Monthly Archives: October 2015

300-year-old tradition: Couples take marriage vow in the lap of nature

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Madurai  :

Keeping its 300-year-old tradition, Kambalathar community continues to conduct its marriage ceremonies in the village square by trying to keep close to nature.

Jayabalan, 25, son of Bangarusamy and Lingammal of Ezhuvanampatti near Battalagundu in Dindigul district, tied the knot with Sivasakthi, daughter of Ponram of Koduvilarpatti in this traditional manner. As per the tradition, elders of the village went into the forest and brought branches of some perennial trees such as milk tree (brosimum galactodendron). Two huts were made using these branches – one for the groom and other for the bride.

Priest Mookiah performed the marriage ceremony while the bride and groom remained at the huts. The marriage ceremony is performed in front of mud pots containing millets, jaggery and betel leaves. “These were things that our ancestors consumed as food and was given to the bride for prosperity,” he said.

A horse was then brought to the venue and groom mounted it and galloped around the bride’s hut before tying the ‘mangalsutra’ around the neck. Other ceremonies and rituals followed. People gathered at the venue sang songs glorifying their community’s culture and heritage.

These people believe that the ‘thali’ or ‘mangalsutra’ should never be kept down once the goldsmith makes it. A woman from the groom’s family wears it, till the day of the wedding, when he takes it from her and ties it to the bride.

S Siva Murugesan, a siddha doctor from Dindigul, says that the Kambalathar community hail from Bellary in Karnataka which was earlier under Andhra Pradesh. They still speak Telugu. “They were traditionally shepherds who roamed the Himalayas. They were fearless warriors a reason why Vijayanagar empire appointed them as soldiers and made them lead them,” he said. They were tribes that roamed the hills, so they carry out rituals that pertain to nature only.

They crossed the Tungabatra river led by Vijayanagar dynasty’s Viswanadha Naicker and came to conquer Madurai, which was under the rule of the Muslims and succeeded in their quest. The used the tantric method in war and believe only in natural forces.

Veerapandia Kattabomman, the chieftain from Palayamkottai who fought against the British belonged to this community. They were also made zamindars by the rulers for their loyalty.

A closed community, they were known for suppressing their women. It is in the last three decades that these women have ventured out of their homes and gone to pursue their education, he said. One such except was the new bride Sivasakthi who had completed her post-graduation.

K Samikannu an elderly person from the community says it is a must for all members of the community to conduct the initial marriage ceremony in this traditional manner.

“It is something that has been followed for the past 300 years. But the reception and feast can be conducted in a hotel or marriage hall,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Madurai / by Padmini Sivarajah, TNN / October 30th, 2015

The Only Woman Inspector in Railway Protection Force Retires After 38 Years

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All
M Parameshwari | P Ravikumar
M Parameshwari | P Ravikumar

Chennai :

In 1989, the then principal of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) training centre in Tiruchirapalli was not too pleased to see a woman trainee among hundreds of men for the first time at the institute.

“It was very evident from his body language and his face. But when he saw me matching steps and firing the .303 rifle as proficiently as the men, the apprehension was gone. In fact, when I graduated, he personally came up and said that I had exceeded expectations,” says 60-year-old M Parameshwari, the lone woman RPF inspector in the Indian Railways, also in-charge at the Egmore Railway Station.

Parameshwari is all set to retire after a 38-year-long career with the Indian Railways — a service which she fondly says is her second husband. Looking back at her career and life, the mother of three tells City Express about her her father’s encouragement.

“He pushed me into sports right when I was a teenager. This made me physically and mentally tough. It worked in my favour when I joined the RPF in March 1977,” she explains, crediting the Indian Railways for helping her stand on her feet today.

Parameshwari02CF31oct2015

Times were tough those days, she reminisces. “The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had just given a push to include women in security forces. But special facilities like a toilet or changing room were non-existent for men, much less women. I’ve seen the gradual changes over the years and today, we have a separate toilet and a relaxing room for RPF staff,” she says.

Being tough-as-nails in a male dominated work-force always has its pitfalls, rues Parameshwari. Refusing to elaborate, she indicates that there have been times when professionally jealous subordinates or colleagues would pass unnecessary comments based on her gender. “But since I was very straight-forward and demanding, they never dared to say it on my face,” she says.

Despite her diligence, Parameshwari says that she was given only office work for the first few years after she became Assistant Sub-Inspector after the training in Tiruchirapalli. In 1998, the then Chief Security Commissioners Ganesan and Damodaran, recognised her toughness and sent her to safeguard passengers, remove hawkers from the stations and apprehend criminals.

“After that, there was no looking back. I travelled to places like Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Delhi. Very few women get an opportunity to see the world and I consider myself lucky,” she says.

But being a woman in the security forces was a tough job, especially if one wished to have a satisfactory domestic life as well, Inspector  Parameshwari says.

“I was not only a government servant, but also a servant in my home, a wife, a mother and a daughter-in-law. Unlike other 9 to 5 jobs, I have to attend the call of duty at any time of the day or night,” she says, adding that a woman must develop a sportive spirit to succeed in a demanding career like this.

Parameshwari is looking forward to spending her life’s savings on building a home for her children in Avadi. She plans to spend her post-retirement time with her two grandchildren. Duty, as she puts it, is a task that she is always ready for.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Siddharth Prabhakar / October 29th, 2015

Chennai girl wows nation, wins ‘Thai boxing’ championship

Records, All, Sports

Chennai :

Seven years ago, B K Amala was walking with her grandmother when she noticed a poster for taekwondo training. Sensing the eight-year-old’s desire to learn martial arts, the older woman took the initiative. Amala is now the national champion in Thai boxing (in her age category) after having mastered taekwondo and conventional boxing.

The 15-year-old, who has won state-level taekwondo and boxing championships as well, credits her grandmother for her success. “She is a great source of inspiration.”

Hailing from a lower middle class family – her father is a clerk at a private hospital – Amala says she couldn’t have made it but for the sacrifices made by her family. “My parents never complained and made sure I got the best possible training. My uncle accompanies me to all tournaments,” she says.

Managing the training expenses of both his children (Amala’s brother is following in her footsteps) is quite a struggle for their father B K Kannan. “We always wanted the best for our children. To pay for Amala’s coaching, we stopped going to movies and eating out. I borrowed money to make sure she got good training. We could not afford the healthy food that her coach advised but my daughter was satisfied with whatever we gave and worked hard,” he says.

The corporation school student has also excelled in academics. “She is hard working. Though she trains hard for boxing she never lets it impact on her academics. She always passed her exams with distinction,” says her headmistress, Selvakumari.

The corporation, realizing her potential, sponsored her participation in the national level championship. Amala now wants to represent her country in Olympics ands her coach Karan is sure she will make India proud one day. “She is a very disciplined and focused student.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Chennai / TNN /October 30th, 2015

Chennai doctor is president-elect of International Neuropsychiatry Association

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Chennai  :

Chennai-based neuropsychiatrist Dr Ennapadam S Krishnamoorthy has been chosen as president-elect of the International Neuropsychiatry Association (INA).

The decision to make him president-elect was taken at the 10th INA Congress held in Jerusalem recently.

The INA is a global grouping of doctors and scientists with specific interest in disorders of the brain and mind.

Dr Krishnamoorthy has been unanimously elected to lead the INA as president-elect from 2015 to 2017 and as president from 2017 to 2018.

He is the founder of an integrative healthcare and rehabilitation chain in Chennai. He has authored two book and more than 70 scientific papers.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Chennai / Ekatha Ann John, TNN  / October 25th, 2015

Home is the business zone for these entrepreneurs

Business & Economy

It looks like Coimbatore has been witnessing a surge in the number of home entrepreneurs. These trendy businesswomen do not need a fancy set up or a plush studio to run their business, but are more than happy to churn out their goodies from the premises of their houses. Lathadevi R Sivakumar, who conducts baking classes in the city, doesn’t have an upmarket baking studio, but has a separate portion carved out of her home for her workshops. “I wanted to encourage people to make simple homemade food and teach them the basics of cooking. When I started my work, there was a common entrance to the house and there was a steady influx of people to the home. This posed as a hindrance in managing the family and business. But now I use a separate room in my house outside the entrance and have set clear working hours as well. I also take appointments before I meet people. It’s a 400 sq ft room and it can easily hold up to 15 people for a hands-on-session and 30 people for demo. This helps me to manage the flow of work smoothly.”

Isha Arora, who makes cellphone covers, keychains, wallets right in her bedroom, says that she just spreads a newspaper around and begins to work on the merchandises. “I have been making these crafty items for the last two years and every bit of the work happens in my bedroom. If the orders are less, I have a small table around the corner where I sit and make them. If the order is big, I just sit on the ground, spread few newspapers around and begin my work. The work predominantly happens after I finish my day at college, “says Isha, who sells her products online or at expos. “Only if it’s a bulk order, people come home. I also conduct classes for those interested in crafts right in my room on the ground,” she adds.

According to Latha, the biggest advantage of the arrangement is that she can be a lot flexible. “Since both workplace and home are in the same area, I do not have to fret over getting to work or getting back home. I can work long hours and also take breaks in between.” For Shereen Nunez, who caters custards for colleges along with her husband Arthur Auto Nunez, it’s a huge advantage as she can concentrate on both her family and work at the same time. “I started with just five custards two years ago and today I serve up to 300 custard cups every day. I didn’t have to invest much as well in the beginning since I just had to function out of my kitchen. The custards are made in the morning and we purchase the material every evening. If we have to cater biriyani on prior order, we cook it in traditional way with dum in a small space outside our home.”

Nithya Doraisamy, who has been making crafty tags, says that though she would love to open a craft studio in future, she enjoys working out of home as well. “I used to make these gifts for friends and when I realized that Coimbatore has a good demand for crafty tags, I decided to make more of them. I work out of an extra room that we have at home where I also stock my paper and paints. Since I am only a beginner and haven’t ventured into the business full-fledged in a commercial manner, working from home suits me me. I can finish all the work on my own and manage my personal life as well.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / National> City> Coimbatore / by P. Sangeetha, TNN / October 18th, 2015

VIT student bags gold medal for project

Education, Records, All, Science & Technologies

A Civil Engineering student of VIT University bagged a gold medal in the All India Design Competition for engineering students.

Aditi Palaspure, a third year student of B. Tech Civil Engineering had won the prestigious medal for her project on predicting compression index of clay for designing shallow foundations.

Participation

She had started working on the project last year for the university’s Project Based Learning programme and went on to participate in the competition.

The competition is organised annually by the National Design and Research Forum of the Institution of Engineers (India).

It invites entries from students studying in various engineering disciplines including aerospace, agricultural, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, marine and textile, a press release said.

“Marine clay has a property to shrink in dry weather and it tends to swell during wet weather. Hence, buildings that come up on such clay can undergo damage. This can be predicted if the compression index of the soil is known,” she explained.

When force is applied to the soil, the changes that occur are measured with the help of compression index.

“However, the present methods to determine the compression index are carried out in laboratories and are expensive and time-consuming, she added.

Aim of project

“My project aims to explore how we can predict the compression index of soil using easily determinable properties of soil, in lesser time,” she said.

She received a gold medal and a certificate for the project at a ceremony held in Karnataka.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by Staff Reporter / Vellore – October 27th, 2015