Category Archives: Business & Economy

Survivors of Time : Bridges of Madras – The concrete connect

April 19, 2013Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, Alladmin

The Adyar bridge in 2010. Photo: M. Karunakaran / The Hindu

In this concluding part on old bridges, Anusha Parthasarathy explores some lesser-known ones, besides the big names that define Chennai

As the 1700s dawned, more villages came under Madras. Governor Thomas Pitt, who took over in 1698, is credited with adding five more towns to the city — Trivatore, Nungumbaukum, Vasalavada, Catawauk and Satangadu. Soon, more bridges would be needed.

An Island bridge was projected by Yale in 1690 but wasn’t built until 1715, connecting the Fort to the Island, but this was damaged over and over again and was later removed because there was a diversion of the stream on which it was built.

Following this was the Triplicane Bridge, also known as St. George’s Bridge, Lord Willingdon Bridge, now the Periyar Bridge. According to Vestiges of Old Madras, it connected the Island to Triplicane, and the Fort to San Thome and the Mount. This was sometime between 1715 and 1718.

Periyar Bridge, a multi-arched bridge rebuilt in 1805, is of a different alignment.

THE MARMALONG BRIDGE

In 1726, one of the most popular bridges of Madras was being built — Marmalong Bridge, the first across the Adyar River. Built by the Armenian Coderjee Petrus Uscan (who came to Madras in 1724) with his own money, the bridge was named Marmalong after Mambalam, a village on the Adyar River, west of San Thome. The plaque on one of the pillars of the old bridge still exists, even if in another place altogether. There is no trace of Uscan’s arched bridge now and a concrete structure, Maraimalai Adigalar Bridge, has taken its place.

The plaque refers to the wealthy Armenian Coja Petrus Uscan / . Photo: S. Mahinsha / The Hindu

In 1755 came the Wallajah Bridge, connecting the Wallajah Gate of the Fort to the Island. The bridge ends and in the middle of this stretch is the Monroe statue, says S. Muthiah’s Madras Rediscovered. According to Vestiges of Old Madras, a stone inscription on the west end of the bridge says, ‘Wallajah Bridge, erected by Order of Government in 1755…’ This was widened and the new bridge, with concrete on one side, is now called the Quaid-e-Millath Bridge.

Except for those mentioned above, it has been difficult to pinpoint dates for the other bridges that were built in the 1700s and 1800s. While there is some information about a few of them, the stories of most arched bridges are foggy, to say the least.

Archival information

Hemachandra Rao has diligently gathered details from the State archives and other sources. “There is a rather old bridge down Chintadripet which leads to Ripon Building, called Law’s Bridge. A name plaque still exists,” he says. “If you look down at the river, you can even see an abandoned boat jetty nearby.” The bridge, however, is now full of garbage and just a walk down is an assault on one’s senses.

The famous Napier Bridge, which connects the entire stretch of the Marina with the Fort, was built in 1869 by Francis Napier, then Governor. This bridge was widened in 1999. “On this bridge, the arches are on the top, a rather different one,” says Rao.

Chepauk bridge, put up in 1961./ Photo: Parthasarathy / The Hindu

Other bridges are the Chintadripet Bridge, which connects Chintadripet with Egmore. Turn right and you will land on St. Andrew’s Bridge, which is now popularly called Gandhi-Irwin Bridge. “When these bridges were constructed is not clear and there is very less information available,” says Rao, who also pinpoints that a left from Chintadripet bridge will take one down Lang’s Garden Road and to Harris Bridge (now Adhithanar Bridge), which, according to the plaque on one of its stone walls, was built in 1855.

Binny Bridge, adjacent to Connemara Hotel, is named after John Binny, whose residence became the Imperial Hotel, which is now the Vivanta by Taj Connemara. This also seems to be called Commander-in-Chief’s Bridge, which would lead us to think it was built in 1825 (according to H.D. Love’s book). “If you go down that road, you can see the arches of Anderson Bridge as you approach the Pantheon Road signal,” says Rao. This bridge is named after Dr. James Anderson, who had a botanic garden in the area once. The bridge was built in 1829.

There seems to have been a Monroe’s Bridge but it is no longer in use. An Elphinstone Bridge (1840) on River Adyar, seems to be the one in disuse on the side of the current Adyar Bridge, says Rao. Basin Bridge, named after a basin nearby to purify water, is one of the bridges on the Buckingham Canal. There seems to have been a Granduff Bridge nearby (named after an erstwhile Governor) but one can’t pinpoint its location. Chepauk Bridge, Royapuram Bridge over a railway line (the arches are clearer since there is no water beneath) and the Ice House Bridge are the others.

More links to the past

On the other side of Mount Road and Triplicane are a few more bridges that aren’t really talked about. The Luz Bridge connects Mylapore and Luz, Mundakanniamman Koil Bridge connects Luz to Kutchery Road and the Cancer Institute Bridge. Pycrofts Bridge, one on Edward Elliot’s Road (now R.K. Salai) near the DGP’s office, is lesser-known.

Mundakanniamman koil bridge in Mylapore /. Photo: K.N. Chary / The Hindu

Even as the arches grow weary and their colours turn dull, these bridges witnessed the growth of this city, from its humble beginnings to the metropolis it has now become.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Anusha Parthasarthy / April 16th, 2013

Tough as leather

April 19, 2013Business & Economyadmin

lesson in longevity: A row of leather shopt on Vepery High Road. / Special arrangement / The Hindu

Old leather shops on Vepery High Road prove they are made to last. YUIMI VASHUM reports

“My shop is like a studio for me, this is where new designs are born, and old ones are preserved,” says Abdullah (name changed), manager of a 25-year-old leather shop in Periamet.

A stretch, lined with leather shops, on Vepery High Road in Periamet is very easy to miss unless you are given to exploration. Being the oldest and the only area in Chennai that deals with tanned and semi-tanned leather on a large scale, you expect the place to be reeking of a thick smell of leather. But it is free of any strong smell.

With the city being invaded by big branded fancy apparel companies, this age-old leather lane is expected to go out of existence.

But Afroze Ahamed says, “This place will never run out of business, for we are the originals when it comes to leather”.

A sales man from Lee Grien Store says, “We get around two hundred customers daily and our business is finally booming”.

The shopkeepers know each other by their first names and chat over a cup of chai like old friends.

But when a customer shows up, they shrug off their friendliness and get competitive, rushing to meet him.

“Our biggest competitors are the other leather shops here; we couldn’t care less about the rest.

People who know good leather know it is only to be found here,” says S. Amjad of the Belt World store.

At a time when old businesses cannot be expected to withstand the currents of change, it is amazing that the leather show rooms on the Vepery High Road have survived to this day.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Yuimi Vashum / Chennai, April 03rd, 2013

Creative twist to leather products

April 18, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Science & Technologiesadmin

Moving away from black, brown, tan and burgundy leathers, here is a line-up of leather products with floral and tribal art-work that will be on display at Hotel B R Mathsya, T Nagar. Designed and created by Nandini Sharma, this expo will display products like handbags, clutch purses, travel pouches, decorative boxes, executive folders, mobile pouches and photo frames.

Nandini has used a variety of materials such as leather, felt, tissue, hand-woven fabrics, decorative motifs, beads, stones and hand-painted leather appliqués, and combined them with a creative twist to make useful products for homes and offices.

The products will be on display on April 5 and 6 (Friday and Saturday) from 3 pm to 8 pm at the hotel’s conference hall and part of the proceeds will be donated for a noble cause towards the development of under-privileged women and children.

For further information, call 98410 58101.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Services – Chennai / April 04th, 2013

Tamil Nadu to help weavers of Kandangi sarees

April 17, 2013Business & Economyadmin

Chennai :

Seeking to give a push to the production of famous Chettinadu Kandangi sarees, Tamil Nadu Government on Wednesday said it would take steps to help weavers and help them get silk threads.

“The government would take steps to increase the production of Kandangi sarees by weavers in the state. If they come forward, the government would source silk threads to them,” state Handlooms and Textiles Minister S Sundararaj informed the Assembly.

He was replying to a query by Karaikudi MLA Cholan C T Palanichamy during the Question Hour. Palanichamy wanted to know whether the government would set up a Silk Welfare Board in Karaikudi.

Minister Sundararaj also said that the government would source silk from Bangalore and Mysore, if weavers in the state were interested.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National / by PTI / Chennai, April 17th, 2013

Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation to take part in US expo

April 16, 2013Business & Economy, World Opinionadmin

Madurai :

A trade delegation from the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI) will be participating at the International Franchise Expo which would be held in New York from June 20 to 22. In wake of the preparations, Jennifer A McIntyre, consul general of the US consulate general and James Golsen, principal commercial officer from the consulate interacted with the members of the chamber on Thursday.

As many as 60 members from the chamber who are into various industry and trade will be visiting US during these days and participate in the franchise expo where 400 more companies from 100 countries are expected to participate.

Addressing the event, McIntyre said that US-India trade is expected to increase as the countries are to enter another treaty shortly. She assured help from the consulate for the members visiting the US.

Announcing various measures from the consulate to facilitate the visiting delegation, Golsen said that Mala Venkat, commercial specialist will accompany the delegation and render her expertise in the field. They will help them with entry, meetings with the desired companies, workshop and site visits. He also assured accessibility to industrialists, experts and politicians if required by the delegation. However, the delegation has to go through the regular procedures in the visa applications, Golsen said. Besides, they will organise a welcome meeting for the delegation upon returning where they can share the feedback of their visit to franchise expo, he said.

Senior president of the chamber, S Rethinavelu said that it is the first time, TNCCI is taking a delegation to the United States though they were contemplating such attempt for the last one decade.

N Jegadeesan, president of the chamber said the expo will be very helpful for entrepreneurs in Madurai. “The exposure towards 400-plus companies for franchising will be great experience and they are coming from all continents. There may be some companies in our neighbouring countries and we may not be aware of them. We can strike a deal of franchising with interested companies,” he said. The response to the delegation is overwhelming and they are planning to limit the numbers to 60. Lot of young entrepreneurs from the chamber are very eager to attend the expo, he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / April 05th, 2013

Tirupur knitting mills buck the trend

April 15, 2013Business & Economyadmin

Tirupur :

Mills in Tirupur, often regarded as the knitwear hub of India, have finally reported a growth in exports for a quarterly period following nearly three years of decline.

In 2009-10 and 2010-11, exports dropped by around 20 per cent while in 2011-12, the output was generally flat. Knitwear exporters attributed the five per cent growth during the first three months of 2013 to business from several new markets that have been explored over the last 12 months.

These include Japan, South Africa, Israel and South America while there has also been a slight upturn in orders from the US.

source: http://www.knittingtradejournal.com / Knitting Trade Journal / Thursday, April 04th, 2013

‘Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan have good auto industry potential’

April 12, 2013Business & Economy, Science & Technologiesadmin

Kolkata :

Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan have the highest growth potential for the automobile industry for adding new and first time customers, an Assocham study said Wednesday.

According to the study, titled “Automobile Industry in India: Saturated and Potential States”, both Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan have registered a high growth in employment generation, per capita income and monthly per capita consumption expenditure share in durable goods and are ahead of the national growth in the three key indicators.

“Tamil Nadu’s gross domestic product (GDP) and motor vehicles registration growth are also more than the national level growth,” said D.S. Rawat, national secretary general of industry panel Assocham (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) while releasing the findings of the study.

Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat have been identified as possible opportunity states as they have performed better than national average and also have a high share of untapped growth, according to a release here.

Lack of infrastructure, geographical challenges and population density were certain constraints faced by automotive companies to expand their presence in rural markets, the study said.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / Two Circles / Home> India News / April 03rd, 2013

First flight departs from Chennai’s new airport terminal

April 11, 2013Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Chennai :

At 4.15 am, the departure area at the new airport terminal was buzzing with activity. Passengers came flocking to board the SpiceJet flights to Pune and Kolkata just past 5 am.

The take-off of two SpiceJet aircrafts marked the start of regular departure of domestic flights from the new Chennai airport terminal.

It was a ‘flawless’ take-off, said an airport official.

On the auspicious day of Amavatsya on Wednesday, the first flight (a SpiceJet) took-off from the new terminal.

A team of uniformed officials from the Airports Authority of India were all over the terminal guiding passengers to ensure the smooth departure.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / The Hindu Business Line / Home> Industry> Logistics / by T.E. Raja Simha raja.simhan@thehindu.co.in / Chennai, April 11th, 2013

Trisha launches Magnum ice cream in Chennai

April 11, 2013Business & Economyadmin

Southern diva Trisha launched Magnum ice cream in Chennai recently. Unilever rolls out its premium Magnum ice cream bars in the country this month to cash in on the growing aspirations of India’s increasingly affluent consumers this summer. The Anglo-Dutch multinational’s Indian unit, Hindustan Unilever, will launch Magnum bars ” premium vanilla ice cream on a stick wrapped in thick Belgian chocolate shell ” in Chennai.

Trisha who is the brand ambassador for Magnum ice cream recently tweeted before the launch “Happy 2 announce Ill b d brand ambassador fr my most fav ice cream brand.Soon 2 b launched in India..Will kip u posted.til ten Ssshhhhhhh.”

Magnum ice cream bars, tweaked to appeal Indian consumers’ taste buds, will be shipped from Unilever’s Thailand factory and will be sold through supermarkets, select general trade and its own ice-cream parlours and trikes (tricycles). The largest ice cream brand in Europe, Magnum debuted in the US in 2011 and recorded sales of $100 million in its first year. It is now sold in more than 50 countries and even in emerging markets such as Indonesia it is one of the best-selling ice creams despite its premium positioning.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional / TNN / April 02nd, 2013

Agriculture beckons Madurai’s entrepreneurs

April 10, 2013Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologiesadmin

An agri-business centre in Madurai. / Photo: R. Ashok / The Hindu

Graduates moving away from secure government jobs

V. Rajesh Kannan, now 39, was at a crossroads when he completed his bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1994. Today, he is a successful agripreneur and a net-worth individual with a growing business.

His is among the success stories of agriculture graduates who break out of the pattern of looking for the security of a government job and, instead, dare to venture into agribusiness that includes sale of seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, cattle feed, bio and organic inputs, among other things.

“Success did not come overnight. I first worked as an executive in a private company for 10 years, rose to the level of manager, learnt the nuances of agribusiness and then started my own venture. There is a lot of scope in this field but not many dare to enter it,” he says.

Mr. Kannan was part of the second batch of trainees who underwent a two-month training programme in 2004 on ‘Establishment of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres’ (ACABC) conducted by Voluntary Association for People Service (VAPS) here, a training institute approved by the Union Ministry of Agriculture.

The programme is being implemented jointly by the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). VAPS, one of the 55 training institutes across the country, has trained over 1,600 students since 2002.

P. Subramanian, a former professor at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and now a technical consultant for VAPS training centre, points out that the Centre had revised the ACABC scheme in 2010. As per the revised scheme, each successful trainee is eligible for a bank loan of Rs. 20 lakh for establishing agri clinics and business centres.“If five of them join together for a group project, they can get Rs.1 crore. The Centre provides a subsidy of 44 per cent of the project cost to women and those belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and 36 per cent for others. Banks do not charge interest for the subsidy portion,” he adds.

There is no age bar for enrolling in the training programme. Utilising the opportunity, P. Sankar, a 59-year-old retired staff of Agricultural College and Research Institute here, joined the training programme recently. “I decided to undergo the training because during my career span I saw how reluctant farmers were to try out new ideas. They hesitate to take risks. I want to be a role model to them. I am going to venture into agribusiness by utilising the eight acres I own near T. Kallupatti,” he says with confidence.

Cattle farm

S. Ramakrishnan, a veterinarian who retired from government service, is among those who want to take to farming as a profession post-retirement. He proposes to set up a cattle farm at Palamedu along with an agri-farm, adjacent to it, to raise fodder. “Fodder constitutes 60 per cent of cost in maintaining a cattle farm. Once we learn to control the cost of fodder, we can make big profits in this field. Being a veterinarian is an advantage for me. Others must maintain a liaison with a local veterinarian,” he suggests.

Not only the seniors, but also youngsters like 22-year-old P. Kothainayagi of Thiruvannamalai are showing interest in becoming agripreneurs. She travelled to Madurai and signed up for the training. “I completed my bachelor’s degree in horticulture in 2011. Ever since, I have been helping my father, an agriculturist, and also other farmers in my village by providing tips on increasing their produce. Now, I plan to establish an agri-clinic as well as an agri-business centre in my hometown,” she says.

L. Ashokan (38) who completed his bachelor’s degree in rural development science and then a master’s degree in social work from Loyola College, Chennai, has an innovative idea. He wants to create bio compost using coir dust. “The idea is novel but I don’t know whether banks would support it,” he doubts.

P.R. Vijayakumar, Deputy Regional Manager, Central Bank of India, says that banks are ready to extend loans for raising crops, irrigation, animal husbandry, harvesting, agricultural processing, storage of agri-produce, buying farm implements and tractors and even for purchasing shares of sugar mills. “There is no limit for the loan amount. Everything depends on the project cost and the security would be the project itself but for certain instances when collateral would be required. Young agricultural graduates and even those who are in the profession must utilise the opportunity,” he urges.

Stressing the importance of repaying bank loans promptly, he adds that an agripreneur cannot fail to make profits if he or she gave importance to involvement, innovation, planning, and disaster management. “Agripreneurs must anticipate disasters and be ready with measures to tackle them as they happen,” he advises.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by Mohamed Imranullah S. / Madurai, April 02nd, 2013

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