Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport

Kulasekarapattinam in Thoottukudi (Tuticorin) district of Tamilnadu is entering to India’s space map, as country’s space infrastructure expands at a rapid pace with its world renowned name in cost-effective satellite launches. Since the emergence of space industries in twentieth century, world countries had used its space prowess as a key tool to show their global strength and power.

Kulasekarapattinam becomes country’s second spaceport after Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of the spaceport on 28 February, 2024. Kulasekarapattinam is more strategically located than Sriharikotta and fuel efficient to launch small satellites as it possesses a direct southward launch, in spite of eastward launch to evade Srilankan airspace.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) Centre

According to ISRO officials, Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport will exclusively assign for small satellites and private satellites. ISRO has already developed SSLV to launch small satellites weighing less than 500 kg and travel a long distance from Sriharikotta to Indian Ocean around Srilanka will cost more fuel thus reduces the payload capacity. ISRO scientists have done research which confirmed a new Spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam will make it easier to launch sufficient payloads into orbit with less fuel.

Strategic Location

Apart from the ease of direct southward launch, Kulasekarapattinam and Thoottukudi district in Tamilnadu is blessed with many benefits for establishing a spaceport. It is a coastal area with sparsely populated, thus minimalise civilian casualties and material destruction in case of any failures or explosions. Kulasekarapattinam is better sheltered from cyclone storms of Bay of Bengal due to the presence of land mass of Srilanka. Cyclone storms and related natural calamities are prevalent in the east coast of India and even Sriharikotta
is not protected from cyclones. Soil erosion is a major threatening issue in Sriharikotta Satish Dhawan Space Centre. ISRO Propulsion Complex which is a major testing hub of ISRO’s liquid propulsion system at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district is just 80 kilometres away from Kulasekarapattinam. Trivandrum International Airport and Madurai Airport are located at a distance of 160 and 185 kilometres respectively. Thoothukudi port is just one hour distance from the Spaceport. It is easily accessible from International Sea route in south of India.

Juice jacking

Juice jacking is comparatively a new terminology in information technology and information security, word that seems good and lovely, but is actually dangerous and might lose your money and data, if you are not taking necessary precations and best practices while recharging your mobile phones using USB port in public charging stations. Although, nowdays most of the users are aware of the cyber threats like malwares and ransomwares, one will never believe that such bad things will happen while charging mobile phones in public staions in airports, railway stations, shoping centres etc.

The term “juice jacking” though was coined in 2011, many mobile users in India were made more aware of this term and its impacts on personal data security, after the Reserve Bank of India published a booklet of modus operandi in February 2024. According to booklet, fraudsters can tamper public charging stations to transfer malware contents to mobile phone connected USB ports. Public charging centres in densely populated urban centres and crowded transportation systems in India offer potential fraud vulnerabilities which fraudsters can manipulate to control for stealing sensitive datas and emails.

It is highly recommended to carry a personal charger or a power bank while traveling to avoid a potential risks. In case, some mobile phones provides options to click a prompt like “shrare data” or “charge only”, always click share only.

Sara Aboobacker

Sara Aboobacker (1936 - 2023), a Kannada fiction and story writer as well as a translator, hailed from a backward muslim community in Kerala - Karnataka border. Though she was born in a family in Kerala’s Chemnad village on the bank of Chandragiripuzha in Kasargod, she was married to a Kannadiga and settled in Karnataka.

Sara Aboobacker was born in1936 in an orthodox muslim family in Chemnad village in Kasargod district, Kerala. Her father was a lawyer by profession and a progressive character, meanwhile her surroundings were resistant to accept any kind of change especially in women’s education and career. In the 1940s, despite scored too many marks in secondary exams, she had to leave her studies after class 10. Her primary education was in Malayalam medium, but later in high school she joined in Kannada medium school which became a turning point to invigorate her aptitude in Kannada language and literature. After 10th class, she faced many obstacles to countinue her studies, since there were no colleges in Kasargod. There were colleges in Mangalore, but travelling by train everyday was not possible in those times. Her father was very supportive in continuing her studies.

Her first novel “Chandragiriya Theeradalli” has gained widespread acceptance among the society and gradually instilled her name and fame in Kannada literature. She wrote miserable life of muslim women community to whom she belonged, introduced pathetic situation of muslims in Kerala - Karnataka border. This novel has been translated to different languages including English and Marathi. Sara Aboobacker started her writing career in publishing articles in Lankesh Patrike, a kannada magazine founded by P.Lankesh. Sara Aboobacker was a family friend of Lankesh family and Gauri Lankesh, daughter of P. Lankesh, has a close relationship with Sara until her demise in 2017. Sara Aboobacker was deeply distressed of her assassination by a group of criminals.

Dr Tehemton E Udwadia

Dr Tehemton E Udwadia, a renowned surgeon and gastroenterologist as well as  the father of laproscopic surgery in India. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian award, in 2017 and Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award in 2006. He was a superhero and last hope of inspiration for common people amidst the extremely materialistic mindset we see among people today. Dr.Tehemton became first in the country to conduct country’s first laparoscopic cholecystectomy
at JJ Hospital, Mumbai on May 31, 1990. He was a great altruist with a great heart as well as a man of discipline. He rendered free services to poor people of India traveling from cities to cities. Maharashtra was his home turf and worked Salem in Tamilnadu and Siliguri in West Bengal etc.

Dr.Udwadia, after successful surgery, travelled small cities across India to popularise his new innovations in laproscopic surgery. In those days, even before India adopted liberalisation and globalisation, his team had faced many obstacles from procuring devices from Germany paying a very high customs duty to stuggling with countinuous power outages in hospital.

Dr. Tehemton has authored many books including “Laproscopic Cholecystectomy” and “Laproscopic Surgery in Developing Countries”. He wrote innumerable articles in journals.

He worked in JJ Hospital in Mumbai and Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. He took more pragmatic and revoulutionary decisions in healthcare in a time where technology was not advancing at a rapid rate in the country. But he dared to take challenges inspite of many criticism and obstacles.

Kattippara

Kattippara is a hilly town and grama panchayath in Kozhikode district, Kerala. Kattippara, the name derived from two Malayalam words , katti which means hard and para means rock. It is a hilly panchayath on western ghat mountains of Kozhikode district, is home to huge hard rock masses which are jutting out of huge cliffs. Almost everywhere, one can witness hard rocks and hills towering skyhigh.

Kattippara is well connected by road networks. National Highway 766 which connects Kozhikode to Kollegal in Karnataka, is passing through Malapuram village which is 6 kilometres away from Kattippara town. Perumbally - Kattippara - Thalayad road and Kattippara - Poonoor road both of which are other major roads which pass through Kattippara panchayath. There are regular bus services between Thamarassery and Kattippara towns.

Kattippara is a migrant village where majority of the population are migrants from other part of the state. People from central Travencore state, especially people from eastern part of Kottayam district commenced large scale migration to Malabar region in the early twentieth century. Most of the families in the Kattippara are descendants of these migrant families. Muslim families from neighboring areas in Kozhikode district have also moved to Kattippara due to easy availability of land at cheaper prices in a place not far from national highway. Before migration, there lived only tribal communities who still exist in Kattippara.

Kattippara Tourism

As a hilly area, Kattippara offers a very high potential of tourism activities. It is rich in waterfalls and plenty of opportunities for trekking and tent tourism. A huge majority of Kattippara panchayath falls under dense verdant forest.

Amarad Waterfalls

Amarad Waterfalls is a serene and untapped tourism hotspot in Kattippara. Water here falls from a great height through a slope rocky hill and create a plunge pool at the bottom which offers one of the exotic waterfall bathing experience in Kerala. Bathing is safer here except early monsoon period (June to September). In monsoon season and in the time of heavy rain, there are possibilities of sudden surge of water caused by flash floods. Amarad Waterfalls is safer than other waterfalls in Kozhikode district which is notorious for the death traps in waterfalls. Period between October to February is ideal time for visiting Amarad Waterfalls.

Amarad Waterfalls is just half an hour walkable distance from Kattippara town. The access to the site is little challenging and constrained due to lack of paved roads and narrow forest walkways. Tourists have to climb up to the site through land owned by private individuals. It requires a mini trekking to reach the site.

Karinchola Mala Landslide

Karinchola mala landslide was one of the string of disasters which occured in Kerala in 2018 which witnessed terrible and unprecedented flood. 2018 flood wreaked havoc in the month of August and even before that, in the month of June, Kattippara in Kozhikode district, signalled an upcoming disaster even two months earlier.Torrential rainfall accompanied by strong wind which triggered vulnerable and fragile landmass of Karinchola mala which was already under threat due to illegal construction activities.
Karinchola landslide which occured in Karinchola mala on 17 June 2018 during early stage of south west monsoon which claimed 17 lives including women and children.

Karinchola Mala is one of the many hills in Kattippara panchayath like Amarad mala, Thevar mala and Kolamala. It is sparsely populated and most of them were migrant families from neighbouring panchayaths. Kattippara panchayath is mainly a migrant panchayath where migration started in the mid-1940s and is still going on. Apart from Travancore migrants, many bankrupted families from neighbouring panchayaths have moved to here. Kattippara had offered cheaper fertile lands and tolerable society welcomed every outsiders, as all of them were immigrants themselves, it was easy to blend in with others.

Karinchola Mala was not a heavily populated area. People mainly cultivated coconut, banana, tapioca and yam to feed the family because the income from daily wages were insufficient to lead a normal life. Most of them who had owned 10 cents or less than 10 cents of land in Karinchola Mala. Some people who migrated to middle eastern contries and remitted back their hard earned money to build better shelter and make better living facilities.

Amarad Waterfalls

Amarad Waterfalls is an enthralling and alluring white patches of forest streams which invigorate one’s chaotic state of constant movement in a busy urban life, replenish your thoughts from anthropogenic environment. Amarad is a calm and placid spot in the midst of a densely verdant hills in the Western Ghat mountains of Kozhikode district.

Amarad Waterfalls is just half an hour walkable distance from Kattippara town. The access to the site is little challenging and constrained due to lack of paved roads and narrow forest walkways. Tourists have to climb up to the site through land owned by private individuals. It requires a mini trekking to reach the site.

Water here falls from a great height through a slope rocky hill and create a plunge pool at the bottom which offers one of the exotic waterfall bathing experience in Kerala. Bathing is safer here except early monsoon period (June to September). In monsoon season and in the time of heavy rain, there are possibilities of sudden surge of water caused by flash floods. Amarad Waterfalls is safer than other waterfalls in Kozhikode district which is notorious for the death traps in waterfalls. Period between October to February is ideal time for visiting Amarad Waterfalls.

Safety Warning

Amarad Waterfalls is one of the safest tourism hotspot in Kozhikode district. It is essential to keep your family and friends happy and protect from casualties. All visitors are highly recommended to wear safety boots, as long walk is required to reach destination. Slippery surfaces might pose a serious threat unless wearing proper boots with sure grip. It is highly recommended to wear safety vest before entering into plunge pool, even if you are an expert swimmer. Proper warnings from local authorities and local people should not be avoided. Local people in the area are vigilant and alert about the use of drugs and alcohol, such consumptions might face serious objections from them.

Pullooni

Pullooni is a beautiful village near the western coast of Malappuram district, Kerala. It is known for its bucolic scenery of paddy fields dotted with coconut trees and pleasant coastal climatic condition. It lies near the town of Alathiyur on Alathiyur - Purathur road in Tirur taluk.

Pullooni is well known for its Pulloonikavu Bhagavathi Temple, one of the oldest Bhagavathi temples in Vettathunadu. Pullooni is also the area that is most closely associated with the great Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon. Vallathol, in his younger age, established Parishkara Abhivridhini Sabha at Pullooni for the growth of Malayalam literature. Vallathol Narayana Menon was born in 1878 at Chennara near Mangalam Town.

Pulloonikavu Bhagavathi Temple

Pulloonikavu Bhagavathi Temple is one of the ancient and popular temples in erstwhile Vettathunadu. Hundreds of devotees visit temple to whorship irrespective of religion and caste. Many muslims devotees visit temple for self fulfillment. Historically muslims used to participate in annual procession. Temple authorities used to invite Yahu Thangal nearby BP Angadi for annual temple festival.

Chennara

Chennara is a village in Mangalam grama panchayath of Malappuram district in Kerala. Chennara is well known for the birthplace of Vallathol Narayana Menon, legendary Malayalam poet who lived in the late 19th and early 20th century. Vallathol’s birth place is still preserved here by Government of Kerala. Chennara which lies on Alathiyur - Purathur road near Mangalam town.

Chennara is situated on the shore of Tirur river which separates Mangalam panchayath into two parts, eastern Mangalam and Western Mangalam. Western Mangalam is Koottayi coastal area which is in western side of Mangalam Thuruth. Panchayath office and village office are situated on the eastern Mangalam and higher secondary school and primary health centre are in western part of Mangalam. Koottayikadavu bridge and a hanging bridge near Chennara connect both sides of panchayath.

Magalam hanging bridge is a local tourism destination as well as a bridge where tourists can hang out with families and kids. It is a bridge over Tirur river and i
offers stunning view of calm surroundings and slow flowing river. River here is too wide as it is only seven kilometres away from Tirur river merges with Bharatapuzha to join Arabian Sea.

Puzhayoram Poomkavanam

In 2020, Mangalam panchayath has decided to establish Puzhyoram Poomkavanam project to hounor Mahakavi Vallathol in his native place. The location of the project was chosen in Perunthiruthi near hanging bridge on the shore of Tirur river. An open library, Amphi theatre, Kavitha sthoopam, decorative lights and park benches are planned to construct here.

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Padinjarekkara Beach

Padinjarekkara beach is the largest beach in Malappuram district and one of the highly developed and finest beaches which showcase trailblazing infrastructure in Kerala. It is gorgeous and most exquisite hideout for those who yearn to escape from crowded urban areas. If you want to get away from your work, or regular routine, Padinjarekkara beach is highly recommended. Padinjarekkara is the place where all roads end and all three sides are surrounded by water bodies. Both Bharatapuzha and Tirur river converge in the south east side of Padinjarekkara before emptying into the Arabian Sea through south, making both Ponnani and Padinjarekkara apart.

Padinjarekkara beach

Padinjarekkara is a small peninsula which illustrates both fishing harbour and beach on its coast. Eastern part of the coast is a busy fishing harbour overlooking to Ponnani harbour on opposite side, while west coast where shore embraces the Arabian Sea making a picturesque and scenic beach of fine sands. Padinjarekkara beach which stretches more than a kilometre in length, ornamented with tall pine trees on the shore which might feel like you are somewhere in northern hemisphere. Beach creepers add the place more charm and elegance.

Padinjarekkara estuary

Padinjarekkara is an estuary, or Azhimukham in Malayalam language, also known as Koottayi Azhimukham due to its proximity to Koottayi. Padinjarekkara beach is completely different from Koottayi Beach. Koottayi is situated in Mangalam panchayath while Padinjarekkara is part of Purathur grama panchayath.

Padinjarekkara beach

How to reach Padinjarekkara

Canopy of pine trees

Padinjarekkara is well connected by road and railway networks. Padinjarekkara is the southern end of Tipu Sultan road which is passing through coastal Malappuram. There are regular bus services between Tirur bus stand and Padinjarekkara. Tirur is the nearest railway station. If the tourists are traveling through Ponnani, there are jankar services between Ponnani and Padinjarekkara which ferry both passengers and vehicles. Kozhikode International Airport is the nearest airport.

Boats leaving harbour

Proposal of new bridge

There has been a long pending demand for a bridge to connect both shores of Ponnani and Padinjarekkara. Government of Kerala has approved and allocated funds under its KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board) as part of its Thiruvananthapuram - Kasaragode coastal highway. The new hanging bridge is modeled after Howra Bridge in Kolkata. Once the bridge is completed, it is expected to boost tourism in this area. Western coastal areas of Malappuram district have very high potential to become a major international destination of beach tourism rather than remain a local tourism hotspot.

Safety

Padinjarekkara beach is clean and safe for families and children. Beach is well maintained by local governments and features kids play area including swings and slides, walking pathway and an open amphitheater. There is a sunset cape to watch stunning view of sunset and horizon.

unniyal

Unniyal Beach

Unniyal Beach is a pristine fine sand beach which is unspoiled, not much touched until recently.  It is blindingly white in bright sunny days and eye-catchingly ornamented with sea wall made of rocks and shadowed by tall coconut trees leaning toward the sea. The most unique of Unniyal Beach is long and  stretches more than a kilometer parallely with a driving road, slanting coconut trees overlooking to the sea.

Unniyal Beach

Unniyal is a coastal offshoot of Tirur town which is situated 5 kilometres away from beach.Unniyal beach was relatively an area without much public attention and YouTube vloggers and other social media influencers who shared their traveling experiences through vedios and reels which attracted much attention among local people. Families and young people flock to the beach especially in the evening time, as the tropical breeze sweeps away mental stress. As Unniyal Beach is too long, it offers more spaces for families and children to explore more to maintain family bonding and get relaxed.

Photo: Rasheed V

Tirur is the largest city and commercial centre of western Malappuram which is densely populated and lacks enough entertainment facilities for families and young people, except vast and long stretched beaches in western part of Tirur taluk.

Photo: Rasheed V

Unniyal Beach is safer and clean beach with easy connectivity by road and railway network. It lies on the famous Tipu Sultan road which passes through coastal Malappuram district. Tirur railway station, the first railway station in Kerala, is 5 kilometres away from Unniyal.

Elders and physically challenged people are most welcome here, as parallel beach road offers magnificent beach view and sea breeze, even without stepping out of the vehicles.