Category Archives: Kerala News
EMERGING KERALA
The Emerging Kerala investors meet that has been planned by the government to be conducted in April is being flooded with projects. It is said that projects worth more than 20000 crore are about to be granted final permission. The meet is not only intended to discuss over the projects, but also to provide all permissions and to begin the primary works.
Even though the meet is conducted by KSIDC, it won’t be exclusively an industrial meet. Every sector will come up with their projects. Since meet is concentrating on beginning the new projects, some are already being presented.
The meet is to be conducted at Kochi and it is intended to project Kerala as an investor friendly destination. A committee was formed earlier with the Chief Minister as the Chairman and the Industries minister as Vice chairman for organising the event. All the ministers, Vice Chairman of the planning board, The chief secretory and other senior officials will constitute the rest of the members of the committee.
Hospitals in the health sector, multiplex projects in cultural sector and large scale investments in the IT sector are the major goals of the meet. And the approximate worth of the project has already crossed Rs.20000 crore. Rubber based projects from China, solid waste disposal projects from America and IT investment projects from Europe are expected to arrive for the meet.
A lot of foreign Keralites are also coming up with various projects. Among them the projects from the Gulf Keralites comprises of all the sectors. Those projects which were included in the 4th year projects of the LDF government and that could not get the permission to take it further are being included in the ‘Emerging Kerala’ meet. As per the reports, the Aranmula airport has also got a place in the list. Some projects are being organised in cooperation with the central public sector.
Currently the UDF government is busy with their 100 days programme and as soon as the programme approaches completion, they will turn to this project. The government is to begin the evaluation and permission granting to the various projects of the meet soon after they deal with their assignments.
The main difference of this meet on comparing to the GIM that was conducted 10 years before is that this time only those projects which are 100 % sure to be fulfilled are included in the meet. The authorities are to avoid the previous experience of failing to make the planned projects practical. It is expected that this meet will bring a new opening to the development and job sector of Kerala and our youngsters will find better jobs of good remuneration here itself.
CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE OPENS 24/7 CALL CENTRE
A new complaint filing scheme has been started by the Chief Minister’s office recently. In the office there have been started a 24 hours complaint cell call centre. The new project is intended to solve the public issues as fast as possible. Taking in to concern the new circumstances of our society this new advancement can be very effective if it is executed effectively.
This 24 hour call centre is an extension of the ‘Sutharya Keralam’ project that the previous UDF government started under the leadership of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. They are aiming to take actions on the complaints that are registered by the facility within 48 hours.
The complaints can be registered from any BSNL number by simply dialling 1076 and explaining your problem. Foe the services other than BSNL, The number to be dialled for the complaint registration is 1800 425 1076. The complaints from outside India will be accepted in the number 0471 1076. The citizens can register the complaints online also by visiting the website www.keralacm.gov.in.
They are aiming at solving the complaints of the people with no time lag and to make use of the facilities provided by the information technology field in the same. The call centre will be working in three shifts.
The authorities explained that the response of the public was terrific for the new call centre. They revealed that just in one hour the complaint cell had around 2300 people calling the toll free numbers to seek a solution for their grieves. The first and foremost complaint received was that from a family who had lost their father who was a state government employee. They were also searching for a job for one of their children.
The Chief Minister replied that their complaint will be treated with all it’s seriousness and the progress in the solution will be informed to them in a time bound manner. It is the first office of any Chief Minister in the whole country to have a 24/7 call centre. 16 employees will be working at the call centre in three shifts. It has the facility to attend seven calls simultaneously. The complaints will be fed into a computer and will be registered in no time. A conformation sms will be sent to the complaint. The authorities explained that as soon as the complaint is registered it will go online to five officials and if they fail to look into the complaint within the time limit, the higher official will be informed with a sms.
Oommen Chandy had announced this call centre after taking over the charge of the Chief Minister as he declared the 100 day programme.
BSNL OFFERS UNLIMITED TALKING FOR THE WHOLE YEAR
BSNL has unleashed a bouquet of special offers for the customers on account of the Ramzan and Onam festivals. Without introducing any changes to the current second rates, the customers can now perform calls to any network anywhere in India at a rate of 1 paisa/second. The Maveli prepaid mobile plan also comes under this scheme. Another attractive offer declared is to call from your mobile anywhere in the country, to mobile or landline unlimited for a period of one year. The customers can subscribe this offer with a recharge of Rs.4000.
In the Maveli prepaid plan, the subscribers can call 5 BSNL numbers in Kerala that is included in the friends and family scheme, at a rate of 10 paisa/minute. If you are calling a different operator, the the rate will be 30 paisa/minute.
Along with these tariff reductions, they are providing a 1000 sms and 60 MB internet usage, both free of cost. This offer is also applicable for those who choose BSNL service by mobile portability.
For unlimited free calls to all BSNL numbers in Kerala for one year, the required recharge is Rs. 3000. The unlimited calling facility can be activated by C-Top also. If we are to use the special tariff voucher of RS.61, we can speak to the other operator subscribers at a rate of 30 paisa. Those who are to take the new broadband connection with self -purchased modem will be provided a 2 GB data usage free. They will be spared with the installation charges too.
BSNL has also revised the wireless phone (CDMA) rates. Recharging has been made available by C-Top Up. This consists of two tariff plans. The first one offering one paisa per second to all the networks all over the country and the second one with a rate of 49 paisa per minute to all networks anywhere in the country. The customers with their own CDMA handsets can also subscribe this offer. Another facility is provided to call to all BSNL numbers despite of any charges for one month. The recharge required recharge is of Rs.300. This offer is valid only till October 8th.
These offers declared eyeing the upcoming festival seasons are intended to attract more customers to the public sector institution and to better the performance this year. As the facility of mobile portability is enabled by the various service providers, BSNL has extended the offer to those choose the operator service by mobile portability also.
IBPS EXAM FOR BANK CLERK- OPPORTUNITIES IN 19 BANKS
The examination for the clerical post in the 19 public sector banks in our country is declared. The examination is being conducted by the Institute of Banking Personal Selection (IBPS). It is a common written examination conducted by IBPS. Those who have passed 10th with a first class can also apply for the examination. The applications will be accepted by online only. September 24th is the last date for the submission of the applications.
A score card will be given to the candidates who attend the CWE. This score card has a validity of one year. Only those candidates who attend this CWE will be considered for the vacancies of the earlier stated 19 public sector banks.
The banks conducting the selection are:
- Allahabad Bank
- Andhra Bank
- Bank Of Baroda
- Bank Of Maharashtra
- Bank Of India
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank Of India
- Corporation Bank
- Dena Bank
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Oriental Bank Of Commerce
- Punjab National Bank
- Punjab And Sindh Bank
- Syndicate Bank
- Union Bank Of India
- United Bank Of India
- UCO Bank
- Vijaya Bank
The banks can select according to the vacancies formed. The educational qualifications, age, knowledge of regional language, the minimum CWE score etc. can be decided themselves by the banks. Those who are selected according to the excellence in CWE will have to attend an interview conducted by the respective banks and then will be posted.
The applicants should only apply to one state or Union territory.
The minimum qualification is matriculation/10th standard pass with 60% marks. The SC/ST, OBC, disabled and ex- servicemen need only the pass and no percentage bar for them.
Or
A pass with 50% mark in higher secondary / plus two/equivalent examination pass/diploma in banking. The SC/ST, OBC, disabled and ex- servicemen need only the pass and no percentage bar for them.
Or
A degree in any subject or equivalent.
The age limit is 18- 28 as on 1st August 2011. The eligibility in education will also be considered as on the same date.
The exam will be of objective type with two and a half hours examination time. Negative mark will be awarded for every wrong choice and those who pass the cut off score will be given the CWE score. Rs. 350 is the examination fee for general merit. For the SC/ST, disabled and ex- servicemen, the fee is Rs. 50. The fee can be remitted by credit/debit card, online by internet banking or offline by CBS Chelan or NEFT receipt. September 23rd is the last date for the remittance of the fee. The fee remittance receipt is to be brought with the call letter at the time of examination.
The online applications can be submitted through www.ibps.in till September 24th. The applicants should have a valid email id. The examination will be held on November 27th.
MAMTA READY FOR MARRIAGE
Another celebrity marriage on the cards..! And this time it’s Actor-Singer Mamta Mohandas who is going to enter wedlock next year. This news might break a few hearts. Mamta is in a hurry completing all her assignments to which she is committed. Mamta had earlier revealed that her parents were on the lookout for an ideal match. Looks like they have finally hunted down her Mr. Right. He is an entrepreneur in Bahrain and both are childhood friends. Mamta says that theirs is not a filmy romance and it’s actually kind of an arranged one. She also added that their affection had been built through years and her future hubby and she have a strong bond between them.
Mamta has been a part of several hits in many Malayalam movies and currently is on top of her acting career. Mamta made her debut in a Malayalam movie named ‘Mayoogham’. Though the movie was not a notable one, young Mamta did get noticed and was acclaimed by the critics for her performance. Her major hits include ‘Anwar’ and ‘Big B’ both directed by Amal Neerad. Lined up for release is ‘Nayika’ directed by Jayaraj, in which she stars with veteran actor Sarada. She has also sung in the film which will be released this Onam. Besides, there is KK Rajeev’s ‘Njaanum Ente Familyum’ and Shyama Prasad’s ‘Nuna’ in which she plays major roles. Her next film in Tamil is ‘Thadayira Thakka.’
But this youngster was not just made for the acting; she is a talented singer as well. She has lent her voice for many songs and many of them proved to be big hits. She first sang in a telugu movie named ‘Rakhi’ in Devi Sri Prasad’s composition. She got her her first Filmfare award for this song. She then sang some songs in Tamil, both featuring her alongside Benny Dayal. Her first song in Malayalam was in the movie Anwar in which was paired alongside Prithviraj. The song also featured Prithviraj as a singer and the song was a super hit in the charts.
The Bahrain-born and raised Indian actress survived cancer and has undergone surgery last year. She was first diagnosed with the condition two years ago and underwent intense therapy as part of the treatment. She says that she has gone through the toughest and is happy to be a successful actress. Mamta believes that marriage is an integral part of life and that she is not willing to waste her youth on the glamor world. She also believes she had a great film career and she has proved herself as an actress and now is willing to settle down in life and start a family.
Here’s wishing you good luck, Mamta!
VAYALA VASUDEVAN PILLAI WALKS INTO MEMORIES
Dr. Vayala Vasudevan Pillai, who enriched the field of drama with his invaluable contributions passed away yesterday. He was suffering from prolonged illness for the past few months. He was 67 years old and was undergoing the treatment for cancer at a private hospital in Kochi.
He earlier worked as the director of the school of drama at Thrissur and was a disciple of G. Sankara Pillai. He contributed to the field as a playwright, scholar and director. He is credited with the title of starting a new spatial concept in modern theatres. Taking into account his great contributions to the Malayalam theatre, he was awarded with the Kendra Sangeet Nataka Akademi Award in 2009.
Pillai did his masters in English literature and a PhD in theatre. Then he headed to complete a post graduate diploma in modern theatre from the university of Rome in 1981. He also attended a training in Japanese theatre in 1996 at Meji university in Tokyo.
He is the author of several well known plays like Agni, Varavelpu, Tulasivanam, Oru Pakshikkunjinte Maranam and Swarnakokkukal. The book, Malayala Nataka Sahitya Charitram is also the work from his pen tip. The book tells the history of Malayalam Theatre.
The first play of vayala Vasudevan Pillai was published in 1975 and it was named Viswa Darshanam. Vasudevan Pillai also floated a theatre troupe at the time while he was in Trivandrum. It was an avant grade troupe and staged a good number of plays. The name of the troupe was Suvarnarekha. The well known film star Jagadish, Sreelata and Alex Kadavil are some of the prominent personalities who worked in the troupe. The directorial attempt of Dr. Vayala Vasudevan Pillai has given around 40 plays to the Malayalam Theatre. These include the plays by Shakesphere, Sophocles, Ibsen, Tagore and Bhasa.
He worked with the scool of drama of Thrissur which is under Calicut University for more than two decades. Pillai retired as the director of the institution in 2005. His professional carrer also carries the name plate of the Professor of English at Mar Ivanios College in Trivandrum.
He is one of the experts on the artistic life and plays of the famous Irish playwright J M Synge. The Italian government respected him with the theatre’s fellowship in 1980- 81. Rangasabha and Yatra are also among the famous works of Dr. Pillai. The cremation is to be held in Cheruthuruthy today.
ONAM: THE SEASON OF OFFERS
As the month of September is about to arrive, we, all the Keralites are ready for another season of joy, another season that reminds of a prosperous history we had, another season that urge the sparks of the nostalgia of our childhood.. Yes we are ready to welcome another Onam season to our homes. There is hardly any other festival that has got as much importance as Onam has in our lives. Every native of Kerala irrespective of being abroad or home waits keenly for the occasion.
For those abroad it is the time to return home and be in their land and for those who are here, the season becomes an occasion of reunion of the family. In every aspect it is our festival.
The importance of Onam is not just limited to our emotions or memories. It is also a season that contributes much to our economy. Every small and big names of the market too are eagerly waiting for its arrival. They are ready with many attractive and interesting offers with their products. It is a trend that started a long time before by the companies to include the customers too in their celebrations. And as in the case of the last year, every brand has came up with their most popular packages.
The list starts right from the BSNL in the government sector to mobile companies including the recently launched ones.
BSNL has announced HAPPY ONAM with their unique schemes on free 2G mobile prepaid connections with unlimited free calls and free GPRS browsing to its customers in Kerala.
Aircel which stepped into the Kerala market a few years ago also introduced a one year scheme with a unique and attractive one year scheme with a single recharge over unlimited pocket internet, sms, local calling and Gulf calling pack.
The big names in the textile and fabric industries have also announced the unveiling of their new stocks with the coming Onam season.
The Parthas textiles is running a ‘Be Special’ lucky dip contest operational from August 28th to September 4 and 8 special customers were gifted LCD television sets and satellite connections for free.
The Emmanuel silks announced a discount up to 10% cash back on every purchases foreseeing the coming season of celebration.
Videocon group also announced their special promotional scratch and win offer which promises to gift a Nano car, LCD tv, washing machine etc for the oncoming season.
The most popular news papers too have modified their editions or even doubled it to join the crowd. In short everyone, every industry, every field and everything here is impatiently awaiting the arrival of the prosperous Onam season.
We too wish you the advance warm and joyful wishes of the arriving ONAM season.
