HONOURS AGAIN FOR THE CHITTUREANS!!

Edappalli (Kochi) Centre of UCMAS (Universal Concept of Mental Arithmeic System) has bagged the Best UCMAS Franchisee Award for the second year in succession. Chitturfolks may feel proud that the strength behind this honour is shared by two enterprising Chittureans now settled at Kochi.

‘SRADDHA’, the Edappalli (Kochi) Centre for UCMAS is organised and managed by the Franchisee, Mrs.  Rani Divakaran (daughter of Late Cherubala Nalinakshi Unni) and the CEO, Cdr V Divakaran, a Navy veteran (son of Late Cherubala Kunhukutta Menon).

Commenced on a modest scale a few years ago, this centre has now grown in size and stature with over 300 young children aged from 6 to 12 years undergoing this kind of training at the UCMAS Centre, Edappalli (Kochi).

On behalf of all Chitturfolks, I wish to convey our heartiest congratulations to Rani & Divakaran on this well merited award and wish them many more laurels in the years to come……

A news item that appeared in the New Indian Express (Kochi Edition) dated 21 Oct 2008 is placed alongside.

                                                                                                                              - Col Mohan

AN APPEAL FROM ASHRAYAM CHARITABLE SOCIETY, CHITTUR (PALAKKAD), KERALA

Please visit: www.esnips.com/web/ASHRAYAM-CHITTUR
Email: ashrayamcharitabletrust@yahoomail.com 

04 February 2008

Clarkson's Neithalath Receives $400K NSF CAREER Award 
[A photograph for media use is available at: http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/neithalath.jpg.]
Clarkson University Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Narayanan Neithalath (na-WRY-nan NAY-ta-let) has received a $400,000 CAREER award from the National Science Foundation.
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is an NSF-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of the early career-development activities of teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization.
Neithalath's CAREER award proposal, "Linking pore structure, performance, and material design of a sustainable macroporous concrete for multifunctional applications," deals with a special class of concrete called enhanced porosity concrete (or pervious concrete), which is gaining rapid prominence in sustainable construction because of its ability to control storm water runoff and reduce tire-pavement interaction noise.
The project proposed by Neithalath investigates the influence of the material design on the pore structure and performance of pervious concretes, and is expected to provide performance-based design methodologies, and novel test methods for these types of concretes.
Neithalath has been a member of the Clarkson faculty since 2005. Prior to that he was a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University. He earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University, specializing in civil engineering materials. He also has also worked in the cement and chemical admixture industry.
His research interests are in the area of cement-based materials, including development of novel cementitious composites; use of waste, recycled, and marginal materials in concrete; impedance- and ultrasonics-based sensing methods for the properties of concrete; and macroporous materials.
Neithalath has published extensively, including 23 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and 30 papers in international conferences. He was awarded a Portland Cement Association fellowship in 2003 for his novel work on pervious concretes for highway noise reduction applications. He also received a best paper award from the International Society of Concrete Pavements for a publication in this area.
Other funding for his research comes from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), the New York State Department for Economic Development and private companies.
Clarkson University crosses the boundaries of disciplines, nations and cultures in order for discovery, engineering innovation and enterprise to come together. As a result, faculty and graduates grasp the full impact of their calling, direct their research to the world's pressing issues and lead with confidence and distinction. One in seven alumni is already a CEO or other senior executive. Located in Potsdam, N.Y., just outside the six-million-acre Adirondack Park, Clarkson is home to 3,000 students preparing for rewarding careers through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, science, and health sciences, as well as unparalleled outdoor recreation and life experiences beyond the classroom.
[News directors and editors: For more information, contact Michael P. Griffin, director of News & Digital Content Services, at 315-268-6716 or mgriffin@clarkson.edu.]

Note: Neithilath Narayanan is the elder son of Ambat Gopakumar & Neithilath Ambika from Chittur.

CHITTUREAN HONOURED IN THE NEW YEAR

Smt. Ammini Ramchandran from Chittur has another feather added to her cap. 
Popular food magazine Saveur just released its Tenth Annual 100 list. For those of you who may not know, this annual list is described as Saveur's "favorite restaurants, food, drink, people, places and things." Grains, Greens, and Grated Coconuts is included in #76 - Self published books. GG&GC is honuored to be mentioned in the company of Martin Picard's Au Pied de Cochon, Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo's In.gredienti and H.Alexander Talbot and Aki Kamozawa's Ideas in Food: The Photographs.
The book has won The Cordon d' Or - Gold Ribbon International Cookbook Award for the best self published cookbook. The Cordon d ’Or -Gold Ribbon Awards Program recognizes the achievements of culinary professionals worldwide.

The culinary Academy Awards Gala takes place on January 12th 2008 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida.

We pray to Chitur Amma for greater laurels to Ammini Ramachandran.

Col Mohan

09 January 2008

Chittur Kavilamma -An audio cassette

An audio cassette titled "Chittur Kavilamma" had been released. Since "Chittur Bhagavathi" is known only locally, marketing could not be done through the usual audio outlets. It is being spread through word of mouth.

The Cassette has 9 songs. If you have fond memories of Konganpada, you would definitely enjoy the song with the poetic narration of the festival. The music direction is by Sri.Perumbavoor G. Ravindranathan. Voice rendered by Vrinda Menon (Co-anchor of Kairali TV's Raindrops) and Jayakrishnan of Chittur and Jithendra Varma (Co-Anchor MAGARISA). Lyrics are by me, Usha Nandakumaran (from Chittur Ambat).

At this Navarathri time enjoy the Chittur Kavialmma bhaktigangangal. You can contact the Chittur Kavu/Pazhayannur Kavu Devaswom office for the cassette, which is priced at Rs.50. Hope generous Chitturians will support and encourage the artistes of Chittur by owning the cassetes and
enjoying the songs. Spread the word please.  

The Chittur Kavu/ Pazhayannur Kavu Devaswam office number is 04923-221147.

- Usha Nandakumaran