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The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
₹6 crore for RT initiatives in eco-friendly waste management, training
The State government has approved ₹6.01 crore in funding for projects promoting eco-friendly waste management and providing training for various Responsible Tourism (RT) units, especially those of women. The government has allocated funds for biogas plants for homestays, carbon-neutral packages, training programmes, and publicity campaigns through four orders. Stressing the need to strengthen the responsible tourism initiative in the State, Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas said on Tuesday, 'Biogas plants will be provided for homestays operated by women and registered with the State RT Mission Society. This project will initially be implemented in one homestay in each district. Additionally, two waste treatment plants will be allocated to one Experience Ethnic Cuisine and one Agri Tourism unit in each district. Five kayaking units registered with the RT Mission Society will receive ₹40,000 each as financial assistance to implement carbon-neutral packages. Environmental responsibility Funds have also been set aside to implement Kerala Digital Science Innovation and Technology's recommendations for other programmes promoting environmental responsibility. The total amount allocated for environmental projects is ₹50 lakh, while ₹75 lakh has been designated for various training initiatives under different RT Mission Societies. This includes training on digital marketing and artificial intelligence in the tourism sector, as well as training on RT projects for newly elected local government representatives. Additionally, allocations have been made to raise awareness about these projects, conduct special training programmes in the Athirapilly region to engage the tribal community through responsible tourism and general tourism activities, operate the RT Mission Society Training Centre, and manage various training programmes, including a digital training initiative. Workshop The State has allocated ₹76 lakh for organising a cultural exchange programme and a cultural tourism policy preparation workshop to promote the significant local interventions of the RT Mission activities such as STREET, PEPPER and Model Tourism Villages to an international audience. Furthermore, the government has allocated ₹2 crore to promote and market the RT Mission Society and another ₹2 crore for other regular expenditures.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Upgraded roads in Thrissur officially dedicated to public
The upgraded roads across the district have been officially dedicated to the public with General Education Minister V. Sivankutty inaugurating the completed projects online on Friday. The newly revamped roads include Chittanda–Thalassery, Putharithara–Kondazhi, Athani–Puthuruthi, Kanippayyur–Iringapuram, and Kanakamala–Chathan Master stretches, all upgraded to Bituminous Macadam and Bituminous Concrete (BM and BC) standards. Public Works Department (PWD) Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas highlighted that under the PWD's initiative for high-quality, time-bound, and corruption-free infrastructure, the State has been transformed into a developmental hub. The roads, spanning rural interiors to urban centers, reflect the government's commitment to modern road design and quality standards. The State aims to upgrade 50% of its roads to BM and BC levels within five years—60% of this goal has already been achieved in just four years, he said. The Chittanda–Thalassery Road is upgraded with ₹3 crore and Putharithara–Kondazhi Road has been completed with ₹3.69 crore, featuring sidewalls, culverts, signboards, and reflectors. The 2.8 km stretch of Kanippayyur–Iringapuram Road has been renovated at a cost of ₹3 crore. Works included drainage, culvert restoration, signage, and raising low-lying areas.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
CM inaugurates ‘Ente Keralam' expo and National Saras Mela in Kozhikode
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan virtually inaugurated the 'Ente Keralam' expo, celebrating four years of achievement of the current Left Democratic Front (LDF )government, as well as the National Saras Mela at Kozhikode Beach on Saturday (May 3, 2025). The mela had begun on Friday (May 2, 2025). Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said over 3.5 lakh new enterprises had been launched in Kerala under the 'Samrambhaka Varsham' scheme proving that the State was business-friendly. 'We need to move ahead through opportunities that do not demand huge capital, but ensure good returns,' the Chief Minister said. He hailed the Kudumbashree as the backbone of development and local entrepreneurship in Kerala and pointed out that the State government had set aside ₹270 crore for the Kudumbashree in the Budget. Presiding over the function, Tourism and Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas said the government was implementing projects that common people needed, and that it had been able to reach out to all sections of society through development activities. Minister for Forests and Wildlife A.K. Saseendran was the guest of honour. MLAs Thottathil Raveendran, Ahamed Devarkovil, E.K. Vijayan, P.T.A. Rahim, Kunhahammed Kutty Master, K.M. Sachin Dev, and Linto Joseph, Mayor Beena Philip, and district panchayat president Sheeja Sasi were present. Earlier, a colourful procession featuring Sinkarimelam, Skating show, tableaux, Zumba dance, Kolkali, Theyyam, and Thira was taken out through the city as part of the event. The procession started from Mananchira and concluded at the Beach Freedom Square where the exhibitions are held. The expo features around 200 stalls by various government departments. The National Saras Mela hosted by Kudumbashree features stalls by Women's Self Help Groups from across the country. Both the expos will conclude on May 12.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rajeev Chandrasekhar hits back with ‘son-in-law of communist dynasty' remark amid Vizhinjam row
After being criticised by Kerala's Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas and trolled on social media for his onstage presence alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said the 'son-in-law of the communist dynasty was upset because I arrived early at the inauguration ceremony.' Inaugurating Vikasitha Keralam convention organised by the BJP Alappuzha North district committee on Saturday (May 3), Mr. Chandrasekhar, without naming Mr. Riyas directly, said 'the son-in-law should consult a doctor.' 'He is upset because I arrived early. Since the party workers had come early, as the State president of the party (BJP), I felt that I should also arrive with them. When everyone went to the VIP lounge, I went to see my party workers. That was why I entered the stage early,' said Mr. Chandrasekhar. He said that Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] members were trolling him since Friday night. 'The Prime Minister said that some people would not be able to sleep anymore. That is true. Let them troll me as much as they want and say whatever they want. The BJP will do what it has to do. The BJP and National Democratic Alliance's train has already started moving. Anyone can board this train, including the son-in-law. Our goal is a developed Kerala and we will achieve it,' added Mr. Chandrasekhar.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Malaysia Airlines to increase frequency of service to Kerala
Malaysia Airlines has decided to increase the frequency of flights between Kuala Lumpur and Thiruvananthapuram from four flights to five a week from June 6. The decision comes in wake of Kerala Tourism partnering with Malaysia Airlines as part of its 'Look East' strategy to scale up footfall of tourists to the State from the region. The increased frequency will play a vital role in connecting Kerala capital to the Asia Pacific region in line with the Look East policy being actively pursued by the State government, Malaysia Airlines said in a release. Malaysia Airlines is the only full-service premium carrier operating on the route, connecting the State seamlessly to the Asia Pacific region, it said. Earlier this month, Kerala Tourism officially launched its Look East initiative to explore the vast Asia Pacific markets in collaboration with the Malaysia Airlines. The initiative took off with a familiarisation (FAM) tour of tour operators and social media influencers from eight countries, besides holding a B2B meet. The increased services to and from Kerala will help increase tourist footfall to Kerala from the Asia Pacific region, said Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas.
