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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the change of name of the state from Kerala to Keralam by the Centre was a joyful moment for "Malayali" brothers. The PM was speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha, an organisation which works for welfare of the fishing community in the state. In his inaugural address, Modi appreciated the role of the fishing community during the 2018 floods in Kerala, lauding their courage, service, and dedication at that time. He also pointed out that the Dheevara Sabha has been working for fishermen's rights for 50 years. Modi said the Centre too has been working for the welfare of the fishing community and has carried out various initiatives to empower them. He also said that the Union government has taken various measures, including installing over 4,500 satellite-based transponders in fishing boats, to ensure the safety of fishermen at sea. Modi arrived at the Kochi international airport around 11.30 am a
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Kerala on Wednesday and take part in a series of programmes here, including the inauguration of the BJP-led NDA's election convention. The prime minister will land at Cochin International Airport at 11.30 am. He will then travel to the naval base before heading by road to Marine Drive for his first event--the golden jubilee celebrations of the Dheevara Sabha. Later, he will take part in a roadshow beginning from the entrance of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at around noon. At 12.30 pm, the prime minister will participate in an official programme of the central government where he will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation several key development projects. Around 1 pm, Modi will inaugurate the NDA's Kerala election rally at the stadium. The convention will mark the formal launch of the alliance's campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. Organisers say around 50,000 party workers are expected to attend the .
The Kerala government on Tuesday decided to allocate Rs 1 crore each to district collectors to strengthen measures to deal with summer-related challenges across the state. The decision was taken at a meeting on summer disaster mitigation chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Officials have been asked to remain vigilant about issues such as drought, drinking water shortages, wildlife attacks, lightning, heat-related health problems and fire incidents during the coming months, a CMO release said here. The chief minister directed that district-level preparedness meetings be held and local bodies prepare heat action plans. A model plan has already been prepared by Moodadi grama panchayat in Kozhikode district, and other local self-government institutions have been asked to follow a similar approach. Authorities have also been asked to conduct a wide public awareness campaign on heat safety. The health department will start special heat clinics, while primary health centres will
In a landmark move to address the complexities of the Artificial Intelligence era, the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) has published the 'Cyber Safety Protocol 2026'. KITE is the technology wing of the General Education Department of the state government. This comprehensive framework is designed to ensure a secure digital learning environment and robust cyber defences for students across Kerala's public school system, an official statement said here on Sunday. Developed through a meticulous analysis of emerging AI-driven challenges and cybercrimes, the protocol aligns with existing legal standards to provide targeted directives for institutional heads, teachers, parents, and students, it said. KITE CEO K Anvar Sadath said the initiative encompasses 13 core objectives, including fostering awareness regarding the risks of sharing confidential data with Generative AI, cultivating critical thinking toward digital content, identifying misinformation, and nurtur
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi was on Thursday appointed as the new governor of West Bengal, replacing C V Ananda Bose, who resigned abruptly earlier in the day, a move that has sparked a fresh confrontation between the BJP and its rivals here and in the state. The appointment was a part of a major reshuffle of gubernatorial posts effected in several states and Union territories by President Droupadi Murmu late on Thursday night. Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retired) was appointed as the new Bihar governor, while Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been made the governor of Himachal Pradesh. Hasnain succeeds Arif Mohammed Khan, who took oath as Bihar Governor on January 2 last year. However, the political circles were abuzz with the unexpected resignation of Bose as the West Bengal governor just weeks before the Assembly polls there. In a communique, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said that President Murmu has accepted Bose's resignation. Talking to PTI over the phone from Delhi, Bo
A section of nurses working in private hospitals in Kerala began a strike on Wednesday, demanding a minimum monthly salary of Rs 40,000 and implementation of various pending assurances without further delay. The strike was called by the United Nurses Association (UNA), which also organised a march to the secretariat here as part of the protest. According to the protesting nurses, their salary was last revised in 2018 and has since become inadequate in view of the rising cost of living. Though the state government had issued orders for a salary hike in 2023 following a protest under the aegis of the UNA, it has not been effectively implemented so far, they alleged. One of the protesting nurses said they want the government to implement a clear wage system for private hospital nurses, as mentioned in the Nursing Council's regulations. "The condition of nurses in the private sector is pathetic in the state. They are getting different salaries in accordance with the decision of respec
Former Union Minister K P Unnikrishnan, who was regarded as one of the prominent figures in Indian politics during the 1980s and 1990s, died in the early hours of Tuesday, his family said. He was 89. He died while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital here, they said. Having been elected to the Lok Sabha six consecutive times from Vadakara, he served as a Union Minister in the V P Singh Cabinet, holding the portfolios of Surface Transport and Communications during 198990. During his tenure as Minister, he oversaw the evacuation of Indians during the Gulf War. Beginning his professional life as a journalist, Unnikrishnan was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara in 1971 as a Congress candidate. He subsequently represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha in 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991. Between 1981 and 1984, he served as the leader of Congress (Secular) in Parliament, and from 1980 to 1982 he was a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
Flight operations to Gulf countries from Kerala were affected for the third consecutive day on Monday following the conflict in West Asia, with authorities indicating that the disruption may last a few more days. Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) listed around 45 departing flights from Kochi as cancelled for Monday on its official website. However, an Oman Air flight to Muscat departed at 8.10 am. Similarly, Saudia flights to Jeddah and Riyadh, an Oman Air flight to Muscat, an Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi and a SpiceJet flight to Dubai were listed as scheduled. Around a similar number of arrival flights were also shown as cancelled at Kochi. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited (TIAL) said that 20 flights to the Gulf region remained cancelled on Monday. Over the past three days, a total of 65 flight services to and from the Thiruvananthapuram airport have been cancelled. An Oman Air flight from Muscat arrived at 7.20 am and departed around 8.30 am, ai
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday expressed concern over the situation in the Gulf region following the US-Israel attack on Iran and urged the Centre to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of Indians there. In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayan said the developments after the attack on Iran were causing anxiety among families of expatriates and civil society at large, particularly in Kerala, which has a significant diaspora in the Gulf region. He requested the Centre to ensure preparedness to safeguard Indian nationals in the region and to take necessary steps, including arrangements to bring them back safely if the situation demands so. "I write this letter to share our apprehension on the situation consequent to the attack on Iran, which is now having its adverse impact on all the countries of the Gulf region," the chief minister said. He noted that a large number of Indians, including many from Kerala, are living in Gulf countries, and their
A section of government doctors in Kerala have announced to take out a march to the DME office on Monday, alleging attempts from authorities to suppress their ongoing indefinite agitation. The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA), in a statement, said it decided to intensify its strike, alleging continued apathy on the part of the state government in resolving issues related to service conditions and pay anomalies of medical college faculty. A march would be organised to the office of the Director of Medical Education (DME) on Monday, protesting against alleged attempts to suppress the agitation instead of initiating steps for a settlement, KGMCTA state President Dr Rosnara Begum said in the statement issued on Friday. The association alleged that despite being fully aware of the grievances of medical college teachers, the DME was exerting pressure on principals, heads of departments and doctors as part of efforts to curb the strike, rather than taking th
A court here on Friday granted statutory bail to a former TDB official in connection with the Sabarimala gold loss case. Kollam Vigilance Court Judge Mohit CS granted bail to former Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornament) Commissioner K S Baiju in the case related to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) plates, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to file a charge sheet within 90 days of his arrest. Baiju is the seventh accused in the Dwarapalaka case. Earlier, on February 12, the same court had granted the former Travancore Devaswom Board official bail in a second case related to the alleged loss of gold from the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), in which he is the fourth accused. With bail granted in both cases, Baiju is expected to be released from jail soon. He is the seventh person to be released on bail in connection with the case, police said. The SIT had alleged that gold artefacts were handed over to the prime accused, Unnikri
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal of Kerala government to change the name of the state to Keralam, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its first meeting held at Seva Teerth, the new PMO complex. The Union Cabinet chaired by the prime minister approved the proposal for alterating the name of state of Kerala as 'Keralam', Vaishnaw said. After approval of Union Cabinet, the president of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India. After receipt of the views of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the government of India will obtain the recommendation of the president for introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to alter the name of Kerala as 'Keralam' in Parliament, an official release said. The Legislative
The Union Cabinet is understood to have approved on Tuesday the Kerala government's proposal to change the name of the state to Keralam, sources privy to the development said. The move came ahead of the Kerala assembly elections expected to be held in April-May. The Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, had unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to officially change the state's name to Keralam. Following the assembly resolution, the Union cabinet, in a meeting held on Tuesday, is believed to have approved the state's name change from Kerala to Keralam, sources said. It was the first cabinet meeting held at the recently inaugurated Seva Teerth, the new PMO building. The Kerala Assembly had passed the resolution for the second time because the Ministry of Home Affairs, which reviewed the first resolution, suggested some technical changes. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had moved the resolution, wanted the union government to change the southern state's name fr
The Kerala government on Monday set up the 12th Pay Revision Commission to study the revision of salaries of state government employees. State Finance Minister K N Balagopal said former Chief Secretary V P Joy has been appointed as the chairman of the commission. The other members are advocate M Rajagopalan Nair and retired Additional Secretary Sreelatha Sukumaran. V R Sobha, Additional Secretary in the Finance Department, will serve as the commission's secretary, Balagopal said in a statement here. The decision follows an announcement made in the state budget to appoint a new pay revision commission for government employees. Balagopal said the commission has been asked to submit its report within three months. He added that the government will ensure the process is completed on time. A separate government order outlining the terms of reference of the commission will be issued soon, the minister said.
The Kerala government on Monday signed memoranda of understanding with three central public sector companies to roll out a Rs 2,000 crore logistics master plan at the Vizhinjam International Seaport, in a move aimed at reshaping the state's maritime sector. The agreements were executed on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Legislative Assembly Building, a CMO release said here. This initiative marks a strategic shift to transform the port into a comprehensive economic development hub, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains under public sector oversight even as the port operates on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The partnership involves the state-owned Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) and three central giants-- IOCL, CONCOR, and CWC, the release said. By integrating these entities, the government aims to prevent monopolisation in cargo handling, guarantee fair pricing for traders, and safeguard national maritime ...
The ECI on Saturday published the final electoral roll in Kerala after the SIR exercise, with the total number of voters in the state standing over 2.69 crore. The Election Commission of India (ECI) shared a link - http://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in - that enables the public to check their names on the updated list. According to data released by the ECI at a press meet here on Friday, the fresh electoral roll has 2,69,53,644 voters, compared to 2,78,50,855 prior to the commencement of the SIR in October last year. As many as 8,97,211 voters have been removed following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, the ECI said. In the revised list, the total number of male voters is 1,31,26,048, female voters 1,38,27,319, and transgender voters - 277, officials said. The number of overseas voters in the updated roll is 2,23,558, while service voters stand at 54,110. ECI officials said that 36.88 lakh voters were issued notices for hearing as part of the SIR proceedings, and 53,229