Apple-a-day scam: The story unfurls
Published July 1, 2011 | 
What we heard was a snake coaxed Eve to eat an apple from the forbidden tree in the Eden, and with that started the woes for mankind.
Later it was said that an Apple-a-day keeps the doctor away. And now we have this new form of Apple, that simply managed to swindle millions from different people across Kerala and ironically that includes doctors too.
Well! We are talking about Apple-a-day properties- the new face of the biggest land scam in Kerala (Over Rs. 100 crores). If we have to believe the early story of Adam and Eve, and that Apple was symbolic for immortality and tempted man to commit sin after sin, Apple-a-day, builders did just that- woo people from far across middle-east asking them to invest in proposed ‘Garden of Eden’ in God’s own Country. This company promised plush Villas and flats. The modern Adams and Eves pumped in all their hard earned money for a life in Eden, were just waiting to see the day of light when they realize that this time the serpent was the Apple itself.
These are the pictures of the site in Thycattussery panchayath near Cherthala, Alappuzha district where they proposed flats for Rs.5 lacs plus a Tata Nano car for the occupants. All they did here was land piling to eye wash investors and left it for the stray dogs to defecate.
Please visit us for more interesting stories on how Apple-a-day converted marshy land to look perfect for construction and how they managed to coax investors to eat their Apple. The fact remains that these lands were never ever suitable for construction.
This being one of the most sensational news in Kerala the story has spread far and wide, even featuring in the Wall Street Journal. The victims of Apple-a-day property also have a Facebook page.
Kochi’s Metro dreams to turn into reality
Published June 10, 2011 | The preliminary work of the Kochi Metro Rail project is all set to start soon and the GCDA will be handing ov
er Manappattiparambu to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the agency entrusted with the construction work. The land will be used by the DMRC to store the machines for construction and to cast the girders for re-constructing the North Railway Overbridge (RoB).
In the first phase, the construction of flyover on Salim Rajan Road will be taken up and for this, the land owned by KSRTC near the Salim Rajan Road will be handed over to DMRC. The reconstruction of the North RoB would start with the demolition of the four-and-a-half metre wide side bridges and once the new side bridges come up the central portion of the RoB will be pulled down. Mean while the city Police Commissioner Ajith Kumar has submitted suggestions for traffic regulations in the wake of the construction work. The byroads in the city might be repaired to handle the diverted traffic.
An all party political meeting will be convened by Excise Minister K Babu to discuss about the traffic regulations and rehabilitation of traders who will be evicted from under the the Railway over bridge . DMRC project director P Sreeram has already handed over the design of the metro rail to the District Collector and the initial phase of the work is expected to be completed within 18 months. The reconstruction of the North ROB involves a project outlay of over 80.50 crore and will be taken up in seven phases. Once the long awaited metro rail comes into the city, it will not only ease the traffic congestion of the city but also will add fillip to its business and economic prospects of Kochi as well.
On leave…. to beg!
Published June 7, 2011 | 
Enjoy flexible working hours, work for just 3-4 hours , and pocket Rs 500 daily per day that too without doing anything other than sitting comfortably in one place! In case you are trying to make a wild guess on this cushy , white collar job, you could be in for a surprise as we are not talking about any ordinary job but begging! Going by the turn of events , it seems that begging has become a lucrative part time job for many to rake in a few extra mullah at their free hours. Before shrugging this piece of news as silly, read on to find how it begging has come a long way from being a poor man’s sustenance to a rich man’s profession and a menace in the modern world.
A pilot study conducted by the Kerala State Social Security Mission in cities including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode and suburbs in May this year. found that begging around religious places has become the latest fad in Kerala. Begging is an attractive option for many as it ensures a steady income of around 200-500 rupees every day, well complimented by free meals provided by the religious places and limited working hours. The fact that alms givers prefer bills between Rs.2 and Rs. 10 instead of coins unlike in the past, which has made it all the more rosy and irresistible!
Don’t be startled in case you see any familiar faces among the beggars making a long queue in front of the religious places as it is very much possible that you might bump across your neighbor or well heeled colleague too one day. Recently an employee of BSNL who was on leave was spotted begging in front of a temple in Thiruvananthapuram. “We traced his house and found that he took a long unauthorised break from work to engage in begging,” said Major Dinesh Bhaskaran, regional director of Kerala State Social Security Mission who was one of the investigators.
Begging might well be banned in the cities, which has greatly reduced the number of poor people on the roads seeking alms to feed their hungry mouths; now begging has become a well organised business and a lucrative profession of the able bodied!
It is another bus day in Cochin
Published May 31, 2011 | 
As global warming is spiraling out of control to hit the highest levels in recent times and glaciers fast turning into lakes, earth is at a crisis. It is now or never for us to take urgent measures to even off the ill effects of this man made disaster. The exponential growth in the number of automobiles is considered as one of the main reasons for global warming and the situation is no different in Kochi as well, which has one of the highest car densities in India that is ten times more than the national average. Most of the vehicles on the city roads do not pass the emission standards and one can see thick plumes of dark smoke emanating from the tail as these vehicles of all shapes and sizes wait at the traffic signals!
Switching to eco friendly modes of transport like public transport, hybrid cars or cycles can go a long way in reducing the carbon emissions. We can no longer pass the buck by saying that the public buses are crowded or insufficient to cater to the peak rush hours. The government has introduced a range of public transport options including the sleek air conditioned volvo buses, double deckers and city buses that ply at regular intervals.
As the city observes yet another Bus Day today to encourage people to use the public transport, we can renew our vows to use public transport whenever possible. Organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it will be inaugurated by Transport Minister V S Shivakumar at Fort Kochi by travelling in the low-floor AC bus of the KSRTC. Celebrities like national award winner Salim Kumar, RDO Ramakrishna Pillai, Mayor Tony Chammany, Deputy Mayor Bhadra Sathish,District Collector P I Sheik Pareed and the lead stars of Malarvadi Arts Club will join the function.
All you need to do is to switch to public transport to reduce the traffic congestion and the green house emissions and above all save a pretty penny by way of fuel expenses! The clock is ticking away and if we still choose to turn a Nelson’s eye to this problem , there might not be a second chance! Act Now.
Ladies only buses prove a big hit
Published April 5, 2011 | 
Kochi, being the business capital of Kerala accounts to a substantial population of working women . Travelling in the crowded city buses is a painful ordeal in itself for the thousands of women travelers especially those working in night shifts. Many a time the women passengers are harassed and bullied by men not only during night trips but also in broad day light. Not many people come forward in their defense and even if someone choose to, they wont find many supporters for their cause!
The gory incident where a lone woman passenger was raped after being pushed out from a moving train in Palakkad is the latest in the morbid state of affairs in Kerala as far as the safety of women passengers is concerned. To add more teeth to the self defense of women, a group of innovative techies employed in Technopark has made arrangements to distribute pepper spray among its women work force. While the ordinary women suffer in silence, it is heartening to note that some women gather courage to respond and react. There also has been a steep rise in women joining for self defense classes like Karate in institutions like the Andhra Cultural centre and Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium among many others!
Now, in a bid to ease their travel woes, KSRTC has now introduced ladies only buses, which have proved a huge hit. At present there are two buses exclusively for women, which operate on Kakkanad-Aroor route and Kaloor-Chottanikkara route respectively. Now the women passengers can travel without any worries and the best part is that they can bring their children too along with them. At present these buses conduct services during office hours in the morning and evening.
The women in Kochi seem to make the best use of the facility, considering the tremendous response it got. Finally a city ride sans the shameless glances and lewd comments of the men folk is on the cards for the women in Kochi!
Getting caught between the hammer and the anvil!
Published March 29, 2011 | 
The new generation is changing the conventional formulas of success including a good night’s sleep and a wholesome meal that were thought to make people healthy and intelligent! You would be surprised at the sheer multitude of successful professionals in the IT segment in Kerala who have perfectly adjusted to the US time zones. They not only work all night and sleep only for a few hours a day, but they thrive on fast food and make the most of their time line with the deft art of multitasking. However, studies have shown that less than 8 hrs of sleep time can reduce the lifespan of people and eating junk food could be the starting point of all maladies.
As far as multi tasking is concerned, studies have proved that multitasking can bring down your IQ by up to 10 points temporarily . Information overload will make you burnt out and less efficient and will hinder the smooth thinking process. So the best thing is to concentrate just on one thing and set a tight dead line to finish it; this will not only enhance your efficiency but also keeps you happy and away from mood swings- opines the scientists.
Though we like to believe that multitasking makes us more efficient, the truth is that when we switch between tasks, the pace and efficiency drops considerably. The highly fragmented working hours with many activities, meetings, and discussions will reduce the thinking capacity as we jump around quickly from one thought to another, which will compromise the coherent thinking in a way!
Above all, multitasking is addictive and that is the reason why you cannot control the urge to check the smart phone when it vibrates, even when you are in the middle of something more important! The worst thing is that it could influence your family members or peer groups also to behave the same way. The next generation gadgets have doped this habit into its users. So, clear your heads where many tasks jostle for space and stay focused to get the best results.
So, that is a tight spot that leaves you with not many choices. Either challenge your limits in the hope of coming up to the top in what you do or go by the conventional formulas and enjoy a relaxed and happy life. The choice is yours!
Kochi goes global as International Container Transshipment Terminal is inaugurated
Published February 11, 2011 | 
Kochi has been placed in the elite league of maritime trading nations with the opening of the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal, which was dedicated to the nation today. OEL Dubai became the first cargo vessel to enter the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) to ink a new chapter in the global maritime trade.The total cost of the first and second phase of the terminal is expected to be around Rs 6,250 crore.
Kochiites are truly delighted at the completion of the first phase of the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), after a long wait. It will bring in lot of employment opportunities to this city and will mark an increase in the exports and imports from the Port. Touted as one of the most modern ports, Kochi will be a preferred choice for traders all over the world for its quick cargo handling facilities. The commissioning of the transshipment terminal will also bring in an impetus for many industries such as tea, rubber and cash crops of Kerala About 1,100 container lorries are expected to pass through Kochi for ferrying cargo and it will result in a flurry of activities in all sectors of economy .
Kochi will emerge as one of the most favoured destinations in the world with this feat. The hospitality industry across the state will be hugely benefited as the demand for hotels and boarding facility will increase manifold with a large number of people from all over the world frequenting the city. The logistic sector also is expected to make an exponential growth and will throw open more employment opportunities as cargo handling will require huge manpower. The project, which will be operated by Dubai Port World (DPW),would make Kochi a key player in the maritime industry and would reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports for its trans-shipment requirements.
To catch up with the immense opportunities that ICTT would bring to this city, Kochi will have to work against the clock to ensure good roads and supporting infrastructure to ensure the benefits that this terminal will bestow. Kochi indeed has done us all proud by going global!
A police station that doubles up as a public library
Published February 8, 2011 | 
Police station – the mere mention of it would bring images of gory detention cells, the grim faced policemen and the stony silence beyond the huge walls that cut you off from the sounds and colors of the outside world. Not any more! Step into this people friendly police station that would remind you of a guest house with a friendly help desk to guide you and to make you comfortable. You will be forced to change your ideas about a conventional police station when you are at the recently inaugurated Hill Palace police station that has a fully air conditioned police library with an impressive collection of books.
This is the first time in the history of Kerala Police that a library for the public is being opened with the intention of changing the conventions of a police station. Just step into this library with a difference that lends book of all types including astrology, life style, fiction or even astronomy from among over 6000 titles that are on display in this library.
It is interesting to note that all the books have been donated by people from their personal collection. People of all walks of life have been actively participating in this endeavor to make it a success. A head load worker set a model by contributing a book, which he has treasured from his childhood. Mr. Madhava Panickar from Rajagiri Engineering college has donated over 750 titles. Situated at the top floor of the police rest room in the Hill palace station complex, this library also has a chess board and carom board to keep the readers engaged. Selected people are being included in the advisory committee of the governing body to ensure people participation.
The cops also will be extending their help in ensuring a smooth functioning of the library. The readers need only to browse through the computerized catalog to know whether the book they wanted to read is on the shelves. Gone are the days when people used to shudder at the thought of going to a police station , now the law enforcement agencies are all set to make your life safe, secure and above all enjoyable with this novel concept!
Speed kills but thrills- the new axiom of Keralites
Published October 7, 2010 | 
Kerala accounts for one of the highest accident related causalities in India and every year many people die or get badly injured in traffic accidents. Bad roads, drunken driving and over speeding are considered some of the most common reasons for accidents. Kochi roads are ruled by the speeding monsters of private buses, infamous as ‘red killers’ for their over speeding and irresponsible behaviour on the roads. However, it is baffling to note that at the end of it all, the citizens of this city seem to have a soft corner for these killers on the prowl.
Though the state transport Corporation ( KSRTC) has introduced many city buses to ease the traffic woes of the city folks, most of these still ply vacant with not many passengers. The Air conditioned low floor buses, non A/c versions, Thirukochi and Malabar buses that connect the far flung areas of the district were all introduced with much fan fare and publicity. However by going by the latest passenger behaviour patterns, it seems that the passengers still prefer the red killers The reason they give for this is that they can reach their destinations in half the time as that in a KSRTC bus:(. I myself have seen many a time , private buses crammed with passengers following vacant State transport buses to the same route.
Even though the rates are same, people are yet to accept these convenient public transport modes because habits indeed die hard! Kochites are used to a rash and heart racing drive through the narrow roads that hit foot paths, shave past the pedestrians, throw off the passengers with sudden braking and give them a few missed heart beats by their swift swerves and swirls and unpredictable parking patterns. It is better to be late than never, so make sure that you set out a bit early so that you can reach your work place without the last minute rush.
Before blaming the administration for the lack of transport facilities, don’t you think that we all have to bring in a marked change in our perceptions and ways of life? As I wind up this post I could hear another ambulance with the blaring horn whiz past through the roads carrying yet another unfortunate victim of rash driving by the red killers may be! Lets us all endorse the slow and safe transport buses in place of the red killers.
Related Topics: ‘Speed thrills but kills’ … but… Kochi buses…
Kerala Roads, really annoying!
Published October 6, 2010 | How annoying it is to walk on our Kerala roads when it is raining heavily. Most of all are the big potholes and ponds that form during monsoon, which makes travel difficult for all (especially pedestrians). 
Now imagine!!…You are on your way to office dressed all tip-top, and happen to be near a pothole filled with dirty water. A vehicle (It is best if it is a private bus or a private car, especially Omnis) passes by at a 100 kmph. Now have a look on yourself, once the vehicle moved off. You look more attractive now, don’t you? With a dress (no need to say if you have worn a light coloured one) now designed in innovative yet natural way. The person who made you look beautiful anyway is not going to see you, but if any onlookers are nearby, they can have chuckle themselves or pity you. But you are at freedom to curse that driver, but all to yourself. Most of the pedestrians are sure to have experienced this at least once in their lifetime. So, the next time you are going to be more careful when you happen to be near any potholes.
When it comes to drivers, the bad conditions of roads will make them feel they have driven 500 kms after just driving 50 kms. If you need only just 30 minutes to reach your destination, now it takes over an hour for travelling.
Of the 160,944 km of roads in the state, 28,203 km fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department, and around 67 percent of roads fall under jurisdiction of various village panchayats. Over 70 per cent of the roads in the state are damaged and unfit for vehicular traffic. Though the government has taken to repair works on a war footing, the monsoon almost always washes it off.
Every year a lot of money is spend on road maintenance and the roads are tarred every year. But as soon as the monsoons arrives these tarred roads gets torn apart and great pot holes develop which make the roads look really pathetic and are a real nightmare for travellers. Who is to blame the corrupt politicians or contractors or both? A lot of major accidents occur every month due to the bad state of the roads in Kerala. Although Kerala is a major tourist destination in India and is given the title ‘God’s own country’, the pathetic roads in Kerala has not done justice to this self-styled name.