Presentation Topic:

Kerala (God’s Own Country)

About Kerala

Kerala regionally know as Keralam is a state located in the south-west region of India.

It was formed on 1 November 1956 by combining various Malayalam specking regions.

Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital among the 14 districts and other major cities are Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam and Thrissur.

The state has the highest literacy rate (94.59 %), the highest life expectancy rate (74 years) and the highest sex ratio (1083 F per 1000 M) among the indian states.

According to survey report by Transparency International it is the least corrupt state in the country.

Climate:

Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rain. It rains around

120-140 days per year. Around 65 % rain occurs between June to August and the rest from September

to December.

State symbols of Kerala

Animal: Indian ElephantBird: Great HornbillFlower: Golden Shower Tree FlowerTree : Coconut tree

Subdivision:

The state is divided into 14 districts and in that 14 districts are distributed in six region. They are:

North Malabar (far north Kerala)

South Malabar (northern Kerala)

Kochi (Central Kerala)

Northern Travancore, Central Travancore (Southern Kerala)

South Travancore (far south Kerala)

Government and administrationKerala hosts two major political alliance: The United Democratic Front (India) UDF led by Indian National Congress and Left Democratic Front (Kerala) LDF led by communist party of India (Marxist).

At present UDF is ruling government by Oomen Chandy (CM) now while V.S. Achuthanandan (LDF) is the leader of opposition.

Strikes, protests and marches are ubiquitous in Kerala because of the comparatively strong presence of labour unions.

Kerala produce 97% of national output of pepper and 85% out of the area under natural rubber in the country.

The key agricultural staple is rice, with some six hundred varieties are grown in an extensive paddy field

Animal Husbandry also important sector in Kerala. The government also provide such activity via educational campaigns and the development of new cattle breeds such as the “SUNANDINI”.

AGRICULTURE

AlcoholThe state government holds a monopoly over liquor sale in the state.

Every year the liquor consumption keeps on increasing and the revenues earned during the year 2010-2011 was about 6700 crores.

The state has the highest tax on liquor (around 120 %)

The state has the highest per capita consumption i.e 8 litres per person in a year overtaking Punjab & Haryana.

More than 40% revenue in annual budget come from liquor sales. 100 % rise over the past four years.

TourismBeaches: Kovalam, Cherai, Kappad, Varkala.

Hill stations: Munnar, Nelliampathi, Wayanad and Ponmudi.

Wild Life sanctuaries: Periyar and Eravikulam National Park.

Backwaters: Alleppey, Kumarakom.

Architecture: Padmanabhapuram Palace, Malik Deenar Mosque Kasargod.

BSE listed Kerala Companies:State Bank of TravancoreFederal BankDhanlaxmi BankSouth Indian BankMuthootCochin Minerals and Rutile LimitedKerala Solvent Extractions LtdManapurram General Finance and Leasing Ltd.

Tranport:Roads:NH 47 & NH 17 – Edapally to PanvelRoad accident among nation’s highest.

Railways:Connects most of the major cities & towns.

Airport:Trivandrum, Cochin & CalicutProposal to Kannur and Pathanamthitta.

DanceKerala is a home to a number of performance arts.Five main classical dance in Hindu: Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattom, Thullal and Krishnanattam.

Christains: Margamkali, Parichamuttu and Chavittu nadakom

Muslim: Oppana and Duffmuttu

Festivals:Onam: This festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary EmperorMahabali.

It falls during the month of Chingam (August-September).

Thrissur Pooram: One of the most popular temple festival.

It is held at Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple every year of the malayalam month of ‘Medam’ (mid April – mid May)

MediaMedia, telecommunication, broadcasting and cable services – Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.Newspaper – Malayala manorama, Mathrubhumi, Mangalam.Channels – Asianet, Surya TV, Kiran TV, KairaliFilm - Most of the malayalam Films were based on social themesActors: Bharath Gopi, Prem Nazir (720 movies), Mammotty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Murali, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Cochin Hannefa, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu. Since 1980s – Mammotty & Mohanlal have dominated the movie industry.Mammotty – 3 National Awards.Mohanlal - 2 National Awards .

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