Jute making workshop at Queens Mary’s College in the city. Photo: Paul Joshua
Dhanalaxmi teaches jute-bag making and helps student start their own businesses
Over 100 students of Queen Mary’s College learnt the nuances of jute bag-making from Dhanalaxmi, who has been encouraging woman to become entrepreneurs. The owner of IVERS Bags, Dhanalaxmi has been in this business for the past 11years. Five years ago, she started helping others start their own businesses. She has been training self-help groups and NGOs in making and marketing jute bags and jewellery.
“A few years ago, when the IT scene was bad, one couple from the IT industry approached me, asking me to train them in the art. Today, they run a successful jute business,” she said.
In the session conducted at the college, students from corporate secretaryship, sociology, zoology and B.Com departments walked away with certificates presented by Akathar Begum, principal, on successful completion of the workshop.
“These are the bags we have made. Dhanalaxmi ma’am also gave us a kit box with materials to try more designs at home,” said a student showing off a table full of sling bags, pencil pouches and tambulam bags made by her.
Dhanalaxmi is ready to conduct training for groups and individuals . “This is an eco-friendly product and helps reduce the use of plastic. People should make a switch to jute product.”
Dhanalaxmi can be contacted at 92831 35238/98405 33611.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Downtown / by Flavia Plaidus / Chennai – July 04th, 2015
The last of the traditional weavers of Kancheepuram cotton saris display their work at Co-optex.— Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam
The last of the traditional weavers of a cooperative society in Vadamanapakkam in Cheyyar taluk of Tiruvannamalai district have returned to creating the famed Kancheepuram cotton saris after a gap of 15 years.
The Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Society, better known as Co-optex, has tried to revive the nearly extinct variety of saris by increasing the weavers’ wages. The weavers had switched to jacquard machines and elaborate designs as it brought more earnings. Now, a group of 30 weaver families attached to the Vadamanapakkam Sakthivel Murugan Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Society has taken up weaving traditional designs.
“Kancheepuram silk weavers use the korvai method and we adopted it. In those days, weaving was a family effort and children were employed as they were deft. Ever since child labour was banned we had to adopt a different method,” recalls Kadirvel, a weaver. Mr.Kadirvel has never been to school and learnt weaving from his parents. Like him S. Ambiga joined her parents at the age of 10. Since last year, when Co-optex began attaching cards with each handloom sari, introducing the weaver to the buyer, Ms.Ambiga has earned respectability as a weaver. The Vadamanapakkam Society was a one-man show for over 20 years, with M. Lakshmi as president.
“The children would finish the toughest part and we would do the rest. Just one weaver can create the entire sari in three days. We used to provide 50 saris a month to Co-optex. But now they have raised our wages by Rs.100 per sari and we produce 100 saris a month,” she says.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by R. Sujatha / Chennai – July 08th, 2015
85-year-old Anbu Sundaranandi Swamigal from Tirupur was one of the 165 students who passed the three B F Tech course offered by TNAU through distance learning. (TOI photo by J Jackson)
Coimbatore :
Sporting just a sandal-coloured veshti and a green shawl thrown over the shoulder, a man with a long and thick grey beard and upper torso bared could not be missed in the queue of students waiting to collect their bachelors’ degree in farm technology. The minute he walked out of the auditorium of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) on Wednesday morning many professors and students, who addressed him as ‘swami’, walked up to the man to congratulate him.
85-year-old Anbu Sundaranandi Swamigal, from Jaisakthi Viraja Gurukulam in Vinayagar Valagam in Tirupur, was one of the 165 students who passed the three-year BFTech course offered by TNAU through distance learning. His presence made many curious onlookers wondering what a man resembling and sounding like a ‘godman’ was doing among the new graduates.
“Well I am someone who decided to dedicate the later part of my life to service and yes I do yoga and am a siddha and naturopathy medical practitioner,” he said. “But my main focus was on serving the people by saving the profession of farming and bringing about organic farming,” he said. “I believe in worshipping the five elements — earth, air, water, wind and fire. But mother earth has been spoilt by all these chemical fertilisers.”
The octogenarian, who worked as a textile technician for 38 years, began learning more about organic farming by meeting and following Indian organic farming scientist G Nammalvar since 1995. “I slowly began going on tours to many districts like Thiruvannamalai and Dindigul and would advise farmers to opt for organic farming,” he said.
Swamigal says he joined the course to obtain scientific knowledge about organic farming and how better they can use natural resources. “This way when I go on tours across the state and country to meet farmers, I can scientifically explain the procedures, their positives and their negatives,” he said.
Swamigal also started offering free consultancy service every Sunday since last month. “It is open to farmers or people who want to get into organic farming and want advice on how to go about it. I also invite buyers so they can meet farmers and procure goods directly,” he said. “I personally have now put papaya in my 1.5 acre land.”
Like Sundaranandi Swamigal, there were many farmers or people who want to get into farming consultancy who decided to get into a classroom at the university for two days every month for three years. “While 35 per cent to 40 per cent of our class consisted of pure farmers who decided to take the course to scientifically understand and improve what they were doing, 50 per cent came from varied professions such as marketing, tax officials and auditors and the remaining 10 per cent came from allied professions within agriculture like seed marketing,” says G Vivek, 38, a graduate.
Vivek, who holds a diploma in electrical and electronic engineering, a master’s degree in social work, and more than 10 years work experience in marketing, decided to take this course for his love of farming and dream of making farming as lucrative as medicine or engineering. “I was always interested in farming. I dreamt of creating collective or integrated farming, so when any crop was produced in large-scale, selling, marketing and even labour sharing would be easier,” he said.
“I, however, knew that I had to study more about it, make more contacts among experts and researchers in the field. I also wanted this degree to have scientific knowledge and backing of the suggestions I give farmers so that they trust me,” he says. “It also helps when we approach banks for loans and government officials for schemes and subsidies,” he adds.
A few students had simply taken the course for the love of knowledge like retired income tax department official Dr K Singharavelu who has obtained eight degrees and a doctorate so far.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Pratiksha RamKumar, TNN / July 04th, 2015
Commemorating the services of saint-scholar Yazhpanam Arumuga Navalar, who lived mostly in Sri Lanka, an air-conditioned auditorium built by a school in Mannivakkam was named after him.
Inaugurating the auditorium at Shri Natesan Vidyasala in suburban Mudichur, near Tambaram recently, K. Swaminathan, retired headmaster of the 150-year-old Arumuga Navalar HSS, Chidambaram, recalled the services of Arumuga Navalar who established a school in Chidambaram in 1864.
N. Ramasubramanian, founder of Shri Natesan Vidyasala, said his book Baalapaadam for students and many other works were legendary.
V. Venkatesan, Inspector of Matriculation Schools, Kancheepuram, took part.
Navalar (1822-1879), was an exponent in Saiva Siddhantha and had written a number of books on Thiruvilayadal Puranam, Kanda Puranam, Koil Puranam and published many religious books. – Staff Reporter
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – July 07th, 2015
Nearly 85 teams took part in the 14th edition of the All Women Duchess Club rally on Sunday, and as you can tell, it wasn’t just their cars that were decked up | P Ravikumar
Chennai :
A full-blown car carnival is probably the second best thing to waking up late on a Sunday morning. The 14th edition of the Indian Oil All Women Dutchess Club Car Rally saw the parking arena of Hotel Savera morph into a fair ground, complete with women in costumes, a stage for photo ops and a bee-line of cars — all customised to suit this year’s theme ‘Madras to Chennai’.
Nearly 85 teams took part in the 14th edition of the All Women Duchess Club rally on Sunday, and as you can tell, it wasn’t just their cars that were decked up | P Ravikumar
Participants of the nearly 85 teams started gearing up for the two-hour drive from Hotel Savera to Orchid Springs in Anna Nagar, as early as 8 am. Adding to the mood was a koothu performance at the venue, with a floating group of dancers, who joined in for a while, before proceeding to do the final touches on their car.
While most were all-women teams, one could spot a male member in a few, trying their best to match the thematic costumes of the ladies. While a few women came dressed in pattu saris, complete with matching bling and kolam stickers on the bonnet of their car, a few others took the unconventional route to suggest the journey from the old to new. “As you can see, we want to bring in the traditional element through the veshti which we have draped on one leg, and a modern touch, with jeans on the other,” said Hamsa Rani, one of the participants at the rally. “It’s not just the costume, we have been reading a lot about the city, especially in historian S Muthiah’s books,” she added.
Nearly 85 teams took part in the 14th edition of the All Women Duchess Club rally on Sunday, and as you can tell, it wasn’t just their cars that were decked up | P Ravikumar
Hamsa’s team was among the few others who wanted to shout out the theme as loud as possible through their costumes. One of the teams had the Kaapi to Capuccino print on their T-shirts, and another had women draped in silk half saris over jeans and T-shirt. Yet another took the ‘black and white’ era quite literally, and named their team so. Dressed in a zebra-striped shirt, a member of the team took us around a specially-customised Audi with black and white photos of the Central Station, Zoo, Spencer Plaza and other landmarks in the city, taken in the 1880s.
Them apart, there were a few who extrapolated the theme to the significance of unity in society. “Unity is the best way to adopt change. The city has adapted to several changes, it’s not just in the name. We want to emphasise on the importance of standing for each other,” said Amrita, who was participating for the first time in the rally along with her family.
According to Sujata Mundhra from the Duchess Club, the participation shot up this year probably because of two reasons. “We have added the new family category this time, and the calculation bit that participants find very tedious, has been scrapped. That might have roped in more participants” she said with a laugh.
Actor Ganesh Venkatraman flagged off the cars, and expressed his interest in being part of the rally in future. “I have a huge craze for cars, and though I haven’t been part of any rally as such, I would love to join this one, if they allow men next year, or probably in the family category,” he said with a smile. “I love the feeling of being here on a Sunday morning and seeing so many cheerful faces. These are enterprising women who have a spirit of adventure in them. And this rally is really not about competition, but also about trying something new, and creating awareness. I am sure people on Chennai roads are going to wonder seeing all those decorated cars,” he says.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / July 06th, 2015
Charusree strikes a balance between conservation and development.
A few weeks ago at the personality test in New Delhi, Charusree Thiagarajan (24) had to make a choice between environment conservation and infrastructure development. Refusing to make a choice, she took a stand, sensibly striking a right balance between conservation and development. It worked.
On Saturday, Ms.Charusree emerged the topper among thousands of IAS aspirants who prepared for the civil services exam from Chennai, securing the sixth rank at the all-India level. After innovating on wireless technology at Qualcomm, she took a decision to join the Indian Forest Service. Now, her career is set to take yet another turn, towards the Indian Administrative Service as the Union Public Service Commission on Saturday recommended a list of 1,236 successful candidates for appointment to IAS, IFS, IPS and Central Services.
With a score at the personality test crucial for a good ranking in the highly competitive examination, sensible answers by such candidates have offered them the opportunity to join the IAS. Having secured the highest rank among candidates from the State, Ms.Charusree is expected to join the Tamil Nadu cadre of IAS after completion of training.
Ms.Charusree decided to shift to Chennai for graduation after schooling in Coimbatore. “I joined the College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University because Chennai has the facilities to prepare for the civil services. I graduated in 2012, joined Qualcomm, but continued to prepare for the civil services,” said Ms.Charusree.
“At work with Qualcomm, I studied geography in Shankar IAS Academy and T.I.M.E in Chennai. I worked hard for 6 to 7 hours every day,” said Ms.Charusree.
“I read only The Hindu and NCERT textbooks for general studies,” said Ms.Charusree.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by Aloysius Xavier Lopez / Chennai – July 05th, 2015
The crew members of a fishing boat from Kanyakumari and an oil tanker ship carrying the Singapore flag have been selected for Indian Coast Guard SAR awards.
The crew members of the boat – Auster – and the oil tanker — Maersk Privilege — will get the award for rendering timely help to 11 fishermen in distress at the Arabian Sea.
The awards — Indian Coast Guard SAR Award for Fishermen and Indian Coast Guard SAR Award Merchant Ship — will be conferred during a meeting of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on July 17, according to a statement from Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre of Coast Guard.
On May 9, a deep sea fishing vessel, MFB Arputha Matha, belonging to S Justin of Eraviputhanthurai, ran aground on a coral reef near Lakshadweep. The crew members started calling for help with a limited frequency wireless set.
On May 9, a deep sea fishing vessel, MFB Arputha Matha, belonging to S Justin of Eraviputhanthurai, developed a technical snag and crew members were unable to fix it. They started calling for help with a limited frequency wireless set.
The oil tanker picked up the signal and responded by reaching the spot to extend help. With their advanced communication system they communicated to the Coast Guard in Mumbai as well as other boats in the vicinity.
As the Coast Guard was coordinating the rescue operations, fishing boat Auster rushed to help the fishermen in distress. All the 11 crew members were rescued.
“The Coast Guard is awarding the fishing boat as well as the oil tanker for their timely help in rescuing fishermen in distress,” stated Vincent Jain of the Association of Deep Sea Going Artisanal Fishermen.
Auster’s owner Lourdaiyyan said, “We felt it was our duty to help our fishermen in distress, and this award is a real encouragement for us.”
The awards — Indian Coast Guard SAR Award for Fishermen and Indian Coast Guard SAR Award Merchant Ship — will be conferred during a meeting of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on July 17
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by J. Arockiaraj, TNN / July 06th, 2015
I have never been quite, as blown away as most critics, but this play Gas Light written by Patrick Hamilton in 1938, is one of the path-breaking plays of that era, capturing a stock vignette of Victorian London. It is a suspense thriller that was made a landmark.
The show not only gives us an insight into the intelligent work, but takes us into a paranoia trap as Mrs Mannigham (Shaan Katari Libby), suffers from a mental illness. The cunning and convincing husband Mannigham, played his role, grappling with his wife’s gradual breakdown by very devious means. There is also a sadistic husband, who has a criminal past, unknown to her.
As the play progresses, the entry of a refined police inspector, unravels the sordid past of the husband, who is ultimately trapped, and this forms the denouement of the play.
Indeed this drama, with its Victorian vernacular, had a charm of its own, coupled with psychic drama and a racy plot that kept us at the edge of our seats.
A stellar performance of P C Ramakrishna with his booming voice and dialogue delivery, as detective Rough, stole the show. He brought out this play in depth with his psychological investigation, than through a conventional detective show. Certainly Ramakrishna managed to build up a sizeable fan base, mainly because of his solid performance. The supporting artists Deepa Nambiar as Elizabeth and Smriti Parameshwar as Nancy, the saucy maid were appreciative.
This Victorian thriller presents a window, into the Mannigham household, where everything and everyone, seem to disappear and re-appear at different times.
It was staged by the Madras Players, the oldest theatre group of India, who have been consistently producing meaningful, theatre production for 60 years.
Directed by Michael Muthu, a well known man in theatrical direction who has directed more than 80 productions, this play is considered as the master piece of atmosphere, with the gas lights and Victorian inspired architecture on its sets.
Undoubtedly, with its old-fashioned decency and dogged determination, the play won over all the players in this group, and the fans. It was a great deliverance, indeed.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Narayana Vishwanath / July 06th, 2015
Free:A. Anthony Raj has been distributing tree saplings to residents’ welfare organisations.— Photo: K. Pichumani
For A. Anthonyraj, happiness is keeping the city green.
Greening the city by planting trees is being taken up by several residents’ associations and activists, but securing saplings for the purpose comes at a cost.
Mr. Anthonyraj, a horticulturist and landscaper by profession, has been distributing tree saplings to residents’ welfare organisations and environmental activists for more than a year. He has given away more than 1,000 saplings free of cost to those volunteering to keep their localities or multi-storeyed apartments green.
He owns a horticulture farm at Thiruporur and said the inspiration was staring at him in the face: a concrete jungle.
“I decided to provide free saplings looking at the city losing its greenery gradually. I have also apportioned a small part of my profits for this venture.”
Mr. Anthonyraj has done landscaping projects in Qatar and Singapore and holds in high regard the rigorous procedure involved in cutting avenue trees even for development purposes in those nations.
He is concerned about the lack of adequate protection for avenue trees in India.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by R.Srikanth / Chennai – July 04th, 2015
Those who completed SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificated) at the Hindu High School, Triplicane, fifty years ago are planning a reunion this year. The golden jubilee reunion hopes to bring together people the SSLC batch of 1965 in one of the oldest schools.
Honouring teachers, assisting in infrastructural development, and creating a scholarship fund for meritorious students from economically backward families have also been planned.
Former students who want to be part of the event may get in touch with Janardhanan at Ph: 9841210884. e-mail: janakrishjai@gmail.com. — Special Correspondent
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – July 04th, 2015
