Daily Archives: April 29, 2018

Naval Air Enclave opens at Kochi airport

Records, All, World Opinion
The Naval Air Enclave at the Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery.

The Naval Air Enclave (NAE) at the Cochin International Airport was inaugurated by Vice Admiral A.R. Karve, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, on Friday.

Large military aircraft such as the P8I which cannot be accommodated at the Naval Air Station in Kochi (INS Garuda) due to operational constraints can be accommodated at the new air enclave. It will facilitate not only enhanced surveillance capabilities in the Arabian Sea and the south Indian Ocean for security of maritime areas of interest and coastline against both conventional and asymmetric threats, but also other roles such as search and rescue, monitoring sea lanes of communication and anti-piracy missions, according to a press release.

Trials

The operational trials of naval taxi link and apron of the NAE were undertaken during the function.

Trials included independent ground movement of aircraft and helicopters between CIAL and NAE, parking of the aircraft at the apron and their sequential departure from CIAL.

The NAE has a large hangar, a spacious dispersal (apron) and a taxi link for connecting the apron to the manoeuvring area of CIAL.

The facility has been constructed in close cooperation and with the support of the government of Kerala, the Military Engineering Service, CIAL, Airports Authority of India, Kerala State Electricity Board and BSNL, the release said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – April 28th, 2018

City engg. graduate is IAS topper in State

Education, Records, All

Sikha bags 16th rank in exams

Sikha Surendran’s house at Vadayampady in Kolenchery was buzzing with activity on Friday as relatives and well-wishers dropped in to congratulate the 24-year-old engineering graduate on clinching the 16th rank in the Civil Services Examination.

After completing her engineering course, Ms. Surendran had worked hard to realise her father’s dream of her becoming a district collector.

Failure to clear the examinations in the first attempt did not discourage her. “It taught me to face the exam better. The syllabus is really vast. We have to learn how to tackle the exam by learning the tricks of clearing it,” she said.

Ms. Surendran chose Malayalam Literature as her optional subject. Asked why a civil engineer had opted for Malayalam, Sikha said Malayalam was one of her favourite subjects in school. “The Civil Services examination gave me an opportunity to pursue my passion of learning Malayalam. I was also keen on writing essays in Malayalam on various topics,” she said.

The young topper said IAS provided one with a variety of opportunities and challenges. “I feel it is the best profession to serve society and hope that I will be able to contribute to nation building by undertaking the responsibilities of a civil service officer.”

Ms. Surendran’s mother Silo works with a private firm in Kochi, while her father Surendran, who was earlier working with the accounts department of a private firm, is confined to home owing to health-related issues.

For all those aspiring to top the civil services exam, Ms. Surendran has this piece of advice, “Stay focussed and never give up.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Kochi Bureau / Kochi – April 28th, 2018

Group of tribesmen sets a model in pesticide-free farming

Agriculture, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature
Members of Surya Tribal Self Help Group harvesting beans from their vegetable garden at Kavadam in Wayanad district.

Five self-help groups, including three women’s groups, cultivate 16 acres of rented land

A group of tribesmen under the Kaniyampetta grama panchayat in Wayanad district of Kerala  has set a successful model in pesticide-free vegetable cultivation.

As many as 64 tribal families belong to Paniya and Mullakuruma tribal sects have grown 10 varieties of vegetables, including yard-long beans, bitter gourd, tomato, snake gourd, okra, and green chilli on 16 acres of rented land at Kavadom, Chittalur Kayakkunnu, and Nelliyambom near Nadavayal.

The vegetable promotion project was launched by the Scheduled Tribal Development Department under a special Central assistance to a tribal sub-plan in January. A sum of ₹9.64 lakh was provided for the purpose.

Five self-help groups (SHGs), including three women’s groups, have been constituted under the project and each group consists of 10 to 14 members. All expenses — including the rent of land, seeds, organic manure, pump sets for irrigation, agricultural implements, and wages — were borne by the department.

“Our produce is in good demand as our farming methods are transparent and can be viewed by anyone,” says A. Kavalan, tribal cheftain, Kavadam Paniya settlement, and president of the Surya SHG.

Lower prices

‘Though organic produce is priced at a premium, the SHGs sell vegetables at rates lower than the market price. Earlier, the members used to sell their produce to middlemen. Later, they entered into a tie-up with Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK) to avoid middlemen and to get a better income, says A. Manojkumar, a Committed Social Worker of the department.

“We sold nearly one tonne of yard-long beans through Kudumbasree at ₹22 a kg .The harvest of other vegetables will start soon,” K. Meenakshi, president of Arya SHG, said.

“While vegetable traders in nearby towns sell vegetables procured from Gundlupet in Karnataka at a higher price, we are able to sell pesticide-free produce at 20% to 25% lower than the market rate,” she said.

Profit expectations

“We expect a profit of ₹15 lakh from the project this season,” says N.J. Reji, tribal extension officer, Kaniyampetta grama panchayat.

“We were able to provide 60 working days to 64 families in the past two months. The profit from the project will be utilised as a revolving fund to expand vegetable cultivation to ensure a sustainable income to tribal members,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by E.M.Manoj / April 28th, 2018