There was an announcement in the news papers that those who wish to have names listed in the voters list, (if your name is not already in) could do so, by visiting the nearest polling booth. The day is today, a Sunday.
Polling booths are, usually schools, so you drive past the one , the gnear you, but its gate is locked. What the heck. Contact the nearest cultural centre run by any political party, they would guide you. In this case, the main gate is closed, never mind, look for a side door and enter a deserted school compound. Indeed, a side door is open and you would ask the chowkidar or doorkeeper, he will show, the office where election officials are waiting for you. You show documents relating to the building where you live, maybe electoral cards of other residents so that, you could write your own data, including details of your residence. There is an application form, do fill it in with all the required data.
You will receive a receipt for your application, and an order to appear for an hearing before an electoral officer; place, date and time inclusive.
You are living in a city, therefore, local city authrities need to certify that you are a resident. start working on it. (Things should not be different in small towns and villages, but rather faster and easier because the people in the office might know you by your first name. )
If you own your own house, you need to pay arrears of house tax and produce the house receipt along with your application for certificate of residence.(Hey, pay your arrears man!) If you live in a rented accommodation, your contract, or landlord's letter would do.
A written application, on plain paper, wth one rupee court fee stamp on it, and a payment on challan in triplicate are necessary attachments. During process,you will see at least sx persons, clerk, cashier, heaven knows who else. What kind of proof do you have to support your claim that you live in the address you have mentioned?
If you have some solid document,(driving license, passport, insurance papers, telephoe bill) that shows your name and address to match the one in your application, presto, you will get Certificate of Residence the same day.
Now you are ready for the hearing, you might soon become a voter soon!
This line is being added on the 23rd March 2012
There is some new ID called Aadhaar and there are may ways to get it legally. Cant write all, as, this info could be used by crooks. Well this Aadhaar card will suffice as ID proof now. It is the mother of all cards!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thoughts on Death
Ernst Y passed away on the 4th. Funernal on the next day, at Saudi Church. Saudi, or Saude, as some spell it, is a small fishing village close to Fort Kochi, very close to the sea. Real sea not back waters here.
a band called St. Jude's Bank played music, apt for mourning family. Bands are no more vogue, but this gentleman was a traditionalist, and always admired bands. What is the current situation at funeral processions in Saudi Area? Well, they play a casette or recorded prayer.
At the house of the dead gentleman, a pandal is erected. Plastic sheets on the top, with a slope, just in case it rains. Under the plastic sheet, there is whte sheets sewn together, like a temporary false ceiling, with borders of black, like an inverse skirting, that is found around floors. Several wreaths were placed, on the leg side of coffin, there were one after another, could not read who were the senders. Individuals using their firms names. Firms include political parties. So , there was one from a Bombay firm, one from a bank, another from Communist Party Marxist, yet another from Communist Party Marxist. That floral offering from Communist Party shows that some member in the house of the dead gentleman has Communit connection (Currently, Communists rule the state).
At the church, the priest who said mass, mentioned the name of Ernst, plus a wrong surname. Not very nice. After a while, some one sent in a slip, and then, the name was revised.
Way back, we returned via the Fort Kochi, Vypeen ferry. The roads are bad, one cannot drive, just roll in and out of pot holes, the shakes and jerks almost did every one in. The aches and pains are awful. Had no energy to go for the evening walk.
a band called St. Jude's Bank played music, apt for mourning family. Bands are no more vogue, but this gentleman was a traditionalist, and always admired bands. What is the current situation at funeral processions in Saudi Area? Well, they play a casette or recorded prayer.
At the house of the dead gentleman, a pandal is erected. Plastic sheets on the top, with a slope, just in case it rains. Under the plastic sheet, there is whte sheets sewn together, like a temporary false ceiling, with borders of black, like an inverse skirting, that is found around floors. Several wreaths were placed, on the leg side of coffin, there were one after another, could not read who were the senders. Individuals using their firms names. Firms include political parties. So , there was one from a Bombay firm, one from a bank, another from Communist Party Marxist, yet another from Communist Party Marxist. That floral offering from Communist Party shows that some member in the house of the dead gentleman has Communit connection (Currently, Communists rule the state).
At the church, the priest who said mass, mentioned the name of Ernst, plus a wrong surname. Not very nice. After a while, some one sent in a slip, and then, the name was revised.
Way back, we returned via the Fort Kochi, Vypeen ferry. The roads are bad, one cannot drive, just roll in and out of pot holes, the shakes and jerks almost did every one in. The aches and pains are awful. Had no energy to go for the evening walk.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
coconut curries costs and labour for climbing
Balu my friend says that his daughter in a distant city came visiting. Instead of using a plane or train, she and her husband chose to drive all the way to Cochin. The stay in here was two weeks long, and while here they needed a car to move around. That was the reason why.
On return , the daughter wanted to take some coconuts. Papa has coconut palms, so why not fill the dicky with a month's supply.
Time was not right for bimonthly harvesting, yet, a climber was, arranged. Ad hoc job and ad hoc costs. Yield 20 coconuts, labour costs 200 rupees. It would have worked out cheaper for the family, if the daughter had bought her coconuts at Chennai. But how can a father tell his daughter such things. Hey lassie, hope you would read this.
If a land owner sells coconuts from his farm, these days (Nov 2008) he would earn Rs 5.25 per coconut. If I buy a coconut from Reliance, I would have to pay Rs. 9 per nut.
Tender coconut, ( young coconut, which is not seasoned, but has plenty of wanter in it) on the roadside vendor joints, would cost about Rs. 15 per nut. As usual, it is the middle men who makes the moolah. If you want to make money, you know what to be.
I went to my piece of land, some 6 kilo meters away, to harvest 7 coconut palms.
It cost me, petrol, time, labour, and 350 rupees to bring home 124 coconuts.
In Kerala, we need coconut in every dish, like fish in coconut milk, putty with coconut, chutney,
avial, you name it, there is coconut in it. Dont forget, all that seasoning of spices and frying of fish, are done with coconut oil.
Coconut prices have not kept pace with vegetables, inflation or cost of land. Basic reason, coconut oil cannot keep up with the attractive offerings from palm oil, mostly from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Plucking coconuts is such a headache, here, in Kerala that, some land owners do not even visit their coconut plantations.
Even where, one gets his coconuts plucked, the farmer, gets about 5 Rupees, or 10 Cents a coconut, while a consumer in a shop will have to pay 10 Ruppes (20 Cents a coconut). Young or tender coconut (where the coconut water is the star element, not the edible kernal) a fresh half peeled coconut will fetch 15 Rupees (30 Cents) a piece.
Price information as far as coconut oil is concerend, it is Rs 65 ($1.30) a kilo.
On return , the daughter wanted to take some coconuts. Papa has coconut palms, so why not fill the dicky with a month's supply.
Time was not right for bimonthly harvesting, yet, a climber was, arranged. Ad hoc job and ad hoc costs. Yield 20 coconuts, labour costs 200 rupees. It would have worked out cheaper for the family, if the daughter had bought her coconuts at Chennai. But how can a father tell his daughter such things. Hey lassie, hope you would read this.
If a land owner sells coconuts from his farm, these days (Nov 2008) he would earn Rs 5.25 per coconut. If I buy a coconut from Reliance, I would have to pay Rs. 9 per nut.
Tender coconut, ( young coconut, which is not seasoned, but has plenty of wanter in it) on the roadside vendor joints, would cost about Rs. 15 per nut. As usual, it is the middle men who makes the moolah. If you want to make money, you know what to be.
I went to my piece of land, some 6 kilo meters away, to harvest 7 coconut palms.
It cost me, petrol, time, labour, and 350 rupees to bring home 124 coconuts.
In Kerala, we need coconut in every dish, like fish in coconut milk, putty with coconut, chutney,
avial, you name it, there is coconut in it. Dont forget, all that seasoning of spices and frying of fish, are done with coconut oil.
Coconut prices have not kept pace with vegetables, inflation or cost of land. Basic reason, coconut oil cannot keep up with the attractive offerings from palm oil, mostly from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Plucking coconuts is such a headache, here, in Kerala that, some land owners do not even visit their coconut plantations.
Even where, one gets his coconuts plucked, the farmer, gets about 5 Rupees, or 10 Cents a coconut, while a consumer in a shop will have to pay 10 Ruppes (20 Cents a coconut). Young or tender coconut (where the coconut water is the star element, not the edible kernal) a fresh half peeled coconut will fetch 15 Rupees (30 Cents) a piece.
Price information as far as coconut oil is concerend, it is Rs 65 ($1.30) a kilo.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Mother and son
I was out with my wife, for a walk. Suddenly a a youngester appeared in front of me, smiling and grinning ear to ear. Hello young man, I greeted this boy of 13, who was as big as me, bigger than his mother, who was just bit infront of me in a car. When I asked him, where he was coming from, he simply said, mother is in the car, and pointed out to a car in front. Not quite sure what to say to this boy, I walked, on to a parked car in front of us. My niece steped out of the car, said that she was having an altercation with her son. The mother would not let her son, 13 to drive a car. Ï know my son could drive better than me," said my niece, "but I would rather remind him to obey the rule, he is not mature enough to drive now"
I wish every parent thought likewise
I wish every parent thought likewise
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Market place in Kerala, how we get cheated
From the market , Ramu bought three things. One kilo fish, two kilo vegetables and one kilo jaggery (raw cottage sugar bricks). These were from three different shops. First two vendors had used old balances, with weights. The third one, who sold jaggery had electronic scale.
Once home, for the heck of it, Ramu weighed his purchases. Fish weighed 900 gms, vegetable 1.800 kg and jaggery 1 kg. Yes the electronic balance was correct, and others, were used to overcharge customers by 10 percent.
Once home, for the heck of it, Ramu weighed his purchases. Fish weighed 900 gms, vegetable 1.800 kg and jaggery 1 kg. Yes the electronic balance was correct, and others, were used to overcharge customers by 10 percent.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
How much does it cost to build a house in India?
This is a bit dodgy.
Most people own their own land. Do they?
If they do, one could make a house at around Rs 1000 per sq. feet. (amendment on 23 March, 2012, in four years time, prices have gone up by 50 percent. Now it will cost you Rs 1,500 per sq feet. So, add 50 per cent to prices shown here under)
Depends on the material needed and used.
Here are some Trivandrum, Kerala, India prices on 30th October 2008
Sand for construction cu ft 1 Rs. 40
Sand for construction one truck load Rs. 8000
M sand (man made sand) cu ft 1 Rs. 35
rock pieces 40 mm cu ft 1 Rs. 25
rock pieces 40 mm truck load Rs. 4500
pcc(plain cement concrete work) cu mtr Rs. 4000
Random rubble ( huge concrete pieces) cu ft 1 Rs. 30
steel rods kg 1 Rs. 50
Sand for filling foundation 200 cu ft one truck load Rs. 2000
clay baked bricks one piece Rs. 4.75
brick wall plastered cu ft 1 Rs. 4200
bricks, clay, 600 ould make a cu ft Rs.
Interlock bricks wallone cu ft cost incl labour Rs. 2750
Concrete slabs cu mtr Rs. 5000
Ready mix cu mtr Rs. 5000
Tile roof with steel frame sq mtr Rs. 100
Tiled room with wood frame sq mtr Rs. 135
roofing tile cheap one Rs. 9
roofing tile dear one Rs. 12
tile costs for area sq mtr Rs. 150
tiles that could be pasted sq mtr Rs. 225
Roofing sheet asbestos/pvc sq ft Rs. 65
Roofing sheet aluminium sq ft Rs. 75
Roofing sheet G I sq ft Rs. 65
Powder coated ms sheet sq ft Rs. 100
Plastering inside walls sq mtr Rs. 150
Plastering outside walls sq mtr Rs. 160
Plastering ceiling sq mtr Rs. 175
Anti termite treatment sq mtr Rs. 70
Red oxide flooring sq mtr Rs. 190
Flooring with terracota tiles sq mtr Rs. 35
Mosaic tile sq ft Rs. 40
Ceramic tile sq ft Rs. 40
Granite slab 2 ft X 1 ft Rs. 200
Vitrified tiles sq ft Rs. 75 to 200
Marble sq ft Rs. 50 to 250
Kotah stone sq ft Rs. 50 and above
Teak parquet flooring sq ft Rs. 250 and above
Oak parquet flooring sq ft Rs. 200 and above
HDF boards flooring sq ft Rs. 100 and above
Wiring costs (fan lights extra) 1000 sq ft Rs. 30000 and above
Plumbing jobs for 1000 sq ft 1000 sq ft Rs. 40000 and above
Closet one Rs. 1000 ആന്ഡ് a
Most people own their own land. Do they?
If they do, one could make a house at around Rs 1000 per sq. feet. (amendment on 23 March, 2012, in four years time, prices have gone up by 50 percent. Now it will cost you Rs 1,500 per sq feet. So, add 50 per cent to prices shown here under)
Depends on the material needed and used.
Here are some Trivandrum, Kerala, India prices on 30th October 2008
Sand for construction cu ft 1 Rs. 40
Sand for construction one truck load Rs. 8000
M sand (man made sand) cu ft 1 Rs. 35
rock pieces 40 mm cu ft 1 Rs. 25
rock pieces 40 mm truck load Rs. 4500
pcc(plain cement concrete work) cu mtr Rs. 4000
Random rubble ( huge concrete pieces) cu ft 1 Rs. 30
steel rods kg 1 Rs. 50
Sand for filling foundation 200 cu ft one truck load Rs. 2000
clay baked bricks one piece Rs. 4.75
brick wall plastered cu ft 1 Rs. 4200
bricks, clay, 600 ould make a cu ft Rs.
Interlock bricks wallone cu ft cost incl labour Rs. 2750
Concrete slabs cu mtr Rs. 5000
Ready mix cu mtr Rs. 5000
Tile roof with steel frame sq mtr Rs. 100
Tiled room with wood frame sq mtr Rs. 135
roofing tile cheap one Rs. 9
roofing tile dear one Rs. 12
tile costs for area sq mtr Rs. 150
tiles that could be pasted sq mtr Rs. 225
Roofing sheet asbestos/pvc sq ft Rs. 65
Roofing sheet aluminium sq ft Rs. 75
Roofing sheet G I sq ft Rs. 65
Powder coated ms sheet sq ft Rs. 100
Plastering inside walls sq mtr Rs. 150
Plastering outside walls sq mtr Rs. 160
Plastering ceiling sq mtr Rs. 175
Anti termite treatment sq mtr Rs. 70
Red oxide flooring sq mtr Rs. 190
Flooring with terracota tiles sq mtr Rs. 35
Mosaic tile sq ft Rs. 40
Ceramic tile sq ft Rs. 40
Granite slab 2 ft X 1 ft Rs. 200
Vitrified tiles sq ft Rs. 75 to 200
Marble sq ft Rs. 50 to 250
Kotah stone sq ft Rs. 50 and above
Teak parquet flooring sq ft Rs. 250 and above
Oak parquet flooring sq ft Rs. 200 and above
HDF boards flooring sq ft Rs. 100 and above
Wiring costs (fan lights extra) 1000 sq ft Rs. 30000 and above
Plumbing jobs for 1000 sq ft 1000 sq ft Rs. 40000 and above
Closet one Rs. 1000 ആന്ഡ് a
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A Community Centre at Alwaye
The Krishna Temple near Alwaye Bank Junction is famous and popular.
I might even believe that Malayalam Film icons Dilip and Manju W,(arrier got married there.
If you can locate this place, go bit west, and you will reach a place called kadathu Kadavu, (ferry area). During Shivaratri, ferries used to transport worshippers and visitors to the sandbanks on the other side of periyar, for conducting prayers and relious rites.
At the kadvu (ferry) there was a park, a triangular one.
One of the generous chairperson (this time it was a woman) decided to build a community hall for the public.
The building is almost done, but remains unused. Apparently, this park was owned by Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the owners put a stop to furher activity.
Tax payers pay the GCDA and Alwaye Muncipality. Taxpayers should get benefit of the taxes paid.
How to bell the cat. Apparently GCDA is not the main operator in Alwaye and therefore give up the rights on the park.
What do you think? Have you seen such wastage of public money elsewhere. Write on about them and about solutions as well
I might even believe that Malayalam Film icons Dilip and Manju W,(arrier got married there.
If you can locate this place, go bit west, and you will reach a place called kadathu Kadavu, (ferry area). During Shivaratri, ferries used to transport worshippers and visitors to the sandbanks on the other side of periyar, for conducting prayers and relious rites.
At the kadvu (ferry) there was a park, a triangular one.
One of the generous chairperson (this time it was a woman) decided to build a community hall for the public.
The building is almost done, but remains unused. Apparently, this park was owned by Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the owners put a stop to furher activity.
Tax payers pay the GCDA and Alwaye Muncipality. Taxpayers should get benefit of the taxes paid.
How to bell the cat. Apparently GCDA is not the main operator in Alwaye and therefore give up the rights on the park.
What do you think? Have you seen such wastage of public money elsewhere. Write on about them and about solutions as well
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