03rd feb
A glimpse into the work of a versatile artist
“Artist K.C.S. Paniker created a landscape that combined elements of language and symbolism with colour and shape to construct a painting of a larger nature,” Consul General of the Consulate General of Germany Achim Fabig said.
He launched a book ‘Paniker’ that was compiled by Mr. Paniker’s son S. Nandagopal comprising his paintings, at Artworld Sarala’s Art Centre. Mr. Fabig said the legendary artist who founded the Cholamandel Artists Village had managed to transcend the presumed limitations of Indian artists. “His work is of larger importance, not just to India, but to the world of art as such,” he added. N. Ram, chairman, Kasturi and Sons Limited, said Mr. Paniker was a fine artist who had contributed a great deal to the Madras Art Movement. “The book has been beautifully produced and has very carefully selected text. Mr. Paniker had astonishing energy and integrity that made him do things without expecting success. He did what he believed in and did it exceedingly well,” he added.
He noted Mr. Paniker’s assessment of his work ‘Why do I paint?’ gave an interesting psychological insight about himself. “This shows how open he was,” he added.
The exhibition of prints on canvas will be on till February 10 at the art centre. For details, contact: 24338691
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / Staff Reporter / Chennai – February 02nd, 2017
FICCI launches cell to educate women on their legal rights
Chennai :
The next time you find yourself tangled in a legal battle concerning matrimony or succession, you can avail first-hand advice. FLO, a division of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and industry (FICCI), has launched a legal and advocacy cell — a pan-Indian attempt to empower women and sensitise them in their knowledge and understanding of laws relevant to their rights.
The cell in Chennai was launched last week with a series of workshops on how to file an FIR, awareness of matrimonial laws, succession and will. It was followed by comprehensive sessions by Jayanthi Natarajan and Justice M Sundar.
“The purpose of this cell is two-fold: firstly, everyone should know their rights and entitlement, and secondary, we as a chamber, want to make important policy suggestions. Pan-India, we found that there were gaps; while laws are available and there are several women who use them to their benefit, they don’t always percolate down. This legal and advocacy cell is an attempt to understand that gap and bridge it,” said Sudha Shivkumar, chairperson, FICCI FLO Chennai.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Chennai News / by Saranya Chakrapani / January 31st, 2017
Lone ranger in khaki with unique approach to handle jallikattu protests
Chennai :
At a time when the police are facing uncomfortable questions from all quarters including courts, activists and opposition parties, here is a young officer who has stood out. Tiruchy Deputy Commissioner A Mayilvaganan has become a lone ranger in khaki in the State today, applauded for the way he handled the jallikattu protests.
On January 23, the day when the protests took a downward spiral into violence and street battle in Chennai for which the police are under fire for their alleged role, Mayilvaganan stood out for his impassioned speech that coaxed protesters to disperse peacefully. The way in which he handled the protest and protesters has impressed many on the corridors of power, almost from the High Court of Madras to the Chief Minister.
While hearing a case seeking relief from various persons affected by the violence, Justice R Mahadevan of the High Court had asked the officer to be present at the court on Monday. Today, the judge openly expressed the court’s admiration for the way the protest was handled.
Later in the day, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam also invited the young officer to his chamber in the Secretariat to express his appreciation of his work.
Helped by his experience in Madurai, where, as the Additional Superintendent, he witnessed the brewing discontent among the people over jallikattu, Mayilvaganan was calm in handling the protests when it began turning ugly in other parts of the State. According to sources, police personnel were asked not to use their lathis against the crowd.
Even when the students took their protests to the street blocking the road near MGR Statue, he appealed to them not to bring a bad name to the protests that had been peaceful until then. The video of this impassioned but patient speech he gave on that day went viral on social media platforms, which made many sit up and take note of the young man.
“So far the protest has been good without any untoward incidents, and as an outcome of your protests, the government has passed an ordinance which would pave way for the conduct of the bull taming event in coming days. It is wise to end the protest now,” the Deputy Commissioner appealed to about 100 students through the loudspeaker.
Subsequently, a section of police personnel went on to convince the students individually by explaining them the provision of ordinance and other legal developments in ensuring the conduct of jallikattu in coming days.
Soon enough, the crowd dispersed, perhaps the first protest venue in the State where protesters took an official’s word on face value.
Before being posted at Tiruchy last year, Mayilvahanan, served in Ambattur, Chennai, as Deputy Commissioner, and was ADSP (Headquarters), Madurai before that.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / January 31st, 2017
Chinese Indians family reminiscences their roots
For the Min family, the only Chinese- Indians based in Tirupur who now lives very much as Indians, the dawn of Chinese New year is still been seen as the moment that provides an opportunity to reminiscence their roots.
The Chinese New year celebrations each time bring fond memories to the family members, spread over three generations, about the traditional rituals followed in China since otherwise the Min family did not celebrate any other Chinese festival.
The Chinese New Year falls on the ‘New Moon’ between January 21and February 20 of the English calendar year and the festivities usually last for a fortnight with each day marked for different types of rituals.
Thus, the Chinese New Year this year began on January 28.
The Min family this time welcomed the dawn of New Year with the bursting of crackers wearing new dresses.Special prayers were performed as per the Chinese tradition with Wenchaswi Min (69), the senior most member in the family, leading the ceremony. Then they distributed sweets to the neighbours and friends.
“Speciality of the feast is that there would only be even numbers of dish. This time, there has been 10 dishes with six being Chinese specialities like Chinese dragon chicken, dried mushroom soup and egg sandwiches as prepared in China”, said Sebastian Leo Shaou Kang Min, another member.
The Min family fled China to India in 1930s following the effect of China-Japan war on that country’s economy.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by R. Vimal Kumar / Tirupur – January 30th, 2017
34
Nursing student relives her life-saving moment
Meet 22-year old nursing student W. Durgadevi of Peranampet in Vellore district, the recipient of the prestigious Anna Medal for Gallantry, 2017, presented by Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam at an impressive Republic Day celebrations here on Thursday.
The award was in appreciation of her “timely, brave and noble act” of rescuing her classmate from drowning, as a wooden make-shift bridge over Cooum river connecting the Island Grounds in Chennai gave away in the early hours of June 5 last year.
“We were casually standing on the bridge, and suddenly, the wooden surface under our feet was going down. It was dark and we heard screams everywhere. That was when I saw my classmate G. Nandhini drowning and crying for help and I rescued her,” recalls Ms. Durgadevi.
But does Ms. Durgadevi know swimming? “No!,” she chuckles. “I don’t know how to swim but I saw many were trying to step over Nandhini and find their way to safety. I don’t know how and why, but I wanted to save her, who was crying for help,” she recalls.
Both of them were classmates doing B.Sc. Nursing at a college here and were at the Island Grounds on that day to take part in a marathon, which was organised to create awareness for breast cancer.
While her former classmate is now working as a nurse in a private hospital, Ms. Durgadevi is pursuing Post Basic Diploma in Critical Care Nursing as well as working part-time as a nurse.
“My father is my role model. I’m quite happy that he is proud of my endeavour and this award,” she says with a smile. She has four siblings, including an elder sister. Her mother is a home-maker in her native Peranampet.
The aspiring nurse says though she is proud of this award, it would in no way alter her course towards her primary goal of becoming the best nurse, who would always be available for help and care.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – January 27th, 2017