Page 4 - Kerala

Kerala draws road map for integrated AI township; eyes ₹25K cr investment

Kerala has launched plans for an Integrated AI Township at Infopark Phase 3 in Kochi, targeting Rs 25,000 crore investment and two lakh direct jobs under a land-pooling model

Karur rally tragedy a lesson for people, says Kerala PCC Chief Sunny Joseph

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief Sunny Joseph on Sunday said the stampede tragedy in the political rally organised by TVK chief Vijay in Karur is a lesson to both people and politicians. As many as 40 people including women and children had been killed in the fatal rally organised by the actor-turned-politician in Karur in neighbouring Tamil Nadu on Saturday night. When reporters asked about the shocking incident, Joseph said it was an incident which make people realise about the strength of the experience of political workers and their connection with common people. "The pain is so deep. But, there are some lessons we learn even amidst that pain. People and others should realise this. It is a lesson to the political workers as well," the KPCC Chief added. The senior leader's remarks came amidst mounting criricism against TVK chief Vijay over the tragedy.

Kerala launches quality mark with coconut oil to boost global presence

Kerala rolls out 'Kerala Brand' certification to give local products a global identity, starting with coconut oil, and expanding to coffee, tea, honey and more

Kerala's video KYC marriage registration gains popularity, aiding NRKs

Dr Anish R and Dr Prakruthi K got married in a solemn ceremony in the presence of their dear ones in Kerala's Kochi some time back. Days later, the young doctor couple registered their marriage at a local body in Ernakulam, sitting over 1,200 km away from the home state. They registered their wedding comfortably sitting inside their apartment in Pune in Maharashtra via online. They downloaded the marriage certificate later without any hassle. Unlike in the past, the couple didn't need to be physically present at the corporation office and wait for hours for their turn to get their marriage registered officially and receive the certificate. This has been the new trend of online marriage registrations catching up in Kerala for some time, which enables the couple to register their wedding from anywhere in the world and at any time without being physically present at their local body. A path-breaking initiative by the state Local Self-Government Department, the marriage registration v

Kerala HC upholds stay on commission to probe ED role in gold smuggling

The Kerala High Court on Friday upheld its 2021 single judge decision to stay a state government order appointing a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to examine any alleged attempt by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to implicate Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the gold smuggling through diplomatic channels case. A bench of Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Syam Kumar V M said there was no error in the single judge's August 11, 2021, interim order. The bench's ruling came while dismissing the Kerala government's appeal challenging the single judge's order. "The Writ Appeal, being bereft of merit and substance, is hereby dismissed. The interim order dated August 11, 2021, passed by the single judge is affirmed," the bench said. The single judge's order had come on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking to quash the state government's notification regarding the appointment of the CoI. The bench also said the issue of the state government's legislative competence to

Congress files complaint against CPI(M) leader over disparaging remark

A Congress leader in the district has lodged a police complaint against CPI(M) District Secretary E N Suresh Babu over his headmaster remark against Shafi Parambil MP. The complaint was filed by Alathur Block Congress General Secretary Pramod to the Palakkad District Police Chief via email on Thursday night. In his petition, Pramod alleged that Babu's statement was "derogatory and baseless", and amounted to defamation of the Congress party as well as women in the state. He urged the police to register an FIR against the CPI(M) leader and initiate an investigation. Reacting to the development, Babu said on Friday that he stood by his remarks. I have nothing more to add than what I said earlier. Congress leaders can give complaints and take legal action, he said, However, he warned that if the matter is escalated, they will have to face the consequences. He alleged that those seeking Shafi's downfall were behind the complaints. I have no interest in the morality of leaders in other

Brain-eating deadly amoeba causes 19 deaths in Kerala; what is it?

Kerala is facing a sudden rise in cases of a rare and deadly brain infection caused by the so-called “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri.

Malayalam actor Mohanlal to receive prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023, the country's highest recognition in the field of cinema, the I&B ministry announced on Saturday. In a post on X, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the actor, director and producer is being honoured on the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee for his iconic contribution to Indian cinema. The award will be presented to the 65-year-old during the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23. Mohanlal's remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations His unmatched talent, versatility, and relentless hard work have set a golden standard in Indian film history, the ministry said. With a career spanning more than four decades, Mohanlal has acted in over 350 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada. Some of his most popular and critically-acclaimed movies include Thanmathra, Drishyam, Vanaprastham, Munthirivallikal ...

Polygamy out of bounds for Muslim men lacking means, says Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has observed that it cannot accept multiple marriages of a Muslim man when he has no capacity to maintain his wives, and one of them approaches the court claiming maintenance. The observation was made by Justice P V Kunhikrishnan when a 39-year-old Perinthalmanna native approached the court seeking a monthly maintenance of Rs 10,000 from her husband, who survives by begging. Earlier, the petitioner had approached a Family Court, which dismissed her plea, stating that her 46-year-old husband from Kumbadi, Palakkad, who was surviving on begging, cannot be directed to pay maintenance. The court, in a satirical manner, referred to a Malayalam phrase implying: "Don't put your hand into a begging bowl". The judge noted that the husband was also not a saint. "Even though he is blind and a beggar, as stated by the petitioner, who is his second wife, he has been threatening her that he will soon enter into a third marriage with another woman," the court observed. The

Chargesheet filed against five over Kochi stadium mishap that injured MLA

Police have filed a charge sheet against five persons in connection with the incident in which Thrikkakara Congress MLA Uma Thomas suffered severe head and spinal injuries after falling from a 15-foot-high gallery at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here during a dance event in December last year. The charge sheet names Nigosh Kumar, owner of Mridhanga Vision, Shameer, CEO of the firm; Jineesh P S and Krishnakumar M D, owners of Oscar Events, and stage contractor Benny as accused in the case. Police said that these people were organisers of the dance event. According to police, the eventorganised with the aim of entering the Guinness Book of Records with the participation of 12,000 dancerswas promoted by a film actress. However, she has not been named in the charge sheet as police found her role was limited to promotion and not the organisation or stage arrangements, sources said. The accused have been charged under Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and .

Oppn walks out of Kerala Assembly after motion on Sabarimala gold denied

The Congress-led opposition staged a walkout from the Kerala assembly on Friday after Speaker A N Shamseer denied them permission to move an adjournment motion to discuss the alleged disappearance of over 4 kg of gold from Sabarimala. The Speaker denied permission to the motion, saying that according to the rules of procedure of the House, a matter or issue which is sub-judice -- pending before the court -- cannot be discussed in the assembly. Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan said that there was precedence of sub-judice issues being discussed in the House, to which the Speaker said, "Precedence cannot supersede rules, and someone has to bell the cat. I am belling the cat now." Satheesan further said that the issue raised by the opposition was a serious one, as the High Court has ordered a probe into the matter. He also said that Ayyappa devotees are disappointed over the issue of over 4 kgs of gold going missing from Sabarimala. "Since permission has be

Rare but ruthless: Deadly brain-eating amoeba claims 19 lives in Kerala

The mother of a nine-year-old girl who died after contracting the so-called "brain-eating amoeba" says she is still struggling to comprehend the loss. "I cannot believe my daughter is gone," a sobbing mother said, adding that there was no clear information from health authorities on how the child became infected. The girl, hailing from Kozhikode, is among those who have succumbed in recent months to Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, a rare but almost always fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. Kerala has been grappling with a rare but deadly disease that has claimed the lives of 19 people in recent months. The culprit is a microscopic parasite known as Naegleria fowleri, more commonly called the "brain-eating amoeba", which causes a condition known as Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, or PAM. The infection is almost always fatal, killing more than 98 per cent of those who contract it. Over 70 cases have been reported in the state this year. The amoeba is found

Kerala minister warns govt hospitals against charging poor for equipment

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday warned against the practice of government hospitals collecting money from poor patients belonging to free treatment categories for surgical equipment, saying it is a violation of the policy of the LDF government. She told the state Assembly that the government would view such instances with "utmost seriousness". The minister's remarks came following a raging political row over shocking disclosures made by a senior government doctor about the shortage of surgical equipment and delays in procedures at the state-run Medical College Hospital here. In a Facebook post, Dr Haris Chirakkal, the Head of the Urology Department, had said the shortage of essential medical equipment led to the postponement of surgeries. He alleged that repeated assurances from authorities had failed to resolve the issue, leaving patients in severe pain waiting for timely treatment. He had also said that due to the systematic procedural delays, they were forced to p

Deadly 'brain-eating amoeba' claims 18 lives, infects 67 in Kerala

According to Dr Girishkumar Soni of Lilavati Hospital, the amoeba infects a person when infected water enters the nostrils, commonly while swimming, diving, or nasally rinsing with unsterilised water

Kerala cabinet approves Bill easing rules on sandalwood cutting, sale

Cutting and selling sandalwood trees on private lands may soon be exempt from punishment in Kerala, thanks to a draft legislation cleared by the state cabinet. The cabinet on Saturday approved a draft bill that allows felling and sale of sandalwood trees on private property, subject to the permission of the Forest Department. A special cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, approved the draft of the Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to amend the Kerala Forest Act, 1961 in this regard, a CMO statement said here. The Bill provides for granting permission to cut and sell sandalwood trees on private lands through the Forest Department, while ensuring that farmers receive the sale proceeds. Meanwhile, state Forest Minister A K Saseendran said sandalwood cultivation can be promoted in the state by ensuring the farmers receive the proceeds from the sale of sandalwood trees. The current market price of one kilo of sandalwood ranges between Rs 4,000 and Rs 7,000, depending

Kerala Election Commission to meet political parties on SIR of voter lists

Lauding 100 per cent digital literacy in the state, CEO Kelkar said that the exercise will be "easy" and will be conducted with the support of the stakeholders, including public, media, and parties

Lokah: Chapter 1- 'Chandra' box office collections day 15 enters 100 cr

Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film 'Lokah: Chapter 1- Chandra' has achieved remarkable success in Mollywood cinema since its release on Aug 28, entering the 100 cr club in just 15 days

No fresh affidavit filed on Sabarimala, rituals strictly followed, says TDB

Travancore Devaswom Board President P S Prasanth on Wednesday said the board's last affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court in 2016 sought to protect the traditional rituals and customs related to the entry of young women in the Sabarimala temple. No new affidavit has been submitted since then, and the previous one is no longer relevant, he told reporters here. Prasanth was responding to a question about whether the TDB would change its position in the apex court regarding the entry of women of menstruating age group into the Lord Ayyappa shrine. The opposition Congress and BJP have asked the TDB to clarify its stance on the issue. The TDB president said in the past four to five years, all rituals and customs have been strictly followed at the Sabarimala temple, without any deviations. "The matter is pending before the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court. As far as the TDB is concerned, the last affidavit submitted by the Board in 2016 wanted to protect the rituals and cust

Another man in Kerala dies of rare brain infection, 11 under treatment

A 45-year-old man died from amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection, while undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, health officials said on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Ratheesh, a native of Sultan Bathery here. He was also suffering from cardiac issues, they said. As many as 11 people are now under treatment at the medical college in Kozhikode with the symptoms of the disease, the officials added. Three persons had succumbed to amoebic brain fever in the state in August. In view of the deaths, the Kerala Health department recently issued special guidelines for the treatment of amoebic meningoencephalitis, the rare brain infection caused by free-living amoeba in contaminated waters. According to health officials, amoebic meningoencephalitis is primarily contracted through swimming or bathing in contaminated water. A total of 42 cases have been reported across Kerala this year, they added.

India's infant mortality rate hits historic low of 25; big states struggle

Kerala has one of the lowest infant deaths in India at 5 per 1,000 births, while the national average has dropped to 25 - the best ever. But states like UP, MP and Chhattisgarh still lag behind