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Kerala Politics

Kerala: IUML Had ‘Satisfactory’ Talks With Congress on 3rd Seat

In the 2019 general elections, Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 19 out of the 20 seats from Kerala…reports Asian Lite News

Senior leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) P.K. Kunhalikutty on Sunday said the discussion with the Congress party regarding the third Lok Sabha seat was satisfactory.

Kunhalikutty was speaking to the media persons after a meeting with senior Congress leaders of Kerala at Kochi.

The League leader said the party state president, Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, was out of the country and will be back on Monday.

P.K. Kunhalikutty said the party would take a decision after a meeting of its senior leaders, including Sadiq Ali Thangal, on Tuesday and will announce the decision publicly.

He said that several points were discussed, but refused to divulge the details. He said that he would speak about this only after February 27.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has been in a confrontation with its alliance partner Congress for a third Lok Sabha seat in addition to the two — Ponnani and Manjeri — where the party has been contesting.

The party senior leaders, including sitting MP, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, has been openly demanding a third Lok Sabha seat for the League.

In the 2019 general elections, Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 19 out of the 20 seats from Kerala.

The UDF has not yet announced its candidate list due to the tough stance taken by the IUML on the third seat. The front has announced the candidature of its other alliance partners — RSP leader and sitting MP, N.K. Premachandran will contest from Kollam while former MP, Francis George will contest from Kottayam seat as a Kerala Congress candidate.

The Congress, according to sources, is trying for a last minute negotiation with the Muslim League promising it the next Rajya Sabha seat but the chances are bleak. If the League sticks to its demand, the Congress will have no other option but to replace one of its sitting MP’s in the current election so that the coalition remains intact, the sources added.

ALSO READ-Kerala CM cautions against efforts to create religious rift  

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Arts & Culture Culture Kerala

Kerala CM cautions against efforts to create religious rift  

Pinarayi Vijayan was speaking during the 75th birthday celebrations of Theodosius Marthoma Metropolitan, head of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church…reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday cautioned against concerted efforts to create a rift among religions and religious beliefs in the country.

Instead of nurturing harmony, cooperation and coexistence between religions, such forces are consciously trying to create division between them, the CM said.

He was speaking during the 75th birthday celebrations of Theodosius Marthoma Metropolitan, head of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church, here.

“Today, there are deliberate attempts by people with vested interests to create enmity between various religions and religious beliefs,” Vijayan said.

Without naming any particular political party, outfit or individual, he further charged that some forces were capable enough to create a rift even among those who should stand united and create confusion in the society about whom or what should be opposed.

In such situations, a humanitarian approach and interventions being made by personalities like Marthoma Metropolitan within the church and outside give hope to the society, the Chief Minister added.

HC refuses to stay probe into Veena’s firm

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court refused to stay the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) probe into Veena Vijayan’s IT firm Exalogic. The Karnataka High Court’s order is a massive setback to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as his daughter Veena Vijayan is the sole director of Exalogic.

The Karnataka High Court came out with a single line order stating that the SFIO probe can go forward and added that the full order would be put out on Saturday.

Last week Exalogic had approached the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay on the ongoing probe by the SFIO. The court had stated then that it would come out with its order soon, but until then no arrests should be made.

The SFIO is acting on the findings of the preliminary probe into the company conducted by the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Prior to the ROC investigation, this issue was first raised by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan on the basis of a media report, quoting an Income Tax official as saying that Exalogic had received Rs 1.72 crore from the mining company CMRL, in which the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has around 13 per cent stake.

The SFIO has already taken statements from CMRL and KSIDC officials and now with the court turning down Veena’s plea, all eyes are on when she will appear before the SFIO.

Arif Mohammad Khan.

Kerala Guv steps out again to take on SFI activists

In what has become a familiar scene, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Monday evening vented his ire on the protesting SFI activists, the student wing of the CPI-M, when he got out of his vehicle and moved towards the protesters at Mattannur in Kannur District.

The incident took place when he was going to the Kannur Airport after visiting Wayanad District.

However, the armed security personnel with Khan acted quickly and formed a cordon around him even while he was moving towards the protesters numbering about 100.

Khan got irked because the SFI protesters were carrying a banner with the slogan, “Sanghi Governor, get out of Kannur.”

An angry Khan shouted, “I will stop my car and get out and come near you every time there is a protest.”

On Thursday, too, the same scene had played out when Khan, while travelling through Thrissur came out of the car after SFI activists waved black flags at him. There, too, his security men advised him to get inside the car, which he did.

Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have been at loggerheads for a while now. On January 27, things went out of hand when Khan during a visit to Kollam District staged a protest by sitting on the road for two hours against the “lapse” on the part of Kerala Police for not taking action against SFI protesters who came near his vehicle.

The Centre had intervened on that day itself, as it placed the Governor under Z+ security cover of the CRPF.

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Education India News Politics

PInarayi Seeks Research Standards Assessment

Chief Minister underscored the urgency of comprehensive reforms to adapt to evolving dynamics….reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stressed the imperative of critically evaluating the state’s research standards, advocating for a shift towards global benchmarks. Addressing an event, he underscored his administration’s substantial investments in research, reframing them as strategic assets for the future rather than mere expenses.

Highlighting Kerala’s top ranking in student scholarship expenditure, Vijayan urged introspection into the state’s inability to achieve world-class research standards, emphasizing the necessity of fostering internal excellence and inviting constructive suggestions to address this shortfall.

In the realm of higher education, the Chief Minister underscored the urgency of comprehensive reforms to adapt to evolving dynamics. He discussed plans to introduce a four-year degree course aimed at enhancing efficiency and student-centricity in arts and science colleges.

Vijayan emphasized the global shift towards multidisciplinary approaches in higher education, affirming his government’s commitment to preparing youth for forthcoming challenges. He envisioned Kerala as a distinguished hub for higher education both nationally and internationally.

Listing various programmes implemented by the Left government in the higher education sector, the Chief Minister said their objective was not superficial changes but thorough reforms in tune with changing time, news agency PTI reported.

With the introduction of the four-year-long degree course in the state from next academic year, the present education system at the arts and science colleges would become more efficient and student-centric, he said.

Pointing out that a multi-disciplinary approach is the focus in the higher education sector worldwide, Vijayan said his government is making effective interventions in the area with an aim to prepare the young generation for future challenges.

The event, presided over by Higher Education Minister R Bindhu, served as a platform for the Chief Minister to reaffirm the government’s dedication to catalyzing transformative changes in the education sector.

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Kerala

Kerala Budget gives Rs 1,000 cr boost for key projects

Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of causing financial hardship for Kerala…reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal presented the Kerala Budget 2024-25 today, outlining a vision for a “New Kerala” while criticizing the central government’s “hostile approach” that he claims has pushed the state towards financial crisis.

Balagopal launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of causing financial hardship for Kerala. He asserted that the state wouldn’t remain silent and urged unity to build a “Navakeralam.”

” Instead, we should strive forward with the strong sentiment of “Thakarilla Keralam, Thalarilla Keralam, Thakarkkanavilla Keralathe” (“Kerala will not be shattered, Kerala will not tire, Kerala cannot be destroyed”). The Government will provide leadership in taking forward our achievements and progress while ensuring that all Keralites stand united in building a New Keralam (Navakeralam).” K. N. Balagopal said this in the assembly.

The budget proposes a 10 rupee per litre hike in excise duty on liquor, raising concerns for consumers. Additionally, electricity duty for self-generated power will rise by 15 paise per unit.

The budget allocates 1,000 crore for projects proposed during the outreach program “Navakerala Sadass.” Tourism receives a significant boost, with 5,000 crore earmarked for development.

The much-awaited Vizhinjam port is set to be operational by May 2024. The government plans to create Special Development Zones (SDZs) in partnership with the private sector to leverage the port’s potential. An International Investors Meet and Maritime Summit are planned to attract investments.

The budget reaffirms the government’s commitment to the K-Rail project and light metro projects in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.

Public education receives a 1,032 crore allocation, highlighting the government’s commitment to the sector.

The budget also encourages private investment across various sectors. While the budget doesn’t increase welfare pensions this year, the minister promised to clear pending dues in the next financial year, blaming the central government for the delay.

“An International Investors Meet will be conducted in 2024-25 itself to attract investors who can start enterprises that will harness the potential of the Vizhinjam port. A Maritime Summit will be organized as part of this,” K. N. Balagopal said.

Private & foreign universities

Not long ago the Left in Kerala had opposed any form of privatization in the higher education sector, but on Monday, state Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal while presenting his fourth straight budget said the doors have been opened for private and foreign universities to open their campus.

As the first step for this, he said four international educational conclaves will be held outside the country.

For this, experts hailing from Kerala and those working in the higher education sector abroad will be drafted for taking forward this idea.

To fast track this idea, special packages will be introduced in the field of higher education.

Balagopal pointed out that all these changes were being made to ensure to attract foreign students to Kerala besides helping students from here presently going abroad for higher studies.

All along the CPI(M)-led Left in Kerala had staunchly opposed the entry of private sector in the education sector and when the K. Karunakaran government in the 90s planned to open up a few professional courses in the medical sector and also when the A.K.Antony-led government in 2001 opened up the professional education sector in the self-financing mode, there were huge protests.

Late Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had once remarked, “The bane of Kerala … what matters is which government is bringing in the changes, when the Left does it, everything is fine, as they opposed tractors and even computers, but later changed their stand,”. (ANI)

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Books Lite Blogs

Kedaya Antharvahinikalude Yard: A Poetic Revolution with AI-Driven Creativity

‘Kedaya Antharvahinikalude Yard’ transcends conventional boundaries by constituting a collection of post-modern poems that delve into the multifaceted conflicts experienced by individuals…reports Asian Lite News

Abin M. Devasia’s ‘Kedaya Anthatvahinikalude’ Yard stands as a pioneering work in Malayalam literature, marking the inception of a novel approach that integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) creatively into the realm of poetry. This innovative initiative not only breaks traditional barriers between literature and science but also reflects the omnipresence of AI in shaping various aspects of human life, from thought processes to daily routines. At the same time, this initiative gives us the realization that ultimately it is human beings themselves who are controlling the AI.

We are giving it instructions, and it is acting according to that. This work is an example of how AI can be used in the creative space. It is more like an experiment, after all, using AI-generated illustrations for each of his poem. The intersection of literature and science has historically been confined within distinct disciplinary boundaries. However, in contemporary times, AI has permeated every facet of our existence, influencing our cognition, decision-making, and even our aesthetic sensibilities. This makes us think about how we can use AI rather than it using us.

Devasia’s work, with its utilization of AI-generated illustrations for each poem, signifies a groundbreaking convergence of literature and science. The process involves providing prompts that encapsulate the implied meanings of the poems, thereby guiding the AI in generating illustrations that complement and enhance the literary experience. It is noteworthy that the iterative nature of this creative collaboration ensures that the final output undergoes multiple refinements, highlighting the dynamic interplay between human intent and machine-generated creativity. Today, Prompt Engineering also has many possibilities for people out there who have knowledge in both language and AI. To use AI for poetry, we need to have the ability to convey the meaning of each poem to a non-human entity. Every picture used in this book is the result of multiple attempts at giving prompts.

‘Kedaya Antharvahinikalude Yard’ transcends conventional boundaries by constituting a collection of post-modern poems that delve into the multifaceted conflicts experienced by individuals. Each poem in this work has life engraved in it. It talks about freedom, religion, caste, women, regionality, nationalism, childhood, art, and so on. His way of expression is more connected to his way of life. He takes poetry as a tool to voice against the nuances of society. Each of his poems makes the readers think about the changes happening in their life, society itself. It is more like a political act. This work is an experimental act of exploring how literature and technology can be intertwined without losing its aesthetic sensibility. We should understand the challenges and limitations of making a machine understand human emotions and giving an output according to it.

The illustrations used for each poem are an attempt for this. It paves the way for more people to explore this interdisciplinary approach, not only expanding the horizons of literary expression but also underscoring the transformative potential of integrating AI into the creative process. Devasia’s work can be viewed as a scholarly contribution that challenges established paradigms, offering a nuanced exploration of the symbiotic relationship between literature and AI. By intertwining human agency with technological innovation, ‘Kedaya Antharvahinikalude’ Yard not only expands the canvas of Malayalam poetry but also serves as a significant milestone in the ongoing dialogue between the humanities and emerging technologies.

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Gujarat India News STARTUPS News

Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, TN Ranked Top States For Startups

The Minister noted that India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, realizing the dreams of countless entrepreneurs and introducing innovative ways of doing business…reports Asian Lite News

Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu were ranked as the best performing states in India at the startups awards function held here on Tuesday.

Addressing the startup awards and state ranking awards function, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said startups are playing a pivotal role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

He highlighted the diverse sectors in which startups are making substantial contributions, ranging from MedTech, FinTech, AgroTech to the aviation sector, drones, and simulators. He identified tourism as a sector with untapped potential, encouraging startups to explore innovative ideas around sustainable tourism.

He pointed out that PM Modi had said at the Vibrant Gujarat summit that the priority is New Age Skills, Futuristic Tech, AI & Innovation.

Expressing appreciation for the achievements in sectors like millets and food processing, Goyal urged startups to focus on new areas such as artificial intelligence (AI). He encouraged them to come up with ideas that make life easier and revolutionise existing ways of working.

The minister commended the significant progress made in the startup sector over the last eight years, stating that what was once a novelty has now become an integral part of the national mainstream.

Goyal expressed confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of both the young and old, urging them to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas to the startup ecosystem. He reiterated that age should not be a barrier to engage with new ideas and foster innovation.

The Minister noted that India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, realizing the dreams of countless entrepreneurs and introducing innovative ways of doing business.

During his address, Goyal outlined key initiatives that will be taken to further support startups, including the categorisation of startups into different sectors for more focused interactions, the sanitisation of data to identify their locations and track development stage of the startups, and efforts to ensure all startups are registered on the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) portal.

The Minister called for greater collaboration and mentoring through the MAARG portal – Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth of Startup India. He emphasised the importance of outreach and on-boarding startups with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) as the process for onboarding of startups has been simplified. He encouraged startups to register for patent, copyright, and trademark protections as the fees have been reduced for them.

Goyal announced that ‘Startup Maha Kumbh’ is scheduled to be organised in March 2024. He assured continued government support for the startup ecosystem, inviting entrepreneurs to leverage the vast consumer market and work collaboratively to transition from an emerging to a developed startup system.

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-Top News India News Kerala

Modi Show in Kerala

Three major projects worth Rs 4,000 crores, the New Dry Dock and the International Ship Repair Facility of Cochin Shipyard Limited and LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited were inaugurated by PM…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth more than Rs 4,000 crore in Kochi on Wednesday focussing on transforming India’s ports, shipping, and waterways sectors.

Three major projects worth Rs 4,000 crores, the New Dry Dock (NDD) and the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited were inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The ISRF and New Dry Dock Project represent a leap forward in India’s ship repair and shipbuilding capabilities and will strengthen India’s position of eminence in the global maritime space. The establishment of the LPG Import Terminal will significantly enhance India’s energy infrastructure by ensuring a steady supply of LPG, benefiting millions of households and businesses in and around the region,” an official statement said.

The New Dry Dock, built at a cost of Rs 1,799 Crores at the existing premises of Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, is a flagship project reflecting India’s engineering prowess and project management capabilities, statement said.

“This one-of-a-kind 310-meter-long stepped dry dock, with a width of 75/60 meters, depth of 13 meters and a draught of up to 9.5 metres, is one of the largest marine infrastructures in the region. The New Dry Dock project have incorporated the latest technology and innovations to ensure efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability,” it added.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the New Dry Dock features heavy ground loading and will position India with advanced capabilities to handle strategic assets like future aircraft carriers upto 70,000T displacement as also large commercial vessels including Capesize & Suezmax vessels, Jack-up rigs, LNG vessels etc, thus eliminating India’s dependency on foreign nations for emergency national requirements.

“The New Dry Dock is expected to play a significant role in skill development, generate direct employment for around 2000 individuals with a multiplier effect of 5~6x, and facilitate the growth of ancillary industries and MSMEs,” it said.

The ISRF project bulit at a cost of Rs 970 Crores is set up on 42 acres of leased premises of the Cochin Port Authority at Willingdon Island, Kochi.

“ISRF project is a unique facility of its own having a ship lift system with a capacity of 6000T, transfer system, six work stations and berth of approximately 1,400 metres which can accommodate 7 vessels of 130-metre length simultaneously,” an official statement said.

According to an official statement, the IndianOil’s LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen, Kochi, built at an investment of Rs 1,236 Crores, boasts a state-of-the-art infrastructure connected with a Multi-User Liquid Terminal Jetty through a 3.5 km Cross Country Pipeline that can achieve the capacity of 1.2 MMTPA.”

“The terminal is a project of national importance at the strategic location of Kochi from where it shall cater to the LPG requirement of Southern India. With a 15400 MT storage capacity, the terminal will ensure LPG distribution through road and pipeline transfers, benefitting bottling plants in Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” it said.

“The project anticipates annual logistic savings of Rs 150 crores, reducing CO2 emissions by 18 thousand tons per annum. The construction of the LPG Import Terminal has also resulted in the creation of 3.7 lakh man-days during the construction phase and will lead to 19800 man-days per year during operation phase,” it added.

Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways reviewed the preparations for the key projects on Tuesday.

T K Ramachandran IAS Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Rajesh Kumar Sinha IAS Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, CSL were also present.

PM visits Guruvayur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed puja and darshan at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Swamy Temple in Kerala’s Thrissur on Wednesday morning.

PM Modi held a grand roadshow in Kochi on Tuesday which was attended by thousands of supporters. BJP state president K Surendran accompanied the Prime Minister on board his motorcade for the roadshow.

This is the second visit of the PM to Kerala in span of two weeks.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Veerabhadra temple in Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh. A place that holds important significance in Ramayana. The Prime Minister heard verses from the Ranganatha Ramayan which is in Telugu. (ANI)

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Arts & Culture Kerala Lite Blogs

Abu Dhabi’s RAI to Showcase Kerala Artists

Shafina Yusuf Ali, Executive Director of RAI, underscored the organization’s commitment to showcasing Kerala artists globally…reports Asian Lite News

In a significant move to foster cultural exchange and promote artists, the Risk Art Initiative (RAI) based in Abu Dhabi has joined forces with Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Meena Wari, Chief Curator and Creative Director of RAI, and N Balamurali, Secretary of Lalitha Kala Academy. The ceremony took place in the presence of Shafina Yousaf Ali, Founder and Executive Director of RAI, Abu Dhabi, and Murali Cheeroth, Chairman of Lalitha Kala Academy.

Risk Art Initiative (RAl) in Abu Dhabi and Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy sign MoU with Abu Dhabi – Kerala Cultural Exchange. The MoU was signed by Meena Wari, Chief Curator and Creative Director of Risk Art Initiative, and N Balamuraliam, Secretary of Lalitha Kala Academy in the presence of Shafina Yousaf Ali, Founder and Executive Director of Risk Art Initiative, Abu Dhabi, and Murali Cheeroth, Chairman of Lalitha Kala Academy.

The collaboration aims to exhibit and market artworks by artists associated with Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy in Abu Dhabi, with reciprocal exhibitions featuring Abu Dhabi’s artworks in Kerala. Shafina Yousaf Ali and Murali Cheeroth expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the cultural and artistic similarities between Kerala and Arab countries.

Shafina Yusuf Ali, Executive Director of RAI, underscored the organization’s commitment to showcasing Kerala artists globally. The partnership was initiated with the support of the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy, acknowledging the artistic and cultural resonance between the two regions.

Shafeena Yousaf Ali shared her inspiration for the initiative, citing her experience studying in London and recognizing the absence of world-class artists from India and West Asia. This realization led her to establish RAI, securing collaborations and government support for the upliftment of artists in Kerala and West Asia.

Shafeena Yusuf Ali, founder and executive director of Risk Art Initiative, launches the Abu Dhabi-Kerala Cultural Exchange by releasing a painting by renowned artist Attingal Ramachandran. Lalitha Kala Academy Chairman Murali Cheeroth, Secretary N Balamurali, Risk Art Initiative Chief Curator and Creative Director Meena Wari etc.

As a concrete step towards collaboration, RAI took over 40 artworks from the Lalitha Kala Academy, previously kept for years, and displayed them in Kochi. Plans are underway to exhibit the works of around 10 Kerala artists in Abu Dhabi this year. Additionally, four artists from West Asia will undergo a four-month training program at RAI headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy, known for its progressive initiatives, expressed its commitment to long-term projects with RAI across various art forms. Chairman Murali Cheeroth highlighted the Academy’s recent collaborations, including exhibitions with the Japan Foundation and the Calcutta Center for Creativity.

In a momentous event on January 8, 2024, RAI and the Academy unveiled a series of collaborative projects encompassing all aspects of art. Notably, Shafeena Yousaf Ali inaugurated the Abu Dhabi-Kerala initiative by showcasing the works of acclaimed artist Attingal Ramachandran. RAI also presented fellowships of Rs.2 lakhs each to Kerala artists Mibin Bhaskar and Mohammad Yasir, emphasizing their commitment to supporting and promoting local talent.

Shafeena Yousaf Ali, a business leader based in Abu Dhabi, holds an MBA from Oxford University and a Master of Arts degree from Cambridge University. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in artistry, her vision for cultural exchange and artist empowerment is poised to make a lasting impact on the global art scene.

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COVID-19 Kerala

Kerala Reports 300 Fresh Covid Cases, Three Deaths

The total number of active cases of Covid-19 in the country stood at 2,669….reports Asian Lite News

Kerala reported 300 new active cases of COVID-19 and 3 deaths on December 20, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The total number of active cases of Covid-19 in the country stood at 2,669.

Amid rising concerns over the emergence of the new variant of the Coronavirus, a Kerala-based health expert said on Wednesday that Covid is like any other communicable disease that cannot be wiped out completely adding that the strike rate of the disease has come down.

“Covid is just like any other communicable disease that cannot be wiped out completely. However, the strike of the disease has come down, and the mortality that means the people who succumbed to the disease is not as high as what it used to be. It is now just like any other influenza or any other common cold,” said Dr Sreejith N Kumar told ANI.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in India and the preparedness of the public health system for surveillance, containment and management of COVID-19 given the recent spike in cases of COVID-19 in some states.

During the meeting, Mandaviya emphasised the importance of being alert and prepared against new and emerging strains of the COVID-19 virus.

“It is important to be alert and prepared against new and emerging strains of the COVID-19 virus,” Mandaviya said.

The Union Health Minister urged all the states to remain alert, increase surveillance and ensure an adequate stock of medicines, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators and vaccines.

Reiterating the need for joint efforts between the Centre and States to ensure efficient management of COVID-19, Mandaviya said, “Let us undertake mock drills once every three months at both the central and state levels and share best practices.”

He also urged states to create awareness, manage the epidemic, and ensure the dissemination of factually correct information.

In the wake of the surge in respiratory diseases and the new JN.1 COVID sub-variant, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that the virus is evolving and changing and urged the member states to continue with strong surveillance and sequence sharing. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Kerala CM accuses Governor of trying to disrupt peace

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India News Kerala Politics

Kerala CM accuses Governor of trying to disrupt peace

After facing a black-flag protest from members of the SFI, the students’ wing of the ruling CPI(M), the Governor claimed an attempt on his life….reports Asian Lite News

Coming down heavily on Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday accused him of attempting to disrupt the peaceful ambience in the state.

Speaking to reporters, Vijayan said, “Arif Mohammad Khan is making a move to destroy the peaceful ambience of Kerala.”

After facing a black-flag protest from members of the SFI, the students’ wing of the ruling CPI(M), the Governor claimed an attempt on his life.

However, the chief minister said the governor’s actions were such that they sparked protests.

CM Vijayan further highlighted the comments made by former Supreme Court justice Rohinton Nariman in a public event in Mumbai, outlining the “wholesale reference to the President,” of Bills by the Kerala governor.

Vijayan further accused the governor of allegedly accepting proposals from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which, according to him, resulted in the student protests. The chief minister opposed his actions, calling them “totally wrong.”

Also drawing attention to the Governor’s choice of words, Vijayan questioned how he could use such harsh language. He also expressed concern over the Governor’s approach towards individuals, who showed him black flags. He termed the action as ‘provocative’.

Earlier, SFI (Students Federation of India), the student wing of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), staged a black-flag protest march to Calicut University, ahead of the Governor’s arrival on campus.

Black banners and posters were put up outside Calicut University Guest House where the Governor was staying.

The protesters were, however, removed from the spot by the police on the instruction of the Governor’s office.

A statement from Raj Bhavan mentioned that the Governor took serious note of the action of the state police, on the direction of the Chief Minister, in placing posters defamatory to him on the campus of Calicut University.

The Governor earlier claimed that the police were prevented from acting against ‘criminals’. He also accused CM Vijayan of hatching a conspiracy to harm him.

“This is not a question of my comment, as I said in the morning. It is about law. We are a democratic republic and the law must prevail. The police stood like silent bystanders while the protesters were at it. It was because of political reasons that they stood by idly. My car was surrounded and the protesters banged on it with all the force that they could muster,” the Governor said.

He added that he was not scared of anyone.

“Due to political reasons, the Kerala Police were prevented from acting against these rowdies and criminals. I believe in facing up to brutes. I am not scared of anyone,” he added. (ANI)

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