Techies marriage market goes down Nov 3, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Farmer O P Kurien, whose income has for ages depended on the fluctuating prices of farm produce, had just begun to look for a well-settled techie groom for his techie daughter when the current global financial meltdown washed away his dreams for a more stable future. Till recently young men and women working in India's mushrooming information technology (IT) firms and earning fat salaries were among the most sought after potential brides and grooms in the marriage market. (India Times, India)
Chandrayaan inspires NRI scientists to return home Oct 31, 2008
To ensure a steady stream of supply to its various departments, ISRO has commenced a space university at Thiruvananthapuram this academic year where about 150 students with science background are offered a five-year course in space technology and applications. "The graduating students will have a five year bond to serve with the organisation. They get oriented to work on space application and programmes, with opportunity to do projects at our various facilities," the official added. (India.com)
Bay bracing to witness cyclonic storm Oct 27, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 26 The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal (a numbered tropical cyclone 04B) is being credited with the attributes to blow up as a named cyclonic storm and roar into the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast by Monday afternoon. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the system could trigger rainfall at most places over coastal West Bengal with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over the next two days. (Hindu Business Line)
Now, a film on India's first woman saint Oct 27, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A film about a Roman Catholic nun who was declared India's first woman saint, opens in cinemas in November, just weeks after the Pope canonised her in a special ceremony at the Vatican. Sister Alphonsa, who deliberately disfigured herself at a young age to ward off suitors and enter the convent, died at the age of 36 more than six decades ago. (India Times, India -- Community News)
2 more slain ultras hail from Kerala Oct 27, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram : Four terrorists from Kerala were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this month, police said in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday after identities of two more terrorists were established. According to top police sources, two of the dead terrorists have been identified as Abdul Faiz from Kannur and Muhammad Yasir, alias Verghese Joseph of Kochi, who converted to Islam about a year back. (Sify.com, India)
Tracking centre takes control of 2nd phase Oct 26, 2008
BANGALORE: ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Peenya, which will guide the spacecraft to the moon, has taken control and command of Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft after a perfect launch from Sriharikota at 6. While the first phase of the moon mission has gone perfectly, now, it's the second and critical phase a waiting period of 15 days for Chandrayaan-1 to settle down into lunar orbit, as close as 100-km to the moon. (India Times, India)
The greatest walks on Earth Oct 25, 2008
Walk facts Sabarimala, near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; six to seven hours; steep, dusty jungle track; moderate-hard. See. (The Age, Australia -- National)
India Launches Its First Mission To Moon: Chandrayaan-1 Oct 23, 2008
The Sub-kiloelectronvolt Atom Reflecting Analyser (SARA), developed by the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in collaboration with the Space Physics Laboratory of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, India. It will study the way the Moon s surface interacts with the solar wind, and the surface s magnetic anomalies. (Science Daily)
Our baby is on way to moon: Chandrayaan project director Oct 22, 2008
K. Radhakrishnan, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram: "The successful launch of the Chandrayaan mission is a tribute to the visionaries who laid the foundation for this organisation, built the team ISRO and envisioned the mission. "Today is a beginning of a new era. We could not have asked for more. (Economic Times)
Chandrayaan I: A zero-error launch Oct 22, 2008
Chandrayaan1 successfully placed in orbit - Sify. Chandrayaan1 successfully placed in orbit. (Sify.com, India)
India's space travel began at T'puram Oct 22, 2008
The task fell on a former bishop of Thiruvananthapuram ... Scientists travelled daily from Thiruvananthapuram in rickety buses, carrying lunch bought at the railway station. (India Times, India)
India to leave mark on the moon Oct 19, 2008
Even as a team of 120 engineers and technicians from VSSC Thiruvananthapuram monitors the launch vehicle, another 75-member team is conducting vehicle assembly and static tests (VAST). A core group of 50 scientists and technicians from Bangalore's Satellite Centre is closely monitoring the spacecraft's health. (India Times, India -- Community News)
Church up in arms over Kochi bishop adopting a woman Oct 16, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The adoption of a 26-year-old woman by a 58-year-old Catholic bishop in Kerala for "spiritual reformation" has set off a war of words in Latin Church. A section of the priests have demanded action against bishop John Thattunkal of Kochi diocese. (Times of India)
Muslim cops taken off Advani's convoy Oct 16, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP leader L K Advani's visit to Kerala on Tuesday has sparked a controversy over allegations that two Muslim police drivers, who were to be part of his convoy in Kozhikode district, were withdrawn from duty minutes before his arrival. ( ). (India Times, India)
Moon mission rides on basketballer turned rocket scientist Oct 13, 2008
Even his daughter and son have stayed away from this tricky craft while his wife Rani Mary George is a principal scientist at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute at Thiruvananthapuram. Slated to retire in 2010, the rocket scientist has no career regrets. (Economic Times)
Preparations on for the launch of Chandrayaan Oct 12, 2008
We are closely monitoring the situation' Directors of Satish Dhawan Space Centre here and VSSC (Thiruvananthapuram), M C Dathan and K Radhakrishnan Nair told reporters here today. "We are not worried about rain, sun, or fog. What actually could come in our way are thunder, lightning or cyclone, they said. As on today, there are no bad indications," they added. (India Times, India -- Community News)
Weather permitting, India's moon mission lifts off Oct 22 Oct 11, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram (IANS): Weather permitting, Chandrayaan 1, India's first mission to the moon, will lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh Oct 22, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G. Madhavan Nair said on Friday. Addressing reporters on his arrival here, Nair said the countdown for the unmanned mission was proceeding on schedule. (Hindu)
Kerala to issue bonds worth Rs 800 cr Oct 5, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government will issue bonds worth Rs 800 crore to mobilise resources for development works. The bond period is 10 years and an auction would be held on October 7 at Reserve Bank of India office in Mumbai, an official press release said here today. (India Times)
Rs 2.8cr looted from Kerala bank Oct 5, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Co-operative Bank in Kerala's Kannur district was looted of Rs 8 lakh in cash and jewellery worth an estimated 2 crore on Friday night. The heist happened at the Ponnyam Service Cooperative Bank, Kathoroor. (Times of India)
'+weather_current+'°\;F/'+weather_current_celsius+'°\;C Oct 3, 2008
Melbourne, FL 32935 Last Updated: 10/03/08 08:46:36 EDT. C) Relative Humidity: 75% Barometer: 29. (Florida Today)
Tiger found dead in Periyar Reserves Oct 3, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A grown-up tiger was found dead with its stomach ripped open at Anjurili area in the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala on Thursday. Wildlife Officials said the preliminary assessment after the post-mortem on the carcass was that the tiger died of severe injury received by attack from a powerful animal like elephant, ruling out the possibility of it being a case of poaching. (India Times, India)
Map your village, city with Google! Sep 22, 2008
In fact, among the Top 20 "most described cities" in the Wikimapia world are Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Mormugao (Goa), Visakhapatnam and Indore. Critics of Google Map Maker, such as the collaboratively-crafted Wikipedia, however have raised issues about the fact that unlike OpenStreetMap, which provides its map data under a sharable Creative Commons license, any maps created by users of Google Map Maker are the intellectual... (India Times)
Onam celebrations begin in Kerala Sep 11, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state-wide Onam celebrations, organised by the Kerala Government as part of its tourism promotion plans, got off to a colourful start here on Wednesday. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and attended 00004000 , among others, by Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. (India Times, India)
India will meet Pak fate if nuclear deal goes through: Karat Sep 3, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM general secretary Prakash Karat warned on Tuesday that India would meet the same fate as neighbour Pakistan if the nuclear deal with the US was implemented. Inaugurating a seminar on the Indo-US nuclear agreement here, Karat said, the ultimate aim of the deal was to bind India as a junior, unequal partner of the US to serve its interests in the region just as Pakistan. (Times of India)
Orissa violence: Catholic campuses in Kerala shut Aug 29, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Expressing deep anguish over the attack on Christians and their institutions in parts of Orissa, Catholic schools and colleges across Kerala were on Friday shut as part of the countrywide protest over the issue. All Christian denominations pledged solidarity with Catholic church by wearing black badges, passing resolutions condemning the attack on the community and holding prayer meetings in their institutions, sources said. (India Times, India -- Community News)
'Public action ensures social security' Aug 29, 2008
Kannan, a former director of Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, was recently awarded the first V V Giri memorial award for his contribution to labour studies. He spoke to Amrith Lal. (India Times, India)
Tools to crack cyber crimes Aug 25, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Law enforcing agencies are now armed with more software tools to fight cyber crimes with a premier centre claiming to have developed them. Emailtracer, CyberCheck, Siman and Calltrack are some of the softwares developed indigenously by the Resource Centre for Cyber Forensic (RCCF) here. (India Times, India)
Nationwide strike against price rise cripples Left-ruled states Aug 21, 2008
Vehicles remained off the roads in Thiruvananthapuram as well as across the state, while government offices recorded thin attendance. Train services were hit, while shops and commercial establishments downed shutters. (Times of India)
Kerala reserves job for HIV positive candidates Aug 15, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has become the first state to reserve a government job for HIV positive candidates, a move lauded by NGOs. The Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) has invited applications from the graduate candidates suffering from the disease for the post of coordinator with the organisation. (Economic Times)
A first: Kerala reserves post for HIV+ Aug 13, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This is a quota that is unlikely to be embroiled in a debate about merit dilution and fairness. Kerala became the first Indian state on Tuesday to reserve a government job for HIV positive candidates, marking a new sensitivity for those afflicted with the killer virus. (India Times, India)
Laughter, forgotten medicine in Lok Sabha Aug 11, 2008
Talking about development of airports, Varkala Radhakrishnan, the 81-year-old CPM MP from Kerala, referred to Thiruvananthapuram airport as "very old". To which civil aviation minister, Praful Patel, responded, "Sometimes old is gold as in the case of the honourable MP." When Speaker Somnath Chatterjee took exception to Radhakrishnan being referred to as "old", Patel's ready wit bailed him out. (India Times, India)
Kerala CPM dumps land reforms Aug 10, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Marking a sea change in its policies, the Kerala unit of CPM on Saturday decided to distance itself from further land reforms, something which was close to chief minister V S Achutanandan's heart, and take the plunge to attract private investment on a largescale. A two-day state committee meeting of the party held in Thiruvananthapuram resolved that private investment was important for the development of the state and set the target at Rs 25,000 crore in the next three years.... (India Times, India)
Chennai remembers Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer with 100-hour concert Aug 5, 2008
He was the principal of the Swathi Thirunal Music College in Thiruvananthapuram till 1963. He was a chief producer of All India Radio for many decades and was awarded the Padma Bhushan. (Sify.com, India)
Weather: Partly cloudy, afternoon storms likely Jul 30, 2008
Melbourne, FL 32940 Last Updated: 07/30/08 08:45:41 EDT. C) Relative Humidity: 97% Barometer: 30. (Florida Today)
Kerala: Having 3rd kid may invite fine Jul 30, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when the two-child norm of last century is scorned at across the country, the model state of family planning in India is contemplating punishment for couples with more than two children. The Law Reforms Commission of Kerala headed by eminent jurist Justice V R Krishna Iyer has recommended a penalty of Rs 10,000 and withdrawal of free education and health care for anyone who goes for a third child. (India Times, India)
US hand in AIDS awareness programmes Jul 25, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Is there a foreign invasion taking place in the AIDS awareness programmes of the state. Going by the involvement of the foreign agencies which are actively involved in similar programmes now, it has to be suspected that Kerala is fast becoming a hot spot for them. (Newindpress)
Keralites in Kuwait to fund Kottayam airport Jul 21, 2008
At present, people from these districts depend on the airports in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. "We will support the project completely as it would also give a big boost to the tourism industry in the area including Kumarakom and Munnar," said P C George, a five-time legislator from Kottayam district. (India Times, India)
Tusk sawed to save jumbo Jul 20, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For Chandrasekharan, it was the end of an ordeal. The 60-year-old tusker belonging to the Travancore Dewasom Board, which administers the state's temples, faced a unique predicament. (India Times, India)
Kerala Assembly adopts resolution against N-deal Jul 13, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution against the Indo-US nuclear deal. . (Sify.com, India)
Toonz Animation India turns again with Tales of Siva Jul 13, 2008
com ThiruvananthapuramToonz Animation India, which did pioneering animation work with Indian classics and mythology with animation productions like Return of Hanuman and The Adventures of Tenali Raman, has turned again to Hindu mythology for its next big production ... Toonz' primary studio is based in Thiruvananthapuram, where over 600 artists and technicians create animated stories in 2D and 3D.. (Televisionpoint.com)
Jesus Christ picture kicks up row Jul 13, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what seems like a big faux pas that may snowball into a controversy, the official journal of a Catholic diocese in Kerala carried a picture of Jesus Christ with a beer mug in one hand and a cigarette in the other on the cover page of its June issue. The picture, which has invited strong reactions from the Christian community in the state, appeared in the June 5 edition of "Vachana Jyotis" the magazine published by diocese of Neyyattinkara, on the outskirts of the state... (India Times, India)
The Left has been beaten at its own game on the nuke deal. Jul 7, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Terming the India-US nuclear deal a "must" for the country, Defence Minister A K Antony on Sunday asked the Left parties to refrain from commenting on the importance of an independent foreign policy for India with regard to the deal. "There is no scare for the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government on the nuclear deal issue. India's independent foreign policy was framed by (former prime minister Jawaharlal) Nehru and the Indian National Congress. And even when the US... (India Times, India)
Body search prompts suicide bid Jul 5, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A student of class XII attempted suicide after teachers at her school allegedly did a 'body search' suspecting that she had carried a mobile phone to class. She has been admitted to the city medical college hospital where her condition is said to be improving. (India Times, India)
Kerala cracks whip on erring doctors Jun 29, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Government doctors proceeding on long leaves and extending it as per convenience has been a major concern for Kerala's health sector. Now the state government has decided that enough is enough. (India Times, India)
Heat of inflation hits the tea pot Jun 28, 2008
Apart from the four metros, the other 13 cities monitored by the government are Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizwal, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna, Shillong, Shimla and Thiruvananthapuram ... Milk prices in Thiruvananthapuram shot up by 19% to Rs 19 from Rs 16 a litre, while Bhubaneswar saw the prices soaring to Rs 20 from Rs 17. (India Times)
Monsoon ditches Kerala, load shedding from today Jun 27, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Less than a month after its tryst with monsoon on May 31, Kerala is reeling under a severe power shortage. Electricity minister AK Balan on Thursday informed the state legislative assembly that the government had no other option but to impose 30-minute load shedding in the state. (Daily News & Analysis)
RS Gavai is new Kerala Governor Jun 27, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ramkrishnan Suryabhan Gavai, now Governor of Bihar, was on Thursday named Governor of Kerala. The incumbent here, R.L. Bhatia, will now be the Governor of Bihar, a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement in New Delhi said. (Hindu)
Rains to spread as Bay circulation persists Jun 27, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram, June 26 Wednesday s upper air cyclonic circulation over North Bay of Bengal off the north Orissa and West Bengal coasts persisted on Thursday amid indications that the winds might pick up in strength during the next 24 hours. In its latest update, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that rainfall would increase along the west coast and northwest India from Saturday. (Hindu Business Line)
SFI activists beat up journalists Jun 26, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SFI activists supporting the CPM-led government in Kerala over a school textbook row chased and beat up journalists in Kottayam on Wednesday, injuring five staff members of Malayalam daily 'Malayala Manorama. Reporters Pradeep Jose and Nishad Kurien, photojournalists Arun John and Abhilash and driver Sabu were injured in the attack, which happened close to the newspaper's office. (Times of India)
Kerala text book row: Religious groups for recall Jun 24, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram: Several religious groups cutting across political affiliations on Monday met Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan to demand the recall of a class VII text book, which they allege tries to indoctrinate children with the communist ideology. . (Sify.com, India)
Kerala boy kin blame ragging for death Jun 23, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A week after a student allegedly committed suicide at a famous theological seminary in Kerala's Kottayam district, his parents have come out with the claim that the boy was a victim of ragging. The seminary has denied the allegation. (India Times, India -- Community News)
BSY to lobby for HAL airport Jun 22, 2008
"Retention of HAL airport would be a great help for people flying to Chennai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram and back. We have several examples of cities where two or three airports are functioning," said Naidu. When asked whether it wasn't too late to take up the issue with the Centre, he said the state government has taken over only recently, but there's always scope for a dialogue. (Times of India)
Bangalore: Government to Retain Old HAL Airport Jun 21, 2008
The retention of the old airport would help address the current inconvenience faced by those wishing to take up short hauls and flying to cities like Chennai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram, he said. Seeking the intervention of the Centre and Union aviation minister in initiating negotiations, he said that the state, which also holds an equity stake in the new airport, was prepared to hold talks on the issue. (Daijiworld.com)
US, Asian models see normal rains during July Jun 21, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram, June 20. India is likely to have a normal monsoon during the agriculturally crucial July-August-September quarter, with surplus precipitation indicated for the north Madhya Pradesh-east Rajasthan-Uttar Pradesh belt. (Hindu Business Line)
Guidelines to manage elephants in Kerala Jun 18, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Elephant owners, mahouts and veterinarians are getting together to frame guidelines for the management of captive elephants in Kerala to ensure the animals are not overworked and ill-treated. The Elephant Welfare Association of the state will hold a meeting June 29 in Thrissur, about 300 km from here, to draw up a set of rules for the owners and handlers of captive elephants. (India Times, India)
Son conducts father's wedding Jun 15, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Andri Kannambuzha, a Christian priest in Kerala's Thrissur district, on Saturday conducted the most special wedding ceremony of his lifetime. He administered the wedding vows to his 64-year-old father, Antony. (India Times, India)
Frog in place of Gandhi pic in book Jun 15, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Causing extreme embarrassment to Kerala government, a school workbook features the picture of a frog in a chapter on Mahatma Gandhi. The "goof-up" appears in a workbook distributed to students of classes V to IX in Kasargode district of the state. (India Times, India)
Sun TVs SFM to launch in Shillong on 13 June Jun 13, 2008
SFM already operates in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Visakhapatnam, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Tirupati, Madurai, Tuticorin, Lucknow, Bhopal, Pondicherry, Kozhikode (Calicut), Indore, Vijayawada, Varanasi, Tiruchy, Rajahmundry, Kanpur, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Mangalore, Kannur, Allahabad, Jabalpur, Mysore, Guwahati, Jamshedpur, Nasik, Vadodara, Rajkot, Aurangabad, Ahemdabad, Warangal, Nagpur, Kochi, Gulbarga and Asansol. SFM will launch four more stations across the... (Indiantelevision.com)
Animation cos forge international tie-ups Jun 9, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram-based Toonz Animation too has partnered with Paramount Home Entertainment and Commotion Pictures to make Dragonlace, an animated feature film ... In Kerala, Toonz has signed up with the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) for six acres of land at Kinfras animation and gaming special economic zone in Thiruvananthapuram. (India Times)
3-D human body to replace cadavers Jun 9, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A virtual three-dimension human body capable of replacing cadavers in surgical studies has been developed by a medical graduate in Kerala. The software, titled '3-D Indiana,' developed by Dr Jerome Kalister, has been referred to the Medical Council of India (MCI) for tests and approval. (India Times)
India wet and wary as rains arrive Jun 6, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, south India - The arrival of the monsoons at India's southern doorstep, Kerala state, on May 31, ended weeks of speculation and uncertainty over when precisely they would arrive this year ... By the third week of May, all eyes turn to Kerala, the state where the monsoon makes its grand entry, and whose meteorological station at Thiruvananthapuram is charged with the responsibility of announcing the monsoon's "official arrival" ... And when that happens, the much-awaited... (Asia Times Online)
Health ministry to conduct nationwide survey on colas Jun 6, 2008
The study is being conducted in the four metros besides Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Jorhat and Thiruvananthapuram. It is also being carried out in four rural districts Moga (Punjab), Sabarkantha (Gujarat), Kolaghat (Assam) and Kollam (Kerala). (India Times, India -- Community News)
Shutdown in WB, Kerala and Tripura Jun 5, 2008
KOLKATA/ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/ AGARTALA: A 12-hour shutdown called by Left parties in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura against the hike in fuel prices began on Thursday. In West Bengal, the opposition Trinamool Congress announced state-wide shutdown tomorrow. (India Times)
Panel seeks minimum age for nuns Jun 4, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Women's Commission has asked the state government to ensure that girls who want to be nuns are at least 18 years old. "We have received complaints and the recommendation that we gave to the state government is based on it. Action will be taken against those parents who send their daughter who is below 18 years to become nuns," commission chairperson D Sreedevi told reporters here on Tuesday. (Sify.com, India)
Southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala Jun 1, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram, May 31. Southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala on Saturday, two days later than predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), but a day earlier than the normal for onset over the southwest coast. (Hindu Business Line)
