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KOZHIKODE: A new cyber trick is affecting the states district administrations, with fraudsters now impersonating district collectors on WhatsApp to fool subordinate officers into transferring money. What starts as a routine query about work updates quickly transforms into a cleverly crafted financial request, and multiple top officials have already found their identities misused. The latest cases emerged from Wayanad and Kasaragod, where district officials discovered WhatsApp accounts operating under the names of their respective collectors. The fraudulent profiles carried stolen display photos and used formal, authoritative language typical of official communication. Officers who received the messages said the conversations opened innocently, with questions such as Where are you now? or Any update on the work? before escalating into urgent instructions seeking money transfers. A recurring message used by the impersonators read: I need you to fund some executive prospects account on my behalf while Im busy attending an urgent meeting. I will reimburse you before the end of the day. The scammers often followed up with a request for a screenshot of the payment receipt, claiming it was needed for reimbursement and documentation. Kasargod District Collector Imbasekar K confirmed the impersonation attempt, cautioning all officers against responding to such messages. I never request fund transfers through WhatsApp. Any such message must be treated as fraudulent, he said, urging officials to verify all financial communication through official channels. Kasaragod district authorities issued a similar advisory and alerted all departments to remain vigilant. A formal cybercrime complaint has been registered, and police have begun tracing the origins of the fake accounts. In a separate but related incident, Wayanad District Collector Meghashree D R took to her official Facebook page to warn the public about a WhatsApp number impersonating her. The number, using her name and photograph, has reportedly been sending messages to various individuals over the past few days, requesting immediate financial assistance. Following preliminary probe, the Wayanad cyber police traced the WhatsApp number to Vietnam. Officials confirmed that the number was registered as a business account, and records indicate the user joined WhatsApp only in October, a detail raising suspicion that the profile may have been created specifically for the fraud. Police sources said a case would be registered shortly under relevant sections of cyber fraud and identity impersonation. Cyber security experts have noted that impersonation scams involving top government officials are currently on the rise. Fraudsters often exploit hierarchical structures and urgency-based communication to manipulate officers into acting quickly without double-checking. Police have urged government employees and the public to avoid responding to unsolicited WhatsApp messages requesting money, verify communication through official phone numbers or email, and report suspicious messages immediately to cybercrime authorities
Construction work on Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel road moving at a fast pace
KOZHIKODE: The construction of Keralas ambitious Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi four-lane tunnel road, envisioned as a long-awaited alternative to the heavily congested Thamarassery Ghat, is progressing rapidly in Kozhikode. Machinery for rock excavation, labour camps, first-aid centres, and office containers have already arrived at the project site at Marippuzha, where the initial phase of work has begun. Estimated at a cost of Rs 2,134 crore, the tunnel aims to provide a seamless travel experience through one of the states most challenging hilly terrains. Once completed, the route is expected to greatly ease the persistent traffic issues at the Thamarassery churam and offer a safe and smooth passage in all weather conditions, one of its most significant advantages. Bhopal-headquartered Dilip Buildcon Limited has been awarded the construction contract for the tunnel project, while the contract for the four-lane steel arch bridge across the Iruvazhinji river at Marippuzha has been given to Punia Construction Company. The public works department (PWD) is overseeing the project, with funding provided by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). According to PWD officials, the tunnel is expected to be fully completed within four years, provided the current pace of work continues. The project involves the construction of an 8.73-km-long four-lane tunne, on the Wayanad side, will link to Meppadi-Kalladi-Chooralmala road (SH-59), while in Kozhikode district, it will connect to the Marippuzha-Muthappanpuzha-Anakkampoyil route.
Top leaders add zest to campaigning in Kozhikode Corporation
CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan, Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala, and senior BJP leader V.K. Sajeevan join candidates as campaigning peaks
Clamour for comprehensive fire audit gets louder in Kozhikode
Everyone free to eat what they want but dont provoke others
Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri, the master chef of school arts festivals for the past two decades, is an unassuming individual who swears by the divinity of cooking, a task demanding utmost passion and deep dedication. In a freewheeling chat with TNIE, he opens up about his culinary journey spanning over three decades, why he believes in the individual freedom to choose what to eat, the controversies over beef and menu in school festivals, and the speciality of the much-talked about traditional Kerala sadya. Excerpts Youve made a name for yourself in Keralas culinary world. But its said your entry was accidental Yes. After acquiring my masters in physics, I struggled to get a job. I attended around 126 tests in five years, but with little luck. During those days in the 80s, Brahmins had two other options priesthood and cooking. I chose cooking because it gives instant results. Those days, you were an ardent admirer of M T Vasudevan Nair. Its heard that you passed through a phase of existential dilemma In my birthplace Kurichithanam there was a library in our neighbourhood. Reading became a habit since Class 5. Reading and travelling gifted me experiences. Thats how I developed a craze for MTs works. I also loved the poetry of Ayyappa Paniker and Balachandran Chullikkad. At the time, I had visited most states, as part of job-hunting. In between, I tried my luck in business and other small ventures. But they failed, and resulted in financial liabilities. I even thought of ending life. That was a period after Kerala society had undergone several changes. As a member of the Brahmin community, what was your life like then? The situation wasnt favourable for educated and qualified people. Reservation is a big problem. In that sense, I feel a uniform civil code is necessary. Imagine people standing in a queue under a hot sun. Some are invited and given lemon juice. The rest are excluded. Back then, such was the scenario. Opportunities were fewer. I wasnt very bright... my life evolved through reading and travel. Since you belong to a forward community, it was natural to have such an opinion. But do you still hold the same view? Certainly. Back then, I even had an inferiority complex for being a Brahmin. Now, in many places, there are attempts to make people Brahmins by giving them poonool (sacred thread) and teaching them mantras. It was the reverse then. I thought about the possibility of getting into the reservation category. It (reservation) is something which should not have been done in a place like India. From my travel to other countries, I understood there is no reservation there. People get employment based on merit. Skill should be the criterion, shouldnt it? Wasnt it necessary during that period, considering the social situation then? True, but how far have we changed from the social situation back then? Today, while beneficiaries of reservation occupy the highest levels of society, many from my community struggle for food, although they do not reveal it because of self-esteem or false pride. You mentioned the rigours of being a Namboothiri. Any perks of being a Namboothiri? My name is P D Mohanan. I changed it to Pazhayidom Namboothiri to establish myself as a cook. The tag found acceptance among people. Isnt there apathy from within your community towards those employed as cooks? In the 2000s, cooks were akin to aanakkar (those looking after elephants) and vedikkettukar (those engaged in fireworks). People engaged in cooking usually didnt present themselves well, didnt wash, ate pan, and dressed untidily. I could change this make them believe they have a place in society. Nowadays, cooks appear in whites (smiles). You once said business isnt meant for Namboothiris Successful ones are very rare. There could be two reasons. One, lying is quite difficult for them. Nobody can do business truthfully. One should know how to hide certain truths. Secondly, business is not meant for people who dont know how to handle money. They dont have much idea on aspects like utilisation of finances, investments, and returns. How did your situation change after those bitter life experiences? After my unsuccessful business venture, I got a job at a book stall in Ottapalam. While there, I happened to befriend a person, someone who handled funerals. He was a charming personality and a voracious reader, proficient in Malayalam, Sanskrit and English. I learnt lifes basics from him. I learnt that we cannot judge a person by his colour or job. He suggested that I try my hand at cooking and encouraged me to take up the profession. My career started with cooking for some 50 persons gathered at a local temple for namajapam. Had you tried cooking at home? No. Even today, I cant do it. My basic unit is a serving for 100 people. I can do any multiples of that. But anything below 100 would be an utter flop (laughs out). Isnt that easier than preparing food for 10,000 people? My interest grows with the number of people. Its a great pleasure to cook for a lakh (laughs). But it will be difficult if you ask me to cook for ten. I dont know how to prepare a dish with one or one-and-a-half spoons of ingredients. Women who cook at home are the best at that. The taste of homely food lies in their care and goodness. Its different from the commercial cooking I do. Did you have such love for cooking initially? It took five years to learn even the basics. I kind of established myself in 2001-02 when I prepared food for a Travancore royal family ceremony. It has been 25 years since you became the chef for school youth festivals. What changes have you noticed over the period? In the initial years, there was mass contribution... people and students would pool resources. Local residents would volunteer to assist. These were then not just events, but a place of togetherness. Also, back then, it was just a simple meal. Now, theres more diversity, including payasam on all days. In 2009, the current form of youth festival started... a common festival replaced separate events for HS, HSS, VHSS. Workload increased. Though the number of festival days was reduced, we increased the number of items by 20%. Do you follow the same menu, irrespective of the place, or make changes in line with regional differences? We usually follow the Travancore style, but also include a regional dish as a special item. Do you have the freedom to fix the menu? Earlier, we did, but stopped it with the 2023 controversy. Now, its an e-tender, wherein the menu is given. That said, we still retain the flexibility to make minor adjustments based on practical experience. Whats your focus, more dishes or more special items? We limit the menu to 12 dishes, but we experiment with payasams to add variety. There are so many possibilities... weve even created yam and pumpkin payasams. How have your travels influenced your approach to food preparation? Food exists to satisfy hunger and taste is born from hunger. If someone isnt hungry, eating loses its meaning. Ive seen people struggling to find food as well as prepare it. Such experiences made me view cooking as a form of worship. It taught me that serving food isnt just a taskit is a divine responsibility. Viewed as such, we approach it with true commitment. When we view the process of cooking and serving as divine, taste naturally follows. Its said that you start cooking with a prayer I always pray before cooking. No matter how busy we are, we never begin cooking without first taking a bath. Food is meant to be served to others, so we must treat it with respect and care. We also make it a point not to waste food. What exactly do you pray? My first prayer is that nothing untoward happens to any child because of the food. Second, my own actions should never harm the food. Third, my attention should not falter. Is there any truth in the saying that food tastes better when cooked on firewood? Vessels placed on firewood receive even heat, while on a gas stove, maximum heat is concentrated directly above the burner, increasing the risk of burning. Firewood allows slow cooking, which enhances flavour. The only caution is to ensure that smoke does not seep into the food. Each district differs in food preferences. What is Keralas food habit per se? Its difficult to define a single food habit for Kerala. We need to look at traditions that existed even before the formation of the state. Food practices vary widely across regions. For instance, in areas north of Kozhikode, non-vegetarian dishes are inseparable from daily meals. The food habits of northern, southern, and central Kerala cannot really be compared. What about authenticity of food? Everyone claims their food is the most authentic. In Thiruvananthapuram, people prefer dishes arranged in three layers on the banana leaf almost like a rainbow. For them, appearance matters more than taste. In northern Kerala, the spread is simpler, but they are very particular about flavour. Which sadya is better? Isnt the Thiruvananthapuram sadya considered superior? People may claim, but no one can insist thats the absolute truth (laughs). How about the serving style? In Thiruvananthapuram, people are very particular about the order of serving. For instance, if you serve pulissery before pradhaman, they may stop eating altogether. In other regions, this isnt the case. Is there a specific gastronomic order to follow in a sadya? Not really. A vegetarian sadya is built around six fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. Whether the sadya has 10 dishes or 36, basic taste elements remain the same. The idea that digestion depends on following a strict sequence is not accurate, but certain practices do matter. You are vegetarian. How do you manage non-vegetarian dishes? We have a separate team and separate utensils for non-veg items. Whats your favourite food? I enjoy rice with curd and cut-mango-pickle. If rasam is added, Im even happier. Your take on the controversy over non-veg food during the school arts fest in 2023 The government provides an estimate about the number of people whod dine. The exact count is way different. Last year, the government said thered be 12,000 diners daily. But 20,000 people ate each day. Non-veg cannot be given to so many people. Food is prepared in a single kitchen and preparing meat is impossible. Even if meat is supplied, it will rot by the time its taken for preparation. Else, the government should install a freezer and a generator. In school games, food is prepared in five kitchens. Hence, non-veg dishes are served there. Politics over food is heating up Human digestive system is seven times longer than the height of a person. Digesting non-veg food is difficult, and could lead to health issues. Human body is more suited for a vegetarian diet, but now humans are used to being non-vegetarian. Brahmins too consume non-veg... Brahmins consuming non-vegetarian food is not unusual. Bengali Brahmins and some Maharashtrian Brahmins traditionally eat fish and do not claim to be strict vegetarians. Their food habits are shaped by regional culture. Kerala follows a different system, where certain Brahmin communities practise vegetarianism strictly. This has contributed to a perception that all Brahmins must be vegetarian, and in some cases, it has also created a sense of superiority among groups who identify strongly with vegetarian practices. Personally, I dont believe that some Brahmins have higher status. Ultimately, such divisions are meaningless. It is up to each individual to decide their way of life, including what they eat. The problem arises when one insists that you should eat what I eat. Vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, which one is good for health? Non-vegetarian food can boost stamina quickly. But its wrong to say that vegetarians have no strength. Vegetarian food boosts stamina slowly. Look at elephants; they are incredibly strong, yet they eat only plant-based food. Does the food we eat affect our character? Hitler was a vegetarian, yet he was an extremely cruel man. Food alone does not determine a persons character. Some people say eating spicy or salty food can make a person angry. There are people who get irritated easily after eating such food. The food we eat helps build body and health, but does not automatically shape our nature or behaviour. A non-vegetarian does not become short-tempered because of meat, neither does a vegetarian become peaceful by avoiding meat. Personality depends on the individual, not on whether they eat vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. On the changing food culture in Kerala, especially Arabic food Arabic food culture has adversely impacted the health of Keralites. Sudden changes in diet and the habit of eating food unsuited to our system have led to numerous health issues. Having such dishes occasionally is fine, but making it a regular habit just because they are popular is not right. Food should match climate and lifestyle. A major reason behind such trends is social media. Food bloggers and influencers constantly promote and encourage people to try dishes without considering health. How has the spread in traditional functions evolved? Over the years, the menu served during traditional functions has undergone a noticeable change. Earlier, the practice was to keep the previous days meal simple and light. Even non-vegetarian items, if served, were limited and uncomplicated. Today, the simplicity of the pre-wedding menu has largely disappeared. Heavy non-veg meals and elaborate spreads have become common even on the previous day. The sadya, once reserved for the wedding day, is now served frequently across various functions. The number of sadyas has increased, while exclusivity and ritual significance of the feast have decreased. Is non-vegetarianism increasing in Kerala? Non-vegetarianism itself has not necessarily increased, but there has been a noticeable shift in food habits. Many who were traditionally vegetarian now eat non-vegetarian food, while some non-vegetarians have moved towards vegetarian options. In short, there has been an interchange of preferences over the years. Why are vegetarian hotels shutting down? One major issue is that genuinely good vegetarian hotels, especially hygienic ones, are becoming rare in Kerala. This decline is not because people have stopped eating vegetarian food, but because many vegetarian establishments fail to maintain standards such as attractive interiors, clean and well-presented spaces, or even neat uniforms. Non-vegetarian hotels, on the other hand, generally maintain certain standards whether it is the quality of food, hygiene, or affordability. You once served sadya to PM Narendra Modi. How was the experience? I had the opportunity to serve a traditional Kerala sadya to Narendra Modi during the BJP national council meet. It was a completely vegetarian sadya. Cooking the sadya was quite challenging because of the security setup. But everything went smoothly. He ate the whole sadya; not a single item was left on the plantain leaf. He told me the food was excellent. I had prepared around 30 items including four varieties of payasam. I have prepared food for our chief minister too. Which is the most difficult food to cook veg, non-veg, or north Indian? Most difficult to prepare is vegetarian food, because each item has to be cooked separately in its own vessel, with its own method and time. In non-vegetarian cooking, if you make two gravies and one masala paste, you can finish many dishes. In north India too, most items have a gravy base, and once that is prepared, many dishes can be completed. In Kerala, beef is a political topic. People discuss whether eating beef is right or wrong. Whats your view? If you ask me whether it is wrong to eat beef, I will say no. People have the freedom to eat what they want. If someone tells us not to slaughter cattle, then what do we do with the animals that are already old and nearing death? I dont think eating beef is wrong. Politicians project the issue in a certain way thats the real problem. People should be free to choose what they eat, but they should not hurt others in the process. If you want to eat, eat... but dont try to provoke others. We talk about diversity, but real diversity is respecting individuals. Each person should be able to live according to their own beliefs. If someone sits next to you and eats non-veg, do you feel uncomfortable? Sometimes I might. In such cases, I try to sit elsewhere, where I feel comfortable. Kerala is known as a spice capital, yet our traditional meals are actually mild and subtle Traditional Kerala food is not very spicy. But now, the interest in spicy food has increased. It depends on what people have grown used to. You have been cooking for the past 27 years. How do you look at your life now? I have served food to 2.6 crore students. I have understood that this job has its own dignity and divinity. Ive no disappointments. I believe I was able to win peoples trust. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Anil S, Aparna Nair, Parvana K B, Varsha SomarajVincent Pulickal (photos) Pranav V P(video)
KOZHIKODE: Koyilandy MLA Kanathil Jameela passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Kozhikode following illness. She was 59. The CPM leader had been convalescing at home for the last six months after undergoing treatment for cancer. Jameela had a unique political ascent, achieving the rare feat of serving and winning elections across all three tiers of the panchayat system before being elected to the assembly in 2021. Born in Kuttiadi, Jameela inherited her political fervour from her father, T K K Abdulla, a frontline communist leader during the Emergency era. Snehasparsham proved her commitment to public care After marriage, her move to Thalakulathur placed her in a family of dedicated CPM workers. Jameelas career officially took off in 1995, when she was elected to Thalakulathur panchayat and served as its president. Her influence solidified during her tenure as Kozhikode district panchayat chief, a position she held twice, in 2010 and 2020, when she won the Nanminda division by a margin of 8,094 votes. During her time in office, she launched the acclaimed Snehasparsham project for kidney patients, providing up to Rs 3,000 in financial aid and free medicines a scheme that became synonymous with her commitment to public care. In 2021, Jameela successfully transitioned to state politics, winning the Koyilandy assembly constituency. She defeated her Congress opponent N Subhramanian by a significant margin of 8,472 votes. She is survived by her husband, Abdurahman, and children, Ayreej Rahman and Anooja.
Mayors step aside as assembly beckons
KOCHI : A student who has passed Class 10 cannot be admitted back to Class 8. General Education Minister V Sivankuttys recent quip, made while explaining why Thiruvananthapuram mayor Arya Rajendran is not being fielded in the upcoming local-body polls, has quickly become a metaphor for moving the needle on ascending the political ladder in the state. His comment suggested that politicians who have completed a full term are ready for the next stage, widely interpreted as a nod to Aryas prospects in the 2026 assembly election. Sivankuttys own political journey underscores the point. Long before he entered the assembly and became a minister, he served as mayor of Thiruvananthapuram from 1995 to 2000, one of the earliest examples of a local-body chief rising to state-level leadership. The CPMs V K C Mammed Koya, who later represented Beypore in the assembly, also took the same route after serving as mayor of Kozhikode. This trajectory is now becoming the norm rather than the exception. Kozhikode mayor Beena Philip, Kochi mayor M Anilkumar, and Thrissur mayor M K Varghese are also staying out of the fray, prompting widespread speculation that they are setting the stage for bigger battles. Anilkumars name is already under consideration for the Tripunithura constituency. Analysts say that this is part of a larger shift in political grooming within Kerala. With decades of decentralisation empowering municipalities and corporations, local bodies have become the states most effective leadership training ground. Earlier, student politics was the route to the assembly. Today, the panchayati raj system shapes political grooming, said senior journalist Jacob George. Past examples are clear. Former Thiruvananthapuram mayor V K Prashanth eased his way into the assembly. In Thrissur, former mayor R Bindu became a minister. In the Congress, Ernakulam MLA T J Vinod who spent 25 years as a councillor and later became deputy mayor says his years in local governance remain foundational. Local bodies are where the real training happens, he said. Experts welcome the trend. This is common worldwide, noted Dr D Dhanuraj of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), a Kochi-based think-tank. Even in India, several leaders during the freedom struggle had served as mayors or deputy mayors. Local-level politicians should be promoted. They know the issues on the ground and can represent their constituencies more effectively, he said, adding that such a trend also helps strengthen a partys organisational base. Former legislator Sebastian Paul said mayors, who often oversee areas spanning multiple assembly constituencies, naturally gain a wide administrative perspective. With reservations limiting repeated mayoral terms, it is logical for them to move to the assembly, he said. As Kerala heads into the local-body elections, several mayors not on the ballot signals more than a reshuffle. It captures a clear political shift: Local bodies have become Keralas launch pads to the assembly and many of todays mayors may soon be graduating to their next class in state politics. Meanwhile, parties are also using this local-body election to promote a new generation. Across panchayats, municipalities, and corporations, CPM, Congress, and BJP have all fielded young candidates who are being groomed as future leaders. Party insiders say this is a deliberate move as senior mayors and councillors prepare to move up to the assembly, fresh faces are being placed at the grassroots to build the next rung of leadership.
In Olavanna, a veteran emergency responder takes on leading fronts
KOZHIKODE: A 60-year-old local hero, known for his four decades of volunteer work as an emergency responder, is in the electoral race in Olavanna panchayats ward 16. Madathil Abdul Azeez is contesting as an independent after being denied a seat by the LDF. This is not his first political rodeo. Azeez previously won a ward seat in 2015 under the UDF banner before joining the CPM. By running independently, the communitys indispensable first responder is now forcing a direct contest, challenging the party that overlooked his service. Azeezs unique service record makes him an indispensable asset to both police and rescue agencies. Over the last 42 years, he has personally recovered 4,228 dead bodies a grim tally encompassing everything from retrieving drowned victims to exhuming decomposed remains and shifting disaster casualties during crises like the 2001 Kadalundi train tragedy and the Nipah and Covid-19 outbreaks. His latest success involved leading the difficult search in September for the skeletal remains of Vijil K T, a youth whose body was dumped in a seven-foot-deep swamp near Sarovaram Biopark. After leaving the UDF and joining the CPM, I was active in social work and cultural activities. Initially the party leadership kept telling me that they are considering me for the panchayat election, but when the candidate list was announced I was excluded, said Azeez. He is now running against LDFs official candidate, Karuppal Prakashan, UDFs Abdul Mujeeb and NDAs Rathnan K. Azeez said his exclusion was met with condemnation by local residents who recall his prompt response during floods and health crises. Its fine if Im removed from the party. The public is with me, Azeez asserted. They have seen me for decades. Unlike other ward members, the public doesnt have to wait for a reply from me in times of crisis or any other needs. I always prioritise public concerns and thats what I have been doing for the last 40 years, he added.
Transgender reservation comes into effect in law colleges in Kerala
Esai Clara, the transwoman who moved the High Court demanding reservation for transgender persons for LLB course, plans to join Government Law College, Kozhikode
Drive launched to collect filled-in SIR forms through village offices in Kozhikode
Over 70% of filled-in enumeration forms have been digitised with the support of booth-level officers, says District Collector
Govt. medical college doctors in Kozhikode boycott OP duty
The KGMCTA says it will continue its protest and stay away from all medical board meetings from December 1
Quick evacuation, rapid response help contain fire at hospital in Kozhikode
The fire broke out on the ninth floor of the private hospital around 9.30 a.m. during welding work in the AC plant
After a six-year pause, TEDxThiruvananthapuram is preparing for a comeback on December 20, at Technopark Phase III. The 2025 edition carries the theme Local Mission, Global Vision, and marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for the city-branded TEDx event. TEDxThiruvananthapuram began in 2016 and ran three editions under licence-holder Vishnu Prasad. When he migrated to a different country, the event slowly slipped into silence. Earlier this year, the responsibility fell to Arun Surendran, strategic director and principal of Trinity College of Engineering. A city-based label carries its own kind of weight. There are TEDx events by IIST, CET, and the College of Agriculture Vellayani. But their possibilities stay within the campus. A city licence gives a wider canvas, he says. When the license was granted, we felt a responsibility. We are organising this in the name of the city, so it has to be the best possible version of the event. Since this is a revival edition, the team decided to begin small. They are keeping it to a half-day event with a carefully curated format. There are only 100 seats this year, and 70 of them are open to the public. This years event brings together eight speakers from very different fields. Former ISRO Chairman S Somanath, who led the Chandrayaan-3 soft landing mission, will speak about his journey. Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS, known for projects such as Nammude Kozhikode, KFON, and Ente Bhoomi, will share insights from his administrative work. Nizamudeen A IAS, Director of the Kerala Institute of Local Administration, brings the governance perspective. Rima Kallingal Dance practitioneracademic Methil Devika, actor and screenwriter Santhy Balachandran, academic and researcher Litty Chacko (known for her work on medieval mathematician Sangamagrama Madhavan and the Kerala School of Mathematics), theatre and television actor Sajana Chandran S (who retired as joint general manager at AAI), and race director of Kovalam Marathon Shinomol Palathanath, complete the speaker line-up. Talks will run from 2pm to 6pm, each session restricted to 1518 minutes. Also, TED has allowed the organisers to have Malayalam talks this year as long as subtitles are provided. All these talks will go up on the official TEDx channel, which has over 45 million subscribers, Arun says. Next year, the team plans to scale up. It will be a full-day event with more speakers and more themes. This year, the priority was to bring TEDxThiruvananthapuram back, revive it with the highest possible quality. Once that foundation is strong, we can grow it, keep improving it, and steadily increase the Malayalam content, he adds. The ticket price has been set at `2,500. To register, visit: tedxthiruvananthapuram.com .
Major fire erupts at Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode; patients evacuated safely
KOZHIKODE: A fire broke out at the new C-Block of Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH) in Kozhikode on Saturday morning, causing widespread panic but averting a major disaster through swift evacuation and intervention by fire and rescue teams. The fire started at approximately 9:45 am in the Air Conditioner (AC) systems located on the ninth floor of the hospitals new C-Block. Hospital authorities confirmed that construction or maintenance work was ongoing in the section affected which did not house any patients. Despite the fire being confined to the non-patient area, large plumes of smoke immediately billowed from the building, spreading to nearby floors and corridors and triggering alarms across the hospital, which is located at the heart of the city near the Kozhikode moffusil bus stand. Hospital authorities acted rapidly, safely evacuating all patients, accompanying individuals, and staff from the surrounding floors, including those on the eighth floor and those who had recently undergone surgery. We were able to shift patients without difficulty, a hospital official stated, confirming all individuals were safe. The fire broke out suddenly. We noticed the smoke and informed the hospital authorities, said Abdul Hameed, a witness from Ulliyeri who was at the hospital to accompany his elderly mother. The Fire and Rescue Services responded immediately, deploying five units to the scene. After rigorous effort, the fire was successfully brought under control by 10.30 am, preventing it from spreading beyond the 9th floor to other crucial areas of the hospital. While the fire was largely subdued, the teams continued operations to clear the dense smoke accumulation. Hospital management confirmed that the quick response prevented any casualties, though the incident has temporarily disrupted hospital operations. Preliminary findings suggest a short circuit may have caused the fire. A full investigation into the exact cause and the extent of the damage has been launched.
With the LDF deciding to cash in on the Corporations achievements, the UDF looks to play up the civic bodys involvement in the 2022 building number scam. The BJP pitches itself as a practical alternative in divisions where it believes voter fatigue exists against both the fronts
Sky-dining platform stuck in mid-air in Adimali; family rescued after two hours
IDUKKI: A four-member family from Kozhikode, currently residing in Mangalore, had a narrow escape after getting stranded 125 ft above ground at a sky-dining restaurant in Anachal near Adimali on Friday. The tourists Muhammad Safwan, 31, his wife Thaufina, 26, and their children Evan, 6, and Ethara, 3 along with a woman staff member of the restaurant, were stuck mid-air for nearly two hours following a malfunction in the crane operating the sky-dining platform. The incident occurred at Southern Sky Dining, an adventure tourism facility operating on a hydraulic lift with a 16-seat platform, located in Pallivasal panchayat. The facility, launched just a month ago, offers a sky-dining experience at a height of 125 ft. According to officials, a sensor-related fault in the crane led to the platform getting stuck mid-air, reportedly due to inadequate maintenance. An official of the Adimali Fire and Rescue Services unit said the family was lifted around noon along with a woman staffer. Officers used ropes and safety harnesses to bring the children down first, followed by the parents and the staffer. The rescue operation lasted nearly two hours.
In shifting sands of politics, faith is moving mountains
KOCHI: ... The futures in the air I can feel it everywhere Blowing with the wind of change... The Scorpions ballad on profound changes taking place in Europe in the early 1990s can hold a mirror to the evolving political picture in central Kerala. Winding ones way though Meenachil River-kissed Pala, Poonjar, and Bharananganam, the highlands of Idukki, and the gently rolling regions of Thrissur and Ernakulam, the shift is very evident -- and splashed across compound walls. Posters of candidates from traditional, influential Christian families now bear the lotus symbol. What was once considered odious has become a defining feature of this local body elections. In a development that is without precedent, the BJP has allotted nearly 1,900 seats to Christian candidates. And the shift isnt just numerical its psychological. The untouchability factor that kept the community away from the saffron party for decades is wearing thin, according to political observers. BJP state vice president Shone George is keen to highlight the momentum. In Christian belts such as Poonjar and Pala, around 60% of our candidates are Christians, he said. The feedback from house visits is remarkable. Families are warm, receptive many are big Narendra Modi fans now. While asserting that radical Islam has pushed Christians closer to the BJP, Shone concedes the party struggled to keep up with demand. We couldnt find enough Christian candidates everywhere. But KCYM members, Catholic Congress workers they are coming forward. This is just the beginning. This election marks a psychological break, according to political observer Milton Francis. The untouchability is gone. The acceptability of BJP candidates has grown sharply not just among affluent Christian families but even among Church leaders, he said. In the high ranges, Thrissur, Iritty, Nadapuram, Peravoor, and Taliparamba Christian votes are decisive. The BJP is fielding Christian candidates even in Kozhikode, reflecting how much the ground has shifted, he pointed out, adding that many families view Rajeev Chandrasekhar as an acceptable, professional, credible face of the party. The Catholic Congress, the official lay organisation of the Syro-Malabar Church, echoes the communitys evolving political posture. Its president, Rajeev Kochuparambil, says the organisation welcomes the new assertiveness of Christian voters. This time, there has been a sharp increase in the number of seats the BJP has allotted to Christian candidates, he said. Our stand is simple the communitys issues must be taken up by elected representatives. We are not opposed to any political party or front. But once elected, representatives must be willing to listen to our concerns. However, Apu John Joseph, Kerala Congress state chief coordinator and son of party supremo P J Joseph, argues that the BJPs sudden embrace of Christians is shallow. The arrest of two Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh earlier this year, on allegations of forced conversion, exposed this, he said. The incident was a realisation that the BJPs newfound affection has no real grounds, Apu added. It reminded Christian leaders that the BJP is no friend of Christians. Those who were drifting towards them are now having second thoughts. Apu counters the BJPs narrative of Christian under-representation within the UDF. Four of our MPs Dean Kuriakose, Anto Antony, Hibi Eden, and Francis George are Catholic. Benny Behanan is Jacobite. Nearly 28% of UDF MPs are Christian, far above the communitys share of population, he said. Kerala Congress (Joseph) is contesting in 615 local-body seats this time, up from around 500 in 2020. Within the LDF, the Kerala Congress (M), which contested around 850 seats in 2020, is now fighting 930-plus seats. A political analyst says this more liberal seat allocation to Kerala Congress parties by both UDF and LDF can be attributed to the rising influence of the BJP within the Christian community. Both KC (M) and Kerala Congress have increased their footprint to thwart the BJPs moves to capture the Christian vote, he said. These parties sense that the BJP has made its way into spaces that were once exclusively theirs. A senior KC (M) leader, requesting anonymity, concurred. People are fed up with the Congress infighting. The untouchability factor is slipping away even traditional UDF voters are coming to us and the BJP, he said. Meanwhile, even smaller flash points such as the Munambam land dispute and the Palluruthy school hijab row sharpened the communitys anxieties on identity and institutional autonomy, issues the BJP has used to deepen its outreach. But, for the saffron party, this election is an opening. Local-body polls will set the trend, Shone insisted. We will go full steam by next years assembly election.
Kozhikode district school arts fest: city sub-district emerges overall champion
With CAT 2025 just two days away, candidates are shifting focus to exam day procedures. The Common Admission Test, conducted by IIM Kozhikode, requires specific documents like a printed admit card and valid photo ID. Candidates must arrive at least 60 minutes before their slot, with strict prohibitions on carrying certain items to the examination centre.
CAT 2025 Paper Structure And Final Preparation Strategy By Exam Convenor IIM Kozhikode
CAT 2025 maintains the same format as previous years with restricted sectional movement and extra time for PwD candidates to assess critical thinking and problem-solving.
Action against bus after drunken crew incident
KOZHIKODE: The fitness certificate of a private bus operating on the Kozhikode-Bengaluru route has been cancelled following the circulation of a viral video of drunk bus crew on duty. The bus, belonging to private bus operating firm Bharathi Travels, was brought to the Chevayur test ground on Thursday, after the video sparked widespread protest. The video showed both the driver and cleaner of the bus in a drunken state while on duty, raising concerns about passenger safety on long-route private buses. According to the passengers of the bus, timely intervention of a few alert fellow travellers prevented what could have been a major tragedy. The bus was made to undergo a detailed mechanical and safety check, after which the authorities decided to cancel the fitness certificate since safety precautions were not followed. Officials stated that strict action will be taken against the crew and those responsible for compromising the safety of the passengers.
Kerala youth, 23, electrocuted in Puzhal while drying clothes as line hits low-hanging cable
CHENNAI: A 23-year-old man was electrocuted when he accidentally came in contact with a low-hanging electricity cable while drying clothes on the terrace of his house at Puzhal on Monday. The police suspect the clothesline must have accidentally brushed against the power line over the terrace. The deceased has been identified as Atul Krishnan, a native of Kozhikode in Kerala, working at a private company near Puzhal for the past few months. He was staying in the rented house along with seven other men, the police said. Atul was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Upon information, the Puzhal police registered a case and sent the body for postmortem at Government Stanley Hospital. We have not registered a case of death due to negligence as of now. We will submit a report to the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL), and based on their departmental inquiry further action will be decided, a police source said.
Drunk driving: probe under way against interstate bus driver
Alleged incident took place during a trip between Kozhikode and Bengaluru on November 24
Malaparamba sex racket case: chargesheet filed against 12, including two police drivers
The suspected inter-district racket was exposed during a check at an apartment near Malaparamba in Kozhikode city in June
Welfare Party alliance heating up poll campaign
KOZHIKODE: The Welfare Party of India, the political front of the Jamaat-e-Islami, is not a force to reckon with in Kerala politics. Yet, the party has become the focal point of discussion in the local body election campaign. The CPM is marshalling all its resources to put the UDF on the defensive for aligning with the propagators of Islamic State ideology. On its part, the UDF has been reluctant to openly admit the alliance and claims that the front has only local-level understanding with the Welfare Party. The Jamaat had supported the LDF for a long time, a fact that the CPM is conveniently trying to hush up. Jamaat began moving towards the UDF mainly after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Since then, the Welfare Party has been functioning almost as a constituent of the UDF though not officially declared so. The Jamaat, which has strongly criticised the IUML in the past, also developed a cozy relationship with the party. The formation of the Muslim Coordination Committee during agitations against the CAA brought them closer. Members of the Panakkad family, who kept a distance from the Jamaat in the past, started attending the programmes of the organisation. IUML leaders K M Shaji and M K Muneer, who had vehemently opposed the Jamaat ideology, became silent. The rise of the BJP at the national level also served to cement the relationship between the two organisations. By no means was it a smooth transition. There was strong opposition from Muslim organisations which considered the Jamaat a dangerous presence for the community. The Sunnis and the Mujahids raised their concerns over the IUML coming closer to the Jamaat. Their opposition was more religious than political. This time too, voices have emerged from the community against the Jamaat. Some leaders of the EK faction of the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama cautioned the UDF against joining hands with the Jamaat. The Kanthapuram faction also came up with objections. Some Mujahid groups met the Congress leaders as well, to express their concern over giving a clean chit to the Jamaat. But the situation this time is a bit different. While the opposition against the Jamaat was united in the past, now some sections among Muslim organisations suspect that the CPM is drawing political mileage from the anti-Jamaat position. This feeling is reflected in the words of EK faction Sunni leader Nasar Faizi Koodathayi who wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that many of those who are currently criticising the Jamaat are actually serving the CPM interest. This is seen as an indirect reply to Abdul Hameed Faizi, Umar Faizi Mukkam and Musthafa Mundupara belonging to the same Sunni group who opposed the Jamaat alliance. The split in the anti-Jamaat camp also gave the IUML the confidence to go ahead with the alliance. The UDF camp is busy digging up materials from the past to prove that the CPM and Jamaat were bosom friends. They circulate the photograph of the LDF MLA K T Jaleel visiting the Jamaat headquarters after he defeated P K Kunhalikutty in Kuttippuram in 2006. The pro-Jamaat groups on social media are unearthing photographs where CPM leaders are seen with Jamaat leaders. Meanwhile, the CPM is hoping that the Jamaat-UDF alliance will antagonise Hindu and Christian sections, which will be beneficial for the party in southern Kerala. And not everyone in the Congress is happy with the tie-up and those sections may wait for the local body poll results to react.
Sobering reality! Viral video exposes drunk bus crew on inter-state routes
KOZHIKODE: A late-night journey on a private bus from Kozhikode to Bengaluru has ignited a major public safety concern after a video showing a drunk bus driver and cleaner went viral. What began with an alert raised by a vigilant passenger has now opened the floodgates, with travellers across states sharing alarming accounts of similar experiences, revealing a deeply troubling pattern in long-distance private bus travel. The incident occurred on November 24, when passengers on a bus operated by Bharati Travels noticed erratic driving soon after departure. It was Ahamed Sanobar, a Kozhikode native, who first realised something was terribly wrong. The cleaner was completely drunk and had no consciousness. The driver too was heavily drunk, Sanobar said, recalling the moment he confronted the crew. Despite passengers pleading with him to stop, the driver allegedly continued speeding, putting the lives of more than 35 passengers at grave risk. He was driving fast and risking the lives of everyone. We had to fight with the driver to make him stop, he added. The bus was halted only after passengers intervened forcefully. Sanobar later filed a complaint with the police. The vehicle resumed its journey to Bengaluru only after a replacement driver arrived from the city. Once footage of the confrontation was posted online, it quickly drew thousands of views and comments. Social media platforms were soon flooded with similar stories from travellers who had experienced unsafe behaviour by private bus crews, especially on interstate routes. Many reported instances of drivers operating under the influence of alcohol, sleep-deprived drivers on overnight journeys, unsafe speeds on highways, aggressive or unresponsive crew members and poorly maintained buses despite high fares. One user wrote, We were terrified to complain. The driver kept dozing off, and the cleaner was drunk. We just prayed through the night. The timing of this incident has intensified public anger. With trains to Bengaluru fully booked during the rush season, passengers are forced to turn to private buses, many charging inflated fares with no guarantee of safety. The lack of regulation and accountability has turned essential interstate travel into a life-threatening risk, passengers say. Majority of accidents happen this way. Strict action and frequent inspections from motor vehicle departments across states are urgently needed to prevent such reckless behaviour, Sanobar urged in his complaint. Experts and commuter groups are now calling for mandatory breathalyser tests for long-route drivers, night-time inspection squads along major interstate routes, stricter enforcement of crew duty hours, fines and cancellation of licences for operators who violate safety norms. Police have confirmed receiving the complaint and have begun an initial investigation.
Two held for alleged sale of banned tobacco products in Kozhikode
Housing schemes emerge as a key concern in door-to-door campaigns in Kozhikode
Most grievances centred on unfinished or delayed housing projects, as rural voters conveyed their frustration to visiting candidates
Kerala local body polls 2025: Rival fronts fear public anger as pollution hogs the limelight
Public anger over industrial emissions and untreated wastewater is mounting pressure on political parties. While reverberations of agitations against a poultry waste treatment plant in Kozhikode is likely to shape voter sentiment, Ashtamudi Lakes pollution is becoming a key poll issue in Kollam.
UDF-Jamaat tie-up: Now, Kanthapuram Sunnis raise concern
KOZHIKODE: Yet another Muslim organisation has come forward to oppose the UDFs adjustments with the Welfare Party of India, the political front of the Jamaat-e-Islami, in the ensuing elections to the local bodies in Kerala. In an article published in Siraj daily, Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS), the youth wing of the Kanthapuram faction of Sunnis, Rahmatullah Saqafi questioned the UDFs claim that the Jamaat has discarded its ideology of the Islamic state. Saqafi said that till now the Jamaat leadership has not openly said that they no longer subscribe to the ideology. He said Jamaat publishing house has republished the book authored by its founder Abul Ala Maududi that asserted the theocratic and anti-democratic stand. Can the leadership of the front that accommodated the Jamaat produce any proof to show that the organisation has withdrawn the book, Saqafi asked. He said the Sunnis will be happy if the Jamaat decides to backtrack from their position because they (Sunnis) have been campaigning against the stance from the beginning itself. But the Jamaat is selling the books of Maududi and has even conducted a campaign on his ideology last month. This proves that the Jamaat can never discard Maududi, Saqafi said. The Sunni leader questioned the Jamaat argument that the aim of Muslims should be to establish divine rule. Muslims have ruled India for about 650 years and none of them declared the country as an Islamic land, he said, adding that Muslims in Kerala have cooperated with the non-Muslim rulers and even fought for the land. No Muslim scholar in Kerala including Sheikh Zainuddin Makhdum called for the establishment of Islamic rule, he said. The unholy understanding for temporary electoral gains will cause irreparable damage to the nation. It will also make certain political parties irrelevant, Saqafi said. Selling Maudadi books In an article published in Siraj daily, Sunni Yuvajana Sangam, youth wing of Kanthapuram faction of Sunnis, Rahmatullah Saqafi questioned the UDFs claim that the Jamaat has discarded its ideology of the Islamic state He also pointed out that the Jamaat was selling the books of Maududi and had even conducted a campaign on his ideology last month.
Frustration, exhaustion, poor pay drive young Kerala doctors away, sparking debate on burnout
KOZHIKODE: For years, Kerala has proudly celebrated its brilliant young doctors, the NEET rank-holders, the ones who spent sleepless nights chasing a profession built on service, sacrifice and prestige. But in recent months, a different narrative has begun to emerge on social media stories about the frustration and exhaustion triggering an emotional, sometimes uncomfortable, debate across the state. At the centre of this growing storm are a series of personal videos by young doctors who chose to step away from the profession after years of hard study. Their confessions raw, vulnerable and at times painfully honest have forced Kerala to confront questions it has long avoided: Are young doctors being undervalued? Is the system exploiting their dedication? Or is the new generation simply unwilling to accept the hardships older doctors once embraced as part of the job? The debate took shape when Afriyna Ashraf and Irfana Ibrahim, both popular social media influencers, posted videos about why they walked away from their careers. Their accounts hit a nerve and drew overwhelming public response, revealing not only the hidden struggles of junior doctors but also the sharp generational divide within the medical community. After completing her MBBS, Afriyna began working in a private hospital in Bengaluru, where her salary was less than Rs 40,000 a month. In a city where rent itself could swallow half that amount, she found survival difficult. But the greater strain, she says, was the workload often equivalent to two doctors responsibilities. If it was truly a one-person job, I would have stayed, she said, adding that the constant pressure eroded her mental health. She has since moved into creative work and says she is happier than she has been in years. Dentist Irfana Ibrahims experience was even harsher. Her last job paid her only Rs 8,000 a month. She recalls days spent standing for hours, treating back-to-back patients, and returning home so drained that she struggled to smile. Realising that her work was neither financially nor emotionally sustainable, she made the painful decision to leave dentistry altogether. Her choice, like Afriynas, drew both criticism and support online. Addressing this opinion that young doctors who complain should simply go abroad to earn better, she said, People keep saying that abroad will give good salary and good jobs. But they dont understand that even that market is saturated. Thousands of doctors are graduating from other countries every year, and many of them come to India struggling just to find a job because of so many barriers. Their stories prompted another young doctor to post a video criticising what he described as the peanuts-like salary offered to MBBS graduates in Kerala. He claimed that young doctors often work up to 36 hours at a stretch, with minimal rest or leave, only to earn around Rs 40,000 a month. But not everyone agreed with this narrative. Among the most widely shared counterpoints was a detailed Facebook post by dentist Dr Smita Rahman, who questioned the changing attitudes of young medical professionals. Reflecting on her own journey, she described joining dentistry in 1999 without any awareness of future salary prospects. Her first job in 2005 offered her Rs 7,500 a month. She recalls working from morning to mid-afternoon without breaks, treating more than a hundred patients a day, yet feeling grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow. Dr Smita argued that doctors willing to continuously update their skills still find good opportunities in Kerala. She criticised what she saw as a trend of young doctors expecting high salaries immediately after graduation. How can people trust doctors who kick aside the very profession they pledged to serve? she asked, a line that quickly spread across social media. Senior doctors, shaped by decades of sacrifice, see medicine as a calling that demands patience and dedication. Younger doctors, aware of their rights and unwilling to romanticise suffering, argue that passion does not justify exploitation.
Uttarakhand turns to hydroseeding to tackle persistent landslides on Badrinath highway
DEHRADUN: Facing relentless landslides in one of India's top 10 most vulnerable districts, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now turning to an advanced biological solution, hydroseeding, to stabilise a critical stretch of the Badrinath Highway near Kameda in Gauchar. This shift comes after earlier engineering interventions allegedly failed to contain the erosion that has long threatened this vital route. The 120-metre stretch near Kameda, located in the highly landslide-prone Rudraprayag district, experiences significant debris flow during the monsoon season. For over five years, the slope above the highway has continually shed soil, rocks and boulders, frequently disrupting traffic for hours. For more than five years, the slope here has been unstable. When the rains hit, large boulders roll onto the highway, stated a local resident, requesting anonymity due to the frequent closures. Previously, NHAI had attempted stabilisation using conventional engineering methods. Steel netting anchored by 6 to 8-inch iron rods (anchors) was installed into the slope before the monsoon. However, heavy rains led to substantial slippage, allegedly rendering the nets ineffective. Now, the focus has shifted to Hydroseeding Mulch, a technique involving the spraying of a mixture of seeds, water and fertiliser onto the slope. We are employing Hydroseeding Mulch to prevent further landslides in this steep terrain. We anticipate this method will be effective, said JP Sharma, Project Manager at RCC Developers, associated with the project. We are currently verifying the existing anchors before fully implementing this technique, as this method has proven successful in mountainous regions. Hydroseeding is an advanced bio-engineering technique designed to rapidly establish a protective layer of grass or vegetation on steep slopes, roadsides and mining areas. The mixture includes mulch fibres that bind the soil together, preventing erosion from heavy rain or wind, while the seeds germinate to create a living root structure for long-term stability. The urgency of this stabilisation effort is underscored by recent data classifying India's most vulnerable zones. Official sources confirm that Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand are among the top 10 most landslide-prone districts in the country. Apart from Rudraprayag and Tehri in Uttarakhand, the list of high-risk districts also includes: Kerala: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode. Jammu and Kashmir: Rajouri and Poonch. Sikkim: South and East Sikkim. The NHAI hopes that this biological intervention will finally stabilise the Badrinath route before the next monsoon season arrives.
KLF 2026 to Bring 400 Global Voices to Kozhikode Beach
Since its launch in 2016, KLF has grown into a major cultural platform, drawing over 6.5 lakh visitors and more than 600 speakers last year
Rebel threat to UDF, LDF in Kozhikode
UDF says no ties, but Welfare Party members contest as independents
KOZHIKODE: Even as the Congress-led UDF maintains that it will not enter into any formal electoral understanding with the Welfare Party of India (WPI), the ground reality across several wards in the region tells a starkly different political story. Welfare Party members, backed discreetly but decisively by UDF constituents and RMPI, are contesting as independents, reshaping traditional alliance boundaries ahead of the local body polls. The contradiction became sharply visible after noted social activist and long-time Welfare Party leader and its current secretary Fousiya Teacher announced her candidature in Ward 18 of Vadakara municipality, not under the party banner but as an independent. Her campaign has the open support of both the UDF and the RMPI. Similarly, a senior Welfare Party worker in Malappuram district, Asma Jalali is contesting in Koottilangadi panchayat as an independent candidate with UDF support. Earlier, the UDF had formally announced that it would not engage in seat-sharing or alliance arrangements with WPI, the political arm of Jamaat-e-Islami. Kozhikode DCC president K Praveen Kumar pointed out that the district committees stand was appropriate in the current context. Seat-sharing should be limited to UDF constituents and associate members, he said. Speaking to TNIE, Fousiya defended her decision to break from the party line. I decided to contest as an independent because I want all secular and democratic forces in Vadakara to unite against divisive politics. My decision is backed by the people, and supported by the UDF and the RMP purely on the strength of my work, not because of political negotiations, she said. She added that contesting independently ensures wider acceptance in a ward where coalition equations shift at the grassroots. While the UDF leadership remains cautious and defensive about its position, RMPI leaders have taken a more assertive stand. RMPI leader K S Hariharan openly questioned the hesitation to back Welfare Party candidates. Why should we not support the Welfare Party when the Election Commission itself has recognised them and granted registration? They are a lawful organisation. If they were associated with terrorism as some allege, the Election Commission would never have approved them. Supporting such candidates is not a mistake, he said. Welfare Party district general secretary Salih Kodapana, meanwhile, admitted that political pragmatism often overrides ideological rigidity at the grassroots. LSG polls create situations where we may not always be able to contest directly under our banner. Sometimes alliances become necessary. Things will be very different in assembly polls, he said. External support sometimes necessary Local body polls create situations where we may not always be able to contest directly under our banner. Sometimes alliances or external support become necessary, said WPI district general secretary
Opposition mounts against UDFs tie-up with Welfare Party
KOZHIKODE: Pressure is mounting on the UDF not to have an alliance with the Welfare Party of India, the political wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, even while the Congress-led front is going ahead with its plan of local-level adjustments with the party in the local body elections. The latest to raise voice against the tie-up is Abdul Hameed Faizy Ambalakadavu, the working secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS), who sought to remind the UDF that the Jamaat and Muslim Brotherhood are the two sides of the same coin. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Faizy said Jamaat had declared that the Muslims who cooperate with the democratic system or exercise their franchise would automatically be out of Islam. The same organisation later formed a political party to be a part of the same system by becoming an ally of different political fronts, he said. Faizy said this should be viewed seriously because the Jamaat is a cadre organisation that would not hesitate to resort to any strategy to achieve its aim. If the Jamaat is elected in Sunni-majority mahals, the organisation will convert the local body ward and mahal as its own, he said. Faizy recalled that the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth organisation of the Jamaat, had carried the photos of leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during the protest march to the Kozhikode Airport last April. IUML has surrendered its Sunni ideology Faizy said the efforts from the part of certain persons to forge alliance with the Jamaat was the reason behind the issues in Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama. Diluting the Samasthas stand that deviant groups should be kept at distance would lead to acceptance of the ideology of forces like Jamaat, he said. Meanwhile, the INL has expressed concern over the development of the Panakkad family members declaring the Jamaat candidates. Panakkad Syed Rasheed Ali Shihab Thangal had declared the candidates for Kodur panchayat in Malappuram, which included the names of Welfare Party members. INL state general secretary Kasim Irikkur said the incident marked a change in Kerala politics. The IUML has donated many seats to the Welfare Party neglecting the opposition from local-level leaders and workers, he said. Kasim added that the IUML has surrendered its Sunni ideology.
On the run, yet in the race: UDF fields fugitive fresh cut protest chief
KOZHIKODE: In a dramatic twist to the local body elections in Thamarassery, a fugitive Muslim League leader facing an international Look Out Circular (LOC) has emerged as the UDFs official candidate. Sainul Abideen, alias Babu Kudukkil, wanted in connection with last months violent clash at the Fresh Cut poultry waste treatment plant, filed his nomination for ward 11 on Thursday, despite being absconding for over a month. The police were caught off guard after learning that Babu, chairman of the protest committee against the plant, executed a covert re-entry into India solely to contest the polls. Investigators said he flew from his hideout in the UAE to Nepal, crossed into India by road to evade immigration checks, and then took a domestic flight to Kozhikode. Since the LOC does not apply to internal travel, he managed to sign nomination papers untracked. He left the district immediately after. The operation was allegedly facilitated by local party functionaries. The police have taken into custody Hafis Rahman, former IUML panchayat president, for coordinating Babus movements and arranging the meeting with a gazetted officer required for filing the nomination. The UDF and the Congress, meanwhile, are standing firmly by their choice. Panchayat president A Aravindan called the police case fabricated and described Babu as a victim and a leader who understands local issues. The area remains tense, with posters from families affected by the Fresh Cut plant asking parties not to seek votes. Babu faces LDFs Navas, another local resident, as police intensify efforts to nab the accused. Some victims of the Fresh Cut plant expressed their helpless situation through some posters. However, the protest committee has decided that staying aloof from the panchayat election will not benefit anything, said Thampi P P, protest committee leader. Despite police confidence in eventually apprehending the accused, the question now gripping Thamarassery is whether the fugitive candidate will risk a public appearance during the high-stakes campaign, or if his entire election bid will be conducted from the shadows.
One more death due to amoebic fever in Kozhikode
Onchiyam where CPM, RMP are locked in a bitter turf war
KOZHIKODE: As Kerala inches closer to the local body elections, all eyes are once again on Onchiyam, the politically charged panchayat that has long been synonymous with red flags, ideological clashes, and the lingering shadow of a political murder that reshaped the Left in Kerala. For decades, Onchiyam was considered an unshakable fortress of CPM. But that changed in 2010 when the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP), born out of rebellion and blood, captured power following the brutal killing of its founder, T P Chandrasekharan, a former CPM leader who was expelled from the party. Since then, the RMP and the CPM have been locked in a bitter turf war for control over this small but politically symbolic panchayat. Once a CPM bastion, Onchiyam transformed into the RMPs ideological capital after Chandrasekharans murder in 2012. His widow, K K Rema, rose from tragedy to political prominence, representing the RMP in the state assembly. RMP has strengthened its roots in Onchiyam. Development has been visible, especially since K K Rema became an MLA. The CPM no longer has the same influence here, according to the local residents. But for some others, There hasnt been any real development in 15 years. Whatever work happened benefited their own people. The CPM will bring discipline and structure back if they return. RMP MLA K K Rema, who has become the face of anti-CPM Left politics, exudes confidence as she campaigns through Onchiyam. The development visible in Onchiyam is both from the panchayats work and my initiatives as an MLA. In this digital age, no one can mislead voters. CPM can show gimmicks at the end of their tenure, but the truth is visible, even in their own panchayats. RMP has set an example of transparent governance. I am confident we will win more seats than before, said Rema. The Left ideology no longer exists within the CPM. They have aligned with capitalist and communal forces. What ideals do they have left to tell voters? Their campaign is filled with fake propaganda on social media. But people are not fools. They can see whats been done, and they will deliver a verdict based on facts. The Left will face a historic defeat in Onchiyam and across Kerala. Responding sharply to Remas remarks, T P Bineesh, CPM Onchiyam area secretary, asserted that the LDF is poised for a comeback. There is no doubt, the LDF will recapture the Onchiyam panchayat. The party has grown politically in this region. In the last election, CPM lost by a narrow margin, but the people have seen our continuous grassroots work. We are confident of a massive return, he said. Bineesh emphasised that the CPM campaign focuses on peoples welfare, not personalities. We are not concerned about what the MLA or opponents say. Our politics connects with ordinary people, not through social media but through direct engagement. The people of Onchiyam know who truly represents their interests, and that clarity will be reflected in the ballot box, he added.
Fishermen list long-standing woes ahead of local polls in Kozhikode district
They say an affordable housing scheme without relocating them from the existing location is the top priority which they want to materialise with the support of local administrators
LDF MLA Jaleel accuses IUML of reviving Muslim unity slogan with extremist backing ahead of polls
KOZHIKODE: K T Jaleel, MLA, has alleged that the IUML has the shameful history of raising the slogan of Muslim unity whenever the party is in crisis. In an article published in the Deshabhimani daily on Friday, he said the party is using the same weapon in the ensuing elections too, this time with the help of Islamic extremists, cyber warriors and anti-communists. Jaleel said the slogan of Muslim unity was first raised after the merger of the IUML and the All-India Muslim League. League arrogated that all mainstream Muslim organisations have paraded behind the party. But the people had decided to keep the UDF and the IUML in the opposition, he said. After the failed attempt, the party is now raising the same slogan. The IUML could not digest the fact that the LDF returned to power in 2021. The party joined hands with the Jamaat-e-Islami, which was once its arch enemy, he said. The kind of communal propaganda unleashed by the Jamaat-IUML combine is worse than the previous one, he added. Jaleel said the WhatsApp groups of IUML sympathisers and family members are now filled with communally provocative materials. The party is under the false impression that it is the Jamaat media which shapes the thought process of the Muslim community, he said. According to Jaleel, this has resulted in similar materials getting circulated in Hindu and Christian family groups and are being spread widely by the Sangh Parivar and CASA. He believes that this process will be strengthened if the communal forces are not defeated. Jaleel said the election of Zohran Mamdani as the mayor of New York from a place where there are less than 5%Muslims should be a lesson. He was elected from a place where the Jews and Christians are the majority. Mamdani would not have won if every community had thought of its own issues, he said. Jaleel exhorted the people to make the LDF, a coalition of people from all religions, victorious in the upcoming polls.
Zero-vote candidate has nothing to lose, everything to gain in Kerala
KOZHIKODE: O P Rasheed, the candidate who made headlines in the 2020 local-body elections by failing to secure even a single vote, is back in the fray. Far from being disheartened, Rasheed insists that his previous defeat was not a setback but a successful strategic move crafted by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to ensure the victory of Karat Faizal. Speaking with discernible confidence, Rasheed maintains that the zero-vote episode will not be repeated this time. In 2020, the LDF initially selected Faizal as its candidate for the Chundapparamba division. However, Faizal was at the receiving end of public criticism owing to allegations linked to the infamous gold smuggling case. Growing protests and intense backlash put the LDF leadership in a difficult position. To quell the unrest, the LDF replaced Faizal with O P Rasheed, who represented the National Youth League. But the election results were shocking as Rasheed did not receive even a single vote, not even his own. Running as an independent, Faizal went on to win the seat by a margin of 82 votes. It was all planned, claims Rasheed. Now, Rasheed asserts that the surprising numbers of 2020 were no accident. According to him, the LDF had never abandoned Faizal in spirit, even though his official candidature was withdrawn. Voters did not reject Faizal. LDF workers and committees rallied behind him. My candidature was part of a strategy. Zero votes were part of that plan. It was our victory, he says. Rasheed notes that he actively participated in the early stages of the campaign and insists that had he received even a few votes, Faizal might have lost. I stood as a candidate only to ensure Faizals win, he claims. This time, Rasheed is contesting from KTK (Kedekkunnu) division and is confident of a clear victory. He asserts that he is no longer playing a strategic role but is genuinely contesting to win. Meanwhile, Faizal whom Rasheed helped secure victory earlier is contesting the upcoming election as an LDF-backed independent from South Koduvally. Faizal maintains that the issues surrounding the gold smuggling allegations no longer matter, and the CPM reportedly sees no problem with his candidature.
9,977 candidates file nominations in Kozhikode district
Visually impaired to get training to cast votes independently
Scientific training is being offered to visually impaired voters on using electronic voting machines, supported by a team of 30 volunteers who recently completed their training in Kozhikode city
ED raids residences of former MLA P.V. Anvar, relatives in Kerala in load fraud case
Multiple teams of the ED from Chennai, Kochi and Kozhikode units, supported by the Central police force, began the raid at six houses soon after dawn
Defections across parties roil pre-poll scene in Kozhikode district
Long-time party workers from multiple political fronts are on the list of persons who recently quit their parent organisations after disagreements over candidate selection
Sunni scholars caution against misleading Sufi groups
KOZHIKODE: Sunni scholars are cautioning believers against certain Sufi orders that they claim stand against the basic tenets of Islam and are spreading un-Islamic ideas in the name of Sufism. The immediate provocation was a press conference conducted by an organisation called the Sufi Islamic Board - Kerala on November 7 in Mannarkkad, Palakkad. In an article published in the Suprabhaatham daily, Islamic scholar Shuhaibul Haithami said the assertions made at the press conference were weird and make Sufism the launching pad for disbelief. Haithami said the basis of secular Sufis is the idea that one should forsake religion and become a human being, which is the slogan of atheists. The Sufi Islamic Boards argument that the Advaita concept of Aham Brahmasmi (I am the divine consciousness) and Islam are the same is born out of ignorance, he said. Haithami argued that there are different motives behind the creation of a common religion by mixing certain elements from existing faiths. There are attempts to assert that all religions are true. These Sufis also try create confusion by quoting Sufi poets like Jalaluddin Rumi and Omar Khayyam out of context, he said. He said the 62nd verse of the Surah Al Baqarah in the Quran has been constantly misinterpreted to argue that it is not mandatory to have faith in Islam and being a good human being is enough. The message of the Prophet is not to become good human beings but to worship Allah and to recognise Muhammad as the Prophet, Haithami said. In a related development, the mushawara (supreme consultative body) of the Kanthapuram faction of Sunnis said that Sufi are people who love and obey Allah and his Prophet and those who move away from this path cannot be treated as Sufis. A meeting of the mushawara on November 10 warned believers against falling into the trap of fake Sufis. It said Sheikh Jeelani, the leader of the true Sufis, had reminded that many of those who pose as Sufia may not be the real Sufis. We should be vigilant, especially when the enemies of Islam are getting organised under different titles, felt the mushawara, which was attended by senior scholars, including Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar and E Sulaiman Musliyar. At their presser, office-bearers of the Sufi Islamic Board said the Prophet propagated love, not the religion of Islam. They said the organisation includes people of all religions and upholds the tradition of the country that welcomed all faiths. They claimed that the board has been recognised by the Union ministry for youth and Sports.
Measures will be implemented to resolve landslides on Thamarassery pass: Gadkari to Priyanka
WAYANAD (Kerala), Nov 19: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has informed Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra that steps have been taken to implement long and short-term remedial measures to resolve the landslide problems at the Thamarassery pass, the party said in a statement. Priyanka had written to Gadkari about the issue after landslides had disrupted traffic on the pass, a major route connecting Wayanad with the nearby Kozhikode district, for several days in August. She had sought a study by [] The post Measures will be implemented to resolve landslides on Thamarassery pass: Gadkari to Priyanka appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Ex-Deputy Collector joins the poll fray in Kozhikode
E. Antihakumari, who retired from service in May 2025, is contesting the local body election as LDF candidate from the Mathottam ward of the Kozhikode Corporation
Student killed in road accident in Kozhikode
Control room opened to handle complaints on brewing of illicit liquor in Kozhikode
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by filmmaker V M Vinu, fielded as Mayoral candidate of Congress in Kozhikode Corporation, seeking a directive to the district collector to consider his appeal against the removal of his name from the voters' list. While dismissing the petition, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan said, Simply because the petitioner is a celebrity, there can be no preference to him. He's only an ordinary citizen of this country. When the petition came up for hearing, the court asked, Do you have a case in which anybody deleted you from the electoral roll? Did the celebrity not read the newspaper? Even after the published draft list, the citizens will get a chance to add their names to the list. Why did you not file an objection? The petitioner's counsel submitted that the ruling party deleted his name. In response, the court asked, Why were you blaming other political parties? The United Democratic Front leaders approached Vinu and asked him to contest the election to the Kallayi division, number 37 of Kozhikode Corporation, and he decided to contest the election. However, at the time of filing the nomination papers, it came to the notice of the petitioner and others that his name was not included in the list. V M Vinu met the Electoral Registration officer only to get to know that the time was over. Thus, he filed an appeal before the district collector, which is still pending. According to the petitioner, he has taken all the steps to contest the election. The court had said that the preparation of electoral rolls started on July 19. A preliminary voters list was published, and there was an opportunity for the petitioner to object if his name was not there. Thereafter, the final voters list was published on September 2, and again, after revision, a final voter list was published ed October 15. However, the petitioner has not objected at that stage either, the court remarked. The Commission provided chances to citizens whose names were not mentioned in the final voters' list to update, and they were allowed to submit objections on November 4 and 5. The counsel for the petitioner states that his name is deleted because there is a political rivalry. I'm surprised to see such an argument from the petitioner. This is the fault of the petitioner himself. He need not blame others, and he has to blame himself. There's nothing in it. The petition is dismissed, said the Single Judge.
UDF manifesto for T'Puram corporation to focus on drinking water, roads & waste management
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the local body election campaign moves to the second phase, the UDF will release its manifesto for Thiruvananthapuram corporation this week. Congress campaign chief K Muraleedharan said the document focuses on voter priorities, fixing drinking-water shortages, repairing roads and improving waste management, and not just on high-tech promises. We are taking our pledges door to door. First we produced a chargesheet on the LDFs corporation rule, now we will present our manifesto, he said, adding that the party will highlight local governance failures while also raising state-level issues. Muraleedharan alleged widespread tampering of the voters list, citing the issues involving Muttada candidate Vyshna Suresh and Kozhikode mayoral hopeful V M Vinu as examples. KPCC discussed these issues and decided to take them up at the state level. Meanwhile, the candidates are moving ahead with their campaigns, said Muraleedharan. According to him, Vyshnas attempts to correct erroneous entries were rejected. Stressing on the importance of projecting a mayoral candidate, Muraleedharan, said BJPs mayoral candidate R Sreelekhas comments would backfire on her. Her criticism of Kuthiyottam ritual associated with Attukal Pongala, portrayal of NSS institutions as bribe takers and her stand against killing stray dogs would not only impact her and the BJP, he said. He also criticised S P Deepak, the CPMs mayoral candidate, for making disparaging comments against the protest of ASHA workers. He pointed out the unscientific aspects of ward delimitations, citing examples of Beemapalli and Pangappara wards. In the corporation, Beemapalli South and East were merged. While Beemapalli ward has the maximum number of voters at 17,000, Pangapara has just 3,000 voters. If Rs 1 crore is being allocated to the local bodies, the ward with 17,000 people and that with 3,000 people would get the same amount, he said, stressing the how the scenario could lead to disproportionate distribution of funds.
Unprecedented rush at Sabarimala leads to system collapse, chaos
PATHANAMTHITTA: An unprecedented surge of devotees in the opening days of the Sabarimala season caught the authorities unawares, throwing crowd management arrangements haywire and leaving pilgrims stranded in queues for over 10 hours without food or water on Tuesday. Many of them collapsed from exhaustion. More than two lakh pilgrims reached Sannidhanam in the first 48 hours of the season, far exceeding the daily quota of 90,000 (including 70,000 virtual queue bookings). Till noon on Tuesday alone, 44,401 pilgrims completed darshan. Darshan hours were extended till 2 pm, and barricades near the 18 holy steps were breached leading to a chaotic situation. In previous years, only 40,000 to 50,000 pilgrims visited the hill shrine per day in the initial days of the season, authorities said. The serpentine queues moved at a snails pace with devotees taking six to seven hours to reach the nadappanthal from Pampa. Once the nadappanthal became choked, those who had completed darshan struggled to exit. Many pilgrims bypassed barricades and entered from multiple directions on way to Sannidhanam. The diversion of pilgrims arriving via Erumeli through the staff gate eased congestion but prevented many from accessing the 18 holy steps, an essential ritual. Meanwhile, a pilgrim identified as K Sathi, 59, from Koyilandy in Kozhikode, died of a heart attack on the trekking path at Appachimedu near Pampa while she was on her way to the hill shrine. Travanncore Devaswom Board president Jayakumar said the surge of devotees witnessed as soon as the season began was unexpected, and surpassed all estimates. Vehicle flow at Nilakkal regulated The absence of Central forces, sought in advance, added to the pressure, he said. According to ADGP S Sreejith, who oversees Sabarimala security, the NDRF and RAF teams requested by the state are yet to arrive. The virtual queue accommodates 70,000 pilgrims, and we have capped spot booking at 20,000. It should have remained within that limit. However, the situation turned chaotic after large groups without any booking arrived seeking spot tickets. Many others who had spot bookings for future dates also reached Sannidhanam much before their allotted day. All of this triggered the surge, Sreejith said. Vehicle movement at Nilakkal has been strictly regulated, he said. What led to crisis Spot bookings exceeded prescribed daily cap of 20,000 Many who had bookings for future dates reached Sannidhanam early Surge in devotees entering via Erumeli and unauthorised forest paths Ineffective regulation of pilgrim flow at Nilakkal Absence of central forces Measures planned Spot bookings capped at 20,000 a day. Those arriving after the limit will have to wait until the next day Pilgrim flow to be regulated at Pampa itself; devotees urged to avoid unauthorised forest paths Unused queue complexes to be fully utilised to ease rush
Mayin Haji accused of unilateral decisions in Kozhikode corporation candidate selection
KOZHIKODE: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is facing an unprecedented internal revolt in Kozhikode. Traditionally characterised by its strict organisational discipline, the party is broiled in accusations of unilateral decisions in candidate selection and apathy from its state leadership. The deepening crisis, which includes multiple resignations and electoral pacts with rivals, challenges the IUML ahead of the upcoming polls. At the centre of the storm is IUML state vice-president M C Mayin Haji, who is accused of making unilateral decisions in the candidate selection process for the Kozhikode corporation. The pressure has already led to the resignation of senior party leader U Pocker, a state secretariat member, over the candidate choice in the Nallalam division. He later announced his affiliation with the rival CPM in the civic polls. Pocker, a preferred candidate of the Jayanti Road unit, was replaced by regional president V P Ibrahim, prompting the units members to resign en masse. Following his exit, Pocker alleged that the partys system is now controlled by middle leaders like M C Mayin Haji. He also claimed that Haji is carrying out dictatorship and influencing the state leadership through threats and pressure. Lamenting the absence of the firm, decisive leadership once provided by Panakkad Thangal or P K Kunhalikutty, Pocker noted that there were no such interventions now by the state leadership. The dissent has also resulted the resignation of Moonalingal councillor K Ramlath, and UDF constituency chairman Musthafa Moozhikkal along with his wife Sajida Musthafa, a Muslim Womens League leader. However, Mayin Haji has denied any internal crisis in the party, labelling Pockers exit as an isolated issue. He also argued that such conflicts were natural during candidate selection and will be resolved at the district level. Meanwhile, IUML state secretary Shafi Chaliyam has confirmed that the party would address the issue internally. We will study the circumstances that led to Pocker leaving the party. He was a senior leader, after all.
Season of defections in Kozhikode
Candidates launch ward-level campaigns across Kozhikode district
KOCHI: The Cardiological Society of India (CSI), Kerala Chapter, has issued a strong statement condemning the circulation of false and misleading media reports across India that wrongly linked Dr Arif Mohammed, a young cardiologist from Kozhikode, to the recent Delhi bombing incident . Several media outlets and social media posts have misused Dr Arifs photograph and identity, causing severe distress to him and those around him. Dr Arif, who is currently working at the Metromed International Cardiac Centre in Kozhikode, completed his DM in Cardiology from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 2021 and has no connection whatsoever with the incident in Delhi. Terming the incident 'deeply disturbing,' Dr P K Asokan, President, CSI Kerala, said the careless publication of incorrect information has inflicted immense mental trauma on an innocent doctor, his family, and the medical community. An innocent professional has been dragged into a situation he has nothing to do with. The reckless circulation of his picture and personal details is unacceptable. We urge authorities to intervene urgently, stop the spread of this misinformation, and take strict action against those responsible, Dr Asokan said. The CSI Kerala Chapter emphasised that the episode underscores a major lapse in responsible journalism and fact-checking practices. Media houses and social media users must verify facts with utmost care. Publishing unverified information can destroy reputations and lives, Dr Asokan added. In the statement issued by Dr P K Asokan, president, and Dr Jo Joseph, secretary, the organisation has called upon all media outlets to immediately retract the erroneous reports, issue clarifications where necessary, and exercise restraint in future reporting. The public has also been urged not to share or amplify misleading content.
Harithas ousted leaders make powerful return as IUML picks
MALAPPURAM: In a remarkable shift within the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the young women of Haritha once pushed out of Leagues political arena have now returned as some of the partys most prominent candidates in the local body election. Three former Haritha leadersFathima Tahiliya, Mufeeda Thesni, and T Najma Tabsheerawho were sidelined after they filed a sexual-harassment complaint against MSF state president P K Nawas in 2021 are now being fielded by the IUML in key wards. Once blacklisted and removed after the party dissolved the Haritha state committee for taking their complaint public, the trio has now re-emerged at the very centre of the Leagues new political messaging. Fathima Tahiliya is contesting from the Kuttichira division of the Kozhikode corporation, where the party is even considering her for the deputy mayors post. Mufeeda Thesni has been fielded from the newly formed Tharuvana division of the Wayanad district panchayat, and Najma Tabsheera is contesting from Valampuram in the Perinthalmanna block panchayat, where she is the presidential candidate. This change began after Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal took charge as state president. The party made a conscious decision to ensure more representation for women across all wings, said Fathima. This transformation is organic -- it would have happened even without the protests. Najma, who previously won from Tirurkkad and now serves as chairperson of the block standing committee, calls this shift historic. If you look closely at the IUML list this time, many highly educated women are being considered for chairperson and president posts. That itself is a big message, she said. For Mufeeda, the 2021 crisis was the turning point. It changed the trajectory of the Muslim League, she said. We were not the only ones who fought -- many Haritha members stood with us and pushed the party to rethink. The results are visible now: young candidates are everywhere in the list. Two years after the party action, in 2024 Harithas members were given key positions in the party. Fathima was selected as Youth League state secretary, Mufeeda is the national vice president, and Najma is the national secretary. From dissolution to elevation, their return signals not just personal vindication but a deeper ideological shift within the Muslim League itself.
A Musical tribute to Kishore Da in Kochi
Songs have the power to transport listeners to different worlds, stir memories and alter moods. Few voices have done this as effortlessly as Kishore Kumar, and his songs are considered the masters of it. The playfulness of Roop tera mastana , the pain in O majhi re , and the unfiltered romance of Pal pal dil ke pass are just a few examples of his repertoire that spans emotions still influential decades after his passing. A maverick in every sense, Kishore Kumar was not merely a playback singer; he was an actor, composer, director and comic genius who redefined what versatility in Indian cinema could sound like. Celebrating this legendary voice and the moods he mastered, Kochi will play host to a special tribute concert titled Many Moods of Kishore Kumar. The event, presented by Voice of India in association with the Kerala Fine Arts Society, will be held at 6 pm on November 22, Saturday, at the Fine Arts Hall, Kochi. Kishore Kumar Leading the evening will be K T Anilkumar (IRS), who is known for his moving renditions of Kishore Kumars classics. It was the audience who pointed out that I sounded very similar to him, he shares, recalling an experience. I also sing songs by other renowned singers such as SPB, Jayachandran sir, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh and Yesudas as well, depending on the audiences requests. But a simple humming in Kishore Kumars style is captivating; there is a heaviness in his voice that no other singer has, and this is why I keep coming back to him. Anilkumar has been performing tribute programmes across the country this year to commemorate the 96th birth anniversary of the legendary playback singer. The upcoming performance is a part of the same. Joining him on stage are singers Rijiya and Beena Murali, each bringing their own distinct vocal style to complement the tribute. The musical arrangements and orchestra will be led by Susanth, who is based in Kozhikode. He is a master himself, informs Anilkumar. Talking about the range of songs that one can perform when it comes to Kishore Kumar, Anilkumar remembers an incident, I once performed 81 songs in a night, at a performance in Delhi, and still the audience came up and requested four more. We ended up performing 85 songs in total that night. I will never forget it, he smiles. Having performed in different cities, Anilkumar recalls having come across both positive and negative comments when singing in Kishore Kumars style. Some appreciate that I can bring his magic to the stage, and some complain that I only sing his songs majorly, he chuckles. Whatever the moods of the audience, he makes sure to tweak his playlist depending on the city he is performing in. One of my favourite places to perform in Kerala is Kozhikode, the audience there is very receptive and loving. They stay on till the end of the concert every time. Kochi does not disappoint either, Anilkumar shares. With a mix of unforgettable melodies, talented performers and the timeless charm of Kishore Kumars music, Many Moods of Kishore Kumar will bring back the celebration and nostalgia that lovers of classic Hindi film music will not want to miss. Many Moods of Kishore Kumar @ FIne Arts Hall November 22, 6pm. Entry is free. For details: 9388663345
52 candidates submit nominations in Kozhikode district
Tale of the Congress surprise candidate in Kozhikode
Cardiologists condemn false media reports implicating doctor from Kozhikode in Delhi blast case
Healthcare Management And AI Programme Launched By Indian Institute Of Management Kozhikode
The application deadline is November 19 and candidates who enrol before the deadline will receive a benefit of Rs 8,000.
Poll picture becomes clearer in Kozhikode
LDF announces candidates for 73 divisions in Corpn; UDF announces majority of candidates; BJP to complete candidate list for Corpn. as well as district panchayat on Sunday
Lightning strikes two houses in Kozhikode
Election buzz boosts business in Kozhikode with bespoke campaign merchandise
From snazzy paper posters to custom-made keychains and colourful headgears, the shops are buzzing with activity as the creative entrepreneurs try to tap into the growing demand
Ice orathi and pickled vegetables at the new food street on Kozhikode beach
As Kozhikode enforces new food safety measures, the food carts that once defined the beach make way for modern, numbered food stalls
Kerala teen dies after falling from a building
DUBAI, Nov 14: A Kerala teen, who was visiting Dubai, died after falling from the top of a building in Deira, local media reported. Mohammed Mishal, 19, from Kozhikode district of Kerala, was visiting his cousins and had been in Dubai for about 15 days, Gulf News reported. The incident occurred on November 7 when Mishal reportedly went to the terrace of a multi-storey building to take photographs of flights. He was staying with his cousins here while his [] The post Kerala teen dies after falling from a building appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Local body polls: Final picture likely to emerge soon in Kozhikode
While the LDF declared most of its candidates for the district panchayat, the Congress announced its second list of nominees, including filmmaker V.M. Vinu, for the Kozhikode Corporation
Indian teen falls to death from building while taking photos in Dubai
Dubai: A 19-year-old Indian boy from Kerala has reportedly died after falling from the top of a residential building in Deira, Dubai, while taking photographs of planes. The victim, Mohammed Mishal from Velliparamba in Kozhikode, was on a visit visa and had been staying with his cousins for about two weeks. He was the only Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Collector orders attachment of assets of investment firm in Kozhikode
Local body polls: Fronts in final stages of selection of candidates in Kozhikode
LDF expected to announce its candidates list on Thursday
Delhi blast: Police step up inspections in Keralas Kozhikode district
Police are conducting random inspections with the support of bomb detection and disposal squads as part of the heightened surveillance measures in Kerala
CAT admit card 2025 released: Download from iimcat.ac.in for November 30 exam
CAT admit card 2025: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has released the CAT admit card 2025 on iimcat.ac.in. The exam will be held on November 30 across 170 cities in three shifts. Over 2.95 lakh candidates are registered. The admit card contains essential details including name, photo, roll number, exam centre, and timings. Candidates must carry a valid photo ID and follow instructions. A mock test is available on the official website to familiarise candidates.
IIM Kozhikode has released the admit cards for CAT 2025. Candidates can check their exam date, session, and test centre via their CAT login. A mock test will be available from November 12. Over 2.95 lakh candidates have registered for the exam, which will be tested in three key areas.
CAT 2025 Admit Card at iimcat.ac.in: The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode is releasing the CAT 2025 admit card today. Candidates can download their hall tickets from iimcat.ac.in. The Common Admission Test is scheduled for November 30. This exam is crucial for admission to top management programmes. The admit card contains important details like exam slot and centre.
Kozhikode Mayor Beena Philip and Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar express a desire to return to organisational roles in their parties, while Thrissur Mayor M.K. Varghese hints at political ambitions. Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran also appears to be primed for a larger political assignment
CAT 2025 admit card releasing today at iimcat.ac.in: Check login details, exam slots, and guidelines
IIM Kozhikode is releasing the CAT 2025 admit card today, November 12, 2025, on iimcat.ac.in. This crucial document is mandatory for the highly competitive MBA entrance exam scheduled for November 30, 2025. Candidates must download and verify their hall tickets promptly, ensuring all details are accurate before the exam day.
BJP publishes first list of candidates for Kozhikode Corporation
CAT 2025 admit card to be released on this date: Check where and how to download IIM hall ticket
IIM Kozhikode releases CAT 2025 admit cards tomorrow, November 12th, for the exam on November 30th. Candidates can download their hall tickets from iimcat.ac.in. A mock test is also scheduled for November 12th to help aspirants prepare. The admit card contains crucial details; ensure all information is accurate and carry a printout with valid ID to the exam centre.
Kerala local body polls 2025: Congress, CMP announce candidates for Kozhikode Corporation
Congress announces 22 of its 49 candidates to contest in various divisions of Kozhikode Corporation, while CMP announces its two candidates. CPI(M)s list expected on November 12
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Ernakulam will go to polls on December 9. Thrissur, Malappuram, Wayanad, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kannur and Kozhikode on December 11
Congress announces candidates for Kozhikode district panchayat
Littering mars Kozhikode beach food street soon after opening
Videos of garbage piling up went viral a day after launch, with Corporation officials attributing the mess to a lack of civic sense among visitors despite adequate waste management measures
IMA State conference begins in Kozhikode
Amoebic meningoencephalitis: study on host risk factors initiated
Health department and ICMR National Institute of Epidemiology begins case control study with 66 recent cases being chosen from Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam
Nod for incubation lab at KINFRA Knowledge Park in Kozhikode
Factory row to heat up poll battle in four panchayats in Kozhikode
Emergency life support training launched for police officers in Kozhikode
