The KochiNow Blog

Kochi, May 31 (IANS) Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), one of the leading shipbuilding yards in the country, will launch five platform supply vessels (PSVs) Monday. The PSVs include Sea Turbot for Deep Sea Supply, Norway, Hellspont Daring and Hellspont Dawn for Hellspont Steam Ship, Greece, and Oliver Tide and Davidson Tide for Tide Water Marine, the US.

In a release issued here Saturday, the company said the vessels were designed in a way that would satisfy specific demands of transport of deck cargo, pipes, liquid cargo, cement/barite, unloading to rigs, production platforms and pipe-laying barges.

The vessels have been designed using Rolls Royce ship technology and all the five PSVs will be delivered between August and December 2008.

CSL commenced the ship building operations in 1978, ship repair in 1981, marine engineering training in 1993 and offshore upgradation in 1999.

As a technology leader in India, CSL has adopted the Japanese Integrated Hull Outfitting and Painting system (IHOP) for its new construction works.

A CSL official told IANS that the total cost of production of each vessel is $20 million and it was completed in a matter of six months.

“Some more outside work for the vessels is left and it would be done during the trial runs and then delivery would begin. Presently, we have orders for 20 PSVs for foreign owners valued at Rs.20 billion. We have also commenced construction of aircraft carrier for Indian Navy,” said the official.

Thai Indian.com

ERNAKULAM is the largest township in COCHIN City

Cochin located centrally in Kerala is the Tourism Capital of Gods Own Country.
Kerala offers an entire gamut of interesting sights and scenes. Join Raynald Rivera as he sojourns in two of its more than a dozen cities — Cochin and Kozhikode — exploring their innumerable wonders.
A tourist is a person who visits a place for pleasure while a journalist is someone who writes about his visits. I was both for three days when media men from GCC recently flew from Doha to Cochin, Kerala in India for a Media Familiarisation Tour sponsored by Qatar Airways. The name Kerala sounds bizarre to a stranger; to an adventurer like me it means excitement. Little did I expect that I would find more than that.

Upon exiting Cochin International Airport, one can already feel an air of the city’s cultural rootedness.

I did. The exteriors of the airport bear the imprint of architectural marvel characteristically Keralite. We were met by a courteous and fluent tour guide and beckoned to board a small bus still big for the seven of us. As the white bus left the Airport, a conspicuous sign could be seen; it said ‘Way out’. Yes, we were all out for a three-day long adventure.
A forty-five minute drive from the airport leads to the fantabulous Le Meridien Hotel where our exhausted bodies comfortably rested for a while. It is situated on a land bounded by rivers and accented with a gem-like pool with crystal blue water reflecting an ambience of serenity.
The morning of the first day of our tour brought us to our first stop which was the Jew Town — a must-see for a visitor who loves relics and antiques. The centuries-old houses lining up the narrow streets were converted into antique shops which sell anything from garments to miniature display items to spices.
It was a major hub for spice trade in the olden times and still is a centre for business nowadays. Sauntering along the streets, one can still smell the scents of spices particularly ginger brought by the winds from a remote past. Black pepper, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom are just some of the various spices available in this part of India.
One of the most famous landmarks on this corner of Cochin is a synagogue which dates back 450 years ago. Entering the synagogue entails some restrictions: photography is prohibited and wearing of shorts is not allowed, a visitor is also required to remove his footwear before he can enter as a measure to preserve the ancient tile flooring of the edifice. The interiors are all primitive but eye-catching are the chandeliers magnificently hanging from the ceiling.
A stone’s throw away from the shops is the historical Dutch Palace, visiting which provides one a face-to-face encounter with the political, literary, and architectural wonders of Kerala. The palace was built as a gift to the Cochin King by the Portuguese but taken over by the Dutch in 1663, hence it got its name. The walls of some of the rooms tell the entire story of world-renowned Hindu epic Ramayana in very detailed mural paintings whose lines flow freely but flawlessly and no space spared of kaleidoscope of colours. Some royal furniture and battle implements exuding the kingdom’s glorious past are also showcased. A combination of floral and geometric carvings on teak wood painted in black highlights the ceilings of the palace. Compared to palaces in European countries, the Dutch palace has fewer weapons on display but more of other things, showing Kerala’s love for peace and the arts rather than preoccupation for battle.
“Kerala is a composite culture, that’s why eclectic art and design is evident in all the rooms,” Joerg, the director of Malabar House Fort Cochin told us as we were toured around the award-winning hotel’s suites. A taste of the Brochette of seer and rice fish and tiger prawn with baked potato, a speciality of the hotel’s Malabar Junction restaurant, will surely make even the most discerning palate crave for more.

The Peninsula Quatar

Kochi, May 29 In five years, 1.7 million jobs in Information Technology (IT) sector in India will move out of tier 1 cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad, to tier 2 cities, Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Infopark’s chief executive officer, said here.

Bhattacharya was speaking Wednesday at a discussion organised by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), a global not-for-profit organisation promoting entrepreneurship. Infopark at Kochi is a state government-owned IT Park.

It is the better quality of life and lower operating cost that are attracting the IT companies to these cities, he said quoting research reports.

He said among the upcoming IT destinations, Kochi has many inherent advantages.

‘The data transmission cost from Kochi is low. Seventy-five percent of the country’s data traffic goes out from Kochi. VSNL has a 15 gigabyte gateway here. The electricity and water tariffs are one of the lowest among all the states. Compared to Bangalore, house rent is low in Kochi. The attrition rates in IT companies are below 10 percent.’

At present around 40 companies in the Infopark employ around 7,000 people. ‘In next four years we expect the number of companies to go up seven to eight times.’

He said that Kerala has the highest density of IT and science professionals. ‘The state’s infrastructure is pretty strong, especially in telecommunication sector,’ he added.

Infopark is in the process of coming out with a dedicated incubator to help start up companies. ‘This is an early life support system for start ups. We will help them with issues like government clearance, finance and also help them expand,’ he added.

Addhra Cafe.com

EmaarMGF, one of India’s leading real estate developers, Friday announced plans to invest $3 billion at 10 cities in south India over the next few years. It plans to develop over 31 million square feet area in Hyderabad, Tirupati, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cochin, Mysore and Mangalore.

The plans span residential, commercial and retail, IT parks and special economic zones (SEZs) and hospitality sectors.

The company made the announcement while unveiling an integrated world-class leisure and residential community around an 18-hole golf course built with an investment of $1.4 billion (Rs.56.10 billion) here.

The unique project, first among several projects planned in south India, boasts of world-class golf course, luxury residences, large format retail facility, luxury and boutique hotels and IT SEZ.

EmaarMGF, a joint venture of Dubai-based Emaar Properties and MGF Development, developed the ‘Boulder Hills Golf & Country Club’ on 531 acres in the heart of the IT corridor in Gacchibowli.

The picturesque golf course, spread over 192 acres, is dotted with the peculiar Deccan plateau rocks and several lakes.

The project will have 110 luxury villas with a price tag of Rs.150 million to Rs 240 million. The integrated township will have 2,700 units, with 703 units in the first phase. The developers said many luxury units were already sold out.

“The most unique thing about this community is this is the only one of its kind in the country to be built around 18-hole golf course,” said EmaarMGF CEO William R. Rattazzi.

The IT SEZ called “IT Green” will have a built-up area of three million square feet and was expected to provide 37,000 jobs.

In the special purpose vehicles (SPV) for the project, EmaarMGF holds 74 percent stake while Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corp (APIIC) holds 26 percent.

EmaarMGF (south) CEO Srikant Joshi said the company has a land bank of 13,000 acres in 26 cities across India. It has 1,500 acres in south India alone.

To a query, Rattazi said EmaarMGF might revive its plans to go public in 12 to 18 months.

Thai Indian

Folklore theatre for Fort Kochi

Staff Reporter

Tourism Promotion Council to promote Perumbavoor circuit

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Theatre project to cost Rs. 23 lakh

Tourism amenities to be created at Bhoothathankettu

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KOCHI: The Fort Kochi heritage zone will have another feather in its cap with the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) working on a folklore cultural theatre at the tourism complex near the bus stand.

The theatre will cater to the high demand from tourists to see and learn Kathakali and other traditional art forms. Already, Fort Kochi is home to many arenas adjacent to hotels and other places, where different art forms are staged. Tourists take keen interest in all aspects of art forms, starting from the painstaking process of applying make-up on the artistes, to the storyline and different mudras.

“All facilities will be there at the proposed theatre, which will be opened along with the brand new tourism complex. Work is on to spruce up the interiors,” said I.G. Chandrababu, DTPC secretary. The project cost is Rs 23 lakh.

The council’s other ventures include the creation of tourism amenities at the Bhoothathankettu reservoir, which is now in its second phase of development. A good share of the work there will be over once the boat jetty gets ready. The licence of many boats here had been withheld after the Thattekad boat mishap that claimed the lives of 15 children and three teachers. Though the children’s park and pond for pedal-boating are ready, the restaurant there is yet to become functional.

The Perumbavoor tourism circuit is another project of the council. The circuit covers four places — Kalil temple, Kodanad wildlife sanctuary, Panayil Poru and Iringolkavu. “The sanction from the Forest Department is awaited to create tourist amenities at Kodanad and Paniyeli Poru. The council has earmarked Rs 13.30 lakh for the Kalil temple project and Rs 17.20 lakh for Iringolkavu,” Mr Chandrababu said.

A restaurant and other amenities are being readied at Kottayil Kovilakom (home to a synagogue), where the council has a Rs 30-lakh project near the adjacent waterbody. The recently-inaugurated Ezhattumukham project has been attracting sizeable crowds, especially during weekends. Many of them come to bathe in the waterbody there. Toilets, a park and a restaurant have been readied here.

The council’s restaurant at the Aluva “manaltheeram” has been embroiled in litigation, with environmentalists and a few others approaching the Supreme Court alleging that it has been built in violation of construction norms. This has delayed the power and water connection to the restaurant. An environmental impact assessment is awaited on the hanging bridge project at Triveni Sangamam in Muvattupuzha, which would be built using Central tourism funds.

In Kochi city, the council’s three projects — the beautified Durbar Hall ground, the Royal Musical Walkway and the recreation pond near the Children’s Park, have been doing well.

Janine Broadbent wants to splurge on a nice hotel for £150 in the Indian city
Richard Green
I am looking to stay for a few days in Cochin at the end of a couple of weeks travelling in southern India. Which hotel would you recommend for a final splurge; say up to about £150 a night for a double? Janine Broadbent, Lincoln

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: By the time you get to Cochin you’ll have relaxed by a Keralan beach, visited a temple or two, and unwound on a backwater boat trip, so for your few days kick-back in Cochin, I’d say you are best off staying right in the historic centre of the city, in Fort Cochin.

The best option is the Brunton Boatyard (00 91 484 3011711), which as you’d expect, occupies a prime site on the waterfront. It’s just a short stroll away from a clutch of the famous Chinese fishing nets too, and unlike many of the other hotels in Fort Cochin, Brunton’s has the room to breathe; with a large grassy courtyard, huge airy corridors, a nice open-air breakfast area, and excellent pool.

Both of the latter, and all of the 22 rooms, overlook the narrow pinch of water that funnels into Cochin harbour ­ where just a few feet away, ships glide past quite surreally. Rooms are high-ceilinged, with heavy wooden furniture and large bathrooms, but ask not to be at the end next to the little car ferry, as the loading and unloading is rather noisy.

The ‘History’ restaurant serves good Portuguese, Dutch, British Raj, Arabic, Kosher and local Keralan dishes, reflecting the city’s cultural influences, the Terrace Grill specialises in seafood, and there’s the snug Armoury bar for a beer or cocktail. B&B doubles are from £125.

If you prefer a more contemporary boutique style of hotel, then just a few minutes walk to the south, and overlooking the old cricket ground, is the Malabar House (0091 484 2216666; B&B doubles from £119).

Its 17 rooms are splashed in bright colours, fabrics, art and sculptures. In the evenings, the Malabar Junction restaurant serves terrific Asian Mediterranean fusion and is a Fort favourite for a romantic meal. Note that several of the rooms don’t have outside-facing windows, and while the pool looks big enough on the website, in fact, it’s tiny and right by the reception desk.

Tour operators that can help plan your trip include Transindus (020 8566 2729), The Kerala Travel Centre (0808 178 9799), Cox & Kings (020 7873 5000), or Colours (020 8343 3446).
UK TRAVEL TIMES ONLINE

25 floors, 4 towers

A 27 storey tower and two 16 storey towers

RDS in tie up with Rajagiri to launch this
township at Kakkanad with a built up area
close to 900,000 sq ft.
It has a 36 storey twin tower of 540,000 sq ft
and a commercial complex of 340,000 sq ft
with a Hotel and a Mall cum Multiplex.

Tower I of this project is already sold out in a
pre-launch sale - same as the case with many
such giant projects. It is heard that Nitesh’s
Wimbledon Garden also had a similar grand sale
already.

Another view

All rights reserved : RDS projects

Tier 1 Indian cites to lose IT jobs to tier 2 cities’

Kochi, May 29 (IANS) In five years, 1.7 million jobs in Information Technology (IT) sector in India will move out of tier 1 cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad, to tier 2 cities, Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Infopark’s chief executive officer, said here. Bhattacharya was speaking Wednesday at a discussion organised by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), a global not-for-profit organisation promoting entrepreneurship. Infopark at Kochi is a state government-owned IT Park.

It is the better quality of life and lower operating cost that are attracting the IT companies to these cities, he said quoting research reports.

He said among the upcoming IT destinations, Kochi has many inherent advantages.

“The data transmission cost from Kochi is low. Seventy-five percent of the country’s data traffic goes out from Kochi. VSNL has a 15 gigabyte gateway here. The electricity and water tariffs are one of the lowest among all the states. Compared to Bangalore, house rent is low in Kochi. The attrition rates in IT companies are below 10 percent.”

At present around 40 companies in the Infopark employ around 7,000 people. “In next four years we expect the number of companies to go up seven to eight times.”

He said that Kerala has the highest density of IT and science professionals. “The state’s infrastructure is pretty strong, especially in telecommunication sector,” he added.

Infopark is in the process of coming out with a dedicated incubator to help start up companies. “This is an early life support system for start ups. We will help them with issues like government clearance, finance and also help them expand,” he added.
ThaiIndian.com