Kerala: College student drowns in Peechi reservoir

THRISSUR: A first-year MSc Botany student of Maharajas College, Ernakulam, who was on an internship at Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), drowned in Peechi reservoir on Thursday. The incident occurred as Mohammed Yahiya, 25, a native of Thanur, along with two of his friends who were also interns at KFRI Peechi, were swimming in Peechi reservoir on Wednesday evening. The trio swam to an island in the reservoir and on the way back, Yahiya went missing while the other two reached the shore. As the two friends found Yahiya missing, they informed local people and sought their help. Though search operation was initiated by the local people and the fire force team on Wednesday night, it had to be halted due to poor visibility. Later, the body was recovered during the search operation conducted on Thursday morning. The Scuba team of fire force said that the muddy water and poor visibility hindered the search operation. Revenue Minister K Rajan visited the reservoir and coordinated the search operation. Yahiya was also the secretary of SFI unit in Maharajas College.

Huge Nandi idol to be installed at Thiruvananthapurams Venganoor temple soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A huge idol of Nandi, the bull vahana (mount) of Lord Shiva, will be installed at the Bala Tripura Sundari Devi Temple at Pournamikavu in Venganoor soon. Carved out of a single marble stone, the idol, according to the temple authorities, is the tallest in the state. The procession to the temple carrying the new idols, including Nandis, will enter the district on Friday. It began from Jaipur in Rajasthan 10 days ago and the idols are being transported on three trailers. The idol of Adiparasakthi carved out of a single marble piece is 23.5-ft high and weighs 30 tonnes, while the idols of Durga Rajamatangi Devis are 12-ft high. The dimensions of the Nandi idol have not been revealed. In Kerala, the procession was accorded a reception at the Sringeri Sankara Madom at Kalady in Thrissur. Sankaramadom manager Ramasubramaniam, assistant manager Suryanarayana Bhat, SNDP Kalady unit chairman Nirpara Karnan, VHP leader Subin, Sai Chandramadom director Sreenivasan, Saneesh Chemmanur, Kalady Baiju and Pallikkal Sunil attended the reception. The procession will be accorded a reception at Kilimanoor and will reach Enchakkal in Thiruvananthapuram between 11am and noon on Friday. From there, it will proceed to Pournamikavu after another reception. On the way Among the idols that are being brought to the state capital for installation are that of Adiparasakthi, carved out of a single marble piece. It is 23.5-ft high and weighs 30 tonnes. Idols of Durga Rajamatangi Devis are 12-ft high. The dimensions of the Nandi idol have not been revealed.

Supply of LPG cylinders hit as BPCL truck drivers in Kochi go on strike

KOCHI: Truck drivers at BPCL LPG Bottling Plant at Ambalamugal, Kochi, launched a lightning strike on Thursday morning protesting an attack on a truck driver by loading and unloading workers at a distribution agency at Kodakara in Thrissur district. According to sources, both truck driver Sreekumar and the loading workers who thrashed him belong to the CITU union. The drivers union said the police have refused to book a case against the assailants. All 156 truck drivers affiliated to CITU, INTUC and BMS have joined the protest. We will not withdraw the strike until the assailants are arrested, said CITU Drivers Union Ambalamugal area president K S Sajeevan. Sources said a meeting will be held at the BPCL at 6 am on Friday to resolve the issue. Representatives of the transporting agencies, drivers unions and distribution agencies will attend the meeting. It was a dispute over a difference of Rs 17.50 in loading charges that led to the assault. Sreekumar, the driver, was thrashed brutally. He is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi. He is a cancer patient and has been working despite his health issues to support his family. If the workers have any grievance they have to discuss it with the transporting agency. There is no justification for the attack and we will continue the strike until the assailants are arrested, said Sajeev. BPCL authorities said it is a dispute between loading workers and drivers and the company has no role in it. Earlier, the trucks used to carry 306 LPG cylinders and the loading charges were fixed based on this figure. Now the trucks are bigger and can carry more cylinders. Some trucks can carry 360 and 450 cylinders. But the loading charge has not been revised, which leads to disputes. The transporting agency should revise the charge according to the capacity of the truck, said a union leader.

Kathakali artist in Kerala takes crash-course route to popularise the art form

THRISSUR: With its origins around the 16th century, kathakali is a classical performance art that combines dance, drama and music, and is rightly considered a national treasure. But societys unfettered march towards modernity has left practitioners worried about the art form losing its popularity and old-world charm. Realising the predicament, Kalamandalam Rajeev decided to do something about it. He developed a kathakali-appreciation course that has been piquing peoples interest in the art form and its nuances. Despite its traditional underpinnings, kathakali can be considered part of the states pop culture, featuring in movies, endorsement campaigns and tourism promotion efforts. Yet performers accept the fact that its audience is shrinking. Rajeevs online course is an attempt to reverse the trend, by popularising the art form by sharing its stage magic. It began during the Covid days when everybody was locked up in their houses with nothing to do. While it was started as a lockdown activity, the response I received became the fuel to take it forward, shares Rajeev. In the last four years, more than 500 people have taken the six-month course, with some even inspired to pursue learning the art form. The classes have been meticulously designed, integrating both demonstration and theory. We begin by introducing the 24 mudras (gestures). It is difficult to master the mudras in such a short time. Hence through examples, with which everyone can connect, I demonstrate them to participants, says Rajeev. The course also covers navarasam (nine emotions), ilakiyattangal, chamayam, stage, and accoutrements -- all essential components of the art form. Over the six months, participants become familiar with each other, to the extent that they form groups to watch performances according to their convenience. Each course ends with a gathering to review the sessions and reinforce the feeling of being part of a family, he adds. Inspired by the course, a nurse from Kottayam, presently working in the United States, learned kathakali online and completed arangettam. The beauty and grace of the art form inspired another person from Singapore to also take up the dance form. It makes me happy when more and more people show interest in learning about kathakali as an art form and make the effort to appreciate it, says Rajeev. Hailing from Kollam, Rajeev specialises in pacha vesham. Amid the performance schedules, he plans the classes and presents the concepts in a way that anyone can understand them. He charges a nominal fee of Rs 600 per month. Kathakali is an unforgettable experience. Many people who were not familiar with stage performances are now searching for the next recital near them, thanks to the classes of Kalamandalam Rajeev, shared one of the participants of the appreciation course on social media.

Thrissur records 82.4% pass in Plus Two higher secondary examinations

In the vocational higher secondary section, Thrissur registers 77.59% pass. Of the 2,405 students who appeared for the examinations, 1,866 become eligible for higher studies

Heat wave possibility: IMD issues yellow alert in Kerala's Alappuzha district for May 9

The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for Alappuzha due to impending heatwave conditions. Maximum temperatures in various districts, including Thrissur and Palakkad, were predicted to exceed normal by 3-5 degrees Celsius till May 10. Alappuzha faced the possibility of heatwave conditions on May 9.

West Nile Fever Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Hyderabad: Kerala is on alert after West Nile Fever cases were reported in Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur districts. Nine cases were reported in which one person succumbed to the disease in Thrissur district. State Health Minister Veena George has instructed all districts to remain vigilant. What is West Nile Fever? West Nile Fever is caused by the West Nile Virus spread by Culex species of mosquitoes. The virus was discovered in Uganda in 1937 and it can be transmitted to humans through the bite of the infected mosquitoes. Symptoms The symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash but 8 out of 10 people do not develop any symptoms, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 1 in 150 people who are infected with the virus will develop a severe illness which will affect the central nervous system like encephalitis and meningitis. Recovery from severe illness may take several weeks or months. Treatment There is no vaccine or specific medication for the West Nile Fever. Patients in severe cases need to be hospitalised to receive treatment such as intravenous fluids and pain medication.

Taking a toll! Lack of regulation & awareness driving online addiction in Kerala

KOCH: Akash was a hardworking youth who earned around Rs 1,200 a day working for a private company in Kozhikode. Yet, the 24-year-old developed an addiction for online rummy, which led him to take his own life. On August 17, 2023, Akash was found hanging from a water pipeline in Manjappalam, Kozhikode. His uncle Shyju K says that Akash was not the same person after he started playing online rummy two years ago. Akash was very bright and energetic. He worked as a driver transporting glass from Kozhikode to Thiruvananthapuram. He initially made some money from online gambling. But, within a year, he accumulated debt of over Rs 1.5 lakh. An accident interrupted his addiction for a while. Meanwhile, his father took a loan to clear his debts. After making a recovery, he was back to being hooked to online gaming. To keep funding his activity, he started taking small amounts as loans from relatives and friends, Shyju said. On the day Akashs body was found, around Rs 45,000 was debited from his bank account by a Mumbai-based firm, which the family claims runs an online gaming platform. No probe was conducted into the company. Paying the price Last year, over four suicides linked to online gaming were reported across Kerala. In August 2022, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the state assembly that between January 2019 and July 2022, nearly 25 children ended their lives over online addiction. In February 2021, the state government amended the Kerala Gaming Act to ban online games, including rummy. But the Kerala High Court in September that year quashed the amendment terming rummy a game of skill, in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court. Later, the government proposed legislation to put a stop to online games that siphon off money. But alas, that has not been followed up. Jiyas Jamal, an expert in cyber law and founder of the Cyber Suraksha Foundation, said a major lobby runs online gaming that targets even young children. Online games can be classified into two broad categories - those that are free and those that involve money. The games played with money can be further classified into skill-based and chance-based games. Chance-based games are barred. Despite the ban, they operate under different names. Even though the state government attempted to ban even skill-based online games, the High Court stayed the amendment brought in this regard, Jiyas said. Non-compliance with rules However, according to him, the majority of skill-based online gaming companies that are operated from China are not registered in India. They do not comply with the countrys Information Technology (IT) Rules. Despite the numerous suicides reported in Kerala linked to online gaming, no companies running them have been booked for abetment. As per the IT Rules, online platforms operating in India should have an office in the country. They should also have nodal officers to attend to the grievances of users. However, most of the firms running online gaming in the country operate through agents, who deal with financial transactions. A person who loses money has no forum to lodge a complaint. In fact, these firms indulge in money laundering by re-routing unaccounted money from India to foreign countries. The saddest part is that no online gaming companies have been arraigned as accused in suicide cases reported here, he said. Jiyas alleged that there are fakes games that are propagated through advertisements on social media platforms and through influencers. There should be action against people who endorse such games. Recently, I came across an advertisement for a bogus game on a social media platform. Although I reported it, the advertisement has not been removed. Online influencers are also major promoters of such games. The companies offer influencers money to endorse the games in their videos. The influencers are shown demo accounts that show users earning large amounts from playing their games. With governments refusing to take action, we have started flagging influencers who promote fake apps and games, he said. DDA programme After the state governments move to counter online gaming addiction was struck down by the HC, Kerala Police came up with its Digital De-Addiction (DDA) programme for children under 18. The initiative has proved to be effective. The programme was started in six districts Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur on an experimental basis in January last year before being operationalised in November. Each DDA unit has a psychologist attending to cases related to online gaming and mobile phone addiction. Sooraj Kumar M B, nodal officer of the Student Police Cadet (SPC) Project in Ernakulam who also co-ordinates the DDA operation in the district, said that the majority of students referred for the programme were involved in mobile gaming. DDA also provides training to children on remedial measures in case they become the target of cyber fraud. Since last November, we have attended to over 100 cases in Ernakulam. Most of the students are referred to by teachers due to online addiction. A good number were involved in online gaming. We provide them a self-assessment chart to diagnose whether they are addicted to mobile phones. After this, our psychologist gives them counselling. Our DDA has a 85% rehabilitation success rate, he claimed. Post-Covid phenomenon According to Sooraj, digital addiction is largely a post-Covid phenomenon. For almost two years during the pandemic, children relied on mobile phones for all their activities and now taking the devices away from them is a daunting task. Its not just children, even many youth and adults cannot live without their mobile phones now. Addicted students turn aggressive when they are denied access to mobile phones. Such a response can lead to issues in the family, he added. Arun B Nair, professor of psychiatry at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital, says a deep craving for online gambling is a behavioural addiction. Online gaming and over-access to the digital world has affected the sleep cycles of children and adults alike. Such games generate a dopamine surge to the brain that gives those playing them a thrill. The person thinks that he has attained enough skill to beat all obstacles and continues to gamble money even after incurring heavy losses, he said. Psychiatric help Such addiction can be tackled with psychiatric intervention, says Arun. Fixation for video games existed even before Covid. The situation, however, aggravated with the pandemic when children started getting access to mobile phones and other digital devices. Use of devices should be regulated based on the age of kids. Similarly, children should not be allowed to access mobile phones after 10pm to ensure they get a good nights sleep, he added. Recent Victims Feb 7, 2023: Girish, 35, of Kollengode, Palakkad, committed suicide by hanging himself in his house after he lost over 20 lakh playing online games Aug 17: Akash, 24, of Paloli, Kozhikode, killed himself after suffering losses playing online rummy Sept 13: A resident of Vellarikundu, Kasaragod, P K Rosh, 23, died by hanging himself at his workplace in Idukki after losing over Rs 80,000 playing an online game Oct 17: Dileesh, 40, a barber from Rayamangalam, Ernakulam ended his life by consuming poison after suffering financial losses playing online rummy Points to Ponder 25 children killed themselves between Jan 2019 - Jan 2022 in state The Kerala government banned online games in Feb 2021, but Kerala scrapped decision in Sept 2021 Kerala Police runs a Digital De-Addiction (DDA) programme for children in six districts Most of the firms running online games are linked to China and operate in India without any office or nodal officer, as stated in IT Rules Social media influencers endorse games and lure youngsters promising high returns Gambling games generate a dopamine surge to the brain that gives those playing them a thrill

Will win Thiruvananthapuram by 15k votes, Thrissur by 30k: BJP report

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The NDA candidate in Thiruvananthapuram, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, will win by a minimum of 15,000 votes, according to BJP s preliminary Lok Sabha election review report presented in the leadership meeting. The party evaluates the contest between Rajeev and his immediate opponent Shashi Tharoor of the Congress as a close one. The BJP does not see LDF finishing second in the constituency. If all the favourable conditions are realised, Rajeevs winning margin might rise to 60,000 votes, the party reckons. In Thrissur, the second seat BJP is counting on, NDA candidate Suresh Gopi will win by a margin of 30,000 votes, according to the party. BJP appears to be more confident of Suresh Gopis win from Thrissur compared to Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Thiruvananthapuram. As per the election review report, Suresh Gopis majority may go beyond one lakh. The Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam and Prime Minister Narendra Modis reference to it in the election campaigns also helped BJP, the report said. In the third seat the party hopes to win, Pathanamthitta, BJP has pinned all its hopes on the Christian minority voters in the constituency. The party believes that NDA candidate Anil Antony was successful in attracting the Christian minority votes to the BJP fold. Apart from the 70,000 votes the partys 2019 candidate K Surendran garnered, Anil would get an additional 60,000 Christian votes, the party calculates. The party sees three other constituencies -- Attingal, Alappuzha and Palakkad -- as winnable, if all favourable conditions have come together. In Alappuzha, the report underlines Sobha Surendrans influence among women voters as an important factor that might help win the seat. The murder of Ranjith Sreenivasan had helped polarise votes in favour of the NDA candidate. In Palakkad, BJP hopes to garner between 2.98 lakh to 3.48 lakh votes. Interestingly, the report pointed out that in many constituencies across the state, the CPM workers were not active. The report also said that even in booths there were not enough CPM workers and the squad works at the booth level were cold in the Malabar region. The BJP leadership evaluates this was due to the indifference of workers towards the second LDF government. Upper caste/class CPM members voted for BJP BJP thinks the stoppage of welfare pensions aggravated the situation and the negative response from the voters affected the CPM badly. In addition, BJP claims that, for the first time, CPM members belonging to the upper caste and upper class have cast their votes in favour of the BJP.

Thrissur district records 99.68% pass in SSLC

Of the 35,561 students who appeared for examination, 35,448 qualify

Thrissur district records 99.68% pass in SSLC

Of the 35,561 students who appeared for examination, 35,448 qualify

Kerala Issues Alert As Cases Of West Nile Fever Continue To Rise; Do You Need To Worry?

About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a symptom, says CDC. Kerala government issued an alert after cases of the disease surfaced in Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur districts.

West Nile Virus Detected In Kerala, 3 Districts On High Alert: Heres All You Need To Know About This Disease

Three districts in Kerala, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode have been alerted regarding West Nile Virus and the government is already taking measures to curb further spread.

Glow by Kirtilals Shines Bright with Grand Opening of Thrissur Showroom

About Kirtilals Kirtilals is a highly reputed and renowned manufacturer and retailer of Fine Diamond & Gold jewellery. Kirtilals journey commenced in 1939 in Coimbatore with its first retail store offering the finest quality of diamond and gold jewellery in intricate designs. Today the brand has expanded its presence across South India and the USA, with 14 exclusive showrooms and an online platform with global standards of quality and unique designs. While new technologies and the innovative spirit have made the brand relevant to the younger generation, what has remained unchanged is the trust and credibility created and cherished over four generations of Clientele.

Off the cuss

KOCHI: In todays fast-paced digital world, Generation Z is shaking things up like never before. They are the ones making memes go viral, starting online movements, and challenging traditional norms. And while they are at it, there are also reshaping how language is used, particularly by making cuss words appear cool and casual. One of the most interesting words in the English language today is the word f*&k. It is one magical word: just by its sound it can describe pain, pleasure, hate and love...., Osho once famously said. The classic video is all-time hit on social media. Many among todays youth would swear by the logic. There are, in fact, some who replace f*&k with local favourite m@*ru. Cuss words, once considered taboo, are now as common as saying hello. But why? Whats behind this linguistic shift? Here, TNIE examines Gen Zs enduring love affair with swearing to gauge if its a natural evolution in language, whether there are psychological factors at play, and what experts have to say about this cultural trend. Sign of changing times Right off the bat, Mini S Menon, a freelance journalist and English language trainer, says that the prevalent usage of cuss words today is anything but language evolution, but instead a sign of the changing times, of changing priorities and social equations. People are more frustrated now theres too much happening around them, a tsunami of information. Theres a yearning to become all that todays media exposes one to. But people are still stuck in their everyday realities. I think this usage of cuss words is a direct consequence of that frustration, says Mini. Earlier, she used to make her children wash their mouths with soap and water every time they used cuss words. But today, even adults are using cuss words. They have been normalised to a large extent, says Mini. I dont think many are aware of the significance of the words they use. Now, its more about fitting in. Its more emotion than anything else. So, I dont think its an indication of language evolution. Covid effect Indeed, for most people, cuss words are just exclamation marks or interjections. Arun B Nair, professor of psychiatry at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College, points out that the trend settled in during the Covid period, when people, regardless of age, were exposed to a plethora of online content. Western movies and series popular among youth feature conversations where cuss words are used multiple times in one sentence. These words are seen as stylish and entrench themselves in popular culture. Adults are also influenced by this and take a softer approach towards children using it, Arun says. This, he says, is not ideal in every setting. According to him, practical life skills education is very vital in schools to help students discern between informal and formal settings. Starting this education early is important, Arun reasons, as it can help young people become emotionally stable, socially adept, and flexible in their communication. As regular expressions However, the frequent use of cuss words has robbed each of its shock value. Its also interesting to explore the evolution of cuss words, Kochi-based psychologist Shibili Suhanah says. Certain words started as insults. Today, they are regular expressions of aggression, surprise, or even love. A word that has taken a peculiar tangent in the word slut. Today, it is used nonchalantly among friends. Neuroscientific studies show that swearing arouses emotions and activates our limbic system. Cuss words command more attention and evoke emotions, thus making people pay closer attention, explains Shibili. Sumy Joy Oliapuram, a professor of Malayalam at Maharajas College, concurs. Unlike earlier times, these words are not taken as seriously anymore. I dont believe these words should be (or can be) obliterated from our vocabulary. They express strong emotions. In some cases, using cuss words can act as a pressure-cooker valve, he says. A coloured past Cuss words, like any word, have a history. In most cases, they are derived from upper-class attitudes towards commoners and women and are even sexually coloured. However, the new generation, unaware of this history, may not understand the words obscure meanings. Also, linguistics suggests there is no point in searching for roots when words have evolved and taken on new meanings, Sumy points out. Indeed, cuss words now portray a myriad of emotions. So much so that it has become challenging to discern the exact emotion behind such expressions, says Muhammed Sahal Cev, a psychologist from Kozhikode. This is validated by Muhammed Nazeeb, a student from Thrissur, who says, Among close friends, we often use cuss words as slang. They dont carry actual meaning or intent. However, when interacting with others, the context changes. A peculiar fad So, are cuss words a fad? Shibu K, who heads the Department of psychology at Christ Nagar College, Thiruvananthapuram, certainly thinks so. This trend stems from a psychological need for attention and peer group acceptance. Its seen as a way to assert strength within the group and align with an ideal self-image dictated by their generation, says Shibu. According to him, external factors such as parental quality, family dynamics, and institutional influence are toothless in quelling this trend. However, not all are okay with the prevalence of cuss words. The world is indeed more open-minded now. But thats not an excuse for swearing. Even if its used casually, if someone has a problem with it, its still a problem, says Ashly Mariam Punnoose, a student from the University of Kerala. Not cool Indeed, regardless of these words casual intent, most have distasteful and derogatory origins, especially to women or queer people. Using such language can harm careers and personal lives. Respect is crucial in any relationship, adds Ashly. While Gen Z might think cuss words are cool, the legal system thinks differently. Keep it clean or you might find yourself in hot water, says Krishnaveni M, a lawyer in Thiruvananthapuram District Court. If obscene words are used in public to insult or annoy, legal action as per IPC Section 294(b) can be taken against the perpetrator, attracting a punishment with imprisonment up to 3 months or with a fine, or both, she says. The interesting aspect of the said offence is that it is categorised along with major crimes like robbery, murder, rape, etc. In that sense, it is a non-compoundable offence. It cannot be settled or compromised between the parties outside of court and requires a full trial for justice, Krishnaveni says. It must be kept in mind that, as held by the Supreme Court in a 2022 judgment, mere abusive, humiliating, or defamatory words by itself cannot attract an offence. There must be further proof to establish that it was to the annoyance of others. Peace out As Gen Z embraces a newfound freedom of speech, lets not forget the age-old advice: choose your words wisely. After all, in a world where everything can go viral, the language we use today could shape the conversations of tomorrow. Peace out! RAW & GENUINE Writer S Hareesh, in an earlier interview with TNIE, said cuss words are a sign of openness. It is a natural way of talking, particularly among friends. Such words can even carry a sense of humour and affection. I view swearing as a raw and genuine expression of local dialect, he said.

Rain likely across Kerala till May 12, says IMD

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a slight relief from the sweltering heat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted widespread rainfall in the state till May 12. It will be scattered to fairly widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over the state during the period. They have also predicted isolated heavy rainfall on May 8 and 11. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature in Palakkad can go up to 39 degrees Celsius in the coming days while the temperature in Alappuzha, Thrissur, and Kozhikode can go up to 38 degrees Celsius. Despite the overnight rains, the average day temperature increased slightly across the state. Kasaragod received up to 9 cm rainfall on Tuesday. It was appreciably above normal in Alappuzha, Kozhikode and Palakkad, above normal in Malappuram, Kottayam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur and it remained normal elsewhere over the state. Palakkad recorded the highest maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius. There was a warm night alert for Alappuzha and Kozhikode on Tuesday. Satheesan seeks compensation for heat wave victims Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has sent a letter to the chief minister urging him to provide compensation to family members of those who lost their lives to the heat wave. He also demanded that a special package be announced for farmers. In the letter, Satheesan said the heat wave condition should be treated as a natural disaster so that family members get compensation. He said the severe conditions have left the farming sector in doldrums. It is for the first time in the history that Kerala too has been included in the heat wave category by the met department. Over the past several weeks, several people have died in the state due to heat wave conditions, said Satheesan.

BJP report claims to win two seats in Kerala, chances in four seats

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP will definitely win two seats in Kerala in the 2024 parliament election, said the partys preliminary election report presented before the state leaders meeting on Tuesday. Kerala LS polls: BJP pins its hopes on TPuram and Thrissur Apart from these two sure seats, there are chances that the party will win in four other seats. The two sure seats are Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur . The party has identified Attingal, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta as constituencies where chances of win are high. BJP will also cross 20 per cent votes in the state this time in all the contested seats, the review report stated. According to the report, the party has identified six seats in which it can get over 30 per cent votes. The parliament election result would be the start of a change in the political sphere in Kerala, said BJP state president K Surendran at a press meet. BJP will win in all constituencies where the party hoped to win. NDA will also win in good numbers in Kerala. Kerala will also vote for Narendra Modis win. However, a section of the media and Congress are engaged in false propaganda against the BJP. The new Kerala after the election result will be a state where the BJP-NDA will have an upper hand, he said. Surendran also claimed that the BJP would win in all sure seats as claimed by the leadership earlier. The election result would be a huge setback for the Congress. They would be defeated in their important seats and some of their important leaders would also be defeated. In Thiruvananthapuram Rajeev Chandrasekhar would definitely win, he added. Kerala Prabhari Prakash Javadekar said that BJP would emerge as the party with the largest number of MPs in south India. He claimed that in Kerala many CPM- Congress voters have voted for BJP in the recent elections. Right from the start of the campaign, I have been saying that BJP will win five seats in Kerala, he said. However, Javadekar did not answer questions related to Sobha Surendran s revelation about Operation Lotus. Meanwhile, Surendran put the blame on the Congress and said that the whole episode was a conspiracy hatched by the Congress to defeat Sobha Surendran. Congress started to campaign against Sobha when it felt that BJP might win in Alappuzha. The accusation against Anil Antony is also baseless. Why is someone raising an allegation that dates back to 15 years. BJP did not take these serious, he said. Surendran and Javadekar also tried to play down the absence of P K Krishnadas and M T Ramesh at the meeting. The absence might be due to some important personal issues and they had informed it to the state president, Javadekar. clarified

Kerala braces for the worst drought in 40 years

KOCHI: Standing in the midst of wilted cardamom plants, M L Roy, a farmer at Kalthotty in Idukki district is unable to hold his emotions. This is the worst summer in my memory. Around 90% of my cardamom plants have wilted and I will have to replant the entire farm. It will take three years for the cardamom to give yield. I tried my best to protect the plants by bringing water in pickup trucks to irrigate the crop, But all my efforts failed. The drought has turned me into a construction worker, he said. A prolonged dry spell, parched farmlands, dried-up rivers and wilted crops. Kerala is grappling with the worst drought conditions in 40 years. The water level in reservoirs has depleted to worrying levels and villages in north Kerala have been hit by worsening water scarcity. There was no rain in the districts north of Thrissur for the past four months. The Kerala Water Authority has been forced to stop pumping in many areas in Palakkad and Malappuram districts due to the drying up of water sources. The depletion of groundwater resources has added to the woes of farmers as both open wells and borewells have dried up. Farmers in Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, Thrissur, and Kozhikode are staring at a bleak future as the crops started wilting due to the non-availability of water for irrigation. Crops in thousands of acres of farmland including plantain, paddy, cardamom, pepper, vegetables, coffee and cocoa have wilted under the scorching summer heat. Kerala: Climate change reality gets heatwave check A meeting convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on May 3 assessed the drought situation and decided to initiate steps to ensure the distribution of drinking water in drought-hit areas. Agriculture Minister P Prasad has issued an order to form expert committees at the block level to assess the situation. The panel members have been directed to visit drought-hit areas and submit a report by May 9. The government is planning to approach the Centre with the data demanding to declare the state as drought-hit. Keralas first official heatwave scorches Palakkad We have allocated Rs 12 lakh to each panchayat during the past two months to ensure distribution of drinking water in drought-hit areas . If the fund is inadequate they can approach the district collector for more funds. The situation in Palakkad is worse as water sources have dried up in many areas. Though we considered releasing water from the Malampuzha dam, the storage is low and the water may not reach Ottappalam. We are relying on summer rains to tide over the crisis, said Local Self Government Department Minister M B Rajesh. The paddy farmers have not been able to launch cultivation of the second crop as there is no water available for irrigation. The storage in Malampuzha dam is low. So the collector said they cant release water for irrigation. Plantains, rubber, coconut, arecanut and vegetable plants have died up as the open wells and borewells have dried up. The dairy farmers are desperate as the milk output has decreased drastically and cows are dying due to heat stress. We are planning to hold a protest in front of district collectors office on May 8 demanding to delcare the district as drought-hit, said National Farmer Protection Council leader Pandiode Prabhakaran. According to Cardamom Growers Association president Antony Mathew, cardamom production will decrease by 60% in the coming months as around 75% of the plants have wilted due to the scorching summer. The temperature has risen to 33 degrees Celsius in Idukki which is the highest in history. The situation is worse than in 1983 when the district faced a drought situation. The ideal climate for cardamom is 22 - 25 degrees Celsius, but the temperature has risen by more than 10 degrees Celsius which has led to wilting of the plants. Even if it rains now, it will not help the farmers as we have to replant the farmlands, he said. The farmers are in debt and despair as most of them have availed of agriculture loans. Small-scale farmers are forced to work as daily wage labourers to sustain their lives. Idukki has been hit by a farm disaster as the wilting of cardamom will have a long-standing impact on farmers. The lackadaisical approach of the KSEB has aggravated the crisis. Most of the farmers have installed motor pumps for irrigation, but low- voltage problem has made it impossible to operate them. Exploiting the situation some agents of step-up devices are luring farmers to buy their products, said Reji Njallani, a cardamom farmer in Idukki. Pineapple farmers in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts have been badly hit by the drought. The production has decreased by 50% and the size of the fruit has reduced due to adverse climate. We have suffered around 40% loss due to the drought. Plants are wilting and the fruits are small which reduces its quality, said Pineapple Farmers Association president James George. The scarcity of drinking water has affected Ottapalam, Chittoor and Shoranur areas in Palakkad district as pumping from Bharathapuzha has been affected. According to Kerala Water Authority, the situation will aggravate if summer rains are delayed beyond May 15. The KWA is relying on release of water from Aliyar Dam as the storage in the Malampuzha dam is low. In Malappuram also pumping stations had to be shut down due to depleting water resources. The KWA is facing difficulty in pumping operation due to low-voltage problems. North Kerala is facing a drought situation as there has been no rain since February. The water levels in Chaliyar and Bharathapuzha are low which has affected drinking water projects. The storage in reservoirs is also low which has affected agricultural activities. The depletion of groundwater level has led to water scarcity in interior areas, said Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWDRM) senior scientist C P Priju. KSEB dams 3,542.13 MCM - Max storage total 1,111.69 MCM(32%) - Effective storage 4,140.25 MU - Max capacity Water to generate 1,316.77 MU power Kerala rains 2023-24 3,000 mm - Annual rainfall (Longtime average) 2,025.6 mm - Rainfall in 2023-24 Irrigation dams 1,528.33 MCM - Max capacity 457.48 MCM - Storage on May 7 Water woes The Kerala Water Authority has been forced to stop pumping in many areas in Palakkad and Malappuram districts due to drying up of water sources. Crops in thousands of acres of farmland including plantain, paddy, cardamom, pepper, vegetables, coffee and cocoa have wilted under the scorching summer heat. Increasing groundwater stress a concern Though Kerala has been boasting about its abundant water resources, the harsh summer has pushed the state into a water crisis. Central Ground Water Board regional director Mini Chandran said the state has been facing water stress during summer. Erratic monsoon, rapid urbanisation, deforestation, changes in land use patterns, pollution of water bodies and climate change have contributed to water stress. We have collected water level from across the state in April, which is under analysis. The data reflects variations in water levels, she said. A wilted cardamom plantation at Nedumkandam in Idukki | Shiyami Groundwater data 2023 5,527.28 MCM - Annual ground water recharge 5,005.27 MCM - Annual extractable groundwater resource 2,730.47MCM - Gross ground water extraction 54.55 % - Average extraction No. of assessment units Critical assessment units: Chittoor, Malampuzha and Kasaragod (Extraction level 90% to 100%) Semi critical: 30 units Stage of extraction: 70-90% Safe category: 119 units Stage of extraction less than 70% Depth to water level in Kerala Lowest: Ernakulam (0.16 metre below ground level) Deepest: Thiruvananthapuram: 51.7 m below ground level. The average depth of groundwater: 10 metres below ground level (85%) No overexploited and saline assessment units in Kerala Three blocks have deteriorated to semi-critical in 2023 Kozhikode, Sasthamcotta and Varkala

Kerala govt. issues alert against West Nile fever

Alert sounded against mosquito-borne viral infection after one death and around eight cases were reported from Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur districts in recent days

West Nile fever: Kerala on high alert after ten people get infected

Kozhikode: Health authorities in Kerala are on high alert following reports of West Nile fever cases in Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur districts. Ten people have already been infected while two deaths are also suspected to have been caused by the virus, according to sources, though official confirmation is still awaited. Health Minister Veena George has emphasized the importance of mosquito control and the elimination of breeding sites to prevent further spread of the disease. The resurgence of cases has triggered a series of coordinated preventive measures across the affected districts, especially with the approaching monsoon season. Intensified measures and public awareness In a recent high-level meeting, the Kerala Health Department outlined strategies to combat the spread of West Nile fever. District Medical Officers have been instructed to ramp up pre-monsoon cleaning and mosquito control efforts. This includes the destruction of mosquito breeding grounds and heightened surveillance of mosquito populations. Local self-governments and district administrations have been directed to collaborate closely in these endeavors. The District Vector Control Units have intensified their efforts by collecting and testing mosquito samples from various locations. Public awareness campaigns are also being strengthened to educate residents about the symptoms of West Nile fever and the importance of maintaining clean surroundings. Kerala has been excellent in tackling COVID-19 but then what about these diseases? How is it caused? West Nile fever is caused by a virus transmitted through bites from infected Culex mosquitoes. Unlike Japanese Encephalitis (often referred to as Japan fever), which primarily affects children, West Nile fever mostly impacts adults. The disease was first identified in Uganda in 1937 and has been reported sporadically in Kerala since 2011, with the first cases identified in Alappuzha district. Symptoms and treatment Symptoms of West Nile fever can include headache, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, and memory issues. While most infected individuals do not show any symptoms, the disease can become severe, leading to neurological damage and, in rare cases, death. Since there is no specific vaccine or medication for West Nile virus, treatment primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms. Early medical intervention is crucial to managing and curing the disease. The fury of the West Nile Fever Preventive measures Preventing mosquito bites remains the most effective way to protect against West Nile fever. Residents are urged to wear protective clothing, use mosquito nets, apply repellents, and employ mosquito-repelling devices. Ensuring water does not stagnate in containers or on properties is vital to prevent mosquito breeding. The Health Minister has called for community vigilance and cooperation in reporting any stagnant water or potential mosquito breeding sites. Additionally, anyone experiencing fever or other symptoms associated with West Nile fever is advised to seek prompt medical attention. Is Kerala a hot spot ofviral attacks?

West Nile fever in Kerala: State govt orders all districts to be vigilant

West Nile fever cases have been reported from Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts of Kerala

Lyricist G K Pallath dies aged 85

THRISSUR: Renowned lyricist G K Pallath, aka P Gopinath, who penned the evergreen Malayalam song Kattuvannu Ninte Kamukan Vannu died here on Sunday. He was 85. Hailing from Thrissur, Pallath earned a living working as a government employee. He retired from service as deputy tahsildar in 1997. Since childhood, he was fond of writing poems. It was his teacher K N Nambeesan of Vivekodayam school, who spotted his writing skills and suggested the pen name, G K Pallath. Pallath penned his first song, Rakthathirakal Neenthivarum for the Communist Partys state convention in 1958. Composed by Das Kottappuram and sung by K S George and Sulochana, the song made waves across Kerala. Later, Pallath penned several songs for amateur plays and ballets before entering the film world. He wrote songs for movies 'Chora Chuvanna Chora', 'Amruthageetham', 'Kattuthee', 'Kalichakram', 'Valkkannadi', 'Noolppalam', 'Kunkumapottu', and 'Veerasringala'. He also worked on several musical albums. He is survived by wife N Rajalakshmi (retired assistant taluk supply officer), children Nayana (United Kingdom), Suhas, Radhika (Chicago), children-in-law: Pradeep Chandran, Sreelatha Menon and Suneesh Menon. Cremation will be held at Paramekkavu Santhighat on Monday at 4pm.

Swell waves pound Kerala shores; houses damaged, roads breached

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hardly a month after wreaking havoc in coastal areas, swell waves lashed Kerala shores on Sunday, damaging houses and breaching coastal roads. However, no casualties have been reported. Early alerts helped residents to limit damages to the minimal by safeguarding valuables, including fishing boats and nets, and shifting themselves to safer places. Meanwhile, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued orange alert for Kerala and South Tamil Nadu coasts on Monday. High waves up to 1.5 metres can reach the coast till 3.30 pm on the day, it said. Swell waves cause panic along Kerala coast In Thiruvananthapuram, Poothura-Anchuthengu region bore the brunt of the swell waves that breached the coastal road near Anchakadavu and flooded its eastern side. The waves topped over the sea walls and damaged the houses on the western side of the road. The waves are yet to wane. The houses in the region are affected because there is no coast here after the commissioning of the Muthalapozhi harbour, said Valerian Isaac, a fisherman in Anchuthengu. However, the coastal erosion was less aggressive in Pozhiyoor which suffered damages in the previous swell wave surge on March 31. The traffic on the coastal road between Poothura and Anchuthengu were temporarily affected as surging waves brought large quantities of sand. In Alappuzha, Punnapra, Arattupuzha and Thrikkunnapuzha were the worst-hit areas. Residents said the sea started turning rough in the afternoon. Several houses close to the sea are at the risk of destruction in Punnapra. Many families have shifted to their relatives homes. Seawater entered several locations in Arattupuzha and Thrikkunnapuzha, flooding coastal roads. Sea incursions were also reported in Bekal in Kasaragod and Kodungallur in Thrissur. Rain forecast The India Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rainfall across the state till May 9. Yellow alerts issued for Ernakulam on May 8 and Wayanad on May 9. No fresh heatwave alerts in the state.

Percussion maestro Kelath Aravindakshan Marar passes away

He had been part of the percussion ensembles of the Thrissur Pooram for four and a half decades

Thrissurs first Mayor Jose Kattookkaran passes away

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Kerala CM Orders Closure Of Educational Institutions To Counter Impending Heatwave

As Kerala continues to reel under hot weather conditions, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday held a meeting to assess the possibilities of heat waves in the state and issued several instructions including the closure of educational institutions until May 6. In an online meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority that was attended by District Collectors, the CM also issued directions with regard to the monsoon season, according to an official statement. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for Alappuzha, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Kozhikode districts due to an anticipated heatwave, Vijayan urged residents to refrain from direct sunlight exposure between 11 am and 3 pm on Thursday and Friday. He directed that those working during these hours, like construction workers, farmers, hawkers, etc should adjust their work timings accordingly, holiday classes should be avoided between 11 am to 3 p.m., and daytime parades and drills should not be held at training centres of police, fire brigade and other forces, said the statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The CM said that educational institutions, including professional colleges, will remain closed until May 6. Additionally, he directed that audits should be carried out in areas prone to fires like markets, buildings, waste collection and storage facilities, hospitals, and major government institutions. Following instructions from the forest department to avoid forest fires, grazing cattle under the midday sun, and ensuring drinking water in tribal hamlets and habitations were the other directions issued in the meeting, according to the statement. According to the IMD, maximum temperatures are very likely to be around 40 degrees Celsius in Palakkad, around 39 degrees Celsius in Kollam, Thrissur, and Kozhikode, about 38 degrees Celsius in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Kannur, and around 37 degrees Celsius in the remaining districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Malappuram, and Kasaragod from Thursday till May 6. With regard to the monsoon-related preparedness, the CM directed the holding of a meeting under the leadership of the collector in the presence of the minister in-charge of the district to discuss the matters to be done first as part of the pre-rains cleaning work, it said. Local self-government bodies should start pre-monsoon cleaning on an urgent basis in order to clear blockages in drains, culverts, and small canals before the onset of the rains, he directed. Not allowing garbage to pile up, ensuring mosquito control, preparing buildings to be used as relief camps, releasing excess water from rivers and canals into the ocean, and clearing obstructions from the regulators and spillways of dams were the other directions issued by Vijayan in the meeting, the CMO statement said. Besides that, he also ordered that trees, branches, hoardings and posts that may pose a danger to people should be removed before the rains. Hazard warnings should be displayed at tourist attractions and awareness created among the public living in hilly areas prone to landslides, he added.

Now, book a private train from Kerala

KOCHI: In a first, private trains will be available for tourists from Kerala to destinations such as Goa, Mumbai and Ayodhya. To begin with, the private train journey from the state to Goa will begin next month. The facility is being launched by SRMPR Global Railways, a Chennai-based tour operator, in partnership with the Kochi-based Princy World Travel Limited. An individual or a group of 600 passengers can book a private train journey to the three prominent destinations from Kerala, said officials. The inaugural journey is set to depart from Thiruvananthapuram on June 4 to Madgaon in Goa. The four-day tour package is available in three categories: 2-tier AC at Rs 16,400 per person, 3-tier AC at Rs 15,150 per person and non-AC sleeper at Rs 13,999. The package includes stay, food and sightseeing. Services like off-board travel and excursions by buses, stay at hotels, tour guides, meals and travel insurance are provided along with these train journeys and allied onboard services. Though the Indian Railways introduced the concept of private players operating tourist trains on theme-based circuits under the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains around a couple of years back, this is the first time that a private company is getting into this segment from Kerala. Earlier, such private train tours were launched from states such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. For instance, the government of Karnataka in association with IRCTC operates private trains to Kashi Prayag, Gaya and Ayodhya. Similarly, private trains are operated between Coimbatore and Shirdi. Plan to import private trains from Germany According to officials of Princy Tours, the trains are purchased by SRMPR from the Indian Railways to operate exclusively for tourism purposes. From Kerala, there are mainly three tour packages Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram to Goa (four-day package) and Thiruvananthapuram to Ayodhya (eight-day package), said Devika Menon, director of Princy World Travel Ltd. Plans are on to operate around 12 trains from Kerala. Once the initial three routes gain maximum traction, new routes will be introduced, she said. This train is being introduced on a trial basis.The SRMPR group will import special trains from Germany to run them privately. Hopefully, the trains will arrive by this year's end, she said. The trains have limited stops and only those who have booked the tickets can enter the train. A total of 60 staff, including the paramedical team and pantry are available onboard, said Devika Menon. The train is equipped with CCTV cameras and WiFi. As per the initial plan, the tourist train will operate to the specific destinations with a weeks gap. We have received the slots to operate from June to September. The dates for Mumbai and Ayodhya will be released soon, she said. The trains will have boarding from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod from Kerala.

CPI expect to win three LS seats in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI is optimistic of winning three out of the four seats it has contested in the Lok Sabha elections, according to the preliminary parliament election review of the partys state executive. The meeting held on Thursday evaluated that the party candidates would win in Thiruvananthapuram, Mavelikkara and Thrissur. In Wayanad, CPI calculates that it could lower the majority by half compared to the 2019 election when Rahul Gandhi won by a huge margin. In the capital, the party expects to win by a margin of 20,000 votes over their nearest rival. The state executive has asked the district councils to submit election review reports before May 10. There was criticism against the meeting of senior CPM leader E P Jayarajan with middleman T G Nandakumar. Some members raised anguish over EPs remarks on the day of polling as it might have affected the prospects of LDF. However, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam asked the members to keep restraint as the subject is related to CPM. CPM is evaluating the situation. Let them come to an understanding first, the secretary reportedly said.

Two die of heatstroke; Kerala gears up to meet the challenge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOZHIKODE: On a day two suspected heatstroke deaths were reported in Malappuram and Kozhikode, the state government swung into action on Thursday rolling out a series of measures to cope with the prevailing heatwave conditions. A high-level meeting of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to declare holiday for educational institutions, including professional colleges, till May 6. Meanwhile, a high level meeting attended by power minister K Krishnankutty and KSEB management decided not to go for load shedding in spite of the power crisis. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued heatwave alerts in Alappuzha, Palakkad, Thrissur and Kozhikode for Friday. It also issued a warm night warning in Alappuzha. Palakkad is likely to record a maximum temperature of 40 degree Celsius, Thrissur, Kollam and Kozhikode 39, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Kannur 38, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kasaragod 37, on Friday. Palakkad remained the warmest district with a maximum temperature of 40.4 degree Celsius on Thursday. Kozhikode city reported 39, which is 4.6 degree Celsius above the normal. Muhammad Haneefa, 63, a resident of Padinhattummuri in Malappuram, passed away while undergoing treatment for heatstroke at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on Thursday. He collapsed while working in a field near Tamarakuzhi on Wednesday. Preliminary assessment indicates dehydration to be the cause of hisdeath. Bijesh, a 41-year-old painter from Chakkumkadavu in Panniyankara, Kozhikode died of suspected heatstroke at his work site on Thursday. Feeling the heat Holiday for educational institutions, including professional colleges, till May 6 IMD issues heatwave alerts in Alappuzha, Palakkad, Thrissur and Kozhikode for Friday Warm night warning issued in Alappuzha CM calls for adjusting working hours to avoid direct sun In a statement issued the review meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, the chief minister called for adjusting the working hours for construction workers, farmers, street vendors, fishermen and other labourers so as avoid the sun between 11 am and 3 pm. The meeting has also directed to adjust the working hours at workplaces with asbestos, tin roofs and other heat-intensive environments. The meeting also decided to reschedule the parade and training sessions of police, fire brigade, NCC, SPC and other armed forces units accordingly. The fire department has been directed to carry out fire audits in vulnerable areas like markets, high rise buildings and waste management facilities. The meeting also decided to relocate people and migrant labourers residing in areas prone to heatwaves to safer locations or camps. All the cultural and sports events should be rescheduled to avoid direct sunlight. To protect animals during the heatwave, instructions have been given to provide water and shelter. Hospital and major government institutions have been asked to adhere to necessary disaster preparedness protocols. Pet care To protect animals during the heatwave, instructions have been given to provide water and shelter.

Kerala: Police ignore bus drivers complaint against mayor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving yet another twist to the road rage controversy, the Thiruvanannthapuram city police on Thursday refused to initiate action on the complaint lodged by the KSRTC driver against Mayor Arya Rajendran and her husband K M Sachin Dev, MLA, for allegedly obstructing his duty, resulting in the cancellation of the trip. However, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has registered a case based on the complaint by driver B L Yadhu. Kerala: KSRTC driver to take legal route as police refuse to act on his complaint Meanwhile, Kovalam MLA and Transport Democratic Federation president M Vincent warned that he would move the court of law if the state government shied away from initiating action against those police officials who refused to act on Yadhus complaint. The memory card of the CCTV cameras installed on the bus went missing the other day adding a new dimension to the entire episode. The loss was detected by KSRTC officials. Following a complaint by the Transport Officer, Thampanoor police have launched a probe and started collecting details of the KSRTC officials who had access to the bus after the incident. The memory card possibly had visuals captured by three cameras installed on the bus - one each on the dashboard, rear side and behind the drivers cabin facing the passengers. The camera footage could have revealed whether there was a race between the bus and the car and if anyone had forcefully evicted the passengers, as Yadhu alleged. However, the cameras were not positioned to record the lewd gesture allegedly made by the driver, which Arya claimed was the main cause of the incident. Panel seeks reports from police, KSRTC City Police Commissioner C Nagaraju said the bus had operated a Thrissur trip after the incident. We have to get the statements of the staff who operated the trip. We will also prepare a list of those who work in the Thampanoor depot and have access to the bus. Their statements will also be recorded, he said. A police source said Yadhu filed the petition against the mayor and the MLA as a counter to Aryas complaint. Its his normal defensive mechanism when in trouble. He had employed the same strategy on at least two occasions in the past once when he was accused of committing serious offence against a woman and the other against a differently abled man. In both cases, the victims withdrew their complaint after Yadhu filed counter-petitions. He is resorting to the same tactics here, the source said. The KSHRC has sought reports from the police and the KSRTC on the action taken on Yadhus complaint. It has posted the case for hearing on May 9. Meanwhile, the City Cyber police have registered two cases for alleged cyber attacks on the mayor. Satheesan alleges conspiracy behind missing memory card from bus Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has alleged a political conspiracy behind the missing memory cards from the CCTV cameras fixed inside the KSRTC bus that was waylaid by Mayor Arya Rajendran. He has also demanded the police register a case against the mayor and her relatives for stopping the bus from plying and urging passengers to leave. Satheesan alleged that Arya and her husband, Balussery MLA Sachin Dev, deliberately removed the memory card to escape the wrath of the people or else their claims would sound hollow.

Kerala government to increase Plus-I seats

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet has decided to allow more batches in government and aided schools in different districts to address the shortage of Plus-I seats. As per the decision, seats will be increased by 30% at government schools in seven districts -- Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. The cabinet has also decided to bring in a 20% increase in Plus-I seats in aided schools in these districts. In addition, a 10% increase in seats will be allowed at aided schools that demand more batches. The marginal increase in new batches will be made without creating an additional financial burden for the government. It is learned that sanction would also be given for a 20% increase in seats at all government and aided schools in Kollam, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, in addition to Ambalappuzha and Cherhala taluks in Alappuzha district. There will be no increase in Plus-I seats in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts. The 77 higher secondary batches sanctioned on a temporary basis in 2022-23 and the 97 temporary batches in 2023-24 will continue, subject to clearance from the finance department. Sanctioning 178 additional batches would give the government a financial burden to the tune of about Rs 19 crore.

Kerala: Climate change reality gets heatwave check

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Valerian Isaac, a traditional fisherman from Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram, is deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on his livelihood and the overall quality of life. He used to enjoy his summer with the sea cooling down when folks in the town sweltered in the heat. The situation however has changed dramatically. The sea has warmed up significantly. Consequently, the fish have migrated to cooler waters away from the coast. Previously, we relied on good winds and occasional rains to alleviate the heat. But this summer has proven to be the toughest yet, Isaac said. With the dwindling catch, only a handful of fishermen dare to venture out into the sea in his area. And they are not the only ones suffering. Adverse weather has also affected autorickshaw drivers, tour operators, vegetable vendors and those in the construction sector. As the government considers imposing further restrictions on operations between 11am and 3pm, the livelihoods of even more sectors hang in the balance. Isaac, like many others, had not heard of the term El Nino, a climate phenomenon responsible for warming the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean and often cited as a primary cause of harsh summers. However, he, along with the rest of the populace, has become acquainted with the term heatwave in recent times. Its sudden appearance in the vocabulary coincided with its confirmation in Palakkad on April 26, the day of the general elections. Such weather was once considered unusual, mostly associated with the traditional hot regions of the country. The India Meteorological Department first issued a heatwave alert in Kerala in 2016, the warmest year on record for the state, primarily focused on Palakkad. This year, the focus has again been on Palakkad which experienced scorching temperatures throughout April, with Thrissur following suit. Subsequently, heatwave alerts were issued for Kollam, Kozhikode and Alappuzha, as temperatures in these districts deviated from the norm significantly. A majority of those belonging to the fishing community in Perumathura in Thiruvananthapuram are spending their time under the shade of coconut palms. The reason being the roofs of their homes are made of asbestos and tin sheets, which increase the heat Weather experts assert the situation is similar across south and east India. An Asia-wide heatwave map published by international weather agencies depicts most countries in the region coloured in red. The temperature rise is attributed to global warming induced by climate change. The impact of El Nino exacerbates the situation, said D Sivananda Pai, senior scientist and ADGM of India Meteorological Department. According to him, the dry weather in Kerala has increased the temperature. In Palakkad, the relative humidity is now in the 30-40% range in comparison to the normal 60-80%. Thats why the temperature remains high. The condition is worse for people living in more humid areas as high moisture content does not help reduce body temperature, he said. Like this year, 2016 too was an El Nino year. While it was the warmest year in recent history, the damage, technically, was limited to a heatwave alert in Palakkad. What makes the conditions worse than 2016 is the absence of summer rain, especially in the northern districts, and the land use and land cover changes because of urbanisation, said Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Weather experts pointed out the situation is likely to improve by the second week of May when summer rains are expected to be more regular. The El Nino effect is expected to be neutral during the time of monsoon, but the experts have a warning the next El Nino year could be much worse than 2024. What is heatwave? Qualitatively, heatwave is a condition of air temperature that becomes fatal to human body when exposed. Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal. Criterion for declaring heatwave Heatwave is considered to be in effect if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40Celsius or more in the plains, at least 30Celsius or more in hilly regions, and 37 Celsius or more in coastal regions. The departure from normal is 4.5 to 6.4Celsius. If the above criteria is met in at least two stations in a meteorological sub-division for at least two consecutive days, a heatwave is declared on the second day. A woman carrying a pedestal fan on a two-wheeler in Kochi. With mercury level going up, residents are opting for various methods to beat the scorching heat Heatwave prone states Heatwave generally occurs over the plains of northwest India and central, east and north peninsular India from March to June. It covers Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Sometimes, it occurs over Tamil Nadu and Kerala too. Impact of heatwave Water stress Health problems Livelihood problems Heatwave in Kerala First alert - Palakkad, in 2016 First alert - Kozhikode - 2020 First confirmation this year - Palakkad, on April 26 First alert in Alappuzha - April 30 Reasons for heatwave Global warming El Nino Absence of summer rain Urbanisation Number of days above 40 degrees Celsius in April in Kerala 2024 - 16 (15 in Palakkad) 2023 - 3 2016 - 14 1989 - 8

Poacher star makes a hit

THRISSUR: 'Poacher', the miniseries streaming on Amazon Prime Video, has been receiving widespread applause since its release in February this year. The series based on elephant poaching, grabbed movie buffs attention for its storyline, visuals and cast. As the story is set in Kerala, Malayali actors also starred in the series, making it an instant hit in the southern state. Thiruvananthapuram native Ankith Madhav, who played the role of Vijay Babu, the lazy forest officer who later becomes an inevitable character as the story moves ahead, has been on cloud nine ever since the release of the series. Through his appearances in numerous advertisements, including sharing the screen with M S Dhoni, Ankith is now a pan-Indian face. Born and brought up in Kerala, Ankith carried his dream to be an actor since childhood. However, surrendering to societal and familial pressures, he pursued engineering and moved to Mumbai for a job. Practising in front of a mirror and challenging my own limitations helped me overcome my fear of cameras. Now, the camera is my best friend. As I lacked a godfather in the industry, I had to struggle a lot to prove myself. I was so obsessed with acting that I kept attending auditions and acted in ad films. It helped build professionalism in me, he shared. Before immersing into the field of cinema, Ankith pursued an acting course at Brian Timony Acting School in London. Though he made his debut through the Malayalam film 'Solo', it was the role in Madhavan-starrer 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect' that garnered him a mark as an actor. Later, the role of Yogesh Yadav in Mammootty-starrer 'Kannur Squad' ensured a place for Ankith in the hearts of Malayalis. However, the character of Vijay in 'Poacher' stood entirely different. Acting in 'Poacher' was a learning lesson for me. I was initially auditioned for a short character named Babu. But later, Richie Mehta, the director of the show, decided to give me a big role, he said. With earning more attention for his roles, Ankith is all set to move on to the next projects, determined to keep the pace up.

Miraculous escape for passengers as car gets trapped between truck and bus in Thrissur

Seizure of 1 crore: Money was taken to bank on direction of I-T department, says CPI(M) Thrissur district secretary

Banks mistake in erroneously recording PAN number led to freezing of account, says M.M. Varghese

Heatwave warning for Palakkad, Thrissur and Kozhikode

The State Government rescheduled the working hours of labourers in the State providing rest for them between 12 noon to 3 p.m.

In a first, Alappuzha sizzles under heatwave threat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Palakkad and Thrissur districts having experienced heatwaves over the past few days, Alappuzha is now facing a looming threat of similar conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert along with a warm night warning for Alappuzha, marking the first instance of such an advisory in the district. The alert indicates that both daytime and night temperatures are expected to remain uncomfortably high. Alappuzha has been experiencing a noticeable increase in temperature this summer, with Tuesday recording 37.1Celsius. Monday had seen a record-breaking high for April, with the mercury soaring to 38.3Celsius. The high humidity in Alappuzha is a criterion considered for the heatwave alert. While other districts have a criteria of 40Celsius, Alappuzha requires only 37Celsius along with a departure of 4.5Celsius to be considered for the alert, said Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. The rise in sea surface temperature attributed to El Nino is a major contributing factor to the rise in temperature this year. Besides the changes in the local land conditions and absence of summer rains worsened the weather condition, he added. IMD issued a warm night alert in Alappuzha on Tuesday based on the unusual departure of over 4Celsius in minimum temperature. On Tuesday, the Met department on Tuesday issued heatwave alerts in Palakkad, Thrissur and Kozhikode, besides Alappuzha, until May 2. While IMD extended the orange alert in Palakkad, it issued yellow alerts in the other three districts. Palakkad is likely to record a maximum temperature of 41Celsius. A construction worker quenching his thirst during the days work at Chala market in Thiruvananthapuram | Vincent Pulickal Be on guard The IMD on Tuesday issued heatwave alerts in Palakkad, Alappuzha, Thrissur and Kozhikode until May 2 Monday saw Alappuzha recording an all-time high for April, with the mercury soaring to 38.3Celsius Warm night alert in Alappuzha on Tuesday based on the unusual departure of over 4Celsius in minimum temperature IMD extends orange alert in Palakkad Thrissur is likely to record a maximum temperature of 40Celsius, Kozhikode 39Celsius and Alappuzha 38 Celsius during the period. Palakkad escaped the heatwave condition by a slight margin, thereby breaking the trend of the past four days. The district reported 40.4Celsius, which is 4.4Celsius above the normal on the day. Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Thrissur and Kozhikode reported temperatures 3-3.5Celsius above the normal. Southern districts received rain in many places, with isolated pockets receiving thunderstorms.

Pre-monsoon cleaning activities being initiated in Kerala to counter epidemic outbreaks

High likelihood of major dengue outbreak in State during May-July; According to disease surveillance reports, dengue fever seems to show a slight increase in all districts, especially Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur

CPI(M) Thrissur DCs 1 crore seized by I-T department

Money brought to be deposited in Bank of Indias Thrissur branch

Families navigate high costs and scarce resources in Kerala's autism landscape

KOCHI: Preetha G P, the mother of 20-year-old Siddharth, realised her son had severe autism when he was just three. When she saw her son exhibiting delayed communication and restlessness in pre-school, she took him for a check-up. This was years ago. Back then, such conditions were unheard of. My son did say some words in the beginning, but his prolonged difficulty in verbal and emotional expression was concerning. He was diagnosed with Level-3 ASD, formerly known as low-functioning autism, says Preetha, a small-scale entrepreneur hailing from Thiruvananthapuram. Therapy and proper guidance help people on the autism spectrum get basic chores done. It includes self grooming, behaving according to various situations, etc. However, access to therapy is still not a feasible option for many, she says. For this, inclusivity is a must. People on the autism spectrum need to have social interaction with those not on the spectrum. This is what Ive always struggled to achieve, Preetha explains. According to her, in Kerala, there is a dearth of accessible facilities like therapy centres and schools that help in the development of people with autism. However, either itll be too expensive, or wont have enough resources available as per requirement. I dont expect to get my son educated, because his learning skills are poor. However, I want him to develop the capability to function in my absence, she says. Dr Arun B Nair, consultant psychiatrist at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, rejects terms like high functioning and low functioning as such labels can cause miscommunication and increase stigma. Also, neither one describes the level of ability across multiple categories, he says. He broadly explains autism thus: Autism is a communication disorder and is a broad term. Only around 1/3rd of the population on the spectrum has normal intelligence. This is what people interpret as high functioning. Of them, only 10 per cent would be exceptional in one skill, that is called savant syndrome, he says. If we can identify a persons forte and provide ample training, they will be able to function without much intervention. He cites one example. Years ago, parents brought a Class X boy for consultation, saying they werent able to find a rehabilitation centre for him. They were from a rural area and were finding it difficult to look after him. The boy never looked at my face. But he was scribbling something on a piece of paper. After consultation, I saw that he drew quite a decent portrait of me. I told his parents to channel resources to help him excel in this skill, he says. However, the doctor explains that not many children with autism will stick to a routine. So trainers have to schedule according to the students convenience. After proper treatment and guidance, the boy has grown up to be a designer. He is working in an advertising firm in Bengaluru, says Arun. Affordability & accessibility Dr Jayasree, whose son is now 22 years old, was adamant about not taking her son to a special school. She wanted him to interact with peers who werent from the same background. She believes such social interactions are beneficial, especially with students outside of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as they can improve their analytical capability. I took him to several schools. However, they all said the school management wont be liable if my son faces mistreatment by the so-called normal students. After much searching, a top school in Ernakulam agreed to enrol him on the condition of hiring a shadow teacher at an additional cost on top of the already high fees. There were quite a few staff and students who supported him, Jayasree says. The social environment has been beneficial for him. However, Jayasree says, affordability is one major concern when it comes to the development of children on the spectrum, and one of the major factors that caters to their well-being is therapy. Occupational therapy, speech, behavioural modification, and sensory integration... all help one to function smoothly. Private-run institutes are proven to be effective, but it is not feasible for most parents. For 45 minutes of training, the cost ranges from `100 to `1,000, sometimes higher, she explains. Autism affects people from all walks of life. But what about those who are financially struggling? she asks. Ive seen instances of mothers tying up their children at homes when they go to work. No parent wants to do this. Arent they also part of society? The service has to penetrate the grassroots level. Need for inclusive education Dr Arun confirms that the state isnt fully equipped with the necessary facilities. According to recent studies, in every 50 births, one child might be on the spectrum. In that sense, we require facilities even at taluk level, including psychiatric departments. This will help them get treatment near their houses and avoid travelling long distances, he says. Preetha has now found her son in a residential facility in Thrissur for training and therapy. Since Sidharth doesnt have access to education, she makes sure to include social activities in his routine. A few years ago, during a summer vacation, I took Sidharth to a swimming camp. Swimming can improve motor skills, speech, cognitive ability and confidence. However, he was denied access to the facility, as they dont have staff to train children with autism. She also adds that when Sidharth was sent to school he also faced physical torture. The staff mistreat children when it becomes difficult to discipline them, she alleges. However, many on the spectrum cannot express what they feel and experience. It was a few students with Down syndrome who spoke to me and showed marks on their body, Preetha explains. Training and therapy According to Dr P Bhanumathi, founder of AMHA Autism Centre in Thrissur, which has been functioning as a non-profit organisation for the last 28 years, daily therapy is required for children with ASD. Aside from education, the next priority is to make them capable of doing things on their own. For that, we also have ADL (Activities in Daily Life), like grooming, making the bed, preparing food, and how to behave with visitors. Autism is a spectrum that requires more intervention, she says. Bhanumathi says as per his knowledge, there arent any solid government programmes or facilities accessible to a large number of people. As a result, private institutes are mushrooming, presenting themselves as game-changers. But many end up not being helpful to the children, she adds. She cites cost as one reason. One need to spend `1,000 per hour, which may add up close to `Rs 40,000 a month. Not many can afford it. And if parents discontinues classes, after a few months of seeing improvement, then the childs development may regress. Another major issue, she says, is access to dedicated rehabilitation facilities. Her centre in Thrissur accommodates people above 18 years old. Currently, we are at capacity with 60 members. And the oldest is 72 years old, she says. People on the spectrum, as they grow up, suffer from the absence of their guardians, as aged parents and financially struggling families find it difficult to look after them. Where will these people go? There should be similar organisations accommodating those above 18 years, Bhanumathi adds. And she points out the main hindrance the lack of aid from the government. Employment When it comes to employment opportunities, so far no person on the autistic spectrum has secured a government job in the state, though a reservation is available. As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which is in line with the principles of the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, there is 4% reservation for all persons with disabilities. Under the Act, theres a 1 per cent reservation exclusive for people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and on the autism spectrum. However, it hasnt yet been executed. Once a list of eligible persons are prepared, some would get government jobs, says Jalaja S, additional director of the social justice department. For special care According to Shooja S Y, state programme officer, Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), autism centres have started functioning at 168 block resource centres. The centres are equipped with therapists and special educators, he says.Students in government and aided schools who require additional support are referred to the centres. There are 2,886 special educators available in schools along with 1,468 special care centres. However, this is still not enough. The role of special educators is to empower general teachers and help them guide the students effectively. Unfortunately, most of the autism centres lack speech therapy, sensory integration therapy and such facilities. Fund for the same has to be approved, he says.

LDF hopeful of winning majority seats in Kerala: State Secretary M V Govindan

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan on Monday exuded confidence that the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) would win a majority of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala. Addressing a press conference after the state secretariat of the CPM, the first meeting of the party leadership after the polls on April 26, Govindan said the people had rejected Narendra Modis much-touted guarantees. The BJP which started off talking about beneficiary schemes that did not evoke much response from the people, has now shifted its priorities and was unleashing communal propaganda to polarise the society. The CPM state secretary accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of carrying out a communal campaign directly to polarise the elections. He has started dividing the society on religious lines after finding that the Ram Temple and CAA issue had not gone down with the people as the BJP expected. The CPM leader hit out at the BJP-RSS for using all possible tactics in Kerala to polarise the society on religious lines. There was an attempt to polarise the voters in Vadakara constituency. He said the CPM hopes that a secular government will come to power at the Centre after the polls. In Kerala, the LDF is expected to perform very well as Rahul Gandhis influence did not do wonders this time like in 2019 when the UDF won 19 of the 20 seats. This will be reflected in the Wayanad verdict as well, he said. Govindan said the BJP would not be able to open its account in Kerala this time also. It will come third in Thrissur, a seat that the BJP leadership is claiming that it would win this time. Jayarajan issue Govindan said that the CPM state secretariat has directed E P Jayarajan to take legal action against those who levelled allegations against him in connection with his meeting with the BJP Kerala in-charge Prakash Javadekar. Jayarajan will continue as the LDF convenor. At the meeting, Jayarajan said the allegations were part of a conspiracy hatched by the anti-communist forces in the state to weaken the CPM. The party also asked him to snap ties with people like broker Nandakumar and exercise caution while meeting people. The LDF convenors meeting with Javadekar had triggered a major controversy on the polling day with a senior BJP leader Shobha Surendran claiming that Jayarajan had plans to join their party.

Kerala court sentences man to cumulative 106-year jail term for rape of mentally challenged girl

Kerala court sentences man to cumulative 106-year jail term for rape of mentally challenged girl A Kerala court on Monday sentenced a 44-year-old man to a cumulative 106 years' imprisonment for raping and impregnating a 15-year-old mentally challenged girl in this mountainous district of the state. Devikulam Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) Judge Sirajuddin P A handed down varying sentences to the man, who was a friend of the victim's mother, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for a total of 106 years, Special Public Prosecutor Smiju K Das said. However, as the sentences will be served concurrently and the highest of the jail terms given to the man is 22 years, he will be serving 22 years in prison. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 60,000 on the man. If the convict does not pay the fine amount, he will have to undergo an additional 22 months of rigorous imprisonment. The court ordered that if the accused pays the fine, the amount should be paid to the girl as compensation from the victim compensation scheme of the Idukki District Legal Services Authority. The incident took place in 2022 when the accused, a native of Thrissur, had come to Adimali for work. He had been working together with the girl's mother in a hotel and, after becoming friendly with her, he stayed with them in her house. Then, when the girl's mother and siblings were not at home, the accused began sexually exploiting the girl. He had also threatened the girl, saying that he would kill her if she disclosed the incidents to them. The incidents came to light when the mother brought the girl to Adimali Taluk Hospital due to physical difficulties, and the doctor found out that the girl was pregnant. The doctor reported the incident to the police. The pregnancy of the girl was aborted at Idukki Medical College Hospital. Subsequently, DNA tests were conducted on the medical samples of the aborted foetus of the girl and the accused, revealing that the father of the unborn child of the girl was the accused.

Kerala Registers 71.27% Voter Turnout in Lok Sabha Elections: EC

Kerala Registers 71.27% Voter Turnout in Lok Sabha Elections: EC Kerala has registered 71.27 per cent voter turnout in the April 26 Lok Sabha polls, according to the updated figures released by the Election Commission on Monday. As many as 71.27 per cent of votes were cast on polling day in the state, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said. Out of the total 27,749,158 voters in the state, 19,777,478 voted through the electronic voting machines on April 26. Among these, 9,475,090 were male voters, 10, 302, 238 were female voters, and 150 were transgender voters, he said in a statement. The highest polling was registered in Vadakara constituency with 78.41 per cent, where 1,114,950 voters cast their votes. The lowest was in the Pathanamthitta constituency with 63.37 per cent, where only 906,051 of 1,429,700 voters cast their votes, Kaul said. The updated polling percentage in other constituencies are: Thiruvananthapuram (66.47), Attingal (69.48), Kollam (68.15), Mavelikkara (65.95), Alappuzha (75.05), Kottayam (65.61), Idukki (66.55), Eranakulam (68.29), Chalakudy (71.94), Thrissur (72.90), Palakkad (73.57), Alathur (73.42), Ponnani (69.34), Malappuram (72.95), Kozhikode (75.52), Wayanad (73.57), Vadakara (78.41), Kannur (77.21) and Kasaragod (76.04). In the absentee voter category, 1,80,865 votes were recorded, and in the category for officials on election duty, 41,904 postal votes were polled. Absentee voters include those belonging to the age group of over 85 years, voters with disabilities, those affected by COVID-19, and essential service workers. As many as 57,849 military personnel have applied in the service voters category, and 8,277 votes have been sent as of April 27. Service votes will continue to be accepted until the counting begins, the Chief Electoral Officer added.

Heatwave threat: IMD issues orange alert in Keralas Palakkad

IMD issues yellow alert in some areas of Kollam and Thrissur districts in the wake of scorching heat and due to possible threat of heatwave

Two security staff of Vellanikkara Service Co-op Bank found dead in Thrissur

THRISSUR: In a shocking incident, two security staff of Vellanikkara Service Cooperative Bank were found dead in the branch office inside Kerala Agriculture University campus in Thrissur on Monday. The deceased have been identified as Antony and Aravindakshan, both natives of Vellanikkara. Antony was found dead in the office with bruises and wounds all over the body. Meanwhile, Aravindhakshan was found dead in a drainage canal outside the office building. It was one of the bank's cleaning staff who noticed Antony lying motionless in the office around morning. Later, the manager and another staff member reached the office, and informed the police. The police arrived at the scene around 8 am and have launched an investigation into their deaths. They suspect that Arvindakshan took his own life after killing Antony, as indicated by the injuries on the latter's body. However, the cause of death and further details could only be revealed after an elaborate probe and post-mortem, said an official.

Two succumb to sunstroke as Kerala swelters in severe heat

The greenery along the roadside near Vandipetta in Kozhikode provides some relief to people in the summer heat. (Photo: Venugopal) The greenery along the roadside near Vandipetta in Kozhikode provides some relief to people in the summer heat. (Photo: Venugopal) Kannur/Palakkad/Thiruvananthapuram: Two persons--a man in his 50s and an elderly woman--have succumbed to sunstroke in Kerala as the southern state grapples with severe heat conditions, disrupting daily life, officials said on Sunday. Heat-related fatalities were reported in the north Kerala districts of Kannur and Palakkad. As Kerala battles severe heat, the meteorological department has issued a maximum temperature warning for 12 districts for the upcoming five days. In response to the escalating temperatures affecting everyday life, the Women and Child Development Department has opted to suspend preschool activities in anganwadis in the state for a week. A Palakkad district health official stated that the 90-year-old woman was found dead in a canal in Elappully village on Sunday. The woman, a dementia patient, had suffered a sunstroke after venturing out of her home. Her post-mortem revealed burn injuries on her body which confirmed the sunstroke, the health official said. Last week, a man was found dead with burn injuries in the district, the official added, advising people not to step out of their homes between 11 am and 3 pm. A health official in Kannur district said a 53-year-old man who was being treated at a private hospital for sunstroke died in the early hours of Sunday. The man, originally from nearby Mahe, had suffered from sunstroke while involved in digging a well in the Pallur area near Chokli on April 26, the official said. He had symptoms of breathlessness and was immediately taken to a primary health center and later shifted to another hospital in Kannur. His condition worsened on Sunday morning and he died. Although there were no burn injuries on his body, he had other symptoms of sunstroke. The official confirmed that the case is being treated as a sunstroke-related incident. According to the IMD and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, there's a possibility of a heatwave in certain areas in Kollam, Palakkad, and Thrissur districts. Maximum temperatures are very likely to be around 41C in the Palakkad district, around 40C in Kollam & Thrissur districts, around 38 degree C in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode & Kannur districts, and around 37 degree C in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Malappuram & Kasaragod districts, and around 36 degree C in Thiruvananthapuram district (3 to 5C above normal) during April 28th to May 2nd, 2024, the weather agencies said. These districts are expected to experience hot and humid weather conditions, excluding hilly areas, from April 28th to May 2nd, due to elevated temperatures and humidity levels, they added. Additionally, there is a likelihood of heatwave conditions occurring in one or two locations within Kollam, Palakkad, and Thrissur districts specifically on April 28th and 29th, the agencies added.

Sunstroke claims 2 lives; heatwave alert in Palakkad, Thrissur, Kollam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOCHI: The punishing heat, which is keeping Kerala on its toes, is likely to continue for the rest of the week. Two persons died of sunstroke in Palakkad and Kannur over the past two days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave alert in Palakkad, Thrissur and Kollam on Monday based on the persistent high temperature in these districts. While Palakkad where heatwave conditions prevail remained the hottest place in the state with the maximum temperature hovering above 41Celsius, mercury levels are expected to cross 40Celsius in Thrissur and Kollam. According to the forecast, the maximum temperature in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Kannur will be 38Celsius, and 37Celsius in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts till May 2. In Thiruvananthapuram district, the temperature can reach up to 36Celsius. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature in these districts are 3-5Celsius higher than normal. Meanwhile, the sweltering heat is taking a toll on people as a 90-year-old woman died due to heatstroke in Palakkad on Saturday. Paramedu Nallambarikkal Lakshmi, a resident of Elappully, was found lying unconscious in the Aliyar canal on Saturday evening with sunburn marks on her body. The postmortem examination on Sunday confirmed heatstroke as the cause of death. In another incident, U M Vishwanathan, a 53-year-old resident of Pandakkal in Mahe, who was under treatment at a private hospital in Kannur after suffering sunstroke, died on Sunday morning. Vishwanathan reportedly suffered sunstroke while digging a well in a field at Nedubram. On Sunday, Kottayam reported a record-breaking maximum temperature of 38.5Celsius, the highest ever in April for the district. Similarly, Alappuzha matched its highest maximum temperature for April since 1987, hitting 38Celsius, the Met department said. The exacerbation of heatwave and heatstroke conditions can be attributed to the combined effects of anthropogenic global warming and heightened urbanisation, said Dr S Abhilash, director, the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, Cusat. Pre-school activities in anganwadis suspended Express News Service @Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi Kerala is currently experiencing rapid and extensive urbanisation, which may significantly contribute to the exacerbation of the severe and unusual heat conditions in the region, Abhilash said. The maximum temperature in Palakkad has risen over 5Celsius above the normal temperature, in the past three days. Hot and uncomfortable weather is very likely over Kerala, excluding hilly areas, with the maximum temperature likely to surpass the 95th percentile of climatological values in certain locations during the next 24 hours. Relative humidity in the range 55-65%, particularly in coastal and interior areas, further contributes to the discomfort caused by high temperatures and humidity, said the IMD. As per weather experts, the hot and dry condition is likely to continue for a week in northern Kerala, while the southern districts may receive isolated rain. It was on Friday that the MET department confirmed the heatwave condition in Palakkad district, though there were alerts earlier. Districts such as Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Kollam and Kasaragod are also expected to experience a temperature 2-5.5Celsius above the normal. The IMD recorded 41.8Celsius which was just 0.1Celsius less than the all-time high of 41.9Celsius recorded in 2016 in Palakkad on Saturday. Meanwhile, the women and child development department has decided to suspend pre-school activities in anganwadis in the state for a week due to high temperature. Other functions of the anganwadis will continue as usual and children will be delivered supplementary nutrition at home during the period, said the statement. (With bureau inputs)

Kerala Braces for Scorching Heat as Sunstroke Claims Two Lives

Kerala Braces for Scorching Heat as Sunstroke Claims Two Lives Two persons--a man in his 50s and an elderly woman--have succumbed to sunstroke in Kerala as the southern state grapples with severe heat conditions, disrupting daily life, officials said on Sunday. Heat-related fatalities were reported in the north Kerala districts of Kannur and Palakkad. As Kerala battles severe heat, the meteorological department has issued a maximum temperature warning for 12 districts for the upcoming five days. In response to the escalating temperatures affecting everyday life, the Women and Child Development Department has opted to suspend preschool activities in anganwadis in the state for a week. A Palakkad district health official stated that the 90-year-old woman was found dead in a canal in Elappully village on Sunday. The woman, a dementia patient, had suffered a sunstroke after venturing out of her home. Her post-mortem revealed burn injuries on her body which confirmed the sunstroke, the health official said. Last week, a man was found dead with burn injuries in the district, the official added, advising people not to step out of their homes between 11 am and 3 pm. A health official in Kannur district said a 53-year-old man who was being treated at a private hospital for sunstroke died in the early hours of Sunday. The man, originally from nearby Mahe, had suffered from sunstroke while involved in digging a well in the Pallur area near Chokli on April 26, the official said. He had symptoms of breathlessness and was immediately taken to a primary health center and later shifted to another hospital in Kannur. His condition worsened on Sunday morning and he died. Although there were no burn injuries on his body, he had other symptoms of sunstroke. The official confirmed that the case is being treated as a sunstroke-related incident. According to the IMD and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, there's a possibility of a heatwave in certain areas in Kollam, Palakkad, and Thrissur districts. ''Maximum temperatures are very likely to be around 41C in the Palakkad district, around 40C in Kollam & Thrissur districts, around 38C in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode & Kannur districts, and around 37C in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Malappuram & Kasaragod districts, and around 36C in Thiruvananthapuram district (3 to 5C above normal) during April 28th to May 2nd, 2024,'' the weather agencies said. These districts are expected to experience hot and humid weather conditions, excluding hilly areas, from April 28th to May 2nd, due to elevated temperatures and humidity levels, they added. Additionally, there is a likelihood of heatwave conditions occurring in one or two locations within Kollam, Palakkad, and Thrissur districts specifically on April 28th and 29th, the agencies added.

KSRTC driver booked for allegedly misbehaving with Thiruvananthapuram Mayor

The incident occurred after the driver of a Thrissur-Thiruvananthapuram Super Fast bus was confronted by Mayor Arya Rajendran, who accused the driver of driving recklessly and obstructing their path

IMD warns of prolonged heatwave in Kerala; temperatures 5 degrees Celsius above normal in Palakkad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IMD forecasts that Palakkad's unusual temperature will persist for the next 24 hours due to ongoing heatwave conditions. The district has remained the hottest place in Kerala, throughout April. In the last three days, the maximum temperature in Palakkad has risen over 5 degrees Celsius above the normal temperature. Hot and uncomfortable weather is very likely over Kerala, excluding hilly areas, with the maximum temperature likely to surpass the 95th percentile of climatological values in certain locations during the next 24 hours. Relative humidity in the range 55-65%, particularly in coastal and interior areas, further contributing to the discomfort caused by high temperatures and humidity, said IMD. According to weather experts, the hot and dry condition is likely to continue for a week in Northern Kerala, while the Southern districts are expected to receive isolated rainfall. It was only on Friday that the Met Department confirmed the heatwave condition in the district, though there were alerts earlier. Apart from Palakkad, the districts such as Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Kollam and Kasaragod are expected to have 2 to 5.5 degrees Celsius above the normal temperature. The IMD recorded 41.8 degrees Celsius, which was just 0.1 degree Celsius less than the all-time high of 41.9 degrees Celsius, in Palakkad on Saturday.

Kerala LS polls: BJP pins its hopes on TPuram and Thrissur

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Despite low polling percentage in the state, the BJP is pinning its hopes on Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur constituencies. In Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP hopes to win by a narrow margin with the leads it expected from four assembly constituencies in the city and an increase in the number of Christian votes. According to the BJP leadership, the UDF candidate got the maximum number of votes from Christian minority areas and Hindu areas in the 2019 parliament election. Hence, it thinks that the UDF would not get the votes it got last time. Low voter turnout in Kerala's Christian stronghold raises questions of communitys disengagement This time the BJP will get a portion of CSI and Latin Catholic community votes. Moreover, the quantum of votes the UDF candidate got last time from Hindu communities would not go to the front this time. The BJP will benefit from that. The partys performance in the coastal constituencies is also expected to add to the overall votes received by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP national executive member P K Krishnadas told TNIE. In Thrissur also BJP expects to pocket a portion of Christian community votes. In the two constituencies, the BJP is not afraid of polarisation of Muslim community votes as the party has factored in the Muslim votes based on the pattern of voting in the 2019 election. Apart from the partys traditional Nair votes, a large section of Ezhava community votes would also help the BJP win the two seats, sources said. In Attingal where Union minister V Muraleedharan is contesting, the party is hopeful of a favourable verdict as the constituency has a large number of majority community votes.

Kerala LS polls: UDF camp confident of clean sweep

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : A day after voting, the Congress exuded confidence of a clean sweep in the Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modis hate speech in Rajasthan and anti-Pinarayi factor worked in favour of the UDF, which had a week ago apprehensive of winning even half a dozen seats. On poll eve, Congress said there was tough contest in Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal, Thrissur, Alathur, Vadakara and Palakkad seats. UDF Thrissur candidate K Muraleedharan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram after casting vote that the understanding between CPM and BJP was to ensure 18 seats for LDF and two for BJP. On Saturday, he told TNIE that a majority of CPM workers and loyalists did not vote in Thrissur as they were directed to endorse BJP leader Suresh Gopi. Senior Congress leader V M Sudheeran told TNIE that anti-Modi and anti-Pinarayi sentiments turned out to be crucial in favour of the UDF. The two factors have helped UDF clinch success, he said.

A Central Pilgrim Police Force would contribute to positive experience for all

Thrissur in Central Kerala erupted into controversy days before the crucial Lok Sabha polls after reports of police high-handedness during the famous Thrissur Pooram festival surfaced. The delay in the customary fireworks display, excessive restrictions imposed on devotees and police lathi charge on devotees sparked widespread outrage. Under attack from every corner, the state government transferred the errant police commissioner, attempting to douse the raging flames of public anger. This incident has become a burning issue, and could sway voters in the Thrissur constituency. Having studied in Thrissur for four years during my college days, Thrissur Pooram has been always close to my heart. Police used to handle lakhs of people who throng this small central Kerala city in a remarkable manner. However, for the past two years, it has been mismanaged in the worst possible way. It seems that the present crop of Thrissur police officers are neither trained in handling the crowd nor do they have the sensitivity or sensibility about the sanctity of this age-old festival. It also shows that passing the glorified civil service examination is no guarantee for common sense. The Indian civil service training is still archaic and is yet to come out of the colonial-era mentality of treating the Indian public as slaves and servants of the colony. It is not the first time that the police is found wanting in crowd management in pilgrimage places. The issue is going to get worse over time. India is witnessing an unparalleled flow of pilgrims every year. The rise in economic means, ease of transport and the rise in religiosity is ensuring that our already crowded and mismanaged tourist towns will be under severe strain in the future. From the kanwariya yatra in Delhi to the Kumbh Melas congregation, managing such mammoth gatherings is a Herculean task. The kanwariya yatra, a pan-Indian phenomenon, sees scores of Shiva devotees undertake an arduous journey on foot to fetch sacred Ganga water. As the yatris converge in Delhi, the already-congested roads transform into veritable human rivers, posing an enormous logistical nightmare. Crowd management becomes a gargantuan exercise, with the potential for even minor incidents to trigger chaotic stampedes. If the kanwariya represents an annual challenge, the Kumbh Mela is the ultimate test of organisational mettle. During this grandest of Hindu pilgrimages, the tidal wave of humanity that washes over the designated mela grounds seems to defy comprehension. The 2019 Kumbh hosted a staggering 240 million visitors, more than the entire population of Brazil. Erecting a virtual city with adequate infrastructure, security and facilities is an exercise of incredible proportions that puts even the most robust systems under severe strain. Striking a balance between age-old traditions and contemporary perspectives becomes a tightrope walk for law enforcement agencies. Any perceived misstep can fuel unrest, potentially sparking communal tensions. Overcrowding, lack of proper crowd management plans, and limited infrastructure to handle emergencies are recurring issues that endanger lives. Our police force is already burdened with the management of the regular law and order issues, catering to the VIP movements and traffic. It is short of manpower, infrastructure or training to handle the pilgrim centres and festivals. Respecting the delicate fabric of religious sentiments and traditions while keeping up law and order is an act that requires empathy and sensitivity. The insensible way the Thrissur police force handled the famed Pooram would have led to riots and stampedes in any other part of the country. What prevented a mishap was the restraint shown by the common people in the face of extreme provocation. Recognising the unique challenges posed by managing massive crowds at religious gatherings, it would be better if a dedicated central police force trained specifically for this purpose is established. Similar to the Central Industrial Security Force, which safeguards vital industrial installations, a Pilgrim Police Force could be tasked with ensuring the safety and wellbeing of devotees while maintaining harmony at these events. Such a specialised force would undergo rigorous training in crowd-control techniques, conflict resolution, cultural sensitivity, and an in-depth understanding of religious customs and practices. Their primary responsibility would be to facilitate the smooth conduct of pilgrimages and festivals, acting as guardians of both security and tradition. Members of this force would be well-versed in the unique challenges faced at different pilgrim centres, enabling them to develop tailored strategies, for each place. For instance, at the Kumbh Mela, they would need to manage the ebb and flow of millions of visitors while ensuring the sanctity of the event. At Sabarimala, their training would equip them to navigate the delicate balance between traditions and contemporary perspectives. At Tirupathi, it would require a different strategy. The establishment of a Pilgrim Police Force would not only enhance security but also contribute to a positive pilgrimage experience for all. Anand Neelakantan Author of Asura, Ajaya series, Vanara and Bahubali trilogy mail@asura.co.in

72.9% voter turnout recorded in Thrissur

Jayarajan-Javadekar meeting controversy is baseless like biryani pot row: V.S. Sunilkumar

Dip in poll percentage will be favourable for the LDF, says the partys Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency candidate

K. Muraleedharan repeats allegations of CPI(M)-BJP deal in Thrissur

The UDF candidate expresses confidence in winning in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency

Weather Advisory: Heat Wave Alert Issued for Kollam, Thrissur, and Palakkad Districts in Kerala

Weather Advisory: Heat Wave Alert Issued for Kollam, Thrissur, and Palakkad Districts in Kerala The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued heat wave alert in Kollam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala. The heat wave conditions would prevail in many places of these districts on April 27 and 28, the IMD said in a statement. The alert was issued in the wake of extreme heat recorded in the last few days and based on predictions that the temperature would rise up to 41 degree celsius in Palakkad and 40 degree celsius each in Kollam and Thrissur districts, it said. People should maintain extreme caution during such situations, authorities said. There are chances of people suffering sunburn and heatstroke, the statement said, adding that heatstroke can also lead to death. Authorities also advised people to take umbrellas while going out and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Among many directives, the IMD urged people to avoid going out during the day time as much as possible and postpone all public events to evening.

Scorching Heat Sparks Alert in Kollam, Thrissur, and Palakkad Districts

Scorching Heat Sparks Alert in Kollam, Thrissur, and Palakkad Districts The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued heat wave alert in Kollam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala. The heat wave conditions would prevail in many places of these districts on April 27 and 28, the IMD said in a statement. The alert was issued in the wake of extreme heat recorded in the last few days and based on predictions that the temperature would rise up to 41 degree celcius in Palakkad and 40 degree celcius each in Kollam and Thrissur districts, it said. People should maintain extreme caution during such situations, authorities said. There are chances of people suffering sunburn and heatstroke, the statement said, adding that heatstroke can also lead to death. Authorities also advised people to take umbrellas while going out and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Among many directives, the IMD urged people to avoid going out during the day time as much as possible and postpone all public events to evening.

IMD confirms heatwave condition in Kerala's Palakkad district

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first in the state, IMD confirmed a heatwave condition in Palakkad on Friday. The district recorded a maximum temperature of 41.4 degrees Celsius, which is 5.1 degrees Celsius than the normal. The maximum temperature was 41.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Earlier IMD issued a heatwave alert in Palakkad, Thrissur and Kollam due to the persistent high maximum temperature till April 28. Palakkad has remained the hottest place in the state for most of the days this month.

Sweet summer success: Kerala farmers see surge in snap melon

KOCHI: The paddy fields that line the banks of the Periyar and the Chalakudy rivers are laden with golden-hued fruits. A notably warm and extended summer with sporadic rains has brought forth a splendid blossoming season for cultivators of snap melon, a fruit that grows well in humid conditions. This year has been particularly rewarding for snap melons, says Sebastian K M alias Lalu, a 54-year-old farmer from Karumalloor near North Paravoor, whos been cultivating the fruit for over a decade. The fruit is locally referred to as pottu vellari, meaning cracked cucumber in Malayalam, due to the distinctive cracks that adorn its skin. As the season starts in January, prices soar to as high as Rs 75 per fruit, gradually tapering to Rs 45 by May end. The succulent pulp of the local variety is the primary reason for its popularity, cherished for its gentle sweetness and distinct flavour. Roadside stalls and bakery owners attest that they sell like hotcakes. Historically, snap melons (cucumis melo momordica) are believed to have originated in Kodungallur, Thrissur. In ancient times, the fruit was frequently served during the renowned Meena Bharani festival at the historic Kodungallur Devi Temple. The sowing timetable for snap melons varies depending on rainfall, typically spanning from the first to the last week of January. Cultivation practices prioritise organic fertilisers such as cow dung and poultry waste. A notable advantage of cultivating snap melons is their minimal irrigation requirements. Farmers primarily rely on drip irrigation during the plants growth phase. However, once fruiting begins, the plants draw moisture from the soil. Sebastian emphasises the criticality of careful irrigation, highlighting the risk of potential crop loss within days if mishandled. Additionally, he underscores the vulnerability of snap melon cultivation to unseasonal rains, which can lead to substantial crop damage, making it a particularly risky venture. Once snap melons reach ripeness, they begin to crack rapidly, posing a challenge for transportation. To mitigate this, farmers often place the fruits onto areca nut leaves for safe transport to markets. With an exceptionally short shelf life, the fruits skin starts to crack within just six hours of ripening, earning it the Malayalam moniker pottu vellari. These fruits primarily find their way to open markets through numerous makeshift stalls that line National Highway 17 from Chavakkad to Ernakulam during the summer season. These stalls specialise in selling snap melon juice, prepared by simply mashing the fruit with a spoon and mixing it with a dash of jaggery powder or sugar. This refreshing beverage can be concocted instantly. Moreover, innovative variations of the drink, incorporating ingredients like milk, have also emerged, adding further appeal to this beloved summer refreshment. The fruit has an extremely short shelf-life, wilting within hours of cracking. Interestingly, theres a discernible difference in taste between fruits just before and after cracking. Knowledgeable consumers often prefer cracked fruits; some even venture directly to the fields to select the perfect ones, explains Suraj, a snap melon vendor in North Paravoor. Dr Shinoj Subramanian, Head of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) under the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, has been actively involved in raising awareness about the fruits nutritional value and advocating for its consumption and juices among the public. The initiative aims to support fruit farmers and promote precision farming of snap melons. Many people are still unaware of the nutritional benefits and effectiveness of snap melons, especially during the summer season, he remarks. This fruit is an excellent source of beta-carotene, folic acid, potassium, and vitamin C, Dr Sinoj adds, highlighting its nutritional richness. As part of its awareness-cum-promotional campaign, KVK organised a mega harvest festival of snap melons cultivated in various parts of Alangad Grama Panchayat in February last year. The event, which showcased different fruit juice varieties prepared using various recipes, received an overwhelming response from the public, recalls Subramanian. Experts stress the importance of incorporating pulpy summer fruits into ones diet, highlighting their abundant microfiber content, surpassing even that of watermelons, and their role in regulating body temperature. According to Dr Narayanan Kutty, former head of the Horticulture Wing of Kerala Agricultural University in Thrissur, these fruits are exceptional thirst-quenchers, boasting 90 per cent water content and offering instant cooling effects. Notably, they are fat and carbohydrate-free, with their seeds boasting excellent digestive properties. So one can consume as much amount of the fruit they want without any fear of gaining weight or other health concerns, Dr Narayanan says. In addition to Kerala, these fruits are also grown in select regions of Tamil Nadu and other North Indian districts. Mala village, situated on the southern outskirts of Thrissur district, is renowned as the epicentre of snap melon cultivation. As summer approaches, farmers from across the state converge on the Mala-Ashtamichira region, employing precision open farming techniques to cultivate the fruit in various cycles until the arrival of the monsoon. Over the past decade, the fruits popularity has surged, inspiring young farmers to grow snap melons every two weeks to maintain a steady supply. Remarkably, the plant yields fruit within just 45 days, he says. The fruits popularity has soared in recent years due to rising summer temperatures. Despite its shorter shelf life compared to watermelons, an increasing number of farmers are venturing into its cultivation annually. The majority of the fruit grown is shipped to Kochi and its surrounding areas, such as North Paravoor. The fruit is currently facing shortage as the main cultivation season has ended. The fourth harvest is currently underway, and the supply is restricted to those farmers who planted their seeds later, emphasises Sebastian. Snap Melon smoothie Ingredients Snap Melon: 500gm (without seeds and skin) Sugar: To taste Coconut milk: 300ml Sugar (Jaggery): 80gm Method: Mix all the ingredients. Put them in a mixer jar and blend it until a thick consistency forms. Serve it chilled. Other Smoothies 1 Small banana: 2 Jackfruit ice cream: 120gm Yoghurt: 150 ml Sugar: To taste 2 Caramel ice cream: 120gm Fresh milk: 200 ml Sugar: To taste Snap melon salad Ingredients Sliced snap melon : 50gm Feta cheese : 15gm Snap peas : 25gm Pumpkin seeds: 10gm Basil leaves: 5gm Pomegranate molasses: 10ml Sliced green Apple: 25gm Olive oil: 10ml Salt to taste White pepper powder: 5gm Method: Arrange all the ingredients on a plate and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with some pomegranate molasses for that extra crunch. Pottu vellari juice Ingredients Snap melon: 1 Sugar: As per need Water: As per need Method: Peel the skin off the melon and remove the seeds. Cut the fruit into small pieces. Add water and sugar as required. Serve with chunky melon pieces.

Thrissur records a low voter turnout of 72.2%

Constituency witnessed a fall from 77.92 % in 2019

IMD warns of heat wave conditions in Kollam, Thrissur, Palakkad

Palakkad records the highest temperature of 41.4C, followed by Punalur with 38.5C

In a first, a two-time PM bidding for third term with zero anti-incumbency: BJP's Anil Antony

In a first, a two-time PM bidding for third term with zero anti-incumbency: BJP's Anil Antony Anil Antony, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Pathanamthitta on Friday expressed confidence of a historic mandate for the BJP and its coalition in the ongoing Lok Sabha Election 2024. Antony, after casting his vote in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, highlighted that this is the first time in India's history that a two-time sitting Prime Minister is seeking re-election for a third term with zero anti-incumbency. We are very sure of a historic mandate in Kerala. This is a national election that will decide who will be the PM for the next 5 years, and which party and coalition will be governing this country. This is the first time in India's history that a two-time sitting PM is going for a third election with zero anti-incumbency, said Antony, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid for a third consecutive term. Antony expressed confidence in the BJP's prospects, stating that the party would win more than 370 seats, and its coalition over 400 seats. 13 states are going to polls today. Every single state is seeing huge voting numbers so there is a lot of excitement for the PM vision for India. And Kerala is no exception so we are very sure that we will win more than 370 seats for our party and more than 400 seats for our coalition, Antony said. This time we will create history from Kerala last time we had a double-digit vote share this time we are strongly in contention in double-digit seats and we will win multiple of them and one of them will be definitely the seats I am contesting from is Pathanamthitta, he added. Meanwhile, Antony was seen showing his inked finger after casting his vote, symbolizing his participation in the electoral process. His competitors in the Pathanamthitta constituency include Thomas Isaac from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the incumbent MP Anto Antony from the Congress party. Earlier, BJP-led NDA candidate from Thrissur Suresh Gopi casts his vote in Thrissur, Kerala in the second phase of Lok Sabha election 2024 on Friday. After casting his vote, Gopi spoke about the significance of this election and the participation of the people in Kerala. You will see the people's hearts. The nation will see the participation of Kerala in the national development movement, says Suresh Gopi, NDA candidate from Thrissur, after casting his vote. So the heart will bloom and Thrissur and such other constituencies in the states, Gopi said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF won 19 of the 20 seats, and the remaining 1 seat went to LDF. All 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala will go to the polls today. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

In a first, a two-time PM bidding for third term with zero anti-incumbency: BJP's Anil Anthony

In a first, a two-time PM bidding for third term with zero anti-incumbency: BJP's Anil Anthony Anil Antony, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Pathanamthitta on Friday expressed confidence of a historic mandate for the BJP and its coalition in the ongoing Lok Sabha Election 2024. Antony, after casting his vote in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, highlighted that this is the first time in India's history that a two-time sitting Prime Minister is seeking re-election for a third term with zero anti-incumbency. We are very sure of a historic mandate in Kerala. This is a national election that will decide who will be the PM for the next 5 years, and which party and coalition will be governing this country. This is the first time in India's history that a two-time sitting PM is going for a third election with zero anti-incumbency, said Antony, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid for a third consecutive term. Antony expressed confidence in the BJP's prospects, stating that the party would win more than 370 seats, and its coalition over 400 seats. 13 states are going to polls today. Every single state is seeing huge voting numbers so there is a lot of excitement for the PM vision for India. And Kerala is no exception so we are very sure that we will win more than 370 seats for our party and more than 400 seats for our coalition, Antony said. This time we will create history from Kerala last time we had a double-digit vote share this time we are strongly in contention in double-digit seats and we will win multiple of them and one of them will be definitely the seats I am contesting from is Pathanamthitta, he added. Meanwhile, Antony was seen showing his inked finger after casting his vote, symbolizing his participation in the electoral process. His competitors in the Pathanamthitta constituency include Thomas Isaac from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the incumbent MP Anto Antony from the Congress party. Earlier, BJP-led NDA candidate from Thrissur Suresh Gopi casts his vote in Thrissur, Kerala in the second phase of Lok Sabha election 2024 on Friday. After casting his vote, Gopi spoke about the significance of this election and the participation of the people in Kerala. You will see the people's hearts. The nation will see the participation of Kerala in the national development movement, says Suresh Gopi, NDA candidate from Thrissur, after casting his vote. So the heart will bloom and Thrissur and such other constituencies in the states, Gopi said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF won 19 of the 20 seats, and the remaining 1 seat went to LDF. All 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala will go to the polls today. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

After phase one, PM is panicking: KC Venugopal after casting vote in Alappuzha

Alappuzha: Congress candidate KC Venugopal cast his vote today at a polling booth in the Alappuzha constituency in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Venugopal is in the electoral fray against Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate AM Ariff and Bharatiya Janata Party's Sobha Surendran from the Alappuzha seat in Kerala After casting his vote, Venugopal told ANI, I am confident that the people of Alleppey will stand with me. After phase one of the Lok Sabha elections, the PM is panicking. I thank the PM for bringing the Congress manifesto into the public domain in a big way. Our manifesto is for the people whereas BJP's is for Adani and Ambani. In Kerala, UDF will sweep all 20 seats. The way BJP and CPM attacked Rahul Gandhi, the people of Wayanad will show that they are with him. The land of backwaters, with its history of swinging in favour of both the majors, Congress and the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), comprises seven assembly segments spread across Alappuzha and Kollam districts, namely, Aroor, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Ambalappuzha, Haripad, Kayamkulam and Karunagappally. Alappuzha is a stronghold of Congress, though this constituency has a communist legacy. Venugopal has a successful electoral history in Alappuzha, where he won the seat in the 2009 and 2014 general elections. Voting in all the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala is underway in the second phase. The results will be announced on June 4. Earlier, BJP-led NDA candidate from Thrissur Suresh Gopi cast his vote in Thrissur, Kerala in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 on Friday. After casting his vote, Gopi spoke about the significance of this election and the participation of the people in Kerala. You will see the people's hearts. The nation will see the participation of Kerala in the national development movement, sai Suresh Gopi, NDA candidate from Thrissur, after casting his vote. So the heart will bloom and Thrissur and such other constituencies in the states, Gopi said.

No issues with BJP, but vote only for Congress: Mariyakutty

IDUKKI: Despite the BJPs efforts to prop her up a star campaigner, 87-year-old Mariyakutty of Adimaly didnt flinch a second to extend her support for Idukki UDF candidate Dean Kuriakose. Mariyakutty revealed that she had received calls from BJP state leaders to participate in the partys poll campaigning. But, I have been a Congress supporter ever since I settled in Adimaly, she said. Now, 78-year-old Mariyakutty drags Kerala governmenttocourt over pension Mariyakutty was seen as the face of protest against the Pinarayi government, after the widow staged a begging strike for disbursal of social security pensions last year. Following the Congress, the BJPs Suresh Gopi and Krishna Kumar offered her financial helpafter learning about the incident. She later stunned many as she shared a seat with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a BJP event in Thrissur. Attending a function doesnt mean that I am a BJP supporter, she told TNIE . I dont have any issues with the BJP. I only resent the Pinarayi-led LDF government, which has made the lives of many, including mine, miserable. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested. Pinarayi, more crooked than Kejriwal, has managed to escape so far. Mariyakutty Pointing fingers at the rape cases involving CPM workers, she said, Even children are not safe inside their homes, said Mariyakutty, who had participated in a protest led by Dean in connection with the Vandiperiyar rape and murder case. Mariyakutty said she may attend BJP events, if invited, in the future. But my vote will always be for the Congress. I have also asked my daughters to vote for the party. Notably, the Congress state leadership is building a house for Mariyakutty, at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh, on a 3-cent plot in Adimaly. She currently stays with her younger daughter in a shed near the under-construction house.

Kerala LS poll campaign recap: Josh, jostle & jolts

LDF CPM, CPI, Kerala Congress (M), JDS (T), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), RJD, Indian National League, Congress (S), Janadhipathya Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (Skaria Thomas) Highlights The Left campaigns primary focus was on the Citizenship Amendment Act, using it as a plank to cash in on anti-BJP sentiments. The Left banked heavily on anti-incumbency against the Centre and sitting UDF MPs. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remained the star campaigner throughout, travelling across the state to address conventions. National leaders such as CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, politburo members Prakash Karat and Brinda Karat, and CPI general secretary D Raja campaigned in Kerala. In Vadakara, the Left engaged in a whisper campaign that if UDF candidate Shafi. Paramabil wins, the bypoll to his Palakkad assembly seat would BJP. CPM went all out to woo Muslim minority voters, posturing as the real champion of the communitys causes. The party also took efforts to retain its traditional Hindu vote base, and sought to make inroads into Christian belts. Through consistent campaigning, the Left attempted to create an anti-Centre narrative in the state. In what was viewed as a shrewd strategy to sideline the BJP, the chief minister unleashed a barrage of attacks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The CPMs strong organisational structure appeared to be the Lefts biggest strength. Controversies In Vadakara, LDF candidate K K Shailaja alleged wide circulation of her fake videos, photos and morphed images. The social media campaign against her created quite a stir across the state, and also led to legal a tussle between Shailaja and UDF candidate Shafi Parambil. Left MLA P V Anwar stirred a hornets nest after he termed Rahul Gandhi a fourth-class citizen who should undergo a DNA test to confirm whether he indeed hailed from the Nehru-Gandhi clan. The scenario worsened after CM Pinarayi Vijayan backed Anwar, saying Rahul was not beyond criticism Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a campaign event in Kozhikode UDF Congress, IUML, RSP, Kerala Congress (Jospeh), Kerala Congress (Jacob), Kerala democratic Party, CMP, RMP, AIFB, JSS, National Janata Dal Highlights Managed to draw massive participation of people during the campaign in most of the constituencies. Key agendas included highlighting denial of welfare pensions in the state, failures of Central and state governments, unemployment, man-animal conflict Strategic moves included surprise candidature of Shafi Parambil in Vadakara and K Muraleedharan in Thrissur, and rejecting the support extended by SDPI. The UDFs talking points included scam allegations against Chief Minsiter Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter, death of Sidharthan J S, student of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Wayanad, the Panur bomb blast involving DYFI workers. It also raised issues such as double voters in Alappuzha, Attingal and Palakkad constituencies, and bogus voting in Kannur and Kasargod. Alleged a nexus between the BJP and CPM in the Thrissur Pooram mess-up. Star campaigners included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Telangana C M Revanth Reddy, and top leaders such Priyanka Gandhi and Sachin Pilot Controversies Decision to avoid using flags of the Congress and its ally IUML for campaigns in Wayand, fearing a backlash in north India against the Leagues green flag Cyber attack against Vadakara LDF candidate K K Shailaja Thiruvananthapuram candidate Shashi Tharoor was booked by the cyber police on a BJP complaint accusing him of spreading baseless allegations against NDA candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The latter had earlier served a legal notice, accusing Tharoor of defamation Prime Minister Narendra Modi with NDA candidate C Krishnakumar in Palakkad NDA BJP, BDJS, Shiv Sena, JRS (CK Janu), NCP (Ajit Pawar) Kerala Congress Democratic, National Progressive Party, Nationalist Kerala Congress, LJP, Kerala Kamraj Congress Highlights The BJP-led NDA heavily banked on Modis Guarantee throughout its campaign Highlighting strong governance, welfare schemes and development initiatives of the Modi government Strong stand against terrorism Wooed voters dangling the prospect of candidates becoming Union ministers if elected Accused INDIA bloc allies CPM and Congress of fighting in Kerala and hugging in Delhi Sustained attack on the scam allegations against the state government Consolidation of Hindu-Christian votes was one of the key agendas. Highlighted SDPI support to UDF, and PDPs support to LDF Gained backing from the SNDP, Sivagiri Mutt, and some churches in some regions Some of its strategic/surprise moves included fielding state president K Surendran against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, pitting Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram, offering Pathanamthitta seat to Congress veteran A K Antonys son Anil Antony, and inducting former chief minister K Karunakarans daughter Padmaja Venugopal Star campaigners included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani, BJP national president J P Nadda, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma and BJP Tamil Nadu state president K Annamalai Controversies Political wheeler-dealer T G Nandakukar accused Pathanamthitta BJP candidate Anil Antony of having taken bribes in the past Wayanad candidate K Surendran stirred a debate as he said Sulthan Bathery should revert to its old name, Ganapathi Vattom

Kerala: BJP-Led NDA candidate Suresh Gopi casts vote in Thrissur

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Confidence soars, hope floats in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a high-voltage campaign, the Lok Sabha elections are finally here. As Kerala goes to the polls in a single phase on Friday, all three fronts are optimistic about improving on their performances in the last election. With three different kinds of anti-incumbency factors in play against the Union government, state government and against sitting MPs in a majority of the constituencies the fronts have enough reasons to hope for a favourable verdict. In an election where the Left is primarily banking on the sentiments against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the sway of Muslim votes and the consolidation of community votes would prove the most crucial factor. However, the biggest takeaway from this Lok Sabha polls would be a major shift in the character of Kerala politics. This could well be the first election where the bi-polar politics of Kerala has transformed into a real tri-polar fight, with BJP candidates vying for top slots, that too for all the right reasons, in at least five constituencies where the party hopes to either win or finish second or even sabotage the probable winner. This election being crucial for all three fronts, the Congress-led UDF hopes to repeat its 19/20 performance of 2019 while LDF, going by internal assessments, is confident of substantially improving its tally, whereas the BJP hopes to make it big in at least two constituencies. Having claimed a Left wave across the state right from the beginning, the LDF has gradually settled into a more realistic expectation. Both CPM and CPI leaderships claim a pro-Left trend in all 20 constituencies and is confident of overcoming the anti-incumbency factor. The CPM is looking forward to victories in a minimum of four to five seats. The party calculates Attingal, where V Joy takes on Congresss Adoor Prakash and BJPs V Muraleedharan, as one of the most probable seats. We have a clear edge in Palakkad, Alathur, Thrissur, Mavelikkara and Attingal. In Vadakara, there were certain issues, but now theres good support from women voters. In the final round, we hope to come up trumps in Kannur, Chalakudy, Kollam and Pathanamthitta too, said a senior CPM leader. Compared to 2019, when the Left faced negative votes from the Hindu community over Sabarimala and a Muslim consolidation over the Rahul Gandhi factor, this time around, theres only the anti-incumbency factor against the state government. The LDF however claims that it has overcome anti-incumbency and is banking heavily on an anti-BJP sentiment to gain ground. Noticeably, many feel the Lefts allegation of a Congress-League-BJP nexus is more on the lines of an anticipatory bail, in case things dont turn out as planned. Meanwhile, UDF has managed to make a mark in the final phase of campaigning. The front claims to have a favourable situation in all 20 seats. Secretly, though, they admit certain regional factors could throw a spanner in the works. In Attingal and Palakkad, there are certain issues with both the candidates and with campaigning. Similarly, the Twenty20 factor, in addition to the Jacobite and Orthodox support to the Left, could prove costly for the candidate in Chalakudy, pointed out a Congress leader. The Congress is sure that, unless there are last-minute undercurrents, the Muslim votes will remain with UDF. In Thiruvananthapuram, where BJP finished second in 2014 and 2019, Rajeev Chandrasekhar is clearly a strong challenger. Both UDFs Shashi Tharoor and LDFs Pannian Raveendran have stated that the BJP would be the main opponent, thus acknowledging its crucial role. Similarly in Thrissur, where Suresh Gopi takes on CPIs ex-minister V S Sunil Kumar and Congresss K Muraleedharan, there are reasons to believe that BJP could occupy at least the second slot, if not the first. Similarly, in Attingal, Palakkad and Pathanamthitta, besides Kottayam where BDJS leader Thushar Vellapally is contesting, the votes polled by NDA candidates will be a decisive factor. With the three fronts having left no stone unturned to prevent a leakage of votes, the polling day is when the undercurrents, vote-trading, and final strategies would find manifestation. Poll planks Citizenship Amendment Act was a major poll plank for the Left Two anti-incumbency factors anti-Modi and anti-Pinarayi would prove crucial In some constituencies, theres anti-incumbency against sitting MPs too Both the LDF and the UDF hope to woo Muslim minorities, as sway of Muslim votes will be the deciding factor The BJP hopes to make it big in at least two constituencies Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur while also nurturing hopes in at least five seats PM Narendra Modi addressed voters in close to 10 constituencies in a high-profile campaign The LS campaign began as a fight between LDF and UDF over CAA. Towards the fag end, there was a verbal duel between Rahul Gandhi and Pinarayi Vijayan The fake video allegation in Vadakara led to a legal fight between CPMs K K Shailaja and Congresss Shafi Parambil In Thiruvanamthapuram, UDFs Shashi Tharoor and NDAs Rajeev Chandrasekhar were locked in a legal fight over alleged remarks This could well be the first election where the bi-polar politics of Kerala has transformed into a real tri-polar fight, with BJP candidates vying for top slots

Kerala: Candidates tweaked schedule to beat the heat in exhausting poll campaign

KOCHI: With heatwave-like conditions prevailing in the state, the month-long election campaign turned out to be a gruelling task for candidates. Campaigning in open vehicles was exhausting with candidates being exposed to the sun and a hot wind. Most candidates scheduled their campaigns in open vehicles during the morning and evening hours and focused on visits to institutions and houses in the afternoon. With heat and humidity causing health issues, to avoid dehydration, the candidates preferred light and vegetarian food, drinking plenty of water. The southern districts have received isolated showers, which helped bring down the temperature. But the situation in north Kerala, especially Palakkad, Malappuram and Kannur, remains tough, said Cusat Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research director S Abhilash. Campaigning in an open jeep was a tough task as hot air was blowing on our faces for hours together, the open-jeep campaigning extended from early morning to 3pm, for the past three weeks. The extreme heat caused rashes because of which I couldnt sleep properly at night, said Alathur LDF candidate K Radhakrishnan. Campaigning was strenuous in Palakkad where the mercury has been hovering above 41 degrees Celsius for the past couple of weeks. The green canopy in the villages provided much relief, said LDF candidate A Vijayaraghavan. We rested under banyan trees and held small corner meetings, said UDFs V K Sreekandan. As a Palakkad native, the hot climate has not been a challenge. For the past 28 days, I have been travelling in an open jeep throughout the day, he added. It has been exhausting, but I didnt have any health issue, said BJP candidate C Krishnakumar. I consumed plenty of butter milk and curd to keep the body cool. UDF candidate for Thrissur, K Muraleedharan too said the campaign was tiring. It has been energy-sapping. The diet has been normal, but I drank a lot of water, he said. The candidates fear the hot conditions may force some voters to stay indoors, leading to a drop in polling percentage.

Voter alert: IMD issues heatwave warning in Kerala, advises caution

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sweltering heat will be a cause for concern for voters across Kerala who will exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections on Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts and heatwave warnings in 12 districts on polling day. The IMD has said the temperatures are expected to be 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal in the state. As of last week, around 437 heat-related ailments have been reported in the state since the advent of summer. There have been one confirmed and two suspected heat-related deaths. IMD has predicted the likelihood of a heatwave in one or two places in Palakkad on Friday, making the democratic exercise challenging for party workers, voters and officials alike. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements at booths in view of the hot and humid weather. Voting will be held in 25,231 booths across Kerala. Drinking water, areas having shade and separate queues for the elderly and the differently-abled are among the ECs arrangements made at booths to ensure voters comfort. All arrangements are in place. There will be separate queues for the elderly to reduce their waiting time. We have sensitised district collectors, and first aid, including ORS packets, will be made available at polling stations vulnerable to extreme heat, Sanjay Kaul, Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, told TNIE . Mothers coming to the booths with children will be able to use creche facilities at the polling stations, he said. Maximum temperature in Palakkad is likely to hover around 41 degrees Celsius on Friday, making it the hottest district in the state. Maximum temperatures will be 39 degrees Celsius, the second highest, in Kollam and Thrissur districts. Maximum temperatures will be 38 degrees Celsius in Kannur and Kozhikode districts and 36 degrees Celsius in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts. Southern districts are expected to receive thunderstorms in the evening. We have advised authorities to keep community health centres and primary health centres on alert to deal with heat-related incidents, said an official with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Be smart, be safe Avoid prolonged heat exposure Wear light-weight, light-coloured, loose, cotton clothes Cover your head with a cloth or hat or use an umbrella outdoors Drink sufficient water even if not thirsty to prevent dehydration Avoid direct sunlight from 11am to 3pm

Kerala: A peek into war rooms on D-Day eve

INDIRA BHAVAN On the eve of the state going to polls, Indira Bhavan, the Congress state headquarters, was abuzz with activities. Quite a contrast when compared with the 2021 assembly election days, when the party office wore a desolate look. Congress state in-charge M M Hassan was at his office right from Thursday morning, often going into a huddle with senior party leaders. There was a steady stream of leaders entering and exiting the building. Also, the war room set up at the first floor of Indira Bhavan saw executives busy on calls with leaders from all the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. The youngsters were monitored by senior Congress leader Manacaud Suresh. Congress state in-charge M M Hassan with other leaders at Indira Bhavan Hassan told TNIE that the UDF had taken stringent steps to prevent undercurrents and bogus voting. In three to four Lok Sabha seats, we are expecting tough contests, he said. Congress leader Pandalam Sudhakaran told TNIE that majority of the local leaders calling him from other constituencies were eager to know the trend in Thiruvananthapuram. The trend is very much visible; there is heavy anti-incumbency sentiment against the chief minister and LDF government, he added. A floor above the war room, members of the media committee, social media cell and administration were immersed in hectic work. AKG Centre The state headquarters of the CPM appeared deserted on Thursday. The reading room, usually a vibrant space, was vacant. The TV set was switched off. All the leaders are out campaigning, said an AKG Centre staff member. Several senior district leaders, who usually frequent the centre, have been absent since the election was announced. All have been busy with the tasks assigned to them. The accommodation rooms for state-level leaders, too, are vacant. You will get to see the usual faces here only from Saturday, the staffer said. On Thursday, many district leaders were in Attingal constituency. Education Minister V Sivankutty, who is in charge of the district, also did not turn up at the centre. He was busy with the silent campaigning for Thiruvananthapuram LDF candidate Pannian Raveendran. Mararji Bhavan The atmosphere at the BJP state office in Thiruvananthapuram was tranquil on the eve of election day, a departure from the bustling campaign days when the building buzzed with activity. Only a handful of workers lingered around in the grand lobby of the new building. Many had after a morning ceremony marking the 29th death anniversary of K G Marar, a foundational figure in the state unit. Former BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan at Mararji Bhavan The basement, which had been transformed into a war room, also looked deserted. There were more pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, national president JP Nadda and candidates than the number of party workers. Today, you will not see any crowd here. We have deployed all our local leaders and workers to bolster the silent campaig, said BJP state secretary J R Padmakumar, who was overseeing final preparations. We want to ensure maximum participation of workers to increase the voting percentage above 80. The weather can play spoilsport. We, however, are in a winning mode. Padmakumar added that field workers were also tasked with monitoring instances of double voting. We will be vigilant and lodge complaints when necessary, he said. National executive member P K Krishnadas and former state president Kummanam Rajasekharan were also present in the basement, engaging in discussions with party members. Prakash Javadekar, BJPs Kerala prabhari (in-charge), had left earlier in compliance with the model code of conduct. Padmakumar revealed that 37 internal departments operated in the basement. This included call centres, cells for manifesto drafting, statistical analysis units. The party also had a legal team on standby to lodge complaints on model code violations. Two complaints were filed on Thursday, one in Thiruvananthapuram and another in Thrissur.

This candidate in the high-profile Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat has no house and lives in the party office

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: S Mini, the candidate fielded by the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, is a politician from top to toe. In fact, she does not own a home and has been living in the party office for nearly three decades. Like most of her colleagues in the party, Mini, the lone woman in the fray in the high-profile segment, believes that the value of life comes from within and is not determined by material possessions or social status. She lives at the party's state committee office in the Kerala capital, along with her husband and party leader Shajar Khan. The couple's only son Alan M.S. is a degree student at Tirur in Malappuram. Mini joined the party at the age of 22, when she was doing a pharmacy course at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram. The firebrand leader of SUCI(C) says she joined the party against the wishes of her parents and siblings. There was stiff opposition from them and I was forced to quit home during my college days. Initially, I lived at a hostel and later moved to the party office. It was a wise decision for someone who wanted to become a full-time party worker, she says. Wayanad Election Notes: The solitude of Kerala's most famous tribal activist Vilappilsala protest During her political career spanning three decades, Mini was involved in numerous people's movements, small and big, in different parts of the state. The longest and toughest one perhaps was the people's protest against a polluting waste plant at Vilappilsala in the Kerala capital, says the 49-year-old. The strike which began as a relay satyagraha ended in a full-blown protest two years later. Somehow, we managed to overcome the numerous sabotage attempts by the government, city corporation and the police. I dedicate the victory to the mighty women in Vilappilsala, she says. What began as occasional outbursts took the form of an organised protest with the intervention of the SUCI(C). As the party's designated leader to Vilappilsala, Mini's initial assignment was to organise the local women. We formed committees for every fifty households and important decisions were taken by an apex committee. Party did not impose its decisions but equipped people to claim their rights, she said. The people's protest met with success when the government decided to shut the plant. At the peak of the strike, Mini was detained by the police for one full day. Years later, she was jailed by the police for accompanying Mahija, the mother of engineering student Jishnu Pranoy, to the DGP's office. Jishnu was found dead at the hostel of Nehru Engineering College in Thrissur and Mahija was proceeding to the DGP's office to protest against the delay in arresting those who allegedly pushed Jishnu into suicide. Mini was arrested by the police on conspiracy charges. She was jailed and released after eight days of judicial remand. The police are yet to file a charge-sheet in the court. Lush greenery, stark misery: Election vignettes from Kerala's Achankovil forest Nurses' rights The Indian Nurses Parents Association which works for nurses' rights was established under Mini's leadership. The idea of an organisation of parents was to help nurses who couldn't come out in the open against their employers. Mini travelled extensively in the country to resolve the issues faced by nurses and nursing students. One incident she vividly recalls is the visit to a private medical college at Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. The college had not returned the certificates of about 50 students, mostly Keralites, who refused to execute an illegal bond for a no-pay job after studies. The management did not change their stand in the deliberations with the INPA. Finally, Mini, with the help of a local SUCI leader, approached the district collector. She convinced him about the Supreme Court order banning the bond system at educational institutions. The collector then issued an order asking the management to return the certificates. Though the mission was successful, Mini says the collector was transferred within a few days, allegedly owing to the pressure from the college management which had considerable political clout. The manager later became the education minister in that state, she says. SUCI(C) contesting eight seats The party has fielded candidates in eight seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Mini is the candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram seat. The other constituencies are Kollam, Mavelikkara, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Chalakudy and Kozhikode. Campaigning is in full swing and the party has good visibility in all the places. The party's first unit in Kerala was formed by a group of students of the TKM College of Engineering, Kollam. It stepped into electoral politics by fielding Kochucherukkan in the Eravipuram seat for the 1970 Assembly election. The party's first Lok Sabha candidate James Joseph who contested from the Kollam seat garnered over 8000 votes. Founded in 1948, the SUCI(C) had a presence in the assemblies of West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha at different times. Its lone MP was in the 15th Lok Sabha -- Tharun Mandal who was elected from West Bengal. Today, the Kerala unit of SUCI(C) has about 1200 full-time cadres and a few thousands of members.The party intervened in numerous public issues and equipped people to fight for their rights. It took the lead to unite people and organisations to fight for people's rights on issues ranging from the mineral sand mining at Thrikkunnapuzha to the anti-K-Rail protest. The party played a significant role in the people's movements at Chengara, Vilappilsala and Moolampilly.

Foreigner Couple Alleges Sex Harassment At Kerala Festival

A foreign vlogger couple, known for their viral travel videos, has alleged that they faced sexual harassment at the iconic Thrissur Pooram in Kerala which concluded last week.

US-UK vlogger couple allege sexual harassment during Thrissur Pooram

Indian nationals aboard 'MSC Aries' in good health, return delayed due to technicalities: MEA

Indian nationals aboard 'MSC Aries' in good health, return delayed due to technicalities: MEA Nearly two weeks after an Israel-linked container vessel was seized by Iran's military, India on Thursday said there are certain ''technicalities involved'' in the return of the remaining 16 Indian crew members is concerned. Ann Tessa Joseph, the sole woman cadet among the 17 Indian crew members of the vessel ''MSC Aries'' that was seized on April 13, was released on April 18 following ''concerted efforts'' by the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian government. In response to a question during his weekly media briefing here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the 16 Indians are in ''good'' health. The Indian mission was given consular access to the Indians by Iranian authorities. There are 16 Indians onboard MSC Aries now as one woman has come back, Jaiswal said. ''These 16 people, we had asked consular access for, which we got. Our officers went there and met. They are in constant touch with their families. Their health is good. And they have no problems of any kind onboard the ship,'' he said. ''As far as their return is concerned, there are certain technicalities involved, there are some contractual obligations, once that is done, it will depend on that when will they return,'' he added. Joseph, who hails from Thrissur in Kerala, landed at the Cochin international airport on April 18 afternoon. The 17 Indians were part of the 25-member crew of the ship. India has been in touch with Iran to secure the release of the Indians onboard container ship. West Asia is reeling under tensions in view of hostilities between Iran and Israel. Iran recently launched its first direct attack on Israel by firing hundreds of drones and missiles in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1. In its reaction, India has called for immediate de-escalation of the situation.

All arrangements completed for Lok Sabha polls in Kerala on Friday

Thiruvananthapuram : All preparations have been made for the smooth conduct of the polls in Kerala on Friday.Voting for all the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will begin today at 7 am. Polling will continue till 6 pm. There are 2,77,49,159 voters in the state this time. Of these, 1,43,33,499 are women.Of the total voters, 5,34,394 are first-time voters in the age group of 18-19 years. There are also 2,64,232 differently-abled voters and 367 transgender voters in the state. The Chief Electoral Officer appealed to all voters, irrespective of age and gender, to exercise their right to vote and participate in the festival of democracy.A total of 194 candidates are in the fray in 20 constituencies in the state. All arrangements have been made to ensure smooth polling at the polling booths and to ensure that the voting machines are safely transported to strong rooms after the polling. A total of 1,01,176 polling personnel have been deployed for the polling process at 25,231 booths set up at 13,272 centres in the state. The polling process will be controlled by four officials, including the presiding officer, at a booth. There are 437 booths controlled only by women, 31 booths controlled by youth below 30 years of age and six booths controlled by differently-abled employees in the state. There are also 316 ethnic polling booths and 131 theme-based booths. Ramps and wheelchairs have been set up at the booths for differently-abled voters. Voting machines in Braille script have also been provided for the visually impaired.There will be a special queue facility at the booths for differently-abled voters and senior citizens. In addition, a sign language facility and travel facility for differently-abled voters have also been arranged. A total of 30,238 electronic voting machines (EVMs) are being used in the state in the Lok Sabha elections this year. In case of operational failure of any machines, the reserve machines will be delivered through the respective sector officers instead. The voting machines have been brought to the polling booths after completing the preliminary testing, three phases of randomization and mock polling. The polling will begin at 6 am on Friday after a mock poll is conducted again in the presence of representatives of political parties at the polling booths to ensure the safety of the machines. As many as 66,303 security personnel have been deployed at polling booths, distribution centres and strong rooms to ensure a smooth voting process. The Rapid Action Force has also been deployed at all police stations for security. Special security measures have also been taken in Maoist-affected areas involving central forces to ensure that voters cast their votes fearlessly. To ensure free and transparent polling, the Chief Electoral Officer said that a webcasting system has been put in place for real-time monitoring in all booths in eight districts of the state and 75 percent of booths in the remaining six districts. The real-time monitoring system has been implemented in all booths in Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Cameras have also been installed outside the booths to control crowding at polling stations with multiple booths. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, the webcasting facility has been introduced to ensure a transparent election by preventing booth capturing, money distribution and bogus voting. Webcasting has also been arranged in the affected booths. In the office of the Chief Electoral Officer and the control rooms set up under the ROs of 20 Lok Sabha constituencies, A similar monitoring system has been set up in strong rooms and counting centres.

Note for vote allegation against BJP in Thrissur

It was alleged that the BJP distributed 500 among voters of Sivaramapuram colony, Olari

BJP has added bogus names in voters list: Congress

Around 28,000 fake names added to the list in Thrissur, says Congress leaders

Thrissur NDA candidate Suresh Gopi visits religious and community leaders ahead of LS Polls

KOTTAYAM: As the campaigning for the 18th Lok Sabha elections came to a close on Wednesday, Suresh Gopi, the NDA candidate for the Thrissur constituency On Thursday embarked on a day of visits to various religious and community leaders across thestate. His day began with a visit to the St. George Forane Church in Aruvithura near Pala, where he offered prayers. He then met with Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, the bishop of the Pala diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, at the bishop's residence. Following this, Gopi engaged in a discussion with Kanjirappally bishop Mar Jose Pulickal and later met with G Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of the Nair Service Society, at the NSS headquarters in Changanassery. In the afternoon, Gopi met with Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the SNDP Yogam, in Kalichukulangara. Gopi stated that these visits were personal and intended to seek blessings from the religious and community leaders. He emphasized to reporters that his interactions were purely private and not politically motivated. However, the timing of these visits, just before the Lok Sabha elections on Friday, raises questions about their potential political implications.

LS polls Phase 2: Rahul, Tharoor in fray; Hema Malini, Om Birla seek hat-trick of wins

New Delhi: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, and actor-turned-politician Arun Govil are among the key candidates in the fray for the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls with BJP's Hema Malini, Om Birla and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking a hat-trick of wins from their respective constituencies.Staggered over seven stages, the first phase of the elections held last Friday for 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories saw a voter turnout of around 65.5 per cent. In the second phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday, polling is scheduled in all 20 seats of Kerala, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, eight seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, seven in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. Gandhi is the sitting MP from Wayanad in Kerala and is seeking re-election. He is pitted against CPI's Annie Raja and BJP's K Surendran. In the 2019 election, Gandhi secured victory by a substantial margin of more than 7 lakh votes against his closest rival, CPI's P P Suneer. Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor is hoping to retain the Thiruvananthapuram seat for the fourth time. He is pitted against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the BJP and CPI's Pannyan Raveendran. Malini, who has represented the Mathura constituency since 2014, is contesting against Congress' Mukesh Dhangar while Om Birla, a two-time MP from Kota, is facing Prahlad Gunjal from the Congress party. Union minister Shekhawat is eyeing a third win from the Jodhpur seat while Congress candidate Karan Singh Uchiyarda would look to put a spanner in the works of the BJP candidate. Tejasvi Surya, the sitting MP for Bangalore South and the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), will face Congress' Sowmya Reddy. Former chief minister of Chhattisgarh and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel is contesting from Rajnandgaon, a stronghold of the BJP for over 30 years. Baghel is pitted against BJP's Santosh Pandey, who won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections succeeding Abhishek Singh, the son of former Chief Minister Raman Singh, also from the BJP. Replacing three-time MP Rajendra Agarwal, who has been holding the Meerut seat since 2004, Arun Govil, famous for portraying Lord Ram's character in Ramayan TV series, is making his electoral debut against BSP's Devvrat Kumar Tyagi and SP's Sunita Verma. In Madhya Pradesh, BJP leader Virendra Kumar Khatik is eyeing a fourth win from Tikamgarh. The Congress has fielded a new face, Pankaj Ahirwar, from the constituency. In 2019, Khatik defeated Congress' Kiran Ahirwar by a margin of over 3.48 lakh votes. The contest for the Alappuzha seat in Kerala has turned into a prestige battle for the Congress with All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal's return to the Lok Sabha poll fray after 2014 as the party looks to wrest the only seat it lost to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in its landslide 19-1 victory in Kerala in the 2019 polls. Venugopal has not lost any major election in his career. He won the Alappuzha Assembly seat thrice in a row in 1996, 2001, and 2006 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Alappuzha in 2009 and 2014. In 2019, he did not contest after the party elevated him to the post of the AICC general secretary. Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi is also in the fray from Thrissur against K Muraleedharan of Congress and VS Sunil Kumar of CPI(M). Sukanta Majumdar, incumbent BJP MP from Balurghat in West Bengal is seeking re-election. He is pitted against Biplab Mitra of the Trinamool Congress and Joydeb Siddhanta of the Revolutionary Socialist Party.

LS polls Phase 2: Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor in fray; Hema Malini, Om Birla seek hat-trick of wins

NEW DELHI: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, and actor-turned-politician Arun Govil are among the key candidates in the fray for the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls with BJP's Hema Malini, Om Birla and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking a hat-trick of wins from their respective constituencies. Staggered over seven stages, the first phase of the elections held last Friday for 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories saw a voter turnout of around 65.5 per cent. In the second phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday, polling is scheduled in all 20 seats of Kerala, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, eight seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, seven in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. Gandhi is the sitting MP from Wayanad in Kerala and is seeking re-election. He is pitted against CPI's Annie Raja and BJP's K Surendran. Wayanad: Left, BJP hopes to prick Rahuls balloon In the 2019 election, Gandhi secured victory by a substantial margin of more than 7 lakh votes against his closest rival, CPI's P P Suneer. Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor is hoping to retain the Thiruvananthapuram seat for the fourth time. He is pitted against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the BJP and CPI's Pannyan Raveendran. Malini, who has represented the Mathura constituency since 2014, is contesting against Congress' Mukesh Dhangar while Om Birla, a two-time MP from Kota, is facing Prahlad Gunjal from the Congress party. Union minister Shekhawat is eyeing a third win from the Jodhpur seat while Congress candidate Karan Singh Uchiyarda would look to put a spanner in the works of the BJP candidate. Tejasvi Surya, the sitting MP for Bangalore South and the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), will face Congress' Sowmya Reddy. Former chief minister of Chhattisgarh and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel is contesting from Rajnandgaon, a stronghold of the BJP for over 30 years. Baghel is pitted against BJP's Santosh Pandey, who won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections succeeding Abhishek Singh, the son of former Chief Minister Raman Singh, also from the BJP. Replacing three-time MP Rajendra Agarwal, who has been holding the Meerut seat since 2004, Arun Govil, famous for portraying Lord Ram's character in Ramayan TV series, is making his electoral debut against BSP's Devvrat Kumar Tyagi and SP's Sunita Verma. In Madhya Pradesh, BJP leader Virendra Kumar Khatik is eyeing a fourth win from Tikamgarh. The Congress has fielded a new face, Pankaj Ahirwar, from the constituency. In 2019, Khatik defeated Congress' Kiran Ahirwar by a margin of over 3.48 lakh votes. The contest for the Alappuzha seat in Kerala has turned into a prestige battle for the Congress with All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal's return to the Lok Sabha poll fray after 2014 as the party looks to wrest the only seat it lost to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in its landslide 19-1 victory in Kerala in the 2019 polls. Venugopal has not lost any major election in his career. He won the Alappuzha Assembly seat thrice in a row in 1996, 2001, and 2006 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Alappuzha in 2009 and 2014. In 2019, he did not contest after the party elevated him to the post of the AICC general secretary. Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi is also in the fray from Thrissur against K Muraleedharan of Congress and VS Sunil Kumar of CPI(M). Sukanta Majumdar, incumbent BJP MP from Balurghat in West Bengal is seeking re-election. He is pitted against Biplab Mitra of the Trinamool Congress and Joydeb Siddhanta of the Revolutionary Socialist Party. Uttar Pradesh: RLD onboard, BJP looks for dominance

Visionary Nambisans voting device was a decade too early

KOCHI : In this election season, the electronic voting machine has been posing many questions. But for T V K Nambisan, in the 1970s, it was the answer to many of the problems plaguing the electoral system. His dreamt up his version in his late twenties, when technology was at a different level and the concept had not been conceived. Now 78, Nambisan remembers how he came up with the idea and how his device had the then Kerala Chief Minister C Achutha Menon in awe. It was 1972, and I was living in Palakkad with some friends. We had partnered to set up an electronics repair firm. During a discussion over tea, someone remarked how good it would be if there was a system to do away with paper ballots, something involving a machine that would enable declaration of results in a short time, Nambisan remembers. That got him thinking. It was as if a bulb went off in my head. And I decided to design such a machine. I thought of relying on the electro-mechanical method. In those days, electronics had advanced only to the level of transistors, he told TNIE . Nambisan thought up a blueprint in his mind and then set out to buy the necessary components. My design comprised of a mater unit and the counting unit along with other equipment. The components were sourced from the seconds market in Coimbatore, says Nambisan, who had dropped out of engineering college. And the cost incurred? Around Rs 300, I think. It was a long time ago and I do not recollect the exact amount. Nothing was easy, he says. I had to travel a lot for the components. Once the machine was made, it took even longer to bring it to the attention of authorities, adds Nambisan, who resorted to using his Thrissur connection to approach Achutha Menon. I sent him a letter. He invited me for a demonstration at Cliff House. This was followed by one before officials at the Secretariat, says Nambisan. After witnessing the machine at work, the CM issued a citation. Nambisan even received a promise from Minister for Local Administration K Avukader Kutty Naha that the machine could be tried out in the coming panchayat elections. But for its use in elections, we required the approval of the central Election Commission. So, I sent a letter to the commissioner with all the documents. But I didnt receive any response. Finally, after repeated missives, I received a cryptic message that said it is practically impossible to use the machine in elections, he adds. The only solace was an article in a magazine published by the National Research Development Corporation. I shelved my machine. Ten years later, in 1982, the EVM made its official entry onto the election scene, says Nambisan. Apart from some technological advancements the device was more or less similar to his invention. In rejecting my device, the election commission pointed to the possibility of losers raising objections and the lack of physical evidence, in case of legal proceedings, he said.

Right & Left: BJP goes all-out to promote Kerala as Modis Own Country

Politicians disapprove of surprises. Upending Keralas binary bliss is a charismatic ideological interloper who is queering the pitch with a saffron surprise. The voting formula remains unchanged, however: netting male and female votes with the former calling the shots. Now women voters have given the communists and the Congress something to worry about. This time, across castes, classes and communities, the majority of them will be voting with a mind of their own. The BJP attributes this change to Modis stature as a pro-woman prime minister who has launched myriad schemes for them. There is also campaign chemistry. Modis road show through Palghat was massive; women were in overwhelming presence in the crowds. It was mass hysteria, recalls Krishnakumar, the BJP candidate from Palakkad. Women broke into tears upon seeing the prime minister like they do in temples. Even a large number of Muslim women favour the PM. Many of them are openly campaigning for BJP, even wearing hijabs; in Thrissur they hard-sell Suresh Gopi as the PMs personal nominee. But doesnt BJP have a communal reputation? Not in Kerala, denies a young girl campaigner whose thattam (short head cover) causally covers her unruly hair. Here, he is for us, the women. Many Muslim women, especially young, dont wear hijab. If they must, they wind their dupattas around their head desultorily. Triple talaq is not a big deal, such instances are rare. But the UCC (Uniform Civil Code), which Muslim women expect, will be implemented is the lure of Modi. Muslims are mostly businessmen and the Sharia law in Kerala doesnt allow the inheritance to be passed on to the daughter after the head of the family dies. This is resented by some fathers too, who have inducted their girls into the family firm. Malappuram, a majority Muslim district specially created by Keralas first communist CM EMS Namboodiripad on sectarian lines, has changed its psychological demographics over the previous generation. The Gulf money has brought wealth and Malappuram women and girls sport trendy hairdos beneath their designer hijabs. The traditional polyester burqa is omnipresent but is mostly worn by women belonging to the poor Muslim class. But numerous Muslim households reject the conservative values the imams are ramming down the throats of their congregations. All this by no means suggests that Keralas Muslim women have suddenly cast off their veil. In north Kerala especially, where the RSS and Muslim families have kept bloody vendettas going for decades, there is a murdered father, brother or son in many homes. Elsewhere, the communal divide is between Muslims and a section of Christians. For decades Malayali women have been active stakeholders in the communist movement. Today they look prosperous at LDF campaign stops, resplendent in silk sarees and gold. At a road junction, one Marxist worker had a gold yantram (divine talisman around her neck). Make no mistake though: the BJP is promoting Kerala as Modis Own Country. Is womens vote bank splitting? The BJP vote share grew from 13% in 2011 to 15% to 18% now. The female ballot can get them within the 21% range to reach the critical point. Hindu women are the largest segment of Keralas women population and have significantly veered towards BJP from the other blocs. Hinduism has emerged from its secular chrysalis to become a matter of personal pride. Its morning in Palakkad and women dressed in traditional Mundus and veshtis are leaving with prasad and flowers. Keralas temples are old and protected by patriarchal trees, sticking to the traditional stone and wood architecture of the region; the earth paved with flagstones around the buildings. Till a few years ago, it seemed Dilli door ast was the BJP story as the ageing Bahadur Shah Zafar put it. For Keralites, the North was a faraway Jurassic land and Modi was a distant figure. In 2024, the BJPs liege lord has finally landed in Kerala, and has a metaphorical kitchen cabinet ready for him. It is the taste of Malayali Hindutva, a flavour that will change the syncretic reputation of the Malayali forever. And its a fast and furious moveable feast.