KERALA

During the annual Maramadi festival, held in the post-harvest season in Kerala's villages, a unique bull race takes place. In this event, a pair of bulls race across a football field-sized rice paddy, soaked in ankle-deep water, while their handlers grip onto their tails or a harness, sliding through the mud alongside them.
 

Chingam 1 is a joyous and festive occasion in Kerala, marking the beginning of a new year with hope, renewal, and celebration. It is a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and joyous celebrations, steeped in tradition and culture.

The by-election for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, vacated by Rahul Gandhi, has been delayed by the Election Commission. The decision was taken following the devastating landslides that claimed over 400 lives.

The Kerala High Court heard a suo motu case on Wayanad landslides, and sought government's response on rehabilitation and scientific studies. Search operation for missing persons continues, with 1555 houses and 600 hectares of land affected.

The 2024 Malayalam survival drama 'Aadujeevitham - The Goat Life,' based on the true story of a Malayali immigrant enslaved and forced to herd goats on a remote farm in Saudi Arabia for years, triumphed at the 54th Kerala State Film Awards. The film won multiple awards, including Best Actor, Director, Makeup, Cinematography, and Sound Mixing, among others.
 

Lotteries are legal in 13 states in India- Nagaland, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Mizoram, Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Manipur, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam

Colonel Jayaraj, a retired army officer, and his family from Kerala's Alappuzha have a long history of serving in the military. His son, Jicky, is currently serving as a Lieutenant, while his father was part of the British Indian Army during World War II. 

Lotteries are legal in 13 states in India- Nagaland, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Mizoram, Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Manipur, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam.

Prithviraj Sukumaran and two actresses, Urvashi and Beena R Chandran, won the Best Actor awards at the 54th Kerala State Film Awards announced by Kerala Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian on August 16. 

The Kerala government has allocated Rs. 225 crores to Supplyco for market intervention during the Onam festival season. This initiative aims to control price hikes and ensure the availability of essential commodities. 
 

The price of gold in Kerala today (Aug 16) is Rs 6,565 per gram for 22 karat gold and Rs 7,162 per gram for 24 karat gold (also called 999 gold).

Kerala police is facing criticism for withholding the details of CPM-linked social media administrators who shared a controversial 'kafir' screenshot. Despite submitting a report to the court, the police have not disclosed the identities of those who shared the screenshot, sparking allegations of inaction and bias. 

Kerala Lottery Nirmal NR-393: Lottery winners are required to return their tickets to the organization within 30 days of the draw period to claim their winnings. The results were declared at 3 pm on Friday (Aug 16).

Due to expected heavy rain and thunderstorms, the IMD has issued weather alerts, with orange alerts in two districts and yellow alerts in 12 districts in Kerala. A cyclonic circulation has formed over the Arabian Sea, near the southern Kerala coast, contributing to the inclement weather.

In a fresh weather alert, the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and strong winds until August 19. Orange and yellow alerts have been issued for various districts, and people are advised to take necessary precautions.