Category Archives: Records, All

Project to End Curable Blindness

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Science & Technology

Kochi  :

Tony Fernandes Eye Hospital, along with actor Mammootty and Yeshua Charitable Trust, has launched a new project to eliminate curable blindness by 2020.  The project titled ‘Vision 2020’ aims at helping  financially-backward people get proper eye care.

More than 25 lakh people will be screened and 50,000 cataract surgeries will be performed through this project.

The ambitious project also includes a ‘School Screening Programme’ for the student community, tribal village camps and camps to promote eye donation.

As part of the project, a ‘Kazhcha’ app has been developed for the Android market.

The app helps users to enquire, refer and even register for the ‘Kazhcha 2020’ programme at the click of a button.

Those who need free cataract surgery can reach out to the project using the app. They can upload their personal details and a photo into the system via an app and thereafter, the Mammootty fans and welfare association would go through the details provided.

Once the veracity of the application is verified, the hospital will give dates for the free cataract surgery. Details can be received from the hospital offices situated at Palarivattom, Aluva and Kasargod.For more details ,  contact over the following number: 0484-2346445.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Express News Service / September 06th, 2014

Moonamidangal Bags DC Award

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Kottayam  :

‘Moonnamidangal’, by K V Manikantan bagged the DC Kizhakkemuri Birth Centenary Memorial Novel Award. The award by DC Books is given to the best novel by a debutant writer below 40 years of age.

The award was handed over to Manikantan by writer N S Madhavan at a function held in Kannur as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of DC Books on Monday.

‘Moonnamidangal’ was selected by a judging committee constituting C V Balakrishnan, Benyamin and Panampilly Aravindaksha Menon from 147 entries.

The books selected for publishing are ‘1920 Malabar’ written by Hakkim Cholayil, ‘Thiru Mugal Beegam’ by Lathalakshmi, ‘Bhoopadathil Ninnum Kuzhichedutha Kurippukal’ by P Jimshar and ‘Karikkottakkari’ by Vinoy Thomas.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service  / September 02nd, 2014

Indian born scientist wins prestigious US award

Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

 
Thomas J. Colacot. File photo. / The Hindu
Thomas J. Colacot. File photo. / The Hindu

India-born scientist Dr. Thomas John Colacot has won the  American Chemical Society’s  ACS Award in Industrial Chemistry , one of the top honours in the field.

He studied at St. Berchman’s College, Changanacherry, Kerala and IIT, Chennai, and is the first Indian to get the award in industrial chemistry. He also holds an MBA degree and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The award is sponsored by the ACS Division of Business Development and Management and the ACS Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry.

Currently Global R&D manager in the homogenous catalysis area at Johnson Matthey, a specialty chemicals company, Mr. Colacot directs research in US, UK and in Indian labs.

“The ACS is proud to recognize your outstanding contributions to the development and commercialization of ligands and precatalysts for metal-catalyzed organic synthesis, particularly cross-couplings, for industrial and academic use and applications,” a letter from Tom Barton, president of ACS noted.

The 2015 national awards recipients will be honoured at the awards ceremony in conjunction with the 249th ACS national meeting in Denver, Colorado in March next year.

Mr. Colacot had received Royal Society of Chemistry’s RSC Applied Catalysis Award in 2012 for his contributions to the area of catalysis. His work on ‘cross-coupling’ is particularly acclaimed.

Mr. Colacot joined Johnson Matthey, USA in 1995 and started working in the area of palladium catalyzed cross-coupling.

The catalysts developed in his labs are currently used to make new drugs for Hepatitis C, a deadly disease with no cure, one pill per week for type II diabetics, and many hypertension drugs.

His work involves developing and commercializing ligands and catalysts for applications in metal-catalyzed synthetic organic chemistry.

His book on ‘New Trends in Cross-Coupling: Theory and Applications’ is scheduled to be published in October, 2014 by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

He is also PhD thesis examiner to many IITs and visiting faculty at Rutgers University.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> S&T> Science / by IANS / Washington – September 03rd, 2014

HIDDEN HISTORIES – Memories of a prince and a gentleman

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

The group photograph showing the Rajapramukh Sri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma sitting at his mother’s feet; Col. Goda Varma Raja is also sitting on the carpet (extreme left).
The group photograph showing the Rajapramukh Sri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma sitting at his mother’s feet; Col. Goda Varma Raja is also sitting on the carpet (extreme left).

Do memories fade away with age? “No,” says the nonagenarian K. Sankaran Nair, who was born in 1924. Soon after Sankaran Nair completed his studies in 1944, he joined as a demonstrator in the Department of Physics in University College, Thiruvananthapuram. It was then that he joined as an officer in the University Officers’ Training Corps and the National Cadet Corps. In May 1953, he was detailed to undergo a refresher-training course in the NCC at the Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) at Wellington, the Nilgiris. “My colleague Lt. Viswanathan Nair was the only other NCC officer from [erstwhile] Travancore. However, we formed part of a contingent of about 15 NCC officers from different colleges of South India such as Mysore and the former Madras Province. We were attached to the MRC and was accommodated at the Officer’s Mess there,” Nair recalls.

K. Sankaran Nair / The Hindu
K. Sankaran Nair / The Hindu

Sri Chithira Thirunal, the then Rajapramukh of Travancore-Cochin, was an honorary Colonel of the Madras Regiment. In May, the royal family of Travancore was staying in the Nilgiris for their summer sojourn and they were invited to a lunch at the Officers’ Mess. Lt. Viswanathan Nair and Sankaran Nair were quite excited about the occasion. When the Rajapramukh arrived, the officers were introduced to the chief guest. “We were introduced, one by one to the Rajapramukh. Astonishingly, the Rajapramukh immediately recognised the officers from Travancore. He greeted us with the remark, ‘Oh, you are both here!’’’’ recalls Nair.

Next came a photography session with the royal guests. But when the guests assembled before the camera, they realised that the number of chairs arranged was inadequate to accommodate the senior officers and women who were present. People rushed in different directions to get more chairs. As the uneasy situation got prolonged, the Rajapramukh waited for a few moments with a faint smile. Then, in his clear ringing voice, he called out, ‘Col. Syed! I suggest that we gentlemen sit on the ground and allow the ladies occupy the chairs.’ Before anyone could apologise or make alternate suggestions, the Rajapramukh seated himself on the red carpet. Within two minutes, the senior officers were all sitting on the floor, cross-legged, on either side of the Rajapramukh.

The Wellington station photographer captured that memorable moment. The Rajapramukh was literally sitting at the feet of his mother, Maharani Sethu Parvathy Bayi. At one end of the row, seated on the ground, with his constant companion the ‘Rollei Flex’ camera beside him, was Col. Goda Varma Raja.

For the past 60 years, Sankaran Nair has treasured this valuable photograph. “I occupy a very insignificant corner in the photograph, yet I am in the company of three of the most influential personalities associated with Travancore history,” says Sankaran Nair.

(This write-up is based on an interview with K. Sankaran Nair, former professor of Physics)

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review > History & Culture / Sharat Sunder Rajeev / Thiruvananthapuram – August 29th, 2014

Kochi doctors perform Kerala’s first pancreas transplant

Records, All, Science & Technology

PancreasKERALA31aug2014

Kochi :

A hospital here has successfully conducted Kerala’s first combined pancreas-kidney transplant, the third such in India.

The highly complex surgery was conducted on 35-year-old S. Syed Yunus Shahir, an engineer from Palakkad. The donor was a brain-dead 38-year-old patient.

Thanks to the transplant, Shahir is now eating ice cream at will and is all set to return home after a nearly two-week stay at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS).

Ramachandran N. Menon, the surgical gastro transplant surgeon, told IANS that this patient first came to them about two months back and after a series of tests he was cleared for the surgery and then the wait for a donor began.

He said as per the rules of organ transplant and donation, the Kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS), the state government’s nodal agency for organ retrieval and sharing, played a key role in facilitating the smooth transfer of pancreas and one kidney from a brain dead person.

“We got the call from the KNOS informing us of the availability of the pancreas and a kidney and we immediately asked Shahir to get admitted and the surgery was performed Aug 17,” said Menon.

Elaborating on the condition of Shahir, Menon said he was suffering from type 1 diabetes for the past 19 years and developed diabetes-related complications like retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and end stage kidney failure over the past two years.

Despite using an insulin pump, he had erratic control of the blood sugar which was preventing from effectively doing his work.

“Today, Shahir is on normal diet, his kidneys are functioning normally and is not on insulin. He is having his favourite ice creams, which were taboo for him. He is rearing to go home,” he said.

The first simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant was done in 1966 in the US.

source: http://www.english.manormaonline.com / OnManorama / Home> News> Kerala / by Agencies / Saturday – August 30th, 2014

Old Railway Station Assured of Heritage Monument Status

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Kochi :

Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda has assured K V Thomas MP that the old railway station in Ernakulam will be protected as a  heritage monument. The Union Minister communicated this to the MP at a meeting held to discuss the matters related to railway development in Ernakulam.

The MP, in a memorandum submitted to the Minister, demanded introduction of MEMU trains on Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur routes during peak hours. He also demanded a train from Ernakulam to Thiruvananthapuram at 5.30 pm and 11.30 pm. The MP’s demands include, electrification of Ernakulam-Cochin Harbour Terminus, an automatic coach washing machine at Ernakulam Junction and a train to Madhura.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Express News Service / August 29th, 2014

Vinodkumar Selected Melsanthi

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Sabarimala  :

In a historical first, the selection of the melsanthi of Lord Ganapathi and Lord Hanuman temple at Pampa was done by drawing of  lots on Friday.

V K Vinodkumar, 35, of Vellakkattu Madom at Changankulangara in Kollam, was selected from among five aspirants by drawing lots.

The lots were drawn in front of the Sreekovil of Lord Ganapathi temple at 7 am.M N Narayanan Nampoothiri, 49, melsanthi of Thrikodithanam Sree Krishna temple, will be the new melsanthi of Pampa Lord Hanuman temple. Narayanan Nampoothiri was selected from among two candidates.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States > Kerala  / by Express News Service / August 23rd, 2014

Nat’l Teachers’ Awards Announced; No Candidates from HS Section

Education, Records, All

Kozhikode  : 

The list of teachers, who have won the national awards, was announced by the Ministry of Human Resource Development on Wednesday. As many as 14 teachers from the state, seven each from primary school section and secondary school section have been selected.

There are no candidates from the higher secondary section, reportedly over some confusion in the department. Higher Secondary Director K N Satheesh said that the list was cleared from the directorate four months ago.

The teachers who bagged the award are:

From Primary school

1. V Venukumaran Nair, headmaster, Govt UPS Njaraneeli Kani, Elanchiyam Peringammala, Thiruvananthapuram 2. G Sivaprasad, UP School Assistant, SN UP School, Maruthoorkulangara, Karunagappally, Kollam 3. Usha Kumari P, Headmistress, Govt LPS Ayroor, Ayroor, Pathanamthitta 4. P O Chacko, Head Master, Sr Alphonsa UPS Nedumanny, Karukachal, Kottayam 5. P V Mohanan, assistant teacher, AUP School, Mannazhi, Chengottur, Kottakkal, Malappuram 6. Narayanan Aariyamvalli, P D teacher, Govt HSS Kottila, Ezhome, Kannur 7. V Rajesh, assistant teacher, Kanad LP School, Edayannur, Kannur

From Secondary School

1. George A V, headmaster, Mar Thoma Girls High School, Pulamon, Kottarakkara, Kollam 2. Susan Issac, HSA (English), MGD High School, Puthusserry South, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta 3. Joseph John, headmaster, St Joseph’s HSS Karimannoor, Thodupuzha, Idukki

4. Varghese T M, HSA, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School, Puthencruz  Ernakulam 5. Peethambaran M, HSA, St Sebastian’s      High School Mannamangalam, Thrissur 6. Dr Harikumar K, Teacher Educator, Gandhi Seva Sadanam Teachers Training Institute, Perur, Palakkad 7. Manoj K T, HSA, CB HSS  Vallikkunnu, Malappuram.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / August 21st, 2014

Scoring music for a noble cause in Kozhikode

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All

Music directors (from left) Jassie Gift, Afzal Yusuf, Rahul Raj, Gopi Sundar, Bijibal, Anil Johnson, and Mejo Joseph at a press conference in Kozhikode on Wednesday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup / The Hindu
Music directors (from left) Jassie Gift, Afzal Yusuf, Rahul Raj, Gopi Sundar, Bijibal, Anil Johnson, and Mejo Joseph at a press conference in Kozhikode on Wednesday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup / The Hindu

They are performing to raise funds for the Cochin Haneefa Foundation, which helps struggling artists in films. Music directors raising funds for Cochin Haneefa Foundation.

Eight music directors of Malayalam cinema are coming together for high-voltage live shows.

Bijibal, Gopi Sundar, Alphonse, Jassie Gift, Rahul Raj, Afzal Yusuf, Mejo Joseph, and Anil Johnson will kick off the tour at Swapna Nagari here on September 27.

They are performing to raise funds for the Cochin Haneefa Foundation, which helps struggling artists in films. The show, titled Jamgrab, is being organised by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala, the Music Directors Union, and the D Cutz Film Company.

“We are glad that we are beginning the series of shows in Kozhikode,” Mr. Gopi Sundar told presspersons here on Wednesday. “This incidentally is my first ever live show.”

Mr. Rahul Raj said it was great teaming up with fellow composers. “It has been an opportunity for us to know each other,” he said. “I do not think that eight music directors have come together for a show in the country before.”

Leading playback singers will be performing at the show, which will have a sound of 3,00,000 watts.

Film director Shajoon Karyal will direct the show, while Vinod Vijayan and Seven Arts Mohan are the producers.

After Kozhikode, the show will travel to the UAE for a performance in Sharjah on December 19. The ticket sales were inaugurated earlier in the day in Thrissur by actor Mammootty.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by Special Correspondent / Kozhikode – August 21st, 2014

Kochi defence scientist bags top honour

Records, All, Science & Technology

S. Anantha Narayanan, the Director of the city-based Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), the only institution under the Defence Research and Development Organisation in Kerala, has been selected for DRDO’s coveted ‘Technology Leadership Award’ for the year 2013.

The award, carrying Rs 2 lakh and a citation, will be presented by the Prime Minister at a function in Delhi on August 20.

Under Mr. Narayanan’s stewardship, NPOL harnessed critical technologies to develop underwater communication and surveillance systems for the Navy.  All frontline ships of the Navy are fitted with NPOL-developed sonars.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by  Special Correspondent / Kochi – August 19th, 2014