Category Archives: Records, All

A treasure trove of Malayalam cinema

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

The facility’s inauguration also coincides with the 90th anniversary of Malayalam cinema and the 20th year of establishment of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.

Thiruvananthapuram :

A 10,000-film digital archive, well-equipped research library and mini-theatres are among the facilities at the Centre for International Film Research and Archives (CIFRA) which will see a formal inauguration at the KINFRA Film and Video Park, Kazhakootam, on Wednesday.The facility – designed as a memorial to yesteryear actor Sathyan – brings a wealth of research material on Malayalam cinema under a single roof. The centre also includes a conference hall, dormitory, office and guest rooms.

The facility’s inauguration also coincides with the 90th anniversary of Malayalam cinema and the 20th year of establishment of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate CIFRA at 6 pm on Wednesday, it will be opened to the public only by January 1, after this year’s International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), Academy officials said. By then, the Academy office also will be shifted to CIFRA from its present location at Sasthamangalam. The CIFRA library is named after PK Nair, who established the National Film Archive of India in Pune.

“The library will have 10,000 Indian and foreign films. As of now, we have collected 3,000 Malayalam films and more than 3, 000 foreign language films,”  Chalachitra Academy secretary Mahesh Panju said.

“The mini theatre in CIFRA will help the research scholars as well as film enthusiasts to watch the movie in a nominal amount,” he said.

“We have numerous students in the state who are doing film studies and film research along with students doing film studies as an interdisciplinary course. They do not have enough materials for the same.

CIFRA, with more than 10, 000 films and 8, 000 books, will help the students in finding the research materials,” said N P Sajeesh, deputy director of programmes, State Chalachitra Academy.

At the entrance to CIFRA, the guests are welcomed by the logo of Chalachitra Academy. “Automobile scraps were used to make the academy logo and two other sculptures. The picture of K C Daniel, father of Malayalam cinema, in the reception has been made with the electronic scraps,” said Santhosh Raman, the interior designer of CIFRA, who won the National Award and State Award for Best Production Designer for the 2017 film ‘Take Off.’

“We wanted every wall to be informative and it is made in such a way to take the guest through the journey of Malayalam Cinema,” he said.On the budget of the project, Mahesh Panju said, “Kerala State Chalachitra Academy already had R2 crore in hand and the rest of the money was funded by the state government. The estimated budget of the project is R4.25 crore.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express  Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / November 19th, 2018

Now, Noolpuzha health centre reaches out to elderly patients

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The lithium-powered e-rickshaw procured by the Noolpuzha Family Health Centre.

To operate electric rickshaw for senior citizens, women, tribespeople

After setting a benchmark in the rural healthcare sector of the country by securing the first position in the National Quality Assurance Certification (NQAC) process a few weeks ago, the Noolpuzha Family Health Centre (FHC) in Wayanad is preparing to launch an innovative project to lend a helping hand to elderly patients in the grama panchayat.

The FHC plans to arrange free transportation facilities for senior citizens, women and tribespeople residing within 5-km radius of the hospital using a lithium-powered electric rickshaw, a first such project in the public health care sector of the State.

The hospital authorities have procured the e-rickshaw at a cost of ₹2 lakh and all work including customisation and registration of the vehicle has been completed.

“As Noolpuzha grama panchayat is the second largest tribal populated grama panchayat in the State, we hope the project will be of great help to the poor people in the grama panchayat,” V.P. Dahar Mohammed, medical officer at the hospital, told The Hindu. The panchayat has provided ₹1.75 crore from its plan fund for the all-round development of the hospital over the past three years, including the cost of the e-rickshaw.

“We are planning to utilize the service of the hospital driver to operate the vehicle till we find an alternative. During an emergency, the vehicle will be provided to the public also. The vehicle will run 85 km with a single charge and it will start operation by November-end,” said the medical officer.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by E.M. Manoj / Kalpetta – November 18th, 2018

S.K. Satheesh takes aerosolresearch to new heights

Records, All, Science & Technology
S.K. Satheesh

The Kerala scientist bags Infosys Prize for 2018

S.K. Satheesh has spent over 25 years of his career as a scientist studying atmospheric aerosols and their impact on the earth’s atmosphere and climate. His pioneering work and commitment to research fetched him the Infosys Prize 2018 for physical sciences on Tuesday.

Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. Satheesh is currently Professor, Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Director, Divecha Centre for Climate Change.

The prize instituted by the Infosys Science Foundation carries a gold medal, citation and a purse of $100,000 or its equivalent in rupees.

The press note announcing the winners of this year’s prize said Dr. Satheesh was selected for his pioneering work in the filed of climate change. “His studies on black carbon aerosols, the dark, light absorbing micrscopic particles which greatly influence the energy balance of the atmosphere over the Indian subcontinent, have enabled a better understanding of the role of these particles on climate change, precipitation and human health.”

“Dr. Satheesh’s work on measuring, quantifying and analysing the impact of black carbon aerosols is important not only to climate science, but also to our society that has to mitigate and cope with climate change, possibly the most important threat to humanity,” reads the citation.

Dr. Satheesh’s research is currently focussed on the the impact of aircraft emissions on the ozone layer. “Aircraft flying at high altitudes emit a tremendous amount of black carbon which can reach the stratosphere and deplete the ozone layer, leading to catastrophic effects for life on earth,” he explains. “With the volume of air traffic going up, it is easy to imagine the volume of carbon in the atmosphere.”

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram  – November 15th, 2018

Girl on a mission

About Kerala, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

When kids her age were busy playing outside, she chose to remain inside

Angelin playing bulbul tarang as her grandfather listens carefully

Kochi :

When kids her age were busy playing outside, she chose to remain inside. Perhaps the world outside did not hold a candle to what kept her indoors. Ever since her grandfather dusted off a ‘bulbul tarang’ from the attic three months ago, she was intrigued. Seven-year-old Angelin Maria Able is probably the youngest musician to play the instrument in the state.

A Kothamangalam native, Angelin was introduced to the world of music when she saw her grandfather C K Alexander, a retired art teacher of Mar Basil Higher Secondary School, cleaning and oiling the old bulbul tarang, and playing a few tunes on it. “Immediately fascinated by the instrument that is rare now, she attempted to copy my father without success,” says Able C Alex, Angelin’s father. Not one to give up, she made several attempts to master the tune Alexander played.

Noticing her genuine interest in mastering the instrument, Alexander took it upon himself to teach the basic 101 of the bulbul tarang, which was once famously known as Indian Banjo. “Playing the keys on bulbul tarang is difficult because it requires flexibility in fingers. But Angelin kept practising. In no time, she was at ease with the instrument and could easily play popular songs on it,” says Able. The first song she learnt was the National Anthem.

Bulbul tarang, a string instrument, is said to have evolved from the Japanese taishogoto. It has two strings and keys that resemble those of a typewriter. While it is comparatively easy to master, the instrument itself is a rarity as hardly anyone manufactures it anymore.Angelin now plays with a bulbul tarang which is over 40 years old. “My father had bought it from Kolkatta during an all-India tour some 40 years ago. It was a rarity in south India because it was prominent in the north,” says Able. Alexander had already mastered the instrument under the tutelage of a north Indian who was in Kerala for job-related reasons. However, due to other commitments, the instrument was soon forgotten. During this time, the bulbul tarang also lost its prominence from the music scene.

The Class II student of St Stephen’s Bes-Ania School is now on a journey to revive the instrument back to its glory. “None of the kids studying with Angelin had ever heard of the instrument until she began learning it. Her teachers were also intrigued after my wife, who is also a teacher at the school, showed them videos of her performances,” says Able. Angelin is now getting ready to perform at the Children’s Day celebrations at her school.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Anna  Binoy / Express New Service / November 12th, 2018

Burial urn of Megalithic era unearthed

Amazing Feats, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion
A burial urn unearthed at Hydermettu, near Nedumkandam in Idukki district, is believed to be the largest one found in the region.

Largest urn unearthed so far is indicator of a culturally-oriented society

A huge burial urn dating back to the Megalithic era that was unearthed while clearing a private road to a house at Hydermettu, near Nedumkandam, recently is believed to be one of the major findings that would shed light on life in the pre-historic era on the western side of the Western Ghats.

The urn is said to be the largest one unearthed from the region so far. It is 3-ft wide at its mouth and its shape is a variant of other ones explorated in the district. Moreover, there are art works on it — a pointer to the cultural awareness of a society that belonged to the pre-historic period.

A large number of burial urns have been unearthed from Ramakkalmedu, Mundieruma and Puzhpakandam nearby in the recent past. However, they were comparatively small in size and do not have notable decorative works, said V.M. Safeer, Head, Department of History, MES College, Nedumkandam.

Mr. Safeer said the burial urns unearthed from the region belonged to 1,00 BCE and 500 BCE. Some of the urns have remains of iron weapons and pieces of bones. “Their period can be known only through carbon dating,” he said adding that some might be aged only a few hundred years.

Valuable evidence

The importance is that the findings in the hinterland of the erstwhile Muziris port is valuable evidence of a culturally-oriented society. The new finding is on the hill area bordering Tamil Nadu and believed to be linked to a settled life there. Burial urns, dolmen and hero stones are spread over a large area on the western side of the Western Ghats

Though individual studies were conducted in the past, specific studies and research are needed to throw light on the importance of these historical remains, he added.

Kerala Council for Historical Research chairman P.K. Michael Tharakan told The Hindu on Sunday that small-sized burial urns were unearthed from different areas in the State. However, it needed a study connected to the other ones unearthed in the region. It pointed to the need for a surface exploration there. On the basis of the evidence, further explorations could be taken up and it may lead to valuable conclusions with regard to the lengthy history of human habitation in the district. The Archaeological Department was undertaking excavations at historically important sites, he said adding that the district, especially the Anchunadu valley, was a treasure trove for historical studies.

At present, the KCHR was on a project to explore the historic importance of Kottappuram, he said adding that the High Range area on the Western Ghats needs a comprehensive exploration of its past. It was also the hinterland for moving hill produce to Muziris port and had a civilised society from the early period.

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Giji K. Raman / Idukki – November 11th, 2018

Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika award for environmentalist T P Padmanabhan

Amazing Feats, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Records, All

Kochi :

Environmentalist T P Padmanabhan (Photo | Samakalika Malayalam)

T P Padmanabhan, environmentalist and director of  Payyannur-based Society for Environmental Education in Kerala (SEEK), an organisation spearheading environment protection campaigns and agitations, has won this year’s Social Service Award of Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika, a sister publication of The New Indian Express.

The award carries a plaque, citation and a purse of Rs 1 lakh. This year’s winner was selected by a jury comprising environmentalist M K Prasad, writer N Sasidharan and literary critic G Madhusudanan.

Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika had instituted the award in 2013 to honour persons who dedicate their lives to social service. Sixty-eight-year-old Padmanabhan has been working relentlessly for environment protection for the past several decades. He became the director of SEEK from 1987 and also the editor of the organisation’s mouth piece ‘Soochi Mukhi’.

He was the key person who led various agitations in Kerala seeking protection of the environment which included the famous Silent Valley movement that set the stage for environmental activism in the state.

The previous winners of the award are V P Suhara, social worker from Kozhikode: Raziya Banu, a social worker from Palakkad; V C Raju of Murikkasseri, Idukki; Krishnan Pallam of Pattambi, who runs the destitute home ‘Abhayam’; and Sajini Mathews, who founded Snehabhavan at Muttam, Melukavu.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service /  November 09th, 2018

Thiruvananthapuram student wins stamp designing contest

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Every year, the council conducts stamp designing contest.

Aneet Salu and Adeep Salu

Thiruvananthapuram :

The Kerala State Council for Child Welfare has selected the stamp designed by Aneet Salu of Nirmala Bhavan school, Thiruvananthapuram, from the Children’s Day stamp-2018 state-level competition. Aneet is a Class IV student. His design was selected by noted art director Nemom Pushparaj.

Every year, the council conducts stamp designing contest. Governor P Sathasivam will distribute the award to Aneet and rolling trophy for the school will be given at the state-level Children’s Day function to be held at Nishagandhi auditorium on November 14.

This year, the stamp designing competition was conducted on the theme “Navakerala Srishttikkayi Namukkorimikkam”.  ( Let us unite for building a new Kerala). Aneet Salu has a twin brother Adeeep Salu, who is also interested in drawing.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / November 04th, 2018

Chinmaya Vidyalaya winners at The Hindu Academic Pentathlon

Education, Records, All
Proud moment: Winners of The Hindu Academic Pentathlon with the chief guest, Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy and Kochi Station Commander of the Navy Commodore G. Prakash, in Kochi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat

State-level finals of the event will be held in Kochi later this month

A 10-member team from Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Thripunithura, walked away with the first prize at the Kochi edition of The Hindu Academic Pentathlon held at Oberon Mall in the city on Saturday.

The team, comprising Hari Ganesh, Anand K.S., Amal K.R., Megha Madhavan, Jayakrishnan K., Parvathy Anil, Aparna S. Nair, Shreya M.P., Vishnu Chandrasekharan and Saraswathy, scored 90 points.

A team from Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir, Eroor, was the first runner-up, scoring 74 points. The two teams will vie with eight winning teams from other regions of Kerala, in the State-level final event that will be held in Kochi later this month.

Other participants

The other teams which made it to the final of the Kochi edition were Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Vaduthala; Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ernakulam; Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir, Poochatty; and Bhavan’s Adarsha Vidyalaya, Thrikkakara.

The event, organised by The Hindu Future India Club in association with Vignan’s University, saw brainy young minds battle it out in a scholastic competition covering five disciplines — mathematics, physics, chemistry, English elocution and fine arts (music/dance).

Focus on humanities

The Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy and Kochi Station Commander of the Navy Commodore G. Prakash was the chief guest. He exhorted the 440 participants from 44 schools to accord due importance to humanities as well, since they cover various disciplines, including governance and politics.

The obsession with medical and engineering courses is not good. A scientific approach to life helps though, he added.

Speaking of his rural background and Malayalam-medium schooling, Cmde Prakash cited how he became a voracious reader of books by famous English authors. He called upon youth to prioritise co-curricular activities and sports, so that failures in life were taken with a sportsman spirit. “The upcoming generation must also be highly adaptable and flexible, so that they can get jobs in a fast-changing and competitive world. Love life and live life,” he signed off.

The judges for various disciplines were K. Pradeep, Rangarajan, C.L. Jacob, N.K. Vijayan, Anu, Sen, Jayasree P.D. and Manju C. Kaimal. Also present were Suresh George and Suresh Pillai, Senior Deputy General Manager and Assistant General Manager respectively of The Hindu, and Jaison, Consultant, Vignan’s University.

Oberon Mall was the venue partner of the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – November 04th, 2018

Wayanad vets score a first in bovine surgery

Agriculture, Records, All, Science & Technology
Veterinarians of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University performing surgery on a cow after giving inhalation anaesthesia.

Give inhalation anaesthesia to open udder to remove tumour

A team of veterinarians at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Pookode under Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University has successfully performed gas anaesthesia on a bovine, a first in the State.

Under the procedure, vapours of isoflurane, a general anaesthetic, is delivered to the lungs using oxygen as carrier gas with the help of a gas anaesthesia machine.

Also called inhalation anaesthesia, this method is widely practised in human anaesthesia and anaesthesia of pet animals such as dogs and cats.

“It is for the first time in the State this method of anaesthesia is practised on a cow – that too in one which weighing 300 kg,” says S. Sooryadas, assistant professor, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology at the varsity.

The cow had a tumour like mass in the udder towards the base of her two teats, which was obstructing milk flow, Dr. Sooryadas, who led the surgery, said.

Apart from the anaesthesia, it is for the first time the udder of a cow is being opened for surgical removal of a tumour like mass, he said.

“Gas anaesthesia in cows requires a dedicated anaesthesia machine that is manufactured for the particular purpose,” P.T. Dinesh, assistant professor at the department, said.

Such machines are imported and may cost around ₹25 lakh. Hence, as an alternative, doctors at the surgery department modified their small animal anaesthesia machine to suit it for the procedure in the cow, Dr. Dinesh, who was also in the surgery team, said.

Cost of machine

“The cost of the customised machine will come around ₹2 lakh. The gas anaesthesia procedure is the first of its kind for a cow in our State,” he added.

N.S. Jinesh Kumar and Reji Varghese, assistant professors, were the other team members.

The doctors have been invited to present a paper on the procedure at the annual congress and national symposium of the Indian Society for Veterinary Surgery to be held in Gujarat from November 22 to 24.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by F.M.  Manoj / Kalpeta – October 30th, 2018

Ponkuzhi forests throw a surprise

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion
Liparis tschangii belongs to Orchidaceae family.

Discovery of Liparis tschangii published in Indian Forester

Liparis tschangii, a plant that belongs to the Orchidaceae family, has been discovered in the Ponkuzhi forests in Wayanad district, a major biodiversity hotspot on the Nilgiri biosphere reserve.

The tuberous species was discovered by a team of researchers led by V. Balakrishnan, former Director of Community Agrobiodiversity Centre of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) at Puthoorvayal here during an expedition recently. The discovery has been published in the recent edition of the science journal Indian Forester.

Liparis tschangii is mainly found in China and Vietnam, but this was the first time that the distributional record of the plant was reported from India, Dr. Balakrishnan told The Hindu.

“The leaves of the plant resemble the structure of the human heart and have white rhizome and green flower bunches,” Salim Pichan, botanist, MSSRF, and a member of the team said.

Very rare

“The plant is very rare in this locality and may need conservation priority,” Mr. Pichan added.

Jose Mathew, assistant professor, Department of Botany, S D College, Alappuzha; P. Dhanesh Kumar, former Divisional Forest Officer, South Wayanad forest division; Jayesh P. Joseph and M. Jithin, scientists of MSSRF, are the other members of the team.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by E.M. Manoj / Kalpeta – October 26th, 2018