Rathi Devi paintings

Kerala - Kochi
Palette of figurative images

T. Rethidevi, an alumna of the Government College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, has come up with a collection of paintings and drawings.

The solo show, 'The Golden Flag Staff,' was held at the Durbar Hall Art Centre. It was her second such show.
Rethidevi's first solo exhibition, 'Mystique Landscapes, was held in Bangalore in 1999.

'The Golden Flag Staff' had on display 22 paintings and 15 drawings.

All the works, except one, were done in June this year, she says.

The art works are figurative with the images of the Golden Flag Staff, (Swarnakkodimaram), shells of fireworks (kathina) lined up in temples.

The artist has drawn upon images from a life associated with temples.

Rethidevi had been based in New Delhi for some time. At present, she is working as an art teacher at the Kalabhavan Talent Residential School in Kakkanad.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu, Tuesday, October 17, 2006)

Infopark acquisition

Kerala - Kochi
Land acquisition for Infopark progressing

Staff Reporter

34 acres in possession of district administration
46 acres expected to come into authorities' possession next week

Rs.50 crore is being utilised for the acquisition of land

KOCHI: Land acquisition for the development of the Infopark at Kakkanad is progressing, with 34 acres of land already in the possession of the district administration.

The documents of this land were handed over by the owners in anticipation of payment, accepting the land price fixed by the District-Level Purchase Committee. Another 46 acres are also expected to come into the possession of the authorities next week.

The highest value of land to be taken over for the Infopark is Rs.84,000 per cent with the lowest value being Rs.10,000 per cent. The land of those who are unwilling to accept the price fixed by the committee will be taken over under the Land Acquisition Act. Separate steps will be taken in the case of people who will lose their houses with the plots. A detailed hearing will be held by the Revenue Divisional Officer to work out the rehabilitation scheme for these families.
If one joint family residing in a single house has two units of nuclear families in it, both families will be considered eligible for separate compensation. There are such 58 families eligible for compensation at Kakkanad. These families will be given plots of land for rehabilitation. Three acres of `poramboke' land has been identified adjacent to the Smart City for providing rehabilitation to all the evictees, said District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish. An amount of Rs.50 crore is being utilised for the acquisition of land at Kakkanad.

The minimum price fixed for the land being taken over for the four-lane highway from Kalamassery to the Vallarpadam terminal has also been fixed at Rs.10,000. However, the land at the prime spots in Thrikkakara North village at Kalamassery with NH frontage, will fetch a maximum price of Rs.3.5 lakh.
(The Hindu, Monday, October 16, 2006)