Collector R Nanthagopal while inaugurating a 25-day training programme for a group of entrepreneurs, who have been selected to receive financial assistance under the New Entrepreneur-Cum-Enterprise Development Scheme (NEEDS) launched by the State, on Wednesday at the VIT university campus urged the beneficiaries to emerge as job givers and not job seekers. The training programme was jointly organized by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute(EDI) Chennai and the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development and Research Studies attached to the VIT Business School and sponsored by the Department of Industries and Commerce.
The Collector said noted that Vellore being a backward district, the entrepreneurial activities would boost the rural economy. “There are many farm hands and you can employ them and contribute towards the welfare of society,” he said. He also urged the participants to make use of the resources provided by the State. “Translate your ideas into projects under this scheme which is also a dream project of the TN Chief Minister,” he said.
The EDI coordinator R V Subramanian spoke on the salient features of the NEEDS, the subsidy and components besides talking about bank loans and other incentives of the scheme.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service – Vellore / November 07th, 2013
Norwegian chess wizard Magnus Carlsen, who is here to challenge world champion Viswanathan Anand of India in the FIDE World Chess Championship starting tomorrow, is feeling very much at home in the city.
Carlsen has been spending most of his time relaxing by the poolside at Vivanta by Taj – Fishermen`s Cove, a hotel on the scenic East Coast Road, except for his occasional games of volleyball, tennis and badminton in the last two days.
Ever since his arrival at the hotel on Monday, where he was welcomed with a garland made of shells, the 22-year-old Norwegian was curious about every Indian tradition he came across, according to the hotel staff.
Staying in a comfortable sea facing cottage, the young chess wizard is believed to have been making his strategies for the upcoming contest with his Indian competitor.
Though he brought a cook with him, the young player did check out on some cuisine at the Mediterranean specialty restaurant – Upper Deck – at the hotel.
He had relished spaghetti aglio oligio with bacon, whole wheat croissants and the cheese omelette with green chillies, while indulging in fresh mango juice through his stay.
Carlsen checked out of the hotel today before heading to the city, as the inauguration of the World Chess Championship is scheduled tomorrow.
FIDE World Chess Championship Match (FWCM) between title holder Anand and Carlsen will be inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at the Nehru Indoor Stadium here at 4 pm.
PTI
source: http://www.zeenews.india.com / Z News / Home> Sports> Others / by PTI / Wednesday – November 06th, 2013
It is a compilation of the Kongu Region’s evolution, primarily Coimbatore, Erode and Tirupur districts.
Similar to the Kansas cyclopedia or the more recent Salem cyclopedia, it lists entries on various personalities, localities, monuments, landmarks, events and historical findings from Coimbatore and surrounding areas that shaped the evolution of a rural landscape into a bustling industrial hub. For CR Elangovan, a former employee of a private educational institution in Coimbatore and a self proclaimed historical chronicler of the region, the 250 page book with more than 1000 entries has been the realisation of countless trips, discussions and persuasions since 2013.
“I have collected around 15,000 photographs and have met numerous people to prepare this manuscript. I could say that I have travelled across the entire region on my motorcycle to collect the photographs and information listed in this book,” said CR Elangovan, author of Coimbatore cyclopedia.
Aptly titled as Coimbatore cyclopedia ( encyclopedia), the hardbound book was initially planned as Kongu cyclopedia but the idea was dropped since a Salem cyclopedia had already been published by B Rajannan, another historian and librarian. The Coimbatore cyclopedia includes entries about eminent personalities from the region, temples, cave inscriptions and even prominent towns and villages in the region. Koniamman Temple, major mosques, forgotten freedom fighters, local chieftains and prominent industrialists and entrepreneurs all find mention in the compilation.
“There might have been some omissions and a few grammatical errors in this edition but it will be identified and rectified. I have been helped and supported by numerous people from the city without which this would not have been possible,” Elangovan added that the book also mentions the first pump set manufactured in Coimbatore, the first eye clinic started in Town Hall in 1928 and interesting tit bits about the region ranging from the final resting place of Hugo Wood, a British forest officer who propagated teak cultivation in Top Slip and was buried in the forests as per his final wish. The traditional customs and religious rituals of almost all communities residing in Coimbatore are also mentioned in the book.
“The Salem cyclopedia was done on a wider scale with the support of government and research institutions. It took almost nine years for them to complete the research and bring out the manuscript. It was published in 1992,” Elangovan said.
Elangovan resides at RS Puram here in the city and is presently working as a full time author and historian. He has already written two books on the history of Coimbatore and Siruvani river. K Subramanian, Former Assistant Editor of Tamil Encyclopedia along with prominent industrialists and philanthropists from the city were present at the function.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Binoy Valsan, TNN / November 06th, 2013
A scene from Anandha Deepavali organised by Udhavum Ullangal Public Charitable Trust./ Photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu
Volunteers of Udhavum Ullangal provide inmates of 20 orphanages a day to remember: gifts, good food and above all, oodles of love. Vipasha Sinha reports
It was a cracker of a celebration for the 1,616 children from 20 orphanages across Chennai and Sivakasi, who came together at Krishnaswamy Kalyana Mandapam, T. Nagar, on Sunday last. It was a special Deepavali, one that enabled them to make friends beyond their own orphanage. More than that, they received the message that people are looking out for them..
“I have been part of these celebrations for eight years and I love coming here. I get to meet old friends and make some new ones,” says 13-year-old Baskaran, from Karunya Illam, Madambakkam. What makes him happier is the time he gets to spent with volunteers of Udhavum Ullangal, a public charitable trust that reaches out to people in distress.
“This is a one-of-a-kind event where the beneficiaries, the NGOs, the volunteers and donors come together and celebrate the festival of joy,” says Sankar Mahadevan, founder trustee. The preparations started two months in advance, with volunteers having to do lot of leg work.
They were asked to go to orphanages and take measurements of every child to get new clothes stitched for them. “They also noted down the children’s choice of colours and design. We gave the children breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. All of them got watches. The girls earrings and hairclips as well, ” adds Sankar.
Most volunteers who spared their time for the event work in IT companies. Even people from the entertainment industry had come along. .
“It was a day-long programme, where people put up a dance show, sang, conducted a magic show and several other entertainment programmes.
A scene from Anandha Deepavali organised by Udhavum Ullangal Public Charitable Trust. / Photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu
A team from Infosys, Bengaluru, comes every year to participate in the event. All performances were given free of cost. The owners of Krishnaswamy Kalyana Mandapam give us the space for free every year,” says Chandrasekar, another volunteer of the NGO.
Udhavum Ullangal works towards education and health care of less privileged children. The volunteers of this organisation have mentored and adopted many children and supported them in their education, many of whom are first-generation literates.
Vijaya from Sivakasi used to work in the brick-making section of a construction company after finishing standard 12. A volunteer spotted her and helped her join Mac School of Nursing. “I want to work hard and get a good job. I have come this far because of some good-hearted people. I want to be like them and help as many children as possible.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Down Town / by Vipasha Sinha / Chennai – November 01st, 2013
Most residents of Chennai hardly know about the existence of the Royapuram railway station, north of George Town. The station is now in the news because of a proposal to demolish it. The Royapuram railway station is one of the oldest stations in India and the oldest in South India. Almost immediately after the establishment of the country’s first railway line linking Bombay with Thana in April, 1853, the British wanted a railway station for Madras. The choice of the present location for the Royapuram station was its proximity to Fort St. George and George Town that was then emerging as a prominent residential-cum-commercial hub of the city.
The Royapuram station initially linked the city of Madras with Wallajah Road in Arcot. Designed by William Tracey, the station was formally inaugurated by the Governor of Madras. Originally surrounded by a beautiful garden, the station represents the quasi-Classical style of architecture of the Late Renaissance period.
The most attractive feature is the quadrangular porch with its fluted Corinthian columns. Till the construction of the Chennai Central railway station in 1873, the Royapuram station was the main rail terminus for the city. In its initial years, the latter station served as the venue where the top British dignitaries including the Viceroy and st July, 1856 by Lord members of the royal family were formally received on their arrival in the city.
Historically and architecturally, the Royapuram station is comparable to the more famous Grand Central Station in New York city, and the Paddington Station in London. But unlike, the other heritage stations, Royapuram has not been put to optimum use in recent decades.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Travel / DC / Dr. S. Suresh / July 03rd, 2013
At the age of 75, many choose to take rest at home or spend time with their grandchildren. But a retired government college principal’s determination drove him to complete his PhD research and submit the thesis. His research work was accepted in the public viva-voce held on Thursday and the examiners’ committee has recommended it to Bharathiar University for the award of PhD degree to the elderly man.
N M Viswanathan from Nathakattu Valasu near Kavindapadi in Erode, born on July 15, 1939, pursued his BA in Economics at Chikkaiah Naicker College in Erode and completed his masters at National College, Tiruchy in 1962. He joined as a lecturer in Government Arts College, Ooty in 1964 and in the year 1996 he got promoted to the post of the principal of Government Arts College, Rasipuram. He then became the principal of Government Arts Colleges in Salem, Coimbatore, and retired from service in 1997.
After retirement, he planned to do PhD research and chose to work on ‘A study on the productivity of tea in Tamil Nadu with special reference to the Nilgiris district’. His thesis was evaluated by two foreign examiners and an Indian examiner. The pubic viva-voce was held at Government Arts College, Coimbatore, on Thursday, with Pudukottai Government Arts and Science College Principal J Govindadass as external examiner.
“I decided to get a PhD degree, not for any monetary benefit or career advancement, but because of interest. I chose this topic as I wanted to study the socio-economic condition of a large number of small tea growers in the Nilgiris,” Viswanathan told Express.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Education> Students / by Express News Service – Coimbatore / November 08th, 2013
German professors of Mathematics Martin Frank and Jorg Kuhnert spoke about mathematical applications in Radiotherapy and Fluid Flow at Alpha College of Engineering, Thirumazhisai, Chennai, which organised an Indo-German workshop on ‘Applied Mathematics in Engineering & Industry’.
The programme received wide participation from people including representatives from the ICF, Southern Railway and the Defence.
Martin Frank from MathCCES, RWTH Aachen University gave a presentation on
‘Second Order Staggered Grid Method for Radiative Transfer Application in Radio Therapy’.
Formerly from Stanford University and currently Head-Research and Development, Alpha College of Engineering, Rakesh Nigam spoke on ‘Spectral Face Clustering’.
Jorg Kuhnert, explained the movement of fluid dynamics using Mesh Free Numerical methods based on Lagrange’s Equations.
Presiding over the programme, chairperson of the Alpha Group of Institutions Dr Grace George outlined the work undertaken by the Research and Development Cell and Innovation Center of the institution.
Director of the College Dr M S Mathews spearheads these initiatives.
Dr Nigamhas been guiding many students on research publications at the Alpha Group.
Dr Mathews addressed the gathering in German and spoke of the historical tradition of the Indo-German partnership.
Principals of the Alpha Group of Institutions, faculty members of mathematics from colleges and postgraduate students attended the programme.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Education> Student / by Express News Service – Chennai / November 01st, 2013
Veteran educationist P S Manisundaram, who fine-tuned engineering syllabus in South India, died at Trichy last week.
He was 87 and is survived by wife and six children.
Manisundaram was born in Burma (now Myanmar) and qualified as a civil engineer from the Nova Scotia University Canada in 1958. He began as a lecturer at the Alagappa University in Karaikudi town in Sivaganga district where he became the youngest principal at the age of 33.
In 1963, he joined the Regional Engineering College (REC) when it was set up in Trichy and soon became its principal, a post he held for 18 years. He also became the vice-chancellor of the Bharathidasan University in Trichy set up in 1982.
During his tenure he updated the syllabus, improved teaching standards and set a record for entering the maximum number of students to write GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and TOEFL ( Test of English and Foreign Languages) that got them careers abroad.
In 1984, he set up the Bharathidasan Institute of Management that is today a benchmark in business studies.
source: http://www.gulf-times.com / Gulf Times / Home> International> India> Tamil Nadu Round Up / by Umaima Shafiq / November 03rd, 2013
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai is organising EMergeon ’13, a business management fest focussing on the theme ‘Dawn of New Light – Resurgence of Emerging Markets’ on 8 November. This event is an initiative of the first batch of students from the institute’s two-year full time postgraduate diploma.
The objective of the fest is to generate ideas at the primary level among B-School students to focus on assessing the future of emerging economies market.
The fest will host various events on Marketing, Finance, HR and Operations like Brand ‘Em Up, EMbound Logistricks, EMvestors and Human EMpact. In addition, the fest will host a cultural extravaganza titled BANDwidth, which will have students from other premier B-Schools across the country such as IIMs, ISB, IIFT, IITs, SP Jain and XLRI, participating in the fest. The theme of the fest is focused towards doing business in the emerging market countries.
(The event will be held at the Dr Bala V Balachandar Campus, Great Lakes Institute of Management, East Coast Road, Near Mahabalipuram from 9.30 am.)
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service – Chennai / November 06th, 2013
AR Rahman’s music is remembered throughout the world for its charm and variety, but now, even his name will be remembered as a road’s name. A street in Markham, Ontario, Canada is named after him. It will be called ‘Allah-Rakha Rahman st’.
AR Rahman, who is also known as the Mozart of Madras, has been honoured for his contribution to the world of music and arts.
He is one of the few Indians to have won two Grammy awards and two Academy Awards, yet he retains the humility of a common man.
A street in Canada is named after AR Rahman. He has been honoured for his contribution to the world of music.
The music maestro made history when he became the first Indian to win two Oscars in a year, 2009, for Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum-dweller. Rahman had also bagged two awards at the 52nd Annual Grammy for his song ‘Jai ho’ from the same film.
source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / IBN Live.com / Home / November 06th, 2013
