travel & books

2014-08-20T04:10:00.005-07:00

UN condemns collapse of truce between Israel, Palestinians

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the collapse of a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, asking Israel and

the Palestinians factions to reach an immediate understanding on a durable truce.

A statement issued by Ban's spokesman said he is "gravely disappointed" by the return to hostilities by both sides and condemns "in the strongest terms" the breach of the Egyptian brokered humanitarian ceasefire which was to expire at midnight local time.

The Secretary-General reminds both sides of their responsibility not to let the situation escalate.

(Courtessy:Deccan Herald dt. 20 Aug 2014)

2014-08-20T03:34:00.002-07:00

A Thousand Splendid Sunsns

A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of thirty years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love.

Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan-born American novelist .After graduating from college, he worked as a doctor in California. He has published three novels, most notably his 2003 debut The Kite Runner, all of which are at least partially set in Afghanistan and feature an Afghan as the protagonist. Following the success of The Kite Runner, he decided to stop practicing medicine and became a full-time writer.
A Thousand Splendid Suns, was published in 2007, and is also set in Afghanistan. The story addresses many of the same issues as Hosseini's first, but takes a more feminine perspective. It follows the story of two women, Mariam and Laila, whose lives become entwined. The story is set during Afghanistan's tumultuous thirty-year transition from Soviet occupation to Taliban control and post-Taliban rebuilding.

2014-08-19T03:52:00.003-07:00

EBOLA

With over 1,700 people suspected to have been infected so far, nations across the globe are witnessing the spread of the serious disease Ebola

Since its outbreak in Guinea last December, the Ebola virus has spread to adjoining West African countries — Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone.

The disease referred to as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is caused by Ebola virus.

Fruit bats and monkeys are believed to be the original carriers of the virus; however, the carriers are supposedly unaffected by the organism. The virus spreads through the blood or body fluids of the carrier. It can also spread to any human who comes into contact with the blood or body fluids of the infected person.

One can contract the virus by just wearing the clothes worn by an infected person.

But Ebola is not a wholly unknown quantity; it was first identified in Sudan as early as 1976. In 2007, there was a minor outbreak of Ebola in Congo and Uganda.

Its symptoms are quite similar to that of other flu— fatigue, fever, headaches, joint, muscle and abdominal pain. From the time one contracts the virus, it may take eight to 10 days on an average for the symptoms to become apparent. Until such time, though the infected person may not show symptoms, he still carries a very high risk of transmitting it to others.

At present there is neither a drug to cure Ebola nor vaccines to prevent contraction of the disease. Antibiotics to treat the symptoms have been the only life-line for infected patients till date. Patients are also being administered anti-coagulants to avert blood-clotting and given adequate fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration.

2014-08-19T03:37:00.003-07:00

Independence Day Announcements

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited suggestions on the new institution that would replace Planning Commission through a special “Open Forum” that has been created by the government.

“Inviting you to share your ideas on what shape the new institution to replace the Planning Commission can take. A special Open Forum has been created on my government for suggestions on the new Institution.

Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech announced that the 64-year-old Planning Commission would be replaced by a new institution.

2014-07-12T00:04:00.003-07:00

BEAUTIFUL
TALAKAVERI

Talacauvery, from where the Kaveri River originates in the Brahmagiri hills, is considered among the most sacred places in Karnataka. It is at a height of around 1276 m above sea level. This is a sacred pilgrim center. This place is marked by a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike (small spring/pond) from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away.

A small water tank has been constructed at the point of origin. There is also a temple build at the spot where regular puja rituals are done. The temple is dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara, who is considered to be the link between great Sage Agasthya and river Cauvery.

An important day here at Talacauvery is the first day of Tula month according to Hindu calendar. The day is called Tulasankramana. Thousands of devotees come to Talacauvery on this day to witness the rise of fountainhead sprouting water at a specific time. It is considered auspicious by devotees to take a dip in the holy waters.
The day is celebrated on various places along the banks of river Cauvery where devotees take a holy dip in River Cauvery.

DELHI

2014-07-04T04:24:00.002-07:00

Delhi

Delhi: A Novel (published 1990) is a historical novel

The book moves backwards and forwards in time through the history of Delhi. It has as its backdrop the story of a journalist fallen on bad times (possibly an autobiographical figure) and his relationship with a hijra (eunuch) named Bhagmati.

This vast, erotic, irreverent magnum opus on the city of Delhi starts with the narrator, suggestively Khushwant Singh himself, just returning from England after ‘having his fill of whoring in foreign lands’, a bawdy, aging reprobate who loves the city of Delhi, as much as he loves the ugly but energetic hermaphrodite whore Bhagmati, whom he literally picks up from a deserted road on a hot Delhi summer noon. Having no place to go after completing her jail sentence in the dreaded Tihar Jail (probably for selling sex), she begs to be taken under his wing. The kind sardar obliges, and thus begins a wonderful relationship of ups and downs in the narrator’s life. Bhagmati, neither male nor female but possessive of great exotic sex appeal, vitalizes his life amidst the majestic remains of Delhi in its heyday, and even saves the narrator's life from the mad mobs of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Displaying his trademark gift of literal humour and a professional historian’s control over narration, the writer takes turn, chapter by chapter, on the history of the great city and his own sexual exploits and misadventures with vilaity mems and lonely army wives whom he is supposed to ‘show Delhi’, other eccentric journalists, editors and bureaucrats, a half-mad Sikh ex-army driver, a fanatic gurudwara bhaiji, among many other colourful characters. All the while the narrator travels through times Delhi has seen, telling us in a most interesting manner, as the first person, all that Delhi has been to Nadir Shah,Taimur and Aurangzeb etc. who plundered and destroyed her, and to Meer Taqi Meer and Bahadur Shah Zafar whom Delhidestroyed; he looks through the eyes of semi-historical characters like Musaddi Lal Kayasth, a Hindu convert working under the hostile Ghiyas ud din Balban in the fourteenth century—the dawn of the Mughal Empire, right up to Nihal Singh, a Sikh mercenary who settles his historical score with the Mughals

Khushwant Singh (February 2, 1915 – March 20, 2014) was an Indian novelist, lawyer, politician and journalist. An Indo-Anglian writer, Singh was best known for his trenchant secularism,^[1] his humor, and an abiding love of poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit. He served as the editor of several literary and news magazines, as well as two newspapers, through the 1970s and 1980s. He was the recipient of Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India.

2014-07-04T03:46:00.004-07:00

SBI launches six digital banking branches

The State Bank of India on Tuesday launched six digital branches across the country as part of its programme to offer next generation banking solutions to the growing mobile phone and internet savvy customer base.

These branches, named sbiINTOUCH, will facilitate services such as instant account opening with personalised debit cards, instant loan approval for car and home, remote expert advisors available via video links, along with interactive walls and table displays.

Besides Delhi, where sbiINTOUCH branch was inaugurated by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the other such branches are located in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Ahmedabad.

BUDGET EXPECTATIONS

2014-07-04T03:31:00.002-07:00

A big win for Narendra Modi has raised the outlook for a faster economic recovery led by a revival in the investment cycle. India’s economic growth was below the 5 per cent mark at 4.7 per cent in 2013-14, against 4.5 per cent in 2013.

Although the road to revival is not without its set of challenges, the Gujarat experience inspires confidence. Acceleration in much awaited project approvals, potential tax and administrative reforms and a focus on infrastructure and manufacturing should accelerate a recovery. The current government will focus on reforms and ‘development’, unlike the ‘inclusion’ agenda pursued by the previous government.

Budget expectations

The Budget will strive to balance the pursuit of growth and inflation control.

We may see cuts in fuel and fertiliser subsidies in the Budget to curb both the fiscal and current account deficits.

The RBI has been pro-active, considering the funding requirements of the new government. It has cut the statutory liquidity ratio of the banks.

The Budget is expected to focus on converting farming into a profitable venture from a mundane activity conducted by a vast majority for subsistence, is anticipated. This will also be complimented by meeting the aspirations of a new ‘rurban’ (rural+urban) population

( Business Line dt. 4 July 2014 )

GREAT ARTISANS OF MALABAR

2013-12-13T02:45:00.002-08:00

Kunhimangalam

is one of the biggest gunmetal works centers in Kerela. Sculptures from this place in gun metal, Odu and “Panchaloham” are very famous. The craftsmen of this village are famous in the world market for their handicrafts made of brass metal. The ‘Panchaloha’ idols, traditional lamps and other handiworks are exported to various destinations all over India and the world.

“Lakshmi Vilakku”, famous traditional beautiful piece of art, with goddess Lakshmi is portrayed as sitting in the full bloomed lotus and being bordered by two female elephants.
It is believed that these lamps bring harmony and prosperity to the houses.
Many renowned artisans were working in this field.
These craftsmen are known as “Moosaris” in olden days.

This art is switched from generation to generation who considered this job as consecrated rather than as a mere profession or business
Since the plastic and ceramic models pierced in the market, the demand for these crafts reduced which steered these communities to unwaged state.
Even a society was formed to uplift this community but the same has already been closed down now

RAGHAVAN MASTER

2013-10-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

K. Raghavan Master
(2 December 1913 – 19 October 2013)

Along with G. Devarajan, Dakshinamoorthy and Baburaj, Raghavan Master was often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music.
He was the pioneer in contributing Malyalam film songs with its own tunes ans tyles. Till then, Malyalam film songs were in the tunes of popular Hindi and Tamil film songs and old classical kritis.
K. Raghavan Master gave a new direction and identity to Malayalam film music
. As he searched for the right tune for the lyrics, little did K. Raghavan realise that he was about to compose history.

He had composed around 400 songs in Malayalam Cinema and was active in Malayalam film industry for nearly four decades

Kannur Arakkal Palace

2013-10-25T03:56:00.002-07:00

ARAKKAL PALACE

Kerala historically has been ruled by princely states and it was quite natural to have palaces associated with these rulers in different parts of Kerala. Be it north, central or south Kerala, palaces can still be seen as testimony to one ruler or the other. But these rulers had one thing in common. They were all followers of the Hindu religious faith, except for one ruling family - the Arakkal royal family from north Kerala; the only Muslim royal family of Kerala. And the palace by that name was the residence of the Arakkal Ali Rajas.

Travellers visiting the northern regions of Kerala should not miss a visit to this magnificent palace, which is located at Ayikkara close to the town of Kannur in Kannur district. Nearby the Arakkal palace is another famous landmark - the St.Angelo Fort; a laterite fort built by the Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeida in 1505.

The Arakkal Palace currently managed by the Arakkal Family Trust is nearly 200 years old. It was later renovated and converted into a museum in 2005 at the initiative of the department of Archaeology and Kerala Tourism

2013-07-09T03:16:00.001-07:00

A collection of Good Poems written by Jayan Neeleswaram

Ageless Body, Timeless Mind’ by Dr Deepak Chopra

2013-07-05T04:12:00.003-07:00

Science cannot predict the duration of a human life. Genetics, too, fails, because a centenarian may not have a centenarian parent. So the question is, what makes a person live for so long? The answer lies in simple physical processes that Dr Deepak Chopra prescribes in his “most optimistic book” 'Ageless Body, Timeless Mind

2013-03-22T23:09:00.000-07:00

JAIN TEMPLE AT MANJESWAR

The Chathurmukha basti

Chandra Gupta Maurya (321-297 B.C.) and the Jain saint Bhadrabahu, according to Jain traditions. These men came to Sravanabelgola in Mysore. Later more Jain missionaries came to Tamil Nadu and converted many Cheras to their religion. Prince Ilango Adigal, the author of Shilappadikaram, is believed to be a Jain. The Jains came to Kerala with the rest of the Chera immigrants starting in the sixth century. The only evidence of their presence in Kerala is the fact that some Hindu temples of today were originally Jain temples.

The Chathurmukha basti here is an old Jain temple. The advent of Aryan religions like Jainism, Buddhism,and Hinduism from the north changed the Dravidian way of life that existed in ancient Kerala. Jainism was the first to come. The Koodalmanikyam temple in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district, is believed to have been originally a Jain temple. Jainism started declining in Kerala around the eighth century A.D. and nearly disappeared around the 16th century A.D. Jain shrines still survive in Wayanad, Kasaragod, Alappuzha and Kochi. The Chathurmukha Basti is unique because there are four idols of Vardhamana Mahaveera facing four directions. Hence the name chathurmukha (four faces) and basti (temple).

Now only a few Jain families are remaining in this area. Due to this, looking at this temple you can see that the small community is struggling very much to take care and maintain this temple. The old Canara known as Thulunadu was an important centre of Jain believers.

Still today there are Jains in the areas of Bankara and Manjeswaram. When Chandra Gupta Mourya who adopted Jain religion visited South India here also the Jain religion became powerful

.The main deities are Vardhamana Mahaveera and Padmavathi. There are other deities like Aadeswara Swami, Chandranatha Swami, Santheswara Swami, Vardhamana Swami and Parsvanatha Swami. The festival of this temple is during Navaratri

Manjeswaram was the headquarters of a Jain kingdom called Bengara-Manjeswar towards the northern frontier of present Kerala for atleast 500 years from 12th century onwards (Pathmakumar 43). According to scholars involved in Jain studies more than 800 families where here and the debris of a destroyed fort is still found in the region. The relics of an ancient stone temple near the river mouth of Manjeswar close to the Arabian sea is also a clear evidence of the Jain antiquity of the place. Manjeswaram still has two Jain temples or Jaina Basatis on the southern shore of river Manjeswar still called Bengara after the Jain kingdom. There are also a few surviving Jain families here near Hosangadi to the west of NH 17 around the Parswanatha Basati.

There is a Chathurmukha Basati housing four idols of Jain gurus Adinatha, Santinatha, Chandranatha and Mahavira facing to the four directions. This ancient structure belongs to 12th century according to experts (Pathmakumar 42) It is situated on a small idyllic hillock and is a green and calm retreat for the culturally inclined visitor. The Sramana sages loved peace and tranquility of nature. There are also sacred trees like flowering Asoka underneath which Naga or serpent idols are worshiped by the ancient Jains. I found plenty of birds, butterflies and even a peacock there in Jan 2011.

The second temple is the Parswanatha Basati named after another saint or Thirthankara of Jainism. This temple renovated several times in its long history is identified as belonging to 14th century. It has idols of Parswanatha, Pathmavathy Devi, Khusmandini Devi and Saraswati as well. In many places in Karnataka and north Kerala Mallinatha Basatis are converted to Mallikarjuna Hindu temples. A Jain family is also attached to this temple. I met the family who are fourth generation Jain priests called Indrans of the temple and they informed me that most of the community had migrated to Karnataka because of various social pressures and extreme marginalization and exclusion under hegemony.

2013-03-22T23:08:00.002-07:00

2012-06-10T23:13:00.002-07:00

ഒരു സംഗീര്‍ത്തനം പോലെ

The novel Oru Sankeerthanam Pole was first published in 1993 and was released in its 37th edition on 1 November 2008 after setting publishing records in 2005. It is a story based on the life of famous Russian writer Fyoder Dostyevsky and his wife Anna. This highly successful novel has sold over 100,000 copies in about 12 years. This is a record in Malayalam literature.

പെരുമ്പടവത്തിന്റെ മാസ്‌റ്റര്‍പീസ് നോവല്‍. ഒരു ലക്ഷത്തിലേറെ കോപ്പികള്‍ വിറ്റഴിഞ്ഞ ഈ നോവലിന്റെ ഇരുപത്തിയൊമ്പതാം പതിപ്പാണിത്. വയലാര്‍ അവാര്‍ഡ് അടക്കം എട്ട് അവാര്‍ഡുകള്‍ ഈ നോവല്‍ നേടി.
മറ്റൊരു രാജ്യത്ത് മറ്റൊരു കാലത്ത് ജീവിച്ചിരുന്ന ഒരെഴുത്തുകാരന്റെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ ഒരു ചെറിയ ഘട്ടം ചിത്രീകരിക്കുന്ന ഈ നോവലിനെ മലയാളികള്‍ ആവേശത്തോടെ വരവേറ്റു. ദസ്‌തയേവ്‌സ്‌കിയുടെ ആത്മസംഘര്‍ഷങ്ങള്‍ അവരുടെ നൊമ്പരമായി. മാന്ത്രികഭംഗിയുള്ള ആഖ്യാനകലയും ആത്‌മസംഘര്‍ഷം നിറഞ്ഞ ഇതിവൃത്തവും ഒത്തുചേര്‍ന്ന നോവല്‍.

2012-05-22T01:22:00.001-07:00

Malayalam version of the world famous book, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. It has some rare photographs too. Translation by Prameeladevi.
The Diary of a Young Girl is a book of the writings from the Dutch language diary kept by Anne Frank while she was in hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The family was apprehended in 1944 and Anne Frank ultimately died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. After the war, the diary was retrieved by Anne's father, Otto Frank, the only survivor of the family. The diary has now been published in more than 60 different languages

2012-05-21T03:27:00.001-07:00

Anne Frank was one of over one million Jewish children who died in the Holocaust. She was born Annelies Marie Frank on June 12, 1929, in Frankfurt, Germany, to Otto and Edith Frank.

For the first 5 years of her life, Anne lived with her parents and older sister, Margot, in an apartment on the outskirts of Frankfurt. After the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, Otto Frank fled to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where he had business connections. The rest of the Frank family followed Otto, with Anne being the last of the family to arrive in February 1934 after staying with her grandparents in Aachen.

The Germans occupied Amsterdam in May 1940. In July 1942, German authorities and their Dutch collaborators began to concentrate Jews from throughout the Netherlands at Westerbork, a transit camp near the Dutch town of Assen, not far from the German border. From Westerbork, German officials deported the Jews to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Sobibor killing centers in German-occupied Poland.

During the first half of July, Anne and her family went into hiding in an apartment which would eventually hide four Dutch Jews as well--Hermann, Auguste, and Peter van Pels, and Fritz Pfeffer. For two years, they lived in a secret attic apartment behind the office of the family-owned business at 263 Prinsengracht Street, which Anne referred to in her diary as the Secret Annex. Otto Frank's friends and colleagues, Johannes Kleiman, Victor Kugler, Jan Gies, and Miep Gies, had previously helped to prepare the hiding place and smuggled food and clothing to the Franks at great risk to their own lives. On August 4, 1944, the Gestapo (German Secret State Police) discovered the hiding place after being tipped off by an anonymous Dutch caller.

That same day, Gestapo official SS Sergeant Karl Silberbauer and two Dutch police collaborators arrested the Franks; the Gestapo sent them to Westerbork on August 8. One month later, in September 1944, SS and police authorities placed the Franks, and the four others hiding with the Franks, on a train transport from Westerbork to Auschwitz, a concentration camp complex in German-occupied Poland. Selected for labor due to their youth, Anne and her sister, Margot were transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp near Celle, in northern Germany in late October 1944.

Both sisters died of typhus in March 1945, just a few weeks before British troops liberated Bergen-Belsen on April 15, 1945. SS officials also selected Anne's parents for labor. Anne's mother, Edith died in Auschwitz in early January 1945. Only Anne's father, Otto, survived the war. Soviet forces liberated Otto at Auschwitz on January 27, 1945.

2012-04-21T03:28:00.000-07:00

An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale rocked Indonesia’s Papua region

The quake struck at 10:16 a.m. (0116 GMT) with an epicentre 88 kilometres south-east of the coastal town of Manokwari, at a depth of 10 kilometres, the Meteorology, Geophysics and Climatology Agency said.

The United States Geological Survey revised the magnitude to 6.6 from 6.9.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no threat of a widespread, destructive tsunami.

“However, earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometres of the earthquake epicentre,”

( HINDU dt. 21 April 2012)

2012-03-24T01:50:00.001-07:00

Central government employees will go home with an increased pay packet from now, with the union cabinet Friday hiking the dearness allowance to 65 percent of the basic salary from the existing 58 percent with retrospective effect from Jan 1 this year.

The hike, about 7 percent from the present rates, will also be applicable to central government pensioners.

The increase in the allowances will cost the government exchequer Rs.7,474.53 crore annually, according to the decision taken at the cabinet meeting presided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission.

2012-03-17T01:20:00.004-07:00

BUDGET 2012

The Union Budget 2012-13 speech made by the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee saw a number of changes being announced across the sectors of the econom

APPROACH TO THE BUDGET
For Indian economy, recovery was interrupted this year due to intensification of debt crises in Euro zone, political turmoil in Middle East, rise in crude oil price and earthquake in Japan.
GDP is estimated to grow by 6.9 per cent in 2011-12, after having grown at 8.4 per cent in preceding two years.

India however remains front runner in economic growth in any cross-country comparison.

> Monetary and fiscal policy response for better part of past 2 years aimed at taming domestic inflationary pressure.

> Growth moderated and fiscal balance deteriorated due to tight monetary policy and expanded outlays.

> Indicators suggest that economy is turning around as core sectors and manufacturing show signs of recovery.

> At this juncture, it is necessary to take hard decision to improve macroeconomic environment and strengthen domestic growth drivers.

> Twelfth Five Year Plan to be launched with the aim of "faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth". Five objectives identified to be addressed effectively in ensuing fiscal year.

> If India can build on its economic strength, it can be a source of stability for world economy and a safe destination for restless global capital.

OVERVIEW OF THE ECONOMY

> GDP growth estimated at 6.9 per cent in real terms in 2011-12. Slowdown in comparison to preceding two years is primarily due to deceleration in industrial growth.

> Headline inflation expected to moderate further in next few months and remain stable thereafter.

> Steps taken to bridge gaps in distribution, storage and marketing systems have helped in more effective management of inflation.

> Developments in India's external trade in the first half of current year have been encouraging. Diversification in export and import market achieved.

> Current account deficit at 3.6 per cent of GDP for 2011-12 and reduced net capital inflow in the 2nd and 3rd quarters put pressure on exchange rate.

> India's GDP growth in 2012-13 expected to be 7.6 per cent +/- 0.25 per cent.

Budget 2012: Income tax exemption limit raised to Rs 2 Lakh

RELATED ART

Giving some relief to tax payers, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday proposed raising the income tax exemption limit for individuals to Rs 2 lakh per annum from Rs 1.80 lakh.

Unveiling the Budget proposals for 2012-13 in the Lok Sabha, he also increased the limit to Rs 10 lakh under the 20 per cent tax slab. The current limit is Rs 8 lakh.

The Budget also exempt up to Rs 10,000 of interest income from tax.

Individual will have to pay 10 per cent tax on income between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh; 20 per cent between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh; and 30 per cent for above Rs 10 lakh.

Mukherjee said increasing the exemption limit is a move towards implementation of the Direct Taxes Code (DTC).

The Standing Committee of Parliament that has scrutinised the DTC Bill had suggested raising the tax exemption limit to Rs 3 lakh.

The exemption limit for the senior citizens between 60 and 80 years of age will be Rs 2.50 lakh; 10 per cent will be levied on income between Rs 2.5-5 lakh, 20 per cent between Rs 5-10 lakh and 30 per cent above Rs 10 lakh.

For very Senior Citizens (80 years and above), the income tax exemption limit will be Rs 5 lakh; 20 per cent will be levied on income between Rs 5-10 lakh and 30 per cent for above Rs 10 lak

The DTC Bill seeks to replace the half-a-century-old Income Tax Act, 1961. The savings bank account deductions, Mukherjee said, will help small tax payers.

"This would help a large number of small tax payers with salary income of up to Rs 5 lakh and interest from savings bank accounts up to Rs 10,000, as they would not be required to file income tax returns," Mukherjee said.

Economic Times dt.17 March 2012

2012-03-17T00:23:00.001-07:00

KALPAVRISHAM

coconuts are one of the wonder foods on earth that amply
provides for all human needs? They can even save your life!

   Few people (even fewer doctors) understand how important the coconut
is to stabilizing blood sugar; lowering cholesterol; healing; hydration;
and evenreplacing blood plasma in an emergency.

   To give just one example of coconuts' live-saving properties, they
were used extensively in the Pacific during World War II.

Since Blood plasma supplies were scarce, it was very common for medics to siphon pure
coconut water from young coconuts to be used as emergency plasma
transfusions for soldiers who were injured. Since coconut water is nearly
identical to human blood, it was suitable for people of all blood types.

   Because of its strong antioxidant properties, the coconut can be used
to:
Lower cholesterol
Improve digestion
Ward off wrinkles
Stabilize glucose levels
Fight off viruses
Build cells
Regulate hormones
Increase thyroid production
Lose weight
Fight infections
Stave off memory loss
Kill bacteria
And more!
   Considered one of the most treasured foods of all time, coconut
products -- including coconut flesh, coconut water, coconut oil, and
coconut cream -- each deliver superb health benefits.

2012-01-27T23:13:00.000-08:00

Ashrayam Special School
Kannur

Ashrayam is a day-care educational and special training centre for mentally disabled children located in Thottada, Kannur

It can be scary to raise a child with physical disability like Cerebral Palsy when we don't know what to do. We would like for them to get better, to get out of that wheelchair and walk, to be strong and independent.
With the right kind of physical therapy their condition can be improved
.Atmosphere here is loving and the teacher/therapist trained in will motivate all child to try harder and reach further.

All the staff and teachers are doing a wonderful service to humanity here. Really they are the wonderful people doing wonderful things to human welfare.
we should salute all

2012-01-27T22:02:00.000-08:00

BIRDS PARADISE OF MALABAR
MUNDERI KADAVU

Munderi is one of the Villages in Edakkad Taluk , Kannur District , Kerala State
Munderi is 9.3 km from Kannur Town

Munderikkadavu as well as nearby areas in the district has to be protected to develop it into a bird sanctuary with the involvement of local bodies, according to a report prepared by birders on the proposal for conserving the area as a bird sanctuary.

The findings and the recommendations of the report came up for discussion at a seminar organised in the Munderi panchayat hall here on Monday. Munderikkadavu that formed part of the Kattampally wetland area has been seen as a biodiversity treasure house as it is estimated to have over 18,000 bird flocks which include over 60 species of migrant birds. According to the report, the possibility of developing Munderikkadavu as a bird sanctuary can open up immense eco-tourism possibility for the panchayat. The seminar on the report was organised to draw an action plan for conserving the area as a bird sanctuary with the co-operation of the Tourism and Forest Departments and the district panchayat

Munderikkadavu and surrounding areas in the district have to be protected with the involvement of local bodies to develop it into a bird sanctuary

Temples and cultural events in this peaceful town makes the life of peasants and workers more enjoyable and peaceful. Eachur Kottom Devasthanam is two kilometers from the National Highway and lot of devotees visits here.

^[Munderi had a population of 33,433. Males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%. Munderi has an average literacy rate of 90.5%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 80%. In Munderi, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age

2012-01-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

BEAUTIFUL BACKWATER STRETCH VALIYAPARAMBA

Valiyaparamba is perhaps the most scenic backwater stretch in Kerala. Fed by four rivers and dotted with numerous little islands,

Valiyaparamba, about 30 km from Bekal, Kasaragod, North Kerala.Valiyaparamba is fast turning into a much favoured backwater resort that offers enchanting boat cruises.

Valiyaparamba,a hinterland separated from the mainland, is a noted fishing centre in the district and is just an hour's drive from Bekal - one of the most enchanting beaches of Kerala. The Bekal fort which stands on a headland that runs into the sea offers a spectacular view of the surroundings.

Valiyaparamba is located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south west of Cheruvathur separated from the mainland by back waters and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Bekal, Kasaragod, north Kerala. The island is approximately 16 km² in size with a population of 10,000. The island's main source of income come from agriculture and fishing. The Island has 13 wards ruling by each ward member to leading the Valiyaparamba Panchayathu.

Valiyaparamba is fed by four rivers and dotted with numerous little islands, Valiyaparamba is fast turning into a much favoured backwater resort that offers enchanting boat cruises. Valiyaparamba, a hinterland separated from the mainland, is a noted fishing centre in the district and is just an hour drive from Bekal - one of the most enchanting beaches of Kerala. The Bekal fort which stands on a headland that runs into the sea offers a spectacular view of the surroundings.The National Water Way passes through this beautiful Island and foreign tourist halt here for few hours on the way to Bekal in house boat.

The island has 7 Primary Schools, 1 High School and 1 Higher Secondary School.

This Island is separated from the main land, You Can either use Transport Boat Service/ another Water Transportation or crossing the Mavila Kadappuram Bridge to reach in main land

Nearest railway station: Cheruvathur, on the Kozhikode-Mangalore route, about 5 km from Valiyaparamba.
National Highway (NH 17) is also passing through Cheruvthur. You will get hotel rooms at Payyanur or Kanhangad.
Nearest airports: Mangalore in Karnataka State, about 100 KM; Karipur international airport Kozhikode, about 150 KM from Valiyaparamba.

Population : 12037

Area : 16 Sq. Km

Panchayath Office Telephone No : 0467 2258276