Anu Kuruvilla

KOCHI: The slow pace of the redevelopment of the two major railway stations in the district — Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town — is holding the district, especially the state's commercial capital, to ransom. Things have been going wrong right from the start of the projects.

KOCHI: As Kochi Metro Rail Ltd launches its new website, it brings to the fore an interesting collaboration. One in which a shining instance of industry-academia handholding saw fifth-semester BTech information and technology students of Cusat develop and design the all-inclusive, user-friendly digital face of KMRL – which will be launched on Monday. But what made KMRL hand over the project to the Cusat team?

Order has come as a blow to those who had given up their land for major road projects Updated on min read

KOCHI: After earning recognition as the youngest Indian to discover asteroids, Shreyas Girish has taken a new step in his space journey. The 14-year-old Class IX student has founded Universal Observatory Aerospace (UOA), an international aerospace organisation dedicated to space exploration, aerospace research, engineering, and scientific innovation.

KOCHI: This year's Onam season had a rough start with rain damaging vegetable crops and flower plants in some areas. However, the clouds have now dissipated, quite literally, and the sale of home-grown vegetables and flowers has picked up at major markets across the state.

According to an official with the Kudumbasree Snehitha desk, following the success of the first desk launched in Ernakulam, the state government decided to expand the programme to other districts too.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposes tighter rules for Indian organisations that receive foreign funds. The Bill seeks to change rules on registration, renewal and the handling of foreign-funded assets. It also proposes changes relating to organisations that receive foreign funds through the prior-permission route, the responsibilities of key functionaries and investigations into FCRA violations.

There is no Onam without 'pookalams' or floral carpets! And these pookalams have changed over time.

The proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026 has raised concerns among NGOs, religious organisations, charitable institutions and other stakeholders. A major issue is the proposed power of the Designated Authority to take control of assets created wholly or partly from foreign contributions, potentially affecting assets acquired years earlier for schools, hospitals and other charitable purposes. Critics are particularly concerned about mixed-funded assets and the possibility that vested assets could eventually be transferred or sold, with proceeds going to the Consolidated Fund of India.

KOCHI: For residents across Kochi corporation limits and the neighbouring municipalities such as Kalamassery, Thrikkakara and Tripunithura, stepping out for an early morning walk has become an act of courage.