Kerala Sports Council comes forward with the brewing idea of building a high performance centre at Panampilly Nagar, Kochi.
The high performance centre is said to contain a full-fledged gymnasium, indoor stadium, sports medicine centre, swimming pool and lodging facilities. The idea if made possible, is gonna turn into the first ever of its kind in the whole nation. 5 acres of land is said to be set aside for this project to happen. The synthetic track laid on Maharajas College ground would be used by the trainees at the centre.

The ‘High Performance Centre’ sports hotel of the University of Pretoria

Image Courtesey : www2.asro.kuleuven.be

“Kahawa” is the latest talk in Kochi, here is everything you need to know about the Kahawa. This Gallan, together with the Kahawa family, calls it “The Brewing story”.

Kahawa is a story brewed by three friends in their passionate search to create an exotic experience dedicated to their love for coffee. In their vehement search, Kahawa comes to the beautiful city of Kochi.  Kahawa, unlike most coffee shops, not only promises you the enchanting pleasure of coffee but also pledges an ambience to unwind. The earthy ambience blended with the urbane competence of service will just make you wonder, why Kahawa never happened to you before.

They say a good mug of coffee is what only the luscious beans can promise and at Kahawa, the coffee beans have a story of their own. The finely selected coffee beans at Kahawa are from Kalmane Koffee ,  one of the finest coffee estates in the country, in Coorg that has a history that dates back to over a century and half. The beans are renowned for its uniquely flavored fine Arabica coffee inter-cropped with pepper. Apart from serving over a dozen variety of coffee in it most delectable coffee is its most exotic form, Kahawa also serves the best of masala chai/tea flavored in its most authentic form.

” We don’t just leave you with good coffee and the brilliant ambience to relish; we also serve you the right bites of scrumptious food. We, at Kahawa, love food so much so that we make sure that you not only eat the most scrumptious food but also eat right. Our chefs will make sure that you have more reasons to come back to Kahawa other than just the goodness of the coffee we brew for you…We are more a coffee BISTRO and our menu serves everyone at all times. From cheese bites,prawn patties to a full fledged Western Meal…We are also introducing the health watcher’s drink made from Hibiscus which is famous in South-East Asia.We at Kahawa believe in quality and we aim at “Customer is Happy” policy!Come on in and tingle your taste buds!!! ” – says Sanjay from the Kahawa family. And this Gallan seconds it.

“At Kahawa, we are not just proud of the exotic coffee or the scrumptious food we have to offer but excellent ambience and larger space we have at hand to make you comfortable, also to help you unwind. The idea of the contemporary interior and earthy African ambiance reflects in the Tinga Tinga art murals etched out on our walls along with the comfortable seating we have for you. The ambience is set into make sure that you cherish every moment spent over that mug of coffee. With a seating capacity of over 70 people, we are sure to have enough room to welcome you and serve you some real fun. At Kahawa, we also air live sports just in case you wish to drop in with your friends and cheer your team; after all we promised you enough and more ways to unwind.” – Quoting Liya, again from the Kahawa family.

The Kahawa promises to be a never before experience at Kochi. Many Gallans are often seen spending hours over a coffee at the Kahawa, once seduced by the place its magic sure lures you back again. Gallan recommends!!

Address:

Opp. Cochin Shipyard, MG Road, Kochi 35.

Ph : 0484 4422227

In what can be seen as a move to raise the South Railway Station to International standards, The South Indian Railway has said that the railway station will be provided with world class amenities. This Gallan has come to know that the plan includes separate areas for arrival and departure, mechanized conveyors for handling parcels, and elevators and escalators for mobility. These facilities are expected to solve the problem of over-crowding of platforms and to increase the efficiency in the functioning of the Railway stations.

The other features proposed include an elevated vehicular drop-off at either side of the station to help passengers arrive directly at the departure level which will have waiting areas and ticket counter; and also, facilities to enable those arriving at the station to disembark at the ground-level platforms and take escalators to the arrival hall in the basement to exit the station. The statement by the Southern Railway was in reply to an RTI query raised by Mr. Vinu Choolackal. While this Gallan is certainly happy at the announcement, hopes that this plan does not run down the drain, just like numerous other projects initiated in Kochi. Because a better and upgraded Railway Station is just the need for the hour for Kochi.

The Kochi Tuskers Kerala…have they finally ran out? or are we waiting for the third umpire’s decision?  We Gallans ,certainly do not want an “OUT!!!”  to happen but the scene does look a little too gloomy for Kochi now.

The Tuskers from the begining, had more controversies than one would like to have in the Indian sporting scenario, from the shareholder’s discord to the distant relation with the Kochi corporation and even the plan to shift the team base from Kochi to elsewhere has always been the talking point about the Tuskers. The situation has now reached an all time high with the BCCI issuing a termination notice  to the Kochi franchise. The reason behind the termination is the failing of payment of the 156 crore annual payment to be made as bank guarantee by the consortium owning the team. The BCCI has gone on to indicate that the franchise has done an irremediable breach and that the cricketing body will encash the bank guarantee in the team’s possession.

The IPL came under pressure from the international cricket communities on the increase in number of matches due to an increase in franchise numbers. This could well be an easy way for the BCCI to circumvent from further international pressure and the Kochi consortium has given a big favour for the BCCI in this regard.

The people affected the most are the players, especially the local players, for whom the IPL was a platform for development and opportunity to gain some good time with international stars. The fans here at Kochi will sorely miss all the action if the Kochi Tuskers are well and truly taken off the fixtures. All that the Gallan wants now is to request the owners to act fast and save the team. We don’t want to be left out from the biggest sporting spectacle in the country!

Hey Gallans, have you guys noticed a new bridge parallel to the old Venduruthy Bridge near The Naval Base? Well, say hello to Venduruthy-Vikrant!!! Yes, that is the official name of the new bridge. The name was announced by The Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr.Oomen Chandy at a function held at the Naval Base in Kochi, on 6th September. The bridge is named after INS Vikrant, India’s first aircraft carrier which is being built at the Cochin Shipyard. The bridge is named Venduruthy –Vikrant as a gesture of goodwill acknowledging The Indian Navy’s contribution of Rs.12.5crore towards the construction of the bridge. But looks like we Gallans will have to wait a little longer to ride upon the Vikrant. Though the construction of the bridge has been completed, the bridge is not yet open to the public because of the ongoing construction of an underpass connecting the Naval Quarters on either sides of the bridge. It is not known clearly, when the construction work of the underpass will be complete. But until then, we Gallans are doomed to ride upon the narrow Old Venduruthy Bridge, full of potholes and notorious for the traffic blocks. This Gallan hears from a friend that sometimes it can take a person almost 15 minutes just to cross the bridge by bus, during peak hours. This is indeed unacceptable at a time when time is money. So, for the sake of the regular commuters, one does hope that the Venduruthy-Vikrant will be open to public in the near future. Till then, The Venduruthy-Vikrant remains just a namesake bridge.

The title says it all…This Onam, we Gallans are up for a treat from our favourite band Avial. The festive season in Kochi just got levitated to the next level with the introduction of the “Aana Kallans” to kochi.

For Onam, traditionally every home in town will be the place for the sadya and avial would be the star on the menu. We are keeping to the tradition at Kochi and we have Avial to make our lives Happy here! On September 11th at the Marine drive Kochi get ready for the greatest treat of this year. The best part is that the performance is free! Never thought this Onam could be this much fun? Yes its just become one overwhelming Onam , so get all your friends for the show and have a blast at the musical fiesta.

Date : 11 September 2011

Venue : Marine Drive Grounds, Kochi

Time : 7:00 PM

Do you believe in adding colors to lives? Do you have a special penchant for arts and crafts? Do you feel the need to contribute your talents to the society? Here is the biggest opportunity in town. Join the “Akriology” movement with Handicratz India.

As Gallan quotes them “We call ourselves akrilogists and our science of making wealth from waste as akriology…we reduce, reuse and recycle waste…and give u handy products all the while helping those in need!”

If you do identify with anything mentioned so far, else you just have a strong will to volunteer and make this world a better place this is your chance. The recruitment drive for the movement is in town. Be there at DD Nest Thammanam, by 1 PM on 28 Aug 2011. You can also join by simply mailing to join@handycraftz.org or by contacting  Soli Somanath (9961705611) or Shahnaz Thahir(9895356948)

If you are still wondering what exactly Handicraftz India and the Akriology movement is, here is a little Gallan gyan for you!

Handycraftz India is a non-profit organization aiming to empower the underprivileged and disadvantaged sections of society by teaching them a self sustaining vocation skill of creating handy crafts from waste and scrap materials. This includes using leftover clothes from tailor shops, left over paper from printing presses, handmade paper factories etc. They conduct  training sessions and help the target group learn how to use this scrap to make usable handicrafts. Once they make the products,  Handycraftz India markets and sells these items returning all profit to the people who made the articles.

The organization works with all types of disadvantaged people. This includes, child centers such as orphanages, remand homes, establishments for physically challenged people, home for destitute women, abandoned elders and so on. Currently there are tie ups with the following centers

1)    Valsalya Bhavan – Child support establishment operating under Don Bosco corporation

2)    Mount Carmel – Child support establishment tied with Government Girls Home

3)    Mahila Mantir – Government run center for destitute women

4)    Swashraya, Mulanthuruty – Centre for physically handicapped

5)   Hearing and speech impaired centre in Kanjiramattam

So much for the serious talk , this Gallan feels this as an opportunity to bring smiles on innocent faces by adding color to lives!

The last day of the Kochi International Fashion week opened with the show of Megha Grover. The promoter of khadi showcased elegant designs of salwars and sarees with beautiful and intricate works. The showstopper for the event was Madhu Shalini Tamil superstar.

The Lawman pg3 show was a new experience for the fashion lovers in town. The latest designs on denim were presented in a stylish show with Kangana Ranaut walking the ramp. The actress also gave her insights into fashion, she also advised the youth not to depend on parents but rather to earn their style statement.

The exciting salsa tunes of the Aruna Singh show was a spectacular scene at the Fashion week. The cheerful models danced their way on the ramp adorned in dazzling array of colours. The showstopper for the event was Mamta Mohandas , the face of Kochi International Fashion week.

The  first season of the fashion week had an astounding ending with the Sanjana Jon show. The array of celebrities was unprecedented , with likes of Suhasini Maniratnam, Babu Antony,Mamta Mohandas,  Karthika, Renjini Haridas, Shaver Ali, Priya Anand and Kailash. The storm fashion company which brought the show to Kochi is also  planning to host the second season in the coming years. The Gallan is elated with the fashion gyan, looking forward for season two!!

When you think of the most visited tourist spots in Kochi, surely the Marine Drive is up on any list. The walk way, the bridges, the Marine Drive has remained a symbol of our city for many years. There would hardly be anyone in Kochi who hasn’t had the experience of standing on the rainbow bridge with the wind on their face, admiring the view.

Till date however, the Marine Drive, sadly missed a proper entrance. The walkway was only accessible through the Bay Pride Mall, the GCDA complex or other narrow paths between the tall rises. The lack of a proper entrance was a handicap for the further development of the area. To the joy of everyone, the GCDA are giving us an Onam gift in the form a Padipura entrance for the magnificent Marine Drive.

The Padipura is modelled in traditional Kerala architecture with a total estimated cost of 25 lakh. The musical entrance would be completed in 10-15 days and this would definitely give the Marine Drive a much needed face lift. The entrance is being build on the walkway between the Taj Gateway Hotel and the Pioneer Towers.

The GCDA is also planning to build an entry near the High Court Junction. The plan also includes providing better lighting, other beautification works and gardening along the sides of the entry walkways. A fully lit Marine Drive is marvellous sight, this Gallan totally welcomes the new Padipura into town!