Category Archives: Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

‘Amritanandamayi’s life is a role model for women’

Amazing Feats, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders

Mata Amritanandamayi’s life, which has witnessed success after overcoming several obstacles, is a role model for each and every woman, said Malayalam writer P Valsala.


Writer P Valsala handing over the kit to the members of Amritasree gathering at Puthiyappa in Kozhikode | Manu R Mavelil

Kozhikdode :

Mata Amritanandamayi’s life, which has witnessed success after overcoming several obstacles, is a role model for each and every woman, said Malayalam writer P Valsala. She was speaking after inaugurating the Amritasree district conclave held at Puthiyappa Sree Bhagavathi temple ground in Kozhikode on Sunday.

Amritanandamayi Math Kozhikode chief Swami Vivekamrita Chaitanya, who delivered the benedictory address, spoke on the power of Mata Amritanandamayi’s spiritual benevolence.

Former minister and CPM leader T K Hamza, KPCC General secretary N Subramanian, BJP state vice-president K P Sreesan, Mathrubhumi managing editor P V Chandran, former Malayalam actress Vidhubala and Arjuna award winner and badminton player Valiyaveettil Diju were among the others present for the function.  Amritasree has transformed itself into one of the greatest example of women empowerment in the state, said T K Hamza. K P Sreesan said the organisation has evolved itself into a mega initiative for social work.

N Subramanian who also spoke during the function said Amritasree was an example of care and compassion shown by Amritandamayi in uplifting people.The inaugural ceremony was followed by distribution of pension, saree and food to the members of Amritasree self-help groups in Kozhikode.
Over 10,000 Amritasree members took part in the conclave. Each self-help group consisting of 20 members was given a fund of `30,000 at the event.  

Around 3,000 Amritasree self-help groups are functioning in the district. It was started in 2004 to empower women from lower economic backgrounds. 

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / March 25th, 2019

Her steel will, untouched by cerebral palsy

Amazing Feats, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

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

Braille guide, video brochure for Thenmala in Kerala

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Barrier-free access for hearing and visually challenged to country’s first planned ecotourism destination

Visually challenged people reaching Thenmala, the country’s first planned ecotourism destination, will be provided with a visitor’s guide in Braille, the tactile writing system, from March.

For the aurally challenged, a video brochure with sign language has been incorporated as a separate corner in www.thenmalaecotourism. com, the official website of the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) that manages the destination.

Mobile app

A mobile application, a guiding app that will briefly narrate the attractions of the destination, is also on the anvil. The 16-page Braille brochure has all information needed for a traveller.

The initiative is part of the efforts to encourage people with visual and hearing impairement to visit Thenmala.

It is also part of the barrier-free tourism project launched last year to make tourist destinations accessible to all visitors.

“This is the first time a Braille tourism brochure is being made available at a tourist destination in the State. The brochures will be provided to the visually challenged from the TEPS office,” Ecotourism Director and CEO of TEPS P.P. Pramod told The Hindu.

Students of Government School for the Blind, Vazhuthacaud, is behind the Braille brochure.

It is the outcome of a day trip organised for students as part of a CSR initiative. “We realised the constraints faced and requested them for solutions. The Braille brochure was the outcome,” he said. Students of Government VHSS for Deaf, Jagathy, came up with the video brochure with sign language after their visit.

For using the mobile application being launched on trial basis, the QR code will come in handy if the visitor does not have data connection. After getting the feedback, a complete version of the app will be rolled out by TEPS in IOS platform.

Along with this, Buddha Mayoori, which has been declared as the State butterfly, has got a special corner in the butterfly park.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by S. Anil Radhakrishnan / Thiruvananthapuram – February 27th, 2019

A recyclable and reusable cast for arm fractures

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Marnu Prasad displaying his award winning invention, Uni-cast.  

Kerala student Manu Prasad bags design award for his ‘Uni-cast’, which he says addresses multiple hygiene issues

Innovation has always been the passion of Manu Prasad and his urge for invention has bagged the prestigious Lexus Design Award for him in the student category this year.

Mr. Prasad, 26, an electronics engineer, is presently pursuing an Advanced Product Design course at the Kerala State Institute of Design.

He is all smiles as he speaks to The Hindu about his invention — a resizable and recyclable cast for treating arm fractures.

He says that he has already filed an application to obtain patent for the universal cast, christened Uni-cast.

Research at hospitals

Mr. Prasad came up with the idea after a series of research work at various hospitals across the State.

According to him, this unique cast is a low-cost product and for that reason, accessible to every one.

Mr. Prasad said the Uni-cast can overcome several problems.

The product has been designed to address various problems associated with traditional casts, like sweating, itchiness, dry cell accumulation, bad odour, difficulty in keeping the cast dry, hygiene issues and neck pain, he said.

Unlike the conventional system, the Uni-cast is both light-weight and waterproof, Mr. Prasad said.

“The product is ergonomically designed so that it can be used for both hands. Uni-cast is recyclable and can even be remade, leaving zero waste behind,” he said.

Sporty look

Moreover, Mr. Prasad’s invention has got a sporty look, making it different from the traditional casts and braces.

The award was presented to Mr. Prasad at the Design Festival 2019 held in Pune a week ago.

P.B. Venugopal, president of Lexus India, said, “India possesses an incredible depth of design talent, and we wanted to give these designers an opportunity to exhibit their skills.”

With the theme ‘Design for a better tomorrow’, Lexus Design Award India (LDAI)-2019 was open to emerging designers, both professionals and students

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Health / by Radhakrishnan Kuttoor / Pathanamthitta – February 12th, 2019

Mohandas College of Engineering students find new way to disinfect water

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Here’s a solution to counter the lack in quality of packaged water distributed in the city.

Thiruvananthapuram : 

Here’s a solution to counter the lack in quality of packaged water distributed in the city. Even as concerns are being raised over the safe consumption of bottled water in the city, a group of students from Mohandas College of Engineering have come up with an innovative solution which helps in getting rid of the E-coli in the water and acting as a disinfectant. 

The project titled ‘Design of a water disinfection system using silver and copper nanoparticle impregnated coconut shell waste carbon’ was proposed by a team of students- Shilpa K Nayana, Akhila Krishnan C and Shilpa Raj S from Mohandas College of Engineering and Technology (MCET), Nedumangad. They were guided by their professors, K M Usha, the principal investigator and  S S Shijina, the co-investigator of the project.

“ The inspiration behind this project is the sense of responsibility towards society as citizens in general and biotechnologists in particular. After the floods, the presence of E- Coli had become a major concern with many packaged water bottles testing positive to the presence of the bacteria. This is why we thought of developing a project using raw materials which could not only help in purifying water but also act as a disinfectant which can kill 99 per cent of E Coli,” said  Shilpa K Nayana, one of the innovators.

Decontamination of drinking water by making use of the raw materials, which are available in abundance, is the prime objective of the project. The project envisages to set up a synergetic system capable of adsorption as well as destructing microbial organisms. This innovative attempt makes use of anti-bacterial property of nanoparticles and absorption. Silver and copper are synthesised and impregnated onto the coconut waste to provide disinfection against E Coli and other organisms. “Unlike the normal water purifiers that only help in purifying water but fail in disinfecting, our innovation has both the purifying and disinfecting facility,” said Shilpa. The students say the procedures are cheap and safer.  It also helps in recycling water thereby reducing the demand for fresh water. 

The team was also selected for funding by Kerala Technological University (KTU) Center for Engineering Research and Development (CERD) under the scheme ‘CERD Student Project 2018’. The team has also bagged the second position in idea presentation at ‘TheTech Conclave’, which is the flagship event of Drishti, the annual technical festival of College of Engineering, Trivandrum.  ‘Engineers for society’ was this year’s theme. This accomplishment has paved the way for direct entry to ‘Idea Day’ by Kerala Startup Mission.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Steni Simon / Express News Service / January 16th, 2019

Tiffany Brar of Jyothirgamaya Foundation gets Mindtree Helen Keller Award

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All

She was among 12 persons who were presented with the award during a programme conducted at the India International Centre Auditorium in Delhi, on the eve of World Disability Day.

Thiruvananthapuram  :

City-based NGO Jyothirgamaya Foundation’s Tiffany Brar was presented with the 19th National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)’s Mindtree Helen Keller Award. She was among 12 persons who were presented with the award during a programme conducted at the India International Centre Auditorium in Delhi, on the eve of World Disability Day. According to the organisers, the awardees were selected for their initiatives in promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Speaking on the occasion, Arman Ali, executive director, NCPEDP, said, “Tiffany’s Jyothirgamaya Foundation, which empowers the blind not only in her state of Kerala but also across the country had till date trained more than 300 blind people in activities of daily living, mobility, the realms of access technology and interpersonal skills.”

He further appreciated the efforts made by Tiffany during the floods. “Despite being visually challenged she was in the forefront in collecting basic materials for the relief camps in Wayanad.” Talking on the occasion, Tiffany thanked NCPEDP for the award and said, “Jyothirgamaya Foundation was initially started as a mobile school on a small basis. We have come a long way since and we will strive to achieve our goal of providing employment and inclusion to people with disability.” The event was also attended by Minister of State for Human Resource Development Satya Pal Singh.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / December 04th, 2018

Polytechnic girl from Wayanad wins laurels at ‘Startup Yatra’

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

The first and second runners-up received Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.

Winners of the grand finale of the Startup Yatra with Kerala Startup Mission CEO Saji Gopinath in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday | Express

Thiruvananthapuram :

Final year Mechanical Diploma Polytechnic student Arunima CR from Wayanad, who developed a solid waste cleaner that helps clean up water bodies sans manpower, bagged the Best Womenpreneur Award at the grand finale of the ‘Startup Yatra’ held at Technopark on Tuesday.

According to Arunima of Government Polytechnic College, Meenangadi, who won the award that carries a cash award of Rs 75,000, “Solid waste cleaner can also clean drains and remove solid waste from water sources, including streams, rivers and ponds. Significantly, it can avoid the workers’ direct contact with waste materials.”

The event marked the conclusion of the state-wide initiative by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to nurture aspiring entrepreneurs in Kerala’s tier 2 and 3 cities and help them realise their startup dreams. An Android app developed by Rashida V P from Kasargod for farmers in agriculture sector emerged the first runner-up. Andrea Antony from Kottayam won the second runner-up for her idea Min_Rov (Mind Rover), a concept for functioning a brain-control wheelchair.

The first and second runners-up received Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.

Around 80 innovative ideas were pitched in the finale by as many as 180 participants and 20 ideas notched-up honours. Heroes of the eight boot camps held in various districts were given a cash award of Rs 50,000 each.

The winners included :

Devi V S  (Thiruvananthapuram), Jithin J (Kollam), Thomas Syriac (Kottayam), Sachu Sivaram S (Ernakulam), Varsha J (Thrissur), Mohammed Shaheer (Kozhikode), Aneesh (Wayanad) and Harris (Kasargod).

Other awards:

Best Technology Startup: Winner  Amal C Saji (Ernakulam), First Runner-Up-Rahul KS (Ernakulam), and Second Runner-Up Annie Sam Varghese (Thiruvananthapuram); Best Social Startup: Winner – Risvan Ahammed K (Kasargod), First Runner-Up – Ushanandini (Ernakulam), and Second Runner-Up- Nowrin N (Thiruvananthapuram); Best Sustainability Startup: Winner- Kevin R (Kottayam), First Runner-Up – Amaljith S B (Thiruvananthapuram), and Second Runner-Up – Ragesh (Kottayam).

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Services / November 28th, 2018

Now, Noolpuzha health centre reaches out to elderly patients

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives & Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel

The lithium-powered e-rickshaw procured by the Noolpuzha Family Health Centre.

To operate electric rickshaw for senior citizens, women, tribespeople

After setting a benchmark in the rural healthcare sector of the country by securing the first position in the National Quality Assurance Certification (NQAC) process a few weeks ago, the Noolpuzha Family Health Centre (FHC) in Wayanad is preparing to launch an innovative project to lend a helping hand to elderly patients in the grama panchayat.

The FHC plans to arrange free transportation facilities for senior citizens, women and tribespeople residing within 5-km radius of the hospital using a lithium-powered electric rickshaw, a first such project in the public health care sector of the State.

The hospital authorities have procured the e-rickshaw at a cost of ₹2 lakh and all work including customisation and registration of the vehicle has been completed.

“As Noolpuzha grama panchayat is the second largest tribal populated grama panchayat in the State, we hope the project will be of great help to the poor people in the grama panchayat,” V.P. Dahar Mohammed, medical officer at the hospital, told The Hindu. The panchayat has provided ₹1.75 crore from its plan fund for the all-round development of the hospital over the past three years, including the cost of the e-rickshaw.

“We are planning to utilize the service of the hospital driver to operate the vehicle till we find an alternative. During an emergency, the vehicle will be provided to the public also. The vehicle will run 85 km with a single charge and it will start operation by November-end,” said the medical officer.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by E.M. Manoj / Kalpetta – November 18th, 2018

Flood hero Jaisal gets a rescue boat

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Minister for Higher Education K.T. Jaleel handing over a rescue boat by giving a symbolic oar to K.P. Jaisal at Tanur on Tuesday.

The fibre speed boat is presented by Carnival Group

K.P. Jaisal, a fisherman from Tanur who turned himself into a footstep for a few women to board a rescue boat during the floods of August, has been given a fibre speed boat by multinational Carnival Group.

Minister for Higher Education K.T. Jaleel handed over the boat to Mr. Jaisal at a function held at Tanur on Monday.

The Minister said the rescue boat would remain a symbol of the people’s response to the humanitarian act of Mr. Jaisal.

Mr. Jaisal had won international attention when he bent himself in knee-deep water to help some women board an inflated dinghy during a rescue operation.

source – below: www.youtube.com / ManoramaOnline

Visuals go viral

The visuals showing the women boarding the boat by stepping on Mr. Jaisal’s back had gone viral, turning him an instant hero of the floods rescue.

The rescue boat will be available for service under the trauma care unit of Tanur, of which Mr. Jaisal is an active member.

Mr. Jaleel praised the humanitarian deeds of Mr. Jaisal and the trauma care unit.

The Minister said the floods had taught us a lesson that we would overcome any difficulty by upholding the spirit of humanity.

Tanur municipal chairperson C.K. Subaida presided. She too offered to support the rescue efforts being conducted by the trauma care unit of Tanur. Carnival Group representative R. Gopikrishnan delivered the keynote address. Group director K.S. Sasikumar gave away kits of stationery and study materials to poor students.

Trauma care unit members, personnel of the police, Fire and Rescue Services, Kerala State Electricity Board and Revenue Department were felicitated on the occasion.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Malappuram – October 23rd, 2018

An island sets an example in sustainable living

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An exhibition organised as part of the inauguration of the Rural Science and Technology Centre at Thuruthikkara in the district on Sunday.

Thuruthikkara is the first village to be declared free of plastic and e-waste

Thuruthikkara in Mulanthuruthy panchayat has several firsts to its name. Among other things, it was declared the first village to be totally free of incandescent bulbs, plastic and e-waste. The village also has the status of having scientifically tested water in all its drinking water wells.

The village has taken up initiatives to go easy on the environment. By getting rid of incandescent bulbs and introducing LED lighting systems, it has been able to save energy. Thuruthikkara also has the distinction of having launched LED clinics for the first time in the State, where LED lighting systems are assembled and repaired. “We were able to sell LED lighting systems for as low as ₹100 and ₹110 apiece,” said an office-bearer of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Praishad, which had initiated the “Oorja, Nirmala, Haritha Gramam” project in Thuruthikkara, which forms the 10th ward of Mulanthuruthy panchayat. The villagers have also taken to recharging drinking water wells with rainwater.

Technology centre

On Sunday, a Rural Science and Technology Centre was inaugurated in the village. Parishad president T. Gangadharan inaugurated the centre, which will act as a regional centre of the Integrated Rural Technology Centre at Mundoor in Palakkad. Pro Vice Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology P.G. Shankaran delivered the keynote address at the event.

“The aim of the centre is to make people aware of new technologies in various fields, including farming, and to create awareness about new breakthroughs,” said the Parishad official. He said that the initiatives included introduction of bio-bins and kitchen bins in the village whereby all kitchen waste could be turned into fertiliser used for homestead farming.

Every home has been able to generate about 12 kg of bio-fertiliser every month. Distribution of vegetable saplings helped families prepare areas of cultivation to cater for their own requirements. There are a total of 349 families. All the families as well as 25 organisations and institutions have partnered with the Parishad in making the programme a success.

The move to get rid of plastic waste began with the distribution of cloth bags to all households. Plastic is meticulously collected and disposed of. Introduction of aquaponics is another step that has been taken to achieve self-sufficiency and sustainability.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – October 21st, 2018