Monetizing Kanakakunnu Premises

 

Rock Pond ( Earthy design, well made)

Glass flourish after rains

I want to walk on the grass!

Pay & Cross the Life 

This spot ( Kanakakunnu Palace) in Trivandrum is popular with morning walkers, wanderers, lovers and tourists.  Apart from being a socializing or meeting place, it's a has two open air auditorium where govt programs and private shows are conducted.. 

One of my first memory of visiting this area is for rose flower shows, book fest and also rock show  by Remo Fernandez and similar other music festival at Nishagandi auditorium. One more event is the talk by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar here. 

With the recent rains the who slope around Kanakakunnu place looks like someone has spread a large green carpet. 



Coming to the main Point of this Blog - Monetizing Public Space

As you can see the pics taken at Kanakakunnu, there are rope tied in certain sections of the property to restrict people. It includes entry into Kanakakunnu palace, and lawn area. The palace building is seen closed most of the time, except during certain events. The grass slopes are protected to stop people from trampled over.

Now, my question is this - is there a better way to utilize the space than a blanket no entry sign🚫?. Signs boards like these are typical govt rules - which are not meant to be broken nor questioned! But, I'm here to break the rules with a purpose.

So, this is my humble intention? The whole idea is to find ways to make money for the Govt. So, how is it possible?

Here's to the Public - Use this space for a FEE - Pay to walk on the Grass 

What if public could cross this line, walk on the grass on run around and enjoy the feel of grass or just sit there for an hour for a fee. Let's say Rs 500 or Rs 1000 for an hour to enjoy this space!

Here are the options people can choose to use the lawns!

- Provide a mat on the green patch so that people can sit and enjoy coffee and snacks. Haven't  you seen pics of family members having snacks and tea/juice in a park. Something of that sort can be provided. A picnic basket with eatables, family sitting on a carpet, sharing some quality time being out in the open space.

- People can just choose to read a book or listen to music or just meditate 

- Walk around barefoot to enjoy the feel of grass 

- Set a table or set a camera to take video in this spot ( YouTubers or Vloggers)

- Wedding photo-shoot on the green turf. Probably, a backdrop can be given 

- Meeting ( Couple of chairs or teapoy with coffee). Nature clubs, or startup meeting, or just old boys meet, or card game, or chess on the green turf 


Govt Needs Money for Maintenance and Upkeep and Public Safety 

Why should we monetize such spots:

What I'm suggesting here is simple. The money from renting can be used to improve many things around:

1. Buy lawn mover to trim the grass and make it neat. 
2. Money to make dust bins and pay for a person to collect plastic bottles 
3. Install more camera surveillance and better facility 
4.  Additional incentive for employees which they receive 
5. Set up a koi fish tank in the rock pond ( Won't it be lovely to see)
6. Money to buy electric vehicles which senior people can hire to drive this area
7. Maintain a clean loo at different spots and hire a cleaner 

Well, there are many more things which money can be used. I'm just listing out few? 

Show Useful Information Clearly 

Most public spots have boards which shows NO ENTRY, but they hardly have a sign board or plaque to tell visitors about the history or story about the place. Moreover, it would be great if there're simple boards to show how to rent the spot, whom to pay, where to pay and who's in charge. And, more importantly what are the rules, what are the facilities offered, etc.

Or just imagine, there are smart digital boards which show information in many languages.
The information could be about the place, who started it, what all kinds of renovations were done, etc. Btw, where can I find more details about how constructed this red color Kanakakunnu? How did it look in the 50, 60's or 70's or 80's. Who 


Will my appeal work?

Yes and NO! It all depends who sees my message. From my hunch, it hardly work as most people who work in these departments are already neck deep in some kind of work. So, they would think, why should I chase behind something which is not my job! Moreover, this is not something my boss has told me to do.

Despite all the things, it's my job is just to write the thing that came across my mind. I'll be taking a print of this and will be sending it to couple of random people in the Govt sector. I'm not sure if I will get a reply. However, I''ll do my part.

Thanks!

Charles 

Btw- also keep a board on how people can hire Nishagandhi or Suryagandhi space for conducting an event. What will be the cost? Whom to contact? A QR code with which links to more information will be beneficial. What say? 
So, far I haven't seen any thing which provides any information about it, nor a plaque which says about the history of Kanakankunnu and the ongoing efforts to improve the looks of this place. Also, from what what timing it's open and till when?

Do we need an information Officer to do this? Or just any employee can facilitate this?

Koi Fish Rocky Pond ( Add similar to Kannakakunnu palace)