In a first of its kind venture by any coconut producing country, India is mulling launching a 'Coconut Trail' across various states producing the wonder nut, which would give tourists an insight into the rural life and history of the 3000 year-old tradition of coconut culture.
Gearing up for the South West Monsoon, which is not far away, Ayurveda and Tourism industry in Kerala are all set to woo tourists with rejuvenation packages and never before offers to beat the lean rainy season.
Along with palaces and forts of Rajasthan, Goa beaches, Kerala has also been receiving a lot of enquiries for conducting weddings, hotel industry sources say.
Online tutoring seems to have caught the fancy of many in Kerala with many enthusiasts from unemployed educated housewives to even 13-year-olds doubling up as teachers.
Targeting the burgeoning Indian middle class, a luxury cruise liner has begun operations from Kochi, wooing tourists to exotic locales of Maldives and Colombo with ticket rates as low as Rs 5,000.
The state is targetting about 1,500 classified homestays with approximately 5,000 rooms in five years, Tourism Secretary Dr V Venu said. Homestays are a home away from home, allowing tourists get close to the host family and community.
After initial teething troubles, the FM channels -- Radio Mango of Malayala Manorama, Club FM of Mathrubhumi, Surya's SFM, Asianet's Best FM, Times of India's Radio Mirchi and Big FM of Reliance -- are picking up momentum, with old and new songs, humour and loads of entertainment. Listeners are even given tips about congested roads which have to be avoided and weather updates on a daily basis.
Struggling to eke out a living, 20 World War II veterans are spending the evening of their life in a 'Sainik Ashram' in Kochi as they have not been given pension by the Central government.