some of these proposals are for immediate future and some are for 2020 in mind.BUT WHAT IT NEEDS IS POLITICIANS AND PLANNERS WITH VISION.

and money...:lol::lol:.. Man, ttand3t money is the heart of it all! The infrastructural problems faced by our cities track down to the financial constraints of the local bodies and Govt. Well, we need people like you here anyway who can contribute the ideas, instead of the cry babies we had here.:cheers:

Here man, get some pics for this forum. It will bring in more visitors and make SSC Kottayam more colourful. :)

Seematti Jn I think this is the Junction you were speaking about in the earlier post.

http://i34.tinypic.com/2mpwkyt.jpg

Well, we need people like you here anyway who can contribute the ideas, instead of the cry babies we had here.:cheers:

Hey if you are referring to krishna please dont say like that. He is the only contributor to this thread. After all this is a cityscapes/projects thread and he was doing his level best to make it lively. He is already frustrated with the lack of support from others. Please dont hurt him again. :bash:

Hey if you are referring to krishna please dont say like that. He is the only contributor to this thread. After all this is a cityscapes/projects thread and he was doing his level best to make it lively. He is already frustrated with the lack of support from others. Please dont hurt him again. :bash:

No man, I'm in no way refering to Krishna,:nono::nono: I know he is the lone man standing in this thread...If not for him this thread would've been dead. :deadthrea

We had a newbie here a few days back giving out against development. I donno if his posts are still here. Krishna knows what I'm speaking about...:lol::lol:

yes scorpio,obstacles r there but i can assure you that if political will,professionalism and vision are there money will come.CIAL is a classical example and the same pattern can be followed for all developmental activities.but the government has to move from a provider to a regulatory authority.kseb,ksrtc,water and waste water etc should be privatised and govt should act as a licencing and regulatory authority.for this political will is required and for this people should be taken into confidence and should be educated on the benefits of privatisation.BSNL example is there in front of your eyes and ofcourse all the closed and dilapidated psu"s.
i have been to a few countries but nothing is as beautiful as our sundara keralam and i am ashamed to say that it is not kept beautiful for which all of us r responsible(last year i had 2 run away from ktm,courtesy chikkun guinea).malayalees should start thinking beyond their four walls,beyond their courtyard ,beyond their village and beyond their district.apart from the political will the second negative factor for tourism is this attitude of the people.we should extend a courteous,welcoming attitude towards the tourists and not to make a fast buck out of them.
the future of keralam is in tourism ,not IT .the first step towards acheiving this goal is by realising this fact.once realisation is there put an immediate plan and a 2020 plan and publish the plans.go sing it out to the public,this is what kottayam will look like in 2015 and this is what it will be in 2020(since its a kottayam thread i am limiting it to ktm).if anybody can do it ,he is the leader i am waiting for and i am patiently waiting, for rome was not built in a day.
scorpio, dont worry abt money.if apartment builders with the help of photoshop print glossy pictures of apartments which r dead investments and which do not exist and make the nri"s buy them with the hope that they will someday come into existance, a responsible govt with with vision can make the people shareholders as in cial for a dynamic purpose from which there will be regular income.
:bash: scorpio,thanks for the seematti round abt photo and yes i was referring to it .please do not dampen the spirits of newcomers by calling them newbies,instead make them feel at home and one among ssc family.:banana:.i expect more discussions on the road alignments i proposed.krishna wake up

sorry guys, was busy writing internal exams for the past 3 days.pls wait for 2 more days, i'll share my ideas regarding KTM's development.

:lol:i thought as much that u r having exams.take ur own time till then let me went my emotions.
the most significant developmental activity that came to kerala in this century is not smart city or vallarpadam or vizhinjam ,its THE DILUTION OF COMMUNISM :cheers:or a right polarisation of the leftist comrades.the advent of a powerful rightwing under pinaroy and the marginalisation of leftwing achu group(i am not a sympathiser of both) is due to the realisation that development is a reality and they will be left behind if they dont join the bandwagon now.
slowly but steadily you can see lots of happenings in this direction
1- kseb is going to be bifurcated(though due to central pressure).this will
ultimately be privatised.govt has already started talking with pvt
entrepreneurs for starting thermal power plant.
2-they have called a global meet on tourism in nov or dec:banana:
3-sanctioning of 10 sez,though it should have been all21.
4-cm has written to the centre to allow state govt to procure land unilaterally
for sez.
these r some of the significant happenings in this week or previous.the 2020 train(not madras mail) is on the right track chugging along slowly now but steadily and it has to and it will pick up speed on the way.i am patiently waiting in a railroad station for the train to come to enter the train.
i forgot to add manarcad-etmnr road in the proposed roads to be developed.

:ohno:when u see the photo posted by scorpio,seematti round looks beautiful but the big boards and hoardings along the road without any symmetry takes away the charm.so laws should be enacted abt the size and display of boards and arches across road should never b allowed.:ohno:

Photo source:http://www.keralatourism.org/dreamseason/photo/waterscapes,%20kumarakom-91.jpg

http://www.keralatourism.org/dreamseason/photo/waterscapes,%20kumarakom-91.jpg

who would not like to sit in that small patio of the cottage in a moonlit night savouring the cool breeze in the presnce of your loved ones.AWESOME PHOTOGRAPHS krishna.

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/6913/tulipheightsza5.png

http://castlehomes.in

upcoming resort at kumarakom....from the archtects page.....

http://i35.tinypic.com/257lwma.jpg

:cheers:

This is not kumarakom lake resort. this is another project.
got the location from wikimapia. as i always say, hope they will make this a reality without reclaiming any portion of the lake.also, they should have a good waste treatment plant so that they won't dump wastes int vemby.they must try to promote solar houseboats.
anyway, kudos to dinakar.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7125/kayalresortkt3.png

കോട്ടയം തുറമുഖം: ഉദ്*ഘാടനം നവംബര്* ഒന്നിന്*
കോട്ടയം: നാട്ടകത്ത്* നിര്*മാണം പൂര്*ത്തിയായിവരുന്ന കോട്ടയം തുറമുഖം നവംബര്* ഒന്നിന്* ഉദ്*ഘാടനം ചെയ്യുമെന്ന്* മന്ത്രി എം.വിജയകുമാര്* അറിയിച്ചു. നിര്*മാണം വിലയിരുത്താനെത്തിയതായിരുന്നു മന്ത്രി. വി.എന്*.വാസവന്* എംഎല്*എ ഒപ്പമുണ്ടായിരുന്നു.

പൊതു-സ്വകാര്യ പങ്കാളിത്തത്തില്* ഇന്ത്യയില്* ആദ്യമായി നിര്*മിക്കുന്ന ഉള്*നാടന്* തുറമുഖമാണ്* കോട്ടയത്തേത്*. 600 കിലോമീറ്റര്* കടല്*ത്തീരമുണ്ടെങ്കിലും കേരളം അതു മുന്*നിര്*ത്തിയുള്ള വികസനത്തിന്* കാര്യമായി പരിശ്രമിച്ചില്ല. ഇതു പരിഹരിക്കാന്* മാരിടൈം വികസന ബോര്*ഡ്* രൂപവത്*കരിക്കുമെന്നും മന്ത്രി അറിയിച്ചു.

ഒന്*പതു കോടി രൂപാ മുടക്കില്* കിന്*ഫ്രയും സൗത്ത്* ഇന്ത്യന്* ചേമ്പര്* ഓഫ്* കൊമേഴ്*സും ചേര്*ന്നാണ്* കോട്ടയം ചെറുതുറമുഖം പൂര്*ത്തിയാക്കുന്നത്*.

നിര്*മ്മാണം പൂര്*ത്തിയായ തുറമുഖ ഓഫീസ്*, കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* സൂക്ഷിക്കാന്* സൗകര്യമുള്ള വെയര്*ഹൗസ്*, നിര്*മ്മാണം പൂര്*ത്തിയായിവരുന്ന ബാര്*ജര്*, തുറമുഖത്തിലേക്കു നിര്*മിക്കുന്ന റോഡ്* എന്നിവയെല്ലാം മന്ത്രി പരിശോധിച്ചു. ചേമ്പര്* ഓഫ്* കൊമേഴ്*സ്* ഭാരവാഹികള്* നിര്*മാണം വിശദീകരിച്ചു.

തുറമുഖത്തേക്കുള്ള റോഡ്* പൊതുമരാമത്ത്* വകുപ്പിന്* തടസ്സങ്ങള്* നീക്കി നല്*കി ഉടന്* വികസിപ്പിക്കും. നാട്ടകത്തുനിന്നു കൊച്ചിയിലേക്കുള്ള ജലപാത നവീകരിക്കും. ചെറുകപ്പലുകള്* കോട്ടയം തുറമുഖത്തേക്ക്* വരുന്നവിധം തണ്ണീര്*മുക്കം ബണ്ട്* പരിഷ്*കരിക്കും. ഇതിനായി സ്വാമിനാഥന്* കമ്മീഷന്* റിപ്പോര്*ട്ട്* മുന്*നിര്*ത്തി നടപടി സ്വീകരിക്കുമെന്നും മന്ത്രി അറിയിച്ചു.

സൗത്ത്* ഇന്ത്യന്* ചേമ്പര്* ഓഫ്* കൊമേഴ്*സ്* ഭാരവാഹികളായ കോട്ടയം തുറമുഖം ചീഫ്* മാനേജിങ്* ഡയറക്ടര്* വിത്സന്* ജേക്കബ്*, ഡയറക്ടര്*മാരായ ഷാജി ജോസഫ്*, എം.സി.അലക്*സ്*, ഷാജന്* കുര്യന്*, ജോര്*ജ്*ഫെന്*, എബി ജേക്കബ്* എന്നിവര്* സന്നിഹിതരായിരുന്നു.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/php/newsFrm.php?news_id=12254394&n_type=RE&category_id=1&Farc=T

Lake City and International Hotel management Institute in 100 acres by Leela Group in Kumarakam.

Link (http://www.manoramanews.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/mmtvLatestVideos.do?tabId=14&BV_ID=@@@)

^^
gr8 news.tanx for posting.:banana:

ALAPRA – TRADTION AND TRANQUILITY (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/08/alapra-tradtion-and-tranquility.html)


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SLbE8QidoPI/AAAAAAAAACg/ifZDoG4ZxaA/s200/padayani1+copy.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SLbE8QidoPI/AAAAAAAAACg/ifZDoG4ZxaA/s1600-h/padayani1+copy.jpg)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SLbEkpQpyyI/AAAAAAAAACY/O3_g9o8YLVY/s200/padayani+copy.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SLbEkpQpyyI/AAAAAAAAACY/O3_g9o8YLVY/s1600-h/padayani+copy.jpg)

A little known hamlet, tucked away in the south east corner of Kottayam district, Alapra is located 45 km from Kottayam.

The serene forest, pretty cascades, small streams, rocks offering stunning views add symphony to this village. The unique feature of Alapra is the small temple in the forest. The Thacharickal Bhagavathi Temple is the only place in Kottayam district where the folk art of Padayani is performed.

Attractions here include:
►Padayani Festival at Alapra – Alapra is the only place in Kottayam district where padayani is performed. Padayani Festival here falls in the month of March / April.
►Ponthanpuzha Forest – Alapra is a scenic place with forests all around. There is 2500 acre forest called Pontanpuzha kutti vanam in the vicinity. This forest spreads over the districts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. The forest harbors deer, wild boar, fox, pythons, other small creatures and a variety of avifauna. There are nearly twenty small streams in the forest.
►Waterfalls – The forest has innumerable small and pretty cascades which are in full flow during the monsoon. The Sankhupatalam waterfall nearly 4 km from Alapra is the biggest of them there is also another major waterfall called Kalluvapuzha inside the forest.
►Oottupara View Point – The forest also has ancient oottupara, a big rock inside the forest. The rock can be reached by trekking from the temple for three km. it is believed that Lord Rama visited this place and conducted a feast for saints at this place during his exile. The rock top offers stunning views for miles round. Behind this oottupara, there is a similar smaller rock face also.
►Caves and muniyaras – The forest has many small caves, muniyaras and kallaras. There are three kallaras (burial place of pre historic men) near Poochapara and caves at Kanjirampara in the vicinity.
►Manimala River – River Manimala is an important water way of Central Travancore. Rising in the hills of Kottayam – Iddukki ranges, the river flows through the midland plains and joins with Pampa and drains into the mighty Vembanad Lake. Alapra is located near Manimala junction. The river offers a beautiful view at this spot and flows swiftly striking against the many rocks in the river.
How to reach:
Alapra is located 45 km from Kottayam. It is located 5 km from Manimala junction and 10 km from the well known pilgrim destination of Erumeli.


KOOTICKAL – UNWINDING IN NATURE’S LAP (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/07/kootickal-unwinding-in-natures-lap.html)


http://bp1.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SI8x_0IxUKI/AAAAAAAAACQ/KM_KM0H0a6g/s320/DSC00143.JPG (http://bp1.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SI8x_0IxUKI/AAAAAAAAACQ/KM_KM0H0a6g/s1600-h/DSC00143.JPG)
The majesty of the mountain ranges combined with the beauty of the forest and the artificial lake created by the check dam of the Manimala River makes the spot linger in your mind. Amruthameda, famous for medicinal plants is nearby. The British gave the name Kootickal from 'kutikul estate' in UK.

The waterfall at Vadakkemala near Kootickal is another attraction. The natural reservoirs and waterfalls at Melaruvithodu near Kanjirappalli is yet another charming picnic spot in the vicinity.

Kootickal is the base camp for paragliders gliding from Kolahalamedu located near Vagamon which also falls in Kootickal panchayath. The paragliders land here. A base camp cum facilitation centre is being constructed by the panchayath for this.
How to reach:
This quaint hamlet situated in the Western Ghats is located 5 km north of Mundakkayam in Kottayam district. Kootickal is located only 12 km from the pilgrim centre of Erumeli.

RAMAPURAM – NATURE vs CULTURE (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/07/ramapuram-nature-vs-culture.html)


http://bp2.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SISdycYnseI/AAAAAAAAACI/EdNzKHsN-ms/s320/ramapuram.jpg (http://bp2.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SISdycYnseI/AAAAAAAAACI/EdNzKHsN-ms/s1600-h/ramapuram.jpg)


Ramapuram has carved its own niche in the cultural history of Kerala. This small village was the birth place of Ramapurathu Warrier, the profounder of ‘Vanchippattu’. It was here where, Lalithambika Antharjanam, the renowned Malayalam novelist lived. Ramapuram also is blessed with its old church and its famous missionaries - Paramekkal Thoma Kathanar and Daivadasan Thevarparambil Kunjachan.
The word ‘Ramapuram’ means ‘the abode of Lord Rama’. True to its name the village has its chief deity Lord Sreerama. Ramapuram is unique in the sense that it houses the temples of Rama as well as his three brothers in its vicinity in a radius of just three kms – Lord Bharata at Amanakara, Lakshmana at Kedapulam and Sathrughna at Methiri.
Located 5 km from Ramapuram is the circular hill of Kurinji Koomban which has abundant caves. Nearby this hill is the Vellamneekkippara waterfall. There is a motorable road to its foothills and it is an adventurer’s paradise. Situated to the East of Kurinji Koomban is Kuruvankunnu, which has water available even in dry summers. The place is prone to avalanches in the monsoon. Another attraction nearby is Mayiladumpara, located in Nedumala where two huge rocks are spread over four to five acres in area. Parunthanmala is the highest point in the region called Kozhimala located 4 km West of Ramapuram through rubber estates. From its zenith one can even see up to Arabian Sea. Another attraction nearby Ramapuram is Fathimagiri that is lesser in height but is a serene place and is an excellent picnic spot.
How to reach:
Ramapuram is located 15 km from Pala town on the main road to Koothattukaulam in Kottayam District. The place is well connected by buses from neighboring places.

KALLARA – UNIQUE RURAL TOURISM IN THE MAKING (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/07/kallara-unique-rural-tourism-in-making.html)

http://bp1.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SISdKeAKL4I/AAAAAAAAACA/j1c1_4IxsuE/s320/100_0383.JPG (http://bp1.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SISdKeAKL4I/AAAAAAAAACA/j1c1_4IxsuE/s1600-h/100_0383.JPG)

Kallara and the neighboring villages of Kaduthutruthi and Thalayolapparambu has unending stretches of lush green paddy fields crisscrossed by numerous canals that drain into the backwaters of Ezhumanthuruth and fall into the mighty Vembanad Lake. In ancient days, large barge like country boats transported goods from Alappuzha to Thalayolapparambu and Kaduthuruthi through these intricate networks of waterways. The waterways also connect Kallara with Vaikom to the north and to Kumarakom in the south.

The village provides unending scenic vistas. Ancient temples and churches lies scattered here. The backwaters of Ezhumanthuruth have many attractive small islands in them.

The unique attraction here is the concentration of screw pine product making in this little village. Locally called ‘tazha’ the screw pine plants grow in abundance on the side of canals and waterways. The shaft of this plant is plucked, cut and seasoned. These are later woven into an array of beautiful and colorful products. Screw pine products range from table mats, purse, file holders, mirrors, chapels, waste box, cushions, hats, kitchen pouches and decoration items. Kallara also produces bamboo products, rubber wood items and wood products. Very soon Kallara will be a model tourism village, where the tourists can experience the art and process of screw pine product development and other such rural products enjoying scenic vistas staying in good home stay units in the village.

How to reach:
Kallara is located about 25 km North West of Kottayam town. The place can be easily accessed by good village roads leading from Kottayam – Ernakulam Road. The place is also connected by road from the tourist hub of Kumarakom.

ITHIPUZHA – SERENE WATERS (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/ithipuzha-serene-waters.html)


http://bp0.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SGj3EJKif5I/AAAAAAAAAB4/XGg9g3ADmoU/s320/kallara1+copy.jpg (http://bp0.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SGj3EJKif5I/AAAAAAAAAB4/XGg9g3ADmoU/s1600-h/kallara1+copy.jpg)


As you travel from Vaikom to Ernakulam by road you pass three bridges in succession. As you look out, you are greeted by lush green scenery on either side. It is the River Muvattupuzha and its numerous branches that drain into the Vembanad Lake at this spot creating picture post card scenery all around. And this village is called Ithipuzha.

Here there is little tourism. There are a few houseboats, resorts and hence charming and serene waterways all round the village. The various distributaries of the river create numerous beautiful islands in its course. There are ten ‘turuths’ or islands varying from four to forty acres of which three have no habitation. Here there are endless stretches of coconut palms and vast green paddy fields. You can relax yourself on a country canoe ride – floating on the gentle ripples of the river and watching the fishermen carrying their catch in small canoes. In fact, the 2 km stretch between Murinjapuzha and Ithipuzha is called as ‘Amazon of Kerala’.

How to access:
Ithipuzha is located on the Ernakulam – Vaikom Main Road and hence easily accessible. It is only 30km from Ernakulam and is 40km from Kottayam. The place is also well connected with the tourist centre of Kumarakom.

PALLOM BACKWATERS (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/pallom-backwaters.html)


http://bp1.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SGj2bEsjoLI/AAAAAAAAABw/EfsQnqW_NUk/s320/pallom.jpg (http://bp1.blogger.com/_uwrEzi0wWNA/SGj2bEsjoLI/AAAAAAAAABw/EfsQnqW_NUk/s1600-h/pallom.jpg)

Pallom backwaters is located to the South of Kottayam town in Nattakom Village Panchayath. The setting here is typical Kerala rural with quiet villages escorted by scenic backwaters and vivid green all along. Migratory birds come seeking this verdant landscape every summer and frolic in the natural splendors till the end of the season. A boat ride in this river Kodoorar to Kumarakom via Pallom backwaters is a great way to relax and enjoy nature’s bounties.

Another unique feature here is the century old light house put up at this site in 1813 A.D by the British Resident of Travancore, Col. Munroe. Considered as a wonder of architecture, the light house still stands intact facing the placid backwaters providing an excellent view of the lush green paddy fields and swaying coconut palms.

How to access:
Pallom is located 5km down town Kottayam and is easily accessible from the Main Central Road. Thus Kottayam is the nearest rail head for accessing this site. The light house site is located on the confluence of the water routes from Kumarakom, Alappuzha and Kodimatha. The site can be accessed by boat from these destinations. By road, the site can be approached by turning from the Main Central Road near Travancore Cements and crossing the canal and walking through the canal side.

AYYAMPARA – ON THE ESCAPE ROUTE (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/ayyampara-on-escape-route.html)


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Well layered rocky plains. The scenic view from atop spans hundreds of square kilometers around. Blissful summer sunsets – all these factors attract visitors to Ayyampara a rarely known beauty spot in the district of Kottayam. Nature has built here a granite stadium on 20 acres of flat rock 2000 feet above sea level. A number of nearby towns like Erattupetta and Pala are clearly visible from here and so are the hills of Vagamaon. Ayyampara also serves as the foot station for the adventurous climbers of Illikkal hill. The visitor will be wonderstruck by the red hot sun sinking into the Arabian Sea and the cool breeze doing wonders on his mind and body.

According to the legends, the five Pandava brothers stayed here during their exile. The name of the rock is said to be a modified version of Anchupara (five pillar rocks). There is an ancient Ayyappa Temple here which has four pillars which support a flat piece of rock that forms the roof. On one side of the rock is a small cave.

How to access:
Ayyampara is located about 13km from Erattupetta and 43km from Kottayam. Buses ply up to Thalanadu, about one km away from here. Ayyampara sits atop high plains.

ILLIKKAL MALA - A TOWERING SURPRISE (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/illikkal-mala-towering-surprise.html)


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Located 6000ft above sea level, numerous mountain streams in this peak flow down to form the serene Meenachil River. The solitude, the tranquility, the gentle breeze and the star spangled sky here are all enchanting beyond words. Tourists have to trek up three km to reach the top of the hill. And if you so wish, you could even spend the night on the heights.

Three hills, each rising to 4000 ft and above, together form this huge hill. Each of the hills has a peculiar shape. One of them resembles a mushroom owing to which it gets its name Kuda kallu – umbrella shaped rock. It is said that the medicinal herb Neela Koduveli, which bathes the hill sides in blue, grows here. This flower is also believed to possess supernatural powers which could increase wealth and ensure a rich harvest.

The second hill has a small hunch on the sides and is therefore referred to as Koonu kallu – hunch back rock which is located 4000ft above sea level. Across this rock is a half feet wide bridge called Narakapalam or bridge to hell. From the hill tops the Arabian Sea can be seen in the distant horizon as a thin blue line. The sun set on a full moon day is sensational, when the moon can be seen rising up like another sun, as the orange sun goes down. The place can be accessed after the torrential monsoon season.
How to access:
Illikkal Mala can be reached by trekking from Talanadu or Ayyampara. The nearest town is Erattupetta from where one can easily access Pala and Kottayam and thence to all major cities in Kerala.


VENNIMALA – THE HILL OF VICTORY (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/vennimala-hill-of-victory.html)

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Vennimala is a serene and beautiful place located in the Puthuppalli village panchayath of Kottayam district. Vennimala in ancient days was a dense forest. It is believed that Lord Rama and Lakshmana during their period of exile visited this hillside. At that time numerous sages meditated in the caves of Vennimala. Upon the request of the sages Lakshmana killed many demons that were a threat and nuisance to the sages. Thus the place came to be called ‘Vijayadri’ in Sanskrit. The name means ‘hill of victory’ as Lakshmana won the battle with demons. Vijayadri in Malayalam became Vennimala. A detailed description of this place appears in the famous Malayalam work ‘Aitihyamala’ by Kottarathil Sankunni. Vennimala in medieval ages was inhabited by tribal communities especially Malayarayars. Cheraman Perumal, the illustrated emperor of ancient Kerala consecrated this ancient temple here. He was taken to the beauty of this place and stayed here and built a palace. He earmarked the hill as a sacred and protected place. Sadly, the palace doesn’t remain today.

The temple has two ‘kodimarams’ symbolically dedicated to the two brothers. The temple celebrates 28 days of annual festival every year. The people in the region and nearby places throng here to perform ‘Pithru Tharpanam’ held here on the day of Amavasi of Karkitaka month (July). This ‘Bali Karma’ is offered by people for the salvation of sins and to appease the dead souls.

The temple pond is located about 100m from the temple and it is said that the sacred channel of the temple opens to this pond. There is a huge cave on one side of the hill located barely one kilometer from the temple. It is said that the cave runs up to the banyan tree in front of the temple, but it is closed today by big boulders fallen in place. The cave can accommodate nearly ten people at a time. The inside of the cave is cool and moist and the spot offers a fine view of the undulating rubber plantations below.

The hill had more than sixty large and small ponds scattered throughout the forest. Even today about a dozen such ponds are remaining with sparkling fresh water even in hot summers. Vennimala offers numerous serene walks on the hill. Any visitor to the hillcan crisscross the entire hillside by walking through pleasant and shady ‘nattuvazhis’ (country walks). Flanked by shady rubber plantations they offer a unique charm.

Presently Vennimala has around eighty households on the hillside. Rubber abounds the vegetation of the hill. There are no commercial establishments on the hilltop and it remains silent and serene away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

How to access:
Any visitor can do this trip quite easily from Kottayam or Kumarakom. Take the K.K.Road from Kottayam via Manarkad and turn right at the 8th mile. A board of Vennimala Temple shows the way. The place is about 15 km from Kottayam.

MATHRUMALA (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/illikkal-mala-towering-surprise.html)
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Matrumala is located in Kooropada village in Kottayam. Matrumala is a hill top that offers stunning views of the entire surroundings for miles around. The place got its name as it has a small temple on its top dedicated to Goddess Annapoorna and is considered one among the 108 shrines of Kerala. The temple is believed to have been built by Parasurama, the legendary creator of Kerala who installed idols of the seven Goddesses (Saptamathas) here.
The trip to Matrumala from Kottayam can be combined with visits to the famous Manarkad Church and temples of Manarkad and Areepparambu. The St. Mary’s Church at Manarkad is one of the most important churches of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christians. The ettunompu (eight day fasting) is the main annual event when devotees from far and wide congregate to participate in the prayers and rituals. The church is located just 8 km from Kottayam town. Manarkad has a famous century old temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. Main events in the temple are Kalamezhuthumpattu, Kumbha bharani, Meena bharani, Patham udayam and Mandala chirappu. The Garudan parava display here is famous.
Another major temple here is Areepparambu located in between Manarkad and Kooroppada. The Lord Siva Temple here has two separate temples inside with separate kodimarams for each.
How to access:
From Kottayam follow the route: Kottayam – Manarkad (K.K.Road) – Oravakkal – Areepparambu – Kooroppada. The place is nearly 20 km from Kottayam and frequent buses are available. A muddy winding road leads to the hill top that can be approached by either vehicle of on foot about one km from Kooroppada. The Aruvikuzhi waterfall is located 4 km further from Kooroppada.

ARUVIKUZHI FALLS – BEAUTY COMES IN CASCADES (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/aruvikuzhi-falls-beauty-comes-in.html)


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Located amidst shady rubber plantations, streams tinkle as they make their way through the rugged landscape and roars down cascading. Milky white sheet of water rushes down the blackened rocks forming a natural pool. A breathtaking sight! From there, the water finds its way through big and small rocks to become a bubbling stream. Here the chorus of birds can be barely heard over the crash of water as it cascades over the rocks. The water column falls from an impressive height of 100 feet. This tiered dance of water set against a backdrop of shady rubber plantations, is an arresting sight. And this is what you experience at Aruvikuzhi in Kottayam, Kerala.
Aruvikuzhi waterfalls have the unique distinction that it is easily accessible by road right up to the spot. Tourists don’t have to trek or walk a long distance to reach the waterfalls, since the falls is located right under the road bridge. The waterfall here is not perennial and will last for three to four months after the monsoon.
How to access:
The waterfall is located 25 km from Kottayam town on way to Pallickathodu. From Kottayam, one can reach Aruvikuzhi via Manarkad – Areepparambu – Kooroppada route. Otherwise, one can access the site through K.K.Road. From Pampadi on K.K.Road, turn right and reach the spot via Kooroppada junction. The fall is located 2 km from this junction. The falls due to its proximity to the District headquarters and the main road has thus easy linkages with the major tourist centres of Kumarakom and Thekkady.


Facilities:
Aruvikuzhi presently has little basic amenities for the tourists. Hence, the village panchayath has taken up the proposal for creating necessary facilities at the site owned by the panchayath. This project will result in the overall economic development of this village and will benefit the local people and community.

ARUVIKACHAL – MILKY FALLS IN HONEY VILLAGE (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/aruvikachal-milky-falls-in-honey.html)

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One of the highest waterfalls in Kerala gushing down from a height of 235 feet, Aruvikachal is located in Poonjar Thekkekkara village in Kottayam district on the fringes of Western Ghats. The waterfall is at its best after the monsoon and last for six to seven months. The falls can be approached by walking a couple of kilometers from Patampuzha Junction.
There are many little known scenic spots around Aruvikachal. The 3500 feet high Muthukora Mala is located near the waterfalls. It is a major trekking spot in the vicinity as one can reach Kootickal on trekking through Muthukora Mala. Another trek route exists to Anangumpadi. Other attractions around Aruvikachal include the scenic hill spots of Muttanallu, Puliyallu and Ummikunnu which offer excellent views on clear days. Adivaram is the base to Kurisumala, where a road is being laid. There are small and seasonal cascades around this place like Irukanni, cattle shed falls and Vettukallumkuzhi. The circular church at Adivaram has been designed by the renowned architect, the late Lari Baker. Kunnoni, near Poonjar and on the way to Adivaram has Stone Age remains dating back to over 4800 years. The famous Poonjar Palace is located only 7 km away from Aruvikachal.

Another unique feature here is that traditional honey collection is a major activity in this village. Nearly 40 families in the panchayath are engaged in honey collection and 30 families are engaged in the craft of making honey jars from coconut shells making Patampuzha a honey village. Visitors can watch the method of honey gathering and process of purifying it and making of jars.

How to access:
The Aruvikachal Falls is located 2 km uphill from Patampuzha Junction on Pala – Erattupetta – Poonjar – Mundakkayam Road. The waterfall is located 7 km from the nearest town of Poonjar. From Poonjar, good highway leads to Erattupetta, Pala and thence to Kottayam and Kumarakom. The waterfall is located nearly 60 km from the District Headquarters - Kottayam. The tourist centre of Vagamon is located only 25 km from the waterfalls. Through the Patampuzha – Mundakkayam Main road, the place is linked to Thekkady also.

From Patampuzha, there is a small panchayath road for 1.5 km towards waterfalls. A last remaining stretch of 500 m will be laid out in the future and can be accessed now by hiking or on four wheel drive.


MARMALA STREAM - ENCHANTRESS OF THE JUNGLE (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/marmala-stream-enchantress-of-jungle.html)

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This scenic Marmala stream and its breathtaking waterfalls are together referred to as the enchantress of the jungle. Sliding down numerous hillocks from a height of 200ft, the gushing water has etched out over the years a twelve meter deep pond in the rocks and joins the Teekoy river way down. And right under waterfalls is a natural bridge. The waterfall is almost perennial.
How to access:
Marmala waterfalls lie a few kilometers away from Erattupetta on diverting from the main road to the hill resort of Vagamon. From Petta, fine highway links the place to Pala and Kottayam. It is exactly seven km from Teekoy rubber estate. From here a private vehicle can take you further two km after which the road is not motor-able. To reach the falls one has to trek through the estate over the rocky path. Otherwise one can approach the falls from Talanadu side.

ELAVEEZHAPOONCHIRA - WALK IN THE RAIN CLOUDS (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/elaveezhapoonchira-walk-in-rain-clouds.html)


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Skirting the Kottayam District are the beautiful valleys of Elaveezhapoonchira, spread over thousands of acres in Melukavu village of Meenachil Taluk. The pristine beauty of nature is preserved almost intact here in the imposing mountain ranges with rocky cliffs. The verdant landscape is punctuated by five gigantic hills viz. Vindhyanmedu, Hidumbanmedu, Mankallumudi.


Kolanimudi and Mukalanthumudi each rising to around 3200ft. Elaveezhapoonchira means valley where leaves don’t fall and is named so because the place has no trees. Perhaps, this may be the only spot in Kerala from where one can see the beautiful phenomenon of sunrise and sunset in the same spot. The vast horizon gives a panoramic view of the surrounding five districts. During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature. The panoramic view of the Malankara dam just below the hill is an exquisite site for the visitors.
Attractions in Poonchira:
The different elevations of the mountain ranges with contrasting shapes give this hill station a dramatic and distinctive outline of great scenic splendor. Just below the hill, there is a small perennial pond like water body called ‘poonchira’. Three tribal settlements and four natural caves provide significance to this mystic land. The great Pandavas were said to have lived incognito in this land during their exile and hence caves are called ‘Pandavan Guha’. Another peculiar feature is the presence of two Muniyaras nearby the pond. Luxuriant growth of medicinal plants gives another added attraction to this area.

Another exotic feature is the Nilayara which is a cave located in Mukalanthanmudi, one km from the Poonchira. The cave itself is a wonder as far as a tourist is concerned. About 20 people can stand at a time inside the cave. A small perennial stream is flowing from the inner mouth of the cave.

As the name suggests, the valley of this rocky mountain reflects the morning sun with a mirror like perfection. This is also the highest point in Elaveezhapoonchira. Three km from here is the groves, meadows and wild flowers make this place exotic. An added attraction here is the Kazhukankulimali waterfalls that playfully cascade down the mountains and greet the river below with a magnificent splash. On the eastern side of Kannadipara is a natural fort set amidst steep rocks.

The three hills of Mankallu Mudikal lie close to each other. Their flat hilltops covered with lush grasslands. An aerial view of these resembles a traditional clay oven. With no trees around, the hilltops give you the feeling that you are walking in the clouds. Another peak, Kolani Mudi in the Elaveezhapoonchira mountain range also has a cave.

How to access Elaveezhapoonchira:
The nearest major town and rail head for Elaveezhapoonchira is Kottayam located nearly 60km away. From Kottayam proceed to Pala and Erattupetta on an excellent state highway. (Kottayam – Pala: 30km; Pala – Petta – 9km). From Erattupetta take the route via Kanjiram kavala and Melukavu to reach Poonchira. It can also be accessed from Thodupuzha in Iddukki District via Muttam or from Moolamattom via Kanjar. The final stretch of road for nearly 4km to Poonchira is still lacking and has to be accessed by walking or on 4 wheel drive.

Facilities:
The District Tourism has a small building on the hill top which has a toilet complex and a couple of rest rooms. But, electricity is yet to reach here. Hence, Poonchira is best suited for a day trip. Good accommodation is available in Pala and Thodupuzha towns. It will be a better option to visit Poonchira as a day tour from Kottayam or Kumarakom. The hill top is subject to receive lightning and thunder storms in the evenings and hence it is more suitable to visit in the mornings.
The Kerala Tourism is drawing up an ambitious plan to develop Poonchira into an eco friendly tourist destination in the near future.

UNSEEN DESTINATIONS OF INDIA (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/06/unseen-destinations-of-india.html)
THE HILL OF VICTORY

We set out from Kottayam on another trip as part of identification of lesser known spots of tourism potential in the district. This time our trip was to a couple of destinations a stone’s throw away from the bustling Kottayam town. The places were suggested by my colleague Sajeev who belongs to this locality. It's a trouble-free journey from Kottayam given the good conditions of the K.K. road. Driver Balachandran drove our Sumo smoothly and we went past the busy junctions of Kanjikuzhi and Manarkad. We moved further till we came to a board that read ‘Vennimala Sreerama Lakshmana Temple’ at 8th mile on the main road.

It was our destination. We turned right and drove on the tarred road to the hill top. We drove for another three km and the temple tower came into view in front of us. This serene and beautiful place is located in the Puthuppalli village panchayath of Kottayam district. The hill is located 15km from Kottayam town. The main attraction of the hill is the temple dedicated to Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana. The legend of the hill is closely associated with this shrine.

Vennimala in ancient days was a dense forest. It is believed that Lord Rama and Lakshmana during their period of exile visited this hillside. At that time numerous sages meditated in the caves of Vennimala. Upon the request of the sages Lakshmana killed many demons that were a threat and nuisance to the sages. Thus the place came to be called ‘Vijayadri’ in Sanskrit. The name means ‘hill of victory’ as Lakshmana won the battle with demons. Vijayadri in Malayalam became Vennimala. A detailed description of this place appears in the famous Malayalam work ‘Aitihyamala’ by Kottarathil Sankunni. Vennimala in medieval ages was inhabited by tribal communities especially Malayarayars. Cheraman Perumal, the illustrated emperor of ancient Kerala consecrated this ancient temple here. He was taken to the beauty of this place and stayed here and built a palace. He earmarked the hill as a sacred and protected place. Sadly, the palace doesn’t remain today.
The temple has two ‘kodimarams’ symbolically dedicated to the two brothers. The temple celebrates 28 days of annual festival every year. Sajeev said the people in the region and nearby places throng here to perform ‘Pithru Tharpanam’ held here on the day of Amavasi of Karkitaka month (July). This ‘Bali Karma’ is offered by people for the salvation of sins and to appease the dead souls.
A huge banyan tree stands like a sage undertaking penance withstanding time and seasons in front of the temple. We descended a flight of steps towards the side and reached the edge of the temple tank. Thanks to monsoon, water remained up to its brim. The temple pond is located about 100m from the temple and it is said that the sacred channel of the temple opens to this pond. It is said in ‘Aitihyamala’ that Vennimala once had seven big ponds called ‘saras’ and 72 small ponds called ‘eris’ scattered throughout the hill. Presently, around a dozen of these ponds still remain. The small ponds are located in various parts of the hill. The unique feature of these ponds is that they have sparkling fresh water even in hot summers.

Our next point in the hill was a huge cave on one side of the hill located barely one kilometer from the temple. We went down to a side of the hill and the site had a dash of green with some trees forming natural arched gateways. A local guy said that the cave runs up to the banyan tree in front of the temple, but it is closed today by big boulders fallen in place. The wide opening mouth of the cave is still intact. The cave can accommodate nearly ten people at a time. The inside of the cave was cool and moist and the spot offered a fine view of the undulating rubber plantations below.

We went in front of the local guy’s house. Some work was going on his well. We peeped into it. Who! It was several fathoms deep. The guy said that there were even deeper wells in the hill. But the water inside was cool and crystal clear, now after the rains. The man told us that presently Vennimala has around eighty households on the hillside. Rubber abounds the vegetation of the hill. There are no commercial establishments on the hilltop and it remains silent and serene away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Vennimala offers numerous serene walks on the hill. Any visitor to the hillcan crisscross the entire hillside by walking through pleasant and shady ‘nattuvazhis’ (country walks). Flanked by shady rubber plantations they offer a unique charm. Soon we saw a pond on one side of the hill which was protected by stone walls and neatly laid out stone steps. Modern-day carvings by desperate lovers jarringly co-existed with the ancient.

Springing surprise - Aruvikuzhi waterfalls:
Soon we left Vennimala to our next destination – Aruvikuzhi waterfalls. We drove on the K.K.Road further till Pampadi, the first small town after Kottayam. Here we turned left on the road to Kooroppada and after nearly 8 km went past Kooroppada junction on way to Pallicktahodu. The waterfalls is located 3 km further from this junction.

The ward members of Pallickathodu Grama Panchayath, Mr. C. K. Vijayakumar and Mr. Benny were waiting for us there. Milky white sheet of water was rushing down the blackened rocks forming a natural pool. A breathtaking sight! From there, the water finds its way through big and small rocks to become a bubbling stream. Here the chorus of birds can be barely heard over the crash of water as it cascades over the rocks. The water column falls from an impressive height of 100 feet. This tiered dance of water set against a backdrop of shady rubber plantations, is an arresting sight.

Aruvikuzhi waterfalls have the unique distinction that it is easily accessible by road right up to the spot. Tourists don’t have to trek or walk a long distance to reach the waterfalls, since the falls is located right under the road bridge. The waterfall here is not perennial and will last for three to four months after the monsoon. Aruvikuzhi presently has little basic amenities for the tourists. Hence, the village panchayath has taken up the proposal for creating necessary facilities at the site owned by the panchayath. This project will result in the overall economic development of this village and will benefit the local people and community.

The shrine on the hilltop:
We drove back to Kooroppada junction and turned on the road to Manarkad via Areepparambu. A little further we saw the signboard to ‘Matrumala Hilltop Temple’. It was a muddy winding road that leads to the hill top. The hilltop can also be approached on foot. The place got its name as it has a small temple on its top dedicated to Goddess. The temple is believed to have been built by Parasurama, the legendary creator of Kerala who installed idols of the seven Goddesses (Saptamathas) here. The temple is small and well maintained and has been recently renovated in modern style. The hilltop offered stunning views for miles around.

Now it was time for us to get back. We proceeded back towards Manarkad and at Areepparambu Sajeev got down. His home is located in this village. We went towards the Lord Siva Temple here. The unique feature here is there are two shrines inside the temple complex each having its own ‘kodimaram’. The temple was closed.

We proceeded back to Manarkad and at Oravakkal, joined the Pala – Kidangoor - Manarkad road. We went past the famous Manrakad Temple and the St. Mary’s church and reached Manarkad junction and returned back to Kottayam.

Any visitor can do this trip quite easily from Kottayam or Kumarakom. The route is Kottayam – Manarkad – Vennimala – Pampadi – Kooroppada – Aruvikuzhi – Kooroppada – Matrumala – Oravakkal – Manarkad – Kottayam or you can do it the other way.

COURTSEY: machtourism
SOURCE: LINK (http://incredibleruralindia.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=15)

SKYLINE HILLVIEW, RISING UP (TALLEST BUILDING IN CENTRAL TRAVANCORE)
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http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/4308/img3192wx7.jpg
TAKEN FROM VENNIMALA
(http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=http://imageshack.us/)
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3.MUTHOOT DREAMSRINGS @ CHALUKUNNU

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CENTURY TOWERS, NAGAMPADOM (one of the oldest highrises in kottayam, more than a decade old, B+G+9 floors)
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MGOCSM CHAIROS CENTRE APARTMENTS, ON C.M.S COLLEGE ROAD
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CHENNAI BASED APPOLO HOSPITALS WILL OPEN 2 SUPERSPECIALITY HOSPITALS, NAMED APPOLO REACH, IN KERALA.ONE WILL BE IN KOTTAYAM. DON'T KNOW WHERE THE OTHER WILL BE.

SKYLINE HILLVIEW, RISING UP (TALLEST BUILDING IN CENTRAL TRAVANCORE)

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^^
How many floors Man?
looks like 20 +

^^ Jomy, its 21.. The elevation is there in the Skyline website. :)

the best of the best! never seen a more luxurious & stylish resort in kerala...the Radisson Plaza in Kumarakom...welcomes you with large wooden gates, beautiful landscaping, a man-made lake that opens into the everlasting backwaters...the list goes on...will upload my own pics of the radisson soon...

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SKYLINE HILLVIEW, RISING UP (TALLEST BUILDING IN CENTRAL TRAVANCORE)


Great updates.........sakrishna.....:)

^^ Jomy, its 21.. The elevation is there in the Skyline website. :)

21 floors!!!! cool :banana:

^^ - Kottayam should be seeing two more luxury resort developments coming up in the near future - one from the Brigade Group and the other by Rakindo. It seems both are located near Vaikom. A third project, in the super-luxury category is proposed near Thaneermukham. The dumboes in the local media report the locations as "close to Cochin", but they are far closer to Kottayam than Cochin. I think it is about time, Kottayam stamped its identity on these. :)

Kumarakom has some of Kerala's leading & award winning resorts, plus very quick access from Kochi via Cherthala making it a totally scenic drive past the backwaters...with a drive of just around a hour, a perfect getaway for people around Kochi !



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the best of the best! never seen a more luxurious & stylish resort in kerala...the Radisson Plaza in Kumarakom...welcomes you with large wooden gates, beautiful landscaping, a man-made lake that opens into the everlasting backwaters...the list goes on...will upload my own pics of the radisson soon...

Thank u everyone, for the support, comments and encouragement. kudos to projectskerala for those awesome pics. Nice to see some good resorts coming up on vembanad lake side.
i want the thaneermukkom bund to be kept open forever to maintain the natural balance. steps should be taken to regulate the no: of houseboats plying on vembanad waters. instead of practicing agriculture in the middle of the lake, let paddy cultivation be practiced in the mainland. otherwise, those idiots who are in possession of kayalpadashekharams will sell them to land mafia and gradually vemby lake will become a thodu. so, steps should be taken to evict all reclaimed lands including kuttanadu kayal padashekharams and to resore the lake area.

Company being formed for Kottayam airport project

Kottayam: The follow-up measures for executing the airport project in the district had got slowed down, probably on account of the wrangling in the district panchayat over continuance of presidentship of Thomas Kunnappally. Now that he remains firmly in the seat, the district panchayat seems to be ambling along to improve the situation.

Kunnappally is optimistic about identifying the location for the airport project and forming a company within one month. Spots have been located at Kattachira, Kodimatha, Pallom etc. There should be a minimum of 250 acres so that a one- and- a ?half- km runway can be built. The protagonists are looking for 500 acres, with an eye on future expansion.

The intention is primarily to bring aircraft with a carrying capacity of 74 passengers.
Ultimately, the investors would be brought together and a company formed for the construction of the airport.

V N Vasavan, MLA, said measures can be expedited after formation of the company.


LINK (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=9142008125658PM1462&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=1615)

hi friends.
Does kottayam need a corporation status?In my opinion it realy deserves that.:banana:

hi friends.
Does kottayam need a corporation status?In my opinion it realy deserves that.:banana:


welcome to SSC buddy. about kottayam's elevation to corporation status, there are many factors which decide that- mainly population (urban aggolomeration), overall growth of the region , future growth potential etc. , i think, though i don't have much idea on this. i request others to comment on this.
if kottayam can be given corporation status, then kannur, palakkad and alappuzha also deserve to be made corporations .

Neelamperoor Padayani, gift of a village

http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/September%202008/15-09-08/padayanifs.jpg

Kottayam: Pooram padayani presentations of Neelamperoor are getting the final touches. This is a gift of the village to the world.

Neelamperoor is known as the the oor( place of stay) of Neelakantan or Siva. Pooram Padayani is the remembrance of the visit of Cheraman Perumal to this hamlet in AD fourth century. It is believed that the first padayani performance was held at Neelamperoor.

It is in Neelamperoor alone that Annam (swan) is projected as an art form in any padyanis in Kerala. Therefore, the Neelamperoor padayani has become quite attractive to connoisseurs of art.

It is the depiction of the life-style of various echelons of the society; religion, art, traditions, rituals, entertainment and all find a place in the padayani performance, being held on September 26. The padayani performance is held in four stages. The figures of swans and kolams are made of materials available in the village. Pith of banana, various flowers, lotus leaves and other materials form part of the input.

The padayani preparations began on Avittam day to be followed by Choottu padayani, poomaram, Thattukuda, Paaraavalayam, Kuda Nirthu, Kudam Pooja Kali, Thotha Kali, procession of Poonkudas etc form part of the rituals.

The start of Plavilakolam would be on September 21. There would be Thaapasa Kolam as well. The projection of elephants would be held on 22, Hanuman on 23, Bhimasenan on 24, Pindi (pith) tender coconut leaves kodikoora on 25. The main pooram padyani would be held from 10.30 night on September 26.


courtsey: kottayamvartha.com

LINK (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=9172008125724PM1561&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=1714)

News Dated : Thursday, September 18, 2008

Why Bailey's press is not a UN heritage site? http://www.myvartha.com/varthafiles/image/September%202008/17-09-08/cmspressfs.jpg
Kottayam: The CMS Press here would have become part of the heritage list of the UN, had there been someone keen to take up the issue. For such is the history and heritage of the old press, still maintained safely there.

The role of the old CMS press to make Kottayam a place of letters has been significant. For the place has been the birthplace of Malayalam printing.

The CMS Press was established on October 21 in 1821. Colonel Monroe, who was the Resident of Travancore, was keen to implement three projects for the development of Syrian Christians. A college at Kottayam, printing press and complete Malayalam translation of the bible were his dream projects. For realising these projects he sought the help of the Church Missionary Society.

Benjamin Bailey came to the place as a missionary of the Church Mission. He set up a bungalow at Vettikkunnu and launched work on the Kottayam College as well as translation of the bible. Monroe had in mind to get the Malayalam translation of the bible prined at Kolkata. However, he had second thoughts about it and wanted to set up a printing press in Kottayam itself. He wrote to the Corresponding Committee at Madras, which gave its approval. The proposal was sent to England, following which they sent a printing press to Kottayam. Monroe went back to England after completing his service here in 1819.

The press reached Kottayam on October 18, 1821 via Bombay and Alappuzha. This day was accepted as the founding day of the CMS Press. However, work could not be started immediately as there were no Malayalam types available. The Fort St George at Madras promised to send types. But it took time. Most of the types were not fit for use. Therefore, Bailey got the services of a goldsmith, a blacksmith and a carpenter to make types here itself.

Subsequently, it was found that one press was not sufficient to undertake the major work. The Madras Committee was informed that one or two more presses were essential. But as these were not forthcoming, he led the project to manufacture a printing press in wood. That is still kept as a monument in the CMS Press.

Jnananikshepam, the first newspaper in Malayalam was printed in this press. The journal is still published from there. Later, a modern press was set up there. Still Bailey's press is kept as a monument.

One should appreciate the tradition, lineage and heritage of the old press which is 187 years old. Is someone listening to get recognition for the antiquity and heritage of these structures?

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courtsey: kottayamvartha.com

LINK (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=9182008122435PM1600&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=1753)

Photo Copyright: Shri Ranjany.S (My sister)
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Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom
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A bit old news

KCA signs MoU with MG University


Principal Correspondent

KOTTAYAM: The Kerala Cricket Association has signed a MoU with Mahatma Gandhi University to develop a world class cricket stadium — the MG university silver jubilee cricket stadium — on an eight acre plot at Athirampuzha.
The MoU was signed by KCA secretary T.C. Mathew and MG University registrar Prof. M.R. Unni in the presence of Vice-chancellor of MG University, Dr. Jancy James.
The KCA will meet the entire development cost for the stadium with state-of-the-art facility to hold national events like Ranji Trophy matches. The proposed stadium will have five turf wickets, facilities for nets, pavilion, dressing room, media centre, first aid room, lockers and stores. The total cost for building the stadium will be 2.5 crores. The KCA will be responsible for the construction and maintenance and upkeep of the stadium for 30 years which is extendable on mutual agreement. The ownership of the stadium will be with the university and there is neither a transfer of land or lease. KCA will be able to use the stadium only for cricketing activities after setting apart 190 days for the exclusive use of the university.
Besides regular coaching programmes, the KCA will conduct free coaching camps to the students of the university. A 15-member management committee headed by the Vice-chancellor will manage the entire activities of the stadium and its upkeep. The university and KCA will have seven members each in the committee out of which three will be nominees from the Kottayam Cricket Association. The design of the stadium will be completed in a month and the construction activities will commence soon.
LINK (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/07/14/stories/2008071456071800.htm)

welcome to SSC buddy. about kottayam's elevation to corporation status, there are many factors which decide that- mainly population (urban aggolomeration), overall growth of the , future growth potential etc. , i think, though i don't have much idea on this. i request others to comment on this.
if kottayam can be given corporation status, then kannur, palakkad and alappuzha also deserve to be made corporations .
Alappuzha muncipality has a population density of 3735 and population of 1.7 lakhs. Alappuzha UA has around 2.8 lakhs population. Kannur muncipality has a population density of 6209 but population is only 63000. Kannur UA has 5 lakhs population. So both Kannur and Alappuzha can be easily upgraded to Corporations. Kottayam muncipality has a population of 60000 and density of 4061. But Kottayam UA is only 1.7 lakhs. In 2001 palakkad muncipality was 1.3 lakhs in population. Palakkad UA is 2 lakhs in population. I dont think whether population of UA is a major criterion in upgradation of muncipalities. If the ruling party wish so the state government can add panchayats which are not part of the UA to make the corporation.

Practically there is only one factor which is the political factor. Condition 1: The muncipality is ruled by the opposition party or there is chance that opposition will take over in the next election
Condition 2: Nearby panchayats are strongholds of the ruling party.
If both conditions satisfy then the ruling party will merge the nearby panchayats to the muncipality and the complete political picture changes. ;)

photos copyright: Shri Ranjany.S
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Alappuzha muncipality has a population density of 3735 and population of 1.7 lakhs. Alappuzha UA has around 2.8 lakhs population. Kannur muncipality has a population density of 6209 but population is only 63000. Kannur UA has 5 lakhs population. So both Kannur and Alappuzha can be easily upgraded to Corporations. Kottayam muncipality has a population of 60000 and density of 4061. But Kottayam UA is only 1.7 lakhs. In 2001 palakkad muncipality was 1.3 lakhs in population. Palakkad UA is 2 lakhs in population. I dont think whether population of UA is a major criterion in upgradation of muncipalities. If the ruling party wish so the state government can add panchayats which are not part of the UA to make the corporation.

Practically there is only one factor which is the political factor. Condition 1: The muncipality is ruled by the opposition party or there is chance that opposition will take over in the next election
Condition 2: Nearby panchayats are strongholds of the ruling party.
If both conditions satisfy then the ruling party will merge the nearby panchayats to the muncipality and the complete political picture changes. ;)

Tanx for the clarification.

hi friends
don't take population as basic for corporation status.Kottayam and it's adjoining areas (kumarakom) are fastly growing.kottayam is having more high risees than kollam(A corporation)I think kottayam and it's adjoining areas are more devoleped than in kannur and aleppey.More real estates devolepres are concentrating in KOCHI,TVM ,CALICUT,TRICHUR AND KOTTAYAM.And more overor the INLAND PORT and the much awaited kottayam airport will make kottayam as a front runner for corporation status.Sai krishna all of my support to u .As a person from ur district i will do my best to add more people to this forum.The bottom line is KOTTAYAM DESERVES A CORPORATION STATUS THAN ANY OTHER MUNCIPALITIES IN KERALA.:cheer:

^^Tanx for your support buddy.
One thing is that we can't underestimate kannur. kannur is getting infrastructuer projects worth more than 3000 crores (kannur airport - 1000 crores, azhikkal port - 1750 crores) etc. This idiotic govt. thought of kottayam only when they wanted to conduct the party meet.
i'll compile a list of projects in each district and post it over here soon.
it's high time that our own local leaders start putting pressure on the govt. Sadly. the last UDF govt. also did nothing for kottayam even thought there were 3 ministers i(ncluding the CM), from kottayam.
TVM, TCR, PALAKKAD, KANNUR, QLN etc are frequently getting the attention of this govt. why don't they consider KTM? why can't they make KTM an educational hub?
It's high time that our ministers should open their eyes.

1. Trivandrum - IISER, IIST, Vizhinjam, National level status for Medical college, airport development, Rajiv Gandhi Biotech centre, International convention centre, Brahmos aerospace,Natpac campus, barcoding and fingerprint institute, Poovar shipyard, finishing school etc. etc. the list is endless (Because the place is trivandrum-right under govt.'s nose)
Also IIIT?????????

2. Kollam - Memu base, gauge conversion (though it is bit slow), mineral institute, titanium sponge factory, port development, marine institute?,
English and foreign language university (actually, best suited for kottayam, the land of letters centre of english education but M.A. Baby wants to bring this project to his home district)?, Kerala fashion technology institute,
projets from KINFRA etc.

3. Pathanamthitta- Kinfra rubber park and small industries park only.
another central travancore district neglect by the Govt.
has only projects from Kinfra etc.
NRI universty should be set up here. but our govt. may take it to North Kerlala (malappuram , most probably).

4. Alappuzha - Coach factory, alappuzha port development, 2 big IT parks, new engg. colleges under CAPE, passport office in mavelikkara (was supposed to be set up in Kottayam, the main region of central travancore but Achumama gifted it to his home district) etc, KSIDC growth cnetres.

5. Idukki - Spices park (has no spport from kerala govt., only the centre is showing some interest), windmill power project, munnar master plan etc.

6. Ernakulam - fastest developing district , with not much support from the state govt.
projects include - smart city, LNG terminal, marina, defence park., vallarpadom, FACT, technopark development, marine varsity?, IIT/IISET?, finishing school etc.
EKM is one of the districts considered by the state govt. for the proposed IIIT along with TVM and TCR

7. TCR - gold park, Medical varsity ('Dr. Iqbal' kottayamkare kothipichittu tharatha sambhavam), world class university, munabam/kodungallur port development, Kinfra High tech park, BSF training centre etc.

8. Palakkad- Coach factory worth 1000 crores, Kinfra textile centre, defence park, IIT????? (kottayathinu kittiyirunnengil?), Kinfra parks, KSIDC growth cetre etc.

9. Malappuram - ponnani port development, passport office, alighard muslim university off campus centre , Kinfra parks , KSIDC growth centre.

10. Wayanad - Kinfra food processsing park only. district badly requires govt. support.

11. Kozhikode - Cyberpark, high tech park, mathematics institute, hospitality institute (alappuzha was supposed to get this), Bepur port development, paramedical institute, mother and child institute, Steel complex .

Frankly speaking, govt. hasn't done full justice to calicut. calicut needs more big projects.

12. Kannur - Airport, azhikkal port, Naval academy, Marine police academy, NIFT, CDIT centre, KSIDC growth centre, Textile centre, Tourism development etc

13.Kasaragod - HAL facory, maritime institute, central varsity,bekal tourrism development, petro chemical complex etc.

14. Kottayam - virtually nothing
kottayam port (ony worth 10 crore Rs., half the investment form private parties, and rest 1/2 from central govt.
KINFRA is just a nodal agency for this project.)
AIRPORT- taken initiative by district panchyanth.and there's no 100% surety regarding the project.

In short, when it comes to development, for our govt.,
KERALA = KERALA 'minus' KOTTAYAM

Kannur didnt get anything for past 60 years. And most of the thing you mentioned above are all still in paper only.

Kannur Airport: Actually it was initiated by nayanar govt and CM ibrahim as central aviation minister. But later it was dumped by BJP led central ministry. It was a smaller project than the current proposal. Kannur International airport of the present scale was proposed by Leela Group in GIM. Capt Krishnan Nair is a native of kannur and he is doing some favour for his home district. Whether leela group will win the contract is a different matter. But the idea of BOO model was also proposed by him. There are many kottayam based industrialists. Cant they do something for kottayam?

Azhikkal Port: It was proposed by MV Raghavan when he was shipping minister in Karunakaran led UDF govt. 15 years have passed. Still nothing has happened.

Naval Academy: It took 25 years to build a naval academy. Must be a world record.

KSIDC growth center: There is atleast one in almost all districts.

Tourism development: Hahaha what a joke. Come to kannur and show me a tourist.

Btw sorry Mr. jayesh krishna. Cities are measured in population. Not in number of high rises. In India there are cities with million plus population without any highrises. In Kerala even towns like guruvayoor and thiruvalla have many highrises. I support Kottayam to become a corporation. But its the ruling party who is going to decide.

hi friends
don't take population as basic for corporation status.Kottayam and it's adjoining areas (kumarakom) are fastly growing.kottayam is having more high risees than kollam(A corporation)I think kottayam and it's adjoining areas are more devoleped than in kannur and aleppey.More real estates devolepres are concentrating in KOCHI,TVM ,CALICUT,TRICHUR AND KOTTAYAM.And more overor the INLAND PORT and the much awaited kottayam airport will make kottayam as a front runner for corporation status.Sai krishna all of my support to u .As a person from ur district i will do my best to add more people to this forum.The bottom line is KOTTAYAM DESERVES A CORPORATION STATUS THAN ANY OTHER MUNCIPALITIES IN KERALA.:cheer:

Jayesh wat u quoted here is almost real....but regarding kannur,u will hav to rethink...the number of highrises coming up at kannur and neighbouring muncipalities like talassery and iritty are one or two steps ahead of kottayam...as sakrishna said a lot of pub-private partnership projects are also taking shape at kannur, mainly, kannur airport, port etc...so there are, a lot of prospects for kannur to become a major industrial town in south india... Kottayam is not getting enough projects eventhough it deserves those....

And one more thing......:)

Cities are measured in population. Not in number of high rises....


Welcome to the Forum :cheers:

It is obvious that Kannur is getting a very good attention from the Government.


Kannur is getting big projects with TVM & Kochi.

Calicut is getting a small share

one exapmple is the Azhikkal Port . GOK is considering a project worth Rs. 1400there. (After the sucsessful campagne for Vizhinjam Mr. Vijayakumar have to please his Party leaders)

and more important Beypore is getting a small scale development plan.

Then the Air port. now GOK is considerng 4 line/ 6 line roads to proposed airport from northern parts of Kozhikode, Wayanad districts and Kannur town. While Kozhikode Air port is badly connected with other parts of Malappuram District and THE City itself.
:ohno:

It is obvious that Kannur is getting a very good attention from the Government.


Kannur is getting big projects with TVM & Kochi.

Calicut is getting a small share

one exapmple is the Azhikkal Port . GOK is considering a project worth Rs. 1400there. (After the sucsessful campagne for Vizhinjam Mr. Vijayakumar have to please his Party leaders)

and more important Beypore is getting a small scale development plan.

Then the Air port. now GOK is considerng 4 line/ 6 line roads to proposed airport from northern parts of Kozhikode, Wayanad districts and Kannur town. While Kozhikode Air port is badly connected with other parts of Malappuram District and THE City itself.
:ohno:

i think your post is in the wrong thread, no matters relating to Kottayam

i think your post is in the wrong thread, no matters relating to Kottayam

But relevant for the current discussion.....

From the time of UDF govt itself Azhikkal port was a project of the currently proposed scale. Azhikkal has more land area available for additional facilities related to port and shipping industry. Project cost includes that also. 1400 crore is for three phase development. Compared to beypore the existing facilities are very less in azhikkal. So obviously the cost will be more.

Road connectivity to airport is not yet considered by the govt. It was suggested by the airport action committee. Of course the action committee includes our home minister. Now people from different places are forming separate action committees to add roads from their places to this list. May be people from malappuram never thought about such a road connectivity. In my knowledge calicut airport is connected to the city by a national highway and a four lane road from Kondotty.

CPI(M) hasn't done any development in Kannur for the past 60 years. They know that they will get their votes even if they didn't do any thing. Now when they are coming up with amusement park or five star hotel let them do atleast that. Its better than hartals and strikes. We didnt have any MLA from LDF who has done anything for his constituency like KM Mani for Pala. In that case I should appreciate Kodiyeri for his contribution to thalassery like dharmadam bridge, ksrtc depot, cricket stadium etc. Now we have each minister lobbying for his own district. We have kodiyeri for kannur, kareem for kozhikode, kp rajendran for thrissur, vijayakumar for trivandrum etc. Problem with kottayam is that you dont have such a minister for pushing kottayam based projects.

Road connectivity to airport is not yet considered by the govt. It was suggested by the airport action committee. Of course the action committee includes our home minister. Now people from different places are forming separate action committees to add roads from their places to this list. May be people from malappuram never thought about such a road connectivity. In my knowledge calicut airport is connected to the city by a national highway and a four lane road from Kondotty.


Kozhikode-Karipur

21 Km,

Four lanes.....1 Km:nuts:

Remaining 20 km no space to take breath:bash:....busy palakkad-kozhikode road.

And kozhikode NH 17 Bypass, one of the busiest in state itself....... :ohno:

sakrishna i am staying in kuwait.So i can't post the latest devolepments in kottayam(pictures etc...)Can u tell me as minister from kottayam Dist. mons joseph is doing any thing for kottayam.I mean any road devolepments in kottayam.

Kozhikode-Karipur

21 Km,

Four lanes.....1 Km:nuts:

Remaining 20 km no space to take breath:bash:....busy palakkad-kozhikode road.

And kozhikode NH 17 Bypass, one of the busiest in state itself....... :ohno:
I had read a news that NH-213 is going to be widened. If you feel that airport is poorly connected with calicut city then think about a person from north malabar.

I had read a news that NH-213 is going to be widened. If you feel that airport is poorly connected with calicut city then think about a person from north malabar.

Yes man....we need to hav our roads four laned, forget south malabar or north malabar......i know the difficulties faced by people of malabar which dont hav a single national highway four laned......

For kottayam, MC road is a big bottle neck which hav to be cleared to pave the way for developments......i propose four laning of MC road from ettumanoor to changanassery.....and 2 laning of the entire streach as we hav on moovattupuzha-angamaly streach of MC road....

From the time of UDF govt itself Azhikkal port was a project of the currently proposed scale. Azhikkal has more land area available for additional facilities related to port and shipping industry. Project cost includes that also. 1400 crore is for three phase development. Compared to beypore the existing facilities are very less in azhikkal. So obviously the cost will be more.

Road connectivity to airport is not yet considered by the govt. It was suggested by the airport action committee. Of course the action committee includes our home minister. Now people from different places are forming separate action committees to add roads from their places to this list. May be people from malappuram never thought about such a road connectivity. In my knowledge calicut airport is connected to the city by a national highway and a four lane road from Kondotty.

CPI(M) hasn't done any development in Kannur for the past 60 years. They know that they will get their votes even if they didn't do any thing. Now when they are coming up with amusement park or five star hotel let them do atleast that. Its better than hartals and strikes. We didnt have any MLA from LDF who has done anything for his constituency like KM Mani for Pala. In that case I should appreciate Kodiyeri for his contribution to thalassery like dharmadam bridge, ksrtc depot, cricket stadium etc. Now we have each minister lobbying for his own district. We have kodiyeri for kannur, kareem for kozhikode, kp rajendran for thrissur, vijayakumar for trivandrum etc. Problem with kottayam is that you dont have such a minister for pushing kottayam based projects.

I agree with u. To a certain extant, these ministera, as the representatives of their constituencoes/districts, it's OK to give such projects to their constituencies/Distrcits.
But all these selfish ministers should broaden their mind. After all they are the ministers of KERALA STATE and not the 'MINISTERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCY/DISTRICT'.
When development happens, it should be balanced, even though usually main priority is given to top cities-TVM,KOCHI, CALICUT.
In Kochi, private people are taking the initiative.
Even Calicut is not getting the due impoertance it deserves. Kannur is getting more attention than calicut. (Kannureans, pls excuse me, pls don't keep any heart feeling, i don't have anything against kannur or its people, just revealing a plain fact. Pinne MALABRUKARE THAMMILADIPPICHU ENNA CHEETHAPPERU ENIKKU UNDAKARUTHU.)

But we've to learn from other states like TN where the present Govt. is giving due importance to other cities like Salem, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Madurai, Tiruchi etc and not just Chennai.

In kerala,if we can consider KNR,TCR, QLN, PKD, ALP, KTM (don't consider the municipality/corporation difference) as 2nd tier cities, it's crystal clear that kottayam is the most neglected.

Also, if we consider the past 60 years, Kottayam also hasn't got any big projects. what all kottayam has now,Kannur has its own counterparts. eg:-MGU in kottayam and KNR university in Kannur, Kottayam Govt. medical college in KTM & Pariyaram in Kannur, RIT kottayam & Govt. Engg. College in Kannur.
And now Kannur, TCR, palakkad, even kasaragod is getting Big projects, not just one or two, but many.
And I'm talking about the projects which got momentum in the last few years. Whether the project proposals are old or new, Kottayam is still the most neglected district district under this govt.

@ Jayesh Krishna - The problem with mons joseph is that he is young and relatively new to the mainstream politics. I think He doesn't have much hold in the cabinet. also, he belongs to KC(J) and it is obvious that he can't do wonders like Kodiyeri, M.A.Baby, Issac, Rajendran, VijayKumar etc. who belong to the Big brother party CPM. (achumama thanne kayyumkettiyirikkumbol Monsinethu cheyyan pattum?)

Our ministers repeatedly say that private firms should not always depend on the state govt. for land aquisition etc. Good, I agree with the govt. The private parties can choose the place on their own will.

But when it comes to educational institutions-central or state, the state govt. have to decide where to set up theseeducational institutions. In this case, central travancore area is the most neglected.i'm including a list of some of the educational institutions which are comparitively new.
Some of them are proposed ones.(atleast, the govt. has considered these places for those projects)

1. TVM - IISER, IIST, RGBTC, National status for TVM medical college, IIITM,
Natpac, Barcoding & fingerprint centre, IT finishing school
Also IIIT????????

2. Quilon - Mineral institute, Kerala fashion tech inst., kerala Marine/maritime institute, English and foreign language university, shastra institute???
art and craft institute etc., ESI medical college

3. EKM- IISET/IIT status to CUSAT, MARITIME varsity, IT finishing school, CDIT centre etc., shastra university??????
fisheries institute????

EKM is one of the places considered for IIIT (indian institute of information technology) for the suitable land along with TVM and Trichur

4. TCR - medical varsity, world class university etc. , kalamandalam deemed varsity, BSF trainig centre
Also IIIT?

5. Palakkad- tribal institute, IIT?????

6. Malappuram - Alighard university off campus centre, new engg. colleges under cooperative society.

7. Calicut - hospitality institute, mother and child institute, mathematical institute, paramedical institute etc.

8. Kannur - NIFT, naval academy, Marine police academy, Cdit centre etc.

9. Kasaragod - Central varsity, Kerala marine/ maritime institute.

Our ministers repeatedly say that private firms should not always depend on the state govt. for land aquisition etc. Good, I agree with the govt. The private parties can choose the place on their own will.

But when it comes to educational institutions-central or state, the state govt. have to decide where to set up theseeducational institutions. In this case, central travancore area is the most neglected.i'm including a list of some of the educational institutions which are comparitively new.
Some of them are proposed ones.(atleast, the govt. has considered these places for those projects)

1. TVM - IISER, IIST, RGBTC, National status for TVM medical college, IIITM,
Natpac, Barcoding & fingerprint centre, IT finishing school
Also IIIT????????

2. Quilon - Mineral institute, Kerala fashion tech inst., kerala Marine/maritime institute, English and foreign language university, shastra institute???
art and craft institute etc., ESI medical college

3. EKM- IISET/IIT status to CUSAT, MARITIME varsity, IT finishing school, CDIT centre etc., shastra university??????
fisheries institute????

EKM is one of the places considered for IIIT (indian institute of information technology) for the suitable land along with TVM and Trichur

4. TCR - medical varsity, world class university etc. , kalamandalam deemed varsity, BSF trainig centre
Also IIIT?

5. Palakkad- tribal institute, IIT?????

6. Malappuram - Alighard university off campus centre, new engg. colleges under cooperative society.

7. Calicut - hospitality institute, mother and child institute, mathematical institute, paramedical institute etc.

8. Kannur - NIFT, naval academy, Marine police academy, Cdit centre etc.

9. Kasaragod - Central varsity, Kerala marine/ maritime institute.

Saikrishna,

You had mentioned here a number of projects that are slated to come up in kerala. But all the project except the ISST, IISER and Central University are small projects. I think some of the project in this category are coming up in kottayam as well.

Saikrishna,

You had mentioned here a number of projects that are slated to come up in kerala. But all the project except the ISST, IISER and Central University are small projects. I think some of the project in this category are coming up in kottayam as well.

in one word, 'NO'.

Saikrishna,

You had mentioned here a number of projects that are slated to come up in kerala. But all the project except the ISST, IISER and Central University are small projects. I think some of the project in this category are coming up in kottayam as well.

I think u can add Naval acadamy also to ur mega projects, list.....any thing from starting will be small but will grow in the consecutive years....we can consider here the case of technopark tvm.....it took some 15 to 16 years to make a mark in the IT senario.....still being one of the largest job provider in kerala in IT sector, it lags behind many other IT parks in south india.....so watz wrong wid kerala.....:ohno: can we blame GOK, Lack of planning may be the reason, or the changing govt in 5 years interval.....

Wat kottayam needs is the recognition it deserves, for that we need an IT park as a spoke, as u always says....which can grow into a hub, if god allowes....proximity to the emerging kochi, available talent pool......etc can bring kottayam up....for that it need support from GOK....

Infrastucture development must be given first priority for Kottayam.....

We dont need IT parks in every districts.....but we need it in the main
regional centers like,

1. KOLLAM
2. KOTTAYAM
3. THRISSUR
4. CALICUT [Already anounced- cyber park as an IT hub] and
5. KANNUR

:cheers::cheers:

Why not at palakkad, alappuzha and kasargod where IT SEZ are already confirmed.

@SA Krishna If you are comparing no of project in kozhikode with kannur then start comparing it with Kasargod. Kasargod stands next to trivandrum and kochi in number of projects announced. Even kannur IT park is coming near kasargod border. Kasargod and Kannur are backward districts. Backward districts will get priority for development. Asooyapettitt karyam onnum illa.

@ Sanju Chettan - tanx for understanding my worries

@Asleshji - TVM, Kochiyum bacwardayathukondano pinneyum pinneyum vambicha projects labhichukondirikkunnathu?
alla, arivilayma kondu chodikkuva- By backwardwness,what do u actually mean? pls clarify.

Or do u ppl think that since kottayam is the most literate district in India, hence it is the most foreward, richest and most developed district? if u r thinking in that way, then can we say that kerala is the most developed, richest, industrially developed state in india since it is the most literate state in the country? then what's the need for the state govt. to press for projects in kerala (kerala = kerala MINUS kottayam)?

kasaragodu is backward. i agree. but if u say kannur, i won't.

ivideyarkanu asuya?????????

pinne Asleshji, i repeat, i don't have anything against u or other kannureans or kannur. pls don't misunderstand me. i'm just questioning this unethical govt. policy. that's all.

Why not at palakkad, alappuzha and kasargod where IT SEZ are already confirmed.


Aslesh, done.............:cheers:

it lags behind many other IT parks in south india.....so watz wrong wid kerala.....:ohno: can we blame GOK, Lack of planning may be the reason, or the changing govt in 5 years interval.....



We dont need IT parks in every districts.....but we need it in the main
regional centers like,

1. KOLLAM
2. KOTTAYAM
3. THRISSUR
4. CALICUT [Already anounced- cyber park as an IT hub] and
5. KANNUR

:cheers::cheers:

Sanju,

"Trivandrum Technopark is lagging behind otherIT parks in south India". In what parameter you judged that? You have the responsibilty to prove that.
Be it in infrastructure, investment,size, no:of employees or what ever it is, you should say that.

I ask some questions to you about your claims in some other threads, I think you may have no answer.

I am not going to get into debate anyway, because it is not in the interest of this forum and Kerala.

Sanju,

"Trivandrum Technopark is lagging behind otherIT parks in south India". In what parameter you judged that? You have the responsibilty to prove that.
Be it in infrastructure, investment,size, no:of employees or what ever it is, you should say that.

I ask some questions to you about your claims in some other threads, I think you may have no answer.

I am not going to get into debate anyway, because it is not in the interest of this forum and Kerala.

Rajesh take it easy yaar......i hav told that its the single largest IT job provider and investment point in kerala.....u cant compare it wid other IT parks in south india....

When technopark exports some 1000 crore, Bangalore or hyderabad IT Parks exports 15000 crores or so....we hav to grow to tat level......

May be blore or hyd hav 15 plus such parks or many companies wid independant campuses which propells them to space when we are still there on earth..:)

KAKAYKKU TAN KUNJU PONN KUNJU.....Even i am proud of technopark man...:cheers:

So no more debates on this.....

somebody, please help me out to post video.

^^Sanju, there is something factually wrong in your post..And you mostly contradicts what you say..

You said Technopark lagging behind Bangalore and Hyderabad in IT exports. At the same instance you say that it is due to multiple IT parks, say 15 or more as well as independant campuses..

So there itself lies the fact. Technopark with its 4 milllion occupied space and 20,000 workforce, as a SINGLE IT PARK is bigger or better than most of the other IT parks.

Bangalore is a city of 7 million, with 6 lakhs of IT workforce, which is about the population of Cochin Corporation..

One more thing, there is a principle called '80-20' principle of Pareto principle in Management. The same applies in the case of Software Companies too. 20% of the IT majors carry 80% of the revenues, with TCS, Infosys and Wipro having the major share..

So the exports from Kerala will go up once their campuses employing several thousand happens.

And finally, for your Info, Technopark started functioning in 1995-96 and not in 1992. You cannot expect software exports to roll in when Govt decides to start TP and forms a Society. Brick, mortar and concrete need to be poured in to make the work spaces, which were ready and inagurated in 95-96 when Pampa and Periyar with a humble 60,000 sft in total became ready. And Technopark had its critical mass gained in the last five years only. Just wait for a few more years for the INFY and TCS campuses to get ready.

And this be the end of other discussions, this is a Kottayam projects thread. BTW Sakrishna, there is no point in whining always..

You said Technopark lagging behind Bangalore and Hyderabad in IT exports. At the same instance you say that it is due to multiple IT parks, say 15 or more as well as independant campuses..So there itself lies the fact. Technopark with its 4 milllion occupied space and 20,000 workforce, as a SINGLE IT PARK is bigger or better than most of the other IT parks.


Sudeeshji.....i told, it may be due to.....not, it is due to.......that reply was for rajesh....u know better than me about IT developments....and plz note, i din forget to state that TECHNOPARK is the single largest employer in kerala in IT....But i feel we can do more than this...so the question is y kerala is lagging behind other southern states.....in IT industry wat ever we spoke about kerala, it will directily effect tvm since its our IT hub....so i think GOK will hav to work hard to atleast reach half way wid bangalore, and i feel that we can achieve it as soon as possible.....hav any idea how much ITPL blore and hitechcity hyd exports...

My feeling, not in the near future, perhaps never..:) It is not easy to create the critical mass easily..Pyramids were not done in a fortnight. So when you advance two steps, the other guy can also leap twice as much..

I dont think Kerala or Trivandrum doesnot have much core competitiveness to match Bangalore, other than the operating costs, but in Kerala also real estate and other costs are going up.

and i feel that we can achieve it as soon as possible..

somebody, please help me out to post video.

Krishna, its simple...
From Youtube copy the code after the '=' sign
inside the [youtube] tags paste this code...

For eg, if you need to post this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IuzdSepd-I

Copy the code '4IuzdSepd-I' and then paste it in b/w the 2 youtube tags.. Make sure to close the second tag.

1. Trivandrum - IISER, IIST, Vizhinjam, National level status for Medical college, airport development, Rajiv Gandhi Biotech centre, International convention centre, Brahmos aerospace,Natpac campus, barcoding and fingerprint institute, Poovar shipyard, finishing school etc. etc. the list is endless (Because the place is trivandrum-right under govt.'s nose)

Sakrishna - I do not want to kick up another tussle of one city vs another, but frankly, a lot of us are sick and tired of statements like developments happen in Trivandrum "because the place is trivandrum-right under govt.'s nose".

Let's get one thing clear here. The very fact that Trivandrum was chosen as the State Capital was because it was the only modern city in Kerala at the time of state formation. An airport, matured educational institutions, a public transportation system and utilities like electric power, piped water and sewerage were present only in Trivandrum at the time. In fact, a sewerage system is still present only in Trivandrum 58 years later.

So, the capital being at Trivandrum is not charity but pure necessity.

Secondly, projects like Vizhinjam, VSSC, the Poovar shipyard and so on are compulsions of geography. Vizhinjam cannot be located anywhere else because of the strategic location and coastal geography of Trivandrum. Likewise, the beautiful beaches of Kovalam - Poovar which attract the maximum number of foreign tourists to Kerala are nature's gift not of any sympathetic government.

Travancore was the strongest and most progressive kingdom in the region and consequently, the Maharajas developed the best educational institutions and social infrastructure. R&D institutions like VSSC, SCTIMST, CDAC, NIIST, TBGRI and RGCB followed in these footsteps, they were not drawn by the lure of the Secretariat. And following these knowledge institutions came Technopark - a knowledge park. And its success is testimony to the correct choice of its location.

Today, Trivandrum has passed the critical mass for a knowledge and services based economy to develop, which is why it is the first choice in the State for world-class institutions like the IIST, IISER and IIIT. Do you think that the mere presence of a State Government could attract Central Institutions? Then, there are 29 state capitals which should get an equal share.

Do not forget for a second, that it was Bangalore's status as a knowledge hub that transformed it from a pensioner's paradise to India's Silicon Valley and not the presence of the Vidhan Soudha. The same holds for Pune now as well as Kolkata.

And the Travancore treasury has benefited people across Kerala, or perhaps we forget that FACT has the word "Travancore" in it?

Trivandrum is Kerala's oldest and biggest city, and now its knowledge hub and soon its logistics and industrial hub. That it is the Capital is a function of some of these and not the other way round. And it is also why it gets a lion's share of the private and public investment in Kerala.

Yes, projects like Vizhinjam, Technocity, Technopark, the International Convention Centre, umpteen malls and luxury hotels, countless residences and so on are all private investment. About Rs 25,000 Crores of it, at the last count. They are definitely not swaying to the beat of the sarkar drum, are they? Private investment seeks out the best returns, doesn't that say enough. And in Trivandrum, we are talking of actual development, not paper projects which come with a lot of hype but vanish silently.

It is up to each of us to see how our own cities can be developed best on their real merits and to work towards those goals. Complaining that the other guys are doing better won't help, learn from them if you must but the hard work is your own.

Cheers!

To add to what Ajay mentioned

INCOSPAR (Indian Committee for Space Research) lead by Prof Sarabhai was then part of Tata Institute of Fundamental research (TIFR) (lead by it's director MGK Menon). In 1962 INCOSPAR took the decision to setup Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) at Thumba (Trivandrum also known as Thiruvananthapuram) on the southern tip of India very close to earth's magnetic equator[8]

This is the reason why Trivandrum was chosen to setup VSSC.. not because it was captial of Kerala.. IIST followed VSSC.

as per following news, one SEZ proposal from ETL infr is also in kottayam

http://i38.tinypic.com/2hgz1p0.jpg

Sai why some section of kottayam people oppose angamaly-erumely railway line? i heard work for line already started ....

Krishna, its simple...
From Youtube copy the code after the '=' sign
inside the [youtube] tags paste this code...

For eg, if you need to post this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IuzdSepd-I

Copy the code '4IuzdSepd-I' and then paste it in b/w the 2 youtube tags.. Make sure to close the second tag.

thank u Anish chetta.

I dont think kerala can never ever challenge bangalore, so with chennai, HYd, NCR and pune

C, once 9187-acre Bidadi Knowledge City township gets momentum, competition itself will disappear. As per some news which i read sometime back around 270M sq ft built up IT space will be ready in another 3-4 years in bangalore.

Karnataka at the moment have around 100 SEZ. And kerala once compeletes its discussion on SEZ another 100 will be sanctioned in karnataka. And every industry now a days prefers to be a tenant of an SEZ to save a lot of tax. Bangalore now now have close to 7 lakh IT professionals and within another 5 years it wud cross 10 lakh.

I am not able to digest largest it park concept. C infy sez proposal in Mangalore is for 320 acres(130 Hs) which itself is bigger than technopark.

Kerala have missed buses, still miss many too.

Sai why some section of kottayam people oppose angamaly-erumely railway line? i heard work for line already started ....

thank u for posting the news of the 2 SEZs in kottayam. by the by, i didn't know abouth the SEZ by ETL infra. had only info abt the one by HNL @ vellore. didn't feel like posting it because it will have very little impact on the overall development of the district, the dist HQ. etc.

now, abt Angamali- erumeli railway line, the problem is that of the alignment. also, ecological issue is another factor. the originaly proposed route goes thru thickly populated and ecologically fragile areas when there is better, shorter, alternative route is there.

in my opinion, it's better not to go ahead with this railway line, considering the ecological aspect. instead of that, it's better to build chengannur-sabari line. the advantage is that the overall cost can be reduced and more areas in pathanamthitta distrcit can be brought under rail connectivity, which currently has only one railway station and few Kms of railway line. (even the so called backward district of kasargod has more than 70 kms of railway line - sorry, simply joking).

another priority of the govt. should be the Kottayam-madurai railway line, which was proposed way back in 1998. this will bring idukki Dt. into the rail map. it should be done without affecting the periyar wild life sanctuary etc.
the madurai based TN chamber of commerce and industries is very intersted in the project. sadly, our state govt. is not taking any initiative.

thank u for posting the news of the 2 SEZs in kottayam. by the by, i didn't know abouth the SEZ by ETL infra. had only info abt the one by HNL @ vellore. didn't feel like posting it because it will have very influence on the overall development of the district, the dist HQ. etc.

now, abt Angamali- erumeli railway line, the problem is that of the alignment. also, ecological issue is another factor. the originaly proposed route goes thru thickly populated and ecologically fragile areas when there is better, shorter, alternative route is there.

in my opinion, it's better not to go ahead with this railway line, considering the ecological aspect. instead of that, it's better to build chengannur-sabari line. the advantage is that the overall cost can be reduced and more areas in pathanamthitta distrcit can be brought under rail connectivity, which currently has only one railway station and few Kms of railway line. (even the so called backward district of kasargod has more than 70 kms of railway line - sorry, simply joking).

another priority of the govt. should be the Kottayam-madurai railway line, which was proposed way back in 1998. this will bring idukki Dt. into the rail map. it should be done without affecting the periyar wild life sanctuary etc.
the madurai based TN chamber of commerce and industries is very intersted in the project. sadly, our state govt. is not taking any initiative.

But the second proposed line will also have to face same issues rt? I assume the line proposed is chengannur -mangalm - poovathur-thottapuzhassery- raanni....from chengannur upto thottapuzhassery it is thickely poulated than current line. Also it is less benefial as the route is very small rt?. People of this area is definitely going to oppose this. expecially those from chengannur.

not sure abt kottayam madurai line proposal

People will oppose any project because they dont want to lose their own property. That is natural and the protest will end once a good package is given.

Sakrishna - I do not want to kick up another tussle of one city vs another, but frankly, a lot of us are sick and tired of statements like developments happen in Trivandrum "because the place is trivandrum-right under govt.'s nose".

Let's get one thing clear here. The very fact that Trivandrum was chosen as the State Capital was because it was the only modern city in Kerala at the time of state formation. An airport, matured educational institutions, a public transportation system and utilities like electric power, piped water and sewerage were present only in Trivandrum at the time. In fact, a sewerage system is still present only in Trivandrum 58 years later.

So, the capital being at Trivandrum is not charity but pure necessity.

Secondly, projects like Vizhinjam, VSSC, the Poovar shipyard and so on are compulsions of geography. Vizhinjam cannot be located anywhere else because of the strategic location and coastal geography of Trivandrum. Likewise, the beautiful beaches of Kovalam - Poovar which attract the maximum number of foreign tourists to Kerala are nature's gift not of any sympathetic government.

Travancore was the strongest and most progressive kingdom in the region and consequently, the Maharajas developed the best educational institutions and social infrastructure. R&D institutions like VSSC, SCTIMST, CDAC, NIIST, TBGRI and RGCB followed in these footsteps, they were not drawn by the lure of the Secretariat. And following these knowledge institutions came Technopark - a knowledge park. And its success is testimony to the correct choice of its location.

Today, Trivandrum has passed the critical mass for a knowledge and services based economy to develop, which is why it is the first choice in the State for world-class institutions like the IIST, IISER and IIIT. Do you think that the mere presence of a State Government could attract Central Institutions? Then, there are 29 state capitals which should get an equal share.

Do not forget for a second, that it was Bangalore's status as a knowledge hub that transformed it from a pensioner's paradise to India's Silicon Valley and not the presence of the Vidhan Soudha. The same holds for Pune now as well as Kolkata.

And the Travancore treasury has benefited people across Kerala, or perhaps we forget that FACT has the word "Travancore" in it?

Trivandrum is Kerala's oldest and biggest city, and now its knowledge hub and soon its logistics and industrial hub. That it is the Capital is a function of some of these and not the other way round. And it is also why it gets a lion's share of the private and public investment in Kerala.

Yes, projects like Vizhinjam, Technocity, Technopark, the International Convention Centre, umpteen malls and luxury hotels, countless residences and so on are all private investment. About Rs 25,000 Crores of it, at the last count. They are definitely not swaying to the beat of the sarkar drum, are they? Private investment seeks out the best returns, doesn't that say enough. And in Trivandrum, we are talking of actual development, not paper projects which come with a lot of hype but vanish silently.

It is up to each of us to see how our own cities can be developed best on their real merits and to work towards those goals. Complaining that the other guys are doing better won't help, learn from them if you must but the hard work is your own.

Cheers!

ajayetta, i have nothing against TVM or Kannur or any other place in Kerala. It is not due to 'ASOOYA' also. It's about the sheer negligience from the part of our Govt. and some partial policies taken by the Govt. and I am not talking about malls etc., whenever some private part or central govt. or our own state govt. announced any big project, have they considered Kottayam?

take the example of IT parks - i very well remember the day when Achumama announced abt setting up small IT parks outside the 3 main cities. Kottayam was one among those places. now, it has been decided to set up IT parks in all districts. that means, here also Kottayam doesn't have any exclusive mega project. also, Kottayam, which can be considered as the 5th/6th main city (sorry for using the term city, i've used it as a general term), won't be getting this district level IT park in the 1st phase.

i already knew why VSSC was set up at TVM- due to it's proximity to the equator. even i'm proud of the mega projects like vizhinjam, technocity, vallarpadom, beypore and azhikkal port, naval acdemy etc. these will benefit not just kerala, but our nation as a whole.

see, i'll give an example. naval academy is coming up in kannur. so why, another one such institute, the marine police academy is being set up in kannur. why not in alappuzha? why kannur was the only choice - simple, Kodiyeri is from kannur.
kannur will be getting NIFT also, anoter central govt. funded institution.
aother projects include- the airport, port, pass port centr etc
remember, most of these big projects worth 100s of crores.

Still ppl from Malabar complain that govt. doesn't care abt the malabar region at all.

similarly, our state govt. decided to set up BSF training centre in trichur district. then the world class university. now the medical varsity. still trichur ppl complain that they haven't got anything.

kollam - foriegn language university (more than 50 acres project), shastra city (definitely, not a small one) etc. mineral institute at chavara etc.
in this i can agree that mineral institute is best suited to kollam only consiering that fact that it has large deposits of precious minerals. but what about the other two educational institutions.

now kasaragod- the so called backward district- it all started with petrochemical complex.now see what all other projects kasaragod will be getting. central varsity, HAL factory, coal based power plant etc. does kottayam have atleast one such big project?

similarly in Trivandrum :
Vizhinjam-obviously we can't think of constructing such a mega project anywhere else, considering the draft needed etc. also, IIST, due to proximity to Thumba and VSSC. we can also admit if IIIT is given to TVM, since TVM is the pioneer in IT industry in kerala. but can we justify the coming up of IISER also in TVM. Also, initially the Govt. thought of setting up IIT in trivandrum. then only they considered kochi and later palakkad.see, here also TVM was their main preference.
also, some dumb ppl think that IITs should be constructed near industrialized cities. let me say, whan india's 1st was IIT set up in Kharagpur, it wasn't much industrialized. in AP, IIT is coming up in Medak and not in any of the three main cities. Similarly, in Rajasthan, the govt. wants to set up IIT in Kota, not considering it's indusrial background, but considering it's prominance as an IIT JEE coaching hub.
so I'm asking, why don't the govt. set up IIT in Kottayam - famous for many entrance coaching centres ?

kottayam also has very rich talent pool eg:- ECG sudarshan, K.G.Balakrishnan etc. but has this govt. done anything for kottayam in the educational field?

palakkad (another place in Malabr, the so called neglected region of Kerala- the mega textile park, defence park, 5000 cr. coach factory and allied industries etc. als, i think another HAL factory will come in palakkad along with Kochi in the future.

let me tell you an incident. one of my friend, fortunately or unfortunately, a trivandrumite, had to go thru kottayam- Kumarakom road, just to pick up one of his relatives, who were on their way to attend a marriage in Trichur.
remember the fact that Kumarakom is an international tourist destination.
he told me that everyone in their vehicle felt like vomitting, and vowed not to take up journey thru kottayam thereafter.
Here, we have ppl frm north kerala (not everyone, like Sanju chettan who has experienced the conditions) have a thinking from the from the Malappuram-trichur border to TVM- TN border, you have very grat roads, comparabel to the finest in the world, where u can have a peaceful jorney.

i still wonder, why ppl think that i don't have any reason to complain?

by the by, sorry if i've hurt any one, directly or indirectly. let's end this discussion here.

I dont think kerala can never ever challenge bangalore, so with chennai, HYd, NCR and pune

C, once 9187-acre Bidadi Knowledge City township gets momentum, competition itself will disappear. As per some news which i read sometime back around 270M sq ft built up IT space will be ready in another 3-4 years in bangalore.

Karnataka at the moment have around 100 SEZ. And kerala once compeletes its discussion on SEZ another 100 will be sanctioned in karnataka. And every industry now a days prefers to be a tenant of an SEZ to save a lot of tax. Bangalore now now have close to 7 lakh IT professionals and within another 5 years it wud cross 10 lakh.

I am not able to digest largest it park concept. C infy sez proposal in Mangalore is for 320 acres(130 Hs) which itself is bigger than technopark.

Kerala have missed buses, still miss many too.

True facts......but there is no falt in dreaming....:)

Bangalore bases INDUS group comes to Kottayam.

Indus Krishna,Puthenangadi.

http://i38.tinypic.com/ftdocj.jpg

Bangalore bases INDUS group comes to Kottayam.

Indus Krishna,Puthenangadi.

http://i38.tinypic.com/ftdocj.jpg

thank u Nishanthetta for posting that. saw the ad on todays manorama. but was unable to post it. i tried to visit their website - but it's under construction. and there was no mention on the location in the ad. they hadn't mentioned their b'lore adress also. nw only i've come to knw thath they r B'lore based. any way thanks for posting. looks like puthenangadi is going to be new residential hotspot of kottayam - a trend started by wexco homes.

^^
Their website is here..:)

http://www.induscivilisation.com/projects.html

Kottayam Office:
1st Floor, Siva Sailam, Kodimatha, M. C. Road, Kottayam - 686 039.
Tel: 91 - 481 - 6500525, 91- 481 - 6500526.

I dont think kerala can never ever challenge bangalore, so with chennai, HYd, NCR and pune

C, once 9187-acre Bidadi Knowledge City township gets momentum, competition itself will disappear. As per some news which i read sometime back around 270M sq ft built up IT space will be ready in another 3-4 years

Kerala have missed buses, still miss many too.

The point is that IT companies are diversifying to find more talent, to de-risk themselves from geo-political threats and to find lower costs of operation. The first and last factors greatly favor Kerala.

It's pretty certain that Kerala will never challenge Karnataka, TN, AP, NCR or Maharastra, or even WB, but we can still lead the rest. And NASSCOM and other studies show that upto 30% of the industry will be outside these existing centers by 2015 or so.

We can aim for a major share of that pie and I am sure with projects like Technocity and the district parks coming up, we have a good shot at it.

@ Sakrishna - I never said that Kottayam does not have cause for complaint, but there is no point blaming other districts for snatching projects away. The IISER, for example, was set up in Trivandrum because it is an institute of higher learning and research which needs similar institutes to partner with. Trivandrum has the highest number of world-class R&D and post-graduate educational institutions in India, possibly after Bangalore, Pune and New Delhi. So, it was a clear case.

Again, in the case of many other projects, other districts have gained due to the presence of a port or large tracts of vacant land.

Finally, politics has a very strong hand to play where other factors don't. But, Kottayam is the heartland of one of the two fronts in Kerala politics. Many of the prominent leaders in Kerala are from the district. So if there is any neglect of the district, it can't be due to lack of political representation, can it?

Valid point :)

The point is that IT companies are diversifying to find more talent, to de-risk themselves from geo-political threats and to find lower costs of operation. The first and last factors greatly favor Kerala.

It's pretty certain that Kerala will never challenge Karnataka, TN, AP, NCR or Maharastra, or even WB, but we can still lead the rest. And NASSCOM and other studies show that upto 30% of the industry will be outside these existing centers by 2015 or so.

We can aim for a major share of that pie

^^
Their website is here..:)

http://www.induscivilisation.com/projects.html

Kottayam Office:
1st Floor, Siva Sailam, Kodimatha, M. C. Road, Kottayam - 686 039.
Tel: 91 - 481 - 6500525, 91- 481 - 6500526.

tanx......

But the second proposed line will also have to face same issues rt? I assume the line proposed is chengannur -mangalm - poovathur-thottapuzhassery- raanni....from chengannur upto thottapuzhassery it is thickely poulated than current line. Also it is less benefial as the route is very small rt?. People of this area is definitely going to oppose this. expecially those from chengannur.

not sure abt kottayam madurai line proposal


sorry, don't have much idea or info on this. but KTM-MADURAI line was proposed 1998, i think when the NDA was in power.

The point is that IT companies are diversifying to find more talent, to de-risk themselves from geo-political threats and to find lower costs of operation. The first and last factors greatly favor Kerala.

It's pretty certain that Kerala will never challenge Karnataka, TN, AP, NCR or Maharastra, or even WB, but we can still lead the rest. And NASSCOM and other studies show that upto 30% of the industry will be outside these existing centers by 2015 or so.

We can aim for a major share of that pie and I am sure with projects like Technocity and the district parks coming up, we have a good shot at it.

@ Sakrishna - I never said that Kottayam does not have cause for complaint, but there is no point blaming other districts for snatching projects away. The IISER, for example, was set up in Trivandrum because it is an institute of higher learning and research which needs similar institutes to partner with. Trivandrum has the highest number of world-class R&D and post-graduate educational institutions in India, possibly after Bangalore, Pune and New Delhi. So, it was a clear case.

Again, in the case of many other projects, other districts have gained due to the presence of a port or large tracts of vacant land.

Finally, politics has a very strong hand to play where other factors don't. But, Kottayam is the heartland of one of the two fronts in Kerala politics. Many of the prominent leaders in Kerala are from the district. So if there is any neglect of the district, it can't be due to lack of political representation, can it?

tanx ajayetta, i understood.but pls don't think that i'm a Trivandrum 'virodhi', i'm not.
Nor i have enemity towards any other place. i'm proud to be an INDIAN not just a Kottayamite or Keralite.:)

The Kottayam - Madurai railwayline was proporsed way back in 1998.
if this becomes a reality, then goods from madurai and nearby regions can be easily transported to the Kochi port. now, a major part of these goods comes to kerala by road (thru madurai - Kochi NH and K.K. Road), and hence the cost of transportation is comparitively high.

The upcoming Kottayam port at Nattakom is supposed to act as a hub port for Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta district.this will reduce the overall logistics cost to Kochi port.

now, i'm envisaging a plan, which may or may not be a blunder.

Construct a new port (container port) at Pallom in Kottayam district. Rail connectivity can be had from Chingavanam. Construct a new ship channel : Kottayam(Pallom)-Alappuzha-Arabian Sea Ship channel. this will enable small ships to directly come to the Port at Pallom. So, a major part of goods from/to Madurai can be exported/Imported thru Kottayam (pallom) port.
Then, the upcoming Kottayam port at Nattakom can be converted into a Marina which will enable small yatchs to berth. There should be facilities to treat wastes from House boats etc. at the Nattakom port. Another option is to restore this place back for paddy cultivation.

One main advantage will be that there will be less dependance on Kochi port. also, this will decongest the Kochi port to small extant. Also, water transport is very cheap and hence considering the rising crude oil price, this will be an advatage. This will also lead to the overall development of Kottayam, Pathnamthitta and Idukki districts.

FOR THIS PROJECT, NOT EVEN A SMALL PORTION OF THE LAKE SHOULD BE RECLAIMED.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1319/pallomportdi5.png

River authority for Meenachil proposed
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/September%202008/29-09-08/paristhithi--1.jpg
Kottayam: The committee on environment of Kerala Assembly has mooted formation of a river authority for Meenachil river as part of removal of pollution.

Committee chairman Rajaji Mathew Thomas, MLA, and other members A.Hamza and Roshy Augustine, MLAs, received petitions from various people at the sitting held in the collectorate conference hall here on Monday.

Meenachil river is the main water source in Kottayam district. Pollution of the river should be taken care of at any cost.

Pollution in river Periyar could be controlled to some extent as a result of the intervention of the Assembly committee, Rajaji Mathew Thomas said.

Depositing wastes and garbage and other pollutants was the main cause of environmental degradation of the river and nearby areas.
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/September%202008/29-09-08/paristhithi--2.jpg


LINK (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=929200862912PM2028&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=2203)

SOURCE:http://kottayamvartha.com

Hello, I am a Kottayamite and a long term "lurker" of this thread.. Wish I could post some pictures of the town but like most others, I too am away from the place and stay in Mumbai. Btw, I can safely agree with Sakrishna with his opinion that Kottayam has been one of the most ignored of the districts by this and previous governments.

The town has the potential to grow and become a model city. It has everything a good city needs -- except for political will.

Btw, I'm from Kumarakom :) and yes, I have a home by the lakeside! Kottayam is an amazing place and love each and every moment of my vacations there. But, one day I intend to come back there and do something for the place.

now, i'm envisaging a plan, which may or may not be a blunder.

^^ - Sakrisha, it takes courage to be a dreamer and to talk about your dreams! :applause:

The idea of an inland port has a lot of merit considering that water transport has a huge cost advantage over even rail transport. And an inland port at Kottayam could have a vast chunk of Kerala and TN as hinterland.

The two key technical hurdles would deepening the lake to accomodate large barges or even small ships and the idea of cutting a channel to the Arabian Sea. The former can be done easily enough and in fact, the Inland Waterways Authority is already dredging Vembanad for the National Waterway III. But the cutting of a new shipping channel to the Arabian Sea may pose considerable challenges.

More feasible alternatives would be to transport cargo using the National Waterway to Cochin or Trivandrum, or to use the existing canals of Allepey to reach the Arabian Sea and then to go along the coast to the transshipment hubs at Vizhinjam or Vallarpadam.

Looking forward to more from you!

Beljino to set up manufacturing plant in Kottayam
Hindu Business Line, India - 21 hours ago
KOCHI: Hong Kong-based sanitary brand, Beljino International, would set up a manufacturing plant in Kerala, with an investment of $400000



http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/19051721.htm

Beljino to set up manufacturing plant in Kottayam
Hindu Business Line, India - 21 hours ago
KOCHI: Hong Kong-based sanitary brand, Beljino International, would set up a manufacturing plant in Kerala, with an investment of $400000



http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/19051721.htm

kottayam b'cmin a manufacturing hub? i'm still wondering hw they came to knw abt kottayam and whate made them decide to set up factory in kottayam?

anyway, tanx for posting.

Hello, I am a Kottayamite and a long term "lurker" of this thread.. Wish I could post some pictures of the town but like most others, I too am away from the place and stay in Mumbai. Btw, I can safely agree with Sakrishna with his opinion that Kottayam has been one of the most ignored of the districts by this and previous governments.

The town has the potential to grow and become a model city. It has everything a good city needs -- except for political will.

Btw, I'm from Kumarakom :) and yes, I have a home by the lakeside! Kottayam is an amazing place and love each and every moment of my vacations there. But, one day I intend to come back there and do something for the place.


so, official welcome to Kottayam@SSC buddy. so, a lake side house @ kumarakom. gr8. must be having a resort like life there, when u r dere.
and many many tanx for ur support.

abt negligience to Kottayam, what to say, we Kottayamites knw the reality. the politicians must open thier eyes. when will they change their attitude towards Kottayam? only GOD knows.

^^ - Sakrisha, it takes courage to be a dreamer and to talk about your dreams! :applause:

The idea of an inland port has a lot of merit considering that water transport has a huge cost advantage over even rail transport. And an inland port at Kottayam could have a vast chunk of Kerala and TN as hinterland.

The two key technical hurdles would deepening the lake to accomodate large barges or even small ships and the idea of cutting a channel to the Arabian Sea. The former can be done easily enough and in fact, the Inland Waterways Authority is already dredging Vembanad for the National Waterway III. But the cutting of a new shipping channel to the Arabian Sea may pose considerable challenges.

More feasible alternatives would be to transport cargo using the National Waterway to Cochin or Trivandrum, or to use the existing canals of Allepey to reach the Arabian Sea and then to go along the coast to the transshipment hubs at Vizhinjam or Vallarpadam.

Looking forward to more from you!

tanx Ajayetta for the comment. To be frank, u / ur article on Vizhinjam (on ur blog) was one of the sources of inspiration. it was gr8 and really enjoyed reading the article. keep up the good work.

and 'The cutting of New channel' idea made me to think whether it'll be a blunder or not. otherwise the vessels will have to take a lengthy turn thru kochi to reach Kottayam.Also we'll have to wait till the completion of renovation of Thaneermukkom bund, only after that small ships will be able to call at Kottayam port. Till then, containers can be transported thru barges only.

Also, for any port to grow, rail connectivity is a must. if my plan becomes a reality, then very easily we can connect the pallom port with rail, since chingavanam is hardly 1-2 kms from pallom. Another advantage is that the Poovanthuruthu industrial area is very nearer to Pallom.

sadly, many of my friends snubbed me and made fun of me when i told them that kottayam will become a port city very soon. the reaosn is that they haven't heard abt inland waterway ports and are not aware of importance and advantages of inland water transport system.

They think that inorder to constuct a port in a place, there should be a sea frontage. I don't blame them (all because of their ignorance).
Also,it is a fact that many ppl don't knw that Kolkata/Haldia ports are actually riverine (located on Hoogly river bank).

I'll post more on my views on Kottayam development. I Request fellow kottayamtes @ SSC - Jayesh krishna/ttand3t, v-8ras to help me and to post their opinion.

@Jayesh Krishna - will Kottayam airport become a reality? I have a doubt over that bcoz our district panchayath is full of problems.
Since u r a NRI working in Kuwait, i hope u may have some info on that. if yes, pls reply.tanx.

is it possible for Kottayam to become the 'Gate way of Central Travancore'?

Wexco Homes - Norwich Meadows @ Kumaranalloor
Wexco Homes (http://www.wexcohomes.com)
http://www.wexcohomes.com/bevnom1.jpg

NJT Homes - Green Acres, near Ettumanoor
NJT Homes (http://www.njthomes.com)
http://www.njthomes.com/project/green/main_image.jpg

Realtec - Grandeur @ Manarcad
Realtec (http://www.realtec.in)
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8183/realtecsg3.png

sadly, many of my friends snubbed me and made fun of me when i told them that kottayam will become a port city very soon. the reaosn is that they haven't heard abt inland waterway ports and are not aware of importance and advantages of inland water transport system.

They think that inorder to constuct a port in a place, there should be a sea frontage. I don't blame them (all because of their ignorance).
Also,it is a fact that many ppl don't knw that Kolkata/Haldia ports are actually riverine (located on Hoogly river bank).

^^ - Lol, you can ask your friends to look up wee ports like Shanghai or those in the Great Lakes in the US one of these days. Even the port at Ernakulam is not a sea-front port, it is an estuarine port, built inside an existing lake/river estuary.

Keep writing! :)

Industrial park at Kidangoorhttp://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/09-10-08/monsfs.jpg
Kottayam: The first industrial park in Kottayam district would be set up at a 50-acre plot at Kindangoor, PWD Minister Mons Joseph told mediapersons here on Thursday.


The project called Integrated Infrastructure Centre would be established at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore, of which 40 per cent would be provided to the state government by the Cenre.

The project is being executed by KINFRA. A committee consisting of the district collector, representatives of KINFRA would be set up to pursue follow-up measures. Discussions would be held with land-holders, people's representatives and political leaders in this connection.

LINK (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=109200843431PM2366&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=2541)
courtsey:http://kottayamvartha.com

The first inland mini-port in the country would be opened at Nattakom on Kerala State formation day on November one.

With the commissioning of the port, for which export-import permission was granted under the Customs Act by the Union Finance Ministry, door would be opened for transport of goods from the land-locked districts of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta to the Cochin port on the west coast and back.

The port, a joint venture of the state-owned Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) and the South Indian Chamber of Commerce, is expected to provide a boost to the cash crop industry in the central Travancore region of the state.

Work on the Rs 9.5 crore project, for which the Kottayam Port and Container Terminal Services Private Limited company was constituted, started two years ago. The state government has a 49 per cent stake in the company.

The port, spread over 8.5 acres of land on the banks of river Kodoor opening into the sprawling Vembanad lake, has a 40,000 sq ft warehouse, 10,000 sq ft administrative building, offices for shipping agents, banks, container yard and facilities for online tracking of cargo transport.

Construction of a 300 DWT barge capable of carrying ten containers had also been completed.

Proposal for a new approach road to the port from the M C Road is awaiting clearance from the State Cabinet, said Mr V K Vasavan, who represents Kottayam in the State Assembly.

Source (http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-32957.html)

^^ - Nice to see that this project is on track, should be a big boost to trade in the region. It has taken Kerala 50 years to get around to using its ubiquitous backwaters.

News Dated : Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Vasavan optimistic about opening port in November http://www.myvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-08.jpg
Kottayam: V N Vasavan, MLA, is cocksure that the work on Kottayam port would be completed soon and the project would be commissioned by the end of November.

He recounted to Kottayamvartha online newspaper that all speculations about hiccups were wrong.

He was visiting the port area to see the construction work and also the barge getting ready. This would be the first port in the country, which is being commissioned by government and private participation. This would also be the first port connecting inland waterways.

Vasavan felt that in the wake of the the whole infrastructure work having been completed, like the main office complex, warehouse, barge, it would be possible to see through the commissioning by November end.

The remaining issues are with regard to the road connecting the port with the main road. Land has to be obtained from the education and industries department. Speculations are with regard to the land being secured on both sides of the present panchayat road which has to be widened to eight metres. The delay has occurred as there was some misunderstanding on the part of the officials.

The departments concerned would release the land free of cost forthwith. Steps are on the anvil, the MLA pointed out.
http://www.myvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-07.jpg



News Dated : Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The barge of Kottayam port has special featureshttp://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/Barg-1.jpg

Kottayam: The barge nearing completion for use in the Kottayam port has special features.

The barge is constructed for a port which is being set up with government-private participation. It would be the biggest barge in the State as it has 300 dwt capacity. It can carry 10 containers at a time. As many as 6000 containers would reach Kottayam a year utlising the services of this barge.

It is a single-engine barge working entirely on hydraulic system. The barge is designed in such a way that it would consume the least quantity of fuel per hour. Its completion is taking the least time. The largest number of Malayalis working here and the least number of outside workers pressed into service are the other specialities.

Moreover, the country would have the first port connected with inland water transport. It is proposed to to utilize the services of two such barges in Kottayam port.

When the renovation work of Thanneermukkom bund gets completed, with the setting up of the lift bridge there, bigger barges could be run. Also foreign ships could have berthing facilities.
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-03.jpg




News Dated : Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Kottayam port pre-commissioning work at fast pacehttp://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-1.jpg

Kottayam: The Kottayam port is nearing construction work in the interior of Nattakom at a fast pace. The only bottleneck in the expedition of work is with regard to the eight-metre-wide road connecting the port with the main road.

It seems days are not far off when barges would be plying through River Kodoor and Vembanad lake to the Sea at Kochi and back with numerous containers, offering dreams of development on both banks.

Port department, Customs, Electricity, Forest, Industries and other agencies concerned have been taking concerted action these days with the keenness to have the port working at the earliest.

The building complex has been completed, the work on making the barge is nearing completion. Considering the interest shown by various institutions and agencies concerned, the authorities were quick to add that the commissioning would materialise in
November.

KINFRA and South Indian Chamber of Commerce is undertaking the work jointly on an 8.5- acre plot . The 40,000 square-foot warehouse, 10,000-square-foot administrative block, offices for shipping line agents, bank, strong-room, canteen, barge-berth are all at the last stage of completion.

Work on the barge to carry containers, container yard, online trucking for goods transport, the beautification of the road and compound are all going on expeditiously.

Of this, the road work alone has been remaining to be undertaken. Steps are also being taken to remove all hurdles in this regard.

The commissioning of the port would go a long way to the quick development of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts.

Kottayam Port and Container Terminal Service Private Ltd is the company running the port services. Construction work started in 2006. The government holds 49 per cent of the shares and private parties and institutions 51 per cent of the shares.
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-02.jpg
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-11.jpg

http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-04.jpg
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-06.jpg
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/15-10-08/nattakam-09.jpg



SOURCE:http://kottayamvartha.com

News Dated : Monday, October 13, 2008
Silver jubilee of foundation, but not a stone has come up morehttp://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/13-10-08/indor-stadiumfs.jpg

Kottayam: Perhaps the indoor stadium project proposal would find a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Not for accomplishment, but for non-starting.

The silver jubilee of the first laying of the foundation stone seems to be over. For the foundation stone was laid in 1983. Later, it seems foundation stones were laid two more times in various governmental dispensations. Alas, the indoor stadium is not to be.

Kottayam municipality handed over a plot of one acre and sixty cents of land to the sports council at Nagampadam for constructing an indoor stadium and sports hostel.

As the project did not take off for more than 20 years, the municipality had written to the sports council asking it to hand back the property. The municipality was not getting the tax dues also.

Negotiations were held between the representatives of the municipality and the sports council in the presence of the-then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to iron out the differences and to find a way-out. It was decided to return 40 cents of land to the municipality for building a sports hostel. The municipality would give two acres of land at Kodimatha to the sports council. The driving test being conducted at the venue at Nagampadam was being shifted to Thiruvathukkal

These decisions did not come up to the execution stage The sports council expanded the project proposal to have a commercial complex and parking area and to hike the seating capacity of the stadium from 2000 to 2,500. The level of the ground was also being raised by one metre.

When T.K.Ramakrishnan was the Minister, he had taken initiative to have the stadium. But the effort has not fructified.

Recently, Sports Minister M.Vijayakumar, while felicitating Sunny Thomas, the shooting coach, at a function in Kottayam spoke about constructing the indoor stadium.

It may not be without some concrete ideas that Vijayakumar made the announcement. Let us hope the indoor stadium would come up some time or the other.
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/13-10-08/indor-stadium3.jpg
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/13-10-08/indor-stadium2.jpg


LINK (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=1013200840425PM2501&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=2676)
SOURCE:http://kottayamvartha.com

News Dated : Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Indiana Students Living to learn in Kottayam Homes By Kurian Pampadi

http://www.myvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/14-10-08/India_jpg-2.jpgDr. K.M. Seethy, Director of the School of International Relations and Politics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, inaugurates the South Asia Study Abroad Programme of Indiana students at the School Seminar Hall.
KOTTAYAM: Ten students, five of them girls, from Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, have just joined the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, for a course of study under a South Asia Study Abroad Programme, fully financed and supported by their parent University in the United States.
In the School of International Relations and Politics on the University campus, they will learn various facets of Indian life by ?context theory and practice?.

They have opted for homestays around the university to live and learn, instead of the drab hostels or hotels. Their electives include lectures in Contemporary Social Issues, Politics, Economics, English, Tamil and Film. Of course, they will learn rudiments of Malayalam from their hosts in their homestays.
In between they will have an exposure to the culinary art Kerala in Akkara Homestay on the banks of Meenachil River. They will participate in the cooking of Palappam, fish curry, rice and chicken, topped by Palpayasam and will eat their spicy, sour and sweet handiwork.

They will also witness Kerala's famous martial art, Kalarippayattu, at CTP Kalari, Kaduthuruthi, and will have a Theyyam demo by Rajesh at the same venue. They will have an overnight stay in a houseboat in Kumarakom. During weekends, the students will have the option to visit Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Thrissur from where they will move to Kalamandalam to have a firsthand experience of Kathakali and Mohiniyattom.
http://www.myvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/14-10-08/India_jpg-1.jpgMs Padma Swaminathan addressing the opening session of the American students campus programme at Kottayam.
The South Asia Study Abroad Programme, initiated last year, is designed to give the young Americans a firsthand information on the cultural, social and economic life of the host countries, said Ms Padma Swaminathan, Director of the programme. Ms July Bringman from Richmond is her Associate.

The MGU study programme was inaugurated by Dr. K.M.Seethy, Director of the School. Dr. Raju Thadikaram, the Programme coordinator, presided. Dr. A.M Thomas, Reader in the School, also spoke.


The students include Adam Estroff, Alex Arnold, Benjamin Smith, Oliver Jacobs Dougherty and Philip Oechsli among men and Erin Witham, Kaitlyn Husar, Kathryn Knudson, Krista Rumschlag and Megan Rahill among women. Among their teachers are Professors Babu Jose, K.M.Krishnan, AM. Thomas, V. Mathew Kurian and V.C.Harris. Padma herself will teach Tamil.

The students are excited at the prospect of Barak Obama being elected as the new American President on November 5 while they are in Kottayam. When Obama wins, we will have a big celebration in the MGU campus. said Benjamin Smith who has the looks, height and weight of Kerala's famous TV cookery host Naushad. But he hails from New Mexico.



LINK (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=1014200862107PM2538&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=2713)

SOURCE:http://kottayamvartha.com

The first inland mini-port in the country would be opened at Nattakom on Kerala State formation day on November 1.

With the commissioning of the port, for which export-import permission was granted under the Customs Act by the Union Finance Ministry, door would be opened for transport of goods from the land-locked districts of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta to the Cochin port on the west coast and back.

The port, a joint venture of the state-owned Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) and the South Indian Chamber of Commerce, is expected to provide a boost to the cash crop industry in the central Travancore region of the state.

Work on the Rs 9.5 crore project, for which the Kottayam Port and Container Terminal Services Private Limited company was constituted, started two years ago. The state government has a 49 per cent stake in the company.

The port, spread over 8.5 acres of land on the banks of river Kodoor opening into the sprawling Vembanad lake, has a 40,000 sq ft warehouse, 10,000 sq ft administrative building, offices for shipping agents, banks, container yard and facilities for online tracking of cargo transport.

Construction of a 300 DWT barge capable of carrying ten containers had also been completed.

Proposal for a new approach road to the port from the M C Road is awaiting clearance from the State Cabinet, said Mr V K Vasavan, who represents Kottayam in the State Assembly.

Munroe light, set up by colonel Munroe, in the year 1813, is a perfect evidence of the bygone British colonial era in Kottayam. Other heritage strucutres of the colonial era include - CMS press and CMS college (The original name of CMS college was College COTYM. COTYM is the anglicized version of Kottayam.)
Coming back to Munroelight,this wonderful piece of architecture is older than many Sea facing light houses in the state. It is situated near the place where Kodoor river meets the great Vembanad lake.But it is poorly maintained, clearly understood from the picture put up below. Wish it is included in the Heritage list and maintained properly, and should be opened to public.

Photo courtsey: Niikon @ flickr

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8536/munroelightlk5.png

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/8539/munroelight3nz7.png

Inland waterway project gets stuck in a morass
Dennis Marcus Mathew
ALAPPUZHA: A major project to revive and develop three of the State’s important waterways passing through the districts of Alappuzha and Kottayam has been in limbo since November 2005, leaving both districts confused whether the project will ever be completed.
The project, initiated in 2003 as part of the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) with World Bank assistance, was to develop the 23-km Kottayam-Alappuzha inland waterway, the 38-km Kottayam-Vaikom waterway and the 27-km Alappuzha-Changanassery via Kavalam waterway.
With an inland container terminal set to come up at Kottayam, tourist inflow on the rise and Kuttanad’s connection with the outer world depending much on these waterways, the project envisaged removal of water hyacinths and other obstructions in these routes; strengthening of the canal shores with concrete sheets and stonewalls; deepening of the canals; 116 new wharfs; one modern boat terminal each at Kottayam and Changanassery; six new bridges at Illickal, Kanjiram, Thiruvatta, Kidangara, Arpookara and Pulikuttysseri and 10 walkover bridges at different spots.
Contract
According to Kuttanad Development Society (KDS) executive director Fr. Thomas Peelianickal, Kochi-based Bhageeratha Engineering was handed over the contract by the Inland Water Transport Division under the Water Resources Department with a project estimate of Rs.60.90 crore and a deadline of two years.
“But by August 2005, only 12 per cent of the work worth Rs.7 crore was completed and the contract was terminated in November 2005. Bridges were built at Thiruvatta and Arpookara, but approach roads were not constructed. Work on the Changanassery boat terminal was only in the initial stage at that time and was abandoned,” Fr. Peelianickal told The Hindu.
“A new contractor was roped in to complete these works with an estimate of Rs.6.6 crore. But there is no clarity as to whether contracts will be awarded to take up the crucial works of cleaning of the three waterways, canal shore strengthening and protection and the remaining four bridges. The remaining Rs.47 crore is likely to lapse if immediate steps are not taken,” he said.
Container terminal
The inland container terminal at Kottayam would require development of the feeder canals towards the terminal while transport through these routes would play a major role in development of the Kuttanad region, he said, adding that if the government failed to revive the project, KDS would launch an agitation.

Source:http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100156011000.htm

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in IndiaFour Seasons Hotel Mumbai has 202 guest rooms and suites. While it has a tiny lobby, the company has not scrimped on the room sizes and the base room size is 36 square meters whilethe presidential suite is 310 square meters. Its restaurant San-Qi, the 180 seater Asian restaurant serves Japanese, Wok and Tandoori cuisine. Other dining options are the 60 seater Italian restaurant Prato and The Bar and Verandah, as well as the Club and the pool deck. The hotel has more than 500 square metres of dedicated indoor meeting and function areas and also a business center, plus will add a ballroom and other extended meeting facilities by the end of next year. The two-storey spa at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai offers traditional ayurvedic therapies and western treatments, and has a Chi Studio (accommodating yoga, meditation and aerobic activities), pool, extensive gym, relaxation lounge, and a Rossano Ferretti salon. Over the next couple of years the following properties will be added to the company’s portfolio:

Four Seasons Hotel Hyderabad will be located in HITEC City, and will have a total of 190 rooms with 35 villas and is expected to open in 2011. It is being developed by Emaar MGF
Four Seasons Hotel Gurgaon is located within DLF Golf and Country Club in southeast Gurgaon. It will have 225 rooms and is expected to open in 2012. It is being developed by DLF Group
Four Seasons Resort Kerala is located on the shores of Vembanad Lake, Kottayam district, about 50 kms south of Kochi. The property will have 75 villas with 20 private residences and will open by 2012. It is being developed by Emaar MGF
Four Seasons Hotel Bangalore is located in Makeri Circle along Bellary Road. The property will have 220 rooms with 88 serviced residences and 95 private residences and will open by 2012. It will be developed by Goldman Sachs/Whitehall and some local partners, including Westcourt Real Estate.


Source:http://www.expresshospitality.com/20080915/management03.shtml

From todays News:
Source:http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101952510500.htm


CII development plan for 4 districts
Special Correspondent
Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur are the districts
KOCHI: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is preparing detailed plans for the development of the four districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur.
The project is part of a CII initiative under its India@75 national vision. Sixteen districts in south Indian States are covered under the scheme.
CII chairman B.V.R. Mohan Reddy said that CII would work for the promotion of tier II and tier III cities which were the growth engines of the economy. About 30 to 35 per cent of the country’s population lived in metros and the remaining in rural or semi-urban areas, he said.
CII-Kerala State council chairman M.S.A. Kumar said that CII aspired to make Kerala the skills capital of the world. With this aim, CII-Kerala was transforming ITIs. There was a mismatch between skills attained and those in demand, he said. Many institutes did not have faculty development programmes and lacked facilities to impart service sector skills.
Mr. Kumar said that CII-Kerala had adopted 13 ITIs for upgrading across the State in the first and second phases of the project between 2007 and 2008. In the third phase, ten more ITIs would be adopted in public private partnership in 2008-09.
CII-Kerala had signed a MoU with Marian College, Kuttikanam, and would provide pre-employment, industry-specific training to 1,000 youths from Idukki and Kottayam districts under a grass root-level skill development initiative. CII was also providing modular employable skills in over 308 trades across 31 sectors, mainly for school dropouts with a minimum 5th pass. Under its ‘Urban Kerala Mission: City Connect Kochi’ initiative, CII was planning to fund a common city foundation. The fou ndation would work on commonly agreed programmes.


Training Youths of Kottayam and Idukki and still they won't be able to find employment in their own districts. what does this mean?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A not so old news
Source:http://www.aol.in/news-story/cii-to-train-25000-school-dropouts-in-southern-states/2008062808489012000017/index.html

CII to train 25,000 school dropouts in southern states

Indo Asian News Service
Last Updated: June 28, 2008 08:50:04
Chennai, June 28 (IANS) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will help upgrade the skills of 25,000 school dropouts in the southern states to make them employable, said a senior CII official here Saturday.
The CII would adopt 92 industrial training institutes (ITIs) in the four states for upgradation through public-private partnership (PPP) scheme and train 5,000 faculty members on 'soft skills' through industry-university consortium, said CII-southern region chairman B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, who is also the chairman and managing director of Infotech Enterprises Ltd.
CII would also work for the introduction of 'soft skills', a choice based credit system (CBSE), in 15 universities in Tamil Nadu, and set up a skills academy in Chennai, he told reporters.
The CII would enhance the employability of 10,000 socially disadvantaged students under its 'affirmative action' initiatives. It would also take steps to provide education to industry workers.
Reddy said CII would focus on a 10-point agenda and implement the key recommendations of Vision 2025 document towards making 'the southern region a front-runner in socio-economic development'.
Reddy also announced that the CII would kickstart a project for competency assessment of colleges in Tamil Nadu. It will launch 'college excellence clusters' to enhance quality of education and conduct training programme for faculty members.
'CII believes that tier II and III cities such as Hosur, Erode, Vizag, Vijayawada, Belgaum and Kottayam are the new destination for investments and the growth engines of economy,' Reddy said.
He added that the industry body would speed up other infrastructure development projects like road connectivity and airport expansions in the south

What does this mean? Is it that CII is just another central Govt. body which doesn't keep its words? Or is it only in the case of Kottayam?
:bash:

^^krishna, CII is an association of business houses and not a Govt body..

'CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation.'

http://cii.in/menu_content.php?menu_id=3

^^krishna, CII is an association of business houses and not a Govt body..

'CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation.'

http://cii.in/menu_content.php?menu_id=3


Oh, I didn't know that.tanx Sudeeshetta .
anywayz, I hate CII since they haven't kept their promise.

^^Krishna, please understand, there are no feelings and sentiments in business. :)

^^Krishna, please understand, there are no feelings and sentiments in business. :)

I agree....:ohno:

Tanx to the sincere efforts from the part of Shri V.N. Vasavan MLA, the controversy which pulled back the commissioning of the port, is over, it seems. tender will be called for the development of the road as soon as possible, according to PWD minister mons Joseph. Hope the port will be dedicated to the nation on Nov. 1 itself.

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4130/42461090mo0.png

Source:http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=1019200862021PM2680&Sid=10&Opps=1&Cnt=2855 (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=1019200862021PM2680&Sid=10&Opps=1&Cnt=2855)

Source:http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=1019200862021PM2680&Sid=10&Opps=1&Cnt=2855

Rakindo's Kumarakom project will soon be the 'Crown Jewel' of Kerala's tourism landscape. Spread over 450 acres and set amidst the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, 'Kumarakom Resorts', Rakindo's resort-themed township will incorporate the best of lifestyle concepts including
A 18-hole international golf course
Resort hotel & spa
Chic cafes & restaurants
Street mall
Villas
Condominiums

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7964/kumarakammasterplanbigat5.th.jpg

Rakindo Developers will also develop its signature brand integrated townships in Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala;

Changanasserry-Kottayam waterway being cleared
http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/October%202008/24-10-08/amrithapuri-backwater-1.jpg
Kottayam: The 18-km Changanasserry-Kottayam waterway, which had fallen redundant on account of silting and growth of water hyacinths, is being restored utilising funds that would be available from the Central scheme.

The waterway is being revived by joint efforts of gram panchayats at Vazhappally, Kurichi, Neelamperoor and Nattakom using funds from the Haryali scheme of the Central Government.
The renewed interest of the gram panchayats has arisen from the fast steps undertaken for the materialisation of Kottayam port at Nattakom by Keralappiravi day on November 1.
When the Kottayam port gets operational, containers would be brought from Kochi port by barge. The products to be exported from the surrounding districts of Kottayam can be ploughed back to Kochi through the port.
When the Changanasserry-Kottayam waterway is cleared, boats and countrycraft can transport goods to Kottayam port. Moreover, seeds, fertilizers, harvested paddy, haystacks etc can be transported through the canal. Also the water level in the areas concerned would be mopped up.
Vazhappally panchayat would be undertaking renovation works from Thuruthel bridge to Neelamperoorchira, a distance of four kms, at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore.
Neelamperoor panchayat is taking up a project costing Rs 1.19 crore for renovating 4.5 kms of the waterway from Mulachamthuruthy to Kavalam Narayanakkallu.
Kurichi gram panchayat has a Rs 2.18 crore project to renovate 2.5 kms of the waterway in the Karunattuvala area.


link:http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=10242008122957PM2851&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=3026

SOME RESORT ON THE VEMBANAD LAKE SHORE
photo (C): Jørgen K H Knudsen (http://www.panoramio.com/user/240417) @ panoramio.com (http://panoramio.com/)
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/1486974.jpg


SUN SET @ KUMARAKOM
photo (C): kullar (http://www.panoramio.com/user/507094)@ panoramio.com (http://panoramio.com/)
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2431528.jpg

TAJ GARDEN RETREAT, KUMARAKOM
photo (C): kullar (http://www.panoramio.com/user/507094)@ panoramio.com (http://panoramio.com/)
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2431754.jpg

MEENACHIL RIVER @ THAZHATHANGADI HERITAGE ZONE (OLD KOTTAYAM - THE HEADQUARTERS OF ERSTWHILE THEKKUMKOOR ROYAL FAMILY)

Photo (C): girish kumar p j (http://www.panoramio.com/user/1264821) @ http://panoramio.com
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/7157940.jpg

MATA HOSPITAL@ THELLAKOM, NEAR ETTUMANOOR

Photo (C): ujames (http://www.panoramio.com/user/689460) @ http://panoramio.com (http://panoramio.com/)

http://static3.bareka.com/photos/medium/15138270.jpg

http://www.flairalliance.com/crux-flair/store_images/0000/1259/ele.jpg

Oil Palm India Head Quarters.Located at Kottayam,India.Project started in 2006 and estimated to be complete in 2009 with a cost of USD 0.75 Million.

http://www.mmparchitecturals.com/images/OILPALM.jpg

Architect: MMP Architecturals, Kottayam
http://www.mmparchitecturals.com

Oil Palm India Head Quarters.Located at Kottayam,India.Project started in 2006 and estimated to be complete in 2009 with a cost of USD 0.75 Million.

4 years to build a 4 storied building????:bash::bash::bash:

i was in kerala for three weeks and that was the reason for my silence.
the only progress i witnessed is in the ssc forums.reality is far far away.:ohno:the skeletons of cloud nine in munnar, the hyacinths in vembanad,polythene covers in kodoor river,polluted meenachil,crowding guides towards foreigners,i feel we have a long way to go to be classified as a tourist destination:ohno:.mere captions and slogans is useful to initiate a flow of tourists but to sustain it u need proper culture.
the only progress i noted was in real estate prices and the increased number of people flocking towards godmen for miracles.there is no alternative for hard work,only benefit is for the so called godmen.
wat happened to the kottayam airport,will it ever see light.heard the proposed site is near kidangoor,or is it a rumour i dont know.i have serious doubts abt the viability of ktm port due to the lack of rail or inland water connectivity from the east..kattappana is the major trading town in the east.if they can transport goods upto ktm by lorry,y not the lorry travel another 30 kms and reach kochi via thodupuzha,moovattupuzha.u can eliminate the unloading,loading,barge charges,container charges,delay ,nokkukooly,etc,etc.anyway they might know better.i liked kuttikkanam very much,a drastic change from a sleepy hamlet to a vibrant education centre but still maintaining its natural beauty and the vanishing mist.i feel kuttikkanam is an ideal place for professional education centres and with the availability of cheap and vast land compared to rest of kerala,it should be developed as an education centre.
road,power,hygiene and health are the priority areas for kerala.i hope our administration will open eyes before its too late.:ohno::ohno:

http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/260000000846f009/1/166/wgHyPrg62z-36uvV0VqkYpYJd-AAHL5A.jpg (http://www.slide.com/s/l05svUCu6j-zdUtbD_iK79QpQjHyzJIW?referrer=hlnk)

http://www.srkconstructions.com/crux-srk/store_images/0000/2145/Menora_large.jpg

http://srkconstructions.com

Cool project man! :applause::applause::applause:

^^ - Nice one! :)

SRK MENORA looks modern......

^^ - Nice one! :)
indeed

i was in kerala for three weeks and that was the reason for my silence.
the only progress i witnessed is in the ssc forums.reality is far far away.:ohno:the skeletons of cloud nine in munnar, the hyacinths in vembanad,polythene covers in kodoor river,polluted meenachil,crowding guides towards foreigners,i feel we have a long way to go to be classified as a tourist destination:ohno:.mere captions and slogans is useful to initiate a flow of tourists but to sustain it u need proper culture.
the only progress i noted was in real estate prices and the increased number of people flocking towards godmen for miracles.there is no alternative for hard work,only benefit is for the so called godmen.
wat happened to the kottayam airport,will it ever see light.heard the proposed site is near kidangoor,or is it a rumour i dont know.i have serious doubts abt the viability of ktm port due to the lack of rail or inland water connectivity from the east..kattappana is the major trading town in the east.if they can transport goods upto ktm by lorry,y not the lorry travel another 30 kms and reach kochi via thodupuzha,moovattupuzha.u can eliminate the unloading,loading,barge charges,container charges,delay ,nokkukooly,etc,etc.anyway they might know better.i liked kuttikkanam very much,a drastic change from a sleepy hamlet to a vibrant education centre but still maintaining its natural beauty and the vanishing mist.i feel kuttikkanam is an ideal place for professional education centres and with the availability of cheap and vast land compared to rest of kerala,it should be developed as an education centre.
road,power,hygiene and health are the priority areas for kerala.i hope our administration will open eyes before its too late.:ohno::ohno:

Well come back buddy, and i appologise for a late reply. I was fighting hard with exams:lol:
yes, whatever you expressed is true. About the port also, i've certain doubts.
To make it more profitable, it needs to be connected with parts of Idukki etc.

If the proposed Kottayam-Madurai railway line becomes a reality, it'll give a boost to the port. The aerial survey was conducted long back and it's much shorter than many existing routes. It'll also generate a lot of income to the railway.Sabarimala pilgrims will also benefit from this line.

The proposed route is 'Kottayam-Kumaranalloor-Kidangooor-Pala-Ramapuram-Karimkunnam-Thodupuzha-lower Periyar-Panamkudi-Thevaram-Theni-madurai'.
But with such a govt. which is unfriendly toward this region, especially to Kottayam and with selfish political leaders of the district who can't rise above their narrow interst, we kottayamites can only dream, can't hope.

We also need river authorites, Vembanad protection authority etc.
One thing i like about our CM is that he is not corrupted (i think so) unlike his rival in his own party. His policies like protection of wetlands etc should be appreciated. But we humans are to be blamed. In the process of making money, we don't care for such things.

About the airport, i don't know whether it'll see the light of the day.
All that we can do now is simply dream.....

http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/260000000846f009/1/166/wgHyPrg62z-36uvV0VqkYpYJd-AAHL5A.jpg (http://www.slide.com/s/l05svUCu6j-zdUtbD_iK79QpQjHyzJIW?referrer=hlnk)

tanx for posting this.....

Rakindo's Kumarakom project will soon be the 'Crown Jewel' of Kerala's tourism landscape. Spread over 450 acres and set amidst the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, 'Kumarakom Resorts', Rakindo's resort-themed township will incorporate the best of lifestyle concepts including
A 18-hole international golf course
Resort hotel & spa
Chic cafes & restaurants
Street mall
Villas
Condominiums

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7964/kumarakammasterplanbigat5.th.jpg

Rakindo Developers will also develop its signature brand integrated townships in Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala;

Dear Kollam Illam, this one has already been posted.
anyway, Tanx.looking forward to more from u....

[/URL]

http://www.wexcohomes.com/gal/imwst1f.jpg

http://www.wexcohomes.com/gal/imwst6f.jpg

http://www.wexcohomes.com/gal/imwst3f.jpg

Oliveyard @ Puthenangadi - update
http://www.wexcohomes.com/gal/imoly4d.jpg

Source:[URL="http://wexcohomes.com/"]http://wexcohomes.com (http://wexcohomes.com)

http://www.skylinebuilders.com/crux-skyline/store_images/0000/6628/PA240021.JPG

Belvadere @ Puthenangadi
http://www.skylinebuilders.com/crux-skyline/store_images/0000/6644/bv-1.jpg

source:http://skylinebuilders.com (http://skylinebuilders.com/)

Alapra hills and forests, near Erumeli, 45 Kms from Kottayam Town

Photos courtsey: Sunesh NV

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6971/image023yy5.jpg (http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6971/image023yy5.jpg)

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7128/image028qy7.jpg (http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7128/image028qy7.jpg)

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4060/image024sw7.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4060/image024sw7.jpg)

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8642/p1016512th7.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8642/p1016512th7.jpg)

St.Alphonsa is India's first Christian woman saint.
http://www.alphonsamma.org/stAlhonsa1.jpg (http://www.alphonsamma.org/Alphonsa's%20Photo.htm)

http://www.alphonsamma.org/Tomb1.jpg

Source:http://www.alphonsamma.org

The village of Bharananganam owes its name to this temple. The temple, known as Dakshina Guruvayoor (Guruvayoor of the south), is much older than the famous Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swami temple.

http://bharananganamtemple.com/images/DSC_0213-.jpg

http://bharananganamtemple.com/images/DSC_0186.jpg

http://bharananganamtemple.com/images/DSC_0214-.jpg

http://bharananganamtemple.com/images/DSC_0221.jpg


Orgin and History
The temple is situated at Bharanganam on the northern bank of the Meenachil river 6 km east of Pala on the Pala-Poonjar route. It is believed that the temple was on the southern bank until the river changed its course in the not too distant past, may be a few hundred years ago.

The legend associated with the temple goes back more than 5 millenia, towards the end of Dwāpara Yuga (864000 years long, the 3rd of the 4 aeons of Hindu Mythology). The 5 Pāndava brothers of the great epic Mahabharata had lost their legitimate Kingdom to their wicked cousin brothers, the Kauravas, in a treacherous chess game and had to live incognito for 14 years. The Pandavas were ardent devotees of Sree Krishna, a contemporary incarnate of Vishnu of the Hindu Trinity. Dharmaputra (aka Yudhishtira) ,the eldest,was the very embodiment of piety and was very keen in observing without fail the sacred Ekādesi rite (11th day after each Full/New Moon) even while wandering in the forests. On one such occasion, while in the precincts of modern Bharananganam, he needed an idol of Vishnu to conclude the rite on the 12th day. One of his brothers, Bhima , following Sage Nārada’s instructions and after a super human effort , succeeded in bringing (believed to be from Sarayu, a tributary of Ganges in the northern Himalayas) a beautiful Vishnu idol carved in a vary rare precious variety of granite (‘Anjanasila’). Dharmaputra duly installed and consecrated the idol, and performed the concluding rite known as ‘Pārana’. The area, forest at the time, came to be known as ‘Pāranamkānam’ (‘kānam’ in the vernakular meant forest) which in course of time changed to its present form ‘Bharananganam’. The only other South Indian temple where a similar precious idol is worshipped is the world famous Guruvayoor in northern Kerala. At least according to legends the Bharananganam temple precedes the Guruvayoor temple chronologically because the origin of the Guruvayoor temple was in the early part of Kali Yuga (432000 years long, the last aeon of Hindu mythology). But the idol at Guruvayoor has a longer legendary history because Sree Krishna used to worship it in Dwāraka until his ascension to heaven (aka 'Vaikundom', his eternal abode) which marked the onset of Kali. In any case devotees consider Bharananganam as the Guruvayoor of the south (of Kerala). May Almighty Bhagavan Sree Krishna protect us all from the ravages of Kali Yuga.



Source:http://bharananganamtemple.com/

Source:http://manoramaonline.com

http://static.manoramaonline.com/portal/MM_Photo_Galleries/Festival/Thirunakkara_Festival_2008/thirufes22.jpg

http://static.manoramaonline.com/portal/MM_Photo_Galleries/Festival/Thirunakkara_Festival_2008/thirufes16.jpg

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Thirunakkara Shiva Temple, The Main Centre of Worship of Kottayam Town

During the Sabarimala season, the temple will be crowded with sabarimala pilgrims

http://static.manoramaonline.com/portal/images/editorials/Thirunakkara-temple.jpg

This is the only temple in Kerala dedicated to Sun God.
Pic courtsey: vinodkumar (http://www.panoramio.com/user/864981) @ Panoramio (http://panoramio.com)

http://static3.bareka.com/photos/medium/15990834.jpg

Venue: Palli Bhagavathy Temple at Neelamperoor (Alappuzha district), 16 km away from Kottayam

Neelemperoor Pooram Padayani is held at the precincts of the beautiful temple of Goddess Bhagavathy at Neelemperoor near Kottayam.
During the pooram festival, decorated motifs of Swans; both large and small, form part of the Kettukazcha the symbolic offering made to the Goddess. These are then carried in a procession, on the main day of the festival in which bigger ones are moved on platforms with wooden wheels and smaller ones carried on the shoulders of devotees. A unique aspect of the motif decoration here at Neelemperoor is the sourcing of different colours.
The required colours are taken from the surroundings, in the form of leaves, flower petals, parts of the coconut tree and other local plant varieties.
The procession is conducted at night and in its course towards the temple; it is accompanied by the reverberating beats emanating from several traditional drums (Chenda) along with clanging of Cymbals that fills the air with a captivating rhythm.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 16 km away.


Thanks to Anishettan (Scorpiogenius), now i know how to post videos

8trkQy95a0U

Source: Youtube
All credits to respective persons who shot these videos

This is actually an ad of a real estate agency

tN-UxXphdwo

Kodimatha to Kumarakom

mxIsrdfQxYs

http://homebasics.co.in
[/URL]
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Planning commission has not given green signal for the Kottayam Airport project saying that it is not feasible:bash:
I don't know what made them to arrive to such a conslusion.I think they 'jumped' to the conclusion.
hey, we are not talking of an international airport project. this is a mini airport project. It'll not swallow traffic of other nearby airports, instead it was supposed to act as a feeder airport.
This clearly shows this Govt.'s hatredness towards kottayam.
inland waterway project, meenachil river valley project and now Kottayam airport.
I'm wondering what made them to make such a conclusion? for people of idukki and Pathanamthitta, they've to travel more than 100 kms to reach either kochi/TVM airport.
Considering the fact that Kottayam is the most important city of this region as well as the gateway for all the important places in central travancore,
and with sizable NRI presence, Kottayam deserves an airport.

Is it bcoz Kottayam is not a so called backward region? or is it bcoz CPM doen't have much hold in the district (which is not true)?

Sakrishna - This is quite sudden. :( I don't know whether the Govt. had a consultant on the job to do a detailed techno-feasibility study but according to me some of the reasons for this set-back could be:

- Proximity to the Cochin and Trivandrum Airports. Both are just 2-3 hours away by road. Consider a commuter flight, when we factor in the time spent at airports, time to travel to and from airports and the actual flight time, we are looking at atleast an hour from city center to city center, more in the case of Cochin where the airport is far outside town. So would a saving of an hour be justified by the cost of a commuter flight, which usually tends to be higher per kilometer than a medium/long haul flight? In fact, I personally prefer a fast train like Shatabdi for the commute between Trivandrum and Cochin, despite the flight option being available.

- As you mentioned, a significant portion of traffic would be international which would be impossible from a small airfield.

- In the current scenario, many airlines have stopped flying to small airports. That could have discouraged the Govt. if they had approached airlines.

To be very frank, I am still skeptical of the Kannur Airport project itself. No offence, but it remains to be seen how much traffic it can garner sandwiched between Kozhikode and Mangalore airports. Despite being an "NRK state", Kerala has nowhere near the flying density of a developed country or even that of an area like NCR or Greater Mumbai which are doing fine with a single airport. To go beyond the three current international airports at this stage may be folly.

However, the work around for Kottayam is to look at flights to regional hubs instead of just to Trivandrum, Kozhikode or Cochin. By linking directly to Chennai and Bangalore, and to the international/domestic flights from those airports, the proposed Kottayam Airport can raise itself from feeder status to regional status. At such distances, flying actual becomes much more viable.

I don't think this news is something to lose hope over but rather to reinvent the project. It is not about the political will, but about that of the people. If stalwarts like you can put your brains and voices to the cause, I am sure we will soon see the first flight land at Kottayam! :)

^^^^
Ajayetta, tanx for understanding my worries.
What u said may be the truth. they might not have undertaken a proper feasibiltiy study.
Yes, Kerala has 3+1 (Kannur) international airports, i don't think there is a need for another international airport in kerala, in the near future. But Kottayam deserves a Domestic airport or atleast an airstrip. This will not only make this region accessible by air, but it will also propel the overall development of the region.
But i just can't understand why this Govt. is neglecting this region like this.
Once again, I sincerely thank you for the support. It's because of people like u, i'm still there in SSC.
Anyway, I'm not going to sit idle and will do my best to make this project a reality. I'm seriously thinking about meeting Shri V.N.Vasavan MLA.
(Annan Kunjum Thannalayathu).

Estilo Projects - Sarovaram Residential project @ Kumaranalloor,
Near Kumaranalloor Devi Temple, on the banks of Meenachil river

http://www.estiloprojects.com/images/sarovaram_view.jpg

http://estiloprojects.com

^^^^
Ajayetta, tanx for understanding my worries.
What u said may be the truth. they might not have undertaken a proper feasibiltiy study.
Yes, Kerala has 3+1 (Kannur) international airports, i don't think there is a need for another international airport in kerala, in the near future. But Kottayam deserves a Domestic airport or atleast an airstrip. This will not only make this region accessible by air, but it will also propel the overall development of the region.
But i just can't understand why this Govt. is neglecting this region like this.
Once again, I sincerely thank you for the support. It's because of people like u, i'm still there in SSC.
Anyway, I'm not going to sit idle and will do my best to make this project a reality. I'm seriously thinking about meeting Shri V.N.Vasavan MLA.
(Annan Kunjum Thannalayathu).

Sai, I salute you for your great efforts for Kottayam development. You seem to be a lone warrior like me (for Kollam) who are showcasing the respective cities projects and scenic beauty. It is a pity that very few Kottayamaites and Kollamaites are there in these forums. Though, some people are born in these cities, but rather advocating and showcasing some other city's developments and projects. I would rather request them to support their birth place as well.

I really appreciate your spirits and enthusiasm towards Kottayam which was one of the reasons that I really became an active member of the Kollam thread throughwhich I could do something for my land.

Sai, I salute you for your great efforts for Kottayam development. You seem to be a lone warrior like me (for Kollam) who are showcasing the respective cities projects and scenic beauty. It is a pity that very few Kottayamaites and Kollamaites are there in these forums. Though, some people are born in these cities, but rather advocating and showcasing some other city's developments and projects. I would rather request them to support their birth place as well.

I really appreciate your spirits and enthusiasm towards Kottayam which was one of the reasons that I really became an active member of the Kollam thread throughwhich I could do something for my land.

Tanx buddy. :)

Vigilance court inaugurated at Kottayam
Kottayam Sep 27 | Saturday, Sep 27 2008 IST

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan inaugurated the fourth court of inquiry commissioner and special Judge (Vigilance) in the state here today. In his inaugural address the Chief Minister said in order to contain bribery and corruption, cases should be disposed off speedily. Inquiry should be completed in a time bound manner and trial should also be conducted speedily, he said. Chief Justice of Kerala High Court Justice H L Dathu presided over the function. Home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who delivered the keynote address said steps were being taken to streamline the vigilance department. Facilities in courts would be improved.


http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20080927/1064260.html

Master plan for Kottayam town soon

To be finalised within a month

Development needs for 50 years to be covered

Plea to shift KSRTC bus stand


KOTTAYAM: A comprehensive project for the development of Kottayam town and its adjacent areas would be finalised within one a month, Mons Joseph, Minister for Public Works, has said.

The project being implemented with help of Infrastructure Kerala Ltd., (InKEL) will be completed within three years. The Minister was speaking on the occasion of the meeting on town development held at the collectorate.

One of the basic works that has to be taken up was the preparation of a Master Plan for the town, he said. People’s aspirations and suggestions would find a place in the Master Plan and the project would be implemented as per the prioritisation in the Plan, he said.

The plan would take into account the development needs of the town for the next 25 to 50 years, he added.

The Minister also said that the State, was planning the development of a road network and not the development of any particular road. The strategy was to focus on several projects so that the comprehensive development of the towns could be taken up, he said.

A meeting of the people’s representatives and senior officials will be held after one month to finalise the first phase of the project, Mr. Joseph said. The district panchayat president K. P. Sugunan, speaking on the occasion, said the development of water bodies should also be considered.

The development of culverts, bridges and junctions should also taken into account, he said. V. N. Vasvan, MLA in his address said that the KSRTC Bus Stand should be removed to Nagampadom area in proximity to the railway Station and the Private Bus Terminal.

The District Collector P. Venugopal, District Superintendent of Police Mathew Policarp, InKEL Managing director G. C. Gopala Pillai and others participated.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/20/stories/2008122054200300.htm

^^
ha ha..nice to hear..a 'dream' project (we can and should dream only, can't and shouldn't hope). i've no doubt, even this will remain on paper, won't take off.....anyway, thanks for posting this Dinakar...

^^
ha ha..nice to hear..a 'dream' project (we can and should dream only, can't and shouldn't hope). i've no doubt, even this will remain on paper, won't take off.....anyway, thanks for posting this Dinakar...

Dont be disheartened Krishna,be optimistic, if there are vested interests involved in this project,it will materialise and i have a feeling it will.
First this project is going to be executed by INKEL.Just go to their website and see the director board and you can see some powerful names in there.Then if you add what Dr.Thomas Issac told yesterdaay about the need for private participation in infrastrucure development I think there is enough reason to be optimistic.
I wote a mail to the M.D of INKEL Mr.GOPALA PILLAI about my suggestions which i had already discussed in SSC forums and he replied he will ask his staff to go thro these suggestions.So Krishna,I suggest you and your friends to send mails to the M.D MR.Gopala Pillai about your plans and aspirations when the master plan is concieved.you can get his id from INKEL site thro google(pillai.gopal@gmail.com).So dont lose hope and spur yourself into action and now is the time for that.cheers:banana:

[QUOTE=ttand3t;24153176]:ohno::ohno:.we can anticipate obstacles in the development of kottayam airport because there are around 25 fivestar hotels and many service apartments coming in and around kochi and the development of a kottayam airport will be detremental to their existance and thats a very powerful lobby.these hotels are targeting tourists to be their main source and they will not let the hub status to be shifted out of kochi.anyway lets wait and see how the picture unfolds.

In addition to that i would like 2 add the name of CIAL and then i dont give even 1% chance for the kottayam airport to become a reality.the above quote was made in august

Fellow ssc forumites,shoot your suggestions and aspirations to INKEL M.D Mr.Gopala Pillai

MERRY XMAS TO ALL KOTTAYAM FORUMITES OF SSC

[QUOTE=ttand3t;24153176]:ohno::ohno:.we can anticipate obstacles in the development of kottayam airport because there are around 25 fivestar hotels and many service apartments coming in and around kochi and the development of a kottayam airport will be detremental to their existance and thats a very powerful lobby.these hotels are targeting tourists to be their main source and they will not let the hub status to be shifted out of kochi.anyway lets wait and see how the picture unfolds.

In addition to that i would like 2 add the name of CIAL and then i dont give even 1% chance for the kottayam airport to become a reality.the above quote was made in august

You are true. The inside Kerala lobbies are playing spoilsport for most of the development projects in Kottayam and Kollam. The same thing is going to happen for the Kollam Port and Kollam Cashew Board. It is a pity.:bash::bash::bash:

[QUOTE=ttand3t;24153176]:ohno::ohno:.we can anticipate obstacles in the development of kottayam airport because there are around 25 fivestar hotels and many service apartments coming in and around kochi and the development of a kottayam airport will be detremental to their existance and thats a very powerful lobby.these hotels are targeting tourists to be their main source and they will not let the hub status to be shifted out of kochi.anyway lets wait and see how the picture unfolds.

In addition to that i would like 2 add the name of CIAL and then i dont give even 1% chance for the kottayam airport to become a reality.the above quote was made in august

Have a more practical view my friend . Airport is not something which you can have in every nuke and corner in the state . There is no necessity at all. Already such a small state is having 3 airport and another one coming up at Kannur . Is Airports like IT park which every district wants.
In Mumbai average travel time of people will be 3 hrs up and down from work place to home.
Cant our people travel atleast 2-3 hours once in a year to reach nearest airport. Kannur airport is a classical case , cant the Gulf people travel 3-4 hrs once in a year from Calicut airport to Kannur , rather than insisting airports at everyones doorsteps. That land would have better used to setup indutrial area and would have provided Jobs to thousands of people.

There is a general phenomenon of blaming CIAL for each and everything , there was similar things quoted when International Flight status for Calicut was denied , I have seen many forumers who are ardent critics of Kochi claiming CIAL is behind it .Some even went to say that 70% of CIAL's international passengers will get affected . If there words were true , CIAL would have been closed by this time. We can understand certain people making nonsense comments , But atelast sensible people like you should refrain from such.

And who gave u the idea the numerous 5 star hotels coming in Kochi is also behind blocking an airport for Kottayam , Think more sensibly.

Btw I have no inetntion to hurt any Kottayam people , but facts cannot be twisted.
Rather the MLA's there should capitalise the closeness of Kottayam with Kochi .

Dont be disheartened Krishna,be optimistic, if there are vested interests involved in this project,it will materialise and i have a feeling it will.
First this project is going to be executed by INKEL.Just go to their website and see the director board and you can see some powerful names in there.Then if you add what Dr.Thomas Issac told yesterdaay about the need for private participation in infrastrucure development I think there is enough reason to be optimistic.
I wote a mail to the M.D of INKEL Mr.GOPALA PILLAI about my suggestions which i had already discussed in SSC forums and he replied he will ask his staff to go thro these suggestions.So Krishna,I suggest you and your friends to send mails to the M.D MR.Gopala Pillai about your plans and aspirations when the master plan is concieved.you can get his id from INKEL site thro google(pillai.gopal@gmail.com).So dont lose hope and spur yourself into action and now is the time for that.cheers:banana:

Nice to hear from u buddy, and i sincerely appreciate for the sincere effort u have taken...hope ur suggestions too would be included in the masterplan....
but as long as this govt. is in power, it's better not to expect anything.....
that's why i have no hope......I'm not supporting UDF either.They too are utter waste. There's solid proof that KTM is the most neglected district in Kerala.

we don't even have a Central Govt. Institution or any institute of national level importance, where ppl from other states can also learn..

Except few apartments coming up in kottayam town and few resorts in kumarakom, there's not much development happening in Kottayam.....

That's why I get dejected every time.....whenever a new project is granted to the state, our state Govt. don't even consider Kottayam...still ppl from other districts think theirs is the most neglected district.

We already had a long discussion on these issues......still, i can't hide my emotions.....that's y i brought this issue again into the forum.

A couple of days b4, a fraud who belong to CPM came to meet one of the Bishops in kottayam.....inorder to satisfy his hunger for votes (what they couldn't achieve from their party meet conducted in kottayam).......

They need Kottayamites' precious votes, but are not ready to do anything 4 Kottayam.

Eventhough Shri Vasavan belongs to CPM, he has show some sincerety and interests in Kottayam's development, what other MLAs and MPs from the district don't have. After all, he's just an MLA, so he has got limitations.

Hope our ministers will change their attitude towards Kottayam....

[quote=ttand3t;29817842]

Have a more practical view my friend . Airport is not something which you can have in every nuke and corner in the state . There is no necessity at all. Already such a small state is having 3 airport and another one coming up at Kannur . Is Airports like IT park which every district wants.
In Mumbai average travel time of people will be 3 hrs up and down from work place to home.
Cant our people travel atleast 2-3 hours once in a year to reach nearest airport. Kannur airport is a classical case , cant the Gulf people travel 3-4 hrs once in a year from Calicut airport to Kannur , rather than insisting airports at everyones doorsteps. That land would have better used to setup indutrial area and would have provided Jobs to thousands of people.

There is a general phenomenon of blaming CIAL for each and everything , there was similar things quoted when International Flight status for Calicut was denied , I have seen many forumers who are ardent critics of Kochi claiming CIAL is behind it .Some even went to say that 70% of CIAL's international passengers will get affected . If there words were true , CIAL would have been closed by this time. We can understand certain people making nonsense comments , But atelast sensible people like you should refrain from such.

And who gave u the idea the numerous 5 star hotels coming in Kochi is also behind blocking an airport for Kottayam , Think more sensibly.

Btw I have no inetntion to hurt any Kottayam people , but facts cannot be twisted.
Rather the MLA's there should capitalise the closeness of Kottayam with Kochi .

Dear KMC, I agree with u, though not fully. The proposed KTM airport is not an international one. It'll be a small airport.

This will be beneficial for ppl of Idukki as well PTA distrcits as these ppl will have to travel more than 100 kms to reach Kochi/TVM airport. Since this region has very bad roads, practiclly it's not possible to reach Kochi/TVM airport in 3 - 4 hrs.

Moreover, this project will also spur the overall development of this region.

See, in the future, (as Kochi is rapidly growing), the proposed airport in Kottayam (if materializes), can be expanded and can function as Kochi's satellite airport, just like the proposed Navi Mumbai airport is to Mumbai, Sri Perumbadur airport for Chennai and Noida airport for Delhi.

[quote=KMC;29834252]

Dear KMC, I agree with u, though not fully. The proposed KTM airport is not an international one. It'll be a small airport.

This will be beneficial for ppl of Idukki as well PTA distrcits as these ppl will have to travel more than 100 kms to reach Kochi/TVM airport. Since this region has very bad roads, practiclly it's not possible to reach Kochi/TVM airport in 3 - 4 hrs.

Moreover, this project will also spur the overall development of this region.

See, in the future, (as Kochi is rapidly growing), the proposed airport in Kottayam (if materializes), can be expanded and can function as Kochi's satellite airport, just like the proposed Navi Mumbai airport is to Mumbai, Sri Perumbadur airport for Chennai and Noida airport for Delhi.

I still beg to differ with your views. There shoud be viability for such projects. What will be the traffic from Idukki , i serioudly doubt on the viability side . Its not easy to run an airport , be it small scale , for such a few no. of traffics. Its not possible to satisfy each and every people , so some people have to struggle a bit , which is unavoidable. Compensate that with better Job opportunities by developing Industrial Belts around Kottayam

Govt should focus on developing Industrial areas in Kottayam and improve the connectivity with Kochi , just the very fact that space is so limited in Kochi and its growing outbound should be exploited to Kottayams advantage . May be an electronic hardware SEZ on a large scale could be a good idea. Vaikom is close , that area should be exploited properly.

I WISH EVERY ONE A VERY WARM CHRISTMAS.......

CELEBRATE X'MAS AND ALL FESTIVALS WITHOUT LIQUOR, IT'LL BE EVEN MORE CHEERFUL......

It is a personal choice, some others may feel the reverse.

For me, drinking is a social activity, and occasions become brighter and more enjoyable with booze.

One should be able to hold his drink, drink at home, and drink responsibly:cheers:



CELEBRATE X'MAS AND ALL FESTIVALS WITHOUT LIQOUR, IT'LL BE EVEN MORE CHEERFUL......

It is a personal choice, some others may feel the reverse.

For me, drinking is a social activity, and occasions become brighter and more enjoyable with booze.

One should be able to hold his drink, drink at home, and drink responsibly:cheers:

okay boss, but not everyone is and can be a responsible citizen like u...ha ha..
anywayz, I wish u a very Happy X'mas and New year....

http://www.heeragroup.com/projects/images/greencourt_nov08.jpg

Source: http://www.heeragroup.com/Status.php?pjtid=13

I think Skyline builders' next project in Kottayam is named 'High Point', coming up on a hillock, near Devalokam / Muttambalam. Saw its hoarding 2day.

[QUOTE=ttand3t;29817842]

Have a more practical view my friend . Airport is not something which you can have in every nuke and corner in the state . There is no necessity at all. Already such a small state is having 3 airport and another one coming up at Kannur . Is Airports like IT park which every district wants.
In Mumbai average travel time of people will be 3 hrs up and down from work place to home.
Cant our people travel atleast 2-3 hours once in a year to reach nearest airport. Kannur airport is a classical case , cant the Gulf people travel 3-4 hrs once in a year from Calicut airport to Kannur , rather than insisting airports at everyones doorsteps. That land would have better used to setup indutrial area and would have provided Jobs to thousands of people.

There is a general phenomenon of blaming CIAL for each and everything , there was similar things quoted when International Flight status for Calicut was denied , I have seen many forumers who are ardent critics of Kochi claiming CIAL is behind it .Some even went to say that 70% of CIAL's international passengers will get affected . If there words were true , CIAL would have been closed by this time. We can understand certain people making nonsense comments , But atelast sensible people like you should refrain from such.

And who gave u the idea the numerous 5 star hotels coming in Kochi is also behind blocking an airport for Kottayam , Think more sensibly.

Btw I have no inetntion to hurt any Kottayam people , but facts cannot be twisted.
Rather the MLA's there should capitalise the closeness of Kottayam with Kochi .
:ohno:KMC,Thank you 4 your views on the airport topic.It would be bettr appreciated if u can target issues rather than individuals.
As Krishna pointed out the proposed kottayam airpost is a domestic airport and it is not going to affect the revenue of cial. The whole idea of developing kottayam airport is not for nri,s its for tourism. we had discussed before that the future of kerala is in tourism and kottayam should b made the tourism capital because of its strategic location between the backwaters and remote hilly areas.tourists may not appreciate the crowd,traffic snarls,pollution and mosquitoes of kochi but kochi should remain as the commercial capital .so if there is a domestic airport in kottayam ,chartered flights can be arranged for packaged tours.CIAL is in kochi but is not of kochi.it belongs to numerous share holders ,basically from kerala including me.but the biggest joke of 2008 was the director board which said the growth of cial has reduced since they stopped users fee and wants to reinstate that inspite of tremendous growth.is there no end to greed.
this airport is designed for future with 2015 in mind, you may not appreciate the need now but future will prove you wrong.when america built the interstate highways in 1950 there wer lots of critics but future proved them wrong because roads brought development.same way airport or any infrastructure development will bring development to the region. since kochi is already highly saturated i wouldnt prefer to add to the existing problems by increasing the visiting foreigner traffic.they prefer a more relaxed environment which kochi cannot offer.thts y i wanted kottayam 2 be the tourism capital of kerala and thats y i wanted an airport in kottayam.

^^
You are right ttand3t. Kottayam is much more peaceful compared to many other places in Kerala and we've to maintaint it. Tourists give prime importance to greenery, fresh air and peace.

But we need to develop good roads first. We need only small-scale and medium-scale industries. Kottayam is not suited for heavy industries. We need top notch educational and research institutes, good gardens and parks, in and around all the Taluk headquarters. We should maintain our positions as the leading rubber producing and book publishing district.

We need to protect our hills, rivers and lakes.

But we Kottayamites don't know the art of gimmickry. That's why we lag behind other districts.

HOW BEAUTIFUL MY KOTTAYAM IS!!!!!

GOOD EARTH - THE VALLEY OF DREAMS
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http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZEmUEV7ZI/AAAAAAAAA4k/oW1D5Q2SbUo/s640/Picture%
The search for appropriate land
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZDzgcpleI/AAAAAAAAA2o/_pZUZB0FQSE/s640/Olympus%20Camadia%20210.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZEgxrSjmI/AAAAAAAAA4U/MTkWk5cZLXA/s640/Olympus%20Camadia%20225.jpg

Around 8 acres of earth to play around and tonnes of feet to climb up..

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUinqGK9t6I/AAAAAAAABAE/fpIc2xarYJc/s640/Picture%20020.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZEdoe-VPI/AAAAAAAAA4M/1BlX-9H3jXE/s640/Picture%20007.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUj5-vdTSKI/AAAAAAAABBo/EC1RpFVwwy4/s640/off.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUil8SC7AbI/AAAAAAAAA_0/voXWV1eNjj8/s720/totallayout_new.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUaQtMGRfnI/AAAAAAAAA-E/KNPqaSjiKGA/view.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZBKNCcoiI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/aq884lcbY-s/s640/Completed%20Villa%2021.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZBlt4CXcI/AAAAAAAAAww/uBm-n14IRgg/s512/DSC04120.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZB9bi-HYI/AAAAAAAAAyA/K-2_dHUotEU/s512/DSC05288.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZBQv8o8aI/AAAAAAAAAvo/mOsUA9J8PPY/s640/Completed%20Villa%202%20in%20rain.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZFCUo3WaI/AAAAAAAAA6M/Doqnc4Dfs2M/s640/Villa%2021.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZE-DckhAI/AAAAAAAAA50/PFZrhcprygk/s640/Villa%2024.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZFHAkkeDI/AAAAAAAAA6s/PsCaCU3NIF4/s640/Villa%2015.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZB-rnc31I/AAAAAAAAAyI/8jqQPtMuUA0/s640/DSC05281

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZCTJxvhnI/AAAAAAAAAyo/XArgcHabz38/s640/DSC07465.JPG

Plots designed in layers limiting least disturbance to the land
I hate JCBs and earthmovers :ohno:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZBjZKvgTI/AAAAAAAAAwY/e8AG_afdJHU/DSC04161.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZBkW3FGRI/AAAAAAAAAwo/qKeABRtG24w/DSC04177.JPG

Large open areas for leissure- Area earmarked for the central park: Dec 2007

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZB1MaQvdI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/1avcYtBLMLM/DSC04181.JPG

Community spaces being developed; so do the villas taking shape

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZCU5h8DLI/AAAAAAAAAyw/eF_njMTXouY/DSCN0153.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZDPFLuCII/AAAAAAAAA1I/VhGFBlsOlnE/s640/Garden%20and%20Villa%2024%20and%2019%20Ver%202.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZDpp42PUI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/2oA_mm3dkI4/s640/Garden%20View%20Villas.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZDMpKvN5I/AAAAAAAAA1A/hZZn6VLwT3c/s640/Garden%20and%20Villa%2024%20and%2019.JPG

Managed level differences to ensure least soil disrbance.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZCW1msV3I/AAAAAAAAAy4/5rQ4g6iTHJQ/DSCN0161.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZCYiaQvVI/AAAAAAAAAzA/KDiEXILV_Kw/DSCN0162.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZBMMQUtGI/AAAAAAAAAvY/k8MIe4M1oQU/s640/Completed%20Villa%208.JPG



http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZDR_cOq2I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/hEaIKZ7u5wk/s640/Eco%20and%20Friendly%202.JPG

A mesmerising view of the valley

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZB2eumKaI/AAAAAAAAAxY/76Q2ji0q6Bo/DSC04184.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZEFac0TNI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/3a5uoUGOCeM/s640/Other%20two%20entrances%20towards%20KK%20Road.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZE6CLKUuI/AAAAAAAAA5c/SM7xs6kiRUk/s640/View%20from%20Plot%20no%2050.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZFKD8SHiI/AAAAAAAAA7E/0vw7JuJgOhI/s640/Villa%208%20E.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SU34kmaxooI/AAAAAAAABN8/he7TQNaxWOY/DSC00016.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SU34k__MEHI/AAAAAAAABOE/MzttfTvLgsQ/DSC00012.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SU35HoF5UBI/AAAAAAAABOM/DMnp-1xVkHM/DSC00030.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SU35IIQuipI/AAAAAAAABOc/ssrQen9e5XI/DSC00023.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SU35ILePLyI/AAAAAAAABOk/gT6VDgNZzf4/s512/DSC00036.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SU35wO2Cd9I/AAAAAAAABO8/SjGACTWdg2E/DSC00031.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZDsse8Z3I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/C2cQ1Dn6i-I/s640/Landscaped%20Plot.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OyEP6TefyUE/SUZB3W6caKI/AAAAAAAAAxg/v4CduQV4xP0/DSC04185.JPG

Photo courtsey: p_cl (http://www.panoramio.com/user/1161570) @ panoramio (http://panoramio.com)
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/11102453.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/11102562.jpg

Vaikom Shiva temple
Courtsey: hrdngnair (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hrdngnair/) @ flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/2525239624_dc6dbce02f.jpg?v=0

Good Shepherd Church
Pics courtsey: Leen Thobias (http://www.panoramio.com/user/2201290) @ flickr
http://static1.bareka.com/photos/medium/15188316.jpg

VAVAR MOSQUE @ ERUMELI
Pic source:http://www.indiashotels.com/uploadim...mosque.(2).jpg

http://usandeep.com/images/thiruvananthapuram_vavar_mosque.jpg

Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid- more than 1000 years old

source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:T...umaMasjid1.JPG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ThazhathangadyJumaMasjid1.JPG)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/ThazhathangadyJumaMasjid1.JPG/610px-ThazhathangadyJumaMasjid1.JPG (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/ThazhathangadyJumaMasjid1.JPG)

http://triadebuilders.com

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/894/sayujyahn0.png

വിദേശ മലയാളി സംഗമം കോട്ടയത്ത്*http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/December%202008/29-12-08/videsa-fs.jpg

കോട്ടയം: വിദേശ മലയാളികളുടെ സംഗമം നാഗാലാന്*ഡ്* ഗവര്*ണ്ണര്* കെ ശങ്കരനാരായണന്* ഉദ്*ഘാടനം ചെയ്യുമെന്ന്* ജനറല്* കണ്*വീനര്* സി റ്റി കുരുവിള വാര്*ത്താസമ്മേളനത്തില്* പറഞ്ഞു. ചടങ്ങില്* പ്രതിപക്ഷ നേതാവ്* ഉമ്മന്*ചാണ്ടി അദ്ധ്യക്ഷത വഹിക്കും.
മുന്* കേന്ദ്ര മന്ത്രി ഒ രാജഗോപാല്* മുഖ്യപ്രഭാഷണം നടത്തും. കേരളത്തിന്റെ സമഗ്രവികസനത്തില്* വിദേശമലയാളികളുടെ പങ്ക്* എന്ന വിഷയം ചടങ്ങില്* ചര്*ച്ച ചെയ്യും. തുടര്*ന്ന്* നടക്കുന്ന കേരള വികസന സെമിനാറിന്റെ ഉദ്*ഘാടനം മുന്* മന്ത്രി കെ എം മാണി നിര്*വ്വഹിക്കും.
മന്ത്രി മാത്യു റ്റി തോമസ്* അദ്ധ്യക്ഷത വഹിക്കുന്ന ചടങ്ങില്* അല്*ഫോന്*സ്* കണ്ണന്താനം എം എല്* എ മുഖ്യപ്രഭാഷണം നടത്തും.
വിദേശ ഇന്ത്യക്കാരുടെ വോട്ടവകാശം, എയര്* ഇന്ത്യയും, ഇന്ത്യന്* എയര്*ലൈന്*സും ഗള്*ഫ്* രാജ്യങ്ങളിലേക്ക്* ഈടാക്കുന്ന അമിതമായ ചാര്*ജ്* നിരക്ക്*, കോട്ടയത്ത്* വിമാനത്താവളം ആരംഭിക്കുക തുടങ്ങിയ വിഷയങ്ങള്* സംഗമത്തില്* ചര്*ച്ച ചെയ്യപ്പെടും.
വാര്*ത്താസമ്മേളനത്തില്* കോട്ടയം മാനേജ്*മെന്റ്* അസോസിയേഷന്* പ്രസിഡന്റ്* കേണല്* പി എസ്സ്* ജെയിംസ്*, എബ്രഹാം വര്*ഗീസ്*, ജോസഫ്* ജേക്കബ്* എന്നിവര്* പങ്കെടുത്തു.


Meet of Malayalis AbroadKottayam: A conference of Malayalis abroad would be held at Hotel Windsor Castle at 9.30 am on December 31. Nagaland Governor K.Sankaranarayanan would inaugurate the conference.
Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy, Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas, former Union Minister O Rajagopal, K M Mani, MLA, M P Veerendarkumar and Suresh Kurup, MPs, would address the gathering.
Those who want to participate in the conference should contact C T Kuruvilla, general convener. Phone 0481-2572766 and 9633072680


KOTTAYAM VARTHA (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=1229200834434PM6153&Sid=10&Opps=1&Cnt=6329)

Sai,

Any idea about the cost of these villas by Good Earth? The picture looks like some low cost villas like Larry Baker style. Also looks like its far from Vadavathur.

Regards

sak, r u on a national integration drive.then i liked the baker model houses of good earth homes.they merge with nature and there is harmony between land and structure.this is the theme that should be put forward,harmony between land,water,air,and structures.all 4 should be given equal importance and one shouldnt precede the other.for each tree that is cut,2 trees should be planted.make a masterplan to cut down all forms of pollution,be it industrial,or domestic or commercial.what happened to the ecocity project started during vajpayees time after his famous kumarakom stay.Good that the land filling will stop now,similiar laws should be enacted to prevent excacation of soil in a large scale that will harm the harmony of land.we should start paddy cultivation in our fields.what a marvellous sight it was to see endless green carpets in the field.i dont see that now instead i see muddy water.the green carpets is what we should project to the tourists.but paddy cultivation is no longer profitable in a small scale and hence cultivation should be done in a large scale thro private companies and profit should be split between the company and land owner.govt should provide all necessary support including financial assistance to these companies and rein in the kutti sakakhal who are happy 2 put a spanner in every moving wheel.granite quarrying also should be restricted and licences should be given after stringent requirements are met.i am just scribbling my idea of a land which will attract people by the strength of its natural beauty rather than mere slogans.:bash:

Sai,

Any idea about the cost of these villas by Good Earth? The picture looks like some low cost villas like Larry Baker style. Also looks like its far from Vadavathur.

Regards

Dear Godman,
The prices of the villas are in the range 40 - 71 lacs.
Here is the link.

http://www.goodearthhomes.net/kottayam.php

sak, r u on a national integration drive.then i liked the baker model houses of good earth homes.they merge with nature and there is harmony between land and structure.this is the theme that should be put forward,harmony between land,water,air,and structures.all 4 should be given equal importance and one shouldnt precede the other.for each tree that is cut,2 trees should be planted.make a masterplan to cut down all forms of pollution,be it industrial,or domestic or commercial.what happened to the ecocity project started during vajpayees time after his famous kumarakom stay.Good that the land filling will stop now,similiar laws should be enacted to prevent excacation of soil in a large scale that will harm the harmony of land.we should start paddy cultivation in our fields.what a marvellous sight it was to see endless green carpets in the field.i dont see that now instead i see muddy water.the green carpets is what we should project to the tourists.but paddy cultivation is no longer profitable in a small scale and hence cultivation should be done in a large scale thro private companies and profit should be split between the company and land owner.govt should provide all necessary support including financial assistance to these companies and rein in the kutti sakakhal who are happy 2 put a spanner in every moving wheel.granite quarrying also should be restricted and licences should be given after stringent requirements are met.i am just scribbling my idea of a land which will attract people by the strength of its natural beauty rather than mere slogans.:bash:


dear ttand3t,
I'll reply you about the ecocity within 4 days.

News Dated : Sunday, December 28, 2008

Road to port getting the nod
Kottayam: The upcoming Kottayam port at Nattakom has beem hamstrung by the absence of a convenient road from the MC road to the port, which has a length of 1.5 kms.

At last the PWD is in the process of approving the tender for the work for which a sum of Rs 75 lakh has been allotted.
It is expected that the tender processes would be gone through in January and work allotted soon.
The road widening has been a knotty problem as the land had to be got assigned by the Education and Industries Departments. V N Vasavan, MLA, had effectively intervened in the matter to get clearance from the government.


KOTTAYAM VARTHA (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=1228200850903PM6111&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=6287)

News Dated : Monday, December 29, 2008
Heralding the new year hopefully
Kumarakom: Hotels, resorts and luxury house-boats are on an expectant note to receive tourists during the new year. New year celebrations would reach the crescendo, according to indications. For some time, the hospitality sector has been going through a bad patch for several reasons, including the economic slow-down the world over.
Foreign tourists were not many during the period. Job losses in foreign countries had contributed to decline in tourist inflow here. The latest grave problem was the terrorist attack in Mumbai.
The on-again, off-again war cries between India and Pakistan, which are hopefully dying down, had created an impasse. However, the resolve of the Jews to retain their Nariman House joint, even after the terrorist attack, should spur the foreigners to keep on coming with grit and determination.
Moreover, the tourist influx from North India is expected to be large. There would be buffet parties in all hotels and resorts, in addition to art and variety entertainment programes, including dance recitals. Rain dance, Samba dance, hand-in-hand entertainments and the like are planned without much fanfare.
Chinese crackers are put in place to offer a feast for the eyes, without noise pollution. House-boats, speed boats and countrycraft are all ready to offer new year vibes in tune with the waves in the backwaters.


KOTTAYAM VARTHA (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=1229200840158PM6157&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=6333)

I WISH EVERYONE A VERY WARM, CHEERFUL AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.

WELCOME 2009
:cheers::):):banana::banana::):):cheers:

Photo credits : S.A.Krishna

Hotel Arcadia, T.B. Road
http://item.slide.com/r/1/67/i/iFUQkpUNuT9ZboL5qKToxTWnILwx8TEe/

Hotel Aida, Aida Jn.
http://i42.tinypic.com/28l8hw8.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/28l8hw8.jpg)

Kodoor River, Kodimatha
http://item.slide.com/r/1/4/i/aJPqRWTbsz9lHADUYdHSDXToQcO9NsLz/

Nippon Toyota, Kodimatha
http://i39.tinypic.com/2sbl3ps.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/2sbl3ps.jpg)

http://item.slide.com/r/1/164/i/brHQHlLP3D9A0PaeYqe1gS7TnGeiIDt7/

Windsor Castle, Kodimatha
http://item.slide.com/r/1/4/i/IJHS_YRg3T98UlQgjfhhg1g8RSkHZZN3/

Neelamperoor (Alappuzha district), near Kottayam town - A typical Kuttanadan village
http://i41.tinypic.com/144a6v4.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/144a6v4.jpg)

Neelamperoor Padayani - The making of the swan
http://i44.tinypic.com/16lhct1.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/16lhct1.jpg)

Neelamperoor Pallibhagavthi Temple - The venue of the Padyani festival
http://i43.tinypic.com/23shq4m.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/23shq4m.jpg)

http://i41.tinypic.com/tzj9t.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/tzj9t.jpg)

Just 1 Kms from Kottayam KSRTC Bus stand and 2.5 Kms from Kottayam railway station

Pics source: Lake Village resort (http://www.thelakevillageresort.com/)

http://www.thelakevillageresort.com/kumarakom-resort-gallery/kumarakom-resort_008.jpg

Pic courtsey:
contactjithu (http://picasaweb.google.com/contactjithu) @ Picasa

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_FjKVfdGCdxc/SF3uGBnHDNI/AAAAAAAAAF8/55viqafZMjg/s720/2%20004.jpg

More Pics
Pic courtsey:
Ericsson (http://picasaweb.google.com/ericssonkerala) @ Picasa
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_yLvHCYi1woA/R0PCHzhAU0I/AAAAAAAAACo/4X79F47p6Mg/s640/3.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_yLvHCYi1woA/R0PCOzhAU1I/AAAAAAAAACw/4vCGkDUGcZA/s640/2.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_yLvHCYi1woA/R0PXWzhAWxI/AAAAAAAAATo/UKJ6opJ7BVk/s640/P1080497.JPG

A lake that can rival any sea in beauty :lol:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_yLvHCYi1woA/R0PInjhAWMI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/CYlHeD9UhUw/s640/P1080658.JPG

DTPC finalises project to promote Kottayam town

Initiative will be implemented with the help of private sector

The initiative will link Kottayam town with Kumarakom
A new tourism and hospitality institute will come up at Erumeli

KOTTAYAM: The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has finalised project to promote Kottayam town as the first ‘Letter Tourism Destination’ in the country.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, District Collector P. Venugopal said the unique initiative, being implemented with the help of private sector, would for the first time, link Kottayam town with Kumarakom.
The project envisages to bring the rich heritage of the town in the field of education, printing and publishing to the attention of the visitors. The CMS Press where Benjamin Bailey printed the early editions of Malayalam Bible, Deepika, the oldest Malayalam daily and DC Books have expressed their willingness to join hands with DTPC.
Major newspapers are also expected to join hands in the endeavour. As per the project, small groups of interested tourists will be brought from Kumarakom under the aegis of DTP to the town. They will visit the historical spots and will be brought back after enjoying typical Kottayam meals, DTPC authorities said. DTPC has also finalised the project for commencing its own boat service.
The newly built, Rs.17.5 lakh, 32 seat boat will conduct tours for both Indian and foreign tourists from Kumarakom, linking Pathiramanal, R Block and Alappuzha. The charges will be lesser than what was being imposed by private players, Mr. Venugopal said. The new boat service will commence within the next two weeks. A major initiative by the council would be the commencement of the functioning of the first tourism and hospitality institute in the district. The institute will come up at Erumeli.
DTPC presently own 1.82 ha (4.5 acre) facility at Erumeli. Basic infrastructure in the form of buildings is also available at the plot. The institute is expected to commence its functioning in the coming academic year. Another important activity this year would be the construction of a boat jetty at Kavanattinkara.
Though more than 250 house boats were operating from Kumarakom the tourism spot does not have a common boat jetty in the public sector so far. A new jetty, 40 metre in length and five feet in width will come up at Kavanattinkara shortly. This will not only fill the gap, but also prove to be a source of income for the council, Mr.Venugopal said.
The council has also plan to commence Lake Tourism project at Chanaganassery and also make the homestay sector more dynamic. A detailed report is being prepared for the construction of a park, eatery and an open air theatre at Nattassery on Meenachil riverfront.
A pilgrim tourism package linking the pilgrim centres, hill stations and waterfront destinations in the district is also on the anvil.


HINDU (http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/11/stories/2009011152460300.htm)

Pics source: http:// rit-ktm.com and http://rit.ac.in (Official website of RIT Kottayam)

Administrative Block
http://rit.ac.in/PhotoGallery/07.gif


Civil Engg. Block
http://rit.ac.in/PhotoGallery/10.gif


http://rit-ktm.com/gallery/photos/RIT_Campus_0/DSCF4057.JPG

http://rit-ktm.com/gallery/photos/RIT_Campus_0/DSCF4056.JPG

Mechanical Engg. Block
http://rit.ac.in/PhotoGallery/24.gif


Electronics Block
http://rit.ac.in/PhotoGallery/28.gif


Electrical Block
http://rit.ac.in/PhotoGallery/23.gif

coach factory (1000 acres)= 6000 crores.... this is correct...

The first inland mini-port in the country would be opened at Kottayam on the middle of February.The tender for the road connected between port and MC road will fixed on 2-February and total time to complete the work is 7 days.Once the road construction work over, the port might be open.In starting stage it will handle some good from Cochin port and later it can directly import rubber and spices to gulf and European countries...


As per deepika news(22/1/2009)

The college where I joined for my B Tech first.:) (Anyway got transfer to TKMCE Kollam the next year).

Anyway I didn't get a chance to study here, these buildings came up later, but I had gone later for some certificate or so.

http://rit-ktm.com/gallery/photos/RIT_Campus_0/DSCF4057.JPG

^^
While posting RIT pics, I thought of you only Sudeeshetta.

The first inland mini-port in the country would be opened at Kottayam on the middle of February.The tender for the road connected between port and MC road will fixed on 2-February and total time to complete the work is 7 days.Once the road construction work over, the port might be open.In starting stage it will handle some good from Cochin port and later it can directly import rubber and spices to gulf and European countries...


As per deepika news(22/1/2009)

Welcome to SSC-Kottayam buddy.

Finally, the port getting ready? What about our airport?
One of the reasons why Govt. gave nod to Kannur airport was that it'd give a boost to North Malabar tourism.

Kottayam airport too has been proposed with the aim of tapping the region's hidden tourism potential. But why they are still hesitating to give green signal to Kottayam airport?


While states like karnataka are developing new airports at places like Mysore, Bellary, Shimoga, Hassan etc, why our Govt. is acting foolishly?

Thrissur based Emmanuval Silks will open their new Show room in Kottayam, near Collectorate, in the near fututre. The foundation stone will be laid on Monday 26/01, by Bharath Mammootty. The showroom will be coming up in a sprawling 7 storeyed building, a massive one, having 1,25,000 sq. ft space. This will be their first showroom outside thrissur, as a part of their expansion plans.

sak, r u on a national integration drive.then i liked the baker model houses of good earth homes.they merge with nature and there is harmony between land and structure.this is the theme that should be put forward,harmony between land,water,air,and structures.all 4 should be given equal importance and one shouldnt precede the other.for each tree that is cut,2 trees should be planted.make a masterplan to cut down all forms of pollution,be it industrial,or domestic or commercial.what happened to the ecocity project started during vajpayees time after his famous kumarakom stay.Good that the land filling will stop now,similiar laws should be enacted to prevent excacation of soil in a large scale that will harm the harmony of land.we should start paddy cultivation in our fields.what a marvellous sight it was to see endless green carpets in the field.i dont see that now instead i see muddy water.the green carpets is what we should project to the tourists.but paddy cultivation is no longer profitable in a small scale and hence cultivation should be done in a large scale thro private companies and profit should be split between the company and land owner.govt should provide all necessary support including financial assistance to these companies and rein in the kutti sakakhal who are happy 2 put a spanner in every moving wheel.granite quarrying also should be restricted and licences should be given after stringent requirements are met.i am just scribbling my idea of a land which will attract people by the strength of its natural beauty rather than mere slogans.:bash:

Frankly speaking, even I don't have a clear idea about what really happened to ecocity project? I think previous central Govt. selected 6 places in India, Kottayam was the only place from Kerala - Kottayam being the pilot city.
Still, Kottayam is lagging behind the other 5 cities - Thanks to the attitude of local authoritites.

It was supposed to give a new look to Kottayam municipality and surrounding 8 village panchayaths - Aymenem, Arpookara, Kumaranalloor, Manaracaud, Kumarakom, Thiruvarpu, Nattakom and Vijayapuram. But most of the projects proposed still remain on paper.

The project envisaged the renovation of Kacherikadavu boat Jetty (Old Kottayam boat jetty). Not even an inch has moved foreward. I think just by seeing the old boat jetty, we'll get an idea how far this much hyped 'Ecocity project' has really gone.

Now this municipality is doing something else and calling it a part of ecocity project. According a not so old newspaper report, ecocity projects in all the 6cities have been completed - certainly not those envisaged in Kottayam.

Really a sad thing for us!!!!!

Pic source: http://skylinebuilders.com

http://www.skylinebuilders.com/crux-skyline/store_images/0000/7572/004.jpg

Pic courtsey:
contactjithu (http://picasaweb.google.com/contactjithu) @ Picasa

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_FjKVfdGCdxc/SF3uGBnHDNI/AAAAAAAAAF8/55viqafZMjg/s720/2%20004.jpg

More Pics
Pic courtsey:
Ericsson (http://picasaweb.google.com/ericssonkerala) @ Picasa
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_yLvHCYi1woA/R0PCHzhAU0I/AAAAAAAAACo/4X79F47p6Mg/s640/3.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_yLvHCYi1woA/R0PCOzhAU1I/AAAAAAAAACw/4vCGkDUGcZA/s640/2.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_yLvHCYi1woA/R0PXWzhAWxI/AAAAAAAAATo/UKJ6opJ7BVk/s640/P1080497.JPG

A lake that can rival any sea in beauty :lol:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_yLvHCYi1woA/R0PInjhAWMI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/CYlHeD9UhUw/s640/P1080658.JPG

Great Pictures SAK. Keep up the good work.

^^
Thanks Jaleelikka for the comment. All credits to photographers.

pic courtsey: pankaj (http://picasaweb.google.com/pankaj.shivpuje) @ picasa

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T_RpNiQHvOA/Rj69Krv6e7I/AAAAAAAAA_A/t8Y9181RfAA/s720/IMG_5168.JPG

Pic courtsey: Carolyn @ picasa

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_LBaa6_Wnfwk/SXk8upL5_AI/AAAAAAAAAng/bryomLb77EY/PC280196.JPG

Pic courtsey: Siddhartha Rao (http://picasaweb.google.com/siddhartha.rao)

Kumarakom Bird(less) Sanctuary:ohno:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ks70DneDuEY/R4c0FEQM6OI/AAAAAAAAByg/TVppOOXf49o/s640/IMG_1185.jpg

Pic courtsey: ac @ picasa

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7Uj1frPdQKI/R4IpRLuw-sI/AAAAAAAABxQ/pSqSsXSOz1U/s720/IMG_1027.jpg

Pic courtsey: David @ Picasa
Kumarakom Lake Resort
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bQyqlKCCSvE/R8kOeNQEAoI/AAAAAAAAAO0/pLKnxdMXSQ0/IMG_0088.JPG

Pic courtsey: Siddhartha Rao @ Picasa
Radisson Plaza Resort & Spa
http://lh6.ggpht.com/__ROQIhIpHoA/R-PQjH7m5rI/AAAAAAAABqE/XEykE1cXdso/s640/DSCN1076.JPG

News Dated : Sunday, February 08, 2009

Road for Nattakom port on way Kottayam: The much-awaited Nattakom port was purported to have started functioning on the last Keralappiravi day. But it has not been possible to launch operations as yet, even as the main amenities are ready.
What is standing in the way of water-faring from Nattakom to Kochi port is the pathway from MC road to the port. The barge, office building, godown, customs clearance office and all are spick and span. Only the one-km road which should have a width of eight mts remains undone.
There was a panchayat road which was handed over to the PWD by Nattakom panchayat. For widening the road, land had to be got from the Education Department and the Industries Department.
Now the procedural wrangles appear to have been cleared. PWD has issued orders taking over the panchayat road. Sanction has also been given for tendering the work of road construction.
PWD has started taking measurements for the one-km-long, eight-metre-wide road. V N Vasavan, MLA, has been doing pioneering work to get the port functioning.


KOTTAYAM VARTHA (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=28200924747PM8568&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=8744)

Courtsey: fingertipp @ Picasa

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TXzsyBM66Hw/SWZhxFCqwHI/AAAAAAAAD3w/qSYvIzy0CQs/s640/IMG_1571.JPG


Another pic from the same person with some modifications done by me.
The road is MC road(part of NH 220, maintained by NHAI from near Kodimatha in Kottayam upto Theni -hence in decent condition, but is very narrow).

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8954/mcroad2fj1.png

Pic by Happy Sleepy's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/happy_sleepy/)@ Flickr

Concrete Jungle!!!! The town badly needs more shady trees:ohno:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3261233210_e1f6dcdc8c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3261232760_1f48a593f9_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3261231988_bd0693ac4d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3261231544_a54c543131_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3261234548_80f0ea3a4e_o.jpg

Pic by Illusive Delusions @ Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3246963032_099653afed_b.jpg

Radisson Kumarakom- Pic by vinod @ picasa

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_pz3fBJNhSLo/RVSwyKB6ABI/AAAAAAAAALo/KsAVS_gNaU8/s640/CIMG3989.JPG

Kumarakom lake resort- Pic by Mia @ Picasa
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_yYyy6FAWkXo/SIQVn4M-J0I/AAAAAAAAACQ/gBRXBtrCkXc/s640/P1010006.

Pic courtsey: Poombatta @ Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2950411195_29ffc04455_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2866508011_d7c884df1f_b.jpg

fantastic shots

Sai Krishna always points out "Kottayam is the most neglected of all the cities". But why this happens. Is it because of the big brother Cochin nearby?
I believe if Kottayam and Alleppy (just 25 KMs apart radially) can have a combined urban area development strategy. Already a combined Urban Development strategy of Kollam - Trivandrum twin city is mooted for the development of both the cities from a future perspective. The Kollam - Trivandrum IT corridor and the Thankasseri (Kollam) - Vizhinjam (Trivandrum) Sea Port corridor is part of this initative. These strategies will drive the enthusiasm and effort of both the districts in gaining the benefits for both the cities.

Sai can take the initiative for the lead role as Alleppy just like Kottayam desperately needs a face lift. The 2 IT parks at Alleppy (Ambalapuzha and Cherthala) is a begining for this cause.

See the Trivandrum Techno Park expansion is growing towards the north as Techno City (Just 40 KMs away from Kollam City) and Kollam Techno Park (@ Kundara) expansion of Trivandrum Techno Park will give more advantage to Kollam.

We have to think out of the box to bring the development efforts to achieve its goals.

Sai Krishna always points out "Kottayam is the most neglected of all the cities". But why this happens. Is it because of the big brother Cochin nearby?
I believe if Kottayam and Alleppy (just 25 KMs apart radially) can have a combined urban area development strategy. Already a combined Urban Development strategy of Kollam - Trivandrum twin city is mooted for the development of both the cities from a future perspective. The Kollam - Trivandrum IT corridor and the Thankasseri (Kollam) - Vizhinjam (Trivandrum) Sea Port corridor is part of this initative. These strategies will drive the enthusiasm and effort of both the districts in gaining the benefits for both the cities.

Sai can take the initiative for the lead role as Alleppy just like Kottayam desperately needs a face lift. The 2 IT parks at Alleppy (Ambalapuzha and Cherthala) is a begining for this cause.

See the Trivandrum Techno Park expansion is growing towards the north as Techno City (Just 40 KMs away from Kollam City) and Kollam Techno Park (@ Kundara) expansion of Trivandrum Techno Park will give more advantage to Kollam.

We have to think out of the box to bring the development efforts to achieve its goals.

Reghubhai, i sincerely thank you for your concern and your sincere suggestions.

As you said, I don't believe that Kottayam's growth is being hampered by nearby Kochi. Neither I blame other cities for this. Only this bloody Govt. is responsible for Kottayam's economic stagnation. I don't support the oppostition either. They are a bunch of good for nothing Jokers, whic includes people like P.C.George MLA, who hails from Kottayam, who puts his head into all unecessary matters and doesn't work for the development of Kottayam district / his constituency.

At present, there's no uniform development happening in Kerala.
This Govt. has shown more interests in developing almost all districts excluding the central travancorean districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Alappuzha and continues to do so .

Of these, Alappuzha has got proposals for few important projects (compared to its other C.T. counterparts), after many years of negligience, but very less in number compared to other districts of TVM, QLN, EKM, TCR, PKD, MPM, KZK, KNR and KGD.

It is to be noted that in recent years Malabar region, especially the North Malabar districts have seen tremendous growth in various sectors, thanks to the sincere efforts taken by the Govt. So, you can't say that Malabar region is getting neglected and such allegations are not valid anymore.

But in the case of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Aleppey, the Govt. is not doing much and is crystal clear and I'm not saying this out of envy.

The first and foremost thing I suggest this Govt. is to take steps to build an airport in Kottayam, which is a long pending dream of the people of Central Travacore and it is inevitable for the quick andoverall develompent of C.T.

Your idea of kottayam-Alappuzha combined urban area development is good., especially considering the fact that we've a almost similar culture and the link provided by waterways and vembanad lake, common to both the districts.Changanassery (KTM) and Thiruvalla (PTA) can also be included into this.

Eventhough radially ALP-KTM distance is just around 25 Kms (23 kms by waterway), by road it is around 46 Kms. So this has made many things difficult.

If my idea of Alappuzha-Kavalam-Neelamperoor-Kurichy-Kottayam road becomes a reality, then the distance between the two important C.T. cities can be reduced by more than 10Kms, I hope. This means these two cities will get close to each other and will be able to complement each other.

But with a Govt. which shows no signs of sincerety towards Kottayam and its neighbouring districts, I've only dreams left without any hope.

fantastic shots

A warm welcome to you buddy.
BTW, these aren't my pics. I've mentioned names of the owner/photographer of those pics.:)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2866508011_d7c884df1f_b.jpg

:nuts::nuts:

Awesome

Reghubhai, i sincerely thank you for your concern and your sincere suggestions.

As you said, I don't believe that Kottayam's growth is being hampered by nearby Kochi. Neither I blame other cities for this. Only this bloody Govt. is responsible for Kottayam's economic stagnation. I don't support the oppostition either. They are a bunch of good for nothing Jokers, whic includes people like P.C.George MLA, who hails from Kottayam, who puts his head into all unecessary matters and doesn't work for the development of Kottayam district / his constituency.

At present, there's no uniform development happening in Kerala.
This Govt. has shown more interests in developing almost all districts excluding the central travancorean districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Alappuzha and continues to do so .

Of these, Alappuzha has got proposals for few important projects (compared to its other C.T. counterparts), after many years of negligience, but very less in number compared to other districts of TVM, QLN, EKM, TCR, PKD, MPM, KZK, KNR and KGD.

It is to be noted that in recent years Malabar region, especially the North Malabar districts have seen tremendous growth in various sectors, thanks to the sincere efforts taken by the Govt. So, you can't say that Malabar region is getting neglected and such allegations are not valid anymore.

But in the case of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Aleppey, the Govt. is not doing much and is crystal clear and I'm not saying this out of envy.

The first and foremost thing I suggest this Govt. is to take steps to build an airport in Kottayam, which is a long pending dream of the people of Central Travacore and it is inevitable for the quick andoverall develompent of C.T.

Your idea of kottayam-Alappuzha combined urban area development is good., especially considering the fact that we've a almost similar culture and the link provided by waterways and vembanad lake, common to both the districts.Changanassery (KTM) and Thiruvalla (PTA) can also be included into this.

Eventhough radially ALP-KTM distance is just around 25 Kms (23 kms by waterway), by road it is around 46 Kms. So this has made many things difficult.

If my idea of Alappuzha-Kavalam-Neelamperoor-Kurichy-Kottayam road becomes a reality, then the distance between the two important C.T. cities can be reduced by more than 10Kms, I hope. This means these two cities will get close to each other and will be able to complement each other.

But with a Govt. which shows no signs of sincerety towards Kottayam and its neighbouring districts, I've only dreams left without any hope.

Yaar, think about a Kottayam - Alleppy Twin city concept.
Already initiatives have been taken for a Kollam - Trivandrum Twin City concept.

The Kollam Techno Park, Technocity at Attingal and Kollam MEMU Base, ESI medical college at Paripally will bolster this concept.

I think the Kottayam and Alleppy forummers can come up with a Twin city thread.

Alappuzha has to merge with Kochi. Its inevitable since there already exist a continous urban stretch between Alappuzha UA-Cherthala UA and Kochi UA. Also Thrissur UA, Guruvayoor UA and Kodungaloor UA will soon merge with Kochi UA. If Kottayam has to join the league it has to improve its connectivity with Kochi and other cities. Kottayam needs to have four lane/six lane highways. Such highways are coming in other parts of Kerala. First you need to have better infrastructure and connectivity. Then the rest of the development and merging of the urban areas will automatically happen.

Good pictures there krishna...............

IGNOU ties up with German culture centre for language course in kottayam

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200902172026.htm

Saikrishna, You are right

I wonder what is the relationship of that posts with this thread

Sub Jail-Kanjikkuzhy Road improvement works start:cheers:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8998/23534866.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

www.manoramaonline.com

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3626/16585690.jpg
(http://imageshack.us)http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9666/55215642.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

www.manoramaonline.com

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3626/16585690.jpg
(http://imageshack.us)http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9666/55215642.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

www.manoramaonline.com

As usual, funds have been allocated for few bridges and roads. These are basic necessities and are not worth in taking pride. Raods and bridges are coming up everywhere, in all the districts and have to come, can't be avoided. But other than that, Kottayam didn't get anything. There was no mention of Kottayam airport in the budget while Govt. has allotted funds for airstrips in Idukki and Wayanad.

Also, there was no relief package announced for the ailing rubber sector.:bash:

No new industries, not even a single project worth mentioning.......

I give 0.5 / 10 for this budget ( 0.5 for presenting the budget).

Mr. Thomas Issac, I beg you to give me that '(Thakazhi's) Kayar (Coir)' so that I can hang myself from the ceiling, because the budget was really an insult to Kottayam and Kottayamites.

While the UDF members in the municipal council wanted the proposed indoor stadium to be @ Kodimatha, the ruling LDF upheld their decision to set up the indoor stadium @ Nagampadom. Finally, Nagampadom outscored Kodimatha, with a clear majority in the voting conducted for taking a decision regarding the place for the proposed indoor stadium.

http://s5.tinypic.com/20h8vad.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/20h8vad.jpg)

News Dated : Monday, March 02, 2009

Majority for indoor stadium at Nagampadam http://www.kottayamvartha.com/varthafiles/image/kottayam%20vartha/2009/March%2009/02-03-09/council--f_s.jpg
Kottayam: After much heckling, bargaining and division, Kottayam municipal council on Monday decided to set up the indoor stadium at Nagampadam.
The decision was taken with 20 votes in favour and eight votes against setting up the indoor stadium at Nagampadam. From the very beginning of the special council meeting called to order on Monday, there were arguments galore in favour of and against setting up the indoor stadium at Nagampadam.
The leftists wanted the stadium at Nagampadam while the Congress members wanted it to be set up at Kodimatha. In the last council also, the Congress members had expressed their opposition to constructing the indoor stadium at Nagampadam.
Then also there was division like Monday?s. The municipal council in February had decided to take back the land given over to the sports council for the indoor stadium. It was therefore difficult to hand over the land again to the sports council.
It was in these circumstances that the special council meeting was called to order on Monday. Municipal council had given over 1.60 acres of land to the sports council.Later, order was issued to hand back 1.40 acres of land to the municipality.
Also, order had been issued to hand over two acres of land to the sports council at Kodimatha. The sports council had approached the government requesting it to cancel the decision of the municipality.
The government had asked for the opinion of the municipality in the matter. The municipality, in turn, had requested the government not to cancel the earlier order.
The sports council would get assistance from the government for construction of the stadium. Therefore, it approached the municipality to accord sanction for construction of the stadium at Nagampadam itself.


Source: KOTTAYAM VARTHA (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=32200932244PM9683&Sid=10&Opps=1&Cnt=9859) (Malayalam) / KOTTAYAM VARTHA (http://www.kottayamvartha.com/ver02/FullStory/?NewsID=32200943320PM9693&Sid=10&Opps=6&Cnt=9869)(English)

A hillock @ Neeloor, Kottayam district - Pic courtsey: Abhi_flick @ flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/2537980982_40c93af9a1_b.jpg

Lake Village Heritage Resorts- Pic courtsey: Prashant @ Picasa
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIGFv5rBr90/SV4G1Y796eI/AAAAAAAAARo/0z5wCBSMKaA/s720/kerala%20237.JPG


Enthralling Kumarakom - from Rajesh's Photo Gallery @ Flickr
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3302115017_0bcf7b084f_b.jpg

Kodimatha - The boating point in Kottayam Town
Pic courtsey: unemotoeninde @ Flickr

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/1208/1222115509caac2e663cb.jpg (http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1222115509caac2e663cb.jpg)

Man the first picture simply rocks!!!

good photography

courtsey: neeraj pg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9940002@N03/) @ Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1340/942568100_94d3539299_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1262/1405827415_9380e63047_o.jpg

Awesome pics.....................

Vembanad Lake, Kerala
Pic (C) : kshitij shah (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kshitijshah/) @ Flickr

http://s5.tinypic.com/2db9s8z.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/2db9s8z.jpg)

^^ Absolutely stunning Saikrishna, the above pictures, feels that Kottayam is a wonderfull place to visit

^^ Absolutely stunning Saikrishna, the above pictures, feels that Kottayam is a wonderfull place to visit

There are many 'not so heard' destinations in the district, if properly planned, can be developed into some of the best holiday destinations.

Eleveezhapoonchira - at about 3500 feet from sea level (near Erattupetta, about 55 Kms from the heart of Kottayam town )
Pics courtesy: anishmisty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/36503117@N06/) @ Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/36503117@N06/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3365223710_7e5131bb60_o.jpg

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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3364394627_de1b349fe4_o.jpg

courtesy: anishmisty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/36503117@N06/) @ Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/36503117@N06/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3364392925_b0cc04f37c_o.jpg

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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3365230836_bd6a13c455_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3365233622_2f0b6b93e5_o.jpg



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3365230340_2c87966016_o.jpg

:banana:

http://www.skylinebuilders.com/crux-skyline/store_images/0000/8188/hv2.jpg

Pic source: http://skylinebuilders.com

Pics source: http://skylinebuilders.com

http://www.skylinebuilders.com/crux-skyline/store_images/0000/8168/P2220003.JPG


http://www.skylinebuilders.com/crux-skyline/store_images/0000/8232/P2220005.jpg

http://www.skylinebuilders.com/crux-skyline/store_images/0000/8256/P2220019.jpg

Kalathilpady locality - Skyline Oxford is clearly seen, popping out of the greenery
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Vision motors - Upcoming Honda cars dealership in Kottayam @ Nattakom
Showroom and Service centre, under construction

Photos by RAkesh kumar (http://picasaweb.google.com/garlapati.rakesh)@ Picasa

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In the recent years, the Nattakom - Kodimatha stretch has become the favourite haunt of automobile dealers in Kottayam - Indus motors outlet, Poplar Hyundai service station, Royal Bajaj, TVS Iyengar -Mahindra Renault, Nippon - Toyota, piaggio motors, few pre=owned cars dealers, Benz motors (Tata) service centre, Geo motors-Mitsubishi etc. and the latest one, soon to be in the stable is Vision motors (Showroom and Service centre).

Today I got a chance to see the upcoming showroom but it's a comparitively smaller one, a big disappointment.:ohno:

Dont worry Krishna.....Even the Honda showroom @ Trivandrum is almost the same size:)

Dont worry Krishna.....Even the Honda showroom @ Trivandrum is almost the same size:)

Both Honda and Toyota are popular japanese auto giants, also rival companies. The upcoming Honda showroom is close to the Toyota showroom, which is quite big. I personally feel they should've come up with a better, bigger showroom.:bash:

Also, a city like Trivandrum deserves a bigger showroom.:)

Kottayam mini airport project grounded?:bash::bash::bash:

Kottayam airport project is yet to get clearance from the state Govt. No wonder, the state Govt. is the biggest stumbling block to Kottayam's development. I personally think they are doing this purposely.

The present District Panchayth Mr. Sugunanis a very 'COOL' man (Thanuppan Manushyananennartham). Thanx to his 'go slow policy', this project won't take off in the near future or won't happen at all????

Had Thomas Kunnappalli retained the District panchayth post, I personally feel by this time land acquisiton would have started.

Or is there someone playing spoilsport with the project? If so, why?????
[/URL]

[URL="http://s5.tinypic.com/fcmx6a.jpg"]http://s5.tinypic.com/fcmx6a.jpg (http://s5.tinypic.com/169ke8l.jpg)

Source:Mathrubhumi (http://www.mathrubhumi.com/php/newFrm.php?news_id=1281509&n_type=RE&category_id=1&Farc=)

Courtesy: Krishnakumar (http://picasaweb.google.com/kktvm2006) @ Picasa

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I think the waterbody seen is Meenachil river, the lifeline of Kottayam district

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Poonjar Temple (A replica of Madurai Meenakshi temple)
Photos by kishore (http://picasaweb.google.com/jacobskishore) @ Picasa
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Kaippalli, near Poonjar
Photo by cs97009 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacobjose/) @ flickr
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near Poonjar Engg. college
Photo by Adarsh_BlueSpace (http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueinfos/) @ flickr
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3rd THIRUNAKKARA PAKAL POORAM (A REPLICA OF THE FAMOUS THRISSUR POORAM) , HELD @ THIRUNAKKARA MAHADEVA TEMPLE GROUND (LOCATED IN THE HEART OF KOTTAYAM TOWN) ON 23rd MARCH 2009, AS PART OF THE TEMPLE FESTIVAL

Pics courtesy: Vinod (http://picasaweb.google.com/vinovis) @ Picasa

Shri Thirunakkara Mahadevar on the back of Guruvayoor Keshavan
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Chairos centre apartment is visible in the backdrop
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Thirunakkara Mahadevar -Arattu Ceremony @ Karapuzha Ambalakkadavu Devi Temple
Pics courtesy: Vinod (http://picasaweb.google.com/vinovis) @ Picasa

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3rd THIRUNAKKARA PAKAL POORAM (A REPLICA OF THE FAMOUS THRISSUR POORAM) , HELD @ THIRUNAKKARA MAHADEVA TEMPLE GROUND (LOCATED IN THE HEART OF KOTTAYAM TOWN) ON 23rd MARCH 2009, AS PART OF THE TEMPLE FESTIVAL



Great pics yaar. Like Trissur Pooram and Kollam Pooram, this one also looks colorful and fantastic.

The cities like Trissur, Kollam and Kottayam have a good number of temples with rich heritage and festivals. This richness can be tapped for pilgrimmage toursim with full respect to its piousness.

Pic By shankar (http://picasaweb.google.com/shankar.aravind) @ Picasa

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Pic by FrBeBos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frbeb/) @ flickr.com

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Photos by PMM (http://picasaweb.google.com/ktmsr1.pmm) @ picasa.com

Showroom

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Service Centre
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HOTEL VIJAYA PARK @ KOTHANALLOOR , KOTTAYAM DISTRICT (21 Kms North of Kottayam Town)

Pic courtesy: Shogun_79 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shogun_79/) @ flickr.com

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Pics source: bcgbuilders.com (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/bcgbuilders.com)

http://www.bcgbuilders.com/crux-bcg/store_images/0000/3063/0.jpg

http://www.bcgbuilders.com/crux-bcg/store_images/0000/3067/1.jpg

http://www.bcgbuilders.com/templates/classic_themev2/images/mars/elevationcolor.jpg

Pics source:kalathillakeresort.com (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/kalathillakeresort.com)

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Photos credits: S.A.Krishna :)

Kottayam skyline - pls excuse for the poor pic quality

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Chairos centre apartments @ College road
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Shastri Road
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Pic courtesy 666Mnr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37444961@N05/) @ flickr.com

(With little modifications done by me)

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The grey colored building is Bhima jewellery's, the one with green glass cladings is Muthoot Crown plaza and the white building is hotel Arcadia. Thesethree buildings are situated on T.B road.

Original Photo
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Mini Muthoot Theatre Complex,Kottayam

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Mini Muthoot Theatre Complex,Kottayam

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Good one. Thanx Nishanthetta for posting it. Any idea abt the location? who's the architect?

This will be one of their future projects in Kottayam.
Not sure whether this is the final rendering of this project.
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http://desirehomesindia.com

Adityapuram Sun Temple, near Kaduthuruthy (The only Sun temple in Kerala)
Daily pooja is offered to Sun God in this temple, like in temples of other dieties.

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(C) laijuyesh @ flickr

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(C) Nischal_ @flickr
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Special meet on Kottayam this month


Staff Reporter

Various projects, including the proposed bypasses and overbridges, are under study to ease traffic blocks in the town

KOTTAYAM: A special meet of officials of the Public Works Department and other stake-holders will be held this month to discuss the infrastructural development needs of Kottayam town and adjoining areas in the road development sector, Mons Joseph, Minister for Public Works, has said.
Speaking at a review meeting of the road development projects in the district here on Monday, Mr. Joseph said various projects including the proposed bypasses and overbridges were under consideration to ease the ever-increasing traffic blocks in the town.
A long standing solution may need the development of a network of roads and bridges not only in and around the towns, but also in adjacent areas and townships.
INKEL report
As such a special meeting of all concerned will be called to discuss the issues involved. The meeting will be held in May itself, he said.
According to him, INKEL was entrusted with the finalization of a feasibility study on various proposals and their preliminary report has been received.
The meeting will discuss the preliminary report of INKEL to finalise a project report.
Presently, there was no monitoring agency to review the progress of various works taken up the PWD at the assembly segment level.
The government was seriously thinking of forming a body at the grass-roots level to monitor the progress of various works taken up by the PWD, he said.
He said the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) will move ahead with the development of various roads in the district.
The first phase comprising Thiruvananthapuram to Chengannur will be completed by June 1010.
Second phase
However, the second phase comprising the stretch from Chengannur to Muvattupuzha will commence this year itself and will not wait for the completion of the first phase, he said.
The second phase is expected to cost Rs. 300 crores and the State government has decided to go for assistance from financial agencies either within or outside the country. However, the government has been holding talks with the World Bank for the purpose as they were the financiers for the first phase.
During the first phase both the road works and the works in connection with the development of the Inland Waterways, came under the purview of KSTP.
Inland waterways
However, under the second phase, it was decided that the works in connection with the Inland Waterways should come under the Irrigation Department.
Though the World Bank has agreed to the proposals, the government would like the works that have already commenced, to stay within the purview of the PWD. Discussions are progressing on the issue, he said.
Educational complexes
The Minister said the works on education complexes should be completed on time.
The apathy of the Department officials will not be tolerated this year, he said and added that it has become a tendency among officials to delay projects under the pretext of rate revision.
The officials should get in contact with the officials concerned and rectify any confusion they may find in connection with rates of articles.
Thomas Chazhikadan, C. F. Thomas, V. N. Vasavan, K. Ajith, Alphons Kannamthanam (all MLAs) district panchayat president K. P. Sugunan, District Collector V. K. Balakrishnan, PWD officials and others participated in the meeting.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/12/stories/2009051256030300.htm)

Pls play the video only after the buffering is completed.

ts4gyhvSjmw

Pics credits: S.A.Krishna

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Kottayam district is not flanked by sea on any of its sides, still Kottayam has a light house (called Munroe light, set up in 1813 by Col. Munroe - a British resident in travancore) @ pallom, overlooking the Vembanad lake - If some painting job and little maintenace work can be done on it along with the beautification of the premises and and the lake shore, it can become another piece of attraction for the tourists visiting Kottayam.

Pallom Light house
Pic credits: mach tourism (incrediblieruralindia.blogspot.com)
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Munroe light and pallom backwaters - view from the light house
Pic credits: wherever my feet go @ picasa.com

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HOTEL VIJAYA PARK @ KOTHANALLOOR , KOTTAYAM DISTRICT (21 Kms North of Kottayam Town)

Pic courtesy: Shogun_79 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shogun_79/) @ flickr.com

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Amazing.

Looks like as if in a Sound & Light show.

Cheers

Kottayam district is not flanked by sea on any of its sides, still Kottayam has a light house (called Munroe light, set up in 1813 by Col. Munroe - a British resident in travancore) @ pallom, overlooking the Vembanad lake - If some painting job and little maintenace work can be done on it along with the beautification of the premises and and the lake shore, it can become another piece of attraction for the tourists visiting Kottayam.

Pallom Light house
Pic credits: mach tourism (incrediblieruralindia.blogspot.com)
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Munroe light and pallom backwaters - view from the light house
Pic credits: wherever my feet go @ picasa.com

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Sai, definitely the Munroe light house can become a great piece of attraction in Kottayam if it is given a facelift. It is incredible to have a lighthouse along the backwater banks. It really shows that there was an inland port in Kottayam during that time. Surely, the new inland port will revive the past glory. :banana:

Just want to add some information about Colonel Munroe. He owned some of the small and beautiful islands in the Ashtamudi backwaters of Kollam district. These beautiful islands were named as Munroe islands (Munroe Thuruthu). The Munroe Thuruthu Railway station is located in one of the relatively bigger islands there. Munroe islands are a great destination of inland backwater tourism now.

Kollam Backwaters - A feast for the eyes (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=754306&page=11)

Pls excuse for the poor pic quality - I snapped it from y'day's Manorama

JOYEES ARCADE - 70,000 sq. ft, 9 floors
Architects: Stapati, Kochi

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