Metro Mart March 2015

METRO mart Volume 4 Issue 8

March 2015

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T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

VELLANATTAMMA INCARNATION OF ADHIPARASAKTHI

The Divine Mother Adhiparasakthi manifests herself in various names and forms to establish virtue, save the good, and to show the light of righteousness. Vellanad Sree Bhagavathy is considered an incarnation of Adhiparasakthi.

S p i ri t u a l T ourism OF K E R A LA Th e re i s s o m u c h m ore to Ke rala than its b a c kw a t er s , ay u r veda, s un-kis s e d sa nd s , b ea c h es a n d c u is ine . What in t o xi c a t e t h e t ravel l er s are the age -old t e m p l es , c h u rc h es , m os q ue s , and all twww.metromartdaily.com ha t m a kes Kera l a a s a cre d ab od e .

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METRO mart T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

Gurucharanam Saranam

Lotus Parnasala Santhigiri Ashram Santhigiri P.O, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India-695 589 communication@santhigiriashram.org www.santhigiriashram.org +91 471 2419313, 8606083000, 8606084000

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METRO mart T H I R U VA N A N T H A P U R A M

There should be a concerted effort to streamline the spiritual tourist sector Kerala, God’s Own Country, comes alive with festival of Gods during the Malayalam months of Kumbham, Meenam and Medam. Several world famous annual festivals happen in Kerala during this time. This year, the Guruvayur temple festival is from March 2nd to 11th. Chottanikkara Makam Thozhal is on March 4th. Whereas the famous Attukal Pongala is on March 5th. Kollemcode Thookkam festival is from 14th to 23rd March. Vellanadu Meenabharani Festival is conducted from March 14th to March 23rd.

Foreword

Hi Readers,

Several performances at this temple have been photographed, recorded in video and are hitting social media like wild fire. Anayottam at Guruvayur, Kettukazhcha, a splendid display of decorated wooden chariots, ritualistic Garudan Thookkam, Kaavu Theendal at Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Thookkam at Vellanad – all these form this group. However, it is high time the governments realize the potential to take these festivals to the next level of popularity.

There should be a concerted effort to streamline the spiritual tourist sector that is currently untapped. We know several visitors from across the globe are timing their visit to Kerala to take part in these festivities. We know of several women from other countries visiting Attukal every year for taking part in Pongala. An appropriate festival calendar for each year should be prepared and spiritual travel should be promoted all over India and other countries.

Siji Nair CEO & Managing Director

The various festivals have a charm of their own. Many of these have their own particular rituals. The legends behind these festivities are multifarious. Although, all of these state the triumph of good over evil. Unique performances that are carried out at these temples are world famous and also reveal the traditions that are a part of Kerala. At times these rituals could be mind-blowing and also give peace to the mind. It is a devotee paying obeisance to God/Goddess.

This spiritual travels would ensure that our traditions continue.

We need more and more people to learn and follow traditions.

It is not just a marketing strategy that we are talking about, but also to remember and maintain our culture. www.metromartdaily.com

March 2015

CONTENTS Volume 4 Issue 9 March 2015 www.metromartdaily.com

10

Spiritual Tourism of Kerala

16

Vellanattamma – Incarnation of Adhiparasakthi

24

Czarina’s ‘Kota Utsav’ a sensational success

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Santhigiri Ashram: Where Guru is God

Read our e-edition-www.issuu.com/metromart

Managing Editor Hari Shanker hari@martinfotech.in

CEO & Managing Director Siji Nair sijicn@gmail.com

28

Indo-Chinese Recipes

32

Cosmopolitan Hospitals believes in offering comprehensive health care under a single roof

38 42

Kerala looks to tie up with Sri Lanka and Maldives for new tourism circuit Focussed patient care key to cancer treatment and management: ISCON 2015

42

Malayali Rethna Puraskaram

44

Biennale is an outstanding Kerala tourism product: Minister Anil Kumar

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The Last Leaf

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V Viswanath

Editorial Assistant

Ampili Nair Debashri Das

Creative Assistant

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GM Sales

Sibu Nair

General Manager-Marketing

Binoy K S

Business Development Manager Ratheesh Kumar

Corporate Office:Metro Mart Thiruvananthapuram Jayaraj Plus Towers, Murinjapalam, Medical College Post Trivandrum - 695011 Tel: +91 471 6065511/ 9947733339 Email: metromart.tvm@gmail.com Bangalore Office:No:217, 3B Main, OMBR Layout Bangalore – 560 043 Tel: +919038000711 Email: info@martinfotech.in Kolkata Office 313, Dorikal Byelane, Jheel Avenue, Dum Dum Road, Kolkata – 700 074, India

Published, Edited and Printed by Hari Shanker A G and Owned by Haritha Media Pvt Ltd and Printed by him at SB Press Private Limited, Statue, Trivandrum 695001 and Published from Tharangam, Kodunganoor Post, Trivandrum 695013 Metro Mart is a monthly journal published from Trivandrum. Views and opinions expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of the Publishers.

Metro Mart reserves the right to use the information published here in any manner whatsoever. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published in this edition, neither the Publisher no any of its employees accept any responsibilities for any errors or omissions. © All Rights Reserved 8 March 2015

RNI No: KERENG/2011/40037

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COVER FEATURE

Spiritual Tourism of Kerala There is so much more to Kerala than its backwaters, ayurveda, sun-kissed sands, beaches and cuisine. What intoxicate the travellers are the age-old temples, churches, mosques, and all that makes Kerala a sacred abode.

Anju Budhiraja

P

ilgrimage tourism is yet another facet of Kerala that is making news. The southern state has quite a number of pilgrimage centers such as temples and shrines that are a major source of attraction to tourists. The coconut land has many sacred temples, particularly those in Thiruvananthapuram alone that makes Kerala most visited amongst the religious people.

Whatever be the nature of

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the pilgrimage place, Kerala has the perfect backdrop in terms of a pure and pristine atmosphere that helps in invoking the Almighty through participation in temple festivals, devotional songs, and engaging oneself in multifarious temple activities.

Religious Places in Kerala Animals particularly elephants play a pivotal role in the holy worship and religious ceremonies

at the temples and other sacred places in Kerala. This happens almost throughout the year when devotees throng to the religious places to participate in the annual fairs and festivals that happen.

In Kerala, there are number of pilgrimage centres pertaining to each worshipping community, be it Hindus, Muslims, Jains or Christians. This universality despite diversity in religion is an endearing aspect

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of Kerala. Some of the popular destinations comprising temples, churches and mosques are Guruvayoor,Sabarimala, Chottanikkara, Attukal, Bharananganam, Malayattoor, Maramon, Parappanangadi, etc where thousands throng to pay obeisance to their deities.

Kerala also happens to house ancient Jewish synagogues in Fort Kochi which is an island town.

The History and Avenues of Worship The holy face of the 20th century Kerala cannot be written without giving due recognition to the contributions made by Sri Narayana Guru and Chattampi Swamikal, the two great spiritual teachers of the present century. In the present day thousands

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visit Vallikkavu, a small coastal village in Kollam district to see and hear Mata Amritanandamayi, who provides spiritual consolation to all those who seek it.

Every religious place has a sense of value and significance attached to it. The tourism industry in the state of Kerala is making valuable gains out of selling this fascination in the minds of people, both as places of tourist interest and as places of worship. Every year millions of pilgrims visit Sabarimala in the month of NovemberJanuary, which is when the pilgrims come in endless numbers.

Sabarimala is not the only place of attraction for the spiritual crowd. The Pooram festival at Thrissur

is yet another spiritual and a socio-cultural event festival which is the most colourful festival of Kerala.

Celebrated during the summer season of AprilMay every year, Thrissur Pooram largely comprises of a procession of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighbouring temples.

Another important temple in Kerala is the Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur which is popularly known as Dakshina Madura.

All major temples in the state celebrate yearly festivals which usually last around nine days. The colourful procession of elephants accompanied by vadyam and melam which are traditional temple percussion music is a usual sight.

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Now why leave the Christians behind? The festivals in the churches stand apart too. Christianity, it is believed, has a history of 2000 years in Kerala as Christian disciple St Thomas came here to spread the faith in 52 AD. The saint had built seven churches in the state, which are still considered as the main centre of Christianity in the country. With a good Christian population, Kerala celebrates almost all Christian festivals on a grand scale.

The church at Niranam, dedicated to St Mary

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holds pride of place. The church celebrates its main festival on August 15 and the birthday of St Mary is celebrated on a grand scale on September 8. The Church also celebrates the feast of St Thomas on July 3. Among Church festivals the Perunal at the Edappally church is the most popular one. The festival begins on April 23.

A unique phenomenon associated with Christian faith in Kerala is undoubtedly the Maramon convention. It is held every year during February on the vast sand bed of the

river Pamba, below the Kozhencherry bridge and has the largest Christian gathering in Asia. Christians from all over the country and abroad assemble here to listen to the word of God as read and expounded by leaders of Christian thought.

Similarly, Islam also has many celebrations in Kerala, for instance, the Prophet’s birthday.

The spiritual tradition of Kerala is very rich and eclectic that welcomes everybody with a warm heart.

March 2015

FEATURE ARTICLE

Vellanattamma – Incarnation of Adhiparasakthi The Divine Mother Adhiparasakthi manifests herself in various names and forms to establish virtue, save the good, and to show the light of righteousness. Vellanad Sree Bhagavathy is considered an incarnation of Adhiparasakthi.

V. Viswanath

T

he legends behind Vellanad Bhagavathy Temple are several.

Once of which is that the Divine Mother took this incarnation to kill the Asura(evil king) Dharikan who ruled the three worlds. The demon Darika had received a boon from Brahma that Darika would 20152015 1414 March February

not be defeated by any man born in the 14 worlds. This made him arrogant and he conquered the whole world and even gods. This made the sage Narada to request God Shiva to bring about an end to Darika. Lord Shiva opened his third eye and produced Kali, who was to kill Darika. The incarnation

from the third eye of the Lord Paramashiva was named as Sree Kandakali.

After killing the Asura, the Devi reached this place and took rest here. During the earlier years, poojas were conducted for Sree Bhadrakali. Later, when the poojas were handed over to the Brahmins,

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Bhadrakali pooja was changed to Bhagavathi pooja. It is believed that with the change in nature of poojas, the character of the Devi too softened from Kali (denoting fierceness) to Bhagavathy (denoting gentleness). Even though in the beginning poojas were conducted only on Fridays and later also on Tuesdays, for the last several years the poojas are conducted daily.

Another legend which is more widely accepted and believed is Vellanattamma – the incarnation of Adhiparaksakthi - after killing the Asura Darikan appeared in the dream of a landlord and instructed him that she was in a seashore village family at Thiruvallom. She said to the

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landlord that if her idol is erected and consecrated in a temple at Vellanad, the place will be prosperous ever after. Accordingly, a temple was constructed in Vellanad and the Devi is worshipped.

There are several rituals conducted in the temple during the annual 10-day festival. Dikku Bali, Kalam Kaval, Thookam, Urul, Pongala, Paranettu, Nilathil poru, Kuthiyottam, Thottum pattu, and Thalapoli are some of the significant ones.

The rituals start with Kappu Kettu and Thottam Pattu where Kannagi Charitham or the epic of Kannagi is sung in hymns. The hymns invoke the slaying of the

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king of Madurai by Kannagi.

The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

The epic is sung during the festival days with stage of the epic being rendered on consecutive days.

Dikku Bali is where the Goddess Kali is searching for Darika in all four dikku or directions. In Kalamkaval, the search by the Goddess is enacted or performed by the chief priest. He carries the idol of the goddess on his head and dances in a totally entranced way. This goes on until he becomes unconscious. At this performace, he adorns the thiruvabharanam or traditional gold ornaments of the goddess. This consists of Kappu, vanki, odyanam, necklaces such

as paalakka, pichi mottu, muthu, etc.). It is believed that the priest can perform this only with the blessings of the Devi enshrined in the temple.

Pongala is conducted by the devotees at the temple premises to pay obeisance to the Goddess. Over the years the number of devotees offering Pongala at this shrine has grown.

The devotion with which the women conduct the ritual is unmatched. So great is their devotion to Goddess Bhagavathy that they tend to be entranced in their prayers to Bhagavathy.

The fight between Goddess Kali and the demon Darika is believed to have begun

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in the sky. This is enacted at night on a tall stage of about 100 feet height. This ritual is called Paranettu.

After Paranettu, the fight ensues on land. This is termed Nilathilpporu.

In the end, it is seen that the demon asks for forgiveness and at the end of the seventh fight, the Goddess takes Darika’s head and visits Lord Shiva.

This marks the end of the fight between good and evil where the good triumphs.

Vandiyottam is performed as a trial run before Thookkam. This also ensures that the cart and the bow used to carry men

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and children are functioning effectively. This is a very popular event.

Another major event during the festival is Urul. The Urul or ‘rolling through the ground’ is carried out by devotees after taking vows of penance and fasting

for several days before the ceremony. The Urul devotees are accompanied by different folk art performances and musical bands such as Vadyamelam, Nagaswaram, etc. The Urul devotees roll through the ground for long distances to

March 2015

reach the temple premises and pay obeisance to the Goddess.

Kuthiyottam - Boys below the age of 13 years perform this offering. These boys represents the wounded soldiers of the Goddess Mahishasura Mardini.

These boys receive Prasadam from the temple priest and start a seven-day penance which enables them to purify their mind and body. They stay at the temple, sleep on the floor, and observe strict diet restrictions. Every morning and evening they prostrate before the goddess 108 times.

Thalappoli – Young girls dressed in traditional attire holds Thalappoli. A thalam

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or plate is held with rice, flowers and a lighted lamp.

It is of the belief that the Goddess would be pleased and would give them inward and outward beauty and bless them with health, wealth and happiness.

the Thookkam ritual. It is

Thousands of devotees from far and wide reach the temple to witness

three days before this ritual

believed that the children who undergo this ritual would be blessed with fortune and all illnesses will be cured. The men who carry the children in the bow observe fasting for and observe strict religious procedures.

Other rituals in this temple festival include Ottam, Poomala, Annadanam, etc.

Vellanad SreeBhagavathy Devi showers blessings on her devotees who follow a righteous path. Her devotees believe that she would listen to their prayers and bless them with peace and prosperity.

Vellanad Sree Bhagavathy Temple Trust Office Bearers 2014-16

K JANNARDHANAN NAIR President

M SUKUMARAN NAIR Secretary

VELLANAD SREEKANTAN Vice President

D BHRAHMADEVAN Jn Secreatary

K DIVAKARAN NAIR Treasurer

Members

Ani Vilayil

P Raveendran Nair

K G Anil Kumar

S Raveendran Nair

S R Anilkumar

V Gireesh Kumar

T Sreekumaran Nair

T Sreekumaran Nair

Thantri : Attuvassery Neelamanayil Brahmasree E.Ganapathi Namboothiri

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N Gopalakrishnan Nair

R Padmakumar

Melsanthi: Brahmasree Payyannoor Narayanan Namboothiri

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March 2015

FEATURE ARTICLE

Thottampattu-the ritual art of ancient Kerala Mange mange manikurale Naaluvashathum kaithozhuthu konge konge kuyil mozhiyale Palodupazhamoduundavale Onnu chavuti nadannoru kurumbe Eruka jnangade pandallil’ Ampili Nair

O

h! What a simple way to invite the most powerful and perhaps the most ferocious goddess Bhadrakali to the simple coconut leaves thatched temporary shed made in the temple premises in connection with the Thottampattu held at the

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traditional festivals during the Utharayana period.

This speaks of the benign and benevolent nature of the Goddess. She needs no schooled Sanskrit verses or mantras to be pleased.

She is at the beck and call of every Bhakta or devotee irrespective of their caste, creed, status or education.

All are equal to Amma. Or how else, she could be tied to a place with the simple rendering of her saga in the rustic vernacular.

Thottampattu ,also known as Bhadrakalipattu is a ballad song sung in connection with the festival of temples were the prime

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deity is Bhadrakali or Bhagavathi. Along with the commencement of the festival the ‘Kodungaloor Bhagavathi’ who embarks

be divided into two parts;

children kani and palakan

the first part consists of

grew up and they get

fight between Bhadrakali

married to each other. The

and Darukan the demon

marriage of Kannaki(Devi)

and the second part is

at the age of seven is the

on a journey from

the saga of Kannaki and

famed Maalappuram.

Kodungaloor temple by the

Kovalan. In some temples

fag end of Makara month

inThottampattu.The

it is sung for ten days and

is invoked and placed in

ornaments of Kannaki are

in some for seven days

the thatched shed. The

depending on the number

brought in a procession.

ceremony begins with the

of days the festival is held.

installation ritual known

Thottampattu begins

as kappu Ketti Kudiyiruthu.

with the description of

It is also known in some

Darikapuram-the abode

parts as Arayirutthu

of Darukan.. After getting

as the installation and

the boon from Lord Shiva

consecration of Bhagavathi

that no man should ever

is temporary. The ceremony

kill him, Darikan became

is a pact between the

all the more powerful and

Bhagavathi and the Asan

went on a killing spree. The

or the guru who performs

atrocities of Darukan reach

the Thottampattu that

the zenith that lord Brahma

both of them will not

and lord Vishnu seek the

leave the premises till the

help of Lord Shiva to put

culmination of the rituals.

an end to it. Bhadrakali,

After the ceremonial lamp is lit before the offering

born out of Shiva’s third eye ventures out in search of

After sometime Kannaki gave her Chilambu or anklets to Kovalan to sell it and do some business.

In madurai ,Kovalan was cheated by a goldsmith and was killed by King Pandian accusing him of robbing the queen’s anklet. Devi saw everything in a dream and goes to Madurai and brings kovalan back to life. That day’s thottampattu is called konnuthottu pattu and it reflects the sorrow of Devi.

After that the murderous looking Devi set aflame

Darukan and kills him.

the city of Madurai. Later

betel leaves ,aval ,pori and

Thereafter,Lord shiva

banana, three persons

Mahadev to accomodate

makes the fierce Bhadrakali

with the Guru sitting at

her somewhere. Legend

a small child and give

the right end and his main

her to a Narayanan from

says that she came to

shishyan(student) at the

thekkan Kollam who had

centre and a fresher at the

no children. Same time

left side,sing the saga of

another Marayar and his

kannaki –the heroine of

wife from Vadakkan kollam

Shilapathikaram composed

also pleads to lord Shiva

by ilangovatikal who is none

for a child. A boy named

other than Devi herself.

palakan or Kovalan was

of padukka consisting of

Thottampattu rendering can www.metromartdaily.com

born to them. These two

she goes to Kailas and ask

Kodungalloor along with kovalan and settled there.

The saga of kannaki and Kovalan ends in a befitting manner so also the ThottamPattu and Kodungalooramma,leaves to kodungaloor after blessing her children.

March 2015

SHOPPING

Czarina’s ‘Kota Utsav’ a sensational success With just six days left for Kota Utsav, the fest is attracting more and more customers from all parts of the city. Women of all ages are coming to Trivandrum’s leading designer boutique to take their pick from a spectacular new collection that includes party wear, formal wear and casual wear. There is also a new office wear collection for working women and a special collection of sarees suitable for places of worship. The prices start from Rs.550.

T

his year’s Kota Utsav showcases a wide array of block-

printed, embroidered, fabric-painted, badla-work, mirror-work and appliquéworked Kota sarees, in addition to authentic Silk Kota and Supernet Kota.

Also on display will be designer sarees made in Czarina’s in-house studio. Renowned for its understated elegance, fine weaves, light weight and versatility, Czarina’s Kota sarees have become extremely popular over the years.

Czarina has introduced a new range of designer blouses and ethnic blouse materials to complement the sarees in the Kota Utsav. A mesmerising collection of salwar sets, in a range of colours 20152015 24 February 24 March

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and designs, is also available.

Kota Utsav will end on March 15. The showroom will be open on Sunday (March 15th), for the convenience of the customers. Czarina is located at Catholic Centre, on StatueGeneral Hospital Road.

To know more about the Kota Utsav, visit Czarina’s Facebook page http://www. facebook.com/ CzarinaDesignerSarees or call 9387721322.

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SHOPPING

Custom-made Feminine apparels Designing costumes for a woman can be the easiest thing as long as it comes naturally to you - a phenomenon that reflects in Aham – the designer boutique in Trivandrum that has earned laurels for its work from the common customer to the celebrities.

Santosh Kumari

F

ormally started on May 20, 2013, Aham was conceived by Dinu Elizabeth Roy and her sister at a very young age when the two sisters had a fascination for designing dresses, interior decorations, painting and cooking recipes. Most of the dresses owned had a personal touch to it. It was after her marriage that Dinu decided to venture out on her own by starting a boutique that would specialise in doing custommade designs.

After the initial hiccups in the early years, Aham picked up steam.

Thankfully, a handful of 20152015 26 February 26 March

customers made from personal contacts were extremely happy about the workmanship in the costumes available at the boutique. It is from the second year that the boutique started growing by reference customers that further added to the expansion. Today, the boutique has a good collection of customised sarees, lehngas, gowns, anarkali, bridal, kidswears, tailoring, hand and machine embroidery.

Brides have been the biggest customer base at Aham. Dinu says “We sit with you, discuss your requirements, take you

through material samples and create the dress specifically for you. The fit is ensured in multiple iterations. It’s always a joy to see a smiling bride proudly wearing the dress we design on her wedding day.”

As for the clientele, Archana Deepu Karunakaran and Radhika Suresh are regulars at Aham.

There is a growing trend towards lehengas and gowns for various events, especially after wedding parties and receptions. This is a territory that Aham is catering to in a fulfilling way.

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March 2015

DINING

ww

Indo-Chinese Recipes

Ashok Eapen K Executive Chef, Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum

CHICKEN DIMSUMS • For the dough

• 3 -5 drops sesame oil

3. To assemble: Divide the

• 250gm cups flour

• salt and pepper

roll each portion into thin

• 3⁄4 cup hot water

• 1 tablespoon oil

• salt • For the filling • 250gm cups ground chicken • 30gms chopped spring onions • 50gms onion, chopped • 1 teaspoon oyster sauce 20152015 28 February 28 March

DIRECTIONS 1. Make stiff dough with refined flour the salt and very hot water and keep aside to rest for an hour.

2. Sauté the onions in a little oil and add minced chicken and the rest of the filling ingredients.

dough into 24 parts, and circles.

4. Place the chicken filling in the center and shape the dim sum using your hands.

5. Bring all the sides together and shape it like a pouch.

6. Steam for 10 to 15 minutes and serve hot with the dips

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BRAISED LAMB CHOPS IN PLUM SAUCE shallow fry pork chops about 4 minutes on each side, transferring to a plate.

3. Add oil in wok add garlic and gingerroot ,chilipasteand sauté, stirring constantly, 30 seconds.

Ingredients • 50gm plum sauce • 20 gm garlic clove • 400gm lamb chops • 15gm chili paste • 20gm finely grated peeled fresh gingerroot • 30ml cup soy sauce • 15ml rice wine vinegar • 40gm packed brown sugar

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• 2 whole star anise or 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds • 5ml sesame oil • 50gm corn flour • 100ml refined oil Method 1. Pat lamb chops dry with paper towels. Marinate the pork chops with salt and pepper. Dust with corn flour 2. In grill pan add oil over moderately heat until hot but not smoking and

4. Stir in soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and anise and bring to a simmer. Return lamb chops to wok and add plum sauce. Simmer mixture, covered, over moderately low heat 15 minutes, or until meat is very tender.

5. Add the sesame oil andTransfer chops to a platter and, if necessary, simmer sauce, uncovered, until thickened slightly.

6. Discard star anise, if used. Pour sauce over chops and garnish with ginger and parsley

March 2015

METRO FOCUS

Dale view- A vision with healing mission to society Dale view is a 37 year old non-governmental organisation working devotedly for the people of Kerala. In 1978 the Dale View was founded in the field of rural development with the mission “To create a just society through education, employment and empowerment of the society”. Following are the sensitive areas of the society where this voluntary organization has been contributing and servicing meaningfully. It was founded

by Mr. Christu Das in 1976 as a women’s organization called “Punalal Samajam” and legally came into existence in 1978 as the Dale View.

Dale view Integrated rehabilitation for addicts Alcohol is a silent devil, which emerges with all his dreadful faces and swallows not only the personal life of the victim, but affects the whole family and the structure too.

Since a long time Dale View has been dedicated to fight the devil. The Dale View Integrated 20152015 30 February 30 March

Rehabilitation for Addicts (Thanal) is situated 23kms from Thiruvananthapuram.

This centre provides a

healing de-addiction to the people suffering from not only Alcoholism, but also

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nicotine and other drugs also.

In the serenity of rural Kerala, de-addiction is a peaceful healing, which attracts many people from the cities also. This centre offers treatment with 12 steps, alcoholic and non alcoholic meetings, alcohol treatment, detoxification, family services, relapse prevention, residential rehabilitation, substance abuse counselling, yoga and meditation. This centre is working in well equipped 3 storied building with good security arrangements. It has a 30 bed hospital with a team of counsellors, doctors, nurses, and social workers working together to produce good results.

Education The Dale View College of

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Pharmacy and Research Centre Exploited and downtrodden masses of rural areas face problems of depression, addiction, and perpetual poverty because of ignorance. The founder of Dale View was inspired to move towards education upliftment of remote village masses to eradicate these social evils. Thus Dale View college of Pharmacy and Research Centre came into

existence. Approved with AICTE and affiliated to Kerala University of Health Sciences, this college is working with a vision to give good pharmaceutical knowledge and practice to give independence and excellence to students in the field of medical career.

This institution provides numerous scholarships such as: a. SC/ST/OEC scholarship.

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b. Merit cum means scholarship.

just their careers to the society also.

c. All India women’s conference scholarship.

With the College of paramedical Science, Upper Primary School, Lower Primary School, Summer Vacation Camps organisation is working in the field of education.

d. Muslim Girl’s scholarship. e. Central sector Scholarship. f. Sitaram Jindal Scholarship.

The purpose is to help students in all the ways to achieve remarkable goals in medical field. M.Pharma students by their research projects add value to not

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Women Development Programme: By starting many training programmes, income generating programmes the Dale View is working for

women of society because one capable woman can make one whole family’s life easy and contributes indirectly but strongly for a peaceful society.

In short through deaddiction and education, women empowerment, Dale View is working in the direction of their vision “creation of a self reliant, participatory, and just society based on values through process of empowerment”.

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March 2015

HEALTH

Cosmopolitan Hospitals believes in offering comprehensive health care under a single roof Cosmopolitan Hospitals (P) Ltd. is always in the forefront rendering sophisticated high quality care, at an affordable cost to the sick and needy. Cosmopolitan Hospitals believes in offering comprehensive health care under a single roof, setting the best practice standards in health care services, continually improving performance and exceeding the expectations of patients and their families. At Cosmopolitan Hospitals, Healthcare is a mission based on human values.

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osmopolitan Hospitals (P) Ltd., was established in 1982, by a team of medical and other professionals including businessmen led by the great visionary Late Dr.M.R.S.Menon. This multi-speciality 360 bedded hospital - the first of its kind 20152015 34 December February 2014 34 March

in Trivandrum- provides high quality medical care to over 3 lakh patients every year through a dynamic team of more than 100 Doctors supported by qualified and experienced medical and para-medical staff.

To encourage Research & Educational Activities in Medical Sciences, the management started Cosmopolitan Educational & Research Foundation in the year 1990. Major organizations in the Public Sector, Private Sector, Government and all major

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Insurance companies have empanelled Cosmopolitan Hospitals as their authorized medical centre.

The hospital is managed by a team of professionals with experience and reputation in patient care, general administration and financial management with Mrs. Chandrika Menon as Chairperson and Managing Director, Mr. N.K.Subash as Administrator, Dr. Srikumar Ramachandran as Medical Superintendent, Mr. D.Jayakumar as Finance Manager and Mr. Antony Jacob as Manager (PM&ER).

Round the clock Services : 24 x 7 Emergency and Trauma Care Services, X-ray & ECG Facilities, Lab Facilities, Pharmacy, Blood Bank with component separation Facility, Ambulance Services etc.

Salient Features: Fullfledged Cath Lab, Modern Integrated Operation Theatre Complex, Preventive Clinics run by the various Departments, Executive Checkups, Geriatic Health Care & Home Visit, State of the art equipments & facilities, Canteen Facility - with qualified dietician

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assistance, Morning & evening OPDs on all days including Sundays etc.

Emergency Wing : The Hospital Emergency Wing is well equipped to attend to all emergencies, round the clock. Senior consultants are available on call round the clock to attend to emergency care of patients.

Diagnostic services required for emergency services are also available 24 hours with fully equipped ambulance service.

Blood Bank : The Blood Bank at Cosmopolitan

Hospital is one among the few blood banks in Trivandrum with components separation facility which is functional round the clock. It caters to the needs of almost all hospitals in and around Trivandrum on emergency.

Services include: 24 hour issue donor acceptance, 24 hr. service to fulfill all internal & external requirements. The major facilities of Blood bank include:- Automatic ELISA System for HIV, HBsAg, HCV Screening, Blood Storage systems Modern collection devices and accessories, March 2015

Tests for infectious diseases (VDRL, TPHA, etc.), Strictly monitored sterile environment, AC rest rooms for donors etc.

Education and Research Foundation: The foundation runs DNB Courses and CME programmes. A full fledged medical library made available for the hospital’s medical staff and to assist in their pursuits in higher studies in the medical field. The library is also used as a reference centre for various scientific studies in medicine and associated subjects by outside agencies and post-graduates of nearby medical institutions. The ongoing activities of the foundation include: i) Diplomate of National Board of Examinations: Cosmopolitan Hospitals is approved by the National Board of Examinations to conduct DNB courses

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in Surgery, Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Pulmonary Medicine.

Professors, doctorate students and DNB trainees etc.

ii) Continuing Medical Education Programme (CME): Medical Education Programmes for Doctors and DNB Trainees dealt by eminent resource persons (internally / externally sourced), Training, Orientation and refresher courses also conducted for nursing and paramedical staffs.

Right from inception, the institution has been known for ethical medical practice & for being financially accessible to the common man. After 3 decades of existence, it is ratifying that, even the present time, when ethical practice is under assault.

Cosmopolitan Hospitals has stead fastly clung on to its pristine value systems and ethical consideration.

iii) Medical Library : The medical library consists of vast collection of books & journals in the field of medicine and allied sciences, subscription to 4 international medical journals and other periodicals, valuable collection of bound back volumes of important documents from 1950 onwards, unique medical CD and DVD collection lending facility to Doctors,

For more informationCosmopolitan Hospitals (P) Ltd., Pattom, Trivandrum 695 004 . Phone: (0471) 252 1252 Fax: (0471) 244 9188 Email : cosmopolitan@ cosmopolitanhospitals.in

Accident & Trauma Care 252 1136 Ambulance +91 85475 57227 PRO 252 1252 Ext. 158 Enquiry 252 1252 Ext.100

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March 2015

METRO FOCUS

Kerala looks to tie up with Sri Lanka and Maldives for new tourism circuit Kerala is exploring the possibility of creating a new tourism circuit in partnership with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

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ourism Secretary Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao held discussions regarding this with the Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism and Sports, Shri Navin Dissanayak, at the four-day long ITB Berlin, where Kerala Tourism added another feather to its cap, winning the Golden Gate Award.

“A travel itinerary that includes three of the most popular destinations in South Asia will certainly appeal to many tourists,” said Shri Rao. “We are particularly looking at visitors from China and the Far East. It will be a very interesting package that offers, on one hand, many geographical and cultural similarities, and on the other very unique

experiences in each region.”

Kerala Tourism Minister Shri A P Anil Kumar has agreed, in principle, to take the proposal forward after discussing with the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka. He will lead an official delegation to Sri Lanka in the last week of April to discuss the plan.

Shri Rao also spoke about working out the details of mutual tourism packages as part of Visit Kerala Year 2015 – an initiative to promote the state’s destinations, involving the stakeholders in the tourism industry.

The Sri Lankan minister has assured all possible help to the Kerala delegation during their visit.

Malayali Rethna Puraskaram Kallingal Group Managing Director Kallingal Shafeek was selected for this year’s Malayali Rethna Puraskaram instituted by Malayala Samskarika Vedi.

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March 2015

METRO UPDATE

Biennale is an outstanding Kerala tourism product: Minister Anil Kumar Excise Minister K Babu visits the exhibition venue with family The Kochi Muziris Biennale is one of Kerala Tourism’s most outstanding products,Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar said.

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he exhibition venues clocked a good turnout on the Sivarathri holiday, and Excise Minister K Babu too visited with his wife Gita, daughter Aiswarya and sonin-law Vibin.

The ongoing biennale is “something we are pleased to present” to the world, said Mr Anil Kumar.

“Kerala has Ayurveda, and backwaters and beach tourism. And now we have a different product that has made its mark in the world.”

The tourism minister, who was accompanied by Hibi Eden MLA, said the government was constantly monitoring the functioning of the biennale. “We have received positive feedback from every quarter,” he said.

Mr Babu, who is a legislator from Tripunithura constituency just

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outside Kochi, felt he was “wandering into a wonderland”.

“The works here takes us beyond our imagination,” said the minister, who spent nearly three hours at the main Aspinwall venue.

“We think of art only in terms of paintings, but it is interesting to see the range of medium used here. It would be a real loss to not visit the biennale.”

The minister particularly enjoyed the video work of Chinese artist Yang Zhengzhong titled ‘Rice corns’, which depicts a couple of chicken pecking grains, and is a statement

on consumerism.

Aiswarya Babu, who is the marketing head of Lulu Mall, said that the works were “really moving to even to someone with an untrained eye like mine”.

“The exhibition seems to stir up our brain cells,” she said.

Suresh Kurup MLA, who visited the site, too felt that traditional concepts of art stood on the head, after a visit to the biennale.

“It brings great Indian and international contemporary concepts under one roof,” he said. “I enjoyed every minute that I spent here.”

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