A Roadmap Out Of Pandemic, The Kerala Way

When India was just waking up to the news of COVID-19, Kerala was ready to tackle it. Here is a look at how they got through the first wave and what is in store for the newly elected government

KK Shailaja The wall of resilience and hope

“Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed”, said American politician Bob Riley once, and it comes true for KK Shailaja, who helmed the health ministry in the State of Kerala when the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed its rage on humanity. From a humble background in Kannur, she was known as the nonchalant Physics teacher, whose eyes always gleamed with kindness. After announcing retirement from her position as a teacher in 2004, she went on a quest for wider horizons and to serve society as a political leader. It was her unassuming persona that made her seamlessly leave a strong impression in the minds of every person she passed by to be fondly called ‘teacher’.

Protest and reflection: A year after the death of George Floyd

Bettye and Robert Freeman were sitting in their Boston living room when they heard the clamor on the street outside.

When sky becomes the only limit

Model-actress and doctor, Anita Abraham, who hails from Chengannur, Kerala, has come a long way over the years. The multitalented Anita was brought up outside Kerala and pursued her studies, as a child in Arunachal Pradesh. The zeal for scaling the pinnacle of fame and success was so ingrained in her that it prompted her to embark on umpteen number of itineraries and equally showcase her prowess in all the endeavours she undertook.

‘C 4': Kerala's success mantra to contain COVID

Kerala continues to win in the game and can be a learning model for days to come for all. The state has done homework in developing clear-cut strategies in fighting this pandemic. Early detection of cases, enough oxygen plants, systematic coordination of ASHA workers and frontliners to name a few. I had the personal experience, of visiting the COVID testing and vaccination clinics with my parents. On top of that, the government ensured the vaccine available for the public is free of cost.

US agencies examine reports of early COVID-19 infections in Wuhan lab

US intelligence agencies are examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology laboratory were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, according to US government sources who cautioned that there is still no proof the disease originated at the lab.

Vaccine hesitancy grows ahead of Thailand's mass inoculation rollout

Vaccine hesitancy has risen sharply in Thailand opinion polls show, just weeks away from the start of a mass inoculation programme and as the country fights its deadliest COVID-19 outbreak.

On the mighty road to lifting stereotypes

Letting go of one's big-city dreams and moving to a small city is a tough step for many. Mumbaikar Nithya Suresh too lived through the strange void of adapting to the slow-paced life of Kochi city after she moved out of Mumbai, three years ago. But as she was exploring her new life in a new city, Nithya found love in the unlikeliest form - Powerlifting.

Immune system has long-term defenses after mild COVID-19; children may be key carriers of virus variants

The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID19, the illness caused by the virus.

'Try anything': Japan's silverhaired cheer-dancing squad

Pompoms rustle and silver shoes flash as Japan Pom Pom practices, moving to a lively cheer dance beat. With members ages 60 to 89, they're no ordinary squad.

On a quest for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

"DIB (Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging) has been my focus for a very long time now. My post doctoral research is in gender diversity and I periodically write research based editorial articles in national dailies"

Goals set right from a very young age

“Be resilient and be loyal to the company or your client. They believe in you and you should believe what you do"

Racing ahead of stereotypes

“Always keep your head high and feet on the ground, because the faster you fly the faster you come down. Always stay grounded”

Doll it up, the Althea way

“I have learnt more with the downs because that is how we train ourselves to be better and devise methods to get those things sorted”

Reinfusing soul and grit

“Being an entrepreneur is a strenuous process, while acting gives you a lot of joy. Though I enjoy both, I look at acting as nirvana”

A ta santé, wine queen!

“To be called a pioneer, it is a long route filled with hard work,perseverance and patience”

Stairway to nostalgia and enduring camaraderie

As told to Fred Cochin by veteran singer and his longtime friend Sujatha Mohan. They revive memories of music concerts of yesteryears, life amid pandemic and more

Giving forms to words artfully

“I always keep myself associated with my art irrespective of how many challenges or hurdles I have to face"

Breaking gender and body stereotypes

“As each year passes within the blink of an eye, I try to learn from my mistakes and am constantly striving to be a better version of myself, irrespective of whether it works or not”

A homemaker and proud of it

“The idea of wind chimes came in through the thought of waste management. I wanted to create things that bring in happiness for others, through waste materials”

Stressed Out? Blame Bad Technology

There is no question that we are all more dependent on technology than ever. So what happens when that tech does not work?

Science Must Determine Company Climate Targets, Say Executives

Companies must listen to scientists and align their plans to reach net zero targets with a global pact to fight climate change, said experts at a conference recently.

Lending a Bollywood twist to La Dolce Vita

A planned vacation to Italy turned into an unexpected twist of fate for Ambili Abraham. This is the story of Italy’s whirlwind romance with Bollywood dance and how she was at the centre of it all.

The Phantom of Hosur

Sandeep Menon braved odds when he quit his IT job to pursue his dreams. Today, as he rides into the fourth year of successfully running the Stallion Valley School of Lifestyle, he shares how he fearlessly pursued his passion of starting a horse riding academy

Pandemic drives more people to risk lives in illegal mica mines

When the country went into lockdown last March and Tota Rai lost his cleaning job in the textile hub of Surat, he knew working in the illegal mica mining industry back home was his only option.

Drumming up magical beats

In a freewheeling interview with Cochin Herald, Michael Benöhr - the wonderworker of percussion - talks about his musical sojourn, his two schools of music in London and how he beat pandemic blues

South Korean firm's smart dog collar tells owners what's in a bark

A South Korean startup has developed an AI-powered dog collar that can detect five emotions in canines by monitoring their barks using voice recognition technology.

Thampi Antony: Keeping alive the Malayali roots

In a tete-a-tete with the multi-faceted Thampi Antony, Fred Cochin revives umpteen memories of their association, his acting, writing experiences and life in the US

ANSIF ASHRAF The Herald Man

A visionary beyond compare, one of the pioneers to take the plunge into eCommerce in India, a ‘mediapreneur’ with the eyes on the horizon, a magnanimous philanthropist and a noted orator, Cochin Herald Editor-in-Chief Ansif Ashraf, who met an untimely end on January 27, was a man for all seasons. Read about the fascinating and inspiring journey of this extraordinary man who showed how dreams can be translated into reality

Wages for housewives: party's manifesto pledge stirs debate in country

A political party's pledge to pay housewives a monthly wage in recognition of their toil has sparked debate in the country with some critics saying the proposal might end up confining even more women to domestic chores.