1. Kerala (God’s Own Country)
Presentation Topic:
Kerala (God’s Own Country)

2. About Kerala
Kerala regionally know as Keralam is a state located in the south-west region of India.
It was formed on 1 November 1956 by combining various Malayalam specking regions.
Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital among the 14 districts and other major cities are Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam and Thrissur.
The state has the highest literacy rate (94.59 %), the highest life expectancy rate (74 years) and the highest sex ratio (1083 F per 1000 M) among the indian states.
According to survey report by Transparency International it is the least corrupt state in the country.

3. Climate:
Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rain. It rains around days per year. Around 65 % rain occurs between June to August and the rest from September to December.

4. State symbols of Kerala
Animal: Indian Elephant
Bird: Great Hornbill
Flower: Golden Shower Tree Flower
Tree : Coconut tree

5. Subdivision:
The state is divided into 14 districts and in that 14 districts are distributed in six region. They are:
North Malabar (far north Kerala)
South Malabar (northern Kerala)
Kochi (Central Kerala)
Northern Travancore, Central Travancore (Southern Kerala)
South Travancore (far south Kerala)

6. Government and administration
Kerala hosts two major political alliance: The United Democratic Front (India) UDF led by Indian National Congress and Left Democratic Front (Kerala) LDF led by communist party of India (Marxist).
At present UDF is ruling government by Oomen Chandy (CM) now while V.S. Achuthanandan (LDF) is the leader of opposition.
Strikes, protests and marches are ubiquitous in Kerala because of the comparatively strong presence of labour unions.

7. Agriculture
Kerala produce 97% of national output of pepper and 85% out of the area under natural rubber in the country.
The key agricultural staple is rice, with some six hundred varieties are grown in an extensive paddy field
Animal Husbandry also important sector in Kerala. The government also provide such activity via educational campaigns and the development of new cattle breeds such as the “SUNANDINI”.

8. Alcohol
The state government holds a monopoly over liquor sale in the state.
Every year the liquor consumption keeps on increasing and the revenues earned during the year was about 6700 crores.
The state has the highest tax on liquor (around 120 %)
The state has the highest per capita consumption i.e 8 litres per person in a year overtaking Punjab & Haryana.
More than 40% revenue in annual budget come from liquor sales. 100 % rise over the past four years.

9. Tourism Beaches: Kovalam, Cherai, Kappad, Varkala.
Hill stations: Munnar, Nelliampathi, Wayanad and Ponmudi.
Wild Life sanctuaries: Periyar and Eravikulam National Park.
Backwaters: Alleppey, Kumarakom.
Architecture: Padmanabhapuram Palace, Malik Deenar Mosque Kasargod.

10. BSE listed Kerala Companies:
State Bank of Travancore
Federal Bank
Dhanlaxmi Bank
South Indian Bank
Muthoot
Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited
Kerala Solvent Extractions Ltd
Manapurram General Finance and Leasing Ltd.

11. Tranport: Roads: NH 47 & NH 17 – Edapally to Panvel
Road accident among nation’s highest.
Railways:
Connects most of the major cities & towns.
Airport:
Trivandrum, Cochin & Calicut
Proposal to Kannur and Pathanamthitta.

12. Dance Kerala is a home to a number of performance arts.
Five main classical dance in Hindu: Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattom, Thullal and Krishnanattam.
Christains: Margamkali, Parichamuttu and Chavittu nadakom
Muslim: Oppana and Duffmuttu

13. Festivals: Onam: This festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary EmperorMahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam (August-September). Thrissur Pooram: One of the most popular temple festival. It is held at Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple every year of the malayalam month of ‘Medam’ (mid April – mid May)

14. Media
Media, telecommunication, broadcasting and cable services – Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
Newspaper – Malayala manorama, Mathrubhumi, Mangalam.
Channels – Asianet, Surya TV, Kiran TV, Kairali
Film - Most of the malayalam Films were based on social themes
Actors: Bharath Gopi, Prem Nazir (720 movies), Mammotty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Murali, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Cochin Hannefa, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu.
Since 1980s – Mammotty & Mohanlal have dominated the movie industry.
Mammotty – 3 National Awards.
Mohanlal - 2 National Awards .

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