Hello All So, our convention is taking shape and please find below details planning for your visit.
I understand, DFI is also planning conference at the same venue following the convention. So you can add 2 more days stay. This is presently tentative and is not confirmed. I have early information, this time we shall have a unique treat to have 2 persons who are practicing and training the technique of echolocation during the conference. So, factoring another 2 days would be a good idea in learning this technique. I think, this is sufficient incentive to get your bags packing. Keep reading. Harish Kotian. ACCESS INDIA NATIONAL CONVENTION 2011 Trivandrum, Kerala. Dates: 12 to 13 November 2011 Venue: Kerala University Youth Centre, PMG, Trivandrum Registration charge: Rs. 500/ Co-Hosted by Chakshumathi, the empowerment and assistive technology centre for the visually challenged. WELCOME TO TRIVANDRUM, KERALA, INDIA About Trivandrum: Trivandrum, the capital city of the state of Kerala - the God's Own Country - known by the name.Thiruvananthapuram in Malayalam means the "abode of Lord Anantha". The Sri PadmanabhaswamyTemple, one of the 108 Thirupathis of Lord Vishnu is in the heart of the city and devoted to the deity Lord Anantha. The city of Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the southernmost district of Kerala as well. It is bordered by the district Tirunelveli to the East, Kanyakumari to the South, Kollam to the North and Lakshadweep Sea to the West. The city is a must see item on the itinerary of any visitor to South India. Trivandrum, was the capital of the princely State of Travancore, one of the most humble and progressive States in forgone era. On 3 January 1750, Marthanda Varma, the then Ruler of the Travancore Dynasty, virtually "dedicated" Travancore to his tutelary deity Padmanabha of Padmanabhaswamy Temple (the Trippadi daanam) and from then on, the rulers of Travancore ruled as the "Servants of Padmanabha" (the Padmnabha-dasas). Recent discoveries found that The Padmanabha Swamy temple is the richest religious abodes in the world by a huge treasure of Gold and Diamonds worth over Rs. 1 Trillion, even without calculating its heritage and antique values. The history confirms that even before Nalanda and Thakshashila became famous education centres, the Kandaloor Paadasaala (school) in the district of Trivandrum was a famous centre of education for many thousands of years. Records say the tutors of Nalanda were from Kandalur Paadasaala. The city is thereafter known as the city of education. The city being the capital of State of Kerala is the center spot for the political activities of the State. A cozy city which does not have the glamour of a Metro is a cool and safe place. The city is well connected by air, rail and road. Access India members from north India are advised to take Rail or Air passage. There are direct budget flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai to the city. There are many trains to Kanyakumari also, passing through Trivandrum Central. Kanyakumari is only 90 km away from Trivandrum. There are convenient overnight Volvo bus services from Bangalore and Chennai to the city Tourist spots in the city: World famous Kovalam Beach is one of the major attractions. The city which is in the foothills of Sahya Mountains is bordered by Lakshadweep (Arabian) Sea to the west. The City Zoo, the biggest in India and located in a botanical garden which is cleverly designed by the then Maharajas of Travancore has many species of trees which grow in tropical regions of other parts of the world. The Zoo and Museum complex are located within 600 meters from the Convention Venue. Kanyakumari or famously known as Cape Comorin, or the tip of India, is 90 km by road from the city and was part of the then Travancore State, which now belongs to Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari is the meeting place of two oceans - Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean - and the Arabian Sea. Famous temples of Kanyakumari and Sucheendram are the other attractions easily reachable from the city. Convention co-Host: Chakshumathi, the Centre for Empowerment and Assistive Technology for the blind. Sanskrit word Chakshu means Eyes and Mathi means Intelligence. Chakshumathi is a technique in the Vedic period to teach blind or to teach students on extraordinary concentration. A not-for-profit organization, CHAKSHUMATHI is dedicated to annul the information gap for the Blind and people with reading problems in India. It believes in "Information rights for All". Chakshumathi is actively into the production of Daisy books in local languages and English and is bringing the network of thousands of already published Daisy books from India and abroad through the global Book Share Club for the empowerment of the visually challenged. Any blind person who wishes to learn the use of computers can avail the free computer education facility provided by the various centres of Chakshumathi. Headquartered in Trivandrum, Chakshumathi is extending its facilities to Cochin and Chenganoor by September 2011 and to Calicut by November 2011, in its move to reach the needy in almost all parts of Kerala. For this Convention, Chakshumathi will provide all logistic support, food, transport and facilities at the venue. Chakshumathi will also provide free dormitory accommodation for all unemployed participants. Also, arrangements have been made for hostel accommodation at subsidized rate for the budget constrained participants. Further, those who wish to have accommodation in hotels Chakshumathi has made arrangements for rooms at discounted rates, very close to the venue. Details are given below: Address of Chakshumathi: TC28.128, KRA 48, Kaithamukku Post Office Lane, Trivandrum 695024. Tel.: 0471 3235484, +918089926417, +91 9847060034, +91 9496204424. ad...@chakshumathi.org Accommodation: Free dormitory and shared accommodation for about 100 participants are available at the Kerala University International Youth Hostel located besides the venue on a first come first served basis and the free accommodation is limited only for unemployed members of the Access India. Limited hostel accommodation for budget constrained participants: Rs.100 per day per person in 3 bedded rooms at the Kerala University International Youth Centre on first cum first served basis also available. The hostel has common toilet facilities. It has 18 toilets and 15 bathrooms. Bed tea, breakfast and dinner will be served complimentary to the participants by Chakshumathi at the hostel. Those who stay outside also can have complimentary breakfast by Chakshumathi at the Convention venue. Network Hotels for those who wish to stay in Hotels: 1. Hotel Prasanth, Near PMG Junction A 3 star hotel near the venue; has 30 twin share rooms. Rooms are to be booked by paying one day room charges in advance. Room Tariff: Non A/c Deluxe single: Rs.800/- (Eight Hundred only) on only room basis. Non A/c deluxe Double share: Rs.1000/- (One Thousand only) on only room basis. A/c Deluxe single: Rs.1750/- (One Thousand Seven Fifty only) on only room basis. A/c deluxe Double share: Rs.2050/- (Two Thousand Fifty only) on only room basis. Those who wish to have breakfast from the hotel, kindly add Rs.100/- per head/day. Free shuttle transport to the participants to the venue and back will be provided by Chakshumathi. Rooms need to be booked early. Contact at the hotel: Ms. Leena or Ms.Sajini. Telephone +91 471 231 6189. Email: <hotelprasanth....@gmail.com> Please indicate that you are a Guest of Chakshumathi. Hotel Classic Avenue, Manjalikulam Road A 4-Star Boutique hotel near the Central Rail/Bus stations having more than 100 rooms. This centrally air-conditioned hotel with Swimming pool, Fitness / Business Centre and other usual facilities offers very special rates to the participants: Single room: Rs.2500/- (Two Thousand Five Hundred only) Twin Share room: Rs. 3000/- (Three thousand only) Suite room: Rs.4500/- (Four thousand Five Hundred only) Rates include Complimentary Buffet - Continental / Indian breakfast and free Wi-Fi internet access. Free shuttle transport for the participants to the venue and back will be provided by Chakshumathi. Rooms are to be booked by paying one day room charges in advance. Contact at the hotel: Mr. Manuraj Telephone +91 471 233 3555, Mobile: +91 98460 89744. 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