Ernakulam drives state's UPI economy.

From roadside tea stalls and fish markets, hospitals and educational institutions, QR codes have become as common as cash counters across Kerala. And true to its billing as Kerala's commercial capital, Ernakulam district is leading the state's shift to digital payments.

Kerala recorded 454.91 million Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions - 2% of the country's total volume - valued at Rs.63,489.63 crores, or 2.2% of the national total in June. Ernakulam logged 91.4 million transactions worth Rs.11,938.18 crores during the period.

Thiruvananthapuram ranked second with 54.74 million transactions worth Rs.7,460.96 crores. Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur closely follow.

Banking experts say the numbers reflect more than just population. Ernakulam's emergence as the leading as the leading district for UPI transactions reflects its strong digital ecosystem, high smartphone penetration and vibrant economic activity.

As Kerala's commercial hub, it has a diverse mix of retail consumers, businesses, professionals, educational institutions and merchants who have made digital payments part of daily life.

Elappully to get 1st 'groundnut village' tag.

As the country looks to reduce its dependence on imported edible oils, a village in Palakkad is betting on a one small oilseed that can make a big difference. Elappully panchayat has launched an ambitious effort to revive groundnut cultivation, hoping to transform itself into Kerala's first organised 'groundnut village' while creating a new source of income for local farmers.

Barely a decade ago, groundnut fields had become a familiar sight across parts of Elappully. Though the crop was cultivated only for a brief period, it attracted scores of farmers, with traders and small processing units emerging to procure the harvest but as cultivation dwindled, the crop once again vanished from the village.

The panchayat authorities, with the help of the department of agriculture and the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-OS), are hoping to script a second comeback story with groundnut cultivation planned across 112 acres in the first phase. More than 65 farmers have already enrolled, raising hopes that the crop could once again become a viable source of income.

Unlike the previous revival, this one is backed by scientific planning. Farmers will receive high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties such as Kadiri, Lepakshi, VR-10, TMV-14 and TGS-1694. Soil samples from every participating field will be analysed, soil health crisis cards issued and extensive training programs conducted to promote scientific cultivation practices.

The project has identified areas such as Menonpara, Kottilpara and Eduppukulam as being particularly suited for cultivation. Groundnut with shell fetches around Rs.80/- per kg while cultivation costs are low. The crop offers farmers a profitable alternative and also supports crop diversification in the region.

Groundnut also has a deeper history in Elappully. Before sugarcane became the dominant crop following the establishment of the Menonpara Sugar factory, groundnut was widely cultivated in the area. As farmers shifted to sugarcane, groundnut cultivation declined. The current initiative seeks not only to restore groundnut cultivation but to establish a complete value chain - from production and procurement to oil extraction and marketing.

The first sowing of the new varieties is scheduled at Kottilpara on the 10th.

Border trade via Nathu La pass resumes.

Border trade via Nathu La Pass, which had remained suspended for six years amid the Covid-19 pandemic and Sino-India border tensions resumed yesterday.

The reopening is expected to inject fresh economy by generating business for registered traders, transport operators and other stake holders dependent on border trade. Border trade through Nathu La will operate from Monday to Thursday and continue till November. Under the Nathu La border trade arrangement, the approved categories of goods, including handicrafts, handloom products, traditional religious items and ready-made garments, can now be imported and exported. 

This year, 38 traders have been issued passes to participate in the cross-border trade. Currently, there are around 35 tradable items.

Tailpiece.

Heavy rains since evening. 

Taslima Nasrin returns to Calcutta.

Bangladesh-born writer Taslima Nasrin returned to Calcutta yesterday, after she was accorded a civic reception at Rabindra Sadan, sharing the dais with the West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari during a literary program against fundamentalism.

She'd left in 2007 during the tenure of the CPM-led Left Front government led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in Bengal after violent protests over her novel "Dwikhandito" led to a deterioration of the law and order situation in Calcutta. 

She is now a Swedish national.

Tailpiece.

It rained heavily in the whole of Kerala, today.

The FIFA shenanigans.

European nations to boycott FIFA competitions in protest

UEFA and its member nations have agreed to boycott FIFA events if the global body goes ahead with its privatisation plans. A look....

Infantino plan faces major backlash

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the WC to private equity investors was hit hard on Thursday by his former colleagues at UEFA, who agreed to boycott all the FIFA competitions in protest. "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in the FIFA competitions". The European body said after an online meeting of its 55 member nations.

Somethings are too important to sell

* Some things are simply too important to sell. "The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always           will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale".

* The meeting was called to counter Infantino's offer of $20M to each of FIFA's 211 members that has       to be accepted by mid-September.

05 Sep

Is when Women's U20 World Cup, the next FIFA event will begin.

The trawl ban to end tomorrow.

The 52-day annual trawl ban period is set to end tomorrow, with a feeling of hope and anxiety prevalent among the fisher folk, all across the state. For the 30,000 fishing crafts operated by traditional fishermen, the trawl ban period, that offers them a season of bountiful catch, has not been encouraging.

While a few motorised crafts got bounteous catch, most of them had to struggle to meet the operating costs. This uncertainty has spread anxiety among the 3,500-odd mechanised boat operators who fear they will have to undertake longer fishing trips this time.

Tailpiece.

Mini and Mithun are on their way to New Jersey. They should reach Ammu by tomorrow forenoon. 

A quiet Wednesday.

Got up at a half past 4, the chores, lit up the puja room lamp, opened up the house for the day and switched on the hymns on the home theatre.

The usual Wednesday aa'arathi of the house was carried out this morning.

Walked on the courtyard and recited my prayers. Bath followed by breakfast.

Spoke to Dr(Mrs ) RS Sodhi regarding Lekha's continuing fever and cough. According to her instructions, the following were done at the Rajah Hospital :-

            * cbc

            * crp and

            * chest x-ray PA view

Lunch.

Armed with the results, we'd visited the doctor at 2, got medicines. Review on Saturday.

A quiet evening.