Renowned surgical gastroenterologist, Prof N. Rangabashyam, 79, passed away in his sleep on Sunday morning.
His last rites were performed the same evening at Besant Nagar crematorium. Prof Rangabashyam is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
Former head of the department of surgical gastroenterology and proctology and clinical professor of surgery, Madras Medical College, and GGH, Prof Rangabashyam was the first to start a separate department for surgical gastroenterology and again the first to start a specialisation in surgical gastroenterology, M.Ch. degree course in India.
Recalling his association with Prof Rangabahsyam from 1985-1991 at GH, the present head of department of surgical gastroenterology, Dr S.M. Chandramohan, said Rangabashyam was a visionary and a doctor with commitment.
“I’m sitting in the department that he started. He wanted healthcare of our country on a par with other countries and worked towards it. Rangabashyam was the one to start M.Ch degree and the course has produced many eminent doctors,” he said.
A student of Rangabashyam and at present the transplant coordinator of state cadaver transplant programme, Dr J. Amalopavanathan, said he was a go-getter. Prof Rangabashyam was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and won the prestigious Dr B C Roy national award twice.
A.C Muthaiah, former president of FICCI and BCCI, condoled the death of Dr Rangabashyam saying that India has lost an eminent surgical gastroenterologist.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DC / July 15th, 2013
Well-known Periyarist and psychotherapist Abdullha Periyardasan (64) passed away on Monday. As per his wishes, his family donated his eyes and his body to students of Madras Medical College.
A multi-faceted personality, Periyardasan was known for interpreting Periyar’s rationalist philosophy in simple terms for the common man. He acted in Tamil film Karuthamma which won a national award.
Periyardasan had climbed his way up from a middleclass family at Perambur in Chennai, studied in RBCCC School and got degrees in Tamil literature, history and philosophy from Pachaiyappa’s College. He did his Ph.D. in philosophy at Oxford University.
After his studies, he joined Pachaiyappa’s College as lecturer and continued to work for 34 years. Even after his retirement, he worked as visiting faculty. He impressed upon his family members to donate his body to medical students.
The general secretary of Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Kovai, Ramakrishnan, said Periyarism, Ambedkarism, Communism and Buddhism were Periyardasan’s forte.
“He spread rationalist thoughts with his hilarious speeches and educated the masses. He had addressed over 1,000 meetings in his lifetime carrying Periyar’s messages to the public,” he said. He added, “Born as a Hindu, he became an atheist in his teens influenced by Periyar but then he switched to Buddhism and later in his life, he went to Mecca and converted into a Muslim in 2010,” he said.
He wrote over 50 books, including a translation of Ambedkar’s last book. His son Valavan, a child rights activist, said Periyardasan was among the four persons invited by the world religion conference in 1983 and he talked on Buddhism. He is survived by wife Vasantha and two sons Valavan and Suradha.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by Pramila Krishnan, DC / Tuesday – August 21st, 2013
He has been dominating Bollywood music scene for decades now and is the only Indian composer to win two Academy awards, but A R Rahman does not yearn for a break from work as he feels it is just the beginning of his career.
Known as the “Mozart of Madras” among his fans, Rahman started his journey composing scores for documentaries and TV shows before getting his first movie break with 1992 release “Roja”.
Since then he has given soul-rendering music in films like “Rangeela”, “Taal”, “Dil Se”, “Jodhaa Akbar”, “Swades”, “Rang De Basanti”, “Rockstar” and “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” and “Raanjhanaa”.
“I don’t have the time to relax. I still have so many things to do. My music school and so many other projects keep me busy. This is like God’s way of saying go on. I am here to make music and will continue doing so. Things have just started for me,” Rahman told PTI in an interview.
The music composer is all set to make his debut on the season 3 of ‘Coke Studio’ this year. He will be composing two Tamil songs, another song titled ‘Zariya’, with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi and a track based on Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Mind Without Fear’.
“I took up the show just for the joy of performing with artistes coming together from different cultures – ranging from Tibet to the Middle East.
“My compositions for Coke Studio celebrate cultures, under the overarching theme of happiness. I teamed up with Prasoon and Valee sir (Tamil Lyricist) to create the lyrics for a couple of my songs on happiness and am pleased with the outcome,” said Rahman.
source: http://www.indiatvnews.com / India TV / Home> Entertainment> Bollywood / August 07th, 2013
R.Porchezhiyan, Director of Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America./ The Hindu
Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America has been demanding American authorities to introduce Tamil as second language, like French and Spanish, in schools in areas with significant Tamil population throughout the U.S. , said R.Porchezhiyan, director of the federation, here on Monday.
American Tamil Academy has taken up teaching Tamil language and culture to students in many schools. Text books have been prepared and students are taught, along with Tamil language,Thamizhisai, folk and martial arts. “Nearly 5,000 students in 45 schools are being taught by 500 volunteers,” Mr. Porchezhiyan said.
“Migrant Tamils want the younger generation to keep their roots intact . Tamil sangams were established in America 35 years ago and the federation was formed 25 years back,” he said.
The federation has been celebrating Pongal , summer festivals, Muthamizh Vizha and Vasantha Vizha. “ Leaders like R.Nallakannu and Mahendran have participated in our functions and gave lectures. We have organised talks by popular artists, writers, and political leaders, including Sivaji Ganesan and Manorama, and artistes like Thirubuvanam Athmanabhan and Narthagi Nadaraj,” he said.
American Tamils have expressed solidarity with their brethren in Sri Lanka and have expressed their views over the issue in the form of agitations. “Our agitations before the White House was one reason for the US bringing in a resolution on Sri Lanka in the United Nations,” Porchezhiyan said.
Mr.Porchezhiyan expressed concern over introduction of English in government schools. The federation will organise a conference on Purananooru in October, he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Special Correspondent / Thanjavur – July 23rd, 2013
Collector Jayashree Muralidharan, along with a group of volunteers, is seen de-silting the Maavadikulam, an irrigation tank, at Ponneripuram near Ponamalaipatti in Thiruverumbur taluk on Sunday. —DC
Tiruchy:
Much to the surprise of the officials and public, collector Jayashree Muralidharan donned the role of an unskilled labourer and dug the earth with spade and removed the mud from the Maavadipatti irrigation tank at Ponneripuram, near Ponamalaipatti, on Sunday to encourage and motivate a group of volunteers engaged in desilting the sprawling 143 acre irrigation tank.
A group of NSS students and volunteers have been engaged in desilting the Maavadipatti irrigation tank at Ponneripuram for the past two weeks.
Collector Jayashree Muralidharan rushed there along with a team of officials, comprising DRDA project director Ramasamy, PWD (RC division) executive engineer Bala subramanian and joint director of agriculture Gururaj Singh. Then, she held a spade and started digging the earth and removing the mud.
“She arrived there at 7 am. But, she held the spade soon after arriving there and started working continuously for five hours except for a short break of just 10 minutes to have her breakfast (idlis) which she had brought from home. She left from there at 12.40 pm,” said sources.
On seeing her digging the earth, other officials also got down to work, the sources said.
About 40 acres of the tank have been under encroachment for many years. The encroachers had raised brinjal and banana on it. But, the officials evicted the encroachments and restored the tank in the presence of revenue divisional officer M. Basheer, the sources said.
“The tank will help irrigate 200 acres of lands in the surrounding areas. If all lakes and irrigation tanks are properly maintained, rainwater can be harvested. The groundwater table will increase and there will be no problem of groundwater in the district”, collector said.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DC / July 29th, 2013
Former President A P J Abdul Kalam’s dream of turning Rameswaram to a solar city would be a reality in five years, a top official of BrahMos Aerospace said here today.
“In five years, Rameswaram will be changed completely to a solar city as per the wish of Dr Kalam. Solar lighting will first be provided to fishermen, schools and hospitals and later to all houses,” BrahMos Aerospace chief A Sivathanu Pillai told reporters.
He sought the cooperation of all people to ensure its success.
He was speaking at a function where solar lamps were fixed free of cost on five mechanised boats.
Pillai said the solar lamps would attract fish, enabling fishermen to have a larger catch. It would also help them not cross the International Maritime Boundary Line, he said.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> Nationa> News / Press Trust of India / Rameswaram (TN) – July 19th, 2013
Veteran Tamil film lyricist Vaali died at a private hospital here today. He was 82.
Vaali was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for respiratory problems for a month and was on ventilator support.
Born as T S Rangarajan in the temple town of Srirangam, Vaali penned lyrics for stars across generations, from the veteran M G Ramachandra (MGR), Kamal Haasan to present day heroes like Dhanush. He worked with star composers of Tamil cinema like M S Viswanthan and AR Rahman.
Having started in the mid-60s, Vaali went on to pen nearly 10,000 songs in his five-decade-long career.
Vaali also acted in a few movies including veteran K Balachander-directed ‘Poikal Kuthirai’ and Kamal Haasan’s ‘Hey Ram’.
He wrote two songs in Bharat Bala directed film ‘Mariyan’, starring Dhanush, which is scheduled for release tomorrow.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Chennai – July 18th, 2013
Earned her Bachelors in physics, chemistry and mathematics from Madras Christian College in 1974. MBA, IIM-Calcutta, 1976. Master of Public and Private Management, Yale University, 1980
Married to Raj Nooyi; has two daughters, Preetha and Tara Earned $12.6 million last year
PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi and Cisco’s Padmasree Warrior have demonstrated how women can succeed at the highest level without sacrificing their personalities.
High Point: President Obama invited her for a discussion on the economic crisis facing the US in November 2012. In 2010, there was a strong buzz that she was being considered a successor to Ratan Tata. She declined saying she was having “too much fun at PepsiCo”.
Unwinding: In an interview with CNBC’s Off-the-Cuff programme, she said she likes watching the New York Yankees play, but puts the TV on mute so she can continue working. When she “really wants to blow off steam”, she plays rummy with her kids. In an interview with Good Housekeeping, she said she likes playing games like Bridge, Scrabble and Sudoku online. “My guilty pleasures are the websites where you can look at the fashions and see how different outfits will look. You can even take a picture of yourself and download it and play with the fashions!,” she told GH.
Early years: Nooyi grew up in Chennai where her father was a bank officer. Her career path in the US began in 1980 at the Boston Consulting Group, followed by stints in Motorola and ABB. In 1994, she joined PepsiCo as senior VP, strategic planning. With annual revenues of $65 billion, PepsiCo is the world’s second largest food and beverages company.
Career graph: As the head of strategy at PepsiCo, she was responsible for much of its restructuring. During her tenure, PepsiCo sold off the restaurant business and spun off its bottling operations, and acquired new businesses like Tropicana and Quaker Oats. In 2006, she was named CEO, only the fifth in PepsiCo’s history. With her at the helm, sales have nearly doubled and earnings have gone up by 30 percent. Nooyi has pushed PepsiCo to become a healthier company by investing in R&D to make soft drinks with less calories, chips with less sodium or yoghurt with more fruit.
She has taken the company global, cut costs by consolidating facilities and laying off more than 8,000 employees last year. She has made aggressive acquisitions in the BRIC nations. (PepsiCo spent $7 billion in buying two businesses in Russia alone). She is a fierce supporter of conscious capitalism and says a lot of inspiration for her thoughts on sustainability come from the tough times in Chennai where her mother would wake up at 3 am to store water.
Last year, the market feared that her position at PepsiCo would be under pressure, when activist investor Ralph Whitworth’s hedge fund invested $600 million in PepsiCo. Her critics say her push into “good-for-you” products is taking too long to show results.
Work-life balance: Nooyi says she made several sacrifices in managing her career and her family. But, in an interview with WSJ, she says every time her kids called during work, she would stop to take those calls. Even when those were only to ask her if they could play Nintendo. Nooyi credits her husband for his support; she says he took on half of her workload at home so she could continue building her career.
Padmasree Warrior
Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, Cisco Systems
Age: 52
Educated at IIT-Delhi (chemical engineering), Cornell University (Masters in chemical engineering)
Married to IIT-Delhi college-mate Mohandas. They have a son, Karna.
Responsibilities: In her current role, Warrior is charged with aligning technology development and corporate strategy to enable the $43-billion Cisco to anticipate, shape and lead major market transitions. She has led the company through 15 acquisitions in 15 months. In a recent interview, Chairman John Chambers named her as one of the people who could get his job when he retires in 2-4 years.
Warrior sees a huge shift in technology and how it impacts our lives in the next five years. In an interview to McKinsey, she said only 1 per cent of what could be connected in this world actually is; as these connections increase it will change how consumers shop, businesses handle data and individuals grapple with the data.
Poster women of tech: Warrior is among a handful of women executives in the overwhelmingly male-dominated technology world. Chambers said in an internal memo that only 22 per cent of Cisco’s workforce are women. Warrior admits that when starting out, she was intimidated as technology was considered a man’s domain. She considered a career in academia but took up a job at Motorola’s semiconductor factory in Arizona. She had given herself one year but ended up staying 23, rising to become the CTO. She came to Cisco in 2007 after Chambers pursued her for a year.
Biggest mistake: In an interview to The Huffington Post, Warrior says the biggest mistake she made in life was saying no to opportunities when she was starting out. “I thought, ‘That’s not what my degree is in’ or ‘I don’t know about that domain’.” In retrospect, at a certain point, it’s your ability to learn and contribute quickly that matters…I always tell women that the fact that you’re different and that you’re noticed, because there are few of us in the tech industry, is something you can leverage as an advantage.”
Unfulfilled wish: In an interview with Fast Company she says, “I would have dinner with PG Wodehouse. I have read all of his books at least 10 times over. I am a great fan of his character Jeeves. His intellectual brilliance and audacious sense of humour fascinate me.”
Work-life balance: When her son was born, Warrior was in charge of a factory at Motorola. It was a 24/7 job that put enormous stress on her family and herself. At one point, she moved her treadmill into her son’s room so she could exercise while looking after him. In later years, she says she came to realise that operating like this was a big mistake. In an interview to The Take Away she says, “The important thing to remember is it’s not about balance; it’s about integration… to really focus on making sure you’re integrating all four aspects of your work, your family, your community and yourself. And it’s not about trying to spend equal amounts of time on everything you do each day on each of these things, but making sure you’re paying attention to all the things that make it up as a whole human being.”
source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / IBN Live / Home> IBN Live> Business / by Mitu Jayashankar, Forbes India / July 01st, 2013
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam will be lecturing students of Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Shillong for three days on ways to make India an economically developed nation, the institute said.
“The students and faculty of IIM-Shillong are elated that Dr Kalam is coming to teach at the institute. I am sure his lectures would benefit not only our students but also faculty members,” IIM-Shillong Director Kaya Sengupta told IANS.
The lecture ‘Economically Developed Nation – How to Realise’ will go on from Sunday to Tuesday.
“The institute has arranged all the materials required for the lecture. He (Kalam) will belecturing second year students on ‘Economically Developed Nation – How to Realise’ from Sunday (June 23) to Tuesday (June 25),” Sengupta said.
While visiting the institute earlier on March 6, the former President had agreed to teach at the B-school.
“I am a teacher. As a professor, wherever knowledge takes me, I go. I like meeting young people and I would like to contribute to their knowledge,” Kalam told IANS. Kalam, who is also a visiting faculty at IIM-Ahmedabad, will guide the students individually as well as in groups.
After the lecture, students will be required to submit project proposals for creating scenarios based on multiple options for specific policy or institutional changes.
The faculty would comment on these proposals, and project teams would be able to consult subject matter specialists through invited lectures and interactions. Thestudents could even visit the experts.
source: http://www.assamtribune.com / The Assam Tribune / Home / by IANS / Shillong – June 23rd, 2013
Kazhal Piraigal. Author: Erode Tamillanban./ The Hindu
An ardent fan of the ghazal, the musically poetic genre of Urdu literature, Erode Thamizhanban tries his hand at the form in Tamil. He emerges with a fair amount of success, the lines reflecting myriad feelings, mostly inclined to love, often suggesting the unrequited kind. The longing and helplessness of a wounded heart come across quite powerfully.
“Tamil is replete with scope for new creative efforts but this is my humble contribution towards expanding the horizon of my mother tongue,” says the writer in his introduction, his brush with Urdu poetry going back many years. Long time literary associate Sajjad Bhukhari, vice-president, State Urdu Academy, Amjad Ali of Erode, and Ahmed Basha, professor with Jamal Mohammed College, introduced the nuances of Urdu poetry.
Sajjad Bhukari has translated five of the Tamil ghazals into Urdu, a surprise addition that gives Thamizhanban’s work perfect endorsement.
Ghazal Piraigal – Erode Thamizhanban – Pablo Bharati Publishers – 95, Second Main Road, Porur Garden, Second Stage, Chennai 600095. Rs. 200.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books / by Geetha Venkatramanan / June 20th, 2013
