Kerala health minister evaluates health situation in districts, urges caution

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Highlighting the potential risks of communicable diseases due to the heatwave and subsequent summer rains, Health Minister Veena George has laid emphasise on effective collaboration between all the departments. She stressed on conducting thorough cleaning operations with the assistance of local bodies, ensuring sanitation in public areas and hostels as mandated by the Kerala Public Health Act, cleaning wells and drinking water sources. There will be strengthened focus on food safety checks and ensuring clean water in schools, the minister said. Treatment protocols must be strictly adhered to. Special fever clinics in hospitals will be started while also increasing isolation-bed capacity, Veena said. Hospitals have been instructed to monitor drug stocks and inform authorities if supplies fall below 30%. The minister issued the directives at a high-level meeting of district officials. Action will be taken against those who do not comply with the Kerala Public Health Act. It is the duty of those responsible to keep public water sources clean. Hence, they should be chlorinated at regular intervals. People with jaundice should rest for six weeks to avoid secondary infection. It was also directed to strengthen the awareness activities. Campaigns should be organised to create awareness among the public, the directives said. At the meeting, district medical officers issued updates on the situation in their respective districts and on preventive measures adopted. Jaundice cases have been mostly reported in Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kannur, Pathanamthitta, and Palakkad. A list of dengue hotspots will be published. The minister called for the proper observance of dry days with the coordination of local bodies and public participation to destroy mosquito breeding grounds. The meeting called for precautions against rat fever. It also discussed bird flu prevention activities in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts.

Honey-trap victims accounts being used to move swindled money

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Unearthing a startling new pattern in cyber crime, the police have found that scamsters have started using honey-trapping methods to get hold of their victims bank accounts and transfer the swindled amount through them. The new modus operandi came to the fore during a probe into the case in which Rs 3.65 lakh was swindled from a Thrissur native. Police had earlier detected that Cambodia-based financial scamsters were behind the operation, which was reported by TNIE. The police had arrested two people -- Mufliq and Vishnu -- in connection with the case. During a subsequent probe, it was found that the swindled cash was transferred through several bank accounts to throw investigators off the trail. Two bank accounts involved in the transaction were identified and during further probe, it was found that one of them was that of a Keralite. The investigation revealed that the account holder, hailing from Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram, was befriended by a female operative of the cyber crime racket. The woman, suspected to be a Keralite working in the scamming firm based out of Cambodia, sweet-talked the man and used his bank account to transfer part of the booty to another account. An officer privy to the probe said Rs 1 lakh was deposited to the Varkala natives account by the woman, who then transferred the whole amount to a third account. The woman lured the man into letting her do the transaction via his bank account. He was not part of the racket and knew nothing about their operation. But as his bank account is involved in the crime, he has been arraigned as an accused, said the officer. Another account used for transactions was found to be that of a Cuddalore native. Police on Friday reached his place to record his statement. However, police sources said they cannot comment on how mans bank account was obtained to circulate the swindled cash. We can come to a conclusion only after taking his statement, said an officer. Earlier, the cyber wing had uncovered the identity of around 50 Keralites, including women, who were working for Cambodia-based operators running online financial rackets. It was also found that some of the companies were owned and operated by Chinese nationals, who employ Keralites to target fellow compatriots. Those associated with these firms mostly fell in the 20-30 age bracket and were responsible for collecting details of potential victims, procuring Indian SIM cards, and luring the gullible into investing money in fraudulent schemes. The modus operandi of the scamsters had emerged during the interrogation of 22-year-old Mufliq. He was found to have helped the Cambodia-based handlers access Indian SIM cards. Based on his statement, a mobile shop owner, Vishnu, was arrested for having provided large number of SIMs procured by fraudulent means to Mufliq. Global link The new modus operandi of scamsters came to the fore during probe into the case in which Rs 3.65 lakh was swindled from a Thrissur native Police had earlier detected that Cambodia-based financial scamsters were behind the operation Two people -- Mufliq and Vishnu -- were arrested in connection with the case

Vigilance swoops on food safety offices in Kerala, major irregularities found

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has detected serious irregularities in the functioning of the state food safety department during the statewide raids on its offices on Thursday. Some offices were found giving free training, which is meant for staff of small-scale hotels, to employees of upscale hotels. Irregularities detected in vigilanceraid in offices of food safety department in Kerala Irregularities were also detected in the levying of penalties on firms selling substandard products. Those firms were also given time by certain officials to withdraw their products from the market, while reports were filed late to help them escape prosecution. The irregularities were detected during raids at the offices of the assistant commissioners in Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts and circle offices at Nedumangad, Kuravilangadu, Manjeri, Kalpetta, Mananthavady, Irikkur, Taliparamba, Thalassery, Mattannur and Udma. It was found that in many places, large food producers were given registration instead of a license. As per rules, those firms having an annual sale of above Rs 12 lakh should be issued a license, whose fee is high. Contrary to the rule, many of them were issued registration, which is meant for small-scale firms, resulting in a huge financial loss for the government. Such irregularities were detected in Kanjirapally, Thrissur, Alathur, Ollur, Manjeri, Kalpetta, Payyannur and Mattannur offices. In Angamaly, Pattambi and Sultan Bathery offices, records on food licences and registration were not maintained properly. Offices in Chathannoor, Konni, Pala, Changanassery, Angamaly, North Paravur, Panampilly Nagar, Thrissur, Guruvayur, Ollur, Tirur, Vallikunnu, Manjeri and Elathur were found giving free training meant for staff of small-scale hotels to employees of upscale hotels. In Angamaly and Mananthavady circles, it was found that free training was given to people working outside their areas of jurisdiction. In Thodupuzha office, the office attender was found to be receiving payments from hotel and resort owners. The Ranni office was found closed when the vigilance came for inspection. In Malappuram, Kottakkal, Tirur, Manjeri, Sultan Bathery, Nileshwaram and Kasaragod, hotels were found operating without valid license. In Ernakulam's assistant commissioners office, food samples were kept in a refrigerator that was not working. In the Palakkad assistant commissioners office, the lab reports of 516 samples collected between 2021 and 2024 were yet to be obtained. Favour games Free training meant for staff of small-scale hotels given to employees of upscale hotels Irregularities were also detected in levying of penalties from firms selling substandard products

Looking for the enemy

KOCHI: As you step inside the Durbar Gallery in Kochi, a palpable sense of eeriness fills the air. Each frame inside narrates tales of war and violence. Shades of historical conflicts, the global pandemic, and potential apocalyptic scenarios dominate the colourful frames -- dark and vibrant -- contrasting each other. Throughout the exhibition, in almost every frame, the bright-coloured floral backdrop persists, juxtaposing harsh realities with seemingly serene visuals. Set against a vibrant lemon green backdrop, adorned with leaves and a few bunches of jungle geranium (chethi) flowers, the title text of T V Santhoshs ongoing exhibition stands out: History Lab and the Elegy of Visceral Incantation. The artists maiden solo show in Kerala does not reflect any stereotypical elements of a specific place. The exhibition was earlier displayed at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum. His works, irrespective of the medium, generally speak about the human condition across the world. Themes of war and violence are central, with each piece probing why they occur. In the history of violence, there has to be an enemy for it to start. The primary question I address is Who is the real enemy? Through my frames, I transport viewers back in time to analyse the source of each incident, explains Santhosh, who has been practicing art in Mumbai for some time. The artist, who hails from Kaipamangalam in Thrissur, began his artistic journey at the Fine Arts Institute there. After completing 10th grade, the institute helped him sharpen his skills and understand basic art theories, he says. The time spent in Thrissur also provided him with a profound understanding of art and the societal commitment required of an artist. The 1980s in Kerala saw a cultural revolution with societal activities, debates, and theatre emerging prominently. Despite this vibrant landscape, many budding artists, including Santhosh, faced a lack of knowledge in contemporary art. Thats why I moved to Santiniketan in West Bengal in 1989. It was there that I truly started looking at modern art from an Indian perspective. I understood that the idea of modernity is culturally specific and defined by its historical conditions. Today, there is a renewed interest in Bengal school movement and its values in the context of freedom struggle and the process of nation-building. Being in Santiniketan has influenced my ideology and aesthetics. And it was here, that I started specialising in sculpture, says Santhosh. His close association with sculpting is evident in the ongoing exhibition. A caged Rs 100 and Rs 5 note displayed at the gallery provoke ambiguity, questioning where the theme of violence might be hidden in the wooden sculpture. The Rs 100 note reflects Indias recession-era, highlighting the economys fragility and vulnerability to external forces. The Rs 5 note, featuring a tractor image, responds to the current Farmers protest, connecting to the present scenario. As you explore the sculpture installation, terms inscribed on the surface reference Keralas historical tax system, Valappanam, Changatham, Mulakkaram, Meeshakkaram, and more. Some names reveal an element of violence. For example, Pulayattu Pennu referred to adulterous women sold by Rajas, and Kozha meant forced contributions during emergencies. Over time, the meanings of words and concepts of morality have evolved, explains Santhosh. Humanity in various themes Santhoshs paintings not only explore war and violence but also highlight the medias role in shaping our perception of reality, particularly in works like When World Enters Your Home. His work now encompasses a broader reality through sculptures, paintings, and installations. They arent material-specific. The medium is chosen based on how well it conveys the theme and its meaning. Possibility dictates my choice, explains Santhosh. He uses watercolours to depict the global pandemic and potential future apocalyptic scenarios, with an LED clock as a recurring motif. The LED timer plays a crucial visual role. It can be seen as a countdown to death, like a ticking time bomb or a clock recording the years left, like a world nearing its end, says Santhosh. One notable piece is his 2019 painting The Protagonist and His Empty Rat Trap. The LED scroll panel and dog invite new interpretations. The LED panel with Blood Faces references a 12-year-old Hiroshima survivors testimony. I retained the phrase Blood Faces from her testimony, explains Santhosh.The dog references World War II, where dogs were used as suicide bomb carriers, blending old war imagery with a grim prophecy. The painting was completed before the pandemic, and the man is seen wearing a maska pure coincidence. Most of my works peek into possible future scenarios, says Santhosh. Although his works have political viewpoints, Santhosh doesnt label himself as an activist or political artist. I was involved in activism in the 80s as a student in Kerala. Today, Im an artist whose works mix philosophy, politics, and personal ideologies. In short, my works are humanistic, concludes the artist. The exhibition concludes on May 20

Murder of newborn: Youth booked for rape based on womans complaint

KOCHI: The police have registered a case against the youth who sexually harassed and impregnated the woman who strangulated her newborn child and hurled the body out to the road from the balcony of her apartment at Vidhya Nagar in Kochi on May 3. The accused is Muhammad Rafique, of Thrissur, who allegedly impregnated the woman last year after promising to marry her. The woman, who developed complications after delivering the baby in the washroom in her apartment, is currently undergoing treatment at the Ernakulam Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery. The police team probing the murder case recorded her statement at the hospital recently. She told the cops that Rafique, who is a dancer, took advantage of her sexually on the assurance that he would marry her. However, when she became pregnant, he pulled out of the relationship. Meanwhile, the city police, who are currently probing the case, have decided to transfer it to the Hill Palace station. The decision comes after the woman claimed that she was sexually abused at a place near Tripunithura, which falls under the jurisdiction of Hill Palace police station. The Hill Palace police will re-register the case and carry out a further probe.

Short-weighed biscuit packages turn heavy for Britannia Industries

THRISSUR: The Thrissur District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum has directed Britannia Industries based in Whitefield, Bengaluru, and Varakkara-based Chakkiri Royal Bakery to pay an amount of Rs 60,000 as compensation and penalty for selling short-weighed biscuit package. Varakkara native George Thattil bought two packets of Britannia Nutri Choice Thin Arrow Root Biscuits from Chakkiri Royal Bakery on December 4, 2019, paying Rs 40. When he weighed the package, it read 268 g and 249 g while the company claimed it to be a 300 g packet of biscuit. Feeling cheated, George filed a complaint with Legal Metrology office which also confirmed the shortage in weight than the declared weight of the package. While the Legal Metrology Department imposed a basic amount as a fine, George wanted to question such a fraud on the part of a reputed company. Imagine how big the fraud is, if they are selling short-weighed packages like these rampantly? asked George while filing a petition before the Thrissur Consumer Court. Though the forum headed by C T Sabu and members Sreeja S and Ram Mohan R, sent notices to the company and the bakery in the matter, there was no response. Hence, the forum moved ahead with the hearing of the case and the complainant produced the evidence to substantiate his allegations. Following expert opinion, the court found a serious lapse of service on the part of the company. In its order, the forum observed that a shortage of more than 52g of the 300 g net quantity declared, signals unjust enrichment of astronomic proportion by producers, when the voluminous production such manufacturers do per hour or day is considered. The order also directed the Controller of Legal Metrology, Kerala, to initiate steps to ensure the net quantity compliance of the packaged commodity in question to protect the rights of consumers. The company and the bakery were jointly directed to pay a sum of Rs 50,000 as compensation towards the financial loss suffered by the consumer and Rs 10,000 towards expenses along with 9% interest per annum from the date of filing the complaint till the date of realisation. Rs 60,000 penalty The company and the bakery were jointly directed to pay the consumer a sum of Rs 50,000 as compensation and Rs 10,000 towards case expenses

Summer rain in Kerala brings relief to KSEB, peak demand declines by 1,500 MW

KOCHI: The summer rains that lashed the state over the past week brought respite from the sweltering heat as the daytime temperature dropped by 1 to 4.5 degrees Celsius across Kerala. However, it was the KSEB that heaved a sigh of relief. The daily power consumption which was soaring at an alarming rate, dropped by around 25 million units and the peak demand declined by 1,500 MW. As the peak demand touched 5,854 MW on May 2, the KSEB had taken steps to reduce consumption during peak hours. The board had requested public sector units, big industries, Water Authority and lift irrigation projects to re-schedule shifts which helped to reduce consumption by around 200 MW. However, the peak demand continued above 5,000 MW till May 10. With rain gods finally smiling, the daily consumption dropped to 98.89 million units on May 10. The peak demand plunged to 4,365 MW on May 14 registering a drop of 1,489 MW compared to May 2. The KSEB which was scrambling to purchase power from the Day Ahead Market and Real Time Market at exorbitant rate is relieved as the power situation has become normal. A cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Sri Lanka and a trough that runs from this cyclonic circulation to Lakshadweep has brought rains to Kerala. Under its influence, the state is expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall from May 15 to May 19. The Southwest Monsoon is likely to advance into South Andaman sea and some parts of the Southeast Bay of Bengal on May 19. Normally the Monsoon reaches Kerala shore within 10 days after reaching South Andaman. So there are chances of the onset of Monsoon by June 1, said IMD scientist V K Mini. According to Cusat Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research director S Abhilash, there is little chance for the rise in temperature as the state will be receiving moderate rainfall for the next few days under the influence of a cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal and a trough running from Sri Lanka to Lakshadweep. There are chances for the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal which may bring more rains, he said. Max temperature April 29/May 15 (0C)/ Drop in temperature Thiruvananthapuram: 36.2/ 33.9/ -2.3 Punalur (Kollam): 38.6/ 35.6/ -3 Alappuzha: 38.3/ 35.9/ -2.4 Kochi: 34.4/ 33.6/ -0.8 Vellanikara (Thrissur): 40.0/ 36.2/ -3.8 Palakkad: 41.3/ 36.9/ -4.4 Kozhikode: 38.1/ 35.0/ -3.1 Kannur: 36.7/ 35.2/ -1.5

District-level panel formed to monitor biomining of dumpsites in Thrissur

Stakeholders meet held at Wadakkanchery

Hepatitis A: After the death of 12 people due to Hepatitis A, 4 districts of Kerala are on alert mode, if you make this mistake you can also become a victim.

Hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver. It can be caused by several types of viruses, with hepatitis A, B, C, D and E being the most common. Recently, cases of Hepatitis A are increasing very rapidly in Kerala. Let us tell you that in view of 12 deaths and 1977 cases of infection in the last four months, State Health Minister Veena George has issued an alert for four districts - Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur and Ernakulam, from where the maximum number of cases have been reported. What is Hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects your liver. It causes inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and symptoms of mild to severe illness. This infection can last for two months. However, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease or permanent liver damage like other hepatitis viruses. How common is hepatitis A infection? Worldwide, hepatitis A is very common. Especially in places where sanitation is poor, food and water are contaminated. This infection also spreads very easily from one person to another, due to which its cases increase very rapidly. Symptoms of Hepatitis According to the Cleveland Clinic, the symptoms of hepatitis are not the same for everyone. Sometimes even no symptoms are visible in the initial stages. But some common symptoms include- Tiredness Weakness Loss of appetite Epigastric pain Nausea and vomiting Fever Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin) Joint pain iItchy skin Hepatitis A treatment There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A infection other than rest and taking care of yourself. Healthcare providers advise you to: stay hydrated, stay in bed until your fever and jaundice go down, avoid substances that put pressure on your liver, get regular checkups done by a doctor. Who are at higher risk of hepatitis A? You have a higher risk of infection when your local community is more widely infected. Apart from this, the risk of Hepatitis A is higher in people with weak immune system, those who have contact with an infected person and HIV patients. (PC: Freepik)

Kick, kick hurray !

KOCHI: The football landscape in Kerala, buoyed by its fervent fan base and a reservoir of talent, is set to see a new dawn with the advent of the Super League Kerala (SLK), organised by the state football association in partnership with Unified Football Sports Development Pvt Ltd. With six inaugural teams and matches at four venues spread across the state, this mens franchise football league is, in the words of Kerala Football Association (KFA) president Navas Meeran, expected to bring the same fervour and excitement as what football fans get to experience in Latin America and Europe. A glance at the list of team owners is enough to quash any doubts regarding the scale of the league. It comprises big names such as Mahesh Bhupathi; Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, a member of the erstwhile Travancore royal family; Kaz Patafta, a former Benfica player and chairman of Australian club Brisbane Roar FC, and the whos who of the corporate world. Football commentator Sreenadh Madhukumar, who had a ringside view of the recent franchisee unveiling ceremony, attests to the leagues organisational prowess. The inauguration ceremony was amazing and touched the same standards as the Indian Premier League, he gushes. I have a very positive impression about the SLK. The organisers have already given us signs that they will market this product well. But could holding an event well translate to being able to hold and manage football tournaments? Will the league help nurture more local talent? Only time will tell. But any football is good football, and more is certainly great seems to be the logic that pundits swear by. Each team will comprise four foreign players, besides young and talented players from both Kerala and other states. According to an SLK statement, at least 100 players from the state will be part of the league. Sreenadh points out that grassroots-level development neednt be the main focus of the SLK now as there are already a plethora of initiatives steered by the KFA and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to facilitate this. His only concern is timing. The SLK games will likely overlap with the Indian Super League (ISL) and the KFAs own Kerala Premier League (KPL), he says. But I believe this wont be a problem as SLK will most definitely glam up to catch its own audience. The Super League is slated to commence in September and will last 45-60 days. However, Navas assures that the league will be designed in such a way that fixtures dont clash with the games of ISL and I-League. Football enthusiast Unni Paravannur dismisses concerns of overlapping. Kerala Blasters, the only ISL team from Kerala, has already built a dedicated fan base for their team. SLK will not affect their following, he says. The same holds true the other way as well. Rather than ISL being a deterrent for SLK, it might well augment it as the latter can ride the Manjappada wave for better reach and TV presence. Notably, the TPuram Kombans FC and the Kochi Pipers FC will share the Nehru Stadium in Kaloor with the Kerala Blasters as their home base. The Kannur and Kozhikode teams will use the EMS Corporation Stadium, while Malappuram and Thrissur will play their home matches in Manjeri, says Mathew Joseph, CEO of SLK. Unni laments that the football infrastructure in the state, despite its longstanding passion for the game, is not comparable with other states such as West Bengal or Odisha. Thats why we dont get to see the Indian national team play in Kerala, he says. One of the persistent concerns raised by the Greater Cochin Development Authority, which manages the Nehru Stadium, is the lack of matches. While SLK is certain to soothe this ache to some extent with its fixtures, Unni maintains that its not a win, as most take it, for Kaloor stadium. More football is good, but whether that will actually translate to any credible work on refurbishment of the infrastructure remains to be seen, he adds. Unni, however, remains optimistic about SLKs prospects. Just as how ISL positively impacted how football is showcased to the audience, this league, too, will raise the profile of Kerala football, he says. Injecting money into football is indeed beneficial, but the decision to set up a new league instead of integrating with the Kerala Premier League (KPL), the associations own league and officially recognised by AIFF, puzzles Krishnan G, who hosts the Gods Own Football podcast. The current leadership won the election to the KFA super body promising to introduce this league. They could have done so in KPL itself. Instead, they went for something entirely new, he notes. The trouble or the challenge now would be how to link these extra clubs or franchises to the existing structure. We can only wait and watch. Another struggle for the KPL teams is that the talent quality available for them will go down as SLK takes precedence. Three prominent KPL teams have a tie-up with SLK sides. TNIE has learnt that Wayanad United is already mulling moving its top players to Kannur Squad, which its president Shammem Backer co-owns. A similar move is unfolding at Kovalam FC as well, which has ties to Kombans. Whats noteworthy here is that it is the top two teams of the Kerala Premier League that go on to play in the I-League division. Because SLK has foreign players, AIFF regulations mean that they are not eligible to compete in official leagues, says Krishnan. Football analyst Mishal Thanveer holds a similar opinion. The new league seems more about profit than enhancing the sports. Its the same I-League vs ISL scenario again. The KPL, with its 22-team format, is a huge platform for players to get much-needed matches. I hope SLK should in no way affect that, he says. However, Mathew, the CEO of SLK, clarifies that the league is held as per AIFF rules. The league is officially sanctioned by AIFF and KFA, he says. Meanwhile, a KFA official says the SLK is expected to meet I-League criteria a few years down the line, when more franchisees add to the current list. According to Kenny Roger Moise, a football enthusiast, sports leagues are like weddings in India. Big, loud and colourful. Every state is organising its own league. Yes, big leagues have given football the glitz and glam the game deserves, he says. But I wonder if its sustainable, and whether such leagues have a long-term vision. They focus on profit, rather than nurturing talents. Even as there is a bit of skepticism in the air, the legends are gung-ho about the new league. If India has to qualify for the World Cup, Kerala has a huge role to play. We need to produce 11 players like I M Vijayan and Jo Paul Anchery, and I hope SLK will help in doing that, says former Indian skipper Bhaichung Bhutia. Vijayan, the black pearl of Indian football, is also excited about SLK, of which he is an ambassador. During our days, there were several tournaments, and that was what propelled seven to nine players from Kerala to the national camp at one point of time, he recalls. I hope SLK brings those amazing days back. Currently, only a few players from Kerala get the opportunity to play in the Indian Super League and the I-League. If the SLK promises to open a new world for Kerala football and help aspiring local footballers develop a more professional attitude towards the sport, then we have only one thing to say: game on! Teams & owners Kochi Pipers: Mahesh Bhupathi Thrissur Roar: Kaz Patafta, CEO of Brisbane Roar FC; Benoit Joseph of Magnus Sports, Mohammed Rafeeq of Nusym Technologies Kannur Squad: M P Hassan Kunhi, director of Kannur Intl Airport Ltd; Mibu Jose Nettikadan, MD of Castle Group; Praveesh Kuzhuppilly, Asset Homes director; and Shameem Backer of Wayanad FC Thiruvananthapuram Kombans: Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi; Dr Mohamed Ilyas Sahadulla, KIMS Hospital CMD; K C Chandrahasan, of Kerala Travels; and T J Mathews, Kovalam FC Malappuram FC: Ajmal Bismi, MD of Bismi Group; Dr Anvar Ameen Chelat, of SAT Tirur FC and Grand Hypermarkets; and Baby Neelambra, President of Saudi Indian Football Forum Calicut Sulthans FC: V K Mathews, tech entrepreneur and chairman of IBS Group

Kerala: Junior goons celebrate release of leader from prison, reels go viral

THRISSUR: In an open challenge to law enforcing agencies and the public, a group of over 60 goons gathered in a deserted paddyfield at Kuttur near Thrissur to celebrate the release of their gang leader from jail recently. To publicise the event, the junior members of the gang captured the visuals of the event and posted a reel accompanied by songs from the popular Malayalam movie 'Aavesham', giving a major headache to the city police. Viyyur police on Tuesday initiated a probe into the incident following complaints from local people. As per reports, Anup, a local gang leader was in jail for about 4 years as he was a prime accused in a murder case. Recently, he was acquitted by the court in the particular murder case and released from jail. However, he is accused in several attempt-to-murder cases as well. To celebrate his release from jail, Anup called in his acquaintances, and quotation gang members. The video even shared visuals of gang members carrying liquor cartons to the middle of the paddy field. Though police arrived at the spot and inquired about the gathering, it was not clear what held them back from taking any action. Local people are now concerned about the gang attacks in the region since the main leader is out of jail.

Kerala suffers Rs 260-crore loss as drought destroys crops

KOCHI: The report compiled by the agriculture department based on a field survey by senior officials at the block level, draws a gruesome picture of the severe drought that has devastated the farm sector in Kerala. As per the report, the drought has destroyed crops in 46,587 hectares of land, causing a loss of Rs 260 crore and devastating the lives of 56,947 farmers. The drought may cause an additional loss of Rs 250 crore in the secondary sector including dairy, fisheries, poultry and agro-forestry. The report says the situation in Idukki district is particularly alarming as cardamom farmers have been devastated by the wilting of plants. The cardamom plants in 30,000 hectares have wilted due to the drought which is the worst in 40 years. Agricultural crops in 33,722 hectares of farmlands in Idukki district have been destroyed devastating the lives of 29,743 farmers and causing a loss of Rs 175. 54 crore. The report says Idukki may witness a 60% decline in cardamom output this year due to the wilting of plants. The farmers will need assistance to replant the crop. It will take three years for the new cardamom plants to give yield. The districts of Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Wayanad have suffered the maximum damage. Agriculture Minister P Prasad will visit Idukki district on May 16 and Wayanad district on May 21 to assess the situation. A team of experts will accompany the minister. The agriculture department will form a state-level expert panel which will prepare a detailed report on the drought situation. It will be sent to the Union Ministry of Agriculture. The state will seek a special drought package from the Centre to support the farmers who have been devastated by drought. The panel found that the prolonged dry spell over the past three months, coupled with the heatwave and soil warming led to crop loss. As there was no rainfall from February, the atmospheric temperature rose by 3 degrees Celsius. and the water resources dried up. The drought has caused degradation of soil which led to a decrease in productivity and affected soil organisms that protect plants from diseases. The prolonged drought has led to depletion of groundwater level. The impact of the drought will lead to a decline in crop production this year. Hurt by heat, paddy output in Kerala takes a beating The intense heatwave reduced the productivity of crops. There has been a drop of 500 to 1,000 kg per hectare of paddy. The state recorded a 5% rise in atmospheric temperature. The soil temperature has risen by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius. As per the report from Pambadum Shola National Park, the daylight hours increased from 2 to 4 hours. The small and marginal farmers of Idukki district had cultivated cardamom in 50,000 hectares in 2022-23. However, the severe drought and lack of water resources for irrigation led to wilting of around 30% of cardamom plants. There has been a 60% decrease in cardamom output. The cardamom production in the district may record a steep decline in the coming months as a huge number of plants have wilted and the farmers need to replant them. Around 80% of the cardamom plants in Nedumkandam, Udumbanchola and Bison Valley panchayats have wilted. Besides, the drought has affected coffee, pepper, and nutmeg in the area. Agricultural crops in 33,673.82 hectares of farmlands in Idukki district have been destroyed and the farmers have suffered a loss of Rs 17,554.35 lakh. In Wayanad district, pepper plants in 419.5 hectares of land have wilted. Coffee plants in 208.3 hectares and plantains in 175.42 hectares have been affected. The drought has affected crops in 960.84 hectares causing a loss of Rs 488.34 lakh. In Palakkad district, crops including plantain, pepper, coconut, arecanut, cocoa, nutmeg, rubber, paddy and vegetables have been affected. The farmers were not able to cultivate vegetables in 100 hectares of land due to lack of water for irrigation. Crops in 3,186.02 hectares of farmlands in Palakkad district have been destroyed causing a loss of Rs 3,246.48 lakh.

LockBit ransomware group claims cyber attacks on two Kerala-based companies

KOCHI: The dreaded Russian ransomware LockBit has claimed that it has successfully hacked into the computer systems of two Kerala-based companies. LockBit ransomware on its dark web portal declared that it has hit four Indian companies, including Thrissur-based Double Horse, which is into food production, and garment production company V-Star based in Ernakulam. Other companies on their list are Hyderabad-based pharma company Hetero and automobile parts manufacturer Vikrant Group from Vadodara. As part of its claim, there are pictures of bank account details, invoices, purchase orders, supply details, content on computer drives and driving licences of employees posted on its dark web portal. Prima facie, from the shared pictures, it seems that LockBit ransomware has hit the individual computers or laptops of employees. LockBit penetrates computers linked to various companies and locks the system demanding a ransom. In case the ransom is not paid, they lock the computer system permanently and dump the accessed data into the dark web. IT officials of V-Star said they came to know about a cyber attack recently. There was a cyber attack on our attendance system. We are rectifying it now. But our operations are unaffected as we follow a cloud-based system, a V-Star official said. Double Horse is yet to respond to the incident. While there is no information about the amount demanded, the hackers have given May 15 as the deadline for paying the ransom. The information about the data breach was shared by a private cyber security firm Falconfeeds.io on its social media handles on Saturday. Nandakishore Harikumar, CEO of Falconfeeds.io said the gravity of the data breach is not yet known. We dont know whether the data breach has in any way affected these companies. However, sometimes, this ransomware gets access to sensitive information about the companies. Though there are guidelines from the Centre to inform the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team in case of data breaches, many companies do not know about them. Some do not even report it to the police, he said. LockBit was responsible for around 20% of ransomware attacks last year, targeting several international firms like Royal Mail, UKs National Health Service, Boeing and numerous international banks. In February this year, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with other international law enforcement agencies, disrupted the operations of LockBit by taking down its dark web operations. However, LockBit revived with the 3.0 version (LockBit Black) recently and intensified its cyber-attacks across the globe. Last week, the US announced a $10 million bounty on Russian national Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev who is the developer and administrator of LockBit ransomware. According to reports, 22 companies from India were targeted by LockBit ransomware last year. LockBit is one of the most notorious ransomware operational now. They hack into the systems of around 20 companies a day and put their names on their dark web portal. LockBit combines with other hackers and operates as an organised group. They make use of vulnerabilities in computer systems and hack them. Last year, they claimed to have received $120 million as ransom which was channelled via bitcoins. Often weak security systems lead to such breaches. Several companies do not even have an updated Operating System (OS) and they are vulnerable to such cyber attacks, he said.

West Nile fever: A new virus on the prowl?

KOCHI: Dengue, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and murmurs about a silent Covid wave Kerala has been going through a sick phase of late. Adding to the public anxiety, one more has joined the list: West Nile fever. The state reported the first case of West Nile fever in 2011. The virus was later detected in 2013, 2019 and 2022 as well. This year, so far, at least 10 confirmed West Nile cases and two suspected deaths one in Palakkad and the other in Thrissur have been reported in the state. Nine of the 10 cases were reported in May. Experts, however, allay concerns and say West Nile fever is preventable, and treatable, if detected early. West Nile fever is transmitted by mosquitoes infected with the virus. The virus gets transmitted when mosquitoes draw blood from infected birds. When these mosquitoes bite humans or animals, the virus yet again gets transmitted, explains Dr Harikumar S, assistant director (public health), Directorate of Health Services, Kerala. However, the virus will not be transmitted from one infected person to another through a mosquito bite. Similarly, there will be no transmission by touching or coming in close contact with an infected person. The symptoms of West Nile fever, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), include: Fever Headache Tiredness Body ache Nausea Vomiting Occasionally, a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) Swollen lymph glands. Symptoms of severe disease (also called neuroinvasive disease), such as West Nile encephalitis meningitis or West Nile poliomyelitis: Headache High fever Neck stiffness Stupor Disorientation Coma Tremors Convulsions Muscle weakness Paralysis Symptoms usually appear 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Only a small number of people infected with the virus develop serious symptoms. According to data, one in 150 cases are serious, Dr Harikumar notes. About 20 per cent of people infected with the virus may develop mild symptoms that can last from a few days to weeks. About 80 per cent of people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms. However, if the infection is severe, West Nile fever may affect the brain. Early detection is crucial. Because the disease can also lead to encephalitis or meningitis, and can even lead to death, says Dr Althaf A, epidemiologist and professor of community medicine at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. Even if the patient survives, he or she may suffer from morbidity. Recovery from severe illness might take several weeks or months. Some effects on the central nervous system might be permanent. About 1 out of 10 people who develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system succumb. Thus, it is important to consult a doctor at the earliest once the symptoms manifest. Severe illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over the age of 60 are said to be at a greater risk for complications (1 in 50 people). People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and those who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk. Consulting a doctor at the earliest is important. Among symptomatic patients, fever is the major symptom of the disease. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rashes. Most people with febrile illness due to the West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months, says Dr Althaf. In case of fever, people should consult a doctor and the actual cause must be diagnosed and treated properly. If delayed, it can lead to complications and even death. As people get older, their immunity decreases and the chances of getting affected by the disease are high. Thus, the elderly population, and people with co-morbidity should be cautious. According to Dr Hari, mild symptoms usually resolve without treatment. But in case of symptoms like severe headache and confusion, the person should immediately seek treatment, he says. Pregnant and lactating mothers should consult a doctor immediately if symptoms are observed. Keralas surveillance system needs to be strengthened to prevent the occurrence of the disease, the doctors highlight. Migration, increasing travel, and climate change are factors in the emergence of new infectious diseases, says Dr Althaf, adding that comprehensive preventive strategies are vital. With the increasing migration and travel to other states/countries, possibilities of spread are high. Also, we are experiencing a climatic change. Thus, it is important to strengthen surveillance. As we are in the post-pandemic phase, we need to be more cautious. Over the years, surveillance in the state has, indeed, improved, and it has helped in the detection and prevention of the disease spread, says Dr Hari. We have new technologies and diagnostic equipment available. It has helped in the detection of the presence of the virus. It helps in early detection and prevention. People should refrain from self-medicating, he adds. Whats the West Nile story? It is named after the West Nile district of Uganda, where the virus specimen was first isolated in 1937. It was later identified in birds (crows and columbiformes) in the Nile Delta region in 1953. The virus is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. WNV sustains in nature via a cycle involving transmission between birds and mosquitoes. Humans, horses and other mammals can be infected. Govt directive With at least nine West Nile fever cases reported in the state this month alone, the health ministry has directed the district medical officers to intensify the pre-monsoon cleaning drives and efforts to control mosquitoes with the cooperation of the local bodies.

Around 30,000 farmers of Kole wetlands in Kerala are in trouble: Agriculture expert

THRISSUR: While the farmers in the Thrissur-Ponnani Kole wetlands are urging the state government to compensate them for the crop loss this year and to release the study report jointly conducted by the Kerala Agriculture University and the agriculture department in this regard, experts have pointed out that intense heat may have caused the low yield. A Latha, chief of the Agriculture Research Station in Mannuthy, said that the centre has collected samples of soil and crops for detailed lab analysis. The tests are under way. Our studies on the field have made it clear that intense heat in the atmosphere affected paddy cultivation. Not just in the Kole wetlands, the phenomenon could cause similar issues of low yield across the state due to the climatic condition, she said. In the Kole wetlands, paddy is harvested mainly in March and April. However, the scorching heat at the time of the paddy spikes (kathir) formation led to the poor harvest. In some regions, even the pollination process was affected due to the climate, she said. Latha said that once the detailed analysis reports come out, it would be beneficial to the farmers to prepare in advance for the future. About 30,000 farmers, through 130 padasekhara samithis have taken up paddy farming in the Kole Wetlands in Thrissur and Malappuram districts. They also paid Rs 100 per acre to the government towards its crop insurance scheme.

Two Kerala fishermen killed after ship collides with their fishing boat

MALAPPURAM: Two fishermen lost their lives when their fishing boat collided with a ship, approximately 20 nautical miles northwest of Edakkazhiyoor beach in Thrissur district, during the early hours of Monday. The deceased have been identified as Gafoor, 47, son of Sidiq, Pinnkinte house, Pallippadi, Ponnani, and Salam, 45, son of Muhammed Kutty, Kuriyamakkanath house, a native of Azhikkal, Ponnani. Four others who were in the fishing boat sustained injuries. The injured are Badisha, 40, son of Hasainar, Thengummaliyekkal house, Ponnani; Ayoob, 43, son of Ali, Kunjumarakarath house, Pallipadi, Ponnani; Majeed, 43, son of Sidiq, Kunjumarakkarath, Ponnani; and Mansoor, 36, son of Kabeer, from Asarkuttikanath house, Ponnani. Following the collision, the fishing boat broke into two and sank into the sea. The four fishermen who were in the boat were rescued by a joint operation by the ship's crew, coastal people and the fisherfolks belonging to Ponnani and Thrissur. Later, the team fished out the bodies of Gafoor and Salam. The injured were moved to the shore with the help of the rescue boats belonging to the ship and the coastal police. They were admitted to a private hospital in Chavakkad. The bodies were shifted to Ponnani Government Taluk Hospital. Meanwhile, Munakkakadavu coastal police registered a case against the captain of the Sagar Yuvaraj ship for careless navigation, leading to the collision and subsequent deaths of two fishermen. The police said that the collision resulted in the destruction of the fishing boat IND KL 06 M M 4118. IPC sections 280, 304-A, and 337 were invoked against the captain.

Vande Bharat Timings change: There has been a change in the timing of these Vande Bharat trains, check the list immediately before travelling.

There has also been a change in the timing of Shoranur Junction-Thrissur Passenger Special (Train No: 06497). We show you the complete list of what kind of changes have been made in the timing of Vande Bharat train. Vande Bharat Timings change: There is important news for the passengers of Vande Bharat Express train. Timings [] The post Vande Bharat Timings change: There has been a change in the timing of these Vande Bharat trains, check the list immediately before travelling. first appeared on informalnewz .

Two killed in fishing boat accident off Kerala coast

Malappuram: Two persons were killed when their fishing boat was allegedly struck by a ship off the Kerala coast in the early hours of Monday, police said here. The accident occurred around 16 nautical miles off the Manakkakadavu coastal police station limit in Thrissur district while fishermen from the state were out fishing. Also ReadKerala 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 .

Headline Rewritten - Inaugural Edition of Super League Kerala Announces Franchisees

Headline Rewritten - Inaugural Edition of Super League Kerala Announces Franchisees Football in Kerala, famed for its top-class talent pool and ardent fan following, is poised to enter an exciting new phase with the announcement of the franchisees of the long-awaited Super League Kerala (SLK). The six franchises that will figure in season one of the league scheduled to start early September, are Kochi Pipers FC, Calicut FC, Thrissur Roar FC, Kannur Squad FC, Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC, and Malappuram FC, a press statement said here on Sunday. Franchise owners and co-owners include: Legendary tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO, SGSE of APL Apollo (Kochi Pipers FC), Kaz Patafta, Chairman and CEO of Brisbane Roar FC, Benoit Joseph of Magnus Sports and Mohammed Rafeeq of Nusym Technologies (Thrissur Roar FC). M P Hassan Kunhi, Director of Kannur International Airport Ltd, Mibu Jose Nettikadan, Managing Director of Castle Group, Doha, Praveesh Kuzhuppilly, Director of Asset Homes and Shameem Backer, promoter of Wayanad FC (Kannur Squad FC). Travancore Princess Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, Dr Mohamed Ilyas Sahadulla, CMD of KIMS Hospital, K C Chandrahasan, MD, Kerala Travels, and T J Mathews, Co-owner, Kovalam FC (Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC). VA Ajmal Bismi, MD, Bismi Group, Dr. Anvar Ameen Chelat, SAT Tirur FC and Grand Hypermarkets, and Baby Neelambra, President, Saudi Indian Football Forum (Malappuram FC), and Tech entrepreneur and Chairman, IBS Group, VK Mathews (Calicut FC) are also among the owners and co-owners of the franchise, it said. The meticulously planned SLK is poised to generate numerous opportunities across sectors such as sports and entertainment, retailing business, tourism, leisure, travel, and hospitality, benefitting the six chosen regions and their surrounding areas, it said. Over 100 talented youngsters from Kerala selected by SLK team owners would receive world-class exposure, paving the way for their further ascent in Indian and international football. SLK is certain to redefine the football activities of the state in a big way in the coming years, Kerala Minister of Sports, V Abdurahiman said at the introduction ceremony of the six franchisees on Friday. SLK CEO Mathew Joseph said stadiums and venues were chosen keeping in mind a fair spread of accessibility for football fans. ''The selected venues will promise an unparalleled and unprecedented experience for spectators,'' he said. The league will showcase promising talents from Kerala and football-loving regions across Asia, Europe, and South America, he said. Kerala Football Association (KFA) president Navas Meeran said though Kerala has been regarded as a traditional powerhouse of Indian football, the soccer fans in the state are yet to experience the fervour and excitement akin to what is experienced across Latin America or Europe. ''Currently, in an ambitious initiative aimed at promoting football and attracting more talent across Kerala, over 5,000 upcoming players are undergoing training and competitions in five groups for the Chakola Trophy tournament,'' he said. This is held as part of the Kerala Football Association's (KFA) Kerala Youth Development Project, Meeran said adding that under this project, boys selected from the districts will be given free coaching throughout the year with the help of SLK franchisees. Hibi Eden MP, MLAs TJ Vinod, and PV Sreenijan, U Sharafali, President of Kerala Sports Council, and Australia's Consul General (in Chennai) Silai Zaki were among those present during the function.

Kerala: LS poll results likely to push organisational revamp in Congress

KOTTAYAM: As the wait continues for the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reports suggest that the state unit of the Congress is preparing for a significant organisational overhaul. The outcome of the polls is anticipated to have a profound impact on this revamp, with criticism already emerging regarding the organisational shortcomings during the LS polls. Insiders reveal that there is a strong push for restructuring some of the District Congress Committees (DCCs), particularly in Central and South Kerala. Calls for a complete overhaul in certain districts, including the replacement of DCC presidents and other office-bearers, have been gaining momentum. Additionally, it is speculated that the state leadership may also face challenges if the election results are unfavourable. Despite K Sudhakarans reinstatement as the KPCC president, his position could be at risk, if the UDF fails to achieve the expected results in the LS elections. Furthermore, some have pointed out that both the KPCC president K Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan will be held accountable, if the poll results are not favourable. The leaked phone conversation between the KPCC president and the Leader of the Opposition regarding KPCCs fundraising efforts put the UDF on the defensive during the elections. Additionally, Satheesans authoritarian leadership style did not sit well with many party members. Satheesans lack of respect for senior leaders was evident in his interactions, such as his response to acting president M M Hassan during a press conference, stated a Congress leader on the condition of anonymity. Regarding the DCC presidents, there is a strong push to replace the current presidents of Idukki, Wayanad, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts for various reasons. Criticisms range from concerns about maintaining communal balance in Kottayam to reports of the DCC president in Idukki being absent during the LS poll campaign. While K Muraleedharan has already raised organisational deficiencies in the election campaign in Thrissur, M K Raghavan has also some issues with a prominent leader in Kozhikode. The organisational shortcomings of the Congress are reported to have impacted all the Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala. Meanwhile, there is an assessment that 10 DCC presidents are underperformers, leading to expectations of a reconstitution shortly after the poll results are announced. The party is currently evaluating the polling data, with parliamentary constituency-level meetings scheduled for May 15. The compilation of voting patterns at the booth and assembly levels has been completed, and the evaluation at the parliamentary constituency-level is expected to provide insight into UDFs winning possibilities statewide. A push for revamp is likely following this process.

Health advisory in Tamil Nadu: Watch for West Nile Symptoms, seek prompt testing

CHENNAI: In the wake of Kerala reporting cases of West Nile fever, the state governments public health and preventive medicine department has issued an advisory urging the need for testing and immediate medical intervention for people showing symptoms, especially encephalitis. However, the department stressed that there was no need to panic. The disease has so far been reported from three districts of Kerala, namely Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur. One person died due to the virus on Monday. Common symptoms of the viral disease, which spreads from culex species of mosquitoes, include fever, headache, and body pain. Some people might have severe symptoms like high fever, fatigue, coma, muscle weakness, numbness, fits, paralysis, and encephalitis, the release said. The release from the government noted that people can be tested for the virus through ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) tests. National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune has the facility to test samples collected from people who are suspected to have the virus, the release said. According to the release, at least 80 % of the people affected by the virus will be asymptomatic. Although the virus affected people of all age groups, those above 50 years and immunodeficient people are more prone to it. Noting that the disease spreads through mosquitoes, the release, however, said that it does not spread directly from human to human. To prevent spread of the virus, the release asked people to avoid water stagnation, and mosquito breeding around their homes. As there is no vaccination for the disease, the government asked symptomatic people to visit a doctor immediately. To prevent dehydration caused by the disease, it asked people to consume adequate water and fluids. The release also told people not to self-medicate. For more information, people can contact the health departments 104 helpline.

Nurse Shoba from Thrissur Honored with Prestigious Global Award by Smile Train

Nurse Shoba from Thrissur Honored with Prestigious Global Award by Smile Train Smile Train, the worlds largest cleft-focused NGO, honoured Sister Shoba Lonappan, Head Nurse, Female Surgery Ward at Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur with the prestigious Teach a Woman to Fish Award on May 8, 2024. The Global award was presented to her at the 25th Anniversary Smile Train Gala held at New York in recognition of her unwavering dedication and compassionate care towards children with clefts. Sister Shoba is the first nurse to receive this global recognition for cleft care medical professionals. Since 2007, Sister Shoba has been an integral part of the Smile Train-supported cleft care program at Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute. Her remarkable commitment to providing holistic care to children undergoing cleft treatment has earned her admiration from both patients and colleagues alike. Speaking about the award, Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President and Regional Director - Asia, Smile Train said, Sister Shoba Lonappan embodies compassion and dedication in healthcare, making invaluable contributions to children with clefts and the cleft care community. Sister Shoba's warm smile and nurturing demeanour has brought comfort to countless children and their families during their cleft journey. Despite her demanding role as the Head Nurse of the entire ward, Sister Shoba remains tirelessly devoted to ensuring the well-being of every patient under her care. Her commitment to excellence and compassionate care reflect Smile Trains core values as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Dr P V Narayanan, Chief Surgeon, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute mentioned, Being among the first hospitals to partner with Smile Train in India, we take immense pride in the global recognition bestowed upon our esteemed Sister Shoba. This acknowledgment underscores Smile Train's steadfast commitment to honouring the contributions of its frontline caregivers. Such accolades also serve as inspiration for nurses across the region, motivating them to strive for excellence in their own endeavours.'' Expressing profound gratitude, Sister Shoba Lonappan, Head Nurse, Female Surgery Ward, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur said, It is truly humbling to be recognized for the work that I do every day. The journey of caring for children with clefts has been profoundly rewarding one, filled with countless moments of hope, healing, and joy. I am immensely grateful to Smile Train for their continued support, which has enabled me to be a part of this incredible journey. This honour is not just mine but a tribute to the entire team, whose dedication and teamwork make miracles happen every day. Smile Train India has supported more than 16,000 surgeries, along with other essential non-surgical care, at Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute in the last 23 years. Together, both organisations have transformed lives of thousands of patients and their families in many ways. Cleft, a gap in the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth (palate), is a facial birth difference which affects one in 700 babies and 35,000+ children are born with clefts in India annually. Without treatment, children have difficulty in eating, breathing, hearing, speaking and may face social isolation. Since the year 2000, Smile Trains sustainable model provides training, funding and resources to empower local doctors and hospitals across India to provide 100%-free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care in their own communities. This teach a man to fish strategy has enabled Smile Train India to provide more than 7,00,000 free surgeries through a network of over 150 partner hospitals. About Smile Train India Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We offer a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving childrens lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. Since 2000, Smile Train India has supported more than 700,000 free cleft surgeries across India, through a network of 150+ partner hospitals. To learn more about how Smile Train Indias sustainable approach, please visit www.smiletrainindia.org. For cleft treatment related query or support, please call our toll-free cleft helpline: 1800 103 8301.

ED is not a super investigating agency, says Kerala High Court

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday orally observed that the enforcement directorate (ED) is not a super investigating agency, and its main responsibility is to trace the assets derived from the proceeds of crime, provisionally attach the property and ensure the prosecution of offenders. The court made the observation when EDs counsel submitted that as an investigating agency, it has to look into all the aspects of the 2021 Kodakara black money case, in which accusations were raised against some BJP leaders. The HC was considering a petition filed by the state president of AAP, alleging a lethargic attitude by ED in probing the case. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) can be invoked only when the FIR is registered for a scheduled offence. The state police will register the FIR under those offences mentioned as predicate offences in the PMLA and its jurisdiction will end after registering an FIR. EDs job is limited to two enactments, one is the Foreign Exchange Management Act and the other is PMLA. What is their responsibility? They are not an investigating agency in that sense, said Justice Gopinath P. What the court said Justice Gopinath P said, EDs duty is to attach or recover any property suspected to have been acquired with the proceeds of crime in the case of any offence listed in the schedule of the law. ED is not a super CBI or whatever it is. The court observed while hearing a petition filed by AAP state president, alleging a lethargic attitude by ED in probing the 2021 Kodakara case. Petition a clear abuse of law, says ED EDs duty is to attach or recover any property suspected to have been acquired with the proceeds of crime in the case of any offence listed in the schedule of the law. ED is not a super CBI or whatever it is, said Justice Gopinath P. The central agency stated that there are allegations against numerous persons in the case. The petitioner submitted before the court that even after three years, ED is still maintaining its earlier statement that a file has been opened and investigation is progressing. Nothing happened after that, the plea stated. EDs counsel Jaisankar V Nair submitted that in 2021, the agency conducted a preliminary investigation, and it registered an Enforcement Case Information Report in 2023. A probe is in progress and efforts are being made to ascertain the proceeds of the crime as well as money trail in the case. A meticulous investigation is required in such cases to find out the money trail, the proceeds of the crime and persons involved and the perpetrators of offence of money laundering. The case under ED probe involved the offence of money laundering arising out of a scheduled offence of dacoity, the ED stated Several persons have been questioned and their statements recorded, the agency said. The ED said the petition was a clear abuse of the process of law. The PIL was neither maintainable in law nor tenable on facts as the petitioner is in no way connected with the alleged crime. Besides, a third party like the petitioner had no locus standi to challenge the investigation by a competent authority under the garb of a PIL, it stated. The case pertains to the alleged highway robbery in Thrissurs Kodakara on April 3, four days ahead of the 2021 Kerala assembly election. The complainant had told the police that Rs 25 lakh was looted from his vehicle. However during investigation, it came to light that there was a total of Rs 3.5 crore in the vehicle and the entire money was looted. According to the prosecution, of the Rs 3.5 crore, only Rs 1.27 crore could be retrieved. There were allegations that the money was meant for the BJPs assembly election campaigning.

Kerala: ED acting in the interest of BJP says M V Govindan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary M V Govindan has alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was acting in the interest of the BJP. The freezing of CPM Thrissur district committees account by the ED was done in the interest of BJP, Govindan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The ED and Income Tax department was involved in many acts in Thrissur and Kerala even during election time. These were aimed at weakening the election works of CPM. CPM had always filed IT returns. CPM has only one PAN number throughout India. That is AAATC0400A. CPM has an account in Bank of India. It was the bank officials who had written the wrong PAN number. Instead of T in the PAN, they wrote J, he said. IT officials who inspected the bank on March 5 froze the account and they asked the party not to spend the withdrawn money. Although the IT department had no power to prevent a bank transaction that was done according to the law, the party decided to obey. It was to avoid unnecessary discussion on the subject. Later the bank officials agreed that it was a fault on their part. They had also given the CPM a letter in this matter, Govindan said.

Plot for countrys first super-specialty elephant hospital up for sale in Kerala

Elephant owners federation, which bought the land in Thrissur in 2014, blames apathy on the part of Union and State governments for the decision. The federation has incurred a liability of 4 crore on the plot and sees no point in raising it further

Nurse Shoba From Thrissur Honoured with Global Award By International Cleft Care NGO Smile Train

www.smiletrainindia.org . For cleft treatment related query or support, please call our toll-free cleft helpline: 1800 103 8301.

Kerala: College student drowns in Peechi reservoir

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

Huge Nandi idol to be installed at Thiruvananthapurams Venganoor temple soon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Heat Wave in Kerala's Alappuzha District on May 9

IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Heat Wave in Kerala's Alappuzha District on May 9 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a yellow alert for Alappuzha district of the state for the day due to the likelihood of heatwave conditions there. The IMD said maximum temperatures were likely to be around 39 degrees Celsius in Thrissur and Palakkad, 38 degrees Celsius in Alappuzha, 37 degrees Celsius in Kollam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur and 36 degrees Celsius in Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts of the state till May 10. These temperatures were three to five degrees Celsius more than what was normal for this time of the year, it said. ''Heat wave conditions are very likely to prevail at one or two places in Alappuzha district on May 9 (YELLOW WARNING),'' it added. The IMD also said that hot and humid weather was very likely over these districts except in the hilly areas during this period.

West Nile Fever Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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

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

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

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

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

Thrissur district records 99.68% pass in SSLC

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

Thrissur district records 99.68% pass in SSLC

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

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

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

Glow by Kirtilals Shines Bright with Grand Opening of Thrissur Showroom

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

Meet the Malayali architect who heads Amazons Fire UX team

KOCHI: As a student, Aparna Unnikrishnan dreamed of becoming an architect. She was passionate about drawing, painting, and craft right from childhood, and hence chose a path with some creative aspect to it. I graduated in architecture so that I would have a solid profession and, at the same time, a canvas for creativity, she recalls. Destiny, however, had for this architect, who is now the global head of Fire tablets user experience (UX) design at Amazons Device Design and Services division in New York. UX design was never something I thought of. I had not even heard of it while growing up, says Aparna, who hails from Thrissur. Later, I attended a lecture by a professor from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, in New Delhi. That interaction led me to delve into design strategy and research, Aparna added. Aparanas new journey began with a graduation course in product/UX design from the National Institute of Design, followed by a masters in design strategy and research from the Institute of Design at IIT, Chicago. Currently, she oversees a core team of designers, guiding the direction of Amazons tech products. In the last seven years, I have been part of the design and development of more than twelve Alexa-enabled products, the 39-year-old adds. Over the past 17 years, she has worked with major companies like SC Johnson & Sons, Whirlpool, and LG Electronics. Aparna foresees several exciting trends shaping the future of UX design, including the rise of conversational interfaces, augmented and virtual reality, and personalised experiences powered by AI and machine learning. As technology continues to evolve, UX designers will play a crucial role in humanising and optimising technologies for users, ensuring that they remain intuitive, accessible, and ethical. By staying curious, adaptable, and empathetic, we can embrace the opportunities and challenges of tomorrows digital landscape, she says.

Off the cuss

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

Rain likely across Kerala till May 12, says IMD

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

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

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

Kerala braces for the worst drought in 40 years

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

Kerala govt. issues alert against West Nile fever

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

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

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

Lyricist G K Pallath dies aged 85

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

KSRTC bus driver Yedu used phone for an hour while driving, say police

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the war of words and legal battle continue over the road rage controversy involving KSRTC driver H L Yedu and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, the police have reported that the driver was found using his mobile phone for about an hour while driving the bus, which violates the Motor Vehicle Act. Kerala: KSRTC driver booked on sexual harassment complaint by Mayor Arya Police sources said Yedu spoke over his mobile phone for about an hour multiple times during the Thrissur-Thiruvananthapuram journey on the day of the incident. On examination of the call detail record, it was found that at one point he spoke for about 35 minutes at a stretch, the source added. The bus did not have such a long break. That means he was using the phone while driving, said the source, adding that the police have intimated the KSRTC officials about their finding. Reacting to the police claim, Yedu said: Its ridiculous to say that I was on the phone for an hour. Surely, they will come up with new allegations and I will face them legally. Yedu said he did not remember the precise time he had spent talking over phone. He said he might have used the phone to receive a call from his elderly mother. Meanwhile, the Cantonment police will not be recording the statements of the mayor, her MLA-husband K M Sachin Dev and three others, against whom a case was registered following a court directive based on a lawyers petition. Police sources said detailed statements of all stakeholders have already been recorded during the probe on the complaint filed by the mayor against Yedu. Apart from that, the police have also identified some passengers of the bus, and onlookers on the street, who had witnessed the whole incident. Court to hear driver Yedus plea today There were about 10 people in the bus when the incident happened at Palayam. We have recorded statements of some of them, said an officer. The police said they checking whether the driver was involved in the disappearance of the memory card containing the visuals from the CCTV cameras in the bus. They said the driver had mentioned the CCTV cameras three days after the incident. It is suspicious that he also gave contradictory statements on whether he had gone to the bus to check the CCTV visuals, said an officer. Yedu also brushed aside the police charge about the memory card being missing, saying he badly wanted the visuals to prove his points and alleged that the cops were not probing the case sincerely. Meanwhile, a Judicial First Class Magistrate court (JFMC) in Thiruvananthapuram will hear Yedus petition seeking the registration of a case against the mayor and others for obstructing him while on duty, on Monday. The Cantonment police on Saturday registered a case against the mayor, her husband and 3 others on a directive issued by a JFMC court while considering a petition filed by High Court lawyer Baiju Noel Rosario. Rosario told TNIE that he had filed the petition on April 30 on behalf of the public. I am not connected to Yedu. I filed a complaint with the court owing to the inconvenience caused by the accused to the public, he said. According to him, multiple FIRs cannot be registered on a single incident. It is to be seen whether the court will take note of the aspect that the mayor and others obstructed the driver during his duty while considering the petition of Yadu. So, if the court gives a directive to register a case, then they could be booked for obstructing the driver, he said.

Swell waves pound Kerala shores; houses damaged, roads breached

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

Percussion maestro Kelath Aravindakshan Marar passes away

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

Thrissurs first Mayor Jose Kattookkaran passes away

Kerala Coast Hit by Sea Surge; Orange Alert Extended

Kerala Coast Hit by Sea Surge; Orange Alert Extended Amidst warning of a 'Kallakkadal' phenomenon in coastal areas of the state, several places in Kerala have been witnessing high tidal waves and intense sea incursion since Saturday night. ''Kallakkadal' is a phenomenon of sudden sea swells causing rough waves in coastal areas. A number of houses were damaged and roads were flooded as massive waves hit the shores in many coastal hamlets. Sea water gushed into houses forcing residents to shift to safer places in Anchuthengu and Poonthura areas of Thiruvananthapuram. At several places, local people had to pay extra vigil to protect their fishing equipment, kept on the shores, from the high tidal waves. Besides Anchuthengu, Poonthura and Muthalapozhi hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram, sea incursion was reported in Mundakkal and Alappadu areas in Kollam district, Purakkad in Alappuzha and Kodungallur and Perinjanam in Thrissur district and so on, local people said. Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) on Sunday continued to place the southern coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu under Orange Alert warning as part of the ''Kallakkadal'' phenomenon. In its latest alert, the agency warned that the southern coasts of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu comprising Kanyakumari and Tuticorin regions are likely to experience rough seas and sea surge due to extremely strong waves of 0.5 metres to 1.5 metres till 11.30 pm tonight as part of the phenomenon. INCOIS, the Central agency that issues weather warnings for fishermen in the country, advised people to safely moor their fishing vessels in the harbour. It also warned fishermen not to venture into the sea in small boats and vessels after 8 pm on Sunday. Authorities advised people to continue their caution and avoid trips to the beach and completely stay away from activities at sea. The term 'Kallakkadal' literally means a sea that comes suddenly like a thief. INCOIS has earlier said that the swells result from strong winds in the southern part of the Indian Ocean at certain times, and that they occur suddenly without any particular indications or warning which is why it is named 'Kallakkadal'.

Kerala's Coastal Communities Face Rising Seas

Kerala's Coastal Communities Face Rising Seas Amidst warning of 'Kallakkadal' phenomenon in coastal areas of the state, several places in Kerala have been witnessing high tidal waves and intense sea incursion since Saturday night. ''Kallakkadal' is a phenomenon of sudden sea swells causing rough waves in coastal areas. A number of houses were damaged and roads were flooded as massive waves hit the shores in many coastal hamlets. Sea water gushed into houses forcing residents to shift to safer places in Anchuthengu and Poonthura areas of Thiruvananthapuram. In several places, local people had to pay extra vigil to protect their fishing equipment, kept on the shores, from the high tidal waves. Besides Anchuthengu, Poonthura and Muthalapozhi hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram, sea incursion was reported in Mundakkal and Alappadu areas in Kollam district, Purakkad in Alappuzha and Kodungallur and Perinjanam in Thrissur district and so on, local people said. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) on Saturday withdrew a 'red alert' issued for 'Kallakkadal' in coastal areas of Kerala and the south Tamil Nadu coast and revised it to an 'orange alert'. The agency warned that low-lying areas of the Kerala coast were likely to experience rough seas and sea surge due to extremely strong waves of 0.5 metres to 1.5 metres till 11.30 pm on Sunday as part of the phenomenon. INCOIS, the Central agency that issues weather warnings for fishermen in the country, advised people to safely moor their fishing vessels in the harbour. Authorities advised people to continue their caution and avoid trips to the beach and completely stay away from activities at sea. The term 'Kallakkadal' literally means a sea that comes suddenly like a thief. INCOIS has earlier said that the swells result from strong winds in the southern part of the Indian Ocean at certain times, and that they occur suddenly without any particular indications or warning which is why it is named 'Kallakkadal'.

Renowned percussionist Kelath Aravindhaksha Marar passes away at 82

THRISSUR: Renowned percussion artist Kelath Aravindhaksha Marar passed away due to age related ailments in his residence at Ollur in Thrissur on Sunday. He was 82. Aravindhaksha Marar who learnt Chenda from his father Makkoth Sankarankutty Marar at the young age of 14, later played crucial role in percussion ensemble performances even if not a 'pramani' as his experience of decades helped in controlling the crew. He stood with percussion maestro Peruvanam Kuttan Marar for Elanjithara melam until 2021 after which deteriorating health forced him to stay away from performances. The cremation will be held at Paramekkavu Santhighat at 4pm on Sunday.

Court Orders 14-Day Judicial Custody for Mother in Kerala Newborn Death Case

Court Orders 14-Day Judicial Custody for Mother in Kerala Newborn Death Case A local court here on Saturday remanded the 23-year-old mother accused of killing her newborn child and throwing it on a street to 14 days judicial custody. Ernakulam Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate went to the hospital where she is undergoing treatment and remanded her to judicial custody till May 18, police said. They added that the custody application will be moved only after considering the medical report from the doctors. Earlier in the day, the police had said that as per the post-mortem report, the newborn, found dead on a street in Kochi after being allegedly thrown there by its mother post delivery, was strangulated. City police Commissioner S Syamsundar said the arrest of the 23-year-old woman was recorded on Friday and police were verifying her statements regarding a Thrissur friend. Quoting the post-mortem report, police said the child's skull had also suffered damage. The woman, suspected to be a victim of sexual assault, concealed her pregnancy and delivered a baby in the early hours of Friday in her apartment bathroom and later allegedly threw the newborn on the street in front of her flat complex in a posh residential area here. The woman had apparently mentioned about her friend from Thrissur prompting the police to suspect a coercion or a rape angle. The City police Commissioner today said they need to verify her claims. Hours after the newborn was found dead in an abandoned parcel cover on Friday, police took the woman into custody after tracing the address mentioned on the packet in which the child was wrapped and thrown. Conservancy workers of Kochi Corporation found the child's body near a street in posh Panampilly Nagar here and had alerted the police. Police had said the woman had confessed that she gave birth to the child in her bathroom at around 5-5.30 AM on Friday and later threw the baby as she panicked when her mother knocked on her bedroom door. It is said that the parents of the woman, with whom she was staying, were unaware of her pregnancy. They were also not aware of the delivery as it happened inside the bathroom which was locked by the woman, police had said.

Kerala's Heatwave Intensifies: Yellow Alert Issued for 12 Districts by IMD

Kerala's Heatwave Intensifies: Yellow Alert Issued for 12 Districts by IMD The India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a yellow alert for 12 out of the 14 districts in Kerala due to the likelihood of high temperature and humidity there till May 6. IMD said the maximum temperatures were very likely to be around 39 degrees Celsius in Palakkad, around 38 degrees Celsius in Kollam, Thrissur and Kozhikode, around 37 degrees Celsius in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Kannur districts and around 36 degrees Celsius in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts from May 4 to May 6. ''Hot and humid weather is very likely over these districts except in hilly areas during May 4 to May 6 due to high temperature and humidity. (YELLOW WARNING),'' it said. It also issued a yellow alert for Alappuzha and Kozhikode districts for today due to the possibility of warm night conditions there. The southern state has been reeling under hot weather conditions for several days leading to educational institutions being closed in Kerala till May 6. Additionally, the government has also issued a slew of directions which include avoiding working under the sun from 11 am to 3 pm by construction workers, farmers, hawkers, etc. It has also asked everyone to avoid exposure to sunlight during these hours of the day and remain hydrated.

Swell waves: Red alert along Kerala coast

THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a red alert along Kerala and south Tamil Nadu coast owing to swell waves till Sunday night. During the period, the coast will experience strong waves from 2.30 pm on Saturday to 11.30 pm on Sunday. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority had already directed that people should be moved away from beaches from 10 pm on Friday. They have alerted fishermen living in vulnerable locations to shift to safer locations based on the directives of the authorities. They have advised the public to avoid trips to beaches and venturing into the sea. Swell waves cause panic along Kerala coast Fishermen have also been advised to move fishing nets and boats to safer locations, preferably in harbours. Swell waves lashed the Kerala coast causing panic in coastal communities on April 31. The sea attack caused damage to roads and fishing equipment, and also necessitated the rehabilitation of people in some locations. The severity was high in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Thrissur. IMD maintained a yellow alert in Palakkad and Kozhikode considering the heatwave alert on Friday. However, it did not issue any fresh heatwave alerts for any districts for Saturday.

Kerala CM Orders Closure Of Educational Institutions To Counter Impending Heatwave

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

Now, book a private train from Kerala

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

CPI expect to win three LS seats in Kerala

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

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

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

Kerala: Police ignore bus drivers complaint against mayor

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

Kerala: Climate change reality gets heatwave check

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

Nixing Ernakulam Jn from Venad Express halt list sees other trains get punctual

KOCHI: May 1, 2024, proved to be an emotional day for scores of passengers who had been travelling to Ernakulam Junction railway station onboard 16302 Thiruvananthapuram - Shornur Venad Express. That was the first day in a long time when Venad Express didnt come chugging into the station. Nor did the platforms see a flurry of hasty steps of office-goers rushing towards the exit to catch the autorickshaw in a last-minute dash to reach their places of employment before the punching deadline. Even as those, for whom Ernakulam Junction railway station has been the main thoroughfare for years felt sad and angry, others who travelled beyond were a happy lot. The removal of Ernakulam Junction station from the list of halts of Thiruvananthapuram-Shornur Venad Express from May 1 although a temporary move, according to officials has elicited a mixed response from passengers. Even though those travelling to places beyond Ernakulam welcome the decision, regular commuters who work in the government and private sectors, Kochi corporation, etc., have raised objections. The move comes after demand was raised by various passenger associations in the state. Speaking about the amount of time that could be saved if Venad skips Ernakulam Junction, Paul Manvettom, president of the All Kerala Railway Users Association (AKRUA), said, This has been a long-standing demand of passengers. A delay of 30 or more minutes every day is not desirable in this day and age when time is precious. Passenger associations, including mine, had petitioned the railway board and ministry with the demand. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the train made the right time at Ernakulam Town enabling all the other trains coming right after it keep their dates with the corresponding stations. For the first time in years, I was able to reach Ernakulam Town railway station at 10:40 am, says Tibin Kuriakose who commutes in Nagercoil-Mangaluru Parasuram Express. Before the halt was removed, those travelling in Parasuram Express had to suffer long halts at Tripunithura followed by another 10 to 15-minute stop at the outer of Ernakulam Town station, he adds. But since yesterday, it was bliss. No halt overs and no delay, says Tibin. A lot of the issues faced by Ernakulam Junction station can be resolved once this happens. However, we have demanded that to ease office rush and cater to the needs of people who disembark at Ernakulam Junction, a MEMU service from Kayamkulam or Kollam via Kottayam be run at around 7:55am, said Paul. It is a time slot that falls between Palaruvi and Venad Express trains. Echoing the view, Sreekumar V, a passenger who depends on Venad to get to Thrissur, said, Why waste 30 or more minutes? Just because this train gets held up, all other services that follow also get affected. It has a domino effect. I once happened to travel by Parasuram Express. The train was stopped at a place which resembled a no mans land. After more than 15 minutes here, the long-distance train was held over again, this time in the outer area of Ernakulam Town station, all for Venad Express. However, Liyons J, secretary of Friends on Rails, said, To take away the Ernakulam Junction halt of Venad Express, citing the arrival of Kochi Metro service to Tripunithura, is not justified. Metro is no substitute. We have expressed our strong protest on this matter. Those who oppose the move say Venad is an office-timing train from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam Junction. If the junction is skipped without providing an alternative, it would become a problem for hundreds of commuters, said Sindhu R, a state government employee whose office in located near Maharajas College. They also point to severe traffic congestion on the Kottayam to Ernakulam route. If Ernakulam Junction is avoided, it will be a disservice to passengers. If Venad departs from Tripunithura at 9.20 am, it can reach Junction station at 9.40am. Anyway, Venad usually reaches the station before 10am. But if a person gets down at Tripunithura at 9.20am, it will take them at least 15 minutes to reach a metro station. The metro service runs at seven-minute intervals. From there it takes 20 minutes to reach the Junction. Taking into account the time taken to get out of the station, it is not so easy for a person alighting at Tripunithura to reach their offices on time. Also, a metro ticket between the two destinations costs Rs 30. The average person cannot afford this, Liyons added. The critical voices, however, said the new arrangement will work if a MEMU service from Tripunithura is started to coincide with the time Venad arrives there. Not the first time In 2019, railways planned to change the route of Venad Express, which would have seen it skip Ernakulam South station. It was then decided to nix the stop after the train switched to Linke Hoffman Busch (LHB) rakes. Unlike the old rakes, LHB coaches receive power from the engine. So electrical parts have to be disconnected before the engine is replaced. Then after reconnecting, the entire mechanism has to be inspected before the train can be allowed to proceed. This takes around 40 minutes. This is not the first time that Junction stop has been distanced from Venad. The train had run for around one-and-half years skipping the station, before it was reinstated following continuous representations by passengers and peoples representatives.

Poacher star makes a hit

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

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

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

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

Heatwave warning for Palakkad, Thrissur and Kozhikode

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

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

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

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

Money brought to be deposited in Bank of Indias Thrissur branch

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

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

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

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

Heatwave threat: IMD issues orange alert in Keralas Palakkad

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

Two succumb to sunstroke as Kerala swelters in severe heat

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

Kerala Braces for Scorching Heat as Sunstroke Claims Two Lives

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

KSRTC driver booked for allegedly misbehaving with Thiruvananthapuram Mayor

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

KSRTC driver booked for allegedly misbehaving with Thiruvananthapuram Mayor

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

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

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

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

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

72.9% voter turnout recorded in Thrissur

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

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

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

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

Heat wave alert issued in Kollam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heat wave alert for Kollam, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts in Kerala, predicting high temperatures up to 41 degrees Celsius. The alert, for April 27 and 28, comes after extreme heat was observed in recent days. Authorities are advising caution, warning of sunburn, heatstroke, and dehydration. They recommend staying indoors during the day, carrying umbrellas, and staying hydrated. Public events are advised to be postponed to the evening.

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

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

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

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

Thrissur records a low voter turnout of 72.2%

Constituency witnessed a fall from 77.92 % in 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will block unholy alliance between BJP & CPM: Congress' K Muraleedharan

Will block unholy alliance between BJP & CPM: Congress' K Muraleedharan Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency candidate K Muraleedharan on Friday cast his vote at Jawahar Nagar LP School in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and said that the Congress will block unholy alliance between BJP & CPM in the state. While speaking to the reporters, K Muraleedharan said that the party will win all the seats in the state. We are going to win all 20 seats in Kerala. Unfortunately, there is a deal between CPM and BJP in Kerala. The news has come out that EP Jayarajan (LDF convener) met BJP leader Prakash Javadekar. Their link is clear. We will win but we will block an unholy alliance between BJP & CPM in Kerala. Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, where high-profile candidates are in the fray this time, is going to witness a fierce triangular contest between BJP, Congress, and the CPI. Congress has fielded K Muraleedharan, son of late Congress doyen K Karunakaran whose pocket borough was once Thrissur, the ruling Left Democratic Front nominated former Agriculture Minister in the previous LDF government in the state, VS Sunilkumar. The constituency, where both Congress-led UDF and CPM-led LDF interchangeably won multiple times in the past seven decades, is currently held by Congress. All 20 seats will vote in the second phase in Kerala. These include Kasaragod, Kannur, Vatakara, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ponnani, Palakkad, Alathur, Thrissur, Chalakudy, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Mavelikkara, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Attingal, and Thiruvananthapuram. The second phase has 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 States/Union Territory including 13 in Rajasthan, 20 in Kerala, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur, and Jammu & Kashmir According to the ECI, over 15.88 crore voters will be voting in the second phase which includes 8.08 crore male electors, 7.8 crore female electors, and 5929 third-gender electors. A total of 4553 flying squads, 5731 static surveillance teams, 1462 video surveillance teams and 844 video viewing teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any form of inducement of voters across the 1.67 lakh polling stations, as per the ECI press note. (ANI)