Men in Kerala ranks first in opting for cosmetic surgeries
Published October 21, 2011 | 
Though there is a misconception that it is just the women who are obsessed with perfect looks, this piece of information that the men who resort to cosmetic surgeries in Kerala far outnumber the women would come as a surprise! The number of men in Kerala who opt for cosmetic procedures is higher than the national average and that in other states of India!
From hair transplant to tummy tuck and nose job, men seem to have no qualms in paying through their nose to get that perfect look that they wish to have. The cost of the cosmetic correction might vary depending on the time and other parameters. On an average, a botox shot to smooth the wrinkles might leave you poorer by 14000 Rs whereas major procedures like rhinoplasty is priced at 30,000 Rs and a hair fixing session comes with a cost of 50,000 Rs or more.
Many hospitals in Kochi like Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Lake shore hospital and Specialist hospital see a steady stream of men who die for a perfect look. Hospitals register an average of seven new patients every month, which is a proof of the growing popularity of cosmetic procedures in Kerala. The best part is that in Kochi, not only the well heeled and the affluent opt for these surgical corrections but men from all social strata approach the hospitals. It is startling to note that the number of men who do cosmetic surgeries in Kerala is even higher than in metro cities like Mumbai, which is considered as a hub of fashion and glamour!
A good percentage of men who opt for cosmetic surgeries fall under the age group of 20-35. The increasing acceptability and awareness of these procedures among men could be one of the reasons for the boom in demand. Most men are quite eager to avail these quick fix procedures and to have a perfect look. The best thing is that these options are available right at their door steps now unlike the earlier days when it was not popular in Kerala. No matter whether beauty is skin deep or not, the men in Kerala are leaving nothing to chance as they feel that they are judged by the way they look and not by what they are!
Kerala to host the global Ayurveda festival
Published October 14, 2011 | 
Kerala is to play host to a global Ayurveda Festival that will be held from February 9 to 14 next year, which would showcase the oldest system of medicine in the world. It would go a long way in creating awareness on this time tested Indian system of medicine that ensures wholesome wellness using natural cures. The proposed ayurveda festival might also be helpful in working out marketing strategies for these well acclaimed Indian products.
Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) is organising the event in association with the state Ayurveda Department. The six day event will have various events including presentation of papers and deliberations by Ayurveda experts and clinics run by renowned practitioners among others. In addition an exhibition on various ayurveda products, medicinal plants and a food festival are the other attractions of this Ayurveda Festival that will be conducted at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.
Evidences prove that Ayurvedic classical texts written in India between 3,500 and 5,000 years are of relevance even today. Efforts should be taken to preserve and propagate this traditional Indian system of medicine, which were passed down the generations since eons of years and global events like these would impart a greater momentum in propagating and promoting this natural system of medicine.
Kerala has one of the top ten most beautiful ferry rides in the world
Published October 7, 2011 | 
A ferry ride is often the most beautiful and laid back option to explore the scenery, the rhythm of nature and above all the culture and way of living of the local populace. There are various types of boats on offer. From small passenger boats to auto ferries to the largest cruise liners that can seat over 3200 passengers, there is something for everyone here . In some villages in Kuttanad where there are no roads, the ferry system forms the crucial water highways for the residents.
Yahoo travels has included the house boat cruise from Alappuzha and Pulinkunnu in Kerala among the ten most beautiful rides in the world. The backwaters formed by a maze of interconnecting waterways are used for ferrying people and farm produce alike. Take a leisurely cruise in these well equipped houseboats, which are remodelled rice barges of Kerala which were once used for transporting farm products like coconuts, paddy, and bananas among others.
As the boats inch its way along the waters fringed with swaying coconut palms, lush greenery and small tiled houses along the water’s edge, you can soak up the rustic charm and the enviably slow pace of life in these villages. The short stopovers are good excuses for you to have a close encounter with the village life. Children swim and frolic in the waters as ladies wash the laundry and men take huge flocks of ducks for grazing. Watch the toddy tapper in action or try clambering up a coconut tree, enjoy one of the most the enchanting sunsets of your life, catch the fishermen in action or join the fun. You can even take some time off to explore the village markets and old religious places on a bicycle or spend some time angling in the backwaters.
There are entertainment options like TV and music system on board, or you can enjoy the beautiful milieu from the upper sun deck to while away time. After an eventful day in the waters, the boat moves towards the lakeside for you to spend the night. After relishing an ethnic Kerala supper enriched by seafood and fish preparations you can enjoy a relaxing sleep in the comforts of the houseboat. Well, does that sound too good to be true? See it to believe it and in case you are planning to have a tropical themed holiday, then a house boat cruise would be the best choice you could think of!
Poyya fish farm – the new aqua tourism attraction in Kerala
Published September 30, 2011 | Trichur District is all set to have a Aqua Tourism centre in the form of the Model Shrimp Farm and Training Centre in Poyya. A masterplan is being prepared that would include setting up of a fisheries museum and demo of fish culture and Pokkali farming( a crop pattern that alternates between rice and fish) in a vast area of 158 acres to add impetus to this innovative project .
The fish culture proposed in the master plan involves rearing of prawns, crabs, milkfish and pearlspot, which would be made into traditional culinary delights to lure the tourists. Benny Kuriakose, who was associated with the master plan drafting of the fabled Muziris Heritage Project, will be preparing the masterplan for this aqua tourism project as well. The farm, which is functioning under the Agency for Development for Aquaculture of Kerala can be easily clubbed with the Musiris Heritage in Kottapuram to attract more visitors . This would ensure additional revenue for the farm that would keep it away from the debt issues.
The fisheries museum that demonstrate the traditional fishing methods and gears of Kerala is expected to be a crowd puller. Those who are interested to get trained in these methods will also be given hands on training in these methods that are disappearing at an alarming pace from Kerala. Fishes, crabs and prawns that can thrive in both brackish and fresh water will be chosen for the farm cultivation. Leisure activities like pedal boating facilities are also being included in Poyya to make it a family tourist spot. In case you are planning a laid back weekend break far from the maddening pace of the urban life, Poyya would be a good choice. Aqua tourism is catching up the fancy of tourists just like farm tourism or village tourism. This interesting blog on Ezhattumugham Nutmeg Greens Farm tourism makes an interesting read on the immense potential in these segments.
Kerala gets its first-ever chartered flight service
Published September 27, 2011 | 
Welcome aboard the only private jet charter service in Kerala , which would ensure air travel affordable to everyone without compromising on safety and luxury. Kochi, which has emerged as the business capital of Kerala and an IT gateway in South India gets its first-ever chartered flight service in Kerala. This move will surely add impetus to its business prosepcts in the days ahead.
The Joyalukkas Group acquired a five-seater business jet Embraer Phenom 100 made in Brazil, which became the first ever nonscheduled’ twin-engine jet aircraft owned by a Keralite. The Joy Alukkas Group has also immediate plans to set up an aviation company with a fleet of four light aircraft including a helicopter. These aircrafts would be put to use to cater to the needs of the tourism industry as well as medical emergencies and business needs.
The Embraer Phenom 100, costing Rs 21 crore is one of the most advanced planes in its genre and can attain a speed of 0.70 Mach with a climb rate of 4,760 ft per minute. It can travel a distance of 1,320 nautical miles and can hit a maximum altitude of 41,000 ft. The best part is that it needs only a takeoff distance of 3,400 ft, which makes it convenient for remote access and short airstrips. It was flown from Brazil to Chennai in 10 days and stopovers in 19 different countries. Embraer Phenom 100 would be using the facilities of Nedumbassery International Airport and once the chartered flight fleet gets ready, it will throw open an array of exciting options in adventure travel and tourism. So, in case you fancy a solo flight or a family flight tour, this could well your chance.
The lost world of visa rejection…
Published September 20, 2011 | It was some years back that an actor from Kerala, M.R.Gopakumar, was chosen to play a key role in Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Lost World’. But the actor, who had proved his calibre with Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s ‘Vidheyan‘ couldn’t make it and join Spielberg’s unit in Los Angeles as the American Consulate in Chennai denied him a ‘work visa’. The reason quoted was that Gopakumar had no documents to prove that Spielberg had actually hired him. For the actor, who is definitely a real talented person (‘Vidheyan’ alone is proof enough), this was big loss indeed. (Gopakumar continues to act, but in totally unexceptional kind of roles and television soaps, thus being one of the most under-utilised actors in a star-oriented film industry).
M.R.Gopakumar is just an example of how visa rejection could cause irreparable loss to people. People from all walks of life have had to face this at all times. The world of visa rejection is indeed a lost world, wherein you suffer the losses and the authorities in question too can’t help it maybe. There are complexities, official and diplomatic ones. The reasons may sound just and you can’t blame the blatant indifference shown by authorities at an embassy or consulate. But there are instances where this could be avoided, perhaps. One such instance, where it can be and should be overcome relates to the forthcoming Formula One Indian Grand Prix, slated to take place on October 30th at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, so near our National Capital. Visa related issues are causing much trouble for drivers, journalists and others who plan to make it to Delhi for the grand event, as per recent reports.
Kochi- the most preferred Indian city to live
Published September 20, 2011 | It seems that the clichéd statement of India being a land of paradox never goes out of fashion! The exponential growth of its rapid economic development hasn’t done much in managing the contradictions.
A survey has now revealed that cities such as Gurgaon, which are the most preferred places to earn a living are not the best places to live! This interesting data surfaced during the research conducted by the economics research firm Indicus Analytics on residences, earnings and investments. Paradoxically none of the top ten cities that offer the greatest career opportunities feature in the list of top ten Indian cities to live! Six vital parameters including health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment were taken into account while preparing the index of cities that are conducive for living. Whereas the list of cities that offered the maximum earning potential was based on growth rate of employment, per capita income and listings on popular job websites.
Interestingly the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai did not fall in either of the two lists as these failed to feature in the list of ten best cities to reside, earn or invest! Nonetheless, these bustling metros were listed among the cities preferred by the deep pocketed elite class to spend their life.
The top 10 places, which offer the best employment opportunities include Gurgaon, followed by Silvaasa, Noida, Faridabad, Rupnagar, Chandigarh, Surat, Bangalore, Gandhinagar and Pune. The best cities to live are Kochi, Kozhikode, Shimla, Thiruvananthapuram, Mysore, Goa, Thrissur, Pondicherry, Kannur and Thiruvalur. The fact that five of these cities are in Kerala, should be a matter of pride for any Malayalee though it could have come as a rude shock for many considering the pathetic state of affairs.
Let’s admit it! The ground reality that exist in all these cities in Kerala are far from rosy. From pot holed roads to garbage ridden pathways and ill planned cities and the infrastructure facilities that clearly fall short of the needs of the swelling population, the city life is nothing short of a struggle for any ordinary citizen! The local administration and the public should brace up their acts atleast now to make these cities truly the most preferred cities in India and to live up to the celebrity status bestowed upon them!
An underground Amazon river named after a Malayalee
Published September 2, 2011 | A mighty underground river that is flowing 13,000 feet beneath the Amazon river in Brazil has been named Hamza after the lead researcher, Valiya Mannathal Hamza of the team, which discovered it. The researchers at Brazil’s National Observatory believe the subterranean river is of the same length as that of River Amazon and is about 6,000 km long. This startling discovery was made while studying the temperature variations at 241 inactive oil wells drilled in the 1970s by Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras.
The team led by Hamza, a Malayali who studied in Kozhikode, could detect the movement of water around 13000 feet below the Amazon from the information provided by Petrobras. The subterranean river follows a similar flow pattern as that of the Amazon at over 3,000 cubic meters per second. This underground river is thought to originate from the region of Acre and plunge into the sea at Foz do Amazonas after traversing the basins of Solimoes, Amazona and Marajo. This amazing discovery has made indeed the tiny state of Kerala proud of its immense contributions in science and technology. Read more on the exciting Amazon Voyage in this blog,Ropes and Limits which has some spectacular snap shots of the pristine beauty of the Amazon as well.
Burgher Street in Fort Kochi keeps alive the Dutch history
Published August 30, 2011 | 
The sleepy bylane of Burgher Street in Fort Kochi has lost its history somewhere down the time line, however it still holds the vital links that connect this city to the Dutch legacy of the yore!
Though most of the residents and the tourists who throng Fort Kochi, pass by this street which is located close to many tourist attractions like art galleries, most of them seem to be unaware of the historic connection associated with the Burgher street. There are only two streets in Fort Kochi which still bear Dutch names, Burgher Street and Petercelli Street as the other streets have been renamed by the British who came later.
The word Burgher in Dutch means ‘clerk’ in reference to the Portuguese descendants of clerks here who had built the street. Though there are no Burghers on the street anymore, it remains a mute testimony of a 300 year old Dutch legacy. It is ironical that this erstwhile Dutch street has a number of Portuguese descendants but no Dutch residents.
The legacy says that in the 15th Century when thePortuguese first came to Kerala, they built a fort in the area and the city around it was called Fort Kochi. But soon the Dutch came in and they destroyed the fort and many other Portuguese buildings and brought in the Protestant reign which made them unpopular among the local populace, which ultimately forced them to leave the area for the Portuguese.
Even today, the Burgher Street has some ancient buildings that showcases specks of Dutch architecture including high ceilings, thick walls and a small courtyard. However it is alarming to note that many modern constructions have come up in the heritage zone, violating the norms, which makes the conservation of these vestiges an uphill task. Like the many pieces of forgotten history, the Burgher Street too has lost its historical significance somewhere; nonetheless let us hope that these vital links of history are not lost forever. Read more on the Dutch influence on this city in this Deccan Chronicle article.
Padmanabhaswamy temple- one of the World’s Top Five Treasure Troves
Published August 19, 2011 | 
The excitement of the treasure discovery of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple fails to die down as new inputs and startling information continue to trickle in even after many days since its discovery.
The discovery of the wealth in the secret vaults of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple has already made it one of the world’s top five treasure troves in the league of Tutankhamun’s tomb, Egypt, The Dead Sea Scrolls, Israel, Bactrian Gold, Afghanistan,The Domus Aurea, Italy and Treasure of Nimrud, Iraq. With the recently concluded devaprasnam clearly stating the displeasure of the Lord in opening the remaining vault, a veil of secrecy is likely to shroud the riches of this temple, which will keep the actual value of the treasures a well guarded secret.
After eluding the treasure hunters, explorers and archaeologists for thousands of years, the treasures found stashed in hidden vaults after they were opened after a court directive, surprised the temple authorities and the faithful alike. The discovery has set off a spate of arguments and counter arguments on the manner of its safe keeping and utilization. However, the fact remains that the discovery of the temple treasures has hit media headlines all over the world, triggering a renewed interest in Kerala and its rich culture and legacy. Read more on this Wall street journal article right here.