21 Landmarks in Kumarapuram

April 10, 2019June 3, 2020 ~ bjcharles ~ 1 Comment

For the past few years, I’m a part-time visitor in Kumararpuam. Though I flirt around the lanes and by-lanes of Kumarapuram, Trivandrum, I don’t have a single friend from this locality. Isn’t this a good assessment of my social worth and social standing in this place.

Having said so, I wish I knew more people in the vicinity of this junction – a house where I can drop in for tea or for casual conversation. Hopefully, 2019 will make a difference. Also, this blog too is anonymous – hardly visited by people. All these will change!

Not in Google! Don’t Worry!

I just Googled Kumarapuram, Trivandrum to see the sites appearing on search results. Most searches are taken by restaurants, hotels, advertisement for house for rent or sale, Banks, Nursing services, Oyo homes, Property for sale, Hospitals in Kumarapuram, etc.

Alternative Search Results
All these results are just boring. It’s kind of heartless results – all business listing. I think I had earlier written about how Google can given an option to change the way search results appear. Probably, a tick option on the right side of google page which enables users to see other results – results of blogs, stories, business, entertainment, shopping, etc.

21 Point of Interest in Kumarapuram, Trivandrum
1. Pran Hospital

It’s a fertility clinic which started some time ago and has become popular. Website: http://pranfertility.com

2. Menna’s Delight – Baking and Cooking Classes at Kumarapuram

Run by Marina, it’s a training facility where homemakers and wannabe chefs who can learn baking.

Blog: http://mennas-cooking.blogspot.com/

3. South Indian Bank

Located on the road towards Medical College, this bank has safe deposit lockers, ATM, and other baking facilities. I have an account here. Also, pledged my gold many a times in this bank.

4. Rangans Vegetable Shop

Popular and one of the oldest vegetable shop in Kumarapuram junction. There used to a friendly salesman, Mr Vindo who came to work from a place beyond Nedumangadu. He was one of the rare breed of Malayalee sales person, who used to take time to chat, smile at the customers. I used to see him all tired even at 10 PM. One day he stopped coming. It seems he badly sprained his back by lifting something heavy – probably he unloaded the big plantains from the truck or vegetables from the truck.

I wanted to go to his village and see him. Probably, I should give him some money too. Later I heard that he is now working as a patient bystander and also doing treatment for his back problem. Hope he regains his smile.

5) Biverah Hotel

6) Maldives Embassy

7) Divya Medical Store

8) Arjun Medical Store

9) Union Bank of India

10) Kumarupram Temple ( Distinct Landmark)

11) Pebbles Terrarium
It’s my small biz which had introduced terrarium in Trivandrum. After the initial demand for classes, the enquires are thin. To overcome the low request for classes, I’m planning to get into sale of terrarium.

12) Anchor Blogging Class at Kumarapuram

13) Axis Bank

14) Strings Kokedama Class

15) Discount Medical Store

16) Marian Villa School

17) Vasantham Nursery and Stitching Centre

18) ~~Uber Office ( Poonthi Road)~~
Uber sold their business at the right time, just before the pandemic. It was bought by Zomato. Few weeks after the sale, lockdown was instituted. I think it was a matter of wrong timing for Zomato.

19) Suha
After covid, or before that, there was a major facelift for this boutique store. I hope it attracts more customers.

20) Samskara TV

21) Bus Shelter at Kumarapuram ( an idea around this spot)

This shelter has moved from this location. It’s now closer to SNDP and Muthoot Fincorp place. However, the ideas and points shared on the blog is still relevant.

22. Sundown Time at Kumarapuram
One of the beautiful sky dressing which promoted me to click this picture of sky at dusk.

Election 2019 Prospects

April 10, 2019 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

These are days running towards the big democratic election. According to the talks, frenzy, etc, this election is going to a hotly contested one – on one side is the all powerful heavy weight Champion Modi vs the feather weight Rahul.

I’m just anxious like many others in this country on who is going to take the chair. More than that I’m anxious to see how the electoral mandate in Kerala. Will it swing towards the lotus, or the congress or Communist.

Shashi Taroor in Trivandrum!

As a person biased toward Congress, I would like to see the former UN Diplomat win in Trivandrum. One thing I feel is that he brought Kerala on the forefront – his English usage, and the gift of public speaking, etc has made him a know fella.

How to Stop Pathankot Style Military Camp Attack

March 25, 2019 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

This post is long due. From the time Pathankot attack happened I had this idea lodged in my head, waiting to be shared.

One thing I was thinking is the outdated system of using sentry to check the credentials of the visitors before letting them gain entry to a unit or barrack. The age old ways of check-post, verifying ID cards, allowing access by looking at dress, are things of the past.

What I have in my mind is about using technology to monitor, screen and check the person before allowing them entry. Even now there are many technology which are available – such as sensor, IoT, smart readers, etc.

Pathankot Attack

The attack to the military camp happened this way – the attackers dressed in dressed in Indian Army uniforms, barged inside the military camp. This modus-operandi is quite common in most guerrilla operations or terrorist attacks. All such attacks uses that time advantage to get past the gatekeepers and get away with the mission.

So, is there a way to screen the military staff or the truck in which they are riding without looking at the badge or vehicle number?

Sensor for Every Military Personal and Vechile

The concept of carrying ID proof is redundant in this century. What the Indian Army would require is a smart ID card with a embedded of chip or sensor.

How will Sensor or smart ID help!

Every security personnel will carry this sensor ID card which will slightly thicker than the credit card. It will have a battery, a sim card and other electronic device which should can only be activated by a thumb impression.

How this sensor embedded ID Card Help Indian Military?

1. All security personnel must carry this ID card.
2. The control room will have have a special program to monitor each jawan or officer. Their location, and ID number will be tracked on the screen.
(Probably, we can take cue from some hollywood movie where we see infra-red image of soldiers. Similarly, there should be a way to spot all personal.)

3. At the check post area, there’s not much need for physical checking of ID card. The sensor reader which is placed away at the gates will read the card and notify the security personal manning the entry points of the camp.
4. A person in a military uniform is not taken as a military staff. There’s no way a person duping as a military person can gain entry into the gates.

5. Even if someone makes a duplicate ID Card, the tracking software will pick this new card and alert the security people
—————

Is there a similar sensor based ID card used by military? Do we have expertise to make one like this? What about make in India program by Modi, which will be a safety feature on all camps in sensitive regions.

I don’t know if Indian military have thought of such plans?

I would I could be in the team looking after such technology and give my suggestions.

———-

RESPECT ALL
SUSPECT ALL
INSPECT ALL

( I saw this at the entry gates of ASC College and Training Centre) at Bangalore. When I entered this campus, they asked for my ID Card and did the usual verification. The guards where entering the details in a book ( an obsolete way). Instead a camera should pic each persons pic, another cam should take a pic of the id card and it’s done. The camera should be a high-end camera which will be connected to a database.

Run a Tea Shop In Trivandrum

March 23, 2019 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

Kerala Style Tea Maker – Poster Picture

Years has passed, but still I remember Nair’s tea shop at Kaimanam. I used to stay in that area and used to frequent his shop to drink colored juice. I often take my cycle to visit this shop and during such visits I remember seeing tea drinkers calling him fondly by him “Naire”. Customers would come to his shop and say ‘Naiyaree Uro Medium Tea’. This Nair man had a happy face with a belly, wore loose shirt, and ran a successful tea shop.

Though I never had a tea from his shop, I still think of the people who gather at his tea shop to have hot sizzling tea. It was during late 80′ or mid 80’s when we were staying at Neeramankara. The fizz drink I was my fav, which was around 20 or 25 paise. He used to open these soda bottles with different kind of opener – fizz sound and I would drink wholeheartedly the fizzy water which had all the psychedelic colors.

These drinks were locally filled soda were filled in unique cod bottles ( one with the marble inside).

Running a Tea Shop in 2019 in Trivandrum

Today, most tea shops in Trivandrum are run by enterprising Tamilians. There’s one called Ganesh Tea Stall at Kumarapuram, one more near GG Hospital, and a Aaryas restaurant which I visit for a quick coffee in the morning.

All these tea shop have a common thread – it’s run by hard working and polite Tamilians. The name of shops are Balaji, Ganesh, Aaryas, etc. Also, these shops are doing good business – which means the returns is good.

Where are the Locally Run Tea Shops? Where’s the Nair’s tea shop?
I think, Malayalee’s should rethink their plan of going to Gulf region and think of starting something in their home-ground. A tea shop is a good business, provided they are familiar with the business of making tasty and fresh snacks and food.

There are many small bites which they can sell – Vada, Vazhaka fry, Bonda, Egg bonda, Samosa, Peripe vada, Uniiappam, Sukiyan, Madakusa, Ellaappam, Valsan, Cake, Mundirikottu, cutlet, kappa and kandhari mulagu chamandi ( Chai Kadi in Tipppasandara, Bangalore sells it ), diamond cuts, etc.

After seeing too many tea shops sprouting in this locality, I too have a desire to open one in my locality. But right now I’m cash strapped. Probably, when I save some money from my terrarium or Blogging Classes, I will invest in a tea business.

What’s your observation about Tea Business in Trivandrum?

Will you open one or suggest someone to open a shop? Will you sponsor or be a part sponsor to such a venture?

Suppose you start one or help someone to set-up a tea business, then will you make it unique?

Kovalam Connection Lost

March 20, 2019 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

Sands of time

Kovalam Beach – beach-beds

Closed Shop – Closed forever

A month back, I got a call from a colleague saying that one of colleague’s photo has appeared in the obituary coloum of newspaper. I was shocked. She was the only one who I knew in Kovalam beach. I couldn’t belies that I wont’ be seeing her again – selling odd stuffs at Kovalam beach.

Another Loss – Another Void

Each death is a loss – a loss that can’t be filled by another person. It takes time to build a bond, know a person, and often years to build that acquaintance. And woof, it’s gone! All of a sudden, that person is not seen around – just the memory, images just linger.

Will my visit to Kovalam beach be the same?

What a loss!

Do you feel this way when you loose someone whom you had known for years? How do you reconcile with the lifetime loss?

Do it In the Living Years

March 20, 2019 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

Two days ago, one of my aunt passed away. With her, we have lost one of the last remaining old gen blood relative and that shrinks the relatives base in Trivandrum.

For some time she was ailing and her death followed her husband’s passing. He died at the age of 92. He had sharp memory little the point he fell ill and was bedridden for few months.

After both their death, I felt that I should have done or given or taken something when they were alive.

Given – I should have helped them with my resources. I often said a lie to myself that I don’t much to give, so let me give then next month, and so many months passed. Me, without a job was not earning, except for the money which my wife earns. So, it was a convenient to say that I will give them cash when I get something extra.

Done – I wanted to gift her a good bed sheet. After seeing the grayed bed sheet, I feel I will buy a clean while sheet from Commercial street and gift her. Christmas came and went, still I postponed it. Now, she don’t need anything from me. Now, I could only buy white socks and gloves which she will take to her grave.

Taken – I always wanted to video record their thoughts about the life in 60’s or 70’s or 80’s. Their memory of how family worked, how relatives joined together, how life has changed. Again, I didn’t do it in the right time. And that precious record of their voice, their thoughts is lost forever.

What a pathetic feeling – wasted time, wasted chance to be of use! This is not the first time I’m feeling like this!

In the Living Years
Things that are to done now should be done. Why sit on a project, why postpone a visit, why delay in gratification?

Often the song by Mike + The Mechanics – The Living Years reminds me of how I should have done things in those living years.

Feeling like I have wasted my life, my time to be more remarkable.

Invite to Volunteering

March 15, 2019 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

This screenshot from a website side-panel area show how clearly they have presented information about something they care about – Volunteer. First they are asking visitors to have a look at the volunteering page. Next line is for those preparing to register for volunteering.

Simple Call-to-Action

Though it looks simple, it’s a well written, loaded with relevant facts useful for potential volunteers.

How do Indian Organizations ask for Volunteers?

I bet, most Indian companies, or NGOs or Government sites have any outright information about volunteering. They would be ready to details of tender, application, etc on their side panel. I feel we are not utilizing this free and generous contribution people are willing to take.

If any company or organization is serious about volunteering, then it’s the time to go back and check what is lacking. Is it the value propositioning or the lazy outlook of volunteers.

James Altucher Points to Think and Act

March 14, 2019 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

From James Altucher’s Blog

This is for someone close to me – who insist on using the word – Pattathialla in Malayalam, which loosely translated would mean I can’t.

I tried different ways to tell her to avoid this word – suggesting her to use a positive word, or just stop repeating the word in every context. So, far it hasn’t helped!

Why Repetitive Words are Best Avoided

Repetition is easy on the brain – it’s like auto playback. It’s like giving your brain nothing to do. Why should we let the powerhouse sleep!

Imagine a script given to a tele-caller – just follow this. No Risk, No Fun! Or, if you are given the option to think and talk, then you are not a machine, you are a human. It’s not easy, but it’s creative.

Another analogy I can this – brain has many compartments or something like pigeon hole where we keep ideas, thoughts and such. For example, the customary greeting such as How are you, Good Morning, How was your weekend? etc., are recorded and kept in one such hole for easy retrieval. There’s no effort, it’s just an automatic expression.

Forget Me Not – Dementia or Alzheimer’s
Also, I feel that letting our brain on an inactive state can lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. ( a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills ) Source; Mayoclinic

I may be right, or wrong. But, the idea is about about using beautiful expression in language that repeating and repeating the same word.

Just a question – How would a you take a class where the lecture is just repeating the same idea? Imagine, a teacher who stitch words, uses it wisely to convey an idea in an interesting way.

Having said that, we too use repetitive words in our conversation, but if it’s too repetitive, it’s a question we have ask ourselves.

Tree Blooms in Bangalore

March 14, 2019 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

At Cambridge layout – Yellow Canopy

It’s blooming time in Bangalore. The roadside trees along Indira Nagar side are flushed with tresses of pink, white, and yellow flowers. It’s a sight that will turn any head – from the faceless men in suits to darling angles to arthritic fellas like me.

Won’t you stop by to take a closer look? Won’t you thank for these little joys?

To know further about these flowering trees, I googled and here are the results. Thanks to all those tree friends who have written about the habitat, origin and traits of these trees.

1. Yellow Flowering Tree is tabebuia-aurea

2. Article in Hindu about the delicate trumpet shaped pink flower Tabibuea Rosea

3. Falling burst of yellow and pink

4. Flowering trees in Bangalore

5. Joy of this flower wreath

6. Repository of tree names – location wise listing