Author: News Desk
Oil India Limited has launched a major offshore drilling campaign in the Kerala-Konkan Basin, beginning with the spudding of its first well, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri announced on Saturday. Minister Puri described the initiative as a landmark step in India’s energy journey, reflecting the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Kerala-Konkan Basin, classified as a Category-III frontier, holds significant potential. The planned well will reach a depth of 6,000 meters, located about 20 nautical miles offshore, making it one of the deepest offshore wells in Indian waters, Puri noted on X. Over 1,028 sq.…
Kochi Metro Rail Limited has named Johnson Lifts Private Limited as the lowest bidder for supplying elevators for Phase 2 of the Kochi Metro. KMRL had floated the tender with a completion window of 730 days. Technical bids were opened on September 29, 2025, confirming that two companies were in the race. Their technical evaluation wrapped up on November 27, and on the same day the financial bids were opened. Johnson Lifts emerged with the lowest quote and later received the Letter of Acceptance from Maha-Metro. Financial bids• Johnson Lifts Private Limited – ₹17.4 crore• Otis Elevator Company (India) Limited…
As part of his visit to engage with the expatriate community, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived in Dubai for a two-day trip. He was received by UAE Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed Al Gargawi. During the visit, the Chief Minister held meetings with senior UAE ministers aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between Kerala and the UAE and exploring new areas of partnership. The discussions included Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed Al Gargawi, Minister of Economic Tourism Abdullah Bin Thawq Al Marri, Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office Badr Al Olama,…
Cochin Port, Kerala’s second major port after Vizhinjam, is gearing up for a development push valued at roughly Rs 10,000 crore, as reported by Malayala Manorama. The upgrades will span the whole stretch from Cochin Port to Cochin Shipyard. Around Rs 1,500 crore has been set aside for DP World’s Vallarpadam Transhipment Terminal to boost container handling. Even though Vizhinjam already has a naturally deep draft suited for big motherships, about Rs 800 crore is still expected to go into deepening Kochi’s channel so large vessels can berth at Vallarpadam. For this, the Cochin Port Authority has signed an agreement…
Taragiri, the third stealth frigate built under the Navy’s Project 17A, has officially joined the fleet. The ship, designed and produced in India and packed with advanced combat systems, was handed over on November 28 at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai. This vessel is the fourth in the Nilgiri-class lineup and the third constructed by MDL. According to the Navy, Taragiri represents a major step forward in homegrown naval design, stealth features, automation, and overall combat strength. Project 17A ships are built for multi-mission roles and are intended to handle a wide range of present and future challenges at sea. Taragiri…
M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and P.U. Chinnappa were the first superstar duo in Tamil cinema, preceding icons like MGR, Sivaji, Rajini, Kamal, Vijay, and Ajith. M.K.T. is celebrated as Tamil cinema’s first superstar, while P.U. Chinnappa earned the title of the first “super actor.” Born in Pudukkottai to Lokanath Pillai and Meenakshi Ammal, Chinnappa began performing in theatre at age five and joined the Madurai Original Boys Company at twelve, where his singing talent quickly raised his pay from Rs. 15 to Rs. 75. He rose to fame as a theatre hero, mastering wrestling and Chilambat, and set a strength record lifting 190 pounds. Chinnappa transitioned to films with the adaptation of ‘Chandrakanta,’ becoming the first versatile Tamil hero capable of acting, singing, and performing fight scenes. His films, including ‘Uttamaputran,’ ‘Kannaki,’ and ‘Jagathala…
Surekha Yadav, a native of Satara, Maharashtra, embarked on a path few envisioned for women in 1980s India. In 1988, she became Asia’s first female locomotive pilot, breaking into a male-dominated domain and redefining what is possible in Indian Railways. Her journey began humbly: selected as an assistant driver in 1989, Yadav steadily climbed the ranks, from goods-train operator in 1996, to motor-woman in 2000, and then a full-fledged driver of mail and express trains. In 2010, she became a ghat driver, a role demanding extreme skill and caution, navigating the treacherous Western Ghat gradients with precision. Among her many milestones:…
India is the world’s top producer of ice apple, also called nungu, tadgola, palmyra fruit, or palm fruit. The country boasts the highest concentration of palmyra palm trees, thriving in its hot tropical regions where the fruit naturally grows. Favorable climate, long summers, and high domestic demand have made India the largest source of fresh ice apples globally. What Is Ice Apple? Ice apple is the soft, jelly-like fruit of the palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer), commonly eaten in India to beat the summer heat. Translucent, mildly sweet, and rich in electrolytes, it naturally cools the body. Often sold by roadside vendors—especially in South India—it is…
Kamal Haasan’s journey from the culturally vibrant locality of Alwarpet to building a ₹450-crore artistic empire is a remarkable tale of passion, persistence, and reinvention. Born into a modest middle-class Tamil family, Haasan entered the film world as a child actor and quickly rose through the ranks as one of India’s most versatile performers. Over the years, he earned a reputation for taking on complex roles, experimenting with genres, and pushing creative boundaries that shaped modern Indian cinema. Beyond acting, Haasan strategically expanded his footprint through production ventures, establishing a strong presence in the industry with films known for both…
Kasargod is preparing to host the IEDC Summit 2025, one of Asia’s largest student events promoting youth entrepreneurship, organized by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM). The summit is part of KSUM’s flagship initiative through Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres (IEDCs), which foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students and academic communities across Kerala. Scheduled for December 22 at LBS College of Engineering, the event will serve as a platform for students to showcase innovative ideas and transform them into viable startups. It will also allow academic institutions and young innovators to connect with industry professionals and experts. The 2025 summit aims…