Tag: Kerala

Karkidaka Vavu bali

Devotees Perform Karkidaka Vavu Bali Across Kerala

By LokMarg

Devotees in Kerala on Monday offered ‘bali tharpanam’( paying obeisance to their ancestors) on the occasion of ‘Karkidaka Vavu’.

Across Kerala, at different temples and ghats, thousands of devotees throng temples, offering ‘bali tharpanam to their ancestors.
Karkidaka Vavu falls in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam first. The month is a period of recital of the Ramayana in Kerala. The recital would take place in various temples and homes during the month.

In Kottayam, the Vishva Hindu Parishad arranged special prayers for devotees near the Kodoor River.

Thousands of devotees were seen at Aluva Manappuram in Ernakulam district to offer ‘bali tharpanam’.

There were a lot of women and elderly people to perform the ritual. The people from across the state and beyond reached the Siva temple premises by midnight on Sunday for the rituals that began around 4 am Monday.

According to Hindu belief, the souls of people’s deceased ancestors attain ‘moksha’ (liberation) if the ritual is performed on ‘Karkidaka Vavu’ day, in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam.

People usually gather on riverbanks and beaches to offer “bali”. Riverbanks in the state including Periyar, Bharathapuzha, and Kalpathipuzha are popular places for performing the ritual. (ANI)

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Kerala Muslims UCC

Kerala: Muslim Groups To Put Legal, Political Fight Against UCC

By LokMarg

Representatives of major Muslim Organisations in Kerala decided to “fight” the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legally and politically. The organisations, led by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), opined that if UCC is implemented, it will affect not just Muslims but others as well.

“UCC is not an issue of Muslims, it is of all people. We will unite all people against it and fight legally and politically,” said Indian Union Muslim League(IUML) state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal who attended the Tuesday’s meeting.
Senior IUML leader and MLA PK Kunhalikutty alleged that UCC is being used as a tool to divide people on communal lines.

Besides IUML the meeting was attended by two factions of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, factions of the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Muslim Education Society, and the Muslim Service Society.

On Wednesday, the Congress in Kerala is holding a meeting and is expected to discuss the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee meeting will be attended by all MLAs, MPs, district presidents and top office-bearers.

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan had on Sunday alleged that BJP is bringing the UCC to divide people and said that there is no need for UCC at present.

“The Law Commission appointed by the central government itself has made it very clear that there is no need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at present. So we are also taking the same stand that there is no need for UCC at this point in time. BJP is bringing this matter to make a split among the people,” Satheesan told ANI here in Thiruvananthapuram.

The ruling party in Kerala, CPI(M), has also criticised the Prime Minister’s pitching for the UCC in the country. On Friday, CPI(M) leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is on the “electoral agenda” of the BJP.

“Triggering debates around Uniform Civil Code is an electoral ploy by Sangh Parivar to press their majoritarian agenda for deepening communal divide. Let’s oppose any attempts to undermine India’s pluralism and support reforms through democratic discussions within communities,” Kerala CM tweeted.

Kerala CM’s stand drew a sharp reaction from the BJP Kerala president K Surendran when he said, “CPI(M) has become a Muslim party. The latest example of this is Pinarayi Vijayan’s stand against the uniform civil code.”

He further alleged that the goal of the Chief Minister of Kerala is to polarise Muslims.

“Pinarayi Vijayan’s goal is the polarisation of Muslims. No Muslim parent will accept a triple talaq. Likewise, no Muslim parent will accept discrimination against girls in property rights,” said the Kerala BJP state president.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Law and Justice meeting was held on Monday to discuss the issue of the Uniform Civil Code.

Earlier, in an exclusive interview with ANI, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said that the uniform code is “the need of the hour that a law should be made by uniting and including all the people of the country and the Supreme Court has also endorsed many of its verdicts”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent strong endorsement of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) brought it back to the spotlight. PM Modi said that the country cannot run on two laws and that Uniform Civil Code was part of the Constitution.

“Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights…Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics,” PM Modi had said. (ANI)

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Yellow alert in Kerala

Monsoon 2023: Yellow Alert in Eight Districts Of Kerala

By LokMarg

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast widespread rain in Kerala on Friday and issued a yellow alert for eight districts in the state.

With Cyclone Biparjoy forecast to be intensified in the next 36 hours, the weather department has also advised fishermen not to venture into the seas off the coast of Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep.

The districts in Kerala where the yellow alert is issued on Friday are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode, and Kannur.

The monsoon will advance to the remaining parts of Kerala, some parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and the Northeast in the next 48 hours, said India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday.

The Southwest Monsoon hit India on Thursday with its onset over Kerala, a week after the normal date of June 1, said IMD.

Cyclone Biparjoy is set to intensify in the next 36 hours and will be heading north-northwestwards in the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a tweet on Friday. The weather department had also advised fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea. Those who were out at sea were advised to return to the coast, it had said earlier. (ANI)

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modi on kerala conflicts

Kerala Suffered Due To Conflict Between Two Ideologies: Modi

By LokMarg

Attacking the Congress and the Left parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Kerala is suffering a lot due to the clash between the two ideologies saying that one ideology puts its interest above Kerala while the other keeps a family above anything.

Addressing Yuvam Conclave in Thevara, Prime Minister said, “Kerala is being harmed a lot due to the conflict between two ideologies. One ideology believes that their interest is above Kerala. Other ideology keeps a family above anything else. These two promote violence and corruption. The youth of Kerala of youth needs to work hard to defeat these two ideologies.”
“On one hand, we are working hard to increase the exports of India. On the other hand, in Kerala, some are working hard to smuggle gold. The youth of Kerala are very well aware that the people in power are playing with their future,” he added.

To unlock the true potential of India, PM Modi said it is important that we lead in every new sector. Kerala has unique culture and beauty, and Kerala can become the face of tourism in India and the world.

He said the BJP government is organizing Rozgar Melas to give permanent jobs in the government sector.

Attacking the Pinarayi Vijayan government, the PM said, “In every BJP-ruled state, the campaign for giving jobs is going on. However, the present Kerala govt is not focused on providing jobs to the youth. The youth of Kerala can never forget this attitude of the Kerala government.”

Prime Minister said the ease of living of the people connected with the fisheries sector is his government’s priority. He said the Centre is working towards the modernisation of the fisheries sector. Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, around Rs 800 crore aid has been approved for Kerala. He said the central government made a separate ministry for Fisheries, and fishermen are made the beneficiaries of the Kisan credit card.

He said if infrastructure improves in Kerala, new employment opportunities will be created in the State and new industries will come and tourism will increase.

Refering to Operation Kaveri, Prime Minister lauded Union Minister Muraleedharan and said, “Due to the civil war in Sudan, many of our people are stuck there. Therefore, we have started Operation Kaveri to bring them safely. It is being overseen by the son of Kerala and the Minister of our governmnet, Muraleedharan.”

Highlighting India as a treasure trove of youth power, Prime Minister said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the youth of the country share the same wavelength and vision.

“Today, the BJP and the youth of the country share the same wavelength and vision. We bring reforms and the youth bring results. It is a strong partnership between the government and the youth. BJP has made this era, the era of youth-led development,” he said.

He said a mission becomes vibrant when there is the energy of vibrant youth behind it and when it comes to Kerala, it is so grand and beautiful that after coming here the energy increases even more.

“The previous governments did scams in every sector. On the other hand, the BJP government is creating opportunities in every sector. Through the Aatmanirbhar campaign, the youth have been afforded opportunities,” PM Modi said.

Today, the PM said when the country is taking steps with the resolve of ‘New India’ and shouldering big global responsibilities, “the youth of the country and Kerala have come forward to give their leadership to this development journey of India.”

Calling the 21st century India’s century, he said India has a treasure of youth power.

“Earlier, people used to think that nothing will change in India. However, today our country can change the entire world. Today’s Aatmanirbhar India talks about Digital India. Once upon a time, India was one of the ‘Fragile Five’ countries. However, today India is known as the fastest-growing economy. It is because of the youth, and therefore, I strongly believe in the youth of my country,” PM Modi said.

Referring to Padma awardee VP Appukutta Poduval, PM Modi said, “A few weeks ago, I met a 99-year youth from Kerala. He is a famous Gandhian, VP Appukutta Poduval, who was conferred the Padma award. We get to learn from every talent in Kerala.”

He said modern infrastructure plays an important role in the development of a state. The work on Kochi Metro is going on at a fast pace with the help of the central government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who landed in Kerala for a two-day visit, held a mega roadshow in Kochi on Monday.

Sporting traditional Kerala attire, PM Modi walked through the streets of Kochi. People queued up on both sides of the road and cheered for the Prime Minister. They also showered flower petals on him. PM Modi was also seen shaking hands with people.

After walking for over 15 minutes, the security personnel escorted Prime Minister to an SUV. The roadshow was markedly different from the PM’s other roadshows, where he usually rides in an open-top vehicle.

PM Modi’s roadshow in Kerala can be seen as a show of strength in the southern state where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aiming to make inroads ahead of the 2024 general elections.

During his Kerala visit, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate projects worth more than Rs 3,200 crore in Kerala. (ANI)

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Kerala CM Congratulates Xi Jinping

Kerala CM Congratulates Jinping For Being Re-elected As President

By LokMarg

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday congratulated Xi Jinping on his re-election as the Chinese President. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Vijayan extended wishes to Xi “for the continued efforts to achieve prosperous China”.

The veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader even took to Twitter to praise China. “Revolutionary greetings to President Xi Jinping on his re-election as the President of the People’s Republic of China. It is truly commendable that China has emerged as a prominent voice in global politics. Best wishes for the continued efforts to achieve a more prosperous China,” he tweeted.

On Friday, Xi was unanimously appointed Chinese President for the third time, making him the country’s longest-serving leader since Mao Zedong, Nikkei Asia reported.

As per the news report, thousands of delegates at the National People’s Congress (NPC)in Beijing voted on Xi’s appointment as president and head of the military for another five years. However, the process was a formality in “China’s rubber-stamp parliament” after Xi Jinping was confirmed as chief of the ruling Communist Party at a twice-a-decade congress in October, Nikkei Asia reported.

All 2,952 NPC delegates cast a ballot approving a new mandate for Xi. Previously, the National People’s Congress (NPC) had ditched term limits, clearing the way for Xi to potentially rule for life.

Delegates also voted to appoint Vice Premier Han Zheng as China’s vice president. A set of reforms, including setting up a new financial sector watchdog and national data agency, was approved at the NPC in a move that might herald tighter restrictions on key sectors of China.

Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang became the new premier on Saturday after being nominated for the post during a session of the 14th National People’s Congress, Global Times reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping nominated Li Qiang for the post of premier. He will replace Li Keqiang, who became the Chinese Premier in 2013. (ANI)

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Health Is Integral Part Of G20 Agenda: MoS Bharati Pravin Pawar

Health Is Integral Part Of G20 Agenda: MoS Bharati Pravin Pawar

By LokMarg

At the outset of the first Health Working Group meeting taking place in Kerala under India’s G20 Presidency, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar on Wednesday called health an integral part of G20 agenda and said that New Delhi’s chairmanship will aim to build on the efforts and proposals laid down by previous health working groups and G20 leaders.

The MoS also stated during her address that G20 countries have consistently worked to promote coordinated efforts among its members to achieve good and equitable health for all.
“During the once-in-a-century crisis of the pandemic, G20 countries consistently worked for promoting coordinated efforts among its members to achieve good & equitable health for all. Health is an integral part of G20 agenda,” MoS Pawar said during the address at the first G20 Health Working Group meeting in Kerala on Wednesday.

She added further that health became an integral part of the G20 agenda with the establishment of the health working group under the German presidency in 2017 and G20 countries that exhibited commitment to mitigating health emergencies.

“Health became an integral part of the G20 agenda with the establishment of the health working group under the german presidency in 2017 and G20 countries have exhibited a long-standing commitment to mitigating health emergencies ever since the inception of the health working group in 2017,” she said.

We know now that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response require diverse, multistakeholder and multisectoral coordination under the leadership of PM Modi, the minister added.

Bharati Pravin Pawar also stated that India’s presidency will aim to build on previous health working groups’ and G20 leaders’ efforts and proposals, such as strengthening our healthcare systems and prioritising one health.

The first Health Working Group meeting under G20 India Presidency is held from January 18-20 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

In a significant milestone, India assumed the presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2022. India is currently part of the G20 Troika comprising Indonesia, India and Brazil, marking the first time that the troika is consisting of three developing and emerging economies.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Health Track of the G20 India Presidency will comprise four Health Working Group (HWG) Meetings and one Health Ministerial Meeting (HMM). The meetings will be held in different locations across the country including Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Goa, Hyderabad (Telangana) and Gandhinagar (Gujarat), highlighting India’s rich and diverse cultures. (ANI)

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Kerala CM Meets Modi In Delhi | Lokmarg

Kerala CM Meets Modi In Delhi

By LokMarg

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s official residence in the national capital.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) released photographs of the meeting.

The Kerala chief minister is in the capital to attend the politburo meeting of the CPM, which is being held in Delhi today. (ANI)

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TN Heavy Rainfall Alert

6 NDRF Teams Deployed In TN After Heavy Rainfall Alert

By LokMarg

In a wake of heavy rainfall on December 8, six teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Tamil Nadu.

The teams of the NDRF will be deployed in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Chennai.
“In view of the IMD alert with respect to Low pressure has formed over South Andaman Sea. It is likely to move West-northwest wards and concentrate into a Depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal, therefore six teams from NDRF Arokkonom are detailed to the following districts of Tamil Nadu as requested by the Director of Disaster Management Govt. of Tamil Nadu,” the NDRF official said on Tuesday.

All the NDRF teams are self-contained and equipped with Flood Rescue equipment, Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue equipment, appropriate communication equipment, and suitable personal protective equipment.

“Our 24×7 control room in Arakkonam is closely monitoring the situation round the clock and all efforts are being made in close collaboration with Tamilnadu state administration,” the official further said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rains are predicted to lash Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from December 7-9 due to low pressure over the southern part of the Andaman Sea and adjoining areas under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean-Strait of Malacca.

As per IMD, a trough is present from the Comorin area to the north Kerala coast at 0.9 km above the mean sea level.

Thereafter, the ‘low-pressure area’ is likely to continue to move west north-westwards, and reach the Southeast Bay of Bengal, near north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by December 8 morning, the release further stated.

IMD also informed us about the rainfall situation for the next three days.

On December 6, light to moderate rain will likely occur at one or two places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal area.

On December 7, light to moderate rain is expected in many places. Also, isolated thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur over the coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal area.

While light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur at one or two places over interior Tamil Nadu, heavy rains are likely at isolated places over Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Pudukkottai districts of Tamilnadu and Karaikal.

On December 8, light to moderate rain is expected in many places with isolated thunderstorms and lightning likely to occur over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal areas.

Other than this, heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Pudukkottai districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. (ANI)

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Heavy Rains In Pondicherry

Heavy Rains In Pondicherry, TN On Dec 8: IMD

By LokMarg

A low-pressure area forming over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining south Andaman Sea is likely to bring very heavy rainfall in Pondicherry and seven districts of Tamil Nadu on December 8, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a press release on Sunday.

As per IMD, a trough is present from the Comorin area to the north Kerala coast at 0.9 km above the mean sea level.
A low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining south Andaman Sea by December 5, which is expected to move north-westwards before concentrating into a ‘Depression’ over the Southeast Bay of Bengal by December 7 morning.

Thereafter, the ‘low-pressure area’ is likely to continue to move west north-westwards, and reach the Southeast Bay of Bengal, near north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by December 8 morning, the release further stated.

IMD also informed us about the likely rainfall situation for the next three days.

On December 5, light to moderate rainfall is likely to occur at a few places over South Tamil Nadu, North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal area.

On December 6, light to moderate rain will likely occur at one or two places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal area.

On December 7, light to moderate rain is expected in many places. Also, isolated thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur over the coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal area.

While light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur at one or two places over interior Tamil Nadu, heavy rains are likely at isolated places over Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Pudukkottai districts of Tamilnadu and Karaikal.

On December 8, light to moderate rain is expected in many places with isolated thunderstorms and lightning likely to occur over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal areas.

Other than this, heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Pudukkottai districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. (ANI)

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Measles cases in Malappuram

Kerala: Appeal For Vaccination After 160 Cases Of Measles Reported In Malappuram

By LokMarg

Taking note of the rising cases of measles in Malappuram, the Indian Academy of Paediatricians stepped in and appealed for vaccination amid the reportedly alarming hike in the cases.

The officials informed that the Malappuram district was the worst hit.
“As of now, all states are facing measles outbreak. In Kerala, Malappuram the most affected. 160 cases of measles reported in the dist. So far there hasn’t been any mortality due to measles in the district,” said Dr Jose Ouseph, State President of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Kerala.

His remarks came in the wake of the declining rate of immunization for measles after the pandemic.

“There is a chance of it spreading in the coming days. So, we’re pushing for maximum vaccination coverage in the affected areas,” Dr Jose added.

On November 24, The World Health Organization(WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday (local time) said that measles immunization had dropped significantly since the coronavirus pandemic began, resulting in a record high of nearly 40 million children missing a vaccine dose last year.

“There is now an imminent threat of measles spreading to different regions around the world as COVID-19 has led to a steady decline in vaccination coverage and weakened surveillance of the disease,” said WHO and CDC in a joint report.

Measles is one of the most contagious human viruses and is almost entirely preventable through vaccination. However, it requires 95 percent vaccination coverage to prevent community outbreaks.

“A record high of nearly 40 million children missed a measles vaccine dose in 2021,” read the joint report.

Earlier on November 28, a one-year-old girl died in Mumbai on Monday after contracting measles, said a statement issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The minor’s death took the city’s official toll from the highly infectious disease to 14. (ANI)

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