Latest news with #Onam


The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
K. Rajan inaugurates district-level Praveshanolsavam in Thrissur
The new academic year kicked off with vibrant Praveshanolsavam (school reopening celebrations) across the district on Monday. Over 25,000 children were welcomed into Class 1. Revenue Minister K. Rajan officially launched the district-level Praveshanolsavam celebrations at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School (GVHSS) Puthur. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said State's public education system is witnessing a new and promising transformation. 'The impact of the Public Education Protection Campaign is visible in every school, where education now goes beyond textbooks to touch lives,' he noted. He stressed that education must reflect the emotions and needs of the people and not just focus on marks or exams, but on building a well-informed, compassionate society. The Minister also spoke about ₹15-crore development works carried out at the school over the past nine years, highlighting infrastructure improvements. He said a colourful rally will be held from the school to the upcoming Puthur Zoological Park, set to open after the Onam holidays, as a symbol of community engagement with education and nature. The ceremony featured a live screening of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's State-level Praveshanolsavam inauguration. Students performed the official welcome song through dance. Meritorious students who received LSS, USS, and NMMS scholarships, along with Thrissur native Triloknath, who featured in the International World Book of Records, and high school Mathematics teacher A.S. Saritha, who earned her PhD from Calicut University, were honoured during the function. Students took the 'Clean Kerala' pledge, and the district sanitation poster was released as part of the Haritha Mission. Children's cultural performances added colour and joy to the event. District panchayat president V.S. Prince presided over the event.


The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Nod for spending ₹11.20 crore on vegetable, coconut procurement under market intervention support scheme
The Agriculture department has given the nod for spending ₹11.20 crore on the procurement of vegetables and fruits and coconut. The decision is part of the market intervention programmes aimed at price stabilisation in the 2025-26 fiscal and also comes ahead of this year's Onam festival which falls in September. Of the ₹11.20 crore, the Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation (Horticorp) will spend ₹8 crore on procurement of essential vegetables and fruits, while Kerafed, which is the apex co-operative federation of coconut farmers in the State, will spend ₹2 crore on coconut procurement, a May 31 order issued by the department said. The government has also earmarked ₹38 lakh for Marketfed towards the State's share for the procurement of coconut and ₹82.60 lakh for expenses related to the Kerala farm-fresh fruits and vegetables scheme. The annual plan of the State government has set aside a total ₹21.50 crore for market intervention programmes aimed at keeping prices stable in the market in the 2025-26 fiscal. The proposal to give administrative sanction for the above allocations was approved at a working group meeting held on May 19.


India.com
5 days ago
- India.com
5 Locations That Enhance The Beauty Of Monsoon Season In Thiruvananthapuram
The capital city of Kerala which is Thiruvananthapuram stands out for its tropical trees and its enchanting lakes as well as its exciting traditions. During the monsoon season this coastal city embraces the absolute beauty of nature through which it becomes most vibrant. Between June and September the monsoon delivers Thiruvananthapuram into a breathtaking landscape which brings out both local residents and visitors. The monsoon period in Thiruvananthapuram brings five vital characteristics that create its aesthetic wonders. 1. Revitalizing Greenery Throughout the monsoon season Thiruvananthapuram reveals attractive landscape transformations as its main characteristic. The assortment of vegetation within the city expands in beauty through rainfall that sustains its natural growth. Periodic rain sustains the flourishing trees together with shrubs and grasslands which make the city shadily green. Nature lovers find perfect tranquility at Kanakakunnu Palace grounds and Napier Museum gardens during this season because their dewy fresh appearance invites gentle walking among the greenery. 2. Majestic Waterfalls in Full Flow Multiple exquisite waterfalls within Thiruvananthapurm receive their vital energy from the monsoon season. The Attukad Waterfall located near Ponmudi releases its forceful flow which produces a beautiful waterfall effect while surrounded by deep woods. Aruvikkara Dam along with its adjacent regions develops into a popular destination for individuals who want serenity and breathtaking scenery. The destinations present dual benefits of natural visual admiration as photographers find perfect outlets to record the thunderous elements of Mother Nature. 3. Backwaters Come Alive Backwaters throughout Kerala retain special character during monsoons because visitors from Thiruvananthapuram can access them easily. Houseboat exploration across joined water canals and lake systems becomes an extraordinary maritime adventure due to rising water levels. The continuous rain rhythms hitting the water surface merge with the mystical atmosphere formed by the mist-enshrouded horizons. Kovalam together with Veli Lake turn into tranquil sanctuary destinations during the month of July. 4. Cultural Festivals Amidst the Rains Various cultural gatherings happen during the Kerala monsoon season so the city transforms into an attraction where spiritual and festive attractions join its appeal. During August or September the yearly festival of Onam takes place. Throughout this harvest festival festival goers unite through their traditional performing arts as well as boat races and delicious Onasadya feasts. Every year the Aranmula Boat Race attracts big crowds as numerous snake boats sail through waters touched by rain. 5. Cooler Climate and Refreshing Atmosphere During the year Thiruvananthapuram maintains a tropical climate that becomes especially bearable during the monsoons when temperatures decrease. During this period the air temperature plunges providing relief to those who want to enjoy outdoor activities in the pleasant weather. The enjoyable climate creates an improved environment for visitors to observe both Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Kovalam Beach and Shankumugham. Conclusion The monsoon season in Thiruvananthapuram transforms into a mystical event that connects natural beauty and cultural heritage into an absolute masterpiece. The city provides numerous opportunities to welcome the rains because it blends revitalized green landscapes with roaring waterfall displays together with the serene backwater views and the joyful festival atmosphere. Travelers who choose Thiruvananthapurm as their destination during the rainy season will create memories that remain forever. Prepare your rain jacket together with your camera to surf through this southern gem that glows in the wet season.


New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Naslen in line to star in Althaf Salim's planned next directorial
Actor-filmmaker Althaf Salim, currently busy with post-production for his second directorial venture Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira (OKCK), has revealed plans for his next project in a recent interview. Featuring Premalu actor Naslen in the lead, he intends to direct a crime comedy, which is described as a murder mystery. OKCK, which stars Fahadh Faasil in the lead, is set to hit theatres on September 4 during Onam. The upcoming film features Kalyani Priyadarshan as the female lead, alongside Kota Factory actor Revathi Pillai in a pivotal role. It also stars Vinay Forrt, Suresh Krishna, Lal and Anuraj OB, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Babu Antony, Johny Antony, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Vineeth Vasudevan, and Saafboi in supporting roles. On the technical front, OKCK has cinematography by Jinto George, editing by Abhinav Sunder Nayak, production design by Ashwini Kale and music direction by Justin Varghese. The film is backed by Ashiq Usman under his namesake banner.


Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala State Land Use Board project to transform wasteland in Kattakada assembly constituency into fertile farmland
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala State Land Use Board (KSLUB) identified 271.22 hectares of wasteland, including private land, in the six panchayats under Kattakada assembly constituency as part of 'Jaivasamridhikoppam Kattakada' project. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative is envisioned to convert cultivable wastelands in the constituency into agricultural lands, promote organic farming and achieve agricultural self-sufficiency. The project is being implemented in Malayinkeezhu, Pallichal, Kattakada, Vilavoorkal, Vilappil and Maranalloor panchayats. As a preliminary step, a fruit-plant cluster is being formed at Keleswaram in Pallichal and a Poshaka Thottam of medicinal plants at Kulathottumala in Kattakada. Fruit crops are being planted at Pottayil in Vilavoorkal and mushroom cultivation is already taking place in Vilappil. Vegetables, plantain crops and watermelon cultivation are also ongoing in Maranalloor. The fallow lands were identified through a survey conducted by KSLUB officials with the help of village officers and officials from the agriculture department, fisheries, animal husbandry, local self-department and others. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Kudumbasree workers are also involved in the process. Landowners will receive the necessary assistance to start farming, and if they are not interested, the land will be leased for farming with the help of interested farming groups. "The project was even lauded at the UN as a 'model of convergence' as it is implemented with the cooperation of various departments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was planned with zero budget and if funds are needed, they can be made available from the plan funds of all the departments. KSLUB has prepared a crop calendar featuring short-term crops that will yield by the Onam season, as well as long-term crops for obtaining yields over longer periods. In the crop calendar, suitable untapped crops have been recommended to ensure better returns for farmers. Other variety crops such as rambutan, groundnuts, sweet potato and corn are also being planted. In 20 acres, paddy will be cultivated and in 25 acres, rambutan," said IB Satheesh, MLA. A registration drive will also be held in the constituency to find youngsters willing to commence farming on leased lands, the officials said. "The department has also put forward a product plan for the constituency. The project also focuses on the industrial processing of agricultural produce and converting it into value-added products through initiatives undertaken by the industries department. Land use maps, including survey numbers, have been made available to agricultural officers as part of the project. Based on the crop suitability assessment as per field surveys, slope, soil type and land use pattern of the region, as well as on the grounds of field verification, a draft DPR has been prepared wherein suitable crops are suggested," said land use commissioner Yasmin L Rasheed.