After a brief lull, efforts to convert the Institute of Anatomy building at Madras Medical College into a full-pledged museum have gained pace. A seven-member “core committee” headed by college Dr R Vimala, has been formed recently to work out the design and suggest the kind of exhibits.
The decision to have a fullfledged museum was taken after the anatomy department was shifted to the new campus on the erstwhile Central prison premises in 2013.
Dr R Vimala said the museum would have exhibits of evolution of medicine at MMC, rare photographs, British-era certificates and documents, history of doyens of the alumni and historical events of the college. Also old equipment, medical devices would occupy a place. “We are looking forward to contribution of rare pictures of relevance to this Institution. Soon we will create a new email id, enabling people to share,” she added.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Dr Sudha Seshayyan, Director, MMC Institute of Anatomy, said the heritage structure, popularly known as ‘Red Fort’, would not be disturbed. Only renovation to rectify the damages would be done. “We also seek help from government curator for maintaining the museum. Now, there are more than 1,000 specimens of which a few are century-old precious possessions. So funds for renovation works are invited. Once ready, it will be open for doctors, medical students and the public,” she added.
Meanwhile, MMC alumni, starting from 1961 batch, have donated Rs 2 lakh till Saturday, giving hope that funds will pour in.
Dr Sudha further said names of people donating above Rs 5 lakh would be inscribed on a plaque. It is estimated that the work for the conversion into museum would take another two years.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / March 17th, 2015
After schools repeatedly denied admissions to her son because he had cerebral palsy, Poonam Natarajan decided to work with what she had. She got trained as a special educator to teach her son and from the garage of her house on Arcot Road in T Nagar, in 1985 Natarajan began with three students and two staff. That was the beginning of Vidya Sagar that completed 30 years on Sunday.
The city’s pioneering organization that works with children and young adults with disabilities later moved to Kotturpuram in 1996 and now have close to 4,000 students across the country. As the school grew, Natarajan lost her son when he was 22. Did she foresee that Vidya Sagar would nurture people with disabilities for three decades? “Yes, it was a step by step process and I did know it would be an organization that continues to do great work,” says Natarajan who left the oganisation in early 2000s to become the chair of a statutory body constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. “I am the founder but I came like a parent visiting to celebrate.”
An alumni association and a website that exclusively tells stories of their alumni was launched on the 30th anniversary Sunday to celebrate their past students. “The website isn’t a profile but it documents every student’s challenges, how they met the challenges, their milestones and memories with Vidya Sagar,” says deputy director, Dipti Bhatia.
“Many parents also are empowered over the course of time and start their own initiatives or community activities”
The website features 69 alumni students and will feature more over the year. “We are celebrating our students who come in with various disabilities from mild to profound,” Bhatia says. The organisation’s alumni had together launched the association saying it was for them to network and help each other. This was followed by a carnival for their students. Vidya Sagar provides education for children with neurological disabilities, and work in rehabilitation, advocacy and training.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / March 16th, 2015
Don Bosco School, Egmore, has been organising this State level event every year. Photo: Vaishali R Venkat / The Hindu
Veerababu’s herbal canteen inside Ripon Building has a loyal set of followers. K. Sarumathi reports on what keeps it going
Sridhar is paying his first visit to this canteen inside Ripon Building. And this is not going to be his last. In fact, Sridhar says this is going to be one of many visits.
“I came here for some work and heard about the canteen. The food is healthy, good and affordable. I will surely come back.” There are many others like Sridhar, including the staff of the Corporation office, who swear by the food.
The canteen at Rippon Building recieves over 500 visitors. Photo: Vaishali R Venkat / The Hindu
Three years since it was established, the herbal canteen inside the Ripon Building continues to be a hit among the health-conscious. Started by Veerababu, a final year student of Arignar Anna Government Hospital and a resident of Saligramam, the canteen receives 500 visitors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Photo: Vaishali R Venkat / The Hindu
A Siddha specialist, Veerababu started his first restaurant from his clinic in Saligramam. “When I found this space for my clinic, it was too big. I converted a portion into a canteen and started selling health food. I was then invited by the Mayor to start a similar canteen inside the Ripon Building,” he says.
The Avaram and nilavembu juice are among the most sought-after at the canteen. “You will get it on all days, throughout the year. While Avaram is preferred by those with diabetics, Nilavembu helps deal with fever and cold. Apart from these two, we offer other health drinks on different days,” says Veerababu. Sweets and savouries on offer include thinai halwa, banana-leaf kozhukattai, ragi puttu and wheat kuli paniyaram. The canteen also offers meals with one herb in each item at Rs 15. Breakfast includes variety dosa made from mudakathan, khambu and choolan. Other preparations are priced between Rs. 5 and Rs. 15.
Mooligai Unavagam in Rippon Building. Photo: Vaishali R Venkat / The Hindu
Veerababu is now all set to launch his restaurant at 100 Feet Road in Vadapalani, which is expected to have something for both the fitness enthusiast and the carb-craver. “The work on the building is going on and it should be ready in a month. The restaurant will also sell herbal and millet products at wholesale prices,” he adds. Veerababu can be reached at 98402 78009.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> DownTown / by K. Sarumathi / March 14th, 2015
On International Women’s Day, fashion designing students here made an attempt to recreate a woman’s life on fabric by designing a 500-foot gown illustrating the different stages in the life of a woman. The group is also hoping to enter the Limca Book of Records with the attempt.
More than 10 students from the department of fashion designing at DreamZone, an institute in the city, worked on the gown, creating elaborate embroidery on the long train of the dress. One of the pictures show women involved in household work, while another piece of cloth portrays a mother’s love for her child. In another part, a woman is shown as a doctor. The gown is made of tissue fabric and velvet. M Umeetha, 19, a student, said, “We are here to spread awareness on the many atrocities committed against women, through our simple embroidery work. ”
Three months ago, a 110-metre long gown worn at a wedding in Tripura became the longest gown in the country. These students are aiming for a fresh record. The 500-metre long gown was kept on display at a city mall on Sunday. Thereafter, a rally was conducted to spread awareness on violence against women. Men were asked to sign on the train of the gown vowing to keep the women in the city safe.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / March 09th, 2015
DJ Academy of Design and British Council will jointly organise a two-day conference on “Universal Design” here on March 13 and 14 and as many as 150 participants are expected from different parts of the country and even abroad.
Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, chairman of the governing council of the academy, told presspersons here on Tuesday that town planners, product designers, architects, social workers and students will take part.
The objective is to sensitise the participants and the public to the need for inclusive design in public infrastructure and products.
A couple of speakers from the U.K. will also participate. There are countries that have norms, insisting on inclusive design in public places.
Awareness and the need for such design needs to improve here.
At the end of the two-day event, a resolution will be adopted and it will be sent to design institutes, Corporates and policy makers. DJ Academy plans to organise the event regularly.
Explaining the concept of universal design, Mr. Jayavarthanavelu said transport systems such as buses and facilities such as elevators need to be designed in such a way that it can be used as a common facility by those with disabilities and the public.
The requirements of the elderly and those with disabilities need to be addressed in the common infrastructure.
The demand for such designing is high in the country and the awareness should go up.
The event will also have sessions on the principles of universal design in products and an expo on products designed by the students of the academy.
DJ Academy has undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in design, he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Special Correspondent / Coimbatore – March 11th, 2015
Sam Paul at Jonah’s goes to Japan. Photo: M. Karunakaran / The Hindu
From educational institutions and restaurants to gyms and styling salons, Sam Paul has ventured into a slew of businesses. The city businessman tells why he’s always looking for new frontiers to conquer.
There are two men, employed by Sam Paul, who look after newspaper clippings.
Every morning, Sam wakes up at 7, fits in an hour of exercise and then, sits down to scan the local papers. Since 2004, from the first mention of the launch of Casa Piccola in Chennai, he’s collected about 500 news clippings of himself. He often makes it to the papers for something or the other; news about the latest Toni & Guy store launch, party pictures, involvement in charity activities and social, news about his acting venture in the upcoming movie Patra… even the smallest mention, he clips, files, indexes and laminates. “We need some cheap thrills, no?” laughs Sam.
The reason he values these clippings and takes such care in making sure they are preserved is because, he says, he treasures the recognition and appreciation that comes his way. “This is achievement! I am well-heeled — I own a house, I drive a Porsche. I have good people working for me. What else do I need?”
Sam, who has been the reason for the arrival of many big brands in the city, schooled here. He holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Engineering and followed it up with a doctorate from College of Engineering, Guindy. He started working with his father, helping manage educational institutions owned by the family, had many grand business ideas which his father disagreed to and eventually, was asked to leave home for being too rebellious.
Relentless, Sam worked to prove himself, sleeping on the floor of his friend’s place in the meantime. Using the money he earned, and then some, he opened Casa Piccola in 2004, which was all the rage those days. “I just wanted to show my father that I was capable of earning my own money. But from there to where I am right now, it’s all God’s grace. Nothing else.”
Over a decade later, he has chiselled an identity for himself as a restaurateur in Chennai. He manages Crimson Chakra, Haagen-Dazs and Jonah’s Bistro. His latest, Jonah’s goes to Japan, in collaboration with Momoyama, introduces an Asian twist to the existing European menu designed by ‘MADChef’ Kaushik. “Right now, I’m tripping on Japanese,” grins Sam.
At the launch of the restaurant, Sam bustles about, greeting old friends and making new ones. He’s a people’s person; no doubt about it. He says he has the knack to identify the right ones too. “My greatest asset is that my staff have remained with me… it’s important to have the right people,” says Sam, adding that the same men who worked at Casa Piccola are cooking up a storm in Jonah’s kitchen too.
As the dishes stream out, Sam talks about the peasant origins of the beef goulash, fusses over the amount of fish in the seafood broth and insists that the chicken parmigiana would pair better with mashed potato, as opposed to spaghetti. “I’ve been doing this since 2004, you start to know a little by now,” chuckles the foodie.
This, however, is not all that he knows. In 2010, sometime in between opening new restaurants, managing educational institutions and being responsible for the mushrooming of Toni & Guy outlets in the city, he got bored of all that he was doing and bounded off to study law at the Government Law College. “I was 32 years old at that time, and I sat with these boys who were 18-19 years old and studied for three years. In fact, I got debarred for six months for not having enough attendance,” laughs Sam. He now practises law at the High Court and works with N. Chandrasekaran, Special Public Prosecutor for CBI cases.
That hardly confines him from juggling other things though: Sam just acted in a film and is producing another. He’s looking to do some celebrity DJing born out of a love for music and the request of a few friends. Keeping in line with body building titles that Sam won when he was in University, he launched a new project last month — Slam, the fitness studio. He is further looking to expand the Jonah’s brand and working to bring Doner Kebab to India, because, he says, “I am very particular about my kebabs.”
“That’s the greatest thing in life: to be able to do what you want. If I want to do something, I just have to think of the way to do it professionally… it’s all about God’s grace and having the right people by your side.” smiles the 37-year-old.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Raveena Joseph / March 03rd, 2015
V S Aarthi, a Class 9 student from SBOA Matriculation School and Junior College at Anna Nagar, won the first prize at an extempore speech competition conducted by the British Council here on Thursday.
Amrutha Desikan and Akileah Raman (both from PSBB school at K K Nagar) won the second and third prizes, respectively.
As many as 50 students from 10 schools in the city participated in the competition. The contestants for the competition were chosen based on their performance in a computer-based English language competency test held last week.
The British Council has launched an English language competency test — Aptis — in Chennai and Delhi to test the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills of students aged between 13 and 17 years.
“The test content has been designed based on the day-to-day activities of teenagers, and the topics reflect the scenarios that they go through every day,” said Gwen Caudwell, Aptis product development manager.
Caudwell said the test content had been designed based on global parameters but the topics had been chosen based on the activities that are carried out in India.
Mei-Kwei-Barker, director, South India, British Council, said, “The response for the test has been good, both in Delhi and Chennai. The students have performed well in speaking.”
Aarthi said, “Winning this extempore contest has given me a moral boost. I can now do public speaking anytime, anywhere.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Adarsh Jain, TNN / February 26th, 2015
S. Thabuna, a former student of Cluny Matriculation Higher Secondary School, has won the Bal Shree award for creative writing at the national level for 2011-12.
The Bal Shree Honour Scheme was constituted by the Centre in 1993 to recognise and tap creativity in children in the age group of 9 to 16. Ms. Thabuna, now an MBBS student at the Government Kilpauk Medical College received the honour for her talent in creative writing.
She told The Hindu that topics were given just before the competitions began.
“The national competition went on for four days, and each topic was challenging,” she said adding that she wanted to become a medical writer.
She wanted more school students to participate in the competitions.
Her parents A. Sivaprakasam and S. Girija said that they were proud of their daughter winning a national level award.
B. Hemanathan, Regional Assistant Director, Art and Culture Department, Salem Zone, said that the competitions were held in painting, collage designing, formations from waste materials, clay modelling, c classical vocal, and Bharatanatyam.
Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Zubin Irani presented the Bal Shree award at a function held in New Delhi recently.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by Staff Reporter / Salem – February 25th, 2015
A display of vegetables and fruits intricately carved to resemble flowers and animals, and ice sculptures bravely weathering Chennai’s heat greeted visitors on the lawn of the Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition in Taramani on Friday. It was awards night, and the place and the students were decked up suitably.
Students and faculty of the institute bagged nine national awards of excellence in hospitality education, including best award for operational performance and special award for all round performance. Secretary of tourism R Kannan gave away the awards to the students and faculty. He distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions held during Kalakriti Sangam 2015, a three-day national level inter-institute competition on culinary and table placement skills, held at the institute.
The institute, established in 1963 and inaugurated by then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, has been sending graduates to the hospitality industry within and outside India from inception.
Institute principal and secretary S Rajamohan said, “The biggest challenges we face is Chennai’s climate, and the orthodox mentality of south Indians that prevents them from encouraging students to join this industry. There is a lot of opportunity in the hospitality industry with ample growth.” He said that the institute has been seeing a 100% placement record for the last seven years. The starting salary for a graduate ranges between 16,000 to 28,000 in India and around 40,000 overseas.
R Rangachari, advisor to South India Hotels and Restaurants Association, said one of the main aims of the institute was to upgrade the quality of life of rural people, teach them skills and provide them with employment opportunities. Shabin Sarvotham, senior general manager of GRT Grand Hotel, said, “We have seen the institute grow from offering a three-year undergraduate course to various certificate and craft courses and capacity-building programmes for professionals. It will continue to grow.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / February 14th, 2015
Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli in co-ordination with Agricultural Technology Management Agency conducted a ‘farm-field school’ on ‘improved animal husbandry practices’ at Kalakkudi near Manur for six weeks from last January 7.
A total of 25 progressive farmers from Manur block benefited. Faculties of VC & RI conducted demonstrations including preparation of concentrate feed, conservation of fodder – silage making, cultivation of Co-4 feed, using the milking machine, de-worming and de-ticking for sheep and goat and oral pellet vaccination for Ranikhet disease in desi birds for the select team of beneficiaries.
In the valedictory function on Thursday at Kalakkudi, S. Prathaban, Dean of VC &RI released the training manual, distributed certificates and inputs package consisting of TANUVAS Smart Mineral Mixture, video lessons on dairy farming, sheep and goat farming and desi fowl rearing to the beneficiaries.
In his address, Dr. Prathaban stressed the importance of using scientific techniques in livestock farming to reduce production cost.
V. Saraswathi, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Manur block, narrated the activities of ATMA scheme. C. Manivanan, Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, VC & RI, Tirunelveli presented a report on the farm field school.
S. Senthilkumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, and Manivannan, a progressive farmer from Kalakkudi, also spoke.
Importance of using scientific techniques in livestock farming stressed
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Tirunelveli – February 22nd, 2015
