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Heart of Accident Victim Amal Babu Flown by Helicopter to Give New Life to Patient

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Heart of Accident Victim Amal Babu Flown by Helicopter to Give New Life to Patient

Thiruvananthapuram: In a noble gesture, the family of 25-year-old Amal Babu, who was declared brain-dead following a road accident, donated four of his organs, giving a new lease of life to patients in need. His heart was successfully transported from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam via a government helicopter to be transplanted into a 33-year-old patient from Ponnani, Malappuram, at Lissie Hospital.

Amal Babu, a native of Malayankeezhu near Thiruvananthapuram, met with a tragic accident on the night of October 12 while returning from work. His motorcycle collided with a car near Kundamonkadavu, and he was rushed to a private hospital with severe injuries. He was declared brain-dead on October 15, after which his family made the courageous decision to donate his organs.

The organ retrieval and allocation process was swiftly coordinated by the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K-SOTTO). Besides the heart, Amal’s liver and one kidney were transplanted into patients at KIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, while the second kidney was given to a patient at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Following a directive from Health Minister Veena George, K-SOTTO expedited the process. To ensure the heart reached Ernakulam in the shortest possible time, a helicopter from the Home Department was arranged on the instructions of the Chief Minister. The police also coordinated road transport arrangements to facilitate the green corridor.

Minister Veena George expressed her profound gratitude to Amal’s family for their selfless act amidst their immense grief and paid tribute to Amal. She also thanked K-SOTTO, the police force, district administrations, doctors, and ambulance staff for their seamless coordination.

Amal is survived by his father A. Babu (a retired Sub-Inspector of Police), mother Shimla Babu, and sister Arya.

Mamitha Baiju Breaks Silence on Viral Rs 1.5 Crore ‘Dude’ Salary Rumours

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Mamitha Baiju Breaks Silence on Viral Rs 1.5 Crore ‘Dude’ Salary Rumours

CHENNAI: Actress Mamitha Baiju, who recently cemented her position as one of the most exciting young talents in South Indian cinema, has surprised fans and industry observers alike with her candid response to swirling rumours regarding her remuneration for the upcoming Tamil film Dude.

​The actress, who pairs up with actor and filmmaker Pradeep Ranganathan for the first time, has been the subject of intense speculation concerning her paycheque for the Diwali release. Reports, which gained significant traction online, suggested that the young star commanded a whopping Rs 1.5 crore for her role in the directorial venture of Keerthiswaran.

​During a recent promotional event for Dude, a journalist broached the sensitive topic of her alleged mega-salary. Rather than offering a direct confirmation or denial, Mamitha’s witty and surprisingly poised reply is what truly created a buzz. While the exact words of her response remain close to the chest of those who attended, the general sentiment indicates she successfully deflected the financial query with grace, leaving both the media and fans intrigued.

​Industry analysts suggest that the market buzz around Mamitha’s value has soared following the blockbuster success of her previous films. Her ability to handle the intrusive question while maintaining the excitement around the film has been lauded as professional and shrewd, turning a potential controversy into free promotional publicity for Dude.

​The film, described by Mamitha herself as a “perfect family entertainer packed with youthful elements,” is positioned as a major contender for the highly competitive Diwali box office. With positive vibes surrounding its trailer and music, the discussion around Mamitha’s star power—whether measured in crores or fan enthusiasm—only heightens anticipation for the October 17th theatrical release.

Ecumenical Uproar: Kerala Christian Churches Reject Cardinal Cleemis’ Conciliation with CM Over Aided School Quota Row

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Ecumenical Uproar: Kerala Christian Churches Reject Cardinal Cleemis’ Conciliation with CM Over Aided School Quota Row

Pala, Kerala: An ecumenical meeting of various Christian church leaders in Pala has dramatically rejected the conciliation efforts made by KCBC President and Malankara Catholic Church head, Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos Bava, with the Chief Minister over the controversial backlog in aided school teacher appointments due to the disability reservation issue.

The unified stand taken at the meeting, convened by Syro-Malabar Church’s Education-Ecumenical Commission Chairman and Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, effectively dismantled the Cardinal’s recent peace moves. During the assembly, sharp criticism was leveled against the government for the prolonged delay in aided school appointments.

Church leaders demanded that the favourable approach and order granted to the NSS management on a similar matter should be extended to the Christian managements as well. Significantly, major churches, including the state’s largest, the Syro-Malabar Church, made it clear that the appeasement talks between Cardinal Cleemis and the Chief Minister were “unacceptable” to them.

Malankara Catholic Church, headed by Cardinal Cleemis, was notably absent from the ecumenical convention. Orthdox Church head, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Catholicos Bava, openly slammed the government’s suggestion to approach the court for a resolution to the appointment deadlock, stating it was “not acceptable.” He stressed that the current stance provides “no relief” and that anxieties surrounding the disability quota will not dissipate without a firm guarantee.

The ecumenical meet’s stance underscores a deep rift, particularly as Cardinal Cleemis is known to have a close relationship with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The consensus among the assembled leaders is that the Cardinal’s conciliatory moves, often unilateral under the KCBC label, are not binding on the broader Christian community. This dissent is seen as a deliberate move by Bishop Kallarangatt to counter the Cardinal’s influence, reflecting a general anti-CPM sentiment among most Syro-Malabar Bishops, contrasting sharply with Cardinal Cleemis’s perceived allegiance to the CM.

The meeting concluded with a resolution for Christian denominations to stand united on issues affecting the community, categorically rejecting any formulas put forth by Cardinal Cleemis regarding the teacher appointment issue.

Lulu Mall’s ‘Funtura’ Tax Evasion Scandal Rocks Thiruvananthapuram Corporation; Audit Reveals Lakhs Lost in Entertainment Tax Default

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Lulu Mall’s ‘Funtura’ Tax Evasion Scandal Rocks Thiruvananthapuram Corporation; Audit Reveals Lakhs Lost in Entertainment Tax Default

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A devastating Local Fund Audit report has revealed a massive loss of lakhs of rupees to the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, stemming from the alleged failure of ‘Funtura,’ the popular gaming zone at Lulu Mall, to pay entertainment tax. The serious irregularity was flagged during the audit inspection for the 2023-24 financial year.

The audit notes that the Corporation, which is governed by a council with Arya Rajendran as Mayor, was initially reluctant to collect the tax from the establishment. It was only after the audit report exposed the enormous financial loss that the civic body finally issued a notice demanding the due amount.

In response, the Lulu Mall-based establishment sought legal recourse by approaching the High Court. The audit report strongly recommends that the Corporation take all necessary steps to safeguard its interests in the ongoing High Court case (WP(C) 33260/2024).

The audit’s core finding is that Corporation officials failed to bring ‘Funtura’—which operates amusement facilities like roller coasters, bumper cars, and video games—under the purview of the relevant 1961 law. This statute mandates that institutions organizing entertainment events must pay a fixed percentage of the entry fee as entertainment tax on a monthly basis.

The audit department had sought an explanation regarding this lapse, but the Corporation did not respond. The Corporation issued the tax demand notice only after the audit’s persistent inquiry. This action prompted Lulu International Shopping Malls Private Limited to file a case in the High Court.

Based on a government order dated January 31, 2024, the establishment is liable to pay 10% of the entry fee as entertainment tax. The audit report urges that this amount be calculated and recovered immediately. Furthermore, it recommends that a decision be taken at the government level regarding the collection of tax for the period between April 2023 and January 2024. The report’s final directive is a strong call for the Corporation to take all appropriate steps to protect its financial interests in the pending High Court litigation.

Indian Expats in Maldives Hit Hard as SBI Slashes Remittance Limit to $150

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Indian Expats in Maldives Hit Hard as SBI Slashes Remittance Limit to $150

Thiruvananthapuram: Indian expatriates working in the Maldives are facing severe financial distress after the State Bank of India (SBI) drastically reduced the monthly limit for sending money home from $400 to just $150. The move has forced thousands of Indians to turn to costly private agents for urgent transfers, leading to significant financial losses and potential tax complications.

The expatriate community, comprising around 6,000 professionals including teachers, doctors, nurses, and technicians, largely depends on the SBI branch in Malé for financial transactions. According to them, the bank has progressively tightened its remittance policy over the years. What was once an unlimited transfer facility was first capped at $500 in 2014, later reduced to $400, and has now been slashed to the new low of $150.

Ajith Sivadasan, a school principal from Palakkad working in the Maldives, stated that repeated appeals to bank authorities have been futile. “We have also approached institutions like the Indian High Commission in the Maldives, but there has been no positive outcome,” he said. The bank has cited a shortage of US dollars and a directive from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) as the reason for the stringent cap.

The financial impact on the expatriates is substantial. They are now forced into the black market to send amounts exceeding the $150 limit. For example, sending 10,000 Maldivian Rufiyaa through private agents results in a loss of over ₹12,000 due to crippling exchange rates. While the official bank rate offers approximately ₹5.8 for one Maldivian Rufiyaa, the black market rate is as low as ₹4.50.

On top of this, the bank already charges over $10 in various commissions for a single transaction. Expatriates argue that this drastic reduction in the transfer limit is pushing them into a corner, eroding the value of their hard-earned income. With local avenues exhausted, the community believes that only a direct intervention from the Indian Central Government can resolve the crisis.

Cochin Shipyard to Build LNG Vessels for French Giant CMA CGM in Historic $300 Million Deal

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Cochin Shipyard to Build LNG Vessels for French Giant CMA CGM in Historic $300 Million Deal

Kochi: Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) is set to make history as the first Indian shipyard to build LNG-powered container vessels for a major foreign company. The state-owned enterprise has signed a letter of intent with French logistics and shipping giant CMA CGM Group to construct six new dual-fuel container ships.

The landmark deal, valued at approximately $300 million (around ₹2,645 crore), marks a major breakthrough for India’s shipbuilding industry and a significant boost for the central government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. Each of the six vessels will have a capacity of 1,700 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

The ships, which will be built with technical cooperation from South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, are designed to operate on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), significantly reducing carbon emissions. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in phases between 2029 and 2031. Each vessel is expected to cost around $50 million (approximately ₹440 crore).

In a significant commitment to the Indian maritime sector, all six vessels will be registered under the Indian flag.

Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, expressed his pleasure in being the first global shipping company to order Indian-made LNG vessels. Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard, stated that collaborating with a major multinational partner like HD KSOE (Hyundai) will enable CSL to provide world-class service to its global clientele.

This order is seen as a pivotal moment for the Indian shipbuilding industry, catapulting it into the big leagues as it aims to break into the top 10 globally by 2030.

Kerala Launches Hunt for Land for New Shipyard, Eyeing Northern Coast

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Kerala Launches Hunt for Land for New Shipyard, Eyeing Northern Coast

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has initiated a fresh effort to establish a new shipbuilding and repair yard in the state, with a focus on potential sites in northern Kerala. Following a letter from the central government, the state has tasked the Kerala Maritime Board with identifying a suitable land parcel of 2,500-3,000 acres for the major project.

The move is spurred by a recent ₹69,725 crore package announced by the Union Cabinet to revitalize India’s shipbuilding and maritime sector. A significant portion of this package, around ₹20,000 crore, is earmarked to enhance the nation’s shipbuilding capacity. Kerala is hopeful of receiving financial assistance from this fund for the proposed shipyard.

A joint meeting of the Chief Minister and the Fisheries Minister directed the Kerala Maritime Board to explore the feasibility of acquiring the large tract of land required for the facility. While the central government has suggested locating the new yard near a major port, the availability of such a large, contiguous plot near Vizhinjam is considered unlikely. With Cochin Shipyard already operating in Kochi, the state government is now looking towards the northern districts for potential locations.

The government had previously sought input from Cochin Shipyard and the Adani Group, operators of the Vizhinjam port, about their interest in developing a new yard, but both institutions indicated they had no immediate plans. This prompted the state to pursue the project as its own initiative.

The proposed shipyard is envisioned to handle not just large vessels but also the construction of barges, dredgers, and even mini-cruises. Currently, many agencies in Kerala, including the Cochin Corporation, rely on shipyards in Goa for such requirements. A new facility within the state would significantly boost its maritime infrastructure and self-reliance. The first step in this ambitious plan is the crucial task of land identification, for which the state is now actively searching.

Sabarimala Gold Scam Deepens: Vigilance Report Implicates Travancore Devaswom Board in High Court Filing

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Sabarimala Gold Scam Deepens: Vigilance Report Implicates Travancore Devaswom Board in High Court Filing

Thiruvananthapuram: The Devaswom Vigilance has submitted an explosive supplementary report to the Kerala High Court, alleging that the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) itself made the decision that facilitated the Sabarimala gold plating scam. The report, backed by documents, claims the Board, acting on a recommendation from then-Devaswom Commissioner N. Vasu, approved handing over gold-plated sheets from the sanctum sanctorum’s doorframe to the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, by deliberately mislabeling them as simple “copper sheets.”

The investigation uncovered a critical change in official records. An initial letter from the Executive Officer on February 16, 2019, correctly identified the items as “gold-plated copper sheets.” However, when N. Vasu (who later became TDB President) forwarded the recommendation to the Board on February 26, the term “gold-plated” was omitted, referring to them only as “copper sheets.” The Board approved this misleading recommendation on March 19, and based on this decision, the Devaswom Secretary issued the order that allowed the valuable gold-plated sheets to be moved.

The vigilance report squarely blames the “irresponsible actions” of the Board and its officials for the loss of gold, concluding that they committed gross negligence. In his defense, N. Vasu stated that he had merely signed a note prepared and certified by three other officials. The findings directly contradict recent assertions by the Chief Minister and other ministers who had claimed there was no lapse on the part of the Board.

The investigation also found the Board’s actions suspicious on other fronts. According to the minutes, the TDB made a conscious decision to exclude the High Court-appointed Special Commissioner and the Devaswom Vigilance SP from the list of mandatory witnesses during the removal and reinstallation of the gold plates in 2019. The report notes that excluding these two officials, who are specifically tasked with reporting irregularities, is highly questionable.

Furthermore, while the Board’s resolution mandated weighing the plates upon removal, it crucially failed to include instructions to weigh them upon their return, a loophole that the report says facilitated the scam.

Congress Leader K.S. Sabarinadhan Pens Heartfelt Birthday Wish for IAS Wife Divya S. Iyer

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Congress Leader K.S. Sabarinadhan Pens Heartfelt Birthday Wish for IAS Wife Divya S. Iyer

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader and former MLA K.S. Sabarinadhan took to social media today to share a warm and inspirational birthday tribute to his wife, IAS officer Dr. Divya S. Iyer, whose dedication to public service has consistently won praise.

​Sharing a photograph, Sabarinadhan posted a heartfelt message on Facebook wishing his wife well on her special day. His post read, “Happy Birthday Divya……wishing to see you conquer more heights. Do continue to inspire people and help the needy around us.” The message, accompanied by several celebratory emojis, quickly drew attention and good wishes from followers across political and administrative circles.

​The couple, who are one of Kerala’s most recognizable public service duos, often share glimpses into their personal lives alongside their professional commitments. Dr. Divya S. Iyer, known for her impactful administrative roles and has been widely appreciated for her proactive approach to governance. Sabarinadhan’s public tribute underscores his support for her influential career and commitment to inspiring change.

Historic: Kerala Assembly Holds Rare Saturday Session After 38 Years for Kerala Piravi Announcement

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Historic: Kerala Assembly Holds Rare Saturday Session After 38 Years for Kerala Piravi Announcement

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Legislative Assembly is gearing up for a historic sitting on Saturday, November 1st, a day usually reserved for recess. The special session has been called for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s key announcement to mark Kerala Piravi (the formation day of Kerala), making it the first time the Assembly will convene on a Saturday in 38 years.

​The last time the Kerala Assembly sat on a weekend was on December 11 and 12, 1987, which fell on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The weekend sitting was necessitated after discussions on the Anti-Corruption Bill, which began on Friday, December 11th, failed to conclude. The debate extended into Saturday and finally concluded in the early hours of Sunday, December 13th, at 4:35 AM, when the Bill was passed. E. K. Nayanar was the Chief Minister at the time.

​Midnight Session and Historical Precedents

​Another notable historical instance of the Assembly convening outside of routine hours was on August 14, 1972, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of India’s independence. The special midnight session began at 10:30 PM and concluded at 12:15 AM on August 15th. C. Achutha Menon was the Chief Minister, and documents show speeches by figures like K. Karunakaran and T. K. Divakaran. Significantly, the CPM members, led by E. M. S. Namboodiripad, had boycotted that session.

​The upcoming November 1st session also places the stance of the Opposition, led by V. D. Satheesan, under scrutiny.

​Rule Suspension for Saturday Sitting

​Historically, the Travancore-Cochin Assembly and its predecessors did not observe Saturdays as a holiday. It was only after the formation of the Kerala Legislative Assembly that Rule 13(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business was amended to declare Saturday a holiday.

​Therefore, for the Assembly to convene on November 1st, Rule 13(2) must first be temporarily suspended. The Assembly alone has the power to suspend its own rules. The special session on November 1st will thus begin with the necessary procedural step of suspending the rule to allow the Saturday sitting.

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