Category Archives: Business & Economy

Awareness programme on solar rooftop systems in Coimbatore

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies

Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) is organising a two-day event here on Saturday and Sunday (February 22 and 23) to create awareness on the Chief Minister’s capital incentive scheme for solar rooftop systems for domestic purpose.

An official of the agency told The Hindu that a similar event will be held here on March 1 and 2.

The State Government has identified 17 vendors for the project and three of them have put up stalls at the Government Polytechnic College here to demonstrate the working of the rooftop systems.

The official said that a consumer who wants to install one kw rooftop solar system under the scheme will get Rs. 50,000 subsidy.

This includes Rs. 20,000 from the State Government and Rs. 30,000 from the Union Government. The plan is to have about 10,000 installations in the State initially. At least 5,000 of these are expected in this region (Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode districts).

The consumer will have to submit an application to TEDA to get the benefit. It can be an application from an individual or a group of consumers (those who live in apartments). The TEDA will send a message to the consumer when it gives its approval.

The entire process will take about a couple of months. It will also give the consumer details of the vendors and the rates that they quote.

The consumer can choose the vendor. The consumer and the vendor will inform the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) about the installation so that it can provide net meter to the electricity service connection.

D. Devarajan of Sree Dev Solar Solutions, one of the vendors in the project and who has put up a demo system at the event, said that an one kw solar system can generate at least four units of energy a day.

This will take care of most of the essential energy needs of a household. A consumer who does not consume the entire solar energy generated can export it to the grid. With better awareness about the solar systems and the scheme, more consumers in the region are expected to go in for it.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by M. Soundariya Preetha / Coimbatore – February 23rd, 2014

Women complete training to become ‘floral entrepreneurs’

Business & Economy, Education, Nature
Women who underwent the training on 'Value Addition in Fresh and Dry Flowers for Commercial Venture' showcasing their products at the end of the course at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore./ Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Women who underwent the training on ‘Value Addition in Fresh and Dry Flowers for Commercial Venture’ showcasing their products at the end of the course at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore./ Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Another batch of women successfully completed a training on ‘Value Addition in Fresh and Dry Flowers for Commercial Venture’ at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University recently.

As many as 30 women underwent the 25-day free training, held under the aegis of the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of Government of Tamil Nadu.

The Department of Floriculture and Landscaping of the university organised the training, which included theory and practical sessions, and also sessions on managerial skills, marketing, financial management, preparation of project reports and so on.

Apart from homemakers, professionals who were looking for a change in job profile attended the training. They were taught many products such as making pencil stands, photo frames, greeting cards, flower vase, potpourri, wall hangers, bouquets, fresh flower and bamboo arrangements, etc.

A training manual, ‘Commercial Production of Seeds and Planting Materials of Flowers and Ornamental Crops’ was released and given to all the participants.

Participants, displayed the value added products they had made during the training and the best three makers from among them – M. Kanjana, R. Nirubha, and N. Mahalakshmi, were given the first, second and third prizes respectively.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Staff Reporter / Coimbatore – February 26th, 2014

An exhibition on medical textiles

Business & Economy, Science & Technologies
A stall at Meditex 2014, a medical textiles exhibition, organised by the Centreof Excellence for Medical Textiles on the South India Textile ResearchAssociation premises in the city on Friday. Photo:M.Periasamy / The Hindu
A stall at Meditex 2014, a medical textiles exhibition, organised by the Centreof Excellence for Medical Textiles on the South India Textile ResearchAssociation premises in the city on Friday. Photo:M.Periasamy / The Hindu

It has 60 participants, including 25 from other States

Textile products used in the healthcare sector are not just bandages, surgical masks and gloves. It includes implants such as hernia mesh, hygiene products, use-and-throw surgical clothing, etc.

Coimbatore region is a well-known hub for both, textiles and healthcare facilities. The Centre of Excellence for Medical Textiles at the South India Textile Research Association here has organised a three-day medical textile exhibition and conference till March 2 to promote the use of these products and to develop the industry for these products.

Sakthivel Perumalsamy, head of the Centre of Excellence, told The Hindu on Friday that Meditex 2014 and Medineeds 2014 aim at creating awareness among the public on medical textiles. Be it policemen, rural women, conservancy workers, surgeons, industry workers or IT professionals, special textile products are available for their safety and hygiene. Seminars will be held on all three days for students, surgeons, police officers, textile mill workers, foundry workers, and hospital housekeeping staff.

The exhibition is to promote the medical textile industry here. It has 60 participants, including 25 from other States and one from Germany. They have exhibited machinery to make some of these products, surgical gowns, clothing, diapers, gauze materials, implants, special beds, bandages, etc. The country has just a handful of machinery manufacturers and most of them import the critical components for the machinery. The industry can tap the opportunity available in the range of products and the machinery.

Availability of water, washing the regular textile products, and drying these are becoming a problem to the hospitals. Hence, most of them purchase use-and-throw non-woven products and these are available in kits too. However, these should be to specific standards. These issues are highlighted at the event.

Further, a Mumbai-based hospital will demonstrate on Saturday a complete suit made out of composite textile material. It protects the surgeons from infections, he said.

The event is supported by the Union Ministry of Textiles and the exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Special Correspondent / March 01st, 2014

Bid to get GI tag for Tirunelveli Halwa, Tuticorin macaroons

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion
The file photo shows customers enjoying the famous 'Iruttukadai' halwa in Tirunelveli. The Tirunelveli Halwa is famous for its unique taste and long shelf life./ The Hindu
The file photo shows customers enjoying the famous ‘Iruttukadai’ halwa in Tirunelveli. The Tirunelveli Halwa is famous for its unique taste and long shelf life./ The Hindu

After ‘Kancheepuram Silk’, ‘Madurai Malli’, and Coimbatore wet grinders, makers of “Tirunelveli Halwa”, famous for its taste and long shelf life, and Tuticorin macaroons, an Indianised dish of European macaroons, are trying to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

With the GI tag helping the producers in better marketing, especially overseas, more and more producers are seeking to get the registration conferred on products definite to a geographical territory. Speaking at a meeting attended by 20 halwa manufacturers from Tirunelveli and three macaroon manufacturers from Tuticorin to discuss the possibility of getting the GI tags, officials said whether it was ‘Madurai Malli’ (jasmine) or wet grinder of Coimbatore, the tag had made them more famous and helped farmers and manufacturers to get a better price both in the country and abroad.

Additional Public Prosecutor Sanjay Gandhi said GI tag for the halwa or macaroon was possible only if the makers come together and apply for the tag as an association. The officials said there was a problem in getting GI tag for halwa since it was doubtful whether the owners of “Iruttukadai”, whose halwa is the most famous, would join others to get the recognition.

Assistant Registrar of Trade Chinnaraja G.Naidu said 21 products from Tamil Nadu had so far received GI tag while an equal number of others, including makers of ‘Srivilliputhur Palgova’ (milk sweet) have applied for it.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by PTI / Tirunelveli – March 01st, 2014

1,600 women employees to help roll out chapathis

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All

With chapathis to be served in all the Amma Unavagams, more than 1,600 women employees have begunworking in the canteens to roll out chapathis.

More than two lakh chapathis were prepared by them on Friday. Nearly eight more women will be working in each canteen.

Later, machines which were purchased for the purpose would be used, according to an official of Chennai Corporation.

A plate of two chapathis and dal is priced at Rs. 3.

Tree planting scheme

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday launched a scheme for planting 66 lakh banyan saplings. This is to mark Ms. Jayalalithaa’s 66 birthday, which falls on February 24.

The Chief Minister planted a sapling on the premises of the office of Director General of Police here. In each of the districts, as many as 2.06 lakh saplings would be planted by the Forests Department. Totally, the scheme would cost Rs. 49.18 crore, according to an official release.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai /  by Special Correspondent / Chennai – February 22nd, 2014

Saurashtrians to launch film chamber in Madurai

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Madurai :

The nascent Saurashtra film industry in Madurai is all set to get another fillip. Buoyed by the response to Saurashtra movies made in Madurai, film buffs of the community have decided to launch the All India Saurashtra Film Chamber.

The inaugural event has been scheduled for February 23 in Madurai. “Lot of Saurashtra youth are interested in film making. Some of them have made films and many more are preparing to make films. We want to help them, impart knowledge about various aspects of film making, prune their skills and channelize their talents,” said S Rama Eswarlal, founder chairman of All India Saurashtra Film Chamber (AISFC).

Madurai is home to an estimated three lakh Saurashtrians who migrated from Gujarat about three centuries ago. While making Madurai their home, they pursued formal education in Tamil and English but strived to maintain their linguistic roots. That is one reason why movies were made in Saurashtra in Madurai when such attempts are found even in Gujarat.

Aided by advancement in technology they have so far made about 10 films on a shoe-string budget with the content ranging from romance to religion. These films used to be screened at community gatherings but for the first time a movie was screened in a theatre last year.

“We want to take our films to the next level. Saurashtrian films should also be enjoyed by Tamil people. We want our movies to get due recognition from all section of the people,” said Suraj Prakash, director of upcoming film titled ‘Ekos Eno.’

Eswarlal said that the chamber would have a membership of about 500 people.

Though the chamber is registered in Chennai, its functions would be centred in Madurai. The chamber would bring in veterans and regularly conduct seminars, workshops, discussions and film festivals in the city. World cinema and Indian classics would be screened in the film festivals. “Our priority is to enable youth to make commercial movies. Experts from Chennai and other cities would be brought to Madurai to enlighten Saurashtrian youth interested in film-making,” Easwarlal said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / February 21st, 2014

80% Subsidy on Solar Water Pumps

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies

Here is a good news for the farmers of the district interested in installing solar-powered water pumping system to irrigate their farms.

The Department of Agricultural Engineering here has launched a new scheme to provide 80 per cent subsidy on solar water pumps with 5 HP capacity.

The criteria for availing this facility are that the farmers should have bore wells with a six-inch diameter with 300-feet deep water and they should have installed the drip or sprinkler system of irrigation system to irrigate their farms.

While the scheme aims at creating awareness on the use of alternative source of energy (solar) to the existing conventional power from the Electricity Board, the proposed system would use the advanced sun-tracking panels to ensure power generation throughout the day.

The cost of the system is `4.39 lakh and the subsidy component `3.35 lakh, which leaves the farmer’s contribution to be `1.04 lakh. The farmers should ensure that shadow-free space was available near the bore wells for the installation of the solar-powered water pumping system.

The companies that supply the solar-powered water pumping system would also install, commission and maintain the units for a period of five years. Interested farmers could contact the officials of the Department of Agricultural Engineering in Vellore, Wallajah and Tirupattur and make use of the opportunity.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service – Vellore / February 21st, 2014

Sail boat race for local fishermen held

Business & Economy, Sports

Rameswaram:

As part of its 37th Raising Day celebrations, the Indian Coast Guard station at Mandapam organised a boat race for the local fishermen on Thursday. The theme of the year was ‘Meenava Nanban’ (Friend of Fishermen) and country boats with sails participated in the event.

Fishermen from Vedalai, South Mandapam, Pamban, Tirkuvadi and Pudumadam villages sailed in 20 boats and competed in the race. The race covered six miles starting from Kali Temple in Pamban and the first place was bagged by the crew of Sabana Fathima, followed by the crew of Mohammed Taju and Sindurapoo boat. District collector, K Nanda Kumar flagged off the race in the presence of station commandant, Harish More.

“The aim of this event was to spread awareness among the fishing community and general public in particular about the need for conserving the environment, protection and harmonizing of ecological balance, upkeep of marine and coastal areas free from pollution. It was also to highlight the need for our fishermen to maintain vigilance at sea from anti-social and poaching elements who intrude into our waters for economic and other vested interests,” said commandant More.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / February 21st, 2014

Village of woodcutters lives of freebies

Business & Economy, Nature

Madurai :

At a time when environmentalists are urging people to plant more trees, here’s a village in Madurai where a majority of residents work as woodcutters. More than a 100 men of Poigaikaraipatti village have been woodcutters for years now. “People prefer woodcutters from our village, whenever trees are to be felled,” says V Chinnathambi, himself a woodcutter for more than two decades.

Earlier, people here used to work on farms. “But due to shortage of rain, we found it difficult to do farming or find farm-related work. So, many people started looking for jobs outside the village,” says Chinnathambi. That’s how many of the gravitated to cutting trees.

Now, contractors call them whenever a tree needs to be felled. If there is work, woodcutters leave the village early in the morning and work at the site till 5pm. “After lunch, we are provided snacks and tea. We are paid Rs 400 for a day’s work,” says K Veerakumar, another woodcutter.

But all isn’t well with their adopted profession either. Trees can’t be chopped any more at will. There aren’t, of course, many trees to cut. Moreover, stringent norms are in place to ensure that trees are protected whenever and wherever possible. This means woodcutters have less work these days.

“Many days we have no work at all. However, we manage because of the various government schemes. Our children study in government schools and we procure most of the essential commodities from ration shops or accesse them through the government’s public distribution scheme,” Veerakumar said.
Most families have very few demands except for quality education for their children. “Government should ensure that they provide quality education at government schools. We can not afford to send our children to private schools due to the exorbitant fees charged by them. Hence, government should ensure that they provide quality education. This will ensure a safe and bright future for our children,” says M Periya Kaalai, another woodcutter.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / February 20th, 2014

Titan opens ‘Karigar’ centre at Hosur

Business & Economy

Titan today said its jewellery division, that sells products under the Tanishq brand, has opened a ‘Karigar’ centre for manufacturing at Hosur in Tamil Nadu.

The centre aims at providing safe working and staying environment for over 300 karigars or jewellery artisans from Kolkata , Coimbatore, Trissur, Jaipur , Hyderabad , etc.

The facility provides dedicated work stations and comfortable accommodation for the craftsmen, the company said in a release.

“The Karigar Centre initiative emphasizes on overcoming the challenges associated with attracting and retaining good talent in jewellery manufacturing for the company,” it said.

The Karigar centre model will set a benchmark for the industry leaders to enable ‘karigars’ embrace their talent and pursue a sustainable, long-term and healthy career in this field. This initiative will transform the lives of Karigars coming from various parts of the country like West Bengal, Rajasthan and Kerala, the company said.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Press Trust of India / Bangalore – February 20th, 2014