Isha Gramotsavam 2025 begins in Thiruvananthapuram on August 23

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 17th edition of Isha Gramotsavam, one of the largest rural sports festivals, will kick off in six districts of the state from August 23. Over 700 players from across the state are expected to participate, forming more than 140 teams. Matches will be held in Kasaragod, Kannur, Thrissur, Palakkad, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The festival unfolds in three stages: cluster level, divisional level, and the grand finale. The cluster-level matches will take place on August 23-24 in Thrissurs Varandarappilly and Ernakulams Ambalamugal. Kasaragods Cheruvathur will host matches on August 28-29, followed by Pothencode in Thiruvananthapuram and Vellachal-Makreri in Kannur on August 30-31. Palakkads Ayiloor will host matches on September 1-2. Nationally, Isha Gramotsavam will span over 35,000 villages across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, and, Odisha. More than 50,000 rural participants, including over 5,000 women, are competing this year, forming over 6,000 teams. The grand finale will take place before the iconic Adiyogi at the Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, on September 21. Competing teams stand a chance to win from a prize pool of Rs 67 lakh, with Rs 5 lakh each awarded to the winners in both mens and womens categories.

Campus placements still a distant dream for law students in Kerala

KOCHI: In the current scenario regarding higher education institutions, the primary factor that prompts students to pursue a course is the job prospects it offers. Placements have been a significant aspect of technical education. Now, even ITI institutions and arts and science colleges are making a concerted effort to secure placements for their students. In contrast, law colleges, especially Government Law Colleges, still have a considerable distance to cover. Speaking to TNIE, Safi Mohan, assistant professor in law at the Government Law College (GLC), Thiruvananthapuram, says, Things are picking up. Though more needs to be done. In the past two years, four of our students got placements. This year, three students got placements in Infosys. It should be noted that of the 1,000 students called for the job interview, three of our students made it. We are providing them with training to skill them to take up the jobs. According to him, as the first step towards achieving placements in multi-national companies and also big firms, the college has been securing internships for its students with IT companies. Last April and May, 75 students did internships in different institutions through the placement cell. Next year, in April and May, we plan to send 150 students to Tier 1 , 2, and 3 law firms in the country. Fifty students will be placed with corporate firms for internships. Almost 25 students are now doing a hybrid internship in different institutions. It should be noted that all internships in law firms and corporate firms are paid internships. Vidyuth K S, principal of Government Law College, Kozhikode, also highlighted the efforts being made by the college to gain visibility. According to him, in the past three years, the college was able to place 28 students in various firms that include Tri Legal, Conga Software Pvt Limited, Lakshmi Kumaran Sidharthan Attorney, and a Canadian company, Mathew and Gupta. We were the first in the history of the Government Law Colleges to organise a management fest. We did that in association with the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We will be signing an MoU with them for the conduct of a series of activities. We have begun a training programme in association with the CCCI with an eye on the corporate sector, he added. He claimed that GLC, Kozhikode, has been having an active placement programme for the past five years. Though the numbers were fewer, the placement cell was active. We aim to increase the visibility of our college to attract the attention of the corporate sector, said the principal. However, even as these two GLCs are coming up with activities to increase their placement numbers, the same cant be said about their sister institutions GLC Ernakulam and GLC Thrissur. The activities of the placement cells in these colleges seem to have been confined to training their students for job interviews. Even as GLC Thrissur claims to be active in conducting training classes for its final-year students to prepare them for jobs, GLC Ernakulam is just waking up. According to Sonia K Das, principal, GLC Thrissur, the college had 14 of its students placed with a Hyderabad-based law firm in 2024. Explaining the difficulties in holding a campus recruitment drive in the law college, she said, Firms dont come to the law colleges to recruit employees. The reason behind this is that the majority of the students prefer to join the judicial services. Even in the case of the 14 students who had been placed with the Hyderabad law firm, many resigned to pursue judicial services. The firms dont want to take the risk. Then there are some who want to go for LLM. According to Advocate Mohammed Sha, chairman of the enrolment committee, Bar Council of Kerala, the main reason is the lack of quality. Why should MNCs or corporates come and recruit when the talent pool is mediocre? They prefer students passing out from National Law Universities (NLUs). I recruited five juniors from among those who did their LLB from NLUs. The other five juniors are rank holders from state law colleges, he said. He said that to be visible before the MNCs and the corporates, the law colleges need to either revise their curriculum or come up with activities that will see the skill and talent of their students honed.

Traffic congestion on NH corridor: HC directs forming committee to ready traffic management plan

Such a monitoring mechanism was essential to ensure smooth movement of vehicles, especially in view of a 12-hour-long traffic hold up on the congested Edapally-Thrissur NH 544 corridor

Literature festivals are windows to democracy, says Satchidanandan

Akademi library named after Lalithambika Antharjanam. International Literature Festival of Kerala concludes in Thrissur

Kerala High Court dismisses bail plea of UK resident over fake LSD stamp seizure

THRISSUR : The High Court of Kerala on Wednesday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of a person residing in UK, in connection with the case of framing a beauty parlour owner, Sheela Sunny, a native of Chalakudy, in a fake LSD stamp seizure. Sibin Sycil, residing in UK, had filed an anticipatory bail plea in the court. Observing that the petition was not maintainable as the petitioner was residing abroad, the court dismissed it. Responding to the incident, Sheela said that she was not aware of such a person and didnt know about the anticipatory bail. According to Kodungallur DySP V K Raju, The probe in still under way. Sibin is included as a witness in the case as he had registered the UK number for making the call for the tip-off against Sheela. He is not an accused in the case. Meanwhile, Narayanadas who had made the phone call to the excise to trap Sheela received his bail. Sheela was arrested in February 2023 and jailed for 72 days.

BJP targets 20 per cent local body wards; Amit Shah to monitor poll strategy

KOCHI: Amid the vote theft allegations raised by the Congress and the Left parties, the BJP is toiling at the grassroot level to enrol party sympathisers in the voters list for the upcoming local body elections in Kerala. And the master strategist behind the preparations: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is set to visit the state on Friday. Amit Shah ji had given us some assignments during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram in July. He will review the progress of our work on Friday, a senior BJP leader said. This will be a continuous process. He will be reviewing the election preparations on a monthly basis. The BJP has drawn up an ambitious plan to win at least 20% of the local body wards in the state. The party hopes to capture power in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur corporations, 25 municipalities including Palakkad, Tripunithura and Pandalam and around 300 panchayats. On Friday, Shah will address a gathering of core committee members, state-level office-bearers, state presidents of Morchas, regional organising secretaries, district prabharis and presidents at hotel Renai in Kochi. State prabhari Prakash Javadekar and assistant prabhari Aparajitha Sarangi will participate in the meeting which will formulate the action plan for election preparations. The BJP lost many wards by fewer than 25 votes in the 2020 Kerala local body elections. Besides, the party had secured the lead in many panchayats in districts like Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Thrissur and Palakkad in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Special attention is being given to these panchayats and the presidents of the partys 30 organisational districts have been tasked with identifying party strongholds and inspiring party supporters to involve themselves actively in the preparations. The election results do not reflect our real influence as many of our supporters are armchair strategists. Besides, thousands have joined the party through our online platform. If we can bring all of them to the polling booth, the result can be amazing. We have reconstituted the ward-level committees and the process of enrolling people in the voters list is progressing, the BJP leader said. The party had gained power in 22 panchayats and two municipalities in the previous elections. It has around 1,200 ward members in the state. Party sources said the preparations for assembly elections will start only after the local body polls. It is learnt that around 20 senior leaders have identified their constituencies and have started preparations at the ground level. Local bodies in Kerala No of panchayats: 941 Wards: 17,337 Municipalities: 87 Wards: 3,241 Corporations: 6 Divisions: 421 Block panchayats: 152 Wards: 2,267 District panchayats: 14 Wards: 346 BJPs power target 300 panchayats 25 municipalities two corporations

Kerala HC imposes fine on six councillors of Thrissur Corporation, lawyer

The councillors must jointly pay 5 lakh, while the lawyer must pay 5 lakh within one month

NGO urges State to issue special health card for children with long-term illness

Thrissur-based NGO Solace, which supports over 7,000 critically ill children, appeals to the Chief Minister for urgent government action

Selective coverage in rubber replanting scheme sparks farmer backlash

KERA Project offers a replanting subsidy of 75,000 in two phases. Eligibility is restricted to growers in Malappuram and Kannur in the north and Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram in the south. Idukki, Kollam, and Thrissur have been left out, prompting discontent among farmers

Heavy rains in Kerala; water levels of dams, rivers rise; orange alert in three districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rains in Kerala, especially in its central and northern districts, caused a rise in water levels in various dams and rivers in the state on Tuesday. The water levels of various dams in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Thrissur, Wayanad and Palakkad districts of the state were at the second and hird stages of alert, according to figures released by the authorities. In Palakkad, shutters of various dams -- including Meenkara, Walayar and Siruvani -- and the Moolathara regulator were opened by varying lengths to release excess water, district authorities said. The water levels of rivers, like Achankovil in Pathanamthitta and Karuvannur in Thrissur, rose to yellow alert status according to the Irrigation Design and Research Board (IDRB) and the Central Water Commission (CWC). Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert in the northern Kerala districts of Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod and a yellow alert in six other districts of the state for the day. An orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm, and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

12 leopards died in Kerala this year; highest in a decade

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state has recorded the highest number of leopard deaths in a decade this year, with 12 fatalities reported till August 2025, according to forest department data. Between July 2015 and August 2025, a total of 92 leopards including adults, sub-adults, and juveniles have died due to natural causes, infighting, snaring, poisoning, hunting, electrocution, and vehicle hits. The toll was spread across almost every district, but the highest losses were in Palakkad with 34 deaths, followed by Wayanad with 20 and Thrissur with eight. Idukki recorded six deaths, Kottayam five, and Ernakulam four. Thiruvananthapuram reported three, the same as Malappuram and Kasaragod, while Kollam and Pathanamthitta had two each. Kozhikode and Kannur recorded one each. The trend shows an alarming spike this year, surpassing the previous peak of 10 deaths each in 2020 and 2024. In 2025 alone, six adult leopards, two sub-adults, three juveniles, and one of unidentified age were lost. Snaring has been a persistent threat, claiming two leopards this year and eight in total since 2018. Trapping accounted for a death this year, while other causes include hunting, poisoning, and electrocution. Vehicle collisions have also been reported, though less frequently. Despite conducting anti-snare drives across the state, incidents of snaring have increased. Conservation can only be done with community participation. Thats the only sustainable way. But there are certain groups among locals that encourage setting up snares in the name of safety, which have become dangerous, a senior forest official told TNIE. Snares are typically set for wild boars or other animals but end up killing non-target species like leopards. Trapping, the official explained, is different. Trapping is when the animals limbs are caught. It could be a cage trap or any other device. That wont trap the animal like snares do. Snares catch the animals entire body, the official said. Wildlife researchers say the danger is not limited to the snare itself. The animals might remain trapped for a long time before they are found. Their desperate efforts to escape can strangle them or tighten the snare around the body, causing internal bleeding. By the time darting and tranquillisation are attempted, the animal may already be in extreme stress and poor health, said Sandeep Das, a research associate with the department of zoology, Calicut University. While natural deaths form a significant portion of the toll, conservationists say that preventable causes like snaring demand urgent attention.

Kerala farmers enthusiastic over spike in coconut prices

KOCHI: Though the spike in coconut price has strained family budgets, it has a positive impact on the farming sector. The coconut farmers, who stopped tending to their crops long ago complaining of unaffordable labour cost and fertilizer prices, have started taking care of the trees. Though the prices have started declining following rise in production, the farmers have restarted widening the pits, applying manure and clearing the crest by pruning dead leaves apart from maintaining the 45-day harvest cycle. As the coconut prices were low and the labour cost was high, medium and small-scale farmers had stopped employing labourers for manuring and harvesting. They used to collect only the falling coconuts. But with the price of coconut crossing `95 per kg many farmers have restarted taking care of the trees. We have introduced a package for coconut tree care which includes six harvests, two times manuring, spraying pesticides and clearing the pit every month. This has evoked positive response among farmers, said Arunjith, a farmer in Varkala who promotes the Friends of Coconut Tree initiative with the support of the Coconut Development Board. At a time when low procurement rate, diseases and heavy rain have made paddy cultivation unprofitable, the rise in coconut prices has come as a blessing for the farmers. Last month the agents procured coconut from our area at the rate of `62 per kg, which was a record. Four days ago I got `50 per kg. We were getting an average price of `18 per kg less till a couple of years ago. Though the price has started declining we are satisfied with the current procurement rate. This has inspired many farmers to return to coconut farming, said Dinesh Choolanoor, a farmer in Palakkad. Sources at the Coconut Development Board said there has been a spike in demand for coconut seedlings. The board had recently introduced a few incentive schemes like productivity enhancement and expansion of area which have evoked positive response. The spike in coconut price was triggered by a decline in productivity caused by the severe drought in 2024 and adverse effects of climate change. But the state received copious rain from April which has helped improve production. Simultaneously there has been an increase in productivity in Tamil Nadu also. While the retail rate of popular coconut oil brands has shown only a marginal decline, the decision of the state government to provide coconut oil at a subsidised rate of `349 during Onam season is expected to bring down the market rate. The market rate of coconut in Thrissur market was `62 per kg on Monday, while the wholesale rate of coconut oil in Ernakulam market was `370 per litre. The price of coconut oil has started declining with an increase in production. But wholesalers in Tamil Nadu are holding the yield expecting good returns during the Onam season. The desiccated coconut producing units in Kithur in Karnataka procure coconut from Kannur and Kasaragod district. So the oil mills in Kerala are facing a shortage of quality copra, said Cochin Oil Merchants Association office-bearers. Current rates Wholesale coconut oil price on Monday - Rs 370 per litre Price of coconut - Rs 62 per kg

CPI(M) threatens to blockade NHAI officials houses over NH 544 gridlock

Accusing authorities of negligence that leave commuters stranded for hours, party says the issue should be resolved by August 21. Two days ago there was an 18-hour-long traffic jam on the Ernakulam-Thrissur stretch

Suresh Gopis LS victory a product of organised vote theft, says Prathapan

Congress leader gives statement to Thrissur ACP on his complaint that Suresh Gopi and his family had enrolled themselves as voters in Thrissur just before the last Lok Sabha elections using fraudulent documents

Kerala Minister slams Suresh Gopi's 'vanara' remarks in voters' list manipulation issue

Union Minister Suresh Gopi faced backlash for his vanara remark. Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty condemned the comment as insulting and undemocratic. Sivankutty emphasized the importance of electoral roll complaints for transparency. Congress also criticized Gopi's statement. They accused him of diverting attention from allegations of false declaration in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency.

Kerala agriculture growth doubles national average, says CM Vijayan

Thrissur: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday that Keralas agricultural sector is on the path of growth and that the state has achieved more than double the national average growth. He was speaking while inaugurating an online state-level celebration of Farmers Day and the distribution of state farmer awards. In the last financial year, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Demand to introduce MEMU service, augment coaches in trains in Ernakulam-Thrissur corridor

Passengers say traffic snarls on the stretch could continue for another 10 months until the works to decongest bottlenecked junctions on NH 544 are complete

BJP leaders to be questioned regarding Suresh Gopis suspected leopard tooth pendant

Congress worker shares video clips of the Minister walking along the Swaraj Round wearing the suspected wildlife trophy, identifies one of the accompanying persons as Thrissur BJP president. He terms the other person identifiable

Kerala showcases a secular cultural alternative to the world, says Minister K. Rajan

International Literary Festival opens in Thrissur; Kerala Sahitya Akademi auditorium named after writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair

Union Minister Suresh Gopis remarks on voters list controversy an insult to Thrissur people: DCC president Joseph Tajet

Thrissur DCC chief Joseph Tajet accuses Suresh Gopi of resorting to abusive language out of frustration after being exposed

Union Minister Suresh Gopi says no need for him to reply to voters' list manipulation charges

THRISSUR: Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Sunday said there is no need for him to answer to the voters' list manipulation charges raised by the Congress and the Left parties, and the Election Commission of India would give them a reply in this regard. Gopi said he is a minister, and he is delivering his responsibilities well. While replying to reporters' questions, the BJP leader also called the persons who have raised voters' list manipulation charges against him vanaras (monkeys). The Election Commission will give a reply to this (allegations). It is the EC who should answer. I am a minister. I am delivering my duties well. Otherwise, they will get a reply when they take the matter to the Supreme Court, Gopi said. He said those vanaras who have raised the charges could also go there to get answers. It is for the first time that Gopi was responding to the allegations of voters' list manipulation charges against him and the BJP in connection with the Lok Sabha polls last year. Sunday morning, the union minister garlanded the statue of the erstwhile ruler of the kingdom of Kochi, Shakthan Thampuran. 'Go to EC or courts': Kerala BJP chief on allegations regarding Suresh Gopi's 2024 LS win Later in the day, District Congress Committee (DCC) president Joseph Tajet came down heavily on Suresh Gopi over his vanara remarks, stating that the Congress party's culture does not permit them to respond in the same language. While addressing a press conference here, he alleged that it has now become clear to everyone that Gopi manipulated the voters' list. Tajet charged that he was making such remarks now to cover up his faults and divert people's attention. Stating that Gopi might have made the vanara remark by looking at the mirror, the Congress leader further said the party would not backtrack from its allegations against him at any cost. He has not opened his mouth so far about the allegations. Now, his reply was tantamount to insulting the entire people of Thrissur. It is regrettable. Congress cannot give a reply on the same lines, as it is a party which respects others, the leader added. The Congress, last week, made fresh allegations against Gopi, accusing him of submitting a false declaration to be included in the voters' list for the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency during the 2024 general election. The Congress has also filed a police complaint against the actor-turned-politician.

NHAI swings into action, takes steps to repair service roads amid backlash

KOCHI: Faced with growing backlash over poor maintenance of service roads, especially on stretches along the Thrissur-Ernakulam highway where underpass construction activities are in progress, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Saturday initiated temporary measures to fill up the potholes at Muringoor. The action comes after the traffic movement along the highway section went haywire, and the state authorities directed the central agency to adopt corrective measures on a war footing. The workers of NHAI concessionaire Guruvayur Infrastructure Pvt Ltd filled up the potholes at Muringoor Junction this afternoon. This after the Thrissur Superintendent of Police directed the agency to take measures on a war footing to ease the acute traffic congestion, a police official of Koratty police station said. Earlier on Friday night, a timber-laden lorry overturned, falling into a deep pothole on the service road near Muringoor underpass construction site. A heavy traffic congestion, extending up to 15 hours, was experienced after the lorry overturned, making its removal a difficult and time-consuming task for rescue teams. The timber logs scattered across the road further obstructed traffic, necessitating a meticulous clearing operation. TNIE on Friday had reported on the pothole-riddled service roads near high underpass construction sites at Muringoor , Chirangara, Amballoor and Perambra. While the construction of underpasses aims to improve connectivity in the long run, the temporary service roads are frequently criticised by commuters for their poor maintenance, a condition that is often exacerbated by monsoon rains. Meanwhile, the temporary repair works carried out by the NHAI amid heavy rains came in for sharp criticism, as the motorists charged that the filled up materials started to come out from the potholes. This temporary filling wont stand if it rains. The only solution is tarring, otherwise the potholes will resurface in a matter of few days, charged Nassir Chalakudy, a two-wheel rider daily commuting through the stretch. When contacted, NHAI officials, though, said activities like tarring of the broken stretch can be taken up only when the roads dry up after rains.

Heavy rains in Kerala: IMD issues orange alert in 5 districts

Orange alert for Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Yellow alert for remaining nine districts on Saturday

Huge traffic snarl on NH 544 in Thrissur's Muringoor; commuters stranded for hours

THRISSUR: A massive traffic congestion on National Highway 544 at Muringoor, which began Friday night, continued on Saturday morning, leaving commuters stranded for hours, Mathrubhumi News reported. The deadlock occurred around 8 pm near the under-construction stretch in Muringoor, when a timber-laden lorry skidded off the service road into a ditch and overturned, scattering logs across the road. Police, fire force, and locals worked during the night to clear the timber. Traffic bottlenecks on the main path & detour via pothole-filled roads make Thrissur-Ernakulam section of NH 544 a nightmare for passengers during peak hours Video by A Sanesh pic.twitter.com/sgXyjWC3EK A Sanesh (@sanesh_TNIE) August 16, 2025 The lorry was going to Perumbavoor from Pattambi, and those inside the lorry escaped without any injuries. However, the service road was left with deep craters due to vehicle movement. Though the road was cleared soon, the traffic snarl intensified later. The gridlock is severe on the road leading to Ernakulam from Chalakudy. Some drivers said they had been stuck on the road since 2 am and criticised the authorities for failing to repair the huge potholes, reported Manorama News . Traffic congestion has become a regular issue on the Thrissur-Angamaly stretch of NH 544, especially since the beginning of construction works for an underpass in Muringoor, making it difficult for passengers travelling to the Cochin International Airport, Technopark, and Infopark.

Massive traffic jam at Muringoor on Ernakulam-Thrissur highway in Kerala after lorry accident

Long traffic snarl remains for hours and alternative routes have been suggested for airport-bound passengers

Stray dog menace spirals in Thrissur as attacks rise and control efforts stall

Over 29,000 dog bite cases reported in 2024; public opposition derails new Animal Birth Control centres

Actor Jackie Shroff gifts mechanical elephant to temple in Kerala

Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff has gifted a mechanical elephant to the Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple in Kodungallur, located between Kochi and Thrissur in Kerala, in honour of the temples commitment to never hiring or keeping real elephants.

Remembering 'Aikya Keralam' maharaja and Cochin's tryst with democracy

Two pairs of flags fluttered proudly in the August breeze of 1947 in the erstwhile kingdom of Cochin, marking the birth of a new nation. One was raised at Hill Palace in Tripunithura, the other at Town Hall in Thrissur. On the historic morning of August 15, 1947, the maharaja (Rama Varma VII) hoisted the flag of Cochin alongside the Tricolour at Hill Palace. In Thrissur, the Ilaya Raja led the celebrations, raising the same two flags in unison, informs Devan Rama Varma, a descendant of the Cochin royal family. The photo that is now available of the flag hoisting is of Ilaya Raja at Thrissur. For Cochin, the twin celebration for a new India was not just ceremonial. It was a full-circle moment for the vision of Rama Varma VII or Aikya Keralam Thampuran as he was better known. His dream of a united Kerala and India had placed Cochin several steps ahead of its time. C Rajagopalachari with Pareekshith Thampuran at Durbar Hall during a discussion on national integration In his now-famous speech delivered to the Cochin Legislative Council on July 29, 1946, the maharaja had addressed what he called the hopes as well as misgivings of his subjects due to the political uncertainties of the time. For its own sake and for the good of the country as a whole, Kerala must unite and function as a separate and cohesive unit in the greater Federation of India, he stated. In the following months, as Indias journey to freedom gathered pace, he declared in April 1947 at the Aikya Keralam Convention, I have no hesitation to declare that Cochin would continue to remain part of the Mother Country. It is joining the Constitutional Assembly at once. No word or act of mine shall usher in a day when a Cochinite finds he has lost the right to call himself an Indian. Devan asks with a smile: Arent these words so inspiring when they come from a maharaja who volunteers to let go of his powers and privileges in the interest of his peoples welfare? Throughout his speech addressed to the Legislative Council, the maharaja showed faith in the idea of India as an independent state: I have said before that if India becomes great, every part of it becomes great. Flag-hoisting at Town Hall, Thrissur He also showed complete confidence in governance based on a constitution, instead of favouring autocracy: I believe in pure Constitutional Rule, and throughout my life, I have sedulously cultivated an attitude towards life and institutions which is antipathetic to autocracy and personal rule. The maharajas attitude and eagerness towards uniting Kerala with India had caught the attention of notable leaders such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and C Rajagopalachari. The outlook and approach of this declaration was in pleasant contrast to what one usually gets from the ruler and authorities in the states, and I should like to congratulate the maharaja, said Nehru. Cochin is eminently suited for this changeover to a democratic form of government because of the high standard of education here. Highlighting how graciously the declaration was carried forward, Ramabhadran Thampuran, another descendant of the royal family, says, When V P Menon arrived in Cochin as a representative of the Indian government, he was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity with which Pareekshith Thampuran (Rama Varma VIIs successor) let go of his powers. He mentioned it in his book The Story of the Integration of the Indian States. Seventy-eight years later, as tricolours unfurl across the country, the image of two flags fluttering side by side in Cochin still carries a quiet power. On August 15, 1947, Cochin did not just join a free India it embraced it, wholeheartedly.

Do something instead of appealing, SC to NHAI over toll suspension

NEW DELHI : Refusing to interfere with the Kerala High Courts order suspending collection of user fee at Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur, the Supreme Court on Thursday suggested that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) should do something instead of filing appeals and wasting time. The Kerala HC had, on August 6, ordered a four-week suspension of toll collection, observing that motorists could not be charged for use of a stretch of highway that is badly maintained and is beset by severe traffic congestion. The NHAI moved the apex court challenging the HC order, and seeking to quash it. However, the SC refused to entertain the appeal. The SC bench, comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, refused to quash the HC order on the ground that the EdappallyMannuthy stretch of National Highway 544 was in a poor condition. You take the toll from the people and dont provide the services the service road is not maintained, said the bench. Instead of filing an appeal and wasting time, you do something, Justice Chandran told the NHAI, noting even ambulances struggle to pass the congested stretch. The relationship between the public and the NHAI was one of public trust and failure to maintain smooth traffic flow breached that trust, the court said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the NHAI, argued that the HC ruling wrongly allowed the concessionaire, Guruvayoor Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, to recover losses from the NHAI. But the court was unmoved, and kept questioning NHAI about its failings. Sensing that the court was not inclined to entertain the appeal, Mehta sought adjournment to present maps showing the work locations, to which the CJI said, You want to postpone the dismissal? The court clarified that disputes between NHAI and the concessionaire could be resolved through arbitration. The matter, along with the concessionaires separate petition, was posted for further hearing on Monday.

Commuters ride through hell made worse by NHAIs indifference in Kerala

KOCHI: The traffic bottleneck along the vital Thrissur-Ernakulam section of NH 544 has further deteriorated, affecting thousands of commuters who are now forced to spend nearly an hour now at key choke points like Muringoor and Amballoor during peak hours. What has added to the misery of travellers is the alleged refusal of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to temporarily fill potholes at the sites of ongoing highway development projects. To manage the serpentine queue of vehicles, traffic police have been forced to effect detours at least at three places. However, heavy vehicles like container trucks and luxury contract carriages cannot take the narrow bylanes. For over six months, this crucial artery has been in a state of perpetual gridlock. It has worsened now, with a journey that once took a little over an hour now consuming three or more, causing immense frustration and inflicting economic losses. Interstate night service buses are getting delayed by several hours. There is a heavy rush with the weekend holidays. Today, almost all services, which should have reached Ernakulam by morning, could make it only by noon. At a couple of points, the buses could not move an inch for nearly an hour. The story is same while returning. We are forced to speed up once we pass the section. This is costing us extra Rs 2,000 to 3,000 towards fuel expenses, said Rijas A J, in-charge of Sona Travels. The vehicles are mainly getting stuck at the construction sites, where traffic is being diverted through pothole-filled service roads. The potholes have turned craters at some sections. This is gross negligence by authorities. They should have first repaired the service roads before diverting traffic, he said. At key choke points like Amballoor, Perambra, Muringoor, Chirangara and Koratty, work on multiple underpasses is progressing simultaneously, effectively reducing the main four-lane highway to a single, chaotic lane. The service roads have deteriorated, especially at sites where the works are progressing. The vehicle congestion starts early morning itself now. We have started diverting smaller vehicles from Pongam (Angamaly-Thrissur direction) and before Amballoor Junction and Muringoor (in the Thrissur-Angamaly direction). There are numerous potholes in these places which are affecting traffic, said Sheena, a traffic constable who was having a hard time managing vehicles at Muringoor on Thursday. For daily commuters, the gridlock has had a diverse impact, affecting everything from logistics and local businesses to personal health. The delays have become a regular feature of life, forcing people to leave homes several hours early for work and return home several hours late. Earlier, they used to temporarily fill potholes. However, they have stopped repairing potholes from last week post the court order to suspend toll collection. The situation has been exacerbated by the rain. The downpour has led to severe waterlogging, particularly in areas where construction work has compromised drainage systems. These flooded stretches force vehicles to slow to a crawl through the pothole-riddled service roads, compounding the existing traffic blocks, said Nassir Chalakudy, a two-wheel rider and a resident of Chalakudy. Meanwhile, sources alleged that the toll collection agency Guruvayur Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (GIPL), responsible for the maintenance of the Thrissur-Edappally section, has stopped most of the toll-related services, including highway assistance and vehicle monitoring through CCTVs. A dedicated path for passage of ambulances at the Paliyekkara toll has been closed in both directions. When contacted, a GIPL official said the toll-related services have been suspended, but declined to elaborate. Know your path Highway: NH 544 Section: Mannuthy-Edappally Distance: 65 km Name of concessionaire: Guruvayur Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (GIPL) Underpass sites: Chirangara, Muringoor, Perambra & Amballoor

Lukewarm response to Partition Horror Day in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Rajendra Arlekars direction to observe Partition Horror Day on the eve of Independence Day, on Thursday, evoked a lukewarm response from most of the higher educational institutions across the state, with clashes reported from a few campuses. Barring a couple of state universities, most of the varsities too gave the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day a miss. In Kerala University, a seminar on the theme of partition was held by the Centre for Vedanta Studies and a seminar to observe the day was held online at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) as per the direction of Vice Chancellor Junaid Bushiri. Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the universities and colleges rejected outright the call to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day when the country was rejoicing in the spirit of independence. Upholding the highest values of humanity, our youth have once again proclaimed loudly that the campuses in the state are places of secularism and brotherhood, Bindu told reporters in Thrissur. Meanwhile, the pro-right-wing student outfit, ABVP, observed the day on a few campuses, leading to clashes. Government College, Kasaragod, witnessed clashes between ABVP and SFI activists after the latter tore up a poster put up in solidarity with the event by ABVP workers. The ABVP workers were also confronted by MSF workers after the posters were pasted again. The police intervened to prevent further clashes. The real stories of partition are being obscured by the Congress and the communist parties to satisfy their vested motives and appeasement politics, ABVP state secretary E U Eswaraprasad said.

BJP to launch campaign against love jihad in Kerala

KOCHI: Ignoring the political turmoil over vote theft, the reconstituted core committee of the state BJP, which met in Kochi on Thursday, decided to concentrate on preparations for the upcoming local body and assembly elections. The committee also decided to launch a campaign against love jihad and support the family of Sona Eldhose of Kothamangalam , who died by suicide recently following alleged religious conversion attempt, to fight the case legally. Party state vice-president Shone George will lead the campaign. The meeting congratulated the leadership for its effort to ensure the release of the nuns who were arrested in Chhattisgarh . The people who ran to Chhattisgarh pretending to help the nuns have not opened their mouths against the Kothamangalam incident where a girl was driven to suicide in the name of love. The LDF and the UDF are alarmed by the increasing influence of the BJP among the Christians and are spreading lies to misguide the community, said general secretary S Suresh. The core committee also condemned the alleged attempts of the LDF and UDF to tarnish the image of Thrissur MP and Union Minister Suresh Gopi. In addition, the meeting finalised the road map for a 100-day campaign.

Thrissurs voters list row boils over as parties arm themselves for legal battle

Fresh allegations link BJP central leadership to software manipulation. CPI demands Supreme Court-monitored probe

Instead of appealing against toll suspension, do something, Supreme Court tells NHAI

Kerala High Court ordered suspension of toll collection at Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur district in view of the poor condition of the EdapallyMannuthy stretch of National Highway 544

10 votes registered at BJP district office address, Thrissur LS polls held on fraudulent list, alleges V.S. Sunil Kumar

CPI is scrutinising voters list and will come up with more details on manipulations, he says

Binoy Viswam calls for Supreme Court-monitored probe into voter list discrepancy in Thrissur

CPI to organise massive march in Thrissur on August 16 against alleged voter list tampering

Kerala Election Commission paving way for voter fraud in local body polls too, alleges Thrissur DCC president

Current voter list software does not have option to detect vote duplication, opening doors for large-scale manipulation in local polls, alleges Joseph Tajet

Congress leader T.N. Prathapan alleges BJP Central leadership manipulated voters list in Thrissur, seeks judicial probe

Prathapan alleges BJPs Central leadership manipulated 2023-24 voters list update in Kerala by influencing a private software company engaged by Election Commission of India, enabling last-minute inclusion of over 30,000 fake votes in Thrissur constituency

Kerala Congress leader Chennithala alleges large-scale voters list fraud; points fingers at CPM, BJP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged massive voters list fraud in Kerala, drawing a comparison to the irregularities exposed recently by Rahul Gandhi at the national level. In a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, Chennithala recalled that in March 2021, he had brought out evidence of widespread fake and duplicate votes in the state ahead of the assembly elections. He said a scrutiny of the final voters list published by the Election Commission (EC) at the time showed shocking duplication. The initial findings indicated large numbers of fake votes in constituencies such as Kazhakoottam (4,506), Koyilandi (4,611), Nadapuram (6,171) and Ambalappuzha (4,750), he said. Follow-up checks by UDF workers across all 140 constituencies had allegedly uncovered 4.34 lakh duplicate or fake votes. Despite filing a complaint with the EC, Chennithala said action was limited. It admitted to 38,000 double votes but cited technical limitations in verifying the rest. He alleged the actual number of fraudulent votes could exceed 10 lakh, enough to have influenced the 2021 poll outcome, and accused the CPM and BJP of aiding each other to seize power. Chennithala also raised suspicions about alleged voters list manipulation in Thrissur, where the BJP won, suggesting it may have been done with CPMs knowledge.

Parties trade charges as bogus voter row escalates in Thrissur

Dual voter ID claims, cross-district transfers and calls for judicial probe intensify political storm

Suresh Gopi maintains silence on voter list discrepancies as protests by BJP, CPI(M) rock Thrissur

Union Minister visits injured party workers but skips BJP protest march; CPI(M), AIYF too take out marches. CPI State Council member K.K. Valsaraj accuses the Centre of using its influence to dismantle the democratic election process

Suresh Gopi Returns to Thrissur amid Charges of Voter List Manipulations

BJP workers' stage protest against police.

AIYF stages protest in Thrissur over alleged irregularities in voter list

Election Commission accused of acting as a political tool of Sangh Parivar

V.S. Sunil Kumar tells Kerala Chief Electoral Officer that vote fraud declaration demand unsustainable in law

Sunil Kumar reiterates charge that several BJP workers who were not ordinarily residents in Thrissur were included in electoral rolls for parliamentary constituency ahead of 2024 elections

Congress leader Anil Akkara alleges Suresh Gopis brother, sister-in-law hold dual voter ID cards

Anil Akkara accuses BJP of orchestrating a wider conspiracy, claiming that it is not just Suresh Gopis relatives, but thousands of voters with duplicate IDs have been inserted into Thrissurs rolls under BJPs direction

BJP leader K. Surendran slams allegations of bogus votes in Thrissur, defends Suresh Gopi

Former BJP Kerala president says opposing parties failed to detect fraud earlier; vows strong political resistance

OTT hit 'The Hunt': Meet the Malayali 'LTTE tigresses' on the prowl

The Rajiv Gandhi assassination case had no particular Kerala connection except for Major A K Ravindran (retd) aka Major Ravi, who handled the NSG operations, and a few CBI sleuths who had served short stints in the state. But now, however, some Malayali names have been cropping up in discussions about the case. Well, we are talking about its screen adaptation, The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case web series directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. Two of the women leads in the drama, launched last month on Sony Liv are from Kerala Gouri Padmakumar and Sruthy Vijayan. Sruthy Vijayan, who acted as Thanu, the LTTE suicide bomber who killed Rajiv Gandhi. While Gouri plays the petite-yet-steely standby LTTE assassin Shubha, Sruthy dons the role of the seemingly nave, flower-in-braid, garland-in-hand Thanu, whom India still remembers as the LTTE suicide bomber who blew herself to pieces to assassinate former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Sruthy and Gouri, in fact, join a group of six Malayali actors in the cast of the web series, portraying prominent figures such as LTTE chief Veluppillai Prabhakaran (the role was played by Jyotish MG, an associate professor of acting at theKR Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts), infamous one-eyed Sivarasan (Kochi-based Shafeeq Mustafa played this part), who masterminded the assassination, LTTE leader Trichy Saanthan (Akhil Kaimal essayed this role), to Haribabu (played by Vishnu G Warrier), the photographer killed in the blast that changed the socio-political scenes of both India and Sri Lanka. Neetu Chandra, who played Mridula, an LTTE sympathiser, is also from Kerala. The assassination on May 21, 1991, remains one of Indias most sensational cases a near-perfect crime, at least until providence intervened in the form of Haribabus camera, revealing to the world the killing that triggered a gripping 90-day CBI investigation. Gouri Padmakumar, who acted as LTTE cadet Shubha. Notably, the series is based on the book Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhis Assassins by Anirudhya Mitra. The case had no parallel in Indias history, perhaps why its screen adaptation continues to grip audiences as the case did in 1991. TNIE catches up with Gouri and Sruthy, who hail from Thrissur, to hear how they came to be part of The Hunt and what the experience meant for them. For Sruthy, who had already worked in several films, the role was layered enough to spark her artistic curiosity. What enticed her was the character whose navety was as natural as her fiery loyalty to her cause. The scene given to me for the audition was what Thanu tells the LTTE gang on the day before the assassination. The entire group has a ball cooking and eating food that Thanu likes, dancing and singing. Then, she moves up to the open sky and tells her clan that from the next day, they can find her among the stars above. This she says with a smile, which may be a camouflage for her fears or a hidden pride in being of use to her cause. I liked her layers, which is why I took up the role, says Sruthy. Sruthy Vijayan as Thanu Gouri as Shubha A Bharatanatyam dancer who graduated from Kalakshetra, Sruthy is drawn to such roles and is determined to work in more of them. Dance and acting are my passions, and I will not trade one for the other, she says. Working with a director like Nagesh Kukunoor gave me a deeper perspective on acting. The role he gave me was structured so precisely. We were shown a real documentary of Thanu, who was laughing and dancing with her fellow LTTE mates. It was probably her innocence that was used as a camouflage. It gave me the perspective to dive deeper into roles. I read up on the LTTE, as the incident had happened when I was just three months old, so literature was the only way I could know more about it. But all the research and the approach of the director showed me how to portray life in my roles. Sruthy says that her artistic journey is still in its early stages. Somehow, I am landing more roles in Telugu. There are some Malayalam projects too on the way, says the actor, who debuted in Lijo Jose Pellisserys Angamaly Diaries. A on-set picture of Sruthy and Gouri with Anjana Balaji (extreme left) who plays Nalini in 'The Hunt'. For Gouri, who is also a dancer, Shubha was a character that silently spoke. I, too, had read up a lot on the LTTE and the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka. That gave me an insight into why Shubha was what she was a mass of rock-hard resilience and grit who would not wince when her leader asked her to kill. But beneath her was a little girl whose sensitivity, albeit frozen, shows itself to people she can warm up to, says the commerce graduate, who is also part of her mother and gurus Kuchipudi productions. Gouri says she explored the language of the role. Sri Lankan Tamil has a tinkle to it, being close to pure Tamil (Sentamizh). For us Malayalis, it is easy, as Malayalam is close to Sentamizh. I really enjoyed it, says the actor, who was trained at Anupam Khers acting school Actor Prepares. A scene from The Hunt showing the previous night of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination on May 21, 1991, when the LTTE cadets are sharing a dinner made to the preference of Thanu who is all set to blow herself up at the Sriperumbudur rally. Gouri as Shubha with Shafeeq Mustafa who acted as Sivarasan in The Hunt. She, too, feels the moment when Thanu looks up at the sky and speaks about becoming a star captures the mindset of LTTE suicide bombers. Thanu believes there is pride in what she is doing, and it would make her a star. That is perhaps what drove most of the LTTE suicide bombers, says Gouri. But even if I understand why people turn out to be what they are, I do not sympathise with the bloodshed any ideology or cause creates. Gouri says she is in pursuit of meaningful roles that help her explore herself the way The Hunt did. The entire cast helped. The technical staff were north Indians, and they were in awe of us Malayali actors. Some even told me I looked like Nandita Das in Kannathil Muthamittal when I put on the military gear, she laughs. Sruthy Vijayan on stage. Gouri Padmakumar during a Kuchipudi recital. For both Sruthy and Gouri, The Hunt was not just another assignment but a recreation of the LTTE world, the case as it happened, the way it was cracked, and the history it made. We truly saw how every role is a journey into life and its umpteen shades, they say.

'Go to EC or courts': Kerala BJP chief on allegations regarding Suresh Gopi's 2024 LS win

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday said any illegality in connection with the election of a candidate during polls should be raised before the Election Commission or the courts, instead of spreading lies to fool and provoke the public. Chandrasekhar's remarks came in the wake of Congress and CPI allegations that Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi filed a false declaration during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and that his victory from Thrissur constituency was due to voter list manipulation. The Congress, a day ago, alleged that the Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism submitted a false declaration to be included in the voters' list for the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency. The grand old party has lodged a complaint with the police demanding registration of a criminal case against him. Prior to that, CPI leader V S Sunil Kumar, on Monday, alleged that there was clear manipulation in the electoral roll, which facilitated Gopi's victory in the Thrissur constituency. Gopi had won the Thrissur seat by a significant margin of over 74,000 votes, defeating Kumar and Congress candidate K Muraleedharan in a closely fought three-cornered contest. On Wednesday, Chandrasekhar questioned the veracity of the allegations by saying that these claims were being raised one-and-a-half year after Gopi won in the LS polls. The BJP leader also said that such issues should be raised before the Election Commission or the courts by filing a complaint or election petition. They do not do that. Instead, they try to provoke the public by telling lies or try to divert people's attention by their propaganda. It is all a show, he claimed. He alleged that such dramas are being done by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan as elections approach. Meanwhile, Gopi reached Thrissur and met a BJP worker who was injured in a protest on Tuesday. After arriving at Thrissur railway station, the minister did not respond to reporters' queries about the Congress and CPI allegations. At the hospital, he only said, Thanks for helping so much. It was not clear to whom he was referring to. On Tuesday, General Education Minister V Sivankutty urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to carry out a re-election in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, in the wake of reports of widespread voters' list manipulation.

EC vs Opposition | Voter Fraud Controversy In Kerala's Thrissur. Fight Over Suresh Gopi's Seat

| Voter fraud controversy in 's Thrissur. Fight over Suresh Gopi's seat n18oc_indiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accuses CPI(M), Congress of collusion in Thrissur voter fraud controversy

Rajeev Chandrasekhar says INDIA bloc allies are resorting to muckraking to rob the sheen of Union Minister Suresh Gopis upset victory in Thrissur

Suresh Gopi arrives in Thrissur amid voter list controversy, declines media questions

BJP workers accord reception for Suresh Gopi at Thrissur railway station. Union Minister to call on injured BJP workers in hospital

State Arts Fest returns to Thrissur after seven years; 64th edition starts Jan 7

THRISSUR: Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala will host the 64th Kerala State Arts Festival from January 7 to 11, after a gap of seven years. Education Minister V Sivankutty on Tuesday inaugurated the organising committee meeting at the Indoor Stadium here. In his inaugural speech, the minister made it clear that judges who participated three consecutive years in the arts festival would not be allowed to evaluate the performances this year. He added that the festival as in previous years, would be conducted by sticking to the time schedule as fair as possible. He also announced that a fresh order would be issued soon making (Onam, Christmas and Eid) celebration days at school to be working days where students do not have to wear their school uniform. He also declared that field trips should include all students regardless of their financial background. Otherwise, trips should not be conducted. I came across some complaints regarding the matter; when the entire class goes for a trip, some choose not to because of their financial situation. Such students should not be excluded and the school should take steps to ensure their participation, he added. He also sought cooperation from local bodies, schools and teachers in the district to make the youth festival a memorable event for all. During the festival days, we will have to serve food for many. Last time, there were days when we served food for about 24,000 people at a stretch. We are planning to make arrangements to buy vegetables from students itself by encouraging farming, so that we dont have to buy them from outside, he said. He urged the school authorities to take students to the festival venues for at least a day so that they could watch the performances. Revenue Minister K Rajan, who presided over the ceremony, noted that the 64th youth festival would be the best one the state ever had in all ways, right from organising it, to the performances. As the ever-rolling gold cup of the youth festival is still in Thrissur, we will work hard not to lose it this year either, he added. Higher Education Minister R Bindu, Public Education Department Director S Shanavas, Thrissur Municipal Corporation Mayor M K Varghese, Additional Secretary of Public Education Chithra S, MLA P Balachandran and District Collector Arjun Pandian attended.

Faulty voter list for Thrissur LS poll sparks political firestorm

Residents in many apartments stunned to discover that names had quietly made it to the voters list without the actual occupants knowing a thing about it. Congress, LDF demand Thrissur MP Suresh Gopis resignation.BJP leaders dismiss allegations as politically motivated

Protests and counter-protests over voter List fraud row in Thrissur

Congress accuses Suresh Gopi of submitting false affidavit; files police complaint

The Congress party has accused Union Minister Suresh Gopi of providing false information to get his name on the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency voters' list. A police complaint has been filed demanding a criminal case. Congress leaders allege Gopi falsely claimed residency. They also say his name remains on another voters' list.

Congress in Kerala lodges police complaint against Union Minister Suresh Gopi, alleges electoral fraud

Former Thrissur MP T.N. Prathapan files complaint seeking criminal probe against Suresh Gopi on charge of filing false affidavit claiming more than six months domicile in the Lok Sabha constituency ahead of filing nomination in 2024 polls

DG Shipping cracks whip on maritime institutes, Kerala Maritime Board steps in

KOCHI: With the Director General of Shipping (DGS) cracking the whip on institutes offering maritime training and certification courses, the Kerala Maritime Board has decided to start approved courses at its facilities in Kodungallur and Neendakara. The DG Shipping had issued an order on August 1, banning private training centres from conducting maritime courses without mandatory approval. Maritime education and training provided to Indian seafarers are required to meet strict national and international standards as prescribed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and enforced by the DGS. It has been brought to the attention of the directorate that certain foreign governments and maritime administration have authorised private training centres to conduct maritime training courses leading to issuance of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificate of competencies and certificate of proficiencies within Indian territory. But many such institutes do not have the approval of the DGS. Such activities are unauthorised and in contravention of Indian law and international obligations, the order said. As the courses are conducted undermining the regulatory authority of the Indian Maritime Administration, no training shall be deemed to be valid unless it is of such standard and type as approved by the Central government. No foreign government, maritime administration, agency, institution or representative shall conduct or deliver maritime training within India, without prior written approval from the DGS, the order further said. As per the order, any entity violating the directive will face legal action and will be blacklisted. The DGS has advised all ship owners, and maritime training institutes not to collaborate with unapproved foreign training providers. Any foreign administration intending to conduct maritime training in India must submit a formal proposal to the directorate seeking prior approval. The STCW is an international convention that sets the minimum standards for training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers. These standards are established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and are crucial for ensuring safety and competency within the global maritime industry. Some institutes are conducting courses in collaboration with some foreign institutes violating the international convention. For example they are providing certificate of competency in six months for courses which need mandatory training for four years. So the DG Shipping has decided to regulate the courses in view of the recent accidents, said Mercantile Marine Department Principal Officer J Senthil Kumar. Meanwhile, the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) has initiated the process to get approval from the DGS to conduct certified courses at Kodungallur and Neendakara. We have signed an agreement with Thrissur Police Academy to use the swimming pool facility for training. An agreement has been signed with the Cochin Shipyard for practical training in fire fighting. We have submitted an application after complying with the guidelines and expect approval to conduct basic courses at the Maritime Institute in Kodungallur within three months. The plan is to develop the facility at Neendakara as an international hub of maritime training and we hope to get the approval in six months, said KMB chairman N S Pillai. DGS action Private training centres have been banned from conducting courses without DGS nod No training will be deemed valid unless it is of Centre-approved standards Any entity violating the directive will face legal action

Whiff of a novel trend? Artificial flowers are reshaping Keralas festivals

KOZHIKODE: For generations, fresh flowers have played a major role in the vibrant festivals of Kerala. From the golden shower of the kani konna during Vishu to the intricate floral carpets, or pookalams, of Onam, these natural blooms are deep-rooted in Malayali culture. But in recent years, a new kind has been flowering -- one made of plastic and that promises convenience, affordability and a longer-lasting festive spirit. This shift from natures bounty to a more practical, reusable alternative is not just a trend -- its now a burgeoning cottage industry. Traders across the state have reported a significant surge in the popularity of these synthetic flowers, noting that they are washable, recyclable, and significantly cheaper than fresh flowers that are now mostly imported from neighbouring states. The pookalam, a centrepiece of the Onam celebration, has traditionally been a labour of love, a daily creative effort using flowers plucked from local gardens. But with the scarcity of native flowers such as thumba and thechi and the rise of urban living, this cherished tradition is becoming increasingly challenging. This is where entrepreneur Arvindakshan N K and his family from Thrissur stepped in. With the support of his wife, Jisha, and son, Aljith, Arvindakshan turned his company, Empire Creation, into a family business creating pre-assembled, artificial pookalams. We first tried this ten years ago, but the frame we used couldnt be folded, so it didnt take off, Arvindakshan said. The idea was revived recently when a customer asked for a pookalam mat, sparking the familys new venture. The new version, which uses a durable base and high-quality artificial flowers, can be easily rolled up for storage and reuse. The response has been nothing short of explosive. The familys social media channels, managed by Aljith, an automobile engineer, have been flooded with orders. In just one week, a single social media post garnered more than 800,000 views. Im finding more scope in this business, Aljith says, noting that hes attended several marketing courses to help grow the company. The family has already shipped more than 1,000 pookalams and is struggling to keep up with demand. We have been receiving orders from around the world, he said. Were getting more orders from outside India, Aljith explains. Weve had orders from the UK, Canada, Ireland, and the United States. The family was even challenged to make a pookalam six feet in diameter for a church in Ireland, a feat they accomplished despite not having created one over four feet. This global demand highlights a clear need within the Malayali diaspora. For families living in countries where fresh flowers are expensive or simply unavailable, these ready-made pookalams offer a perfect solution. They allow them to keep their traditions alive without the daily effort or the worry of wilting petals. They can be unrolled and placed in minutes, providing an instant connection to their homelands festive spirit. The raw materials, primarily artificial flowers from China, allow the family to keep costs down and pass the savings on to customers. Prices range from Rs 250 for a 1.5 ft pookalam to Rs 2,300 for a four-feet one. The family, which has been in the artificial-flower business for 15 years, is now facing the challenge of scaling up. With over 400 orders pending and a delivery issue to tackle, they have enlisted the help of friends to complete the backlog. While currently offering a single design, Empire Creation is planning to introduce more creations for the next season.

Suresh Gopi missing, probe needed; KSU leader lodges complaint

THRISSUR: KSU district president Gokul Guruvayur has lodged a man-missing complaint with the Thrissur City police, seeking a probe into the disappearance of Union Minister and Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi. The police have not registered a case in that regard. In the complaint, the KSU leader alleged that Suresh Gopi went missing after the arrest of two Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh. He urged the police to probe the whereabouts of the MP and to find those behind his disappearance. According to his social media handles, Suresh Gopi is currently in Manipur on official duty as the Union minister of state for tourism and petroleum and natural gas. Meanwhile, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar brushed aside complaints that Suresh Gopi has been missing from his constituency. Everyone knows that when an MP becomes a Union minister, he will have additional responsibilities, Chandrasekhar said. Further, the BJP leader said he would soon meet the Malankara Orthodox Churchs Thrissur Diocese Metropolitan Mar Yuhanon Meletius. The bishop had indirectly targeted Suresh Gopi in a recent Facebook post, expressing concern that the one we chose and sent to Delhi is missing.

BJP switches strategy in Kerala, to play health card for LSG elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP appears to be recalibrating its political strategy in Kerala, shifting its focus to the health sector as a key campaign topic ahead of the local body elections. Sources said the move comes as the party sidesteps the controversy over the recent attack on nuns and priests in Odisha, a BJP-ruled state, which has threatened to strain its Christian outreach and slow momentum in certain constituencies. Many party leaders termed the Thrissur Lok Sabha election charges baseless and stressed that more counter-strategies would be rolled out. On Saturday, BJP state general secretary S Suresh said in a meeting the party would strongly oppose what it sees as the state governments targeting of Dr Haris Chirakkal. Dr Haris has raised the voice of the common people of this state. Things have reached a stage where honest officials struggle to work under this regime. The BJP is moving forward with strong protests against this dangerous approach, Suresh said. Party sources said the focus on the health sector is a calculated move to spotlight issues with direct public relevance, such as access to quality healthcare and safeguarding honest officials, while steering clear of overexposure to sensitive matters like the Odisha incident. In Chhattisgarh, the BJP played a key role in securing the release of two jailed nuns, but several leaders conceded that internal disagreements have risen over whether such interventions would bring political gains. With Church leaders now voicing concerns over religious freedom and citing the Odisha attack, the party has chosen to approach the matter cautiously, a source said. For instance, at another press meet on Sunday, BJP general secretary Anoop Antony reiterated Sureshs stand on the Dr Haris issue but refrained from criticising the Church authorities. At the same time, the BJP is pushing back against the Congress and Left allegations of voters list manipulation in Thrissur. Leaders noted that the party had already released, on August 7, evidence of large-scale irregularities in the recently released draft voters list, alleging the involvement of government officials and the Left. Both the Left and the Congress are worried about the BJPs growing influence. Thus, they are raising Thrissur voters list manipulations with a hidden agenda. The Left government is behind the manipulations in the recently released voters list as they are certain of a huge setback in the upcoming local body polls, a prominent BJP leader claimed. Grassroots workers believe the health card could be more effective in connecting with voters, alongside issues in the education sector. If the BJP focuses on these sectors (education and health) in each locality, we can position ourselves as the only party capable of ensuring development, a party worker said. CPI, Cong leaders try to insult voters Thrissur: BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh on Sunday said CPI and Congress leaders could not yet accept the defeat in Lok Sabha election in Thrissur and were insulting the voters by their allegations of voters list tampering. Suresh Gopis victory in Thrissur is a result of collective efforts by BJP workers. The leaders of CPI, CPM and Congress are yet to come out of the shock. All this while, they were behind Thrissur Pooram. Now they have come up with voters list issues. We followed all the regulations while adding names to the list, he said.

CPI(M), Congress to highlight voter fraud in Thrissur LS polls in campaign against BJP

M.A. Baby says ECI helped BJP booth agents add at least 30,000 bogus voters in Thrissur using fudged proof of domicile and forged identities. N.K. Premachandran, MP, says INDIA bloc allies will weigh impeaching the ECI members

Police security beefed up at Thrissur MP Suresh Gopis office amid protests

Muthuva Sanghamam marks largest gathering since revival of tribal collective

IDUKKI: For decades, the Muthuvan tribal community, spread across the forested high ranges of Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad, and the KeralaTamil Nadu border, had the will to demand their rights but allegedly lacked a collective voice. That changed in 2024 with the revival of the Muthuvan Adivasi Samudaya Sangham, an organisation now uniting hundreds of settlements under one banner to protect their culture, secure their rights, and push for development. The impact of that revival was on full display at Muthuva Sanghamam 2025, a three-day gathering at Chembakathozhukudi in Chinnakkanal that concluded on Sunday. Around 3,000 Muthuvans from nearly 140 settlements came together in what leaders call the biggest event since the Sanghams rebirth, timed to mark the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples. This event shows what unity can achieve, said C. Rajendran, district panchayat member and state committee member of the Sangham. Our aim is to make our people aware of their rights and uphold our traditions. We have been treated as mere vote banks for too long. That will change, he said. The Sanghams roots date back to 1995, when tribal leaders, inspired by faculty at the Gangothri School in Suryanelli, formed the original collective. It thrived for over a decade before the schools closure and the absence of educated leaders in the community caused activities to stall. In 2024, tribal elders decided to revive the registered organisation instead of starting from scratch, expediting legal procedures and rekindling the network. Today, the Sangham has a structured governing body with two representatives from each settlement, area committees, and ooru committees led by tribal chiefs. Its efforts have been visible in recent protest programmes demanding infrastructure, healthcare, and legal justice. The Sanghams intervention was allegedly pivotal in prompting the Tamil Nadu government to order a judicial inquiry into the suspicious death of a 58-year-old tribal man from Suryanelli at the Udumalpet forest range office. At Muthuva Sanghamam, discussions ranged from forest rights, welfare schemes for tribes at the government level, education, financial empowerment, and infrastructure facilities at the settlement to womens issues. Cultural programmes, seminars, and a free medical camp by the National Ayush Mission added to the spirit of empowerment. Leaders hope the event will mark the beginning of sustained mobilisation across all districts. We are building more than an organisation, we are building a future where our voices are heard and our rights respected. This is only the beginning, Rajendran said. Kerala Police Academy director K. Sethuraman was the chief guest, Adimaly assistant tribal development officer M. Kandaswami inaugurated the meeting, and Munnar wildlife warden K. V. Harikrishnan delivered the tribal day message. Tribal poet Ashokan Marayur and journalist-writer M. J. Babu were also present.

Opposition parties satirise Suresh Gopis absenteeism from his constituency; KSU files missing person complaint

General Education Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State committee member V. Sivankutty wrote on Facebook: Posters are appearing in Thrissur for a missing person

BJP tampered with voters list in Thrissur in last Lok Sabha election, alleges Congress

THRISSUR: District Congress Committee president Joseph Tajet has alleged that Union Minister Suresh Gopi, his family members, his brother Subhash Gopi and his family added their names to the voters list in Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency though they were not permanent residents there. Sharing the list of such voters from other constituencies, Tajet sought a probe into the matter. The voters list tampering issues raised by Rahul Gandhi, actually began in Thrissur to ensure the victory of Suresh Gopi, who contested on BJP ticket. Though Congress raised its complaints before the election, the then district collector said if a persons name appears in the voters list, then he/she can vote. No scrutiny was held to address the complaints, he alleged. According to the Congress, in the voters list, the last few names added in the last days of the voters list renewal process were made by BJP taking advantage of the addresses of vacant apartment complexes in the city. The complaint filed by Congress before the LS election alleged that 13 names were added to the voters list using the permanent address of certain flats in the Sobha Saphire apartment at Kolazhy that were lying unoccupied. Two names were added using the address of flats 899 and 900 in Cheloor County Court at Ayyanthole. Both persons were not permanent residents at the flats. Six names in the voters list with address at Sakthi Apartments, Ayyanthole, 15 voters in Water Lily apartment, Panchikkal, Ayyanthole, two in Govindh Apartment, Ayyanthole, and eight in Sobha Top Plaza were also not permanent residents. As per the documents, all family members gave a house name Bharat Heritage in their address. They were taken on rent by Suresh Gopi when he stayed in Thrissur for poll campaign since 2021. After election, the houses were vacated as he could stay at Ramanilayam Guest House as a Union minister. We went to the flats and enquired about the people who submitted the address to be included in the voters list. Presently, none of them are staying here. Moreover, these names are not included in the voters list in the corporation. This itself indicates that the names were added to ensure Suresh Gopis victory, he alleged. Meanwhile, T N Prathapan, KPCC working president, filed a complaint seeking action against Booth Level Officers who failed to verify facts before adding new names to the list.

DCC president, LDF candidate allege large-scale voters list manipulation in Thrissur LS poll

Joseph Tajet accuses BJPs Suresh Gopi of orchestrating fraudulent entries; Sunilkumar questions returning officers role and claims deliberate misinformation

International workshop on research potential of Hortus Malabaricus begins in Thrissur

Meet to discuss the historical, ethnobotanical, and scientific relevance of Hortus Malabaricus the seminal 17th-century botanical work.

64-Year-Old Woman Pushed Off Running Train, Robbed In Kerala

The woman, along with her brother, was travelling to Thrissur in Kerala from Panvel in Maharashtra when the incident occurred.

Second edition of International Science Film Festival begins in Thrissur

Eminent scientist M.P. Parameswaran inaugurates the event at a function held at Thrissur Model Girls High School

CPI leaders demand shift from Congress to CPM amid criticism at district meet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A section of leaders who attended the CPI Thiruvananthapuram district conference demanded the party state leadership to change the decision taken at Bhatinda Party Congress to end the support given to Congress and start an alliance with the CPM. The CPM treats the CPI like the way in which in-laws consider the parents of daughters who had decided to reside with them, a leader said. We had two chief ministers in the past. Now, it has come to such a level that the CPM tried its level best to prevent our victory in Thrissur parliament constituency, a delegate said. There was also severe criticism against the Left government and CPI ministers, especially G R Anil who is from the capital district. The LDF government has lost the nature of a left party. The government decision on various issues is not in tune with left policies. The CPM is trying to ignore the CPI whenever it gets a chance, the leaders said. Members also criticised the Horti Corp for selling vegetables at a higher price than the open market rate. They pointed out that while funds are being allocated to the Consumerfed which is under a CPM minister, the Civil Supplies department under a CPI minister is being ignored. Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil has failed to control the prices of 13 essential items. When consumers have the option to buy good quality coconut oil from the open market at a lesser rate, why should they buy it from Consumerfed at a higher rate? they asked. The leaders also asked the CPM to correct its position in view of the loss in Nilambur bypoll. Members also criticised state secretary Binoy Viswam for his stance on different issues. Is our party secretary a velichapadu (oracle)? Even he doesnt know the meaning of his own words. He should learn from former secretaries C K Chandrappan and Veliyam Bhargavan. The CPI leadership is afraid of CPM leaders. There is casteism in the state party. Even state executive member K Rajan is being ignored, they alleged.

CPI district secretary seeks judicial probe into Thrissur Lok Sabha election fraud

CPI leader slams Election Commission for taking lightly the malpractice complaints in voters list

Satheesan alleges LS election fraud in Thrissur

Demanding a probe, he claims it as part of a nationwide pattern of voter list manipulation

Kerala LoP Alleges Voter Fraud In Thrissur Lok Sabha Constituency

Thrissur saw a historic win for the BJP in 2024, with actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi defeating both the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF

Special trains between Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram North ahead of Independence Day weekend

KASARAGOD: Kasaragod Southern Railway announced special trains between Mangaluru Junction and Thiruvananthapuram North to clear the rush of passengers during the Independence Day holidays. According to a statement from the zonal railway, Train No. 06041 Mangaluru Junction Thiruvananthapuram North Bi-Weekly Special Express will leave Mangaluru Junction at 7.30 p.m. on Aug. 14 and 16 (Thursday & Saturday) and reach Thiruvananthapuram North at 8.00 a.m., the next day. Train No.06042 Thiruvananthapuram North - Mangaluru Junction Bi-Weekly Special Express will leave Thiruvananthapuram North at 5.15 p.m. on August 15 and 17 and reach Mangaluru Junction at 6.30 a.m. the next day. The trains will have a coach composition of 01- Two-tier AC Coach, 02- Three-tier AC Coaches, 17-Sleeper class Coaches, & 02- Second Class Luggage cum Brake Vans. These trains will stop at Kasaragod, Kanhangad, Payyanur, Kannur, Thalassery, Vadakara, Kozhikode, Tirur, Shoranur, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Haripad, Kayamkulam, Sasthankota and Kollam.

78 women, girls still untraced in Kerala; police to intensify efforts after Cherthala murders

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as shocking details emerge from Cherthala, Alappuzha, about serial missing and murder cases involving women, official statistics reveals that a total of 78 girls and women remain untraced in the state. In the wake of the Cherthala episode, state police have decided to redouble efforts to resolve as many missing cases as possible. Special teams will be formed, if required. According to police data accessed by TNIE, eight girls and 70 women remained untraced as of June this year. Some of the cases are long-pending and the department has instructed district police chiefs to closely scrutinise every case, sources said. Additional effort will be made to track those missing, they added. A senior officer with the law and order wing said the department has a robust mechanism to deal with cases of missing women and children. If local police fail to solve a case within six months, it is reviewed by the district police chief. Cases pending for a year are reviewed by the range DIG. There are enough auditing measures to assess the efficiency of the investigation in each case. We will ramp up our efforts to crack pending cases, the officer added. The missing girls are from Kollam Rural, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam City, Ernakulam Rural, Thrissur Rural, Malappuram and Kozhikode City (one each). Ernakulam Rural (10) has seen the most number of women gone missing, followed by Thiruvananthapuram Rural (nine), and Alappuzha (seven). In the year to date, 3,678 women and girls have been reported missing in the state. The most number of cases were from Thiruvanathapuram Rural (403) -- involving 50 girls and 353 women. Of the total, 394 were traced, while nine women are still missing. Alappuzha reported the second most number of women and girls missing. As many as 282 persons -- 50 girls and 232 women -- have gone missing from the district. Of these, 49 girls and 225 women were located. Malappuram is third with 253 individuals -- 64 girls and 189 women -- reported missing this year. Of these, 249 -- 63 girls and 186 women -- were traced. Since 2022, 26,197 women and girls have been reported missing from the state, of which 25,979 were traced. When the numbers were adjusted against each other, 218 people were found unaccounted for. Police sources explained that in many missing cases, the subjects were later found to be dead. Such persons are not counted as having been traced. A senior police officer told TNIE that the number tends to be high in the state because cases as registered as soon as relatives of those missing file complaints. Most of the women and girls reported missing elope or leave their homes for some reason. They are mostly traced and let off after being produced before a magistrate. Only a very few people vanish into thin air; we are worried about their fate, the officer said.

CPI demands investigation into electoral fraud in Thrissur Lok Sabha polls

CPI leader V.S. Sunilkumar, who came second in the 2024 Thrissur LS election, says LDFs accusations of voter fraud had assumed gravity in the wake of Rahul Gandhi flagging tens of thousands of of fake voters in constituencies bagged by the BJP in many States

Art exhibition on Gandhis struggle against communalism

Event to begin on August 9, Quit India Day, at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi courtyard in Thrissur

Seven months on, Kerala family awaits repatriation of son's remains from Russian frontline

THRISSUR: As the RussiaUkraine war continues with all its devastation, the family of Binil, who died while serving on the Russian frontline after falling prey to a trafficking racket, is still waiting to repatriate his mortal remains. It has been over seven months since reports from Russia confirmed the death of Binil. Since then, his family has been running from one office to another, hoping to see him one last time. Binil T B, a native of Wadakkanchery, took a flight to Russia on 24 April, 2024, along with his friends. They had been promised jobs as electricians in Moscow. But things allegedly took a turn for the worse soon after. Binil was moved to a military settlement, where his passport and documents were confiscated. In the initial days, they were instructed to supply food and essential items to the settlement. But by June 2024, they were sent to the frontline. Binil and Jain were assigned to one military regiment, while another group, including two Malayalis, Santhosh and Sandeep, was sent to a different location. Sandeep died in a shell attack in August 2025. According to Jain Kurien, who returned from Russia in May 2025, I saw him last in the morning on 5 January, 2025. On 6 January, I was transferred to another regiment and on the way, I saw him lying motionless following a drone attack. I was also injured in a similar attack on the way and was hospitalised. When Sandeep died, his body was brought to Moscow within two weeks of the incident. But in the case of Binil, we dont know where the mortal remains are kept, he said. Binils father Babu, a tailor, said, It has been difficult to manage things. I have been visiting all possible offices to bring my son back. I have gone to Thiruvananthapuram four times already, spoken to the authorities including Norka and the Russian Embassy. I also sent letters to the Ministry of External Affairs, MoS Suresh Gopi, the Chief Ministers Office, etc. However, we are yet to receive a positive reply as to when his body can be repatriated, said Babu, adding that he is not even able to focus on work. India demands Moscow to release citizens duped into fighting in Russian army after another death Joicy and Binil became parents to a son on 13 August, 2024. While the child will celebrate his first birthday this year, the family continues to live in uncertainty. Binil had not even seen his own son. Whether the one-year-old will ever see his father Binil, even in death, remains a question. Following instructions from the Indian Embassy, DNA samples of Binils family were taken at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram. Working as a nurse in a private hospital, Joicy has been waiting for a positive response regarding Binils repatriation. We dont know what to do next, as all efforts to bring back his mortal remains have reached a dead end, said Joicy. When Binil left for Russia, Joicy was carrying their first child. The last communication we got was from the Thrissur District Collector, saying the DNA samples were sent to embassy authorities two weeks ago, added Babu. Norka Roots CEO Ajith Kollaserry responded that they were trying all possible ways to move things forward amid the ongoing war in Russia. There are limitations for using diplomatic channels due to the war. From what we know, the Russian military had reported that Binil was missing. After one year, the Russian military will file an affidavit in court there, based on which a death certificate can be issued. We are trying to repatriate his mortal remains, but there is no communication from the military so far, he said.

No toll for a month as NHAI faces HC heat on Paliyekkara in Kerala

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday suspended the collection of user fee at the Paliyekkara toll plaza for a month citing total apathy by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in addressing public grievances, including traffic congestion caused by the construction works started by the authority. In that period, the Union government should take steps to address the peoples grievances, the court said. Residents in and around Paliyekkara, which lies on the Edappally-Mannuthy stretch of NH 544, hailed the order. Every year, they hike toll rates while no maintenance is being done. The HC order is a welcome step, said Sareesh, a resident of Puthukkad. A Division Bench comprising Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harishankar V Menon issued the order on the petition filed by Congress worker Shaji J Kodankandath of Chembukavu, O J Janeesh of Mala and others against the toll collection. We note with concern the total apathy displayed by the NHAI in addressing the grievances raised, despite multiple opportunities having been made available to them from February 2025. Although the issue was repeatedly brought to their attention, no meaningful steps were taken to pursue redressal with the Central government. Hence, the collection of toll shall remain suspended until the Central government, in consultation with the NHAI, chief secretary and concessionaire, takes appropriate remedial action, the bench said. The Centre argued the issue is confined only to 4.8km and there are no other obstructions in remaining 65 km stretch. NHAI would earnestly take steps to resolve this issue at the earliest, it said. The public is obliged to pay user fee for using the highway, the bench said, adding it casts responsibility on NHAI to ensure smooth traffic without any barrier created by it or its agents (the concessionaires). NHAI ignored grievances of public: HC This relationship between the public and NHAI is bound by the tie of public trust, and the moment it is breached, the right to collect toll fees cannot be forced on public, it said. The HC said the NHAI ignored public interests and took their grievances lightly. The court cannot substitute the role of administrative authority of the Centre in deciding how fees be regulated or reduced in a situation like this; but at the same time the court can clearly hold that there is breach of public trust and the National Highways Authority cannot levy the fees till the grievances are addressed upholding the interest of the public, stated the order. On April 28, 2025, Thrissur District Collector Arjun Pandian had suspended toll collection at Paliyekkara as the NHAI failed to stick to the directions issued by the district administration. The police had also taken a stand against the NHAI and contract company, as managing traffic became tough for them.

Deputy Mayor inaugurates renovated Aristo Road amid LDF boycott

The LDF leadership of the Thrissur Corporation council, including the Mayor and Standing Committee Chairman, abstained from the event. Deputy Mayor says infrastructure projects should not become battlegrounds for party politics

Heavy Rain Forces Kerala School To Declare Holiday, Roof Collapses Hours Later

A major tragedy was narrowly averted on Wednesday after the ceiling of an auditorium at Kodaly Government Upper Primary School in Thrissur collapsed -- fortunately, on a day when the school was closed due to heavy rains.

Rain holiday prevents potential accident as school ceiling collapses in Kerala

Gypsum board ceiling of main hall at Kodali Government Lower Primary School in Thrissur collapses. However, no injuries reported

Archdiocese community vigil meet in Thrissur on Sept. 21

Bevco opens its first super premium outlet in Thrissur

Plans afoot to open similar modern liquor outlets in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.

Thrissur to host State School Kalolsavam from January 7 to 11

Sanskrit and Arabic literary festivals too will coincide with the school arts festival to be held at 25 venues. State school sports meet will be held at Thiruvananthapuram in an Olympic style from October 22 to 27.

Opposition leader of Thrissur Corporation alleges lapses in canal cleaning works

Heavy rain trigger widespread flooding across Thrissur district

Homes inundated; furniture, electric equipment damaged and traffic thrown into disarray; residents blame poor drainage and canal blockages

Kerala rains: Orange alert sounded for six districts

Red alert issued for Idukki, Ernakulam, and Thrissur on Tuesday (August 5)

Student Police Cadet, one of Keralas most exemplary initiatives, says Minister

Bindu inaugurates SPC Day, launches new units in Thrissur Rural police district

Kerala achieving comprehensive and structural changes in health-care sector: Veena George

Minister inaugurates development projects of 23.45 crore at Thrissur Government Medical College Hospital