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

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

Rain claims two more lives, extensive damage in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rain-related incidents have claimed two more lives and caused widespread damage across the state. Extensive waterlogging was reported in Kasaragod and Kozhikode districts. The fatalities were reported from Kozhikode and Kasaragod, where a three-year-old child and a 63-year-old man drowned, respectively. Between June 15 and 17, the highest rainfall was recorded at Mundakkai in Wayanad with 594 mm, followed by Valamthodu in Malappuram with 572 mm. Several rivers, including the Manimala, Korapuzha, Nileswaram, Mogral, and Uppala, have breached danger levels. On Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Kannur and Kasaragod, and an orange alert for Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Though the intensity of rainfall has slightly decreased, the IMD has forecast isolated heavy rainfall on Wednesday. An orange alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod, while a yellow alert is in place for Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. Rain or thundershowers are likely to continue in many parts of the state until June 23. Strong surface winds, with speeds occasionally reaching 40-50 kmph, are expected to persist till Thursday.

Kerala LoP Satheesan raises CM Pinarayis comment on Holy Relic to corner Left front

MALAPPURAM: In a tactical move on the last day of campaign for the Nilambur bypoll, leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan has recalled Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans remarks on the holy relic, which is an emotional issue for the Kanthapuram faction of the Sunnis. Just before the Piravom by-election, Pinarayi who was then the CPM state secretary said that the nails and the hair of a person should be treated as body waste. He will not say it here (Nilambur), Satheesan told a press conference on Tuesday. Satheesan deliberately raked up the issue to put the Kanthapuram Sunnis on the defensive because they have been very vocal in attacking the UDF for accepting the support of the Jamaat-e-Islami in the Nilambur by-poll. The scholars from the Kanthapuram group have blasted Satheesan for giving a clean chit to the Jamaat. They questioned the Opposition leaders statement that the Jamaat has backtracked from its earlier stand on theocracy. It may be recalled that there was a hue and cry when Kanthapuram brought what he claimed as the holy hair of Prophet Muhammad. Other Muslim organisations, especially the rival faction of Sunnis, asserted that it was a fake relic and challenged the Sunni leader to prove the authenticity of the relic. Pinarayi made the remark that hair and nails are body waste at a seminar in Kozhikode in 2012. The Kanthapuram group had reacted strongly against Pinarayi at that time, saying that the issue is out of the purview of politicians. Satheesans attempt is to remind the Kanthapuram group about the controversy. Satheesan also said at the press conference that the CPM has the habit of picking up certain issues and figures that are convenient to the party. At one point CPM raised the photographs of Saddam Hussein and Yasser Arafat. In Thiruvananthapuram they used the photos of Chattambi Swamikal and Mannath Padmanabhan. In some parts of Kottayam, the party used the photos of Mannam and in others that of Mother Teresa, he said.

UDF councillors suspension triggers chaos in Kozhikode Corpn. meeting

Heavy rain, wind continue to cause widespread damage in Kozhikode

Explore therapeutic benefits of self-expression at this workshop

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

2010 Mangaluru plane crash victims kin continue battle for compensation

KOZHIKODE: Fifteen years after the tragic Mangaluru air disaster, families of the victims continue to wage an uphill legal battle demanding rightful compensation as mandated under the Montreal Convention. Despite initial assurances of Rs 75 lakh per deceased passenger, many kin allege they have received only a fraction of the legally entitled amount, forcing them to seek justice through the judiciary. The 2010 crash of Air India Express Flight IX-812, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Dubai, remains one of Indias deadliest air disasters. The aircraft overshot the table-top runway at Mangaluru International Airport and plunged into a gorge, killing 158 of the 166 passengers and crew on board. Krishnan, one of the bereaved family members and a petitioner in a case before the Kerala High Court, expressed anguish over the meagre payouts. We lost everything that day including our loved ones, our savings, and our future. Yet the compensation offered is a mere token. Its an insult to our loss, he said. Alongside him, Mayankutty and dozens of others have also filed legal petitions contesting the compensation process. According to Narayanan Killingom, president of Mangaluru Air Crash Victims Families Association, the airline has yet to disburse the full statutory or no-fault liability amount under the Montreal Convention. My brother Gangadharan worked as a truck driver in Dubai. His death devastated our family. We were promised `75 lakh, but later negotiations reduced that. For the families of the deceased, these negotiations should never have applied, Narayanan said. He confirmed that 42 families remain in legal pursuit of the balance compensation. Compensation discrepancies and legal loopholes Under the Montreal Convention of 1999 ratified by India and incorporated into Indian law via the Carriage by Air (Amendment) Act, 2009, victims next of kin are automatically entitled to up to 100,000 Special Drawing Rights, an international currency basket defined by the IMF, amounting to roughly Rs 1.52 crore at present exchange rates. This automatic entitlement is classified as strict liability, requiring no proof of fault on the airlines part. Beyond this limit, families can claim additional damages if they can demonstrate negligence or fault by the carrier. However, the onus of disproving fault lies with the airline. In many cases, the airlines have resisted higher payouts by settling quickly and quietly with economically weaker families, offering them reduced compensation in exchange for signing waivers. In some cases, families were pressured into accepting `30-40 lakh as full and final settlements. A few families managed to negotiate higher amounts, reportedly up to `3 crore. In a stark contrast, it is believed the pilots family received over `8 crore from the insurers. Legal complexities and delays The legal proceedings surrounding the compensation have been prolonged and complicated. One of the key cases still under review by the Supreme Court involves the kin of Mohammed Salam, a native of Kasaragod, who died in the crash. The lawsuit seeks second-tier compensation, citing negligence and procedural lapses by the airline and its crew. A legal expert on air safety cases explained, Article 17(1) of the Montreal Convention clearly holds the carrier liable for death or injury. The law allows for unlimited liability if negligence is established. However, final compensation depends on multiple factors, including employment status, income level, age, marital status, dependents, and more. Many families had initially accepted `10 lakh as interim compensation under Section 28 of Schedule III of the Carriage by Air Act. But this amount is deducted from the final settlement, often leaving families with little recourse once theyve unknowingly agreed to low-ball offers. Deadly disaster The 2010 crash of Air India Express Flight IX-812, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Dubai, remains one of Indias deadliest air disasters The aircraft overshot the table-top runway at Mangaluru International Airport and plunged into a gorge 158 of the 166 passengers and crew on board the aircraft were killed

Jamaat-e-Islami has lost its relevance, should disband: Sunni weekly

KOZHIKODE: Sunnis led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar have asked the Jamaat-e-Islami to disband the organisation and become a part of the Muslim mainstream as it has disowned the idea of theocracy (Hakkimiyya) put forward by its founder Syed Abul Ala Maududi. The editorial in the latest issue of the Risala weekly said the Jamaat-e-Islami has lost its relevance both ideologically and organisationally. What differentiated the Jamaat from traditional Muslim organisations was the idea of Hakkimiyya that it propounded, the editorial said. It said Maududi reached the dangerous position that Indian Muslims are out of Islam as they accepted the democratic system in the country, which the Jamaat considered ungodly. The crux of the Jamaat argument is that a person would lose his Islam if he accepts any system other than Islam, the editorial said, adding that the Jamaat was formed after severing all ties with traditional Islam. But now, the Jamaat leadership says they no longer follow the theory of Hakkimiyya and that they dont agree with all the things Maududi said., it said. The editorial said such assertions mean the Jamaat is returning to path of traditional Islam. Jamaat-e-Islami poses a threat to society: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Weather today: Delhi, Noida likely to receive rains today while red and orange alerts for parts of Kerala; Check IMD's prediction here

The India Meteorological Department forecasts rains with thunderstorms for Delhi, Noida, and other NCR areas on June 17. Kerala is expected to receive widespread heavy rainfall until June 18. A red alert is in effect for Malappuram and Kozhikode. An orange alert has been issued for several other districts.

Three dead, widespread damage as heavy rain batters Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rain and strong winds have led to three fatalities and widespread damage, especially in the northern districts of Kerala. The casualties were reported in Alappuzha, Palakkad, and Kasaragod. Several homes were damaged, power outages were widespread, and waterlogging affected vast areas in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kasaragod, Wayanad, and Kannur districts, all of which were placed under a red alert on Monday. Coastal erosion caused significant damage to houses in Kannamali in Ernakulam. In response to continued downpours, authorities opened the shutters of the Ponmudi Dam in Idukki. They have issued a warning to residents living along the Panniyar River, a tributary of Periyar to remain vigilant. Water levels of rivers such as Manimala, Bharathapuzha, Nileswaram, Mogral, and Uppala have exceeded dangerous levels. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations for the next two days. An orange alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod, while a yellow alert is in place for Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad on Tuesday. Coastal areas can expect strong winds, with speeds reaching 40-50 km/h. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea due to the squally weather and high wave alert. Rain and thunderstorms are likely to persist across the state until June 22.

KMRL enters eighth year with plans for tramway, metro expansion

In-principle approval granted for feasibility study of proposed elevated tramway from High Court to Thevara; metro system planned for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, with Water Metro model set to expand to 21 locations nationwide

Change in leadership likely at SFI all-India meet in Kozhikode

Identity cards made mandatory for migrant fishers in Kozhikode

Kerala monsoon havoc: Floods disrupt life in northern districts, rail services hit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Incessant monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc in Kerala on Monday, disrupting normal life, including road and rail traffic. Northern districts bore the brunt of the rainfall, witnessing rising water levels in rivers and other water bodies. Several residents were forced to evacuate to relief camps in districts, including Kannur and Kasaragod as flood water entered their homes. In Kannur, people were seen wading through knee-deep water to reach safer places since Sunday evening. Children and elderly people were already shifted to relatives' houses. We are now moving to a relief camp opened nearby, a resident said. He lamented that frequent waterlogging following rains has made their lives miserable, preventing children from attending school and adults from going to work. In the Kakkad area of Kannur, an arterial road was completely submerged, bringing traffic to a standstill. Commuters, unaware of the situation, struggled to push their two-wheelers through knee-deep water on the road. Four dead as heavy rain causes widespread damage across Kerala In Kasaragod, major rivers including Thejaswini Puzha are in spate, prompting authorities to issue warnings against venturing into water bodies. At least 10 families were moved to relief camps in the Vellarikund area in the district, authorities said. In the southern district of Pathanamthitta, a man sustained injuries after a tree uprooted by heavy rains and gusty winds fell on his house in Malayalapuzha on Sunday evening. Heavy rainfall caused significant delays in rail traffic across the state. According to authorities, several trains, including Venad and Malabar Expresses and passenger trains, were running behind schedule. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon remained active over Kerala, bringing widespread rainfall across the state and Lakshadweep. Extremely heavy rainfall of 21 cm was recorded in Thennala (Malappuram district), while Vadakara in Kozhikode received 18 cm and multiple locations in Kasaragod and Kannur reported 1516 cm. A total of 127 stations reported rainfall, with one location experiencing extremely heavy rain, 19 with very heavy rain, and 33 reporting heavy rainfall, it said. Gusty winds were also reported, peaking at 80 kmph in Idukki, followed by 61 kmph in Kottayam and Wayanad. Moderate rainfall and gusty wind speed reaching 50 kmph is likely to occur at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts in the coming hours, IMD added.

Four dead as heavy rain causes widespread damage across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Intense rain on Sunday caused widespread devastation, resulting in four fatalities across Kerala. The deaths were reported in Azhikkal (Thrissur), Konni (Pathanamthitta), Chathamangalam (Kozhikode), and Cheruvally (Kottayam). In view of the inclement weather, district collectors from Kasaragod, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kannur, Palakkad, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Monday. This includes schools, professional colleges, tuition centres, madrasas, and anganwadis. Interviews and examinations will proceed as scheduled. Wayanad saw the heaviest rainfall, with Alattil receiving 178 mm and Padinjarathara 162 mm. Irimbiliyam in Malappuram (161 mm) and Madur in Kasaragod (157 mm) also recorded significant rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red alert warning for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod on Sunday. With rivers in spate, authorities have issued flood warnings. People living along the banks of the rivers in Neeleswaram, Karyangode, Uppala, and Mogral in Kasaragod, and along the banks of the Achankovil and Manimala rivers in Pathanamthitta district, as well as along the Karamana river in Thiruvananthapuram district, are advised to exercise caution. Red alert IMD has forecast continued heavy rainfall for Monday, issuing a red alert for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts. An orange alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts. The IMD warned that districts under red alert could experience very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with isolated locations receiving more than 12 cm of rain within the next 24 hours. These conditions are likely to cause traffic disruptions, tree uprootings, flash floods, landslides, and potential damage to vulnerable structures. According to the IMD, rain or thundershowers are expected to occur in many places across the state until June 21. Strong surface winds, reaching speeds of 50-60 km/h, are also anticipated intermittently on Monday. Fishermen have been urged not to venture into the sea until June 19, as a high wave warning remains in effect along the Kerala coast through Monday night. The IMD attributes the heavy rainfall to cyclonic circulations over the Northwest Bay of Bengal and South Madhya Maharashtra, coupled with strong Westerly winds over Kerala and the Lakshadweep area at lower tropospheric levels. Rail traffic affected The rail traffic in the Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam route was affected after a tree fell on the track at Polayathodu on Sunday night

Squads remain alert as water level rises in rivers in Kozhikode

Entry to water tourism destinations in the district to be restricted

Rain relentless in Kerala, holiday declared for educational institutions in nine districts on Monday

Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram on red alert on Monday. Mining operations banned in Kottayam till June 17

Mangaluru and Karipur air crash survivors recount horrors of near death

KOZHIKODE: The rain had just begun to fall lightly that morning in May 2010 as Flight IX-812 descended towards Mangalore airport. For the 166 people on board, home was just minutes away. But within seconds, that hopeful descent turned into catastrophe -- a misjudged landing, a fuselage torn apart, fire, screams, and chaos. Fifteen years have passed. For some, time has dulled the pain; for others, memories are etched as deep as the burning metal of that ill-fated aircraft. Survivors of the Mangaluru and Kozhikode air crashes carry not just scars on their bodies but grief in their hearts. These are not just disaster statistics. These are men and women who lived to tell stories of survival, pain and betrayal. A morning that changed everything On May 22, 2010, Air India Express Flight IX-812 from Dubai overshot the tabletop runway at Mangalore airport. It crashed into a valley and burst into flames. 158 people perished. Only eight survived. Uduma native Krishnan Koolikunnu, was one of them. Now 62, he runs a small grocery shop in his village in Kasaragod. At that moment, I thought it was the end. I saw my childrens faces flash before me, he says. I felt something was off just before landing. The plane was too fast. Then came the screech, a sound like metal scraping over rocks. It all went dark. He remembers a small crack in the planes body, his gateway to life. I pulled off the seatbelt and crawled through that gap. Outside, it was forest and fog. I ran and I didnt even know what I was running from. Krishnan was joined in survival by K P Mayankutty, another survivor and a native of Kannur district. His seat, 22F, is etched in his memory. All survivors were seated on the same side. I saw the fireball coming. I heard children screaming for their parents, Mayankutty said during a conversation with TNIE. That sound still wakes me up. The aftermath was even more harrowing. Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru became a scene of heartbreaking reunions and unimaginable grief. There were 19 children and four infants on that flight, said a former nurse at the hospital. Some bodies were beyond recognition. Families were asked to identify loved ones by jewellery or tattoos. The crash not only tore families apart but plunged survivors into financial ruin and legal limbo. Mayankutty, who had worked as a PR officer for Emirates Shipping, lost his job after the accident and now works at half his previous salary in a real estate company in Umm al-Quwain. We were promised jobs, compensation, counselling. We received nothing but hollow assurances. Yet another tragedy: Kozhikode 2020 A decade later, on August 7, 2020, tragedy struck again. An Air India Express flight skidded off the rain-slick tabletop runway at Kozhikodes Karipur airport, killing 21 people. Shahala Shajahan, a survivor now residing in Dubai with her husband, recounts the events. It felt like the sky was collapsing. Everyone was screaming. I couldnt move. I was pinned under the seats, Shahala now residing in Dubai with her husband recounted. But the local people didnt wait. They rushed in, pulled us out of burning metal. They were our angels. Despite the quicker emergency response at Karipur, survivors speak of the trauma that lingers. Some suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), others avoid travel altogether. None have received sustained psychological support. I was supposed to give my wife a gold necklace for our 25th anniversary. I lost that in the fire, Mayankutty shares. But I gave her myself. I survived. That was my gift. Yet, survival came at a cost. Survivors were paraded, promised help by politicians, but nothing changed. Many of us lost jobs, families fell apart. Theres no system to support those who survive air tragedies. It was supposed to be a celebration, a return home. But it turned into a lifelong nightmare. We are alive, says Krishnan, but every day since then has been a fight to truly live again.

Kerala monsoon intensifies; red alert for five districts today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a brief lull, the monsoon has intensified across Kerala, with damage reported from various parts of the state on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Sunday. The weather department has warned of heavy rain, flash floods, landslides, and flooding. The northern districts bore the brunt of the intense rainfall on Saturday. Quarrying, excavation, mining, well construction, and sand extraction activities have been temporarily suspended in Kozhikode district. Meanwhile, entry to all water bodies, including waterfalls, riverbanks, and beaches, has been completely banned. A two-storey building collapsed in Mankavu, but fortunately, no casualties were reported. Following the red alert in Wayanad, the district collector has declared a holiday on Sunday for madrasas, tuition centres, and special classes. However, residential schools and colleges remain open. In Kannur, heavy rain caused severe leakage in the childrens ward of Thalassery General Hospital, forcing the closure of its intensive care unit (ICU). Critically ill children were shifted to hospitals in Kannur and Pariyaram. The leak, which began in the childrens ward, has spread to other critical areas, including the dialysis unit and the mortuary. The ICU, which accommodates five children, was the worst affected. The IMD has also issued red alerts for Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad on Monday, and for Malappuram and Kozhikode on Tuesday. An orange alert is in place for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad on Sunday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at several places in the state until 16 June. A wind warning has also been issued, with strong surface winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 km/h expected over Kerala and Lakshadweep until 16 June. Thiruvananthapuram has experienced continuous heavy rain since Friday night, recording 13 mm on Saturday. Although only a yellow alert was initially in place, early heavy downpours prompted the IMD to advise the public to remain vigilant. Hilly regions experienced intense rainfall, and coastal erosion has been reported in several areas. In Perumathura, strong winds blew the metal sheet roofing off a house, which landed on a busy road. Fortunately, there were no injuries. An orange alert remains in effect for Sunday, with rising water levels reported in the Pallickal and Vamanapuram rivers. Residents near the Vamanapuram riverbanks have been advised to stay alert. The IMD has also warned of high waves and sea surges along the Kerala coast on Sunday, with an orange alert issued from Kappil to Pozhiyoor. Fishermen and coastal residents have been urged to exercise extreme caution.

Deepniya from Perambra tops Kerala in NEET UG 2025

KOZHIKODE: Deepniya D B, a native of Perambra, Kozhikode, has made the whole of Kerala proud when the NEET UG exam results were announced on Saturday. Out of 1,17,255 students who appeared from Kerala, 78,385 qualified. Deepniya, who secured 109th rank is the topper from Kerala. Deepniya studied at Avala Government Higher Secondary School. She studied in Malayalam medium since the first standard. Her academic journey and success are a source of pride for the general education sector in Kerala. She did her NEET training under Brilliant Study Centre, Pala. While studying in school, Deepniya had secured an A grade in Malayalam essay writing at the State School Kalolsavam. She has also won prizes at the district and state level in many quiz and arts events. I started dreaming of becoming a doctor when I was in Plus II. When I reached Plus I, I decided to prepare for NEET. In the first attempt, the rank was somewhere in the 29000 range and I decided to repeat the test without getting discouraged and joined the Kozhikode centre of Pala Brilliant Study Centre. I didnt expect that I would get a rank in the next attempt. Im excited and looking forward to the admission procedures, said Deepniya. The notification to update marks to generate Kerala Rank List is expected within few days, after which the official list will be published. Deepniyas dream is to get admission in Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. Her parents are teachers at Avala Government Higher Secondary School where Deepniya studied. Her father Dineshan is a maths teacher in higher secondary. Her mother Biji is a maths teacher in the High School. Her brother Deepdev is an 8th grade student in the same school. A total of 73,328 candidates have qualified the NEET-UG exam from Kerala. Besides Deepniya, the other toppers from the state are: Sheffin Mansoor K P (All India Rank - 200), Sabeeha Bai (213), N R Ramanath (274), Chelsey S Therese (290), Goutham T S (426), Anujith A P (462) and Harsh G Hari (480).

Two-day CME conference begins at Kozhikode medical college

Heavy rain: Ban imposed on quarrying in Kozhikode district

Entry of tourists to be restricted to all water tourism spots until further notice

Kozhikode plane crash survivor says Ahmedabad tragedy brings horrendous memories back

A Keralite man, Ashique, recounts his harrowing experience surviving the 2020 Kozhikode plane crash, triggered by the recent Ahmedabad air disaster. The Air India Express flight from Dubai overshot the runway amid heavy rain, killing 21.

Ward delimitation: Hearing on 782 plaints to begin on June 21 in Kerala

THIRUVANATHAPUAM; The State Delimitation Commission has received as many as 782 complaints from across the state over the re-drawing of the boundaries of 152 block panchayat wards that was carried out recently in the run up to the local body election. The highest number of complaints (119) was received from Kozhikode and the lowest (23) from Alappuzha. To address these complaints, the commission will hold region-wise hearings in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode from June 21. Complainants in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta districts can attend the hearing to be held at PWD Rest House, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, from 9am on June 21. The hearing for complainants from Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kottayam will be held at Ernakulam Rest House from 9am on June 23. For Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, the hearing will be held at Kozhikode Guest House from 9am on June 24. Block panchayat ward delimitation complaints: TPuram 40 Kollam 37 Pthitta 47 Alappuzha 23 Kottayam 54 Idukki 39 Ernakulam 52 Thrissur 82 Palakkad 47 Malappuram 74 Kozhikode 119 Wayanad 31 Kannur 77 Kasaragod 60 Total 782

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

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

140 child labour hotspots in Kerala; 56 kids rescued

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heres a shocker! In what could prompt immediate action, the state women and child development (WCD) department has identified 140 child labour hotspots across the state, a majority of them in Ernakulam. The hotspots were identified in a statewide survey to trace children engaged in labour and begging, and those living on the streets. The WCD conducted 704 rescue drives in the previous financial year a majority of them in Kannur during which 56 children were rescued and given rehabilitation support. This was part of the Saranabalyam project launched in 2017 to locate and rehabilitate children trapped in labour. In recent years, the project was strengthened by linking it with Kaval Plus, which enabled more sustained interventions through coordination with the police, labour, education and health departments. The highest number of hotspots were identified in Ernakulam (30) and Idukki (13), and the least in Palakkad and Kozhikode (4 each). There were no cases of child labour recorded in the last year. We identified the hotspots from earlier cases and by monitoring probable areas like settlements of migrant labourers who come with families, border regions, plantations and during festivals, said WCD director Haritha V Kumar. Child labour hotspots will be monitored through regular inspections: Officials Children found engaged in labour or living in unsafe conditions are removed immediately and provided shelter, care, rehabilitation and repatriation through the Child Welfare Committee, Haritha said. Anyone who notices a child in distress or engaged in labour can report it by calling the child helpline at 1098, Haritha said. Another official said instances of child labour involving Keralites are very rare, though not entirely absent. Most children found at risk are from other states who came here with their families and are more vulnerable to exploitation. Here, people are more sensitised. There is greater awareness about education, said the official. In some districts, data may show identified hotspots but no rescues. This is because these involve children working with their parents in non-strenuous roles that do not strictly qualify as child labour. Rescuing such children unnecessarily may do more harm than good. It is ensured these children are well taken care of in their homes. Surveillance, awareness and rehabilitation are more effective than relying solely on punitive action, the official said. Of the 56 children rescued, most were categorised under Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and referred to the Child Welfare Committees (CWC) for appropriate support. Repatriation of children to their families or home states was carried out in coordination with the police wherever necessary. The 140 hotspots identified through district-level surveys now serve as major focus areas for future interventions. Officials said these zones, ranging from busy commercial hubs to semi-urban and rural pockets, will be closely monitored through regular inspection drives. Periodical rescue operations will be carried out and families will be made aware of the risks. Depending on the childs vulnerability, rescue and repatriation will be initiated. If a family is found unfit to take care of the child, he or she will be directly shifted to the Kaval Plus programme, which is run by NGOs and headed by the districts rescue officer, under the supervision of the District Child Protection Officer, the official said. Of the 704 rescue drives held in the state in 2024-25, a majority was conducted in Kannur (141), followed by Ernakulam (82) and Idukki (64). Ernakulam and Idukki also reported the highest number of rescues (12 children each). In addition to regular drives, the WCD department also conducted 266 targeted operations at shops, companies and other workplaces suspected of employing children. Special drives were held during festivals and public events such as Attukal Pongala, Sabarimala pilgrimage and Beemapally Uroos. J Sandhya, social activist and former member of Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said although no FIRs have been registered in connection with child labour in the state, the fact that 56 children had to be rescued is deeply disturbing. We cannot afford to overlook this reality. While Kerala is far ahead of many other states in its efforts to become child labour-free, there is still a long way to go. The issue demands continued attention. What is more worrying is that many of these children are from migrant families. They may come from environments where doing strenuous work at a young age is considered normal. If not addressed early, there is a risk that this pattern will continue here as well. Its not just about rescuing the children, but the cycle should be broken altogether, she said. 704 special drives At 30, Ernakulam topped the chart with most number of child labour hotspots, followed by Idukki (13) 704 rescue drives conducted by the women and child development dept in the previous financial year 56 children rescued and given rehabilitation support

Astronomy gallery to be opened in Kozhikode on June 14

The state-of-the-art gallery at the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium was built at a cost of 1.5 crore

Commission receives 782 complaints on ward delimitation in Keralas block panchayats

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

Police detain man for stealing 40 lakh from bank employee in Keralas Kozhikode

He was detained following a flash inspection conducted at one of his suspected hideouts near Thenhipalam in Malappuram

A life-changing whistle blows for Keralas brightest football talents

KOCHI: Twelve young footballers from Kerala are about to live a dream stitched together by sweat, skill, and sheer determination. Selected from a staggering pool of over 3,600 players, these 12 boys born in 2008 and 2009 have emerged as the cream of a year-long, state-wide training initiative by Andres Iniesta Scouting in partnership with Super League Kerala (SLK). On Thursday, they flew to Malaysia for an intensive 12-day training stint at the prestigious Villarreal Malaysia Academy a global-level development centre affiliated to La Ligas Villarreal CF. The journey to the final 12 was no ordinary one, officials said. It began in Keralas heartlands Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha where thousands of hopefuls turned up for open trials. International scouts from Spain and Argentina, working closely with local coaches, evaluated raw potential, grit, and game sense in wave after wave of young talent. These players then passed through two intensive phases of selection, including performances at the Chakola Gold Trophy, part of the Kerala Football Associations Kerala Youth Development Programme (KYDP). What followed was relentless coaching, close monitoring, and finally, a golden ticket to Malaysia. This isnt just training its transformation, said KFA president Navas Meeran. These kids will train under UEFA-certified coaches, play friendlies, study the game inside classrooms, and come back with exposure that is almost unmatched. Programmes like these are building a football ecosystem where dreams dont die young, he added. Some of them have never boarded a flight before, said SLK CEO Mathew Joseph. This isnt just about football its about opening up new worlds. A professional international facility can completely change how they view their future, Joseph added. SLK Director Feroz Meeran put it simply: We are not just building players. We are building stories that can light up entire communities. From dusty school fields to a training ground built to European standards, these 12 boys now carry Keralas hopes and perhaps their own futures on their boots.

Coast Guard starts towing burning cargo ship off Kerala coast

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

Oil spill from fire-damaged container ship may reach Kerala coast by June 14

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has warned the state government that the oil spill from the fire-damaged cargo vessel Wan Hai 503 could reach Kerala coast by Saturday, triggering a potential environmental crisis. As per the simulated forecast by INCOIS, the ocean information service provider under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the oil spill could begin washing ashore between Chavakkad and Kochi by June 14 and Ernakulam coast by June 15. The simulation based on the presumed spill of 100 tonnes of fuel oil starting Wednesday (June 11) was conducted using advanced forecasting models by INCOIS. The agency has warned the state government of potential shoreline contamination and ecological damage owing to the oil spill and has advised immediate response from local authorities. The warning comes three days after the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Wan Hai 503 caught fire following a container explosion on June 9, approximately 70 nautical miles off the Kozhikode coast. The vessel, which was en route to Mumbais Nhava Sheva port from Colombo, remains unmanned and adrift. INCOIS, working in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, activated its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) and Oil Spill Trajectory System to simulate drift patterns and guide emergency responses. In addition to the oil spill concerns, the drift of containers and debris pose navigational and safety risks. Coastal surveillance enhanced from Ernakulam to Kozhikode Incois sarat model estimates a 60% probability that overboard containers or debris may reach the shore between Thalassery and Kochi within the next four to six days, especially on the stretch from Kozhikode to Kochi. All arrangements are in place and we have enhanced coastal surveillance along the coastline from Ernakulam to Kozhikode, said an official. The rapid response team under the district disaster management authorities is ready for emergency containment if any oil spill contamination occurs on the Kerala coast. Its a multi-disciplinary effort and various departments are on high alert, said the official.

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

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

Probe under way into cops alleged link with sex racket in Kozhikode

The two accused police drivers have been placed under suspension

Sunny Joseph meets Samasthas Jifri Thangal in Kozhikode

What Happened After The Crash

It is India's worst aviation disaster since the 2020 Kozhikode crash.

Congress, BJP oppose outsourcing of jobs at PMSSY block of Kozhikode MCH

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

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

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: List Of Fatal Passenger Aircraft Accidents In India Over The Years

The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad is the first fatal passenger plane crash in India in the past five years, coming after the 2020 incident in Kozhikode.

Samasthas history is intertwined with Keralas sociocultural, edu spheres: CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The history of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama is intertwined with Keralas social, cultural and educational spheres, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said after releasing Confluence, a coffee table book on Samastha brought out by The New Indian Express , at Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan received the first copy. Several organisations were formed in Kerala with the aim of reforming communities. Many of them became non-existent due to narrow-mindedness or failure to be in tune with the times. But Samastha could remain strong and relevant for a century because its ideas lighted the world, he said. Samastha originated at a time when the Muslim community faced neglect, Pinarayi said. The organisation could help the community to claim its rights and make educational progress. It introduced Islams progressive ideas to the world, he said. The chief minister further said minorities in the country are being denied of their rights. At the same time, majority communalism cannot be addressed by minority communalism. Atrocities against minorities amount to attacks on democracy and secularism, he added. Satheesan, in his address, said Samastha made immense contributions to the education sector. Large number of students from Malappuram and Malabar are studying in top-ranking institutions in the country and its credit goes to Samastha, he said. Samastha president Sayyid Muhammed Jifri Muthu Koya Thangal presided over the function. In his address, he said Samastha or its feeder organisations never indulged in activities that would create division in society. Samastha works on the basis of certain ideals and has always stood for the countrys good. It leads several activities in the cultural, education and health spheres, he said. We have never indulged in any activities that could affect the social harmony. Thats why theres not even a single case or allegation against the organisation, he added. Samastha treasurer P P Umer Musliyar Koyyod welcomed the gathering. Kozhikode Qazi Syed Mohammed Koya Thangal Jamalullaili led the prayer. Panakkad Syed Sabiq Ali Shihab Thangal delivered benedictory address. Opposition Deputy Leader P K Kunhalikutty delivered a virtual message. Sports, Hajj and Waqf Minister V Abdurahiman presented gifts to those who worked for the book. TNIE Resident Editor (Kerala) Kiran Prakash delivered the introductory address and Senior Associate Editor M P Prashanth introduced the book. Samastha secretary Umer Faizi Mukkam, Kendra Mushavara members Vakkode Moideenkutty Faizi, P M Abdusalam Baqavi, Azgarali Faizi Pattikkad and TNIE General Manager P Vishnu Kumar attended the function. Samastha urges govt to roll back new school timings; CM non-committal Hours after the general education department brought out a revised timetable adding 30 minutes to class timings in state schools, the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to reconsider the move. Samastha president Sayyid Muhammed Jifri Muthu Koya Thangal made the request to the CM while delivering the presidential address at the launch of Confluence. The government should understand the difficulties the move will cause about 12 lakh students in the religious sector. We know the government will act accordingly, he said, in an apparent reference to madrasa students. He also submitted a memorandum to the CM. However, speaking after releasing the book, the CM chose to be non-committal to the request. Pinarayi said the government has always listened to Samasthas demands. He (Thangal) made certain remarks about Samasthas relevance. All those who live in Kerala know about Samastha and its relevance. Going by your own experience, Samastha has not faced any negative experience from the state government. So, lets go forward like that, said Pinarayi. As per the revised timetable for Classes VIII to X, classes of high school section will start 15 minutes early at 9.45am and end 15 minutes late at 4.15pm from Mondays to Thursdays. According to the order by the Director of General Education, the new timings are to be followed by all government, aided and recognised unaided schools. This is to ensure 1,100 instructional hours or 220 working days for high school students. No change in lower primary class hours The department has also assigned six Saturdays for HS section and two for upper primary section as additional working days to meet the minimum instructional hours/working days. The class hours for lower primary students remains unchanged. For the HS, the Saturdays earmarked for classes are: July 26, August 16, October 4, October 25, January 3 and January 31. For the UP section, July 26 and October 25, will be working days.

Model food streets coming up in four locations in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Food Safety Department has launched the Modernisation of Food Streets project, setting up four model food streets that emphasise hygiene and aesthetics. In the first phase, projects are underway at Shankhumukham (Thiruvananthapuram), Panampilly Nagar (Ernakulam), Kottakunnu (Malappuram), and Kozhikode Beach. Health Minister Veena George said the initiative is a model for serving quality food in clean and attractive environment. Each food street is being developed for Rs 1 crore, adhering to strict food safety standards. The outlets will be operated by staff certified under the FoSTaC programme and follow the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Emphasis is also placed on sanitation, with provisions for toilets and waste management systems. Construction is nearing completion, with Nirmithi Kendra handling the work at Shankhumukham. Other locations are being developed in collaboration with GCDA (Ernakulam), DTPC (Malappuram), and the Kozhikode Corporation. The initiative is being implemented under the State Food Safety Department, in coordination with district authorities and local bodies, with support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the National Health Mission.

Blaze contained, Singapore vessel to be towed away

KOCHI: Three days after the blast that triggered a major fire on board Singapore flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 , the Coast Guard managed to contain the blaze on Wednesday. Sources said the fire is persisting inside the cargo hold and hoped it will be doused completely on Thursday. An Mi helicopter of the Indian Air Force will take off from Kozhikode on Thursday morning with fire retardant dry chemical powder to aid the operations. Meanwhile, salvage team members along with the Coast Guard landed on the ill-fated ship with the help of a helicopter and tied a towline. Once the fire is doused, the ship will be towed away to deep sea with the help of a tug, said an officer. The vessel carried 1,754 containers and an unspecified number of those have fallen into the sea. With no information on the fate of dangerous cargo, experts said retrieving the containers from the seabed is impossible as the depth is more than 1,000 m. In a daring operation...a Coast Guard helicopter managed to winch five members of the salvage team and an aircrew diver on the deck of the burning vessel to facilitate the towing process at 3 pm on Thursday. Rough sea conditions are posing a challenge to the fire fighting operations. Containing the fire and towing the vessel to a safer location remain top priority, the Coast Guard said in a release. The Director General (DG) Shipping has released the complete cargo manifest of MV Wan Hai 503, confirming that it carried 1,754 containers of which 1,083 were in the cargo hold under deck and 671 on the deck. As per the report, 143 containers carried dangerous cargo, including flammable liquids and solids, substances that can emit flammable gases, and toxic substances. Efforts are on to retrieve and identify any containers lost overboard. Two Coast Guard vessels are involved in firefighting operations while the other vessels are engaged in border cooling and search for the four missing crew members. The fire on the deck has been contained but dark smoke is billowing from the vessel. There is fire inside the cargo hold, said an officer. Coast Guard vessels dousing the fire raging in MV Wan Hai 503 on Wednesday Five ships, two aircraft and a chopper engaged in firefighting The ship was carrying 1,22,128 tonnes of fuel. The Coast Guard said the fire poses a significant threat to marine environment and nearby shipping routes. Five Coast Guard ships, two Dornier aircraft and one helicopter are actively engaged in firefighting, supported by two vessels provided by the Directorate General of Shipping. Salvors appointed by the vessels owner have deployed an expert team to assist the firefighting and salvage efforts. The DG Shipping has arranged five tugs and support vessels which are en route for firefighting and container recovery. Tug Saroja Blessing is en route to the spot with an additional 1,000 kg foam firefighting compound. International firefighting specialists from Spain, the UK and the Netherlands have been identified by the salvors and will be deployed subject to visa clearance, anticipated within the next 48 hours. The vessel is drifting at a speed of 1 knot in southeasterly direction and is located around 65 nautical miles off Beypore coast. On Wednesday, the investigator appointed by the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore reached Mangaluru and interacted with DG Shipping officials. A team of officials from the DG Shipping also met the 16 crew members accommodated at a hotel in New Mangaluru. The team will record their statements on Thursday. 143 CONTAINERS WITH DANGEROUS CARGO Vessel was carrying 1,754 containers 143 of those were carrying dangerous cargo, including flammable liquids and solids No confirmation yet on number of containers that fell into the sea Experts say retrieving the containers from the seabed is impossible as the depth is more than 1,000 m

Session on geriatric mental health held in Kozhikode

Towline connected to ship on fire, chance for BLEVE explosion

As per INCOIS, the fallen containers may drift towards the coastal stretch between Kozhikode and Thrissur and parts of south Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka in the next couple of days

Bakeries, restaurants in Kozhikode found flouting FSSAI labelling norms

Ingredient labels missing on flavoured halwas, fried snacks and cookies; many bakery owners unaware of labelling guidelines, leaving consumers in the dark

Kerala CM to release coffee table book on Samastha today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will release Confluence, a coffee table book being brought out by The New Indian Express, on the history of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama at Mascot Hotel here at 5 pm on June 11. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan will receive the first copy. Samastha president Sayyid Muhammed Jifri Muthu Koya Thangal will preside over. Satheesan will deliver the keynote address. Panakkad Syed Abbas Ali Shihab Thangal will deliver benedictory address. Kozhikode Qazi Syed Mohammed Koya Thangal will lead the prayer. Deputy Leader of the Opposition P K Kunhalikutty will release a documentary. Sports Minister V Abdurahiman will present prizes. TNIE Resident Editor (Kerala) Kiran Prakash will deliver introductory speech and Samastha treasurer P P Umer Musliyar will welcome the gathering. TNIE senior associate editor M P Prasanth will introduce the book. Samastha Kerala Islam Matha Vidyabhyasa Board general secretary M T Abdulla Musliyar will deliver a lecture. TNIE General Manager (Kerala) and National Head (Special Projects) Vishnu Nair, Samastha secretary K Ummer Faizy Mukkam, Samastha Kendra Mushavara member A V Abdurahiman Musliyar and other prominent personalities will speak. The state-level inauguration of the formation of reception committees for the Samastha centenary celebrations will be held at 2 pm. The centenary celebrations will be held in Kasaragod from February 4 to 8.

Cargo Vessel Wan Hai 503 Fire INCOIS Warns Of Possible Oil Spill

Container debris likely to drift towards coast between Kochi and Kozhikode, local authorities put on alert: Reports

Forum to conduct social audit of NH 66 project in Kozhikode

Drift, Oil Spill Advisory Issued After Fire On Container Ship Off Kerala Coast

INCOIS warns of drifting containers and potential oil spill from Singapore-flagged Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off Kozhikode coast

Drift and oil spill advisory issued after fire on container ship off Kerala coast

Following a major fire on the Wan Hai 503 off the Kerala coast, INCOIS has issued advisories regarding drifting containers and a potential oil spill. Simulations indicate a high probability of containers drifting south-southeastward, potentially reaching beaches between Kozhikode and Kochi. Forecasts also model a hypothetical oil spill drifting parallel to the coastline, prompting heightened coastal surveillance and community preparedness.

Kerala police inspectors birthday celebration with Youth Congress sparks controversy

KOZHIKODE: A police inspectors birthday celebration held at the Koduvally police station under the leadership of Youth Congress leaders has sparked controversy. The issue arose after Koduvally Youth Congress Constituency President, P C Fijas, shared visuals of the event on Facebook on 30 May. The reel footage, which showed the celebration of Station Inspector KP Abhilashs birthday, was widely circulated on social media, including through accounts associated with Congress leaders. The post was captioned Happy Birthday Boss. The event was reportedly led by the Congress Koduvally South Constituency President and the Youth Congress Koduvally Constituency President, and involved other Congress workers as well. Following the release of the footage, Thamarassery DySP filed a report to higher officials, including the Kozhikode Rural SP and the Special Branch. The report noted that CI Abhilash had committed a lapse in his duty by permitting such an event within police premises. Based on the report, disciplinary action against Inspector KP Abhilash is expected.

Safety compromised? Second ship mishap in two weeks raises concerns

KOCHI: Two weeks after MSC Elsa 3 sank into the depths of the Arabian Sea around 14.6 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, the states coastal waters have witnessed another mishap involving a container ship. Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged vessel that set sail from Colombo on June 7 to its next port of call, Nhava Shara in Mumbai, encountered a massive fire on board after an explosion in one of the containers. While four crew members went missing and five others sustained burns, the incident raises many questions regarding maritime safety, precautionary measures while transporting hazardous cargo, and shipping of undeclared or misdeclared cargo. Apart from polluting the marine environment, these incidents have brought humiliation to our maritime sector, former Coast Guard director general Prabhakaran Paleri told TNIE. After the MSC Elsa 3 incident, there was total confusion on the procedure to follow during such accidents. We should have a contingency plan. DG (Directorate General) Shipping, Kerala government, and the Kerala Maritime Board should work in coordination. He said the government should form an inquiry commission to look into various aspects of the incident. As a former enforcement officer, I know the maritime sector witnesses many frauds. We have to find out whether it was an accident or a fraud. They should have registered a case and arrested the captain of Elsa 3, Prabhakaran said. Supporting the argument, maritime law expert and former Kerala Maritime Board chairman V J Mathew said the state government, instead of blaming Centre, should have directed the police to register a case. The argument that the incident occurred outside territorial waters does not hold water. It is for the state police to register a case. The shipping company, Vizhinjam port authority and the state government have refused to publish the cargo manifest despite a direction from the court. This points to the chances of carrying undeclared or misdeclared cargo on board. A disaster might happen due to rough sea conditions or human error. We need to probe it to find out the factors that led to the incident, Mathew said. He said the government has taken a soft approach towards the shipping firm, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), hoping for its support in developing Vizhinjam as a major port. We cannot compromise on safety issues. A case should be registered against MSC Elsa 3 (captain) for rash and negligent navigation. Similar is the case with Wan Hai 503. We have to find out which cargo has triggered the explosion and whether it was undeclared. More containers have fallen into the sea, posing a threat of pollution, and we cannot ignore it, he said. Captain Philip Mathews, who has two decades of sailing experience, also felt it intriguing that the government has not registered a case in the MSC Elsa 3 incident. He reminded that the state had registered a case against Italian ship Enrica Lexie in the shooting incident in which two fishermen were killed in 2012. We cannot declare a vessel unsafe considering its age. The determining factor is whether it is flagged, clubbed, and regulated properly. The Kerala coast, from Kozhikode to Thiruvananthapuram, witnesses heavy maritime traffic as vessels on three routes converge here. This increases the possibility of mishaps, he said.

From stormy seas to a heros welcome: Lt. Cmdr. Dilna returns to Kozhikode

Row over shifting OST centre from Kozhikode Beach hospital

Fire breaks out on Singapore ship near Kerala; medical teams on standby

Kozhikode: The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard Monday rescued 18 crew members of the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, WAN HAI 503, which caught fire about 70 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, officials said. While 18 crew members have been rescued after they jumped into the sea, the whereabouts of four other crew members attached []

Container ship catches fire off Kerala coast; Navy, Coast Guard rescue 18 crew, four still missing

KOCHI: A major fire broke out on board the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 on Monday, around 130 nautical miles (approximately 144 km) northwest of Kozhikode. The 270-metre-long ship was sailing from Colombo to Mumbai and was expected to reach its destination on June 10. The fire, reportedly triggered by multiple explosions, caused about 20 containers to fall into the sea. The vessel had 22 crew members on board, most of them Taiwanese nationals. Eighteen crew abandoned the ship in life rafts. Four remain missing. The ships captain has stayed onboard, according to initial reports. The Indian Coast Guard responded quickly, deploying aircraft to assess the situation and drop emergency supplies. Four ICG ships were diverted to the scene, and Indian Navy assets have also been mobilised. The vessel remains on fire and adrift, but it has not sunk. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the Kozhikode and Ernakulam district administrations to prepare for medical support if crew members are brought ashore. Responding to the emergency, the Western Naval Command diverted INS Surat, which had been scheduled to dock in Kochi, to assist the distressed vessel. The naval ship was rerouted at approximately 11 am, Defence PRO sources confirmed. On 09 Jun 25, fire incident reported onboard Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 , 78 NM off #Beypore . @indiannavy diverted INS Surat & planned DO sortie from #INSGaruda . @IndiaCoastGuard deployed multiple assets including CG Dornier for rescue & pic.twitter.com/rf7n6gfLA6 PRO Defence Kochi (@DefencePROkochi) June 9, 2025 This is the second maritime incident off Kerala in recent weeks. On May 25, the Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA-3 sank 14 nautical miles off the Kochi coast, releasing hundreds of containers, including 13 carrying hazardous materials, into the sea. (With inputs from PTI)

IIM Kozhikodes executive PG programme charts new path, Bengaluru fuels charge in enrolments

BENGALURU: The Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP) offered by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode is undergoing a transformation, both in structure and reach, as enrolments soar especially from Bengaluru and other Tier I cities. Launched in 2001 as Indias first digitally delivered management programme, EPGP was initially designed to overcome the institutes locational limitations and bring high-quality business education to working professionals who could not attend a full-time programme. Currently, it has grown into a two-year, highly adaptive course tailored for mid-career professionals seeking to move into leadership roles, with Bengaluru leading with admissions. Officials from the institute highlighted that the average work experience of participants has increased from six to ten years and the course now includes business plan development, international immersion modules and flexible digital delivery to match the evolving aspirations of executives. The compressed structure is designed to help professionals leap into senior management positions without taking a career break. Bengaluru has emerged as one of the biggest contributors to the EPGP cohort from Tier I cities which is contributing to over 90% of participants. Southern India alone accounts for nearly 30% of the enrolments, reflecting the rising demand for upskilling among professionals in the region. Moreover, 26% of the current batch comprises women with mostly aiming for leadership roles in their respective fields. Prof Debasis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode, stressed that the institute is restructuring the programme delivery to better suit the needs of this growing and diverse base of professionals. The aim is to establish IIM Kozhikode as a national hub for executive education, he said. Supporting this is the Laboratory for Innovation, Venturing and Entrepreneurship (LIVE), the institutes business incubator, which plays a key role in nurturing entrepreneurial talent among students. Initially launched to make Kerala a more entrepreneurial state, LIVE has incubated over 50 startups working on products ranging from robotics to early-stage cancer detection, he said.

Teens electrocution triggers political uproar ahead of Nilambur bypoll

KOZHIKODE: As Nilambur braces for a crucial by-election on June 19, the tragic electrocution of a 15-year-old boy in Vazhikkadavu has ignited a heated political row, becoming a flashpoint in an already charged campaign atmosphere. Ananthu alias Jithu, a Class 10 student, died on Saturday night after coming into contact with an illegal electric fence set up to deter wild boars. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) confirmed that the trap was unauthorised and dangerous. However, this clarification has done little to cool tempers, with political parties trading accusations and protests erupting across the region. Within hours of the incident, UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath led a protest march, calling the boys death a government-sponsored murder. Electric traps are being laid with the silent approval of KSEB. This isnt just an accident; its administrative complicity, Shoukath said, accusing the state government of ignoring the growing man-animal conflict in the area. Illegal fence electrocutes teen to death in Nilambur; FIR Registered Against Landowner Ananthu is a martyr a victim of the unchecked wild animal menace that haunts the seven panchayats in this region. People have a right to live safely. This will be the core issue in Nilamburs by-election campaign, he declared. After nine years in power, the Pinarayi Vijayan government must be held accountable. Senior Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president Sunny Joseph, backed Shoukath, demanding murder charges against officials who allowed such illegal practices to persist. The ruling LDF hit back, accusing the Opposition of exploiting a tragedy. CPM candidate M Swaraj expressed deep disappointment over what he termed political opportunism in the face of a human loss. Forest Minister A K Saseendran defended the government, saying the electric fence was erected on private property and that the state could not be held responsible. His remarks drew immediate backlash from Congress leaders, who called them inhumane and irresponsible, and demanded a public apology. Adding to the controversy, CPM state secretary M V Govindan hinted at a political conspiracy. The timing of the protests and the accuseds affiliations must be examined. Phone records should be scrutinised there may be more to this than meets the eye, he said. With the by-election days away, Ananthus death has become more than a tragic accident it is now a symbol of rural insecurity, state failure, and deepening political fault lines in Nilambur.

Kerala sees a sharp drop in rainfall during school reopening week

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The monsoon wind messing with school reopening in Kerala appears to be a thing of the past. For decades, June rain was as predictable as the school bell, drenching classrooms and playgrounds on the reopening day and sparking shared memories of soaked uniforms and waterlogged ceremonies. But that pattern has clearly shifted. This year, the state received just 47mm of rain in the first week of June, well below the historical average of 120mm. It marks the fifth consecutive year the state has recorded below-average rainfall during the school reopening week. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the state received 62% less rainfall between June 1 and 7 this year. All districts except Alappuzha recorded either deficient (20-59% below normal) or large deficient (over 60% below normal) rainfall. Idukki received the least, followed by Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram. Last year was slightly better, with 63.4mm of rainfall during the same period, aided by a monsoon onset (May 30) closer to school reopening. Still, it fell short of the seasonal average, as the onset itself was weak. The last time Kerala received excess rainfall during the first week of June was in 2020, when it recorded 169.6mm. That year, Kozhikode topped the charts with a rainfall of 414.8mm while Palakkad had the lowest with 82mm. Rain in the first week of June depends heavily on the monsoon onset date, Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), told TNIE. In the past few years, the onset was either late or feeble. This year, although the onset was early, May 24, it brought continuous rain before June, leading to the start of a break spell just as schools reopened. The IMD has forecast a return of active monsoon conditions from June 10.

Visitors fee at Kozhikode MCH temporarily withdrawn

The fee was enforced in the wake of a direction from the Department of Health and Family Welfare to restrict the number of visitors to the facility in view of a rise in COVID cases

Doctors from Kozhikode MCH transferred to Wayanad for NMC visit

Scrap shop gutted in Keralas Kozhikode

Storage shed was completely burned down, while main building also sustained damages

In 100th year, St Teresas plans grand tribute to basketball legacy in Kochi

KOCHI: As St Teresas College marks 100 years, the institution is turning the spotlight on a glorious chapter from its past the years it dominated womens basketball in Kerala. The physical education department of the Kochi-based college is leading a nostalgic celebration, bringing back the players, coaches, and the spirit that once made it a powerhouse on and off the court. At the heart of this tribute is coach Maya Joseph Vithayathil a former Kerala athlete and the woman behind the rise of St Teresas in basketball. From 1968 to 2002, she built a team that not only swept MG University championships but also produced athletes who would go on to represent the state and the country. Back then, teams would hesitate to face us, Maya tells TNIE. We were consistent, aggressive, and passionate and we created a strong pool of talent for Kerala and India. Her wards included Prasanna Kumari, the first Keralite to captain the national womens basketball team, and Raji Thampi, who led Kerala to its first-ever win in the senior national championship in 1984-85. To mark the centenary, over 250 former athletes of the college will take part in a symbolic star walk on June 11 from the main academic block on Park Avenue to the science block on T D Road. The celebration also includes a veterans tournament and an exhibition match featuring former players. For Prasanna Kumari, returning to the campus is emotional. That court gave us everything. We werent just a team we were a movement, she says. Maya miss was more than a coach. Her drive shaped our lives. I went on to play for 27 years and now I coach thats how deep the impact runs. College team with principal Sr Marie Cicile, Sr Carmalita & basketball coach Alexander While the college saw a decline in basketball activity after Mayas retirement, the celebrations are not about reclaiming what was lost but about honouring what once was a dominant sporting culture led by committed students and visionary mentors. The department is also hosting a three-day inter-collegiate basketball tournament from June 9 to 11, organised by the colleges former players association. Six top teams from across Kerala including Assumption College Changanassery, Providence College Kozhikode, St Josephs College Irinjalakuda, and Sacred Heart College, Chalakudy will participate, along with two home teams. The excitement on the campus is palpable, a faculty member said. In the past decade, more than 20 of our students have reached the national level in various sports events. This year, Amanda Maria Roja is representing us at the national level in basketball. As the campus prepares for the celebration, St Teresas is not looking to relive the past, but to remember it, honour those who made it possible, and inspire the next generation to carry the torch forward.

Break Free Stories offers healing, hope for divorced women through all-women wellness camps

KOZHIKODE: In a room filled with tea cups, quiet tears, and bursts of unexpected laughter, a group of women, strangers just hours ago, are bound by something deeper than words. They are not here for therapy or legal advice, but for the opportunity to breathe freely, speak without shame, and to remind themselves and one anotherthat life after divorce can still be beautiful. Launched under the banner of Break Free Stories, this unique initiative is the brainchild of 30-year-old Rafiya Afi a divorcee herself who transformed her personal pain into a platform for hope. I thought I was alone in my grief, she recalls. But when I started sharing my story on social media, I realised hundreds of women were silently suffering, too. Thats when the seed for the camp was planted. What started as a modest WhatsApp group for legal support and emotional sharing has now blossomed into a full-fledged movement. Now, over 100 women across the state from Kochi to Kozhikode to Thiruvananthapuram are in talks with Rafiya for the conduct of such gatherings. The first camp, held recently in Vagamon, welcomed 15 women with different stories but one common thread the pain of a fractured marriage. Some had finalised their divorces; others were still enduring the slow grind of legal battles. The event offered them something they rarely find: A non-judgmental, all-women circle focused not on what went wrong, but on what could still go right. Were not here to cry over the past, Rafiya emphasises. But to learn to smile again. From self-expression sessions and healing conversations to activities like team cooking, storytelling circles, and light trekking, the camp weaved together wellness and joy in subtle but powerful ways. Its not just about surviving divorce, but thriving after it The impact has been undeniable. For the first time in years, I laughed without guilt, said a woman from Kozhikode who was part of the maiden camp. We didnt know each other, but we bonded instantly. There was no awkwardness, no shame. Just connection. For many women, divorce is not just a personal loss its a social exile. Stigma, financial insecurity, and lack of family support compound the emotional trauma. One of the biggest problems, Rafiya explains, is that many parents still see divorce as a personal failure. That adds another layer of pressure. Rafiya, who was fortunate to have supportive parents herself, is now working to raise awareness among families. Without your family behind you, recovery is so much harder, she says. Rafiya often speaks at womens forums and parent groups, urging them to shift their perspectives from shame to support. What truly captured the public imagination was the camps official trip. Over the course of the occasion, participants shared meals, talked with each other, and even danced to songs rekindling parts of themselves long forgotten. Due to overwhelming demand, the proposal is to hold camps at various locations with 15-20 women at a time. Plans are also in motion to incorporate adventure sports, self-defence classes, financial-literacy workshops, and career mentoring. Theres something revolutionary about women coming together like this, Rafiya says. Its not just about surviving divorce, but thriving after it. I have also received calls from divorced men who are going through difficult times due to the process. If more members join, we will conduct camps for men dealing with divorce, she adds.

Heavy rain destroys crops in Kozhikode; farmers await compensation

According to preliminary estimates, nearly 2,000 farmers in the Kozhikode district suffered significant losses

Kerala govt U-turn on Bakrid holiday sparks uproar, declares last-minute holiday for schools amid protests

KOZHIKODE/THIRUVANTHAPURAM: Facing criticism from various quarters, the state government on Thursday night declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Friday. Earlier in the day, the government had cancelled the previously declared holiday on Friday (6 June) for Bakrid and instead designated Saturday (7 June) as the official holiday. Friday was initially announced as a regular working day. This abrupt change sparked widespread criticism and protests from Muslim organisations, education stakeholders, and political leaders across the state. The decision also caused confusion among students and teachers, as Friday had already been announced as a holiday. With mounting protests, the government was compelled to revise its decision and declare a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges. However, Friday will remain a working day for government offices. Several socio-political leaders voiced their opposition to the move. Panakkad Sayed Abbas Ali Shihab Thangal described the decision as a wrong move and criticised the government for cancelling the holiday. KPCC Working President A P Anilkumar also condemned the decision, stating that it disrupted pre-planned travel and celebrations.

Govt. nod for 643.88-crore organ transplant institute in Kozhikode

The institute is envisaged as an umbrella organisation, which will bring together scientists, researchers and expert clinicians and coordinate all activities related to organ donation and transplant in the State, including treatment and rehabilitation. The institute will come up on 20 acres at Chevayur in Kozhikode

Kalppakam campaign launched in Kozhikode

INTERVIEW: Rajesh James, director of the award-winning work Slaves of the Empire

Slaves of the Empire , directed by Kochi native Rajesh James, clinched the Best Documentary Award at the 27th UK Asian Film Festival held in May. The 50-minute film unfolds against the backdrop of colonial-era Fort Kochi and delves deep into the ordinary existence of laundry workers of Dhobi Khana. The ancestors of this Vannar community, who hail from Tamil Nadu and whose primary occupation is washing clothes, were enslaved by the Dutch during the 1700s and brought to Fort Kochi to tend to their colonial masters domestic work. Now, long after the foreign powers left the country, the Dhobi Khana remains, albeit in a new avatar. Incidently, 2025 marks 50 years of the Greater Cochin Development Authority building the laundry quarters thats today known as Dhobi Khana. Here, The New Indian Express talks to filmmaker Rajesh James about his filmmaking journey, working on Slaves of the Empire , the lessons he learnt, future plans and more Filmmaker Rajesh James How did you get interested in filmmaking? Through film clubs, during my time at St Joseph's College in Kozhikode. These clubs were instrumental in helping me migrate from merely watching popular films to appreciating them better, their nuances, etc. Later, in 2012, I began my doctoral studies on Christopher Nolans filmography. This further cemented my interest. The real impetus came when I enrolled for a film appreciation course in the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Here, I was treated to films that were not on my immediate radar, and I also got to interact with people who were actively studying filmmaking. With this experience, I too yearned to tell stories of my own. Thats how it began. If you ask me what my film school is, Id say it's the many film festivals I've attended this past decade. I used to attend every edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival (IDSFFK) held in Kerala. Here, I engaged in talks with filmmakers for their insights and experiences. I was also a frequent visitor to the International Film Festival of Kerala. These platforms were very crucial for awakening the filmmaker in me. From the sets of Slaves of the Empire Then, when you began, were you gunning for documentaries? No, initially, I was interested in fiction and wanted to make films in this segment. But one has to start somewhere, right? I think the IDSFFK experience influenced me to work on a documentary. In 2014, I picked up my small camera and began mapping the issues that traffic wardens face in Kochi. As fate would have it, in 2015, that work, Zebra Lines, was selected for an IDSFFK competition. This win buoyed my spirit and my confidence. It also opened doors for me as a filmmaker. Two more documentary works followed in quick succession, right? Yes, Naked Wheels in 2015, and In Thunder, Lightning and Rain in 2020. Naked Wheels is a story of a group of friends who travelled from Kochi to Goa, and talks about the plight of transgender people in Kerala. The work bagged the Best Documentary at the Kashish Pride Film Festival, held annually in Mumbai. I also got invitations to screen my work in a few festivals in Europe. Then came In Thunder, Lightning and Rain . It is a local story of three women from Kochi. Both these works were done in collaboration with the filmmaking department at Sacred Heart College. Students were eager to help with the project and gain hands-on experience. Now, coming to your latest work, Slaves of the Empire a bulk of it was shot during the Covid We started shooting in 2020. A lot of research for this work happened during the lockdown months. And then later, when that was lifted, we began shooting. If you watch the work, you will see many dimensions of Covid people wearing masks, talking about vaccines, etc. Slaves of the Empire poster Why did you decide to take up this topic for your film? I have been staying in Kochi for over a decade. I found the Dhobi Khana to be fascinating. Especially its colonial past. When I read more about it, my fascination only grew. And I knew then that there was a story to be told here. I also knew that to do an academic documentary would render it boring. So I decided to focus on few characters of Dhobi Khana Rajan, Prattiamma, Rajashekharan, and Selvaraj and tell the larger story through them. Thats how it began. Slaves of the Empire hits different. Its unlike your usual documentary, which tends to gravitates towards showing the hardships of its subjects. But here, everyone has a colourful character Thats exactly how I wanted to portray it. These laundry workers they are a working class society, but very down-to-earth people. We, who don white collars, view them with a sympathetic lens. Thats just how the system is, and its only natural. But I wanted to counter that approach and show that they have their own worlds wherein they lead happy lives. Theres no self pity. Only the determination to make good of what they have and everything they engage in. Even this shoot, they dont see it as if I have done a service to them. But instead, of them having helped an upcoming filmmaker with a project. That is their perspective, and I absolutely loved that approach. A still from Slaves of the Empire Also, while watching the work, I didnt feel any hurriedness everything takes its own time, and feels natural From a technical perspective, there were many segments in it that your usually filmmaker or editor would mark as redundant or even needless. For example, Rajans conversations with his wife. These could have been trimmed. But in doing so, we would have taken away something very real, that raw experience. You see, Rajan is, until that moment, sort of a villain figure in the community. But before his wife, he is a different person. In those segments, it is his wife thats overpowering. I wanted to show that contrast. To bring new dimensions to the characters. I have kept even more segments like it and this, in turn, makes the work seem more natural. Lets also talk about the black and white aesthetics was that the plan to begin with? Yes, absolutely. As soon as we saw the first black-and-white frame, my editor and I were convinced that this should be the aesthetic. The colours complemented wellthe dark bodies of the laundry workers and the white linen. Going for black-and-white also helped drown out the other colours inside the Dhobi Khana, which otherwise would have been too loud on the screen. What also helped our decision was this: black and white is often associated with history. Since we were capturing a remnant of the colonial time, this colour scheme worked well for us. At Dhobi Khana, even today, time is arrested. Even though their lives continue, their history is locked. A still from Slaves of the Empire Usually, a documentary filmed from Fort Kochi and Mattancherry tends to lean heavily on the tourism angle. Not Slaves of the Empire though Tourism and the gaze of the tourist, in my opinion, are always about distancing. This work, though there is a colonial background to it, is ultimately a human story. We were focusing on that on the characters, their lives. That said, towards the end, we try to place it in the larger Fort Kochi context by showing several famous places there Lilly Street, Calavathy Road, Jew Street, and the Dutch Cemetery there. To make this larger context more apparent, we used a lens with a bigger aspect ratio (i.e. more widescreen) to map this, thus lending a cinematic experience. Interestingly, Slaves of the Empire also weaves in a segment wherein the work-in-progress film is screened at Dhobi Khana You see, this work we did, its my version of their story. Their lives. A filmmaker cant claim to be the only authentic voice. In fact, he is an outsider. His work is only a glimpse. So, in having that screened to the very people it is based of, Im, for the lack of a better word, validating the work. Including that screening into the film only felt like the natural thing to do. To show to the audience that this, too, is a fiction of sorts. When the screening segment rolls, the audience, too, is shaken up into the real. It is as if, until then, they had been watching a movie. Indeed, in that segment, Prattiamma is seen asking, what happened to the other shots you took Yes, it is a very political question. The filmmaker is put on the spot and asked what happened to the other shots he had taken. But this only confirms the idea that what was shown is only version of the story. And also that, theres more to be seen and learnt about the history and lives of the Dhobi Khana workers. A still from Slaves of the Empire You have not tried to censor or even modify how the characters talk Yes, thats true. Documentary work allows us that freedom. There is realism. If the filmmaker tries to mask that anyway, then you lose the essence. Our responsibility is always to leave that intact. For Slaves of the Empire , we left everything in and weaved a narrative around it. How long did it take to shoot Slaves of the Empire ? Four years, from 2020 to 2024. We shot in intermittently on weekends, off days, etc. In what capacity do you go to shoot how many apparatus and equipment? Maximum of two cameras for most of the shoots we did, especially at Dhobi Khana. Not more. This was to ensure that we didnt disturb their work. Also, some, we knew from experience, are very conscious whenever theres a camera around. So, we took great care. But even then, these two equipments were too much for many. It was only after six months, i.e. when they had become familiar with the cameras, that the real shoot began. For interviews, we added one more. Did you face rejection when we went to shoot for the first time? Oh yes, very much. At first, they talk very dismissively to us. But then face, thats the real documentary work, right? You capture the feelings as raw as they come. Also, we took the effort to convince them on why this work matters to us. And subsequently, it mattered to them as well. But after several months into the work, it can be said that they forgot about us. One was like, They have been going at it for a long time. I wonder what transpires of all this effort. We showed up and kept the cameras rolling, until finally we had what we came for. A still from Slaves of the Empire It was a four years project, right? How did you sustain the enthusiasm and the passion? Thats a big question. Id say its the people. These laundry workers. They lead such social lives. We found a home in them and that, I believe, sustained us. Thats not to say that there were no ups and downs. There were, but we persisted and came through. We wouldnt have been able to finish the work had we been even a bit unsatisfied. When did you know or how could you tell that this documentary, Slaves of the Empire , was finally complete after working on it for so long? Prior to the work arriving at this version, we have some screenings to guage how audiences would respond to it. It went well and that gave us confidence. Later, I sat down with our editor and had a long discussion. We were convinced that there was indeed a story in it. And even if we were to shoot more scenes, it wouldnt add as much. We had gotten the essence of Dhobi Khana and the lives of its laundry workers. And that was enough. I knew there was enough meaning in it to finally call it a day. But on hindsight, it would have boded us well to have the film stretch for an hour. Film festivals abroad prefer the works coming in to be about that length. Ours is just shy 50 minutes. Youve now won numerous awards for your works. How did Rajesh Jamess personal journey change after each such win? You know, there was a time when I coveted awards. I didnt get it then. Now, while Im certainly very grateful for the recognition, awards are not as precious. To be able to make films that people enjoy is my greatest reward. Its what I derive the most joy from. After all, we are also artists. And for an artist, the biggest award is the chance to do the next work. A still from Slaves of the Empire When working on documentaries, do you go with a storyboard already set? There is a general idea. But certainly, no story. No fixed plans. Its not scripted. We build the story as we go. Usually, it is on the editing table that the narrative is set. Until then, we are only documenting their lives. If you look at Slaves of the Empire , theres a segment wherein two laundry workers are seen embracing each other and finally, one pecks at the cheeks of the other. How can one script all that? Then, theres the segment wherein Rajan and his wife, Rajalakshmi, are having a very personal conversation. It came naturally. There was no way to force that in by way of a script. It wouldnt have worked. Also, when we joined Selvarajan to watch a Rajnikanth film, because it was Covid, the theatres were empty. But we had planned to capture a swelling crowd, capture Selvarajans admiration for the Tamil superstar. That didnt happen. But what we did capture was something even more poignant. Selvarajs disappointment at now being able to enjoy the show as he desired. Also, we got to document a shard of Covid history. I bet, this is how documentary filmmakers generally work they first document and the story comes later. But this also means that you have to plan as you go. So, you are saying, one shouldnt approach a filmmaking project with a premeditated timeline Exactly. Its difficult to work when you have the burden of a deadline looming on you. Documentary filmmaking, in my opinion, does not work in such fixed boxes. How can we control their lives? Basically, we follow their schedule. Rajesh James Do you plan to foray into the fiction segment? Not at the moment. Im very content with documentary filmmaking. There are not many who work on documentaries in Kerala. That said, I do want to bring something new to this field, this industry. To work on something that would eventually find its place in the world. What are your hobbies that complement filmmaking? Im a student of literature. So, needless to say, I read a lot. Im also interested in photography and anything arts. These, I believe, greatly complement my filmmaking. Whats next? We just wrapped up a special screening of Slaves of the Empire in Kochi last weekend. Im working on my next documentary. Its about a woman bodybuilder in Kochi her triumphs and tribulations. Then, theres the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival in Japan to look forward to. I have sent my work for consideration.

FT Executive Education Rankings 2025: 7 Indian business schools among worlds best

Seven Indian business schools have been recognised among the top 95 in the Financial Times Executive Education Rankings 2025. ISB leads the Indian contingent, securing 23rd position globally, while IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad, and IIM Indore also maintain strong positions. MDI Gurgaon, IIM Calcutta, and IIM Kozhikode are new entrants, reflecting the growth of Indian B-schools.

CWRDM proposes immediate steps to face monsoon crisis in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the southwest monsoon arriving earlier than usual and bringing unusually heavy rain, the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) has issued urgent recommendations to tackle potential flooding and landslides in Kerala. The state witnessed one of its earliest monsoon onsets in recent years. According to CWRDM, this years patternmarked by intense rainfall in short bursts followed by dry spellshighlights the growing need for improved disaster preparedness and smarter water management. In just one week, from May 24 to 31, Kozhikode recorded 620 mm of rainfallnearly 28% of the regions average monsoon total. Daily rainfall during this period crossed 60 mm, sparking fears of flash floods, waterlogging, and landslides, especially in hilly regions. Traditionally, Keralas monsoon sets in around June 1. But since 1970, nearly half of the monsoons have begun in late May, said CWRDM executive director Manoj P Samuel. This years early onset is among the earliest eversecond only to May 18, 1990, he said. Experts link this shift to warming sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea, stronger cross-equatorial winds, and global atmospheric changes such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation. Though total rainfall remains fairly consistent, its distribution has become erratic, raising the risk of extreme weather events and putting pressure on infrastructure, agriculture, and public health. To reduce the immediate impact of intense rainfall, CWRDM has urged local bodies and disaster management agencies to clear natural drains and first-order streams to prevent waterlogging. Intelligent dam operation systems should be used to regulate water release, especially avoiding excessive storage in upper catchments that could worsen downstream flooding. Other steps include geo-tagging flood-prone areas like schools and low-lying roads, implementing soil conservation in landslide-prone zones, and issuing health advisories for boiling drinking water in flood-affected areas. These evolving trends demand both short- and long-term strategies, Manoj said. Strengthening early warning systems, real-time monitoring, and integrating climate projections into development planning will be crucial for building resilience, he added. Immediate preparedness measures Clear first-order streams and natural drains to avoid waterlogging Use intelligent systems for controlled water release from dams and check-dams Limit storage of large water volumes in upper catchments to reduce downstream flood risks Enforce soil conservation in hilly and landslide-prone zones Geo-tag vulnerable areas such as schools and low-lying roads Test water quality and issue public advisories to boil drinking water in flood-affected regions Maintain close coordination with IMD and local disaster response teams for swift action Long-term strategies Develop real-time weather forecasting and nowcasting tools Strengthen communication systems to ensure timely public alerts Involve communities in rain and river level monitoring Train localised disaster response teams for quick evacuation Map safe zones and run public education campaigns on emergency protocols Use high-resolution rainfall data to adapt crop schedules and promote climate-smart agriculture

Back to School helps over 50 children resume education

Claimed to be the first of its kind in the State, the project was launched under the social policing wing of the Kozhikode City police

Student sustains injuries in alleged attack at school in Kozhikode

Parents of the injured student allege the school authorities attempted to cover up the incident and delayed providing medical aid

Water budgeting to be completed in Kozhikode by June-end

Seventy-six of the 78 local bodies have completed the process and published the budget

Work on BSL-3 virus research lab in Kozhikode progressing at a slow pace

Kerala HC allows gender-neutral term parents in birth certificate of trans couples child

KOCHI: In a major breather for the states first transgender parents, the Kerala High Court has instructed the Kozhikode Corporation to issue a new birth certificate for their child that identifies them as parents instead of designating them as father and mother. The high courts ruling involves the removal of the traditional columns for the names of the father and mother, allowing the names of the petitioners to be listed as parents without any reference to their genders. This order was passed in response to a petition filed by Zahhad and Ziya from Kozhikode, who challenged the corporations earlier decision. On the original birth certificate, Ziyas name appears as the father (noted as Ziya Paval, Transgender), while Zahhad is listed as the mother (simply recorded as Zahhad, Transgender). The petitioners sought a revised birth certificate that altogether omitted the specific titles of father and mother, proposing instead to simply use parent. Their initial request to the corporation was denied. The petitioners argued that this revision was necessary, as the biological mother of the child has identified as male for several years and now lives as a male member of society. They highlighted the contradiction in labelling a male individual as the mother of the child, which prompted their call for modifications to the birth certificate. Zahhad and Ziya also pointed out that many other countries permit couples, particularly same-sex couples, to choose the titles on their childs birth certificate from options like mother, father, or parent.

UDF to step up stir against alleged corruption in Kozhikode Corpn.

The recent Vigilance raid on the office and home of the Superintending Engineer is an attempt to save the bigger fish by sacrificing a smaller one

Rare migratory bird sighted on Kappad beach five years ago identified as Caspian Gull

The Caspian Gull, usually found in Central Asia, visits northwestern India, such as Gujarat, in winter. It was sighted in Goa only once and never again in south India until this time, says Kozhikode-based ornithologist

HC asks Corporation to change childs birth certificate as per transgender parents requirement

Transgender parents sought to be mentioned as parents in the birth certificate, instead of father and mother. Kozhikode Corporation refused to do so.

Kozhikode rolls out action plan to become age-friendly city

Small IndiGo flights to now depart from Chennai airports Terminal 4

For nearly two months from June 1, the departure operations of ATR flights of IndiGo will be shifted to T4, as per AAI; this means, passengers to places such as Salem, Kozhikode, Mangaluru and Kannur, via IndiGos ATR flights must board at T4

Rain subsides in Kozhikode, Wayanad

Both districts were on yellow alert, which is expected to continue for two more days

Marine debris hit unprotected coastal areas in Kozhikode

Coastal residents allege there is no action plan yet to address the crisis

Case of disproportionate assets: VACB squad recovers several suspicious documents

The documents were recovered during a flash inspection at the house of retired superintending engineer of Kozhikode Corporation

Heavy rains trigger landslides and floods across northeast and south India; at least a dozen dead

Heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours has caused widespread flooding, landslides, and disruption in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Karnataka, and Kerala, claiming at least many lives and affecting tens of thousands. Heavy rains claimined 11 lives in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura . Assam saw five deaths from landslides in Kamrup Metropolitan district, including three women killed in a landslide near Guwahatis Bonda area, Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah confirmed. Flooding affected more than 10,000 people in six districts, including Kamrup, Cachar, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, and Golaghat, where two relief camps and one distribution centre have been set up. A red alert remains in effect for 18 districts amid heavy rain and gusty winds. Massive waterlogging was reported in Guwahati, forcing closure of schools and special leave for government employees. In Arunachal Pradesh, flash floods caused by the overflowing Sigin River in Upper Subansiri district inundated Daporijo town and several colonies, damaging at least 117 houses and critical infrastructure. Authorities have issued prohibitory orders urging evacuation of vulnerable areas. In West Kameng district, landslides near Jamiri stranded hundreds along the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang road, and major road blockages disrupted connectivity. A landslide in Bomdila washed away parts of roads and culverts, while power supply was disrupted. Mizorams Lawngtlai town witnessed the collapse of five houses and a hotel due to landslides on Friday night. Several Myanmar nationals staying in the hotel are feared trapped under debris, one person is feared to have died in the incident. Rescue operations involving the State Disaster Response Force and local volunteers are underway. The state has been hit by torrential rains since Friday, causing multiple landslides and rockfalls. In Meghalaya, three people died in East Khasi Hills district from rain-related incidentsa 50-year-old woman killed by a landslide in Lumkyntung, a 35-year-old man drowned in Pomlakrai Mawbynna, and a 15-year-old boy died after a tree fell on him in Mawkynrew Block. Over 1,000 residents across 25 villages have been affected by landslides, flash floods, and power outages. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the victims families. Flooding also damaged roads and inundated schools. Rescue efforts for a missing couple from Indore in Sohra have been suspended due to heavy rain and landslides but will resume as weather permits. Nagaland and Tripura each reported one death on Friday due to rain-related incidents. Karnatakas Dakshina Kannada district on Friday reported five deaths due to landslides triggered by heavy rain. A house collapse in Montepadavu Kodi buried six family members, including two toddlers and their grandmother. One mother was found unconscious but alive, clutching her children amid the debris. A compound wall collapse in Mangaluru claimed the life of a six-year-old girl. Additionally, a 27-year-old lineman died of electrocution while repairing a high-tension power line during the rain. Rescue operations have been hampered by continued rainfall and unstable terrain. In Uttarakhand, a 38-year-old man died and five others were injured after a landslide struck a vehicle on the Kedarnath National Highway near Kund, close to Guptkashi in Rudraprayag district. The vehicle was carrying pilgrims from Chhattisgarh to Kedarnath when it was hit by debris. Rescue and relief operations were launched immediately by the local administration and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The injured were rushed to Augustmuni Hospital. Officials said two of the pilgrims were seriously injured, while three others suffered minor injuries. The deceased was identified as Rajesh Singh Rawat, a resident of Lambgaon in Tehri Garhwal, who was driving the vehicle. The injured are between 19 and 25 years old and belong to Chhattisgarhs Durg district. Monsoon rains have caused severe flooding across several districts in Kerala, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate low-lying areas and seek shelter in relief camps. In Kasaragod district, overflowing Madhuvahini River submerged roads and flooded homes, with residents moving to upper floors to escape rising waters. Similar flooding and heavy downpours have affected Kozhikode and Kannur districts, where locals have kept wooden and fiber boats ready amid fears of further displacement. Authorities have opened 46 relief camps in Kottayam district, sheltering over 1,100 people, while Alappuzha district currently hosts 851 evacuees across 26 camps, with 19 houses destroyed on Friday alone. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by strong surface winds reaching gusts of up to 50 kmph in multiple districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Alappuzha, and Kottayam. The situation remains critical as swollen rivers and tributaries continue to inundate vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, several higher-altitude areas in Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Saturday, including Tulail and Razdan Top in Gurez valley, Peer Ki Gali in Shopian, and Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway. Authorities closed the Bandipora-Gurez road as a precaution. Meanwhile, the plains, including Srinagar, were lashed by rain, causing temperatures to drop with minimums falling by up to 3 degrees and maximums 3-5 degrees below normal. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers with light snow are expected over the higher reaches in the next 24 hours. Heavy rainfall and hailstorms hit Ramban district, disrupting normal life. Parts of Srinagar saw moderate to heavy rain, welcomed by tourists as a refreshing change from recent heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms across Kashmir, with isolated heavy rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. Srinagars temperatures will range between 24C and 11C. Jammu Division will also see light to moderate rain with isolated heavy showers and winds up to 60 kmph, with Jammu city experiencing partly cloudy skies and temperatures between 37C and 21C. The IMD has advised residents to stay alert amid the possibility of heavy rain and strong winds. The IMD has issued a red alert for Sikkim on Saturday following heavy rains and rising water levels in the Teesta River, warning of possible floods and landslides in Mangan, Gyalshing, and Soreng districts. Based on a Nowcast Weather Alert from Baluwakhani, Gangtok, severe rainfall was forecasted for 2 to 3 hours starting at 6:15 am. The District Magistrate of Gangtok urged the public not to panic but stay alert, while directing all disaster management officers to remain on high alert and maintain communication with field staff along the Teesta river belt. Landslides were reported in North Sikkims Theeng and Chungthang areas, damaging properties. Emergency services are actively monitoring water levels, with disaster response teams on standby. The IMD advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, remain indoors, and steer clear of riverbanks and vulnerable slopes. No casualties have been reported yet, but the situation remains tense due to continuous rains and rising river levels, with authorities promising timely updates. The India Meteorological Department has issued multiple red alerts in vulnerable districts across these states, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, and strong winds reaching up to 60 kmph in gusts. Authorities have urged residents to avoid risky areas and follow evacuation and safety advisories. National and state disaster response teams remain deployed to conduct rescue and relief operations as the monsoon continues. (With inputs from PTI, ANI)

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Kerala rains wreak havoc: Homes flooded, trees uprooted, red alert in 9 districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Houses in low lying areas of Kerala were flooded in the heavy rains, while the accompanying strong winds uprooted trees, damaged homes and caused power disruptions, throwing normal way of life into disarray across the state. In Thrissur, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, there were reports of several homes getting flooded due to the heavy rains, forcing people to move to relief camps. Not just homes, but many roads in these districts and other parts of the state were inundated due to the heavy rains. In Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts, the heavy rains and strong winds uprooted trees and damaged electricity poles and transformers, leading to partial and complete destruction of hundreds of homes and power disruptions for hours, according to the authorities. It will be a holiday for educational institutions in Kottayam district on Saturday, district authorities said. In Kollam, uprooted trees and falling branches, due to the rains and strong winds, caused damage to several homes and private vehicles in the district and a few persons were reportedly injured. An 85-year-old woman, who worked as an MGNREGA worker in Ernakulam district, died when an uprooted tree fell on top of her while returning home on Thursday evening. The Ernakulam district authorities also reported a rise in the water level of the Muvattupuzha River above the flood warning markers, leading to the opening of three shutters of the Malankara Dam by 20 centimetres (cm). Train services were also affected with some, including the Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Expres, being diverted due to fallen trees on the tracks, while others were rescheduled or delayed due to the heavy rains, authorities said. Amidst the widespread damage in the state due to the heavy rains and strong winds, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kannur and Kasaragod and an orange alert in the remaining six districts of the state for the day. A red alert by IMD indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm, and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. State Revenue Minister K Rajan said that the heavy rains have caused widespread damage in the state and advised people to be cautious. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Thrissur, Rajan further said that as the westerly winds are expected to continue over Kerala for the next five days and due to the possibility of widespread rainfall, caution should be exercised by everyone. He advised the public to avoid unnecessary trips, especially to hilly areas and said that those living in dangerous places should move to safer locations or relief camps. Rajan said there are 66 camps functioning in the state currently and 1,894 people are living there. Around 4,000 camps are ready to be opened to accommodate about six lakh people. The public should not be averse to moving there, he added. He also said that hundreds of homes in the state have been partially or completely destroyed due to the heavy rains and strong winds since the arrival of the monsoons. The minister said according to the IMD there is a possibility of heavy rains in all districts of the state in the week from May 30 to June 5 and the amount of rainfall would be more than usual for this period. In the second week of June also there will be rain in all districts of the state, but it will be less than normal for this period, the minister said. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) said that there is a possibility of high waves ranging from 3 to 3.9 meters along the Kerala coast till 5.30 pm on Saturday and urged fishermen and coastal residents to be cautious and avoid launching of small boats, yachts or fishing vessels during this time. Meanwhile, the state government said that it has sanctioned Rs one crore each to all District Collectors from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for carrying out monsoon preparedness activities. Additionally, Rs two crore each has been sanctioned to the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode District Disaster Management Authorities for undertaking flood mitigation works in the cities, the government said. The government said that it has also sanctioned Rs one lakh to each panchayat, Rs 3 lakh to each municipality and Rs 5 lakh to each corporation in the state to buy necessary equipment and open storage centres as part of monsoon preparedness activities.