PLACES IN NEWS
Mysore tops in Swachh Bharat rankings
Mysore in Karnataka has topped the Swachh Bharat rankings of 476 cities in the country based on the extent of open defecation and solid waste management practices.Mysore leads the pack with minimal open defecation and extensive adoption of solid waste management practices, followed by Tiruchi (Tamil Nadu), Navi Mumbai, Kochi (Kerala), Hassan, Mandya and Bengaluru from Karnataka, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Halisahar (West Bengal) and Gangtok (Sikkim) in that order.
Kochi became first Indian city to join World Tourism Cities Federation Council
Kochi on 10 August 2015 became the first Indian city to be a member of Beijing headquartered World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Council and join its league of leading tourism cities across the world. The invitation to Kochi to be the member of the council was sent to Kerala Tourism Department by WTCF, which was formally accepted by the department. The membership acceptance document was handed over to Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng by the Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany.
Taj Mahal becomes the first Monument to join Twitter:
One of the wonders of the world, Taj Mahal became the first monument in the world to join the Twitter. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched the Tag # My TajMemory on 15th August, 2015 to invite lovers of Taj Mahal to share their best Taj Moments. Akhilesh was the first person to upload a picture of his Taj Moments. The Taj handle had generated over 2,500 followers within 3hours of the launch.
International “Fine cup of Coffee” award for Vishaka Agency Coffee estates
The “Arabica” coffee of Minumuluru estates belongs to Vishaka agency won the International “Fine cup of Coffee” award for the year 2014-15. This is the sixth award for this coffee from 2003. In 2010 this coffee won the “Flower of Indian Coffee” award.In Vishaka agency two types of Coffee are present called “kaveri”&”Arabica”.
Cochin airport becomes world’s first to completely operate on solar power
Cochin International airport has become the world’s first airport to be powered completely by solar energy.Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on 18 August 2015 inaugurated a 12 MW solar power plant at the airport. The plant comprising 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres in the cargo complex will enable Cochin airport to have 50,000 to 60,000 units of solar electricity every day for its operations.