Monthly Archives: November 2015

On a mission to serve

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
T.V.M.Thillai Ammal
T.V.M.Thillai Ammal

Coimbatore  :

T.V.M.Thillai Ammal ( 1914 – 2009 ) was the second daughter of T.A.Ramalingam Chettiar ( 1882 – 1952 ) the father of the Co operative movement and the first Member of Parliament from Coimbatore. Thillai Ammal was married to Dr. T.V.Muthuswamy at a tender age of 14 years. Muthuswamy passed away due to an attack of TB just three years after their marriage. She went to Chennai, joined a tutorial college and did a two-year programme. Thillai Ammal interacted with Mahatma Gandhi and attended a number of his prayer meetings. Later, she spent a lot of time in the Sabarmati Ashram where she was inspired to devote her time to the well being of the socially and financially downtrodden people. She gave her bangles away for the freedom movement.

The Kasturi Bai Trust was the first social organization that gave Thillai Ammal the required inputs that were to guide her. She returned to Coimbatore and Periya Naickenpalayam were her cousin T.S.Avinashilingam Chettiar had established the Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya. It was here that began serving the society of this region. Her nephew, the octogenarian educationist remembers, “My aunt used to visit the nearby villages and teach people the value of hygiene and education. I used to accompany her on these missions. The prayer meetings mobilised women folk and they were taught crafts and awareness about health. She adopted villages and conducted street plays and villu paatus as part of a continuous awareness initiative. A number of them were offered assistance and therefore were able to establish themselves by purchasing cattle or setting up petty shops. She helped them acquire land for housing by acting as their representative. “

Later, she started Seva Nilayam with some kids in 1949 and subsequently her father T.A.Ramalingam Chettiar and the Coimbatore public helped her establish a permanent premises for Seva Nilayam at Syrian Church Road. Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddiar inaugurated the new facilities in 1950. Thillai Ammal started an Umber Charkha training course and a type writing course for widows in order to empower them. Seva Nilayam became the home for a number of abandoned kids and these kids grew up under her watchful eyes. She was the ‘Amma’ for these kids and the Saradhamani Primary School and the Seva Nilayam High School were created by her with the purpose of empowering the girls in her care. The kids who grew up at the Seva Nilayam were enriched with education, social and moral values and a sound traditional foundation that stood them well all their life. Thillai Ammal visited prisoners in jail and she tried to make a difference in the lives of the inmates and their families. A Junior approved school was started for the kids in need of rehabilitation in the year 1951 and a working women’s hostel came into being in 1982.

Thillai Ammal, educated thousands of girls and conducted hundreds of marriages. The Avinashilingam University honoured her with a Doctorate in 2004. Recalls Dr.T.V.Angappan, “Several citizens were made part of this initiative. Sir.R.K.Shanmukham Chetty, Dr.C.Subramaniam, R.Venkataswamy Naidu , M.S .Palaniappa Mudaliar were part of the committee. Social worker and legislator Savithri Shanmugam was with my aunt. She met eminent leaders such as Indira Gandhi, and K.Kamaraj who visited Seva Nilayam and appreciated her work.”

Jayshree Ravi, the grand niece and the Secretary of Seva Nilayam recalls, “I used to visit her everyday for more than 12 years. She made me unlearn a number of things before inculcating the concept of service in me. She was frank, simple, committed, calm, patient and understood the language of the downtrodden, handled difficult situations with aplomb and was fearless at all times. It is thanks to her hard work and her life long mission that Seva Nilayam has withstood the test of time . The sacrifice of Thillai Ammal is our foundation for she gave away all her wealth for this cause and she just had three khadi sarees in her cupboard along with one shawl presented by Indira Gandhi . Her ornament was benevolence”

The amazing T.V.M. Thillai Ammal was one of the early social workers among the women of Coimbatore who added lustre to the lives of the downtrodden.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Rajesh Govindarajulu / November 27th, 2015

Tamil-Brahmi Inscription on Ancient Coin Links Indus Civilization to Sangam Age

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

Chennai  :

The Swastika extensively found in the Indus Valley Civilization and considered as auspicious in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, is found in a coin of famous Tamil king Adhiyaman, one of the seven chieftains known for charity.

The coin, which was found by R Krishnamurthy, a well known numismatist and Dinamalar Editor, also shows warriors with Greek style of headgear and writings in Brahmi and Tamil-Brahmi. The coin could show the Tamils’ link with the early Indus Valley and later Greek civilizations.

(Clockwise from top) The coin found by numismatist R Krishnamurthy; and the impression of the front and the back of the coin
(Clockwise from top) The coin found by numismatist R Krishnamurthy; and the impression of the front and the back of the coin

According to some historians, Adhiyaman is said to be from the Mazhava tribe, which ruled a territory in the Indus Valley between Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers. The finding could show a link between the Indus Valley civilization and Tamils of Sangam age. Besides, the Swastika symbol, otherwise called gammadion cross, which was also used by the Nazis, could have originated in the Indus Valley, which is one of the ancient civilizations along with the Egyptian and Sumerian civilizations.

Explaining the coin, Krishnamurthy said: “The front side shows an elephant near a flag mast, while Swastika symbol is found on the top left. The name Adhiyaman is seen on the top of the elephant. On the back side, a river and two fishes are found. A horse and a soldier wielding a shield and sword-like weapon are seen. The soldier is wearing a headgear with Greek style hair decorations.” King Adhiyaman, referred in several poems of classical Tamil poetry of the Sangam age was the ruler of Thagadur, now known as Dharmapuri. His name is found in ancient Tamil poem collections of Purananooru, Agananooru, Kurunthogai and Natrinai.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / November 30th, 2015

A slice of history: English author shows life in British era through family recipes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

Chennai  :

A rich repository of the fascinating accounts of five generations of women, ‘A Grandmother’s Legacy’ by English author Jenny Mallin, is not only a recipe book but also a memoir of the life of Anglo-Indians during the British era.

While the origin of the book dates to 18th century Yorkshire in England, the Anglo-Indian aspect of the family history took root in erstwhile Madras where Benjamin Hardy, a foot soldier in the British army , landed in 1778. Now, more than two centuries later, Jenny Mallin, the great-great-great-great-grand-daughter of Benjamin and Frances, and the proud custodian of an 1844 recipe book, has shared her family secrets to the world.

Jenny worked as a producer on BBC News for seven years and then as a corporate travel buyer. “Losing my father in 2010 was the catalyst (to become an author). I realised I could lose my mother soon; time was ticking. Sometimes a doubt would creep in -‘Am I betraying these ladies?’ But I did not want the legacy to end with me,” says the 57-year-old who launched her book at the British Council Library on Friday. “I would read a recipe to my mother every day from the book, cook a dish, ask her opinion and make sure it tasted authentic. In three years, I re searched more than 500 recipes,” she says.

The desire to preserve the culinary heirloom for posterity began with 15-year-old Wilhelmina Sausman, a Vellore resident who married Joseph son of Benjamin and Frances in 1844. Since then, the book, which Jenny has now stored in a safety deposit box in a bank, had been passed on. “My mother Cynthia, who was born in Kolkata, had great imagination. In a small London kitchen, she would produce wonderful dishes, while listening to the radio.”

It wasn’t easy for Jenny to decipher some words and ingredients written down by her grandmothers. “I am a born researcher and I felt like Sherlock Holmes trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle,” says Jenny .

Each chapter in Jenny’s book celebrates the life of the five women who have inspired her in innumerable ways. Interspersed with their recipes are the interesting customs of that era. For instance, in Rawalpindi, her grandmother Irene was a governess to 16year-old Benazir Bhutto, who would grow up to be the prime minister of Pakistan.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Chennai / by Diana Ningthoujam, TNN / November 28th, 2015

TN students make it to world list in Pearson exam

Education, Records, All, World Opinion

Chennai:

Three students from Tamil Nadu schools have made it to the list of world toppers in this year’s Pearson Edexcel global examinations, considered a gateway to some of the world’s leading universities.

Aishwarya Edward of Horizon International Academy in Chennai got the top rank in mathematics, while Nivedan Koirala and Vashti Parks of Hebron School, Ooty topped in mathematics, and Religious Studies respectively.

Edward who secured the top rank in Grade 5 said her teachers played a huge role in her success and also credited her habit of doing worksheets.

Nivedan Koirala, who secured 598 out of 600 in maths at the GCSE level (equivalent to Class 10 board), said the most important part of effective studying is to thoroughly understand the subject. “The interest in the topic is what finally gives you the motivation to practice questions or the problems sufficiently,” he said. He was particularly interested in physics, mathematics, and chemistry. “I wish to be able to study these subjects in depth. Being particularly passionate in pure physics, I dream of joining research to further increase my knowledge of the universe,” he said.

Sanjay Shivnani, vice-president and Business Head, Vocational, Pearson India, said India had the world’s largest population of youth. “If this zestful pool of youngsters is educated and channelised well, the Indian economy can stride a never-before path of growth. The stepping stone to this vision is world-class primary and secondary education,” he added.

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

INTERVIEW – Rain man Ramanan

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies
"Some institutions have been asking me to deliver lectures or start a course on meteorology. I don’t know what is in store for me," says Ramanan. Photo: K.V. Srinivasan
“Some institutions have been asking me to deliver lectures or start a course on meteorology. I don’t know what is in store for me,” says Ramanan. Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

The State’s most popular weather forecaster talks to Srinivasa Ramanujam on how he found his calling

It’s rather interesting that the overdose of ‘rain holidays’ this year, coincides with the last few months of a certain S.R. Ramanan, at the helm of affairs at the local weather department. No wonder students across the State love him. When he’s on television — and he’s there often this time of the year — they watch with bated breath, anticipating words that could mean the possibility of a holiday the next day.

Officially the Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, he’s much loved among the student fraternity, because it is commonly believed that he’s instrumental for schools granting leave due to chances of rain. He also has fan pages on social media, memes created on him and has been referred to in films as well. In a chat with MetroPlus on a sunny afternoon, ironically, he tells us how he got into the weather business, why he isn’t on social media and retirement plans…

Will it rain this week?

There is an upper air circulation in the South-East Bay. It might probably develop into a low pressure and it could bring rains early this week.

You sound just like how you do talk on TV. Tell us about how you got into the weather stream in the first place…

When I completed my post-graduation, the concept of Plus Two came into being. There was a dearth of teachers then, and a lot of my friends entered the teaching profession. But I had a liking for weather, and so I joined the department at the lowest rung and then rose in the ranks.

But why weather?

See, I was good at Geography; it was one of my favourite subjects. But I didn’t take that up in my college days — I took up Physics instead. I enjoyed studying atmospheric physics. I entered as an observer and enjoyed it.

You try to explain science in Tamil and you seem to have an interest in the language. Tell us about it…

I have always been interested in Tamil literature; I used to read the Thevaram regularly. When I joined the weather department, I realised that the only way this subject can reach the common man was in Tamil. I wanted to make the concept and terminology simpler. We even collated a glossary — it’s now part of our website too — of Tamil equivalents of English words.

A meme that was found on social networks:

Rainman02CF29nov2015

You work in Chennai, but you coordinate on a global scale on an everyday basis…

If I say there is a system forming in the South Andaman Sea, I have to depend on information from Malaysia and Singapore. If I say there is a development in the Gulf of Mannar, I need Sri Lankan data. We receive pictures from the satellite division and radar division every day. We have video-conferencing discussions every day with colleagues in Delhi. We get information from small observatories too… that only goes into the system. Here, sitting in Tamil Nadu, we don’t work in isolation but with global trends.

If that’s so, why is there so much of ambiguity when you announce the possibility of rain? Some other countries get it more precisely, right?

It differs from area to area. At some places abroad, you can predict accurately by seeing when the cold air mass meets warm air mass. Ours is tropical meteorology — not many know it’s the toughest terrain in the entire world, in terms of weather. We have still managed to get it right on most occasions, but yes, there is scope for improvement.

Over the course of your service you must have seen several technological advancements. How do you view the emergence of weather bloggers and their predictions/forecasts on the Internet?

The Internet alone is not sufficient to predict the weather outside. If you have an illness, will you go to the nearby pharmacy or prefer the doctor? There, you have the answer to your question.

But, do you see them as a threat to you in future?

’m retiring from the department in a few months (laughs)… but someone else will come and give out official information. If other people post contrasting information on the Internet, will it not create confusion?

You’re a cult figure in the social media and online space. There are fan pages for you and a recent meme promoted you as ‘God’, with students bowing to you. How do you react when you see them?

If you delve into such things, you cannot concentrate on your work. I just see them and move on. The only good thing about this attention is that wherever I go, people feel that I’m a part of their family, perhaps because they see me daily on TV.

Why have you abstained from social media? Don’t you feel tempted to look at what people are saying about you?

If I start looking into these things, I feel I will get distracted. I give work my foremost priority.

Do you have work timings?

Weather is a 24/7 job. I have to come in on weekends too — you might have seen me on television. I had to work this Deepavali too.

We see you every day during this time of the year, but what do you do when it’s sunny and all is fine on the weather front?

Apart from my media addresses, there are many other jobs to attend to — like preparing reports. I also have an everyday video-conferencing with my colleagues nationally. Besides, I visit educational institutions to give lectures on weekends.

Stamp and coin collection are hobbies you’ve been indulging in for a while. Tell us where it started…

My uncle gifted me some stamps when I was young and I’ve picked it up since then. The moment you see a stamp, you gain a lot of knowledge. For instance, this stamp I have of Bohemia and Moravia (part of Czechoslovakia) has a picture of Hitler; it was under his rule at one point of time. I’ve another stamp of Mozambique before the Portuguese took over. If you go through any good stamp collection, you will get information about places which might not even exist today.

Don’t you think these are dying hobbies in today’s times, thanks to the advent of the Internet?

You are absolutely right; I see very few students today taking up these hobbies. I wish they take it up. Parents also have a role to get the young interested in hobbies that helps you amass information.

Did these hobbies help you hone your general knowledge, during times when Google was still not invented? You were described by peers as a “walking Encyclopaedia” back in your college days…

See, it depends on your passion. I have no interest in reading fiction; I read up only about facts and countries. Some people have a wonderful knowledge on literature and films; I have no idea about them. My interest lies in places.

Finally, you’re retiring in a few months’ time and that has reportedly upset many school students…

(Laughs) Someone else will be here and give the forecast… it is not man centric, it is system centric. Time alone can tell what I’ll do post retirement; I’m a committee member in a hospital and I may probably take that up seriously. Some farmers have been asking me to guide them with weather forecasts. Some institutions have been asking me to deliver lectures or start a course on meteorology. I don’t know what is in store for me.

A meme that was found on social networks:

Rainman03CF29nov2015

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Srinivasa Ramanujam / Chennai – November 28th, 2015

NOBORU KARASHIMA (1933-2015) Tamil scholar who inspired a generation

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
Professor Noboru Karashima was instrumental in setting up the International Association of Tamil Research.
Professor Noboru Karashima was instrumental in setting up the International Association of Tamil Research.

Noboru Karashima, the distinguished scholar and historian of South Asia, whose body of research has rewritten the economic and social history of medieval South India, died in Tokyo on Thursday. He was 82. At the time of his death, Professor Karashima was Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo and Taisho University.

Professor Karashima was the recipient of the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contributions in building India-Japan ties. As he could not travel to New Delhi to receive the award, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a gesture of recognition and respect, personally presented the award to him in Japan.

From his first study — a small but ground-breaking essay that he published almost 55 years ago on land control in the two Cauvery delta villages of Allur and Isanamangalam, based on the study of Chola inscriptions — Professor Karashima had to delve deeper into understanding land relations and social relationships in medieval Tamil Nadu. His seminal contribution to South Indian history was his use of statistical techniques to distil information from a mass of inscriptions, thereby lending his interpretations and conclusions a more sound and reliable base. His last major book is A Concise History of South India, published last year.

Professor Karashima was instrumental in setting up the International Association of Tamil Research, and had been its president from 1989 to 2010. He was the principal organiser of the 8th World Tamil Conference in Thanjavur in 1995, although he dissociated himself from its 9th edition on the ground that the conference had been hijacked by the political establishment. He had been the president of the Japan Association for South Asian Studies from 1996 to 2000, helping to build it into a vibrant and scholarly organisation it currently is.

In Japan, Professor Karashima was a popular figure on television where he commented on South Asian culture, including Indian cuisine.

A steadfast friend and admirer of India in general, and Tamil Nadu in particular, Professor Karashima has exercised a strong intellectual influence on a generation of Tamil scholars, both in Japan and India.

He is survived by his wife, Takako Karashima, who is the author of a popular book on India that has run into several editions, three sons and three grandchildren.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by Parvthi Menon / November 27th, 2015

City gears up for its first Duathlon

Records, All, Sports

Winter is just around the corner and what better way to kick-start the season with some run-bike-run combination. Yes, Coimbatore is all set to host the city’s first duathlon- an event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and culminating with a running leg. Coimbatore Duathlon will be a combination of a 5 km run, 40 km ride and 5 km run. The event is organized by the Coimbatore Cycling and Coimbatore Runners and will be held on November 29. The event will kick-start at 6 am on Avinashi Road near Codissia with a five-km run around the locality, followed by a 40-km cycle ride till Kaniyur & back and ending with a five-km run around Codissia.

Chakravarthy Birur, one of the organisers of the event, tells CT, “The Coimbatore Cycling and Coimbatore Runners have always wanted to get together and do an activity. Some of our members have represented duathlons and triathlons at international level and some have been preparing for the same. In fact, we wanted to kick off with a triathlon, but since some of our members are not great swimmers, we decided to go with duathlon. This is just a start and we are planning to make it an annual event in the city. We are also mulling over conducting a triathlon sometime in March next year. (Triathlon is a multi-stage competition that involves the participants to complete three activities- running, cycling and swimming -in quick succession) We are exploring different water bodies in the city for the swimming session.”

Birur adds, “Coimbatore duathlon will begin at 5.45 am on November 29 and is expected to conclude around 10 am. The event is open to all above 16 years of age since endurance activities are not recommended for those below 16. The average age group competing in the event falls under the age bracket 35- 38. The registrations are fast filling up and we have 5 women competing at the event as well. Some of the registrations are from people who have been running and cycling regularly.” The duathlon is a non-competitive event and around 50 participants are expected to take part in the first edition.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Coimbatore / by P. Sangeetha, TNN / November 26th, 2015

CRICKET – ‘He was a versatile cricketer’

Sports
J.C. Patel. Photo: The Hindu Archives
J.C. Patel. Photo: The Hindu Archives

His cricket was driven by passion. The lanky all-rounder was past 60 years of age when he turned out for the Madras Cricket Club in the TNCA league. Those who watched him remember his zest for the game.

Jayanthibai C. Patel, who passed away here recently aged 85, epitomised the spirit of the game in his era. He sought fulfilment on the field without seeking financial rewards. The purity in his cricket typified the amateur era where the game was bigger than individuals.

Remembering Patel, a left-handed top-order batsman and a left-arm spinner, champion leg-spinner V.V. Kumar said to The Hindu, “JC was a gritty batsman who grafted for his runs. He had a good straight drive. And he was a steady bowler with an effective arm ball.”

Kumar, Patel’s team-mate in the Madras Ranji side, said: “He (Patel) was a lively person. And he had so much enthusiasm for the game.”

“MCC had a good attack when M. Balakrishnan bowled his outswingers from one end and Patel sent down his left-arm spin,” said Kumar.

Turning out for two States in the Ranji Trophy in the 50s and 60s, Surat-born Patel represented Baroda before settling down in Madras. In all, he made 1,248 runs in 41 first-class matches at 21.15. Patel also claimed 54 wickets at 22.57.

Recalling an anecdote, Kumar said: “Chandu Borde told me this story. Patel, then playing for Baroda, got the vital wicket of Bombay’s Madhav Apte with an arm ball. When Baroda captain Vijay Hazare walked up to the bowler and told him it was a good arm-ball, he replied, ‘No captain, it was an ‘army ball’.’ He further explained that the ball could get an army out! Patel had his own way of communicating.”

Former India stumper Bharat Reddy said: “Before you settled in your stance and looked up, he (Patel) would be ready to release the ball. There were times when the batsmen moved away. It was one of his tactics to unsettle them. He went through his deliveries and overs quickly.”

Reddy added: “He was a versatile cricketer. He could bowl slow medium pace with the new ball and brought the delivery in. He was also a fun-loving personality. In all, his contribution to MCC was immense.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Cricket / S. Dinakar / Chennai – November 26th, 2015