Daily Archives: November 30, 2014

Pre-paid Taxi Service to Pampa, Erumeli Launched

Pilgrims climbing the holy steps of Lord Ayyappa temple | Shaji Vettipuram
Pilgrims climbing the holy steps of Lord Ayyappa temple | Shaji Vettipuram

Sabarimala  : 

A pre-paid taxi service from Chengannur railway station to Pampa and Erumeli for the convenience of the pilgrims has been launched.

The service has been introduced based on the order of the Devaswom Bench of Kerala High Court, comprising Justice T R Ramachandran Nair and Justice P V Asha on a report filed by special commissioner K Babu.

At the pre-paid taxi counter, functioning on the Chengannur railway station premises, pilgrims can rent vehicles of their choice and the fare will be based on the route which they prefer to take. Devaswom Commissioner P Venugopal said the quality of aravana prasadam will be ensured.He said the production of  aravana was halted on two occasion due to the supply of low quality ingredients by the contractor. The Commissioner said that adequate stock of aravana and appam have been stored in the Devaswom godowns to ensure availability at all times.

The Devaswom authorities has taken measures for setting up a health clinic on Swami Ayyappan Road at Charalmedu, the Commissioner said. The directive to set up clinic at Charalmedu was given by the Devaswom Bench of Kerala High Court on a report filed by Special Commissioner K Babu. The Devaswom authorities has sought the Forest Department’s help in setting up the health clinic, the he said.

The Devaswom has already allotted around `40 lakh to the Forest Department for the setting up of bio-toilets and other amenities for the pilgrims on the Swami Ayyappan Road.

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

Philately exhibition displaying world’s first, rare stamps draws crowd in Kochi

Kochi  (ANI ):

Some unique and rare collections of stamps ranging from world’s first ‘Penny Black’ to the oldest ones along with India’s heritage stamps were on display at a philately exhibition in Kerala.

The two-day exhibition called ‘Kochipex 2014′, which pulled sizeable crowd including school children to veteran philatelists, began on Thursday in Kochi.

Stamps depicting Jesus Christ’s life (birth to resurrection) and painter-sculptor Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Vitrovian Man’ were also on display at the exhibition.

The exhibition that started with a ceremonial function was a visual treat for the enthusiasts and stamp collectors. The exhibition also gave a chance to exhibit collection of coins and Indian rupee notes for the collectors.

Stamps carrying photos of India’s former politicians and greats like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi among others also attracted visitors.

M Venkateswarlu, Post Master-General, central region of India Post said that such exhibitions should be organised regularly across the country to encourage the hobby of collecting stamps, especially among students.

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/tv/philately-exhibition-displaying-worlds-first-rare-stamps-draws-crowd-in-kochi-27400

source: http://www.ibtimes.co.in / International Business Times / Home>  IBT Video / ANI / Kochi –  November 28th, 2014