St. Raphael’s Church (1859), declared a heritage structure, at Ezhupunna, Alappuzha, Kerala

Image courtesy: The Hindu : Read more :Destination disaster for heritage church

The Church Laymen’s Association, in its letter to the President Pontifical Commission, Vatican, has expressed doubts that there are vested interests working to demolish the old church and erect a new one instead.

I have personally visited the church and attended functions like marriages and engagements. It is indeed a beautiful church and earnestly wish it will be preserved and maintained.

Paddy. Shot at Wayanad Kerala.

Paddy fields are soon becoming extinct in Kerala due to very expensive labour, nonavailibility of skilled labourers or machines majorly due to short-sighted political decisions and actions.Schemes like NREWGA from central government doesnot help either and it only help agarravate nonavailibility and increase labour charges.Farmers, long tired are making hay with real estate developments or new money crops with conversion of paddy fields.

A tamed elephant being used to load timber on a lorry. Scene from Bangalore Wayanad highway.

A tamed elephant being used to load timber on a lorry. Scene from Bangalore Wayanad highway.

Kani Konna (Cassia fistula), Kerala's regional flower, is a popular vishukani

 Vishu is a festival celebrated in the state of Kerala in South India.The word "Vishu" in Sanskrit means "equal". Therefore Vishu is more probably denoting one of the equinox.The Vishukkani, also called Kanikanal, is inseparable from Vishu. According to the age-old belief of Malayalees, an auspicious kani (first sight) at the crack of dawn on the Vishu day would prove lucky for the entire year. As a result, the Vishukkani is prepared with a lot of care to make it the most positive sight so as to bring alive a wonderful, propitious and prosperous new year!days.

Kani Konna (Cassia fistula), Kerala's regional flower, is a popular vishukani.

A motor house to pump water beside a paddy field and arecanut farm

A vendor making soda milk surbath. Available near hotel paragon, Kozhikode, Kerala

Ever had Soda Milk Surbath (SMS) - a popular concoction of milk, lemon juice and soda.It is very popular and unique to this road side stall near CH flyover, near Paragon hotel, Kozhikode, Kerala

Chembra Peak, Meppady, Wayanad District, Kerala, South India