KOCHI: A sweet revolution is taking place on the banks of Periyar the revival of a once-forgotten crop. To rejuvenate sugarcane farming in the Periyar river basin and restore the prominence of Alangadan sharkara, the Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has established a jaggery production unit in Alangad. Till around 60 years ago, Alangad was known for its homegrown sugarcane and jaggery, which was even served in the feasts of royal families,

KOCHI: It is always a pleasure to sip on a deliciously crafted cocktail after a hectic day. Its not just a drink; its art in a glass. Making cocktails has always beenan art form performed by bartenders around the world since the 1800s. These delightful drinks, which are carefully made by mixing spirits with various ingredients, have had a star on every special occasion since then. Initially inspired by British punches large bowls filled with spirits, fruit juices, and spices the term cocktail

KOCHI: As part of the International Museum Day (May 18), the Muziris Heritage Project, which oversees the conservation of the legendary port of Muziris and the nearby region, has announced that their museum at Paliam Palace will be open well into the night. This is the first time that a museum in Kerala will remain open for tourists at night, says Manoj Kumar K, the managing director of the Project. Entry to the Paliam Palace, which is open from 2pm to 9pm, is free for all on the day. The idea b

KOCHI: Its been three months since the basic infrastructure required for the operationalisation of a signalling system at SN Junction was installed, but the final leg of the work is yet to be completed, causing distress to hundreds of passengers. Those vehicles heading to Eroor from Tripunithura and Irumpanam sides have to take a deviation to Vadekkekotta and circumnavigate an additional 2 to 3km to reach the destination. Two months back, the authorities erected six posts needed for the signalli

KOCHI: The frequent incidents of laptop theft at Kakkanad and places near Infopark are turning out to be a headache for cops. Now, the laptop thief has once again struck an IT firm in Infopark from where nine laptops were stolen on Wednesday night. In the past one month as many as four laptop thefts were reported at Infopark Police Station alone. Till now, no persons have been arrested. The latest theft was reported at a company named DBIZ AI Solutions Private Ltd functioning on the first and se

KOCHI: Kochi City Police Commissioner S Shyamsundar has suspended a civil police officer (CPO) for manhandling a Kannur resident and detaining his car illegally at the Ernakulam North police station. The police have registered a case against CPO K G Umesh, who belongs to Kalamassery but has been residing at Palarivattom, for assaulting Shahin at the station. He has since absconded, a police officer said. Umesh joined Kerala Police in 2011 and has been working at the Ernakulam North police statio

KOCHI: For customers, buying a Maruti Swift has been a no-brainer since its launch. Thats why its sales crossed 30 lakhs in India within just two decades. The premium hatchback segment to which the Swift belongs, witnesses very high competition, within it and with the small SUVs. With this in mind, Maruti Suzuki has now given a fourth-generation avatar to the Swift. I was part of the national media drive of the all-new upgraded model, carried out by Maruti Suzuki in Bengaluru. Let me share my ex

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 lemo

KOCHI: Its true whether you are looking to hang out with your friends or enjoy some private time, its very difficult to find a quiet spot in Kochi. Enter HiBye, wherein individuals can listen, read, watch movies, play games, and hold meetings, or should they so desire, find some quiet, in private cabrooms. We want our customers to have some fun; thats our priority, says Devika Sajeev, the 20-year-old manager of this novel venture. The facility, located at Elamkulam metro station on platform 2,

KOCHI: A youth died after his mini-bus, which was parked in front of his house, rolled forward and ran over him on Thursday. The deceased is Nandu Saji, 21, of Valakom, Muvattupuzha. Nandu was the driver of the mini-bus and he had parked the vehicle in front of his house at CTC Kavala at around 12.30pm. However, the vehicle started moving forward after he got down from the it. Seeing this, Nandu tried to stop the vehicle by placing stones under its tyres. But, the vehicle continued to roll forwa

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 treatmen

KOCHI: While cricket reigns supreme in India, football has long been the lifeblood of Kerala. Introduced by British officers stationed in Malappuram during the pre-independence era, football rapidly gained popularity throughout the state. Today, the Jawaharlal Nehru International (JNI) Stadium in Kaloor, Kochi, stands as the epicentre of football passion in the state. However, the establishment, known best for hosting Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) matches, has come under scrutiny of late after a vir

KOCHI: The Crime Branch on Thursday arrested a man for allegedly cheating over 100 investors by promising big returns from the stock market and siphoning off Rs 25 crore. The arrested was identified as Sunish Nambiar, 44, a native of Kuveri in Kannur, currently residing at Chirakkal village. A probe by the Economic Offence Wing of the Ernakulam Crime Branch unit found that the accused first registered a company by the name Nam Index Derivatives. He then made the investors believe that he was an

KOCHI: Police are on alert for gang violence after friends of a person who was stabbed to death in Kaloor in 2022 issued a suspected death threat to the prime accused on a social media platform. Ernakulam North police registered a case against Kochi natives Althaf, Shijith and Freddy, who were buddies of Shajun Shakeer, who was murdered in a clash between two groups. On September 10, 2022, Shajun, from Vennala, and his friends attempted to barge into the house of Kiran at Chammani Lane, Kaloor.

KOCHI: Police on Thursday arrested a man who stabbed a 45-year-old Moolankuzhi native to death inside a shop at Thoppumpady. The arrested person is Alen Jose, 24, a Mundamveli native, who was taken into custody from a place near his house where he was hiding after committing the murder. Binoy Stanley was murdered following previous enmity, over the victims involvement in shifting Alen to a mental health centre for excessive drug usage, said an official. According to the police, Stanley and Alen

KOCHI: Salabhanjika translates to feminine power, vitality, transformation. Whether shown beside a sacred tree in Buddhist art or adorning Hindu and Jain sacred spaces, Salabhanjika portrays beauty and grace. It represents a woman standing by a sacred tree, showing Maya giving birth to Siddhartha by a sala tree. It also embraces an interpretation of any female figure breaking the monotony of space with her presence. At the same time, it also shows a sense of confinement or rigidity within societ

KOCHI: Ramachandran (name changed) moved away from the harsh summer sun into the spacious hall of the senior living facility where he stays with his wife in Thiruvananthapuram. Its unusually hot this year; we are not used to this, he says, launching into a soliloquy on the climate of Canada, from where he returned two months ago. His son is settled there. Ramachandran was a banker before he retired to the comfort of his family home at Sasthamangalam. We have given it on rent now and moved in her

KOCHI: Prepare to be immersed in the celebration of hip-hop culture as the Ocha Music Festival returns to take centre stage in Kerala. Scheduled for May 19 from 3pm to 10pm at the luxurious Bolgatty Palace and Island Resort in Kochi, this event promises an extraordinary day filled with vibrant rhythms and beats. Attendees can expect a dynamic lineup of live performances by renowned hip-hop artists, along with electrifying dance cyphers and a selection of trendy fashion pop-up stores. The festiva

KOCHI: If you think long pursuits through busy roads to nab bad guys are only in the movies, you are wrong! Last week, Kochi witnessed a 15-hour-long chase that eventually led to the arrest of inter-state drug peddlers. It was on May 5 that the anti-narcotics division of the Ernakulam Rural Police got word that a vehicle carrying drugs from Bengaluru was headed towards Aluva. It was slated to reach the next day. The police hatched a plan to intercept the vehicle and arrest the accused with the d

KOCHI: The Ernakulam regional transport office (RTO), the first in the state to register one million vehicles, lacks an automated vehicle testing centre even as the number of inspections has risen manifold. This is even as Tripunithura sub RTO and Muvattupuzha RTO in the district, with lesser number of inspections, already enjoy the facility. As of now, an average of 100 vehicles are daily subjected to fitness tests, which are conducted along the Infopark road stretch. This is set to increase to

KOCHI: A mayors council meeting was held in Kochi on Wednesday under the leadership of Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar. Mayors of Kannur, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram corporations attended the meeting which discussed measures to improvingmunicipal governance and efficiency. At the meeting, fourissues came up for discussion. They included monsoon cleaning, waste management, funding forvarious projects, and otherissuesrelated to the corporation.It wasunanimously decidedto implement

KOCHI: Nearly a week after a man abandoned his bedridden father at their rented house in Tripunithura, Hill Palace police on Wednesday recorded the arrest of the son. The arrest was recorded when he reached the station today in response to our notice. Wed invoked provisions of IPC section 308 the other day based on legal opinion, a senior officer said. Kochi: Case registered against man for abandoning his bedridden father Ajith, 35, and his family vacated the house with all their belongings last

KOCHI: Stefan Borsos is a writer, curator, film/TV scholar, and sinologist. He founded the CineAsia film magazine in 2000 and was instrumental in programming the CineAsia Film Festival Cologne. Over the years, he has advised various film festivals, advocating for Hong Kong/Chinese and South Asian cinema. Since 2020, Stefan has been a programmer at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Recently, he was in India to connect with filmmakers. His journey also took him to Kochi, where he m

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

KOCHI: Prawn dishes are celebrated as delicacies in many regional cuisines. In Kerala, just prawns fried in coconut oil and a bowl of steaming rice can work magic. On the flipside, every year 8 million to 15 million tonnes of prawn shell waste is generated globally. They either go to landfills or get dumped directly into the sea, disturbing the natural ecosystem. This data piqued Rhea Thomas. The 27-year-old, who finished her masters in global innovation design from the Royal College of Art and

KOCHI: In November 2022, Kochi corporation issued a closure notice to a few eateries on MG Road, near Padma junction, after they were found dumping thick oily waste into the drains. That left the drainage system clogged, causing waterlogging on the busy road. However, the eateries continued the practice and the authorities have remained mute spectators. Last week, a few workers were seen removing the waste the eateries had dumped into the drain. Despite orders to install filters and waste treatm

KOCHI: The Changampuzha Park will be closed from May 21 to June 30 to facilitate the final leg of renovation work, which is slated for completion by June 30, a delay of four months from its original schedule. With the Rs 4.31-crore works expected to be over by the end of next month, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) plans a grand inauguration ceremony, lasting four days, to dedicate the renovated cultural hub to Kochiites. The works are progressing fast. We plan to hold an inaugura

KOCHI: Driving tests in the Ernakulam district are set to resume from Thursday after a gap of nearly two weeks, with a section of protesting driving school owners agreeing to temporarily withdraw from their non-cooperation strike. New regulations for test: Driving school owners ramp up stir in Ernakulam A meeting of various unions held on Tuesday agreed to temporarily facilitate the tests from Thursday. Well start bringing candidates for the tests from the day, said T P Baiju, vice-president, Al

KOCHI: In todays fast-paced world, fatigue is a common phenomenon experienced by many. Whether its due to a busy schedule, travel, illness, or stress, feeling tired is considered normal and usually remedied by rest. However, for some individuals, fatigue may become persistent and debilitating and may affect the quality of their life. One such condition is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. CFS is a complex disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that doesnt improve w

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 th

KOCHI: Artisans from eastern part of India is currently holding an exhibition cum sale titled Utsav Rajasthan Grameen Mela at Rotary Club of Cochin, Balabhavan near Avenue Centre in Panampilly Nagar. The event brings together rural artisans under one roof, featuring vast collections of cotton and silk handlooms, handicrafts, Odishas exclusive tie and dye, dress material and Odiya sarees, Bengal cotton sarees, and more. The mela also offers jewellery, carpets, Chennapatna toys, Sharanpur wood car

KOCHI: The famous song Kayampoo Kannil Vidarum, penned by the legendary Vayalar Ramavarma for the film 'Nadhi' (1969), might have piqued your curiosity. What is Kayampoovu? Is it a real flower, or a creation of the poets imagination? The flower is very real and was once common in the countryside. Recently, it has been rediscovered in the deep forests of Pooyamkutty in the Kuttampuzha panchayat of Ernakulam district. Known scientifically as Memecylon umbellatum, this flower blooms only once a yea

KOCHI: Every day, Puthuvype attracts hundreds of visitors, some even from neighbouring states, keeping the beach bustling almost round the clock. Many come to enjoy the sea breeze and take a dip, unaware of the danger lurking. The death of three youngsters who were caught in the waves at Puthuvype has left the local residents in shock. Despite having made repeated pleas to deploy lifeguards, their requests have been ignored by the authorities, they said. We are helpless is the common refrain amo

KOCHI: Two youths who were in a critical condition after getting caught in high waves while bathing with their friends in the sea at Puthuvype died on Monday. The deceased Milan Sebastian (20), son of Boban, of Kathrikadavu, and Alvin George Antony (20), son of Antony, Cherupullaparam, Gandhinagar, had been admitted to a private hospital in the city soon after the incident. 22-year-old man drowns off Puthuvype beach in Kerala With this, the death toll in the tragedy has risen to three. Abhishek

KOCHI: The master plan of Kochi City, encompassing all initiatives, will be published in the public domain by the first week of June. Mayor M Anilkumar attributed the delay to the ongoing general elections. The government cannot execute any initiatives till June 3 and hence the delay. Once the Election Commission lifts the model code of conduct, the master plan of Kochi City will be unveiled, said the mayor. For over 25 years, the city waited for a master plan. The master plan is a culmination o

KOCHI: For the past two years, the residents of Pachalam and Vaduthala have been struggling to get a steady supply of drinking water. Though the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) finally paid heed to their demands after a long wait, the work seems to be moving at a snails pace and leaving in its trail a plague of damaged roads, dust and loose granite pieces. We have been fighting for the KWA connection for the past two years, says Somanathan, a member of the Flat Owners Association. According to him,

KOCHI: A native of Assam, operating a pillow shop in Perumbavoor allegedly as a front for selling heroin, was arrested by the police on Sunday. The frequent arrival of migrant workers at the shop at Jyothi Junction raised suspicion, prompting the police to investigate further. Acting on this, a team led by ASP Mohit Rawat arrested him and seized 93 bottles of heroin weighing 8 gm from his shop. Identified as Ashar Mehboob, 24, from Nagaon, he was targeting migrant workers as his clientele. A pol

KOCHI: A youth drowned in the Arabian sea while bathing with his friends at the Puthuvype beach on Sunday. Abhishek, 21, son of Surendran Pillai and Kavitha, of Kathrikadavu in Kaloor, is the deceased. Two of his friends -- Milan, 20, of Kathrikadavu, and Alvin, 20, of Gandhinagar -- too were caught in the high tide. They were rescued and admitted to a private hospital in the city, but their condition remains critical, the police said. Of a group of six persons who ventured into the sea, three e

KOCHI: A two-year-old boy accidentally locked himself inside his parents car which was parked in front of their house on Saturday morning. The incident happened at the residence of K Shaju in Kochi around 8 am. His son Rithick who was playing outside got inside the parked car and pressed the lock button. The key was inside the car and the glasses were all rolled up. The parents tried to signal him to press the unlock key, but the boy panicked and started to cry. The parents soon informed the Elo

KOCHI: Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) on Saturday registered a case against a man for abandoning his bedridden father at Eroor near Tripunithura. The suo-motu case was registered against Ajith, 35, who left the house with his wife and children after leaving his bedridden father, Shanmukhan, alone at their rented house. KSHRC member V K Beena Kumari ordered Hill Palace police to file a report of the incident within 10 days. It was neighbours who found Shanmukhan, 72, alone in a stat

KOCHI: Given rising cyber crimes in Ernakulam, the Student Police Cadet (SPC) in the district has decided to conduct awareness programmes against various cyber frauds among children. As per the data from the Kerala Police, cases of cyber crimes are increasing by over 100% each year in the state. While 773 cases were registered in 2022, the number rose to 3,155 cases in 2023. The state reported 531 cases in the first two months alone in 2024. Though the Kerala Police is running several campaigns

KOCHI: International tourism is witnessing a rise this summer season and so are frauds in the name of tourism in Kerala. Four cases of fraudsters swindling money from people offering attractive low-budget tour packages were registered in Ernakulam district last month. Recently, a woman approached Ernakulam Central police after she lost Rs 30,000 to a fraudster. According to the police, the victim saw an advertisement for a cheap tour package for Kashmir in January. The agent had offered the pack

KOCHI: Around 120 flights of Tata Group-owned Air India Express (AIX) were cancelled while 246 offered services on Friday, hours after the cabin crew called off their strike on Thursday evening. The operation has started to improve after several staff who went on sick leave rejoined duty. The cancellation is a continuation of previous days, and operations will return to normal gradually. Guests are requested to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport, said an AIX spokespe

KOCHI: Karinkali alle Kodungalloor vazhana pennalu Koduvaleduth chudu Darika chorayil neeradu Kali thulliya Kaali than kaalil thanka ponchilambu Thudi kottiya Paanante paattil Amme nee adangu Its unlikely any Malayali who uses social media has not come across these lines, all thanks to Fahadh Faasils Ranga reel scene from the film Aavesham. YouTube and Instagram are now flooded with videos of people swaying to the moving devotional track a la FaFaa. Quick research shows that this once used to be

KOCHI: Eami Saji Philip (31) Operation theatre nurse, Nairobi, Kenya I flew down to Nairobi in 2019, after marrying a male nurse who works at a private hospital here. Surprisingly, many Malayalis work in Kenyas healthcare system. Most private hospitals here are run by Indians or Pakistanis. Contrary to my initial concerns, working here has been much easier compared with India. In India, nurses often handle three patients at once, with constant pressure from doctors. In Kenya, nurses are usually

KOCHI: The popularity of vegan food items has been on the rise in Kerala. Many authentic Kerala dishes are vegan.And in Kochi, a chef is creating wonders with vegan cuisine. Executive chef Suresh Baabu of the Marriott Hotel in Edapally isamaster in the culinary arts,especiallyvegan food. The Lobby Lounge of the Marriot Hotel offers on-demand vegan food prepared by thechef,who hasover 18 years of experience in the culinary industry. My focus has always been on creating a memory with food. Every d

KOCHI: Juicy, tender, fatty, melt-in-the-mouth, beef is something like heaven of mouthfuls. Slow-cooked, smokey briskets are becoming the next big thing in Keralas ever-evolving culinary landscape. And preparing this truly gastronomic adventure is not an easy peasy affair, and hence, wont take over all the restaurants like wildfire. After all, it takes at least 14 hours to get that perfect brisket onto your plate. However, many in Kerala have been trying for a few years to transport this truly s

Rajesh Madhavan is a tad antsy these days Sureshinteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hridayahariyaya Pranayakadha (SSHP) , his first film as the protagonist, is about to release, and the shooting of Pennum Porattum , his maiden directorial, is in its final leg. This was a long journey for the young actor-director, fuelled by a childhood passion that never died down. The beginning of it all was a short, comedic role in the film Maheshinte Prathikaram , a character that no one who has watched the film will e

KOCHI: Every gesture, every step and every nuanced movement is a brushstroke on the canvas of the audiences imagination in the art of mime. For 25 years, Suresh Vishwanathan, who hails from Kalamassery, has been creating vivid scenes and evoking powerful feelings without uttering a word. Mime is not everyones cup of tea, but this does little to stop Suresh who, despite being bound to a wheelchair, remains steadfastly committed to perfecting his craft, which requires months of composition and tra

KOCHI: Close on the heels of his all-Kerala trip to spread awareness against drug abuse, Kannur native Saneed P P is already midway into his next mission an all-India trip to sow the same message even further. What distinguishes this journey is that the cycle he rides has no front wheel. A stunt rider, Saneed does a wheelie the entire stretch of the journey. The peculiarity of the trip turns eyes and in turn, to the message. Drug abuse is the greatest menace in our society today, he says. The j