Property in Kerala, God's Own Country

Kerala in South India displays breathtaking beauty while denoting rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. An ideal tourist destination, it is the choice of millions of domestic and international travelers. The entry of prominent property developers and the perpetually growing demand from buyers & investors have been major boosters for Kerala real estate.

The property trends in Southern India have been changing with an emerging class of middle class buyers as well as growing NRI investments. The aspirations of people are now amplifying as cost of living increases and inflation sets in the country. Property in Kerala is among the most sought after investment choices for people both within and outside the nation. In residential segment, structures like premium apartments, multi storied flats, duplexes, etc. are coming up. The housing sector is already the favorite across India be it in a metro city or any of the tier-II, III & IV cities. Both luxury and affordable housing are developing at a rapid speed but mega apartment projects launched by leading builders at reasonable prices remain the buzz. 

The real estate in India is the most viable option for investment currently as all cities, towns and suburbs blossom exponentially. Kerala realty takes you to the lap of nature with its picturesque surroundings, notable biodiversity and sparkling beaches. Some of the places witnessing large scale developments in the state are Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city; Kochi and Kozhikode. Undergoing an unprecedented construction boom, property market in ‘God’s Own Country’ is welcoming various transformations in its infrastructure. Being the hottest tourist spot in India, real estate in Kerala is progressing towards meeting international standards and setting new benchmarks. This most preferred realty hub is attracting numerous builders who are willing to pump in huge amounts of money into the sector.

Some of the important cities of Kerala include Kochi, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Alleppey, Trichur, Perumbavoor, Thekkady and Thiruvananthapuram among others. Buying property in kochi or Kerala has become easier with simple loan schemes extended by various financial institutions and banks. Finance companies act as a catalyst that enables home buyers to build their dream homes whenever they want. One should ideally opt for longer repayment tenure to enjoy maximum subsidies and to pay reduced amount of EMIs. With the announcement of Union Government on revising interest rates, it is to get convenient for buyers to finance their properties. The above measures are going to prove great help for Kerala real estate in expanding manifold and bring it to the levels of property market in metro cities. The property sector had begun reviving early this year as robust econ

Source: http://www.stockmarketsreview.com/realestate/2010/09/14/property-in-kerala-gods-own-country/

Three new projects fuel boom in Kochi

A move by the Kerala state government to set up a Smart City at Kochi has triggered off a fresh rally in real estate prices in the central districts of Kerala, especially in and around Kochi.
The real estate and construction business in Kerala have been passing through a dull phase after new and stringent norms on registration and stamp duty were introduced some months ago.
The announcement of the Smart City project has added life to the segment recently.
The government will soon tie up with the Technology and Media Free zone Authority (TECOM) of Dubai to set up the Smart City, one of the largest IT infrastructure projects of India at Kakkanad, near Kochi city.
Around two years back, the UDF government had announced the project and this had led to a surge in real estate prices in Kochi and surrounding areas.
Almost all the major builders of India had acquired land at Kakkanad area and the value of land had increased by manifolds.
Thereafter, LDF had swept to power in the elections and work on the project was slowed down.
Now after a year, the project is about to take off.
The project was expected to create jobs for 90,000 professionals in the city and this would create demand for apartments.
According to major builders, around 30,000 apartments and flats would be needed in Kochi in three years.
By 2015, Kochi would need more than 100,000 plus apartments.
Three mega projects, the Vallarpadam International Container Terminal (VICT), Petronet's LNG terminal and the Smart City, were expected to lead to 200,000 jobs while related projects like the bunkering terminal, single point mooring (SPM) and new hotels would add to demand for apartments.
In the last few months, land value in Kochi's Kakkanad area climbed 75 per cent.
A large number of land deals were being done in Kochi localities like Vyttila bye pass (NH 47) and the Sea Port to Airport Road.
Prices per centiare near NH 47 was Rs 20 lakh and on the Sea port - Airport Road it was Rs 6 -8 lakh.
According to K A Mohammed Salim, managing director of Asset Homes, land prices in Kochi were lower than most other tier-II cities and hence the interest among builders.
Salim said that the construction of flats would surge in the coming years and investments to the tune of Rs 6000 -7000 crore would be required in the next three years.
Villas were also in demand in major towns in the average price band of Rs 50 -70 lakh per unit.
But major builders agreed that demand for apartments would drive growth in the future with prices being in the Rs 15 -25 lakh band, affordable for professionals.
Salim said the surge in land prices could derail plans to build villas as unit prices could soon exceed Rs 1 crore per unit.
Demand for flats, especially from NRIs, was already high and most flats were being booked as soon as bookings opened.
Major builders were concentrating on sales in the Persian Gulf region and around 50 per cent of flats were being sold within a month of announcement of a project.
In Kochi city, around 5000 flats were under construction at present.
Demand was so high that extension of the city outwards in all directions was inevitable.
In the north, land upto Thrissur 80km away on NH 47 was now being described as being suitable for apartments in future and land value was rising in areas like the Nedumbassery-Angamally area where the international airport was situated.
In the south, the road to Cherthala was suitable and in fact, in Cherthala, some large apartment projects were coming up.
Other areas to see development included the south-eastern suburbs of the Thripunithura-Chottanikkara and the north-western areas of Varapuzha, North Parur and Vypin Island.
The city of Kochi was at present slowly spreading to around 70 per cent of the land area of Ernakulam district as very little land was available within the city limits.
The city was already extended upto the Kalamassery and Aluva municipalities since these were areas adjacent areas of the old city.
Hectic construction was also going on the reclaimed land near Goshree bridges connecting the city with Vypin island.
The development of infrastructure projects and the new road-rail connectivity would revive the fortunes of the city and a number of big hotel projects had been announced recently.
However, the unique eco-system of the city was under threat as a major portion of the paddy fields were now being taken over and developed into flats and housing projects.
High real estate prices was likely to edge out many of the older residents of Kochi city and its suburbs to other districts.
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/three-new-projects-fuel-boom-in-kochi/283059/

A visual treat from the South

Kerala is a famous tourist destination not just in India but even across the globe.

But apart from being a picturesque holiday destination, God's Own Country is also known for its classical dance forms, Mohiniattam and Kathakali.

The latter is a highly stylized classical dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the playback music and complementaty percussion. And the combined effect is awe-inspiring.

And Lucknowites got a chance to witness both these amazing classical dance forms of Kerala in a function organized at a hotel in the city. The event kick-started with a Mohiniattam performance by four dancers. The performance mesmerized one and all, as the ladies displayed impeccable synchronization. But the highlight of the event was the Kathakali performance. The expressions of the performers left the audience spellbound, as the duo enacted an emotionally charged drama. The evening culminated with a befitting performance, which was a fusion of Kathakali and Mohiniattam.

Read more: A visual treat from the South - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parties/others/A-visual-treat-from-the-South/articleshow/6518223.cms#ixzz0zEVTAh5D



Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parties/others/A-visual-treat-from-the-South/articleshow/6518223.cms

Website offers cooking guides to Onam dishes

f there is any culinary doubt about any particular item in the luxuriant ‘sadya’ spread, there is no need to wait for a popular cookery show on TV. Just log on to www.indiavideo.org. Recipes, and more usefully cooking video guides or video tutorials, of more than 25 sadya-related dishes, from ‘inchi thairu’ and ‘manga pachadi’ to ‘ada pradhaman,’ are featured in a special Onam gallery of the website.  The site, maintained by Invis Multimedia, is developed in association with Kerala Tourism. The website is mainly intended for non-resident Keralites. ‘’Around 1.85 million Keralites work outside Kerala and the video guides will help them prepare the sadya at home,’’ a statement here said. Besides giving recipes as text, the site offers online video tutorials of dishes. ‘’Even non-Malayalis can test these recipes since the narration is in English. Dishes, which have a ritualistic importance, like the ‘poovada’ (steam-baked pancake), have also been included,’’ the release said. Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor had tweeted about the site on August 17. Though he admits he had not yet tried these dishes himself, he reveals that the voice on the video is that of his sister Sobha.  www.indiavideo.org is a website featuring the geographical, and cultural marvels of the country. The portal is envisaged as an online video encyclopaedia on India. Only professional video clips are included in the site, the statement said.

Fort Kochi to get a clean, beautiful look

Fort Kochi might soon be a clean and hygienic paradise, with beautiful sidewalks and zero garbage!   The Kochi Corporation and the Tourism Department in association with the Kudumbashree Mission are  all set to launch the ‘Zero Waste Fort Kochi - Tourist Destination Project’ at Fort Kochi.   The project will be launched on Friday at a meeting to be held at the Santacruz Basilica Parish Hall, Fort Kochi.   The project aims at the overall tourism development of Fort Kochi and Fort Kochi Veli areas through better solid waste management. Decentralised waste management and general beautification of the area will be the focus of the project.    The Department of Tourism has pledged `43 lakh for the project which is to be implemented with the active cooperation of  various stakeholders, including the Kochi Corporation, residential associations, home stays, hoteliers and NGOs.    “The project is being implemented as a part of the Department of Tourism’s ‘Clean Destination Project,” District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) Secretary Shine said. The implementation of the project will transform Fort Kochi into a much cleaner and more beautiful destination, Kochi Corporation Development Committee chairman and councillor of Fort Kochi Veli K J Sohan said.  Kudumbashree, the implementing agency, has prepared elaborate plans for the project. Apart from decentralised management of biodegradable waste in the area, a system to manage the huge amount of waste, and re-cycling of various types of waste are being planned as a part of the project.The Kudumbashree Mission envisages seven employment generating schemes from the project. An employment generating activity of making handicraft out of coconut shells, a paper recycling project, a collection centre for re-usable items, a non-plastic manufacturing unit using clothes, paala (arecanut leaf) and grass,  a maintenance unit which provides the service of skilled labourers like masons, plumbers and electricians, a vermi-compost making unit, and a gardening and beautification unit to beautify the roadsides and walkways.  The Kudumbashree Mission is planning to implement the project in a phased manner in a year or two. The falling of shade trees and branches, which is another problem in the area, might also be solved as the Kudumbashree Mission is  planning to buy the necessary equipment to prune and maintain the shade trees and employ skilled people to manage it, as a part of the project. The falling of huge branches of big shade trees in various parts of Fort Kochi recently had caused much damage to shops, houses and electric posts.

Kerala tourism: responsible tourism scheme to increased seasonal trade

It’s called responsible tourism. The travel trade in Kerala is beginning to rope in local communities and the environment to cater to a growing number of visitors with sensitivity.
Tourism vendors and stakeholders in four destinations – the beach retreat of Kovalam, the backwaters of Kumarakom, the hills of Kumily and the forests of Wayanad – have brought on board farmers, craftsmen, fisherfolk, women and unskilled labour force and are providing them sustainable livelihoods.
A declaration to make tourism more responsible was adopted at the Responible Tourism Conference in Cochin three years ago. And the benefits are beginning to show.
Every morning the kitchen crew at the sprawling Kumarakom Lake Resort, spread across 25 lush acres on the bank of the Vembanad lake in Kottayam, procure their vegetables, coconuts, fish, milk and rice from local farmers and fishermen.
The heritage resort, owned by the Paul Group of Hotels, is one of the 10 hotels in the Kumarakom backwater region that has implemented the Responsible Tourism Programme. Having bagged several global tourism awards, it is eco-friendly with minimum waste stipulation and recycling facilities.
‘We need around 150 coconuts and several kilos of karimeen (a sought-after local variety of fish), scambi (lake water prawns) and milk in the kitchen every day. We pay the growers and fishermen much more than the market procurement price which makes the transactions much more lucrative for them,’ Joseph Garcia, general manager of the hotel, told IANS.
‘The stocks are supplied by local women’s self-help groups known as Kudumbasree, which procures the meat, milk, cereals and vegetables from the growers.’
Launched by the Kerala government in 1998, Kudumbasree is one of the biggest women’s empowerment projects in the country aimed at eradicating poverty at the grassroots. It has more than 3.7 million members and covers nearly 50 percent of the rural households in the state, cites a government estimate.

Source: http://calcuttatube.com/kerala-tourism-responsible-tourism-scheme-to-increased-seasonal-trade/118355/

Kerala top holiday destination in Asia

Kerala’s serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife has emerged as the winning combination for the travellers to vote the state as the best Asian holiday destination ahead of Bali, Phuket and the Maldives.

The accolade was revealed in the ‘Best in Travel poll 2010’ carried out by an independent online travel magazine Smart Travel Asia. It is a destination of reader’s perception and favourite travel brands. The poll, conducted throughout May-July this year, puts the spotlight on ‘aspirational” brands and travel trends in the region.

Bali and Phuket were voted as second and third most favourite holiday destinations in Asia. The only other Indian destinations to be listed in the top 10 were Rajasthan and Goa which came in at eighth and tenth spot respectively.

“This is phenomenal recognition for the state and the people who are in the tourism sector, delivering an inspirational experience. Keralites should feel very proud of their contribution to this fantastic international achievement”, says Secretary, Kerala Tourism, V. Venu. The awards are unique because they single out not just popular places but truly exceptional places that enthrall travellers and keep them coming back, he added.

The vote is based on actual travel experience, word-of-mouth, as well as an idea of the brand drawn from ads and PR. Voters polled in 12 categories including Asia's best business hotels, luxury resorts, spas, destinations, business cities, shopping spots, and the world's best airlines and airports.

Bangalore figures in the eighth position in the top 10 cities in Asia for businesses. Jet Airways figure in the top 10 airlines worldwide and those for business class and for cabin services. In the category of budget airline, Spice jet and Kingfisher Red figure in the top 10.

Approximately 60 per cent of voters are based in Asia (largely Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and the Middle East), 20 per cent in UK/Europe and 20 per cent in USA and North America.

On average, voters took 13.56 air trips over the last 12 months and earned US$164,501 in household income. Smart Travel Asia has over one million readers worldwide.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/article605578.ece