Volvo Ocean Race Stopover in Kochi- An Overview

Last week saw the much-awaited event in Kochi- Volvo Ocean race stop over.
Neither the terrorist siege nor the pirate threat could cast a shadows on the mega event. The event marked Kochi in the maps of international ocean tourism map. The Volvo Ocean Race started its journey from Aliconte in Spain and had stopped over at Cape Town, South Africa. Kochi is its second stopover. The Race covers over 39000 nautical miles covering 4 continents and 11 countries.

The Race Village was inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister for Labour PK Gurudasan. On his inaugural speech he said that the Stopover would contribute towards the tourism and investment growth in the state. He said the state is proud to host such an event of international recognition. The two acre Race Village included the various commercial stalls, exhibition pavilions and housing facilities for the race members, officials, and media persons. The organizers had arranged various programmes for the public including cultural feast by renowned artists. The Chandrayaan stall of ISRO(Indian Space Research Organisation) was the center of attraction.

The power paragliding event by world champion Mathieu Rounet also unfurled at the Race Village before hundreds of spectators. In the Snake Race held at the Mattanchery Channel ,Puma Sreeganesh chundan of Tiruvarpu Boat Club captained by James Kutty won the first place. Southern Air Command conducted sky-diving and air display. Kochi-Kavaratti offshore race was also an event of attraction.

By inaugurating the closing ceremony , Union Minister for Tourism, Ambika Soni told that the Kochi has proved to the world that terror threats would not affect the country’s travel and tourism industry . The public shook hands with the sailors and took their pictures as they moved to the boat one by one. It was estimated that almost 50000 people thronged to the Race Village during weekdays and for sure the number would be much more during the weekends to see the cultural programmes and exhibits.

"Fair Media necessary in a democratic nation"

The media must be fair and accurate as the chunk of the population relies on it for news. Media plays a significant role in our society today. It is imperative, as it shapes an individual’s opinion, said X, noted freelance journalist and media person from Britain.

Talking at an interactive session with the Bhavans, Girinagar students, in connection with Volvo Ocean Race stopover here on Tuesday, he said that a journalist might not be writing a happy story always. He will have to overcome various adversities. As a journalist, you need to find good stories, which should be satisfying for the reader. A journalist will have to write from both sides of the story. He should have right mentality and thinking capacity to cater to the ideas of all types of readers.

For a question, an acclaimed Radio Journalist from Britain, Y said that radio journalism is thrilling if you have the right ideas on the issue. A radio journalist should have right skill in the language in which you are reporting.
He said ocean race reporting was sensational in the manner in which the race was carried on.

To the Journalism aspirants

As some tips to the journalism aspirants, X said, a journalist should never say no, to whatever job he has been asked to do. Every single person you meet is important. Each one has a story to tell. Behind every single door, there is a story. A journalist should have good contacts. You should collect phone numbers from each person you meet. It is not a regular job. Answering a question, he said journalism is a rewarding job if one does not go behind fake stories. He sparked laughter among the students when he said a journalist need to have good shoes as 90 percent of the job is time wasting and waiting.

Ocean Race Experience
When asked about Volvo Ocean Race experience, Y said that the sport is adventurous and exciting. He said the sport is not the sport of millionaires but the sport of ordinary people with extraordinary talents. The sailors had to move through many difficult moments, as there were no good food and toilets. They also had to go through rough weather and ocean conditions.

Mukund P Unny
+919446521741

Baracking the Glory- President Obama

Last week saw the emergence of a  genius in world stage.  He wasnt just an ordinary Senator. He wasnt just a lawman. He wasnt just apoltician. Moreover he wasnt just an ordinary man .He was much more than that. He was an extra ordinary person and an excellent orator. It is not simply his speech that is compared to Martin Luther King's, their dreams and  .Martin Luther King had a dream where "the sons of slaves and and the sons of slave-ownres are to sit around a table of brother-hood".  On this occasion we realise this dream. " Through the darkest of hours and through the toughest of times" we leap forward. Yielding all these supports, we can say that Change has come to America. 

Obama's political journey has been quite impressive. His college days in Harvard Law School were  stepping stones for glory. H

is skill 

in the English language , in writing and in speaking was the greatest talent, after, his knoledge in law and political science. His speech in Democratic National Convention was the breakthrough in his career. It was after that speech that people in political arena started noticing him as a future leader. 

Obama had been widely ,in his , campaign accused of his Marxist connection. It is much more dangerous to be called as a Marxist in America, much more than being called as Terrorist. That much is the Conservatist wave over there. His policies , ofcource has some socialist element, but he has managed to emerge out all those charges.

He has promised tax-cut for working class which has been a boon for the common people. He has a vibrant and most impeccable economic policy.He is anti-war and plans to combat poverty.

The most gigantic task which rests on Obama is to fight one of the worst economic crisis of the century . What everyone look forward is whether Obama can be Franklin D Roosevelt II who managed Great Depression of 1930s. Obama has also a task to uphold Climate imbroglio. He will have reform the pollution rules in his country(as his country is the largest contributor of climate change) and lead all other countries in this regard.

Barack Obama has showed his skill in campaigning and has been a huge croud-puller. Now , the task which lies before him is to rightly lead the nation in the lines of law& order and bring back the nation into the growth trajectory. Let God bless him and United States of America to build the nation block by block , brick by brick and bring laurels to the nation

Mukund P Unny

mukundparakkat@gmail.com

+919446521741

Transformation of Onam

Onam is traditionally a festival of colours , flowers, prosperity, happiness and above all a festival of mind blowing Ona Sadya. But now a days, its basic credibility is questioned. People in olden times get together for Onam, lay Pookkalam, (floral carpet), out of flowers freshly plucked from the backyard. Flowers are bought from market by paying a huge sums in todays Onam. Vegetables no longer, are cultivated in Kerala. It should come from Tamil Nadu to fill a Malayali's stomach. Just like every festival in Kerala, during Onam too, huge amounts of liqour is consumed in Kerala. This Onam , Malayalees drank up liqour worth 110 crores. This estimate is excluding the sale of fake and local liqour. Today, hardly any Malayali get-together for Onam shunning TV programmes. Commercialisation of Onam is also a matter of concern. Multinational brands consumerise Onam with various products and offers. Thus there is a serious change that has happened to the festival of Onam that can , in future , take its toll on the socio-economic scenario of Kerala. We must,by all means, curb the unfavourable infiltration of such factors into the life and economy of Kerala. People must fight against such hornets' nest.

Mukund P Unny
26/9/08

Media during the time of Recession

Its hard time for the international media these days. A 150 year old newspaper has shut down its publication in US. The newspaper which is held prestigious by Americans, The New York Times  has mortgaged its blazing building for cash. The NDTV, most respected English newschannel in India has incurred a loss of Rs 125 Crore. Whats all this signalling?? Yes, the recession too has affected the media and media is in a deep crisis. 

It was when I approached the office of Malayala Manorama, here in Cochin when I came to know that media is almost crippled of recession. Thomas Ravi, the General Manager( Circulation), in Malayala Manorama said, the paper need to cut almost 30 crores to keep its employees aboard. He said Manorama has not come to a position of laying off its employees till then. But its the case with newspapers like the Times of India. 

Its the newspaper's huge dependance in advertisements, that is making it recession-prone. Moreover the newspaper is not gaining much revenue through digital edition,also which is available free of cost.When recession struck the corporates, it freezed its promotions which was a blow to media. Media, in order to stay alive, started laying off its staffs, which came to be seen as a hardline approach worked out by media groups. 

But Western media houses, were awaiting this kind of crisis. Media crisis posed some symptoms very early itself. By the time it had posed an astronomical problem, the media giants could have checked it then itself, by catering to the needs of the changing world. But still there is a chance of survival. The online newspaper- trend is getting more prominent, these days. So newspapers can cash in on that, by making it paid for viewing e-paper. But, it will take some time to ease the current recession situation. For the sake of profit, we cannot sacrifice a tradition of "reading newspaper". For that, the newspaper need to reduce its price through overall cost cutting measures. 

Mukund P Unny

mukundparakkat@gmail.com

My main hobby

This was the article which came in New Indian Express dated 25 May 2007.

Wondered??.....

This is my hobby. I collect newspapers. I have with me over 180 newspapers from round the world

This photo shows the The Times of South Africa newspaper which I have in my collection .
These are newspapers from France and Germany. I keep all my newspapers in this box.
I have in my collection newspapers all over from India and from other countries like Germany, France, US, Mauritius, Japan, China, Bhutan, South Africa, Austrslis, New Zealand, Italy, Singapore, etc
These newspapers are from New Zealand and Singapore.

My
NEWSPAPER COLLECTION

ENGLISH (India)

1. Andaman Herald
2. Deccan Herald
3. Hindustan Times
4. Mid Day
5. Vijay Times
6. Tehelka
7. Today
8. The Indian Express
9. The Sunday Tribune
10. Eastern Mirror
11. The Times of India
12. The New Indian Express
13. The Asian Age
14. The Telegraph
15. Deccan Chronicle
16. The Hindu
17. Nagar Life
18. The Pioneer
19. Mumbai Mirror
20. The Statesman
21. Nagaland Post
22. DNA
23. The Light of Andamans
24. Aspect(Andamans)
25. The Daily Telegrams(Andamans)
26. DQ Week
27. The Hitavada
28. People’s Democracy ( Weekly)


ENGLISH (Overseas)

29. International Herald Tribune (Paris)
30. The Sunday Times (Singapore)
31. Home & Garden (San Francisco Chronicle, US)
32. The Sun (New York)
33. This Day (South Africa)
34. Union Tribune (The San Diego, US)
35. California (Los Angeles Times,US)
36. South China Morning Post (China)
37. Khaleej Times (UAE)
38. Gulf News (UAE)
39. USA Today
40. San Jose Mercury News (USA)
41. The Straits Times
42. The Asian Wall Street Journal (Hong Kong)
43. The Moscow Times
44. The Daily Yomiyuri
45. The Japan Times
46. Emirates Today
47. Kuensal( Bhutaneese)
48. 7 Days ( UAE )
49. Arab News
50. New Zealand Herald
51. Yemen Observer
52. Ethiopian Herald
53. The Times( South Africa)
54. The Times Of Zambia





BUSINESS (Indian)

55. The Economic Times
56. Business Standard
57. Business Line
58. The Financial Express
59. Business Deepika
60. Mint

BUSINESS (Overseas)

61. The Business Times (Singapore)
62. China Business
63. The Edge ( Singapore )

JOBS ( India)

64. Assignments Abroad Times
65. Foreign Jobs

MALAYALAM

66. Malayala Manorama
67. Mathrubhumi
68. Deshabhimani
69. Mangalam
70. Chandrika
71. Punyabhumi
72. Janmabhumi
73. Kerala Kaumudi
74. Cochin Nadam
75. Navina Bhumi
76. Thaniniram
77. Thrissivapperoor Express
78. Vyathiyanam
79. Nattupathram
80. Keraleeyam
81. Telegraph
82. News India
83. Thuranna Kathu
84. Crime Story
85. Madhyamam
86. Varthamanam
87. Rashtra Deepika
88. Deepika
89. Tetco Times
90. Veekshanam
91. Thejas
92. Siraj
93. The Kerala Mid Day Times
94. Kerala Kaumudi Flash
95. Malayalam News ( Saudi Arabia )

OTHER languages ( India )

HINDI

96. Hindi Milap
97. Hindustan
98. Tarun Bharat
99. Punjab Kesari
100. Divy Himachal
101. Swatantra Vaartha
102. Rashtreeya Sahara
103. Rajasthan Pathrika
104. Sanmarg
105. Parabhat Khabar
106. Nav Bharat Times
107. Sahara Samay
108. Aaj ka aanand

MARATHI

109. Maharashtra Times
110. Kesari
111. Pudoro
112. Saamna Prabhat
113. Sakal
114. Pulize Times
115. Lokmath
116. Loksatha


TAMIL

117. Dina Sudar
118. Dina Malar
119. Dinakaran
120. Kalaikkatir
121. Dina Thanthi
122. Dina mani



URDU

123. The Siasat Daily
124. The Munsif Daily
125. The Inquilab


KANNADA

126. Praja Vani
127. Samyukta Karnataka
128. Udaya Vani
129. Sanjay Vani
130. Vijay Karnataka
131. Kannada Prabha

BENGALI

132. Anand Bazar Patrika
133. Dainik Sambad
134. Bartaman Patrika
135. Aaj Kaal
136. Sangbad Pratidin

TELUGU

137. Andhra Jyoti
138. Ee Nadu
139. Andhra Prabha
140. Vaartha
141. Vishaal Andhra
142. Andhra Bhoomi
143. Swarna Andhra

ASSAMESE

144. Pratidin Assam
145. Sunchari

ORIYA

146. Samaaja

GUJRATHI

147. Gujarat Samachar

PUNJABI
148. Ajit Jalandhar


OTHER LANGUAGES ( OVERSEAS )

ITALIAN

149. la repubblica
150. IL MATTINO
151. CORRIERE DELLA SERA
152. CORRIERE DEL MEZZOGIORNO

RUSSIAN

153. Unknown
154. “
155. “
156. “
157. “
158. “
159. “ Total=6 Russian Newspapers

FRENCH

160. Ouest france
161. Suddeutsche Zeitung
162. La Tribune
163. Le Figaro
164. Le Monde
165. Courrier International
166. La Echos

MAURITIUS

167. I’ express dimanche
168. I’express
169. le mauricien
170. Le Defi

BHUTAN

171. Kuensal
172. Tibetan Freedom
173. Bhutan Observer

ARABIC
174. Al Eqtisadiah (KSA)
175. Al Riyadh (KSA)
176. Al Qabas ( Kuwait)

GERMAN
177. Die ziet
178. Frankfurter Rundschau
179. Frankfurter Allgemeine
180. Handelsblatt

The Day When Kochi was in tight security

July 27,I was coming from Palakkad after enjoying my weekend. I boarded Bangalore -Ernakulam Inter City Express from Palakkad. It was the day after Ahmedabad blasts shook whole country. I knew that there would be security and checking at Ernakulam Railway station. However, I saw things different. I saw security much powerful than I expected. I thought there would only be some Policemen guarding outside Station. I saw City Police Commissioner at the station talking to many Policemen, which were being shot by many newschannel's camerapersons. I walked past them. Then I heard someone telling while talking to someone other about bombs. I thought they might be talking about had and Bangalore blasts. I reached main road, South Junction bust stop. I got a bus. I saw City unusually quite. There were Police at Manorama, Kadavantra, and Vytilla and at Petta. I reached home. My cousin and my aunt were biting nails. It was then I knew that there was a bomb scare in Kochi. What a situation to be in unknowingly.