Category Archives: Leaders

A golden saga of grit and enterprise

Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All
K. Kamaraj, the then president of the Congress, takes a look at a model of the Ambattur Industrial Estate that was inaugurated on July 3, 1965.
K. Kamaraj, the then president of the Congress, takes a look at a model of the Ambattur Industrial Estate that was inaugurated on July 3, 1965.

Ambattur Industrial Estate that turns 50 today has great milestones to cherish and new goals to reach for.

From a sleepy village of paddy fields with mud paths for roads, the Ambattur Industrial Estate has come a long way. The estate, which turns 50 on July 3, is now a thriving hub of small- and medium-scale industries.

Established in 1965 with the efforts of the then Industries and Power Minister, Madras State R. Venkataraman, the estate was inaugurated by the then Congress president K. Kamaraj and was home to 400 units, manufacturing locomotive and automobile accessories. Now, spread over 1,200 acres, the estate has grown to accommodate over 2,000 industrial units in the manufacturing and service sectors, including consumer durables and garments.

Senior industrial unit holders and members of the Ambattur Industrial Estate recall those days when the estate was dotted with units manufacturing engineering components. It was reported to be Madras State’s largest industrial estate that accommodated small-, medium-, and large-scale industries by The Hindu . Mr. Venkataraman had also contributed to the four-page inauguration supplement brought out by The Hindu .

A former president of the Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufaturers’ Association (AIEMA) recalled Mr. Venkataraman’s foresight and how he pitched for an elevated corridor to divert heavy vehicular traffic from the estate right then. Chennai Bypass now takes the traffic from Tambaram to Red Hills without any hindrance to the estate.

In the late 1960s, many engineering graduates launched units at Ambattur. “I shifted from Pune to Chennai to open my unit here. It was convenient for many like me to stay in Anna Nagar and run the unit at Ambattur that also has a railway station,” said a past president of AIEMA.

With rapid development in the past decade, several software companies have also set their eyes on the estate. Infrastructural issues such as poor roads and waterlogging have been eliminated.

“We have many welfare measures for employees, including a hospital. Our crèche, which accommodates 100 children, is one of the few such facilities available in industrial estates. We are focussing on making it a green estate with effluent and sewage treatment facilities,” AIEMA president K. Sai Sathya Kumar said.

Having exhausted space for expansion, the units are now scouting for land to set up an ancillary estate.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by K. Lakshmi / Chennai – July 03rd, 2015

Consumer activist R. Desikan passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Activist R. Desikan, who spearheaded the consumer movement in the State, passed away on Saturday evening at his home at Vettuvankeni. He was 83.

Born in Srirangam in 1933 to Raghavachari, who ran an automobile business and Ranganayaki, Desikan, Chairman Emeritus of Consumers Association of India, studied in Madras Christian College and later moved to Mumbai where he worked in Reader’s Digest as an advertisement manager.

“It was in Bombay at the Reader’s Digest that we met and got married. We moved to Chennai in 1972 and printed our own magazines. He then ran the South Madras News, a tabloid from 1974 to 1983 after which he got full-time into the consumer movement,” recalls Nirmala Desikan, his wife, who is Chairman and Managing Trustee of CAI. “He lived his life for the consumer, thinking about how he could improve their life. Though he came across a lot of hurdles, he still ensured that the consumer’s view point was taken to the policy makers,” she adds. The couple has two daughters. His last rites were held on Sunday evening.

S. Saroja of the Citizen consumer and civic Action Group, who has been associated with Desikan for several years now, recalls he would remember small things about people. “He would make you feel special. He was quite active till the end and even on Saturday, he was conducting discussions on how the movement should be taken forward. We were to participate in a programme next week.”

The veteran activist began working full-time with the consumer movement in the State in 1983

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – June 29th, 2015

HIDDEN HISTORIES – The Madras media man

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All
During the Emergency, Express Estates, that's now a mall, was a refuge for opposition leaders / The Hindu
During the Emergency, Express Estates, that’s now a mall, was a refuge for opposition leaders / The Hindu

June 25 was the 40th anniversary of the infamous Emergency — the then Indira Gandhi Government’s audacious attempt to stifle democracy. Very few from the South opposed it, and yet, much of the momentum for the resistance came from a feisty press baron of Madras — Ramnath Goenka, the owner of the Indian Express Group of newspapers.

Having come to Madras in the 1920s, with reportedly nothing more than “a lota and a nine-cubit dhoti,” to quote his biographer BG Verghese, Goenka was an all-India figure by the 1940s. Though his papers would later be published from many cities, Madras was always his headquarters, his residence being Hicks Bungalow on Patullos Road. His businesses operated from neighbouring Express Estates, a 23-acre property that he bought from the Madras Club for Rs. 14.85 lakhs in 1946. The quiet thoroughfare connecting the property to Mount Road is still Club House Road.

It is said that when Emergency was declared, Goenka was in the ICU of a Calcutta hospital, recovering from a heart attack. Raring to get into the thick of battle, he disconnected the tubes and “stole out to board a taxi but was detected in time and brought back”. The Indian Express came out on June 25, 1975, with a blank first editorial while the Financial Express published Tagore’s poem, Where the Mind is Without Fear.

A man who loved the good fight, Goenka challenged the Emergency in many ways. He helped in publishing Prajaniti, and its English counterpart, Everyman, vehicles that propagated the thoughts of Jayaprakash Narayan, the doughty opponent to Mrs Gandhi’s regime. The vast Express Estates was also where several leaders of the Opposition, most of them on the run from the police, could find safe haven. One among these was the firebrand George Fernandes. He had come first to the Spur Tank Road residence of tuberculosis specialist and Swatantra Party leader Dr Mathuram Santosham. On coming to know that the police were closing in, he was transferred to Express Estates.

The powers-that-be did their best to stifle Goenka and his publications. There were moves to acquire the business by media houses in sympathy with the ruling party, and when this was resisted, there were, to quote BG Verghese, “raids, court cases, a long series of pre-censorship orders, stoppages of bank advances and advertisements”— in short, all the standard operating procedures of a draconian Government. Goenka, however, stood his ground, despite being in poor health throughout. The stress that he and his family withstood then later resulted in the early demise of his son Bhagwan Das.

The battle against the Emergency gained ground and culminated in the General Elections in March 1977. That saw the landslide victory of the Janata Party and the first national debacle for the Congress. Goenka went on to fight other battles. The Express Estates is now a mall. But we do need a marker to commemorate the Marwari Media Man from Madras who fought the Emergency from there.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Sriram V. / June 26th, 2015

Kovai Doc lands Global Role

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Coimbatore :

P Senthilnathan, a surgeon from GEM hospital and Research Centre in the city, has been  appointed as the Asia Pacific expert committee member by the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association (IHPBA), for promoting laparoscopic liver surgeries in India.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / June 27th, 2015

Sundarapandian Period Stone Inscription Found at Palani

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Dindigul :

A team of persons found a stone inscription established during Pandya King Sundarapandian at Sampalanayakkanpatti village near Palani on Thursday

An archeology team found the historical stone at sambalanayakanpatti near palani on Thursday - Express Photo
An archeology team found the historical stone at sambalanayakanpatti near palani on Thursday – Express Photo

Based on the information, Narayanamurthy, an archeologist, and Thatchinamurthy, Director to MK university evening college and professors Kannimuthu, Rajavarman and Manivannan, visited Sampalanayakkanpatti village.

They found a stone inscription belongs to 1256 AD and it is believed, it was established by Sithra Mezhi Periya Nattar traders group. The stone inscription has possessed a trisul, plough and a musical instrument on top of the stone which indicated the traders group.

An archeology team found the historical stone at sambalanayakanpatti near palani on Thursday - Express Photo
An archeology team found the historical stone at sambalanayakanpatti near palani on Thursday – Express Photo

The 18 traders group of 18 country (places) ( 18 kooda Vanigar Kuzhu) erected  Desa Vinayagar temple after donating Oru Panam (one rupee) from each group, at Vaigavur Nadu (country) located near Periya Odai Kulam.

They mentioned, the money should be utilized to perform poojas and other things at the temple. It should be performed till the Moon and Sun are here. The Sithra Mezhi Nattar traders group was familiar between 11 AD and 13 AD.

It had possessed the rights to conduct local panchayat and to erect stone inscription equal to King. However, the Lord Pillair temple is not here at present.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / June 25th, 2015

Biography of Dr Sanjaya Rajaram released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Chennai :

A biography of Dr Sanjaya Rajaram, who developed 58% of all wheat varieties that exist now, was released in Chennai on Sunday.

The book, “Mr Golden Grain, the Life and Work of the Maharaja of Wheat,” traces the humble beginning of Rajaram and his success.

The book highlights Rajaram’s sheer grit and determination that took him from a humble wheat researcher to a global leader in research arena.

The book, written by agriculture communications specialist G Venkataramani, was released at the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation. M S Swaminathan, founder of MSSRF, released the book and applauded it for being one of the best biographies on scientists.

“Dr Rajaram has shown single-minded devotion and desire not only for knowledge but to work towards public good, bringing him awards cutting across national boundaries,” he said.

“The book not only delves on not only on the humanistic aspects of the person but also on the scientific strength of Dr Rajaram,” he added.

Rajaram — who is the recipient of the 2014 World Food Prize for his scientific research that lead to an increase in wheat production by more than the 200 million tonne — expressed his concern over the growing population and the need to strengthen a holistic approach to agriculture especially related to soils and seeds.

“Wheat is a great programme on paper. However, the quality of seeds is a great concern where different varieties are being mixed and sold. Although it is distributed by the public sector, if farmers don’t get good seed, they won’t get good crops. We can look at public-private or public – NGO supported models for better seeds,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Karthikeyan Hemalatha, TNN / June 21st, 2015

Freedom fighter Vanchinathan remembered

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Madurai :

The 104th death anniversary of veteran freedom fighter R Vanchinathan was observed at his birthplace Sengottai in Tirunelveli district and at Vanchi Maniyachchi Junction railway station in Tuticorin district, where he shot a British official dead before killing himself.

Vanchinathan, son of a forest officer, killed Robert William D’ Escourt Ashe, the British-government appointed Tirunelveli collector, at Maniyachchi before shooting himself dead.

“Several factors forced Vanchinathan to open fire on Ashe. Ashe took measures to curb Swadeshi movements in Tirunelveli. Besides, he ordered that Indians should not take bath in the Courtallam falls for two hours in the morning when the English were bathing,” said writer Ilasai Manian while speaking at a function held Vanchi Maniyachchi Junction.

Manian reiterated his demand for setting up a memorial at Vanchi Maniyachchi. “It is sad that the state government has not come forward to conduct the anniversary of Vanchinathan,” he said.

Tuticorin collector M Ravi garlanded Vanchi’s photo that was temporarily placed on a platform at the railway station.

Meanwhile, municipal chairman A Mohanakrishnan and commissioner P Ponnambalam garlanded Vanchi’s statue at Vanchi Manimandapam in Sengottai.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by L. Saravanan, TNN / June 17th, 2015

Jaya unveils memorials of TN fighters

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Chennai :

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday inaugurated a memorial of freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman in Kayathar in Tuticorin district.

The memorial that costs 1.2 crore was opened through video conferencing from Secretariat, an official release said. In 2013, Jayalalithaa announced that the state government would build a memorial for the patriot who was hanged by the British.

She also inaugurated a memorial of freedom fighter Sankaralingam in Virudhunagar district.

Sangaralingam died while staging a hunger strike to rename Madras Presidency into Tamil Nadu. The memorial cost 1.2 crore

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / June 20th, 2015

Veteran AIADMK leader Sulochana Sampath dead

Leaders

Chennai :

AIADMK organising secretary EVK Sulochana Sampath, mother of TNCC chief EVKS Elangovan, died on Saturday morning. She was 86. She is survived by four sons, EVKS Elangovan, EVKS Gowthaman, Iniyan Sampath and Mathivanan, and a daughter, Anbezhil. Another daughter had died earlier. She was under treatment for age-related ailments for the past few months.

“She was discharged from hospital yesterday after undergoing treatment for 10 days. She breathed her last on Saturday morning around 6.30am,” one of the relatives of Sampath said. She was living alone in her Vepery residence.

Her husband EVK Sampath was one of the senior leaders of Dravidian movement and a close associate of DMK founder C N Annadurai.

He left DMK and formed Tamil National Party and later merged it with Tamil Nadu Congress. He was a nephew of rationalist leader E V Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar. Sulochana Sampath was awarded Periyar award by the Tamil Nadu government last year.

She joined AIADMK after her husband Sampath’s death in 1977. “She had been maintaining a good rapport with Amma (Jayalalithaa). Even when EVKS Elangovan criticized Amma, his mother Sulochana used to issue counter statements. Amma treated her like an elder sister,” a senior AIADMK leader recalled.

Chief minister J Jayalalithaa visited Sulochana’s residence and offered condolences to the family members. Elangovan was among those who received her.

“Her death is a huge loss for me and AIADMK to which she dedicated herself fully. She worked for women’s equal rights,” Jayalalithaa said in her condolence message. She has held various positions in AIADMK including that of women’s wing secretary. Also, she had held several positions in state-run bodies like Tamil Nadu Textbook Corporation.

In his condolence message to Elangovan, Tamil Nadu governor K Rosaiah said she had dedicated herself to the cause of the poor and upliftment of women. “I convey my sincere condolences to you and to the bereaved members of the family,” he said.

In a release, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) expressed grief and said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, vice-president Rahul Gandhi and senior leader Mukul Wasnik have conveyed their condolences.

DMK treasurer M K Stalin also paid homage. DMK chief M Karunanidhi, MDMK general secretary Vaiko and PMK chief Ramadoss were among others who condoled the death of the veteran AIADMK leader. Her family members said the final rites would take place on Sunday morning.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / June 07th, 2015

Chunkath’s scrabble journey: From kitchen table to top prize

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Chennai :

Growing up in Delhi, Mohan Verghese Chunkath used to play ‘kitchen table scrabble’ with his siblings and parents. What started out as a pastime became a passion and today, despite a demanding career, the senior bureaucrat is a force to reckon with in the war of words. Chunkath recently won the Bayer National Scrabble Championship 2015 held in Mumbai from May 29 to 31.

“I have been playing scrabble since my childhood, but it was a family game and never played one on one, there were always three of four of us playing together,” says Chunkath, who began playing competitive scrabble in the 1990s.

“I had gone to the US on study leave, and began going to the local club to play. I got interested in competitive scrabble and went from rookie to expert level while I was there,” says Chunkath, director, Anna Institute of Management, and additional chief secretary and director general of training, Tamil Nadu.

He became the first person to represent India in the world scrabble championship held in Melbourne in 1999. “I also participated in the world championships in 2001 and 2007 but work pressure was building up,” says Chunkath. The demands of his growing career meant that he couldn’t devote as much time for competitive scrabble though he did play on the net or sometimes with friends. “I almost drifted out of competitive scrabble, but after my change of job in December 2014, I came back to the scrabble scene,” he says. In January 2015, he participated in iGate International Scrabble Tournament held in Bangalore.

For the voracious reader, scrabble is chess with words. “There is a lot of strategy involved, and a lot of nuances to the game — you track tiles that are played, work with probability, know what is in your bag, what your opponent is likely to have in his bag, how to maximize your offence and defence. It is an interesting hybrid between skill and luck,” says Chunkath.

The championship he recently won saw him pitted against the best. “Indian scrabble players have become very strong and the games were fought very keenly,” says Chunkath. “Younger players have an advantage as don’t get fatigued easily. We played a fairly gruelling number of games – on the first day we played eight games, nine on the second day and though I was supposed to play eight games on the third day, I was able to wrap up after playing just seven,” says the 59-year-old, who beat Sherwin Rodrigues, a player in his mid-20s.

According to him, the future of scrabble in India is very bright. “With the stellar spelling bee performances by Indians in the last decade, scrabble is just waiting to explode in India,” he says. “There is tremendous potential.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Priya M. Menon, TNN / June 04th, 2015