The karkidaka vavubali held at Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple on Saturday
Thirunavaya :
Around 25,000 devotees offered Karkidaka Vavu Bali at the Navamukunda temple ghat here on Saturday. The rituals started at at 2.30 am and lasted till 2 pm. Sixteen priests led the rituals. People thronged the place from early morning itself to offer bali, seeking redemption for their ancestors. Tokens were distributed on a first-come first-served basis.
source: http: //www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / July 27th, 2014
Students from the Pankajakasthuri College of Engineering and Technology show the working of ‘Armstrong,’ an upper-limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation and power augmentation, at the TechTop National Innovation Challenge 2014 in the city. / The Hindu
The 17 final projects at the TechTop National Innovation Challenge 2014 ranging from a low-cost solar panel that relies on slaughterhouse waste to an upper-limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation and power augmentation all aim at identifying a pertinent issue and devising an efficient system to address it.
The 17 final projects at the TechTop National Innovation Challenge 2014 ranging from a low-cost solar panel that relies on slaughterhouse waste to an upper-limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation and power augmentation all aim at identifying a pertinent issue and devising an efficient system to address it.
These projects, chosen from 192 proposals in January, are finally on display at the Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology — this year’s venue for the TechTop event.
Design workshop
In addition to this competition, the ninth edition of the programme also featured a five-day Design Innovation Workshop, which saw the halls of the college turn into a sanctuary for creative thought and entrepreneurial spirit as 67 students from across the country gathered here for a residential workshop led by founder of TechTop Rajesh Nair.
Information Technology Principal Secretary P.H. Kurien, after inaugurating the two-day exhibition here on Friday morning, said TechTop was a platform for the youth to think beyond their textbook curriculum and showcase their innovative projects.
The increase in attendance showed how TechTop was encouraging more students every year.
Open for public
Students from colleges and schools poured in for the exhibition, which is open for public viewing till Saturday evening.
They were fascinated by projects such as the ‘Affordable Refreshable Braille Display’ by students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, which seeks to increase Braille literacy.
There is also the Tree Climbing Mechanism by the students of the Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore; and the Smart Wearable Device by Mar Baselios students which monitors vital statistics, has GPS tracking, and an emergency SOS button, to name a few.
Alongside these projects, student who attended the design workshop are also exhibiting their products, which can be classified into mobile and wireless, health and living, and toys to enable easier learning for the differently abled. The classes were conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Tata Centre.
The prize winners will announced during the valedictory event on Saturday. The best project will be awarded a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / Staff Reporter / Thiruvananthapuram – July 26th, 2014
Three Keralite Civil Service officers would soon add a new chapter in palliative care in rural West Bengal, inspired by similar initiative in their home state.
‘Sanjeevani’, an end-of-life care project to be launched in September in the Nadia district of WB, is the brain child of IAS officers P B Salim and Bijin Krishna and Amarnath, an IPS officer. The project has been conceptualised by the Kozhikode based Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), the training, research and outreach arm of Pain and Palliative Care Society, which pioneered community volunteering in end-of-life care.
Salim, hailing from Muvattupuzha, is currently working as the District Magistrate of Nadia while Amarnath, a native of Moozhikkal in Kozhikode, is the ASP of South 24 Parganas. Bijin from Meppayur in Kozhikode is the Assistant Collector of Murshidabad district. “Both Amarnath and Salim had associated with IPM years ago. Salim suggested starting a palliative care programme in West Bengal. He along with Amarnath then approached me. Later, Bijin also extended support to the initiative,” said Dr Suresh, director of IPM, which provides technical support for the project.
According to Salim, Sanjeevani is aimed at improving the quality of life of the terminally ill in Nadia.
“The project intends to introduce a new culture of providing care for the bed-ridden patients utilising a network of physicians, nurses and volunteers,” he said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Shafeeq Alingal / July 25th, 2014
With a rusty trunk in hand and a plethora of instructions in mind, Anna Jacob boarded SS Franconia from Bombay to Liverpool to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. “It was 1947. There were 3,500 passengers on board, and most of them were Britons returning home,” says Jacob, 67 years later.
The journey lasted three weeks. “There was a badminton court, a swimming pool, a live band. Many of them were upbeat as they all were returning home at last,” says Jacob, her face breaking into a wrinkled smile.
Jacob, who will turn 100 this month-end, was among the first batch of students who completed the higher grade nursing course from Christian Medical College, Vellore, in 1936. In the city to attend the centenary celebration of Women’s Christian College, where she did an intermediate course in 1946, she recounts her days with Dr Ida Scudder, founder of CMC, and Vera Pitman, her nursing tutor.
Jacob, fondly called Annamma by her family and friends, surprises people with her sharp memory. “I still remember the day Miss Pitman came to our school in Tiruvalla, Kerala,” she recalls. “She was really tall and graceful, but what drew people to her was her passion for what she did — nursing. Fifteen minutes into her talk on the need for dedicated nurses in the country, I had already made up my mind to join her team in Vellore.”
Her family members were aghast as “Nursing was looked down at that time. No woman from a good family would get into the profession.” When I broke the news to my family that I was moving to Vellore, they were aghast. News spread fast and my father received condolence letters,” said Jacob, who was the third among five sisters. Undeterred, she went on to be among the first batch of nine students under Pitman. “It was the best move I made in my life,” says Jacob.
After completing her course three years later, Jacob moved on to work in Delhi, before she got a scholarship in 1947 to do a bachelor’s in Canada. “A month later, I saw myself on board SS Franconia and later made my way from Liverpool to Montreal,” she said. She returned to Vellore two years later, where she was made the Nursing Superintendent. She worked there from 1949 to 1974.
Pitman continued mentoring her through letters from London. “She said it was up to me to now to pass on what I was taught. And that’s what I did and continue doing,” says Jacob, who stays on her own in Vellore and continues mentoring young nurses.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Ekatha Ann John, TNN / July 20th, 2014
Karinthandan Moopan, the tribal leader who is believed to have helped the British find the Thamarassery Ghat road, has got a face now. An artist, Ayyappan, has drawn the portrait of the tribal hero after consulting the descendants of the Paniya moopan and other elders in the community.
Karinthandan, who was murdered by the British after he located the shortest route from Wayanad to Kozhikode, is a highly venerated figure among the Paniya tribals. “The British used to take the Kuttiady route to reach Kozhikode to transport spices from Wayanad to the Beypore port. Between 1700 and 1750, they were in search of another route, which could bring down the distance between Wayanad and Beypore,” said S Ramanunni, a trust member of pro-Sangh Parivar People’s Action for Educational and Economic Development of Tribal People (PEEP) that was instrumental in commissioning the artist to draw the portrait.
Ramanunni says Karinthandan might have been killed by the British because he revolted against the foreigners. “He might have asked them not to stake claim for Wayanad. This could the reason for shooting him to death,” he said.
It is believed that there were a series of accidents on the route in 1890 and 1900. “The belief was that it was Karinthandan’s soul that caused the accidents. The soul that was roaming around the Ghat road was finally overpowered and tied to a tree at Vythiri. Even now, you can see the tree with an iron chain, which is now a temple,” Krishnanunni said.
However, K K N Kurup, historian and former vice-chancellor of Calicut University, said there were no historical documents to prove the veracity of the story. “But it is a strong myth. The British might have sought the help of tribals to find a route to Wayanad to fight Pazhassi Raja around 1803-?05,” he said.
Kurup said it was Tippu Sulthan who linked Wayanad with Kozhikode by road. “But we are not sure that he took the Thamarassery route. There is a possibility that he travelled through the Kuttiady route to reach Kozhikode,” he said.
PEEP has approached the government to erect a memorial for Karinthandan at Vythiri. “Chief minister Oommen Chandy has promised to erect a memorial to the tribal leader at the earliest, when we met him in last February. The government has already sanctioned Rs 15 lakh in this regard,” Krishnanunni said.
source: http://www.thetimesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kozhikode / TNN / July 25th, 2014
R. Baiju, an alumnus of the Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music, makes ends meet by driving an autorickshaw. / Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu
This is all the music that there is in Baiju’s life these days. It was not so, in 1997.
When R. Baiju goes on long drives, he listens to old Malayalam film songs, particularly those sung by Yesudas. Often, he hums along and when he does, a wistful smile plays on his lips. This is all the music that there is in Baiju’s life these days. It was not so, in 1997.
Back then Baiju’s days used to be filled with the lilting notes of Thodi, Mayamalava Goula or Kaappi. Back then Baiju was one in a class of 20, aiming for a Gaana Bhooshanam qualification from the Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music.
“All the others had some previous knowledge of Carnatic music. I had only a burning passion for the same,” says Baiju, whose house at Onaampaara, near Peoroorkada, did not have a burning light when he was a student. So, writing only the second year examinations and after completing the four-year course he bid goodbye to the ‘thampura’. He keeps in touch with only one batchmate of his, and that person now works as a clerk at a medical college in the city.
Baiju is but one of the many college alumni for whom music did not become a vocation or a way of life. There are many college alumni who work as government clerks, in private firms, as entrepreneurs.
“Even as a child I used to love riding the bicycle. So it is that I became a newspaper delivery boy; something that I continue to this day. I drive an autorickshaw and taxis for a living. But even now, I can’t help thinking one thing: if only I had the opportunity to study some music before going to the music college, I may have been a professional musician now,” he says. “Maybe, one day, music will play a part in my life again.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – July 23rd, 2014
India produces very few top class sportspersons in Olympic discipline and one of the main reasons for it is the lack of a sports culture. There have been exceptions and shooting is one event in which the nation has come up with splendid achievements on the global stage. As the Commonwealth Games competition gets under way in Glasgow on Thursday, the shooters are expected to do the country proud yet again, though the number of gold medals on offer have been drastically reduced to 17 from 36 in the last edition held at New Delhi. Elizabeth Susan Koshy is one of the bright hopes for India in the quadrennial extravaganza. The 19-year-old girl from Thodupuzha speaks to Manorama Online from Glasgow about her career and chances at the Games.
Elizabeth’s has been a remarkable journey in which she has been lucky to have received the support of her parents, proper guidance and more importantly taste success at a young age.
“My parents (planter Koshy Abraham and interior designer Ani) have been very supportive. I took up the sport at the age of 12 after witnessing a competition in Thodupuzha and initially I didn’t have a coach. Later on Sunny sir (Prof Sunny Thomas, former national coach) was of great help and he has been a mentor. All my equipment are imported and my parents are never reluctant if I am interested in something sincerely,” said Elizabeth.
Shooting is one sport which requires unwavering concentration and mental toughness. Elizabeth is someone who relishes pressure and is not overawed by the occasion. “I don’t feel any pressure just because I am one of the youngest members in the national team. I have been part of the senior squad and I came up trumps in the last Nationals in a field which included seven experienced shooters in the final (Elizabeth bagged the 50 m rifle 3-position gold at Tughlakabad in 2013 and Olympian Anjali Bhagwat was one of her competitors.) That was a big boost to me.”
Elizabeth is confident that the shooting contingent will come up with a good performance in Glasgow. “My competition is slated for Tuesday and I will put my best foot forward. I am confident that the team will put in a strong performance in the Games.”
Elizabeth, a final year BA Economics student of St Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, is quick to acknowledge the support of her teachers and friends. “Most of the time I will be away training in New Delhi or Pune. In addition there will be tournaments as well. But my teachers and friends are of great help.”
Age is one her side and with more exposure, Elizabeth can only get better in her pursuit of excellence.
source: http://www.beta.english.manoramaonline.com / ManoramaOnline / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by Paul Abraham K / Thursday – July 24th, 2014
Shravan Katikaneni, director of ‘Chronicles of a Temple Painter’, receiving the award from Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. Sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman is also seen | B P DEEPU
Thiruvananthapuram :
The documentary ‘Chronicles of a Temple Painter’ directed by Shravan Katikaneni bagged the award for the Best Long Documentary at the seventh edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK 2014) which concluded here on Tuesday.
The 52-minute documentary discusses the life of a Hindu temple painter and his wife who rescued a four-year-old Muslim girl and took care of her as their own daughter. The award was presented by Cinema Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan at the Kairali Theatre here. The award comprised a purse of Rs 1 lakh and a certificate.
In short documentary category, ‘Babai’ directed by Kavita Datir and Amit Sonawane won the award which carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 along with a certificate.
The awardees were selected by a jury comprising Hong Hyosook, Susie Tharu and Harsh Mander.
While addressing the gathering, after inaugurating the closing ceremony, Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said that the State Government would take an initiative to promote Malayalam movies to an international-level.
“The movies which can help promote social justice should be made in the state. That will affect the society in a positive manner. The government will take an initiative to support the attempts, if filmmakers come forward with such movies,” he said.
The Minister said that these types of film festivals inspire filmmakers to come up with good quality movies.Thiruvanchoor said that more ‘environmental- science’ movies would be included in the next festival.
‘Saltwater’ directed by MA students of SJCC, bagged the award for best campus film. Ammu S Rajashekharan, Anju S Raj, Mahisha Mohan, Naithik Mathew Eapen, Remo Benjamin Peter, Remya Mathew, Anand Ajayaghosh, Anoop T M, Augustin Veets, Krishal Janardhanan, Sarath and Saritha Balan Pillai were the people behind the camera of this movie.
‘You are Rot’ directed by Christo Tomy won the award for the Best Music Video. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a certificate.
Best Animation Film Award was bagged by Gitanjali Rao for ‘True Love Story’. The award comprises Rs 25,000 and a certificate.
‘Tamaash’ directed by Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh bagged the award for Best Short Fiction. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a certificate.
‘Fishy Magic’ by Ektara Collective won the special mention award in short fiction category. Special mention in short documentary category was won by ‘Trash’ directed by Sougata Bhattacharya.Two special mention awards were given in Long Documentary category to ‘Candles in the Wind’ by Kavita Bahl and Nandan Saxena and ‘Goonga Pehelwan’ by Vivek Chowdhary, Prateek Gupta and Mit Jain.Best Documentary Cinematographer Award was awarded to Saumyananda Sahi for the film ‘Rangbhoomi’. The award comprises a certificate and Rs 50,000. The award was instituted by cinematographer Navroze Contractor.
Famous sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman was the chief guest at the function. State Chalachithra Academy Vice-chairman Gandhimathi Balan, secretary Rajendran Nair, film director Joshy Mathew, festival artistic director Beena Paul and jury members were present. Earlier, 27 films were screened on Tuesday.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / July 23rd, 2014
A day after President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated its platinum jubilee celebrations, the College of Engineering, Trivandrum, got a jubilee gift in the form of five top ranks in the eighth-semester B.Tech. examinations (2008 scheme), the results of which were announced by the University of Kerala here on Saturday.
While M.J. Subramaniam of the CET bagged the top rank for the Civil Engineering examinations, Ranjith R. Rao became the topper in the Mechanical Engineering stream. The first rank in Industrial Engineering went to P.L. Aarathy Sen, also of the CET. In the Electronics and Communication Engineering examinations the first rank went to Shiga Abraham of the CET and in the Computer Science and Engineering examinations the top rank went to Amit Praseed, also of the CET.
Other ranks
The first rank in Chemical Engineering went to M. Anitha of the TKM College of Engineering, Kollam. While A.S. Neethu of the SCT College of Engineering, Pappanamcode, bagged the top rank in the Biotechnology and Bio-Chemical Engineering examinations, the top slot in the Electrical and Electronics Engineering examinations went to L.S. Anju of the TKM College.
While the first rank in the Production Engineering examinations went to R. Arunkrishnan from the TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, the top rank in the Automobile engineering examinations went to M. Srikanth from the SCT College of Engineering, Pappanamcode.
Kavya Sankar from the LBS Institute of Technology for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, bagged the first rank in the Applied Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering examinations, the top rank for the Information Technology Engineering examinations went to Arathy Krishnan of the Mar Baselios College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram.
The results can be accessed at the website www.keralauniversity.ac.in
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – July 20th, 2014
Vyloppilli with wife, Bhanumathi teacher. File photo
Thrissur:
An investigative report has brought it to the light that legendary poet Vailoppilli’s ancestral land worth crores of rupees has been swindled, fabricating a fraudulent pension committee.
The poet’s wife was tricked into believing that an old age home was to be constructed, and had her palming off land, while in fact, a motel was built up, the report said.
It has also been revealed that this motel, intentionally misconstrued as an old age home, was used in favour of the swindlers to extract lakhs of rupees as grant from the government.
The report by social rights department has held the Kerala State Service Pensioners Union’s Ollukkara block committee leadership responsible for this fraud act. Manorama News has obtained a copy of the report.
The swindling happened in 1999 when organisers of the pension committee approached Vailoppilly’s wife, Bhanumathi teacher, claiming that they were building a modern old-age home. She donated 57 cents of land for the cause. The donation that was made in the name of the mother concern was later changed to ‘Kerala State Service Pensioners Union of Ollukkara’, and Bhanumathi teacher’s request to return the property was denied.
The government is deceived as well, since the procurement of the grant is shown to be for building an old-age home. In the report shared by the district collector, it’s also suggested that the vigilance take up the case.
source: http://www.beta.english.manoramaonline.com / ManoramaOnline / Home> News> Kerala / by Manorama’s Correspondent / Monday – July 21st, 2014
