Latest news with #TSiddique
India Today
23-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala High Court judges, MLAs narrowly escape amid Kashmir terror attack
A group of High Court judges and MLAs from Kerala, who were on a trip to Jammu and Kashmir, had a narrow escape as a terror attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, including one from Ernakulam, Kerala. The Kerala Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed that the delegation was not in the immediate vicinity at the time of the Anil K Narendran, PG Ajithkumar and G Girish, who were staying in Srinagar, were confirmed safe, the CMO confirmed. They are expected to return to Kerala on Thursday. Sources close to the judges said they and their families had left Pahalgam for Srinagar, about 90 km away, just a few hours before the attack happened in Baisaran the CMO said the judges were on a trip with their families, the MLA were part of a legislative delegation from Kerala. MLAs M Mukesh, KPA Majeed, T Siddique and K Ansalan, who were also in Srinagar, were likewise reported safe. The CMO also stated that all necessary steps were being taken to ensure the safety of Malayalis currently in Jammu and Kashmir. Expressing grief over the loss of a Malayali's life in the attack, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, 'The news that a native of Ernakulam was killed is extremely painful. His family members will be brought home safely. All necessary arrangements will be made under the leadership of the government.'N Ramachandran, a native of Edappally in Kochi, was killed in the attack in Pahalgam. He was on a vacation with his wife, his daughter and her two MLA T Siddique, who was in Kashmir, spoke to India Today from the police control room where the bodies of the deceased were being kept. According to him, he and the three other MLAs were part of an Assurance Committee team from Kerala who reached Kashmir on Tuesday at 5.20 pm, for a Kashmir Legislative Assembly Committee in response to the incident, the Kerala government launched a help desk through Norka (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs) to provide immediate assistance and information. The Norka Roots Chief Executive Officer Ajit Kolassery said: 'The Norka help desk has been launched as per the instructions of the Chief Minister's Office to provide assistance, services and information to Keralites in the wake of the Kashmir terror attack.'Those stranded in Kashmir or seeking information about their loved ones can reach out to the Norka Global Contact Centre through the toll-free number 18004253939 or by giving a missed call to 00918802012345. The help desk has begun collecting details of those in need and is coordinating efforts with local the Chief Minister has directed Kerala House in New Delhi to provide any necessary support for those passing through or in need of assistance while returning from the region.
Khaleej Times
04-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Malabar Group launches ‘Uyirp' Scheme for landslide victims in Wayanad, Kerala
Malabar Group, a leading Indian business conglomerate and the parent company of Malabar Gold and Diamonds, has launched the 'Uyirp' initiative aimed at supporting the higher education of children from families affected by last year's landslide in Wayanad. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to 134 students from the affected areas, ensuring they can pursue their education without financial hardship. The 'Uyirp' project was inaugurated by Priyanka Gandhi, member of parliament, in the presence of several distinguished guests. T Siddique, MLA, presided over the function. Malabar Group chairman MP Ahammed delivered the keynote address. 'Missile Woman of India' Dr Tessie Thomas was the chief guest. Malabar Group has allocated over $233,000 for the 'Uyirp' initiative, of which $73,000 has already been disbursed. The financial aid will cover all education-related expenses, including course fees, hostel fees, study materials, examination fees, and travel costs. Additionally, any outstanding fees from previously pursued courses will also be paid by the company. To further ensure the future of these students, Malabar Group has committed to giving them priority employment within its businesses. A dedicated placement cell is being formed to help them secure jobs in other organizations as well, and a finishing school is being set up to provide necessary training for their career growth. Among the selected students, 70 are girls and 64 are boys, pursuing a variety of academic disciplines. The distribution of students across different fields includes 26 in medical courses, 17 in IT-related fields, 24 in science disciplines, 27 in commerce, 26 in humanities, and others in aviation, engineering, and teaching. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with T Siddique MLA's 'MLA Care' project. Speaking about the initiative, Ahammed, chairman of Malabar Group said, "Nothing can replace the pain of those who lost everything in the disaster, but we are committed to supporting them. The 'Uyirp' initiative is our effort to help these children build a bright future. As a business, we believe in giving back to society, and this initiative reflects our responsibility toward the community." A cornerstone of Malabar Group's corporate social responsibility initiatives is the 'Hunger Free World' project, which aims to alleviate hunger by providing nutritious meals to the impoverished. Currently, the initiative distributes food packets to 60,000 individuals daily across 81 cities in 17 Indian states. Additionally, 10,000 food packets are distributed daily to schoolchildren in Zambia, Africa. To date, Malabar Group has invested over $33 million in various CSR activities. Additionally, as part of the Malabar Group's ongoing Hunger Free World initiative, 581 micro learning centers have been established across India to provide basic education to street children and facilitate their transition into formal schooling. So far, 25,800 children have been enrolled in these centres, where they receive one year of foundational education to help them return to or begin formal education. Children who graduate high school will receive support for higher studies on campuses across various states, with additional scholarships available to girls as part of the Group's commitment to women's empowerment. The inauguration ceremony was attended by former MLA and Rajya Sabha member MV Shreyams Kumar; former minister and MLA AP Anil Kumar; IC Balakrishnan MLA; Wayanad District Panchayat President Shamshad Marakkar; municipal chairman Adv TJ Isaac; Kalpetta Block Panchayat president Chandrika Krishnan; Meppadi Panchayat president K Babu; standing committee chairman Mujeeb Keyamthodi; Malabar Group executive director AK Nishad; head of retail operations R Abdul Jaleel; head of solidarity and operations Abdul Yashir Adiraja; and others.
