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From Franco battle to 'Stand By Me': 3 nuns stitch new future

Three nuns in Kerala, who supported a nun accusing a Catholic bishop of rape, have launched a clothing venture called 'Stand By Me'. Facing financial hardship after their assistance was stopped, they revived tailoring skills to earn a livelihood. This initiative provides them with independence and a new purpose, expanding from local orders to online sales and employing workers.

Rediff 4 Sep 2026 1:27 am

Cashew import scam: Kerala High Court stays interim orders of Single Bench

The Keralam government had granted sanction to prosecute the accused persons in the 600-crore cashew import scam based on these orders

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 11:47 pm

KGPA seeks comprehensive review of Western Ghats ESA proposal

Kerala Grama Panchayat Association calls for field-level verification of the proposed boundaries in Kozhikode district. It urges the government to address local concerns before finalising the notification.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 11:24 pm

Kerala Cabinet Heads to IIM-K for Governance Crash Course

The Kerala Cabinet will attend a two-day governance workshop at IIM-K, focusing on modern challenges and interactive learning. Kerala Cabinet Heads to IIM-K for Governance Crash Course

Morningstar 3 Sep 2026 11:18 pm

Kerala High Court welcomes renaming of mental health centres as happiness and wellness centres

We are sure that the change of name will catalyse the change that we want to see, says a Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 10:55 pm

ED conducts searches across T.N., Keralam, Karnataka, Telangana in eight cases linked to drug trafficking

The operation links to the national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan initiative for a drug-free India

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:54 pm

Keralam student held for

Kochi: A college student was taken into custody on Thursday after he allegedly morphed photographs and videos of teachers and female students and uploaded them on social media platforms at Thrikkakara here, police said. Students of the college also staged a protest alleging lapses on the part of the management in handling the incident. Thrikkakara 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 .

The Siasat Daily 3 Sep 2026 9:40 pm

Periyar pollution: PCB serves closure notice on chicken rendering unit in Edayar

The action was taken after inspections by officials of the Environment Surveillance Centre of the Board in Eloor found unauthorised effluent discharge through the stormwater outlet pipe into the river

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:36 pm

Student taken into custody on charges of circulating morphed images of fellow students and teachers

The incident had created an uproar among the students of the college, who staged a protest on the campus demanding stringent action against him

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:32 pm

Political Affairs Committee members resent delay in revamping Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee

Concerns were raised about the diminishing connection between the party and the public as the government progresses on welfare initiatives, underscoring the need for effective communication of its achievements.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:28 pm

Ambulance Abandoned, Kerala Villagers Carry Patients Through Forests

Locals emphasise that if the authorities immediately intervene to resolve the administrative stalemate and make the ambulance roadworthy, it will significantly alleviate the severe medical transport hardships.

NDTV 3 Sep 2026 9:21 pm

Keralam to expand higher education facilities, programmes: Minister

Speaking at the first convocation of Amal College of Advanced Studies (Autonomous) at Nilambur, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John says the government will create a supportive environment for educational institutions, including self-financing colleges, to introduce new courses and programmes based on changing needs.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:15 pm

Kerala State Electricity Board spends 1,190 crore on power purchases during April-August 2026

Power procurement made under short-term contracts and via power exchange. Panel criticises KSEB for delay in commissioning battery energy storage system projects and failing to make use of the low-cost power available through the Solar Energy Corporation of India

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:02 pm

SHRC recommends appointment of S. S. Lal as Special Rapporteur to study problems in health sector

Dr. Lal should hold discussions with various State-level agencies and officials, study the health sector issues in depth, and submit an interim report with his observations and recommendations to the commission within a maximum of two months, says the panel

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:55 pm

12 respite care centres proposed under Anbu Veedu project in Kozhikode

The project under the Social Justice department offers temporary accommodation for those who suffer from autism, intellectual disabilities, neuro-development disorders, and bedridden patients when their caregivers need a break from their duties

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:34 pm

CPI(M) denies reports that party leadership differs over reasons for Assembly poll debacle in Keralam

M.V. Govindan says right-wing media has cherry-picked Pinarayi Vijayans speech and distorted his statement to portray that the party leadership is at odds with itself regarding the reasons for the LDFs defeat

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:32 pm

Private bus operators in Keralam reject expert panel recomendations, warns of strike

During a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on September 3, 2026, members of the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation criticised the report for failing to address key demands, including zero ticketing for women and a diesel subsidy.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:24 pm

Sabarimala gold theft case: Kerala HC directs SIT to submit final report by Sept. 25

Having perused the detailed report placed before us and the steps taken by the investigating agency thus far, we find that the investigation has proceeded substantially and that the remaining steps are required to be completed expeditiously so that the matter can be brought to its logical conclusion, says Divison Bench

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:13 pm

ED conducts searches across multiple districts in Keralam in two separate drug cases

Searches conducted at four locations linked to the accused in the suspected hybrid ganja case; houses of four accused in Kozhikode also searched; searches relate to the seizure of nearly 17 kg of suspected hybrid ganja in Ernakulam in June and 949.26 grams of suspected MDMA at Calicut airport in October last year

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 8:10 pm

Special Investigation Team will probe financial misappropriation in bid to bring Messi to Keralam: Chennithala

Home Minister says Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) P. Vijayan will lead the team

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 7:54 pm

IAF Museum Inaugurated After Renovation in Thiruvananthapuram

Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann, AOC-in-C, Southern Air Command, inaugurated the newly renovated Indian Air Force (IAF) Museum at Akkulam Tourist Village in Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam. The revamped museum showcases the rich history, heritage and achievements of the Indian Air Force.

The Times of India 3 Sep 2026 6:46 pm

Kerala Leader Meets Ronaldos Sister During Her Visit

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan met Elma Aveiro, sister of football star Cristiano Ronaldo, during her visit to the state. Satheesan said he spoke to her about the immense passion and affection Malayalis have for football and Ronaldo.

The Times of India 3 Sep 2026 6:46 pm

Row over Keralam CM's missing FB post on Islamic scholar

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan's Facebook post criticising Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar's alleged anti-women remarks has disappeared, with the CMO citing a technical error. The incident has sparked political criticism from CPI(M) and BJP, who question the explanation and accuse the Congress of hypocrisy.

Rediff 3 Sep 2026 6:43 pm

Teachers Day: Artistes on the teachers who influenced them

Ahead of Teachers Day, artistes talk about the teachers who have left an indelible mark on their artistic journey

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 6:35 pm

TOI ground report from across India: When school means buffaloes and buckets

A day after highlighting the plight of govt schools in Rajasthan, TOI reporters did a ground check in many other states. They found the story across India - leaking school buildings, absent teachers & lack of toilets. Keralam, though, is an exception.

The Times of India 3 Sep 2026 6:17 pm

Kerala University Result 2026 Out - Direct Link to Check UG

Kerala University has released results for UG & PG exams on 2nd & 3rd September 2026. Get direct PDF result links, exam names, publish dates, and step-by-step instructions to check your result at exams.keralauniversity.ac.in.

FreeJobAlert 3 Sep 2026 5:27 pm

Women should remain confined at home: Kerala Grand Muftis RemarkIgnited Debate on Rahul Gandhis Patriarchy

Kerala grand mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad has triggered a fresh controversy after saying women should remain within their homes and should not enter the public sphere. Speaking at the Hubbul Rasool conference in Kochi, the cleric, also known as Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, defended the purdah system and said it was intended to protect womens Continue reading Women should remain confined at home: Kerala Grand Muftis RemarkIgnited Debate on Rahul Gandhis Patriarchy The post Women should remain confined at home: Kerala Grand Muftis RemarkIgnited Debate on Rahul Gandhis Patriarchy appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .

Our Voice WeRIndia 3 Sep 2026 4:56 pm

Keralam PWD readies 3.26-crore plan to fortify three rehabilitation plots for Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal evictees

Strengthening two marshy plots at Thuthiyoor, allotted to 56 and 118 families, and a similar plot at Mulavukad for 14 families has long been a demand of the beneficiaries

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 4:48 pm

Zebra Crossings: 1,038 Kerala motorists booked in new campaign to ensure pedestrians

Thiruvananthapuram Zebra Crossings may be meant to give pedestrians the right of way, but a statewide enforcement drive has found The post Zebra Crossings: 1,038 Kerala motorists booked in new campaign to ensure pedestrians right of way appeared first on Bilkul Online .

Bilkulonline 3 Sep 2026 4:42 pm

Keralams Kochi Corporation to invite EoI for consultants to tap into 500-crore bond market

We have been in consultations with regulatory bodies such as SEBI as a prelude to the process. Initially, we are exploring the prospects of issuing municipal bonds worth 150 crore to finance development and infrastructure projects, along with green bonds worth another 150 crore to support environment-friendly and climate change mitigation initiatives, says Mayor

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 4:20 pm

Five MSF Kasaragod district committee office-bearers resign citing unilateral decision-making by leadership

They allege that district president and general secretary have been taking decisions without consulting district council or other office-bearers

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 4:16 pm

Freedom or tradition? How Gen Z girls in Keralam are responding to Kanthapurams controversial remarks on women

While progressive youth condemn the clerics statement as regressive and patriarchal, traditionalists argue they were misconstrued or intended to protect community values

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 3:51 pm

Stand By Me: Keralam Rape Survivor Nuns Launch Clothing Brand

Years after one of them accused former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape and embarked on a legal battle that drew nationwide attention, she and two fellow nuns who stood by her were facing a different kind of challenge -- making a living on their own terms

Deccan Chronicle 3 Sep 2026 3:17 pm

British vlogger says Indian five-star hotels match Dubai and the UK. But why compare them in the first place?

Highlights: Jaggard said Mumbai's Taj Palace delivered a five-star experience comparable with hotels he has experienced in Dubai and the UK. He felt Karachi's Pearl Continental fell considerably short of the Indian hotel standard he had experienced. British restraint, Indian warmth and South Asian hospitality traditions are different expressions of luxury, not necessarily competing versions of the same thing. Architecture, history, food and local traditions can be as important to a luxury stay as room size, service and facilities. A hotel can be world-class without behaving like a London hotel, thankfully, because otherwise there would be very little point in travelling. Travel vlogger Harry Jaggard has offered his verdict on luxury hotels in India and Pakistan, and, unsurprisingly, the internet has something to say about it. Speaking on a Holafy podcast, Jaggard recalled staying at Mumbai's Taj Palace and Karachi's Pearl Continental. His conclusion was fairly blunt: the Indian property, he said, felt like a genuine five-star hotel, comparable with the luxury he has experienced in Dubai and the UK. Pakistan's Pearl Continental, by comparison, apparently did not make the cut. Jaggard said the Karachi hotel was owhere near the standard of the Indian hotels he had experienced. He went further, suggesting that while an Indian five-star hotel feels like a five-star property in Dubai or Britain, a Pakistani or Bangladeshi five-star hotel can feel more like a four-star or even three-star establishment. Quite the hotel report card. He also praised India's economic growth and rising affluent and middle-class population, arguing that the country's expanding wealth is increasingly reflected in its luxury hospitality sector. But there is a rather large problem with this comparison: why are we assuming a British hotel is the universal measuring tape for luxury in the first place? See on Instagram Britain does hotels. India does hospitality. A luxury hotel in Britain often prides itself on being discreet. Staff are polished, the interiors are restrained and the service is designed to make everything feel effortless. In other words, if you barely notice anything happening, the hotel is probably doing its job. India tends to take a somewhat different approach. Here, hospitality can be deliberately visible. Guests may be welcomed with flowers, traditional rituals, a cup of chai or a staff member who remembers where they travelled from. The property may smell of incense, serve regional dishes and incorporate centuries-old architectural traditions. That is not a failed attempt at British luxury. It is Indian luxury. And judging it by whether it behaves like a London hotel rather misses the point. You cannot remove culture from hospitality Take a heritage hotel in Rajasthan. Its courtyards, carved stonework, frescoes and palace architecture are not simply expensive decoration. They are part of the story of the place. A luxury property in Kerala may draw on local architecture, waterways and cuisine. A hotel in Mumbai can exist within the city's colonial, commercial and cinematic history. Then there is the Taj Palace in Mumbai, the property Jaggard praised. Its appeal is not merely the size of its rooms or the polish of its service. It carries history including the devastating 2008 terrorist attacks and the hotel's subsequent reopening and restoration. That cultural and historical context cannot be recreated by installing another marble bathroom and putting a five-star plaque outside. And then there is food British luxury hotels can certainly do food brilliantly. But Indian hospitality has an unfairly enormous culinary advantage: India has an extraordinary number of regional food traditions packed into one country. A hotel breakfast can move from dosas and idlis to parathas, poha and regional sweets before the croissant has even had time to become fashionable. Dinner might mean Goan seafood, Punjabi dishes, Hyderabadi biryani or South Indian specialities sometimes under the same roof. Calling this etter than British food would be just as simplistic as calling it worse. It is simply different . And that difference is precisely what makes travel interesting. The same five-star badge does not mean the same experience There is, of course, a legitimate point behind Jaggard's comments. Luxury standards matter. Cleanliness, service, maintenance, food quality, room standards and consistency can be assessed objectively. Some hotels in India, Pakistan, Britain and elsewhere will simply provide better service than others. But a hotel's star rating does not erase geography. A five-star hotel in London is operating within one cultural tradition. A five-star hotel in Mumbai is operating within another. A palace hotel in Rajasthan, meanwhile, can offer something that neither can reproduce: a sense of place that is inseparable from its surroundings. Trying to rank them all as though they are competing entries in Britain's Got Hotels is rather missing the point. iStock The more interesting question Instead of asking whether Indian or Pakistani hotels are as good as British ones, perhaps the better question is what each destination does with luxury. Britain has perfected discretion, consistency and polished service. India can offer grandeur, warmth, food, history and extraordinary cultural immersion. Pakistan has its own architectural traditions, hospitality culture and heritage properties that deserve to be judged on their own merits rather than simply against a British benchmark. Jaggard's experience is valid. His preference is valid too. But perhaps the five-star hotel industry does not need a single winner. After all, if every luxury hotel in the world tried to feel like a British hotel, travelling would become rather boring.

easterneye 3 Sep 2026 3:03 pm

Keralam will not permit private practice by govt doctors: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Thursday, September 3, said the state government would not permit private practice by government doctors. Replying to queries about a meeting convened by the Director of Medical Education (DME) on private practice by doctors, Muraleedharan said there was no such move on the part of the government. Allowing 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 .

The Siasat Daily 3 Sep 2026 2:55 pm

Watch: KSRTC drivers tearful farewell to bus on retirement day goes viral

Paul Kurian, a driver attached to KSRTC Kumily depot in Keralams Idukki, completed his last duty on September 2. After parking the bus at the end of his shift, he kissed the steering wheel and saluted the vehicle before walking away

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 2:52 pm

Keralam CM Deletes Post Against Grand Mufti | CM Vijay Unveils Big Vision for Tamil Nadu

A day after strongly condemning the comments on women by Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan has removed his video post from social media. A world-class Olympic City, a dedicated Motorsports City, and a push to bring Formula 1 to Chennai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has stepped on the sports gas with a number of big announcements.

NDTV 3 Sep 2026 2:40 pm

Mar Thoma Church trustees call for mandatory HIV test before marriage sparks debate

During a family meet recently, Rev. K. Thomas said he favoured a system under which marriages in Mar Thoma Church would be solemnised only after prospective bride and groom had undergone HIV tests

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 2:24 pm

Orthodoxy redux: On Keralam, religion and Muslim womens rights | The Hindu Editorial

Religion is oft used as a tool to suppress women in the public sphere

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:56 pm

Sabarimala gold case: Ex-TDB chief P.S. Prasanth granted bail on medical grounds

Prasanth was shifted from jail to a hospital in August after suffering brain haemorrhage. Kollam court had earlier dismissed his bail petition, after which filed a fresh petition was filed citing need for advanced medical treatment

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:54 pm

New Operation Sindoor Corner unveiled at upgraded Akkulam Air Force Museum in Kerala

New Operation Sindoor Corner unveiled at upgraded Akkulam Air Force Museum in Kerala

The Economic Times 3 Sep 2026 1:34 pm

Pinarayi Vijayan Visits Injured Student Protestors, Condemns Police Raj

What we are seeing is an attempt to deal with ordinary democratic protests in Kerala through police raj. This can only be seen as a deliberate approach, he said

Deccan Chronicle 3 Sep 2026 1:01 pm

Keralam: CPI(M) leader slams Islamic scholar

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby on Thursday, September 3, flayed Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyars remarks advocating restrictions on womens presence in public spaces and said that most religions show reluctance to recognise gender equality. Baby alleged that Kanthapurams remarks are similar to the views expressed by the RSS. Kanthapuram, while 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 .

The Siasat Daily 3 Sep 2026 12:54 pm

UDF nominees oppose Sanskrit varsity Syndicate decision to cancel incomplete exam tabulation registers

In a communication to Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, UDF nominees point out that blanket cancellation of decision taken at July 17 Syndicate meet allowing officials, who were found to have not signed on tabulation registers prepared before issuance of final marks lists, is not practical

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 12:29 pm

Civil Police Officer in Kozhikode suspended for 'misusing official position during spa visit

Inquiry reportedly finds that accused availed of spa services without payment. He is also alleged to have asked for money, saying that it was to be handed over to a superior officer for permitting uninterrupted operations of spa

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 12:15 pm

Keralam child rights panel seeks removal of sugar from anganwadi nutri mix

The child rights commission has advised removing sugar from Amrutham Nutri Mix. It suggested replacing sugar with a small quantity of jaggery for children. A high-level committee will scientifically determine the nutritional composition of products. Guidelines will be prepared on Nutri Mix quantity based on children's age.

The Economic Times 3 Sep 2026 12:07 pm

Keralam seeks Mullaperiyar safety review as per 2025 ToR

The panel recently conducted a field inspection of the main dam, baby dam, earthen dam and spillway, besides hearing the submissions of both Keralam and Tamil Nadu, government adviser on inter-state water issues James Wilson said.

The Hindu Businessline 3 Sep 2026 11:59 am

ED Raids Multiple Locations in Hybrid Ganja Smuggling Money Laundering Case

Hybrid ganja, cultivated using hydroponic techniques, is allegedly smuggled into Keralam mainly from Thailand

Deccan Chronicle 3 Sep 2026 11:44 am

CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby slams Islamic scholar Kanthapurams anti-women remarks

Baby says most religions, unfortunately, tend to show reluctance to recognise gender equality on various occasions

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 11:26 am

Keralam Cabinet move to extend validity of PSC rank list evokes mixed response

Rank-holders, UDF-affiliated teachers organisations welcome decision; Left-affiliated teachers associations allege government is deceiving candidates

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 11:10 am

Keralam Cabinet move to extend validity of PSC rank list evokes mixed response

Rank-holders, UDF-affiliated teachers organisations welcome decision; Left-affiliated teachers associations allege government is deceiving candidates

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 11:10 am

Police remove vehicle used as makeshift station from outside Pinarayi Vijayan's Kannur residence, but guards continue duty

The police vehicle had been stationed outside Pinarayi Vijayans residence, but had become unserviceable as it could not be started

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 10:51 am

Row over Kanthapuram directive limiting womens public participation grows as Samastha defends right to preach

Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, leader of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, stated that religious scholars should not be attacked for explaining teachings to their followers

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:37 am

Priyadarshini impact: expert panel recommends industry status to private bus sector in Keralam

By recognising the sector as an industry under the MSME category, private bus operators will be able to access bank loans, technical and financial assistance for modernisation of fleet, and other financial benefits, says the committee, headed by former Transport Commissioner and retired IPS officer K. Padmakumar

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 9:33 am

Consent irrelevant in POCSO cases, says Kerala High Court

The Court made the legal position clear while dismissing a plea by an accused challenging his conviction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 7:43 am

Beyond the Ballot

South Asias political landscape presents one of the most compelling narratives in contemporary democratic governance. Historically, the subcontinent stood at the forefront of female executive leadership, producing Sri Lankas Sirimavo Bandaranaikethe worlds first female prime minister in 1960 alongside iconic heads of government including Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Sheikh Hasina, and Khaleda Zia. Today, as regional democracies actively strive toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG-5) for gender equality, a profound democratic transition is unfolding from the grassroots upward. This evolving landscape demonstrates that women are decisively moving beyond passive voting toward becoming central architects of governance, even as key institutional and socio-cultural barriers remain to be addressed. The foundation of this democratic expansion was laid through Indias landmark 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1993, which mandated a minimum 33.3% reservation for women across rural Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies. Over the subsequent decades, more than twenty Indian states including Bihar, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal progressively elevated this threshold to a 50% reservation. Today, nearly 1.4 million women hold elected office in Panchayats across India. Ground-breaking empirical research by Nobel laureate Esther Duflo and Raghabendra Chattopadhyay confirms that female local leaders systematically steer public spending toward vital community priorities, particularly clean drinking water, sanitation, fuel access, and rural road connectivity. Moreover, continuous exposure to female leadership has actively dismantled entrenched societal stereotypes, while significantly elevating the educational and professional aspirations of adolescent girls in rural communities. At the ballot box, female engagement has shattered historic records. In Indias 2024 general elections, the traditional gender turnout gap was inverted, with female voter turnout reaching an unprecedented 65.8%, marginally surpassing male turnout at 65.6%. In states such as West Bengal, female turnout reached 83.33%. Women have emerged as an autonomous, decisive voting constituency, prompting state governments to introduce programmatic welfare initiatives, including direct benefit transfers, educational stipends, and subsidized cooking gas. Complementing this electoral mobilization, Indias enactment of the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Womens Reservation Act) mandating 33% representation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembliesmarks a transformative institutional step toward scaling grassroots democratic representation into national parliamentary chambers. Across the wider South Asian neighbourhood, positive milestones coexist with valuable institutional lessons. Nepal leads the region in parliamentary representation, with women holding 34.9% of seats in its Lower House and 38.6% in its Upper House due to progressive constitutional mandates. This positions Nepal as the only country in the region currently crossing Drude Dahlerups classic 30% critical mass threshold - the proportion theorised as necessary for women legislators to move past tokenism and exert collective policy influence. Crucially, empirical research by PRS Legislative Research robustly refutes the traditional myth regarding female winnability. In contested general elections, female candidates achieve win rates equivalent to or exceeding those of their male counterparts, while demonstrating identical diligence in parliamentary attendance and debate. Nevertheless, translating descriptive presence into substantive policy influence presents distinct operational hurdles. At the local level, newly elected representatives frequently encounter administrative and resource deficits. A large number of female Panchayat members receive limited formal training in budgetary allocation and bureaucratic procedures, while roughly half of rural administrative units lack adequate office facilities and digital connectivity. In the absence of institutional capacity-building, female leaders can face administrative sidelining or the challenge of proxy governance, wherein male relatives attempt to mediate council decisions. Similarly, in systems relying on indirect party-list quotas, such as in Bangladesh & Pakistan, female legislators often lack independent popular constituencies, leaving their legislative autonomy constrained by party hierarchies. Furthermore, the rising financial demands of electoral campaigning and the emergence of Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP) remain serious deterrents. UN Women reports that 81.8% of surveyed female parliamentarians in the Asia-Pacific region experienced psychological harassment, while 44.4% faced explicit physical threats. In the digital sphere, cyber-VAWPranging from coordinated smear campaigns to weaponized artificial intelligence deepfakes poses an escalating threat to female public figures. Bridging the gap between electoral participation and substantive empowerment requires concerted structural support. Strengthening internal democracy and campaign financing within political parties, enforcing strict legal protections against physical and digital harassment, and institutionalising continuous governance academies for local representatives are essential steps forward. By reinforcing these institutional foundations, South Asia can harness its surging female electorate to foster enduring democratic leadership and fully achieve the promise of SDG-5. These are excerpts from a paper presented on 18 August 2026 at a National Conference on Gender Equality in the 21st Century: Perspectives and Pathways to SDG-5 held at Govt. Degree College for Women, M.A. Road Srinagar.

Greater Kashmir 3 Sep 2026 6:32 am

Jr Boys

Huidrom Salaingamba was on target as Manipur beat Keralam 1 0 for their second straight Group A win in the Junior Boys

E-Pao 3 Sep 2026 5:00 am

Indian Union Muslim League Accused of Pushing Sharia Law in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, September 3: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the president of the Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has targeted the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for allegedly attempting to introduce a system resembling Islamic Sharia law through the backdoor. He expressed concerns that such moves could regress the status of women. Chandrasekhars remarks followed a ... Read more Indian Union Muslim League Accused of Pushing Sharia Law in Kerala

Morningstar 3 Sep 2026 3:04 am

Sunni Mahallu Federation urges Kanthapuram critics to stop interfering in religious matters

Religious scholars issue rulings for believers who follow them, and such rulings are not imposed on those who do not follow them

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 2:17 am

Rare Fulvous whistling duck spotted in Keralams Malappuram

The bird, more commonly found in the wetlands of Assam and other northeastern States, reach Keralam around the beginning of the monsoon and usually return by October

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:57 am

Excise forms SIT to probe cases related to seizure of suspected MDMA

Investigators to seek custody of four arrested youths

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:54 am

Elderly man dies after falling into abandoned quarry at Angamaly in Keralam

According to the first information report registered by the Angamaly police, the man is suspected to have slipped into the water while cutting grass near the quarry

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:35 am

White froth found in Periyar: PCB issues notice to FACT

The notice issued based on earlier inferences of suspected discharge of a white gel-like foam into the river, say PCB officials

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:27 am

No uniformity in food prices as traders go their own way

District Consumer Protection Committee seeks meeting of Food Advisory Committee to discuss the matter

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 1:26 am

Keralam seeks to limit Western Ghats ESA to 8,590 sq km

Govt taking steps to bring number of villages down to 98: Satheesan Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Wednesday said the state government had sought to limit the proposed ESA in the Western Ghats to 8,590 sq km across 98 villages. Addressing a press conference here, Satheesan said there was no need for concern []

The Navhind Times 3 Sep 2026 1:22 am

Orthodoxy redux: On Keralam, religion and Muslim womens rights

Religion is oft used as a tool to suppress women in the public sphere

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 12:51 am

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan seeks support of Centre for establishing coconut value-addition park

CM underscores the need to restructure coconut farming in Keralam through a shift from traditional methods to scientific and planned plantation models.

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 12:13 am

UDF aiding saffronisation of higher education: R. Bindu

The governments position that the full rendition of Vande Mataram is required as per the protocol of programmes attended by the Governor is a wrong interpretation of the existing guidelines, she says

The Hindu 3 Sep 2026 12:10 am

Chenthi Anil gets bail

The Hindu 2 Sep 2026 10:21 pm

Watch: Why Kanthapurams remarks on women have triggered a debate in Kerala

A recent circular issued by the Kanthapuram faction of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama has sparked a debate in Kerala. It has drawn criticism from several women political leaders and others, who have questioned the restrictions placed on womens participation in public events.

The Hindu 2 Sep 2026 10:06 pm