Monthly Archives: February 2013

Digitilization of Classrooms – Smart Class Room

We are living in an age of technology where technological advances are necessary for students, teachers and schools to compete with the developed countries. With an aim to reap the maximum benefits of modern technological advancements, the city administration decided to include  the Project ” Smart Classroom” in its budget for the year 2012-2013. SMART CLASSROOM

The c-hed had  prepared a project proposal in this regard, initiating  the project for the Kochi Municipal Corporation focusing on digitizing and equipping the schools under the city administration, with latest technology tools that will improve the learning environment.

10 schools were selected initially for the implementation of smart class rooms in the first phase  by the Kochi Municipal Corporation. The project aims to implement this innovative learning experience successfully in each and every school coming under the city administration. This project is being coordinated by c-hed and is ongoing.

Pallath Raman Memorial Cultural Centre – Public Space Landscape at Fort Cochin Heritage Zone

Pallath Raman Memorial is a public space located in one of the oldest part of the city, in Veli- Fort Cochin. Owned by the Kochi Municipal Corporation and operated through c-hed, it is a part of the Heritage Zone and is adjacent to many historical monuments and structures.

During our effort to conserve and exhibit our heritage and culture, Fort Cochin has always lacked organized public spaces for live cultural exhibitions. Pallath Raman was built to take up this role.

One of the first projects for which the c-hed had prepared a DPR was for the Pallath Raman Public Space Landscape at Fort Cochin Heritage Zone. c-hed had also mobilized funds for the execution and implementation  of this project. This is one of the most prestigious institutions that the c-hed manages at present. Around 200 children are undergoing  training in this campus in various art forms.

Pallath Raman Memorial Culture Centre is a classic example of premises management abilities of the c-hed.

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Disposal of used Sanitary Napkins in schools

The proper and safe method of disposal of used sanitary napkins has been a major hurdle faced by city administrations the world over. Used sanitary feminine napkins are usually considered as residual waste, that is not compostable or recyclable and, therefore goes to dump-sites and landfills. It plays a major role in the clogging of our city drainage and sewage systems; facilitating the spread of various epidemics due to the presence of bacterial  body fluids in the napkin.

Thus there is a need to address this important menace of sanitary waste disposal effectively. The Kochi Municipal Corporation has been trying to educate and spread awareness among children about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. As a part of its commitment towards keeping the city clean and hygienic, a novel scheme was announced for disposal of sanitary napkins by the Kochi Municipal Corporation.

c-hed has initiated the project for tackling this looming danger of improper disposal of used sanitary napkins and install used sanitary pad disposer in schools falling under the city administration. The project is ongoing.

Mangalavanam Conservation Project

An ecologically sensitive small patch of mangrove forest and nesting grounds for a variety of migratory birds, Mangalavanam is the green lumangalavanam 3ng of Cochin City. It has stood sentinel in the muddy waters near the city coast, trapping pollutants washed down from the land into the bay waters. An ecologically sensitive area, it is home to many species of birds and fishes.

It gained its importance as a habitat for various species of migratory birds as they come in for breeding every year. This fragile system needs extra protection as the recent high-rising buildings in the nearby areas have curtailed the movement of birds in the sanctuary.

Roxy MathewThe c-hed has taken the initiative for highlighting the issue of the protection of Mangalavanam and now the forest department has begun the actual protection and conservation work. c-hed extends all assistance of the conservation of all agencies and officials involved in the protection of Mangalavanam.

 

Project for Evolving a System for Managing Plastic Waste in the City of Cochin

The popularity of plastic bags has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of bags found dumped in open grounds or water bodies. Apart from dumping, another method of disposal of plastics currently in vogue in the city is burning in open heaps which releases harmful dioxins into the atmosphere. The KochiMunicipal Corporation has been promoting awareness programmes in this regard among all sections of the society through workshops, seminars and training programmes.

c-hed has initiated a project in association with Cochin University of Science And Technology and St.Teresa’s College Ernakulam, for evolving a system for managing plastic waste in the city.img_8552

The project aims at assessing the quantum and type of plastic wastes generated in Cochin city, identifying the main sources/points of generation of such waste such as households, packaging industry, hospitals, hospitality industry, furnishing industry etc, tracing the prevailing systems and channels for recycling/disposal of such wastes in the city and assess its effectiveness and identifying feasible solutions to address lacunae in prevailing systems.

The project is ongoing.

Padmasarovaram – Proposal for Cultural Public Space in Cochin

The much needed requirement for Urban Public Spaces for the City of Cochin, which is otherwise getting reduced to the Parks on the western water edge of the city, is alive with new rays of hope. Padmasarovaram is conceived primarily to address the issue of lack of city level public space in the dense urban fabric and residential patterns of the city.

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The proposal looks at the marshy land close to the scenic urban water edge at the heart of the city’s residential area between Vyttila and Elamkulam connecting the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road (S A Road) and Subhash Chandra Bose Road (S C B Road), serving not only its surrounding urban area, but the entire city and the region. The idea is to gradually transform this marshy land into a major urban environmental reserve and recreational center. The project is conceived to have passive and hybrid recreational facilities, which is going to make it a major tourism hot spot of the City.

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Management of Libraries under the Kochi Municipal Corporation

The only true equalizers in the world are books; the only treasure-house open to all comers is a library; the only wealth which will not decay is knowledge; the only jewel which you carry beyond the grave is wisdom.

                                                                                                                                  – J.A. Langford

Libraries are heaven for students, teachers and simply to all those who love reading books. The history of libraries dates back to as early as 2600 BC and has evolved as an inseparable part of all developing cities, spreading knowledge, inculcating reading habits and also providing an unrestricted access to information. Public libraries are an important national resource with a vital role to play in imparting knowledge for the development and growth of a nation. The Kochi Municipal Corporation is at present administering 6 libraries.

  • M.K Raghavan Memorial Library, Chullikkal
  • L.G Pai Memorial Library, Amaravathi
  • K.J Herschel Memorial Library, Fort Cochin
  • c-hed Library, Kacheripady
  • Corporation Library, Vytilla
  • Corporation Library, Palluruthy

As per the Annual budget of 2012-2013 of the Kochi Municipal Corporation, c-hed was assigned the management of all six libraries under the city administration.

In this regard, c-hed had prepared a  project proposal for entrusting this institution with management of public libraries under the Kochi Municipal Corporation. The proposal also focuses on appointing librarians, updating periodicals, magazines, newspapers, rebinding torn books along with other functional requirements.

 Library c-hed1

 

 

Vernacular Mosques of Cochin City

Cochin has long been one of the important trading centers of India, attracting seafarers and traders from far and wide.

vernacular 3This historic port-city on the Malabar coast in the state of Kerala, has some of the very first vernacular mosques, which reveals a distinctive bequest.

The surviving mosques of Cochin are a part of the rich cultural history of the Malabar Coast of India.  It stands as powerful visible expression of integration of two different cultures. Manyvernacular 1 of these fine old mosques have recently been demolished or remodeled, and replaced by concrete structures.

This is one of the projects that the c-hed has carried out with the support of Ford Foundation, the project has been completed and the same has been brought out in a book form.

 

Climate Change

The climate is changing and the earth is warming up. Significant and lasting statistical change in distribution of weather patterns have been noticed and these changes in large are found to originate from human activities. Climate change has been recognized as a major concern for countries throughout the world, for both industrialized and developing. climatechange1

c-hed has been associating  with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in a  major project for assessing the impacts of climate change on the city of Cochin. The assignment is ongoing.

Earlier in this regard, c-hed had coordinated and successfully completed a major project – “Possible Vulnerabilities of Cochin, India, to Climate Change Impacts and Response Strategies to Increase Resilience” with the support of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA.

Tree Census

Nature’s wonder and a gift to mankind, trees are priceless and the valuable assets necessary for the very existence of any living creature. They are essential to life and form the ground troops of food chain. As a part of the green drive of the Kochi Municipal Corporation a tree census programme was coordinated by c-hed along with Rajagiri School of Social Science. During the survey, details of each tree located in public places in the city was recorded along with its approximate age and scientific name.

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The program focusing on building an environmental-friendly culture and enhancement of the social responsibility of the youth, saw participation from 1,700 students and 300 teachers from various schools and colleges. The event was also marked by the planting of tree saplings by the students.