Kochi Metro Rail

Here comes the start of a new endeavor- Kochi Metro, the long cherished dream of all Kochites. Kochi Metro Rail (KMR) project is expected to solve the vexed traffic problems in Kerala’s commercial capital. Let me tell you something more about Metro railways. Metro Rail is a Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS). It is a convenient, fast, efficient, reliable, modern, user friendly, comfortable and affordable mode of urban transport. It is safe and eco-friendly. It is electric and requires only 1/5^th energy per passenger km compared to road based transport systems. It brings about a more equitable allocation of road space by encouraging greater use of public transport and provides point to point connectivity.

The Kochi Metro is a proposed mass transit system for the South Indian city of Kochi. It was one of the first proposed in India but was delayed for a variety of reasons. It is now planned to be commissioned by 2011. The alignment was created by the DMRC and is planned to be made on a Public-Private Partnership basis. The nodal agency for the project is KINFRA. Kochi Metro Rail Corporation has been created specially for this project.

 
















The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has proposed a route spanning 25.253 from Thripunithura to Alwaye.There will be 26 Stations and are the following:

1. Aluva
2. Pulinchodu
3. Company Pady
4. Ambattkavu
5. Muttom
6. Appolo Typres
7. Jacobite Church
8. Kalamaserry
9. Pathadi Palam
10. Toll Junction
11. Edapally Junction
12. Edapally Station
13. Palarivattom
14. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
15. Kaloor
16. Lissie
17. Madhav Pharmacy
18. Maharaja's College
19. Ernakulam South
20. GCDA
21. Fathima Church
22. Elamkulam
23. Vytila
24. Thaikoodam
25. Punithura
26. Petta

The official launch of Kochi metro website was done on 26th July 2011. For those who want to know more about Kochi Metro and its updates, please visit http://www.kochimetro.org

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 4427 crores. And central and State equity expected in the cost.

Sheera- classic Konkani sweet

I have been experimenting a lot with cooking. And one of the classic, traditional konkani recipe that I found tasty is "Sheera". It is easy to prepare and yummy in taste. This is especially enjoyed by children, although it is for persons of any age.


We, Gowd Saraswat Brahmins, occassinally conduct poojas and other rituals in our homes. A variation of Sheera called Sopadh (Savai) is also prepared during Sathyanarayana Poojas conducted in our homes. In my own experience, I found it as an easy-to-cook recipe which is much better than the sweets that we buy from Bakery. Because this is home made, free from any artificial flavors and unhealthy ingredients.


Let me come to the point. To prepare Sheera, you need Wheat Rava (Sooji Rava). Another major ingredients are milk and sugar. Please note that the measurement is very important in the case of Sheera. You need to take equal proportions of Sooji Rava and Milk.

What you need ?
1. Sooji Rava (Wheat Rava) - 1 cup
2. Milk - 1 cup  (Some people take 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water)
3. Ghee - 3 tablespoons
4. Raisins - 1 teaspoon
5. Cashewnuts - 1 teaspoon
6. Banana - 2 small ones cut into small pieces
7. Cardomom seeds  1/2 teaspoon

How to do ?


Heat ghee in a pan and add cashews and raisins, fry for sometime. Add wheat Sooji Rava and fry on low flame till the nice aroma comes out. Add milk and sugar and keep on stirring. Please note that you should use low flame only. Add banana pieces into it and stir well again. Cook well till the water is absorbed and the Sheera becomes thick and solid. Finally add cardamom powder and mix well. 

And now Sheera is ready to serve !

Some people add saffrons and badams also n Sheera. Some others add lemon yellow food color too.

Salt N' Pepper Malayalam movie review

Well, let me start with a movie review. Last day I watched the malayalam movie Salt N' Pepper. The movie is directed by Ashiq Abu and casted by Lal, Shwetha Menon, Asif Ali, Mythili and many others. Salt N' Pepper is a simple movie with a simple theme, expressed in a simple way. I would like to call it as a domestic movie or a home movie. It just paints the pictures of our daily life. For those who expect an action-rich, dialogue-rich movie, salt and pepper is not the one. This is not an action thriller. The script is slow. the story takes place in an urban area- hence the life of humans in modern conditions are depicted beautifully. Human life and thoughts are carefully captured. The blend of Nostalgia and Romance is the taste maker of the movie. 

Shwetha Menon(acted a 'Maya') does her job wonderfully and Asif Ali (acted a "Manu") rocks !!  Comedy is the one which lasts till the end of the film. Although there are no megastars or veteran comedians, the natural comedy flows throughout the film. And this film is definitely dedicated to all foodies. :-)  The song 'Kanamullal' is one the best songs in 2011- good music and good sceneries. Presence of Shyju Khalid behind the camera has made the movie wonderful. There is no heavy action, there is no thrilling long dialogues, no multistars- but those soft romantic moments which cools the mind of evey youth and untold feelings of loved ones is the centre point of the movie- simple but lovely film. I would rate it 8.5 out of 10.

Back to blogging

Friends...
After a long break, I am again back to the world of blogging. With lot of thoughts, lot of ideas and lot of fun in mind, its the time to blog everything !!