[rajkrish]

Vizhinjam Container Terminal news update

T’PURAM: The proposed Vizhinjam International Container Terminal will not have a ‘clone’ within 150 km on either side of it on the Kerala coastline, the State Government has decided.

The government has also decided to bear the cost for developing external infrastructure for the project such as railway and road, a responsibility which it had earlier vested with the private partner.

In fact, the government reinstated two conditions on Tuesday which it had done away with while announcing that it was going in for global tenders for the project a second time.

As in the last bid, the State Government will also bear the contingent liability capped at Rs 67.50 crore, if changes occur in the basic design, subsequent to drilling and collection of data by the successful bidder.

And, the company that successfully bids and operates the port for 30 years, the original concession period, will also have the First Right of Refusal to match the winning bid if the government decided to bid out the port operation after the concession period expires.

These are the changes that the government approved on Tuesday in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for global tender to invite the private partner for the multi-crore project. Initially, a State Government grant was proposed to meet the expenses for developing the external infrastructure for the project, amounting to Rs 80 crore. This was modified later.

The public-private partnership that emerges after a successful bid would have to meet the cost, the government had decided.

This was one point to which the companies, taking part in an investors’ meet for the project on April 17, objected. The decision to ban private developers from constructing a similar container transshipment terminal within 150 km in the state also arose from a suggestion from companies at the investors’ meet.

But, not allowing a similar port nearby is not such a big issue. What with the Vallarpadom Container Transshipment Terminal coming up in Kochi, there will be little scope for another in-between, anyway. Besides, it applies only to the region north of Vizhinjam, because in the south, the Tamil Nadu border is close by, and the condition does not apply beyond Kerala borders.

As many as 43 companies, big and small, including giants such as the Russian Rosoboron had taken part in the investor meet, the first one by the State Government for a single project, in April.

The State Government had decided on a second round of global bid after the Centre denied clearance to a Chinese-led consortium that had originally grabbed the project.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070626224347&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0&

[rajkrish]

Sorry double post

[Sathyalal]

Kerala to have world-class missile facility soon

The state will soon have a worldclass missile development facility with the takeover of Kerala Hitech Industries Limited (Keltec),Trivandrum by BrahMos Aerospace.

Sources told this websites newspaper that the takeover of Keltec by BrahMos was under the active consideration of Union Defence Ministry. Industry Department officials agreed that a formal agreement for take over of Keltec could be expected soon.

In May 2007, a Defence delegation from BrahMos visited Keltec to conduct spot study and analyse the potential of the company. The delegation members collected information and further directions are awaited from the Ministry of Defence.

A joint venture company with 50.5 percent stakes with the Indian Government and 49.5 percent shares by the Russian Government, BrahMos manufactures Supersonic Cruise Missiles with conventional warhead that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. These missiles are unique due to its 2.8 Mach supersonic speed with much longer strike range than other missiles. BrahMos has evinced its interest in the take over of Keltec and to develop it into a world-class missile facility with system integration and testing. A supplier of high precision strategic defence and space equipment for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and ISRO, Keltec looks forward for its technological upgradation.

According to the State GO dated March 22, 2007, the takeover of Keltec would attract initial additional investments of about Rs 200 crore to the state. The advanced missile development facility will be the first Defence production unit in Kerala.
The facility in conjunction with ISRO will generate tax revenue to the state.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070627020356&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0&

[Sathyalal]

Export from Trivandrum Airport is 23900 tonnes
And the total cargo movement is 36700 tonnes .
The export through Trivandrum airport is almost 200 % compared to the second one in the state.
Calicut comes third, but with very good growth rate.

Monday’s Bussiness Manorama report

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1959/mn2it1.png

Here is the data (exports only) from Kerala Airports
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3130/mn3vu6.png

Hope that with the completion of proposed cargo complex, this will multiply many times.

[Sathyalal]

High growth rate reported by TVM Airport.

http://aai.aero/traffic_news/TRFEB2007.pdf

2.1.1 TOTAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS:

The total aircraft movements (International and Domestic) handled in February 2007 has shown an increase of 23.7 per cent as compared to the aircraft movement handled in February 2006 (referred to Annexure-I).
Major increases are at (Annexure-IIC):
• Chennai
34.6%
• Srinagar
41.0%
• Bangalore
33.6%
• Nagpur
34.6%
• Hyderabad
38.8%
• Coimbatore
38.1%
• Trivandrum
51.8%
• Cochin (CIAL)
36.7%
• Jaipur
65.0%
Higher growth in traffic at above airports is due to increased operation by low cost airlines and increase in frequency of existing airlines. Number of foreign airlines started operations at international airports other than Mumbai and Delhi airports.
2.1.2 INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS:
The international aircraft movement has increased by 8.2 per cent during the period under review. Growth rates of different categories of airports are mentioned in Annexure –I and airport-wise details are given in Annexure-IIA.
Major increases are at (Annexure-IIA):
• Delhi
9.7%
• Cochin (CIAL)
19.4%
• Bangalore
15.2%
• Amritsar
48.9%
• Trivandrum
27.8%
Air Arabia started their operation at Trivandrum Airport from December 2006 and at Jaipur Airport from May 2006. Introduction of Transit Flight by Finn Air at Jaipur Airport is also contributed to higher growth. The higher growth in traffic at other airports is due to increase in frequency by existing Airlines / start of operations by new airlines.
2.1.3 DOMESTIC AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS:
The domestic aircraft movements increased remarkably by 28.0 per cent during February 2007. Growth rates of different categories of airports are mentioned in Annexure –I and airport-wise details are given in Annexure –IIB.
Major increases are at (Annexure-IIB):
• Chennai
44.8%
• Srinagar
55.4%
• Bangalore
36.1%
• Cochin (CIAL)
55.0%
• Hyderabad
46.8%
• Jaipur
56.2%
• Trivandrum
84.4%

• Nagpur
36.5%
• Varanasi
67.5%
Low cost airlines namely Air Deccan, SpiceJet & Go Air and other existing airlines have increased their frequencies of operations in the existing sectors and started number of new sectors in all regions. Low cost airlines namely Indigo Airlines and Indus Air have started their operations from 4th August 2006 and 28th December 2006 respectively.

[rajkrish]

50 cities seen as hub of retail space boom

"Emerging Cities" -Nagpur, Indore, Nasik, Bhubaneshwar, Vizag, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Mysore and Thiruvananthapuram — where IT-ITeS companies are expanding, will become important over the next three years.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/203077.html

[Sathyalal]

French Information Resource Centre opening at Alliance Francaise
Friday June 29 2007 08:14 IST
T'URAM: The upgraded library and exhibition hall at the Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum will be inaugurated by P Govindapillai on Friday.

Head of the book section of the French Embassy in India, Celia Vaudaine, will also be present on the occasion.

The library, which has been shifted to a new block, will be called French Information Resource Centre and has some new features, including a children corner, audiovisual services and internet access. Members can watch DVDs and access the francophone channel TV 5 at the television corner of the library.

The library has around 2,000 books, including French and English translations, besides French magazines. Apart from French classics and works of celebrated French authors, the library also has some new arrivals, including books of contemporary French writers like Irene Nemirovsky.

read more ..
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070628215256&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[Sathyalal]

Toonz Animation Academy of Trivandrum is launching their Mumbai branch in Andheri. This will be their second branch in India (the first being Kolkata) and Nagpur is slotted to be next. The launch of the academy is on July 5, 2007. Seminars have been conducted by animation experts to throw light on the trends in animation industry and its opportunities.
The two-and-half-year-old Toonz is a first mover in the Indian animation industry. It is said to be one of the largest animation studios in Asia and it has been working with most of the top names in the Animation world. The academy has both local and international faculty rich with production experience.
The seminar conducted on Thursday had a demo session on 2D and 3D by world famous animation expert, Philippines-based Dino Cordero, who is presently the Dean of Toonz Animation Academy. Dino Cordero has over 17 years of experience in the industry and has been part of famous animation productions like Tom & Jerry, X-men, Spiderman among others.

http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=June2007_inbombay_standard13374

[Sathyalal]

One more major is interested in India's largest IT park where lion's share of Kerala's IT is happening.

Delegates from National Panasonic Japan visited Technopark

29th June 2007 :

World electronics giant National Panasonic, Japan represented by Mr. Yutaka Nakao, Director, Mr. Tomoo Otsuka, Senior Manager, Mr. Laurent Safa, Lead Research Engineer & Mr. Hareesh P V, Advanced Technologies Development Laboratory visited Technopark on 29th June 2007. They were given a warm welcome by the CEO of Technopark, Mr. N Radhakrishnan Nair & Mr. M Vasudevan (Senior Manager- Business Development).

National Panasonic made news recently with the acquisition of Anchor for Rs 2000crores. With the bonding between India and Japan becoming more solid, the Japanese companies are coming to the forefront in initiating business in India.

The meeting was at the operational level; the Japanese team expressed their interest in setting up a venture involving software development, chip design and chip testing. Later the guests were taken to NEST in Periyar as per their request where they were given a first hand account of how they were serving their clients in various countries, especially Japan.

http://www.technopark.org/campusnote.htm

[Sathyalal]

Kerala's knowledge hub is not only growing in the area's of IT, Space reaserch and other R& D areas, but also in foriegn language literature.


Literary Sojourn

Monday July 2 2007 09:17 IST

That Indian literature fast becoming hot property in the West might not be news anymore.

But not many in India are aware that the growing interest in Indian literature

Celia Vaudaine,was in the city on Friday for the inauguration of the renovated French Information Resource Centre at Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum.

We also have residence projects where we invite French authors to India to write books pertaining to India or India relations with France. Marie Desplechin and Frank Pavloff are two noted French novelists who visited India as part of these programmes recently.

Novelist Paule Constant will be visiting Thiruvananthapuram in October. We are also organising a conference of feminine authors in the Jawaharlal Nehru University in October, which includes women writers from Canada and Mauritius besides India and France.・

Last time we had conducted a workshop in Thiruvananthapuram in collaboration with the Toonz Animation Academy.

The book section of the French Embassy plans to launch a major programme in 2008
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070701225550&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[Sathyalal]

Light Logics Holography & Optics signs agreement with Technopark
28th June 2007 :
Light Logics Holography & Optics Pvt.Ltd. signed agreement with Technopark. The agreement was signed by Mr.P T Ajith Kumar of Light Logics Holography & Optics and Mr. N. Radhakrishnan Nair, CEO, Technopark.

[Sathyalal]

Kudos to this home grown company.

SunTec Grows Global Presence with Singapore Office

NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Trivandrum, Kerala, India, 07/03/2007 - International expansion continues for worldwide pricing and billing solutions vendor.


SunTec Business Solutions, global provider of relationship based pricing and dynamic billing software, today announced the opening of a Singapore office, another milestone in SunTec’s international expansion plans.

Located on Singapore’s well-known Beach Road, SunTec’s new office will primarily focus on company sales in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The Singapore location will also support SunTec’s APAC clients, including DBS Bank of Singapore and Bakrie Telecom of Indonesia.

“The global appetite for a billing solution that helps increase fee based revenues is tremendous, and we have aggressive plans for SunTec expansion around the world,“ said Nanda Kumar, SunTec CEO. Our Beach Road office is operational and expected to grow from 12 to 22 employees within the next six to eight months. We’re looking at other key areas and plan to open an office in the Middle East very soon.”

Most recently, SunTec expanded its presence in the US, with a dedicated customer support center. This US center and the new Singapore office both demonstrate SunTec’s focus on a superior customer experience for next generation communications, media, entertainment (CME) and banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) companies worldwide.


http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/20511/

[Sathyalal]

US firm holds the Keys to budget hotels
OUR CORRESPONDENT

Within means
New Delhi, July 3: Berggruen Hospitality Pvt Ltd plans to set up a chain of budget hotels under the brand name Keys. The company, promoted by the US investment firm Berggruen Holdings, aims to set up at least 38 hotels comprising about 4,500 rooms over the next five years across India.

The first resort, having a capacity of 150 rooms, will come up at Candolim in Goa in September. According to officials, Berggruen Hotels has acquired 10 sites in India and is planning to acquire 20 more.

After the 38 hotels became operational, another 12 were expected to be under construction, Berggruen Hotels managing director Sanjay Sethi said.

Some of the cities where the company will have hotels are Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Kochi, Pune, Calcutta and Jammu. It will develop three hotels in Bangalore to cater to the demand for quality budget hotels.

The company is looking at managing hotels for other developers as well.

Berggruen Hospitality also plans to set up 50 vocational training institutes at an initial investment of $10 million in the next three years.

The venture will be branded as United Education Institute (UEI) Global and offer courses in hospitality management. It plans to add more courses in the future, including aviation, retail management and travel and tourism.

Praveen Roy, MD, UEI-Global said, “The course fees will vary from Rs 45,000 to Rs 75,000. Related courses in retail, aviation, residential schools, nursing, equipment rental and radio taxi will also be started soon.”

The first institute will come up at Rohini in New Delhi on July 15.

UEI Global, which will offer both one-year hospitality management programmes and short-term vocational courses, plans to open four more academies in Noida, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram and Pune by September 2007.

Ashish Kesharwani, head, hospitality, said, “Some of the programmes are designed to upgrade skills of those who are already in the industry.”
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070704/asp/business/story_8012064.asp

[Sathyalal]

Air Deccan has introduced an additional ATR-72 flight from Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram.
The flight DN-117 will leave Chennai at 7.30 p.m. to reach Thiruvananthapuram at 9.05 p.m. The DN-118 flight, in the return direction, will depart from here at 9.20 p.m. to reach Chennai at 10.55 p.m.

[Sathyalal]

The KINFRA Film and Video Park, which will house India's first SEZ for animation and gaming.

A few weeks ago, Accel Animation Studios, a division of Accel Transmatic Ltd., became the latest entrant at the KINFRA Film and Video Park (KFVP), the first infotainment industrial park in the country, set on 75 acres (30 hectares) of countryside at Kazhakuttam on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The company plans to set up a state-of-the-art animation studio and a motion picture facility. It has tied up with US-based Long Tale International to develop, co-produce and distribute animation movies for the global market. Accel joins other prominent names such as Chennai-based Prasad Labs, which now processes almost the entire output of the Malayalam film industry within the Park.

The KFVP is a fully owned subsidiary of the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA), a statutory body established by the Government of Kerala in 1993. The Union Ministry of Commerce has given KINFRA approval to set up India's first product-specific Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for the animation and gaming industry on 25 acres within the KFVP. It also plans to establish an international animation school in 4.5 acres within the SEZ.

The KFVP has been asked to identify a private partner to set up the school, which is estimated to cost Rs.20 crore. A third of this will come from the Government of India and the balance shared equally by the private sector partner and KINFRA.

"There is a dearth of trained animators not only in Kerala but in India as a whole. The animation school will hopefully overcome this disadvantage, and also trigger further investments in the animation and gaming industry," said S. Ramnath, Managing Director of the KFVP. The school will train `industry-ready' animators and will offer graduate-equivalent diploma and short-duration certification programmes. The Park already offers post-production facilities like dubbing, editing, recording, re-recording and mixing.

"The investment opportunities offered by the KFVP are immense and growing," said A.S. Suresh Babu, Managing Director of KINFRA. "You can choose from a wide range of investment options such as video studios, digital cinema facilities, animation and special effect studios, DVD and CD replication service providers, teleport facilities and outdoor shooting facilities."
http://www.flonnet.com/fl2412/stories/20070629002711200.htm

[Sathyalal]

Land-use pattern of Ponmudi in for changes

Roy Mathew

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The land-use pattern of the ecologically fragile Ponmudi hills will be changing drastically in the coming years with the implementation of various projects there.

The Forest Department has decided to de-notify the planted areas of Mechiston estate, which it had taken over under the Kerala Forest (Vesting and Management of Ecologically Fragile Lands) Ordinance, 2001, paving the way for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Space Technology in the area.
The campus of the institute of Indian Institute of Technology standard, which is proposed to come up on 100 acres of the tea estate, will be a major project with residential facilities and a captive power plant. The Indian Space Research Organisation had entered into an understanding with the owners of the estate for transferring part of the estate area for the campus.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/08/stories/2007070852250400.htm

[Sathyalal]

Berggruen Holdings lines up $300 m investment for India
SUDIPTO DEY

TNN[ MONDAY, JULY 09, 2007 03:46:50 AM]

NEW DELHI: New York-based fund, Berggruen Holdings, which manages proprietary capital worth over $1.5 billion, plans to invest over $300 million in India over the next three years in hospitality, real estate, education, car rental, construction equipment leasing and logistics businesses.

Earlier this year, the fund had announced plans to launch its budget hotel brand in India, Keys, with an investment of around $100 million over a three-year period across 40 sites. The first property is expected to be operational by the year end at Goa. Construction is currently on in at least three sites, including Trivandrum, Bangalore and Kovalam.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Markets/Real_Estate/Residential/Berggruen_Holdings_lines_up_300_m_investment_for_India/articleshow/2187309.cms

[Sathyalal]

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Venture capital companies in the United States are exploring options to make substantial investments in IT ventures in the State, says George Brody, a potential US investor and marketing strategist.

Mr. Brody, here on a hunt for prospective young entrepreneurs, told TheHindu that he had identified a couple of promising young talents in Technopark.
“Kerala has all the potential to emerge as an IT hub like Bangalore in a decade. ,” says Mr. Broody.

Mr. Brody, settled in Dallas, is the founder and chief technology officer of GlobeRanger, a company that produces Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices.

RFID is primarily used to track baggage and can be used for logistics and medical applications. Mr. Broody started the company with a capital of $11 million in 1999 and says that he has been doing fairly well.

“I am keen on joining hands with budding professionals and would like to help them prosper in their career. The US venture capital companies have already made some investments in Bangalore. They can be made to come to Kerala too,” he says.

“Venture capitalists seek to nurture young breed of entrepreneurs and I will be happy to provide the right guidance and to work out strategies for them. Getting funds from US companies will not be a problem,” he adds.

The 86 per cent growth in cellular phone connections offers immense scope for development in wireless technology.

Mr. Brody, a native of Kollam, graduated in electrical engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He had worked with the ISRO before migrating to the US.

[Sathyalal]

It is interesting to note that Kerala's knowledge hub is offering cyber expertise to the whole nation

BANGALORE: The Bangalore police have sought the expertise of the Resource Centre for Cyber Forensics at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Thiruvananthapuram to decipher the contents of the high-capacity hard disk seized from the home of Kafeel Ahmed and his brother Sabeel Ahmed here. The two have been detained by the U.K. police in connection with last week’s Glasgow terror attack

C-DAC, under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, provides advanced expertise in cyber security, signature verification and online fraud. The domain expertise comes from security and intelligence agencies, while C-DAC experts offer computing knowledge.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/10/stories/2007071056290100.htm

[Sathyalal]

VANCOUVER: Several airlines in the region are planning to operate to more Indian destinations, subject to bilateral air traffic rights and their respective fleet strengths.

Carriers like Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Garuda of Indonesia and Air Mauritius are eyeing Indian cities to launch flights, their top officials told media in separate interviews.

"We would like to operate to more cities in India, but will have to wait for bilateral negotiations between the two governments as we are utilising all (air traffic) rights granted by India", PIA Chairman Zaffar Ahmad Khan said.

He said the airline, which was now flying from Karachi and Lahore to Delhi and Mumbai, would like to operate services to Chennai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.

Its Senior Vice President S Kamran Hasan said the new flights, when allowed, would operate thrice a week with Airbus A-320 aircraft. The frd later depending on the load factor.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2114212.cms

[Sathyalal]

Mr Bean's merchandise to hit Indian markets

Toonz Licensing, Mr Bean's licensing agent for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal has inked an agreement with Tiger Aspect Productions to bring the globally popular character portrayed by Rowan Atkinson to the South Asia market.
This deal comes close on the heels of the huge success of the movie 'Mr Bean's Holiday', which has grossed almost $2 million in just 4 weeks.

Toonz Licensing, is the licensing and merchandising arm of multimedia entertainment company Toonz Animation, which is based in the Technopark campus.

Announcing the deal, Toonz CEO Jayakumar said, Mr Bean already has

Toonz Animation is a major provider of animation to the US and European markets and has several global entertainment majors on its client list - including Marvel, BBC, Hallmark, Paramount and Cartoon Network.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=7d55b193-f108-42a8-b5d4-8eabd62e9060&&Headline=Mr+Bean's+merchandise+to+hit+Indian+markets

[rajkrish]

New Josco @ pattom. Their biggest...

Photo credits : Ajaypp

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/4474/picture004rsug7.jpg

[rajkrish]

Skyline Domain opp: Infy Campus, Technopark

Pic credits : Vinod Vasudevan

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4149/technoparkfinalak7.th.jpg

[Sathyalal]

Etihad Airways has started its three flights-a-week service from Abu Dhabi to its latest destination, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

"The launch of the Thiruvananthapuram service is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for Etihad Airways in India. There is huge demand for flights to Kerala from our customers across the world, including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard our aircraft.”

Launch prices for Etihad's new Thiruvananthapuram flights start from AED 1260 for return coral zone (economy class), AED 2460 for pearl zone (business class) and AED 3950 diamond zone (first class).

http://www.expresstravelworld.com/200707/aviationworld26.shtml

[Sathyalal]

Cyber sleuths

G. Anand

Thiruvananthapuram: The cyber forensic experts at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) here are developing software tools for gathering digital evidence from electronic devices such as personal digital assistants and portable media players.

The CDAC’s national resource centre for cyber forensics here was in national news recently after its software tools were successfully used for retrieving evidence from the personal computer of a Bangalore-based suspect in the London-Glasgow bombing.

The centre has already devised a set of tools for extracting digital evidence from mobile telephones. The use of digital devices for criminal purposes has been on the increase in the country.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently using CDAC’s cyber forensic tools for training investigators at its academy in Ghaziabad.

The centre has developed special digital surveillance software for Central security agencies. Six forensic laboratories in the country are currently using CDAC’s tools. CDAC is also helping the State police set up a cyber forensic laboratory at the State Forensic Sciences Laboratory here.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/17/stories/2007071750840200.htm

[Sathyalal]

The main campus of the IIST will come up at Ponmudi in two years・time.

The course streams at the IIST, which will be set up temporarily at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thumba, are BTech in Avionics, BTech in Aerospace Engineering and Integrated Masters in Applied Sciences. There are 120 seats in all
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070716004926&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[Sathyalal]

Silicon valley based animation firm started operations in Video park, animation hub of the country. They are planning for one more animation park

Thiruvananthapuram: I am a serial entrepreneur. It is the bug of Silicon Valley that has bit me.・Meet Elizabeth Koshy, the CEO of Animation Dimensions, and come face to face with a woman who lives and breathes entertainment. For her, animation is yet another creative bash, one that she celebrates whole-heartedly.

Based in Silicon Valley, hailed as the animation hub of the world, she could not keep herself away from the bug for too long. After scripting success as the general manager of Nivea and making a name in social marketing by establishing Cause Celebre, an event management company (she had introduced Bipasha Basu to fashion ramps and had worked in close connection with Bollywood for years), she entered the animation industry just two years ago.

Elizabeth had set up Animation Dimensions only to bring in some of the international names in animation industry to India - Mike & Young, 6ph and Outside Lines, to name a few. The animation feature, Growing up with Creepy, that her company made in collaboration with Discovery Kids is currently on air in the US.


In the city on Wednesday as part of opening a new facility of Animation Dimensions at Kinfra Park, she says the animation boom is here to stay. She, however, is disappointed about the dearth of talent here.

We are currently working on three international projects and few other domestic ones. Though our team has 300-plus artists, we need more adept hands to work in our international productions
She had recently acquired Kathaa Animations that hot to fame with the cartoon characters in Hum Tum. And currently, she is engaged in animation features such as Pammi and I, The Sea Prince, Bombay Dogs, Potbelly Narayan and many more.

We are planning to set up a state-of-the-art CGI studio in the city and an animation park along with a residential complex where the artists can stay and work. It will boast of a totally new creative ambience.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070719005349&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0&

[Sathyalal]

Vellayambalam circle

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6595/vellayambalamoj9.jpg

[Sathyalal]

India's first Space University takes wings in August

Bangalore, Jul 22 (PTI)

"August middle is our target", said G Madhavan Nair, Chairman of ISRO, which is setting up the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram..


India's first space university is all set to take wings next month seeking to groom tailor-made experts to fuel the country's satellite and rocket programmes.
"August middle is our target", said G Madhavan Nair, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, which is setting up the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and expected to meet the high technology requirements of ISRO.
It would initially operate from the campus of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram, a lead centre of ISRO, which will create a full-fledged infrastructure for IIST on a picturesque site in Ponmudi near the Kerala state capital in about two years.
The Institute, which offers technically tuned courses in space science and technology, has already attracted some of India's bright minds encouraging India's space agency.
"The response is really good. Original plan was to take from the so called extended list of IIT JEE. But we could see large number of applicants from the main list of IIT itself", Nair told PTI in an interview.
ISRO sources said around 150 students were expected to be enrolled in aeronautical and avionics engineering and integrated MSc in space sciences in the first academic year.
Nair said ISRO came up with the idea of setting up of the institute as it was faced with a "very alarming situation" in terms of attracting the right talent for India's space programmes.
"Most of the students who come out of IIT and IISc etc..they go to either Management, IT or abroad. So, they are not available to the Indian scientific community," Nair said.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul222007/national2007072214433.asp?section=updatenews

[SREEKUMAR]

This is really a great news for Kerala .....
The infy Campus & IIST will defenitely change the face of TVM......

:tup:


India's first Space University takes wings in August

Bangalore, Jul 22 (PTI)

"August middle is our target", said G Madhavan Nair, Chairman of ISRO, which is setting up the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram..


India's first space university is all set to take wings next month seeking to groom tailor-made experts to fuel the country's satellite and rocket programmes.
"August middle is our target", said G Madhavan Nair, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, which is setting up the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and expected to meet the high technology requirements of ISRO.
It would initially operate from the campus of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram, a lead centre of ISRO, which will create a full-fledged infrastructure for IIST on a picturesque site in Ponmudi near the Kerala state capital in about two years.
The Institute, which offers technically tuned courses in space science and technology, has already attracted some of India's bright minds encouraging India's space agency.
"The response is really good. Original plan was to take from the so called extended list of IIT JEE. But we could see large number of applicants from the main list of IIT itself", Nair told PTI in an interview.
ISRO sources said around 150 students were expected to be enrolled in aeronautical and avionics engineering and integrated MSc in space sciences in the first academic year.
Nair said ISRO came up with the idea of setting up of the institute as it was faced with a "very alarming situation" in terms of attracting the right talent for India's space programmes.
"Most of the students who come out of IIT and IISc etc..they go to either Management, IT or abroad. So, they are not available to the Indian scientific community," Nair said.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul222007/national2007072214433.asp?section=updatenews

[Sathyalal]

This is really a great news for Kerala .....
The infy Campus & IIST will defenitely change the face of TVM......

:tup:

Sreekumar,
Agree, No doubt that ISRO, VSSC,IIST,C-DAC,RRL etc and the proposed ISSER will make Trivandrum, a unique knowledge hub of the country. But Looks like it is not stopping there. There is a proposal to set up one of the largest and advanced R& D lab which will make all the others dwarfs.

May be you must have guessed it by now.

Keep fingures crossed. If everything goes well,may be in next one year we will see some concrete plans/agreements, which will make the place an international knowledge hub.

[Sathyalal]

Capital awaiting a development boom

Monday July 23 2007 11:55 IST


T'PURAM: The development of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, complete with a glass terminal, will be completed by August 2008, Law Minister M Vijayakumar has said.

Construction company Kitco has already been given Rs 15 crore for the construction of the flyover that leads to the entrance of the airport at Chakka
The Minister said that lots would happen in the city on the development front. The tender process for the Vizhinjam terminal would be completed in three months, he said. An agreement will be signed with the qualified agency this year itself.

The development of the IT corridor, which begins from Pallippuram, and the construction of the International Convention Centre at Akkulam too will be expedited.

The international IT Fest will be held at Technopark this year, he said.

The capital city outskirts too have much in store.

The work on national institutes like Indian Institute for Science Education and Research Centre at Nedumangad and

ISRO’s space institute will begin this 2007.


http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070723013425&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[SREEKUMAR]

I heard that Dubai based Emmar group has plans to develop the technocity .Is there any update on that ???

[QUOTE=Sathyalal;2966794]Capital awaiting a development boom

Monday July 23 2007 11:55 IST

T'PURAM: The development of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, complete with a glass terminal, will be completed by August 2008, Law Minister M Vijayakumar has said.

Construction company Kitco has already been given Rs 15 crore for the construction of the flyover that leads to the entrance of the airport at Chakka
The Minister said that lots would happen in the city on the development front. The tender process for the Vizhinjam terminal would be completed in three months, he said. An agreement will be signed with the qualified agency this year itself.

The development of the IT corridor, which begins from Pallippuram, and the construction of the International Convention Centre at Akkulam too will be expedited.

[Sathyalal]

Emaar is one of the contesters for the projects. But ultimately our Babus & polititions will play to decide who will execute it.

[QUOTE=SREEKUMAR;2966807]I heard that Dubai based Emmar group has plans to develop the technocity .Is there any update on that ???

[QUOTE=Sathyalal;2966794]

[sudheeshnairs]

I heard that Dubai based Emmar group has plans to develop the technocity .Is there any update on that ???


Yes, and one of our friends who is active in 'skyscrapercity' is the Business Development Manager of Emaar MGF;) . They are submitting their proposal for Technocity. As sathyalal said lets see what the Govt is going to do.

[Sathyalal]

Mathrubhumi reports..

[QUOTE]512 acre Technocity to be done by Inkel.

Current strenth of Technopark is 20000(around 80 % of IT mass in the state). Around 130 companies.

The third phase will soon add 20000
Around 50000 thousand jobs in Technocity.
http://www.mathrubhumi.com/2007_customimages/news/PF121170_50bis1.pdf
This is my view
Current 20000 Technopark+ Another 40000 thousand from Second(construction going on) and third phase + 50000 for technocity and several private IT parks, Telecom city, Film and Videopark, Life Sciences park and Aparal park will provide around 4-5 lakhs direct jobs in and around Kazhakkutam and 3-4 lakhs indirect jobs. That means additional 1 million population in this area. Gov agencies should act quickly and effectively to handle the situation.

[Sathyalal]

KIMS
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/16/kimswz1.jpg

[sudheeshnairs]

Sathyalal, I think we can have the photos in the 'Trivandrum-Lush green city in the hills and by the blue sea' thread. This thread is for projects and other news.:)

[Sathyalal]

Trivandrum is miles ahead when it comes to research, compared to other places in the state. Space Science, Supercomputing, Cyber Forensics, Biomedical or whatever is it.

Research capital
Tuesday July 24 2007 11:34 IST

An analysis of published papers in the field of medical research has found that Thiruvananthapuram accounts for 64 percent of the total papers published in the state

The reason for capital city topping the list could be because of the clustering of research institutions in the city.

The Sree Chithra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology heads the list with nearly 24 percent of the total publications from the state, followed by Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and surprisingly, the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala.

Surprising, because the KU Department with relatively meagre infrastructure facilities and funding has done exceptionally well than fully-fledged research institutions such as Regional Research Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology and Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070724011257&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[Sathyalal]

Kazhakkutam-Intl Airport Corridor (Thiruvananthapuram)
Most happening place in Kerala
A Case Study

‘Happening place’ is a term commonly abused by the real estate promoters. But how many of them reveal a real analysis based on facts.
What makes a region happening place? Existing infrastructure, number/size/importance of the new projects coming up makes one such a place.

A study on Kazhakuttam Bypass Region, the most happening place in Kerala.

• It tops the state in terms of Hi-tech industries
• It tops the in terms of number of IT companies/IT employees/IT exports
• It tops with the existing R&D and educational institutions/new projects.
• It tops the state with the existing support infrastructure.
• New IT parks, Malls, Hotels, Convention Centers, Residential Buildings.
• It is near to many tourist locations where you can relax after a hectic day of work.

1 Technopark

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/1346/17688674ei3.png

Word class infrastructure for IT
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/297/61822300me7.png

Unique supporting infrastructure

• NH 47 bypass through the main gate.
• NH 47 to city near the rear side.
• Link road to MC Road.
• Multiple road access from the city, which is unique to this IT Park.
• 10 minutes drive to Trivandrum International Airport.

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/2633/42078768ch2.png

Tejaswini-Largest office building in the state. Around 8.5 lakhs sq ft.

www.technopark.org


2 Major IT Companies

2.1 Infosys

• Operating from Bhavani Building.
• Expanding to the new space in Tejaswini
• Major plans along the bypass.

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7779/95917411pm3.jpg



This is the largest campus for a software company in Kerala
www.infosys.com

2.2 TCS
Tata consultancy service has 40 acres around Technopark
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/1200/67256096tt4.jpg

Global Training center 5 lakh sq ft Peepul park getting completed

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/4518/67983659qk2.jpg
Construction started for the new 1 million sq ft campus in 25 Acres SEZ
www.tcs.com

2.3 US Tech• Largest IT employer in the state, around 3500 people
• Currently operating from Nila and Bhavani
• New campus construction in 36 acres is about to start. Around 1.6 million sq ft planned
http://www.ustri.com/

2.4 Tata Elxi• Currently operating from Gayathri building.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4471/32320976wi9.th.jpg
• Completing the construction of the new campus
http://www.tataelxsi.com/

2.5 IBS
One of the fastest growing IT firms in the areas of aviation sector
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7377/31496440av1.jpg
New campus of around 5 lakhs is getting completed.
www.ibsplc.com

2.6 E & Y
Operating from Gayathri building
www.ey.com/me/ssc

2.7 Allianze cornhill
Operating from Chandragiri building.
Planning for individual campus in 10 acres of land.
www.allianz.co.uk www.acis.co.in
2.8 RM
Operating from Gayathri building www.rmesi.co.in
2.9 Suntec
City grown company. One of the fastest growing international companies in the billing sector.
Operating from Nila
Has got separate campuses in the city
Planning new campus near technopark in 20 acres of land
www.suntecgroup.com
2.10 Nest
Operating from Pamba-Periyar
Has got separate campuses in the city
Constructing new campus near technopark
http://www.nestsoftware.com/
2.11 Toonz
India’s most advanced Studio and Animation giant.
www.toonzanimationindia.com
3 New campuses under construction
• Infosys
• TCS
• IBS
• US Tech
• Tata Elxi
• Leela park
• Nest
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7779/95917411pm3.jpg

100 acre acquisition is getting completed in coming weeks
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7189/10sx6.jpg


4 Construction companies waiting for land to build IT parks


http://www.technopark.org/landrequest.htm


Embassy Group
Emaar Group
Chesterton Mehraj Property Consultant
Raheja Group
Ascendas Group
Compact Disc India Pvt.Ltd, Chandigarh
Leela Scottish Lace
Indo-Hong Kong Industries P Ltd


5 IT Companies waiting for more land
http://www.technopark.org/landrequest.htm

Name of company
L & T
Patni Computers, Chennai
IBS
SunTec Business Solutions
Torque
IIITM-K
Allianz Cornhill
Assyst International
Aryan Infoway
IVL India Ltd
IDS Software Services Pvt Ltd
Accel Transmatics
Britek India
CDI India Ltd
Indriya Technologies
Seaview Support Systems
eZe Care Systems
Qburst
SRC Software
Zafin Centre of Excellence
Wins Infotech
Kreara Solutions P Ltd
B2B Software
Maxartisits
Vinirma Consulting
Alamy Images
Hages Business Solutions
A R Software Solutions
Argent Software
MCFADEYAN
Palnar Transmedia

6 Technocity
Largest proposed IT park in the state
http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/4286/11ms7.jpg

Location: 5 kms from Existing Technopark
Area: 512 Acres
Estimated number of jobs: 2,00,000
Current Status: Land acquisition is getting completed. Procedure for 200 acres is over
Location: 3 Kms from Technopark

7 Film & Video Park

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/7665/12kk8.jpg

http://www.kinfra.com/pro4.htm

Location: 2 Kms from Technopark
Spread over 75 acres


Emerging leader for post-production services, animation studios and teleport facilities in the country.

25 Acre animation SEZ, First in the country

Prasad Video Labs has set up an advanced film processing lab.

A state-of-the-art studio facility for Vismaya max

Accel Transmatics had setup india’s first motion capture studio

Toonz, India’s most advanced studio has set up animation school

http://www.studio-systems.com/broadfeatures/MarApr2002/Kinfra%20Film%20and%20Video%20Park%20emerging/44.htm

8 Word class Life Science Park
Current status: Land: Acquisition in Progress
Location: Kazhakkuttam
Planned for
Pharmaceuticals,
Medical devices,
Biotechnology,
Nanotechnology
Nanufacturing
R&D
Clinical development
9 Telecom City
This has been planned in association with the Indian Telephone Industries (ITI).
Total investment: 300 crores
Location: Kazhakkuttam
Status: Agreement signed with ITI for sidco’s 25 acres land

4 million sq feet built up space
40 000 new jobs.

10 Country’s most prestigious R& D and Educational Institutions

10.1 VSSC

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4574/13ir3.jpg
VSSC, ISRO´s single largest group of technologists and engineers

India’s Space Research center, developing satellites, Launch vehicles
Pioneer in Liquid Propulsion Technology
Pioneer in Scramjet Propulsion
Planning Chandrayan (Moon Mission)
Second largest employer in the state after Technopark
Location: Beach Road parallel to bypass

http://www.isro.org/centers/cen_vssc.htm
10.2 Indian Institute of Space Technology
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/586/14kh6.jpg

A world-class institute for Space Technology. First of its kind in the country. No.1 preference for IIT entrance toppers.
IIST Share the resources and Special facilities of ISRO apart from creating its own infrastructure to integrate its research activities with the national space programs
Dr. Abdul Kalam will be the lead faculty for the institution
Location: Inside VSSC.
100 acre additional campus is coming up in Ponmudi hills
http://iist.ac.in/index.htm

10.3 Oak Ridge National Laboratories
The proposed will be one of the largest R & D institutions in India
The laboratory is in the final stages of a $350-million project to provide a modern campus for the next generation of `great science.
ORNL is a multi-program science and technology laboratory managed for the US Department of Energy by University of Tennessee and Battelle
Location: Technocity
http://www.ornl.gov/
10.4 Asian School of Business
Location: Inside Technopark
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8682/asbmg1.th.jpg


International campus for Business Studies
New 15 acre campus planned

http://www.asb.edu.in/

10.5 IIITM-K

IIITM-K is a premier, autonomous institution of excellence.
Established by the Government of Kerala for higher learning and research in Information Technology and Management.
The institute enjoys the best possible natural and hi-tech ambience of pursuit of knowledge.
The Institute is well recognized for its path-breaking innovations in IT and for its major projects
10.6 College of Engineering Trivandrum
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7923/17wq3.jpg
Kerala’s first and one of India’s Premier Engineering colleges

Location: 2 kms from Infosys
http://www.cet.ac.in/

10.7 Kerala University Campus
Kerala university’s center for Research programs

Areas: Basic Sciences
Technology
Literature

Location: Shares boundary with technopark
http://www.keralauniversity.edu/location.htm
10.8 LNCPE
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2267/18tw3.jpg
The Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram is a part of the academic wing of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Location: 2 Kms from Technopark

www.lncpe.gov.in

10.9 International School
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3318/20is3.jpg
Kerala’s first and only authentic international school with international curriculum

Location: 2 kms from Technopark
www.trins.org


In addition to the above specified, many number of schools/colleges/technical training centers including Sainik schools, university engineering college etc are in this location
11 Manufacturing
11.1 Apparel Park
Location: Kazhakkuttam
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/8955/21lz9.jpg

AIHH is setting up a major unit in collaboration with a Japanese firm
An Italian-Australian joint venture is also on the cards
Three more units by Leela group.
Currently it has three units by the Leela group and one from a city-based entrepreneur
Apparel and small industries park’s together occupy area of 90 acres.

Unlike the typical apparel parks they offer the following

Dedicated power supply
Continuous supply of treated water.
Common bonded warehouse,
Convention and business centers

Guesthouse
Healthcare centre.
11.2 Others
Travancore Titanium/Kerala Hi-tech industries and Veli industrial area are the important ones to mention in the same region

12 Hotels/Malls/Hospitals/Convention centers
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7598/22xz5.jpg
Large number of hotels/Malls conventions centers is mushrooming around the area
The Akkulam international convention center
Total built-up area of 16,480.86 square meters.

A convention and exhibition centre, resort, retail, marina and on-site infrastructure in the first phase.
The convention and exhibition centre will have a plenary hall, hi-tech hall and VIP room
Chalet Hotels Ltd. (part of the K. Raheja Group) is constructing the same.

Plaza Mall : Israeli groups purchased land near Akkulam Bridge.
2.1 million sft of IT Park, mall and hotel are planned
This is the largest land transaction in the state.
This will be one of the largest commercial installations in the state


http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7638/23ma8.jpg


Ginger, Technopark KIMS

13 Residential Projects
Based on the number of projects it is natural that residential sector is booming up. Several number of apartment projects are coming up in the area.

Some of the finishing ones
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3751/24kk5.jpg



14 Other Major installations around the area
Southern Air Command
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5071/26ob1.gif
Sprawling campuses spread over several acres in Akkulam.
The proposed Nuclear command center of India

Trivandrum intenational Airport
5th international Airport in India after the 4 metros.
10 minutes drive from Technopark
New International terminal gate opens at Bypass.
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/2039/25kv3.gif
New world class terminal with steel and glass structure
Kochu veli Terminal
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7585/27ed0.gif

Terminal near the bypass

Trivandrum central is the second busiest terminal in South India after Chennai
Kochu veli terminal will help to divert some of the trains
Center for Earth Science Studies
http://www.cessind.org

15 New public sector projects under completion in the region

Air India MRO being completed

New cargo terminal


16 What makes the region so vibrant
Most cosmopolital population in the state due to Technopark, Airforce base, VSSC and several world class training institutions.
See what ASB says in their website
“Our campus is located in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala. Trivandrum has wide, open spaces, a relaxed atmosphere and a cosmopolitan outlook. A unique combination of great natural beauty, vibrant culture, friendly people and a safe, welcoming ambience, the city offers a nurturing environment where students can excel”
Near to the capital city of Kerala, knowledge hub of Kerala
Following are the research centers around the city
Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Bio Technology
VSSC
ISRO
LPSC
Regional Research Laboratory
RCC
Sree chithra institute of medical technology
Center for Development Studies
TBCRC
Tropical Research Center
C-DIT
C-DAC
New proposed ISSER

Near to important tourist destinations
10-30 minutes drive to the following tourist locations

1. Akkulam
2. Sankummukham
3. Veli
4. Kovalam
5. Museum park
One To Two hrs to the following locations
1. Ponmudi
2. Neyyardam
3. Varakala
4. Poovar
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7568/28fg6.jpg

17 No Media glare! Surprising?

• May be it is because of the demand market, This is evident from the companies waiting for land
• Not much advertisement/promotions needed for the sale of residential apartments
• Quoting the words of our hon. president, our local media is more interested in negative projections and debates. Not on the ones like what is happening here.

18 Summary• Fastest growing Region in the State
• Most Cosmopolitan Area in State
• Around 2,00,000 IT jobs in next 4-5 years
• Around 1,00,000 jobs in Animation, Cinema, Telecom industries
• Around 1,000,00 in other sectors
• Around 2,000,00 indirect jobs

[Sathyalal]

SilkAir also plans to boost capacity on the existing routes when its northern winter schedule comes into effect on October 28. Thiruvananthapuram is among the destinations that will see increased frequency of SilkAir.

[chandrurajan]

Great Work Satya....:tup: Congrats

[SREEKUMAR]

Great work....
Amazing !!!!!! … Why these things are not published in any of the Newspapers????
Any ways keep up the good work...:worship:


[QUOTE=Sathyalal;2969408]Kazhakkutam-Intl Airport Corridor (Thiruvananthapuram)
Most happening place in Kerala
A Case Study

‘Happening place’ is a term commonly abused by the real estate promoters. But how many of them reveal a real analysis based on facts.
What makes a region happening place? Existing infrastructure, number/size/importance of the new projects coming up makes one such a place.

[Sathyalal]

Hi Sreekumar,
Most of the items gets coverage as news items in National media. But not in local media. Also there are no fullpage advertisement to sell the appartments, since they do not need it, because their needs are very much backed by the other developments.

One example link given below. This is in National media. But did you able to find the same in any of the local media. No surprises. May be they have not grown up to understand what is it.



http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2007/04/02/stories/2007040200110300.htm

http://www.ornl.gov/
Great work....
Amazing !!!!!! … Why these things are not published in any of the Newspapers????
Any ways keep up the good work...:

[Sathyalal]

For all those film buffs out there, it is celebration time again. The 12th Trivandrum International Film Festival (TIFF 2007) organised by the Chalachitra Film Society will begin on Friday.

The festival will be inaugurated by Adoor Gopalakrishnan at the Kalabhavan theatre at 5 pm after which the inaugural movie Un Dimanche A Kigali (Just This Part is Worth It) from Canada will be screened.

Films will be screened in the World Cinema, Asian Cinema, Focus and Oscar series segments, besides a retrospective on Alireza Raieesian (Iran).

The World Cinema Section will feature 14 films from 12 countries produced during 2000-2006 and which have received appreciations at various international film festivals. Hotel Rwanda, Motorcycle Diaries, Constant Gardener, Habana Blues, Down Fall, The Third Wave, Enemy of the People, Do not Disturb, Swimming Pool, Bank Ban Sacra Carona (Hungary), Provoked and Ben痴 Biography will be screened in this section.

In the Focus section, Mama's Guest, Love Without Boundaries, Paradise is Somewhere Else and The Insane Flew Away will be screened. The retrospective section on Alireza includes The Journey, Rayhaneh, The Deserted Station and Havana Files. Missed Call, Nital, Drishtantam, Mahotsav and Baadha will be featured in the Asian Cinema segment.

The films in the segment will be introduced by the directors of the film. Oscar and Golden Globe winners of 2007 ・United 93, Click, Crash, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Dead Man's Chest, Pursuit of Happiness and Marie Antoinette ・will be screened in the Oscar series.

Iran Cultural Centre director Shakib will be the guest of honour. He will also introduce the Iranian cinema during the festival.

The closing film of the festival will be Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. The festival office will start functioning at the Kalabhavan theatre on Thursday.

The festival will conclude on August 2.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070725003238&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[Sathyalal]

General Atlantic To Invest $60 Mn In Kerala IT Firm
Wednesday 25th of July 2007 General Atlantic (GA), the Greenwich-headquartered global growth investor, will invest $60 million (Rs.2.42 billion) in Kerala-based IBS Software Services (IBS), a leading IT solutions provider to the travel, transportation and logistics industries.

GA, rated among the top 20 private equity investment companies in the world, will thus acquire a minority stake in IBS which is headquartered in Technopark here.
In a press statement Wednesday, IBS Group chairman and managing director V.K. Mathews said the firm was excited about this partnership, which would enable it to leverage the strengths of the respective organisations.

'Being a global growth investor in the technology sector, GA will be able to provide IBS with strategic assistance to propel IBS to the next phase of its aggressive growth strategy,' said Mathews.

'GA's investment will be used to further accelerate the organisation's growth through global mergers and acquisitions, and ramping up our sales, business consulting capability and infrastructure.'

Founded in 1997, IBS provides new-generation software products and services for the travel, transportation and logistics sectors.

It serves more than 70 customers worldwide including top airlines, busiest airports, cruise lines and oil and gas companies, which use IBS solutions for their mission-critical operations.

IBS employs about 1,700 people globally with two development centres in India.

GA managing director Abhay Havaldar will join the IBS' board of directors and will assist the company in evaluating growth opportunities globally.

Havaldar said IBS was one of the leading software product companies in India and with its deep technical expertise, high-quality client base and strong management team, it was extremely well-positioned for continued growth and expansion.

http://newspostindia.com/report-8761

[rajkrish]

Tremendous work Sathya. Hats off

[sudheeshnairs]

sathyalal, keep the good work.:)

Perhaps we can take pics of International Apparel Park & Film/Video Park and have a collage like you have done for Technopark. I can get permission since I worked earlier with KINFRA.

And can think of extending the scope of the 'Happening place', ie, not to stop at Akkulam, but continue till Vizhinjam. Infact it is one such straight stretch spanning some 40 kms from Vizhinjam to Technocity along the NH.

[SREEKUMAR]

True.Sathya. Our local newspapers give priority to politics, sex scandels /ugly news etc.. They never see the developments.
Why don't you guys approach the TV channels so that the public will come to know these developments. I believe almost all the TV channels are based in the Capital. Right.
Hardly anybody brows this website.
cheers ....:shrug: :shrug:
Sree.....



[QUOTE=Sathyalal;2970915]Hi Sreekumar,
Most of the items gets coverage as news items in National media. But not in local media. Also there are no fullpage advertisement to sell the appartments, since they do not need it, because their needs are very much backed by the other developments.

One example link given below. This is in National media. But did you able to find the same in any of the local media. No surprises. May be they have not grown up to understand what is it.

[rajkrish]

Superb news. It seems IBS is going places :tup:

General Atlantic To Invest $60 Mn In Kerala IT Firm
Wednesday 25th of July 2007 General Atlantic (GA), the Greenwich-headquartered global growth investor, will invest $60 million (Rs.2.42 billion) in Kerala-based IBS Software Services (IBS), a leading IT solutions provider to the travel, transportation and logistics industries.

GA, rated among the top 20 private equity investment companies in the world, will thus acquire a minority stake in IBS which is headquartered in Technopark here.
In a press statement Wednesday, IBS Group chairman and managing director V.K. Mathews said the firm was excited about this partnership, which would enable it to leverage the strengths of the respective organisations.

'Being a global growth investor in the technology sector, GA will be able to provide IBS with strategic assistance to propel IBS to the next phase of its aggressive growth strategy,' said Mathews.

'GA's investment will be used to further accelerate the organisation's growth through global mergers and acquisitions, and ramping up our sales, business consulting capability and infrastructure.'

Founded in 1997, IBS provides new-generation software products and services for the travel, transportation and logistics sectors.

It serves more than 70 customers worldwide including top airlines, busiest airports, cruise lines and oil and gas companies, which use IBS solutions for their mission-critical operations.

IBS employs about 1,700 people globally with two development centres in India.

GA managing director Abhay Havaldar will join the IBS' board of directors and will assist the company in evaluating growth opportunities globally.

Havaldar said IBS was one of the leading software product companies in India and with its deep technical expertise, high-quality client base and strong management team, it was extremely well-positioned for continued growth and expansion.

http://newspostindia.com/report-8761

[Sathyalal]

Agree Sreekumar
-------------------------------

More foriegn nationals are making the city home. Their spending power is creating another boom in the city. Maldivian nationals are some of them

Some 4,000-odd Maldivian nationals call Thiruvananthapuram home. They have been arriving here in large numbers in order to seek medical help.

More than 70 per cent residing here are between 10 and 35 years of age. They come here to seek medical advice and find admissions in schools and professional colleges across the state. Our primary responsibility is to look after their welfare. We want to do so with the help of the state government. I occasionally meet the commissioner of police, otherwise, there is hardly any communication with government officials.”

Also, a lot of money is being spent on shopping
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=164035

[Sathyalal]

George Brody is MobME Chairman




Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram, July 26 MobME Wireless Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the city-based Torque, has announced the appointment of the US-based investor, Mr George Brody, as its Chairman.

According to Mr Sanjay Vijayakumar, CEO, MobME, Mr Brody has invested in the company and will also work on efforts to help MobME grow its mobile media and entertainment business and enter the international market. He will also assist the company with its plans to go public in the next two-three years, he added. However, Mr Vijayakumar declined to reveal details about the value of Mr Brody’s investment in MobME.

Mr Brody is an angel investor in several start-ups in the US and brings with him over 30 years of experience in the technology industry, Mr Vijayakumar said. Mr Brody has worked with Nortel Networks and was Vice-President and General Manager of Nortel Networks wireless networks solutions division, he added.

MobME, which was spun-off from Torque earlier this year, was set up with funding from several NRI investors. The company is now in discussions with venture capital firms to raise between $7 million and $10 million in the next few months.
In about three weeks, MobME will formally launch several new products in the mobile value-added services space, Mr Vijayakumar said. Some of these products such as FastAlerts and Mobshare are currently being tested and have received a good response, he stated.

FastAlerts is a Web 2.0 communication tool that can provide instant alerts to a number of users using multiple systems such as SMS, e-mail and voice alerts, while Mobshare is a Web-based tool that allows mobile phone users to share pictures and videos shot using their phones, he explained. The company is also working on generating content for use in mobile phones and will announce details soon, he added.

Started two years ago by a group of engineering students from Thiruvananthapuram, Torque is based at the Technopark- Thiruvananthapuram.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072751180400.htm

[Sathyalal]

Mathrubhumi reports..

IIT entrance toppers opted IIST, Trivandrum
Classes start by September
Hon Scientist Abdul Kalam is the faculty for Aeronautical engineering

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8368/mbjo2.gif

[chandrurajan]

Compact Disc India Ltd has announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on July 26, 2007, inter alia, has transacted the following :

1. The Board has approved to invest SGD 1.00 million in cash, to acquire 1,000,000 equity shares at face value of SGD 1.00 at par of Interactive Creative Media Pte. Ltd., Singapore during the current fiscal year.

2. (i) The Board has approved to invest GBP 1.00 million, in consideration other than cash to acquire 1,000,000 equity shares at face value of GBP 1.00 at par of MediaOne Venutres Ltd., London during the current fiscal year.

2. (ii) The Board has approved to invest GBP 250,000, in cash to acquire 250,000 equity shares at face value of GBP 1.00 at par of Media Venutres Ltd, London during the current fiscal year.

3. The Board has approved to set-up a state-of-the-art Animation Studio in Kinfra Speical Economic Zone for Animation & Gaming Development at Trivandrum, Kerala for which industrial land has already been allotted.

http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=16876

[robin]

:hell: It's really great to see all these things happening in trivandrum
{infosyscampus, iist,indian institute of scientific research,techno city,vizhinjam etc etc}
but there is one thing which makes me wonder ,why our media,esspecially printing media is giving little importance to all these things.
Am sure about one thing that if ane of these projects like IIST was going to be materilised in KOCHI .our media would have boasted about it.
according to me the media has put a cover over the developments of TRIVANDRUM

[robin]

i think ,what the city actually needs is a business magazine based in TRIVANDRUM

[rajkrish]

Very true Robin. The media experiences "selective amnesia" as far as Trivandrum NEWS is considered.

[Sathyalal]

Technopark headquartered IBS gives IBM, Unisys a run for their money

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1: IBS Software Services, a Kerala-headquartered IT company that began its operations about 10 years back, is now giving global software giants like IBM and Unisys a run for their money.

IBS, which began its operations here in September 1997, has become a leading global provider of new generation IT solutions to travel, transportation and logistics (TTL) industries of major airlines, airports, oil and gas companies, seaports, cruise lines and tour operators worldwide.

Its 70 high profile clients include leading airlines like Emirates, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, leading airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Dubai as well as oil giants such as Shell and British Petroleum.

The company's client base also includes cruise liners like Cunard (Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth II), Royal Caribbean Cruise and Star Cruise and leading resorts like Vail Resorts, Inc. (VRI), the premier mountain resort operator in the US, Brendan Vacations and Orbitz.

Addressing reporters here Wednesday, V.K. Mathews, chairman of IBS, said the company was started with a staff of only 55.
"We began with a paid up capital of Rs.1.76 crore (Rs.17.6 million) and today it has touched more than Rs.800 crore (Rs.8 billion)," he said.
"During the one decade of its existence IBS has done three domain-based acquisitions of companies abroad," said Mathews.
Last week, General Atlantic, a leading global private equity firm, invested $60 million (Rs.2.42 billion) in IBS.
"This investment is the single largest private equity (PE) investment in Kerala and probably also the largest PE investment into an IT products company in the country," said Mathews.
http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3467&Itemid=88

[Sathyalal]

After General Atlantic deal, IBS scouts for MRO buys
Economy Bureau
Posted online: Thursday , August 02, 2007 at 0035 hrs IST

Thiruvanananthapuram, Aug 1 After garnering India's biggest private equity (PE) investment in IT products, IBS is scouting for good buys in the MRO (maintenance, repair and overhauling) space. Two or three potential acquisiton candidates are in the shortlist.


IBS software, a Technopark-based products company in travel, transportation and logicals (TTL) verticals, has grown 700% in paid-up capital in a decade.

Not sated by $60 million preferential shares in investment from the Greenwich-based PE giant General Atlantic, IBS is also working on a roadmap for an IPO in 2009. "We're targeting to be valued at $1 billion by then," Mathews told reporters, here.

In the last five years, the company has made three domain-based takeovers, two in US and one in UK.
The company has ten overseas offices.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/After-General-Atlantic-deal-IBS-scouts-for-MRO-buys/208106/

[rajkrish]

Great honour for India's best Bio-technology research centre:notacrook:

The cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided "to place RGCB as an autonomous institute under the administrative control of the Department of Biotechnology", Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters in New Delhi.

Following the implementation of the decision "the RGCB will be the only central institute in the area of biotechnology in Kerala", said Dasmunsi.

"The takeover will have a major role in implementing relevant biotechnology projects in the state as well in the entire southern region."

The RGCB aims at researching about cancer, human genetics, protein engineering, molecular reproduction, molecular microbiology, and neurobiology and plant molecular biology.

The minister said the transfer would also help RCGB develop into "a national research centre for bio-drug discovery programmes based on the knowledge of traditional systems of medicines prevalent in Kerala".

It will also help the country "to utilise the institute's expertise in cell and molecular biology for developing diagnostic and prognostic markers for disease".

The move may also help "to provide adequate research and teaching facilities for human resource development in biotechnology"

http://www.newindpress.com/newsItems.asp?ID=IEH20070802090807&Page=H&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=0&

[Sathyalal]

India's Animation hubs are overtaking the Philippines, Korea and Taipei.

Come alive with the hot buzzword, Animation
Tuesday - Jul 31, 2007
Televisionpoint.com Correspondent

Major companies like Walt Disney, Imax and Sony are continuously outsourcing cartoon characters and special effects to India that is enjoying its newfound status as a preferred destination for outsourcing thanks to low production costs. In fact it is steadily overtaking the Philippines, Korea and Taipei.
With the big studios having state-of-the-art facilities equipped with SGI, 3DMax and SoftImage, Maya, SFX and processing motion capture facilities in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Trivandrum, India is now a global player in this industry. Today there are a number of animation training studios in Mumbai and students have plenty to choose from.

Hanuman, a 2D animation movie, was a major success in the country. However, the honour of being the first animated film in India goes to Ashok Kaul's Bhaggmati: The Queen of Fortunes (2005). Hanuman's success story lies, perhaps in its simple storyline. The film traces the journey of this mythical God cum superhero, from his days as a cute miracle-working baby to his ultimate triumph in the army of Lord Ram.

http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2007/newsfullstory.php?id=1185892619
Hanuman is a creation by Toonz, Trivandrum

[Sathyalal]

Research Capital (Trivandrum)
World renowned institutions such as ISRO, VSSC, IIST,IISER,ORNL,C-DAC,RGBIT concentrating around one city may be an unique phenomenon. Thiruvananthapuram, one of the knowledge hubs of India is pioneer in Space Research, Advanced Computing, Cyber forensic, Bio Technology, Medical Imaging, Social sciences. Following gives a brief explanation of around 25 such research organizations in Trivandrum.

1. Space Research

1.1. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5083/issroue6.jpg

http://www.isro.org

1.2. VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre)
Location: Thumba

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4510/vsschn3.jpg

http://www.isro.org/centers/cen_vssc.htm

1.3. LPSC (Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre)
Location : Valiyamala

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2876/lpscin8.jpg

http://www.isro.org/centers/cen_lpsc.htm

1.4. IISU (Inertial Systems Unit)
Location : Vattiyoorkavu

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/623/iisusf3.jpg

www.isro.org/centers/cen_iisu.htm

1.5. REPLACE (Reinforced Plastic Center)
Location : Vattiyoorkavu
Started in1976 to cater exclusively for SLV-3 project. But now Reinforced plastic is used in Missiles, space vehicles and for medical field
1.6. IIST(Indian Institute for Space Technology
Locations: Thumba & Ponmudi

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9605/iistak3.gif

http://iist.ac.in/index.htm
2. Advance computing/Cyber Forensic/Imaging

2.1. C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing)
Location : Vellyambalam
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/989/cdacym1.jpg
http://www.cdactvm.in/
2.2. C-DIT(Centre for Development Imaging Technology)
Location : Thiruvallom
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4514/cditkt7.jpg
http://www.cdit.org/
2.3. ERTL (Electronic Research and Testing laboratory)
Location: Akkulam
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9752/ertslq1.jpg
http://www.stqc.nic.in/stqcnetwork/ertls/thiru/component.htm
2.4. NIC (National Informatics Center)
Location: Vellayambalam
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3456/nicll8.jpg
www.kerala.nic.in
2.5. Cyber Forensic cell
Location: Althara Jn
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/293/forecsicsxq9.jpg
http://www.cyberforensics.in/
2.6. Forensic Sciences Laboratory
Location: Pattom
This Well-equipped Forensic Science Laboratory was started in 1961.The Forensic Science Laboratory consists of eight Divisions namely Ballistics, Biology, Serology, Chemistry, Explosives, Documents and Physics.

http://www.keralapolice.org/forensic.html
3. Bio-Technology / Medical Sciences

3.1. RGIBT (Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Biotechnology)
Location: Jagathy

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1607/rgcbgy1.jpg

http://www.rgcb.res.in/

3.2. SCIMST(Sree Chitra Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology)
Location : Near Medical College

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2818/chitrahj1.jpg

http://www.sctimst.ac.in/

3.3. RCC
Location: Near Sree Chitra

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5641/rccxm1.jpg

http://www.kerala.gov.in/dept_health/rcc.htm

3.4. TBGRI (Tropical Botanical Garden & Research Institute)
Location: Palod

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5091/botanicalbw8.jpg

http://www.tbgri.in/

3.5. CTCRI (Central for Tuber Crops Research Institute)
Location: Sreekaryam

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1015/ctcrsrm5.jpg

http://www.ctcri.org/

4. Basic/Multi Sciences

4.1. ORNL(Oak Ridge National Laboratories)
Proposed Location: Near Technocity
The proposed will be one of the largest R & D institutions in India
The laboratory is in the final stages of a $350-million project to provide a modern campus for the next generation of `great science.
ORNL is a multi-program science and technology laboratory managed for the US Department of Energy by University of Tennessee and Battelle

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2007/04/02/stories/2007040200110300.htm
http://www.ornl.gov/

4.2. IISER(Indian Institute of Science Education and Research)
Proposed Location: Nedumangadu
This is a premier institute being created by the Government of India to promote education and research in basic science. This is inline with IISc and IITs.

4.3. NIST (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology)- (Formerly RRL)
Location: PappanamCode
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9238/rrltcg7.jpg
http://w3rrlt.csir.res.in
5. Geosciences

5.1. CESS(Centre for Earth Science Studies)
Location : Akkulam

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8320/cessgr5.jpg

http://www.cessind.org
6. Social Sciences

6.1. CDS (Centre for Development Studies)
Location : Prasanth Nagar

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/813/cdsje9.jpg

http://cds.edu/

6.2. CISR (Center for International Studies and Research)
Location: Sasthamangalam
International Studies and Research
Consultancy Services: Exports, Imports, Investments, Join Ventures, Overseas Employment.

http://www.amity.edu/acisr/
7. Others

7.1. KERALA UNIVERSITY
Locations: Multiple locations. Main research campus is at Kariavattom

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5095/universitymv0.jpg

http://www.keralauniversity.edu/universitydepartments.htm

7.2. NATPAC
Location: Sasthamangalam
It is an institution under the Department of Science, Technology and Environment. The Centre is undertaking research and consultancy works in the fields of traffic engineering and transportation planning, highway engineering, public transport system, inland water transport, tourism planning, rural roads, environmental impact assessment and transport energy.
www.natpac.org
7.3. Miscellaneous
There are also many other institutes such as Centre for Advanced Legal Studies and Research, Centre for Development of Education Science and Technology, State Nutrition Laboratory, Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at Vizhinjam , the planned DIABETIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE etc.

8. Why so many research facilities are concentrated in Trivandrum
Thanks to history. If you observe history, it is easy to find that education has very special importance in Trivandrum. It dates back to many centuries. In 18th century, the observatory was created in Trivandrum for astronomical research. Also institutions such as engineering colleges started here first.
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3180/observatorykx6.jpg
The research interest is fueled by citi's premier educational institutions
Prestigious institutions like CET, IITM-K, many numbers of Engineering / Science colleges, Medical /Ayurveda / Homeo institutions, management institutions like IMG/ASB/IIHM etc are fueling this phenomenon.
9. Summary
City is growing as an international knowledge hub

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2715/cityyt6.jpg

Trailer: Real estate lobbies in some places, where the contribution (IT & Hi-Tech) is still at infant state are hyping from all the cylinders. One can not imagine how much they would have hyped if they had this much Research or IT in real action.

[Sathyalal]

The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IISST), a prestigious academic project of the Indian Space Research Organisation, is all set for take-off in Thiruvananthapruam

The curriculum at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology is modelled along the lines of what is being offered by the Indian Institutes of Technology and at other top-notch institutes conducting programmes in electronics and communication, mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering

The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology will enable students to further help develop the country’s prowess in space technology, one that has led to the launch of rockets like the PSLV-C7
In short, every system is ‘go’ for September when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to lay the foundation stone for the institute, which will eventually come up amidst picturesque settings at Ponmudi, near Thiruvananthapuram
http://www.hindu.com/edu/2007/08/07/stories/2007080750010100.htm

[SREEKUMAR]

Gr8 work Sathya. Looks like TVM got the real development in all fields unlike other places in the country where mostly the real estate boom is goin on...
Many of the realtors are cheaters. They show beautiful perspectives and don't keep their promises. It seems one of the big real estate groups in kerala (ad with our great singer appears) have already cheated the customers...
......



[QUOTE=Sathyalal;2992035]Research Capital (Trivandrum)
World renowned institutions such as ISRO, VSSC, IIST,IISER,ORNL,C-DAC,RGBIT concentrating around one city may be an unique phenomenon. Thiruvananthapuram, one of the knowledge hubs of India is pioneer in Space Research, Advanced Computing, Cyber forensic, Bio Technology, Medical Imaging, Social sciences. Following gives a brief explanation of around 25 such research organizations in Trivandrum.

[Sathyalal]

Thanks Sreekumar.
What you said is correct. All over the world those black sheeps are there. They go and buy cheap land and then start hyping it without any base. They can even buy media and reporters. Some of the channels are already airing the paid programs without labeling as advertisements.
Here is a real story happened to me 2-3 days back.

One broker approached me (for selling a flat in a particular place). He told me about several IT initiatives and finally said ‘X ‘company is planning to employ some 1 lakh people in 2 years. He did not know that I am working for this ‘X’ company. I told him that I am working for the ‘X’ company and I will be happy if I can find some 3000 people in next 2 years. Then I said I do not have money. Still he was not willing to give up. He told me that I will get 25000 rent in the same area within next 2 years and you can easily pay EMI.

This is how they are trapping people into debt. I do not deny that fact that appreciation will be there. But see how much it is hyped.

Many people do not know that IT can not happen overnight and it has its own constraints. So their prey is mainly people from non-IT area. The sad part is that once people realize the facts, they must have lost the money already. My view is that in such situation we should make the media accountable. But again they are very good at washing off their hands.


Gr8 work Sathya. Looks like TVM got the real development in all fields unlike other places in the country where mostly the real estate boom is goin on...
Many of the realtors are cheaters. They show beautiful perspectives and don't keep their promises. It seems one of the big real estate groups in kerala (ad with our great singer appears) have already cheated the customers...
......

[rajkrish]

Great work Sathya :worship:

Research Capital (Trivandrum)
World renowned institutions such as ISRO, VSSC, IIST,IISER,ORNL,C-DAC,RGBIT concentrating around one city may be an unique phenomenon. Thiruvananthapuram, one of the knowledge hubs of India is pioneer in Space Research, Advanced Computing, Cyber forensic, Bio Technology, Medical Imaging, Social sciences. Following gives a brief explanation of around 25 such research organizations in Trivandrum.

[Sathyalal]

Thanks Raj,



Accentia Technologies acquires two U.S. firms

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Accentia Technologies, at the Technopark campus here, has acquired two IT companies based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the United States (U.S.). The GRS Physicians Billing Services and the GRS Systems are both established brands in the U.S. health care insurance field.

With this acquisition, Accentia Technologies gains control over two entities that provide billing and collection services to over 600 hospitals, clinics and their insurance collaborators in the U.S.

Chief Executive Officer of Accentia Technologies Pradeep Viswambharan entered the IT industry with the establishment of Geosoft, a medical transcription company in Technopark, and later Iridium, a business process outsourcing firm.

Recently, after taking over the Mumbai-based Accentia Technologies, Mr. Viswambharan had merged Geosoft and Iridium with it to expand the capital base, which is expected to grow to Rs.100 crore during the current fiscal. “We expect to reach the target in 2007 itself, considering the value of the two U.S. companies acquired and some more acquisitions on the way,” Mr. Pradeep said.

Accentia Technologies plans to build its own campus in the State capital to provide employment to over 1,000 hands in the near future.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080857232100.htm

[robin]

Dear friends i have a doubt,smart city or the proposed techno city is bigger?
smart city_land area_250 acres,employment_90 thousand
technocity_land area_507 acres,employment_50 thousand to 1 lakh
what makes this difference in job oppertunity.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT POSITION OF THE PROPOSED TELECOM CITY

[Sathyalal]

Setting sail yet again
Thursday August 9 2007 09:15 IST
T'PURAM: The State Government on Wednesday floated fresh global tenders for the prestigious Vizhinjam Container Transshipment Project.

According to the new estimates, the initial project cost enveloping facilities and equipment is estimated to be Rs 2,390 crore. The firms are to submit bids by 4.30 pm on October 31 2007.

A consortium led by two Chinese firms had won the original bids in 2005, but was denied clearance by the Centre citing security concerns, forcing the state to think of fresh tenders.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the company formed by the state to develop external infrastructure for the project, has floated the fresh tenders, Law and Ports Minister M Vijayakumar said on Wednesday. VISL CEO and Ports Secretary L Radhakrishnan is the project licensor.

The port is planned in three phases, and once it is completed, mother ships of up to 12,000 TEUs can berth here. The 16-m depth available at the location would be increased to 18.7 m in a phased manner. The completed port is expected to handle 1.8 million containers a year.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) documents cost Rs 30,000, but those who had bid in 2005 can get them free. L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers Ltd are the technical consultants for the project. After the Centre had rejected the initial bid, the State Government, in April 2007, conducted an Investors’ Meet — the first for a single project — in Thiruvananthapuram that attracted 43 Indian and foreign firms.
Companies like the Russian Rosoboron which handles Russian defence deals, Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s Jupiter Infrastructure and Gammon India have shown interest in the project.


http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070808225406&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[Sathyalal]

It is interesting to see technopark's growth. Past 2 years it has added around 10000 people.

A four member delegation from Kuwait Finance House visited Technopark and held discussions with Senior Manager (Business Development) Technopark Mr. M. Vasudevan. The delegates included Mr.Ali O. Al-Ghannaam, Dept Manager-International Real Estate Dept; Mr. Abdul Naser A. Al-Subaih, Deputy Assistant GM-Investment Sector; Mr. Mohammad Jalal Uddin, Senior Investment Manager, International Real Estate Dept; Mr. Mathew Thomas, Investment Risk Manager, Investment Sector. They were highly impressed by Kerala and the Technopark campus and expressed their interest in investing in IT/ITES cos. in Kerala.

Source: Technopark News

Every year; we see claims from one of the most unclean cities about overtaking it(TP). But each time they are getting dissapointed. How many years will it take? 1, 2, 3, 4...
It is funny to see their frustruation to wrong target and the foul mouth resulted due to this.They must have used this against their corrupt local administration (also to their ministers) which is dumping money to black holes. Any way we have this fun treat occassionally.

We are all here to see the realities in IT, the facts(in numbers) happening in Kerala. Not going to run away. People can judge the credibilities by comparing the claims and real numbers

[Sathyalal]

ISRO is saving billions for India. Planning to go commercial too. Now India is the second country in the world with this technology.
Many of the research products are used in medical industry.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSCC), Thiruvananthapuram, has designed, developed and tested the scramjet as part of the ongoing work on air-breathing propulsion. VSSC demonstrated the scramjet for seven seconds at Mach 6 (six times the speed of sound) through a series of ground tests.

The complex air-breathing rockets under development use atmospheric oxygen during flight, while today's rockets carry both the oxygen and the fuel. As such they will be lighter, more efficient and cost some 15 times less than the conventional ones.

The next step would be to test it on ground at Sriharikota, enhance to Mach 10 and then on a Rohini sounding rocket, "which would be a major achievement," a spokesman said. An actual rocket using this technology would be at least 10 years away.

According to the release, "Other than US, which has recently carried out in-flight demonstration of supersonic combustion for a short duration (at a record Mach 10), work related to supersonic combustor designs in Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Europe and others are either in their initial or ground testing phase."

Current launchers cannot be re-used. The cost per kg of payload of such systems is a high $12,000-15,000 per kg. To make space transport more affordable, this cost has to be cut to $500-1,000 per kg. It will need both, a reusable and recoverable system and a more efficient propulsion system like air-breathing rockets. This is what space-faring nations are working at.

[Sathyalal]

Global tenders floated for international seaport project
Project cost estimated at $580 million

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The proposed deep-sea container terminal at Vizhinjam, near here, for which the facilitating agency has now floated global tenders, will have facilities for receiving the biggest ships currently transporting goods across the continents, according to Ports Minister M. Vijayakumar.

Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the company formed by the State Government as the nodal agency for the execution of this dream project of Kerala, floated global tenders for the project on Wednesday.

Mr. Vijayakumar said the port, at the completion of its first phase of development, would be able to receive ships of up to 8,000 TEU (Twenty Equivalent Units). The project is conceived in such a way that, in the subsequent phase of its development, ships of even 12,000 TEU could easily berth at the port. The biggest ships currently on the international sea routes do not exceed 9,500 TEU in capacity, he said.

The project cost is estimated at the level of $580 million (about Rs.2,390 crore). The Government had appointed a company called IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation as the strategic adviser for the project. The technical consultants for the project are L&T-RAMBOLL Consulting Engineers Limited, ROGGE Marine Consulting GMBH of Germany, RAMBOLL of Denmark and L&T Capital Company Limited.

Vizhinjam is located 8 km south of the State capital Thiruvananthapuram, on the west coast of the country. The biggest advantage of the location is its proximity to international shipping routes and the East-West shipping axis. The seabed here has a 20-metre contour depth within one nautical mile of the coast. The sea here has little littoral drift close to the coast and, therefore, requires hardly any maintenance dredging, Mr. Vijayakumar said.

Private developers have been advised to first assess their eligibility on the basis of the stipulations given in the ‘qualification criteria’ before obtaining the ‘request for proposal’ documents.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/10/stories/2007081054450400.htm

[Sathyalal]

New 50.2 crore studio at Kazhakkuttam, planning to inaugurate by October, Now Prasad lab(in the same Park) is doing 70% of post production work for Kerala Film industry.
Compact Disc to set up animation studio in Kerala
9 Aug, 2007, 1615 hrs IST, PTI

MUMBAI: Compact Disc on Thursday said it will set up an animation studio at the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) SEZ at an initial investment of 12.40 million dollars (nearly Rs 50.2 crore).

"This is a significant milestone for the Indian animation industry, as for the first time an integrated animation studio will enable producers to develop films at just one studio, Compact Disc Chairman Suresh Kumar informed BSE.

"Initially, we aim to develop three animation films in partnership with international media agencies and MNCs," he added.

The studio, with an initial capital of 12.40 million dollars and commencing by October, would be spread out over a space of 60,000 sq ft and would employ over 300 people, the animation Outsourcing company said.

The company has asked KINFRA Special Economic Zone (SEZ) authorities to provide space on lease rental basis for their incubation centre to start operations immediately.

KINFRA is India's first SEZ developed exclusively for animation and gaming.

Shares of the company were last trading at Rs 60.35, up 4.96 per cent on BSE.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Compact_Disc_to_set_up_animation_studio_in_Kerala/articleshow/2268450.cms

[Sathyalal]

Kerala's first Film City will be completed in this year itself.

70 acres of land..50 crore investment..

Work is progressing at good pace.

First phase- by the end of this year.

Includes production facilities.

Has got railway platforms, Markets, Play grounds, Convention centers.

Butterfly park in 2 acres

Fitness club. Telescope to view Kovalam beach


Prasad labs is currently doing 70 % of post production activities in Kerala.Vismayamax, Accel, Toonz etc. More world class studios are pouring in to Kazhakkuttam Park. Now Chithranjali; Permanent Venue for International Film Festival at Tagore Theater. What else you need to make the place Film & Animation Hub?

One important thing: Kinfra park should acquire more land because of the demand. Every month we are seeing one new international player.

http://www.keralakaumudi.com/news/pr...st10/page7.pdf

[Sathyalal]

Again back to research. Now it is Sree Chitra's turn

New heart valve being developed

Saturday August 11 2007 14:40 IST
T'URAM: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology is in the process of developing a new heart valve. This innovative valve will be MRI compatible and the clinical trials of this valve will begin next month.

This was disclosed by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology director Dr K. Mohandas while delivering the keynote address at the Inter-Media Publicity Co-ordination Committee meeting here on Friday. He said Vision 2020・envisages meeting 50 percent of the requirements of the Indian medical devices industry through indigenous production. For this, the biomedical technology wing of the institute would be adequately strengthened. Since its inception, the institute has filed 107 patents of which 62 technologies have already been developed and 21 technology transfers have been effected. For diseases causing movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, deep brain stimulation technique has proved to be very effective and the Sree Chitra Institute was one of the few institutions in the country providing this treatment, Dr K. Mohandas said.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070811041856&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[Sathyalal]

Queue for Work space, land for campuses, Commercial space, incubation centres and smart business centres are becoming long.. Here is more information. Is the gov sleeping?

http://www.technopark.org/landr.htm
http://www.technopark.org/spacer.htm
http://www.technopark.org/commercialr.htm
http://www.technopark.org/incubationr.htm
http://www.technopark.org/sbcrequestr.htm

[Sathyalal]

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Jaihind TV, a Malayalam channel, will be launched by Congress president Sonia Gandhi at a function in New Delhi on August 17.

Union Ministers A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi and P R Dasmunsi, senior Congress leaders and film star Mohanlal will attend the inauguration.

Jaihind's main studio will be at Kinfra Park at Kazhakkoottam near here

As part of the channel's launch, a cultural programme will be organised in Thiruvananthapuram on August 19.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Media__Entertainment_/Sonia_Gandhi_to_inaugurate_Jaihind_TV/articleshow/2276023.cms

[Sathyalal]

India plans to launch reusable rocket by 2010

A facility to study aspects of aerodynamics and related matters pertaining to the reusable launch vehicle is coming up in Thiruvananthapuram

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India_plans_to_launch_reusable_rocket_by_2010/articleshow/2277299.cms

[Sathyalal]

1. Just 16 months! New world class international terminal with steel and glass.
2. Piling is progressing at a fast pace
3. 200 people are working for 24 /7

http://www.keralakaumudi.com/news/pr...st13/page5.pdf

[Sathyalal]

Trivandrum Film & Video park. It has started attracting international majors.

Emerging leader for post-production services, animation studios and teleport facilities in the country.

75 Acre total area
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/2530/parkcenteriw0.jpg
25 Acre animation SEZ, First in the country
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8719/animationzonekr2.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6889/roadnx5.jpg
Prasad Video Labs has set up an advanced film processing lab.
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/3106/prasadlabswg7.jpg

A state-of-the-art studio facility for Vismaya max
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1382/vismayamaxpo5.jpg

Accel Transmatics had setup india’s first motion capture studio

Toonz, India’s most advanced studio has set up animation school

[Sathyalal]

Ananthapuri hospital
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/3664/ananthapurila7.jpg

[rajkrish]

Great updates Sathya.:tup:

[sudheeshnairs]

Columbia Asia is an international company engaged in the delivery of modern healthcare services across Asia. The company currently has operations and developments in Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. In India they have two hospitals, at Bangalore and Kolkata.

http://www.columbiaasia.com/

Now entering Trivandrum, at Akkulam lake front, NH Bypass.

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9544/dsc04228al7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2442/dsc04229nh0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Sathyalal]

Fountain inside Film & video Park office

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1743/fountainyc2.jpg

[Sathyalal]

Film & Video Park
A small building can be seen left. This is Jai Hind TVs temporary office. They are constructing their own campus.

http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/9642/jaihindod7.jpg

[Sathyalal]

Kesavadasapuram Jn

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7263/kesavadasapuramcirclesj3.jpg

http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/977/kesavadasapuram1ba0.jpg

Museum Jn
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6948/museumjnax4.jpg

[Sathyalal]

Apart from the cost advantage, Kerala has a large talent pool which is critical for the growth of the people-intensive software industry,” said Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO and Managing Director, Infosys Technologies, which has facilities in Technopark, Thiruvanathapuram.

“Cost of doing business in terms of infrastructure and other expenses in Thiruvananthapuram works out to 60 per cent of that in Bangalore,” says Mr N. Radhakrishnan Nair, CEO, Technopark, the oldest IT park in the country.

Looking ahead, more IT companies are likely to go in for large-scale recruitment. Infosys plans to invest Rs 306 crore to build its own campus in Thiruvanathapuram, which will further create 8,000 jobs. It now operates from a leased premises.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/20/stories/2007082051450200.htm

[Sathyalal]

The new IISc would come up in Thiruvananthapuram and Bhopal, while three new IITs have been allotted to Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, Rao, a former Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, said.

Each IISc has a budget of Rs 500 crore.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/070818/20/6jm18.html

[Sathyalal]

One more view of Museum Jn
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/7277/museumjnviewfu4.jpg

[Sathyalal]

Some of the technopark buildings(top parts) are visible from Film & Video Park. The distance between them is around 4 kms
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/1318/tpviewgi3.jpg

[Sathyalal]

Nerve centre

The VSSC, the nerve centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has built the three-stage GSLV-F02, which is 49 metre-tall and weighs 414 tonnes.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/22/stories/2007082254771500.htm

[Sathyalal]

NEW DELHI: After real estate major Emaar and Nakheel, it was the turn of another Dubai-based infrastructure giant SS Lootah group to enter the Indian market. The multi billion dollar, privately held company has decided to enter the real estate, infrastructure and IT sector of the country.

The group has acquired an IT company, with 600 employees, in Thiruvananthapuram and the deal is likely to be announced in a couple of days. Vice-chairman of the group Yahya Bin Saeed Al-Lootah said that India will be the gateway to invest in the East Asian Market.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Lootah_to_enter_Indian_realty_mart/articleshow/2299150.cms

[Sathyalal]

No surprises. It is natural.

College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, the most sought-after Government college.
For the MBBS programme, Medical College Thiruvananthapuram was the top choice
For the BDS course, Dental College Thiruvananthapuram was the top choice among students

Among self-financing colleges under the Government, Sree Chithira Thirunal College, Pappanamcode, and the Model Engineering College, Thripunithura, were among the most preferred colleges.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/22/stories/2007082260320500.htm

[Sathyalal]

IITM-K is shadowed by India’s best Bio-technology ,Space and Science Institutes in the town. Now it is planning high-end programs targeting the professionals.

Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K) has kicked off plans to open its doors for professionals working for different companies situated in Technopark.

A decision to go on an open mode was taken at a meeting of the board of directors of the IIITM-K, headed by S Gopalakrishnan, chairman, Infosys Technologies.
The institute plans to offer courses in the areas of theoretical and applied computer science like software engineering, IT, GIS and geoinformatics, information sciences and knowledge management, mathematical foundations of IT, signals systems and signal processing, control theory, e-governance and web-technologies.

http://www.business-standard.com/strategist/storypage.php?leftnm=6&subLeft=8&chklogin=N&autono=295326&tab=r

[Sathyalal]

Eyeing a foothold overseas with a focus on services for medical value travellers, Thiruvananthapuram-based Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) is working on a five-year plan to develop centres in international destinations.
...

According to him, there has been a marked increase in medical travellers to India and KIMS too has benefited. "Last year, we had as many as 19,700 medical value travel patients.
http://www.business-standard.com/compindustry/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu1&subLeft=1&autono=295336&tab=r

[Subin]

Pyramid Saimira Theatre limited (PSTL); India’s largest Theatre Chain Company has announced that they will set an I Max theatre in the capital city, in a short while. The announcement was made by the chairman of PSTL Mr Natarajan, in the launch function of their first production in Malayalam.

PSTL is currently India’s largest theatre chain with over 371 screens under management across South India. The company which has more than 2.41 lakh seats per show is planning to increase its presence manifold, by acquiring 1,550 locations across India with over 2000 screens by 2010.

Source :http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/m...cle/33154.html

Trivandrum city currently has close to 17 releasing theaters, which is much higher than 3-4 releasing theaters present in the marshy city of Kerala :D

[rajkrish]

Great updates Sathya

@Subin. You are right. Here things happen without any hype.

Source :http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/m...cle/33154.html

Trivandrum city currently has close to 17 releasing theaters, which is much higher than 3-4 releasing theaters present in the marshy city of Kerala :D

[Sathyalal]

More from Trivandrum Club
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/210/tc1vy2.jpg
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/4748/tc2kn2.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/3500/tc3xr1.jpg

[rajkrish]

Minister for Ports M. Vijayakumar has said that the response to the global tender recently floated by the State Government for the deepwater container transhipment terminal at Vizhinjam, near here, has been encouraging. He was inaugurating the corporate office of Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the company constituted by the Government to oversee the execution of the project. Mr. Vijayakumar said 14 tenders, including five from international entities, had been received by VISL so far. Its known that majors like Dubai Ports World, Maersk have submitted tenders.:cheers:

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/23/stories/2007082362230300.htm

[rajkrish]

KGA group planning a 300 crore resort at kovalam and a 200cr hotel cum shopping complex at palayam. :cheers:

http://www.mangalam.com/cgi-bin/newsviewframe.cgi?adcount=8&category=mainnews&code=333269

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=13227