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New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Coconut oil price skyrockets, crosses Rs 500 per litre
KOCHI: As Keralites start preparations for Onam celebrations, the rising prices of essentials, especially coconut and coconut oil, are worrying families. The price of coconut oil which hovered around Rs 160 per litre a year ago has crossed Rs 500, making it out of bounds for common man. Coconut oil has been deeply ingrained in the state's culture and traditions that it is an inevitable ingredient for its traditional cuisine. Meanwhile, the sale of other products like groundnut oil and palm oil has increased as coconut oil has become unaffordable. There are reports that adulterated coconut oil is flooding the market posing a health risk. Kerafed, the largest producer of coconut oil in the country has hiked the price of coconut oil to Rs 529 per litre while the price of many popular brands has crossed Rs 600. The price of coconut in the retail market ranges between Rs 75 to Rs 85 per kg. 'There will not be any scarcity of coconut oil during Onam season as we have maintained an average stock of 912.2 metric tonnes of copra from January to June,' said Kerafed managing director Saju Surendran. Farmers say they get an average price of Rs 62 per kg, which is a bumper price considering the fact that the procurement rate was just Rs 8 per kg a couple of years back. Though the steep rise in procurement rate has brought cheers, farmers are unable to reap the benefit as the production has declined to a fraction of the previous year yield. 'The coconut prices have gone up due to drop in production caused by drought in 2024. Now the production has started increasing thanks to copious rains in the previous months. The crisis is expected to end by December 2025 and the prices may decline thereafter,' said Dinesh a farmer in Palakkad. 'There has been a steep decline in coconut production which has affected our business. We have rescheduled the production to a single shift due to shortage of coconut. The company has not exported coconut oil for the past two months.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
V S Achuthanandan: A leader whom the CPM leadership feared
By: Appukuttan Vallikkunnu Beyond the expected passing of a man of over 100 years, V S Achuthanandan's departure extinguishes a guiding force, energy and leadership that had significant political and social impacts. It weakens not only the CPM, Kerala society or the Leftist movement but also the democratic secular civil rights movements across India facing the severe repercussions of globalization. 'I live for the communist stance of fighting to lead society on the right path,' VS noted in his autobiography. He proved there are no breaks in that struggle by leading the LDF to victory in 2016, making Pinarayi Vijayan the CM. It was P Krishna Pillai who saw the future communist organizer in Velikkakath Sankaran's 21-year-old son, VS Achuthanandan. In 1944, he was appointed to organize the farmers and workers in Kuttanad. VS's anti-imperialist perspective, working-class consciousness and uncompromising fight against corruption were self-learned from various battlefields, including struggles for the right of lower castes to walk on public roads, protests for responsible governance and the historic Punnapra-Vayalar struggle against American model. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Twenty years later, in April 1964, VS took a stand against the party leadership's revisionist policies at the CPI National Council meeting in Delhi, amid the fire and smoke of ideological conflicts. Understanding the essence of international and national political situations, VS, along with 32 leaders including Jyoti Basu, EMS and AKG, walked out against the faction within the party leadership that proposed forming a coalition govt with Nehru's govt. He later became a member of the CPM's central committee and its politburo. Years after calling the CPI leadership revisionist to their faces in Delhi, history saw VS pointing fingers at the party's state secretary, accusing him of being a revisionist. In the 2006 assembly elections, some in the leadership informed the politburo that if VS were made a candidate, the UDF would come to power. However, VS informed the general secretary that he would not be a candidate, and another person was made the party candidate. This led to protests by Keralites within the state and beyond, demanding VS contest the election. For the first time in the party's history in India, the central leadership reversed its decision. The Left front won with a two-third majority and VS became the CM. The party decided not to give the home department to the CM. Vigilance, which investigates corruption, was taken away from the CM and given to Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Personal staff, including of the CM, were appointed according to the leadership's wishes, causing distress to VS. The finance minister bypassed the chief minister in taking steps towards capital investments and loans in line with globalization policies. As a continuation of land reforms, the CM appointed a task force to remove encroachments and illegal resort industries in Munnar. The party issued a press release stating that the second land reform was a programme of extremists. VS retorted that those who issued the press release were revisionists. Intraparty conflict intensified over economic policies, with the secretary and the chief minister publicly criticizing each other. VS and Vijayan were suspended from politburo. Only Vijayan was reinstated. VS publicly endorsed the prosecution proceedings against Vijayan in the Lavalin case, which the party opposed, despite the high court ordering a CBI investigation. Eventually, the governor granted prosecution permission against Vijayan. VS had demanded that the party secretary facing allegations step down. On May 4, 2012, RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan was brutally murdered. The party secretary once again labelled TP a traitor while VS saluted him as a brave revolutionary. He visited TP's house and consoled his wife K K Rema. The party state secretariat passed a resolution against the founding leader. At the end of it, the party said: 'Continuous disciplinary violations, publicly expressing views different from the party, not adhering to party decisions, and providing weapons to party enemies are putting the party in crisis. VS is taking a different path from the party. It is difficult to see such a person as a part of the party leadership. We request a decision from the central committee that would protect the party from public disgrace,'' the resolution said, adding that VS should step down as opposition leader. In the 2016 elections, the party fielded both VS and Vijayan. When both won, the central leadership made Vijayan the CM. Despite all this, VS did not leave the party. The CPM leadership did not have the courage to expel VS from the party.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
KSUM steps up efforts to help startups find success overseas
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For long, the Gulf has been a land of promise for Keralites. Now, startups too are looking towards West Asia with a glint in their eyes, harbouring hopes of expanding their prospects. And supporting their cause is Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), which has been regularly organising programmes under the aegis of Startup Infinity, a dedicated arm launched in 2023 to aid this endeavour. One such event is happening next week, on July 22, at the KSUM office in Thiruvananthapuram, titled 'Scaleup in the UAE'. 'The event is being co-organised by 'Startup Middle East', a similar body that supports startup aspirations of those based in the UAE,' says Ashok Kurien, senior manager of KSUM. 'About 30 startups have already registered for the July 22 session. While most startups are from the tech and software sector, there are about four to five that are from the hardware side as well,' Ashok adds. Like the Startup Middle East, KSUM has partnered with numerous other bodies, especially in the UAE and Brussels, to help ventures in Kerala navigate the legal and regulatory framework in these countries. At the programmes they routinely hold, information and instructions too are shared on market prospects, client study, and strategies for Indian startups to go global. As of now, there are about 15 startups that have explored prospects abroad, with help from Startup Infinity and its collaborating partner, Startup Middle East. 'Most of it has been in Dubai. About four have explored using our Brussels facility,' says Ashok. The KSUM is also in the process of expanding to other places to enable start-ups from Kerala to keep infinity as their limit when they plan to scale up. 'A bigger event, which would also explore opportunities for Europe, will be held on July 26,' says Chetan N C, KSUM assistant manager (corporate innovation). For the July 22 event: Register at Entry is free and open to all though seats are limited.
NDTV
17-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
The Anguish Of Nimisha Priya And The Imperative Of Compassion
My heart, like those of countless fellow Keralites, is heavy with the plight of Nimisha Priya. This young woman, a daughter of our soil, finds herself ensnared in a legal quagmire of the most profound and perilous nature in Yemen, facing the grim prospect of the gallows. It is a predicament that transcends mere jurisprudence; it is a deeply human tragedy, especially for her family - parents, husband and child - resonating with the universal fear of losing a loved one to circumstances far beyond their control. Death Of A Dream Nimisha's story is, sadly, one that epitomises the hopes and vulnerabilities of many Keralites who seek opportunity in distant lands. She embarked for Yemen with dreams of a better future, a future for herself and, crucially, for her family back in Kerala. Yet, these dreams tragically transmuted into a nightmare, culminating in the death of a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Though it seems this individual, her employer and partner, was harassing and abusing her, leading to her alleged criminal killing of him, her subsequent conviction and death sentence remains inexpressibly tragic. While the intricacies of the Yemeni legal system, particularly its adherence to Sharia law, are profoundly different from our own, the immediate human crisis demands our utmost attention and empathy. A Complex Situation The core of her precarious situation lies in the concept of 'blood money' or diya - a pathway to pardon recognised under Sharia law, whereby the victim's family may accept financial compensation in lieu of execution. Indians' collective efforts, both governmental and private, have been tirelessly directed towards this avenue. The family has not so far accepted the amounts offered and is insisting on her execution. The reported postponement of her execution, originally scheduled for today - albeit a temporary deferral - offers a flicker of hope, a precious window of opportunity that we must seize with every fibre of our being. The path to her possible reprieve has been fraught, to say the least. Our Ministry of External Affairs has been doing its best, in circumstances complicated by the Civil War in Yemen and the irregular situation of the authorities holding her, as well as by the fact that the Indian Embassy has been relocated out of the country because of the grim political and security situation there, and is operating from a camp office in Djibouti in North Africa since April 2015. This operational constraint, born of dire necessity, has unfortunately hampered the efficacy of our diplomatic overtures thus far. The Intervention Of The Grand Mufti It is within this challenging landscape that a new, vital beacon of hope has emerged. The intervention of the Grand Mufti of India, Ustad Kanthapuram A.P. Abubakar Musliyar, the esteemed General Secretary of All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulama and Chancellor of Jamia Markaz, through his long-standing friendship with the revered Yemeni Sufi Islamic scholar Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, offers a slender ray of hope and even optimism. All of Kerala now unites in fervent prayer for the success of his crucial efforts. In an era increasingly characterised by attempts to divide people and foster hatred and animosity in the name of religion and community, the venerable Kanthapuram Ustad has delivered a powerful and timely message. His humanitarian initiative underscores a fundamental truth: that humanity stands paramount above all divisions of religion, gender or community. It is a testament to the enduring power of compassion and cross-cultural understanding in navigating even the most intractable of crises. This is not about condoning any alleged wrongdoing, but about upholding the fundamental human right to life, and exploring every conceivable diplomatic and humanitarian channel to secure her reprieve. It is a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in the lives of our citizens who seek their fortunes abroad, often in regions fraught with political instability and distinct legal frameworks. The case of Nimisha Priya compels us to reflect on the imperative of robust consular support and proactive engagement in safeguarding the interests of our diaspora. Our government has, commendably, stated its commitment to doing "whatever is utmost possible", and indeed, the latest intervention by such a respected religious figure has bought us invaluable time. We Need A Diplomatic Offensive As a public representative from her home state, my plea is not merely for bureaucratic intervention, but for a concerted, compassionate, and indefatigable diplomatic offensive. We must ensure that every conceivable effort is made to engage with the victim's family, to appeal to their sense of forbearance, and to facilitate any viable resolution through the established legal and customary pathways in Yemen. This is a moment that calls for the very best of Indian diplomacy and humanitarian outreach. We owe it to Nimisha Priya, and to every Indian citizen abroad, to exhaust every avenue to bring her home, or at the very least, to save her life. For in saving one life, we reaffirm our collective humanity - and our solidarity with every Indian in distress, wherever she may be, anywhere in the world. (Shashi Tharoor has been a Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, since 2009. He is an author and a former diplomat.) Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
The Print
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Day before her execution, a ray of hope for Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen
'It's good news that they have stayed the order. And it gives us some breathing time to initiate negotiations,' Advocate Subhash Chandran K.R, a member of the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, told ThePrint. This comes a day after Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar, the general secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and chancellor of Jamia Markaz, initiated a new mediation effort through his long-time friend and Yemeni Sufi Islamic scholar Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz. Thiruvananthapuram: The execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who is on death row in Yemen since 2020, was postponed Tuesday, a day before the scheduled date. Subhash said the amount of blood money—monetary compensation offered to the family of a murdered person—and further proceedings will be decided in the upcoming days. Hailing from Kerala's Palakkad district, Priya was convicted of murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. He was her partner in setting up a clinic in the Yemeni capital city of Sana'a in 2015. Mahdi began embezzling money and torturing Priya soon after the clinic was set up, according to the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council. He also seized her passport and other documents. The nurse then attempted to sedate him in order to retrieve the documents, and he died of an overdose in the process, it has been alleged. The council was formed in September 2020 by a group of non-resident Keralites in different parts of India and abroad with the objective to ensure 'access of justice' to Priya and to raise funds through donations for paying blood money. Sana'a, where she is imprisoned, is under Houthi control, complicating the matter. The central government informed the Supreme Court Monday it cannot do anything further in the matter. 'There is nothing much the government can do. Looking at the sensitivity of Yemen, it's not diplomatically recognised. Blood money is a private negotiation,' Attorney General R. Venkataramani, representing the Centre, told the court. Reacting to the news of the execution being postponed, Thiruvananthapuram MP and former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor said interventions have been taking place since 2020. 'Although India has an embassy in Yemen, due to the political and security situation in the country, the Indian embassy in Sana'a has been functioning temporarily from a camp office in Djibouti since April 2015. Because of this, our diplomatic efforts have so far not been successful,' he wrote on social media Tuesday. He also lauded Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar's efforts. 'At a time like today, when efforts are being made to divide people in the name of religion and community and to spread hatred and animosity, the respected Kanthapuram Ustad is showing us that humanity is of the utmost importance,' Tharoor wrote. Also Read: Appeal rejected, Indian nurse on death row in Yemen has 2 options: President's pardon or 'blood money' The case and the family A trained nurse, Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 with her husband to work at a private hospital in Sana'a. After working for a few years, her husband and minor daughter returned to India in 2014 due to financial issues. They were unable to go back because of the civil war in Yemen and visa restrictions. At present, her husband works as an auto-rickshaw driver, and her 12-year-old daughter lives in a convent in their native place. In 2015, Priya joined hands with Mahdi to set up her own clinic in Sana'a, since Yemeni law mandates no clinic or businesses can be opened without a local partner. A petition filed by the council earlier this month in the Supreme Court, seeking the Centre's intervention to facilitate diplomatic negotiations with the victim's family, states that Mahdi accompanied Priya to Kerala in 2015 when she came on a month-long holiday. At that time, he stole a wedding photograph of Priya, which he later manipulated to claim he was married to her. The petition also alleges that Mahdi started cornering all the revenue after the clinic was set up. 'He became hostile when Nimisha questioned him about the embezzlement. He later threatened her, forged documents to claim that she was married to him as per his religion, and brutally tortured her,' the petition states. It further alleges that Mahdi manipulated ownership documents and took money from her monthly earnings, claiming she was his wife. Later, Mahdi seized her passport, physically tortured and threatened her at gunpoint on multiple occasions under the influence of drugs, the document states. The petition also states that Priya was put in jail for six days when she tried to complain against him. In July 2017, following advice from a warden of a jail near her clinic, where Mahdi had previously been imprisoned, Priya planned to sedate him to retrieve her documents. 'However, sedation did not affect Mr. Mahdi, who was a substance abuser. She tried sedating him again, using a stronger sedative to retrieve her passport, but he died within a few minutes due to a drug overdose,' it says. After her sentencing by a trial court in 2020, she filed appeals against the death penalty, which were dismissed both by the first appellate court and by the Supreme Judicial Council of Yemen. 'What we understood is that there was huge pressure from tribal groups on the family not to give her a pardon. That is why they weren't coming forward. Yesterday, Kanthapuram Musliyar's involvement made it easier to talk to the cleric,' the petition said. It added Priya was forced to sign confessional documents at the beginning, which complicated the case. 'She didn't know it was a confession. She didn't have anyone to help her, no lawyer to defend her. The political situation was also such that there was an ongoing civil war. She was forced to sign those.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Will do whatever we can, says Iranian official on Nimisha Priya, nurse facing death sentence in Yemen
