Thursday night. While they have not ruled out the possibility that Sheeja may have taken her own life, her family is asking for a detailed investigation into Sajis involvement in the incident.

Death of tourist in tent collapse: Police nab two resort operators in Keralas Wayanad

Culpable homicide not amounting to murder charged

AIIMS Bibinagar MBBS student found dead in lake, police suspect suicide

Hyderabad: Bibinagar police recovered the body of a fourth-year MBBS student from AIIMS Bibinagar in a lake on Thursday morning, May 15. The deceased has been identified as a 24-year-old Abhijeet J, who was from Kerala. Police suspect the death to be a case of suicide, although the reasons remain unclear. No suicide note was 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 .

IMD hints at simultaneous monsoon onset over Kerala, North-East India next week

Atmospheric circulation features over equatorial Pacific still mirror rain-friendly La Nia, may turn neutral soon

Kerala To Ladakh: Womans Family Trip On A Caravan Has Internets Attention

The woman, who is on a mission to cover 18 states, is currently in Karnataka during her Kerala to Ladakh caravan trip.

Indian businessman recreates rural Kerala in his Dubai villa. Who is Abdulla Nooruddin?

Abdulla Nooruddin, an entrepreneur in Dubai, is honoring his Kerala roots. He recreated a 1980s Kerala-style home. It features vintage furniture and an old-fashioned antenna. His lifestyle video went viral. It garnered millions of views. He owns vintage cars. The UAE government awarded him the Gold Card residency in 2019. Nooruddin's success spans various industries.

88-year-old woman brutally attacked by grandson in Keralas Kannur

The attack is believed to have stemmed from resentment over her decision not to live with him

Odisha government forms transgender welfare board

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Thursday formed the State Transgender Welfare Board to look into the rehabilitation and welfare of transgender persons. The board, comprising 12 members, will monitor implementation of the schemes adopted for the transgender community. To be headed by minister of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Nityananda Gond, the board will formulate comprehensive guidelines for rehabilitation and welfare of transgenders as per the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. The Act mandates devising welfare schemes and programmes that are transgender sensitive and non-stigmatising along with provisions for non-discrimination in educational institutions and employment, providing healthcare services and several welfare measures. The board has representation of departments like Health, Panchayati Raj, Housing & Urban Development, Skill Development, Higher Education and School & Mass Education. It will look after education, employment, housing and health schemes for transgenders, implementation of transgender policy, and implementation of various welfare initiatives meant for them. With participation of transgender persons extremely low in education, the board will also provide guidance to transgender students for pursuing higher education and employment. With this, Odisha becomes the 20th state to form transgender welfare board. Along with Tamil Nadu, Kerala and AP, Odisha has independent policies for addressing rights and welfare of transgender persons.

48-year-old man dies of cholera at Kuttanad in Keralas Alappuzha

Health department and local panchayat have launched disease surveillance and sanitisation operations at Thalavady

Heres what the Maharashtra Police have recovered from the Kerala based journalist so far

Independent journalist Rejaz M. Sheeba Sydeek was arrested in Nagpur on May 8 and was charged with waging war against the government after preliminary information showed anti-Indian Army messages on his phone. O

G Sudhakarans postal-ballot tampering remarks spark row, poll panel acts

ALAPPUZHA: Taking serious note of former minister G Sudhakarans revelation about tampering of postal ballots in the favour of CPMs Alappuzha candidate in the 1989 Lok Sabha polls, the State Election Commission (SEC) has directed district election officer and Alappuzha Collector Alex Varghese to register an FIR and take further steps. On the SECs directive, Ambalappuzha tahsildar S Anvar visited Sudhakarans residence at Paravoor near Alappuzha on Thursday and recorded his statement. The former ministers comments during the state meet of the NGO Union on Wednesday triggered a storm with Opposition parties condemning his admission and calling for a thorough investigation into the matter. The CPM Alappuzha unit denied any tampering. Addressing a gathering of former NGO Union leaders in Alappuzha as part of the meet, Sudhakaran had said that postal ballots cast in favour of the Opposition were altered to support CPMs Alappuzha candidate K V Devadas. At the time, Sudhakaran was the secretary of the CPM election committee. He said the ballots cast by members of service organisations were collected and brought to the CPM office. Roughly 15% had voted for the rival candidate. We examined and modified the ballots, Sudhakaran said, adding that he was not concerned about legal action from the Election Commission. In the election, Congress candidate Vakkom Purushothaman defeated Devadas by more than 25,000 votes. In a statement on Thursday, Chief Election Officer Rathan Kelkar said the commission viewed the revelation as extremely serious. He also said it violated Sections 136 and 128 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. In his speech, Sudhakaran also said there was no obligation that all NGO Union members vote for the LDF. The NGO Union is a non-political organisation. People affiliated with any party can be a part of it. However, during elections, one should openly declare whom they are voting for. Do not think that if you seal the postal ballot and hand it over, none will know your decision, he said. On Thursday, Sudhakaran said he had given his statement to the SEC representatives. I have not committed any murder. I explained all the details to the representatives. Let the collector decide, he said. Reacting to Sudhakarans statements, CPM Alappuzha district secretary R Nazar said there was no tampering of postal ballots in any election. There are no such activities (done) by the CPM leaders or cadre. I do not know under what circumstances Sudhakaran made such a statement, Nazar said. Sudhakaran backtracks, says he aimed at raising awareness Following the backlash, Sudhakaran withdrew his statement on Thursday evening. During a public meeting at Kadakkarapilly near Cherthala, he said no incident of postal ballot tampering had occurred. I spoke with a bit of imagination to raise awareness among government employees about the importance of the postal ballots. I have never engaged in or facilitated fake voting. Postal ballots were not tampered with. I was only giving a warning to union members who didnt vote. I have conveyed this to the election officials who came to record my statement, he said.

Farmers rage as wild animal attacks claim 25 lives in Kerala this year

KOCHI: Protests are raging in the high ranges of Kerala over the rising incidents of wild animal attacks. As many as 25 people have died in wild animal attacks since January 1, 2025, of which 19 were killed by wild elephants and two were devoured by tigers. Three persons died in wild boar attacks while one was killed by an Indian gaur. As the forest department claims to have bolstered steps to curb such attacks, farmers blame it on the apathy of the officials. Reacting to the latest incident, in which Kalathipadickal Gafoor was mauled to death by a tiger , Kerala Independent Farmers Association (KIFA) Kalikavu unit president Sakir Vadayil said they had filed a complaint with Nilambur South Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) on March 14 regarding the presence of a tiger at Karuvarakund, Kalikavu and Chokkad areas. The DFO had visited the spot and confirmed the presence of the tiger after checking the pugmarks. However, the forest department did not take any steps to catch it. The government should book the DFO for negligence which led to the death of the sole breadwinner of the four-member family, he said. However, DFO G Dhanik Lal said that after confirming the presence of the tiger, the department was continuously monitoring the area. It was a moving animal and was not spotted in recent days. We have installed camera traps in the area and have launched a search for the tiger, he said. Terming the incident as unfortunate, a top official said the department has identified 273 panchayats as human-wildlife conflict zones of which 30 are hotspots. We have deployed 28 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) and have intensified night patrolling in the conflict zones. As many as 36 control rooms have been established at the division level and the activities are coordinated by a state control room. We are installing Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System (Anidars) alarms, sensor walls, early warning system and camera traps in the conflict zones to avoid wild animal attacks. Besides solar fencing, rail fencing, elephant trench and elephant walls are being built to stop wild animals from straying into human habitations, he said. Recent tiger attack Deaths: January 24, 2025 - Radha, 48, Pancharakolli, Wayanad May 15, 2025 - Gafoor, Kallamala, Vandoor, Malappuram Injured: January 26, 2025: Jayasurya, 28, Wayanad Casualty in wild animal attacks since January 1, 2025 Death in elephant attacks: 19 Tiger attacks: 2 Wild boar attacks: 3 Indian Gaur attack: 1 No. of people injured in wild animal attacks Elephant attack: 16 Tiger attack: 1 Wild boar attack: 70 Indian Gaur attack: 4 Bear attack: 1

Private bus operators in Kerala to launch indefinite strike

KOTTAYAM: Private bus operators in the state have decided to launch an indefinite strike soon demanding renewal of permits of long-distance services and an end to excessive action by government authorities. The date of the strike will be announced after discussions with other bus owners organisations and labour outfits in three to four days, office-bearers of the Kerala Private Bus Operators Federation (KPBOF) told reporters in Kottayam on Thursday. Their demands include renewal of permits of long-distance buses and limited stop buses that have been operating in the state for a long time, limiting student concessions to genuine students, hike in the ticket fare of students as well as an end to the allegedly excessive fines slapped on bus owners by the transport department and the police on trivial grounds. The KPBOF functionaries also demanded a card system to ensure concessions are granted to eligible students only. They also proposed fixing the minimum ticket price of students at Rs 5.

In a first for party, IUML appoints two women as national office-bearers

KOZHIKODE: Sending a clear signal that the party will not toe the line of orthodox sections in the Muslim community that are against womens entry into public life, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has appointed two women as its national office-bearers -- a first for the party. Fathima Muzaffer and Jayanthi Rajan were named the national assistant secretaries at the partys national council held in Chennai on Thursday. Fathima, a native of Chennai, is the national president of the Indian Union Womens League and working committee member of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board. She is also a member of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board. Jayanthi Rajan, who is from Pulpally in Wayanad, is the leader of the Dalit League. For long, women cadre and leaders have been vehemently arguing for a place in the decision-making bodies of the party. Until now, the party refused to heed the demand, fearing opposition from the orthodox sections in the community. Induction of women into the leadership points to a shift in the IUML line that the party is no longer controlled by the orthodox groups. Last year, the party nominated women leaders, including Fathima Thehliya and Najma Thabsheera, to the leadership of the Muslim Youth League. In the past, the party had fielded two women candidates in the assembly elections. Kamarunnisa Anwar contested from Kozhikode South in 1996 and Noorbina Rasheed from the same constituency in 2021. But both of them lost, mainly because of the opposition from within the community. However, there are a number of women representatives for the party in the local bodies in the state. Kader Mohideen will continue as the national president and P K Kunhalikutty national general secretary. Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal will be the convener of the Political Advisory Committee. E T Muhammad Basheer is the organising secretary and MP Abdul Wahab is the treasurer. M P Abdussamad Samadani is the senior vice-president. MLA K P A Majeed has been elected as the vice-president and Panakkad Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal national secretary. Though the national council decision has been hailed as a historic step, those who are familiar with the past of the party said this was not a new thing as there were many women in the leadership of the party. There were many women leaders in the All India Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, said M C Vadakara, who wrote the history of the party. Beegum Aizaz Rasul was a member of the constituent assembly which drafted the Constitution. Muslim League leader Beegum Ameerudeen was a member of the Madras assembly and Beegum Shanawaz was elected to the Punjab assembly in 1937, he said.

Class 4 Kerala Paadavali features art works exclusively by girl students, women

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When revised textbooks reach state syllabus schools in the upcoming academic year, the Malayalam textbook Kerala Paadavali for Class 4 is sure to stand out. All the illustrations in the book have been drawn exclusively by girl students and women. The State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), which oversees the curriculum revision, came up with the novel idea as a women empowerment initiative. General Education Minister V Sivankutty welcomed it as a new chapter in the history of the states textbook design sector, which is considered male-dominated. The 10-member team of illustrators included two students Ananya S Subhash and Biyaanka Jenson along with teachers and professional artists. While Biyaanka, a differently abled student, was chosen from an SCERT camp to prepare textbook illustrations last November, Ananya had been a participant in the camp in its previous editions. What makes the textbook unique is the careful selection of illustrations that are aimed at stimulating the imagination of children in the 9-10 age group. The all-female team was encouraged to experiment with various styles and colours supplementing the corresponding matter in the text. SCERT initially had plans to entrust illustrations for the Class 4 and 6 Malayalam textbooks exclusively to girl students and women. However, the plan was restricted to Class 4 as lower primary textbooks need more illustrations compared to other classes. In 2023, students of the Government Model Residential School, Wadakkanchery, Thrissur had painted on stones and turned them into works of art. The stones they painted were featured on the cover of the revised Art Education Activity book of Class 5 last year.

Railway to fully fund 55 critical ROBs in Kerala after State fails to share costs

Kerala Lottery Results: Suvarna Keralam SK-3 Winners For May 16, 2025; First Prize Rs 1 Crore!

Turkish firm handling ground operations in airports including Kochi ousted

KOCHI: A Turkish firm handling ground operations in various airports in the country, including Kochi, was denied the security clearance on Thursday by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The move follows the Turkish government openly supporting Pakistan post Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces after the Pahalgam terror attack. Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd provides the services at nine airports Kochi, Kannur, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, and Ahmedabad. The development is expected to affect international flight operations from these airports, including Kochi and Kannur. The firm can no longer operate as the BCAS issued an order on Thursday revoking its security clearance. While it will have no bearings on the domestic operation, the international operations of at least 10 airlines from Kochi will be hit, a senior CIAL official told TNIE . Celebi is one of the three firms handling the ground operations in the Kochi airport. The two others are Bird Worldwide Flight Services (India) Pvt Ltd (BWFS) and Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AITSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India. Airports handling 10 to 15 million passengers are allowed to engage up to three ground handling firms. CIAL handled over 1 crore passengers for the second consecutive year in 2024. Hence we availed ourselves of the service of three firms, the official added. The company handles everything from passenger services and load control and flight operations to ramp services. Earlier, the BCAS issued an order revoking the security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India, which is part of Turkiye-based Celebi. Turkiye had backed Islamabad and condemned Indias recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, which also used weapons including drones supplied by Turkiye, in the four-day war with New Delhi. Meanwhile, IndiGo Airlines is facing a lot of backlash on social media as it has a code share partnership with Turkish Airlines and Corendon Airlines and leases its aircraft from both domestic and international operations. Air India Express also signed a deal in February with Turkish Technic for the maintenance of its Boeing 737 fleet.

SC not bound to provide opinion to Presidents reference: Ex-HC judge

CHENNAI: Commenting on President Droupadi Murmu sending a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court with 14 questions regarding the courts recent landmark verdict in the case filed by the Tamil Nadu government against Governor R N Ravi, retired judge of Madras High Court, Justice K Chandru, said that such Presidential References have been raised on many occasions in the past. Pointing out that President Murmu has invoked powers under Clause 1 of Article 143 of the Constitution to seek the opinion of the apex court, he said that as per the particular section, the SC is not bound to provide its opinion to the President. The registry of the SC will formally register the reference as a Presidential Reference case. The Chief Justice of India will constitute a Constitutional Bench to hear the matter. Some occasions in which Presidential Reference was invoked include the Kerala Education Bill of 1957 over concerns on infringement on rights of minorities and the Searchlight case in 1964 regarding the Uttar Pradesh Assembly deciding to imprison a non-member for breach of privilege. It was also invoked after the 2G case verdict of the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, DMK MP and senior advocate P Wilson told reporters in Delhi that Presidential References had been made around 15 times so far and the SC had declined to answer on a few occasions. Moreover, the SC had categorically clarified that it is not possible to annul or render ineffective a judgment that has already been delivered through such advisory jurisdiction. CM Stalin slams BJP-led union government for presidential reference to SC on verdict in TN Governor case

Thiruvananthapuram airport clocks nearly 50 lakh passengers, 10 per cent growth in a year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The International Airport in Thiruvananthapuram recorded a strong performance in the 2024-25 financial year, registering a 10% growth in passenger traffic. A total of 48,90,452 passengers used the airport during the year, including 25.9 lakh domestic and 22.9 lakh international travellers. This marks a significant increase from the 44,11,235 passengers handled in the previous fiscal year. The airport set a new record for its highest single-day passenger and aircraft traffic on December 22, 2024, when it served 16,578 passengers and managed 101 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs). This surpassed the earlier record of 15,193 passengers and 95 ATMs on January 29, 2024, underlining the airports growing capacity to manage peak demand efficiently. Currently, the airport handles an average of 14,614 passengers and 86 ATMs per day, including charter services. The airport now connects to over nine domestic and 14 international destinations, with increased flight frequencies aligned to rising demand and improved infrastructure. During the fiscal, aircraft movements rose to 33,316-up from 31,342 in FY 2023-24. Managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd., Trivandrum airport continues to evolve into a major aviation hub in the region. The airport has not only seen impressive growth in traffic but also made notable advancements in infrastructure and technology. Among the key upgrades were the addition of more check-in counters and E-Gates at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, streamlining passenger movement and reducing wait times.

Shashi Tharoor denies AICC action against him for his statements on Operation Sindoor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: MP Shashi Tharoor has dismissed news reports that he has been reprimanded by the Congress high command for his statements related to Operation Sindhoor or US intervention in the Kashmir issue. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Tharoor said that he is yet to be informed about any actions. I dont know where it (the news) comes from. I was in a closed-door meeting of the Congress Working Committee on Wednesday. I was there till 6.37pm. The meeting began at 4.30pm. And I must say that in that time there was no reference to any of these and certainly no reference to me. If something happened there after, I am yet to be informed. When I am informed, I will react. There is no point in reacting to something of which there is no official communication of any kind, he said. He also said that what Jairam Ramesh said was absolutely correct. I am not a spokesperson of the party or the government either. The people think that I have some knowledge about these subjects and they come and ask my views. And I make it very clear that I am expressing my views. My party has declared complete solidarity with the government and armed forces at the beginning of the conflict. It is important to rally around the flag especially when internationally there is relatively a lack of our point being heard particularly in Europe, Middle East and the US. When stations from these countries approached me, I felt it is my duty to try and give a point of view that reflects accurately in my understanding what India believes stands for and would have done, he said. Tharoor also said the parliamentary committee of which he is the chairman would be briefed on coming Monday. So, I have no access to any classified information. I am getting my personal opinion as somebody who has been witnessing and watching world affairs, he said.

Crackdown pays off, home birth cases drop in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state governments efforts to curb the risky practice of home births -- following the death of a woman in Malappuram during childbirth in early April -- have begun to show results. In April, the number of home births statewide dropped to 26 from the March figure of 46. Notably, Malappuram -- which has long recorded the highest number of home deliveries in Kerala -- led the improvement, bringing down home births from 23 to just six during the period. Kollam reported a complete halt in home births, from four in the previous month. Despite the drastic reduction, Malappuram still recorded the highest number of home births in the state in April, followed by Thiruvananthapuram with four cases. However, seeing Malappurams numbers fall to single digits is a significant achievement.The governments action after the death (of the woman from Malappuram), along with consistent follow-up, helped in bringing the desired impact among the public, Malappuram District Medical Officer (DMO) Renuka R told TNIE . Local self-government bodies also played a key role in the campaign, organising street plays in areas known for encouraging home births. The World Health Day (April 7) celebrations in the state also focused on the theme. While Indias maternal mortality rate stands at 97 per 1 lakh live births, Kerala has reduced it to just 19. Between April last year and February this year, the state recorded 2,94,058 births, of which 382 occurred at home. In 2024 alone, the department linked 17 stillbirths and 12 neonatal deaths to home births. Malappuram, in particular, has been at the centre of the crisis, recording 1,244 home births out of a total of 2,931 deliveries between 2019 and September 2024. The turning point came with the death of Asma, 35, who bled to death during a home birth on April 5. Health Minister Veena George termed such incidents as intentional murder and directed district medical officers to pursue culpable homicide charges in such cases. Subsequently, Asmas husband, Sirajuddin, was arrested. Even before the tragedy, Dr K Pratibha, a medical officer at the Thanur Family Health Centre (FHC) in Malappuram, had been advocating against home births. Frustrated by repeated cases, she took up the issue through official channels and approached the High Court, seeking strict government action and clear guidelines to prevent such practices. The government must protect the lives of both mother and child. Even the unborn child has rights that must be safeguarded. Strong action from the authorities will deter families from taking such risks, she said. The health departments recent progress comes at a critical time, as the High Court has sought a report based on Dr Pratibhas supplementary petition filed in May.

Why did they have to kill him, asks a grief-stricken father on son's death

THURAVOOR: Ivin Jijo had a personalised alarm that woke him up every day and a scheduler that helped him manage his daily activities. It was his father, Jijo. No matter how late the hour or how routine his shift, Ivin, a chef with airline caterers CAFS, never missed sending his father a message upon reaching work. It was their routine. And each night, as Ivin left for his shift, Jijo would walk him to the gate and stand there until he disappeared into the darkness. Only then would the dad go back inside, pausing on his way to open the dogs kennel his signal that Ivin had safely left. But yesterday Jijo paused, his voice cracking. I was on a call with a patient. I couldnt walk him to the gate like I always did. His eyes filled. Still, even in the middle of that call, I reminded him to eat the mangoes Id sliced especially for him and kept on the dining table. It looks like he ate a few piecestwo or three. It was the last thing he ate. With those words, the weight of Jijos grief overflowed in form of tears. We never let him ride his bike at night for work as we feared stray dogs. Thats why we insisted he take the car. It wasnt to show off our financial statuswe just loved him that much, said Jijo. He was such a gentle soul. He never got into fights, never troubled anyone. Even if he made a mistake, they couldve scolded him, beaten him if they wanted. Why did they kill him, the father asked. Jijo, Ivins father Jijo said he received a call from the Nedumbassery police around 12.30am on Thursday. They said my sons car was found parked by the roadside. As soon as I hung up, I contacted the CAFS office, where Ivin worked. They told me he had called earlier, saying hed be late due to some trouble on the road. I tried calling Ivin directly, but he didnt answer. I then called my wife, a nurse at Mar Sleeva Medicity in Pala, and told her something might have happened to their son, he said. By then he had rushed out of the house, frantically calling hospitals and the police station, hoping for any news. Even then, Ivins phone kept ringing, but no one picked up. Later, I was informed that he was injured in an accident. I called my wife again and told her to come immediately. But when I reached the reception of Little Flower Hospital, the expressions on my colleagues faces said everything. I asked, Where is Ivin? Is he in the casualty ward? The operation theatre? No one answered. After a few moments of unbearable silence, someone gently led Jijo to a nearby room. In that moment, I knewI just knew he was gone, said Jijo, a senior physiotherapist at the same hospital.

Kerala launches real-time weather app for early warnings

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sudden weather changes are hardly ever good. One moment, its sunny outside, and the next it looks like it will rain, heavily. Thankfully, there is a solution an advanced weather app that offers real-time insights on such changes. The new mobile app, to be launched by the Institute for Climate Change Studies (ICCS) under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) this year, can issue early warnings for extreme rainfall and related events, including landslides, thereby allowing, among other things, improved disaster preparedness. The Kerala Startup Mission is developing an app that will offer location-specific forecasts based on cumulative rainfall, one of the main triggers for rain-related disasters like landslides and floods. Accurate regional prediction of extreme rainfall events has long been a challenge due to uncertainties in weather model predictions. The new app aims to overcome this by integrating ground-based rainfall observations and satellite data to provide timely and localised alerts. Before the massive Wayanad landslides last year, the region experienced several days of extreme rainfall. Its the cumulative effect that triggers such disasters. Our app will use 15 days of rainfall data from local observatories to send out early warnings based on cumulative rainfall in a given area. This will greatly enhance public preparedness, said ICCS director K Rajendran. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides 24-hour rainfall updates and short-term forecasts at present, the new app will go further by offering real-time insights on cumulative rainfall. The new app will also feature the nowcasting technique developed by ICCS scientists in collaboration with IITs in Madras and Palakkad as well as Purdue University. Published in PLOS Climate, an open-access journal for multidisciplinary climate research, the method analyses early microphysical cloud signatures like the cloud droplet size and temperature to predict extreme rainfall events up to six hours in advance with 93% accuracy. Unlike conventional forecasts, our approach can nowcast extreme rainfall with over 93% accuracy and a lead time of at least six hours. This will help save lives, especially in regions like the Western Ghats, said K P Sudheer, KSCSTE executive vice-president and principal secretary, science and technology. He said ICCS is planning to sign a memorandum of understanding with IMD for data sharing. Kerala is expected to receive heavy monsoon rainfall between June and September. Though the plan was to release the app before the seasons onset, delays in development pushed the deadline. KSUM has sought 70 days to complete the apps development; we are aiming for launch before September. We are also planning to make this app a platform that integrates all available rain data managed by various departments and even private agencies, Rajendran said. As per the IMD data, between 2001 and 2018, Kerala recorded 222 heavy rainfall events, including 32 extreme ones where daily rainfall crossed 204.4mm.

Kondotty Nercha: A festival of harmony amid attempts to divide

MALAPPURAM: Its our festival and we celebrate it together. The words by Ramesan, a resident of Kondotty, aptly sum up the feelings that people of the town in Malappuram attach to Kondotty Nercha. Celebrated in the memory of the late Sufi saint Muhammad Shah, the first Kondotty Thangal, Kondotty Nercha is a festival in which people of all faiths take part. The celebrations, centred around Shahs Mughal-style tomb (Qubba), are returning after a 14-year gap caused by a family dispute over the sthananeeyan (spiritual head). For the residents, its timing could not have been better what with efforts being made from various quarters to create division in society. For them, the Nercha is not just a ritual, but also an agricultural festival with ceremonies held in the fields after harvest, and sale of crops carried out during the week-long celebrations. Moreover, the Nercha is also a confluence of various art forms, such as pooram kali, chavittukali, cheenimuttu and the like. In the past, this was also a market for residents to buy household items. In our childhood, our parents would buy things like knives, mats and other items from this market, said Abdurahman, another Kondotty resident. The Nercha officially commences with the hoisting of a white flag in the town. Later, cannons kept in the AR camp nearby are brought to the Nercha field. The story goes that around 200 years ago, the then local kings, with the support of the Zamorin, fought Muhammad Shah. After losing the war, the Zamorin lost the cannons. These later became part of the Nercha. Its a festival of social harmony. People from every religion gather here. The cannons are cleaned and oiled by people regardless of religion. Everyone plays a role in the pettivaravu, one of the main ceremonies, said Rafeek Thangal of the Kondotty Thangal family. During pettivaravu, the thattan petti (Goldsmith Box), belonging to an ancient family of goldsmiths known as Swami Maths is brought in a procession. People from Scheduled Castes communities also arrive with their offerings. Meanwhile, there are some Islamic groups that are critical of the Kondotty Nercha. We oppose mainly for three reasons. First, it is conducted by Shias. Second, conducting a nercha in the name of a person other than Allah is un-Islamic. Finally, the jaaram (the tomb) is also un-Islamic, said Abdul Malik Salafi, secretary, Wisdom Islamic Organisation.

A pause point to remember military martyrs

IndUsually, as dusk falls, this monument in Palayam remains invisible to people speeding home from work. But on Wednesday night, it was lit up with candlelight as military veterans gathered around the War Memorial to pay tributes to the lives lost during Operation Sindoor. We wanted to convey a strong message to the nation that the veterans can still fight for the country if the situation demands, says Indian Naval Veterans Society secretary Sunil Kumar S. Air Force and Army veterans also had joined in the show of solidarity at the stoic War Memorial, stationed in a location that was once the headquarters of the Nair Pattalam (battalion) of the Army of the erstwhile state of Travancore. The steely silence of the surroundings was shattered as the veterans spoke of their resolve. The War Memorial is one of the military-related monuments in Thiruvananthapuram that has drawn renewed attention since Operation Sindoor began. Previously, its location opposite the Fine Arts College was known more as a geographical landmark than as a monument honouring the soldiers from the region who participated in World War I. The story behind monuments such as these is forgotten over the years, says Diksha Kaladhar, a member of the nearby State Central Library, who was inspired to look up the history of the War Memorial following the launch of Operation Sindoor. The memorial bears the inscription marking the period during which the soldiers served in the Great War (as the First World War was known): 1914 to 1921. Though the war officially ended in 1918, the extended period accounts for the time taken by soldiers to return home. It was in 1914, when the war broke out, that the British colonial administration sought assistance from the princely states. Travancores Maharaja Sree Moolam Thirunal was the first to send troops. According to historians, Travancores support was offered in the hope of securing a more influential voice for India. Interestingly, men from Travancore were also sent to fight in the Crimean War (18531856) on behalf of the British, though this remains a lesser-known fact, with no memorials commemorating it. As the soldiers returned after WW I, a monument was erected at the army headquarters but it was later effaced for reasons that remain unclear. During the reign of Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, C P Ramaswami Iyer, the diwan of Travancore from 1936 to 1947, reconstructed the memorial. The inscription on the monument reads: To the memory of the men of the Indian Army recruited from the State of Travancore who lost their lives in the service of the Empire during the Great War 1914 1921. In later years, due to lack of space, the Army cantonment was shifted to Pangode, where the main war monuments of Travancore are now housed. The War Memorial, however, remained where it was originally built. Until a few years ago, Army personnel would march up to the memorial to pay their respects on designated dates a practice that was eventually discontinued. The monument was later renovated, with restoration works, including the installation of a protective wall and lighting. Its upkeep is now overseen by the Kerala State Ex-Servicemens League and visiting officers. Now, following persistent demands, a post-Independence war memorial is being constructed at Akkulam, where the Southern Air Command is based. Work began last year. Despite some delays in funding, the second phase is expected to be completed within the December 7 deadline, says Paul A T, assistant director, Department of Sainik Welfare. Historian M G Sasibhooshan notes that such war memorials stand as symbols of sacrifice by defence personnel, and as reminders of the pain and loss war creates. However, veterans who gathered at the War Memorial on Wednesday believe that symbolism alone is not enough. We are remembered only during times of conflict, says Sunil Kumar, a former Navy petty officer. We have lived a disciplined life, putting our nation first before everything else. And this stays with us throughout, making our productivity high. We are ever-ready to serve the nation. Are we being utilised enough?

Acting was something I felt I should never do: Sangeeth Prathap

On February 9, 2024, Sangeeth Prathap had no idea his life was about to shift gears. That was the day Premalu hit theatres, and with it, Amal Davis was born. The ride-or-die friend of Sachin (played by Naslen K Gafoor) quickly struck a chord with audiences. Social media was flooded with memes and posts declaring, We all deserve a friend like Amal Davis. The film went on to become a runaway hit, rewatched and quoted for its wit and warmth. At the time, Sangeeth was steadily climbing the ranks as a film editor, having worked on a number of projects. But Premalu gave him visibility like never before. His next appearance came in Bromance , in which he played hacker Harihara Sudhan, a role again noted for comic timing. The 30-year-old also made a brief but pivotal cameo in Thudarum . Up next, Sangeeth will be seen sharing the screen with Mohanlal once again, this time in a full-length role in Sathyan Anthikads Hridayapoorvam . In a breezy chat with TNIE , Sangeeth reflects on his dual career paths and how Amal Davis unexpectedly changed everything. Excerpts: Sangeeth with Mohanlal on the set of Hridayapoorvam What was the moment in your life when you realised cinema was your calling? My father, Prathap Kumar, was a cinematographer and worked as an associate with Jayanan Vincent. I grew up hearing stories about cinema and his experiences on the sets. I suppose thats where the thought of coming into cinema first took root, somewhere in the back of my mind. Editing is a difficult skill to master. What made you choose editing as your career? Even though cinema was my passion, I also wanted the security of a proper job and income. So, instead of jumping straight into filmmaking and its uncertainties, I chose to study BSc Animation. Editing was one of the subjects in our course. When I edited a trailer for the first time, everyone liked it, and I realised I enjoyed editing far more than 2D or 3D animation. Maybe it was again that pull towards cinema because editing was the only part of the course directly related to feature films. After the course, I got placed in an animation company, but the income wasnt what I had hoped for. So I began editing wedding videos. It paid better, and I enjoyed it more. From there, I started editing short films, and eventually, cinema happened. Could you elaborate on your big break? I started as an associate editor on Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil and later worked independently on Pathrosinte Padappukal . Before that, I was an associate and spot editor for about 10-12 films. Anoop Kannan, my fathers friend and a director-producer, recommended me to editor Shameer Muhammed. The reason I got to work as an associate editor in my very first film was because Thomas P Sebastian, who was the associate editor of the film at the time, had to leave for another project, That opened a slot for me. Thomas is also the co-writer of Bromance . Sangeeth with the State Award for editing How did the transition from editing to acting in Hridayam come about? Acting is probably the most accidental thing thats ever happened to me. It was something I felt I should never do. Once, while working on a short film, they couldnt find someone to play the lead, so I did the role. After watching my performance, I had made up my mind that acting wasnt my thing (laughs). But theres a common practice on sets where assistant directors or spot editors are asked to fill in for small shots. Thats how I did a small scene in Helen , which was produced by Vineeth (Sreenivasan) ettan. He cast me in Hridayam as well. I am not sure if that happened because anyone saw potential in my acting. I think it had more to do with the fact that my physique fit the role. There was no audition; it just happened. When you took on the role in Premalu , did you ever imagine that your character would get this much hype? How do you feel about that? I never expected the character to receive so much attention. I can divide my life into two phases, before and after Premalu . I guess it was a turning point for all of us (cast and crew). It changed our careers, the way we think, and even our plans for the future. One big change on my personal front is that now most of the projects I am working on are centred around acting rather than editing. And now, this is exactly what I want to do. So, your focus has shifted from editing... Yes. Naturally, our choices change as our interests evolve. But in my case, its not that my interests have completely changed or that I have left behind the art of editing. Its more that I started liking, enjoying acting as well. Talking of the art of editing, how did it feel to receive the State Award for editing [ Little Miss Rawther ] at such a young age? While acting came to me by accident, editing was something I stepped into with passion and love. I sought out opportunities to become an associate because I wanted to make my mark in the editing field. I gave my 100 per cent to every film, always believing that it would lead to positive results. In my initial days, what I really hoped for was to be part of a film that succeeded at the box office. But I received something even bigger, a State Award. The recognition was totally unexpected and overwhelming. You can imagine. Have you ever felt that editors dont get the recognition they deserve, like directors, music directors, or cinematographers do? Editing is a vital job that can affect the final result of a film. If a film is well-shot, editing becomes easier; otherwise, it requires a lot of effort and patience. I believe, as peoples knowledge of cinema evolves, every aspect, including editing, is being appreciated more. Films used to be all about the actors, then people started noticing the directors and writers. Now, cinematographers and editors are also getting recognition. Some express concern about the lack of visibility, but our job is meant to be seamless. The appreciation for our work will reflect that seamlessness. A scene from Thudarum How did you manage the editing of your latest project, Sarkeet , while being busy with back-to-back acting projects? I had a two-month gap between schedules, and during that time, Sarkeet came to me. Within two weeks, the shooting began in Dubai. I received rushes through Google Drive and, like doing homework, I edited them daily. By the time the movie was finished, my editing was almost complete. Sarkeet feels personally close to me. Now that Im in a financially secure space, I want to focus on editing the kind of films I enjoy, without worrying about brand or commercial aspects. I want to be part of films that allow space for editing. After Premalu , the first project that came to me in this way was Sarkeet . After Premalu , your first movie to release was Bromance . How did you ensure that Harihara Sudhan was different from Amal Davis? The character was different from Amal Davis, and I intentionally chose that. From the look to the performance, I deliberately avoided any resemblance. I was insecure about my performance at first, but after the first day of shooting, Chaman Chacko told me after watching my first scene where I opened the door, We were expecting Amal Davis to walk in, but it felt like a completely different person. So, I just tried to hold on to that throughout the movie. In Thudarum , they wanted a slightly more hyper version of Amal Davis, and for some of my upcoming projects, theyve told me they expect that version of Amal Davis from me as well. Ultimately, actors are tools of the director; we can only do what they ask of us. So yes, there have been roles like that, but I believe Harihara Sudhan wasnt one of them. In Thudarum , your character was a surprise element that came in and changed the narrative. How did that opportunity come to you? When I saw the announcement for the MohanlalShobana movie, I messaged Tharun Moorthy asking if there was any character for me. He called me the very next day, saying there was a small cameo role. But this wasnt just a passing cameo; it had real importance. He described the character as someone who troubles Lalettans characters two favourite things: his car and his son. It was a fun role, and I was excited about the chance to spend time with Lalettan. How were your interactions with Mohanlal on the sets? I was a bit sad because I never really got a chance to properly interact with him during the Thudarum shoot. But that feeling came to a beautiful closure with Hridayapoorvam . Every day on that set, from 8 in the morning to 9.30 at night, I was with Lalettan. And surprisingly, the day Thudarum was released was exactly one year from the day I started shooting for it. So, the same day I first met Lalettan ended up being the day the film released, and I was sitting next to him, watching the film together. A lot changed in that one year. I feel very fortunate that I was able to build such a close connection with him. Could you share more about Hridayapoorvam ? It was after watching Premalu that Sathyan sir called me for the film. It is a throughout character for me. When Thudarum released, many said the role Lalettan played had that classic old Lalettan vibe, and I think this one will be an extension of it. Its a film with plenty of enjoyable moments. Thats all I can share for now. Many legendary actors who did comedy roles are no longer with us, and comedy films are becoming less frequent in Malayalam cinema. Do you think theres an irreplaceable gap? I do feel theres a kind of emptiness in Malayalam cinema without them, not just in comedy, but overall. Earlier, Sathyan sirs set was like a whole package. So many great artists were once part of that space, and now we miss each one of them. As for comedy films, Im not sure how to assess if theres a real shortage. I dont feel like were lacking. Premalu was a comedy movie, Padakkalam is getting great reviews now, and before that, we had Romancham . So I feel films are coming in at regular intervals. Are there any actors or directors who have inspired you? I dont want to single out just one name; the industry itself inspires me. We dont need to look to other industries for motivation. The examples are right here in front of us. The people around us are all inspiring in their own ways. Do you prefer comedy roles, or are you looking to explore character roles in the future? In Hridayapoorvam too, you might still see me in the familiar fun and comic shades of characters like the old Amal Davis or Harihara Sudhan. But after that, Im trying to shift towards doing more serious character roles. The first step in that direction is a film called Baby Girl . Nivin Pauly is playing the lead role. Theres not a single frame of comedy in that film. Up next, Im doing a lead role in a film, but I cant say much about it for now. Is there any update on Premalu 2 ? The official updates are yet to come. Do you have any plans to try your hand at direction? Not at the moment. But I do have that desire. I started out with an interest in direction, and its something I want to do someday. I just hope the opportunity comes along.

Man killed in tiger attack at Kalikavu

Local residents, angered by the tiger attack, refused to let Gafoors body be removed from the spot

Maharashtra ATS claims Kerala journalist is linked to terror outfits; booked under UAPA

Court raps Maharashtra Police for failure to provide seizure documents, grants three days police custody; police say the accused has admitted to being in touch with Maoist leader and CPI (Maoist) central committee member Murali Kannempilly

Kerala urban Maoist probe transferred to Maha ATS

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Minister lays stress on vector source-reduction to combat dengue

SIB records net profit of 1,303 crore, recommends dividend of 40%

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Left activist and Kerala journalist held over Op Sindoor post, booked under UAPA

A 26-year-old independent journalist, hailing from Kerala and associated with the Democratic Students Association, has been charged under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a day after he was arrested by the Nagpur police in Maharashtra. Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, who also works as a social activist, was arrested on May 14 over his 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 .

Ente Keralam expo concludes in Kannur

CM to open Kudumbashrees 27th anniversary fete on Saturday

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Shashi Tharoor says he spoke in a personal capacity and as a foreign affairs expert on the India-Pakistan ceasefire

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Fitness check of school buildings under way in Kozhikode

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Elephants death: Konni MLAs action under Forest departments scanner

Department submits detailed report to Forest Minister. It denies any procedural lapses in summoning a local resident for questioning

Wayanad landslides: Cabinet nod for 351 crore township project for survivors

Approval given subject to the condition thatKIIFCON, a subsidiary ofKIIFB, issues thetechnicalapproval

Kerala cabinet sanctions Rs 351 cr for Wayanad Township project

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Two CISF personnel charged for murder after fatally knocking down youngster in suspected road rage case

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Neelakurinji biodiversity learning festival

Congress, DYFI slam decision to rename Nehru Yuva Kendra

DYFI demands that the Union government withdraw from decision to change the name

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Chief Minister to open 51 roads in Kerala on May 16

SHRC orders urgent action on sewage overflow in Mukkapuzha

K. Sudhakaran expresses disappointment over removal as KPCC president, blames vested interest within party

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Marine dispensary, ambulance to be launched on May 18

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Photo frames to attract tourists to Idukki

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IIMK donates 17,500 books worth 1 crore to 35 Kerala colleges

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IUML to remain in DMK alliance in T.N. and UDF in Kerala, says partys national president Kader Mohideen

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Man Dies After Car Hits Him in Kerala, Two CISF Personnel Held

25-year-old Ivin Jijo run over by car after reported dispute; two CISF officials suspended, probe on

Arogyakeralam Trainee Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline

TheArogyakeralam has released an official notification for the recruitment of Trainee posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official Arogyakeralam website. The last date to submit the application form is 17-05-2025.

AIIMS Bibinagar MBBS Student Dies by Suicide

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Kerala MLA Forcibly Frees Man From Forest Department Custody In Elephant Death Case

The forest officials suspect that the elephant's death was caused by an illegal high-voltage electricity supply line for solar farming.

FIR ordered after CPM leader G Sudhakaran admits ballot tampering in favour of party candidate

ALAPPUZHA: The State Election Commission (SEC) has initiated proceedings in response to a controversial expose by former minister and senior CPM leader G Sudhakaran regarding alleged tampering of postal ballots during the 1989 Lok Sabha elections in the Alappuzha constituency. Speaking at a gathering of former NGO Union leaders in Alappuzha on Wednesday, Sudhakaran admitted that postal ballots cast in favour of the opposition were altered to support the CPM candidate, K V Devadas. At the time, Sudhakaran served as the secretary of the election committee. In his speech, he said, ballots cast by members of service organisations were collected and brought to the party office. Roughly 15% had voted for the rival candidate. We examined and modified those ballots. He also remarked that he wouldnt be concerned even if the Election Commission were to take legal action. Following multiple complaints from the public demanding action, the SEC instructed District Election Officer and Collector Alex Varghese to obtain a formal statement from Sudhakaran. Acting on this directive, a tahsildar visited Sudhakarans residence on Thursday and recorded his statement. In the speech Sudhakaran said that there was no obligation for all NGO Union members to vote for the LDF. The NGO Union is a non-political organisation. People affiliated with any party can be a part of it. However, during elections, one should openly declare whom they are voting for. Do not think that if you seal the postal ballot and hand it over, no one will know your decision, he added. In the 1989 election, Congress candidate Vakkom Purushothaman defeated CPM's Devadas with a margin of more than 25,000 votes. The opposition parties have since condemned Sudhakarans admission and are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.

Kerala Chief Election Commissioner orders police probe against G. Sudhakaran over alleged 1989 postal ballot tampering

Rathan U. Kelkar says Election Commission of India has taken a serious view of media reports regarding Sudhakarans controversial statement in Alappuzha

Kerala govt forms panel to look into demands of striking ASHA workers

Five-member committee to meet representatives of ASHAs organisations and trade union representatives and submit its report

Indian workforce to benefit as global labour shortage may hit 50 million by 2030

NEW DELHI: A massive opportunity lies ahead for the Indian workforce as high-income countries are projected to face a labour shortage of 45 to 50 million by 2030, according to globally reputed management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG). More than half of these jobs are expected to be blue-collar roles. Managing Director and Senior Partner of BCG, Rajiv Gupta, told this reporter that 20 countries would require 90 percent of this workforce. The US would have the biggest demand with a requirement of 11 to 12 million workers, while the UK follows it with a demand for 5 to 6 million workers, he said. In a presentation made during the launch of the GATI Foundation in New Delhi on Tuesday, Gupta said that Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Germany, Russia, Japan, Canada and the Netherlands would also require millions of workers five years from now. An ageing population is expected to compel traditionally closed economies such as Japan, South Korea, Germany and nations across Western Europe to open up, he said. Among the numerous measures he suggested to capitalise on this scenario was the creation of an institutional framework in the host countries by leveraging Indian embassies and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) cadre. A promotion unit must promote 'Talent India' through one-on-one meetings, roadshows and information dissemination, he said. Gupta pointed out that the migration agreement between Germany and Kerala helped 528 nurses from Kerala secure placements across 12 states in Germany in 2024. Elaborating on the current challenges faced by those aspiring to move abroad, the MD said that the high cost of acquiring globally recognised skills and education was a major barrier. He urged the government to unlock financial assistance or offer low-interest loans or scholarships for individuals pursuing globally recognised certifications.

NAM Kerala Ayurveda Therapist Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline

TheNational Ayush Mission Kerala (NAM Kerala) has released an official notification for the recruitment of Ayurveda Therapist posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NAM Kerala website. The last date to submit the application form is 22-05-2025.

Kerala Plus One admission 2025 begins at HSCAP portal, apply by May 20: Check direct link here

The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Kerala, has opened admissions for Plus One 2025 through the HSCAP portal at hscap.kerala.gov.in. Students who cleared the SSLC exams can apply until May 20, 2025. The process includes a structured allotment schedule beginning May 24 and concludes by July 23. A total of 5,46,336 seats are available across various streams. Students must upload essential documents and can seek help from local government or aided schools.

CMD Kerala Finance Manager Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline

CMD Kerala Finance Manager Recruitment 2025 Notification Out! CMD Kerala has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Finance Manager posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official CMD Kerala website. The last date to submit the application form is 28-05-2025.