Boston-based Visual IQ begins India operations in COCHIN(KOCHI)

COCHIN (KOCHI): Visual IQ, a Boston-based leading provider of digital Marketing Business Intelligence (MBI), has commenced its Indian operations from Kochi.

The company expanded its global support resources in the US and abroad, including a new 24/7 client services centre here, President and CTO of Visual IQ, Anto Chittilappilly and Vice President Vincent Chittilappily told reporters here.

Vincent is heading the Indian operations in Kochi. The company has started operations in the country, with its first office at Trans Asia Corporate Park here and is planning to treble the office space and staff in the next 12 months. There are about 30 staff in Kochi office, Vincent said.

Kochi has been selected as the primary R&D and production centre due to the growing infrastructure and availability of technical skills in the city, he said.

Visual IQ's unique platform offers a visual and interactive experience that helps marketers quickly discover new and actionable media and customer insights across online, offline and mobile marketing channels, Chittilappilly said.

By unifying marketing data and results, the Visual IQ intelligence platform provides organisations with a consolidated view of consumers behaviour and how various marketing channels influences their decisions. The information allows businesses to refine their marketing strategies and tactics to make the greatest impact with their audience.

The new IQ platform has an RIA (Rich Internet Application) infrastructure that allows marketers and ad agencies to access data in a visual way. The company has developed a unique system to measure the influence of each ad exposure to a single consumer and their purchasing behaviour, Anto said.

He said in the next 24 months top Indian and Chinese companies would use their services.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/Boston-based_Visual_IQ_begins_India_operations/articleshow/2829338.cms

COCHIN (Kochi) - Real Estate Projects

Apart from the upcoming projects listed above, investors can explore quality projects furnished by Kochi-based real estate developer Abad Builders. Deluxe apartments are available at Sunshine Court in Vazhakkala, Lotus Lake in Chilavannoor, Green Terrace in Kakkanad, Aquarius in Ernakulam, Olympus in Edapally, Harmony on Paradise Road, Vyttila, North Star on SRM Road, Cloud Nine in Panampilly Nagar, Marine Plaza on Marine Drive, Oriental Gardens on the Mamangalam-Pottakuzhy Road and Silver Crest in Jawahar Nagar, Kadavanthra. Rainbow Retreat offers 2-5 bedroom villas at Irumpanam near the Smart City project.

Skyline Builders have 9 residential projects in Kochi located in Kakkanad, Alwaye, Kaloor, Edapally, Ernakulam North, Panampilly Nagar, Padivattom and Kadavanthara.

Mir Realtors have concentrated their activities on 3 projects in Kakkanad offering villas and apartments, while Mather Projects are located in Kakkanad, Vytilla, Chembumukku and M G Road. Jewel Homes have 6 residential properties in Kakkanad, Palarivattom, SRM Road, Kacheripadi, SRM Road and Janatha Road.

Other real estate developers with projects in Kochi include: Clearway Builders, Happy Constructions, National Builders, Star Homes, Ambady Constructions, Business India Builders, Relcon Properties, Kristal Group, Tanzeel Builders, K P Varkey, Jairaj Designer Homes, Jomer Properties, Desai Homes, Bavasons Constructions, Regal Projects, Jain Housing and Constructions, Flair Home Projects, Good Earth Homes, Chakolas Habitat, Kuruvila Homes, Galaxy Homes, M J K Group, Panjos Builders, Nagarjuna Construction and Heera Constructions.

With returns on commercial property in Kochi higher than returns on residential property, investments in commercial projects have seen a marked increase. Commercial properties are more in demand on Marine Drive, sections of MG Road, Chittoor Road and Shanmugham Road.

The Kaloor- Kadavanthra Road and Seaport Airport roads offer potential avenues for investment, being developed as alternatives to M G Road.

The Greater Cochin Development Authority is undertaking shopping mall projects on the Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, Manappattiparambu and Marine Drive. 6 malls are under construction, and are expected to open in 2009. The Forum will span 1 million sq. ft while the Summit Mall will rise up to 12 floors. The Lulu Mall, Aerens Gold Souk, Abad Mall, Metro One, Mall O and Kalyan Mall would cater to the growing affluence of the city.

While DLF plans a hotel-cum-mall on Marine Drive, the KGA Group from Kuwait has decided to set up a hotel in Kochi too. Satra Properties is setting up a five star hotel on Bolgatty Island on 1.63 lakh sq. ft area which would be completed by 2010.

http://www.nrirealtynews.com/kochi/real-estate-projects.php

Real Estate Developments in COCHIN (Kochi)

With no industrial history to speak of, the current developments in Kochi are driven by the thrust from NRI remittances and the tourism sector. Restricted by the sea on its western coast, Kochi is spilling over to the neighbouring towns and villages, where land prices have made impressive gains. Once considered distant, neighbourhoods like Edappally and Tripunithura have appreciated from Rs.25, 000 to Rs.2 lakh for a cent.

The growing demand for housing units and the constraints on space have induced city builders to focus on building apartments in Kochi. Local builders are offering top-of-the line fittings and lifestyle add-ons like clubs and swimming pools to apartment complexes to woo home makers who prefer these homes for the security and convenience they offer.

The Kochi real estate market has prompted national level developers like Puravankara Projects, Sobha Developers, Prestige Group, Emaar-MGF and Brigade Group to invest in the city. Unitech with 670 acres, Sahara Infrastructure & Housing and L&T have also pitched for Kochi property with niche projects.


Appreciation
Satellite townships are being absorbed into the city as better connectivity gives them easy access to the new IT locations. As large-scale companies relocate to the city and NRIs pour their dollars into luxury projects, real estate prices in Kochi have been zooming upwards.

In 2005 almost a 400 % appreciation in land prices in Kochi was observed, especially on the NH 47 Bypass Road. This locality is proving to be a strong contender for M.G. Road, the city’s business district. Property prices in Kochi start at the upper end of Rs. 1 crore a cent on M.G.Road, though no transactions are taking place in this area. Property sales are happening only in the by-lanes of M.G.Road, fetching between Rs.40 lakh and Rs. 80 lakh a cent.

Property prices in Kochi’s Marine Drive have also skyrocketed over the years to Rs.1 crore a cent, and luxury apartments in the neighbourhood are commanding similar rates. Real estate deals for 25 acres and 70 acres have been struck at Rs.112 crore and Rs.91 crore respectively near Goshree bridges by Mumbai real estate developers.

In Ernakulam South and Ernakulam North, a cent fetches half a crore, as do Shanmugham Road, Panampilly Nagar and Kaloor. Chittoor, Palarivattom Junction and Thevara fall in the Rs. 30 lakh range, while Vyttila is available between Rs.20 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh. Kakkanad’s proximity to the Smart City is being used to advantage by owners wishing to sell their property where land rates range between Rs.15 lakh to Rs.20 lakh.

Places to look out for are Puthiyakavu, beyond Thripunithura and Chottanikkara where land values will show much appreciation after the airport-seaport road is completed. Thripunithura, Kakkanad and Alwaye are safe bets for investment in property in Kochi


NRI Real Estate Trends
NRI investments in Kochi have propelled the demand for residential flats in Kochi – almost 60 to 80% of all residential properties booked in the city are registered by Keralites living overseas.

A range of premium residential properties in Kochi by local and national real estate developers are in various stages of construction to cater to the aesthetics of the returning NRI.

Kakkanad is Kochi’s most preferred destination, with DLF, Sahara, and Great India Estates amongst others establishing their presence. Puravankara’s Eternity is available from Rs.27 lakh upwards, and is likely to be completed by December 2009. Purva’s Grandbay project on Marine Drive is also likely to come up by then, but starts with a hefty price of Rs.68 lakh. The builder has recently launched its 3 bedroom apartment complex on the Seaport-Airport Road at a price of Rs. 47 lakh.

Skyline Foundations would be launching their Silicon Park apartments in Kakkanad shortly while their Silicon Drive project in Kakkanad and Eternia in Edapally are under construction. Aqua Greens in Alwaye is expected to be launched soon, while luxury apartments are coming up in Kallor priced between Rs. 1,700 to Rs. 2,600 per sq. ft.

For those looking for luxury villas, Anzera Properties has Brookside under construction at Kakkanad in the range of Rs.48 lakh to Rs. 82 lakh. The Lavender is another premium residential project from the builder. Anzera has also announced a premium residential project for senior citizens in Chengannassery.

http://www.nrirealtynews.com/kochi/real-estate-kochi.php

A proposal for connecting Cochin with the IT hubs at Bangalore and Hyderabad a Golden IT corridor connecting three nerve centres of IT in south India

New Delhi: Seeking a special package for Kerala in the coming railway budget, a high-level delegation led by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan met Railways Minister Lalu Prasad in the national capital on Wednesday.

"It was promised to us that a special package would be considered for Kerala when the Salem division was created. But till date nothing has been done in this regard and we want a special package in the coming railway budget," Kerala MP PC Thomas said.

Thomas was part of the high-power delegation consisting of 15 MPs and two state ministers from Kerala who had an hour-long meeting with Prasad at Rail Bhawan.

A separate zone for Kerala is our long standing demand and it should be fulfilled, Thomas said.
Besides a new railway zone for Kerala, the delegation demanded a coach factory at Palakkad. The coach factory is to manufacture ICF design fabricated bogies for passenger coaches to meet the requirement in future.

Demanding a "Golden IT corridor", the delegation has submitted a proposal for connecting Cochin with the IT hubs at Bagalore and Hyderabad. This route will reduce the distance between Bangalore and Cochin by around 120 kms.

"It could become a Golden IT corridor connecting three nerve centres of IT in south India and lead to development move," a member of the delegation said.

© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1228863

Model Engineering College,COCHIN(KOCHI)Thrikkakara signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WIPRO(it's 1rst in KERALA)

Wipro Technologies is the No.1 provider of integrated business, technology and process solutions on a global delivery platform.
Wipro Technologies is a global services provider delivering technology-driven business solutions that meet the strategic objectives of our clients. Wipro has 40+ ‘Centers of Excellence’ that create solutions around specific needs of industries. Wipro delivers unmatched business value to customers through a combination of process excellence, quality frameworks and service delivery innovation. Wipro is the World's first CMMi Level 5 certified software services company and the first outside USA to receive the IEEE Software Process Award.




About MEC
Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara is a premier institute of engineering that has carved a niche for itself in the field of technical education in a very short span of time. Since its inception in 1989, under the aegis of the Institute of Human Resource Development for Electronics, IHRDE (now IHRD,Government of Kerala undertaking), the college has made its presence felt in the technical horizon of the state.
The college offers engineering courses in Computer Science & Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering and Electronics & Biomedical Engineering. Unique in its structure, methods and goals, the college is strongly rooted in a philosophy of training and research that emphasizes the intimate relationships between knowledge and its application and seeks to promote the creation of an ideal society.
Situated at Thrikkakara, an idyllic spot in the fringes of Kochi, the location offers an advantage as it is just a stone's throw away from industrial centres including Aluva, the industrial capital of the state and Cochin Export Processing Zone(CEPZ) yet sufficiently far enough from the hustle of Kochi city, providing a congenial atmosphere for diligent academic pursuit.
The college has been selected for financial assistance by TEQIP (Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme), a World Bank Project. As part of the scheme, it is expected to receive around Rs10 crores . An amount of Rs 4.3 crores has already been sanctioned. For more details log on to www.npiu.nic.in
The college is affiliated to the Cochin University of Science and Technology, which confers the degree of Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) in various disciplines.


Wipro signs first MoU in Kerala with Model Engineering College, Kochi

Wipro has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara, to take its ongoing collaboration with the Institution to the next level. This MoU is the first of its kind that Wipro is signing in Kerla.

Source: k2communications
Feb 27, 2008 01:20:19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(PRLog.Org) – Feb 27, 2008 – Wipro has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara, to take its ongoing collaboration with the Institution to the next level. This MoU is the first of its kind that Wipro is signing in Kerla.

Wipro has chosen to partner with Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara as they are among the premier engineering institutes in the country. The MoU envisages a set of planned activities and interactions addressing various stakeholders namely students, faculty and the management. These activities and interactions include faculty development programs, technical sponsorships and student workshops and many more. For instance, one of the programs is a student workshop that is structured with the primary goal of emphasizing on the importance of creative thinking that is paramount to succeeding in corporate world today.

Commenting on the occasion Ms. Priti Rajora, General Manager – Talent Acquisition said, “the objective of this MoU is to build industry-academia relationship and empower students to gear up for the challenges of the corporate world."

Prof. Subramani, a renowned academician and IHRD Director was witness to this event. He stressed that the brand name of MEC is due to the quality of students and that this academy industry interaction will further help in creation of knowledge based society. This relationship is bound to be mutually beneficial and everlasting one. MoU was signed by Principal Dr. P. Suresh Kumar.

For Further Information, please contact:

Wipro Limited

Media: Radha Radhakrishnan +91 – 80 – 25056159
Investors: Aravind Viswanathan +91 – 80 – 25056143

About Wipro Limited
Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) provides comprehensive IT solutions and services, including systems integration, information systems outsourcing, IT enabled services, package implementation, software application development and maintenance, and research and development services to corporations globally. Wipro Limited is the first PCMM Level 5 and SEI CMM Level 5 certified IT Services Company globally. In the Indian market, Wipro is a leader in providing IT solutions and services for the corporate segment in India offering system integration, network integration, software solutions and IT services. In the Asia Pacific and Middle East markets, Wipro provides IT solutions and services for global corporations. Wipro also has profitable presence in niche market segments of consumer products and lighting. Wipro’s ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and its equity shares are listed in India on the Stock Exchange - Mumbai, and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit our websites at www.wipro.com, www.wiprocorporate.com , and www.wipro.in

Wipro’s forward looking and cautionary statements
Forward-looking and cautionary statements Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects and our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions are forward looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding our ability to integrate and manage acquired IT professionals, our ability to integrate acquired assets in a cost effective and timely manner, fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Wipro has made strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Wipro may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. Wipro does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company.
# # #

K2 – the name has been evolved from Knowledge Kingdom: The larger goal and aspiration of the organisation in as much as it is the foundation of our activities. Because knowledge and its dissemination is critical to the success of all businesses across the globe, its the beginning and end of all communication, and information.

K2 is also a motif taken from the awe-inspiring mountain peaks in the Karakoram range in the Himalayas. The second highest peak in the world is far more treacherous and difficult to ascend than the Everest. And there-in lies our goal – To be second to none!

http://www.prlog.org/10053394-wipro-signs-first-mou-in-kerala-with-model-engineering-college-kochi.html

COCHIN(KOCHI) best Indian ITES destination

COCHIN(Kochi) is emerging as attractive ITES destinations primarily due to rapid improvement in infrastructure (power, international bandwidth and urban transportation) and lower manpower costs due to lower cost of living and lack of alternative employment opportunities. It was asessed on factors such as assessed on factors such as manpower availability, real estate, telecom infrastructure, policy initiatives, power infrastructure, city perception and entrepreneurial history.
The growth has been largely driven by three factors. First is the desire of by state governments to attract entrepreneurship, which has resulted in attractive policy environments and incentives being offered.

The second is the rapid improvement in key infrastructure areas like power, telecom bandwidth and real estate in newer locations.

The last is the need for ITES companies to lower operating costs, especially employee costs and transportation.

Kochi

Kochi is an upcoming city in Kerala and is aggressively being promoted by the state government as an IT destination. Though it doesn't have any ITES companies of significance yet, it holds a lot of potential to attract many.

But the city needs to address the following infrastructure issues: Though it has the lowest power tariff among all the cities surveyed, it still experiences some power cuts. Like most cities in India, Kochi lacks a decent public transport infrastructure

Compared to the larger cities, Kochi has only a few colleges. As ITES companies would mainly hire graduates, the state needs to ensure abundant supply of trained manpower.

Kochi too loses out in the perception game. The government needs to ensure that the city moves up this scale to start attracting new businesses

Power The variance in the ranking comes due to the tariffs existing across various cities. Kochi has a low tariff of Rs 3/unit and it goes as high as Rs
4.97/unit in Mumbai Kochi experience pre scheduled power cuts
Manpower Manpower cost varies depending on the city's cost of living. The city's attractiveness also depends on the number of trained manpower. Manpower cost is as high as Rs 51.59/hr in Mumbai as compared to Rs 17.04/hr in Kochi.
Perception Perception plays an important role while deciding the location of a new unit. Bangalore ranked high because of the state's IT policy. Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Kochi lag behind in the IT initiatives undertaken by the government. Recent riots at Ahmedabad has harmed its perception even more as a business centre.
Entrepreneurship Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi have a large number of start- ups and have more entrepreneurs hailing from the city who in turn set up base in the
city. Kolkata, Pune and Kochi don't score very that high, as they do not have many start-ups. REDIFF.COM

COCHINITES(Kochiites) to move to a healthier life in the suburbs

Moving to cleaner, greener pastures

Traffic blues, heavy pollution, peak hour rush, water scarcity and rising noise levels are forcing many Kochiites to move to a healthier life in the suburbs, says HEMJITH BHARATHAN. They lament the deteriorating quality of life in the city

This might be something right out of fantasy or a fairy tale. No traffic lights, horns, pollution and lots of parking space. Life is tranquil and moves at a leisurely pace. Whatever be it this is what many residents of Kochi, maddened by the commotion and chaos on the roads, desperately long for today. Kochi too, like other cities, is turning into a city of excesses forcing many to move to the less congested, neighbouring areas like Aluva, Poothotta etc.

The city maybe an investor's paradise, but the consumer boom does not suit everyone. Many who prefer peace and live with certain ideals are apprehensive about the future of Kochi. There are many who fear that the city will be taken over by the gangs of software engineers who are out to transform Kochi into an automated roller coaster.

Latheef, an NRI says, "Dubai is getting more and more congested by the day. The traffic moves at snail's pace. But when we come home on holidays, to escape the rush there, we find that Kochi is the same. Crawling traffic, crowded, polluted streets and lack of parking space. I will be shifting from my apartment at Kaloor to a river-view apartment at Aluva to enjoy the quietude and scenic beauty."

Choking smog


Kochi is slowly turning into an environmentalist's nightmare. The car boom, due to man's unending love affair with automobiles, has polluted and crammed the city. Car exhaust, multiplying in proportion with our passion for anything on wheels, is blanketing the city with thick smog. The fumes get trapped among the mushrooming tall buildings. Are we moving into the dark ages?

Bhaskaran, who sold his flat off M.G. Road to settle down in the lush, surroundings of Silent Valley says, "Kochi is becoming uninhabitable due to the grime, dust and pollution. Lack of proper drainage adds to its woes. Its narrow infrastructure cannot contain its rapid development. On certain mornings one sees a mysterious fog with a strange chemical odour that obscures the atmosphere. Doctors have warned that this can be harmful for respiratory organs. The city is thus choking in its own growth."

Seeking a cleaner atmosphere is what makes many leave the city. According to a recent report breathing the polluted air in Mumbai is equivalent to smoking two packets of cigarettes a day. Will Kochi be trailing far behind? Sapna Prabath, a homemaker who has shifted to Poothotta says, "the air is definitely cleaner here than the polluted city roads. While Kochi is reeling under water scarcity we get pure drinking water from a well in our compound. Though we are away from the city we do not lack in anything as the transport system, new bridges and roads have made the city easily accessible. A CBSE school nearby takes care of the education of my children.

We go to the city occasionally, perhaps once in a week, for shopping, movies or eating out with the children." But for many the city is home. Shifting has never crossed their minds even in their wildest dreams. They are used to the din, excitement and fervour. They feel part of it. To them Kochi is brimming with unlimited possibilities. The city is acquiring a character. It is grooving to the tune of the global beat. "Why move out when everything is so convenient here? The city is the most happening place and I love to be part of its jostling and opportunistic crowd," says Kailash.V. Rajan. He adds, "Pollution levels will come down once the focal point shifts and expands from M.G. Road up to as far as Nedumbassery Airport. Educational institutions and super-specialty hospitals have sprung up in the outskirts broadening the city limits. The fixation with M. G. Road may thus diminish with shops and buildings coming up on suburbs and fringes of the city."

Geena Matthew, a homemaker, who stays in an apartment off M. G. Road is also unaffected, optimistic and feels that things, though slow, will improve. She says, "with proper planning and better utilisation of water transport the crowds and traffic can be streamlined. Bridges and flyovers, which we hope will be constructed soon, can reduce traffic congestion to a great extent. Though Kochi is expanding with projects on the outskirts, M. G. Road will always be the focal point of the city like Mount Road in Chennai. There is always something happening here. New shops and stores spring up out of the blue replacing old structures. Living in the heart of the city is thus being part of its pageant and parade."

Thriving city


However, Vasanth Sukumaran, an architect, who too lives in the heart of the city, is uneasy about the future. "The city is expanding at such a fast rate that for even for those who shift, there will be only a short respite before they find that pollution has spread to their areas too. The road from the city to Nedumbasserry is getting to be as crowded as M. G. Road. The city's infrastructure is miserable. Cities are usually planned taking into account its growth for at least 30 to 50 years. But in Kochi, constructions spring up daily without any forethought and planning. In the years to come there will be total chaos and residents will suffer."

With such views expressed one cannot make sense of the future of Kochi. With a catch-me-if-you-can attitude the city swells at an alarming rate challenging environmentalists, town planners, engineers and architects. Unmindful of tomorrow it lives each day to the fullest. New stores, franchises spring up every day, jostling with high-rise apartments, restaurants, and business houses for precious space. The urban crowd loves its ambiance. Their senses soar. They are pampered with comfort and ease with eating joints competing, catering to every taste, pocket, and racing for the quickest home delivery. The city moves on. Live for the day is its message to its residents. The future will take care of itself. So for now, lets keep our fingers crossed.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/07/24/stories/2006072400940100.htm