Zeeshan Ansari set to return to UP Ranji squad after six-year gap
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 7 (IANS) After years of being on the fringes of Uttar Pradesh cricket, Zeeshan Ansari is set to make his return to the Ranji Trophy squad after a gap of six years, marking another significant chapter in the leg-spinners remarkable resurgence. The 26-year-old, who last played a Ranji Trophy match for Uttar Pradesh in 2020, has been named in the state squad for the upcoming season after forcing his way back into the reckoning with a standout domestic campaign. IANS has learned that the selectors have shown faith in him and the squad will be officially announced soon. The squad, led by Karan Sharma, includes Rinku Singh, Aradhya Yadav, Aryan Juyal (WK), Madhav Kaushik, Adarsh Singh, Sidharth Yadav, Prashantveer, Kartik Yadav, Ansari, Vansh Choudhary, Yash Dayal, Kunal Tyagi, Priyam Garg, Abhinandan Singh and Kartik Tyagi. Abhishek Goswami and Chikara have been named as stand-by players. It makes Ansaris return even more remarkable considering the way his career seemed to drift following his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh against Railways on October 6, 2017. Ansari was considered a promising young leg-spinner, as he was part of Indias squad for the 2016 Under-19 World Cup along with Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan. State-level opportunities were few, his progress stagnated, and he had to look elsewhere. Beyond regular play in local tournaments in Lucknow, Ansari also played league cricket in Kolkata and was often seen around the Uttar Pradesh dressing room as a net bowler. Until the beginning of 2025, his proximity to the state team rarely translated into opportunities on the field. Ansari's big breakthrough came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he proved to be one of the most effective bowlers for Uttar Pradesh. A leg-break and googly bowler, he took 21 wickets in eight matches at a stunning 16.52 apiece, always the man to break partnerships and come through in pressure situations. He was a constant threat with his ability to change pace and flight and bowl the googly at opportune moments, especially on surfaces that were becoming more batsman-friendly. Interestingly, despite making his state debut in the 2017-18 season, the last Vijay Hazare Trophy was Ansaris first domestic 50-over competition. His white-ball emergence therefore came relatively late in a career that had begun nearly a decade earlier. The 21-wicket campaign not only revived his Uttar Pradesh career but also pushed him into the national selectors vision. He was subsequently fast-tracked into the India A squad for the two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A later this month. That call-up highlighted the unusual trajectory of Ansaris career. While he has attracted significant attention through white-ball cricket in the last three years, his red-ball credentials remain relatively limited. Ansari has played only five first-class matches, including Ranji Trophy appearances for Uttar Pradesh, and has taken 17 wickets. His best figures are 3/33, which came against Tripura. His return also comes at a time when the pool of specialist wrist-spinners available for red-ball cricket has become relatively thin. A look at the leading wicket-takers from the last Ranji Trophy season underlines the selectors dilemma. Mayank Mishra, Siddharth Desai, Shahbaz Ahmed, Kumar Kartikeya, Arjun Sharma, Vishal Jayswal and Saurabh Kumar - all slow left-arm orthodox bowlers - featured among the top 10 wicket-takers, with J&K seamer Auqib Nabi leading the charts with 60 wickets. There was only one leg-break bowler among the top 10: Karnataka veteran Shreyas Gopal, who finished third with 48 wickets. The scarcity of wrist-spinners becomes even more evident when the next group of leading wicket-takers are considered. Between 11 and 20, there were two off-spinners - 33-year-old Saransh Jain, who is with India A, and domestic stalwart Jalaj Saxena - alongside pace bowlers Mohammed Nidheesh of Kerala and Sunil Kumar of J&K. The remaining names in that bracket were left-arm orthodox spinners Sagar Udeshi, Shams Mulani, Amit Shukla, Nachiket Bhute, Parth Rekhade and Anukul Roy. In all, 13 of the 20 bowlers in that broader group were left-arm spinners, while the only leg-break bowler in the top 10 was no longer in contention for India. That shortage has created an opening for a bowler like Ansari, whose ability to turn the ball both ways and operate as an attacking wrist-spinner offers a different dimension. For Ansari, however, the journey back to the Ranji setup is about much more than filling a statistical gap. His career appeared to be losing momentum after his early promise with Indias Under-19 team, but his persistence through local cricket, league cricket, net-bowling opportunities and limited state chances eventually brought him back into the spotlight. The 21 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy became the catalyst. Now, after six years away from the Ranji fold, Ansari has another opportunity to establish himself in the red-ball format that once provided his first platform in senior cricket. His inclusion in the Uttar Pradesh squad, followed by the India A call-up, represents a rapid rise for a player who only recently found himself outside the states immediate plans. From an India Under-19 prospect in 2016 to a net bowler struggling for a state opportunity, and now an India A-bound leg-spinner preparing for a Ranji return, Ansaris career has taken an unexpected turn. The next challenge will be to translate his white-ball resurgence into sustained success with the red ball -beginning with Uttar Pradesh, where his first-class journey started on October 6, 2017.
Kerala Police Recover Over 70 Lost Phones of Ayyappa Devotees
Keralas Pamba police return over 70 lost phones to Ayyappa devotees, showcasing successful recovery efforts during a special operation. Kerala Police Recover Over 70 Lost Phones of Ayyappa Devotees
Revive launched to improve students academic standards
The government aims to ensure that children do not experience difficulties in studies, Minister for General Education N. Samsudheen says after inaugurating the programme
Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi, Oct 6 (PTI) Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Tuesday reacted strongly to the detention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by Delhi Police, saying the Congress would lead the fight for the country and the INDIA bloc would emerge victorious. No era will pass without being held accountableThe Congress will lead this fight for the country, and the INDIA bloc will emerge victorious, Satheesan, who is in New Delhi, said in a Facebook post. He shared a video of Gandhi being forcibly removed by the Delhi Police from the protest venue, where he was seeking the removal
Andhra Pradesh Police arrest two, including Naval employee, for spying for Pakistan
Digital Desk | Vijayawada, Oct 6 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence Cell has arrested two persons, including a Naval employee, for allegedly sharing sensitive information about Naval and defence establishments with Pakistan-based intelligence operatives. Annam Sai Varaprasad, a civilian contract driver engaged for Naval officers, was arrested in Visakhapatnam, while Pradeep Mukherjee, a Naval employee at the Visakhapatnam Naval base, was arrested in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The AP Counter Intelligence Cell made the arrests after launching a coordinated operation on October 1 against an alleged espionage module involving 18 suspects, including 13 Naval personnel. Code-named Operation Firewall2026, the operation involved 12 Counter Intelligence teams deployed across 10 states and union territory -- Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. The Counter Intelligence Cell said in a statement on Tuesday that it received credible information that certain people in India were allegedly in direct contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and their suspected involvement in an espionage conspiracy prejudicial to national security. The suspects were allegedly collecting and sharing the sensitive/classified information relating to defence establishments and strategic locations in Visakhapatnam and other parts of the country was collected and shared through encrypted communication channels. The Counter Intelligence Police Station in Vijayawada registered a case on September 2 under Sections 61(2), 147 and 148 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Sections 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. Counter Intelligence teams worked in coordination with the concerned state Anti-Terrorism Squads, Naval officials and local police. They examined the alleged involvement of the 18 suspects and seized electronic gadgets following legal procedures. Two of the suspects were arrested after their role was established prima facie in this case, while investigation into the remaining suspects is continuing. Annam Sai Varaprasad, a civilian contract driver engaged for Naval officers, was arrested for his involvement in sharing sensitive/classified information relating to Naval/Defence establishments with a Pakistan-based intelligence operative and received money in connection with it. He was sent to judicial remand until October 14 and is currently lodged in District Jail, Visakhapatnam. Pradeep Mukherjee, a Naval employee at the Visakhapatnam Naval base, allegedly shared an OTP to activate a WhatsApp account used by a PIO, communicated with PIOs and shared sensitive information relating to Naval and defence establishments. After obtaining a transit warrant from a local court in Coimbatore, the Counter Intelligence Cell produced Mukherjee before the jurisdictional court in Vijayawada. He was sent to judicial custody until October 14 and is currently lodged in District Jail, Vijayawada. The Counter Intelligence Cell said the investigation into the remaining suspects was continuing and that further details would be disclosed at an appropriate time, keeping in view the requirements of the investigation and national security.
Anti-ragging guidelines drawn up, State informs Kerala HC
The Division Bench of Chief Justice had previously directed the State to issue guidelines based on the draft Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill, until it was enacted
Kerala High Court sets aside detention order of Thiruvananthapuram councillor R. Sugathan
Supplyco granted permission to resume agreements with rice mills, says Keralam Minister
The decision was taken considering the necessityto commencerice procurement for this years Kharif season on time
Bacteria in cocktail: Food Safety dept. files case against outlet in Keralams Kannur
The action followed an analysis done at the Regional Analytical Laboratory at Malaparamba, Kozhikode.
New additions likely in CPI(M) Kozhikode district committee
A couple of area secretaries could be included in the district committee
Keralam govt. tells Lok Ayukta that it will not renew helicopter contract
State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar conveys governments position while the anti-corruption body was hearing a petition related to the controversial chartered flight travel by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
Four arrested for attack on DCC office
The accused were nabbed from a hideout in Tamil Nadu
Key member of alleged drug distribution network arrested from Bengaluru
Keralam BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday hit out at Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the INDIA bloc's protest march to the Election Commission, questioning why the Congress leader was keen to create chaos and anarchy. Speaking to reporters, Chandrasekhar said disputes concerning the Chief Election Commissioner should be resolved through established legal and judicial mechanisms and not through street protests. Chandrasekhar's remarks came as INDIA bloc MPs staged a sit-in at Akashvani Bhavan in New Delhi after being stopped by barricades while marching towards Nirvachan Sadan, the headquarters of the Election Commission of India, to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. There is a standard toolkit now in the Congress party which is blindly followed by parties which have no other options like the CPM, which is to try and create a narrative and use that narrative to bring mobs and crowds onto the Jantar Mantar...
Retired teacher killed in bus accident in Idukki
Vijimol and her son, Anuroop, were on their way to home from Piravom on a two-wheeler when a private bus named Gurudevan lost control while attempting to overtake another bus and struck their vehicle
Ernakulam district administration directs AWHO to take over Chander Kunj apartments from October 12
AWHO representatives failed to turn up when apartment owners assembled to hand over their apartments on October 5; AWHO reportedly cited the need for authorisation from its headquarters in Delhi; district administration to sign demolition contract with Mumbai-based Edifice Engineering later this week
Pinarayi Vijayan condemns police protection for RSS event at Central University of Kerala
Keralam Leader of the Opposition accuses Congres-led government of backing the national seminar on Vande Mataram, despite protests from almost all student organisations other than those affiliated with the Sangh Parivar
Court sentences man to 47 yearsRIfor sexually assaulting minor relative
He was also fined 32,000
Elephant conservation must focus on habitat connectivity, says P.S. Easa
Elephant conservation must focus on habitat connectivity, says P.S. Easa
Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty visits Sandbox Mini Tech Park at Govt. Cyberpark
Sandbox is developing the 42,000-sq-ft Mini Tech Park as the first private co-developer project at Government Cyberpark. The project is envisioned as a dedicated space for technology businesses and the wider technology ecosystem in Kozhikode.
Steps to be taken to help people quickly contact Indian embassies
The Kerala Assembly Committee on the Welfare of Non-Resident Keralites held a sitting in Kozhikode on Tuesday to discuss various issues faced by expatriates in the district, benefits due to them from the government and complaints related to welfare pensions
Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Keralam Health Minister Muraleedharan in verbal duel over AIIMS
The Union Minister says Thrissur is the apt location for AIIMS while Health Minister reportedly says that the former is making statements about establishing an AIIMS without being aware of the entire facts
Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Keralam Health Minister Muraleedharan in verbal duel over AIIMS
The Union Minister says Thrissur is the apt location for AIIMS while Health Minister reportedly says that the former is making statements about establishing an AIIMS without being aware of the entire facts
HC quashing Sugathans KAAPA detention vindicates BJP stand: Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Chandrasekhar said that the CPI(M) had misused the State police for 10 years to fix political opponents by foisting false cases on them and the V.D. Satheesan government was following the same path
Keralam Health Minister K. Muraleedharan pushes for disease prevention through vaccination
Minister warns private hospitals against arbitrary charges and unnecessary medicines; Integrated public health lab, vaccine store inaugurated in Thrissur
Allegations of Sexual Harassment Against CPI-M Leader Intensify Political Pressure in Kerala
Allegations against CPI-M leader E.N. Suresh Babu spark demands for investigation and raise questions about party leaderships silence. Allegations of Sexual Harassment Against CPI-M Leader Intensify Political Pressure in Kerala
Students should solve their issues with V-Cs through talks, says Keralam Governor
DLitt degree presented to film-maker Sathyan Anthikad and industrialist P.K. Ahammed. DSc degree presented to scientist E.D. Jemmis
Kerala High Court Quashes KAAPA Detention Of Thiruvananthapuram BJP Councillor
Kerala High Court quashed the KAAPA detention of Thiruvananthapuram BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who had been held at Viyyur Central Prison since June.
Drug supply in government hospitals has been streamlined, says Health Minister
Muraleedharan specifically sought information on drug availability in each district from the District Medical Officers
Keralam Forest Minister, former IFS officer spar over Chinnakkanal issue
A day after Shibu Baby John attributed the human-elephant conflict in Chinnakkanal to a man-made problem, Prakriti Srivastava says a letter by her is being cited without its context
Keralam Forest Minister, former IFS officer spar over Chinnakkanal issue
A day after Shibu Baby John attributed the human-elephant conflict in Chinnakkanal to a man-made problem, Prakriti Srivastava says a letter by her is being cited without its context
Speaking at the inauguration of the Tourism departments Brand Wayanad project on Tuesday, Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh says the government will take steps to make tourism activities more vibrant in the Malabar region
Speaking at the inauguration of the Tourism departments Brand Wayanad project on Tuesday, Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh says the government will take steps to make tourism activities more vibrant in the Malabar region
Student groups protested at the Central University of Kerala in Kasaragod over the participation of RSS ideologue J. Nandakumar in a Vande Mataram seminar.
Forest department removes encroachment and restore elephant passage in Anayirankal
According to Devikulam Range Officer E.D. Arun Kumar, a group of five individuals encroached upon nearly 10 hectares of land within the 56.36-hectare proposed reserve area at Choonadal, near Anayirankal, and began cardamom cultivation
Forest department removes encroachment and restore elephant passage in Anayirankal
According to Devikulam Range Officer E.D. Arun Kumar, a group of five individuals encroached upon nearly 10 hectares of land within the 56.36-hectare proposed reserve area at Choonadal, near Anayirankal, and began cardamom cultivation
Rubber Board set to launch platform to tackle tapper shortage in Keralam
INR Konnect aims at ensuring the availability of skilled workers in plantations. Rubber Board has also launched special training programmes to encourage greater participation of women in rubber tapping .
Kerala AIIMS row: Union Minister Suresh Gopi, state minister Muraleedharan in a spat
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 6 (IANS) Kerala's decade long wait for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has once again erupted into a political confrontation, with Union Minister Suresh Gopi and State Health Minister K. Muraleedharan locking horns over where the long pending institute should come up as and when sanctioned. Gopi, the BJP's first Lok Sabha winner from Kerala and MP from Thrissur, has thrown his weight behind his home constituency, insisting that Thrissur is the most suitable location for AIIMS. Muraleedharan has hit back, saying the state has an open mind on the location. Let Suresh Gopi show where the land is, he said, making it clear that he was not prepared to accept Gopi's challenge, which he termed 'political'. The exchange has added a new political edge to an issue that has been simmering in Kerala for more than a decade. The AIIMS demand dates back to the previous Oommen Chandy government, which, in response to the Centre in 2014, identified four possible locations. The Centre subsequently asked Kerala to identify suitable sites, but the state has continued to miss out as new AIIMS were announced for other parts of the country. The issue gains urgency every year on the eve of the Union Budget, with Kerala repeatedly hoping that the project would finally find a place in the Centre's plans, but is yet to happen. The latest face off is also taking place on politically sensitive ground. Thrissur is Gopi's political base and the constituency he wrested from the Congress at the 2024 polls in which Muraleedharan finished third. Muraleedharan is the son of former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, whose final rites were held at his residence in Punkunnam in Thrissur. Gopi has himself described Karunakaran as one of his political gurus and has spoken of his close relationship with the Karunakaran family. Muraleedharan, meanwhile, has said that the Kerala government is not insisting on any particular district and has said that the Velloor Newsprint Factory land in Kottayam will also be considered. Gopi has said that while Alappuzha may make greater economic sense, Thrissur offers the peaceful environment required for an institution of this scale. With two political heavyweights now openly sparring over the location, Kerala's decade-old AIIMS wait has acquired a fresh political dimension.
IMD: Heavy rain over TN, Kerala, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh & Karnataka
IMD expects to see evolving Bay of Bengal circulation to intensify as a low-pressure area, or even depression, by October 15, which is the normal date of onset for North-East monsoon
Kerala PSC Assistant Professor Interview Schedule 2026 has been announced for Pharmacy posts under Category No. 691/2025. The interviews will be held on 14, 15, 16 and 28 October 2026 at the Kerala PSC Head Office. Candidates can download the interview memo from their PSC profile.
Kerala University Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for Resident Cook, Kitchen Helper Posts
Kerala University Recruitment 2026 for 0 posts of Resident Cook. Candidates Can Apply Offline. The last date to apply offline is 26-10-2026. The candidate shall apply offline through Kerala University official website.
CEE Kerala Round 1 Option Entry for LLM Admissions Extended to October 8, 2026
Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala has extended the deadline for online option registration for the first round of LLM admissions 2026-27. Candidates included in the LLM 2026 rank list can submit their course and college preferences through the official candidate portal until October 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Speculation is rife that the CPI(M) leadership may initiate further action against veteran leader A. Padmakumar, former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board and legislator, who has been arraigned as an accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case
Karnataka MLC polls: NDA candidate set for hat-trick win in West Graduates' seat, says Vijayendra
Digital Desk | Dharwad (Karnataka), Oct 6 (IANS) BJP Karnataka President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday expressed confidence that NDA candidate S.V. Sankanur would win the West Graduates constituency election to the Karnataka Legislative Council and achieve a hat-trick. He launched a sharp attack on the Congress government over law and order, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the states financial situation. Speaking to reporters in Dharwad, Vijayendra said Sankanur had worked effectively for graduates during his two terms as a member of the Legislative Council and had earned the confidence of people. Sankanur has raised the issues of graduates effectively in the Legislative Council and worked for their interests. He is a people-friendly legislator and has earned everyones confidence. Therefore, he will be elected again, Vijayendra said. He expressed confidence that Sankanur would win by a large margin and secure a hat-trick. Vijayendra said former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, MLAs Mahesh Tenginakai and Aravind Bellad, along with legislators, party leaders and workers from Karwar, Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri districts, would work for Sankanurs victory. On the law and order situation, Vijayendra accused Home Minister Priyank Kharge of turning Kalaburagi into a Republic of Kalaburagi and alleged that the entire district was under the control of the Kharge family. Priyank Kharge should disclose how many murders have taken place in Kalaburagi since they came to power, Vijayendra said. He alleged that when contractors or government officials were killed, people close to the Kharge family contacted the victims families late at night and allegedly offered them money to remain silent. Priyank Kharge himself should answer who is nurturing such contract killers. The practice of giving money to silence poor people should stop. They need not teach us about the law, he said. On the Form-7 controversy, Vijayendra said that if there were any irregularities in submitting Form-7 applications, the government should take action according to law. If submitting Form-7 was wrong, let them take action according to law. But if the state government misuses the police to threaten our workers, we will not be intimidated, he said. Vijayendra also accused the government of putting pressure on the Excise Department to generate revenue to fund its guarantee schemes. Liquor is now available even in grocery shops. Turning Karnataka into a state of drunkards is the government's achievement, he alleged. He said around 2.5 lakh government posts were vacant and claimed that job aspirants were protesting in the state. On the SIR exercise, Vijayendra alleged that the state government was trying to divert attention from its failures by blaming the Election Commission. He referred to remarks attributed to Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Vayalar Ravi regarding SIR in Kerala and alleged that the Karnataka government was attempting to shift the blame to the Election Commission. The state government is trying to threaten our workers by filing FIRs. Police stations have become Congress offices, he alleged.
Railways grant in-principle approval for new Kollam-bound train via Kottayam in Keralam
The new train service to Kollam via the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Chengannur route is aimed at easing the severe evening rush on the Venad Express
Highlighting the systemic gaps in local safety measures, they say that the authorities must take proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable rural labourers working in high-risk zones
CPI(M) opposes toll collection at Keralams Nattika before NH 66 works are complete
Party says several bridges and approach roads remain unfinished; to march to Nattika toll office on October 7
Only Kerala University land being surveyed, not of AKG Centre: Revenue Minister
Report on any increase or decrease in universitys land, after comparing it with relevant records in possession of KU, will be submitted to HC by October 15, says A.P. Anil Kumar
Kochi Corporation mulls mobile ABC units to ensure balanced stray dog control
For long, councillors from West Kochi have complained of discrimination in catching of stray dogs for sterilisation at the Corporations ABC Centre at Brahmapuram
'Thrashed With Cooker, Belt': Kerala Woman Claims Assault By Husband In Saudi
The woman said two wounds needed stitches but doctors told her they could no longer stitch them because the injuries were too old
Artist Basanth Peringode takes Keralams murals to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Celebrated muralist, art director and production designer among eminent artists chosen to create works for permanent display at the presidential museum
Protests at Kerala Central University over RSS-linked speaker
Student organisations at the Central University of Kerala staged protests against the participation of RSS-linked J Nandakumar at a Vande Mataram seminar.
4 students injured as protest erupts at Central University of Kerala during Vande Mataram seminar
Students allege that police assaulted them during confrontation and tore their clothes while trying to control protesters
KSEBL General Manager Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline
Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEBL) Recruitment 2026 for 1 post of General Manager (Environment). Candidates Can Apply Offline. The last date to apply offline is 10-10-2026. The candidate shall apply offline through KSEBL official website.
Tata Power adds 1.68 lakh rooftop solar installations in H1 FY27, up 50%
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Kerala drove Tata Powers rooftop solar growth, with strong additions across residential and C&I markets.
UDF govt in Keralam implementing RSS-BJP agenda, says Pinarayi Vijayan
Opening CPI(M)s two-day extended district committee meeting in Kozhikode, Pinarayi claims that the reported move to weaken the State Planning Board is the latest example
Students Protest RSS Leader's Presence at Vande Mataram Event in Central University of Kerala
Students also contended that many of them were denied entry to the programme despite registering for it
Kerala Agri varsity in pact with Fuselage Flying Club for drone pilot training
A MoU in this regard is for expanding the activities of the Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) functioning under the universitys Agri-Business Incubator
Keralam to Launch Special Housing Scheme for Homeless Fisherfolk
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government aimed to empower women fisherfolk to earn an independent income and achieve financial security
Gyanesh Kumar probe: Kerala govt treads a politically sensitive path
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 6 (IANS) The Satheesan governments decision to reopen a nearly two-decade-old alleged corruption case involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has given a fresh political dimension to an investigation that was closed then. The case assumes significance beyond the original allegations as Kumar, who was then a senior IAS officer, is now the head of the Election Commission of India. The Congress-led INDIA bloc has been openly critical of CEC Kumar on several issues concerning the functioning of the poll panel. Interestingly, the move to reopen the case has also drawn support from the CPI(M), which is part of the INDIA bloc along with the Congress. The Congress and the CPI(M), despite their political differences in Kerala, have welcomed the decision to revive the investigation. The first move has now been made by the Vigilance Department. But the team headed by Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham is proceeding cautiously, aware of the legal and practical difficulties involved in reopening a case closed nearly two decades ago. The immediate task is to retrieve the files relating to the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) road project, believed to be lying in a Public Office in Thiruvananthapuram. The Vigilance team will also have to examine whether electronic records connected with the original investigation can still be recovered. The computers and systems used at the time have long crossed their normal operational life, making recovery of old digital data another challenge. The case dates back to the suicide of Malaysian engineer Lee See Bin, the project director of Patibel, which was associated with the road project. Allegations of corruption were raised in connection with the project. However, the Vigilance investigation was subsequently closed after finding no evidence against Gyanesh Kumar. The earlier investigation was conducted during the V.S. Achuthanandan government. A sub-committee comprising the then Ministers M. Vijayakumar, K.P. Rajendran, T.U. Kuruvilla and Thomas Isaac had examined the allegations. Kuruvilla has since passed away. The Vigilance team will now have to revisit the statements recorded at the time, including those of officials of the General Administration and Finance departments, KSTP and representatives of the company. The statement of the chartered accountant who audited the road project is also expected to be crucial. The department will first examine whether the available material provides sufficient grounds for a fresh investigation. The probe, therefore, is set to become as much a politically watched investigation involving the country's top poll official as a reopening of an old corruption case.
Kerala CMs statement on angioplasty becomes a talking point among doctors
In a recent function, V.D. Satheesan had mentioned about avoiding unnecessary angioplasty. While many doctors object to the 'generalised statement,' a few agree with the CM that unnecessary procedures have become the norm. However, all agree that a person coming into the emergency with a suspected heart attack should in no way distrust the doctor. The Interventional Cardiology Council of Kerala says that publics apprehension over unnecessary medical procedures should not delay life-saving treatment during an emergency
Weather today October 6: The India Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall and thunderstorms across several states through October 11, with isolated heavy rain likely in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Karnataka. Gusty winds, lightning and strong surface winds are also expected in several areas, while widespread rainfall is likely in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Kerala.
Kerala Bids Emotional Farewell To Tusker Pallattu Brahmadathan
Brahmadathan was killed by lightning on Sunday evening. He had been tethered near the house of his owner, Advocate Rajesh Pallattu, president of the Kerala Festival Coordination Committee.
Construction of Vaduthala railway overbridge, Perandoor-Vaduthala bridge to begin on October 7
The new bridge, which is being constructed across the Perandoor Canal and will connect Vaduthala and Perandoor, will serve as a key transport link and enable people to travel quickly from Container Road via Vaduthala to Kaloor, thereby bypassing the congested National Highway
Silver jewellery worth 5 lakh stolen from shop
Amal College teacher wins Guinness record
Malappuram to host KSTA State conference in February
Kerala Launches Brand Wayanad Initiative to Boost Tourism
Keralas Brand Wayanad initiative aims to transform the region into a premier global tourism destination, enhancing local culture and economy. Kerala Launches Brand Wayanad Initiative to Boost Tourism
In Keralam, affordable private health care is easier said than done
Keralam governments efforts to draft a new Bill in this regard brings the Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulations) Act 2018, back into focus; the private health sector is still holding out against the Act, which aims to bring the entire health sector, public and private, under a regulatory framework
Pickup carrying cattle to Kerala seized in Puttur
Man booked for allegedly misusing NAD officials seal
The police registered the case based on a complaint filed by the Deputy General Manager of Naval Armament Depot
'Pinarayi, Mattannur, Kalliassery': Calicut varsity to inspect hostel after room names row
Digital Desk | Kozhikode, Oct 5 (IANS) Pinarayi, Mattannur, Kalliassery, Koothuparamba, and DC Office - the names may sound like places on a political map of Kerala, but at the University of Calicut, they are the names of rooms in the men's hostel. The names Pinarayi, Mattannur, Kalliassery and Koothuparamba are all CPI-M's strongholds that have found their way onto hostel doors, along with the DC Office. Whether the names represent political influence, student humour, or simply the imagination of hostel residents is now part of the debate. And now, those names have brought the hostel under the university authorities' scanner. The university has decided to inspect the hostel following complaints from students over the naming of rooms after areas identified with the CPI-M. The university said the inspection was being ordered after receiving complaints. The decision has added a new political interest to what might otherwise have remained an unusual hostel naming practice. If this were the time of a Left government, there might have been little mystery about where the campus debate would eventually lead. But with the Congress-led UDF government now in power, the question being quietly asked in campus and political circles is: what will the inspection finally find? The names themselves have become the talking point. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) says students often give names to blocks and rooms according to their interests and imagination and that similar practices could be seen in hostels across Kerala. The SFI also turned the spotlight on the university authorities, alleging that the hostel had not received proper painting or maintenance for a long time. The controversy, however, has moved beyond the question of what students chose to write inside hostels. With the university now deciding to inspect the premises, the findings are likely to be watched closely.
The court says Rugby should be included in State-level sports events as it is part of the National School Games
Isaac says the decision reflects the V.D. Satheesan-led UDF governments decision to transform the Planning Board into a think tank on the lines of the NITI Aayog.
Parliamentary panel visits HMT Kalamassery unit
The panel will recommend measures to the Union government and concerned authorities to expedite the revival of the cash-strapped PSU
K.M. Basheer media awards to be presented on October 8
The awardees are S. Mahesh Kumar (Manorama News), M.K. Suresh Kumar (Siraj) and T. Moideen Kutty (Siraj).
Bairakuppa bridge model to be followed for funding Ponnani, Angadipuram projects: Basheer
Inadequate hostel facilities continue to haunt medical college students in Kozhikode
According to functionaries of the students union at the college, female students are the worst affected. Though the construction of two new hostel buildings is almost complete, they are yet to be thrown open for stay.
Kerala BJP questions need for new Administrative Reforms Commission
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 5 (IANS) The Kerala BJP has questioned the need for another Administrative Reforms Commission in the state, asking the V.D. Satheesan-led government to first explain what happened to the recommendations of the previous panel before spending more public money on a new one. BJP National Executive member Kummanam Rajasekharan on Monday said the government should reconsider the decision to constitute the Fifth Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by IUML leader M.K. Muneer with Cabinet rank. The commission was formally constituted through a government order on October 1. Kummanam pointed out that the Fourth Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, was constituted in August 2016 during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government. It submitted 13 reports before its term ended. The commission cost the state exchequer Rs 10.79 crore up to April 30, 2021, according to figures given by the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the Assembly. The Kerala Development Report 2026 says five of the 13 reports have since been approved and implemented, while the remaining reports are still under consideration. A committee headed by the Chief Secretary was constituted to examine the recommendations. Kummanam has now demanded that the government make public the exact status of each recommendation and explain the results achieved from the money spent on the previous commission. He questioned whether the state needs another commission when the Administrative Reforms Department already has a mechanism to examine and follow up on reform proposals. Again a chairman. Again Cabinet rank. Again staff. Again office. Again vehicle. Again travel allowances. Again public money, Kummanam said, questioning the financial burden of the new arrangement. He demanded that the government disclose the total expenditure involved, including the chairman's salary and allowances, personal staff, office facilities, vehicle and travel expenses. The relevant question is not how many commissions have been constituted, but what changes they have brought about in governance, he said. The appointment of Muneer with Cabinet rank has already triggered a political controversy within the ruling UDF, with UDF convenor Adoor Prakash expressing displeasure that he was not consulted on the decision.
Kozhikode Corporation revises annual plan; escalator to be installed near mofussil bus stand
The decision was taken at a special council meeting held on October 5 in the wake of the government sanctioning an additional allocation of 40.92 crore for spillover projects.
TN ministers scheduled meeting with Keralam CM deferred over lack of ECI clearance
24x7 specialty care at Punalur taluk hospital is a success, says Keralam Health Minister
The initiative, which aims at easing overcrowding at medical college hospitals and making specialist care available without delay, was piloted at the Punalur taluk hospital
Kerala HC allows Malayalam rapper Vedan to travel abroad
The court directs the Regional Passport Officer to issue a customised PCC listing the criminal cases pending against the rapper
CPI(M) alleges double standards in police action against protests in Kasaragod
Speaking to the media on Monday, CPI(M) Kasaragod district secretary M. Rajagopalan alleged the police are adopting double standards in dealing with protests against Minister O.J. Janeesh, arresting and remanding DYFI activists while allegedly taking no comparable action against BJP workers involved in similar protests.
Kerala: AKG Centre land to be measured after HC order
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 5 (IANS) The land on which the CPI(M)s iconic AKG Centre stands in the state capital will be measured on October 6 following a direction from the Kerala High Court, bringing a decades-old dispute over the extent of the land allotted to the party into a crucial new phase. The Thiruvananthapuram Tahsildar has been directed to carry out the measurement. Notices have been served on Kerala University and the CPI(M), asking them to ensure the presence of their representatives when the measurement is conducted, Congress leader and Kerala University Syndicate member R.S. Sasikumar said on Monday. The measurement follows a public interest litigation filed by Sasikumar challenging the allotment of Kerala University land for the construction of the AKG Centre for Research and Studies. The land was allotted in 1977 during the tenure of then Chief Minister A.K. Antony for setting up the research centre named after CPI(M) founder leader A.K. Gopalan. Sasikumar has alleged that while the government order sanctioned only 15 cents of land, the CPI(M) and the AKG Centre have a substantially larger area, including portions allegedly belonging to Kerala University and government puramboke land. Sasikumar said the issue was not new. In 1987, then Leader of the Opposition K. Karunakaran had raised the land issue in the Assembly. The then Left government had reportedly maintained that the land could be measured if Kerala University raised the matter. The issue has acquired another dimension following the controversy surrounding Exalogic, the IT firm linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans daughter, Veena Vijayan. Sasikumar questioned how a private business entity could have an address connected to the AKG Centre. The AKG Centre complex, which housed the CPI(M)s state headquarters until April 2025, continues to have offices and a spacious air-conditioned auditorium used for party meetings and other functions. The CPI(M) has since shifted its state headquarters to a new multi-storeyed building located nearby. With the measuring exercise scheduled for Tuesday, the focus now shifts from the long-running allegations to the actual boundaries and extent of the land in official records and on the ground. The land measurement may now determine a political and legal dispute that has remained alive for nearly five decades.
Kerala: Brand Wayanad takes shape as Priyanka Gandhis tourism push meets govt plan
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 5 (IANS) Wayanad is set to get a new identity as a carefully managed global tourism destination, with the state government scheduled to unveil its much-discussed Brand Wayanad project on Tuesday, an initiative that Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi has been advocating for some time. She has been speaking about a comprehensive tourism push to showcase the hill districts natural beauty, culture and adventure potential. Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh will unveil the project at Vythiri Village Resort on Tuesday, with Agriculture Minister T. Siddique presiding over the event. The initiative has been listed as part of the V.D. Satheesan government's 100-Day Action Programme. The project is significant as it seeks to move Wayanad beyond the conventional image of a hill station and position it as a distinctive tourism ecosystem combining nature, local life, agriculture and tribal culture. Priyanka Gandhi has been advocating better infrastructure and wider promotion of the district as a tourism destination. Her predecessor as Wayanad MP, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, had also repeatedly sought greater attention to the districts tourism potential and its capacity to generate livelihoods for local communities. The government initiative now seeks to provide a formal framework for that vision. Responsible tourism will be at its core, with modernisation of homestays and the promotion of Wayanad as a safe and sustainable global destination. The emphasis will be on experiences rather than merely sightseeing, including coffee plantations, local cuisine, agricultural life, tribal heritage, rural experiences and the districts unique landscape. Wayanad coffee, spices, traditional rice varieties and honey will be integrated into the tourism experience. GI-tagged Wayanad Robusta coffee will be promoted globally through a farm-to-cup model. The En Ooru heritage village will be expanded to showcase indigenous tribal culture. A Tribal University and Heritage Knowledge Centre will also be established at a cost of Rs 50 crore. The government also plans a Wayanad CSR Exchange, an e-waste-free campaign and greater corporate participation in the districts development. For Wayanad, the message is clear: tourism is no longer being viewed simply as bringing more visitors to the hills. The new approach aims to turn the district itself, including its landscape, people, produce, culture and way of life, into the brand. For the government, however, the real test will be whether Brand Wayanad can translate that vision into better-managed tourism and higher incomes for the people who call the hills their home.
Case registered over Facebook post falsely attributed to Sudhakaran
The Kannur Cyber Crime Police have registered a case and launched an investigation against the owner of a Facebook account for allegedly circulating a fake post using the photograph and name of Congress leader K. Sudhakaran.
Case registered over Facebook post falsely attributed to Sudhakaran
The Kannur Cyber Crime Police have registered a case and launched an investigation against the owner of a Facebook account for allegedly circulating a fake post using the photograph and name of Congress leader K. Sudhakaran.
