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COVER STORY

Onam 2012: Trivandrum bursts into bloom with special festivities for Keralites

Ananthapuri all set to welcome Onam The city offers a variety of Onam shopping opportunities for Malayalees around the globe who are eagerly waiting to welcome King Mahabali.

Anagha P

There were times when the dawn of Atham rises, children at every home used to rush out to gather flowers to arrange unique and distinct ‘Onapookalam’ at their house. Things have changed now. By the advent of shopping centers and commercialization we can now grab whatever we desire within a few seconds. Everything you dream to make this Onam a memorable and exotic one is available in the city.

All you have to do is to prepare your list and get ready for shopping.

To enjoy the fragrance of Onam along

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To enjoy the fragrance of Onam along with contemporary lifestyle accessories you have outlets like Style Plus. City’s favorite lifestyle store is ready with an impressive array of offers and assured gifts to woo Onam shoppers. with contemporary lifestyle accessories

lucky draw and 10 lucky winners will

you have outlets like Style Plus. City’s

be randomly selected every day,” said

favorite lifestyle store is ready with an

Shyam, Manager, Style Plus.

impressive array of offers and assured gifts to woo Onam shoppers.

Apart from this offer, Trivandrum’s favorite lifestyle store also offers

“For our Onam customers we have

dial-a-gift service which enables the

planned an exclusive offer- the

customers to dial the dedicated number

‘Orayiram’ offer. Those who purchase

9747000090 to choose a gift and have it

products worth 1000 rupees or above

delivered wherever required.

will win lucky coupons of Rs.1000 and stand a chance to shop for another 1000 rupees. Style Plus will also conduct a

The energetic ‘Malayalee Mangas’ can now bring out the divas in them by choosing exclusive ethnic designer wears from boutiques like Czarina and Fabindia.

“We have introduced elite collections of Salwar Kameez materials, sarees, kurthas and other dress materials especially in Chanderi and Maheshwari materials. This time we have given more importance for the traditional

T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

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craft designs of Madhyapradesh,” said

of payasam . On ‘Thiruvonam’ they will

Manager, Fabindia.

also serve a tasty Onam sadya with 30

At Czarina Onam fest 2012, one can find exclusive designer collections of Kerala sarees. The collection has hand-embroidered saris, appliqué-worked saris and block-printed saris.

When mothers are busy purchasing groceries to prepare delicious ‘Onam Sadhya’, the youngsters are in a relaxing mood as there are a lot of restaurants in the city which offers ‘Onam Sadhya Packages’.

dishes including pal payasam, pal ada and ada prathaman. There will be special Onam counters opened at Hotel Uday Samudra till August 23 which would serve two special Kerala dishes, desserts and varieties of payasam.

What more? The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation is also organizing a week long food festival at Suryakanthi.

Here the Onam revellers can have tasty Wayanadan delicacies, Ramasserry idlies, Thalasserry biriyani. Many leading hotels

Hotel Classic Avenue would serve Onam

in the capital city will also join the cel-

lunch and dinner at the hotel’s rooftop

ebrations by opening counters offering

restaurant, Sizzle n’ Grill, from August

special food items such as Kuttanadan,

22 to 30. Hotel Chaitram is organizing an

Chettinadan and Punjabi preparations,

annual payasam mela with 15 varieties

in addition to a wide range of payasam

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“We will also join the Food fiesta at Sooryakanthi by setting up a counter named ‘Thattu ruchi’ where we will introduce traditional kerala cuisines to the visitors. Our ‘Payasam festival’ which has already begun at Biverah would give options of five different varieties ‘Payasam’ to our customers,” said Ram, Manager, Hotel Biverah.

preparations.

“We will also join the Food fiesta at

where you can find contemporary Indian furniture in affordable price.

Suryakanthi by setting up a counter

Those who visit the city during these ten

named ‘Thattu ruchi’ where we will in-

days should not miss the ‘light show‘,

troduce traditional kerala cuisines to the

or “Light kaanal”. It is as interesting as

visitors. Our ‘Payasam festival’ which

it sounds. The trees on the walk ways

has already begun at Biverah would

will be illuminated to beautify the royal

give options of five different varieties

avenues of the city and the traffic will be

‘Payasam’ to our customers,” said Ram,

diverted off from LMS to Vellayambalam

Manager, Hotel Biverah.

to make way for the people to walk and

For those who love to buy irreplaceable

enjoy the beauty.

exquisite Indian furniture can now walk

Even though Onam is the festival of

into the leading furniture shop in the

Kerala, it is very special for Trivandrum

city, Indroyal Furniture. This exclusive

as the whole city is in festive mood. So

furniture showroom offers forty percent

readers don’t miss to enjoy these fabu-

discount for all kinds of furniture used

lous Onam wonders which you would

in living rooms, bed rooms, kitchen and

only find in our capital city!

offices. This is one of the best outlet

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COVER FEATURE

The era of instant Onam Onam is the season in which Keralites around the world are struck by a strong spell of nostalgia. We celebrate onam with great pomp and splendour for ten days.

Pooja Jayan

Elaborate preparations are made for this grand carnival beyond the barricades of caste and creed. The festival is in reminiscence of King Mahabali’s golden rule. During the eve of Onam streaks of festivity and fun can be witnessed everywhere in Kerala.

Kerala’s traditional values have been eroded by the onslaught of time. Onam has now turned into a commercial fiesta. It has lost its simplicity, beauty and traditional flavor. Unfortunately extravagance has become a mark of one’s individuality. Onam, the very name itself calls for shopping where people buy some of the latest home appliances to grab a few eyeballs. As the Onam bandwagon begins to roll, businessmen

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in every nook and cranny of Kerala are

family get-together is now fading out.

in high spirits. Discount sales, exhibi-

Family vacation or an overseas sojourn

tions and fairs are organized to entice

is preferred now. Liquor, no doubt is,

customers. Keralites have indeed lost

a star today. As usual the Kerala State

the essence of virtues associated with

Beverages Corporation would be mak-

this festival. In the good old days we

ing whopping revenue from liquor sales,

made ‘athapookalam’ with native flow-

as the demand for the season is mas-

ers but all of them has vanished due to

sive. Being an auspicious period there

excessive land usage. Now we purchase

would be a forced purchase of jewellery

flowers from Tamil Nadu. Kerala has

despite the skyrocketing price of gold.

truly become a dependent state.

The pristine glory of onam has com-

Some people prefer to have onam

pletely faded out. Children now cel-

meals from sumptuous star hotels

ebrate onam sitting in front of the ‘idiot

whereas some prefer ‘instant meals’.

box’ without feeling the spirit of onam

One no longer has to search for banana

games and traditional values. When the

leaves because artificial banana leaves

youngsters, the budding blooms of the

are readily available. The get together of

nation, lose interest in Onam it raises

family members in the ‘tharavadu’ was

eyebrows about the future of the color-

a unique feature of onam, that spirit of

ful celebration itself…..

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SHOPPING

The trendsetter: Naaz Looking for the cutest trendy clothes in town? Then hunt down the latest in fashion domain at ‘Naaz’. In Trivandrum ‘Naaz’ costumes is a keyword to the champions look, it makes you stand apart from the crowd.

As you walk down the road, workplace or even jostle each other in crowd, don’t you want to be the attention grabber? If yes, you can simply synergize different clothing and jewellery from Naaz lifestyle shoppy and have a brand new look. Naaz has carved a niche for itself in the town and now it has become a buzz word when it comes to fashion and style.

From footwear to something like accessories is really important when you are going to look for a particular style. Naaz has in its bouquet all kinds of utilities for the common public, starting from branded outfits and accessories for men, women, kids and teens to cosmetics, gift and crockery items,

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gaming zone and even a food court.

Trendy dresses that give a new touch of style keeping in sync with intrinsic fashion is what people seek now. Naaz

fashion accessories. They have a brand of fashion wear called GOOSE, which instantly became a frenzy among the fashionistas.

has an array of collection from dif-

Under the stewardship of Nazar, Naaz

ferent parts of the world like Korea,

has grown from a small showroom to

China, Thailand and even from various

the 9-storey lifestyle center. “Our motto

states of India. Every piece of clothing

is to win customers, not sales,” says

is unique here and not easily available in

Nazar.

town .This lifestyle shoppy has exquisite crockery collections as well as perfumes from international biggies.

Naaz costumes are sure to elicit the ‘wow’ factor from people in a crowd.

Your attire is most often considered a

NAAZ was launched in 1995, with exclu-

reflection of your personality, it makes

sive collections of trendy clothes and

a statement about both how you feel about yourself. Currently, every little thing that someone wears is judged with a fine eye, so choose out for the best from Naaz and make your own style statement.

Naaz Pulimoodu o471 2333725

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TRAVEL

Know Bekal Bekal by 2015 – An International Beach Tourist Destination Bekal with its magnificent sea-facing Fort, stunning backwaters, beautiful beach and rich cultural heritage is aiming to take the centre stage of God’s Own Country’s tourism map.

V Viswanath

The Archaeological Survey of India has designated Bekal Fort as a protected monument. The fort has a water-tank with its flight of steps, a tunnel, magazine for keeping ammunition, and an observation tower for an ample view out to sea and to towns in the vicinity. There are different versions as to when and by whom the fort was constructed. The fort served as an important military station during Tipu Sultan’s military expedition to Malabar. There is a Mukhyaprana Temple and an ancient Muslim Mosque nearby. A splendid 10-km stretch of networked waterways makes Bekal ideal

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for boating and backwater tourism. The

the Kerala Government’s tourism policy,

State Highway-10 passes through Bekal.

it is ensured that the development

Bekal has a railway station at Pallikere.

projects maximize benefits to the local

Nearest airport is Mangalore at 60 km.

communities.

The flagship ‘Know Bekal’ promotional

The ‘Know Bekal’ campaign showcases

campaign was inaugurated by Chief

the rapid transformation in and around

Minister Sri. Oommen Chandy on May

Bekal, which includes improvement

10. Tourism Minister Sri. A P Anil Kumar

in transport infrastructure, revamp of

stated that the target is to almost

beach amenities and backwater tour

double the inflow of tourists to Bekal

facilities, construction of luxury resorts

by 2015.

and introduction of new adventure,

Bekal Resorts Development Corporation

cultural and eco-tourism activities.

Ltd (BRDC) is setting up comprehensive

Major projects the corporation has

tourism infrastructure with focus on

completed include a 7.4 MLD water sup-

environment-friendly and ecologically

ply scheme, beautification of the public

viable development methods. As per

beach at Pallikere, a houseboat centre

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at Kottapuram and an amenity centre at

Upcoming projects include an airstrip

Edayilakadu. Two 5-star luxury resorts

at Periya village, a cultural centre, BRDC

are commissioned and another four

incubation centre, sea plane services, in-

would be completed by the end of 2012.

formation kiosks at major destinations, Sauhrida Health Project, and Bio Organic Farm Tourism.

Bekal tourism projects would be carried out in Public-Private Partnership mode.

For marketing Bekal as a planned tourism destination as well as coordinate developments at all stages, investors and promoters would be supported and assisted by BRDC. Explore the beaches, backwaters, and archaeological monuments, experience the estuaries and groves, enjoy the houseboat cruise and cultural activities, visit pilgrim spots – there is a lot one can

Mahesh Managing Director, BRDC 20

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do in Bekal.

KIDS

Home Away From Home Smell of fresh crayons and new notes is in the air…. ‘Nest’ a delightful Crèche and Kindergarten has come up in Trivandrum to ease your worries about your children while at workplace. Nest assures you to care your kids as if they are at home with their parents. It is indeed a one stop centre for early childhood education.

Children are like flowers and they too need to be cultivated, watered and cared for, keeping this in mind Nest aims to create a strong foundation for children for their all-round development in the later phase.

They work towards exploring the innate potential of each child believing each child to be unique. They prefer to call the child a ‘nestling’ as the child is so sensitive and fragile when they are away from the nest of their comfort and out from the wings of their parental care.

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This nest promises to give safe shelter

Maya Organics, right from their source

for each nestling left with them with an

in Chennapattanam in Karnataka. Splash

individual care which will never let them

pool, Puppet theater, Sand play, Kids

feel as they are kept away from their

Library, Kinder music and yoga for kids

parents.

are offered by the institution.

Planned to perfection keeping the

A Post Graduate from Kerala University

needs of these young learners in mind,

Mrs. Kavitha Pradeep is the director of

this building has various areas allocated

nest, whose long time ambition was to

for play, activity, creativity and learning.

build a safe and fun-filled learning space

The recreational and pleasure learning

for kids where they can get the parent

techniques in this institution are care-

like care and love. Mr. Murugaprasad,

fully fabricated with all the present day

principal to Younis Institute of Technol-

Montessori and Kindergarten methods.

ogy, Kollam serves as an advisor, well

The brain development and learning tools like Rattles, Push and pull toys,

wisher and strategy planner to the institution.

Stackers, Abacus, MO Education aids

Nest intends to instill the joy of learning

etc are selectively handpicked from

to the little buds which would set the tone for the rest of their lives. Nest is not just a childcare centre; but a place to nurture your child to be a champion of the future…

Nestling Medical College 0471 3226141 info@nestlingsnest.com

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DINING

Royal Travancore Dinner We at The Leela Kovalam Beach present the Royal Travancore menu with specialties from the Travancore region of Kerala.

While reminders of royalty, like the Thali Plate, Kindi and the urli in the centre of your table, The Gun powder tossed idly, Nei meen pollichathu to Ada pradaman will invigorate your senses, a tradition well preserved for our Maharaja and

The entire experience is perfectly com-

Maharani guests.

plemented by the traditionally dressed servers to the finest choice of authentically prepared Royal Travancore cuisine.

Reservation procedure: Reservations are requested 24 hours in advance- Contact Café or Club Manager.

The Leela Kovalam 0471 3051234

Chef Vijayan Parakkal T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

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HOUSING

PJ Homes

‘On-time’ & ‘in-budget’ construction V Viswanath

The eco friendly green constructions that are carried out on prime plots of land feature the latest technical specifications and meet building regulations.

PJ Homes have a very client-oriented approach. Throughout the process

P J Homes – the property developers, aim to establish themselves as developers and builders of high-quality affordable homes and villas.

– from pre-construction to close-out – the client’s point of view formulates the decision making. Educational institutions, business centres, transportation and entertainment facilities are all easily accessible from their projects. Their top

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priority is always the client’s needs and

Located at Kattaikonam, it is midway to

aspirations. ‘On-time’ and ‘in-budget’

Technopark and Technocity, and has ex-

construction is carried out as per the

cellent connectivity to National Highway,

client’s specifications.

MC Road, as well as Central Trivandrum.

The first two projects of PJ Homes,

The Garden View is coming up with well-

Rajasree Domiciles (20 villas) at Chenko-

architectured 39 villas. Ideal, convenient

ttukonam and Sanskriti (16 villas) at

and aesthetic space utilization coupled

Gandhipuram near Sreekariyam had

with leisure facilities like swimming

achieved overwhelming success.

pools, play grounds, gyms, health clubs,

The latest – Garden View – is a nature friendly project with a wonderful blend of serenity, luxury and greenery.

and gardens are provided by PJ Homes.

Amenities include Kids’ pool, Club house, jogging track, Table Tennis and indoor

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Badminton courts, Basket Ball Post, Avenue tree planting, Landscaping, individual well, video intercom, Barbeque corner, guest parking, and 24-hour

security.

Experienced and competent professional team of property experts, architects and civil engineers helps PJ Homes maintain comprehensive construction and management expertise, innovative problem solving, continuous communication, advance scheduling, and a safety-first attitude. Quality architectural craftsmanship, engineering, integrity, and honesty – these attributes that PJ Homes have, assist them in achieving the goal to provide a creative, disciplined and equitable approach to custom building for their client and associates.

P J Homes Vanchiyoor 0471 3016111 info@pjhomes.in

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LIFE STYLE

Be in style with Cactus Hey lovely ladies, why do you want to compromise with your clothing?

Get the best for you at ‘Cactus’. After taking over the heart of Kottayam and Cochin, ‘Cactus’ fabric hut has spread its wings to Trivandrum to entice the ladies over here.

Every imaginable piece of clothing required for a woman to look her best is available at ‘Cactus’, in fact this store has the charm to transform you into a diva.

Cactus products include unstitched salwar suits, sarees, boutique fabrics, dupattas, bottoms, bottom dupattas, leggings & kurti’s. In silks, tussers, jutes, linens, karachi, maheswari, chanderi, kashmiri, brocades, kota’s, supernet & cotton exclusives.

After its long-run over a decade, Cactus is the most sought after ethnic wear brand for the trendsetting Keralite

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woman. Cactus started in the year 2000

thereby establishing themselves as a

at Kottayam as an exclusive unstitched

trendsetter in the industry.

salwar suits store.

Adding another golden feather to its

Later on Cactus started a party wear

cap Cactus launched its first in-house

section for unstitched salwar suits in the

brand “FQ” designer readymade kurti’s

year 2001 which was also the first of its

with trendy & stylish designs keeping in

kind in Kerala.

mind the contemporary Indian women

Earlier there was no organized form of retailing in exclusive unstitched salwar suits of boutique taste in Kerala Cactus started bringing all the latest designs in Bombay, Delhi, Jaipur and all other manufacturing centres to their stores,

in the year 2010. Cactus is now the largest women’s ethnic wear group in Kerala in the premium segment with retail presence in Kottayam, Cochin & Trivandrum.

Whatever may be your choice, a simple look or a glossy one, you have variety of stocks to pick out at Cactus. So why wait? Flaunt the exquisite collections from Cactus and stay noticed…

Cactus Pulimoodu Jn 0471 2332336

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T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

SIDCO Fest ends in triumph The ‘SIDCO fest’ organised by Kerala

exhibition-cum-sale, SIDCO Kids Zone

Small Industries Development Corpora-

was also organised at the Nishagandhi

tion Limited (SIDCO) at Kanakakkunnu

Open Air Auditorium.

from August 10-18 garnered huge crowds because of its uniqueness. A vast variety of items were on display at the stalls, including furniture, fashion dress materials and jewellery, natural products like honey, Ayurveda products, leather goods, fancy items and handicrafts, machinery and a lot more. In connection with the

The winners of the lucky draw took home prizes like fridge, mobile phones and much more. The fest was indeed a platform for manufacturers to meet a large number of customers to market the products directly without recourse to high cost of advertisement

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TRADE MART

“Emerging Kerala” campaign to woo business, trade tycoons Kerala is all set to kick-start a massive campaign to position itself as one of the most favourite business destinations in India and become a global hub of economic activity, with the goal of achieving an all-inclusive, rapid and sustainable growth.

‘Emerging Kerala’ – a three-day global connect opportunity for business leaders, investors and policymakers which offers a platform for two-way discussions and bilateral trade – will be organized in the commercial hub of Kochi in September. This is one of the biggest investment branding exercises the state has ever undertaken.

In the run-up to this mega event, the state government has lined up a series of interactive sessions, domestic and international road- shows, business meets and conclaves to showcase the state’s investment potential and business-friendly policies.

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As an investment destination, Kerala has

including a High Speed Rail Corridor con-

plenty to offer. It ranks among the best

necting north and south Kerala, Kochi

in India in nearly all social and economic

Metro Rail, Thiruvananthapuram Mono

indicators. The state has the highest

Rail and Kannur international airport.

literacy rate in India, a human resource development index on par with that of developed nations, and the highest density of science and technology personnel.

‘Emerging Kerala’ is being organised in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the National Association of Software & Services Companies (NASSCOM). The Kerala

Highly skilled manpower, top-class in-

State Industrial Development Corpora-

frastructure and excellent domestic and

tion (KSIDC) is the nodal agency for the

international transport connectivity add

summit.

to the advantage.

“The goal of this branding exercise is

There is no dearth of investment op-

to catalyse growth through enabling

portunities either, with a series of mega

policies and to facilitate an environment

infrastructure projects in the pipeline,

for investment. We need to highlight

T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

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the fact that Kerala is a very lucrative,

tourism, food and agro processing,

investor-friendly destination,” said KSIDC

ports, shipbuilding and logistics, educa-

Managing Director Alkesh Sharma.

tion and infrastructure development.

‘Emerging Kerala’ is intended as a bien-

In keeping with the premise of sustain-

nial event and this year the emphasis

able economic growth, there is consid-

will be on a review of the Kerala’s hugely

erable focus on environment-friendly

successful social model to see if it can be

industries and enterprises such as green

adapted to achieve sustainable economic

energy and water technologies.

growth.

Various state departments, public sector

Top on the priority list for the govern-

units and agencies have drafted project

ment is easing regulatory procedures

profiles for presenting to potential

for investors. The state’s Single Win-

investors.

dow Clearance system for speeding up approval of industrial projects is going online and growth-inhibiting legislations getting amended.

Over two dozen sectors will be showcased at the ‘Emerging Kerala’ summit, and among the core ones are IT and IT enabled services, tourism and medical

The government is also keen to highlight its pro-active forward-looking policies on Industry and Commerce; Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Tourism; and Labour.

But ‘Emerging Kerala’ is expected to be much more than a display window for the state’s multiple attractions.

“The Government of Kerala is giving top priority to this global summit. We view this as an opportunity to show-case Kerala ‘God’s Own Country’ – to the whole world.

We expect many Heads of Governments, foreign dignitaries, business leaders, CEOs, visionaries and thought leaders to participate in this event. Kerala has already achieved commendable progress in human development. We hope to use this event to launch us on a path of faster and sustainable growth.”

Oommen Chandy Chief Minister Government of Kerala

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SHOPPING

Go for the ‘original’ at SARAS mela Can we go back to our original rural economy in order to have the quality products? If this question is disturbing you, here’s a chance to explore our rural India, SARAS (Sales of Articles of Rural Artisans), the national arts and crafts fair has hit the city.

Pooja Jayan

SARAS is an umbrella brand under which the rural marvels are available to the common people. The fair is organised by the Ministry of Rural Development, State Rural Development Department and the Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat. SARAS aims at raising general public awareness of rural capacities and promoting their business initiatives.

The fest is being held at Manjalikkulam ground, displaying handicrafts, handloom products, embroidery works, jewellery, leather products, spices, wide variety of ethnic food products, sarees, Churidar materials, artwork, woollen

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carpets, sofas and cushions, wood work

If you want to aunt yourselves with

and carvings. The products reect the

rural elegance there are fabrics mapping

skill, traditional knowledge, and hard

chanderi, mangalagiri, pochampally, tus-

work of the rural population.

sar, kalamkari and much more. Packets

T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

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ensured in the fest. This trade fair not only gives the rural populace an opportunity to sell their products to customers, but also helps them to establish business connections and gain new customers for their of powdered spices as well as raw pieces of turmeric, dry red chillies and bottles of grapevine, honey and sauces prepared by people from villages are also available.

future work.

Rare and unique traditional rural products made by self-help groups and individuals from across the State will make your jaws drop; especially when

To satisfy one’s gastronomical de-

it comes to the price. The products are

light there are various stalls offering

made available directly from the manu-

homemade sweets and snacks. If you

facturers, so you will get your products

are in search of decorative items, there

at mind boggling rates.

are plenty of items that will grace your rooms. The bows and arrows from Rajasthan made out of bamboo and other wood has pulled in many people. You can even have your sketch drawn at the fest by rural artists.

In the semi-domed pavilion you have products from 19 states of India. The participation of 14 districts of Kerala representing home-grown products is

There are lucky draw coupons for the customers who spend more than Rs. 1000. Each day’s winners get gifts worth Rs. 1000, Rs. 500 and Rs. 300. The fest is till August 27.

Be sure that you don’t miss this great opportunity to browse through such a vast variety of products from all over India!!!

New in the Market

Shop @ Chinda Only

` 195

Only

` 5300

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CITY SCAN SKHF Members with BBHA Members (Sri Lanka)

World’s Two Amazing Tourist’s Spots Get Together- Keralites and Sri Lankans The State Kerala Hotelier’s Forum organised a four-day vacation for their Sri Lankan counterparts. The forum offered a welcome party for the 13 hotelier’s and their families at UDS, Kovalam Hoteliers of the two green paradises in the world- Sri Lanka and Kerala which would be among the best tourist destination in the future, joined together on an enchanting evening at the Uday Samudra leisure beach hotel located at the famed beaches of Kerala.

M R Narayanan, Managing Director, Poovar Island Resort welcomed the guests saying “People of Kerala and Sri Lanka have not yet found the similarity between Our God’s Own Country and Sri Lanka. Is’nt seeing is believing? Now you are here. I am sure that you will realize what I said is exactly what it is.”

Eksath Wijeratne, General Manager of Eden Resort & Spa, his Sri Lankan counterpart, responded saying,” we are very

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“Words are not enough to express our feeling. The hospitality we experienced here is tremendous. It is our great pride and honor to visit Kerala,” said Nirosha (BBHA)

happy. It is much more than what we

and culture of Sri Lanka has an uncanny

expected. I am eagerly waiting for the

resemblance. I have been in Sri Lanka

next four days. It is gonna be fantastic.

since many years. This beautiful country

Houseboats are something which have

has always accepted Indian with pleas-

always attracted us. This visit would

ure. Sri Lanka has now listed as one of

help us to improve our business for

the top desired destination for tourism.

sure.”

We can do a lot together.”

‘We can achieve great heights if we go

“Words are not enough to express our

hand in hand. So it is our great pleasure

feeling. The hospitality we experienced

to be with our neighbors. We are glad

here is tremendous. It is our great pride

to offer you all the magnificent things

and honor to visit Kerala,” said Nirosha,

which we have in our green land,” said

wife of Eksath Wijeratne.

Sanjeev Pereira.

After the introductory speech and

Manoj Mathew, GM of Taj Vivanta in

photo session, the guests were treated

Sri Lanka expressed his happiness in

with delicious Kerala cusines like Meen

being with Keralites. “The topography

Pollichathu, Appam and Sea Food Molly.

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HEALTH

Physiotherapy – An overview Physiotherapy applies physical means to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a range of diseases, disorders, and disabilities. Assessment of the patient’s condition is based on the patient’s medical history, physical examination and diagnostic tests. Based on the diagnosis, a comprehensive treatment plan is established.

Physiotherapeutic treatment methods include musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and integument (skin)-based techniques. The methods used would vary for each patient. Hands-on therapy such as massage, manipulation, and mobilisation are used to restore joint and tissue/muscle movements. Heat or cold is used to relax and heal muscles. Techniques of stretching, taping, exercise are used as per patient’s need.

Modalities such as Laser, ultrasound, electrical stimulation would be required in treating some patients.

Aquatic or hydrotherapy is a form of therapy carried out in water.

Physiotherapy plays a major part in

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treating a wide range of conditions, includ-

for the benefit of musculoskeletal,

ing post-surgical rehabilitation, sports-re-

circulatory, nervous, and other body

lated injuries and muscle strains, arthritic

systems. Physiotherapists also provide

complications, stroke, paralysis, pre/post

guidance to patients in various mobiliza-

natal care, etc. Neurological patients are

tion devices.

aided in fall management through physiotherapeutic interventions.

The physiotherapist aims to restore normal body functions and movements

An intervention program including multi-

of a patient after an illness or injury. In

factorial risk assessment, management

addition, the physiotherapist counsels

and exercise programs, balance/gait

on ways to improve overall health and

trainings, and environment modification

well-being and reduce future risk of any

and education lead to preventing falls in

injuries in patients. The key element that

elderly and neurological patients. Patient

determines success in physiotherapy is

education on ergonomics would sig-

patient education.

nificantly reduce overuse syndromes and long-term disabilities.

Physiotherapists employ massage therapy

Healing Touch Kuravankonam 0471 2436388 info@healingtouchphysiotherapy.com

T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

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45

CLICK

Metro Mart lends insight introduces the people behind ‘Metro Mart’ commercial photo shoot that recently occurred in the city

A picture before clicking the shutter The most elaborate photo shoot I have been involved in to date was for “Metro Mart”. By the time I got to the shoot the crew had been working for several hours under the direction of the Director K S Padmakumar and Photographer S Prashanth. The hero, Sajan L S and the heroine, Malu Ravindranath were thrilled and excited to fulfil the expectation of the director and photographer.

Anagha P

Each member of this production team was dynamic and highly dedicated.

Metro Mart would like to introduce the members of this vibrant team who orchestrated a fantastic advertising photo shoot.

Client: Metro Mart Studio: Great Day Pictures, Trivandrum

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Director

sage to the readers.”

K S Padmakumar

Photographer:

Script writer and

S Prashanth

Director of Mollywood comedy film Advocate Lakshmanan- Ladies Only and popular serials like Vikramadithyan and Kadamattathu Kathanar. His debut Tamil film ‘Unakake Vazhkaren’ will be released soon.

“Directing an advertising film is the most exciting. Creating and conceiving the right message gives me ultimate happiness. In this photo shoot I want to provide the photographer the perfect stills which would deliver the right mes-

A talented lifestyle photographer, who loves to freeze candid emotions and movements of life. He has been working as a photojournalist who is specialised in surgery for the past fifteen years.

“I love to visualise the ideas that are conveyed by my director. Once I get to know what I am expected to do I would like to meet the cast and visit the location.”

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47

Makeup Artist

‘Unakake Vazhkaren’.

Anil Nemam

“Acting is my passion. I make an emo-

An acclaimed makeup artist in the film industry, known for his unique style in crafting the best out of the canvas- human body.

He has been doing a lot of assignments in Indian film industry and also has credit for various modelling campaigns

tional discovery very often as I can find one in every scene in which I have be in front of the camera. I am glad that I can work with such a wonderful team. Metro Mart is the only lifestyle magazine in the city. I loved their concept. Through this photo shoot our director aims to hit on the right idea.”

for fashion on exotic locations.

Malu Ravindranath

“I have a fascination with faces and love

A charming radio jockey and an aspiring

working on all types of faces. Models

film actress. She is casted in the remake

are just like you and me. I just makeup a

Chattakari which was released in 1974.

fresh face which comes to me according

She is also a part of a few new gen Ma-

to the character they play. In this photo

layalam cinemas which is yet to release.

shoot what I adore the enthusiasm and involvement the crew members show.”

Artists/ Models

“This is the first and biggest photo shoot that I ever had. I love acting. I feel that it is so much more real than life.

Padmakumar sir is a man with sprawling

Sajan L S

ideas. The pictures clicked today would

A budding actor and one of the most

make the readers to think more. I am

admired VJ. He is eagerly waiting for his

sure that these pictures would commu-

next release ‘Snehikan Oru Manassu’

nicate and persuade them to take some

directed by Satheesh Kumar in which

new action.”

he has done the lead role. He is also the protagonist of Padmakumar’s Tamil film

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Interior Courtesy: Chinda

CITY SCAN

Making a real dierence:

Kalanidhi

Everyone has dreams, but if there is someone to satisfy your dreams wont you be happy? Kalanidhi - centre for arts, culture and research in Trivandrum is set to make the dreams of poor come true.

Along with services in the ďŹ eld of arts and culture, this organization has come down to help the impoverished. Kalanidhi is registered with the state as well as central government as a charitable society. This institution is deeply committed to the upliftment of the oppressed and downtrodden section in the remote villages of Kerala.

Kalanidhi is the result of a coming together of people who have the temperament to help the needy members of our society.

With an understanding of the plight and helplessness of the unfortunate, Kalanidhi has been involved in various activities such as supplying food and cloth, arranging shelter, supporting education for children etc.

To bring a little solace to those in pain Kala-

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nidhi has adopted 125 families in Kathip-

building houses for the poor at Kathip-

para village (colony). All over Kerala

para colony. Recently Kalanidhi has

around 6000 programs were conducted

organized ‘Onam Utsav 2012’, where the

by the institution providing a platform

poor children were given fiscal help as

to the poor to showcase their talents

well as presents for Onam. Several dig-

before the world. Kalanidhi has also

nitaries such as Kavalam Narayana Pan-

stepped forward to honour those per-

icker, Padmasree Dr. Hareendran Nair,

sons who have contributed significantly

S R Krishnakumar and Madhubhaskaran

to the well being and development of

were honoured during the occasion for

Kerala state.

their contribution to the society.

Kalanidhi has been in forefront in con-

Kalanidhi believes that the world will be

ducting free medical camps and sorting

a better place to live in if the fortunate

out jobs for the unemployed. This

would extend their support to the poor

institution has embarked on measures in

and deprived section of the society….

“Your little step has the power to the lives of many, so reach out to those less fortunate than us. Charities adds up pride that you are helping to protect others life. By donating money to the less fortunate, you are taking action against poverty, sickness and possible death. So start charity at a level you’re comfortable with now.”

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Geetha Rajendran General Secretary, Kalanidhi