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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kerala Khadi Board set to launch eco-friendly advocates' coats
KOZHIKODE: The Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board is set to launch a new line of eco-friendly advocates' coats next month. The initiative will be introduced in the state first and then likely be expanded to other parts of the country in the coming months. The official launch of the khadi advocates' coat will be held at St Teresa's College in Ernakulam on August 19. Industries Minister P Rajeeve will inaugurate the initiative by presenting the first coat to Kerala Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup K. The event will coincide with the launch of the Khadi Board's Onam collection. The concept was inspired by the board's success in introducing khadi coats for doctors and nurses in government medical institutions. 'Following the launch of khadi overcoats for medical professionals, the Directorate of Medical Education issued a circular recommending their use in all government medical, dental and nursing colleges. The Medical Commission of India too supported the initiative. This encouraged us to explore similar attire for advocates,' said Khadi Board secretary K A Ratheesh. P Jayarajan, the vice-chairman of the board, and Ratheesh had met the AG on July 15 to discuss the feasibility of adopting khadi, a fabric known for its low carbon footprint, for advocates. In a discussion, the board officials highlighted the practical and health-related benefits of using khadi. 'Black coats traditionally worn by advocates can get extremely uncomfortable during summer and may lead to skin issues. Khadi, on the other hand, is breathable, skin-friendly and suitable for all weather conditions,' Ratheesh said. Meanwhile, a fashion show, showcasing the board's new line of digitally printed sarees and full Onam collection, will be held in collaboration with the fashion technology department of St Teresa's College on August 19. The Khadi Onam rebate sale will be held from August 1 to September 4, under the slogan 'Enikkum Venam Khadi' (I too want khadi). To promote sales, the board has announced customer rewards worth `25 lakh. Prizes include an electric car, 14 electric scooters, and Rs 5,000 cash awards for 50 customers, all to be distributed through a lucky draw.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Reading Week in Kerala: This Kochi school got grandmothers to school as storytellers
For 76-year-old Monica Thomas, a retired professor of St Teresa's College, Kochi, the visit to Rajagiri Kindergarten, a part of Rajagiri Public School, Kalamassery, was a step back in time. 'It was an interaction with children after so many years. So when I got a chance I was excited to go to the event. My primary motive was to spend some time in the company of the little children. I didn't know how they would find the storytelling. But they responded very well and so I am very happy!' says Monica who retired in 2004. She was among the handful of grandmothers invited to the school as part of their Reading Week celebrations. Vayana Vaaram or Reading Week is held in Kerala every year for a week from June 19 to commemorate the death anniversary of PN Panicker, considered the father of the library movement in Kerala. This year, rather than having regular activities, the school decided to approach the day differently. 'The children are way too young to read. Since the school has just opened, going to the library or reading was not possible for them. So we thought of celebrating the occasion in a unique way and that was when we decided to get the grandparents involved. Grandmothers, especially, are a treasure trove of stories. Also, we wanted the grandparents to feel important,' says Shini Cyriac, headmistress of Rajagiri Kindergarten. It was an idea that the grandmothers enthusiastically embraced. The takeaway for each grandmother has been different; but they are unanimous in their opinion that schools should have more such events that involve grandparents rather than just have them over as guests. 'Involving grandmothers is nice; it introduces a softer, comforting presence that most of us grandmothers tend to be,' says Sheela Joseph, 62, a homemaker. Sheela's grandson is an LKG student. The grandchildren of these women were not part of their sessions. 'I did not want them to be in their own grandmother's storytelling session because they anyway get to do that at home,' says Shini. The storytelling session was organised primarily for UKG students. Though the stories could be narrated either in Malayalam or English, most grandmothers stuck to English and stories with a takeaway. While some grandmothers needed prep, there were others for whom the activity was an extension of what they were anyway doing. However, a challenge for these grandmothers was finding the stories because the children were familiar with most of the stories. Some others, like Kottayam-based Shaila Kuruvilla, 62, tweaked their stories in order to 'stay with the times'. In her telling of Hansel and Gretel, she toned down the part about the evil stepmother. 'I felt that sends a wrong message, because one does not know what the situation of a child at home would be. And I made it a story about stranger danger, not wandering away from parents, rather than the witch and all of it. But one child knew the story and said that there was a witch and even asked about the evil stepmother!' She is impressed by the children's awareness that a rude person is not a good person. Although she has some teaching experience with high schoolers and college students, being around little children and their innocence was 'refreshing', she says. 'What was interesting for us was the way the children responded with so much enthusiasm. The little ones enjoyed it so much, they were enraptured and the grandmothers too because the kids were of the same age or closer in age as their grandchildren,' says Shini. A grandmother herself, to a three-year old who lives abroad, it was a vicarious experience for her, 'I am not able to tell her stories, but I could do this here!' For 65-year-old Pushpa Mohan, a homemaker, this was a first. Although she drops and picks up her grandchild from school, the activity was new. 'It was a good experience, especially at this age. Telling our grandchildren stories is something most grandparents enjoy. Of course, I had prepared for the special day! I am happy that the kids responded well to my story.' What Lucy Tharian liked was how the children interacted with her. 'My story was about the monkey and tortoise, which I peppered with questions. I wanted the session to be interactive and fun. So, when I asked, 'What do you think happened?', the children chimed in with 'You are only asking questions and not telling the story!'' Lucy says laughing at the memory. Will this be an annual activity? Shini says the response has been tremendous and the kindergarten plans to have a repeat, with more grandparents, for Children's Day.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Reading Week events in Kochi begin today
Kochi: As Kerala is set to celebrate Vayanadhinam (National Reading Day) on Thursday to commemorate the legacy of K N Panicker, who is known as the father of library movement in India, educational institutions in the city have decided to conduct a series of activities to mark the day and subsequent Reading Week activities. Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) will organize Reading Week from June 19 to 25. The function will be inaugurated by writer Vijayarajamallika at Cusat Senate Hall at 1.30pm on Thursday. At St Teresa's College, a seminar on the topic 'Pennezhuthum Vayanayum' will be inaugurated by writer Thanuja Bhattathiri on Thursday. Several schools in the city are also celebrating National Reading Day. Global Public School, Thiruvaniyoor, hosted a Reader's Day session led by author Vinitha Ramchandani on Wednesday. District-level inauguration of Vayanadhinam, organized jointly by district library council, department of information and public relations and PN Panicker Foundation, will be held at Ernakulam Govt Girls High School at 9.30am on Thursday. District collector NSK Umesh will preside over the event.
New Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
In 100th year, St Teresa's plans grand tribute to basketball legacy in Kochi
KOCHI: As St Teresa's College marks 100 years, the institution is turning the spotlight on a glorious chapter from its past — the years it dominated women's basketball in Kerala. The physical education department of the Kochi-based college is leading a nostalgic celebration, bringing back the players, coaches, and the spirit that once made it a powerhouse on and off the court. At the heart of this tribute is coach Maya Joseph Vithayathil — a former Kerala athlete and the woman behind the rise of St Teresa's in basketball. From 1968 to 2002, she built a team that not only swept MG University championships but also produced athletes who would go on to represent the state and the country. 'Back then, teams would hesitate to face us,' Maya tells TNIE. 'We were consistent, aggressive, and passionate — and we created a strong pool of talent for Kerala and India.' Her wards included Prasanna Kumari, the first Keralite to captain the national women's basketball team, and Raji Thampi, who led Kerala to its first-ever win in the senior national championship in 1984-85. To mark the centenary, over 250 former athletes of the college will take part in a symbolic 'star walk' on June 11 — from the main academic block on Park Avenue to the science block on T D Road. The celebration also includes a veterans' tournament and an exhibition match featuring former players. For Prasanna Kumari, returning to the campus is emotional. 'That court gave us everything. We weren't just a team — we were a movement,' she says. 'Maya miss was more than a coach. Her drive shaped our lives. I went on to play for 27 years and now I coach — that's how deep the impact runs.'
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi college teacher's homely restaurant is a foodie's delight
In a city like Kochi, where restaurants tirelessly compete to stand out, serving everything from fusion and pan-asian to continental, Mediterranean, and niche global cuisines, there's a quiet corner in Mulavukad, just a kilometre from Bolgatty, that chooses to walk a different path. At 'Jency's Good Food', the goal isn't to dazzle with trends but to comfort with simplicity. Here, the mantra is clear: 'Simple is key'. Rooted in authentic Kerala cuisine, Jency's Good Food doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it brings food that feels like home to the table. 'There's a market for everything unique, sure. But how long can someone keep eating unfamiliar dishes? For most Malayalis, the familiar taste of naadan cuisine is something they can have every day. That's the purpose of food, right? The idea was to serve something people can come back to daily,' says founder Jency Treesa. A passionate home cook turned entrepreneur, Jency also serves as an assistant professor in commerce at St Teresa's College (Autonomous), Ernakulam, and is a research guide under MG University. Despite her academic commitments, she took the step toward fulfilling a long-held dream. 'Starting a restaurant was always in the back of my mind. Growing up with three brothers, we all used to cook when we wanted to recreate dishes we tasted outside. But with my teaching profession, I wasn't sure I could manage it all. Thankfully, my college management was very supportive, and finally, I made it happen.' Before launching the restaurant, Jency had already dipped her toes into the food business with homemade syrups — like naruneendi, beetroot, and carrot — as well as meat masala and sambar powder, all made fresh at home. The occasional catering gigs gave me the idea of serving larger groups and the confidence to scale up. The positive feedback I got during those times really gave me the push to start Good Food,' she adds. As I stepped into the cosy, welcoming space she curated, it felt more like entering someone's home than a restaurant. That's exactly what Jency envisioned — 'like dining at your family table.' The meal began with appam — light, fluffy in the centre with lacy edges so delicate, it's easy to lose count of how many you eat. Paired with it were two standout dishes, prawns in thick masala and Eri pollichathu. The Eri — slightly fried and coated in a spicy, tangy blend — was flaky and moist in just the right way. The prawns were generously sized, juicy, and bursting with flavour. According to Jency, on her menu, the showstopper is the pork fry. 'I have repeat customers mainly for pork.' Made with a base of onion, turmeric, and a ginger-garlic paste, what sets it apart is the dominant peppery note that elevates the dish. Fatty, flavorful, and crisp around the edges, it paired perfectly with the rice meals served. To round off the meal, I tried the naruneendi juice. Its refreshing earthiness felt cleansing — a perfect finish to a hearty lunch. What stands out across all dishes is the careful use of ingredients, most of which are freshly ground by Jency herself. Nothing feels heavy or overdone. The venture has live counters set outside, which start around 6.30pm. They also cater to customised orders, bringing a personalised experience to an event.
