Kerala State Electricity Board looking to expedite Transgrid works
The long-term plan aims at strengthening the power transmission network within the State. On top of the list of projects to be speeded up is the 400 kV substation proposed in Kasaragod
Coastal greening programme to take off in Kerala soon
Initiative to plant mangroves will be launched in 33 panchayats along the coast between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts
TCEI to host 3rd TCEI SIWPC GLOBAL, 7th TCEI Events Excellence Awards at Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Telangana Chamber of Events Industry (TCEI) - India`s largest Regional Events Industry Association, is hosting the 3rd Edition of South Indian Wedding Planners Congress, the 3rd TCEI SIWPC GLOBAL 2024 and the 7th TCEI Events Excellence Awards 2024, on June 18th and 19th, 2024 at Hitex Exhibition Centre. Hyderabad. The details of the largest congregation of national and international Wedding planners, was formally announced by Chief Guest TG Srikant, Head -HITEX Exhibition Centre; Alla Balaram Babu, President-TCEI, Ravi Bura, General Secretary- TCEI, Md Toufiq Khan, Treasurer- TCEI, at the curtain raiser event held today at MAAYA Convention, Kondapur. Members of TCEI spearheading both the initiatives Sai Shravan Madiraju, Convenor-SIWPC Global 2024 and Ramm K Muppana, Convenor - TCEI Event Excellence Awards 2024 and Co-Convenors Hirish Reddy, Kumar Raja, Sudhakar Yarabadi, Dr Saurabh Sureka; graced the occasion. Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest TG Srikant said, the wedding industry in India is valued at $130 billion, according to The Economist. Given its unorganized nature, the actual figures could be significantly higher, with this estimate representing just the tip of the iceberg. The size of the Industry suggests that weddings for Indians are not merely ceremonies; they are lifetime celebrations intertwined with emotions, traditions, and bonding. People are increasingly opting for destination weddings, with popular choices being Jaipur, Udaipur, and the backwaters of Kerala. Surprisingly, Hyderabad does not seem to be among these favoured locations. TCEI hosting an event of this magnitude, focused on wedding planning, is a significant initiative aimed at elevating Hyderabad to the status of a preferred destination for such celebration. Hyderabad doesnt lag behind any other destination be it infrastructure, mesmerising venues, proficient wedding planners, best connectivity to the rest of India and the world. We must vigorously strive to establish Hyderabad as a prominent wedding destination on the global map. Alla Balaram Babu said, the TCEI Events Excellence Awards, have set a new benchmark for the events industry, both nationally and internationally, filling us with pride at the Telangana Chamber of Events Industry. The SIWPC hosted by TCEI has evolved into a highly anticipated event, not only among wedding planners in Hyderabad and across India but also among renowned planners from around the globe. Its reputation for excellence, innovation, and networking opportunities has transcended borders, making it a must-attend gathering for professionals in the wedding and event planning industry worldwide. This year's event promises an array of enticing offerings, designed to captivate and inspire the delegates. From engaging keynote speeches by industry leaders to immersive workshops and interactive panel discussions, participants can expect a wealth of knowledge and insights to enhance their skills and expertise. Additionally, there will be opportunities for networking with peers and exploring the latest trends and innovations in the wedding and event planning realm. With an exciting line up of activities, this year's event is poised to be a transformative experience for all who attend. SIWPC brings together experts from various facets of the Indian wedding industry. This event aims to showcase South India's significant contributions to the world of weddings and provide a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Renowned national and international speakers from the events fraternity will grace the conference, delivering insightful sessions on different aspects of the Indian wedding industry. Delegates will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights, learn from industry experts, and exchange ideas with like-minded professionals. This Convention is eagerly awaited by all the Wedding Planners, Wedding Designers, Wedding Stylists, Decorators, Event Managers and all other crafts of Event Industry across India and more than 20 Countries. The event is poised to showcase the upsurge of Grand scale weddings and events in Telangana and across India. This event will be attended by globally acclaimed Industry Experts and Peers including John Emmanuel, Australia; Teddy Emmanuel, Philippines; Michael Ruiz, Philippines; Nicolas (Roni Flowers), France; Bryan, Ghana, Africa and several other stalwarts from Industry from across the globe. Anticipated to host a distinguished gathering, this esteemed event is poised to welcome over a thousand delegates from both India and abroad. Dubbed 'Event Bazaar,' the expo will feature a grand display of more than 60 stalls, each showcasing a diverse array of products, services, and cutting-edge trends prevalent in the dynamic event industry. Other Salient Features of the Event will be Master Classes delivered by Industry Leaders and peers; Panel Discussions & Workshops by Stalwarts; Parallel sessions on several key topics such as Event Safety, role of technology etc., Business Networking Lounges; widely spread cuisines for all meals, served by the top most hospitality catering companies in the country and an array of multi diverse entertainment performances to enthrall the audience of all genres. The glittering awards ceremony focused on Wedding Industry achievers, SIWPC Global Wedding Academy Awards, is scheduled on June 18th, 2024, from 5.00 pm onwards. The 7th Edition of TCEI Event Excellence awards is set to be organized on 19th June, 2024 from 5.00 pm onwards in concurrence with 3rd TCEI SIWPC Global 2024. The event has garnered a Great distinction of being the most sought-after Event Industry Awards in the region. The transparency of the Awards selection process has been commended by many Industry leaders and delegates. Primarily there are 2 Categories of awards, Pearl of Hyderabad, is awarded to an exceptional Event or achiever who hails from Telangana region. The Award is symbolic resonance of Hyderabad which is also called as City of Pearls. The Gem of India award is bestowed on an exceptional Event or Achiever, hosted or performed in any part of India. There are special recognitions for industry veterans such as * Jade of India, Special recognition to Industry leaders who have an experience of working with Event Industry for more than 15 years. * Lifetime Achievement, a distinct recognition to industry leaders and peers who have an experience of working in Event Industry with more than 30 years. * Koh-E- Noor of India, the highest honour and distinction to the Event Manager or Company who have organized or managed an Event in Hyderabad which has brought worldwide recognition and acclaim to Hyderabad. The entire Event is fully organized by Telangana Chamber Of Events Industry. With the able support of its allied Associations, the Telangana Event Managers Association, Telangana Event Facilitators Association, Telangana Sound Light Vendors Association, Telangana Entertainers Association, Telangana Event Venues Association, Telangana Event Caterers Association and Telangana Entertainers Association.
TN said the reconstituted supervisory committee, despite being endowed with powers under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 had miserably failed to ensure that Kerala facilitate strengthening and other related works on the dam
Kerala Coast Hit by Sea Surge; Orange Alert Extended
Kerala Coast Hit by Sea Surge; Orange Alert Extended Amidst warning of a 'Kallakkadal' phenomenon in coastal areas of the state, several places in Kerala have been witnessing high tidal waves and intense sea incursion since Saturday night. ''Kallakkadal' is a phenomenon of sudden sea swells causing rough waves in coastal areas. A number of houses were damaged and roads were flooded as massive waves hit the shores in many coastal hamlets. Sea water gushed into houses forcing residents to shift to safer places in Anchuthengu and Poonthura areas of Thiruvananthapuram. At several places, local people had to pay extra vigil to protect their fishing equipment, kept on the shores, from the high tidal waves. Besides Anchuthengu, Poonthura and Muthalapozhi hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram, sea incursion was reported in Mundakkal and Alappadu areas in Kollam district, Purakkad in Alappuzha and Kodungallur and Perinjanam in Thrissur district and so on, local people said. Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) on Sunday continued to place the southern coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu under Orange Alert warning as part of the ''Kallakkadal'' phenomenon. In its latest alert, the agency warned that the southern coasts of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu comprising Kanyakumari and Tuticorin regions are likely to experience rough seas and sea surge due to extremely strong waves of 0.5 metres to 1.5 metres till 11.30 pm tonight as part of the phenomenon. INCOIS, the Central agency that issues weather warnings for fishermen in the country, advised people to safely moor their fishing vessels in the harbour. It also warned fishermen not to venture into the sea in small boats and vessels after 8 pm on Sunday. Authorities advised people to continue their caution and avoid trips to the beach and completely stay away from activities at sea. The term 'Kallakkadal' literally means a sea that comes suddenly like a thief. INCOIS has earlier said that the swells result from strong winds in the southern part of the Indian Ocean at certain times, and that they occur suddenly without any particular indications or warning which is why it is named 'Kallakkadal'.
Kerala's coastal hamlets witness sea incursion; Orange alert warning remains in place
Kerala has experienced high tidal waves and intense sea incursions due to the 'Kallakkadal' phenomenon, which causes sudden sea swells causing rough waves in coastal areas. Houses have been damaged and roads have been flooded, forcing residents to shift to safer areas. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has placed the southern coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu under Orange Alert warning for rough seas and sea surge due to extremely strong waves of 0.5 to 1.5 meters.
The Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan is set to release the results for Class 10 (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) on May 8, 2024. The results will be accessible from 3:00 PM onwards on the official website at pareekshabhavan.kerala.gov.in. The exams were conducted from March 4 to March 25, 2024. To check their results, students need their registration number, password, and date of birth.
Kerala's Coastal Communities Face Rising Seas
Kerala's Coastal Communities Face Rising Seas Amidst warning of 'Kallakkadal' phenomenon in coastal areas of the state, several places in Kerala have been witnessing high tidal waves and intense sea incursion since Saturday night. ''Kallakkadal' is a phenomenon of sudden sea swells causing rough waves in coastal areas. A number of houses were damaged and roads were flooded as massive waves hit the shores in many coastal hamlets. Sea water gushed into houses forcing residents to shift to safer places in Anchuthengu and Poonthura areas of Thiruvananthapuram. In several places, local people had to pay extra vigil to protect their fishing equipment, kept on the shores, from the high tidal waves. Besides Anchuthengu, Poonthura and Muthalapozhi hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram, sea incursion was reported in Mundakkal and Alappadu areas in Kollam district, Purakkad in Alappuzha and Kodungallur and Perinjanam in Thrissur district and so on, local people said. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) on Saturday withdrew a 'red alert' issued for 'Kallakkadal' in coastal areas of Kerala and the south Tamil Nadu coast and revised it to an 'orange alert'. The agency warned that low-lying areas of the Kerala coast were likely to experience rough seas and sea surge due to extremely strong waves of 0.5 metres to 1.5 metres till 11.30 pm on Sunday as part of the phenomenon. INCOIS, the Central agency that issues weather warnings for fishermen in the country, advised people to safely moor their fishing vessels in the harbour. Authorities advised people to continue their caution and avoid trips to the beach and completely stay away from activities at sea. The term 'Kallakkadal' literally means a sea that comes suddenly like a thief. INCOIS has earlier said that the swells result from strong winds in the southern part of the Indian Ocean at certain times, and that they occur suddenly without any particular indications or warning which is why it is named 'Kallakkadal'.
Renowned percussionist Kelath Aravindhaksha Marar passes away at 82
THRISSUR: Renowned percussion artist Kelath Aravindhaksha Marar passed away due to age related ailments in his residence at Ollur in Thrissur on Sunday. He was 82. Aravindhaksha Marar who learnt Chenda from his father Makkoth Sankarankutty Marar at the young age of 14, later played crucial role in percussion ensemble performances even if not a 'pramani' as his experience of decades helped in controlling the crew. He stood with percussion maestro Peruvanam Kuttan Marar for Elanjithara melam until 2021 after which deteriorating health forced him to stay away from performances. The cremation will be held at Paramekkavu Santhighat at 4pm on Sunday.
If Rahul Gandhi 'Leaves' Wayanad, Congress in Kerala Will Have a Lot to Handle
Unlike in Amethi, Rahul was actively involved in Wayanad, establishing a strong bond with the voters.
BRS wont join NDA or INDIA: KTR
HYDERABAD/ RAJANNA-SIRCILLA: Claiming that the people of India will reject both the BJP and Congress, BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the pink party would not join either the NDA or INDIA bloc after the Lok Sabha elections. There are 13 major political parties not aligned with either of the major coalitions who will hold the key to who forms the next government in New Delhi, he said. Addressing a public meeting after roadshows in Malkajgiri segment on Saturday, the Sircilla MLA said the image of the city would be completely destroyed due to communal tensions if the BJP were to be elected. For peace and growth of the city, vote for the BRS, he said. Additionally, stating that the Congress was not in a position to challenge the BJP anywhere in the country, Rama Rao mentioned that only regional parties can counter the saffron party in the Lok Sabha elections. In the Assembly polls, it was not the Congress, but the BRS, which defeated the BJP MPs who were nominated for state elections, he said. The BRS working president also criticised Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and questioned his decision to run away to Kerala instead of fighting the BJP in his stronghold Amethi. Rama Rao also accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of conspiring with the BJP and fielding weak candidates against them. He said that if BRS secures over 10 Lok Sabha seats, it will voice all concerns of Telangana people in Parliament. The BRS working president alleged that despite being a Congress chief minister, Revanth was toeing the line of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not Rahul Gandhi. He also took a swipe at Modi saying that the latter was resorting to cheap politics and campaigning to gain more Lok Sabha seats by provoking people on religious lines. Reorganisation of districts Earlier in the day, Rama Rao, addressing the media in Sircilla, said Revanth has done nothing but make unnecessary statements in the last four-and-a-half years. He alleged that the state was in the control of a single unstable person. Claiming that Revanth was trying to undo the good work of former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, he said the BRS government created new districts and named them after prominent personalities, but the Congress wanted to remove them. Rama Rao said the decentralisation of administration helps execute the welfare schemes in villages. He said the BRS would hold public protests if Revanth changed the layout of the state. Congress leaders are saying that one district should be enough per Lok Sabha segment. They should clarify which districts would be removed of the 33 in the state, he added.
Rahul Gandhi has no fire but Cong playing with fire by attempting Hindu-Muslim divide:Rajnath
Rahul Gandhi has no fire but Cong playing with fire by attempting Hindu-Muslim divide:Rajnath Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has no fire while his party is playing with fire by attempting to create Hindu-Muslim divide for electoral dividends, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said. In an interview to PTI, Singh also indicated that the BJP will implement its big-ticket plans like rolling out of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and implementing the 'One Nation One Election' push if it retains power for the third consecutive term. The defence minister also said that he was confident that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will cross 400 seats and the BJP will get over 370 as these projections were made after detailed assessment of the ground situation and not made only for public consumption. On the overall political landscape, the defence minister accused the Congress of attempting to disturb social harmony and trying to create tensions on religious lines. ''They are attempting to create Hindu-Muslim divide for electoral gains. The Congress is trying to create tensions on religious lines,'' he alleged. ''The Congress wants to disturb social harmony. They look at the Muslim community only as a vote bank. I have a suggestion for them -- politics should not be done only for forming governments. The aim of politics should be for nation building,'' he said. ''Rahul Gandhi has no fire but Congress is playing with fire,'' he said. Singh said people of the country will repose their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP's tally will improve significantly based on the performance of the government in the last five years. ''Our seats will increase in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and we will get some seats in Tamil Nadu. Our account will open in Kerala as well. We are winning a good number of seats in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana,'' the senior BJP leader said. ''We will increase our tally in Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam. We are sweeping Chhattisgarh,'' he said, asserting that the BJP will cross the 370-mark. Asked whether the BJP's seats in Maharashtra will come down, he did not give a direct reply but said there may be some adjustments here and there. The BJP leader also came down hard on the Congress for its plan to ''redistribute'' wealth, saying it will have disastrous consequences for the country's economy. ''The concept of redistribution of wealth will trigger recession. Argentina and Venezuela implemented it and faced disastrous consequences. The investors will lose confidence in India,'' Singh said. On the BJP's big-ticket plans like implementation of the UCC and 'One Nation One Poll' push in if it retains power, Singh said it fulfils promises that it makes to the people of India. In its manifesto, the BJP pledged to implement the UCC if it returns to power after the general elections. It also mentioned that the party will move forward with a resolve to realise the idea of 'One Nation, One Election'. ''We always fulfil our commitments. We will never allow any question mark on our credibility and will not compromise on the country's unity and integrity. We implement whatever we say in our manifesto. We have to do whatever we say,'' Singh said. ''We will go for 'One Nation One Election. We will take views of every quarter, including all political parties on it,'' he said. On the UCC, the defence minister said even the Constitution-makers felt a need for it, as it is mentioned in the directive principles. ''The Congress wants to create fear psychosis; they want to use the Hindu-Muslim card,'' he said. ''They do not have any issue. They want to form a government by dividing the society in the name of caste, creed and religion and they have always done it,'' he alleged.
Boss joke lands employee in jail in Bengaluru
BENGALURU : A hotel helper ended up behind the bars after he took his owners suggestion seriously, and stole a bike parked in front of the hotel. Shaheem C, alias Shazz, is a native of Thalassery in Kerala. He was working at a hotel in Madivala. When Shaheem requested his owner to clear his salary dues, pending for over a month so he could visit Kerala, the owner denied him his salary, and instead suggested that Shazz should break the lock of a bike and use it to ride to Kerala Ninenteen-year-old Shazz took his suggestion too seriously and started researching how to break a bikes lock, on social media. He successfully broke a bikes lock, and headed to Thalaserry on the stolen bike. The bike owner filed a complaint at the Madivala police station. The police found Shazz, wearing the hotel uniform breaking the lock, through CCTV footages. When questioned, the hotelier informed that Shazz had gone to Kerala. The police tracked his mobile, and as he returned to Bengaluru, the police arrested him and recovered the bike, a few days ago. In another incident, Chamarajpet police arrested a Mubarak (25) a resident of Hedge Nagar for stealing four vehicles across the city. The police recovered all four bikes worth Rs 2.5 lakh from the accused.
BJP leaders say love jihad on rise, CT Ravi wants SIT probe
HUBBALLI : Senior BJP leaders BY Vijayendra and CT Ravi have alleged that love jihad cases are on the rise in Karnataka. Vijayendra, who is the state BJP president, further went on to say that Karnataka was going the Kerala way. Ravi, a former minister, demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into such incidents. Vijayendra told reporters in Hubballi on Saturday that the Congress State Government was also giving shelter to murderers. An atmosphere of fear has been created among Hindu girls. The minority appeasement policies of the Congress government have led to the deterioration of law and order in Karnataka, Vijayendra said. Anti-social and anti-national elements have developed a sense of security as they believe that the Congress will come to their rescue, he charged. Meanwhile, Ravi said that Karnataka was seeing an increase in love jihad cases after the Congress came to power in the state last year. It was not just a coincidence but a deliberate attempt by some anti-national groups. Some groups have been targeting those who do not follow the Sharia law, he said. Ravi said that during the Mughal emperor Aurangzebs regime, religious conversions were done by force, adding that certain groups were now following love jihad. Going a step ahead, these forces have now given a call for vote jihad. So, to get into the depth of recent love jihad cases, a SIT should be constituted to probe them, he added.
Kerala HC gives nod to terminate pregnancy of married girl
KOCHI : The Kerala High Court on Saturday granted permission to terminate the 25-week pregnancy of a 19-year-old girl. The court issued the order on a petition filed by a married couple seeking permission for medical termination of pregnancy on grounds of substantial abnormalities of the foetus. The petitioners had got married on May 20, 2023. Five months into the marriage, the wife got pregnant. According to the petitioners, on subsequent medical consultation, certain substantial deformities and abnormalities were diagnosed in the head, spine and face of the foetus. Though they approached a hospital for MTP, it was denied and the hospital informed them that as the gestational age of the foetus was 25 weeks, termination of pregnancy could be done only after obtaining orders from the court.
Schools to reopen in Kerala on June 3
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The new academic year in the state will begin on June 3. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to complete all preparations for school reopening in a time-bound manner before the Praveshanolsavam on June 3. The meeting decided to take sufficient steps to ensure the safety and security of school buildings. Necessary repair works should be carried out, and the fitness of buildings must be ensured. The cleaning of school premises should be carried out in addition to ensuring clean drinking water. It also decided to remove unused vehicles parked on school premises, along with unused furniture and other equipment. The meeting also decided to ensure the fitness of school buses and private vehicles carrying students.
Allegations cheap drama at Mamatas behest: West Bengal Governor
KOCHI: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Saturday termed the molestation allegations against him a cheap political drama during election times at the behest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The state government has no power to announce a probe against the governor. Will take strict action if it crosses the legal limits. Ill convey everything to the central government at the appropriate time, Bose told a local channel while on a visit to Kochi. His response comes in the wake of West Bengal Police launching an inquiry after a contractual woman employee lodged a complaint on Thursday evening, accusing him of molesting her. Youth Congress activists waved black flags when Bose reached the Guest House in Aluva around 11am. As they were about to reach Boses vehicle, the police team intercepted the protesters and removed them from the place. Later, the police recorded the arrest of five protesters and shifted them to the nearby police station.
Dr Vandana Das murder case: Prosecution asked to present accused before court on May 8
KOLLAM: The Additional Sessions Court in Kollam has directed the Central Correctional Home, Thiruvananthapuram, to present G Sandeep, the accused in the Dr Vandana Das murder case, before the court. A hearing on the case was scheduled for Saturday. However, the defence counsel filed a bail application with the Supreme Court, thereby helping Sandeep not to be presented before the court. Prosecutor Pratap G informed the court that the bail application was a deliberate attempt by the defence counsel to delay the examination of witnesses. Following the arguments presented by additional sessions judge P N Vinod, the prosecution was instructed to produce the accused on May 8. Sandeep was arrested in May last year and has since been in judicial custody in the Central Correctional Home in connection with the case. The incident related to the case occurred on May 10, 2023. Sandeep stabbed 23-year-old Vandana with a pair of scissors when police brought him to the Government Taluk Hospital, Kottarakkara, for a medical examination.
Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Akshaya AK-650 WINNERS for May 5, 2024; First Prize Rs 70 Lakh!
Kerala Lottery Result Today Guessing Numbers: Check the Live Updates and FULL LIST of winning numbers for Akshaya AK-650 lucky draw for Sunday, May 5 here from 3 pm.
Assault bid on journalist near Vanchiyoor court
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A man tried to molest a woman journalist who was on duty in the capital city on Saturday. Following her complaint, the Vanchiyoor police registered a case. According to the complaint, a middle-aged man attempted to physically assault her while she was on duty near the court premises at Vanchiyoor. The man groped me initially and continued to assault me for almost twenty minutes while I was taking the KSRTC drivers byte as part of a report, she said. Despite her repeated attempts to stop him, the assault continued. The place was crowded with journalists and advocates, and nobody knew who the person was. When I finally confronted him after taking the byte, he began hurling abuses at me, she added. The assailant claimed to be there in connection with a case. When advocates and journalists intervened in the issue, he fled from the scene. Following this, she filed a complaint with the police. The district committee of the Kerala Journalists Union has demanded that the accused should be immediately booked under non-bailable charges. The Vanchiyoor police have filed an FIR against the assailant charging IPC 354 (outraging the modesty of women).
Guide the youth to enhance scientific productivity: V K Saraswat
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: NITI Aayog member V K Saraswat has urged the medical community to reach out to students and guide them to enhance their scientific productivity. He was speaking at the annual convocation of the 40th batch of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences (SCTIMST) at Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies on Saturday. You have been lucky to be a member of this prestigious institution. It is imperative for you to play a part in promoting science and medicine-related ecosystem. Every young and aspiring person of science looks up to you for inspiration. So reach out to them and make their life worthwhile, said SCTIMST president Saraswat. Speaking on the occasion, Abhay Karandikar, secretary of Department of Science and Technology, Union government, said it was for the first time that he witnessed a convocation ceremony where doctors, clinicians, medical engineers, nursing professionals and public health officials received their certificates simultaneously. Your institute emphasises on interdisciplinary research and cross communication that aligns seamlessly with the objective of the National Education policy which focuses on fostering a holistic approach to learning and nurtures the professionals capable of tackling multi-faceted issues. As you step out of this institute, you are not just graduates but ambassadors of healing, empathy and progress, said Karandikar. V Narayanan, ISRO scientist and director of liquid propulsion systems centre, addressed the graduates inspiring them to contribute to the country by believing in themselves. The general public in our country identifies this institute to provides world class treatment in cardiology and neurology. But all may not be aware it to be a world class research institute in the medical field that has come up with numerous innovations in treatment and diagnosis of diseases. With the knowledge you have gained till now, you are going to heal patients of this country, said Narayanan. Saraswat conferred degrees to 162 graduates who completed different courses, including Doctor of Management (DM), PhD, Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (MS) and diploma. The 7th G Parthasarathi oration was delivered by Shiv Kumar Sarin, president of National Academy of Medical Sciences.
Hundreds of Bhatkal expats fly home to vote
BHATKAL/BENGALURU : Hundreds of people from Bhatkal, who are working in West Asia, are returning home just to exercise their franchise on May 7. This, it is said to be in response to the appeal by Bhatkal Tanzeem. It is learnt that the travel expenses of these voters are met by the Tanzeem. Taking a cue from Kerala, where a large number of residents who are working abroad, came down to vote, the Tanzeem has appealed to the people of Bhatkal, who are working abroad, to return home and exercise their franchise without fail. Bhatkal comes under the Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency. BJP candidate Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri said he was told that the Tanzeem pays the travel expenses of those who come to Bhatkal to vote. We are keeping a tab on it. If we find any such thing, we will complain to the Election Commission, he said. However, Inayathullah Shabandari, president of Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem, Bhatkal, said the Tanzeem has no role in this. Many of them are coming to India now just to vote. They are coming on their own, bearing the expenses themselves. Most of them are rich. Only for those, who are not financially sound but are willing to come to vote, there are Tanzeems and Jamaats representing our people across West Asia. They have agreed to help them to an extent. We have branches of the Jamaat in Dubai, Mumbai and other places. It is in the interest of democracy, he told TNIE. We decided to appeal to our people after we saw Keralites working in West Asia participating in the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala in large numbers. About 40,000 people visited Kerala just to vote. We do not have such big numbers, ours will be in hundreds, he said. He said he is not sure how many will come and vote from West Asia. Around 15,000 people from Bhatkal are in Dubai, Jeddah, Qatar, Kuwait and other countries in West Asia. We hope at least 10% of them will come and vote, Inayathullah said.
Gramin Dak Sevaks bear the brunt as Kerala sizzles
KOLLAM : As scorching heat persists in the state, Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) -- delivery personnel under the postal department -- are facing hardship. Embarking on their duties at 10am, and toiling until 4.30pm, these dedicated workers brave extreme temperatures to ensure the timely delivery of 200 to 300 articles daily, often traversing long distances across rural and urban areas. The day for a GDS begins with reporting to the local post office by 8.30am. From there, they collect the articles slated for delivery throughout the day. I deliver between 200 and 300 articles daily, covering approximately 25km under the scorching sun. We are required to complete all deliveries by 4.30pm, often without respite. Despite experiencing symptoms like nausea and vomiting during duty, we must press on. Most of us rely on personal vehicles to deliver the articles, as the department does not provide four-wheelers, a GDS from the Oachira postal circle told TNIE . Furthermore, there is a glaring absence of additional compensation for their strenuous efforts. While they use umbrellas and sunscreen for protection, the prolonged duty hours leave them drained. According to the postal department, there are approximately 3.5 lakh GDSs under the Kerala circle. S Seetha, who recently completed 32 years of service as a GDS, lamented the lack of recognition for their dedication. After enduring eight hours of duty daily, we receive no acknowledgement from the department. I cover over 30km daily on my two-wheeler, spending around Rs 450 to 500 on petrol from my own pocket. Despite the long service, my salary remains stagnant at Rs 23,000, with no pension benefits. We labour under the scorching sun for four hours daily, yet our plight remains unheard. This is the reality we reluctantly accept. she said.
Kerala: Motor Vehicle Dept to conduct 40 tests per day, H to continue for now
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : After days of protests by driving school owners, the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has made slight changes to its earlier circular directing modifications in licence test procedures. Through a new order issued on Saturday, the MVD has opted to reinforce the existing road test, albeit with certain alterations. While the H test will continue for the time being, the applicant will be allowed to take part in it test only after clearing the road test. The licence will be provided only to those applicants who clear both tests. However, the driving schools must set up grounds for carrying out tests as mandated in the earlier circular issued by the department at the earliest. A three-month concession has been allowed for using vehicles attached with dual clutch and brake for the driving test. It has also been decided to give a three-month concession to attach dashboard cameras and VLDC in vehicles used for the test. A six-month period has been allotted to conduct the driving test in vehicles which is more than 15 years old. The decision to limit daily tests to 30 has been increased to 40. Of these, 25 have to be new applicants and the next ten to be considered must be candidates qualified for a retest and the rest five to those with employment/education/migration purposes. Driving school workers to end boycott The All-Kerala Driving School Workers Union (CITU) has decided to withdraw from boycotting driving tests by the Motor Vehicle Department. The decision was taken in view of the departments decision to give relaxation in testing. The discussion between Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar and the union secretary Elamaram Kareem will be held on May 23. If the discussions fail, the union will start protest strike in front of the Secretariat, said general secretary C T Anil Kumar.
Tripunithura: Insensitivity threatens to wipe out historical, cultural bridge with past
KOCHI: The recent proposal to demolish the nearly 130-year-old iron bridge over the Padinjare puzha in Tripunithura to make way for a modern, wider structure has landed the public works department (PWD) in a rather murky puddle. Residents, experts and historians have voiced stiff opposition to the Rs 30-crore move, which they say is not only needless but also insensitive to the cultural and historical underpinnings that form the basis of the structure and its setting. Built in 1890, it is one of the earliest iron bridges in the country. It is older than the Howrah bridge in Kolkata, says Biley Menon, co-convenor of the Cochin chapter of Intach. In its erstwhile days, the bridge connected Kottakkakom, the stronghold of the Cochin royal family, with the rest of the kingdom. As one of the last few heritage structures to have survived intact from the 19th century, the bridge facilitates an invaluable avenue to understand the history of steel use in construction and the evolution of trade in the former Cochin state. To a question posed by TNIE, a PWD official cited three reasons for the controversial move to demolish the bridge and build a new one in its place: Structure is weak The department has come to this conclusion by misrepresenting a report prepared by a marine structural engineer, said a person in the know. According to the original report, which TNIE is in possession of, its author, M V Ramachandran, taking cognisance of the bridges cultural and historical significance, is crystal clear in recommending that it be preserved as a heritage structure by taking up necessary repairs and modifications. Given that the bridge was built for the passage of royal horse carriages, Ramachandran suggests that it only be used for the movement of light motor vehicles. With minimal cost and work, the bridge can stay for another 25-30 years, his note reads. Will facilitate boat services A PWD official said Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) plans to operate boat services through the channel, and the new 5.5m high bridge will facilitate the plan. However, a study of KMRLs detailed project report (DPR) reveals that there are no proposals to use this section of the water body. There is a water metro route planned for Thykoodam, which will connect Vyttila. But the boats will take the Chambakara canal route. Not Padinjare puzha, said a KMRL official. To ease traffic congestion However, the bridge, nestled in a residential zone, only sees minimal traffic. It is primarily used by locals and devotees of nearby Sree Poornathrayeesa temple. Mostly pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Also, the occasional auto rickshaw, said K Pradeep, a resident of Tripunithura. The infrastructure revamp suggestion of the PWD would have made more sense had this idea of a new bridge been part of a larger, comprehensive overhaul of the road network in the area. Sadly, thats not the case. Why build a Rs 30-crore bridge in a residential zone? asks Sandhya Das, another resident. There are better, wider roads in the vicinity, points out Biley, an architect and urban designer. The two-minute, 200m deviation that this iron bridge necessitates is simply the cost of living in an urban city. As per latest information, the PWD has began formed a committee for a social-impact study, which is slated to be turned in in 15 days. However, there are no historians, urban designers or residents on this committee. Like their initial report, this too is a whitewash. In any case, the project is unlikely to move ahead as it also entails acquiring 60 cents of land from Tripunithuras key heritage zones a tedious task indeed, says a person in the know. Whether the project will go ahead or not is another matter. The fact that it is on the table points to an indifference to preserving the heritage of Tripunithura, which has seen many buildings of significant cultural and historical value vanish in the past decade. Of the 55 that the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) had identified, only 14 remain.
Kochi airport to add six cities to its domestic network
KOCHI : As demand soars, Kochi airport is set to add services to six new domestic destinations this month. Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) will revamp its summer schedule by adding Kolkata, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Raipur, Ranchi, and Lucknow to its network while enhancing its connectivity on established sectors. According to officials, the new routes will enhance connectivity. There has been a steady increase in domestic traffic. Passengers can take advantage of new routes and more flights to existing destinations, a CIAL official said. In 2023-24, CIAL handled a record total of 1.05 crore passengers. Our summer schedule listed 1,628 services every week. To this, we are set to add 60 services, which will begin operations in the first week of May. Air India Express will operate services to Kolkata; IndiGo will fly to Ranchi, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Raipur, and Lucknow; Air India Express will start its services to Pune, and Air Asia to Ranchi and Bagdogra, the official said. CIAL has also increased its daily flights to Bengaluru (20 services), Delhi (13), and Mumbai (10). Additionally, IndiGos Kozhikode-Kochi-Agatti-Kochi service which was kicked off on May 1 has received a good response. At present, Alliance Air operates 10 services a week to Agatti. Meanwhile, Air India has announced that it will increase the number of weekly services to London from three to four. There has been an increase in tourists flying to the East Asian region, including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City, said the official.
With hands & legs tied, 9-yr-old boy crosses 4.5-km stretch of Vembanad
KOCHI: Securing a position in the World Wide Records, a nine-year-old boy crossed 4.5 km in the Vembanad lake on Saturday. Aaron Rohith Prakash, a student of Class 3 at Green Valley Public School in Kottamangalam, completed a daring adventure, crossing a 4.5-km stretch in 1 hour 51 minutes with his hands and legs tied. Starting from Alappuzha districts Cherthala Jetty at 8:30 am, he reached Vaikom Beach in Kottayam district, earning a spot in the World Wide Book of Records for the feat. Aaron Rohith, the youngest participant in this endeavour, received training from Biju Thankappan, an instructor at Dolphin Aquatic Club. The achievement was celebrated in the presence of various dignitaries, including the vice-chairman of Vaikom municipality, Sindhu Ganesh, officials of the World Wide Book of Records among others. The event was inaugurated by MLA Antony John. This daring journey lasting over an hour marks the 17th world record for the Dolphin Aquatic Club.
Kanthapuram felicitated in Imam Bukharis birthplace
KOZHIKODE: Sunni leader and Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar has been felicitated at Bukhara city in Uzbekistan, the birthplace of renowned Islamic school Imam Bukhari. Kanthapuram was felicitated on Friday by scholars from various parts of the Middle East for his contributions to the study of Bukharis book on Hadees and the scholastic works he has been carrying out in various parts of the world. Sheikh Umar Hafiz, the founder of Darul Musthafa in Yemen, was also felicitated at the function. Kanthapuram and Umar Hafiz have been leading Islamic propagation works in different parts of the world. Tashkent supreme Imam Sheikh Rehmatullahi Thurmudi, Bukhara Mufti Sheikh Jabir Elov and Qazi Sheikh Akbar Saifullah Thurmudi attended the function. Sheikh Adam Shahidov, religious advisor to the Chechnian president, inaugurated the scholars meeting held as part of the function. Islamic Sheikh Yahya Rhodes was the chief guest. Scholars from 20 countries participated in the programme. Kanthapuram also conducted classes on Bukharis book at a function held at Samarkand, where the author was laid to rest. Kanthapuram and Sheikh Umar Hafiz are on a week-long tour to Uzbekistan aimed at reviving studies on Bukhari in his native place and in the Middle East.
No more spot booking for Sabarimala darshan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major decision aimed at crowd control at Sabarimala, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to do away with spot booking. Instead, booking through virtual queue will be allowed. It has also been decided to permit not more than 80,000 pilgrims to the hill shrine a day. TDB president P S Prasanth told TNIE that the decisions were taken in view of difficulties faced by devotees during the last pilgrimage season. Going by the new decisions, only those who book through the virtual queue system can visit the temple. The bookings will start three months before the commencement of the pilgrimage season. In another significant move, the board decided not to appoint people from other states for Sabarimala duty on a daily wage basis. Pre-paid system for dolly services Instead, the TDB will appoint a task force of 5,000 people in uniform for duty to assist pilgrims. It has also been decided to implement a pre-paid system for dolly services.The decisions were taken during the review meeting chaired by the TDB president on Saturday. In the backdrop of a womans death following suspected ingestion of the juice of Arali leaf and flower, the TDB has decided to wait for scientific examination reports before taking a call on continued use of Arali flower in temples under the board. The autopsy report and the internal organ examination report of the deceased are awaited. If the reports prove that the cause of death was juice of Arali flower, then the board will stop its use in all temples under the board, said TDB president Prasanth.
Thiruvananthapuram: Mayor, MLA booked after court directive
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : In a major setback to mayor Arya Rajendran and her husband Sachin Dev, MLA, in the road rage controversy, the Cantonment Police on Saturday registered a case against the duo and three others who travelled with them. The case was registered following a directive from the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court Thiruvananthapuram on a petition filed by KSRTC driver H L Yedu seeking action against the mayor and the MLA . It is learnt that the charges imposed against them include unlawful assembly, public nuisance, obstructing public transport and obstruction in public way. Earlier, despite complaints by the driver, the police had refused to register a case against the mayor and MLA. On Saturday, Yedu moved the court alleging police inaction. In his plea before the court, Yedu had accused the mayor of obstructing his official duty and the MLA of barging into the bus and threatening him. The issue snowballed into a major controversy after the mayor had accused the driver of showing obscene gestures. Sachin Dev Conductor might have misled authorities, says Yedu Raising fresh allegations against the conductor of the bus, Yedu said the conductor might have misled the authorities. According to the petition, a group of five people, including the mayor and her husband, attempted to intimidate him. He said he decided to approach the court after inaction by the police on his complaint. In his plea, Yedu demanded to initiate a search for the missing memory card containing the CCTV visuals from the bus. He raised suspicions regarding the memory card suggesting that the conductor may have misled the authorities. According to Yedu, the conductor was sitting on the front seat, but he lied to the police. Yedu alleged that the conductor is associated with DYFI. The conductor offered his front seat to the MLA when the latter got into the bus, alleged Yedu. The court has accepted the plea and will consider it on Monday. The Cantonment police had earlier registered a case of sexual harassment against Yedu based on Aryas complaint. However, the police did not register a case on Yedus complaint alleging that Arya and other car passengers obstructed the trip and misbehaved with him. Meanwhile in another development, the State Human Rights Commission has filed a case on the complaint filed by the driver stating that the mayor and others obstructed his official duties. The commission had ordered the Kerala Police and KSRTC MD to submit an investigation report within a week.
KSEB saves 200 mw per day after bringing in restrictions
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Within a day of imposing restrictions on power consumption during peak hours, KSEB has yielded results by saving 200 mw of power. This has led the board officials to review the situation within two days and impose further restrictions. But to make matters worse, the consumers have been slapped with an additional 10 paisa surcharge along with the existing 9 paisa surcharge per unit of power in this months power bill. The KSEB has also decided to set up a control room to address the raging issue of consumers protesting in front of section offices when power outages happen. It is aimed at coordinating the situation to address the overload in feeders, manage the load at substations and also understand the demand and availability of power in various places. Power Minister K Krishnankutty expressed happiness as the consumers are cooperating with the governments proposals to bring down power consumption. He informed that maximum demand for power had come down to 5,676 mw after consumers took up the directive of the state government seriously. The control room will help smoothen the distribution and transmission in power sector. It will be managed by officials belonging to the distribution and transmission wings and the State Load Dispatch Centre. We have decided to ensure that the control room functions as long as the current power crisis exists, said Krishnankutty. Currently, there is a 9 paisa surcharge in the power bill which the consumers are already paying. This has been increased by an additional 10 paisa resulting in a total of 19 paisa which is the fuel surcharge for March. But various trade union officials have alleged that there is nothing much to boast about saving 200 mw of power as it was achieved due to switching off feeders at Palakkad and Malappuram on Friday night where there was 10 minutes - 20 minutes load shedding. Moreover, most of the commercial establishments have been using LED lamps for decoration. So there is not much power saving happening as claimed by the power minister, said a KSEB trade union leader. Control room The KSEB has also decided to set up a control room to address the raging issue of consumers protesting in front of section offices when power outages happen It is aimed at coordinating the situation to address the overload in feeders, manage the load at substations and also understand the demand and availability of power in various places
Express Dialogues | RSS is reversing achievements of renaissance movement: C Radhakrishnan
Radhakrishnan, who recently turned 85, speaks to TNIE on his decision to quit the Kendra Sahitya Akademi, why he believes reservation does little to uplift the downtrodden, how the RSS has been nullifying the achievements of renaissance, and his long literary career spanning six decades A scientist who is a writer, or a writer who is a scientist? Who is C Radhakrishnan? I am neither. I am just an ordinary person. I have studied science and done a lot of writing. I have also done some work in science. I have found that both can be managed together and complement each other. Essentially, both require logic. Writing cant survive without logic, and science must have some literature. Without imagination, one cant gain new insights. With imagination and a touch of logic, one finds the way. You come from a background steeped in rigid customs and ritualistic traditions. How did you enter the world of science? At a fairly young age, I was introduced to Advaita through my grandfather, or perhaps it entered my consciousness naturally. The early exposure made the transition to science easier for me. One advantage of Advaita is that it doesnt centre around customs or rituals. So, when science dismissed rituals, it was not a surprise to me; it was easy to embrace. We have heard that you endured poverty in childhood. How did that shape you? I come from a family that was into farming. So, there was no poverty in terms of availability of food. But, in other matters, there was poverty. There wont be money, there wont be enough clothes, no gadgets. But food was available in plenty. My father was not with us, so you can say there was a father-poverty. You once said that Marxism was one of the aspects of Christianity. Could you please elaborate on that? Its not Engels or Marx who first said that those who toil would attain heaven. According to Christianity, who holds a higher position before God? Its not the faithful or the priest, but the righteous and just. Justice, as defined in the Ishavasya Upanishad, is the key. So, who was the first Marxist? Why did he drive the money changers out of the temple? This idea emerged later as a revolution. The difference is that Christ was not inciting anyone; he himself took action. In reality, the first Marxist was Jesus Christ. Theres no doubt about it (laughs). Could you tell us how you began your literary journey? When I was studying in Kozhikode, I needed some money. My fathers friend, N P Damodaran, was an editor and Congress activist there. He used to receive foreign magazines, and would ask me to translate excerpts from them. He would publish these translations in the newspaper on Sundays as fillers. At the end of each month, I earned around Rs 10-15, which was quite a significant amount back then. In my final year of undergraduate studies, I was given a book to translate into Malayalam. It was Daniel Defoes Moll Flanders, a satire about 500 pages long. I was paid Rs 500 for the translation, and I used that to fund my postgraduate studies. The translation work boosted my confidence. Then, during one Onam vacation, I returned home, but my parents had gone to Guruvayur. With nothing to do and no books to study, I decided to write a novel. I completed Nizhalpadukal in 10 days and left it at home before returning to Palakkad. Shortly afterward, Mathrubhumi weekly announced its first novel-writing competition. I submitted Nizhalpadukal, and was informed two years later via telegram that the novel had won the first prize. I was working as a scientist in Kodaikanal at that time. Thats how my career as a writer began. Like the saying The jackfruit fell, and the rabbit died, I became a writer unexpectedly. In which field do you seek answers, science or spirituality? The answer is neither in science nor in spirituality, it is in our mind. I dont know where to search for an answer, but the search continues. If we search for spirituality, the doubts remain. The Gita says God does not have any sympathy or grudge towards anyone. If it is so, why do some people suffer? We have seen children as young as five suffering from cancer. What sin did they commit? Is there any element of justice? This is my search. As a writer, who are your inspirations? In Malayalam, Kumaran Asan and Uroob. As for the writers from the West, it is Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy. All your nine novels have unique names They were all based on the poems that I had read. You stand out as one of the most prolific writers in Malayalam. Yet, your perspectives havent received the critical attention they deserve. Why? I never gave it much thought. I tried very hard not to become a writer, but it happened anyway. As a student, I couldnt resist scribbling poetry on torn notebook pages. One day, my father caught me and urged me to stop, leaving me disheartened. Years later, when I received an award for my writing, my father reminded me of his earlier advice. His concerns stemmed from a place of love. He had seen his friends Changampuzha Krishna Pillai and V C Balakrishna Panicker struggle as writers. They faced hardships and were unable to afford food or medicine. However, I eventually embarked on my journey as a writer. As I wrote, readers embraced my work and provided me with the financial support to sustain myself. What more could a writer ask for than the approval of readers? You have worked in diverse spaces with different political leanings. For instance, you worked as an editor with Veekshanam as well as Madhyamam I worked there as part of my profession. I spearheaded the launch team of Science Today of Times of India, Bombay. My decision to join Times of India wasnt based on my alignment with Shanti Prasad Jains philosophy. They had decided to appoint me as the editor after considering my expertise in the field. Later, I became the editor of Veekshanam daily. It was A K Antony who called me there. After that, worked as editor-in-charge of Manorama groups yearbooks and Bhashaposhini. Then, Madhyamam contacted me, and I decided to work with them. Sidhique Hassan, a knowledgeable scholar proficient in Persian and Sanskrit, approached me. He mentioned that they had plans to launch a weekly. But even after a year and a half, it didnt materialise. I had declined to work at their office, and worked from home instead. What is the politics of C Radhakrishnan? You recently resigned from the Kendra Sahitya Akademi in protest against the decision to allow a Union minister to inaugurate the annual festival That wasnt the only reason. The Kendra Sahitya Akademi used to be the sole autonomous, democratic cultural body in India. The Lalit Kala Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi are now ad hoc bodies. The situation in the Kerala Sahitya Akademi is no different. In the Kendra Akademi, there are two ex-officio members IAS officers from the department of culture in the executive committee. They have no voting powers, and their duty is solely to oversee administrative affairs. However, they began to exert control over the Akademi, and that led to resentment in the executive committee. For the past five years, we had not allowed their interventions. No one from outside attended the Akademis programmes. However, last year, a Union minister attended a programme. When questioned, they said it was a mistake and would not happen again. The same person inaugurated a programme this year. Hence, I decided to quit. They are controlling Akademi members from behind the scenes and politicising the institution. Universities contribute to the Akademi, Individuals backed by universities are appointed to committees. However, when the ruling party takes control over the universities and decides the nominees from their party, there will be division. They start implementing their partys decisions in all matters. Then, where is democracy? These issues started occurring after the Modi government came to power. What is your political stand? My politics is Mahatma Gandhis politics. In 1947, Gandhi said that we should not have politics in the country. India should not be governed by political parties India should be governed on a grama panchayat basis. If that had been implemented, we might not have faced the current issues. You once said that a literary person can only be associated with leftist ideology A writer only likes to see all people being good. No writer can be a writer without dreaming of good for people and the world. The current Left politics here is sectarian politics. If a person wins the election and forms the government, does he represent all the people? Also, I dont support the reservation system here. In Europe, people from Africa were made slaves. But they were not given any reservation later. Instead, they were given equality. Here, reservation is given based on caste and religion. Thus, caste is imprinted on a persons record forever. You mean to say the reservation system is undemocratic? How can it be democratic? It fuelled hatred among communities. Opportunities should be created for them. What is this uplift? It has created further division in the community. Within the community, an uplifted community has emerged. The majority of the lower-caste people are still (remaining as) lower-caste people. They arent going to school, dont study, have no job, earn no money, and have nothing. Talking of caste, some time ago, some criticised you for turning (Thunchath) Ezhuthachan into a Nair... Thats the issue. When I was writing about the life of Ezhuthachan, I didnt give any thought as to whether he was a Nair or not. No such thought crossed my mind. Was Ezhuthachan a revolutionary figure? He was the main figure of the renaissance movement in Kerala. What was the truth about you portraying Ezhuthachan as a Nair? What can I do? My grandfather, grandmother, etc, told me the story. When the Portuguese arrived in 1498, Ezhuthachan was about 20 years old. He died in 1560. They told me what they grasped from their ancestors. There is no reason why I shouldnt believe that. And I dont need to convince anybody about that. Your initial writing had a style similar to M T Vasudevan Nair. Was it deliberate? It wasnt MTs influence. P C Kuttikrishnan (Uroob) was my fathers close friend, and a food lover. While he was at Kozhikode Akashvani, he told me to meet him with an article written by me to broadcast. There were many people at the Akashvani, including Uroob. He made me record the article and took me to his cabin. He told me that there should be only one person who could write in my style me. He asked me not to copy his style of writing. Then he asked me to read Bharatham. My first published book Nizhalppadukal had a PC style. But many find resemblances to MT... We both lived in the same period and came from similar backgrounds, hence you feel the similarity. Is C Radhakrishnan, whose writings reflect optimism, a pessimist in real life? No, no.. I am very optimistic. Thats what is reflected in my last novel Kaalam Kathuvekkunath. A traumatic change will happen in this world. If we continue like this, it is estimated that no life would survive after 30 years... We are grinding towards either new beginning. The signs can be seen everywhere. There are two opinions within the scientific community. One says India was home to several inventions, while the other attributes them to the West. What is your opinion? There is a truth and a lie in this. The truth is that the definition of science is wrong. People often consider science as technology. People in India never went behind technology, and people of the West never followed philosophy. For us to write the Gita or any other manuscript, we did not need a lab or appliances. Both had knowledge: of practicals and ideology. Pushpaka Vimana, for instance, came from the ideology. The Mahabharata had science fiction. Literary works like the Mahabharata and Ramayana were satirical works against authoritarianism. Authorities are not tenable. Rama committed suicide in the end, by drowning himself in the Sarayu River. Is that the act of an incarnation? Sita had to prove her chastity; she went into the earth, splitting it. Rama also had to disown Lakshmana due to his ego. In the end, disillusioned by everything, he ended his own life. Do you believe in God? What do you mean by God? The traditional way of understanding God and belief... No, I am not a believer in the traditional sense. The current form of religion or bhakti is like a nursery school emotion for reaching out. There is no point in staying there and crying out. You need to evolve beyond that and progress to higher levels. Do you believe in astrology? I dont believe in horoscopes. Based on constellations, you can predict weather to a certain extent. However, you cannot predict things about an individual, tree or an incident. If anyone claims to do so, it is fraud. Is there a trend now to blend Indian mythology with science and claim that both are complementary? There is a dialectic in this approach. The knowledge of the Upanishads and the Gita offers one perspective, while the Vedas propose a different route of Kriya Margam (a method). These two paths have often been at odds. When one declines, the other gains prominence, leading to renaissance. The Gita emerged during a period of intense crisis, rejecting the Vedas and stating that the benefits from the Vedas to a man were like having a well with water when the whole world was flooded. After a period of peace, the caste system and its negative consequences arose, causing tensions and leading to the Bhakti Movement. This movement originated primarily from the lower strata of societyboth Vyasa and Krishna were of dark complexion. When tensions flared again, Vivekananda and the renaissance movement emerged. The RSS is attempting to reverse the achievements of that movement. Do you mean to say that there will be a renaissance to counter the RSS movement? In the world today, there is a dialectic between technology and science. The relevance of the RSS will decrease as the dialectic between science and technology gains momentum. This is a global development, and there will be a resolution that will hopefully favour humanity. We are approaching a final correction, which may involve some tragedy. It will ultimately happen. How do you analyse the writer C Radhakrishnan in the history of Malayalam literature? I dont rate myself. I am not worth even a penny. You wont get anything if you try to sell me. Have you been following any contemporary writers and their works? There are some whose work I appreciate. However, I prefer not to openly discuss them. Most of these writers show promise, but some lack the patience and perseverance needed for revision. When someone writes a novel, it has to undergo multiple revisions, providing the writer a chance to self-reflect on mistakes and excesses. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Anil S, Manoj Viswanathan, Rajesh Ravi, Arun M, Harikrishna B. T P Sooraj (photos) Pranav V P (video)
Rape victim cannot be forced to give birth to child of abuser: Kerala HC
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Saturday observed that a rape victim cannot be forced to give birth to the child of a man who sexually assaulted her. Declining permission to a rape victim to medically terminate her unwanted pregnancy would amount to forcing her with the responsibility of motherhood and denying her human rights to live with dignity, which forms a significant part of the right of life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, said Justice Kauser Edappagath. While allowing the plea of the mother of a 16-year-old girl who is a rape victim, seeking permission for medical termination of her daughters pregnancy, the court said that sexual assault or abuse of a woman is distressing and the resultant pregnancy compounds the injury. The petitioner alleged that the victim, while studying in the XIth standard, was sexually abused by her 19-year-old lover and she became pregnant. A case was registered by the Edakkad police, Kannur, for rape. The victim is now in her 28th week of pregnancy. The medical board informed the court that continuance of pregnancy may be detrimental to the physical and mental health of the victim. The psychiatrist who was part of the board also opined that the continuation of the pregnancy may result in severe psychological trauma to thevictim. The court further stated that after terminating the victims pregnancy, the superintendent, of Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur should preserve the foetus for carrying out the medical test for the case pending against the accused.
KSEB wary of imposing load shedding as it may lead to denial of central grants
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The KSEB and the LDF government decided against imposing load shedding for fear of not getting central grants and other projects from the centre in the future. The performance of KSEB will be assessed while seeking interest-free loans, sanctioning grants and new projects and if the word, load shedding is mentioned in the application, the KSEB stands to lose the benefits. The entire crisis being faced by the KSEB now is linked to the long-term Power Purchase Agreement entered into between the KSEB and power companies in May 2023 that was cancelled by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission later. The board had decided to push for load shedding if the power situation becomes bleak further. But later it realised that there were practical difficulties in going ahead with the load shedding as the Union power ministry evaluates the KSEBs performances based on several parameters. KSEB has been feeling the heat ever since it realised late that it has difficulties in distributing power despite having it. A senior KSEB official told TNIE that over the last three years the board had not initiated any steps to improve its distribution network. When the demand for power increases, the KSEB has to make sure that its existing system is enhanced. It has not bothered to enhance the capacity of transformers and feeders. In northern districts, more than 500 transformers experienced issues as the distribution network almost collapsed. Fortunately, the board initiated enhancement work in southern districts which did not see much power outage during peak hours, said a senior KSEB official. With the transformers dripping and oil overflowing from them in northern districts, the board decided to bring in measures to bring in alternative steps to overcome the crisis there. The board officials feel that its the lack of vision and planning which has pushed the KSEB to think of imposing load shedding. Another top board official told TNIE that this burgeoning power crisis has brought to focus the 25-year-long 465 mw Power Purchase Agreement signed in May 2023 when Aryadan Mohammed was the power minister, which was subsequently cancelled. If the PPA was in force, there would not have been any power crisis in the state. We would have got power at Rs 4.29 per unit instead of the Rs 10 per unit which will be bought from a private power company during May. The board and the LDF government should hold those officials responsible for pushing the state into power crisis, said a top board official on condition of anonymity.
Kerala: League has the best strike rate in elections
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : As the three fronts anxiously wait for the election results, the IUML is confident of the poll outcome as it is the only party in the state with a history of its candidates winning the maximum number of times. Of the total 17 elections it fought, the Muslim League was able to win the seats 14 times. Of these, except in the 2004 Parliament election, League won the two seats it contested. However, when the League contested in four seats, it could win only one seat. And when the party contested in three seats it could win two seats. CPI is in second position behind the League with a record of winning the maximum number of seats in Lok Sabha polls. In 1967 and 1971 general elections, all candidates of CPI were elected to Parliament. In 1967, three of its candidates who contested became victorious. In 1977 CPIs four candidates became victorious. The Congress and the CPM hold the record of putting the largest number of candidates in the election and they were also able to win the maximum number of seats. On two occasions, in 1977 after Emergency was lifted, Congress 11 candidates became victorious. In 1984 after the assassination of the-then PM Indira Gandhi, all the 13 candidates filed by the Congress were elected to Parliament. In 1967, CPM won all nine seats it contested. The party was able to repeat the feat in 2004. Then all 13 candidates got elected. Though initially it got only 12 seats, the Supreme Court set aside the election of NDAs P C Thomas and the CPM candidate was declared the winner which resulted in the CPM adding one more seat to its kitty. CPI also maintains the record of winning all four seats it had contested in a particular election. It was in 1977 after the lifting of Emergency that CPI won all seats it contested. However, on many occasions it could not win even a single parliament seat in the state. In 1984, 1989, 1991, 1999, 2009, and 2019 the CPI had no representative in the Lok Sabha. The Congress also had a similar fate in 1967 and 2014 when none of its candidates could make it to the Lok Sabha from the state. And the CPM too faced such a situation in 1977, when none of its candidates could taste victory.
Kerala: Congress candidates fume at party colleagues over campaign lapses
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A week after the Lok Sabha election in the state, three Congress candidates came down heavily on the party machinery for lapses in campaigning. Senior leaders K Muraleedharan, M K Raghavan and Adoor Prakash, who contested from Thrissur, Kozhikode and Attingal, respectively, expressed their resentment at the partys election review meeting on Saturday. Meanwhile, the leadership, which was once confident of making a clean sweep, observed that the contest was tough in constituencies like Attingal, Thrissur and Palakkad. The review meeting saw Muraleedharan and Raghavan criticising their party colleagues. According to party sources, Muraleedharan was particularly critical of Thrissur DCC president Jose Valoor and former MP T N Prathapan for their lack of wholehearted support. The duo was caught off guard when Muraleedharan pointed at the skyrocketing election campaign expenses. His remark that certain leaders greed for money was really shocking created a stir among those present. Muraleedharans sister Padmaja Venugopal, who recently joined the BJP, had also cast similar aspersions against the same two leaders and former MLA M P Vincent before the Lok Sabha election. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Muraleedharan, however, denied raising the issue. While Muraleedharan named names, Raghavan claimed that a legislator from Wayanad and his loyalists stayed away from actively campaigning for him. He, however, did not name the legislator. Adoor Prakash, meanwhile, highlighted organisational lapses in the poll campaigning in Attingal, which saw an intense three-cornered fight. Cong exudes confidence of winning 20 seats Adoor Prakash said while court intervention helped address the issue of around 1.65 lakh double votes, there was no such intervention from within the party. Prakash did not hide his disappointment when he reported that no Congress agent was present at some polling booths. He is still confident of defending the seat. But he maintained that the previous victory margin of 38,247 is unattainable, said a party source. The party observed that there was a tough fight in some seats. However, the leadership is confident of attaining the magic figure of 20 seats against all odds. However, most sitting MPs who attended the meeting felt that they will not be able to better their existing victory margin. Meanwhile, Congress state president in-charge M M Hassan informed that the party has decided to hold a protest meeting at Vadakara on May 11 against the CPMs alleged hate campaign against UDF candidate Shafi Parambil. He recalled a fake video which was extensively used against Shafi by the CPM camp.
Golden Temple to use Alappuzha-made coir mats
ALAPPUZHA : Corridors and doorways of Golden Temple at Amritsar in Punjab will welcome guests in style with coir products made in Kerala. The Kerala State Cooperative Coir Marketing Federation Ltd (Coirfed) has recently received an order worth Rs 1 crore from the temple authorities for coir products. Coirfed officials said the first container with 100 roll mattings will be sent to Amritsar in the coming days. A team led by Coirfed chairman T K Devakumar recently visited the temple and held discussions with the authorities. The Coirfed used to supply coir products to the Golden Temple, but it was stopped later. We are happy to restart the supply of products to the temple. We got the new order following intervention by the Coirfed management and our Amritsar showroom manager. The Coirfed is planning to expand market operations to other states, said Devakumar. Besides, the Coirfed also received an order worth Rs 50 lakh from Chennai Cricket Association to supply cricket mats. The Coirfed chairman received the order from Golden Temple purchase officer Bajith Singh at a function held at the temple. Coirfed general manager Biju V, Coirfed Amritsar showroom manager Sajeev Kumar and others attended.
Kerala: M M Hassan to continue as Congress state president for the time being
THIRUVANNATHAPURAM : Even as K Sudhakaran expressed eagerness to return to the role of Congress state president, incumbent president in-charge M M Hassan will continue for the time being. The sitting MP who was party candidate from Kannur, was planing to take the mantle on Sunday, a day after the partys LS poll review meeting. However, the party directed him to wait for a communication from the national leadership. After the poll review meeting on Saturday, Sudhakaran was huddled with AICC general secretary K C Venugopal. Sudhakaran was forced to ask him whether hes still the Kerala Pradesh Congress C ommittee (KPCC) president, in an apparent reference to the dilly-dallying on handing over charge. Venugopal apprised him that a letter from AICC leadership has to be released urging him to resume his duties as state party chief. It is scheduled to be sent after a few days, said a senior leader close to Sudhakaran. Sudhakaran had initially planned to resume his role as Congress state president on April 29. But he was informed on the previous day that Hassan will continue holding the charge until the review meeting on Saturday. Thats when he decided to resume his duties on Sunday. But now it has become clear that he will have to wait for some more time. Curiously, its K C Venugopal who should issue the letter on behalf of the national leadership. In the AICCs letterhead dated March 21, Venugopal had conveyed to AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Deepa Das Munshi, that Hassan was being given charge as state party chief until the conclusion of Parliament elections, given the current PCC presidents involvement in the ongoing elections. Contrary to Sudhakaran camps claim, there are reports that Hassan will continue holding the charge until the poll outcome is known on June 4. Hassan draws flak at meeting Sources said M M Hassan faced the ire of K C Venugopal at the review meeting. Its learnt that Venugopal reprimanded Hassan for not defending Rahul Gandhi in the P V Anwar row. Venugopal told Hassan that he should have effectively resisted when the Nilambur MLA made a controversial remark about DNA test on Rahul Gandhi. Venugopal did not hide his disappointment against Hassan for not coming out with a strongly-worded statement when Anwar went to the extent of addressing Rahul Gandhi as a low-level citizen
Kerala Tourisms vibrant advert on London buses huge hit on social media
KOZHIKODE : Malayalis residing in London are now being treated to glimpses of the serene backwaters of Alappuzha, even amidst the hustle and bustle of their daily commute. The Kerala tourism department has taken its advertising campaign global, with their ad prominently displayed on the iconic double-decker buses and tube stations across London. Emblazoned with images of the tranquil backwaters, the stickers adorning these busy London streets also bear the official logo Kerala Tourism. The advertising initiative gained widespread attention when a 13-year-old Malayali boy, Ryan Ambattu, who resides in London, shared a video of the ad featured on a city bus via his Instagram account, @ryan.ambattu.manathoor. Ryan captured the video while strolling through Londons streets, singing a Malayalam song. The video quickly went viral across various social media platforms, amassing an impressive 4.6 million views on Instagram alone. Im proud to be a Malayali, and Im proud to promote Kerala tourism, Ryan said in a subsequent social media post. Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas also jumped in by sharing the video across his social media platforms, hailing the departments approach to promoting tourism in the state. A new way of promoting Kerala tourism... our Alappuzha and Houseboat in London buses. Suggest new campaign ideas in the comment box that can be implemented in foreign countries, read his social media post. Meanwhile, the ministers office informed TNIE that the department has initiated an extensive campaign across Europe to bolster Kerala tourism. The state used to witness an annual influx of 1.2 million foreign tourists in pre-Covid time. However, following the pandemic, the number declined significantly. Since assuming office, Minister Riyas has spearheaded aggressive promotional campaigns throughout Europe to attract foreign tourists to Kerala, the ministers office said. Besides the advertisement displayed on the London buses, we have installed static displays at London tube stations. The six-month-long campaign, launched in October 2023, has garnered a tremendous response. The influx of foreign tourists in 2023 and early 2024 witnessed a remarkable increase compared to previous years, the office elaborated.
Plaint against guv: Kolkata cops seek Raj Bhavan CCTV footage
Calcutta Police seeks CCTV footage over harassment claims against Bengal governor. Mamata Banerjee-led TMC probe criticized. Governor vows action against truth deviators, rejects defamation suit. TMC activists protest in Kerala city.
Rahul Gandhi's Entry Into Rae Bareli Poll Fray Violated His Sister's Rights: MP CM
Rahul Gandhi's Entry Into Rae Bareli Poll Fray Violated His Sister's Rights: MP CM Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's filing nomination from Rae Bareli constituency is akin to him snatching the rights of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her husband, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav alleged on Saturday. Addressing a rally in the Guna Lok Sabha constituency, Yadav claimed Rahul ran away to Kerala (Wayanad constituency) from Amethi (Uttar Pradesh) after facing defeat. ''There is the sea ahead (in Kerala), otherwise it is not clear where Rahul would have gone,'' Yadav quipped. Rahul Gandhi had said he would contest from Amethi while his sister will be in the fray from Rae Bareli, Yadav said. ''Smriti Irani (Union minister and BJP candidate) was sitting in Amethi and calling Rahul but he developed cold feet by the time he reached Uttar Pradesh,'' Yadav said, a day after Rahul filed his nomination from Rae Bareli seat, currently represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi. Yadav claimed Rahul's brother-in-law (Vadra) had put up posters in Uttar Pradesh that he was ready to contest. '''Ye Apne Jija Ke Nahi Huye'! He (Rahul) filed the nomination from Rae Bareli by snatching the rights of his sister,'' the chief minister said. In a veiled jibe at Madhya Pradesh Congress stalwarts Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh, Yadav dubbed them ''Rahu and Ketu'' who are playing different roles. ''All problems are arising from these two planets. One of them is from Chhindwara and another is from your (Guna's) neighbour (Rajgarh LS seat),'' he said. Digvijaya Singh is contesting from the Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency. Guna constituency goes to polls on May 7.
Contested from South and North.... Sumitra Mahajan on Rahul Gandhi
Contested from South and North.... Sumitra Mahajan on Rahul Gandhi Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has the right to contest from any part of the country after he undertook the Bharat Jodo Yatra, adding that the elections seem to be one-sided. She also said that Narendra Modi is going to become the Prime Minister for the third time. He has contested from South (referring to Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad in Kerala). Now he is contesting from North (Rahul Gandhi is also in the race from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh). He undertook a Bharat Yatra and therefore have the right to contest from any part of the Country, Mahajan told ANI here. She also expressed concern over the low voters turnout in the first and second phase of the elections. It is a matter of concern. That voting percentage....Temperatures are rising. I believe that voting is going in our favour. But the voting percentage should increase. It seems that the BJP is going to come to power, Mahajan added. Replying to a query, She added, The elections seem to be one-side to everyone. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji is doing a lot of work. On the '400 par slogan (NDA winning more than 400 Lok Sabha seats), She asked, Why do you get surprised (Media) with this slogan? When a person is out to get something done, he will do it with might. We will say, he needs it all. Modi ji is going to become the Prime Minister for the third time. Rahul Gandhi is seeking re-election from Wayanad in Kerala which went to polls in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. He is also in the race from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency from Uttar Pradesh. The general elections are being held in seven phases in a six-week marathon running from April 19 to June 1. The first phase of polling was held on April 19 and the second phase on April 26. The next round of voting will be held on May 7.The counting of votes and results will be declared on June 4. (ANI)
Surge Swell: Coastal States on Orange Alert
In an absolute contrast to the soaring mercury levels, a yellow alert is on the cards for the state for the next two days as minimum temperatures are likely to be in the range of 11 to 15 C for most of the districts, and a further drop with orange alert at districts like Adilabad, Kumaram Bheem, Mancherial in the coming week. (Representational Image) In an absolute contrast to the soaring mercury levels, a yellow alert is on the cards for the state for the next two days as minimum temperatures are likely to be in the range of 11 to 15 C for most of the districts, and a further drop with orange alert at districts like Adilabad, Kumaram Bheem, Mancherial in the coming week. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: The swell surge that began in the Atlantic Ocean has begun interacting with the Indian coast and the swell is expected to move northward for another 24 hours or so, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (Incois) said on Saturday. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal on the eastern coast, and Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat on the west coast - were placed on an orange alert till the end of May 5 in view of the swell surge. Fishermen and coastal population were asked to be on the alert from Saturday evening to around Sunday midnight and be watchful for possible intermittent surging of waves in the nearshore/beach region, particularly in the low-lying areas and during high tide and spring tide phases. Incois said small boats and vessels may ply nearshore but with due caution. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as the Lakshadweep archipelago in southern Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, have already experienced the surge swell.
Swell surge warning for Kerala for second consecutive day
Mumps Outbreak: Mumps cases increased in Delhi-NCR, doctors told how to stay safe
These days, cases of viral infection mumps are being reported to be increasing rapidly in the capital Delhi. According to the information being received from hospitals, a sudden increase in cases of infectious diseases has been recorded in Delhi-NCR in the last few weeks. Doctors said that children are becoming the biggest victims of this. Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection, so the risk of its spread is very high. Mumps infection targets the parotid glands that produce saliva, causing swelling and pain on one side of the face. Health experts say it is necessary to protect children from the danger of this infectious disease. In some situations, there may be a risk of mumps taking a serious form. Cases had also increased in March-April It is important to know here that mumps infection can make not only children but also adults victims. Before the capital Delhi-NCR, last month itself, cases of this infectious disease were seen increasing in Tamil Nadu-Kerala to Rajasthan. This infectious disease, caused by a group of viruses called paramyxovirus, can cause severe and painful swelling of the parotid glands. Some reports suggest that in case of severe mumps infection, patients may also lose their hearing ability. Doctors say, that mumps disease most affects children aged between two to 12 years, people who have not been vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) are also at risk of getting the infection and its serious form. There may be more. It becomes necessary to identify and treat its symptoms in time. In the initial stages of infection, problems like fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite may occur. As the infection progresses, there is a risk of its symptoms increasing. What is doctors' advice to prevent mumps? Paramyxovirus is considered the main cause of mumps disease. The virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with a person's saliva or through respiratory droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected person. To prevent this infectious disease, it is considered necessary to maintain proper distance from the infected person. People who have weak immune systems or who have not received the MMR vaccine may be at higher risk of developing this disease. If your child has a mumps infection, keep them from going to school to prevent its spread. What to do if you get infected with mumps? Health experts say, there is no specific treatment for mumps. Doctors give some medicines for its symptoms. Usually, this infection resolves on its own within a few weeks. In case of this infectious disease, it is advised to consume fluids, gargle with lukewarm salt water, and avoid acidic foods. To avoid the risk of viral infection, avoid close contact with an infected person and if you are showing symptoms, contact a doctor in time. (PC: ISTOCK)
Lok Sabha Polls | BJP drawing a blank in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry: CPI
Suresh Gopi anticipates double-digit voter percentage for BJP in Kerala
Calling on voters to BJP candidates in the State he hinted at their potential ministerial roles in the next Central government
Original Headline: HIGHLIGHTS Revised Headline: Match Highlights: Key Moments and Plays
Original Headline: HIGHLIGHTS Revised Headline: Match Highlights: Key Moments and Plays Following are the top stories at 9 pm NATION ELN92 ELECTIONS-BJP-LD LOVELY ****Former Delhi Cong leaders, including Arvinder Singh Lovely, join BJP New Delhi: Former Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely joined the BJP on Saturday along with a few other leaders, including former MLAs Raj Kumar Chauhan, Neeraj Basoya and Naseeb Singh.**** ELN91 ELECTIONS-BH-LD MODI ****At Bihar rally, Modi targets Lalu on Godhra incident, oppn parties on quotas Darbhanga (Bihar): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged RJD president Lalu Prasad, the BJPs principal opponent in Bihar, with having tried to ''shield'' those guilty in two-decade-old Godhra train burning incident and put blame on kar sevaks.**** ELN73 ELECTIONS-JH-MODI-LD CORRUPTION **** All those who indulged in corruption will face legal action in next five years: PM Modi Sisai (Jharkhand): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the NDA government has unmasked corrupt forces, and all those who indulged in corruption would face action under law in the next five years.**** DEL21 CBI-NUH GANGRAPE-SENTENCE ****Nuh gangrapes, double murder case: Four convicts sentenced to death by CBI court New Delhi: A special CBI court in Haryana's Panchkula awarded the death sentence to four convicts in the 2016 Nuh gangrapes and double murder case on Saturday, officials said.**** BOM7 MH-SITHARAMAN-ROHITH VEMULA ****Rahul Gandhi should apologise for `politicising' Rohith Vemula's suicide: Sitharaman Pune: Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should apologise for ''politicising'' the suicide of Rohith Vemula, the University of Hyderabad student who died in 2016, as police in a state ruled by his own party has now said that it was not a ''Dalit' issue''.**** DEL19 JK-LD FIRING ****Terrorists open fire on two security vehicles in J-K's Poonch, 5 soldiers injured Jammu: Five security personnel were injured after terrorists opened fire on two vehicles, including one belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF), in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday, officials said.**** MDS17 KA-LD REVANNA ****Karnataka MLA Revanna taken into custody in kidnap case Bengaluru: Karnataka JD(S) MLA H D Revanna was taken into custody on Saturday by sleuths of the Special Investigation Team, minutes after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a kidnapping case, officials said.**** ELN97 ELECTIONS-BJP-RAHUL ****Cong believes in 'beta bachao, beta badhao': BJP on Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination New Delhi: The BJP on Saturday took a swipe at the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, saying the opposition party seems to believe in ''beta bachao, beta badhao'' (save son, promote son).**** ELN57 ELECTIONS-OD-CONG-LD CANDIDATE ****Denied party funding, Congress Puri LS candidate Sucharita Mohanty returns ticket Bhubaneswar: Congress candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency Sucharita Mohanty has declined to contest the elections and returned the party ticket alleging lack of funding from the party.**** BOM5 GJ-RADICAL-ARRESTED ****Gujarat cops arrest maulvi; unearth plan to kill Hindu leader, threaten TV channel editor, MLA Surat: A man was arrested in Surat in Gujarat on Saturday for allegedly planning to murder the leader of a Hindu organisation and threatening the chief editor of Sudarshan television channel as well BJP's Telangana MLA Raja Singh and the party's former spokesperson Nupur Sharma in connivance with his handlers from Pakistan and Nepal, a senior police official said.**** CAL8 MG-LYNCHING ****Two lynched in Meghalaya after teen alleges rape attempt Shillong: Two persons were lynched in Meghalaya's Eastern West Khasi Hills district for allegedly trying to rape an 18-year-old woman, police said on Saturday.**** MDS18 KL-CUSTODIAL DEATH-CBI-LD ARRESTS ****Tanur custodial death case: CBI arrests four Kerala policemen Malappuram/Kochi: The CBI on Saturday arrested four civil police officers accused of torturing to death a man arrested for alleged possession of synthetic drugs in August last year near Tanur here, police sources said.**** LEGAL LGD5 SCBA-WOMEN'S RESERVATION ****SCBA raises concern over SC order to reserve posts for women in lawyers' body executive committee New Delhi: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has passed a resolution stating that the Supreme Court's directive to reserve posts for women in the executive committee of the lawyers' body ''impinged'' on its independence.**** LGD4 SC-NITHARI-KOLI ****Nithari killings: SC agrees to hear plea of victim's father against acquittal of Surendra Koli New Delhi: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea challenging Allahabad High Court's order acquitting Surendra Koli in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case.**** FOREIGN FGN32 LANKA-JAPAN-LD MOUS ****Japan insists Sri Lanka should sign MoUs early for debt restructuring Colombo: The restoration of stability and economic development of Sri Lanka, located strategically in the Indian Ocean, is essential for the stability and prosperity of the entire Indo-Pacific region, the visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said here on Saturday.**** FGN27 UK-MAYOR ****Sadiq Khan on course to be re-elected Mayor of London London: Sadiq Khan, the Pakistani-origin Labour Party candidate in the race to be re-elected London Mayor for a third term, looked set on Saturday to register a decisive victory, as the local election results from England and Wales continued to reflect a strong swing in favour of the Opposition party. By Aditi Khanna **** FGN23 PAK-ATC-WARRANTS ****Arrest warrants for 14 suspects in May 9 riots case, Imran Khans party leaders granted pre-arrest bail Lahore: A Pakistan court here has issued bailable arrest warrants for 14 suspects, who are on bail, for skipping trial proceedings of two cases related to the May 9 riots while granting pre-arrest bail to two former leaders of incarcerated former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khans party, a media report said on Saturday.****
Number of transgender voters meagre in Kerala; most vote under male or female category
Reports say the Supreme Court sought the Union Governments response to a petition filed by a woman, born a Muslim, now a non-believer, wanting to be governed by secular statutes rather than Shariah, CJI Chandrachud, heading a 3-judge Bench, issued notices to the Union and State of Kerala, for hearing in July. It is considered 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 .
Kerala to become first State where all teachers will get AI training: Minister
Kerala issues new order on driving test format
Six months allotted for driving schools to replace vehicles used for test if they are more than 15 years old. Number of applicants taking the test increased from 30 to 40. Existing H tests will continue till the new tracks are arranged
DC Edit | Rahuls shift to Rae Bareli pragmatic move by Gandhis?
On the last day of nominations, days after the polling got over in Kerala, including in the constituency of Wayanad, former Congress president and purported leader of the INDIA alliance Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. Accompanied by his mother Sonia Gandhi, who was the sitting Lok Sabha MP from the constituency till recently, one that has been held by the Gandhi family since 1951, and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mr Gandhi filed his papers to fight the battle to retain his family bastion. But in the process, against speculation to the contrary, he also rather pragmatically surrendered the Amethi constituency. With Rahul Gandhi stepping aside, the Congress Party selected family loyalist Kishorilal Sharma to contest from Amethi. With this nomination, the Congress has declared candidates for all the 17 seats it is fighting in the largest state of India. Uttar Pradesh elects 80 MPs to Parliaments Lower House. The choice has become contentious, ever since the constituency of Amethi was won by BJP candidate and Union minister Smriti Irani in the 2019 elections. The BJP hit a high with an absolute majority and a score of over 300 seats, as well as a record second consecutive sweep of a victory in UP in the last Assembly elections. The 2019 win also marked a second major thumping for the Congress, which could not even get enough seats to have a Leader of Opposition in the Lower House. The Rae Bareli seat is prestigious and the BJP is likely to go all out to try to defeat Rahul Gandhi in a seat that has been held by various members of the party across decades. It has been represented by family loyalists like Arun Nehru, Sheila Kaul and Satish Sharma, among others, besides being the parliamentary seat for Sonia Gandhi. This development also marks two other sub-plots, the culmination of Sonia Gandhis direct electoral career, having chosen to enter the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan earlier, and the decision of the party to not have Priyanka Gandhi Vadra enter the electoral fray. It was earlier speculated that both brother and sister could contest from the two seats, and a Priyanka face-off with Smriti Irani, or a rematch of the BJP leader with Rahul, would have shot the public interest in the political game in UP a notch or two higher. However, the Congress Party is playing its cards with pragmatic caution, and ensuring the narrative at the centre of the election remains issues and not personalities. The party has bitten the dust by making it a Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi fight in the past, and paid a heavy price. This time, as reflected in the decisions not to project a PM face or candidate for the Opposition alliance, or make it about Mr Modis personality, the Congress and its partners are trying to both localise, and secularise, the electoral campaign. So far, no matter how much the BJP is talking about Muslim reservations, or a conspiracy to steal mangalsutras , the Congress is not going beyond the basic issues of farmer incomes, jobs, elections, caste census and inflation. The party would sure hope this pays better dividends.
Gurus words will help to live as independent individuals: Swami Subhangananda
He spoke after inaugurating a seminar organised by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Aluva all-religion meet
BJP criticizes Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination, citing 'beta bachao, beta badhao' concerns
BJP criticizes Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination, citing 'beta bachao, beta badhao' concerns The BJP on Saturday took a swipe at the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, saying the opposition party seems to believe in ''beta bachao, beta badhao'' (save son, promote son). Speaking to reporters as five former Delhi Congress leaders, including Arvinder Singh Lovely, joined the BJP, the ruling party's national general secretary Vinod Tawde claimed that many Congress workers wanted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to contest from Rae Bareli but her brother took the plunge instead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan is 'beti bachao, beti padhao' (save daughter, educate daughter) but the Congress' slogan is ''beta bachao, beta badhao'', he said. Tawde said Gandhi had claimed that Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, from where he is seeking re-election, is his family and he will not go anywhere else. ''But he has now gone back on his assertion and filed the nomination from Rae Bareli,'' the BJP leader said. How can the people of the country trust him when there is such a mismatch between his words and actions, Tawde asked. BJP leaders, including Modi, have mocked Gandhi for contesting from Rae Bareli and not Amethi, another Uttar Pradesh seat which he represented in the Lok Sabha for three terms before losing it in 2019. Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam alleged that the ''Rahul camp'' has long been conspiring to scuttle Priyanka Gandhi's political career and claimed that the party will split after the poll results are announced on June 4. Krishnam, who has been vocal about his support for Priyanka Gandhi, was expelled from the Congress following his incessant criticism of the party leadership over a host of issues, including its recent decision to turn down the invite for the Ram temple consecration ceremony. He has been full of praise for Modi's leadership.
BJP Accuses Karnataka Congress Government of Failing to Protect Women and Girls
BJP Accuses Karnataka Congress Government of Failing to Protect Women and Girls The BJP on Saturday slammed the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government over the law and order situation in Karnataka and alleged that young girls and women had no protection. State BJP President B Y Vijayendra condemned the incident and alleged that peace loving people of Karnataka are worried that ''the Congress government is encouraging criminals with Jihadi mentality.'' Sharing a news report where a minor Dalit girl was allegedly impregnated by a youth in Hubballi, the BJP took to a social media platform to condemn the incident. In a post on 'X', the BJP alleged that the minor girl was ''raped by a fanatic'' and that there is no ''protection for Hindu young women and girls in Hubballi.'' ''Hindu young women are today victims of the mistake of giving power to terrorists, rapists, fanatic Jhihadists called brothers @INCKarnataka like the Kerala files,'' the party alleged in the post. Meanwhile, a youth has been arrested for allegedly impregnating a minor girl in Hubballi, police said. Citing the recent murder of Congress Councillor Niranjan Hiremath's 23-year-old daughter Neha, who was stabbed to death inside her college campus in Hubballi, the BJP attacked the state government over the investigation in the case. The case is being probed by the State's Criminal Investigation Department. ''While Neha's murder case in Hubballi is still pending, another inhumane incident has made Kannadigas to lower their heads. If they @siddaramaiah and @Dr Parameshwara (Home Minister) do not crush the bigots immediately, the Hindus will destroy the government,'' the BJP said in the post. Taking to 'X', Vijayendra alleged in a post that ''Hindu girls are unprotected in the state. Even as the fundamentalist thugs continue to laugh in front of their eyes, the Congress government, which is indulging in politics of appeasement, seems to be purposefully inactive, following a soft attitude against those who are showing demonic tendencies.''
Court Orders 14-Day Judicial Custody for Mother in Kerala Newborn Death Case
Court Orders 14-Day Judicial Custody for Mother in Kerala Newborn Death Case A local court here on Saturday remanded the 23-year-old mother accused of killing her newborn child and throwing it on a street to 14 days judicial custody. Ernakulam Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate went to the hospital where she is undergoing treatment and remanded her to judicial custody till May 18, police said. They added that the custody application will be moved only after considering the medical report from the doctors. Earlier in the day, the police had said that as per the post-mortem report, the newborn, found dead on a street in Kochi after being allegedly thrown there by its mother post delivery, was strangulated. City police Commissioner S Syamsundar said the arrest of the 23-year-old woman was recorded on Friday and police were verifying her statements regarding a Thrissur friend. Quoting the post-mortem report, police said the child's skull had also suffered damage. The woman, suspected to be a victim of sexual assault, concealed her pregnancy and delivered a baby in the early hours of Friday in her apartment bathroom and later allegedly threw the newborn on the street in front of her flat complex in a posh residential area here. The woman had apparently mentioned about her friend from Thrissur prompting the police to suspect a coercion or a rape angle. The City police Commissioner today said they need to verify her claims. Hours after the newborn was found dead in an abandoned parcel cover on Friday, police took the woman into custody after tracing the address mentioned on the packet in which the child was wrapped and thrown. Conservancy workers of Kochi Corporation found the child's body near a street in posh Panampilly Nagar here and had alerted the police. Police had said the woman had confessed that she gave birth to the child in her bathroom at around 5-5.30 AM on Friday and later threw the baby as she panicked when her mother knocked on her bedroom door. It is said that the parents of the woman, with whom she was staying, were unaware of her pregnancy. They were also not aware of the delivery as it happened inside the bathroom which was locked by the woman, police had said.
Kerala Man Dies By Suicide After Bank Refuses To Return His Deposit: Cops
A 52-year-old man who consumed poison recently after a cooperative bank here allegedly refused to return his deposit has died, the police said here on Thursday.
Shooting for Dhyan Sreenivasan-starrer Untitled Film Begins In Keralas Erattupetta
A photo has surfaced of a clapboard and a spiral-bind script kept on flower petals.
Kerala CM Directs Safe and Drug-Free Schools Ahead of Reopening
Kerala CM Directs Safe and Drug-Free Schools Ahead of Reopening With the new academic year scheduled to begin on June 3 in Kerala schools, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday issued a slew of directions, which included anti-drug activities, to ensure educational institutions were safe for students when they reopen. Vijayan at a high-level meeting, also attended by ministers V Sivankutty, R Bindu, M B Rajesh, K Rajan and P Rajeev, ordered that the preparations should be completed in a timely manner, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Ensuring safety of the schools premises by carrying out requisite repairs, obtaining fitness certificates of the buildings, removing trees, boards, electric posts, power cables and hoardings that may pose a danger to students and cleaning the school campus were some of the directions issued by the CM, according to the statement. The CM further directed that schools need to ensure that use and sale of intoxicating substances does not take place in their premises and the Excise department was ordered to carry out regular inspections of shops around educational institutions, the statement said. Regular district-level public vigilance committee meetings to evaluate the anti-drug activities, strengthening awareness and enforcement measures as well as cooperation of children, parents and teachers should be ensured to make educational institutions free of narcotics, the CM said. The other anti-drug activities that were discussed in the meeting were, holding a children's parliament on June 26 on the occasion of Anti Narcotics Day, delivery of the CM's anti-drug message to homes on November 1, carrying out anti-drug seminars on December 10 and conducting class councils on January 30, 2025, to review all these activities, the CMO statement said. Besides that, all government, semi-government, public sector and co-operative institutions should put up anti-drug posters without any delay, the CM directed, according to the statement.
Unni Mukundan's Marco Goes On Floors In Keralas Munnar
Unni Mukundan revealed that Marco will be the most intense character ever seen in Malayalam cinema.
Kerala: 'Kallakkadal' orange alert revised to yellow warning
Kerala: 'Kallakkadal' orange alert revised to yellow warning The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services on Saturday withdrew a 'red alert' issued for 'Kallakkadal' in the coastal areas of Kerala and the south Tamil Nadu coast and revised it to an 'orange alert'. 'Kallakkadal' is a phenomenon of sudden sea swells causing rough waves in coastal areas. As part of the phenomenon, the low-lying areas of the Kerala coast are likely to experience rough sea and sea surge due to extremely strong waves of 0.5 meters to 1.5 meters till 11.30 pm on Sunday, the INCOIS said. The low-lying coastal areas of south Tamil Nadu are also likely to experience a similar situation and high waves of 0.5 meters to 1.8 metres may cause sea surge there till tomorrow night, the agency warned. INCOIS, the central agency that issues weather warnings for fishermen in the country, advised people to safely moor their fishing vessels in the harbour. Authorities advised people to continue their caution and avoid trips to the beach and completely stay away from activities at sea. The term 'Kallakkadal' literally means a sea that comes suddenly like a thief. INCOIS has earlier said that the swells result from strong winds in the southern part of the Indian Ocean at certain times, and that they occur suddenly without any particular indications or warning which is why it is named 'Kallakkadal'.
Rabies from stray dog bites claimed 47 lives in Kerala in last four years, shows RTI reply
This was in addition to 22 more lives probably lost to rabies, according to response received by RTI activist Raju Vazhakkala
Tanur custodial death case: CBI arrests four Kerala Police officials
Thamir Jiffri was allegedly subjected to custodial torture by members of District Anti Narcotics Special Action Force in 2023
If Rahul Gandhi relinquishes Wayanad seat, many Congress leaders believe that it will impact partys prospects in Kerala Assembly elections in 2026
Hot weather continues in Kerala: IMD issues yellow alert for 12 districts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for 12 out of the 14 districts in Kerala, warning of high temperatures and humidity until May 6. The maximum temperatures are expected to be around 36-39 degrees Celsius in various districts. Hot and humid weather is expected over these districts, except in hilly areas. The state has been experiencing hot weather conditions for several days, leading to the closure of educational institutions. The government has advised people to avoid working under the sun from 11 am to 3 pm, stay hydrated, and avoid exposure to sunlight during these hours.
The young mother suffocated the baby to death and threw the baby to the road from her apartment balcony in Kochi, Kerala.
Kerala's Heatwave Intensifies: Yellow Alert Issued for 12 Districts by IMD
Kerala's Heatwave Intensifies: Yellow Alert Issued for 12 Districts by IMD The India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a yellow alert for 12 out of the 14 districts in Kerala due to the likelihood of high temperature and humidity there till May 6. IMD said the maximum temperatures were very likely to be around 39 degrees Celsius in Palakkad, around 38 degrees Celsius in Kollam, Thrissur and Kozhikode, around 37 degrees Celsius in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Kannur districts and around 36 degrees Celsius in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts from May 4 to May 6. ''Hot and humid weather is very likely over these districts except in hilly areas during May 4 to May 6 due to high temperature and humidity. (YELLOW WARNING),'' it said. It also issued a yellow alert for Alappuzha and Kozhikode districts for today due to the possibility of warm night conditions there. The southern state has been reeling under hot weather conditions for several days leading to educational institutions being closed in Kerala till May 6. Additionally, the government has also issued a slew of directions which include avoiding working under the sun from 11 am to 3 pm by construction workers, farmers, hawkers, etc. It has also asked everyone to avoid exposure to sunlight during these hours of the day and remain hydrated.
Birth companion scheme at SAT hospital a success, says Kerala Health department
SAT hospital has been allowing a close family member or woman friend to accompany a pregnant woman to labour room and remain with her through birthing process under the scheme
Kerala startup inks MoU with IIT Bombay for surveillance technology
Karnataka BJP alleges lack of protection for girls, women under Congress government
Karnataka BJP alleges lack of protection for girls, women under Congress government The BJP on Saturday slammed the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government over the law and order situation in Karnataka and alleged that young girls and women had no protection. Sharing a newsreport where a minor Dalit girl was allegedly impregnated by a youth in Hubballi, the BJP took to social media platform to condemn the incident. In a post on 'X', the BJP alleged that the minor girl was ''raped by a fanatic'' and that there is no ''protection for Hindu young women and girls in Hubballi.'' ''Hindu young women are today victims of the mistake of giving power to terrorists, rapists, fanatic Jhihadists called brothers @INCKarnataka like the Kerala files,'' the party alleged in the post. Meanwhile, a youth has been arrested for allegedly impregnating minor girl in Hubballi, police said. Citing the recent murder case of Congress Councillor Niranjan Hiremath's 23-year-old daughter Neha, who was stabbed to death inside her college campus in Hubballi, the BJP attacked the state government over the investigation in the case. The case is being probed by the State's Criminal Investigation Department. ''While Neha's murder case in Hubballi is still pending, another inhumane incident has made Kannadigas to lower their heads. If they @siddaramaiah and @Dr Parameshwara (Home Minister) do not crush the bigots immediately, the Hindus will destroy the government,'' the BJP said in the post.
Three, including woman and daughter, killed in accident in Keralas Idukki
Wild elephant wreaks havoc in Aralam farm rehabilitation area in Keralas Kannur; three injured
Irked over power cut, people vandalise electricity board office in Kerala
KOZHIKODE: Amidst complaints of undeclared load-shedding in many parts of the state, a group of persons allegedly vandalised a local unit of the Electricity Board citing power failure in their locality in this district, police said on Saturday. Employees of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) unit in Pantheeramkav lodged a complaint with the police alleging that a group of persons vandalised their office late Friday night. Pantheeramkavu police said they received a complaint in this regard from the KSEB staff and initiated an investigation. We visited the incident site and gathered details. We are trying to collect CCTV visuals. Action would be taken based on the evidence collected and as of now, no case has been registered, said a police officer. Kerala: KSEB to impose restrictions on daily power consumption during peak hours With the state grappling under scorching heat, power consumption has touched new heights in recent times. Enranged over the unexpected power failures, especially during night hours, local residents have staged protests in front of KSEB offices in many parts of the state in recent days. In response, the state government made it clear that power cuts at night was due to technical issues because of increased consumption. The authorities also urged consumers to exercise self-control while consuming electricity.
Tharoor: United Opposition Will Back INDIA Bloc Candidate, No Single Leader
Tharoor: United Opposition Will Back INDIA Bloc Candidate, No Single Leader Opposition parties, campaigning together or against each other, will join hands after the Lok Sabha polls, says Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, asserting that the people will get a prime minister who is first among equals and listens to others with an INDIA bloc coalition government. Including the Trinamool Congress in his argument on opposition parties getting together after the day of reckoning on June 4, Tharoor said in an interaction with PTI editors at the news agency's headquarters that a coalition government is nothing to be afraid of. The growth performance of the Indian economy has been better under such dispensations than under single party governments, he said. In his view, this is an election for ''change'' and as of now the BJP has ''lost its grip'' on the narrative. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) member also defended the party's decision to not attend the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying it was right to turn down the invitation as it was ''essentially a political platform for the greater glorification of Prime Minister Narendra Modi''. ''It would have been a mistake in my view had we done it. As a purely political decision, it was the right one,'' he said during the freewheeling interaction. Tharoor said it is true a coalition government functions very differently from a monolithic one-party government. ''Given Mr Modi's style, the personality cult built around him, and the way the BJP has been ruling, I think it is fair to say that it (an INDIA bloc government) would be very unlike what we have seen in the last 10 years,'' he said, confident that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will form the next government. The record and experience of the Indian public with coalition governments has been rather good, the former Union minister said. ''So, in many ways the advantage of a coalition is that there won't be any sort of autocratic tendencies whoever becomes prime minister... they will have to take into account the others. Frankly, it is the classic political theory of parliamentary systems of governance. Right now we are seeing a parliamentary system being run presidentially which is the worst of both the worlds,'' Tharoor argued. ''If you have a coalition government of the INDIA bloc, you are going to see, for the first time in a long while, a PM who is first among equals, who has to listen to others, take their point of view into account and who would have to be a good manager,'' he said. ''Mr (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee is considered in many ways an excellent example of that kind of consensus builder. He did not have a majority, far from it he had 26 parties in his coalition but his government was able to deliver effective results and at the same time reassure Indians that they had a functioning government,'' Tharoor said. The author-politician also hailed former prime minister Manmohan Singh's style of governance, saying he was able to pursue ''very relentlessly'' his economic goal and preside over the best growth period India has ever seen. Noting that the coalition of UPA-1 broke and the Left quit the government and was not part of UPA-2, Tharoor said there is always the issue on which a prime minister may have to draw the line for one or more of his coalition partners. ''So my own view is let us be reassured that our history in operating the system in the Constitution we have has by and large safeguarded the interest of the people. There have been many periods when people have been absolutely doomsaying about our country and we have come through all those periods,'' he said. ''I would say... coalition government is nothing to be afraid of and certainly when I speak to most voters they are thinking in terms of who is the candidate 'I am voting for', what values does he or she represent, who do they bring to power in Delhi and how is that power going to be exercised,'' Tharoor said. Asked about contradictions in the INDIA bloc as seen in bitter exchanges between the Congress and the Left in Kerala and whether that would be an impediment in the formation of a cohesive government, Tharoor pointed out that the UPA and the Vajpayee-led NDA before that came together after the elections. ''So the truth is that in our country coalitions come after the polling...This is an unusual case where a serious attempt was made to bring people together before voting even took place. It was very clear to all of us that the coalition will work on a state by state basis,'' he said. Citing the example of Kerala, Tharoor said it was unthinkable that the Congress which leads the UDF and the Communists who lead the LDF would ever be partners in the state. ''We have been fighting each other and at loggerheads for the last 55 years and alternating in power until the last election, so there was no question of that even being feasible. Having said that, right next door in Tamil Nadu, the same party, CPI(M), CPI, the Congress, our ally Muslim League and the DMK are all partners, have been partners and continue to be partners, there is no issue,'' he said. ''Finally when it comes to the day of reckoning on June 4 (when results are declared), I have no doubt that all these parties whether or not they are campaigning together or against each other, including the Trinamool Congress, when we have the numbers to prevent the BJP coming to power, we will come together,'' Tharoor asserted. Tharoor said he has friends in parties that are not allied with the Congress who have been telling him that after June 4 ''we will work together''. According to him, the hubristic narrative before the first phase is over. I don't think we are going to hear people say 'abki baar 400 paar' again for some time to come,'' the Congress leader said.
Kerala Conserves 200 MW Power on May 3, Attributing Savings to Public Discipline
Kerala Conserves 200 MW Power on May 3, Attributing Savings to Public Discipline In the wake of the Kerala government coming out with certain proposals to control power consumption during peak hours, the southern state saved around 200 megawatts of electricity on May 3. The achievement was highlighted by state Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty who on Saturday said the power saving was thanks to the cooperation of the consumers, especially the big industries, in Kerala. ''It is a big change. It happened thanks to the cooperation of the consumers,'' he said. The minister also said that the government was trying to ensure that restrictions proposed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) do not affect the domestic power consumers. ''Everyone has to cooperate and self-impose restrictions on their consumption. You (media) too should take it up as a campaign (to urge people to reduce power consumption). Otherwise, all of us will have to suffer,'' he told reporters. At the same time, he said there was no load shedding or power cuts. ''If a transformer trips due to overload, that is not a power cut. Also, it is only for a few minutes -- the time taken to resume the supply,'' he said. The minister said that a couple of days ago, the peak demand in the state was close to 6,000 MW. ''If it crosses that, we will not get any power supply as the electricity cables will not be able to carry that load,'' he said. As the mercury rose in the state during the last fews days, there were reports of frequent power cuts from various parts of Kerala. Following that, the minister on April 30 said power cuts were occurring more often at night in the state due to technical issues arising in the substations as a result of the increased consumption. He had urged consumers to exercise control when using electricity. He had also said that if people exercise restraint, then there will be no need for the KSEB to go for load shedding. Thereafter, KSEB came out with its proposed restrictions during the 10 pm to 2 am peak hours and it included switching off lights in commercial establishments after 9 pm, setting the air-conditioner temperature at 26 degrees Celsius or more, big industries bringing in curbs on power consumption during this period, etc, according to the minister.
LIVE: Kerala Lottery result today 04.05.2024 Karunya KR-652 result
LIVE Kerala Lottery result today Karunya KR result
Rebellious Indulekha on Ravi Varmas canvas
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rebellious she was and beautifully talented. She was barely a woman, or on the verges of it, as she courted Madhavan, whose persona was progressive yet not as captivating as hers. Indulekha, the heroine of the 1889 classic by Oyyarathu Chandu Menon, was more than just a well-bred woman of the late 19th century Kerala she represented the spirit of women, albeit privileged, who could take on regressive and male-centric feudal social structures. Her portrait by the legendary Raja Ravi Varma, however, reveals a more sober, almost coy form of her, clutching a letter that she has written for her beloved. In it, she seems a playful teenager, slightly built, the child in her yet to give way to the subtly sensual women that Raja Ravi Varma otherwise painted. The painting that was unveiled at the Kilimanoor palace on the occasion of Raja Ravi Varmas 176th birth anniversary on April 29 is, in fact, a replica of the original now in the possession of Sasikala Parackal. Her father was gifted the original by the palace around 80 years ago. It was kept in Sasikalas house in Irinjalakuda as a valuable piece of art, which was handed over to her after her father passed away in 1978. He told me it was a gift from Kilimanoor palace and I should take care of it, says Sasikala. Beyond this, I did not know much till the time historian M G Sasibooshan came to our house as part of a litigation my advocate husband was handling. Sasibooshan sensed the hand of Ravi Varma in the painting, which wore some weary marks of time but not enough to camouflage the poise and elegance of Chandu Menons heroine. I then took the painting to the Archeological department and to experts on Raja Ravi Varma, all of whom corroborated Sasibooshans view. Then we got help from Madhan S of Heritage Conservation and Research Academy who studied the painting and restored it to its current glow. I then visited the Kilimanoor palace and informed them of this prized possession. The whole story became public in 2022, says Sasikala. It was the copy of this painting that now finds space in the palace. It is one of the two Indulekha paintings of Raja Ravi Varma. One was in a reclining pose, which is already in the public sphere. The one recently unveiled has Indulekha as a lovelorn girl sitting with a letter in hand that has the year 1892 written on it that can be read with a microscopic lens, says Rama Varma of Kilimanoor palace. According to him, there is a high likelihood that the heroine is real and belonged to the Kilimanoor palace as said in the novel. The character was inspired by Chandu Menons wife Lakshmikutty Amma. He and Raja Ravi Varma were contemporaries and possibly the writer requested the legend to paint his heroine. Also, the lady in the reclining Indulekha painting and the sitting one are the same. So, in all likelihood, and also considering the social milieu of the late 19th century, Indulekha could be real though by a different name. There are several such Ravi Varma paintings in personal collection of people, which is yet to come to light, Rama Varma says. Ravi Varma had the habit of making prints of his works and gifting them to keen people. This is why there are different versions of some of his paintings such as Damayanti, Jatayu Vadham, the Parsi lady, etc. The unfinished Parsi lady is with us whereas the two finished versions were given out, he says. With the penchant to possess a Ravi Varma on the rise and with love for his aesthetics seeing a surge in recent times, the rare paintings of his in personal possessions must be documented well to avoid fakes. Also, the prints go at exorbitant rates in the auctions held across the country. All these make the rare prints in personal possession susceptible to manipulations and hence proper documentation and carbon dating is a must, Rama Varma says, adding he has been getting calls from across India from people who claim to possess a rare Ravi Varma. We are in the process of procuring such paintings and exhibiting them in Kilimanoor Palace. Phased work has begun for that. Not just Ravi Varma, the works of other proteges such as the legends sister Mangala Bayi Thampuratti and brother Raja Raja Varma also have to be presented and preserved, Rama Varma says. Regarding the original painting, Sasikala says she will hand it over to her next in line. How they take care of it is not my headache, she says, agreeing such artworks require dedicated handling because a thing of beauty needs care to remain a joy for a long time if not forever.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Kerala is experiencing one of its worst summers ever with the mercury soaring to unprecedented levels. This has had the India Meteorological Department to sound a heatwave alert in the state. While global warming is indeed cited as the primary reason for daytime temperatures remaining unusually high, one cant discount factors like the urban heat island effect or the coastal states maritime climate where average humidity is relatively higher. These mean that when the temperature increases, the heat you feel is also significantly higher. Women carry cans to collect water from tanker lorries arranged by the municipality in Koyilandy
KOCHI: As I eyed the golden Alphonso in the market, I was taken back to my home where in the backyard mango trees would start blooming way before the summer holidays set in. Come the holidays, my house would have a daily feast with mango mojitos, curries, pickles, and desserts for every meal. It was only as I grew older did I realise the different names of the variants. The golden mangoes were Alphonso or Aapus as my grandmother would say, and the long raw mangoes, I used to have with salt and chilli powder, were Totapuri or Kilimooku. Sometimes, identifying mangoes is something you can do but not explain, says Ranganathan, a vendor in the market as he explain the history of certain mangoes. This was a common statement I heard during my quest to learn how to identify different mangoes. Baiju S Chittilappilly, who owns a farm in Kerala, explains that mango cultivators can often identify, through experience, the different mango trees based on the shape of their leaves. Alphonsos leaves are longer than a lot of other varieties, he says. Alphonso, especially the one from Maharashtra, holds tightly to its title of King of Mangoes and sustains the publics choice award. With a slight sparkle, it stands out in a cart due to its almost perfect roundness and clean golden-yellow skin. A good Alphonso mango will weigh up to 250 grams and will not have any blemishes or spots on its smooth skin, points out Baiju as he speaks of this variants high demand. With dark yellow flesh almost comparable to turmeric, Alphonso is widely available in nearly every market. And another one known for its hue is Sinshoora. Being one of the firstborns of the mango season, it is Sindhoora that often welcomes the public to a very sweet and fruitful season. While comparatively easier to identify, with its reddish shade, the fruit weighs nearly 250 grams per mango. There are not a lot of distinct reddish mangoes I have seen, and Sindhoora is a combination of red, green, and a bit of yellow, says Sameer, a fruit seller from Bihar. As I walked more into the lanes of markets, I stumbled upon a public favourite Imam Pasand. With its origin in Urdu stories to the possibility of it having been Emperor Humayuns favourite, it is one of the sweetest mangoes available. Very much in competition with Alphonso for the grand title, Imam Pasand has thin, tasty skin and is being bought a lot this season. On the other hand, Banganapalli is the middle child of the season and is a bit more pale than others. Often distinctly larger than many varieties, Banganapalli is one of the most affordable lots in the family. Another variety, Jawaad can be sweeter than Banganapalli sometimes. However, most people cannot afford those, so Banganapalli is bought a lot, Sameer adds. Malgoa, with a smaller seed and more flesh, will be available well into May. With a thick skin, it is seen and described as being more round and curvy with a dip near its stem. With a pale flesh, Malgoa is sweet even before ripening, unlike mangoes like Sindhoora or even Neelam, says Baiju. Neelam, a latecomer to the mango season, mainly comes from Andhra Pradesh. With a particularly small round shape, it can be seen when the monsoon rains start, he adds. While the markets are full of different variants, isnt it a wonder that our states can grow so many of them right in time for the season? Baiju tells me that with various grafting and budding techniques becoming popular among mango cultivators, growing multiple varieties of mangoes together is a cakewalk. Grafting is a practical method. Multi-budding, where you can grow multiple mango types on one tree, is very useful. The only main factor that affects is the climate, and some trees have close to 25 mango types growing together, says Baiju. And thats how our markets get filled with mangoes from all over the country. Though the season of varieties like Moovandan and other umpteen local variants are almost over, the mango season is not close to an end as more and more varieties from other states enter the market. Aam Dal/Toker Dal by Joyadrita Ragavendran Chatterjee Ingredients Red masoor dal: 1.5 cups Raw mango (cut into long, thick strips): 1 Salt and sugar to taste Turmeric powder Mustard oil Mustard seeds for tempering Red chilli: 1 Method Boil the red masoor dal with a couple of pieces of mango, salt, and turmeric powder. Keep the other mango slices aside. Heat mustard oil with the mustard seeds and red chilli in a wok temper. Add the remaining mango slices and let it soften. Next, pour the boiled dal. Adjust salt. Add sugar. The final dal should taste sweet and sour. Prawns Raw Mango Curry by Sheeba La Fleur Ingredients Prawns: half cup Green chillies: 4 nos Ginger paste: 1/4 tsp Garlic paste: 1/4 tsp Salt to taste Raw mango: 1 diced Tomato: 1 small Section 2 Grated coconut: 1cup Shallots: 6 nos Tamarind a small ball Red chilly powder: 2tbsp Corriander powder: 2tsp Fennel powder: 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp Ginger a small piece Garlic: 2 nos Water: 1/4 cup For tadka Coconut oil: 2tbsp Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp Sliced Shallots: 2 nos Curry leaves: few Dried red chilli: 3 Method Add prawns, green chilly, ginger and garlic paste with half a cup of water and cook for two minutes. Now add diced tomatoes and raw mangoes to it and cook for another two minutes. Make a fine paste with ingredients from section two. Add the paste to the prawns and cook for another 3 minutes. Heat oil add mustard and other tadka ingredients and pour it into the curry. You can serve it with rice or puttu. MANGO CHEESECAKE by Arun Vijayan, consultant chef Ingredients Crushed biscuits: 500gm Melted butter : 150gm Cream cheese : 350gm Whipping cream : 250gm Cornflour : 50gm Mango puree : 250gm Condensed milk: 300gm Method In a blender, add biscuits and process them until fully crushed. Now add melted butter and blend again. Transfer the biscuit crumbs into a 7-inch springform pan and press down evenly. Set it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. In another bowl, add cream cheese, heavy cream, condensed milk, mango pureeand cornflour. Mix until the batter is fully combined. Now transfer this on top of the biscuit base. Seal the bottom of the springform pan with two layers of aluminium foil so nothing leaks out. Now add the batter to a cheesecake tin and place it in a preheated oven at 160 Celsius for about 40-45 mins. Once baked fully run a knife around the edges while the cheesecake is still warm. Transfer the cheesecake to the fridge to cool for about 7-8hours. Garnish it with mango puree. Sticky Mango Rice by Sheeba La Fleur Ingredients Uncooked sticky rice: 1 cup Full-fat coconut milk: 1 can (13.5 oz / 400 g) Sugar: 1/4 cup Salt: 1/2 tsp Cornstarch (Optional): 2 tsp Mangoes (peeled and sliced): 3 ripe Toasted sesame seeds for garnish (Optional) Method Rinse the sticky rice with water and gently stir it with your hands. Drain the water to remove the excess starch. Then add cold water. Soak the sticky rice for a minimum of 1 hour, or up to overnight in the fridge. Once soaked, rinse again and drain the water. Transfer the rice to a heatproof bowl, add about 2.5 cups of water to your steamer (not into the rice), place the heatproof rice bowl on the steaming rack placed in the steamer, and cover the steamer. Turn to medium-high heat to bring the water to a boil. When the steam starts to come out of the pot, turn to medium heat. Steam for 20 to 25 minutes, until the rice is cooked through, with no hard raw bits in the middle. Remove the pot from the stove. Let sit, covered, while you prepare the other ingredients. Make the sauce when the rice is cooking. Combine the coconut milk, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat or medium-low heat until the sugar is melted. Do not bring the coconut sauce to a boil. Carefully remove the bowl of sticky rice from the steamer. Pour 1 cup of the sauce into the bowl. Stir to mix well until the sauce is fully absorbed. The mango sticky rice is ready to serve when the rice mixture and the sauce cool to room temperature or lukewarm. For that extra garnish, you can also pour a few spoonfuls of extra coconut sauce on top of the rice or also top with some toasted sesame seeds. Creamy Mango Curry by Arun Vijayan, Consultant chef Ingredients Tender mango wedges: 300gm Finely chopped onions: 30gm Finely chopped garlic : 10gm Finely chopped ginger: 10gm Tomato pure : 20gm Cumin powder: 5gm Salt to taste Turmeric powder: 8gm Fresh cream : 30ml Butter : 10gm Sunflower oil : 50ml Method Heat oil in a pan and add onion, ginger and garlic. Saut it until brown. Add the seasonings and tomato pure. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes in slow heat until the tomato gets mashed. Then add little hot water and mango wedges to it. Reduce the flame and finish with fresh cream and butter. The curry can be served with bread or white rice. Mango margarita by BLND Restobar, Thiruvananthapuram Ingredients Fresh mango: 75 gm Lime juice: 30ml Chilli: 1/2 chilli Ice cube: one big scoop Method Blend all the above ingredients in a blender and serve it in a margarita glass with chilli salt on its rim. Garnish with a chilli. Mango Rasam by Mala Sekar Ingredients Raw mango: 1, medium size Toor dal: 1 small cup Tomato: 1 Pepper: 1 spoon Cumin seeds: 1 spoon Green or red chillies: 2 Crushed ginger: a small piece Coriander leaves Method Pressure cook toor dal and raw mango with a pinch of turmeric on medium flame until two whistles. Once its done, blend it into a smooth paste and add water if its too thick. Add oil to a pan and add mustard, chilies, ginger, a pinch of asafoetida, and turmeric for tadka. Chop the tomato and add it to the tadka along with salt. After this is done, add the toor dal and raw mango paste. Once it comes to a boil, add pepper and cumin powder Garnish with coriander generously.
Kerala: Study to make mosquito eradicating peptide begins
MALAPPURAM : Researchers at Calicut University have initiated a study to produce a functionally modified protein, called peptide, in a cost-effective and large-scale manner, aimed at eradicating mosquito larvae in stagnant water. The research is based on a modified peptide produced by Prof Kannan and his PhD scholar, M Deepthi, from the department of zoology. This peptide, which poses no harm to other aquatic organisms, humans, or the environment, can be converted into a liquid form and applied to stagnant water bodies to eradicate mosquito larvae. Currently, chemical agents are employed to eradicate mosquito larvae, but they can be detrimental to other aquatic organisms and the environment. If our research objectives are met, we will have a low-cost and environment-friendly solution for mosquito larvae control. This would be a boon for nations grappling with mosquito-borne diseases, said Kannan. The peptide in question was functionally modified to interact with trypsin present in the gut of mosquito larvae, leading to their destruction. The peptide hampers trypsin synthesis, an enzyme essential for protein digestion, in the gut of mosquito larvae. When protein digestion is inhibited, the larvae perish within 48 hours. We modified the peptide to only be active in the gut of mosquito larvae. Also, this peptide will not cause any issues in the intestines of humans and other vertebrates, explained Kannan, who conducted post-doctoral research in molecular biology in the University of Michigan in the US. The researchers plan to utilise gene cloning techniques to produce this peptide in cost-effective and large-scale manner. A paper elucidating the peptides role and mechanism of action has been published in the International Journal of Mosquito Research. Effective method Peptide poses no harm to other aquatic organisms, humans, or the environment It can be converted into a liquid form and applied to stagnant water bodies to eradicate mosquito larvae
Kerala: Promote local varieties of Islam to resist Arabisation says Egyptian scholar
KOZHIKODE: An Islamic scholar from Egypt has called for the promotion of indigenous varieties of Islam prevailing in non-Arabic countries to resist the process of Arabisation that seeks to impose a monolithic form of the religion, destroying all its pluralities. In an interview to the TNIE , Dr Nasr Muhammad Arif, Professor at Cairo University, Egypt, said the Arabs carried Islam to various communities more than one thousand years ago in a peaceful and non-confrontationist way. But in the last century it was replaced by Saudi Salafism, which was aggressive and disrespectful of local traditions. The scholar believes that the change occurred due to the influence of western or colonial ideology that divided human beings into superiors and inferiors. He said the Salafi creed propagated by Saudi Arabia was completely insensitive to local culture and traditions. Islam only prescribes that the body should be properly covered. But the Saudi Salafis insist that Muslims should wear their dress. People in South East Asia like colourful things but Salafis want black abaya, he said. I am coming from a society which follows the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence. There, women need not cover their breasts when they are feeding babies. This is unimaginable in Saudi Arabia, Arif said. The Saudi Salafis looked down on the Muslims in traditional communities and thought that they should be re-introduced to Islam again. This is equivalent to the process of Westernisation, Arif said. When Muslims came to South East Asia, they adopted an architectural philosophy that was eco-friendly. They constructed the ceiling of mosques like a pyramid taking into consideration the rainy season, but later it was replaced by the Arabian style of flat roof. Thus, the local culture and tradition were completely sidelined and an Arabian culture was imposed, Arif said. The only way out is to de-Arabise society and return to traditional Islam. I am told that there are several Islamic scholars in Kerala whose books are taught in Al Azhar University. I found a book where details of 6,149 Islamic scholars in Central Asia are given. There are places where there is a rich intellectual tradition but people are inclined to look at Arabs as the representatives of Islam, he said. India used to teach the whole world. The Darul Uloom in Lucknow was the publishing house for Muslims all over the world. You are looking down on you with a belief that others are superior, he said. Arif said the practice of seeking fatwas from scholars outside the country is totally wrong because any fatwa is conditional. Fatwa is a personalised one and cannot be generalised. Importing fatwas can be dangerous, he said. Arif was impressed by the interaction among various communities in Kerala. I went to a Muslim educational institution in Malappuram and I was glad to see that seventy per cent of the teachers are non-Muslims. There is a mosque in every half-a-kilometre, which is a rarity even in the Middle East. We need to promote this kind of plural culture, he said.
Biting on arali flower turns fatal for Kerala nurse bound for UK
ALAPPUZHA: The life and dreams of a 24-year-old girl and her family were destroyed by the suspected ingestion of the juice of the flower and leaf of Arali (oleander) at Pallippad near Haripad. Soorya Surendran, daughter of Surendran, Kondurethu house, Neendoor, Pallippad, collapsed at Nedumbassery airport when she reached the airport to travel to the UK to join a nursing job on Sunday. She was later admitted to a private hospital in Angamaly and shifted to a medical college hospital in Parumala near Tiruvalla where she died on Monday. According to Haripad station house officer K Abhilashkumar, the postmortem of the girl was carried out in Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. In the postmortem report, it was found that the cause of death was the consumption of Arali flower and leaf. A statement given by Soorya to her parents and doctors said that on Sunday morning, she informed her journey to relatives and friends over the phone from her house. While walking along the neighbourhood speaking over mobile phone, she bit a leaf and flower unintentionally. Immediately she realised the mistake and spit it out, but a few drops of the leaf juice went inside. The doctors who carried out the postmortem said that some poisonous content was in her blood, but the parts of the flower or leaf could not be found in the food particles inside the stomach. So the exact poisonous content can be identified only after a detailed postmortem report, Abhilashkumar said. The relatives also point to such a reason. She passed SSLC and Plus II with full A plus and secured good score in BSc Nursing. Her father Surendran is a construction labourer. He is suffering from heart ailments and is resting at home. Mother Anitha is running a temporary tea stall at Poyyakkara near Pallippad. It is the only income of the family. The journey to the UK was the dream of the family and Soorya, but everything turned upside down in a matter of hours, said a neighbour. Arali flowers highly toxic, says expert Dr Benil Kottakkal, who has conducted studies on the toxicity of arali flower, said the alkaloids present in the flower come in the category of cardiac glycosides. These alkaloids present in Nerium Oleander act directly on the heart. The presence of alkaloids is very high in the latex found inside the stalk, he said. It is suspected that the new varieties of arali plants developed to bear more flowers contain more of these toxins. However, that has not yet been quantified scientifically, he added. In the opinion of Joseph Job, vice-principal and associate professor, Department of Botany, SB College Changanassery, the toxicity of arali plant varies according to the ingested part, age and health condition of the person who consumes it. All the plants in apocynaceae family have these cardiac stimulatory alkaloids, he said.
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Wayanad tourisms unsung Nepali hero retires after 3 decades of service
KALPETTA: After an illustrious career spanning 33 years with the Kerala tourism department, Sona Lama, a native of Nepal, has retired, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and memorable experiences for tourists who visited Pookode Lake in Wayanad. Lama, who reached Kozhikode in 1989 in search of a job, moved to Wayanad in 1991, where he began working as a security guard at the scenic Pookode Lake at a modest daily wage of Rs 20. Over the years, his presence became an integral part of the Pookode Lake experience, contributing significantly to its popularity and enhancement of tourist services. Remarkably, Lama, 58, who retired on April 30 was the first foreign national to be employed by the state tourism department, setting a precedent for inclusivity and diversity within the industry. His journey from a security guard under the Wayanad District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) to a key personality at Pookode Lake is not just a tale of personal achievement but also a significant chapter in the history of the states tourism sector. I had a long and eventful career in Wayanad, spanning over three decades. My experience reflects a deep connection with the region and its people, a connection that has been both a source of inspiration and a support system throughout my years away from my native place, Lama told TNIE . During my early days in Wayanad, I sometimes felt the strong urge to move back to my hometown since it was difficult to stay away from my family. However, the people here and the love they showed me motivated me to stay, he said. Lama said though retired, he doesnt feel like quitting work as it is the only thing that would help him move on in life. I have asked my family, comprising wife and three sons, to visit Wayanad one last time before I make any decision on returning to Nepal, he said. During my years at Pookode Lake, the worst time indeed was the pandemic period when the entire tourism sector was shut down due to Covid outbreak, he said. Tourism dept lauds Lamas contributions I hope such circumstances never occur again because tourism is the bread and butter of the people in Wayanad, he added. Lama was felicitated at a recent tourism-related event at the district collectorate. At the event, his contributions were highlighted as pivotal in fostering a welcoming and safe environment for visitors. District Collector Renu Raja appreciated the service rendered by Lama for more than 30 years. As Lama steps into retirement, the tourism department bid him a heartfelt farewell, acknowledging his invaluable contributions in promoting Pookode Lake as one of the top tourist destinations. The local government and tourism officials expressed their gratitude, wishing him the best for his future endeavours and hoping that his story inspires others in the hospitality and tourism sector.
Traffic curbs in Kochi on May 4 due to feast in St George church
KOCHI: The city traffic police on Friday said that vehicular movement between Edappally bypass Junction and Palarivattom would be restricted from 4 pm on Saturday in connection with the annual feast at St Georges Forane Church, Edappally. The following directions have been issued:- Believers proceeding to the church to offer prayers and make offering of fowls should park their vehicles at the designated parking facilities arranged by the Church authorities. Under no circumstances should they park the vehicles along the main roads and roads near the church. Strict action will be taken against the violators, including the towing away of their vehicles using police recovery vehicle. The devotees should try to make use of the public transport systems including Kochi Metro. They can utilise the parking facilities including those at metro stations. Vehicles coming from Kalamassery side and proceeding to Palarivattom should take free left at Edappally bypass Junction and proceed to Palarivattom side via NH 66, from 4 pm onward. Similarly, vehicles coming from Palarivattom and proceeding to Kalamassery and Aluva sides should take deviation from Palarivattom SN Junction to reach Palarivattom Bypass junction. They should then take free left to reach Edapally Junction via NH 66 before proceeding to Kalamassery side. Vehicles coming from Paravoor, Cheranalloor and Aluva sides and proceeding to Ernakulam should take the Container Road to enter the city. Vehicles coming from Aluva side and proceeding to Kakkanad and Palarivattom and back should take the Seaport-Airport Road.
Seven children to be adopted from Kerala Child Welfare committee on May 4
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first, the state welfare committee has decided to entrust seven couples with children they have been taking care of, on the same day. Seven babies will be taken home by these parents on Saturday morning. Kids will be adopted from the committees adoption centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Seven children, all between five and seven months old, are starting off their new journey with their new parents. Six of them will be in Kerala one in Thiruvananthapuram, two in Alappuzha, two in Kottayam, and one in Kozhikode. Meanwhile, one of them will travel to Tamil Nadu with the parents. All parents are professionals such as doctors, assistant directors, university employees, police officers, and entrepreneurs. The new ruling committee has so far given 76 children for adoption to families over a period of 14 months. Twelve of them have gone abroad. According to priority, deserving couples who registered through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) to various adoptions centres across India got clearance from state children welfare committee. The process of giving up children for adoption was made efficient by providing adequate care and security at various Child Welfare Committee centres,said general Secretary G L Arungopi. Starting a new life The committee has given 76 children for adoption to families over a period of 14 months. Twelve of them have gone abroad Deserving couples who registered through CARA to various adoptions centres across India got clearance from state CWC.
Thiruvananthapuram-based architect wins HUDCO award for flood-relief initiative
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) design award in the category of cost effective rural/urban housing deploying innovative/emerging & disaster resistant technology has been awarded to architect N S Abhayakumar. Abhayakumar won the award for Project Bhoomika, a flood-relief housing initiative, as part of which 10 houses were built for people in Cheruthana village of Alappuzha who lost their houses in the 2018 floods. The design scheme of the project was based on a cost-effective and disaster-resistant technology. The highlight of Project Bhoomika was the partial inclusion of its beneficiaries in the design process. Unlike other housing projects in which a row of cookie-cutter houses is made, Project Bhoomika gave its beneficiaries the option to choose the design without affecting the cost. The project also saw the involvement of young students of architecture and civil engineering in the implementation of a socially relevant human settlement project. Cheruthana is a village that experiences flooding at least three times a year during the monsoons. Project Bhoomika was conceived after the flood relief work was finished. It was found that houses with strong and sustainable construction withstood the flood. So, as an architect, I wanted to do something for the affected to help them resist adversities in the future. Around 100 houses were scouted to find the needy with the help of local youngsters for the project, said Abhayakumar, who is a member of the Trivandrum runners club, a registered charitable organisation that actively worked during the 2018 floods. A mix of precast concrete elements was used for the foundation, and pre-fabricated galvanised pipes and ferro-cement technology for the superstructure to minimise the site work, which is usually the reason for the higher cost of construction in Kerala. The cost for construction of the 400 sqft two-bedroom houses, erected on nine pillars of 1m each, was kept below Rs 6 lakh each. The best part is that beneficiaries were not relocated from their native places for the purpose. Considering the topography of the region, which is surrounded by water with limited road access, the houses were conceived in such a way that different parts such as the well rings, pillars, and wall panels could be pre-fabricated and transported by boat and then erected at site. I hope that local bodies in other flood-prone areas replicate this model, said Abhayakumar. Project Bhoomika The highlight of the project was partial inclusion of its beneficiaries in the design process. They were given the option to choose the design without affecting the cost Also ensured the involvement of young students of architecture and civil engineering in the implementation of the project
Kerala: MLA entered bus, but did not force people out says bus conductor
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cantonment police on Thursday recorded the statement of the conductor, who was on duty when the road rage incident involving Mayor Arya Raveendran and the KSRTC driver took place. The police said conductor Subin claimed he had no knowledge of whether driver H L Yadhu had shown lewd gestures at the mayor. He also denied knowing about the chase between the KSRTC bus and the private car in which the mayor and her family were travelling. The conductor said he was sitting in the rear side of the bus and did not know anything about the road race or the drivers lewd gesture, said an officer. The conductor, meanwhile, testified that the mayors husband K M Sachin Dev MLA had entered the bus when it was stopped at Palayam but did not use any bad language or force the passengers out of the bus. His statement was that the MLA did not force anybody to get out of the bus. Neither did he see the MLA shouting at the passengers. He said he had an interaction with the MLA, the officer added. The officer said they have identified some of the passengers, who were travelling in the bus, and their statements would be recorded in the coming days. Its a tedious job, but we will record their statements soon, the officer added. Meanwhile, actress Roshna R Roy has come out against the driver alleging that he had behaved rudely and used loaded language at her when there was a traffic issue at Kunnamkulam a few months ago.
Swell waves: Red alert along Kerala coast
THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a red alert along Kerala and south Tamil Nadu coast owing to swell waves till Sunday night. During the period, the coast will experience strong waves from 2.30 pm on Saturday to 11.30 pm on Sunday. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority had already directed that people should be moved away from beaches from 10 pm on Friday. They have alerted fishermen living in vulnerable locations to shift to safer locations based on the directives of the authorities. They have advised the public to avoid trips to beaches and venturing into the sea. Swell waves cause panic along Kerala coast Fishermen have also been advised to move fishing nets and boats to safer locations, preferably in harbours. Swell waves lashed the Kerala coast causing panic in coastal communities on April 31. The sea attack caused damage to roads and fishing equipment, and also necessitated the rehabilitation of people in some locations. The severity was high in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Thrissur. IMD maintained a yellow alert in Palakkad and Kozhikode considering the heatwave alert on Friday. However, it did not issue any fresh heatwave alerts for any districts for Saturday.
