kozhikode l saturday l January 03, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION Indian Army places emergency order for long-range rockets Indian Army has contracted Pune-based defence manufacturer Nibe Ltd to procure equipment and ammunition for its universal rocket launchers Rockets to have strikE range of 300 km Order to bring Israeli firm’s ‘Puls’ to India “The Company has entered into Supply Contract with the Indian Army for Manufacturing and Supply of Ground Equipment, Accessories, ESP and Ammunition for Universal Rocket Launcher System capable of integrating multiple rocket types including rockets striking at ranges of 150 km and 300 km for a consideration of C292.69 cr,” Nibe said in an exchange filing ■ ■ In July 2025, NIBE had entered into an agreement with Israel’s Elbit Systems to manufacture the Israeli firm’s PULS multiple rocket launcher systems in India. Sources said the latest order is for PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System), manufactured by Elbit Once inducted, PULS will be Army’s 1st universal rocket launcher | P8 12 months The order has to be executed and delivered within that timeframe 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 EC rejects TMC’s bid to push BLAs at SIR hearing sessions M U K E S H R AN J AN @ New Delhi Vice President of India C P Radhakrishnan and The New Indian Express group Chairman Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, his wife Kalpana Sonthalia, TNIE CEO Lakshmi Menon, Editor Santwana Bhattacharya, Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla, Dinamani Editor K Vaidiyanathan, TN ministers Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and Ma Subramanian with the Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman recipients Chandrashekhara Kambara, Neha Dixit, Subi Taba and Sudeep Chakravarthi, at an event in Chennai on Friday | Ashwin Prasath V-P: Fearless Dinamani boxed item led me to media, Lit vital V-P’s office: CPR for democracy E x p ress Ne w s S ervi c e @ Chennai I am really affirmed that stories from the farthest places in the map also belong to the centre of the literary world in India Subi Taba, RNGSS winner for Best Fiction History, politics, biographies... people, all come alive as narrative non-fiction. There is no better time to be a writer Sudeep Chakravarti, RNGSS awardee for Best Non-Fiction When news is determined by the buying mood of the target audience and political masters, I hope this award will help in putting the lives of workers at the forefront Neha Dixit, RNGSS awardee for Best Debut on page 7 Reservoir of human experience Where varied voices converge Chandrashekhara Kambara conferred the RNGSS Lifetime Achievement Award E x p ress Ne w s S ervi c e @ Chennai Stressing that no nation can emerge without fearless journalism and deep literature, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday said freedom of expression remains the cornerstone of Indian democracy. He was speaking at the third edition of the Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman (RNGSS), The New Indian Express (TNIE) group’s annual literary award honouring excellence in Indian writing, which was held in the city . At the event, legendary playwright Chandrashekhara Kambara was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his decades-long contribution to literature, particularly Kannada poetry thea, tre and folklore-based writing. Kambara is among India’s most revered literary figures — a Kannada writer, thinker, playwright, folklorist and theatre activist whose life’s work has profoundly shaped the nation’s cultural imagination. Subi Taba won the RNGSS for Best Fiction for Tales from the Dawn-Lit Mountains, Sudeep Chakravarti received the award for Best Non-Fiction for Fallen City: A Double Murder Political , Insanity, and Delhi’s Descent from Grace, while Neha Dixit won the Best Debut award for The Many Lives of Syeda X: The Story of an Unknown Indian. Speaking at the event, Vice President Radhakrishnan paid rich tributes to Ramnath Goenka, doyen of Indian print journalism and the visionary founder of The New Indian Express group, saying he stood firm for journalistic integrity, intellectual courage and democratic values during some of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history . “Goenka remains the conscience keeper of Indian democracy. His commitment to fearless expression continues to inspire generations,” he said. Recalling Goenka’s resistance during Emergency, the Vice President said he demonstrated the power of silence by publishing a blank editorial as a mark of protest a g ainst press censorship. Addressing the gathering, TNIE CMD Manoj Kumar Sonthalia said the award was a tribute to writers who wield the pen with courage, imagination and integrity . He recalled the legacy of Ramnath Goenka, describing him as a steadfast believer in the power of the printed word, not merely as a vehicle for news, but as an engine of ideas and an instrument of change. TN ministers Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and Ma Subramanian, TNIE Editor Santwana Bhattacharya, Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla, CEO Lakshmi Menon and Dinamani Editor K Vaidiyanathan participated. Recalling that reading a news item in Tamil daily Dinamani, a sister publication of the TNIE group, shaped his political journey and eventually led him to one of the country’s highest constitutional offices, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday said fearless journalism has the power to change lives, as he paid tribute to Ramnath Goenka at the third edition of the Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman (RNGSS) in Chennai. The Vice President said a boxed item carried next to Dinamani’s masthead, a format which has now changed, reported a protest by the Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP against the , Turkish Consulate in Delh i . T h e p ro t e s t w a s against Turkey’s decision to ban books written by former President S Radhakrishnan, including The Hindu View of Life. “Nobody questioned it (book ban) at that time. Goenka believed Only Jana Sangh, under ideas must the leadership of Vijay circulate freely, Kumar Malhotra ji, staged questions must a dhar na outside the be asked — Turkish Consulate. That and more impressed me,” he said. importantly, Radhakrishnan added answered that he spent nearly a year searching for the party before eventually joining Jana Sangh, a decision, which he said, has now led him to the office of the Vice President. Equating fearless journalism with Goenka, Radhakrishnan described him as a towering figure in public life who stood firm for journalistic integrity intellectual courage , and democratic values during some of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history “He remains the conscience-keeper . of Indian democracy he said. ,” “He believed ideas must circulate freely , questions must be asked — and more importantly answered — and that centres of , power must always be held accountable,” Continued on: P7 the V-P added.  Another missive to South to rectify minimum age norm for Class 1 kids E XP R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ New Delhi THE Ministry of Education has again shot off a letter to six states asking them to adhere to the minimum age criterion of six years for admission to Class 1 as mandated by the National Education Policy 2020. On February 9, 2023, the ministry had directed all states and Union Territories that the date of admission to Class 1 must be set at six years. According to officials, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh are yet to adhere to the age criterion. “We have written to these states in the past as well, asking them to abide by this criterion. We will continue to do so. Chhattisgarh has informed us that they will adopt it shortly ,” said a senior official. The official added that these states continue to admit students in Class I even when they are five years old as had been done in the past. “Six years is what we consider as the right age for imparting school education,” he said. Three years of pre-primary education before Linked to nep The age requirement is linked to NEP 2020’s revamped 5+3+3+4 school structure, under which children aged 3-8 years fall within the foundational stage. This stage comprises three years of pre-school education followed by two years of primary schooling that is necessary . Fixing a common age criterion across the country is important in view of the high inter-state mobility by people, the official stressed. “The transportability of the student becomes smooth when the same pattern and rules on education are followed across the country .” Another official told this newspaper that the revised NCERT textbooks for Class 9th and 11th will be out in April 2026 (before the academic year begins). “The books for Class 10th and 12th will be ready by April 2027,” he said. Responding to a query on Tamil Nadu’s refusal to open Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Schools, the official said, “Tamil Nadu has been asked to come for discussions.” THE Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected the Trinamool Congress’ request to allow the party’s booth level agents (BLAs) at the hearing sessions regarding the draft voters’ list. The ongoing second stage of the three-phase Special Intensive Revision exercise focuses on hearing sessions on claims and objections. Sources said if the TMC’s request is accepted, the poll panel will have to accept similar demands from other political parties — six national and two state parties. This would mean at least 11 individuals at each hearing ta- ble, comprising one electoral registration officer, one assistant electoral registration officer, one micro-observer, and eight BLAs from these eight political parties, besides the voter, who usually comes with one or two companions. If such a crowd is allowed to swarm a single table, it would be impossible for the electoral officers to conduct the hearing process, EC sources added. According to the ECI website, TMC and All India Forward Bloc are among the two state parties in West Bengal that are registered with the poll panel. The national parties are the BJP, INC, CPI(M), AAP, BSP and NPP. TMC claimed the ECI deliberately rejected the party’s plea because other registered political parties in the state, especially the BJP do not have , enough strength to field BLAs for all hearing tables. ECI sources said the poll panel cannot operate on such assumptions. “The Commission has to apply uniform rules for all political parties and the rules are framed on the basis of their practical applicability . Hence, the uniform rule for not allowing BLAs at the hearing sessions is applicable for all political parties,” an ECI source said. Congress set to renominate most of its sitting MLAs K S S R E E J I T H @ T’Puram Despite pressure from sections of the Congress seeking greater representation for youth and women, senior leaders in the state have reportedly reached a consensus to renominate most of the incumbent MLAs for the coming assembly election. Congress insiders indicated that the leadership believes that retaining sitting legislators would ensure continuity and stability, while also rewarding their performance and loyalty during a challenging phase for the party . Excluding expelled Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, the Congress now has 21 MLAs. Of them, the candidature of three MLAs remains uncertain due to various reasons. According to party sources, Tripunithura MLA K Babu has conveyed his difficulty to return to the electoral fray on , health grounds. However, there is pressure on both the legislator and the KPCC to contest. The BJP’s rise in Tripunithura, following its ascend to power in the municipality, has also been cited by party leaders as a key factor. The other two MLAs whose prospects will be decided by the KPCC are Eldhose Kunnappilly (Perumbavoor) and I C Balakrishnan (Sultan Bath- ery), said sources. Balakrishnan is facing corruption allegations in the Wayanad cooperative bank case linked to the death of district Congress committee treasurer N M Vijayan, while Eldhose is facing sexual abuse charges. “As Rahul has been expelled from the party the KPCC will , have to identify a suitable candidate in Palakkad,” said a senior Congress leader. “Balakrishan is facing resentment following the tragic death of N M Vijayan. Though the leadership is inclined to allow incumbent MLAs to contest, caution is required while taking a decision on the prospects of Eldhose’s chances,” the leader said. With Ernakulam district considered a Cong ress stronghold, there are indications that the party might look for an alternative candidate in Perumbavoor. According to sources, though Kovalam MLA M Vincent also faces sexual harassment allegations, the Congress is unlikely to keep him out. He was given a seat in 2021 election, which he won. “As Vincent is the lone Congress MLA from Thiruvananthapuram district and has support among party workers and the community, denying him the Kovalam seat may be difficult,” said a KPCC officebearer. E X PRESS REA D Vellappally continues tirade against League Alappuzha: SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan on Friday intensified his criticism of the IUML, alleging that the party used its clout in Congress-led governments, of which it was a constituent, primarily to serve its own interests. Vellappally said the League, which handled the education portfolio during UDF rule, neglected SNDP Yogam while granting major benefits to institutions linked to the League. P4 Common law governing all temples sought Kozhikode: Bharatiya Vichara Kendram, a Sangh Parivaraffiliated organisation, has asked the Centre to bring in a common law that governs all temples and charity organisations in the backdrop of the controversy over the gold theft at Sabarimala temple. A resolution passed at the 43rd state conference of the organisation said the system should have the representation of all sections including women. P4 master shipwright Malayali who ‘stitched’ Navy’s tryst with tradition M a n o j V is w a n ath a n @ Kochi When Indian naval vessel INSV Kaundinya, built using the traditional sewn-ship technique, set sail on its maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar to Muscat on December 29, it marked another achievement in the storied career of a master Malayali craftsman. It was Babu Sankaran’s move to Oman in 1979, in search of a job, that paved the way for the shaping of the shipwright. And over the years, the 61-year-old Vadakara resident has come to count iconic sailing vessels such as the Jewel of Muscat and the Magan among his important creations. As a young boy Babu assisted , his father, a carpenter who built traditional fishing craft. With the help of an officer with Cochin Shipyard, the class five Babu Sankaran during the construction of INSV Kaundinya (right) dropout landed a job in Oman. Though barely 15, Babu was a quick learner. He was introduced to British explorer Tim Severin, who had launched a project to recreate the legendary stitched ship Sohar. The sewn, or stitched, ship technique involves stitching wooden planks together using cords instead of nails. In 1980, Tim along with a 20-member Omani crew sailed to China on the vessel, marking the revival of the ninth century craft of shipbuilding. Following the success of the Sohar project, Tim introduced Babu to an Omani sponsor of the Jewel of Muscat project. With planks sewn from coir, the work was based on the design of a shipwrecked ninth-century vessel. It sailed from Oman to Singapore in 2010 and was gifted to the Southeast Asian country The vessel is now dis. played at the oceanarium on Sentosa Island. Babu also went on to build several boats for the Omani sponsor, including Magan, a dhow made from traditional materials like g rass. The project was implemented under the supervision of an oceanography scientist. “I also had the opportunity to build another traditional craft in Salalah, from the remnants of a 100-year-old boat,” Babu ● More on P4 told TNIE.