‘Onakodi’ and the revival of Handloom sectors

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Sarees, woven of high quality yarn ensures superior comfort. File photo: Manorama
Sarees, woven of high quality yarn ensures superior comfort. File photo: Manorama

With Onam being just around the corner, a number of Co-operative societies are getting ready with their traditional weaves to meet the popular demand for variety Onakodis. The sarees and other handloom products of Chendamanagalam received the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) registration tag and the sale of the same usually happens between February and May. The sarees, woven of high quality yarn by employing traditional methods are also made, by taking into consideration the climatic changes during these months, thus ensuring superior comfort.

The Chendamangalam handloom weaves are expected to have a sale of above 3 Crores during this festival season. The Chendamangalam double Mundu is priced between Rs.475 – Rs. 1350, the handloom sarees can cost anywhere between Rs.800 and Rs.4000. While the traditional Mundu-Neriyathu comes in the range of Rs.800 – Rs. 2850. Handloom bedsheets are priced between Rs.415 – Rs. 770. Cotton shirt pieces sell at Rs.190 – Rs.220 per metre. The sale of Chendamangalam handloom happens through their exclusive outlets set up in major centres or through Onam exhibitions or sales. The production is mostly concentrated in areas like Chendamangalam, Kuriappilly, and Vypinkara. Major handloom centres in the state like Hantex and Hanveev started sourcing the weaves from the production places around two months back. These are again sold through various textile showrooms or through seasonal exhibitions.

All of the materials sold are of 100 percent cotton and of good quality. The sarees are sold at reasonable rates from Rs. 275 to Rs.1600. The Kasavu sarees of Hantex are priced between Rs.750 to Rs. 16,000. The Kasavu or the plain double Mundu can come up to Rs.400 to Rs.2000 and the shirt pieces are priced between Rs.120 to Rs.320. Bedsheets that come in cotton or satin can cost from Rs.750 – Rs.2080. The Balaramapuram white single Mundu priced from Rs.160 to Rs.200 are much in demand and cotton shirts and matching Mundu in the same pattern is a popular trend now.

The Khadi Gramudyog Bhavan in every Indian state showcases handloom sarees and other weaves from Kerala. The Khadi showrooms will also have textile exhibitions from across the country during Onam. There are sarees ranging from Rs.1000 to Rs.10,000, Mundu in the price range of Rs.500 to Rs.2000, and shirt materials costing from Rs. 120 to Rs.500 at such sales exhibitions. A great variety of silks and cottons are their speciality.

There are a collection of sarees like Sambalpuri, Kosa silk, Rose silk, Jute, Printed appliqué work. Sarees also happen to be the top selling item in fairs.

source: http://www.english.manoramaonline.com / OnManorama / Home> In-depth> Onam / by Manorama Correspondent / Monday – September 01st, 2014

HIDDEN HISTORIES – Memories of a prince and a gentleman

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
The group photograph showing the Rajapramukh Sri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma sitting at his mother’s feet; Col. Goda Varma Raja is also sitting on the carpet (extreme left).
The group photograph showing the Rajapramukh Sri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma sitting at his mother’s feet; Col. Goda Varma Raja is also sitting on the carpet (extreme left).

Do memories fade away with age? “No,” says the nonagenarian K. Sankaran Nair, who was born in 1924. Soon after Sankaran Nair completed his studies in 1944, he joined as a demonstrator in the Department of Physics in University College, Thiruvananthapuram. It was then that he joined as an officer in the University Officers’ Training Corps and the National Cadet Corps. In May 1953, he was detailed to undergo a refresher-training course in the NCC at the Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) at Wellington, the Nilgiris. “My colleague Lt. Viswanathan Nair was the only other NCC officer from [erstwhile] Travancore. However, we formed part of a contingent of about 15 NCC officers from different colleges of South India such as Mysore and the former Madras Province. We were attached to the MRC and was accommodated at the Officer’s Mess there,” Nair recalls.

K. Sankaran Nair / The Hindu
K. Sankaran Nair / The Hindu

Sri Chithira Thirunal, the then Rajapramukh of Travancore-Cochin, was an honorary Colonel of the Madras Regiment. In May, the royal family of Travancore was staying in the Nilgiris for their summer sojourn and they were invited to a lunch at the Officers’ Mess. Lt. Viswanathan Nair and Sankaran Nair were quite excited about the occasion. When the Rajapramukh arrived, the officers were introduced to the chief guest. “We were introduced, one by one to the Rajapramukh. Astonishingly, the Rajapramukh immediately recognised the officers from Travancore. He greeted us with the remark, ‘Oh, you are both here!’’’’ recalls Nair.

Next came a photography session with the royal guests. But when the guests assembled before the camera, they realised that the number of chairs arranged was inadequate to accommodate the senior officers and women who were present. People rushed in different directions to get more chairs. As the uneasy situation got prolonged, the Rajapramukh waited for a few moments with a faint smile. Then, in his clear ringing voice, he called out, ‘Col. Syed! I suggest that we gentlemen sit on the ground and allow the ladies occupy the chairs.’ Before anyone could apologise or make alternate suggestions, the Rajapramukh seated himself on the red carpet. Within two minutes, the senior officers were all sitting on the floor, cross-legged, on either side of the Rajapramukh.

The Wellington station photographer captured that memorable moment. The Rajapramukh was literally sitting at the feet of his mother, Maharani Sethu Parvathy Bayi. At one end of the row, seated on the ground, with his constant companion the ‘Rollei Flex’ camera beside him, was Col. Goda Varma Raja.

For the past 60 years, Sankaran Nair has treasured this valuable photograph. “I occupy a very insignificant corner in the photograph, yet I am in the company of three of the most influential personalities associated with Travancore history,” says Sankaran Nair.

(This write-up is based on an interview with K. Sankaran Nair, former professor of Physics)

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review > History & Culture / Sharat Sunder Rajeev / Thiruvananthapuram – August 29th, 2014

A village’s own white revolution

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature
T.P. William Rajan, a traditional dairy farmer in Peerumade, Idukki, is trying to make an entire village free of packet milk.
T.P. William Rajan, a traditional dairy farmer in Peerumade, Idukki, is trying to make an entire village free of packet milk.

A traditional dairy farmer in Peermade is trying to make an entire village free of packet milk.

T.P. William Rajan, a traditional dairy farmer, is the milk-delivery man for almost the whole of the Peerumade grama panchayat.

His cowshed has 12 cows of different varieties. He is trying to revive and an old system of milk delivery. His cows graze on the nearby grasslands during the day and return by evening. The milk has not been ‘branded’ but it is already a brand in itself.

“Now, I supply 45 litres of milk and the milking is done two times daily,” he says. His wife, Philomina, supports him in the endeavour.

The cowshed has Holstein Friesian, Jersey, and other varieties and the selection is done through a ‘trial-and-error method.’ “Local milk delivery is an old system which was prevalent here. I supply milk in bottles, half litre and above, to restaurants and houses,” he says. The average yield is low as far as the total production is concerned.

“This is because the cows and their calves are allowed free grazing and they eat natural grass alone. We provide pure water to our animals,” he says. His dog Pakru herds the cows and leads them back to the cowshed in the evening. “The cows give us a regular income and we get a price higher than the market rate. This is because the milk is farm fresh and delivered at the doorstep,” he says. His work begins at 5 a.m. with the cleaning of the cattle and milking. The work ends by 9 a.m. and the cowshed is opened for Pakru to lead the cattle out. Santhosh, a customer, says the delivery is prompt and the product fresh and pure.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Kerala / by Giji K. Raman / Peermade (Idukki District) – September 01st, 2014

Kochi doctors perform Kerala’s first pancreas transplant

Records, All, Science & Technology

PancreasKERALA31aug2014

Kochi :

A hospital here has successfully conducted Kerala’s first combined pancreas-kidney transplant, the third such in India.

The highly complex surgery was conducted on 35-year-old S. Syed Yunus Shahir, an engineer from Palakkad. The donor was a brain-dead 38-year-old patient.

Thanks to the transplant, Shahir is now eating ice cream at will and is all set to return home after a nearly two-week stay at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS).

Ramachandran N. Menon, the surgical gastro transplant surgeon, told IANS that this patient first came to them about two months back and after a series of tests he was cleared for the surgery and then the wait for a donor began.

He said as per the rules of organ transplant and donation, the Kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS), the state government’s nodal agency for organ retrieval and sharing, played a key role in facilitating the smooth transfer of pancreas and one kidney from a brain dead person.

“We got the call from the KNOS informing us of the availability of the pancreas and a kidney and we immediately asked Shahir to get admitted and the surgery was performed Aug 17,” said Menon.

Elaborating on the condition of Shahir, Menon said he was suffering from type 1 diabetes for the past 19 years and developed diabetes-related complications like retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and end stage kidney failure over the past two years.

Despite using an insulin pump, he had erratic control of the blood sugar which was preventing from effectively doing his work.

“Today, Shahir is on normal diet, his kidneys are functioning normally and is not on insulin. He is having his favourite ice creams, which were taboo for him. He is rearing to go home,” he said.

The first simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant was done in 1966 in the US.

source: http://www.english.manormaonline.com / OnManorama / Home> News> Kerala / by Agencies / Saturday – August 30th, 2014

Figuring out radio-controlled aircraft in Thiruvananthapuram

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Education, Science & Technology, Sports
Participants of a workshop on radio-controlled aircraft with the models made by them, in Thiruvananthapuram recently. Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Participants of a workshop on radio-controlled aircraft with the models made by them, in Thiruvananthapuram recently. Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Around 100 students and teachers were taken through the nuances of aircraft’s functioning and design, concepts and basics of aerodynamics with its applications.

A two-day workshop on radio-controlled (RC) aircraft turned out to be more than just a learning experience for the participants, bringing in fun and entertainment as well.

The event, held for students and the faculty from various colleges in the State and held at the Trinity College of Engineering here, was organised by Aerotrix, a division of Skyfi Education Labs, founded by the alumni of IIT, Kanpur. Around 100 students and teachers were taken through the nuances of aircraft’s functioning and design, concepts and basics of aerodynamics with its applications, mechanics of flight and structural configurations of a plane.

The participants were then given the opportunity to design, build and test their own RC aircraft from scratch through introduction to the design algorithm of an aircraft and hands-on experience on the electronic and electrical instrumentation of an RC aircraft. After the workshop, the participants-17 teams of students and three teams of faculty-developed 20 aircraft and tested them by flying them on the campus.

“We have been conducting similar workshops with the intention of improving skills and employability of engineering students. We use aero-modelling workshops as a means to deliver exciting and fun-based training to the students and to expose them to the multi-disciplinary demands of the industry,” Adarsh Hariprasad, faculty of Aerotrix, said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – August 22nd, 2014

475 Families of Mar Aprem Church to Bring out Handwritten Bible

Uncategorized

Kochi :

After the Catholic Church, now it is the turn of the Chaldean Syrian Church, one of the four archbishoprics in the Assyrian Church of the East, to transcribe the Bible. The 475 families under the  Mar Aprem Church, a parish of the Chaldean Syrian Church in Thrissur, are currently engrossed in transcribing the Bible.

It has been two months since they started the work. Once completed, the manuscript would be worthy of being added to the 100-odd ancient manuscripts – all written in Aramaic -stored at the Chaldean Metropolitan Palace in Thrissur. The transcription is being done as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the Mar Aprem Church.

Members of each of the families will write the chapters assigned to them. Thus, their combined effort will bring out a handwritten Holy Bible. They are transcribing the Bible published by the Bible Society of India, which is called the ‘Sathyaveda Pusthakam’ in Malayalam.

“From time immemorial, the Chaldean Syrian Church has a strong legacy of transcribing documents. The attempt to write the Holy Bible could be regarded as a continuation of it,” said Mar Awgin Kuriakose, Episcopa, the Chaldean Syrian Church.

Of the holy manuscripts that lay scattered in different parts of the world, the Chaldean Metropolitan Palace in Thrissur is believed to be having a good collection of them, after Iraq, which is the headquarters of the Assyrian Church of the East. In India, the Assyrian Church is known as the Chaldean Syrian Church, and it is headquartered in Thrissur.

“The 66 books, with 1,189 chapters, were divided in the 10 wards of the parish. We have briefed them on the instructions to be adhered to while writing. The transcription should be done only after the evening prayer. We did not want them to write it at a stretch. They can take their own time. The list of the chapters were given to them as well. They can only write on the paper provided by the church,” said Fr K P Varghese, Vicar, Mar Aprem Church.

“Even the pens were given to them. The numbers of the chapters and the verses should be written in red ink. The rest of the letters should be in black,” he said.

Mar Aprem, Metropolitan, the Chaldean Syrian Church, India, who kick-started the project  by writing the chapter of Genesis, said, “in the olden days, one had to transcribe manuscripts to be ordained as a priest. But,  as time flew by, and with the introduction of the printing press, that practice came to an end. However, this effort would remain in the memories of the people.”

Riju A Mannukkadan, a parishioner, said that his whole family was involved in the project.  “My children would read the assigned chapters aloud. Everyone in the family, except my little daughter, contributes,” he said.  The Sacred Heart Church, Kumbalangi, and the Cruz Milagres Church, Vypeen, are the catholic churches that have transcribed the Bible earlier.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala /by Shalet Jimmy / September 14th, 2014

Old Railway Station Assured of Heritage Monument Status

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Kochi :

Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda has assured K V Thomas MP that the old railway station in Ernakulam will be protected as a  heritage monument. The Union Minister communicated this to the MP at a meeting held to discuss the matters related to railway development in Ernakulam.

The MP, in a memorandum submitted to the Minister, demanded introduction of MEMU trains on Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur routes during peak hours. He also demanded a train from Ernakulam to Thiruvananthapuram at 5.30 pm and 11.30 pm. The MP’s demands include, electrification of Ernakulam-Cochin Harbour Terminus, an automatic coach washing machine at Ernakulam Junction and a train to Madhura.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Express News Service / August 29th, 2014

Senior Journalist G Venugopal Passes Away in Kottayam

Arts,Culture & Entertainment

Kottayam :

Senior journalist G Venugopal died of heart attack today at a private hospital here, family sources said.

He was 59.

He was the former News Editor of Mangalm Malayalam daily.

He also served as the secretary of Kerala Union of Working Journalsits and President of Kottayam Press Club.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala condoled the death of Venugopal.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by PTI / September 14th, 2014

White revolution, of sorts

Agriculture, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature
Jeemon Kaaraadi, a dairy farmer from Kottayam, protesting with his cows in front of the Milma Bhavan at Pattom in the city. Photo: S.R. Praveen / The Hindu
Jeemon Kaaraadi, a dairy farmer from Kottayam, protesting with his cows in front of the Milma Bhavan at Pattom in the city. Photo: S.R. Praveen / The Hindu

Jeemon Kaaraadi, a dairy farmer from Kottayam, decided to act after several representations sent to the Milma officials drew a blank.

He, along with a cow and its calf, boarded a pick-up truck to the capital city. For the past 10 days, the three of them are living in a small ‘two-storey’ tent in front of Milma Bhavan at Pattom, with the ground floor occupied by the cow and the calf, and Jeemon sleeping on a cot attached to pillars just above them. One of his demands is restructuring of the milk price charts so that dairy farmers would get minimum prices. “The price of milk has increased in recent times. But it is hardly reflected in payments to dairy farmers. There has been only a nominal increase in our earnings. Also, the lack of clarity in the norms for fat content and Solid Not Fat (SNF) in milk collected from us means that the respective cooperative society can bring down the prices at will,” says Mr. Jeemon. Amid the protest too, he regularly milks the cow. He has stocked up on cattle feed and grass.

“I distribute the milk to the tea shops nearby. A few local people have also begun asking for it, as milk straight from the udder is almost non-existent in the city,” he says.

Some of those who came to the Milma counter close by were seen enquiring if they could buy milk from him.

But his grouse is that none of the officials who pass through the gates daily has asked him why he is sitting here. “Perhaps, they think I will leave this place if there is no response. But, I have just started boiling the milk, and it will take some time to rise and spill over,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / S. R. Praveen / Thiruvananthapuram – August 25th, 2014

Ramesh Kanjilimadhom: The barefoot runner

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Sports, World Opinion

A three-time Boston Marathon veteran, this runner from Kochi is organizing his first marathon this year.

Ramesh Kanjilimadhom.
Ramesh Kanjilimadhom.

On The Run | Ramesh Kanjilimadhom 

Ramesh Kanjilimadhom, 45, ran his first marathon in 2006 at the age of 37; since then he has run 39 full marathons. The Kochi-based information technology professional is always either recovering from a marathon or training for one. A prolific runner, he has run the Boston Marathon thrice, and started the running group Soles of Cochin in July last year with friends. On 16 November, the group is organizing its inaugural Spice Coast Marathon. Kanjilimadhom doesn’t use shoes or music for running, and it seems to be working for him, for his personal record for a full marathon—set in Dubai in 2010—is 3:05:26. Edited excerpts from an email interview:

Why, when and how did you start running?

I started running in my early 30s. A subconscious reason for it may have been my brother getting diabetic at a young age.

Your favourite running gear and soundtrack.

Nature and my environment provide me the best soundtrack. I don’t use shoes much, but clotheswise, I run in a singlet and shorts. Brands don’t really matter much.

Describe your training regimen.

It typically involves five or six days of running a week, almost exclusively in the morning. I try to mix it up with tempo, Interval, long runs, recovery, etc.

Why and when did you take up barefoot running? 

I took up barefoot running in 2009 purely out of curiosity when a friend told me how liberating and strong she felt running that way. I enjoyed it and felt it worked well for me. Since then, I’ve been almost exclusively running barefoot except for some long runs and races.

How did you qualify for the Boston Marathon?

I had no idea what it meant to qualify for Boston, but when I finished my first full marathon in 3 hours, 47 minutes, other runners told me that a BQ (Boston Qualification) was within my reach. I failed a few times, but made the cut in January 2009 for the first time. I have done both high-quantity and high-quality miles training with similar results, so I guess both methods work for me. The most important thing is to remain injury-free and enjoy your runs.

How much difference does it make running barefoot?

It is certainly different. It brings out your natural stride and landing, uses the feedback mechanism from your feet and possibly lets your body make automatic adjustments/corrections. I haven’t had any aches or injuries running barefoot that I used to have when running in shoes. However, it may very well be that barefoot is not the best style for you. There’s only one way to find out; try both.

Is there some personal goal that you have set for yourself?

I’d like to run a sub-3-hour marathon some day. If I can transcend the pressure of performance for races and become a complete zen runner, I’d like that.

Your tips for runners on how to make it to the Boston Marathon.

First thing is to find out what works for you. For some it’s high-volume training; for some it’s high-quality training; for some others, it doesn’t matter. Once you identify the training plan, enslave yourself to it. It’s hard work, but that’s what marathon running is anyway. For high volume, I highly recommend Pfitzinger 18/70; for high quality, either Fuhrman’s FIRST or the Hansons plan. Custom plans from Runner’s World SmartCoach are also wonderful.

Your running group, Soles of Cochin, is organizing its first marathon this year. What can we expect from it?

Soles of Cochin has a fairly large crowd running regularly, training together for marathons and longer races and achieving great things in terms of race times, physical transformations and mental toughness. We felt that it was time for us to organize a full marathon in Kochi. We have named our race the Spice Coast Marathon and identified a flat and fast course that winds through the spice market, along the happening Arabian Sea coast and to a relatively calm port area. It is scheduled for 16 November, when the weather will be nice and mild. We are expecting pretty good crowd support as the runners enter the Fort Kochi area from the relatively quiet Willingdon Island. We also plan to highlight the centuries-old landmarks in the area that bring the character and heritage of the place in focus.

 On the Run is a monthly series that profiles the most enthusiastic Indian marathon runners.

source: http://www.livemint.com / Live Mint & The Wall Steet Journal / Home> Leisure / Shrenik Avlani / Monday – August 25th, 2014