Daily Archives: December 1, 2014

Mandalam festival begins, heavy rush on Day 1

Thiruvananthapuram  :

The darshan time at Sabarimala is likely to be increased to handle the rush of Ayyappa devotees to the hill shrine.

Speaking at Sabarimala on the auspicious Vrishchikam 1 (according to the Malayalam calendar) that marked the beginning of the two-month Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, Devaswom minister V S Sivakumar said all preparations have been made to ensure a smooth pilgrimage season.

The ritualistic installation of E N Krishnadas Namboodiri of Paanjal Ezhikode Mana as the new Sabarimala melsanthi, or head priest, was performed on Sunday evening. The morning rituals began with Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam, performed by the new melsanthi. S Kesavan Namboodiri of Mavelikkara was also installed as the new melsanthi of the Malikappuram Devi temple.

About 10,000 devotees reached Pampa on Sunday. Monday witnessed a long queue from Pampa to Sannidhanam, and pilgrims took almost six hours to reach the temple.

The 41-day mandalam festival will conclude on December 27. The temple will reopen for Makaravilakku festival on the afternoon of December 30. The Makaravilakku festival is on January 14.

As many as five lakh pilgrims have already applied for the virtual queue, and they will be given passes at Pampa. Police have deployed 350 personnel at Pampa and 600 men at Sannidhanam. Once Makaravilakku festival begins, police will deploy 2,000 personnel each at Pampa and Sannidhanam.

source:  http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / TNN / November 18th, 2014

Spirited start to school science fete

Muhsin Kasim from BSS Gurukulam HSS, Alathur, with the thread pattern work he made in the upper primary category of the work experience competition held at KHM Higher Secondary School, Alathiyur near Tirur, on Thursday. Photo Sakeer Hussain. / The Hindu
Muhsin Kasim from BSS Gurukulam HSS, Alathur, with the thread pattern work he made in the upper primary category of the work experience competition held at KHM Higher Secondary School, Alathiyur near Tirur, on Thursday. Photo Sakeer Hussain. / The Hindu

Displays of working models of projects draw huge crowds

The State School Science Festival began at various venues around Tirur on an enthusiastic note on Thursday morning.

Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb formally inaugurated the event at Government Boys Higher Secondary School. Director of Public Instructions (DPI) in-charge L. Rajan; MLAs C. Mammootty, Abdurahman Randathani, P. Ubaidulla, and N. Shamsuddin; district panchayat president Suhara Mampad; and Tirur municipal chairperson K. Safiya were present.

While the Government Boys Higher Secondary School (HSS) hosted the science fete, Devadhar Government HSS, Tanur, hosted the mathematical fete.

The social science fair began at Government Higher Secondary School, Niramarathur, and KHM Higher Secondary School hosted the work experience fete. The IT mela began at SSM Polytechnic College.

The working models of scientific projects displayed by students at Government Boys HSS and the live competitions in work experience held at KHM Higher Secondary School, Alathiyur, drew the maximum crowds. More people are expected on Friday and Saturday.

While the students of Ramavilasam HSS, Chokli, presented a working model of a self-sufficient flat system, those from St. Joseph’s HSS, Mathilakam, came up with a multi-functioning pedal power machine.

Safety LPG distribution system, free electricity generator, automatic cleaning toilet, biomass gas production, digital seismograph, high-tech auditorium, and auto headlight dimmer were some of the popular working models on display.

Among the still models, plasma degeneration plant, gas turbine, solar power plant, and Mangalyaan project were some of the popular ones.

The upper primary and the high school science exhibition took place on Thursday. The exhibition of the higher secondary and vocational higher secondary models will be held on Friday. There will be science seminars and quizzes on Friday.

The competition in live demonstration of work experience for high school and higher secondary school category will take place at the KHM HSS on Friday.

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Abdul Latheef Nahal / Malappuram – November 28th, 2014