Protests against Demonetisation

Several opposition parties organised a Jan Aakrosh Diwas (public outrage day) on Monday to protest against demonetisation of high value currency notes. The parties said they do not seek a rollback of the scheme but want urgent measures to help rural India, especially the farmers stranded without cash. The Congress party, leading the agitation, was the first to call for protests. Others joined them later. The Congress said they did not call for a Bharat Bandh. Only the Left Front had called for Bharat Bandh.

The protests were more or less peaceful. There were almost no protests in several states. A state-wise account of the protests, in brief, compiled from various news reports follows.

Andhra Pradesh

The response to the strike call was lukewarm in Andhra Pradesh. The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) did not support bandh. Though Congress too did not support it, it took part in protests and torched effigies of PM Narendra Modi at various places. The main opposition party, YSR Congress, of the state and the Left Front parties, tried to disrupt bus service and to shut shops. However, the response was poor. The Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was the lone top politician to consistently demand the ban of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

Bihar

Road traffic and normal life were mostly not disrupted in Bihar, but rail traffic was affected with 15 trains stranded at various places. The Congress held a Jan Akrosh Diwas march in Patna. The supporters of the Left such as CPI, CPI (M), CPI (ML) and others blocked trains at Bhagalpur, Gaya, Jehanabad, Muzaffarpur and Patna stations. The Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who supports demonetisation, has said that his party, JDU, is opposed to the protests.

Goa

The Congress, NCP, AAP and CPI (M) organised token protests in Goa. The Congress held protests near the main office of State Bank of India in the capital, Panaji.

Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh government (Congress-led) did not participate in Bharat bandh.

Jammu and Kashmir

Police detained Congress party supporters participating in Jan Aakrosh Diwas rally in Jammu.

Karnataka

The Congress and CPI (M) held rallies in Bengaluru. The Congress government in Karnataka said it would mark the Aakrosh Diwas rather than a bandh. The state Education Department had allowed colleges and schools to be closed, but schools were mostly open. Public transport was not affected.

Kerala

Cabinet ministers of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and MLAs of CPI (M) participated in a protest march in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city. The bandh disrupted normal life in the state. Schools, colleges, shops, public transport and offices remained nonfunctional. Even private vehicles were stopped by protestors in north Kerala. In some places auto-rickshaws were plying. Patients visiting the Regional Cancer Centre and railway passengers were transported in Police vehicles. Sabarimala pilgrims and marriage parties were exempted from bandh. It’s the peak tourist season in Kerala. So, the government exempted tourists from the bandh.

Maharashtra

The NCP called for protest marches in several districts. The Congress party held a Jan Aakrosh march from Kalina in Mumbai.

Meghalaya

In the state capital Shillong, Congress workers organised a rally, holding posters that read ‘organised loot’, ‘legalised plunder’ and ‘monumental mismanagement of demonetisation’.

Nagaland

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee staged a protest rally in the commercial centre Dimapur, and the District Congress Committees held rallies at district headquarters.

Odisha

The BJD-led government, which backs demonetisation, ordered schools and colleges to close, fearing law and order deterioration. But Maoists supported bandh. Congress supporters and workers of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) affiliated to CPI (M) protested before the RBI office in Bhubaneswar.

Tamil Nadu

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam (DMK) held protests in Chennai. The leader of the opposition M K Stalin and a party worker were detained by police.

Telangana

The ruling party Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) decided not to support bandh. Though the Congress too stayed away citing inconvenience to traders, it staged protests and torched effigies of PM Narendra Modi at various places. Life was normal, except a number of auto-rickshaws going off the roads.

Tripura

Life was disrupted in Tripura as the Left Front organised Bharat Bandh. Vehicles remained off the roads. Offices, shops, educational institutions and banks were closed. Rail transport was disrupted as workers of the leftist parties blocked trains.

Uttar Pradesh

The Samajwadi Party (SP) workers torched an effigy of the Prime Minister in Allahabad. Leaders of both BSP and SP said that they are not enforcing Bharat Bandh but they are only protesting against demonetisation. Normal life was not affected in the capital Lucknow as the traders union refused to shut shops. Markets, including Aminabad, Hazratganj, conducted business as usual. Shops in Shahganj market in Agra remained open though Monday was a weekly off day.

Uttarakhand

Life was normal in Uttarakhand on Monday, with business establishments and educational institutions remaining open. However, the Congress held rallies at all district headquarters.

West Bengal

Life was normal in West Bengal despite the Left Front call for bandh. Public transport and markets were functioning normally. The strike was opposed by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). So, the state government ordered all employees to attend offices, with some exceptions. The Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined a protest rally in Kolkata. Banerjee wants demonetisation to be reversed. The leftists, including CPI (M) and CPI, staged protests.

Demonetisation hit hawala and fake currency the most

People standing in queue outside a private bank to deposit and exchange Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes at Salt Lake City, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Following the demonetisation drive by the government, a lot of people who have accumulated Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes have panicked and acted in bizarre ways. Some others destroyed/burned money that they thought could not be used. Several real estate dealers, transport operators, wholesale traders and others who used to do business in cash only adapted strange ways to convert their defunct bank notes to legal tender. Here are some of the instances that I could read today.

A 60-year-old woman named Mariyumma Muhammed, a native of Kotukkara near Kondotty in Kerala’s Malappuram district, went on Saturday to the SBI branch at Kondotty with 49 currency notes of Rs 1000 denomination (Rs 49000). Finding 37 of the notes counterfeit (Rs 37,000), the SBI officials informed the police who arrested and later remanded her to judicial custody. On questioning, she said her sons working in the Gulf sent the money through Hawala channels. The money was meant for construction of a house.

According to various reports the counterfeit currency notes seized from various places in Kerala in the last few years were printed outside India. Continued and intensive checking and seizure of fake currency by the authorities only forced the operators to change their modus operandi to transport and use Indian Fake Currency Notes (FICN).

According to reports, FICN operators have widespread networks in Kerala and Karnataka and receive over Rs 50,000 crore through Hawala. Almost all the money meant for funding terrorism and other antinational activities enters India through this route.

In another case after the demonetisation drive, Sumit Kumar Tudu of Kendrapara district in Odisha was arrested by Odisha police. He went to deposit Rs 2.5 lakh in the SBI branch at Khurda town near Bhubaneswar. The bank officials found 42 fake notes of Rs 1,000 and 10 fake notes of Rs 500 totaling Rs 47,000. Deba Prasad Kanhar, the in-charge of SBI Khurda, said that they informed the police. Sumit Kumar Tudu claimed that he is the son of a bank officer and his father asked him to deposit the money in his father’s account.

In another sad case, a 48-year old man named Unni, a Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) employee, who came to deposit Rs 500,000 worth banned high denomination notes in the State Bank of Travancore in Thalassery, fell to his death from the second floor of the building.

Interestingly, within days of introduction of the new Rs. 2,000 note, Ashok, an onion grower in Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka, was cheated by a stranger with a photocopy of the note on Saturday morning, which he came to know only when his friends told him later.

The new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes are considered "high security" notes having several new security features and cannot be easily counterfeited compared to the now invalid notes.

As a result of demonetization, the Hawala racketeers in Mumbai have taken the worst hit and no transaction is likely to take place in the near future. Business circles in Mumbai fear it will pull down businesses that are accused of heavily depended on such illegal money.

Banks in the country received 3 trillion rupees ($44.4 billion) in the in the first four days after the government’s move to ban high denomination notes on November 8, the Finance Ministry said on Sunday.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Sunday directed all banks to submit daily reports of cash withdrawals across the counter and through ATMs in order to compile accurate data of currency circulation.

That finally comes to drying up of all the resources of fake currency notes and money in the illegal money transfer circuit, at least for now. Also, a lot of money that avoided the banking route will now get deposited and there will be a huge churning in the entire Indian economy. Of course, there are difficulties being faced by the common people, but I think it help in the long run.

Thiruvathirakali: group dance by women, Kerala

This video shows a group dance Thiruvathirakali performed by women in Kerala. It is mostly performed as a ritual dance during festivals. Read more about Thiruvathirakali...

Bright Red Rose Flower

Red Rose flower, photo by Bimal K C taken from Karimanoor, Thodupuzha, Kerala, India.

Munnar Hill Station, Kerala

The note added by the author of this beautiful photo says: "Taken from Munnar, Kerala: One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar (Kerala) is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 M above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is essentially a tea town."

Bhagawan Nityananda Ashram

Nithyananda Ashram, originally uploaded by Malabar Magazine.

Bhagawan Nityananda Ashram at Kanhangad (Kerala) and the temples located there are looked after by a trust. The trust also runs a few educational institutions and a Dharmasala.

Bhagawan Nityananda's samadhi is located at the Samadhi Mandir in Ganeshpuri, Maharashtra, India. There is also a shrine dedicated him in the Gurudev Siddha Peeth Ashram at Ganeshpuri. Nityananda Ashram, tourist hostel and other buildings associated with his life in Ganeshpuri are preserved by the Shree Bhimeshwar Sadguru Nityanand Sanstha, Ganeshpuri. This trust is also responsible for his Samadhi Shrine in Ganeshpuri, which is a popular pilgrimage site.

Breathtaking Malampuzha Dam

breathtaking, originally uploaded by Vidya Vaidyanathan.

"Breathtaking" is the title given by the author of this photo, and I love the serene waters of this beautiful Malampuzha Dam in Kerala, India. She adds, "When i saw this picture, man, wasn't i bowled over. a pic of the dam. Oh lord how i love the waters", below the photo (uploaded by Vidya Vaidyanathan on 7 Mar 06, 10.11AM PDT).

Swami Nityananda in early life

Swami Nityananda, originally uploaded by govindakai.

Swami Nityananda is the guru of Swami Muktananda of the Siddha Yoga lineage. Swamiji was born in 1897 at Tuneri (Koyilandi, Kerala, India) and Nityananda died on August 8, 1961 at Ganeshpuri, Maharashtra, India. His samadhi is located in Ganeshpuri at the Samadhi Mandir. There is also a shrine dedicated him in the Gurudev Siddha Peeth ashram at Ganeshpuri. His ashram, tourist hostel, and other buildings associated with his life in Ganeshpuri are managed by the Shree Bhimeshwar Sadguru Nityanand Sanstha Ganeshpuri. This trust is also responsible for his samadhi shrine in Ganeshpuri, which is a pilgrimage site.

A trust at Kanhangad, Kerala, looks after the Ashram and temples located there, and runs a few educational institutions and a dharmasala.

Bengal Tiger in Kerala

tiger, originally uploaded by Sreejith Kodoth.

The author who loves wildlife photography, clicked this photo when he was working with Kerala Government's Forest Department.

Houseboats

Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir are the two states in India famous for houseboats. Houseboats are commonly seen in the backwaters of Kerala. These are large exotic barges used for leisure trips and a major tourist attraction. A typical Kerala houseboat is 60 to 70 feet long and about 15 feet wide at the middle. The hull is wooden and the roof is made of bamboo poles and palm leaves. Most of these are rented out to tourists, and they provide all kinds of facilities, including food and beverages as in hotels.

The houseboats in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, are mostly stationary, in the Dal Lake and Nageen Lake, and rented out to tourists. Some of these house boats have up to three bedrooms, apart from living rooms and kitchens. They provide the unique experience of living in a freshwater lake, in cedar-paneled elegant bedrooms, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel. About a thousand houseboats are moored along parts of the Dal Lake and Nagin Lake and the Jhelum River.

Like hotels, houseboats vary in the levels of luxury and they have been graded by the Department of Tourism. Luxury houseboats, like a luxury hotels, have fine furniture, good carpets and modern bathroom fittings, while the lowest category houseboats, like low-budget hotels, are cheaply furnished. All houseboats, regardless of category, have highly personalized service. The cost per day of hiring a houseboat includes all meals and free rides from the houseboat to the nearest jetty and back. A standard houseboat provides a balcony in the front, a lounge, dining room, pantry and three or more bedrooms with attached bathrooms. All houseboats not moored to the bank of the river or lakes provide a Shikara as a free service from the houseboat to the nearest jetty.

Thiruvathirakkali

Thiruvathira is observed, mostly in Kerala, India, on the full-moon day of Dhanu Masam, on the day of the Thiruvathira star (Alpha Orionis). According to legends, this is the day Goddess Parvathi met Lord Siva after her long penance. It is believed that observing Thiruvathira vratham or Thiruvathira nonbu (fasting during thiruvathira) would ensure that a woman's husband would have a long life. Women, including little girls, would get up early in the morning during the whole of Dhanu masam and go to a Kulam (pond) or a river to take bath. They usually go in a procession singing various songs. Also they sing and play while taking bath. After bathing, they go to the temple dressed in their finest clothes.

The practice of gifting bunches of bananas to the elders is observed in some parts of Kerala. During this season, huge swings (oonjal) are erected in the vicinity of most of the houses. These swings are hung from the branches of tall trees. The swings are made of ropes hung from the branches of trees with wooden planks for the seat. After lunch, the Thiruvathirakkali dance is performed. The accompanying songs (Thiruvathirapaattu) are written in Malayalam and are set in a specific meter. The dance form is also called Kaikotti Kali (dancing while clapping hands, also spelled Thiruvathira Kali) and is also performed during the festival of Onam.

Elephants for Onam procession 2009 at Cochin

onam 2009, location cochin,india, originally uploaded by infected mushrooms.

Onam, the most popular festival of Kerala, falls in the month of Chingam (August/September), marking the annual visit of the legendary King Mahabali, who once ruled Kerala. Onam is closely linked to Kerala's culture and tradition.

According to the legend, Kerala witnessed its golden era during the rule of King Mahabali. Everybody in his kingdom was happy and prosperous. There was no shortage of anything, people lived a truthful and contended life and there was equality among them. Mahabali’s popularity was not liked by Gods who wanted to bring an end to his reign as they felt challenged and insecure. Lord Vishnu appeared as Vamana and deceitfully defeated Mahabali. However, Vishnu granted him a boon that he could visit his people every year with whom he was so attached. So, Onam is celebrated every year to welcome Mahabali.

Competitions, dance performances, sports, etc. are organized during Onam celebrations. Some notable features of Onam are Vallamkali (Snake Boat Race), Talappanthukali (a ball game), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kayyankali, Attakalam, Kaikotti kali, Thumbi Thullal, Kummatti kali, Pulikali, etc.

On Thiruvonam day, King Mahabali is believed to visit every Malayalee home to meet his people. So, homes and surroundings are cleaned and decorated with flowers and traditional lamps. Sumptuous feasts are prepared in every household.

The hoarding of Manmohan Singh in Kerala

Manmohanji is in town, originally uploaded by dannybirchall.

Kovalam Beach 2701092

Kovalam Beach, originally uploaded by Miran Rijavec.

Kovalam beach is known to many people as the "Paradise of the South". Kovalam is about 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital city of Kerala.

Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurveda salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurveda treatments and body massages for tourists.

There are three beaches at Kovalam. The larger beach is called the Light House Beach for its 30-meter-high light house. The second largest one is Hawah Beach named so because of the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. Top-free bathing and parading is now banned, except in private coves owned by resorts and hotels that are plenty here. Mostly visitors frequent these two beaches. The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach does not attract many tourists. The local fishermen ply their trade on this beach.

The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in color due to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. The normal tourist season is from September to May, though it is an all-weather beach with moderate climate round the year.

The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km from Kovalam and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.

Kovalam 2701091

IMG_4573 Hotel Samudra, Kovalam, originally uploaded by HAKANU.

A wall painting at Hotel Samudra, Kovalam, Kerala, India.

Kottakkavu Church of St. Thomas, 52 AD

Kottakkavu Church of St. Thomas, 52 AD, originally uploaded by Koshyk.

The author of this photo says, “The new Church replacing the original Kottakkavu Church consecrated by St. Thomas, the Apostle around 52 AD at, what is today, North Parur, in Ernakulam District of Kerala. Tradition says, St. Thomas (Mar Thoma) landed in Malabar Coast around 50 AD and set up seven churches. This is the site of one of the oldest Churches in India. The present structure is the fourth building erected at the site, the third having been built in the 14th century AD.”

According to Wikipedia, the indigenous Church of Kerala, India, has a tradition that St. Thomas sailed to Kerala to spread the Christian faith. He is believed to have landed at a small village, at that time a seaport, named Palayoor, near Guruvayoor, which had a priestly community at that time. He left Palayoor in AD 52 for southern parts of the Kerala State, where he established the Ezharappallikal, or Seven and Half Churches. These churches are at Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam (situated midway between Cochin and Kumarakom, on the western shore of Vembanad Lake, 5 km east of Cherthala), Kottakkayal (Paravoor), Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and the half church in Thiruvithamcode Arappally (Travancore).

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum, Kerala

image377-trivandrum, originally uploaded by criscom.

Alleppey cruising in a houseboat

Alleppey cruising DSC_1821copy, originally uploaded by ezee 123 aka Anoop Negi.

The author adds a note that tells, travelling along the waterways of Alleppy on one of the rice boat -- houseboat vessels. These houseboats are sturdy like rocks and travel at a measured pace through the backwaters of Alleppy (in Kerala) area showing a microcosm of life in Alleppy, as it has been in these areas for centuries.

He describes it as "A must do thing in your life time".

The captain sits right in front and here in this shot has the umbrella to protect him from the strong sunlight. The crew comprises of a cook who gives you the most wonderful local cuisine to sample from his kitchen. There is another attendant to serve and do miscellaneous jobs.

(NOTE: Such boats are available on hire and it is a lifetime luxury to live in them, maybe for a change from the ordinary, to unwind yourself and to energise your spirits by clinging to the nature's lap.)

A similar image out of the same series has been posted earlier. This one has been done up a bit to make it suitable for picture post card kitsch.

Sculpture, Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Stone carving at the entrance of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple., originally uploaded by Arpana.

Stone carving at the entrance of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple - the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings.

Red bananas on sale in Trivandrum

Red bananas on sale in Trivundram, originally uploaded by Stefan @ India.