Water Literacy and Urban Safety: Alankode Leelakrishnan Highlights Key Challenges as a part of the 30th Edition of Asset Homes Beyond Square Feet (BSF) Lecture Series

Water literacy is the need of the hour, as studies indicate that the number of people without access to drinking water will rise significantly by 2030, said environmental activist, poet, and lecturer Alankode Leelakrishnan. He was delivering a lecture at the KMA House in Kochi as part of the 30th edition of the Beyond Square Feet (BSF) lecture series organized by Asset Homes on the occasion of World Water Day. The lecture, titled Rivers, Mountains, Forests, also served as a tribute to renowned poet Vayalar Ramavarma, aligning with both World Water Day on March 22 and Vayalar’s birthday on March 25.

Leelakrishnan emphasized how Vayalar’s poetry captured the entire landscape of Kerala, portraying rain, rivers, lakes, ponds, temples, and seas with deep reverence. He highlighted that Vayalar was also a poet who translated Kalidasa’s poetic imagery into Malayalam in a way that resonated with common people. He recalled how his friend, lyricist Girish Puthenchery, once attempted to write about the Bharathapuzha River in the same spirit but humorously ended up writing Bharathapuzhayile Lorries instead of Bharathapuzhayile Olamangare after spending two days by the riverbank.

Alankode also shared an interesting anecdote about how he discovered a river mentioned in Vayalar’s song Pallatharuthiyaril. He stressed that if Kerala needs to be rediscovered, its geography is deeply embedded in Vayalar’s verses.

Safety in Multi-Storey Apartments: A Handbook Launched

Alongside the lecture, Asset Homes and Mathrubhumi.com jointly launched the second edition of Safety in Multi-Storey Apartments: A Complete Handbook. The online edition was released by Alankode Leelakrishnan in the presence of Mathrubhumi Marketing Solutions Head Naveen Srinivasan and Asset Homes Chief Engineer QEST Glisson George.

The handbook provides essential safety guidelines for residents of high-rise buildings, focusing on emergency preparedness, particularly in fire-related incidents. The initiative aims to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment by promoting simple yet crucial safety precautions.

The event was part of the 30th edition of Asset Homes’ Beyond Square Feet (BSF) lecture series. It was inaugurated by Sunil Kumar V Asset Homes Founder and Managing Director, Tony John CEO, Asset Homes along with Rotary Club Presidents Aju Jacob George (Cochin Harbour), Adv. Marian Paul (Cochin Midtown), Mukesh R Pillai (Cochin North), and Rajaram Sukumar (Cochin Mahanagar), who lit the ceremonial Bhadradeepam.

Featured in:

1. https://timeskerala.com/kerala/water-literacy-is-the-need-of-the-hour-alankode-leelakrishnan

2. https://www.mathrubhumi.com/money/products-and-services/asset-homes-book-release-1.10451682

3. https://keralatimes.com/2025/03/25/13187/

4. https://www.keralasabdam.in/news/alankode-leelakrishnan-says-water-literacy-is-the-need-of-the-hour/

5. https://www.mathrubhumi.com/videos/news-in-videos/asset-homes-book-release-1.10454107