BRAND KERALA JANUARY 2019 by BRAND KERALA MAGAZINE

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BRAND KERALA January 2019 | VOL. 9 | ISSUE. 1 | RS 100/-

B R A N DI NG K E R A L A G L OBA L LY

2019

ISSN 2249244-5

PLUS

FOKANA CONVENTION 2019

REBUILDING KERALA: ‘CII’S EFFORTS LAUDABLE’ | 30

LET’S GET BACK TO WORK

The prime focus should only be to concentrate on the enhancement of infrastructure facilities rather than wasting quality time pondering on unproductive and futile debates.

he year 2018 will remain as a blot in the minds of the people of Kerala as the State witnessed the worst ever natural calamity in form of the demon deluge which not only uprooted the infrastructure backbone and developmental initiatives of the State, but also devastated the livelihood and fortunes of around ninety percent of the inmates of God’s own Country. The unprecedented resilience, brotherhood and compassion shown by the Malayali folk in minimizing the aftershocks of the disaster was showcased before the world as an enviable example of togetherness. But the moments of pride, unfortunately, did not last long as the State got embroiled in an unwarranted controversy contrived by certain vested interests which literally shifted the focus from creative rebuilding initiatives to unsavoury mudslinging and sectarian divide among the citizens of the State. While the State got lost in the protests that ensued from this provocation and the defensive modes adopted by the Government machinery to contain it, the entire rebuilding process was put on the backburner which in turn put the poor victims of the flood, who were struggling hard to regain their fortunes, in dire straits. For realizing the dreams and aspirations of the State to become one of the most sought after destinations in the world, the prime focus should only be to concentrate on the enhancement of infrastructure facilities rather than wasting quality time pondering on

unproductive and futile debates on politics, religion, caste, creed and traditions. The forced shutdown in the form of hartals is another bane the State has to tackle with utmost priority. Such barbaric acts, though triggered by emotional or political reasons, should be wiped out from this soil with immediate effect. The international business community has expressed concern regarding this protest model, and it’s high time we took a united effort to weed out this menace before losing out heavily to the neighboring States in investment opportunities. The lessons we learned from the past should pave the way for instilling a sense of togetherness and responsibility in us to drive forward with renewed energy and a progressive outlook. Let us work together to bring in a positive change in the mindset of our folks and thereby realize the long pending dream of transforming God’s Own Country into an investors’ paradise. To end on a positive note, we shall keep our hopes alive by remembering the beautiful lines by great poet Rober Frost... The woods are lovely, dark and deep But I have promises to keep And miles to go before I sleep And miles to go before I sleep J.S Indukumar

Editor-in-Chief

BRAND KERALA

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January 2019 | VOL. 9 | ISSUE. 1 | rS 100/-

B R A N DI NG K E R A L A G L OBA L LY

2019

January 2019

H E A LT H TYPE 1 DIABETES: THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT

COLUMN KEEPING INDUSTRY INDUSTRIOUS

AGRIBIZ ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIGITAL FARMING

A R T & C U LT U R E IMPORTANCE OF BEING MALLIKA

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VOL 9 ISSUE 1

EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR EDITOR IN CHIEF EXECUTIVE EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR DIRECTOR, MARKETING CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER BUSINESS HEAD

Ravisankar K V J S Indukumar Balachandran B

Shyam Kumar P V Uday Kumar

DESIGN EDITOR

Gopakumar K Aparna Sreevalsan Nishad H

MARKETING THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

CHENNAI KOCHI KOLLAM

V Uday Kumar +91 99474 91177 Amal M K +91 99474 69977 J Md Abdul Rahim +91 91 98417 26681 Rabish O +91 93872 97703 Suresh Kumar +91 97450 22177

CIRCULATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

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E-MAIL Editorial Advertisement Circulation & Subscription

REBUILDING KERALA: ‘CII’S EFFORTS LAUDABLE’ | 30

Mujeeb Shamsudeen

Murukesh Iyer Vivek R Nair

OFFICE IN CHARGE

PLUS

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

EDITORIAL TEAM

FOKANA CONVENTION 2019

ISSN 2249244-5

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FOKANA

BIG PLANS ON CARDS

The innumerable activities done by Fokana have made it a unique organization with accolades to its credit. It is the largest and oldest umbrella organization in the world with more than 55 associations under its wings which are spread over North America and Canada with a wide reach of more than 5, 00,000 Keralites across the world.

SUCCESS STORY

UNILEC RACES AHEAD

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) being a socially responsible developmental institution supported and complemented the efforts of the government in helping the victims affected by the flood.

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TRENDS

RNI NO. KERENG 2010/36920 ISSN 2249244-5 No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher of BRAND KERALA All rights reserved. Copyright @2018 Owned, Edited, Printed and Published by Ravisankar K.V., Brand Kerala Media House Pvt. Ltd., SRL A - 32, Sankar Road, Sasthamangalam P.O., Thiruvananthapuram 695010 Kerala, India at Orange Printers PVT LTD., Thiruvananthapuram for Arsha Offset Graphix, Janvilla Lane, Vellayamabalam, Thiruvananthapuram – 695010 Editor: Ravisankar K V

HOPES ’19

KERALA’S INDUSTRY CAPTAINS WHO HAVE MADE THEIR MARK IN THE RESPECTIVE SECTORS CONVERSE WITH BRAND KERALA ON THE HOPES, PLANS AND CONCERNS FOR THE YEAR 2019.

The New York Times

Kerala, and India as a whole, have very few public venues to see art. So the organizers of South Asia’s biggest art show wanted to create an event that would appeal to everyone. It has’t been easy.

Ramachandra Guha @Ram_Guha

Walking down a side street in Mattancherry, low houses with their names on the gate, a Manzil and a Niwas very close to one another, happily and unselfconsciously.

biz news INNOVATION

KERALA’S STARTUP PRODUCTS HAVE SCOPE FOR GLOBAL MARKET: US EXPERT

WORLD

he Bandicoot robot that developed by young engineers in Kerala has proved to be used not only in India but globally for cleaning manholes and sewers with precision, said a top innovator from USA in a conclave of the IEDC (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre). The machine had its trial done in Trivandrum and, MIT professor Sherry Lassiter said that the spider shaped machine has good potential to compete at the international level. Along with this, one day event has organised by the Kerala Startup Mission and attended by 4,000 students to enhance their innovative skills, network, share ideas, form tech teams to launch businesses.

CUP

NEW NISSAN KICKS IS THE ‘OFFICIAL CAR OF THE ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP’ T

he New Nissan KICKS of Nissan Motor India Private Ltd. is the ‘Official Car of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019’. Nissan KICKS will carry the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy during its tour across India scheduled from 30th November till 26th December. The KICKS will take the baton and carry the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy across eight major cities, starting from Mumbai and covering Pune, Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Delhi/NCR. The trophy and the new Nissan Kicks will be on display at key locations in each of the cities including shopping malls, colleges and business centers. Cricket fans will get a chance to see the trophy before Team India embarks on its mission to win the ICC Cricket World Cup for the third time, after 1983 and 2011.

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JANUARY 2019

INITIATIVE

RT MISSION’S ‘PEPPER’ TO SPREAD TO 12 NEW CENTRES: MINISTER

he second phase activities of project ‘PEPPER’ (People’s Participation for Participatory Planning and Empowerment through Responsible Tourism) that ensures local participation in tourism development will be extended to 12 new centres across the state, said Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran. “An initiative by Responsible Tourism Mission (RT), ‘PEPPER’ will be implemented in two local selfgovernment institutions at Vaikkom in Kottayam district and 10 other centres this month.

AWARD

POLY STUDENT BAGS BEST ‘WOMENPRENEUR’ PRIZE

inal year Mechanical diploma student, Arunima CR from Government Polytechnic College, Meenangadi, Wayand, has won the Best Womenpreneur award at the grand finale of the ‘Startup Yatra’ held at Park Centre, Technopark. Arunima has developed a solid waste cleaner that helps cleaning water bodies sans manpower, and it can also clean drainages and remove solid waste from water sources, including streams, rivers and ponds. The solid waste cleaner can avoid the worker’s direct contact with waste materials during the cleaning. The event was the conclusion of the state-wide initiative by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to nurture aspiring entrepreneurs in Kerala’s tier 2 and 3 cities. The award carries a cash award of Rs 75,000 at the valedictory function, held in the presence of Dr. Saji Gopinath, CEO, KSUM.

LAUNCH

BAJAJ AUTO LAUNCHES THE NEW PULSAR 150 NEON

he Bajaj Auto sports motorcycle segment has introduced the all new Pulsar 150 Neon collection. It comes with a young and peppy styling along with the sporty appeal and with size and performance above the 100/110cc offerings. The new Pulsar 150 Neon is made available at an exciting introductory price of 64,998/- ex showroom Delhi and is available across all Bajaj Auto dealerships in India. The new Pulsar 150 Neon offers comes in graphic scheme with irresistible Neon Red, Neon Yellow (with Matt Black Paint) and Neon Silver colors.

JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

SEMINAR

‘HUGE SCOPE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN KERALA’

A EDUCATION

PHYSICS CHAMBER OPENS AT KOCHI

he Physics Chamber is a focused Training Institute for Physics alone. It trains students of 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Standard for Foundation Courses in Physics targeting NEET and JEE exams. The programmes are year-long training ones in which students attend the classes for three hours in a week. The objective is to create super-strong foundation and mathematical problem solving capability in the most difficult subject in competitive entrance exams. The Founder, Director and Teacher at The Physics Chamber is Mr. Ajay Antony who has more than 20 Years of teaching experience for National Level Competitive Exams. He has taught students in more than a dozen cities including several Metro Cities across India and has created several Top Rank Holders in National Entrance Exams including First Rank. The Physics Chamber is located at Kakkanad, Cochin. Also the website address is https:// thephysicschamber.com

BRAND KERALA

AWARD

ARUN A.UNNITHAN WINS YOUTH ICON AWARD 2018 Arun A. Unnithan, Executive Director, Cordon Builders received Youth Icon Award 2018 at the renaissance youth conference organised by Kerala State Youth Commission at Kollam. He received the award from Minister Kadakampally Surendran. Arun is the one behind the execution and marketing activities of the company Cordon Builders. He oversees the real estate operations of the company including selection of projection sites, pre-construction activities, and construction and marketing projects. He is an engineer by profession and has an experience of over 12 years in the field of construction of multi stories building and sales. He is also the Treasurer of CREDAI Trivandrum and Executive Committee Member of BAI.

JANUARY 2019

one day national conclave titled “AI enabled Transformational Changes - Opportunities, Challenges, and Future for Startup Entrepreneurship” was conducted at KINFRA Hi-Tech Park, Kalamassery. It was organized by Maker Village. The discussion is focused on the impact of AI on startup entrepreneurships in Kerala. With a robust startup ecosystem, Kerala has all the potential to make a drastic leap in artificial intelligence (AI), experts said. Dr Roshy John, Global Head, Industrial Robotics and Cognitive Systems, TCS, said AI has trickled down to every walks of lives in such a manner that its role could no longer be underplayed in Kerala. The state has good accessibilities, strong start up ecosystem and immense support from the government, he said. Experts like Prof Ambedkar Dukkipati, Computer Service & Automation, IIScBangalore, Raghavendra Bhat, Principal Engineer, INTEL India said their opinions in the conclave.

fokana

FOKANA

CONVENTION 2019 T

he capital city has geared up for this year’s annual FOKANA convention to be held at Thiruvananthapuram on January 29 and 30. Apart from the previous conventions, this year, the executive committee of the organization has a variety of innovative plans for making this event a historic one. An award ceremony, which will felicitate the icons of film, media, and literature, will be organized along this event.

Event highlights The objectives of this year’s convention will be apprising the Government on the problems being faced by the expatriates in America and also to ensure social security for them. Plans are also afoot to reach out to

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JANUARY 2019

the victims of the recent floods by providing adequate help in the form of infrastructure and houses. The event will be compartmentalized into various sessions with seminars on Business, media, literature, Nursing, religious amity. This will be accompanied by specially designed charity programmes and a variety of cultural events.

A SPECIAL COMMITTEE HAS BEEN FORMED TO FACILITATE THE SMOOTH CONDUCT OF THE CONVENTION.

Prominent faces in the social and cultural spectrum will be participating in this event. The special issue of FOKANA Today, the official newsletter of the organization, will also be released on the occasion. The official inauguration of the charity programmes and other flagship schemes of the organization like Bhashakkoru Dollar will be held during the convention. The event will witness the participation of Central and State Ministers, MLAs, MPs, litterateurs, film stars and other prominent faces from all walks of life.

Awards The major highlight of this ceremony will be the Nightingale Award , which carries a purse of Rs 50000/ ,instituted to honor nurses who have rendered selfless services to humanity. Lini, who sacrificed her life while nursing a Nipah affected patient during the recent virus outbreak in North Kerala, will be posthumously presented with this award. The Bhashakkoru Dollar Award , being given as part of FOKNA’s commitment to the promote Malayalam language across the shores,

Lini

Dr Swapna Sninivasan

for the best thesis in Malayalam will be another attraction this year. This will be presented to Dr Swapna Sninivasan, Assistant Professor at Government Women’s College, Thiruvananathapuram. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000/.

Antony, Treasurer, Maman C Jacob, Trustee Board Chairman, Sreekumar Unniithan, Executive Vice President, Abraham Kalatthil, Vice President, Suja Jose, Joint Secretary, Viji Nair, Additional joint Secretary Praveen Thomas, Joint Treasurer, Sheela Joseph, Additional treasurer, Lysi Alex, Women’s Forum Chairperson, Vinod, Trustee Board Secretary, Philippose Philip, Trustee Board Vice President, Kerala Convention Chairman Georgy Varghese, Patron Paul Karukappally, Chairman Joy Chakkappan.

The team A special committee has been formed to facilitate the smooth conduct of the convention. The panel comprises of Madhavan B Nair, President, Tommy kokkat, General Secretary, Sajimon

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BRAND KERALA

fokana

BIG PLANS ON CARDS The innumerable activities done by Fokana have made it a unique organization with accolades to its credit. It is the largest and oldest umbrella organization in the world with more than 55 associations under its wings which are spread over North America and Canada with a wide reach of more than 5, 00,000 Keralites across the world.

Aparna Sreevalsan

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

OKANA (Federation of Kerala Association in North America) was found in the year 1983. Having more than 34 years of history, Fokana promotes the culture of Kerala and stands for the welfare of NRIs around the globe. The innumerable activities done by Fokana have made it a unique organization with accolades to its credit. It is the largest and oldest umbrella organization in the world with more than 55 associations under its wings which are spread over North America and Canada with a wide reach of more than 5, 00,000 Keralites across the world. It was during the seventies that Malayali Organizations started pullulating all over the U.S. and Canada. These organizations became the golden chariots of the unique values of Kerala culture and heritage. There was a need to bring all these organizations under one umbrella. In 1982, under the initiative of Dr. M. Anirudhan, a preliminary meeting was held in Washington D.C. The meeting was chaired by the then Indian Ambassador to United States of America K.R. Narayanan. This meeting initiated the forming of Fokana. Later in 1983, the first Kerala Convention was held in New York City. The then Indian High Commissioner in London, the then-Home Minister of Kerala, Mr.Vayalar Ravi, and Dr. Syed Muhammaed etc. attended the convention. The active efforts and hard work of many prominent Keralites paved the way for a strong foundation for this organization. Madhavan. B. Nair, the current President of FOKANA, is a Chartered

Financial Consultant by profession. He runs a firm in U.S. which takes care of finance, insurance, employee benefits, all at one source. He is from Trivandrum, Kerala. In a chat with Brand Kerala, Madhavan B Nair elucidates on the activities and future plans of FOKANA.

What are the general activities of FOKANA? Do you have any specific areas of concentration? We have been working in various fields and our organization got incorporated in 1983. Since then, we have been working as an umbrella organization of different associations in U.S and Canada. Primarily, we focus on dividing the whole associations according to the regions and through regions we have a proper networking of associations. Since connected centrally, it works like a perfect engine and enables all the members in all associations to interact with each other well. The resources and connectivity can be made use of by members to complement each other for their personal, business, cultural, social growth in all areas. So this creates a different division of categories on what we can do it. One is in the cultural front. We organise and celebrate all the festivals of India as part our policy to conserve our heritage. Secondly, we make it a point to bring up children by teaching them all our traditions, customs and practises, what we have been doing here in our native places. We actually become a catalyst by conducting Sunday schools or regular school curriculum where they come and participate for sessions like

We make it a point to bring up children by teaching them all our traditions, customs and practises, what we have been doing here in our native places. Madhavan B Nair

JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

Malayalam class, music class, dance class etc. They maintain and find the value of what we have and feel a sense of pride being an Indian. They stand out as individuals with a logical thinking and ability to take proper decisions in proper ages. On those lines, we have different categories like Toastmasters Schools, Skill Development Schools, which are organised by connecting various regional associations. So in a larger perspective, we arrange resources to develop youngsters into better citizens. For all these, we need to assemble our members and associations on a regular basis. The annual conventions being organised alternatively in India and the US are part of this. How did FOKANA involve in providing help for the victims of the natural disasters that hit Kerala? We do a lot of things in Kerala. Especially in situations like natural calamities, we rise to the occasion and do our part to help the Government cope up with the situation. In the recent floods that devastated the State, we immediately got involved in the relief operations by reaching out to our friends and other resource persons to procure emergency items like clothes, food, etc. which were

we mobilized and supplied to the Kerala Government for distribution among the victims. That was a great success. Adding to this, we distributed cleaning pumps in the Ernakulam region which were helpful in cleaning the debris and mud from wells, houses and other affected areas. For this, we sought the help of more than fifty volunteers of the social service unit of Sree Sankara Institute who did a wonderful job by cleaning at least ten miles a day for almost fifty days continuously. These kinds of services are still happening in some parts of the State. Another major initiative is the Bhavanam Project which covers ten districts of the State. We plan to build ten houses in each district for the affected people. An MoU for the same has already been signed with the Government. These are some of the recent activities we have done by us. Also, we are coming out with entrepreneurs’ development programs like

WE PLAN TO BUILD TEN HOUSES IN EACH DISTRICT FOR THE FLOOD AFFECTED PEOPLE UNDER THE BHAVANAM PROJECT.

How do you view the current situation in the United States and do you see any sort of restrictions being imposed on the process of immigration? All that are happening are only procedural things and I don’t think there is a drastic issue going on regarding this. In my opinion, the American Government is really purging the malpractices whereby the needy and the right persons are given the privilege of Visa formalities. This actually will be beneficial for genuine job seekers who would get the right opportunities. America is a country of immigrants and they believe the best of the best will come to America and contribute to add value to their economy. As an NRI, how do you view the current issues that are raging in the name of religion in Kerala? See, it is very unfortunate. We are a heterogeneous community. Different belief systems and different opinions exist everywhere in this world. Everyone’s beliefs and traditional practices are important to them and we all exist in unison by respecting and acknowledging each others’ beliefs. All these should not have happened. I think the freedom of expression or whatever the fundamental privilege you have is being fully exercised here and you have more than what you are privileged. What are the major points of focus in this year’s convention? This years’ convention is a historic one for the simple reason that we have made it into a two-day affair from a single day event. Also, we have

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profession is actually much more than what we assume. The best example to be cited here is the case of Lini, who sacrificed her own life by nursing patients during the Nipah outbreak in Kerala. It is priceless and matchless and government should recognize the risk involved in this profession and adequately compensate the nurses. You might be aware that the compensation for nurses in other countries is relatively high compared to India..

the Angel Connect, in association with Technopark and Start up Mission. We plan to bring in the NRIs here for helping the budding entrepreneurs raise capital for their ventures. So as a whole, we are very much happy about the nature of work being done here.

Do you really think our country is now at par with any other countries in higher studies and

jobs? See, India has now elevated itself from the status of a developing country to a near developed country and in another ten years of time, we might achieve perfection in all areas. I feel more people are repatriating from rest of the world. Even from U.S. to India for this simple reason. The country is now near developed where the opportunities are plenty and the prosperity is yet to come. I strongly feel that India is a rich country in all perspectives.

an array of decision this time. The basic ‘Bhashakkorru Dollar’ Project has been further extended to the Malayalam Academy. We have also introduced an award for the nurses namely the ‘Nightingale Award’ as a token of recognition which carries a purse of Rs 50,000 as well. This will go a long way in making the authorities realise the magnanimity of the nursing profession and persuade them to provide a decent and adequate compensation package for the services being done by the nursing community. The risk involved in this

We have also introduced an award for the nurses namely the ‘Nightingale Award’ as a token of recognition which carries a purse of Rs 50,000 as well. Madhavan B Nair

On your Family... I am blessed with two children, Janu Nair and Bhaskar Nair; they are professionals in Wall Street; and are married. I have three grandchildren too. My wife is Geetha Nair. She is a home maker. It was she who kept me active all through the years and has raised the whole family. I forayed into community activities only after my children got married. Any plan to come back and get settled in Kerala? Yes. I am frequently coming here, at least two or three times in a year. I have more connections and reasons to be here, rekindling my own relations and enjoying my friendship and fraternity. I am happy to say that I will be spending 50% of my time here in the coming years. JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

advetorial

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A BUILDER PAR EXCELLENCE THE ANTA PROMISE Delivering more Values Projects are in the most Prominent Locations of Cochin Blend of Traditional & Contemporary Style Most Prominent Living Spaces in Cochin Guaranteed Extra Living Space

nta Builders & Developers Pvt. Ltd., has rose to prominence within a span of within a span of 11 years by its innovative projects & developing new lifestyles. The company strives hard to live up to its mission to provide a better tomorrow with improved land contemporary living which provided its customers the privilege to relish the comforts of the most beautiful and harmonious living spaces. Today, Anta is one of the finest builders in Cochin & Trivandrum, and boasts of standalone living spaces - Designer Bungalows, Luxury Villas, Luxury and Premium Apartments. The work is also progressing for three

villa projects, three apartment projects in Cochin and one villa project in Trivandrum. Anta Builders has also proved its expertise in infrastructure projects like Nila Campus, Sarovaram Bio Park & CIAL projects, some of the state of the art mega infrastructure projects in the State. All our projects are conceived after indepth market research on appreciation, feasibility, target audience, specific requirements, etc., and that is precisely the reason why this group enjoys a wide customer base which led to the realization of perfect living spaces in the hotspots of prominent cities in the State..

OUR PROJECTS Anta Queen’s Garden Ongoing Luxury Gated Villas P.J. Antony Road, Kaloor, Pachalam Route.

Anta Capital Green Newly Launched, At Vellar Jn. near Kovalam – Trivandrum

Anta Harmony Newly Launched Independent gated luxury villas - 3 BHK & 4 BHK @ Elamkulam Bund Road

Anta Marvel Nearing Completion Luxury Flats. Near Hotel BTH Sarovaram in between Vytilla Kundanoor National Highway

Anta King’s Place Ongoing Luxury Flats Opp. Sanskrit College Layam Road, Tripunithura

Anta KannadiKovilakam Nearing Completion Apartments At Elamana Road, Just 400 Mtrs to Lord Poornatrayeesha Temple, Tripunithura

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Anta New Earth Ongoing Waterfront Bungalows A Signature Waterfront, Eco friendly, Self sustainable & Truly world class project @ Panangadu back waters, Kochi

Total Land : 3.03 Acre • Total Villas : 39 Nos • Land Extent : Avg 5 cents Villa Type : ‘A’ - 2525 Sq.ft. • ‘B’ - 2555 Sq.ft. • ‘C’ - 2490 Sq.ft. • Type D - 1825 sq. Ft AMENITIES : » Swimming Pool » Badminton Court » Gym / Club House » Out Door Arena » Landscape Garden » Children’s Play Area » Poly House for Pesticide free Vegetables » Power Backup for Common Area » Effective Waste Management » Smart Security Systems PROXIMITY : » Kovalam Beach - 2 Minutes » Vizhinjam Port - 5 Minutes » International Airport -15 Minutes » Lulu Mall - 20 Minutes » Travancore Mall - 15 Minutes » Ananthapuri Hospital -15 Minutes » Technopark - 20 Minutes » Trivandrum Central - 20 Minutes » Secretariat - 15 Minutes » Medical College - 30 Minutes » Bheema Palli Mosque -10 Minutes

TC 1/1986, “Alakananda”, Opp. Maldives Consulate, Kumarapuram, Medical College P.O., Thiruvanathpuram 695011. Tel: 0471 2553951 / 53. E mail : info@antabuilders.com www.antabuilders.com Corporate Office : 1st Floor, Jubilee Memorial Building, NH-47 By Pass, Thykoodam - Vyttila, Cochin. Tel : 0484 - 2303951 / 953

Call : 9745618888 / 9188491884

HOPES ’19 A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes. —Mahatma Gandhi

As we welcome another Business Year, hopes and aspirations galore with renewed plans and fresh ideas which could accelerate the growth quotient and bring in the desired results in the commercial spectrum. Kerala’s industry captains who have made their mark in the respective sectors converse with Brand Kerala on the hopes, plans and concerns for the YEAR 2019.

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IT IS WITH A QUIET SENSE

T S KALYANARAMAN Chairman & Managing Director, Kalyan Jewellers

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of accomplishment peppered with anticipation that we replace the calendar on our walls with the new one for 2019. A sense of accomplishment on achieving what we had aimed for in 2018 - closing the year with 102 showrooms across the country and 32 showrooms in the Middle East. Anticipation and excitement to be a part of the rapidly evolving Indian jewellery market in 2019. We would continue to focus on growth through strategies that are in alignment with the aspirations and desires of our customers. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with our customers, respecting their trust in us with a transparent customer-centric approach in all aspects of our business. We shall continue with our efforts to make inroads into new markets and welcome new customers to the Kalyan family, connecting with them as we look to satisfy their varied tastes and needs through our wide range of region specific designs.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2019,

Dr. AZAD MOOPEN Founder Chairman and Managing Director Aster DM Healthcare

I believe private sector healthcare providers can continue to play a vital role in supporting Kerala’s health issues as well as utilizing the state’s potential. Even though the state scores very high in overall health delivery in the country, there is a challenge to provide high end tertiary care to people in the lower income strata. These challenges in terms of providing required advanced treatment to people can be addressed through the implementation of Ayushman Bharath scheme being rolled out soon. The private sector come into the picture by providing the infrastructure to deliver this as 70% of the state’s healthcare needs are met by private sector. The availability of 5 lakhs worth of healthcare support for a family will definitely help to face the challenges be being faced to provide quality high end treatment to large segment of population in the BPL category . With the excellent private hospitals in the state and the natural beauty, Kerala is also well poised to play a significant role in becoming a major destination for medical tourism to cater to overseas visitors. The private sector will be playing the major role in this opportunity which shall help to generate more jobs and bring income to the state”

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ANOTHER YEAR BEGINS, and it brings with it many possibilities.

T A JOSEPH Managing Director, Confident Group

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

2018 has been a landmark year for many a reasons. The year brought with it more than 1500 new members to our family of happy confident home owners. It was also a year that left Kerala devastated. The floods brought with it great destruction and loss of life and property. It was a lesson and an eye opener for all of us. We made humble attempts to rebuild the homes of many homeless. We worked with many people who were affected across Kerala to establish their homes and help them start afresh. With lessons learnt along the way, we are delighted to have accomplished many a feat like on time delivery of projects completed in record time, outstanding workmanship and strengthening of our bond with our customers. The most coveted Buy A Home, Win A Home lucky draw was held in the past year. With three fully furnished apartments up for grabs, prizes more than 1.5 crores were at stake. Many new projects were conceived and the foundation for some was laid. With the assistance of our expert team of architects and engineers, we have been able to outdo ourselves in terms of design and structural efficiency. The past year has left us with many reasons to celebrate and also left us with many lessons. We aim to outshine ourselves in 2019. With 22 ongoing projects across 5 locations in Kerala and many more projects in the pipeline, prospective buyers will have an even wider array of projects to choose from. We are sure that you’ll find the most suitable home with for you and your family with us. The rapid expansion planned has also brought way for our own new office adjacent to the bypass near EMC, Kochi. With construction in full swing, we expect the our new state of the art infrastructure to be completed soon. 2019 also brings with it a mega new prospective partnership with SmartCity. The plan is to develop residential projects on 15 acres of land within SmartCity with an expected investment of 1200 crores. The resonating success of the Buy A Home, Win A Home offer has inspired us to offer something more stunning to our home buyers. Home buyers now stand a chance to win an all-expense paid cruise aboard the Symphony of the Seas in the USA. You can enjoy a cruise with your family on Worlds Ultimate Luxury cruise ship in the world. The Kerala floods have left us with lessons that we wish to implement to ensure the safety and security of our customers. It has always been our aim to keep mother nature as an utmost priority, and this year too, we aim to design homes that are in sync with nature and at the same time offer the best to its residents. We are also into the market study to expand our business to Kannur. In 2018, we had handed over 716 homes (7 towers and 31 villas) and will be handing over 358 before March 2019. We will be launching six more projects in another four months in 2019 and another six more are in pipeline .

V P NANDAKUMAR MD & CEO, Manappuram Finance

BROADLY SPEAKING, the outlook for 2019 is positive

with India’s economy continuing to grow at a rapid pace. However, there are some risk factors too, especially the risk of spillovers to the domestic economy from rising international trade tensions and a slowdown in global growth. As for our business, the gold loan business would benefit from higher gold prices likely because of heightened uncertainty and trade wars. Gold is, after all, well known as a safe haven asset. Higher gold prices indirectly benefit the gold loan business as customers get higher loans for their gold. As for our new businesses, our microfinance subsidiary, Asirvad Microfinance, looks set to continue growing at the scorching pace it has set in the last two quarters. The microfinance industry in India in general has bounced back from its demonetisation woes. Disbursements are up and recoveries are strong and Aisrvad will continue to expand into new geographies. We also expect our commercial vehicle division to maintain rapid growth as capacity gets added to India’s road infrastructure, and as petroleum prices begin to decline from recent record highs. Our affordable home loans business will grow at a more sedate pace as the real estate scenario continues to be a bit dull. Overall, I would expect 2019 to be better for growth than the year that went, assuming of course, that there are no unanticipated shocks. JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

Dr. A V ANOOP Managing Director, AVA Cholayil Pvt Ltd

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

FOR US, the past two years affected our business slightly due to the GST, Demonetization, Kerala Flood and issues like that. We are planning to stabilize our business in 2019. Till this time, whenever each issue came up, ups and downs happened in business; our business in Kerala was the most affected one. The market is still tough here. The demands from consumers have not went down but the trade is affected. It’s now that we have reached a recovery stage. Kerala flood was the major issue which hit the business vastly. This happened for almost all kind of businesses in Kerala. We couldn’t achieve a major growth in the Kerala sector in the past two years. This year we are expecting that growth and it’s the 50th year of Medimix. This year we are promoting more Medimix Ayurvedic Hand wash since it was well received in the market. Also we have opened an Ayurveda hospital in Kochi and we are expecting a growth in that sector too. It is to upgrade the Ayurveda plant with different types of treatments. This year we will not be launching any new products or commencing new projects. This year we are focussing on stabilizing the business especially in Kerala. The Biodiversity Bill was a threatening one than the GST especially for those in Ayurveda sector. We were asked to pay the tax for the Ayurveda medicines we are using here. All the manufacturers of Ayurveda medicines asked to withdraw that bill otherwise the whole Ayurveda industry would have been destroyed. We are not asking for any concessions but expecting the Government to refrain from passing new bills and rules since we are only getting used to the current situation. The market is likely to remain dim considering the ensuing General Elections. It will take around five to six months to make things go smoothly like before. We are finding difficulties in marketing the existing products of our company like Medimix, Kaytra etc. Also the frequent hartals have been a matter of concern and it has affected the growth of industry in a big way. In film industry, we are currently working with a film called ‘Ambili’ with actor Soubin in the lead. AVA Productions and E 4 Entertainment Productions are involved in the production of this. Director is John Paul George. Another movie ‘Ishq’is happening now in which Shane Nigam is acting. I have done a major role in one movie called ‘Appunvinte Sathyanweshanam’ which is also progressing. It’s a movie for children. In the film industry I am expecting to get good films; both festival and commercial ones. Also in the business field, I am expecting a smooth running without much issues.

AS WE WELCOME 2019, the

RAJASHEKARAN NAIR Managing Director UDS Group

UDS Group has chalked out a variety of projects as part of its commitment to transform God’s Own Country into one of the most sought after tourism destination in the world. For achieving this objective, the Government machinery should move at a faster pace in creating world class infrastructure and other tourism friendly support systems like good roads, cleaner environment, adequate security and connectivity facilities which should be given utmost priority. The State should take the initiative to spruce up the potential for spiritual tourism in the State by reaping in maximum benefits from the Rs 550-crore Swadeshi Darsan and Prasad programmes announced by the Prime Minister. The UDS group has envisaged a special village Tourism project at the Chengal village near Neyattinkara of Thiruvananthapuram district which has now become famous for the temple with the tallest Shivaling. Another prestigious project to be realized this year is the state of the art convention Centre which can seat 2000 people nearing completion at Kawdiar in the heart of the capital city. Another 200 rooms will be added to this project in the second phase. A full fledged catering and hospitality Management centre for imparting professional training to tourism professionals is coming up near our property Uday Suites at Shangumugham, Thiruvananthapuram. Another flagship project which will be a major intervention in the tourism sector will be our hill resort project coming up at Wagamon . Situated amidst the greenery of orange and tea plantations, this will be a haven for tourists visiting the hill station.

JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

SHEILA JAMES Propreitrix, Czarina Boutique

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executing the plans I have in my mind. First of all I have a thought about expanding my business. I haven’t decided how I will but let’s say that I have plans to start branches of Czarina. There are many things that should be taken care of during the expansion of a business. I am studying about the fashion industry in Kerala in order to know how to expand the business. I am an artist too, I love painting which is one of my favourite hobbies. It would be really great if I could conduct a solo painting exhibition. I have a series of paintings which I have completed and some of them are yet to be completed. Also, I would like to improve my interest in music. Generally, 2019 began with all those political issues and hartals. I am really worried about the current scenario in Kerala. All these issues, especially hartals have affected the fashion industry also in a big way. The government and the civil society should take the initiative to put an end to such barbaric acts which affects the general public and the business community in a big way. I hope things will get better soon and 2019 will be a year filled with happiness and prosperity.

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feature

REBUILDING KERALA ‘CII’S EFFORTS LAUDABLE’ A recipient of various awards and recognitions in health care and industrial sectors, Dr. Sajikumar, the Managing Director of Dhathri Ayurveda (P) Ltd, is actively involved in industry bodies representing the Indian traditional healthcare industry.

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

r. Sajikumar, the Managing Director of Dhathri Ayurveda (P) Ltd, is known as a passionate innovator, successful entrepreneur and an ardent philanthropist. Under his leadership, Dhathri creates Proprietary Ayurveda Drugs, Classical Medicines, Single Herbs, OTC and Food products (total around 300 products) and aspires to become a global Ayurveda conglomerate. The Dhathri Group also represents a large bouquet of healthcare services and brands including Dhathri Ayurveda Hospital & Panchakarma Centre, a chain of authentic Ayurveda service centers and abS Clinic, an integrative healthcare for beauty, slimming and lifestyle disorders. Dhathri’s products and services touch millions of people across India, Middle East, USA, Australia, Japan, the Maldives, Malaysia among others. A recipient of various awards and recognitions in health care and industrial sectors, he is actively involved in industry bodies representing the Indian traditional healthcare industry. He is the Regional Secretary (South India) of Ayurveda Drug Manufacturers’ Association, a Senate Member of Kerala University of Health Sciences, the Vice President of Ayurveda Hospital Management Association, member of Kerala Management Association and the Federation of Indian

Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Dr Sajikumar is currently the Chairman of the Kerala State Council of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), interacts with Brand Kerala on the post flood scenario and the measures to bring back the State from the trials and tribulations of the calamity.

We need to explore modern technologies and concepts available for municipal waste management. Dr. Sajikumar

JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

How do you analyse the current industrial scenario in the State. What are the immediate challenges to be taken up ? Kerala is always failing to catch up when it comes to infrastructure development. The state continues to face constraints in infrastructure development due to issues related to land acquirement, funding, etc. Except for a few stretches, the highways remain narrow leading to time delays in transportation, accidents etc. Even after many years of commissioning, the Inland Water Highways No 3 running through Kerala remains underutilized or rather unutilized. If we can shift a sizeable percentage of the cargo movement through this waterway, it will bring in great relief to the congested roads and to the people. Government should take adequate steps to get this operationalized soon. Currently, the solid waste in various municipalities is just getting shifted to common places with no processing done. We need to explore modern technologies and concepts available for municipal waste management. Industries like power generation, yarn from plastic recycling etc operate profitably elsewhere and it is time we looked beyond just dumping all the waste at a place and forgetting it. From a state with surplus water, Kerala is moving into a phase where it faces water scarcity every year. A state which gets an average rainfall of 310 cm or about 7000 crore cub meter of water is running helter-skelter even for drinking water. Projects like water audit on consumption patterns, preservation techniques, recycling etc have to be undertaken without delay to find out long term solutions. The Tourism sector has been affected majorly by the liquor policy and it should be reversed since it has not met with the purported objective of reduction in alcohol consumption. Will Kerala lose its priced tag of ‘World’s destination for

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

Even though implementation of GST slowed down the business a bit, over a period of time GST will support better markets and business. Dr. Sajikumar

ayurveda’ with Sri Lanka playing the ayurveda card and attracting tourists in big numbers? The industry fears so. The sector is also concerned about the entry barriers for ayurvedic medicines in Europe and many other countries. Investments in research and development are a must to further the acceptance of ayurveda by the world at large. Ayurveda in Kerala needs government support in taking it to the next level. It is sad that Kerala is pegged at 20 among Indian states in the Ease of Doing Business rankings and is at the last position when you consider only the developed states. It has fallen two positions from 18 of last year. Many states have moved ahead by implementing various reforms to make themselves highly attractive destinations for investments. A higher ranking in EODB

gives a right perception to investors of the ecosystem in place in the state. Today, Kerala has a large number of engineering and management colleges, not to mention the numerous dental colleges, but sadly, the quality of education has suffered. Many colleges are at the verge of closure and hundreds of jobs are at stake. As early as 1980’s, the engineering colleges in the state had students from many countries in Africa. Why cannot we open up the state professional education system to attract students from foreign countries in Africa or other areas? Of course, for this, the colleges have to improve the quality of education they offer. There is a crisis in the professional education sector and if addressed correctly, this can be used an opportunity to leverage to benefit the state. Another area of concern is the return

of thousands of people from Middle East after losing jobs due to oil crisis. This could become a major challenge for Kerala. In fact, if we address the issues mentioned above in earnestness, we can overcome this crisis. What we need is creation of more enterprises in the state which will lead to creation of more jobs which is the need of the hour. Also, we should focus on training our youth with skills which are in demand like those needed for the construction sector. Kerala is recouping from the worst ever floods it has witnessed. Can you give a brief on the action plan chalked out by CII for the rebuilding process? Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) being a socially responsible developmental institution supported and complemented the efforts of the

government in helping the victims affected by the flood. CII, with the active participation and contribution of its members across the Country, has extended full support to provide relief and assistance in the flood affected regions of Kerala. Around 1200 volunteers from CII member companies and 300 individuals from Young Indians and the Indian Women Network across India were involved in the relief and rescue operations. CII had organised collection centres in 21 cities to facilitate collection of relief materials and to ensure effective distribution of relief materials, warehouses in Kerala across the seven cities including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Calicut, Idukki, Kannur, Kottayam and Palakkad were set up. The relief materials received from members have been distributed to around 60 plus relief camps in the various flood affected districts in Kerala. So far the CII had mobilised 45 trucks of relief materials from various members across the country and on the advice of the Chief Minister provided 8560 Gumboots, 4 Mobile toilets and 10,000 pairs of Gloves on immediate requirement basis. Besides the above, CII have also supplied food items of 40 Tonnes; 12600 pieces of bedding; 3200 pieces of clothing; 30 boxes of toiletries; 400 boxes of general medicines; 35 boxes of sanitary napkin / sanitary pad & diapers; 22000 chlorine tablets; 1740 pieces of utensils; 25000 litres of water; 1 Ton of groceries; 2 RO Plants and 32 tonnes of bleaching powder etc. CII also organised several medical camps both Ayurveda & Allopathy in the worst affected areas. CII has provided Ayurveda medical support to more than 6000 people in worst affected areas. Currently CII along with the Kudumbasree is providing White Goods to the flood victims at a discount of 50%. CII has tied up with Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Godrej, LG, V- Guard, Hykon, Whirlpool, Sunidra for this project. CII through the CII CSR

foundation has also conducted ground level study to understand the economic loss to educational institutions and hospitals and has proposed to extend support in rebuilding of Government schools and hospitals in worst affected areas. How do you analyse the support from the Government in boosting the growth charts of the State? The Government has taken this with top most priority. Having discussions with the industrial bodies, not only for re-building and rehabilitation but for promoting Kerala as a investment friendly state. Your take on Demonetization and GST and its influence on the operations of the industrial spectrum? CII believes that demonetizing high denomination notes can be an effective means of checking illegal accumulation of wealth in cash. However, sweeping reforms like these which touch the lives of every citizen can bring significant inconvenience to the public and industry in the short run. That is what we have witnessed, as new currency being infused into the system; it replaced the legitimate cash that has been taken out of circulation. Even though implementation of GST slowed down the business a bit, over a period of time GST will support better markets and business. What are the activities done by CII, for building up a sustainable future? We are organising programmes to propagate a healthy & green Kerala, safe Kerala, urban living supported Kerala, environment friendly constructions to avoid further disasters and natural calamities. Complete green protocol and 100% waste management initiatives, support renewable energy. JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

success story

UNILEC RACES AHEAD The products of UNILEC Limited are BIS approved with ISI marking. They are producing type tested Energy Meters which are approved in various Test Labs like ERDA - Baroda, ERTL North - Delhi, CPRI - Bangalore, and ETDC - Chennai.

nited Electricals Managing Director S.R.Vinaya Kumar elaborates on the targets achieved and future plan of actions in a conversation with Brand Kerala In the previous interview with United Electricals, you had revealed that the company had presented two major proposals to the government in the previous financial year. How have these plans worked? Yes. In the last financial year, we submitted mainly two plans to the government. One was an order from the Kerala State Electricity Board for Smart Energy meters for the new consumers.

The first tender in Kerala has been passed under the Kesavadasapuram circle, Trivandrum. The plan is to begin with 14,000 meters and other procedures are progressing. The second plan was to start our own street light production unit. The inauguration of the unit was on 4th July, 2018. The production of street lights are being done in-house under the ‘United Electricals’ brand. The street lights necessary for all the Local Self Government establishments are being supplied from United Electricals. As a part of this, the Local Self Government Department had issued a declaration which gives a green signal for all other

last year. These three plans were inaugurated by then Minister for Industry A.C. Moideen, Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma and Forest Minister K. Raju together. The next intended plan is the production of Smart Gas Meters. The government has approved and allocated a budget for the plan. This will be done in eight districts of Kerala where the gas is supplied through pipes in houses. The pilot project for the production of smart gas meters is currently progressing in Kalamassery, Ernakulam, under the Adani group. The total

THE PILOT PROJECT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SMART GAS METERS IS CURRENTLY PROGRESSING IN KALAMASSERY.

establishments under it to purchase street lights produced by United Electricals without going for a tender. As a result, we are receiving orders for large number of street lights. We could create more job opportunities in our company and therefore has requested the government for an increase in our work force. Please elaborate on the support provided by the State Government? Yes we are receiving a very positive support from the government. This financial year, government allotted Rs 10Crores for United Electricals; 5Crores for the budget and 5Crores as a working fundt. Also a third plan of starting a Research and Development wing had also been inaugurated

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

required number of gas meters for the project is very large. The technical procedures for the same are being discussed with the Central Government Department C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing). United Electricals posted an operational profit this financial year, after 12 years. In addition, an agreement had been signed and presented to the government regarding the service remuneration policy for workers, which was delayed for the past eight years. It is estimated that United Electricals will be posting a record turnover of some 25 to 30 Crores by the end of this financial year. The latest projects being undertaken by United Electricals this financial year will include a 23 Crore order for Air Brake switches from KSEB. JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

success story bright for the steel Industry. Kalliyath Group is the leaders in Kerala since we follow BIS Standards and strict quality keeping methods and innovating the production quality according to the market scenario. Our primary focus is on ensuring the quality of production which helps us to produce World class steel. Implementation of latest technology and innovations in machinery are continuously done. By 2019, our production capacity will be increased to meet the future demands and to produce world quality steel bars.

THE LEADING TALE OF

STEEL

With four well equiped manufacturing units spread across eight acres, Kalliyath is the only brand in Kerala that produces 6mm original TMT Steel Bars and is also the only brand in India to produce Fe500 graded 6mm Bars with ISI certification.

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

ith a legacy of trust and expertise of over 88 years, Kalliyath has been instrumental in introducing some of the most path breaking infrastructural products and services to South India. Founded by the visionary, Mr. Abdul Khader Haji, The Kalliyath Group has always been at the forefront, ushering in every new technology into the industry. Be it the MS round, the CTD Bars or the TMT bars, Kalliyath has been the first to introduce them to the construction industry of Kerala. Promoter of powerful brands like Kalliyath TMT Bars, Kalliyath Wires and STEELFAB, Kalliyath has revolutionized the quality standards in the industry. The face of fair trade in the industry, Kalliyath Group has always adhered

to the best quality policies and ethical practices. With an annual turnover of Rs.1000 crores in Steel Manufacturing and Trading sector, Kalliyath has grown several folds through its diversified business verticals. Now, the company has expanded far and wide with operations in Mozambique and Middle East. In conversation with Brand Kerala, Noor Muhammed Noorsha Kalliyath, Managing Director, Kalliyath Group, elaborates on the challenged faced by the Industry, innovative initiatives and the road map for expansion.

Kalliyath has evolved as a leading domestic brand in the construction and infrastructural sector. How do look back at this success story?

Noor Muhammed Noorsha

OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS ON ENSURING THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTION WHICH HELPS US TO PRODUCE WORLD CLASS STEEL.

It was a daring move to reimagine, what my grandfather, Mr. Abdul Khader Haji imagined way back in 1929 to make Kalliyath a benchmark in the steel industry. In 1940, my father Mr.Khalid Hajji joined the business adding more strength to the vision. That was a time when there was no organized sector for steel manufacturing and trading. In 1970â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kalliyath started the trading of MS round bars from international countries and North India and the saga of trust thus began. In 1975CTD bars which enhance the grip of concrete was introduced. That was a time when Kerala was having just 100tons production and the requirement was much more. Kalliyath played the major role in trading quality steel during the time boosting the construction phase of Kerala and meeting its requirements.

In the year 2000, we started our manufacturing unit with an installed monthly capacity of 9000 tons. In 2007, Kerala witnessed the introduction of TMT bars by Kalliyath with BIS recognition in secondary sector. Today, Kalliyath TMT stands tall as the leading brand and a trusted name in the construction and infrastructural sector. What is your perspective on the future of Steel industry in the current scenario? We give much focus to the present to make the future bright. Steel industry is always evolving and new innovations always occur. Kalliyath was the first company to introduce fully automated high speed rolling mill with fully automated cooling bed. The future is

What are the challenges being faced now in the growth of steel business? All of us are aware that GST has been implemented and anybody can manufacture from anywhere. Kerala is a consumer market where production is less and demand is more. As a part of unhealthy competition, manufacturers from outside the State are dumping low quality TMT bars without any BIS standards or approval into Kerala without satisfying chemical compositions and physical structure in BIS specification. Unfortunately, BIS Kerala is not using their authority to check and ban the flow of such poor quality steel. A recent study by a reputed agency in North India proved that most of the TMT bars are failing in chemical properties. This should be an eye opener for Kerala consumers and BIS. Selling low quality material at cheaper price is a threat to manufacturers who are maintaining all the specs as per BIS. Low productivity, inefficiency of public sector units, low potential utilization, heavy demand, inferior quality of products, huge hike in the price of raw materials etc. are some of the other major challenges faced by the steel business. What are the steps taken by you for the development of the industry, especially in the post flood scenario? JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

The 2018 floods was an unexpected disaster, but looking on the positive side it brought each and every Keralite together despite their cast, religion, financial status etc. and proved that Kerala is strong. After the post flood scenario, our focus is to make the best quality products available at the best possible price to each and everyone. Kalliyath’s fully automated high speed rolling mills will be completed in January 2019.Our latest technology will ensure that only best quality steel reaches our customers. As we are living in a coastal belt, we feel it’s our duty to give our customers steel which can withstand natural calamities and which will be corrosion resistant. How do you assess the problems faced by Kanjikode Steel manufactures? The major problem is the continuous power failure and lack of electrical infrastructure needed to power up the industrial area which hampers the production. Narrow roads also cause hindrance to transportation of goods. Water supply, which is a major factor, also needs improvement. Kalliyath Group has been in the forefront in carrying out various CSR initiatives. Please elaborate

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

is one of a kind CSR initiative of the group providing quality school kits to eligible students and smart class rooms for eligible schools. Through this project, we ensure that thousands of students get the benefit of quality education each year. The group also focuses on building homes of high quality at very low cost for the needy and also engage in executing multiple social responsibilities like supply of ration and medical kits for the needy. Dirsha Muhammed

Executive Director, Kalliyath Group

AS WE ARE LIVING IN A COASTAL BELT, WE FEEL IT’S OUR DUTY TO GIVE OUR CUSTOMERS STEEL WHICH CAN WITHSTAND NATURAL CALAMITIES.

on the same? As said earlier, we always look for the answer to a bright future by focusing on the present itself. The future is in the hands of the students and the best answer to a bright future is to provide quality education for them. Kalliyath Vidyamitra

Please give a brief on the product portfolio of Kalliyath and the future plans of the group. Kalliyath TMT is the prime product of the group which is the award winner of India’s Most promising Brands in TMT Bars due to its superior quality. Kalliyath SteelFab, which is basically a ready to use cut and bend rebars, a totally new generation product for the first time in India created with advanced technology, is yet another product. Kailrali Cylinders is the largest cylinder manufacturer in Kerala with year round production is yet another state of the art quality product from Kalliyath group. Kalliyath Binding Wires is another solution towards the low quality binding wires available in the market with ISI certification. The group also deals in the trading of world renowned brands like Goodyear Tyres and Vizag Steel.

biennale blues

AN ORCHESTRAL LAYOUT OF ARTS India’s only such contemporary art festival: KochiMuziris Biennale, or KMB commenced its fourth edition on 12th December, 2018. The 108-day Kerala’s Art event’s curator Anita Dube reveals that 95 artist projects are participating in the biennale, that is to conclude on March 29, 2019.

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

he Kochi Biennale Foundation oversees a comprehensive Programmes division that designs and organises critical education and outreach initiatives throughout the year. These programmes include talks, conferences, performances, educational interventions, workshops, and other forms of wide public engagement. Kochi Biennale Foundation urges material

and monetary donations from any who are able. The Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund is a targeted effort by the Government of Kerala to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the disaster. Along with the distribution of basic goods and immediate care, the Fund also will work to rebuild damaged infrastructure all over the state.

More than half of the KMB participants have turned out to be women. Also, feminism, makes a major thematic presence at event organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation as a 2011-founded organisation for the promotion of art and arts education in the country. The fourth KMB came after Anita Dube’s curatorial trips across continents and finding the select artists, this time more from the global South. An accomplished artist herself, Dube, 61, chooses to use the word ‘conduct’ for what the art world usually calls ‘curate’. “You perform a biennale”, she says. “It is almost orchestral in the way you will lay out 90-plus artworks from 31 countries, choose which artist goes next to who, in what space. You virtually behave like the conductor of an orchestra,” adds the Lucknow-born artist, who is an alumnus of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Gujarat. In Kochi, for Dube, the challenge was how one can perform a biennale in a location (city) where there are no significant galleries or museums of contemporary art and where the biennale has itself become the sole pedagogic window in the art of the world (from 2012).“So it puts additional onus on you as the curator,” she adds. It depends on the role you play, she notes. “It can be even dangerous. One can easily be a kind of pied piper who can lead down the road through the soft lens of culture endorsing something that is coming from the top and could effectively be oppressive,” adds Dube, also the artistic director of KMB-2018. Dube goes on to explain how she succeed in not falling into that trap. “I sensed something more than just artworks was required. I realised the visitors at the biennale can’t be just viewers, but participants themselves. That required a public space for conversation,” she points out. “Not only for programmes, talks or workshops,

THE CURATORIAL NOTE THIS TIME IS TITLED ‘POSSIBILITIES FOR A NON-ALIENATED LIFE.

but a platform where there would be no hierarchies for who could speak on what, how long, when and in which language. Where the freedoms of the internet could be used to listen to each other.” For instance, somebody at this venue can play. “Say, a Malayalam song. Someone else can say ‘I want to share a lecture with you of (American philosopher and gender theorist) Judith Butler. We are readying such a space for the visitors,” adds Dube. Thus, the KMB is having a Pavilion playing a pivotal role. “It functions as a knowledge library to which anyone of

you can contribute to the benefit of any. It can function as a seed of thought and then develop into an idea that catches the attention of society,” notes Dube. The curatorial note this time is titled ‘Possibilities for a Non-Alienated Life. For, Dube hopes the KMB to work as a space of openness and celebration. KMB2018 came barely four months after Kerala faced severe monsoon calamity. “My vision for the biennale can only be actualised with the active participation of the public. It’s thoroughly interactive,” she says. “I see it this way: it is a paradox that people today remain alienated amid a hyper-connected and mediated world. That is leading us vulnerable to the dangers of demagogy of the right wing.” Some have already started wondering whether Dube’s is a Marxist biennale. “Ah…. I don’t mean to politicize the art event in a loud, sloganeering way,” she shrugs. “It’s only that I allow for a space of exchange of ideas.” JANUARY 2019

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health

TYPE 1 DIABETES: THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT Type 1 Diabetes mostly affects children of ages 5-15years, but is also found at any age includingelderly. Unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst, fatigue, hunger, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and excessive urination are some of the symptoms.

Dr Jothydev Kesavadev

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es, it is a nightmare Have you ever gone on a rollercoaster ride? Askany individual with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) how it would be like. Yes!Their life is indeed similar with so many unexpected highs and lowsin their blood sugar levels throughout the day and night. It is a nightmare for parents of affected young children. T1DM mostly affects children of ages 5-15years, but is also found at any age includingelderly. Unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst, fatigue, hunger, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and excessive urination are some of the symptoms. This condition is entirely different from the very commonly seen type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and requires a lot more continuous and dedicated attention and management. Unlike T2DM, T1DM individuals are completely insulin deficient. Tests for C-peptide level and anti-GAD are commonly used to distinguish T1DM from T2DM. How to manage type 1 diabetes? If left uncontrolled, T1DM can result in complications of organ systems such as kidney, eye, nerves, heart, etc. within 10-20 years of onset. Due to a total lack of insulin secretion, the only scientifically proven treatment is controlling glucose fluctuations by supplementing insulin from outside. This can be accomplished either by Multiple Daily Injections of insulin (MDI) or by the Insulin Pump Therapy (IPT). Supporting technologies like blood glucose meters and continuous glucose monitoring systems aid in better T1DM management. For MDI therapy, various insulin preparations are available and the most preferred regimen would

be a basal-bolus insulin regimen where a basal insulin will be administered once daily (e.g. insulin detemir, glargine or degludec) that will be active throughout the day and another bolus insulin (rapidacting insulins,e.g. lispro, aspart or glulisine) that will be administered thrice daily5-15 minutes before food. Thus, a minimum of 4 insulin shots would be required. Technologies are indispensable in preventing complications The most scientifically proven and recommended therapy for T1DM isIPT. For example, the latest available insulin pump Minimed 640G® (first generation Artificial Pancreas) can automatically stop insulin delivery 30 minutes in advance when the blood glucose level is predicted to approach the set lower limits,thereby preventing the dangerous hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes.The device will also automatically resume insulin delivery once the glucose values reach normal levels, and works throughout the day and night. Unfortunately, due to sheer negligence in adopting proper treatment measures even whenthese most modern technologies and medical facilities are available in our country, most T1DM individuals do not have the fortune to live a long, happy and healthy life. Why treatment of type 1 diabetes fails in the majority? Many reasons can be pointed outtowards T1DM treatment failure: 1. Lack of awareness: Even affordable parents may not offer the best technologies to children due to unwillingness to spend money secondary to lack of awareness of long-term

complications of this silent killer. Many children would look normal externally, until critical emergencies set in. 2. Lack for proper resources: Many a time the T1DM patients or their parents/ caregivers cannot afford the newer analogue insulins, the newer devices, or even perform a regular blood glucose monitoring. 3. Lack of proper education/ motivation: Some level of motivation and education is essential to learn the techniques of T1DM management. Doctors and diabetes care team often find it difficult to educate and motivate some patients and caregivers regarding routine blood glucose monitoring, the use of insulin, doing the carbohydrate count, the techniques of insulin injection, etc. 4. Magical remedies: Patients and caregivers often get attracted towards many unproven, unscientific remedies thatoffer fake promises (e.g. discontinuation of insulin therapy forever). A good lot of patients fall into these ‘traps’, might discontinue their insulin and finally develop very serious complications and may even lose life. 5. Prevailing social stigma: A social stigma regarding T1DM as a very serious disease is still very much prevalent among our community.This even poses barriers in the affected person’s life, including that of attaining a successful education, marriage, employment and so on. Many patients and their parents, therefore, try not to disclose the disease and might finally end up in trouble. For instance, children spend most of the time in schools/colleges, and hence, the disease should never be kept a secret. Only if the near ones including classmates or teachers know about their condition, they can lend a helping hand in times of need. Children should also be permitted to inject insulin while at school,which seldom happens nowadays because of the lack of awareness among teachers. For a successful management of T1DM,

A SOCIAL STIGMA REGARDING T1DM AS A VERY SERIOUS DISEASE IS STILL VERY MUCH PREVALENT AMONG OUR COMMUNITY.

all the major treatment guidelines,such asthe American Diabetes Association guidelines, highlights the need of a trained diabetes care team involving doctors, dieticians, diabetes educators etc. They also recommend continuing education of doctors and those involved in the team, and that the education should also be passed on to the patients as well as the parents/caregivers. Thus conducting routine awareness, training/ retrainingactivities,and government adopting stringent policies to restrict malpractices are some of the ways to overcome the T1DM management

issues. More governmental and nongovernmental agencies should also step forward to support the unaffordable individuals to attain the best possible care. Experiences published from Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centres in indexed journals treating type 1 diabetes over the past 2 decades, have shown remarkable result in preserving the quality of life and in preventing devasting complications with the judicious use of a combination of technologies and telemedicine. Always remember that care and support of dedicated family members or caregivers can do wonders in every aspect of T1DM management. T1DM is a difficult to treat disease. But with proper diligence, motivation and dedication, the disease can be tackled very successfully, and patients can undoubtedly lead a very normal life. Writer is Chairman & Managing Director, Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centers Trivandrum, Attingal & Kochi, Kerala, India, www.jothydev.net, www.research. jothydev.com, jothydev@gmail.com JANUARY 2019

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column BUSINESS ECONOMICS Dr. Kochurani Joseph drkochurani@gmail.com

Over the years, India has made significant progress in the industrial world with healthy economic growth.

KEEPING INDUSTRY INDUSTRIOUS

he word industry can be used in narrow and a wider sense. In a narrow sense Industry is the unit of production of goods or related services within an economy. In a wider sense an industry is a group of companies that are related and based on their primary business activities. Depending on volume of production we have small, medium and large scale industries. For production to take place in an industry, several activities need to be incorporated. It needs a value chain of various integrated concepts that require extreme expertise, dedication, effective use of human and material resources along with well defined targets within

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the timeframe. For example, in a textile industry, the production process requires combination of raw materials, machinery man power and managerial ability in tune with the needs of market. One classical breakdown of economic activity distinguishes three functional and fundamental sectors as primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary sector involves the retrieval and production of

raw materials, such as corn, coal, wood and iron. Secondary sector involves the transformation of raw or intermediate materials into goods e.g. manufacturing steel into cars, or textiles into clothing. The tertiary sector involves the supplying of services to consumers and businesses, such as insurance and banking. Industry and economic growth: The core of economic growth is industry. Industrial developments have historically proved as periods of economic growth. The challenges of economic growth are very different in different countries. For many countries in the developing world, growth is limited by the size and dynamism

of the industries that can sell goods and services abroad. The speed at which these activities grow eventually determines the speed at which the whole economy grows. Many developed countries and many developing and semi-developed countries like China and India depend significantly on manufacturing industry. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have played an imperative role in the economic activities of advanced industrialized countries like Great Britain Germany, Japan, and the United States of America. In developing countries like India, these industries or Enterprises have an enormous importance due to its high level employment potential with low capital cost. Industrial development and economic growth are related in many ways like: 1. Industrial development is necessary for modernisation of agriculture. 2. Industrial development encourages the development of science and technology. 3. Industrialisation helps in capital formation. 4. Urbanisation succeeds industrialisation 5. Industrialisation plays an important role in the promotion of international trade. 6. Industrialization helps in proper utilization of natural resources 7. Growth of industrial sector helps in removing Poverty and Unemployment. 8. Industrial development leads to modernization 9. Industrial development of one industry leads to growth in others 10. Industrializations strengthens banking and finance sectors. 11. Industrialization makes fast growth of national and per capita income 12. Industrial growth is a sign of higher

Recognising and overcoming the common pitfalls associated with industrial growth is essential. The Industry Economics team performs economic research analysis and forecasts on industries which enables to detect the challenges and opportunities in industrial sector

Industry: Indian scenario

MSMEs HAVE ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE DUE TO ITS HIGH LEVEL EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL WITH LOW CAPITAL COST.

standard of living and social change Industrial Economics: Because of the aforesaid reasons a new curriculum has been evolved namely Industrial Economics in social science. Industrial Economics is the study of firms, industries, and markets. It considers a whole range of industries, such as electricity generation, car production, and restaurants. Industrial Economics helps us to understand such issues as: the levels at which capacity, output, and prices are set; the extent that products are differentiated from each other; how much firms invest in research and development (R&D) how far the production is in tune with market demand.

Being an agriculture predominant country, the first five year plan focussed on agricultural production as food scarcity was the greatest challenge of that period. The Second Five-Year plan accorded highest priority to Industrialisation. The plan was based on famous Mahalanobis Model establishing basic and capital goods industries on a large scale to create a strong base for the industrial development. The plan includes substantial investment in the Iron and Steel, Coal, Heavy engineering, Machine building, Heavy Chemicals and Cement Industries. The successive plans also set apart huge investment in basic and heavy industries. In a mixed economy government tries to balance industries in private and public sectors. The enduring factors which have contributed to the growth are vast natural resources, large labour force, high urban concentration, concentration of surplus within a small social group, availability of trained personnel, powerful means of state economic control, etc. But corruption, control of monopolies, sluggish rate of agricultural development etc., have come as obstacles in industrial development. However, collaborations with industrially advanced countries like the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, etc., are a clear testimony of India’s industrial progress. Dr. Kochurani Joseph is the Director of Institute of Public Speaking and Placements in Kochi. JANUARY 2019

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agri biz

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIGITAL FARMING Digital future for farmers would imply that apt and optimal application of agriculture inputs are available based on soil and crop status and irrigation needs.

Prof. Suresh Kumar S

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rtificial intelligence based on machine learning software that simulates human cognition has been on the horizon of late and matured beyond the laboratory and work benches for practical field application in areas like banking and accounting services, travel and tourism, office management and even healthcare. But its extension into more mundane and rudimentary or primary functions and areas like agriculture and farm management can enhance performance levels and productivities so that there is an abundance of farm activity related produce. This could emerge as part of a strategy focused on artificial intelligence applications for augmented intelligence which involves internet of things and technology, halo effect caused by embedding smart applications in things and object around us, to interphase with intelligent applications like remote sensing and machine learning for real time data and information management. Soil types, nutrient supply, crop yields and input requirements fertilizer application and water needs can be optimized. This can interphase with weather station data, agriculture research station data, climate change related data, crop and soil related data, for real time information functions related to farm management, with minimum human interference. Such a digital future for farmers would imply that apt and optimal

application of agriculture inputs are available based on soil and crop status and irrigation needs. Weather and climate related data are useful in determining crop patterns and yields or cultivation types and schedules. Soil nature and status can evaluate nutrient and water needs for appropriate and sustainable applications of fertilizer, and irrigation. This can help to conserve resources while optimizing utility and improving

WEATHER AND CLIMATE RELATED DATA ARE USEFUL IN DETERMINING CROP PATTERNS AND YIELDS OR CULTIVATION TYPES AND SCHEDULES.

productivities. Physical effort of farmers for field tests and examination is replaced by satellite imaging data for real time assessments related to soil, crop and water. Latest research inputs can be incorporated to reduce soil and crop water stress based on weather and climate related data interphases with farm related information, for real time control and optimization. Machine learning or artificial intelligence based work benches can be designed and implemented to permit rapid experimentation of a given data set through real time

data and information interphases based on satellite imaging ,remote sensing data, weather forecasts, climate data, crop yields, soil status, nutrient profiles, cropping patterns, fertilizer applications, water strength and irrigation needs. Latest research and innovation status can be field incorporated for faster and effective lab to land and land to lab interphases of data and information on almost real time basis. Enhancing human efforts through machine learning and artificial intelligence can leverage new levels of performance and productivities through digital farming. Abundance can drive cost cutting efforts. Even niche Products of a low volume and

ENHANCING HUMAN EFFORTS THROUGH ML AND AI CAN LEVERAGE NEW LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITIES.

high value commodities can conform to low cost, high volume markets through abundance based on augmented intelligence. Automation, hallo effect, enhancements abundance and discovery delineates the key strategy, code named

as AHEAD. We have discussed in the foregoing essential frames of such a strategy based on artificial intelligence and machine learning interphases with internet of things and remote sensing as well as satellite imaging, as part of creating the Halo code effect. This can enhance productivities for abundance as we have seen. Discovery refers to information interphase so that research information is incorporated on real time basis. Such an approach can hinge on innovation hubs of machine learning, Data science centers and agencies trucking up with agriculture agencies and government and non government agencies As human cognition is simulated JANUARY 2019

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Kalliyath_Kallari_magazine_21x27_final.pdf 1 12/21/2018 3:10:37 PM

through machine learning softwares, for use of data and information analysis related to agriculture and processes and farming practices on related services, the function becomes more automated, smart haloed ,enhanced intelligently, abundantly endowed and discovery embellished. We can make agriculture imbued with artificial intelligence and augmented information such that one of the oldest professions of mankind is refined and redefined as smart, intelligent and digitally transformed . Kerala with its IT centers, data science nodes and innovation hub or start up ecosystem is the ideal place for such agriculture and farming related interphases of data and information for real time access based on augmented intelligence, internet of things, satellite imaging and remote sensing for performance and productivity increases in digital farms. Within a few years Artificial Intelligence can redefine the way we tend our modern farm lands.

WITHIN A FEW YEARS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN REDEFINE THE WAY WE TEND OUR MODERN FARM LANDS.

Artificial Intelligence based transitions could be disruptive and transformative in terms of innovative agricultural practices and farm management. This will be hallmark and highlight of the fourth industrial revolution being powered by machines that think like systems of intelligence, as also hailed by world Economic Forum, in 2016. Mining of Gold from new machines is on the anvil in agriculture based on the AHEAD strategy, an acronym

for automate, Halo code, enhance abundance and discovery (coined by Malcolm Frank et al in 2017). Human monitoring is being informationally automated. Halo code effect refers to putting in place and embedment of a digital arena around things, like with smart devices, nanobots and internet of things (IOT) objects, which makes visible, what was invisible but important as information of a crucial nature. Enhancing productivites and performances through new machine can leverage profitable farm growth and produce output. Abundance can drive cost cutting and competitiveness. Discovery leads to incorporation of innovations and research information for improvements in crop yields and farm practices. This will make way for disruptive transformations and innovative transitions in farms. Writer is Former Chief Scientist, CSIR, NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram

CMY

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art&culture

IMPORTANCE OF BEING MALLIKA The daughter of renouned scientist Vikram Sarabhai and dancer and choreographer Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai was brought up in a culturally and intellectually active family. She is known for promotion of arts as a vehicle for social change.

n avid proponent of Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam, a daring writer on women’s empowerment and pertinent sociocultural topics, a publisher of illustrated books on India’s arts, culture and literature, a proficient theatre artist, an activist, a politician with a distinction, and a social entrepreneur; titles galore when we talk about Mallika Sarabhai, the celebrated daughter of the celebrity couple Vikram Sarabhai and Mrinalini Sarabhai. She graduated from IIM, Ahmedabad and acquired a doctorate from Gujarat University. The Nation hounoured her with Padma Bhushan in 2010. The Darpana Academy for

MY MOTHER WAS MY INSPIRATION IN DANCE AND I STARTED DOING CLASSICAL DANCE AT AN EARLY AGE. Aparna Sreevalsan Performing Arts, the brain child of Mallika, is an institution which focuses on both classical and contemporary works. Mallika Sarabhai shares her thoughts on dance, women empowerment and social scenario in a chat with Brand Kerala. To start with, how do you recollect the influence of your parents on you? They influenced me in becoming an

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Indian who is passionate about India and who feels that with the privilege I have, I must fight for every Indian who cannot fight for himself or herself. My mother was my inspiration in dance and I started doing classical dance at an early age. It was her inspiration that made me look at art as a medium of social change. Both of them inspired me in many ways. About Amma, the prime thing is aesthetics and her ability to transform ideas through art meanwhile Papa was an embodiment of true devotion towards India and its people. What are the activities of Darpana Academy other than dance? Darpana is committed to excellence, innovation and strive for using arts for change. It is an art centre where arts meet society to inform, to educate and transform. Darpana is creating both classical and contemporary works. The institution imparts lessons on Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattom, vocal and instrumental Carnatic music, puppetry, Bhavai and modern theatre. The other activities include organising workshops on development issues and carrying out charity works for marginalized people and working in schools. We have a theatre dedicated for Amma (Mrinalini Sarabhai) which is called Natarani, since everyone has a Nataraja and we have a Natarani. The whole theatre is built in an environmentally sustainable manner. We have a water harvesting capacity under the stage which cools the whole theatre. We also built an extra ordinary wall to cut the traffic noises. Half of Darpana is running on solar energy JANUARY 2019

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to do something completely new. I think we each have the freedom to do that. Tradition is not a fixed item. What I am doing today might be a tradition of twenty years. The exciting thing about India is that we are not frozen in time. And anybody trying to freeze us in time by interfering in the way we see things, what we wear and even what we eat is doing great injustice to India

I like some forms of dance and I do not like some. It is a personal issue. I think everybody has a right to innovate on what they want. My only concern is that they need to have a sound grounding in some style before going for innovation. Mallika Sarabhai

which makes it environmental friendly. Can you elaborate on your new initiatives in dance? At this moment, I am at middle of a thing that is running Natarani again. We also built a new gallery for Amma for which we are working on an innovative and immersive exhibition on Amma’s life. It is based on the many facets of Amma’s personality like crafts person, environmentalist, writer, children’s writer, dancer, choreographer

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etc. I am deeply involved with that at this moment. A couple of dance pieces are also squiggling around my head. What is your take on the latest trend of experiments and innovations in dance? I like some and I do not like some. It is a personal issue. I think everybody has a right to innovate on what they want. My only concern is that they need to have a sound grounding in some style before going for innovation. Because,

sometimes innovation becomes a short cut and a free style dance, ‘I don’t want to learn grammar’. For example, if I want to use the English language differently, I first need to know the grammar; I need to know how it is used conventionally before I use it unconventionally. So if I change a Mudra into an ugly one different one, I do know what the beautiful form is. So much of innovation in India comes from the grassroots, but much is also copied from the west. I think everybody must

have the freedom to do whatever they can in their own way. Do you really feel that artists should stick to the rules of the traditional framework of dance? Who am I to say what artists should do? Artists must find their own versions. There are some people who do not want to change their style, so they continue performing in their inherent style. Some want to innovate and change their styles. There are other people who want

What is your opinion on the current political scenario in India? I am deeply depressed about it. I have never been in a period of life where hatred based on ones faith and beliefs have taken a ugly turn with people taking the law in their own hands by becoming vigilante groups that kill innocent people for no reason. This is heartbreaking in a country like India and I am terribly upset with the situation we are in. Still, I am an optimist and I foresee an imminent change. Fortunately, a lot of people’s movement has started in Gujarat, which did not witness a single public uprising in the recent past. Now we see agitating farmers and students and we see people like Jignesh Mevani getting elected. That is the change. Do you have a plan to actively involve in electoral politics in the future? Not anymore. I am not aligned to any political party and it is very difficult for an independent to get elected today, because the system itself is against an independent. So the answer is no. Even before I stood for election in 2009, I travelled across the country and interacted with a lot young people by asking this question ‘Will you join me?’ My idea was to form a group in Parliament that is focused only on improving the governance in India. I never cared about their political leniency, but my only requisite was

commitment to governance. You know, if about fifty of us got elected in fifty of our constituencies, we actually could have made a change by bringing in good governance, by not being corrupt and refraining from nepotism. Instead, we would have tried to make use of the mechanisms and skills that were already available to make a difference. That was my dream but unfortunately nobody joined me. So finally I stood alone. Who do you like more in you, the artist or the social worker? Why are the two separate? I am not separate. They are like my right and left eye. Are you planning any special projects in dance? I never plan things like that. A thought or an image or an article of something somebody says will suddenly strike my mind. Then this journey starts inside me. That’s how my projects happen. Tell us something about your stint in the film industry. You know, I became an actress much before I became a dancer. But I would still love, if am asked to play good roles, I would love to do it, in film or television in any language. On your children? I have two children, son Revanta, who is thirty four. He is trained as a Bharatanatyam dancer, then as a contemporary dancer and as a creative person. He has done his masters in Creative Performance in England. He is dabbling with films at this moment. He has done four Gujarati films. He is writing his own films. He doesn’t do anything in Darpana, but he does dance with me. We do a lot of duets together and he dances in my pieces. My daughter is twenty eight. Her JANUARY 2019

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name is Anahita. She is a Gay Rights Activist. She is also teaching theatre. She is a beautiful dancer, but she is do not dancing at the moment. She is teaching theatre in the school in which she studied; International Baccalaureate School which is called Mahatma Gandhi International School in Ahmedabad. I was also involved in the starting of that school many years ago. She also does corporate training for team building using theatre. Kerala is now in the midst of a controversy regarding the entry of women of all ages to Sabarimala. How do you view this scenario? I think the constitution of India states

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very clearly that irrespective of gender, race, religion or language, all Indians have equal rights and I strictly abide by that. Also to think menstruation as dirty, means the whole human race is dirty. If women do not menstruate, there will be no conception. So are we saying that all of us are dirty? We have to accept that we have come out from dirt. But a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body is always being used to settle scores with other men, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the woman who gets mutilated, her breasts

I think the constitution of India states very clearly that irrespective of gender, race, religion or language, all Indians have equal rights and I strictly abide by that.

get cut off and she is raped to settle scores. And this is part of the same thing of how do you dismiss women and make them feel small. It is tragic that so many women are completely brain washed by patriarchy. The saddest part is that it is happening in a State like Kerala which has been in forefront of so many progressive movements that triggered positive changes in the society. Women must understand that their body is as sacred as anybody. If menstruation is a part of our makeup, if you are religious and believe in God, then you will also have to believe that God has given this to you not as a punishment but to procreate to see that life continues on this earth. If you believe in God, how God can create something that is impure? Another thing which I find really funny is that do we really think that our Gods are so weak that we need to protect them? So have we blotted up our own egos so much to think that Rama needs to be protected by us? How great do I think I am? If our Gods are not capable of taking care of themselves, why do we pray to them?

innovation

SHOP ONLINE @

MALBYSHOP Malbyshop has many firsts to its credit. It sells products quite unique as well as most trivial. The only common feature among the range of products is its aesthetic value and quality excellence.

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ittle did they borrow from established e-commerce firms. They knew that what they conceived was matchless. The founders of malbyshop, an online store took two long years to reflect and rethink before they finally settled on their end product. And the results leave them more than hopeful. The capital city’s own e-commerce site is unparalleled when it comes to what it offers and the clientele it caters to. Price is a secondary factor while quality and ingenuity are their prime concern. ‘We intend to play the role of a mediator in collecting goods from the manufacturer and delivering it to the consumer,’ says Anil Mohammed Basheer, one of the founders and directors of malbyshop. The statement underlines the catchword “Buy, store

and deliver on your behalf” on the opening page of the online store. Mr. Anil along with Mujeeb Shamsudeen, a long time friend and an entrepreneur himself had started the marketing of food products such as biriyani rice and apparels under the brand name Malbrys in 2015. The success prompted them to spread out their wings to online food store initially. Later, joined by a third likeminded individual, Sabu Vasudev, they shaped their ideas into an e-commerce site of indigenous and exclusive items covering a range of products. This online store has many firsts to its credit. It sells products quite unique as well as most trivial. The only common feature among the range of products is its aesthetic value and quality excellence.

For instance, the site offers an oil spread priced at Rs. 5 per piece. This can be used to clean the dosa pan or tawa and apply oil before spreading out the batter. Such items are rarely seen in shops and super markets while they might be found in fairs and exhibitions conducted by rural craftsmen. It is from these same people that malbyshop picks out and purchase the products. They have manufacturers in and around Trivandrum, which even while being called the capital city, retains its rural and native spirit in many regards. That is the sole reason why many bamboo, terracotta and wooden products on the site come from the interiors of the city outskirts. ‘From barter system in the initial days of business to the present day e-commerce, the one common feature has been providing the user, a product of his choice. We believe that it is the need of the user to be given prime importance. Our choice of goods is based upon this fundamental thought along with a keenness to walk back to nature, says Sabu Vasudev, co-founder of malbyshop. The site does not throw on you anything and everything. Each product stands out with its quality, exclusiveness, aesthetics or mere daily use. The dried food items are

EACH PRODUCT STANDS OUT WITH ITS QUALITY, EXCLUSIVENESS, AESTHETICS OR MERE DAILY USE.

www.malbyshop.com

specifically chosen either from quality assured importers or from local surroundings, according to Mr. Anil. However, they are tried and tested before putting them up on the site for marketing. The founders explain how the Amla Murabba, natively known as ‘then nellikka’ is prepared in seven days using a variety of ingredients such as black salt, pepper, cardamom, sugar syrup and fine quality gooseberry. The end product has a longer shelf life than usual, they promise. Malbyshop also markets many indigenous products such as Kashmir saffron kesar, forest honey and Kudam puli (brindleberry or Malabar tamarind) while dried raw banana, various spices, dry fruits and nuts are also part of the food stuff offered by the online store. ‘We pick the best quality raw banana, chop them and dry them before delivering it to the consumer. This is ready to be powdered and is recommended as the best nutritious diet for an infant. All our food products are prepared with a noble thought that this is what I would want for myself and my family, adds Mr. Anil. Tools such as knives, chips cutters, rat traps, trowels, shovel and garden tools are some of the exclusive items on the e-commerce site. The availability of these products on other sites might be a point of argument, but definitely not their affordability, he assures. Screw pine mats are another exclusive product on the store. Locally known as ‘thazhappaaya’, these mats are procured from native weavers thus ensuring the quality and durability of the mat. Launched less than a month ago, the online store presently has specially chosen and hence, fewer goods on its list of products. The range of products will be widened in the coming days but their quality and aesthetic worthiness are here to stay, the directors of malbyshop say in unison. JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

food

CHICKEN GOES HERBAL A peculiar chicken dish with herbal goodness. Fakrudeen is quiet famous in Kasargod for his herbal chicken. The chicken is made by using an unusual blend of thirty three ayurvedic components. Herbal Chicken Kasargod is the name of his chicken stall. The herbal chicken is not available in any other places other than Kasargod since it is his unique preparation.

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‘T

he wait was not in vain. I traveled all the way and waited here just to try this amazing dish made by Fakrudeen Ahammed. Herbal Chicken, the unique chicken dish by Fakrudeen is one such chicken item that you don’t want to miss to try in your life.” This was one of the comments of many customers who visited Herbal Chicken Centre, Kasargode. Herbal Chicken Centre Kasargode, is a small restaurant run by Fakrudeen Ahammed, a Kasargode native who decided to offer his natives a unique chicken dish which is completely herbal and cooked in natural ways. Herbal Chicken is a dish made by using a blend of thirty three herbs and masalas made by Fakrudeen himself. The chicken is then covered

by clay and cooked. He introduces this unique dish to Brand Kerala. What are the ingredients that go into the preparation of herbal chicken? The main ingredients include fennel seeds, cumin seeds and black cumin seeds with the masala mixture. All kinds of masalas are available in the market but here, I myself grind them to powder; I do not use any kind of packet ingredients in this dish. Whatever used here is prepared by myself. I do not use any kind of artificial coloring or flavors in the mixture. I am using fresh chicken from farms since many people do not like the taste of country chicken. Also, it is pretty hard to boil the ‘NaadanKozhi’. I prefer medium sized healthy chicken grown in farms which are not injected with any hormones. Explain the process of making this special herbal chicken? The major steps include marinating the chicken, wrapping it with steamed banana leaf and covering the whole package with clay. The chicken should be marinated with the masalas for two hours. Wrapping the chicken with steamed banana leaf is an addon flavor. We use firewood to cook the chicken and for that we have a special stove. The clay covered chicken will be kept on the stove for two hours. The chicken should be removed from the stove at the right time otherwise it may lose the taste of all the masalas. The chicken will remain hot inside the clay for seven to eight hours. That is the major advantage of this dish. Those who

are travelling can get the herbal chicken parceled from here. The clay will not be removed till they open it to have, so the temperature remains the same. The product will stay fresh for about forty hours if the clay wrap is not removed. People travelling to other countries mainly Gulf, from this region are the main customers of Herbal Chicken.

I always prefer to run my own business than to work as a mere employee in some place Fakrudeen Ahammed

How did you get this idea of wrapping chicken with clay? My father used to run a restaurant in Karnataka when I was a child. So I could gather a fairly good knowledge about this field from him. When I was in Dubai, I ran a restaurant there but had to drop my business and return due to the financial crisis in Gulf countries. I always prefer to run my own business than to work as a mere employee in some place. I came to know about JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

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TAKING KERALA TO THE GLOBAL SPACE BRAND KERALA

wrapping chicken with clay from one of my friends and I got attracted to the idea. But the possibility of this idea and the dish was not confirmed. So I started practicing preparing this dish with my own recipe, my own mixture of masalas. My mother scolded me for wasting time and money on something which seems to be impossible for her. But I was confident enough about this dish and I started working on the marketing side. I had to fix a rate and went through many YouTube videos regarding the preparation of this dish. Many of them were very expensive and I wanted to do this in a very simple way so that anyone can enjoy it. At first I faced many obstacles and didn’t get any kind of attention or recognition from anyone. For three months the situation remained same. But

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JANUARY 2019

THE PRODUCT WILL STAY FRESH FOR ABOUT FORTY HOURS IF THE CLAY WRAP IS NOT REMOVED.

gradually things got changed and now I feel happy and satisfied. What are your future plans regarding the expansion of business? This is the seventh year since I have started the business of herbal chicken.

Many film stars and eminent persons visited and tasted Herbal Chicken. We have some regular customers too. It is true that almost all restaurants use artificial taste makers, colors etc. in the food and it is very harmful for the human body. It was my wish to start something that is good for health and after I started this center, now I get a good feeback about my dish. Herbal Chicken Kasargode has a branch in Thaliparamba, Kannur. The main problem I am facing now is the non-availability of clay. So it is difficult to expand the business to other places. It depends on the availability of clay, fire wood etc. I have a plan to start a branch at Ernakulam. I will not compromise in the quality of the food I serve to my customers. — Aparna Sreevalsan

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auto biz

Octavia has changed significantly; not only to maximize its own potential but also to make space for another car in Skoda’s line-up.

SUPERB

Jiji Varghese

BRAND KERALA

JANUARY 2019

koda Superb was not a name which came into mind of any company exec in Europe, India or China. The first iteration of Superb was launched with very much hype, alas it never set the sales chart on fire. It was bombarded with electrical and mechanical issues which plagued all its life-time. The second-generation Superb, launched in 2008, went much farther. Along with a capacious wagon, the regular model received what Skoda dubbed the ‘Twindoor’, a tailgate that could be opened as either a saloonstyle boot or a full liftback, making it as prodigious a handler of luggage as it was knees and feet. Accolades followed, bolstered by the decision to add an extensive list of optional extras to the Superb’s already generous kit list in higher trim levels. Now, the game changed and the holy trinity (Mercedes-Benz, BMW & Audi) began noticing this long, chiseled saloon. In some markets Superb surpassed expectation of her erstwhile stable mate VW Passat. The main point being, the features, the ride and the long wheelbase. If your idea is of being driven around in a well-built sedan Skoda had it under their belt. Skoda has cemented this approach with the latest version. Where previously it was recognizable as a flagship for its incontrovertible size, the new, sharper-suited Superb is intended to fill out the role on style, too. Breathing space has been made as an upshot of the Passat’s repositioning upmarket, so the opportunity is being taken for a nudge

northwards of Skoda buyers’ expectations which has laid firm foundations for the Skoda Kodiaq.

‘MQB’factor As in our previous issue of Superb’s younger sibling Ocatvia, the letters ‘MQB’ is the center of attention again. The modular potential of VW’s MQB platform continues to surprise us. VW’s best seller VW Golf’s platform has been deployed beneath the new Superb, and although the finished Skoda may be only 23mm longer than its predecessor, its wheelbase has sprouted by a far more considerable 80mm. Much of the additional length appears to have been

concentrated in the voluminous boot, where Skoda claims the largest luggage compartment in the class, at 625litres, which is 55 litres more than the previous

generation E-Class, 5-Series and Audi A6. Ignoring its weight and complicated manufacturing process, the doublejointed hatchback wasn’t the old Superb’s prettiest feature, not to mention the owners got it stuck, half-way open and sometimes not open at all! Its junking improves the normal hatchback’s appearance significantly. So do overhangs that were easily shrunk in the redesign. Thanks to the MQB underpinning, the new Superb emerges as a better-proportioned model, helped by a lower front end and almost

ACHUTH KRISHNAN

JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

50mm of additional width. Unlike rear leg room, which is said to remain constant, the greater width does transfer inside, with Skoda claiming additional elbow room for passengers in both front and back rows.

Class Above Predictably, again because of the MQB’s cleverness, none of this comes with a weight penalty. Skoda suggests that a saving of 75kg separates the new Superb from the old. A proportional doubling of the high-strength steel content means the car is now 13 percent stiffer, too. The suspension has been comprehensively reconfigured. The Superb’s front MacPherson struts may distinguish it from some upmarket rivals, but Skoda is keen to talk up the advantages of its new multi-link rear axle – another component made lighter than before. Credit must be given to Skoda for making the Superb’s cabin a more upmarket, well-equipped and materially pleasing place in which to travel, but your primary motivator for buying the car is still likely to be space. This is a big family car in the truest sense. The previous version had celebrated quantities of leg room and boot space, but this one emphatically completes the picture. Although previous Superbs have been long but disproportionately narrow cars, the measuring confirms the presence here of a wider interior across the second row of seats than either a Camry or a Passat – both rivals deserving recommendation as relatively spacious models. Better still, floor with the VW on backrow leg and head room, to the tune of 50mm in both cases.As for width, the Superb’s load bay could actually be more generous, but removing the covers on the two side cubbies just inside the main aperture would allow you easily to accommodate a couple of sets of golf clubs crossways. But here’s the catch: all that space

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JANUARY 2019

could have been made even more usable. Amazingly, on all Superbs, remote seatback release latches at the boot opening is an optional extra, while cargo netting, a retractable parcel shelf and variable boot floor are available. The folding secondrow seatbacks are split 40/60 – the wrong way around, we’d argue, for optimal carrying practicality in a right-hand-drive car – and a 40/20/40 split isn’t offered. The range-topping Laurin and Klement gets numerous additional luxuries including tri-zone climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, electrically adjustable seats and ambient LED interior lighting, a Canton sound system, Compatible with Apple and Android-based devices, via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, it allows many of the apps on your phone to be relayed directly to the multimedia screen 17in alloy wheels,rear parking sensors,

adaptive cruise control, two umbrellas, auto wipers, smartphone integration and an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment display are included too adaptive dampers and a range of Skoda assistance systems – such as lane assist- unfortunately is not available in India due to some carcass with the government radio frequency. There is a Self-parking mode and an automatic opening boot lid, surprisingly Skoda was one of the first manufacturer to showcase the truly hands-free boot lid opening and closing. And you don’t have to learn steps from’ Beat-It’ or ‘Smooth Criminal’ to open it.

The Southpaw The Skoda Superb features a range of familiar VW Group engine and transmission options. Two power plants are a178bhp 1.8-litre petrol a rangetopping 176bhp 2.0-litre diesel. If you want to race this yacht long saloon, shifting by yourself then Petrol is the only option, there is a secret catch too. The manual petrol car puts around

PRICE Rs. 23.49-30.46 (Skoda Superb TSI) Rs. 29.98-32.98 (Skoda Superb TDI ENGINE In-line 4 cylinder Turbocharged petrol engine, direct injection, 16V DOHC (TSI)/ In-line 4 cylinder Turbocharged diesel engine with common rail system (TDI) RATED OUTPUT (hp) @ rpm 178 at 6200 (TSI) 176 at 4000 (TDI) DISPLACEMENT 1.8 L (1798cc) (TSI)/2.0 L (1,968cc) (TDI) TRANSMISSION 6–Speed Manual / 7-Speed Automatic DSG TORQUE 320 at 1450 (MT) 250 at 1250 (AT) (TSI) 350 at 3500 (TDI) LENGTH 4.861m WEIGHT 1,494 Kg (MT) 1,540 kg (AT) (TSI) 1,565 Kg (TDI) FUEL Petrol (TSI) / Diesel (TDI) WHEELS/TIRES 215/55 R17

350Nm torque just as the diesel one; go for the DSG and you have only 250Nm. Choose wisely! Dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are available as well and it is the only option in Diesel. For a bigger-than-luxury, cheaperthan-luxury, workaday 176bhp family sedan, the Superb performs very stoutly indeed. It recorded a sub-9.0sec sprint to 100kmph r, which is what you’d expect of, say, a Jaguar XE or MercedesBenz C-classwith a 25 percent power advantage. It’s certainly well above and beyond your expectations for the humble front-driven bargain Czech. All of which comes as a bonus in the Superb, a car that’s fairly and squarely configured to be refined, unobstructive and easy to use. The 2.0-litre diesel engine is very seldom noisy, pulls cleanly from as little as 1200rpm and overcomes its initial turbo-lag-related hesitancy smartly before 1600rpm is past. From there on up, the engine’s 350Nm of torque feels more than enough to handle a fully laden cabin, a heavy load in the shorter intermediate gears. The engine revs cleanly to 4500rpm before it starts to run out of puff, and it feels smooth and well isolated at all times. On the standard passive suspension, it’s easily pliant enough to ride with the kind of fluid, big-boned flounce that makes a lot of miles pass with little suffering. The comfort levels are possibly better than the next competitor, say a Camry which is like a big old leather sofa.

Go about your business a little quicker and the qualities we equate with most MQB-based models come readily to the fore. Although the weight difference between old and new is probably fairly negligible, the stiffer new Superb does feel that bit keener to take direction from its driver. Its proportions remain a factor in your reckoning, as does the continued nose-heaviness of such a long car, but it reacts to inputs consistently, grips keenly and, despite its suppleness, conveys enough feedback to make you well aware of its broad limits.

Simply Amazing The Skoda Superb is on its way to becoming one of the very best family cars in the world.This is no longer a stretched, slightly awkward-looking, cheap family saloon. It’s now hugely spacious in several dimensions, quietly handsome and modern-feeling, and as well endowed with cabin technology as almost anything on the market. It’s still outstanding value, too. Being an Indian, we always go for the brand value, rather how snob one can be! But let’s be very logical, it’s big, looks amazingly beautiful, acres of space and technology. Skoda has worked out all of their service kinks in earlier years and to match that a 4-year warranty and service plan. It is the best there is for the company exec or the new age entrepreneur. There is a new version on the horizon for the more sporty execs, The Sportline – comes with a sporty bodykit, 19in alloy wheels, Alcantara upholstery, flat bottom Alcantara steering wheel, virtual cockpit to name a few and comes in the now defunct Monte-Carlo Red color. Chauffer who? Vehicle Provided by:Malayalam Skoda Trivandrum sales@malayammotorsskoda.co.in +91 7909257003 JANUARY 2019

BRAND KERALA

horoscope J AN 21 TO FEB 20 2019 Suresh kumar + 91 9496795629, vishnushangu@gmail.com

ARIES

your personal ones, which were incomplete for some times now.

GEMINI As per Astrology the year 2019 for you is going to be full of ups and downs, leaving you with varied and mixed results throughout the year. During the first initial months of the year, you may feel anxiety, making you quite enraged and angry even over petty matters in your day to day life. You may notice that a distance is formed between you and your family members, especially with your father and brother. This year you may witness the positive outcomes in your business in terms of getting new clients or earning good profit through sales or the stability with which it may progress. There is also an indication of your investing money on buying a new land or property this year, safeguarding your money by expending on assets.

TAURUS

This year will be very crucial and significant for you, as there will be a lot of alterations and variations. There will be both positive and negative changes that may occur this year, which will be affiliated with your personal life. Regarding the Health, it is advised that you take proper care of your health as there are chances that you may face some health problems especially the ones that may affect your knees and stomach. Relationships, looks like average period for love and other relationships to flourish and thus attention is required in these matters as well. As far as your career is concerned, this year will show you a lot of modifications in terms of your work related matters. Doing of Ganapathy Homam (Ganesh pooja) will give you best results.

CANCER This year is going to be really exciting for you, as it is filled with a lot of astonishments and amazement. This year will be very fruitful for you and your dear ones because there is a great possibility for you to get promoted at your job or obtain some good amount of profit through your business. Furthermore, students may also get a chance to go abroad, to pursue their higher education which will mark as a good opportunity for them to grow and get some exposure. Your family life and matters affiliated to love will also bloom like a beautiful flower in a garden. This year you will be able to accomplish tasks related to

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JANUARY 2019

This year may turn out to be really productive as matters related to finance, career and job is going to take a positive leap. Therefore, those who have a job will be appreciated and promoted, as your hard work and capabilities will lead you through the way and bestow you with the taste of success. For all the businessman, you may get good opportunities to make new clients or implement something new, which will be

favouable and advantageous for monetarily. You may also get a chance to enlarge or develop your business on a bigger scale and achieve a state of prosperity. As far as the subject related to love is concerned, January to March and October to December is the best time to involve yourself in a relationship. Your Health is good throughout this year.

a positive result in your professional career from the starting of 2019 till the month of April. You may get a good hike in your salary and businessmen will also receive monetary gains. You will feel that you are physically fit and also ready to do some long distance travelling. All the problems pertaining to your ancestral property will also find its way out and get disentangled. You are very sensible and analytical in your approach towards most of the things in life. This year you should avoid taking any financial risks, as this does not seem like a good period to do so. Offering Ganapathy Homam in Ganesh temple give you best results.

LIBRA

LEO

This year will have an optimistic and zealous year, as you will be filled with confidence and enthusiasm which will reflect on your everyday execution of work. Although your previous year was not fruit-bearing, this year will see a drastic change in your situation, a positive one. Regarding the Health, you will have to be wary and careful of any health issues that may take place this year. Regarding the Relationships, your love life will be full of affection and warmth, making you very energetic on a physical as well as mental level. Your financial condition will generally be stable with not many issues hovering over your monetary aspects. Investing in property through a loan will mostly profitable returns in the long term. Praying of Hanuman Swamy will give you best results.

This year may have a blend of both rises and falls of situations and outcomes. You may see an increase in your level of reputation in the society due to the effect of Jupiter. This year you will also witness stress and face a lot of struggle in your relationship with your spouse, so try to be more calm and composed rather tha firing back. It is also important to take care of your children’s health and hygiene. For students, you will get a chance to go out of country for further studies as this period is the most constructive and productive time which will give you very good results. On a positeve note, you will see economical gains as your source of income increases, making you a lot more stable than before financially.

This year may have its own advantages and disadvantages. In 2019, you will get the fruits and benefits of your hard work , and your efforts at work, thus will be considered. You will be admired, praised and respected for your work which will motivate you to give accomplish more. For businessmen, you will get varied opportunities to expand your business with new incoming clients and new

vehicles and so on. Financially it is going to be a highly auspicious year. For students, they may get a chance to go abroad for higher education. Engineering and science students will pass their exams with flying colors. Praying to Durga Devi will give you best results.

AQUARIUS

SAGITTARIUS

This year there will be several chances where you will get a possibility to grasp, learn, grow and implement your actions. Due to the Jupiter’s transit, there is a possibility that you may go out on a pilgrimage to very holy and sacred place close to you. As far as Finances is concerned, this year for you is going to be very profitable as we can see better profit heading towards you in the coming year, which will make you quite table monetarily. Regarding the Relationships, there is a possibility that you may not feel good, because of all the strain in the relationship with your family. In 2019, there is great possibility for buying new properties and vehicles. Praying to Swamy Ayyappa and visiting the Swamy’s temple will give you the best results.

There was a great focus on work and career and these areas seem to have enjoyed success and they will continue to do so in 2019, but important changes are brewing in 2019 especially in latter part of the year. Career, success can place strains on your home and family life. You will be called upon to take on more responsibility at home and with family members. Health was reasonably good for most of 2019. Career and also love are probably the most exciting and happy area of life in 2019. Those who employ others are expanding the workforce and with quality people. This year some of you might buy second or even third home too or buy additional properties for investment.

PISCES

CAPRICORN

SCORPIO

VIRGO

This year may witness both good and bad experiences, but do not worry as you can always hold on to the good ones, and learn something from the bad ones. You will see

ideas to implement. So, your career graph will see an affirmed change that will boost your confidence. All your hurdles related to ancestral property will be resolved and settled, that will remove a lot of burden from your head. Regarding the Health, it is highly advised to take care of your health by maintaining a proper diet and performing yoga everyday.

This year you will come off with flying colors as you will witness a positive transformation in both personal and professional life. As far as the Finances is concerned, 2019 is going to be positive and happy. At the beginning of the year , you will get dividends for the investments that you made in the past. Your money inflow will be from various sources. Making your investments and incurring expenses in a planned and scheduled manner is going to help you in a number of ways. This year will be good for buying property, home,

Health will vastly improve this year and will continue to be strong in the year ahead. There is a need to conserve your energy for things that are really important to you. Libras working towards or in a second marriage will have a status quo year. Children of marriageable age are not likely to marry this year. Last year was a very important finance and career year. These were the major interests. Again this will last for the first half of 2019 and then dissipate though finance will still be important throughout 2019.. Those who employ others deal with a revolving door. Employees come and go. You don’t know who will be around and when or who will show up when. You will become adept at reshuffling. JANUARY 2019

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