As Kerala becomes Keralam, Shashi Tharoor has a question
India Today
The Union Cabinet's approval to rename Kerala as Keralam has set in motion a constitutional process while sparking witty political commentary and cultural debate. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's humorous take on the new state's demonym has captured public imagination in India.
A historic renaming cleared by the Union Cabinet sparked constitutional movement in Delhi and wordplay in Kerala on Tuesday, as senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor delivered a sharp-witted take on the state’s proposed new name, “Keralam”.
Soon after the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal to alter the name of Kerala to Keralam, Tharoor took to X with a linguistic puzzle.
“All to the good, no doubt, but a small linguistic question for the Anglophones among us: what happens now to the terms ‘Keralite’ and ‘Keralan’ for the denizens of the new ‘Keralam’?” he wrote.
“‘Keralamite’ sounds like a microbe and ‘Keralamian’ like a rare earth mineral! @CMOKerala might want to launch a competition for new terms resulting from this electoral zeal.”
The Cabinet clearance marks the next step in a process that began with the Kerala Legislative Assembly passing a resolution on June 24, 2024 seeking to rename the state as Keralam.
Following the Union Cabinet’s approval, the President of India will refer the Kerala Alteration of Name Bill, 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution for its views.
A second patient died within 72 hours at RG Kar Hospital, with his family alleging that a lack of stretcher and basic facilities forced the critically ill man to walk 100 metres, leading to his death.
As Parliament prepares to bring amendments to the Transgender Act, activists warn the proposed changes risk rolling back years of hard-won rights.
A high-speed boat crash in the Maldives has left two Indians missing, including a celebrated rally figure, even as Gautam Singhania returns home. Search teams continue efforts amid mounting concern and unanswered questions.
A prominent seer, Pranavananda Swamiji, alleged that mutts backing Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over the top post were denied any allocation in the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He reiterated his support for Shivakumar to take over as the chief minister.
India's original Dhurandhar, Ravindra Kaushik, rose from acting at college theatres, to infiltrating the Pakistan Army as a RAW Agent. He provided critical intelligence on Pakistani troop movements and the country's nuclear programme, but died a lonely death after his betrayal and subsequent capture by the ISI.
According to the police, 19-year-old Sachin Dharmendrabhai Chaudhary, who works as a labourer, had borrowed the money before expressing his inability to repay it immediately, police said. He was allegedly threatened with his life over the delay in repayment. Fearing for his life, Sachin immediately alerted the police.
A quiet arrest in Rajasthan has unravelled a wider espionage network, linking an Air Force employee to Pakistani handlers. Investigators say the trail began months ago and may reach deeper than first believed.
A 36-year-old woman plotted to murder her mother-in-law with the help of her 21-year-old lover. The murder plot was exposed by CCTV installed inside the house.
A former village pradhan who had been missing since March 18 was found dead in a sack near a canal in Pratapgarh. Police have arrested his lover, claiming she carried out the murder with accomplices.
From a Kashmiri widow parting with her late husband's cherished jewellery to children emptying their piggy banks, a wave of generosity is emerging across India as citizens step up to support people affected by the escalating conflict in Iran.