Ayruveda – the latest mantra of corporate head honchos
Published March 15, 2008 | 
Kochi: No prizes for guessing the latest catchphrase of health watchers! Yes, you guessed it right- it is Ayruveda. The oldest treatment system in the world, Ayurveda is getting popular among not just the foreign tourists and the aged citizens but also among the corporate big wigs as well.
CEOs of many a blue chip companies and global conglomerates are turning to Ayurveda, catching up with the fad of the ‘go green’ campaign that has revolutionized virtually every single aspect of human life.
True to the axiom of “health is wealth”, more people are turning to nature to remain hale and hearty these days. It is heartening to note that this ancient and exceptional medical system of India is being endorsed by the jet setting corporate India, which has fallen head over heels for the magical healing and rejuvenating powers of Ayurveda. Ayurveda originated over five thousand years ago. The renowned surgeon Sushruta who lived in ancient India in 6th century BC, in his book Sushruta Samhita has described over 120 surgical instruments, 300 surgical procedures and classifies human surgery in 8 categories. He lived and taught in the present day city of Varanasi in North India. Dhanwanthri, revered as the deity of physicians was an exponent of the Sushruta School of medicine.
Many Hindu mythical books Promotional campaigns and hard hitting promotional tactics have made these treatment systems one of the most sought after alternate treatment methods that offer a panacea to various chronic and lifestyle induced ailments.
The current market share of Ayurvedic medicines is thought to be worth over 3000 crores, a note worthy achievement when compared to the bleak scenario in comparison that prevailed a few years ago. However, Ayurveda is not for everyone. It is not commonly recommended for treating emergencies and cardiac ailments.
According to a survey by ASSOCHAM, around 40% of the 400 Indian CEOs surveyed, were resorting to ayurvedic treatments to remain fit and stress free. Kerala is promoting Ayurveda as a package to tourists where they can derive the benefit of authentic ayurvedic treatment along with the prescribed medicated diet that goes with the treatment to ensure better results. Panchakarma treatment, which is a cleansing and rejuvenating program for the body, mind and consciousness, is highly popular among not just the local populace but also among foreigners as well.
Typically, patients suffering from chronic conditions such as respiratory diseases, skin infections asthma and allergic disorders opt for Ayurveda for permanent relief rather than allopathic treatment. There are even specialized ayurvedic treatments that ensure ever youth.
Today, not many authentic ayurvedic practitioners remain in this field. As most of the treatment methods are handed over generations with hardly any written texts or documents for posterity, there is also a risk of losing some of the treasured gems forever in the onslaught of time. Enhancing the awareness and publicizing the benefits of ayurveda alone can ensure its survival and development.
Kerala witness huge tourist turn out this season
Published February 18, 2008 | 
Kochi, February 17
Kerala has marked its place among the global tourist destinations since a long time and this warm place continues to attract visitors to explore its vast bounty of nature. Meanwhile the wide scope for tourist the place offers gives them the chance to forget all the worries and unwind and relax in the lap of greenery and serene surroundings. But this tourist season was a bit special for Kerala, as the tourist attendance jumped over 20 per cent this year.
This jump in number of tourist shows clearly that this God’s Own Country has enamored the visitors with its pleasant attractions and warm hospitality. It was noticed that tourist opted for chartered flights and cruise ships to get into their dream destination, Kerala. Tourist showed huge interest to explore the backwaters, beaches and mist clad hills of this divine land. With such a huge inflow of tourist this season, all hotels and resorts enjoyed a good business with full occupancy and advance bookings. Even the contagious disease, extended monsoon and poor conditions of roads didn’t stopped visitors to come here.
The major areas which were highly on the must visit list of visitors were Thekkady, Kumarakom, Veli, Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes, Munnar and few more places. The house boats also had a brisk business this year with such a huge tourist turn out. Many tourists have to go for home stays with shortage of hotel rooms. The Chairman of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Cherian Philip said it was a great season for Kerala tourism industry with such a huge number of visitors flocking here to explore this heavenly abode. He mentioned that with the strong presence in international tourism festival and road shows organized by Kerala Tourism Corporation in various countries and states has also contributed to this surge in tourist attendance.
‘Nature Village’–The latest spot in the tourist map of Kerala
Published February 12, 2008 | 
Angamali: Tourists can experience the priceless charm of the ‘nature village’, which is being set up on the banks of Chalakudy River near Thumpoormuzhi dam site. This exceptional tourist spot will be thrown open to the tourists next month as the last phase of its work is progressing at a fast pace. Constructed at a cost of 50 lakh, by the District Tourism promotion council, the organizers are leaving no stone unturned to make it a hot tourist attraction. Set amidst stunning natural spectacles, it has a landscaped garden and tree houses among other attractions to woo the tourists.
This nature park is located among the swaying oil palm gardens maintained by Plantation Corporation and the tranquil settings and the pleasant weather conditions are sure to lure the tourists. The entrance designed in the model of the traditional ‘padipura’ is attractive. Thatched with hay, it has a breezy balcony as well, which allows the visitors to enjoy the panoramic views of the river and its surroundings. There are tree houses perched at a height of over 20feet that ensure a stunning view of the cascading river.
Tourists can also bathe in the small pools of water that is held using small embankments as the deeper spots of the rivers might not be safe for small children and families. All the constructions are done using dried palm sheaths and hay, in a bid to recreate the traditional milieu of a typical Kerala village of the bygone era. As it is located at a stone’s throw from the famous Athirampally and Vazhachal waterfalls, tourists can easily include this nature village in their tour circuit.
Vagamon – Haven for adventure sports in Kerala
Published February 8, 2008 | 
Kottayam: Kerala Tourism in association with Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy has been organizing paragliding festivals at Vagamon to popularize this sport. Vagamon is well tailored for adventure sports as it is located 3500 feet above MSL with a pleasant temperature of between 10 and 25 degree Celsius.
Located at 100km from Kochi Vagamon still remains largely unexplored. However if you have a transport of your own, you can easily reach this heaven on earth to sample some of the best possible natural spectacles and attractions including Thangal Para, the Indo-Swiss Project and Kurisumala Ashram. Some of the nearby must see spots include the Bird Sanctuary at Kumarakom, and the Hill resorts at Munnar and Kodaikanal easily accessible by road from Vagamon.
Like the many beautiful things in life, Vagamon too is well beyond words as it has to be experienced to get a feel of its flavor and flair. Though adventure tourism has not yet become hugely popular among native Keralites, Kerala is bestowed with an impressive array of enchanting spots and perfect destinations well cut for all genres of activities. Vagamon, nestled within the velvety green tea gardens, rolling hills, stunning meadows, and mystic ravines and dales offer the perfect post card settings for all tourist activities. It is an ideal trekking destination as well. The 1100 meters tall hill throws up a challenge to even the hard bred professional hikers.
This pretty hill station heavily punctuated with tea gardens and velvety grass lands is expected to be one of India’s foremost eco-tourism projects in the days to come. This hill side village of Vagamon is a subtle blend of religious mysticism and European legacies, which makes it an intoxicating option indeed. It is curious to note that in Vagamon the chain of three hills – Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala, which holds special significance to Muslim, Hindu and Christian faiths stand tall as a testimony of religious harmony. Vagamon is indeed a heavenly abode that would beckon you time and again to offer sweet memories that you would cherish all your life.
Online registration of Foreign Tourists in Alappuzha soon
Published February 5, 2008 | 
ALAPPUZHA: Alapuzzha, more famous as the ‘Venice of the East’ for its meandering canals and waterways has made news recently for a different reason. It will be the first district in Kerala to introduce an online registration form (C Form) for foreigners touring this coastal town.
The District Police is planning an online registration system for foreign visitors at hotels, houseboats and home stays. Hitherto all the hotels would have to complete the registration formality which enables the district administration to prepare a data base of outlanders and to keep a tab on the visitors to the district, opined the district Superintendent of Police Nagaraju.
Many home stays operate without proper registration and this streamlining process might bring these unscrupulous elements into book. The police also plan to conduct regular beats to monitor the movements of strangers who loiter around without any valid reason, causing hardships to the general public and foreign tourists. A permanent police aid post will be set up on the beach apart from beefing up the patrolling to ensure a pleasant milieu to the tourists.
With the registration process in full swing, the tourists can now look forward to a well organized and pleasant holiday as never before!
It’s Yachting season is Kochi
Published February 4, 2008 | 
Kochi: The colorful yachts that drop anchor off the Bolghatty Island in Kochi announces the peak tourist season in Kerala. Though there was a slight lull in the number of yachting seafarers in the beginning of the tourist season, it picked up momentum later on, opines Jaibee Kollarmalil, manager of Bolghatty Palace Hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
This year, a fair share of the yachters has been from European countries such as the United Kingdom, Finland and Norway apart from New Zealand and Australia.
At present the yachters mostly comprising of aged couples need to berth their vessels in the backwaters and reach the shore in inflatable boats. However with the commissioning of the much hyped marina project which is on the anvil, there will be parking berth for over 50 yachts in Kochi. The marina project promoted by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation is coming up in the north eastern part of the Bolgatty palace hotel. This first marina in South Asia, modeled on the lines of a marina in London will have all the required amenities for the yachters including a club house, restaurants and fuel station among others. In addition, there will be repairing facilities too at the marina for the benefit of the yachters.
The Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organization has been appointed as the project consultants and the tender will be given after the state government gives the green signal for this ambitious project, which would notch up the position of Kochi further high in the global tourist map.
At present, the seafarers from all over the world find succor in the Bolghatty Palace Hotel for food, swimming and for disposing waste. It is estimated that the yachters spend an average of two weeks in Kochi, which they spend sight seeing and relaxing apart from carrying out the necessary maintenance works of their yachts.
True to the migratory birds these yachts that reach Kochi at clock work precision, have become an indispensable part of the tourist calendar of Kochi, which add specks of color and glamour to its horizon.
Voila! Volvo Ocean Race is coming to Kochi shores
Published January 19, 2008 | 
Kochi: Kochi is about to set its indelible imprints on the world maritime map by playing host to the Volvo Ocean Race 2008, the agreement for which was signed here. The Volvo race is the world’s most prestigious offshore round the world yacht race, and is touted as the most challenging team-sporting event in the genre of ocean race .
This is the first time that the race is passing through Asia, and Kochi is the only port of call in India, making it all the more special to the “Queen of Arabian Sea” Scores of adventurous seafarers are expected to put to test their mettle in this event. The yachts are expected to reach Kochi on December 3, 2008 from cape Town and Kochi is one among the only three Asian stopovers , when the participating yachts are expected to call at Kochi on December 3 (from Cape Town).
The race will trigger a tourist boom of well heeled, elite tourists from all over the world, bringing in precious foreign exchange. The race will be flagged off from Alicante in Spain in October 2008, and is expected to be wrapped up in July 2009 at St. Petersburg, Russia, after completing over 39,000 nautical miles! The visiting yachts will drop anchor at the berth arranged by the Cochin Port Trust, a formidable name among the hosts that are actively involved in this prestigious event.
The yachts will reach Kochi after completing the Spanish and South African legs, to proceed to Singapore, China, Brazil, the U.S., Ireland, and Sweden before reaching the final destination of Russia. Seven entries are confirmed so far and the participants will be spending over 4 months ashore during this expedition that spans over 9 months in total. A few Olympic gold medalists in yachting are also participating in the event, which would add a speck of celebrity status to the event.
Kerala Tourism Department and other bodies including the Yachting Association of India will take care of the promotion and publicity of the event to make it a big success. Volvo Race Director Andy Hindley and the Managing Director of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation K.G. Mohanlal have inked an agreement in this regard. Volvo race has come as a token of recognition of the rich seafaring legacy of Kochi that dates back to thousands of years back when spices were traded through the sea routes of Kochi by the Portuguese traders.
Kerala- God’s own country; devils’ own people!
Published December 26, 2007 | The famous catchphrase of Kerala Tourism Department to promote this State” God’s own country” has won bouquets and brickbats all at once! While it has grabbed a few eyeballs of the curious travelers and tourists from far and wide, this catchphrase has spawned an unexpected axiom of “devils own people” tagged along with this famous one liner. If we delve deeper, it could be seen that it’s not without valid reasons and is definitely not a misnomer either.
Kerala holds the envious repute of a 100% literate state with a substantial English speaking populace. A big chunk of its native populace lives abroad and earns handsome pay packets or run successful business enterprises. There is a casual joke that even if you go to space, you are likely to bump into a Keralite! Millions of Keralites live in various Indian cities and work in distinguished services like civil services, engineering, medicine, nursing and more. However all is not rosy as far as their image is concerned among fellow Indians. Many find them too stubborn and quacks who go to any extend to attain their personal goals. There is a conception that Keralites abhor hard work and they carry false vanity and pompousness tagged into the white collar jobs! It is a bit hypocritical that they would stoop to any level outside their country to make a living and almost always have an innate tendency to bluff.
Having said all these, it does not mean that all people belong to this infamous clan who talk big and act big. There are many enterprising and helpful people out here who have made indelible imprints in Sports, politics, arts, and literature among others. However, the bottom line reads that something has to be done to cast off this stigma and to move ahead with heads held high!