Coimbatore youth gets National Gopal Ratna award

June 6, 2018Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, Alladmin

A. Dhiraj Ram Krishna (second right) receiving the National Gopal Ratna award from Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Radha Mohan Singh (second left) in New Delhi on Sunday in the presence of Minister of State Krishna Raj (left). | Photo Credit: HANDOUT_E_MAIL — A. Dhiraj Ram Krishna (second right) receiving the National Gopal Ratna award from Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Radha Mohan Singh (second left) in New Delhi on Sunday in the presence of Minister of State Krishna Raj (left). | Photo Credit: HANDOUT_E_MAIL

The engineering graduate received the award for upkeep of best dairy animals of indigenous breeds

A young engineer from Coimbatore has won an award from the Central Government on June 2 for cattle rearing and dairying.

A. Dhiraj Ram Krishna received the ‘National Gopal Ratna’ award from Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Radha Mohan Singh in New Delhi for ‘upkeep of the best dairy animals of indigenous breeds’.

The 24-year-old award winner, who holds a B.E. in Production Engineering, ventured full time into dairy business soon after he completed his studies in 2017. “When I wanted to do business, I set sight on dairy. It was a natural choice as cattle has been at home since birth.”

He had stepped into dairy business even when he was pursuing his second year of engineering. It was in a small way, selling milk.

The Periyanaickenpalayam resident says he started with 10 cattle and now has 50, including 10 Gir cows and bulls and 40 cross-bred varieties. The cows give around 250 litres milk a day and he buys another 200 litres to sell to residents in and around the area.

When he started, there was not much opposition from parents, says Mr. Krishna. “Parents only asked me to think twice before venturing into the business. And, when I told them that I’ve made up my mind, they were very supportive.”

He says he did not undergo a course or workshop but learnt dairying on the job. “When it is driven by passion, you tend to learn it and that is how it has been for me.”

He has set up a processing plant to process milk and engages 15 to 20 people on part and full-time basis.

Under the ‘Ganga Milk’ brand, Mr. Krishna also sells curd, ghee and paneer, which he says are distributed throughout Coimbatore.

He has set up a few collection centres in and around Periyanaickenpalayam for farmers to sell their milk and plans to set up a few more in the neighbourhood as he aims to sell at least 1,000 litres milk a day by the December 2018.

The ‘National Gopal Ratna’ award has encouraged him to achieve the target and given ₹ 5 lakh, which he plans to invest for expanding the business.

His father P.R.G. Arunkumar is the Member of Legislative Assembly from Coimbatore North and an AIADMK district secretary as well.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Karthik Madhavan / Coimbatore – June 04th, 2018

Cobbler’s on call

June 3, 2018Business & Economyadmin

Flying Cobbler picks up worn-out leather footwear from your doorstep, and drops it back refurbished

For the past few months, student entrepreneur Pranavnath G has been working round the clock with his college-going younger brother, Kishen G. Together, they launched Flying Cobbler which makes cobbler services possible at the customer’s doorstep.

“Of late we see very few cobblers mending old footwear by the roadside. Most of us who possess branded, quality leather shoes are left with no service when it comes to refurbishing or repair. If repair services are offered, they cost almost as much as buying a new pair would,” says Pranavnath, who is pursuing his final year MBA at VIT B-School.

Pranavnath first began working on this project — particularly the business model — for the international youth festival, conducted by the Urban Development Ministry at his college campus in 2017.

“I bagged the second prize and received the award from Kiran Bedi. This motivated me to further study the market and analyse the prospects, and finally launch Flying Cobbler two months ago,” he says.

He began by distributing flyers door-to-door in some parts of ECR. “Customers started giving us gunny bags full of footwear of the entire family to be repaired,” he recounts, and that was all his business needed to really take off.

“We specialise in branded leather shoes and ladies sandals. As a value addition, we also take up repair of artificial leather, anti-fungal treatment and polishing,” says Pranavnath. Dealing with leather is nothing new to this young entrepreneur, whose dad Guha Shankar B is a finished leather goods exporter.

Flying Cobbler has set up its unit in Alandur, where the collection boys bring in the footwear detailed notes for each pair. “The notes is handed over to the senior supervisor, Venkatesh, who is also the expert shoemaker/cobbler, and based on that he will work. I have also roped in a few cobblers who were working on the roadside to join the team, and they now get paid a monthly salary. They undergo training under Venkatesh,” he says.

Flying Cobbler works on all days of the week. To schedule your pick up, call 9500145832.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style> by Chitra Deepa Anantharaman / June 02nd, 2018

At 90, Lifco keeps the press busy

June 2, 2018Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, Alladmin

A welcome address being read out in Sanskrit when Kanchi Acharya visited Lifco on March 30, 1958.

Pre-Independent publishing firm continues to roll off useful, affordable books

In the 1920s when literacy levels were not high, a man hailing from a conservative family in Cuddalore with encouragement from his school principal printed books and supplied them widely. Thus was born The Little Flower Company or Lifco, which is 90 now and still publishing books that delight readers.

“My grandfather V. Krishnaswamy Sarma would print books in presses that were under British control at night and take out slim volumes on learning English on his bicycle. The books were priced very low and if people could not afford them, he would give them for free. His lone aim was to educate people and not make money out of it. When he was in Secunderabad in government service and fell ill, he and my grandmother decided they have to do something for the public,” explained T.N.C.Vijayasarathy, Chairman of Lifco.

“After Independence, he started his own printing press and in 1950 he decided to bring out the English-English-Tamil and released it. It was just ₹2 then. Subsequently, he brought out dictionaries in other regional languages. We keep the price of publications as low as possible. The basic dictionary today is just ₹60,” he added. After the dictionary, there was a spate of books, including their still popular Great Little Books (pocket-sized publications on grammar, speaking and communication) that used to cost 1 anna each and are now priced only ₹10 each. There were books on how to repair and maintenance your bicycle, your homes, the typewriter and even one on how to bring up a child! He brought out easy reference guides for school and college students.

After publishing 728 titles, including 10 varieties of dictionaries, and despite increasing paper cost, Lifco wants to continue serving readers.

“We are heading towards digitisation. We plan to open stores where people can walk in, read a book and if they want buy one. My grandfather always wanted his customers to read books. We are working on a grand dictionary, two volumes of it,” Mr. Vijayasarathy said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Deepa H. Ramakrishnan / Chennai – June 02nd, 2018

German major Freudenberg invests IRs. 210 crore in Chennai unit

June 1, 2018Business & Economy, World Opinionadmin

Georg Graf (right), Freudenberg Regional Representative India, and Sanjib Das, CEO and Director, SIGMA Freudenberg NOK Board, at a press conference in Chennai.- BIJOY GHOSH

Chennai :

Germany-based global technology group Freudenberg is investing ₹210 crore in greenfield production unit near Chennai to manufacture sealing products for automotive and other sectors.

The new facility is part of the group’s long term growth strategy in the Indian market and also its plans to tap the emerging opportunities in the automotive sector.

The unit, which is being built on a 13-acre site at Vallam Vadagal near Chennai, is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2019.

“We have secured all the necessary support from the State government agencies. This project will supply sealing solutions to all major auto units in this region,” George Graf, Regional Representative India, Freudenberg, said here.

For the €9.3-billion Freudenberg Group, automotive is a major business segment in the country which accounts for over 60 per cent of its total revenue in the country. In 2017, Freudenberg India’s revenue grew by 25 per cent at ₹2,768 crore. It has been growing at 20 per cent over the past five years and expects to record higher growth rate in the next few years, supported by strong growth outlook in its existing businesses and also by entering into new business segments. Graf said the Group was aiming to balance its portfolio further towards generating one-third of sales each in Asia, North America and Europe. The Indian market is expected to play a significant role in terms of sales and strategic growth in the region.

The Group has 14 production sites and six R&D centres in India with staff strength of about 2,700.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News / Chennai – May 31st, 2018

Historians elated over return of icons

May 31, 2018About Chennai(Madras) / TamilNadu, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

The homecoming of the ancient bronze icons of royal couple Raja Raja Chola I and his regal consort Lokamadevi is an incredible development and marks a watershed development in the sustained efforts to retrieve the priceless stolen treasure, according to art enthusiasts of Thanjavur. They say it is important to sustain the momentum and bring back as many stolen artefacts and idols and as early as possible.

“The return of the priceless icons of Raja Raja Chola I and Lokamadevi to Tamil Nadu is akin to consecrating the Sri Brihadeswarar temple afresh. I feel as if the emperor himself is returning home,” an elated Kudavayil Balasubramanian, Chola historian and epigraphist, told The Hindu on Wednesday.

The two bronze artefacts assume enormous socio-cultural and historical significance, as they are the only icons of the royal couple cast and stamped with the regal authority during the emperor’s own lifetime, said Dr. Balasubramanian, whose magnum opus Rajarajecharam is rich in scholarly research inputs.

Art enthusiasts and Chola historians are happy with the development and hope that the momentum that has gathered steam now would be sustained to retrieve more Thanjavur treasures that were lost. Dr. Balasubramanian’s role in identifying, recording and bringing back the two icons, spread over almost two decades, is acknowledged as ‘enormous.’

Ex-Minister’s petition

Tracing the background, sources at the Idol Wing said a petition by former Minister V.V. Swaminathan prompted the Madras High Court to direct the Idol Wing to look into the case of missing ancient bronze idols, especially that of Raja Raja Chola I and Lokamadevi, from the icon safe at the Thanjavur Big Temple.

After a through field study aided by inputs from experts in Chola history and iconography, it was found that the ancient bronze icons, donated to the Big Temple during the 29th regnal year of Emperor Raja Raja I, had “somehow been stolen” and finally found their way to the Calico Museum of Textiles and the Sarabhai Foundation Galleries, Ahmedabad.

The two were part of the 13 bronze statues donated then and there is no word yet on the status of the other 11 idols. However, a complaint filed with the police on March 2 here also states that several other ancient valuable icons dating to the period of Raja Raja Chola I have been stolen from the Big Temple vault.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by L Renganathan / Thanjavur – May 31st, 2018

Award for village panchayat

May 31, 2018Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, Alladmin

N. Gopinath, Assistant Director of Rural Development (village panchayats) handing over the award to Rohini R. Bhajibhakare, District Collector, in Salem on Monday.

The A. Pudur village panchayat in Magudanchavadi Panchayat Union has won the Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar for 2016-17 for its effective implementation of various projects with people’s participation.

The award was given by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

A.Pudur is the only village panchayat in the State to win this prestigious award. N. Gopinath, Assistant Director of Rural Development (village panchayats), received the award on behalf of the District Collector at a function held in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh recently.

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, presided over the function.

The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj gives the award to village panchayats for their outstanding contribution to the socio-economic development by involving gram sabhas.

Mr. Gopinath handed over the award to Rohini R. Bhajibhakare, District Collector, at the Collectorate here on Monday.

R. Sukumar, District Revenue Officer; N. Arul Jothi Arasan, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency; Tamil Selvan, Block Development Officer, Magudanchavadi panchayat union; P. Muthu, secretary of the A. Pudur village panchayat; were present on the occasion.

The Collector called upon all the panchayats in the district to take effective steps for winning similar awards in the near future by effectively implementing government projects with public participation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Special Correspondent / Salem – May 28th, 2018

Acclaimed director, producer Muktha Srinivasan no more

May 30, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

In a career spanning over six decades, he directed several memorable movies

Renowned director and producer Muktha V. Srinivasan died on Tuesday night in the city. He was 88 years old. The veteran film-maker directed his first film Mudhalaali in 1957. Starring S.S. Rajendran, the film won the national award for the best feature film in Tamil that year.

Through his career in films spanning over six decades, Srinivasan directed several memorable films, including Paanchali, Ninaivil Nindraval, Suryagandhi, Simla Special and Polladhavan and had worked with several notable actors including Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Suryagandhi, which was released in 1973 starring R. Muthuraman and Jayalalithaa, was digitally re-mastered and re-released in 2016 and Srinivasan had spoken about how the former Chief Minister had given one of her best performances in the movie.

Srinivasan, who described himself as a ‘die-hard book lover’ to The Hindu back in 2009, had also authored several non-fiction and fictional works including novels, short story collections and essays.

‘A good orator’

Veteran script writer and playwright Chitralaya Gopu recalled the days when they used to meet regularly to exchange ideas. “We didn’t work together. But we often discussed cinema. He used to be called as Mudhalali Srinivasan during the 1950s after his debut film as a director. He planned his films well and released them on time,” said Mr. Gopu.

He founded the production house, Muktha Films, in 1961 and produced several films with his brother Muktha V. Ramaswamy, including the Kamal Haasan starrer Nayagan directed by Mani Rathnam. He has produced and directed nearly 50 films.

“He was a good orator and spoke fluently in English. I met him only two months ago when three of us, including film director C.V. Rajendran who too recently passed away, were honoured in a function,” recalled Mr. Gopu.

Srinivasan was also remembered by political colleagues as an “old Congressman” who remained a close friend of G.K. Moopanar.

Political stint

Srinivasan left the Congress to join Moopanar’s Tamil Maanila Congress. He was appointed general secretary and contested the 1999 general elections on the party’s ticket from the South Madras constituency, finishing third.

When Moopanar’s son G.K. Vasan merged the TMC with the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, Srinivasan returned, and in 2002, was made a vice-president.

Interestingly, “BJP’s State headquarters in T. Nagar is located in a building once owned by Srinivasan,” recalled B.S. Gnanadesikan, senior vice-president of the TMC who was also a TNCC president.

Srinivasan had reportedly, on former Chief Minister and actor M.G. Ramachandran’s insistence, helped with the founding of the Tamil Film Producers Council.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Movies / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – May 30th, 2018

Showing the right legal recourse is her forte

May 30, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Featuresadmin

S. Senthamarai. | Photo Credit: R. Ashok

This volunteer helps the needy people in getting justice

When she is not attending to her duties as the leader of her Self-Help Group Federation at DHAN Foundation, S. Senthamarai can be seen reading legal procedures in India. This 54-year-old legal aid volunteer works twice a week at several clinics stipulated by the District Legal Services Authority. She provides counselling and direction to people belonging to low-income groups, who come to places such as offices of the Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Police, district court, High Court, Madurai Collectorate and Social Welfare department in search of justice. She tells Sanjana Ganesh that in the six years of volunteering service, she has seen a wide range of helpless people from the lowest rungs of society.

Having come from a humble background herself, she says connecting with their plight came easily. “I struggled to make my children study because my husband had a lot of debts. I joined the DHAN Madurai Federation with several other women from my community. Soon, I picked up and eventually became their leader. The senior people at the DHAN Foundation felt I had legal acumen and sent me for a two-day camp. After that, I began volunteering at Legal Aid Clinics,” she says.

For Ms. Senthamarai, the legal world has been her greatest learning curve yet. Her interest has grown with time, along with apathy for the voiceless. She provides counselling and shows people directions to legal courses. She helps in getting the right guidance for resolving disputes in courts, tribunals or other authorities. She also helps petitioners in finding lawyers who take up their cases pro-bono or for a meagre sum.

She focuses on civil cases such as property disputes, education loan issues and motor accident claims. Her area of interest, however, is women’s welfare. “I once helped a woman whose husband cheated her, sold her kidney, her jewellery and house because he had many loans. He went to Dubai and abandoned her.

When she realised her folly, she went to Dubai in search of him, but could not find him. After some clandestine work at some houses to feed herself and her two children, she was deported as she didn’t have valid documents. “At this stage, I helped her procure Aadhaar and family cards. This case changed my life,” Ms. Senthamarai says.

As a basic piece of legal advice, Senthamarai amma (as she is fondly called), says: “Read all your documents before you put your signature.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / May 28th, 2018

TN man donates golden sword worth ₹1.75 crore to Tirumala deity

May 29, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

The swarna surya katari that was donated to the Tirumala temple on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: G.P. Shukla

Thanga Dorai, a noted textile merchant from Teni, Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday donated a golden sword worth ₹1.75 crore to the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateswara on Tirumala.

About six kilograms of gold is estimated to have gone into the making of the golden sword or ‘surya katari’.

Mr. Dorai handed over the precious offering to the temple authorities during the Suprabhata Seva early this morning.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by G.P. Shukla / Tirumala – May 29th, 2018

Butterflies of Tamil Nadu captured in a book

May 29, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Records, Alladmin

P. Mohanprasath and N. Satheesh with their book Butterflies of Tamil Nadu in Chennai. | Photo Credit: K.V. Srinivasan

It is the culmination of a two-year project

Did you know that Tamil Nadu has 326 species of butterflies identified so far? And did you know that the fragile vannathu poochi (or pattaam poochi) we chased as children are important ecological indicators?

“If you find butterflies in parks or in your gardens, it means these areas are fine for living. Butterflies are very sensitive to environmental changes and will migrate if they cannot survive,” explains N. Satheesh, Conservator of Forests, Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation Limited (TAFCORN), Tiruchi.

Mr. Satheesh, along with P. Mohanprasath, who works with the NGO, Act of Butterfly, has authored a book titled Butterflies of Tamil Nadu. Volunteers with the Act of Butterfly study the activities of the pretty insects, including their annual mass migration.

The book, with colourful photographs of 316 species found in the State, was recently released in the city.

The culmination of a two-year project, the book explains the ecological role of butterflies, their life cycle, and a list of 32 butterfly ‘hotspots’ in the State. It would make a good addition to any library.

Tamil Nadu has two butterfly parks — one in Srirangam in Tiruchi, and another in the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur near Chennai. “If you want to watch butterflies, the best time is either between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. When it’s hot, they would rather hide in the shade than flit around in the sun,” Mr. Satheesh says. The book is priced at ₹ 900.

Copies can be purchased at the Forest Department office in Saidapet after a few days.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Deepa H. Ramakrishnan / Chennai – May 29th, 2018

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