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)

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.