Kuzhoor (Kerala), Jan 31: A Kerala village has made a cocktail of its hospitality with the traditional way of farming to attract more tourists, creating a heady concoction called ''Farm Tourism''.

With astounding scenic backwaters and breathtaking beauty, the "God's own country" is already one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. But Kerala also has lush green countryside that is being promoted as the latest attraction.

Kochi (Kerala), Jan. 25 : An elephant that fell into a muddy swamp at Thevara on Friday midnight near Kochi was rescued on Saturday night after 24 hours of rigorous rescue operations and concerted efforts by elephant enthusiasts, owners and rescue teams led by the Fire and Rescue Service.

It was probably be the toughest day in the life of rescuers and the worst for the mighty 23 year old tusker Vishnu Narayanan, which got trapped in a marshy land in between the mangroves after being hit by a car on Friday midnight.

Ottappalam (Kerala), Jan. 22 : At a time when people yearn for peace and communal harmony all around, a special film based on the principles of Saint and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru of Kerala is being made here.

Yugapurushan's first shooting has started in Kerala's Palakkad district.

Director R. Sukumaran''s multi-starrer ''Yugapurushan'', a film based on the life and times of Guru (1856-1928), a prophet, saint, sage and social reformer of Kerala, will be shot at various places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Srilanka.

Kochi, Jan 19 : Veteran CPI (M) leader E Balanandan died at a private hospital here on Monday morning. He was 84 and ailing for sometime.

He was admitted to a hospital following breathing problems last Friday.

E. Balanandan had been a member of the CPI (M)''s politburo since 1978. He initiated his political career in the Indian National Congress, but he later joined the CPI, and then the CPI (M).

From 1967 to 1977, he was a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. In 1980, he was elected for a four-year term to Lok Sabha.

He did not get a second term, but was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1988 and 1994.

Kanjikode (Kerala), Jan 14 : Hundreds of residents of Kanjikode village in Kerala staged a protest against a proposed rail coach factory by acquiring their lands.

The agitated villagers also warned the State Government of Kerala and the Central Government that they would organise a massive protest and even commit suicide on the day when the authorities intend to lay the foundation stone for this factory.

Earlier, a technical team of Railway had inspected the proposed site and granted its green signal.

Further, the Railway Board has also approved the proposed rail coach factory spread over 900 acres near the Gramalakshmi Mudralayam in Kanjikode.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan. 2 : A five-day food festival was held here to propagate the culinary traditions of the State.

It aimed to resist the organised corporate moves against the traditional food habits and agricultural practices.

The governmental and the non-governmental institutions came together to hold the first National Food and Agro Bio Diversity Festival here from December 27 to 31.

The fest was a celebration of ethnic food traditions and agricultural biodiversity that emphasised the delicate correlation between food diversity and health.