Latest news with #Kochi-based
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Lawyer duo from Kerala earns recognition for anti-drug awareness campaign during pan-India road trip
Kochi: When Kochi-based lawyers Binu Varghese, 58, and Nijas Thamarassery, 28, set out on a mission to travel across India spreading awareness against drug abuse, they had no idea their initiative would carve a place in Worldwide Book of Records. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What began as a grassroots effort to combat rising drug abuse in their own neighbourhoods evolved into Bharath Darshan Yatra — a two-phase road trip that spanned international borders, stirred public dialogue and touched countless young lives. Driven by a shared concern over increasing drug-related incidents in Kerala, the duo began their odyssey with Himalayan Challenge from Aug 16 to Sept 8, 2023. In 24 days, they traversed 9,145km across high-altitude terrain and harsh weather. The second phase, Northeastern Challenge, lasted from March 2 to April 27, 2025, covering 14,196km in 56 days through India's northeastern states and remote border regions adjoining Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Bangladesh. What makes their journey more than just a record-breaking feat is its purpose. They engaged directly with schools, youth groups and local communities along their route, delivering awareness sessions using modules approved by narcotics control bureau. "In most places, local organizations and educational institutions eagerly joined hands with us to take our message to young minds," said Nijas. Their travel unearthed disturbing insights into drug use patterns in various states. In Nagaland, for instance, they discovered widespread use of substances not yet listed under NDPS Act, making legal intervention difficult. "We found that enforcement is affected not because of inaction, but because of legislative gaps," Varghese noted. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Despite facing criticism and scepticism early on, their recognition by Worldwide Book of Records validated their efforts. They say their journey isn't over but only evolving into a continued campaign to build a drug-aware and resilient society.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi tops state in global index, experts not upbeat
KOCHI: The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2025 has Kochi in 420th position globally and eighth in India — making it the top-ranked city in Kerala. But experts caution against reading too much into the ranking, warning that the city still faces serious challenges in infrastructure, mobility, governance, and public services. The index, which ranks cities based on five key pillars — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance — also lists several other Kerala cities: Thrissur (429 globally, 9th in India), Kozhikode (497/11), Kottayam (552/16), Kollam (583/20), Thiruvananthapuram (608/24), and Kannur (663/32). In the 2024 listing, Kochi ranked 521 globally, while Thrissur was positioned 550th. Kozhikode was 580th, Kottayam 649th, Thiruvananthapuram 686th and Kannur 759th. While Kochi's rise up the rankings may seem encouraging, urban policy experts and civic leaders urge a deeper reflection on what needs to change. Dr D Dhanuraj, founder of the Kochi-based think tank Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), said the ranking should serve as a wake-up call rather than a moment of pride. 'To improve Kochi's standing, we must focus on public transportation, governance, quality of life, business development, and empowering local institutions,' he said. He stressed the urgent need to upgrade the public transport system. 'We need more feeder buses and better connectivity to the islands. The rising number of private vehicles is causing congestion and pollution. A well-integrated public transport network is essential to make the city liveable,' he added. On broader development goals, Dr Dhanuraj said Kochi must aim to attract more business investment, especially in sectors like IT and tourism. 'The city lacks social spaces and options for engagement. We need green spaces, entertainment hubs and cultural initiatives. Authorities must also liberalise rules to encourage startups and new enterprises. It's vital to involve youngsters and professionals in shaping the city's future.'
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Mithi desilting fraud: ED records statements of 5 civic officials, contractors
MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) this week recorded the statements of five persons as part of its money-laundering investigation into the alleged alleged fraud in desilting of the Mithi River, which caused a loss of over ₹ 65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Representative Image (Hindustan Times) Those whose statements were recorded included BMC engineer P Ramgude, civic contractor B Purohit and other civic officials and contractors, ED sources told Hindustan Times. Last week, the agency had recorded the statements of actor Dino Morea and his brother Santino Morea in the case. The ED's probe into the alleged fraud is at a preliminary stage and it is currently analysing the contents of all the statements recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), sources said. The agency can seek further clarifications if required, the sources added. Earlier, on June 6, the ED carried out searches at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur in connection with the alleged desilting fraud. The locations searched included the residential and/or office premises of Dino and Santino Morea, Ramgude, Purohit, alleged intermediaries Jay Joshi and Ketan Kadam, and Matprop Technical Services Pvt Ltd, a Kochi-based company that rented out machinery and equipment for the desilting work. Cash worth ₹ 7 lakh was seized and 22 bank accounts/fixed deposits and a demat account were frozen during the searches. The ED is investigating if the Moreas were involved in the alleged fraud or linked to the proceeds of crime generated by other accused. The brothers have denied all allegations of their involvement in the case. The ED's probe is based on a case registered in May by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police. The EOW had booked 13 people/ entities in the case, including three BMC officials, and it had questioned the Morea brothers last month. On June 7, the ED had said that its investigation and search operations prima facie indicated that the accused and others colluded to form a cartel with the intent of manipulating BMC's tenders related to the desilting of Mithi River. 'This action effectively conferred a monopoly in [the] award of desilting contracts of Mithi River and caused payments at inflated rates for desilting works, resulting in undue gains to the contractors and associated parties, thereby causing financial loss to the public exchequer,' the agency had said in a statement. The accused persons and entities and their associates concealed the undue financial gains by layering them through some shell companies, the agency had said. So far, the total amount seized or frozen in the case was over ₹ 1.25 crore, ED sources said. Certain digital devices and incriminating documents that appeared to be relevant for further proceedings under the PMLA have also been seized, the sources added.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Ernakulam DDMA holds emergency meeting
An emergency meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) was held on Thursday (June 26, 2025) afternoon after heavy rain caused a sharp rise in the water level of the Muvattupuzha river, inundating several vulnerable areas in Muvattupuzha town and its adjoining areas. The meeting, chaired by District Collector N.S.K. Umesh and attended by representatives of various departments, reviewed the precautionary measures in place. Mr. Umesh, who also serves as the chairperson of the DDMA, said the district administration was fully prepared to deal with the challenges posed by the intense rain. The Collector instructed the police, Fire and Rescue Services, and the Revenue department to remain on alert to ensure public safety. The water levels in both the Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha rivers crossed flood warning levels on Thursday morning after the shutters of the Malankara dam were opened. The dam's Executive Engineer has been directed to regulate the shutters based on the inflow. Two affected families were shifted to a relief camp set up at a school in Vazhappilly. Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, DDMA Deputy Collector K. Manoj, and other elected representatives and officials attended the meeting. The situation remains grim in North Paravur taluk, where relief camps have been opened at Kadungalloor and Kunnukara. A section of the affected population has alleged that the shutters of the Peringalkuthu dam were opened without adequate warning. The situation worsened as floodwaters from the high ranges, which continue to receive heavy rainfall, raised river levels, further affecting people living along the banks. 'The authorities must remain alert as high tide is expected on Thursday night. People living along the Chalakkudy and Periyar river basins, especially in areas like Kunnukara and Puthenvelikkara—which were among the worst hit during the 2018 floods—should exercise caution,' said C.G. Madhusoodhanan, CEO of Equinoct, a Kochi-based community-sourced modelling solution provider. Holiday declared The District Collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, and tuition centres, in view of the heavy rain and strong winds forecast inthe district, which is under an orange alert for Friday (June 27, 2025).
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mithi River fraud: Intermediary Ketan Kadam paid for flight tickets, hotel stay of BMC officers, says court
MUMBAI: The flight tickets and hotel expenses of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officers who visited Kerala and Delhi to inspect desilting machines were borne by Ketan Kadam, an alleged intermediary arrested in connection with the Mithi River desilting fraud, the sessions court noted on Saturday while rejecting the anticipatory bail plea of co-accused Prashant Tayshete, a deputy chief engineer at the civic body. Ketan Kadam was arrested in May. (Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times) According to the detailed order copy, which was made available on Monday, the court said it was unbelievable that a high-ranking civic officer such as Tayshete was not aware of who was bearing the expenses of his official visits and stays in Kerala and Delhi. 'The criminal element of cheating lies here,' observed the court. It added that Tayshete and other BMC officers worked hand-in-glove with Kadam to fix the terms and conditions of the tender for desilting machines so that they would benefit in the future. Tayshete was among three BMC officers booked by the Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in May for alleged irregularities in contracts awarded for desilting the Mithi River. These irregularities led to a loss of ₹ 65.54 crore for the BMC, the EOW said. Kadam, the chief executive of Mumbai-based industrial product manufacturer Virgo Specialties, and the company's director, Jay Joshi, were arrested for their alleged role as intermediaries in the fraud. They were allegedly involved in charging the BMC inflated rates to rent silt pusher machines and dredging equipment supplied by Kochi-based Matprop Technical Services Pvt Ltd. The BMC's tender was also tailored in such a way that Matprop gained a monopoly over the contracts, according to the EOW. According to the Enforcement Directorate, which has launched a parallel money laundering investigation into the alleged fraud, the evidence prima facie indicated that BMC officers, contractors, intermediaries, Matprop executives and others 'colluded to form a cartel with the intent to manipulate BMC tenders' related to the desilting of Mithi River. While applying for anticipatory bail, Tayshete had submitted that as a deputy chief engineer in the BMC's solid waste management department (SWM), he was never deputed for work related to desilting the Mithi River, which came under the stormwater drains department (SWD). But since he was a mechanical engineer, he was tasked with the inspection of stilt-pushing pontoon machines and multipurpose amphibious pontoon machines when the BMC was looking to award tenders for desilting the Mithi River. Tayshete also argued that he had no reason to see who was paying for his visits to Kerala and Delhi to inspect desilting machines, since he was told that the expenses would be borne by the BMC. He also claimed that he had signed two reports prepared by BMC officers after the site visits with the specifications of the machines to be specified in the tender, which were rejected by the BMC. He said that he was not a signatory on a third report that was eventually approved. However, the special sessions NG Shukla, in an order passed on June 21, said that there was no document to show that Tayshete was working in the SWM department and was not concerned with the SWD department. It also said that parts of a report signed by Tayshete were used to demonstrate to higher civic officials why the use of machines with certain specifications was required. 'The rates were proposed to be increased on the basis of such specification. Hence, the applicant cannot escape from the liability of raising the said rates,' the judge said. The court added that even though Tayshete did not sign the third report that was approved, there was no objection regarding the specifications and rates of the machines in the report. 'Hence, not having [the] signature of [the] applicant on the third report does not prima facie infer that the applicant had no role in inserting the terms and conditions of [the] use of machines of Matprop Technical Services Pvt Ltd only, and increasing the rates and thereby causing wrongful loss to the BMC,' observed the court. Meanwhile, the sessions court on Monday granted Matprop directors Dipak Mohan and Kishore Menon interim protection from arrest. They were among the 13 people booked in the case. It isn't clear why the court did so, as the detailed order copy is yet to be made available. Mohan and Menon's counsel, advocate Paavani Chadha, argued that they were falsely implicated in the case. Their plea said that Matprop had followed due procedures in approaching the relevant officials and carrying out transactions with them. They also argued that they have a proven track record of successfully supplying and maintaining machinery for water restoration projects, adding that an arrest would cause them severe reputational damage and harassment. The duo submitted that they are willing to fully co-operate with the investigation.
