The British resorted to many crueller acts during the Malabar Rebellion of 1921 than the Wagon Tragedy and it was because of the martial law clamped in Malabar that the world did not know about them, historian M. Gangadharan has said.
Delivering the keynote address at a seminar on Wagon Tragedy at Tirur on Tuesday, Dr. Gangadharan said the tragedy was not the cruellest act of British oppression during the Malabar Rebellion.
“We used to believe that the Wagon Tragedy, in which 67 of the 90-odd Mapilas packed in a goods wagon from Tirur to Podanur suffocated to death, was the worst and cruellest incident of the Malabar Rebellion. But it was not,” Dr. Gangadharan told a packed audience.
He argued that the world learned about the Wagon Tragedy as there was no martial law in Podanur and, therefore, the incident was reported by major newspapers of the world.
“The dastardly act of the British came to light when the goods wagon was opened at Podanur. Had it occurred anywhere in Malabar, where the martial law prevented publishing of sensitive information, it would have gone unreported,” he said.
Dr. Gangadharan said that as many as 215 Mapila youngsters were pulled out of their homes and massacred in front of their families. “It happened on October 25, 1921. The Wagon Tragedy wasn’t as cruel as the killing of those adult Mapilas in front of their family,” Dr. Gangadharan said.
MES Central School, Tirur, organised the seminar as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Muslim Educational Society.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Mallapuram – October 01st, 2014
Malayalam poet and social activist Sugathakumari has been chosen for Mathrubhumi Literary Award (Mathrubhumi Sahitya Puraskaram) for 2014.
This was announced by M.P. Veerendrakumar, managing director, and P.V. Chandran, managing editor of Mathrubhumi, here on Wednesday. The award carries a purse of Rs.2 lakh, a citation, and a statuette. A judging committee comprising poet Vishnu Narayanan Namboodiri as chairman and poet K. Satchitanandan and literary critic M. Leelavathi as members chose Ms. Sugathakumari in recognition of her contributions to Malayalam literature for the past 50 years.
Major works
Some of her prominent works arePathirappookal; Raathrimazha; Ambalamani; Krishnakavithakal; Radhayevide; Kurinjippookkal; and Thulaavarshappacha.
The 80-year-old poet was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2006 for waging a struggle against the destruction of environment in the name of development.
She is the founder editor of Thaliru, a children’s magazine published by the Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature and former chairperson of the Kerala State Women’s Commission.
Ms. Sugathakumari is also the founder secretary of Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, an organisation for the protection of nature and of Abhaya, a home for destitute women. The literary award is being presented to her on the occasion of the 90 year of Mathrubhumi.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Kozhikode – October 02nd, 2014
While cleaning programmes mark the observance of the Gandhi Jayanthi across the country, the house and property donated by Gandhiji’s fellow freedom fighter Raghava Poduval in Paruthipra near Shoranur to Sarvodya Sangham stand in utter neglect.The house is located in the three acres of land on the banks of the Nila. The property was donated by Shoranur Parathipra Mahadevamangalam Neduvilpat Raghava Poduval alias Raghavji to the Sarvodaya Sangham before his death in December 1992.
Raghavji was one among the 78 persons participated in the Dandi Yathra led by Mahathma Gandhi. “When we were children, we used to purchase gingelly oil from the mill set up here. Soap, honey and khadi clothes were also made at Raghavji’s house. Weaving classes were alsoconducted here,” said social activist Prasad Shoranur. “After India attained Independence, Gandhiji exhorted all freedom fighters to return to their villages and continue their work. And Raghavji returned to Parathipra near Shoranur and continued his selfless service here,” he said.
Manager of the building Vanaja said that most of the buildings were in a dilapidated condition. “Only a few buildings here are safe.
“ We collect clothes, honey and oil from the various Sarvodsaya Sanghams now and keep it in this building. During this Onam, we clocked a sale of `2,40,000,” said Vanaja. “We are not getting any other funds for maintenance,” she adds.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by A. Satish / October 12th, 2014
The young generation erupted in joy across the schools in the state as India made its tryst with Mars on Wednesday with the successful launch of Mangalyaan.Many schools across Kochi used the day to engage students in various activities based on the proud mission. “We want the memory of this historic achievement to be etched in their minds forever. So we are giving them various projects, such as devising the model of the orbiter craft, imagining pictorially its possible task on Mars,” said Jaideep Shenoi, a teacher who heads the Science Club of the TD High School, Mattancherry.
The club also collected available videos of various stages of the mission and played it for the high school students and also held a quiz programme. Earlier in the day, the students stood in assembly in the shape of the letters, M, A, R and S.Most of the schools wore a festive look, with giant screens displaying the event. “We distributed sweets and replayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech. The students were very inspired,” said Dr Indira Rajan, chairperson, MET Public School, Perumbavoor.
The students of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kannamaly, wore red, representing the ‘Red Planet’. School head boy Gokul S Menon spoke on the mission at assembly.Schools, such as the Saraswathi Vidyaniketan and the cluster of Bhavan’s Vidya Mandirs, announced the ‘breaking news’ during their assemblies. The recorded video clips of the Mars Mission will be played to the various classes in the next two days. A victory march was conducted by the students of ACS English Medium School, Kaloor.
A large number of students attended the various programmes, organised by the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum in Thiruvananthapuram in association with Rajya Sabha TV, Vigyan Prasar and teh Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research. The historic mission was beamed live with the aid of state-of-the-art technology at the museum. Selected students from various schools were allowed to watch live Mangalyaan’s entry into Mars’s orbit at the museum.
A seminar on human space exploration and a quiz based on space exploration were some of the other events held. Students of Aakulam School were excited as they distributed toffees and sweets. Principal Mr Muraleedharan Nair explained to the students about the expedition and the future mission of Mangalyaan, recollecting his own memories as a student, rejoicing on the occasion of man reaching the moon. “This is an unforgettable moment in our history and it should always remain in the minds of students,” Mr Nair said.
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom and St Mary’s Higher Secondary School also organised various programmes. Earlier, the students had a chance to interact with experts from the Indian Space Research Organisation and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
Most of the schools in Kollam organised special assemblies and exhibitions. Siddhartha Central School in Pallimon organised a special assembly to convey to the students the importance prominence of the moment. The Mars mission was shown at the school, using projected displays. A special exhibition of photographs was held and people spoke.
The Oxford Senior Secondary School in Karavaloor also discussed India’s path to Mars by presenting special programmes in the assembly. The timeline of the Mars mission was also presented by students.
In Bright land Discovery English Medium School in Alappuzha, the assembly was devoted to the Mars mission while Maria Montessori Central School, Ambalapuzha, has decided to conduct a grand function on Thursday. “We have decided to put up a flex board, showing Mangalyaan’s entry and take a special class on the Mars mission. We cut short the celebration on Wednesday with a brief procession at school as exams are going on,” said the school staff.
The Letter Land School, Alappuzha, too has decided to hold a celebration on Friday, according to Asha Philip, school director. Schools in Thrissur and Palakkad too did not miss the mega event and organised science quiz and created a collage of the mission. Students of Devamatha Public School, Thrissur launched a picture of ISRO chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan and the Mars Mission into the air to celebrate the occasion.
Some of the schools in Kottayam district telecast the Mars mission on Wednesday itself while some others have recorded it and have decided to show it to the students in the coming days..The Cleemis School, Chingavanam, the SFS School, Ettumanur, and the AKM Public School, Changanacherry were not able not able to show the telecast live since their semester exams were on but plan to show it in the coming days.
Students of Lourdes Public School and the Junior College, Kottayam, wrote on their facebook accounts, “May this historic achievement rekindle in us the inspiration to go forward with a scientific aptitude….PROUD TO BE an Indian.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / Team DC / September 25th, 2014
The monthly salary of Jose Jacob, a winner of the country’s highest award for coaches, the Dronacharya Award, is a mere Rs 23,000! Even now working on a contract basis is this Malayali who is the most acclaimed rowing coach in the country.
Jose, a native of Athirampuzha, Kottayam, is the rowing-kayaking coach at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Jagatpur in Odisha. He’s been serving here for the past 14 years. Even after winning the Dronacharya Award, time is not ripe for pay hike leave alone permanent posting, seems to be the attitude of the SAI.
The neglect towards Jose who was honoured by the nation should be contrasted with the fact that other coaches working on contract with SAI receives up to Rs 50,000 in monthly salary. Jose who made Odisha a rowing force to reckon with at the national level, has also moulded many international stars. Still, Jose’s salary rose to at least this much only last year. Before that it was Rs 15,000. On the heels of the Dronacharya Award came some consolation in the form of the Odisha government’s award for Best Coach worth Rs 1 lakh.
The Dronacharya Award also paved the way for the State government retracting on its stance of not awarding those who are not from Odisha. The government also doubled the cash prize from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
Jose is the sole trainer for 30 rowing stars at the Jagatpur Centre. Jose, who became the chief coach of the Indian women’s team and was selected as the Best Coach by the Indian Rowing Federation many times, landed in Odisha due to lack of opportunities in Kerala. He lives in a rented house near the Sai Centre with his wife and two children.
House rent alone costs him Rs 5,000. He has also to find expenses for the two children’s education from his income. The SAI stance is that there are 700 coaches working on contract basis all over the country and it is not feasible to give permanent posting to just one of them.
source: http://www.english.manoramaonline.com / OnManorama / Sports> Other Sports / by Baiju Paul / Monday – September 22nd, 2014
Appachan was a school dropout but had a great ability to innovate things that could be used in day to day life. He saw the struggles faced by tree climbers, especially when it came to climbing the tall coconut or areca nut trees. He decided to solve this problem by inventing a simple and innovative tree climber that makes the task of climbing a cake walk.
Here is Appacchan’s story and how he invented this
Kerala, which literally means land of the coconut palm, is synonymous with breathtaking back waters and coconut trees . Traditionally professional climbers (thandan) have been engaged by coconut planters for plucking the fruits from the top of the coconut trees. But with time, the art of tree climbing has lost its lustre and it is now quite difficult to find such professional climbers. Late Mr. M. J. Joseph foresaw this problem and developed an innovative tree climber that makes life easier for the person.
M. J. Joseph, alias Appachan
M. J. Joseph, also known as Appachan, was a school dropout but he had an innate ability to be conscious of his surroundings and learn from the environment. He made some other innovative products like the instrument that could squeeze coconut milk and juice from fruits. But his most popular innovation is the tree climber.
Mr. Joseph developed this device under the guidance of his father. This tree climber helps in climbing tall trees like coconut or areca nut trees.
The Device
The palm climber consists of two metal loops that are meant for holding the legs. They have a handle at the top for hand grip and a pedal base at the bottom. The loops are put around the tree trunk on the opposite sides. The loop on either side is lifted up by the simultaneous movement of the hand and feet. By such alternate motion, one can easily climb a coconut tree in minutes.
This simple and easy-to-use device to climb up or down coconut palm, arecanut or other similar trees is handy for people untrained to climb up such tall trees, enabling to do accomplish the task swiftly and with ease. It can be very useful for even trained people. They can reduce drudgery, and climb faster using less energy. It can be used for gathering nuts or spraying pesticides. It can also be used to climb electric poles with some modifications.
Tree climber designed by Appachan.
Industry Collaboration
Appachan and his tree climber bagged a prize in the farm implements category in the Second National Grassroots Technological Innovation and Traditional Knowledge Competition, organized by National Innovation Foundation (NIF-India) in the year 2001-2002. Villagers then started calling him ‘the local Spiderman’.
The utility of this device attracted Kevin Davies, a distributor of new products in USA, to place an initial order of 25 units. “The device worked perfectly. I climbed a 40-feet coconut tree very quickly and safely. I am impressed”, he wrote with satisfaction. He in fact, offered to be its distributor for North and South America.
Coupled with some basic safety devices like a harness, this device makes climbing up a straight-trunk tree or a pole quick, easy and safe. The device, with no sophisticated technology, has not only been well accepted in US, but also achieved a whopping success back home. Appachan had a workshop, St Mary’s Engineering Works, where he used to manufacture tree climbers. While he was alive, NIF-India facilitated sale of his climber to customers in USA, Maldives, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, Mexico etc., and is still trying to help his family expand the business.
Inspiration to Innovators
Appachan’s contribution is not only in inventing this particular tree climber but also in inspiring a whole lot of people to improvise, innovate and come up with their own versions of the same. Prominent among them are innovators Mushtaq Ahmad Dar of Jammu and Kashmir, who has developed a smaller pole-cum-tree-climber and DN Venkat of Tamil Nadu, who has developed a seating type tree climber.
For Technology Licensing, Technology Transfers or Collaborations, please write to- bd@nifindia.org
About the Author: Rahul Anand is interested in social innovation, enterprise and social impact. He is co-founder of Bloodaid /
source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> Innovation / by Rahul Anand / September 19th, 2014
A view of the main block of CDS / Photo: Jayesh S. Pillai / The Hindu
The book Masterpiece of a Master Architect: CDS unveils how Centre for Development Studies showcases the architectural concepts of Laurie Baker
The picturesque nine-acre campus of Centre for Development Studies (CDS) in the capital city is a masterpiece of Laurie Baker. It beautifully complements the architectural concepts of Laurie Baker, who devoted his life to design cost-effective and environment-friendly buildings. Paying homage to this critically-acclaimed work of Laurie Baker is the book Masterpiece of a Master Architect: CDS. Through sketches and photographs the book captures the magnificence and simplicity of this structure. Designed and edited by architect, visual designer and filmmaker Jayesh S. Pillai, the book is the first documentation of a work by Baker. In an interview with MetroPlus, Jayesh talks about working on the project.
Jayesh S. Pillai / The Hindu
Coming on board the project
Though a draft of the book was presented in 2004 to Laurie Baker, on his 87th birthday, it was not carried forward. It was then titled ‘CDS: The Vision of a New Architecture’. But he suggested that his effort was never ‘new’, but an extension of the vernacular techniques deep-rooted in the architectural practices in Kerala.
Baker passed away in 2007. In mid-2008 I came to Thiruvananthapuram after completing my masters from IIT Kanpur. I came to know that the Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD)was looking for someone to take over this particular documentation. My friends suggested my name to P.B. Sajan, joint director of the centre. Thus I started working on it in February 2009 and finished it in seven months.
The process
Though the draft was well thought about, a lot had to be crosschecked, updated and added, especially because the campus was still evolving with the addition of new buildings. We had to digitise the original drawings as most of the early ones were made on paper.
Also, we had to match them in quality with the digitally-prepared ones. I had full access to the campus for documentation work and to photograph the campus and its structures at different times of the day in which I was helped by Aravind Ramachandran and Avirat Inamdar.
There are a whole lot of others who helped with the drawings, editing the text and giving necessary inputs. It took five years for the book to get published though.
A whole lot of people had helped me in the project, including my wife, Rutu Panchal, R.D. Padmakumar, Shailaja Nair, Prahlad Gopakumar and Shyamkumar Puravankara who edited the texts and Tilak Baker, Baker’s son.
What are your favourite aspects about CDS?
The campus brings together brick structures following the contours of the terrain, stairs winding around trees, circular and organic-shaped courtyards and roof terraces, a network of creative walkways, an exceptional seven-storied library tower and numerous interesting architectural structures.
The spaces are well designed with great concern for the natural landscape that Baker seamlessly blended with the structures that came up on the campus as the institute grew. And the jali wall patterns don’t just create a delightful play of light and shadow, they also provide well-ventilated spaces within the buildings.
Jali wall patterns at CDS create a delightful play of light and shadow /Photo: Jayesh S. Pillai / The Hindu
Jali wall patterns at CDS create a delightful play of light and shadow / Photo: Jayesh S. Pillai / The Hindu
Why is it considered one of the landmark structures of Baker?
It was perhaps the perfect chance for him to display his ideas and philosophy to a larger community. The campus not just demonstrates Baker’s love for nature-friendly and cost-effective architecture, but also illustrates his artistic genius. The campus stands testament to sustainable approach in architectural practices, still inspiring architects and students around the globe.
However, why hasn’t Baker’s architecture gained wide acceptance?
He has left behind a legacy with his bold and distinctive attitude towards the style that he developed (or adapted, as he would say). Even though many architects within and outside India try to adopt his philosophy, unfortunately, many still have misconceptions about the ‘Baker Style’, especially in failing to understand that he advocated cost-effective (and energy-efficient) and not simply low-cost architectural practices. As I understand, one of the focal points in his philosophy would be that an architect should not blindly adopt these techniques and practices, but adapt them to the prevailing environmental and social conditions, and their context.
In retrospection
This is the first published work that I have designed entirely. So it was a learning process for me.
I had gone through many of Baker’s drawings, paintings and sketches during the time I spent at COSTFORD. So I was able to incorporate certain visual elements in the book as a homage to him, especially the recurring mango patterns that is noticeable in his works.
The book has been published by COSTFORD and Laurie Baker Centre for Habitat Studies (LBC).
Wordsmith and artist
Jayesh S. Pillai, who hails from the capital city, is an assistant professor in Design Discipline at Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur. An alumnus of Sainik School and College of Engineering Trivandrum, he did his masters from IIT Kanpur. He has a doctorate in virtual reality from Arts et Métiers ParisTech, France. Jayesh, a registered architect, is a short filmmaker as well. While his films have been selected for short films festivals in Kerala and outside, the work Beyond was selected to the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner 2011.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Athira M / Thiruvananthapuram – September 17th, 2014
chat Essie Sassoon’s book on the food of Cochini Jews, Spice and Kosher, is a rare amalgamation of the histories and tastes of Israel and Kerala
Essie Sassoon remembers her early Sabbaths as a child in Kochi’s Jew Town. The women of Mattancherry’s Jewish community spent the day before Sabbath making hamin , a rice and chicken dish with carrots and tomatoes. “Each family would make their pot of hamin and take it to our puthen veedu (Sassoon Hall, now David Hall) where there was a large porna (oven), in which the hamin would be stored for 24 hours,” she says. On Sabbath day, when fires are forbidden to be lit, the hamin made for their sumptuous lunch. Memories such as these, pepper the pages of Essie’s book on the unique cuisine and customs of the Cochini Jews — Spice and Kosher .
Kosher, Essie explains, is food that abides by the boundary of Jewish laws. Important among them are the complete separation of meat and dairy products in both cleaning and cooking, and the ritual slaughter of animals for meat. “Since Kosher meat was available to us only when it came from Mumbai, Cochini Jews had a largely vegetarian or fish-based diet.”
Jewish cuisine here also varies from traditional fare in that it had appropriated into its everyday the many spices of Kerala. “We use cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, saffron, and even garam masalain our cooking.” Thus, the 200-odd recipes in Essie’s book, co-authored with Bala Menon and Kenny Salem, trace this unusual amalgamation of Kerala and Israel through history, stories and recipes.
Israel has been home to Essie from 1973. As a 33-year-old gynaecologist, trained in Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai, Essie was practising in Kozhikode, when she was moved to volunteer her services to the Yom Kippur War. “My sister was in Israel then. Those were tough days and I knew the hospitals there needed help. So I went, convinced that I would return soon,” says Essie. Her half-year sabbatical from Kozhikode was spent working with a French doctor at Tel HaShomer Hospital. “He knew no English; I knew no French, but we managed! I also had to learn to speak Hebrew, because till then, I’d only said Hebrew prayers,” she recalls. Later, Essie shifted to a hospital in Ashkelon, a city in southern Israel. After almost four decades of service there, she retired in 2011. Soon after, her friend from Kochi, Kenny, visited her from Canada with journalist Bala requesting she document her history. Thus was born Spice and Kosher .
“I’ve always loved cooking!” says Essie. “I come to Kerala every two years and take spices back with me, always. In Israel too, the Cochini Jewish community cooks like we used to here.” In the city now for her month-long visit, Essie says Spice and Kosher is organised according to the various Jewish festivals and the foods associated with them — from Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year) and Day of Atonement, to the Feast of Tabernacles, Simhath Torah, Purim, Hanukkah (Festival of Lights), and the Passover. The Passover, for instance, is marked by food that has not been fermented, made in special utensils designated for it. “So we make unleavened bread, called matzah , for which the men used to knead the dough, while the women opened it out and baked it,” says Essie. It was a community affair with much hymn-singing while the bread baked over an oven of coconut shells.
On the 14th day of the Passover, called Seder, the community makes a thick jam-like syrup garnished with walnuts called charoset . Essie’s book holds the instructions for Cochin charoset , a special two-day long recipe by her sister Rachel Roby. Daily cooking at Jewish homes here involves the staplekadathala pastel — a rice flour wrapping stuffed with egg, potatoes and mint leaves — served with a fenugreek ( uluva ) dip. Another regular is the yayin wine, homemade with boiled raisins soaked in sugar and turned for a month until fermented right. Special occasions such as weddings and anniversaries called for a traditional Malabari biriyani, often prepared by an invited Muslim chef, informs the book. “Back in Benyamina, in Israel, my sister still makes this biriyani for over a hundred people,” says Essie.
Spice and Kosher combines the culinary wisdom of over 30 members from the Cochini Jewish community, many of whom are now back in Israel. While Essie sought out these recipes and anecdotes from 2011 onward, it was Bala and Kenny who ordered and framed it into a book. With the book now complete, Essie spends her days at her Pilates class, as well as with her folk dancing group every Sunday with her Israeli friends, just as she has for the last 20 years.
Spice and Kosher was published by Tamarind Trees Books earlier this year, and can be bought from online retailers.
ESTHER ELIAS
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Esther Elias / December 14th, 2013
Last year when he found himself in the news again for a crucial incident that occurred in his life in 1987, former foreign secretary A P Venkateswaran, ever the gentleman, refused to go back in time and dwell on his sacking as foreign secretary by Rajiv Gandhi.
“I believe that grave digging is not at all a pleasant task,’’ he said when his 1987 sacking through a press conference by Rajiv Gandhi was compared last year with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tearing up of an ordinance cleared by the UPA cabinet at a press conference in New Delhi.
The 85-year-old former foreign secretary who carried himself with great dignity died at a private hospital in Bangalore on Tuesday and was cremated in the city on Wednesday.
Despite an illustrious career spanning 35 years in the diplomatic service, Venkateswaran’s career was highlighted by his ignominious exit as foreign secretary in January 1987 when Rajiv Gandhi snubbed his foreign secretary for making contradictory statements on a proposed visit to Pakistan.
“You will be talking to a new foreign secretary soon,” Rajiv Gandhi told a Pakistani journalist who raised the question of contradictory statements coming from the Prime Minister and his foreign secretary at a press conference where A P Venkateswaran was also present.
Following the snub at the press conference Venkateswaran quit the Indian Foreign Service. “My resigning was a spontaneous action since I have always believed that life without honour is no living at all. I felt that the statement (by Rajiv Gandhi) was an arrogant attempt to try and humiliate, when all the facts were on my side like his impending visit to Pakistan for a SAARC summit,’’ Venkateswaran said last year when he was dragged into the limelight again.
Venkateswaran was considered among India’s best foreign officials while in service. In a letter he wrote to the diplomatic corps when he took over as foreign secretary to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on April 30, 1986 stated that it was necessary for the country to perceive the work of the IFS as being invaluable. “We might flatter ourselves that we are doing something extremely valuable for the country, but unless it is also perceived as such by our countrymen, they might well conclude our contribution is not worthwhile…” he said.
Last September when asked to draw comparisons between his own situation and the one involving Rahul Gandhi, Venkateswaran only commented to say that ‘history repeats itself first as a tragedy and then as a farce.’
After his exit from the IFS, Venkateswaran, who hailed from a Palakkad Iyer family, had settled down in Bangalore and set up the Asia Centre, a think-tank on Asian affairs comprising former diplomats and academics.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Johnson Abraham / Bangalore – September 04th, 2014
The April-June 1955 cover of the agriculture magazine, Kerala Karshakan. — PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Kerala Karshakan also has the distinction of being the second oldest farm magazine in India
Kerala Karshakan, a constant companion to and a commentator on Kerala agriculture, is 60.
This is a memorable year for those in the State still “romancing” farming, the magazine’s first full-time editor R. Hali has said in his introductory remarks in the diamond jubilee edition.
Kerala Karshakan also has the distinction of being the second oldest farm magazine in India, the oldest being Indian Farming published by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, said Mr. Hali.
The monthly is now a sine qua non for farmers across Kerala, who have taken its paid circulation to about 1.25 lakh a month. Kadakkarappally panchayat in Alappuzha district is an example of the magazine’s popularity. Its editors were surprised to find in 2012 that the panchayat, with about 3,500 farming families, had a subscription base of over 3,000. Kerala Karshakan, more than anything else, had made agricultural schemes, programmes and their implementation more transparent, said an agricultural officer. he magazine has its strongest subscriber bases in Kannur, Kozhikode and Thrissur, said an official.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – September 09th, 2014
