BSNL AWARD- Mr.SASIDHARAN M.A got BHARATH SANCHAR SEVA PADAK AWARD 2007

In recognition of his excellent work & exemplary performance Shri M.A. Sasidharan is awarded the BHARAT SANCHAR SEVA PADAK AWARD 2007 which is a national level award

Shri M.A. Sasidharan entered the department in the year 1976 and at present he is working as Telecom Assistant in Kerala Circle of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

He has exceptional skill in erection wiring, commissioning, maintainence and upgradation of New Technology Switches, Power Plants & Batteries. He believes in the effectiveness of preventive maintainence and is especially adept in detecting fault prone situations in advance In one instance, the official at risk at his life, jacked out a burning PCB from a rack before further damage could be caused thereby preventing a possible catastrophic switch failure.

The offical is also frequently called to attend to power plant failures in unit other than his own circle, at every late hours on many occasions. Such speedy attendance of power plant faults is vital to disruption-free working of telecom systems and contribution of the officials in this regards has been outstanding

Let us be proud that the honorable personality is from calicut, kerala and made the name of our state glorified in national level

Pics of Award Session

Educational Institutions in Kozhikode

Educational Institutions:

IIM - Kozhikode	Malabar Christian College
Calicut Medical college	Govt. Engineering College, Kozhikode

The role of Kozhikode district in education is a well known fact. Even during the medieval periods there were reputed centres of learning and culture . One of the most important of such centres was Kozhikode itself. Under the rule of the enlightened Zamorins, it became famous all over South India as a rendezvous of scholars and men of learning.

The beginning of western education may be traced back to the first half of the19th century, when in 1848 the basal Evangelical Mission started primary school at Kallai. In 1877, a school for the young Rajas was started in Kozhikode. This was later thrown open to all caste Hindu boys. In 1879, it was affiliated to the University of Madras as a second grade college and with this, collegiate education in the district received a flip.

Secondary education recorded an appreciable progress since 1915. The erstwhile Malabar district, of which the present Kozhikode district formed a part, holds a high rank among the districts of Madras Presidency in secondary education.

The University of Calicut was established in 1968.The University of Calicut, the second university to be set up in Kerala, with the objective of developing human resources in the northern districts of Kerala by extending the reach of higher education and by promoting research in all areas of development with particular emphasis on technology and art and culture of Kerala. The seat of the University of Calicut is 23 kms. South of Kozhikode city at Tenhippalam in Malappuaram District. (click)
List of Colleges under Calicut University - Click

There are 14 Arts and Science Colleges, of which eight colleges are under private management. The colleges are (1) Feroke College, Feroke, (2) St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, (3) Malabar Christian College, (4) Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, (5) Providence Women’s College in Kozhikode, (6) Sree Narayan Guru College, Chellannur, (7) Government College, Madappally, (8) Government Arts and Science College, Kozhikode, (9) Muhammed Abdurahiman Memorial College, Mukkam, (10) C.K.G. Memorial Government College, Perambra, (11) R. Sankar Memorial SNDP College Koyilandy, (12) Government College Koyilandy, (13) Government College Kodencherry and (14) Government College, Mokeri.

Feroke Training College, run by private management is one of the ten professional colleges in the district. Other professional colleges are The Medical College, Chevayur – Kozhikode, Dental College – Kozhikoe, Nursing College – Kozhikode, Regional Engineering college – Chaathamangalam, Government Physical Education College – East Hill, Kozhikode, Government Homeo College – Kozhikode, Government Training College – Kozhikode, Government Law College – Kozhikode and Evening Law College – Kozhikode.

The district has four polytechnics and three Industrial Training Institutes.

Government Colleges	Private Colleges	Professional Colleges
Govt. Arts & Science College,Kozhikode	Malabar Christian College, Kde	Medical College
Govt. College , Madappally	St. Joseph's College, Devagiri	Dental College
Govt. College, Mokeri	Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College	Nursing College
Govt. College, Kodencherry	Farook College, Feroke	Physical Education College
Govt. College, Perambra	Providence Women's College	Homoeo College
Govt. College, Koyilandy	S.N. College, Chelannur	Govt.Training College, Kde
Govt. Engineering College, Kozhikode (click)	M A M O College, Manassery	Training College, Feroke
	S N D P Yogam Arts & Science College, Koyilandy	Govt. Law College
		National Institute of Technology, (click)
		Indian Institute of Management,
		Govt. Engineering College,

Total number of schools in the district is 1239 consisting of 68 Higher Secondary Schools, 5 Teachers Training Institutes, 113 High Schools, 327 Upper Primary Schools and 723 Lower Primary Schools. There are two Central Schools at Kozhikode and one Navodaya School and two Technical Schools at Beypore and Koyilandy and 3 Special Schools.

All villages are amply covered by basic educational institutions.

General informations about calicut

General Information • Area District - 2,345 sq. km, City - 30.61 sq. km • Population 2619941 • No. of Taluks 3 - Vadakara, Quilandi, Kozhikode • Famous for Sea Port, Timber Industry, Boat building yards, Temples, Mosques & Churches • Best Season September to May Geographical coordinates • Coordinates: Situated between North latitudes 11* 08'. • Altitude: 0 ft above mean sea level • Local Time: GMT plus five-and-half hours • Climate: Summer : 35(max) 22.5 (min) degree C Winter : 32(max) 22(min) degree C • Best Season to Visit is Sept to May.

Weather Trends • Winter: Mid Nov - mid Feb. slightlycold nights, pleasantly warm days. • Monsoon: Early June - early October. Rains. Warm and humid. Rain coat, plastic shoes or small boots advisable. • Post-Monsoon: Early Oct - early Nov. A little rain, but still warm. • Rainfall: 254 cm. (annual average) • Clothing: Tropical Clothing

Telecommunications • International dialing code: ++91 • Local area code for Calicut: 0495 • Communications: International direct dialing is available to most countries in the world. Fax, telex and Internet services are excellent.

For foreigners visiting India • Visa: The Foreigners' Registration Office in Dr Dadabhoy Naoroji Road, Mumbai 400001, handles visa extensions (up to the maximum stay of six months). • Phone +91-22-2620446 Customs (India) • Visitors may bring in the following free of duty: 2000 cigarettes; 400 cigars; 2kg tobacco; a reasonable quantity of perfume, up to a maximum of 2 liters of spirits and 2 liters of wine. • Currency: The Indian Rupee is the local currency. 1 USD = 47 Rupees (approximately) in July 1999. • Money exchange: Money can be exchanged at banks and most hotels. There are a number of money exchange centres offering competitive rates. • Credit cards: American Express, Diners, Visa, Access, Mastercard and other major cards are accepted at leading establishments

City Facts & Figures • Area District Area : 2,345 sq. km (as per Mal. Manorama, 1994) City Area : 30.61 sq. km Green Cover The total area under forests in Kozhikode district is estimated at 291.2268 sq.kms. i.e., Reserve Forests 86.1388 sq.kms. and Vested Forests 205.0880 sq.kms. • Population: City Pop. : 419, 531 District Pop. : 2,612,897 (as per Mal. Manorama, 1994) • Languages: Malayalam is the official language of the state of Kerala of which Calicut is a major city. Marathi and Hindi are the two main languages spoken. English is widely spoken and understood. Gujarati, and other Indian languages are also used by the largely cosmopolitan population. • Travel: Local Transport Calicut has a very good transport system. There are trains, yellow-and-black auto-rickshaws, buses and also private taxis for sightseeing. • Where to stay: Calicut has several hotels of different price range from 5-star deluxe to moderate motels. • Information/Tourist offices: The DTPC ( District Tourism Promotion Council ) conducts tours to several wonderful destinations in and around Calicut and to neighbouring places. The main tour programmes are: Enjoy Calicut city tours, District tours, Two day glorious Wynad, Land of palmyrs, Kannur-Bekal, Adventure and trekking tours. DTPC also owns transportation vehicles including Houseboats. For reservation and information, Contact: DTPC, Collectrate, Calicut - 20, Tel : 91-495-2371400.

Importance of Kozhikode

In the field of education: Kozhikode had its hold in the educational field even in the early and medieval periods. One of the most important of such centres was Kozhikode itself. Under the rule of the enlightened Zamorins, it became famous all over South India as a rendezvous of scholars and men of learning.

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

In the field of fishing: Kozhikode district is endowed with a coast line of 71 kms., stretching from Chaliyar to Azhiyoor.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. 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.

In the field of sea transport: The Port of Kozhikode, Beypore and Badagara are open for foreign and coastal trade. Eventhough the port is opened for traffic, there has been no traffic during the recent years. Long ago it was famous for ship building which is located at Beypore. The boat building yards of this place are world renowned and boats made here are called Uru. These Urus used to carry goods to Arabia and were known for their seafaring quality.The shift in technology has reduced Beypore craftsmen to toy makers. Now Urus are made as toys and sold as souvenirs .

In the field of 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. Kozhikode has the unique distinction of being the production centre of almost all major Malayalam Newspapers and dailies,weeklies, fortnightlies and monthlies.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.

In the field of heritage stuctures : Kozhikode has many heritage structures in the city, the old mosques around the Kuttichira square and the Muslim houses nearby are architecturally rich.The temple too has its gifts in sculptures and inscriptions.Thiruvilangad temple contains many ancient sculptures.

In the field of cultural arts and festivals :
Kozhikode is famous for its martial art called Kalaripayyattu. The Northern kalarippayattu gives more emphasis on weapons than on empty hands. Northern kalarippayattu is distinguished by its meippayattu physical training and use of full-body oil massage. The system of treatment and massage, and the assumptions about practice are closely associated with Ayurveda.The historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai attributes the birth of northern kalarippayattu to an extended period of warfare between the Cheras and the Cholas in the 11th century.

In the field of tourism: Kozhikode has a lot to offer the visitors. The Beaches-Kappad, Kozhikode, Beypore, Bird sanctuary, Planetarium, Science Lab etc make the visit worthwhile.

In the field of personalities: V.K. Krishna Menon-who was the Defence Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet, P.T Usha -The queen of Indian track and field, etc. are the well known prsonaliies from Kozhikode.

In the field of Sports : The Kozhikode city known as the Second Mecca of football lovers (first being Calcutta) has a flood-lit stadium constructed by the Municipal Corporation. Near to this, stands a pucca indoor stadium of the District Sports Council. P.T. Usha , the Indian Sprint queen from Payoli, Kozhikode is the one who brought applauds to Kerala and India from the world over.

Places to visit in calicut

BEYPORE
It is one of the important port and trading centre of Kerala, located 10 km. from Kozhikode, at the mouth of the Beypore river. The town was previously known as Vaypura and Vadaparappanad. Tipu Sultan of Mysore named it as "Sultan Pattanam". Beypore is known for it's boat building yard where mammoth country crafts known for it's boat building yard where mammoth country crafts known as 'Urus' are built by the traditional shipbuilders known as Khalasis. Beypore is still a favourite destination among Arabs shopping for large boats.

CHELIYA
Located on the Kozhikode-Quilandi route, the town is famous for the Kathakali Vidhyalayam, a training centre for Kathakali dance. Kathakali classes are held on weekends and special performances are arranged on request.

FEROKE
It is the cradle of the tile industry. The town alone has more than a dozen tile factories. The rapid rivers from the Western Ghats bring clay along with them which is the raw- material for tiles, pottery and ceramic wares.

GHAT SECTION
The thickly forested region is the boundary to Wayanad district. The section is 44 km. From Kozhikode and is popularly known as the "Cheerapunji of Kerala", as it receives very high rainfall. The area is stretched upto 14 km. And comprises of a number of hills and lush forests. The splendid scenic view from the top is breath taking.

KAPPAD
The historical beach town is located 16 km. North of Kozhikode. On 27th May 1498, Vasco da Gama from Portuguese landed here with three vessels and 170 men. A monument is erected here to commemorate the historical landing. An ancient temple on a hillock, facing the deep sea, is an added attraction.

KADALUNDI
A treat for bird watchers. Thousands of migratory birds gather here during the season which starts from November.

EMERALD VALLEY (KAKKAYAM)
Click Here for a Short Tour To Emerald Valley('Marathakamedu').

POOKKOT LAKE
It is located in wayanad, 3 kms away from Vythiri town.A natural fresh water lake surrounded by evergreen forests and rolling hills.A fresh water aquarium with a large variety of fish is an added attraction.Tourists can also avail of boating facilities,a children's park and a shopping centre for handicrafts and spices

KOZHIHODE CITY

Art Gallery & Krishna Menon Museum - Situated adjacent to the Pazhassi Rajah Museum, the art gallery houses paintings of Raja Ravi Varma among other collections. The museum has a section dedicated to the great Indian leader V.K. Krishna Menon, whose personal belongings are displayed here.

CVN Kalari Centre The Kerala's martial art, Kalaripayattu, is performed here. Special demonstrations can be arranged on request. Closed on Sundays.
Dolphin Point One can watch the Dolphin's play from here in the early hours of the day. The Kozhikode beach is a picture of beauty and serenity.

Mananchira Square A new attraction in the heart of the city. Mana-chira Maidan, is the sublimation of the concept of a planned modern city. The historic maidan has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hills, sculptures, an open air theatre and musical fountain.
Pazhassi Raja Museum It is located at East Hill, 5 km. From Kozhikode. The museum contains copies of ancient mural paintings, antiques, old coins, models of temples, megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones etc.

Planetarium Calicut now wins a place in the Planetarium map of the World Regional Science Centre. Calicut, houses a 250 seater Planetarium fitted with a sophisticated Zeiss projector. Star studded night sky allured the man from the dawn of civilization. He gazed at it with awe and wonder and strived to find his place in the midst of the celestial bodies. He closely observed the movement of planets and stars and thereby developed the calendar system. The science of Astronomy also emerged as a result of this intense study of the sky. With the progress of civilization newer and better than ever instruments were developed for astronomical observations which intensified star gazing and widened human knowledge on the celestial bodies. Planetarium is an instrument which educates the man about the objects of the sky, their nature and their relative movement by simulating the night sky of a particular place at a particular date and time of the year. In the Planetarium the night sky is projected from a highly sophisticated and intricately complex instrument from the centre of a hemispherical dome under which the visitors sit surrounding the projector. This gives the visitors the feeling of being a part of the place the sky of which has been stimulated over their eyes. A Planetarium can take a common man to any part of the world at any point of time. He can identify some well-known stars and constellations like Pole Star, Great Bear, Sirius, Orion etc. By sitting in calicut today, you can look through the window of the universe to visit galaxies light years away. Or you can instantly be taken to the North Pole looking at the movement of the Sun where you have six months day light.

Thusharagiri Thusharagiri is 48 Kms from Kozhikode and is one of the recently identified tourist centres.The waterfalls and streams amidst the hilly regions are really a feast to eyes
VADAKARA The ancient town has ruined fort. It was the scene of many exploits of Tacholi Othenan, the hero of ballads of North Malabar. Annual ceremonies are conducted in his memory.

History of calicut

Calicut, is the most important coastal city of Malabar the north region of state of Kerala. It was a leading trading centre for spices on the West Coast of India during the medieval period. Ruled by the Zamorin dynasty, Calicut found a place in World History with the discovery of sea route to India in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama. He landed at Kappad a coastal fishing village and history was changed with the political scanario of India ultimately ending with it's colonization by the British. It remained under the Madras Presidency till the formation of Kerala in 1956 after independence.
During the Sangam age, the Calicut District formed part of the Chera Empire. It played a leading part in fostering trade relations between Kerala and outside world. Tondi, the present Kadalundi as per scholars, was one of the most flourishing seaports of Kerala that time. Again nothing is known in the post-sangam age which is considered to be the Dark Age in South India's history. In the 9th century, Calicut became a part of the Second Chera Empire. The Chera's also known as Perumals, ruled the territory till 1122 AD. With the fall of Cheras, the kingdom was divided into many independent districts called 'Nadus' such as Ernad and Polanad. Originally Calicut area was under the Porlarthris, rulers of Poland. It became an important town in 13th century with the conquest of Polanad by the King of Ernad.

The Udaiyavar of Ernad, whose headquarters was at Nediyiruppu wanted an outlet to the sea and after fighting with the Polatthiri King for 48 long years conquered the area around Ponniankara and build a fort at a place called Velapuram. Thus the city of Calicut came into existence sometime in the 13th Century AD. With the accession of Calicut, the status of Nediyirippu increased and he come to known as Swami Nambiyathiri Thirumulpad, which gradually became Samuri or Samuthiri over the years. The Europeans called him Zamorin. The place surrounded by the fort was known as Koyil (palace) Kotta (fort) and hence the name of the place became Kozhikode. Foreigners called it by different names, for Arabs it was Kalikat, for Chinese it was Kalifo while the city is known to outside world by its European name - Calicut. Interestingly, the name Calicut is derived from 'calico,' the fine variety of hand-woven cotton cloth said to have originated from this place, which was then an important manufacture. Kozhikode passed to British rule in 1792.