Saturday, 26 January 2013


Geography

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty-four rivers, Kerala enjoys diverse geographical features. From tall mountains and deep valleys to endless backwaters and an extensive coastline, Kerala has it all.
 

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History

Kerala's history is closely linked with its commerce, which until recent times revolved around its spice trade. Celebrated as the Spice Coast of India, ancient Kerala played host to travellers and traders from across the world including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. Almost all of them have left their imprint on this land in some form or the other - architecture, cuisine, literature.
 

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At a glance

 
 
Kerala, a State in the Republic of India, has 14 districts or administrative divisions. The major cities are Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. There are three airports in the state which provide international and domestic connections.Here is some quick information on Kerala which will be useful for travellers visiting the State. 
 
   
 Location:Southwestern tip of India. 
  Area:38,863 sq km. 
  Population:3,18,41,374 (Census 2011) 
  Capital:Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) 
  Language:Malayalam. English is widely spoken. 
  Religion:Hinduism, Christianity, Islam 
  Time:GMT +5:30 
  Currency:Indian Rupee 
  Climate:Tropical 
  Summer:February - May (24 - 34°C) 
  Monsoon:June - September (20 - 30°C) 
  Winter:October - January (18 - 28°C) 
   
     
      
  Kasaragod   
  Kannur Cannanore 
  Wayanad   
  Kozhikode Calicut 
  Malappuram   
  Palakkad Palghat 
  Thrissur Trichur 
  Ernakulam   
  Idukki   
  Kottayam   
  Alappuzha Alleppey 
  Pathanamthitta   
  Kollam Quilon 
  Thiruvananthapuram Trivandrum 
     
      
     
    Old Name 
  Thiruvananthapuram:Trivandrum 
  Kochi:Cochin 
  Kozhikode:Calicut 
      
     
  
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Tel : + 91 471 2501424
Visit Website
  • Domestic flights (direct) : From / To : Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai
  • International flights (direct) : From / To : Colombo, Maldives, Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Doha, Ras-al-Khaimah, Kuwait , Riyadh, Fujairah, Singapore
  • Air India Tel : + 91 471 2310310
  • Indian Airlines Tel : + 91 471 2318288
  • Jet Airways Tel : + 91 471 2500710, 2500860
  • Sri Lankan Airlines Tel : + 91 471 2471810
  • Gulf Air Tel : + 91 471 2728003, 2501206
  • Oman Airways Tel : + 91 471 2728950
  • Kuwait Airways Tel : + 91 471 2720013
  • Saudi Arabian Airlines Tel : + 91 471 2723141
  • Qatar Airways Tel : + 91 471 3919091, 3919092
  • Paramount Tel : + 91 99954 00003
  • Kingfisher Tel : + 91 471 2508822
  • Jetlite Tel : + 91 471 4010033
Cochin International Airport (CIAL), Nedumbassery Tel : + 91 484 2610113
Visit Website
  • Domestic flights(direct) : From / To : Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Agathi, Bangalore
  • International flights(direct) : From / To : Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Dhahran, Bahrain, Riyadh, Muscat
  • Air India Tel : + 91 484 2610050
  • Indian Airlines Tel : + 91 484 2371141
  • Jet Airways Tel : + 91 484 2610037
  • Saudi Arabian Airlines Tel : + 91 484 2352689
  • Singapore Airlines Tel : + 91 484 2358131
  • Kuwait Airways Tel : + 91 484 2382576
  • Sri Lankan Airlines Tel : + 91 484 2361263
  • Emirates Tel : + 91 484 40844444
  • Qatar Airways (Call centre: 0124 - 4566000)
  • Jetlite Tel : + 91 484 2611340
  • Air Deccan Tel : + 91 484 2610289
  • Paramount Tel : + 91 484 2610404
Calicut International Airport, Karipur Tel : +91 483 2710100
Visit Website
  • Domestic flights (direct) : From / To : Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore
  • International flights (direct): From / To: Sharjah, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha , Ras-al-Khaimah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Fujairah
  • Air India Tel : + 91 483 2766669
  • Indian Airlines Tel : + 91 483 276643
  • Jet Airways Tel : + 91 483 2740052
 
      
     
  
 
While traveling on Highways + 91 98461 00100
While traveling in Trains + 91 98462 00100
 
      
   
      
  
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Bestowed with a pleasant and equable climate throughout the year, Kerala is a tropical land with the coast running down its entire length and the Western Ghats forming a protective barrier against the dry winds from up north. The monsoons (June-September & October-November) and summer (February-May) are the seasons markedly experienced here, while winter is only a slight drop in temperature from the normal range of 28-320C.
 

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Awards

 INTERNATIONAL AWARDS  
    
 World Tourism Travel Council Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 
 
  • One of the three finalists in the Destination Category - Kerala, 2006
 
 ITB Berlin 
 
  • Das Golden Stadttor Silver Award for Print Campaign, 2012
  • Das Golden Stadttor Bronze Award for TV Commercial - Your Moment is Waiting, 2011
  • Das Golden Stadttor Award for the Print campaign, 2007
  • Das Golden Stadttor Award for Best Commercial, 2006
 
 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) 
 
  • PATA Awards 2011
  • Gold Award 2010 for Best Website
  • Gold Award 2009 for Marketing "Dream Season in Gods Own Country"
  • Gold Award 2008 for Culture - Utsavam, Kerala Arts Festival
  • Gold Award 2008 for Consumer Travel Brochure - Kerala Tourism Theme Brochure
  • Gold Award 2007 for Culture - Aranmula Cultural Village
  • Gold Award 2007 for Brochure - Destination Brochure Kit
  • Grand Award for Environment - Zero Waste Kovalam, 2006
  • Gold Award for Ecotourism - Kumbalangi Tourism Village, 2006
  • Gold Award 2006 for Publication Ayurveda: The Mantra of Niramaya
  • Gold Award for the best E-Newsletter, 2005
  • Honourable Mention for Culture, 2005
  • Gold Award for Culture, 2004
  • Gold Award for Ecotourism, 2004
  • Gold Award 2004 for the best CD-ROM Ayurveda: The Mantra of Niramaya
  • Gold Award 2003 for the best CD-ROM, Kerala: The Green Symphony
  • Gold Award for Marketing, 2003
  • Grand Award for Heritage, 2002
 
 Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association (PATWA) 
 
  • International Award for Leisure Tourism, 2000-2001
 
 UNESCO Asia-Pacific 
 
  • Heritage Award - Honorable Mention - Arakkal Kettu, Kannur, 2006
 
 New York ad Festivals 
 
  • Finalist Award - Kerala Tourism - 2005
 
 Prague International Advertising Festival (PIAF) 
 
  • Bronze for the Print Campaign - Your Moment is Waiting, 2012
  • Bronze for the TVC- Your Moment is Waiting, 2011
 
 WTM, London 
 
  • Best Stand Award, 2011
 
 FITUR, Spain 
 
  • Best International Exhibition stand - Kerala Tourism Pavilion, 2010
 
 Smart Travel Asia 'Best in Travel Poll 2010' 
 
  • Kerala voted as the best Asian holiday destination, 2010
 
 NATIONAL AWARDS
 
 Government of India 
 
  • Most innovative use of Information Technology / Best Website, 2011
  • Best State (3rd Place), 2010
  • Best Responsible Tourism Initiative- Kumarakom RT project, 2009
  • Most Innovative use of Information Technology, 2009
  • Most Innovative Adventure Activity -International Paragliding Championship, 2008
  • Best Responsible Tourism Project - Better Together- Responsible Tourism Initiative, Kerala, 2008
  • Best Tourism Film / Audio Visual Presentation 2008 for DVD Rhapsodies from God's Own Country
  • Best Performing Tourism State, 2007
  • Best Tourism Portal - www.keralatourism.org, 2007
  • Best Performing Tourism State, 2006
  • Best Maintained Tourist - Friendly Monument - Sakthan Thampuran Palace 2006
  • Best Publishing - Mantra of Niramaya & Tourism Handbook, 2006
  • Most Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2005-06
  • Best Performing Tourism State, 2005
  • Best Maintained Tourist - Friendly Monument, 2005
  • Best Publishing 2004-05 for Book on Ayurveda
  • Best Marketed and Promoted State, 2004
  • Best Maintained Tourist - Friendly Monument, 2004
  • Best Innovative Tourism Project, 2004
  • Best Promotion Literature, 2004
  • Best Publishing 2003-04 for Book on Panchakarma
  • Best Performing State for 2003, 2001, 2000 and 1999 - Award for Excellence in Tourism. (For rapid growth, development and advancement in the tourism sector)
  • Best Practices by a State Government, 2003
  • Best Eco-tourism Product, 2003
  • Best Wildlife Sanctuary, 2003
  • Most Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2002-03
  • Most Tourist-friendly International Airport, 2002
  • Most Eco-friendly Destination, 2002
  • Best Tourism Film, 2001
  • Most Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2000-01
  • Most Innovative Use of Information Technology, 2008-09
 
 Outlook Traveller - TAAI 
 
  • Favourite Indian State for Travel & Tourism, 2010
  • Best State that promoted Travel & Tourism, 2000-2001
 
 Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) 
 
  • Award for Best Marketing, 2003
  • Award for Best Use of IT in Tourism, 2004
 
 Galileo - Express Travel & Tourism 
 
  • Award for the Best State Tourism Board, 2006
  • Award for the Best State Tourism Board, 2005
  • Award for the Best State Tourism Board, 2003
 
 Net4 PC World 
 
  • Award for Best website in the tourism category, 2008
 
 Indian Association of Tour Operators' (IATO) 
 
  • Award for the Best CDs, 2004
 
 NDTV 
 
  • Business Leadership Award in Travel Category, 2007
  • Business Leadership Award in Travel Category, 2006
 
 CNBC Award 
 
  • Best Tourism Board, 2011
  • Best Tourism Board, 2009
  • Best Travel Destination 2009
  • Best State Tourism Board - Kerala, 2007
  • Best Travel Destination - Thekkady, 2007
 
 Today's Traveller Platinum Award 
 
  • Best State Marketing Campaign - Jet2kerala campaign, 2009
 
 Kerala State E-Governance Awards 
 
  • Best Website, 2008
 
 Travel & Leisure Award 
 
  • Best Indian State, 2011
  • Best Green Destination, 2011
 
 Lonely Planet - India Travel Awards 
 
  • Best Destination for Families, 2012
 
 Times of India 
 
  • Best Tourism Board, 2012
 
   
 

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Republic day of india


Republic Day India: 22 children receive National Bravery Award 

INDIA, Updated Jan 26, 2013 at 10:11am IST
New Delhi: This Republic Day, the nation is saluting 22 bravehearts who battled deep waters, raging fires and injustice to save the lives of others. All of them are under the age of 18 and winners of the children's bravery awards. They were felicitated on Friday in a special award ceremony by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who said that their bravery serves as an example to the rest of the country.
The 22 include Ramdinthara from Mizoram, Tarang Atul Bhai Mistry from Gujarat and Koroungamba Kuman from Manipur. Fifteen-year-old Ramdinthara is the sole posthumous awardee. He lost his life while saving his friend from drowning.
Tarang Mistry though was all smiles as he received the award from the Prime Minister. The young man had managed to save four people from drowning in the Narmada. The youngest awardee this year was seven-year-old Koroungamba Kuman who saved his young sister from a devastating fire.
However, perhaps the biggest applause must go to a young girl from Delhi, Renu, who dared to expose the physical and psychological abuse at the shelter home she was staying in.New Delhi: A sunny morning with a nip in the air greeted thousands of spectators gathered to witness the 64th Republic Day parade at the majestic Rajpath here on Monday though the minimum temperatures remained below normal. The low was recorded at 6.4 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal and up by 0.8 degrees from Friday's 5.6 degrees Celsius.
The maximum temperature in the last 24 hours was recorded at 21.1 degrees Celsius, which is one degree below normal for this time of the year. Though there was a fog cover and a nip in the air in the early hours, spectators in large numbers came to Rajpath to witness the kaleidoscopic image of India's cultural heritage and military prowess.
The thin veil of fog gave way to the sun as the day progressed. The clear sky also helped people enjoy the flypast during the parade as the Indian Air Force helicopters and fighter jets showcasing India's military might left the spectators spellbound. In 2010, a thick blanket of fog had played spoilsport during the parade as visibility was limited, leaving many spectators disappointed.
In the past 12 years, except for 2010, the month of January has recorded the lowest minimum temperature on January eight of 2006 when the mercury had dipped to 0.2 degree Celsius. The record lowest minimum for the month was on January 16, 1935, when the mercury touched minus 0.6 degrees Celsius while the highest maximum was 32.5 degrees on January 28, 2004.
The weatherman has predicted mist in the morning on Sunday with temperature oscillating between six and 21 degrees Celsius.