Kerala
Kerala historically known as Keralam, is a state in South India on the Malabar coast . It was formed on 1 November 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act by combining Malayalam - speaking regions. Spread over 38,863 km 2 (15,005 sq mi), it is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With 33,387,677 inhabitants as per the 2011 Census
• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
•Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
•Governor: P. Sathasivam
•Statehood Day:1 st July
•Bird: Great hornbill
•Tree: Coconut
•Flower: Golden shower tree
•Animal: Elephant
Kerala Current Affairs - January 2016
Kerala initiated “Sampoorna Arogya Keralam” project
Kerala has decided to implement the “Sampoorna Arogya Keralam” which is aimed at to bring all major government health services under one umbrella . At least 42 lakh families are expected to benefit under this scheme.
•After its implementation, people of Kerala will not be required to visit multiple offices or agencies for medical care.
•The Chief Minister will head the Sampoorna Arogya Kerala Trust , which will monitor and implement the project.
Project oultay – Rs.20 crore
Eligibility for project – Families with annual income below Rs.3 lakh
100% primary education feat achieved by Kerala
Kerala has become the first state in the country to achieve the status of 100% primary education . It has been declared by Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
•This feat has been achieved on the sidelines of state’s literacy mission “Athulyam Aksharotsavam” .
What is Athulyam Aksharotsavam scheme?
The programme offers a chance to achieve the education qualification equivalent to fourth standard for those who failed to get primary education due to various reasons.
IISER campus inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram
Union Human Resource Development Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the permanent campus (Phase I) of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Vithura near Thiruvananthapuram .
•As a part of Global Initiative of Academic Network (GIAN) , the Department of Higher Education will allow the new IISER Centre to recruit five foreign faculties to improve research and international exposure to the students.
Dr Jancy James selected for Prof MV Pylee Award
Dr Jancy James , the first woman Vice Chancellor of Kerala selected for the Prof MV Pylee Award for the Distinguished Academician of India .
•The award is given for excellence in teaching and research and contribution to academic community. It carries an amount of 1 lakh rupees and a citation .
“Order of Australia” bestowed upon Kerala dentist Sajeev Koshy
Melbourne based Sajeev Koshy , a dentist by profession, has been honoured with the highest civilian honour, the Order of Australia to recognise his services to dentistry in Victoria, Australia. He hails from Kerala.
Senior journalist T.N. Gopakumar passes away
TN Gopakumar Editor-in- Chief of Asianet News and Veteran journalist at the age of 58 passes away due to cardiac arrest in Thiruvananthapuram. He was the receiver of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for his book ‘ Suchindrum Rekhakal’ . About TN Gopakumar
•N. Gopakumar was born in 1957 at Shuchindram Kanyakumari India. • He began his career with Indian Express.
•He also evolved as a journalist through tenures in Mathrubhumi, News Time, Statesman, BBC and ‘The independent’.
• He was popularly known for his weekly show on the channel “ Kannaadi ” (mirror) which he produced and anchored for more than two decades.
• He receives several awards including the Kerala Sahithya Academy award. • He gives his best to the literature and cinema of Malayalam.
• He was also a mimicry artis t in Kerala.
Kerala Current Affairs - February 2016
DIPP gives nod to set up India’s first Defence Industrial Park at Ottappalam
The Union government’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has agreed to set up India’s first defense industrial park at Ottappalam a proposal from the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation.
•It is expected that the park will be established in 231.25 crore , Union government and Kinfra will invest in the project.
Key Highlights
•The project will be recognized as a part of the Make in India, Make in Kerala project. • The proposed project aimed to attract the component manufacturers in the defense industry with modern infrastructure facilities.
•The project will be developed under the Modified Industrial Infrastructure upgradation Scheme (MIIUS) as per the Union government decision.
•The park would be established in 60 acres of land.
•Such sort of project attracts the foreign investors and help in the Make in India campaign. • Ottappalam will be proved as the best location for the project in every manner.
•The park will have its own development and research center with 2 4*7 power and water supply.
Modi attended Global Ayurveda Fest in Kozhikode
The 3 rd edition of Global Ayurveda Festival at Kozhikode, Kerala has been inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. Ayurveda Festival Kerala is an international Ayurvedic biennial event started to serve as a force to galvanize Ayurvedic sector to aspire, plan and achieve greater heights. • This international seminar gave ideal platform to update, learn and train by interacting with the masters of Ayurveda & Allied Sciences of national and international repute.
•Kerala Govt also tied up with Asian and European countries to promote Indian systems of medicine globally and planned to bring Ayurveda into the National Health Mission.
Maiden Kerala Literature Festival held at Kozhikode
The maiden Kerala Literature Festival was hosted in Kozhikode at which key topics like spirituality, social media, women’s issues, Dalit issues, freedom of expression, environment issues and media activism were discussed.
•Dalit issues were also discussed in a session “Dalit Literature Past and
Present” and “Consciousness of Indian Religion and the Suicide of Rohith Vemula” . • Noted documentaries , feature films and documentary fictions were also screened on various contemporary topics.
First phase of Kerala’s smart city project inaugurated
The first phase of Kerala ’s dream project i.e. SmartCity project has been jointly initiated by state’s CM Oommen Chandy and UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al Gergawi . The project includes Rs 400 crore 6.5 lakh sq ft information technology tower .
• The project is a joint venture of Dubai Holding and Kerala government which is pegged to provide 5,500 knowledge based jobs.
Apart from the first phase inauguration, ministers also launched 4.7 million sq ft phase-two. It will be completed in 36 months and provide 60,000 jobs.
Kasaragod district of Kerala declared as “Zero Landless District”
Kasaragod district of Kerala has been declared as the second zero landless district , after Kannur.
• It was announced during the “title deed mela” by the Kerala’s home minister Ramesh Chennithala . The event was presided by state’s revenue minister Adoor Prakash . • 30,900 plots have been identified for zero landless scheme in Kasargod District. • As a part of project, 73 acres of land in Kasaragod taluk and 971.10 acres have been made available in Hosdurg taluk .
Other Highlights of Events
• To ensure land for all in the state, 10,271 landless families were given title deeds for three cents land each under the project.
• 27 applicants were handed over the title deeds directly by the Ministers at the function while the rest were allotted land through 51 counters specially set up in the stadium grounds.
•The plots for the applicants were chosen through draw of lots in the presence of people’s representatives with the assistance of the C-Dit .
President inaugurates India’s first gender park in Kozhikode
The nation’s first gender park to come up in the India’s Digital state Kerala , and it will be inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee in Kozhikode .
•The Complex named Thantedam Gender Park will come up at Vellimadukunnu in Kozhikode District, and the laid foundation stone put down on March 8 2013 by the Kerela Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
•The park is initiative mooted by Social Justice Department of Kerala
•The Complex named Thantedam Gender Park will come up at Vellimadukunnu in Kozhikode District, and the laid foundation stone put down on March 8 2013 by the Kerela Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
•The park is initiative mooted by Social Justice Department of Kerala Government to address social issues pertaining to all the three genders and to create an environment to share global Knowledge and Experience in Gender Inequalities.
Kerala Becomes India’s First Digital State
Kerala becomes India’s first Digital State in the country by President Pranab Mukherjee, formally at Digital Empowerment Campaign in Kozhikode.
• The state’s initiative will bridge the Country’s Digital Divide by 2020.
• Kerala having linked all villages in the state with broadband connectivity under the National Optical Fibre Network Project
•Kerala state boasts of many first in the Human Development Index and the Administrative works of the state to go digitally that makes the work more transparent and efficient.
Kerala E- Literacy:
Kerala government has launched two major projects in 2002 that made breakthrough, namely 1. Akshaya Project which aims making at least one person in every family E-literate. 2. The IT@school project with the objective of providing basic computer Knowledge to
every high school student. E-governance in Kerala:
• The Digital state has over 600 e governance applications covering almost all • departments and delivering E services to the citizens.
• The state has over 95 % mobile density and Internet Access covering over 60 % of the
population.
Digital Literacy Campaign:
•This Campaign aims at the Digital Empowerment of citizens from all walks of life and enable ordinary citizens to access government and private services in secure manner. • Once the Campaign extended throughout the state it will cover about three
million citizens in the age group of 30-60 years.
• The state is on track towards becoming a fully Digital Society by 2020.
NOFN Project:
• Kerala is the first state in the country to complete NOFN project imitated in 2011. • The Department of Telecom is set to Complete NOFN rollout to 2.5 lakh villages and
Panchayats in India by March 2016.
•About 70,000 km of Optical Fibre is to be laid for this project and the total cost of the initiative is Rs. 30,000 crore.
President inaugurates India’s first IT Park by labour cooperative & Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated UL Cyber Park under the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society in Kozhikode, Kerala.
•The park to come in 25 acre land and the estimated cost of 270 crore at Nellikode in Kozhikode district.
• The IT Park will provide Direct Employment to 4500 people in the first phase, indirect employment to 20,000 people, the park will export IT solutions and products to United States
Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project
• President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first phase of Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project at the International Research and convention Centre, Kodungalloor.
•This project aims to create awareness and understanding of the cultural distinctiveness and diversity of Muziris and to promote sustainable development.
•Muziris project compromises the best of Heritage tourism and to bring economic benefits to the local people as well as knowledge to tourists about the ancient place. The project envisages Spice route initiative of the state with the help of UNESCO to recover historic trade ties with 41 countries.
KU wins first chancellor’s award
State’s oldest University, Kerala University has been conferred with first-ever chancellor’s award with a prize money of Rs 5 crore .
• The prize include includes a citation and a gold plated rolling trophy . • The prize money is meant for capital expenditure for any major project ofthe university .
The award was instituted to nurture the spirit of healthy competition among the universities, resulting in better quality in higher education , so as to make the universities vibrant centres of learning. The universities were judged on the following parameters on a total scale of 500 marks :
Kerala’s ‘She-Taxi’ bags CM’s innovation award
Kerala’s all-women taxi cab service “ She-Taxi” had bagged the prestigious Chief Ministers Award for Innovation in Public Policy 2014.
• She-Taxi idea was chosen for the honor taking into account it as a unique model and its prospects to reproduce in other places.
•The initiative had deal with the safety and security concerns of women travelers. • The award had been received by Gender Park CEO Dr P T M Sunish and the She-Taxi representatives from K Muraleedharan, MLA, at a function.
Vidya Balan receives Pride of Kerala award
The 38-year-old Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has been awarded with the ‘ Pride of Kerala’ award by the World Malayalee Council and Kairali TV.
• The National award-winning actress has starred in films like “Parineeta”, “Paa”, “No One Killed Jessica”, “The Dirty Picture” and “Kahaani”.
Navy showcases bio-diesel run patrol craft at IFR 2016
The Indian Navy conducted an International Fleet Review (IFR) at Visakhapatnam.
• IFR 2016 Mascot – Dolphin
• IFR 2016 Theme Song – United through Oceans
During the IFR 2016, Indian Navy showcased its bio diesel powered fast attack craft . It was developed by the lab from the Jatropha Curacas plant .
Kerala wins 61st National School Athletics championship
Kerala won the 61st National School Athletics championship. The championship was Started on 29 January 2016 and finished on February 2.
•The national School Athletics championship was held at Olympian Rahman Stadium inKozhikode, Kerala.
• Kerala becomes the champions in the event of the 19 th consecutive Championship . • Kerala host of the championship and got 306 points winning 39 gold, 29 silver and 17 bronze medals.
•Second position was gain by Tamil Nadu followed by Maharashtra .
FC Dnipro Reserves clinched the 2016 Nagjee International Club Football Tournament The 36 th edition of the Sait Nagjee Football Tournament was held at Kozhikode , Kerala. FC Dnipro Reserves of Ukraine had grabbed the tournament’s trophy by defeating Atletico Paranaense Reserves of Brazil
•The 15 days event of 2016 was the first edition of this tournament after 1995.
•The event was organised by the Kozhikode District Football Association (KDFA) with the support of Siddeek Ahmed , President KDFA.
•The Sait Nagjee Trophy was in partnership with UK based charitable organization Football for Peace (FfP).
Malayalam actor Kollam G K Pillai passes away
A theatre-turned-cinema-actor Kollam G K Pillai is known for his character and comedy roles in dramas, movies and TV serials died due to age-related illness.
•Pillai had been active in theatre since 1960s and enacted a handful of memorable roles in noted dramas of that time including Neetipeedham, Kunjali Maraykkar and Ezharaponnana.
•Pillai stepped into tinsel world by donning a role in 1965 movie Masappady Mathupillai.
He had acted in over 70 films including Chula, My Dear Kuttichathan, Mucheettu Kalikkarente Makal and so on.
•Pillai also appeared in some television serials also in the later years of his acting career.
Alappuzha Backwaters To Get India’s First Solar Ferry
Allepey , the Venice of the East , and a favourite tourism spot in Kerala is going to get India’s first 75-seater Solar Ferry , within three months.
•The boat is being built by NavAlt , a Kochi based joint venture, in collaboration with a French company. The Project cost is estimated to be 1.7 crore .
•The boat is 20 meter long , 7 m wide with a maximum cruising speed of 7.5 knots • The boat is being built by NavAlt , a Kochi based joint venture, in collaboration with a
French company. The Project cost is estimated to be 1.7 crore .
Union Government To Provide Loan To FACT
Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), a Central Public Sector Undertaking in Kochi signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA ) with the Union Government to get a loan of Rs. `1000 crores .
•FACT has been facing financial issues for over a decade
• The loan of Rs. 1000 crores comes as a relief to the organization when it needs to clear its debts and augment production.
•It needs to be repaid within five years with a moratorium of one
Cisco to set up Internet of Everything (IoE) innovation centre in Visakhapatnam Cisco will set up an Internet of Everything (IoE) Innovation centre in Visakhapatnam to drive regional innovation and will enable partners and start-ups to build solutions around IoE and engage in rapid prototyping.
•The MoU was signed as a part of the inauguration of India’s first statewide broadband project-AP Fiber Net in Visakhapatnam in the presence of Andhra Pradesh CM Mr. N Chandrababu Naidu and Cisco executive chairman Irving Tan among others.
South Indian Bank gets ISO 9001:2008 certification
Kerala based South Indian Bank has disseminated that its personnel department has achieved the ISO 9001:2008 certification .
•South Indian Bank came into being during the Swadeshi movement established in 1929 spread across more than 26 states and 3 union territories in India
Federal Bank to open incubation centres for startups
Federal Bank plans to set up incubation centers for startups in Bangalore and Ernakulam .
These are expected to offer advice on capital, regulatory support and even disburse funds in the branches.
• These centres are named as Launchpad, equipped with fast internet connections,
support staff from the financial world and advisory mechanisms.
• The bank has a dedicated startup fund of worth 25 crore which will be utilized for funding or lending to promising startups. The bank also plans to integrate its mobile payments application ‘Chillr’.
Kerala Tourism campaign wins Golden City Gate Award
God’s own Country official logoed Kerala Tourism’s campaign on tourism has bagged the ‘Golden City Gate Award’ at the travel trade show ITB in Berlin. • The award bagged campaign Titled ‘New Worlds’ , the multimedia campaign containing three short films directed by reputed Malayalam
filmmaker Anwar Rasheed won the silver prize of this year’s Golden City Gate (Das Golden Stadttor), at the International Tourismus-Borse Berlin
•The ‘New Worlds’ campaign was launched by UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai at
the World Travel Mart in London.
M.Sukumaran chosen for CV Kunhiraman Literary prize
Renowned Malayalam writer M Sukumaran in the third week of March 2016 was chosen for the CV Kunhiraman Literary Prize . About Sukumaran
•M Sukumaran is an author and short story writer in Malayalam. • He won the Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1976 for his book Marichittillathavarude Smarakangal .
•The themes of all of his writings deal with the plight of the dispossessed and advocate an armed struggle for the liberation of the oppressed Indian Coast Guard ship Arnvesh commissioned at Visakhapatnam
Indian Coast Guard’s fast patrol vessel (FPV) Arnvesh ship was commissioned at Visakhapatnam, by the Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht.This Indian Coast Guard’s fast patrol vessel (FPV) Arnvesh ship was commissioned at Visakhapatnam, by the Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht.this
•The Ship will enhance Coast Guard’s capability in furthering its mandate of maritime safety, security on the eastern sea board
•The 300-tonne and 50-m long vessel is propelled by triple Rolls Royce Kamewa water jets and can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots.
• This is the 16th vessel among the 20 vessels in this category being constructed by Cochin Shipyard limited.
‘Agasthyamala’ included among UNESCO’s new 20 Biosphere Reserves
Agasthyamala – the biosphere reserve shared by Kerala and Tamil Nadu has been placed in the new 20 Biosphere reserves list released by UNESCO.
•Location: Western Ghats , in the south of India
• The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) was established in 2001 and is spread across the two states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani dead
Mani Raman better known for his stage name Kala Bhavan Mani Popular Malayalam actor died at private hospital in Kochi Kerala.The actor was undergoing treatment for liver and kidney related diseases. The Chalakudy Police have registered a case for unnatural death after traces of methanol found in his body.
•The Actor and Singer has starred in more than 200 films including Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu movies
•Comedy was his forte, but he proved that he was not just a comedian with his superb portrayal of a blind singer in Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum , the movie remade in Tamil as Kasi he was a favourite to win both the State and national awards for the best actor.
Germany to develop Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Coimbatore as Smart Cities
Germany will partner with India’s flagship program Smart City Mission to develop
Bhubaneswar, Kochi, and Coimbatore as smart Cities.
•The three Cities are among the twenty cities which have been announced by the Urban Development Ministry.
•Germany helped India in the selection process of the cities consists of three delegations from Germany , Two of them from Urban Development Ministry and One from Ministry of Housing and Poverty Alleviation.
‘Kadhaprasangam’ famous V D Rajappan died
The famous story telling ‘Kadhaprasangam’ artist and Malayalam Actor V D Rajappan died at the age of 70.
• He is a famous comedian in Malayalam cinema and acted over 50 movies
•He was in peak in 1970’s & 1980’s for his unique satirical style of ‘Kadhaprasangam’ • His famous Kadhaprasangams include ‘Kumari Eruma’, ‘Mak Mak’, ‘Priye Ninte Kura’, ‘Amittu’, ‘Pothu Puthri’ and ‘Ennennum Kurangettandeh
• His last movie was ‘Ok Chacko Cochin Mumbai’
Kerala Current Affairs - April 2016
Operation Sulaimani to eradicate Poverty in Kozhikode District
‘Operation Sulaimani’ is an initiative of Kozhikode district administration to eradicate poverty and to avoid food wastage in the district . It will be implemented within a weak. About ‘Operation Sulaimani’:
• Operation Sulaimani will provide food to around 1,000 people per day. The price of the food will be covered through sponsorship.
• People in need can collect a free meal coupon from any of the distribution centres and walk into any restaurant in the city.
Prime Minister visits Puttingal Devi Temple following fire mishap
•Prime Minister visited the Puttingal Devi temple at Kollam , following fire mishap. The mishap happened due to the display of fireworks occurred on the last day of the seven- day ‘Meena Bharani’ festivities.
Kerala celebrates Harvest Festival Vishu
• Kerala celebrating the Harvest Festival, Vishu . Believers across the state are visiting temples, performing special pujas and exchanging gifts to Aprk the occasion.
Kerala, Thazhathangady Juma Mosque opens doors to women for the first time Kerala’s Thazhathangady Juma mosque , almost thousand years old but one that was visited only by men.
•For the First time in its History, Juma mosque has opened its doors to all women on
April 24 and May 8. Federal Bank–Phillip Capital tie-up announced at Singapore
Kochi based Federal Bank has signed pact with Phillip Capital ,for managing the NRI Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS).
• The joint initiative will be add a significant value to the NRI clientele of the bank , particularly those in the non-Gulf cooperation council countries, who can now avail PIS using the wide global network of Phillip Capital and their experience and expertise in providing consistent and world-class customer service.
Federal Bank Launches Campus Wallet in Kerala
Kochi based Federal Bank has joined with Chillar Payment Solutions Ltd., to promote the start- up’s technology product – Campus Wallet.
•Currently 16 schools in the state have on boarded to Campus Wallet with around 14000 students using the Campus Wallet.
•This is an Identity Card faded Banking technology with Students can make payments in stores, canteen, library etc within the respective campuses by flashing the Campus Wallet cards at the special swiping machines installed at these locations.
UNICEF-Kerala IMA partnership announced
UNICEF and Indian Medical Association’s Kerala wing joined hands to promote safe and healthy practices across the state for improving maternal and child health.
•The partnership will orient all the 35,000 doctors of the association in the state, on the importance of prescribing good practices to their patients besides medicines. • All the branch of the total 103 spread in all the 14 districts in Kerala will adopt ten
schools for promoting behavioural practices among students who will carry the message to homes .
India to host 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships
India will be hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships in Jaipur, besides organising the Asian Cadet and Asian Junior Judo Championships in September in Kerala this year.
•The Commonwealth Judo Championships was allotted to India, by the Commonwealth Judo Congress held on April 23rd at Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
•Man Mohan Jaiswal, General Secretary of Judo Federation of India(JFI).
Renowned journalist BabuBharadwaj died
Eminent journalist Babu Bharadwaj passed away at a private hospital in Kozhikode.He was 68.
•He was working as the chief editor of the online news portal Dool News . He had worked with Kairali TV, Chinta Magazine and Media One. He was the first Joint Secretary of Students’ Federation of India
•Bharadwaj was the recipient of Kerala SahityaAkademi award in 2006 for his novel titled Kalaapangalkkoru Gruhapadam.
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