KERALA DARSAN

By

KAs Officer Trainees

REPORT
Submitted by; Sharafudheen e
 Kerala Darsan
Kerala Darsan is a 27 day long travel by KAS Officer Trainees across Kerala to gather
information and experience by visiting various Institutions and important Sites. The Officer
Trainees were divided into 3 batches, each batch of 35 members, and each batch visited all
listed Institutions and Sites in different times, to avoid crowding. I belong to 3rd batch,
named Chandragiri and our batch started from Thiruvananthapuram and then moved to
Kasargod and from there travelled up to Thiruvananthapuram, by covering almost all
Districts. The whole programme was conducted and Coordinated by Institute of
Management in Government, Thiruvananthapuram.
 KEY LEARNINGS FROM EACH INSTITUTION / SITE VISITED

DAY 1 (09/05/2022)
1. Institute of Land and Disaster Management, Thiruvananthapuram (ILDM)

The Batch 3 had visited ILDM from 09.05.2022, 10.00AM to 10.05.2022, 5.00PM. After the

inauguration session we had Classes on CrPC, Land Survey and Laws on Land, Kerala Land

Utilization Order 1967, Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2008 and

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007. The key learnings are given

below;

1. Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)

The class was handled by Sri. Anu S Nair, Deputy Collector and he explained
about the legal background, functions, and appointment of District Magistrate, Additional
District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Executive Magistrates and Special
Executive Magistrates (Section 20-22). The functions include;
(a) Arrest of a person (Section 44)
(b) Summon parties as well as witnesses (Section 61-69)
(c) Issue of warrant (Section 70-81)
(d) Search (Section 93-103)
(e) Security for keeping peace and good behavior ((Section 107-124)
(f) Maintenance of public order and tranquility (Section 129-148)
(g) Inquest (Section 174-176)
(h) Appointment of Public Prosecutor
(i) Sanction and consent of prosecution under Section 196(1)(a)
(j) Attestation of affidavits (Section 297)
2. Land Survey and Laws on Land
This session was handled by Sri.Sajith Babu
IAS, the Commissioner of Civil Supplies. He explained about the 4 aspects of land i.e.
Title, Tenure, Rights and Interest. He also explained about Survey Principles, The
 Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights)
Act, 2006 (Commonly called as Forest Rights Act) and Indian Limitation Act, 1963. It was
an excellent session and apart from a Class, it was a practitioner talk too.

DAY 2 (10/05/2022)

3. Kerala Land Utilization Order, 1967 and Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and
Wetland Act 2008
This session was handled by Sri.Rahim, Tahsildar, Pathanapuram. He explained
about the background, relevant provisions and importance of Kerala and Utilization Order
1967, which came to effect on 04.07.1967. He also explained about the provisions and
aspects of Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2008. The session was
simple and very informative.

4. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007

The session about Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act
2007 was taken by Mr.Jayamohan, Asst. Commissioner, Land Revenue
Commissionerate. It was a good and informative session. He explained about the following
aspects of the Act in detail;
(a) Who entitled to make application (Section 4)
(b) For what the application to be made (Section 4)
(c) Application for Maintenance (Section 5(1))
(d) Impleading in a Case (Section 5(5))
(e) Reference to Conciliation Officer (Section 6(6))
(f) Remedy

Officer Trainees at ILDM

 DAY 3 (11/05/2022)
2. Central University Kerala, Kasargod

We visited Central University Kerala situated in Periya, Kasargod District. We had

an interactive session with a team including Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the
University. The Dignitaries of the University made an excellent presentation regarding the
Mandate, Courses offered, mode of Recruitment and Achievements of the University. At
present they have 26 PG Departments and 1 UG Department. After the presentation there
was an effective discussion to clear doubts. In effect the visit was very beneficial to us.

Officer Trainees During Interaction With Central University Authorities

3. Bakel Fort, Kasargod

After noon we visited Bakel Fort which was built by Sivappa Naikan of Ikkeri
Nayaks and the construction was completed in 1650. We could understand the Design,
Relevance of location, Architecture and Historical Importance of the Fort.

Bakel Fort

DAY 4 (12/05/2022)
 On 4th day early morning we could watch Cheemeni
Vishnumurthy Theyyam and Kathivannur Veeran Theyyam

Vishnumurthy Theyyam, Cheemeni

4. Folklore Academy, Chirakkal, Kannur

Our team visited Folklore Academy established in Chirakkal Palace, Kannur. There we
familiarized with major folklore art forms of Kerala. The Academy has rich collection of models and
photos with descriptions of our Folk Arts.
5. Azheekode Handloom Village, Kannur

After Folklore Academy visit we went to Azheekode Handloom Village. There we

visited the
Theyyam Models at Folklore Academy
houses in the
Village having
Thari (the
instrument to
hand weave
dress) and
familiarized
 with hand weaving of cloths by using Thari. The weaver lady shared that the profession is
no more economical and wage earned by them is only 275 rupees on an average per day,
hence people are quitting the job and no new recruits happening into it.

At the Entrance of Azheekode Handloom

Village

After that we had a short visit to Payyambalam Beach, the resting place of eminent
personalities of Kerala.

6. Dinesh Beedi Factory cum Head Office, Kannur

In the afternoon we visited Kerala Dinesh Beedi Co-operative Society. At the Head
Office we had a good interactive session with its Chairman Sri.Dinesh Babu. He described
about the emergence of the Dinesh Cooperative society at the time of Chaos in the Beedi
Industry in 1969, and how they had given protection to jobs of beedi workers, and finally
how they survived when the beedi industry lost its ground. He said they on the route of
diversification and that started from food industry and reached up to IT industry. At present
they have 3 Food Processing Units, IT Division, 4 Umbrella Manufacturing Units and 3
 Apparel units. Now they are planning to enter Medical Field too. After that we visited
Dinesh Apparel factory and IT section.

7. St. Angelo Fort, Kannur

At evening we visited St.
An Army Barrak in St. Angelo Fort, Kannur
Angelo Fort which was built by
Portuguese in 1505. Later in 1663
it was modernized by Dutch and
sold to Arakkal Ali Raja 1772. In
1790 British Captured the Fort.
We could understand the Design,
Relevance of location, Architecture
and Historical Importance of the
Fort.

DAY 5 (13/05/2022)
8. Rubco Furniture Factory, Thalassery

Our team visited RUBCO Furniture Manufacturing Unit at situated at Thalassery.

The unit is named as RUBCO HUAT WOODS Pvt Ltd. Rubco is formed as a cooperative
society and its full name is Kerala State Rubber Cooperative Society and was to assist
rubber farmers during crisis of rubber farming in 1997. This unit is only producing Rubber
Wood Furniture by using modern technology. By the visit we could understand about
different processes
involved in Rubber Wood
Furniture manufacturing.

After the Factory

visit, there was a
discussion with
Mr.Sreejesh, the Manager
of the unit. He explained
Production Process in Rubco Furniture Factory
about the evolution of
 Rubco, the current scenario of market, challenges and future plans of increasing
production to meet the demand. He Muneeswaran Kunnu, Wayanad
also explained about the other products
of Rubco like Cycle Tyre, Hawai
Chappal, Latex, Coir Mattress, Virgin
Coconut Oil, etc. Rubco is a
cooperative initiative with Govt. share
and also making profit. It was a great
experience because the process can
only be understood by seeing it.
After the visit of Rubco
Furniture Unit, we started to Kalpetta,
Wayanad. We also visited a tourist
attraction site which is on the way and
the site is called Muneeswaran Kunnu
and is near Mananthavadi. It is a very
attractive site and very much scope to develop as a Tourist Camping Site.

DAY 6 (14/05/2022)
9. M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Kalpetta
On 6th day morning we visited the Centre for Sustainable Research on Plant
Genetic Management under MS
Swaminathan Research
Foundation. There we could
attend an excellent class by
Senior Scientist Dr.Sivan. In the
class he described the importance
of the center and their contribution
in conserving fauna and flora of
the area and developing
sustainable agriculture.
 The Foundation was started in 1988 in Chennai by using the award money
obtained to Dr. MS Swaminathan, the Father of Indian Green Revolution and is working
as a non-profit making organization and it follows a pro-poor, pro-women and pro-nature
approach. This Centre was started in 1997 with 3 thematic areas, which are given below;
(a) Biodiversity Conservation and environment
(b) Education, Communication and Training
(c) Sustainable Livelihood, Food and Nutritional Security.
The campus also includes a Botanical Garden named as MS Swaminathan Botanical
Garden (MSSBG), which has a wide collection of flora and fauna of the area and is still in
developing stage.

10.Edakkal Caves

Afternoon the Officer Trainees who didn’t visit Edakkal Caves previously, visited
there and understood the importance of the caves. The importance Edakkal Caves are
the pictorial
writings
believed to date
to at least 6000
BC, from
Neolithic man,
indicating the
presence of
prehistoric
settlement in
this region. The
Stone Age
carvings of
Edakkal are Edakkal Caves, Wayanad

rare and are the

only known example from South India besides those of Shenthurini Caves of Kollam.
 DAY 7 (15/05/2022)
11.Thirunelli Tribal Settlement

Our team visited two tribal settlements at Thirunelli area named Kakkery Colony
and Vattakuruma Colony. It was the major activity of the day and the place was around
50 KMs far from the hotel we were staying. Around 500 people in 65 houses are staying
in Kakkeri Colony, who belongs to Kattunaika community. The inhabitants didn’t obtain
full rights on land at present, hence issues are remaining with the Forest Department. Man
– animal conflict is prevalent in the Colony and the trench to obstruct elephants also in

Kakkery Colony, Thirunelli, Wayanad

dilapidated stage. Reconstruction of dilapidated houses are going on through LIFE

Mission. Some migrated families of Kannada origin are not getting benefits of any scheme
due to ethnic issues. Vettakuruma colony includes 45 families. They were shifted from the
Forest to these outskirts during 1977-78 period to safeguard them. But they lost their
agricultural land in the forest is lost and the issue is also should be rectified.

DAY 8 (16/05/2022)
Holiday
 DAY 9 (17/05/2022)
12.Kozhikkode Collectorate

We visited Kozhikkode Collectorate and had good interactive session with District
Collector Sri.Narasimhaguri Reddy IAS. He explained about the innovative and model
programmes implemented by District administration and challenges before the District
Administration.
Innovative and Model Programmes of Kozhikkode District
(a) Compassionate Kozhikkode
(b) District Collector’s Internship programme
(c) Nammude Kozhikkode (A Compassionate programme for Citizen Centric
Governance) and Nammude Kozhikkode App
(d) CRADLE (Child Rearing And Development – a Lifecycle of Education) –
Comprehensive Programme for early childhood care, motherhood and healthy
adolescence.
(e) Udayam – Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project to Safeguard People.
(f) Happy Hill
(g) Enabling Kozhikkode – Comprehensive and integrated disability
empowerment.
(h) Oppam
(i) Campuses of Kozhikkode
(j) Clean Beach Mission
(k) Uyaram Onnichu – A project for upliftment of SCs and STs.
(l) Operation Sulaimani – Free food programme

Officer Trainees with Kozhikkode District Collector

13.Sargalaya Arts & Crafts Village, Iringal, Kozhikkode

After the visit of District Collectorate, we went to Sargalaya Craft Village, which is
situated at Iringal of
the District. Statue of Bull at Sargalaya

Sargalaya was
established with
leadership of
ULCCS (Uralungal
Labour Cooperative
Contract Society)
and there is facility
to produce,
demonstrate,
exhibit and market
the products of
Craftsmen and
Artists. There we familiarized with various craft making techniques. Also some of us made
trials of some craft making like pottery and some purchased required articles. There we
found a large collection of Terracotta Statues.

14. Kappad Beach

After that we went to Kappad Beach, were Vasco Da Gama first landed in India. It was
a beautiful evening, but due to rainy atmosphere we couldn’t observe the sunset.

DAY 10 (18/05/2022)
15.CWRDM, Kunnamangalam, Kozhikkode
The first programme of the day was visit
CWRDM (Centre for Water Resources
Development and Management). Even though
main mandate of the Institution is to conduct
Research in Water Resources, it also acts as an
advisor and implementing agency in the field. Its
major clients are Local Self Government Isotope Testing Laboratory, CWRDM
 Institutions. Also they are conducting programmes in collaboration with State and National
Governments and International Agencies. To make policies to achieve SDG 6 is an
important mandate of this Institution. At present 44 plan projects and 45 foreign aided
projects are going on. Its major activities are given below;
(a) Research
(b) Consultancy
(c) R & D and Policy Support
(d) Training, Education and Extension
(e) Incubation and Commercialization
CWRDM is under State Government through its agency called KSCSTE (Kerala
State Council for Science, Technology and Environment). There we attended a
presentation about the functions and achievements of CWRDM and Visited its
Laboratories.
16.KIRTADS, Chevayoor, Kozhikkode

Afternoon we visited Directorate of KIRTADS (Kerala Institute of Research,

Training And Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes). There
we attended a presentation about the roles of KIRTADS and vivid description of the tribes
in Kerala. KIRTADS was started in 1979. Its vision is to establish a think tank for policy
level decisions pertaining to research and development of SCs and STs of Kerala. Its
major missions are;
(a) To provide academic and professional support and guidance
(b) To provide ideas and information on research studies and extension activities.
KIRTADS has 4 wings which are illustrated below;
(i) Administrative Wing
(ii) Anthropological Wing / Research Wing / Expert Agency / Vigilance Wing
(iii) Training Wing
(iv) Development Studies Wing

After the
integrative
session, we
visited the Tribal
Ethnological
Museum situated
in the Campus.
 DAY 11 (19/05/2022)

17.Malayalam University, Tirur, Malappuram

Eleventh day of Kerala Darsan was in Malappuram District, that too in Tirur, the
birth place of Thunchath Ezhuthachan. First we visited Malayalam University Campus and
got an opportunity for an interactive session with Vice Chancellor Dr.V Anil Kumar,
Registrar Dr. Shaijan D and Dean & renowned Novalist Sri.KP Ramanunni. The
Dignitaries of the University made a presentation regarding the Mandate, Courses offered,
mode of Recruitment, Strength and Weakness, Challenges and Achievements of the
University. The main mandate of the university is to make Malayalam as a Language of
Universal Information by increasing its vocabulary and publishing books of all trades
including Science and Mathematics in Malayalam.

Officer Trainees at Malayalam University

18.Sri.Thunchath Ezhuthachan Madom, Evolution of Malayalam Script

Thunchanparamb, Tirur, Malappuram

Then we visited Sri.Thunchath

Ezhuthachan Madom at Thunchanparamb, Tirur,
Malappuram, the birth place of the father of
Malayalam Language. There we familiarized with
the evolution of Malayalam Language, Culture,
Arts and Literature from the Museum. Also we
observed Ezhuthachan Smarakom.
 DAY 12 (20/05/2022)
19.KILA, Mulankunnathukavu, Thrissur.
Our team visited KILA (Kerala Institute of Local Administration), which extended
for 2 days and included six class sessions by expert faculties. The first programme was
Director’s address by Joy Elamon, followed by different sessions by expert faculties, which
are given below;
Session 1: Dr. K Rajesh – 14 five-year plan and local governance
th

Session 2: City Master Plan – Sri. Baiju K Town planner

Session 3: Local Disaster Management Plan – Dr.Vinodkumar

Session 4: Localization of Sustainable Development Goals

DAY 13 (21/05/2022)
Session 5: Kerala as a Knowledge Society- Dr. Ajith

Session 6: Dr. Peter M Raj- Local initiatives in social justice and social welfare

KILA Academic cum Administrative Block

These classes underlined the role of Local Self Governments in implanting the
Government Programmes and Projects like Developmental Activities, Disaster
Management, Town and Country Planning, Achievement of Sustainable Development
Goals, Climate Change Mitigation and Social Justice.
 DAY 14 (22/05/2022)
Holiday
DAY 15 (23/05/2022)
20.Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara & ATIC, Mannuthy

Our team visited Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) at Mannuthy

and Agricultural Museum, College of Horticulture, Sales counter, AICRP on Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants, etc. at Vellanikkara as a part field visit from KILA. An expert team from
the University provided a brief introduction about University in the interactive session.
Agricultural University was formed in 1971. Before that it was existed as Agricultural
Research Institute, which was started in 1958. Later in 2011 the University has trifurcated
and formed KUFOS (Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies) and KVASU
(Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University). The major achievement of the
University is that it could develop varieties of crops and technology suitable for our unique
conditions and it has provided enough professionals to the sector. Rice variety Uma is the
best example for crops developed to suit our situation.

College of Agriculture, Vellayani

21.Kerala Kalamandalam
In the afternoon we visited Kerala Kalamandalam. It was instituted by renowned
poet Sri.Vallathol Narayana Menon with the help of Manakkulam Mukunda Raja in 1930
 at the banks of the river Nila. Later in 1936 it
shifted to new campus at Cheruthuruty. We
visited both new and Nila campuses. They
provided a good interactive session about its
establishment and current status and courses.
We also visited Vallathol Museum nearby.

Old Kalamandalam Koothambalam of Kalamandalam

DAY 16 (24/05/2022)
22.Meat Technology Unit, Mannuthy

This day’s visits were also

arranged by KILA. At morning
session the team visited MTU
(Meat Technology Unit) at
Mannuthy, which is a facility of
KVASU (Kerala Veterinary and
Animal Sciences University).
There was both interactive
session with well-prepared
presentation by experts and
production unit visit. We
familiarized with the functioning of
the plant from slaughter to
marketing and aspects regarding
quality meat and meat products.
Even though the unit is for
technology demonstration, it
Buffalo Meat Processing
makes an annual profit of 40
 lakhs, which provides indication how people react to get good quality meat. It was an eye
opening experience for us.
23.Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
KFRI (Kerala Forest Research Institute) was established in 1975 and Brought

under KSCSTE (Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment) in 2003.

It is a multidisciplinary institution and has two

sub-centers, at Nilambur and Kuzhur. Also it

has a Field Research Centre at Velupadam. It

has 9 divisions of activity. We visited the

following facilities at KFRI.

(a) Kerala Forest Seed Center

(b) Butterfly Garden
(c) Medicinal Plant Garden
(d) Wildlife Museum
(e) Soil Museum.
At afternoon there had a good
interactive session with Entomologist
Dr.Sajeev. After that we visited Peechi Dam too.

Elephant Teeth Soil Types of Kerala and its Distribution

 DAY 17 (25/05/2022)
24.SEZ, Kakkanad, Kochi

On 17th day of Kerala Darsan, we reached at Ernakulam our first visit was to Cochin
Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), Kakkanad, Kochi. After site visit, we had a good
interactive session with Development Commissioner Mr.DV Swamy IAS and his team.
SEZ is a zone under Central Government Control. In 1984, it was started as an Export
Processing Zone (EPZ) by acquiring 103 acres of land and in 2001 it was converted as
SEZ. Inside the SEZ area the following amenities are provided;
(a) Common affluent plant of 4.7 MLT
(b) Biogas plant
(c) Incinerator
(d) Multistoried car parking (under construction)
(e) RO Plant (not commissioned) of 1MLT Capacity
(f) Also facilities like Miawaki forest, Canteen, Gym, Crèche, etc were also provided.
Above 14,000 employees are working here and exports goods and services of worth
2399 Crores, hence this SEZ is very important for our Economy and Foreign
Exchange.

Cochin Special Economic Zone, Kakkanad

25.Kochi Metro Rail Corporation (KMRL)

After CSEZ visit, we went to Edappally and from there we boarded Kochi Metro
and went to Operation Control Centre of Kochi Metro located at Muttom. There we had a
good interactive session with KMRL Officials. They explained us the Control System and
Security System of Metro Rail.
Kochi Metro line has a total length
of 25.6 KMs and has 22 stations
and 25 trains. Bicycle Connectivity,
Airport Connectivity, E-Bus and
Water Metro are part of Kochi
Metro Project. Also DPR submitted
for the extension to Aluva to
Angamali and to Petta to
Thrippunithura and then to Kakkanad. At present it is not economically viable, but it will
reach breakeven soon, i.e. when number of passengers crosses 70000 per day. For last
mile connectivity, they are providing bicycles for a rent of only 2 rupees per KM.

DAY 18 (26/05/2022)
26.CIAL (Cochin International Airport Ltd)

The team visited Cochin International Airport and had a good interaction with CIAL
Management including Director ACK Nair. It is the 4th largest international airport of India
and has a share of 9% of international passengers. At the time of completion, it has the
2nd largest runway in India. The CIAL was formed in 1994 and airport was inaugurated in
1999. It acquired 1300 Acres of land by providing the best package of compensation and

Terminal Building and Solar Panel Mounted Carport of CIAL

resettlement. We also visited Solar Farm and Golf Course of CIAL.

 DAY 19 (27/05/2022)
27. Indian Institute of Management Kozhikkode (IIMK)
On the 19th Day of Kerala Darsan, we attended a one day course in IIMK (Indian
Institute of Management Kozhikkode) named Enhancing Effectiveness in Decision Making
for Kerala Administrative Service. The class was led by Prof.Roopak Kumar Gupta. The
first part of the training was to understand personnel differences by using Big Five
Dimensions of Personality. The Big 5 Dimensions of Personality are given below:
(a) Openness
(b) Conscientiousness
(c) Extroversion
(d) Agreeableness
(e) Neuroticism
He explained how to analyze the personality of individuals by using
these 5 dimensions and how to develop your personality by rectifying the extreme values
of this. The aim of the programme was to enhance decision making capacity and
management of our team by understanding personal differences.

Main Gate of IIM Kozhikkode

 DAY 20 (28/05/2022)
27.Collectorate, Ernakulam

We obtained an opportunity to interact with Ernakulam District Collector Sri.Jaffar

Malik IAS, when the formally arranged Cochin Shipyard visit was cancelled. It was an
informal type interaction and he replied to all the questions freely. He also explained the
5 basic things that should not be avoided while inducted to duty.
(a) To do list
(b) Setting up of priorities
(c) Take breaks if in hectic jobs
(d) Keep a smile on face, but don’t be too soft.
(e) Make attitudes as per needs
Over all it was a good experience to interact with a practitioner.

DAY 21 (29/05/2022)
28.Kumbalangi Eco-Tourism Visit, Ernakulam

I feel 21st day of Kerala Darsan was very important, since on that day we visited
Kubalangi Eco-Tourism. It was really a different experience. The people’s representatives
including Grama Panchayat President were along with us throughout the visit. There we
experienced different day to day activities of the village.
(a) Travel in Country Boat
(b) Toddy tapping
(c) Clam meat extraction
(d) Basket making with coconut leaves
(e) Coconut fiber extraction
(f) Coir Making
(g) Beedi making
(h) Casting of net
I too casted the net once after a long time. The success of Kumbalangi Model is that
they have made all these day to day activities into a product for tourism and selling it and
thereby providing livelihood to these traditional workers. The initiative taken by the Grama
panchayat is deserving big applause since they proved that tourism can be promoted by
each LSGI.
 Toddy Tapping Basket Making Clam Cleaning

Casting of Net

Travel in Country Boat

Some Traditional Activities of Kumbalangi Panchayat which became a part of Eco -

Tourism
 DAY 22 (30/05/2022)
Visits had been suspended due to adverse health conditions of some Officer Trainees

DAY 23 (31/05/2022)

29.Kanjikkuzhi Grama Panchayat Visit, Alappuzha

We visited Kanjikkuzhi Grama Panchayat, which is famous for various model
projects especially in the field of Agriculture. There was a good interactive session with
the Grama Panchayat President and other Officials. The team declared that the Panchayat
has attained self sufficiency in vegetable cultivation. They also developed a marketing
mechanism for their surplus vegetables. The specialty of Kanjikkuzhy Model is Organic
Farming. Major initiatives of Kanjikkuzhi Grama Panchayat is given below;

Interiaction with Panchayat Officials

Interaction with Farmers in Their Farm

(a) Organic Vegetable Cultivation

(b) Sampoorna Sarkar Udhyogam
(c) Sanchara Souhritha Road
(d) Animal Day Care centre
(e) Ration for Animals
(f) Kera Gramam (This State Govt Project was first introduced here)
(g) Sunflower Farming
(h) Panchayat Development Society (For males, like CDS for Wemen)
 DAY 24 (01/06/2022)
30.Kottayam Collectorate

We visited Kottayam Collectorate in the morning session, but due to School

Pravesanolsavam, Collector could not attend the programme, which was a great miss to
us. But District Heads of Important Departments like Revenue, Health, Agriculture,
Panchayat, Dairy Development, Police, etc were present and we had a good interactive
session with them. The officials explained about No. of administrative units, specialties,
challenges, uniqueness and best practices of the District.
31.Rubber Board, Kottayam

Afternoon we visited the Rubber Board Office. Rubber Board is an Intuition under
Central Government. We had an interactive session with Rubber Board Executive Director
Sri.K.N.Raghavan IRS. He explained about the projects, possibilities, current scenario and
challenges of Rubber Board and the Sector in India as a whole.

Officer Trainees with Sri.KN Raghavan IRS, Executive Director, Rubber Board

DAY 25 (02/06/2022)
32.Kumarakom Responsible Tourism Sites, Kottayam & Alappuzha
Our team visited Kumarakom Responsible Tourism. The major activity planned was a
boat trip from Kavanattinkara to Pathiramanal Dweep. During the travel, the Guide explained
about the emergence of tourism in Kumarakom after the visit of the former Prime Minister
Sri.AB Vajpayee at Kumarakom in 1997 and later the agitations by local people against
pollution and livelihood loss and as a result the evolution of Responsible Tourism Mission.
 A Distant View of Pathiramanal Dweep

DAY 26 (03/06/2022)
33.KMML, Chavara, Kollam

We visited KMML (Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd) Plant at Chavara and had a
good presentation as well as interactive session with the Managing Director and other
officials. The plant is a good example for its efficient management and social responsibility.
The major products of the Firm is Titanium Dioxide and Titanium Sponge (Titanium Metal).
It is profit making public sector industry
34.Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha District

After the visit of KMML we went to Krishnapuram Palace. The Palace was built by
Marthandavarma after the conquer of Odanad (present Kayamkulam). Now the Palace is
working as a museum. The Krishnapuram Palace is very famous due to the
Gajendramoksham Painting in it.

In Front of Gajendramoksham Painting in Krishnapuram Place

 DAY 27 (04/06/2022)

35.Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation, Kollam

On the concluding day of Kerala Darsan, we had only one planned visit, to KSCDC

(Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation) situated at Kollam. We had an

interactive session with its Officials. The Corporation was formed as a company in 1969

as model employer in Cashew Sector. Now it has got 30 factories and 12,000 employees.

As a model employer the KSCDC provides the following to its employees;

(a) Minimum wages as per Government Notification

(b) Social Security Measures like Pension, PF, etc.

(c) Bonus irrespective of profit

(d) Educational Benefits and ESI Quota Seats

Officer Trainees in Front of KSCDC, After the Last Session of Kerala Darasan

REVIEW OF BEST PRACTICES YOU HAVE CAME ACROSS KERALA DARSAN

During Kerala Darsan our team came across a lot of good practices and models of
governance, out of that I am picking some important ones which personally feel relevant.
1. Central University Kerala is a good model to provide higher education to ordinary

people and rural poor.

2. Azheekode Handloom Village is an adoptable model, since it included tourism in

the traditional methods.

3. Kerala Dinesh Beedi Co-operative Society is a fantastic model of survival by

diversification during bad times of industry.

4. RUBCO Furniture Manufacturing Unit is a model for both protecting farmers and

conserving nature.

5. Compassionate Kozhikkode, Nammude Kozhikkode (A Compassionate

programme for Citizen Centric Governance), CRADLE (Child Rearing And

Development – a Lifecycle of Education – Comprehensive Programme for early

childhood care, motherhood and healthy adolescence), Udayam – Comprehensive

Rehabilitation Project to Safeguard People, Enabling Kozhikkode (Comprehensive

and integrated disability empowerment) and Clean Beach Mission programmes of

Kozhikkode District Administration are adoptable models for all similar places.

6. Sargalaya Craft Village is very important since it provided the traditional craftship

a ground for survival.

7. Meat Technology Unit), Mannuthy is a best practice for familiarizing processing

meat and familiarizing the hygienic meat products.

8. Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), Kakkanad is role model for ecofriendly

industrial development.
 9. Kochi Metro Rail Corporation is a model of enhancing the scope of public transport

and thereby protecting nature.

10. Cochin International Airport is the best model for Ecofriendly development by its

Solar Energy Tapping.

11. Kubalangi Eco-Tourism is the best model for LSGI level development and

conversion of common and traditional activities into tourism activities.

12. Kanjikkuzhi Grama Panchayat’s organic farming is an adoptable method for small

scale farming.

13. Kumarakom Responsible Tourism.

14. Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. Is the best model of sustainable, people friendly

and profitable running of large public sector industry.

SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE INITIATIVES / INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES THAT

REQUIRE IMPROVEMENT
Even though the Institutions and Organizations are working well, I think

some more improvents are required or possible in some of them. My suggestions

are:

1. In Folklore Academy some of the models are not self-explanatory. So it should be

considered since it is not practical to provide a guide to each visitor.

2. In Azheekode Handloom Village, a sales counter should be set up and should give

more publicity to attract customers and tourists. Just selling to shops wont fetch

good price.

3. Kerala Dinesh Beedi Co-operative Society is producing good quality apparels, food

products and umbrella, but it is not available outside Kannur. So production as well

as marketing should be enhanced.

4. At St. Angelo Fort, the maintenance is poor. It should be improved and indication

boards should be placed at all sites.

5. RUBCO is producing good quality durable furniture. But now the only customer is

Government. So marketing and production should be enhanced.

6. Muneeswaran Kunnu, Mananthavadi is a potential location for Night Camping. So

facilities should be made for that.

7. In Thirunelli Tribal Settlement, the land ownership issues and ethnic issues (only

for some families) should settled. Also to avoid attack of wild animals, trench and

fencing should be completed.

8. The campus of KIRTADS should be maintained properly.

9. The mandate of Malayalam University should be made aware among all to attract

Students with high standards to the University.

10. The training named Enhancing Effectiveness in Decision Making for Kerala

Administrative Service given by Indian Institute of Management Kozhikkode not

 felt that much effective. Hence the content of the programme should be reviewed

and it should provide some information which helps us decision making in difficult

situations. Also the full day with a single trainer made it monotonous.

11. At Kubalangi Eco-Tourism, some more facilities or programmes should be added

to make it a full day or two days.

12. Kanjikkuzhi Grama Panchayat is not a sustainable model and it heavily depends

on subsidies. So measures should be taken to fetch a higher price for organically

farmed vegetables to make it sustainable.

13. At Kumarakom Responsible Tourism sites, still plastics are used heavily. It should

be controlled.

14. In Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation, at least semi automation

should be done to make it economically viable.

Submitted by;

Sharafudheen e

KAS OFFICER trainee

BATCH 3, CHANDRAGIRi

IMG,

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Kathivannur Veran Theyyam