Monthly Archives: June 2015

Coimbatore first in Tamil Nadu to get BRTS

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technologies

Coimbatore :

If all goes well, Coimbatore will be the first city in Tamil Nadu to get a Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS). The final City Mobility Plan report submitted to the commissioner of municipal administration in Chennai on June 8 found that this system was feasible for Coimbatore.

The civic body is discussing the project with a government agency from Germany for funds. “We have sought 853crore for the first phase of BRTS and the delegation has responded positively. Soon after funds are allocated, the city corporation will lay a separate road for BRTS on Avinashi Road and Mettupalayam Road,” a senior corporation official said. Officials also plan to look at other avenues of funding including the World Bank.

To begin with 90 AC buses will be purchased to ply on the route. The BRTS envisages two dedicated lanes for buses to ply at high frequency. “As of now, more than 42% of residents use some form of public transport in the city. This will only increase in future. Thus, the ideal solution is BRTS,” the officer said.

The corporation had come up with the proposal to introduce BRTS, aimed at improving the public transport system and decongesting roads, last February. Soon after an announcement to this effect by former mayor SM Velusamy, commissionerate of municipal administration ordered a feasibility study by ICRA Management Consulting Services Limited.

Subsequently, ICRA picked Avinashi Road and Mettupalayam Road and conducted a detailed study. “The final city mobility plan was submitted a few days ago. We discussed the plan regarding the first phase, with officials in Chennai,” said the officer.

The civic body is now awaiting approval from the state government. Once the approval comes, the corporation will acquire land from Ukkadam to Thudiyalur on Mettupalayam road and from Ukkadam to Chinniyampalayam on Avinashi Road.

A few people are however skeptical about the project. “Mass Rapid Transport Systems have not yielded desired results in several cities in India. In Coimbatore, land acquisition poses a major hurdle. We need at least 30m of land along the entire stretch to implement BRTS. Besides, there are several connecting roads on either side of Avinashi and Mettupalayam Roads. The BRTS should not block these roads,” said D Nandakumar, president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore chapter.

At a meeting called recently by collector Archana Patnaik and corporation commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan with stakeholders to discuss the mobility plan, questions about land acquisition and compensation for land owners were raised. For now, the authorities seem confident that land acquisition would go smoothly.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by A. Subburaj, TNN / June 12th, 2015

Trichy student bags bronze medal at international archery event

Education, Sports

Trichy :

Coming from a humble peasant family, it was indeed a bold decision for him to take up training in the not-so-famous archery during his school days. The wise decision not only fetched him a gold medal in the national level meet but also bag a bronze medal in the international level tournament proving his mettle. Both he achieved in just a couple of years of practice.

A first year bio-tech student of Sri Math Andavar Arts and Science College, N Elango, 19, bagged bronze medal in the recently concluded first ever Student Olympic South Asian Games held at Thimpu in Bhutan.

Hailing from Sholanganallur village in Nachikurichi panchayat in Trichy, his father Nagarajan is a farmer. However, it was his uncle R Natarajan who noticed his talent and helped him with the basic training and equipment.

“My aspiration to join the police force from my childhood led to develop my interest towards guns and firing. But I was attracted towards archery while watching it in TV,” he said.

Elango, who aspires to become an IPS officer, feels that there is very less awareness about archery among the public. All this two years he had to practice alone as no one in his age group was really interested in the game. “This has never demoralized me. But I realized that I have a responsibility to take up this sport and make it popular by winning Olympic medal for the country,” Elango said.

“The state level archery meet held about six months ago gave me the required confidence to move ahead. I won silver medal in the tournament. Though the competition was intense at the national level meet held in February near Mumbai, I could manage to bag gold medal in the under 19 category. Bagging the first ever national gold gave me recognition in the college, which also sponsored my trip to the First Students Olympic South Asian Games,” he said.

All the three rounds were highly competitive, especially from those who were from Bhutan as it was their national game. But I managed to win the bronze medal, he added. Principal of the Sri Math Andavar Arts and Science College J Radhika credited the achievement to the hard work of Elango and said the college would help more students to take part in such tournaments.

M Rajadurai, national level archer and assistant professor at a city college, trained Elango. He credited Elango’s achievement to his two years of hard work. “There are only five students who get training for archery from me,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / by K. Sambath Kumar, TNN / July 09th, 2015

Once a housemaid, now a proud topper

Amazing Feats, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Trichy :

Twelve-year-old V Mahalakshmi was working as a housemaid in Sembattu in 2009 when members of the Child Labour Effective Elimination and Rehabilitation Society (CHEERS) in Trichy found her and rescued her. She was shifted to a special training centre and later got admission into a school in Namakkal which provided her free education for two years.

When the Plus Two results were announced on Thursday, it was a vindicating moment for Mahalakshmi and the people who stood by her. She had scored 1,142 out of 1,200 and a cut-off mark of 192.25. She was one among the seven child labourers rescued by CHEERS who appeared for the Plus Two examination this year.

“After my husband Venkatapathy’s death in 2009 due to health problems, I had to discontinue my daughter’s education due to financial constraints. I never thought my daughter will reach such a good position,” said Mahalakshmi’s mother V Kalaivani, who is a construction worker. “Hard work and the motivation I received from my school teachers helped me realise my dream of scoring good marks in Plus Two examinations. I am confident that I will get admission to pursue MBBS in a government medical college and be able to serve the people. I sincerely thank all the people who acted behind my success,” Mahalakshmi told TOI.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / TNN /May 28th, 2015

New CEO writes poetry, likes to read about archaeology

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Coimbatore :

N Arul Murugan, city’s new chief educational officer is more than a former government school teacher. While he spends all day attending to administrative matters of the school education department, the officer likes to dedicate some time every weekend to write poetry.

Murugan assumed office on Thursday morning, taking charge from his predecessor A Gnana Gowri. As Gowri was transferred to Salem as the chief educational officer (CEO), Murugan has moved from Pudukkottai.

The 43-year-old officer has published three of his poetry books and two prose books till now. Murugan, who has completed his PhD in Tamil Grammar from Annamalai University, also likes to know about archaeological findings. “While I write literature, I love to read about archaeological findings, and related matters,” said Arul Murugan.

A native of Karur, Murugan started his career as a secondary grade Tamil teacher in a government-aided school in Karur in 1992. In 2002, Murugan became a government school teacher, and then in 2009, he successfully cleared the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission exam, and became an officer of the school education department. A batch mate of the former CEO Gnana Gowri, Arul Murugan started his service in the school education department as the district education officer, Kanniyakumari.

Arul Murugan, however, said that Coimbatore is a developed district when it comes to school education. “I personally like Coimbatore, both as a city to live in and as an educational district. My aim is to further improve the enrolment in government and government aided schools,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Adarsh Jain, TNN / June 05th, 2015

Bikers go on epic journey

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Members of Chennai Superbiker’s Club went as far as Delhi during their 5-day ride and interacted with various NGOs —Photo: V. Ganesan
Members of Chennai Superbiker’s Club went as far as Delhi during their 5-day ride and interacted with various NGOs —Photo: V. Ganesan

Four bikers rode across 8,000 km in 14 states, over 15 days to rollback to Chennai carrying a social message.

Meet members of the Chennai Superbiker’s Club, a bunch of enthusiasts who bond over superbikes and are popular for their macho machines on city roads. Launched in January 2014, the Club has over 40 members flaunting a stable of super sports and adventure models including Yamahas, Aprilias, Suzukis, Kawasakis and Hondas.

With the aim of spread ‘biker camaraderie’ across State boundaries by meeting fellow enthusiasts and also to spread awareness on the escalating violence against Indian women, seven club members rolled on a road trip from Nungambakkam on May 25. Mounted on four eye-catchy rides — Yamaha Vmax, Aprilia Caponord, Kawasaki Z1000 and the Kawasaki ZX 14R — the riders roared on towards Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh in the first leg.

The riders then headed off to Kolkata, passed New Delhi, Jaipur, Surat, Mumbai, Pune, Hubli, Mangalore, Kovalam, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Tiruchi and finally completed the last lap of their 15-day journey early on Wednesday.

Speaking to media persons, the riders were clearly weary, but stood proudly beside their rides that did all the miles. One of the riders Hariharan recalled interacting with fellow bikers at the cities they passed and stopping their machines for interactions with local NGO representatives working on issues related to violence against women. “We visited some affected women who are now protected by NGOs. This road trip was no way like cliché rides, but the one with a purpose,” added a young rider.

Club members carried out the ride with a cause in association with Indian Community Welfare Organisation, Chennai. The bikers plan to organise a helmet awareness ride soon.

Seven enthusiasts travelled over 8,000 km in 14 States to spread awareness on escalating violence against women

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Petlee Peter / Chennai – June 11th, 2015

Lasting regret of Tamil thatha

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
Portrait of U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer
Portrait of U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer

He could not meet the man who sent him palm leaf manuscript of Tamilvidu Thoothu

It may sound like a tragic romantic story in which the lovers never get to meet each other.

U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer, the grand old man of Tamil, had a lasting regret that he never got to meet a man who had sent him a rare palm leaf manuscript of Tamilvidu Thoothu , an anonymous Tamil literary work in 264 stanzas.

In an essay, ‘Innum ariyen’, Iyer narrated his failure to meet the man who had brought the manuscript. Apparently, the man was in financial trouble and was hiding from his creditors. He was not able to preserve the manuscripts and sent them through Swaminatha Iyer’s student Sambasivam Chettiyar in 1900 in Kumbakonam.

“Iyer’s regret was that not only was the author ofTamividu Thoothu unknown, he could not meet even the person who preserved the manuscripts,” said P. Saravanan, who is compiling 165 articles written by Swaminatha Iyer during various periods.

Most of these articles had appeared inSwadesamitran , Kalaimagal , Ananda Vikatan ,Kalki and little known journals such as Darul Islam , Aadal Paadal and Silpasree . Twenty of these were never published.

Book release in August

Mr. Saravanan, a postgraduate Tamil teacher at the Chennai Corporation School, said the book would run into 1,000 pages and ‘Kalachuvadu’, the publisher, had plans to bring it out in three volumes .

It will be published in August with a preface by Professor A.R. Venkatachalapathy of Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), who encouraged Mr. Saravanan to take up this venture.

“While compiling the book, I have depended on the first edition, and the second edition that contained corrections carried out by Swaminatha Iyer himself. I am saying this because subsequent editions are rampant with errors,” said Mr. Saravanan, who has already published the prefaces of Swaminathan Iyer titled Saminatham.

In search of

missing flowers

In Uthirntha Malar , Iyer had explained his journey in search of three flowers mentioned inKurinjipattu .

Nilavil Malarntha Mullai talks about the surprise discovery of a work called Mullaipattu .

Mr. Saravanan said Swaminatha Iyer had also reviewed Sangakaalathil Chera Mannargal , a book penned by Raghava Iyengar in 1937. Sanga Tamizhum Pirkala Tamizhum , originally delivered as a 10-day lecture at the Madras University, runs into 200 pages.

“A news reporter in Swaminatha Iyer can be spotted in the essay he wrote in 1904 about Tiruvidaimarudhur Vasantha Mahotsavam,” said Mr. Saravanan.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by B. Kolappan / Chennai – June 02nd, 2015

Once TN’s Hockey Hub, Today Victim of Multiple Self-goals

Sports
Members of Kovilpatti Sports Club posing with the trophy in Thoothukudi on Sunday | Express
Members of Kovilpatti Sports Club posing with the trophy in Thoothukudi on Sunday | Express

Thoothukudi :

If you think Kovilpatti is only about matchsticks and crunchy ground nut candies, then you are not all that right. The quaint little town in Thoothukudi district plays a significant role in the evolution of the country’s national game, hockey. Sadly, the buzz is waning, because of dwindling matches and sponsors.

Hockey was introduced in Kovilpatti in the pre-Independence days, largely due to the efforts of a doctor, Durairaj, who was a player himself. It was because of his untiring efforts that the Kovilpatti Sports Club was formed in the year 1944 and State-level matches were conducted from 1946. Soon the game spread to all parts of the State and several talents started to emerge. In 1960, Durairaj purchased a piece of land and constructed a hockey stadium with contribution from Lakshmi Mills, where he worked as medical officer. Later, a trust named Kuppusamy Naidu Memorial Trust was formed and the State tournament was converted to national tournament under the banner Kuppusamy Naidu Memorial Tournament. A local team was formed in the year 1962 and was coached by legendary Dhyan Chand. Star players like Olympians Baskar and Peter have also played for the Kovilpatti team.

However, contemporary players feel that sport of 60 years has hit a low that it needs government intervention and private sponsors to conduct matches again.

Mathiah, who played several club matches in Mumbai and Bangalore, points out that the frequency of hockey tournaments has reduced drastically in the last five years. “Hockey players were assured of central government jobs earlier but now that the government has stopped recruiting sports persons, budding talents prefer to focus on other professions. Apart from this, private sponsors have declined and the rural clubs are in no position to generate resources to conduct tournaments,” he said. “The past glory of Kovilpatti could be restored only if Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) conducts hockey competitions here,” said Mathiah.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Yazhiniyan / June 01st, 2015

Leftover food fills hungry tummies, thanks to these three youths

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

Coimbatore :

A two-wheeler fitted with a cardboard box is used to transport extra food from various marriage halls, association functions and hotels by a group of three youngsters aged between 22 and 24. Started as a small pilot project to collect and distribute extra food, they have now converted it into an organized effort over the past five months. The food is passed on to the needy at various slums, orphanages and ashrams in the city. They have also created a helpline number through which public could inform them about extra food.

A G Padmanaban, M Sudhakar and M Dinesh who have been roommates since their second year of college, bonded over developing innovative projects and apps initially. “As production engineering graduates, we were keen on developing new devices. Thought we have all got placements, we were more interested in doing something that would contribute towards sustainable living,” said Padmanaban. Thus, they started the Spice Foundation.

Sudhakar’s father is a lorry driver, Dinesh’s, a textile weaver and Padmanaban’s father is a central government employee. “We divided the work based on our interests and skills. Dinesh and I take care of school education and Sudhakar takes care of solid waste management projects,” said Padmanaban.

So far this year, they have fed 4,350 people with quality food worth Rs1.74lakh. “We calculated the cost per person to be Rs40 but it could be more than that,” said Sudhakar. They aim to feed 2000 people daily. The group is currently looking to launch an application created by them to organize their ‘no food waste’ project. “We plan to launch the app after it is tested. When we receive a call from a hotel, the app immediately sends a message to one of our volunteers, that would include the name, location and phone number of the hotel. The receiver also gets directions,” said Padmanaban.

The group has identified 30 marriage halls, three hotels and a few other associations where they could collect left-over food. “We distribute it at several orphanages and slum areas,” said Padmanaban. As of now, the only advertisement is through social media.

Though food collection and distribution sounds simple, they face several challenges, they said. “Most of the caterers dislike us as they would have sold the food instead. So they are not very helpful. We pack the food in banana leaf and paper,” said Sudhakar. Besides, since they get calls round-the-clock, they have to coordinate with the donors in such a way that the food does not spoil. “As per our pilot study, 60% of the food wasted is during lunch and 20% each during breakfast and dinner,” said Padmanaban. They hope to get some grants to support their project. “We earn around Rs7000 per month from other projects and continue to work on creating apps and e-commerce portals during our free time,” said Sudhakar who is also involved in segregating and selling recyclable waste in two areas in Kovai Pudur.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Komal Gautham, TNN / June 02nd, 2015