BRAND KERALA MAY 2019

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While taking pride in the milestones achieved by the State in the infrastructural arena, we must not ignore the rather not so positive statistics before us regarding the meteoritic rise in the lifestyle induced diseases in the State

erala’s meritorious strides in the health care sector with enviable indicators that match even developed countries have often been cited as a role model for the country.

After the formation of the State, it has reached a fairly high level of standard and soundness.

The availability of facilities for primary health care, their accessibility, the very high degree of awareness and acceptability among the people has made Kerala model an almost perfect one in the Health care sector. Moreover, the State Government’s patient- friendly Mission Aardram works towards transforming the sector by providing quality services at all levels and aims to convert primary health centres into family health centres in a phased manner in order to deliver effective family centered health services.

The strong presence of private players in this sector has actually played a proactive role in elevating the health care system in the State to international standards with Global Health care brands evincing interest in opening facilities here. The growth of other streams of medicine like Ayurveda which offers indigenous and trustworthy therapies for various ailments, has also given an impetus to the evolvement of Kerala as the most sought after destination for Medical tourism.

While taking pride in the milestones achieved by the State in the infrastructural arena, we must not ignore the rather not so positive statistics before us regarding the meteoritic rise in the lifestyle induced diseases in the State. The shocking newsbreaks on the unruly murders in the recent past can

be considered as a warning signal to the deteriorating mental health of the Malayali folk. In a State with such a high level of health literacy, this uneasy trend needs to be addressed with utmost priory. It’s high time we explored the root cause for such an ironical situation and initiate a holistic therapy for countering this menace. A comprehensive campaign involving the participation of the medical fraternity and voluntary organizations in this front to educate the common man on the importance of following a healthy lifestyle devoid of alcoholic excesses, junk food and sedentary habits should be initiated from the grass root level itself. It should also be noted that most of the State sponsored campaigns till date had not served the purpose and failed to reap in the desired results.

Another area which demands a surgical strike is the enhancement of quality in the Professional Medical Education sector in the State which unfortunately is in doldrums marked by the frequent frictions between the Medical College managements and the State Government. A highly professional and result oriented system could go a long way in evolving a dedicated and profession workforce which constitute the backbone of this industry. Setting aside all the sectarian and political differences, let’s stand united to evolve an all inclusive Wellness Mantra for a healthy future.

B Balachandran

Executive Editor

BRAND KERALA May 2019 VOL 9 ISSUE 5

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

Ravisankar K V J S Indukumar Balachandran B Rajani A Mujeeb Shamsudeen Shyam Kumar P

PHOTOGRAPHERS

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DESIGN EDITOR

Gopakumar K

EDITORIAL TEAM OFFICE IN CHARGE

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EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICE BRAND KERALA MEDIA HOUSE ASSOCIATES SRL A 32, SANKAR ROAD, SASTHAMANGALAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695010 KERALA, INDIA TELE : +91 471 231 1377/231 2377

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

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H E A LT H

DISTURBING PATTERNS OF MENTAL HEALTH IN KERALA The suicide rate in Kerala is 21.6 per 1,00,000 as opposed to 10.6 per 1,00,000 which is the national average of India. The percapita alcohol consumption in Kerala is as high as 11.2ltrs/person per year. All these factors point towards the fragile mental health of the average Malayali.

16 LIFESTYLE LIVER DISORDERS IN KERALA: AN EPIDEMIC WAITING TO HAPPEN Rising affluence, changes in lifestyle, junk food habits, obesity and rising incidence of diabetes have all contributed in varying degrees to the health crisis.

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SUCCESS STORY TRACO ENTERS RS200 CRORE CLUB

30 TRAVANCORE

TITANIUM ON GROWTH PATH

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HUGE PROSPECTS FOR MEDICAL TOURISM IN KERALA THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS & METAPHYSICS HEALTHY LIVING, THE VASTHU WAY COSMETIC SURGERY FOR PERSONAL ENHANCEMENT

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What is happening in America is with the money they get, people buy houses or apartments in big cities like New York. Then they go to the Country sides hundred miles away to live, to get a peaceful atmosphere and fresh air.

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LEISURE ROYAL TYRRELL MUSEUM & LORDS OF THE LAND ART STROKES OF INNOVATION

TRENDS Janapala Sashideepth Reddy

Kerala is always the best in the quality of living standards and life expectancy in India

CDC Global Health @CDCGlobal

After devastating floods in Kerala, nearly 90% of flood victims with hypertension did not have their blood pressure under control.

biz news ACCOLADES

KERALA FEATURED IN CNN TRAVEL’S MUST VISIT 19 PLACES

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INITIATIVE

KERALA TAKES ONLINE ROUTE TO END OFFICIAL LETHARGY IN INVESTMENTS T he Kerala government launched an online clearance mechanism that will ensure clearance to proposals within 30 days of application. Hon. Chief Minister Mr Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated ASCEND Kerala 2019, at which K-SWIFT (Kerala Single Window Interface for Fast, Transparent Clearances) was launched on Monday.

K-SWIFT is a cutting-edge software application that simplifies and speeds up approval of clearances from departments and agencies looking to launch

enterprises in the state.

ASCEND Kerala 2019 is an ambitious initiative of the government to position the state as an investment hotspot.

Noting that K-SWIFT complements the notion of rebuilding of Kerala, the CM urged the officials for a change in their attitude towards entrepreneurs.

In this context, he said the 30-day time limit, which is applicable from village to secretariat level, may be reduced to even 15 days in future.

erala has been featured in the exalted list of 19 places across the globe that CNN Travel has recommended for a visit in 2019, with the travel portal paying glowing tributes to God’s Own Country, its stunning backwaters, sumptuous cuisines, and life moving at a relaxing pace.

In particular, the travel portal lavished praise on Kerala’s cuisines from the spice shops of Munnar to the coconut, which is everywhere in Kerala and used to make one of the state’s signature dishes: Kerala prawn curry.

“This area of India has it all: sun, sea, sand, good food, houseboats, culture and wildlife. Its spectacular natural landscapes think palm trees and sprawling backwaters lend the region the nickname God’s Own Country,” noted CNN Travel, making the state a must-visit destination for international travelers in the ongoing year. It also said severe floods during the summer of 2018 wreaked havoc across this southwestern state, but many of its top tourist destinations escaped unscathed.

R E S U LT S

KERALA TOURISM NETS RECORD REVENUE OF OVER RS 36,000 CRORE IN 2018

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erala netted a record revenue of Rs. 36,528.01Cr from the tourism sector last year, clocking an increase of Rs. 2,874.33 Cr. Over 16.7 million tourists visited Kerala in 2018 as against 15.76 million the previous year, recording an increase of 5.93 per cent.

Of the total footfalls, 1.09 million were

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foreign tourists, who visited the state that has been rated as one of world’s must-see destinations by international media and bestowed with coveted honours by premier tourism fairs across the globe.

The share of revenue from foreign visitors

touched Rs. 8,764.46 Cr, during the period that also saw a spurt in arrival of domestic tourists as well.

Domestic tourism sector also gained during the period with visitors exceeding 15.6 million, showing an increase of 6.35 per cent.

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TWENTY14 HOLDINGS MARKS ENTRY INTO SWITZERLAND

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wenty14 Holdings (T14H), the hospitality investment arm of Abu Dhabi-based LuLu Group International, has entered into a forward purchase contract with Swiss real estate developer Necron AG for the upcoming Intercity Hotel Zurich Airport in Rümlang, Switzerland.

The addition of the Intercity Hotel marks Twenty14 Holdings entry into mainland Europe and joins a portfolio of $750m worth

of luxury property across the UK, the Middle East, and India.

This is Twenty14 Holdings’ second property to be operated by Deutsche Hospitality. The German hospitality firm currently operates T14H’s Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay in Dubai, UAE. The hotel will be operated by Deutsche Hospitality (Steigenberger Hotels AG) under a 20-year lease contract.

MARINE

QUARANTINE UNIT FOR TIGER SHRIMP OPENED AT VALLARPADAM

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he Quarantine unit for Tiger Shrimp at the Multispecies Aquaculture Complex (MAC) set up by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) at Vallarpadam was inaugurated by Shri.

Tarun Shridhar IAS, Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India.

The newly opened unit would regain the pride of place of the indigenous

species Black Tiger shrimp in the Indian subcontinent, which is now occupied by the exotic species, Vannamei. Patting the MPEDA and its research arm Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) for establishing the MAC, the facility will cater to the growing demand for fingerlings of various export-oriented species like Seabass, Cobia, Tilapia and Pompano.

GADGETS

OPPO K1 GOES ON SALE IN INDIA FOR FIRST TIME

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ppo launched the cheapest in-display fingerprint sensor phone in India aka Oppo K1. The smartphone goes on sale in the country for the first time. The Oppo K1 can be grabbed for Rs 16,990 from Flipkart. Both the colour variants of the Oppo K1 Astral Blue and Piano Black -- will be available at the scheduled time. As a part of the first sale Flipkart and Oppo together are offering several launch offers to the interested buyers.

Flipkart is offering no-cost EMI option for 3 or 6 months to the consumers buying the Oppo K1 in India via Flipkart today.

The smartphone is also selling bundled with a Complete Mobile Protection plan that can get purchased for Rs 499. In addition, the smartphone is also selling with buyback benefit which will enable buyers to get 90 per cent buyback value on the Oppo K1.

This means the Oppo K1 will get a buyback value of Rs 15,300.

Buyers will be able to purchase for just Re 1, but this offer comes with a catch. The buyback offer can be only be availed if the buyers upgrade to another Oppo phone from Flipkart within 8 months of buying the Oppo K1.

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LAUNCH

TABLEZ OPENS FIRST TOYS“R”US STORE IN KERALA

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ablez, the organised retail arm of LuLu Group International launched the global retail toy brand Toys“R”Us in Thriprayar, Kerala.

The first store of Toys”R”Us in Kerala was inaugurated at Y Mall in Thriprayar in the presence of MA Yusuff Ali, Chairman, LuLu Group International, Adeeb Ahamed, MD, Tablez, along with dignitaries and guests on Saturday. Tablez currently has four Toys“R”Us stores in India, including the new store at Thriprayar, Thrissur, two in Bengaluru and one in Mangalore. The company plans to set up 65 stores by 2021.

Tablez, the organized retail arm of retailing giant Lulu Group International, has introduced leading global brands in F&B, toys, lifestyle and apparel to India.

The company has signed master franchise

TOURISM

KERALA LEADS IN RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

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agreements to bring brands like Springfield, Women ‘secret, Toys”R”Us and Babies’R’Us to the country. Tablez also recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chinese lifestyle brand YOYOSO to bring its stores to India.

erala is now long way ahead and has emerged the world leader at the destination level, said

by Dr Harold Goodwin, Founder and Director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).

He said this while speaking at the International symposium on “PEPPER Project v and Experiential Tourism Packages,” organized by the State Responsible Tourism Mission and Department of Tourism at Mascot Hotel in Trivandrum, Kerala.

People’s Participation for Participatory Planning and Empowerment through Responsible Tourism (PEPPER) was launched in November 2017.

FORM IV

Statement about ownership and other particulars about newspaper BRAND KERALA to be published in the first issue every year after the last day of February 1. Place of publication : Thiruvananthapuram 2. Periodicity of its publication : Monthly 3. Printer’s Name : Ravisankar.K.V Nationality : Indian Address : SRLA 32, Sankar Road, Sasthamangalam.P.O

Thiruvananthapuram- 695 010, Kerala, India 4. Publisher’s Name : Ravisankar.K.V Nationality : Indian Address : SRLA 32, Sankar Road, Sasthamangalam.P.O

Thiruvananthapuram- 695 010, Kerala, India 5. Editor’s Name : Ravisankar.K.V Nationality : Indian Address : SRLA 32, Sankar Road, Sasthamangalam.P.O

Thiruvananthapuram- 695 010, Kerala, India 6. Names and addresses of individuals who own the newspaper and partners or shareholders holding More than one per cent of the total capital.

Ravisankar.K.V., SRLA 32, Sankar Road, Sasthamangalam.P.O, Thiruvananthapuram- 695 010, Kerala, India I, Ravisankar.K.V, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my Knowledge and belief.

sd/ Ravisankar.K.V Date 01.03.2019 Signature of Publisher

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success story

TRACO ENTERS ₹ 200 CRORE CLUB Traco attributes this enviable growth pattern to the wholehearted support from the State Government, technology upgradation and the relentless service of its workforce.

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raco Cable Company, the State owned public sector, has attained Rs 200Cr sales in the financial year 2018- 2019. The company which commenced production in the year 1964 achieved this magical figure by accelerating the production of house wiring cables and maintaining quality standards which makes it a natural choice among consumers.

Company’s new target is to achieve the figure of above Rs 250Cr. Traco attributes this enviable growth pattern to the wholehearted support from the State Government, technology upgradation and the relentless service of its workforce. For the upcoming years, Plans are also afoot to implement unique business destination and technology improvement in all three of its units.

Strategically devised Media Planning campaigns through Railways, KSRTC and Radio also contributed in enhancing the brand building for its cables.

Traco is in the pursuit of spreading its presence by opening outlets in other cities to ensure maximum availability of the product to its customers in reasonable rate.

Modernisation has been implemented in all the three units for increasing the production capacity and now the company is able to ensure the availability of its product to the market as per requirement.Conductors, AB cables, UG cables, Paper insulated cables and the flagship house wiring cables are the major products of Traco.

Santhosh Koshy Thomas, Managing Director, Traco Cable Company Ltd

LAST YEAR TRACO SECURED A Rs 300 CRORE ORDER FOR CONDUCTORS OF WHICH ONE THIRD WERE FROM OTHER STATES.

KSEB, other electricity boards of Punjab, Pondicherry and Rajasthan are the major customers of conductors and AB, UG cables.

Last year Traco secured a Rs 300-crore order for conductors of which one third were from other states.

Recently, The Company also plans to foray into the overseas market by exporting cables to other countries.

MAY 2019

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health

DISTURBING

PATTERNS OF

MENTAL The suicide rate in Kerala is 21.6 per 1,00,000 as opposed to 10.6 per 1,00,000 which is the national average of India. The percapita alcohol consumption in Kerala is as high as 11.2ltrs/person per year. All these factors point towards the fragile mental health of the average Malayali.

Dr Arun B Nair

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HEALTH IN KERALA

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f late, we have been reading about a series of events from various parts of the State, in which frank violence directed at females and children have been reported. The recent instance of the murder of a seven year old boy in Idukki has shocked the conscience of each and every person who happened to read it. A couple of instance in which the lovers who were rejected by their female partners resorted to graphic violence leading to murder of the female has also been an extremely shocking and unbelievable experience. Why the younger generation of our state is behaving like this? What are the various factors which had led to such kind of a behavioural problem among youngsters in our State?

The most important change which has happened worldwide over the last couple of decades has been a right based perspective being emphasized in all spheres of life all over the world.

United Nations Organization has convened a series of conventions based on human rights for females, for children, for sexual minorities as well as for the other marginalised sections of the society. Though from a superficial perspective it may appear that these developments which emphasize and celebrate human rights is an extremely positive step and it has its own demerits as well. The biggest disadvantage of this perspective is that human beings limit themselves to a self-centred sphere of existence; absolutely oblivious of a social animal which they were supposed to handle. As a result of this, each and every human being aware of his own rights, has become selfish, has alienated himself from the society around him and he is least bothered about the difficulties experienced by

one’s own fellow beings. The situation in the major cities in Kerala is such that people who dwell in huge flats are not at all aware of who their immediate neighbours are.

Around three decades back, it used to be a usual pattern when an adolescent boy or girl was seen in a suspicious circumstance alone or in the company of his or her friends during evening time, there used to be a social intervention in the form of neighbours enquiring about

WITH THE ADVENT OF INTERNET, MOBILE PHONES ESPECIALLY SMARTPHONES; HUMAN BEINGS HAVE BECOME MORE IMPATIENT BY NATURE.

what they were doing and often gently guiding them to their homes. This kind of a social intervention to a certain extent protected the interest of those children and prevented various forms of abuse which they could be possibly subjected to. The present perspective has in fact thwarted this kind of social model of existence in our State. The reality now is that even if you see your own immediate neighbourhood child or adolescent in an extremely suspicious circumstance, you are not bothered about that or rather you are afraid to intervene because the kid at the other side may not appreciate the enquiries or interventions into his life.

This has led to an absolute neglect to the social model of life which Kerala is well known for. As a result, even if children are being subjected to any kind of unpleasant experiences, there is nobody to protect them or nobody to intervene on their behalf.

Another very important change which has happened in the last couple of decades is that, with the advent of internet, mobile phones especially smartphones; human beings have become more impatient by nature. Before the advent of mobile phones, if you had to propose your love to a person, the option was to write a letter, hand it over to that person and wait patiently for the response. The response would be delayed by several days and the only option available was to patiently wait till the other person responds in dome form. But with the advent of modern technology and digital equipment, the expression of interest as well as the response has become instantaneous, and this kind of a convenience has made human beings impatient. So if anyone wants to propose the love to a person, it can be done in a short span of time through a Whatsapp or text message through the mobile phone.

If the person in the other end, gives a reply, you receive it instantaneously. So this kind of an immediate gratification has led to an impulsive behaviour in MAY 2019

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people and the extreme aggression and violence which we see around us in these times can well be regarded as an offshoot of this impulsive behaviour.

Another major development which has happened in the recent years is the availability of substances of abuse, even among the small children in plenty. Tobacco and alcohol have been conventionally regarded as the substances of abuse in Kerala. But now a days, even worst options like Cannabis, Opioid drugs, hallucinogens like MDMA and LSD, as well as a variety of designer drugs are available in the cities of Kerala. The abuse of these drugs are rampant among the college students, college hostels and now a days it is even reported among the high school students. Recent study conducted by the Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Trivandrum showed that substance abuse in children starts at the age of 12 and within a couple of years they graduate into bigger substances including Cannabis and Brown Sugar. This trend is extremely alarming because use of the substances of abuse will damage the brain of the user, make him mentally ill, make him more impulsive by nature and is likely to precipitate extremely violent behaviour either towards oneself or towards others.

The mental health of Keralites, a survey which was conducted in 2016, by the Kerala State Mental Health Authority showed that 12.43 percent of people dwelling in Kerala, suffer from at least one mental disorder which requires treatment. 9 percent of the total population of Kerala suffer from Depression. World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly mentioned that Depression is the commonest preventable cause of suicide in the world. You can connect this with the alarming statistics related to suicides, substance use, accidents and divorce rate in Kerala as well. The suicide rate of Kerala is 21.6 per one lakh as opposed to 10.6

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MAY 2019

per one lakh which is the national average of India. The Per Capita Alcohol consumption in Kerala is as high as 11.2 litres per person per year, which is probably one of the highest in the country. The divorce rate has also been increasing steadily over the years with 55,000 petitions asking for divorce or related to marriage pending in the twenty family courts in different parts of Kerala. This number is more than double of that of the total number of divorce petitions pending in the family courts of big states like Madhya Pradesh. All these factors point towards the fragile mental

THE PREVALENCE OF DEMENTIA IS AS HIGH AS 5 PERCENTAGE IN PEOPLE ABOVE 60YEARS IN KERALA.

health of the average Malayali, which is deteriorating at a fast pace over the years.

Another area of the major concern is the geriatric mental health of Kerala.

Advances in Healthcare Delivery has ensured that the lifespan of people of Kerala is at par with those of the developed countries. It is more than a decade, more than average lifespan of an Indian, with female surviving for as long as 77years and male surviving for 74years. But one of the biggest problems associated with the increased lifespan is increased prevalence of geriatric mental disorders. The prevalence of Dementia is as high as 5 percentage in people above 60years in Kerala. The prevalence of Dementia doubles once in five years and more than forty percentage of people above 85years suffer from the same.

Depression, anxiety disorders, sleep disturbance and geriatric suicides are also

extremely common in Kerala.

If by any chance you get an opportunity to visit Central Kerala, you can see that either an elderly couple or an elder person alone living in huge mansions. Their children have migrated to other countries, gracing their parents with ‘presents’ while the elderly couple are craving for the ‘presence’ of their children. Another major problem is the attitude an average Malayali to cut off their ties with their neighbours and they don’t regard even their old friends as close associates anymore.

As a result of this, they suffer from a social disconnection syndrome towards the end of their life. Elderly people above 60years of age with absolutely no social connections, are suffering alone in their huge mansions with lot of health problems, with nobody to take care of them. The Harvard Human Development Study which originated

in Harvard University in 1938 and is still continuing is the biggest study on Human Development in the world. It has evaluated the various factors which contribute to increased longevity in human beings. Healthy diet, regular exercise, abstinence from alcohol and abstinence from tobacco. But the fifth factor or the most important one is the quality of relationships which should be developed during the childhood and adolescence. In Kerala, the children of this age is deprived of this opportunity to develop good quality of relationships.

Two factors are children are being gifted with electronic gadgets by elders and they get addicted to these gadgets over a period of time, and the academic pressure which is exerted on them during their adolescent period also alienates these children from good quality relations. They become poor social animals in future. The human

interaction element is extremely poor leading to conflicts in various domains of functioning including family, workplace etc. As a result of this, the only solution they find is to hit the bottle and drugs.

Many of these youngsters don’t have a philosophy in their life.

What solutions do we have to offer for the youngsters in our State?

We have to start from our families. We have to ensure that the next generation of our children gets enough time to build good quality relationships during their childhood. Parents should find at least 30minutes of time a day to spend with their children. This time which can be referred to as quality time, should be a time in which the children are allowed to speak and ventilate their emotions, express what they experience and thus develop a good bonding with their parents.

The next solutions is to be done in

schools. All adolescent children should be given structured life skills education as part of school curriculum itself. Life skills are a group of abilities which every person should imbibe, internalise and practise in order to face new and difficult situations in life. These include selfawareness, empathy, and communication skill, inter personal relationship skills, problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, creative thinking, coping with emotions and stress. Engaging the younger generation in social activities could also help in shaping their personality, attitude and behaviour.

Making them participate in charitable activities, sports as well as activities of social relevance could help a lot in this direction. Guiding them to select an appropriate career is also a vital step.

Writer is Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, Medical College, Trivandrum MAY 2019

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health LIFESTYLE LIVER DISORDERS IN KERALA:

AN EPIDEMIC WAITING TO HAPPEN Rising affluence, changes in lifestyle, junk food habits, obesity and rising incidence of diabetes have all contributed in varying degrees to the health crisis.

Dr Harikumar R Nair MD, DM, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin)

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wo decades ago Kerala’s health status was almost at par with that of developed economies.

The state had succeeded in increasing life expectancy as well as achieving remarkable health indices like low infant and maternal mortalities.

Historically, Kerala’s publicly funded healthcare system, high literacy rate, especially among the females, played a major role in improving the health scenario. Oflate, an alarming increase in lifestyle disorders is pushing the state into a health crisis. Rising affluence, changes in lifestyle, junk food habits, obesity and rising incidence of diabetes have all contributed in varying degrees to the health crisis. Non-resident Keralites who played a pivotal role in economic development of the state, indirectly contributed to the lifestyle changes mentioned above. Sedentary lifestyle clubbed with high liquor consumption is a problem in the state which resulted in metabolic imbalance, diabetes and ultimately various organ damage. The brunt of attack due to these aberrant lifestyle is borne by liver. Over 500 vital functions including filtering, cleansing, manufacturing and digestive functions that it performs, the liver has the amazing ability to regenerate and return to its original size, even after the removal of up to 75 percent of the organ. Nonetheless, unhealthy lifestyles have pushed the livers of millions of people to the limit, leading to what experts call a silent

epidemic of liver disease; majority of this is contributed by fatty liver disease.

What is fatty liver disease? A staggering 25 percent of the global population has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where fat makes up more than five percent of the liver. Fatty liver can occur commonly with excessive consumption of alcohol (Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease- AFLD). Those who don’t consume alcohol can develop fatty liver disease in the back ground of sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food habits, a condition called Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

As mentioned before, when you eat more than the level of physical exercise you engage in, excess calories taken in which are not burned out, transforms into fat and gets deposited in the Liver. Over time—years or decades in some cases—NAFLD progresses to a more serious condition called “fatty swelling” or “Non-Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis” (NASH), where the liver

NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE OCCURS IN THE BACK GROUND OF DIABETES AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL LEVELS AND BLOOD PRESSURE DISEASE.

becomes inflamed and scarred and ultimately liver structure and function are deranged. Without treatment, the disease worsens to liver cirrhosis, a late-stage disease where liver transplant is the only lifesaving option for the patient. NAFLD is not entirely lifestyle mediated. Genetics also seems to play a role. Specific genes like PNPLA3 have been identified which predisposes individuals to diabetes and fatty liver disease. NAFLD occurs in the back ground of diabetes and

high cholesterol levels and Blood pressure disease. It is a known fact that Asians are genetically more prone for diabetes. Till now this bad genetics did not surface in Asia due to poverty and agrarian economy where physical exercise was part and parcel of common man’s lifestyle. With economy evolving in a big way, sedentary lifestyle, over eating and alcoholism contributed to unmasking of the bad genetics inducing fatty liver disease. What seems to be alcoholic liver disease in fact could be a combination of genetically linked NAFLD and alcohol induced liver damage- both alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The tricky entity by name Lean NAFLD: is an entity unique to Asia.

The person may be having normal body weight, but his body handles energy metabolism defectively to the extent that he develop diabetes, high cholesterol levels and in due course fatty liver disease. Unfortunately, visibly lean( which gives an impression that

INFO STAGES OF LIVER DAMAGE HEALTHY LIVER

FATTY LIVER

LIVER FIBROSIS

LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Deposits of fat lead to liver enlargement

Scar tissue forms

Growth of connective tissue destroys liver cells

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person is healthy) make them seek medical support only at late stages of the chronic fatty liver disease.

Catch them young!

Paediatric NAFLD in Kerala A report from Kannur quotes a prevalence of 60%, when it comes to fatty liver disease among children.

Affluent kids in Kerala consume aerated sugary beverages and fast food. According to estimates in the last National Health Survey report, Kerala stands second in the country in child obesity while Punjab is at the top. Most western snacks to meals have extra fat in it- cheese based meals are ideal for cold European and north American climate, but when it comes to sunny tropics, cheese, pizzas and burgers just make your child heavy. Junk food culture- KFC, McDonald, etc in every nook and corner of the state is taking a heavy toll on liver health of our children by making them obese and inducing fatty liver disease.

A point to note here is the fact that food technology behind these branded junk foods need not be the same as

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KERALA STANDS SECOND IN THE COUNTRY IN CHILD OBESITY WHILE PUNJAB IS AT THE TOP.

in the developed world.

Lifestyle related chronic liver disease Liver diseases whether it be due to alcohol or due to non-alcoholic causes, are largely silent without causing any signs or symptoms in the patient. The damage which happen at liver tissue level through fatty liver, fatty hepatitis and liver scarring is silent until very late stage where liver function dips.

This entire smouldering injury happens over a span of 2 decades or more Most of the time in countries like India where screening programs are not active liver cirrhosis is detected at a stage when patient needs liver transplant to

survive. This underlines the necessity to undergo screening to detect this silent epidemic and arrest progression into late stages of liver scarring and liver cancer. Once silent liver scarring process sets in, reversibility cannot be guaranteed. Needless to say, prevention is the way to go. At least, early detection of the silent liver disease and treatment before permanent damage sets in should be aimed at. In Kerala, it is not uncommon to find youngsters in their thirties developing liver cirrhosis.

Alcoholism which begins in campuses clubbed with genetically linked lifestyle liver disease namely NAFLD probably is the reason behind this alarming phenomenon. Creating awareness among young generation, from school days onwards regarding this silent epidemic of over nutrition, lack of exercise along with abuse of alcohol leading on to serious liver damage in the long run, is the way to go to curb this liver health crisis.

Writer is Senior consultant Hepatologist & Liver transplant physician, Gleneagles Global Health City,Chennai

health

HUGE PROSPECTS FOR

MEDICAL TOURISM IN KERALA The CII - McKinsy report shows that Indian Medical Tourism sector is expected to grow 30% annually and it is expected to grow to USD 9 million by 2020. Medical Tourism industry in Kerala was seen to be worth 4 billion dollar in 2017

K

erala has unparalleled natural beauty and air connectivity and various tourism products to suit the health tourism industry. There are leading hospitals like KIMS hospitals group in Kerala and a few other leading hospitals like Aster Medicity, Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences, Lakeshore Hospital and Baby Memorial Hospital etc, which have sustained reputation for clinical excellence. We have availability of internationally trained experienced staff. In Kerala we have top specialties for medical travellers like cosmetic surgery, dentistry, Cardio-vascular treatment, orthopedics for joint and spine replacement surgery, cancer, reproductive treatment, weight-loss etc. The health tourism drivers are the demand for higher standards of healthcare services suiting to the rising income level, cost differences, increasing aging population, changing disease profile, rising insurance penetration and

emergence of assurance and reputation mechanisms through accreditation for the hospitals.

The CII - McKinsy report shows that Indian Medical Tourism sector is expected to grow 30% annually and it is expected to grow to USD 9 million by 2020. Medical Tourism industry in Kerala was seen to be worth 4 billion dollar in 2017. Medical Tourists from Germany, France, Switzerland and the US visit Kerala for Ayurveda treatment.

West Asians and the UK nationals give more importance to modern medicine.

The attractions of having treatment in the Asia Pacific is that there is no waiting time. It is not just treatment there, but spiritual and mental healing as well.

We have in India, particularly in Kerala, alternative therapies such as Ayurveda, Naturopathy, homeopathy and Yoga therapy. The National Geographic Traveller Magazine rated Kerala as one of the 10 paradises of the world. The

E.M. Najeeb

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KERALA HAS state has enchanting hill station, 600 kms of shoreline with exotic beaches, extensive stretches of breath taking backwaters and they offer tremendous opportunities for growth in tourism.

Kerala has 26 NABH accredited specialty hospitals and 13 Medical Colleges.

Healthcare sector is attracting massive investments in Kerala and the industry is poised for a major leap forward. Kerala has a great Information Technology advantage too. It has most advanced data-com and telecom infrastructure.

We have a huge reservoir of skilled man power.

For India, the Western developed nations are the source markets, the UK, the US, Canada, Arab countries, Sudan, Russia and the SAARC member countries are already happening markets. Any

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26 &13 NABH accredited specialty hospitals

country where the insurance companies allow patients to have medical treatment in India is a potential market.

Gulf countries are potential markets for Medical Tourism in India, especially Kerala and Southern states. There are segments in those countries who would prefer to have treatment in India provided suitable facilities are there.

The promotions in those countries are done jointly with the tour operators who would sell the medical packages and promote the services through various local tour operators, corporates and organizations in the source markets.

The destination, the facilities and the hospitals and their treatment packages are promoted in the markets.

Medical Tourism industry is growing considerably in Kerala. There are

Medical Colleges

increasing number of stakeholders and medical service providers who are focusing on this industry. They have many common objectives, concerns, and need for support from the Government, and protection of their interest. There is a need for the players to come together and discuss and resolve various aspects pertaining to this sector. In such a requirement, the hospitals felt that a trade platform like a ‘Kerala Medical Value Travel Society’ would be a very appropriate proposition. Medical Value Travel Society is trying to promote Kerala as a Medical tourism destination.

It will have a prominent identity and will stand for the common cause of the Medical Value Travel services in Kerala.

Kerala is an emerging Medical Value Travel destination. Compared

to the metros like Delhi or Chennai, Kerala was a late starter in this sector.

Those destinations were already well established as locations for such medical facilities. Many of the doctors practicing there also have established their names internationally.

Kerala is emerging with a focus on increasing its visibility as a healthcare destination. Kerala attracts about 5-7% of the Medical Tourists coming to India and has the potential to increase its share to a 10-12% with a focused marketing strategy. Kerala already has 26 NABH accredited hospitals. Moreover Kerala is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the country.

In India, 34% of the total Medical Value Travel is from Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Africa, GCC and CIS regions constituting 30% of current share, create maximum opportunity for the Indian Healthcare sector. Medical tourists from these countries favor the South-East Asian Medical Corridors. For Kerala, the GCC countries and Maldives

KERALA ATTRACTS ABOUT 5-7% OF THE MEDICAL TOURISTS COMING TO INDIA.

are major sources. The CII White Paper suggests to attract the African, Asian and Middle East Patients and also the domestic Medical Tourist from other regions of the country through effective marketing campaigns supported by the Government.

The ‘e-Visa-on-Arrival’ Scheme for tourists from select countries facilitate foreign nationals stay in India for 30 days for medical reasons. In 2016, citizens of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, Republic of Korea and Nigeria availed maximum number of medical visas. The Union Government and most of the state Governments are supporting

Medical Tourism and are carrying out campaigns.

The stakeholders of Medical Tourism service chain in Kerala are aware of the importance of being sustainable, economically, environmentally and socially. It is a great advantage that there are great opportunities for recuperative leisure in Kerala.

Advanced and sophisticated medical hospitals of international standards are there in the state offering first world treatment at third world cost. There is no waiting time. There are renowned doctors specialized in almost all major disciplines. There is an Eco rich environment.

Kerala, presently with its four international airports are well connected to all parts of the world and this good connectivity is a great advantage for Medical Tourism.

Writer is Chairman, Airtravel Enterprises India Ltd &Executive Director – KIMS HealthCare Management Ltd

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health

THE SCIENCE OF

HAPPINESS Modern psychological and neuroscientific research reveals that happy people tend to be creative and indulge in ethically upright behaviour. It could even provide a basis for ethical behaviour based on theories of utilitarianism.

Prof. Suresh Kumar S

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S & METAPHYSICS B

eing happy is important to all of us. All animals seek pleasure and avoid pain, to the extent possible. Happiness is naturally related to a set of factors causing elation, self satisfaction, joy, ecstasy and a state of blissfulness. It also denotes ability to overcome sorrow. Happiness is sought for its own sake and could be linked to rational and emotional experiences and behaviour, or cognitive and subjective components.

Modern psychological and neuroscientific research reveals that happy people tend to be creative and indulge in ethically upright behaviour.

It could even provide a basis for ethical behaviour based on theories of utilitarianism. Philosophers like John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham even advocated an happiness principle as a guide to morally and ethically sound life. Even in many religious philosophies like those of Buddhism, Hinduism (Vedanta Philosophy), Abrahamic religions (like Judaism & Christianity), true happiness and inner bliss is a core theme. Spirituality, related to mystic yoga and Eastern meditation, based on internalized breathing methods, like sleep breathing pranayama or similar meditation techniques is thought to lead to an increase in grey matter in brains, at the happiness centres, in neural cortex. Through functional MRI (FMRI) technology, Prof. Davidson demonstrated that the left side of frontal lobe of brain, known as left prefrontal cortex, is most active when people are happy.

PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIND OUT SOME MORE NEURAL BASES IN BRAIN, FOR HAPPINESS.

Incidentally, this also reduces our cravings for wordly hedonistic pleasures. During happy moods, brain sends a signal to VTA in the midbrain. As a result, our attachments to objects of desire decrease, while bliss is enhanced. VTA (Ventral tegmental area) releases dopamine into the nucleus accumbens (the pleasure centre) and into the septum, amygdale (part of our emotional brain) and prefrontal cortex (thinking brain).

Psychologists have attempted to find out some more neural bases in brain, for happiness. Recently some findings published in the journal Scientific

Reports (of Nov 20, 2015) indicated that participants who obtained the best happiness score had more grey matter in the precuneus, a region of the parietal lobe in the cerebral cortex.

Precuneus of happy people, with positive emotion, was bigger in size, relatively. The study was carried out under the leadership of Prof. Waturo Sato of Kyoto university of (Japan).

Research by psychologists like Prof.

Diener ( university of Illinois, USA) have shown that once your basic needs are met, additional income, or qualifications and health or wealth do little to raise one’s sense of life satisfaction or level of happiness.

According to him, mental images and memories leave more indelible impressions on our state of mind and happiness, compared to more transient moods, based on experiences form time time. There is a constant flow of thoughts in one’s mind, which have positive and negative emotional and cognitive content. These influenze our state of mind and happiness, more than experiential and evaluative components.

Happiness goes deeper than transient pleasures based on senses and intellect, argues Seligman (Authentic Happiness, 2002, Seligman). Pursuing sensory and intellectual pleasures is hence least consequential. Sheer Hedonism may not win the bet. Research by Diener and Seligman reinforce earlier theories, like Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Once basic needs and ego needs are satisfied, more of these do not contribute to happiness. One has to proceed to MAY 2019

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higher self-actualization where one derived intrinsic satisfaction and internal rewards by pursuits more of an altruistic and psycho spiritual nature.

His ideas are said to be influenced by ancient Indian mystic wisdom of self realization. Self actualization improves our self – esteem and ability to overcome unhappiness. Maslow was a spiritualist. He took avid interest in Indian mystic metaphysical traditions and practices.

One can attain altered consciousness states through mystic yoga methods of meditative mentation. This has influenced thinking of modern day mathematical philosophers like Whitehead, and their process philosophy approaches, based on internalized breathing. This is similar to mystic yoga pranayama SIMULATING SLEEP BREATHING RHYTHMS, akin to yoga nidra and similar chi methods of Sazen. One can thus consciously subdue subjective awareness and its mental chatter of self-referential streaming flow of thoughts in mind. In yoga this process is known as chitta vritti Nirodha.

Brain activity can be consciously inhibited through internalized breathing and such Pranayama based mystic meditation. Body and brain are recharged and revitalized. One can attain pure consciousness states, as empirical accounts by thinkers like Strawson reveal. This has parallels with experiences of mystics of ancient India. Modern man in the mind set of materialism, and in it’s midst, can benefit by these altered consciousness methods based on mystic wisdom, since it involves simple, though specialized, sleep breathing pranayama techniques.

Scientific studies reported in main stream SCIENCE journal in the 70s and 80s reveal the neurology and chemistry of happiness, in this context, highlighting the modern day relevance of mystic metaphysics. There are

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BRAIN ACTIVITY CAN BE CONSCIOUSLY INHIBITED THROUGH INTERNALIZED BREATHING AND SUCH PRANAYAMA BASED MYSTIC MEDITATION.

happiness chemicals produced in the brain, like dopamine, serotonin, GABA and endocannabinoids (and endorphins). One of the chemicals is even known as Anandamide (ANANDA=Bliss). We can trigger happiness highs through specialized breathing, as found in mystic yoga pranayama. To a limited extent, long distance runners develop such a high

through panting breaths, since most learn to internalize their breath rhythms for energy conservation, during such energy exhausting exercises. Anaerobic cardio workouts and aerobic exercises also help. Christopher Bergland writes about such neurochemicals of happiness in journals like Psychology Today. They can produce perceptual states of altered consciousness with more positive and bliss full contents. Narcotic substance, sedatives, intoxicants and drugs can artificially cause similar states but with evident negative salient and health implications.

This statement is true for both emotional and cognitive components of happiness, and experiential or evaluate aspects. The latter is also important in sustaining a happy state of mind through depressive and negative

In India, Kerala is in the lead in suicide rates, derived from psycho negativites and depressive moods.

Even Pakisthan & China appear to be happier than us, as per 2017 report.

Finland is the happiest country followed

by Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland. Positivist psychology approaches inspired by mystic yoga methods for modern man can contribute to trigger a happy state of mind and improved mental health.

Of course the high happiness index of Nordic countries is probably not due to mysticism, but good governance models, socio-cultural aspects and personal life style choice, as well as physicality, related to interpersonal

INDIA RANKS A LOW 133RD OUT OF 150 AND ODD COUNTRIES AS PER 2018 UN HAPPINESS INDEX REPORT.

transient moods, which happen to all of us. This was revealed by studies by a team of positive psychologists under Prof. Daniel Kahneman of Princeton university (also associated with the TIME Poll on happiness).

Mysticism might thus provide a masterly way to happiness for the many Indians, [and no doubt Malayaless, perhaps, more] adversely affected by modernism and its digital age psycho depression or negativities. Positive psychology is based on scientific findings related to happiness. The happiness index based on different methods combining the above components is used by UN agency to published the annual world happiness report. India ranks a low 133rd out of 150 and odd countries as per 2018 report.

aspects, exercise regimen, discipline and self enhancements. Also, food that produce gut chemicals overcoming depressions count. Physiotherapy, acu systems and Marma or other massage methods also help. But research, as reported through positive psychology and its scientific findings published in psychology journals and in science magazine, reveal that mysticism can muster more of such personal level happiness enhancements. This finding has implications in societies like India with its specific salients contributing to a low rank in the national happiness index, and the historic background with its mystic traditions.

It is found that a proper interphase of cognitive and emotional centres in brain is possible by consciously subduing subjective awareness even as brain is at rest, simulating deep sleep like states. This can trigger positive salients with regard to brain neurology and chemistry, for a happier state of mind and enhanced life satisfaction levels, despite depressive psyche and other psycho negativities or its transients, and non transient experiences and evaluative moods.

Moreover, Indian metaphysical traditions based on mysticism also favour such approaches to Happiness and life satisfaction, perhaps more than others. Nordic example has sociocultural and techno-economic lags as applied to countries like India. For example, governance models based on high level social security protocols and payouts are not easily workable, as also some of the physicality based psycho-cultural approaches, in India, whereas, mystic muses have advantages, evidently. These might also effectively complement other approaches,as above,given our metaphysical traditions.

Writer is Former Chief Scientist, CSIR, NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram MAY 2019

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health

HEALTHY LIVING, THE VASTHU WAY VasthuSasthra, the ancient science of architecture and buildings, is about making a congenial setting or a place to live and work in a most scientific way taking advantage of the benefits bestowed by nature, its elements and energy fields for enhanced wealth, health, prosperity and happiness.

VasthuSasthra is 75 percent practical and only the rest is theory. Astrology is the other way round.

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V

asthuSasthra has been there right from early days of mankind. Also, it has been proved that the science had acceptance during the Indus Valley civilisation. Jainism and Buddhism too had embraced the science.Vasthu is absolutely a science and there are certain principles based on reason.

Dr.Muraleedharan Nair, renowned Vasthu Acharya from the capital city Trivandrum is talking about VasthuSasthra, the science of construction, how it should be applied while building houses, temples, etc. in the most simple and practical manner to Brand Kerala.

“VasthuSasthra, which basically relates to balancing of the five elements, Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jalam(water), Bhumi (earth) and Aakasha (space) which are known as Panchabhutas, in their proper order and proportion so that man can have better conditions in a place in which they live or work.Sun is considered as the father and Earth is the mother of land in VasthuSasthra.

The ‘Vasthu’, which means dwelling, also speaks on locations of plants and trees in the house premises. The sun rays till after-noon are considered a source of positive energy. So short, flowering plants can be planted in the eastern side while tall trees like coconut and arecanut tress can be in the west (to filter the sunrays in the late afternoon).” He says.

Like human beings, houses too have five stages of life - Childhood, Adolescence, Youth, Old age and Death, each extending for a period of 12 years.

In the childhood stage (up to 12 years),

the inhabitants have nothing to worry but if a building is not in accordance to the basic Vasthu principles, then it may adversely affect those who live in it in the second stage.The Earth has a magnetic field and the sun provides all the energy. So Vasthu in simple terms is the adjustments made in the structure of a building by which the positive energy from these sources can be derived the most.

“There are many things to be noted

THE EARTH HAS A MAGNETIC FIELD AND THE SUN PROVIDES ALL THE ENERGY. while building a new house. The land should be either in rectangular or square shape. The rectangular shaped land from South to North will be the perfect to build a house than East- West one.

The number of members and the age of each member in the family is taken.

According to their age, rooms should be built in each direction, so that everyone in the house will receive the full benefits like positive energy, peaceful mind and can lead a healthy life. Building a huge house without enough number of members to use it will be a waste and ofcourse it will produce negative energy.

Areas which are not in use or being cleaned will produce negative energy around the whole house. It is better to

INFO DR.MURALEEDHARAN NAIR

Dr.Muraleedharan Nair

avoid extra rooms which will not be in use.”He adds.

“The main door or the main front portion (Poomukham) of a house is like the nose of a human. It is through that portion, the whole house and land breathes. The air circulation should be proper for the members of the house to be in peace. The South-West corner of the land known as Kannimoolais suitable for the bedroom of the married couple living in that house. If rooms are to be built in the South-East corner of the land, it should be an office room or a bedroom for guests or a study room for children.

The married couple should not use that room. The kitchen should be given at the South-East corner called Agnikon. If

it is not possible, the second choice for building kitchen is North-West corner called Vayukon. The room in the NorthEast corner (Eeshanukon) is best for the older people since their energy level will be risen. Eeshanukonof the land is the corner which receives all positive energy, vibes and rays. Each and every member of the house should rest their head to the East or South directions while they sleep. Since the Earth is rotating in the clockwise direction, resting head to the other two directions will give pressure to the head.Also for Hindus, a Pooja room can be made in the same North-East corner. These are some of the things to be taken care of in the case of houses for a healthy living.” He continues.

l Started career as a Govt. Servent in Kannur at 1972. l Published own book ‘VasthuSasthram Annum Innum’ about VasthuSasthra. l A DVD named ‘VasthuSasthram in 21st Century’ was released during 2009, which is kerala’s first of this type. l Preformed many TV shows related to VasthuSasthra, in channels like Doordarshan, Asianet, Jaihind, Kaumudy, Manorama News etc. l Honoured with ‘VASTHU ACHARYA’ title from Centre for Astrological Philosophy, by His Highness VisakhamThirunal Raja RajaVarma Raja of Pandalam Palace, for the dedicated work as Vasthu Consultant at SabarimalaSreeDharamaSastha Temple. l Honoured with ‘VASTHU KULAPATHY’ title by His Highness UthradamThirunalMarthandaVarma Maharaja of Travancore for making VasthuSasthram approachable for common people. l Honoured with ‘VASTHU SASTHRA PANDIT’ title as Certificate of Honorarium by Indiraji National Samskarik Sang, New Delhi, for the meritorious service in the field of VasthuSasthra. l President of Vasthu Sasthra Vigjana Peedam from 2009. l SabarimalaSthapathi

“We have to see 100 or 150 lands to get one suitable land for building a temple. When a land is found, first of all the vibe we get, the energy that we receive from that land will be counted.

Dry lands are not suitable for building temples. Presence of trees, water, breeze, certain birds, land which is slightly inclined to the North or eastare needed.

If all these are found perfect, then taste of the soil will be identified. The perfect land will have a state of Bhasma. This land is considered as holy and it is very rare to find such lands. The majority of the lands we find for temples will have a taste of guava. The lands which are not at all suitable for temples will be having a sour taste.

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health

COSMETIC SURGERY FOR PERSONAL ENHANCEMENT Cosmetic Surgery is a type of plastic surgery that aims to improve a person’s appearance, but it should be approached with caution. Cosmetic Surgery continues to grow in popularity with 15.1 million cosmetic procedures carried out in the US in 2013, an increase of 3 per cent on the previous year.

Dr M S Jayasekhar MCh, FRCS

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W

hatever people may say, it pays to be good looking.

If you still have doubts, remember what the Bard said about the shape of Cleopatra’s nose. If it had been constructed a bit differently, the map of the world would have changed. Physical attractiveness has a significant effect on self –esteem and mental wellbeing in today’s age. In fact beauty is just not skin deep!!!

The physically attractive person has a positive self-image, which helps in increased socialization. It naturally leads to development of more social skills and greater assertiveness. The physically attractive persons are also more likely to receivebetter job offers, than their less good looking peers with similar qualifications. Job interviews and personality tests are also occasions, where not only one’s intellectual prowess is put to test, but also personal grooming and looks. Airline cabin crew selections are to a large extent influenced by the physical charms. In the ever so competitive software industry too, young-looking professionals do get an edge over the haggard looking ones. A protruding tummy or flabby chest, for instance would immediately disqualify a candidate looking for a job in the Defense services. A few extra pounds of flab, or an unseemly scar can ruin the dreams and aspirations of any young girl, who wants to make her mark in the field of movies, fashion or hospitality industry.In a nutshell, it can be said that physical attractiveness plays a significant role in all walks of life, be it in the realm of academics, business, sports or showbiz.

Plastic Surgery holds the key to overcome most of the inadequacies in the physical form of an individual. Strikingly noticeable physical incongruities can all be removed with the aid of Plastic Surgery. The appearance of the face and all its individual components can be changed, chests, waists and bottoms can be contoured, limbs can be sculptured, scars and tattoos can be erased. In short everything about the physical form can be changed, but one should not forget to strike a harmonious balance between the physical, mental and emotional selves.

The equilibrium of the individual has to be maintained.

Body Image is the result of the interplay of anatomic, anthropological, psychological and sociological perceptions. The surgeon should be skillful enough to safeguard all aspects of the individual’s personality, while applying his scalpel. The surgeon should have also a good psychological insight into each patient’s need.

Certain set of patients, mostly people in their teens and early twenties develop “Dysmorphophobia” showing schizoid and narcissistic personal traits. Some of these patients have self-perceived “deformities”, even though they appear normal to others.

The surgeon has to use his discretion in dealing with such patients. The Surgeon’s job does not stop with surgery alone, it extends to personal counselling and psychiatric assistance for patients.

The fact is not that the physically attractive person is better than the others, but such people have greater chances of finding success, career advancements and happiness in life. In this age of competition and the zest for fulfillment, Plastic Surgery helps to accentuate the individual’s physical attributes, thereby enhancing self-esteem and contentment.

The newfound prosperity of our society has brought with it problems like obesity with fat deposits of the tummy, hips, arms and chest resulting in disfigurement. The discontent with the body form can lead on

to depression, which in turn can lead to the vicious cycle of over eating (comfort eating) and putting on more weight. If the Plastic Surgeon can intervene at the right time by doing “Liposuction “(process of sucking out the excess fat from the body with the help of mechanical/Ultrasonic pumps) of the excess fat, or “Tummy Tuck” to get rid of a protuberant tummy, or reducing the “Man boobs:, this cycle can be broken and a fit and healthy individual can be rehabilitated back to the society.

Increasing age, pregnancy, diseases,

STRIKINGLY NOTICEABLE PHYSICAL INCONGRUITIES CAN ALL BE REMOVED WITH THE AID OF PLASTIC SURGERY.

accidents all can inflict disfigurements on the body. Onslaught of age can be fought with the use of Fillers, Botox injections, peels, Lasers and anti-ageing surgeries like Face & Neck lifts, arm/ thigh reductions, removal of eye bags, breast lit/ reduction surgeries etc. Birth anomalies, burn deformities, crooked nose, Mongloid eyes, receding chin, call all be corrected with the strokes of the Surgeon’s knife. Huge oversized breasts, which are a burden for both women and men (Gynecomastia) can be cut down to size.

Plastic surgery, in short, helps you to become a new radiant person in all senses of the world.

Writer is Consultant Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, Suvarna Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Centre, Sasthamangalam, Trivandrum-695010, Tel-0471-2318008/9846116004, www.suvarnaaesthetics.com

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success story

TRAVANCORE TITANIUM ON GROWTH PATH Travancore Titanium Products Ltd. was incorporated to produce pigment grade Titanium dioxide from ilmenite which is abundantly available as placer deposits on beaches near Kollam, 65 Kms north of the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram in the coastal state of Kerala, India. The Company which started production at a modest rate of 5 tonnes per day, increased its capacity in stages to the present level of 40-45 tonnes per day.

M

any people are not aware of the use of Titanium Dioxide as it is a major component in our day to day life. Titanium Dioxide is an ingredient of all types of white and pastel shades of paints, White walls, car tyres, Glazed paper, Plastics, Printed fabrics, Soaps and face powders, flooring materials like linoleum, white mosaics etc. It is also being used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, electronic components, materials for interior decoration, foot-wear and leather goods, dyes and printing inks.

Adv. A.A. Rasheed, Chairman of Travancore Titanium Products Ltd, talks to Brand Kerala on the projects and vision of the company gearing up for the 70th year of operation in 2021.

Can you elaborate on the current status of TTP and the projects envisaged in the future?

Our company was incorporated by the erstwhile Travancore King Sri Chithira Thirunal Balaramavarma in 1946. We are completing seventy five years in 2021. Our vision is to give a new dimension to Travancore Titanium Products Ltd. on its Platinum Jubilee. As a part of this we have submitted a

Adv. A.A. Rasheed

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proposal worth Rs 650 Crores to the State Government. The proposal includes the concepts of the Titanium Platinum Jubilee Complex and the newly produced products. Now we produce anatase grade Titanium Dioxide, Sulphuric Acid. There are some of the by-products like Road marking paint which are also produced here. After thorough research and studies, they also have been included in the specifications of the Ministry

of PWD. We had a discussion with the PWD minister regarding the same. The advantage of this is, in the future, only our products will only be used in the projects of PWD. Also the wastes formed after the production of Titanium Dioxide were used to make bricks. We are planning to market them and we have already built two company guest houses using these bricks. We are planning to turn our company into an academic institution which includes a research center. Our plan is to expand this company. We have bought five acres of land nearby which will have more greenery and we plan to manufacture the by-products at this facility. We also have a plan to identify fifty acres of land in Trivandrum. We have already submitted the project and the concept note to the Government.

What are the steps being adopted for adhering to the pollution norms?

Our company is one of the first in Trivandrum. We had met all the pollution control conditions put forward by the Pollution Control Board.

Three teams from the Board visited here and they inspected the whole company for seventy two hours. They permitted us to continue the production for five years; also to produce 45,000 tons of the products per day. This was a welcome change that happened after this Government came to power.

Our bankers also released the entire amount of guarantee when we fulfilled the conditions. We also received ISO 2015 certification for the quality of products recently. Our aim is to transform TTP into a company which can boast of eco-friendliness, zero waste and zero pollution and we have chalked out various development plans for achieving this. We have already made a big investment for pollution control measures. Currently, we don’t

have any issues in this front and could successfully resolve all the pollution related issues that hampered our operations. We have posted a fairly good profit of Rs15 crore in the half yearly assessment. Also, we have devised certain strategies for countering the threat from Chinese products which have hit the market.

TTP IS PLANNING A FOOTBALL ACADEMY WHICH AIMS TO BUILD A PROFESSIONAL TEAM BY 2021.

What are the strategies being planned to strengthen the marketing activities?

In the case of marketing, our Titanium Dioxide is the number one in quality. But some Chinese companies are marketing Titanium Dioxide with inferior quality at reduced rates. So buyers will take that too and mix with our products.. We are moving legally to solve this issue. We have a very good reach in the overseas market and we are constantly working to tap the maximum from these markets.

We have 750 permanent staff and 300 daily wages staff. We are getting good support from the State Government and they have a hope that the investment made in our company will not be a

loss. Industries Minister E P Jayarajan recently inspected our facilities and had a discussion with us regarding the future projects.

TTP has been actively involved in various CSR initiatives. Can you elaborate on the same?

Two major disasters affected our State

drastically; the Cyclone Okhi and the flood. We were not affected heavily by the flood but Okhi did a huge damage to our locality since this is a coastal region. We contributed Rs 50 lakh to the Okhi relief fund. Rs 50 lakh was donated by the TTP to the flood relief fund as well. We have a very active and winning football and volleyball teams. Now we are planning to build a Football Academy which aims to build a professional team by 2021 by imparting scientific training to the students from seventh standard onwards. We had a discussion with LNCPE (Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education) on this. It is also a part of our local commitment and we have already formed a committee headed by the District Collector. In the social responsibility front, we plan to utilize our CSR fund of 2 Crore deposited by us in the past to open a Dialysis Unit in this coastal area. We are already started processing the formalities for this in association with the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Our goal is to open five permanent Dialysis units.

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techno biz

SFO BAGS CMMI DEV V2.0 ML 5 The appraisal process covers the software operations of SFO, across domains such as Aerospace & Defence, Healthcare, Transportation and Industrial & Energy and is the best endorsement for the mature and standardscompliant process framework employed by the company, resulting in proven delivery capabilities for software that is defectfree and conforming to customer requirements.

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S

FO Technologies, the flagship company of the diversified conglomerate, NeST Group, has been appraised at CMMI Dev 2.0 Maturity Level 5, becoming the first company in the world to win this laurel. The appraisal process covers the software operations of SFO, across domains such as Aerospace & Defence, Healthcare, Transportation and Industrial & Energy and is the best endorsement for the mature and standards-compliant process framework employed by the company, resulting in proven delivery capabilities for software that is defectfree and conforming to customer requirements.

SFO Technologies has been servicing leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and System Integrators across the world, undertaking design, engineering, prototyping, software development, assembly and manufacturing of advanced electronic equipment used in industrial automation & control, medical and automotive electronics, avionics, etc since 1990. The company has factory complexes and Software Development Centres in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Pune and Mysore, besides support and marketing offices in most continents.

Besides CMMI, the company enjoys a slew of quality certifications, both generic ones such as ISO 9001, 27001&14001and domainspecific ones such as ISO 13485 (Healthcare), AS9100D, CEMELAC &

NADCAP (Aerospace &Defence), ISO 26262 &TS16949 (Automotive).

The company had boldly accepted the challenge of going in for the appraisal on the very first day

THE COMPANY WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE REQUIRED TRANSITION SUCCESSFULLY IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS.

permitted by the CMMI Institute in the USA, viz. January 1, 2019, when the new CMMI Dev 2.0 model appraisals acceptance started globally. The new model enunciated by the standard was radically different from the previous version and mandated, among other things, the usage of statistical tools for developing Process Performance objectives and its traceability to the Business Objectives. Yet the company was able to make the required transition successfully in less than six months, thanks to excellent teamwork and commitment from the crossfunctional team.

As MrGeoff Terrell, CMMI Institute,

SFO expects to cash in on the opportunities spawned by the on-going US-China trade war.

N Jehangir

put it, “SFO’s appraisal was the FIRST CMMI Version 2.0 appraisal, regardless of maturity level. This is a very impressive achievement. SFO’s dedication to continuous improvement

and CMMI is clear.”

N Jehangir, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, NeST Group described the achievement as yet another milestone in the company’s

constant attempt to raise the bar in quality and exceed customer satisfaction. “SFO expects to cash in on the opportunities spawned by the on-going US-China trade war and the shifting of manufacturing bases out of China it entails. Quality and timeliness of deliveries would be the key differentiators we offer to the Fortune 100 companies and this additional stamp of quality should help us convince more customers,” he said.

SFO has been consistently winning awards and citations from both customers and industry bodies like ELCINA for exports, quality and business performance over the past several years.

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personality

TREADING THE GANDHIAN PATH Salem Nanjundaiah Subba Rao is a freedom fighter and a religious practitioner of Gandhian thoughts and values. In the current scenario of violence and corruption, he propagates the lessons of non-violence across the country through his unique life style and social interventions.

Aparna Sreevalsan

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O

n the morning of August 9th, 1942, a student wrote “Quit India” on street walls and roads by boycotting his classes, later he was arrested by the British police, and then released being only thirteen years of age. That was Subba Rao’s first tryst with India’s freedom movement. Then Rao became active in Indian freedom struggle. He organized several educational camps and became the lifetime member of Gandhi Peace Foundation. He was born in Karnataka on 1929. A staunch practitioner and propagator of Gandhian values, Rao religiously practices the humility and sacredness of the teachings of the Mahatma in his lifestyle. He has been felicitated by the Nation with various recognitions and awards. His spirit and energy is astonishing and he seems quite lively in spreading Gandhian values in this era.

Subba Rao shares his thoughts and views on the Modern India with Brand Kerala.

The youngsters here are migrating to foreign countries for higher education and occupation which has made a dent in their contribution to the motherland. How do you view this scenario?

We should be practical enough to accept situations as they come. Otherwise, the only thing we can do is to get worried for everything. People will go abroad since there are more opportunities outside. It is better to let them go. Some of them will come back. Actually if India can give them much more facilities and opportunities they get from other countries, they will

come back to our country. Unfortunately it is not happening here. So we have to motivate them. I am sure that they are getting a comfortable settled life there, but the inner satisfaction is something else and that is something which we can’t compare with the comfort. The inner satisfaction can only be acquired when they are here. Some people came back to India and started working in small villages. Their partners might be foreigners, they are also coming to India.

Those who are abroad, will get that inner satisfaction only when they are at their homeland. Their mind will be here only.

But that is not very common. We need more facilities and our villages should be more attractive. What is happening in America is with the money they get, people buy houses or apartments in big cities like New York. Then they go to the Country sides hundred miles away to live, to get a peaceful atmosphere and fresh air.

They do not want to stay in New York, not in Detroit, not in San Francisco. Should we have also do things like that here? Our villages can be transformed to beautiful places where people can come and spend their time. Somewhat Punjab and Haryana has done it and like that more is to be done in the whole country.

Hoe do you rate the relevance of Gandhian values in the present context?

Today when you open the newspaper, what do you see? Eleven people killed by one man in America; Seven people got killed in a blast in Chhattisgarh. There should be a solution for these. The only solution is to replace hatred and anger

INFO AWARDS & HONOURS l National

Youth Award to National Youth Project- 1995 l D.Lit. Honoured Degree by Kashi Vidhya Peeth- 1995 l Bhartiya Ekta Puruskar l Shanti Doot International Award - the honour is conferred by the World Peace Movement Trust India. l Vishva Manvadhikar Protsahan Puruskar-2002 l Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award-2003 l Rashtirya Sampradayik Sadbhavna Puruskar-2003 l Jamanalal Bajaj Puraskar-2006[3] l Mahatma Gandhi Purskar-2008 l Anuvart Ahimsa Award-2010 l Life Time Achievement Award-2014

by Bharitya Sathi Sangthan Delhi l Mahatma Gandhi Prerna Seva Puraskar-2014 by Karnataka Government l Rashtriya Sadbhawna Ekta Prusaskar-2014 Nagpur,Maharashtra

with unconditional love. In spite of all the hatred, we can love each other. For ensuring a blissful future for our children, we have to change this atmosphere. Value based quality education has become the need of the hour which can go a long way in ensuring character development among the younger generation and thereby wipe out the evils of violence, corruption and hatred from our society.

Value based quality education has become the need of the hour which can go a long way in ensuring character development among the younger generation.

Salem Nanjundaiah Subba Rao

Do you think does India should also follow a vegetarian culture?

See, I was not in a position to cultivate food for my needs fifty years ago.

But now I can do that. I can grow wheat, rice, mangoes and all other vegetables required to quench my hunger here itself.

Then why should I eat anything else?

We are so particular about the rights of humans, but we kill animals relentlessly to satisfy our appetite. Don’t they have the right to live? Since I can create my own food now without harming anything, I find it quite unfair and cruel to kill other beings in the name of food.

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woman power

AmritaSree is the realization of Mata Amritananda Mayi’s vision of empowering women from the financially backward sections of the society to help them attain a livelihood and stand on their feet by showcasing an ideal example of togetherness and self-reliance.

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A UNIQUE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT MODEL

A

mritaSree programme devised by the Mata Amritananda Mayi Math, has evolved as an ideal model for women empowerment in the country. This project was initially concieved as a recuperative programme in the aftermath of the devastating Tsunami that stuck the Kerala Coast in 2004 and the alarming levels of farmer suicides in the country which destroyed the livelihood of a good number of women in the fishing and farming communities. The primary objective of AmritaSree self help groups (SHGs) was to equip the

women belonging to these streams acquire skills in jobs which are not directly linked to the furies of the nature and thereby empower them to stand on their feet by finding newer avenues.

The scheme, kicked off with an objective to provide one lakh jobs to women through 5000 SHGs in a span of five years, has exhibited an enormous growth in fifteen years with a strength of 20,000 SHGs and around four lakh members making it one of the largest women empowerment movements in the country.

AmritaSree is the realization of Amma’s vision of empowering women from the financially backward sections of the society to help them attain a livelihood and stand on their feet by showcasing an ideal example of togetherness and selfreliance.

Amrita Sree currently consists of 20,546 SHGs spread across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh and Maharashtra which provides benefits

to 12,32,760 people which includes 3,80,190 members who are directly linked to this programme. In Kerala, around 2.25 lakh members work under 11,000 SHGs under this programme. The clusters formed under these groups take care of all the monetary requirements of the members without relying on any financial institutions. Apart from the help in the form of clothes and other benefits, an amount of Rs 30,000 will be given to

20,546

SHGs currently consist of 3,80,190 members across the country.

each 20 member group as working capital this year.

The members of Amrita Sree are being given vocational training in various trades like computerized accounting, mobile phone repairing, two wheeler repairing, plumbing, stitching, soap making with the help of national and international agencies like United Nations Development Fund, International Labour Organisation and Medium and Small scale Industries Department. Amritanandamayi Math has been providing adequate technical and financial support to the members for starting their own ventures.

AmritaSree sangamams, which ensures the participation of each and every member of the respective clusters, are being held in each district on an annual basis. This year also, the conclave was held in Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts. Each event witnessed the participation of celebrities from political, cultural and other social spheres of the State. A minimum of 10000 women members took part in each of the event. The annual pension and other benefits for the members were also distributed at these events.

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food

THE CAKE BLISS Baking is an art, it requires immense creativity. It is also a strict science of getting your measures and proportions right.

The new age bakers are not only getting the science right, but are also posed with a challenge of doing something unique and out-of-the-box to lure customers.

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T

here’s nothing joyful like sharing generous slices of mouth-watering homemade cakes with family or friends. In making cake, you are taking advantage of some magical scientific transformations to create something sugary, delicate and delicious that everyone will love and love you for.

Brand Kerala introduces Sruthi Thankam Mathew, a professional cake baker, who has been baking beautiful cakes with her magical creativity.

The success of this lady speaks to a widespread appetite for sculptural and novelty cakes for occasions like weddings, birthdays or anniversaries.

Sruthi is sharing the story of her venture ‘The Magic Whisk’ and a recipe of one of her special cakes with Brand Kerala.

“I have been baking cakes for past three years. At first, I used to bake small cakes at home for family functions. After marriage I got settled in Chennai. During the time of pregnancy, I resigned the HR job I had there in Chennai. We came back to Kerala after the delivery of my son.

At that time, I started baking cakes for

our birthdays, anniversaries. The invited guests and friends appreciated my cakes and they asked me to start baking cakes commercially. I used to bake cakes and send them to my husband’s office as per his colleagues’ orders. They promoted my cakes and many orders came after that.”

She said.

Almost fifteen to sixteen types of cakes are being baked here. But most times, people prefer chocolate cakes.

“Theme based cakes are having high demand now a days. They give more preference to the beauty of the cake.

Cakes will weigh up to six kilograms depending on the need of the customer.

My family and my friends give me huge support in this venture. My cakes are being sold under the brand name ‘The Magic Whisk’. The price of the cakes will differ according to the theme. Normal cakes are sold at 1,000rs per kilogram.

Rich Chocolate, Fruity, Citrus, Red Velvet etc. are the main flavours asked by customers.” She adds.

Facebook: themagicwhisk.sruthi/ Instagram: Themagicwhisk.sruthi

KE LATE CA

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,. Bu degree C wl en to 180 v o r a large bo u o y nd salt to Preheat a a d so r. e g akin er pap powder, b with butt aches a ar, cocoa g er. su ix r, m mixture re u d o e n th a l h ti a Add fl n h u it gether w low speed and mix to butter and mix on dients are d ne dry ingre o n l re Add softe ti tu n x u te eed sand like on low sp crumbly -60 k and mix il m d ke for 50 n a ns and ba a Add eggs p e k a c 8” into three showing. epan er equally tt a b e er a sauc th Divide cream ov sh late. Let e o fr c o e heat th dark ch , d e e h p c ol p a mis. o n h a g et this co over c chocolate ganache.l nd pour it a th o ), To make o il o sm b ta ng it to a well to ge er, (don’t bri nd mix it a s in hand mix m -3 ll using a e nd w a it sit for 2 r s e e tt h u tc , beat b r in ba hrs. e m d w a w fe re o a p rc e r a fo butt coco chococlate ed icing sugar and s.

To make ft ple of min si u te e o c th a ly add of chocola ell for p w o t ll a e u b d and slow d a n d a d eat with k a p il , e R ly m dd plete spatula. a h it mix well.A es are cooled com w t and sides it ou cak to the top d smooth n m a as a e When the k re a c c r t butte out. Get it to the firs oothen it chcoclate d sm d ganache A to . r rs e e scrap ining lay or bench the rema to a spatula se U . the cake e k settes on of the ca ro e m so . ipe ou can ercream p neat as y this. ining butt a ssel to do m o re n e p ti r a st With th se u it.You can decorate

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entertainment

ANNA’S TRYST WITH TUNES

“Appangalembaadum ottakku chuttammaayi...” this song from the National Award Winning Malayalam movie Ustad Hotel, transformed the young and vibrant musician Anna Katharina Valayil a name to reckon with in the music industry.

Aparna Sreevalsan

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A

nna Katharina Valayil, picked up her guitar and started singing when she was a child.

Later in the Film Industry, she also had brought a lyrical style with her vibrant singing style, which gave a number of commercial hits in the industry. She graduated from St. Theresa’s College, Cochin and later went to Australia to pursue her passion as a pilot from the famous Flying School Moorabbin Aviation Services. She also took her Master’s in Media Studies from the Swinburne University. She started her career in music by singing advertisement jingles in various languages and lending her voice to background scores in films for the National Awardee music director Gopi Sundar. Brand Kerala is having a chat with this young vibrant musician.

Trace out your journey of music.

I have always been a musician from my childhood. Everything else other than music came secondary.

Primarily I was a singer. The images given by the books or television had no role in my life from childhood onwards. For a musician the way of thinking, anything and everything will be different from the normal things. I never thought that I would be a singer or a musician here in Kerala. Because my voice is thick, it’s loud, it has western style, and it’s not classical.But I knew I was always a rock star.

I have always given that kind of impression to everyone. I always spoke and lived in such a way, like

carrying guitar with me, talking about music all the time. Music to me has more of been a lifestyle; it’s a reflection of my character and it has refined me a lot. I was intensely passionate about life and I was a much disciplined child.

I have kept that discipline in my music life too.

How did you feel after releasing your singles?

Very unsatisfied. Since I am very critical about myself, I should say I didn’t like anything about those singles.

At that time, I thought I have done so much, I have done a good job. I found many mistakes in my works. But now after refining myself a lot, when I look back, I feel I have done nothing. It is pretty difficult, being a full wife, having children, being a part of a joint family

and focusing on my career in music with all these factors. But I am managing it well.

What do you think about the band culture?

Band is a bond. All these genres were made when three or four people joined, they jammed for hours and created music. Most of the bands here get dismantled because nobody is promoting the original music. It is not because the bands don’t have values. You can stream any kind of music on your phone, with many applications like YouTube, Saavn, Gaana etc. Wherever you go, you can see people do Smule.

So many people consider themselves as singers because they sing on Smule, and getting 100 likes, 200 likes. They are now Instagram models. If you get about 5000 likes, you are an Instagram model. You manipulate something and play around on your computer, then you are a DJ. All can be done in seconds; these things happen in instant. But band, nobody can make it happen in an instant. Band is about commitment, dedication, hard work,

Most of the bands here get dismantled because nobody is promoting the original music. It is not because the bands don’t have values.

Anna Katharina Valayil

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discipline etc. It’s about real life, risks, and that is not fake.

Do you think, it is difficult for the independent musicians to get accepted by the people

here?

I think to an extent, television channels encourages and promotes independent musicians and their pure music. But radio stations never promotes any kind of music other than film songs now a days. I feel very bitter about this. In the old days, radios promoted all kind of songs like film songs, folk songs, poems, drama songs etc. Radio channels are being listened by everyone everywhere. We cannot blame people for not listening to independent music.

They don’t have any medium to listen to other than internet, radios and televisions. The mediums should accept the independent music first. Also the common people have a thought that when a musician gets established, he or she is then not affordable, so they will not take tickets and watch live shows.

In Kerala, most of the bands are there

to sing cover songs. Bands which creates original music are very few in number. I am a person who strictly stands for original music.

I have faced many rejections because I support and struggle for original music. But situations are changing now. People will get bored by listening to the different covers of the same

I will not be a part of this #Metoo movement, because, I will not keep anything in my mind without reacting at that moment.

Anna Katharina Valayil

song many times. When they want something original, you have to put yourself down there, build your market, get their attention, earn their respect; then they will love your music.

This won’t happen in an overnight.

Malayalis listen to a plethora of genres.

When you check the playlist they have in their phones, you can see they listen to Tamil, Hindi, World music, Rock, Pop, etc.

I will never undermine the listening capability of a Malayali. Or I will never underestimate the musical

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patronage that Malayalis have.

What is your take on the #Metoo movement?

I would not say that there is gender equality here. Even though I sing a hit song, I will still not get paid as much as a male singer. That kind of inequality is existing here. When it’s about #Metoo, if something bad happens to me, I will never keep quiet.

If asking my personal opinion, I will not be a part of this #Metoo movement, because, I will not keep anything in my mind without reacting at that moment.

My parents and my husband will surely compliment me ‘that you did a good job’, if they come to know that I reacted at the spot. But some girls are not like that. They will not react and when they share the issue with their parents, they will get worried about the society, they fear that they will become victims. For me, I don’t have a #Metoo movement. If it’s in the industry I will not work any longer with the person who behaved badly to me. My father has raised me very differently. He is quite known for his Bohemian lifestyle, being flamboyant. He is like a better friend than a father. My husband is also not judgmental. He has accepted me as I am. So expressing myself has become a lot easier than in my school, college days. In those days, I was urging to get an acceptance among people. I have struggled a lot. But I am receiving now everything I wished for on those days, so I don’t have any kind of inhibitions now. I will sing whatever I want, I will speak up, and I will bluntly say a lot of things that I wished I had said earlier. So in all the sense, music has made me a stronger person. I am not giving up my career, I still push myself with whatever circumstances I have. I don’t want my daughters to say in future, that their mother did nothing after getting married. Once when things go hard for them, they can

look back and say that their mother had to put up a lot of things. They will think if their mother could do those things at that time, then it will be much easier for them to deal anything and everything. I want my daughters to outgrow the social limitations that as a musician, as a woman I am facing now.

How was your experience in getting trained to be a pilot?

First of all, my Pilot license had expired three and a half years ago. I was a commercial pilot. If I am going back to Australia, I can again fly in a matter of a week. Here I have to convert my Australian license to the Indian license. I always wanted to fly.

I was enrolled to the best Aviation Institute in Australia. When I was eligible to fly, I wrote my father about the license. He had a luxury car. He

I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON MY DEBUT ALBUM WHICH IS TO BE RELEASED IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS.

gave up that car for me and gave money for getting the pilot license.

He asked me to fly. It is such a great mind of my parents, because of them I flew and I give the full credibility to my parents. They gave me wings by shrinking themselves.

What about the band and new projects?

I am currently working on my debut album which is to be released in

the upcoming months. Album consists of six to eight songs. Recently I have performed in the launch edition of Sonic Sky Music Festival, March 2019 at Trivandrum. Our band members are Charles Nazareth on Keys, Sonu Prasad and Kaleb Shaji on guitars, Joel Varghese on bass and rapper Marthyan.

Also I have performed in Music Mojo Season 6.

Family.

My family consist of my parents Joseph Varghese Valayil and Mini Varghese, younger sister Becky Mary Valayil, my husband Ranjesh and my two daughters. Elder daughter is Resha; she is five years old and younger is Rahel, she is three years old. My husband is a business man. He runs a catering company called Malabar Food Supplies in Kottayam. We are settled in Kottayam.

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leisure

ROYAL TYRRELL MUSEUM & LORDS OF THE LAND The Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology’s mandate is to be an internationally recognised public and scientific museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, presentation and interpretation of paleontological history.

Lalu Joseph

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C

anada’s, The Royal Tyrrell museum at Drum Heller Alberta proclaim “surrounding you are some of the rarest, beautiful and scientifically relevant specimens from this region”.

Historians say, years ago a massive earth quake grounded all on surface and the Dinosaurs got wiped out. The innumerable fossils down below turned Alberta into an oil rich province which is committed to excavations and research in the region digging out fossil after fossil and preserving them. Millions of dollars are budgeted every year for the Lords of the Land where the beauty and wonder of the beast Dinosaur is showcased The Royal Tyrrell museum is the focus of the ongoing excavations and research on Dinosaurs.

Drum Heller in the badlands of Red Deer River valley in east central Alberta, north east of Calgary is

synonymous with the drum beating like sound created by the beast’s footsteps.

Also known as the Dinosaur capital of the world the city provoked Steven Spielberg to make the Hollywood fantasy Jurassic Park in 1993 Fossil collection needs permission, either the surface collection

of isolated fossils clear on the surface or the other by dislodging and digging up fossils embedded or buried in the ground or within a rock face Excavation in Alberta is restricted to professional paleontologists by Department of Culture and Tourism and prohibited in the other provincial/national parks or protected area including the 598 hectares of grassland of Midland provincial park which nestles the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Fossils collected in Alberta cannot be sold without permission. Those at the local

shops in Drum Heller are from United States, Europe, and Africa.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum has a variety of tour programs for Public Students and Teachers with the motto “Explore create and discover” Complimentary weekend screening of two videos, “Passion for the

INFO ARMENIA The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a Canadian tourist attraction and a centre of palaeontological research known for its collection of more than 130,000 fossils.

The museum is situated in the middle of the fossil-bearing strata of the Late Cretaceous Horseshoe Canyon Formation and holds numerous specimens from the Alberta badlands, Dinosaur Provincial Park and the Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Egg Site.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is operated by Alberta’s Ministry of Culture.

The museum is named in honour of Joseph Burr Tyrrell, a geologist who accidentally discovered the first reported dinosaur fossil in the Red Deer River valley in 1884 while searching for coal seams. The carnivorous dinosaur was later named Albertosaurus sarcophagus. The museum opened September 25, 1985 and was given “Royal” status in 1990.

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Past”, and “The inside Story” narrate the excavations and the journey of the fossil from the field to display Students from kindergarten to 12th grade, get curriculum based programs in science, social studies, mathematics, and art Visitors can explore the personal stories and exceptional specimens.

Proceeds of the sale and merchandise at the Gift shop are to support research and programs.

Museum app, wheelchairs and strollers and cafeteria add on to the hospitality chart of the Museum One can spend 2 hours to two days at the Museum 6 kilo meters north west of Drum Heller on entry pass.

Above the word meaning of Museum as an institution for caring collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance, The Royal Tyrrell Museum an animal free zone, stands out as a spot for educational tourism and picnic, as said by an Alberta settled Keralite community family which had a birthday celebration on 24 May 2018 at the park Kids of

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ONE CAN SPEND 2 HOURS TO TWO DAYS AT THE MUSEUM 6 KILO METERS NORTH WEST OF DRUM HELLER ON ENTRY PASS.

the family went around the Museum watching and briefing their grandma on Dinosaurs while the youngest one ran after the Marmots peeping out in search of food from the park. But for the public notice animals “are not be fed”, Marmots could have relished the birthday cake Writer is a travel enthusiast and can be reached at lalujoseph@gmail.com

art

STROKES OF INNOVATION Manilal Sabarimala is the Founder and Director of ANOKHII, an international art fraternity which works for helping artists to flourish in the art world.

He has done his MFA and BFA from Mysore University, B.Ed from Bangalore University, ADMM (Multimedia) from Hyderabad and CHt (Hypnotherapy) from California University

M

anilal Sabarimala’s paintings are based on the majestic beauty of Lord Ganesha. So as to convey his ideas with more clarity, he adapted to the modern and abstract form of art. With a passion for art, he travelled many places to conduct exhibitions and attend workshops.

What made you to form Anokhii, the Art Foundation?

It was in 2012, I started this organization called Anokhii. Artists from 26 countries around the world has tied up with Anokhii. We contact each other through internet and if there is any exhibition is being conducted in any of those countries, these artists will let me know; also if the exhibition is conducted under the banner of Anokhii, they will send me their works and I will

exhibit them. I will send the catalogue, photographs, etc. of the exhibition. If somebody wants to buy the paintings, I will let the artist know about it; main thing I have to mention is there is no mediator in between the buyer and the artist in Anokhii. The deal is done directly through one to one contact. I have exhibited my works in many countries.

I have exhibited my works including solo, group etc in almost 60 exhibitions.

I always wanted to do something for the creative artists here. Why any other artists from our place cannot stick on to the art field is that, they all have a permanent jobs to make money for their living. They do not have the time and money to invest for this. For me, I am a person who never runs after money. I could achieve all these because I never do anything just for money. I have never

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done any kind of marketing for my works or never asked anyone to buy my paintings. I am not at all a commercial artist. There are many differences between a commercial artist and a creative artist. Creative artists should talk only about their creativity other than being worried about their paintings not getting sold. That’s what happen here most of the time. All are worried about selling their works.

How was your experience in conducting a solo exhibition of your works in London?

I have conducted solo exhibition of my works only in London. That was in 2007.

It was a wonderful experience. I faced many risky factors like carrying all my original paintings till London without making any damages on it. Also to I had to organize everything alone.

What are your other activities besides panting?

I am active in this field of art since 2000. Before that I was a teacherin Bhutan, then I have done graphic designing and animation works, recently I have done a course in Hypnotherapy by California University, then a one month course in Yoga from the Yoga centre in Neyyar run by foreigners. I read a lot, especially mythology based books, to get new themes and concepts for my works.

What are the latest works you have done?

I am currently working with pen drawings. I want my works to be unique all the time. I have learned and referred about this style of drawing with many creative artists, internet etc. I have showed my new works to the eminent artists here in India and abroad. They asked me to follow this new style because they found it unique. I felt a very good vibe about it and I had a pleasure in drawing with pens than painting. I am planning to exhibit the pen drawing in

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a gallery somewhere in Mumbai or New Delhi. My pen drawings are based on the villages and life of people in Bhutan.

I clearly remember every detail about Bhutan. The pulse and the culture of Bhutan will be depicted in the work.

Like Landscape, this is based on Cultural Scape of Bhutan. Some works were exhibited in the Kovalam exhibition recently. One drawing will take about twenty to thirty hours to get finished.

You have concentrated mainly on Ganapathy for your art works. Why? In India, Ganapathy has got a higher place based on Hindu Mythology,. I have read many books and articles based on Ganapathy. The logic behind breaking

coconut is that coconut is compared with the human body. The hard surface of the coconut is considered as the hard feelings of us like Ego, Arrogance etc. The tender part of the coconut is the mind and body.

When we enter the temple of Ganapathy and break coconut, we are breaking all our egos and other hard feelings. We can draw Ganapathy in many ways. It is very flexible to paint Ganapathy. I have drawn 4500 Ganapathys in one canvas. It took eight months to finish.

Do you think that artists do not get the due respect in Kerala as they get in other places?

Yes, I felt so because whenever I go to other places, the respect given by the people is something I could cherish for

I am currently working on a book about Bhutan including my pen drawings and write-ups.

After that I am planning to publish a book about Ganapathy.

Manilal Sabarimala

my entire life time. But if I introduce myself as an artist here in Kerala to someone, they will not respect me.

Once somebody asked me what I do, I said I am running my own business, he felt happy. If I said that I was an artist, he would have felt exactly opposite.

Anywhere except Kerala, artists are offered many platforms to exhibit their art works. If you go to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or anywhere, the people respect us. In 2006, when I went to Mumbai for an exhibition, a rich man and his son bought three of my paintings. He asked me to go with him to his house near Juhu Beach. He called me and asked me where he should fix my paintings and he fixed those paintings exactly where I suggested. That is the respect we receive from other places. There is another

incident, one of my friends bought a Ganapathy painting from me and I saw it being displayed in the Pooja room. I couldn’t believe that my painting had the quality to be kept in Pooja room. Nothing like this will happen in Kerala.

What are your plans in authoring books and conducting exhibitions?

I have compiled the art works of world renowned artists into a book. I am currently working on a book about Bhutan including my pen drawings and write-ups. After that I am planning to publish a book about Ganapathy. There are only a few number of books about Ganapathy, so I wanted to publish one.

When I finish the pen drawing series, I will conduct an exhibition when I find a really good place as the venue.

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