Monthly Archives: August 2019

He has made feeding the poor his mission

August 16, 2019Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Featuresadmin

Noble service: Ram Prasad, a follower of Ramalinga Vallalar, distributing food among the poor in Kanniyakumari district.

Ram Prasad, inspired by Vallalar, distributes 15 kg of rice to the hungry in Kanniyakumari every day

Ramalinga Vallalar launched poor feeding in Vadalur in 1867 heartbroken at the sight of “those who could not satiate their hunger even after begging from one house after another”.

Vallalar has since made a tremendous impact on 40-year-old Ram Prasad, a native of Asaripallam in Kanniyakumari district, who has dedicated his life to feeding the poor.

Every day, he cooks 15 kg of rice, prepares sambar and one vegetable curry and distributes it among the poor and destitute. “I have been doing it for the last 10 years. My father and mother help in cooking the food. I carry them in an autorickshaw and go up to Kanniyakumari to feed the poor. It will be enough to feed between 125 and 150 people. My father will always accompany me,” said Ram Prasad, who bought an autorickshaw for the purpose and is paying ₹6,000 as monthly instalment.

Resembling a sanyasi, Mr. Ram Prasad, a follower of Vallalar, wears only whites and sports a flowing beard. Asked how he managed to find money for his service, Mr. Ram Prasad said a few people contribute rice regularly and he visited the APTA market in Nagercoil to collect vegetables.

“Many traders know me and my work and donate vegetables. I need ₹200 a day to buy diesel for the auto,” said Mr. Ram Prasad, who had worked for three years in Dubai before returning to the country to start his work among the poor. His parents were weavers and the family’s financial position did not allow him to pursue any course after passing out of school and he was forced to eke out a living as a plumber and electrician.

“I joined a private ITI with the money I earned as a plumber and the qualification obtained me a job in Dubai,” recalled Mr. Ram Prasad.

But he worked there only for three years as he was already drawn towards the ideas of Ramalinga Vallalar. “I decided to feed the poor and have been doing it for the last 10 years,” he said.

His responsibilities as the elder son was over after getting his three sisters and a brother married. “I have no plans to marry. My objective is to sustain my work. It is my way of following in the footsteps of Vallalar,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by B. Kolappan / Chennai – August 16th, 2019

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection presented

August 15, 2019Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinionadmin

Former Justice Prabha Sridevan, right, presenting the award to Kenneth M. Quinn. Rotary Club of Madras East vice-president T.R. Gopalakrishnan is also seen.

Former diplomat Kenneth M. Quinn honoured at event

Former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and President, World Food Prize Foundation, Kenneth M. Quinn on Thursday underlined the need for encouraging small holder farmers, who are mostly women, to run their farms.

Speaking to reporters after receiving the Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection presented by the Rotary Club of Madras East and Cavinkare Private Ltd., he said post-harvest food waste must be brought down, which is why connectivity to small villages was important.

“Small farmers need to take their produce to markets and they need to be provided the latest scientific inputs so that they be able to have sustainable farming practices to produce quality food,” he said, adding more should be spent on agricultural research.

Speaking at the award ceremony, he suggested that agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan be awarded the Rotary International’s award for world understanding and peace. Former Judge of the Madras High Court Prabha Sridevan thanked Mr. Quinn for working to rid the world of hunger and ensure access to quality food. UN-WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan, and daughter of Prof. Swaminathan, said Mr. Quinn had brought about many improvements to the World Food Prize, including increasing the cash award.

Appreciating the Rotary International’s efforts for eradicating polio, she said the campaign was in its final stages. Club vice-president T.R. Gopalakrishnan and Cavinkare CMD C.K. Ranganathan were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – August 09th, 2019

2,200 participants, 3 minutes 46.89 seconds, 1 world record

August 14, 2019Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

The feat was performed at Chennai Trade Center in Nandambakkam.

Chennai :

In a move to spread awareness on the importance of protecting skin from the sun, VCare professionals on Tuesday created a world record for the largest skincare workshop and for most people applying sunscreen at the same time. The feat was performed at Chennai Trade Center in Nandambakkam.

As many as 2,200 beauticians working at different salons took part in the workshop that went on for 30 minutes. Later, they all applied sunscreen simultaneously to show their support for the protection of skin against skin cancer and other skin-related issues.

“Summer or winter, monsoon or spring, the need for shielding your skin from the harsh rays of the sun is essential. Sunscreen is the most important product that many people tend to ignore. It helps shield your skin from the harmful UV rays, prevents premature ageing, lowers skin cancer risks, lowers blotchiness on the face, prevents tanning and sunburns among lot other things,” said chairperson of VCare Group, E Carolin Praba.

She also said, “Despite being in the field for many years, even professionals do not understand the importance of sunscreen. We thought a world record is a perfect way to bring the community together to educate them about it.” R Priyamani, a participant, who owns a salon said, “What was new is how and when to apply it.

We were told one must apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before stepping out in the sun for getting desirable results. Also, if you are outside, you must reapply sunscreen every two hours.”

The previous Guinness World Record for the most people applying sunscreen simultaneously was 1,822 — achieved by the Ann’s Hope Foundation (USA) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, on May18, 2014.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / August 14th, 2019

‘Panchamirtham’ of Palani temple gets GI tag

August 14, 2019Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature, Records, Alladmin

First prasadam in T.N. to get the status

The famous Palani panchamirtham, given as ‘prasadam’ at the Murugan temple there, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

This is the first time a temple ‘prasadam’ from Tamil Nadu has been bestowed with the GI tag. The application was filed by the Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Thirukkoil, North Giriveethi, Adivaram, Palani.

Chinnaraja G. Naidu, Deputy Registrar of Geographical Indications, confirmed that the GI tag had been given for the panchamirtham.

“The certificate will be posted on the GI website soon,” he said.

The panchamirtham is a combination of five natural substances — banana, jaggery, cow ghee, honey and cardamom. Dates and diamond sugar candies are added for flavour.

The panchamirtham is an ‘abhishega prasadam’ (food that is a religious offering), which is served in a semi-solid state. It is sweet in taste and one of the main offerings for Lord Dhandayuthapani Swamy, the presiding deity of Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, situated on Palani Hills.

Not even a single drop of water is added during the preparation of the panchamirtham. This gives it its classic semi-solid consistency and taste. No preservatives or artificial ingredients are used.

As per the GI application, the geographical area for production of panchamirtham is Palani town in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. It lies within latitude of 10.44 ° and longitude of 77.52 °.

According to the GI application filed, the Palani panchamirtham is prepared under the guidance given by the CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute) Mysore, a government of India undertaking.

The whole process of producing the panchamirtham is automated. It is doubly ensured that the hygienic aspects are maintained. Devotees who visit the temple are offered the panchamirtham as a prasadam in the hill temple as well as in stalls run by temple administration at Adivaram. Is is believed that the panchamirtham cures diseases of devotees.

Chennai-based IP attorney P. Sanjai Gandhi pointed out that the GI tag would boost the local economy in Palani. He added, “Tamil Nadu has so many temples, mosques and churches. Each of them has a unique historic origin.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by Sangeetha Kandavel / Chennai – August 14th, 2019

Vyjayanthimala, Karti among Kalaimamani award recipients

August 14, 2019Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

As many as 200 artistes receive awards from Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami as Kalaimamani revived after a long gap of eight years.

Chennai :

After a gap of eight years, the Tamil Nadu government has revived the Kalaimamani Award now. Veteran actor Vyjayanthimala Bali, veteran writer Sivasankari, actors Karti and Prasanna were among 200 artistes, who received various awards including Kalaimamani for 2011-18 from Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at a function here on Tuesday.

The CM announced that hereafter, three special Kalaimamani awards would be presented to talented artistes every year and the Kalaimamani award would carry a five-sovereign gold medal instead of three sovereigns from next year. Besides, the monthly pension being given to the elderly artistes would be hiked from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.

Stating that since its inception, as many as 1,594 artistes had so far received the Kalaimamani award, Palaniswami said 201 artistes had been chosen from 72 art forms for various awards. Besides, eight elderly artistes have been given financial assistance of `25,000 each considering their economic background and three organisations who strove for the propagation of different art forms were honoured with shields.

While Vyjayanthimala Bali received the Balasaraswathi award for Bharathanatyam, writer Sivasankari and Villupattu Subbu Arumugam received the Bharathi award. Well-known Bharathanatyam teachers VP Dhananjayan and his wife received the Balasaraswathi award while Bombay Sisters C Saroja and C Lalitha received MS Subbulakshmi award for Carnatic musicians. Actor Kutti Padmini, T Rajashree, Sasikumar, Srikkanth, comedians Suri and Thambi Ramaiah, choreographer Puliyur S Saroja, art critics Harikesanallur Venkatraman and music director Yuvan Shankar Raja were among those who have received the Kalaimamani award.

Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal presided over the function. Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture K Pandiarajan was among those who spoke on the occasion. Actor Vijay Sethupathi, who has been in the news for his views on Jammu and Kashmir issue, did not turn up for the function. He was chosen for the Kalaimamani award for the year 2017.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / August 14th, 2019