The event comprises of video installations that refer to the Hortus Malabaricus, its compiler Hendrik van Drakenstein and its contemporary usage. It also deals with the history and present day traces of Dutch colonization in Fort Cochin. Fort Kochi has been a bowl of cultures. Having hosted people from far-off lands, this place in the city of Ernakulam is the homeland to many people. From Jews to Anglo-Indians and more, we see an array of cultures here.

The event will be held on February 15^th to the 22^nd, 2012, at David Hall, Fort Cochin.

February 18^th, 2012 : from 5p.m. to 8 p.m. Opening of the exhibition, public discussion and launch of the online community platform.

Mrs. Mariella van Miltenburg, Head of the Department of Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy of the Netherlands Embassy in New Delhi, will officially open the exhibition. Make sure that you take part be part of this event.

We spoke to a few Kochiites who have been opting for multiplexes these days, and here is what they think about it! Mathews Wilson, who works with a software firm in Kochi, says that he likes multiplexes mainly due to their cleanliness and hygiene. “When I hear the movie is good, I prefer watching it in a multiplex, whereas if it’s a mediocre one, I prefer the normal theatre. But today, most of them go to a multiplex due to the hype and publicity given to it”, said Mathews. “But honestly, I would go to a multiplex now, be it with family or friends”, added Mathews.

Terine Lewis, a resident of Kochi says that the switching over to multiplexes these days is due to the change in our lifestyles. “Youngsters prefer fancy places. So they wouldn’t go to the local theatres. Multiplexes are way better any day”, says Terine.

So now we understand that unless owners of the theaters take some smart initiatives, you would very soon find a city where theatres are not seen, and rather ruled by multiplexes!

They have got a nice collection of cotton suites, salwar materials and kurtas which you can pick from. The shop has been in business for a more than a year, and they are catching up at a rapid pace. They have block prints, embroidered clothes, and materials with beautiful prints, tie and dye and more. You name it, they have it. Their readymade kurtas are unique, and you don’t have to spend too much to get hold of them. It’s not just cotton, they have silk, and nylon materials as well. They have got a lovely collection of sarees too.

So make sure you drop in at their nearest store, and you can get some lovely clothes all to yourself. You would fall in love with Cactus!

Cotton Hut has been into business since the past two months, and the response they have been getting from Kochiites is quite remarkable. “We sell our goods at the best reasonable rates. As we manufacture the apparels for our store, we ensure that they are of the best quality”, says Dinesh, Owner of Cotton Hut. You get to shop some trendy skirts that come at prices of 400-800 rupees and tops worth 500 and more.

There are night wears and pyjamas for both men and women. Work out trousers (for both genders), clothes for babies, etc. are the other clothes that you can check out from Cotton Hut. Dinesh adds “We are supplying for 52 clubs on the onset of the Olympics 2012”. Well, so now we know they master in quality as well! The shop is a family business, and they are all excited about the store being opened in Kochi as our city is now one of the India’s most sought after fashion hub.

You can stitch your clothes from here. You buy a salwar material from Cotton Hut, and you get a discount when you stitch it from there!

Drop in at Cotton Hut: ‘HB-29’, Sreyas Palace, 4^th Cross Road, Panampilly Nagar, Cochin- 36. You can ping them at 0484- 2313058/59 or mail them at sreyasexports@gmail.com.

Along with giving brands in town a better and wider exposure,  IITM will help people from the industry to come together and discuss things. Corporates, private and public sectors will also be part of the event. It also provided participants a chance to network and create new tie-ups. More than 100 exhibitors along with nearly 3000 participants are expected to be a part of this huge fest. Make sure you do not miss to visit the fest.

For more details on the event, log onto www.iitmindia.com.

The grand festival is happening at Kaloor International Stadium, and will be on till the 5^th of January 2012. Vanitha Utsav begins at 11 a.m and gets over by 9 p.m everyday. There are more than 200 stalls at the event. You name the product, they have it! Everything is available under one roof. Every year, Vanitha Utsav stalls (of major electronic companies) have made sure that customers get products at absolutely reasonable rates. This year too, they are sticking on to it. So if you wanted to shop electronics, you know where to drop in. Sony, LG, Philips, Onida etc., all the brands are available here.

The entertainment shows that follow the grand event every evening is another thing which you would not want to miss. They bring leading playback singers and eminent artists to perform for the event. Haven’t you tried Vanitha Utsav yet? Drop in today!

An instinctive photographer, his magical touch is evident in the numerous photos he has taken ranging from stills to faces, and abstract to reality. He is known to capture images from day today life and render them immortal. His play of colors and shapes in the photos he clicks talk deeply about his passion and love for photography. He hails from the beautiful village near Cochin, North Paravur. His eye for detail is completely self-taught and it is his love for the unknown and the need to capture it through the visual medium that made him follow his dreams to become a freelance travel photographer. There are limitations to the use of language, but for Hari it is through the photographs that he speaks.

Hari Menon partnering with Media Wallet Branding Solutions, the branding and advertising arm of Cochin Media City, a leading media conglomerate, announced a two-day photography workshop from January 28th to 29th at the Abad Grande Residencia, Fort Kochi. The entry is limited to 25 aspiring photographers, who would be introduced to world-class techniques in photography to enable them explore their creative side. For more details please write to mediawallet@gmail.com

The match venue, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, will be packed with cops and tight security is imposed on the area. Traffic in the city would be deviated. Fans will have to park their vehicles in the outskirts of the venue as there will be no parking provided (for fans) inside the venue. The tickets for the matches are being given out for free. With AMMA’s (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) and the government’s counters near the entry, fans can donate amount for charity.

The Kerala Strikers’ have been undergoing rigorous practice sessions and training. With all this, the team is all set to play against Mumbai Heroes. Captain Mohanlal of Kerala Strikers’ have told that they are quite confident of winning the match. Now, let us wait and see what is in store for Kerala Strikers’ on the 22^nd of Jan at Kochi! Kochiites, see you there!

With world class facilities for warehousing and godowns, CFS will be one-of-its-kind. The project has been already approved by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The CFS which is coming up in a space of 2.58 hectares leased out by the Cochin Port Trust has been given out for a period of 30 years. The company which has set up the CFS, has also joined hands with private firms to start up more container freight stations in the city.

CFS will elate Kochi’s status in the world economy. Kochi can very soon be one of the most sought after commercial hubs. Providing more employment and business opportunities to people, CFS will be a boon to our city. Undoubtedly, the next big thing in Kochi, we are all waiting to witness this big initiative!

Seems like the Central Government heard the grievances! Very soon, Fortkochi will own a 10 crore budget project which will change the face of the city. According to the authorities, work to improve the condition of this tourist spot will begin this year itself. From roads to hotels, home stays and shopping spots, there needs to be an absolute make-over which is required.

One of the important projects in the list is to provide betterment in the condition of the road from Vasco Da Gama Square to Bishop Palace. Lights (on either side of the roads) will also be provided. The Chinese fishing nets, which were neglected for long, will also get a make-over.

There are more to the list. Let us hope this project will provide a complete face change to Fortkochi, so that it becomes one of the most sought after tourist spots in the country by this year end!