Daily train service from Kerala to Velankanni to be a reality soon
Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh, who has been communicating with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regularly on the matter, recently received a positive response from the latter.
In a letter dated August 7, 2025, the railway minister assured the MP that the concerned directorate has been asked to examine the possibilities of operating train no. 16361/16362 Ernakulam-Velankanni-Ernakulam Express on daily basis. Following which, the MP's office is optimistic that the daily train to Velankanni would materialise soon.
The annual festival of the shrine is held every year on September 8, the birthday of Mother Mary. Thousands take out a pilgrimage to Velankanni starting from the last week of August. From Kerala, the shrine can be reached by rail through train no. 16361 Ernakulam Junction-Velankanni Bi-weekly Express starting from Ernakulam at 1pm on Mondays and Saturdays to reach Velankanni at 5.40am the next day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
4 hours ago
- United News of India
Vaishnaw invites Mamata to PM Modi's Metro Inauguration in Kolkata
Kolkata, Aug 17 (UNI) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has invited West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to attend the inauguration of three metro projects in Kolkata, scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 22. In a letter dated August 14, Vaishnaw requested the chief minister to 'grace the occasion' at Jessore Road metro station, where the inauguration ceremony will be held. The state government is yet to confirm whether Banerjee will be present. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Sealdah- Esplanade stretch of the Green Line, the Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)- Beleghata section of the Orange Line, and the Noapara- Jai Hind (Airport) section of the Yellow Line. With this, the Green Line- India's first underwater metro- will become fully operational from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector 5, and Kolkata airport will finally get a metro link. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has questioned the timing of the event, alleging that long-pending projects are being unveiled with an eye on next year's Assembly polls. The state BJP, however, dismissed the charge, blaming the state government for land acquisition hurdles that stalled several projects. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said, 'Forty-three railway projects in Bengal have been delayed due to lack of cooperation from the state government. The CM's presence at the inauguration would be desirable.' Vaishnaw, highlighting the Centre's push for rail infrastructure in Bengal, said works worth Rs 83,765 crore are underway in the state, along with the redevelopment of 101 railway stations. UNI XC RKM
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand to repeal madrassa Act, new law to cover all minority institutions
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami (File photo) DEHRADUN: In a significant move claimed to be the "first in the country", Uttarakhand cabinet on Sunday approved Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, set to be introduced in the legislative session starting Aug 19, paving way for educational institutions of Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis to get minority status benefits in the state. Previously, minority educational status under state law applied only to Muslim institutions. The legislation will replace Uttarakhand Madrassa Education Board Act, 2016, and Uttarakhand Non-Governmental Arabic and Persian Madrassa Recognition Rules, 2019 - which are to be now repealed, effective July 1, 2026. Key provisions of the new law include establishing Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority (USMEA), mandatory recognition for minority institutions, protection from interference and registration under the Society, Trust, or Company Acts. USMEA will oversee education quality and conduct assessments as per standards of Uttarakhand School Education Board, officials familiar with the matter said. Speaking on the issue, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "The Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill marks a significant and historic step in the field of education in Uttarakhand. Our govt has consistently worked towards protecting the constitutional rights of minority communities and providing equal opportunities in education. It will not only enhance transparency but also ensure the quality and excellence of education. Communities such as Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis will benefit from it. State govt's goal is to promote social harmony and inclusive development through education."
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
'Many congratulations to Dhami government': Uttarakhand waqf board chairman on minority bill
DEHRADUN: After the Uttarakhand cabinet decided to introduce the Uttarakhand minority educational institutions bill, 2025, Uttarakhand waqf board chairman Shadab Shams on Sunday extended his congratulations to the Pushkar Singh Dhami government. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking to ANI, Uttarakhand waqf board chairman said, "Many congratulations to the Dhami government. Today, there has been talk of forming a minority education authority in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. With this, the new minority institutions that will be formed will get approval, and minority does not mean only Muslims, minorities also include Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, so everyone will get rights. I think it is a very positive step taken in that direction." Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand cabinet made a historic decision by deciding to introduce the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, in the coming session of the legislative assembly starting on August 19. Until now, the status of minority educational institutions has been given only to the Muslim community. According to the release, the Bill seeks to extend the benefits of minority educational institutions status to the minority communities other than Muslims as well. Once enacted, it will permit the study of Gurmukhi and Pali also in recognised minority educational institutions. The Uttarakhand Madrasa education board act, 2016 and the Uttarakhand non-government Arabic and Persian Madrasa recognition rules, 2019, will stand repealed from July 1, 2026. Under the proposed Bill, this facility will also be available to other minority communities ie Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is the first such act in the country, aimed at establishing a transparent process for granting recognition to educational institutions set up by minority communities in the state, while ensuring quality and excellence in education. Key features of the Act include the formation of an authority - an "Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education" will be constituted in the state to grant the status of minority educational institutions. It includes mandatory recognition, ie any educational institution established by Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or Parsi communities must obtain recognition from the Authority to qualify as a minority educational institution. Protection of institutional rights, the law does not interfere in the establishment and administration of minority educational institutions but ensures that educational excellence is maintained. Mandatory conditions - To obtain recognition, educational institutions must be registered under the Societies Act, Trust Act, or Companies Act. Ownership of land, bank accounts, and other assets must be in the name of the institution. Recognition can be withdrawn in cases of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, or activities against religious and social harmony. Monitoring and examination - The authority will ensure that education is imparted in accordance with the standards set by the board of school education, Uttarakhand, and that student evaluations remain fair and transparent. The act introduces significant changes for the minority community's institutions in the state by establishing a transparent process for their recognition. It ensures the quality of education is maintained while protecting the Constitutional rights of minorities. Additionally, the state government gains the authority to monitor the functioning of these institutions and issue necessary directives as needed.
