Monthly Archives: September 2013

Looks tough, serves sweet

September 7, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

Dinesh Soni's lassi shop on Mint street / . Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu — Dinesh Soni’s lassi shop on Mint street / . Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu

His rugged physique has earned Dinesh Soni the moniker ‘Sowcarpet don’. But the former wrestler spreads sweetness through his lassi shop, says Vipasha Sinha

Everybody in Sowcarpet seems to know Dinesh Soni. He acknowledges everyone as he arrives at his shop on 343 Mint Street – Anmol Mohit Lassi.

A food stall owner introduces him jokingly as ‘Sowcarpet’s Don.’ As he has a daunting physique, rugged looks and rides a massive bike, I almost believed it. It’s his punch dialogue that breaks the awkward silence. He says, “Jab jab garmi ne mara hai, Anmol Mohit chaanch aur lassi ne sanwara hai (whenever the heat kills, Anmol Mahit buttermilk and lassi comes to the rescue).”

“I am a wrestler-turned-lassi walla,” he explains his rugged look.

He has named his shop after his son Mohit and his friend’s daughter Anmol, whom he treats like his own. Dinesh was born in Chennai but moved to Rajasthan for a few years, where he fought as a professional wrester. “After a point, my body gave up and my career came to an end. I had to support my family. I came back to Chennai and started this business. I have been selling my speciality, kesar lassi, for the past 21 years,” says Dinesh, who hails from a family of goldsmiths.

The reason he chose to venture into this business was to give the city, which is known for its hot summer, a taste of cool Indian drink. “My lassi is different from the ones that usually sell here. This is the reason why I have all kinds of customers come here regularly. Also, a wholesome glass of lassi provides my customers with the energy to keep them going through the day,” he says.

Apart from lassi, he also sells Mohit shampoo and hair oil, which he claims can cure all problems. But lassi will always be his first love. He hopes his son Mohit will join the business after he finishes engineering. “Ask anyone about Anmol Mohit lassi, and he will show the way to my shop. This is the brand I have built for years.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Down Town / by Vipasha Sinha / Chennai – August 24th, 2013

US national engineering body elects Indian-American

September 6, 2013Business & Economy, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technologiesadmin

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) has elected an Indian-American as its zonal Secretary/treasurer.

Sockalingam Sam Kannappan, Chairman of Enforcement Committee of Texas PE Board, was elected Secretary and Treasurer of Southern Zone (SZ). South Zone has 18 boards under its control.

NCEES is the American National Professional Engineers (PE) Board coordinating 50 national PE Boards, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Engineering organisations from Canada , Mexico, Japan and other countries work with NCEES.

NCEES conducts examination for fundamental (FE) and Professional Examination (PE) through four zones.

Kannappan is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas with 25 years of experience in design, analysis, and software development for the petrochemical, refinery, and pipeline industries. He graduated with Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Kannappan is a native of Nattarasankottai in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> International> News / by Press Trust of India / New York – August 28th, 2013

Serving success from a court in Kovai

September 6, 2013Amazing Feats, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Coimbatore :

Nirupama Vaidyanathan Sanjeev, one of India’s finest tennis players ever, still remembers that afternoon two decades ago in Japan when she lost a match from a winning position. She was done in by a sudden spell of cold weather. “I was totally unprepared as I was facing the extreme cold after coming from Chennai where the temperature was 42 degree. Internet was not so prevalent then for me to check the temperature level before leaving for Japan. The temperature there was sub-zero and I had just a light jacket,” said Nirupama, who was at her parents’ home in Race Course in Coimbatore on Wednesday, after releasing her memoirs, ‘The Moonballer’, in Chennai on Tuesday.

Presently settled in the US with husband and daughter, Nirupama calls Coimbatore her home, the city where her self-trained father taught her to play tennis. It was the Cosmopolitan Club at Race Course where she served and volleyed first. At Perks Matriculation School, she learned to be a winner. “The atmosphere at the school helped me a lot to hone my skills when I was a student there in the early 1990s”, she says.

Her father was her first coach. “I was from a modest background with no sponsors. It was my father’s effort that made me India’s number 1 tennis player at the age of 14 and the first Indian woman ever to win a round in a Grand Slam tournament,” she said.

Though tennis has a long history in India, women have had an insignificant presence. The Krishnans and the Amrithraj brothers at their peak figured in the top 25 ranks. The men did well in Davis Cup. So, when Nirupama started winning international matches, she was breaking new ground. “At a time when no one knew of professional Indian women tennis players, I ventured into this uncharted territory and scripted a path for youngsters to follow. I represented the country in SAF Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the Sydney Olympics apart from the Federation Cup. I have penned the book to inspire girls to take up tennis,” she said. Like Nirupama, her daughter Sahana, 7, too wants to play tennis at the international level.

The title of Nirupama’s book recalls her modest beginning. “I had beaten the best in India with the Moonball style,” she said. “I realised that I had a lot of stories to tell. The attempt is to inspire youngsters that where there is a will, there is a way,” she adds.

Cherishing her formative years as a budding tennis player in Coimbatore, Nirupama credits Perks Matriculation School for making her a winner. “The school’s impact on my sporting career is irrefutable. I joined Perks in February 1991, and in March 1991, I won the national women’s title,” she said.

“The Moonballer’, Nirupama says, is just the beginning. “My next book will be on parenting a Wimbledon champion and it will be a step-by-step guide for both the parents as well as the aspirants,” she said. Right from choosing a tennis racquet to identifying the right coach, she says the book will break down the entire process of becoming a winner into simple steps.

She should know. For the past eight years, Nirupama has been running Nirus Tennis Academy in the US with her brother, K V Ganesh. “It is a revealing experience to be a coach and many of my students are playing at university levels in the US,” she said. And, she continues to follow the scene in India. “A couple of players in India are doing ok, but the real problem is the difficulty in conceiving a team beyond them,” she says. For that, she thinks, more people needs to take up tennis or the game needs to be made more accessible to the public.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by TNN / August 08th, 2013

HIDDEN HISTORIES : To sing like Mastan Sahib

September 5, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Mastan Sahib’s dargah in Royapuram./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Mastan Sahib’s songs greatly enriched Tamil poetry, in particular the Islamic genre.

That is a wish expressed in a film song. Ever since then, the musical mystic has intrigued me. Planning for a heritage tour of Royapuram, Karthik Bhatt and I are standing in front of the Rajah Sir Savalai Ramaswami Mudaliar Lying in Hospital. We have been told by our good friend Anwar that the Kunangudi Mastan Sahib Dargah is nearby. After asking around quite a bit, we go into Raman (earlier Rama Naicken) Street. It is a thoroughfare of indescribable filth but we trudge along.

We cross a St Mary’s School. The next big landmark is the Renukadevi temple. We pause to ask again and are told we have crossed the dargah. We retrace our steps to find it in a vast, unkempt compound. But once inside, it is a haven of peace and remarkably clean. The structure is simple; a verandah with rounded pillars fronts a vestibule behind which, are chambers with sepulchres. The principal one, facing the entrance, is that of Kunangudi Mastan. On either side are those of his disciples – Pulavar Nayagangal (Hazrath Sheikh Abdul Qadir), Hazrath Qadir Mastan Sahib, Madhar Bibi and Hazrath Ibrahim Sahib.

Kunangudi Mastan Sahib, who was given that name owing to his ever being steeped in spiritual bliss, is believed to have lived between 1792 and 1838. Born at Kunangudi near Thondi in Ramanathapuram district, he was named Sultan Abdul Qadir at birth. His parents, Nainar Mohammed and Fathima Bibi were wealthy but the son chose to give it all up, seeking the supreme truth. He became a Sufi, taking to the Qadariya order. His love for God he expressed in the form of songs. To him, God was the beloved and in some of the songs, in keeping with the Sufi tradition, he depicts the supreme being as feminine.

Songs of his songs such as ‘Manonmani Kanni’ and ‘Rehman Kanni’ could have been the inspiration for Subramania Bharati in depicting God as his Kannamma. Mastan Sahib’s songs greatly enriched Tamil poetry, in particular the Islamic genre. The 20th century veena artiste VS Gomathisankara Iyer even set them to Carnatic tunes, making them suitable for concerts. A compilation was published by Professor Abul Rahman in 1980.

At the dargah, an aged servitor welcomes us in. We pray in silence and just as we are leaving, are asked if we saw the subterranean chamber. An opening in one corner of Mastan Sahib’s shrine accesses this. You need to crawl and then literally fall into it. The space, where you can only squat, can accommodate just about two people. Mastan Sahib is said to have meditated there. Local legend has it that it was once an underground passage leading to Tondiarpet. It is believed that Mastan Sahib was referred to as Tondiar owing to his having come from Thondi. The area of Tondiarpet is therefore said to be named after him.

Despite the squalid surroundings, and the difficulties in getting there, Mastan Sahib’s dargah is well worth a visit.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Hidden Histories / by Sriram V / September 03rd, 2013

City researcher identifies raft of medicinal plants

September 5, 2013Green Initiatives/ Environment, Natureadmin

Senkaanthal flower, the State flower is one of the important medicinal plants found in the forests within the city./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

The forest tracts around Chennai abound in herbs that were once commonly used to treat medical conditions. P. Oppili reports

Beyond the Guindy National Park (GNP), the IIT-M campus and Nanmangalam forest, the city has forested tracts that support around 30 species of plants known for their medicinal values. N. Muthu Karthick, a researcher with CareEarth, a Chennai-based biodiversity organisation, has identified these plants. And his research has brought surprising facts to light. For example, these plants were commonly used in the day-to-day diet.

Cissus Quadrangularis / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Over 100 species of medicinal plants were found at Trisoolam hills, Vandalur Reserved Forest, Unamancheri and other forest tracts in and around Chennai. Those who stayed near these forest areas utilised the medicinal plants for minor ailments, skin allergies and common infections.

D. Narasimhan, Associate Professor, Botany Department, Madras Christian College, Tambaram, said 60 per cent of the flora found in the city were said to contain medicinal properties in them.

Cleisanthus Collinus / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Primary Health Centres (PHC) in the city had a Siddha medical practitioner, who used to prescribe extracts from these plants for simple ailments.

Apart from a Siddha clinic, the civic authorities also created medicinal plant gardens within the PHCs, he said. P. Sudhakar of CPR Environmental Education Centre, who studied the flora in the parks in the city said about 50 per cent of flora in the public parks were ornamental flowers, while another 50 per cent were medicinal plants. Apart from this, a 28 per cent of weeds were also found in the parks.

The study revealed that the weeds also contained medicinal properties, Sudhakar added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> DownTown / by P.Oppli / Chennai – August 12th, 2013

Manufacturing can transform India: APJ Abdul Kalam

September 5, 2013Business & Economy, Leaders, Science & Technologiesadmin

Gurgaon:

Former president APJ Abdul Kalam Tuesday highlighted the critical importance of manufacturing and technology in transforming India into a developed nation.

India is witnessing a wave of growth in manufacturing after its decline in the late 1990s. The current surge in the sector is touted to be much more promising than the first wave. But as this is slated to be more skills-intensive, technology and innovation would play a crucial role, Kalam said.

He was speaking before engineers and industry leaders on the role of manufacturing in India’s transformation to a developed nation at the Rockwell Automation On the Move 2013 (RAOTM-2013) exposition-cum-conference here.

Kalam outlined how the phenomenon of sustainable competitiveness, convergence of technologies and culture of excellence had assumed a pivotal role and stressed the need for creative leadership and ethical practices.

Industry leaders like Dilip Sawhney, regional director of Rockwell, said India was well poised to take advantage of this shift.

Frank Kulaszewicz, senior vice president, RA Global Operations, said Rockwell was focused on the biggest emerging markets such as India where there was a rapid growth due to the increased rate of urbanization and this had opened huge prospects for Rockwell’s products and solutions.

“Rockwell expects 60 per cent of its global revenues to flow from non-US markets, especially the emerging markets, by 2013-14,” he said.

Tom O’ Reilly, president, Asia-Pacific, Rockwell Automation, said the US-based company planned to put in some investments in the Research and Development sector and expand its tie-up with partners as India has “an immense potential in the industrial automation market”.

IANS

source: http://www.zeenews.india.com / Zee News / Home> Sci-Tech> Science / Tuesday – August 13th, 2013

FM inaugurates Indian Overseas Bank’s 3000th branch

September 4, 2013Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Chennai :

The 3,000th branch of public sector Indian Overseas Bank was inaugurated in Tamil Nadu by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

The branch, which is the 1,063rd in the state, was inaugurated at Vaniangudi in Sivaganga district, a bank statement said.

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> Banking> Collections> Tamil Nadu / by PTI / August 17th, 013

15th century paintings found hidden in Tiruvarur temple

September 4, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independenceadmin

A painting depicting Narada found inside Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple at Nallur village in Tiruvarur district | Express

Rare paintings of the Vijayanagar period, said to be date between the 15th and 16th century were discovered in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple recently.

The paintings came to light when renovation works in the Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar temple in Nallur village of Tiruvarur district was taken up ahead of the Maha Kumbabisekam of the temple, slated for August 30.

Kudvayil Balasubramanian, noted historian and archaeologist, who was informed about the historic find, visited the temple and made a study on the painting.

Based on his analysis, he said the temple is located near the ancient city of Pazhayarai, the capital city of Cholas. He also said the temple finds specific mention in the hagiographies of Tirunavukkarasar and Amarniti Nayanar. There was evidence to show the temple was renovated and consecrated by Chola queen Sembian Mahadevi.

The paintings in the sanctum sanctorum were done during the period of the Vijayanagara kings. Though many of the paintings have faded, four figures are still clearly visible, Kudvayil Balasubramanian said.

The paintings depict Naradar who plays Veena, an artiste who keeps a pair of cymbals and child Skanda holding the lotus flower. The paintings have been done with natural colours. He also appealed to the authorities that these paintings should be preserved, as they are vital to write the history of the paintings of Tamil Nadu.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service – Thanjavur / August 19th, 2013

MADRAS 374 – College of Engineering, Guindy, a 219-year journey

September 4, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, Alladmin

The College of Engineering moved to its current location in 1920 / Photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu

Unlike many heritage buildings in the city, the stately, yet functional arches and corridors of the college do not seem like an anachronism

Unlike many heritage buildings in the city, the stately, yet functional arches and corridors of the College of Engineering, Guindy do not seem like an anachronism. The rectangular scarlet structure of one of the country’s oldest technical institute effectively encases not just an architecturally fine courtyard and corridors, but also the evolution of technical education in the city.

On a brisk Monday morning, this busy institution, it seemed, had no time for nostalgia. Under the high ceilings, and arched passageways, students huddled in groups with books, and professors stood on pedestals in classrooms naturally lit by the spacious windows.

What started as a survey school with eight students in 1794 at Fort St. George, shifted to several campuses including Kalas Mahal in Chepauk before moving to its current premises on what is today the Anna University campus in 1920, according to ‘Glimpses of 200 years of history of the College of Engineering, Guindy’ by Er. C.S. Kuppuraj. Today, nearly 10,000, students study here, said dean, C. Chellappan. The original survey school became a civil engineering school, civil engineering college and an engineering college before becoming the College of Engineering, Guindy.

The active alumni of the college take heart in the fact that the main building still retains its heritage character. B. Karunakaran, secretary, Alumni Association, College of Engineering Guindy who passed out in 1969, said that as students, they loved the spacious campus. A lot of things have changed too, he noted. “For instance, there was only one girl in my batch. Now, of course the ratio has drastically changed,” he said.

Mr. Chellappan, said that maintaining the heritage nature of the building was a top priority and they planned to convert the clock tower into a heritage centre. “The college has a rich history and has produced notable alumni. We want to showcase the evolution of the college to the students,” he said.

82-year old N. T. Swaminathan, who passed out in 1955, said the clock tower was the main time-keeper for students. “Few wore watches and when we heard the bell toll, we rushed to class, which began at 7 am. Back then, there was a tennis court very close to the main building. As it was far away from the city, it used to be calm and green,” he recalled.

“The masonry arches, interspersed with stone and brick, are identical. Even with modern equipment, it would be difficult to construct something similar.,” said M. Sekar, former dean and president of the alumni association.

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source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Asha Sridhar / Chennai – August 20th, 2013

MADRAS 374- A taste of Madras in curry powder

September 3, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

Madras curry powder -- Photo: Apoorva Sripathi / The Hindu — Madras curry powder — Photo: Apoorva Sripathi / The Hindu

Who would’ve imagined Madras curry powder would eventually turn out to be one of England’s best-loved spice mixes?

Comprising humble ingredients such as turmeric, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fenugreek, black pepper, red chillies and others, the spice blend first travelled all the way to London from Fort St. George in Madras.

According to ‘Notes from Madras’ by Arthur Robert K. Wyvern, Madras curry powder (as well as mulligatawny paste) was ﬁrst sold by Barrie’s in Leicester Square. By corollary, any dish that included the above-mentioned curry powder was duly named as ‘Madras’ something.

In the 1890s, P.V. Condiments’ brand of curry powder became famous in England thanks to a Mr. Sharwood. So famous that even the Buckingham Palace purchased it from them.

Believed to have originated from the Tamil word kari meaning sauce or relish, the frangrant Madars curry powder now has many variations.