The other side of New year revelry
Published January 3, 2012 | 
New Year celebrations in Kerala often boil down into ostentatious show of pomp and money power. New Year revelry is all about fast music, wild dance, DJs and drinks for many. However behind the glitter and the glamour of the New year revelry there were some dark moments that would leave us all ashamed.
The merry making males went overboard after downing a few hard drinks when they tried to molest the North Indian bar girls in the New Year parties in a three star hotel in Cochin. The staff and managers of several hotels had a difficult time shielding the girls from the straying hands of the spirited revelers.
In the city of Cochin alone, 878 cases were registered of which 568 were for drunk driving, wrong parking etc while 200 cases were booked for public boozing and a few related to clashes among party revelers. The city malls were jam packed with young revelers who shouted and sang all night that kept the families off.
The tourist hub of Fort Kochi also bore the brunt of the great carnival. Heaps of plastic containers of take away food parcels , decorative stuff, and loads of empty liquor bottles that remain mute testimonies of the drinking habits of Malayalees were all strewn around carelessly. It is paradoxical that as we become more educated we turn insensitive to everything around us including the less fortunate souls. It is high time that we pick up the art of celebrating special events without causing nuisance to others and littering public places !
2011- A round up of events in Kochi
Published December 28, 2011 | As the city of Cochin is getting ready to usher in the New Year, it is time to look back at some of the major milestones in the city calender. The year 2011 has been of mixed fortunes for this city with a fair share of good and bad events. With a slew of innovative projects like the Metro rail and ROBs on the anvil, the business capital of Kerala indeed can look forward to some brighter and prosperous days ahead.
IPL brings cricket fever to Cochin.
The Indian Premier League’s tryst with the city of Cochin brought in cheers and frenzy among the the die hard fans of cricket . Though it made an unceremonious exit just after a season,The T 20 extravaganza offered a few memorable moments to the cricket lovers of Kerala in the form of well fought live matches in Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium. The star studded team of the now defunct Kochi tuskers Kerala had some of the well known faces of international cricket who played along the home grown talents of the State including P Prashanth , Raiphi Vincent Gomez and Prashanth Parameswaran , which was quite inspiring for the cricketing fraternity.
Kochi goes global with ICTT Vallarpadam
With the inauguration of The International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) Vallarpadam in February 2011, Kochi became an international logistics hub in the elite league of maritime trading nations. 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 and would pose a tough challenge to many other nearby ports like Colombo, Singapore and Dubai. However the internal squabbles between SEZ and customs officials and the high loading and unloading costs have put ICTT in a hard spot now.
Vyttila Mobility Hub
Though the much hyped Vyttila Mobility hub has failed to bring in much respite from the traffic congestion, it could give shape to a long pending plan to have an integrated transit terminal in the city. The hub has been designed as a converging point for all public transportation modes including long distance buses, metro rail and inland water transport. At present the hub serves as a bus station for both city and long distance buses.
Apple A Day - One of the biggest real estate frauds in the State
Kochi will be rounding off 2011 on a sour note of the apple a day scam. In what could be termed as one of the biggest real estate frauds in the state of Kerala , a Kochi based company ‘Apple-A-Day Properties’ reportedly swindled a staggering amount of 100 crore from buyers which included 125 Indian expatriates in the Middle East. Now the cases are pending and the Kerala State Legal Services Authority has appointed an advocate to mediate the disputes between the investors and the company directors and to arrive at a possible solution.
With the count down for the New Year celebrations already started , we at Karma Kerala wish all our patrons and well wishers all over the world Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year .
Sentinel – The Women’s security app that is only a few clicks away
Published November 18, 2011 | 
The women in Kerala can engage this super smart cop, ‘Sentinel’ to be on their guard duty 24 x 7! With the launch of ‘Sentinel’, a smart phone app exclusively for the safety of women, the women in Kerala has one more protective tool in their arsenal in dealing with the hostile elements of the society. This simple and user friendly app sends alerts in the form of emails and SMS to a host of pre-configured numbers.
Developed by MindHelix Technologies LLP, this product has been created keeping the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the urban women in mind by making the best use of the multi-faceted technologies. Apart from the contact details and information of close friends or family, the alerts sent by ‘Sentinel’ will have many other important information like the last known location, direction of travel along with details like mode of transport and vehicle number that the traveller can update. This application can be run on smart phones with Android, Blackberry, Symbian, iPhone and Java operating systems and can be downloaded from http://sentinel.mindhelix.com/
A recent survey of Assocham Social Development Foundation shows that over 53 percent of women feel insecure at workplaces, especially at night. This startling fact inspired the innovative team of an engineer and two engineering students to develop this exclusive safety app for women, ‘Sentinel’
Kerala reported the highest crime rate at 312.5% among all other States, with the cases of domestic abuse and instances of outrage against women on a steady rise. This has made many cities in Kerala including Cochin, unsafe for women even during broad day light. Now that this smart app of “sentinel” is on guard duty, women are rest assured of a fool proof protection outside the comfort zone of their homes. As there is a range of smart phones designed exclusively for women and smart phone penetration is at an all time high among professionals, this alert mechanism is expected to catch up the fancy of women users in the days to come.
Short travelogue; Vytilla to Tripunithura
Published October 5, 2010 | Travelling in Cochin city buses have always been a challenging task, and I was the victim last evening, when I had to reach Tripunithura ( a market town in Cochin). The distance from my work place to the destination (Tripunithura) is only 6km and a bus fare of mere 5 rupees, but, thanks to the heavy traffic congestion and unexpected showers your short journey gets stretched. The 5 rupees then gives you the pleasure of a jam-packed bus trip that runs into hours – a full Cochin sightseeing tour.
Well last day it was my chance to experience this bitter reality of the city transport service, while our bus driver was somehow making way amidst the traffic block, daily travelers were keeping themselves busy by chit-chats and other talks. The topic of discussion was the sensational tamil flick Enthiran (Robot), few college-goers were discussing how stars in the movie did justice to their roles and what the movie lacked. After few minutes I realised the bus again started moving, I was relieved and checked the wrist watch which was ticking past 6:20, which meant in the past 20 mins our bus moved only 2kms!!!
Even though our politicians may call our city great names at the end of the day things remain the same and local people have to bear the brunt of the administrative apathy.
Meanwhile, the chat regarding the movie continued and was getting more expressive with those college students enacting few stunts and facial expressions of the movie. Though I haven’t watched this much-awaited flick of Rajinikanth, ‘Enthiran’ in the past 10mins I was lucky enough to get a good visualized review of the movie. Watch was ticking past 6:30 and now another 3km was left to finally reach my destination.
The bus stopped in between at different bus stops with many passengers getting down and more getting in. Amidst all this chaos, the person who remained ‘as cool as cucumber’ was the conductor who was not even managing the crowd inside the bus, but was also making sure he was giving tickets to all passengers. Kudos to him to collect the money from everyone even when there was hardly any space to move freely.
After all the hardships I made it to Tripunithura and finally was out in the fresh air and took a deep breath and saluted those thousands of daily commuters who face this hardship daily after their daily grind.
Kerala Tourism – It’s KeralaTravel Mart time again!
Published September 14, 2010 | 
Kerala being Asia’s new age tourist destination and India’s tourism super-brand is expecting the biennial event Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) which is starting from Sep 23rd to 26th. Expected to be attended by a record of 2000 delegates from India and Abroad, it is conducted in Bolgatty Palace Hotel at the Bolgatty Island in Cochin.
Known to be the only tourism event in the sub continent, KTM brings together entrepreneurs and business travellers who are involved in the tourism products and various other services in Kerala. This is the largest gathering that is designed, planned and scheduled to facilitate meetings involving Buyers, Sellers, Media, Government agencies and others, it is likely to see a record participation of 382 sellers, 551 international buyers and 1,621 domestic buyers this year.
With the theme ‘Athithi devo bhava’, this event will focus more on homestays this year. Declared as a platform for the buyers to interact with the sellers, it is one of the largest of its kind. It is also seen to introduce a new concept ‘Speed Networking’ that intends to give maximum opportunity to both buyers and the sellers.
Riaz Ahmed, KTM president is seen to have said to the reporters that the highest numbers of participants are from UK and others from Poland, Finland, Mexico and South Africa, clearly indicating their global interest in Kerala’s tourism products and services.
The programme that is conducted once in two years will be open to the public on the last day – Sep 26th.
Programme schedule for KTM 2010
- 23rd Sep’10 (Thu)
6.30 p.m. – Inaugural Ceremony
- 24th Sep’10 (Fri)
9.30 a.m. -Inauguration of the Venue
10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. -Business hours
- 25th Sep’10 (Sat)
10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. -Business hours
- 26th Sep’10 (Sun)
10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. -Business hours
10.00 a.m – 6.00 p.m. -Open to visitors
4.30 p.m. -Valedictory function
6.00 p.m -Mart closes
'Speed thrills but kills' … but… Kochi buses…
Published August 18, 2010 | Travelling in some of Kochi‘s private buses is a daunting experience for me and for other commuters who are concerned about time. In the morning, reaching office on time is a concern for all those who work in a well administered office. In the evening, most people hurry back home, especially women, before it gets dark. If you are staying in a hostel, you’ll have to meet the deadline of time before the gate closes. And even private buses in Cochin are also concerned about punching in time at the punching stations. 
But it happens mostly in the evening when you want to hurry back home. If you have got into a bus which moves like it is taking you for a sightseeing in the city. Here you end up getting mad. Some buses move at such a snail’s pace, that we can even take a nap. I have counted seconds and minutes from the time I got in to reach my stop. The time I took to reach from Janatha(Vyttila) via south to Kacheripady was an hour!! And this happened despite the traffic blocks at Panampilly Nagar and South over bridge. I wanted to ask the driver if he was learning the driving or taking us for a sightseeing and then I curse myself for getting into this bus.
Some buses go slow until they reach the punching station at Menaka, but once they punched out they rush for life. Most people, who like me feel that time is very valuable, are happy to travel in fast riding private buses. If once I got stuck in such bus, I’ll be careful not to step into that bus again.
Although, the traffic rules says “Speed Thrills but Kills”, these snail-buses are sometimes beyond tolerance.
Time to catch up with Kochi affairs!
Published July 27, 2010 | 
Kochi, the metro city is coming up with relatively new entrants and could pocket a number of international travellers and domestic travellers towards this tropical destination. With Kerala‘s biggest cosmopolitan area offering such unprecedented shopping and recreation competition, let me give you a few slices of Cochin pie for those readers who would like to know more about its happenings.
- Love to hangout with friends, shop and enjoy an Ice cream? Coffee Cube, an awesome place in convent Jn., gives an opportunity to enjoy a free Ice cream/Drink coupon to all those who shop for more than Rs 250 at the following places (Archies, Mix n Match, Alphonsa, Gals, Legs, Much More). At Coffee Cube, you can enjoy the splendid ambiance and the choices are many and will make you drool with confusion where to begin and what! Offer valid only till end of September.
- One of the best movies that hit Cochin screens in recent times -Inception makes a mark with the viewers. Anybody who hasn’t watched it, please take a ticket from Little Shenoy’s- timings: 6:15 and 9:00 pm or Cinemax at 3:30 and 8:15. This contemporary sci-fi action film manages to engross you with its complexities and will have you at the edge of your seat.
- A new bus service started by K.S.R.T.C, ‘Thiru Kochi’ bringing hope to travellers – you can now avoid the nuisance from the many Private buses with no clear markings for ladies seats. ‘Thiru Kochi’ is exactly what is needed for Kochi – may set a new standard for the many private buses at Kochi, hopefully.
- This is something many of you would not like! Don’t scratch your heads; you need to do it to make Cochin a better place. ‘Chlorophyll’, a new project is set to save the environment from the current pathetic situation and regain the pristine green habitat of ours.
Here they say-
“Volunteer for Green!! Volunteer for Future!!”
Chlorophyll requires active and passionate souls to work for environment. Kindly share your interest by mailing to chlorophyllhues@gmail.com
Partying in Cochin….
Published July 20, 2010 | 
It might not be everybody’s idea of fun! But if any of you would like to take a break from the usual stress and need to enjoy a social party fun, here comes an opportunity- a DJ Hunt 2010 at Ava Lounge Cochin. Doesn’t it sound interesting? If you have the skills, then its going to be easy.
A chance to participate and win lots of prizes including accessories, DJ gear, and a free training from Kerala’s own DJ god, DJ Savyo for a month for free. Held at Ava lounge, Dream Hotel Cochin on August 8th from 2pm onwards, do get caught in the mayhem and magic of this event with a professional DJ tagged to your shirt at the end of the party.
Isn’t it surprising to know that Cochin has come a long way from being the local Indian Jewish community to a center of Indian spice trade and the most important commercial and industrial centre of Kerala.
A heartthrob of many youngsters, this place is known to be the ‘metro’ for fine goods, clubs and parties. The cosmopolitan city is fascinating in many ways with its glitz shopping malls, modern life and a colorful mix of eclectic cultures including Chinese and Jewish influences.
Famously known as ‘The Queen of the Arabian Sea’, it also houses one of the finest harbors in the world. The 400 year old synagogue is one of the oldest and most beautiful synagogues in Southern India with its architecture shaped by the various Jewish building traditions.
A wonderful destination to be visited, enjoyed and explored, Fort Cochin attracts tourists with its colorful, vibrant culture and unmatched hospitality of its local people.
Leave us alone we need no roads to development: Kerala
Published May 10, 2010 | National Highway Authority of India is initiating the need to widen the roads of the country to international standards. This means our national highways will be 6-lane road and will have access on both sides, flyovers, pedestrians walkway and zebra crossings to name a few, it all sounds so wonderful. But, hold on! the politicians in Kerala are thinking something else. Strange, but all political parties in Kerala have united together (a rare sight) for a common cause and unanimously they say, ‘We need no roads..oops sorry no wide roads.
The politicians after having decided over a cup of tea that the state needs only 30 metre broad roads against the proposed 60-metre. All the good Samaritan (politicians) of the Kerala society have finally decided to meet the Prime Minister, and apprise him about this decision. And we know what the PM is going to say ”Who cares, if you want 30-45-60 meter roads, it is you who is going to suffer.
The narrow minded politicians aren’t thinking practically, what this decision means for the future generation who will be forced to squeeze themselves for space. As a literate state, is it not the duty of these politicians to come together with intellectuals and educate the people how much it will benefit. But sadly, none have really bothered to tell us what it is all about, and shamefully we all know what it is all about. Vote bank politics and we have rather become politicians slaves.
Why is that the people of Kerala are getting so laid back, I have seen them agitating everywhere and for everything, but when it comes to real issues there is no reaction. It takes more than 9-years to complete and still no where to build a railway-overhead-bridge on a busy NH-17 highway, Edapally, Kochi, but we rather prefer to adjust with the situation and suffer.
Remember we are living in world’s largest democracy, so no one to blame but ourselves. Leaders don’t build nations, its build by you and me. Had we realized the power we have, this state would have been a different place all together. Till then lets keep grumbling and complaining.
Strange indeed are the changing times!!
Published May 7, 2010 | 
It seems that the editorial team at karma Kerala has got bitten by the travel bug:). Soon on the trails of the travel blogs by my colleagues, Unni, Jisha and Tessa, the wanderlust within me is urging me to write about the train trip I had to Tamilnadu last week.
It was a long due family holiday trip for us. The destination was a popular hill station in Tamilnadu, which was about 7 hours by train from Cochin. The journey was enjoyable and the compartments not crowded, which looked quite unlikely in the holiday season. A young mother with her two small kids was travelling with us and she was finding it really hard to manage the restless and noisy kids. She was trying out all the tricks she could think of in getting them seated. The youngest was only about 2 years of age and was the naughtiest of the two. The mother moved to the window seat with the kid in her lap and was trying to deviate his attention by showing the sights outside. She pointed towards a herd of cows grazing in a patch of green and the boy gave her a blank stare and next we came across a flock of sheep nibbling at the leaves of the thorny shrubs around a village temple and the result was again a blank stare. The mother was showing him paddy and corn fields and banana plantations, which were also met with same uninterested stare from the boy.
As the train chugged along to the nearest town, the spectacles changed drastically and the boy seemed to be interested in the change of pace, much to the relief of his mom and the fellow passengers as well! Now the mother pointed at the speeding cars and vehicles that were only an arm’s length from our window seats. I was astonished to see that the kid was able to identify almost all brands of the cars that its mother pointed to him including the latest brands like Santro, Swift and more!
Strange indeed are the changing times. The new generation kids which live in gated communities away from nature seem to know nothing other than vehicles and the hustle and bustle of the city life. For them cows and sheep no longer exist in their lives and in all probability they might have seen these animals, only in the colorful pages of their text books. I think we should have an interactive education scheme where the kids learn things by actually seeing and feeling them. It is high time that we go back to our roots to make sure that the new generation grows up as they should be or the benefit of the society and for themselves!