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Archaeological evidence proves North Africa, West Asia links
Published April 30, 2008 | 
Apr 30: A latest archaeological excavation has added more value to the historical significance of kerala, which dates back to over 2000 years. The excavation was conducted as part of the Muzuis Heritage programme. The botanical remains were found near the water logged area of Pattanam.
Bollard, canoe, rope made using plant fibre, pepper, paddy, teak, coconut shell, frankincense and cardamom were found, they are believed to be 2000 years old. M.D.Kajale, Paleobotanist of Deccan College of Archaeology has collected the samples of these organic remains for further examination.
According to a statement released by the Kerala Council of Historical Research (KCHR), the samples will also be send to research laboratories in India and other countries for confirming the exact period the organic remains belongs to. The research work will get complete by April 30 and the trench is open to public on April 29 and April 30.
P.J.Cherian, director of the project said that the layer of clay that covered the organic remains, prevented it from getting oxidised and allows it to withstand several years. The research led by KCHR is a joint effort of Southern Naval Command, State Department of Archaeology and Archaeological Survey of India. Under water excavation is also part of this research.
The excavation gives a clear indication that the area was inhibited continuously between 8th century BC and 10th century AD. Among the excavated findings are the pot shreds from Sassania and Parhia. Other things that are excavated were burnt bricks, glass beads, relics of wharf and clay utensils. Seven copper coins and a lead coin of the Chera period were also excavated.
Impressive eco-tourism destination in Kerala
Published April 3, 2008 | 
Apr, 3: Kerala with its diverse topography boasts tremendous scope for nature friendly tourism. Kerala flaunts several impressive landmarks including the Silent Valley, Munnar and Wayanad. As an initiative to promote eco-tourism in the state the Plantation Corporation of Kerala has put forth a new project named Nature Village to promote nature friendly tourism projects all over the state.
The enchanting eco-tourism spot that is located on the banks of Chalakudy River, nearThrissur, will definitely woo those adventure buffs. The Plantation Corporation expects the impressive Vadaamuri Lagoon that is created by the famous king Tipu Sultan as a defence against the enemies will be a centre of attraction. The water passage to this site is flanked by dense forest; it will offer an inimitable experience to both local and international tourists to an equal extent.
Owing to its location near the well known Athirapally water falls the visit to Vadaamuri Lagoon will offer the tourists a wonderful experience. The water falls is just 600 meters away from Vadaamuri lagoon. There are adequate numbers of ferry services available in the area to fulfil the requirement of the visitors. Earlier the District Tourism Promotion Council has allotted 55 lakhs for the beautification work of the Thumpoormuzhi dam and the surrounding areas; they also named it as Nature Village.
The second phase of the project includes constructing cottages and hanging bridges for the convenience of the tourists. The work has already begun as the state government is providing whole hearted support for the completion of this prestigious project. After completion this project will sure add a new gem in the cap of God’s own country.
Dubai based Medcity in Kochi
Published April 1, 2008 | Apr 1: To add more attraction to the medical tourism sector in Kerala the Dubai based Dr. Moopen Group has announced its plan to begin a MedCity, which will be a complex of hospitals and other related services in over 30 acres in Kochi. This initiative is in the backdrop of the rapid increase in the number of medical tourists to the southern states of India.
“This is a 15bn project expected to complete within six months time. The anchor hospital of Medcity will be well equipped with 500 beds and will be surrounded by 10 small hospitals with a capacity of 100 to 200 beds. The availability of medical facilities with international quality with enhanced hi-tech treatment facilities will boost the health care sector in Kerala,” said the chairman of the group Dr Azad Moopen.
After the completion of the project patients from the US, the Middle East Europe and rest of the world will start flowing into Kerala as they can get quality treatment at an affordable cost.
The Dr Moopan’s Group has registered a turnover of Rs5bn last year and has a network of nearly 50 establishments in the Gulf region including two hospitals, clinics and pharmacies
Tender coconut wine will open doors for wine tourism
Published March 13, 2008 | 
Kerala, Mar 13: Sebastian P. Augustine a farmer from Kasargod, northern district of Kerala, has obtained patent for his invention of wine from tender coconut. He is credited as the first person to patent tender coconut wine. He got the Indian government patent on August last year and it is now processed by the patent officers of the European Union, the US, Canada, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Sebastine expressed hopes that the wine will benefit the coconut farmers in Kerala if the state government takes necessary steps to promote Maharastra model wine tourism. He termed the wine as a unique selling proportion to encourage more tourists to the state.
“Tender coconut wine has no artificial ingredients in it. Unlike other wines it doesn’t contain even natural water and is therefore considered as the purest drink. With the abundance of coconut trees, Kerala contributes 50 per cent of the tender coconuts produced in India. With the exclusive patented technology Kerala has the potential to convert itself as a perfect wine tourism destination,” said Sebastian.
The wine is brewed using coconut kernel and its milk. Other ingredients like grapes, pineapple, passion fruits and spices like cinnamon, clove and vanilla are also used to add more spice and flavour to the wine.
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8 CommentsHealthy and hygienic Kerala
Published March 3, 2008 | 
Mar 3: Kerala has long been considered as the top priority tourist destination among the global tourists. The main reason for this is attributed to the tourists-friendly ambiance prevailing in the southern part of India. The backwaters, houseboats, ayurvedic treatment packages, verdant landscapes and lot more inimitable qualities perfectly blend together to make Kerala an ideal destination that offer both rural calm and urban charm.
In the health care sector Kerala is considered as the role model for the rest of the country. Personal and public hygiene are the hallmark of Kerala, the alertness of the government and its willingness to take appropriate measures to implement preventive strategies to get rid of major epidemics is appreciable. As part of the National Malaria Eradication Programme right from the year 1965, the Kerala government took comprehensive measures to drive Malaria out of the state.
An expert committee was appointed in 1995 to ensure that the state is well protected from the threat of Malaria. The state is completely free from Malaria and other outbreaks and it is very much hygienic that stands very close to the nature. So don’t waste time to take preventive health pills, just relish irresistible pleasure from your outing to God’s own country. Get ready with your backpacks enjoy the charm and cheer offered by enchanting Kerala.
Villaveli: A Platform for western art forms in Kerala
Published January 14, 2008 | 
Jan 14:Kerala is renowned for its verdant natural landscape and a range of traditional art forms. These two qualities attract hoards of tourists from all over the world to the Gods own country. Kerala is not only leisurely destination its traditional art forms are capable of lingering in the mind for a lifetime of both domestic and international tourists.
Elena Koutoulidis is one such tourist who admires Kerala a lot for its uniqueness. She first visited Kerala in the year 2000 to learn Kathakali in Thiruvananthapuram with the scholarship provided by the French government that six months long stay allowed her to learn more about the Kerala history and tradition. Elena finds that there exists a void for western art forms in Kerala. As being a theatre artist herself she came back to Kerala two years ago and by the end of 2007 she gives shape to an artist residency named Villaveli in Fort Cochin.
Elena’s aim is to provide a platform for the artists from western countries to showcase the European art forms for the people in Kerala. Her film maker husband Jean Marie Carrel is extending a whole hearted support to move this earnest initiative forward.
While commenting on the functioning of Villaveli Elena said: “There are several cultural centres in Kerala that displays Indian art forms for Indian public, but there is not much centres that provide facilities for western artists to perform for Indian public. So our aim is to furnish that need. The French government is providing scholarship for artists who are keen to study the other art forms Villaveli will function as a base for them and they will be asked to perform and teach the minute aspects of the art form they are representing. It is an earnest attempt for cultural exchange.”
She further added that: “The period of hosting the western performers ranges from three weeks to three months. We are conducting workshops, crash courses and art film festivals to peoples representing various age groups. People are showing lots of interest in learning the art forms more than what we expected. In future Villaveli will present artists who represent French visual drama, street plays, circus, puppetry, multimedia arts, video and web.”
Now a circus artist named Julien Delime is staying in Villaveli and he is giving classes to the local students. The classes deals with juggling, object manipulation, body movement, acrobatics, clowns, gags and drama. These classes will help the students to gain the ability of energy control, concentration, group exercise and self confidence.
What ever may be the form of art! It has the inherent ability to overcome geographical and linguistic barriers. Villaveli thus sans borders and is upholding the value of arts.
Azadi Express in Ernakulam
Published January 2, 2008 | 
Jan,2: Azadi express the lively train that is converted as the exhibition on wheels reached Ernakulam, it draws more visitors because of its huge collection left for display in it. The government of India as a remembrance to the 150 year old freedom struggle give shape to Azadi express. The train has beautifully painted exteriors that depict the national flag and freedom struggle. And the interiors includes eleven compartments that displays a rare collection of photographs, models, sculptures and video footages to give you a real ambiance of travelling in a time machine right from the pre-independence era. The displays re-enact the struggle and pain that the ancestors bear to get the freedom for the nation.
Not only freedom struggle the Azadi express also includes the post independent changes that happened in India, its evolutionary phases and the achievement in prominent fields like agriculture, industry, defence, science and technology and infrastructure. There are adequate numbers of volunteers in each compartment to clear the doubt of the visitors. The last compartment is left for display and sales of books related to freedom struggle, handlooms and handicrafts.
Each of the compartments has a theme they are Kompany Raj, the lightning, fire spreads, azadi, new dawn, India on the move and vibrant democracy respectively. This categorisation helps the visitors to get a clear picture about the highs and falls of the nation in various periods. The Azadi express starts its journey from Delhi on 28th September, 2007 and it is now halted in Ernakulam and will complete its journey on 11th May, 2008 by reaching Delhi. School children benefit a lot from Azadhi express as it brings the text book words to visuals that help them to feel close to the history of the vibrant democratic country like India.
Global Responsible Tourism conference to be held in Kerala
Published December 27, 2007 | Kerala the land of backwaters will host the second international conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations. The conference will be held from 21 to 24th of March 2008, at the Le Meridian International Convention Centre in Kochi. The first Responsible Tourism Conference was held at Cape Town in the year 2002. The second international conference focus on encouraging the eco friendly measures in tourism that aims to give equal benefit to the tourists and the ecology of the land.
The conference will be jointly organised by International Centre for Responsible Tourism and Incredible India and Kerala Tourism. The conference will also assess the existing standards of tourism practices prevailing across the world. It will also measure the growth achieved by India and other countries in Responsible Tourism. The main issue that will be put to discussion is the reports and ideas on emerging trend in the field. Other topics include regional marketing initiative, local economic development; wildlife and conservation and lot more related to tourism. In short the conference will provide a perfect platform for a global proposal to uplift the tourism industry to a new standard that will do less harm to the ecology of the area.
The conference will be presided over by Dr. Venu, Secretary of Kerala Tourism and Prof. Harold Goodwin Director of International Centre for Responsible Tourism of Leeds Metropolitan University. Participants of this conference include representatives from several countries, government agencies and NGO’s will attend this conference on Responsible Tourism. The outcome of the conference is expected to bring in effective changes in the global tourism sector and Kerala is all set to welcome this prestigious conference.
Kerala getting smarter with Smart City project
Published December 14, 2007 | Dec 14: Kerala, ‘the Gods Own Country’ has gained global recognition for its wide scope in tourism and hospitality industry. Now Kerala the land of backwaters, unspoilt beaches and houseboats is all set to exploit the huge possibility of the booming IT sector. The prestigious Smart City project is the huge leap in this regard. Ernakulam the commercial hub of Kerala is selected as the base for this project.
Smart City took its inspiration from the Dubai Internet City and it is expected that after completion it will become the biggest IT hub in India. After nearly four years of political turmoil the foundation laying ceremony was carried out by the state Chief Minister V.S.Atchuthanandan. TECOM the Dubai based company is working behind the project.
The government is prepared to open its door to the international IT companies and is ready to lend all support to them. Ernakulam has all the infrastructure facility to boost the IT business that include international harbour, full-fledged airport and well linked roads. Soon after the completion of the most expected Metro rail project and the Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal, Ernakulam will sure become the ideal investment destination for the international IT companies.