Kerala gets Onam flowers from outside
The News Review:
- Kerala gets Onam flowers from outside
- Hamleys turn to British after China toy worries
- Giving all sides an equal hearing
- Pioneer Junior College students turn science mentors
- Water for the thirsty investor
Kerala gets Onam flowers from outside
Hindu - Aug 26, 2007
26 (PTI): Once famed for its rich and diverse flora, Kerala now relies heavily on neighbouring states for flowers to celebrate Onam festival. Gone are the days when boys and girls used to run around the homesteads, fields, mounds and vales with palm-leaf pouches to cull and collect home-grown flowers to welcome the mythical king Mahabali on Thiruvonam day, as the legend behind the festival goes. As Onam (this year it falls on August 27) is around the corner, truckloads of commercially-grown flowers like marigold, jasmine and even orchids are flown to the state from major floricultural centres like Thovala in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and Gundalpe in Karnataka. However, what is missing is purely Keralite flowers like the pristine white ‘thumba’, yellow and pink ‘arippu’ and violet and black ‘kakkappu’ that used to bloom in a profusion of colours heralding the arrival of the Onam season. Changes in land use pattern, conversion of paddy fields and real estate boom are said to be the factors that causing near disappearance of many of these flowers. While traditionalists see this as yet another sign of crass commercialisation of Onam, youngsters take the change in true stride.
Hamleys turn to British after China toy worries
Telegraph.co.uk - Aug 26, 2007
UK companies, such as Orchard Toys and Noah’s Ark Toys, makers of board games and wooden toys respectively, have confirmed a surge in interest from both parents and retailers. David Plagerson sole trader and owner of Noah’s Ark Toys said: “We are getting lots of enquiries from customers for British made toys and -Hamleys have been in touch. A resurgence in interest in UK toy manufacturers will not come too soon for the beleaguered industry. It estimated that the UK produces just £35m of toys per year against total sales in the country of £2.
Giving all sides an equal hearing
Pakistan Dawn - Aug 26, 2007
They don’t have enough people in the entire military who speak Arabic and it is a vital tool.