thrissur l monday l november 24, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION British Indian spy honoured with new stamp in France Noor Inayat Khan, Tipu Sultan’s descendant, has become the only Indian-origin woman honoured with a French postage stamp for her WWII role leading light of figures de resistance moved to london after fall of france The French postal service, La Poste, honoured Noor with a stamp issued to honour the ‘Figures of the Resistance’ who fought against Nazi Germany. She is among a dozen war heroes and heroines chosen on the set of stamps issued this month to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. Britain honoured Noor in 2014 to mark the centenary of her birth ■ Born Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan in Moscow in 1914 to an Indian Sufi saint father and American mother, Noor moved to London before settling in Paris for her school years ■ Following the fall of France during WWII, her family escaped to England and Noor joined the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force 30 years noor’s age when she was executed by nazi forces in 1944 CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI first Mahe class anti-submarine vessel joins navy MAYAN K SINGH @ New Delhi AMID Pakistan’s reported plans to boost its underwater combat strength, the Indian Navy will commission INS Mahe, the first of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on Monday. The ceremony will be presided over by Ar my Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. Announcing the induction, the Navy said the commissioning of Mahe marks the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallowwater combatants—sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian. “She will serve as a silent hunter on the Western Seaboard, powered by self-reliance and dedicated to safeguarding India’s maritime frontiers,” the Navy said. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Mahe has more than 80 percent indigenous design, and highlights the country’s growing expertise in warship technology and qualities critical for coastal French Navy calls out Pak media misinformation EXPRESS READ Over 6.5L pilgrims visit Sabarimala Pathanamthitta: The heavy but streamlined inflow of devotees to Sabarimala continues as the mandalam season progresses. Despite intermittent rain, devotees had smooth darshan. By 7 pm on Sunday, a total of 69,295 pilgrims had trekked up the hill shrine to offer darshan. With the latest figures, the total footfall has crossed 6.5 lakh since the temple opened for the season. P5 Oppn: CPM butchering democracy in Kannur T’Puram: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan on Sunday accused the CPM of using intimidation and goondaism to prevent rival candidates from contesting LSG polls. “The CPM is butchering democracy by celebrating victories in Kannur even before the polls,” he said in a statement in Thiruvananthapuram. He criticised the CM and CPM state secretary for “lecturing others on anti-fascism while denying democracy in their own strongholds.” and littoral operations. Equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems, the vessel can conduct anti-submarine missions, coastal patrols, and minelaying operations. The Mahe-class ships, 78 metres long with a displacement of about 900 tonnes, can reach speeds up to 25 knots and have an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles. A total of 16 ASW-SWC vessels are being bu i l t — e i g h t e a ch at Cochin Shipyard and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata—under contracts signed in 2019. Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe, the ship’s crest features the Urumi, the flexible sword of Kalaripayattu, symbolising agility and lethal grace. These ships will strengthen coastal defence along India’s 7,516-km coastline and enhance Navy’s shallow-water anti-submarine capabilities. The induction is keeping in mind China’s Hangorclass submarine project for the Pakistan Navy . Claims made by Geo TV, attributed to a French commander, contained “misinformation and disinformation, it said | P7 PM moots global AI compact to check misuse Says critical technologies must be human-centric, not finance-centric; announces AI summit in India next year UN reforms a necessity, no longer optional: Modi J AYANTH J ACO B @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged world leaders at the G20 summit in Johannesburg to forge a global AI compact, and stressed the need to prevent misuse while harnessing artificial intelligence for inclusive and responsible global development. “We all have to ensure that AI is used for the global good and its misuse is avoided. For this, we need to create a global compact on AI that is based on some core principles,” Modi said, putting emphasis on oversight, safety-by-design, transparency , and strict restrictions on AI in dee pfakes, crime, and terrorism. “AI systems that affect human life, security, or public trust must be responsible and accountable. Most importantly , AI should enhance human capabilities, but the ultimate responsibility for decision-making will always remain with humans,” he said. The PM also announced that the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in February next year will be themed Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay (Welfare for all, Happiness for all) and invited all G20 countries to take part in the mission. He stressed the need to shift from “jobs of today” to “capabilities of tomorrow,” underlining the importance of constant innovation. Outlining India’s approach @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a session at the G20 Summit, in Johannesburg | AP to AI, Modi said it rests on three pillars of equitable access, population-scale skilling, and responsible deployment. “Under the India-AI Mission, we are creating accessible high-performance computing so that the benefits of AI reach every district and every language,” he told the G 20 leaders. The PM emphasised that technology must be human-centric, global, and open-source rather than Modi meets key leaders Modi held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He separately met the prime ministers of Japan, Netherlands and Jamaica, and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva Parasitic leech found off Kollam a likely threat to native fish health R a h u l R @Kollam A parasitic marine leech previously found only along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts has been reported for the first time in Indian waters — off the Kollam coast. The finding has raised concern among researchers about the parasite’s potential impact on fish health, fisheries productivity and the marine ecosystem. The species, Pontobdella muricata, was found among the trawl bycatch that landed at Sakthikulangara harbour. The specimen was found attached to the ventral side of a stingray fish, confirming a new parasite-host association for a leech previously restricted to colder European waters. Researchers say the leech poses no direct threat to humans but warn that it could severely affect native fish populations. Even a single leech can cause lesions, draw blood and First time in Indian waters It’s for the first time that parasitic marine leech, Pontobdella muricata, is found in Indian waters, says the study The species was previously found only along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts The leech could severely affect native fish populations create wounds that allow secondary infections — reducing fish health and market value, says the study The finding has . triggered concerns about what else may be silently shifting to Kerala’s waters. The current detection is limited to deepwater skates, but researchers warn that the shift in parasite distribution may indicate changing ocean conditions, altered migration routes or broader ecological imbalances. “Our marine ecosystem is already under extreme stress due to global warming, pollution, deep-sea fishing and declining fish stocks. With fisheries under unprecedented pressure, the emergence of a new parasite is a red flag,” said Sarlin Pathissery, head of the zoology department, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, who led the study . “The new parasite could harm fish populations in the long run, especially in waters already stressed by overfishing, warming seas and species degradation. But how exactly this will affect the fishing community and the wider environment requires indepth study she said. “If such ,” parasites spread to commercially important species, small fishers who depend on healthy , clean catch for their livelihood will be the most affected,” the ● More on P5 study notes.  Anti-drone systems at all civilian airports, shortly m u ke s h r a n j a n @ New Delhi THE Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) at a joint meeting, held recently have decided to deploy , anti-drone systems at all major and minor civil airports in view of “a possible war-like situation emerging in future,” officials said on Sunday . According to them, initially, it has been decided to install the system at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar and also Jammu and Srinagar. The decision has been taken in view of the experience gathered during ‘Operation Sindoor’ and also due to global military escalations that have featured an increased use of drones. It is reliably learnt from of- ficials that the anti-drone equipment will thwart any possible attack using ro gue drones. The system will be installed for the first time at civilian airports only a senior official told , express illustration this paper on Sunday . The decision was arrived at after multiple high-level meetings. Though the MHA has been overseeing the project, a committee has been constituted by the BCAS, with members drawn from aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other stakeholders. Officials said the modalities and specifications of the equipment are currently being looked into and once everything is finalised, the MHA will coordinate with the Ministry of “At a time when the world appears fragmented and divided, IBSA can provide a message of Prime Minister Narendra unity cooperation, and human, Modi on Sunday made a strong ity,” Modi added, addressing appeal for reforms in the UN South African President Cyril Security Council and urged Ramaphosa and Brazil’s Presithat the India-Brazil-South Af- dent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. rica (IBSA) grouping should He called for institutionalissend a clear message that ing NSA-level meetings within changes to global governance IBSA to strengthen security coinstitutions are no ordination among the longer optional but a three countries in the pressing necessity . fight against terrorS p e a k i n g at t h e ism. “There is no place Global institutions IBSA leaders’ summit for any double standno longer on the sidelines on the represent today’s ards on such a serious G20 summit in Johan- world. Therefore, issue,” he added. nesburg, Modi under- IBSA must send a Modi also highlightscored the role of the unified message ed the potential of to the world: grouping in projecting technology in fosterinstitutional unity and cooperation ing human-centric dereform is not an at a time when the velopment. He prooption but a world appears increasposed an IBSA Digital prerogative ingly fragmented. Innovation Alliance to “First, we all agree facilitate the exchange Narendra Modi, PM that global institutions of digital public infrado not reflect the realities of structure, including India’s the 21st century None of us is a Unified Payments Interface, . permanent member of the UN health platfor ms such as Security Council. This clearly CoWIN, cybersecurity framedemonstrates that global insti- works, and women-led technoltutions no longer represent to- ogy initiatives. The alliance day’s world. Therefore, IBSA aims to help member countries must send a unified message to leverage digital innovation to the world: institutional reform drive inclusive growth while is not an option but a preroga- strengthening collaboration on tive,” Modi said. emerging technologies. Express news service Civil Aviation in implementing and commissioning the project. However, officials said the entire project would be commissioned only in a phased manner, with sensitive airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Srinagar and Jammu covered in the first phase followed by the scheme being rolled out in the remaing airports. A senior official in the know said, “The authorities will fix deadlines for commissioning the equipment at different airports only after finalization of specifications ... then airport operators will be directed to install the technology that fits our criteria. Models successfully existing at other airports outside India are also being examined for ef fective implementation.” finance-centric, national, or exclusive. “We have to promote technology applications that are ‘human centric’ instead of ‘finance centric’, which are ‘global’ instead of ‘national’ and ‘open source’ instead of ‘exclusive models’. We have tried to integrate this vision in all technology projects of India.” He cited India’s leadership in digital payments and its effective response during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering vaccines and medicines to more than 150 countries, to underline the potential of inclusive technological and economic growth. “Development should be sustainable, business should be trusted, finance should be fair, and progress should bring allinclusive prosperity the prime ,” minister said. This is the first G20 summit held in Africa. ‘GST trap’ hinders renovation of Fort Kochi’s Chinese nets Oppn mounts against UDF’s ‘tie-up’ with Welfare Party E x p r e s s s Ne w s Se r v i c e @Kozhikode The iconic Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi | Express sulting in the collapse of the platfor m. Kitco, though, The Chinese fishing nets — maintains that the GST is historic, cantilevered struc- “mandatory” for benefit of tures that define the coast- government funds and promline of Fort Kochi — are ises that it will award a tenlanguishing in disrepair, der for urgent repairs in their much-needed restora- “four weeks”. tion stalled for years despite “The delay in the repair of a `2.40-crore grant. The ur- the Chinese nets happened gency for restoration was due to bureaucratic requireunderscored when ments for the owna worn out platform ers to secure a GST of one of the nets account. Why do gave way, with 11 the poor fishermen Why do the poor foreign visitors fall- fishermen need to need to take a GST ing into the water account? They are take a GST last Friday . not doing any large account to get a While the tour- grant? In fact, the business or export. ism department had non-repair has In fact, the non-rebeen affecting entrusted the Kerapair has been affecttheir livelihood la Industrial and ing their livelihood for years Technology Consulfor years,” said K J tancy Organisation Sohan, former KoK J Sohan, former (KITCO) with the chi mayor and a Kochi mayor and a task of refurbish- heritage enthusiast heritage enthusiast. ing 11 nets, the fishCompounding the ermen-owners point loss, the valuable towards the insistence of teakwood and ironwood logs the latter in having a GST sourced years ago have start(Goods & Services Tax) ac- ed decaying. count for receipt of the grant Following the continued and cite it as the reason for insistence, the owners finalnot carrying out the repair. ly formed a collective ‘Fish In fact, the mishap involv- Net Association’ and seing the foreign tourists hap- cured a GST account, but lapened after a plywood plank, ment that they have still set up temporarily instead not received the funds for re● More on P5 of hard wood, gave in, re- pair.  K r i s h n a K u m a r K E @ Kochi Pressure is mounting on the UDF not to have an alliance with the Welfare Party of India, the political wing of the Jama’at-e-Islami, even while the Congress-led front is going ahead with its plan of ‘local-level adjustments’ with the party in the local body elections. The latest to raise voice against the tie-up is Abdul Hameed Faizy Ambalakadavu, the working secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS), who sought to remind that the ‘Jama’at and Muslim Brotherhood are the two sides of the same coin.’ In a Facebook post on Sunday, Faizy said Jama’at had declared that the Muslims who cooperate with the democratic system or exercise their franchise would automatically be out of Islam. The same organisation later formed a political party to be a part of the same system by becoming an ally of different political fronts, he said. Faizi said this should be viewed seriously because the Jama’at is a cadre organisation that would not hesitate to resort to any strategy to achieve its aim. If the Jama’at is elected in Sunni-majority mahals, the organisation will convert the ward and mahal as its own, he said. Faizy recalled that the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth organisation of the Jama’at, had carried the photos of leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during the protest march to the Kozhikode Airport last April. ● More on P5