Website (www.resmijaimon.com) Updated

Check out my website - I have modified the site with three pictures of Kochi, profile and a small note on "What's new" in the home page.

A blog for Volvo Ocean Race (Kochi Stopover)

I have initiated a blog for Volvo Ocean Race (Kochi Stopover) . Will cover Volvo Ocean Race (in general), news related to Kochi Stopover and places/news etc related to Kochi & Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station

Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station (At left side is the the main entrance - in the photo above) – towards the left (back entrance – see the photo below)


Photo: Resmi Jaimon - March 2008

The Troublemaker at Traffic Signals

Will we ever be free from beggars knocking at windowpane while waiting for the green signal to cross the roads? A regular scene in Kochi…

(Photo : Resmi Jaimon - February 2008)

Obstructing views!

Electrical wires obstruct views in most places across Kochi - a hindrance when I try to take a striking shot!

(Photo: Resmi Jaimon - Februrary 2008)

Train Journey – Inspires Me To Be Creative!

Train journey, I find, is one of the best ways to interact with people from different walks of life. And this is when I also have the opportunity to see and observe the way people view at relationships, interact with peers… the list goes on. To cut short the long story, train journey is when I find myself creativity, penning down story ideas, outlines for stories and even writing an entire story! The inspiration comes not only from the circumstances around – train journey is also a time when I have time for myself without any other distractions.

My train journey is often between Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram - a route I often travel and hence, left without much to see around. Yet, it’s the nature at its best - the paddy fields, the clouds, the rain or a kid playing with sand in front of his house, women washing clothes – all these and more inspires me. I combine all of my inspiration to put them in paper. However, during the rare occasions when I travel to other places, I prefer enjoying the scenic beauty and observing places around rather than taking pen and paper to write. At other times, I simply love to take a train journey for the sake of boosting my creativity!

Train Journey Experience (Part 1)

I was traveling with my husband from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi, sometime in 2007. We checked the reservation chart and found two side seats vacant till Palakkad. The sleeper coach we traveled was full and we were to later realize, so were the rest of the coaches, as people moved to and fro hoping to find a seat. In the corresponding berth were an aged couple (probably in early 80’s), a man with a 4-5 year old-son and four or five others. The aged couple could hardly walk and with the support of those who had come to see them off, their baggage was set in place.

At Chengannur, four aged men and a woman and two young men claimed seven of the seats to be their reserved seats, including the one in which my husband was sitting. We were taken for a surprise since in the chart, the place was mentioned differently (it happens sometimes when probably the chart doesn’t give the correct data!). What amazed us was their rude behavior.

They were from Chennai, on their way back from pilgrimage to Sabarimala. On entering they first got rid of the man with the sleeping boy, who was uncontrollably crying on waking him up abruptly and the aged couple. They could barely stand and holding each other’s hand they walked to the next slot to found a seat. Even after everyone moved out, the pilgrims were shouting at the top of their voice saying they had reserved their tickets over four months back. From their claim, it was evident they were unaware of the rules and trying to educate them on the rules went on deaf ears. They wanted their seats only for themselves and only six of them were to sit in their respective reserved seats. They weren’t ready to accept those with sleeper tickets have the right to be seated unless it’s nighttime. And here - they weren’t showing human consideration even to a couple, who were much aged than any of them.

By the time we reached Kottayam, another young man entered the scene. The aged couple occupied one of his reserved seats. He allowed them to sit there and tried to find a space in between the pilgrims. They again shouted claiming they have a ticket. He replied in Tamil telling them the facts and rules, but again it went on deaf ears! Finally, he had to stand in spite of a reserved seat! But, I was glad to see a kind person who was willing to share his seats with an aged couple rather than shooing them away.

(This isn’t a solo experience. I’ve witnessed similar circumstances during several occasions especially when there’s rush of pilgrims to Sabarimala - a season, when I dread traveling via Kottayam from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram and vice-versa!)

Unemployment: A closer look

Reports throng everywhere specifying the high rate of unemployment in India. And every time, it is startling why such a hype! If unemployment exists, there should be a solution. The reality is slightly different. And it is so, I believe, in sectors including industries, retail, agriculture, construction, and educational institutions.

(I can vouch for for the fact my family is in business and we are in touch with other industrialists as well as have information from other business people) The employers try every possible way to hire someone - through references, newspaper ads, and employment firms. Often no one turns up. And by chance if a candidate turns up, he/she expects a minimum monthly salary of Rs.8, 000 - Rs.10, 000 (going by the truth there are known companies which still pay less than Rs.1, 500 - including educated candidates), for labor level jobs and during training period. All employers cannot afford this and especially when many businesses are struggling to find a mark. Almost every candidate expect salaries in par with IT jobs, forgetting their own identity and often the fact, they haven’t even gone to school or finished matriculation! They ignore that instead of idling away time to do some kind of work available, gain experience and try for a better job. Unfortunately, many parents support this and provide food and money to meet daily-expenses. The younger generation finds this as an additional advantage.

Another notable fact is even several employed in private firms register themselves as unemployed with the view of getting a government job or get the money (affordable use this money for buying chocolates, gifts etc!). This again adds to the statistical figures of the unemployed in India.

If unemployment is to be eliminated – there should be more opportunities as well as the candidates should be willing to shed their white-collar attitude and accept work, atleast for their own good , rather than complaining of unemployment!

The plight of footpath

When will South Bridge in Kochi go renovation? The footpath on both sides of the bridge is not a safe place to walk, like many other footpaths in Kerala!

Photo by Resmi Jaimon (March 2008)

Obeying traffic rules: a distant dream!

Will people ever learn to cross the road, in accordance with the traffic rules? A common sight at Vytilla Junction, Kochi, Kerala; to see people crossing the road when vehicles too move in the same direction! According to a TV channel report, Vytilla is the busiest Junction in Kerala.


Photo (above & below) by Resmi Jaimon (March 2008)

Again, at the busy Vytilla Jn. A bus blocks the road as it waits for passengers. Will these people (drivers) ever learn the traffic rules?

Kochi Real Estate Facts

• Over 100 apartment & villa projects are under various stages of constructions in Kochi. Abad Builders, Asset Homes Pvt. Ltd, Chakolas Habitat, Confident Group, DLF, Gokulam Builders, Heera Constructions, Infra Housing Pvt. Ltd., Jain Housing & Construction Pvt. Ltd, Kent Construction, Mather Projects & Constructions, Nitesh Estates, Oceanus Dwellings, Purvankara, RDS Kochi, Shoba Developers, Skyline Builders, Skyline Foundation & Structures Pvt. Ltd., SRK Constructions are some of the builders in Kochi with mega and multiple projects.

• Kochi is soon to witness several high-rises, including 40-floor apartment, for the first time in Kerala. And there are several 20+ and 30+ floor projects under constructions in locations like Kakkanad.

• According to a prominent builder (during an interview I had with him last year) said till 2006, NRI customers were 70% and 30% residential customers, for both apartments and villas. The trend changed during later part of 2006 and since then both NRI and residential customers shares an equal 50%.

• In most of the locations in Kochi, area per square feet rate for apartments is between Rs.2, 000 and Rs.3, 500. For luxury apartments, the rates start at around Rs.3,650 per square feet. For villas, the price ranges from around Rs.1,200 to Rs.3,500 per square feet.

• Projects like Infopark created a swirl in the real estate industry. International Container Transshipment Terminal, Metro Rail, Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) Park, Marina, Port Based Special Economic Zone, International Bunkering Terminal, Crude Oil Handling for BPCL – Kochi Refineries, KINFRA Hi-tech Park (Biotechnology) are some of proposed projects / projects underway. These projects will create further demand for Kochi as a real estate destination.

India's first full-fledged Marina at Kochi

The National Geographic Traveler has listed Kerala in its one of the ten 'Paradises Found.' The number of tourists flocking in Kochi is increasing every year. At this juncture, comes the announcement of India's first Marina at Kochi. And it will be the world's first marina with a golf course. The foundation cermony is to be held on March 1st, 2008, as per media reports.

The proposed Marina will have the facility to accomodate up to 50 luxury yachts. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) will build and operate the Marina. The Marina gives hope of bringing in more tourists and taking Kerala tourism a step further.