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Water Lilys of Kottayam

Immediately after the end of our South West Monsoon on September 30th, the water Lilys  of the backwater bloomed turning the calm waters into a beautiful pink floral dream.

It was heartening to see the local tourism groups used the natural show to attract tourists who are already on the world famous backwater circuit. Selfies among the flowers while house-boating or walking the village of "Malarikal" is the most trending social media pictures of Kerala Tourism this week. 

Summer

As we go through the last month of summer in the west which touristically in South India is the off season, we tend to prepare for the oncoming tourist season. This year I spent a lot of time learning the Russian language and reading about that country.

"Duolingo" is a great tool for self learning a new language as it gives a very good introduction into the language. It requires a lot of time and discipline to arrange and fit into our day a time slot for practice. But the app itself is not conclusive and one need to supplement the learning with other resources which fortunately are available on YouTube and other source for free.

As the rain pounded on again in my home state of Kerala creating wide spread destruction and damage interrupting life and work the threat of another tourist season going cold is looming large upon us who earn their bread from the industry.

Amidst turbulence, the invitation to guest lecture in tourism colleges and the whole consuming enthusiasm to share the industry experience and knowledge with students is a great motivation during the lay offs of the down season to keep going constructively. It also gives me a wonderful opportunity for academic discussion with the professors which adds to my learning. The best aspect of the experience is the permission to use the inviting Institute's library. I am using it to the full.

Greetings from Nellore.

Malabar River Festival

Picture courtesy: Kerala Toursim 

During July 26-28, District Tourism Promotion Council of Kozhikode (Calicut) and Madras Fun Tools along with Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA) and International Canoe Federation (ICA) organized the seventh edition of the "MALABAR RIVER FESTIVAL". 

The tourism enthusiasts and stakeholders are delighted to watch the interest and the attention the adventure tourism event is gaining in the state during the monsoon when the tourism chips are down. While wishing the event a grand success we hope it will develop interlinked tourism services and facilities in the destination which will provide job opportunity for many. 

Malabar River Festival

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7 Books that introduces one to Russia

 7 Famous Russian Books that will introduce one to Russia and its mind. 

1.
"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy, 1869

A must read four volume epic for everyone who want to Know and understand Russia. 30 plus prominent characters representing the various dimensions of the Russian Society - Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre BezulKov, Natasha Rostova are some of the most interesting characters through whom Tolstoy tells the story of life - Love, death, faith and the lack of it.

2.
"The Brothers of Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, 1879

Dostoevsky's last novel which examines the Russian soul deeply. Dilemmas of his time, the task of surviving in the world, the Christian way of life, should one follow ones emotions, logic or faith..

3.
"Eugene Onegin" by Alexander Pushkin, 1833

Popularly considered to be a humorous book, it tells the story of Onegin who on the course of his pursuit of life destroys many lives and finally ending up with nothing. The irony and the wit that structure the story is very thought provoking.
Walter W Arndt's English translation captures the feel of the original very well.

4.
"The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekov, 1909

Chekov's a century old  beautiful play continue to be staged even today. It beautifully tells the story of the change from the old world to the new world, how the old generation of the writer's time failed to change with the time and clang to its aristocratic and feudal memories.

5.
"Lower Depths" by Maxim Gorky, 1903

Bolshevik's most prominent writer discusses the concept of what is more important in life "truth or hope" through the life and thoughts of drunkards, prostitutes and others who have fallen to the depth of social life amazing the readers with the versatile 'Russian mind' to discuss and debate on philosophical thoughts even at that lowest of communal level.

6.
"Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak, 1957

The story of a noble Dr. Yuri Zhivago who losses everything in the war and revolution except his dignity and Christian kindness. A wonderful novel which tells us the life and times during the Revolution.

7.
"The master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov

A peek into the lives in Russia during the time of  Joseph Stalin, the narration is so ably crafted with the characters  like the Devil himself  coming to Visit Moscow, the events and incidences giving us a first hand experience of life and mishaps of the time and that too very amusingly. Unfortunately, Mikhail did not lived long enough to see the huge success of his own book which was published 27 years after it was written, long after his death.

Farm Tourism

The classes for the semester was over before the summer got fiercely hot. Last week even the bed in the hostel room was warm like a loaf of bread. Inspite of the summer worries The knowledge sharing experience at tourism and other colleges is something that keeps me motivated. While at Nellore, I tried organizing a student itinerary for American university students who come to India to study the public health system in developing countries. The talks are on in that way, fortunately the Indian charm continues to be in her villages and our Nellore and her villages are very suitable for student tourism in the field of public health, village economy, culture etc..

Golagamudi

Check out the life at the small village at this site. 

Last week, we came to know from our sources in Kerala home stays association that a tourism director from AP tourism has visited the home stays of Kerala as part of their Homes Stays study tour. I was very happy to hear that as we did farm tourism prospects in AP as a semester project for the final year under graduate students. Some of our students have their own farms, some big some small but each with very interesting activities that are unique to the area. I am sure if the students will take it forward they will definitely get the state support. 

Seeing is believing, they say, the students have to visit well run home stays in the farms to understand its scope and reach. Once they understand and become aware I am sure they will involve themselves more enthusiastically to bring a different life and activities to their farms.

The 18 hour bus ride back to Kochi and Kerala is always a delight for me even though the trains could be easier, cheaper and would reach in 12 hours.

Though there was a bit of problem with the long distance bus service from Kerala, the quality of the service, the facilities at the stopovers during the journey has improved tremendously. A fact that make every Indian proud. Slow but steady we are moving forward.

Ugadi - The New Year

The New Year day for the Telugu and Kannada communities falls on the first new moon after the spring Equinox and the next day is celebrated as the first day of the new year based on the lunar calendar depending on the position of the moon, the calculation tradition goes as far back as the 12th century.

On the special day everyone wakes up before the sunrise, takes an oil bath, goes to temple, decorate their houses beautifully with columns (muggulu) mango leaves decorations (toranalu) and treat themselves and everyone with special dishes. Some of the special dishes are;

Bevu Bella & Pachadi

A mix of all flavours - sweet, sour, bitter, salty -  prepared from Jaggery paste, neem buds, tamarind and raw mangoes. 

It symbolizes the fact that life is a mixed bag and prepares one to expect everything in the days to come.

Kolamulu (Muggulu)

The preparation for the festival begins atleast a week in advance and will include, cleaning of the houses and premises, buying of new clothes etc..
It's a public holiday in the states of Andhra, Telengana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharastra where it is known as "Gudi Padawa".