In a heartwarming move that combines nutrition with a child’s wish, the Kerala government has revamped the food menu in Anganwadis (government-run childcare centers), replacing plain options like upma with more appealing dishes such as biryani and pulao. This decision follows a viral video in which a young boy named Shanku expressed his desire to have biryani instead of the standard fare.

Minister Veena George officially unveiled the new menu during the state-level inauguration of the Anganwadi admission program in Pathanamthitta. The revised meal plan focuses on ensuring adequate nutritional value while also making the food more enjoyable for children. With reductions in sugar and salt, the meals now aim to provide the right balance of energy and protein, contributing to the overall growth and development of the children.

The new weekly plan includes diverse dishes for breakfast and lunch, such as egg biryani, vegetable pulao, sambar, thoran (vegetable stir-fry), and various traditional snacks. The frequency of milk and egg servings has also been increased. Each dish is carefully planned to include detailed information about ingredients and nutritional content, making this initiative a thoughtful blend of taste, health, and care.

As the number of COVID-19 cases shows a slight upward trend, the Kerala Health Department has issued a directive advising hospitals to test individuals who present symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and breathing difficulties. This precautionary measure aims to control the spread of the virus, especially in light of increasing cases being reported in other states.

In Maharashtra, for example, 59 new cases have recently been identified, with 20 of those emerging in Mumbai alone. Since the beginning of the year, the state has recorded over 870 cases, with more than 12,000 tests conducted. Currently, there are 494 active cases, while 369 individuals have recovered. Most patients exhibit mild symptoms, and health authorities have assured that testing and treatment facilities are in place.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revealed in its latest annual report that it imposed penalties totaling 54.78 crore on 353 financial institutions during the last financial year. These fines were a result of various violations, including lapses in cybersecurity measures, failure to adhere to KYC (Know Your Customer) norms, and inaccuracies in credit information reporting.

The institutions penalized span across a wide range, including commercial banks, cooperative banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), housing finance firms, and asset reconstruction companies. Among them, cooperative banks faced the most scrutiny, with 264 of them being fined a total of 15.63 crore. NBFCs and ARCs together paid over 7 crore in penalties, while 13 housing finance firms were fined 83 lakh.

Public sector banks were also not spared, with eight of them paying more than 11 crore in penalties. Private sector banks contributed nearly 15 crore, and even foreign banks faced action, highlighting the RBI’s strong regulatory stance across the board.

Thiruvananthapuram: Sukant Suresh, the accused in the IB officer’s death case, has been remanded to police custody until Thursday. He is to be taken to Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts for further investigation.

Additionally, his sexual health will be evaluated. Sukant had been absconding after the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. He later surrendered and was brought to Thiruvananthapuram, where the court had earlier remanded him for 14 days.

Nilambur: Politician P.V. Anwar has launched a new political alliance named the ‘People’s Opposition Resistance Front’, under the leadership of the Trinamool Congress, and will contest elections in Nilambur under this banner.

He stated that he would contest either using the Trinamool symbol (if allotted) or as an independent. The alliance aims to form a “third front,” bringing together several smaller groups and targeting votes beyond the main coalitions.

Anwar also criticized both the LDF and UDF alliances, claiming he has proof against leaders involved in multiple misdeeds, which he is ready to expose publicly if needed.

He alleged that Minister Mohammed Riyas extorted money under the guise of the Nava Kerala Sadas program and claimed to possess audio evidence of threats made to contractors.

He called Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan a “Hitler” and said the party is intolerant of dissent. “Even if I lose, I’m standing my ground,” Anwar stated.

New Delhi: COVID-19 cases are rising sharply across India, prompting the Central Government to intensify monitoring efforts. A high-level meeting was held to assess the situation.

States have been directed to ensure the availability of essential medicines, hospital beds, oxygen, and vaccines. Authorities must also strengthen surveillance, enforce health protocols, and encourage mask usage.

As of now, 3,961 active cases are reported in the country, with Kerala leading at 1,400 cases, followed by Maharashtra (506), Delhi (486), Gujarat (338), West Bengal (331), Karnataka (253), Tamil Nadu (189), Uttar Pradesh (157), and Rajasthan (69).

In the last 24 hours, Kerala reported 64 new cases, Maharashtra 18, and Delhi 61. Four deaths were reported across Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra.

The number of active cases surged from 257 on May 22 to 3,961 on June 2, a threefold increase. Experts note that while the new variant is more transmissible, there’s currently no cause for serious concern, according to the ICMR.

Kochi: In a landmark verdict, the Kerala High Court ruled in favor of a petition filed by transgender parents seeking the use of the term ‘parents’ instead of ‘father’ and ‘mother’ in their child’s birth certificate.

Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. issued the judgment on the plea filed by Sahad and Ziya Paval, Kerala’s first transgender couple from Kozhikode.

They had approached the Kozhikode Corporation with this request, which was denied, prompting them to approach the High Court. The court observed that refusing such a request would be a violation of their and their child’s fundamental rights.

It also noted that similar legal provisions exist in many other countries, reinforcing the right to dignity and equality.