Page 40 - Kerala

Temporary bridge set up for Christmas festivities in Kerala collapses

A makeshift bridge, set up as part of Christmas celebrations at Poovar near Neyyattinkara here, collapsed causing injuries to several persons, police said. A senior officer of the district said that 7-8 persons were injured in the incident with one of them -- a woman -- suffering a major fracture in her leg. "The rest suffered only minor injuries," he said. The officer said the incident occurred around 9 pm on Monday when several persons got on top of the bridge which could not support their weight and slanted to one side, toppling those standing there. The temporary bridge was set up for people to cross over a wall to the other side to see a waterfall and a nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus as well as other decorations as part of the Christmas celebrations, the officer said. The bridge was just around five feet above the ground and was meant to support a few people at a time, he said. "However, several persons climbed on to it simultaneously which resulted in the accid

Kerala records 128 new COVID-19 cases, one death

Kerala reported 128 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death due to the disease in the last 24 hours, according to data on the Union Health Ministry website on Monday. Of the 315 active coronavirus infections reported nationwide till 8 am today, 128 were from Kerala, taking the active cases in the state to 3,128, as per the website. With one death reported in the state, the total number of people who have died due to coronavirus in Kerala since its outbreak three years ago reached 72,064. The number of people who were cured, discharged, or migrated in the last 24 hours after being diagnosed with the infection stood at 247. With that, the total number of cases under this category rose to 68,38,529 till date. On Tuesday, Health Minister Veena George reassured the people of the state that despite the rise in COVID cases in Kerala, there is no cause for alarm. The hospitals are adequately equipped to manage viral infections, she said.

Kerala important to us: Cong leader Dasmunsi takes charge ahead of LS polls

She further appealed to the public to stand united and defeat the BJP

Kerala records 128 new Covid-19 infections, one death in last 24 hours

Kerala reported 128 fresh COVID-19 infections and one death due to the disease in the last 24 hours, according to data on the Union Health Ministry website on Sunday. Of the 334 active coronavirus infections reported nationwide till 8 am today, 128 were from Kerala, taking the active cases in the state to 3,000, as per the website. With one death reported in the state, the total number of people who have died due to coronavirus in Kerala since its outbreak three years ago reached 72,063. The number of people who were cured, discharged, or migrated in the last 24 hours after being diagnosed with the infection stood at 296. With that, the total number of cases under this category rose to 68,38,282 till date. On Tuesday, Health Minister Veena George reassured the people of the state that despite the rise in COVID cases in Kerala, there is no cause for alarm. The hospitals are adequately equipped to manage virus infections, she said.

Cong march to DGP office in Kerala turns violent, cops use water cannons

A protest march by the opposition Congress towards the Kerala DGP office here on Saturday turned violent with agitators hurling stones and sticks at the police following which water cannons were used to disperse the crowd. The march was organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) to protest against the alleged police atrocities against its workers during their agitation against the ongoing 'Nava Kerala Sadas' outreach programme of the Left government. Senior leaders including KPCC chief K Sudhakaran, Leader of Opposition in the assembly V D Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala were present on the makeshift stage near the DGP office when the police used tear gas and water cannons. Sudhakaran and Chennithala were visibly affected by the tear gas used by the police and was assisted by the Congress workers to an available car nearby. As soon as Sudhakaran concluded his speech, the party men started climbing the barricades erected near the DGP office and attempte

India reports multifold spike in Covid cases, Kerala major contributor

A total of 423 cases were reported and of which 266 were from Kerala and 70 from neighbouring Karnataka, Union health ministry data showed

32% vehicles in Kerala currently uninsured, says Transport deptartment

Thirty-two per cent of vehicles in Kerala are currently uninsured, posing a threat to several lives, state Transport Commissioner, S Sreejith has said. Sreejith said the Motor Vehicle Department was making all-out efforts to achieve complete insurance coverage for all vehicles. Sreejith made this statement during a recent Women's Motorcycle Rally as part of the IRDAI mandated insurance awareness drive launched by general insurer Magma HDI at Thiruvananthapuram. "Putting several lives at huge risk, 32 per cent of the vehicles on the Kerala roads are currently uninsured. In a bid to address this alarming statistic, the Motor Vehicle Department is on an all-out effort to achieve complete insurance coverage for all vehicles," Sreejith was quoted in a release. Emphasizing the importance of insurance, he said apart from vehicles, people should also be aware of its need for themselves and their assets as well. Magma HDI, in the release said that low insurance awareness has been cited as

1 death reported as fresh Covid cases rise by 328, active tally nears 3,000

Kerala reported 265 new cases, taking the state's total active caseload to 2,606

BJP relaunches 'Sneha Yatra' to connect with Christian community in Kerala

As the Lok Sabha polls are just months away, the BJP in Kerala resumed its 'Sneha Yatra' on Thursday -an outreach programme aimed at connecting with the Christian community in the state. The saffron party initially launched the initiative during this year's Easter. In a recent state committee meeting, the party decided to resume the yatra during the Christmas season. BJP state chief K Surendran visited Cardinal George Alencherry, the former head of the prominent Syro Malabar Church, at St Thomas Mount in nearby Kakkanad in the morning and conveyed Christmas greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also visited Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparbil of the Latin Archdiocese of Verapoly, and conveyed the wishes of the Prime Minister. Surendran later said in a Facebook post that it marked the beginning of 'Sneha Yatra' in the state. He also shared photos of his cordial meetings with the church heads. However, the church authorities and the BJP leadership were yet to make clear the

Covid New Variant: Everything you need to know about JN.1 found in Kerala

Karnataka, Kerala's neighbouring state, has instructed senior citizens to wear masks. State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said an order would be issued accordingly

21 new cases of Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 found in 3 states: NITI Aayog

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday reviewed the Covid-19 situation and preparedness of public health systems in view of rising Covid cases

Kerala Covid-19 update: 1,634 active cases, 1 death reported in state

Health Minister Veena George said that 1,957 oxygen beds, 2,454 ICU beds, and 937 ICU beds with ventilators have been arranged in Kerala

Covid-19: Karnataka asks people over 60 years of age to mask up

Covid-19 cases: Authorities in Karnataka have been on a state of vigil as reports suggested that the number of active coronavirus cases in Kerala rose to around 1,144 on Sunday

JN.1 detected in Kerala: All you need to know about the Covid variant

The JN.1 sub-variant of Covid-19, first identified in Luxembourg and since spreading to several countries, is a descendant of the Pirola variant (BA.2.86)

Kerala govt may consider approaching Centre to get Guv removed: CM Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said his government may consider approaching the Union Government seeking the recall of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who been at loggerheads with the Left party over various issues. Vijayan, addressing the media here as part of the ongoing Nava Kerala Sadas, said Khan was trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the state by creating deliberate provocation. "In order to maintain a cordial Centre-state relationship, the actions of the Governor should be rectified. The state government feels that he is trying to disrupt peace and harmony in the state. It seems like we will have to ask the Centre to remove him," Vijayan answered to the various queries. Lashing out at Khan, Vijayan also said that the Governor has shifted to making personal attacks and has been blurting out whatever comes to his mind. "His behaviour violates a certain etiquette to be followed by a Governor. The Centre should examine this," Vijayan said. The Left lead

Covid-19 variant JN.1 in Kerala: 4 deaths reported, Karnataka on alert

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao ruled out the need to restrict movement on the border at present amid the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in neighbouring Kerala

Kerala CM lashes out at Guv, says central govt has let loose a deranged man

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday lashed out at Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for calling a group of protesting SFI members "criminals" and said the BJP-led central government has "let loose such a deranged man". Addressing a gathering at Adoor near here as part of the ongoing 'Nava Kerala Sadas', Vijayan also attacked Khan for his remarks related to the Kannur region of the state. "It is not a good idea to let loose such a deranged man. At least the central government should understand that it is not good to leave him in this condition. We know that things are happening with the connivance of the central government but everything has a limit," the chief minister said. The Left leader alleged that Khan has been going around and calling those who oppose his ideology "rascals". "Earlier he called renowned historian Irfan Habib a rascal. He is calling protesting students rascals and criminals," Vijayan said. Referring to black flag protests, Vijayan said such demonstrati

Sub-strain of Coronavirus JN.1 detected in Kerala woman on Dec 8: Official

A case of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 was detected in Kerala on December 8, official sources said on Saturday. The sample from a 79-year-old woman had returned a positive result in an RT-PCR test on November 18, they said, adding that she had mild symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) and had recovered from COVID-19. More than 90 per cent of the COVID-19 cases in India at present are mild and they are in home isolation, the sources said. Earlier, an Indian traveller was also detected with JN.1 sub-variant in Singapore. The person was a native of Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirapalli district and had travelled to Singapore on October 25. No increase in cases were observed in Tiruchirapalli district or other places in Tamil Nadu following the strain being detected in them. No other case of JN.1 variant has been detected in India," the source said. The JN.1 sub-variant -- first identified in Luxembourg and since spreading to several countries -- is a descendant of the Pirola variant (BA.2.86

PM Modi to address mass gathering of 2 lakh women in Kerala on Jan 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a mass gathering of two lakh women from various walks of life here on January 2. The meeting has been titled 'Sthree Shakthi Samgamam' and is organised by the Kerala unit of BJP to congratulate PM Modi for successfully passing the Women's Reservation Bill in both houses of Parliament, party's state chief K Surendran said on Friday. This event will be the first of its kind, not only at the state level but also nationally, following the historic passage of the bill, Surendran told reporters. Women from diverse backgrounds, including Anganwadi teachers, ASHA workers, entrepreneurs, MGNREGA and neighbourhood network workers and social and cultural activists will participate in the event at Thekkinkadu ground here. "The Prime Minister will participate in the programme, and the objective is to showcase Kerala's greetings to the PM under whose leadership the Women's Reservation Bill was passed," he said. The BJP chief claimed that no other ...

Veteran Congress leader K P Viswanathan dies at age of 83 in Kerala

Veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Minister K P Viswanathan died at a private hospital in Thrissur on Friday while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments, party sources said. He was 83. During his six-decade-long political career, Viswanathan represented Kunnamkulam and Kodakara seats in the State Assembly as a Congress member. He entered politics through the Youth Congress and served as president of Thrissur district Youth Congress from 1967 to 1970. He became an active member of KPCC since 1972. Viswanathan was elected to the Kerala Assembly in 1977 and 1980 from Kunnamkulam constituency and subsequently in 1987, 1991, 1996, and 2001 from Kodakara segment. He served as Minister for Forest from July 1991 to November 1994 in the ministry headed by K Karunakaran and from September 2004 to February 2005 in the ministry headed by Oommen Chandy. Kerala Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer condoled Viswanathan's demise.