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NDTV
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
From Screen To Classroom: How A Malayalam Movie Inspired A Kerala School's Innovative Seating
A government school in Kerala has caught national attention for reshaping classroom dynamics, quite literally. Moving away from the age-old idea of "backbenchers," Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, Kollam, has introduced a new seating system where every student sits in the front row, reports PTI. Seats are now placed along all four walls of the classroom, ensuring equal visibility and access to the teacher for each child. The idea was sparked by a scene from the recent Malayalam film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, where a Class 7 student proposes the layout after being mocked for sitting at the back. "It was his experience of being insulted sitting on the backbench that gave him such an idea. I never thought it would get such attention. It is not an idea created by us, but we did have such a seating arrangement earlier in classrooms, as part of the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP), and we had lost it somewhere in between," Vinesh Viswanathan, director of the film, told PTI. "I got a message that a school in Punjab has also adopted it after the principal saw the movie on the OTT platform. He also screened the movie for the students. I am happy that it got national attention," he added. The model gained early support from Kerala's Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar, whose family runs RMVHSS. Having previewed the film a year before its release, the Minister initiated discussions with the school staff and introduced the new layout in one primary class. The results were so encouraging that the system is now in place across all lower primary sections of the school. Sunil P. Sekhar, the headmaster, said that it allows them to give equal attention to every child and breaks the stereotype of backbenchers being neglected or distracted. "I am able to attend to each of the students in the classroom and give better care to each of them. The students are also happy as they see the faces of all students in the classroom and pay close attention to the teacher," said veteran teacher Meera, who has nearly 30 years of experience. The concept has now spread to at least eight other schools in Kerala and is also being noticed by educators elsewhere in India. While some critics on social media question its feasibility in overcrowded classrooms, Viswanathan counters that such conditions go against school norms, and authorities are taking note. Interestingly, Anand Mahindra even reacted positively to the idea on social media, calling it a welcome move, despite admitting he is fond of the "backbencher" identity. As RVHSS celebrates former student G. P. Nandana's remarkable feat, securing rank 2 in Kerala and 47 nationwide in the Civil Services Exam, it is also earning praise for this bold and thoughtful innovation in education.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Kerala Water Transport department to launch Kuttanad Safari boat tour in Alappuzha
The State Water Transport Department (SWTD) in Kerala is set to launch Kuttanad Safari, a tourism boat service that will connect various destinations across the region. As part of implementing the project, Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar visited Pathiramanal island in Muhamma grama panchayat on Tuesday. Mr. Kumar said Kuttanad Safari would be modelled after the popular desert safaris in Gulf countries. 'The project will be implemented in such a way that tourists can experience the entire scenic beauty of Kuttanad in a single boat journey, much like a desert safari,' he said. The journey will begin from Alappuzha boat jetty at 11 a.m., with the first stop at the Nehru Trophy finishing point. From there, the cruise will continue through the Azhikkal canal, where tourists will be served a traditional breakfast featuring local flavours. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe and try their hand at traditional coir making, palm frond weaving and mat weaving. Handcrafted items such as palm-frond hats, winnowing baskets, and mats will be available for purchase. An artist will be onboard to sketch portraits of tourists and offer them as keepsakes. The safari will then take visitors past real chundan vallams (snakeboats) and offer close-up views of the stunning Kuttanadan landscape, including insights into the formation of the C Block and R Block regions. Upon reaching R Block, a traditional Kuttanadan lunch will be served, featuring a blend of backwater delicacies and toddy shop specialities, including locally brewed toddy. During the trip, cultural performances such as panchavadyam, shinkari melam, velakali, and kuthiyottam will be staged onboard. By evening, the boat will reach Pathiramanal island, where traditional art forms will be staged at an eco-friendly amphitheatre made of sustainable materials. On the return journey to Alappuzha, tourists can watch clam harvesting and processing in the backwaters. They will also have the opportunity to shop for Alappuzha's signature products at floating stores. The safari will conclude at Alappuzha boat jetty at 5 p.m. 'Kuttanad is a rich cultural hub, home to various art forms and folk traditions. The package will allow tourists to experience them up close. Efforts are underway to make the project a reality before the upcoming session of the Legislative Assembly,' Mr. Ganesh said, adding that discussions have already been held with Indian Oil Corporation regarding sponsorship of the amphitheatre. The package will be linked with Kerala State Road Transport Corportaion's budget tourism scheme.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Service cancellations in KSRTC dropped after redeployment of employees, says Minister
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has witnessed a significant drop in service cancellations with redeployment of employees, Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar has said. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday (June 24, 2025), the Minister said 100 more buses will be operational in the State, and employees with health issues will be transferred to office work as per the doctors' advice, he said. The Corporation is planning to conduct an adalat to hear on minor offences committed by employees. Stating that inquiry counters in KSRTC depots will be discontinued, Mr. Ganesh Kumar said passengers will get all the information regarding KSRTC buses by downloading KSRTC Chalo App. He said that KSRTC card is now gaining wider acceptance. About eighty thousand cards have been distributed so far. Similarly, the Minister said that a new digital concession card for students will be launched soon. Students from Classes I to XII can use the card to travel on specific routes for 25 days in a month. Old landline phones will be replaced with mobile phones at all depots. 'Since they are smartphones, complaints can also be submitted through WhatsApp,'' the Minister said. Stating that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will decide the schedule of buses in the future, he said the applications have been invited to develop software for this. He also said the buses will not conduct services if there are no passengers, he said.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Fitness certificates issued to nearly 200 school buses in Kozhikode city
The Motor Vehicles department (MVD) has completed the fitness check of 190 school buses in Kozhikode city limits ahead of the reopening of schools. Fitness certificates were rejected for around 20 vehicles which were not found fitted with Geographical Positioning System (GPS) under the fresh safety guidelines. MVD officials said the certificates were granted only after inspecting several factors including the condition of seating, tyres, speed governors, and emergency exits. Re-inspection of the buses that were not given fitness certificates would be held on Saturday, they added. The fitness check was launched in Kozhikode district after offering a one-day mandatory training session for all educational institution vehicle drivers. Instructions had already been issued to school managements about the training session and the decision to keep untrained drivers away from the job in the new academic year. MVD officials said the directive to fix surveillance cameras in school buses would be implemented from September. School managements would be given time till the last week of August to make the necessary arrangements as per the order issued by Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. Appointment of door attenders, emergency firefighting equipment and a register carrying the details of all travellers would be made mandatory from the new academic year. All schools would be responsible for appointing a teacher separately to take care of the school bus services and the related safety issues. Police sources said inspections to track speed limit violations and footboard journeys, and violation of the permitted seating capacity would be intensified to enforce safety norms. Combined flash inspections with the support of MVD squads would be carried out in all parts of the district, they added.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
PPP project under consideration to develop KSRTC's Thamarassery depot
A public private partnership (PPP) project is under consideration for the development of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) Thamarassery depot in Kozhikode district as part of improving the rural and inter-district services. Preparation of the masterplan will begin soon, which will also address the immediate renovation requirements. Action comes in the wake of a discussion initiated recently by M.K. Muneer, MLA, and local administrators with Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. A team of experts comprising architects, people's representatives, and officials representing the Public Works department has already visited the proposed spot to understand the requirements and plans suitable for speedy execution. To improve revenue KSRTC officials said the depot, located in a one-acre spread compound, can be developed with superior facilities for the passengers and the bus crew to improve the corporation's revenue from the rural area. They also said that the depot is now managing over 30 successful services with limited staff amid all development crises, including very old buildings and pending renovation works. Thamarassery grama panchayat authorities said that the Thamarassery depot stands second in generating better income from rural bus services in the district. According to them, there were initially over 40 services which were cut short citing shortage of conductors and drivers. The depot is now functioning in a 45-year old building, they added. 'Our proposal is to approve a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) project in PPP model, which can be implemented within a year if the State government and the KSRTC are extending full cooperation. A two-storey building with underground workshop for maintenance works is what we seek with the finalisation of the masterplan,' said Thamarassery grama panchayat president A. Aravindan. He also hopes that corporate social responsibility funds from some organisations will further support the project. Services reinstated Following the local administrators' request, some of the previously suspended long distance services to Thiruvananthapuram and Guruvayur had been reinstated at the depot. The KSRTC officials said the shortage of about 25 drivers also should be addressed to resume some of the previously stopped rural services at the earliest.
