Monthly Archives: February 2015

Biogas from Koyambedu market to fuel households

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies

Chennai :

The wholesale market complex in Koyambedu which supplies fresh produce for the city will soon supply fuel to cook the produce.

The biomethanation plant, which has been generating electricity from vegetable waste, will now also use waste from slaughterhouses, hotels, treated sewage sludge and banana stems to supply biogas to neighbouring houses.

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), which set up the biogas plant along with CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, will work on upgrading the existing plant. The upgrade, which will be done after feasibility tests, is expected to cost around 10 lakh.

“We have suggested to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Corporation of Chennai on setting up an integrated solid waste management plant where we can use other waste from hotels along with the existing waste. We will also explore the feasibility of using banana stem to produce biogas,” said P Shanmugam, principal scientist, CSIR-CLRI.

The plant, which started in 2006 and operated through a private agency, had been generating biogas which was converted into electricity through an engine. With the market complex generating 30 tonnes of waste daily, the plant was producing between 500 units and 4,000 units of electricity. But since its launch, the plant faced glitches with the engine failing and for a few years, the biogas was not put to any use.

“The engine will be removed and the biogas will be supplied to people. No other plant in the country has made such an attempt to supply directly to households,” the scientist added. “In Delhi, biogas is being bottled for use in vehicles but not houses.”

With the present 30 tonnes of waste generating about 2,400 cubic meters of biogas, a CMDA official says the fuel can be supplied to about 2,000 households.

“It is a concept of developing wealth from waste.

We took up this initiative and submitted a proposal to the CMDA. The effort will help bring down the greenhouse gas emissions, groundwater contamination and odour problems due to open dumping,” said CSIR-CLRI director Asit Baram Mandal.

Apartment complexes near the plant have been identified for the direct supply of biogas and officials plan to approach the residents and conduct a workshop. They will also check the feasibility of supplying gas either through pipeline or bottling it. Officials said the corporation also showed interest in converting slaughterhouse waste and hotel waste to biogas fuel. Before it can be supplied to households, biogas will be subjected to a procedure where the carbon-dioxide and hydrogen sulphide content is removed and the overall pressure compressed.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / February 19th, 2015

Inspiring story from the fishing harbour

Records, All, Sports
Bodybuilder M.Raja. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu
Bodybuilder M.Raja. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu

Raja, physically-challenged body builder, has not allowed financial hurdles to keep him from following his dreams, says Vaishali R. Venkat.

“Winning Rs. 25,000 in a contest does not help me financially as I would have borrowed at least Rs.40,000 to meet the expenses of taking part in the event. That is how my debts have accumulated over the years,” says body builder Raja, his muscles bulging beneath a half-sleeved shirt.

The ‘Steel Man of Tamil Nadu’ title in the physically-challenged category (90 kg) is the latest title in his kitty.

Raja is happy but not excited. The various titles and awards have not helped him lead a comfortable life.

The 28-year-old school dropout from Kasimedu is a carpenter who was affected by polio in his childhood.

Disability and poverty have not kept him from following his dreams as a body builder.

“I will not give up on my dreams. I want to participate in the Olympics and Asian Games,” says Raja, who has plans to participate in three contests next month.

In Raja’s humble home are displayed trophies and medals he has won over the last 10 years.

M.Raja won a number of body building competitions including Mr. India. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu
M.Raja won a number of body building competitions including Mr. India. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu

He has won 10 titles at the national level, four at the south India level and the Mr. Tamil Nadu title several times.

But he has not been lucky enough to find a job.

“I can work as a coach at a gym or for body building aspirants or as a trainer for athletes,” says Raja who earns his livelihood repairing fishing boats.

It is only during the 45-day fishing ban that boat owners undertake repair works.

“My earnings are meagre as I find work only 10 days in a month,” he says.

He could be in competitive body building due to support from his friends — which include John, Sankar Ganesh, Velu and Royapuram R. Mano — gym-coach Annamalai and M. Karthikeyan, mariner and chairman of SAMS College of Engineering & Technology.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Down Town / by Vaishali R. Venkat / February 21st, 2015

Visually impaired strike a chord, win hearts

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Chennai :

These aspiring singers required no accomplices, not a single musical instrument. Their sole voices would do the job for them once they were handheld and aided to climb the stage. For, they were all visually impaired.

More than 100 students from- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh endeavoured to hit all the high and low notes at the South Indian Singing Festival 2015 organised by the NGO, Nethrodaya. And it was 20- year- old Bhagyamma a student from Bangalore who was adjudged the best among them for her rendition of a Carnatic based Kannada cinema song and won Rs 50,000 in cash. The second and third winners were both from Chennai. “I don’t know what raaga I sang in, I’m not trained in music, but I have the gift of singing which I don’t want to waste,” says Bhagyamma, a BA History student from Bharat Education Society, Bangalore who has been visually impaired since she was born.

But the man who was placed after her in the third position is Gokula Krishna who has been training in Carnatic music since he was 6. This final year B Com student from Loyola College sang a medley of the popular Rajinikanth song raagangal pathinaru and the recent aanandha yaazhai. Krishna, 20 is also part of Loyola’s light music team. “Parents forced me into learning classical music but I began liking it,” laughs Krishna who now says he wants to make it as a professional singer. Krishna has a condition of low vision but like Bhagyamma he says they are not stumbled by difficulties. “No one deliberately isolates you, if you can mingle with a normal crows, it’s just fine. Fortunately my peers who have vision are friendly and cooperative,” Krishna says.

Six playback singers from Tamil cinema were the panellists who marked them on par with any other singing competition. Social Welfare minister B Valarmathi gave away the prizes. “The purpose was to provide entertainment and competitions for the visually impaired and to make an impact that they are on par with sighted singers,” says Nethrodaya founder C Govindakrishnan known as Gopi to Chennaiites. “The fighting spirit among is prevalent but they have no platform to showcase their talents. This is why we increased the price money to encourage the student community. It is a hope that now other clubs and organisations too will host competitions and fests for them.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Divya Chandrababu, TNN / February 22nd, 2015

‘When you cannot find it, make it’

Business & Economy
Raja and Indira. Photos: M. Vedhan / The Hindu
Raja and Indira. Photos: M. Vedhan / The Hindu

When they could not find phulkas in their neighbourhood, these chartered accountants began to make them for themselves and others

Did you know over 40 varieties of chapattis are available in Chennai under one roof? Did you know there are over 50 accompaniments to these chapattis? Did you know that Chappatikings, which offers such a plenteous fare, was born out of two people’s desperate search for phulkas.

Two full-time chartered accountants were irked at not getting phulkas in Chennai. They were brought up in North India and could not get over their fondness forphulkas.

And they found out soon that scarcity and craving are the parents of enterprise.

At ChappatiKings. Com / The Hindu
At ChappatiKings. Com / The Hindu

Chapattikings (chapattikings.com) had a difficult birth. From making chapattis at home, employing additional help and then scaling it all up to a full-time commitment — that’s the journey of Chapattikings.

Raja, owner of the enterprise, says at first they offered only chapattis, then they included accompaniments in their offering, then in-house specialities, and then quick bites.

“Today, we draw people to our website because of the variety we offer – all under the same roof,” he says. “Feedback and customer satisfaction are our main concern and that is why we also take customised orders. We do cater to big companies but households are our priority,” he adds. A busy day has them churning out more than 700 chapattis and several side dishes. Besides catering service, they also have run chaat stalls in Annanagar and Korattur.

Indra, the lady behind the eatery, says they supply for a variety of occasions — birthday parties, team lunches and travels.

“Our marketing is by word of mouth. In fact, we rely only on that and nothing else,” says Raja.

He says every month they review the menu, going though the customer interaction register, and a couple of items to the menu. It’s six years since we started and recently, we started our standalone unit in Annananagar due to increasing demand. We hope to turn it into a dine-in too, ” he adds. Chappatikings is located at 973, 38th Street, Korattur, near Nagavalli Amman Temple.

Phone: 9383840003

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Down Town / by Archana Subramanian / February 21st, 2015

Buddha-era Rice Among Rare Varieties on Display

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Records, All
Pics: Albin Mathew
Pics: Albin Mathew

Chennai :

Ancient Tamils are known for producing and consuming several varieties of paddy and millets, which kept them hale and healthy. Their daily food even doubled up as medicine and kept them free of diseases. As part of the Sangam Four literary Festival which began on February 13, stalls showcasing ancient varieties of rice and millets have been opened. Apart from these, cookies made of millets and other savouries are also available at these stalls.

BuddhaEraRiceCF22feb2015

Some of the rare varieties of rice are on display at a stall put up by Aral Organics.  Among the rice varieties, Kala Namak, known for its aroma and distinct taste, and rich in 40 minerals, is the cynosure of all eyes as this rice variety is believed to have been consumed by Lord Buddha several thousands of years ago.

Kala Namak rice had derived its name from black husk (kala) and a mild salty taste (namak). It is considered one of the finest rice varieties in the international market.

Kala Namak rice is said to be good for the brain cells and prevents cancer. People suffering from kidney problems and those with skin and blood-related ailments are advised to consume this variety of rice. The next important rice variety is Moongil Arisi (Bamboo rice), which interestingly, is not grown in paddy fields. Bamboo blossoms once in 40 years and the flowers of bamboo produce this rice variety. It looks like the miniature version of wheat and  is the staple food for tribals. This rice adds immunity to one’s system and helps those having infertility problems.

The other important varieties of rice on display are: Maappillai Samba, Sivappu Kavuni, Kothamalli Samba, Poongar rice, Seeraga Samba, Sona Masoori, Koliyan Samba, etc. Each variety of rice has distinctive medicinal purposes.

Many varieties of millets are also on display.  Millets are more nutritious than any other cereals and can be a worthy addition to one’s diet.  Cookies made of millets, ragi, kambu, samai, varagu, kuthiraivali and palm candy cookies, using only country made sugar, are available here.

The kodo millet reduces cholesterol levels, enhances kidney function, reduces joint pain and diseases that damage optic nerves, and regulates lymp glands and menstrual disorders. Little millet contains more micro nutrients and regulates the blood flow in the body, reduces cholesterol levels, helps bone development and overcome problems related to the intestine,  besides reducing the effects caused by fever and easing constipation.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / February 19th, 2015

YMCA Madras celebrates 125 years

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All, Sports

For many people, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Madras is a body working for the health and fitness of youngsters.

Celebrating its 125th year of inception, YMCA Madras, along with the National Council of YMCA, has now diversified into various activities.

Lauding the contributions of YMCA Madras, established in 1890 by David McConnaughy, Governor K. Rosaiah, at a function on Friday, traced the history of the organisation that is present in over 120 countries.

Giving away lifetime achievement awards, the Governor said such voluntary organisations must play a significant role in building a harmonious society and serve as an inspiration to others.

Rolland Williams, president of the National Council of YMCAs of India, spoke on the growth of the organisation that has over three lakh members across the country. Peter Posner, president of World Alliance of YMCAs, Aerial Pollack, public affairs officer, US Consulate Chennai, and M.M. Selvakumar, president of YMCA Madras, also spoke.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu /  Home> News> Cities> Chennai/ by Special Correspondent / Chennai – February 21st, 2015

Indian Architecture through the Ages

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence
Pic: D Sampath Kumar
Pic: D Sampath Kumar

Chennai :

Indian architecture has always been an expression of cultural traditions and a synthesis of outside cultures that had influenced it.

Through vivid photographs and sketches, the exhibition ‘Splendours of Indian Architecture’ being held by Indian National Trust for Art, Heritage and Culture (INTACH) and the MEASI Academy of Architecture, takes one through some of the well known architectural splendours like the Gol Gumbaz and the Ajantha and Ellora cave temples, along with some of the lesser known, but fascinating structures like the Rani ki Vav at Patan and the ruins at Mandu.

The exhibition has been curated by Sarayu Doshi, a scholar in Indian classical and contemporary art.

With the Indus Valley civilisation site at Lothal, the journey of Indian architecture began as early as around 2400 BC. With the Mughal Period came the Islamic influences, and later the spice route, followed by the British’s colonial style.

The ‘Charbagh’ style Mughal gardens, the ghats of Varanasi,  the motifs at the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus at Mumbai and the Italian design of the Falaknuma Palace at Hyderabad depict the diversity of styles in the country, through the exhibition panels.

The exhibition was launched by Sarayu Doshi and cinematographer Rajiv Menon, who has supported INTACH in several projects.

The display is on at the exhibition hall of the MEASI Academy of Architecture, Royapettah until February 24.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / February 21st, 2015

Chettinad Student Wins Debate on Skilling

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Chennai :

The student debate on ‘Skill building is the raison d’etre of education’ at the ThinkEdu15 Conclave here raised some important points on whether it was skill or subject knowledge that was important for survival.

The debaters pointed out that skill building and education move in a parallel direction towards molding an individual.

While Ayush Bhargava from IIT Madras stated that education was a common platform to inculcate labour skills, soft skills and life skills, talking for the topic, Apoorva Ramachandran from Stella Maris College, Chennai, argued that skill could only be acquired with proper knowledge and practice over time.

“Education should impart wisdom, ethics and morals. Gaining skills has nothing to do with education, it is a check box while gaining knowledge,” said Amit Antony, an Electronics and Communication student of Vellore Institute of Technology-Chennai campus.

Manaswini Prasanna, a psychology student of Women’s Christian College, who spoke for the topic, pointed out that education should help develop social, personal, soft and interpersonal skills.

The winner of the debate, Ujjwala Varma, a student of Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai, who spoke against the topic, said, “Skill development is not imparting of information, but is an off-shoot of academic knowledge.” Ayush and Apoorva were declared the runners-up.

The platform was set and the debate points were in place, but this did not stop students from making their rebuttal strong. Though there were heated arguments on both sides, it can be said that education is a lifelong process. It is dynamic and provides growth, and skill building is equally important for character building.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / February 22nd, 2015

Cattle display their ‘majestic’ quotient at fair

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

Pollachi :

It was a beauty pageant with a difference. Participants did not do a catwalk on the ramp, but stood in line for the jury to convey their verdict. And these judges were not looking for hourglass figures but were more concerned about the health of their teeth, eyes, knees and hump. For those still wondering what this is all about, it was a cattle show for indigenous breeds held at Samathur near Pollachi on Friday.

The event dubbed Kongunattu Kalnadai Thiruvizha – 2015, held for the first time by Vanavarayar Foundation, had about 700 cattle belonging to nine native breeds brought from villages far and near. “The cattle were judged based on their health and ‘majestic’ quotient,” said a member of the organizing committee. The prize amount ranged from Rs7000 to Rs50,000.

Kangeyam bulls were brought in numbers while other breeds like Unbalachery and Karuva (a kind of goat breed) also participated. “It is difficult to breed native cattle as it is expensive. Only if our agricultural production is healthy we can breed these kind of cattle,” said A P Periasamy, a farmer from Tirupur, whose family has been breeding native cattle for three generations. “We had close to 500 cattle fifty years ago, but now we have only 25 since we are unable to care for them due to fall in agricultural production,” he added.

A dairy farming couple from New Zealand had also visited the exhibition. “India has so many native breeds. These native breeds should be nurtured,” said Dr John Henry Niezen, specialist, Dairy Herd Development.

“We are unaware of the glory of native breeds. Hence many switch to exotic breeds lured by their high milk yielding capacity. What they fail to understand is that the milk of the native cow has more protein,” said Shankar Vanavarayar, Joint Correspondent, Kumaraguru College of Technology. The event is the brain child of Vanavarayar.

“We have come to a sad state where the significance of Kangeyam bulls has been recognized in Brazil where they are being reared in huge numbers, while we have slowly forgotten their value,” he said. Noting that the show and the exhibition was a first step towards spreading the importance of native cattle, he said that by 2016 the foundation has planned to establish a model farm.

“Once the model farm is established, visitors will be educated on the importance of indigenous breeds,” he said.

Dr K Baskrasethupathy, chief manager of ABT Dairy division, an organizer, said that farmers from across western region of Tamil Nadu and several from adjoining Kerala also visited the cattle fair. The fair also had 60 stalls featuring an array of cattle and dairy products. “The feedback from the farmers was great. We also gave them suggestions on feeding and nurturing native cattle breeds,” said Dr R Gnana Sekaran, veterinarian and nutritionist for cattle from Bengaluru. This exhibition will be open till February 7.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by G. Rajeswari, TNN / February 07th, 2015

Alumni of Coimbatore college back on campus after 17 years

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Coimbatore :

The 1994-97 batch of the PSG College of Arts and Science PSGCAS on Sunday met for the first time since they completed graduation in 1997. Over 600 students from across the globe participated in Casoria, the reunion meet.

The students who completed their undergraduate courses in 1997 were invited for the reunion on Sunday. Kanda Subramaniam S, a professor of the Tamil Department at the PSG College of Arts and Science and an alumnus of the 1997 batch said, “While alumni from places in and around Coimbatore were the majority, there were people from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai. Alumni from the US, UK and Sri Lanka also made it.”

The alumni, along with their families decided to meet on the second Sunday of February every year. The reunion at PSGCAS had the alumni electing one coordinator for each department, to manage communications and coordinate social activities, Subrmaniam said.

The alumni members also had an opportunity to meet the faculty members who had taught them at college, most of whom had retired. They took a tour of their old classrooms and college premises.

“We all shared memories of the good-old times and updated our friends about life since graduation. It was nostalgic for us all,” said Subramaniam.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / February 16th, 2015