Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Kozhikode District - Media & Communication

Communication and Media

Post Offices-
The District has fairly well developed net work of Post Offices.

Print Media-

Kozhikode district occupies a prominent place in the history of Malayalam Journalism. The origin of journalism in this district can be traced back to 1880. The ‘Kerala Pathrika’ is likely to be the earliest newspaper published from Kozhikode. Keralam, Kerala Sanchari and Bharath Vilasm were among the other news papers published from Kozhikode before 1893. Some denominational newspapers devoted to the cause of the advancement of the Muslims and the Thiyyas we also published from Kozhikode. But most of them ceased publication.

Kozhikode has the unique distinction of being the production centre of all major Malayalam Newspapers. Eight Malayalam dailies. – Mathrubhumi, Malayala Manorama, Kerala Kaumudi, Desabhimani, Chandrika, Madhyama, Mangalam, Siraj and one English daily, New Indian Express and four evening dailies – Pradeepam, Rashtra deepika, News Kerala and Calicut Times are published from Kozhikode city. Nearly all news agencies and other major news papers published from outside the district are represented in Kozhikode. A considerable number of weeklies, fortnightlies and monthlies are from here.

The Kozhikode Station of All India Radio was commissioned on 14th May, 1950 and it has two transmitters-Kozhikode A of 100 kilowatt power and Kozhikode B (Vividh Bharathi) of 1 Kilowatt power.

Calicut Press Club came into existence in 1970. The Institute of Communication and Journalism (ICJ) is one of the prestigious of the Calicut Press Club. The ICJ started in 1997 is conducting one year full time post Graduate Diploma Course in Communication and Journalism. The course aims to produce talented and professionally trained personnel who can straight away handle work competently in every Media Institutions

Kozhikode District - Art & Culture , Festivals

One of the favourite pastimes of the Muslims of the district is the singing of the Mappilapattu and Oppana. These songs are sung in a distinctive tune and cover a wide range of themes. The songs are composed in a composite language of Arabic and Malayalam.

Festivals

The important festivals in the district are held at Arakkal temple, Madappalli, Vadakara (pooram Festival, march/April), Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi temple, Memunda, Vadakara (two festivals – (1) March/April (2) November/Decemebr), Kadappally Kumbhom Thira Puduppanam, Vadakara Shri Pisharikavu Bhagavathi temple, Viyyur, Thikkody (Kaliatta Mahotsavam in March), Vettakkorumakan pattu in the Balussery Fort, Koyilandy, Sreekanteswara temple festival, Kozhikode (Sivarathri Festival for seven days in February/March), Thacholi Manikkoth Temple Festival (February), and Appavanibha Nercha at Idiyangara Sheik Masjid.

Revathy Pattathanam

The famous intellectual debate for vedic scholars to win the coveted position of pattathana takes place at Thali temple during the month of Thulam. It is said that this unique intellectual gathering commenced during the fag end of 13th century. Many stories are attributed to the beginning of the Pattathanam. The seven-day debate starts on Revathi day and concludes on Thiruvathira day of the Malayalam month of Thulam.

Malabar Mahotsavam

Malabar Mahotsavam is a cultural extravaganza that showcases the centuries old rich cultural heritage of Kerala. The event is at Mananchira maidan (ground) in the heart of Kozhikode town from 13th to 16th January every year.The festival highlights musical concerts, performances of various classical dances like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Ottanthullal etc and ritual artforms like Koothu, Thewam, Thira etc. The festival is also an occasion to relish the native cuisines and enjoy mind blowing firework displays.

Kozhikode District - Art & Culture , Festivals

Art & Culture

The temple and mosques of this district contain sculptures and inscriptions which are of considerable interest to the students of art. Kozhikode town itself has many temples, the most important of which are the Tali temple, the Tiruvannur temple, Azhakodi temple, Varakkal temple, Bilathikulam temple and Bhairagimadom temple. Some of these temples contain sculptures and paintings of very high artistic order. The Thiruvilangad temple contains many ancient sculptures. Its gateway is interesting because it is built in the same style as the Jain Bastis.

At Meppayur, 16.09 kms. southeast of Vadakara, is the Elavattara temple of Durga, in the grove attached to which are some sculptured images. Southeast of Vadakara by 4.92 kms. is the Lokanarkav, in the vicinity of which there are rock-cut caves. There is an art gallery and Krishna Menon Museum at East hill in Kozhikode city. Lalithakala Academy also has an art gallery adjacent to town hall, Kozhikode.

In the field of Malayalam Language and Literature, Kozhikode has made most significant contributions. The district is famous for folk songs or ballads known as Vadakkam Pattukal. The most popular folk songs among them are those which celebrate the exploits of Tacholi Meppayil Kunju Othenan, ‘the Robinhood of North Malabar’.

During temple festivals and important social functions entertainments like Koothu, Kathakali, Ottanthullal and Kaikottikali are performed. There are also ritual dances such as Thira and Theyyam.

Kozhikode District - Infrastucture

Dairy Development

The Dairy Development Department undertakes several program to enhance milk production. There are 155 Milk Co-operative Societies working in this district. The department extends assistance to sustain and develop these primary societies. There are 12 dairy extension service units functioning in the district. They are located at Vadakara, Payyoli, Koyilandy, Kozhikode, Mukkom, Kaithapoil, balussery, kakkodi, Chakkitapara, Kuttiady, Tuneri and Villiapally. Their area of operation being in the 12 respective N.E.S. Blocks.

In order to adopt scientific management practices for rearing cows Dairy Extension Officers and Dairy Farm Instructors conduct discussion classes, demonstration classes, film shows, Exhibitions, cattle shows and seminars etc.

The Milma is functioning at Peringolam near Kunnamangalam with a capacity of 60,000 litres/day. It also collects surplus milk from Palaghat, Nilambur and Wayanad. Besides liquid milk, milk-products like peda, ice cream, ghee, curd, sambharam, etc. are manufactured and marketed by the unit.

Fisheries

Kozhikode district is endowed with a coast line of 71 kms., stretching from Chaliyar to Azhiyoor; and it offers enormous resources for development of fisheries. The district is rich in brackish water area and there is great scope for shrimp farming too.

In the coastal belt, fishing is the main occupation of a large number of people. Around 25,000 fishermen are directly involved in fishing activities. The allied industries such as ice plant, freezing and processing units also provide employment to around 5,000 people in the district. As a whole, the fishing industry makes a sizeable contribution to the economy of the district as well as the State.

Kozhikode District - Infrastucture

Agriculture

Kozhikode district has a rich heritage in agriculture as it was a port city famous for pepper & species trade. Agriculture plays a major role in the district economy.

The crops like coconut, paddy, banana, tubers and other spices and tree crops are cultivated in 8 major soil series .

The district receives an average rain fall of 3000 mm during the months from March to December. The major share of the showers received during the months from June to August is 2000 mm.

Department of Agriculture has a number of institutions in the district aimed at the development of agriculture. A few are -Principal Agricultural Office-Located at Civil station, Kozhikode District level office to supervise and monitor the development activities in the district,. Krishibhavans, Farmers Training Institute, State Agmark Grading Laboratory , District Agricultural Farm,. State Seed Farm, Puthuppady, Coconut Nursery, Thikkotie, Urban Wholesale Vegetable Market etc.

Irrigation

Major projects under Irrigation Division are improvement and protection of Elathur-Kallai Canal, Beypore-Kallai Canal and Badagara-Mahe Canal. The improvement and protection works of Elathur-Kallai Canal is progressing and the proposal for the improvements of Beypore-kallai Canal, Badagara-Mahe Canal have been submitted to the Government as per the guidelines of IWAI, for approval. (Badagara-Mahe Canal has been handed over to the newly formed Inland Water Transport Division at Kannur). Now, Government is paying more importance for the development of Navigation through canal from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod for the economic transportation uses. All the above canals are part of West Coast Canal. In addition to boosting of transport facility, Elathur-Kallai canal controls floods in the Calicut city, as a drainage channel for storm water, effluents etc. The other major work undertaking through this division is Flood Control.

Animal Husbandry

Animal Husbandry Department is vested with animal health programs in the district by making available timely veterinary assistance. Animal Husbandry Office issituated at the heart of the city.

Kozhikode District - Infrastucture

Water supply

There are two urban water supply schemes and 179 Rural Water Supply Schemes being maintained by the Kerala Water Authority as on 31.12.2001, covering 70 per cent urban population and 40 per cent rural population. The total production capacity of Calicut Water Supply Scheme is 65.25 MLD and the augmentation work, of capacity 18 MLD is in progress. There are 38 numbers of ongoing Rural Water Supply schemes, out of which 25 are nearing completion.

Health

There are 11 Government hospitals, 10 Community Health Centres and 70 Primary Health Centres in this District with a total bed strength of 4747. In addition to this, there is a Government Rural Dispensary at NGO Quarters Kozhikode, a District TB Centre at Calicut, and Two Government Fisheries Dispensaries at Vadakara and Puthiyappa. Family Planning services are available in all the hospitals and health centres. School Health services have covered all the schools in the district. In the field of immunization services, the district has creditable achievements. Not a single case of confirmed Polio has been reported here since 1993.

A Mass Media wing is functioning under the District Medical Officer of Health. There are 205 units of Mahila Swasthya Sangh in this district to promote women’s participation to solve their health problems particularly related to meternal, child health and Family Planning. To promote non governmental sector in Family Welfare Programs, Standing Committee of Voluntary Action Units (SCOVA) are also functioning here.

The District Blindness Control Society is effectively functioning in Kozhikode District. Thousands of cataract Operations and Intra ocular lens implantations were being done. To improve the health status of coastal people, Coastal Health Project was also introduced.

The District has a Regional Filaria Training & Research Centre and a Regional Analytical Laboratory.

A Cancer Control Society is functioning under the District Medical Officer of Health at Kozhikode to detect the cancer cases.

There are 7 Ayurvedic Hospitals – each at Vadakara, Payyoli, Kozhikode, Cheruvannur, Balusseri, Thalayad and Nochad with a total bed strength of 200. The District has 52 Ayurvedic Dispensaries and 4 Grant-in-aid Dispensaries. There are 45 Homeo dispensaries and 3 Homeo Hospitals with a total bed strength of 75. The total bed strength of Homeo Medical College is 100. There is a Co-operative Hospital in the city. This hospital has 125 bed strength.

The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation runs 7 Allopathic and 2 Ayurvedic Dispensaries.

Kozhikode District - Administration

The Kozhikode district came into existence on 1st January 1957. The Kozhikode district now consists of one revenue division, three taluks, twelve blocks, 77 Panchayats and 117 villages.

Revenue division : Kozhikode
Taluks- 3 : Vadakara, Koyilandy and Kozhikode
The largest taluk is Kozhikode and the smallest Vadakara.

Blocks - 12 : Kunnummal, Balussery, Tuneri, Perambra, Kunnamangalam, Thodannur, Koduvally, Meladi, Vadakara, Panthalayani, Chelannur and Kozhikode
Panchayats - 77 : 22 panchayats are grouped in the special grade.
-32 first grade Panchayats
-23 are second grade ones

Rural development:

There are 12 Community Development Blocks in the District. They are Balussery, Chelannur, Kozhikode, Kunnamangalam, Kunnummal, Melady, Panthalayani, Koduvally, Perambra, Thodannur, Tuneri and Vadakara. The first Community Development Block in the district was formed in Kunnummal in October 1956. Of the 12 blocks, Koduvally is the largest followed by Kunnamangalam. Vadakara is the smallest block in area. According to 1991 census Kunnamangalam stands top in population while Melady has the lowest population.

Local Bodies:

Of the five Municipal Corporations in the State, one is the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation. Vadakara and Koyilandy are the two municipalities in the district.

Kozhikode became a municipality on 3rd July 1866. Its population then was 36,602 inhabiting an area of 28.48 sq.kms. It was then made a corporation and the first corporation council assumed office on the first November 1962.

The Kozhikode Corporation has geographical area of 82.67 sq.kms. For purposes of revenue collection, etc., the Corporation has been divided into 39 survey wards. But for purposes of election, it has been divided into 50 electoral divisions on the basis of population, each division being represented by one member.

The Kozhikode Development Authority was formed on May 15, 1980, with the aim of planned development. The authority covers Kozhikode Municipal Corporation and suburban panchayats, namely, Elathur, Kakkodi, Kuruvatoor, Kunnamamgalam. Peruvayal, Olavanna, Parumanna, Cheruvannur, Nallalam, Beypore, Feroke, Kadalundy and Ramanattukara. A master plan has been prepared for the development of Kozhikode urban area.

Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies:

Kozhikode district comprises of two parliamentary constituencies and 12 assembly constituencies. Vadakara and Kozhikode are the two parliamentary constituencies. The following are the assembly constituencies; Vadakara, Nadapuram, Meppayur, Koyilandy, Perambra balussery, Koduvally, Kozhikode-1, Kozhikode-2, Beypore, Kunnamangalam (SC) and Thiruvambadi.