Monthly Archives: December 2012

Nilgiris tour to take off today

Sports

Wise Wheels

It’s that time of the year when cycling enthusiasts eagerly look forward to sweat it out and pedal their way to conquer exciting destinations.
The fifth edition of Montra Tour of Nilgiris’ (TFN), the country’s longest cycling event, will be flagged off on Sunday from the Sullivan Police Hockey Grounds here.

Eighty-five cyclists, including eight women riders, will pedal to Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu and back over a period of eight days. They will tour Mysore, Madikeri, Sultanbathery in Kerala, Ooty and Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu, and Chamarajanagar. Their itinerary includes three wildlife sanctuaries – Bandipur in Karnataka, Wayanad in Kerala and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu.

Sridhar Pabbisetty, co-founder, TFN, said, “Today, we have people not just from around the country, but also from the world over taking part in the tour to test their endurance over these eight days under various conditions and take back a lot of fond memories. Through TFN, we hope to promote eco-tourism, an environmentally friendly way of travelling and a fun way to keep fit.”

This year, too, there will be a competitive section on certain climbs and flat courses. The cyclists will ride a distance of not more than 25-40 km on any day. The rest of the day’s ride will be non-competitive and can be ridden at one’s own pace, or with others, while indulging in the beauty of the landscape.

There are attractive gift hampers – sunglasses, roller bags, backpacks, bikes among others – lined up for the winners of the competitive lap.

Tour of Nilgiris tests not only the cycling skills of the riders, but also their physical and mental endurance to a great extent. “This time, we received over 400 applications, out of which only 85 were selected after a series of fitness screening procedures and tests. The event is one of the fun ways of promoting fitness, tourism and creating awareness on reducing carbon footprint,” said an official of TFN.

“I have been cycling for many years and hence decided to take part in TFN, which is a perfect platform for upcoming cyclists. I am looking forward to taking part in the event as I will get to check my capabilities while riding uphill and downhill,” said Anuja Jain, one of the participants.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Bangalore, DHNS / December 15th, 2012

Kabaddi: Chennai and Dindigul triumph

Sports

Chennai and Dindigul emerged as the men’s and women’s champions in the Chief Minister’s Trophy kabaddi tournament in Chennai.

The results: Semifinals league: Men: Thanjavur bt Madurai 21-16; Chennai bt Theni 18-14; Chennai bt Thanjavur 21-15; Madurai bt Theni 23-12; Theni bt Thanjavur 20-12; Chennai bt Madurai 7-5.

Women: Dindigul bt Erode 28-20; Madurai bt Chennai 35-20; Madurai bt Erode 33-13; Dindigul bt Chennai 32-15; Erode bt Chennai 22-19; Dindigul bt Madurai 21-20.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Sports> Other Sports / Chennai, December 16th, 2012

DRDO scientist selected for National Design Award

Records, All, Science & Technologies

Chennai, Dec 14 (PTI)

A city-based senior DRDO scientist has been selected for the prestigious ‘National Design Award 2012’ by the Institute of Engineers.

P Sivakumar is the Director of DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment in Avadi near here. The award will be conferred on him by the President of Institute of Engineers (India) in the presence of the President of India in a function in Delhi.

CVRDE is involved in the development of armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, automotive electronics among others.

Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / Home> News> Wire News / PTI / Friday, December 14th, 2012

PTI DSJ RC TRK

One hundred (and thirty) years of a Tamil firebrand

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders

 Subramanya Bharathi, a legend unto himself

Tamil poet Subramania Bharathi with his wife Chellamma.

Subramanya Bharathi is a phenomenon.

Over the last century, his words and his attitude came to redefine the identity of the Tamil-speaking world.

Not only was he a poet who transformed the genre, he was the first Tamil cartoonist, among the earliest short story writers in the language and an excellent journalist, who wrote for The Hindu and Swadesamitran simultaneously.

Even if one removed poetry from the equation, Bharathi’s contribution to Tamil prose and journalism would by itself define him as a legend. To commemorate his 130th birth anniversary, we spoke with three persons who have, in distinct ways, carried on his legacy. Like all poets after Bharathi, lyricist Vairamuthu has been influenced by his verses, often adopting his persona in person and on paper.

Filmmaker K. Balachander drew deeply from Bharathi’s social consciousness. His films, many of them trendsetters, explored themes of societal change and empowerment of women. For Rajkumar Bharathi, the poet’s great-grandson, the legacy was more of a challenge. He embraced and transcended it by giving ardent devotees of Bharathi something priceless – songs, in tunes the poet had composed.K. Balachander

The history of Tamils can be split into ‘before Bharathi’ and ‘after Bharathi’. Such is the impact of that poet. Bharathi is my superhero. As a boy, I was awestruck by his patriotism, devotion, active social awareness. The effect he had on me percolated into my cinema.

The strength and refreshing pride my women characters portrayed were imbued from his verses. Poverty never mellowed his fire or dampened his ideals. His used his words as weapons against injustices. Bharathi is needed now more than ever. As corruption and avarice run riot, who among us does not wish he were with us?

For a video, go to http://thne.ws/bharathi- balachander

 

Vairamuthu

A good poet draws inspiration and sustenance from the time or age he lives in. A great poet, a ‘Mahakavi’, transforms the time he lives in.

After Kamban, Tamil waited for 800 years for a void to be filled. Until Bharathi arrived, Tamil was a tool for entertainment, for mundane worship; it was a jumble of sound. Bharathi wielded it as a weapon against oppression, made it a language for the future, a conduit for development. With it, he transformed devotion into patriotism.

For a video, go to http://thne.ws/bharathi-vairamuthu

 

Rajkumar Bharathi

What is the ideal tribute to the indelible verses of Subramanya Bharathi? It is to understand, assimilate and put them to practice.

Today, there is palpable love for Bharathi, but a chasm still exists between society and his dreams for it. Until that chasm is bridged, there is no next step.

His sense of responsibility, his repeated call for love, for an undivided India, is relevant to this day.

He wielded the strongest pen for the uplift of women. I am lucky to have been born in this lineage.

As a boy, everyone glorified him and so did I. It was only over the last 10 or 15 years that I began to truly understand him.

The grandness of his vision, his impatience, his anxiety — I get that now. Bharathi was ahead of his times. He remains ahead of ours, too.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> TamilNadu / by Anand Venkateswaran / Chennai, December 12th, 2012

Solar-powered bus shelters opened in Tiruchi

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies

tapping alternate energy: (From left to right) MLAs M. Paranjothi and R. Manoharan, P. Kumar M.P., V.T. Dhandapani, Corporation Commissioner, and Collector Jayashree Muralidharan at the inaguration of solar-powered bus shellter at Karumanadapam on Saturday. / PHOTO:R.M. RAJARATHINAM. / The Hindu

MP sanctioned fund for about 21 modern bus shelters in the city

Two solar-powered bus shelters, established with funding from the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), were declared open by Collector Jayashree Muralidharan at Karumandapam on Saturday.

The Collector opened the shelters in the presence of P. Kumar, MP, who has sanctioned fund for about 21 modern bus shelters in the city under his MPLADS, M.Paranjothi and R.Manoharan, MLAs, and A. Jaya, Mayor.

The bus shelters are fitted with solar panels which will power the LED lights inside them, mobile phone charger, and FM radio.

RS. 4.50 LAKH EACH

The two shelters have been established at a cost of Rs.4.50 lakh each.

Each shelter has six chairs for commuters and the solar lighting system will have an automatic control mechanism.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> States> TamilNadu / by Special Correspondent / Tiruchi, December 09th, 2012

Kasthuri Sreenivasan Trust Silver Jubilee celebrations

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The Silver Jubilee year of the Kasthuri Sreenivasan Trust commenced on August 29. The celebrations that will formally begin on December 15 will go on till August next year, according to a release.

B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore Kendra, will be the chief guest. D. Sarath Chandran, managing trustee, Kasthuri Sreenivasan Trust, will preside. Tamilmagan, writer, will be the guest of honour and deliver the special address on modern Tamil literature. Ragupriya Musical Waves, Coimbatore, will perform a music concert.

An art exhibition will be held from December 15 to 23 from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Various painting workshops, artists’ camps, Kala mela, and competitions, will be held throughout the year.

For details, contact M. Kuppuraj, manager of the Trust on 0422-2574110.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Staff Reporter / December 09th, 2012

Red gram cultivation reintroduced in Ramnad

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologies

The Agriculture Department has reintroduced the cultivation of red gram, one of the major pulses, in this drought prone district after a gap of more than two decades.

MIXED CROP: Farmers transplanting red gram seedlings at RS Mangalam block in Ramanathapuram./  Photo: L. Balachandar / The Hindu

Red gram was cultivated in the district as a mixed crop with paddy in rain fed areas about 25 years ago and farmers gave up the cultivation after finding it non-remunerative. Since then, the cultivation of the pulse came to a nil, with farmers settling down for paddy cultivation.

As production of Red gram was witnessing a fall in recent years, Collector K. Nanthakumar had suggested the reintroduction of the crop, after which, the department has selected progressive farmers to cultivate the pulse as a pilot project on about 20 hectares, scattered in all the blocks in the district, Joint Director of Agriculture Ka. Sakthimohan told ‘The Hindu.’

“We have taken up Red gram cultivation on an experimental basis on two hectares each in the blocks, using latest technology and practice of raising nurseries and transplanting under the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP),” he said.

Discarding the direct sowing practice, the farmers have transplanted 35 to 40 days-old seedlings with a planting spacing of 5X3, significantly reducing the seed cost in the new method of cultivation. If 5 kg of seeds were required for direct sowing for a hectare, 2.2 kg of seeds were enough under the seedling transplantation method, he said.

The farmers have been advised to follow integrated nutrient, pest and water management for better yield, he said adding farmers are expected to get a yield of about 1.5 tonnes per hectare. Unlike the paddy crops, which required more water, three to four irrigation during the critical periods of growth-transplanting, flowering and pod-filling stages would be enough for Red gram, he said.

For achieving a good yield, the farmers have been asked to follow “earthing up” for supporting the plants and to avoid weeds. The farmers have also been asked to do nipping after 20 to 30 days after transplanting, which results in sprouting of secondary and tertiary branches, he said.

A farmer in R. S. Mangalam block, who started Red gram cultivation, assisted by the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) said he has transplanted 500 seedlings in a hectare and expected a yield of 1 to 3 kg per plant and an overall yield of 1 to 1.5 tonnes per hectare.

Z Kamaldeen, Assistant Director of Agriculture, R.S.Mangalam block, described Red gram as an apt crop for rain-fed areas and best suited for this district. Unlike the ‘water loving’ paddy, Red gram consumed minimum water. The crop would also require only minimum fertilizer and the farmers could earn more revenue with less investment, he said.

More farmers would be encouraged to take up Red gram cultivation in this block as they could rotate the crop throughout the year and ensure sustainable income, he said. Self Help Groups would be involved in raising seedlings, he added. The foliage could be used to feed cattle, he added.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> TamilNadu / by Special Correspondent / Ramanathapuram, December 05th, 2012

Corporation dishes out siddha food

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

Chennai :

Chennai Corporation’s canteen has gone herbal. Providing a haunt for the city’s health conscious, it now follows the motto ‘food is medicine and medicine is food’. Making the whole package at Ripon Buildings even more mouth-watering is the subsidized pricing.

The menu boasts of traditional south Indian food items which have been given a twist with some exotic medicinal plants and herbs. The canteen serves avarampoo (Cassia auriculata) idli, avarampoo dosa, tail millet idli, mudakathan keerai (balloon vine) dosa and thoothuvalai (purple-fruited pea eggplant) dosa. “The avaram flower prevents diabetes. Eating it once a week in any form will reduce the sugar levels in your body, ” says Dr Veerababu, who runs the canteen.

Kezhvaragu dosa and manathakkali dosa are the other specialities. “Manathakkali cures stomach ulcers. Thoothuvalai prevents phlegm formation in thebody,thus preventing cold and cough,” reads a poster in the canteen. The canteen also serves herbal tea, herbal soups, juices and ginger buttermilk.

However, the one dish that caught everyone’s attention was the vegetarian omelette. “This helps people who have recently turned to vegetarianism or veganism,” says Dr Veerababu.”Itis madeof neermulli which has the properties of egg. The mixture is beaten with vegetables on a pan and made into an omelette,” he says.

Every one may like the pricing. The idlis are priced between 2 and 5, paniyarams, omelette anddosas at 5 and meals at 15.”The aim is to draw daily wage labourers to eat healthy foodinsteadof cholesterol-ridden food from unhygienic stalls,” said a corporation official. The idea to set up a siddha food canteen struck the mayor when he opened Dr Veerababu’s siddha food restaurant in Saligramam six months ago. While the canteen drew huge crowds on Wednesday, some remained sceptical about the venture.

“Eating healthy food is alright once a week, but we would want to eat plain dosa and idli daily. These don’t appear on the menu,” said a staff member. A counter outside the canteen also sells banyan branches to clean teeth.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Chennai / by Pratiksha RamKumar, TNN / December 06th, 2012

2-day workshop on ‘writing scientific papers for publication’ held at SRM university prior to 64 th IPC

Education, Science & Technologies

More than 100 post-graduate students and research scholars of various  branches of pharmacy from different parts of the country attended the two- day pre-conference workshop on ‘writing scientific papers for publication’ conducted at the SRM university on December 5 and 6, prior to the 64 th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) in Chennai.

Hosted by the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association, this scientific workshop addressed the research scholars’ questions about scientific writing and trained them how to disseminate information about scientific work carried out by them for effective scientific publication.

“We teach good scientific communications about how to write a scientific paper fit for publication. The workshop will help the students to steer away from possible plagiarism while engaging in scientific writing. Training is provided for practising correct and standard referencing methods, following methods of literary survey and statistical tools that can be employed in their medical and pharmaceutical research,” said Dr Jerald Suresh, chairman of the pre-conference workshop.

He said unless the student knows what has been happening in the field of research, he will not have a clear vision about how to approach a problem in an innovative manner. So the focus of the workshop was to equip the students for research work and scientific writing. The ethical issues concerning plagiarism or copying of someone else’ work have been discussed in detail in the sessions. He said this is the third time a pre-conference workshop was held along with the IPC.

Speakers from US FDA, Auckland and from research institutes in myriad places in the country delivered lectures on how to prepare scientific papers on different branches of pharmacy such as pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacognosy and pharmacy practice.

Like the three ‘R’s for basic education, the pre-conference workshop was also supposed to explain the three ‘R’s for a scientific writing, which are the keys to getting started in research. They are Reading & Writing, Reckoning & Figuring and Wroughting (converting) and wrighting (manufacturing). The scientific workshop has close reference to the three ‘R’s of publishing of research papers, Dr Jerald Suresh told Pharmabiz.

The students represented 25 pharmacy colleges from various parts of the country and twenty delegates represented various industrial units. There was a panel discussion at the end of the second day.

G Selvaraju, director of drugs control department in Tamil Nadu, inaugurated the workshop on December 5.

source: http://www.Pharmabiz.com / Home> TopNews> Events / by Pharmabiz.com Bureau, Chennai / Friday, December 07th, 2012

Strings of harmony

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lalitha and Nandini. / Photo: S. R. Raghunathan / The Hindu

At Nandi Fine Arts: Lalitha and Nandini burnished every swara with plenty of soul.

Meticulous planning, comfort zone playing and best choice of kritis made the violin duet of Lalitha-Nandini, at Sastri Hall, Mylapore, for Nandi Fine Arts enjoyable. It was gratifying to note that in between their musical expeditions of different genres, the sisters also provide space for tradition-bound playing to the pleasure of connoisseurs.

The Surutti varnam added extra sheen to the concert as the siblings burnished every swara with plenty of soul. Papanasam Sivan’s ‘Gajavadana’ in Sriranjani with swara suites opened up the unlimited shades of the beautiful raga. Latangi was developed by both, emphasising its vivacity.

Chiselled phrasings

Patnam Subramanya Iyer’s ‘Aparadamula’ and their expansion on ‘Kripa Jesina’ with niraval and swarams was testimony to their strong base in the classical idiom. The Kharaharapriya raga treatise for Tyagaraja’s evergreen ‘Chakkani Raja’ was approached by Lalitha with veneration; she built it up with carefully chiselled phrasings. The kriti was rendered at a leisurely pace to provide enough importance for the swaras at ‘Kantiki Sundara.’ The spirit with which the sisters exchanged swara sallies added weight to the rendition.

On the lighter side, the duo played a rare composition of Muthiah Bhagavatar in the unusual raga, Buddha Manohari, ‘Om Namo Narayana’ of Ambujam Krishna in Karna Ranjani and a javali as a tribute to Brinda Amma.

S. Sridharan on the mridangam and G. Ravichandran on the ghatam kept rhythm with the right perspective. Their thani was energetic.

(During the December Season, the sabhas vie with each other getting artists and conducting programmes. But, it would help the audience if the organisers show equal interest in sprucing up the auditorums. Sastri Hall’s ceiling is peeling off and this scribe had to shift to three different locations to protect himself from the dripping of water from the open gaps in the ceiling.)

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Arts> M usic / by G. Swaminathan / Chennai, December 06th, 2012