The event, organised by Impressario Events Ltd, sponsors many charities across the state. This year’s is called ‘Save a Girl Child’ mission. The winner will be working for it, too.

It will fall as a part of the inaugural 2012 London Olympics program. The fact that Queen Elizabeth II will be in attendance will only add to the glitz. The river will be witness for this event where tourists will get to see the 120-foot-long lithe boat and around 100-odd oarsmen.

Suresh Gopi, Indian actor, who is the event’s ambassador is all out to make it successful. He, along with his fans’ associations will garner funds to take the oarsmen by flight to London, and ship the boat intact, in time.

It was in the 1970s that the synagogue fell into disuse. There were almost 3,000 Jews in the area at the time. There was worship and service in the synagogue prior to this. The people still remember it. After renovation, the Kerala government believes that it will attract a lot of tourists, especially Jews.

Kerala’s tourism as well as agriculture depends on these rains. Farmers can breathe a sigh of relief now. Tourism-related industries and owners are looking forward to the influx of tourists the Monsoon will bring. Travellers are attracted to the rains here: it is more than mesmerising, to say the least.

The artificial reef has many purposes to serve. It will protect the shore and the beach from sea erosion – the submerged sand bags are placed to crack sea waves taller than a metre, and allowing only smaller ones to pass through.

The reef will improve growth of underwater flora, and in turn will increase fish breeding. And most of all, the state’s tourism will leap as it will attract tourists and adventure lovers – from surfers to divers.

Inconsistent smallish showers have been teasing us for a while now. Each state across India is vying for the Hottest-State-Where-Most-People-Die-Of-Heat Award. But, be of good cheer. We’ve spotted the actual South-West Monsoon in the Andaman Islands. Yay!!!

Now, isn’t that good news? Of course. Hoping that the showers will bless Kerala by the end of the month, wait all of us. Eager to be relieved of the sun’s burning heat and to relish the cool rainy days.

Monsoon tourism will get a boost, too. Tourism agents, houseboat operators, homestay and hotel owners, restaurants, and just about everyone depending on tourists are awaiting the golden showers.

For those attending the Mart, you can get in touch with tour operators, airlines, hotels, resorts, Ayurveda centres, eco and adventure tourism ventures, holiday package operators, houseboat operators, homestay owners and other related personnel. It is a platform which will see hundreds of buyers and sellers, both national and international.

This event is one of the largest of its kind. This year the Society intends to rope in buyers and sellers from Russian and Scandinavian nations, too, besides its usual clientele.

Register with the KTM Society and book a place for yourself!
www.keralatravelmart.org

There’s a huge turnout in company buses, especially by Infosys and Wipro. The buses will ply on five corridors: Bannerghatta Road, Hosur Road, Sarjapur Road, Old Airport Road to ITPB and Old Madras Road. Many NGOs, too, chip in with ‘earthy’ campaigns.

In a city with 35 lakh vehicles, out of which 50% are two-wheelers and about 20% four-wheelers, if people use public transport, there will be a reduction in exhaust emissions as well as help in decreasing traffic jams.

Bangalore sees a new building coming up in some part of the city every day! The air pollution caused by that in this IT city is only imaginable. A campaign like this will go a long way in improving air quality and reduce travel time for commuters.

The ship’s authorities are regularly updating their journey status on popular social networking sites. The once rife Silk Route is now revived through the trade that’s been happening between the Middle East and South East Asia.

Indians won the overall title as well, at the fifth Commonwealth Boxing Championships today. The other champions at the stage are Asian champion Suranjoy Singh (52kg), South Asian Games gold medalist Amandeep Singh (49kg), Asian silver medalist Jai Bhagwan (60kg) and Paramjeet Samota (+91kg).

Everything about films, TV, radio, digital entertainment, animation, gaming and visual effects will be presented, discussed and exhibited in the three days. Topics like piracy, role of Internet, film formats and much more will be in the forefront of the sessions.

Delegates from about 40 countries are expected to participate, with major contributions from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hong King, Italy, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE, the UK and the USA.

He’s gonna be promoting Kerala Tourism. The state mnisters and Oscar winner Resul Pookutty felicitated him at a recent function. Now let’s see the Bachchan magic working on Kerala.

India, too, has its share of glory. How many countries can boast of having had so many women in power – as ministers, police personnel, prime minister and president? Indian women are known for their meekness and humility. In the recent years, they’ve known to have broken boundaries that otherwise seem unsurmountable!

They have proved their mettle in all fields and shine in areas such as politics, defence, sports, etc. Every year many awards are given away to prominent women. Functions are held to commemorate their achievements and to felicitate them, too. This year, too, the president and other ministers have put up quite a number of reservations and concessions.

Whether at home, workplace or society, the respect women command have increased. It will continue to go up in the days ahead.

The first round of Holi is played with dry powders and then the next with wet colours. Holi ushers in spring, a season associated with love and wellbeing. Sweets, special dishes and ornate cuisines colourfully decorate eachand every house where Holi is celebrated.

There are many legends associated with Holi. The most popular one is: Brahma granted Hiranyakashipu, the king of demons, a boon that made it impossible for him to be killed. After his long penance he demanded that he not be killed “during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or on sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra”. His arrogance reached the zenith, and he attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He wanted people to stop worshipping gods and start praying to him.

Prahlad, his son, was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu tried several times to kill his son, but failed. He once ordered Prahlad to sit on a pyre on the lap of his sister, Holika. Now, she could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl which would prevent fire affecting the person wearing it. After the fire was lit, the shawl flew from Holika, who was then burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed. The shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. On Holi Day, Holika Dahan is undertaken, where her effigy is burnt.

Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (who is half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra).

Every year, different states of North and Western India vie to outdo each other in the celebration of Holi. Gulal Goti, a balloon filled with colours, was very famous with the royal families of Rajasthan. Nowadays, even the common man plays with it. West Bengal’s specialty is Bhang Holi. After or during the celebrations, Bhang (a mixture of milk, almonds and marijuana) is drunk by the people. It is very much permitted by the government and has several religious associations and mentions.

As with all festivals now, Holi, too, is being increasingly celebrated by people across all religions and regions. South Indian, too, celebrate it with much pomp.

St Valentine, a martyr of third-century Rome is credited with the observance of this special day. There are many theories and legends as to its origins. Some believe that St Valentine helped lovers to get married in secret at a time when Roman soldiers weren’t allowed to get married. Another story goes like this: Valentine himself was in jail and sent the first Valentine greeting to his secret love. But, whatever the story, youngsters of the day spend hoards on Valentine’s Day goods to please their friends and lovers.

A lot of conservative communities in India and other countries have come out harsh on them, though. Not many like the idea of their youth tugging along on this day, to a park or beach or even for a meal, with their lovers!! But whatever said and done, the day – February 14 – is a day much awaited and much celebrated. Greeting stores, shops, pubs and restaurants make bomb on this single day, wooing youngsters. If it falls on a weekend, then the whole weekend, too, will be celebrated.

Visit: www.beachresortkerala.com

This Ornamental Fish & Accessories Exhibition and Trade Fair is being organised by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It will be a great chance for exhibiting and marketing fish, fish-related products and accessories.

There will be competitions for ornamental fish, on features such as breeding, innovative practices, technology and display, for breeders, amateurs and traders. You can also check out the exclusive pavilion for imported aquariums. Prizes will be given away during the show, with highlights on cultural and art performances during and after the prizes distribution.

This aqua show will benefit manufacturers and distributors of aquarium, aquarium accessories and related products. Those dealing in fish medicines, drugs, treatment chemicals, fish food, fishery products, publishers of fisheries-related literature, and exporters of ornamental fish will be able to promote their business as well as interact with government bodies and the public.

Source: www.aquashowkerala.com

India’s Constitution – the largest in the world – came into force on this day. The seeds of a Republic were sowed at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress on 31 December 1929. Pt Jawarhar Lal Nehru presided over it, and the members of the meeting pledged to mark January 26 as ‘Independence Day’. The session led to the Civil Disobedience Movement. It was in order to honour this day that India’s Republic Day is now observed on 26 January.

The country has made great strides in the 60 years of it being a sovereign secular Republic. The parade, floats and celebrations can be watched live on television. You can even send Republic day greetings online, watch specific videos as well as download patriotic songs and wallpapers from government web sites.