End of a cruel selfish politician

I still remember with terror that day in 1977 when I met two Engineering college students transferred to Trichur Engineering college from Calicut REC.They were sons of  a rich business man in Trichur.Those were  days of Indira Gandhi ruling India like a dictator with entire opposition leaders in jail.Son of that business man from Trichur escaped from police custody after paying heavily to one man ruling Kerala as a terror, being close to Indira Gandhi.

Poor Rajan, an Engineering student of Calicut Regional Engineering College was killed without any reason.Till today even after thirty years no body is taken to task for brutal killing of that student ,only hope of a poor family of Eachara Varrier.

The man who authorized and  ordered such brutal killings of innocent people travelled in very high speed on the road unmindful about people knocked down or cyclists pushed to ground by lathees of police men travelling ahead in pilot vehicles for clearing the way of mighty ruler of Kerala!.He thought of himself as one of those prehistoric Kings who did anything for his sadistic pleasures unmindful of  the agony created by his actions to poor people of the country, less privileged.He simply forgotten about being democratically elected ruler”for the people by the people”

He considered himself as King of Kerala and did everything to make entire people of Kerala his strongest haters except of course few to whom he gave ways and means to do anything.They enjoyed  and flourished under him and praised and bowed before him making him feel like being those old Kings.

There were allegations after allegations against him.Entire left parties of Kerala owe him  great gratitude for giving them opportunity to grow in Kerala with the large amount of hatred he generated in the minds of  common people of Kerala by his ruthless way of ruling

But there are politicians who talk high about him.I think their yard sticks are different

Even his children generate only hatred in the minds of people by their words and deeds.

Poor souls of Eachara Varier,his wife and mother of that innocent Engineering College Student Rajan and soul of Rajan must be heaving a sigh of relief today.

Even after thirty years of his brutal killing his murderers are continuing their devilish laugh and the so called “servants of our nation”(politicians ) join the  wild laugh with utter contempt they have for the people of this largest democracy in the world!

Is a plan enough for building house?

From the mails I receive I get a feeling that lot of people have too many wrong ideas about plan of house.Most important wrong ideas are the following

1.Any plan prepared by any one or taken from any website is good enough for plan of your house

2.There is no meaning in paying a higher fees or charges for getting plan of the house prepared by a well known Architect

3.If the plan of the house is ready, builder of the house can manage everything else.No more need for a professional Architect/Engineer.

4.An Architect can make good elevation of the house for any plan

5.If a picture of the house taken from anywhere is given to an Architect,he can make a similar or same Elevation whatever may be plan of your house.

All these are wrong.

A qualified and experienced Architect will have to discuss in detail with you to understand what exactly you need in the house to be designed and built.

He has to see the land where the building has to come up.By seeing the land,he will visualise your house in the plot,check nature of land,surroundings,level of land,Vasthu aspects if he is good at Vasthu also.He will also check up whether there is any restraining factors for building a house as per Kerala Building rules.

While preparing plan for your house knowledge of Architect and his rich experience is used to design the house to get following:

1.Better facilities for you as per your wishes but with lesser cost

2.Better utilisation of every built up space.No unnecessary or unwanted space in the house.

3.Better features of modern architecture and Kerala Architecture if he is well versed with Kerala Architecture.

4.Vasthu compliance for each portion of the house(If he is good at Vasthu)

5.Better structural design to reduce cost

6.Better appearance for the house

For getting all these benefits is it not worth paying few thousands to an Architect?

Even after preparation of plan and Elevation,there are several architectural and structural engineering drawings required for proper and correct implementation of construction of house.Even the drawings prepared by an Architect as plan and Elevation has to be explained with details for the builder to know how to proceed with construction.

So your need for professional assistance and guidance does not end with preparation of plan.Plan will have to be designed in a manner to obtain a good Elevation.You cannot have any Elevation for any plan.Plan and Elevation are inter related.

When I was finalising plan of the house,one of my client told me that a particular builder can do the construction just by getting plan of the house.Then I told my client that he should not engage that builder if he says like that.He does not even know about need for detailed architecture and structural Engineering drawings and periodic on site supervision by the designer.

Only when the construction started and drawings after drawings on details started coming,my client understood importance of having professional guidance during construction.

And now the money part.For the payment an Architect takes , you save much more in lakhs during construction using his guidance and you finally get a better quality construction at lesser cost with proper utilisation of every built up space with definitely more value for money spent by you.

Do not think that Architects and Engineers are costly.They bring their rich experience,knowledge to make a better house for you and in the process in spite of paying them fees,they reduce cost of constructing your house substantially and guide you to have best and latest facilities and trends for your once in a life time dream house.

Do you want to save those fees given to professional and lose both money and better house by design and construction?

Our services and free consultation

You can  have free consultation from me on Kerala Architecture, Vasthu aspects and anything related to house construction.
Having built more than 200 houses directly and designed many more houses, my knowledge and experience can be used by you to get a better house by design and professional work during construction

Write to me to
vhthomas@viruvelil.com
you will get reply within 48 hours

OUR SERVICES
1. Architectural Services
For building your dream house in Kerala or for building any other type of building, we can design your building by providing you effective guidance and design for
a)Preparation of Plan of the building
b) Elevations both two dimensional and three dimensional
c) Submission drawings to local authority
d) Engineering Estimate specifying cost for each item of work
e)Structural Engineering drawings for execution of the work
f) Detailed architectural drawings for the work
g) Interior design
h)Landscape and exterior work details
i) Site visits as and when required for guidance and supervision
2. Real estate assistance
For purchase of land or building in Kerala, we can provide you the following services:

a) Locating land or building for purchase with the assistance of our Real estate division ( in and around Cochin only).
b)Architectural, structural and legal evaluation of the property to be purchased
c) Verification of title documents of the property by legal experts
d) Documentation of the property purchase
e)Assistance for registration of the property and after registration formalities
f) Periodic maintenance of the property if the property is in and around Cochin
3. Construction of the building
We can take up construction of the building with complete professional care and guidance anywhere in Kerala and outside state(on case to case basis) subject to acceptance of terms and conditions of our construction division directly by using our trained work force, with complete supervision and guidance by our architects and engineers.
4. Vasthu consultancy
We can guide you on Vasthu before developing plan of the house and during construction also.
We can also inspect your existing building for Vasthu compliance and suggest suitable modifications to obtain better Vasthu compliance.
5. Interior design
We have a team of experienced and qualified Interior designers with complete man power and infrastructure to implement interior work with all the goodness of traditional Kerala Architecture and with modern technology and innovations.
6. Remodeling, Interior and furnishing of your existing building
Your existing old building can be made new(renovated) with remodeling, interior modifications and furnishings by our experts
7. Land scaping and other services
Our experts can convert your vacant space into more useful space and enhance its appearance and utility. Land around your house can be converted into more useful space with better appearance and aesthetic look.
    .
Any other services related to your building also can be referred to us.
We have qualified experts with experience in building more than 200 houses in different parts of Kerala and outside state and we have designed and remodeled much more houses.  
Mail your enquiries for our services to
vhthomas@viruvelil.com
info@viruvelil.com

Or call us 

HELP LINE-
00 91 9388701702
00 91 9497736072
00 91 9388701707
00 91 4842536895
00 91 4846571155

Fax-00 91 484 2531671

DISCLAIMER
Every effort is taken to provide you authentic information on Kerala Architecture and it is features and  relevant information on building a house in Kerala. VIRUVELIL group of Companies , V.H.Thomas or any person interacting through this website on behalf of VIRUVELIL group of companies will not be responsible for the authenticity or correctness of the information provided through this website or conveyed by email to any person contacting us for information, assistance, guidance or for any commercial activity related or followed after any enquiry or request for services /assistance/guidance

We do not accept responsibility for loss or damage arising from the use of the information provided through this website which may be creative work/technical data without our consent/involvement and guidance. We have complete, unchallenged copy right for all information, data, pictures, design details provided through this website. Any dissemination, use, review, distribution, printing or copying in part or full of information, data, pictures design details provided through this website is strictly prohibited

Any activity followed by information provided by our websites,blogs , by email or in responses to queries to V.H.Thomas should be carried out  with our assistance,involvement and guidance.We will not be responsible for any effects/damages to your property or any other adverse results by following our instructions without our involvement/guidance/assistance

Our Websites

http://www.keralaarchitecture.com/

http://www.viruvelil.com/

http://www.kerala-dreamhomes.com/

Travails of traveling in Kerala

My professional work of designing and building houses all over Kerala including acting as Vasthu and Structural consultant  make me travel at least three days in a week that too not less than 200Km in a day.Some days it goes up to 400 Km and more.
Traveling even by car in Kerala is not a pleasurable activity if you discount beautiful nature that can be seen on the way.I will talk of traveling to different areas or zones of Kerala landscape.
1.High ranges of Kerala
About six years back,when I was called as consultant for a house to be designed and built at Nedumkandam I was reluctant mainly due to difficulty in traveling up and down in a single day as I have to be back in Cochin for the next day work.Roads to Nedumkandam are basically hair pin turns moving up the hills or down the hills when you come back.We used to leave Cochin at 4.30 in the morning.Finding a restaurant on the way for breakfast is a tough proposition as there is very few decent eatable places on the way.Some where near Cheruthoni we have located  a not so bad place .This small restaurant will give Idiyappam with vegetable stew of almost acceptable version.So we used to frequent this place always on our trips.When we go by Karimban there was another not so good place.But we will have no other option.

Looking out while travelling will make you feel proud of natural beauty of Kerala with hills and valleys coming in procession with water springs abundant coming out  from the greenery occasionally.Near Idukki dam I have once taken picture of  water falls which is the best on the way.
In monsoon period you can see trees falling on to the road some times obstructing part of road.I was told that buses and trucks plying in this road  carries tools to cut trees fallen to road  as at times these fallen trees will block the road.Some places you can see water gushing out from the higher level through road and falling down to lower level by flowing  above road.
In the mornings mist will be embracing nature around with very little visibility left at a distance.Now look at pictures.

That concrete wall is that of Idukky Hydro Electric power station catchment area.See this water fall and surrounding areas.While you move in the road,road is becoming like an intruder in the tranquil beauty of the nature.

2.Paddy fields of Kerala
Some may wonder whether Kerala still have paddy fields.Keralites do not want to do any manual labour these days.We depend on Tamilians and north Indians coming  to Kerala for work.Without them careless Keralites who get gulf money and abundant money by cultivating rubber which has price going high always,cannot simply live.With money coming without hard work or toiling in sun, drinking alcohol is becoming a usual time pass for many especially in the middle Kerala areas.While passing through Kuravilangad,Pala area,I have seen many  people drunk even at mid day.Look at pictures from middleKerala areas with  rare paddy fields  in Kuttanad and Palghat areas.

Kerala roads will test the patience of the traveller as you get dust gushing into your face while driving down the road.Potholes are quite normal.If you find good road like the one you see from Alleppey to Changanassery made by Pathibel and that between Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha you will get surprised.

Most of the middle Kerala regions,you will find it difficult to locate a reasonably good eating place.Everywhere you have bars as if it is the essential requirement for a traveller.As I keep travelling in the same road again and again I have made a survey and located reasonably good eating places on the way.I plan trip in such a manner to be nearer to a good eating place at meal time.

Rivers and lakes of Kerala make the middle portion attractive and you have good beaches in coastal area and close to rivers you will find most of them are polluted heavily with industrial and other wastes.It appears that industries in Kerala and people in Kerala consider rivers to be dumping place for waste.Some of these waste lines from industries are placed so deep that no body will notice its presence.I think pollution control people must be making money by collecting bribe from industry people to close their eyes by allowing such dangerous waste dumping in rivers.Bribe is no more a sin.It is the right of a government official or those in power.
You can see in pictures above a crude method of ferrying people and vehicle through passages between two small towns separated by river or lake.Two country boats will be tied together and connected to a motorized boat to ferry people and vehicles.We call this Junkar service.Why don’t the authorities think of putting up bridges in these locations instead of people and vehicles to wait for hours for this risky  ferry arrangement.Recently I have waited for one and a half hours to get my turn  for getting into ferry Junkar from Cherthala to Vaikom on my way to Ettumanoor site.