Hi All,

I am starting a new thread for Pathanamthitta district.

First of all I thank Sakrisha, who started a common thread in SSC for Pathanmathitta,Alappuzha and Idukki districts. Now moderators can make that thread only for Alappuzha and Idukki.

I request all the forumers to visit this thread and post your comments.

Map of Pathanamthitta District

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/7448/ptamap.png


For a more detailed map, please refer: http://www.mathrubhumi.com/pathanamthitta/district_map/

Facts about Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta, a district in the central Travancore region of Kerala is famous for its pilgrim centers and unique festivals. Pathanamthitta district is known as the “headquarters of pilgrimage tourism”. The famous Sabarimala temple is in Pathanamthitta district. The world famous Maramon Convention (world's 2nd largest and Asia's largest gathering of Christians ) is held at Maramon in Pathanamthitta.There are other well known Hindu, Christian and Muslim pilgrim centers in this district.
The population of Pathanamthitta district constitutes a considerable number of NRIs. The NRIs from Pathanamthitta are not only in Middle East but also in Western Europe and USA. This district ranks high in terms of social well being among all the districts of Kerala.

One peculiarity of the people of Pathanamthitta (or central Travancore) is that they don’t hesitate to travel anywhere in the world to pursue education and jobs. The migration to Middle East, which changed the face of Kerala, is started by the people of central travancore in 1970s.

District Headquarters: Pathanamthitta
Bordering Districts: Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Kollam (It has a border with Tamil Nadu in the east.)
Major Townships: Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Adoor, Kozhencherry, Ranni and Konni
Parliamentary constituency: Pathanamthitta
Assembly constituencies: Aranmula, Ranni, Konni, Adoor and Thiruvalla
Taluks: Kozhecherry, Thiruvalla, Mallappally,Ranni and Adoor
Major Rivers: Pamba, Manimala river, Anchankovil river

Major roads passing through the district:

National Highway:
NH 220 (Kollam-Theni) (The exact route is not finalized)
(There is a proposal to convert Punalur – Muvattupuzha Road as NH)

State Highways:

SH 1 – M C Road
SH 5 – Kayamkulam – Pathanapuram Road
SH 6 - Kayamkulam - Thiruvalla Road
SH 7 - Thiruvalla - Kumbazha Road (TK road)
SH 8 - Main Eastern Highway (Punalur - Muvattupuzha Road)
SH 9 - Kottayam - Kozhencherry Road
SH 10 - Mavelikkara - Kozhencherry Road
SH 12 - Ambalapuzha - Thiruvalla Road
SH 37 - Adoor - Sasthamkotta road
SH 44 - Sabarimala – Kodaikkanal Road
SH 59 – Hill Highway
SH 67 - Mannarkulanji - Pampa Road

KSRTC Depots: Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Adoor, Pandalam, Mallappally and Ranni

Nearest Railway Stations: Chengannur (26 kms) & Thiruvalla (30 kms)

Airports: Thiruvanathapuram International Airport (113 km), Cochin International Airport (142 km).

The proposed Aranmula international Airport is just 14 kms from Pathanamthitta town.

MEDICAL COLLEGE:
PUSHPAGIRI MEDICAL COLLEGE, THIRUVALLA

AYURVEDA MEDICAL COLLEGE:
MANNAM AYURVEDA MEDICAL COLLEGE, PANDALAM

ENGINEERING COLLEGES:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ADOOR
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, KALLOOPPARA
MOUNT ZION COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, KADAMANITTA
MUSALIAR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, PATHANAMTHITTA
CARMEL ENGINEERING COLLEGE, PERUNAD
SREE BUDDHA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING FOR WOMEN, ELAVUMTHITTA

ARTS & SCIENCE COLLEGES:
COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCE, PATHANAMTHITTA
COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES (I.H.R.D), ADOOR
COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCE (I.H.R.D), MALLAPALLY
B.A.M. COLLEGE, THURUTHICAUD, MALLAPPALLY
CATHOLICATE COLLEGE, PATHANAMTHITTA
DEVASWOM BOARD COLLEGE, PARUMALA
KVVS COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ADOOR
MARTHOMA COLLEGE, THIRUVALLA
MANNAM MEMORIAL NSS COLLEGE, KONNI
N.S.S. COLLEGE, PANDALAM
SAHODARAN AYYAPPAN SMARAKA S.N.D.P YOGAM COLLEGE, KONNI
ST. CYRILS COLLEGE, ADOOR
ST. THOMAS COLLEGE, KOZHENCHERRY
ST. THOMAS COLLEGE, RANNI.
ST. GREGORIUS COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES PARUMALA
V.N.S COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE KONNAPPARA, KONNI
VISWA BRAHMANA COLLEGE, VECHOOCHIRA, RANNI
COLLEGE OF INDIGENOUS FOOD TECHNOLOGY (CIFT), KONNI

NURSING COLLEGES:
COLLEGE OF NURSING, PATHANAMTHITTA
ARCHANA COLLEGE OF NURSING, PANDALAM
M.G.M. MUTHOOT COLLEGE OF NURSING, PATHANAMTHITTA
PUSHPAGIRI COLLEGE OF NURSING, PATHANAMTHITTA
ST. THOMAS COLLEGE OF NURSING CHETHIPUZHA
ST.GREGORIOUS COLLEGE OF NURSING PARUMALA

MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONS:
MAR ATHANASIOS COLLEGE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES (MACFAST), TIRUVALLA
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, PRAKKANAM, PATHANAMTHITTA

POLYTECHNIC:
GOVT. POLYTECHNIC,VENNIKULAM
GOVT. POLYTECHNIC, ADOOR
GOVT. POLYTECHNIC, VECHOOCHIRA
N.S.S. POLYTECHNIC (PRIVATE), PANDALAM

Pathanamthitta is the first polio-free district in India


Pathanamthitta tops in literacy (96.93 per cent) among all the districts of Kerala (It could be the top district in the whole country as well.)


Pathanamthitta had the lowest decadal (2001-2011) growth rate of population. (It had a negative decadal population growth)

Source (http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/02/stories/2011040264370600.htm)

Pathanamthitta stands 5th in the per capita income among the districts of Kerala and 4th in case of growth in per capita income.

Source: Socio Economic Survey by Kerala planning Commission

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/3743/history1.png
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4796/history2.png

Courtesy: Mathrubhumi (24-12-2010)
(Mathrubhumi published this article when K. Karunakaran expired)

I will be editing this post to add translation...

The whole district is industrially backward. There are no opportunities for the highly educated citizens to work in their own district.

The tourist potential of the district is not explored.

There are no steps from the government to boost the pilgrimage tourism which exists in the district. The facilities for pilgrims are poor.

The district is producing variety of agricultural products, but there are no facilities to process those agricultural products to yield more revenue.

There are no initiatives from the government for the IT development of the district.

Even though most of the major roads in the district are in good shape compared to other districts, it lacks roads with national standard.

There are only a few long distance and interstate KSRTC buses from Pathanamthitta, even though there are so many interstate private buses. Most of the major southern bus operators have services to Pathanamthitta.

Pathanamthitta district is blessed with excellent medical facilities spread across the district. There are proposals to start super specialty hospitals for the millions of pilgrims visiting the district during the Sabarimala season. After the season, the facilities can be used for other patients also. Once the Aranmula airport becomes operational, there is a scope for medical tourism in this district.

Some of the specialty hospitals around Aranmula are:
1) Pushpagiri Medical College, Thiruvalla
2) Muthoot Medical Centre, Kozhencherry ( www.muthoothospitals.com)
3) MGM Muthoot Medical Centre, Pathanamthitta (www.muthoothospital.com)
4) Century Hospital, Chengannur (www.centuryhospital.org)
5) Lifeline Super Specialty Hospital, Adoor (www.lifelinehospitalkerala.com)
6) St. Gregorios Cardio Vascular Centre, Parumala (sghospital.org)
7) Mannam Ayurveda Medical College, Pandalam
8) Chitra Multi Specialty Hospital, Pandalam
9) Sree Ayyappa Medical College and Research Foundation, Vadasserikkara (Under construction)
10) Central university Institute of Medical Science, Adoor (Under construction)
11) Mount Zion Medical College, Adoor (Under construction)

Nice. YOu have provided very good informations about the district.

Good initiative..

Good Initiative. :cheers:
Full support to the new thread.

BTW, Kiranchetta, I feel no need to remove 'the name Pathanamthitta from Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Alappuzha project thread' even though a new thread for Pathanamthitta is here.

It is because I feel that, eventhough I opposed Aranmula airport, still I would like Pathanamthitta forumers to be reminded about my contribution to Pathanamthitta in SSC. otherwise, they may tend to think that I am a Pathanamthitta hater. :)

Pathanamthitta is the first polio-free district in India


Pathanamthitta tops in literacy (96.93 per cent) among all the districts of Kerala (It could be the top district in the whole country as well.)


Pathanamthitta had the lowest decadal (2001-2011) growth rate of population. (It had a negative decadal population growth)

Source (http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/02/stories/2011040264370600.htm)

Pathanamthitta stands 5th in the per capita income among the districts of Kerala and 4th in case of growth in per capita income.

Source: Socio Economic Survey by Kerala planning Commission

This is absolutely great and it reflects the fact the people of this district are highly educated and health concerned and also rich by earning good amount of money be it abroad or in India.

For Kollamaites Pathanathitta is their sister district as it was carved out of Kollam district 3 decades before.

The development of Pathanamthitta is very important for Central Travencore and also for the neighbouring districts including Kollam. My full support for this thread and the district.:okay::nocrook::banana:

:banana::cheers::applause::cheer:

good start... keep it up....

PTA is a world renowned district cos of Sabarimala.

For those who interested in jungle tourism/resort, an ideal place in Konni.

Contour Jungle Resorts is situated in the midst of Konni Forests in Pathanamthitta dist which is breathtakingly beautiful..
It seems a lot of foreign tourists are visiting this place.

Click on
http://www.contourresorts.com/gallery.php

cheers :cheers:

The world famous Maramon Convention (world's 2nd largest gathering of Christians) is held at Maramon in Pathanamthitta.


[QUOTE=Kiru_PTA;78732952]Facts about Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta, a district in the central Travancore region of Kerala is famous for its pilgrim centers and unique festivals. Pathanamthitta district is known as the “headquarters of pilgrimage tourism”. The famous Sabarimala temple is in Pathanamthitta district. There are other well known Hindu, Christian and Muslim pilgrim centers in this district.

^^
Thank you all for the support extended to this thread…. :cheers:

Please visit this thread and post your comments….

The world famous Maramon Convention (world's 2nd largest gathering of Christians) is held at Maramon in Pathanamthitta.


Hi Godman,

Thank you for pointing this out. I missed to include the same. I have edited that post. I would have missed some other important facts also. I will try to add as much information as possible about Pathanamthitta.

In 2010, the least number of domestic violence cases was reported from Pathanamthitta and Wayanad districts.


Source (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/women-unsafe-in-own-homes/278720.html)

In 2010, the least number of domestic violence cases was reported from Pathanamthitta and Wayanad districts.


ആണുങ്ങള്* നാട്ടില്* ഇല്ലെങ്കില്* violence ഉം കാണില്ല population ഉം കുറയും....:jk:

ആണുങ്ങള്* നാട്ടില്* ഇല്ലെങ്കില്* violence ഉം കാണില്ല population ഉം കുറയും....:jk:

Angane anenkil malappurath population kurayande? :jk: :lol:

Notable people from Pathanamthitta District
Mohanlal, actor
Mahakavi Pandalam Kerala Varma, poet
M. N. Govindan Nair, politician, former minister and MP
Pandalam Sudhakaran, former minister
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan, poet
Fathima Beevi, first woman judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of India
M. G. Soman, actor
Meera Jasmine, actress
Nayantara, actress
Parvathy Jayaram, actress
Dr. T. K. Alex, Space scientist awarded Padmashri[citation needed]
Captain Raju, actor
Parvathy Omanakuttan, Miss World runner up, Miss India
Adoor Gopalakrishnan, movie director
Blessy, movie director
Thilakan, actor
Kaviyoor Ponnamma, actress
Adoor Bhasi, actor
E. V. Krishna Pillai, writer
Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai, exponent of Padayani
Adoor Bhavani, actress
Adoor Pankajam, actress
Kaveri (actress), actress
K. K. Nair Ex-MLA[citation needed]
M. Ranjith, producer[citation needed]
Mahakavi K. V. Simon, Poet (1883–1944)[citation needed]
source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/pathanamthitta

Good work Kiran chetta:applause::applause:
But you could have started this little more earlier........
I was also about to start one thread for Pathanamthitta b4 u started this..

All the support from my side:cheers1:

Notable people from Pathanamthitta District
Mohanlal, actor
Mahakavi Pandalam Kerala Varma, poet
M. N. Govindan Nair, politician, former minister and MP
Pandalam Sudhakaran, former minister
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan, poet
Fathima Beevi, first woman judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of India
M. G. Soman, actor
Meera Jasmine, actress
Nayantara, actress
Parvathy Jayaram, actress
Dr. T. K. Alex, Space scientist awarded Padmashri[citation needed]
Captain Raju, actor
Parvathy Omanakuttan, Miss World runner up, Miss India
Adoor Gopalakrishnan, movie director
Blessy, movie director
Thilakan, actor
Kaviyoor Ponnamma, actress
Adoor Bhasi, actor
E. V. Krishna Pillai, writer
Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai, exponent of Padayani
Adoor Bhavani, actress
Adoor Pankajam, actress
Kaveri (actress), actress
K. K. Nair Ex-MLA[citation needed]
M. Ranjith, producer[citation needed]
Mahakavi K. V. Simon, Poet (1883–1944)[citation needed]
source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/pathanamthitta


Godman you have missed some.......

Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan(senior Metropolitan Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church)

Prathapachandran,actor

Aranmula Ponnamma,actress

Kakkanadan , Novelist & writer

K G George, Movie Director

Kandathil Varghese Mappillai, Founder "Malayala Manorama"

Olympian Pappan, Famous football player represented Indian team in Rome (1960)

Jacob Punnoose,DGP

George Muthoot,Industrialist

Melamparambil Kurien John,Industrialist

B.Unnikrishnan,Film Director(Madambi)

Naushad,Prominent food caterer and Movie Producer

Kailash,actor(Neelathamara Fame)

Mythili,actress(Paleri Manikyam Fame)

:banana2::banana2:

Facilities at Sabarimala to be improved

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A meeting of officials attended by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and chaired by Devaswom Minister V.S. Sivakumar has decided to complete the work and repair of 17 ancillary roads connected to Sabarimala that were pointed out by the High Court well before the season.

The meeting held here on Thursday to identify steps that should be taken by various departments before the next pilgrimage season and the implementation of the master plan in a time-bound manner also resolved to install the necessary equipment at the cardiology centre at Apachimedu and increase the treatment facilities at the Pathanamthitta Hospital, peripheral hospitals and at Erumeli.

Work under the master plan will be speeded up. The Nilakkal parking facility will be improved and maximum area tarred. The augmentation schemes to increase water supply would also be speeded up. Parking facility will be improved at the Pampa bus stand also. Bus services will be operated from all centres.

The Electricity Board and the Devaswom Board will take immediate steps to lay cables to improve power supply to the Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilakkal areas. The repair and maintenance of the road via Wandiperiyar will be undertaken.

Emergency lamps will be installed at Pullumedu, the scene of tragedy during the last season, and at other places where pilgrims thronged to see the Makarajyothi. A sum of Rs. 1 crore will be sanctioned from the Disaster Management Fund for the purpose.

The meeting asked the Devaswom Minister to convene separate meetings of the Ministers of the other departments concerned to discuss the work to be done by each department.

====================

Good to know that the government has started the meetings related to Sabarimala pilgrimage now itself… :applause:

Good work Kiran chetta:applause::applause:
But you could have started this little more earlier........
I was also about to start one thread for Pathanamthitta b4 u started this..

All the support from my side:cheers1:

Thank you for the support, Adarsh... :cheers:
Please try to add some information about the unique festivals in our district and the important places...We need some photos also...
I have so many things in my mind to add, but lack of time is the main problem that I am facing... I will try to add some more info to this thread by this weekend.

KERALA KAUMUDY STARTED FROM PATHANAMTHITTA

Kerala Kaumudy Newspaper started its 10th edition from Pathanathitta.Sri Mullappally Ramachandran inaugrated the edition.
The edition functions nearby Collectorate.Its the 2nd one after Malayala Manorama.
Madhyamam edition is also about to function.
:banana::banana::banana:

Overall development of Aranmula promised

Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

Priority to problems facing the common man


PATHANAMTHITTA: “Drinking water, health care, sanitation, waste management, agriculture, and nature conservation are the key areas that need immediate and consistent attention in the Aranmula Assembly segment that houses the district headquarters and the district's cultural capital. My first priority will be to address the basic problems facing the people in general,'' says K. Sivadasan Nair, MLA.

The Aranmula MLA was talking to The Hindu here on his plan of action for the next five years.

Mr. Sivadasan Nair said he would soon open an office near the Pathanamthitta General Hospital with a view to addressing public grievances in a time-bound manner.

He said non-availability of potable water was a major problem in many parts of the constituency and efforts would be taken to solve the problem in association with the local bodies concerned.

The MLA said local self-government institutions should play a key role in identifying the local problems. Various people-friendly schemes would be taken up in the rural areas of the constituency in association with the grama panchayats, he said.

Health care

Mr. Sivadasan Nair said development of the General Hospital would be given top priority, since it was the base hospital of Sabarimala. Various specialty departments would be set up at the hospital in a time-bound manner. A well-equipped Cardiology Department and Orthopaedics Department would be opened there before the next pilgrim season.

The MLA said he would explore the possibility to set up a medical college in the constituency in the cooperative sector in association with the Travancore Devaswom Board, taking its grave necessity into consideration in terms of extending adequate medical facility to the scores of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala during the annual Mandalam and Makaravilakku festival seasons.

He said the development of the General Hospital would be planned in such way that it could be attached to the proposed medical college later.

The MLA said equal emphasis would be given to strengthening the rural health care service by improving the facilities at the District Hospital in Kozhencherry and at various primary health centres in the constituency. The District Cancer Centre at Kozhencherry was catering to the palliative care needs of hundreds of patients in a praiseworthy manner, he said, adding that all assistance would be extended to it.

Mr. Sivadasan Nair said inadequate public transport service linking the district headquarters with the MC Road as well as various towns in the hilly regions of the district had been a major problem facing the common man for the past several years.

There was a proposal for a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station complex in Pathanamthitta. It would be revived and implemented in a time-bound manner, he said. Sanctioning of more buses and employees was necessary for improving the service at the KSRTC depot at the district headquarters, he pointed out.

The MLA said he would extend full cooperation to the Palliyoda Seva Sanghom to make the annual snake-boat regatta, Uthrittathi Vallamkali, a major national tourism event.

Now, the government assistance for the regatta was meagre compared to that of the Nehru Trophy boat race. He said every possible initiative would be made to increase the aid for the Aranmula Vallamkali, he said.

He said the tourism potential of Aranmula was immense and efforts would be made to exploit it. The MLA said the reported apprehensions of the common man over the proposed airport project at Aranmula would be looked into in all its seriousness. He would extend support to the airport project if it was found viable. However, conservation of nature and protection of farmland would be taken into consideration while implementing any development project in the constituency, he said.

Mr. Sivadasan Nair said the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) was yet to accord sanction for the Cooperative Engineering College in Aranmula which was inaugurated in a haste on the election eve by the LDF government. He said he would strive for getting the AICTE clearance as early as possible.

The MLA said the Pampa was the lifeline of Central Travancore. The Centrally-sponsored Pampa Action Plan that aimed at pollution abatement of the river had lapsed owing to official indifference. Revival of the Pampa was a major project on his development agenda in the district, he said.

Mr. Sivadasan Nair said he would explore the possibility of setting up a common sewage treatment plant in the constituency in association with various grama panchayats and the Pathanamthitta municipality.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/04/stories/2011060461190300.htm
===========================

K. Sivadasan Nair, MLA is nicely talking about the issues of his Constituency and giving promises…. Let us hope that he will be able to convert his promises to reality….

Central warehouse to come up at Pamala Estate

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to lay the foundation stone

2,500-sq mt facility to be built at Rs.3 crore

State government allotted 3.5 acres in 2010

PATHANAMTHITTA: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will lay the foundation stone for the proposed Central warehouse at Pamala Estate near Kunnamthanam here on Saturday. Union Minister of State for Food, Consumer affairs and Public Distribution K.V. Thomas will preside over a meeting on the occasion.

According to an official statement issued by the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), the proposed 2,500-sq mt warehouse will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.3 crore. The State government had allotted 3.5 acres of land to the CWC at Pamala Estate in 2010 following a request by the then MLA, Joseph M. Puthusserry.

The warehouse would be the 13th of its kind in the State. Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister T.M. Jacob, MPs P.J. Kurien and Anto Antony, Mathew T. Thomas, MLA, CWC Managing Director B.B. Patnaik, and director G.N. Nair will also speak.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/04/stories/2011060460820300.htm

KERALA KAUMUDY STARTED FROM PATHANAMTHITTA

Kerala Kaumudy Newspaper started its 10th edition from Pathanathitta.Sri Mullappally Ramachandran inaugrated the edition.
The edition functions nearby Collectorate.Its the 2nd one after Malayala Manorama.
Madhyamam edition is also about to function.
:banana::banana::banana:

Hi Adarsh,

Thank you for the update on Kerala Kaumudi edition and the location of it. :cheers:
I had seen the news of its inauguration. As the function happened at Thiruvalla, I was thinking that it would function from Thiruvalla.

Hi Adarsh,

Thank you for the update on Kerala Kaumudi edition and the location of it. :cheers:
I had seen the news of its inauguration. As the function happened at Thiruvalla, I was thinking that it would function from Thiruvalla.


But Kiran Chetta the editorial section only functions at Pathanamthitta.
The press sitautes at Thiruvalla.:bash:But they never mentioned about this.
Interesting to hear,isn't it?

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/7339/dsc01491m.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9294/dsc01498copy3.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/2289/dsc01499l.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2024/dsc01494b.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/5792/dsc01510p.jpg

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/2399/dsc01534dg.jpg

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/6462/dsc01535j.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/1179/dsc01507g.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/8913/dsc01501fr.jpg

Tried to avoid these trees and all but.......

Good Work Adarsh…. :applause:

Thanks for the pictures… :cheers:

A video about Konni Elephant Park


H5z-vsjAK-c


Konni Elephant Camp or Aanakoodu is one of the oldest Elephant training centers of India. Now Government has converted it into an Elephant Park, where you can feed, ride and interact with the elephants. It has an Elephant Museum, which houses a display of elephant skeleton, various devices used by mahouts to control elephants and details of anatomical features of the elephant. Konni is 10 kilometers away from Pathanamthitta.

The Aranmula Boat Race is the oldest river boat fiesta of Kerala. It takes place on the Uthrattathi day of Chingam, during the Onam.

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/6232/aranmulaboatracekeralai.jpg

Image Courtesy:Wikipedia

Aranmula Valla Sadya :)

The Valla sadya is a unique mass feast with strong devotional moorings, given to the crew of Palliyodams (snake boats) which the devotees consider a divine vessel of Lord Krishna, presiding deity of Aranmula Sree ParthaSarathy Temple. People from different palliodams reach the temple in their respective boats to take part in the valla sadya.

Valla sadya is conducted by the devotees as a “Vazhipadu” to the lord ParthaSarathy. The Valla sadya is dedicated to any of the boat. On the valla sadya day, the oarsmen will come to the Temple in the boat through the river. The oarsmen offered Nirapara to the presiding deity at the Nadappanthal in front of the golden temple mast and went round the temple chanting Krishna bhajans (Vanchi pattu). The entire atmosphere was charged with the rhythmic vanchi pattu, songs in praise of Lord ParthaSarathy. The `vallasadya' began immediately after the utcha pooja at the temple. They were given a rousing reception. They circumambulated the temple, chanting the `vanchi pattu', verses in praise of Lord Krishna, before partaking of the valla sadya.

On the day of Krishna’s Birthday – Ashtami Rohini day, the Valla sadya is conducted for all the devotees of lord ParthaSarathy. Around 1 lakh people are attended every year. Most of the palliodams are attending this feast.Rice with 45 side dishes were served at the Sadya on banana leaves including the following side dishes:

Adaprathaman. (Pudding); Aravana payasam. (Pudding made from rice, jaggery and ghee); Aval (flattened rice); Avial (Mixed vegetable curry); Banana chips; Chammanthi powder (Chutney with chillies); Chukku vellum (dried ginger water); Curd; Ellunda (gingelly ball); Fried banana; Ghee; Ginger curry; Holy water from river Pampa; Kaalhen (curry made from curds); Kaalipazham payasam (Pudding made of banana); Kalkandum (Sugar candy); Kadala Prathaman (made of Bengal gram) ; Kychadi (Curry made of rice and gram); Mango curry; Munthiri pachadi (Curry made of grapes); Olen, (mixed curry); Pacchadi (A vegetable curry); Paal payasm (Pudding made of Milk); Pachamoru; Pulisserry (Curry prepared with thick and sour buttermilk); Resam; Red Cheera Thoran (made with a variety of amaranthus); Sambar; Thakara Thoran (Thoran with cassia tora); Unniappam.

http://www.aranmula.net/Vallasadya.aspx

Aranmula Kannadi is special type of mirror produced at Aranmula. The origins of the Aranmula metal mirrors are linked with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Legend has it that eight families of experts in temple arts and crafts were brought by the royal chief to Aranmula from Tirunelveli district to work in the Parthasarathy temple centuries ago. Some undisclosed metals are alloyed with copper and tin to cast the mirrors. The procedure and metallurgy is now only known to a single family in Aranmula. To achieve their highly reflective surface, the finished mirrors need to be polished for one or two days.

The British Museum in London has a 45 centimeter tall Aranmula metal mirror in its collection.


http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/1594/aranmulakannadi.jpg

Image Courtesy : aranmulakannadi.org

Sabarimala

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1921/sabarimala.jpg

Sabarimala is one of the most famous pilgrim centers in India. Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 m above sea level and is accessible only by foot from Pamba. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Mandala-Makaravilakku festival of Sabarimala is one of the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is 70 kilometers away from Pathanamthitta.

Pilgrim season: Mid-November to mid-January. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season. The temple stays closed for the rest of the year except on the first five days of every Malayalam month and during Vishu (April).

People of all castes and creeds are permitted into the temple. However, entry is not allowed to women between 10 and 50 years of age.

Maramon Convention

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/4566/maramonconvention2009.jpg

The Maramon Convention is a mammoth religious convention of Christians from all over the world. It is held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, annually during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge. It is organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church.
It is attended by people from all communities. The convention is addressed by religious thinkers and Christian scholars from across the world. This is the largest Christian convention in Asia.

Prakash promises better public transport, health-care facilities

Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

Minister says Konni to be model base station for Sabarimala pilgrims


PATHANAMTHITTA: “Grossly inadequate public transport facility has been a major problem facing the Konni Assembly segment that spreads across the hills and dales on the forest fringes of Pathanamthitta district. Improving the public transport facility as well as health care facility will be on the top of my development agenda for Konni,'' says the local MLA and Health Minister Adoor Prakash.

The Minister was talking to The Hindu on his development plans for the constituency in the next five years.

Mr. Prakash has been campaigning for the Achencoil-Konni -Chittar-Pampa hill highway for the past 12 years and the project hit a roadblock when 95 per cent work was completed following certain objections raised by the Forest Department a year ago. The Union Ministry of Forests and Environment had cleared the project way back in 1999, treating it a feasible one that could help the Forest Department check anti-forest activities in the region, besides bringing development to the villages adjoining the forest areas of Achencoil, Konni and Ranni.

Mr. Prakash took up the issue with Forest Minister K.B. Ganeshkumar who, in turn, directed the Forest officials to complete the work by including it in the 100-day action plan of the United Democratic Front government.

Mr. Ganeshkumar announced that the Achencoil -Konni- Chittar hill highway would be completed in the next 100 days.

Linking Achencoil with the Mannarakulanji - Pampa main trunk road leading to Sabarimala, via Konni, Thannithode and Chittar, would reduce distance between Achencoil and Sabarimala by 39 km, Mr. Prakash said.

The hill highway project had been launched by the previous UDF government envisaging the overall development of the hilly tracts of Pathanamthitta without altering the environment and eco system, he said.

KSRTC depot

Mr. Prakash said setting up of a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus depot at Konni that could effectively address the major public transport problems facing the region was another key proposal to be implemented in a time-bound manner.

He said the hill highway would be able to solve the transport problems of the people in the grama panchayats of Aruvappulam, Konni, Thannithode,Chittar and Seethathode.

He said the previous government had stopped the KSRTC services to many interior areas of the constituency terming it uneconomical, which was not so. However, the UDF government took steps to revive the services, he said.

Mr. Prakash said the Konni grama panchayat had decided to hand over three acres of land in Konni town for setting up the proposed KSRTC depot. The letter issued by the panchayat in this regard had been submitted to the Transport Minister and the KSRTC depot would become a reality in the near future, he said.

The Minister said the pilgrim influx to Sabarimala via the Achencoil- Chittar-Pampa hill highway would increase considerably with the completion of the road work in the next three months.

Konni would be developed as a model base station for Sabarimala pilgrims, he said.

Eco-tourism

He said steps had been taken to tap the eco-tourism potential of Konni. He said the elephant camp of the Forest Department there had been identified as an eco-tourism hub. Eco-tourism would be given more thrust by linking Konni with various tourist spots at Gavi, Moozhiyar, Maniyar, Thannithode, Chittar and Seethathode.

Health care

The Minister said the Community Health Centre at Konni would soon be elevated to the status of a taluk hospital, providing specialty services. This was beside a separate hospital wing for women and children, he pointed out.

Similarly, better facilities would be provided at the Primary Health Centre at Enadimangalam.

“My development perspective is a comprehensive one, above all political considerations, that could very well cater to the needs of society as a whole,'' says Mr. Prakash.

The Minister said he would soon convene a meeting of the local body authorities of all the 11 grama panchayats in the constituency, seeking their cooperation for implementing various development projects in a time-bound manner.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/08/stories/2011060859590300.htm

Please post the latest pictures of Perunthernaruvi tourism project, if available. :)

Perunthenaruvi Water Falls

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1640/3468305662perunthenaruv.jpg

Picture Courtesy: Manorama, Jibu Mathur


The Perunthenaruvi Waterfall on the banks of the Pamba River about 36 kms from Pathanamthitta, is a natural fall down a rocky path into a ravine about 100 feet deep. Ideal for an outing, this place is a popular picnic spot.

Perunthenaruvi Water Falls

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1640/3468305662perunthenaruv.jpg

Picture Courtesy: Manorama, Jibu Mathur


The Perunthenaruvi Waterfall on the banks of the Pamba River about 36 kms from Pathanamthitta, is a natural fall down a rocky path into a ravine about 100 feet deep. Ideal for an outing, this place is a popular picnic spot.

Great. DTPC is carrying out the construction of various facilities for tourists. Any pics available, Kiran chetta?

Gavi Photos

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/4184/gavi1.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1655/gavi2.jpg

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/6647/gavi3.jpg

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/8213/gavi4.jpg

Image Courtesy : Sujith Bhakthan (www.ksrtcblog.com)

Gavi, the quiet haven, has tropical forests, sprawling grasslands and cardamom plantations. The Bamboo Grove in the middle of Anavachal in Gavi has eco-lodges and a centre for experiential learning. Trekking, bird watching and boating options are also made available. Forest Development Corporation provides tented accommodation and boating facilities.

Great. DTPC is carrying out the construction of various facilities for tourists. Any pics available, Kiran chetta?

Krishna, I don't have any pictures of the new facilities :(

Kakki Dam - Gavi

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3033/kakkidamgavi.jpg

Image Courtesy : Manorama, Binu.K

Activities at Gavi


Trekking
Wildlife watching
Birding
Stay at top tree huts
Outdoor camping in forest around
Safaris through jungle roads
Visit to paradise cove at Ninnumulli
Boating in the Gavi& kochupampa lakes.
Leisurely walks through spice gardens
Visit to cardamom factory

Wow. Nice pics of Gavi.
Hope it won't meet the same fate as that of other tourism destinations in the state. Plastic waste is the biggest menace. :bash:

Better medical facilities promised for pilgrims

Staff Reporter

Service of doctors from other States to be sought

Adoor Prakash, V.S. Sivakumar hold meeting on Sabarimala facilities

Meet of Ministers in charge of temples in south India to be held in capital

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Health Department will implement a package to improve health-care facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims at Pathanamthitta, Erumely, Kanjirappally, Poonjar, Chengannur, Adoor, Ranni, and Pandalam during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season beginning mid-November, Health Minister Adoor Prakash said here on Monday.

Mr. Prakash, accompanied by Transport and Devaswom Minister V.S. Sivakumar, was reviewing the arrangements for the pilgrimage at an official meeting at the Collectorate conference hall.

Briefing presspersons on the deliberations at the meeting, Mr. Prakash said shortage of doctors was a major problem facing the Health Department, with 750 posts vacant at government health-care centres across the State. The government had decided to conduct walk-in interviews to fill the vacancies on an emergency basis. Service of doctors, especially cardiologists, from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh would be sought at Sabarimala during the pilgrimage.

The Minister directed the officials to ensure in advance sufficient stocks of medicines at the health-care centres at Sabarimala and the base camps.

Mr. Sivakumar said accommodation would be provided to the doctors and the paramedical staff posted to Sabarimala. He said a meeting of Ministers in charge of temple affairs in South Indian States would be convened in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the arrangements to be made for the pilgrimage season.

Mr. Prakash said a generator would soon be installed at the District Hospital at Kozhencherry with the help of the National Rural Health Mission. Mobile dispensaries and a well-equipped mobile cardiology unit would be deployed at Pampa during the season. A sewage treatment plant would be installed at the General Hospital here, besides constructing an outpatient block at the hospital complex.

Anto Antony, MP; K. Sivadasan Nair and Raju Abraham, MLAs; M. Rajagopalan Nair, Travancore Devaswom Board president; Babu George, district panchayat president; District Collector S. Raveendran; and Director of Health Services S. Remani spoke.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/14/stories/2011061451730300.htm

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple on the banks of the holy River Pamba attracts large crowds of devotees. It is said that the idol was brought here in a raft made with aru (six) pieces of mula (bamboo), which gave the town its name, Aranmula.
Thanka Anki (the golden attire that Lord Ayyappa adorns as an annual ritual) to Sabarimala is kept at the Aranmula Temple and taken once every year to Sabarimala in a ceremonial procession. The Thanka Anki, which has a gold component of 450 sovereigns, was offered to the Lord by Sri Chithira Thirunal, erstwhile Maharajah of Travancore State, in 1973.


http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/7981/aranmula.jpg

Photo Courtesy : Pradeep R (panoramio.com)

Malayalapuzha Temple (8 km from Pathanamthitta)

Malayalapuzha Bhagavathy Temple is a famous temple in Pathanamthitta district. The temple has beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings.


http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9896/malayalappuzha.jpg

Photo Courtesy : ANIL RAJ (panoramio.com)

Hotel Bassota, Thiruvalla

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Picture Courtesy: NEVIN VADAKKATHRA (panoramio.com)

http://item.slide.com/r/1/207/i/gBCk2ZhFpj-oHH1xngavmBPOIvg-bOIl/

Infra Housing (http://infrahousing.com)

Security manual for Sabarimala planned

Staff Reporter

Priority to construction of sewage treatment plant

High-mast lamps to be installed at Sabarimala

Monitoring panel to be headed by Devaswom Minister

PATHANAMTHITTA: The State government proposed to prepare a security manual for Sabarimala with a view to preventing man-made accidents such as the stampede that took 102 lives at Pullumedu on Makaravilakku day, said Devaswom Minister V.S. Sivakumar.

The Minister was talking to reporters at Sabarimala on Thursday.

Lighting

He said extra care would be taken to ensure proper lighting of places where pilgrims congregate in large numbers during the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku festivals.

The government will install 50 high-mast lamps at different points at Sabarimala before the beginning of the annual pilgrim season.

Monitoring panel

The Minister said construction of a sewage treatment plant at the Sannidhanam and a queue complex on the trekking path would be given priority in the process of the master plan implementation.

A committee headed by the Devaswom Minister would be constituted to monitor the progress of work of various projects implemented as part of the Sabarimala master plan, he said.

Action plan

The Minister said implementation of certain projects in the Sabarimala master plan had been included in the 100-day action plan of the United Democratic Front government.

Inspection

Mr. Sivakumar, accompanied by M. Rajagopalan Nair, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president; K.Cicily, member; N Vasu, Devaswom commissioner; K Ravikumar, chief engineer; Jolly Ullas and K N Narayanan Nambisan, executive engineers; Satish Kumar, executive officer; inspected the Aravana plant as well as the sites identified for the construction of pilgrim shelters and sewage treatment plant and various other projects as part of the Sabarimala master plan at the Sannidhanam, Malikappuram, Pandithavalam and Pampa.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/17/stories/2011061755020900.htm

100 days plan of PWD:

1) 100 Crores for Sabarimala Roads
2) 12-storied "pilgrim centre" at Ranni (5 crores for initial procedures)
3) 25 Crores for Thiruvalla bypass
4) Crash barriers and direction boards for Sabarimala roads (2 crores)

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/996603/2011-06-17/kerala

:banana::banana:

Thiruvananthapuram, Friday, June 17, 2011: State Health Minister Adoor Prakash on Friday said that mobile medical units under the auspices of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) will be started in Kollam and Pathanamthitta.

Asianet (http://www.asianetindia.com/news/mobile-medical-unit-kollam-pathanamthitta-minister_278737.html)

Three airstrips to be set up soon: Minister

Staff Reporter
KOCHI: Minister for Excise and Ports K. Babu has said that taking the State to the forefront in aviation is one of the main targets of the UDF government.

Talking at a reception accorded to him at the Chavara Culture Centre here on Monday, Mr. Babu said that the government has plans to set up airstrips on an experimental basis initially at Pathanamthitta, Wayanad, and Munnar.

The minister said that private participation will be encouraged with the aim of improving the infrastructure in the aviation sector.

Mr. Babu said that a high-level meeting will be held shortly to seriously consider these issues.

Hibi Eden, MLA, was also accorded a reception at the function. Actor Charuhasan inaugurated a seminar on tourism. Mr. Babu distributed certificates to students of the IATA/UFTAA Foundation Diploma Course.

Earlier, speaking at a reception organised at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies here, Mr. Babu urged the scientific community to probe the reasons for the decline of fish wealth in the water bodies of the State.

He said that the dwindling catch was affecting the livelihood of fishermen of the State.

There were also reports of fall in catch from Vembanad Lake and pollution can be one of the factors affecting the fish wealth, he said.

Hundreds of houseboats are operating in the Lake which are dumping the waste into the water body.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/21/stories/2011062153050300.htm)

Hope Kiran chettan and Adarsh will be happy. :)

Nammude number eppo varum?

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/21/stories/2011062153050300.htm)

Hope Kiran chettan and Adarsh will be happy. :)

Nammude number eppo varum?

I wonder the nessecity of a runway strip, when an airport itself is planned in Aranmula...... Unlike previous govt, this govt is open for private proposals and hope they clear for Aranmula airport, rather wasting money for a simple strip

GKSF to lure pilgrims

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Extensive campaigns are to be launched within in Kerala and in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra to attract pilgrims arriving in the State during the fifth season of the 45-day Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) commencing in December, a press release said here on Monday.

The festival authorities, it said, are working on plans to attract those arriving at major pilgrim centres such as Sabarimala.

Campaigns will be taken up en route these places to publicise the prizes that await shoppers and the refund of value-added tax and other concessions offered during the festival.

The release said those running shops on either side of the roads leading to Pampa would be made aware of the festival's potential, and attractive packages would be tailor-made for enrolling them as GKSF members. The authorities were working on a prize scheme for pilgrims attending the shopping festival. Leaflets giving details of the festivalwould be distributed through the check-posts, the first entry point of pilgrims to the State.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/22/stories/2011062260940200.htm

=========================

Government should provide basic facilities also to the pilgrims… :bash:

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/606/ptabusmb.jpg

Source : Mathrubhumi

Ajith bhai, Pathanamthitta has its own thread now. :)

This is a good move to establish bus terminal at Pta. I must say, Aranmula MLA Sivadasan Nair deserves applause for this. I used to listen to the debates/discussions organized by various channels during the election time.
Sivadasan nair had said that the previous Govt. turned a blind eye towards his request for a modern Bus terminal at the district HQ. :cheers2:

Rather than that Aranmula project, if the Govt. makes initiatives and invite NRIs to invest in the proposed mini-airport project in Pathanamthitta, as part of its efforts to establish small airports in all the districts which are not directly connceted by air, that will be the best option. Govt. can take investors into confidence. I am sure, more NRIs will come forward:cheers2:

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9541/sabarimalamm.jpg

Source : Malayala Manorama

Source (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/women-unsafe-in-own-homes/278720.html)
Yes..I have also not head about any major violence in Pathanamthitta since my childhood. It is always a great place to live..

For those who interested in jungle tourism/resort, an ideal place in Konni.

Contour Jungle Resorts is situated in the midst of Konni Forests in Pathanamthitta dist which is breathtakingly beautiful..
It seems a lot of foreign tourists are visiting this place.

Click on
http://www.contourresorts.com/gallery.php

cheers :cheers:
In my opinion Gavi is also one of the best option for jungle / eco tourism...

ആണുങ്ങള്* നാട്ടില്* ഇല്ലെങ്കില്* violence ഉം കാണില്ല population ഉം കുറയും....:jk: hahaa..thats a nice one... :lol:

HFaCiTU0uNY

http://wallpapers.dgreetings.com/images/wallpapers/onam/onam-2.1024x768.jpg



HAPPY THIRUONAM!!!

Enjoy the best

Aranmula Uthrittathi water fest today

PATHANAMTHITTA: Arrangements have been completed for the smooth conduct of the annual Aranmula Uthrittathi Water Festival, marking the idol installation anniversary of Aranmula Lord Parthasarathi temple, to be held in the Pampa river at Aranmula Sathram Kadavu on Wednesday.

A record number of 46 ‘palliyodams’ (snake-boats) will participate in the unique and traditional water regatta, which attracts thousands of people from across the country and abroad, president of the Palliyoda Seva Sangham, the organisers of the water festival, K V Sambadevan said on Monday.

The Sangham president said that strict action against ‘palliyodams’, which deviate from the traditional style of rowing, would be taken. The water festival would begin with the colourful procession of ‘palliyodams,’ followed by race, Sambadevan said.

Union Minister for Tourism Subhod Kant Sahay would inaugurate the function in connection with the water festival at 1.30 p.m.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would inaugurate the water festival.

Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar would preside over the function.Water Resources Minister P J Joseph would inaugurate the water race.

Union Minister of State for Energy K C Venugopal would release the souvenir. Travancore Devaswom Board president M Rajagopalan Nair would hand over the trophies sponsored by the Devaswom Board on the occasion. Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar would distribute the trophies to the winners.

Former Minister N K Premachandran, Valiya Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Church Philipose Mar Chrysostum, RSS prantha sanghachalak P E B Menon, MPs P J Kurian, Anto Antony and Kodikunnil Suresh, MLAs K Sivadasan Nair, Raju Abraham, P C Vishnunath, Chittayam Gopakumar, Mathew T Thomas and R Rajesh, Fokano president G K Pillai, District Panchayat president Babu George, sangham president K V Sambadevan and secretary Ratheesh R Mohan would speak.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/aranmula-uthrittathi-water-fest-tomorrow/313472.html

KINFRA is ready to give 50 acres of land at Enadimangalam for Pathanamthitta Medical College.

Source: Yesterday's Mathrubhumi.

http://item.slide.com/r/1/0053/i/Q91peL2x6D8xRGJNdjFsL3aLCR4AirN9/

9architects (http://9architects.net)

Swami Ayyappan Road work to be over soon

Road to be widened to 2.5 metres

Development work on the Pampa-Marakkoottom road leading to Sabarimala Sannidhanam is under way at Pampa. Jolly Ullas, Executive Engineer of the Travancore Devaswom Board, told The Hindu that the work would be completed in three weeks. The Thiruvananthapuram-based Subrahmaniyam Trust had sponsored the road development project estimated at Rs.1.15 crore.

He said the proposal was to widen the Swami Ayyappan Road to 2.5 metres. The road would be concreted so that materials for aravana, appam and other articles for prasadom preparation, annadanam, could be transported easily. The original proposal was to widen the road to five metres at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crore.

Mr. Ullas said the road work was launched only after the iron girders for the Bailey bridge under construction at the Sannidhanam were transported. The work on the 240-metre long diversion road-cum-Bailey bridge linking Sannidhanam with the Chandranandan Road was fast progressing.

The diversion road had been designed as a combination of ramp and steps to ease congestion at the Sannidhanam during the pilgrimage season. The Travancore Devaswom Board had also decided to open an additional ‘prasadom' distribution complex near Malikappuram so that pilgrims returning from ‘darshan' need not wait at the lower ‘tirumuttom' to buy ‘prasadom'.

The Chennai-based Pithavadiyan and Partners has designed the diversion road estimated at Rs.122 lakh. Mr. Ullas said the improvement of the road network and vehicle parking lots at Nilackal base camp would begin soon.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2470690.ece

http://item.slide.com/r/1/0053/i/Q91peL2x6D8xRGJNdjFsL3aLCR4AirN9/

9architects (http://9architects.net)

Wow!!
Any updates reg.this project sakrishna?

Wow!!
Any updates reg.this project sakrishna?

I don't have much info about this project. Will wait and see. My wild guess is it might be from 'Mini Muthoottu'. Not sure.

After churning out two hits with 'Sevenes' and 'Doctor Love' this month, Kunchacko Boban has established himself as a bankable regular in movies with an ensemble cast.

The versatile actor has started filming for his latest venture Ordinary, which narrates the experiences of a young KSRTC conductor working in the only bus in the Pathanamthitta-Gavi route.

Interestingly, this is the third time a major star has played the role of a conductor after Mohanlal in Varavelppu and Mammootty in 'Bus Conductor.'

The movie is being directed by debutant Sugeeth who was the associate director to Kamal in movies like 'Gramaphone' and 'Aagathan,' and is scripted by newcomers Nishad K Koya and Manu Prasad.

Kunchacko's character's name is Iravikuttan Pillai who prefers to be known as E Ravi Kuttan. E Ravi is a lazy unemployed youth who wants to take up only a government job due to the "less work pressure involved."

He then takes charge as a conductor in the KSRTC bus driven by Biju Menon's character. The humorous experiences between the driver, the conductor and the passengers form the rest of the story.

The movie, which is being shot at the beautiful locations in Pathanamthitta and Gavi, has Ann Augustine playing a postwoman and Asif Ali in a new getup doing a prominent "suspense-filled" role.

In addition to the second coming of actor Jishnu (Nammal), who plays a schoolteacher, the movie will also mark the debut of Vaiga and model-turned-actress Shretha Shivdas, who plays the role of a girl willing to do any job for her livelihood.
Unni Mukundan, Salim Kumar, Lalu Alex and Baburaj form the rest of the cast for this movie produced by N Sudhish and Rajeev Nair.

Link (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Kunchako-Boban-becomes-bus-conductor/articleshow/10091858.cms)

Project to make Pathanamthitta plastic-free

The district administration has chalked a novel scheme to make Pathanamthitta plastic-free from November 14, according to District Collector, P.Venugopal.

An official meeting convened by the Collector here the other day has resolved to make necessary arrangements to supply eco-friendly carry bags made of cloth, priced at Rs 1 and Rs 2, to all shops and other commercial establishments in the district during October 2 to November 14.

Mr Venugopal said Kudumbasree units in the district have been producing cloth bags for supplying it to various commercial establishments. He said the district administration would purchase eco-friendly carry bags from various other agencies too, if needed, to meet its growing requirement during the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

Plastic menace at Sabarimala

Mr Venugopal said the Divisional Forest Officer at Ranni, R.Kamalahar, has prepared a project named `Harita-poonkavanom' with a view to reduce the plastic menace at Sabarimala and surrounding forest areas, especially during the annual pilgrimage season.

Littering of plastic waste has been a major source of environment pollution at Sabarimala situated in the Periyar Tiger Reserve during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival when as many as double the population of the State congregate in a short span of two months.

Mr Kamalahar has prepared a project to make Pampa and surrounding reserve forests pollution-free with the help of school-college students, local population and Vana Samrakshana Samiti (VSS) workers. The project stresses the need to make people well aware of the need to make their surroundings clean and litter-free, upholding the slogan of environment conservation.

Adequate publicity would be given through television channels and newspapers in Kerala and neighbouring States on the alarming pollution menace posed by the plastic waste at Sabarimala.

Special check-posts

The collector said special check-posts would be set up at Kanamala, Laha, Plappally, Elavumkal and Angamozhy on the main trunk roads leading to Sabarimala to collect plastic carry bags brought by devotees and replace it with eco-friendly cloth bags on the spot itself.

Mr Venugopal said arrangements would also be made to remove empty pet bottles from Sabarimala, Pampa and surrounding forest areas.

He said six workers would be posted at Pampa Manalpuram round the clock to remove the waste accumulated along the iron fence erected across river Pampa during the annual pilgrimage season. Solid waste would be segregated and degradable waste would be disposed in earthen pits in the forest area itself and the non-degradable waste would be taken outside the forests for recycling, Mr Venugopal said.

Vana Samrakshana Samiti members would deployed at the proposed Pilgrim Service Centres at Vadasserikkara, Laha, Plappally, Angamoozhy, Nilackal and Pampa. This is besides a 24-hour mobile rescue force headed by Forest officials.

The Collector has also sought active support and participation of the general public, traders and all other sections of the society in the administration's efforts to make the district plastic-free and ensure effective environment conservation.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2509176.ece

I was wondering, why don't the state Govt. persuade the centre to establish an off-campus centre of 'Banaras Hindu University' in Pathanamthitta district? It'll be a perfect tribute to the 'Land of Sabarimala'. it'll also have an Institute of Technology as well as an 'Institute of Medical Science' attached to it. Finding suitable land won't be much difficult in Pathanamthitta, because of the low density of population. It'll help Pathanamthitta earn a prominent place in the country.

No politicians so no developments,no dreams so no hopes.
So always happy or elz wot to say!!

Development plans for towns getting ready


Detailed development plans are getting ready for 32 urban areas in the State.

The plans are being prepared as the first phase of preparation of master plans for cities and towns.

The government has approved the development plans for Paravur, Vaikom, and Thalassery. Draft plans have been published for Pala, Pathanamthitta, Changanassery, and Guruvayur. These will be finalised after receiving objections and suggestions from the public. Work on the draft development plans for Kochi, Thiruvalla, Kollam, Malappuram, and Perumbavoor has been completed. These will be published shortly. The draft plans for other towns are targeted to be published by March next year.

Steps for preparation of master plans will be taken in consultation with town planning experts of international standing.

A unified law for town and country planning is under consideration. The draft Bill for this has been drawn up. Architects from outside government will be involved in the implementation of the master plans.

The government is planning to introduce legislation for country and town planning.

The government is also looking at freeing towns of slums using funds under the Rajiv Awas Yojana.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2544511.ece

Sabarimala roads to be repaired by October 30


: The repair and maintenance of various roads in the five districts of Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Idukki leading to Sabarimala would be completed by October 30, said Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahimkunju.

The Minister was addressing a meeting of officials and people's representatives in Tiruvalla to review the progress of road repair works on Saturday.

According to him, the heavy maintenance of the major roads leading to Sabarimala would begin as soon as the culmination of the forthcoming Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage in January, 2012.

A total of five roads have been included in the proposed heavy maintenance scheme and Rs 56.45 crore has already been sanctioned for the same. The five roads included in the scheme are Mannarakulanji-Pampa Road (Rs. 21 crore), Plappally-Chalakkayam Road (Rs.14 crore), Kanamala Bridge (Rs.7 crore), Kanamala-Elavumkal Road (Rs.8.60 crore) and Kanjirappally-Erumely Road (Rs. 7.75 crore).

The Minister said Rs.63 crore had been allotted for the pre-pilgrimage season road repair and maintenance work in five districts.

He said the vegetation clearing drive on either side of the Mannarakulanji-Chalakkayam stretch of the main trunk road too was fast progressing.

Mathew T. Thomas, MLA; T. Baburaj, PWD Chief Engineer; S. Satheesh, Superintending Engineer; P.K. Rajeev, John J. Elamkulam, Executive Engineers; and officials from all the five districts also attended the meeting.

The Minister, accompanied by the MLA and PWD officials, also visited the new bridge under construction across the Manimala at Vallamkulam on the Tiruvalla-Kumbazha Road to assess the progress of work there.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2542520.ece

Improvement of Pathanamthitta Ring Road is in progress :cheers:

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5408/pta1.png

Link (http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&contentId=10326378&district=Pathanamthitta&programId=1079897613&BV_ID=@@@)

OT qtn:

which is the best store/online store to buy authentic Aranmula mirror?

OT qtn:

which is the best store/online store to buy authentic Aranmula mirror?

Try any of these.
aranmulamirror.com
aranmulakannadi.com

New Dental College at Pathanamthitta :cheers:


Govt has given permission for starting a new private dental college at Pathanamthitta.Malayalapuzha based Sunshine Educational Trust is behind the project.At present Thiruvalla Pushpagiri is having the only dental college at Pathanamthitta district:banana::banana:

Construction of modern Cricket Academy started at Thiruvalla

This indoor cricket academy is claimed to be the first of its kind in Kerala.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/6383/cricket.png

Courtesy: Mathrubhumi

The foundation stone for "Sabarimala transit yard" at Pathanamthitta will be laid on Non 11th.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6415/sabarimala.png

^^
Govt sanctioned 11.5 Crores to the "Sabarimala transit yard"

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/8389/pta1.jpg

Courtesy: Malayala Manorama

Pathanamthitta to become plastic-free district

Express News Service
Last Updated : 07 Nov 2011 10:29:57 AM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pathanamthitta, which is piloting many a health projects such as prevention of lifestyle diseases and care for the aged, is now going to be a plastic-free district from November 14, just before the onset of the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

While the idea of ‘Plastic-free Pathanamthitta’ has been conceived by district collector P Venugopal, it is being implemented by a whole lot of organisations spearheaded by the ‘Suchitwa Mission’. Funds are being released to buy back plastic bags from homes, plastic shredders are being set up in Kudumbashree units and moves are on to set up machines that can manufacture alternatives to plastic bags, which the authorities claim is bio-degradable.

The municipality has already started the war against plastic by conducting a raid on traders to seize plastic carry bags less than 40 microns in thickness. The shop-keepers have been fined Rs 5,000 each. “On November 10, we have a one-day campaign with the participation of Kudumbashree, Asha workers, NGOs and even students who will remove all visible plastic from the district,” said P A Mohammed Salim, assistant district co-ordinator of Suchitwa Mission, Pathanamthitta. Three plastic shredder units are being set up at three Kudumbashree centres in Perunadu, Pampa and Pandalam. All the 54 community development societies of Kudumbashree have been given funds to buyback plastic bags from homes at the rate of Rs 10 a kg of plastic.

The block panchayats will be given a subsidy of 50 per cent to set up manufacturing units of alternative bags. The societies are being formed and it will be through these societies that the alternative bags will be sold. Sabarimala pilgrims who carry plastic bags will be asked to hand them back by Vana Samrakshana Samithi volunteers.

Vehicles of pilgrims from outside the state will be stopped at eight check-posts and if plastic bags are found, they will be taken away. However, the pilgrims will be given an alternative GSM bag, which is said to be biodegradable.

The VSS volunteers will check vehicles coming into the state at Plappilly, Ranni, Perunad, Pandalam, Aranmula, Thiruvalla, Enath and Vadasserikkara. They will also monitor all the main roads from neighbouring states.

However, plastic bottles, will be allowed entry as no other alternative is currently in sight.

The authorities feel that even the State Government’s initiative of Sabari will not be able to meet the humongous demand. The production of Sabari mineral water, the bottles of which are taken back for Re 1,is yet to be scaled up to meet the demands of the pilgrims.

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/pathanamthitta-to-become-plastic-free-district/330716.html

Pathanamthitta to kickstart cancer detection

KOCHI: Pathanamthitta is all set to become the first district in the state to kickstart the national-level cancer detection and control programme. The cancer programme, part of the National Non-communicable Diseases programme (NCD), will be inaugurated at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital in November. Under the first phase, the programme will be launched in four more districts, including Alappuzha, Idukki, Kozhikode and Thrissur. The other districts in the state will be covered under the 13th Five Year Plan.

The programme, part of the centrally-sponsored NCD programme, looks at a comprehensive awareness and control of cancer at the district. “One hospital in the district, the general hospital or the district hospital, will be the nodal centre. The programme will then be executed via various hospitals, sub-centres, primary health Centres and community health centres,” said director, Directorate of Health Services, Dr P K Jameela. The programme will include setting up of early cancer detection centres, setting up of clinics with provisions for chemotherapy, lab facilities, appointment of an oncologist or physicians trained in oncology in every district, provision for free or subsidies supply cancer drugs to patients, conducting grassroots level awareness camps on cancer detection at sub-centres etc. “The systems especially those looking at cure will work in coordination with the Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthapuram and the Malabar Cancer Centre. The medications of a lower order can be referred to the district-level cancer centres,” Dr S Hafiz, State Nodal Officer for the NCD programme, said.

The NCD programme looks at four diseases, including stroke, diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and cancer.

“Pathanamthitta district has received `1.6 crore under the programme. The funds will be released further according to the programmes taken up. The grassroots work under the program has already begun in the district. In the case of diabetes, the distribution of glucometres, strips etc has been done. The testing will begin in the first week of November,” Hafiz said.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/pathanamthitta-to-kickstart-cancer-detection/329385.html

Cleaning drive begins near Sabarimala temple

IANS
Last Updated : 07 Nov 2011

SABARIMALA (Kerala): Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Monday oversaw a massive cleaning operation at the foothills of the famed Hindu temple in Sabarimala.

Close to 6,000 volunteers, of which 3,000 are from the Amritanandamayi Mutt and another 3,000 from various organisations, joined the drive to make the temple town spick and span.

The project aims at cleaning Sabarimala, Pamba and the traditional forest path to Sabarimala and maintaining them as a zero-waste zone.

Sabarimala temple is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 914 metres above sea level, four kilometres uphill from Pamba in Pathanamthitta district in central Kerala.

The temple, on the top of the hill, is accessible only on foot from Pamba.

It was the Sabarimala high-power committee which submitted a proposal to the government for implementing a zero-waste project.

Chandy after going through the proposal sanctioned Rs.5 crore for it.

Speaking to IANS, local legislator Raju Abraham said: "The 3,000 volunteers from the mutt have been at the temple top for the past four days and have been engaged in the cleaning operation. They would now be replaced by another 3,000 who have already started to work at the foothills."

This massive programme is being organised ahead of the next Sabarimala temple festival beginning Nov 17.

Even though the temple is open throughout the year, the peak pilgrimage season begins on the first day of the Malayalam month in November and ends in January.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/cleaning-drive-begins-near-sabarimala-temple/330814.html

^^

Sabarimala Sannidhanam regaining its serene ambience

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00829/07tvpt-cleaning1_829160f.jpg

The holy hillock of Sabarimala Sannidhanam is fast attaining a clean look. Thanks to the intensive pre-pilgrimage cleaning operation undertaken by the Mata Amrutanandamayi Math at the Sannidhanam from Saturday.

`Amala Bharathom’ extended

Meanwhile, Swami Amritaswaroopananda Puri, Mata Amritanandamayi Math vice-president, said the popular cleaning project, `Amala Bharathom’, has been extended to Sabarimala too, considering its importance as the largest pilgrimage centre in the whole South India.

The shabby look of the temple pond `Bhasmakkulam’ has been changed for the better. The committed volunteer force of the Math have cleared the entire filth from the pond as well as its surroundings by Saturday afternoon itself.

Similarily, the Lower Tirumuttom, Malikappuram area and Pandithavalom where thousands of pilgrims used to camp on a daily basis during the annual pilgrim season have also been thoroughly cleaned by Sunday afternoon, regaining the serene ambience of the holy hillock.

Raju Swami, Math spokesman at Sabarimala, told The Hindu that the Urakkuzhi area would be cleaned on Monday.

According to him, as many as 4700 volunteers took part in the massive cleaning operation at the Sannidhanam on the first two days. Besides the inmates of the Mata Amritanandamayi Ashrams at Vallikkavu in Kollam and elsewhere, a large number of followers of the spiritual guru, Mata Amrutanandamayi, as well as students and staff attached to various educational institutions of the Math are taking part in the cleaning drive at Sabarimala.

25,000 bags of waste

The Math volunteers have already removed as many as 25,000 bags of waste collected from different parts of the Sannidhanam to the incinerator yard at Paandithavalom as on Sunday forenoon.

The Math spokesman said the volunteers would thoroughly wash the cemented grounds and floors of the Valiya Nadappanthal, premises of the temple and various other shrines, fly-overs, etc, at the Sannidhanam on Monday. The Math is planning to complete the cleaning drive at the Sannidhanam by Monday afternoon. Another batch of 500 volunteers from Coimbatore and Bangalore would be joining the sanitation team at the Sannidhanam on Monday morning, Math sources said.

The plastic, soft plastics, rags of colthes, pet bottles and other solid wastes, have been removed in separate bags, they said.

Gurudas Chaitanya and Tapasyamritha Chaitanya of the Math are co-ordinating the cleaning drive at Sabarimala and Pampa.

The Travancore Devaswom Board has provided food and accommodation to the volunteers at the Sannidhanam.

At Pampa

The Math sources said the cleaning drive at Pampa would be held on Monday.

As many as 1500 volunteers, including women inmates of the Math as well as various Ashrams and girls attached to the educational institutions of the Math, would take part in the programme.

The volunteers would also extend their cleaning programme to the trekking path. The Math is planning to complete the cleaning drive at Pampa too by Monday evening so that the work will not affect the classes and office work of various volunteers participating in it, sources said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2604020.ece

Chandy opens Bailey Bridge, exit road

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00830/08tvpt-bridge_830228f.jpg

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the newly constructed Bailey Bridge and diversion road linking the Sannidhanam with Chandranandan Road at Sabarimala on Monday.

The Madras Engineer Group of the Indian Army constructed the 40-metre-long, 3.3-metre-wide Bailey Bridge within 25 days with iron girders and other components brought from Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

The Kerala Police Housing Construct Corporation (KPHCC) constructed the 428-metre-long, 5-metre-wide diversion road at a cost of Rs.1.22 crore. The construction work was carried out by

Rajagiri Constructions Ltd.

As envisaged in the Sabarimala Master Plan, the new road will be utilised as the exit route for pilgrims returning from Sabarimala during the festival season.

The Chief Minister said the bridge was built within such a short span of time due to the initiative taken by Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony.

Mr Chandy presented a ‘Ponnada' to senior architect G.Mahesh of the Chennai-based Pithavadian and Partners, who has designed the new road as a combination of steps and ramps.

Maj. Gen. Subrato Mitra of the Indian Army; K.S.Jangpangi, KPHCC managing director; and Rajagopal, contractor of the civil works; were also felicitated at the function.

Devaswom Minister V.S. Sivakumar presided over the inaugural function. Finance Minister K.M. Mani; Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan; M. Rajgopalan Nair, TDB president; and K.Jayakumar, Additional Chief Secretary; also spoke.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2606960.ece

^^
New exit route at Sabarimala, a landmark achievement for HPC

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00828/06tvpt-exitroute_828316e.jpg

The High Power Committee for implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan has completed the work on the Bailey Bridge-cum-diversion road linking Sabarimala Sannidhanam with the Chandranandan Road, making it a landmark achievement materialised in a short span of 90 days.

The work on the road project began in August after a series of technical studies and deliberations. The 425 metre-long five-metre wide new road has been constructed through the forests in the otherwise difficult terrains of Sabarimala.

The Chennai-based Pithavadian and Partners Limited has prepared the detailed design and project report. The road work estimated at Rs 1.22 crore was executed by the Kerala Police Housing and Construction Corporation.

The architect has designed the road as a combination of ramps and steps superbly blending with the contours of the forest terrain.

Mr K.Jayakumar, HPC chairman, told The Hindu that the new road would be utilised as the exit route for pilgrims returning from the Sannidhanam after the holy darshan with a view to ease congestion on the trekking path during the pilgrim season.

Mr Jayakumar said this exit route was a major recommendation in the Sabarimala Master Plan prepared by the Delhi-based Ecosmart India attached to IL & FS Limited.

Bailey Bridge

The Madras Engineer Group of Indian Army has constructed a Bailey Bridge across the check dam near at a cost of Rs 75 lakhs.

It took only 25 days for the Army men led by Col. Muraleedharan to construct the 40-metre long, 3.3-metre wide bridge. It was an arduous task for the team to bring the giant iron girders required for the bridge from Pampa to Sannidhanam with the help of tractors.

The concreting of the road has also been completed the other day and the curing process is under way.

A technical committee comprising the Travancore Devaswom board Chief Engineer, K.Ravikumar, Executive Engineer, Jolly Ullas, Shyam Prasad, Assistant Engineer, and Architect Mahesh of Pithavadian Partners Limited has been continuously monitoring the progress of work.

Mr Jayakumar said installation of solar lamps and other beautification along the new road would also be carried out in a time-bound fashion.

Queue complex

Meanwhile, incessant rains in the forests have affected the progress of work on the two queue under way at Sabaripeedhom and Saramkuthi.

To all indications, the queue complex at Saramkuthi is quite unlikely to complete before the beginning of the pilgrim season on November 16.

However, official sources told The Hindu that one among the three units attached to the Sabaripeedhom Queue Complex will be completed while the HPC would be forced to stop the work on the other two units till the pilgrim season was over in mid-January, 2012.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2601093.ece

NSS plans to start a Medical College at Pandalam :banana::banana:

NSS already has an Ayurveda Medical College there.

==================================
പന്തളത്ത് എന്*.എസ്.എസ്. മെഡിക്കല്* കോളേജ് സ്ഥാപിക്കും

Posted on: 09 Nov 2011


പന്തളം: പന്തളത്ത് നായര്* സര്*വ്വീസ് സൊസൈറ്റി അലോപ്പതി മെഡിക്കല്* കോളേജ് തുടങ്ങുമെന്ന് എന്*.എസ്.എസ്. ജനറല്* സെക്രട്ടറി ജി. സുകുമാരന്*നായര്* പറഞ്ഞു. പന്തളത്തെ മന്നം ആയുര്*വേദ സഹകരണ മെഡിക്കല്* കോളേജിന്റെ കെട്ടിടസമുച്ചയം ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യുന്ന ചടങ്ങില്* അധ്യക്ഷപ്രസംഗം നടത്തുകയായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹം.

വ്യാവസായികാടിസ്ഥാനത്തിലല്ലാത്ത ഒരു അലോപ്പതി മെഡിക്കല്* കോളേജ് പന്തളത്ത് തുടങ്ങാനാണ് നായര്* സര്*വ്വീസ് സൊസൈറ്റി ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നത്- സുകുമാരന്* നായര്* പറഞ്ഞു.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/1266152/2011-11-09/kerala

PATHANAMTHITTA becomes the first plastic free district in kerala

Government sanctioned 19.68 Crores for 9 roads of Aranmula constituency

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8389/pta1.jpg

The 9 km long Pathanamthitta Ring road will be completely strengthened using BM & BC (Bituminous macadam and Bituminous concrete) process. :banana::banana:

Other Major Roads included in the Road improvement Project are (From PWD Website):

BM & BC to Adoor-Anandhappally-Kaipattoor Road 12.000Kms – 10 Crores
(Part of Pathanamthitta – Adoor Road. Pathanamthitta – Kaipattor Road is currently under development. )

BM & BC to Kochalomoodu - Pandalam road Km 0.000 to 12.050 (Part of Mavelikara – Panadalam Road) – 10 Crores

Chinese machinery for Sabarigiri project

Kerala’s second largest hydel facility will turn more ‘powerful’ by April next - with a little Chinese ‘muscle.’

By April 2012, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) hopes to have the Moozhiyar power station of the Sabarigiri hydel project running at full power.

Chinese equipment has arrived for replacing the no:4 generator which was destroyed in an explosion on May 16, 2008, KSEB officials said.

The generator and turbine, supplied by a Chinese firm Harbin (Kunming) Electrical Company Ltd, have reached the Chennai Port.

Other equipment such as exciter and governor also are being imported from China.

Once the new 60-MW machine is operational, the total capacity of the Moozhiyar station will go up by 5 MW to 340 MW, said Mohammed Ali Rawther, member (transmission and generation operations),

KSEB. Originally, the station had five 55 MW generators and a 60 MW one, adding up to a maximum output of 335 MW.

At present, four 55 MW machines and a 60-MW one are operational.

For replacing unit IV, the KSEB had inked an MoU with Puissance de L’eau Power Systems Ltd.

The accident in 2008 had left three dead and several injured, destroyed unit IV and damaged the other units, crippling the station.

Units I and III were back on track by November 2009, bringing power generation up to 280 MW. Work on installing the unit will begin in a month’s time, Rawther said.

The recent power crisis had seen the KSEB fall back heavily on hydel power after supply from the Central generation stations thinned.

A tougher time lies ahead for the state’s power sector during the 2012 summer when daily power consumption is likely to cross the 60-million unit (MU) mark.

A fully-recovered Sabarigiri project is expected to bring some relief to the beleaguered KSEB in such a scary scenario.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/chinese-machinery-for-sabarigiri-project/333408.html

Website on Sabari shrine a hit on day 1

KOCHI: A day after the Kerala Police launched a first-of-its-kind portal for online advanced queue placement facility for Sabarimala darshan, the portal got heavy response from various corners. The response was so heavy that the portal crashed on Monday after receiving more number of hits than it can handle.

Sabarimala.keralapolice.gov.in — launched by the Police Computer Centre, under the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) has got more than 2,500 responses from devotees across the country on the first day itself. The portal will have information in five languages — Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and English. “The portal will be completely operational only by November 16. However, we started the trial run, which received good response. Once the portal is completely operational, we’ll start SMS facility also,” said sources.

The portal will have facilities for devotees, including information on queue system. “Devotees can check advance queue coupon booking, live queue status, live weather condition at Pampa and Sannidhanam and parking availability through the portal. They can get this information through SMS too. For queue status they have to send the message — ‘SBL Q’, for parking ‘SBL P’, for weather ‘SBML W’ and for help they should send ‘SBML HELP message’. The messages should be sent to 537252. This facility will be operational from November 16,” sources said.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/website-on-sabari-shrine-a-hit-on-day-1/333357.html

Sabarimala temple to open on November 16


PATHANAMTHITTA: The annual two-month-long Mandalam-Makaravilakku season at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple is all set to begin on the first day of Malayalam month of Vrichikam on Thursday. For the auspicious occasion, the hill shrine will be opened on Wednesday evening by Melsanthi Sasi Nampoothiri, who completes his tenure on that day.

INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF NEW MELSANTHI

The installation ceremony of M Balamurali as the new Sabarimala melsanthi will be held under the leadership of Thantri Kandararu Maheswararu in front of the Sreekovil at 7 pm on Wednesday evening. As part of the ceremony, the Thantri will perform kalasabhishekam on the new melsanthi.

The one-year term of the new Melsanthi will begin with the opening of the Sreekovil of the temple at 4 am on Thursday in the presence of Thantri Maheswararu. After going inside the Sanctum Sanctorum, the Thantri will pass on the “Moolamantram” of Lord Ayyappa on the ear of the Melsanthi.

NEW PILGRIM FACILITIES

‘’Saranasethu”, the Army Bailey bridge built for the purpose of using as the one-way system for the pilgrims after darsan, two queue complexes and the resting place at Pandithavalam for accommodating 20,000 pilgrims will be the new facilities offered for the crores of pilgrims during the new pilgrimage season.

The Army Bailey bridge, connecting Malikappuram with Chandranandan Road, set up by the Sabarimala high-powered committee on infrastructure development headed by Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar, will be much beneficial for the pilgrims during the peak pilgrimage season days of Mandalam and Makaravilaku season.

Styled ‘Saranasethu’, the Bailey bridge could be made 100 cent useful only after the completion of new Prasadam complex proposed on the side of the bridge. If the TDB authorities set up full-fledged facilities for the distribution of the Aravana and Appam prasdams at the new prasadam distribution facilities near Malikappuram temple, the bridge could be of much use during the ensuing season.

The queue complexes, one at Saramkuthi set up by the TDB and the other at Sabareepadom by the high-power committee, will be useful for the pilgrims who wait in long queues during the peak season days.

The resting place at Pandithalvalam will achieve the twin benefits of preventing any stampede-like situation in the North Nada during the peak season days and protect the North Nada from environment pollution.

Renovated Swami Ayyappan Road connecting Pampa with Marakoottam service road at Pampa for the purpose of emergency evacuation, renovated bathing ghat at Pampa and rubberised Chalakayam-Pampa road are the other new ones that will benefit the pilgrims.

The delay in the preparation at Nilackal pilgrim transit camp and the ban on transport facilities, including KSRTC buses to Uppupara from Kunmily, are likely to adversely affect the pilgrims during the ensuing season.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/sabarimala-temple-to-open-on-november-16/333403.html

For a plastic-free Sabarimala


With the Sabarimala pilgrimage season in full swing, the State is intensifying its activities to deal with the plastic threat in the hill shrine.

The Forest Department of Kerala constituted a buy-back policy to recollect and destroy the used plastic bottles of Sabarijalam drinking water. A plastic shredding machine will start functioning from Wednesday in Sabarimala to destroy the bottles thus collected.

Anil Kumar, Public Relations Officer at the Forest Department, said that the used plastic bottles of the Sabarijalam brand could be recollected for Rs. 2, in order to prevent plastic dumping at Sabarimala. Last year, the bottles were recollected for Re. 1.

The shops which sell the bottles and the Vana Samrakshana Samiti are engaged in recollecting the bottles, he added.

During the annual pilgrimage season which stretches for two months, Sabarimala sees growing number of pilgrims flowing in from different states and the plastic littering is a major reason for environment pollution at Sabarimala.

In an effort to curb the littering of Sabarimala with plastic bottles and save the ecosystem and the wildlife in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the State Forest Department introduced the Sabarijalam scheme in 2009. Used bottles of Sabarijalam were recollected through a buy-back policy.

The Pathanamthitta district administration and other organisations including Kudumbasree and Vana Samrakshana Samiti have come under the banner of ‘Suchitwa Mission’, a drive to make the district plastic-free. The Ranni Forest Department has also launched a programme called ‘Harita Poonkavanom’ to curb the environmental pollution caused by plastic dumping.

To increase Sabarijalam production

The Forest Department is also planning a multi-fold increase in the production of Sabarijalam. “The capacity of the current plant engaged in the production is 2000 bottles a day. Steps are being taken to increase the production of Sabarijalam to one lakh bottles a day,” said Anil Kumar, Public Relations Officer at the Forest Department.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2692160.ece

Updates on Aranmula Airport

• Has primary approval from State and Central Governments.
• LDF Government had notified 500 acres of land as Industrial area :applause:
• 2000 Crores Project
• Construction will start within 18 months
• Received NOC from defense ministry on Aug 24th

Source : Deepika -> Pathanamthitta (10-12-2011)

Protest mounting against Aranmula airport project

The controversy over the setting up of a private airport at Aranmula took a new turn on Friday with the villagers protesting against the notification issued by the Industries department declaring 500 acres of land spread across the Mallappuzhasserry, Kidangannur and Aranmula villages as an industrial area.

The agitated villagers under the aegis of the People’s Action Council laid siege to the office of the KGS Aranmula Greenfield Airport Office on the Kidangannur Road in the morning.

Addressing the protest meeting, the Action council leaders, A. Padmakumar, A.K. Muraleedhara Kurup, Prasad Verumkal and Joji Varghese, alleged that the international airport project itself was part of a big land scam and fraud as the promoter company did not have a single cent of land of its own in Aranmula.

They alleged that the company that claimed to have obtained clearances for setting up an international airport even before purchasing any piece of land for the same was a major case to be seriously probed into.

The protesters demanded the Government to take immediate steps to cancel the notification issued by the Industries department declaring 500 acres of thickly populated areas in the three villages in the larger interests of protecting hundreds of hapless villagers in this part of the State from the ``landgrabbers’’.

Mr Varghese alleged that the KGS Group was a Chennai-based real estate company and they are planning to set up the proposed airport converting the bio-diversity-rich Aranmula wetlands which was a sprawling paddy field two decades ago. As many as 150 acres of the Aranmula paddy fields have already been illegally converted in the name of the airport project and there was no question of permitting any more conversion in the area, he said.

The Action Council leaders said the notification of 500 acres of land as industrial area and setting up of the “Greenfield Airport, Aranmula Single Window Clearance Board’’ by the Industries department on February 24 was part of a hidden agenda to acquire the dwellings of the poor villagers in the name of the airport project.

They said the agitation would continue till the Government take stern action against the illegal land conversion made in the name of the airport project and take steps to cancel the notification issued by the Industries department during the previous Left Democratic Front Government.

People from different parts of the three villages staged protest marches to the KGS office at Aranmula in the afternoon too, protesting against the airport project.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2701707.ece

A caravan of mirrors

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00860/KOZ_ARANMULA_KANNAD_860091f.jpg

On their sojourn across the State, Aranmula mirrors stop at Kozhikode

A glowing piece of history bearing the signature of fine craftsmanship, the Aranmula kannadi (Aranmula mirror) is quietly braving the ravages of time. A vintage reflection of Kerala's handicraft tradition that flourished around the temple, today it is a requisite wherever classic Kerala is on show. And on show it is for the third successive year at Kairali, the government's enterprise for arts and crafts of Kerala, in the city.

The hand mirror is showcased in 11 varying sizes at the complex: the smallest is an inch and a half wide and the largest six inches wide. The artisans, belonging to a few families around the Parthasarathy temple in the village of Aranmula in South Kerala, have crafted the mirrors in conventional shapes — in frames shaped like a conch, the sun and a lotus and in the typical long-tailed form.

The mirror in the Aranmula kannadi is no glass, as M. Mohandas, manager at Kairali, explains. “It is a combination of copper and tin that has been polished. The technique of mixing these metals is a secret known only to the families,” he says.

One can also check the authenticity of an Aranmula mirror. “When you fold a paper and place it against the mirror, there will be absolutely no gap between the paper and its reflection in a genuine Aranmula mirror,” explains Mohandas. Kairali's initiative in exhibiting the mirrors exclusively at its showrooms across the State has given a fillip to the once “sinking” craft and its makers, says Mohandas. In a year, Aranmula mirrors are showcased for 15 days in different districts. A limited view of the artefact not only protects its novelty, but also helps the artisans, who cannot mass produce this hand-made product. In the course of the 15-day show in Kozhikode, roughly 400 pieces will be on display.

“In the first year of the exhibition, the Kozhikode centre registered the maximum sale at Rs 7.7 lakhs, while in the second year we had a sale of mirrors worth Rs 4.5 lakhs,” Mohandas says. Noting the dip in sales, he points out, “When it comes to pieces like the Aranmula mirror, families tend to own just one.” So, at Kairali, plans are afoot to take the exhibition to smaller centres in the years to come to woo new buyers.

Prized gifts

The mirrors on show are priced between Rs 1,100 and Rs 10,000, while there are Aranmula mirrors that are worth about Rs 60,000. The mirrors, once known to niche customers — the Ayyappa devotees who visited the Parthasarathy temple on their way to Sabarimala — are now traversing seas to win admirers. The other day a few pieces were bought from the Kozhikode showroom for the Indian Ambassador to the United States to be taken as gifts on her latest assignment, says Mohandas. The exhibition is on till December 17 at Kairali on Palayam Road.

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/crafts/article2701451.ece

^^

Marvelous!!!

FAMOUS PERSONALITIES FROM PATHANAMTHITTA



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Vetaran actor Mohanlal



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Thilakan



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Captain Raju



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M.G Soman



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Prathapachandran


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Adoor Bhasi



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Kailash



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Adoor Gopalakrishnan



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K.G George



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Blessy



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B. Unnikrishnan

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Nayanthara



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Meera Jasmine



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Mythili




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Ranjini Haridas



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Parvathy Jayaram



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Kaveri



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Kaviyoor Ponnamma



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Adoor Bhavani



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Adoor Pankajam



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Aranmula Ponnamma



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Kaviyoor Renuka

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Kadamanitta Ramakrishnan



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Kakkanadan



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Vasudevan Pillai - Padayani exponent


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K.K Nair - Played a major role in the formation of Pathanamthitta District.


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DR. T. K. Alex - Space scientist awarded Padmashri



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Jacob Punnoose - DGP



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T.K.A Nair - Principal Secretary of Prime Minister



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Sugathakumari teacher



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Justice M Fathima Beevi - First woman judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of India

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Adoor Prakash



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P.J Kurien - M.P



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Mathew.T.Thomas-Ex Minister



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Dr.Kurian Joh Melamparambil - Industrialist



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Muthoot Pappachan



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Mr.Alexander Muthoot M.D & Mr. M.G George Muthoot Chairman



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Nuashad - Famous Chef and Film Producer



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Parumala Thirumeni



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Sadhu kochu kunjuupadesi - a famous
Malayali Christian preacher,poet and composer


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Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan
-senior Metropolitan Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church



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Pastor K.C John - President of Indian Pentacostal Church



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Major Archbishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

Aranmula Airport:CBI probe sought into suspected land scam

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3825/11tvptairport1860860917.jpg
The vast expanse of Aranmula puncha (paddy fields) where the proposed private international airport is planned
at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district.


The All-Kerala River and Wetland Protection Council (KRWPC) has sought probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged land scam in Aranmula in the name of a private international airport project.

Talking to presspersons here on Saturday, KRWPC leaders and environmentalists K.A. Varghese and V.N. Gopinatha Pillai alleged that the promoters of the proposed airport project had inter-State connections.

According to the council leaders, the Chennai-based KGS Group is the promoter of the proposed KGS International Greenfield Airport at Aranmula. Though the company claimed that it had 350 acres of land in Aranmula, a letter issued by the Aranmula village officer as per RTI Act on November 28 had categorically stated that the company did not possess any piece of land in the village, said Mr

Varghese. Ironically, in a letter to the former Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan, on November 11, 2010, the then local MLA, K.C. Rajagopalan, had stated that the KGS Company had 350 acres of land in its possession in Aranmula for developing the proposed greenfield airport there, he said. Mr. Varghese alleged that the former MLA had even misled Mr. Achuthanandan into taking a government decision in favour of the company, they alleged.

The council leaders alleged that Anto Antony, MP, had been issuing statements supporting the private company and its airport project. The MP had even argued for the company at a public hearing held at the Collectorate earlier, they said.

Though K. Sivadasan Nair, MLA, had expressed strong reservations against the airport project earlier, he too has been maintaining a studied silence on the issue now, they alleged.

The Industries Department had notified 500 acres of land spread across the three villages of Aranmula, Mallappuzhasserry and Kidangannur as industrial area in February. The people's representatives had adopted a treacherous stand by keeping the local people in the dark about the decision taken by the Industries Department as well as various basic clearance problems concerning the proposed airport project,” they alleged. Mr. Varghese has sought a public apology from the MP and the former MLA for allegedly misleading the people.

“How the KGS Group had managed to obtain clearances for the proposed airport project from various Central and State government agencies when it did not have any land of its own in Aranmula remains a big question unanswered by our political and bureaucratic bosses,'' they alleged.

The council leaders also demanded stern action against the conversion of the biodiversity-rich Aranmula paddy fields (puncha) in the name of the airport project.


http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2704242.ece

^^KGS Group denies charges

‘Project has all requisite clearances'

The KGS Aranmula International Airport is a Rs.200-crore project which will be set up in 500 acres at Aranmula, according to P.T. Nandakumar, executive director of the company.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr. Nandakumar, accompanied by Col. Balakrishnan, chief operating officer, said the project was expected to generate 1,500 direct and 6,000 indirect employment opportunities. It would be operational in 18 months, he added.

Mr. Nandakumar said the KGS Group has obtained clearances for setting up the airport from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, State Cabinet (on September 8, 2010) and the Ministry of Defence. He said the State Industries Department had notified 500 acres in Aranmula, Kidangannur, and Mallappuzhasserry villages for the proposed Greenfield airport project.

The government had constituted a Single Window Clearance Board for the greenfield airport on March 1, with the KINFRA managing director as its convener, he said.

No eviction

Mr. Nandakumar said there would not be eviction or compulsory acquisition of land or demolition of houses, commercial establishment or places of worship for the project. He said the airport would cater to the population in the NRI belt spread across Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and parts of Alappuzha districts.

Mr. Nandakumar said the company had carried a techno-feasibility study and environment impact study on the airport project. Though the survey numbers of three villages of Aranmula, Kidangannur, and Mallappuzhassery were declared as industrial area, only those industries connected with the airport would be coming up in these areas, he added.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2703410.ece

Airport row: Company claims to have obtained necessary clearances
Staff Reporter

The Chennai-based KGS Group of companies has claimed that it has obtained all necessary clearances for setting up a greenfield international airport at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the KGS Group managing director, Gigi George, said the Airport Authority of India has recommended feasibility for setting up of the proposed `greenfield international airport at Aranmula way back on October 15, 2009. The State Cabinet too had given approval to the project on September 8, 2010.

Notification

According to Mr George, Industries Department of the Kerala Government has notified 500 acres of land in Aranmula, Kidangannoor and Mallappuzhasseri villages for the proposed `greenfield airport project after publishing the land record details at the respective village offices. The department has also constituted the `Greenfield Airport, Aranmula Single Window Clearance Board’ on February 24 in this connection, he said.

Defence clearance

He said the Ministry of Defence has issued a `No Objection Certificate’ for setting up the proposed airport project on August 24.

The United Democratic Front Government has issued a recommendation letter to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on September 26, supporting the airport project. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted a `site clearance certificate’ for the proposed ‘KGS Greenfield International Airport’ at Aranmula on October 28.

Mr George said a total of 350 acres of land have been registered in the name of KGS Aranmula International Airport Ltd in December, 2010 and the District Collector, P.Venugopal, has recently directed the Revenue official concerned to speed up its process of mutation in a time-bound manner.

Notified industrial area

Mr George has further clarified that there was no question of the Government acquiring land for the project. Instead, the company would negotiate with the land owners for purchase of land at the prevailing market price, he said. He said there would not be any eviction or compulsory acquisition or displacement of houses, commercial areas or places of worship.

According to Mr George, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Alappuzha districts together accounts for the arrival of nearly 21 per cent of foreign tourists and 14 per cent domestic tourists to Kerala.

Mr George said the proposed Rs 2000-crore international airport project would be set up in 500 acres of land in Aranmula in a time frame of 18 months.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2712059.ece

Protest against Kerala's 5th airport project
[Print]
IANS
Last Updated : 13 Dec 2011 12:53:21 PM IST

ARANMULA: As protests against the setting up of a private airport at Aranmula in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district go on, promoters of the greenfield project have dismissed the allegation of land grab and said vested interests are behind the controversy. Since last week, people living around the site of Kerala's fifth airport are protesting against a notification issued by the state industries department declaring 500 acres of land spread across the Mallappuzhasserry, Kidangannur and Aranmula villages as an industrial area.

The promoters, Chennai-based KGS Group, have acquired 350 acres and are looking for some more. The protesters are demanding that the government cancel the notification in the larger interests of protecting hundreds of villagers.

"We are demanding transparency, especially in the land transactions. They claim that they have purchased 350 acres of land, which we have found out is not true. The villagers are also surprised to know that the previous Left government had notified 500 acres of land near here as an industrial area. People are against eviction and that is what the villagers are up in arms against," said CPM legislator A. Padmakumar, who is leading the protesters.

But Gigi George of KGS said it was absolutely baseless to say that the group went ahead with the project without having land in the airport's name.

"The truth of the matter is that 350 acres of land have been registered in the name of KGS Aranmula Greenfield Airport. The only thing that has not happened is that the mutation of the land that has been registered has not taken place. The district collector has given direction to the Revenue Department last month to complete the mutation," George told IANS over telephone from Chennai.

The KGS Group has also pointed out that even though the 500 acres have been notified as an industrial area only industries connected with the airport would come up in the area. "There will not be any eviction or compulsory acquisition or displacement of any houses, commercial areas or worship places," said the group in a press release. The airport at Aranmula is billed as a boon to Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and some parts of Alappuzha districts, which together receive around 21 per cent of foreign tourists and 14 per cent domestic tourists who come to the state.

Padmakumar said villagers were not against development and they just wanted transparency in the land deal :). He said the district collector was likely to call a meeting of all stake holders of the project on December 23. "Let us see what happens at the meeting."

http://expressbuzz.com/topnews/protest-against-keralas-5th-airport-project/343055.html

Airport row: Company claims to have obtained necessary clearances
Staff Reporter

The Chennai-based KGS Group of companies has claimed that it has obtained all necessary clearances for setting up a greenfield international airport at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the KGS Group managing director, Gigi George, said the Airport Authority of India has recommended feasibility for setting up of the proposed `greenfield international airport at Aranmula way back on October 15, 2009. The State Cabinet too had given approval to the project on September 8, 2010.

Notification

According to Mr George, Industries Department of the Kerala Government has notified 500 acres of land in Aranmula, Kidangannoor and Mallappuzhasseri villages for the proposed `greenfield airport project after publishing the land record details at the respective village offices. The department has also constituted the `Greenfield Airport, Aranmula Single Window Clearance Board’ on February 24 in this connection, he said.

Defence clearance

He said the Ministry of Defence has issued a `No Objection Certificate’ for setting up the proposed airport project on August 24.

The United Democratic Front Government has issued a recommendation letter to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on September 26, supporting the airport project. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted a `site clearance certificate’ for the proposed ‘KGS Greenfield International Airport’ at Aranmula on October 28.

Mr George said a total of 350 acres of land have been registered in the name of KGS Aranmula International Airport Ltd in December, 2010 and the District Collector, P.Venugopal, has recently directed the Revenue official concerned to speed up its process of mutation in a time-bound manner.

Notified industrial area

Mr George has further clarified that there was no question of the Government acquiring land for the project. Instead, the company would negotiate with the land owners for purchase of land at the prevailing market price, he said. He said there would not be any eviction or compulsory acquisition or displacement of houses, commercial areas or places of worship.

According to Mr George, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Alappuzha districts together accounts for the arrival of nearly 21 per cent of foreign tourists and 14 per cent domestic tourists to Kerala.

Mr George said the proposed Rs 2000-crore international airport project would be set up in 500 acres of land in Aranmula in a time frame of 18 months.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2712059.ece

Is it true ? Very good news .:banana::banana:

^^KGS Group denies charges

‘Project has all requisite clearances'

The KGS Aranmula International Airport is a Rs.200-crore project which will be set up in 500 acres at Aranmula, according to P.T. Nandakumar, executive director of the company.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr. Nandakumar, accompanied by Col. Balakrishnan, chief operating officer, said the project was expected to generate 1,500 direct and 6,000 indirect employment opportunities. It would be operational in 18 months, he added.

Mr. Nandakumar said the KGS Group has obtained clearances for setting up the airport from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, State Cabinet (on September 8, 2010) and the Ministry of Defence. He said the State Industries Department had notified 500 acres in Aranmula, Kidangannur, and Mallappuzhasserry villages for the proposed Greenfield airport project.

The government had constituted a Single Window Clearance Board for the greenfield airport on March 1, with the KINFRA managing director as its convener, he said.

No eviction

Mr. Nandakumar said there would not be eviction or compulsory acquisition of land or demolition of houses, commercial establishment or places of worship for the project. He said the airport would cater to the population in the NRI belt spread across Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and parts of Alappuzha districts.

Mr. Nandakumar said the company had carried a techno-feasibility study and environment impact study on the airport project. Though the survey numbers of three villages of Aranmula, Kidangannur, and Mallappuzhassery were declared as industrial area, only those industries connected with the airport would be coming up in these areas, he added.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2703410.ece

Pls read following link

http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=519602

Support from all party conference and Sivadasan Nair M.L.A for the Airport Project: :applause:

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/6527/aranmula1.png

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/3060/aranmula2.png

CPM and CPI support the Airport

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5997/aranmula3.png

Tourism facilitation centre coming up in Aranmula


Tourism Department will set up a Tourism Facilitation Centre at Aranmula at an estimated cost of Rs 67,70,000, according to Mr K. Sivadsan Nair, MLA.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, Mr Nair said the proposed facilitation centre was aimed at marketing the tourism potential of Aranmula that has been declared as a heritage tourism destination in the State.

The District Tourism Promotion Centre (DTPC) has proposed the project the components of which are tourist guidance office, internet café, lounge, toilets, emporium, open mandapam, vehicle parking lot, security cabin, viewing gallery and waste disposal facility, the MLA said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2738782.ece

‘Thanka Anki' procession set to begin today

Mandalapuja at Sabarimala on December 27

The procession carrying the golden attire, ‘Thanka Anki,' for the Mandalapuja at Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala will set off from the Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula on Friday morning.

The Thanka Anki will be taken in a decorated motorised chariot to Pampa, from where the Ayyappa Seva Sanghom volunteers will take it on their head to Sabarimala.

The golden attire weighing 420 sovereigns was offered to the Ayyappa Temple by the late Sri Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma, king of the erstwhile Travancore royal dynasty in 1973. Since then, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has been taking the golden attire to Sabarimala in a procession for the Mandalapuja.

An Ayyappa idol adorned with the Anki will be kept at the Aanakkottil of the Parthasarathy Temple for the devotees to have darshan from 5 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. on Friday. It will then be taken out in a procession to Sabarimala.

The procession will halt at the Raktakanta Swami Temple at Omalloor near Pathanamthitta on Friday night. It will reach Muringamangalam Temple near Konni on Saturday evening and will halt at the Kakkattu Koickal Sastha Temple at Perinad on December 25 evening.

The procession will be accorded receptions at different points before it reaches Pampa on December 26 forenoon. The Ayyappa Seva Sanghom volunteers will take the attire on their head to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam in the afternoon.

The TDB authorities will receive the Thanka Anki at Saramkuthi. The presiding deity will be adorned with the golden attire for the Mandalapuja on December 27. The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja at 11.45 p.m. on December 27, marking the end of the 41-day Mandalam festival.

The temple will reopen on December 30 afternoon for the Makaravilakku festival that begins the next day.

Thanka Anki will be taken in a motorised chariot

Temple to reopen for Makaravilakku on December 30

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2737146.ece

http://i40.************/348gaja.jpg

Source : Mangalam

Enne athu koodi pootiye adagathullu .....Neerthadam , Plants , Animals, Streams etc............ Aranmulayil mathram kanunnathu nasikkum :bash:

Aranmula airport will aid in development: DCC

District Congress Committee (DCC) president P. Mohanraj has called upon the people to work towards materialising the proposed airport project at Aranmula.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, Mr. Mohanraj said the people of Pathanamthitta should extend all support to their elected representatives in realising the airport project which could bring about immense development to the region.

The proposed airport project also envisaged road development and the improvement of the railway stations at Chengannur and Thiruvalla. The airport project would be of help to the thousands of non-resident Keralites and to Sabarimala pilgrims, the statement said. It would create employment opportunities. The DCC had extended complete support to the project. It had asked the company to take steps to clear the apprehensions aired by a section of people through discussions, he said.

In another statement issued here, United Democratic Front (UDF) district chairman Victor T. Thomas said the proposed airport was a key project among those declared by the UDF. The project would ensure all-round development of the region and it should be implemented in a time-bound manner, he added.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2749849.ece

Kurien backs airport project at Aranmula


The proposed private international airport at Aranmula, once materialised, would make a big leap in the development of the entire Central Travancore region, said P.J. Kurien, MP.

In a statement here on Wednesday, Prof. Kurien said the proposed private airport would be a milestone in the development path of the district and to his knowledge, the company had obtained all necessary clearance for executing the project in the next two years.

Tourism potential

Prof. Kurien said the district would become a tourism hub, besides increasing the pilgrim inflow to Sabarimala from different parts of the country and abroad. According to him, the private airport would increase the popularity of the Aranmula Uthritathi snakeboat regatta, Maramon Convention, Pathanamthitta Juma Masjid, Parumala Church, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Manjanikkara Mor Ignatius Diara, and the Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathy Temple.

The project would generate not less than 2,000 new employment opportunities in the region, he said.

Prof. Kurien said the private company had purchased a major chunk of the land required for the airport project and there was no question of forcible acquisition of land or eviction.

He said the proposed airport project was a grave need of the district and those who consciously created hurdles on its path should retreat themselves from the negative campaign and support the project.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2756655.ece

Kurien backs airport project at Aranmula


The proposed private international airport at Aranmula, once materialised, would make a big leap in the development of the entire Central Travancore region, said P.J. Kurien, MP.

In a statement here on Wednesday, Prof. Kurien said the proposed private airport would be a milestone in the development path of the district and to his knowledge, the company had obtained all necessary clearance for executing the project in the next two years.

Tourism potential

Prof. Kurien said the district would become a tourism hub, besides increasing the pilgrim inflow to Sabarimala from different parts of the country and abroad. According to him, the private airport would increase the popularity of the Aranmula Uthritathi snakeboat regatta, Maramon Convention, Pathanamthitta Juma Masjid, Parumala Church, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Manjanikkara Mor Ignatius Diara, and the Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathy Temple.

The project would generate not less than 2,000 new employment opportunities in the region, he said.

Prof. Kurien said the private company had purchased a major chunk of the land required for the airport project and there was no question of forcible acquisition of land or eviction.

He said the proposed airport project was a grave need of the district and those who consciously created hurdles on its path should retreat themselves from the negative campaign and support the project.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2756655.ece


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Prof. P.J. Kurien MP support Aranmula airport project

Source: Mangalam

Aranmula airport project has got all clearances: MP


With the Centre granting environmental clearance recently, the private airport company has obtained all necessary clearances required for its proposed airport project in Aranmula, said Mr Anto Antony, MP.

In a statement issued here on Friday, the MP said the Union Defence Ministry, Airport Authority of India and Civil Aviation Ministry have granted clearances for the private airport project much earlier.

He said the State Government has also informed the Centre accepting the clearances given to the project by the previous Left Democratic Front Government.

Mr Antony said the proposed private airport project was a dream project as far as Pathanamthitta was concerned, adding that it would bring about a great leap in the development profile of the district.

According to him the proposed airport would give a facelift to different sectors like tourism, information technology, road and development in the district, making a blessing to the future generation.

The project, once materialised, would generate permanent employment opportunity to not less than 1,500 people, besides generating as many as 6,000 job opportunities in the allied sectors, he added.

Mr Antony said the proposed airport would be of great help to devotees visiting Sabarimala, Maramon, Pathanamthitta Juma Masjid, Chakkulathukavu, Parumala Church, Manjanikkara Diara Church, Vavar Mosque at Erumely as well as tourists visiting the place for the Aranmula Vallamkali.

The MP said all the propaganda against the private airport project were totally unfounded. He also sought public co-operation in materialising the project.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2761187.ece

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KGS Aranmula airport project has got all clearances from central govt. Anto Antony MP

Source: Mathrubhumi

All-party meet held on Aranmula airport project


An all-party meeting convened by District Collector P. Venugopal here on Saturday to discuss the proposed private airport project at Aranmula decided to recommend to the government to de-notify the 500 acres of land declared as industrial area in Aranmula, Mallappuzhassery and Kidangannur villages.

The meeting also decided to stop all further proceedings with regard to the proposed private airport project till the notification declaring 500 acres of land spread across the three villages was withdrawn.

The decision was taken owing to strong opposition to the project from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India (CPI), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and representatives of the People's Action Council.

Addressing the meeting, the Collector sought the cooperation of all quarters for making the airport project a reality while ensuring least damage to the environment in the larger interests of a development boom in the region.

Realistic approach

P.J. Kurien and Mr Anto Antony, MPs, have called upon the people to adopt a realistic approach towards the airport project.

They said no one would be forcibly evicted from their land in the name of the airport project.

K. Sivadasan Nair, MLA, said the Collector should take necessary steps to de-notify the land, excluding the land, if any, in the possession of the Chennai-based KGS Group, as industrial area and to proceed further only after clearing the public apprehension in this regard.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2765466.ece

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B J P march against Aranmula airport project.

Source: Mathrubhumi

Cabinet decision on Aranmula Airport

Mr. Chandy said that the government would redress any complaint from the public regarding the proposed airport at Aranmula.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2774669.ece

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=10756855&programId=1073753760&tabId=11&contentType=EDITORIAL&BV_ID=@@@

Four-day Kathakali fest begins at Cherukolpuzha

Organised by Pathanamthitta District Kathakali Club

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2774930.ece

Aranmula airport project.....

Just sharing the concerns of Mangalam reporter.....Dont get panic.

http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=526130&lang=malayalam

Aranmula airport project.....

Just sharing the concerns of Mangalam reporter.....Dont get panic.

http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=526130&lang=malayalam

file not found...something wrong with link...

file not found...something wrong with link...


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Source Mangalam

Guys, Any updates on the medical college stuff, and the location wheres it's coming up ?

Guys, Any updates on the medical college stuff, and the location wheres it's coming up ?


No the location of proposed Govt. Medical College is not yet finalised.Some disputes are going on reg. thd place to set up the MC. Health minister Sri.Adoor Prakash have already announced that the MC will start function at Enadimangalam panchayath in his own constituency which is almost at the border of the district.But a pvt MC(Mount Zion) is about to start by the mid of this year which is just 2-3 kms away from the proposed site of Govt MC.Is it wise to start 2 MCs in the same location?Except Adoor Prakash each and every politicians from different parties incl Congress are against this move.He should realise that he is not only the minister for his constituency but also for the entire district too.The common interest of the people from the district is to establish the MC near Pathanamthitta town as it will be helpful for the pilgrims of Sabarimala also.Vast area of land is available at the muncipal limits,Mylapra panchayath,Chengara estate.A committee have been organised last week for bringing the MC around premisis of PTA Town.
Waiting for a better result!!!

Kerala Govt will provide all the supports to Aranmula airport: K. Babu (Minister in charge for Airports)

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CC: Mathrubhumi

^^

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CC: Manorama

ശബരിമല മാസ്റ്റര്*പ്ലാന്* പദ്ധതിപ്രകാരം മെഡിക്കല്* കോളേജ് സ്ഥാപിക്കാനും ആസ്​പത്രികളുടെ നവീകരണത്തിനും അടുത്ത സാമ്പത്തികവര്*ഷം 301 കോടി രൂപയുടെ ധനസഹായം ലഭിക്കുന്നതിന് കേന്ദ്രത്തിന് മന്ത്രി നിവേദനം സമര്*പ്പിച്ചു. ശബരിമലയുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട പത്ത് ആസ്​പത്രികള്* നവീകരിക്കുന്നതിന് 98 കോടിയാണ് ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടത്. പമ്പയിലും സന്നിധാനത്തും നിലവിലെ ആസ്​പത്രികള്*ക്ക് പുതിയ കെട്ടിടം നിര്*മിക്കണം. ശബരിമല കേന്ദ്രീകരിച്ച് പുതിയ മെഡിക്കല്*കോളേജ് സ്ഥാപിക്കാനാണ് ഉദ്ദേശിക്കുന്നത്.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/1377867/2012-01-07/kerala

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/7981/aranmula.jpg

aaru parayunnatha seri??
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/8649/aranfn.jpg

aaru parayunnatha seri??
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/8649/aranfn.jpg

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Source : Mangalam

എങ്ങനെ എങ്കിലും പൂട്ടിയെ അടങ്ങു . കോട്ടയത്ത്* ലാന്*ഡ്* കിട്ടിയേനെ . പറ്റുമെങ്കില്* ഷിഫ്റ്റ്* ചെയാന്* പറ.

State’s first solar campus

Mar Athanasios College for Advanced Studies Thiruvalla (Macfast), the first private self-financing college in the State, has of late become the first solar-powered campus in Kerala — perhaps the first of its kind in the country.
Macfast always stood for innovative ideas ever since its inception, thanks to founder principal, Fr Abraham Mulamoottil and his successor, Fr Pradeep Vazhatharamalayil. For instance, ‘Radio Macfast-90.4’ two years ago and the popular ‘Green and Clean City’ project a year ago were praiseworthy achievements of the campus.
The campus has now been in the news for installing a 30 kw rooftop solar power plant that should produce 45,000 units (kilowatt hours) of electricity yearly to meet the annual power demands of the institution.

Fr Pradeep Vazhatharamalayil, principal, said that the installation of the technology was made possible by the Hyderabad-based Radiant Solar Private Limited with the support of the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and ANERT attached to Department of Power, Kerala. Macfast also invested `72 lakh in the project, says Fr Pradeep.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/education/state%E2%80%99s-first-solar-campus-641

MORE BRANDED SHOPS COMING TO THIRUVALLA


1.KALYAN SILKS
2.PULIMOOTIL SILKS
3.JOSCO JEWELLERS
4.KALYAN JEWELLERS
5.MALABAR GOLD
6.VASAN EYE CARE

^^post properly adarsh....

Minister promises efforts to promote eco-tourism in Gavi

Efforts would be made to launch fresh eco-tourism initiatives in the lush green forest tracts of Gavi nestling in the eastern part of the district, said Mr Adoor Prakash, Health Minister.

Mr Prakash was inaugurating the workshop on the tourism potential of Gavi, organized by the District Panchayat, District Tourism Promotion Council and Pathanamthitta Press Club, at the Town Hall.

A comprehensive eco tourism development that suits very well with the fragile eco system and forest environs was what needed at Gavi, he said.

The Minister said he would explore the possibility of exploiting the eco-tourism potential of Gavi to the maximum possible extent and to link Gavi with various other ecotourism centres like Konni, Thenmala and Achenkovil in consultation with the Tourism Minister, A.P. Anilkumar and Forest Minister, K.B. Ganeshkumar. A creative intervention of both the Tourism and Forest department was what needed in developing Gavi as a major ecotourism spot in the district, he added.

Mr Anto Antony, MP, inaugurated the photo exhibition held as part of the workshop.

Babu George, District Panchayatpresident, presided the inaugural function. He said flaws in the planning process were found to have been creating many hurdles on the tourism development in the district.

Mr George stressed the need to ensure participation of local self-government institutions for tourism promotion in the district.

Mr R. Kamalahar, Divisional Forest Officer at Ranni, said there was nothing wrong in opening places situated in the Periyar Tiger Reserve as ecotourism spots with out disturbing the otherwise serene eco system there. Protection of tiger and other wild fauna should be made part of the eco-tourism project, he added.

Gavi Eco Tourism

Situated next to the Periyar Tiger Reserve is the Gavi Eco Tourism Project. A motorobale road takes into Gavi via vallakadavu in 2hours. Spread across the beauty of Periyar Tiger Reserve, Gavi is a quiet, beautiful and pristine forest haven. These evergreen forests are abundant with magnificent Wildlife including the tiger, elephants, leopards, bears, Indian gaur, sambar, barking & Mouse deers, lion tailed macaque, other varieties of monkeys, Nilgiri Marten and a lot more.

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Landscape of Gavi

For the nature explorers Gavi offers the complete acquaintance with the flora around including Nageia Wallichinia (Podocarpus Wallichinia), a highly endemic species of the Gymnosperm family seen only around Gavi in the whole Western Ghats.If you are a birder, the forests around Gavi are home to over 320 species of birds –the great Indian hornbills, sunbirds, woodpeckers, kingfishers and myriads of mynas, dongos, cuckoos and bulbuls-truly any birder’s dream.The sheer beauty of this place is indeed worth a closer look ! Here is nature at its unadulterated best. Gavi often serves as a base camp for deep jungle trekkers, birdwatchers, nature lovers, research students and the like.

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Lake at Gavi

Lake at GaviGavi is 28 kms south west of Vandiperiyar, a town in N.H 220 the highway connecting Kollam and Madurai, which itself is 14 kms from Kumily,near Thekkady. Entry passes must be obtained from the Forest Check Post enroute at Vallakkadavu. Advance booking with the Kerala Forest Development Corporation Ltd. is highly appreciable wherein such formalities will be taken care of by the Company itself.

Distance from Gavi

Gavi to Kochi 180 Kms
Gavi to Kochi Airport 200 kms
Gavi to Thekkady 50 Kms
Gavi to Madurai 195 Kms
Gavi to Kottayam 120 kms

Gavi Ecotourism programme is being sponsored by The Kerala Forest Development Corporation Ltd, a State Government Undertaking.Today Gavi Eco Tourism hosts memorable wildlife and Jungle experiences in the most remote and virgin areas adjecenting the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

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Gavi Landscape

Activities in Gavi

■Trekking
■Wildlife watching
■Birding
■Stay at top tree huts
■Outdoor camping in forest around
■Safaris through jungle roads
■Visit to paradise cove at Ninnumulli
■Boating in the Gavi& kochupampa lakes.
■Leisurely walks through spice gardens
■Visit to cardamom factory
■Climb to Sabarimala temple view


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Cottages at Gavi

In house Facilities

■Accommodation and full board, at Green Mansions and at Jungle Camps.
■Library on Flora & Fauna of the Western Ghats and other jungle parks of India.
■Binoculars on hire
■First aid.
■Leech Socks.
■Local products like organic cardamom (for sale).

THIS IS STRICTLY A LIQUOR AND SMOKE FREE ZONE:cheers:


Programmes involves a close interaction with the nature. Excellent trails through the midst of Evergreen Forests to camping sites at Meenar & Valley view. The trekking course passes through dense patches of forests where even at mid-day sunlight struggles to penetrate, where elephants roam free and where man meets nature truly in all it’s majesty and glory. For those in need of peace, rowing expedition to Paradise Cove can be organized where you will be enthralled by the beauty of wild flowers and where silence is broken only by the music of birds. For wild life enthusiast, the treks can be doubly rewarding. Wild life sighting is ensured.

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Jeeps used for Safari

Night safaris are also an occasion to observe the wild side of nature. A drive to the Pampa dam or to Pachakkanam at night and you may be rewarded with the best that a tropical rain forest can offer you you after dusk .

Golden Rules Of Echo Tourism

■The Plan should be culturally sensitive.
■Do not insist on Wild Life sighting. They are not at the disposal of humans.
■Keep silence during trekking. Even a subdued whisper can alert the Wild Life of the Human Presence.
■Wildlife and natural habitats must not be needlessly disturbed.
■Early Mornings and late afternoons are best suited for animal sightings.
■Do not wander away from the jungle camps.
■Pay heed to your guides always.
■Activities in jungle water bodies without permission of the guides will be risky.
■Do not litter.
■Smoking not solicited.
■Take only memories back home.
Accommodation: Green Mansions

The Forest Lodge at Gavi conjures up the essence of the place-tranquillity amidst the abundance of nature. The cool breeze from the Gavi Lake, the gentle whistle of the Malabar whistling thrush or the raucous cry of the Nilgiri Langur will keep you company as you wander the grounds in perfect harmony with nature. You could take a lazy stroll around, go row boating on Gavi lake or trek for hours in the breath taking beauty of the evergreen canopy… all awaits you at the climax of your safari to Green Mansions from the Forest Check post at Vallakadavu, that safari itself being the prologue to the wonderland Gavi.

For the more adventurous-minded, a programme of camping in the wilderness at Meenar where elephants trumpet their supremacy in the still of night! Or at valley view with its spectacular view of the Chenthamarakokkai-a deep ravine with dense forest below or even trek to the sacred Pampa Hills where the Nilgiri Thars prance around in gay abandon, where God Ayyappa .

Coutsey:MYSTIKAL HOLIDAYS
http://mystikalindia.com/2010/07/08/gavi-eco-tourism/

Photos of GAVI and surroundings

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Source : Mathrubhumi

Yuva Morcha strike at Aranmula

Nice pictures Adarsh :cheers:

^^

Superb pics and fabulous place. Gavi is one of those unexploited heaven in the state.

Thank you bijoy

Thank you malayali

Thank you for your encouragement :)

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9554/40291435470279789006710.jpg


:sad2::sad2:
May be by considering this the State Government have allotted one more family court in the Pathanamthitta district at Pathanamthitta town along with Pala,Kattappana&one in Malappuram district,I think its Tirur not sure.Family court in Thiruvalla is already function in the district.

Preparations in progress for Hindu, Christian congregations

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00891/13tvpt-maramon_891324f.jpg
BALANCING ACT: Construction of a temporary footbridge linking the convention venue and the western bank of river Pampa progressing at Maramon near Kozhencherry on Thursday. Photo: Leju Kamal


District Collector, P. Venugopal, has said the services of various Government departments for the smooth conduct of the annual religious conventions at Maramon and Cherukolpuzha as well as for the Manjanikkara Church festival would be ready well before the beginning of the respective event.

Addressing a meeting of the people’s representatives and organizers of the religious congregations held at the collectorate conference hall here on Thursday, Mr Venugopal said steps would be taken to regulate the water level in river Pampa during the Maramon convention period.

Kerala State Electricity Board would repair the street lights in and around Maramon, Cherukolpuzha and Manjanikkara in a time-bound manner.

The Thiuvalla revenue Divisional Officer, Antony Dominic has been posted as the Government co-ordinator for the Maramon and Cherukolpuzha events and the Adoor RDO, M.C. Sarasamma, will be the co-ordinator for the Manjanikkara festival, the collector said.

He said Kerala State Road Transport Corporation would operate special services to Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Ranni, Adoor and Pandalam from Maramon, Cherukolpuzha and Manjanikkara during the period.

Public Works Department would complete the repair work on the roads leading to Maramon, Cherukolpuzha and Manjanikkara before February 10.

Babu George, District Panchayat president; H.Salimraj, Additional District Magistrate; Stella Thomas, Elanthoor Block Panchayat president; Annapoornadevi, Koipram grama panchayat president; Abraham P. Oommen, P.P. Achenkunju, Mar Thma Evangelistic Association office-bearers; K.G. Sankaranarayana Pillai, M.P. Sasidharan nair, Hindumatha Maha Mandalam leaders; Jacob Thomas Corepiscopa and E.K. Mathew Corepiscopa from Manjanikkara Mor Ignatius Diara also attended the meeting.

Hindu meet

The Ayroor-Cherukolpuzha Hindumatha Maha Mandalam (HMM) will be celebrating the centenary of the annual Hindu religious meet on the sandbed of river Pampa at Cherukolpuzha near Kozhencherry from February 5 to 12.

Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Renowned spiritual leader, will inaugurate the centenary meet at a ceremonial function to be held at the sprawling sandbed of Pampa at 3 pm on February 5. Ashok Singhal, Viswa Hindu Parishad national president, will preside over the inaugural function.

Maramon convention

The 117th Maramon Convention, annual Christian religious meet, will be held at its traditional venue on the riverbed of Pampa at Maramon near Kozhencherry from February 12 to 19. A large pandal is coming up at the convention venue.

Manjanikkara Perunaal

The annual Manjanikkara Church festival (Perunaal) will be celebrated from February 5 to 11.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2795784.ece

Work on 4 Sabarimala roads to begin by month end

SABARIMALA: The work on the Rs 58.45-crore Sabarimala roads under heavy maintenance scheme will begin by the end of this month.

The financial bidding and pre-qualification tendering were opened on January 3 and the process for awarding the contract for the lowest bidder is in the final stages, PWD sources said.

The projects under the heavy maintenance scheme would include four roads and the Kanamala bridge across Pampa river, sources said.

The four roads under the scheme were Mannarakulanji-Plappally, Plappally-Chalakayam, Kanamala-Elavunkal and Kanjirappally-Kanamala, they said.

The estimated cost of the 32-km Mannarakulanji-Plappally road would be Rs 21 crore, the 21.5-km Plappally-Chalakayam road at a cost of Rs 14.1 crore, the cost of 9.9-km Kanamala-Elavunkal road would be Rs 8.6 crore and the 11.8-km Kanjirappally-Erumely road is estimated to cost Rs 7.75 crore, the sources said.

The estimated cost of the Kanamala bridge would be Rs 7 crore.

The PWD already paid Rs 6.36 lakh for the 0.54 hectares of forest land required for the construction of the bridge, the sources said.

Once the land is handed over to the PWD, the work on the bridge would begin and will be completed in six months, sources said.

The norms under the heavy maintenance contract stipulates that the contractor would undertake the repair of the road for a period of five years after the completion, the sources said.

The road would have a width of seven metres and laying of the road would be similar to that of the KSTP stipulation, sources said.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/work-on-4-sabarimala-roads-to-begin-by-month-end/352272.html

All set for ceremonial Thiruvabharanam procession

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00891/13tvpt-pandalam2_891308f.jpg
Devotees waiting at the Srambickal Palace premises at Pandalam for the Thiruvabharnam darshan on Thursday. Photo: Leju Kamal


The ceremonial procession carrying the sacred jewellery, Thiruvabharanam, will set off to Sabarimala from the Valiyakoickal Sastha Temple at Pandalam on Friday afternoon.

The palace premises adjoining the Valiyakoickal Sastha Temple at Pandalam has been witnessing heavy rush with a large number of Ayyappa devotees turning up for worshipping the sacred jewellery kept at the palace strong room since the past two weeks.

The Thiruvabharanam was offered to the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala by the king of the erstwhile Pandalam royal kingdom who is believed to be the foster father of Ayyappa.

The palace strongroom remain open for the Thiruvabharanam darshan from 5.30 am and 8 pm from the beginning of the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.

The sacred attire will be taken out of the palace strongroom on Friday morning and will be handed over to the Travancore Devswom Board authorities by 4 am. The Thiruvabharanam will be kept at the Valiyakoickal Sastha Temple for the devotees to have darshan till 12.30 pm.

The procession carrying the Thiruvabharanam will set off from the Valiyakoickal Palace at 1 pm. Mr Harivarma Raja of Kaippuzha Panthaplavil Palace will be the royal representative escorting the ceremonial procession to Sabarimala, this year.

The royal entourage will halt at the Ayroor Puthiyakavu Devi Temple near Ranni on Friday evening and at Laha Sathram on the Mannarakulanji-Chalakkayam main trunk road leading to Sabarimala on Saturday evening.

The procession will reach Valiyanavattom near Pampa on Sunday afternoon. TDB authorities will receive the Thiruvabharanam when the procession on its arrival at Sabarimala Sannidhanam by 6.15 pm.

The Tantri, Kandararu Maheswararu, assisted by Melsanthi, N.Balamurali, will decorate the Ayyappa idol with the Thiruvabharanam prior to the deeparadhana to be held, later, at 6.30 pm.

Makarajyoti

Sighting of the celestial star, Makarajoyti, on the eastern horizon of the Sannidhanam and the ritualistic deeparadhana atop a remote hillside facing the Ayyappa shrine immediately after the deeparadhana at the temple are considered to be the auspicious events at Sabarimala on the Makaravilakku day.

Tens of thousands of devotees from deifferent parts of the country have already started camping at the Sannidhanam to worship the Makarajyoti as well as the deeparadhana atop Ponnambalamedu.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2795652.ece

Central Government allotted 11 Crores for “Cultural Museum” at Aranmula

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/2530/aranmula23.jpg

pDCRrbq3xOk

Neelaandan irangiyallo. :nuts:

Neelaandan irangiyallo. :nuts:

http://i43.************/20ft9vl.jpg

അദേഹം ഒറ്റക്കല്ല , പള്ളിയോട സമതി കൂടെയുണ്ട്,

C P M L Red flag , Palliyoda kara samyutha samathi against Aranmula airport project

Source: Mangalam

^^
ജന പിന്തുണ ഇല്ലാത്ത ചില നേതാക്കളും പാര്*ട്ടികളും ആണ് ഇപ്പോളത്തെ സമരത്തിന്* പിന്നില്*. അതിനെ സപ്പോര്*ട്ട് ചെയ്യാന്* circulation ഇല്ലാത്ത ചില മഞ്ഞ പത്രങ്ങളും...
Let us wait and see what will happen.....

Interview with Gigi George on Kaumudi:

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/5628/aranmula10.png
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/39/aranmula11.png

If the images are not readable, please go through Page 3 of the file:
http://keralakaumudi.com/news/print/varandhyam/varandhyam.pdf

^^looks promising...

^^
ജന പിന്തുണ ഇല്ലാത്ത ചില നേതാക്കളും പാര്*ട്ടികളും ആണ് ഇപ്പോളത്തെ സമരത്തിന്* പിന്നില്*. അതിനെ സപ്പോര്*ട്ട് ചെയ്യാന്* circulation ഇല്ലാത്ത ചില മഞ്ഞ പത്രങ്ങളും...
Let us wait and see what will happen.....


Kiran chetta I think Moncy is against the proposed airport in Pathanamthitta. The news which he have posted so far shows that and the source is mainly the Kottayam based Mangalam.This newspaper is completely against the airport:bash::bash:
Please remember that the development wont be in the Pta district itself but it will also reflect in Kottayam's development.

പത്തനംതിട്ടക്കാര്*ക്ക് ശബരിമല അല്ലാതെ പറയാനും എന്തെങ്കിലും വേണ്ടേ???

^^i dont think moncy is against it....but definitely mangalam is against airport....

^^i dont think moncy is against it....but definitely mangalam is against airport....

Yes he is against the place(PTA) which the airport is going to establish and am sure that its not bcoz of the environmental problems.See the posts and comments which he have made against this airport.
:ohno:

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5096/62116626.jpg

Kutalam-Munnar road :Report soon

*Promotes pilgrim,adventorous,plantation,high range tourism
*Feasibility study within 1 month
*Total length of the road is 320 Km
*116 Kms through forest,86 Kms through Cardamom plantation,60 Kms through Tea plantations,58 Kms through Tillage farm
*Road passes through Kollam,Pathanamthitta,Idukki districts
*Passes through Kottavasal,Achenkovil,Konni,Moozhiyar,Pamba dam,Gavi,Vandiperiyar,Thekkadi,Devikulam,Munnar
*Reduces 30 Km distance from Shenkottai to Sabarimala
*Plans to built resorts at Kutalam,Achenkovil,Gavi and to develop Eco tourism package combining P.W.D,Forest,K.S.E.B,Plantation
companies
*Expected to become kerala's largest tourism project

Kiran chetta I think Moncy is against the proposed airport in Pathanamthitta. The news which he have posted so far shows that and the source is mainly the Kottayam based Mangalam.This newspaper is completely against the airport:bash::bash:
Please remember that the development wont be in the Pta district itself but it will also reflect in Kottayam's development.

പത്തനംതിട്ടക്കാര്*ക്ക് ശബരിമല അല്ലാതെ പറയാനും എന്തെങ്കിലും വേണ്ടേ???

Yes he is against the place(PTA) which the airport is going to establish and am sure that its not bcoz of the environmental problems.See the posts and comments which he have made against this airport.
:ohno:

ദയവു ചെയ്തു എന്നെ കല്ലെറിയരുതേ ...........കോട്ടയം - . നെടുംബാശ്ശേരി 86 km -- ട്രാവല്* ടൈം 1 hr 45 minutes /// കോട്ടയം- ആറന്മുള 47 km ട്രാവല്* ടൈം 50 minutes
ഞാന്* NRI ആണ് . frequent ആയി ട്രാവല്* ചെയുന്ന ആളാണ് .. 50 minutes ടൈം saving കിട്ടുന്ന ആറന്മുള എയര്*പോര്*ട്ട് വന്നു കാണാന്* ആഗ്രഹം ഉണ്ണ്ട് .


mangalam ത്തില്* മാത്രം ഡെയിലി ന്യൂസ്* വരുന്നുള്ളൂ. അതുകൊണ്ട് പോസ്റ്റ്* ചെയുന്നു എന്ന് മാത്രം
മറ്റു papers ഒന്നും റിപ്പോര്*ട്ട്* ചെയാറില്ല .



^^i dont think moncy is against it....but definitely mangalam is against airport....

THANK YOU AMALMOHAN :cheers:

ADARSHPTA -- Please read today's Mangalam news paper. ( it is not written by me. )
Only Aranmula people are against this project .. not kottayamites..
I know it very well there is no land available in KTM town to build an airport , ( with in 25 kms from town central.)

Aranmula is only 47 Km .. so it is good for Kottayam. I am not against this project. No more arguments

http://i41.************/noagdy.jpg

Source: Mangalam

Prepaid counters at bus stands

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1747/prepaid.jpg


*Prepaid counters at KSRTC stand & Pvt stand within 3 weeks

ADARSHPTA -- Please read today's Mangalam news paper. ( it is not written by me. )
Only Aranmula people are against this project .. not kottayamites..
I know it very well there is no land available in KTM town to build an airport , ( with in 25 kms from town central.)

Aranmula is only 47 Km .. so it is good for Kottayam. I am not against this project. No more arguments

http://i41.************/noagdy.jpg

Source: Mangalam


Moncy, Mangalam newspaper is completely against this airport as I said earlier and amalmohan also had supported my views.:cheers:
I dont think that there is any necessity of posting the news again from the same newspaper.I havent yet noticed an affirmitive
news on this airport project from Mangalam.Even if the airport is established , Mangalam wont support for its smooth performance.:bash::bash:
I dont know why this paper reports each and every silly news about this project with great significance that too implying negatation.
Why dont other medias do so?? Mangalam dont want to know the public opinion of the district other than the people of Aranmula.

By regularly posting the negative reports from Mangalam I thought that you were against the project.Also I have strong
reasons to believe so.See some of your comments reg. this project

"അദേഹം ഒറ്റക്കല്ല , പള്ളിയോട സമതി കൂടെയുണ്ട്,"

"എങ്ങനെ എങ്കിലും പൂട്ടിയെ അടങ്ങു . കോട്ടയത്ത്* ലാന്*ഡ്* കിട്ടിയേനെ . പറ്റുമെങ്കില്* ഷിഫ്റ്റ്* ചെയാന്* പറ."

So by reading this how can I know that you are supporting the project.
Anyway thanks for your support:applause::applause:
Not all Aranmula people are against, but a few and that too beacause of the rumours spread by one or two political parties.
I think that this parties are having some hidden ajendas.Pathanamthitta M.P,Aranmula M.L.A,K.G.S Group officials have repeatedly
informed that there wont be any aquistion of houses except the 7 houses which they have already acquired.

I have heard that once Nedumbassery also have faced a similar situation which
Aranmula is facing now.Look at the present situation of Nedumbassery and the surrounding places.It has brought drastic changes
in the life style of the people.Aranmula also have such possibilities.Second phase development includes five star hotels,malls,
widening of roads etc.

If Kottayamites have to travel 86 Kms to the airport, Pathanamthittites have to travel 140 Kms and 120 Kms to Cochin and
Trivandrum International airports respectively.Once the Aranmla airport starts functioning we can save hours of time, taxifares,
avoiding exhausting journeys and decrease accidents too.
I think Aranmula is an ideal location inbetween the two Internatinal airports and there by it can increase the fame of Pathanamthitta.
For each and every need PTA people depends KTM.
So its matter of pride when Kottayamites come to Pathanamthitta!!!!:rock::rock:

NO MORE ARGUEMENTS:)

Moncy my heartfelt sorry If I hurt you!!!:kiss:

Post the news of our airport regularly

Gandhi Darshan ‘Varayarangu’


Cartoonist Jitesh will be staging an infotainment cartoon stage show, ‘Gandhi Darshana Varayarangu’, at six centres in the district, marking the 75th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to the district, on Friday.

According to Mr Jitesh, the cartoon stage show will be based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

The first show will be staged at the Catholicate College auditorium in Pathanamthitta at 9.30 am and the remaining five programmes at St Thomas Higher Secondary Schol, Kozxhencherry (11 am), Government High School, Kozhencherry (12 noon), Sudarsanam Central School at Aranmula (1.30 pm), MMA School Maramon (2.30 pm) and at Elanthoor Bed Centre (3 pm).

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2814506.ece

No ordinary journey
Vijay George

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00897/20tvf_Ordinary_897426f.jpg
A still from director Sugeeth's ‘Ordinary'


Director Sugeeth's ‘Ordinary' narrates certain unprecedented incidents in the life of a bus conductor.

Kunchacko Boban and Biju Menon are the two actors in the driver's seat of ‘Ordinary,' a film directed by debutant Sugeeth. Dressed in khaki uniforms, Kunchacko Boban and Biju look at ease in their roles of a bus conductor (Eravi Kuttan Pillai) and driver (Sukumaran), respectively. They are deep in discussion near a nondescript bus parked at a corner of the Pathanamthitta bus stand, the location for the day.

Picturesque location

“The story unfolds in a picturesque village called Gavi. This KSRTC bus connects Gavi to Pathanamthitta town,” says Sugeeth, a former assistant of Kamal's. Asif Ali enacts Bhadran, an honest guy working as a dam operator in Gavi. The film's heroines are Ann Augustine, who plays Anna, a post woman, and Shritha who plays Kalyani. “The movie has romance and some twists and turns to the plot. That is all that we can reveal about the storyline now,” says the director.

Cinematographer Faisal Ali is going for a trolley shot as Kunchacko Boban is in conversation with comedian Dharmajan Bolghatty for the next sequence. Shritha, who is acting as a woman who is working hard to raise money for her own marriage, is getting ready for the next shot.

Kunchacko Boban is all smiles while talking about his character in the movie: “My character is uncomfortable with his name, but then even my name is rather unconventional for an actor. In the story, he usually calls himself E. Ravi. He was not keen on becoming a bus conductor as he was the local leader of a political outfit in his area. His life takes some unprecedented turns during his trips between Gavi and Pathanamthitta.”

Biju Menon, who has been doing more roles with a humorous tone after the success of films such as ‘Marykkundoru Kunjaadu' and ‘Seniors,' finds the experience of shooting for the role, a novelty.

‘Ordinary' is being produced by Rajeev Nair. Music director is Vidyasagar. The cast includes Jishnu, Lalu Alex, Baburaj and Salim Kumar. Still photography is by Sinat Savier.

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2814133.ece

^^
I saw the shooting of this film at Pathanamthitta KSRTC stand. I'll post the photos.

UDF for 4 more medical colleges under govt control

The liaison committee meeting of the ruling United Democratic Front recommended to the government to proceed with steps to set up four more medical colleges in the state.

The medical colleges, to be run under charitable societies, would be strictly under government control and companies on Public-Private Participation basis would be formed to set up infrastructural facilties, UDF convenor P P Thankachan told reporters.

The Health Minister Adoor Prakash had presented a note before the UDF with the proposal for five new medical colleges. But a decision on the college proposed to be set up at Manjeri in Malappuram had been temporarily shelved due to non-availability of land, he said.

The new medical colleges would be in Pathanamthitta, Kasaragod, Idukki and Alappuzha districts.

Both NRI and domestic investors would be wooed to get funds for implementing the project, he said, adding, attempt would be made to start the colleges next year itself.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/kerala/udf-for-4-more-medical-colleges-under-govt-control_753506.html

ADARSHPTA:):):)

http://i43.************/vpxikl.jpg

Source: Mathrubhumi

^^

:hug: Thanx for the news Moncy!!

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6996/23846433.jpg

Skyline's Augusta at Thiruvalla (Ongoing)

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6286/elevation.jpg

Skyline's Townscape at Thiruvalla (Proposed)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/8366/17852794.jpg

http://www.skylinebuilders.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=239&Itemid=63

TDB puts revenue at Rs.170.35 crore
Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

Two-month long Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season comes to a close

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) could not maintain the steady growth in revenue collection at Sabarimala during the just-concluded annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, as in the previous years, owing to the drastic drop in pilgrim inflow from the States of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh following the Mullapperiyar agitation.

Talking to The Hindu here on Friday, Devaswom Executive Officer M. Satheeshkumar said the total revenue collection during the two-month season stood at Rs.170.35 crore as on January 19 against the previous year's Rs.152.32 crore.

TDB sources said the board's revenue collection at Sabarimala had been witnessing an increase of 15 per cent approximately every year. The increase in revenue collection this year was due to the revised price of Aravana, Appam, and various vazhipadu (ritualistic offering) at the temple, sources said.

Revenue from Aravana sales was put at Rs.72.27 crore as on Thursday against the previous year's Rs.60.99 crore. TDB had increased the price of Aravana to Rs.60 from Rs.50 for a 250 ml can and the price of Appam had gone up to Rs.25 from Rs.20 from the beginning of the pilgrim season.

Aravana sale

The TDB could sell only 1.20 crore cans of Aravana as on Thursday against the 1.21 crore cans the previous season.

The revenue from Appam sales was Rs.13.58 crore against Rs.11 crore the previous year.

The Hundi collection at Sabarimala as on Thursday was 64.44 crore. The previous year's figure was Rs.60.28 crore.

The pilgrim centre witnessed a drop in the flow of pilgrims through the Cumbom-Theni-Kumily route to Sabarimala from the beginning of the pilgrim season in mid-November, following the Mullaperiyar agitation.

Reports and rumours of alleged attacks and ill-treatment of Tamil pilgrims and provocative utterances by politicians had led to the drop, he said.

The denial of public transport facilities to Sabarimala-bound pilgrims to Uppupara and Pullumedu too had contributed to the drop in pilgrim flow. The pilgrim inflow to Sabarimala through the Pullumedu route used to be more or less equal to that through the Pampa-Sannidhanam route during the Makaravilakku season in the past. The pilgrim turnout at Pullmedu on Makaravilaku day (January 15) was hardly 3,000 in sharp contrast to the three lakh pilgrims the previous year.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article2819403.ece

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5340/82517820.jpg
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/2002/29949528.jpg

for full news ,go to :http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&contentId=10873214&district=Pathanamthitta&programId=1079897613&BV_ID=@@@

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/11/f01711a.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7537/44366846.png

No taluk status for Konni:ohno:

Population of Pathanamthitta is just 11 lakhs. You already have more than enough taluks. :nuts:

Population of Pathanamthitta is just 11 lakhs. You already have more than enough taluks. :nuts:

It's not about population it's about accessibility, about kozhencherry taluk (Where konni falls under) kozhencherry town is almost on the extreme west of the taluk and the east of the taluk has very bad public transport connectivity. Hence there has been a long demand to make travel of "going to taluk HQ" not a day long affair. As an interim the taluk HQ was moved to PTA instead of being at kozhencherry.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Kerala-administrative-divisions-map-en.png

Population of Pathanamthitta is just 11 lakhs. You already have more than enough taluks. :nuts:

Asleshetta, agnath is absolutely right.
Grossly inadequate public transport facility is a major problem facing by Konni that spreads across the hills of the forest fringes of Pathanamthitta district.People from remote places like Thannithodu,Thekkuthodu of Konni have to travel more than 20-25 kms to reach the taluk HQs at Pathanamthitta.
Konni possess all the infrastructures for becoming a taluk. A five storied mini civil station have started functioning,site had been identified for proposed KSRTC bus station,community health centre would soon be elevated to the status of a taluk hospital providing speciality services.This is beside a seperate hospital wing for women and children.
Population of Pathanamthitta is not 11 lakhs, its nearly 12 lakhs(11,95,537) and reduction is mainly because of large number of expatriates from the district and low birth rate.
The present Kozhencherry taluk is one of the biggest taluk's in Kerala(about 1100 sq.km, almost bigger in size as Alappuzha district).The taluk contributes 30% of the population in the district.There are demands for trifurcating Kozhencherry taluk into Pathanamthitta,Konni,Kozhencherry.So atleast Konni taluk should be formed along with the other 10 proposed taluks.

This was the original recommendation of 24 taluks.
താമരശ്ശേരി, ഇരിട്ടി, മഞ്ചേശ്വരം, പയ്യന്നൂര്*, മലയോര താലൂക്ക്, അട്ടപ്പാടി, പട്ടാമ്പി, അടിമാലി, പേരാമ്പ്ര, ചാലക്കുടി, ഇടുക്കി, കുന്നംകുളം, പൂഞ്ഞാര്*, മധ്യ വയനാട്, കാട്ടാക്കട, കടയ്ക്കല്*, ഏറ്റുമാനൂര്*, ചാത്തന്നൂര്*, വര്*ക്കല, കോന്നി, കുത്തിയതോട്, പിറവം, അങ്കമാലി, കായംകുളം എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിലാണ് പുതിയ താലൂക്കുകള്* രൂപവത്കരിക്കാന്* ശുപാര്*ശ ചെയ്തത്.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/kozhikode/news/1230002-local_news-Kozhikode-%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8C.html

Konni was included then. Does anybody know the 10 taluk which were selected?

The famous bus route in Kerala gets a brand new bus

New bus for Pathanamthitta – Gavi – Kumali Service

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/8315/gavi.png

CC: Manorama

Study for the Kuttalam – Munnar Hill Highway will be completed within one month.

Highway passes though Konni, Chittar, Seethathode, Angamuzhi,Moozhiyar,Pampa Dam and Gavi in Pathanamthitta District.

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/1601/konni.png

Manorama

The power house of the Sabarigiri hydro-electric project at Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta district.


http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00903/26tvpt-moozhiyar_903238f.jpg

Image Courtesy: The Hindu

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Migration from Kerala slides

The migration from Kerala is inching towards inflexion point, according to the 2011 migration survey conducted by the Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum. The survey based on primary data collected from 15,000 households selected at random covering all the 63 taluks in the state, shows that the increase in migration has started showing a decreasing trend. The survey conducted by demographers S Irudaya Rajan and Dr K C Zacharia says that the increase could vanish much before 2015 and the migration trend could very well slide downward.

The number of Kerala emigrants living abroad in 2011 is estimated to be 2.28 million, up from 2.19 million in 2008, 1.84 million in 2003 and 1.36 million in 1998. The increase during inter-survey periods has shown a decreasing trend.Although there was a small increase in the number of emigrants at the state level, most of the traditional centres of emigration in the state had experienced decreases in the number of emigrants and/or emigrants per household.

The survey points out the experience of Pathanamthitta district as forerunner of things to come in Kerala. In Pathanamthitta district, the number of emigrants was, 98,000 in 1998, 134,000 in 2003, 121,000 in 2008 but only 91,000 in 2011 — lower than the numbers in 1998. :ohno:

An independent source of information that supports a possible inflexion in emigration before 2011 is the data on the number of ECR passport holders that emigrated from Kerala. The number of ECR passport holders from Kerala reached its maximum in 2008. Since then, the number has been declining, according to Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs annual reports.
The study has identified demographic changes, narrowing gap of wages between Kerala and the Gulf, increased competition from other states and steady increase in the cost of migration as factors responsible for the downward trend.

Statistics indicate that the number of persons in Kerala in the age group 20-40, who usually migrated, has been coming down.The number of people in this age group is less in 2011 than that in 2001.This started declining in 2008.
This shows that years ahead will witness a decreasing trend in the availability of youngsters for emigration. Part of this decrease could, however, be compensated by migration of persons at higher ages, the study says.

As far as the wage factor is concerned, the study finds a narrowing gap. The average wage among unskilled workers in Kerala has increased from Rs150 to over Rs450 during the first decade of this century. The corresponding wage in the Gulf did not increase as fast as it did in Kerala. It could have even decreased during the depression years. Another significant finding of the survey is the huge increase in the number of migrant students. The survey found that the student out-migrants out-numbered job-seeking out-migrants since 2008.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2012/January/international_January559.xml&section=international

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Aranmula airport: Denotification within two days :bash:

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Source: Deepika

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Govt should take initiative on Aranmula aiport project : Kerala Congress

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Order to maintain District Passport cell

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BSNL mobile coverage at Gavi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom and Transport Minister V S Sivakumar has announced a slew of projects to be taken up before the start of the next Sabarimala pilgrimage season.
After attending a three-hour-long evaluation meeting chaired by the Chief Minister and attended by Ministers of Industry, PWD, Forests and Finance, Devaswom Board president, Board members, various department heads, MPs and MLAs from Pathanamthitta district, he told a news conference here on Tuesday that after a long gap, the last pilgrimage season had passed without any major hiccups or complaints.
Before the start of the next season, the second floor of the Nadapanthal in Sannidhanam would be constructed with the help of sponsors. The tender would be invited for the sewage treatment plant in Sannidhanam in April.
The capacity of the sewage treatment plant in Pampa would be enhanced and the tender would be invited by March. He said the Nadapanthal would be extended to Marakoottam from Pampa. Two sections of the new queue complex would be constructed ahead of the next season. 90 percent of work on one queue complex under construction has been completed and over 50 percent of work on the other has also been completed.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sabarimala-projects-for-next-season-announced/226123-60-116.html

^^

Slew of measures for Sabarimala facelift


Steps to augment water supply, sewage treatment

Steps to augment sewage treatment and water supply will be taken up before the next season at Sabarimala besides improvement of roads and parking facilities, Minister for Transport and Devaswoms V.S. Sivakumar said on Tuesday.

The Minister was speaking to the media after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here to review the performance during the just-concluded pilgrimage season at Sabarimala and plan for the next season.

Mr. Sivakumar said that tenders for a new sewage treatment plant at Sabarimala would be called in April. The capacity of the plant at Pampa would be increased. A pipeline would be laid from Pampa to the Sannidhanam parallel to the existing line for water supply. The capacity of the Kunnar dam supplying water to Sabarimala would be augmented.

A second storey would be constructed for the existing ‘nadapanthal' at the Sannidhanam and roofing would be provided from Pampa to Marakoottam. It would be possible to accommodate about 40,000 pilgrims on the second floor to be constructed at a cost of Rs.27 crore. The queue complex would be expanded by adding two sectors more.

A new Appam-Aravana plant would be built at a cost of Rs.12 crore and money for these would be raised through sponsorships. Heavy maintenance of 74 km of roads leading to Sabarimala would be undertaken by the Public Works Department at a cost of Rs.58.45 crore.

He said that land would be provided for new hospitals at Pampa and the Sannidhanam while the Nilackal hospital would start functioning full time. Necessary land would be allocated to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) at Nilackal for its operations. Land would also be given to the Police Department for a mess.

A parking ground would be prepared at Nilackal at a cost of Rs.40 crore. The Vandiperiyar Mount Estate-Sathram road would be widened to facilitate operation of KSRTC buses from next season.

Replying to a question, the Minister said the complaint about bribe-taking in the appointment of teachers to educational institutions under the Devaswom board would be probed and action taken. The report of inquiry into the light that had appeared near Ponnambalamedu recently was yet to be received.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2849491.ece

The man behind a telecom revolution

C. Sasidharan, who was the driving force behind the district's telecommunication development, retired from service as the General Manager of Pathanamthitta Secondary Switching Area of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited on Tuesday.

Extending telecommunication facility to the remote forest fringes of Kokkathode, Moozhiyar and Gavi in the district, and bringing Pulmedu, Karimala, Nilackal and other parts of Sabarimala forests under the BSNL network were among the achievements of Mr. Sasidharan. :applause:

The district, which had just 22,000 land phone connections in 1995, now has over two lakh land phone lines, 25,000 wireless phone connections and as many as four lakh cellular phone connections.

Perhaps, no other district in the State has been so systematic and cost-effective in the conduct of BSNL fairs and ‘adalats' as this district. The company organised 28 fairs, successfully marketing its various products in different parts of the district during the past six months alone. Mr. Sasidharan was very particular in conducting such fairs and adalats on a weekly basis.

Hailing from Thiruvalla, Mr. Sasidharan maintained personal relationships with the employees in his 37 years of service. Perhaps, Pathanamthitta is the only district in the State that has brought all casual workers attached to the BSNL under the Employees Provident Fund and Employees State Insurance Scheme, thanks to Mr. Sasidharan.

His wife, Leela S, is Deputy General Manager (HR & Planning) at the same office.

According to highly placed BSNL sources, Mr. Sasidharan's contribution to setting up various electronic phone exchanges in the State, from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, was immense.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2849540.ece

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Source: Mangalam

Profile of Pathanamthitta District from "Emerging Kerala" Website:

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http://www.emergingkerala2012.org/beta/pathanamthitta.php

In today's Mathrubhumi, Sugathakumari has written a big article against the Airport Project.

Anyway good to see finding it in Govt's list

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Aranmula airport will open before Dec 2013... K G S Group

Source: Mathrubhumi

Aranmula airport will open before Dec 2013... K G S Group

Source: Mathrubhumi

I hope he is speaking with confidence. Is the land completely acquired for the project.

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Police protection for construction works ..

Source : Manorama

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Airport: Assembly panel to visit Aranmula on February 29
Staff Reporter


The Legislative Committee on Environment will be visiting the Aranmula Puncha (paddy fields) and wetland at Aranmula on February 29 where a private company has proposed setting up of an international airport, according to Mr Mullakkara Ratnakaran, MLA.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr Ratnakaran said the decision was taken at a sitting of the committee held at the Legislature Complex in Thiruvanathapuram on Tuesday on the basis of the complaints it had received from certain socio-environmental organisations in connection with the alleged conversion of paddy fields, wetland and natural streams at Aranmula.

Mr N.K. Sukumaran Nair, Pampa Parirakshana Samiti general secretary; K.P. Sreeranganathan of Darpanam Kala Sahitya Vedi, Prasad Verumkal of Bhoomi Samrakshana Janakeeya Vedi and T.Induchoodan of Palliyoda-Pallivilakku Samrakshana Samiti appeared before the Assembly committee which was chaired by Mr Ratnakaran in the absence of the chairman, C.P. Mohammed on Tuesday.

Mr Ratnakaran said the committee has taken the alleged illegal conversion of the ecologically sensitive paddy land, wetland and natural streams at Aranmula in all its seriousness. He said illegal land conversion was a criminal offence and the District Collector would be directed to provide the details regarding the same.

Mr K. Jayakumar, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, reportedly informed the committee that the Government has not received any application for conversion of wetland or paddy land at Aranmula in connection with the proposed airport project or any other project.

Mr Ratnakaran said the committee would visit Aranmula on February 29 and convene an official meeting at the collectorate conference hall in Pathanamthitta, later.

The MLA said conversion of natural streams, wetland and paddy fields would lead to irreparable damage to the environment and eco system and stern action should be taken against the culprits.

Mr Ratnakaran said the Assembly panel would submit its report to the State Legislature after its scheduled visit to Aranmula and the proposed official meeting in Pathanamthitta.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2916885.ece

Chandy to open KMC Heart Foundation Centre at Pushpagiri


The Chennai-based Dr K.M. Cherian Heart Foundation (KMCHF) has launched a joint venture with the Pushpagiri Medical College in Thiruvalla with a view to provide advanced cardiac care facility to the people of Central Travancore, said Dr K.M. Cherian, renowned cardio-thoracic surgeon.

Dr Cherian who is also the foundation chairman, accompanied by Dr Thomas Pezella, world-renowned cardiac surgeon and founder director of International Children’s Heart Fund; Dr Pankajkumar Srivastava, chief administrator of KMCHF-Pushpagiri Centre and Dr Saji Philip, Pediatric Cardiologist, was addressing a press conference at Pathanamthitta Press Club on Friday.

According to Dr Cherian, the KMCHF-PMC venture was aimed at providing state of the art cardiac care facility at an affordable cost to the people of Central Travancore.

He said the future of India belonged to a knowledge-based society and equal importance should be given to both research and therapy. The joint venture would also focus on research in the field of stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, development of indigenous conduits, etc, besides imparting top-class training to students and make them highly skilled cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and technicians, he said.

Dr Pazella from the Massachusetts Medical School in the US will be camping at the KMCHF Centre at Pushpagiri for the next one week, he said.

Dr Pazella said this was his eighth visit to India to take part in cardiac surgery programmes. He said Kerala with its high health literacy rate stood at par with any developed country in terms of healthcare.

Dr Pezella was of the opinion that doctors, especially cardiologists and surgeons, should help other countries to develop their cardiac programmes and for that reason itself he used to organise cardiac surgery programmes in developed as well as developing countries every year.

Dr Srivastava said the infra-structure facility at KMCHF Centre at Pushpagiri was at par with any international hospital. Dr Saji Philip said the foundation was also planning to organise free cardiac care camps for children with the help of sponsors in the near future.

Chandy to open KMCHP Centre

Dr Cherian said Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, would formally inaugurate the KMCHF-Pushpagiri Centre at a ceremonial function to be held at the PMC campus on Sunday afternoon.

Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvalla, Thomas Mar Coorilos, will preside over the inaugural function and Fr Abraham Mulamoottil, Chairman of Pushpagiri Group of Institutions, will welcome the gathering.

Philipose Mar Chrysostum, senior Metropoltian of Mar Thoma Church, will deliver the benedictory speech and Dr Cherian will gave away the introductory speech.

Prof P.J. Kurien, Rajya Sabha member; Mathew T. Thomas, MLA; Lynda Thomas, municipal chairperson; Dr Pezella, Dr John Abraham, PMC principal, and Dr Srivastava will also address the function.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2928153.ece

Kerala to go ahead with Aranmula airport plan

Thiruvananthapuram, March 8:

Congress-led UDF government in Kerala today said it would go ahead with the Aranmula airport project in the private sector for which sanction was given by the previous LDF regime.

The Government, after discussions, has decided to go ahead with the project, the Industries Minister, Mr P.K. Kunhalikutty, told the Assembly.

Replying to a submission, Mr Kunhalikutty said the Government was of the view that the airport was necessary and it would accelerate growth of central Travancore.

Referring to complaints from local people that land not required for the airport project has also been mentioned as ’land for industrial purpose’, he said the Government would correct the mistake and land necessary for constructing the airport only would come under the purview of ‘industrial purposes’.

Necessary denotification order in this regard would be issued soon, he said.

Raising the issue, Mr K. Sivadaasan Nair (Cong), Member from Aranmula Assembly segment, said land notification order on the project had caused apprehension among the people and wanted the Government to take steps to alleviate their fears.



thehindubusinessline. (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2973635.ece)

Bridge has 75.96m length and 11m width including sidewalks
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New Medical College to come at Konni Nedumpara..
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Central government's approval; 50 lakhs for Pathanamthitta Catholicate college

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Central government's approval; 50 lakhs for Pathanamthitta Catholicate college
Enthina 50 lakhs?

^^
For the developmental activities of science dept in the college

1.72 Crores for Pandalam Hanging Bridge

Devaswom Board deposited money to acquire land near Pandalam temple

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Kochandy check-post closed till April 15

To check outbreak of wildfire in forests

The Forest Department has closed the Angamozhi-Kochandy check-post in the Ranni forest division till April 15 as a precautionary measure against outbreak of fires in the forest.

No private vehicle will be permitted to enter the forest road, R. Kamalahar, Divisional Forest Officer, said.

Mr. Kamalahar told The Hindu here on Tuesday that the decision was taken in the wake of the increasing instances of wildfire outbreaks in the region in the recent past.

Mr Kamalahar said the number of tourists passing through the Ranni-Gavi forest route had gone up in the past two months. The department, he said, planned to regulate the flow of tourists through the forest route, which cut across the tiger habitat that had been included in the Periyar Tiger Reserve a few months ago.

The Forest Department has included 148 sq km of forest land coming under the Plappally and Pachakkanam forest stations in the Ranni forest division in the Periyar Tiger Reserve from January 31. With this, the ecologically sensitive forest tracts of Ponnambalamedu, Gavi, Pachakkanam, Anathode, Meenar, Chenthamarakkokka, Kochu Pampa, and Varayadinmotta, regarded as places of tourist attraction, have been brought under the tiger reserve.

Mr. Kamalahar said regulating the entry of tourists through the forest road had become necessary to minimise human intervention.

KSRTC service to ply

However, the closure of the check-post would not affect the Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Pathanamthitta daily service of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Mr. Kamalahar said.

Government vehicles on duty would also be permitted to enter the forest road, he said.

The closure of the check-post would, however, affect the functioning of the eco-tourism project of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) Ltd. at Kochu Pampa, near Gavi.

KSRTC's Pathanamthitta-Gavi daily service will ply

Government vehicles on duty will be allowed


http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3279307.ece

Master Plan for Pathanamthitta General Hospital

The Minister said a comprehensive master plan would be prepared soon for the overall development of the Pathanamthitta General Hospital.

The Public Works Department would prepare the master plan and it would be implemented in a time-bound fashion itself.

He said the new hospital block that has been lying unutilised since the past one year owing to certain legal disputes over construction of a septic tank close by an adjoining residential building would be opened soon for the patients.

He said a 10-bed dialysis centre would be set at the new block at an estimate cost of Rs 1 crore.

Five of the 10 dialysis units would be donated by the Dr K.P. Hussein Charitable Trust as part of its charity programme to donate five dialysis units each to the Government hospitals at all 14 district headquarters in the State, he said.

STP to be set up
Mr Prakash said a sewage treatment plant (STP) would also be set up at the General Hospital in the next one year.

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board has already sanctioned fund worth Rs 25 lakhs for the proposed STP project and the remaining fund for the Rs 69-crore project would be borne by the hospital development committee and the Government.

The Minister said the Health department would augment treatment facility for lifestyle diseases at the General Hospital.

He said a Rs 6.5 crore project for setting up advanced treatment facility for various lifestyle diseases would be implemented at the General Hospital and the work on the Rs 25-lakh Cardiac Care Unit has been completed

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article3296959.ece

Paddlers get an academy in Thiruvalla


The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Thiruvalla has started the first table tennis academy in the district, with support from the Pathanamthitta District Table Tennis Association.

Maria Rony, international-level paddler, inaugurated the YMCA Table Tennis Academy at a function at the YMCA Hall in Thiruvalla.

An interactive session between a group of schoolchildren and Ms. Rony, who was part of the Asian table tennis team that won the world championship in the ITTF Global Challenge in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recently, was held as part of the inaugural function.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3338292.ece

A mega project planned for tribal uplift, pilgrim amenity centre

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An artistic impression of the Sabari Saranashramam coming up at Koonamkara on the Perinad-Pampa main trunk road leading to Sabarimala. Photo: Special Arrangement.


A mega rehabilitation project for tribal children and pilgrim amenity centre is coming up at Koonamkara on the Perinad-Pampa main trunk road leading to Sabarimala under the auspices of the Sabari Saranashramam Trust attached to Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajom (SASS).

The multi crore tribal upliftment and rehabilitation project is part of the welfare project planned for the tribals wandering in the sacred grove (Poonkavanam) of Lord Ayyappa, says Mr Kummanam Rajashekharan, SASS general secretary.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr Rajashekharan said official records show that as many as 3,650 tribal people belonging to nearly 350 families were residing in the tribal hamlets of Sayippinkudi, Chalakkayam, Siffan, Attathode, Perumbanmoozhi, Vimmaram and Gavi. SASS project is aimed at providing better healthcare, food, education and social status to the tribal children, thereby bringing them to the social mainstream in a systematic manner, he said.

He said these tribal people were quite unfamiliar with the modern educated community, Anganwady, balavady, ration shops, medical centres, electricity, etc. SASS has prepared a mega Sabari Saranashram project for tribal upliftment in the Poonkavanam area.

The Rs 30-crore Sabari Saranashram is a well-planned centre coming up on an 18-acre hill on the boundaries of the Sabarimala Poonkavanam.

The design has been prepared by Manoj S. Nair, renowned Vasthu expert; Karinkunnam Ramachandran Nair, engineer, and Ernakulam-based architect, Gopakumar.

Mankanta Gurukulam

“The tribal people in the Sabarimala Poonkavanam are decendants of Sabari Mata, the mythical saint who lived in the sacred grove. It is also a fact that now these tribal people live in utter misery, despite various welfare schemes launched by the Government. Upliftment of these hapless tribal brethren is the duty of every Ayyappa devotee and hence SASS has given top priority to the Manikanta Gurukulam project, ’’ says Mr Rajashekharan.

Mr Rajashekharan said the proposed Gurukulam would provide proper accommodation, food and education facilities for tribal children.

Infusing national spirit and native culture among tribal children was the need of the hour in order to bring the tribal folk to the national and social mainstream, he added.

Children will be taught the needs, means and importance of environment conservation, protection of forests and wild life, while providing them with primary education in science, technology, climatology, hydrology, livelihood, sheltering, empowerment of women and youngsters, childcare, food security rules and regulations, empowerment of women, cultural heritage and national resurgence, says Mr Rajashekharan.

Initially, the Gurukulam would house a play school and a primary school and SASS would also establish a Sabari Institute of Higher Learning, later, he said. Empowerment of women and adults too has been envisaged as a key project.

Annadana Kendra

SASS has been carrying out free feeding (Annadanam) of Ayyappa devotees at its Annadana Kendra set up at the Sabari Saranashramam since the past two years.

As many as 3,000 to 5,000 people attend the Annadanam on a daily basis during the two-month long Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, says Mr Rajashekharan.

A hospital, an Ayyappa museum, Gosaala for rearing of cows, and a temple atop the hill were the other major projects planned at the Sabari Saranashram, he said.

Mr Rajashekharan said many cows offered by devotees to the Lord Ayyappa Temple were found to have been stranded in the forests and they would be protected at the proposed Gosaala.

A pharmacy to produce medicines from Panchagavya (urine, dung, milk, ghee and butter) obtained from cow would also be attached to the proposed Gosaala, he added.

Construction of the Manikanda Gurukulam is fast progressing at Koonamkara so as to open it during the forthcoming Sabarimala pilgrim season itself, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article3349123.ece

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Restrictions on tourists at Gavi


The Forest Department has imposed restrictions on tourists visiting Gavi, an ecotourism destination coming under the Ranni forest division in Pathanamthitta district.

Chief Wildlife Warden V. Gopinathan told The Hindu on Monday that the restrictions would come into force with immediate effect.

Mr. Gopinathan said the unrestricted flow of visitors to Gavi through the Angamuzhi-Vallakadavu road caused other environmental problems to the forest, falling under the core area of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR).

Plastic waste

He said, in addition to noise pollution, visitors dumped plastic waste and liquor bottles in the forest area and even engaged in cooking by the roadside. The road starts from the recently added 148-sq km buffer zone of the tiger reserve.

In view of the situation, entry to Gavi from Angamuzhi has been banned. But 100 visitors per day will be permitted to go up to Anathodu from Angamuzhi on the condition that they come back to Angamuzhi from the forest area. Entry to Gavi will be under the strict control of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) through a tour package.

Such tourists will be allowed to proceed to Gavi only through the Vandiperiyar-Vallakadavu road. In the wake of these restrictions, tourists who wanted to visit Gavi should contact the Vallakadavu forest range office (phone: 04869-252515 or 8547603010), Mr. Gopinathan said. The KFDC's ecotourism office at Gavi could be contacted over phone (8547809270).

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article3371094.ece

Engineering students' Hybrid Bike delivers twin benefits

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The Hybrid Bike developed by six final-year mechanical engineering students of Caarmel Engineering College, Perunad, in Pathanamthitta.


With fuel prices showing no signs of coming down, private transport is increasingly becoming unviable for the common man. A team from Caarmel Engineering College, Perunad, in Pathanamthitta has come up with an innovation which could offer a solution.

The Hybrid Bike, developed by six final-year mechanical engineering students of the college, helps two-wheeler users save fuel and money, while delivering a more powerful ride.

College students R. Padmarajan, Ciby Thomas, Anoop B. Sam, K.J. Amal Lal, Jithin Varghese, and S. Shehin developed the ‘two-wheel-drive' bike, which runs on both engine and motor, as part of their final-year project work. They were guided by their teacher Pramod George and senior Midhun Kumar.

Two-wheel drive

“While the regular two-wheeler has only back wheel drive, Hybrid Bike has both front wheel and back wheel drive. This was achieved by attaching a separate battery-connected hub motor to the front wheel,” said Padmarajan.

“This is a new technology in automobile industry. By activating this two wheel drive system we can attain more power than in ordinary bikes,” he said.

The students modified a second hand CD-100 gear into Hybrid Bike by attaching 550 W battery and hub motor. Since the weight of the bike increased by only around 40 kg, its speed was not affected, Mr. Padmarajan said.

The driver will have the option of using either battery-run front wheel drive or engine-run back wheel drive, or both at the same time.

“When both engine and battery are used together, the bike is given a lot more power. Climbing slopes or driving in rough terrains will be easier,” he said.

Speed

The bike can achieve a speed of around 85 km per hour in double power mode, while in the battery mode alone it will have a speed of around 60 kmph.

Another major advantage of the bike is its fuel efficiency. The fully charged battery can run for 6.5 hours, using of three units of power at a cost of just Rs.10.

Since an alternator is meshed with the bike chain, it also enables automatic charging of the battery while on the run.

“Fuel consumption of two-wheelers increases when you are driving in by-lanes, slopes or in heavy traffic where you need to use lower gears or have to change the gear repeatedly. If you switch over to battery mode in these road conditions, this problem can be overcome,” Mr. Padmarajan said.

He added that the group was now planning to apply for patent for their innovation.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/article3373263.ece

^^this is my college....

Article on Aranmula Airport
http://veekshanam.com/content/view/16555/1/

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF has given the green signal to the controversial Aranmula Airport project in Pathanamthitta district.
A meeting of the UDF constituents here on Thursday has given its policy agreement on the proposal, which is facing massive protest from the people of the heritage village.The UDF has also entrusted the Additional Secretary of Industries to inquire into the activities of the airport project till date.
The meeting held at the KPCC headquarters here also decided not to attach any more land in the name of the airport.

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/UDF-green-signal-for-Aranmula-airport/388375.html

Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam at Aranmula, a State-run institution attached to the Cultural Affairs Ministry for promotion of traditional architecture and mural painting, has invited applications for its one-year diploma course (correspondence) in traditional architecture.

In an official statement issued here on Saturday, the Gurukulam Executive Director, P.N.Suresh, said candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university are eligible to apply for the course. Diploma-holders in architecture and civil engineering can also apply for the course.

The total number of seats is 300 and the fee fixed for the one-year course (including service tax) Rs 7,500.

Applications are available at the Gurukulam office at Aranmula on payment of Rs 100 towards registration fee as postal order or money order, favouring Executive Director, Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam, Aranmula-689533, (Ph.0468-2319740) payable at Aranmula Post Office.

The application form can also be downloaded from the website www.vastuvidyagurukulam.com. Duly filled applications should reach the Gurukulam office on or before July 20, the official release said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article3428943.ece

A special meeting of the state cabinet will be held on May 24 to discuss issues related to land acquisition for major infrastructure projects. Sources said the meeting was likely to discuss an amendment to the Kerala Conservation of Paddy land and Wetland Act - 2008, which the UDF feels is restraining major development works.

"Land issues are a major hurdle in dealing with infrastructure projects. Unavailability of suitable land is the major hindrance in realizing garbage treatment plants in cities. Projects like Metro rail have also been facing this issue. The special cabinet meeting will discuss how to deal with such issues," said chief minister Oommen Chandy.

Sources in the government said the cabinet had given priority to discussing land issues because it wanted speedy clearance for the Aranmula airport project. The Greenfield airport project at Aranmula was cleared by the previous LDF government by violating a number of rules including the Paddy land and Wet land Act. The UDF had ordered a vigilance inquiry into the project, and the environment subcommittee of the Assembly headed by Congress legislator C P Mohammed is examining the allegations against the project. Government chief whip P C George had even demanded a CBI inquiry into the issue. But a meeting of the UDF high power committee on May 3, decided to give in-principle nod for the project. The KGS group, which came up with the Rs 2,000 crore project, has been asked to construct the airport in the 500 acres of land already acquired. The UDF has asked the group not to evict anyone for the project, and to use the entire land only for the purpose of the airport.

The UDF meeting, attended by all constituent leaders, also decided to withdraw the notification granting industrial zone status to the area surrounding the project site.

Sources said the government wants to sell the Aranmula airport project in the Emerging Kerala business meet in September. "A few clauses in the Paddy land and Wetland Act will prove a headache for the project as there is every chance of environmentalists approaching the court against it. Hence, amendments need to be made," said a UDF leader who is aware of the recent developments.

The special cabinet meeting is also likely to discuss the proposal of issuing infrastructure bonds in lieu of land handed over for development purposes.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Cabinet-meeting-to-discuss-land-issues-on-May-24/articleshow/13241279.cms

Kidangannoor school walks the green talk

ARANMULA: Banana plantation, herbal garden, rainwater harvesting project, butterfly garden, facility for bird watching, nature club...you name it, and the school has it.

The Sree Vijayananda Gurukula Vidyapeedom Higher Secondary School (SVGVHSS) campus at Kidangannoor here is more like a botanical garden than an educational institution. The concerted effort of the students and the teachers here has turned this campus into a green hub.

Now the school is reaping the fruits of its green initiative with awards and recognitions pouring in: the latest was the state Bio-diversity Board's award for the best 'Green School.'

Recently, the school also bagged the 'Vishishta Haritha Vidyalayam' (Best Green School) award instituted by Mathrubhumi daily.

"Our environment and bio-diversity is under severe threat. If we make the younger generation aware of this, there is a chance of retaining the green canopy we now have. Awareness should start from schools. Keeping this in mind, we encouraged our students to take part in environmental activities," said Jyothish Babu, a political science faculty. He was instrumental in forming the nature club, 'Thanal', in the school a decade ago, and it marked the beginning of the environmental activities there.

Though the green activities are not part of the curriculum, students actively take part in them. "Initially, it was just another leisure time activity. But now we know how important nature is for mankind, and we are proud we are doing our bit towards preserving it," said Shyam Krishnan, a Plus Two computer science student who is the president of 'Thanal'.

The herbal garden in the school, 'Thulaseevanam', has variegated medicinal plants; and in 'Kadaleevanam,' there are banana saplings. Students have also set up a green fence of hibiscus and such other flower plants around the banana plantation.

The butterfly garden in the school is a natural habitat for butterflies to live and breed. Students have recorded at least 14 varieties of butterflies in it. The fruit garden has over 50 varieties of fruit trees and plants, ranging from jackfruit to orange. Spices like clove, nutmeg, etc too are being grown here. The eight-acre campus also has as many as 125 gooseberry plants and almost the same number of coconut saplings.

In 2009, the school joined the 'Mathrubhumi Seed' project, which bolstered its green run. As part of this, a 'Love Plastic' initiative and a soap production unit was launched in the school. Students are being trained in soap production and the product is distributed among students and teachers.

The school organizes 'Harithotsavam', an agriculture interaction programme, every year in liaison with Koipram panchayat. The latest programme the school has implemented is the 'Green Walk' to promote the habit of walking among students. As part of this, students staying within 5-km radius of the school, walk to the school on the first Monday of every month.

Now, with the aim of reaching out to masses, the school is looking forward to joining hands with mainstream environmental activists. The school also maintains a blog (svgvseed.blogspot.com) and updates its activities.


Link (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Kidangannoor-school-walks-the-green-talk/articleshow/13403008.cmshttp://)

Moment of pride for Adoor KV
Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

In a first for the district of Pathanamthitta, the 19-year-old Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) at Adoor has fetched national attention by producing a topper at national level in this year's Class12 examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Though the institution had won ranks ranging from six to ten in the past, the third rank at the national level in the Science stream, achieved by Joseph Samuel of Kaippallil House at Kulanada near Pandalam by scoring 493 marks out of 500, has been rightfully recognised as an exceptional feat.

The KV at Adoor was inaugurated in 1993 by K.R. Narayanan, who was the Vice President of India at the time.

The KV started functioning with just 200 students and five teachers up to Class 5, catering to the educational needs of the wards of the Central and State government employees in the region. C.V. Viswanatha Pai, the then Principal of the Kendriya Vidyalaya ‘Dronacharya' in Kochi, had given additional charge of the Adoor KV.

The first batch of Class 12 came out with flying colours in the board examinations held in 2004 and, since then, the school never had to look back.

School Principal P. Reghunathan told The Hindu that the student strength had increased manifold in the years that followed, forcing the KV authorities to introduce shift system to accommodate the maximum possible number of students. The KVs at Adoor and Pattom in Thiruvananthapuram were the two schools coming under the Chennai region that still followed the shift system for want of sufficient space, he added.

Though a total of five acres of land adjoining the Government Boys' High School near High School Junction at Adoor was allotted to the KV, the Central school could get only three acres. However, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghathan (KVS) has provided all facilities to the school.

The KV has now got 2,600 students in two shifts (7 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 12.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and 80 permanent teachers and 30 teachers on ad-hoc arrangement. The school houses fully air-conditioned audio-visual rooms, computer lab, mathematics lab, art room, and an excellent library. The KV is planning to introduce smart classrooms from this year, the Principal said.

The school does not have a playground and the State government has agreed to allot land that belongs to the Kallada Irrigation Project, nearly 500 m from the campus, for setting up a playground.

The KVS has also sanctioned Rs.6 crore for constructing a new block on the school premises.

According to Elias P. Joseph, a teacher working at Adoor KV since its inception, a majority of the students were the wards of military personnel from Pathanamthitta and the adjoining districts. Students from Adoor, Pandalam, Pathanamthitta, Kayamkulam, Karunagappally, Omalloor, Thamarakkulam, and even from Sasthamkottah in Kollam district had been studying in the school, which did not have hostel facility, the Principal said.

The KV also offers scholastic and co-scholastic subjects for all the classes with vocational subjects such as dance, music, art, and craft.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3475355.ece

ANERT told to set up 500 solar power plants in Pathanamthitta
Staff Reporter

The District Panchayat president, Babu George, said the district-level advisory committee of the Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) has decided to request the ANERT director to set up 500 off-the-grid solar energy plants of 1 kw capacity each in the district, by including the same in its annual plan project.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, Mr George said the district-level advisory committee meeting held here on Saturday has decided to ask the ANERT director to set up bio-gas plants as part of the ongoing waste disposal mission in the district.

He said ANERT should also provide as many as 1,000 smokeless kitchens to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe sections of the society in the district as part of the ongoing energy conservation drive.

The District Panchayat president has further called upon the ANERT to sanction a 10 kw solar power plant too for the public sector establishments in the district this year.

He said the meeting the Panchayat would ask ANERT to prepare a detailed project report on the proposed small hydro-electric project at Kokkathode.

K.G. Chandramohan, ANERT district programme manager, and C.K. Chandrabose, State technical director, also attended the meeting.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article3486832.ece

Wooing investors to Pathanamthitta
Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

Rs.17,000 crore idling in district's banks: Collector

The district administration will launch a web-based project by which deposits worth Rs.17,000 crore in Pathanamthitta's banks can be utilised for the district's development.

District Collector P. Venugopal told The Hindu that the idea was to tap the district's investment potential better. Many bank authorities had been complaining that they were not getting project proposals from the district which could be supported financially (the district has a low credit-deposit ratio). A good number of investors from Pathanamthitta had set up base in Ernakulam for want of investment climate in their home district. This situation has to be changed, he added.

Investment climate

“More business groups will set up establishments in the district, only if we provide them with a conducive climate for investment and develop a positive work culture. Manpower shortage is a major problem in various key sectors,” Mr. Venugopal said.

The National Informatics Centre would design a website, on which job seekers and those in search of employees can post their requirements. “The project is aimed at creating more awareness among the public about employment opportunities and ensuring social security,” he added.

According to the Collector, a proper investment climate should ensure security and encouragement to both the investor and the employees. “Pathanamthitta, with a bank deposit of Rs.17,000 crore and skilled workforce will have immense investment potential,” he said.

The other features of the website would be single-window clearance system for investors, online application for various certificates, and information on education.

The project would be implemented after collecting feedback from the public, he said.

Web-based project to help job-seekers, employers

Pathanamthitta has a low credit-deposit ratio


http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3467670.ece

More facilities at Sabarimala soon
Staff Reporter

The State government is committed to improving the facilities provided to pilgrims arriving from other States to offer prayers at Sabarimala, said Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.

Inaugurating the State leadership workshop of the Tranvancore Devaswom Employees' Front here on Sunday, Mr. Radhakrishnan said that the devotees arriving during the pilgrim season outnumbered the population of Kerala.

The revenue earned during the season has also been significantly influencing the economy of the State. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the pilgrims are treated well and provided utmost safety during their visit. Mr. Radhakrishnan admitted that developmental activities at Sabarimala could be implemented only with the necessary clearances from the Central government as the shrine falls under the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

The support being provided by the Central government for various activities is expected to continue.

Travancore Devaswom Employees' Front president G. Baiju presided over the inaugural session. Association patron T. Sharath Chandra Prasad, general secretaries G. Sasikumar and Nedumangad Jayakumar, former president Chavara Gopakumar, and Employees Federation president T.R. Ajith Prasad spoke on the occasion.


http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3488591.ece

Kochi, June 5: The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed Aranmula airport has been allegedly prepared on “cooked-up data” and incorrect information, according to the Pampa Parirakshana Samithy (PPS), an NGO.

“The proposed project site is an ecologically fragile system. It is not only a wetland and paddy field but is also a flood-prone area of the Pampa river,” Mr N.K. Sukumaran Nair, general secretary, PPS, told Business Line.

‘Facts suppressed'
An extent of 347.5 acres of land in the proposed site is paddy field. But, “it is not mentioned in the EIA report while it is mentioned in the report that there is a small stream flowing near the project site.”

In fact, it is not a stream but is the main tributary, the Kozhithodu, of the Pampa river, he said. “It is an important water source for agriculture lands in nearby villages and for drinking water in the region,” Mr Nair said.

Quoting experts, Mr Nair said that for setting up of a green field airport at least 1,200 acres of land is required. That meant acquisition of more land, mostly wetlands and paddy fields in the region spreading over Aranmula, Mallappuzhassery and Kidangannur villages, involving eviction of many families, he alleged.

Threat to ecology
In fact, the filling up of vast stretches of paddy fields and wetland systems, which are in many cases “the flood plain areas” and natural reservoir helping recharge the water flow into rivers, will be detrimental to the ecology of the region, Dr Thomas P. Thomas, an academic, told Business Line.

Surprisingly, the airport is proposed in Aranmula, a hamlet declared as a heritage village of India by the India National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

It is understood that the stipulated minimum distance between two greenfield airports should be 150 km, but the air distance from Aranmula to Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin International Airports (Nedumbassery) is said to be around 100 km only.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3493382.ece

Mani to open 13 PG courses in PIMS
Staff Reporter

Finance Minister, K.M. Mani, will inaugurate 13 postgraduate courses at the Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Father Abraham Mulamoottil, chairman of the Pushpagiri Group of Institutions, said with the commencement of the 13 PG medical courses, PIMS would become the self-financing professional college with the highest number of PG courses in the State.

Fr Mulamoottil said PIMS, attached to the Pushpagiri Hospital, had admitted 10 batches of MBBS students.

He said that PIMS presently got 37 seats in 13 key disciplines such as MS courses in Anatomy, General Surgery, ENT, and Orthopaedics and MD in Anaesthesia and DA, Paediatrics and DCH, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry and DPM, Radio diagnosis and DMRO, Pathology, Microbiology, General Medicine and Dermatology and DDVL.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvalla, Thomas Mar Coorilos, will preside over the inaugural function and Fr Mulamoottil will welcome the gathering.

Prof Praveenlal Kuttichira, Dean of Research of Kerala University of Health Sciences, and Dr John Abraham PIMs principal, will also address the function.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3495541.ece

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Demand for Thiruvalla district :ohno::ohno:

എന്തിനു ജില്ല? ഒരു സംസ്ഥാനം തന്നെ ആകാം.

പിന്നേ!! മൂവാറ്റുപുഴയിലുള്ള സകലമാന രാഷ്ട്രീയ കോമരങ്ങളും മൂന്ന് പതിറ്റാണ്ടായി ശ്രമിച്ചിട്ടും നടക്കാത്തതാണ് അങ്ങ് ഫിലാടെല്ഫിയെലുള്ള പത്ത് പ്രവാസികള് വിചാരിച്ചാല് നടക്കാന് പോകുന്നത്.

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Town circular service inaugurated at Pathanamthitta

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16 crores for Kozhenchery bypass road

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Advertisement which appeared in today's manorama newspaper..