Tag: Kerala

Special Occasion

The Spirit of Onam: Celebrating Kerala’s Grand Festival of Harvest and Heritage

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Team Allycaral

Every year, as Kerala’s lush fields turn golden and the rainforest retreats from the skies, the state comes alive with the festivities of Onam—a ten-day festival that is as vibrant in ritual as it is rich in meaning.

Onam’s origins lie in the legend of King Mahabali, a benevolent asura king renowned for his fairness, whose reign was remembered as Kerala’s golden age. Concerned by his growing power, the devas enlisted Lord Vishnu as Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin, to reclaim cosmic balance. After Mahabali offered everything he had—including his own head for the third step—Vishnu banished him to the netherworld but, moved by his humility, granted him permission to return once every year. That annual homecoming is celebrated as Onam—symbolizing gratitude, humility, and the bond between ruler and people.

Kerala embraces Onam with exuberance: from Atham, when the first layer of the Pookalam—an intricate floral carpet—is laid, to Thiruvonam, the climactic day of feasting and family reunion. The Pookalam evolves over the days into a stunning mosaic of colors and blooms. On the waterways, Vallamkali—snake boat races—unfold in echoes of rhythmic drumming and spirited oar strokes as villages unite in competition.

Central to the festival is the famed Onam Sadya, a lavish vegetarian meal served on banana leaves that can feature anywhere from 11 to over 20 dishes. Each plate—be it Avial’s creamy medley, spicy pickles, tangy curries, or the sweet embrace of Payasam—speaks of diversity, togetherness, and Kerala’s agricultural bounty.

Throughout these days, the air fills with dance and drama: women perform Kaikottikali as they clap in rhythm, while the streets echo with the painted roars of Pulikali—tiger dances—bringing both art and laughter to Onam.

What elevates Onam beyond its rituals is its spirit of inclusivity: Hindus, Christians, Muslims, and non-Malayali communities come together to celebrate a shared heritage of unity, harmony, and joy. In 2025, Onam is being celebrated from August 26 through September 5, with Thiruvonam on September 5—marking the joyous culmination of a season steeped in myth, cultural pride, and communal warmth.

From the first Pookalam petal to the final taste of Payasam, Onam continues to weave Kerala’s past and present into a vibrant celebration of life itself.

Team Allycaral wishes you a Very Happy Onam!
May this harvest festival fill your life with prosperity, happiness, and togetherness.

TechPulse

Kerala Launches K-FON: India’s First State-Owned Affordable Internet Network

Tanisha Cardozo

In a game-changing move toward digital inclusivity, the Kerala government has launched K-FON (Kerala Fibre Optic Network)—India’s first state-owned broadband service. The ₹1,500 crore project aims to offer affordable, high-speed internet access to every citizen, especially in remote and underserved areas.

🚀 A Vision for a Digitally Empowered Kerala

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while launching the service, emphasized that universal internet access is fundamental to Kerala’s vision of a knowledge-driven society. “No one will be left behind,” he declared, even citing Idamalakudy, a tribal settlement deep in Kerala’s forests, as part of the K-FON network.

The CM noted that K-FON is not just about technology—it’s about equity, access, and empowerment.

🧩 How K-FON Works: The Infrastructure

The project involves the deployment of a 35,000 km optical fibre network across Kerala, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

K-FON is being rolled out in two phases:

  • Phase 1: Connecting 30,000+ government institutions
  • Phase 2: Providing free internet to economically disadvantaged families and subsidised broadband to others

💡 Affordable Plans for Everyone

K-FON offers tiered plans to ensure accessibility:

  • ₹299/month (excluding GST)
    • Speed: 20 Mbps
    • 3,000 GB data cap
  • ₹1,249/month (excluding GST)
    • Speed: 250 Mbps
    • 5,000 GB data cap

The goal? To match private-sector quality without the exploitative pricing.

👥 Who Benefits?

  • 20 lakh+ people to receive free internet access
  • Over 14,000 households will be connected in the initial phase

All service providers will have non-discriminatory access to the network

🌐 Why It Matters

K-FON is Kerala’s alternative model to the corporate-run telecom sector—offering the same quality at much lower prices. It aligns with the larger objective of bridging the digital divide, especially for:

  • Students and job seekers in rural areas
  • Families who cannot afford private internet plans

Small businesses and entrepreneurs needing reliable broadband

🗨️ A New Standard in Public Internet Infrastructure

“K-FON is our way of freeing people from digital exploitation and giving them the infrastructure to thrive in a knowledge economy,” said CM Vijayan.

📈 Looking Ahead

K-FON is more than a broadband service—it’s a social innovation. By laying down public digital infrastructure, Kerala is setting a national precedent for affordable, accessible, and equitable internet.

Whether you’re in a forest village or a bustling city, K-FON promises to connect you to the future.

Books & Literature

All India Konkani Parishad to Mark Foundation Day in Pune with Tribute to Late Rocky Miranda

allycaralgoa

Pune, July 13, 2025 – The All India Konkani Parishad will celebrate its Foundation Day with a vibrant cultural gathering in Pune, Maharashtra, spotlighting the enduring spirit of the Konkani community across India. Organized in association with City Pride School, Nigdi, Chinchwad, and supported by the Directorate of Official Language, Government of Goa, the event promises a mix of honours, dialogue, and musical celebration.

This year, the prestigious Madhav Manjunath Shanbhag Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented posthumously to Late Rocky Miranda, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Konkani language and cultural identity. His family will receive the award at the inaugural ceremony.

Goa Konkani Akademi President Dr. Purnanand Chari will grace the event as the chief guest, while Melvyn Rodrigues, Sahitya Akademi’s Konkani Advisory Board Convenor, will preside over the function.

Several other dignitaries will also be felicitated for their work in advancing Konkani language and culture, especially in Maharashtra. The honorees include:

  • Lexicographer Isidor Dantas
  • Researcher Vaman Naik
  • Educationist Dr. Ashwini Kulkarni
  • Writer Vijayanand Gaitonde
  • Konkani activist Alfi Monteiro

A special session titled “Unity Among Indian Konkani Communities” will bring together voices from Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra to reflect on shared identity and cooperation. The event will culminate in a Konkani musical programme, celebrating the region’s rich musical heritage.

According to Sneha Sabnis, Secretary of the Parishad, the event expects around 300 delegates and aims to deepen cultural bonds and linguistic pride among Konkani speakers nationwide.

#TravelwithAllycaral 👒

Adani Group to Invest Rs 30,000 Crore in Kerala, Transforming Vizhinjam into India’s Largest Transshipment Hub

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Adani Group Announces Massive Investment in Kerala: Rs 30,000 Crore to Transform State’s Infrastructure

In a significant boost to Kerala’s economy, the Adani Group has announced plans to invest a staggering Rs 30,000 crore in the state over the next five years. This massive investment will focus on transforming Kerala’s infrastructure, with a major emphasis on developing the Vizhinjam Port into India’s largest transshipment hub.

Vizhinjam Port: A Game-Changer for Kerala’s Economy

Speaking at the Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025, Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd, hailed Kerala’s remarkable transformation under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to this new era, highlighting the state’s emergence as a leader in Ease of Doing Business and a global startup hub.

The Adani Group’s vision for Vizhinjam Port is ambitious, with plans to make it the largest transshipment port in the region. Strategically located along the world’s busiest shipping lanes, Vizhinjam has already made history by docking the largest container vessel ever to touch Indian shores, with a capacity of 24,000 containers.

Investment Breakdown: Rs 30,000 Crore to Transform Kerala’s Infrastructure

The Adani Group’s investment of Rs 30,000 crore will be spread across several key projects, including:

  • Rs 5,000 crore already invested in Vizhinjam Port, with an additional Rs 20,000 crore committed to make it the largest transshipment port in the region.
  • Expansion of Trivandrum International Airport from 4.5 million to 12 million passengers, with an investment of Rs 5,500 crore.
  • Setting up a Logistics and E-Commerce hub in Kochi, along with expanding cement production capacity in the region.

PM Modi’s Vision of Viksit Bharat: A Developed India Requires Strong Regional Economies

Karan Adani referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat, highlighting that India is advancing towards unprecedented economic and infrastructural growth. He emphasized that a developed India requires strong regional economies, and Kerala is a prime example of how strategic investments can fuel progress.

Adani Group’s Commitment to Nation-Building

The Adani Group’s investment in Kerala is a testament to its commitment to nation-building. As Karan Adani recalled the words of Chairman Gautam Adani, “The infrastructure sector is all about building assets for the nation and nation-building.”

With this massive investment, the Adani Group is set to transform Kerala’s infrastructure, driving economic growth and development in the state.