Minakshi Dewan, inspired by the death of her father Vijay Dewan and the rituals she encountered, wrote 'The Final Farewell' to explore the last rites across Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Sikhism. The book provides insights into the meanings behind religious rituals and promotes empathy and understanding among different faiths. It also touches on gender and caste discrimination in last rites, the role of professional mourners, and the unique perspective on death in Varanasi.

The Kerala Police Training Academy celebrated the passing-out parade of 23 dogs and their 46 handlers, with State Police Chief Anil Kant as the chief guest. The dogs, trained for nine months, will join K9 squads across Kerala districts. The training includes socialization, obedience, and specialized skills such as explosive detection, drug identification, and search and rescue. The procurement of dogs involves a committee, and breeds like Belgian Malinois are sourced from institutes like the one in Ludhiana. Handlers are responsible for the dogs' care and are trained in various aspects of canine management. The article emphasizes the dogs' superior abilities compared to humans and their invaluable contribution to law enforcement.

Paris Laxmi, a Kerala-based actor and dancer, created a short film titled 'Mother Earth' to express her concerns about environmental pollution and the need for radical governmental action. The film features Laxmi wearing a striking Afghan tribal necklace and dancing in nature, which is later destroyed by pollution. Laxmi advocates for novel ideas to allow the Earth to heal, as seen during the coronavirus pandemic. She resides in Vaikom with her husband, Pallippuram Sunil, and runs the Kalashakti School of Arts. Laxmi has acted in several Mollywood films and is currently learning scriptwriting techniques due to the impact of the pandemic on stage performances.

Adelaide-based artist Jane Skeer expressed her deep emotional connection to Kochi during her residency with the Kochi Biennale Foundation-Adelaide Residency Exchange. She admired the local culture, history, and people's love for family, contrasting it with the lack of vibrancy in Australian architecture. Jane's installation art at Pepper House featured discarded blue cement bags and a representation of the Indian national flag using sacks in saffron, white, and green. She also created a circular design with terracotta stones and displayed photographs that transform ordinary sights into extraordinary art. Jane, who discovered her passion for art at 47, has been holding exhibitions since 2015 and writes poetry in her spare time.

Fabiyas MV, an English teacher from Kerala, has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize by the American magazine Poetry Nook. He is recognized for his English poetry that addresses social issues relevant to Kerala and India. Fabiyas has won several poetry awards and his work has been published internationally. His late father, MV Alikutty, a renowned Malayalam writer, was his biggest influence. Fabiyas's poetry is appreciated for its unique insight into the human condition, and he dedicates his earnings from writing to the welfare of orphans.

The BSNL office in Tripunithura was found deserted and unmanned by entrepreneur Ramesh Menon, with no staff to assist customers. The office appeared forlorn due to a high number of employees taking voluntary retirement, with 68.9% of eligible staff in Kerala applying for VRS, the highest among all states. An electrician mentioned non-payment of dues to the security agency, while an official stated that holiday staffing usually includes one person to monitor equipment. Customers like Ramesh are concerned about the decline of BSNL, especially for the elderly who rely on landlines.

Mumbai-based musician Vyaasa M, inspired by Oprah Winfrey's speech, collaborates with lyricist Shamsher Singh Beniyaaz and producer Himonshu Parikh to create the song 'Wajood-e-Sabab'. The music video tells the story of a man overcoming self-doubt and emotional abuse at work to pursue his passion for singing. Despite initial rejections, he gains recognition by uploading his song on Facebook. Vyaasa, who discovered his musical talent during his time at the Institute of Hotel Management And Catering Technology, Kovalam, is optimistic about the independent music industry's growth and is preparing to release his next single, 'Kyu Tumne?', a love song about heartbreak.

US-based professor and photographer Cathy Greenblat, who specializes in capturing images related to ageing, dementia, and end-of-life care, shared her experiences and work at an international conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Kochi. Greenblat's work documents the lives of people with dementia in nine countries, showcasing moments of joy and the capabilities that remain despite the disease. She advocates for a change in mindset towards dementia care, emphasizing the importance of meaningful activities and personal worth. Her work includes a photo exhibition and a project on end-of-life care in Kozhikode, highlighting the best examples of care and the universal need for compassion and dignity.

PS John, at 90 years old, participated in the All Kerala Senior Athletics Meet at Maharaja’s College, Kochi, winning the 100m and 200m events and the long jump in the 90 plus age category. Despite having heart surgery in 2017, John's passion for athletics, encouraged by his cardiac surgeon Dr Rajesh Raman Kutty, remained strong. John has a history of winning over 140 medals in athletics and leads an active life as a farmer in Kanjirapally. He aspires to compete in the senior world athletics championships in Toronto in 2020.

Sr Jesme reflects on her life after leaving the Congregation of the Mother Carmelite 11 years ago, expressing relief and happiness in her newfound freedom. Despite facing societal challenges as a single woman, she remains positive and enjoys her solitude, working on her eighth book and engaging in hobbies. She comments on the changing attitudes of the Catholic laity and her former colleagues, as well as on the recent expulsion of Sr Lucy Kalappurakkal from the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, advocating for 'responsible obedience' over 'blind obedience'. Sr Jesme emphasizes that life is a gift to be cherished.

Simmi Santha, a behavioural therapist from Toronto, Canada, is starting an autism clinic named Reeta Peshawaria Centre for Autism in Mallapally, Kerala. The clinic is named after Dr. Reeta Peshawaria-Menon, a teacher of Simmi's and sister of former IPS officer Kiran Bedi. The clinic will be inaugurated by Bedi, who will also release Simmi's 'Manual for Parents and Caregivers', funded by the Reeta Peshawaria Fellowship. The story also touches on the struggles of Reena Mathew, a mother of an autistic child, who inspired Simmi to start the clinic.