Page 37 - Kerala

'Govt trying to bring back Kerala men stranded in Ukraine-Russia conflict'

Three young men from Kerala are stranded in war-torn Ukraine after being lured with promise of a lucrative job in the Russian army and then being allegedly forced to fight in the ongoing conflict there, with Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan saying all efforts are being made to bring them back. According to the families of the three men, they were taken to Russia by a recruitment agency with the promise of a huge salary of Rs 2.5 lakh and on reaching there, their passports and mobile phones were taken away. Thereafter, they were made to fight for the Russian forces in Ukraine, they alleged. The mothers of the men told a TV channel that they came to know what had happened when one of their sons got injured in the war there and managed to call back home. "We just want our sons to be brought back home safe as soon as possible," they said. Reacting to the reports about the three men being stranded in Ukraine, Muraleedharan said the Indian government had been aware

Lok Sabha elections 2024: All you need to know about Phase 2 of polls

Lok Sabha polls: The second phase of elections will be held on April 26 across 13 states and UTs. As many as 89 parliamentary seats will be up for polls in phase two, including all 20 seats of Kerala

Sea water recedes more than usual in Alappuzha leaving seabed exposed

A stretch of the coast near Alappuzha witnessed an unusual phenomenon on Tuesday, where the sea receded from its usual shoreline, leaving a portion of the seabed exposed. The sea receded approximately 50 metres along a half-kilometre stretch from Purakkad to Ayyankovil near Ambalappuzha, raising concerns among the fishing community. The affected area, now filled with sludge, has hindered their ability to embark on fishing ventures. Local MLA H Salam, along with other public representatives, visited the site to assess the situation. Official sources said district revenue officials visited the area and attributed this occurrence to the "chakara," a distinctive marine phenomenon characterised by the congregation of numerous fish and prawns during specific seasons, often coinciding with mud bank formations.

Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad in bid to boost support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a roadshow here as part of the BJP-led NDA's attempt to boost support for its candidates from Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls set to be held in the state on April 26. The PM's cavalcade with Modi standing on an open roof vehicle heavily decorated with flowers commenced the roadshow at around 10.45 am from Kottamaidan Anchuvilakku and proceeded towards the Head Post Office in the town. The PM arrived here in a helicopter from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Thousands of people, including BJP supporters with flowers, garlands, party flags, placards of Modi and wearing party hats, lined both sides of the around one kilometer roadshow route. As the roadshow proceeded along the route, shouts of 'Modi', 'Bharat mata ki jai', 'Modiji swagatam' and 'Modi ki jai' were heard from the people gathered on both sides of the road. They also showered flowers on Modi, who was wearing a Nehru cap in the saffron colour of his party. Braving the rising temperatur

Cong's Satheesan accuses CM Vijayan of 'creating space' for BJP in state

As the campaign for the Lok Sabha polls intensified, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, on Monday accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of attempting to create "a space" for the BJP in the southern state. Speaking to reporters in Attingal near here, Satheesan also asserted that the saffron party would not secure a foothold in the state during the Lok Sabha polls. Referring to LDF convener E P Jayarajan's earlier statement that the BJP would come second in many constituencies in Kerala and that many candidates of the saffron party were good, Satheesan said what the CPI(M) leader stated was not echoed by BJP state chief K Surendran or his party. He alleged that Vijayan was influencing Jayarajan, "a poor man," to make such statements to "appease the BJP" at the Centre. Vijayan, who is apprehensive about investigations in various cases, "is trying to create space for the BJP," he alleged. Neither the CPI(M) nor the chief minister have

Muslim organisations to move ECI seeking change in poll date in 2 states

A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the poll dates for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), on Sunday said it will move the poll panel seeking to change the polling dates in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as they fall on Friday. For Tamil Nadu, the polls will be held on April 19 and in Kerala on April 26. Both dates fall on a Friday. The IUML, a major ally of the Opposition Congress party in the UDF, said it will approach the ECI to change the dates of elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as it causes inconvenience to voters, officials, and candidates as Friday is important day for Muslims. Talking to PTI, P M A Salam, state general secretary of IUML, said Fridays are an important day for the Muslims who gather in mosques for prayer. "The announcement of polling on Friday will cause inconvenience to voters, candidates, polling agents, and officials assigned to election duty. We will move the ECI," he said. Other Muslim organisations ar

Kerala LS polls: Debates on national issues will impact voter sentiments

Ahead of the April 26 Lok Sabha election in Kerala, the political scene in the southern state is buzzing with debates on various key national issues that have the potential to sway voter sentiments significantly. The upcoming elections are poised for a heated contest as critical issues such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), electoral bond controversies, Manipur's unrest, and human-animal conflicts in the state dominate the electoral landscape, setting the stage for a showdown between the CPI(M)-led LDF, the Congress-led UDF, and the BJP-led NDA. The Left Democratic Front (LDF), which has a considerable sway in Kerala's politics, is facing heavy scrutiny over many issues including the central agencies' probe into Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter's IT firm to the recent allegations of violence against the Left student organsiation, SFI. However, with its staunch opposition to the CAA, the stern secular stance opposing the BJP and the long list of development projects a

Why is Kerala holding polls for the Russian Presidential Elections

Russians in Kerala cast votes for Russian Presidential elections at designated booths as Presidential elections in Russia are underway. Watch the video to know more.

Lok Sabha polls: Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala this time, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the BJP will win seats from Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and said the people of the state were suffering from the corrupt and incompetent government. Addressing the public campaign here for candidates of the BJP-led NDA, he said, "Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala this time." Attacking the Left and the Congress in Kerala, Modi said the people of the state have endured hardship under governments plagued by corruption and incompetence. Modi said due to the corrupt and incompetent government in Kerala, people are suffering, and they will benefit only if the cycle of consecutive LDF and UDF governments is broken. "In the last elections, the people of Kerala made us the double-digit vote percentage party. And now, our destiny of double-digit seats here is not so far," Modi said. He said both the LDF and UDF governments have turned a blind eye to the struggles of rubber farmers. "Additionally, the state's law and order situation has

Kerala CM to inaugurate four new terminals of Kochi Water Metro Limited

Kerala Chief Minister to launch four new terminals of Kochi Water Metro Limited on March 14, 2024. The project cost is Rs 1,136.83 crore

LS elections 2024: Human-animal conflict a major talking point in Kerala

Amidst the serene landscapes and lush greenery of Kerala's hilly and forested districts, a troubling saga has unfolded in recent months, with communities facing a surge in human-animal conflicts that have left a trail of death, injury, and mounting economic losses in their wake. At least nine lives have been lost in Idukki and Wayanad Districts in the last three months, and numerous others have been injured in wildlife attacks, particularly by elephants, tigers and wild boars, among others. Livestock and cherished pets have tragically become prey to maulings, as elephants and wild boars stray from forests into agricultural areas, leaving farmers disheartened and distressed. As the state grapples with these tragic events, the issue has become a major talking point in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Congress are pushing for amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which .

Will allow Kerala to borrow Rs 5,000 cr as exceptional measure: Govt to SC

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday it is ready to allow the Kerala government to borrow Rs 5,000 crore, subject to certain conditions, to deal with the financial issues facing the state as a "very special and exceptional measure". However, the Kerala government said Rs 5,000 crore "does not take us anywhere" and the absolute minimum requirement stood at Rs 10,000 crore. The Centre's statement came a day after a bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan asked it to consider providing a one-time bailout package to Kerala by March 31 to deal with the resource crunch. The apex court was hearing a suit filed by the Kerala government accusing the Union of India of interfering in the exercise of its "exclusive, autonomous and plenary powers" to regulate the state's finances by imposing a ceiling on borrowing. "However, giving utmost consideration to the suggestion of the court, as a very special and exceptional measure, not to be used or cited as a precedent by any othe

CAA in line with promise given by founding fathers: Kerala Governor

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that his government will not implement CAA in the state

AG&P Pratham reduces its CNG price by Rs 2.5 per kg in Kerala, Andhra

AG&P Pratham, one of the leading city gas distribution players in the country, has announced a price cut of Rs 2.5 per kilogram in the compressed natural gas sold at its outlets in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The price cut took effect from March 7, the company said in a release. With the reduction of Rs 2.5 per kg, the price of CNG sold at the company outlets in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Kollam is Rs 85.50, the release has said. In Andhra Pradesh, the reduction is the same, but the prices would vary between Rs 90.50 and Rs 91.50, the company has said. The change in pricing "aims to enhance savings of CNG vehicle owners substantially and facilitate the widespread use of natural gas in the transportation segment", it has further said. Ajith V Nagandran, AG&P Pratham Regional Head, expressed enthusiasm about the price drop, stating that the company was excited to announce the CNG price reduction from the existing rate of Rs 88 per kg to Rs 85.50 per kg in its operating ...

Congress in Kerala in quandary as stalwart Karunakaran's daughter joins BJP

The decision of Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of former Kerala chief minister and Congress stalwart late K Karunakaran, to join the BJP has left the grand old party in a quandary in Kerala before the Lok Sabha polls. Padmaja officially joined the BJP at a function held at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday. The saffron party has suggested that it marks the decline of the grand old party. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran termed Padmaja's decision as "cheating and betraying" the party and a "breach of confidence". He added that there were no reasons for Padmaja to leave the party and it was a "wrong and unfortunate decision". The KPCC chief said that he himself had taken many decisions to protect her interests, but she disregarded all that to leave the party and join the BJP. "Nevertheless, as she is the daughter of the late K Karunakaran, we still have love and respect for her," he said. Emotionally reacting to the development, K Muraleedhara

Kerala's answer to Netflix: Launch its own OTT platform called CSpace

According to local media, as many as 42 films will be screened on the platform initially, which will be managed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation

Kerala to launch India's first govt-owned OTT platform on March 7

Kerala is poised to make waves in the digital entertainment realm with the launch of CSpace, India's inaugural government-backed OTT platform. Set to debut this Thursday, the platform aims to deliver a unique blend of informative and entertaining content tailored for the masses, an official statement said here on Tuesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will launch the OTT platform at Kairali Theatre on March 7 at 9.30 am. Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian will preside. "CSpace is essentially a response to the growing imbalances and multifarious challenges in the OTT sector in terms of content selection and propagation," said Shaji N Karun, noted film director and Chairman, Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), at a press conference here. CSpace is managed by KSFDC, a state-owned company entrusted with the promotion of Malayalam cinema and industry, on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. For selecting and approving the content, KSF

Govt issues advisory for its citizens in Israel following death of an Indian

India on Tuesday issued an advisory to its residents in Israel after a man from Kerala was killed and two others injured in an anti-tank missile strike on an orchard in Margaliot.

Centre's financial restrictions threaten cooperative federalism: Kerala FM

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal said that the financial disparities imposed by the BJP-led Union Government on Kerala go beyond politics, posing a significant challenge to cooperative federalism, and called on the Central government to ensure fair treatment for all states. "The BJP-led Union Government's financial discrimination against Kerala is not just a political slogan but a question of cooperative federalism, and it is the duty of the Central government to protect the interests of the states," the minister told PTI in an interview on Monday night. Balagopal, who has been challenging the BJP-led Centre for its alleged discrimination against Kerala on financial matters for quite some time, said that the issue has now been raised by other non-BJP ruled states, including Congress-ruled Karnataka, as the states are feeling strangled by the Centre. "It's more than a political issue. This is a question of cooperative federalism," Balagopal said, when asked whether the alleged .

India issues advisory for its nationals in Israel after Kerala man killed

The advisory came a day after an Indian citizen was killed after an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot