Munderikkadavu bird sanctuary – a haven for bird watchers
The Munderikkadavu wetland, nestled on the banks of the Munderi river in Kannur , has become the fourth bird sanctuary in Kerala. The other three bird sanctuaries being Kadalundi, Thattekad and Kumarakom. Munderikkadavu, which is home to over 100 different species of birds, is all set to become a bird sanctuary. The Kerala wetlands get over 1 lakh winged visitors including 60 migratory species every year including Eurasian wigeon, black-headed bunting and red-headed bunting among others.
Mundrikkadavu bird sanctuary is being allotted an amount of over 20 lakhs and this innovative project will go a long way in nature conservation and to bring man and nature closer. Though basic facilities like roads and parking area are being planned, these will be done in such a way that the natural habitat of the birds are not disturbed. The wetland that spreads over 1,000 acres will be a haven for bird-watchers from far and wide in the coming days. Ornithologists warn that the fast depletion of wetlands might cause the extinction of many bird species and wetland conservation is the only way to ensure the conservation of these winged beauties. Munderikkadavu wetland project will be a small step in the right direction for conservation of the avian population.
Real Madrid to set up academy in Kerala
The football crazy populace of Kerala could not have asked for anything better. Real Madrid CF, one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world will be setting up a football school in the city of Kochi as part of their ’social-sports academies’ initiated by the Real Madrid Foundation all around the world. Real Madrid has a substantial fan following in this tiny state of Kerala, which makes this venture all the more special.
The KFA Secretary confirmed that the Panampilly Nagar Sports Hostel will be the venue of this sports academy. All the latest amenities like artificial football turf, swimming pool and a multi-purpose gym will be added on to ensure the best facilities for the aspiring sports persons. This institute will offer the best training facilities to the talented youngsters under the watchful eyes of professional coaches and experts.
Real Madrid is planning to take up similar projects in other parts of Kerala too, as part of their socio cultural awareness programmes. Apart from sports activities, Real Madrid also takes up various social welfare and cultural activities through which they reach out to the society. Their first project in Asia was in Kheadah, West Bengal, which offers education to over 150 students in various age groups between 7 and 15 years.
This state of the art football academy will indeed be a fitting tribute to Keralites love for football that has stood the test of time and the cricket fever gripping the country.
Cricket frenzy stands between life and death
The capital city of Thiruvananthapuram woke up to the gory news of the brutal killing of a woman by her husband in a residential colony in the city limits last week. Apart from being another instance of domestic abuse, this incident is a wake up call of the changing live styles of Kerala. It is shocking to note that the cricket crazy neighbourhood preferred to ignore the distress calls of the dying woman as they they were deeply engrossed in the keenly fought cricket match that was being telecast live at that time. By the time the match got over and the neighbours stepped out, it was too late and the convict had escaped the scene after committing the ghastly crime. The fact that this unfortunate incident involving a hapless woman has to happen in March , as we celebrated woman’s day, reiterates the fact that violence against woman continues unabated even today.
The community living culture has set off many new social issues and challenges in the Kerala society. Relationships have lost their relevance and reverence as people preferred to recoil into their private domain. Though people live close to each other than before, the distance between them has only increased manifold. Often people who stay next to each other do not know each other and don’t bother to help in times of distress. Many accident victims lose their precious lives on Kerala highways for want of timely medical help as people who like to be curious onlookers shirk away from the responsibility of taking them to the hospital probably because of the legal hassles involved.
It is paradoxical that Kerala, which takes pride in a high literacy rates has undergone an erosion of social values and culture as its populace indulge in the mad chase of money and power. If knowledge does little in fostering empathy and love for fellow human beings, it is high time that we reconsider our priorities and practices!
Kerala, one of the best two states to be born in- Health ministry
The latest Union health ministry data puts Kerala and Goa to be the best places to be born in India. While Goa recorded the lowest infant mortality rate of 10 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, Kerala was at a close second position with 13 infant deaths per 1000 live births. Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha fared the worst in the list.
These brilliant statistics prove that Kerala is indeed living up to its name, God’s own country’ atleast in some areas though alcoholism and sex and drug abuse continues to be the biggest threats for Kerala.
Cricket lovers cheer for the Kerala Premium League
It is cricket all the way !After the Indian Premium League and the Celebrity Cricket League, it is the turn of Kerala Premium League (KPL) to cater to the die hard cricket fans. Based in Dubai , KPL too has its fair share of glitter of the tinsel world. The presence of celebrities like movie icons Suresh Gopi and Bhama and cricketer Sreesanth who will be the brand ambassadors and team directors of the new league will pack a style factor to the tournament.
Dubai has a huge population of cricket lovers and even Ranji Trophy players who are scattered in different parts of the country and KPL will bring these players together. The team will comprise of three to four players representing each of the 14 districts apart from international players including Afghans, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans among others.
KPL, which was inaugurated by forest minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar in Dubai has the approval of the Dubai Cricket Council. Initially, it is planned to hold at least one match every month. The first edition of the tournament will have eight teams, which might also include the team members of Kerala Strikers. So, the cricket crazy people of Kerala can look forward to see some of their favorite movie and sports stars on their tele screens in the days to come!
World’s first integrated solar power tile launched in Kerala
Kerala has become the launch pad of the world’s first integrated solar power storage tile, made using super capacitor. An innovative team of Amrita Centre for Nanosciences is behind this path breaking invention that is likely to hit the market in a couple of years. Named ‘Amrita Smart‘, this product was launched a fortnight ago at the International Conference, NANOSOLAR 2012, organised by the Amrita Centre for Nanosciences at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi.
The product developed by a team of 40 researchers headed by Shanti Nair and Vinod Gopal, is a combo of a solar cell and a battery that can be used to power devices even at night. Amrita smart uses special electronic techniques to integrate the solar cell with the storage device. It can be used to charge mobile phone or lap tops without depending on the expensive battery systems. When exposed to sunlight for just 4 hours, this device will be able to store power for over a week.
Weighing only 200 gms, this handy device will be a convenient option in places reeling under power cuts and for those who travel a lot. The development of the solar storage tile is feted as a milestone in nano solar aided research and in the field of renewable energy sector.
Has Gandhism become just T Shirt slogans in Kerala
It’s paradoxical to note that Keralites, who have blatantly shunned Gandhiji’s policies of prohibition, have wholeheartedly endorsed Gandhism in the form of T shirt slogans! Kerala might hold the dubious distinction of having the highest per capita alcohol consumption, but it has not deterred the youth form sporting Gandhiji T shirts. A current fashion rage, these T shirts on the lines of the revolutionary Che Guevara T-shirts have become an indispensable item in the wardrobes of the Gen-X in cities like Cochin.
Foreign tourists too make it a point to pick up these T shirts on their trip to Kerala. Priced around Rs, 400, these T shirts have become runaway hits among the stylish youth of the city. Curiously these T shirts with the image of our father of nation is being supplied by a company in Thailand! The T-shirts have the snapshot of Gandhiji on the front and his famous quotes imprinted on the back. The Kerala youth set an example by popularizing the principles of Gandhi who guided India to freedom through nonviolent protests. However, abstaining from liquor would have been a more meaningful tribute to the father of the nation, who advocated prohibition as a public policy way back in the 1930s. From the earlier trend of featuring of football icons, sports personalities and music bands including Metalica and Guns & Rose among others, the fashion trends have come a full circle by portraying Gandhji as the fashion icon among the youth.