Page 27 - Kerala

'Code names for women': Hema committee report shakes Malayalam cinema

The Hema committee, appointed by the Kerala government, highlighted issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, including unwanted physical advances even before commencing work

Kerala orders space audit in medical colleges to ensure employee safety

In the wake of protests by healthcare professionals against the rape and murder of a resident doctor at a hospital in Kolkata, the Kerala government has ordered a space audit to ensure safety of the employees in medical colleges in the state. State Health Minister Veena George has directed the Director of Medical Education to carry out the audit, the government said in a statement on Tuesday. The direction was issued by the minister in a high-level meeting of medical colleges called by her, the statement said. The conduct of the space audits has to be ensured at the institution-level by the principals and at the state-level by the Director of Medical Education, it said. The additional measures ordered by the minister to ensure safety in medical colleges in Kerala, include organising mock drills, installing public address systems, CCTVs and alarms, using walkie talkies, intensifying security monitoring and not allowing unauthorised persons to stay inside the hospitals at night, the

No duty relief for import of goods to help Wayanad landslide victims

Prefabricated buildings fall under the tariff heading 9406. Modular building units of steel fall under the tariff line 94062000. All the items under the heading 9406 can be imported freely

Kerala CM urges banks to write off loans of victims of Wayanad landslides

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday urged various banks to write off the loans availed by landslide victims and survivors in Kerala's Wayanad. He said waiving loans would not impose any unbearable burden upon the banks and so it should be written off completely. While addressing a meeting of the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) here, the CM said relaxation in interest amounts or extension of time for remitting monthly installments would not at all be a solution in the landslide-hit regions. Many of those who had availed the loans are dead, and their land became unusable after the disaster, he pointed out. "The only thing we can do is write off the entire loans taken by people in these affected areas," Vijayan said. He expressed the government's strong displeasure with the act of banks continuing to take monthly installments from the landslide survivors and urged the SLBC to take a favourable decision in this regard. Vijayan's reaction came amidst intense protest

Root cause of Wayanad disaster is climate change, says CM Vijayan

He said that experts estimate that due to climate change, rain-dependent rice yields in our country could decrease by 20% by 2050 and by 47% by 2080

When will bypolls be held in landslide-hit Wayanad? Election body answers

Wayanad bypolls: Major landslides struck the hilly area of Wayanad on July 29, destroying some hundreds of homes and cutting off at least four villages from the rest of the region

Kollavarsham 2024: Everything you need to know about Malayalam new year

In the Indian state of Kerala, the Malayalam New Year, known as Kollavarsham, marks the start of a new year. This auspicious occasion will be marked on August 17, 2024, this year

Kerala CM protecting those behind controversial 'kafir' post: Oppn UDF

The Congress-led opposition UDF on Friday continued its attack on the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala over the "kafir" campaign that was carried out hours before the LS polls in Vadakara constituency, by accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of protecting those who were behind it. The issue in question pertains to a social media post put up ahead of the Vadakara election that reportedly asked people not to vote for LDF candidate K K Shailaja as she was a "kafir" (non-believer). Terming it a hate campaign akin to a terror act which was aimed at dividing people along religious lines for political gains, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan questioned why no case had been registered till date against those who spread the controversial post on social media. Satheesan also questioned how the CM, who holds charge of the Home Department, can feign ignorance about the affidavit filed by the police in the Kerala High Court reportedly stating that the post in question was circulated

Nation sad over Wayanad landslides, but time to move forward: CM Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that while everyone in the country was sad regarding the Wayanad landslides that claimed over 200 lives, it was time to live and move forward for the survival of the state. Vijayan, speaking after hoisting the national flag at the Central Stadium here on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day of the country, also said that even as India excelled in various sectors since its independence in 1947, the scientific awareness in the country was being damaged and superstitions, harmful customs, and outdated rituals were making a comeback. Referring to the landslides in Wayanad, the CM said that Kerala and the country were celebrating the independence day in a time of grief following the disaster. "But, we cannot remain sad. We need to live and move forward for the survival of the state. So, the independence day, this year, should give impetus to the joint activities that ensure the state's survival," he said. The Marxist veteran a

Kerala landslides: Search operations, rehabilitation continue side-by-side

Search operations and rehabilitation activities are going on side-by-side in the landslide-hit areas of Wayanad district, with three more body parts recovered from near Nilambur in Malappuram district, while the state government began preparations for the temporary resettlement of survivors. The Wayanad district administration said that body parts recovered are not confirmed to be human and will be sent for forensic examination. It said that so far 231 dead bodies and 206 body parts have been found, following the massive landslides that hit parts of Wayanad on July 30. A total of 401 samples of bodies and body parts underwent DNA testing and of them 349 were found to be of 248 persons -- 121 males and 127 females -- the district administration said in a statement. For rehabilitation of the survivors, a five-member committee of representatives of the panchayat, revenue department and social workers will identify and report on houses available for rent within the jurisdiction of the

In view of PM's assurance, state govt has to make rehab plans: Kerala Guv

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said with Prime Minister Narendra Modi assuring that resources will not be an issue in rehabilitation of those affected by the landslides in Wayanad district, it is for the state government to chalk out a detailed plan for the same. Responding to reporters' queries here, Khan said the Prime Minister has suggested the preparation of a long-term plan for the rehabilitation of landslide victims, and assured that resource constraints will not hinder its implementation. "I feel very confident after this assurance from the PM. It is a blanket statement," he said. He also pointed out that help for the victims was coming from all quarters across the country. Khan said that on Monday he received Rs 3.5 lakh from Sathrughna Swami temple towards the relief and rehabilitation work. Besides that, his office has been receiving cheques from other parts of the country which have been sent to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. "So people are coming forwa

Five-member expert team to visit landslide-hit areas in Wayanad today

Expert panel will also recommend suitable land uses for area, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has directed appointment of more psychiatry experts from medical colleges to serve in disaster areas

Wayanad landslides: Death toll rises to 231, says Kerala minister

One more body and three more body parts were recovered on Monday as part of the massive search operation held in the aftermath of the devastating landslides at Wayanad. State Revenue Minister K Rajan said the death toll in the July 30 landslides has increased to 231. A total of 205 body parts have also been recovered so far. The Minister said the search by multiple teams will continue downstream of the river in the coming days. "Today the body was recovered during the search in the Nilambur region, while the body parts were recovered from Kanthanpara region," Rajan told the media here. He said a total of 236 volunteers took part in the search operations on Monday, along with the NDRF, Police, Fire Force, and Forest Department teams. Rajan said a detailed combing of the Chaliyar River will continue on Tuesday also. "A 60-member team comprising officials from the NDRF, Fire Force, Police, Forest Department is engaged in the river-based search operations. Volunteers and others are n

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Kerala landslides: Search operations to continue after rains, says minister

Members of the cabinet sub-committee, who met the media said a detailed search will be conducted on August 12 and 13 to find those who are missing in the devastating landslides

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Kerala CM seeks fund from Centre to rebuild Wayanad, combat climate change

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday sought financial assistance from the Centre for the rehabilitation of those who had lost everything in the series of massive landslides in Wayanad recently and requested support to combat climate change. The CM listed out the state's demands before Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he arrived here to visit the calamity-hit hamlets in this hill district. After explaining to the PM the impact and intensity of the disaster, which had shocked the state last week, Vijayan also handed over its details as a note, a CMO statement said here. A detailed assessment of the damage is underway and the initial assessment is that the loss incurred was to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees, it said. The state would submit to the Centre a detailed memorandum with regard to the disaster later, the CM said. "The impact of global warming and climate change has affected the state to a great extent and frequent and unpredictable natural disasters

Kerala not alone, Centre will spare no effort to help rehabilitation: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited the landslides-hit Wayanad district and assured that the Central government will "spare no effort" in helping Kerala in the relief and rehabilitation while describing the tragedy as "nature displaying its furious form". Modi, who arrived in the hill district by helicopter from Kannur airport, conducted an aerial survey, walked through the disaster-stricken Chooralmala to get a firsthand view of the destruction caused by the July 30 landslides, visited one of the relief camps and interacted with survivors, including two children who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. He spoke to survivors, heard their concerns and needs, and tried to comfort them. Modi placed his hands on the heads and shoulders of the victims as they broke into tears while recounting their ordeal. Ayyappan, a survivor of the devastating landslides that swept through Mundakkai hamlet in Wayanad and one of the few who got to interact with Modi, said that the "PM ...

PM visits Wayanad's landslide-affected area, briefed about evacuation work

Following his site visits, the Prime Minister will chair a review meeting where he will be briefed in detail about the incident and the ongoing relief efforts

Over 1200 personnel of NDRF, Army deployed for relief operation in Wayanad

More than 100 ambulances, doctors, and other medical staff were deployed for medical support and treatment