Toc H Institute of Science and technology (TIST) is game to host their techno-cultural fest event ADVAY 2012 from the 8^th to 10^th February. Advay is the right platform for all those special breeds to showcase the gift of talent and knowledge. The 2012 edition of Advay invites you all to participate in this colourful extravaganza. About 50 colleges from across the state is expected to take part in more than 50 events of the Advay 2012. This event is characterized with the days jam-packed with events and competitions, which present one with an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of the vast crowds and then the nights where, under the title of Professional shows, the best professional artistes from India enthrall the packed open-air theatre of TIST.

Advay 2012 promises to be bigger and better than ever before this time around. The highlights of Advay ’12 are:

-          ROADIEZ (for girls only)

-          Voice of Advay

-          Stalls to suit all tastes

-          Automobile Pavilion

-          Spectacular performance from Benny Dayal and many more….

What could be really better than this event and possibly where else would you be this week?

Folks get ready to step into the wonderland of Advay 2012. Be there.

For more details visit: www.advay2012.in

If you have been one of the thousands of travel-weary commuters who were caught in the perpetual traffic jams at Thevara Junction and Edapally railway crossing, you can now heave a sigh of relief. The much awaited Venduruthy-Vikrant Bridge will be inaugurated at Katari by Defence Minister A K Antony on 4^th February. These bridges will really prove to be a new lifeline for kochiites as it will ease traffic snarls. These bridges will act as the main connectivity for West-Cochin to the main-land.

Venduruthy-Vikrant is a two lane traffic bridge stretched on a distance of 625 metres with a wide 7.5 metres carriageway and a 1.5 metre foothpath on both sides connecting Ernakulam with Wilingdon Island. The new bridge has been named Vebduruthy-Vikrant, after India’s first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant following a request made by the Indian Navy which helped the Kerala Road Fund Board in completing the project. The 11.23 metres wide bridge is built at an expense of 37.50 crores INR with the joint effort of the Indian Navy. The construction of this project started in January 2006. This new bridge will facilitate the movement of more than 20000 vehicles per day thereby decongesting the traffic blocks throughout Cochin during the peak hours. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, MPs P Rajeev and Charles Dias, Mayor Tony Chammany, MLAs Hibi Eden and Dominic Presentation, District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth, PWD secretary Manoj Joshi, Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony, Cochin Shipyard  chairman Commodore Karthik Subramaniam, Corporation Opposition Leader K J Jacob, councillors N Venugopal and Elizabeth will take part in the function. Vice-Admiral K N Sushil, Flag Officer of the Southern Naval Command, will deliver the felicitation address.

Singing talent – Shreya Ghoshal will be inaugurating the re-located jewellery showroom of Joy Alukkas (one of the world’s largest jewellery retail chains) in Cochin on 5^th February. Shreya Ghoshal will perform the best of her melodies in Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil at a musical night organized by Joy Alukkas Jewellery Group, Marine Drive, Cochin. Shreya Ghoshal is one of the most sought after playback singers in bollywood with four National and four Filmfare awards to her credit. She sung Malayalam songs in over 10 films. Get prepared to be enchanted with her lovely voice, charm and poise. Don’t miss out this precious chance to witness this nightingale performing live exclusively for you all music lovers. Be there.

Goal 2012 nears its exciting climax as it enters the semi-final stage at Maharaja’s College Ground today. After 14 long days of 24 adrenaline pumping matches it is crunching time for the state’s best college teams as action reaches its peak of the tournament. The teams ready to battle each other in the semi finals are Sree Kerala Varma College (Thrissur), Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (Trivandrum), Nirmala College (Muvattupuzha) and Mar Athanasius College (Kothamangalam). It is definitely going to be a clash of the titans. The entire semi final matched will be fascinating contest of stylistic nuisances featuring some of the finest attacking talents of God’s Own Country. The teams are just two steps away to go home with the lucrative Rs 1 Lakh prize money. Its action time today at the Maharaja’s College Ground, so be there in time and don’t miss a moment of this huge adrenaline rush.

Cochin is all set to stay clean and green from today. The ban on use and sale of plastic carry bags below 40 microns will come into existence from today. The civic authorities are planning to undertake a twin approach to eradicate the menace from the city. Plastic bags are extensively used throughout the city in the sale of vegetables, fish, meat and other day to day life materials. The same bags are reused for packing home wastes from kitchens and dumping it back in the public places. These waste dumped in plastic bags decomposes and causes water and air pollution. Even birds and animals eating such decomposed materials are affected by bacterial contamination. To crack down the sale and use and create awareness among the masses initiatives are taken.

The action squads will be pressed into action in east and west Cochin areas from Wednesday for checking the use of banned materials. This is a much required initiative to keep the city clean and tidy. Kudumbasree units will be supporting by the production and marketing of carry bags made of alternative materials like cloth and paper. The corporation of Cochin urges the kochiites to play an important and responsible role by supporting this campaign of ban on plastic bags.

Hari Menon, a talented, young and instinctive photographer from Paravur is conducting a two days photography workshop at Abad Grande Residencia on 28^th and 29^th January, Fort Cochin. This workshop includes an introduction to arts and science of photography. Professional photographer Hari Menon will be sharing his secrets and insights into how to make photographs that convey a powerful sense of place, capture the essence of a person or a rare moment. Get real-world advice to help make most of your camera.

If you are a shutterbug aspiring to learn more and wanting to make your presence in the fascinating world of photography; then you can’t miss this workshop. Workshop is limited to just 25 aspiring photographers using DSLR. You can register by e-mailing to mediawallet@gmail.com . The details regarding this workshop are below:

To know more about Hari Menon, visit www.harimenonphotography.com

Cochin will be equipped with a world class Container Freight Station (CFS) soon. The new CFS will be the first of its kind and will be developed at Vallarpadam near the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT). This project will be a joint venture by Gateway Distriparks and Chakait Groups. The CFS will be a great boost to the logistics operations in the state. The proposed CFS will be set on around five hectares of areas and will have a capacity to handle 2000 TEUS containers. The CFS will be lanced with facilities like godowns and warehousing along with handling equipments like lifts and cranes.

The CFS is definitely going to be the next big thing in Cochin. The operations will be under the observance of the Cochin Port Trust. With the setting up of CFS will boost up the economy of the state in a greater way and will end the fight between the customs and the special economic zone. The setting up of CFS, Cochin will emerge as an international maritime hub thereby opening up new avenues for business and employment.

GOAL 2012 strikes back in Cochin, and its bigger and better this time. Football crazy Cochin will see spirited and talented young bloods from 16 teams in action fighting to capture the glory of Goal 2012 for two amazing weeks. This event is an initiative taken by The New Indian Express Group with a vision to raise young talented youth power to the heights of international football. The event is to be held from 16^th January i.e. on Monday till 29^th January on a league-cum-knock-out basis at Maharaja’s College Ground. To keep a breath-holding tough competition, Goal 2012 has put its best foot forward with prize money of Rs 1 lakh and the champion’s crown for the winning team and Rs 50000 for the runner-up. In addition to this huge prize money there will be cash incentives for the best players in various categories. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr.Ajay Maken will kick off the tournament at 2:15 pm on Monday. Prior to the inauguration, the theme song of Goal 2012 will be released at the Casino Hotel.

16 teams would be divided into four groups and the best among these four groups will enter the semi finals. There will be two matches on each day; the first at 2:15 pm and the next at 4:30 pm. The entry to the tournament will be free. Be there to feel the heat because its more than just a game.

The dream is now one step closer to the reality. The Delhi Metro Corporation (DMRC) will be implementing the Kochi Metro Project. The State Government has already sanctioned an amount of Rs 159 crores to the DMRC. DMRC will execute primary activities like widening of approaches to roads and buildings of approaches. As of now the central government has given clearance to the project; according to the Chairman of DMRC, Mr. E Sreedharan, the project will be accomplished and will become operational within a time-period of three and a half years. According to sources, Mr. E Sreedharan will himself lead this project along with other experts. For more updates regarding this dream project, stay tuned.

There is good news for the residents of West Cochin as their long pending demand for a modern playground with latest facilities will soon be met in the form of a modern mini stadium. This mini stadium will be inaugurated by the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on 23^rd January. This mini stadium will really provide more opportunities for the residents of West Cochin as this region of Cochin has always produced many talented footballers.

Till now the Fort Kochi Veli ground and the Parade ground we being used for local tournaments and coaching, though both these grounds do not have any modern facility and the condition of these grounds are pathetic. The proposed stadium will be constructed at a cost of 1.6 crore INR. Though it has been planned as a football stadium, it can be utilized for other purposes as well. It will have all the facilities that a stadium needs.