Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has reported an operational profit of ₹5.35 crore in 2022-23, thanks to cost-control measures and increased daily patronage. The fare-box income rose from ₹12.90 crore to ₹75.49 crore, and non-fare-box income from ₹41.42 crore to ₹58.55 crore. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the profit will provide impetus to the State's development.
India’s MotoGP debut: In 2011, India hosted F1; this weekend, the inaugural MotoGP Grand Prix of India takes place. The premier two-wheeler championship is sanctioned by FIM, with Dorna Sports as commercial rights holder. MotoGP bikes are bespoke machines, with 11 teams fielding two riders each. Practice sessions on Fri, qualifying on Sat, race on Sun. Track modified for MotoGP, with resurfacing, reduced asphalt run-off, increased gravel, air fences, foam barriers. Big challenge to hold event, with many personnel, riders, journalists facing visa issues.
S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, arrived in New York for a nine-day visit to address UNGA and have bilateral/plurilateral meetings. He met with U.S., Australian and Japanese Foreign Ministers for the Quad ministerial meeting. He will address UNGA, have discussions with UNSG and UNGA President and have bilateral talks with Blinken in Washington. He will also interact with think tanks & business leaders.
Manipur CM N. Biren Singh urges people to surrender looted police weapons in 15 days; those associated with illegal weapons will be dealt with severely. 1,400 weapons have been recovered so far. Government willing to take considerate view for those submitting illegal weapons; appeals to people to cooperate in restoring peace & normalcy.
Actor Kamal Haasan urges student community to be politically aware, stressing it's as important as education, career and personal progress. He cautions against apathy, urging first-time voters to be watchful of criminal antecedents and vote for those who will work for progress. He also calls for teachers to sensitise students to socio-political developments and guide them to take informed decisions. He presented awards to eminent personalities, alumni and teachers.
ISRO has not received any signals from Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, despite efforts to establish communication. Hoping for their awakening, ISRO is continuing efforts to contact them. If successful, it would be a bonus for ISRO, allowing more experiments on the moon. Chandrayaan-3 was launched on July 14 and landed on the moon's polar region on Aug 23, making India the fourth country to do so.
In the wake of a surge in fever cases, especially dengue, in Tamil Nadu, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine has invoked provisions of the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act 1939 relating to notifying cases of dengue to the local health authority and enforcing mosquito control activities.
Pro-Khalistan movement has lost popular support in Punjab yet pockets of support exist among Sikh diaspora abroad. Canadian PM's statement on India's alleged involvement in killing of pro-Khalistan leader emboldens radicals. NIA requests for extradition of terrorist operatives pending with Canadian authorities.
Former Man City defender Onuha visits Kochi as part of club's treble trophy tour. Onuha believes it will be tough for City to repeat treble this season. He notes young players understand the way Man City wants to play. Onuha believes players stay hungry as they must start again after each success. He notes they aspire to win every game, even in training.
Pro-Khalistan movement has lost popular support in Punjab yet pockets of support exist among Sikh diaspora abroad. Canadian PM's statement on India's alleged involvement in killing of pro-Khalistan leader emboldens radicals. NIA requests for extradition of terrorist operatives pending with Canadian authorities.
SRM Institute of Science and Technology's Aaruush'23 techno-management fest began with V. Adimurthy, mission concept designer of Chandrayaan 1 & 2, and Mangalyaan, inaugurating it. He encouraged students to think beyond boundaries and Varun Chakravarthy, alumnus and cricketer, urged them to explore various experiences. The festival's essence was showcased in a video and The Hindu is the media partner. Senior officials were present.
A team of doctors — cardiologists, obstetrician-gynaecologists and anaesthetist — of the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital and its affiliated institution, Government Raja Sir Ramaswamy Mudaliar (RSRM) Lying-in Hospital, came together to manage a case of high risk pregnancy of a 24-year-old woman with a complete heart block.
Collector K N Poongodi chaired a farmers' grievance meeting, responding to complaints of stone quarry operations affecting farm lands. A committee was formed to inspect the spot and take action against violators. Crop loans valued at ₹168 crore were distributed and a cold storage facility was ready for inauguration. Farmers also raised issues of police stopping vehicles and oscillating prices, to which the Collector promised to look into. She also promised to remove encroachments of water bodies.
Amid reports that a faction of BJP party leaders was plotting to exclude him from the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, actor - politician Suresh Gopi has found himself in a real quandary regarding whether to accept the nomination as the president of the Kolkata-based Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) society and chairman of its governing council for a three-year term.
TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu suffered major setbacks as AP High Court struck down his petition to quash FIR in skill development scam. ACB Court allowed CID to interrogate him in Rajamahendravaram Central Prison for two days. High Court said his actions not in good faith, no prior approval needed for inquiry. ACB Court extended his judicial remand & allowed CID to question him without harassment. Interim & regular bail pleas likely to be taken up on/after Sept 25.
Bombay High Court Chief Justice Upadhyaya said gender equality needed to combat domestic violence; two important legislations exist; discrimination starts from mother's womb; patriarchy has roots in culture; gender stereotypes need to be eliminated; change mindsets. Retired Justice Bhatkar: domestic violence global phenomena; "beta padhao aur beti bachao" instead of "beti bachao, beti padhao"; manhood linked to dominance; attitudinal transformation needed.
Hermann Gundert Cultural Centre, Thrissur, has launched a German language curriculum and textbook to enable Malayalis to learn German directly from Malayalam. 25,000 Malayalis live in Germany, with an additional 20,000 students. The programme is designed to help Malayalis seeking work permits, and also serves as a guide for elderly parents travelling to Germany. The curriculum was prepared by Jos Punnamparambil and Jos Kattoor, and the book was edited by Mangad Rathnakaran. This is the first-ever German language programme developed for a regional Indian language.
YADGIR district has extended PM-SVANidhi loan facility to milk vendors, newspaper hawkers and street vendors. Loan of up to ₹50,000 will be disbursed in three phases. 4,070 street vendors have applied and 3,602 have been extended loans. Applications can be submitted online or to urban local bodies with required documents and bank account details.
Collector K.M. Sarayu launched Cooptex festival sale in Krishnagiri, with a sales target of ₹2.80 crore. Special silks, cotton weaves, bed linens, home linens, and more are available at 30% discount. Credit sales with EMI and discount are also permitted. District administration urges public to support weavers.
ETT Limited: Experts Predict 500% Return in 6 Months as Company Wins Rs. 78 Crore Construction Order
Six months since work started, the tourism department is yet to receive clearances from the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) for the construction of a zipline and a suspension bridge adjoining the Ooty Lake. Activists worry that such flagrant violations of the government’s own building rules will encourage illegal constructions by private parties.
Southwest Monsoon likely to retreat from northwest India on September 25. Reduced rainfall activity expected for next 5 days. Withdrawal marks beginning of retreat from subcontinent. Longer rainy season impacts agricultural production, particularly in northwest India. Monsoon season (June-September) average 870mm, this year 780.3mm.
Chennai Police book case against ACTC Events for selling excess tickets to A.R. Rahman's concert, causing traffic, hardships & inadequate facilities. Fans with valid tickets had to return. DGP instructed Tambaram Police Commissioner to investigate. IPS officer Deepa Sathyan transferred. Kanathur Police booked case against ACTC Events for criminal breach & disobedience. Organisers sold tickets above 40,000, failed to provide facilities.
KSEB gets relief as wet spell brings storage in hydel reservoirs in Kerala to 45%. Combined storage in reservoirs improved from 37% in mid-Aug to 45% on Thursday. Storage still low compared to same day in 2020, 2021 & 2022. Rainfall revival in 2nd week of Sept. helped situation. KSEB still dependent on power imports & purchases to meet daily demand. Extended rainfall forecast till Oct 5.
32 battery-operated vehicles inducted into service in 15 village panchayats in Modakkurichi union. Minister S. Muthusamy handed over keys to panchayat presidents. Vehicles to be used for collecting solid waste and ensuring sanitation. 221 vehicles procured at ₹6.05 crore in 142 village panchayats. Safety gadgets provided to conservancy workers for efficient, safe work.
Chennai Police book case against ACTC Events for selling excess tickets to A.R. Rahman's concert, causing traffic, hardships & inadequate facilities. Fans with valid tickets had to return. DGP instructed Tambaram Police Commissioner to investigate. IPS officer Deepa Sathyan transferred. Kanathur Police booked case against ACTC Events for criminal breach & disobedience. Organisers sold tickets above 40,000, failed to provide facilities.
Kamal Haasan, MNM party president, expressed keenness to contest from Coimbatore LS seat in upcoming polls. He urged partymen to work hard to ensure victory. Referring to his 2021 defeat, he said it defied reason. He criticised Udhayanidhi Stalin's use of 'Sanathanam' term, saying it was akin to beating a child. He regretted not joining politics earlier and urged older politicians to give way to the young.