BRAND KERALA MAY 2012 by BRAND KERALA MAGAZINE

Man with a Mission & Vision Mr. P.K. Kunhalikutty Minister for Industries & IT Govt. of Kerala 1

Josco

Lulu Convention Center

Happy Jam

BrandKerala

Melam

July 2011

BrandKerala

July 2011

Vol. 2, Issue 04, May 2012

Pages 56+2

Editor’s Note

Talent is the Key to Future of Industry

alent, the ability to innovate and the strategic use of public policy will play a significant role in defining the manufacturing sector’s competitiveness in developed and emerging economies, according to the The Future of Manufacturing report of the World Economic Forum. The report finds that the global manufacturing ecosystem is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with many emerging economies developing significant manufacturing and innovation capabilities, enabling them to produce increasingly complex products and leading to the globalization of manufacturing supply chains. Fading labour rate arbitrage, exposure to currency volatility, sovereign debt pressures and emerging protectionist policies will be countervailing forces to further globalization of manufacturing value chains. The report highlights key trends that will define manufacturing competition over the next 20 years and which will require the attention and collaboration of policy-makers, civil society and business leaders. With an estimated 10 million manufacturing jobs worldwide that cannot be filled today due to a growing skills gap, the report identifies talent as one of the key differentiators that will define the future of the sector. Despite the high unemployment rate in many developed economies, companies are struggling to fill manufacturing jobs with the right talent. Several countries are taking action. India, for example, has created the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a public-private partnership set up to identify and fund vocational education businesses. To date, NSDC has approved US$ 150 million in funding for 29 ventures that will train 40 million youth in diverse trades over the next 10 years. “Manufacturing is a critical driver of economic growth and job creation in emerging economies such as Brazil, China and India,” said John Moavenzadeh, Senior Director, Mobility Industries, World Economic Forum. “Developed countries are increasingly recognizing the importance of coordinated policies that enhance the high value-added components of manufacturing supply chains.” The other top differentiators identified in the report include the strategic use of public policy and the ability to innovate. The report also shows that the strategic use of public policy as an enabler of economic development will intensify, resulting in a competition between nations for policy effectiveness and placing a premium on collaboration between policy-makers and business leaders to create win-win outcomes. A frequently cited example of success is China’s provision of public assistance for new industries, which has helped the country register phenomenal growth in manufacturing. Other contributors to China’s success include its state-owned enterprises that serve as incubators for the right talent and export incentives that have helped Chinese companies break into global markets. The innovation capacity for developing creative ideas, addressing new and complex problems, and delivering innovative products and services to global markets will be the capabilities most coveted by countries and companies alike. Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, a private-public partnership with a mandate of transforming scientific discovery into useful applications, and Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute, are two examples of successful national research labs enabling competitive innovation. “Today, and for the foreseeable future, the manufacturing game is going to look like a global talent competition – one in which countries and companies contend to find and develop highly skilled workers who can handle the advanced manufacturing processes needed to make innovative, high-value products,” said Craig Giffi, Vice-Chairman and Consumer & Industrial Products Industry Leader at Deloitte LLP, USA. “In this competition, the advantage will go to countries that can combine effective public policies with good private-sector leadership, a move that will attract investment and drive superior talent development and innovation.” The present Kerala government headed by Mr. Oommen Chandy is completing one year in power. The score sheet shows above 60% in many areas and 80 % in some sectors. The coming years will be very crucial for Kerala and its future journey. Kerala shows many success stories to the world, especially in Tourism, IT, Kudumba Sree, Poverty alleviation programme and Rural Health Mission. The Synergy between Public- Private Sectors is the main reason for the success of IT and Tourism. The shortage of trained man power is the biggest challenge for the progress of Service and Manufacturing sectors in Kerala. Recently Kerala become a migrant labours heaven, while Malayalees trying their luck at Gulf countries, UK and USA. Government has already started skill development programme in many areas and we hope the focus and pace will continue for a better Kerala in future. Ravisankar K.V. Editor 3

BrandKerala

May 2012

Content 26

10 Growing Health Crisis Automobile

Brainpower for Development! Banking

Maruti Suzuki India Unveiled Ertiga

Banks Cut interest Rates

Hyundai Launched iGen i20 In India

PNB Targets More Turnovers

Pajero Sport SUV launched in India

Most Spacious Hatchback Hyundai i30

Muthoot Pappachan Group Inaugurated 2000th Branch

When Royalty Meets Fury

Meeting venue Amazing World of Wonders Lulu

brand Amazing Businessman of an Amazing Brand

Happy Keeps Everybody Happy

Melam of Tastes

Black Dammer

BrandKerala

May 2012

ICICI Launched New Card Product Sapphiro for the Super Rich

Waiving ATM Charges for Senior Citizens

Three banks launched Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First I D F

tECHNOLOGY Micromax unveiled Tablet FunBook

Technopark-Incubated Company Enters the Tablet PC Market

Smartphone from Lava

Managing Editor: Ravisankar K.V. Executive Editor: Rajani A. Copy Editor: Liza Shajan Associate Editor: Gopalakrishnan Pallath Assistant Editor: Shilo K.Dev Photo Editor: Hari P.S. Chief Layout Artist: Vijayagopalan G. Production Executive: Vishnu C.P. Co-ordinator - Online Edition: Sreeram Sethunath

News

Co-ordinator Circulation: Thulasi Parameswaran

14010 Crore for Annual Plan Outlay for Kerala

PassTheExam begins

KIMS Wins CSR Award

Interest Rates Raised on Post Office Small Savings

Rehabilitation Fund for Sick MSMEs

Mumbai: Satyanath.K.V Mob: +91-9833677962

Reliance launches first CDMA tablet in India

Bengaluru: Damodaran.K. Nayar Mob: +91-9035616040

Heera Group Won Quality Era Awatd

Pondicherry: Ramasubramanian Mob: +91-98949 77161

New Ayurveda Centres Visualized throughout Kerala 16 V Guard Registers Growth in Turnover

Kadammanitta Padayani Concluded

Infosys to setup second campus in Trivandrum

Award Aadimadhyaantham won John Abraham Award

Nashik fete honoured ‘Pachilakoodu’

feature Journey into History of Bank of the Bankers Sameer Pushp*

column Significance of Harmonious & Mutually Beneficial Work Culture

Business & Editorial Contacts: New Delhi: Anilkumar.D Mob: +91-9868123311 Kolkata: Jayasree Singh Mob: +91-9433060333 Chennai: Ravikumar Mob: +91-9444910380 Hyderabad: Premraj. A Mob: +91- 9446514732 Coimbatore: Biju Thomas Mob: +91-9944194037 Trivandrum: Ravikumar.K. Mob: +91-9847560531 Sreejesh.S Mob: +91-99471 60531 Calicut: Vipin Gopinath Mob: +91-96561 03189 Shabeer M.P. Mob: +91-77362 31789

Editorial Contact: editor@brandkerala.biz Advertisment Enquiries: marketing@brandkerala.biz Circulation & Subscription Details: info@brandkerala.biz

Editorial & Corporate Office: Brand Kerala Media House pvt. ltd. Anandam, P-99, Pattanikkunnu Lane, Sasthamangalam (P.O.), Trivandrum - 695 010. Kerala, India Tel: +91 471 2315256 Fax: +91 471 2315197 E-mail: info@brandkerala.biz editor@brandkerala.biz

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No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of The Publisher of Brand Kerala All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 Owned, Edited, Printed and Published by K.V. Ravisankar at Sujilee Colour Printers, Chathannur, Kollam for Arsha Offset Graphix, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 010.

Cover Photo: Vivek R. Nair 5

BrandKerala

May 2012

News

he Annual Plan for the year 2012-13 for the state of Kerala was finalised at

board was also suggested. The Keralaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GSDP has increased from Rs. 1,19,264

a meeting between Deputy Chairman,

crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 1,93,383 crore in 2010-11 (at

Planning Commission, Mr.Montek

2004-05 constant prices), with a CAGR of 8.4%. The

Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minis-

11th Five Year Plan of the State had targeted to achieve

ter of Kerala, OommenChandy. The plan size has been

the growth rate of 9.50% for the economy in terms of the GSDP. However for the

agreed at Rs14,010 crore.

first four years of the XI

In the comments on the plan performance of the

Plan, the GSDP had grown

State, Mr Ahluwalia said

at a CAGR of 8.1% only.

that State has commend-

The real per capita income

able achievements and their

of Kerala is higher than

expenditure realization is

the real per capita income

satisfactory. He added that

of the country as a whole.

performance in education

The real per capita income

and health sector is better

of Kerala has increased at

than most of the States.

CAGR of 7.75% during

Attention was drawn to the

2004-05 to 2010-11 while

falling growth in the agri-

the All India per capita

culture and it was pointed

income has increased at

out that the share of the

CAGR of 6.84% during the

Agriculture & Industry

same period. Mr Ahluwalia appreci-

sectors in Keralaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GSDP

ated the efforts aimed at

has been gradually falling over the year, whereas the share of Services sector has been rising. The Services

Mr. OommenChandy Chief Minister, Kerala

linking planning with targets and introducing a strict system of plan monitoring

sector accounts for 69.7% of the GSDP at 2004-05 prices

at all levels. He said the attempt to capture progress of

followed by the Industry sector (20.5%) and the Agricul-

implementation at various levels at all stages would help in

ture sector (9.8%) during 2011-12. The State was advised

substantially improving plan achievements. He also invited

to take initiatives aimed at reviving interest in agriculture

suggestions from the State in the formulation of 12th plan.

including crop diversification and allied sectors. Need for

The State was advised to take a lead in water a management

power tariff revision and unbundling of State Electricity

by enacting national frame-work law on water.

BrandKerala

May 2012

In his comments, the Minister for Planning Mr Ashwani

centric, based on the needs of the citizens and aimed at

Kumar said that the State should focus on area specific

improving the status of each individual and each group of

approach while designing strategy for revival of agriculture

people. The focus will also be on a bottom – up approach,

and pointed out that the sector could address the problem

starting from the people at the lowest strata, to achieve the

of unemployment as well as over urbanization. He said

objective of inclusive growth. The sum total of investment is

tourism and industry are other areas which can generate

expected to be far greater than the amount of Government

employment opportunities and the State should maintain

Plan investment, as government will actively promote PPP

focus on these sectors during the 12th plan period.

and project financing through other schemes.

The agriculture sector has registered a negative growth

He said the Annual Plan 2012-13 will give the agri-

rate in the first 4 years of

culture sector top priority

XI Five Year Plan (except

by providing substantial

in 2008-09). In the first

increase in the outlay.

four year of XI Plan, the

Similarly, a major thrust is

growth rate in the Industry

given to Medical and Public

sector had always been less

Health, Higher Education,

than the target set for the

Urban Development, Dairy

XI Plan. The CAGR of the

Development, Sports and

sector during 2007-11 was

Youth services, Tourism and

only 5.57% compared to the

Art & Culture. In respect of

target of 9.00%. Except for

public health, there is need

in 2008-09, the Service sec-

for increased spending both

tor has registered a growth

by the centre and the states. Infrastructure develop-

rate in excess of 11.00% during the first four year of

ment is one of the major

XI Five Year Plan.

thrust areas. State Road Improvement Project, Im-

Mr. Oommnen Chandy

provement of Road Main-

said that in spite of adverse economic climate, the financial policies adopted by the State Government have

Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission

started showing positive outcomes. Apart from mobilizing adequate resources for development and curtailing waste-

tenance Project and Road safety enhancement are some of the new proposals

for infrastructure development. He said there is substantial increase in the social sector

ful expenditure, the State has spent every rupee towards

outlays. Education sector, Higher Education in particular,

accelerating State’s development and for the welfare of the

is given much emphasis considering the requirement of

people. The fiscal deficit and effective revenue deficit for the

improving quality of education. Elevation of Government

year 2011-12 were under control at 3.46% of GSDP and

Schools to International standard, Systematization of pre-

1.67% of GSDP, as against FRBM target of 3.5% and 1.4%.

primary education, Skill development programme, Centres

On 12th plan, he said focus will be on “Development with Care and Compassion”. The Plan will be people-

of excellence in 10 colleges including heritage colleges are some of the new projects proposed for 2012-13. 7

BrandKerala

May 2012

News

n order to assist B. Tech./ Engineering students clear their arrears and pass different streams of examinations, PassTheExam (www.PassTheExam. in) has came into being. It addresses one of the major worries of the day- the depleting failure percentages in several, self-financing professional colleges across the nation. A Community Service Initiative -kicked off by a herd of experienced academics and other professionals- that guides and assist students pass the examinations is not an online tutorial. It’s not another tuition center either, ‘offering the conventional, single- directional coaching. Instead, it’s a comprehensive success plan that identifies the reason/s behind each failure, scientific evaluation of the winning chances for each paper in any particular examination etc. The PassTheExam initiative guides and assists students and directs them towards success- and accompanies them up to the examination hall, literally - and watches them succeed. ‘We are not an online tutorial nor another tuition center offering the conventional, single- directional coaching,’ says Mr. B Meerasaheb an erstwhile, senior banking professional and Consulting Administrator of the plan. “Several factors like Professional Counseling

BrandKerala

May 2012

combined with Personalized Coaching, Mock Examinations, Building Examination Facing Skills, Exam Readiness Testing and more are involved in the model’. The Initiative has a uniquely designed Counseling & Personalization Model which bares the real problem behind the failure of an otherwise bright professional student. Each Student’s approach to the next examination will be an individually tailored project plan with Success as the Only Option. Every student will be academically owned by a teacher, whose target will be to make him or her exam-fit to pass. These projects are manned by a balanced group of enthusiasts - working and retired professors and engineers with credentials from various universities across the country. Visiting Professors flying in to treat specialized problems and subjects are order of the day at PassTheExam floors. There are also young Graduates blended in as well, who just felt the heat, but came out with flying colours and can understand, align with the mental state and boost confidence levels of frustrated students. First batches of PassTheExam students getting ready for their upcoming examinations feel the difference already. Students and parents can register for Free Counseling sessions by calling 0471 3922266, 9746019569 or registering at www.PassTheExam.in.

News

Dr.M I Sahadulla CMD KIMS Hospital receiving the award from Mr. V.S.Sivakumar, Minister for Health and Devaswom, Kerala in the presence of Mr. Babu Thomas, President Trivandrum Management Association, Mr. E M Najeeb Chairman and MD, ATE Group of Companies, Former Ambassador Mr. T.P,. Sreenivasan, Mr.Suresh Mohan, Management Consultant and Mr.M Ayyappan CMD HLL Life Care Ltd.

IMS Hospital Trivandrum has won the Trivandrum Management Association and HLL Ltd CSR Award. The award is the recognition for the social services worth eight crore rupees, rendered by KIMS last year in different intervention in the broad spectrum of the social sector. The award carries a citation, a plaque and a sum of Rs.25,000/ and was presented during the annual convention of TMATRIMA 2012 by Hon’ble Minister of Health Shri.V.S. Shivakumar at Hotel Mascot. The award was received by Dr..M.I.Sahadulla, Chairman and Managing Director of KIMS hospital.

With over a decade of providing quality healthcare services, KIMS has always been in the forefront as a socially committed corporate. “Inclusive Growth” has been one of the driving forces in setting up the institution. Every member of the KIMS family is committed to provide care and solace to the people in their location. The various innovative CSR initiatives that KIMS has designed and implemented is a testimony to the fact that the organization is focused to bettering the lives of all those who come in contact with. The wide spectrum of activities accomplished as parts of its social commitment manifests the interest of the organization to return some of its rewards to the communities in which it operates. 9

BrandKerala

May 2012

Kerala & Economy

Niyathi

erala, one of the small states in India, is one percent of Indias geographical area but support nearly three percent of India’s population. Kerala’s density of population is almost three times the national average. Eventhough Kerala is a small state, its land area is spread into low land, (coastal area) mid land and high land with hetrogenious vegetation. Once state was rich in water resources. State has 44 rivers besides small canals and natural water ponds. States 28% area is under forest and net cropped area is 20.72 lakh hectares. Gross cropped area is at 26.47 lakh hectares with a cropping intensity of 128. Commercial crops like rubber, tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper etc. extensively cultivated and hence State has been a food deficit state historically. However with change in cropping pattern, food growing area came down heavily and hence food deficit has increased. State economy has undergone structural change over the last fifty years in terms of sectoral contribution of

BrandKerala

May 2012

GDP and employment. During 1950’s, in the State’s GDP, the share of primary sector was 55% and its share gradually started to decline to 39% during 1980’s and again to 25% during 1990’s and in 2010 its share is only 12 percent. Meanwhile the share of secondary sector which was 16% during 1950s marginally improved during 1980’s and 1990’s and in 2010 it is only at 21%. But the share of service sector which was only 24% in 1950’s gradually and continously increased and in 2010 it is 67%. It indicates that State’s service sector is growing at faster and sustainable rate and as a result twothird of State’s GDP originate from service sector. How long can the state sustain such service sector growth. In human resource development, Kerala stand top in India and even par with developed western countries. Life expectancy at birth is 74 years in Kerala against the all India average of 63.5 years. Similarly IMR is 12 in Kerala against 55 at all India. Birth and death rates are also low in Kerala as compared to all India. For instance, birth rate per 1000

is 14.6 in Kerala as against 22.8 at all India level. Death rate is 6.6 per thousand in Kerala against the rational average of 7.4. During 2001-11, while all India population increased at 17.6 percent, growth rate in Kerala was only 4.8%, almost one fourth. Health and education were accorded priority in the first Four Five Year Plans of Kerala. As a result, more health care institutions and schools were started in 1950s and 1960s and hence access of people for health care and education increased. When access to education increased enrolment rate increased and hence the ability of people to read and write improved significantly. Therefore Kerala has become a historic State in India with respect to literacy. In 60 years (1951-2011) literacy rate in Kerala almost doubled from 47% to 94%. Increase in literacy rate created health awareness among people which finally caused to birth control and low death rate, low IMR and low MMR. Moreover, health care facilities like institutions, doctors, nurses, beds etc. were created on an extensive scale. In 2011, Kerala has 2724 health care institutions under Allopathy, Ayurveda and Homeopathy together. In other words all the three systems of medicines have grown and spread in all urban and rural areas providing access to people for health care. However allopathy still dominate the medical sectors with respect to institutions and beds. For instance, out of the total health institutions 47% are allopathy, 32% are ayurveda and 21 are homoeopathy. All the three systems together have 52893 beds also. Bed population ratio which is 159 per one lakh people, in Kerala is also far above the all India average. Good health indicators and poor quality of health care services are the complex issues that emerge in the health sector of Kerala at present. Distribution of health care facilities like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, drugs, beds and medical equipments among institutions are not only uneven but also inadequate to requirement. Similarly supporting infrastructure facilities like water, electricity, maintenance of buildings and servicing of medical equipments are also inadequate. In other words, management and maintenance of health care institutions are unscientific and neither need based nor priority based. Sometimes this is the major problem that exist in the health sector. When the level of public health care services fall, unsatisfied people move to private hospital where medical costs are very high. When drug price, particularly for life saving drugs, increase at an alarming rate, poor people are unable to afford it and they resort to pledging their valuable assets. Finally, they become

more poor causing to malnutrition and finally to chronic diseases. Sometimes, this is going to become one of the socio-economic crisis in Kerala in the coming years. Kerala in the past had an elaborate public health care system to prevent communicable diseases. Eventhough the system still exist, its activities are ineffective and inactive. For instance, we have 5403 sub centres at grassroot level attached to primary health centres with health inspectors and controlled by Local Self Governments. Are they not able to propagate healthcare awareness among people to prevent communicable diseases and newly emerging life style diseases. To make the sub centres more effective, its activities have to be scientifically managed and properly evaluated. Such an exercise is cost effective and people friendly. Kerala has already established an elaborate health care system which are under utilized in some institutions and over utilised in some other institutions. Therefore, first we have to either evaluate or assess the extent of utilization of facilities already created. In the second stage, based on such study, health care facilities at all levels have to be standardized on a need based and priority based manner in a phased manner. But standardization facilities have to start from primary health centres in such a way that all the minor ailments, could be treated and preventive measures implemented effectively. Similarly public health activities carried out through sub-centres by Health Inspectors must be assessed and evaluated seriously at regular intervels and remedial action must be implemented at primary health centre level itself with the active involvement of Local Self Government Institutions. If we redefine the functions and activities of primary health centres, as mentioned here, and implemented effectively nearly 60 percent of health needs of people could be met at primary health centre level in a cost effective way. In the second phase, such an elaborate exercise have to start at Community Health Centre/Taluk Hospital level in such a way that these Centres/hospitals become the first referral institution for treatment under treatment protocol. In the third phase, District and General Hospitals in the State have to be developed and strengthened as second referral health institution and finally the medical colleges. Without such an effective and scientific assessment or evaluation of the existing health care facilities at each level, any effort to spend money for improving health care facilities in the state will not provide intended results. Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health are very valuable. Therefore let Kerala Government start the slogan low lost â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Health For All By 2015â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. 11

BrandKerala

May 2012

News

he Union government raised interest rates on post office-operated small savings like Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) by up to 0.5%. Interest rates on time deposits of one and two years were increased by 0.5% each to 8.2% and 8.3% respectively, while rates for popular MIS were increased by 0.3% to 8.5%. The new rates are effective from 1 April 2012 and will remain valid during 2012-13. The government as part of economic liberalisation process had freed the interest rates on banks deposits giving freedom to lenders to fix rates depending upon the asset-liability position. It had however continued to fix rates for small savings schemes. The measure adopted by the government helped to make the small savings more attractive to investors. The attractiveness of the small savings schemes vis-a-vis fixed deposit schemes operated by banks will thus be maintained.

he Reserve Bank has suggested setting up a rehabilitation fund for reviving sick micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the wake of rising number of such units. RBI has recommended to the government to set up a ‘rehabilitation fund’ for sick MSMEs. According to RBI data, the number of sick units in MSME sector has gone up by 16 per cent to 90,141 units in March 2011 from 77,723 in March 2010. Banks have also been advised to review and put in place Medium and Small Enterprises (MSE) loan policy, restructuring or rehabilitation policy and non-discretionary one time settlement scheme for recovery of non-performing loans, duly approved by their board of directors.

BrandKerala

May 2012

The revised interest rates are as follows: Interest rate on PPF was increased by 0.2% to 8.8%.Savings deposit rate remains unchanged at 4%. The interest rate in savings bank accounts - the rates for time deposits of one and two years stand increased by 50 basis points each to 8.2 per cent and 8.3 per cent, respectively. Interest rate for three-year time deposits increased from 8% to 8.4%. Similarly, interest rate on five-year time deposit has been raised from 8.3% to and 8.5%. Rate for senior citizens savings scheme (SCSS) hiked to 9.3% from 9%. National Savings Certificates (NSC) having maturity of five and ten years will now attract 8.6% and 8.9%, respectively. The government’s objective was to render the National Small Savings Fund schemes more attractive to investors by way of returns. The measure was also adopted to halt the tendency to switch over to bank deposit schemes. The revision in rates was based on the Shyamala Gopinath Committee’s recommendations for Comprehensive Review of National Small Savings Fund.

In spite of various measures taken by the RBI and the government, availability of credit for the sector remains a major issue. There is a need to implement a corporate governance code for SME sector and adoption of corporate governance framework by SMEs in India is indispensable for taking this sector to a higher growth trajectory. There is a growing need for venture or risk capital for financing high growth potential and start-up SMEs. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Union Finance Minister in his Budget 2012-13 has proposed setting up a Rs 5,000 crore ‘India Opportunities Venture Fund’ with SIDBI to enhance availability of equity to the SME sector. SEBI has permitted BSE and NSE to set up an exchange for MSMEs, which would help SMEs to raise funds from capital markets.

BrandKerala

May 2012

News

eliance Communications has unveiled the first CDMA capable Android based tablet in the Indian market. This device is called the Reliance CDMA Tab and it won’t be much different than its GSM version, known as Reliance 3G Tab. This is a 7-inch tablet which runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and the design is very much identical to the Reliance 3G Tab. The device also features a 2 megapixel rear camera, secondary VGA quality front facing camera, 512MB RAM and a microSD card slot. The device will support the company’s CDMA network across 22 circles across India, covering over 1000 towns. Reliance has not yet revealed the processor which is included in the device, however it seems quite obvious

he public sector Malabar Cements Limited, MCL at Walayar has made a record profit of Rs.45.5 crore with a turnover of Rs.278 crore till February 2012. In the 2011-12 financial year, the company was expected to make a profit of over Rs.50 crore as against the Rs.44.19 crore in the previous year and a turnover of over Rs.300 crore as against last year’s turnover of Rs.277 crore.

that it might be the same 800 MHz clocked found on the Reliance 3G Tab. The device will come pre-loaded with a bunch of useful applications and it will be priced at Rs. 12,999. Reliance has also announced interesting data plans for this tablet. With the purchase of the combo offer priced at Rs. 19,999 users get 5GB of monthly data for an entire year. For an extra Rs. 5,500 users get 2GB of free data every month for the first year and finally paying Rs. 4,500 extra over the base price gets you 1GB of free data every month for the first year. With nearly 30 tablet brands are competing in Indian market with price ranging between 24000 Rupees and 46000 Rupees, the new Reliance CDMA tablet provides people with an attractive deal.

Mr. K. Padmakumar, Managing Director, MCL said this achievement was made despite losing production days in December 2011 and January 2012 due to the non-supply of fly ash, bags, and coal. To reduce the cost of production, the company is going to introduce slag cement to reduce dependence on fly ash. But some vested interests have unleashed a campaign against using the cheaper raw material of slag to make cement, he added.

lobal lifestyle brand Puma unveiled a range of Red Pulse cricket boots. The Pulse footwear range was launched by cricketers J.P. Duminy, Dale Steyn and Amit Mishra, team members of the Deccan Chargers. The shoe is convertible footwear, having multiple uses. The spikes could be kept on while bowling or batting and removed while fielding. The range includes variants for lifestyle and training purposes. The Pulse range will be available at Puma stores across the country. 14

BrandKerala

May 2012

News

eera Group has been declared as the recipient of the world renowned ‘Century International Quality Era Award (CQE)’ in the Gold Category during the year 2012, in recognition of the commitment to quality, Leadership, Technology and Innovation. The award was received by Dr. A. R. Babu, Managing Director, Heera Group from Mr. Jose E Preito, the President of Business Initiative Directions (B.I.D), France, in the Intercontinental Convention held at Geneva, Switzerland. The convention was attended by 90 Industrialists cum business leaders from all over the world who were also recipients of this prestigious award. Other recipients of this esteemed award in the year 2012 were “NTPC Ltd”, “NCR Corporation India Private Limited”, “ICICI Bank” from India and the recipients of the award during the previous year from India include Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Coal India Ltd, Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, Tata Group Ltd etc.

onderla has proposed to set up two new amusement parks in Hyderabad and Chennai in the next five years at an investment of Rs 550 crore. Mr Arun Chittilappilly, Managing Director, Wonderla Holidays Pvt Ltd, said they have already acquired 55 acres in Hyderabad and is awaiting a legal opinion on the land identified in Chennai. The amusements parks in Kochi and Bangalore had registered a year-on-year growth of

V Guard enters real estate sector

V Guard group is entering into the real estate sector in the State with the construction of luxury apartments at Vazhakkala in 50 cents. Mr. Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Vice-chairman, V Guard group, said that the second project is a budget residential apartment complex coming up on one acre land at Kaloor.

25 per cent and about 22 lakh guests visited these facilities last year, he explained. The amusement park business is an emerging field in India and the company wanted to expand in more places, he added. Wonderla has opened 84 luxury rooms at its Bangalore theme park, benefiting holidayers to get the twin advantage of a world-class theme park and top notch resort to enjoy hospitality and entertainment under one roof.

Little Vanessa and Little Valero from V-Star

V-Star Creations Pvt Ltd enters into the kids’ lingerie world. Ms. Sheela Kochouseph, Managing Director, V-Star Creations Pvt Ltd, announced its foray into kids’ innerwear category with the launch of Little Vanessa and Little Valero, a spin-off from the lingerie parent brands Vanessa and Valero. 15

BrandKerala

May 2012

News

yurveda is considered as the prosperity of Kerala which is always excelling for the healing measures. Infrastructure Kerala Limited, a public-private enterprise, has proposed a project for building up a Centre of Excellence for Ayurvedic Medicines (CEAM) on a ‘Hub and Spoke Model’. The hub is to be located at Punalur in Kollam district. The sub-centres or spokes will be sited in all districts. The hub will be spread over 43 acres with an outlay of Rs.100 crore. The hub will have an Ayurvedic hospitalcum-resort. Plantation of medicinal plants, processing of the raw materials, research and development, documentation and manufacturing of medicines are proposed in the hub. It offers disease-based treatments, wellness treatments and manufacture of branded medicines for the therapy centres. The plan is to set up the hub within three years. The project will be carried out with private participation and aims to provide services in Ayurveda to a large section of people at competitive rates. To be called ‘Ayurveda Therapy Centre and Herbal Café’, the spokes are expected to extend the reach of Ayurveda and herbal remedies to the throngs. The hub is a joint venture of

he 123-year-old Government Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram will soon get a new hospital block. The seven-storey block will have 13 pay-ward rooms on each floor. All rooms will have toilets and necessary infrastructure for prolonged treatment such as Panckarma. The new rooms will augment the capacity of the hospital to admit more in-patients. The old hospital block has 23 rooms only. The basement of the new building will have an extensive car park. The lower floors of the

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May 2012

Inkel. The project visualizes treatments for lifestyle disorders, chronic health disorders which may not be treated by conventional medicines, wellness treatments and Panchkarma treatments and manufacture of branded medicines. The hospital shall also act as a referral hospital for therapy. The hub will consist of Ayurvedic Hospital and Research Centre in an area of 5 acres. The100 bed hospital will have three-star facilities with a diagnostic centre, a clinical lab, outpatient consultation, day therapy clinic, R&D Lab, data centre, clinical research, food and nutrition centre. There will also be an Ayurvedic training centre spread over an area of 1 acre with facilities for training Ayurvedic graduates, therapists, a nursing school and training school for food and nutrition. An Ayurvedic cultural and heritage centre will also be envisaged as part of the project which spreads over 5 acres with an Ayurvedic museum, convention centre and a centre of excellence for Ayurvedic research. A medicinal plantation and knowledge centre in 10.5 acres with facilities for green house farming of medicinal plants and R&D in tissue culture, etc. Around 15 sub centres are planned as spokes which will fall into three categories; rural villages, urban centres and tourist centres.

new block will house laboratories, pharmacies and staff rooms. The building will have large elevators to transport medical staff and patients on stretchers at the same time. Lack of sufficient number of rooms had impeded the efforts of the hospital to extend Ayurveda care to more number of people. Those undergoing treatment now had booked their names as early as 2008. The new building and its facilities are expected to change the situation. The project is estimated to cost Rs.10 crore and is scheduled to be commissioned by the year-end.

News

he V Guard Industries Ltd has registered a 35 per cent growth in turnover in 2011-12, crossing Rs 1,000-crore mark. Mr. Mithun Chittilappilly, Managing Director, V Guard Industries Ltd, said 23 per cent of the turnover comes from the nonsouth Indian markets where the company has concentrated for the last four years. The company clocked Rs

r. V. Thiruvenkitam has inaugurated the big boutique for designer sarees at Seematti, Cochin. Mrs. Beena Kannan, Mr. E. S. Jose, eminent entrepreneur, several opinion leaders and social luminaries were present. Mrs. Beena Kannan, CEO and lead designer of Seematti said, “Visit India’s forty prestigious saree stores or buy your favourite designer cotton sarees from Seematti‘s brand new grand boutique at Kochi.” Several novel features come attached to this unique large – format Boutique. State of the art décor and merchandis-

228 crore from non-south markets. In the previous financial year, V Guard registered a net profit of Rs 42 crore. The company is also introducing two new products – domestic switch gear and induction cooker in the market in the current financial year. This is the first entry of V Guard in the kitchen appliances segment.

ing make shopping here pleasurable. The boutique is replete with cotton sarees from every state of India in addition to Mrs. Beena Kannan’s designer cotton sarees. Mrs. Beena Kannan has taken great pains to ensure and deliver value to her clientele. She adds “I can predict that in the near future, one can find girls who opt for designer cotton sarees for their bridal wear. Visit Seematti’s boutique and you will realize this truth.” Beena expects every woman to touch and feel before buying sarees here so that she can feel the value aspect driven from home.

Feature

By Sameer Pushp*

eserve Bank of India (RBI) did not become the ‘Bank of the Bankers’ in a day. It’s been a long and tough journey of evolution, consolidation, policy changes and reforms that shaped it to be an institution with a difference. Legislation to set up the RBI was first introduced in January 1927, and after seven years in March 1934, the enactment became an accomplished fact. It is one of the oldest central banks in the developing countries. Its formative years have been eventful. Its efforts to adapt central banking functions was neither deep-rooted nor widespread, the special responsibilities including those of exchange control to shoulder with the outbreak of World War II was a great responsibility thrust upon in the very first decade of its existence. Its transformation from a privately owned institution to a nationalized undertaking and its new role in the economy with the advent of independence was formidable. Over the years when RBI embarked upon the path of its growth there are many anecdotes that are wrapped in the footprints of time. Prior to the establishment of the RBI in 1935, the principal functions of a central bank were performed by the Government of India primarily, and to a smaller extent, by the Imperial Bank of India, since its establishment in 1921. The regulation of note issue, the management of foreign exchange and the custody of the nation are metallic and foreign exchange reserves were the responsibilities of the Government of India. The Imperial

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May 2012

Bank acted as banker to Government and to a limited extent as a bankers’ bank, in addition to its primary functions as a commercial bank. By the time the Reserve Bank came to be established, organized banking in India had developed to an extent and an important element of this sector which comprised foreign banks were generally referred as Exchange Banks. In 1941, Karachi office was mainly a currency office having a small strength of about 75 staff members. At that time currency notes, which were mostly in the domination of Rs. 100 and Rs. 1000 were issued circle wise; they were a legal tender throughout undivided India. Names of circles of issue, viz; Mumbai, Kanpur, Calcutta, Madras, Karachi, Lahore; used to be printed on the notes. Each circle has to maintain member- wise record of notes issued and cancelled from time to time. If issued notes of Karachi circle were collected in Calcutta, they had to be brought to Karachi and brunt there after noting the cancelled numbers in the issue ledgers. The ledgers containing individual number of notes issued & cancelled. In any case any note having the same number as the one on the cancelled note was detected, an inquiry used to be conducted.

Feature

In 1946, when Rs. 1000 notes were demonetize some people exchanged their notes for Rs. 500 to Rs. 600 per piece, which were individually exchanged at the RBI counters- one or two pieces to the income-tax department. Banks and other corporate bodies had changed their higher denomination notes with smaller denomination. Thus, they could oblige their customers and acquaintances by exchange of notes in their names. In those days, onerupee silver coins used to be examined by cashiers for their genuineness by striking them on the wooden counter or wooden tables at a very fast speed. They could identify counterfeit coins just by listening to the sound of each coin. The RBI was truly musical those days. In early 40’s, senior officials posts in RBI were filled up by the promotions from the existing staff and/or taking staff in deputation from the Imperial Bank of India. The final interview used to be held at central board of Directors at Calcutta. After partition officers from Karachi were asked to report to Mumbai office in 1947. When it came to women staff, there were hardly any on the Bank’s rolls on that time. The few who joined being mainly telephone operators. The first lady to be taken up for a clerical work joined in early forties and the first to be recruited directly as an officer was Miss Dharma Venkatraman who joined in March 1949. Gradually the numbers increased. According to a data women formed less than 8 per cent of the total staff in January 1968; which is around 18 per cent. Pages of history tell us that there were in fact very few Europeans recruits other than those who originally came from the Imperial Bank. This was mainly due to the efforts of Deputy Governor Nanavati who wanted the maximum opportunities to be given to the Indians. In the matter of staff he stood for Indianisation of as much as buying India made articles. In this connection, it is of interest to know that when the office raised objections to buying of India made clocks on the ground that they stopped working frequently. Shri Nanavati remarked that, “it did not matter even if all clocks in the bank come to a standstill.” However, it is very interesting to learn that the Secretary of State for India favored a leisurely time-table, for several reasons for the enactment of RBI as an institution. First, apart from the time necessary to make the preliminary arrangements, some of the pre-conditions envisaged for the establishment of the Bank, such as, improve-

ment of the budgetary position of the Government and the return of the normal export surplus, required to be fulfilled. These preconditions were time consuming and burdensome. Further, the Secretary of State was of the view that ‘ it would be unfair to hasten the opening of the Reserve Bank until he (the new Finance Member) has had an opportunity of acquainting himself personally with the situation on the spot and been able to form his own judgment on matters. A suggestion put forth by the Government of India that the Bank should start without the function of currency regulation was rejected by the Secretary of State. In the end, a compromise emerged in that the Bank started functioning not as early as the Government of India had desired but not as late as the Secretary of State had envisaged. One of the important agreements was ‘British Debt Pact with India’ which was signed on the 15th August, 1947. The Government of UK & Government of India signed an interim agreement, to cover the period up to the end of 1947, relating to India’s sterling balances that time. After the meeting of officials from both sides reviewed on economic and financial problems between two countries and probable requirements of India was taken. In the meeting it was agreed that a sum of £ 35 million should be available from India’s existing balance for expenditure in any currency, to be arranged up to December 31st, 1947. In addition, a working balance of £ 30 million will be at the disposal of Reserve Bank of India. In particular both the Governments also agreed that no restrictions will be placed by either Government on the remittances of savings belongings to persons of UK origin who are proceedings to UK to take up permanent residence or a voluntary repatriation of Investments in India by persons resident in UK. Today, RBI is an institution with a difference which works with the objective of ensuring monetary stability, monetary management, foreign exchange, reserves management, government debt management, financial regulation and supervision. It core duties also entails: currency management and operating the credit system to India’s advantage. In addition, since inception the bank has played an active developmental role, particularly for the agriculture and rural sectors. These are the snap shots from pages of history which I could snatch from the long and distinguished journey of the Bank of the Bankers. *(PIB Feature). 19

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May 2012

Banking

tate Bank of India slashed the interest rates on fixed deposits by up to 100 basis points across various maturities. The bank has ruled out cut in the benchmark lending rate, saying it is offering one of the lowest rates in the industry. The base rate or the minimum lending rate of SBI stands at 10 per cent. The base rate is the benchmark rate below which a bank cannot lend. The bank has decided to revise its retail term deposit rates across various tenors with reduction ranging from 0.25 percentage point to one percentage point. The bank has raised the interest rate on the 180-day fixed deposits scheme from the existing 7 per cent to 7.25 per cent. The new rates would be effective from April 24. IDBI Bank announced a cut in its lending and deposit rates, following the announcement of the Reserve Bank of India reducing the repo rate by 50 basis points. Loans linked to Base Rate will become cheaper following a 25 basis points reduction in Base Rate to 10.50 per cent and BPLR to 15 per cent, with effect from April 20. The bank has also decided to reduce the Retail Term Deposit Rates by 10-50 bps in various buckets having maturity of six months and above. Punjab National Bank too announced a cut in lending rates by up to 0.25 percentage point. It has also reduced the fixed deposit rates by up to 0.5 percentage point. For better transmission of monetary policy measures declared by the RBI in its annual monetary policy on April 17, PNB has reviewed its lending rates and decided to revise downwards the base rate by 25 basis points from 10.75 per cent to 10.50 per cent and the Benchmark Prime Lending Rate to 14 per cent from 14.25 per cent, to lessen the interest burden on esteemed customers. Consequent upon the reduction, all lending rates linked to the base rate and the BPLR would get reduced accordingly. The base rate is the minimum interest rate below which the bank canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lend. PNB has also decided to slash the interest rate on term deposits of less than Rs.1 crore by 25

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May 2012

to 50 basis points in select buckets. ICICI Bank would cut its base rate by 0.25 percentage point to 9.75 per cent from 10 per cent with effect from April 23. The bank has also announced a reduction of 0.25 percentage point in its benchmark prime-lending rate and in its floating reference rate for consumer loans with effect from the same date. The rates are used for determining the interest rates on loans and advances sanctioned up to June 30. The fixed rate customers will

Banking

not be impacted by this reduction and their contracted rates will remain unchanged. The bank also would cut interest rates for various tenors of retail fixed deposits by 0.25 percentage point. Bank of Baroda and Syndicate Bank have decided to reduce their deposit and lending rates. Bank of Baroda has decided to reduce the deposit rates by 25-50 bps for various maturities with effect from May 1. Effective the same date, the base rate and BPLR will be reduced by 25 bps each. The bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s base rate will be 10.50 per cent and BPLR 14.75 per cent from May 1. Syndicate Bank had decided to change the base rate, BPLR and interest rates on term deposits. The base rate would be reduced by 25 bps from 10.75 per cent, while the BPLR would decrease by 25 bps from 15 per cent, both with effect from May 1. The bank also decided to revise downward the interest rates on domestic term de-

posits of up to Rs.15 lakh under select maturity buckets and interest rates on NRE term deposits both with effect from April 23. Sind Bank announced a cut in home and auto loans for new borrowers by up to 75 basis points. They made drastic changes in the terms for auto and home loans for the benefit of people at large. In home loan, interest rates have been reduced by 25-50 basis points while for auto loan it varies between 25 basis points and 75 basis points, depending on maturity and amount borrowed. The new rates have become effective from April1.Bank of Maharashtra also reduced its base rate by 10 basis points from 10.60 per cent per annum on monthly compounding basis, effective from May 1. United Bank of India announced a reduction in its base rate by 15 basis points (bps) from 10.6 per cent to 10.45 per cent and its benchmark prime lending rate from 14.38 per cent to 14.6 per cent. The bank also reduced its deposit rates ranging between 10 bps and 35 bps. Allahabad Bank reduced both base rate and benchmark prime lending rate by 25 basis points. Consequently, the revised base rate will be 10.50 per cent while the revised benchmark prime lending rate will be 14.75 per cent. These will be effective May 1. Corporation Bank has revised its base rate for lending from 10.65 per cent to 10.50 per cent per annum with effect from May 1. The bank has reduced the rate of interest on term deposits by 25-200 basis points across different maturities with effect from April 25. Lakshmi Vilas Bank reduced its fixed deposit rates on select maturities by 0.25 percentage point from April 20. Kotak Mahindra Bank trimmed its base rate by 0.25 percentage point from 10 per cent to 9.75 per cent from April 26. The number of banks that have cut their rates is expected to increase in the days ahead. For the customers, this would mean accessing home, auto and education loans at relatively less rates. At the same time, it would also mean lesser earnings on their deposits. The race for cutting rates among the banks has been sparked by the Reserve Bank of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement, while unveiling the annual monetary policy earlier this week, to reduce the repo rate by 50 basis points. The repo rate is the rate at which the apex bank lends to the banks and one basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. 21

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May 2012

Banking

he public sector Punjab National Bank is targeting a business turnover of Rs 13,000 crore in Kerala during the financial year of 2012-13. During last financial year the bank had garnered a business volume of Rs 10,000 crore in the State. Of this, advances were of the order of Rs 6,000 crore and deposits at Rs 4,000 crore. The bank is also in the process of expanding its branch network in the state by opening 11 more branches in the current fiscal. At present, it has 141 branches and 149 ATMs. The new 11 branches will be located in Aroor, Maradu, Piravom, Karunagappally, Erattupetta, Kothanelloor, Vaikom, Attingal, Varkala, Vizhinjam and Wadakkanchery. All these branches will be opened with ATM facility. PNB is very aggressive in financing agriculture, educational loan and loan to SMEs. It had disbursed Rs 265 crore, Rs 109 crore and Rs 531 crore respectively in these sectors during 2011-12. The disbursement in hous-

ing and vehicle loans also registered a growth in 201112, touching Rs 366 crore. Considering the growth in these sectors, it has been proposed to enhance the credit portfolio to these sectors by 60 per cent in the current financial year, he said. PNB has launched a scheme to enable customers to save money to buy gold coins and other consumer goods by opening Flexi Recurring Deposit Account. The bank is also offering gold loans at Rs 2,110 per gram, which is very much in demand presently. To speed up gold loan process, the bank is installing several automated machines for appraising gold. Punjab National Bank is the first bank to install cash deposit machines in many centres in Kerala. The special salary scheme launched by the bank for State government employees, nurses in private hospitals has also received encouraging response. The Medi Claim policy launched by the bank in association with Oriental Insurance Company is one of the lowest in the industry, which carries a premium of Rs 1,749 for a policy of Rs 1 lakh covering four family members.

uthoot Pappachan Group opened its 2000th branch on home turf at Kowdiar, Trivandrum, a landmark achievement. Mr. Thomas John Muthoot , CMD and Mr. Suhas Soman, CEO did the honors. The inauguration was conducted with customary prayers and blessings and attended by staffs representing all departments of the Group. 22

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May 2012

Banking

CICI Bank launched a new card product for the super rich class and the bank’s Wealth Management customers. The card named ICICI Bank Sapphiro, is the third in the bank’s gemstone series of credit cards, after ICICI Bank Coral and ICICI Bank Rubyx. Card members will receive two cards, the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Platinum American Express Credit Card and the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Platinum Chip MasterCard Credit Card. The

ank of Baroda, the public sector lender launched 1001 ultra small branches to provide banking services to the people of villages which don’t have access to banking services. The bank launched the ultra small branches under the financial inclusion initiative. The virtual launch of 1001 ultra small branches was done by Dr.K. C. Chakraborty,

tate Bank of Travancore has in the process of expanding its branch network across Kerala and other metro cities. The bank plans to add more than 100 branches, including Non-Resident Indian specific centres, over the next 12 months to its 880 units spread across the country. Mr. P. Nanda Kumaran, Managing Director, SBT said “the bank was expected to expand its branch network to more than 1,000 units soon. And the target is to become one of the top 10 banks in India within five to six years”.

cards, which are linked to a single card account with a single statement and a single fee, provide access to a host of privileges from American Express and MasterCard Card members also can look forward to exclusive members - only events, Thursday night movie premieres, complimentary tee-offs at championship golf courses across the world and premium privileges across travel, shopping, wellness and entertainment.

Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, in the presence of Mr. M. D. Mallya, Chairman and Managing Director, Bank of Baroda, at Varanasi. On the same day, 551 ultra small branches were inaugurated across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Bank of Baroda is set to open 1700 ultra small branches in various villages across the country.

It sought to diversify products and services by foraying into gold bullion trade. The bank had achieved a 28 per cent growth in its NRI business in the last fiscal, partly owing to an increase in interest rates following the deregulation of interest rates for NRE term deposits. SBT recorded 24 per cent growth in business, which includes deposits and advances, in 2011-2012 to Rs.1, 300 billion ($26 billion). The NRI segment accounted for 21 per cent of the bank’s total deposits. 23

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May 2012

Banking

he Reserve Bank of India instructed the banks to allow senior citizens and physically/visually challenged customers unlimited number of ATM transactions at any bank ATM. It also wants the annual ATM card fee waived for these customers.Since senior citizens and physically challenged persons will use ATMs only for genuine purposes, banks could allow them to use any bank ATM for any number of times. Currently, banks allow their customers to use other bank ATMs without any charge five times a month. Once the limit on the number of transactions at other bank ATMs is removed, then a senior citizen or a physically challenged person can go the ATM nearest to him any number of times without fear of a fee. With senior

ndiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest private sector lender ICICI Bank along with Bank of Baroda, Citicorp Finance India Ltd, Life Insurance Corporation launched Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first infrastructure debt fund (IDF) of a capacity of 2 billion dollar. The fund would finance infrastructure projects which require a whopping one trillion dollars in the next five years. ICICI Bank along with a wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of Baroda, Citicorp Finance India Ltd and Life Insurance Corporation would hold 31, 30, 29 and 10 per 24

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May 2012

citizens travelling across the country either to be with their children, or visit relatives, or on pilgrimage, the liberty to use any bank ATM without a cap on the number of transactions would prove beneficial. Banks will be willing to waive the annual ATM card fee to encourage senior citizens and handicapped persons to move to alternative banking channel (ATM), said a banker. Some banks charge Rs 100-500 as annual ATM card fee. The RBI also wants banks to explore the possibility of providing doorstep banking service to the physically challenged. This could be done once banks have sufficient number of Business Correspondents.

cent stake in the fund respectively. All the parties on 5 March 2012 signed a memorandum of understanding to set up the fund, which would raise debt capital from both domestic and foreign resources and invest in infrastructure projects under the public-private partnership model that have completed one year of operation. The funds may take next two-three years to get wholly functional.

News

he annual Padayani festival at the Bhagavathy temple in Kadammanitta came to a close with the Pakal Padayani followed by the customary Ezhunnellathu procession. Hundreds of devotees thronged the Bhagavathy temple in the morning to witness the ritualistic dance to propitiate the presiding deity, Goddess Bhadrakali. Different types of padayani kolams danced in tune with the customary percussion and songs on the temple premises. The 10-day festival concluded with the traditional Ezhunnelathu procession.

eam Muthoot raced past other competitors to first position in the 100HP category of the Indmerc Power Boat Rally held on the Cochin backwaters. Led by Ms. Remy Muthoot, team members Ms. Mini Menon, Ms. Madhavi Nair and Ms. Manju Joseph navigated their boat past many obstacles to win the prize, a cheque worth Rs 50,000/- . 12 teams were flagged off for a grueling three hour race at the jetty of Taj Vivanta, Willingdon Island.

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May 2012

Cover Story

Mr. P.K. Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries & IT, Govt. of Kerala

eyond the richness of natural beauty of Kerala, its culture and cuisine, the uniqueness which all Keralites can be proud of is that it’s development path. The development course that Kerala has taken in the last many years has received considerable attention nationally and internationally spanning a period of 10 years, Mr. P.K Kunhali Kutty as the Industrial Minister in three cabinets now realized that the great challenge to industrialization was the non-investment friendly attitude of the state. Mr. Kunhalikutty had done well in streamlining the efforts immediately for an investment -friendly industrial policy. According to him, if the investments on any sector and creates employment or goes hand in hand with the state’s interest it should be goaded. There should be a great change in the mindset of the people. We have to change the state to a community which respects production as in the case of other countries. As an Industry Minister the main target of this tenure is to increase the opportunities of employment for the educated youth. It may not be in the traditional sectors. That policy is getting a change. In every sphere of activity, work

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May 2012

is a matter of self confidence and dignity. We would strive to create that awareness before creating opportunities in the sectors necessary for the state. Now there is dearth of human resources and technical hands in the right sectors. But at the same time we face acute unemployment. Now the period of whitecolor jobs is over. Our aim is to create jobs by non governmental organizations in IT, BT and agriculture. The effort is to nurture a job culture on the lines of ‘Malinya Mukta Keralam’ (garbage-free Kerala). Kerala Govt. would undertake a more people-friendly approach on the industrial front. The Govt. would create more jobs for the educated unemployed youths and for that the administration would develop maximum opportunities in various sectors. It would also try every effort to attract all types of investments in Kerala that would not harm the eco system of the state. Besides, no stone is to be left unturned to encourage every kind of commercial activity good for the citizens of the state. The good programmes which already started by the LDF government and at the nascent stage now would be taken up as on a continuity basis – the minister said. The Govt. enforced an eco friendly approach on all

Photo: Vivek R. Nair

Cover Story

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May 2012

Cover Story

matters and a public friendly policy was enforced in the activities governing industrial sector. The single window sanction scheme was not very effective as that concept was much misunderstood. It became a window that opens to many a troublesome window, opines the Minister. So the scheme is going to be simplified to a large extent. There is certainly a change necessary in the working of the Industryâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;commerce departments of the Ministries. The feeling should change that it is a traditional department to bring about industries with smoke exhausts. All kinds of commercial activity should be encouraged. At the time of policy making Mr.Kunhalikutty also weighed in favour of the traditional cottage industry where a large number of people are employed. The Govt. always go with an eye on service, not rather think on loss or revenue alone. It is not wrong to provide subsidies and financial assistance in these sectors. As a minister he always stressed to encourage the achievements of small entrepreneurs and eliminate the discrepancies in the rebate assistance system provided to cottage industries. Now most of the Govt. assistance is being manipulated by fake organizations that remain only on paper. Public sector companies are always taken care of by the Industries Department The accepted policy was 28

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May 2012

more congenial to transparent working and stresses on luring large scale investments in the public sector area by developing basic infrastructure. All activities for encouraging investments is conducted under the leadership of the Chief Minister. It is done by coordinating all departments with the concept of the state as a single unit. The potential threat was land scarcity .The Govt tried to overcome this hurdle on the way to industrial development, projects by KINFRA, KSIDC and INKEL Mr.Kunhalikutty considers all types of mercantilism as commerce. Tourism, Real Estate, Health etc. in any place notified by the Govt. would all come under commerce-trade development. According to him Grand Kerala shopping festival aimed to develop trade and traditional souvenirs of Kerala. The shopping festival is mainly aimed at promoting indigenous products, but what happens on the contrary is the spurt of sales of products from outside the state. What we have to do is to make our industries more competitive. We should produce multifarious and varied products. It would sell easily if it has competitive rate and good quality. We do not need any trade fair to buy Chinese products. By that, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean Chinese products are superb; it is rather competitive- the Minister added. The Govt is going to give maximum encourage-

Cover Story l The Traditional industry sector should come up with a

new face by assuring the coordination of latest Technology, Marketing strategies and quality maintenance. l An Industrial corridor from Kochi to Palakkad will be designed and this corridor would be a platform to start an array of new industrial manufacturing zones. l It has decided to start Big business circuits at Trivandrum, Kochi and Kozhikode. The planning board will start a PPP cell to monitor the private public partnership projects. l EMERGING KERALA 2012 - An investor meet will be conducted as a part of Emerging Kerala programme In order to make Kerala as an Investor friendly state. l The pre - feasibility report in connection with the High speed rail corridor project from Trivandrum to Mangalore was already completed. l A company named Kerala GAIL Gas Ltd was formed in connection with the supplementary gas infrastructure project at Kochi and the business plan was also prepared. l A global Ayurveda village will be instituted under KINFRA. l Mission Food Processing will be started. l To assure transparency in all public sector institutions, e- Procurement and e-Governance will be implemented in all departments under minister of Industry l An MOU was signed for the revamping package of handloom industry with the help of central ministry. l Formalities of Land survey for the Electronic Hardware Park were completed at Kochi. l The work of basic infrastructure facilities for Light Engineering Industrial park at Palakkad is in the final stage. l The formalities for the formation of Seaport - Airport Area Development Authority which connects Industrial development areas in Seaport and Airport is in progress l An MOU was signed in between NABARD and central ministry in connection of the assurance of Job security in Coir Industry. l Rs 14.5 crore was sanctioned for the resurgence of Textile Industry. l The monitoring system in public sector was strengthened. 29

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May 2012

Cover Story

The major projects which are all set to unveiling as part of the completion of One year of UDF Government Industrial complex at Kakkanad, Ernakulam Furniture cluster complex at Perumbavoor, Ernakulam Common facility Centre at Ernakulam Wood Cluster at Perinthalmanna, Malappuram Multi Stories Industrial Estates at Shoranur and Puthusery, Palakkad Common Dying plant at Nadukani Standard Design Factory at Palakkad Integrated Industrial Park National Institute of fashion Technology, Kannur Small Scake Industry Centre at Piravanthoor, Kollam Standard Design Factory at Nellad

Appointment

CaRE Keralam- Ayurveda Cluster

BrandKerala

Mr. N. Prasanth IAS has appointed as Managing Director of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). Mr. Vijayan Thomas, renowned NRI business personal has appointed as new Chairman of KTDC Hotels and Resorts Limited. He is the secretary of KPCC and Managing Director of Jaihind Communications Pvt Ltd. May 2012

Cover Story

More than two million Keralites employed outside India especially in the gulf countries and are a great source of strength to the state’s economy. It is estimated that remittances from them contribute between one-fifth and one-fourth of Kerala’s income. These remittances have contributed handsomely in making Kerala the number one state in per capital consumption for the last many years. The state has set standards and benchmarks in many areas of development for other states to follow.

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...

Appointment

ments to create an atmosphere to produce good quality products on minimum expense. It is only through this method that we could strengthen our small scale industry to be competitive and increase production capability. Mr. Kunhalikutty is now on the track of selling Kerala IT on a global basis. At the same time we will stress on e-governance. He aims to make Kerala number one in this respect. He plans to give more importance to new projects in industrial sector and to complete the ongoing ones Kunhalikutty recalled .He pointed that the state government was “keen to create an enabling environment for investors with proactive policy initiatives.” the state government was taking all possible efforts to facilitate investment. Kerala has the attributes that could have turned it into an economic powerhouse, but some of those very characteristics have scuttled its aspirations.

Mr. U. V. Jose has appointed as the Director of Grand Kerala Shopping Festival. In addition to this, he is additional director for Tourism, Govt of Kerala.

Dr. Rajashree Ajith has been appointed as the Director of Kerala Institute for Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS). 31

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May 2012

TNeecwhsn o l o g y

Here and Now

N. Nandakumar Kartha

usiness management cycle refers to the process of an entrepreneurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission driving to a management system that delivers products or service (result) that delights the customers. The customer satisfaction ensures repeated demand or referral demands or a new demand. The cycle goes on and on.

BrandKerala

May 2012

In the process, I have seen in most of the companies with whom I am associated, there exists a fear factor leading to projecting urgency, knowingly or unknowingly, in the pre-set minds of the top management. Fortunately for me I could succeed in removing the fear in my clients. But that is only tip of tip of the iceberg. This fear of losing business or employees or secrets or un-accounted money or possibility of exposing the top managementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weakness, are the main cause for not adhering to quality management system requirement. On the other hand they want an ISO certificate to tell the public or to meet the requirement of the public sectors. So much so the management is willing to spend the money to get the certificate without a pre assessment audit. Competencies of the consultant to influence a certifying body to get an ISO certificates are become the criteria for awarding a contract for ISO consultancy. In the process, I am pained to pen that ISO has lost its relevance to a great extent. Redeeming the lost glory of ISO is the need of the hour. There no other way for Indian business to progress. Last month I was in Chennai with my brother to buy light fittings for his new built house. We visited several shops, big and small, to get the best bargain. We found the light fittings are very expensive. Needless to mention 90% of the light fittings has an imported label in them! They claim the high price due to high import duty. A product priced Rs.450 couple of years ago is sold @ Rs. 2000 plus in the imported label and is being sold like hot cakes. Where are we? Have we accepted the fact that India cannot research, develop and manufacture catering to the needs our own brothers and sisters? Indian consumers

themselves believes that Indian products are sub standard. When your own family members declare that you are bad, where will you be after sometime? Are you in the right track to super power? Do you agree with me that in today’s circumstances, each company has to include in their short term and long term goal ‘Goodwill and Surplus perspective’. Quality Management is incomplete in the absence of Goodwill, Surplus, Values, Value additions and social accountability. There is nothing big in what I am saying. The managements just have to change a little bit such that it adopts the ISO principle “FACTUAL APPROACH TO DECISION MAKING”. Rest will follow like your own shadow. Fear and false ego are the two ghosts living in each of the Indian. They will have to renounce completely their ways of thinking and acting for sustenance and improvement. Let us take the story of snake and rope to understand above referred principle better. The methods of eliminating the ghost within us are the process advocated by all religions. Every spiritual practice is an attempt at the total elimination of this shadow nothingness within us. All philosophies and science serve only to teach us the UNREALITY OF NONEXISTENT. All entrepreneurs need to understand this principle dearly to succeed. ISO principle ‘Factual approach to decision making’ also point to the same principle, ‘un reality of nonexistent”. Once you believe in them most of the crisis on account of unreality of nonexistent vanishes to give way to MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL HARMONIOUS WORKING CULTURE in the organization. It is by the process of super imposition that the unreal has come to veil the real. What do you mean by that? It happens on account of our fear and ego. Fear and ego in us hide the real. Super imposition is a mental trick, a jugglery of our minds, by which it comes to misunderstand a thing to be something different than what it is in reality. The famous example is the serpent and rope. In the darkness a man mistakes a rope for a serpent and suffers the false agonies of a “snake- bite”. Any amount of assur-

ance that is not a serpent but is in fact only a rope, given to the ‘deluded’ sufferer will not comfort him. He will have to be led to the place and shown the rope. The moment he recognizes the rope, the “serpent-bite” disappears. The serpent idea rose up only in the mind. The serpent born in the mind is removed when the knowledge of rope dawned upon the individual. The serpent rose from his ignorance of the rope, and when this ignorance is removed by knowledge, the serpent born out of his ignorance is also removed This is going to be result when an organization is managed with a culture that advocates factual approach to decision making. You don’t jump into conclusion WITH UNREALITY OF NON-EXISTENT. In order to have a harmonious working culture in an organization, it is imperative to explore the finite in all direction. “Let the law take its own course”, famous saying former Prime minister Narasimha Rao; too have a lot of significance to lead a harmonious working culture. We should realize and believe in the fact that as a human being everyone has their pound of ignorance and weakness. Accepting the fact and our readiness to updating our self with new knowledge is what is needed. When you receive Re1/- as loan there is a debt of one rupee, when that money is returned the debt is zero. On the other hand, if you receive one idea and share another idea you have gained two ideas. This is essence of having a mutually beneficial harmonious working relationship culture in an organization. How is possible? Is it not very expensive? Look inside and allow your down-line to expose their ideas. They are the best bet because it is they who know the company better. “We are apt to think that our ideas are the creation of our own wisdom but the truth is that they are the result of the experience through outside contact”; is the famous saying of Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Panasonic corporation. The Author is renowned management consultant, trainer, tutor, Quality systems auditor. E-mail: n.nandakumarkartha@gmail.com 33

BrandKerala

May 2012

Brand

BrandKerala

May 2012

Cover Story

ecipient of the 2011 Business Wizard Award by India Today Group, the name of Mr. Tony Jose, MD and CEO of Josco Group, is not a new face to Keralites. A visionary and an astute businessman with the touch of gold, Josco had the fortitude to set up swanky showrooms in all the leading cities of Kerala and South India, just as the fashion for gold Jewellery bloomed. And testimony to this is the phenomenal growth of Josco entwined with the amazing brand loyalty of its customers through generations. Positioned as the most trusted, consumer-friendly and enduring jewellery brand in the country, Josco Jewellers has grown to humungous proportions, with more than 2000 employees and annual revenue of over Rs.3000 crore. Josco survives with the philosophy of giving quality sales and the best customer service, coupled with jewellery that is at par with any international brand. Keeping up with their promise since 1964, Josco continues to create extraordinary and outstanding works of art. A builder of his own destiny, Tony grew up watching his father, who was trying to establish himself as a reputed entrepreneur then. After much strive and struggle by the father son duo, Tony pursued this golden direction with all its perfection like his father, and one day was handed over the reins of business by his father. He feels grateful to his parents who gave him a good education and the opportunity to visit and study in foreign lands, which molded his character and outlook and provided a global touch to all his activities. A man of sound intellectual, psychological, emotional, social and physical foundations, he always wanted to be a successful leader. Like most industry experts he too is of the belief that gold is the best and most dependable investment in today’s time. It is something that has over the centuries maintained its value. He seems happy that people have now realized the real value of this precious metal and thus the hike in demand for 24 ct gold bars and 916 coins. He even has various investment schemes and advance booking facilities to help solve the issue of gold price hike permanently. He advises to keep gold for future

security, when currency will become just another piece of paper. Tony Jose views himself as a positive businessman with a positive attitude towards life. With factories all over India, he wishes to make Josco the leader among jewellers with a best team of people working Mr. Tony Jose towards deliverMD and CEO of Josco Group ing only the best products to customers. His vision and drive saw Josco rise from humble beginnings into a multifaceted multi-division group involved in jewellery manufacture, retail and exports, information technology, computers & Peripherals, plantations, spices, electronics retail etc. Today, for over four decades, Josco has been adding glitter to the lives of its customers with the purest gold, diamonds/ uncut diamonds, platinum and silver. Josco Jewellers are the leaders with lavishly spread, wellaccomplished Showrooms flaunting the finest ensemble in exquisite jewellery at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kochi, Thrissur, Palakkad and Bangalore. Their creative craftsmanship, exquisite designs and stunning originality are cherished by jewellery lovers. Apart from the jewellery business, Josco group has also invested in various projects like Josco Football Club, Radio Josco, TLC Advertizers Pvt. Ltd, Josco Gold Corporation Pvt. Ltd, Josco Gold Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd, Josco Bullion Traders Pvt. Ltd, Josco Exports Pvt. Ltd, Tony’s Entertainment – Event Management Group, and Tony’s Enterprises and Pineapple Properties Ltd. 35

BrandKerala

May 2012

By K.S. Sasthry E-mail: sastri_astro@yahoo.in, Mob: 9446382329

Aries This month is favorable to you, can expect some gain of money. Relief from debits, there is a feeling of fulfillment of commitments, may get the company of high officials, earn through real estate, you will be very cheerful and energetic in this month, there are different source of income that improve your financial status. You will be success in all your endovements. May receive money through inheritance and have happy relationship with relatives.

Cancer This month is auspicious. Source of income will increase, may be able to get ride of many problems and worries, good relation with family members, may get promotion and transfer to the required place, some can get a foreign travel, get the help of friends and enjoy there company, speculation can do good, business improves, matrimonial affairs can result into happy situation, get support in professional field. Gain of new home can be expected.

Auspicious Days: May 19,20,24,25,30,31 June 1,2,7,8,9,10

Auspicious Days: May 19,20,22,26,27,31 June 1,6,7,8,9

Taurus This month is inauspicious. Anguish illness or travel make you tired, there will be increase of expenditure, fear about diseases, planning should be meticulous to avoid loosing money, business expansion proposal may be postponed, death of near and dear ones may happen, transfer to distant places, may indulge in the company of women, some kind of urinary infection and kidney problem may arise. Ambition to buy a new vehicle becomes reality.

Leo Mixed result for this month. Aged and align may have to be careful. Normal health and financial gain may increase happiness, prestige and prosperity increases towards the end of this month, enjoy delicious foods, servicers get promos ion. A family dispute can create unpleasant situation, may involve in pretty quarrel with friends. Material relation can remain slightly disturbed, discard with the relatives, financial management need attention.

Auspicious Days: May 22,23,26,27 June 1,2,3,4,510,12,13

Auspicious Days: May 22,23,24,25,28,29 June 2,3,7,8,9,10,11

Gemini This month give mixed result. Source of income will increase. Health improves, gain of landed property, enemies vanquishes, transfer to the required place, material relations can remain slightly disturbed, may face problems in work sport, success in business, journeys are unfruitful, a person of the opposite sex can bring some distress, careful financial planning is needed. Control your emotions and maintain the mental balance, avoid speculation. Gain through land and real estate. Auspicious Days: may 19,20,24,25,28,29June 4,5,6,713,14 36

BrandKerala

May 2012

Virgo Unhappy event can affect domestic harmony, spent thriftiness must be checked and much earning is indicated through trading, fancy goods and liquids, gain of profit through real estate business, the health of one of your brother may be affected. Vehicle needs some kind of requirement, be cautious in partnership business, this month is not successful for new ventures, tries to get out of law suit. Delayed marriage can take place. Auspicious Days:May 24,25,26,27,31June 1,4,5,11,12,13,14

Libra Source of income will increase, good relation with family members and friends, the endeavors of the native will be succeeded , there is chance for foreign visit, unexpected expenditure arise, financial management need attention, your project can get success, get relief from disease, speculation can yield some good results, get the help of friends and enjoy there company. Gain of family property can expect. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t neglect the health of spouse. Auspicious Days: May 18,19,20,25,26,27,28 June 2,3,6,7,13,14

Capricorn May be able to get rid of many problems and worries and win over enemies is indicated. Official dispute and quarrel with friend s may settle favorably. It will take to get back the landed money. For professional and businessman this month is discouraging. There will be much improvement in real property matters. May purchase new clothes and ornaments. Children get good result in examination, and bring happiness to family. Social contact increases. Domestic life is more or less peaceful Auspicious Days: May 24,25,26,27 June 2,3,4,5,7,8,13,14

Scorpio This month has mixed effect. Income from unexpected source. Get all kind of pleasure and get support from friends and relatives, there may be some kind of health problems. You can start a major building program. Servicemen may face some difficulty in getting. Professional and businessman will find this month profitable. This month is satisfactory for financial affairs. Domestic life is moreover peaceful. Get happiness from children. A pilgrimage affait you, control your emotions. Gain of vehicle is suggested.

Aquarius Various disease aliment to children and mental worries and agonies ,nervous pain are indicated. Peaceful domestic life is disturbed. This month is unfavorable for financial matters. Income decrease and expenditure increases. quarrel with spouse is possible. It will take time to fulfill the ambitions. Servicemen will get transfer to unfavorable places. for businessman and professionals this month is not satisfactory. Change of vehicle is possible. Take caution against wounds and accidents.

Auspicious Days: May 19,20,21,22,28,29,30,31 June 4,5,7,8

Auspicious Days: May 18,19,26,27,28,29 June 4,5,6,7,10,11

Sagittarius This month is not satisfactory. Attack from opponents. Pressure from creditors. Obstacles from day to day affairs, journey become fruitless, domestic problem create much worries, financial conditions are not encouraging, avoid speculation. real estate matter is not satisfactory, major deals may postponed to more favorable period. Health or affair of spouse will be a cause of concern. Dispute with government authorities will end satisfactorily.

Pisces Profession may progress. Birth of a child in the family. There may be obstacle in the field of work. Family dispute can settle favorably. Health improves. Financial help from opposite sex can be expected. Displeasure of financial agencies. Or for standing securities .hinted in the cards. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t neglect the health of spouse. Be cautious in the partnership business. May get the company of high officials .May visit places of enjoyment like film, club etc. you will succeed in your endeavors .

Auspicious Days:May 22,23,24,25,30,31 June 1,2,5,6,11,12

Auspicious Days: May 22,23,28,29,30,31 June 5,6,7,8,9,13,14 37

BrandKerala

May 2012

Meeting Venue

M Padmashri Yusuff Ali M.A Managing Director

assive, spacious and elegant – this is how one would describe LuLu International Convention Center and Garden Hotels in Thrissur, Kerala. The Convention Centre, which is the brain child of Padmashri Yusuff Ali M.A., the MD of EMKE Group which offers the same versatility and variety that has made it stand apart right from its inception. The best option for conferences, events, seminars, product launches, weddings, exhibitions, etc., LuLu International Convention Center and Garden Hotels set in a landscape of 1,60,000 sq ft, has visitors coming in, not only from various parts of India, but from across the globe, and has succeeded in adding more sparkle to Thrissur, Kerala’s beautiful cultural capital. LuLu International Convention Center is centrally air-conditioned and can accommodate up to 5000 people at a go across seven different venues. It features the biggest hall in Kerala which can accommodate 2200 people at one time. The conferencing facilities are state-of-theart and the ambience, truly international. A perfect blend of the traditional and the modern, the structure itself is an alluring sight with its sprawling lawns and gardens.

BrandKerala

May 2012

LuLu features car parking facility for up to 1800 cars at a time. LuLu has been a host to various national and international level Medical Conferences, Product Launches, Exhibitions, Event Shows, Awards Nights, Fashion Shows, etc. The best part about this convention center is that it offers good value for money and ‘international facilities at national rates’! The hotel has elegant, well-furnished luxurious rooms and suites and the multi-cuisine restaurant offers a wide variety of cuisine to whet even the most discerning taste buds. The reasonable priced facilities, amenities and services match international standards. A 5 star hotel project is also in the anvil. On a social level, LuLu is the best option for any social function. Weddings at LuLu are celebrations beyond comparison. Get-togethers take on a gaiety and colour that enhance the occasion. The hotel’s unique food

festivals are occasions for the whole town to titillate their taste buds, wile the regular weekend buffets have changed the concept of presentation and variety in cuisine for the Thrissur crowd, denizens and visitors. Lulu Shopping Mall is another upcoming project at Edappally. Spread over 17 acres of prime land strategically located at the interjection of NH17, NH47 and Cochin Bypass at Edappally, this is going to be the biggest shopping Mall of the country. Being built at an estimated cost of Rs.1500 crores, Lulu Shopping Mall has built up area of more than 25 lac sq. ft. in 4 floors. Slated to open by the mid of 2011 it will house some of the best brands in Fashion, cosmetics, home furnishing, jewellery, amusement center, multiplex, and the biggest food court, etc. Leasing of the space is already going in full swing with many top brands already signed up. Other attractions include Family amusement center, massive food court with a capacity of 3500, fine dining restaurants, coffee shops and a 9 screen multiplex to top it all. The architecturally excellent mall designed by UK

based consultants, will have a parking capacity for 3000 cars with easy access from all main roads. It will also have special area to promote Kerala products and handicrafts. Also, within the mallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansive campus, a 315 room luxury hotel by worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading Marriott group Mr. Jose Sebastian adjacent to the mall, with all top class General Manager facilities such as Spa, gym, swimming pool, banquet halls, etc. On completion the Lulu shopping Mall will generate direct employment for 8000 and indirect job opportunity for more than 20000 people. EMKE Group has several businesses and units across 28 countries around the globe. Some of the projects in the pipeline include a tie-up with an international chain of hotels for setting up 5 star hotels across major destinations. There are also plans for building more convention centers across Kerala. Contact: Tel: 0487 3011111 E-mail: lulutcr@gmail.com www.luluicc.in www.lulushoppingmall.com

BrandKerala

May 2012

Brand

ilban foods (India) Pvt. Ltd. is a reputed food product manufacturing company based in Calicut. ‘HAPPY’ is the flagship brand of Kilban Foods and has conquered the minds of the young and the old alike. Today HAPPY has become a household name as its flavour pervades everywhere. The HAPPY Brand includes Fruit Squashes, Syrups, Crushes, Soft Drink Concentrates, Fruit Jams, Sauces, Pickles, Vinegar and RTS Beverages. Behind this amazing success lie a story of hard work and a passion to achieve the goals and ambitions of two brothers Mr. M. Khalid & Mr. M. Basheer. Kilban Foods was established in 1978 by Mr. M. Khalid & Mr. M. Basheer. They hired out a small unit in Calicut and started manufacturing pickles, Synthetic Vinegar and Synthetic syrup employing 3 persons. Later in 1980, they established own unit in rented premises in Calicut and the product were

BrandKerala

May 2012

sold under the brand name ’VARIETY’. In the year 1982 the brand name was changed to ‘SABARI’ which became very popular with an added range of products like different pickles and syrups. At that time Marketing was being done in the Malabar region only. In the meanwhile there was a rising demand for squashes and Jams in the market and production had to be increased. A land in Poovattuparamba, around 15 Km from Calicut city was purchased and a factory constructed in 1985. Simultaneously, the market was also expanded to other geographical areas and it was during that time Kilban Foods introduced RTS Beverages in 3 flavours, Mango, Pineapple and Grape. In 1987 ‘HAPPY’ was launched and started marketing squashes, Jams, Pickles, Soft Drink concentrates, Vinegar etc. Since the production capacity was inadequate one more unit was started in 1995 with a fully automated manufacturing facility. During that period the packing of certain liquid products like Squashes, Syrup, Soft Drink concentrates etc was changed from Glass bottles to PET bottles. In 2001, they started own PET Bottles manufacturing unit in the name of Grand Polypet. During 2001-2002 a Mechanical Engineering unit in the name of Kilban Mechanical Engineering Co was also formed for developing food processing machinery for own use. The R & D dept has developed fully automatic machines with PLC Control for filling of Jams in Glass bottles and containers. HAPPY has become the brand of choice for customers when it comes to exceptional genuine products. All HAPPY products are hygienically prepared Incoming Raw material, Packing material, Quality control checking, online checking of production and finished goods final Quality check is done for each batch sizes and

samples are kept to identify any variations of quality in the later stage. Full fledged Laboratory carries out analysis of all food products at all stages. The Managing Director Mr. M. Khalid has won the Best Entrepreneur Award instituted by the Department of Industries, Kerala State Level and District Level in the year 2000-2001. Kilban Foods has now started exports to different countries. Happy brand are well-known for superior quality, taste and at a reasonable prices and are available

through out Kerala as well as in the Gulf Countries. Kilban foods (India) Pvt. Ltd HAPPY is committed to manufacture products of superior quality as per Indian and International standards. Farm to fork quality assurance is our established policy. The quality control mechanism ensures fulfillment of national and international regulations. Excellent state of the art lab facility and working environment coupled with due care on food hygiene, and sanitation enables HAPPY to keep everybody happy all the time.

BrandKerala

May 2012

Brand

elam, the word, means a multitude of musical instruments in harmony creating a feast of exotic and exquisite music. M V J Foods (India) Pvt Ltd., Cochin brings out a variety of Curry Powders/Masalas like Chicken, Meat, Tandoori, Sambar, Rasam etc. and Spice powders like Chilly, Coriander, Pepper, Cumin, Ginger etc., under the brand name Melam. Launched in 1992 by Padmasree awardee Dr Kurian John Melamparambil, Melam brand products have become Household name. The Melam range is vast and includes a great variety of preparations. The inspiration behind Melam is Padmashree Late Ms. Thangam Philip, the world renowned food, catering and nutrition expert. Late Ms. Philip`s recipes are printed on the back side of each and every masala packet. All Melam products pass a critical quality test at its modern mechanised plant. Packing is done under stringent hygienic conditions. All these measures go to give you curry powders and masalas of highest quality. As a mark of Quality and Indianness, Melam has been awarded the Indian Spices Logo and as a mark of Distinction the Spice House Certificate by Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. The products include Masalas / Curry Powders, Ready Curry Mixes, Pickles, Jams, Sauces, Tea, Coffee, spice pwders, rice, salt, rice powders, breakfast items, snacks, jaggery, azafoetida, tamarind, uppuma mix, kheer mix, Palada mix, broken wheat, mustard seeds, Dia mix, dia caap, etc. As the activities of Melam Charities, his charitable trust progressed and grew rapidly, Dr. Kurian John felt 42

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May 2012

the constraints of his own resources and realized the need for urgent funds, he strongly felt that these funds should be generated through some venture of his own. This intense feeling coupled with meticulous planning, resulted in the establishment of a small- scale industry named M.V.J foods under the brand name MELAM ` range of food products in the year 1992,giving up his job at the Malayala Manorama. As the business progressed, the income of Dr. Kurian John increased, which was channelized directly to the fund which resulted in the increased activities of Melam Charities. Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil, has received numerous awards in recognition of his excellence in the field of social work and business. The brand Melam received recognition including International Gold Star Award for Quality 2007 from Business Initiative Directions, Spain. In every product, you can see the harmony of taste and quality. The Melam of tastes will surely tickle your taste buds.

Brand

lack Dammer is a resin extracted from the trunk of a large tree with spreading branches forming one of the dominant species in the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of Western Ghats. The scientific name of the tree is Canarium strictum. Black Dammer is used in the manufacturing of varnishes, bottling wax and as a substitute for Burgundy pitch in medicinal plasters. Along with gingili oil, the resin is also used in the treatment of rheumatism and chronic skin diseases. The most common use of black dammer is as incense and as insect repellent. The common method of extraction of the resin is to burn and scorch the bark and outer layer of wood at the base of the tree-trunk promoting exudation or by making incisions and scorching the wounded portion. The exuded resin hardens into a bright, black-coloured mass, glassy in consistency. Since the traditional method of resin extraction was destructive,

leading to death of the trees, various training programmes have been arranged through Vana Samrakshana Samithies (VSS) and Eco-development Committees (EDC) for conservative methods of resin tapping. The harvesting of black dammer marketed as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vansreeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; product follows sustainable practices. The marketing of the produce is through Forest Development Agencies (FDA).

BrandKerala

May 2012

Te c h n o l o g y

ndian Mobile phone manufacturer Micromax announced its entry in the tablet market with the launch of FunBook. The newly launched tablet is priced at Rs.6499. The 7-inch FunBook is based on the Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich platform and has a 1.22 GHz processor, 0.3 MP VGA front camera, 4GB internal memory, expandable up to 32GB. Micromax has joined hand with Pearson and Everonn to facilitate educational content on the tablet PC. Besides this, the Funbook provides its users with a plethora of multimedia services as it offers access to 600 movies in nine languages over 6000 songs and 4000 videos and also provides a Live TV app. The company has also offered a Tata Photon USB modem with this tablet which will offer 1GB of free data usage for two months.

BrandKerala

May 2012

elmoco Development Labs Pvt. Ltd., a Technopark-incubated company has entered the tablet PC market with their first product series named Attitude Daksha - a 7-inch tablet variant for Rs 5,399 inclusive of all taxes. Attitude Daksha, touted as the most powerful 7-inch tablet computer for students and professionals, was launched recently. Technopark Technology Business Incubator incubated Telmoco plans to compete in the low-cost tablet PC market where the Aakash tablet is prominent. Daksha features Capacitive 5 point touch screen with 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor with 512 MB DDR3 RAM. It has a HDMI port, Micro SD slot, 3.5 mm audio out, Micro USB port and having OTG connector for 3G Dongle and RJ 45lAN cable. The 7 inches standard capacitive touch screen will definitely be an advantage over the resistive one offer by Aakash tablet. It comes bundled with a high performance processor which clocks at massive 1.2 Ghz and is powered by ARM Cortex A8 which is mostly used by high end tablet pc like galaxy tab. You can enjoy faster and smoother interface and applications usage at this processor. Attitude Daksha has been reported to have 512 Mb of RAM which is just enough to run moderate application, play games and watch HD movies without suffering hangs.

Te c h n o l o g y

Other features include a 3.5 mm audio jack to allow you to plug in your favorite ear phones or connect it to external speakers. You can plug-in in 3g dongles for internet access via the OTG connector and Micro USB port that it comes installed with .It also has an HDMI port and a micro SD slot satisfies your secondary storage needs. Daksha is capable of 1080p full HD video streaming and has dedicated 400 MHzGPU for advanced flash Apps, Interactive Apps and full HD videos. Daksha is powered by the highest capacity battery in its range of tablet PCs with a whooping 3,800 mAh li-Pol battery which gives a back up of over 6 hours with Wi-Fi on. Attitude Daksha is initially set off to launch at schools, professional institutions, and corporate houses and will be available in the market from May 15. It can be ordered online from Telmoco website, http://www. telmoco.com/. Telmoco Development labs Pvt ltd is a company initiated in electronics research and mobile technologies. Other than Daksha, Telmoco has other variant targeting professionals, named Attitude Bilva. It has a 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor with 1 GB DDR3 RAM. Telmoco has entered into a licence agreement with a Taiwanese hardware manufacturer to produce the tablet. This could be a good choice for people who have been looking for options better than Aakash tablet and cannot afford high end devices like ipad and Samsung galaxy tab.

obile handset-maker Lava International recently launched first smartphone with Intel Corporation’s processor. Priced at Rs.22,000, the ‘Xolo X900’ mobile phone comes with high-performance 1.6 GHz Atom processor with ‘Hyper Threading Technology’, best suited for multi-media operations and hi-speed connectivity. The smartphone that runs on Android Gingerbread comes with 4.03-inch high-resolution LCD touch screen, an 8-megapixel camera and battery life of up to 5 hours of 3G browsing, 45 hours of audio and 8 hours of talk time. Mr. Vishal Sehgal, Lava Co-Founder and Director said “This is the first smartphone in India, powered by Intel’s Atom Z2460, which is the fastest (mobile phone) processor available in the market. Xolo X900 will be available from April 23 at a best buy price of Rs 22, 000”. This is the first smartphone in India, powered by Intel’s Atom Z2460, which is the fastest processor available on phone in the market. The first smartphone with Intel inside is now available to Indian consumers. 45

BrandKerala

May 2012

Automobile

ar market leader Maruti Suzuki India Limited, unveiled industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Life Utility Vehicle- Ertiga. With Ertiga, the Company formally announced its much awaited entry in the Utility Vehicle (UV) segment.Ertiga strengthens the product portfolio of the market leader and also creates an all new Life Utility segment at an attractive price point. Maruti launched the car both in petrol and diesel variants. The petrol variant is priced between 5.89 lakh and 7.30 lakh rupees, while the diesel option will cost between 7.30 lakh and 8.45 lakh rupees.

BrandKerala

May 2012

While the petrol variant comes with a 1.4 litre engine, the diesel one provides for a 1.3 litre powertrain. The petrol variant, as per the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statement, delivers a fuel economy of 16.02 kmpl and the diesel one gives 20.77 kmpl. The Ertiga is an attractive option for customers looking to upgrade to a sedan. Besides, families who had to earlier settle for Utility Vehicles now have an option that is stylish, plush, spacious and attractively priced. With the launch of Ertiga the company looks to tap the fast growing utility vehicles segment in the country.

Automobile

he very known Hyundai Motors have launched their second generation of i20 premium hatchbacks in Indian roads price starting from Rs. 4.73 lakhs (petrol variant) and Rs. 5.96 lakhs (diesel variant). An automatic petrol version is to launch in the market with the price tag of Rs. 7.67 lakhs. The iGen i20 will be available in 20 different variants in India and the sports variant will be more powerful with a 1.2 liter Kappa petrol engine and the same 1.4 U2 CRDi engine available beforehand. Some new features

industan Motors launched the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV in India. The company has launched the car with a starting price of Rs.23.53 lakh. The SUV is powered by a 2.5litre diesel engine putting out 178 PS of power. In terms of price, it competes with the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavor, Chevrolet Captiva, Hyundai Santa Fe and the smaller BMW X1. As per an agreement between Indian and Japanese car manufacturing company, Hindustan Motors provides Mitsubishi with assembling and marketing facilities in India. It specifically deals in Mitsubishi car models viz. the Lancer, Cedia and Outlander.

have also been added in this car, like rare parking camera, auto headlight control device, rain sensing wipers. Other features like, rear disk break, anti-glare rear view mirror and reverse parking sensors will also be available in this new car.

The two companies had formed a joint-venture in 1998. Together they have produced car models like, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Mitsubishi Lancer, Mistubishi Cedia, Mitsubishi Pajero, Mistubishi Montero, Mitsubishi Outlander.

BrandKerala

May 2012

Automobile

yundai i30 is a big hatchback which is launched in B+ segment by Hyundai Motors. The new looks of the i30 are quite appealing and it is expected to hit the Indian roads in 2012. If launched in India, i30 will attain the title of the most spacious hatchback in the country. The car is designed in Germany and equipped with intelligent technology, contemporary styling and innovative interiors. All these features together make the i30 a benchmark in its own segment. Along with brilliant technology, it is packed with advanced safety arrangements that enable it to attain a five star ANCAP rating, the maximum offered by the company. Hyundai i30 is equipped with a powerful engine of

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May 2012

1.6 L capacity, which has a displacement of 1591 cc. The 16 valve twin overhead cam shafts engine is packed with Constantly Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) technology that enables the car to produce maximum power of 119 bhp at 6200 rpm. Moreover, the maximum torque attained by the engine of this car is 153 Nm at 4200 rpm. Such figures make it a powerhouse unto its own and distinguish from other hatchbacks available in the market today. This hatchback will be available with a five speed manual transmission system with lift up gate reverse gear selection. The smooth and effective gear transmission leads to impressive acceleration and a fairly good ride. Moreover, the electric motor driven power assisted rack and pinion steering wheel will enable driver to enjoy complete control of the car.

The vehicle delivers excellent fuel economy of around 12.1 kmpl in city and 18.5 kmpl on highways, which is quite appreciable for a hatchback. On the other hand, the new Hyundai i30 provides a cumulative fuel economy of 15.3 kmpl. The combined CO2 emission figures of this car stand at 155 g/km. The car is packed with independent Macpherson struts suspensions in the front, with coil springs and anti roll stabiliser bar. Moreover, the rear suspensions incorporate multi links with coil springs and anti roll stabiliser bar. In terms of braking, the car has disk brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear, giving total control of the vehicle in the hands of the driver. The Hyundai i30 is packed with contemporary design and versatility throughout its exterior body. Exteriors of i30 are packed with elongated headlights and body coloured front bumper, which provide a classy look to the car. In addition, the wing mirrors will make the car an eye catcher on Indian roads. The equipped roof spoilers with mounted brake light, enlarged bumper, rear combination lights and rear washer nozzle adorn the back portion of Hyundai i30. The interiors are equipped with comfortable seats that boast of lumbar support and padded structure. The blue illuminated instrument cluster, air conditioning, adjustable steering column, console containing audio and extensive boot capacity make the driving experience quite joyful. Certain safety features help it to remain at par with other cars available in the market today. The dual diagonal split circuit, power assisted braking system allows the driver to stop the car at sudden without reducing the control over it. Other notable features of the car are four channel Anti skid Braking System with Electronic Break-force Distribution and Electronic Stability Control. The car also possesses the unique rear roof mounted centre stop lamp and day as well as night view mirrors. Wait for a while to drive the most spacious hatchback! 49

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May 2012

Automobile

oyal Enfield Fury 500 is a cruiser bike which is soon to approach the Indian markets with an all new and amazing technologies. Comfort is very much needed while riding a bike and the smart cruiser bike is made comfortable enough with a low seat been designed for the rider and a raised up seat for the pillion. The macho bike is fun to ride and offer a pleasurable long journey. The long slung posture is very comfortable and is also suitable for adventurous rides. The powerful 499 cc engine is definitely to prove it a dynamic performer and this cruise bike assures to produce mind blowing power and hammering torque which ensures zipping acceleration without creating any sort of vibrations with the bike. Royal Enfield Fury 500 being equipped with electric start depicts a fuel efficiency of 25 kmpl. The bike is to possess a fuel tank capacity of 13.5 liters with a reserve of 1.5 liters and the fuel used to be petrol. The exact detailing of the colors is yet not disclosed by the company. The body is fully painted with the body color and this includes fuel tank, front tyre cap and rear fender. Finishing of the bike is impeccable and the hunk look makes it all the more fascinating to the audience. The chrome finishing in the front shockers, exhaust mufflers, headlight, engine cover, etc. make the look stunning and outrageous. The body color is painted in the fuel tank, front tyres, etc giving it consumptive looks. The seat as well of the new cruise bike, Royal Enfield Fury 500, is designed attractively giving iconic status to the brand. The broad wheels and tyres of the bike look sporty and aggressive. The wheelbase of Royal Enfield Fury 500 measures to be 1370 mm that makes the stand

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May 2012

out bike model easy to control. The front tyre specification is 90/90 - 18 and that of rear tyre is 110/90 - 18. The broad spoke wheels controls the bike in the event of offroading and skidding in the slippery surface. The brazen look is very much in demand now-a-days and is sure to be liked by adventure riders. The stylish halogen headlamp placed in the front of the bike is to offer classy and elegant looks and also clear vision at night. The stylish turn indicators of the bike are gracefully placed near the handlebars and look very aristocratic maintaining the trend of the company. With a length of 2130 mm and a width of 800 mm with its height measuring 1050 mm, the cruise bike accounts a saddle height of 800 mm, a ground clearance of 140 mm with a curb weight measuring 187 kg. The Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, SI Engine with air cooling technology of the bike is bestowed with Electronic type of Ignition which delivers a maximum power of 27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm and incredible torque of 41.3 Nm @ 4000 rpm. The 6 Speed Cruise Drive Transmission stuffed to the Royal Enfield Fury 500 certifies smoother changing of gears as and when required. The new Royal Enfeild Fury 500 is accompanied with a kick as well as an electric start. The new bike from Royal Enfield is accommodated with latest and most efficient suspension components that are to absorb maximum shocks and offer enhanced stability and control with the bike. The new upcoming 500 possess impressive looks depicting high power and great speed. The bike is efficient being accommodated with latest and advanced features. Also offers swathe of comforts to the rider. Wait for this trendy cruising monster for a furious ride!

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May 2012

Award

A ‘

adimadhyaantham’, directed by debutant film maker Mr. Sherry, has won this year’s John Abraham Award. The film was chosen for the award by a jury headed by filmmaker Mr. K.R. Mohanan. It carries a cash prize of Rs.30,000, a citation, and a statuette designed by Mr. C.N. Karunakaran.

he Technopark-based Kreara Solutions has bagged the ISBA (Indian STEPS and Business Incubators Association) award for the best graduated company from the Business Incubator.

The award was received by Mr. Anoop P. Ambika, Managing Director from Mr. Raghunath Mashelkhar, President, Global Research Alliance, and former Director-General of the CSIR.

he State Institute of Educational Technology, Kerala, has bagged the best SIET award along with six other national awards at the 17th All India Children’s Educational Audio-Video Festival 2012. This is the second time, after four years, that SIET, Kerala, is winning the award. The festival was jointly organised by the Central Institute of Educational Technology and the National Council of Educational Research and Training. In the video programmes, the national award for the best film in the upper primary section went to the film Coral-Rain Forests of the Ocean. In the secondary and

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May 2012

Kreara Solutions was incubated in 2004 in Technopark. The company provides services for clinical research, life sciences, and financial markets. In the last few years, Kreara Solutions has grown into a leading clinical research organisation that specialises in providing data management, statistical, and software solutions for the process of clinical drug development.

senior secondary section, the film The Young Guardian of Mangroves won the award. Daivasoothram (Malayalam) by the students of Government Higher Secondary school, Pilicode, Kasaragod, won the national award for the best student production. In the individual category, SIET, Kerala, (Mr. Suresh Elamon) won the award for the best script for the films The Young Guardian of Mangroves and the best camera work for The Corals-Rain Forests of the Oceans. In the audio programmes, the State bagged the best award for the teachers’ production for the audio work titled Ayurvedam.

Award

P ‘

achilakkoodu – My Home is Green’, an animation film produced by Kottayam-based Digital Media and directed by Mr. Sajan Sindhu, has won the Golden Camera award for best animation film at the Nashik International film Festival 2012 . ‘Pachilakoodu’ is dedicated to the children who lost their lives in the endosulfan tragedy in Kasaragod district which tells the emotive tale of two tiny creatures – an ant and a caterpillar. The lonely ant which lost its entire tribe due to the pesticide mishap meets a baby caterpillar and a relationship develops between them. The story moves ahead through the memo-

he Inter-university Centre for Science of Music, intended to take up research in the field and serve as an interdisciplinary platform was launched at the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Mridangam maestro Mr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman inaugurated the centre. Following the inaugural address, the inaugural presentation on Science for Musical Excellence of Mridangam was conducted. Mr. K. C. Joseph, Minister for Culture presided over the function. Mr. K.C. Joseph stressed on the importance of conducting intensive research in the field of music. He added that music is not just an art, but an inherent part of life. Music therapy is one of the most vital offshoots of the field. Constant efforts must be made to understand in what ways music could be used for the personal fulfillment of mankind. The Minister promised to extend all support from the government to the centre, set up here with the financial support of the Kerala Government.

ries of the ant and the metamorphosis of the caterpillar. The film is the first directorial venture of the Director which has won honors at various festivals including IFFI Goa, All India Educational Audio Video Fest by NCERT at Delhi, International Documentary and Short Film Fest organised by Chalachitra Akademi, Vatavaran Festival organized by Ministry of Environment and Centre for Media Studies, New Delhi etc. Mr. Sajan Sindhu has spent nearly five years with the tribal people of Attapady working with a school for tribes, later involved himself with the struggle against endosulfan in Kasargod.

Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India delivered the keynote address. Dr. Ramasami said that music was knowledge in the manifold and not incremental. The proprietor of the knowledge of music has to be the society. The nature of preservation is by sharing and not storing. He added that the fusion between science and music is not one which merely brings together the best of two competencies, but two cultures; extolling the melody and rhythm of music could be facilitated by science. Mr. Rajan Gurukkal, Vice Chancellor, MG University welcomed the gathering. Later, Nadaswaram exponent Mr. Thiruvizha Jayasankar, Ms. Suvarna Nalappatt and Mr. Achuth Sankar S. Nair participated in the conference on Music and Science. The state government had sanctioned Rs. 50 lakh for the centre, which will focus on inter-disciplinary studies of science of music including education, music therapy and related areas. 53

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May 2012

News

nfosys Limited, Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second largest IT Company, signed an agreement with Technopark for 50 acres of land for setting up a second campus in Technocity, Trivandrum under SEZ scheme. The agreement was signed by Mr. H.R. Binod, Senior Vice President, Infosys and Mr. K.G. Girish Babu, CEO, Technopark in the presence of Mr. Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala. Infosys has two development centres; Technopark Phase-I and Technopark Phase-II, employing about 4,100 professionals. Starting its Kerala operations in January 2004 at Technopark, Infosys now has its own campus adjacent to Technopark which forms part of Technopark Phase II Special Economic Zone.

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Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Executive Co-Chairman of Infosys said the company is doing well in Technopark and this reflects the changing investment climate of the state, adding that there were no labour issues at the Infosys centres in Technopark campuses. He added that the Trivandrum centre is the fastest growing centre of Infosys across the country at 30 percent annually. Infosys plans to set up more than 1 million sq. ft. of built-up space and to create employment for 10,000 engineers in the Technocity campus. The possible export from this SEZ campus would be of the order of Rs.1500 crores over the next 5 to 8 years. At present, Infosys contributes more than 21 percent of the total IT export of the state with the content of Rs.608 crore out of the total Rs.2,875 crore of IT exports during the financial year 2010-11. Creating employment for an additional 10,000 engineers in Trivandrum will bring substantial revenue to the State exchequer by way of TAN (Tax Deduction Account Number) and this will also enhance the local wealth generation. The indirect employment created in and around the campus would be another 50,000. Infosys will invest over Rs.1,000 crores in its most modern campus in Technocity Campus at Trivandrum. During 2012-13, Infosys has plans to add another 3,500 engineers in the existing campus at Technopark Phase-II, thus increasing its exports to Rs.800 crore. . With the setting up of the new campus at Technocity, their contribution will provide a major boost to the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export revenues and also employment generation.

May 2012

O w n e d , E d i t e d , P r i n t e d a n d P u b l i s h e d b y R a v i s a n k a r K . V . P r i n t e d a t A r s h a O f f s e t G r a p h i x , Shreehari, T.C.9/2519-1, Janvilla Lane, Vellayambalam, Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 010 and Published from TC 9/1785, P-99, Anandam, Pullekonam Lane, Sasthamangalam P.O., Thiruvananthapuram-695010, Kerala, India Editor: Ravisankar K.V.

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July 2011

RNI Reg. No. KERENG 2010/36920

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July 2011

Vol. 02

No. 04

May 2012

Licence of Post KL/TV(S)/374/2011-2013