praveennair
Miss Kerala pageant to be held in city
Published June 10, 2008 | Kochi, June 10
If you are young, charming, bold and have that pep in you, then do try your luck at this year’s Miss Kerala pageant. This beauty contest will be held on July 11 here, announced the reigning Miss Kerala Rohini Mariam Idicula at the function unveiling the logo here yesterday.
The pageant is a great platform for the emerging women of Kerala to showcase their image of modern women upholding the traditional values intact. The pageant will test the beauty, brain, and confidence of these young women’s of present Kerala, by a team of juries.
The winner of this pageant will get a scholarship worth Rs 2 lakh from the International Education Council. All those young women aged 16 to 24 with a minimum height of 5ft 2inch can apply for this pageant.
The current holder of Miss Kerala crown Ms Rohini Idicula said fame comes with lot of responsibility and she her self has been associated with many issues and problems relating to children and youths of today. She contributed a lot to boost the self confidence in the youths by organising few camps for them. Who ever will win this crown has to understand the role of Miss Kerala and should work for the betterment of society and state.
Need to keep the city clean and green
Published June 7, 2008 | Kochi, June 7
World Environment was marked with great enthusiasm across the globe; the city too witnessed few of such events spreading a noble message to conserve our ecology. In the series of such events one of the leading city hotels Brunton Boatyard undertook a cycle rally around Fort Kochi.
During this rally they planted saplings and also undertook a cleanliness drive at the government hospital. This eco-friendly thought by the hotel was to spread the message among people about the need and importance of nature and keeping it clean. The hotel themselves believes and values environmental issues and took the initiative to spread the message to the public to keep the ecosystem clean and green.
Eco-Bio Park to add a new glory to the State
Published June 4, 2008 | Kochi, June 4
Akkulam tourist village in Thiruvananthapuram will soon get a new facet with the setting up of the Eco-Bio Park. This new project undertaken by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) will act as a pilot project for the lake front development in the state. This Eco-Bio Park will take shape on a huge land of over 5.5 acres, which will be a new addition to the state’s glory.
This new initiative will come up as a boon for the tourism industry of the state. The park will include a butterfly park, rock garden, freshwater lake, traffic park, island, geological museum, aqua garden, rock museum and many other attractions. The pilot project will be worked out under the combined efforts of Centre for Water Resources Development and Mangement, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Tropical Botonic Garden and Research Institute.
As soon as the plans will work out the project will start taking shape, the Eco-Bio Park will be an innovative project which will benefit the state a lot and would also boost the tourist influx in the state. All eyes are now on the day when this project finally gets the real shape.
New academic session starts on a high note
Published June 3, 2008 | Kochi, June 3
Fun days are over friend’s time to get back to basics; well this may be catch line for kids on the first day of the new academic session. Schools here began there new academic year in a grand way by marking the first day with ‘Praveshanotsavam’ (admission festival). They celebrated this by welcoming the new entrants in gala way.
It was known that about 400,000 children would be joining in the first standard across the state this year. Children were once again seen waiting for their school buses on bus stops and excited to move to the next class. This year as per the new curriculum the government has changed textbooks for the classes I, III, VII.
The government is open to suggestions on the new curriculum proposed in schools, also from this year children will be provided with health cards to ensure proper healthcare to them.
Monsoon to arrive in Kerala within 3-4 days
Published May 27, 2008 |
Kochi, May 27
The report of the Meteorological department suggests that monsoon will hit the southern state of Kerala by Thursday. Apart from Kerala the seasonal rainfall is also likely over Lakshadweep and coastal Karnataka.
Generally monsoon arrives in Kerala during the end of May and the reports of the Met department have hinted that the monsoon is right on schedule this year and will lash the state by Thursday. It is said that the cross equatorial wind flow over south Arabian Sea would be strengthening and deepening during the next 3-4 days. This will bring in heavy rainfall over Kerala and its adjoining areas of Karnataka and Lakshadweep.
The meteorological data’s has shown that with the strengthening of westerly winds, the southwest monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of south, central and northeast Bay of Bengal. Last year Kerala experienced a very heavy monsoon and huge loss of life, agriculture and infrastructure was witnessed. Now with the onset of monsoon it is unpredictable whether this year too Kerala will face a massive monsoon period.
Metro Film Society to screen Jones debut movie
Published May 23, 2008 | Kochi, May 23
The fans of Norah Jones has something to cheer for, with the Metro Film Society planning to screen the debut film by singer Norah Jones on the coming 31 of this month at the YMCA auditorium. The famous and multi talented star Jones, born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar, has proved her mettle as a singer, songwriter, pianist, keyboardist and guitarist. Norah is now making her presence in the big screen for the first time with her debut movie ‘My Blueberry Night”.
Earlier Jones has made her mark several times with her number of albums which has won several hearts. She also won five Grammie awards with her debut album Come Away with Me. Her debut movie My Blueberry Nights is a soft romantic thriller which will feature Jones acting ability apart from her singing talent.
The movie stars Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman and David Strathairn along with debutant Jones. Directed by Wong Kar Wai, it is hoped that this musical gene from sitar maestro Ravi Shankar will captivate audience with her acting skills.
Tree houses attracts tourists
Published May 21, 2008 | Kochi, May 21
It seems these days tourists are on the look out for something more unique and different during their holidaying in Kerala. The tourists coming to the Wayanad district of Kerala are enjoying a cosy staying experience here in a different style. The tree houses perched well above ground on the tall trees have fascinated large numbers of tourists. This new trend has shown how tourists are switching over their accommodation style and heading towards nature for a change.
It has largely been seen that more and more tourist are looking for tree houses these days to get close to the nature. The majority of the tourists flocking to Wayanad are preferring tree houses and other farm houses and resorts in spite of hotels. These accommodations not only boast a cosy staying experience, but also give them a real feel of the wilderness all around.
The Wayanad district exhibits a wide selection of tree houses and farm houses which provides a serene accommodation amidst lush surroundings to the guests. These treetop houses are usually built 70 to 90 ft above the ground, these tree houses provides all amenities to complement your stay. So you can have an aerial view of the surroundings straight from your bedroom, or can beat the stress out and relax in the lap of nature.
Well you can expect a lot of facilities in these tree houses from water counter weightlift system, to solar powered light, comfy beds, verandah and many such different features. This primitive form of accommodation is attracting lots of tourists with its beauty. So next time you plan your trip to Wayanad do make sure to check out these modern tree huts.
Guruvayur temple to get Hi-tech security system soon
Published May 19, 2008 | Kochi, May 19
After the row over the physical frisking of devotees at Sree Krishna temple Guruvayur, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has given assurance for a better and friendly policing at the temple. The minister assured for maintaining a tight security in and around the temple and premises, the minister said this while talking to media after attending a high-level meeting in Guruyavur.
The meeting discussed the present security arrangements in the temple and how to make it tighter and most essentially devotee friendly. It was decided to set up a new high-tech security system in the temple premises for a better and convenient security arrangement for the devotees. In order to tighten the security system around, 16 multi zone door frame metal detectors, 19 hand held metal detectors, 4 x-ray baggage identification system, 9 closed circuit television cameras and monitors and other new security devices will soon be added to the temple security system.
All these new hi-tech equipments will help to strengthen the security arrangements at the temple. It will also help to speed up the frisking process in the temple, giving devotee less inconvenience. The minister also directed the devaswom to increase the number of security personnel, so that proper security system is implemented in the temple.
Kalarippayat to feature in ‘Fight Quest’
Published May 16, 2008 | Kochi, May 16
Kalarippayat is very well known as the traditional martial art form of Kerala. This art of physical culture is being practiced in Kerala from the time immemorial. The popularity of this martial art is not only restricted to India, but is known globally. This martial art form will soon be seen on the Discovery channel. In the latest series ‘Fight Quest’, to feature this traditional martial art form a team of Discovery is filming an episode on this traditional martial art form in Kerala. This Indian art of combat skills will now feature among the world’s oldest martial art forms in Discovery.
Kozhikode has been known for its vast number of kalari centres which made the team from Discovery to start their filming from here. The series Fight Quest will showcase all different hand-to-hand combat and martial art traditions. Kalarippayat is the only Indian martial art form which has been included in this series. Rest other forms of martial arts includes Wushu in China, Kali in Philippines, Krav Maga in Israel and Boxing in Mexico.
This unique series featuring the different fighting styles will be aired every Tuesday at 2100 hrs on the Discovery channel. The series will showcase a lot of information’s relating to hand-hand combating and martial art traditions across the world. Also the show will bring in the traditional culture and style of Kalarippayat at a global platform.
Chettinaadu food feast begins at ‘Tharavadu’
Published May 14, 2008 | Kochi, May 14
Its feast time for all gourmets here in the ‘Tharavadu’ restaurant at the Casino hotel which is hosting ‘Karaikudi Food Fest’ for all food lovers. This ongoing food feast highlights the wide varieties of tempting Chettinaadu dishes. There are preparations for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians which one can savour with pleasure.
Chettinaadu cuisines are said to be the spiciest delicacies which are made using different spices, giving the recipes a unique flavour and aroma. It’s the mix of spices which does the trick in these Chettinaadu cuisines. Along with different spices other special additions are tamarind, whole red chillies, fennel seeds and black pepper.
This tempting Chettinaadu food feast is attracting a huge number of food lovers to have a taste of these unique preparations. The feast starts from 7.30pm to 11pm till May 18.