Couples can enter for free, and club rules are applied. So Kochi, we know where we can find you on 11^th February 2012!! See you at Ava Lounge.

From Kochi Corporation to private organizations, many people have strived to bring about a change. But this has often gone unheard and unseen. Laws and rules have been implemented. But we all know that they don’t last long. So where does the real solution lie? In our hands, or with the concerned authorities? Without say we know that the roles we ought to play are crucial. But how many of us really strive for a cleaner Kochi?

Aby Mathew, who works with a private firm in Kochi says that the solution lies in the hands of Kochiites. “Many laws have been passed. But even now, people dump garbage on the main roads, without the slightest thought about fellow beings! It’s just a matter of concern. Throw your household garbage to the main bins rather than public places. You can see the difference in the cleanliness of our city”, said Aby. “Why is garbage disposal an issue to Kochiites alone? The problem isn’t this worse in other parts of the state”, says Shalom Thomas, a resident of Kochi. “Let us be more considerate and make sure that the garbage goes to the bins and not on our roads. Also, we must stop throwing bottles and wrappers on footpaths”, added Shalom.

Well, we all know that all these will make a difference and facilitate to a cleaner better Kochi. So what are we waiting for? We need to start working for clean Kochi!

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!

Here is what a couple of young Kochiites think about women safety after wee hours in the city. “Kochi is still not safe for women to travel after 7 p.m. When a girl walks on the road after dusk, men still tend to look at them in a negative way, and that is definitely not safe”, says Jerry Sequira, who works with a private organization in Kochi . “We have a long way to go. Government and cops need to be more strict and vigilant to protect women”, added Jerry. Devika Kumar, who lives in Kochi says “Kochhites need to change their attitude. Kochi is progressing in the party front and girls do night-outs with friends. Accept that we have come a long way from just being a small town”.

We all know how unsafe it still is for women to travel after dark, not just in Kochi but any metro for that matter. But Kochiites need to change their attitudes as well! What do you think about this!?

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!

Kochi has been the host to events like Kochi Fashion Week and umpteen fashion shows. But have they really created a change in the mindset of the Malayali? We aren’t talking about men alone, women also needs to go a large way when it comes to accepting clothes. Tanya Thadikaran, a resident of Kochi feels that there has been a paradigm shift in our crowds’ mindset recently. “Malayali’s are now open to other styles and are accepting more of North Indian and western forms of clothes. The emergence of Kochi Fashion Week has made a huge difference. Many designer stores are have started in Kochi, including the latest Ritu Kumar store”, said Tanya. “This shows that Kochiites have become conscious about how they look, and also want to update on the latest trends”, added Tanya.

Geethesh Pillai, who lives Kochi, says that Women Fashion in Kochi is still lagging far behind in our city. “Women dressing in our city are still conservative, and they aren’t confident on what they wear. I think the coming of big malls like Lulu will make a difference. All we can do is wait and see”, said Geethesh.

So what do you think about the women fashion scene in our city? Tell us what your take is on this.

Why look towards the government and the bureaucracy when the transformation can begin at home? By overlooking our own capacities as harbingers of change and prosperity for the downtrodden in society, do we not sell ourselves short? Does not the new generation of citizens in the world’s most youthful nation possess the transformative power and vigor to re-shape society, and chart its own course to a brighter destiny?

SOCIOPRENEUR is an annual event conducted by the E-Cell of Model Engineering College, Kochi. True to its tag “Think Different for A Change”, Sociopreneur recognizes the potential inherent in budding young entrepreneurs to mould the future of this country, and inspires them to utilize their creative and business acumen to create social ventures targeting any one or more of the several shortcomings of modern society. The event requires you to create a Business Plan, which when executed can and will create a social change/impact for the good. Participants from across Kerala, and indeed, across the whole of India shall present their blueprints for the India they envision, and the work to be done to attain it! The winning team takes over Rs. 40,000 as cash prize as an incentive to bring their ideas to fruition and help Be the Change!

India awaits its next generation of visionaries! Will YOU answer its call?  The online phase of the competition concludes on February 20th, 2012.

Mail in your entries for Sociopreneur 2012 to sociopreneurmec@gmail.com on or before the date specified.

For more information regarding competition format, timeline, stay tuned to the following sources:

Website: http://www.ecellmec.org

Facebook Account: Socio Preneur

Facebook Page: Sociopreneur-MEC

Twitter Account: @sociopreneurmec

Selected candidates can perform in RAGAM & MANOJs CONCEPTUAL DANCE SHOW which is to be held on the month of March 2012. So put on your dance shoes and make sure that your ‘dance’ is seen by everyone. You are yet not late. Register soon!

Contact them for more details at 9447530633.

This is done as part of the ‘Suchitwautsavam 2011-2012’, and will begin on Tuesday. More than 300 college students will be chosen for this programme and they will be trained by the Corporation in order to form health clubs in their educational institutions and schools in the city. And this time, it is not just the government aided schools that would be a part of this programme, ICSE and CBSE schools in the city will also take part in this.

The best way to reach out to Kochi residents is through school and college students who can clearly pass on the message. Hopefully, this endeavor will reap some good results. Let us wait and see how clean and green Kochi will turn out to be in the days to come!

The tickets would be charged 500 rupees per kid, but parents can accompany the kids for free at the event. Here are how the sessions would go. The first session will be from 10.30 a.m-12.30 p.m, 2p.m.-4 p.m, and the last one from 4.30 p.m-6.30 p.m.

For more details, you can ping them at 0484- 2367334 or 9447406046. It is still not late! So if you are interested, make sure you don’t miss this one!