Karshikamela 2010

The Karshikamela 2010 conducted by the Gandhiji Study Center at Thodupuzha, Kerala will be held from from the 18th to 26th January 2010.
You can follow them on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/gsckarshikamela
Daily updates will be available on the following Blog:
http://thodupuzhakarshikamela.blogspot.com/
More info on Gandhiji Study Centre and the Karshikamela:
http://www.gsckarshikamela.com/

Voting and Blogging

Today people all over Kerala were voting. According to a Tv channel less than 50% of the people in Trivandrum voted. (This was based on statistics they got at 4.30 pm.) It's not surprising though. Alot of people said their names were not on the list. For others it was an identity crises. The person who looked at you from the officials list was simply not you.
Yesterday a colleague mentioned that blogging should be banned. This was during an election debate. Blogging is primarily a way of self expression. If it does influence people, its just like the newspapers or the television. But probably not to that extent. However I guess bloggers need not worry. Political parties themselves would not want it. Atleast the BJP would not. As you can see the caption," Advani for PM" on almost every other blog!!!!
Anyhow there was more than 60 % polling in Idukki, Kochi and Malappuram.

Goodwill : The best Trinketty Shop

The best place to shop for trinkets in kochi is Goodwill!!! This is a shop so full of trinkets that they just hang out from every spot in the shop. Four floors of trinkets. The first floor is full of earrings and small chains and the like. Starting from Rs 30 it goes up to whatever!!!They also have a good collection of reasonably priced belts. While you take the stairs to the next floor, you cannot help but notice all the cute bags hung above you. There is always someone willing to give you a lending hand. The next floor is completely devoted to bags and make -up. They have a good range when it comes to quality and price. One day I spotted Manju Warrior there doing her bit of shopping. And I'm pretty sure Poornima Mohan or Indrajith ( after her marriage to actor Indrajith) goes there to buy stuff. After all she is an ex Teresian. Infact all the shops have sprung around and thrived in Convent Junction because of the St Teresa's college. Come to think of it, it's one of the best places to shop for trinkets in Kerala.

The beauty that is Rathnagiri!!!

Ooooh!!!
Breath taking....
No. It's not me with the back pack...


Looks like fun!!

Such a serene & peaceful place.

These pictures can brighten anyones day. That's why I thought I"ll put them up. These are photos taken in Ratnagiri. It's only 58 KMs from Calicut which is a place up north in Kerala. It's near the border or just outside it. No I havn't been there. But one day I will or hope to. Have any of you been there?

* Pictures taken from the internet.

Unwinding Near the Sea

Last weekend, I got a chance to dig my heels in the sand. Yes I went to the beach. I removed my flip-flops and pressed my feet in. It was such a wonderful feeling. I wish I had brought some sand back with me .
We stayed in the Pozhiyoram resort in Alleppey district. It's about 5 or 6 kilometers from the town. U gotta take a deviation from Thumpoly.You will be transported back in time here. The cottages have doors with 4 panels which used to be popular in Kerala in the olden days. So you can just keep the bottom panels locked and it becomes like a window, letting air and light in, but not people.

They have a small dining hall upstairs where we saw a bit of Pirates of the Carribean with the waves beating on the shore in the background. This was a different experience. Throughout the night and in the morning you can hear the waves rolling and pounding. You can also see the sea from wherever you are.
There aren't too many cottages here. So it's never crowded. Altogether there are 3 cottages. Two are twins and the one closest to the sea is single. They have tried to maintain a certain rustic ambience with only a few hammocks and beach chairs ( you can count them on one hand) thrown in here and there. The bathrooms are clean and some are open air with coconut trees bang in the middle.

In the morning we went for a walk on the beach. The fishermen were bringing in their catch. The water is salty, even in the resort. But that's ok, for a day.

If you go there, please remember to order food in advance. & I mean real early!! They make everything fresh...so it takes time.
It's not as expensive as some other resorts which have cottages on the beach. I must say I feel rejuvenated. Now I know why people buy those exclusive houses on the beach.

Top Design

Yesterday i saw this program called Top Design on television... It was really interesting. It's a reality show based on interior design...I think the people who participate would get a better chance,,,,if they were voted by SMS or whatever just like the Superstar Global and other programs aired....
One thing good about these shows is that ordinary people get a chance to show case their talent and also make a bit o "lolly" in the process... Good for them!!!! I really liked the room done by a guy called Matt. He got the theme water...and his room was so classy...ya see they had to design a high end hotel suite...

There are so many reality shows out there now. There's one called "Naach Baliye" or something and it's about dance. Couples get to dance in pairs and are voted by the audience...This is in Hindi...The organizers have roped in both Rakhi Sawant and Pooja Bedi.. Whether u like Rakhi or not, one does become curious as to what she's upto...
In kerala, we have Superstar Global, Idea Star singer, Junior superstar and on a ntional lvel ther's the Indion Idol modelled on the lines of American Idol!!!

Interesting to see how people come up with so many fresh ideas and thoughts.