Category Archives: World Opinion

Centre bestows Chettinad cotton saris with ‘Indian Handloom Brand’ tag

Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

Sivaganga:

In a big boost to a group of 650 weavers from Koviloor and Karaikudi in Sivaganga district under the Rajiv Gandhi Weavers’ Co-operative Society, the Union textile ministry has bestowed the ‘Indian Handloom Brand’ tag on Chettinad cotton saris, which would enable them to promote the material in the international market.

According to president of the society, S Palaniappan, when they (society members) attended the textile conference in Chennai last August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was impressed with their product. The textile committee authorities then asked the society to apply for the Indian Handloom Brand tag, which it did on September 28, last year. After the product was subjected to a series of testing, the society received an official communication from the textile ministry on January 6, about the tag.

Palaniappan said the society provides yarn to the weavers who spin the beautiful intricately designed saris in a hue of colours. “This is the traditional sari of the region, characterised by its silk-like texture and contrasting border and bodies colours, with intricate designs adorning the border,” he said.

The society has about 650 weavers, most of them women who are paid for their weaving, which they predominantly undertake in their homes. They comply with specifications of the textiles committee of 60 x60 (warp and weft) and also use permitted dyes. “The saris are suitable for both summer and winter, where the can keep the body warm or cool according to the climate,” said Palaniappan.

 Women in Karaikudi region, especially the elderly, take pride in owning these saris, which form a major portion of their wardrobe, some of which are even passed on for generations. Devanai of Athangudi, 75, said that she owns a 60-year-old sari that was given to her by her mother, which is still in good condition and looks new.

“The colours of these saris never fade, and unlike other cotton saris, they will retain their 48-inch width even after umpteen number of machine or hand washes,” said Palaniappan. He says that the Kancheepuram silk from Tamil Nadu has also received the tag.

The ‘India Handloom Brand’ is an endorsement to quality of the handloom products right from its inception, that is raw material, processing, embellishments, design besides compliances of social and environment.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India /News Home> City> Madurai / by Padmini Sivarajan, TNN / February 07th, 2016

Senna, an apt alternative for arid areas

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, World Opinion

SennaCF06feb2016

Official says it has a good market in Europe and many countries

‘Senna’ (Cassia angustifolia), a highly valued medicinal plant, could be an ideal alternative crop for paddy farmers in the arid district, said S. Tamil Vendhan, Deputy Director of Horticulture, here on Friday.

As the leafy tropical plant required less water and no application of fertilizers, farmers could take up its cultivation whenever there was uncertainty on the prospects of paddy crop.

Farmers in drought-prone Kamudhi, Mudukulathur, Kadaladi and Paramakudi areas could cultivate ‘senna’ as a late crop in the event of losing their paddy crop due to water scarcity during drought.

The plant, used as a natural laxative to treat constipation, had a good market in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other cold countries, Mr. Tamil Vendhan said.

As almost all parts of the plant — leaves, flowers, branches and roots — could be used as laxative, farmers could benefit to the maximum extent, he said. Marketing would never be a problem as representatives of companies and exporters would directly visit the field and procure the produce, he added.

The leaves and other parts were processed as powder and granules and capsules with ‘sennoside-B’ extracted from the leaves, he said. Farmers could harvest about 500 kg of leaves from one acre and sell them at Rs. 60 a kg with less input cost, he said.

As the plant was first introduced in Tirunelveli district from the European countries in the mid 18th century, it was popularly known as ‘Tinnevelley senna’ and widely cultivated in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Virudhunagar districts. Farmers in Kamudhi and parts of Kadaladi and Sayalkudi areas had also started cultivating the medicinal plant, Mr. Tamil Vendhan said.

Instead of burning their fingers by repeatedly cultivating traditional crops, farmers could try cultivation of ‘Periwnkle’ (nithyakalyani) and dragon fruit cactus, both having varied medicinal benefits, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu /by D J Walter Scott / Ramanathapuram – February 06th, 2016

Skiing champ gets hip replacement done in city

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technologies, Sports, World Opinion

Chennai:

In 1976, Frederick Schmidt was part of the Austrian team that won a silver medal for skiing in a qualifying competition for the Innsbruck Winter Olympics.

Agonised over severe pain of the hip in December last year, this athlete-turned-physical trainer logged on to the internet in search of a hip surgeon.

It took him to Chennai orthopaedic surgeon C Vijay Bose who specialises in joint replacements. “Many friends supported my idea,” said Schmidt, after a 3km walk towards the Mamallapuram beach on Thursday.

Schmidt underwent a hip replacement surgery at SIMS Hospital in Vadapalani on January 28. Doctors declared him fit for discharge on Thursday.

Schmidt said he would be flying back home soon.

Doctors at the hospital said Schmidt developed secondary osteoarthritis after he sustained hip injuries in a bike accident.

“He was medically managed but he told us he was in pain,” said his surgeon Dr Bose.

Schmidt had refused surgery in Sweden because he was told there would be a lot of restriction on his sports activities. “When we spoke to him about hip resurfacing, he was convinced that he could start competing again in endurance races,” he said.

During the surgery doctors cut the capsule along the femoral head the highest bone on the thigh without disturbing the other parts of the bone.

“So we preserve blood vessels along the femoral neck, which may in turn preserve blood supply for the femoral head.This will improve longevity of the resurfacing and enable a faster recovery,” Dr Bose said.

Schmidt left the hospital on Thursday evening, promising to return as a participant for the 2017 Chennai Marathon.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Chennai / TNN / February 05th, 2016

Last ruler of Kandy has his resting place in Vellore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, World Opinion

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Muthu Mandapam, a memorial for Sri Vikrama Rajasingha

A rusty signboard marks the lane leading to Muthu Mandapam near the banks of the Palar river, off the busy Katpadi Road. It is the resting place of the last ruler of the Sri Lankan kingdom of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasingha, since 1832.

Saturday (January 30) will mark the death anniversary of this “Tamil-speaking” ruler of Kandy. Though Muthu Mandapam, the memorial built around his tombstone, as a locality is popularly known among Velloreans, the place is not frequented by many.

As a layer of dust on the floor is swept away by Muniyamma, an elderly woman, the tomb of this king stands tall inside this pearl-shaped structure that was raised in 1990. It also houses tombs of seven of his family members.

Known as Prince Kannasamy, Sri Vikrama Rajasingha, a king of the Nayaka dynasty, was sworn in during 1798. He ruled Kandy till 1815, after which he was exiled by the British. He, along with a few of his family members, were taken as royal prisoners and imprisoned in Vellore Fort in 1816.

Plaques in Muthu Mandapam hail him Sri Lanka’s last Tamil King, and note that he was housed in a room inside the fort for 16 years. This room later went on to be used as the Registrar’s office of the Vellore district.

He died on January 30, 1832. Among his family members, who were laid to rest here, are his queen Savithri Devi and other spouses.

The Tamil Nadu government had constructed pearl-shaped structure over the tombs, which were earlier in the open amid huts in the area, at a cost of Rs. 7 lakh. Former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi inaugurated Muthu Mandapam on July 1, 1990. The pearl-shaped structure was known to be designed by him.

“The chess board and boomerang used by the king are on display at the museum. While the chess board is made of wood, the chess coins and boomerang are made of ivory,” said K. Saravanan, curator, Government Museum, Vellore.

The Muthu Mandapam is under the maintenance of the Public Relations Office. Staff said that every year, the descendants of the king living in Madurai and Chennai visited the memorial on his death anniversary.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by Serena Josephince M / Vellore – January 30th, 2016

After an award by Portugal govt, inventor of low cost napkin machine wins Padma Shri

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Coimbatore :

For Arunachalam Muruganantham, the year 2016 couldn’t have started off any better. It was only a few days back that he got to know that he had been honoured by the Portugal government as Indian Business Leader of the Year.

Even before congratulatory messages for the recognition were still pouring in, Muruganantham’s mobile phone has gone again into a non – stop ringing mode. The 52 year old native of Coimbatore, acclaimed for invention of low cost sanitary napkins, has been chosen by the union government for Padma Shri award 2016.”I am not usually excited by awards. But Padma Shri is an exception,” says Murugantham who had just landed in Coimbatore on Monday evening after a tour of various cities addressing a variety of audiences ranging from students to businessmen.

“The award will be an inspiration for youth, especially engineering students. Rather than helping me, the award might inspire another Muruganantham to emerge,” he said.

He hopes that youth would start realizing that social activism doesn’t always mean getting on to the streets and serving the poor. Youth, especially engineering graduates, should realise that social change and improving someone’s life could also be done through an invention, using engineering,” Muruganantham tells.

There are lakhs of youth without jobs. They should identify a social cause and be a solution provider by coming up with more machines like the low cost sanitary napkin making machine,” he said.

The Coimbatore based social entrepreneur, who was listed by TIME magazine as one among world’s 100 most influential persons in 2014 was born in a poor family of handloom weavers in Coimbatore.He lost his father at a young age and had to drop out of school at the age of 14 years.

Soon after marriage, he realized troubles of women during menstruation after marriage, he started experimenting with sanitary pads to help his wife. When women members of his family grew tired of being test subjects, he started experimenting with sanitary pads on himself. SSubsequently, he came up with a machine to make those low cost sanitary pads and sold his first napkin making machine in 2004 in Madhubani in Bihar. tnnIn the decade since then, he has sold 2500 machines across India and abroad as NGOs and corporates saw the value in promoting the machine for better personal hygiene among women.

I am not inclined to display the Award in my house or call myself Padma Shri,” says Muruganantham signing off with the note that he has a long way to go to ensure that every single woman in the country uses a sanitary napkin.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Chennai / TNN / January 27th, 2016

Sakthi sets yet another Guinness record

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

When B Sakthi, a civil engineering student of SNS College of Technology skipped backwards with his arms clasped at a popular mall in the city in October 2015, little did the audience expect that he would surpass two world records on that day. Sakthi made Coimbatore proud by entering the Guinness Book of World Records for doing the maximum number of backward skips- 46 skips in a minute. (a record hitherto held by Brittany Boffo, an Australian (40 skips in one minute). The result came in last December.

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And now, the 20-year-old has managed to achieve yet another feat. This time around, he has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for doing the maximum backward skips- 25 skips in 30 seconds. This record was also held by Brittany Boffo (20 skips in 30 seconds).

“I was pretty confident about this feat as I had already achieved the more challenging record for 1 minute. One needs immense amount of stamina to continuously, skip backwards that too with your hands clasped. Moreover, I didn’t make a single mistake when I attempted both feats last year,” he says.

Right from his childhood, Sakthi had always wanted to do something different. “I used to watch record-making and breaking videos right from my school days and was quite inspired by them. I decided to do backward skips and soon started practising for it after I joined college. I started with endurance exercises including running in the morning for three hours and skipping for three hours in the evening. This apart, I underwent a strict flexibility exercise regimen and a strict diet.”

Now that he has set two records, Sakthi hopes to complete his studies and provide employment to many others. “My dream of achieving both feats has come true and my parents are elated. I now plan to concentrate on my studies and reach a position where I can dole out jobs to many other youngsters.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Coimbatore / by P. Sangeetha / TNN / January 17th, 2016

Crochet for a cause and a record

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
Weaving colours At the Bengaluru chapter Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash / The Hindu
Weaving colours At the Bengaluru chapter Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash / The Hindu

The day to reveal the largest crochet blanket in the world stitched by Indian women is fast approaching. Karnataka too has contributed to this cause.

There’s a movement happening as you read this. The protagonists are women and children from age eight to 85.

Since August 2015, the group Mother India’s Crochet Queens, spearheaded by Subashri Natarajan in Chennai, comprising nearly 1,000 Indian women from India and other countries, including the USA, the Gulf, Europe, and Australia, have been busy with their hooks and yarn to beat the current record of the biggest crochet blanket in the world, that stands at 3,377 square meters set by South Africa in April 2015. But the intention is not just to create a world record, but to donate the blankets to the needy.

Subashri, who has been crocheting since she was 10 years old, says the idea for making the world’s largest crochet blanket was to make it a nationwide movement.

“I first approached my friends and relatives who know crocheting, but then the movement grew with people joining the Facebook group, and through word of mouth. Every thing these days is made out of machines. But crocheting is all hand work.”

She adds that crocheting isn’t a dying art, considering the number of women who are passionate about it. “Even children are participating. Our youngest participant is an eight-year-old girl. There are even young boys. There are schools in Kerala who have participated. It’s not true that children are only interested in technology and video games.”

Women from Karnataka have contributed to the event too. In Bengaluru, at Cubbon Park earlier this month, on a pleasant Saturday afternoon, colourful blankets were laid out, with women engaged in crocheting blankets. Padma Srinivasan, 75, and her friend Thiru Rajan sat together chatting and laughing as they nimbly crafted blankets. “Crochet has been a hobby since ten years for me,” says Padma. “I came to know about this event from a friend of mine in Chennai in December. I completed eight blankets in one month.” Thiru adds: “I have completed two blankets.”

Padma and Thiru are glad that they are contributing to a noble cause. “Through the thread—this mission binds women to bring love, peace and harmony. It is similar to the Swadeshi Movement, when it was the charkha and the thread that brought people together,” says a passionate Padma. Thiru adds: “Doing this for others is a great honour for me.”

A vibrant Varalakshmi S. had a number of blankets laid out in front of her. “I have stitched 67 blankets since August 2015. I learnt crocheting from my neighbour, from 1997 to 2002. I got to know of this event from Facebook.” What appeals to her is the passion behind the cause and that the blankets will go to charity. “Over the weekends I would decide colour combinations, and would crochet one blanket per day during weekdays.” For Mughda Manasa too, it is the cause that matters. “What interested me is that this is going to charity, and that this event has brought Indian women together from across the world.”

Poornima Kannan also says that she joined because it brought people from diverse backgrounds together. Dina Sengupta says blankets have been crocheted in Mangaluru, Hubli and Mysuru. “We had about five meets in the city. And subdivided groups according to area.”

Through Facebook and Whatsapp, crochet meets were organised. Technology, Subashri says, has been a boon. “We realised that Facebook alone wasn’t enough to get everyone together. So we created Whatsapp groups. We have co-ordinators and associate co-ordinator to help organise meet ups.”

Though the event was mostly self-funded, Subashri adds they received support from Knit Pro and Ganga wool manufacturing company in Noida. “Harish Mehta, secretary of MNM Jain Engineering College in Chennai, has also been very supportive,” says Subashri.

The initial target was to join 5,000 blankets together, but Subashri says they have even exceeded that. The final event will be held on January 31 at MNM Jain Engineering College, Chennai.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by  Sravasti Datta / Bengaluru – January 20th, 2016

When Madras had Muhammad Ali in its corner

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, who was the chief guest, with Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Ellis during a boxing match in Madras on January 31, 1980. —Photo: DIPR
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, who was the chief guest, with Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Ellis during a boxing match in Madras on January 31, 1980. —Photo: DIPR

As boxer Muhammad Ali turns 73 on January 17, not many know that it was only 35 years ago, in January 1980, that crowds thronged Chennai’s Nehru stadium to witness the legend in action.

Organised by Tamil Nadu State Amateur Boxing Association and Apeejay, the exhibition bout that saw Ali taking on former heavy weight champion Jimmy Ellis left boxing fans dizzy with excitement.

The run-up to the match itself saw The Hindu ’s pages splashed with advertisements enticing spectators to the match.  The tickets were priced at Rs. 100, 70, 50, 20, and 10. Connemara Hotel, which hosted the boxer in one of its luxury suites, also issued an advertisement with an accompanying sketch of the sportsman in deep sleep.

On arriving at Meenambakkam airport from Bombay, the boxer, accompanied by his wife, said: “When I saw thousands turning up to the airport to meet me and greet me, it sent my spirits soaring and I am overwhelmed at the attention bestowed on me. In this short visit a bond has sprung up between us, and I shall treasure this all my life.”

In a dramatic twist to an otherwise smooth press meet, the pugilist faced off with a reporter who questioned his weakness on the left hook. Challenging the reporter to join him on the podium he said “Son, in my 49 fights I have knocked out 32 of my opponents and I haven’t suffered much punishment.  You see my face? Do you see any scars or disfigurements? It looks nice and clean isn’t it? That’s it, that is why I am the greatest.”

The match itself left fans longing for more. According to The Hindu ’s report dated Februrary 1, 1980, “The swift movements, cat-like reflexes, the shuffles and the lethal left jab  were all there but were all too brief  to savour in fullness.”

The proceeds of the programme, which included a session with local boxers and a bout between Ali and an aspiring young boxer, went to a boxing institute in the city.

In 1980, Chennai city’s boxing fans were entertained by an exhibition bout

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Nitya Menon / Chennai – January 18th, 2015

Kumbakonam college physicist bags CSIR project

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

R. Radha is one of the eight physicists to get it

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has awarded a research project to physicist R. Radha, Director, Centre for Nonlinear Science, Government Arts College, Kumbakonam.

The CSIR will fund the project to the tune of Rs. 25 lakh and Dr. Radha is one of the eight physicists to be awarded the prestigious research project in Physical Sciences in 2015.

The Centre had come out with 30 international publications in the last five years while Dr. Radha received international recognition for pioneering research work from fora such as INSA Royal Society of London Visiting Fellow, INSA Polish Academy of Science Visiting Fellow, Third World Academy of Sciences UNESCO Association Award and is a Visiting Scientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Kumbakonam – January 18th, 2015

Ashwin is ICC’s No. 1 Test bowler, first Indian since Bedi’s feat in 1973

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
R. Ashwin. Photo: K. Murali Kumar / The Hindu
R. Ashwin. Photo: K. Murali Kumar / The Hindu

In a double whammy, the Tamil Nadu captain also ended 2015 as top-ranked Test all-rounder.

Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has ended 2015 as the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings issued on Thursday on the back of his strong showing against South Africa in the recent home series.

Ashwin, who took 62 wickets in nine Tests this year including 31 scalps in the four matches against South Africa, became the first India bowler since Bishen Bedi in 1973 to achieve the milestone of finishing the year on top.

In fact, Bedi, an ICC Hall of Famer, is the only India bowler to ever top the Test bowling table, while Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble peaked at number-two during their careers.

Ashwin achieved the number-one spot for first time in his career after injury prevented South African Dale Steyn from bowling more than 3.5 overs in England’s second innings in the Durban Test.

Steyn had started the Durban Test leading Ashwin by four points and now trails the India off-spinner by the same margin. Even though the fast bowler bagged four wickets in the first innings, these were not enough for him to end the year as the number-one ranked bowler for the sixth time since 2009.

Ashwin’s successful season was reflected in his ranking after he started the year in 15th position and slowly but surely moved to the top of the chart.

In a double whammy, the 29-year-old also ended the year as top-ranked Test all-rounder.

“Finishing the year as the number-one ranked Test bowler is like an icing on the cake that I have managed to build over the past last 12 months. I always wanted to get there one day. There can’t be a better way to finish the 2015,” Ashwin said, reacting to the news.

“Replicating what Mr. Bedi did is something I am very proud of. The former India captain was a master at his craft and I am very humbled to follow in his footsteps.

“I would like to thank my Test captain Virat Kohli, who has been a big influence, and, of course, the team management, my team-mates and the BCCI for their continued support,” said Ashwin.

Another Indian, Ravindra Jadeja, who also had an impressive outing against the South Africans, ended the year at sixth. Ashwin and Jadeja are the only two Indians in the top 10 rankings of the Test bowlers.

Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane ended at 11th among Test batsmen and he is the only Indian in the top 20.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Cricket / PTI / Dubai – December 31st, 2015