Kannamaly highway siege in Kerala over sea incursion called off after three days following talks

Deputy Collectors of disaster management and revenue recovery, the Kochi tahsildar and the major Irrigation department executive engineer participated in the talks

Bombay High Court dismisses BCCIs petition against Kochi Tuskers

Bombay High Court has directed BCCI to pay 385.50 crore to KCPL and 153.34 crore to RSW along with interest

Kerala Revenue department reclaims prime Kochi land worth crores after over 50-year legal battle

The land which fell under multiple survey numbers was declared excess after 1963 land reforms. But it could not be acquired after owners resorted to litigation

Shun old divisions: Madras HC to Vadakalai, Thenkalai sects

CHENNAI: Stating that Vadakalai and Thenkalai are like two petals on one stem, the Madras High Court has called for an end to divisions and urged both the sects to walk together in unity. Justice N Anand Venkatesh, while dismissing pleas challenging the decision of a temple authority on the recital of Prabhandham, said both sects seek the same deity - Lord Venkateswara Perumal - and belong to Him. In the name of Acharyas, the quarrels still ignite, yet those wise souls now bask in the Lords pure light. Their journeys ended at His lotus feet so grant, while we, their children, still draw lines in the sand. Let us honour their path, let old divisions cease and walk together united in faith and peace, the judge observed in a poetic note. The petitions were filed by TAP Srirangachari and KB Srinivasan, seeking to quash a May 28, 2024, communication from the executive officer of Vilakoli Perumal Sri Vedantha Desikar Temple in Little Kancheepuram, which barred Thenkalai followers from reciting the Prabhandham even outside the temple during a procession. They also wanted the authorities concerned to go by the order and decree passed in the early 1900s. The judge, however, said the high court cannot function as an executing court and advised the petitioners to approach the civil court to enforce the decree. Noting that disputes between the sects have often turned volatile, the judge said the temple executive officer wanted to avoid such a volatile situation. Notice on petition to remove pellets along Kumari coast Madurai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the union and state governments on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition which had sought a series of directions, including the removal of plastic pellets and other hazardous materials from the sea along the Kanniyakumari coastline. The hazardous materials were part of the cargo onboard the vessel MSC ELSA 3 of Liberia, which sank in the Arabian Sea near Kochi, Kerala, on May 24. The petitioners -- office bearers of the CPI (ML) -- demanded that the authorities declare the incident a state disaster. The petitioners sought a direction to the authorities to declare the contents of the 643 containers of the vessel. A bench of justices S M Subramaniam and A D Maria Clete issued notice to the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, state disaster management and fisheries departments, among others, and adjourned the case.

Call for long-term monitoring system to tackle marine disasters

KOCHI: Two maritime disasters -- a shipwreck and a fire on board a vessel carrying dangerous goods -- within a span of three weeks have caused concern about maritime security and damage to marine ecosystem on Kerala coast. Apart from oil spill, release of toxic chemicals, pesticide contamination and chemical fire releasing toxic plumes have triggered a debate on the possible environmental, fisheries and navigational hazards caused by the incidents. Scientists and maritime experts have demanded a mechanism to monitor the growing vessel traffic on Kerala coastline following the opening of Vizhinjam port and to ensure ships carrying dangerous goods do not pass close to the shoreline.The Indian Coast Guard is well equipped to tackle pollution caused by ships as they have been leading such operations in South Asia for years. They have got all facilities and equipment to remove the oil spill, said K Sunil Muhammed, former principal scientist of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). But we need to have a long-term monitoring system to tackle maritime accidents in Keralas coastal sea. Kerala has many marine research institutes with lab facilities. We should establish a network to collect water samples and conduct periodic analysis to monitor marine pollution. We should conduct periodic sampling for the next two years to study the impact of chemical pollution. This is essential to raise evidence based claims for pollution. With the inauguration of Vizhinjam port, the vessel traffic on Kerala coast is expected to rise and we should have a state-level maritime disaster management authority, including experts to respond to such accidents in future, he said. Containers carrying hazardous cargo, including flammable liquids, industrial chemicals and pesticides, have fallen into the sea off Beypore coast following the fire on board MV Wan Hai 503 on June 9. The vessel also had around 2,000 tonnes of fuel and 240 tonnes of diesel in its bunkers. The discharge of marine diesel from sunken ship MSC Elsa 3 can form surface slicks blocking sunlight penetration. This will suppress photosynthesis on phytoplankton, destabilising the marine food web. Oil exposure can impair fish respiration and smother benthic organisms. Hazardous chemicals like hydrobromic acid, paraformaldehyde and methyl methacrylate can alter seawater chemistry. Potassium nitrate can trigger harmful algal blooms depleting oxygen and creating dead zones. Bipyridilium pesticide is highly toxic to fish, planktons and marine microorganisms. Even minimal exposure can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and impair reproductive and respiratory functions in marine fauna, said Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) former vice-chancellor and scientist B Madhusoodana Kurup. Coral reefs off the Malabar Coast, which are part of the Lakshadweep-Chagos Archipelago ecoregion, are biodiversity hotspots and fish nurseries. Exposure to toxins leads to coral bleaching, tissue damage, and reduced calcification. Toxins in fish muscle and organs can exceed export safety thresholds. Domestically, this can lead to consumption advisories and public health risks, he said. The government should mandate annual audits along major shipping corridors and redirect ships carrying hazardous cargo away from the ecologically sensitive coastline. Multi disciplinary marine emergency teams should be formed to respond to such emergencies. We need stricter regulations, improved shipping practices, and proactive disaster readiness to safeguard Indias marine ecosystem, said Madhusoodana Kurup.

Kerala police register case against master and crew of Wan Hai 503

KOCHI: Days after a fire broke out on board Wan Hai 503 at sea following an explosion, the police on Tuesday registered a case against the owner, master and crew members of the Singapore-flagged container vessel for rash navigation of the ship and other offences. The Fort Kochi Coastal Police registered the case on a complaint lodged by Suneesh V P, a resident of Madappally in Kozhikode. The case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for offences, including rash navigation of a vessel, acts endangering public ways or navigation, negligent conduct regarding poisonous substances, negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter and negligent handling of explosive substances. All the offences are bailable. We received the complaint on Tuesday afternoon and registered a case. The charges are similar to those filed recently against the captain and crew of cargo vessel MSC Elsa-3 that sank off the Kochi coast, said Sivakumar, the Fort Kochi Coastal Police SHO. As per the FIR, the accused were aware that the containers on the cargo vessel held flammable materials, explosives and hazardous chemicals, and yet handled the ship in a careless and negligent manner, posing a threat to human life. This mishandling reportedly led to a fire on board on June 9, in the offshore waters of Beypore, and as a result of the fire, fuel and other oils leaked into the sea, and several containers fell overboard, the FIR said. Additionally, harmful gases and chemicals were released from the burning containers, posing serious risks to the complainant, other fishermen and the overall marine and coastal environment, including marine life and ecosystems, said the FIR. It said the sunken and drifting containers from the vessel created obstructions, disrupting fishing activities and hindering the movement of vessels in shipping channels and nearby areas.

Kerala: Get ready to say no to plastic from October 2

KOCHI: From October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, youll have to sacrifice the luxury of using small plastic water bottles and food containers during gatherings for the sake of environment. The Kerala High Court on Tuesday banned the use of water bottles of capacity below five litres, soft drink bottles of capacity lower than 2 litres, straws, plates, cups, and cutlery (all made of single-use plastic) at all government functions and private gatherings. These plastic materials are also banned at all wedding auditoriums, hotels and restaurants. Prohibition of these items at functions in hotels and auditoriums shall be made a part of the licence conditions issued to such establishments, the court ordered. A Division Bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P also banned the use and sale of single-use plastics in hilly tourist areas with high footfall. The areas are Munnar, Thekkady, Vagamon, Athirappilly, Chalakudy- Athirappilly sector, Nelliyampathy, Pookode Lake-Vythiri, Sultan Bathery, Karlad Lake, Ambalavayal, and Wayanad Heritage Museum. The court made it clear that the plastic ban shall not apply to 5-litre water bottles and 2-litre soft drinks bottles. Instructing the state to take adequate steps to implement the order by October 2, the court directed it to set up sufficient water kiosks at different locations in hilly tourist areas to provide clean and safe drinking water. Alternative measures should be taken for the supply or purchase of water, through glass bottles or kiosks or such other modes. Set up water dispensing machines, kiosks for sale of water: High Court Arrangements should be made by the district administration and the local self-government institutions to provide drinking water to tourists in hilly destinations with high footfall at reasonable distances. Facilities like water dispensing machines, kiosks for sale of water in steel, copper, or glass bottles can be resorted to for the purpose. The court held that tourists shall be prevented from carrying single-use plastics to hilly destinations. Tourists should be prompted to carry their own water bottles, which are not made of single-use plastics. State and local self-government authorities shall initiate appropriate steps to prevent dumping of plastic waste into the rivers, canals, backwaters, etc, and initiate steps to regularly collect plastic waste that flows through such water bodies within their jurisdiction. Voluntary organisations can also be requested to provide support in this endeavour, the court stated. Single-use plastic banned Use of water bottles of capacity below five litres, soft drink bottles of capacity lower than 2 litres, straws, plates, cups, and cutlery (all made of single-use plastic) banned at govt functions and private gatherings HC also banned the use and sale of single-use plastics in hilly tourist areas with high footfall

ED officer accused of graft in Kerala transferred to Shillong

Shekhar Kumar, an Enforcement Directorate assistant director in Kochi, has been transferred to Shillong following corruption allegations. He was named in a VACB case where a businessman claimed he was asked for a 2 crore bribe to avoid an ED investigation. While others were arrested, Kumar was neither arrested nor questioned, prompting an internal probe by the ED.

A guide to happy old age

In 2021, senior citizens (60+) accounted for 16.5 per cent of the total population in Kerala, making it the highest proportion in India. And the migration of youth is indeed creating more homes in the state that have only elderly parents. Besides giving nominal welfare pensions to a significant number of aged, the state does not have any other active social protective systems. The presumption is that the family, comprising children and near relatives, will care for the elderly. That social support system, however, has weakened due to various factors. Changes in family dynamics, the lack of time for young ones to care for elderly people, a shift toward an individualistic culture, and migration of the younger generation are some of the contributors. In a changing social scenario, elders will have to make fresh road maps for a happier life. Thus, there is a need to develop new life skills for old age in tune with social changes, instead of wasting time by placing blame. Second innings Accepting old age with grace is the right strategy. This will equip one with the strength to face the challenges it brings. Physical illnesses of old age are, of course, a matter of concern. Mobility issues may be troublesome. Changes in brain and emotional space cause additional problems. Some will have memory issues. And the percentage of those affected by depression is high in elderly people. Explore methods to survive in every crisis. Seek professional help and social support. Practise safety principles to avoid falls and accidental injuries. Negotiate for senior-citizen-friendly environments, which is a right. Better self-care Longevity should be primarily about adding quality to additional life years. Stay committed to the care of physical and mental health. Have regular health screenings. The cost for such measures will be negligible when compared with the damage due to negligence. A healthy diet, exercises or walking, and adequate sleep. are vital. Practices like meditation help ease the mind. Seek autonomy There is a dependency trap in our culture that tells us that elders are destined to depend. We hear many complaints that children, for whom they lived their life, are not caring enough or are unavailable. Some want them to accompany them to the hospital or assist in every matter. If one has the energy to do this without depending on anybody, venture out by oneself. Elders of the new world need to develop a mindset that moves away from dependency to autonomy, as long as mobility permits. Younger ones may have genuine practical issues related to pressures of livelihood and a lack of time. Understanding realities free of resentment will foster healthy intergenerational relationships. However, there must be empowerment to fight neglect, exploitation or abuse. Refuse to be lonely Loneliness is a reality. It may be self-created or related to a depressive mood. It may also be socially scripted due to empty nest syndrome when children fly away for livelihood. Death of a spouse may also be a factor. When one shrinks into a cocoon, the impact of loneliness becomes severe. Idleness and shrinkage of social connections breed isolation. Do note that those elderly with satisfying daily routines and social connections are the happiest. Fill in cheer to late life by indulging in hobbies, reading books, engaging in social service activities or even making journeys. Those who can continue with their career or any work can do that. Relinquish authority Some elders resist relinquishing authority, which creates friction with children. Many refuse to part with control over their wealth, even when their children need it. There is overindulgence in decision-making without giving space for younger ones. Its better to relinquish authority with grace and purpose. The space for listening and an openness for participatory decisions should be created. Acquire basic digital skills In a new world geared by smartphones, its essential to acquire the basic skills to use them to make life easier and more self-reliant. Skills to pay bills, purchase provisions, book online taxis or even organise an online consultation with a doctor will make life less restrictive. Utilise new avenues of communication to stay connected with kith and kin. (The writer is a senior consultant psychiatrist, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, and former member of Kerala State Mental Health Authority)

Bomb hoax on Kochi-Delhi IndiGo flight

An IndiGo flight carrying 157 passengers from Muscat to Delhi via Kochi was forced to make an emergency landing in Nagpur following a bomb threat. The threat, received via email by Cochin airport authorities, prompted the mid-air diversion.

Hoax terror email, late Kochi reaction triggers emergency landing at Nagpur airport

Kochi Mayor, councillor lock horns at Corporation council meeting

Plea in High Court to declare shipwreck a State disaster; Benchorders notice

A public interest litigation petition seeks the removal of plastic pellets and other hazardous materials which washed ashore along theKanniyakumaricoast from the Liberian container ship MSC Elsa 3 that sank off theKochicoast on May 25

Kochi airport steps up firefighting systems

Two arrested on assault charge in Kochi

Bomb threat forces IndiGo Delhi flight to land in Nagpur

The flight, which originated from Muscat, was on its way to Delhi after its scheduled stop in Kochi.

Air India operations disrupted amid post-crash checks, flight cancellations

Several Air India international flights were cancelled on Tuesday, days after a deadly crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad raised serious safety and operational concerns. Among the affected services were Delhi-Dubai (AI 915), Delhi-Vienna (AI 153), Delhi-Paris (AI 143), Ahmedabad-London (AI 159) , Bengaluru-London (AI 133), and London-Amritsar (AI 170). Most of these routes are operated using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the same aircraft type involved in the June 12 tragedy that killed 241 people shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Air India cited operational constraints and additional safety checks for the disruptions. A spokesperson said, We regret the inconvenience and are making alternate travel arrangements, including hotel accommodations, full refunds, or complimentary rescheduling where required. Dreamliner diversions and mid-air turnbacks Amid the cancellations, flight AI 315 from Hong Kong to Delhi was forced to turn back after a technical glitch was detected mid-flight. In another incident, a San Francisco-Mumbai flight (AI 180), which was rerouted through Kolkata due to Pakistani airspace restrictions, was grounded during a scheduled halt at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport after a technical snag was suspected. All 228 people on board, including 211 passengers, were safely deboarded. Some passengers were accommodated in local hotels, though scenes of confusion were reported at the airport. The Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai which suffered a technical snag in one of its engines due to which passengers had to be deplaned during a scheduled halt at the Kolkata airport, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Paris service suspended due to restrictions at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport Air Indias Delhi-Paris service (AI 143) was also grounded after pre-flight checks revealed an unspecified issue. The airline clarified that, besides the technical matter, the flight was subject to night operation restrictions at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. As a result, the return leg (AI 142 from Paris to Delhi) scheduled for June 17 was also cancelled. Air India Spokesperson says, Flight AI143 from Delhi to Paris of 17 June has been cancelled. The mandatory pre-flight checks identified an issue which is being presently addressed. However, in view of the flight coming under the restrictions on night operations at Paris Charles ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2025 Ahmedabad-Gatwick flight cancelled Separately, the airline confirmed that its Ahmedabad to London Gatwick flight was cancelled due to aircraft unavailability resulting from airspace restrictions and precautionary checks. It denied media reports that a technical fault had prompted the cancellation. IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Nagpur In a separate aviation incident on Tuesday, IndiGo flight 6E 2706, en route from Muscat to Delhi via Kochi, made an emergency landing at Nagpur airport following a bomb threat. All passengers were safely deplaned and preliminary checks found nothing suspicious. Authorities are continuing their investigation. Fallout of the June 12 crash The disruptions come in the wake of the June 12 crash of Air India flight AI 171, a Dreamliner service from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which exploded into flames after plunging into a hostel complex just seconds after takeoff. The crash, which occurred less than 2km from the airport, killed 241 of the 242 people on board and at least 33 people on the ground. A British-Indian man seated in 11A was the sole survivor. The airline has since retired the AI 171 callsign as a mark of respect. The increasing number of cancellations, return-to-base incidents, and emergency checks involving Dreamliners has raised fresh questions about Air Indias long-haul fleet safety and maintenance practices. (With inputs from Agencies) Air India pays moving tribute to Dreamliner crew with heartfelt collage

KMRL submits feasibility study for Mumbai Water Metro: 250-km network, 29 terminals proposed

KOCHI: In a major step towards expanding its national footprint, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has submitted a detailed feasibility study report for a Water Metro project in Mumbai, modelled on its successful Kochi Water Metro initiative. The proposed plan envisions a 250-kilometre waterway network, with 29 terminals and 10 routes, covering the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The report was submitted to Maharashtra Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitish Rane, who officially received it and directed relevant departments to initiate steps toward its implementation. We expect the Maharashtra government to entrust us with the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mumbai Water Metro as well, a senior KMRL official said, adding that Minister Rane appreciated the quality and timeliness of the report. The proposed water metro will connect several key water bodies and creeks across MMR, including Vaitarna, Vasai, Manori, Thane, Panvel, and Karanja, offering an integrated and eco-friendly transport alternative. The feasibility report was earlier presented at a high-level meeting in Mumbai, chaired by Minister Rane. The KMRL team, led by Chief General Manager Shaji P Janardhanan, included Senior Deputy General Manager Nishanth N and Manager Arjun Krishna K. Senior officials from the Maharashtra Maritime Board, including CEO M Pradeep Prabhakar, IAS, and Chief of Ports Capt. Praveen Khare, were also present. This marks the first time KMRL has secured a consultancy assignment through a competitive bidding process, establishing its credentials as a key national player in sustainable urban transport. KMRLs Consultancy Division, which prepared the report within a record timeframe, is fast emerging as a strategic business arm. In addition to enhancing revenue, the division is instrumental in replicating the Kochi Water Metro model in other Indian cities. Currently, under the directive of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), KMRL is also conducting feasibility studies for Water Metro projects in 21 other cities across 11 states and two Union Territories. Experts suggest that if KMRL is entrusted with the DPR and subsequent implementation in Mumbai, it could solidify its position as a global leader in sustainable urban water transport mirroring the role Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) plays in Indias metro rail landscape.

KMRL submits feasibility study for water metro project in Mumbai

Modelled on the successful Kochi Water Metro project, the water metro system in Mumbai will cover the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region

Kavya Madhavans father P. Madhavan passes away

P. Madhavan, a respected businessman and the father of actress Kavya Madhavan, passed away in Chennai at the age of 75. Fondly known as Madhavettan within the Malayalam film fraternity, he was a constant source of support for his daughter's career. His funeral is scheduled to take place in Kochi, leaving behind a legacy in both his hometown of Neeleswaram and the film industry.

Kochi-Delhi IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing At Nagpur After Bomb Scare | Checks Begin | News18

An IndiGo flight, from Kochi to Delhi, made an emergency landing at Nagpur airport after it reportedly received a bomb threat.The flight, 6E2706, took off from Kochi airport at 9:20 am and was to land in Delhi by 12:35 pm. The passengers were safely deplaned at Nagpur, and an investigation is now underway.Sources at Kochi airport said that the Delhi-bound IndiGo flight said it received a bomb threat on Tuesday morning, with the flight number mentioned. n18oc_indian18oc_breaking-newsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

Delhi-bound Indigo flight from Kochi makes emergency landing in Nagpur after bomb threat

Bomb threat received via Kochi airports official e-mail. The flight, which arrived in Kochi from Muscat, departed as a domestic flight to Delhi at 9.31 a.m.

Bomb threat to Kochi-Delhi Indigo flight; plane lands at Nagpur for inspection: CIAL

KOCHI: A bomb threat was on Tuesday received with regard to an Indigo flight which arrived here from Muscat and departed for Delhi, prompting it to make an emergency landing at Nagpur airport for undergoing inspection, the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) said. It said that the threat was received on its official email ID about the Indigo flight which departed for Delhi with 157 passengers and six crew at 9.31 am. Subsequently, a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was convened and the threat was declared as specific, CIAL said. The information was promptly communicated to relevant authorities following which the flight made an emergency landing at Nagpur airport and is currently undergoing inspection. After completing the security checks, the aircraft will proceed to Delhi, it said. Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai suffers technical snag; passengers deplaned in Kolkata

IndiGo Kochi-Delhi Flight Diverted to Nagpur After Bomb Threat

163 onboard safely deplaned; aircraft under inspection after specific email threat

Watch: The hefty environmental cost of a shipwreck

On 25 May 2025, the Liberian cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 sank off the coast of Kochi. It was carrying 644 containers. By 28 May, three hundred kilometres to the south, flotsam started washing up on the shores of Kanniyakumari.

Delhi-bound IndiGo flight receives bomb threat; makes emergency landing in Nagpur

An IndiGo flight from Kochi to Delhi made an emergency landing in Nagpur due to a bomb threat, prompting investigations that found nothing suspicious. Separately, a Lufthansa flight to Hyderabad returned to Germany following a bomb threat email received at the Hyderabad airport. The flight was advised to return to its origin for safety reasons, and passengers were provided accommodation.

Kochi-Delhi IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Nagpur After Bomb Threat

IndiGo reportedly received an email, claiming a bomb has been placed inside its Kochi-Delhi flight.

Kochi-Delhi IndiGo Flight Diverted To Nagpur After Bomb Threat, Security Checks Underway

Upon diversion, the flight landed safely in Nagpur, where security personnel are currently conducting thorough checks.

Explore therapeutic benefits of self-expression at this workshop

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a world where sharing often boils down to a caption or status update, finding someone who truly listens to your happiness, fears, or doubts feels rarer than ever. Real friendships are harder to form, and people seem increasingly guarded. Perhaps thats why journaling has found new life. Of course, weve all had those classic Dear Diary days a little scribble here, a secret there. But journaling today is more expressive, more intimate. Its no longer just about writing down thoughts. Its about tucking in a dried flower a friend gave you, pasting that first solo bus ticket, or keeping a chocolate wrapper that meant something. To explore this creative, open-ended form of journaling, a three-hour mindful workshop is being introduced in Thiruvananthapuram for the first time on June 29. It will be led by Meera Nazer, a lawyer, economist, and one of the pioneers of journaling workshops in cities like Kochi, Kozhikode, and Bangalore. I used to journal as a child, in a playful way, Meera shares. You know how, around New Year, we get leftover diaries of our parents? Id scribble in them without any pattern. The workshops took shape much later, in 2023, during her breast cancer journey. When I was diagnosed, people around me started looking at me like I was fragile, like I was going to die, she recalls. Ive always been loud and outspoken, and people assumed I would lose all that. I wasnt scared, I was angry. Angry that even in 2023, with all the medical progress, people still saw cancer as a death sentence. Meera Nazer While undergoing chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, she turned to her journal. Those pages became my refuge. A place where I could be completely honest. That space kept me sane through the darkest tunnel of my life. Journaling made me realise this is a life skill. Everyone should know how to be honest with themselves. She also wants to bust the myth that journaling is only for people who write well or are naturally artsy. Instagram made it seem like you need aesthetic skills. That your life has to be colourful enough to write about. But no, I want people to reclaim art. Art is not just what hangs in museums. Its in your daily life. Everyone can make their own version of it. Her workshops began with a simple idea she shared with Thudippu Dance Foundation in Kochi. They told me, Just give it a shot. So I did. Since then, shes conducted 11 workshops across Kochi, Kozhikode, and Bangalore. Now, Thiruvananthapuram is on the list on June 29, from 3pm to 6pm at The Reading Room. People can doodle, draw, paint, paste, gossip, and express themselves without filters, in any form they like, says Meera. What makes these workshops special, she says, is the presence of homemakers. They come up to me and say, I dont know anything about journaling. And I tell them, thats why Im here. This isnt your typical mental health workshop. I call it an informed gossip session, she smiles. People say this is a space where they can decorate their emotions. The event is open to anyone aged 15 and above. In addition, Meera is bringing another initiative to the capital city: The Feminist Reading Circle on June 28, also at The Reading Room.

Union govts assistance sought for setting up metro rail tech institute in Kochi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has sought the Centres assistance for setting up the proposed Institute for Metro and Rail Technology (IMRT) in Kochi. The IMRT, to be established in collaboration with National Skill Development Corporation and Kochi Metro, will offer courses in metro rail technology. The proposal was made by Labour Minister V Sivankutty at the Kaushal Manthan conclave organised by the Union Ministry of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Hyderabad on Monday. Sivankutty informed Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, that the Detailed Project Report for IMRT has beep prepared and the space has been allocated. The Centres assistance will help fast-track the project that would generate huge employment opportunities for youth in the state. The minister also sought the Union governments assistance for the Indian Institute of Foreign Languages (IIFL) that the state has proposed to set up in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Assistance was also sought for developing the Digital University of Keralas Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence that aims to nurture next-generation talent. The state also made key recommendations at the conclave including continued support for the institutional framework created under the SANKALP programme. Sivankutty pointed out at the conclave that in the last four years, Central assistance to the state has been limited to PMKVY, SANKALP, PMNAPS AND STRIVE schemes. Emphasising the constitutional spirit of cooperative federalism, he urged equitable treatment of all states, irrespective of political alignment.

Needs to do more: Thrikkakara Coop Hospital rapped for straying from vision

KOCHI: When the Thrikkakara Municipal Co-operative Hospital was launched on June 13, 1999, the goal was clearoffer affordable treatment to local residents, especially those priced out of the booming private healthcare system. Now, 27 years on, the hospital stands as the only one in Kerala established under the Peoples Plan project of a local body. But has it delivered on the cooperative vision it promised? The hospital, which began with just two doctors and two nurses, now sees around 800 patients daily, with 28 doctors and 15 consultants on board. It claims to charge only a third of the cost compared to private hospitals. But critics say a co-operative hospital has to do more than just treat patients cheaply. Expert treatment at low cost is welcome. But this hospital was born out of a decentralised development model. It should do more in preventive healthcare and public health, said M M Abbas, a public health activist and founding promoter of the hospital. Being a cooperative doesnt just mean being non-profit. It must stick to its founding principles democracy, autonomy, community focus.Abbas was the local coordinator of the Peoples Plan when the hospital was conceived. He recalls how the Thrikkakara panchayat set apart an old building and `50,000 from its annual project funds. We bought an X-ray machine with `6 lakh from the district panchayat. Most of the funding came from public money, not just member contributions. So, this is not just a members institution. It should be treated and run as an arm of the public health system, he said. Thats a sentiment echoed by Dr D Narayana, a leading health economist, who says many cooperative hospitals in the state have shifted away from their orientation in service. Earlier, cooperative hospitals had local government support and focused on service. Now, many are struggling to survive and are trying to make profits like private hospitals. That raises treatment costs and alienates lower-income patients, he said. Data from the registrar of co-operatives shows that as of March 2020, 200 cooperative hospitals were registered in Kerala, but only 103 remain functional. According to Narayana, the pressure to match private hospital facilities without corresponding public support has left many of these institutions in limbo. Dr M P Sukumaran Nair, president of the hospital, insists they are still committed to affordable care. We started before Kakkanad urbanised. Today we are growing, planning new facilities and expansion. Our aim is still to serve the lower strata, he said. Abbas warns that unless the hospital remains rooted in its founding ideals, it risks becoming just another private player in disguise.

Kerala HC recommends govt pleaders promotion

KOCHI: In an unusual move, the Kerala High Court has recommended the state government to promote a government pleader, during the hearing of a case in which she appeared. The HC made the recommendation to promote Parvathy as the senior government pleader while it was considering a petition filed by the wife of an educational officer and their daughter seeking to disburse Death-Cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) to them. In the interim order issued on June 11, Justice D K Singh said, Parvathy Kottol, the government pleader, who may be designated as senior government pleader as she has completed more than 12 years of practice, and the government has not yet designated her as senior government pleader, for which the necessary decision is to be taken by the government. The petition was filed on March 22, and in the last hearing, which was on June 11, Parvathy had sought time to file an objection to the petition. The court granted three weeks and made the recommendation. The petitioner had sought a directive to the deputy director of general education, Alappuzha, to issue the non-liability certificate (NLC) of the petitioners to the treasury officer so as to release the DCRG due to them.

Intelligence agencies to probe fire incidents on vessels off Kerala coast

KOCHI: National intelligence agencies are set to probe the frequent incidents of fire on board container vessels passing through the countrys western coast. The Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai has also decided to probe the fire in the Singapore-flagged Wan Hai 503 , on its way to Navi Mumbai from Colombo, off the Beypore coast on June 9. On June 12, MV Interasia Tenacity - another Singapore-flagged vessel, proceeding from Port Klang in Malaysia to Navi Mumbai - reported fire in a container. The vessel was 30 nautical miles off Kochi at the time. The fire on board Wan Hai 503 was triggered by explosives carried without proper precautions. The cargo manifest didnt have the details of the explosives, which substantiates the argument the ship carried undeclared cargo, a senior officer told TNIE . Safety compromised? Second ship mishap in two weeks raises concerns Such dangerous cargo have to be packed carefully as rain, moisture, or the rolling of the ship can lead to accidents, he said. Besides, the crew abandoned the vessel immediately after the explosion. The crew members of cargo vessels are trained to undertake firefighting operations, but their decision to leave the ship is suspicious, the officer said. The Nhava Sheva port has also launched a probe on whether the shipping agency had booked explosives as general cargo. As the cargo manifest of Wan Hai 503 does not specify container carrying explosives, the authorities suspect that the dangerous cargo was shipped as general cargo. The port authorities have taken the details of the senders and the receivers of the cargo to check whether there was any breach of security. Recently, the Kerala High Court had asked whether the National Investigation Agency can investigate the frequent fire incidents on board container vessels. Coast Guard starts towing burning cargo ship off Kerala coast

Lets give kids a behaviour vaccine

As schools reopen, parents are keen on preparing their children for academic success. While buying and preparing stationery and books, are we overlooking their mental and emotional well-being? A child may be impeccably dressed and carry the best school bag. Still, if they are grappling with anxiety, fear, or loneliness, their ability to thrive academically and socially will be severely hampered. Mental health profoundly impacts how children think, feel, behave, and cope with daily life. Without a strong inner foundation, even the finest school supplies wont be enough. Behaviour vaccine? Much like a medical vaccine protects us from physical ailments, the behaviour vaccine safeguards children from emotional and mental health difficulties. Its not a one-time injection; rather, its a daily regimen of healthy habits, essential life skills, positive thinking, and emotional support, primarily nurtured within the home environment. This behaviour vaccine is a comprehensive set of practices and emotional tools designed to empower children to face school life confidently and happily.It equips them to face the pressures of school life, manage stress, navigate peer problems, resist screen distractions, and bounce back from setbacks. Role of parents The foundation of the behaviour vaccine is laid at home. This involves setting aside time for tech-free family time, encouraging open conversations, and utilising simple practices like breathing exercises, storytelling, and positive reinforcement. Tips on implementing behaviour vaccine Outdoor play significantly improves focus and mood. Engage in activities like drawing, storytelling, and music. Teach decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills tailored to their developmental stage. Encourage responsibility through simple tasks like packing their bags or helping with household chores. Introduce time management using fun routines and visual planners. Help children identify and name their feelings (e.g., I feel nervous, I feel left out) Establish clear screen-time boundaries and designate family hours. Discuss the critical difference between online and real-life behaviours and consequences. Monitor online activity with trust and open communication, rather than surveillance. Start practicing waking up early in the morning and sleeping early at night. Start a new tradition of picking out clothes together the night before school. Help child practice packing and unpacking their bags according to the class timetable and their snacks and lunch. School, a place of wonder Bring the topic of school into daily conversations with your child. You can ask children how they feel about school and how they hope itll be. As a parent, you can tell about your school days and how you felt being in a new place. You should talk to them by sharing your positive views about school so children will feel more relaxed. Before your child joins a school, familiarise them with the general layout of the school to help them feel more comfortable on their first day. The writer is an occupational therapist & founder of Prayatna, a child development centre, Kochi

Clear up the paper boat trail: Lessons from Kerala coast shipwreck

The MSC ELSA-3 capsized off the Kochi coast, revealing the complexities of global shipping governance. Its fragmented ownership, flag of convenience registration, and management structure obscured liability after the incident. This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in maritime operations to protect coastal states from environmental and economic consequences.

Water Metro Coming To Patna? Sonowal Floats Ganga Mobility Plan Ahead Of Bihar Polls

Patna set to join Kochi in launching modern water metro services as part of Ganga transport revival.

Ban on use of drones near Kochi airport

The district administration has banned the operation of microlight aircraft, aero models, paragliders, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, powered hang gliders, laser beams, and hot-air balloons within a five-kilometre radius of the airport

Keralas fisheries sector raises alarm, urges urgent government action

KOCHI: Kerala, once the leading state in seafood exports, has now slipped to fifth place, largely due to adverse ecological impacts, according to the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI). The association has urged immediate government intervention to mitigate the crisis threatening the livelihoods of over 1.4 million people in the state. According to SEAI Kerala President M R Premachandra Bhat, Kerala's 590-kilometre coastline and nine coastal districts are experiencing a drastic reduction in fishing days, from around 300 to just 100 annually, due to adverse weather conditions, regulatory fishing bans, and the ongoing 52-day trawling ban effective until July 31. The situation is further exacerbated by illegal fishing by foreign factory vessels from countries like China and Taiwan, which deplete local marine resources during restricted periods. We urgently need stronger coastal surveillance and regulatory enforcement. While our fishermen face strict restrictions, foreign vessels continue to plunder our seas unchecked, Bhat said. He further highlighted the urgent need to boost domestic production. Shrimp is the crown jewel of our exports. But without adequate raw material, even the most advanced processing facility becomes nothing more than a silent warehouse, he warned, urging the government to promote commercial aquaculture and incentivise sustainable shrimp farming initiatives. Another top priority, Bhat said, is the immediate rollout of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets. These devices are not only vital for conserving marine resources but are also essential to maintain access to eco-conscious export markets like the United States. We have the technology. We have the necessary approvals. What we now need is administrative willan urgent push to implement TEDs without further delay, he stated. Amidst rising global challengesincluding freight disruptions, the Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East tensions, and instability along key shipping routesIndias seafood exporters are under growing pressure to stay competitive against aggressive players like China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Ecuador. Despite these hurdles, Keralas industry continues to innovate, thanks in part to initiatives like the Plastic-Free Seas Project, where local fishermen collect marine plastic waste and bring it ashore for proper disposal. This is a model for the nation. It proves that sustainable practices and profitability can go hand in hand, Bhat added. Nearly 80% of Keralas fish processing workforce comprises skilled women, employed across over 850 peeling sheds and 100 processing units. When you support this industry, you're not just protecting exportsyoure empowering thousands of women and securing countless family incomes, he said. Recognising the sector as one of Keralas most significant women-oriented industries, SEAI stressed the need for uninterrupted employment opportunities throughout the year. To achieve this, the association called for easier access to working capital loans, enabling the purchase of raw materials during peak seasons and allowing continued processing during lean months. The association urged the government to leverage Keralas strong NRI-backed banking ecosystem to provide focused support for fish processing units.

Mortal remains of Keralites who died in Kenya bus accident brought home

KOCHI: The Mortal remains of the five Keralites who were killed after their bus plunged into a gorge in central Kenya , was brought to the Kochi airport on Sunday morning. Accompanied by relatives, the mortal remains were transferred to ambulances stationed at the international terminal arrivals gate, without stopping for public viewing, and taken to their respective home towns in Muvattupuzha, Tiruvalla and Palakkad. Industries Minister P Rajeeve, Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) GM Rashmi T and several other officials and dignitaries, who were at the airport, paid last respects to the deceased inside the ambulances. The mortal remains of Jasna Makkar, 29, and her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Roohi Mehrin from Muvattupuzha, Riya Ann, 41, and her daughter Tyra Rodrigues, 7, from Mannur in Palakkad, and Geetha Shoji Isaac, 58, from Tiruvalla, were brought on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha around 9.15 am. The bodies were handed to the authorities concerned and the ambulances carrying them left the airport by 10.30 am, said a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer Some of the other passengers, including relatives of the deceased who suffered minor injuries in the accident that involved a total of 28 tourists, also arrived on the same flight, he said. A NORKA official said, The relatives and friends, still in shock and unsure of how to respond, were eager to leave quickly for their home towns, where many more awaited to pay their final respects, said the official. Last rites of Jasna, Riya and their daughters were held on Sunday. The burial of Geetha will be held on Tuesday. Repatriation of bodies Repatriation of the bodies was done as per the official procedures of NORKA Roots, with state officials, including Industries Minister P Rajeeve, present to receive the mortal remains. Rajeeve also offered condolences to the injured and the bereaved family members who arrived on the flight

Case registered against driver, passenger for allegedly injuring police officer in Kochi

Vedhi calls for hartal along Chellanam-Kochi coast on June 30

Kenya accident: Bodies of Kerala victims arrive by air in Kochi

The bodies were received at the airport by Minister for Industries P. Rajeeve and others

Young percussion prodigy Vasudevan Marar wins hearts at temple festivals

KOCHI: He is only eight-years old, but young Vasudevan Marar is creating fans wherever he goes. A Class III student at St Joseph Public School in Pattanakkad, Vasudevan Marar has been a familiar face at the temple festivals in Alappuzha district. On Saturday, he hogged the limelight at a percussion ensemble held at the reception organised for Vaishnavite saint Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj at Ravipuram Sri Krishna Temple. Son of percussion artist Dileep Kumar, popularly known as Valiya Kuttappan Marar of Thiruvizha, he joins the Panchari Melam performance by a team led by his father. He has performed along with his fathers team at famous temples in Alappuzha district including Mararikulam, Varanad, Cherthala, Thiruvizha and Chettikulangara. Last year he had participated in a percussion ensemble led by Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar at Mararikulam. Vasudevan Marar Vasudevan had an affinity for chenda from childhood and used to accompany our troupe to temples where we perform. He started learning chenda at the age of three and can now perform Panchari up to four stages. Besides he is learning Thimila and Sopana sangeetham. He loves temple festivals, elephants and melam. He can identify almost all celebrity elephants and is a great fan of Thetchikottukavu Ramachandran. He loves travelling and loves to travel in tourist buses, said Pradeep Kumar, his uncle. Vasudevan hails from a family of percussion artists and his grandfather Eswaran Bhaskara Marar was a well-known percussion artist. His father Dileep Kumar and uncle Pradeep Kumar have performed at Thrissur Pooram alongside Kizhakkoottu Aniyan Marar for Thiruvambady Devaswom. Dileep Kumar is an employee at Kanichukulangara Karthyayani Devi Temple and their house is located close to Thiruvizha Mahadeva Temple. He used to accompany our troupe for temple festivals during the summer vacation. Now, as the school has reopened he is participating in the melam only on holidays, said Pradeep Kumar.

Strong winds fan fire on board Wan Hai; vessel at safe distance from Kochi

KOCHI: Wan Hai 503, the burning container vessel which was drifting towards Kochi coast, was pulled back to a safe distance by the Indian Coast Guard with support from the Indian Navy and the salvage team. The vessel which drifted to a distance of 27 nautical miles from Kochi coast on Friday night was pulled back to deeper sea. The vessel was located around 40 nautical miles from Kochi on Saturday evening. Though the fire on board the vessel was extinguished on Friday, it got reignited due to heavy monsoon winds on Saturday. The sea is very rough and the tugs currently deployed are not able to pull the vessel to deep sea. So a 200-tonne bollard tug will be brought on Sunday to pull the vessel to the deep sea. Currently, two tugs are holding the vessel using towlines to stop it from drifting to the Kerala coast. The vessel listed to the port side after some containers kept on the starboard side fell into the sea. Now the vessel is stable and we have been able to arrest the drift towards the shore, said an officer. The salvors, winched down by a Seaking helicopter of the Navy, tied a 600-metre tow rope which was connected to a tug on Friday evening. This crucial joint operation involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force enabled the salvors to take over the vessel and continue the firefighting and salvage work. The vessel is currently being towed westward at a speed of approximately 1.8 knots and is now nearly 40 nautical miles off the coast. Three Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels are escorting the vessel while also continuing essential firefighting efforts, the Coast Guard said in a release. Though the fire was extinguished on Friday, it was reignited by strong westerly winds on Saturday, and thick smoke continued to rise from the deck of the container vessel. The authorities are planning to bring more firefighters who may attempt to board the vessel on Sunday. The Coast Guard is closely coordinating with the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure the vessel remains at least 50 nautical miles from the Indian coastline until a suitable fate is decided by the owners of the vessel.

Recording of statement delayed as MSC Elsa 3 crew test Covid positive

KOCHI: Though police have registered a case in connection with the sinking of the Liberian cargo ship MSC Elsa 3, they are yet to record statements from the crew as most of them have tested positive for Covid-19. The crew members are under quarantine at a hotel in Kochi. According to police, the crew underwent medical tests recently, following which most of them were found to be Covid-positive. We are in touch with the shipping company, which has informed us that most of the crew members are currently infected. We will wait for their health to improve before recording their statements. Meanwhile, we have sought details from the company regarding the wreckage and the cargo containers that fell into the sea. We will seek details from Vizhinjam port regarding containers loaded before the ship started voyage to Kochi port, a police officer said. Officers added that once legal formalities are completed, the crew may approach the court seeking permission to leave the country. The court will impose conditions to ensure that the captain and crew are available whenever required for investigation or trial. The charges registered against the accused are currently bailable, the officer said. The ships owner, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has been named as the first accused. The vessels captain, identified as Russian national Ivanov Alexander, along with 23 crew members from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines, have been listed as the second and third accused. The charges include negligent navigation, causing obstruction and danger in navigational routes, careless handling of hazardous, flammable, and explosive materials, and committing the offence in an organised manner.

Kerala fast-tracks airstrip projects in Idukki, Wayanad, and Kasaragod to boost regional connectivity and tourism

KOCHI: Aiming to provide air connectivity to smaller towns, the state government has expedited the project to develop airstrips across Kerala, by kicking off the process to identify suitable land in Idukki, Kasaragod and Wayanad districts. Joint venture firm RITES-KIIFCON has been tasked with conducting the feasibility study. The three district collectors have been directed to finalise suitable land at the earliest. The spots in consideration are in Periya (Kasaragod) and Kalpetta (Wayanad), while a fresh site will be identified in Idukki, said a senior official with the Chief Ministers Office. In Idukki, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) has set up an airstrip at Sathram near Vandiperiyar village for training air wing cadets. The government plans to develop a separate facility to cater to the air passenger traffic. The main aim of the airstrips is to facilitate air passenger services. However, they can also be used during emergencies like landslides. The airstrips will cater only to small aircraft like ATR or below, the official said. Govt to use UDAN scheme to augment tourism connectivity Earlier, the cabinet entrusted a joint venture of RITES, a transport consultancy firm, and KIIFCON, a consultancy organisation under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, to conduct the feasibility study for developing the three airstrips. The government had earmarked Rs 20 crore in a previous budget for the development of heliports and airstrips. Finance Minister K N Balagopal, while presenting the 2025-26 state budget, announced allocation of Rs 1.5 crore for the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) and other preliminary activities to set up airstrips in Idukki, Wayanad and Kasaragod. The development comes even as two new airlines Air Kerala and Al Hind received operational permit from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and are awaiting the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to commence commercial flight operations. Both the airlines plan to provide regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme, and have ordered ATR 72-600 aircraft. The Kerala government aims to use the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), a central project, to formulate schemes to develop heliports, airstrips and water aerodromes for augmenting tourism connectivity, the official said. Experts view the initiative as the governments effort to provide air connectivity within the state to make up for the delay in the implementation of the express highway or high-speed rail corridor projects. The three districts mentioned have long been in the scheme of things with regard to the futuristic development of the state. If were not getting a super highway or superfast trains, then airstrips or helipads need to be developed. This is a necessity as the state, relatively narrow in width, is elongated in area, Kannur airport managing director V Thulasidas had said earlier. Airstrips will substantially boost the states tourism potential as providing quick and comfortable travel facilities will bring in high net-worth tourists. Another factor is the presence of a large number of NRIs. They will surely prefer to travel by air from small airstrips or helipads to the main airports, he had said.

Portuguese Kochi Heritage Walk held

Fear of flotsam

Afterplasticwaste from the Liberian vessel that sank off the coast ofKochi floated up to the westernKanniyakumari coast, fishermen were upset at the damage it could cause to their livelihood.C.Palanivel RajanandShankari Nivethitha B.speak to experts and members of the fishing community to understand where the fears come from. Both groups have called on the State government to undertake a study on the long-term environmental impact of this incident

Saved by a divine hand: Justice Cyriac Joseph recalls 1979 plane crash He escaped

KOCHI : As the country mourns the victims of the recent Ahmedabad air crash, former Supreme Court Judge Cyriac Joseph has shared a deeply personal memory of how he narrowly escaped a deadly air tragedy 45 years ago. In October 1979, a Western Airways flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City crashed, killing all 207 passengers and crew on board. Justice Joseph, then a 32-year-old lawyer from Kochi, was scheduled to be on that very flight. A delay in his connecting flight from Singapore saved his life. I was travelling from Kochi to attend the Federal Assembly of Pax Romana in Mexico City, representing India as the Secretary General of the Newman Association of India, he said. Seven of us from Asia were flying together. Our flight from Singapore to Los Angeles was delayed, and we missed the connection to Mexico City. That delay saved us. Among the group was a delegate from Hong Kong who had planned to travel with the same team. He advanced his travel to spend a few days with his brother in the United States. Though he had initially booked a different flight to Mexico City from LA, he cancelled it to join the rest of the Asian team on the Western Airways flight. Tragically, he boarded the ill-fated plane and perished, while the rest of the team missed the flight and escaped the crash. The Ahmedabad crash brought back vivid memories of the Divine Mercy I received that day, Justice Joseph said. It was a life spared by fate, and I remain ever grateful. He later went on to become a judge of the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court of India, carrying with him the lasting memory of a narrow escape that shaped his journey forward. I survived because I wasnt in the rear: 1993 Aurangabad air crash survivor recalls fiery tragedy From reunion to farewell: The many stories behind the lives lost in Air India AI171 crash

Kerala jeweller, aide carjacked on Salem Kochi highway near Coimbatore; robbed of 1.25 kg gold

Bodies of Kenya bus accident victims to reach Kochi on Sunday

Indian Navy, Coast Guard And IAF Execute High-Risk Operation To Stabilise Fire-Hit Singaporean Vessel Off Kochi

Navys daring mid-sea rescue stabilises drifting cargo vessel off Kerala coast amid raging fire, high seas

NEW DELHI: The tow of the distressed container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 was successfully transferred to the ocean-going tug Offshore Warrior on Friday, stabilising what could have spiralled into a major maritime disaster. The firefighting and salvage operation of the Singapore-flagged vessel is being jointly carried out by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. Despite adverse weather that restricted aerial operations and delayed the salvage teams boarding, a Navy Sea King helicopter launched from Kochi on 13 June heroically winched team members onto the vessel under extremely challenging conditions. The salvage team then managed to connect a 600-metre tow rope to Offshore Warrior approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi. The vessel is now being towed westward at a speed of 1.8 knots and is nearly 35 nautical miles offshore. Three ICG Offshore Patrol Vessels continue to escort the container ship and sustain firefighting operations. At present, only thick smoke and a few isolated hotspots remain onboard, a testament to the ICGs effective firefighting efforts that have helped avert a major environmental disaster. The ICG is closely coordinating with the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure the vessel remains at least 50 nautical miles from the Indian coastline until its fate is determined by the owners, in accordance with international norms. The situation is expected to further stabilise with the anticipated arrival of additional firefighting tugs. The Indian Navy reinforced the rescue efforts by carrying out the insertion and extraction of the salvage team on Friday. In a prompt response, the salvage team members were embarked onboard a Sea King helicopter at INS Garuda, Kochi. The naval helicopter successfully inserted the team on the vessel amidst challenging weather and sea conditions and fire onboard. The Indian Navy on Saturday said, The salvage team was winched down, who connected up tow with the salvage Tug Offshore Warrior. After connection of the tow, the salvage team was successfully extracted by the naval helicopter from the vessel. The towing operations of the vessel has commenced. Presently, the Indian Navy's INS Sharda and Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) MV Triton Liberty are actively engaged in the salvage operations, in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard and other maritime agencies, the Navy added. The ICG had been holding the vessel away from the Kerala coast for several days, but sudden deterioration in weather conditions and strong westerly winds caused it to dangerously drift toward the shoreline. This shift was essential to progress the operation, as ICG vessels have limited bollard pull, a term denoting the towing capacity of a ship. For the past few days, ICG ships had been maintaining the vessels position away from the coast. However, sudden deterioration in weather conditions, accompanied by strong westerly winds, caused the vessel to drift rapidly towards the shoreline. The adverse weather restricted aerial operations and delayed the embarkation of salvage team members onto the vessel. Despite these challenges, around 1700 hrs on 13 June, a Navy Sea King helicopter successfully launched from Kochi with the salvage team and winched them onboard the distressed vessel under extremely difficult conditions. Subsequently, a 600-metre tow rope was connected to the ocean-going tug approximately 20 nautical miles off Kochi. This crucial joint operation involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force enabled the salvors to take over the vessel from the ICG and continue the firefighting and salvage work. The vessel is currently being towed westward at a speed of approximately 1.8 knots and is now nearly 35 nautical miles off the coast. At the time of this report, only thick smoke and a few remaining hotspots are visible onboard Wan Hai 503 a testament to the effective and sustained firefighting operations carried out by the ICG, which helped prevent a potential environmental disaster. The incident took place on Monday, 9 June A major fire broke out onboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 following a container explosion. The incident occurred at approximately 0920 hrs IST on 9 June 2025, around 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala and 130 nautical miles northwest of Kochi. The fire rapidly engulfed the midsection of the vessel, which is currently adrift. Preliminary reports suggest that 1015 containers have fallen overboard. The vessel was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, with an expected time of arrival (ETA) on 10 June 2025. Carrying 2,128 metric tonnes of fuel and hundreds of containers, including hazardous cargo, the vessel poses a significant threat to the marine environment and nearby shipping routes. The vessel had 22 crew members onboard, including 8 Chinese, 6 Taiwanese, 5 Myanmarese, and 3 Indonesian nationals. Following the explosion and escalation of the fire, the crew abandoned the ship.

GCDA may become first local body to serve as appropriate authority for land pooling for a major project

Out of the 300 acres which the GCDA proposes to make available, 100 acres would be made available to Infopark Kochi

Rendered immobile at birth, Lakshmi, 24, pushes past her disorder; tops MA batch

KOCHI: From being written off as an infant with short life expectancy to conquering the curve balls thrown at her, 24-year-old Lakshmi Sivaprasad has come a long way. Her life, filled with pain and hardships, is an example for those who find even lifes tiniest challenges unsurmountable hills and falter. The resident of Nettoor who was diagnosed with a locomotor disability that rendered her immobile and prone to illnesses, has topped her MA Malayalam batch of Maharajas College with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.84 out of 5. She now wants to do her BEd. I was born via C-section and had severe deformation of the head and limbs. The doctors didnt give me much chance of survival and declared that even if I did, I would have to live with my deformities. However, my parents, Sivaprasad and Rejani, refused to bow down to fate and sought out various treatments for me. Things began to look up when as a six-month-old I started making sounds on seeing familiar objects. The shape of my head began changing. I gained mobility in my fingers, Lakshmi tells TNIE. However, unable to bend the knees, her legs remained immobile. Many health issues started dogging me. I began treatment at Medical Trust Hospital, she adds. When she turned six, Lakshmi saw her cousins being admitted to school and expressed a desire to do the same. My parents hesitated. But they came around and my father approached the teacher of a lower primary school nearby, recounts Lakshmi. That was the start of her educational journey, which saw her parents carry their daughter to and from school. I was in Class V when a well-known surgeon on hearing about me expressed his interest in examining my legs. Dr A A John also instructed me to do some exercises. After a week or so, he contacted us again and advised immediate surgery. The procedure was successful. I was able to walk with help.She went on to complete her upper primary education at the same school. For high school, I joined Mangalayil GVHSS, in Maradu despite my parents objections over the distance from home. Lakshmi went on to score 90% in her SSLC and joined the Sacred Heart HSS in Thevara for Plus One. After completing Plus Two with really good marks, I told my parents that I wanted to study further. They were sceptical since going to college would have been very tough on me, says Lakshmi. But the parents relented once again and got her admitted to BA Malayalam at Maharajas College. However, college life was not smooth sailing. My health deteriorated, which prevented me from attending classes in person. I was accorded special permission to study from home. Lakshmi recounts how her friends, teachers helped her out by enabling her to attend classes via voice calls by phone and sharing notes. Her perseverance paid off and she cleared her BA with the highest marks in the history of the colleges Malayalam department. It was no different for her postgraduate studies. For my MA, the college officials told me that I would have to seek special permission from the department of collegiate education. It was at this juncture that Minister for Higher Education R Bindu happened to come across a story about Lakshmi and met her. The minister issued a special order exempting her from attending physical classes. And, again, Lakshmi did not disappoint.

Sex racket at spa in Vyttila busted, two held

KOCHI: The police on Thursday raided an ayurvedic massage centre in Vyttila that was allegedly being used to run a sex racket and arrested two persons. Rajesh M, 48, of Alappuzha and Aneesh, 50, were nabbed in the raid at Punarjani Ayurvedic Spa, which was operating from the ground and first floors of a rented building on Bund Road in Thykoodam. A case was also registered against three others Ajay P S, 27, of Pindimana in Kothamangalam; Abymon N Ravi, 38, of Keerithode in Idukki, and Bineesh M G, 45, of Kuttampuzha in Kothamangalam who managed to escape. The raid was carried out following a tip-off. Police officials said 10 women were found staying on the premises. The accused had been operating the spa for over six months. We rescued the women. Some of them revealed they were lured with offers of legitimate employment at an ayurveda centre but were later coerced into immoral activities, an officer said. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

As big private hospitals expand away from cities, small players feel the heat in Kerala

KOCHI: Big private healthcare players in Kerala are expanding their footprint into rural and semi-urban areas by setting up peripheral centres offering primary services. While it improves accessibility and affordability, the move is reshaping the states healthcare landscape, posing a challenge to the survival of small and mid-sized hospitals. The fast-growing facilities threaten small-scale hospitals that have been catering to people in rural areas, say industry stakeholders. Hussain Koya Thangal, president of the Kerala Private Hospitals Association (KPHA), said that setting up health centres in rural areas has become a marketing strategy of corporate hospitals. The aim is to make their presence felt by people everywhere. They are trying to attract more patients and thereby increase referrals to their main hospitals. Though immediate care is available in villages, the facilities are limited, Hussain said. According to him, the impact of the trend is huge. Establishing health centres and clinics in rural areas affects the existence of small-scale hospitals. Several small hospitals have been closed in the state, Hussain said. Dr Suresh Kumar, the president of the Kerala Association of Small Hospitals and Clinics, said around 600 small hospitals and clinics in the state have been closed down in the past 4 to 5 years due to high expenses and the entering of private hospitals. Small hospitals and clinics in the state were more service-oriented. By providing treatment at a lower cost, these clinics set up by the corporate hospitals have been able to attract patients. However, these initiatives are driven by business motives, he said. Renjith Unnikrishnan, president of the Kerala chapter of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India), points out that the hub-and-spoke model ensures accessibility and affordability. From a patients point of view, it helps avoid travelling woes. When a middle-class man visits a tertiary hospital in the city, he will have to compromise on a days work. Closer access helps him avail similar services at his convenience, Renjith said. The hub-and-spoke model also helps avoid overcrowding in tertiary hospitals. Major hospitals have also been setting up pharmacies and health laboratories across the state. The labs and pharmacies have also becomes spots where patients can book an appointment with a doctor or avail themselves of basic facilities of the hospital, added Hussain. Kerala has also been witnessing major acquisition and merger (M&A) activity in the sector. In 2023, Quality Care, a hospital platform owned by private equity fund Blackstone, acquired KIMSHealth Management, a leading hospital chain in the state. Last year, around the time Caritas Hospital, Kottayam, acquired Matha Hospital, there was news of Kozhikode Baby Memorial eyeing Chazhikattu Multi Super-Speciality Hospital in Thodupuzha. Healthcare is a capital-intensive business. We cannot set up hospitals everywhere. Also, only 25-30% of patients require tertiary care. In such cases, they can visit the hospital. Those in need of primary and secondary care can visit a health centre nearby, added Renjith, who is also CEO of Kinder Hospitals, Kochi. MOVERS & SHAKERS VPS Lakeshore has set up a clinic in Kozhikode KIMSHealth has established seven clinics in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam Rajagiri Hospital is set to launch a clinic in Kochi Infopark Amrita Hospital has established three charitable trust hospitals and three peripheral clinics across the state Kinder Hospitals has set up a health centre in Alappuzha

Wan Hai 503 drifting towards Kerala coast

KOCHI: Despite the efforts of the Indian Coast Guard and salvage team, container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 has been drifting towards Keralas coast in the past two days. The state government has begun preparations to meet any emergency situation should the ship reach the Kerala coast. As the towline tied by Indian Coast Guard snapped on Thursday evening, the Indian Navy entered the scene and tied another towline on Friday. The vessel is currently located 28 nautical miles off Kochi coast and is drifting at a speed of 1.5 knots. The Navy, Coast Guard and salvors are toiling hard braving adverse weather conditions to tow the vessel to the deep sea. On Friday, the Navy diverted INS Sharda to join the fire-fighting operations and deployed a Seaking helicopter to help the salvage team tie the towline. Fighting heavy wind and rough sea, the helicopter winched down the salvage team on board the vessel to connect the tow line. Tug Ocean Warrior, engaged by the salvage team, is trying to keep the distressed vessel stable despite a 15 degree list on the portside. After a five-day daring firefighting operation, the Coast Guard succeeded in dousing the fire on board Wan Hai 503 on Friday afternoon. However, thick smoke continued billow from the cargo hold. The Director General of Shipping (DGS) has mobilised 5,000 kg of dry chemical powder to aid firefighting. An additional 20,000 litres of fire fighting foam is being brought from Mumbai, and additional tug has been diverted to the location to aid with the towing.

MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck: Fish caught from Kerala coast safe to eat, says CIFT

KOCHI: The fish caught from Kerala coast is edible and there is no chemical contamination, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) director George Ninan has said. Meanwhile, the government of Kerala has roped in leading fisheries research institutes like Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, CIFT and Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies to conduct a long-term study regarding the impact of the chemical contamination due to two accidents involving container vessels carrying dangerous cargo. The state fisheries minister had convened a meeting after the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 to discuss the fears about chemical contamination. We conducted a preliminary study using the fish and water samples collected by Matsyafed from various harbours from Ernakulam to Thiruvananthapuram. The test proved the fish was edible and safe. The pH level of sea water collected from the states coastline was normal. The turbidity level was slightly high because of the monsoon. The fluorescence test also gave positive results. This was a sensory evaluation and we need to have a detailed study to analyse the biochemical parameters, George said. The remarks come at a time when fishermen and vendors are complaining about a decline in demand for fish in the market. Many regular customers stopped purchasing fish after the shipwreck. However, there is a spike in demand for freshwater fish, said Shinas, a fish vendor in Kochi. The decline in demand for fish came as a blessing in disguise for poultry farmers, as sales jumped by 30% and the scarcity of fresh chicken in the market led to a sharp increase in its prices. There has been a spike in demand for poultry chicken after May 25. The market has recorded a 30% rise in sales which has led to scarcity. The production had plunged at the national level due to summer as the mortality rate was high. The wholesale price of chicken which stood at `80 per kg has risen to `125 per kg, said All Kerala Poultry Federation general secretary S K Nazir.

Fathers' Day special: Dad-child bonding in pics

Hamza, a soldier from Gujarat, with son Alfaz @ Fort Kochi Rajan and daughter Sunita en route to her school @ Kadavanthra Albert with daughter Ritha and Rayan @ Thammanam Colin with daughter Caitlyn @ RSC, Kadavanthra Ravi with son Divit @ Mattancherry Eldho with daughter Ivania @ Palarivattom

Homely meals ready at Kochi's new Samriddhi Kitchen

Steaming rice with two types of thoran, sambar, pickle and pappadam on a plantain leaf. Simply scrumptious! Those who like to make the meal special can add a seafood or meat dish. We are at Samriddhi@Kadavanthra, which was opened on June 9 as an extension of the corporations successful Samriddhi@Kochi project that seeks to provide quality food at affordable prices. At `40, anyone who visits the new Samriddhi canteen GCDA headquarters in Kadavanthra can enjoy a homely vegetarian meal. For `30, one can add a fish curry. The space, which has already become a hit, is ambient with paintings on the walls and soft music. Sandra Joseph, a young professional working at a firm in Kadavanthra, says she has become a fan. I love the meals they serve. There are other options, too, such as biryani and Chinese dishes. This place is beneficial for students and common folk, she says. The space is neatly maintained, and the premises are hygienic. The food is tasty and worth the money. The menu includes vegetarian meals, fish curry meals, chicken biryani, ghee rice, and varieties of fried rice and noodles everything at affordable rates. The facility can accommodate about 60 people at a time, and serves at least 400 every afternoon. The facility, open from 7am to 10pm, also provides breakfast, snacks in the evening, and dinner. We see a rush during lunchtime. More people will come to the facility as it gets popular, says a staffer. Lunch @ Samriddhi Providing breakfast and dinner will also help the public. There are many people, especially women, who rush to work without having breakfast. This outlet will help them. A collaboration between GCDA and the corporation, the canteen is run by Kudumbashree members akin to Samriddhi@Kochi near the Ernakulam Town railway station. Samriddhis core idea is to make the city hunger-free, says GCDA chairman Chandran Pillai. We thought it would be great to have a unit at the GCDA headquarters in the heart of the city, which is easily accessible. It will be beneficial for the public, employees, and people who work in nearby offices. I am glad to see Samriddhi emerge as a successful brand.

High Court concerned over plastic pollution in waterbodies

The court says that the Kochi Corporation can no longer rely on the excuse that waste is piling up in the city due to lack of infrastructure to dispose it of

Proper connectivity is crucial for making tourists stay enjoyable in Minicoy

Recent voyage of MV Kavaratti has brought to the fore serious transport issues By Effgeemaliku Minicoy, the southernmost island of the Lakshadweep archipelago, lies approximately 400 kilometres off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, in the Arabian Sea. Known for its vibrant coral reefs, distinct Maldivian culture, and strategic location near the Nine Degree Channel, [] The post Proper connectivity is crucial for making tourists stay enjoyable in Minicoy appeared first on Northlines .

Roshan Mathew Joins Underground Wrestling Drama In Malayalam Film Chatha Pacha

Roshan Mathew stars in Malayalam wrestling film Chatha Pacha, with music by ShankarEhsaanLoy. Set in Fort Kochi, it blends action and emotion.

Commission receives 782 complaints on ward delimitation in Keralas block panchayats

Hearings will be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode from June 21

Iran-Israel worries Indian tea trade on possible halt in shipments

Decrease in purchases and shift to Kochi auctions seen; more market fluctuations expected

Proposal for polling stations in high-rises, residential colonies will benefit urban voters, says ECI official

As Kerala is significantly urbanised, this arrangement will benefit voters in high-rises, especially in cities such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, says P. Pawan, Deputy Director of ECIs Media Division

Community Resource Efficiency Hub in Keralas Ernakulam to support 25 women-led coastal enterprises build climate-resilient business models

A five-tonne capacity deep freezer, a 2-tonne capacity dryer, and two electric autorickshaws, all powered by solar energy, have been installed at the hub to help scale up enterprises, which are mostly into producing fish, agriculture, and dairy products

Kochi airport gets bomb threat, turns out to be hoax

Airports public relations officer receives e-mail threatening bomb blast

Migrant worker held for ATM robbery bid

KOCHI: A 26-year-old youth who attempted to break open an ATM was arrested within hours in a swift operation led by Perumbavoor ASP Shakti Singh Arya, on Thursday. Rajibul Islam, a native of Nagaon, Assam, who was working at a plywood company in Perumbavoor, was arrested in connection with the robbery attempt. The accused was traced and apprehended at his workplace, where he had returned to after committing the crime, said a police officer with the special investigation squad. The officer said that the robbery bid occurred around 3 am on Wednesday, at an ATM located at Mudikkal Vanchinad Junction. ASP Arya said, We examined nearby surveillance cameras, which showed the suspects movements leading toward the plywood company. Since the area had both local residents and migrant workers, police initiated a thorough search of the site. During inspection, we could not locate the suspect directly, but we found a bag containing clothing similar to the one seen in the CCTV footage. Upon questioning the workers about the ownership of the bag, the suspect was identified and taken into custody, Arya said. During interrogation, Rajibul confessed to the attempted robbery, he said.

Edakochi terminal to become key hub for Water Metros suburban expansion

KOCHI: In a significant step toward expanding Kochi Water Metro services to the citys outskirts, construction of the Edakochi terminalenvisioned as the main operational hub for the regionis set to begin soon. Though the Water Metro terminals at suburban locations such as Kumbalam and Nettoor have long been completed, pending power connections and final touches have delayed the launch of boat operations. Crucially, services in these areas can commence only after the Edakochi terminal becomes functional. The Edakochi terminal will serve as the hub for boat operations in the citys suburban belt. It will be equipped with electric charging facilities and other infrastructure, similar to the High Court terminal. The required land has already been handed over to us, Sajan P John, chief operating officer of Kochi Water Metro Ltd (KWML), told TNIE. Land parcels on either side of the Edakochi Government High School have been acquired for the terminal building and parking area. The boat jetty will be constructed using floating pontoons, with plans to launch services to destinations including Thevara, Nettoor, and Kumbalam once the facility is completed. However, officials remain cautious about setting a timeline. While construction will begin shortly, the pace will depend on fund availability. We are still awaiting possession of a key plot at Thevara, currently held by the Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC), said a senior official. High CourtMattancherry service pushed to August The launch of services along the High CourtMattancherry route, originally planned for April, has now been delayed to the first week of August due to extended construction at the Mattancherry terminal. The service will include a stop at Willingdon Island but will not extend to Fort Kochi, as that is a separate route already in operation, said Sajan John. Unlike Fort Kochi, which has just one berth, Mattancherry will have three, providing a better operating environment, he pointed out. KWML is optimistic about reaching operational break-even once the High CourtMattancherry route goes live. Since its official launch on April 25, 2023, daily ridership has been steadily rising, inching close to the 7,000 target. We need one more active route to hit the 7,000 mark, and we are aiming to achieve that before Onam, he added.

Investors accuse Bengaluru builder firm of cheating in Kakkanad project

KOCHI: Around 50 people have approached the Kochi city police accusing Bengaluru-based real estate developer Hoysala Projects Ltd of defrauding them of over Rs 30 crore that they collectively invested in new apartment projects at Kusumagiri along Infopark Road in Kakkanad. Based on the complaint of Sathyanarayanan Gopinathan Nair from Aluva, one of the investors, the Infopark police have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust under the IPC. As per the complaint, Hoysala Projects allegedly deceived investors, causing them financial distress, and without timely intervention, their lives would be ruined. Sathyanarayanan alleged the issue dates back to 2013-2014, when Hoysala Projects launched a development project featuring two 13-storey towers comprising a total of 128 flats. He said the builder promised modern amenities, including a shopping mall. At the time, construction of around 11 floors had been completed, attracting numerous investors, who paid 25% of the flats cost as part of the initial payment schedule, but the builder failed to complete the project even after collecting the money, he alleged. After getting no response from the developer for nearly five years, we approached the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) in 2021. The authority directed the developer to complete the project and later appointed a commission to investigate the delay. However, upon learning about the investigation, the developer unilaterally cancelled the agreements and allotments, and issued cancellation notices to 50 investors, Sathyanarayanan alleged. Many of us invested our retirement savings, personal funds and bank loans, with the assurance the apartments would be handed over by 2016. I paid `58.32 lakh for a 2BHK apartment of 1,512 sq ft, with only around `2.5 lakh remaining at the time of handover. This was my entire lifes savings, supplemented by loans from multiple banks, said Sathyanarayanan, a retired chief engineer from the shipping sector. An officer with the Infopark police station said they initially received a mass petition from the Flat Allottees Association, followed by an individual complaint. Based on this, we registered a case naming the builder firm as the primary accused, and its MD T S Satheesh and CEO Vinod Kumar as the second and third accused, the officer said, adding, The investigation is in its preliminary stage and further details cannot be disclosed at this point. Developer denies allegations Denying the allegations, Hoysala Projects Ltd said the complainants did not pay the remaining amount and the case is now before K-RERA. We informed the customers on more than two occasions in 2023 that the Occupancy Certificate (OC) was ready and they needed to pay the balance amount to receive the keys. Instead, they approached K-RERA after one-and-a-half years claiming they were cheated. Even after completing most of the payments, they are now seeking relaxation to adjust the remaining amount as delay compensation, said Satheesh T S, MD, Hoysala Projects Ltd. As per the RERA Act, customers must pay the remaining amount within two months of receiving the OC or the agreement will be cancelled. Since they failed to do so, we terminated the agreements, Satheesh said. Allegations Builder collected payments but didnt complete twin-tower project launched in 2013 Developer cancelled allotments after K-RERA launched probe into project delay Complainants claim life savings were lost

RSS chief Bhagwat to attend Chintan Baithak in Piravom from July 24 to 26

KOCHI: Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will organise a three-day national Chintan Baithak at Adi Shankara Nilayam in Piravom from July 24 to 26. Representatives of 80 national educational institutions will participate in the Baithak and RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat will be the chief guest, said national coordinator A Vinod. The Shiksha Samskriti Utthan Nyas has been striving for restoration of Bharatiya culture in education sector for the past five years. The Nyas will also organise a conference of the representatives of various universities, institutions under the Central and state governments, and entrepreneurs at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences on July 27 and 28. The conference is being organised by the Shiksha Samskriti Utthan Nyas, Association of Indian Universities and Amrita Viswa Vidya Peedam. The vice-chancellors and directors of 200 educational institutions will participate.

E-feeder bus services extended

KOCHI: The Metro Connect electric feeder bus services operating in the KalamasseryMedical College and High CourtMG Road circular routes have been extended to meet rising commuter demand, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) announced on Thursday. In the Kalamassery corridor, morning services departing from Kalamassery metro station at 7.40 am, 7.45 am, 9.00 am, and 9.05 am will now extend to NUALS College and Manalimukku. In the evening, return services from Manalimukku to Kalamassery will operate at 5.25 pm, 5.45 pm, 6.15 pm, and 6.35 pm. Similarly, in the High CourtMG Road circular route, e-feeder buses will now stop at both the South metro station and South railway station. Morning services will run from the South railway station to the High Court every 12 minutes between 8.08 am and 10.20 am. In the evening, return trips from the High Court to the South railway station will be available at 12-minute intervals from 4.33 pm to 6.10 pm.

Retired KSEB staffer spending life savings to immortalise French photography pioneer

ALAPPUZHA: Joseph Nicephore Niepce is one of the earliest pioneers of photography and is credited with capturing the first successful photograph of a real-world scene in the 1800s. However, Saji Ennakkad, an artist from Mavelikkara, feels the French inventor never got the credit he deserved. This is why the retired KSEB senior superintendent hailing from Vathikulam has made it his mission to construct a memorial for Niepce using his savings from the past 30 years. A few years ago, Saji, along with some others, formed the Joseph Nicephore Niepce Foundation in Mavelikkara. The Foundation is now helming the construction of the memorial, the first in India. Former chief secretary K Jayakumar laid the foundation stone for the memorial. Saji says the memorial is more than a tribute to photographys origins, it is a personal mission. Niepce never received the recognition he truly deserved in his lifetime. This memorial is our way of honouring his legacy and telling the world about the man who captured light for the first time, he says. The project, having an estimated cost of `50 lakh, will recreate the French scientists historic residence where he conducted his groundbreaking photographic experiments. The most iconic feature, the window through which Niepce captured the worlds first successful photograph, will be replicated, Saji says. A 34kg bronze bust of Niepce, crafted three years ago, will be installed next to the memorial. The structure, set on a five-and-a-half cent plot, is designed as a modern cultural complex, housing a photography museum, art gallery, workshop space for photo and painting enthusiasts, and an open stage for cultural programmes. The first photograph taken by Joseph Nicephore Niepce In 1827, Niepce used a camera obscura to capture the view outside his window -- a grain storage building -- with an eight-hour exposure time. The image, titled Le Point de Vue du Gras (View from the Window at Le Gras), became the first successful photograph in history. The original photograph surfaced decades later, in March 1952, at the Eastman Kodak Research Laboratory in London. Its authenticity was scientifically confirmed in 2002 by the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and since 2003, it has been preserved in an oxygen-free chamber at the Harry Ransom Research Centre, University of Texas. After retirement, Saji has been active in painting and has started work based at the Gaya Art Gallery, Kochi. He has also wrote his first book on the history of photography, Nischalam, Nishabdham, in 2017. It was published by the National Book Trust. His wife Subi is the headmistress of St Johns LPS Vathikulam. The couple has two daughters Anjali an accountant in the AGs office in Thiruvananthapuram, and Aleena, a PG student of Madras Christian College. Joseph Nicephore Niepce Born: March 7, 1765 Birthplace: Chalon-sur-Saone, France Died: July 5, 1833 Name of first photograph: Le Point de Vue du Gras (View from the Window at Le Gras) taken between 1826 and 1827 After decades, photograph resurfaced in March 1952 at Eastman Kodak Research Laboratory, London

Coast Guard starts towing burning cargo ship off Kerala coast

KOCHI: With the fire subsiding, the Indian Coast Guard started efforts to drag MV Wan Hai 503, which has been burning for the past four days, deep into the sea on Thursday. An MI-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force took off from Kozhikode on Thursday and dropped 2,600kg of fire retardant dry chemical powder on the vessel deck. According to agencies involved in the operation, the fire on the deck has subsided, but smoke is rising from the cargo hold, indicating fire under the deck. Once the fire is completely doused, T & T Salvage, the salvage team appointed by the owner of the Singapore-flagged ship, will take over the vessel and tow it away from the Indian waters. Currently, the Coast Guard is holding the towline and slowly moving the ship into the deep sea. The DG Shipping has sent reinforcement from Mumbai which is on the way. The slavers have been told to arrange their own tugs to continue the operation, said a senior officer. An officer said the salvage team has been supporting the the Coast Guard to douse the fire. Five ships ICGS Samarth, Saksham, Samudra Prahari, Sachet and Vikram are involved in the fire fighting and boundary cooling operations. Meanwhile, the search for the four missing crew members is on. The tug Ocean Warrier has returned to the shore due to some technical snag and another tug is being arranged. Additionally, the salvage team has started the hot tapping process to remove the oil from the bunkers of MSC Elsa 3 on Thursday afternoon. The team had plugged three leaks in the bunkers by Thursday morning and is hopeful of removing the oil within three days.

Kerala HC issues order to arrest Liberia-flagged vessel anchored at Vizhinjam

KOCHI: Kerala High Court has ordered the arrest of Liberia-flagged MV MSC MANASA F along with its hull, tackle, engine, machinery spares, gear, apparel, paraphernalia, furniture, etc., presently anchored at Vizhinjam Port. The order will remain in effect until a total of Rs 6 crore is deposited by the company in the High Court. Justice MA Abdul Hakhim issued the order on the admiralty suit filed by five exporters who lost their consignment following the shipwreck. Advocate Joy Thattil Ittoop, counsel for the petitioners, submitted that each of them has lost certain containers. The shipping company does not have any movable or immovable properties within the territory of India, and hence, they are entitled to invoke theadmiralty jurisdiction of thecourt for the arrest and detention of the vessel. They submitted that if adequate safeguards are not made till the furnishing of the security, they will be put to irreparable loss and injury. The court made it clear that the Warrant of Arrest would be withdrawn, and the conditional order of arrest would automatically be vacated once the amount is deposited or security is furnished by the company in the court,without any further order.

Maritime incidents: Kerala HC asks state to proceed against shipping firms

KOCHI: Expressing concern over repeated maritime incidents off the states coast, Kerala High Court has directed the state government to proceed against the shipping companies, including by taking actions such as seizing sister vessels. This (the incidents) is costing the public exchequer, said a division bench headed by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar. If these instances keep happening, the burden will be on the state exchequer. It is best to proceed against the companies, and the state can also arrest sister vessels. Slow or no action should not become a precedent... there has to be prompt action. If there is a bigger incident in the future, this action will set a precedent, it said. ...the state should not leave any stone unturned as far as offenders are concerned. The bench said the Union and state governments should take all possible action under law. Under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, a collector can file a suit to enforce a maritime lien on a vessel. This lien arises from dues owed to the port, such as charges for using port facilities or damage caused by the vessel to port property. The cost to the public exchequer should be recovered from the persons responsible, the bench added. It sought to know whether the incidents would require the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to step in. Advocate General (AG) Gopalakrishna Kurup informed the court that police have registered an FIR and started an investigation. The AG added that no court can take cognizance of any offence under the Environment (Protection) Act except on a complaint made by the central government or any authorised officer. The court replied that its for the central and state governments to take action. It also said it will appoint an amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter. The loss of fish resources from pollution and the resulting economic loss must be considered, the bench added.

Kerala theatre revival provides a 'healing stage' for mental wellbeing

Its heartening to note that theatre is anything but dying in Kerala. In fact, there has been a dramatic revival spearheaded by the youth. Whats particularly striking is how this resurgence goes beyond stages and shows. In a society where mental health is still shadowed by stigma, theatre is stepping into the gap. Certainly not as a replacement for medical therapy, but as a catalyst for reflection, connection, and self-discovery. Theatre is increasingly being considered as a space for emotional release, shared reflection, and mental well-being. For many, the takeaway isnt just applause its a sense of clarity, catharsis, and community. Aishwarya Johnson, a Thiruvananthapuram-based startup founder, will vouch for that. She initially turned to theatre simply to kill time. But her experience became an emotional breakthrough. Her role required crying, something she struggled with during rehearsals. It opened up something inside me that I hadnt been able to access, she recalls. I didnt do the play seeking healing, but it was amazingly rewarding. A workshop by Thamp Theatres intrinsic play with emotional dynamics makes it an impactful medium for transformation, according to experts. Theatre ensures that you are conscious of your emotions. A participant may feel sad but has to act cheerful. When you act, you control your emotions. This can teach emotional regulation, says Dr T R John, a senior psychiatrist at Aster Medcity. He adds that for those dealing with social anxiety, low confidence, or loneliness, theatre provides a consciously engaged space for expression. Having personally attended drama therapy workshops, Dr John underscores the mediums potential both as an expressive outlet and a tool for emotional awareness. Theatre is the nearest imitation to real life, he adds. For individuals facing social anxiety, for instance, the idea of interacting with others is terrifying. For such people, scripted interaction can be beneficial. Playing a role is also practising being social repeatedly. What starts off as performance becomes natural. Dr John cites the case of children with ADHD as well. While rehearsing for a play, the child cant interrupt, must be attentive, and not show impulsivity. This is instilled in them because one has to listen carefully to dialogues, pay attention to actions, wait their turn, and deliver lines at the right time, he explains. A scene from a workshop by Rasa Theatre Collective With each rehearsal, the child builds focus, impulse control and social awareness. In essence, theatre becomes a rehearsal for life itself. Theatre also cultivates connection. It demands collaboration, reading social cues, and working towards a shared goal. For newcomers, initial fears of judgement often fade in this inclusive space. In Aishwaryas case, her director helped her access and express her emotional core, a turning point in both her performance and personal growth. I also noticed how empowered the others were, she adds. Kochi-based web developer Hariharan M had a similar experience. He joined the theatre to explore acting and connect with creatives. I often have creatively eccentric thoughts. In theatre, theres a great chance that people will relate and connect, he says. Initially, it was a means to escape the chaotic world. However, I eventually found my tribe. My eccentricity was seen as normal. That made me feel like I belonged. While Aishwaryas and Hariharans stories highlight the release theatre can offer, it is important to distinguish between its incidental therapeutic benefits and structured mental health intervention. Indeed, the concept of drama therapy or therapeutic theatre has gained attention in recent times. These are led by trained professionals, and designed to provide safe spaces for those navigating trauma or long-standing psychological challenges. A workshop by Thamp Theatre Academy for Media and Performance (Thamp) in Thiruvananthapuram is a notable example of this space. We have been working at the intersection of art and therapy for some years now, says Thamp creative director Rajesh Chandran, who trained under renowned psychiatrist Shekhar P Seshadri at Nimhans. Rajesh, who was head of the theatre department at TVS Academy in Hosur, blends clinical knowledge and artistic experience. The basic tools of theatre are the body, mind, and voice, he explains. At Thamp, participants undergo a process tailored to their emotional and psychological landscapes. This approach is effective with children, many of whom deal with challenges at home and school. While such approaches were already established abroad, they were still novel locally when he started off. I had to visit families to convince them to let their children explore theatre, Rajesh says, stressing that parental involvement is vital. Thankfully, things have improved. More children are joining, and parents are now far more proactive. I believe theatres psycho-social potential should be explored at the governmental level. Well, this doesnt mean that all theatre = therapy. Spaces like Rasa Theatre Collective in Kochi, led by Rahul Thomas, are cautious about the word therapy. Here workshops are designed for artistic growth and self-discovery. Though he acknowledges the emotional benefits of theatre, his primary focus is skill-building. Participants can get carried away with the intensity of emotions, he says, pointing out that such intensity can derail the learning process. I bring them back to a space of neutrality a grounding moment after emotionally charged exercises. While we do pay close attention to participants emotional states, we avoid therapeutic guidance. Any healing effect is incidental, not intended. Rahul notes a pattern. Many participants quietly seek therapy, though they rarely say it out loud, he says. As part of his intake process, he asks if participants are on medication or have mental health diagnoses. What follows after the first day is emptying the cup a powerful emotional release. But this is where things get tricky, he adds. Rahul says he has seen participants stop taking prescribed medication or professional medical guidance after experiencing this release. This is worrying, he says. I am not doing therapy. I am not a therapist. Its important to have a clear demarcation. Not a cure-all For over three decades, Chandradasan, founder and artistic director of Lokadharmi Nadakaveedu, has explored theatre as a transformative practice. Central to his philosophy is surrendering self to serve a collective process. I tell everyone: leave your shoes and your egos outside the door, the thespian says. At Lokadharmi, performers are trained to emotionally regulate during rehearsals. Outbursts are rare, notes Chandradasan. Unlike drama therapy, which is clinically rooted, Lokadharmi engages with mental health through applied theatre using performance to explore social issues, encourage introspection, and rehearse real-world solutions. We are aware of how delicate these situations can be, he says. We approach people through the language of theatre. That means speaking through a story, not a diagnosis. One of their major projects was a two-year collaboration with De Montfort University (UK), Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and Nimhans to study mental health literacy across eight tribal, rural, and urban regions in Kerala using theatre as a tool. The team met individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses, their doctors, families, and caregivers, and built performances based on recurring themes that emerged from these case studies, says Chandradasan. We held workshops in closed, informal settings. They included food, songs, movements, and shared stories. A team of eight trained actors led these sessions after intensive preparation. Each location presented unique challenges, from rampant substance abuse to religious issues. But in the end, everyone engaged freely, says Chandradasan. It addressed not only personal psychology but social psychology too. Chandradasan, who was a professor at St Alberts College in Kochi, sees theatre as a powerful tool for those in emotional distress. We have seen many participants go through moments of deep introspection and change, he says. Those guiding such sessions should be trained to handle outbursts and triggers. Also, it is important to note theatre alone isnt a cure-all. When you go deeper into trauma or mental illness, of course, medical specialisation is necessary. As we sum it up, one thing is clear: as Keralas theatre scene continues to evolve, it is not just about performance or applause anymore. Sometimes, its about healing whether intended or not.

A lovers path near Chambakkara bridge, where Kochi slows down

Tucked near the flyover at Chambakkara, where most just pass by without a second glance, lies a canal-side path that doesnt call for attention. Its just there. Quiet, long, and oddly calming. A 2.5 km stretch that has slowly become a resting space for a city always on the move. Theres no signboard pointing you here. No caf promising iced coffee. No hashtags on nearby walls. And yet, from early morning to late evening, the walkway breathes. With footsteps, silences, and stories. Its not something you plan to visit, says Nimma, who sells flowers near the bridge. People just find it when they need to slow down. The path itself isnt dramatic. It runs close to the water, with low railings, scattered benches, and stretches where shade comes from trees leaning overhead. In the mornings, youll spot a few joggers, old men with newspapers folded under their arms, and the occasional cyclist who seems to be in no real hurry. Boats pass too. Quiet, unbothered, and sometimes, with cargo. Later in the day, college students stop to sit sipping juice, food delivery riders rest their backs and scroll through their phones, and older women walk together in small, steady steps, discussing daily life. Its our break spot, says a Swiggy partner, helmet off, legs stretched out. No one honks here. Thats enough. Theres an open gym halfway down. No building, no signboard, just metal bars and equipment. On most mornings, someones using it. Often, no more than one or two people. But no one seems in a rush. Its not a big thing, says Santhosh, a retired schoolteacher who comes daily. But in a city like this, even 15 minutes of peace feels like a blessing. The trees overhead arent spectacular, but they shade in the right places. If youre walking without your phone, youll hear birds. And sometimes, nothing at all. Every stretch like this has a familiar face. Here, its Babu, a fisherman in his sixties who casts a line into the canal most days and sells lottery tickets on the side. One foot rests on the edge of the path, the other on memory. Fishing is just for the peace, he says, not particularly trying to sell anything. Some days I catch fish. Some days I dont. But the water listens. Most who pass by recognise him now. Some buy a ticket, some just nod. Theres a spot in the middle of the path thats quietly gained a name: Lovers Path. Its not marked, but locals know it. Two flowering trees arch over the walkway, and in April and May, their pink petals carpet the ground. You walk under with someone you love, and the flowers bloom for you, Nimma says, half-smiling. At least, thats what people believe. Its not hard to see why the spot has its reputation. Even those walking alone slow down here. The pink petals fall without hurry, and for a few metres, the walkway feels like a story. Theres no tourism plan here. No photoshoots. No plans to turn it into anything else not yet, at least. And thats maybe what makes it matter. You see a student recording a voice note. A child learning to ride a cycle. A woman just sitting, staring at nothing in particular. Kochi has many loud places. This one is for the quieter things. Some cities build landmarks. Others make space for small pauses. Sometimes, thats all you need a bench, some water, and no reason to hurry.

GIS mapping may clear doubts over number of functional public taps in Kochi

KWA and LSGD had conducted GIS mapping in March after local bodies complained about disparity in the number of functional public taps; final report separating functional and dysfunctional taps prepared by KWA is expected shortly

Amid boycott calls over alleged ties with Israel, business booms for Tata-owned Zudio

KOZHIKODE: Even as protests gather momentum, especially in Kerala, against Tata-owned fashion retailer Zudio, accused of indirect business ties with Israel, there has been an unexpected twist. Amid slogans of dissent and placards condemning alleged complicity in a humanitarian crisis, Zudios outlets are experiencing record-breaking footfall and sales, revealing a fascinating and deeply human paradox between public outrage and private consumption. At the heart of the controversy lies the accusation that Tata Group, through its multiple ventures including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tata Advanced Systems, maintains defence, technology and surveillance partnerships with Israel, a country currently under international scrutiny for its role in the Gaza conflict. In Kerala, the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, has taken the lead in mobilizing people. Speaking to The New Indian Express , Abdul Wahid, State President of SIO, said, Israel's actions are a clear violation of international law and human conscience. Even humanitarian aid ships like the Madleen, led by activists such as Greta Thunberg, are being seized. Supporting companies linked to Israel is akin to funding this violence. SIO has launched a multi-tiered protest strategy: street demonstrations, social media campaigns, awareness drives in colleges, and alliances with international pro-human rights organizations. Their slogan, Bloodstains on New Clothes, now widely shared across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), directly targets Zudio's rising sales as symbolic of consumer apathy. Were not just boycotting a brand, says Muhammed Shafaque, Kozhikode District President of SIO. We are boycotting silence. Every rupee spent must reflect conscience. Placards bearing statements like Zudio Supports Genocide and Our Silence Funds the Bombing have become common sights at protests in cities like Kozhikode, Kochi, Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram. Yet, on the other hand, Zudio stores tell a completely different story. Sales have not droppedthey have soared. From Kochis Oberon Mall to Kozhikodes Hilite Mall, shoppers, especially Gen Z and young working-class women, are flooding the aisles. I understand the moral debate, says Ritu Nair, 27, a freelance stylist from Kozhikode. But I can't afford high-end brands. Zudio gives me trendy clothes within my budget. I want to support humanity, but I also need clothes I can wear to work. This view resonates with many middle-class Indians, who see the boycott as either impractical or selectively enforced. Meanwhile, social media influencers and vloggers are launching counter-narratives using hashtags like #ZudioStyleForAll and #FashionWithoutBorders, arguing that fashion should remain apolitical and accessible. Adding complexity to the discourse is Arif Hussain Theruvath, an ex-Muslim activist and critic of the boycott movement. In a conversation with TNIE, he dissected the campaigns motivations. This is not a desi invention. Its inspired by the global BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement. But what is often hidden is the selective outrage, Arif argued. Where was this energy for Yemen or Sudan? Or for the Hindu minorities in Pakistan? Its not universal moralityits religious sentiment. He went on to challenge the idea of genocide being selectively applied and criticised what he described as anti-Semitism disguised as humanitarianism. According to him, the public surge towards Zudio stores represents a form of grassroots rebuttal. The people didnt wait for the right wing to respond. They saw through the double standards and supported Zudio on their own. Thats how we democratize response to religious extremismwithout enabling political polarization. Arif also pointed to the irony of targeting Tata, a conglomerate deeply embedded in Indias infrastructurefrom software to aviation, and even the passport system (TCS manages the backend). Its a convenient target, but an unrealistic boycott, he added. During the Eid shopping spree, Zudio outlets launched massive festival offersa move seen by some as capitalising on timing, and by others as an innocent seasonal sale. Either way, it led to a sales boom, with some stores running out of stock of popular designs. A staff member at Zudios Kozhikode outlet, requesting anonymity, confirmed the spike. Weve had one of the highest footfalls in the past six months. Even with the protests happening outside some stores, the shopping never stopped. SIO has declared to intensify its campaign, especially in universities and youth spaces. Their next step includes collaborative digital campaigns with international activists, and they also observed global protest events on June 12, including a humanitarian march from Egypt to the Rafah border, where doctors and peace advocates from 31 countries are participating. Yet, the consumer wave shows no sign of withdrawing. In malls and shopping streets across Kerala, customers are consciously or subconsciously choosing affordability, aesthetics, and accessoften in tension with the idealism of international justice. As one customer put it while leaving a Zudio store near Indoor Stadium in Kozhikode, I understand the bigger picture, but right now, I need a kurti that fits. Maybe thats selfish. Or maybe thats just life. Top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have strongly condemned the boycott campaign against Tata-owned Zudio. Former BJP state chief K Surendran described the Tata group as a pillar of Indias economic strength and criticised the protestors as extremists with divisive intentions. Sharing a video of himself shopping at a Zudio store, he wrote, Those calling for a boycott of Tata over its alleged support for Israel are not just targeting a companytheyre targeting the very fabric of India. Today its Zudio, tomorrow it will be India itself. This wave of extremism must be firmly resisted.

To bring forth a mindset change, women to pedal on Fort Kochi streets at night

Around 30 women, aged between 15 and 70, are expected to participate in the Freedom Night Ride by SheCycling, a nationwide bicycle literacy campaign for women on Saturday. Brief stopovers at local teashops, storytelling, and music sessions too will be part of the event

Air India crash in Ahmedabad could be the worst involving a single aircraft in India

The crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday could be the worst ever accident involving a single aircraft in India. There were 242 people on board the flight, while more casualties are likely on the ground as the plane crashed into a hostel for medical students. The only plane accident in India with more casualties was the mid-air collision of two aircraft over Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, around 100 km from Delhi, in 1996 in which 349 people died. That crash involved the collision of a Saudia flight from Delhi to Dhahran in Saudi Arabia and a Kazakhstan Airlines flight from Chimkent in Kazakhstan to Delhi. LIVE | Air India flight to London crashes near Ahmedabad airport during takeoff; all 242 passengers presumed dead The previous worst crash involving a single aircraft in India took place on New Year's Day in 1978 when an Air India flight crashed into the Arabian Sea just off the coast of Bombay less than two minutes after take-off. All 213 people on board that flight, which was headed to Dubai, died. The aircraft was a Boeing-747 named Emperor Ashoka. The worst ever crash involving an Air India plane was in 1985 when a flight from Canada to India was blown up over the Atlantic Ocean after a bomb was planted on board by Khalistani terrorists. All 329 people on board were killed. Here is a timeline of the major air accidents in India since 1990: August 7, 2020 Air India Express Flight IX-1344 Kozhikode In Keralas biggest plane accident, an Air India Express aircraft carrying 190 people on board, including crew, from Dubai to Calicut airport skidded off the table-top runway while landing in bad weather, fell 35 feet onto a road below and split into two. Operating under the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate Indians stranded abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft was flying from Dubai to Kozhikode (Calicut). Such runways, which are located on hilltops, create the optical illusion of being at the same level as the plains below when a pilot comes in for a landing. The crash claimed 21 lives, including both pilots, and left more than 100 injured, some critically. May 22, 2010 Air India Express Flight IX-81 - Mangalore Air India Express Flight IX-812 crashed on May 22, 2010, at Mangalore International Airport, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India. The flight, a Boeing 737-800, was operating from Dubai to Mangalore with 166 people onboard, including many Indian expatriates returning home. The 2-year-old aircraft had crashed outside Mangalore airport in Karnataka on May 22, killing 158 people when it burst into flames after overshooting a table-top runway and plunged into a nearby forest.The crash resulted in 158 fatalities, with only 8 survivors, most of whom were seated in the front section of the aircraft. The investigation found that the pilot overshot the table-top runway at Mangalore and tried to pull up the plane but it was too late. November 10, 2009 An ATR-72 passenger plane, operated by Kingfisher Airlines, was damaged when it skidded off the runway on landing at Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM), India. Flight IT4124 operated on a scheduled domestic flight from Bhavnagar Airport (BHU) to Mumbai. Maintenance on main runway 27 at Mumbai effected operations at the airport between certain times. October 29, 2008 King Air C-90 aircraft owned and operated by Govt of Punjab was operating Positioning flight from Chandigarh to Ludhiana on 29.10.08 with two cockpit crew on board. The flight en-route up to overhead Ludhiana was uneventful. The crew located the runway late due prevailing Low visibility. They were not comfortable with the approach and made a go around; a non-standard go-around due to low visibility. In the anxiety to not to loose the sight of the field they descended in three orbits in the vicinity of the airfield on the west side of R/w 12, perhaps to land after making the short circuit from the right. However they lost the control and impacted with the ground in the steep left bank. Aircraft got destroyed in the crash due to the impact and post impact fire. Both the occupant on board died due to fire and collapsing aircraft structure. Air India crash near Ahmedabad airport: What we know so far March 19, 2008 The Premier 1 corporate jet aircraft took off normally from Jodhpur (JDH), India. The flight en-route up to approach to land at Udaipur (UDR) was uneventful. After clearance to land at Udaipur the pilot selected the flaps-10; the flap didnt respond and Flaps-Fail message flashed. The pilot decided to go for a flap-less landing and carried out the check list for Flaps Up approach & landing. The approach speed of the aircraft was probably high and it could not be brought to the assigned limit for flap less landing. The pilot continued approach at high speed. From about 25 feet height, the aircraft had a sort of free fall and impacted the runway. It rolled for about 150 feet with heavy breaking on both the wheels; which caused heavy rubber deposits on the runway and subsequent tyre burst. The aircraft veered to right and hit the boundary wall before it stopped. September 8, 2007 Vulcanair P68C aircraft VT-JOY operated by M/s Joy Alukkas Traders (I)pvt Ltd, Cochin operating flight from Bangalore Airport to Cochin on 08.9.2007 after refueling at Bangalore. Its took-off from Bangalore airport runway 27 at approx 1514 Hrs normally. At about1520 Hrs IST the aircraft wanted to return back due technical. However it could not make it as it was losing the engine power very fast. Subsequently Radar contact with the aircraft was lost and the aircraft crashed onto the lakebed of Gawdanapalya Lake, about 5NM Southwest of Bangalore airport. All the persons onboard received fatal injuries. There was no evidence of fire. Aircraft was completely destroyed. July 1, 2007 ATR 72-212A aircraft VT -JCE operated by M/s Jet Airways was operating schedule flight sectors DelhiBhopalIndoreDelhi on 1.7.2007. The flight up-till approach to land at Indore was normal. On coming to the runway the aircraft touched down moderately hard and bounced high. The Pilots were perhaps determined to salvage the abnormal situation and added Power to the Engines with intention to cushion the sink-rate and settle the runway. On the contrary, aircraft came hard on the RWY and bounced once again. This got followed with a series of bounces in succession. While bouncing the aircraft migrated from the runway and finally came to full halt on right side close to airport boundary wall. There was no fire in the accident. March 11, 2006 Low-cost carrier Air Deccan's flight from Coimbatore was involved in a mishap when it skidded off the runway after landing at the Bangalore airport.The brand new ATR-72 plane with a compliment of 40 passengers and four crew members damaged its landing gear -- nose wheel and undercarriage-- and slipped out of the runway. April 17, 2004 The aircraft owned and operated by M/s Agni Aerosports Adventure Academy,Bangalore was scheduled for a flight from Jakkur airport to Nadirgul on 7.4.2004. The aircraft took off at about 1115 Hrs with four persons on board including pilot in command. Film actress Ms. Soundarya was also on board the aircraft. After attaining a height of about 150 ft after takes off, the aircraft took a steep left turn, stalled and hit the ground. A few minutes later, the aircraft caught fire and all the occupants received fatal injuries. The aircraft got destroyed due impact and post impact fire. Ahmedabad Air India plane crash: Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani feared to be among passengers September 30, 2001 (Charter Flight) King Air C 90 aircraft VT-EFF owned by Birla Global Finance Ltd. and operated by M/s Jindal Strips Ltd., New Dehli took off from Delhi on 30.09.2001 at 1241 hrs with six passengers and two crewmembers on board. The aircraft was bound to Kanpur. En route it reported Aligarh as estimated. Short of next reporting point KADAS the aircraft was about 10 miles right of track for which the permission was obtained and the pilot requested for direct routing to Kanpur. Captain was advised by ATC Lucknow, to co-ordinate with Gwalior and Agra for traffic information. Thereafter, the aircraft lost the contact with the ATC and crashed. All the persons on board received fatal injuries. The aircraft got destroyed due fire. July 17, 2000 Boeing 737 aircraft VT-EGD, owned by Indian Airlines Ltd. and operated by Airlines Allied Services Ltd. took off from NSCBI Airport Kolkata at 0615 hrs on 17.07.2000 for Patna Lucknow - Delhi. The aircraft was under the command of Capt. Sohan Pal and there were 58 persons, including six crewmembers, on board. At approx 0713 hrs, the aircraft informed Patna ATC, estimated arrival time at Patna at 0736 hrs. The aircraft informed Patna ATC at 0732 hrs that it would like to do a 360-degree due to being high on approach. The ATC informed the aircraft to report final for R/W 25 after carrying out a 360-degree turn and the pilot acknowledged the same. This was the last communication recorded between the aircraft and the ATC. During the approach, for R/W 25 at Patna, the aircraft turned steeply to the left, losing height, and collided with the tree in the approach funnel and crashed in the GardaniBagh area near Patna Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed due impact with the ground and post impact fire. July 30, 1998 Indian Airlines DO-228 aircraft VT-EJW was involved in an accident at KochiAerodrome on 30-7-98. The aircraft was scheduled to operate from Kochi toThiruvananthapuram. Aircraft took off from runway 17 of Kochi Aerodrome. After attaining a height of about 400 ft. it was seen pitching up steeply to a near vertical attitude and thereafter appeared to perform a manoeuvre similar to a stall turn to the right and crashed on the roof top of the Component Repair Shop (CRS) building of the Naval Aircraft Yard, Kochi. After the impact the aircraft caught fire and was completely destroyed. All persons on board received fatal injuries. Three persons working in CRS also received fatal and six other persons received minor injuries. November 12, 1996 A Saudi Arabian Boeing 747 aircraft and Kazakhastna IL-76 aircraft collided in mid-air about 40 miles west of Delhi on 12th November, 1996. All the 312 occupants of Saudi Boeing 747 and 37 occupants of Kazakhstan IL-76 aircraft lost their lives. The Saudi Boeing 747 aircraft was on a scheduled passenger flight from Delhi to Dahran and the Kazakhastan aircraft was operating a non-scheduled flight from Chimkent, Kazakhastan to Delhi. After takeoff from Delhi, Delhi Approach had instructed the Saudi Boeing 747 aircraft to climb and maintain FL-140 (14,000 feet). The Kazakhastan aircraft had been instructed by Delhi Approach to descend and maintain FL-150 (15,000 feet). Suddenly at 1840 hours the blips of the two aircraft disappeared from the radar screen, as the two aircraft had collided. There was no casualty on the ground. The wreckage of Saudi Boeing 747 aircraft fell near village Dhani in Bhiwani District of Haryana and that of Kazakhastan IL-76 aircraft was lying near village Birohar in Rohtak District. Standing crops at the site of accident were damaged due to fire, impact and rescue operations. Ahmedabad airport resumes operations after brief shutdown following Air India flight crash July 11, 1996 Archana Airways L-410 aircraft VT-ETC was operating flight on Delhi-Shimla-Bhunter- Delhi sector on 11.07.96. The flight upto Shimla was unenventful. The aircraft took-off from Shimla with 9 persons including three flight crew members. At 0855 hrs. aircraft hit and crashed into a hill and caught fire near Kanda village. The Aircraft was totally destroyed and all the persons on board received fatal injuries and three persons on ground have also suffered injuries. May 18, 1996 Archana Airways L-410 aircraft VT-ETB was operating a scheduled flight from Delhi to Kanpur civil aerodrome on 18.05.96. The flight from Delhi to Kanpur was uneventful. The aircraft took-off from Delhi with 19 persons including three light crew. During landing, the aircraft touched down late and could not be stopped within the available runway length and went beyond the runway. The aircraft hit the boundary wall of the airport and came to halt. The aircraft sustained major damages. There was no fire and no injury to persons on board the aircraft. December 2, 1995 Indian Airlines B-737 aircraft VT-ECS was operating flight IC-492 of 2.12.95 under the command of Capt. Adil Mistry with co-pilot Sandeep Marwah and four cabin crew. The flight upto Jaipur was uneventful. Aircraft took-off from Jaipur with 98+4 passengers. Aircraft landed at Delhi at 1253 hrs. After landing the aircraft could not be stopped within the available runway length and went beyond the runway into kutcha. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was minor fire. Six passengers received minor injuries. July 1, 1995 East West F-27 aircraft was engaged in a training flight at Baroda airport on 1.7.1995. The aircraft was under the command of an Examiner pilot with the trainee pilot on right hand seat. The first touch and go exercise was uneventful. During the second exercise, immediately on touchdown the left main landing gear failed at its shock strut outer cylinder and the inner cylinder with the main wheel assembly attached to it got liberated. The aircraft continued moving forward with the remaining portion of left shock strut contacting the runway followed by the left engine propellers and fuselage bottom and finally came to rest on the runway left side strip. There was no fire and no injury to persons on board the aircraft. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. December 17, 1994 Indian Airlines A-320 aircraft VT-EPM was operating a scheduled flight from Madras to Hyderabad on 17.12.1994. The aircraft was under the command of Capt. C.J. Bhoopal with Capt. Sree Nair as First Officer. In all there were 144 persons on board the aircraft. After reaching over Hyderabad airfield, the aircraft did normal descent and was cleared for VOR DME approach for Runway 09. Aftertouchdown when the aircraft was rolling, it was hit by an unauthorised outsider on moped, who was attempting to cross the runway. The aircraft continued rolling with normal braking. The moped rider died on the spot and his body was ragmented into pieces and scattered all over the runway. Aircraft sustained slight damage. November 15, 1993 Indian Airlines Airbus A-300 aircraft VT-EDV was operating scheduled flight IC-440 (Madras- Hyderabad sector) on 15.11.1993. There were a total of 262 persons were on board the aircraft including 247+3 passengers and 12 crew members. The aircraft could not land at Hyderabad due to low visibility and carried out a missed approach. After the missed approach, the aircraft reported Flap Problem and was holding overhead at Hyderabad during which the flight crew enquired visibility at nearby Air Force airfields which was also low. The aircraft then diverted to Madras. Due to flaps problem, the crew had to maintain low speed and low altitude as a result of which it experienced fuel shortage and sought permission from Madras control for landing at Tirupati. However, the aircraft could not reach even Tirupati airport and executed forced landing in an open paddy field about 14 nautical miles from Tirupati airport. The aircraft dragged on the soft paddy field before coming to final stop. There was no fire. Passenger evacuation was carried out by means of escape slides. All the persons on board escaped unhurt except four who received minor injuries. April 26, 1993 Indian Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft VT-ECQ was operating scheduled flight IC-491 from Delhi- Jaipur-Udaipur-Aurangabad-Bombay on 26.4.1993. The flight from Delhi to Aurangabad was uneventful. The aircraft took-off from Aurangabad with 118 persons on board. Aircraft lifted up almost at the end of runway and impacted heavily with a lorry carrying pressed cotton bales running from North to South on a highway at a distance of about 410 feet from the end of runway. The aircraft left main landing gear, left engine bottom cowling and thrust reverser impacted the left side of the truck at a height of nearly seven feet from the level of the road. Thereafter the aircraft hit the high tension electric wires nearly 3 kms North-East of the runway and hit the ground. In all 55 persons received fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed due to post impact fire. January 9, 1993 On 9th January, 1993 TU-154 aircraft No. 85533 wet leased by Indian Airlines from Uzbekistan Airways was operating flight IC-840 from Hyderabad to Delhi. The aircraft was being flown by Uzbeki operating crew and there were 165 persons on board including the crew. The aircraft touched down slightly outside the right edge of the runway, collided with some fixed installations on the ground, got airborne once again and finally touched down on kutcha ground on the right side of the runway. At this stage the right wing and the tail of the aircraft broke away and it came to rest in an inverted position. During the process, the aircraft caught fire and was destroyed. Most occupants of the aircraft escaped unhurt. Six persons suffered either limb fracture or other serious injuries while 45 persons suffered injuries of a minor nature. Boeing stock tumbles over 7% in pre-market following Air India crash September 4, 1992 Indian Airlines B-737 aircraft VT-EGJ was operating scheduled flight IC-493 (Udaipur-Bombay sector) on 4.9.92. During take-off roll, the aircraft hit an Aerodrome Attendant (Chowkidar) on the runway centerline, who received fatal injuries. The aircraft continued with the take-off roll, got airborne and subsequently landed uneventfully at its destination Bombay. January 10, 1992 Air Lanka B-737 aircraft was engaged in a Scheduled International Passenger flight from Colombo to Madras on 10.1.1992. During landing on Runway 07 at Madras airport, the right landing gear attachment failed and right engine bottom contacting runway surface immediately on touchdown. The aircraft started swerving towards the right of runway center line as it moved forward on its wheels with right engine cowling and bottom rubbing the runway surface. The aircraft finally came to stop with its nose wheel and failed right main landing gear entering the grassy side strip soon after crossing the Delta taxiway. The fire emanating from the right engine was extinguished by the Safety Services and the crew and passengers evacuated the aircraft through the left side exit doors by means of the slide chutes. August 16, 1991 Indian Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft VT-EFL while operating flight IC-257 (Calcutta-Imphal) on 16.8.91 crashed about 20 nautical miles from the Imphal airport. The aircraft had earlier taken off from Calcutta at 0615 hrs UTC and it lost contact with Imphal airport at 0716 hrs UTC at approximately 5000 feet on ILS. The aircraft was under the command of Capt. Shekhar Haldar with Capt. D.B. Roychoudhary as First Officer. There were a total of 68+1 persons on board the aircraft including crewmembers. All the 69 persons died in the accident. The aircraft was completely destroyed. May 7, 1990 Air India Boeing 747 aircraft VT-EBO was operating flight AI-132 (London-Delhi-Bombay). During landing at Delhi Airport, on 7.5.1990, its left outboard engine (No. 1 Engine) partially separated from its wing attachment and consequently left wing caught fire which was quickly extinguished by the Airport Safety Services. The passengers were safely evacuated through slide chutes. The left wing of the aircraft was substantially damaged. February 14, 1990 Indian Airlines Airbus A-320 aircraft VT-EPN was operating Bombay-Bangalore sector on 14.2.1990. The aircraft took off from Bombay at 11:58 hours. There were 146 persons on board which included the two cockpit crew, five cabin crew, and four infants. The flight from Bombay to Bangalore was uneventful. During the final approach to Runway 09 at Bangalore the aircraft first contacted ground within the boundary of the Karnataka Golf Association approximately 2300 ft. prior to the beginning of Runway 09. The aircraft went up into the air for a very short duration after which it again contacted the ground on all three gears and then hit an embankment at the boundary of the golf course. The aircraft finally came to rest outside the boundary wall of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed due to impact and fire. In all 92 persons on board including two pilots and two cabin crew died in the accident.

Air India plane crash: Flight services to Ahmedabad from Kerala suspended until further notice

An aircraft that earlier left for Ahmedabad from Kochi airport is returning. Passengers advised to check with airlines for updates

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurates direct flight services to Abu Dhabi

BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to expand air operations in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated direct flight services from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi. The maiden flight with 180 passengers on board departed from BPIA earlier in the day. Addressing mediapersons, Majhi said it was a matter of pride for Odisha as citizens had long wanted flight services to Abu Dhabi. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance and Centre's support, the state government launched the direct flight to Abu Dhabi under the new destination policy, he said. IndiGo airlines will operate flights on the Abu Dhabi-Bhubaneswar route on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday every week. The inauguration took place on the day when the BJP government in the state is celebrating its first anniversary. The flight services were launched under Odisha's Building Management of Aviation Assets and Network (B-MAAN) initiative. The Chief Minister said the new flight to Abu Dhabi will connect Odisha with the Middle-East countries. The flight service will enhance commerce, tourism, investments and cultural exchange, he added. Besides this, Majhi informed that cargo services have also commenced to Abu Dhabi through the same airline. Mangoes like Amrapali and other varieties produced in various parts of the state like Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Nuapada and Rayagada, as well as vegetables, will be exported to Abu Dhabi. About 50 tonne Amrapali mangoes were supplied on the day, he said. Majhi also apprised that flight services between BPIA and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh resumed on Thursday. To connect Odisha at domestic and international levels, the BJP government launched flight services from Bhubaneswar to Dehradun, Ghaziabad, Goa, Indore, Kochi, Lucknow and Port Blair, and operations commenced from Jharsuguda to Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai and Raipur, said the Chief Minister. Apart from infrastructure development, our government is taking steps for industrialisation and strengthening road, air and rail connectivity to enhance the states GDP, he added.

Mithi river desilting: Actor Dino Morea appears before ED

MUMBAI, Jun 12: Bollywood actor Dino Morea on Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged Rs 65 crore Mithi river desilting scam, officials said. Morea, who had been summoned by the ED for questioning, reached the federal agencys office at Ballard Estate in south Mumbai at around 10.30 am, an official said. The ED on June 6 conducted searches at more than 15 locations in Mumbai, and Kochi [] The post Mithi river desilting: Actor Dino Morea appears before ED appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Panel to finalise alignment of Thiruvananthapuram metro project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has formed a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary to examine and finalise the alignment for the proposed metro rail project in Thiruvananthapuram. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday. The committee comprises secretaries from the revenue, finance, local self-government, and transport departments, and has been tasked with studying all aspects of the project and submitting its recommendations to the government. Three main corridors are under consideration for the metro rail: from Kazhakkoottam to Pappanamcode, Kazhakkoottam to Killipalam, and Palayam to the Civil Station. The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) appointed to implement metro projects in the state, had submitted a proposal several months ago suggesting six different alignments for the conventional metro. The proposal includes both underground and elevated stretches, but officials have indicated that underground construction would be significantly costlier for the state. The metro project in Thiruvananthapuram was conceptualised over a decade ago, but successive governments failed to push it forward. Initially, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had proposed a monorail system for the city. This was later replaced with a plan for a light metro, for which a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) was submitted.

Exalogic not a benami firm, no links to Pinarayi Vijayan: Veena T tells Kerala HC

KOCHI: Veena T, daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Wednesday told the Kerala High Court that Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, a company she runs, is not a benami firm as it operates independently of her father. Exalogic was founded by me, and my father has had no role in its business, financial, or otherwise. I founded Exalogic in 2014, whereas my father assumed the office of chief minister in May 2016, said Veena. She filed the affidavit in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) by M R Ajayan, a senior journalist from Ernakulam, seeking a CBI probe into allegations regarding illegal financial transactions between Exalogic and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). Veena said that all financial transactions between Exalogic, herself, and CMRL were conducted through legitimate electronic means, ensuring traceability and transparency. The payments made by CMRL to Exalogic were strictly in accordance with valid contractual agreements for the provision of IT services. The petitioner has not disclosed a single instance, document, or communication suggesting that any payment to Exalogic was linked to any official act by a public servant. The PIL fails to identify any favour done to CMRL, any decision influenced by her or her father in favour of CMRL, or any kickback received as a result of such favour. According to Veena, entertaining the PIL, especially at this stage, would cause irreparable prejudice to her constitutional rights as she is already facing scrutiny by the SFIO. She said, Subjecting me to another simultaneous probe would compromise my right to a fair investigation and defence, and a direction for a CBI inquiry would amount to judicial validation of unproven allegations, leading to reputational harm and a media trial. Veena said the allegation that her husband and Works Minister P A Mohamed Riyas disclosure of income in his income affidavit was inconsistent with the firms revenue is misconceived and misleading. Personal income, company turnover, and tax disclosures are governed by different standards. Any alleged discrepancy can only be addressed by the competent authority under the law. Besides, her husband was not a shareholder, director, or beneficiary of Exalogic. According to her, the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs had ordered a probe by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) into certain affairs of CMRL, including the transactions with Exalogic, under Section 212 (1)(c) of the Companies Act. As the SFIO is currently seized of the matter, all other agencies, including the CBI, are precluded from probing it. CM Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena denies media reports of her SFIO statement

Kerala bets big on 3x3 basketball as U-23 national championship begins today

KOCHI: Fast, fierce, and built for the streets 3x3 basketball is all set to make a splash as Kerala hosts Indias first-ever U-23 3x3 national basketball championship, beginning on Thursday at the Regional Sports Centre in Kochi. The three-day showdown will see 28 mens and 21 womens teams vying for glory in a format that promises raw energy, tighter play, and lightning-fast decisions. For Kerala, a state long known for its basketball pedigree, this is more than just another tournament. It is a push to transform basketball from a court game to a culture. Weve always had great players. But basketball hasnt broken into our streets like cricket or football, says P J Sunny, life-president of Kerala Basketball Association (KBA). 3x3 changes that. Its lean, portable, and exciting. You can play it anywhere even outside your home. What makes 3x3 tick? Unlike the traditional five-a-side game, 3x3 basketball is tailored for the fast and the furious. Each team fields just three players, plus one substitute, playing on a half court with one hoop. No coaches. No tactical timeouts. Just 10 minutes of non-stop action, or until one team hits 21 points. Its a players game. Theres no coach yelling instructions. Its all instinct and team chemistry. Thats what makes it thrilling for both players and spectators, Sunny explains. Field goals are worth just one or two points (instead of the traditional two or three), and the game uses a size-6 ball, typically used in womens games but weighted like a mens ball for speed and control. From backyards to Olympics 3x3 basketball has its roots in the gritty street courts of 1980s America born not in academies but in neighbourhoods, parks, and high school gyms. But it took a global leap only in the last 15 years. FIBA, the sports world body, began standardising the format in the late 2000s, with test events at the 2007 Asian Indoor Games and trials in Indonesia and the Dominican Republic in 2008. The sports official debut came in 2009 at the Asian Youth Games in Singapore. From there, it has been a dream run. In 2010, the format was premiered at the Youth Olympics in Singapore, then the first FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Athens (2012) happened. It was included in the European Games (2015), made Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 (delayed due to the pandemic and held in 2021) and featured in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. From pickup games to the podium thats the story of 3x3, says K O Oommen, a key figure in Keralas basketball scene. Its accessible, scalable, and now, unstoppable. As the tournament tips off on Thursday, the Kerala womens team will face Goa at 10 am, followed by a crunch tie against Punjab at 5 pm, with league-stage progression at stake. Day 1 features 56 matches 22 womens and 34 mens games across two courts, running from 8 am to 8 pm. The event will be inaugurated by KBA chief patron Dr Viju Jacob. KBA president Jacob Joseph will preside over the function. But the tournament isnt just about medals. Its about momentum, say KBA officials. We need the galleries full again. We need people to show up, cheer, and make basketball a community event. This format can do it. We just need to embrace it, Oommen says. With its compact setup, community-first vibe, and Olympic status, 3x3 could be the game that finally takes basketball from elite courts to Keralas everyday corners. And Kochi, this week, is where that bounce begins. FIBA 3x3 Core Rules Played on a half-court with one basket Uses a size-6 basketball (the same size as the womens game) but with the weight of a mens basketball Each team consists of four players: three on the court and one substitute All teams must have three players to start the game