The select verses have been translated into Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi.
Chennai :
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has released translations of select verses from ‘Pathinenkilkanakku Noolgal’ (18 Lesser Texts) part of the Tamil Sangam literature and Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture K Pandiarajan received the first set of books. The select verses have been translated into Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi.
The CM released these translations at the secretariat on February 19 and also presented `one lakh cheque each to Rajalakshmi Seenivasan (Hindi), KK Chandrasekaran Nair (Malayalam) and LR Swami (Telugu). The State government had allocated `15.30 lakh for the translation and other works.
Palaniswami handed over a cheque for `1 crore towards establishing the MGR Arts and Social Development Research Chair in the International Institute of Tamil Studies (IITS) at Taramani to G Vijayaraghavan, Director (in charge), IITS.
Meanwhile, the CM handed over the key for the vehicle, meant for selling the publications of the IITS, and inaugurated the MGR centenary library building constructed at a cost of `2.30 crore besides the hostel for research students at IITS at Taramani.
New taluks inaugurated
The Chief Minister also inaugurated new taluks, Thiruvattar and Killiyoor (Kanyakumari dt), Vathirairuppu (Virudhunagar dt), Gujiliyamparai (Dindigul dt) and RK Pettai (Tiruvallur dt) and declared open new buildings for RDO and taluk offices as well as residential quarters for the employees, constructed at a total cost of `11.87 crore.
Craft treasure award
The CM presented the living craft treasure awards to seven craftsmen, Poompuhar State awards to 10 craftsmen and three best silk grower awards for 2018-19. The craft treasure award carries `1 lakh, one-sovereign gold medal and citation. The Poompuhar State award carries `50,000, half-sovereign gold medal and citation.
EPS, OPS to garland Jaya statue on Feb 24
Chennai: Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam will garland the statue of the late leader J Jayalalithaa at the AIADMK headquarters on February 24, to mark her 71st birth anniversary. They will release a souvenir on the occasion. AIADMK functionaries and cadre will organise blood donation camps, present educational materials to students, feed poor and inmates of orphanages and distribute sarees and dhoties. Party functionaries will organise public meetings for 5 days from February 24.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / February 22nd, 2019
Meet Harish Natarajan, a champion debater who recently triumphed over IBM’s AI debater
Harish Natarajan loves arguing. It has helped him win debates against his parents at dinner table conversations when he was young. It has helped him scale heights in debating circles — he holds the world record for most debate victories. And recently, it helped the 31-year-old triumph over IBM’s artificial intelligence debating system, affectionately dubbed ‘Miss Debater’.
His victory has been celebrated across the globe, thanks to the recent emphasis on man-vs-machine clashes. At his nondescript house in Chennai’s bustling T Nagar, where he is for a day for his grandfather’s birthday celebrations, a jet-lagged Harish is nonplussed about all the worldwide attention. “Before the clash, part of me thought that a machine couldn’t be as good as humans in debating. But then, I knew that a machine had beaten chess champion Garry Kasparov in the past. So, winning against the AI was somewhat of a relief. Maybe in a couple of years, if IBM continues developing the debating side of AI, I’d be happy to have a go at it again… and then, that would be real achievement,” he says.
_____________
Who’s Harish Natarajan?
A 31-year-old, settled in the UK, and among the world’s best debaters
He recently defeated IBM’s AI-powered debating system in a live face-off
Is currently involved in coaching people from less developed debating circuits
_____________
The topic given to the two was about pre-school subsidies, and Harish went about treating the clash like he would with any human. “The first 30 seconds, of course, were strange — I realised I was up against this giant ballot box. But after that, as the AI was making arguments, I kept noting what my responses ought to be. At times, it was putting forth points that I couldn’t really deny. But I was always thinking: How do I use its words against it?”
One of the reasons Harish was able to outsmart the machine in the 25-minute rapid-fire exchange was the emphasis he gave to ‘emotion’ during his arguments. “Emotion elevates the importance of what you’re saying. There were moments when even the machine was trying to evoke emotion. But I did have an edge because, when I talk about experiences, it comes across as more genuine partly because… well, I’m not a machine.”
Point of the matter
His parents are both from Chennai, but Harish was born and brought up in the UK, and has been debating since he was 16. “I was relatively good at school, but I discovered I wasn’t up there once I went to the bigger debating world.” His time at Cambridge helped him put a lot more effort into this side of things. “I realised that I enjoyed debating and had the aptitude for it. Eventually, with practice, I got better.”
Today, he has participated in more than 2,000 debates and is among the world’s best, but Harish has never been too happy with his performances. “That’s why I never re-watch any of my debates, because I am always thinking what more I could have done,” he says.
There have been times when Harish has been caught off guard. At one debate, the topic in front of him was: commercialisation of feminism. “I remember thinking that I had no idea what it was. But I got back home, and read a lot about it. So, a few months later, when a similar topic came up in another debate, I knew a huge deal about it and my teammates gave me looks like: ‘why do you know all this?’” he laughs.
He’s always reading something or the other. “There are things that I don’t care about much, but I know a great deal about. I’ve read so much about academic feminism and elements of climate science in my life. Personally, I like reading about economics and international relations, but as a debater, I have to absolutely keep reading everything under the sky.”
All this reading has helped Harish incorporate debating into his everyday life. “If I read an article in a newspaper, I always think: what is the underlying argument here? With respect to anything I read, I’m always debating within myself. It has now become a way of thinking.”
Out in the world
When he’s not out there debating or attending to his day job — he works as Head of Economic Risk Consulting at AKE International — Harish loves watching football or catching up on a show on Netflix. He loves travelling as well.
“There’s a big difference between having knowledge about a place and actually experiencing something there,” he says, “My last big trip was to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. What shocked me about the city was that it looks different from anywhere else in world. It looks empty, but there are giant buildings everywhere.”
Currently, Harish is involved in coaching people from less developed debating circuits. “In April, I’ll be in China. A few years ago, I was part of World University Debating Championships right here in Chennai. India has a vibrant school circuit, a good educational system and the parental pressure on children to succeed is huge… and so logically, should be among the best debating countries in the world. Debating at the school level has developed a lot of late and I predict Indian students to be among the best in the next few years,” he wraps up.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Srinivasa Ramanujam / February 20th, 2019
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday announced the names of 56 personalities who have been chosen for the various awards instituted by the State government for 2018.
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday announced the names of 56 personalities who have been chosen for the various awards instituted by the State government for 2018. V Madhan Karky, lyricist and Tamil computing researcher, will receive the Tamil computing award for 2017. The Chief Minister will be presenting the awards at a simple function to be held at the secretariat on Tuesday (February 19).
The names of those chosen for various awards include Bhubaneswar Tamil Sangam (Thamizh Thaai award), Poet M Kasuman (Kapilar award), Nadana Kasinathan (UVeSa award), Avadi Kumar (Sollin Selvar award), KK Chandrasekaran Nair (GU Pope award), S Naseema Banu, Silampoli Su Chellappan (Ilango Adigal award) and P Veeramani (Singaravelar award), Bhubaneswar Tamil Sangam will get Rs 5 lakh and a shield while others will be presented with Rs 1 lakh, a gold medal and a citation.
As many as 10 scholars including Dr Akbar Kausar will receive the best translator award which carries Rs 1 lakh and a citation.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / February 19th, 2019
The dentistry also launched Cone-Beam Computerised Tomography machine, a special type of X-ray equipment.
Chennai :
Pearl Dentistry, a dental clinic, and Dentsply Sirona, a manufacturer of dental products and technologies, on Tuesday launched a new technology that enables a patient to fix new teeth in a single visit unlike conventional method which will take a minimum five days.
CEREC software that allows a dentist to take 3D model of the teeth to design restoration, was started. It will enable to complete single crown, bridge, implants and smile makeover restorations in a single visit.
B Arunkumar, founder of the dentistry said, “Using CEREC software, teeth can be scanned.
It will capture video image in the computer. It takes an accurate pix. By using the image, tooth crown can be created in 20 minutes and it will take another 20 minutes to fabricate and to fix the crown, and it will take another 20 minutes to polish it. So, new teeth can be fixed in single visit,” he added.
The dentistry also launched Cone-Beam Computerised Tomography machine, a special type of X-ray equipment.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / February 20th, 2019
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday announced establishment of memorials for many late leaders and that their birth anniversaries would be celebrated as State government functions.
Chennai :
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday announced establishment of memorials for many late leaders and that their birth anniversaries would be celebrated as State government functions.
Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said a memorial and a library for poet Kavimani Desika Vinayagam Pillai would be built at Theroor in Kanyakumari at a total cost of `1 crore.
A memorial for King Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar would be established in Tiruchy district at a cost of `1 crore. Similarly, a memorial for late Dalit leader Rettaimalai Srinivasan would be established at Kozhiyalam near Madurantakam.
The Chief Minister also said that the government would build memorials for VK Palaniswami Gounder, who was instrumental in implementing the Parambikkulam-Azhiyar dam project; Justice Party leader and former finance minister of the erstwhile Madras Presidency AT Panneerselvam; Ondiveeran, the commander-in-chief of King Pulithevan who fought against the British forces in Tirunelveli; and a dome for Allala Ilaiya Nayakar at Jedarpalayam.
Palaniswami also announced that the birth anniversaries of Colonel John Pennycuick, Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan, freedom fighter Veeran Azhagumuthukon, Tamil scholar Ma Po Sivagnanam and former Assembly Speaker SP Aditanar would be celebrated by the governmen.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / February 15th, 2019
A thematic library on the subject is coming up at Devaneya Pavanar District Central Library
A thematic library will be accommodated on the premises of Devaneya Pavanar District Central Library, AnnaSalai. It promises to provide visitors with a huge collection of books and journals on printing technology, covering its history and evolution.
District Library Officer S. Elango Chandrashekhar says the facility is being established at a cost of ₹46,46000.
The “thematic library” is expected to see the light by the second week of March. Spread over 3,900-sq.ft. and provided with air-conditioning, the facility will have more than 1,000 books, journals and magazines. Besides, visitors will get to watch a 20-minute audio-video presentation about printing technology.
“The Education Ministry issued an order in 2018 to establish eight ‘thematic libraries’ across the State.
The others are: A library on folk arts, in Madurai; on ancient Tamil medicine, in Tirunelveli; on Indus Valley civilisation, in Sivagangai; on ancient science and mathematics, in Tiruchi; on astronomy, in Coimbatore and a library on the life and culture of tribal people, in Nilgiris,” says Elango.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by L. Kanthimathi / February 15th, 2019
Chennai-based children’s publishing house Karadi Tales has been shortlisted for the Audiobook Publisher of the Year Award.
The award will be presented at the 48th annual London Book Fair, on March 12.
Karadi Tales was a pioneer in the children’s audiobook industry in India, with stories narrated by acclaimed theatre and film personalities, and set to professionally performed music. The award has been attributed to the content of its books and partnership with the Karadi Path Education Company.
The picture books and audiobooks of the publishing house, founded in 1996, have featured in The New York Public Library’s Best Children’s Books, White Ravens, IBBY, the Amelia Bloomer list and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program.
Translation rights
The translation rights for its books have been sold around the world. Karadi Path was founded in 2010 as Karadi Tales’ partner company to bridge the English literacy gap in the country by using stories and immersive learning and is part of the curriculum in over 3,000 schools.
Karadi Path has partnered with government programmes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the State Council of Educational Research and Training, and schools for tribal children, girl children, and minorities, and has been recognised by USAID and the San Francisco-based Project Literacy Lab for its effectiveness in environments with limited infrastructure and for first-generation English learners.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – February 16th, 2019
A two-day national conference on endoscopy is being conducted by gynaecologists in Chennai on February 16-17.
Chennai :
A two-day national conference on endoscopy is being conducted by gynaecologists in Chennai on February 16-17. The unique feature of this EVE Endoscopy Conference is that for the first time in India, an all-woman gynaecologist team will be performing laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgeries at Sri Ramachandra Medical College, according to the organisers.
The surgeries will be relayed live to at a private hotel hosting the event where 200 to 300 gynaecologists will learn and discuss the surgeries. This first of its kind national event is being conducted under the aegis of IAGE (Indian Association of Gynaecological Endoscopy), OGSSI; ATNRCOG. International faculty from UK , Germany and Italy will be participating.
Dr Adeola Olaitan, a gynaecologist from London, will be demonstrating advanced cancer surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery or keyhole surgery helps women to recover from surgery quickly and does not leave a scar on the abdomen. Many conditions including early stage cancers, are amenable to laparoscopic surgery. The conference has sessions that caters to beginners as well as advanced state-of-the-art surgeries and discussions with experts.
With International Woman’s Day less than a month away, this conference also celebrates the fact that woman are in the forefront in all fields. This conference will be a boon to all aspiring endoscopic surgeons and especially for women gynaecologists, a release said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / February 15th, 2019
Purasawalkam is home to many heritage buildings and so it is not surprising that there is one celebrating its bicentenary year.
CSI Missionary Chapel located at Mookathal Street, Purasawalkam, is commemorating the bicentenary of its consecration. It was established on December 25, 1819 and is considered to be the oldest church in Purasawalkam and Vepery.
A commemoration tablet with a brief narrative on the history of the chapel was recently unveiled marking the year-long celebrations.
Several eminent persons from London Missionary Society shepherded the Missionary Chapel.
It was Anna Drew (wife of William Hoyles Drew, presbyter of Missionary Chapel) who started a small boarding school, ‘London Mission Female School’ for deserving children at Kellys. It is now known to be Bentinck Girls Higher Secondary School, Vepery.
I. Samuel Prabhakar, Presbyter and Chairman, CSI Missionary Chapel, recalled his childhood days when he was a member of the church. He considers serving at his mother Church as a rare opportunity and honour especially during its bicentenary year. Several social activities, including free medical camps, have been conducted through the church.
This year, the church’s medical team has started veterinary services.
The building has some additions. In 1957, a belfry was added and the rear portion of the church was extended to accommodate growing congregation in 1975. There are plans to renovate the church without making any structural changes. At present, nearly 450 families regularly worship at the church.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by K. Lakshmi / February 08th, 2019
Tracing the journey of historian and author A.R. Venkatachalapathy, speakers discussed his contributions to the social and cultural history of Tamil Nadu at a seminar on Saturday.
Organised jointly by Kalachuvadu, Kadavu, and The Hindu Lit for Life, the second day of ‘Viruvum Aazhamum’ seminar had sessions on Mr. Venkatachalapathy’s many avatars as historical researcher, translator, author, teacher and scholar.
Tamil writer Perumal Murugan said Mr. Venkatachalapathy had compiled and brought out 17 books, including ones on freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, poet Bharathiyar and Tamil writers Maraimalai Adigal and Pudhumaipithan, to fill gaps in historical accounts. He also threw light on lesser-known personalities like A.K. Chettiyar, a Tamil travelogue writer, and contributed to new perspectives in history, he added.
Style of writing
Speakers also discussed his style of writing and his contributions to the literary field through prefaces and Dalit writings. His prefaces were distinct and could be compiled and published as books, some of the speakers said. Describing his captivating style of writing as more typical of fiction, speakers suggested that he write a book tracing the history of Tamil proverbs.
Mr. Venkatachalapathy has published 41 books in English and Tamil and has authored about 200 articles in various newspapers and magazines.
He is currently a professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – February 09th, 2019
