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F-35B Dismantling in Kerala: What Makes It So Complicated and High-Risk

July 4, 2025, 11:51 am

The United Kingdom is said to be planning to airlift its stranded F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter aircraft from Kerala, almost three weeks after it made an unscheduled landing in Thiruvananthapuram. The Royal Navy jet has stayed at the airport for 19 days since repeated attempts at on-field repairs failed.

The officials are now thinking of disassembling the jet and flying it back to the UK on a C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft.

Disassembling the F-35B: A High-Security Mission

To accommodate the F-35B inside the cargo bay of the C-17 Globemaster, engineers will have to disassemble the state-of-the-art aircraft partially. Lockheed Martin, the jet’s manufacturer, has certified and trained technicians who alone are authorised to dismantle the aircraft due to its extremely high-tech nature.

Each step of the dismantling process will be carried out under stringent security and close supervision by the British military. “Each step must be recorded and authenticated; each screw must be security-coded to reduce the risk of data loss,” said a source close to the issue. Stealth technology must be guarded, since any leakage would result in loss of combat edge and trigger serious diplomatic or military consequences.

History of F-35 Air Transport

The US Air Force has previously disassembled and flown an F-35 in a C-17. In fact, back in May 2019, the US Air Force disassembled the wing of an F-35 Lightning II for the first time and successfully flew it from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to Hill AFB in Utah. According to Eglin AFB’s official website, the project had been four years in the making and ultimately cost $200,000.

Why the F-35B is a Security Priority

The F-35B is one of the most advanced military planes in the world. With its stealth coating, radar-absorbing structure, encrypted systems, AI-driven sensors, and data fusion, it is an indispensable weapon in contemporary air warfare. It can also carry nuclear bombs, which makes securing its sensitive technology even more vital.

With an overall program price of over $1.7 trillion, the F-35 is still the most technologically advanced and costly military platform ever constructed. It’s the most deadly, survivable, and networked fighter aircraft on the planet, experts say, providing unparalleled dominance to pilots in all theaters of combat.

British F-35 Fighter Jet Makes Emergency Touchdown in Thiruvananthapuram

June 15, 2025, 12:14 pm

A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday night, PTI reported, citing sources. The emergency landing was done reportedly due to low fuel and the aircraft is currently parked at the airport. A UK F-35 fighter aircraft had to carry out an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday evening, as per a report by PTI based on sources.

The emergency took place due to low fuel levels, and the aircraft is parked at the airport. Officials responded promptly in order to allow the landing. The source of the incident said, The pilot indicated low fuel and requested landing permission. It was all done efficiently and professionally.” The same source informs that the jet, which is thought to have taken off from an aircraft carrier, landed safely around 9:30 pm on Saturday.

For the purpose of a safe and secure landing, airport officials announced an emergency prior to the arrival of the jet. According to PTI, the fighter aircraft will be refueled once the required clearance is approved by the concerned Central government agencies.

“Disturb Sleep of Many”: PM Modi Drops Political Bombshell With Shashi Tharoor on Stage | Watch

May 2, 2025, 1:50 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday opened the first phase of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram. The ceremony, attended by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, provided Modi with the opportunity to make a political dig at the INDIA bloc.

Modi Shares Stage With INDIA Bloc Leaders, Makes Witty Remark

With both Opposition leaders by his side, PM Modi couldn’t help but make a veiled comment, “I want to tell the Chief Minister (Pinarayi Vijayan), you are a strong pillar of the INDI alliance, Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here,” he said with a smile. He also added, “Today’s event is going to disturb the sleep of many.”

Kerala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “I would also like to say to the Chief Minister, you are a very strong pillar of the INDI alliance. Shashi Tharoor is also seated here. And today’s event is going to leave many people sleepless…” pic.twitter.com/0OX0JMrv4P

— IANS (@ians_india) May 2, 2025

The comments, even facetiously, betrayed the underlying political strains, particularly since the project has been constructed by the Adani Group — a common target of the INDIA bloc for charges of crony capitalism.

Mixed Signals by Shashi Tharoor Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections

Shashi Tharoor, who is the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, has recently volunteered admiration for the Modi government on a string of foreign policy moves, including India’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine war and diplomatic outreach to former US President Donald Trump.

Tharoor’s perceived bipartisan tone prompted BJP’s Kerala unit president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who had previously contested against him, to describe him as “one of the few sane voices in Congress.” Chandrasekhar also attended the inauguration along with Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and several state ministers.

Adani’s Mega Port Project Commissioned

PM Modi formally inaugurated the project with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and other officials. The port, developed at an estimated cost of ₹8,867 crore, has been created by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) through a public-private partnership.

The port was awarded its commercial commissioning certificate on December 4, 2024. As a deep-water transshipment hub, Vizhinjam will likely increase India’s contribution to world maritime trade and cut down reliance on overseas ports for handling cargo.

Welcome of Shashi Tharoor and Delhi Airport Jibe

Earlier today, Tharoor greeted PM Modi in Kerala and shared photos on X, observing that he “managed to land in time” after there were delays at the “dysfunctional Delhi airport.” He credited his punctual arrival to luck and changing flight routes, while taking a jab at airport operations.

Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency. Looking forward to his officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been… pic.twitter.com/OoGHeS0Gbe

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 1, 2025

DIAL had on Wednesday issued an advisory regarding wind pattern changes and runway closure, which resulted in a number of delays, although not on Thursday.

Tharoor also took pride in the port project, saying he has been “proudly” involved since its beginning.

PM Modi Launches ₹8,900-Crore Vizhinjam Port to Boost Global Trade

May 2, 2025, 12:22 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on Friday. The Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) developed the project in partnership with the government. They followed a public-private partnership model.

Project Cost and Approval

The port cost around ₹8,900 crore. It received commercial clearance in December 2023 after a successful trial phase. Officials expect the port to play a big role in expanding India’s influence in global shipping.

At the public event, PM Modi said, “Vizhinjam port will bring economic stability to Kerala and the nation.” Several key leaders joined him, including Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.

Government Calls It a Priority Project

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) described the seaport as a priority project. It said the port will help India strengthen its global trade presence. It will also improve logistics and reduce dependence on foreign ports for cargo handling.

Strategic Location and Deep-Water Advantage

According to the PMO, “Its natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters and location near one of the world’s busiest sea trade routes further strengthens India’s position in global trade.” The port’s location and depth will allow it to handle large container ships efficiently.

India’s First Container Transshipment Hub

The PMO also said, “It is the country’s first dedicated container transshipment port that represents the transformative advancements being made in India’s maritime sector as part of the unified vision of Viksit Bharat.” This port will help India handle transshipment cargo within its borders, instead of relying on ports in other countries.

Yesterday Kerala CM tweeted on X, “Tomorrow will be a historic day as Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicates the Vizhinjam International Seaport to the nation. This milestone project, the largest state-backed port investment in India, showcases Kerala’s strong focus on development, with the state covering two-thirds of the total cost. The launch of Vizhinjam Port signals a new era in India’s maritime sector, strengthening the country’s position on the global trade map.”

Tomorrow marks a historic moment as Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, dedicates the Vizhinjam International Seaport to the nation. This landmark project – the largest-ever state investment in any port in the country, with two-thirds of the cost borne by… pic.twitter.com/kPk0PVIWpU

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) May 1, 2025

WHAT NEXT FOR SHASHI THAROOR?

February 26, 2025, 1:07 am

There has been a lot of media speculation on what congress leader & four term MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor will do next. And with reason. Recently Tharoor had a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and soon after, details of the meeting were leaked to the media; since neither Rahul nor Tharoor spoke about it, the leak could have originated from a party general secretary close to Rahul Gandhi; someone who has a vested interest in seeing Tharoor fall. According to the leak, Tharoor asked Rahul Gandhi for a definitive role within the party. He is reportedly keen to be projected as the Congress candidate for the next chief minister of Kerala (the state goes to polls next year). Apparently Rahul told him that the Congress does not usually project a CM face at the time of campaigning. This has been interpreted as a sign of no confidence in Tharoor’s candidature and could be one reason behind his revolt.

First the revolt. Of late Tharoor has been voicing opinions that are not in sync with the party line. He praised the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States (and we all know how any praise of the PM goes down with Rahul Gandhi). He also praised the Pinarayi Vijayan led LDF government’s entrepreneurial policies in Kerala even though the Congress is not in alliance with the CPM in the state. Both these actions have not gone down well with the Congress. No surprise there, so then why is Tharoor flirting with the enemy?

Well, ever since he contested the Presidential Election against the current Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge (who was the Establishment’s choice), Tharoor has been feeling sidelined within the party. His candid talk and the issues he raised about inner party democracy could be one reason for this as he certainly hit a chord, garnering about 11% of the votes (the highest by any challenger ever). Even prior to his contesting the elections he was part of the G 23 group that signed a letter to the party leadership flagging concerns about the way the party was being lead. Since then the leadership (read Rahul Gandhi more than Sonia) has treated him somewhat warily. Add to this the fact that KC Venugopal, one of Tharoor’s rivals in the state Congress in Kerala holds a powerful post within the organization and is one of Rahul’s most trusted aides. There are a dozen ways in which Tharoor can be used by the party for he is articulate, media savvy and has a following that goes beyond the Congress base. Moreover, the issues that he has been raising are those which many Congress leaders have been muttering about, but not flagging for fear of losing whatever plum post they currently hold.
But for the Congress to make a comeback Rahul needs to look beyond the echo chamber and hear voices that are not in sync with his. To argue that Tharoor is not toeing the party line would be very well if the said party line had been arrived at after much debate and discussion within the Congress or at least its working committee. Instead it is issued as a diktat from the powers that be. This is also the way that the BJP works for there is certainly no inner party democracy in the Modi-Shah set up. But the BJP workers take the diktat even if they don’t agree with it, because its a line that helps them win elections. So either Rahul will have to find a line that wins elections or else involve more voices in the decision making, even those that do not agree with him.

As for Tharoor , he has said in a recent podcast that while he is available to the party he has `options’ if the Congress didn’t want to utilize his services. In that he is not exaggerating for he has enough political and non-political options. As to the former, parties like the TMC and the BJP would be happy to offer him a Rajya Sabha at the very least. Only a word of caution, will Tharoor be able to speak as freely in either outfit, the way he does in the Congress? Clearly the best way out for both Tharoor and the Congress would be to find a palatable working equation and figure out a way to co-exist. Would he be such a disastrous choice as the Congress party’s CM face for Kerala? Looking at the options, he certainly stands tallest amongst his state rivals both in terms of mass appeal and leadership credentials. Let that not be a handicap any longer.

Onam 2024: Thousands Visit Pazhavangadi Ganpathi Temple In Thiruvananthapuram

September 15, 2024, 12:20 pm

On September 15, Kerala observed Onam, the traditional harvest festival, with prayers and reverence despite the backdrop of recent calamities. The Pazhavangadi Ganpathi Temple and Padmanabhaswamy Temple were bustling with devotees who gathered to offer their prayers and seek blessings on this auspicious day.

Onam, celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, spans ten days with Thiruvonam being the central highlight. Traditionally, this day is marked by wearing new clothes, visiting temples, and exchanging sweets and gifts among family and friends. Festive activities also include creating intricate floral carpets known as Pookkalam in front of homes, which symbolize prosperity and joy.

A Sobering Note: Wayanad Landslide

This year’s celebrations are tinged with a sense of solemnity due to the landslides that recently devastated parts of Wayanad. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in his message, urging the public to keep the affected communities in their thoughts.

“This Onam comes in the wake of the devastating landslides in Mundakai and Chooralmala. We are dedicated to rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods in these areas,” said Vijayan. He also encouraged donations to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, emphasizing the festival’s spirit of unity and compassion.

Community Efforts and Festivities

In Ernakulam, the Thrikkakara Temple hosted the Uthrada Sadya, a grand traditional feast, for around 20,000 people on September 14. This event was part of the Uthradam celebrations, held on the ninth day of Onam, showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage of the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes for Onam through a message on platform X, highlighting the festival’s significance and its role in fostering peace and prosperity. “Happy Onam to all. May there be peace, prosperity, and well-being everywhere. Celebrating the great culture of Kerala, this festival is observed with enthusiasm by the Malayalee community across the globe,” Modi wrote.

The ten-day Onam festival, culminating with Thiruvonam on September 15, continues to be a time of joy and reflection for Kerala. This year’s celebrations, while marked by the tragedy in Wayanad, underscore a collective spirit of support and resilience among the people of Kerala.

Kerala: Sanitation Worker’s Body Recovered After 46 Hour Operation

July 15, 2024, 1:31 pm

A sanitation worker, identified as Joy, was tragically found dead on Monday morning after a strenuous 46-hour search operation in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Joy, aged 47 and a contractual laborer, had gone missing while cleaning the Amayizhanchan Canal near Thampanoor Central Railway Station on Saturday.

The discovery a sanitation worker, Joy’s body, located approximately one kilometer away from where he was last seen, was confirmed by his colleagues Rajeev and Manoj. The incident occurred amidst heavy rainfall that had swept his body into a canal stretch behind Sree Chitra Home at Thakarapparambu, as reported by The New Indian Express.

The search efforts involved multiple agencies, including the fire force, police, civic workers, and the National Disaster Response Force. The Indian Navy also joined the operation following their arrival on Sunday night, as reported by Asianet News.

Despite the use of Bandicoot robots by scuba divers from the Kerala Water Authority to aid in the search, the presence of accumulated waste in the canal proved challenging. Scuba diver Vojin M noted that large bundles of garbage obstructed their efforts, making it difficult to maneuver inside the tunnel where Joy’s body was eventually found.

Joy, who had secured the canal cleaning contract from the Railways, leaves behind his mother Melhi. The incident has underscored the risks faced by sanitation workers in hazardous conditions while performing essential duties.

Efforts are underway to investigate the circumstances leading to Joy’s tragic death, with authorities focusing on improving safety measures for workers in similar environments.

Cricket Coach Sexually Abused Minor Girls For Years, Clicked Explicit Photos Under Pretext Of ‘Fitness Check’

July 14, 2024, 12:57 pm

A cricket coach from the Thiruvananthapuram district cricket academy was arrested on June 12 for sexually abusing a minor in 2019. His arrest prompted more victims to come forward. The parents of five girls, who were being coached by him under the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), have filed a petition in the High Court seeking a fair investigation into the sexual abuse allegations.

Following his arrest, five other girls accused the coach of similar misconduct. He had previously worked at the district cricket academy in Thiruvananthapuram.

Recently, the KCA recommended revoking his certification from the BCCI-affiliated National Cricket Academy and advised all cricket associations in India against hiring him as a coach.

Details About The Petition

In their petition to the Kerala HC, the parents alleged the involvement of others and suspected mafia links. They claimed that videos and photos of the children were taken and uploaded on websites for commercial gain. They also feared that the coach and his associates might have taken nude photographs of the victims with criminal intent.

The mother of one victim described how her daughter’s abnormal behavior led to suspicions about the coach. The girl eventually revealed the abuse in 2019 after encountering the coach again in Thiruvananthapuram.

After his arrest on June 12, more girls and their parents came forward with allegations of sexual harassment during coaching sessions in 2020 and 2021. The coach allegedly took nude photos of the girls under the pretext of assessing their physical fitness.

KCA president Jayesh George denied shielding the coach, stating that they were unaware of the complaints until last month. He admitted that the coach had faced a similar case in 2022, which resulted in his suspension from coaching duties. Despite some students and parents advocating for his return, the association refused to reinstate him. The previous case was eventually dismissed after support from students and parents.

However, George acknowledged a lapse in the KCA’s actions and said they should have conducted an internal investigation after the coach’s earlier acquittal.

Another parent disclosed that the coach had a history of harassing girls and had taken them unsupervised to tournaments in Tamil Nadu. Concerns about his behavior led some parents to withdraw their daughters from coaching in recent months.

Shashi Tharoor Wins Thiruvananthapuram For Record 4th Term In Neck-And-Neck Fight

June 4, 2024, 7:06 pm

Congress incumbent MP Shashi Tharoor has won Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat for a record fourth term, defeating BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a neck-and-neck fight. Early trends showed BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar leading by over 20,000 votes, but Tharoor later gained the lead, according to ECI data.

Tharoor won the seat by a margin of over 16,077 votes. Tharoor described the election as a “super over condition” and thanked the people of Thiruvananthapuram for their trust. “This is a blessing for the fourth time, and I will do my best to be worthy of that trust to serve them well,” he said. Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed disappointment over the loss but reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Thiruvananthapuram.

The constituency went to the polls on April 26 and recorded a voter turnout of 66.46 per cent. Tharoor has maintained a winning streak from 2009 to 2019 in this seat. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP is ahead in 296 seats, while the INDIA bloc is leading in 228 seats, indicating a significant gain for the latter, according to the latest trends. The Congress, which won merely 52 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, is currently leading in 98 seats, while the BJP is ahead in 241 seats

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: “Important day for future of Thiruvananthapuram”: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

April 26, 2024, 10:37 am

Appealing to voters to participate actively in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized the significance of the day for the “future of Thiruvananthapuram,” noting the area’s limited progress over the last 15-20 years. Chandrasekhar, facing a tough challenge from former diplomat and senior Congress leader Tharoor in the constituency, urged people to vote, stating, “This is an important day, not just for democracy, but for the future of Thiruvananthapuram and the future of your own families and children. It is something that we all must take seriously. Voting is a fundamental duty of every citizen and I hope everybody comes out and votes for change.”

Chandrasekhar also visited the Padmanabhasamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram earlier in the morning.

The CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has nominated CPI leader Pannyan Raveendran from the constituency, who previously won the seat in 2005. Despite the BJP’s lack of historical success in winning Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, the party managed a victory in the Thiruvananthapuram district once, with O Rajagopal winning the Nemom assembly seat in 2016.

Voting commenced at 7 am on Friday in all 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala, along with 88 constituencies across 13 states and union territories for the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls 2024. The elections are being held in seven phases until June 1, with the votes set to be counted on June 4.

LS Polls: 290 Candidates File Nominations for Kerala

April 4, 2024, 10:18 pm

The Chief Electoral Office announced that 290 candidates have filed their nomination papers across different Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala as the deadline for submission ended on Thursday.

“A total of 499 nomination papers have been received so far,” the release said.

On Friday, the scrutiny of nomination papers will occur, followed by the release of the final list of candidates after the withdrawal deadline on April 8. Here are the constituency-wise details of candidates who have submitted nomination papers: Thiruvananthapuram – 22, Attingal – 14, Kollam – 15, Pathanamthitta – 10, Mavelikkara – 14, Alappuzha – 14, Kottayam – 17, Idukki – 12, Ernakulam – 14, Chalakudy – 13, Thrissur – 15, Alathur – 8, Palakkad – 16, Ponnani – 20, Malappuram – 14, Kozhikode – 15, Wayanad – 12, Vadakara – 14, Kannur – 18, and Kasaragod – 13.

In the Thiruvananthapuram Constituency, the highest number of candidates submitted nomination papers, totaling 22, while the lowest number was in Alathoor, with only 8 candidates. Nomination paper submission commenced in the state on March 28th. On Thursday, the final day of submission, 252 nomination papers were received.

Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala stands out as one of the most high-profile constituencies in this Lok Sabha election. Congress’s three-time MP Shashi Tharoor is facing off against BJP’s Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and a formidable left candidate, Pannyan Raveendran, a former MP.

Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency is comprised of six Assembly segments: Nemom, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, Parassala, Vattiyoorkav, and Kazhakkoottam. Kerala, known for having the highest literacy rate in the country, holds 20 Lok Sabha seats. In the 2019 general elections, Shashi Tharoor emerged victorious in Thiruvananthapuram, securing 416,131 votes, which accounted for 41.4 percent of the total votes. He was followed by BJP’s Kummanam Rajasekharan, who garnered 416,131 votes, constituting 31.4 percent, and Communist Party of India’s C. Divakaran, who received 258,556 votes, making up 25.7 percent of the total votes.

In the 2014 elections, Shashi Tharoor secured victory once again, defeating BJP candidate O. Rajagopal. In the current election, the BJP has nominated Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar to contest against Congress MP Tharoor. This marks Chandrasekhar’s debut in Lok Sabha polls, having previously served as a national spokesperson for the BJP.

Kerala is scheduled to conduct its elections in a single phase on April 26. With 20 Lok Sabha constituencies, Kerala has never seen the BJP clinch a parliamentary seat in the state. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA emerged victorious with 353 seats, while the UPA secured 91 seats, and Other parties won 98 seats.

Rajeev Chandrashekhar files nomination for Lok Sabha Polls from Thiruvananthapuram

April 4, 2024, 11:38 am

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, filed his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Chandrasekhar held a roadshow in Thiruvananthapuram before filing his nomination, seated on an open-roofed vehicle, greeting the people. A large number of BJP supporters and party members gathered on both sides throughout the roadshow.

Expressing confidence, Chandrasekhar stated, “It’s a big step forward in serving my city Thiruvananthapuram, and I look forward to people supporting me and their best wishes. The people of Thiruvananthapuram will decide, and I’m confident that they want a change, and they want an MP who can deliver.”

The Thiruvananthapuram parliamentary seat in Kerala is set for a ‘three-cornered fight’ with candidates from the BJP, Congress, and left parties in the fray. BJP has fielded Rajeev Chandrasekhar, while CPM-led LDF has fielded CPI leader Pannyan Raveendran, and Congress has fielded its sitting MP Shashi Tharoor from the constituency.

Kerala, where the Congress retains a strong presence, sends 20 parliamentarians to the Lok Sabha. Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress leader and ex-Union minister, has been winning the Thiruvananthapuram seat since 2009 and filed his nomination from the constituency on Wednesday.

The BJP has never won a Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, with its only win in the Assembly polls from Nemam in Thiruvananthapuram district in 2016 by O Rajagopal. However, Chandrasekhar’s entry into the capital fray has turned it into a triangular contest, which will be closely watched in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Voting in Kerala for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections across all 20 seats is scheduled for April 26, with the counting of votes on June 4. In the 2019 polls, the BJP’s Kummanam Rajasekharan received 31.3 per cent of the votes, the highest among the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 19 out of 20 seats, with the Congress winning 15 seats, the Indian Union Muslim League winning two, the Revolutionary Socialist Party winning one, and the Kerala Congress (M) winning one seat.

Gaganyaan Mission: PM Modi unveiles names of four astronauts

February 27, 2024, 2:06 pm

PM Modi unveiled the names of the four astronauts selected for India’s first human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch in 2024-25. The chosen Indian Air Force pilots are Group Captain Prashanth Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, who were trained at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. He also expressed satisfaction that most equipment used in the Gaganyaan mission is “Made in India” and emphasized the coincidence of India’s economic ascent aligning with the country’s achievements in space exploration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India aims to have its own space station by 2035 to facilitate the study of unknown expanses in space on Tuesday. Speaking at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, PM Modi expressed the vision that an Indian astronaut will land on the moon’s surface using an indigenous rocket by 2035. He highlighted India’s significant achievements in space exploration, including launching about 400 satellites in the last decade.

PM Modi praised the astronauts, stating, “These are not just 4 names and 4 humans, but 4 forces taking 140 crore aspirations to space. After a long period of 40 years, an Indian is set to go into space. But this time, the time is ours, countdown ours, and the rocket is also ours.” He acknowledged that India’s success in the space sector is cultivating a scientific temperament among the country’s youth.

The reforms in the space sector will help our youth. pic.twitter.com/vfIsM5w765

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2024

The Gaganyaan mission is India’s inaugural human spaceflight program, with extensive preparations underway at various ISRO centers. The project aims to demonstrate India’s capability to send humans into space, orbit the Earth, and return safely, with a planned launch in 2024-25. The success of this mission involves the development of critical technologies, including a human-rated launch vehicle, life support systems, and emergency escape provisions.

PM Modi, during his visit to the VSSC, reviewed the progress of the Gaganyaan mission and presented astronaut wings to the selected candidates. Additionally, he mentioned India’s aspiration to set up its own space station and send the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.

Kerala: Boat with 16 fishermen capsizes in Thiruvananthapuram, six injured

August 3, 2023, 1:57 pm

On Thursday morning in Thiruvananthapuram district, a fishing boat carrying sixteen fishermen sank near Muthalapozhi harbour, according to the police.
According to them, two fishermen were able to swim to shore while the rest were saved by marine law enforcement, coastal police, and other fishermen who were involved in rescue efforts. Six of the fisherman were reportedly hurt and sent to the hospital for treatment, according to the authorities. Around six this morning, the incident took place.

In the wake of this accident, fishermen from Muthalapozhi staged a protest, demanding that the unscientific construction of the harbour be rectified. This comes after a series of boat accidents in Muthalapozhi, including one last month where four fishermen lost their lives after their boat capsized, they said.

PM Modi to attend 8 events across seven cities in 36 hours

April 22, 2023, 6:12 pm

Beginning on 24 April, Prime Minister Modi will travel more than 5,000 miles throughout several regions of the nation in just 36 hours. During this time, he will attend eight events and visit seven cities.

On 24 April, the Prime Minister will travel to Madhya Pradesh in central India after departing from the city. According to officials, he will subsequently travel to Kerala in the South, spend some time in the Union Territory in the West, and finally return to Delhi. Detailing the itinerary of the Prime Minister’s long tour, the officials said, “PM will start the journey in the morning of 24 April. He will travel from Delhi to Khajuraho, covering a distance of around 500 kilometres. From Khajuraho, he will travel to Rewa where he will participate in the National Panchayati Raj Day programme. After this, he will come back to Khajuraho, covering a distance of around 280 km in the to-and-fro journey. From Khajuraho, he will travel to Kochi, covering an aerial distance of about 1700 kilometres, to participate in the Yuvam Conclave.”

“Next morning, the PM will travel from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram, covering a distance of about 190 Km. Here, he will flag off Vande Bharat Express and also dedicate and lay the foundation stone of various projects. From here, he will travel to Silvassa via Surat, covering about 1570 kilometres. There, he will visit NAMO medical college and will dedicate and lay the foundation stone of various projects,” they added. Further, PM Modi will then travel to Daman for the inauguration of Devka seafront, post which he will go to Surat, covering about 110 kilometres.

“From Surat, he will travel back to Delhi, adding another 940 km to his travel schedule,” they said. The power-packed schedule will see the Prime Minister travelling a staggering aerial distance of around 5,300 kilometres. “To put this figure in perspective, one can look at the length of India from North to South, which is about 3200 kilometres. Adding to the distance is the time factor – all this travel is jam-packed in only 36 hours,” the officials said.

Kayamkulam: Kerala Home Secretary’s family meets with accident; injured

January 9, 2023, 1:26 pm

Kerala Home Secretary Dr. V Venu and his wife Sarada Muraleedharan on Monday met with an accident near Kayamkulam after a truck rams their car at 12.30 am. Dr. V Venu, his wife Sarada Muraleedharan, also an IAS, and their son, driver, and two others got injured and have been admitted to a private hospital in Parumala. According to the Kayamkulam police Dr. Venu and his family are out of danger and they were traveling to Thiruvananthapuram from Ernakulam.

Shashi Tharoor denies joining NCP; rejects Chacko’s invitation

December 5, 2022, 3:18 pm

Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) state president PC Chacko made an offer to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to join NCP on which Tharoor made it clear that he is not going to NCP.

Reacting to Chacko’s comment at Kochi Tharoor said, “I need to be welcomed if I am going there. I am not going to NCP. Such matters were not discussed with PC Chacko.”

NCP leader talked about Tharoor joining NCP and said, “If Congress MP Shashi Tharoor comes to NCP, we will accept him warmly. Shashi Tharoor will remain as Thiruvananthapuram MP even if the Congress party rejects him. I do not know why Congress is ignoring Tharoor.”

“Shashi Tharoor is the only Congress leader capable of challenging the BJP. Can any of the Congress leaders in Kerala express the opinion expressed by Shashi Tharoor on the issue of the construction of Vizhinjam port? It is an example of Tharoor’s political maturity. Can any of the Congress leaders in Kerala make such an opinion?” Chacko stated.

Chacko further stated, “Shashi Tharoor will remain as Thiruvananthapuram MP even if the Congress rejects him. But Congress is the only party that doesn’t understand that. I do not know why Congress is ignoring Tharoor and if is it because of jealousy.”

Meanwhile, Chacko’s offers come when the reports of tussle inside the Congress’ state unit came.

However, across the state, Tharoor is participating in events and meeting with religious and political leaders.

CBSE class 12th results out; girl’s outshines boys

July 22, 2022, 11:32 am

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the class 12 board results on Friday in which girls outperform boys.

Girls outshined boys by 3.29 percent which overall pass percentage of girls is 94.54 percent while boys secured 91.25 percent.

Earlier in 2021, the overall pass percentage was 99.37 percent and this year the pass percentage is 92.71 percent.

A total of 1435366 students appeared for the board exams this year of which 1330662 have passed the exam.

Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram has recorded the highest pass percentage at 98.83 percent followed by Bengaluru with 98.16 percent, Chennai with 97.79 percent, and Delhi East and West with 96.29 percent. However, Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj has the lowest pass percentage at 83.71 percent.

Moreover, the board conducted exams this year held in two-term, that is Term 1 and Term 2. 30 percent and 70 percent weightage were given to Term 1 and Term 2.

Furthermore, the students can check their results on the official website, CBSE results.nic.in, results.CBSE.nic.in and can also check their result on DigiLocker or UMANG app.

Notably, the exams of Class 12 Board exams were held from April 26, 2022 to June 15, 2022.