Latest news with #Chacko
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Biker run over by bus on pothole-filled road
Thrissur: In yet another tragic accident in the city, a 34-year-old biker lost his life in Ayyanthole on Saturday morning. The deceased has been identified as Abel Chacko, a bank employee and a resident of Elthuruth. Witnesses said the accident occurred when Chacko tried to apply brakes when another bike coming from opposite direction tried to evade a pothole. Chacko lost his balance and his bike skid and he was run over by a private bus operating on the Thrissur–Kunnamkulam route. He was on his way to work. The FIR registered by Thrissur West police station named the driver of the private bus as the accused and invoked sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including BNS 281 (negligent driving) and BNS 106 (causing death by negligence). "The accused drove the bus at excessive speed, carelessly, negligently and in a manner endangering human life," stated the FIR. Opposition leaders, including Congress's Rajan Pallan and BJP's Raghunath, staged a protest with road blockades following the fatal accident, alleging failure by authorities in road maintenance, causing a complete traffic halt on the Puzhakkal–Ayyanthole stretch. KSRTC buses were also blocked, leading to a verbal clash with police. Collector has sought a report from PWD and MVD.
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
India's Gold Market Remains Resilient Despite Jewelry Slowdown and Slumping Imports
Waleed Farouk Despite a seasonal lull in gold jewelry demand and June gold imports falling to a 14-month low, the Indian gold market continues to hold steady, supported by strong retail earnings and growing investment demand, according to Kavita Chacko, Head of Research at the World Gold Council. In her monthly report, Chacko noted that gold prices lost momentum by the end of June, recording only a marginal month-on-month increase of 0.3%. She explained that prices were initially supported in early June by a weaker US dollar, rising geopolitical tensions, lower US Treasury yields, and positive inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). However, a shift in investor sentiment toward riskier assets curbed the precious metal's gains. Gold Shows Strong Performance Year-to-Date Despite Pressures Gold prices have risen by 2% so far in July, fueled by renewed trade tensions, bringing the yellow metal's year-to-date gains in 2025 to 28% in US dollar terms. In the Indian market, gold ended June with a 0.7% monthly increase to ₹95,676 per 10 grams and continued its upward trend in July, rising by another 1% to ₹97,095. Jewelry Demand Slows, While Investment Appetite Grows Despite gold's strong price performance, high prices weighed on jewelry demand. "Jewelry demand declined following the end of the wedding season and the onset of the seasonal lull in June and early July," Chacko stated. "Higher prices also prompted consumers to defer discretionary purchases or shift toward more affordable alternatives such as lightweight, lower-karat, or gemstone-studded jewelry." Old jewelry exchanges also increased as a cost-saving measure, while investment demand for gold bars, coins, and simple chains—seen as semi-investment products due to their lower manufacturing costs—grew significantly, according to market reports. Jewelry Companies Report Profit Growth Despite Lower Volumes Although demand volume remained subdued, jewelry companies reported higher profits in the second quarter of the financial year. Major listed companies recorded annual revenue growth between 18% and 31%, driven by a 32% year-on-year increase in gold prices and seasonal demand during April and May. Gemstone-studded jewelry also gained popularity as a response to high prices, while digital channels and franchise networks expanded significantly. Leading companies opened between two and 19 new stores during the quarter. Gold ETFs Record Second-Highest Inflows Ever June saw a surge in investment demand, with gold ETFs recording net inflows of ₹20.8 billion (approximately USD 242 million)—the second-highest monthly inflow on record—driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Total assets under management for Indian gold ETFs reached USD 7.5 billion, an 88% year-on-year increase, while holdings rose to 66.7 tonnes, including additions of 2 tonnes in June and 9 tonnes in the first half of 2025—marking the largest H1 increase on record. Investor participation grew sharply, with 280,000 new accounts opened in June alone, up 27% from May and 41% year-on-year, pushing the total number of gold ETF accounts to 7.65 million. This underscores the growing importance of gold as a strategic asset in Indian portfolios. RBI Resumes Gold Buying at Slower Pace On the sovereign front, the Reserve Bank of India resumed gold purchases in June, adding 0.4 tonnes after a three-month pause, bringing official gold reserves to a record high of 880 tonnes. However, RBI's buying pace has slowed significantly in 2025, with only 3.8 tonnes added in the first half of the year—the lowest H1 addition in six years, compared to 37.1 tonnes in H1 2024. This likely reflects a more cautious approach in response to elevated global gold prices. Nonetheless, gold's share in India's total foreign exchange reserves has risen to a record 12.1%, up from 8.7% a year earlier. High Prices Drive Sharp Drop in Imports Elevated prices also triggered a sharp decline in gold imports, which fell to their lowest level in 14 months in June, marking the third consecutive monthly drop. Import values declined to USD 1.8 billion, down 26% year-on-year and 28% month-on-month. Estimated volumes ranged between 19 and 24 tonnes, compared to 31 tonnes in May. Jewelry Demand Likely to Rebound Ahead of Festival Season Chacko expects jewelry demand to rebound starting mid-August with the onset of the festive season. 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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
This Kochi youngster handmade a Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 from scratch
As we wait for Bibin Chacko outside his house in the interiors of Thiruvaniyur, near Kochi, we spy the hood of a 'car'. The low-slung car, almost grazing the ground, is covered with tarpaulin. That 'handmade car' is Bibin's claim to fame, and one that his father, Chacko TO hopes would get him a job with an automobile company, 'Lamborghini even!' he jokes. Lamborghini because the car Bibin fabricated is a replica of Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4. Bibin, an employee of the nearby OEN India, is excited about the attention the 'car' has been getting. 'The two things I have not made are the tyres and the engine, which belongs to a Maruti Suzuki 800. Everything else, I made myself,' he says as his proud father looks on. At the time he built the car, he had never seen one in real life. 'I thought I might never be able to own one, so why not build one,' says Bibin, who started building his car when he was in second year of college. The building, in earnest, was the work of three years, says the mechanical engineer who graduated from ToC-H Institute of Science and Technology, Arakkunnam. His initial resource was the internet, where he found the measurements of the car. 'I then bought the tyres, second hand so that I could start building. This is a scaled version of the original,' he clarifies. He first chalked the outline of the car, based on the measurements, on the terrace of his house. Then came the chassis, which he built, followed by 8mm metal rods to build the frame, which was then covered with cardboard and fibre plaster. He even cut and welded the metal himself. Initially, the engine he used belonged to an autorickshaw. There is no windshield yet, the steering wheel, gear shift, instrument cluster and 'seats' are rudimentary, and it needs a coat of paint. When I tell him about the green Porsche 911 I saw in Kochi, Bibin says, 'I wanted the candy red shade, but when I enquired I learnt it is super expensive so now I am undecided about the colour.' This did not happen in one go, says Chacko. 'It happened over a period of several years. We could not help him financially, but encouraged him in every other way possible.' Bibin smiles, 'Yes, that my parents did. Without their support I could not have indulged in this hobby.' He bought raw materials with the money, (₹5000) monthly, he earned as a newspaper boy. 'That is why it took time. I have now managed to get sponsors for the alloys!' The material cost came up to around ₹1.25 lakh. This is also the first car he has driven. 'I just had a two-wheeler license, it is only after this one became 'drive-able' that I got a four wheeler license also. Since we don't have a car, this is also the first one that I have driven.' As the father and son manoeuvre the car out of the gate, Bibin confesses that his driving skills are basic. The car is more of a showpiece now, not meant for the road. 'He has been curious about mechanical things, toys especially as a young kid. Any time we bought him toy cars from the church fairs he would dismantle them. He wanted to know what was inside, and how it worked. This is an extension of that,' says Chacko. Bibin says the workings of mechanical things made him curious as a child and perhaps building this car may have had something to do with that. 'I have always wanted to know how something works, so I took apart toys and phones and put them back together.' Bibin has not decided what he intends to do with his car. There have been enquiries about it from individuals asking if it is for sale, then there have been enquiries about if he could fabricate another, 'I am not sure what I want to do. First, I want to complete the car. I wouldn't mind taking it as part of shows to other cities…I have not decided. Let's see!' So has he seen a Lamborghini Huracan in real life? 'Yes, in 2024 when someone came in the car for a function at a nearby college!' Bibin has documented the entire process on his YouTube channel BC CUSTOMS (@bibinchacko326)
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Kerala man builds dream Lamborghini replica with Alto parts, scrap materials worth Rs 1.5 lakh
A Lamborghini Huracan replica is grabbing eyeballs on social media, not for its speed or luxury parts, but for the story behind its creation. Bipin Chacko, the mastermind behind this project, from Kerala, spent three years building his dream supercar using scrap materials. Chacko documented the journey showcasing his DIY Lamborghini, which is winning plaudits. It's part of his ongoing series titled Homemade Supercar, which includes nine detailed episodes capturing the entire building process, from gathering scrap materials to final polish. Instead of high-end materials, Chachko used fibreglass and multiwood to shape the body of the car, achieving a look strikingly close to the real Huracan, and used a fully custom-made chassis by hand. He further revealed that he could only work on his creation during the night due to his busy schedule. Chacko also shared that he has already invested around Rs 1.5 lakh. However, he estimates that 20 to 30 per cent of the work is still pending. The interiors remain unfinished, with no cushioning yet installed on the seats. Watch the viral video here: A post shared by Arun Smoki (@arunsmoki) The video gained traction after popular auto vlogger Arun Smoki shared it, garnering over a lakh views and sparking a sea of reactions. 'Absolutely mind-blowing! Turning scrap into stunning Art takes skill, patience, and pure passion. Hats off to you for making the impossible look possible,' a user wrote. 'No one will raise you here bro. Go out somewhere and escape,' another user commented. 'Don't call it Lamborghini bro. its ur creative make ur brand with perfect name,' a third user reacted. A similar story emerged on social media earlier, where a 67-year-old man built an electric vehicle in Kerala. The vehicle uses up to one unit of electricity worth Rs 5 and could run 60 km when fully charged.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- The Hindu
Father of actor Shine Tom Chacko laid to rest
The funeral of C.P. Chacko, 70, father of Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko, who was killed in a road accident on the Dharmapuri national highway, near Palacode, in Dharmapuri district on June 6, 2025, was held at the Mount Carmel Church in Mundur, Thrissur, on Monday. Earlier, the body was kept at his house in Mundur for the public to pay homage. Actors Tovino Thomas, Soubin Shahir, and Sarayu were among those who paid homage. Shine and his mother Maria Carmel, 65, who had sustained injuries in the accident, paid their last respects at the house in the morning. They were brought in an ambulance from the private hospital in Thrissur, where they are undergoing treatment. The actor, who had sustained a fracture below his left shoulder and a minor spinal fracture, is expected to undergo surgery on Tuesday, according to the hospital authorities. His mother had sustained hip fracture in the accident that occurred near Parayur. The car had reportedly rammed a moving lorry from behind. To Bengaluru While the septuagenarian was killed on the spot, the 41-year-old actor, his brother Joe John Chacko, 36, and their mother were injured along with the driver, Anees, 42. All four were initially admitted to the government medical college hospital at Dharmapuri for treatment. The actor had recently admitted to using drugs. The family was reportedly travelling from Kochi to Bengaluru, where he was reportedly undergoing rehabilitation.
