Monthly Archives: July 2014

Divorce: Manju Warrier writes open letter on FB

ManjuWarrierKERALA31jul2014

Kochi:

Manju Warrier comes to the fore with her maiden response regarding her marital separation with Dileep. Manju posted a letter written in her own hand on her official Facebook page. The letter that is three pages long and which was posted this morning started receiving good responses within minutes. Movie goers’ requests to her include not to separate from Dileep and to reconsider her decision.

Manju starts her note by stating, ‘I am someone who values privacy in personal life as much as you.’ She however does not disclose the reason for separating from Dileep in the letter. Not only that, Manju has not ventured out to blame Dileep or to personally denigrate in it.

By means of this letter, Manju offers apology to her friends who stood by her through thick and thin and who have been hurt as a result of her separation with Dileep. ‘Geethu, Samyukta, Bhavana, Poornima and Swetha Menon are the friends who have always been with me. Rumours are abound that these are the people who are responsible for what happened in my personal life. My decisions are mine alone and I am solely responsible for its consequences. Their persuasion or coercion is not behind it.’

In the letter, Manju expresses her hope that the note will dispel all the misunderstandings.

‘I also pray that whatever decisions Dileepettan takes in his personal life may all bode well for him, and that he conquers even greater heights in his career. Meenootty (Her daughter) will always be happy and secure in her father’s guardianship. This mother will always be there for her at just a stone’s throw away. After all, is not a daughter always ensconced within the mother….’

‘I am starting everything from scratch again, including my life and my earnings. In a way, this is like taking a rebirth.”. Manju also offers thanks to the bouquets and brickbats she received for her second innings. She concluded her note with a Bob Marley quote– “You never realize how strong you are, until being strong is the only option you have left…” (Not verbatim).

source: http://www.beta.english.manoramaonline.com / Manorama Online / Home> News> Kerala / Thursday – July 31st, 2014

Kerala to Dedicate Sankar’s Cartoon Museum to Nation

Kottayam  (KERALA):

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will formally dedicate the ‘Cartoonist Sankar Memorial National Cartoon Museum and Art Gallery’ to the nation on Thursday. Announcing the event at a press conference here on Tuesday, Minister for Cultural Affairs K C Joseph said the museum is   the first of its kind in the state and would be elevated to the ‘top cartoon study centre’ in the country.

The museum is being set up under the aegis of Kerala Lalithakala Academy at Krishnapuram near Kayamkulam. The museum, in memory of cartoonist Sankar on his 112th birthday, has been  built on a 15,000-sq ft area and will showcase Sankar’s major works. His tools including brush, pen, easel, table, overcoat and dolls would also be displayed at the museum, the minister said.

The tools are donated by Sankar’s daughters, Yamuna Sankar and Santha Sreenivas.  The minister said the museum will showcase cartoons of existing and former cartoonists, but will predominantly feature Sankar’s works.  Almost 120 original cartoons have been received from his kin. Cartoons of Gandhiji, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi are among them, the minister said. A water-coloured portrait of Nehru by him will be a major display at the museum. Cartoons of former stalwarts including Abu Abraham, O V Vijayan, Kutty, Samuel, B M Gafoor, John Mathew, Thomas P Mohan, Kerala Varma, K S Pillai, P K Manthri along with Sankar’s students and existing cartoonists including Yesudasan and B G Varma will be exhibited at the museum, he said.

Another draw would be Sankaran Kutty’s caricatures on Indira Gandhi and Vaikom Muhammed Basheer. The minister said the building was constructed by the Public Works Department at a cost of `3 crore, under the initiative of Kayamkulam MLA C K Sadasivan.

According to Lalithakala Academy officials,  Joseph will preside over the function on Thursday.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / Express News Service / July 30th, 2014

A proud collection of carnivorous plant species

PlantsKERALA30jul2014

JNTBGRI have developed three new hybrids of the Pitcher plant or Monkey cup (Nepenthes), a carnivorous plant that traps insects and small rodents and feeds on them.

Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) here have developed three new hybrids of the Pitcher plant or Monkey cup (Nepenthes), a carnivorous plant that traps insects and small rodents and feeds on them.

The institute is justifiably proud of its Nepenthes collection of 20 species brought from far and wide. Of the 140 species of Nepenthes distributed across the world, mainly in Madagascar, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Australia, only one — Nepenthes khasiana — is known to occur in India, in the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya.

Plants of Nepenthes are usually climbers, growing several metres in length and straggling over low bushes and trees in forest areas. The leaves of the plant get modified into a pouch-like structure with a lid on top. The pouch produces enzymes that can kill insects and even small rodents. The trap is often colourful, attracting prey. The slick coating on the upper part of the trap makes escape nearly impossible for the prey.

According to C. Sathish Kumar, scientist, Orchid Biology and Conservation unit, JNTBGRI, Nepenthes and other carnivorous plants such as Aldrovanda, Dionea, Drosera, Sarracenia, and Utriculariaattract, kill, and digest insects to derive nitrogen required for their growth.

Dr. Sathish Kumar said the initial results of the breeding experiments with Nepenthes were exciting. “For the first time in India, we have developed a few wonderful hybrids.”

The collection of carnivorous plants is the highlight of Plant Wonders, a children’s education programme conducted by the JNTBGRI. “Understanding the basics of plant sciences will have to be a priority in this changing world when forced extinction of species is happening at a faster rate than ever. How many of the species on the earth today will be seen by our children or grandchildren is anybody’s guess. Botanical gardens will act as Noah’s Ark, arresting the extinction and saving some species for posterity.”

The JNTBGRI has drawn up plans to supply Nepenthes plants to students under the programme.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram /   T.NandaKumar  / Thiruvananthapuram – July 28th, 2014

Colachal war anniversary to be observed

The victory of the forces of erstwhile Travancore against the Dutch navy in 1741 —known as the Colachal war — would be commemorated this year on July 31 at the Colachal war memorial.

The victory of the forces of erstwhile Travancore against the Dutch navy in 1741 —known as the Colachal war — would be commemorated this year on July 31 at the Colachal war memorial.

Brig. Samir Salunke, station commander of the Pangode Military station, police officials and civilian officials would attend the event, being organised by the Madras regiment of the Indian Army, a press note issued here said.

Wreath-laying

The highlight of the event would be a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial followed by a display by the pipe band of the Madras Regiment.

The battle of Colachal — located 68 km from Thiruvananthapuram — of 1741 earned for Travancore the distinction of being the only Asian military power to ever defeat a leading European sea power at sea and land.

Pillar

The pillar at Colachal was erected by the then Travancore king Marthanda Varma to commemorate this victory, the press note added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram /  Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – July 30th, 2014

Thousands Offer ‘Bali Tharpanam’

The karkidaka vavubali held at Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple on Saturday
The karkidaka vavubali held at Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple on Saturday

Thirunavaya  :

Around 25,000 devotees offered Karkidaka Vavu Bali at the Navamukunda temple ghat here on Saturday. The rituals started at at 2.30 am and lasted till 2 pm. Sixteen priests led the rituals. People thronged the place from early morning itself to offer bali, seeking redemption for their ancestors. Tokens were distributed on a first-come first-served basis.

source: http: //www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by  Express News Service / July 27th, 2014

Innovation rules at TechTop

Students from the Pankajakasthuri College of Engineering and Technology show the working of ‘Armstrong,’ an upper-limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation and power augmentation, at the TechTop National Innovation Challenge 2014 in the city. / The Hindu
Students from the Pankajakasthuri College of Engineering and Technology show the working of ‘Armstrong,’ an upper-limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation and power augmentation, at the TechTop National Innovation Challenge 2014 in the city. / The Hindu

The 17 final projects at the TechTop National Innovation Challenge 2014 ranging from a low-cost solar panel that relies on slaughterhouse waste to an upper-limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation and power augmentation all aim at identifying a pertinent issue and devising an efficient system to address it.

The 17 final projects at the TechTop National Innovation Challenge 2014 ranging from a low-cost solar panel that relies on slaughterhouse waste to an upper-limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation and power augmentation all aim at identifying a pertinent issue and devising an efficient system to address it.

These projects, chosen from 192 proposals in January, are finally on display at the Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology — this year’s venue for the TechTop event.

Design workshop

In addition to this competition, the ninth edition of the programme also featured a five-day Design Innovation Workshop, which saw the halls of the college turn into a sanctuary for creative thought and entrepreneurial spirit as 67 students from across the country gathered here for a residential workshop led by founder of TechTop Rajesh Nair.

Information Technology Principal Secretary P.H. Kurien, after inaugurating the two-day exhibition here on Friday morning, said TechTop was a platform for the youth to think beyond their textbook curriculum and showcase their innovative projects.

The increase in attendance showed how TechTop was encouraging more students every year.

Open for public

Students from colleges and schools poured in for the exhibition, which is open for public viewing till Saturday evening.

They were fascinated by projects such as the ‘Affordable Refreshable Braille Display’ by students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, which seeks to increase Braille literacy.

There is also the Tree Climbing Mechanism by the students of the Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore; and the Smart Wearable Device by Mar Baselios students which monitors vital statistics, has GPS tracking, and an emergency SOS button, to name a few.

Alongside these projects, student who attended the design workshop are also exhibiting their products, which can be classified into mobile and wireless, health and living, and toys to enable easier learning for the differently abled. The classes were conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Tata Centre.

The prize winners will announced during the valedictory event on Saturday. The best project will be awarded a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / Staff Reporter / Thiruvananthapuram – July 26th, 2014

3 Keralites for Mission Palliative Care in Rural West Bengal

Kozhikode :

Three Keralite Civil Service officers would soon add a new chapter in palliative care in rural West Bengal, inspired by similar initiative in their home state.

‘Sanjeevani’, an end-of-life care project to be launched in September in the Nadia district of WB, is the brain child of IAS officers P B Salim and Bijin Krishna and Amarnath, an IPS officer. The project has been conceptualised by the Kozhikode based Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), the training, research and outreach arm of Pain and Palliative Care Society, which pioneered community volunteering in end-of-life care.

Salim, hailing from Muvattupuzha, is currently working as the District Magistrate of Nadia while Amarnath, a native of Moozhikkal in Kozhikode, is the ASP of South 24 Parganas. Bijin from Meppayur in Kozhikode is the Assistant Collector of Murshidabad district. “Both Amarnath and Salim had associated with IPM years ago. Salim suggested starting a palliative care programme in West Bengal. He along with Amarnath then approached me. Later, Bijin also extended support to the initiative,” said Dr Suresh, director of IPM, which provides technical support for the project.

According to Salim, Sanjeevani is aimed at improving the quality of life of the terminally ill in Nadia.

“The project intends to introduce a new culture of providing care for the bed-ridden patients utilising a network of physicians, nurses and volunteers,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Shafeeq Alingal / July 25th, 2014

As she turns 100, nurse takes a walk down time

Chennai :

With a rusty trunk in hand and a plethora of instructions in mind, Anna Jacob boarded SS Franconia from Bombay to Liverpool to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. “It was 1947. There were 3,500 passengers on board, and most of them were Britons returning home,” says Jacob, 67 years later.

The journey lasted three weeks. “There was a badminton court, a swimming pool, a live band. Many of them were upbeat as they all were returning home at last,” says Jacob, her face breaking into a wrinkled smile.

Jacob, who will turn 100 this month-end, was among the first batch of students who completed the higher grade nursing course from Christian Medical College, Vellore, in 1936. In the city to attend the centenary celebration of Women’s Christian College, where she did an intermediate course in 1946, she recounts her days with Dr Ida Scudder, founder of CMC, and Vera Pitman, her nursing tutor.

Jacob, fondly called Annamma by her family and friends, surprises people with her sharp memory. “I still remember the day Miss Pitman came to our school in Tiruvalla, Kerala,” she recalls. “She was really tall and graceful, but what drew people to her was her passion for what she did — nursing. Fifteen minutes into her talk on the need for dedicated nurses in the country, I had already made up my mind to join her team in Vellore.”

Her family members were aghast as “Nursing was looked down at that time. No woman from a good family would get into the profession.” When I broke the news to my family that I was moving to Vellore, they were aghast. News spread fast and my father received condolence letters,” said Jacob, who was the third among five sisters. Undeterred, she went on to be among the first batch of nine students under Pitman. “It was the best move I made in my life,” says Jacob.

After completing her course three years later, Jacob moved on to work in Delhi, before she got a scholarship in 1947 to do a bachelor’s in Canada. “A month later, I saw myself on board SS Franconia and later made my way from Liverpool to Montreal,” she said. She returned to Vellore two years later, where she was made the Nursing Superintendent. She worked there from 1949 to 1974.

Pitman continued mentoring her through letters from London. “She said it was up to me to now to pass on what I was taught. And that’s what I did and continue doing,” says Jacob, who stays on her own in Vellore and continues mentoring young nurses.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by  Ekatha Ann John, TNN / July 20th, 2014

Tribal hero of Thamarassery Ghat road gets a face

Kozhikode :

Karinthandan Moopan, the tribal leader who is believed to have helped the British find the Thamarassery Ghat road, has got a face now. An artist, Ayyappan, has drawn the portrait of the tribal hero after consulting the descendants of the Paniya moopan and other elders in the community.

Karinthandan, who was murdered by the British after he located the shortest route from Wayanad to Kozhikode, is a highly venerated figure among the Paniya tribals. “The British used to take the Kuttiady route to reach Kozhikode to transport spices from Wayanad to the Beypore port. Between 1700 and 1750, they were in search of another route, which could bring down the distance between Wayanad and Beypore,” said S Ramanunni, a trust member of pro-Sangh Parivar People’s Action for Educational and Economic Development of Tribal People (PEEP) that was instrumental in commissioning the artist to draw the portrait.

Ramanunni says Karinthandan might have been killed by the British because he revolted against the foreigners. “He might have asked them not to stake claim for Wayanad. This could the reason for shooting him to death,” he said.

It is believed that there were a series of accidents on the route in 1890 and 1900. “The belief was that it was Karinthandan’s soul that caused the accidents. The soul that was roaming around the Ghat road was finally overpowered and tied to a tree at Vythiri. Even now, you can see the tree with an iron chain, which is now a temple,” Krishnanunni said.

However, K K N Kurup, historian and former vice-chancellor of Calicut University, said there were no historical documents to prove the veracity of the story. “But it is a strong myth. The British might have sought the help of tribals to find a route to Wayanad to fight Pazhassi Raja around 1803-?05,” he said.

Kurup said it was Tippu Sulthan who linked Wayanad with Kozhikode by road. “But we are not sure that he took the Thamarassery route. There is a possibility that he travelled through the Kuttiady route to reach Kozhikode,” he said.

PEEP has approached the government to erect a memorial for Karinthandan at Vythiri. “Chief minister Oommen Chandy has promised to erect a memorial to the tribal leader at the earliest, when we met him in last February. The government has already sanctioned Rs 15 lakh in this regard,” Krishnanunni said.

source: http://www.thetimesofindia.indiatimes.com / The  Times of India / Home> City> Kozhikode / TNN / July 25th, 2014

Where music is only a memory

R. Baiju, an alumnus of the Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music, makes ends meet by driving an autorickshaw. /  Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu
R. Baiju, an alumnus of the Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music, makes ends meet by driving an autorickshaw. / Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu

This is all the music that there is in Baiju’s life these days. It was not so, in 1997.

When R. Baiju goes on long drives, he listens to old Malayalam film songs, particularly those sung by Yesudas. Often, he hums along and when he does, a wistful smile plays on his lips. This is all the music that there is in Baiju’s life these days. It was not so, in 1997.

Back then Baiju’s days used to be filled with the lilting notes of Thodi, Mayamalava Goula or Kaappi. Back then Baiju was one in a class of 20, aiming for a Gaana Bhooshanam qualification from the Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music.

“All the others had some previous knowledge of Carnatic music. I had only a burning passion for the same,” says Baiju, whose house at Onaampaara, near Peoroorkada, did not have a burning light when he was a student. So, writing only the second year examinations and after completing the four-year course he bid goodbye to the ‘thampura’. He keeps in touch with only one batchmate of his, and that person now works as a clerk at a medical college in the city.

Baiju is but one of the many college alumni for whom music did not become a vocation or a way of life. There are many college alumni who work as government clerks, in private firms, as entrepreneurs.

“Even as a child I used to love riding the bicycle. So it is that I became a newspaper delivery boy; something that I continue to this day. I drive an autorickshaw and taxis for a living. But even now, I can’t help thinking one thing: if only I had the opportunity to study some music before going to the music college, I may have been a professional musician now,” he says. “Maybe, one day, music will play a part in my life again.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com /  The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – July 23rd, 2014