The State will have to wait close to first week of January to greet the typical Kerala model wintry mornings, although the night time minimum temperature has seen a dip for a few days at the beginning of this week. The stage is almost set for the decrease in minimum temperature at night and gradual increase in maximum day temperature with the cessation of rainfall.

However, a light spell of rain for two days is anticipated by the first of next week. This is due to the possible interaction of a high-amplitude easterly wave with a westerly trough, which is expected to cause light rains for two days and thunderstorm development, said Neetha K. Gopal, director, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Thiruvananthapuram. Once the spells are over, the typical Kerala winter can be experienced in the State, especially in high-range areas.  

The Bay of Bengal is likely to be calm once the existing weather system in the Bay disappears, bringing stability to the atmosphere. The instability in the atmosphere triggers the precipitations. Although below-normal temperature is generally observed during the winter season in La Niña years, all the global models are now predicting above normal maximum day temperature this year due to the delay in the formation of La Niña.

In the coastal districts of Kerala, there would not be any major drop in the minimum temperature due to the maritime influence, which keeps the temperature of coastal Kerala at an optimum value. “As we move away from the coast, maritime influence declines, and as we move up, temperature will decrease, ideally 6.5°C per km,” said experts and added that the case of Munnar, where temperature drops to zero degree centigrade in the peak winter season, has to be studied in depth.

Also in Kerala, this is the time of the year when the maximum day temperature would be above the maximum day temperature of north India, where the influence of western disturbances brings chilly weather. Due to the effect of this chilly weather, the maximum day temperature would be below the value of Kerala.

Veeyapuram Chundan rowed by the ​Village Boat Club ​(right) ​racing ​to victory in the ​10th Presidents Trophy boat race​ held on Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SURESHKUMAR C

The Pallathuruthy Boat Club (PBC) retained the Champions Boat League title for the fourth consecutive time by topping the overall table, despite finishing second in President’s Trophy, which marks the sixth and last round of the championship.

Rowing the Karichal snake boat, PBC won a cash prize of ₹25 lakh as well as the trophy at the races held on Ashtamudi Lake.

The Village Boat Club (VBC) came first and the Nirnam Boat Club third at Saturday’s races, marking an exciting climax to the nine-team championship organised by Kerala Tourism.

VBC, rowing Veeyapuram, clocked 3.53:85 minutes, while PBC finished in 3.55:14 minutes and the Niranam Boat Club (rowing Niranam snake boat) in 3.55:64 minutes.

All the three boats put on an exciting show, while VBC rowed with a steady edge and never let their two rivals overtake them. At no point did VBC, rowing Veeyapuram, pop the chance of a photo-finish.

PBC, fearing the prospect of losing the CBL title if they finished third, rowed with all energy. The team had sensed a threat from Niranam, which was ahead initially in the finals. Towards the last lap, PBC staged a dramatic surge that enabled it to finish second — with a margin of mere 50 microseconds.

In fact, it was by mere microseconds PBC became the winner in the championship’s earlier races at Kainakary, Karuvatta and Kayamkulam. Rivals VBC even won at Pandanad, yet PBC clung on with an overall lead as the team never dropped below the second place.

Thus, adding nine more points from the Kollam race, PBC succeeded in clinching their fourth CBL title with 58 points overall, which was one digit above VBC. Niranam got 48 points.

The prizes were jointly distributed by Mayor Prasanna Ernest, N.K. Premachandran, MP, and MLAs M. Mukesh and M. Noushad. The teams finishing first, second and third in the league matches won ₹5 lakh, ₹3 lakh, and ₹1 lakh, respectively.

Based on the overall performance in the six races, the topper got ₹25 lakh, the runner-up ₹15 lakh and the team finishing third ₹10 lakh. After each match, as a bonus, all the participating teams received ₹3 lakh, and the snake-boat owners got ₹1 lakh each.

Schoolchildren admiring floral sculptures at the Malabar Botanical Garden during the ongoing Malabar Garden Festival in Kozhikode on December 21.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

The first-ever Malabar Garden Festival began at the Malabar Botanical Garden in Kozhikode on Friday (December 20).

The Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences, under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, is known for its collection of rare plant species, including water plants, as well as ginger and orchid varieties.

N.S. Pradeep, Director-in-charge of the Botanical Garden, told the media on Saturday (December 21) that Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas will formally inaugurate the festival at 5 p.m. on Sunday (December 22). M.K. Raghavan, MP, will deliver the keynote address.

The botanical garden has been prepared with extensive flower beds and sculptures for the event. The festival features cultural programmes, including folk music, band performances, ghazal nights, and Kathakali. Highlights include a dance performance by actress Navya Nair and another by Meera Nair from We Dance Studio.

Competitions in photography, clay modelling, watercolour painting, pencil drawing, and cartooning are being conducted for visitors. Workshops on artificial intelligence, biodiversity conservation, taxonomy, science writing, and nursery management are scheduled for selected participants.

An exhibition featuring stalls from the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), and the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development is also part of the festival.

A variety of ornamental plants are available for sale in the garden. The festival will conclude on December 29, but the exhibition will remain open to schoolchildren for two to three days afterwards, Mr. Pradeep said.

Scientists A.V. Raghu, M. Sabu, V.S. Harish, and K.M. Manjula were also present at the press meeting.

M.S. Shuhaib, the Chief Executive Officer of Koduvally-based M.S. Solutions, which is suspected to played a key role in the recent leakage of question papers of half-yearly examinations in State syllabus schools, has filed an anticipatory bail application in the Kozhikode District Court.

This comes in the wake of reports that the Crime Branch, which is investigating a case related to the leak, is planning to arrest him in the coming days. They have already seized documents and equipment such as mobile phones and laptops from his office. It is learnt that his staff is likely to be questioned and the seized articles may be scientifically examined.

The question papers of Class 10 English and Plus one Mathematics were reportedly leaked.

Kerala University has successfully published the results of the first semester for its newly introduced four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP), achieving an impressive milestone by doing so in record time.

The examination for the FYUGP, which took place from November 25 to December 6, was conducted on alternate days, adhering to a uniform academic calendar. The questions for the examination were crafted to align with the curriculum objectives outlined for the four-year program, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the students’ learning, university sources pointed out.

Following the completion of the written exams, the evaluation of answer sheets was carried out at the respective colleges between December 9 and 13. The practical examinations concluded on December 18, and within just two days, the results were made available to the students, officials added, while expressing optimism that the university would be able to emulate such efficiency in the examination system in the future.

AP State FiberNet Limited (APSFL) MD K. Dinesh Kumar on Saturday served a legal notice to film director and producer Ram Gopal Varma, APSFL former MD M. Madhusudhan Reddy and former AGM Vuyyuru Guna Sasank Reddy, film producer Gottumukkala Ravi Sankar Varma and M/s RGV Aarvi Group demanding a payment of approximately ₹1.15 crore — which was earlier paid to them by APSFL for telecasting Vyuham movie on APSFL’s First Show platform — with 12% interest from the date of payment made to RGV Aarvi Group till the date of realisation, and 18% on the said amount towards penalty, within 15 days of receiving the notice. 

Mr. Dinesh Kumar stated that Mr. Ram Gopal Varma and Mr. Ravi Sankar Varma were the managing partner and partner of RGV Aarvi Group respectively. Mr. Sasank Reddy had entered into an agreement on March 5, 2024 with the Vyuham movie makers, i.e RGV Aarvi Group, for telecasting the movie on a non-exclusive basis for 60 days from the date of agreement. 

Mr. Sasank Reddy had agreed to make a minimum guarantee one-time payment of ₹2 crore for up to two lakh subscriptions. The former AGM also agreed for a revenue share after two lakh subscriptions, with 75% share to RGV Aarvi Group and 25% to APSFL. 

However, no authorisation letter was found in the records authorising Mr. Sasank Reddy to sign the agreement purportedly on behalf of APSFL binding it for such a huge financial commitment. Mr. Sasank Reddy and Mr. Madhusudhan Reddy had allegedly connived and released a payment of ₹1,14,96,610 including taxes to the RGV Aarvi group’s bank account, the notice said. 

The agreement was entered without the requisite assessment and recommendation of a technical committee of the APSFL on the amount to be paid. Mr. Ram Gopal Varma and Mr. Ravi Sankar Varma received the money on behalf of the RGV Aarvi Group in spite of not being entitled to it. The transaction amounted to cheating the APSFL and causing it financial loss to the tune of ₹1,14,96,610, the notice said. 

The actual amount realised for Vyuham Part-1 was only ₹1,86,225 from out of 1,845 subscriptions (views) and for the Part-2 of the movie ₹50,046 from out of 383 subscriptions, whereas Mr. Sasank Reddy and Mr. Madhusudhan Reddy made APSFL pay a total of ₹1,14,96,610 online with an apparent intention to cause a wrongful loss (to APSFL), the notice alleged. 

It was stated in the notice that the APSFL would take appropriate civil action and recourse to recover the amounts if it was not paid in the stipulated time, and that the aforesaid individuals and RGV Aarvi group were jointly and severally liable for the loss suffered by the APSFL.

Telangana IAS Officers’ Wives Association meeting President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Nilayam on December 20.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Telangana IAS Officers’ Wives Association (TG-IASOWA) met President Droupadi Murmu on December 20 at Rashtrapati Nilayam. During the visit, association president Priyanka Goel and honorary secretary Ruchi Ranjan presented a memento to the President. The memento celebrated the spirit of Telangana through the traditional Cheriyal art and its storytelling heritage. They also gifted her a shawl crafted from recycled plastic bottles, symbolising sustainability. President Murmu praised the initiatives undertaken by IASOWA, encouraging its members to continue serving as inspiring leaders and role models.

Two youngsters lost their lives as a bike they rode crashed into a truck at Puthuppariyaram near here on Saturday morning. The victims were identified as Rinshad, 22, son of Hussain from Makkaraparamba near Malappuram, and Hareesh, 28, son of Kunjan from Vadakkangara.

The police said the youngsters were tossed on to the road in the crash. They reportedly did not wear helmets. The police shifted them to hospital, but they could not be saved. Quoting the lorry driver, the police said the bikers were speeding.

India-South Korea Art Exchange Project 2024, a cross-cultural initiative aimed at strengthening artistic collaboration and fostering creative dialogue between the two nations, has started at Mala.

Organised by KEKKEYELLAM Foundation, the first phase of the event is being held from December 20 to 27, 2024, at Giby Farm in Mala. The second phase is scheduled for April 2025 in Jeonju, South Korea.

The project has brought together 20 prominent visual artists —10 each from India and South Korea — representing diverse generations and artistic practices. Over a week-long retreat here the artists will draw inspiration from the State’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and traditions, creating works that celebrate artistic and cultural synergy, according to the organisers.

The bilateral project seeks to highlight the transformative power of art in fostering cross-cultural understanding. Artists will explore Kerala’s iconic landmarks in Mala, Kodungalloor, and Thrissur, and participate in immersive experiences, including performances of traditional Indian art forms such as Kathakali and Bharatanatyam. The event will also provide a platform for the artists to engage with Kerala’s culinary heritage and scenic landscapes, they said.

Deeping cultural ties

The initiative aligns with the Museum of Art WooMA’s Asia Axis Project, a programme that strengthens artistic solidarity across Asia. By creating collaborative spaces for contemporary artists, the exchange is expected to deepen cultural ties between India and South Korea while addressing shared artistic values and traditions.

The programme also prioritises community involvement, with artists interacting with local school students through workshops and collaborative activities. The organisers are planning to make the India-South Korea Art Exchange Project an annual event.

Noted scholar Narahalli Balasubramanya on Saturday said Kannada should become the language of technology, and mobile phones must incorporate Kannada.

At a session on “Karnataka 50: Past and Present and Kannada must become the language of technology” at the 87^th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana on Saturday, Mr. Balasubramanya said Kannada should become the language of technology. The usage of Kannada technology has to be promoted.

The Kannada medium in education is essential. Kannada in administration has to be ensured. For the contemporary challenges, Kannada has to be strengthened. And the role of the State government in this direction is very important, he said.

The scholar said the support of political leaders in literature and culture is essential. Without the support of politics, it is not possible to safeguard culture. Nehru, Lohia, and Mahatma Gandhi had a close relationship with the writers and literary personalities. But sadly, today’s political leaders are away from literature.

MANDYA PRIDE

Writer and Professor Krishne Gowda said if Mandya’s history and social aspects are taken into consideration, it has achieved a lot after it was bifurcated from Mysuru. With its successes and achievements, it has contributed to the Kannada land.

“It is not the job of Kannada teachers to promote Kannada. It is the job of everyone to promote the language. The Kannada poets are no less than any literary personalities. The upcoming sahitya sammelana in the State must be compared to the Mandya sammelana,” he said, expressing his happiness over the manner in which the sammelana has been organised.