Saturday 27 March 2010

Peace through tourism at Santiniketan


A policy workshop for administrators, political leaders, developers, ambassadors, academicians, trade & industry concerns, NGOs, responsible tourism organizations and all concerned for establishing global peace...

Date 29-30 March 2010
Venue Santinitekan, India
Check here for more details.

Sunday 21 March 2010

Inviting sketches for book on status of rivers in Kerala


HTML clipboardWhat was once the life line of Kerala, is today a decaying, dying river. It is out of concern for Bharatapuzha (River Nila): the erosion of the river banks, the dilution of its culture, neglect and depletion of its resources - that the Nila Foundation was formed five years ago in Kerala. Foundation provides a platform for those who feel for the rivers and its depleting status, and for those who want to positively contribute to its conservation.

Titled, 'Puzha Malayalam', the 400-page book is looking at a participatory model where people from different spheres of life join us in the publication of the book. As a small step towards this, we are inviting interested people through a drawing competition from across the world to sketch the introductory pages of the fourteen chapters.

'My river' is the theme of the competition. This could be a reflection of your insights or experiences associated with rivers.This could be about rivers from any parts of the world. Use your imagination to show the role of rivers played in your life. Let the river flow, from Nila to Ganges, to Thames to Danube...

Out of the sketches, we will select 14 entries in three different age categories, which will be incorporated into the individual chapters of the book. The winners of 14 entries will also get an opportunity to have an experiential responsible tourism for a week along the Bharatapuzha (River Nila) that gives insights into its culture, folk art forms, history, people and life. The holiday is sponsored by The Blue Yonder. A board of experts commissioned by Nila Foundation will be short-listing and selecting the winning entries. Selected entries will also be exhibited at the book launch on 05 June 2010 at Thunjan Parambu literature park in Tirur, Kerala.

As the awards will have three categories for ages below 10, 18 and above, we welcome people from all ages to participate in this initiative. Those sending hardcopy of their sketches should draw using black ink in white drawing paper (10inch*8inch). Digital work is acceptable. Any scanned images of the work should be of min 300 DPI quality not more than 5 MB. One applicant can send up to three images. A separate note on the background of the sketch in not more than 500 words is appreciated. Provide us information of your age and nationality. Authenticity of the sketch has to be self attested. Last date for receiving the sketch is 25th April 2010.

For more details on the book visit

Hard copies of the sketches to be sent to the following postal address.

Contact person: Prakash M
Address:
Nila Foundation
SMAAS, Kandath Complex Poongottukulam,
Tirur- 676101 Malppuram(Dist), Kerala, India
Ph: +91.9446280603 / 9605396238

email address to sent the sketches: nilafoundation2010@gmail.com
Subject: Sketches for Puzha Malayalam