Daily Archives: February 18, 2015

‘State played lead role in country’s space science’

Records, All, Science & Technology

Thiruvananthapuram  :

With the first rocket launch in Thumba, Kerala played a major role in the setting up the country’s space programme and the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), said Kerala Governor and India’s former chief justice P Sathasivam.

“Scientists and engineers here play a lead role behind many successful space missions in the country, but they are the last to be honoured,” he added while honouring the scientists of Isro establishments here on Tuesday for the success of the experimental flight of GSLV Mark-III and Mangalyaan mission at a felicitation meet organized by the Space Engineers Association (SEA).

He stressed the need to focus on space science and satellite technological development in enhancing the applications in remote sensing, transportation, better cropping, communication and telemedicine. Quoting Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian space science, he said the fruits of technology should be utilised for the betterment of mankind.

He likened the Isro to Supreme Court judges’ assembly, both have representation from across the country. SEA, a 1,200 member association of space engineers, had aptly honoured the brains behind the various successful space missions, including GSLV with its indigenous cryogenic test, PSLV, LVM-3 and Mangalyaan, he said.

VSSC director M C Dathan, liquid propulsion systems centre (LPSC) director K Sivan, Isro inertial systems unit (IISU) director P P Mohanlal, Isro propulsion complex (IPRC) director D Karthikesan and VSSC former director S Ramakrishnan were among those who were felicitated.

The project directors and associate project directors of various launch vehicles and top scientists of various divisions of Isro establishments, including NRV Kartha, Unnikrishnan Nair, S Arunan, BK Venkatraman, R Umamaheswaran, P Vijayakumar, G Ayyappan, R Ramavarma, S Venkateswaran, Koshi M George, P Ratnakara Rao and C Joseph, were also honoured.

The felicitation programme took off with the screening of a documentary by VSSC’s technical documentation and archival division on the milestones achieved by the Isro establishments, including India’s proven PSLV launch vehicle, the maiden interplanetary mission to Mars ‘Mangalyaan’ and launch of India’s next generation launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III on December 18 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota, etc. It also focused on further space flights of the next PSLV launches to place the remote sensing series satellite IRNSS 1D on March 9 this year, other PSLV launches and advanced GSLV Mark III with indigenous cryogenic engine.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / TNN / February 18th, 2015

Re-enacting the first bus trip, after 77 years

About Kerala, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel

The launch of the first public road transport service on February 20, 1938, in the erstwhile Travancore will be recreated after 77 years on Friday, from East Fort to Kowdiar Square and back in a double-decker bus.

The bus will be flagged off by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) CMD Antony Chacko at 11 a.m. as part of the ‘Bus Day’ celebrations by the Kerala State Road Transport Employees’ Association (KSRTEA) with the theme ‘healthy public transport for public health.’

Sree Chithira Tirunal, the then ruler of Travancore, inaugurated the service 77 years ago. He, along with Col. Goda Varma Raja and other members of the ruling family, were among the passengers. E.G. Salter, Assistant Operating Superintendent of London Passenger Board, drove the bus.

A fleet of 33 buses and a huge crowd joined the celebrations as the bus moved on. The first bus was operated from Thiruvanantapuram to Kanyakumari on February 21, 1938.

From England

Initially, the department imported Comet chassis for 60 buses from England and they were fitted with Frank Perkins-made diesel engines under the direct supervision of Salter. The experimental design of the body created by Salter became the standard design of the rest of the buses, say archival reports.

The early buses were like saloons with 23 soft leather seats. There were 10 First Class seats in the front. The schedules, fares and bus stops were fixed and published. A parcel service was also started. The services were extended to Kochi in 1949 and to Malabar, in 1956. The KSRTC came into existence in March 1965.

People’s representatives, top officials of the corporation, socio-cultural activists, and trade union leaders will be on the bus. The KSRTEA is trying to rope in the members of the ruling family of the erstwhile Travancore for the trip.

Bus Day is being observed as part of the second phase of the “Save KSRTC” campaign. KSRTEA general secretary C.K. Harikrishnan urged the public to shun private vehicles and to travel on KSRTC buses on Friday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities. Thiruvananthapuram / by S. Anil RadhaKrishnan / Thiruvananthapuram – February 18th, 2015

Machad Mamankam Celebrated

Arts,Culture & Entertainment

Thrissur :

The famed Machad Mamankam also known as ‘Machad Kuthira Vela’, one of the major festivals of Valluvanad, was celebrated at Thiruvanikkavu Temple at Wadakkancherry, near here, on Tuesday with fervour and pomp.

Processions carrying huge models of horses (poikkuthira) made of bamboo planks and hay, decorated with colourful silky clothes and other ornaments, were taken out by various desams in a charged atmosphere.

Percussion ensembles also drummed up excitement as people from various ‘desams’ carried the horses models.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / February 18th, 2015