Daily Archives: December 12, 2014

Champion of Trees Builds Woodless House

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature
P K Pradeep Kumar in front of his house 'Woodnil' | t p sooraj
P K Pradeep Kumar in front of his house ‘Woodnil’ | t p sooraj

Kozhikode :

When working with the Centre for Water Resources Development Management (CWRDM), P K Pradeep Kumar took on the role of principal investigator for the project ‘Impact of Deforestation on Hydrological Parameters.’ The project threw light on what happens to the environment when even one tree is cut down. After the project, the team recommended that maximum effort should be put to try not to cut down a tree for any developmental project. Once the recommendation was given, it dawned on Pradeep Kumar to try this out himself.

“It is easier for people to preach. I decided to make a practical move on the recommendation and when I started building my house, I made it a point not to use a single piece of wood anywhere in the house,” says Pradeep Kumar, whose house is aptly named ‘Woodnil.’ Nowhere in the house can you see any piece of wood. Everything, from the window sill and doors, to the tables and cots, nothing is made of wood. The construction of the 2311 sq ft house began in 2002 and was completed in 2006. After a letter detailing the extraordinary woodless house was sent to the Central Government, it was appreciated by the Ministry of Environment. He currently holds the Limca Book of Records for constructing a house without a single piece of timber. Pradeep Kumar, who retired from the CWRDM last month, says that building a house without wood has plenty of positive sides. “When it comes to the financial figures, I had a gain of 30 per cent in building this house. It saved a lot of labour charges and time as well. I only took time to finish the house as I had official duties in Lakhshadweep. Once I entered the Limca Book of Records, plenty of people visited the house and many of them are seen trying to reduce the usage of wood in constructing houses.”

‘Woodnil,’ a  book giving the details of the house, the construction techniques with illustration and photographs written by Pradeep Kumar, was released on his retirement day. It was published by Poorna Publications. Residing with his family at ‘Woodnil’ near Pavangad, Pradeep Kumar says, “I am not against the usage of wood, but we should try not to cut down trees as much as possible.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Deepthi Sreenivasan / December 12th, 2014

Talents on display, sans any barriers

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features
A scene from an exhibition-cum-sale of handicraft products by differently abled children at Town Hall in Kozhikode on Tuesday.
A scene from an exhibition-cum-sale of handicraft products by differently abled children at Town Hall in Kozhikode on Tuesday.

Seminar for teachers of special schools, competitions for students held

Rahmania School for Mentally Handicapped in association with the Association for the Welfare of Handicapped, the Parents Association of Intellectually Disabled, and a host of other organisations organised a quiz for mentally challenged students and a seminar for teachers of special schools here on Tuesday as part of the National Day for the Mentally Retarded observance.

As many as 52 teams from 26 schools across north Kerala took part in the quiz. The team from Emma’s Villa, Wayanad, consisting of Nimisha Banu and Sanil, emerged the winners.

Winners

The team from Love shore, Pannikkode, comprising Mohammed Mubarak and Faseela, and team from Pratheeksha, Mampatta, represented by Vipin and Adarsh, won the second and third prizes respectively.

The team from Manovikas School, Edarikkode, Malappuram, represented by Kabeer and Faisal, bagged the fourth prize.

Media person Y. Irshad was the quizmaster.

The seminar for special school teachers was inaugurated by Deputy Director of Education, Kozhikode, Gireesh Cholayil.

State Secretary of the National Convention of the Educators of Deaf, Kerala, V.K. Abdul Kareem, and Director of the Institute of Research in Learning Disability of Mahatma Gandhi University K. Muhammed Mustafa spoke on the subject ‘Effective Educational Practices in mental retardation.’

Exhibition

An exhibition of handicraft products made by the students of the Rahmania school was organised.

Various events, including painting and work experience competitions for students, were held on December 4 as part of National Day for the Mentally Retarded, which is observed on December 8.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by Staff Reporter /  Kozhikode – December 10th, 2014