metro mart august 2015

August 2015www.metromartdaily.com

`40 Volume 5 Issue 1 August 2015

METROmartT H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

Celebrate the true Spirit ofOnamA Brand New Destination is

Born In ‘God’s own Country’

Mascot hotel – 50 years & beyond

Setting New Benchmarksfor Designer boutiques

METROAugust 20152T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M mart


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It’s Onam time. Along with the celebrations, give your loved little ones the fun

and fantasy. Visit Giggles today with your kids to surprise them to an Onam the way they love it.

WITH THE KING, LET THE FUN AND FANTASY MEET YOUR LITTLE ONES

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Hi Readers,

Malayalees are waiting to welcome yet another Onam. The entire land irrespective of class and creed is in a festive mood to celebrate and proclaim the message of oneness and brotherhood. Every Onam brings in more hope in life and abundant memories to cherish. Onam gives colour and spreads fragrance in the lives of people like Athapookkalam (which is the arrangement of flowers on the floor in an elaborate and colourful way on Atham day).

The Onam market is active with innumerable varieties of products which make the celebrations and purchases more clourful and enjoyable. Every business establishment is trying to spread their wings to every town by opening outlets and reaching out to the consumers with attractive offers and schemes. This is an opportunity for everyone to choose the desired products according to their tastes and likes. Various venues in the capital city will come alive in a cultural extravaganza of music, dance, painting and martial arts programmes in the modern, traditional, folk and classical genres of Kerala. The celebrations will see the participation of 5,000 performing artistes, and will be hosted at 29 venues

Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala has been consistently in the progressive path in ensuring better living standards for the citizens. Now yet again Trivandrum has been honoured and recognized as the second best city in the country that ensures better living standards. Trivandrum has been selected and esteemed as the second best cleanest capital city in the country. This is indeed an exceptional recognition to the people of Kerala for their health and environment consciousness.

The official announcement of Vizhinjam International Seaport project is an additional gift to the people of the state during this Onam season. Let us hope that Vizhinjam International Seaport Project brings in faster progress and prosperity to the entire state. It’s Onam! So celebrate the spirit of the harvest festival in all its splendor. Decorate your house with Pookalams, listen to the melodious Onappattus and enjoy the festivities...

Wish you a Happy Onam!


Corporate Office:-Metro Mart ThiruvananthapuramJayaraj Plus Towers, Murinjapalam, Medical College Post Trivandrum - 695011Tel: +91 471 6065511/ 9947733339 Email: [email protected] Office:-No:217, 3B Main, OMBR Layout Bangalore – 560 043Tel: +919038000711 Email: [email protected] Office313, Dorikal Byelane, Jheel Avenue, Dum Dum Road, Kolkata – 700 074, India

Volume 5 Issue 1 August 2015

www.metromartdaily.com Read our e-edition-www.issuu.com/metromart

Annual Subscription Rs 400 Publisher Hari Shanker [email protected] Managing Editor & Director Siji Nair [email protected]

Sub Editor V. Viswanath Editorial Assistant Ampili Nair

Creative Assistant Sayan Chaudhuri Arnab Chowdhury

GM Sales Sibu Nair

General Manager-Marketing Binoy K S

Business Development Manager Ratheesh Kumar Baiju Jayakumar Ganesh Damodaran

CONTENTS

16

24Kerala Tourism’s Onam Week celebrations from Aug 25 to 31

Achievements Welcome Mahabali this Onam

A Brand New Destination is Born In ‘God’s Own Country’

28Mascot Hotel 50 years & beyond

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Published, Edited and Printed by Hari Shanker A G and Owned by Haritha Media Pvt Ltd and Printed by him at SB Press Private Limited, Statue, Trivandrum 695001 and Published from Tharangam, Kodunganoor Post, Trivandrum 695013

Metro Mart is a monthly journal published from Trivandrum. Views and opinions expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of the Publishers.

Metro Mart reserves the right to use the information published here in any manner whatsoever. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published in this edition, neither the Publisher no any of its employees accept any responsibilities for any errors or omissions.

© All Rights Reserved RNI No: KERENG/2011/40037

Mothers Veg Plaza bringsSadya 365 Days to the City

‘Arteria’ to transform dull city walls into spaces of artistry

Celebrate the True Spirit of Onam

12

Setting New Benchmarks For Designer Boutiques

Metro Update

32

34

38


30 & 31 October


COVER STORY

Onam is here again…….

A new beginning is in the

offing ….…After the rain

that played havoc for

the past few months the

nature is afresh with new

sprouts. The drizzle and

the gentle breeze that

waft you speak of the

impending glorious time.

Celebrate the True Spirit of Onam


The Sadya is the traditional vegetarian feast of Kerala. Usually served as lunch, it consists of par boiled pink rice, side dishes, savouries, pickles and desserts spread out on a plantain leaf. Tradition insists that the tapering end of the plantain leaf should point to the left of the seated guest. Rice is served on the lower half of the leaf. The Onasadhya refers to the Sadya served on the Thiruvonam day, the most auspicious of the four days during the festival.

In a Sadya rice is served only after all the side dishes and savouries have been served.

Avial, an unavoidable side-dish is a blend of vegetables, coconut paste and green chillies. It is seasoned with a spoonful of fresh coconut oil and some raw curry leaves stirred immediately after the dish is taken off the stove.

Some of the other

important side-dishes include Thoran and Olan. Thoran can be minced string beans, cabbage, radish or grams, mixed with grated coconut and sautèed with a dash of red chillies and turmeric powder. Then, there is Olan, which is a bland dish of pumpkin and red grams cooked in thin gravy of coconut milk.

The savouries include Upperi, Pappadam, Puli Inji, Pachadi and Kichadi.

Upperi is deep-fried banana chips. Pappadams are fried creamy, sun-dried wafer of black gram flour. The Puli Inji is a rich brown, hot and sweet chutney, while the Kichadi consists of sliced and sautèed cucumber or ladies finger in curd, seasoned with mustard, red chillies and curry leaves in coconut oil. Pickles are usually mango and lime.

Once the rice and side-dishes have been served,


the serving of Parippu, a liquid curry made of small gram and ghee marks the beginning of the feast. The second course starts with Sambar, the famous south Indian vegetable stew in which any available combination of vegetables are boiled in a gravy of crushed lentils, onions, chillies, coriander, turmeric and with a pinch of asafoetida.

Desserts are served mid-way through the meal. The Payasam is a thick fluid dish of sweet brown molasses, coconut milk and spices,

garnished with cashew nuts and raisins. There could be successive servings of Payasams such as the Paalada Pradhaman and Parippu Pradhaman.

Pazham, a ripe golden yellow plantain, is usually taken along with the Payasams. After the Payasams, rice is served once more with the Pulisseri, which is seasoned buttermilk with turmeric powder and green chillies. This is followed by spicy Rasam, which is a mixture of chilli and peppercorn powders, boiled in diluted

tamarind juice. The feast ends with plain sour buttermilk that comes with chopped green chillies and ginger and salt to taste.

Onasadhya is more than just a feast. The whole feast has been designed in a scientific way by the ancestors. It is a complete, balanced and nutritious meal and also ensures proper digestion and optimum absorption of nutrients by the body.

This Onam, come relish a feast of delicacies in God’s Own Country.


Achievements Welcome Mahabali this Onam

COVER FEATURE

This Onam it will be a happy homecoming for Mahabali, since the Thiruvananthapuram City has witnessed several drastic changes since last Onam. The city has achieved a number of projects which would have a positive influence for the public in the long run.

V Viswanath

The city roads are changing colour. The walls of the capital city and public buildings would be adorned with paintings by renowned artists. This innovative initiative is launched by the State Tourism Department. University stadium and the walls and buildings from LMS Junction to Palayam are painted and made colourful in the first phase of project Arteria. There are plans to extend the project to other parts of the city as well. All in all, Mahabali would see not just the colourful flower carpets but also the colourful road stretches. Kanakakunnu Palace is seeing a recapture of its the glory, legacy


and beauty through a Rs. 3.05-crore renovation and beautification project along with the Nishagandhi Auditorium. The location may not be a new one for Mahabali, however, the facilities and revamp of the area might be.

Of course, to travel around he can hop into State-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) if needed. Thiruvananthapuram Central and City Depots would be equipping over 200 buses with GPS. He would find that the GPS system is assisting KSRTC in streamlining of services and ultimately assisting it to tide over its financial crisis.

It would be better off for

him to visit Vizhinjam this year since he may not recognise it in the coming years. Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is to be one of the world’s largest mega transshipment container terminals. The project is estimated to be completed in a record

1000 days. The entire area is bound to see a lot of development activities. Railway lines, widening of roads, etc. is a must to facilitate movement for the incoming boom in population and traffic.

The King can be relaxed in knowing the city and


its administrators have woken up to the dangers of Smoking. Pictorial ‘No Smoking’ signages are to be displayed in all public vehicles at a prominent place. No direct and indirect advertisements, sponsorship of tobacco products on public conveyances would be allowed. State water and road transports have strictly prohibited sale of tobacco-products in their buses, boats and stations.

Mahabali can also take note that the city is going to get Light Metro from Karamana to Technocity via Technopark. On the Railways front, there would be a few Onam Special trains. The stations under Thiruvananthapuram

division would have passenger carts to assist the needy. He is bound to see a lot happening right at the heart of the city – what with the Operation Anantha project and all. The erstwhile canals are being reclaimed, widened and cleaned, so as water-logging is a thing of the past. He would see that the Thakaraparambu Bridge is completed. His journey from Karamana to Kaliyikkavila he would find that the road widening has reached up to Pravachambalam and continuing further.

Surely he will have to become net savvy in the future. ‘Bridging the Digital Divide– Vision 2020’ is

going to transform Kerala in to a digital knowledge society. This is aimed to achieve sustainable economic growth, making accessible the digital infrastructure to all ataffordable cost, attracting more investments and promoting the IT export of the state. If Mahabali needs any e-services offered by the government he can just log in and check the various government portals.

While on the fashion front, there is a lot less traditional Onam Yellow Mundu seen in the city nowadays. A wide variety of colours has taken its place including Black. Just a plain dhoti and black shirt makes the youngsters feel like a star. There is a chance that


Mahabali might think that the number of youngsters visiting Sabarimala this year has increased. We will have to tell him it is the after-effects of a successful cinema which was released some months back. Well if he wants to watch a film in the city, he can go in to AriesPlex SL Cinemas and experience the magic of 4K projection and 64 channel Dolby Atmos. Seating and interior with imported fabric would give him a luxurious feeling.

Mahabali can also take

heart that the youngsters are not just in to fashion – Youngsters are getting more and more involved in social causes. They attempt to provide solutions for the problems that are faced by the common man. 45 Adivasi families and 22 indigent families from the far-fledged areas of Amboori and Brymore were given Onam kits by Technopark employees. A 36-hour non-stop road safety hackathon was conducted by 200-odd youngsters in Technopark which brought out several

ideas and products aimed at bringing down road accidents.

The King can be assured that Thiruvananthapuram City is not lagging behind in development any more. The City is changing its outlook. While youngsters are growing up with fashion, they are also considerate of others. The administration has taken several initiatives which would bring the city and its great rewards over the course of time.King! Be assured the City is in safe hands (its people).


“The celebrations will see the participation of 5,000 performing artistes, and will be hosted at 29 venues,” said Shri Anilkumar. “Though the government is facing an economic crunch, we are spending Rs 3 crore to put up an impressive show that lakhs of people can enjoy.”

Shri Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the state-level celebrations at Nishagandhi Auditorium on August 25 by honouring artistes of

renown. The Chief Minister will also take a tour of the renovation work completed at Kannakakunnu grounds, as scheduled in time for the start of the celebrations.

Programme committee chairman Palode Ravi MLA made an announcement of the key events of the State Tourism department’s Onam Week celebrations from August 25 to 31.

The Onam Week celebrations venues include the Nishagandhi

Auditorium, the Central Stadium, Poojapura ground, Museum Hall and Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan. Shankhumukham is also a key new venue this year.

The inaugural function at the main venue, Nishagandhi, is a ‘Magical Melodies’ music performance by a team led by K S Chithra and Sudeep, which will be followed by a tourism theme-song dance performance, and a dance performance by Rajasree

Kerala Tourism’s Onam Week Celebrations From Aug 25 to 31

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Various venues in the capital city will come alive in a cultural extravaganza of music, dance, painting and martial arts programmes in the modern, traditional, folk and classical genres of Kerala, said Tourism Minister Shri A P Anilkumar at a function.


Warrier.

A festive procession, jointly organized by the Tourism Department and the Kerala Sports Council, will march through the city on Thursday as a prelude to the Onam celebrations. Home Minister Shri Ramesh Chennithala will unfurl the Onam ‘flag’ at the programme presided by Tourism Minister Shri A P Anilkumar, followed by Health Minister Shri V S Sivakumar switching on the city illumination, when the procession reaches Kanakakunnu Palace.

Other progammes include ‘Journey of Rhythm’ by percussionist Sivamani and Karunamoorthy, a musical night by playback singer Swetha Mohan and Bennet and Band, ‘Ishal Raavukal’ by playback singer Afsal and group, ‘Dance Dhamaka’ performance by Neerav Bavlecha of the small screen’s D-for dance fame, ‘Ragarasam’ by Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar (chenda) and Prakash Ulleri (keyboard) and drama raga by dancer Methil Devika and cine artist Mukesh.

The Central Stadium will host mega shows starting on August 26 with a musical performance by Venugopal, Anil Bajpai, Rajalakshmi, and Jassie Gift, followed

by magic by Gopinath Muthukad and a dance show by Kiran master and Green Shadows. The next day’s show includes key performances with singer Afsal, and actor and presenter Nadir Shah, followed by cinematic dance and comedy show.

Janaki and Najim Arshad will perform with a team of singers at the musical show on August 28, which will be followed by a comedy show and a fire dance performance. Playback singer Naresh Iyer and his band’s performance will lead to cinema choreographer Sajna Najam and team’s dance show on August 29. The penultimate day musical show is by Stephen Devassy and band, Vidhu Prathap and Sayonara, and dance by Ramzan Muhammad. Director, actor, playback singer Vineeth Sreenivasan will lead the musical show

on August 31.

The entry gate at Kanakakkunnu Palace will stage chenda recitals (melam and thayambaka), while classical music concerts will be held inside at the palace auditorium. This will also be the site of a painting exhibition and a press photography exhibition. The Museum Hall will host an exhibition of traditional percussions.

VJT Hall shows starting at 4 pm will feature poetry sessions followed by professional drama, while plays will also be staged at the Institute of Engineers Hall.

Shankhumukham beach gets more festive fun this year with programmes by women and children. At 7:15 pm every day, the area gets buzzing with big-name artistes; Mannargudi Vasudevan, Giridhar Udupa, Guruprasanna, Kalpathy


fairs and exhibitions will be conducted at Suryakanthi ground with the participation of Kudumbasree and government units, along with a food festival. A temporary amusement park for children will be set up at Kanakakkunu.

There will be a special programme for NRKs on August 27.

The celebrations will get a mega closing with a procession, exhibiting art forms from Kerala and other states, that starts at Vellayambalam and goes up to East Fort on August 31.

Kerala Tourism Director, Shri P I Sheikh Pareeth, Additional Director( General) Smt T V Anupama were present at the press conference today, where the ‘Onam theme’ song and Onam programmes brochure were launched.

Balakrishnan, Anantha R Krishnan, Embar S Kannan, Palakkad Sriram, Sushant and Ebby Michael come together for a classical fusion on August 26; Zia Ul Haq, Janardhanan Puthusherry and Attukal Balasubramaniam perform a fusion the next day, while August 28 has a magic show by Magician Samraj, ‘Sarga Keralam’ special choreography by Malayalam Theatrical and Heritage Arts on August 29 and finally a melody night by Devadas and Lela Joseph onAugust 30.

The Government Women’s College auditorium will conduct Athapookalam competition for press club members, while the Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan will have Thiruvathirakali competitions for Higher Secondary schools and colleges. The open-air venue and Koothambalam

at Samskrithi Bhavan will also stage classical group dance.

Public Office vicinity, Poojapura Maidan and Bharath Bhavan will be venues for musical shows.

The fun carries on with magic and comedy shows (Sathyan Memorial Hall), Kathaprasangam (Gandhi Park), Kalaripayattu (Museum), Kathakali, Koodiyattom, Akshrashlokam and Koothu (Theerthapada Mandapam), besides folk arts in Sopanam, Sooryakanthi Mini Stage, Thiruvarangu and Nattarangu.

Other programme venues are Bapuji Library at Peroorkada, Sreevaraham auditorium, Veli tourist village, Nedumangad Koyikkal Palace, Madavoorpara Boat Club premises.

Additionally, trade


This heritage business hotel of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC Hotels & Resorts) is situated in the heart of the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram. The hotel pioneered Kerala’s first international service-class luxury hotel. Since then, the hotel has been serving the needs of business travellers, key management executives,

political leaders, international guests, players and their families, as well as young and independent travellers from across the globe. Today, it has achieved a brand image in Kerala’s tourism sector.

With the work ethic that emphasizes hotel & service excellence, Mascot Hotel stays true to their core values of being customer-

oriented. Mascot Hotel has been winning guests with its innovative initiatives. This five-star hotel encourages every employee to put in extra efforts, and develops in them the zeal and enthusiasm to serve each and every guests to their hotel with total commitment. The company is proud that many visitors in Kerala, especially to

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Mascot Hotel has come a long way from a small luxury hotel establishment to Kerala’s largest service lifestyle and a star-rated hotel company.

Mascot Hotel 50 years & beyond


Mascot Hotel offers a stay in the heart of

Kerala’s diplomatic, financial and business city

Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram today choose only Mascot Hotel as their ‘Preferred Home - away from Home’.

2015 marks Mascot Hotel crossing diamond jubilee year. It has an established track record among star-hotel brands which enjoy recognition worldwide. It is a pride moment for not just Kerala, but the whole country. Only a very few hotels have achieved such recognition.

Mascot Hotel offers a stay in the heart of

Kerala’s diplomatic, financial and business city Thiruvananthapuram. Guests can take a stroll through various restaurants, shopping arcades and establishments located along the avenue. Alighting at the airport, one can just hop in a cab and just in a straight drive of 3 kilometres reach this location. The hotel executives will guide you on various particulars of the city. The staffs are adequately trained to answer all queries and provide tips regarding

travel. Mascot Hotel – through its charm and quality service – grows on you as the perfect accommodation for you in Kerala. Every guest would experience that special feel which makes this a Perfect hotel.

The original complex was built by engineers of the British Royal Army during the First World War. The old building is a classical example of colonial era architecture. Wood and granite had been used to build the old building.

Ali Asgar Pasha Managing Director, KTDC

Vijayan Thomas

KTDC Chairman


Mascot‘s achievements have today received several accolades and global recognition. Originally built to house the officers of the Royal British Army during the World War I, Mascot hotel was the residence of Peter Lakshmanan, Sergeant General of the erstwhile Travancore, In the 1940s. Later, it was taken over by Spencer & Co to run it as a hotel. Pauline Gross was the first manageress of the hotel when it was run by Spencer & Co. The hotel was also run by a private group ‘Menons’ headed by K.R.G. Menon for one year from 1950. It was under the control of the State Guests Department till 1956.

Today, it offers the

travellers the perfect blend of heritage, luxury and business in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city – wonderfully furnished rooms, elegantly designed surroundings and a quiet environment in a sprawling landscape amidst the city make us feel relaxed. It is a favourite retreat for travellers. It is the only heritage hotel in Thiruvananthapuram. By staying here, one can have a look at the other historic and significant moments in its history.

Mascot Hotel is an ideal accommodation which features 68 rooms – 1 royal suite, 4 suites, 36 premiums, 11 deluxe rooms, 7 heritage Classes

and 7 Heritage Grand with balcony, banquet and conference halls, coffee shop, health club, parking facilities, fitness & wellness centre, restaurants, a café , a bar and other recreation facilities amidst a landscape garden with pedestrian facilities. Be it leisure or business, the resort is the perfect accommodation for food and stay in Thiruvananthapuram.

Mascot Hotel (KTDC)Thiruvananthapuram - 695 033, Kerala, India Phone: +91-471-2318990, 2316105 Fax: +91-471-2317745 Email: mascothotel@ ktdc.com

Dilip K P

General Manager Mascot Hotel G.S.Rajmohan

Marketing Manager, KTDC


Mothers Veg plaza, Located at Bakery Junction at Thiruvananthapuram offers 365 days Sadya in the city.

Rice is the essential ingredient of this nine course Strictly vegetarian meals Same as traditional sadya,It is served in Banana leafs. Following the way of placing the leaf and an order of serving the dishes.Rice is the main course. With rice, various kinds of dishes are served... different curries, ‘upperies’ (things fried in oil), ‘pappadams’ (round crisp flour paste cakes of peculiar make), ‘achars’ (pickles of various kinds),aviyal,thoran,koottucury,thiyal,parippu,sambar,pulissery,rasam,moru and ‘prathamans’ (Desserts- Wheat Pyasam,Pazham Payasam,Rice Payasam and Avil Payasam). Four varieties of achars and four types of kichedi is serving with every meal.Seating capacity is +100

with central air-conditioned facilities

All together there are 11 essential dishes which have to prepared for Sadya. Kerala traditional Sadya is considered to be the most elaborate and grand meal prepared by any civilisation or cultures in the world. It’s a feast which if enjoyed once is relished for years.

Apart from sadya Mothers Veg Plaza offers world’s widest menu in Dosa with 100 varieties! Serving delicious and yummy variations of Dosas for their guests. Mothers Veg Plaza is having facility to deliver

the traditional Onasadya right to your doorstep every day as per order in advance. K S Sanal is the Director, Mothers Veg Plaza and his wife Jaya K R, daughter Sajina J S,Son in law Neeni G Govind are handling day to day operations.

Join the passionate Mothers Veg Plaza team that has absorbed the company’s goal of ensuring customer satisfaction in all its endeavors.

Mothers Veg Plaza Bakery Jn.Trivandrum

Call 0471 4012255/9020333658

Mothers Veg Plaza bringsSadya 365 Days to the City

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It’s time to tingle and tantalize your taste buds at Mothers Veg Plaza with a lip smacking treat. Sadya is considered to be one of Kerala’s signature contributions to the world of vegetarian cuisine.The all day dining restaurant in Mothers Veg Plaza offering a unique dining experience with traditional kerala sadya.


“The concept of turning city walls into canvases for artistic expressions mainly aims at the beautification of city and to improve the attitude of public towards contemporary art and paintings,” said Tourism Minister Shri A P Anil Kumar.

He also noted that attracting the public eye to

art works of this dimension facilitates their participation in a new artistic culture that assumes greater significance considering the fact that ‘our public’s exposure to contemporary art is limited.’

The project, implemented by District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) in coordination with the

district administration, has already received a sum of Rs 15 lakhs for its initial phase by the state government.

“The project will be expanded further depending on sponsorship availability,” said Planning Officer at Tourism Department, Shri A Udayakumar. “We have

‘Arteria’ to transform dull city walls into spaces of artistry

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More colours will be splashed this year to embrace the festive mood of Onam in the city, as project Arteria, a Tourism Department initiative, seeks to render the city walls with paintings by renowned artists.


already started receiving sponsorship interests from different organizations,” he added.

Arteria has gained momentum with the walls of University Stadium being painted with colourful images of artistic eloquence, which will be unveiled for the public during the official beginning of Onam celebrations in the city. The first phase of project aims to cover the walls and available buildings stretching from LMS junction to Palayam.

Shri Udayakumar informed that spaces would be allotted to students of Fine Arts College for exhibiting their work as part of their curriculum.

A team of 20 artistes, including renowned Kanayi Kunhiraman, Kattoor Naryana Pillai, B D Dethan and NN Rimzon Tensing Joseph, will participate in the first phase of this art project. Other than the involvement of established artists, Arteria also provides scope for aspiring artistes and students who can send their sample works of art enabling a public participation for this project.

Art work samples are invited for the project which will be examined by a committee headed by District Collector Biju Prabhakar, curator Dr. Ajithkumar G, and other veteran artists.

“The plan to invite artworks from lesser known artists and art students is an effort to bring promising talents to limelight and let the world know about their talents,” said Kerala Tourism Secretary Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao.


A Brand New Destination is Born In ‘God’s Own Country’

The district of Pathanamthitta will soon have an elevated status in Kerala

tourism map with the Adavi Boat Festival and Gajavijnanolsavam to be held at

Konni, a hilly town in the district.

Pathanamthitta District emerging as an ecotourism destination

Adavi and Konni to have face-lift with boat race, rafting, camping

and tree-top cottages

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A picturesque forest patch, 10 km from Konni and 17 kilometers from Pathanamthitta, Adavi is situated on the banks of

river Kallar, with nearly 5-km river frontage. The Konni Forest Development Agency, in collaboration with

District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and Pathanamthitta District Administration will host

the events at advent of this year’s Onam celebrations.

Shri A P Anil Kumar, Minister for

Tourism will inaugurate the Adavi boat festival on

August 21st, aiming at branding the town as

a unique tourism destination

and

introducing Coracle riding as a first of its kind tourism product in Kerala.

“With an abundance of nature’s blessings in its forests and aquatic life, Adavi is suited to be a top eco-friendly destination in Kerala,” said Kerala Forest Minister Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.

“The natural, man-made and eco-friendly attractions of Adavi are certain to draw visitors from within India and abroad in the coming days,” said the local MLA


and Minister for Revenue and Coir, Shri Adoor Prakash.

The occasion will also witness a Gaja Vijnanolsavam, an elephant festival at Konni elephant camp.

Adavi, which is just five kilometers from Mundommoozhy on the proposed Achencoil-Chittar hill highway is a weekend getaway, especially for the people coming from Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram thanks to its proximity. It is also an easily accessible destination for foreign tourists who can chose Adavi for a day trip from places like Munnar and Thekkady. Coracle rafting in the Kallar river is an innovative venture, which promises a never-before experience to travellers.

An Eco-Tourism Centre with river rafts, Coracle rafting, adventure trekking, accommodation options on tree-top cottages, tenting options and walkways are the attractions coming up in Adavi. Bamboo huts, which will be coming up in Adavi in a month, will also be another attractive camping

option for the tourists. The Eco-Tourism Centre also has a refreshment area, public convenience areas and ample parking space for tourists and their vehicles.

The boat festival will be a three-day event with a common daily activity plan targeting different tourist attractions each day. This includes a familiarisation trip for the media and inaugural guests, treasure hunt for general public, a cultural programme and a ‘Know the Elephant’ programme at the Konni Elephant camp.

The Gaja Vijanolsavam was first conducted in September last year with the support of Minister for Revenue and Coir, Shri Adoor Prakash, under the auspices of Konni Forest Development Agency. The programme had helped in raising the profile of Konni-Adavi eco-tourism apart from imparting awareness

about forest and wildlife conservation among school children and general public.

The five-day festival this year, which starts on August 20, aims at imparting awareness about forest and elephant conservation among school children and general public, to ensure public participation in the development of the eco-tourism destination and enhancing income-generating opportunities for the local community through increased tourist arrivals.

“There are lots of untapped tourism potentials in Pathanamthitta. Besides the heritage tourism products in the district like the Arunmula Kannadi, Aranmula boat race, Konni and Adavi will further raise the status of Kerala on the global tourism map,” said Pathanamthitta District Collector, Shri S Harikishore.


Also known as Kerala State Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society Ltd., Hantex is Kerala’s only Apex Co-operative Society of Handloom weavers’ that is a protective umbrella of the Weavers in the state.

Set up in 2001, the core business of Hantex is to promote textiles such as saree, lungi, set mundu, double mundu, shirts, bedsheet, dress materials, table linen and wall hangings.

Hantex has over 440 production centres and 116 sales outlets-cum-showrooms yielding an annual turnover of INR 300 millions. These are located at prime places in Kerala and serve as the prime source of livelihood of lacs of weavers in Kerala who bring about creativity in handloom fabrics using coarse or fine yarn. Masterpieces are thus created in handlooms that meet the expectations of

Indian and global audience.

All these outlets are equipped with modern infrastructure that enables the production of hand crafted fabrics, furnishings, garments, sarees, made-ups, traditional wears. Almost all the products are made in harmony with eco friendly norms for both internal and export market.

In order to get the Keralites to discover the tradition of contemporary

Deepika Dewan

Celebrating the Tradition of Handloom This Onam

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Kerala, the land of tourism, cuisine, Ayurveda and backwaters is always in the news for bringing up new tastes and achievements. One such accomplishment which is wooing the hearts of the fashion-conscious consumer in Kerala is Hantex.


fashionable apparels in the state, Hantex has now come up with fancy rebate schemes. The idea is to get the customers indulge in shopping, particularly during the upcoming Onam festival this year.

Kerala State Handloom Weavers Co- Operative Society Limited (HANTEX) is the central society of the primary handloom co operative societies in the state. About 520 primary handloom societies are the members in HANTEX. The high quality handloom goods produced by the workers of the primary handloom societies are collected through the member societies and sold through the 120 HANTEX showrooms spread across the state. HANTEX is playing a very crucial role in providing job opportunities to the handloom workers

in the state as well as bettering their lifestyle. Various projects are being implemented by both the central and the state governments by targeting the overall development of the handloom industry and to ensure the job opportunities for the handloom workers.

HANTEX conducts many programmes for providing employment opportunities to the handloom workers with the help of the above developmental schemes of the Central and State governments. Handloom goods produced based on the likes and tastes of the consumers are being made

available in the market by using the modern technology. Boundless co-operation is being extended to HANTEX and its’ accomplishments by the people of Kerala who loves handloom, the symbol of pride and tradition. HANTEX is always grateful to the esteemed consumers and the government who leads them in the right path.

All the HANTEX showrooms are ready for the Onam celebrations 2015. The long-lasting, colourful and high-quality handloom dress items are made available through-out all the HANTEX showrooms. Installment payment


handloom products such as saris and dhotis to fashion accessories such as bags and cushions.

Hantex also has plans to set up a shopping complex near the State Secretariat in the capital’s city Trivandrum. The idea is to display and sell its handloom products under a common platform in the form of a handloom ‘haveli’.

Celebrate Onam this year by shopping for saris, mundus and textile accessories at Hantex retail outlets and let the whole world know your taste for the fine things in life.

schemes are available for the government employees for purchasing handloom cloths. HANTEX happily announces the commencement of its’ online business for the Onam 2015 which is operated through Amazon.in online shopping. All the necessary arrangements are being made to make the handloom cloths of their choice available to the consumers.

Minister for Industry and IT Sri P K Kunhalikkutty has graciously inaugurated the state level handloom products sales with an aim

to achieve the HANTEX Onam seasonal sales 2015. HANTEX reiterates its’ commitment to be with the people of Kerala always and earnestly requests all the respected patrons to be with HANTEX to strengthen its’ endeavour to provide employment opportunities to the handloom workers. HANTEX wishes a happy and prosperous Onam to all the people of Kerala.

The centre point of attraction this Onam would be traditional and modern handloom products. Hantex stores would be displaying the wonderful gallery of


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Setting new BenchMarkS For Designer Boutiques

Born as

the eldest

daughter of

veteran RSP

leader, Baby

John, Sheila

grew up in

a privileged

and affluent

household.

Her father

was a hard

core politician,

MLA of

Chavara,

Kollam, for 40

years, and a

minister for

17 ½ years.

The children

were insulated

from politics by their mother, Annamma Baby

John, alias Omana, a bright school teacher, from

Mallappally, settled at Aranmulla. She was a strict

disciplinarian who imparted family values, ensured a

good education, and laid the foundation for her children

to succeed.

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Sheila has two younger brothers Shaji and Shibu, both engineers. Her father, though busy, would always find time for the family. His late marriage to a school teacher was a good decision, and being a good manager, he left the affairs of the family to her mother, a very capable person. Sheila remembers the last year of her father’s life and how well her mother took care of him. Her mother was always her source of strength.

Sheila studied in the Mt. Carmel Anglo Indian School, Tangasseri, an Anglo Indian school of repute, under her mother’s tutelage. She loved painting and stitching and used to design her own

clothes. She even attended tailoring classes which she enjoyed. Her mother chose chemistry, for her degree in All Saint’s College, Thiruvananthapuram, and she got married at 17, while on the second year in college. She had her first child, Shalini, while in college and her father had organized an ammavan and fiat car to take her to college and back. In spite of her confinement, she managed to complete her degree, and join for M.A in English, in the College for Women, Trivandrum. Her husband was then the Asst. Accountant General, IAAS, so Sheila enjoyed the double privilege of being daughter and wife of two respected men in top positions.

Their first posting outside Kerala was in Calcutta,

later Hyderabad and then Cochin. Her interest in designing clothes was fuelled by her exposure to the numerous cloth bazaars and embroideries while at these cities. She experimented with various fabrics, threads and other accessories, so plentiful in the north, and then made and kept sketches of her designs, purely as a passion. After a gap of 5 years, they had a second child, Tharun. Being the eldest child of the family, Sheila was well supported by a super efficient mother who helped out with child care, provided housemaids and other support in homemaking so she was able to pursue her passion for designing.

From there, they moved to Chennai, and when her youngest child went to school, Sheila began to feel pangs of boredom. She had by then a rich collection of her sketched designs. She


would frequent a boutique called Panchali, owned by actress Shanadha, and managed by Mrs. Nair, with whom she became very close friends. She met a tailor at this boutique so she bought block printed handloom cottons, mix and match salwaar kameez materials, and got the tailor to make salwaars to her design specifications. Happy with the result, a highly excited Sheila showed the salwaars to Mrs. Nair, who persuaded her to put them up for sale at the boutique. The salwaars sold out quickly and Sheila knew her designs worked. Mrs. Nair showed her how to calculate the cost and add a percentage as profit, and then there was no looking back, for her designs were already in demand.

She was soon in active

business, supplying first to Panchali, and later on to other boutiques. Thus Sheila became a wholesaler, from the garage of her two storied house in Kilpauk. That was 1986 and there was no looking back.

As a child, her father had taught her to drive so she got a car, scoured the interiors and outskirts of Chennai, seeking artisans, craftsmen and tailors to make her designs come to life. There was so much demand for her designs that she had over 30 people working in her garage. The first few years were tough on her. The purchase, design and delivery in Nungambakkom, was done in between picking up and dropping children to school. Her husband was supportive as long as family matters were taken care of, so she had to single handedly balance parenting and her passion for design. Being in Chennai, she

enjoyed the anonymity a big city provides and could focus more on her work without distractions. It was a demanding period but she persevered.

Then the family moved from the Kilpauk house to a newly allotted official residence. That was when she rented a place and moved her workplace. Now it was more difficult juggling children and the business. Her husband was too busy so she was single-handedly managing the chaos of bringing up children while running a tailoring unit. She was fortunate to have good housemaids so she was saved from the drudgery of daily cooking.

Her work was an experiment in the play of colours on Kanchi cotton and Mangalgiri cottons that showcased intricate designs and patterns. Chennai was Sheila’s boot camp; she was independent and her discovery of wholesalers like Grieto and Company was a learning experience. She was a quick learner


and built up sufficient goodwill and repute within two years, while balancing the pressures of running a family and business simultaneously.

In 1988, her husband was transferred to Thiruvananthapuram, his home town. Sheila was in a quandary, both families wanted her to move but leaving Chennai would mean giving up her passion and the goodwill she’d built by then. She tried her best to get the family to continue in Chennai. The opposition was stiff, for nobody understood her passion, and with a sinking heart, she realized she would have to close shop. She also learned there was a certain resentment of her success and was shocked that her work at the boutique was seen only as a money making venture.

The good rapport she had with her tailors paid off and 10 of them agreed to move with her to Thiruvananthapuram. Her family pitched in and helped out by building a tailoring unit at a shed in PTP Nagar, on their family property. Sheila is beautiful, dignified and sophisticated but underneath all this lies a steel core of determination and grit that has carried her through thick and thin. The move to Kerala was a turning point on the business front, for she had to cut off the Chennai connections and close down her wholesale business.She started with a 300 sq.feet exclusive boutique in Sasthamangalam. The only time, she used her father’s influence was when she got the film star, Mammootty, to inaugurate Body Tunes. Bridal saree orders dominated the sales and the business slowly picked up momentum.Then she moved on to

specializing in sarees, and in 2000, Czarina was born. Her talented eldest daughter, Shalini, who was also interested and keen, helped her to name the large spacious showroom. Now they have two shops on the second floor of the Catholic Centre near General Hospital junction. Body Tunes, which continues mainly as an outlet for Mantra kurtis, her eldest daughter, Shalini’s brand. Shalini is also a successful young business woman with her brand Mantra selling in all main shopping malls of Cochin.

Sheila also paints which is not unusual considering her natural talent for design. Her paintings have been in two exhibitions, in Thiruvananthapuram, and were widely appreciated. She did a life-size portrait of her father, a snapshot of which hangs above her desk.

Sheila is indeed a role model for independent women seeking to balance a successful career and


family life, against all odds. She successfully built up her business and established a sound reputation in garment design. Now the business has grown, and she has matured gracefully through the wealth of her experience and determination. She continues to work late, till 8 pm, and she still makes it a

point to travel and visit her artisans at least once a year.Talking to Sheila, I am impressed by her steadfast dedication and hard work. She is not overtly ambitious but continues to rise at a steady pace, in all walks of life. What impressed me most was how she achieved all this single-handedly, as a young, married woman

in the 1980s, a time when Indian women were only emerging from the drudgery and boredom of housework.Sheila is a widely travelled person and the exposure she’s had to different cultures has broadened her outlook and helped her greatly in charting the route of her life and career. She uses text messages on mobile phones, and social media for marketing her products in a focused and contemporary way.Czarina is located in a quite neighborhood with ample car parking, giving customers the peace and quiet to choose what they want.

Sheila cannot imagine life without her shop. She admits, however, the best things in life are her beautiful children but her real baby, the boutique, gave her an identity, purpose and fulfillment that nobody quite understood till now.


The frightening level of waste mismanagement

Just before one year from now Thiruvananthapuram has witnessed a series of strikes related to the garbage management issues and the tussle with the residents of the city suburb Vilappilsaala which has become a serious law-and-order problem for the government. 2011 was a terrible year for the city when the one and only Garbage disposal plant had to be closed due to the protests and out-cries from the society because of the mismanagement of the plant. The city started stinking, the garbage heaps are seen everywhere and the citizens had no other choice but to throw garbage on to the streets. Even people started throwing garbage into

others compound as part of their frustration and certain cases of personal rivalry.

Criticisms from the public

The worst ever mismanagement in the segment has invited severe criticisms from the citizens and people from different walks of life. Thiruvananthapuram corporation authorities were in a real time trauma during the period of

protests and the inability to dispose the garbage anywhere in the city or in the suburbs.

The initiatives of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Gaining strength from the toughest ever situations, the Corporation authorities have initiated a ‘Decentralized Waste Management system’. The program was massive in

Thiruvananthapuram: The Swatch City The Second Cleanest In The Country

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Overcoming from the garbage management crisis, once a stinking city is now has become the second cleanest capital city in India after Bangalore city. As part of the Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan or Clean India Mission launched last year by the Prime Minister of India, the Union Government have made the evaluation and announced the results. The appraisal was done based on the effectiveness of waste management in the cities as well as the success in bringing control on throwing garbage outside.


nature as 2500 people including NGO workers and volunteers took up the door-to-door campaign in educating the best waste management practices to the citizens. One of the methodologies adapted by the team is that encouraging people to segregate the biodegradable litter from the waste and reuse at their own homes as compost. The system has been successfully implemented in the city which resulted in ensuring effective garbage management system at source. Challenges are still ahead for the

administration as there is still resistance from the public in accepting the concept.

A strong statement

Kochi also has been mentioned as the 4th cleanest city in India along with ThiruvananthapuramThis

is one of the strongest statements a state could make in response to the call by the Prime Minister for a Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan. Out of 476 cities in the country, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi stood in the top 10 and Kozhikode figuring 5th among other major cities.


Kochi-based Intersight Tours and Travels took the award for the Best Inbound Tour Operator to Kerala, as the 2013-14 State Tourism Awards were announced today.

The winners for Best Three Star, Four Star and Five Star Hotels are Alappuzha’s Marari Beach, Kovalam-based Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel and Spa and the Kumarakom Lake

Resort respectively. The Raviz Hotel’s Leela Kovalam is the Best Five Start Deluxe Hotel. Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom won for Best Heritage Hotel.

The winners, for the 27 awards in three categories, were selected by a jury chaired by the Tourism Secretary from a short list drawn up by an expert committee.

Somatheeram Ayurvedic

Beach Resort bagged the Best Approved & Classified Ayurvedic Centre title. The Best Approved & Classified House Boat Operator is Rainbow Cruises, while the Best Approved & Classified Homestay is Coconut Creek Farm and Homestay in Kumarakom and the Best Approved & Classified Serviced Villa is Munnar’s British County.

Kovalam Vivanta by Taj’s

Kerala State Tourism Awards

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Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel took the award for the Best Four Star and The Raviz Hotel’s Leela Kovalam is the Best Five Star Deluxe.


Mathew C Thomas is the Best Hotel Manager. The Best Tourism/Hotel Management Institute is Oriental School of Hotel Management, Wayanad.

Mathrubhumi Yathra’s senior sub editor G Jyothilal took the prize for the Best Tourism Related Report in print media, while Mathrubhumi newspaper’s senior news photographer C Biju won for Best Photography in the Tourism Sector. Green Leaf was selected as Best Tourism Related Magazine.

The Waterworld Live Museum at the Main Boat Jetty in Ernakulam is the Most Innovative Project in Tourism, while the Somatheeram Ayurveda Group won for the Most

Innovative use of IT in Tourism.

Ourland Island Backwater Resort in Punnapra has been recognised for Best Practices in the field of Responsible Tourism. Kochi’s Kalypso Adventures won for Best Adventure Tourism Operator. Tirur’s PPTMYHSS Cherur won

for Best Tourism Club, while Abdul Hameed of the same school won for Best Teacher Coordinator of Tourism Club. Danish C from Malappuram’s MUA College took the title of Best Student Coordinator of Tourism Club.

Sanal Kumar A G from Paravur and Ganeshan S from Alappuzha are Best Tourism Police, while Virjin S from Thiruvananthapuram and Charlson P from Kannur are Best Tourism Lifeguard.

Kannur’s Ajayakumar N R is the Best Tourism Guide. The Best Tourism Destination is Wonder La in Kochi.

This year, a new certificate of recognition for a new initiative among service providers was announced. That went to Malappuram’s Teak Town Serviced Villa.


Mathew Thomas joined the Taj Group in 1980. A hard core Taj loyalist, he has tread many paths in his illustrious career with the group. He worked in various hotels of the chain including overseas hotels like Taj Sheba in Yemen and Airport Garden Hotel in Colombo. A frequent recipient of various awards for his outstanding efforts

in the field of hospitality, this recent award, for Best Hotel Manager 2013-14 by Kerala State Tourism, is another feather to his cap. During his stint as General Manager in The Gateway Hotel in Vishakhapatanam the hotel won the award for Best 5 Star Hotels for tourism promotion in 2003 by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Later when he moved as GM of The Gateway Hotel in Ernakulam, the hotel won the Best 5 Star Hotel Award for 2 consecutive years in 2005 and 2006. Last year, Vivanta by Taj Green Cove Kovalam won the Kerala State Energy Conservation Award-2014 in the Building Category in appreciation

of the commendable achievements towards Energy Conservation and Management. The globally recognized hospitality network, Trip Advisor which had awarded Certificate of Excellence to Vivanta by Taj Green Cove Kovalam during the last 3 consecutive years had further recognized the hotel by endowing it with the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame Award-2015. Thomas has been a key member in various forums which work towards the betterment of tourism in the state and the hospitality industry at large. He is a prominent member of the Kerala Travel Mart as Managing and Organizing Committee member from 2011 onwards.”

Mathew Thomas wins the Best Hotel Manager Award during Kerala State Tourism Awards


Koliakkode Krishnan Nair, the M L A has inaugurated the programs in their Trivandrum showroom. As part of the celebrations, the Managing Director Kallingal Shafeeq has announced various Onam purchase offers to the customers.

During this Onam season, the consumers who buy a

Bajaj Motor Cycle will get a Helmet from Aerostar worth rupees 650/- and for those who but a Bajaj Auto Rickshaw will get five years free road tax and Free insurance. Rupees 40,000/- cash exchange offer will be given to those who buy a Tata Nano GenX. Apart from the above, every purchaser will be given a gold coin as

part of the Onam offer.

Kallingal Shafeeq- the Managing Director, Sam Devanandan- G. M Kallingal Tata Service, Saju. R Nair- Kallingal Showroom Manager and Geevarghese- Kallingal Business Manager were present during the function. For more information: Mobile: +91 98473 14441.

Onam Celebration at Kallingal Motors

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Kallingal motors, one of the major Automobile dealers in the state have commenced their Onam Proseprity Festival programs 2015.


In compliance with the provisions of Indian tobacco control law COTPA, 2003, the Transport Commissioner Smt R Sreelekha has issued directions to all Deputy Transport Commissioners, Regional Transport Officers and Joint Regional Transport Officers to take action against any instances of smoking in public conveyances, bus depots and transport bus stands.

Officials including and above Ticket Conductors /Collectors have been authorised under COTPA to fine smokers in public conveyances. Violations can invite a fine of up to Rs 200.

Pictorial ‘No Smoking’ signages have to be displayed in all public vehicles at a prominent

place, as mandated by Section 4 of the Act. Inspections for vehicle registration and fitness certificate issuance will check that the said pictorial signages are exhibited in the vehicle.

Similarly, directions have been issued to ensure that there are no direct and indirect advertisements, sponsorship of tobacco products on public

conveyances, as mandated by Section 5 of COTPA.

Transport Commissioner has also ordered that offences under COTPA – violations of Section 4 and 5 – will form part of the monthly checking report of the Department. These directions are binding on all public conveyances including autos, taxis, and private buses.

Transport Services in Kerala to Become Tobacco Smoke-Free and Cotpa Compliant

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After becoming India’s first tobacco advertisement-free state, Kerala is fast heading to be the first in the country to have its transport services free from the noxious, carbon-monoxide laden tobacco smoke. A series of far-reaching directions issued under the leadership of Hon’ble Kerala Transport Minister Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan by the surface and water transport wings in the last couple of months are significant in propelling Kerala to the forefront in public health.


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UTSAV, the flagship event of the Infosys Thiruvananthapuram Development Center, brings together over 4000 employees under the single canopy of festivity and unlimited entertainment. Organized for the 11th year in a row, the event started off with the traditional Shingari Melam in the presence of employees and senior leaders of the DC.

During the week long fair, the Infosys Thiruvananthapuram Development Center will organize an array of events and competitions such as

Food mela, Athapookalam, Uriyadi, Onappattu along with customary sports like, Archery and Tug of War.

Speaking of the celebrations, Sunil Jose – Development Center Head, Infosys Thiruvananthapuram, said: “Beyond the competition

and festivities, the most significant achievement of UTSAV is that it brings in a spirit of camaraderie among the employees of the Development Center. The showcase of talent and display of incredible teamwork is a true sign of success of such events.”

Infosys Thiruvananthapuram Celebrates Onam Through its Annual Cultural Program, UTSAV

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Infosys Thiruvananthapuram Development Center today inaugurated its annual cultural program, UTSAV, to celebrate the spirit of Onam.


The key objectives of ‘Bridging the Digital Divide – Vision 2020’ include transforming Kerala into a digital knowledge society to achieve sustainable economic growth, making accessible the digital infrastructure to all at affordable cost, attracting more investments and promoting the IT export of the state.

Another major objective of Vision 2020 is to

ensure that the various e-services offered by the government are availed by the people and achieve social harmony and high quality of life for all, with inclusion of disadvantaged sections of society, said Mr P K Kunhalikutty, Hon’ble Minister for Industries and IT.

“Vision 2020 has the potential to ensure willful participation of all sections of the society which,

in turn, would prevent the less privileged from getting marginalized. It is also aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and generating more employment opportunities for the youth,” he pointed out.

Mr. P H Kurian, Principal Secretary, Industries and IT, Government of Kerala, said the four major pillars that contributed to the gradual evolution of Kerala

Kerala Plans ‘Vision 2020’ to Bridge The Digital Divide

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Leveraging the phenomenal initiatives aimed at making Kerala a ‘Digitally Empowered’ society, the state government has now set in motion an ambitious policy framework that aims to bridge the digital divide by 2020 and make it the country’s first ‘digitally literate’ state.


into a truly digital society are Akshaya Project, IT@School project, digital infrastructure availability, and State Data Centre and allied applications.

The Akshaya Project, launched in 2002, was piloted in Malappuram with the objective of opening the doors of digital literacy to at least one member in each family. Followed by its t r e m e n d o u s success, it was later replicated in all other districts of the state.

“We are greatly enthused by the success of Akshaya project, which has so far made e- literate 33 lakh out of nearly 75 Lakhs households. Akshayas have grown in stature, with more than 2300 centres across the State covering both rural & urban areas, taking e-governance to citizen’s doorstep,” he said.

Likewise, the IT@School initiative, also launched in 2002, started with the objective of making more than four lakh students graduating from schools every year a computer

literate. The project has so far turned more than 39 lakhs students spread around 12,600 schools of Kerala with the high level of computer literacy.

In a major initiative to revolutionize the school education sector, Kerala became the first state in the country to introduce Digital Collaborative Texts

(DCTs) under IT @ School. The DCTs comprise of information contributed by persons around the globe in audio or video formats, besides the scanned copy of normal textbooks. Over 3.7 million students and about more than two lakh teachers in the government-run schools are to benefit from this project.

As for establishment of digital infrastructure, Kerala had roped in leading telecom players during the period 2001- 2010, resulting in the state occupying the pole position

in the country in terms of its Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) coverage – a vital imperative for bridging the digital divide.

Kerala has a vast OFC network of which BSNL had contributed majorly covering 20,000 km, followed by Reliance (8500 km), and other major players being Airtel,

Vodafone, Idea and Tata (nearly 3225 km put together).

With rising digital literacy among people

and availability of digital infrastructure, there was a rising demand to deliver services through Akshaya Centres. To meet the demand, the government has now built more than 80 e-Governance applications and established a State Data Centre.

“We have now taken our digital initiatives to a qualitatively higher level. Kerala has started e-Governance in ‘Cloud’ SDC (2), becoming the second cloud-enabled Data Centre in the country,” he pointed out.


The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the distribution of Startup Boxes to the 50 young mobile application developers as part of the Youth Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) 2015, of which the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is the implementing agency.

Putting forward a development strategy for the state, the Chief Minister

said that the vibrant business environment created by the young generation entrepreneurs and experienced NRKs can transform Kerala to a developed state by 2030. “The top student entrepreneurs, selected for the startup boxes should aim to become top startups in India within one year”, he said.

In an earlier function

held in the morning Shri P K Kunhalikutty who inaugurated the idea contest said that “We will promote all pragmatic ideas and the theme of the state is “Yes We Can”, in the context of YES 2015. The Chief Minister released the logo of the YES 2015 in the function.

Chief Secretary Shri Jiji Thomson launched the newly designed web portal for KSUM, the nodal agency

Government Aims to Create Billion-Dollar Campus Startups: CM

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The state Government is working on a master plan to create a billion dollar campus startups in the near future, said Chief MinisterShriOommenChandy.


for several schemes and programmes for young enterprises in the state. The new website will act as a single online platform that connects students-entrepreneurs, mentors, professionals and investors across the world. Aimed at accelerating the startup boom, the portal will also act as a gateway to numerous initiatives for schools, colleges and start-up companies.

Kicking off with boxes for mobile applications, the

Startup Boxes Project is designed to distribute startup kits to various technology and industry verticals. The boxes have vital gadgets for mobile application developers to get started- a MacBook, iPhone, Google Nexus, Kindles, and Arduino starter kit.

“Young entrepreneurs, who have the spirit of innovation, can change Kerala’s dependent economy to a productive one,” said Shri P H Kurian.

Shri PH Kurian IAS, Secretary to the department of IT and Industries; Shri Sanjay Vijayakumar, Chairman, Startup Village and Dr Jayashankar Prasad, CEO, Startup Mission were present at the occasion.

The beneficiaries for the Startup Boxes project were selected through Fintec program, which was launched by the startup village and Federal Bank to develop banking technologies.


Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today announced a Rs. 997.65 crore comprehensive development project to assist the Technopark and its satellite centres in infrastructure development, land acquisition and marketing in the next five years.

Speaking after inaugurating the function held at Technopark campus to honour the visionaries and the administrators behind India’s first and the largest IT Park, he said : the project would cover the Technopark’s phase-I,

phase-II and phase-III campuses, Technocity and the Kollam Technopark, which is the satellite centre.

“The project will be approved by the government soon”, he said.

In this context, Mr Chandy referred to the proposed Rs 1500 crore investment project by IT giant Taurus in Technopark’s phase-III campus, and said it has been approved by the Ministry and the construction activities would commence immediately. “The huge development scheme combined with the large

scale investments will make a big-leap in Kerala’s IT industry”, he added.

Addressing the concerns raised by several stakeholders of Technopark, Minister for IT and Industries Shri PK Kunhalikkutty, who presided over the function, announced the decision to roll-back the rent-hike in the Park. “Technopark’s development model, which is the biggest and the brightest success story of Kerala, could be replicated and in several other fields”, he added.

In his special address,

1000 Crore Worth Comprehensive Development Scheme for Technopark

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Chief Minister honours the visionaries of TechnoPark


Technopark founder CEO Shri G Vijaya Raghavan, who is also a member of the state planning board, went down the memory lane to recollect the story behind the Technopark. “The concept of Technopark originates in a 1989 meeting held at the Government Guest House in Thycaudu and the credit goes to three great visionaries – the then Chief Minister EK Nayanar, KR Gowri Amma and KPP Nambiar. “, he said.

Recollecting some initial issues with trade unions, he said that Technopark had always been fair and firm regarding labour issues. “The entire project had always been seen beyond political affiliations, and all successive governments supported Technopark in a big way”. He also appreciated thousands of construction workers and hundreds of head load laboures, who cooperated sincerely with the Technopark during its constructions.

Visionaries behind Technopark’s success story including Shri Vijaya Raghavan and Shri PK Kunhalikkutty, first project implementation team members, Members of the

first governing board and the founding team of India’s first IT Parks were honoured on the occasion.

Prathidwani, a forum of Technopark employees, handed over a letter of consent signed by 1000 employees volunteering for organ donation to the Chief Minister in the function. “The forum began their campaign just few days back and the number of volunteers is expected to touch 3000 in the next two days”, said Technopark CEO Shri KG Girish Babu. A cheque of Rs 75,000 pooled by the employees of a car washing company in Technopark was donated to chief minister for the welfare of cancer patients.

Mr PH Kurian, Principal Secretary

to the Department of IT and Industries; Adv. K Chandrika, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor ; Shri MA Wahid, MLA; Shri VK Mathews, Chairman, GTECH were also present.

The official event was followed by a live performance by the music band Thaikkudam Bridge.

In the wake of Technopark celebrating its silver jubilee, an extended series of events have been planned which included the inauguration of the new Rs 2.5-crore solid waste management plant, the new security control room and laying of the foundation stone for the largest IT building in the Phase I campus of Technopark during the month of August.


The acceptance will be handed over to the Chinese Ambassador to India H.E Le Yucheng in the presence of Shri Oommen Chandy, Hon`ble Chief Minister of Kerala tomorrow at Govt Guest House, Ernakulam.

It was at a meeting between Kerala Chief Secretary Shri Jiji Thomson and Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun, who is also the chairman of WTCF Council, held on the sidelines of recent BITE expo in Beijing, that Wang Anshun invited Kochi to join WTCF.

“We expect that joining the league will be a great step towards strengthening the association between

Beijing and Kerala. The Government of Kerala is honoured by this invitation and has decided to accept the invitation,” said Kerala Tourism Minister Shri A P Anil Kumar.

In a letter sent to the government, WTCF Chief had said “As the Chairman of the WTCF Council, I sincerely invite you to join the WTCF. I believe that, by joining the WTCF, you will bring and share your successful experience in the development of the tourism industry with all other members of the federation.”

“The WTCF acts in accordance with the core

idea of Better City Life Through Tourism. The membership will enable us to share experiences in the development of the tourism industry and explore new tourism markets,” said Chief Secretary Shri Jiji Thomson.

State Tourism Secretary Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao said Kerala would be able to upgrade the level of tourism industry as the WTCF was into promoting the coordinated economic and social development of the world’s tourism cities.

WTCF is a non-profit, non-governmental international organization voluntarily formed by tourism cities and organizations of various countries and regions from around the world. The WTCF was formerly founded in Beijing on September I5, 2012, and is the first international tourism organization to take cities as its focus in the entire world.

Kochi to Become Member of Beijing-Based World Tourism Cities Federation

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Kochi will soon become a member of Beijing-headquartered World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Council as Kerala Government has decided to accept the invitation extended by WTCF to Kochi to be a member of the Council which is aimed at creating a global platform for cooperation and development of tourism.


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