A medical education city to come up near Malappuram
Published January 7, 2011 | 
Kerala has proved its mettle as a happening medical tourist destination that attracts many health watchers from all over the world to experience the bliss of perfect health. Kerala has one of the biggest pools of qualified health professionals to cater to the burgeoning needs of the tourists. Kerala Tourism Department and many other private tour operators provide attractive tour packages that combine medical treatment with an unbeatable vacation in Kerala. The state attracts about 23 per cent of the foreign tourists every year and over 15,000 medical tourists reach Kerala annually, mostly from West Asia, the Maldives, South Africa, UK and the European Union
In order to further promote medical tourism in the State, the Kerala Government has come up with a novel idea of setting up a medical-education city near Malappuram. The proposed unit will come up on 182 acres of land and will be implemented by Inkel-KSIDC Projects Ltd (INKED), a joint venture of Infrastructures Kerala Ltd (Inkel) and the Kerala State Industries Development Corporation (KSIDC), in association with private developers.
Malappuram makes an ideal destination for the medical city as it takes credit to one of the highest foreign remittances in the State and has the highest rate of morbidity and hospitalisation rate in the State. The proposed medical education city will be offering facilities for medical education, technical education and healthcare services, apart from providing residential and commercial infrastructure. Reputed Ayurvedic centres including the well acclaimed Kottakal Aryavydya Sala will be catering to the clientèle comprising of both national and international clients.
The proposed unit will have a super-speciality hospital, diagnostic centre and a wellness centre offering ayurvedic treatment systems. Under the ambitious programme of Vision-2025 of Kerala Govt, special tourism zones also will be set up in the next few years.
From Ayurveda to Ayurvasthra
Published September 21, 2010 | 
Ayurveda has been a regular feature during the monsoons of Kerala. Scores of tourists and health watchers from all over the world throng the shores of Kerala to indulge in the natural goodness of the rejuvenating therapy of Ayurveda and experience health and vitality. Dating back to over 5000 years, Ayurveda is the oldest medical system in the world. One of the therapies that is closely linked to Ayurveda in Kerala is Ayurvastra, which involves the use of garments for health solutions. These eco friendly garments made from natural fibers and herbal dyes is easy on skin and is well suited for hot and humid climatic conditions.
Ayurvastra helps the human body to shed toxins and to improve metabolism. The cloth is woven with special herbs and is permeated with oils that can cure various ailments including diabetes, skin infections, psoriasis, arthritis, rheumatism, hypertension and asthma among others and are found to enhance the immune system of the body. For best results Ayurvastra is recommended while sleeping or meditating.
No chemicals are used in any stage in the production of the cloth, which is bleached with cow’s urine, which has high medicinal value. The fabric is dyed using herbal dyes sourced from around 40 to 60 medicinal herbs, depending on the ailment. For instance the herbs used in the dye for arthritis are curry leaves and apocynceae, while persons suffering from skin ailments should wear clothes dyed using turmeric, neem and sandalwood. Developed by Charaka’s Kudipraveshika Chikitsa, this ethnic system is developed by the ancestors of the Kuzhivila family in Kerala. Trendy outfits like skirts, shirts and pants made of ayurvastra has many takers. This wellness fabric also includes home linen, shawls and yoga mats. The best part is that the herbs are long lasting and will not run if the clothes are washed with mild soap or shampoo.
A clinical trial initiated by the Ministry of Health at the Government Ayurveda College in Thiruvananthapuram has proven that Ayurvastra is effective in managing certain diseases. There are retail outlets in many places including Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. The products are also exported to the US, Italy, Germany, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Kannur- a district with hopes for tourists!
Published June 30, 2010 | Kannur, the north Malabar district of Kerala is known as the land of looms and lores. For most Keralites, Kannur is famous for violence and bombs than a serene-beautiful place which offers lots of potentials to the tourism of Kerala.
Kannur in Kerala, is always famous with media for various happenings taking place. Its a place of strategic military importance and famous for its pristine beaches, Theyyam (the native performing art) and the handloom industry. Kannur has many tourist destinations like Moppila Bay, Payyambalam Beach Resort, St. Angelos Fort, Thalassery Fort, Gundert Bungalow, Ezhimala Naval Acadamy, Pythal Mala, Pazhassi Dam, Parassinikkadavu Snake Park and many others. The district is also blessed with hill stations, rivers, backwaters, historical monuments and religious centres.
Lately, Kannur has drawn attention of many tourists worldwide with the plans of setting up an International Airport here. The proposed Airport at Kannur is to have international standards of safety and comfort. If this will happen, Kannur can bring in many more developments and can draw more tourists which will in turn benefit the tourism industry of the State.
Another factor that will create more inflow of tourists to the state and district is “Ayurveda“. The Kerala unit of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the health department has entered into a partnership to set up an Ayurvedic Village in Kannur. The CII is planning to cultivate precious herbs and medicinal plants in the village with the help locals here.
Ayurveda and its treatments have gained great popularity among foreign tourists and, Kerala as a state with Ayurveda has lots of scope in this. Soon, the other districts of Kerala with tourist potentials can also expect a speedy development, as there is a master plan for cities in the state has been planned.
Feel the difference with an Ayurvedic massage in Kerala!
Published June 22, 2010 | 
Never been to God’s own country, Kerala? Or had visited but never tried an Ayurvedic massage, saving it for a rainy day? This is the right moment to treat your senses, enjoy a cool relaxation and watch the rain before you get in to do something else. The right season where the body makes best use of these massages, here is your chance to explore an exciting possibility. So stretch out your arms and here comes our specialists, using a series of techniques to purify your body, mind and soul.
The oldest surviving complete medical system in Kerala for almost 5000 years, Ayurveda is based on the application of various natural healing methods and the practices that emphasize extension of life span, prevention of diseases and rejuvenation of our body systems.
With the monsoon playing the cards,’doshas’ or the problems of the body surface, accumulating the body beyond the desirable limit and out of control. Once the body is weak, it needs rejuvenation and the only treatment is an Ayurvedic massage to detect these troubles and to make the body strong.
An infusion of herbs blended on the basis of ancient scriptures and modern science, Ayurvedic massage has been drawing tourists and has been a source of benefit to Kerala’s economy. Being the nerve center of medical tourism in India, Kerala has the privilege of being known as the land of the origin of Ayurveda, adding to the hospitality and warm heartedness of its people.
Abundant in innumerable varieties of herbal plants and medicines, an Ayurvedic massage in Kerala would be quite an experience. So anybody who wants to enjoy a relaxing day, can check on us at Karma Kerala, as we are best known for providing great ayurveda packages.
Yoga – The science of man
Published May 25, 2010 | 
To attain the extreme heights of peace within; Yoga, is an art of living a healthy, peaceful and contented life. In it’s wholeness, Yoga is integrated to certain principles, values, ideas, attitudes in a way for personal and social benefits. Based on the ancient Indian wisdom and culture, the science of man is designed to awaken the latent powers of mind and body, transforming the person to the sublime heights of divinity and powerful personality.
Designed for all age groups, Yoga is a ocean, but only few exercises and postures are handled by the many centres in kerala. Conceived by the great sages in earlier days it has come to be recognized during its long travails from the hermitages to the small cities and is one of the oldest forms of spiritual practice. Since Yoga has a fundamental therapeutic healing, it is practiced together with other drugs like Ayurveda and Ashtanga Yoga.
Many sides to yoga, it is a powerful healer for many diseases and is also an effective stress manager. A practice for spiritual awareness and an insight for a normal person, the power to control is derived from three sources.
- Control of the body via physical postures
- Control of the breath by breathing techniques
- Power of concentration by mental techniques
In Kerala it is practiced in a land that is surrounded by coconut grooves, lagoons, jungles, hills and the 44 tropical rivers. Focusing on the science of health, vitality, longevity and life, Kerala’s 5000 year old vedic culture calls on this spirit of well being for every individual to practice it for a better self.
In todays world of pollution, stress, unhygenic conditions, Yoga demands a greater position in every household. So anybody and everybody who feels like doing it, contact Karmakerala, where you can get all the information on Yoga and its benefits.
UK cabs ply with glimpses of Kerala
Published March 29, 2010 | 
Soon on the trails of the innovative marketing strategy of wrapping up the Rajdhani Express with the glimpses and captivating images of Kerala now it is the turn of the UK cabs to flaunt glimpses of Kerala. Kerala Tourism board has come up with this great idea in which the cabs of Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham will be sporting images that portray the culture and nature of Kerala.
This innovative scheme is to attract more tourists from the UK, which is one of the biggest foreign markets for Kerala tourism. In the year 2009, Kerala received over 7 lakh foreign tourists out of which 90 percent was from Europe , with UK being the biggest tourism market in Europe, followed by Germany, France and Italy.
Over 120 cabs with Kerala branding are plying on the streets of Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham to create more awareness about the tourist potential of Kerala. Manchester and Birmingham has 50 such cars with images of houseboats, elephants, ayurveda and Mohiniyattam dancers while Glasgow has 20 cabs. This branding exercise will be on till April 15th and after assessing the response, the scheme may be extended.
The ongoing branding exercise on UK cabs will not just help to bring in more tourists from the UK but also will help to promote superior quality tourist packages.
The state tourism director, Mr. Sivasankar said “ We have found that the average number of days that a foreign tourist is spending in Kerala has increased to around nine”.
In a bid to promote Kerala tourism in UK, road shows were also conducted in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham from March 15-18, which saw the participation of over 22 trade partners from the retail travel trade and the wholesale industry of Kerala. With the aggressive and innovative marketing techniques, Kerala tourism is well poised to make a big leap this tourist season.
‘Dream season’ launched to attract tourists
Published February 24, 2010 | 
The Kerala government has announced the ‘dream season’ from April to September to draw more domestic tourists. The fourth in the Dream Season campaign series, it will also have interesting travel packages and offers too.
The Kerala Tourism Secretary V. Venu said
A wide range of great-value travel packages for domestic tourists will be effective from April.
Ranging from backwater houseboat cruises to hill station holidays, ayurveda rejuvenation packages to monsoon honeymoon trips – the tourists will be offered the very best of Kerala by hotels, resorts and tour operators in Kerala
It is heartening to note that the global recession has not adversely affected the tourism industry in Kerala as there has been a substantial increase in domestic tourism during the previous year. To promote domestic tourism, which registered a six percent growth last year, the state tourism department is planning to conduct 15 more road shows in major cities like Punjab and Haryana. The ‘dream season’ holidays have always been hugely popular among tourists and in the coming days, Kerala would be playing host to many more enthusiastic tourists from all over India and abroad.
A coffee table book on IT sector
Published February 2, 2010 | 
From being a tourist destination to an information technology hotspot, Kerala takes up new ideas for a better state. The Kerala government released a coffee table book known as the ‘IT@Kerala – The Smart State”.
The 160-page book, is launched by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan charting Kerala’s march from being God’s Own Country to the hottest investment destination in the IT sector.
The book features Kerala’s IT infrastructure, industry and its journey of becoming a smart state with resourceful professionals. Also highlighting the strengths and growth potential of IT in Kerala along with the testimonials of top IT companies, thus giving a complete description of infrastructure facilities laid down for the IT industry.
IT Principal Secretary Ajay Kumar said about the book that it is an insight to potential investors about the various opportunities and conducive environment Kerala has in offer.
Listing all the major tourist destinations, the lush valleys, misty hills, sunny beaches and dozens of cultural spectacles, food, and ayurveda that engage business with pleasure. The facilities available with easier connectivity through road, rail and air transport in the state, are all noted down in the book.
Presently there are more than 30,000 IT professionals working in the state which include top notch companies of varying size and shape.
Kerala to get a chain of low cost ayurvedic treatment centres
Published June 14, 2008 | 
Kochi: The American capital venture company of Acumen Fund is planning an equity investment of Rs 4.5 crore in the Kerala-based AyurVAID Hospitals to start a chain of low-cost ayurvedic treatment centers all over India. The funds would be utilized to start 6 hospitals with 15-30 beds in six different cities including Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad in one year.
Acumen Fund has made substantial investments in business start-up entities in Asia and Africa in various sectors like health, housing and water among others. In India, the fund has invested over US$ 16 million till date and in Kerala AyurVAID Hospitals would be its first investment venture.
The promoting company of AyurVAID Hospitals operates a 15-bed treatment centre in Kochi and a 60-bed hospital in Aluva in Ernakulum district. The company has plans to start 40 hospitals with in-patient facilities over the next four years. The hospital is stressing on inexpensive healthcare options that are well within the reach of the low and middle income groups, particularly for the management of chronic illnesses including skin disorders, metabolic and degenerative disorders, chronic headaches and poor immunity.
Evidences prove that Ayurvedic classical texts written in India between 3,500 and 5,000 years are of relevance even today. Research studies have proved that many therapies and treatment methods prescribed in Ayurveda are applicable 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.
The OTC Ayurvedic eye drops 'Sunetra' hits the market
Published May 5, 2008 | 
Kochi: The Ayurvedic eye hospital and research centre ‘Sreedhareeyam’ launched its first ‘over the counter’ eye protector drops ‘Sunetra’. It will be available all over Kerala within the next few months and within a year Sunethra would be launched in all major South Indian cities.
‘Sreedhareeyam’ Chief Physician N P P Namboothiri said that over nine crore rupees has been invested in the production of this product and it has a production capacity of over 100,000 droppers a day. Rated at Rs 60 per bottle, the ‘Sunetra’ eye drops will be available for all age groups from kids to adults and aged patients. The eye drops can also be used daily to prevent diseases and to protect the eyes from every day strains and conditions like ‘dry eye syndrome’, common among computer professionals who spend long hours in front of the monitor.
Managed by the famous ‘Nelliakattu Mana’ family, which takes credit to many well acclaimed Ayurvedic physicians, Sreedharayeem hospital is a name to reckon with in the treatment of all eye ailments. This 260-bed hospital has come to the aid of countless patients, by treating ailments that were even beyond the scope of modern medicine.
Various serious disease conditions like diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa Galucoma, and Cataract among others are treated in the hospital successfully. The expected turnover of the hospital group for the next year is over Rs. 30 crore and the launching of Sunethra eye drops, would certainly give further impetus to the future goals of the organization.