Tuesday, 9 September 2008

A KNOW-HOW ON IMPORTANT POLITICAL PERSONALITIES OF KERALA






















Sri. V.S.ACHUTHANANDAN-THE HONOURABLE CHIEF MINISTER OF KERALA


PORTFOLIOS
General Administration, All India Services, Planning and Economic Affairs, Science, Technology, Information Technology, Scientific Institutes, Personnel & Adminstrative Reforms, Elections, Adminstration of Civil & Criminal Justice, , Sainik Welfare, Distress Relief, State Hospitality,Airports, Inter State River Transports, Information & Public Relations, Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department, Subjects not mentioned elsewhere.

PROFILE
Son of Shri Sankaran and Smt. Accamma; born on 20th October 1923, Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan,is a Communist politician, Polit Bureau member of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) since 1985. He is popularly known as "Comrade VS". VS had to give up his studies after finishing VII standard. He entered into the world of politics through Trade Union activities and joined State Congress in 1938. Like many young men of his age, he became disillusioned with the policies and politics of the Congress and became a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1940. He was imprisoned for five years and six months during Freedom Struggle period and has gone under-ground for four and half years in his struggled political career. He was active in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising. He was one among the 32 comrades who left the CPI National Council in 1964 to form the CPI(M). Achuthanandan had served many postitions in long political career. He was the Kerala State Secretary of the CPI(M) between 1980 and 1992 and he became the member of the Polit Bureau since 1985. He was also active in parliamentary politics as he became the member of Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1967, 1970, 1991, 2001 and 2006. He was the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1992 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006.

Now Elected From Malampuzha Constituency

Languages known : Malayalam and English
Wife : Smt. K. Vasumathy
Children : 1 son and 1 daughter
Travels abroad : Russia, China, Mangolia and United Kingdom.
Hobbies : Reading

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No.141,Third Floor,
North Block, Govt. Secretariat, Tvm 1.
Thiruvananthapuram 1
Ph.0471- 2333812,
2333682,2332148,
2332184, 2333591, 2333610
Fax. 0471-2333489

RESIDENCE
Cliff House, Nanathancode, Thiruvananthapuram - 3
Phone : 0471 - 2314853, 2318406

PERMANANT ADDRESS
Velikkakathu House, Punnapra North P.O., Alappuzha -4



Sri. M A Baby

PORTFOLIOS
General Education, Collegiate Education, Technical Education, Universities except Agricultural University, Entrance Examinations, Literacy Movement, National Cadet Corps, Cultural Affairs, Archives and Archaeology, Museum & Zoos, Kerala State Film Development Corporation.

PROFILE
Son of Shri. P.M.Alexander and Smt.Lilly Alexander, born on April 5, 1954, completed BA degree course in Political Science. Baby could not write the final year examination, and during emergency after having been arrested under DIR and jailed, he abandoned formal education. Baby entered in politics through Kerala Students Federation, the predecessor of Student Federation of India, while Studying at NSS high school Prakkulam. Held many responsible positions in Student Federation of India, Democratic Youth Federation of India, and CPI (M). Imprisoned and tortured during Emergency. Elected to Rajysabha at the age of 32 and became one of the youngest members of Rajya Sabha.
Achievements
Member in the Preparatory Committee of World Federation of Democratic Youth in the year 1978
Active Participant in the formation of Cuban Solidarity Movement Represented India in the General Assembly of United Nations in the year 1997, Jana Munnetta Yatra which traveled over 500 km by foot. Participated and led many student and youth struggles, including activities against emergency.

PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of Birth : April 5, 1954
Birthplace : Prakkulam
Father : P M Alexander
Mother : Lilly Alexander

EDUCATION
Primary and UP School : Prakkulam LP School
High School : NSS High School, Prakkulam
College : SN College, Kollam
Educational Qualifications : Completed BA degree course in Political Science
Extra Curricular Activities : Participated in many Reading, Debates, Essay Competitions, elocution Competitions and winner of much recognition.
Football and Badminton Player
Areas of interest : Reading,
Languages known : Malayalam, English and Hindi (partially)
Wife : Betty Louis
Son : Ashok Betty Nelson

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No.208, Second Floor,
North Sandwich Block,
Govt. Secretariat, Tthiruvananthapuram 1.
Ph. 0471 - 2327759, 2327561

RESIDENCE
Ushus
Cliff House Compound
Nanthancode, Thiruvananthapuram - 3
Phone : 0471 - 2725671, 2725673

PERMANANT ADDRESS
A 4, AKG Quarters, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Phone Numbers 0471-2305731 (O)
0471-2468822 (R)
9447163453





Sri. KODIYERI BALAKRISHNAN


PORTFOLIOS
Home, Fireservices, Jails, Tourism, Vigilance, Integration

PROFILE
Son of Shri Kunhunni Kurup and Smt. Narrayani Amma; born at Kodiyeri on 16th November 1953; B.A.; Social, political and Trade Union Worker.

Entered Politics while a student; was an active worker of SFI; served as State Secretary, SFI. (1973-79 and Joint Secretary, SFI National Committee; was, President, DYFI, Kannur District Committee; Secretary, CITU Area Committee; Secretary, Toddy Tappers Union, Thalassey Range; Secretary, Lorry Drivers and Cleaners Union, Thalassery; Joint Secretary, Karshaka Sangham State Committee; Secretary, CPI (M) Kannur District Committee. Founder President of Thalassery Co-operative Hospital and Thalassery Co-operative Press; arrested under MISA and imprisoned for 16 months during the period of Emergency. Now CPI (M) State Secretariat Member; CPI (M) Parliamentary Party Deputy Leader.Previously elected to KLA in 1982 , 1987 and 2001. Now elected from Tellichery

Language known : Malayalam, English and Hindi
Wife : Smt. S.R. Vinodini
Children : 2 sons
Travels abroad : China, Cuba, UAE, Oman and Bahrain.
Hobby : Reading

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No.216, Third Floor,
North Sandwich Block,
Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 1.
Ph. 0471- 2327976, 2327876

RESIDENCE
Munmohan Bunglow
Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram - 3
Phone: 0471 -2 2727842, 2727882

PERMANANT ADDRESS
Mottemal House
Moozhikkara P.O.,
Kannur.





Sri. A. K. BALAN

PORTFOLIOS
Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, Electricity

PROFILE
CPI-M Kuzhalmannam

Son of Shri. Kelappan and Smt. Kunhi; born at Nadapuram on 3rd August 1948; B.A., LLB; Advocate; Social and Political Worker.

Entered Politics through students movement; was the President and the Secretary of SFI State Committee; College Union Chairman, Brannan College, Thalassery (1973-74); Member, Calicut University Senate (1975-76); Actively participated in the strike for shift system in Colleges and for Thalassery University Centre; took lead in Nadapurram Thottilpalam – Thottukod Surplus land Agitation and imprisoned for 30 days in Kannur Central Prison. Elected to Lok Sabha from Ottapalam Constituency (1980-85); Member, Estimates Committee, Lok Sabha (1982 – 84); was first president of the district council, Palakkad (1990-92); served as Chairman, Kerala State Financial enterprises (1996-2001). Previously elected from Kuzhalmannam 2001

Now, Palakkad District Secretary, State Vice-President and National Working Committee Member of CITU; Member CPI (M) State Committee.

Languages known : Malayalam and English
Wife : Dr. P.K. Jameela
Children : 2 sons
Hobbies : Reading, Plamistry, Magic, etc
Literary activities : Writing Articles in Magazines and Dailies

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 731
Ground Floor. Speakers Old Chamber
Govt. Secretariate, Thiruvananthapuram - 1
Ph; 0471-2335766, 2328440

RESIDENCE
Prasanth
Nanthancode
Thiruvananthapuram-3
Ph : 0471- 2313347,2312329

PERMANANT ADDRESS
Janani, Parakunnam, Palakkad – 678 001

Sri. BINOY VISWAM

PORTFOLIOS
Forest, Wild life protection,Environment, Housing

PROFILE
Son of Shri C.K. Viswanathan, Veteran Communist Leader and Ex-MLA and Smt. C.K. Omana; born at Vaikom on 25th November 1955; B.A. LLB; Writer; Political, Cultural and Trade union Worker.

Entered Politics through AISF; was AISF. Unit Secretary, Vaikom Government Boys High School; State President and All India Secretary of AISF; State Secretary, AIYF; served as Vice President, World Federation of Democratic youth and Head of its Asia Pacific Commission; Became CPI member at the age of 18; was Member, National Council of CPI (1992-98).

Served as Union Chairman, St. Paul’s College, Kalamassery; Member Krala University Union; Syndicate member, Cochin University of Science and Technology; Senate Member, Kerala Agricultural University; Director Board Member, KTDC.

Received several prizes in Elocution and Essay writings in University Youth festivals and Intercollegiate debates; Won ‘Ambassador of Friendship Among World Youth’ award instituted by the ‘Young Communist League’ of Soviet Union; also received ‘Banner of Youth Unity’, and ‘Diploma’ awarded by World Youth Federation.

Now working as Secretary, AITUC. Kerala State Committee; Editor, ‘Trade Union Magazine’ Published by AITUC; former Editorial Board Member, CPI State Executive; State office bearer of various Trade Union including Kerala State Transport Employees Union and All Kerala Milma Officers Federation.

Previously elected from Nadapuram in 2001.

Language known Malayalam and English

Wife Smt. Shyla C. George

Children 2 daughter

Travels abroad Visited 76 countries in Asia, Africa,

Europe and Latin America

Literary activities Was Editor, ‘Janayugam’ Kozhikode Edition. Now Editor, Trade Union Masika; written articles in English and Malayalam giving emphasis to the current Socio – Political issues; translated poems from foreign literature. published translated articles and speeches of Ho-Chi-Min and a book by Georgey Dimitrov.

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No.501, Fifth Floor,
Secretariat Annexe, Thiruvananthapuram 1.
Ph.0471 - 2335366, 2326677

RESIDENCE
Nest
Cliff House Compound, Nanthancode, Thiruvananthapuram 3
Ph: 0471 - 2312330, 2312331

PERMANANT ADDRESS
Muthuchippy
Thndayadu,
Kozhikode, Pin-673 016



Shri. C. Divakaran

PORTFOLIOS
Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer Protection, Dairy Developments, Milk Co-operatives, Animal Husbandry

PROFILE
Son of Shri. C.K. Shivarama Panikkar and Ammukuttyamma; born at Manacaud in Thiruvananthapuram on 1945 March 29; B.A., B.Ed.

Joined CPI in 1964 and became a fulltime trade union leader. He was a teacher earlier and resigned the profession for joining fulltime politics. Jailed in connection with Job or Jail agitation. Serving as CPI National council member, CPI State secretariat member; AITUC State General Secretary, National Vice President.

Wife – Hemalatha (PRO, Sree Chitra Medical Centre), Children – 2, Travels abroad – China, Germany., Permanent Address – Deepam, Thottam, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram.

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 131,
Second Floor, North Block
Govt. Secretariat,
Thiruvananthapuram 1
Ph: 0471- 2333254, 2333294

RESIDENCE
Xanadu
Vazhuthacaud,
Thiruvananthapuram 14
Ph. 0471- 2325200, 2322415


Shri.P.K. Gurudasan


PORTFOLIOS
Labour, Employment and Training, Rehabilitation, Factories and boilers, Insurance Medical Services, Industrial Tribunals, Excise, Cashew Industry, Labour Courts.

PROFILE
Son of Krishnan and Yesodha born on 1935 July 10 at Paravoor in Kollam District. After completing his school and college education joined in the communist party at the age of 19. When CPI (M) was formed in 1964 became the first secretary of the Chathannoor area committee. Jailed during the emergency period for 19 months in Poojappura Central Prison; a veteran trade union activist and leader, currently serving as State president of CITU and Central Committee member of CPI (M); was CPI(M) Kollam District Secretary from 1981 to 1998; serving as CITU National Vice President since 2003.

Wife – C. Lilly,
Children – 4.

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 648,
Third Floor, Govt. Secretariat,
Thiruvananthapuram - 1
Phone ; 0471-2327135, 2326772

RESIDENCE
Kaudiar House,
Kaudiar
Thiruvananthapuram
Phone: 0471-2320451




Shri. ELAMARAM KAREEM


PORTFOLIOS
Industries (Including Industrial Co-operatives), Commerce, Mining and Geology, Handlooms and Textiles, Khadi and Village Industries

PROFILE
Son of Shri Ismalutty; born on 1st July 1953 at Elamaram; Pre-degree; Full time Political and Trade Union Worker. Jailed for one week during the agitation against the closure of Mavoor Gwalior Rayons Factory in 1985; participated in the march from Mavoor to Thiruvananthapuram, demanding reopening of that factory.

Now, Member, C.P.I.(M) Kozhikode District Committee; Secretary, C.I.T.U. Kerala State Committee; Secretary, All India Road Transport Worker's Federation; General Secretary, Kerala State Road Transport Worker's Federation; President, Mavoor Grasim Industries Workers' Union.

Previously elected to KLA in 1996 and now represents from Beypore. Languages known: Malayalam and English
Wife :Smt. Rahamath
Children : 2 daughters
Hobbies : Reading

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No.522,
Second Floor, South Sandwich Block,
Govt. Secretariat, Tthiruvananthapuram 1.
Tel: 0471-2332868, 2327574,2327495

RESIDENCE
Malabar House,
Vellayambalam,
Tthiruvananthapuram

PERMANANT ADDRESS
Elamaram House, Perumanna P.O., Kozhikode District.


Sri. Mathew T. Thomas

PORTFOLIOS

Road Transport, Motor Vehicles, Water Transport, Printing and Statioonery

PROFILE
Son of Rev. T. Thomas; born at Thiruvalla; September 27, 1961; Graduate, completed Post Graduate Course; Social Worker.

Entered politics while a student; served as Member of Kerala University Union (1980-81) and Gandhiji University Union (1984-85); Secretary, National Service Scheme; Secretary and Speaker of Brain Trust; Hon. Secretary of YMCA, Thiruvalla (1981-82); Also served as Secretary of Kerala Prohibition Council; Member Janatha Party State Council; National Committee Member, Yuva Janatha. Earlier elected to KLA in 1987.

Languages Known : Malayalam, English

Wife - Smt. Sudha, Hobby - Reading, Permanent address - Thoompumpattu, Thiruvalla.

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No.619,
First Floor, South Block,
Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 1.
Ph.0471- 2335866, 2333160

RESIDENCE
Thycaud House,
Thycaud
Thiruvananthapuram



Sri. PALOLI MOHAMMED KUTTY


PORTFOLIOS
Panchayats, Municipalities and corporations, Town Planning, Regional Development Authorities, Kerala Institute of Local Administration, Rural Development, Wakf & Haj Pilgrimage, Welfare of Minorities

PROFILE
Minister for Local Administration; born on 11th November, 1931 at Kodoor, Malappuram District; Upper Primary Education; Social and Political Worker.

Interested in politics while a student; became a Member of the Communist Party in 1951; Palakkad District Committee Members of the party from 1958; after the formation of Malapuram District, became the Party’s District Committee Member, District Secretary; actively participated in the Farmers Movement; worked as State Secretary and President of Kerala Karshaka Sanghom during different periods of Kerala Karshaka sanghom during different periods for 15 years; led the farmers rally in 1989.

Became president of the Puzhakkattiri Panchayat in 1964; served as Director Board Member of the K.S.F.E during 1987-91; was a Director of the Desabhimani Printing and Publishing Company; was a pioneer in the Library Movement in Malabar area; was the Secretary of Kottoor Chemmankavu Library for a long time; participating in various agitations; led an underground life for 16 months during emergency period;

Now, State Committee Member and Central Committee Member of the C.P.I. (M)

Elected to K.L.A in 1965 from Mankada, (that Assembly was not convened), in 1967 from Perinthalmanna and in 1996 from Ponnani- He served as Minister for LDF from 1996-2001.

Languages known : Malayalam
Wife : Smt. Khadeeja
Children : 2 son and 2 daughter
Travels abroad : China, Bahrain, UAE and Muscat
Hobbies : Reading and Social activities
Recreation Football, Watching Movies
Library activities Wrote and presented many political satires

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 506,
Fifth Floor, Govt. Secretariate (Annexe),
Thiruvananthapuram -1
Phone:0471-2327895,
2327796

RESIDENCE
Asoka
Cliff House Compound
Thiruvananthapuram 3
Phone: 0471-2312326, 2313295

PERMANANT ADDRESS
Chattipparambu P.O., Kadoor, Malappuram District.



Sri. N. K. Premachandran

PORTFOLIOS

Irrigation, Command Area Development Authority Ground Water Development, Water Supply and Sanitation

PROFILE

Father's Name : Late N. Krishna Pillai
Mother's Name : Late Maheswary Amma
Date of Birth : 25 May 1960
Place of Birth : Navaikulam, Distt. Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)
Marital Status : Married on 10 February 1991
Spouse's Name : Dr. S. Geetha, Tutor, NSS Homoeo Medical College, Changanassery.
Children : One Son, P.G. Karthik Studying in IXth at Infant Jesus School, Kollam.

Educational Qualifications

BSc. LLB Educated at F.M.N. College, Kollam and Government Law College, Thiruvananthapruam (Kerala), Ist Rank Holder – LLB – Kerala University, 1985.

Profession

Advocate, Political and Social Worker, Advocate and Trade Unionist

PERMANANT ADDRESS
‘Maheswary’, Rail Gardens, Cantonment P.O,
Kollam – 691001. (O) 0474 2769922,
(M) 9447799400
0471 – 2318601, 2317651

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 532, South Sand witch Block, Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram.
e-mail:minister-irrigation@kerala.gov.in

Positions Held – Official

1987-96 Member, Grama Panchayat, Navaikulam, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala.
1991-93 Member, Ist District Council, Thiruvananthapuram.
1992-95 Director Taluk Agricultural Development Bank, Kilimanoor.
1995 onwards Member, District Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram.
1996 Elected to 11th Lok Sabha – Kollam Constituency.
1996-97 Member, committee on Science and Technology Environment and Forests.
1998 Re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha (2nd term)- Kollam Constituency.
1998-99 Member, Committee on Labour and Welfare. Member, Joint Committee
on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament. Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Tourism.
2000 onwards Member, (Rajya Sabha)

Positions Held – Political

1. State President PSU
2. State Secretary RYF
3. State President RYF
4. National Secretary RYF
5. Member RSP National Secretariat
6. Member UTUC National Working Committee.

Positions Held – Trade Unions

1. General Secretary Travancore Mineral Workers Union
2. President Titanium Employees Union
3. President Cashew Workers Federation
4. President Mineral Workers Union
5. President Parvathy Mills Employees Union
6. President FACT Employees Union
7. President HMT Employees Union
8. President KAMCO Employees Union
9. President Cochin Refineries Employees Union
10. President Plantation Workers Union.

Literary, Artistic and Scientific

Accomplishment Contributed articles in periodicals
Social and Cultural Activities Member of various voluntary organizations, Involved in
organising library and other Connected activities.
Special Interest Keen Interest in delivering speeches]
Favourite Pastime and Recreation Cinema, Traveling, Reading and playing cards
Sports and Clubs Cricket, Football and Volleyball
Sri. K. P. Rajendran

PORTFOLIOS
Land Revenue, Land Reforms, Survey and Land Records, Legal Metrology

PROFILE

Son of Shri K.P Prabhakaran and Smt. K.R. Karthiyani; born at Thrissur on 3rd November 1954; B.A., LLB; Advocate; social, Political and Trade Union Worker.

Now, working as State Executive Member of CPI. Legislature Party Leader; State Secretary of AITUC; National Working Committee Member of AITUC; Member of various Sports and Cultural Organisations.

Previously elected to KLA in 1996 and 2001
Now elected from Cherpu.
Received Dr. Ambedkar Master Award

Personal Details

Language known : Malayalam and English
Wife : Smt. Ani
Children : 2 daughters
Travels abroad : Germany and Russia
Hobbies : Reading, Listening music and watching T.V
Recreation Gardening and Sports
Literary activities : Writing articles in Periodicals

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 358 - B, First Floor, Main Block,
Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 1
Ph. 0471-2333176, 2332021, 2335366
email: minister-revenue@kerala.gov.in

PERMANANT ADDRESS
Kuttankulangara, Punkunnam P.O.,
Thrissur – 2


Sri. Mullakkara Ratnakaran

PORTFOLIOS
Agriculture, Soil Conservation, Soil Survey, Agricultural University Warehousing Corporation

PROFILE
Son of Shri. Purushothaman and Smt. Sulochana; born at Mullakkara, Chadayamangalam in Kollam District in 1955.

Became a member in Communist party in 1978; served as AIYF State President, Secretary; CPI Kollam District Asst. Secretary; now CPI State Secretariat member and in charge of CPI cultural wing. Jailed manytimes in connection with aggitations including Job or Jail strike.

Wife Geetha (School Teacher)

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No.603, Sixth Floor,
Secretariat Annexe, Thiruvananthapuram 1.
Ph.0471- 2335466, 2335457
email: minister-agriculture@kerala.gov.in

PERMANANT ADDRES
Ragam, Ambalakkara, Chadayamangalam, Kollam.


Sri. S. Sharma

PORTFOLIOS
Fisheries, Harbour Engineering, Registration

PROFILE
Son of Shri Sekharan; born on October 24, 1954; S.S.L.C and ITI; Social and Political Worker.

Started political life through Students Federation (1972); involved in various agitations led by SFI and DYFI; served as District Secretary, DYFI (1984); Member, District Committee of CPI (M) (1985); State President of DYFI; State President of DYFI (1986); Central Committee Member, DYFI. Now served as State Committee Member CPI(M), Previously elected to KLA in 1987, 1991 and 1996. He served as minister for electricity and Co-operation from 1998 October to May 2001.

Languages known : Malayalam, English and Hindi
Wife : Smt. Asha
Hobbies : Reading

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No . 149, Third Floor, North Block
Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram -1
Tel: 0471-2332700, 2333059
Pabx Extn. 202
email: minister-fisheries@kerala.gov.in

RESIDENCE
Pournami, Cliff House Compound
Nanthancode, Thiruvananthapuram 3
Ph: 0471- 2313308, 2312349

PERMANANT ADDRES
Manappasseril House, Ezhikkara (P.O.), N. Parur.


Smt. P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER

PORTFOLIOS
Health, Family Welfare,Medical Education,Indigenous Medicine, Drugs Control, Pollution Control, Homoeopathy, Naturopathy, Social Welfare

PROFILE
Daughter of Shri.T Kelappan Nambiar and Smt. P.K. Meenakshi Amma; born at Mayyil (Kannur) on 4th May 1949; Pre-degree; Worked as school Teacher; Active in Political and Social Work for over 3 decades..

Served as Standing Committee Chairpeson,Kannur District Council and also as President, Kannur District Panchayat from 1995 to 1997.

Now, State Secretary, All India Democratic Women’s Association and Member, CPI (M) Central Committee. Previously elected to KLA in 2001 from Payyannor. Now reelected from the same constituency.

Languages known : Malayalam, English and Hindi
Husband : Sri. Damodaran Nambiar. E
Children : 1 son
Travels abroad : London and Cuba
Hobby : Reading

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 397 First Floor, Main Block,
Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram-1
Phone:0471- 2335266, 2333833
email: minister-health@kerala.gov.in

RESIDENCE
Selma, Pandits Colony
Kuravankonam
Thiruvananthapuram

PERMANANT ADDRES
Edathil, Athiyadam
Pazhayangadi P.O., Kannur – 670 303


Sri. G. SUDHAKARAN

PORTFOLIOS
Co-operation, Coir, Devaswoms

PROFILE
Son of Shri. P.Gopalakurup; born at Vederaplavu ward of Thamarakulam on November 1, 1946; M.A., LLB.; Social, Political, Trade Union and Educational Worker.

Actively participated in politics while studying in College; was best Speaker and best Essayist among College and University Students of Kerala State; joined CPI (M) in 1967; became State Joint Secretary of Kerala Student Federation; first State President of SFI in January 1971;one of the first Members of the Central Executive Committee of SFI; office bearer of KSYF at State level and Alleppey and Quilon district level; participated in a procession against Emergency defying ban orders from University College to Secretariat on 1st July 1975; suffered police brutality and got imprisoned for 3 months under DIR in Trivandrum Sub-jail and Central Jail Was Alappuzha District President of CITU; District Secretary of Agricultural Workers Union and its State Treasurer; President, CITU Union of (1) Kerala Spinners Ltd., (2) Scooters Kerala, (3) KSDP; (4) Excel Glass; (5) Lorry
t ransport Union, Alappuzha District; (6) Kuttanadu Rice Cultivators Protection Convention; (7) Tagore Memorial Comparative Literature Society; was Member of Executive Committee of K.A.U. for 3 years; Syndicate Member of University of Kerala for 11 years (1984-95) and its Finance Committee Chairman for 5 terms; Member of Kerala University Central Co-operative Society; Member of Urban Development Bank, Alappuzha; Member, Agriculture Development Bank, Alappuzha; Kalarcode Co-operative Society; Kayamkulam Spinning Mill from 1986; First President of Alappuzha District Council (1991-94); was the Working Chairman of the Kerala University Golden Jubilee Celebrations Committee. Appeared positive writings on G. Sudhakaran in International literature like “Om-An Indian Pilgrimage” by Jeofery Moore House. General Convenor of All-India Vice – Chancellors Conference at Thiruvananthapuram in 1991; General Convenor of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Foundation of Agricultural Workers Union, Kuttanadu; Secretary, CPI (M) in important Taluks of Kuttanadu and Ambalapuzha during 1980-82 and 1993-94; Chairman, Alleppey District Co-operative Spinning Mill, Kayamkulam from 1996 May onwards.

Arrested many times and put in lock up during 1967-74 in connection with student agitations, Cashew worker struggles and NGO-Teachers struggles.

Now State Committee Member, Alappuzha District Committee Secretary, and Secretariat Member of CPI (M). Earlier elected to KLA from Kayamkulam in 1996; Now elected from Ambalapuzha.

Languages known : Malayalam and English
Wife : Smt. Jubily Navaprabha
Children : 1 son
Hobbies : Reading, Writing, Setting Home Library, Watching Films, Sports and Games especially Football, Hockey and tennis

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No.647, Second Floor, South Block,
Govt.Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 1.
Ph.0471- 2333091, 2333775
email: minister-cooperation@kerala.gov.in

RESIDENCE
Ajantha, Vellayambalam,
Thiruvananthapuram 10
Phone: 0471 -2317952, 2314503


Sri. Dr. THOMAS ISAAC

PORTFOLIOS
Finance, National Savings, Stores Purchase, Commercial Taxes, Agricultural Income Tax, Treasuries, Lotteries, Local Fund Audit, Financial Enterprises, State Insuarance, Stamps & Stamp Duties.

PROFILE
Son of Shri. T.P. Mathew and Smt. Saramma Mathew; born at Kottappuram, near Kodungalloor on 26th September 1952; Ph.D. in Economics; Economist; Political Worker.

Started Political activities while a student; Vehemently participated in the activities of SFI from 1971; was SFI office bearer of Ernakulam Maharajas College Union (1973-74); SFI Ernakulam District President (1974-80);SFI State Committee; Senior activities of Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parished from 1977; Professor at the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram; was State Planning Board Member from 1996 to 2001. Previously elected to KLA in 2001.

Published a number of articles on Economics, Planning and Politics in the leading Regional, National and International periodicals.Presented Lectures and Papers in National and International Conferences and Seminars like (1) Seminar Organized by ILO-A.RT.E.P. Held at Colombo (1993), (2) Institute of Social Science, New Delhi (1996), (3) Montclair State University Faculty Seminar (1998), (4) Colmbia University South Asian Institute Seminar (1998) (5) Conference on Decentralized Planning in Calcutta (1999), (6) Seminar held at Havens Centre University of Wisconsin, Madison (2000).

Published many books in Malayalam and English including (1) The Withering Coconut (1985), (2) Political Economy of Poverty (1985), (3) Economics Crisis in the Capitalist World (1987), (4) ABC of Political Economy (1987), (5) The World Bank and IMF (1988), (6) Kerala and Man (1998), [Won Kerala Sahitya Academy Award], (7) Science and Revolution (1989), (8) Political Economy of Surrender (1992), (9) Peoples Planning: Questions and Answers (1998), (11) Modernization and Employment: The Coir Industry in Kerala (with R.A.Van Stuijvenberg and K.N. Nair) (1984), (12) Local Democracy and Development: Peoples Campaign for Decentralised Planning in Kerala (with Richard W. Franke), (1) Democarcy at work in an Indian Industrial Co-operative: the story of Kerala Dinesh Beedi (with Richard W. Franke and Pyaralal Rraghavan) (1998). Now represents Mararikulam constituency.

Languages known : Malayalam and English
Wife : Sri. Nata Duvvury
Children : 2 daughters
Travels abroad : China, USA, UK, Srilanka, UAE, Norway Belgium, Netherlands, Thailand, and Sweden

Activities : Published a number of Articles and Books on Economics, Planning and Politics

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 118, First Floor, North Block,
Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram - 1,
Phone: 2333849, 2333772
email: minister-finance@kerala.gov.in

RESIDENCE
Rose House, Vazhuthacaud,
Thiruvananthapuram

PERMANANT ADDRES
A.K.G. Centre
Thiruvananthapuram


Sri. M. Vijayakumar

PORTFOLIOS
Law, Sports and Youth Affairs, Ports, Parliamentary Affairs, Post and Telegraph, Railways.

PROFILE
Son of Shri V. Madhavan Pillai; born at Nedumangad; October 5, 1950; B.A., LL.B.; Advocate and Political Worker.

Entered politics through student’s move­ments; led agitations against the bribe and corruption prevailing in Private Educational Institutions; actively participated in the struggle for parity in fee; took active part in the formation of S.F.I. in 1970 and D.Y.F.I. in 1980; served as District President, Secretary and State Secretary of the S.F.I.; District Secretary and State Secretary of D.Y.F.I.; was arrested several times; beaten by the police three times during the Emergency Period (1975-77); jailed for 4 months at Central Jail, Trivandrum during Emergency. Led Parliament March in September 15, 1981 raising the slogan “Education for all and job for all"; on December 20, 1982, led D.Y.F.I., which gheraoed the Secretariat and Collectorate for getting unemployment wages; led the Religious Harmony Parade in 1984; in August, 1986 actively participated in the 'way blockade' agitation for getting unemployment wages and recruitments to be made through P.S.C. and brutally beaten by the police.

Served as All India President of the DYFI. Now State Committee member and Trivandrum District Secretary of CPI (M). Previously he was elected to KLA in 1987, 1991 and 1996. He served as speaker of 10th KLA.

Languages known : Malayalam, English and Hindi
Wife : Smt. Sreekala.
Children : 1 Son and 1 daughter
Travels abroad : USSR, China, Thailand and Hong Kong
Hobbies : Reading, Recreation - Sports and Games
Literary activities : Editor of “Ahwanam” and “Yuvadhara” Monthlies

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 118, First Floor, North Block
Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram - 1
Ph. 2333460, 2333487
email: minister-law@kerala.gov.in

RESIDENCE
Lyndhurst
Devaswom Board Junction,
Nanthancode, Thiruvananthapuram - 3
Ph: 0471 - 2318602, 2314652

PERMANANT ADDRES
TC 25/1573, Puthenchantha, Trivandrum 11.
Shri. V. S. Achyuthanandan

Shri. RADHAKRISHNAN.K
Speaker

PORTFOLIOS
Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, Electricity

PROFILE
Son of Shri M.C. Kochunni and Smt. Chinna; born at pullikanam, Idukki District on 24th May 1964; BA; social and Political Worker.

Entered politics while a student; an active worker of SFI held positions in the organisation as Sree Kerala Varma College Unit Secretary, Chelakara Area Committee Secretary, Thrissur District Committee Member and Thrissur District Secretariat Member. In DYFI worked as Chelakkara Block Committee Secretary and Thrissur District Executive Committee Member; led students agitations against the Education Policy of the Government during 1982087 and brutally assaulted by the police; actively involved in the problems of Agricultural labourers and organised them and later elected as the President KSKTU. Chelakara Area Committee; Also involved in the activities of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad and Literacy Movement.

lected to Thrissur District Council in 1991 from Vallathol Nagar Davison, served as Minister for the Welfare of Backward and Scheduled Communities from 1996 to 2001.

Now, member, DYFI State Committee and CPI (M) Chelakara Area Committee.

Previously elected to KLA in 1996 and 2001. Now Elected from Chelakara.

Languages known : Malayalam and English
Marital Status : Unmarried
Travels aborad : Russia and Cuba
Hobbies : Watching Sports and Cinema

OFFICE ADDRESS
Room No. 731, Ground Floor. Speakers Old Chamber
Govt. Secretariate, Thiruvananthapuram - 1
Ph; 0471-2335766, 2328440
email: minister-scst@kerala.gov.in

RESIDENCE
Prasanth, Nanthancode
Thiruvananthapuram-3
Ph : 0471- 2313347,2312329

PERMANANT ADDRES
Janani, Parakunnam, Palakkad – 678 001


Shri. Oommen Chandy-THE HONOURABLE LEADER OF OPPOSITION -KERALA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY


PROFILE
Sri Oommen Chandy was the 19th Chief Minister of Kerala. He has served as the State Minister for Labour from 11.4.1977 to 27.10.1978; Minister for Home from 28.12.1981 to 17.3.1982; Minister for Finance from 2.7.1991 to 22.6.1994. He has been elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1970, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1991, 1996, 2001and 2006(from Puthupally constituency). He has visited a number of countries like USA, USSR, UK, Germany, Rome, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Kuwait, UAE, Doha and Maldives. He was born at Kumarakom in Kottayam on October 31, 1943.

RESIDENCE
Puthupally House, Jagathy,
Thiruvannathapuram
Ph: 2342602
MONS JOSEPH
Portfolio : Public Works.
Office : Room NO. 140, Second Floor, North Block
Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 1.
Residence Phone: 0471-2311238, 2729117
Mobile: 9447799300, 9447306270
Phone : 0471 - 2333350, 2333670, 232
Email : minister-pwd@kerala.gov.in


Son of Shri. O. Joseph and Smt. Mariamma Joseph, born at Aappanchira in Kaduthuruthy on 30th May 1964, M.A.LL.B, Advocate, Social and Political Worker.

Entered politics through K.S.C while a student. Was Chairman and General Secretary of K.S.C., Baselios College, Kottayam, President and General Secretary of Students Congress. Was President, Youth Front (J) State Committee and Kerala Congress Kottayam District Committee.

Was President, Post Graduate Students’ Association and Office bearer of various Trade Unions. Also served as Member, Kerala Youth Welfare Committee. Consumer Protection Committee, Mahatma Gandhi University Senate. Led many Students’ agitations.

Now, General Secretary, Kerala Congress State Committee, Member, LDF Kottayam District Liaison Committee, Gandhiji Study Centre Executive Council, President of Kerala Research Centre.

Previouly elected to KLA in 1996. Now elected from Kaduthuruthy

Languages Known : Malayalam, English & Hindi
Wife : Smt. Soniya
Children : One son and one daughter
Travels abroad : U.S.A., U.A.E and Switzerland
Hobbies : Reading and participating in elocution and debate competitions
Recreation : Volley Ball
Literary Activities : Writing articles in periodicals
Permanent Address : Narimattathumyalil, Poozhikol P.O.,Kaduthuruthy.

MALAYALIS-THE PEOPLE OF KERALA






People of Kerala-Malayalis

Malayalam is the language of Kerala. Keralites are popularly called "Malayalees" for the language they speak. The people of Kerala form a well educated society. Kerala is the first state in Indian with 100% literacy.

The women mostly dress themselves in those wonderful six meters of silk or cotton called SARI. The more convenient dresses like Churidar and Western fashion styles are popular among the younger generation.

The men mostly subscribe to trousers and shirt like the rest of the world. How ever you shouldn't be surprised if you find them dressed in the traditional "Kasavu Mundu", a three to four meter long cotton twin cloth with silk border, as formal dress and a colourful cloth called "Kaily" or "Lunky" at home as the informal dress. Mundu is more popular in the rural areas. The typical style of a Malayalee is "Mundu", top covered with a silk cloth called "Melmundu" and wooden slippers called as "Methiyadi". The very interesting thing about a Malayalee is his Moustache. Almost 90% of the men having a nice Moustache. It is very easy to identify a Malayalee. Most of the Malayalees love to have a nice Beard too.

Malayalees are living all over the world. About 2.5 million people, that means about 8% of the total population, in the Gulf Countries are Malayalees. Also a large number of Malayalees are employing in USA, UK and other European countries. A survey showing that about 30% of Computer Software professionals in USA are from India among them 20% are from Kerala.

A good joke about Malayalees is there which is very famous. When Neil Armstrong put his foot in Moon then he heard a sound "Choodu Chaya Kappy ..... Chaya Kappy" (in English - hot tea, coffee) there. (With in a short period we will provide jokes about Malayalees through this site).

The Hindus account for nearly 60% of the population. The rest of the 40% is almost equally divided between the Christians and the Muslims.

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. Exports and tourism also plays an important role.

The official language of Kerala is Malayalam but English too is widely spoken and is taught in schools and Universities. Malayalam is considered to be a very complete language it has 56 alphabets and many more vowels, making every word and accent in the world easily pronounceable to the Malayalees. Kerala is one of the most progressive state in terms of social welfare and physical quality of life. The matriarchal system here is a unique social heritage as the women of Kerala enjoy a better status than there counter parts else where in India.

The people of Kerala enjoy a unique cosmopolitan outlook, which is reflected in there tolerance towards other races and religions. So it has been called Kerala as "God's Own Country"

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION(MT)-OFFERING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR TECH-SAVVY KERALITES

Medical Transcription – a high-end career in service sector
In the 1990s, there was a great deal of hype around expectations that the electronic medical record (EMR) and speech recognition (SR) would likely replace nearly all of medical transcription by the year 2000. To the distress of investors, developers, and early adopters, both EMR and speech recognition technologies saw dismal numbers as we rounded the millennium, while the medical transcription industry experienced considerable growth. Regardless of the promises, hopes, and advances of these new technologies and vendors, it appears that the replacement technologies may even be losing ground in the healthcare industry as some users retreat to the comfort of a process that has been around for generations – medical transcription.

Predicting the future of medical transcription in 2003 may yield results no different than those from the predictions in the 1990s. This author may have to follow the example of early fortunetellers and eat his words; however, it is again time to step up to the line, pick up the darts, and take aim at the target. It is hopeful that these predictions may come closer to the mark by learning from past projections, examining early replacement solutions, understanding the industry as it exists today, and making an objective and educated prediction on the evolution and longevity of the medical transcription industry.

PAST PROJECTIONS AND EARLY REPLACEMENT SOLUTIONS


Healthcare industry and technology experts, almost unanimously, predicted and believed that electronic medical record and speech recognition applications were sure to replace medical transcription as the primary, and in many cases, the only method of documenting the clinical encounter. Vendor marketing materials and salespeople went so far as to promise cost savings through the creation of paperless offices and increased practice efficiencies, increased revenues through higher coding, real-time access to data, and reduced personnel costs and headaches by “getting rid of the medical transcriptionists FTEs” (full-time equivalents).

Whether EMRs or speech recognition, the race was on to build the biggest and best set of products. Vendors competed to see who had the most bells, whistles, and flashing lights. Companies surfaced everywhere — either through new company birth or through mergers and acquisitions. In every product and with every vendor, developers all built their applications on the same basis. The industry believed that point of care documentation by the physician was the key to successfully delivering on the promises of reduced costs, increased revenues, and reduced FTEs. In all of the hustle and bustle, one very important factor was forgotten – the physician is central to both the delivery of care and, by industry creation, the immediate capture of data for the systems.

As physicians and organizations began to purchase these systems and try to implement them, an unexpected wrinkle emerged. Physicians who began using the systems found them difficult to learn, cumbersome, and significantly more time-consuming to document an encounter than dictation. Physicians are the foundation and conduit for the vast majority of all revenues in health care. These new technologies turned these revenue generators into data entry personnel and added cost center functions to the duties of the individual with the highest cost per hour.

Physicians quickly recognized that their productivity and efficiency were dramatically decreased — they were seeing fewer patients and still dictating records, all resulting in equal or higher costs, reduced revenues from fewer patients, and increased frustration and anxiety for themselves and their staff. Physicians also pointed out that real-time access to data was a nice benefit, if the data were there, but that they really only needed real-time access to historical data, which their paper charts easily provided. The wrinkle quickly became a canyon that has been nearly impossible to traverse.

These technologies have even seen some legal issues arise that have deterred adoption. Both EMRs and speech recognition use standardized content. It is well documented that creating and modifying a report using these technologies typically takes more time than physicians would like. Concerns exist that physicians may accept templates or predetermined “normal” values as is, rather than take the time to note the exceptions. This has led to overly standardized patient records and records that look exactly the same from patient to patient. Investigators have been concerned that exact and even very similar reports could mean that physicians aren’t documenting actual findings. These investigations have resulted in disciplinary actions against physicians.

Although adamantly denied by industry players, as the millennium neared its end, the EMR and speech recognition landscape had a dramatic new look. Of the hundreds of companies who were industry pioneers, the majority of them are lying on the roadside with arrows in their backs from unsuccessful products and unhappy customers. Finally, as the millennium turned, some companies began to acknowledge low industry penetration and user adoption and utilization.

However, denial still rears its head in some companies, as claims of users and installations are not always as portrayed. Still today, in 2003, the companies offering these products, who are considered the best in the industry and award winners, are charging off revenues as contracts with customers are canceled due to low or no user utilization.

Most current research and beliefs about EMR and speech recognition (SR) market penetration point to 5% to 8% for EMR and 1% or less for SR. Some industry experts contend that, in actuality, a current negative net exists as providers ceasing the use of these applications exceed the number that are purchasing and implementing them. Clarification is important here: these figures are for actual user utilization and not users registered on the system or simply using non-core functionality such as content, contacts, or general calendars.

Although riddled with low adoption, decreasing user bases, and floundering technologies, both the EMR and speech recognition systems do promise benefits in the future. As technologies evolve, processes change, and needs arise, these applications will, at some point in time, offer many of the benefits that were promised in the 1990s. History has shown that for these applications to succeed, they must not interfere with the physician’s ability to practice medicine. This author feels strongly enough about this prediction that, even as a transcription company executive, he recognizes the potential in the EMR industry and has founded a new technology company to build an EMR that addresses the problems of the past and focuses on physician clinical workflow as key to successful and mass adoption.

THE MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION INDUSTRY TODAY

Today’s medical transcription industry eludes detailed definition. It has only been in the past several years that there have been any real attempts at examining the size of the industry. Even with these efforts, the industry size still escapes detailed examination and precise estimation. Although fairly well understood, attributes of the industry such as composition, technology position, personalities and concerns have received very little formal discussion. These attributes, along with industry size, are likely to hold important information that will help us to predict the future of the medical transcription industry.

Industry Size Within the past few years, the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA), the industry’s vendor-centric association, conducted a survey for the purpose of determining the size of the industry. The results of the survey yielded a very large industry, but most felt the findings were substantially low. Questions abound around the method of the survey, classification criteria of the intended audience, and the organizational representatives who were presented with the survey. The survey was a brief telephone survey, segmented by small and large facility, and often directed to chief information officers (CIOs). Many believe that facility size should have had more and better distributed classifications, that CIOs were unlikely to know the cost of transcription for their facility, and that a fifteen to thirty minute survey likely resulted in guesses at the cost of transcription. Later, the survey results were adjusted much higher after reexamining the data. The resulting size of the industry was determined to be in the vicinity of $25 billion per year. Other methods of extrapolating the size in dollars of the industry yield a similar result and even show $25B to be a bit conservative. It is also generally accepted by transcription company executives that the industry is growing by an annual rate of 10% to 15%. Consensus is that this growth is due to increasing documentation demands to support reimbursement, risk management, and the need for more data. Of significant interest is the company size fragmentation of the industry. The medical transcription industry is the epitome of a “cottage industry”. The industry has one massive company with revenues at $400M, 3 to 4 companies with revenues each of $100M to $200M a handful of companies in the $10M to $100M range, and a couple of handfuls of companies in the $3M to $10M. The combined revenues of the $10M to $400M companies total between $800M and $900M. The remaining $24.1B resides with transcription departments, employee transcriptionists, individual contract medical transcriptionists, “mom & pop” transcription companies, and the 200 or so companies with revenues ranging from $500,000 to $3M. Industry Composition Again, the industry has not seen adequate research into the number of active medical transcriptionists. In the 1990s, the American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT), the industry’s practitioner-centric association, estimated the number of medical transcriptionists in the industry at 250,000. Today, industry executives and experts feel this number, too, is a bit conservative. It is now believed that the industry is likely to have between 350,000 and 400,000 FTE transcriptionists, with the total number, including part-timers, near 500,000. Many also contend that there may be as many as 80,000 to 100,000 additional transcriptionists who have entered the market without adequate experience or education to obtain a job or who are working as interns or under mentors. Here too, “cottage industry” fragmentation can easily be seen as the largest transcription company in the industry has between 7,500 and 10,000 transcriptionists, then the employee base of the remaining transcription companies spirals downward to 4,500, then 2,500, then 1,500, ending with the companies with 1-5 transcriptionists. A very large number of transcriptionists still work as employees within provider organizations and many work as full-time provider employees and part-time or independently for transcription services or themselves. Industry Demographics Medical Transcriptionists Well above 90% female with an average age of 49 Most were on-the-job trained for years prior to the development of formal transcription curricula Majority of new entrants receiving too little education and/or training Retiring faster than qualified transcriptionists are entering the market The vast majority resides in the US; however, increasing quantities of entrants are from offshore including India ,Pakistan ,Philippines , the Caribbean, etc. Numerous quality problems suggest that a large number of offshore transcriptionists have language barriers or do not have adequate training or transcription/medical education. Upper Management – Companies larger than “Mom & Pop” Majority male with ages generally above 35 Most with at least a 4-year college education, management experience, and often moderate to good information technology knowledge. At least one with detailed HIPAA knowledge Likely to have corporate counsel for compliance issues Middle Management – Companies larger than “Mom & Pop” Mixed female and male with ages generally above 35 Most are likely to have some formal education and on-the-job training in transcription. Management - Mom & Pop Company or Contract Transcriptionist Majority female with ages ranging from 18 to 70+ Experience and education is hit and miss. Most are likely to have been on-the-job trained as a medical transcriptionist. Most likely to have a high school education and possibly some junior college or vocational technical school Some may have a 4-year college education A frightening number have as little as a few months of transcription education and no transcription experience of substance. Likely to have little or no HIPAA knowledge and many have inaccurate understanding of HIPAA. Participation in industry organizations is spotty at best. If you include the number of individual transcriptionists who claim to be a transcription company and mom and pop companies, MTIA probably has a membership of 1% of the industry’s companies. This number is not scientific and only speculative, as there is no way to formally determine the number of individual transcriptionist companies and mom and pop companies that exist. AAMT has less than 10,000 members and has seen several consecutive years of declining membership, resulting in a 1% to 3% representation of the industry participants. There is a notable history of conflicts between medical transcriptionists and their employers, whether healthcare providers or transcription companies. There have also been notable conflicts between medical transcriptionists and replacement technologies such as EMRs and speech recognition and between US-based transcriptionists and offshore companies. There is a valid basis for the medical transcriptionists’ positions and animosity. Medical transcriptionists have striven for increased respect from their employers. Early on, they were referred to as medical secretaries, then became medical transcribers, then medical transcriptionists, and in the past five years were designated as “medical language specialists”; however, the vast majority of the industry still refers to these practitioners as medical transcriptionists. In the past couple of years some medical transcriptionists have again begun looking at a new name. Medical transcriptionists’ animosity towards EMR and speech recognition technologies and vendors stems primarily from early claims by vendors that these technologies would “replace the medical transcriptionist”. Seeing threats to their jobs and livelihoods, medical transcriptionists have taken firm stands against companies offering these products. US transcriptionists also feel the threat to their livelihood from offshore transcription companies. Strong discussions attempting to curb the sending of work oversees are common in the industry. The majority of offshore companies wholesale their production to US-based transcription companies. Industry and Technology Just as new technologies are slow to penetrate healthcare providers’ operations and processes, technologies haven’t made much headway into the transcription industry either. For the most part, only the transcription companies larger than the “mom and pop” organizations have really integrated technology into their suite of services. Provider organizations with in-house transcription are also slow to adopt new transcription technologies, and many are using dated versions of their medical records systems. WordPerfect 5.1 is still one of the most widely used word processors in the industry. Whether using WP51, Microsoft Word, WordPerfect Office, or even occasionally WordStar, the majority of the industry has no standardization in production, format, indexing, or storage. The majority of the industry produces the transcription in the word processor alone, with no interfacing to practice management systems and no formal indexing or storage in databases. The files are typically stored in a flat word processor file and without a structured naming convention. It is also true that the majority of the industry still prints the transcribed documents for storage in paper form, comparatively few use or own more recent technologies that provide electronic storage, distribution, and signature. With this lack of specifically designed transcription software, concerns abound around the industry’s ability to protect patient privacy and provide audit trails of access to the patient information. Transcription is not the only function that is performed just as it has been for years. Vast amounts of dictation today continue to be recorded on microcassette tapes rather than new digital media, by microphone and recorder rather than telephone, etc. Even when digital recorders are offered to physicians and organizations free of charge, many of them still prefer to use “old faithful”: the tape and recorder. This slow migration to technology is due to two primary reasons — physician resistance to change, and more significantly, a transcription providers’ inability to provide new technologies. In some ways this slow migration may be a blessing in disguise. There are numerous documented and anecdotal accounts of transcriptionists providing services using new technologies without taking precautions to protect patient confidentiality. The average medical transcriptionist has minimal to no experience or understanding of important data security and privacy concepts, such as encryption, firewalls, authentication, and access controls. Even outside of these new technologies, there have been accounts of medical transcriptionists sending patient files via email to unintended recipients. Concerns about the Present Industry Industry experts, provider organizations, and many physicians have numerous concerns about the current condition of the medical transcription industry. These concerns are based on valid issues and are increasing in intensity. Diminishing Labor Force and Quality Today, forty-nine is the average age of the medical transcriptionist. Many medical transcriptionists are retiring due to age and health problems like carpal tunnel syndrome. As these transcriptionists retire, the new entrants are typically far from qualified to fill the void. Large numbers of transcriptionists have fallen prey to the “quick way” advertisements and transcription curriculum. Many (of course not all) online schools and at-home courses fail miserably to adequately teach the student even close to what is needed to get a job, and few do a good job. Some courses are as short as nine weeks. One physician recently commented, “Nine weeks turns someone into a risk to my practice; they think they know enough, but aren’t even 5% prepared for the quality of work I need from them. I spend more time answering questions and fixing errors than I would if I typed all of my own reports.” Online and at-home courses are not the only problem with the educational process for medical transcription. Even the many of vocational technical schools aren’t preparing their students properly for a career in medical transcription. Many medical transcription curriculums last no more than nine months and have as few as one class in transcription and no classes in English. Even the most basic understanding of the career is often left out of vocational, online, and at-home courses. A medical transcription certification (CMT) is available from the Medical Transcriptionist Certification Commission (MTCC). There are just a few thousand transcriptionists who have been able to successfully obtain their CMT. Many say that the CMT test is harder than the registered nurse (RN) nursing licensure examinations. It concerns many in the industry, that “graduates” of vocational, online, and at-home courses often are of the belief that they have their CMT. The unwary employer or physician may not realize that they have only obtained a certificate of completion of the course. Trusting that a graduation certificate is a CMT could lead to dire circumstances for patients and physicians. It is also of great concern that many of these “graduates” enter into the industry without ever hearing about HIPAA. As schools fail to present such an important regulation in health care, physicians are the unfortunate recipients of medical transcriptionists who are not prepared to adequately protect a patient’s privacy. This becomes a significantly larger concern as many new “graduates” enter their transcription career as a “transcription business owner”. Running their business without an inkling of how to meet HIPAA requirements puts everyone at risk. Although a new labor force is emerging in offshore companies, major concerns exist over the quality of work coming from these companies and how this may increase the risk to patients and physicians and how it is likely to increase susceptibility to malpractice. There are numerous accounts of transcription that is filled with errors, many of which are clinically significant. Although a few offshore companies are producing quality work, the remaining can’t deliver on their promises of quality. Independent tests have found that claims of 98.5% accuracy are regularly contradicted and, in some cases, accuracy rates of 60% were found. HIPAA It wasn’t long ago that self-proclaimed transcription industry experts stated that HIPAA would not have any effect on the medical transcription industry. Either in a state of denial or ignorance of the law, many transcriptionists and mom and pop companies have continued on their existing course of providing medical transcription. It is only now that many in the industry are realizing the fact that they must comply. Many providers are concerned that the majority of the transcription industry will not be able to meet several specific requirements: namely, access controls, policies and procedures, and audit trails of access to the patient information. Without the knowledge or resources to comply, many in the industry are claiming to comply and signing their business associates agreements without taking the measures required. Many will argue that they only have to sign the documents and that most of the regulations don’t apply to them; however, many attorneys are expecting that civil litigation will result from their lack of action. Some may claim that if the transcriptionist or transcription company didn’t offer compliance while signing agreements that they have compliance, this action would constitute fraud and the signer would have sole responsibility. However, trial lawyers are already predicting that physicians’ ignorance will not be a defense and that the patient/physician contract obliges physicians to verify that their business associates have complied with the regulations. Trial lawyers also state that a physician’s failure to select and use a compliant transcription company is likely to constitute negligence and expose the physician to litigation under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). These lawyers make it a point to comment that their position is strengthened by the fact that physicians “have no excuse” not to choose a company that more than adequately meets all the HIPAA requirements. They cite the fact that choosing a compliant company is as simple as picking up the phone book or getting on the Internet. Mom and pop companies and individual transcriptionists are not the only ones who face major compliance issues. Many providers overlook their own transcription departments and employee transcriptionists. Providers are now rushing to bring these systems and individuals into compliance. Providers who use offshore companies are facing an unusual twist on the HIPAA issue. Offshore companies are not subject to US regulations, but the physicians who use them are. Of the hundreds of new offshore transcription companies popping up each year, it is expected that only a few of the established companies have met the necessary requirements regardless of their claims. Many providers are concerned that if a patient requests access to their records and the entities who produce or maintain their records, as provided by HIPAA, the patient’s or agent’s inability to access the facilities offshore or the physician’s inability to unequivocally verify that the offshore company is in compliance will lead to charges of noncompliance and litigation. Professionalism While transcription departments and reasonably sized transcription companies operate within the expectations of normal business operations, it has been found that a huge number of independent transcriptionists who claim to be a transcription company and a large number of mom and pop transcription companies operate their businesses in a manner that may put themselves and their physician clients at risk. More often than not, these “companies” lack most or all of the typical elements of running a business. They were found to be operating their “business”: Without Using A business license A computer that is used to surf the web Liability insurance A computer that is used by others in the household including children Property insurance Family members to assist in various duties including sorting, delivery, etc. Errors & omissions insurance A taxpayer ID Adequate home security Adequate computer security Regard for confidential information Technological Immaturity Plain and simple — the bulk of the industry doesn’t produce transcription using advanced technologies or structured data. HL7 and XML are unknown to the large majority of the industry. Digital equipment and electronic signature have little penetration. INDUSTRY FUTURE AND EVOLUTION The longevity of the transcription industry is likely to depend on its ability to evolve to meet the dynamically changing healthcare environment. Evolution, Recognition, Acceptance, and Industry Longevity The medical transcription industry has shown poor success in adapting to change over the past ten to fifteen years. Regardless of the position or beliefs of the industry, there will come a time within the next three to seven years where technologies like the EMR and SR will begin to make significant penetration into the healthcare market. It is not likely that that they will fully penetrate the market within seven years, and medical transcription may never fully disappear, as there will always be some need for freedom of expression. If the transcription industry does not recognize the opportunities and accept transition to new technologies, its demise will be more rapid. Medical transcription, its companies, and its labor will have opportunities to become involved in these new technologies. Transcription companies can become service bureaus for speech recognition or may evolve into EMR companies. Transcriptionists can move into similar positions as editors, template designers, etc. Transcription itself could become the catalyst to advance the movement of the EMR. Industry Size It is unlikely in the short term that the industry will see a reduction it its size. In fact, the industry could see substantial growth over the next three to five years. Even as EMRs and SR begin to take hold, there is likely to be an increased demand for transcription due to increases in documentation to support reimbursement and risk management. Furthermore, it is likely that the relationship between handwriting of charts and medical errors will be studied just as handwritten prescriptions were studied by the Institute of Medicine. The study would likely reveal risks associated with illegibility of the handwriting, loss of charts, and lack of usable data. Evidence continues to mount that the values of square footage and infrastructure are much higher when they are generating revenue than when they are used in a cost center such as transcription. As this evidence continues to mount, more providers will outsource their transcription and the ratio of dollars, number of transcriptionists, and distribution between in-house and outsourced will change. The industry as a whole is likely to see its growth to as much as $35B in the next five years. Need for Data Industry associations, researchers, federal and state governments, and patients are all recognizing the need for more “useable” health data. Data really aren’t usable unless they can be electronically processed to assist in monitoring, decision support, diagnosis, research, and so on. Transcription is already an excellent source of data. This source will become more useful as new technologies like XML and natural language understanding (NLU) evolve. It is important for the industry to adapt to the needs for this data. It is not likely that mom and pop companies and independent transcriptionists will be able to implement technologies that support the data acquisition. This lack, combined with other issues, will likely result in independent transcriptionists and mom and pop companies joining the employee ranks of larger transcription companies. Rather than rebel against this trend, transcriptionists should recognize that the many entities driving this need for data will are not likely to be patient and to accommodate them for the sake of their job independence, especially when the quality of care is likely to be increased by the increase in data. One alternative does seem to appear however, and that is application service provider (ASP) transcription. ASP transcription products have, for the most part, been miserable failures. Their business model sought to get revenues from all sides: the transcriptionists, the physicians, and the data (via data mining). With new business models, ASP transcription businesses could provide methods and technologies that would allow independent transcriptionists and mom and pop companies to remain independent while providing standardized and structured data to the resources that desire it. Industry Standardization Ultimately the industry must begin standardizing, including file structures, document formats, and interfaces. This standardization will provide benefits to patients, research, physicians, and others. The industry should adopt the principles outlined in the Report from the Consensus Workgroup on Information Capture and Report Generation, which can be accessed on the Medical Records Institute’s website (www.medrecinst.com). For optimal information capture and report generation, it is important to establish a set of documentation principles to be implemented on a national/international basis. The Report recommends that all healthcare documentation must meet the following “Essential Principles of Healthcare Documentation.” Unique identification of patient Systems, policies, and practices should: Provide unique identification of the patient at the time of recording or accessing the information Provide within and across organizations: Simple and easy methods to identify individuals and correct duplicate identities of the same individual. Methods to distinguish among individuals, including those with similar names, birth dates, and other demographic information Linkages between different identifications of the same individual Accuracy Systems, policies, and practices should: Promote accuracy of information throughout the information capture and report generation processes as well as during its transfer among systems Require review to assure accuracy prior to integration in the patient’s record Include a means to append a correction to an authenticated document, without altering the original Require the use of standard terminology so as to diminish misinterpretations Completeness Systems, policies, and practices should: Identify the minimum set of information required to completely describe an incident, observation, or intent Provide means to ensure that the information recorded meets the legal, regulatory, institutional policy, or other requirements required for specific types of reports, e.g., history and physical, operative note Link amendments to the original document, i.e., one should not be able to retrieve an original document without related amendments (or vice versa) or notification that such amendments exist and how to access them Discourage duplication of information Discourage non-relevant and excessive documentation Timeliness Systems, policies, and practices should: Require and facilitate that healthcare documentation is done during or immediately following the event so that: Memory is not diminished or distorted. The information is immediately available for subsequent care and decision-making. Promote rapid system response time for entry as well as retrievability through: Availability and accessibility of workstations User-friendly systems and policies that allow for rapid user access Provide for automatic, unalterable time-, date-, and place-stamp of each: Documentation entry, such as dictation, uploading, and scanning (original, edits, amendments) Access to the documentation Transmittal of the documentation Interoperability Systems, policies, and practices should: Provide the highest level of interoperability that is realistically achievable Enable authorized practitioners to capture, share, and report healthcare information from any system, whether paper- or electronic-based Support ways to document healthcare information so that it can be correctly read, integrated, and supplemented within any other system in the same or another organization Retrievability Systems, policies, and practices should: Support achievement of a worldwide consensus on the structure of information so that the practitioner can efficiently locate relevant information. This requires the use of standardized titles, formats, templates, and macros, as well as standardized terminology, abbreviations, and coding. Enable authorized data searches, indexing, and mining Enable searches with incomplete information, e.g., wild card searches, fuzzy logic searches Authentication and Accountability Systems, policies, and practices should: Uniquely identify persons, devices, or systems that create or generate the information and that take responsibility for its accuracy, timeliness, etc. Require that all information be attributable to its source (i.e., a person or device). Require that unsigned documents be readily recognizable as such Require review of documents prior to authentication. “Signed without review” and similar statements should be discouraged Auditability Systems, policies, and practices should: Allow users to examine basic information elements, such as data fields Audit access and disclosure of protected health information Alert users of errors, inappropriate changes, and potential security breaches Promote use of performance metrics as part of the audit capacity Confidentiality and Security Systems, policies, and practices should: Demonstrate adherence to related legislation, regulations, guidelines, and policies throughout the healthcare documentation process Alert the user to potential confidentially and security breaches[2] Technological Advancement Over time the transcription industry must embrace advancement of technologies. These technologies will evolve to increase efficiency, decrease turnaround time, increase accuracy, and support data capture. While many of these technologies exist today (such as digital dictation and electronic signature), several technologies are still on the horizon. Although natural language understanding is showing promise, it still has issues that will take time to resolve. Natural language understanding will enable physicians to use their transcription in ways never before possible. Today’s methods of producing transcription are a clutter of systems, applications, and processes that cannot be represented with ease. To remain a viable industry, it must adapt to the changes, fine-tune the methods, and simplify the overarching processes. Figure 1 shows a simplified high-level process of producing transcription while capitalizing on new echnologies. Figure 1: A simplified high-level process of producing transcription Legislative Acceptance and Compliance HIPAA is not likely to be the only legislation to affect medical transcription. Patient privacy, with compliance required by April 14, 2003 , has already begun to show movement in the transcription industry. The final security regulation is likely to affect transcription even more as it will require that the chain of trust and its security requirements are far more robust than currently exist in the majority of the transcription industry today. Independent transcriptionists and small companies should consider complying fully today with patient privacy to prepare them for security. If they are not able to comply, they should consider taking employment with a company that is compliant. Medical transcription is a fairly unique industry as transcriptionists go into the career with the intent of being an independent business. Physicians should be watchful for other responsibilities and liabilities that can arise as a result of HIPAA noncompliance or using a company that is not compliant. Physicians should weigh the risks and consider avoiding civil litigation by: Bringing their transcription department or employee transcriptionist into compliance Verifying a transcription company’s or independent transcriptionist’s compliance Don’t take their word for it. If they don’t meet and preferably exceed requirements, the physician’s choice is simple — provide resources and financial assistance to bring them to compliance, bring transcription back in-house, or switch to a company that is already compliant. It would be better to exceed compliance requirements than put themselves at significant risk of litigation and large civil damages. Verifying that transcription is produced in the US If it is produced offshore, verify compliance rather than taking their word for it. If it cannot be verified, weigh the risks of facing verification of compliance, bringing transcription back in-house, or switching to a compliant service. Centralization The industry must be prepared to centralize its resources as more providers outsource transcription to free up space and migrate from individuals and mom and pop companies to larger companies. The industry will need to support changing demographics and distribution of transcriptionists as more companies of substantial size are formed and transcriptionists become employees rather than their own boss. CONCLUSION The transcription industry survived and actually grew when it had been projected to dwindle to almost nothing. We are again challenged to predict the future of this very large and established industry. We should recognize that technologies such as EMRs and SR will continue to advance. This advancement will likely yield systems that are more user friendly and address previous problems with adoption. However, our prediction is not as aggressive as those of the past. The transcription industry is likely to increase in size over the next few years. It will see centralization of labor and resources in response to technology, production, and legal issues. As technologies move forward, proactive and visionary companies will adapt their services and business models to take advantage of the changes and insure the companies’ longevity. As provider needs and demands for data and services change and increase and as legislative issues continue to surface, those players who don’t adapt to the system or accept changes in their career are likely to be put out in the cold. The transcription industry will never fully disappear; however, it will take a very different form in the next three to five years, begin to diminish in size in five to seven years, and be much smaller in seven to ten years.

KERALA-SOME GLOWING FACTS AND FACETS






Kerala, better known as ‘God’s Own Country’ is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. The states of Karnataka in the north and Tamil Nadu in the east are Kerala's immediate neighbours. Geographically Kerala is divided into three regions:

• Highland or Mountain region
• Midland or the rolling hills
• Lowland or the coastal plains

There are 44 rivers flowing through Kerala, most of them are small and entirely fed by the Monsoons. The Kerala Backwaters, an interconnected system of brackish water lakes and river estuaries, lies behind the coast and runs virtually the length of the state.

Kerala came into existence on Novemebr 1, 1956 with Thiruvananthapuram as the capital
Major Achievements
First Indian State to achieve universal literacy.

The first in India to implement land reforms.

State with highest life expectancy.

State with lowest birth rate.

State with lowest infant mortality.

Only state with hospital facility in every village.

State in which the communication infrastructure is the highest in the country.

Kerala is picked by National Geographic as ‘50 Places of a Lifetime’

Population and General Information

Area ( in sq.km)


38,863

Population


3,18,41,374

Males


15,468,614

Females


16,372,760

Sex ratio : Females/1000


1058

Sex ratio : Females/1000


1058

Density of Population


819

Per Capita Income 2002-2003 (in Rs)


25,764

Literacy rate


90.86%; Male 94.24%; Female 87.72%

Principal Language


Malayalam

Coast line in km.



590

Water bodies area in ha
.


108,760

Forest area in ha.



1,081,509

Parliament Constituencies


20

Assembly Constituencies



140

No of Districts


14

No of Taluks


63

No of Revenue Divisions



21

No of Rural Blocks


152

No of Villages


1467
The modern State of Kerala was formed by the amalgamation of three regions, the Kingdom of Thiruvithamcoore (Travancore), the Kingdom of Kochi (Cochin) and Malabar District. Thiruvithamcoore and Kochi, former princely states, were merged to form Thiru-Kochi on July 1, 1949. Thiru-Kochi was merged with Malabar District and Kasargod taluk of South Kanara District to form the State of Kerala on November 1, 1956, based on the recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission set up by the Government of India.

Modern Kerala was created in 1956 when Malabar, which had been part of the Madras Presidency, was merged with Travancore and Kochi. The latter two were princely states, distinguished in that they had concerned themselves with the education and provision of basic services to the residents of their Kingdoms. The first Assembly elections in Kerala took place in 1957 and the first elected Communist government of Asia came into power headed by Shri. E.M.S.Namboothirippadu. The radical reforms introduced by that government in favour of farmers and labourers changed the social order which prevailed in kerala for centuries to a great extent.

Kerala is divided into 14 districts. They are (from north to south) Kasargod, Kannur (Cannanore), Wayanad (Wynad), Kozhikode (Calicut), Malappuram, Palakkad (Palghat), Thrissur (Trichur), Ernakulam (Cochin), Idukki, Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kollam (Quilon) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital. Kochi is the largest city and considered the commercial capital of the state.

Malayalam is the official language of Kerala. The state also has a large Tamil-speaking population. The major religions followed in Kerala are Hinduism (56.1%), Islam (24.7%), and Christianity (19%). Kerala also had a tiny Jewish population till recently, said to date from 587 BC when they fled the occupation of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. The state has many famous temples, churches, and mosques.
Kerala has a rich tradition in the arts, both classical and folk. In addition to the classical art forms like Koodiyattom (UNESCO Human Heritage Art), Kathakali, Kerala Natanam, Koothu, Mohiniyaattam Thullal, Padayani and Theyyam, Kerala has several folk art forms performed by people in various regions of the state. The region also has a tradition of Christian and Muslim performing arts. Malayalam Cinema is another mode of artistic expression.

In music, the dominant classical stream is Carnatic music, the classical music of South India. Travancore king and music composer Swathi Thirunal was instrumental in popularising Carnatic music in Kerala. Kerala has its own music system called Sopanam which is a slow, step-by-step rendition of raga based songs. This is the music style used in Kathakali.

Kerala also has a unique and varied heritage in the percussion instruments genre. Classical styles of percussion music known as 'Melam' ( major categories are 'Paandi', 'Panchari') are performed using the unique Kerala instrument 'Chenda' during temple festivals. These are performed by large ensembles of percussion artists numbering up to 150 in numbers, each performance lasting up to 3 to 4 hours. Another major percussion ensemble of Kerala is 'Panchavadyam' consisting of 5 percussion instruments, again played by around 100 artists in major festivals. In addition to these major percussion orchestras, there are other varieties of percussion instruments / percussion methods associated with different folk and classical art forms of Kerala - all of them unique and found to be used only in this region.

Apart from such performing arts, Kerala has made its mark in fine arts as well. Modern Indian art scenario is blessed with the presence of Kerala.

Kerala ranks highest in India with respect to social development indices such as elimination of poverty, primary education and healthcare. Kerala was declared the world's first "baby-friendly state" under WHO-UNICEF's Baby Friendly Hospital initiative. The state is known for Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine which has found a new market in the growing tourist industry.

As per the 2001 census, Kerala is the only state in India with a female-to-male ratio higher than 0.99 (the ratio for Kerala is 1.058 while the national figure is 0.933). It is the only state in India to have sub-replacement fertility.

The literacy rate in Kerala is the highest among Indian states, and so is the unemployment rate. Education and early influences of Arabs, Jews, Chinese and Portuguese have also made Kerala one of the most religiously diverse states in India.

Kerala has an ancient solar calendar called the Malayalam calendar which is used by various communities primarily for Agricultural related activities and religious functions. Kerala has its own form of martial art, Kalarippayattu. Theyyam and Poorakkali are popular ritual arts of North Malabar, the northern part of Kerala. Oppana is most popular among Mappilas,the Muslim community in Malabar. Onam, associated with the legend of Mahabali is a state festival, but Keralites celebrate many other religious festivals, including Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas, Easter, Deepavali and Vishu.

The economy of Kerala is predominantly agrarian in nature. In terms of per capita GDP and production Kerala lags behind many Indian states, but in terms of the Human Development Index and the standard of living of the people, Kerala is well ahead of most of the rest of India. In fact, in certain development indices Kerala is on par with some of the developed countries. This paradox is often termed the “Kerala Phenomenon” or “Kerala model of development” by experts and is mainly due to the state's strong service sector.

Kerala's economy can be best described as a socialistic welfare economy. However, Kerala's emphasis on social welfare has also resulted in slow economic progress with few major industries. Remittances from Keralites working abroad, mainly in the Middle East, make up over twenty percent of State Domestic Product (SDP).

Agriculture is the most important economic activity. Coconut, tea and coffee are grown extensively, along with rubber, cashew and spices. Spices commonly cultivated in Kerala include pepper, cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Much of Kerala's agriculture is in the form of home gardens.

Kerala is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign travellers. Among the tourist attractions are great beaches, serene hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries and beautiful Kerala Backwaters, as also the marvel of Kerala building art revealed in many landmark structures that dot the landscape.. National Geographic Society described Kerala as one of the 50 must-see destinations of a lifetime. Kochi, the commercial capital of the state is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Alappuzha, the first planned town in Kerala is called the "Venice of the East". Tourism plays an important role in the state's economy. (For more details please visit www.keralatourism.org).

The livestock sector plays a vital role in the economy of Kerala, and offers great potential for alleviating poverty and unemployment in rural areas. The majority of livestock owning farmers are small and/or marginal or even landless. In view of its suitability for combination with the crop sub-sector and its sustainability as a household enterprise with the active involvement of the farm women, livestock rearing is emerging as a very popular supplementary vocation in the small farm segment. Rural women play a significant role in the development of the livestock sub-sector and are involved in operations such as feeding, milking, breeding, management, health care and running micro-enterprises. It is estimated that about 32 lakh (3.2 million) out of the total number of 55 lakh (5.5 million) households in Kerala are engaged in livestock rearing for supplementing their income. The homestead settlement pattern, the relatively high level of literacy - particularly among women, the highly favourable agroclimatic conditions conducive for biomass production and the long tradition in livestock rearing are inherent strengths which the Kerala economy possesses in favour of livestock rearing.

Road network in Kerala has the distinction of achieving connectivity to all the villages in the state. Length of roads in Kerala is 145704 km (4.2 percent of that in India). Kerala has 4.62 km of road per thousand population, against the national figure of 2.59 km.

Traffic in Kerala has been growing at a rate of 10 to 11 percent every year, resulting in excessive pressure on the roads. Total road length in Kerala increased by 5 percent during 2003-2004. The road density in Kerala is nearly four times the national average, and is a reflection of the unique settlement patterns in the State.The National Highway network in Kerala is 1524 km, only 2.6 percent of the national total. There are eight National Highways in the State.

KERALA-THE NEW INDUSTRIAL HOT-SPOT OF SOUTH ASIA






KERALA-INDIA'S MOST ADVANCED SOCIETY
Kerala, the progressive land with immense opportunities for investors, bestows an investor-friendly environment with well-structured policies and pioneering initiatives. The world-class infrastructure and the support make way for a successful venture. Among the leading commercial and trading centres of India, Kerala offers conducive environment for setting up any industry.

ADVANTAGES OF KERALA

* Strategic Location
* Easy Accessibility
* Excellent Communications Network
* Highly Skilled Manpower
* World Class Infrastructure
* Total Support
* Extremely Low Operating Costs
* India's Most Advanced Society

This is what the rest of the world is saying about Kerala:

"Best Performing State"
-Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India

"One of the 10 exotic Paradises in the world and one of the 50 'must-see' destinations of the world"
- National Geographic Traveler

"One of the 10 best sites in India"
- PC World (about www.keralatourism.org, the official site of the Department of Tourism, Kerala)

Kerala has had a commendable record in terms of the Physical Quality of Life Index. Indicators of PQLI like infant mortality (13%), female literacy (86%), and life expectancy at birth for males (69) and females (72), are well above all India levels. The major reason for this achievement is Kerala's focus on the service sector. About 37% of the total annual expenditure of the State is earmarked for health and education. Another reason for this is the existence of a larger network of health infrastructure with 961 primary health centres and 5094 sub centres.

Transport system

The public transport system in the state consists of government buses, private buses, taxis and autorickshaws. Almost every nook and corner of the state is connected by a road network. Three National Highways - NH 47, NH 17 and NH 49, link the state with other parts of the country. There are around 200 railway stations and 101 train services connecting the state to almost all major cities of India.

Inland water transport system is available in the districts of Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. Boats are used in certain areas for public transport. Under consideration is an inland waterways project for linking the southern and northern tips of the state.

The airports in the state are the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the Kochi International Airport and the Karipur Airport at Kozhikode. Along with Indian Airlines other private airlines too operate services through these airports to different destinations. Thiruvananthapuram boasts of a number of international flight connections.


Strategic Location

Strategically located midway on the corridor connecting Europe and the Far East countries, the entire State of Kerala is one extended urban neighbourhood.



Easy Accessibility

The State has three airports, all operating International flights. The Container Port of Kochi has the most modern facilities, and is one of the best natural harbours in the world. There is no congestion at the port; it is increasingly sought after as a port-of-call for cruise ships.

Communication Network

Kerala provides high international connectivity and instant data transfer facilities. Investment bases such as Technopark, even provide an in-campus dedicated satellite earth station, which offers global information links that are quite inexpensive.

What is more, Kerala is one of the only two locations in India where both the optic fibre submarine cables SEA-ME-WE-3 and SAFE converge, giving superb Global Connectivity at unbelievably low rates.

In addition, Kerala not only has the highest tele-density, but also the highest penetration of optic fibre cable in the country. Kerala also comes across as the cell phone circle with the highest density in India, with an unparalleled connectivity across 70 different towns. Even in the most remote part of Kerala, state-of-the-art digital exchanges provide voice communication to every nook and corner of the world.



Manpower

Kerala has the highest literacy rate in the country and it offers educated and trained manpower in abundance. Several reputed universities and a wide range of technical institutes such as the College of Engineering, Trivandrum and the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, churn out world class engineers, scientists, technicians, analysts and programmers, making Kerala the most dense cluster of Science and Technology personnel in India.



World Class Infrastructure

In order to promote the core competency areas of Kerala, dedicated sector-specific industrial parks are rapidly being set up across the State. These parks offer walk-in-and-manufacture environments with state-of-the-art, infrastructure, thus making locating industry hassle-free.
Technopark - Trivandrum is a glittering example in the above stated scenario.

Kerala-The Preferred Industrial Destination
Power Tariff Lowest
Water Tariff Lowest
Water Quality Good
Telecommunication Network Throughout the state
Air-connection An airport can be reached in less than two and a half hours from anywhere in the State
KINFRA Export Promotion Industrial Park - Common Facility

KINFRA Apparel Park - Common Facility

Total Support

In order to promote industrial growth, the Government of Kerala offers a host of pro-active policies and pro-enterprise incentives. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation provides total support and single-window-clearance facility.



Low Operating Costs
Compared to other competitive locations, start-up costs are substantially low; almost as low as 75% in walk-and-manufacture environments like Technopark. Low starting salaries, along with low rentals, power, water and transport tariffs keep operating costs minimal



India's Most Advanced Society

The living standard of Keralaites too is high when compared to the national level. With a population of about 30 million, the state is India's most progressed society in terms of education, literacy and health. In fact, Kerala has the highest Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) in India and the highest Human Development Index.

With highest literacy rate in country, highest life expectancy, least population growth, lowest infant mortality, Kerala, not surprisingly, has been adopted by the world bodies as the role model for developing countries.

Monday, 8 September 2008

ECOTOURISM- THE KERALA STYLE






Ecotourism in Kerala


Ecotourism is a growing area in the tourist friendly state of Kerala. Ecotourism in Kerala has taken off in a big way because Kerala has many destinations known for their natural beauty and exquisite landscape. Kerala is one of the greenest destinations in India. The landscape is covered with coconut palms in the coastal areas. The paddy fields shimmer with the emerald green of new shoots. The banana plantations are filled with the whisper of waving green banana leaves. The tea plantations are a green blanket that cover the hill ranges as far as the eye can see, in the Western Ghats in Kerala and the backwaters are fringed with Pandanus plants that trail the tips of their long leaves in the rippling water, as you float by. You can appreciate the verdant beauty of Kerala on Kerala tours with Kerala backwater.


The wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala are popular ecotourism destinations. Tourists from all over the world come to see tigers, elephants, deer and animals native to the Malabar region, such as the Nilgiri Tahr, in the wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala including Periyar, Wynad, Silent Valley and Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

In recent times the rubber plantations and tea estates have also opened their doors to tourists who travel to Kerala, seeking a green getaway. The Portuguese, Dutch, French and English colonial rulers of Kerala established the plantations of Kerala during colonial times. The crops they introduced to Kerala include rubber, grown for its latex, and tea - England's favorite drink. These crops grew and flourished in Kerala's pleasant climate. Sheltered from the sun by tall trees, the plantations and their lodges, offer tourists a relaxing getaway on Kerala tours. You can visit the plantations of Kerala on ecotourism vacations in Kerala.

Some of the ecotourism attractions that you will see on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater are:

Rubber Plantations in Kerala

Tea Plantations in Kerala

Spice Plantations in Kerala

BACKWATER HONEYMOON IN KERALA-WHAT AN IDEA






Honeymoon in Kerala Backwaters



Begin your life together with an unforgettable journey to a green paradise, when you enjoy a honeymoon in Kerala Backwaters. Imagine you and your loved one relaxing on a houseboat and floating along a tranquil Kerala Backwater. Feel as if you're the only people in the world as you travel through the placid waterways. Hear no voices other than the murmur of rippling water, the whisper of the wind rustling among the palm fronds and the sound of birds calling as they fly across an azure sky. Lie back and count the stars in the velvet sky of the tropical night, as you anchor on the banks of a Kerala backwater.

Wake up and see breath-takingly beautiful countryside on your honeymoon in Kerala Backwaters. The fertile green land, abundant sparkling water and clear blue sky come together in harmony, in the mesmerizing scenery of Kerala Backwaters. Visit the beautiful destinations of Kumarakom, Vembanad, Kuttanad and Cochin, when you travel with Kerala Backwater. Lie back on your houseboat and trail your fingers
through the warm ripples of the backwaters, where the river and the sea combine. Take a boat cruise in Cochin harbor and see the sun sink below the horizon, as the Chinese fishing nets form delicately beautiful silhouettes on the backdrop of the vermilion sky, on your honeymoon in Kerala Backwaters.

Be amazed by the natural beauty of the landscape around you in Kerala backwaters. Verdant paddy fields shine with an emerald glow in the early morning sunshine. Bright new banana leaves and palm fronds sway in the breeze, children laugh and wave as you pass by on your houseboat, and the lives of the local people, in the villages along the Kerala backwaters, continue in a timeless flow of the river of life.

Flow along with the backwaters of Kerala and experience a journey like no other, when you enjoy a honeymoon in Kerala Backwaters. Build a lifetime of memories of your journey together, through a Garden of Eden in God's Own Country.