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Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ente Keralam' exhibition and marketing fair inaugurated in Kollam as part of state government's fourth anniversary celebrations
The and marketing fair commenced in at the Ashram grounds as part of the state government's annual celebrations. The fair was open until the 20th of this month. Minister KN Balagopal officially inaugurated the event. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During his address, minister Balagopal announced that construction on the headquarters building for the was scheduled to begin that year, and he assured attendees that financial issues would not delay the project. He also stated that Kerala was on track to be declared a state without extreme poverty on November 1st. Minister J Chinjurani presided over the inauguration ceremony, which included speeches from M Naushad MLA, Corporation Mayor Honey Benjamin, Deputy Mayor S Jayan, Collector N Devidas, City Police Commissioner Kiran Narayanan, Rural SP Sabu Mathew, ADM G Nirmal Kumar, and District Information Officer L Hemanth Kumar. The My Kerala Exhibition and Marketing Fair featured 156 themed stalls dedicated to showcasing the government's public welfare activities and free services. Additionally, 96 other stalls offered products for display and sale from various government departments and agencies. A range of government services were available to the public at no cost throughout the fair. Visitors could also enjoy a food court organized by Kudumbashree. The My Kerala Exhibition and Marketing Fair featured 156 themed stalls Earlier that day, the Women and Child Development Department hosted a series of cultural programs. These included a group dance by Anganwadi preschool children, performances by children from welfare institutions, folk songs by Anganwadi workers, Thiruvathira, poetry recitation, hand drumming, girls' Kalaripayattu, an anti-drug dance, a performance by the Kulathupuzha Tanat Kala Sangh, and a skit highlighting the department's various initiatives. ente keralam programme kollam dist inauguration - Min K N Balagopal Regarding housing and poverty eradication, the LIFE Mission housing scheme has completed 78.30 per cent of homes for eligible families, with an expected rise to 81.08 per cent soon. Kerala's efforts to eliminate extreme poverty have resulted in lifting 3,375 out of 4,461 identified families out of poverty, with a goal of reaching 97 per cent in the next quarter. Environmental and sustainability initiatives are also underway, including the Waste-Free Kerala campaign, the Haritha Kerala Mission, and the creation of green spaces. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan led a regional review meeting in Thiruvananthapuram In related news, led a regional review meeting in Thiruvananthapuram to assess development initiatives in Kollam. A significant achievement highlighted was the district's 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection. The meeting also covered progress in infrastructure projects such as bridge renovations and completions, National Highway upgrades, improvements in road connectivity and water management, healthcare facility upgrades, and the expansion of educational facilities. PRD THEME AREA & OTHER STALLS kollam The chief minister praised Kollam for its achievements, urging other districts to replicate these successes. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary A Jayathilak, District Collector N Devidas, and other officials. Disclaimer: The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Ente Keralam mega expo, marketing fair to begin in Kannur on May 8
As part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the second Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, the 'Ente Keralam' mega exhibition and marketing fair will be held at the Kannur Police Maidan from May 8 to 14. Minister for Registration, Museum, Archaeology, and Archives Kadannappally Ramachandran told the media that the event symbolises the development thrust of the 'people's government.' The inaugural ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. on May 8, with Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran inaugurating the event and MLA K.K. Shailaja presiding. The concluding session, scheduled for 5 p.m. on May 14, will be inaugurated by MP V. Sivadasan, with MLA K.V. Sumesh presiding. The exhibition, housed in a 52,000 sq ft refrigerated pavilion, will feature 251 stalls, including 151 thematic and 100 commercial ones, showcasing the achievements and services of various government departments. Key infrastructural support is being provided by Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), while Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will also have a platform to market their products. Highlights include a 2,500 sq. ft theme pavilion by the Information and Public Relations department and a 1,500 sq. ft mini theatre by the Kerala Film Corporation. Other attractions include a dog show by the police department, the Forest department's Sarpa app demo, fire department simulations, and a food court managed by Kudumbashree. Topical seminars will be held alongside the exhibition. These include sessions on startups (May 8), senior citizen welfare (May 9), anti-drug campaigns (May 10), gender equality and entrepreneurship (May 11), water safety and civil service guidance (May 13), and livestock self-sufficiency (May 14). Cultural programmes will feature classical music by Pandit Ramesh Narayan on the opening day, performances by University Arts Festival winners, and folk traditions such as Thiruvathira, Margamkali, Kolkali, and Poorakali. Inclusive events will showcase the talents of differently abled artists, women civil service officers, and members of the transgender community. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will hold a face-to-face interaction with over 500 district-level stakeholders on May 9 from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at Dinesh Auditorium. Participants will include beneficiaries, youth expatriates, professionals, and artists.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kalady Sanskrit University staff's journey from fitness to arangettam
A desire to keep their bodies fit and flexible as old age beckoned saw Betty Varghese, Sunitha Rani, Manju, and Sheeja George — four non-teaching staff of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) at Kalady — practice Bharatanatyam. An arangettam (debut) performance soon followed on the university campus, further cementing their journey as classical dancers. 'None of us has a classical dance background,' Betty, a 53-year-old engineer with the university, reflects. However, she wanted to take up an exercise regime to ensure she remained agile and flexible, in addition to, of course, losing weight. 'When I shared my thoughts with Sushma, a final year Mohiniyattam student, she suggested dancing as a remedy. Well, that was the start,' Betty says. As for Sheeja George, an assistant with the painting department of the university, never in her wildest dreams had she thought she'd learn classical dance or perform on stage. 'For me, the buck stopped with Zumba,' Sheeja says. But what got her learning Bharatanatyam? 'Everything for me and the other three began when we started practising the steps for Thiruvathira, which was to be performed for the university's Onam celebrations. Since we didn't have a dance background, we found it difficult to pick up the steps,' Sheeja adds. So, when they discussed it with their colleagues, one of them suggested seeking help from the students of the Dance Department. 'That's how we got in contact with the Mohiniyattom student Sushama,' says Sheeja. The three began taking dance tuitions from Sushama after working hours from 5pm to 6pm. Betty also joined in and the quorum was complete. 'The initial days were tough for us,' says Betty. With no exercise, their bodies were rigid and Bharatanatyam not only requires flexibility but also stamina by the truck-load. 'It was tough doing the 'Araimandi'. So you can imagine how tough it would have been for us to do the muzhumandi. But after a year and a half of practice and performances, I can do Araimandi easily,' Betty adds. She was also able to reduce her weight. 'Besides the weight loss and flexibility that we have achieved, the most important gift that dance has given is mental happiness. Dance is a true stress-buster,' agree Betty and Sheeja. But why Bharatanatayam? 'The dance, unlike Mohiniyattam, has vigorous movements and steps. Since our main agenda was exercise we opted to go with this dance form. Now, we will be continuing our dance classes and would love to perform on stage if chances present themselves,' says Sreeja, who is 52. Betty and others point out that they have gained the confidence to perform on stage. The Bharatanatyam Arangettam, something that has never happened in a university until now, has got other staff in the university keen to join the dance classes as well.
