How to overcome office stress !

Have you at some particular point of time cursed that bit of office furniture for giving you that perpetual backache? Cheer up; here are some practical changes that can make a big difference to you at work.

 Sit up: Before you blame the chairs and tables, watch your poise. Medics say that you should sit with your back straight, shoulders back, buttocks touching the back of your chair.

 Blink your eye Your eyes are important. Make sure that they are 45-60cm from the screen. Flat-screen monitors are best. You should also avoid glare. Remind yourself to either look away from the computer or blink every twenty minutes.

 Take a break: However busy be your schedule, ensure you take a break. You could walk up to your colleagues or may be walk down to the library and leaf through some book.

 After work It will be good if you take some time off at the gym before you head back home.

Posted By SMITHA A.T . NICAT

Ayurveda : Harmony of Body, Mind and Soul

The Origin:

It is evolved around 600 BC in India. Ayurveda is the science of life and it is often considered a branch of ‘ATARVAVEDA’ .The Atharvaveda lists the eight divisions of Ayurveda. The ‘Atreya samhitha’, is considered to be the oldest medical book in the world. Legend says that this land was a gift of the sea, Varuna (The sea god) to Parasurama, (The founder of Kerala) One of the ten incarnations of Lord ‘Vishnu’ In order to atone for his sins, the sage gave the land to the Brahmins he brought from the northern part of India .To ensure their physical well- being in this new territory, Parasurama imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda to eight chosen families. The present ‘Ashtavaidhyan’ families of Kerala are said to be their successors. The spared of Sanskrit language and literature in Kerala, which took place between 5th &7th centuries AD, also resulted in the spread of Ayurveda in the state. The period of the composition of’ Ashtanga Hrudhaya’ and ‘Ashtanga sangraha’ was also around the fifth centaury. But there is historical evidence to prove that Kerala possessed a system of healing even before the advent of Sanskrit.

Significance

Ayurveda can help you live a happy and healthy modern life. Ayurveda was considered the main attraction of tourists. This new system of medicine stressed on the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike. Ayurveda has been practiced ever sine. Today, it's a unique, indispensable branch of medicine - a complete natural healing system that depends on the diagnosis of your body's humors - vata, pitta and kapha - to achieve the right balance. Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but the individual as a whole. Making the natural way to refresh yourself, eliminate all toxic imbalances from the body and thus regain resistance and good health.This ancient science is the result of a flourishing partnership betweenAyu (life) and Veda (knowledge). It is a simple way of outsmarting illness, bymaintaining the delicate balance between one’s doshas. Mystic wisdom thatrefuses to grow old with time. Wisdom tat is an incredible balm for the mindBody and soul.Ayurveda is practiced all over India but Kerala is the most prominent area because of its exceptional location, natural wealth &rich culture.

Posted by SMITHA. A.T. NICAT

Kerala: Tips for visitors - 2

Water
Eventhough tap water is purified, it is better to drink bottled drinking water or drinking water from houses/restaurants. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.

Temple codes
Footwear inside the temple and entry into the sanctum sanctorum is banned in all the temples.

Other customs and codes of conduct and dress in temples across the state vary from each other.

Some temples do not permit entry to non-Hindus, while some do. Shirts for men and pants are banned from some temples and allowed in some others. Where they are banned, men have to be in mundus and women, in saris, half-saris or long skirts.

Nudity
Nudity is not allowed in any Kerala beach.

Smoking
Smoking is banned in public places

Footwear in houses
Visitors to most Kerala houses leave their footwear outside before entering the house.

Ayurvedic treatment
If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you go to an authorised centre.

Demonstrativeness in public
Behaviour demonstrating affection in public like hugging or kissing is not an accepted practice in Kerala.

Wildlife sanctuaries
To visit a wildlife sanctuary, prior permission has to be taken from the concerned authority of the sanctuary. 

Kerala: Tips for visitors

Money
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring.

Banks
Banks are open for transaction on all days except Sundays and declared holidays.

Best time to visit
High season: October to April - Monsoon.
Rejuvenation programmes: May to September

Travel wear
Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc.

Credit cards
Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centres honour major credit cards.

Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)

Drugs
Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic drugs.

Food
All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Kerala fare.

Emergency numbers
Police control room: 100
Fire station: 101
Ambulance: 101

Time
(Hours fast (+), slow (-) on IST)
USA: -10.30, Germany: - 4.30, Canada: - 10.30, France: - 4.30, Australia: + 4.30, Spain: -4.30, UAE: - 1.30

Kerala: Basic Info

Location	:	Southwestern tip of India.
Area	:	38, 863 sq km.
Population	:	3,18,38,619
Capital	:	Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Language	:	Malayalam;English is widely spoken.
Religion	:	Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Time	:	GMT +5:30
Currency	:	Indian Rupee
Climate	:	Tropical.
Summer	:	February - May (24 - 330C)
Monsoon	:	June - September (22 - 280C)
Winter	:	October - January (22 - 320C)
Names of Districts
Old		New
Trivandrum		Thiruvananthapuram
Quilon		Kollam
Alleppey		Alappuzha
		Pathanamthitta
		Kottayam
		Idukki
		Ernakulam
Trichur		Thrissur
Palghat		Palakkad
		Malappuram
		Wayanad
Calicut		Kozhikode
Cannanore		Kannur
		Kasaragod
Major Cities	:	Thiruvananthapuram,Kochi (Ernakulam district)and Kozhikode.
Taluks	:	61
Revenue Villages	:	1452
City Corporations	:	5
Grama Panchayat	:	991
Block Panchayat	:	152
District Panchayat	:	14
Population
Population	:	318.39 lakhs as per the latest 2001 Census  (31.839 Millions)
Density of Population	:	819 per sq kms
Kerala's Share in the National Population	:	3.1 per cent
District Average	:	22.74 lakhs (2.274 millions)
Sex Ratio	:	1058 women for 1000 men
Literacy
Literacy Rate	:	90.92 per cent.
Male Literacy Rate	:	94.20 per cent
Female Literacy Rate	;	87.86 per cent

Trip to Kerala: Hotels to Stay (Accommodation)

Adoor
Alappuzha
Athirapally
Bekal
Changanassery
Chinnakanal
Ernakulam
Fort Kochi
Guruvayoor
Kadampuzha
Kalpetta
Kanhangad
Kanjirapally
Kannur
Kasaragod
Kollam
Kondotty
Kottakkal
Kottayam
Kovalam
Kozhikode
Kumarakom
Kumily
Malampuzha
Malapuram
Mananthavady
Munnar
Nedumbaserry
Nelliyampathy
others
Ottapalam
Palakkad
Pathanamthitta
Peermede
Sulthan Bathery
Thalassery
Thekkady
Thiruvalla
Thiruvananthapuram
Tholpetty
Thrissur
Varkala
Vythiri
Willingdon Island

Kerala Travel: Guidelines

Money There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring.
Banks Banks are open for transaction on all days except Sundays and declared holidays.
Best time to visit High season: October to April - Monsoon.Rejuvenation programmes: May to September
Dress wearCotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc.
Credit cards Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centres honour major credit cards.
Currency Indian Rupee (INR)
Drugs Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic drugs.
Food All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Kerala fare.
Emergency numbers Police control room: 100Fire station: 101Ambulance: 101
Time(Hours fast (+), slow (-) on IST)USA: -10.30, Germany: - 4.30, Canada: - 10.30, France: - 4.30, Australia: + 4.30, Spain: -4.30, UAE: - 1.30
Water Eventhough tap water is purified, it is better to drink bottled drinking water or drinking water from houses/restaurants. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.
Temple codes Footwear inside the temple and entry into the sanctum sanctorum is banned in all the temples.Other customs and codes of conduct and dress in temples across the state vary from each other.Some temples do not permit entry to non-Hindus, while some do. Shirts for men and pants are banned from some temples and allowed in some others. Where they are banned, men have to be in mundus and women, in saris, half-saris or long skirts.
Nudity Nudity is not allowed in any Kerala beach.SmokingSmoking is banned in public places
Footwear in houses Visitors to most Kerala houses leave their footwear outside before entering the house.
Ayurvedic treatment If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you go to an authorised centre.
Demonstrativeness in public Behaviour demonstrating affection in public like hugging or kissing is not an accepted practice in Kerala.
Wildlife sanctuaries To visit a wildlife sanctuary, prior permission has to be taken from the concerned authority of the sanctuary. For further enquiries, contact: The Chief Conservator of Forests, Thiruvananthapuram 695014.Ph: ++ 91-471-2322217

Kerala: Places to see

Seaports:
Major : Kochi
Minor : Beypore (Kozhikode), Alappuzha, Kollam.
Major Beaches:Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Kappad and Bekal.
Major Wild Life Sanctuaries:Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar.
Bird Sanctuary:Thattekad, Kumarakom.
Major Hill Stations:Ponmudi, Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad.
Farm / Cash Crops:Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice.
Exports:Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other Products.
Major Industries:Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Building, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber.

KERALA AT A GLANCE

Location:Southwestern tip of India.
Area:38, 863 sq km.
Population :3,18,38,619
Capital:Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Language:Malayalam;English is widely spoken.
Religion:Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Time:GMT +5:30
Currency:Indian Rupee
Climate:Tropical
Summer: February - May (24 - 330C)
Monsoon :June - September (22 - 280C)
Winter :October - January (22 - 320C)
Names of Districts
Trivandrum-Thiruvananthapuram
Quilon- Kollam
Alleppey- Alappuzha
Pathanamthitta
Kottayam
Idukki
Ernakulam
Trichur-Thrissur
Palghat-Palakkad
Malappuram
Wayanad
Calicut-Kozhikode
Cannanore-Kannur
Kasaragod

Tips to Ease Your Trip to Kerala, India

India is a tough country, in terms of temperament and terrain. Before venturing on a sojourn to India, one needs to follow some simple guidelines to make the stay a pleasant one. Follow the tips in earnest and put your best foot forth and come to India with a desire, and India promises that you will leave the land with an ardent wish to come back again.
Here are a few tips that will make your trip more comfortable, pleasurable.

MONEY
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring into kerala.
Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centers honor major credit cards.
Indian Rupee. Conversion rates approximately:US$1 = Rs. 46.65 • DM1 = Rs. 21.50 • £1 = Rs. 68.54 • Euro = Rs. 43.00
BANKS
Banks in kerala are open from 1000 - 1400 hrs(10.00 to14.00hrs) Saturdays 1000 -1200 hrs(10.00 to 12.00 hrs). Sundays are holidays in kerala. Some banks work upto 4 pm; some have special evening branches which work upto 8 pm. Almost all banks have good network of ATMs which make money transactions easy.
BEST SEASON TO VISIT KERALA
High Season in kerala: December-May /
Monsoon Rejuvenation Programmes: June – November
FOODS.
All standard restaurants in kerala offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Kerala fare.
ACCOMMODATION
A wide range of options from luxury properties to budget hotels and motels are available
EMRGENCY NUMBERS
Police control room: 100 Fire station: 101 , Ambulance: 101 International dial code: ++91-
TIME
Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5.30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Time difference between India and some other countries are given below:
[Hours ahead (+), behind (-) on 1ST] USA: -10.30, Germany: -4.30, Canada:-10.30, France: -4.30, Australia: +4.30, Spain: -4.30, UAE: -1.30
WATER
Tap water supplied in kerala is purified and quite safe to drink. It is not advisable to drink from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.
TAKE CARE
Care your Language: In communicating verbal instructions, it is vital that you not only insist on the recipient repeating them but also see from his face that he actually understands the meaning of the words. Indian ears are more attuned to the slurred vowels of English than to the nasal's drawl of an American

Get Consent for Photography: To avoid causing hang-up when you photograph railway property it is advisable to take permission (if you have not done so at home) from Indian Railways headquarters in New Delhi. Rail Bhawan looks very formidable but the entry procedure is remarkably simple. You sign the visitor's book at the reception and ask to see the Public Relations Officer.
Be cautious: Two unpleasant brutalities need to be summoned up to make it clear that you are not a soft touch. Never respond to the genial 'hello' of a conman and never catch the eye of professional beggar
Bargaining: Haggling is an exhausting exercise for the greenhorn to India, a delectable sport for the shopkeeper who stands to make a huge killing. Remember that the first sale of the day is considered religiously auspicious, so the chances of being ripped off are somewhat less. The rule for buyers is to start at less than half of the announced price and then work towards a settlement at a price neither party considers unreasonable. Short-term visitors who lack the sporting instinct will find it much easier to stick to government emporia where the prices are fixed.Suggestions& COMPLAINTS:. In India, the complaint book is available everywhere and people do respond to suggestions. Avoid the unfortunate habit of only criticizing. Sometimes take the trouble to write to the editor of a newspaper praising India. You will be surprised how many other people share your feelings. Practical hints should be penned to the publishers of guidebooks. Share travel experience and you can pick up valuable hints.

Guide to Kerala visit

Here is a list of websites that will give you information about the fascinating land of Kerala. All are government owned websites and believed to give most reliable information. These sites will help you arranging your travel, lodging and tour schedules too.

Kerala Tourism Development Corporation - http://www.ktdc.com/

District Tourism Promotion Councils
http://www.dtpcthiruvananthapuram.com/
http://www.dtpckollam.com/
http://www.dtpcalappuzha.com/
http://www.dtpcpathanamthitta.com/
http://www.dtpcidukki.com/
http://www.dtpckottayam.com/
http://www.dtpcernakulam.com/
http://www.dtpcthrissur.com/
http://www.dtpcpalakkad.com/
http://www.dtpcmalappuram.com/
http://www.dtpckozhikode.com/
http://www.dtpckannur.com/
http://www.dtpcwayanad.com/
http://www.dtpckasaragod.com/