Latest news with #Manorama
Time of India
08-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Community offers ‘shramdaan' for Manorama river's revival in Gonda
Lucknow: The rejuvenation of Gonda's Manorama river has kicked off with a massive community-led 'shramdaan', reflecting the state govt's commitment to restoring traditional water bodies. This initiative embodies Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision to revive ecologically and culturally vital rivers across Uttar Pradesh. The Manorama river, stretching 115 kilometres, originates from Tirre Tal in Gonda and flows into the Kuwano river in Basti district. According to ancient texts, the river is named after Manorama, the daughter of sage Uddalak, and holds spiritual significance as it flows near Makhoda Dham, a revered site. The campaign commenced in Sisai Bahlolpur village, Itiyathok block, where more than 200 individuals — including villagers, youth, gram pradhans, public representatives and NGOs from Pandri Kripal, Itiyathok, Rupaidih, and Mujehna blocks — participated. Their collective involvement underscored the focus on public partnership in environmental conservation. DM Neha Sharma said, "The Manorama river is not just a water source, but a symbol of our cultural memory and co-existence with nature. Its revival is linked to the pride of Gonda, and both the administration and public share the responsibility of carrying this mission forward." A senior official confirmed that a comprehensive plan was drawn up to revive the river. This includes desilting, removal of encroachments, and restoring the natural water flow between Gonda-Balrampur Road and Tadi Lal village. JCBs and Pokland machines were deployed to begin the initial cleaning work. To enhance biodiversity and restore greenery, native trees such as peepal, neem, and pakad will be planted along the riverbanks. The forest department has been tasked with plantation activities, while the irrigation department will assess the river's course and technical structure. A coordinated system involving multiple departments has been put in place to ensure smooth execution. Officials stated the initiative is being structured as a community-led movement. Gram panchayats, social groups and volunteers are being encouraged to participate in what is envisioned as a campaign for water conservation, ecological revival and cultural awareness.
India.com
08-07-2025
- India.com
Who is Nimisha Priya, Indian nurse on death row in Yemen? She is accused of...
Nimisha Priya (File) Nimisha Priya, an Indian-origin nurse who is on death row in Yemen, is set to be executed on July 16 after the President of Yemen approved her death sentence. According to media reports, Nimisha Priya, originally a resident of Kerala, India, has been convicted of the murder of a Yemeni national, who was reportedly her business partner. Who is Nimisha Priya? A native of Kerala, Nimisha Priya, a nurse by profession, moved to Yemen in 2008, where she initially worked in several hospitals. Years later, she decided to open her own clinic in the Middle Eastern country, but Yemeni law mandates that a non-citizen must partner with a local if they want to start a business. As such, Nimisha came into contact with the victim, Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni citizen who became her business partner in 2014. However, duo had a fallout after which Mahdi allegedly threatened her. In 2016, Mahdi was arrested following a complaint filed against him by Nimisha, but allegedly continued to threaten her after he was released from jail. How Nimisha Priya killed Talal Abdo Mahdi? According to Nimisha's family, Talal Abdo Mahdi had allegedly confiscated her passport to prevent her from leaving the country, and upon finding an opportunity, the Kerala nurse injected her tormenter with a dose of sedatives to retrieve the same. However, things went awry as Mahdi died from an overdose of sedatives administered by Nimisha. After the 'accidental' murder, the Indian paramedic attempted to flee Yemen but was arrested, tried, and convicted of murder in 2018. Nimisha Priya was convicted of killing a Yemeni national by a trial court and sentenced to death, and in November 2023, the decision that was upheld by the country's Supreme Judicial Council. Death penalty is imposed under Yemeni law for a wide range of offences, such as violating the independence, unity or territorial integrity of the Republic, undertaking an act, to weaken the armed forces, murder, drug trafficking, adultery, consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults, denouncing Islam, and facilitating prostitution. What happened to 'blood money' deal to save Nimisha? While death penalty is quite common in Yemen, there is however the option of paying 'blood money' to the family of the victim in order to absolve the perpetrator, especially in murder cases. This essentially means that the culprit is given the option to a pay a sum to the victim's family to compensate them, but the amount is always decided by the aggrieved family. As per a report Manorama online, talks to negotiate the blood money amount with Mahdi's family abruptly ended in September 2024 after Abdullah Ameer, the lawyer appointed by the Indian Embassy, demanded a pre-negotiation fee of $20,000 (about Rs 16.6 lakh). Nimisha's mother, who makes a modest living by working as a house help in Kochi, sold her home to help fight for her daughter. In July 2024, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) provided $19,871 to Ameer, but the lawyer insisted on a total fee of $40,000, payable in two instalments, before resuming talks with the victim's family, NDTV reported. While Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council successfully raised the first $20000 installment through crowdfunding, it failed to pay the second instalment, reportedly after failing to ensure the transparency of funds raised to the donors. What is India's response? In January this year, the Central government said it was closely monitoring the Nimisha Priya case and all help is being extended to the family. However, Nimisha's mother had ominously said at the time that 'time is running out' for her daughter as she pleaded for help. 'I am deeply grateful to the Indian and Kerala governments, as well as the committee formed to save her, for all the support provided so far. But this is my final plea — please help us save her life. Time is running out,' she pleaded.
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Shine Tom Chacko opens up about Mammootty's support after his father's death: ‘He told me not to let grief consume me'
Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko was involved in a tragic road accident while travelling with his family in Salem on 6 June. The accident claimed the life of his father, CP Chacko, while Shine sustained multiple injuries. In a recent interview with Cue Studio, the actor opened up about the harrowing experience and expressed gratitude for Mammootty's unwavering support in the aftermath. Shine Tom Chacko recalls Mammootty's advice after his father's death. Shine Tom Chacko recalled how he had recently replaced his smoking habit with biscuits, even waking up in the middle of the night to ask his father for some while travelling with his family. He shared that the next thing he remembered was seeing his father after the accident — a heartbreaking moment, as his father never spoke to them again. The actor recalled how Mammootty supported him after his father's death and said, 'He didn't say much, but he said exactly what I needed to hear. He told me not to let grief consume me, to stay grounded.' He added, 'Mammukka himself was going through a difficult time but still took the effort to call. He told me he never saw me as a troublesome boy. He said you just have to change certain things. Everything will be fine. We'll change and move forward, and everything else will follow.' About the accident Shine was travelling with his father, mother, brother, and driver when their car crashed. The actor suffered multiple fractures, and his mother, brother, and driver also sustained injuries. According to a report in Manorama, the crash took place near Palakottai, close to Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu. Despite being taken to hospital, CP Chacko succumbed to his injuries. Shine Tom Chacko's recent and upcoming films The actor was last seen in the Malayalam sports film Alappuzha Gymkhana, directed and produced by Khalid Rahman. He will next be seen in the film Soothravakyam. Helmed by Eugien Kos Chirammel, the film has been postponed to 11 July. Taking to Instagram, the film's producer, Srikanth Kandragula, posted a statement that read: 'Dear Film Lovers, Due to certain technical reasons, the release date of our upcoming film 'Soothravakyam' has been rescheduled. The movie will now hit theatres worldwide on July 11.'
India Today
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Actor Unni Mukundan recalls growing up near Air India crash site: Spent 24 years
Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan recalled growing up near the Air India flight crash site in Ahmedabad on Thursday. He expressed sorrow over the tragic accident and said he and his school friends are in deep was born in Kerala's Thrissur and raised in Ahmedabad. He stayed in proximity to the crash site until he turned a conversation with Manorama, the 37-year-old actor said, "I came to know the plane crash took place in Meghaninagar, ten kilometres away from Maninagar in Ahmedabad. Maninagar is where I lived for 24 years. Like Kerala, Gujarat is my favourite state. I spent my childhood and adolescence there. This news is causing immense grief in my heart. My school friends and I are in shock."advertisement Earlier, Unni extended condolences to the families of the victims on social media and hoped they would find strength in such a difficult time. He wrote, "Heartbroken by the news of the Air India Ahmedabad-London flight crash. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones. I can only imagine their grief, and I pray they find strength in their darkest of times. May every soul lost find their peace, and may those left behind feel the warmth of support and love around them. (sic)"Several celebrities from the Indian film industry, including Anupam Kher and Priyanka Chopra, expressed sorrow over the tragic accident on Friday. Anupam earlier shared a video in Hindi on his Instagram account, saying the plane crash is not just news but a mountain of sadness that has broken so many Priyanka shared, "So, so sad. Praying for everyone affected and the families facing unimaginable loss in the Air India tragedy (sic)".The Air India flight crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport for London. The aircraft crashed into a government hospital hostel in Meghaninagar. The crash claimed 265 lives, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Mukundan made his acting debut with the Tamil film 'Seedan'. He later played the lead role in 'Mallu Singh'. Some of his popular films include 'Vikramadithyan', 'KL 10 Patthu', 'Style', 'Oru Murai', 'Vanthu Parthaya', 'Achayans', 'Malikappuram' and 'Marco'. He won a National award as a producer for his debut production 'Meppadiyan'.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Shine Tom Chacko's father dies in a car accident, actor admitted to hospital: Report
Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko and his family met with a car accident near Tamil Nadu on Friday. His father, CP Chacko, died on the spot, while the actor has been admitted to a hospital. As per a report by Manorama, Shine Tom Chacko was travelling with his whole family at the time of the accident. The actor, along with his mother, brother, and driver, sustained injuries. They were rushed to the hospital soon after the crash. 'The accident took place around 7 am near Palakottai, close to Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu, while the family was travelling by car. According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle rammed into a lorry in front of them. All five occupants were injured in the incident,' stated the report. The family were in a car that was reportedly Bengaluru-bound. It was claimed that despite being taken to the hospital, CP Chacko succumbed to his injuries. At the moment, the family is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Palakottai. Several images claiming to be from the car crash have surfaced on social media. Further details about the accident are awaited. Chacko worked as an assistant director for almost a decade before making his acting debut with Gadamma in 2011. He has since appeared in prominent films like Chapters, Annayum Rasoolum, Masala Republic, and Jigarthanda DoubleX. Chacko was most recently seen in the Tamil film Good Bad Ugly. Recently, Vincy Aloshious alleged that Shine Tom Chacko used drugs and misbehaved with her on the sets of their upcoming Malayalam film Soothravakyam. It was later reported that he to Vincy Aloshious for alleged misconduct at an internal committee meeting held in Kochi. A Matrubhumi report claimed that he pointed out that it was his 'natural style' but tendered an apology because it offended Vincy.
