Published Jun 13, 2025 | 9:33 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 13, 2025 | 9:33 PM
Six-year-old swims Periyar tied
Synopsis: Doctors across Thiruvananthapuram received specialised training on confirming brain death as part of a K-SOTTO initiative to strengthen Kerala’s organ donation system. The Hume Centre and Kannur KSSP hosted a pre-monsoon meeting for hyper-local weather monitoring volunteers.
In a remarkable display of courage and skill, a six-year-old boy swam across the rain-swollen Periyar River with his hands and legs tied. Kedar, son of Mukunda Baliga and Ashwani A. Prabhu from Chittoor, Cheranalloor, covered a distance of one kilometre in the strong current.
A student of Don Bosco School, Vaduthala, Kedar is a member of the Valassery River Swimming Club. He began the daring swim from the Manappuram Mandapam ghat in Aluva and reached the final ghat at Kuttivanam.
His trainer, Saji Valasseril known for training over 15,000 people in swimming for free — accompanied him during the entire swim, ensuring his safety.
Hume centre and Kannur KSSP jointly organized a pre-monsoon meeting at Parishad Bhavan, bringing together the district’s dedicated weather monitoring volunteers. The program was inaugurated by C.K. Vishnudas (Director, Hume Centre).
Special appreciation was given to Rasheen–Mattul from T. Gangadharan for his consistent daily rainfall recordings. Renjini A. R. (Lead, Climate Action) led a session analyzing last year’s rainfall data and emerging patterns. Answaf Aman (Research Assistant, Climate Action) engaged with the community on the use and importance of weather instruments.
Dr. Suma (Social Scientist, Hume Centre & KSSP State Committee Member) spoke on the importance of hyper-local weather monitoring. Dr. Vishnudas addressed the impact of climate change, and K.P. Pradeepan delivered the World Environment Day message.
The much-awaited Point-to-Point AC feeder bus service between Thripunithura metro station and Infopark commenced operations, receiving an encouraging response. Operated by Kleen Smart Bus Ltd under a six-month licence from Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), the service currently runs one CNG AC bus with plans for expansion.
Buses operate during peak hours with a flat fare of ₹60. The service has three stops- Kakkanad Metro, Infopark Phase 1 and 2. KMRL aims to boost first and last-mile connectivity and plans to induct 20 more e-feeder buses. Techie groups welcomed the move, calling it a long-overdue step.
In a significant move aimed at strengthening the organ donation framework in Kerala, the state government has provided special training to doctors on the technical and legal procedures for confirming brain death.
The training programme, organized by the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO), was held at the Government Guest House, Thycaud in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
The initiative was inaugurated by Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr K V Viswanathan.
Addressing the gathering, he emphasized the importance of equipping medical professionals with precise knowledge on the protocols for brain death confirmation, considering its crucial role in facilitating ethical and timely organ transplantation.
Specialist doctors from the departments of General Medicine, Anaesthesia, General Surgery, and Pulmonology in various government hospitals across Thiruvananthapuram district, along with doctors from the Government Medical College, participated in the programme.
DME Dr Viswanathan informed that K-SOTTO’s legal counsel is available to provide necessary legal assistance related to brain death confirmation procedures. The government has appointed a dedicated legal advisor to support the regulatory body in managing legal matters connected with organ transplantation.
K-SOTTO officials said the training programme aims to enhance scientific understanding and procedural clarity regarding brain death among doctors. By doing so, the state hopes to increase the number of organ donations and save more lives in the future.
The distribution of financial assistance under the Savings Relief Scheme for fishermen has commenced, offering vital support during the rainy months.
The scheme, aimed at safeguarding the livelihood of fishermen and encouraging saving habits, has received government approval with an allocation of ₹20.94 crore.
Under the scheme, a beneficiary’s contribution of ₹1,500 is matched by the government, providing a total of ₹4,500 during the non-fishing months.
Marine sector beneficiaries will receive this assistance in May, June, and July, while inland fisheries beneficiaries will get theirs in July, August, and September.
The disbursement for marine beneficiaries has already begun, and the aid for the inland sector is scheduled for July 2025.
The government has directed Regional Fisheries Joint Directors to ensure the timely and efficient distribution of funds, ensuring much-needed financial relief for the fishing community during the monsoon season.
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Friday inaugurated a state-level anti-drug awareness campaign and book release event at St. Mary’s School, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram.
Organised by the Kerala Bhasha Institute, the initiative aims to foster a drug-free Kerala by involving students, parents, teachers, local bodies, and the police.
The minister released two awareness books titled ‘Lahariyil Ninnum Kuttikale Mochippikkam’ and ‘Manassum Aasakthikalum’, created for children and the public.
He highlighted the inclusion of anti-drug lessons in revised school textbooks and daily activity-based sessions promoting civic values.
Teachers have been trained as primary counselors, and special handbooks have been provided for parents.
The event was presided over by Institute Director Dr. M. Sathyan, with talks by psychiatrist Dr. Irene Mary and speaker C. Ramaswamy Chettiar.
The books, priced at ₹100 and ₹200, are available at discounted rates at institute outlets.
