- Indigenously designed Fast patrol Vessel launched
- Mohanlal plans public schools in collaboration with NRI businessman.
- New hope for Coconut Farmers of Kerala
Biju K. MathewKochi; Product diversification is vital for the healthy growth of any industry. And coconut industry is no different. The development of sweet coconut chips, a new coconut kernel-based product are the result of efforts in this direction at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala. In food processing sector, a new method of drying of the fruit on the basis of osmosis, in which partial dehydration of fruit either whole or in sliced form is done by treating them first with sugar solution and then hot air, has gained importance. This has resulted in products with better flavour than frozen dried fruits at comparatively less cost. Hence, a process has been developed for producing sweet coconut chips by osmotic dehydration followed by hot air drying.
The process for the production of the sweet coconut chips is very simple. Fresh kernel of fully-developed coconut containing reasonable amount of water are used in this process. Important steps involved in the production are dehusking, removal of shell, removal of tests, slicing of kernel, blanching of slices, osmotic dehydration of slices, drying of slices in hot air dryer and then packaging in aluminium foil. In the process cane sugar of commercial grade is used. The drying time in hot air dryer is about six hours. The conversion ratio from fresh kernel weight to sweet coconut chips is about 50 per cent. On an average about 120 to 150 grams of chips can be obtained from a coconut.
After osmotic dehydration of the coconut slices, instant sweet coconut chips can be prepared by drying in the microwave-oven within 5 minutes. The crispness of the chips is far better when prepared by drying in the hot air oven.
The sweet coconut chips are hygroscopic in nature. If the relative humidity is more than 75 per cent, it will absorb moisture and lose its crispness. Hence the chips must be packed in aluminium foil , which will maintain its flavour and crispness upto six months without affecting its microbial and biochemical qualities. To avoid the breakage of chips during transportation, it may be packed as billow packet using gases like nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
The sweet coconut chips are crispy in nature and ready-to-eat. No frying is needed before the consumption. It has its own good coconut flavour as no oil is used for frying. It can be used as snacks. After rehydration of the chips, it can also be used as fresh kernel. The rehydration character of the chips is better than that of the desiccated coconut powder. The chips can be rehydrated by immersing them in hot water. For the cottage industry-level production, an investment of only Rs. 25,000 is necessary. About 40 coconuts can be converted into chips by two labourers. The cost of production of the chips including raw material will be about Rs.3.80 for a 50 gram packet. Technology know-how of the product can be obtained from the Director, CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala.
Indigenously designed Fast patrol Vessel launchedThe 35 Knot Fast Patrol Vessel completely designed and manufactured by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) was launched in Panjim today. This is the second Vessel of the class and the fastest in its category with a minimum endurance of 1500 nautical miles. The vessel is primarily designed for patrolling anti-smuggling and anti-terrorist operations, fisheries protection and search and rescue. It can also support the Navy during wartime as a coastal convoy escort and a communication link.
The Vessel is fitted 30 mm gun forward, machine guns on port starboard and state of the art navigation and communication equipment. Options are also available to fit naval stabilized gun system of various makes with multi sensor stabilized integrated system as well as night vision device. For hot pursuit and capture operation requiring high speed and excellent maneuverability, the vessel is powered by three 2720 KW MTU diesel engines.The hull structure of the vessel is light-weight, strong enough to withstand heavy sea conditions for long periods. General arrangement of the vessel is optimized for long periods at sea while performing routine patrolling and other functions. Fully air-conditioned accommodation is provided on board for 35 men. The vessel is stable in all likely sea conditions without ballasting and has sufficient stability to survive two compartment damage.
Goa Shipyard Ltd. has evolved successfully by using its optimum resources in its core competence area of manufacturing ship for the Defence needs of the country. It has built 167 vessels which include Barges, Tugs, Landing Craft Utility (LCUs), Torpedo Recovery Vessel, Survey Craft, Ferry Craft, Oiler, Survey Vessel, Hydrographic Vessel, Sail Training Ship, Offshore Patrol Vessels, Missile Craft, Extra Fast Attack Crafts and Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels, one Damage Control Simulator etc.
With the new slipway having being commissioned at its Yard GSL can now take up major repair jobs of ships in the dry dock area.
Three civilians were killed in Baramulla and Kupwara districts in different incidents by the terrorists. Exchange of Artillery and Mortar fire between India and Pak troops in Siachen has taken place and one Pak bunker was destroyed. In retaliatory fire by Indian troops in Kargil, Dras and Mushkan Sectors, two Pak soldiers were injured during similar exchange of fire in Punch Sector resulting in injury to three civilians due to Pak firing. Two terrorists each were killed in Punch district and Badgam district during encounters with Indian security forces.
Mohanlal plans public schools in collaboration with NRI businessman.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, June 11 Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is planning to start a chain of elite public schools in Kerala, in association with : Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Education Trust, New Delhi. Education is one of the major business in the state where the state government has recently allowed entry for more private players.
The star schools proposed to come up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kochi, will function as the franchisees of the Public School in New Delhi. Seafood exporter KC Babu, who is also a director of the upcoming Indiavision television channel of public works department minister Dr M.K. Muneer, NRI businessman Thomas Chandy (Kuwait), NRI businessman Mohammed Ashraf and former bureaucrat James Joseph are the other promoters of the venture.
The project envisages an investment of Rs 150 million in the initial phase. The trust has already acquired five acres each of land in Kozhikkode and Thiruvananthapuram for the proposed schools.
