Upset that most of its proposals have been ignored by the government, Left reacted to the price hike of petroleum products calling it unjustified and gearing for a "powerful protest movement'.

Ananthakrishnan G | TNN Thiruvananthapuram: The southwest monsoon kept its date with Kerala on Saturday sprouting seeds of hope across the country. Farmers and planners looked up in delight as the clear, blue sky gave way to dark clouds and Friday night's drizzles climaxed in a downpour.

South Indian rice varieties, which the government intended to promote in overseas markets, have fallen prey to the export ban on non-basmati rice, traders and industry officials said. The government had accorded geographical indications (GI) status to two rice varieties from Kerala

Palakkad is popularly known as the Gateway to Kerala. Endless vistas of green paddy fields greet a visitor entering the district. Pallakad is dotted with valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountains

Navara paysam Though Navara tastes "a little rough' compared to other varieties of rice, Navara paysam makes a delectable sweet dish. It is made by adding jaggery to well cooked Navara. This

during the 2007 outbreak in Kerala, the chikungunya virus mutated into more virulent forms, says a study by researchers at the Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior. The mutations,