News for 'Besides Kerala'

Shooting legend Sunny Thomas passes away

Shooting legend Sunny Thomas passes away

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Former India shooting coach Sunny Thomas, who guided the Indian marksmen from 1993 to 2012 and witnessed multiple Olympic medals, died on Wednesday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Kerala's half-price fraud may amount to Rs 600-700 cr

Kerala's half-price fraud may amount to Rs 600-700 cr

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

Anandu Krishnan, a 26-year-old man, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding people of several crores by promising scooters, sewing machines, home appliances, and laptops at half price using fake CSR funds from major companies. The total fraud is estimated to be around Rs 600-700 crore. Krishnan was operating the scam since 2022 by registering societies and convincing people that he was the National Coordinator of the National NGO Federation and that he had been entrusted with managing the CSR funds of various companies. He collected money through 62 "seed societies" and used his political links to convince the victims. The police are investigating the role of certain political leaders in the fraud.

Jilted woman techie behind bomb threats in 12 states

Jilted woman techie behind bomb threats in 12 states

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

A probe into e-mails threatening blasts at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and different places in 12 states has unravelled a tale of unrequited love and vengeance allegedly unleashed by a woman executive of an MNC in Chennai to defame a man, leading to her arrest.

Third term: Why Modi's position remains solid despite 2024 jolt

Third term: Why Modi's position remains solid despite 2024 jolt

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

While the BJP went back to the drawing board to recraft its political and governance outreach and regained momentum by notching up surprisingly big wins in a string of assembly polls, the burst of fresh optimism in the main opposition Congress and other INDIA bloc parties fizzled out.

Kerala bids farewell to 23 victims of Kuwait fire tragedy

Kerala bids farewell to 23 victims of Kuwait fire tragedy

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

Kerala on Friday said a tearful goodbye to most of the 23 victims from the state who died in the Kuwait fire tragedy -- one of the biggest incidents to ever affect the state's expatriate community known for their dedication and hard work.

Petitioners seek urgent listing of Waqf pleas, SC to decide

Petitioners seek urgent listing of Waqf pleas, SC to decide

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider listing for urgent hearing the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

'His Karma Was To Sacrifice His Life For The Nation'

'His Karma Was To Sacrifice His Life For The Nation'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Major Padmapani Acharya was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for his courage in the Kargil War.

Why Not Reading Is As Dangerous As Climate Change

Why Not Reading Is As Dangerous As Climate Change

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

'If learning to read changed our brain in a good way and we gained remarkable knowledge that we shared with each other then, by the same logic, won't lack of reading also change our brain? Won't it reduce the valuable knowledge we acquire and share with each other,' asks reading coach Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta on National Reading Day.

Kerala village evacuated after 'explosion-like' sounds, tremors

Kerala village evacuated after 'explosion-like' sounds, tremors

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

The first sound was reportedly heard at 9.15 pm on Tuesday, followed by two more at 10.15 pm and 10.45 pm along with mild tremors. The sounds were reportedly heard within a two-km radius, causing panic among the local residents, police said.

Election 2024: The Big Fights In Kerala

Election 2024: The Big Fights In Kerala

Rediff.com1 Apr 2024

Kerala's election discourse operates surreptitiously. Its explicit face focuses on important national and local issues. At the same time, it seeks to secure apt communal equations to ensure votes, notes Shyam G Menon.

Kerala Guv hardens stand against CM over protests

Kerala Guv hardens stand against CM over protests

Rediff.com13 Dec 2023

Training his guns directly at the Kerala Chief Minister and the Left wing Students Federation of India, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Tuesday claimed that his car was 'attacked' by Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists at the behest of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Christians subjected to violence by dark forces in country: Kerala archbishop

Christians subjected to violence by dark forces in country: Kerala archbishop

Rediff.com29 Mar 2024

Netto said that Christians in various parts of the country, especially in Manipur and north India, were being subjected to "cruelty and violence by dark forces" and alleged that there was no effective intervention against it by the authorities.

Jamiat too files petition in SC against Waqf (Amendment) Act

Jamiat too files petition in SC against Waqf (Amendment) Act

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, claiming it was a "blatant intrusion" into the rights of a religious denomination to manage its own affairs in the matter of religion. The plea, filed by Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, argues that the amendments would distort the religious character of Waqfs and irreversibly damage the democratic process in their administration. Several other petitions have been filed in the apex court challenging the validity of the bill, including those by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan.

SC to hear pleas challenging Waqf Act on April 16

SC to hear pleas challenging Waqf Act on April 16

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

A three-judge Supreme Court bench will hear petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, on April 16. The petitions, including those by politicians and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, were filed in the top court challenging the validity of the newly-enacted law. The Centre has filed a caveat in the apex court, seeking a hearing before any order is passed.

Vadakara: The Most Important Contest In Kerala

Vadakara: The Most Important Contest In Kerala

Rediff.com16 Apr 2024

Shailaja Teacher, arguably the most famous Covid warrior in India, versus former student leader Shafi Parambil who defeated 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan in the last assembly election. Shyam G Menon reports from the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, which some feel is the most politically important contest in Kerala this election.

'Deranged man': Kerala CM lashes out at Governor Khan

'Deranged man': Kerala CM lashes out at Governor Khan

Rediff.com18 Dec 2023

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday lashed out at Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for calling a group of protesting Students' Federation of India (SFI) members 'criminals' and said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government has 'let loose such a deranged man'.

When Keerthy Suresh Will Marry

When Keerthy Suresh Will Marry

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

Keerthy and Antony have known each other since their school days in Kerala.

Skymet Predicts Normal Monsoon

Skymet Predicts Normal Monsoon

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

Skymet expects a good monsoon over western and southern India.

Kerala logs 115 Covid cases out of 142 reported across country

Kerala logs 115 Covid cases out of 142 reported across country

Rediff.com19 Dec 2023

According to data on the Union health ministry's website, of the 142 COVID cases reported in the country till 8 am on Tuesday, 115 were from Kerala.

Kerala govt moves SC against Prez over pending bills

Kerala govt moves SC against Prez over pending bills

Rediff.com23 Mar 2024

The state government said these bills had been pending with the governor for as long as about two years and his action "subverted" the functioning of the state legislature, rendering its very existence "ineffective and otiose".

UAPA invoked against suspect in Kerala blasts case

UAPA invoked against suspect in Kerala blasts case

Rediff.com30 Oct 2023

Besides Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (punishment for murder) and Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, relevant sections of the UAPA have also been invoked against the accused, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) official told reporters in Kochi.

Why are women overlooked by Kerala's ruling, Oppn fronts during polls?

Why are women overlooked by Kerala's ruling, Oppn fronts during polls?

Rediff.com31 Mar 2024

While the major fronts, the CPI-M led LDF and Congress-led UDF have given three and one seat respectively to women, the BJP-led NDA has set aside five seats for their female politicians in the upcoming LS polls.

537 Pak nationals exit India via Attari as deadline ends

537 Pak nationals exit India via Attari as deadline ends

Rediff.com27 Apr 2025

The exit deadline for Pakistani nationals visiting India on SAARC visas ended on April 26, while for the rest, except those on medical visas, it is set to close on Sunday, April 27 amid escalating tensions between the two countries over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Expert panel to look into Kerala varsity stampede that claimed 4 lives: Govt

Expert panel to look into Kerala varsity stampede that claimed 4 lives: Govt

Rediff.com26 Nov 2023

State higher education minister R Bindhu has directed a three-member team, comprising the principal secretary of higher education, and Cochin University's vice-chancellor and registrar, to inquire into the stampede incident, an official release said.

Monsoon lands in Kerala, yellow alert issued in 9 districts

Monsoon lands in Kerala, yellow alert issued in 9 districts

Rediff.com8 Jun 2023

Meteorologists earlier said Cyclone 'Biparjoy' had been impacting the intensity of the monsoon and that its onset over Kerala would be 'mild'.

Churchill Brothers withdraw from Super Cup over I-League dispute

Churchill Brothers withdraw from Super Cup over I-League dispute

Rediff.com13 Apr 2025

Churchill Brothers have withdrawn from the Super Cup tournament starting April 20 in Bhubaneswar, protesting against the All India Football Federation's decision to not officially declare them as 2024-25 I-League champions

Budget 2025: What states want from Sitharaman

Budget 2025: What states want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

Finance ministers of states demanded an increase in allocation under 50-year interest-free loan scheme, while fiscally stressed states like Punjab and Kerala pitched for a special package and borrowing flexibility, sources said on Friday. In a pre-budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, states have also urged for higher borrowing limits to support fiscal activities, besides additional funds for Jal Jeevan Mission.

EC to announce Maharashtra, Jharkhand poll dates today

EC to announce Maharashtra, Jharkhand poll dates today

Rediff.com15 Oct 2024

While the term of the Maharashtra assembly ends on November 26, that of Jharkhand ends on January 5 next year.

Diesel hits Rs 100/litre mark in Kerala, Karnataka

Diesel hits Rs 100/litre mark in Kerala, Karnataka

Rediff.com11 Oct 2021

Petrol price was hiked by 30 paise per litre and diesel by 35 paise a litre, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers. The seventh straight day of price hike pushed fuel rates to a new record high. The price of petrol in Delhi rose to its highest-ever level of Rs 104.44 a litre and Rs 110.41 per litre in Mumbai, the notification showed. In Mumbai, diesel now comes for Rs 101.03 a litre; while in Delhi, it costs Rs 93.17.

This is how Kerala brought Nipah under control in no time

This is how Kerala brought Nipah under control in no time

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

Kerala is the only state, other than West Bengal (2001 and 2007), in India to have reported Nipah virus cases. Kerala is the only state, other than West Bengal (2001 and 2007), in India to have reported Nipah virus cases. The previous outbreaks in the state were in May 2018, June 2019 and September 2021. This explains the anticipation and readiness this year, reports Shine Jacob.

4 Kerala PSUs part of India's first solar exploration mission Aditya-L1

4 Kerala PSUs part of India's first solar exploration mission Aditya-L1

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

As India's first solar exploration satellite reached space, four Kerala public sector undertakings, including Keltron, have reason to be delighted as they too have contributed to this achievement by the country. Various products indigenously developed and manufactured by the four PSUs - Keltron, Steel and Industrial Forgings Limited (SIFL), Travancore Cochin Chemicals (TCC) and Kerala Automobiles Ltd (KAL) - have been used in the Aditya L1 mission. This milestone achieved by the PSUs was highlighted by state Industries Minister P Rajeev in a Facebook post.

Nipah variant in Kerala is from B'desh, less infectious

Nipah variant in Kerala is from B'desh, less infectious

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

One of those infected with the virus was a nine-year-old boy.

Ruling or Oppn, parties can't block people's right of way: HC

Ruling or Oppn, parties can't block people's right of way: HC

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

The Kerala High Court has criticized both the ruling front and the opposition in the state for holding public meetings that block public roads and footpaths. The court observed that the December 5 incident, where the CPI(M) held a conference outside the Vanchiyoor court complex in Thiruvananthapuram, was a "clear case of breach of trust" as the government holds the roads as a trustee of the people. The court has directed the police to submit a report by December 16 identifying those involved in the meeting, including those who attended and were seen on-stage in news reports. The court also pointed out that the stage for the meeting was constructed right on top of the pedestrian/zebra crossing, completely blocking the carriageway on one side of the road. This caused traffic snarls and inconvenienced pedestrians, including school children, infants, and elderly persons. The court said that provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other laws, like the Motor Vehicles Act, would be applicable to the incident.

Malayalam actor Siddique gets bail in rape case

Malayalam actor Siddique gets bail in rape case

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

The top court also took note of the fact that the complaint in the case was filed in August, eight years after the alleged incident took place in 2016.

Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi, NIA records arrest

Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi, NIA records arrest

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to India on Thursday after being "successfully extradited " from the US, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said. The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin landed in Delhi in a special plane on Thursday evening, ending days of speculation of when and how he will be extradited, officials said. The NIA said in a statement that it had secured the successful extradition after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring to justice the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem that claimed 166 lives. Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the the three-day terror siege of India's financial capital.

Kerala village remembers 4 youth killed in Kashmir

Kerala village remembers 4 youth killed in Kashmir

Rediff.com6 Dec 2023

The four young men from Chittur in Palakkad district who died in a car accident in Jammu and Kashmir on December 5 are remembered by their village as 'hardworking youth' who used to go on such trips everywhere.

'I Don't Care How Much It Costs. Please Save My Mum'

'I Don't Care How Much It Costs. Please Save My Mum'

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

'Doctors feel they have a duty to prolong a heartbeat at all costs.' 'And a son or a daughter feels, I can't let my mum die. I have to save her at all costs.' 'They think saving is just prolonging life. But the person suffers.'

CBI brings back Lashkar terrorist from Rwanda

CBI brings back Lashkar terrorist from Rwanda

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has brought back Salman Rehman Khan, an alleged member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, from Rwanda. Khan was wanted by the NIA for terror-related offences in Bengaluru. He was traced to Rwanda and returned to India on November 28, 2024. The return of Khan comes after similar operations in coordination with Interpol, where two other accused were brought back from Saudi Arabia.

Lovlina strikes gold at National Games

Lovlina strikes gold at National Games

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain clinched the women's 75kg gold at the National Games in Dehradun.

CPM takes god's path to fight climate change in Kerala

CPM takes god's path to fight climate change in Kerala

Rediff.com7 Jun 2023

vIn its effort to tackle the impacts of climate change in Kerala, the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led government has launched an ambitious project to improve the green cover of over 3,000 temples being managed by five devaswom boards under its control.