Monthly Archives: March 2019
The Hindu scribe Padmakumar passes away
K. Padmakumar
K. Padmakumar, 54, Assistant Editor, The Hindu, passed away at a private hospital here early Sunday following a brief illness.
A postgraduate in economics, Padmakumar started his career in the Free Press Journal in Mumbai in 1988 and later moved on to the Business World magazine.
In 1994, he joined the Indian Express and worked in its Coimbatore, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram editions.
He joined The Hindu in 2000 and was part of the Kerala news desk ever since. His colleagues remembered Padmakumar for the team spirit, humaneness, insight, personal warmth and professional zeal he brought to the job.
Padmakumar was also the nucleus of a vast network of friends, which included artists, writers, journalists, photographers, painters, academics, intellectuals, amateur astronomers, environmentalists and trekking enthusiasts.
Padmakumar had an abiding zest for the Himalayas. His annual sabbatical invariably included a long and demanding hike to the mountains with his friends.
Padmakumar had in 2017 contributed an article to an anthology of Himalayan trekking experiences published by DC Books.
The social media account of the journalist is replete with memorable photographs of his Himalayan treks, including the last one he made to Kedarnath in September 2018.
His body was cremated at Santhi Kavadam here in the presence of family and friends. He was the son of the late P. Krishnankutty Nair. Padmakumar is survived by his mother Indira Nair; wife C. Indukala (Kerala State Public Service Commission); daughter Varsha Nandini (student, Kendra Vidyalaya, Pattom); sister Dr. Uma Sundar (Mumbai) and brother Krishna Prasad Nair (IDBI).
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala have expressed their condolences to the family of the departed journalist.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – March 10th, 2019
India’s newest frog evolved 60 million years ago
The starry dwarf frog, named after Wayanad’s Kurichiya tribe, is found outside protected areas
It is just 2 cm long and sports pale blue spots and brilliant orange thighs. The discovery of the starry dwarf frog, a nocturnal amphibian that lives under leaf litter on a mountaintop in Kerala’s Wayanad, has been published on March 13 in PeerJ, an international multidisciplinary journal.
It was in June 2010 that frog researcher Vijayakumar S.P. first laid his eyes on the odd-looking frog and picked it up from atop Wayanad’s Kurichiyarmala.
“I knew that it was a new species, it had many interesting morphological characters… shape and colour patterns that I haven’t seen in other Western Ghats frogs,” wrote Dr. Vijayakumar, from the Centre for Ecological Sciences at Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science, in an email to The Hindu.
Recently, Dr. Vijayakumar and his co-workers, including from the George Washington University in the U.S., studied its physical, skeletal and genetic characteristics. They also compared the frog with specimens of similar species in museum collections across the world. While scans of its skeletons showed it to be completely different from any other similar-sized frog seen in Wayanad, some of its physical characteristics (such as its triangular finger- and toe tips) closely resembled frogs in South America and Africa. Genetic studies, however, revealed a different story: its closest relatives are the Nycibatrachinae group of frogs that dwell in the streams of Western Ghats, and the Lankanectinae frogs of Sri Lanka.
The team named the new species the starry dwarf frog Astrobatrachus kurichiyana (genus Astrobatrachus after its starry spots and kurichiyana in honour of the Kurichiya tribal community who live in the area). It is not only a new species but different enough to be assigned to a new ‘subfamily’. Genetic analysis reveal that the species is at least 60 million years old.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Science / by Aathira Perinchery / Kochi – March 13th, 2019
Women metro commuters honoured
Swapna Augustine, a differently-abled painter, handing over her work to KMRL during the Women’s Day observance in Kochi on Friday. | Photo Credit: jinson abraham / jinsonabraham.coo
KMRL felicitates 5 women who travelled the most in metro
Five women who travelled the most in Kochi metro since its inception in June 2017 were honoured as part of the International Women’s Day observance here on Friday.
Swapna Augustine, a differently-abled painter, who participated as the chief guest at the function, handed over a painting drawn by her to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). It will be kept at the Edappally metro station where the function was organised. KMRL chose Dr. Anusha George, a resident of Aluva, who made 1,880 trips in the metro as the ‘most travelled woman commuter’. It also honoured Golda Jose of Edappally, Reeba Suresh of Aluva, Shini Lukose Umesh of Aluva, and Jayasree T.R., a BSNL employee and native of Ambattukavu.
“The Kochi metro is the safest and best mode of transport in the Greater-Kochi area. The high number of trips undertaken by women of Kochi city denotes how safe the system of mass rapid transport is,” said Thiruman Archunan, director (projects), KMRL. He also delivered the Women’s Day message.
KMRL director (systems) D.K. Sinha handed over gift vouchers to the chosen commuters. Apart from metro officials, students of SCMS College and the general public attended the event.
Event at Custom House
A slew of programmes marked the International Women’s Day observance at Custom House here. Commissioner of Customs Sumit Kumar inaugurated a toilet complex at Government Higher Secondary School which was refurbished by the Custom House. He also handed over sanitary napkin vending machine, incinerator, books, and other school supplies to 10 students of the school.
The observance with the theme ‘Think equal, build smart and innovate for change’ was inaugurated by Pullela Nageswara Rao, Chief Commissioner of Central Tax, Excise and Customs. It was followed by a seminar for officials.
Customs Group dance team, which won the first prize at the All India Revenue Cultural Meet 2018-19 held in Kolkata, was felicitated, and a ladies rest room at Custom House was inaugurated by the senior-most lady officer, G. Susheela.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – March 09th, 2019
ClimateLaunchpad: A platform to grow sustainable ideas
Present in more than 45 countries, including India from 2018, ClimateLaunchpad is part of the entrepreneurship offerings of EIT Climate-KIC, a European knowledge and innovation community.
Thiruvananthapuram :
Providing an opportunity to budding entrepreneurs in the state, SUSTERA foundation, ATREE-CERC and Climate Studio are collaborating with ClimateLaunchpad to create a platform for green-tech innovators from Kerala.
ClimateLaunchpad is the world’s largest competition for green business ideas. Present in more than 45 countries, including India from 2018, ClimateLaunchpad is part of the entrepreneurship offerings of EIT Climate-KIC, a European knowledge and innovation community, working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy.
Climate change needs to be tackled by innovative solutions. The programme is for those with an idea that can have a fast scalable impact to a sustainable future. “This competition encourages green ideas as solutions towards climate change. We encourage change-makers in Kerala to participate in the programme. The best idea will be made into a reality,” said Sanju Soman, Global School ambassador, UNSDSN.
The competition will focus on innovations in renewable energy, energy efficiency, food and agriculture, water, transportation and industrial technology. The opportunity will provide fast-track mentorship and resources to make the idea viable. A network of climate/clean-tech mentors and entrepreneurs will coach the participants intensively, making sure they have a quality business pitch ready.It has been launched in 13 states across India to scout clean-tech talent and help them develop their sustainable ideas into global businesses.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / March 07th, 2019
Rekha Karthikeyan, the lone Indian woman actively engaged in deep-sea fishing
From the deep sea-fishing Rekha Karthikeyan near Chettuva to mussel farming Praseela Shaji at Moothakunnam, there is in these women a spirit of determination and readiness to take on the challenges of life in their battle for survival. If you thought fishing came easy to these women entrepreneurs living close to the sea and backwaters, it is not true.
“It was so frightening initially,” says Ms. Karthikeyan, about her first venture into deep-sea fishing. “But the fright did go away. I was never intimidated,” she adds.
She has been recognised by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute as the lone woman in the country actively engaged in deep-sea fishing.
She and her husband Karthikeyan use their boat for fishing ventures on a daily basis.
The couple with four children, routinely take to the seas to feed the family.
Undeterred by deluge
For Ms. Shaji, the mid-August 2018 flood was a life-changer. It threatened to derail her life. The floodwaters washed away the mussel farming ventures of dozens of women entrepreneurs like her. While some of them gave up, she did not. Ms. Shaji her friends have put the pieces together and is now fast on the road to achieving normality in mussel production.
The major fishery based micro-enterprises being taken care of by women self-help groups include bivalve farming (mussel and edible oyster culture), seaweed culture, ornamental fish culture, cage culture, Chinese dip-net units, fish amino acid units, fish fertilizer units, clam processing, fish drying, fish pickling, ready-to cook and eat fish products, aqua-tourism, seafood kitchen units, dry fish procuring, fish vending, prawn culture, crab processing, aquaponics and fish feed production, says a CMFRI scientist.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – March 08th, 2019
Anayatha Kanal: Thiruvananthapuram school children publishes short story collection
In the generation of social media and gaming, here are eleven girls and two boys from Pattom St Mary’s Higher Secondary school who are making a difference.
The students during the launch of their book’ Anayatha Kanal’
Thiruvananthapuram :
In the generation of social media and gaming, here are eleven girls and two boys from Pattom St Mary’s Higher Secondary school who are making a difference. They have come up with a book titled ‘Anayatha Kanal’, a look at various emotions. According to Binny Sahiti, editor and teacher, the book is a reminder on the need for benevolence. “Through their book, the children are raising questions relating to society,” said Binny.
He says there are several promising writers among the new generation. “Such opportunities will prompt them to write more,” he said. ‘Anayatha Kanal’ is a collection of 15 short stories written by 13 children studying from class VIII to XII. School Arts club secretary Shifana’s short story in ‘Anayatha Kanal’ revolves around mothers’ love. Divya’s ‘Adaratha Sowhridham’ and Jyothi’s ‘Varikkapalvu’ and Alex’s ‘Jeevanulla Mutthu’ addressing relevant issues.
According to school principal Fr CC John, the book is the result of initiatives by the school encouraging children to write. “Literature comes from imagination. It comes through voracious reading. ‘Anayatha Kanal’ is the fourth book being published by children from the school. ‘Kannikoythu’, ‘Jalamarmaram’ and ‘Otta Maram Natta Penkutty’ are the other books which were published by students of the school,” he said.
The book is a result of the ‘Ezhuthukootam’ initiative commenced in the school two years ago encouraging children to write. The Round Table Conference organised by State Public Relations Department for the children was also held. “In the round table conference, the senior writers encouraged students to write poem and short stories. Their exposure to this project provided them with the inspiration to write the book” said John.
According to Binny, ‘Anayatha Kanal’ is written from the small experiences of the children but their opinions have surprised the teachers. The book was released on Feb 21 on International Mother Tongue Day and published by Sahithi Thiruvananthapuram.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / March 06th, 2019
Her steel will, untouched by cerebral palsy
23-year-old Dhanya has penned 32 keerthanas and dreams of being an RJ
Dhanya has a disarming smile that even cerebral palsy could not rob her of.
The smile belying her age, however, is also deceptive of her steel will to reduce her physical state to a minor irritant. Her resilience found another manifestation when renowned playback singer K.S. Chitra released an audio CD of 32 keerthanas penned by her at Sharjah last month.
There is a doggedness about the way the 23-year-old pursues her passions — be it listening to music and mythological stories or penning stories and poems for children. But she’s largely dependant on her parents Ramanan and Sunitha for moving around.
Mr. Ramanan, originally from Thrissur and employed with Dubai municipality for the last 30 years, had initially toyed with the idea of sending his only daughter to special schools in Dubai. “But those schools mostly had mentally-challenged children while my daughter only suffered from restricted muscle movements. So we opted for home schooling and she is now doing Class 8,” he said.
Ms. Dhanya is mostly cheerful and active on social media with three Facebook pages to her credit. While she has published all her 32 keerthanas in PDF format in one page, another page dedicated to stories for children features eight small stories written by her. According to her father, she has so far written nearly 72 stories.
The youngster is now experimenting with poetry for children. Her latest Facebook page dedicated to poems features one of her three works.
For someone who loves to laugh, Ms. Dhanya dreams of becoming a radio jockey or a television anchor someday.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by M.P. Praveen / Kochi – March 08th, 2019
Seed festival from today
National seminar on ‘survived seeds’ also to be held
The fifth edition of the Wayanad community seed festival, a three-day programme organised by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), will be held at the foundation auditorium here on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Former Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand will inaugurate the programme at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
The programme is being organised in association with NABARD, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Seed Care and Wayanad Tribal Development Action Council.
From all panchayats
Seeds of agricultural crops from all grama panchayats and municipalities of Wayanad district and seeds from adjacent districts such as Kannur and Kasaragod districts will be showcased at the programme. Farmers from Kolli Hills of Tamil Nadu will also attend the function with rare varieties of seeds. The farmers will get a chance to exchange their seeds to each other.
A national seminar on ‘survived seeds’ will also be organised in connection with the programme, the organisers said in a release here on Wednesday.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Kalpetta – March 06th, 2019
MG University Kalolsavam: It’s two in a row for Sacred Heart College,Thevara
Sacred Heart College bettered its last year’s tally of 102 points to assert its supremacy in the event
Sacred Heart College, champions of Mahatma Gandhi University Arts Festival, with the trophy (Photo | EPS)
Kottayam :
In what can be termed as a fierce competition, Sacred Heart College (SHC), Thevara, trounced their rivals by a good margin to defend crown at the Mahatma Gandhi University Arts Festival, which concluded here on Monday. The champions scored 107 points to win the title. St Teresa’s College finished runner up with 91 points while RLV College of Music and Fine Arts came third with 63 points and Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, was placed at the fourth spot with 63 points.
Sacred Heart College bettered its last year’s tally of 102 points to assert its supremacy in the event for the second consecutive year. Last year, the festival saw a major upset when SHC wrested the championship from St Teresa’s College, which has been reigning supreme for quite sometime. St Teresa’s could score only 53 points.
Though SHC clinched the title by maintaining clear domination since day one of the event, they were given a tough competition by St Teresa’s which banked on some tenacious performances on the penultimate and the final day to race past other colleges which have placed in the third and fourth position.
As in the previous year, colleges from Ernakulam clinched the first four positions in the championship table while the CMS College, Kottayam, which scored 33 points, was the only college outside the district to find a place among the top five colleges.
Poornasree Haridas of SHC topped the list of individual performers, followed by Kavipriya B of St Thomas College, Pala, with 11 points. Meanwhile, the events staged on the last day of the festival evoked a huge public response. At the main venue where the ‘Oppana’ competition was held, people were seen encouraging the performers with standing ovations.
Actor Rajisha Vijayan inaugurated the valedictory session of the event. MGU union chairman Nikhil S presided over the function while Sabu Thomas, Vice-Chancellor in-charge, MGU, delivered the keynote address. Actor Vijay Babu and Sarjano Khalid were present.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / March 05th, 2019