hildren of members who have completed one year of membership in the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishment Workers' Welfare Fund Board, Thiruvananthapuram District Office, can apply for cash awards and scholarships. Students who have secured A+ in all subjects in the state syllabus for SSLC and Plus Two examinations, A1 in the CBSE section, and more than 90 percent in all subjects in the ICSE section, as well as those who have achieved over 60 percent marks in degree and postgraduate courses (including professional courses), and students who have excelled in arts, sports, or cultural fields during the previous academic year, are eligible to apply for cash awards.

Children of welfare fund members pursuing various courses from Plus One to Postgraduate level, including professional courses, can apply for educational scholarships for the academic year 2025-26.

Applications should be submitted online at http://www.peedika.kerala.gov.in. The last date for submission is October 31. For more details, contact: 0471-2572189.

The State Forest and Wildlife Department invites applications for the Vanamitra Award for the year 2025–26. The award includes a cash prize of ₹25,000 and a plaque, and is presented at the district level to recognize outstanding efforts in the protection of mangroves, forests, medicinal plants, agriculture, biodiversity, and related environmental activities. Individuals, educational institutions, voluntary organizations, and farmers from Thiruvananthapuram district should submit their application to the Assistant Forest Conservator, Social Forestry Section, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar (PTP), Thiruvananthapuram, by August 31. For more details, contact: 9447979135 / 0471-2360462.

The State Forest and Wildlife Department is offering financial assistance for the conservation of Kavus (sacred groves) in Thiruvananthapuram district for the year 2025–26. The scheme is open to Kavus owned by individuals, devaswoms, and trusts. Interested parties should submit their application, including details of the Kavu’s area and ownership documents, to the Assistant Forest Conservator, Social Forestry Section, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar (PTP), Thiruvananthapuram, on or before August 31. Applicants who have already received assistance in previous years do not need to reapply.

The District Medical Officer has issued a set of precautionary measures in response to the rising number of Rat Fever (Leptospirosis) cases in Kottayam district.

People residing in flood-affected areas, staying in relief camps, engaged in sanitation work, or involved in fishing in paddy fields and water bodies—as well as anyone exposed to stagnant water or mud—are advised to take preventive medicine: Doxycycline 200 mg (two 100 mg tablets), as per the instructions of health workers.

Individuals with open wounds should avoid work that involves contact with sewage until the wounds are healed. If work is unavoidable, gloves and socks must be worn, and Doxycycline should be taken as a preventive measure. Always wear shoes when stepping outside.

If you are fishing or entering waterlogged areas where sewage may be present, take Doxycycline tablets and follow all safety measures.

Do not bathe, wash your face, or rinse your mouth in ponds or streams used for bathing cattle.

Those who clean animal shelters like stables and kennels should avoid direct contact with animal waste. If you need to walk through stagnant water, wash your hands and feet thoroughly with soap afterwards.

To prevent contamination from rat urine, keep all food and drinking water properly covered.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience high fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches (especially in the legs), body pain, or yellowing of the eyes. Avoid self-medication. If you have been exposed to sewage or stagnant water, inform your doctor—this can aid in quicker diagnosis.

Do not allow children to play or bathe in sewage.

With the ongoing rainy season, remain alert for other infectious diseases as well. Stay safe and follow all health guidelines.

A registration drive will be conducted on July 8 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the University Student Center, PMG Junction, for differently-abled candidates with teaching qualifications in Thiruvananthapuram district who have not yet registered with the Employment Exchange.

Eligible candidates are requested to attend the registration drive with the original copies of all relevant documents.