Kerala Chief Minister Mr Oommen Chandy has reiterated that the state government has no intention of selling any government-owned land to private entrepreneurs for projects showcased in the three-day "Emerging Kerala 2012" meet, which opens in Kochi next Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference in Kochi last night, the Chief Minister said land will be provided on lease with secure agreements and absolute ownership will remain with the state government. He was referring to the allegations that Emerging Kerala is a front for selling off government land to private investors.

Mr Chandy said environment checks and balances will be built into all projects from the planning stage. The government will give top priority to projects in the areas of waste management, value addition in agriculture and generation of power from non-conventional sources. Projects satisfying all norms will be given clearance within 90 days.

The Chief Minister observed that Emerging Kerala is a platform to highlight Kerala's inherent strengths and not an investment meet in the conventional sense.

Over 2500 participants from 52 countries will be taking part in the meet, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

he Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has declared a dividend of 16 per cent for its shareholders. This was announced at the 18th Annual General Meeting of the company held in Kochi today. Addressing the Meeting, CIAL Chairman and the Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the company achieved a total turnover of Es 276 crore during the last fiscal---an increase of 13 per cent when compared to the previous year. He said the profit after tax has crossed the Rs 100-crore mark. The Cochin International Airport is the first greenfield airport in the country, built under public-private partnership.

The Government of Kerala has taken a slew of measures to attract foreign investment in the state and create a favourable business environment. State government is reaching out to investors in the gulf region to take advantage of the opportunity and put their money in various projects in the state. “Emerging Kerala,” a three-day global meet for business leaders, investors and policy makers has been organized by the state Government in Kochi, from September 12 to 14. A high level delegation visited to attract the investors from the gulf region .The delegation interacted with the captains of industry in Dubai and invited them to explore the business opportunities in Kerala and become the partners in progress. They highlighted measures including online Single window clearance for all new projects, fast track clearance of projects routed through Emerging Kerala within 90 days, Empowered Committee for special incentives or concessions, a permanent secretariat for Emerging Kerala and an enabling environment in public private partnership mode. 26 sectors have been identified including infrastructure, Telecom, IT enabled services, Education and Knowledge development, healthcare, tourism etc. Among the high value projects where the partners are being looked for include, High Speed Rail Corridor, National Industrial Manufacturing Zone between Kochin and Palakkad, Electronics Hub, Smart City and Oceanarium in Kochin, Edu City in Mallapuram, Titanium Sponge Project in Kollam, Gas based power project in Kasargod, Kochin Metro, Mono Rail projects in Thiruvanathapuram , Kannur Airport etc. The delegation highlighted the excellent infrastructure, connectivity through air ,rail ,road and sea networks, power surplus, intellectual capital and an investor friendly enabling environment as the drivers of growth in Kerala. The participants at the business meet evinced keen interest in the projects to join the larger platform of Emerging Kerala in September this year.

The 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in Cochin from 7 to 9th January, next year. Addressing the media, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Mr. Vayalar Ravi, said the Prime Minister will inaugurate the annual flagship event. 

The President of India will deliver the valedictory address and also confer the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards. Mr. Vayalar Ravi said, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has become a significant forum to connect overseas Indians from all over the world.

He also said that Kerala will be the partner State of the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas which would provide the Diaspora an opportunity to understand the vibrant culture and potential of the State. More than 2000 delegates from across the world are expected to participate in the event.

The south-west monsoon today hit Kerala bringing much-needed relief to farmers. Monsoon generally arrives on Kerala coast on 1st June, but it got delayed due to cyclonic pressure over the Arabian Sea this year.

Talking to AIR, Director weather forecasting of the Met Department Dr BP Yadav said, it has been raining for the past few days, but the parameters suggest the monsoon has now arrived. He said it covered Kerala completely and has now reached Mangalore.

Mr Yadav said, monsoon rains will arrive in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Konkan region and Goa in the next two days. Further, Mumbai can hope to receive rains in the next two-three days where as it is expected to arrive in Kolkata on June 10th and 12th. The IMD has forecast average rains in 2012, for the third straight year.

AIR correspondent reports the onset of monsoon rains brightens the prospects of higher farm output as farmers can plant summer-sown crops such as rice, soybean and cotton on time. The annual rains are crucial for farm output and economic growth as about 55 percent of India’s arable land is rain-fed, and farm sector accounts for about 15 per cent of a nearly two trillion US dollar economy.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy says sea plane service, which is expected to provide further boost to the tourism sector in the state, will be introduced in September.


Laying the foundation of the office and boat terminal of the Goshree Islands Development Authority in Kochi Saturday morning, Mr. Chandy said the inaugural service will coincide with the Emerging Kerala Global Connect 2012, to be held in Kochi from September 12 to 14.

The most colourful and spectacular of all temple festivals in Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is being held today. The festivities will culminate today with processions of deities of smaller temples in and around Thrissur, converging at the Vadakkumnathan temple, where Lord Shiva is the presiding deity. The processions of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples accompanied by Panchavadyam and Pandimelam are the most important. A colorful display of fireworks will be held during the early hours of tomorrow as a part of the festival.

The Supreme Court today sought the Italian government's stand on a plea seeking release of its vessel Enrica Lexie whose two marines allegedly had shot dead two Indian fishermen in February. A bench of justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale reserved its order on vessel's owner Dolphin Tankers' plea for release of the ship tomorrow. By this time, the Italian government too was asked to file its reply. Earlier during the argument, the apex court questioned the Kerala government as to why it did not oppose the compromise reached between the families of the deceased fishermen and the Italian vessel's owners, who reportedly paid one crore rupees to each victim's family.

The people of Assam are celebrating Rongali Bihu to welcome the Assamese New Year 1419 which begins today. The festival is also known as the 'Bohaag Bihu' as it marks the beginning of the Assamese month-Bohaag.

The celebration will last for a week. Bihu functions are being organized across the State with participation of leading

performers. Over 50 Bihu pandals have been erected in Guwahati city alone. Most of the Bihu organizers have decided to pay rich tributes to legendary singer, music maestro, Padma Bibhusan Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, this year, remembering his contribution towards music, culture and literature of the State. Dr. Hazarika passed away in November last year.

Meanwhile, the National Aids Control Organization (NACO), in association with the Assam State AIDS Control Society, has taken up a novel scheme by roping in some leading singers and performers of Bihu functions to help generate awareness about HIV/AIDS which has affected around 14 thousand people in the State besides claiming 419 lives so far.

Also, West Bengal celebrates New Year's Day today. Large number of people are visiting Dakshineswar and Kalighat temples since early morning.

The State Governor Mr. M.K.Narayanan and Chief Minister, Ms. Mamta Banerjee have greeted the people on the occasion. A number of cultural programes have also been organised to mark the day.

The first day of the Bengali New Year known as Poila Baishakh. People are wishing each other Suvo NabaVarsho and exchanging sweets and greetings. Traders opens new books of account which is known as Hal - Khata. The priests draw swastikas on the new account book to please lord Ganesha.

But many businessmen are seen to go the Dakshineswar and Kalighat temples with their personal computers for puja in which they maintained their account instead of traditional ledger book.

Bengali newspapers have also come out with special supplement. People are in festive mood to celebrate the day. Restaurants have also prepared special Bengali dishes on the occasion.

Meanwhile , the harvest festival of Vishu is being celebrated by Keralites living all over the world today. In Kerala, devotees thronged Krishna temples for pre-dawn auspicious Vishukani darshan.

Lord Krishna temple in Guruvayoor and Aiyappa temple in Sabrimalla also received large number of devotees for Vishu festival.

Vishu festival evokes nostalgic feelings in Keralites living in any part of the world. Today is the astronomical new year of Kerala.

The day symbolizes agrian prosperity of the bygone era of God's own country. Early morning Vishukani darshan of aesthetically arranged flower, fruits and vegetable before lord Krishna's idol marks the beginning of Vishu celebration.

Elder members of the family present money and other gifts to family members especially clidren. Mouth watering traditional Kerala feast is another facet of Vishu festival.