KERALA

HCLTech appoints Amitabh Kant as independent director
The appointment, which was greenlit by the HCLTech board of directors, has been recommended by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the company said in a statutory filing. Effective September 8, the appointment is for a term of five years.

EVM an aggregator of votes, can't be used in presidential, vice presidential elections
Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs are unsuitable for certain Indian elections. These include presidential, vice presidential, Rajya Sabha, and state legislative council polls. EVMs function as vote aggregators in direct elections. Presidential and vice presidential elections use proportional representation. This system requires voters to rank candidates. Current EVM technology cannot accommodate this preference-based voting system.

First church in India dedicated to teen saint Carlo Acutis consecrated in Kerala's Palikkara
On the day Carlo Acutis was canonised, a church dedicated to the "millennial saint" opened in Palikkara, near Kochi. Varapuzha Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil initiated the church for the new generation, completed in a few months and houses relics of the saint. The church will hold prayers every Tuesday and Sunday for around 140 families.

From high alert in Gujarat to Punjab, IMD warns of heavy rainfall across key Indian states; check complete forecast here
Delhi experienced a weekend of humidity and light rain, while Punjab faces severe flooding with significant casualties and displacement. Gujarat's Vadodara is grappling with waterlogging after heavy rainfall. The IMD has issued alerts for heavy showers in East Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

PM Modi pays tribute to social reformer Sree Narayana Guru
Sri Narayana Jayanthi is a state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated on Chathayam day during the Onam season in the Chingam month of the Malayalam calendar.

Malayalam director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan detained at Mumbai airport in alleged harassment case
Malayalam director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan was detained at Mumbai airport following a lookout notice issued by Kerala police concerning an alleged harassment case. Sasidharan, upon arrival, acknowledged his detention via Facebook, stating unawareness of the case. Kochi Police confirmed contact with Mumbai airport authorities to take him into custody.
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Kerala Congress social media head quits amid Bihar backlash
Following a contentious tweet linking bidis and Bihar, which sparked outrage from political parties, including ally RJD, the Congress party's Kerala unit social media head resigned. The controversial post, deemed a misfired attempt to connect tobacco tax hikes with the Bihar election, led to apologies and a decision to revamp the Kerala Congress social media wing after backlash.
Archana Puran Singh’s would-be daughter-in-law, Yogita Bihani is from conservative Rajasthani family; she had to take cooking, sewing classes to be perfect ‘bahu’
Yogita Bihani is engaged to Aaryamann Sethi. They have moved into a new home. An old video reveals Bihani's struggles with her conservative family. She wanted to chart her own path. She participated in a cooking show and starred in ads. Her role in 'The Kerala Story' brought her fame. The film was a commercial success.
Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi drive coconut prices to new highs
Across South India, coconut prices have surged from Rs 15-25 to Rs 80-100 due to pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions, climate change impacts, and pest infestations. Neglect of plantations and reduced yields have exacerbated the shortage, impacting copra, oil, and fresh nut availability. Despite being the largest producer, India faces a global crisis affecting prices and supply.
Congress announces protest against Kerala police over custody torture case
The Congress party announced a direct protest. This is against five police officers. They are accused of torturing Youth Congress leader V S Sujith. The incident happened in central Kerala two years ago. V D Satheesan visited Sujith. He said the officers would not wear their uniforms again. The Youth Congress also protested in Thrissur. Police are re-examining the case.
X post on proposed drop in GST rates for 'bidis' triggers row in Bihar between BJP and Congress
A social media post by the Kerala Congress unit sparked a political firestorm in Bihar, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP. The post, which has since been deleted, linked reduced GST rates on bidis to Bihar, prompting accusations of insulting the state.
Congress comparing people of Bihar with 'bidis' insult to all 'Biharis', NDA to make it poll issue: BJP
The BJP has strongly criticized the Congress for a controversial social media post by its Kerala unit that allegedly compared the people of Bihar to 'bidis'. BJP leaders, including Ravi Shankar Prasad and Piyush Goyal, condemned the post as an insult to Biharis and warned of political consequences in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.
Fertility rate in rural India declines to replacement rate for the first time, overall rate down to 1.9
The Sample Registration System report 2023 shows that India's Total Fertility Rate is now 1.9. Rural India's rate has reached the replacement level of 2.1 for the first time. Meanwhile, the Gross Reproduction Rate stands at 0.9. Bihar records the highest TFR among states, while Delhi has the lowest. Infant Mortality Rate declined to 25 per 1,000 live births. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have the highest IMR, while Kerala and Manipur were amongst the lowest.
Happy Onam 2025: 100 heartfelt Thiruvonam wishes, quotes, messages, WhatsApp status & greetings to share with family, friends
Happy Thiruvonam Wishes: Onam, Kerala's grand cultural festival, will be celebrated on September 15, 2025, uniting Malayali communities globally. The festival commemorates King Mahabali's homecoming with vibrant Pookkalam, Onasadya feasts, and cultural performances. Heartfelt wishes, quotes, and WhatsApp messages are essential for families to connect and share festive cheer, strengthening bonds across distances during this joyous occasion.
Bank holiday for Onam, Eid-e-Milad: Are banks open or closed in your state tomorrow for these festivals?
Bank holiday: Banks in Kerala will be closed on September 4, 2025 and September 5, 2025, for Onam. Several other states will also observe bank closures on September 5, 2025 for Id-E-Milad and Thiruvonam. While branch services will be limited, digital banking options remain available for most transactions. Customers are advised to plan accordingly for any branch-dependent tasks.
School holiday on 5 September 2025: Will Delhi-NCR students get a day off this Friday? Check full update here
Schools across India face closures this week due to a blend of festivals and weather concerns. Delhi-NCR observes Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi on September 5th, while Kerala celebrates Onam. Teacher's Day may see brief school events. Punjab and Himachal Pradesh extend holidays due to weather, and Haryana's Ambala and Jhajjar districts are closed due to rain warnings.
Kerala to see Rs 8,000-10,000 cr annual revenue loss due to GST rate rationalisation: FM Balagopal
Kerala anticipates an annual revenue loss of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 crore due to GST rate cuts, according to Finance Minister K N Balagopal. While supporting the price-reducing cuts, he urged the central government to ensure benefits reach the public.
Bank holiday today for Onam: Are banks open or closed today in your state for this festival? Check now
Bank Holidays Today: Onam, a harvest festival celebrated by the people of Kerala. Banks across various states will also be closed in September for Karma Puja, Id-E-Milad, and Durga Puja. Digital banking services will remain available, though some services require in-person visits.
Kerala govt sets up first Senior Citizens Commission in India
Kerala has established the nation's first Senior Citizens Commission. This aims to safeguard the rights of elderly citizens. K Somaprasad is the chairperson of the Thiruvananthapuram-based commission. Amaravila Ramakrishnan and others are appointed as members. The commission will address neglect and exploitation faced by the elderly. It was formed under the Kerala Senior Citizens Commission Act, 2025.
MHA names designated immigration posts at airports, seaports, railports
The airports with designated immigration posts are Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Amritsar, Varanasi, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Raja Bhoj International Airport, Bhopal, Calicut (Kerala), Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Dabolim (Goa), Delhi, Gaya (Bihar), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur, Kolkata.
Onam 2025: All about Kerala’s harvest festival, its history, rituals & important dates
The story of Onam centres on Mahabali, the benevolent asura king who was deeply devoted to Lord Vishnu. His popularity and influence worried the gods, leading Vishnu to test him in the guise of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin. When Mahabali granted Vamana land measured in three steps, the third step was placed on his head, sending him to the underworld.
DPIIT reviews issues affecting five infrastructure projects in three states
The DPIIT addressed hurdles impacting infrastructure projects in Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana, involving a total cost of Rs 10,594 crore. Discussions focused on resolving forest and wildlife clearance delays in Telangana, particularly for Reliance Jio's 5G/4G network expansion. The initiative aims to improve connectivity in remote areas while strengthening existing 4G infrastructure across the nation.
School holiday September 1: Educational institutes in these states to remain closed on Monday amid heavy rains, Onam
Heavy rainfall continues to lash several states across India. The IMD has issued weather alerts for many states. Schools will remain closed in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab on Septemeber 1. Meanwhile, schools in Kerala will remain closed for Onam until September 7.
When Travancore queen gifted 'Onakkodi' to European Diwan two centuries ago
As Onam approaches, Kerala is abuzz with the tradition of gifting 'Onakkodi,' new clothes, a practice dating back centuries. Historical records reveal that Queen Gouri Lakshmi Bai of Travancore gifted 'Onakkodi' to a British Resident, Colonel John Munro, as a 'prasadam' from Lord Sree Padmanabha.
Kerala records surge in skilled professionals returning from abroad: LinkedIn Report
A LinkedIn report has revealed significant return of skilled professionals to Kerala from UAE, Saudi Arabia and the UK. These people are seeking opportunities in IT, healthcare and business. Domestic migration from Karnataka and other regions is also bolstering Kerala's tech talent. The inflow and a growing talent pool is expected to shape Kerala's future polies.
Landslides, waterlogging in parts of Kerala due to heavy rains; orange alert in 6 districts
Kerala is experiencing intensified rainfall, leading to waterlogging, rising dam levels, and landslides. An orange alert has been issued for six districts due to the expectation of very heavy rain. Landslides in Wayanad blocked the Thamarassery pass, which was later cleared for emergency traffic.
Fresh case of amoebic encephalitis reported from Kerala's Kozhikode
A new case of amoebic encephalitis has been confirmed in Kozhikode, Kerala, affecting a 43-year-old woman. This brings the total number of patients receiving treatment for the rare brain infection at Kozhikode Medical College to ten, including four children. The infection, caused by amoeba found in contaminated water, has affected individuals from Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram districts.
Actress Lakshmi Menon, 3 others booked for alleged abduction and assault of a Kerala techie. She gets anticipatory bail from HC
Tamil actress Lakshmi Menon faces legal issues. She is allegedly involved in an abduction and assault case in Ernakulam. The Kerala High Court granted her anticipatory bail. Three co-accused are in judicial custody. The incident involves an IT professional. He was allegedly attacked after an altercation. Police have registered a case against Menon and others. Her latest film is Sabdham.
Kerala needs economy reset; willing to be voice for change: Shashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor advocated for making Kerala more business-friendly to boost its economy. He suggested an Investor Protection Act and deregulation. Tharoor expressed readiness to contribute if chosen. He highlighted Kerala's need for economic change due to its debt. The upcoming elections have sparked debate about the Congress party's leadership. Names like VD Satheesan and KC Venugopal are in discussion.
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