Karthikeyan along with RGGGH doctors after his ortho surgery
Thirty-year-old Karthikeyan from Udayarpalayam, Ariyalur district, had been bedridden for the past 17 years. But now, he has began taking baby steps, thanks to the efforts of doctors at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. They say that he will start walking without any help in another one month.
When Karthikeyan was 13, he had developed a fever and joint pain that restricted his movements. He could not afford any treatment and was wheelchair bound for 17 years when a doctor in Ariyalur suggested that he approach RGGGH. Doctors here diagnosed that the man was suffering the end-stage of arthritis where his joints fused. Doctors decided to replace all major joints in his lower limbs and make him walk independently.
Under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, the right side of his hip and knee were replaced with stents. This surgery would have otherwise cost him `2.30 lakh. To straighten his knee that was bent at 90 degrees, a pin was inserted in the lower part of the leg and a weight was suspended from it for about two weeks.
“To perform the surgery on a side of the body, Karthikeyan’s father said he would sell his plot in his village. But we found help through our dean,” said Dr Singara Vadivelu, senior orthopaedic surgeon, RGGGH. Sunil from Ungalukkaga Trust came forward to provide `1.5 lakh following a meeting with Dr V Kanagasabai, dean, MMC and RGGGH. A surgery was performed on the left side hip and knee on January 9 and the patient was made to stand with a support on January 27. “This surgery would otherwise cost a total of Rs seven or eight lakh in a private hospital. Also, the patient bore all the pain as he had the confidence and was happy that he would soon walk again,” said Dr V Kanagasabai.
Doctors said that such form of arthritis usually affected men aged between 20 and 30 years, where the joints get fused restricting movement, but Karthikeyan suffered from it at an early age. “My father has become very old. I want to lead an independent life. Doctors have told me they would also perform surgeries on my wrist elbow. Even physiotherapy treatment is painful but I am confident I’ll become normal soon,” said Karthikeyan.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service – Chennai / February 01st, 2014
Turmeric prices increased by over Rs. 500 a quintal for almost all varieties on Friday following export enquiries from countries such as Malaysia and UAE, and orders from North India have
“Due to heavy demand for the root variety in North India and also from other countries, prices increased sharply. The hybrid root increased by ₹650 a quintal to ₹ 7,044 a quintal. Turmeric exporters are getting good orders for the root variety from countries such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka and UAE. So, they are buying stocks that have arrived,” said a trader.
RKV Ravishankar, President, Erode Turmeric Merchants Association, said some traders have received upcountry orders for the root variety and they are buying both varieties for a high price. Turmeric exporters having orders from Sri Lanka and Malaysiaare expecting more orders. Due to the arrival of quality produce, prices of both varieties of turmeric increased. Prices in the futures market have been ruling stable for the last couple of days. If the prices rise in the futures market, they could rise in the spot markets too.
Traders bought all the 200 bags of the new crop by quoting a higher price on Friday. At the Erode Turmeric Merchants Association Sales yard (new crop), the finger variety was sold at ₹5,695-6,714 a quintal and root variety at ₹5,499-6,714.
The finger variety (old crop) was sold at ₹4,868-6,897 and root variety ₹4,699-6,699.
Salem hybrid : The finger variety fetched ₹6,689-7,599 and the root variety ₹5,866-7,044. Of the 1,217 bags that arrived, 598 were sold.
At the Regulated Market Committee, the finger variety was sold at ₹5,969-6,889, the root variety at ₹5,834-6,789. Of the 1,169 bags on offer, 1,113 were traded.
At the Erode Co-operative Marketing Society, the finger variety was sold at ₹5,731-6,929 and root variety ₹5,347-6,899. Out of the 715 bags put up for sale, 686 were picked up.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Markets> Commodities /by The Hindu Correspondent / Erode – January 31st, 2014
The Makkal auto or people’s auto was launched in Chennai by social entrepreneur Manzoor Ali Khan. yesterday. The unique auto, meant for women only, includes an Android tablet enclosed in a steel casing which is water, tamper, and theft resistant.
The device acts as a fare calculator and is also equipped with GPS tracking, 3G data communication with a centralised call centre and a panic button in case of emergency. In addition, passengers can pay with their credit and debit cards
source: http://www.punemirror.in / Pune Mirror / Home> News> Pune> Nation> Story / Thursday – February 13th, 2014
Students of P S Senior Secondary School in Mylapore won the third edition of the Times Science Quiz held in Chennai on Wednesday. After two years of missing the trophy, S Abhinav and V Thejas qualified, maintained a lead and won this year.
“We have a special interest in science quizzes and that is why we have been at this event every year,” said Thejas, a Class 11 student of P S School.
More than 1,200 participants from 70 schools across Chennai competed in the written preliminary round. Six teams made it to the final round of the quiz held at Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chetpet.
“It was a wonderful experience to be part of the quiz. This time, it was pretty challenging but we managed to maintain the lead throughout because of our preparations,” said Thejas.
Quiz master Akshya Ananth held the audience rapt with his ready wit. Pranav Krishnan and R Amrodh of PSBB School in Nungambakkam were the first runners-up.
The event was held by The Times of India in association with Karpaga Vinayaga Educational Group. Sriram Rajagopal, vice president, HR at Cognizant, Annamalai Regupathy, managing director of Karpaga Vinayaga Educational Group; Meenakshi Annamalai, director of Karpaga Vinayaga Educational Group; P Venkatesh, co-founder and director product, Maveric Systems; and Ninan Thariyan, vice-president, The Times Group, participated in the event.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai> Schools / TNN / January 30th, 2014
Historian and environment enthusiast Perur K. Jayaraman. / Photo:K.Ananthan / The Hindu
An archaeological dig at his grandfather’s farm set off an insatiable thirst in K. Jayaraman for the past
Perur K. Jayaraman was a school boy when his interest in history was piqued. He remembers the excitement: “While digging a pit to plant a coconut tree, we found a flat slab inside. It had a side wall and a centre compartment that contained Mudumakkal Thaazhis ( burial urns). We also found agal vilakkus, jaadis, knives, small gold coins and a sunnaambu container. People called it pandia kuzhi, a derivative of pandaya (old) kuzhi”. This discovery led to the Archeological Survey of India conducting an excavation.
Kovai Kizhar C.M. Ramachandra Chettiar, Coimbatore’s first historian, recorded the findings in his book Kongunaatu Varalaaru . But he did not mention the name of the owner of the farm (Jayaraman’s grandfather). When the school boy asked him why, Kovai Kizhar gave him a sukku mittaai and told him that history cannot be written that way as the farm may belong to someone else later. “I realised the truth of his statement much later, but this conversation was the starting point of my interest in history.”
Today, at 64, Jayaraman is still fascinated by the topic. “History is always about kings and their battles. What about our soil and its people?” he asks. “It’s time historians popularised soil, people, nature, hills and rivers. We have to leave the knowledge behind for the future generation.”
Armed with books such as The Ancient Geography of the Kongu Country and Coimbatore Maavattathu Kalvettugal, Jayaraman set out to unearth history. “It was a fascinating learning experience. Along with Dr. R. Poongundran of State Archaeology Department, we discovered hidden treasures at Perur, Vellalore, Kodumanal, Noyyal basin, Muttam, Narasipuram, and cave paintings at Kumittipathi. Vellalore in Coimbatore thrived as a trade hub. We discovered the 1,000-year-old Muthuvaazhiamman temple near Alandurai. The deity sculpted on the lines of Madurai Meenakshi takes your breath away. Did you know that there is a Thooku Mara Thottam near Udumalpet, which used to be for execution? People were also thrown off a hill top near Anaimalai as punishment,” he narrates.
He says Coimbatore’s multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences dates back to the reign of the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, the Naickers, Mysore Maharajas, Muslim rulers and the British.
The discovery of the Rajakesari Peruvazhi near Kovaipudur was memorable, he says. “It’s a trade route that connects the Bay of Bengal with the Arabian Sea via Vellalore. It was the cow herd boys in the locality who first spotted it. A kalvettu (inscription in stone) there carries a thanks-giving poem where the traders thank the Raja for giving them nizhal (shade or protection). Those days, a nizhal padai followed the travellers to protect them and their goods from burglars. I took a group of school students to the Peruvazhi site and they performed a play at the spot and brought alive history and the stories I told them.”
Jayaraman speaks of the cave painting of Kumittipathi with amazement. “The paintings of people on elephants, chariots, deer and peacocks, and other geometric shapes are over 3000 years old but are as good as new even today!”
His introduction to Tamil literature also started from his farm located behind the Perur Tamil College. Pulamai Piththan, Kuppuraasu, Puviarasu and Rasiannan engaged in debates and discussions of Tamil literature as they bathed in his farm. Hooked by their conversations Jayaraman devoured books on Tamil literature.
Perur K Jayaraman. / Photo:K.Ananthan / The Hindu
Sharing information
Jayaraman’s knowledge of the environment, heritage and Tamil literature, has made him a valuable resource person. NGOs, research scholars, and students flock to him for information. He has contributed to many books too such as C.R. Elangovan’s Coimbatore Oru Varalaaru and Cbe Cyclopedia.
Jayaraman fondly recalls famous people who have hitched a ride on his moped! “Once Medha Patkar and I rode till the reserve forest in Anaikatty,” he remembers. He also took Sunderlal Bahugana around the forests of the Western Ghats. “The first question Bahuguna asked the forest officers was — ‘How many more tress have you spared?’ and they didn’t have an answer.” Jayaram was also close to organic farming scientist Nammalvar who passed away recently.
Destroying Nature for development was unsustainable, says Jayaram. “Car irukkum aana sor irukkadhu. We had over 40,000 lakes in Tamil Nadu. Now, almost 50 per cent of the lakes have been encroached upon in the name of development. Local bodies, farmers and stakeholders should take up the cause of maintenance of lakes.”
He is an apex body member of Siruthuli, and works closely with INTACH, RAAC, KARAM (Kovai Aid for Rehabilitation and Motivation, set up during the Tsunami), and is the joint secretary of Nannari Kazhagam that visits educational institutions and speaks to students on culture, values, environment, history and nature.
Every single stone speaks volumes on history, says Jayaraman and quotes a line from a Perur templekalvettu .
“‘Devisirai anai adaithu, kolur anaikku sedham varadha padikku,” (while constructing a dam, it is the people living downstream who should be first taken care of). If we follow that thought today, we have a ready solution for the Cauvery water dispute,” he smiles.
Noyyal is a small but significant river. It starts off its 167-km journey from Kooduthurai near Alandurai and joins the Cauvery near Karur. Jayaraman records the details in books such as Noyyal Nijangal, Noyyal Thayum Siruthuli Seyum and INTACH’s Kongunaadu Patrika. Jayaram describes Coimbatore as a beautiful woman adorned with a garland of Navaratnams represented by the lakes at Narasimhapathy, Krishnampathy, Selvampathy, Puttuvikki, Selvachintamani kulam, Puliakulam (now a town), Vaalankulam, Kurichikulam…
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by K. Jeshi / Coimbatore – January 30th, 2014
Coins pertaining to the Pandya dynasty dating back to the 13th century AD have been found in the collection of a numismatist in Palani recently.
V Narayanamoorthy, an archaeologist from Palani in Dindigul district was told about the collection of one numismatist Sugumar Bose. When he had gone to review the collection he found a coin dating back to the 13th century AD and was of one of the Pandya kings Sundarapandian.
“Bose told me that he had had it in his collection for about six years now and it was discovered by a sand miner on the Shanmuganathi riverbed who had given it to him. He, howeve,r did not know the importance of this rare coin,” Narayanamoorthy said.
Narayanamoorthy also said that the coin had the royal emblem of the Pandya dynasty with two fish in a standing position and the weapon known as the ‘chendu’ in the middle. The bronze coin weighing 800 mg and measuring 15 mm in diameter had the name ‘Sundaran’ inscribed on it and the word had been split in two lines.
This was a region that was ruled by the Cholas as well as the Pandyas and also thrived as an important trade centre in the past, he said. What makes this coin unique is that it contained the name of the king in full form as ‘Sundaran’ whereas similar coins discovered in this region had the name mentioned only as ‘Su’ depicting the first letter of the name or ‘Sundar’ which was also an incomplete form, he said.
About six to seven Pandya kings with the name Sundarapandian are said to have ruled the dynasty during a period of about 75 years during the 13{+t}{+h} century and the one following it, so it is not known which king is mentioned here. “But, this rare coin would definitely throw more light into that history,” Narayanamoorthy said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / February 11th, 2014
The mid-week rendezvous in Chennai saw a dose of wedding-inspired fashion show, organized by the Silk Board of India, at The Westin Chennai Velachery. The event that was planned by Shane and Dene, witnessed the best of wedding ensembles presented by the industry veterans like Sydney Sladen and choreographed by Sunil Menon. Sydney’s collection was inspired by a mix of traditional and contemporary silhouette for men and women, focusing on the assemblage for different wedding phases and in-sync with the modern trend. The grand finale saw the charming Genelia and dashing Jayam Ravi strut down the runway as Sydney’s showstoppers.
The famed glitterati later headed to unveil the Westin Chennai Velachery’s exclusive wedding showroom. The one-stop shop for all the utilitarian wedding requirement, is a unique feature in Chennai, ideated by the director of food and beverage, Animesh Barat and executed by the Vettri & Sasi. The event was well attended by the city socialites and wedding planners.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / January 31st, 2014
The goat-rearing women of Bodi Hills have floated a producer’s company to facilitate themselves in procuring and selling the goats and cater to other auxiliary works required for their trade. Known as the voicemail goat farmers after the women came into limelight for effectively using voicemails through mobile phone to rear the goats, the women for long have been contemplating about floating a proper registered company. The voicemail scheme was implemented by IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Nigam Limited (IKSL).
The producer’s company, Agharam Goat Farmers Producer Company will be involve in selling the goats raised by the women and procure goats whenever they require. It will also involve in distributing loans to the members of the company to raise goats. The auxiliary works of the company will include procuring fodder for the goats, veterinary medicines for the animals and organising camps occasionally for the benefit of the goat rearing women in the region. The company will collect nominal fees for the services which will be included in the capital fund. The collected funds would be circulated among the women as loans.
The illiterate and semi-illiterate women of this region have become the board of directors with a 11-member board monitoring the company. P Vasiammal from Kodiabommanaickenputhur near Rasingapuram, one of the directors, said the company would help wean out the middlemen in the goat trade. “We can save the money spent as brokerage since the company will undertake the transactions,” she said.
This week, the women have given away Rs 30,000 as loans to 11 goat-rearing women of their company. Each of them contributed Rs 250 as share amount and 1,190 women of Bodi – most of them in goat-rearing – have bought the shares. In such manner, they have raised Rs 2.97 lakh as capital for the company. A board of 11 members selected from these women will manage the company affairs with the help of Vidiyal, a Bodi-based NGO working among the women.
“We did not want to hurry because we are planning to run this company in a successful manner,” said A Periajakkamma, another director of the board.
Initially, the women have decided to function under Agharam Traditional Farmers Producer’s Company – one of the producer companies of farmers based in Madurai – to learn the functioning of the company.
“Most of us are uneducated and we don’t want to hurry things. We are working together to improve the company,” said P Papathi, a goat farmer in Bodi and shareholder of the company.
K Kamaraj of Vidiyal NGO said that the organisation would handhold the women for some days till they learn to function on their own. “The women are working hard and training themselves to take up various roles in the company. They will succeed in their venture,” he said.
Having started the producer’s company, the women are now contemplating on starting a cooperative bank. “We are thinking about a bank exclusively for us and we will work together to achieve it too in future,” Vasiammal says with confidence.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai> Goats / by J. Arockiaraj, TNN / January 31st, 2014
The Hope Hero 2013 awards aims to recognise underprivileged women and children — Photo: K. Pichumani / The Hindu
Twelve-year-old N. Archana, a native of Edayapatti village in Pudukottai district, wakes up early, cooks rice and curry, goes to school and often returns home to be beaten up by her drunken father.
In between this all this, she finds time to take care of a 100-year-old blind woman who she fondly refers to as ‘Periyandi paati’ who lives in her village. On Wednesday, she emerged as a winner of the Hope Hero 2013 award instituted by Tripura Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims to help underprivileged women and children.
“My grandmother asked me to take care of Periyandi Paati. If I don’t, who else will? Every morning, I help her clean herself, buy her coffee and breakfast with the little money I have and call the 108 ambulance service if she falls ill. Now, I want to use this prize money of Rs. 4,000 to help her,” says Archana, who learnt to be optimistic and service-minded at the HoPE Learning Centre, founded by Tripura Foundation.
A.A. Gowtham, who works with Tripura Foundation, said they adopt the phonemic intelligence technique to teach children. “In this method, we teach them sounds with vowels and consonants that activate specific parts of the brain. It helps in improving their concentration, memory, intelligence and even makes them more compassionate,” he said.
Elaine Kueper, global director of Tripura Foundation, said these sound techniques that were taught by Baskaran Pillai, founder of Tripura Foundation, personally helped her overcome depression in her life. “People who have been benefitted by this technique keep sending donations which enable us to keep these centres functioning,” she said.
R. Maithin Raj, another student of HoPE who also emerged as one of the winners, had persuaded his friend Ajit’s parents who discontinued his education to resume it. “Due to poverty, his parents wanted him to work and forced him to leave school. Then, I had a tough time convincing them and took help from one of the HoPE officials to do it. Finally, it worked and he should be back in school very soon,” he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – January 30th, 2014
Town Higher Secondary School in Kumbakonam, which started as a primary school in 1864, reached a milestone at the start of this year when it completed 150 years.
The school, which moulded stalwarts like mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, former Union finance minister T T Krishnamachari, HCL chief Shiv Nadar, mridangist Umayalpuram Sivaraman and many famous personalities from different walks of life, celebrated its 150th anniversary at a three-day function, which began on January 26.
The school was started by retired English head constable Martin who was also its headmaster. Later, it was managed by Indians and local philanthropists donated a piece of land where a big building was constructed. The new school building was inaugurated in 1892.
Ramanujan was a student of the school in 1898 and it was here that he came across a book titled ‘Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure Mathematics’ written by G S Carr. Influenced by the book, he began working on mathematics on his own, summing geometric and arithmetic series, says a write up on Ramanujan by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
Governor K Rosaiah who took part in the celebrations on Wednesday said that the educational institution produced several eminent and great citizens of India.
“Starting with a humbling beginning, when we turn back and see the years passed by, this great institution has been doing remarkably well right from its inception,” Rosaiah said. “I am delighted to see that his renowned temple of learning is seated in the heart of this temple town” he added.
The governor also appealed to the teachers to build students into men and women of sound mind with a good heart coupled with a fine blend of character. The 21st century belongs to the knowledge society and it has opened tremendous opportunities. The schools and educational institutions should take it as their onerous responsibility to build the youth into leaders of tomorrow. “The national’s future progress depends on our ability to innovate,” he said.
Earlier, accompanied by Union shipping minister G K Vasan, the governor paid floral tributes to the statue of Ramanujan.
Speaking to TOI, Umayalpuram Sivaraman said, “Discipline was the hallmark of the Town High School. Headmasters were very particular about students coming to school on time and used to stand at the gate. The very look of the headmaster used to make us run and never turn late in the following days.” He studied in the school from 1944-45 till 50-51.
The teachers of the school were affectionate and took personal care of the students. “The standard of teaching was very high and there was no escape from showing the report card or assessment sheets to parents. The teachers used to counsel students who were poor in some subjects and also inform the parents,” said Sivaraman.
Many of the old students have paid back in kind to the school by donating money towards renovation of buildings, providing computers and other modern equipment for the school. Shiv Nadar has provided computers, an LCD projector and other accessories worth Rs 60 lakh to the school.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy> Primary School / TNN / January 30th, 2014
