Monthly Archives: February 2017

27-ft aruval to be unveiled today at Thirupuvanam

February 24, 2017Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Madurai :

A 27-foot-long machete or ‘aruval’ manufactured in Thirupuvanam, the town famous for its huge knives, will be the major attraction of the Sivarathri festival in a village near Usilampatti. The showpiece will also promote Thirupuvanam as a serious competitor to Thirupacheti, the town which is even more famous for its ‘aruval’.

Often, these famous knives are preserved in many homes in the southern districts as an heirloom though their sharpness makes them good for use after many years. Thirupuvanam is being sought-after mainly for the huge machetes that are kept as show pieces in temples to redeem vows rather than to be used as tools or weapons.

Thirupachethi, just 10 kilometres away, enjoyed a big reputation even during the pre-Independence days. It was said that the Marudhu Pandiyar brothers, who fought the British, sourced their weapons, knives and spears from there. They are unique in their shape, size and sharpness and the manufacturers say that they never get blunt. Even today, the manufacturers give a guarantee of 20 years for their products.

Predominantly populated by agriculturists, the town was filled with smithies which made machetes in large numbers till about two decades ago. The business which fell drastically thereafter is now seen to be picking up. There was a period when police cracked down on this region and imposed restrictions on their manufacture, as many criminals who had used ‘aruvals’ for fights and murders confessed to having bought them from here.
S Nagendran, the vice-president of Vishwakarma Association, of blacksmiths, says that Thirupuvanam aruvals have gained a name for themselves now. At present, the town has 15 smithies like Thirupachethi. They also make agricultural implements like spades, digging bars and knives in a variety of sizes. But now they have been asked to restrict the size of their aruvals to 2 feet or less to ensure that they are not misused by criminals. The aruvals are made manually by heating steel to red hot condition and hammering the blade to make it sharp. A single aruval has to be heated about 12 to 15 times to be shaped into a weapon.

Satish Kumar who is a third generation manufacturer of aruvals, is making the 27-foot-long aruval for a customer from Usilampatti in Madurai. The machete weighs 250 kilograms and costs about Rs 40,000 at Rs 1,500 a foot. The biggest this town had made was an 18-foot-long machete last year. Though ordinary weapons are made of steel, these showpieces are made using iron. Around five to ten persons have been involved in making the weapon for the past one week.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Madurai News / TNN / February 24th, 2017

Translated works of Sujatha published

February 24, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

Enduring appeal: Translator Vimala Balakrishnan (right) and writer Sujatha’s wife Sujatha Rangarajan. | Photo Credit: R_Ragu

The volume comprises eight short stories and novellas

Taking writer Sujatha’s works in Tamil to a wider audience was the reason for translating his best writings, said Vimala Balakrishnan, who has penned ‘Reliving Sujatha’.

The book, a collection of eight Tamil short stories and novellas by the late writer was released by his wife Sujatha Rangarajan at the Writer’s Cafe on Thursday.

“I was initially hoping to pen a biography of the writer and had approached Ms. Sujatha Rangarajan for the same. However, I later decided that it would be better to ensure that his works reached a wider audience. There are a lot of Tamil speakers who don’t know the language but are fascinated by his body of work,” Ms. Vimala said.

Speaking about his writing in a conversation with journalist and writer Shobha Warrier, Ms. Vimala said what appealed to her the most was how relevant his works were. She hoped more youngsters would relate to his work.

The book has been published by Vitasta Publications. “His stories are extremely contemporary and there has been an increase in the number of people seeking out translated works,” said S. Saraswathi of Vitasta Publications.

Ms. Sujatha Rangarajan recalled that her husband was extremely passionate about his writing. “When he started writing his first story, I wasn’t even aware that he had taken ‘Sujatha’ as his pen name. Now, I am known as Mrs. Rangarajan and he is known as Mr. Sujatha,” she said on a lighter note.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – February 24th, 2017

Taekwondo expert does 1,000 face kicks in one hour

February 23, 2017Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinionadmin

The feat has earned the sensei a Guinness World Records Certificate of Participation

R. Venkatesan has won gold medals at various international taekwondo championships, but he is extremely proud of his recent achievement, because it’s different from most other achievements he had managed before and it has a connection with Guinness World Records. Recently, Venkatesan, secretary, OMR Taekwondo Academy, won the Guinness World Records Certificate of Participation for exhibiting face kicks for more than a thousand times in an hour at a taekwondo kick tournament.

While receiving the award at a recent function, the Sensei, who specialises in karate, taekwondo, boxing, kick-boxing, kobudo and silambam, said, “From my childhood, I have wanted to master various martial arts, especially taekwondo. I have learnt yoga and meditation too. Taekwondo develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, stamina, self-control and self-conditioning and improves concentration.”

According to Venkatesan, this Korean martial art combines combat and self-defence techniques with sport and exercise.

The taekwondo kick tournament was organised by J. R. International TKD Academy, Andhra Pradesh last year, and around 50 contestants from across the country, including 12 from Tamil Nadu, together exhibited face kicks more than 58,000 times.

The Sensei has learnt the martial art from John Alexander, secretary general, Association of Tamil Nadu Taekwondo, and his students have won gold, silver and bronze medals at several tournaments including the 17th State Taekwondo Championship conducted at the SDAT Ground in Tiruvallur in January 2017; the 36th National Taekwondo Championship conducted in Dehradun in November 2016; and Speed Power International Taekwondo Championship conducted in Malaysia in 2015.

“I wish my students represent the country at the Olympics,” says Venkatesan, who is an executive committee member of Association of Tamil Nadu Taekwondo and can be reached at 9841306396 and 9500020300.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by T.S. Atul Swaminathan / February 17th, 2017

Research scholars undergo training in epigraphy

February 23, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Educationadmin

Research students of Government Arts College attending a training programme on epigraphy at the Government Museum in Salem on Thursday. | Photo Credit:

They were taught to interpret the messages on the inscriptions

The about 45 M. Phil and Ph.D research scholars belonging to the Departments of History and Tamil of the Government Arts College in the city underwent a specialised training in epigraphy for three days at the Government Museum in the city.

C. Govindaraj, known epigraphist-cum-archaeologist, and curator of the Government Museum, Krishnagiri, was the resource person.

Mr. Govindaraj explained the earliest Brahmi script, the development and transformation of script through ages, leading to the emergence of ‘Vatta Ezhutthu’, and the later Tamil scripts with special reference to the tenth century Raja Raja Chola era.

The Brahmi script was not used by the Tamil society alone, but across the whole country.

On the first two days, the research scholars got training in identification of script and interpretation of the messages on the inscriptions. On the final day on Thursday, they were imparted practical training in estampage.

Mr. Govindaraj said that the students in the two days learnt to write Vatta Ezhuttu to a certain extent.

A similar programme held at Krishnagiri Government Museum too evoked good response, he added.

K. Subash Chandra Bose, an M.Phil scholar, said that this training programme was a good opportunity to learn about the inscriptions and Brahmi script, which will immensely benefit them in their research work.

J. Mullai Arasu, curator of the Government Museum here, said that following the success of this programme, it had been proposed to have another similar programme for the research scholars of the Government Arts College for Women shortly.

At the valediction held in the evening, A. Thennarasu, Associate Professor, Government Arts College, delivered special address.

Mr. Mullai Arasu handed over the certificates to all the participants.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Special Correspondent / Salem – February 17th, 2017

Two from TN selected for NBA Academy

February 23, 2017Sportsadmin

Sixteen-year-olds Arvind Kumar and Shanmugam, who have been selected for the NBA Academy from hundreds of hoopsters after two rounds of trials in Chennai and Delhi, are excited to train at the academy expected to be launched in April at the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).

Shanmugam, a native of Tirunelveli, is now studying at the Sports Hostel in Salem, training under the watchful eyes of S. Bhaskar, a SAI coach.

“It was because of Bhaskar sir that I was able to improve on my skill and make subtle changes in my jumps,” said Shanmugam, whose father, R. Murugan, is a fruit vendor while his mother, Bakkiyam, works at Amma ‘Unavagam’.

The forward, who can do the job of a point guard should the need arise, said he was disappointed at not being able to participate in the National junior after injuring his ankle. “I was upset then. Now I am keen to take part in the next edition in April,” he said.

Chennai-based Arvind said it is an honour to qualify. “The trials were tough. We had dribbles and matches. I know I need to perform well,” he said. Coached by C.V. Sunny in his first two years and later by Dereck Hutson, Arvind said he learnt the basics from the former India captain. “Sunny sir taught us a lot of things. We also went to lot of tournaments,” said Arvind, who plays as a forward for his school Santhome HSS.

He captained the Tamil Nadu youth (u-16) team in the Nationals championship late last year.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – February 23rd, 2017

13-year-old chosen for an edu trip to Germany

February 21, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

Chennai :

It’s 1:30 pm. There is a flurry of activity at the Corporation Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Saidapet. As we enter the administrative cabin, head master Lyla greets us and enthusiastically says, ‘Let me call her!’ She sends news of our arrival to Sivakami, the Class 8 student who has been selected the second time for an educational trip — this time to Germany. She looks like any teenager would, but as we chat, we discover that the little girl’s ambitions and goals are deeper than what meets the eye.

This is the second time 13-year-old Sivakami has emerged the winner in the Elocution competition, ‘Wings to Fly’, organised by Rotary Club of Madras East. Reminiscing her first international educational trip to Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, Sivakami says it was a life-changing experience. “I was surprised when I won last year. I was in awe of their culture, especially the respect they give to every language. I like how they don’t mix languages. For instance, Tamil and Malay aren’t mixed with English, unlike our ‘Tanglish’ here… I wish we could learn to speak that way too! Also, the place is extremely clean; why can’t we maintain our place like that?” she says.

This year, the final competition, conducted by the club along with Goethe Institut and Greater Chennai Corporation, was themed ‘Embrace Our Rivers’. Sivakami said she felt a strong urge to protect and preserve the water bodies. “It was my father who wrote the draft of the speech for me…but the topic was extremely relatable. and I was able to add several anecdotes,” she shares.
Excited and curious about her trip to Germany in July, she says, “I have heard that the water bodies there are maintained with utmost care. I want to see how they do it. I also want to observe and analyse the public contribution towards conservation and preservation.” To her, this will be the biggest take away from the trip. “Once I am back, I will lend a hand to preserve our rivers!” she smiles.
Crediting her parents, teachers, and friends for her success, she says that she has been lucky to have their constant support. “Even if I miss classes for competitions, my teachers don’t discourage me. They say that this is the time for me to achieve. My parents also push me to give my best. My friends have been extremely patient when I rehearse my speech with them a number of times. They don’t get bored, but keep giving suggestions,” she beams.

Apart from elocution, music, writing and storytelling are Sivakami’s other interests. “I enjoy singing and I love storytelling. I come up with my own stories and improvise according to the expectations of my audience,” says the NCC junior leader. A n all-rounder, the 13-year-old wants to serve the society and lead it to a ‘better future’.
So, how does she aim to do that? “I want to become the Chief Minister! That’s my ambition. I’ve always wanted to lead people and bring about a change. I believe that success comes when you observe and listen to things around you. This way, you understand a lot and direct your followers in the right path. As CM, my focus will be on providing quality education and improving the sanitary standards in villages. I would also arrange for counselling and make people realise these are important causes,” she says.
Talking more about her other goals, she says that if not CM, she would become a doctor. “I want to serve the society. I want to spread awareness about diseases through proper counselling so that the people don’t panic,” she smiles.
As she leaves for her class, she adds, “I think dreaming of serving the place where I was born isn’t a big thing. In fact, I feel it is our duty to do so.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Roshne B / Express News Service / February 20th, 2017

Porter’s son Natarajan: From tennis ball star to IPL big bucks

February 20, 2017Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Sportsadmin

New Delhi :

His eyes transfixed on the TV screen, left-arm seamer Thangarasu Natarajan was finding it surreal when the bids against his name zoomed up at a breakneck pace during the IPL auction. The little-known 25-year-old’s life changed in a matter of few minutes as Rs 10 lakh base price saw a quantum 30-time jump reaching Rs 3 crore with Virender Sehwag vigorously raising the pedal for Kings XI Punjab.

Perhaps he remembered the days of hardships when his mother ran a street side stall and father worked as a porter at the railway station. And the then 20-year-old, one of the five children, was plying his trade at tennis ball games in his native Salem. He eventually moved to Chennai where he played for the popular Jolly Rovers, a club which has fielded big names like R Ashwin and Murali Vijay.

His big breakthrough came last year when he enjoyed a successful stint for Dindigul Dragons in the inaugural TNPL, attracting the attention of the IPL scouts. “It seems unreal. I never thought I would play in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, let alone the IPL. Very thankful that it has happened,” Natarajan’s elation was palpable as he spoke to PTI today. Natarajan recalls how TNPL gave him the much-needed exposure.

“There was a lot of pressure when I was picked to play in TNPL. But I am thankful to people like Ashwin, Vijay and L Balaji (TN bowling coach) who instilled the belief in me that I was good enough at the Ranji Trophy level. It was my dream to Ranji Trophy which has been fulfilled and now I look forward to meeting people in the IPL and learning from them,” he said.

Consistent performances for two years in Chennai club circles earned him a call-up to the Ranji Trophy 2015-2016. For his variation and the ability to land yorkers at will, he is now famously called ‘Mustafizur Rahman’ of Tamil Nadu. He will have Vijay for the company in the Kings XI Punjab dressing room but is a tad sad about Mitchell Johnson not being with the franchise anymore.

“Johnson is my role model and it will be great if I can meet him during the IPL,” he said of the Australian, who has been picked by Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season. Besides rising through a humble background, a big on the field challenge Natarajan had to deal with was when he was reported for a suspected action, which had to be modified under the guidance of former Tamil Nadu spinner Sunil Subramaniam.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Cricket / by PTI / February 20th, 2017

Jains celebrate life of Tirthankara through ‘Pancha Kalyana’ fest

February 20, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

Chennai :

Karanthai, a remote village in Tiruvannamalai district, on Sunday celebrated the attainment of absolute knowledge by Kunthunath, the 17th Tirthankara of Jainism.

It was the fourth day of ‘Pancha Kalyana’, a traditional Jain ritual in which five stages in the life of a Tirthankara are celebrated across five days.

The events include conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment and liberation. The five-day event is a celebration of the basic principles of Jainism. “We are living in a mechanized world. People are becoming selfish due to lack of interaction and knowledge. The five-day event shows how one should follow the basic principles of life in a simple way. Each day’s celebration is aimed at creating awareness about the fragility of the materialistic world that we all live in,” said K Ajithadoss, a Jain scholar.

While Adinatha (first Tirthankara) and Mahavira (the 24th and last Tirthankara) are the main deities in most of the Jain temples in Tamil Nadu, only a couple of temples have Kunthunath as the main deity.

The fifth and final day will have a big event. “In the last day the event, Tirthankara gets liberation. And it’s considered as one of the most important stage of one’s life,” Ajithadoss said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Chennai News / by TNN / Februry 20th, 2017

Coal-powered steam engines to be put up for public viewing

February 18, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, Alladmin

The last coal-fired X class engine of the Nilgiris Mountain train came to Coonoor Railway Station from Mettupalayam on Friday. | Photo Credit: M_Sathyamoorthy;M_Sathyamoorthy - — The last coal-fired X class engine of the Nilgiris Mountain train came to Coonoor Railway Station from Mettupalayam on Friday. | Photo Credit: M_Sathyamoorthy;M_Sathyamoorthy –

‘The engines are almost a century old and part of the tradition of NMR railway’

The last of the coal-powered steam engines operational along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) route have been retired and are to be exhibited to the public at the Udhagamandalam and Coimbatore railway stations.

Speaking to The Hindu, Divisional Railway Manager of Salem Division, Hari Shankar Verma, said that the coal-powered steam engines had far outlived their technological relevance, and that the remaining two engines still in operation will be exhibited to the public at the two stations. “We had two options, either to sell the engines for scrap or to preserve them as a memento of the NMR’s long history. We are gifting one engine to the people of Ooty,” said Mr. Verma to reporters.

Engine number 37384, which is the older of the two engines, is to be exhibited at Udhagamandalam. K Natarajan, a heritage railway enthusiast and founder of the Heritage Steam Chariot Trust, said that the “X” Class locomotives, built at the Swiss Locomotives and Machine Works factory in Switzerland, was introduced sometime between 1917 and 1925.

“The coal-powered engines are almost a century old and are part of the tradition of the NMR railway. All the newer engines are oil-powered locomotives. The railways should have preserved this important part of the NMR history, as the engine to be retired in Udhagamandalam was still operational,” he said.

He said that railway enthusiasts across the world were prepared to pay good money to enjoy the experience of the old coal-powered locomotives, and that with the retirement of the engines, an important remnant of the NMR history will be lost forever. However, railways officials said that operating the oil-powered locomotives was the only viable solution to pull coaches up the steep hills as the quality of the coal used to power the older locomotives has gradually decreased over the years. It is also said that the older locomotives increased the chances of forest fires.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Rohan Premkumar / Udhagamandalam – February 18th, 2017

Book on genetically modified crops released

February 17, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Records, All, Science & Technologiesadmin

Coimbatore :

Former director of Centre for Plant Molecular Biology at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University S Sadasivam on Wednesday released a book – “Genetically Modified Crops: A Scientist’s Perspective.”

The book aims at creating awareness about the advantages of GM crops among people and farmers.

President of Association Of Biotechnology Led Enterprises- Agriculture Focus Group (ABLE-AG), P Murali released the book, and the chairman of Rasi Seeds, M Ramasami, received the first copy.

Speaking about his book, Sadasivam said, “I was in academia and research from 1964 to 2011. Teaching was my passion and research was my interest. However, popularisation of science was the third dimension in my career.”

He further said, “Since 1964, I have participated in radio programmes discussing science and technology. I have authored six books so far. This one too is an attempt to make people aware about the benefits of genetically modified crops.”

The book is short and has four chapters. The book is written in Tamil so that it can reach out to the local farmers. The book talks about gene, theories of evolution and the introduction of genetically modified crops. “It is not a textbook material. It is written as a conversation between a scientist and a common man,” said Sadasivam.

Vouching for genetically modified crops, Sadasivam said that a group of 107 Nobel Laureates have recently passed a resolution that GM crops are safe. “There are regulatory bodies and the central and state governments have deeply accessed the advantages and consequences of GM crops. We need more research in the area of GM crops to address the growing needs of food and grain shortage,” said Sadasivam.

ABLE-AG has published Sadasivam’s book. Executive director of ABLE-AG Shivendra Bajaj said, “About two-three states have stalled research on GM crops. While others have not banned it, they are either positive about it or are evaluating the pro and cons.”

Ramasami said that Bangladesh has been cultivating Bt Brinjal for more than three years now. “Bangladesh has acquired all the data from India’s research and has begun cultivating it,” said Ramasami. The only GM crop cultivated in India is Bt Cotton .

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Coimbatore News / by Adarsh Jain / February 15th, 2017

Chennai First

a Celebration. Positive News, Facts & Achievements about Chennai, Tamilians and all the People of TamilNadu – here at Home and Overseas