Those who completed SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificated) at the Hindu High School, Triplicane, fifty years ago are planning a reunion this year. The golden jubilee reunion hopes to bring together people the SSLC batch of 1965 in one of the oldest schools.
Honouring teachers, assisting in infrastructural development, and creating a scholarship fund for meritorious students from economically backward families have also been planned.
Former students who want to be part of the event may get in touch with Janardhanan at Ph: 9841210884. e-mail: janakrishjai@gmail.com. — Special Correspondent
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – July 04th, 2015
Bridge and foundation course in English being inaugurated at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College in Tiruchi; C.K. Vishnu Narayanan of National College in Tiruchi.
C.K. Vishnu Narayanan, a second year B.Sc. (Physical Education and Sports Sciences) student of National College has been selected to participate in the BRICS Youth Summit to be held in Russia from July 1 to 7. He is a part of the 60-member Indian delegation of Department Youth Affairs (International Cooperation Cell) of the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. He has bagged a national award in yoga in 2013. He has participated in the 2014 Republic Day parade in New Delhi as a National Service Scheme volunteer. He learnt the basics of yoga practices during his childhood under his guru Kalari S.D. Benny in Thrissur. Since then, he had been performing on regional and national platforms. Earlier, he had secured Best Volunteer Award from the National Service Scheme in Kerala for 2013 and 2014.
BRIDGE, FOUNDATION COURSE IN ENGLISH
Bridge course will help students turn their aspirations into realities, said G. Balakrishnan, former vice-principal, St. Joseph’s College, while inaugurating the bridge and foundation course in English at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College. He observed that the course bridges the gap between the school and college education, sharpens the intellect and helps orient the skills of the students. Good knowledge of English language could take students to greater heights. Students hailing from rural and Tamil medium could excel through rigorous practice and thirst for learning. During the interaction session, he helped students practice speaking simple and error free sentences. M. Jayanthi, Principal, and K. Renukadevi, Associate Professor and Head, Department of English, spoke.
LEARN ENGLISH WITH PROPER PRONUNCIATION
Importance of learning English with proper pronunciation was emphasised by V. Sujatha, Principal, Cauvery College for Women, in her inaugural address at the Foundation English Course for the first year students organised by the Aurora Club of the Department of English Cauvery College for Women. R. Murugan, president, college executive committee, motivated the students to shed their inhibition and gain confidence by mastering the language. K.S. Dhanam, Associate Professor, Department of English, Periyar E.V.R. College, who was the resource person, explained how to overcome the hesitation to speak in English. R. Gobinathan, treasurer, college governing council, and Hilda M. Thenmoli, Head, Department of English, were present.
AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON USE OF HELMETS
Leo Club and National Service Scheme of Tiruchi Engineering College conducted an awareness programme on use of helmets.
P. Gopalachandran, Inspector of Police, Siruganur, spoke on the importance of wearing helmets. S. Subramaniam, secretary, Sujatha Subramaniam, chairperson, and R.M. Ramachandran, Principal, were present.
Compiled by G. Prasad
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / June 29th, 2015
This library is located in the midst of auto spares shops, but that does not deter women from flocking to it. D. MADHAVAN reports
Around 15 people can be accommodated at the two-room facility.Photo: M. Vedhan
At this branch library for women, eight women seem to be supernaturally focussed as they study for their competitive examinations. They ignore the sounds that pierce the air. This library, tucked inside the auto spare parts market at Adithanar Salai in Pudupet, draws many women from the neighbourhood, for the exclusive space its offers than for its collection of books.
The library, Pengal Noolagam, is one of the two state-run libraries that is operated exclusively for women readers at “rent-free” premises. The other library for women is located on Bells Road in Chepauk.
The library has readers from various localities, including Egmore, Vepery, Pudupet, Chetpet, Zambazzar, Royapettah and Nungambakkam every day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. “Every year, we add 1,000 books to the collection in the library. At present, we have 40,428 books, mostly Tamil, with around 400 members,” said Elango Chandra Kumar, Chennai District Library Officer, in-charge of 158 government libraries.
Opened in December 1962, the library has a diverse collection of books including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, academic, magazines and newspapers. Around 15 people can be accommodated at the two-room facility.
“After school hours, we come to the library as a group and spend at least an hour browsing novels, books on Tamil literature and newspapers,” said V. Kavitha, a class XII student from Egmore. According to officials of the Directorate of Public Libraries, government libraries were started after Independence to encourage women to step out of their houses for education including higher studies. Opening of such exclusive public libraries for women was one of the steps taken by the state government to give more space for women.
Of 158 public libraries in the city, 92 libraries have own buildings and 54 libraries including women libraries at Pudupet and Chepauk are accommodated in rent-free buildings.
“Every year, we add 1,000 books to the library. At present, we have 40,428 books.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu /Home> Features> Down Town / June 28th, 2015
Siblings Akash Balaji and Harish Balaji of Sindhi Model Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chetpet, recently won the first place in water polo and 100-metre breast stroke respectively at the State-level Aquatic Competition held in Chennai.
Both winners will take part in the national-level competition in mid July.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / June 27th, 2015
Collector (in-charge) Madhusoodhan Reddy congratulating the ‘Super 30’ group students who have been allotted seats in medical colleges, in Perambalur on Saturday.
Standing on the threshold of realising his childhood dream of becoming a doctor, B.Prasanth, an Arunthathiyar student from a poor family of agricultural labourers from Irur in Perambalur district, is not sure whether his mother would be able to raise the fee for the course.
He is one of the three Dalit students who have secured MBBS admission from a group of 57 students who were handpicked from government schools of the district for special coaching in Plus-Two under the ‘Super 30’ initiative of the district administration. A Dalit girl has bagged a BDS seat, bringing acclaim to the district and the special initiative.
With a Plus-Two score of 1,108 marks and a cut-off of 193.25, Prasanth has been allotted a seat in the Chenglepet Government Medical College. Prasanth is supported by his mother, a farm hand. His father, also a farm worker, spends most of his earnings on liquor.
“I have to pay a fee of Rs.11,000 now. My mother is trying to raise the money and officials have promised to arrange for a loan. But I am not sure whether these will materialise. I am looking for sponsors,” he said speaking to The Hindu over phone.
P.Prakash of Ladapuram, with 1,140 marks in Plus-Two, and T.Aravindaraj of Kolathur, with a score of 1,119, have been allotted seats in the Stanley Government Medical College and Tuticorin Medical College, respectively. M.Manjula of Nattarmangalam, with a cut-off of 191.75, has been allotted a BDS seat in the Chennai Government Dental College and stands a chance of getting a MBBS seat as she is on the wait list. Inspired by District Collector Darez Ahamed, Prakash wants to enter the Civil Services after MBBS.
All the four students belong to poor families of agricultural labourers, says N.Jayaraman, district coordinator, ‘Super 30’. There are about 15-20 other students from the group with good engineering cut-off marks and are hopeful of getting BE seats, he said. A brainchild of Mr.Darez Ahamed, the ‘Super 30’ idea is being implemented over the past couple of years in the district.
All are from poor agricultural families and need assistance to pursue studies
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by S. Ganesan / Perambalur – June 28th, 2015
Nonagenarian Tamil scholar K Meenakshi Sundaram of Coimbatore has been selected for the Bhasha Samman award given by Sahitya Akademi this year.
Meenakshi Sundaram, who is an author of numerous books including The Contributions of European Scholars to Tamil, was born in the village Vellakinar near Thudiyalur on July 11, 1925. He took his BA (Mathematics) from the Government Arts College, Coimbatore in 1948 and his MA (Tamil) and MLitt from Annamalai University. He did his Phd from the University of Madras.
Having worked as a lecturer in Tamil in Annamalai University, Meenakshi Sundaram taught in various government arts colleges in Tamil Nadu. However, he was the first Tamil professor to become the Director of Collegiate Education.
“Professor K Meenakshi Sundaram is the second Tamil scholar to bag the Bhasha Samman. Previously, the award was given to Prof. S V Subramaniam of Kerala University, who was my teacher,” said K Nachimuthu, convenor, Sahitya Akademi, Tamil Nadu and professor of Tamil in Central University of Tamil Nadu.
Poet Sirpi Balasubramaniam, a two time Sahitya Akademi award winner from Coimbatore, who was a student of Meenakshi Sundaram in Annamalai University, said, “The Bhasha Samman is given by Sahitya Akademi for two scholars of different languages in India every year. Nevertheless, the award comes rarely for Tamil scholars.”
Nonagenarian T C Ramasamy, who translated Raja Rao’s famous novel The Serpent and the Rope in Tamil and penned books on Meenakshi Sundaram as Kattror Nokkil Munmadhiriyana Oru Mamanithar and Perasiyar Ka Mee Aaraychi Thadangal, says: “Meenakshi Sundaram is a great research scholar in Tamil. And I am glad that Bhasha Samman award is given to him.”
Meenakshi Sundaram is an author of famous books like A Study of the Poetical works of Subramanya Bharathi, Pannmayil Orumai, Silambil Thunai Paathirangal, Manonmaniam Sundaranar Puratchithiran and son.
The Sahitya Akademi has also selected Chella Ganapathy,a Coimbatore-based writer of Children’s literature for Sahitya Purashkar award for his book Theduthal Vettai and Veerapandian for his Tamil novel Parukkai.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by B. Meenakshi Sundaram / June 25th, 2015
Australian MP, Williams Matti and the Adelaide Tamil Association have heaped praise on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for her strenuous and unceasing efforts to spread the glory of the Tamil language across the globe.
The Australian MP, while speaking in the Australian Parliament on June 4, hailed the International Tamil Conference and Seminar, organised recently by the Tamil Development Department of the Tamil Nadu government. He said it was the first of its kind to be hosted in Australia for the Tamil people living there.
“It was great that the Tamil Nadu government and the World Tamil Association chose Torrensville Primary School in my electorate to facilitate the event. The two-day seminar and workshop covered teaching, education and development of Tamil language and culture for communities outside India.
Lawrence Annadurai, president of Adelaide Tamil Association, in his letter to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, congratulated her on taking over the reigns of the State government for the fifth time and expressed confidence that Tamils across the globe were praising her measures for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu and those living abroad.
He said the international Tamil conference, held recently was highly praised by many personalities in Australia. Zoe Bettison, Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Grace Portolesi, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Chair of South Australian Multicultural Ethnic Affairs Commission, Angela Keneally, Mayor, City of Charles Sturt and many other invitees from Australian Government who attended the conference lauded the conference.
When traditional Tamil music was played, they danced to the tunes happily, he added.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / June 11th, 2015
Coming from a humble peasant family, it was indeed a bold decision for him to take up training in the not-so-famous archery during his school days. The wise decision not only fetched him a gold medal in the national level meet but also bag a bronze medal in the international level tournament proving his mettle. Both he achieved in just a couple of years of practice.
A first year bio-tech student of Sri Math Andavar Arts and Science College, N Elango, 19, bagged bronze medal in the recently concluded first ever Student Olympic South Asian Games held at Thimpu in Bhutan.
Hailing from Sholanganallur village in Nachikurichi panchayat in Trichy, his father Nagarajan is a farmer. However, it was his uncle R Natarajan who noticed his talent and helped him with the basic training and equipment.
“My aspiration to join the police force from my childhood led to develop my interest towards guns and firing. But I was attracted towards archery while watching it in TV,” he said.
Elango, who aspires to become an IPS officer, feels that there is very less awareness about archery among the public. All this two years he had to practice alone as no one in his age group was really interested in the game. “This has never demoralized me. But I realized that I have a responsibility to take up this sport and make it popular by winning Olympic medal for the country,” Elango said.
“The state level archery meet held about six months ago gave me the required confidence to move ahead. I won silver medal in the tournament. Though the competition was intense at the national level meet held in February near Mumbai, I could manage to bag gold medal in the under 19 category. Bagging the first ever national gold gave me recognition in the college, which also sponsored my trip to the First Students Olympic South Asian Games,” he said.
All the three rounds were highly competitive, especially from those who were from Bhutan as it was their national game. But I managed to win the bronze medal, he added. Principal of the Sri Math Andavar Arts and Science College J Radhika credited the achievement to the hard work of Elango and said the college would help more students to take part in such tournaments.
M Rajadurai, national level archer and assistant professor at a city college, trained Elango. He credited Elango’s achievement to his two years of hard work. “There are only five students who get training for archery from me,” he added.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / by K. Sambath Kumar, TNN / July 09th, 2015
Twelve-year-old V Mahalakshmi was working as a housemaid in Sembattu in 2009 when members of the Child Labour Effective Elimination and Rehabilitation Society (CHEERS) in Trichy found her and rescued her. She was shifted to a special training centre and later got admission into a school in Namakkal which provided her free education for two years.
When the Plus Two results were announced on Thursday, it was a vindicating moment for Mahalakshmi and the people who stood by her. She had scored 1,142 out of 1,200 and a cut-off mark of 192.25. She was one among the seven child labourers rescued by CHEERS who appeared for the Plus Two examination this year.
“After my husband Venkatapathy’s death in 2009 due to health problems, I had to discontinue my daughter’s education due to financial constraints. I never thought my daughter will reach such a good position,” said Mahalakshmi’s mother V Kalaivani, who is a construction worker. “Hard work and the motivation I received from my school teachers helped me realise my dream of scoring good marks in Plus Two examinations. I am confident that I will get admission to pursue MBBS in a government medical college and be able to serve the people. I sincerely thank all the people who acted behind my success,” Mahalakshmi told TOI.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / TNN /May 28th, 2015
N Arul Murugan, city’s new chief educational officer is more than a former government school teacher. While he spends all day attending to administrative matters of the school education department, the officer likes to dedicate some time every weekend to write poetry.
Murugan assumed office on Thursday morning, taking charge from his predecessor A Gnana Gowri. As Gowri was transferred to Salem as the chief educational officer (CEO), Murugan has moved from Pudukkottai.
The 43-year-old officer has published three of his poetry books and two prose books till now. Murugan, who has completed his PhD in Tamil Grammar from Annamalai University, also likes to know about archaeological findings. “While I write literature, I love to read about archaeological findings, and related matters,” said Arul Murugan.
A native of Karur, Murugan started his career as a secondary grade Tamil teacher in a government-aided school in Karur in 1992. In 2002, Murugan became a government school teacher, and then in 2009, he successfully cleared the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission exam, and became an officer of the school education department. A batch mate of the former CEO Gnana Gowri, Arul Murugan started his service in the school education department as the district education officer, Kanniyakumari.
Arul Murugan, however, said that Coimbatore is a developed district when it comes to school education. “I personally like Coimbatore, both as a city to live in and as an educational district. My aim is to further improve the enrolment in government and government aided schools,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Adarsh Jain, TNN / June 05th, 2015
