Many industrialized nations have houses constructed on stilts, pilings, or piers near rivers, lakes, and the sea. And now, Kerala has set a precedent in this area by constructing 32 houses on concrete pillars in the flood-ravaged Upper Kuttanad hamlet of Kadapra in Thiruvalla district. The government has offered financial assistance to the families who will live in these stilt homes. Stilt houses are popular in tropical climates because they allow for more ventilation and reduce the risk of flooding. They're also easier to repair or replace if needed. In fact, many Caribbean islands are built completely on stilts because there's often no room for growth otherwise! Kerala got its start as a British colony and remains largely Anglicized with some traditions from other religions too. Thus, you'll find religious symbols everywhere in public view - land mines under some roads to protect them from angry mobs during Hindu festivals, for example. You may have also heard about the “kalari chop” - where chefs cut across the knuckle of a young boy who works at a cooking school in south India. This practice is used to determine his future career as a chef and help him develop dexterity. It has been discontinued due to safety concerns but it used to be quite common in years past.