Chennai, June 29 (ANI): Hundreds of people in Tamil Nadu wage bets on cock fights, once patronised by royals, despite a government ban. The cruel sport has the birds mull each other, often till death, as the surrounding crowds cheer and exchange money on each winning stroke. Held every two months in Chennai , the sport has emerged as one of the most favoured entertainments for rural dwellers, who have little access to other forms of entertainment. The men come to the city, gambling aggressively on the roosters, which often escalates to gang wars between rival factions. But despite protests by animal rights groups and crackdowns by police, the locals refuse to give up the traditional sport. Believed to be the world's oldest sport, cock fighting has become a business for many and breeders spend a huge amount of money on rearing roosters, tailor-made to fight. The natural spurs of the roosters are sawed off and replaced by razor sharp steel blades and they are also given drugs to maximize their aggression and stamina. "We place the birds in opposite directions for the figth. The one which, runs from the battle is the looser. We tie a knife to the right leg of the bird and feed it on millets, wheat and other rich foods to keep it strong," Raju, a breeder said. "When the birds are six months old, we start preparing them for the fights. We hold rehersals at home with other cocks. We feed them on beef, millets and wheat rolls. We put them in for proper fighting after they are a year and half old. The fights are usually on Sundays only," Babu, another breeder said. Sociologists have warned of the increasing aggressiveness of the sport saying it would fast become a menace worse than gambling. During a typical cockfight tournament, a number of birds are killed. The few lucky ones who survive suffer severe injuries including broken wings, punctured lungs and gouged eyes.
Kaadhalae Yengal Desiyageetham
Monday, June 28, 2004
Cast - Shriram Raghavan, VarshiniDirection - Vijay AnandMusic - D Iman Story This is the story of how a man from the backward community comes up in life in spite of all the hardships. The film has action, romance and sentiments. Cast Sriram Raghavan, Varshini, Ramesh Arvind, Roohini, YG Mahendra, Fathima Babu, OAK Sundaram, Madan Bab and others. Sriram Raghavendran in the son of the known TV producer Girija Raghavendran. The film launches many Tamil stage artistes from Mumbai. The film will be released during the last week of June.
Thullurae Vayasu
Monday, June 28, 2004
With the success of Thulluvatho Illaimai, the film industry is witnessing a spate of teen romance. Kids in schools are being lured to play the lead in such films. Yet another addition to this list is Thullurae Vayasu. The film is all about the campus life of students. The real stories of campus love the dreams and frustrations of the school students have been brought out in this film. We have used real school students as much as possible including our lead pair of Raghav, Deepika and Gopi, said director Gopal. Vinoth, Sivaranajani, Kannan, Kotai Perumal and Nizhalagal Ravi are the supporting artistes. Produced by KRC Films, the film has cinematography by Rajarajan and music by Karthikraja.
Aayudam
Monday, June 28, 2004
Sneha, after her first film 'Virumbugiren' joins with Prashant as a pair in the new film 'Aayudam' The producer of this film is a famous Ctv productions, which has many successful films for their credit. M. A.Murugesh who was the director for 'Indrumudal' is the director of this film 'Aayudham' , Prashant and Sneha are in the leading roles. In addition, Vadivelu, Janakaraj, Mansoor Alikan, Manobala, Besent Ravi, Rajesh, Ajay Rathnam, Raman Ayyar, Gundu Ravi, Viji ketti, Kalairani, Baby Gayathri, are all in the cast. A Bombay beauty Rasna is in an important role, Meenal acts for one song situation. Dina Scores the music for this film, Snehan, Pa.Vijay and viveka create the Lyrics for this film. The Art director is being Mohan; Tharunkumar, Brinda and Dinesh take care of the choreography. A.K.Sankar takes care of editing. M.A. Murugesh the director of the film is also responsible for story and screenplay and Kamalesh is penning the dialogues. For this film, as well as Vasool Raja M.B.B.S, Sneha has given call sheet dates side by side and now blinks as to what do. Because Vasool Raja M.B.B.S, group is going to Newzeland for a few scenes. If she also goes abroad. 'What would I do for Aayudam' is Sneha's great concern says our Kodambakkam team.
The in depth friendship of Prakashraj
Monday, June 28, 2004
Actor Prakash Raj is producing a film 'Azhagiya Theeya' for his friend, and for the sake of friendship. Though Actor Praksah Raj is a producer for so many films, the 'Azhagiya-Theeya', film is being made for Radhamohan's friendship only'- People say- While talking about their friendship, "My success, fame, property-all these I can give up and tell that I should become RadhaMohan. RadhaMohan is such a type of person. He can see all his problems as a comedy; and enjoy.He had a very good story with him. However, he would make a film out of it oneday or other. I would certainly to and see the film, going to the theatre myself buy a ticket and see that film. In the present context let tickets price tag be two cores. This time, I decided to produce the above film all by myself. This is a film I make for a friend". He continued to talk about this film: "This is not a usual Cinema. All the people who take part in this film are beautiful and intelligent. This is a very serious story, but one can watch the film laughing. I have introduced 17 new faces. With Prasanna, Malayalam actress Navya Nair is being introduced in Tamil" - He said.
Ready for talks with film industry: PMK
Monday, June 28, 2004
Vellore, June 27: Seeking to set at rest the row between his party and leading film actor Vijaykanth over the latter's recent remarks, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss today said his party was ready for talks with the Tamil film industry to sort out the issue. "We are ready to talk openly with Tamil film industry personalities to sort out the present problem," Ramadoss told reporters here. The spat was triggered by the actor's recent remarks that certain party leaders had become Central ministers without getting the people's mandate, in an obvious reference to Union Health Minister and son of Ramadoss, R Anbumani, who was subsequently elected to the Rajya Sabha last week. Following the actor's observations, PMK activists had threatened to stop screening of his films. The protest had led to counter-protests from the actor's fans, some of whom were taken into custody for attempting to burn the effigies of PMK leaders. On Thursday, Tamil film producers and distributors had appealed to Ramadoss to intervene in the matter and instruct his partymen not to disrupt screening of films featuring Vijaykant. The PMK leader said the government should take over the ten deemed universities in Tamil Nadu, "as they are charging high fees and not following the reservation policy properly." The women's wing of the party would meet in Chennai on June 29 demanding closure of 3,000 wine shops of the state-owned TASMAC, located in villages. "We will give time for the government for closure of these shops. If not implemented within the timeframe, PMK women's wing will lock the wine shops, as a first step," he said. He said the PMK would oppose any move to reintroduce lottery trade in Tamil Nadu. As alternative jobs for those who were engaged in the sale of lottery tickets, he suggested that they could be asked to sell government tea and khadi products. The Tamil Nadu government imposed a ban on sale of lotteries 18 months ago. The All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries had requested the government recently to lift the ban. Ramadoss also sought white paper from the Tamil Nadu government on its financial position. PMK president G K Mani, MLA, and party's state vice-president Elavazhagan were present at the press meet. (Agencies)
English bulletin of Sun news network discontinued from today
Sunday, June 27, 2004
The Chennai-based Sun network, one of the largest private TV channels in the country, has discontinued from this morning the telecast of its hourly english news bulletins, introduced a few years ago. The idea is to have only regional language bulletins in the 24-hour Sun News network. Besides, the English bulletins were proving to be a 'drain' on the company as it was unable to face the competition from other English news channels like NDTV, according to company sources. The Managing Director of the channel, Kalanidhi Maran, was not immediately available for comment as he was out of station.
CBI raids residences of senior officials
Saturday, June 26, 2004
PTICHENNAI: CBI on Friday conducted raids on the residences of some senior central government and bank officials in various parts of the city. CBI sources said the agency's Anti-Corruption Bureau officials were "looking for some important documents" and the raids were part of similar searches going on in other parts of the country. The raids were conducted at the offices and residences of officials of State Bank of Hyderabad, Indian Bank, some insurance companies and Employees Provident Fund department. "Central health services are particularly coming under our scanner," the sources said. Asked if any arrests were made, the sources said "by and large" the raids were being conducted to locate some "important documents" adding "unless we come across large amounts of cash or disproportionate wealth, no arrests would be made."
Vijaykant draws PMK's ire
Saturday, June 26, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: PMK, which had been at loggerheads with megastar Rajnikant during the Lok Sabha polls, has now started targeting another film star, Vijaykant, the president of the South Indian Artistes Association. The reason for this is the actor's recent remarks that a person, who has never contested an election, should not be allowed to be made a minister at the Centre, in an obvious reference to Dr R Anbumani, Union Health Minister, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha recently. Vijaykant had made these remarks at a public meeting organised by his fans at Ulunderpet in Villupuram district a fortnight back. PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, while justifying the induction of Anbumani in the Manmohan Singh ministry, has said actors like Vijaykant "should not poke their nose in politics." Following these remarks, PMK volunteers had been asking theatre owners not to screen Vijaykant's movies and had even staged dharnas in front of them in some places. Some of the PMK leaders reportedly threatened to stop the screening of the actor's movies. The protest has led to counter protests from the actor's fans who had been arrested for attempting to burn the effigies of Ramadoss.
PMK wants CBI probe into admissions
Thursday, June 24, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: PMK, a constituent of Democratic Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu, has demanded a CBI probe into the post-graduate medical courses admissions in the state following allegations of "irregularities". A resolution to this effect was adopted at a party executive meeting held on Tuesday at Villupuram. The resolution referred to students' allegations that there was "political interference" in the admission procedure and said the government should order a CBI probe to allay such fears. "To allay their fears and also remove the doubts in the minds of the public, the government should order a CBI probe", it said.
Jaya revamps ministry, party
Thursday, June 24, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: In a major revamp of her cabinet and the AIADMK set up after the party's drubbing in the last month Lok Sabha elections, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday sacked two of her cabinet colleagues from the Ministry and relieved three ministers of party posts. This is the 15th reshuffle of the AIADMK Ministry in the state since the party came to power in 2001. Education Minister S Semmalai and Backward Classes Minister R Jeevanantham were dropped from the ministry by the Tamil Nadu Governor P S Rammohan Rao on Jayalalithaa's advice, bringing down its strength from the present 26 to 24. By removing two ministers, Jayalalithaa has also downsized her ministry. Though the state could have more ministers under the 91st Amendment to the Constitution, which limited the size of ministries to 15 per cent of the strength of the legislatures, Jayalalithaa had chosen to keep the number of ministers to 23, AIADMK sources said. Tamil Nadu Assembly has 234 members. Semmalai was also axed from the post of the party's Salem Urban District Secretary and former state Minister Vijayalakshmi Palanisamy appointed in his place, Jayalalithaa said in a separate release. Dairy Development Minister S Ramachandran, Sports Minister Inbatamizhan and Labour Minister P Annavi have been removed from Tiruvannamalai (South), Virudhunagar and Tiruchirapalli Rural District secretary posts respectively. After the AIADMK's rout in the elections, the Jayalalitha Government had already effected major reshuffles in the bureaucracy and police departments.
Karnataka hints at stoppage of water release to Tamil Nadu
Thursday, June 24, 2004
PTI MYSORE: The outflow from Kabini reservoir dropped from 6,146 to 1,000 cusecs on Wednesday after a sharp decline in inflows, official sources said hinting that water release to Tamil Nadu might cease if the situation failed to improve. The inflows, which were in the order of 6,480 cusecs in the morning, came down to 500 cusecs by evening, forcing the irrigation department officials to scale down the outflow, the sources said. The inflow and outflow recorded on Tuesday was 13,577 and 14,000 cusecs respectively. Karnataka released water from Kabini to Tamil Nadu after the water level was about to touch the danger mark with heavy inflows due to copious rains in Waynad region in Kerala. Similarly the inflows in KRS Reservoir has also dropped from 7,827 cusecs on Tuesday to 4,261 cusecs today, sources said. Currently, the water level of KRS stood at 103.47 ft as against the Full Reservoir Level of 124.80 ft.
Kamal Haasan
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
'I am seriously thinking of doing a Marathi film' June 22, 2004 The second part of Shobha Warrier's fascinating interview with Kamal Haasan. You have portrayed a variety of characters. Like stealing moments, were you consciously stealing them? Could be. Virumaandi was 50 percent from my memory of where I come from. The rest came from my running around. I moved around that area where the story of Virumaandi took place for nearly three months. I would drive around aimlessly, absorbing the place. It was not method acting. I had lost touch with that place. And suddenly, it came back. I was like a man with amnesia trying to remember and put the blocks together in a puzzle. How do you take criticism? I might even agree with the person if it is sensible criticism. There are some people who criticise because they have to. Icon-bashing is the greatest of all sport. I can spot that at once. From where do you get the real feedback? See, you don't impose your status on your friends. They give you their honest opinion. They will give me the real feedback. Are they friends from the film industry? Not necessarily. But there are people from the industry like [veteran actor] Nagesh who will tell me both good and bad things. There is Crazy Mohan, There are even critics. I would rather trust them without their pens than with them, because they talk more honestly without the pen in hand. When you talk to them as a friend, they are more open. That is also stealing criticism! How do you analyse your performance objectively? Very easy. If you keep criticising yourself, the zenith of it is suicide. You hate yourself so much that you are ready to kill it. Yes, I said 'it' and not him or me. So criticism is easy. Some people suffer from it because they don't know when to stop criticising. It is like eating sweets. You must know when to stop. Do you analyse your films too, especially the ones that don't do well? Whether a film is doing well or not is not a criterion. That is only the business criterion. For me, excellence is the only criterion. It is not like cooking where you attain a standard and say, this rasam is good with this mixture. One day, it is rasam, the next day, another mixture to probably make TNT. Acting is beyond that. How do you judge excellence? Where do you draw the line? You can't draw a line for excellence. There is no end of excellence. It is the Peter Principle situation where you reach your level of incompetence. For me, Aalavandhan is passé. It's boring. Hey! Ram is a film I love not because it is a neglected child, but I feel it is a more complete film than even Virumaandi. The success or failure of it does not matter to me. Success matters to me to make another film. But after my death, certain films will give me respect, like novels left behind by good novelists. Like which films? Avargal, Hey! Ram. Mahanadi, Apoorva Sahodaragal, Thevar Magan, Moondram Pirai, Nayagan, Silangai Oli. These are timeless films. If you have noticed, I have not mentioned Indian or Swathi Muthiam. I also like the films of others like Nirmalyam [M T Vasudevan Nair's first directorial venture. P J Anthony won the National Award for his performance in the film], is my all-time favourite. It might be boring, slow, not have been done well, but I have yet to see MT repeat it. It's a brilliant film. Even when MT is dead and gone, we will be talking about that film. Another film that is timeless is [Guru Dutt's] Kaagaz Ke Phool. Have you always been in search of excellence as far as your work is concerned? That is why I listed only 10 out of the 200 odd films I have done. That's only five percent of the harvest. There are moments I think of Charlie Chaplain who sat depleted while making Gold Rush. He felt he couldn't do anything anymore. The ideas were not coming. For two weeks, the entire unit waited. The amount spent was enough to make a small film. Then, one day, he said, I have an idea. That was how the shoe eating scene was born. You don't know how much you will have to suffer or how easily it will come. Did you have to face such moments in your career? Oh yes! Many times. I always think of Chaplain and how he came out of it. I felt that way before Apoorva Sahodaragal. I wanted to retire. I felt silly doing the same things over and over again. I kept asking myself what I wanted to do. People told me what I wanted to do would not run. Later, I understood. Don't listen to them, just go ahead and do it! Is that why you became a filmmaker? Yes. That is what has kept me alive. I design the architecture of Kamal Haasan's career. Why did you decide to act in the Hindi remake of Munnabhai MBBS? There are certain films that I do without any questions asked because there is a lot of love behind the requests. Above all, I have been an advocate of success! When it is a success, you just have to accept it even if you don't accept its content. Like, though I like Spielberg, I don't mind Arnold Schwarzenegger. But I don't go Schwarzenegger-bashing just because he is brawny and because of the cliche, all brawn, no brain. I think he has made some brilliant movies in his career. Likewise, Sakala Kala Vallavan and all my films before Nayagan -- except for films like Silangai Oli and other intelligent ones -- the rest were crass. But they collected money and entertained people. Wherever I go, I try to bring in excellence. Do you dislike remakes? No. As a matter of fact, I quote A Jagannathan when asked why he makes remakes. He said even Kamban [who wrote the Ramyana] did remakes, and there is no shame doing it. If the original is good enough, why not remake it? [Akira] Kurosowa has done remakes of [William] Shakespeare. You can't call that a remake. One is a play and the other a film. Why not? Shakespeare is a playwright. People have done plays on Macbeth in Tamil. I don't venerate something because it is 400 years old. It has to have quality. You are planning a Hindi film, to be directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. Why Hindi? I have made Hindi films before. Is it because Hindi films have a national audience? Then, come to think of it, why make a film at all? Why not Hindi? I have an audience there. Ask this question to [Tamil actor] Vijayakanth because they have not indulged in it. I am not saying he is not capable but he has not created an audience there. I have a captive audience which is willing to welcome me. I don't have to do a Malayalam film now because Malayalees watch my films even if they are Tamil. If they feel I must do a Malayalam film, I will. It is as simple as that. In fact, I am seriously thinking of doing a Marathi film. Do you know Marathi? I can manage. I didn't know Malayalam, Telugu or Hindi [earlier]. Marathi culture is a great culture which is as old and important as Tamil culture. It is a bigger state too. It is a pity they have given up all their culture to Hindi cinema. I don't know why they don't have the vernacular pride that Tamilians have. They should be producing 100 films a year. I would love to act in a Marathi film, on my terms. I am not talking about money. It should be a good film.http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/22kamal.htm
Parties seek final judgement on Cauvery issue
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
COIMBATORE: Cauvery River Authority and Water Disputes Tribunal should expedite its final verdict on the vexatious water sharing problem between riparian States, CPI(M) and Puthiya Tamizhakam (PT) on Tuesday said. Considering the plight of the people of all the four states, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry--particularly farming community, these agencies should come out with a permanent solution, which could be found through the final verdict, CPI-M Central Committee member N Sankaraiah and PT president Dr K Krishnasamy told separate press conferences here. Blaming Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for her 'failure' to negotiate with neighbouring Karnataka for the release of Cauvery water all these days, Sankaraiah claimed that the State could get water from the Kabini by the efforts taken by the opposition delegation, though an official delegation later met Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh. Though the issue could be sorted through negotiations and mutual understanding temporarily, CPI-M wanted the tribunal to expedite its final verdict on the contentious issue, so that people's problems of the riparian states could be solved amicably, Shankaraiah said. Krishnasamy said it was time for all parties in Tamil Nadu to unite, without considering 'political interests,' and demand an immediate final verdict for a permanent solution.
MDMK not to join Govt at Centre, says Vaiko
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
MDMK not to join Govt at Centre, says VaikoChennai, June 22 MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday said that there is no change in his party's stand of not joining the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre. Vaiko, who returned from USA, told reporters at Chennai airport that his party's executive had decided not to join the government. Hence, there is no change in the MDMK's position. Asked about the repeal of POTA, he said the Centre is working out the modalities in this regard. "I do not want to comment beyond this," he said Vaiko, who has a POTA case against him, had been permitted to go to the US on June 2 by the Madras High court. He had sought permission of the court on May 28.
From don to dreaded cop
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Darshan is happy that he is donning the police uniform in "Ayya", directed by Om Prakash Rao. He will also play a police officer's role in another film, to be directed by P.N. Sathya, who had earlier directed Darshan's two hit films "Majestic" and "Daasa". "Daasa" had Darshan in a don's role. "I am playing a tough police officer in this new film. It is a totally different character for me," says Darshan. The cop-to-be is now busy finishing shooting for the film "Bhagawan", directed by H. Vasu.
Return of renamed Rashmi
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Return of renamed Rashmi Sangeetha, who won a best actress award for Tamil film "Pithamagan", is back in Kannada cinema to act with Sudeep in the Nagendra Prasad-directed "Nalla". Sangeetha had earlier acted in three Kannada films, but at that time her name was Rashmi. Then she acted in some Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. Last year, she had acted in eight Telugu films, but she had to quit acting in Telugu films because of her focus on "Pithamagan", for which she had to put on weight
Six elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from TN
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Chennai, June 21. (PTI): Union Health Minister and PMK leader R Anbumani, and five others, including four belonging to the ruling AIADMK, were elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu today. The Returning Officer and Assembly Secretary, V Rajaraman, declared them elected unopposed to the Upper House of Parliament at 3 pm, when withdrawal of nominations closed. Their's were the only six nominations found valid on scrutiny on Friday last. Since the number of nominations matched the number of vacancies, they were all elected unanimously, obviating the need for holding elections. The five others who had made an entry to the Rajya Sabha are K Malaichamy, a retired IAS official, T T V Dinakaran, nephew of Sasikala, a close associate of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, S Anbalagan, N R Govindarajar (all AIADMK) and AICC Secretary E M Sudarsana Natchiyappan of the Congress. While Malaichamy was a member of the previous Lok Sabha, the other three AIADMK members unsuccessfully contested in the recent Lok Sabha polls from Tamil Nadu. Congress leader, Natchiappan, was not given the Lok Sabha ticket this time. The six members who are retiring on June 29 are Dr V Maithreyan (AIADMK), S Agniraj, M A Khader, M Sankaralingam, S Sivasubramaniam and S Viduthalai Virumbhi (all DMK). Under the seat-sharing formula, the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance in the state, had promised a Rajya Sabha seat to its ally, the PMK.
Who's in, who's out of 'Vasool Raja...'
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Kochi, June 21 (IANS) : Tamil film "Vasool Raja, M.B.B.S" was to have two Malayali actors in the cast, but now it will have only one. Kalabhavan Mani, who has created a niche for himself as a villain in Tamil cinema, has rejected the role of Circuit in the Tamil remake of the Hindi film "Munnabhai, M.B.B.S." Mani has reportedly declined the offer in order to be available for Mohanlal's home production "Natturajavu", directed by Shaji Kailas. But Malayalis will still be interested in "Vasool Raja, M.B.B.S" starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role. Their blue-eyed boy Jayasurya has landed a plum role in it. He portrays the character of Zaheer, a sombre terminally ill patient, that was played by Jimmy Shergill in the original.
Jayasurya in, Dhanush out
Monday, June 21, 2004
In Kamal Haasan's Vasool Raja MBBS, a remake of blockbuster Hindi hit Munnabhai MBBS, actor Dhanush was initially said to play a cameo role. For some unknown reasons, the role is now being offered to Malayalam actor Jayasurya. Jayasurya, a busy actor in the Malayalam film industry, made his debut in Tamil with En Mana Vanil. Elated by the role being offered to him, Jayasurya says, 'it had been my dream to share the screen with Kamal Haasan. I am happy it got realised now'. Meanwhile, veteran actor Nagesh is playing Kamal Haasan's father in the movie. Initially, director K Balachander was supposed to play the role. He, however rejected the offer. Veteran Bollywood actress Rohini Hattangadi is playing Nagesh's wife. Charan is directing the movie while dialogues are by Crazy Mohan. Music is by Vidyasagar.
Jaya orders release of water from five dams in Tirunelveli
Monday, June 21, 2004
Chennai, June 20 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today ordered release of water from five dams in Tirunelveli district for irrigation purposes. This would help irrigate about 8,731 acres of land, a release here said today. The Chief Minister's move follows representation from farmers seeking release of water from Kadana, Adavinayanar, Kundaaru, Karuppanathi and Ramanithi dams for irrigation purposes, it added.
Gang robs merchant of Rs 75,000
Sunday, June 20, 2004
A wholesale vegetable merchant was robbed of cash to the tune of Rs 75,000 by a five-member gang which forced him to alight from a bus at knife-point in a Chidambaram village and decamped with the booty after raining a few punches on the victim. The merchant, 35-year-old Saravanan, was returning home by bus last evening after collecting the money due from customers for supply of vegetables when the incident occurred. The gang members who had also hailed the same bus suddenly pulled out knives and forced the driver to bring it to a halt at Manaloor Siruvaipuram village. After forcing Saravanan alone to get down, they allowed the bus to proceed. They then relieved him of Rs 75,000 in cash, a wrist watch and a cell phone from Saravanan and decamped.
Vasool Raja
Sunday, June 20, 2004
IANS CHENNAI: The cast of "Vasool Raja, M.B.B.S.", the Tamil remake of Bollywood hit "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", is finally taking shape, after a couple of reshuffles. The film is being shot at record speed for a mid-August release. Former ace comedian and current character actor Nagesh has quietly replaced well-known film director K Balachander in the role of Kamal Haasan's father in the film. Rohini Hattangadi, who played the hero's mother in the Hindi version, is cast in the same role in this Tamil version too. Dhanush was initially expected to play a cancer patient with a significant part in the script. But Jay Surya has replaced the actor who has been specialising in adolescent roles.
Chaya Singh
Sunday, June 20, 2004
After nearly a dozen Kannada movies, she entered Kollywood, with Thiruda Thirudi opposite Dhanush and made a mark thanks to the stupendous dance number Mandmadharasa. Chaya Singh's performance in the song made her a Manmadharani among fans here. Now, she has become a household name in Tamilnadu. Chaya Singh Her graceful and rhythmic dancing for Manmadharasa won her accolades. Importantly, the song played a vital part in the movie's success. She has become a sought-after actress in Kollywood now. She is doing a couple of Tamil movies including one opposite Arjun, besides a few in Kannada. She appeared for a dance number in actor Vikram's Arul and also acted in a movie Kavithai opposite for debutante Vamsi. 'I never thought I would make it big in Tamil in my debut venture itself. The audience here are very courteous and are ready to welcome fresh talent wholeheartedly', she says. In a chat with News Today, she talks about her aspirations and her views on working in various South Indian films. Q: What are your forthcoming projects? A: I am acting in a movie, Jayasurya opposite Arjun. The movie is being directed by Manojkumar and it is being dubbed in Telugu too. I am also playing the main cast in a movie Amma Appa Chellam opposite Bala. The shooting for the movie is almost complete and would be released soon. Besides I am acting in a couple of Kannada movies. Q: Being a successful heroine, why did you appear for a dance number alone in Arul? A: I accepted the offer just because it involved quite a few big names like director Hari, actor Vikram and a reputed production house (Lakshmi Productions). It was my desire to stand atleast in one frame with Vikram. Moreover I recently saw Kovil directed by Hari and was impressed with his skills. Hence I accepted to dance for Ukkadathu Papalamae song in Arul. Q: On your entry into Tamil filmdom? A: I have acted in a few Kannada movies before. One fine day, editor Harsha asked me whether I was interested in acting in a Tamil movie and even introduced me to director Shiva. The director immediately cast me opposite Dhanush in Thiruda Thirudi. Q: How was it to see the Manmadharasa song on screen? A: I have no professional training in dancing. I did whatever dance master Shivashankar asked us to do for the song. The song was shot at Kolar Gold Fields which was hot and dusty. I was really irritated during the shooting. But when I saw myself on the screen dancing, I was really stunned and surprised. All our hard work had comeout good. Wherever I go people fondly call me Manmadharani. Q: On your aspirations? A: I want to be a versatile actress, who can do any role with aplomb. I have no big dreams and I just take things as they come. Thankfully the audience has received me well. My sincere request to all film buffs is to shun watching movies on pirated VCDs and instead go to theatres. - M BHARAT KUMAR http://newstodaynet.com/19jun/ss1.htm
Anbumani files nomination for RS poll
Sunday, June 20, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister and son of PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, Dr R Anbumani filed his papers for June 28 Rajya Sabha biennial polls from Tamil Nadu on the penultimate day for nominations on Wednesday. Elections are being held for six seats from the state due to retirement of five DMK members and one from ruling AIADMK. Four AIADMK nominees, including T T V Dinkaran, nephew of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala, have already filed their nominations for the polls. Under an accord reached prior to last month's Lok Sabha elections, DMK, heading the Democratic Progressive Alliance, has alloted the two Rajya Sabha seats, which it can win, to PMK and Congress. AICC Secretary E M Sudarsana Nachiappan has been named by the Congress for the sixth seat. Several DPA leaders, including M K Stalin and K Ponmudi (DMK), G K Mani and former Union Minister A K Moorthy (PMK) and L Ganesan (MDMK), were present when Anbumani filed his papers. Anbumani, who did not contest Lok Sabha elections, said he was thankful to DMK President M Karunanidhi and AICC Chief Sonia Gandhi for backing his nomination. Replying to a question, he termed as "incorrect" reports that his name figured in the voters list in Pondicherry and said it was in the voters list in Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu. With Anbumani all set to enter the Upper House, PMK would have representation in the Rajya Sabha for the first time.
Space programme must be driven by social needs
Sunday, June 20, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Emphasising the need for the country's space programme to be driven by a 'social vision', space scientist and Rajya Sabha member Dr K Kasturirangan on Wednesday said India should also ensure it had its own role to play in planet exploration in the 21st century. "The current century is going to be an important one for planet exploration and India should have its own role to play in this regard", he said delivering the 'Nayudamma Memorial Lecture 2004' on 'Space Technology and Applications- New Directions for the future', here. The proposed Chandrayaan-I, moon mission programme, was the nation's first step to a long term strategy to planets like Jupiter and Mars, besides the moon, he said. Stating that the country's vision for space development should keep in mind social requirements, Kasturirangan said satellites could play a vital role in raising literacy levels, achieving health for all, contributing to food and nutritional security and ensuring ecological stability among other things. He said the two and half stage GSLV-Mk III, an upgraded version of GSLV, was in its initial stage and expected to be completed by 2007-08. Another satellite, which would be used for school and university connectivity, knowledge enrichment and corporate systems, was in an advanced stage of development and hopefully would be ready by the year end, he said and added that it would involve a cost ranging between Rs 2000 crore and Rs 3000 crore.
CMs conference on June 28
Sunday, June 20, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: A two-day Chief Ministers conference has been convened on June 28 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss poverty alleviation and rural development through village panchayats, union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said on Saturday. He told reporters this conference, the first convened by the UPA Government, was to discuss about the working of the panchyati raj system. This 'amply proved' their commitment to ensure that the system worked well, he said. Earlier, addressing the Southern regional convention of Panchyat Raj institutions, organised by the Institute of social sciences, New Delhi, he said though the Panchayati Raj System had started working, a lot remained to be done to improve it. Regular elections to civic bodies and reservation for women in them were the greatest benefits of the Panchyati raj and Nagarapalika acts, he said. More than 10 lakh women representatives had been elected to these bodies, he said. Though civic bodies had been given powers by the acts, it had not been devolved fully to them by state governments.These bodies needed to have officials and enough funds to enable them exercise their powers, he said, adding the conference would discuss the possibility of the centre directly sending the funds to the civic bodies. The Centre could not do much on this as the local government came in the state list. Any action could be taken only after consultations with states, he said. He also urged civic representatives to exercise the powers given to them.
Only 75 percent attendance needed in Tamil Nadu schools
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Chennai, June 18 (IANS) : Concerned over a high dropout rate, Tamil Nadu has decided that an attendance of about 250 days a year - or 75 percent - is enough to be promoted to the next class at the primary level. This will be the mode of promotion from Class 1 to Class 5. This system will be applicable to all students of government and aided schools across the state from the academic year beginning June 2004. The government has been concerned about heavy dropout rates, especially in rural schools.
Govt asked to maintain Town Panchayat status
Saturday, June 19, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Town Panchayat Councillors Federation on Friday asked the state government not to downgrade Town Panchayats and allow them to continue in their present status till the term was over. Federation President M Anwar Batcha told reporters here that even without financial grants from the government the town panchayats had been functioning well. During the last three years, despite government funds not being made available, salaries of the staff working in these town panchayats had not been affected, he said. The moment government issued notice of the conversion the panchayats had petitioned the Chief Minister and other concerned officials requesting that the decision be reconsidered. Batcha claimed that due to the government's order, work in town panchayats had been affected, including tax collection. Following the order nearly 30,000 employees and 10,362 councillors are affected. Hence, he requested that government reconsider its decision and allow the present town panchayats to continue their terms which would be over in 2007. Incidentally, the government order downgrading 566 town panchayats has been challenged in Madras High Court.
Vijay TV presents Hollywood blockbuster 'Jurassic Park' in Tamil
Friday, June 18, 2004
Indiantelevision.com Team After Titanic and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Vijay TV will now present Steven Spielberg's blockbuster hit Jurassic Park in Tamil. To be telecast on 27 June at 11.30 am, the movie brings back extinct dinosaurs to life after 65 million years with the use of special effects technology. The sound and special effects used in the movie are touted as very realistic. The movie is exclusively dubbed in Tamil for all the Vijay TV viewers, says an official press release.
Tamil Nadu team to meet Karnataka CM over Cauvery Waters issue
Thursday, June 17, 2004
A Tamil Nadu delegation is likely to meet Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh today to brief him about the need to release waters of the River Cauvery immediately to help farmers in the delta region bordering the two states. The delegation will be led by Tamil Nadu's Minister for Public Works, O Panneerselvam and includes three ministers, the Chairman of Cauvery technical cell, and two senior officials. The meeting comes after a request from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to her Karnataka counterpart for the release of water. (ANI)
NTV7 to produce Tamil musical series
Thursday, June 17, 2004
NTV7 will soon produce a Who Will Win musical programme in Tamil, reported Malaysia Nanban. The daily quoted the station’s chief executive officer, Datuk Sazali Ramli, as saying that work to produce the programme had started. He said the move was part of the station’s seventh anniversary celebrations. On the foreign front, Malaysia Nanban reported that Thirupati Temple in Andrapradesh in India had decided to make coins from the gold donated by devotees and sell the coins. The report said the temple had sought the advice of the state government to dispose of the 8,000kg of gold items that had accumulated in the temple. It said that devotees offered about 10kg of gold jewellery to Lord Sri Vengadasalapathy every month. Tamil Nesan reported that Cameron Highlands MP S.K. Devamani had urged Tamil schools in the country to support the MIC’s proposal for religious classes to be conducted in Tamil schools. He said that Tamil schools in the country had sufficient manpower to conduct such classes. Devamani said that social problems among Indian youths could be overcome if the classes were conducted in schools.
Bhoot to be remade in Tamil!
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Bhoot to be remade in Tamil! Shobha Warrierhttp://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/14shock.htm Last year, quite a few Tamil hits were remade in Hindi, though none had the desirable effect at the box office. Now, the trend seems to have reversed. Successful Hindi films are being remade into Tamil. After Munnabhai MBBS, it is Ram Gopal Varma's Bhoot that is being remade in Tamil. Bhoot becomes Shock in Tamil. In Shock, Prasanth acts as a married man for the first time in his career. Like in the original, Vasanth [Prasanth] and wife Malini [Meena] shift to a new apartment on the 12th floor and Malini starts seeing a ghost in the house. Prasanth's father Thyagarajan bought the rights for Bhoot from RGV. Thyagarajan will not only produce and direct the film, but also pen the dialogues and screenplay. He also acts as a policeman in the film. The role was enacted by Nana Patekar in Bhoot. Suhasini plays a medium, the role essayed by Rekha in the original. And K R Vijaya plays Malini's mother. The role was played by Tanuja in Bhoot. There will be no songs or fight sequences in the film. Shock will be an important film in Prasanth's career as he has not had a big hit for a long time. But Meena, who has been in the industry for more than 20 years, has had author backed roles like Rhythm and big commercial hits like Muthu.
Karnataka rules out release of water to Tamil Nadu
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Karnataka rules out release of water to Tamil Nadu Bangalore, June 15. (PTI): After an all-party meeting, Karnataka on Monday ruled out release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu which sought to keep up pressure by proposing to send an official delegation here on June 16. "We have no water. We will not release water," Chief Minister N Dharam Singh told reporters after a nearly three-hour-long meeting which resolved that the interest of Karnataka farmers would be fully protected. The meeting, called by Singh, was of the unanimous opinion that it was "too premature" to take any final decision in the matter as there was no distress situation with sufficient water having flown to Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had not asked the state to release Cauvery water, said Singh, who earlier in the day in the assembly ruled out release and asserted that the need for yielding to the Centre's "pressure" on the issue did not arise. Maintaining that he would not compromise on the interests of the state and its farmers, Singh told the House, "(the question of) releasing even a drop of water is not there (before us)". Singh said his Tamil Nadu counterpart Jayalalithaa had faxed him a letter informing him of the visit of an official delegation on June 16. Singh said the meeting discussed the "factual position" in the Cauvery basin today and took note of the memorandum submitted by Tamil Nadu all-party delegation to Prime Minister. "The advice tendered by the Prime Minister in this regard was also discussed and taken due note of," he said. According to him, discussions centered on distress formula, national water policy, review by Cauvery Monitoring Cell and the need for calling a meeting of CRA. Former Chief Ministers S R Bommai and M Veerappa Moily, BJP leaders H N Ananth Kumar, B S Yediyurappa, Jagadish Shettar and farmers' leaders Made Gowda and K S Puttanniah were among those who attended the meeting.
Confer classical language status to Tamil: Karunanidhi
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Chennai, June 14 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M Karunanidhi has demanded that the Centre must confer the status of classical language to Tamil. In a statement here, he said declaring Tamil as classical language would give the Tamil people only +half happiness+. +A mere declaration is not enough. Tamil must be made a classical language. Making it a classical language itself is not enough. Tamil chairs must be created in the universities around the world+, the DMK supremo said. The DMK, along with other parties in the DPA, especially the PMK, MDMK and the two Left parties CPI and CPI(M), had placed the demand to the new Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre that Tamil language must be accorded status of a classical language. The DMK as well as the MDMK and the PMK are also part of the UPA Government at the Centre. Mr Karunanidhi also demanded that, as the next step, the Centre must make Tamil the official language along with other languages recognised by the Constitution.
AIADMK announces nominees for Rajya Sabha polls
Monday, June 14, 2004
Chennai, June 13 (IANS) : Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK Sunday nominated four candidates - including three who had lost the Lok Sabha poll - for the Rajya Sabha elections later this month. They are T.T.V. Dinakaran, K. Malaichamy, S. Anbazhagan and N.R. Govindarajar, a party statement said. Six Rajya Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu are falling vacant. Of the six retiring MPs, five are from the opposition DMK. The AIADMK has 142 of the 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu assembly and is expected to win four of the six seats. Dinakaran, a former member of the Lok Sabha, is a high-profile leader from the Periyakulam constituency, where he lost the parliamentary poll to Congress candidate J. Haroon. Said to be a confidant of Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha, Dinakaran is the nephew of her companion N. Sasikala. Malaichamy, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer, was denied a ticket by Jayalalitha for the general election. The two other candidates were defeated in the Lok Sabha polls in April-May. Two of the Rajya Sabha seats will go to the opposition. One seat, which the DMK is entitled to, has been given to its alliance partner PMK. Union Health Minister R. Anbumani, son of PMK leader S. Ramadoss, is expected to be nominated for this seat. The sixth seat will go to the Congress party. Among Congress aspirants for this seat are Jayanthi Natarajan, a close aide of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and Sudarshan Nachiappan, a former Lok Sabha MP.
NUJ to organise free eye-camp for scribes
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Chennai, Jun 12 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of the National Union of Journalists' (India), New Delhi, will organise a free eye-camp for Journalists here tomorrow, with the active participation of the city's Prem's Eye clinic. NUJ's state unit General Secretary C Balasubramanian, in a release here, said the camp was going to be inaugurated by Additonal Director General of Police (Law and Order) R Nataraj in the presence of City Police Commissioner K Natarajan. He said apart from regular eye check-ups, GDX VCC retinal analyser nerve fibre layer analyser test would be conducted free of cost, during the camp. A team, headed by Prem Eye Clinic Director Dr K Premraj, would conduct the check-ups, he added.
PM will ensure Pondy gets share of Cauvery water: PPCC chief
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Pondicherry, June 12 (UNI) The ruling congress in Pandicherry today exuded confidence that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would take steps to ensure that union territory got its due share of Cauvery water. PPCC President V Narayanasamy, MP, told newspersons here that a delegation from Pondicherry,including Chief Minister and member s of Parliament, called on Dr Singh early this week and submitted a memorandum urging his intervention in getting Cauvery water for the Karaikal region of the Union Territory. He said Dr Singh had consented to do the needful without harming the interests of any state after sending an expert committee to Karnataka to assess the situation. Alleging that Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments had cheated pondicherry all these years, he said out of the due share of six tmc ft of water, the UT should get 4.01 tmcft every year. But, in 2001, Pondicherry received only 1.91 tmc ft and in 2002 0.04 tmc ft only. In 2003, not even a drop of water was released to Pondicherry by Tamil Nadu, he contended. On the basis of the Supreme Court direction and orders of former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, Tamil Nadu received 105 tmc ft of Cauvery water in 2003. Of this, 3.8 tmcft of water should have been released for the Karaikal region on a pro-rata basis. But since Pondicherry did not get a single drop, the Pondicherry delegation did not join Tamil Nadu in the issue and met the Prime Minister separately, he claimed. Mr Narayansamy also said 17,500 hectares of land in Karaikal could not be cultivated due to the non-availability of Cauvery water. He also charged the BJP and its allies with stalling Parliament proceedings over the 'tainted' ministers issue for three days as it ''feared that the corruption during the NDA rule might be revealed.'' Noting that none of the ministers in the Congress-led United Progresive Alliance government were convicted, he said the BJP and its allies ''chose to remain mum'' when Mr L K Advani, Mr Murli Manohar Joshi and Ms Uma Bharti were Union Ministers despite their names figuring in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
No age bar for appointment of secondary grade school teachers: Jaya
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Chennai, June 12 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today announced the removal of age limit of 35 for appointment of secondary grade school teachers. People even above the age of 35 could now be appointed as secondary grade teachers, physical education teachers and special teachers in elementary schools in panchayat unions, middle schools, high schools and higher secondary schools, an official release said here. Thousands of people, who had completed teacher training courses and had crossed the age of 35 would be benefitted by this announcement. Ms Jayalalithaa also pointed out that as soon as she assumed office in May 2001, she had ordered proper training to youths who had completed teacher training courses in de-recognised private institutes. But, most youths, despite possessing requisite educational qualification and completing the training course, were not in a position to get appointment as most of them had crossed the age of 35. The Government had decided to remove the age limit ceiling on humanitarian basis, she added. Ms Jayalalithaa also recalled that she had lifted the age limit of 35 for graduate and post-graduate teachers in Government high schools and higher secondary schools on October 12, 2001.
Woman found murdered in New Washermanpet
Saturday, June 12, 2004
CHENNAI: A 35-year-old unidentified woman was found murdered with her face disfigured in New Washermanpet in North Chennai on Thursday night. The naked body of the woman was found on the ill-lit Ilayamudali Street, adjacent to a dilapidated building which used to be the canteen of the erstwhile Metal Box company. The ceramic insulator, believed to have been used to hit her, was found near the body. The body was first noticed early in the morning by a watchman of the premises. The police team, headed by New Washermanpet Inspector G Ravishankar, rushed to the spot with a sniffer dog and finger print experts. They questioned at least 25 people but are still clueless. According to police and some local people, there was no visible injury on any other part of the body. They believe the woman did not belong to the local area. As the body was found very near to the main road, police believe that the accused could have murdered her somewhere else and left the body at Washermanpet.
IT dept wants Jaya to appear in court
Saturday, June 12, 2004
CHENNAI: Eight years after filing a case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for ``wilful failure'' to submit tax returns, the Income Tax department has asked for her to be present in the Economic Offences Court for questioning. The IT department has also filed a petition for framing of charges against Jayalalithaa in three cases of economic offences. In a petition before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (Economic Offences-1), the IT department asked the court to fix a date for Jayalalithaa's personal appearance for proceedings under Section 313(a) of the CrPC. However, Jayalalithaa filed a petition yesterday, seeking that she be discharged from the case as she had not wilfully failed to file the returns. Opposing the petition, department counsel K. Ramasamy said prima facie, a case of ``wilful failure'' to file reuturns for 1993-94 had been ``completely established''. The Magistrate has posted the case for the next hearing on July 1. The case has already dragged on long enough. The magistrate had directed her to be present in court three years ago, under Section 313 of CrPC to answer the questions put by the court. Jayalalithaa's counsel, however, filed a petition for cross-examining the witnesses, which has gone on for three years, till April. The cases have dragged on long enough since 1996 with no signs of ending. * 1996: The IT Central Circle, Chennai, filed a complaint against Jayalalithaa under Section 276 CC of Income Tax Act, for failing to file returns for 1993-94. The IT department assessed her income at Rs 1.04 crore for that period and demanded Rs 96.98 lakh as tax and interests * 1997: The IT department filed another case against her for failing to file returns of wealth for 1993-94 * Complaints were filed against Jayalalithaa and her friend, Sasikala, who were managing partners of Sasi Enterprises for failure to file tax returns of the company for 1991-92 and 1992-1993. The High Court stayed the proceedings in all cases. After four years, the stay was vacated in December 2000 and the prosecution completed examination of three witnesses in three months. Defence cross-examination of three witnesses lasted three years and one of the witnesses, Seetharaman, a retired IT official from Cochin, was called to court at least 50 times for cross-examination. Now, Jayalalithaa's arch rival DMK's S.S.Palanimanickam holds the Revenue Ministry and has declared that the cases would be speeded up. IT counsel Ramasamy, however, denies there has been any pressure. ``No one has asked me to speed up the case or file a petition seeking her personal appearance.''
Committee appeals people to join hands on Cauvery issue
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Tiruchirapalli, June 11 The fifth meeting of the committee of the Cauvery family, which met here today appealed to the people to join hands with them to resolve the vexed Cauvery issue in the interest of the basin farmers. Addressing a press conference here, Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers Association General Secretary S Ranganathan and Vice-President of Karnataka Farmers Association Dr K C Basavaraj said a resolution to this effect was adopted at the meeting. They said another resolution called for evolving distress sharing formula among the farmers of all the four riparian states. The meeting also resolved not to promote regional chauvinism or violence. The committee was hopeful that the final award in the vexed issue would be acceptable to all the parties concerned. The Cauvery family team comprising members from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which includes advisors and facilitators, would leave here tomorrow morning to important centres like Upper Anicaut, Broad Cauvery near Kulithalai, Thottiyam, Namakkal, Erode, Bhavani and reach Mettur to make an on-the-spot study of the situation.
Patient's SMS to 'Vasool Raja, M.B.B.S.'
Friday, June 11, 2004
Kamal Haasan, playing the title role in "Vasool Raja, M.B.B.S.", the Tamil remake of "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", received a strange SMS on the sets, says a report in Tamil magazine Vannaththirai. Kamal got the message saying a 40-year-old woman named Anjana Arya had been admitted to the Apollo Hospital, Chennai, as a cancer patient and that she needed transfusion of A-positive blood. Kamal is reported to have immediately phoned a leader of his fans' association and asked him to arrange for the blood donation. This, says the story, was done within an hour.
Chinese-Tamil architecture temple destroyed
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Chennai, June 9 (IANS) : Heavy rains have destroyed a 14th century seaside Siva temple in Tamil Nadu whose construction was influenced by Chinese architecture and art. The temple at Tranquebar, a former Danish settlement about 300 km south of Chennai, collapsed Tuesday following a downpour. King Kulasekara Pandian built the shrine in 1305 AD. The temple had about 25 deities. The sea breeze began eroding the temple centuries ago. In recent years, devotees had removed most of the 25 deities into a private house near to the temple. The house was itself old and was renovated by a non-resident Indian. Just two of the deities remained within the temple complex when it collapsed. Local devotees blamed the government for the destruction and said the authorities had paid no heed to their urgent pleas to buffer and protect this old seaside structure.
Three member Central team to visit TN
Thursday, June 10, 2004
A three-member team from the Centre will assess the storage position at the Mettur dam tomorrow by 1100 hrs. Public Works Department officials told UNI here today that the members of the high-level committee would hold discussions with PWD Secretary Palaniappan, Tamil Nadu Cauvery Technical Cell Chairman Mohana Krishnan and other PWD officials at the Mettur dam site. Due to poor storage in the Mettur dam, water would not be released on June 12 for irrigation purposes in the delta region. The Central team would comprise Mr C V Vasistha, Member, Water Planning and Project, Central Water Commission, Mr A D Bharadwaj, Commissioner, Project, Ministry of Water Resources, and Mr Joginder Singh, Additional Commissioner, Crops, Ministry of Agriculture. The Centre had deputed the team after a delegation of Tamil Nadu MPs called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him to impress upon Karnataka to release water.
Tamil groups thank MK
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Tamil groups thank MKNT Bureau Chennai, June 9: Several Tamil association members today met DMK chief M Karunanidhi at Anna Arivalayam and expressed gratitude for his efforts towards having Tamil declared as a classical language. The association members were led Kaliamurthy, head of the Karanthai Tamil Sangam. Members from Tamizhaga Tamizhasiriyar Kazhagam and Tamil Semmozhi Iyakkam were also present. The members presented a shawl and a scroll to the DMK chief. The associatio members also announced that they would hold a conference on Tamil language at Thanjavur within a week or two of the official declaration of Tamil as Classical language by the Centre. The announcement on according classical language status to Tamil was made in the President's speech in Parliament on Monday.
Chalcolithic age objects unearthed in Tamil Nadu
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Tiruchirappalli (TN), Jun 9 (PTI) Objects dating to the Chalcolithic (copper) age have been unearthed during ongoing excavation work at a 114 acre site of the Archaelogical Survey of India at Adhicchanalur, about 120 km from here, according to a top ASI official here.Among the items found were ornaments, potshreds, cooking utensils and also large urns containing 12 human skeletons. The findings from the area, reportedly the largest excavation site in South India, were from the pre-iron age of Tamils in the area, T Satyamaurthy, superintending archaelogist, ASI (Chennai circle), told PTI. Satyamurthy said the whole object of the exercise was to scientifically determine the Sangam age (between 3BC and 3AD). In this regard, the excavated items were being sent to scientific laboratories for various tests like Carbon-14 dating and thermo luminesence technique. He said the findings were leading to a 'sensational' theory - a similarity to the South East Asians and Tamils in the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent.The artefacts found also proved it. However, the ASI would have to conduct a thorough research before announcing anything on it, he said. PTI
Light and sound shows at Tamil temple
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Chennai, June 8 (IANS) : A light and sound show at a famous temple in Darasuram in Tamil Nadu is all set to bring alive the glorious times of the Chola kings of southern India. The Airavatheeswar temple at Darasuram, nearly 500 km from Chennai, was built during the reign of Rajaraja II from 1146 to 1173 A.D. It has been protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 1954. It "was an appropriate site for a sound and light show", T. Satyamoorthy, ASI archaeologist in charge, told local reporters at Darasuram Tuesday. A process is under way to give the site a Unesco World Heritage Monument status. Restoration work worth Rs.10 million has been undertaken to repair the sanctum sanctorum and other ritual platforms within the temple. The roofs and pillars are also being strengthened. Repairs worth another Rs.10 million are being planned by the ASI for the next five years. Darasuram is also known as Rajarajeswaram and the temple architecture.
PM assures solution to Cauvery
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday assured an all-party delegation from Tamil Nadu that a fair solution would be found to the Cauvery dispute. "It is essential that we reach a suitable settlement acceptable to all. It is necessary that distress is shared equitably so that no specific region suffers excessively, " Dr Singh told the delegation, which requested him to direct the Karnataka government to release water to Tamil Nadu as per the interim award of the Cauvery Tribunal. "The rain god has been kind this year and owing to an early monsoon and heavier than expected rainfall, it is likely that we may not face a situation of distress this year," he said. Dr Singh said he was discussing the matter on "priority" with the concerned governments and assured that he would listen all points of view in the Cauvery basin, both in Karnataka and in Tamil Nadu, so that a "fair solution acceptable to all may be evolved", according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. Showing a rare unanimity, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led delegation to demand immediate release of water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. The delegation, comprising all central ministers belonging to the DMK, Congress and Pattali Makkal Katchi and MPs from Tamil Nadu, apprised the PM of the need for emergency supply of water by Karnataka to enable the Tamil Nadu government to open the Mettur dam for cultivation of summer crops. In a memorandum, the delegation drew the PM's attention to the non-implementation of the tribunal award by Karnataka "even once".
Rajnikant undergoes plastic surgery
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Chennai, June 8 (IANS) : Tamil superstar Rajnikant is believed to have undergone minor plastic surgery at a private hospital here Tuesday. The surgery on his lips was performed Tuesday morning, sources close to the actor said. The hospital, however, has refused to comment on the matter. Rajnikant checked himself into the hospital Monday night, the sources said. The actor is planning a new film "Jaggubhai", almost three years after his last effort "Baba", which did not do well at the box office. The PMK, part of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's coalition government, had criticised Rajnikant, saying his films and characters were bad role models for the youth. Rajnikanth and his fans were involved in a verbal battle with the PMK over this and the actor came out in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party-AIADMK alliance during the general election. "Jaggubhai", however, has run into political trouble. The film's subject, about a Muslim terrorist being reformed by a woman saint, has been criticised by the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), a non-political outfit with some two million followers. Urging director K.S. Ravikumar to stop making a film on these lines, TMMK president M.H. Jawahirullah has warned Rajnikant to change the way Muslims are portrayed in the movie or be prepared for large-scale opposition.
Tamil MPs to press for release of Cauvery water
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
New Delhi, India : With the cultivation of summer crop set to begin in June end, 56 MPs from Tamil Nadu will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday seeking a direction to the Karnataka government to release Cauvery river water for their state. The delegation of MPs, to be led by DMK, would also include its archrival AIADMK's members from the Rajya Sabha, DMK sources said here Monday. The MPs will meet Manmohan Singh at 10 a.m. at his 7, Race Course Road residence. According to the orders of the Cauvery River Authority, Karnataka is to release water to the delta regions of Tamil Nadu June 12 for irrigation purposes. Having faced three successive droughts, the Tamil Nadu leaders want to ensure timely release of water to their state for the cultivation of the summer crop, known as 'kuruvai'. The DMK, a key ally of the Congress-led coalition of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, hopes to use its clout in the government to force Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh to release the water for Tamil Nadu's farmers. Manmohan Singh's Congress party is ruling Karnataka in a coalition with the Janata Dal-Secular. During the last two years, Karnataka had failed to fully comply with the Supreme Court directions to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The DMK will also depute a separate delegation to Karnataka June 10 to take up the issue with Dharam Singh, the sources said. Of the 56 MPs who will meet the prime minister, 39 are from the Lok Sabha and 17 from the Rajya Sabha. Indo-Asian News Service
Kalam recites poem in Tamil
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
PTI NEW DELHI: In his inimitable style, President A P J Abdul Kalam Monday departed from the prepared text to recite a Tamil poem which spoke of a prayer to the Lord to bless India with vision and make it an island of peace. Kalam chose to add a prologue to the address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament by reciting a few lines from his poem, an idea, he said had struck him while on his morning walk today. Titled The Vision it read. "I climbed and climbed, where is the peak my Lord? I ploughed and ploughed, where is the knowledge treasure, my Lord ? I sailed and sailed, where is the island of peace, my Lord. Almighty, bless my nation with vision, sweat resulting in happiness." The address is a prepared text which is a policy statement of the government setting the tone for the first session after the Lok Sabha polls.
Vasool Raja MBBS
Monday, June 7, 2004
Chennai, India : "Vasool Raja MBBS", the Tamil remake of Bollywood hit "Munnabhai MBBS", may be released much sooner than expected. Saran, the director of the film, has said the project would have to be completed in 45 days. The reason? Kamal Haasan, playing the role that Sanjay Dutt essayed in the Hindi original, may not be available later. "His (Haasan's) attention will turn to another production then," said Saran. The director also added that the film would not be "a shot-by-shot remake" of "Munnabhai". Prabhu, Sivaji Ganesan's star son, will play the role of Arshad Warsi in "Munabhai". Kamal sports a mandarin style, tufted beard tied with two coloured beads in one of the snaps from the film in Tamil magazines.
Cong demands resignation of Jayalalithaa
Sunday, June 6, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Congress on Friday demanded resignation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in view of people's verdict against AIADMK in the Lok Sabha polls in the state. CLP leader S R Balasubramaniam told a press conference here that Jayalalithaa had lost her moral right to continue in office as the people of the state had rejected AIADMK rule 'outright' by voting against her Government in 233 out of 234 assembly segments in the polls. Her spate of announcements after the Lok Sabha polls reversing the Government's earlier decisions wehi babere only a 'confessional statement' that the decisions were anti-people, he said. He claimed the pace with which she had been reversing the earlier decisions had made people think whether she was preparing for a snap poll to the assembly or a change of gaurd in the Chief Ministership. Balasubramaniam said the Government should make all these announcements in the state assembly, which was scheduled to meet soon. Asked whether he was demanding dismissal of the AIADMK Government, he replied in the negative. 'Though the dismissal can be justified, I am not demanding it', he said.
LIC goes hi-tech for dynamic growth
Sunday, June 6, 2004
The south zone division of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) continues its leadership position in specific operational parameters for the year ended 31 March 2004 with a total income at Rs 8,914 crore in comparison to Rs 6,840 crore for the fiscal 2003, a growth of 30 per cent. Announcing the financial results for the year 2003-04, R R Nair, zonal manager, LIC, said, 'the year was a satisfying one as the region improved its performance achieving top position among ten zones, inspite of 12 other private players in the insurance business. Also we have crossed milestones in premium business and claims settlements in the year'. The south zone, LIC, sold 32.71 lakh new polices in the year for a sum assured of Rs 26,479 crore with a first premium income of Rs 1,084 crore for the fiscal 2004. As against 30.52 lakh policies of sum assured of Rs 23,835 crore and a first premium income of Rs 969 crore in the year 2002-03. Another Rs 721 crore was mobilised by the south zone under the Varishta Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) scheme for the year under review. At the end of fiscal year, south zone did business of Rs 6,603.76 crore in individual policies segment; Rs 178.39 crore in single premium policies; 902.81 crore in pension segment; Rs 768.27 crore in group insurance schemes; Rs126.21 crore in the unit linked segment and netting an amount of Rs 334.50 crore in miscellaneous income. Out of the total income of Rs 8,913.94 crore, south zone could generate a surplus of Rs 3,814 crore (Rs 2761 crore in FY 2003) after settling all claims and liabilities, management expenses and all. Covering 5.1 per cent of total land area comprising Tamilnadu, Kerala, Pondicherry and Lakshdweep, and a population of 9.2 per cent of those targeted by all the ten zones, south zone contributed 12 per cent of the LIC's all India insurance policies, having a share of 13.3 per cent of total sum assured, and achieved a 12.6 per cent of its all India first premium income of the year. South zone topped the chart in single premium, pension and unit linked segments achieving the targets for the year. 'Now many companies have started to trust the capabilities of LIC in fund management as growth in pension and group schemes (P & GS) indicate with more business in gratuity, pension and group cover,' Nair said. The zone has surpassed the targets in P & GS with more than 2.89 lakh lives covered for a premium income of Rs 240.50 crore. In addition, more than three lakh lives were covered under the social security schemes. 'The moment of trust comes at the claims settlements time. We had nil outstanding claims on maturity and survival benefit claims as on 31 March 2004. The outstanding death claims is 0.04 per cent, lowest ever, and can be compared to any international standards,' he said. The south zone had settled 10,35,401 maturity and survival benefit claims for an amount of Rs 1,823 crore for the year, whereas 44,491 death claims were settled for an amount of Rs 266 crore. 'Realising the key to market dominance is through customer satisfaction we have upgraded the technology in all our 261 centres through WAN (wide area network) and we have migrated into Linux platforms so that premium can be paid from any offices in the country,' he said. The south zone had tied-up with Corporation Bank and UTI Bank for premium payments through their ATMs. In fiscal 2004, 41.67 lakh collections to the tune of Rs 815 crore were made through its networks in southzone, and 50 per cent of total 32.71 lakh policies were done through Green Channel Policy, a single-window clearance channel. For the current fiscal year, south zone has targeted 37.65 lakh policies with a new business premium of around Rs 1,500 crore for a total income of over Rs 10,000 crore. All India Business: LIC's all India income (provisional) crossed one lakh crore for the year ended 2003-04, with investment income alone amounting to Rs 30,000 crore, in comparison to Rs 80,000 crore for previous year. A total of 2.7 crore (2.4 crore) of policies were sold sold with a sum assured of Rs two lakh crore (Rs 1.60 lakh crore) fetching a first premium income of Rs 18,284 crore (Rs 11,335 crore) including VPBY scheme for senior citizens. Net asset is likely to cross Rs 3,50,000 crore from Rs 2,90,000 crore last year with funds to the tune of Rs 84,895 crore being created (Rs 59,908 crore) for investment in securities alone. 'Now we are able to expedite new products and services with innovative thinking ahead of private players in the market. With the kind of network we have with independent leased line transmission are services fast and exclusive with dynamic upward movement in tune with changing
CM condoles death of Justice Packiaraj
Sunday, June 6, 2004
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has condoled the death of Justice A Packiaraj, a sitting judge of the Madras High Court, here yesterday. Conveying her grievances to the bereaved family, Jayalalithaa described Packiyaraj as a distinguished lawyer and an illustrious judge. 'In his untimely passing away, the judiciary has lost an able judge and Tamilnadu a public figure', she said.
DPA team to meet Karnataka CM
Sunday, June 6, 2004
The Opposition (in the State) DPA allies which met at Anna Arivalayam here today decided to hold talks with Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh on 10 June to bring about a compromise on vexed Cauvery water sharing issue to bring about some immediate relief. Accordingly, the allies decided to send a delegation led by former State PWD Minister Durai Murugan to meet Karnataka Chief Minister to ask for 'immediate relief action to prevent starvation deaths of farmers in Tamilnadu'. The delegation will include TNCC president G K Vasan, PMK president G K Mani, MDMK presidium chairman L Ganesan, CPM leader T K Rangarajan, CPI State secretary R Nallakannu and IUML State president K M Khader Mohideen. PMK founder S Ramadoss and CPM leader N Varadharajan also took part in the meeting. Ahead of their meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister, a delegation of MPs from Tamilnadu, from both the Houses, have proposed to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi either on 7 or 8 June. At the meeting, the leaders would explain the situation prevailing in the State and urge the Prime Minister to talk to Karnataka in this regard. The meeting today in a resolution also observed that a situation prevails where it has become impossible to receive Cauvery water in accordance with the interim award to Tamilnadu'. Asked whether AIADMK Rajya Sabha MPs would also be included in the delegation, DMK chief M Karunanidhi said they would also be invited. He also said that the CRA, with whom the final decision on sharing waters between the two States rest, can be convened later. Asked about the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa writing a letter to Prime Minister yesterday on the same issue, Karunanidhi said 'it is good that the Chief Minister had taken some action in view of our meeting today. We will be happy if they support us in our decision in the issue. He also observed that talks should be held in such a manner between the two States to arrive at a solution for the welfare of both the States. When asked what he expects from the State government in this regard, Karunanidhi said in a lighter vein 'co-operation'.
Minister rejects demand for Jaya's resignation
Sunday, June 6, 2004
PWD and Revenue Minister O Panneerselvam today took strong exception to the demand for the resignation of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa by Leader of the Congress Legislative Party S R Balasubramonian, as the AIADMK faced a rout in the Lok Sabha elections. In a statement issued in Chennai, Panneerselvam said, 'I pity Balasubramonian's lack of fairness in judgement. When he is pointing an accusing finger at others, he conveniently forgets the fact that the other fingers point at his own party which faced defeat in Lok Sabha elections'. Referring to Balasubramanian's statement that the people had punished the Chief Minister through their verdict in the general elections and as such, she should step down from his office, Panneerselvam said 'It is surprising to know that the Congress leader does not know the difference between the elections to the State Assembly and Lok Sabha'. The Minister, who is the secretary of AIADMK's Election Wing, further said, 'people have given a mandate to the AIADMK supremo to rule Tamilnadu for five years in the Assembly elections held in 2001. As such, nobody can demand her resignation now'. 'Is Balasubramonian ready to deliver the same sermon to the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States - Kerala, Punjab and Uttaranchal - where the party faced defeat in the just-concluded elections ?', Panneerselvam asked. The Congress party contested in 17 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, but could not win even one seat. Similarly, in Punjab, the party which fielded its candidates in 11 constituencies, could secure only two seats. Further, in Uttaranchal, of the five seats, Congress won only one, the AIADMK Minister pointed out and asked the Congress party which demands the resignation of Tamilnadu Chief Minister to come forward to put forth the same demand for the three States where the Congress faced defeat. At a press conference yesterday, Balasubramonian had demanded the resignation of Jayalalithaa in the face of her party's rout at the hustings and also said he would place this demand in the State Assembly which would be convened later this month.
Russian help has guaranteed "high quality" in TN power plant
Sunday, June 6, 2004
Moscow, Jun 5 (PTI) Participation of Russian specialists in the construction of the USD three billion Kundankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu "guarantees high quality of work", an official supervising the project said today.Under the joint effort, engineers from India go to Russia for further training and till now, they have showed "excellent performance", Director of the Kundankulam project Purohit said here after a meeting of a Russian-Indian coordination committee for training of specialists for the nuclear power plant. Besides, over 300 highly-experienced contractors from Russia are actively engaged in the project, Purohit said in an interview to Itar-Tass news agency. The plant will meet most severe safety requirements, he said, adding, a special "trap" for localisation of radiation leaks will give the station the capability of internal self-protection. Russian enterprises have already begun to supply equipment to the plant and the project is expected to get completed "according to schedule", Purohit added. PTI
Tamil Nadu MPs to meet Manmohan Singh on Cauvery dispute
Sunday, June 6, 2004
Chennai, June 4 (IANS) : Tamil Nadu's opposition Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) Saturday decided to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week and seek his intervention in solving the Cauvery river water-sharing dispute with Karnataka. The DPA, which comprises the DMK, MDMK, PMK, the Left and the Congress, decided in a meeting to send its MPs to Manmohan Singh on Monday or Tuesday and urge him to convene a meeting of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA). While the DMK has 12 ministers in Manmohan Singh's cabinet, its allies are also supporting the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the centre. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi convened the DPA meeting to discuss the water-sharing problem. "Rajya Sabha members of the AIADMK are also likely to join us in the meeting" with the prime minister, where he will be asked to persuade Karnataka to release water, said Karunanidhi. Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha, who is also the AIADMK general secretary, shot off a letter to the prime minister Saturday, urging him to convene CRA meeting at the earliest. The DPA has decided to send a team to Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh on Thursday to urge his government to release water from the upper regions of the river for use by the delta farmers of Tamil Nadu in the lower areas. The dispute over sharing the river water has been a bone of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for centuries. While Tamil Nadu accuses its neighbour of not releasing water for irrigation, Karnataka claims the river does not have enough water even for its own consumption.
I want to marry a man like Kamal -Kovai Sarala
Friday, June 4, 2004
Just a few years ago, Kovai Sarala was the highest paid comedienne in South Indian films. We asked her if she has any plans of getting married. Her reply shocked us, to say the least. Is marriage such a crucial thing? Is it not possible to live without getting married? It is a myth that a woman needs the support of a man to live in this world. I had remained single for such a long time. These days I don’t even ask myself if I need to get married. Even if I do get married, I would want to get married to a man like Kamalhasan, who is a complete artiste. But, there is nobody else like him. So, I just might continue living the way I am right now.
Scenting success in remakes
Thursday, June 3, 2004
Scenting success in remakes Guess what the latest wave in Kollywood is? It's remaking. Though the phenomenon per se is not new to the Indian film industry where success of a film in a particular language makes it highly-sought-after in others, the trend has become more pronounced of late in Kollywood. Several hit films from Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi are being made again in Tamil. In fact, the year 2004 may probably go down in Kollywood's history for the number of 'remakes'. Right now, shoot of the Tamil version of more than a dozen films, which had tasted success in other languages, is on. What actually triggered the trend? It's quite simple. Success of a few films remade from Telugu and Malayalam. The run enjoyed by Sundara Travels based on Malayalam-hit E Parakum Thaalika, Engal Anna, again based on a Malayalam blockbuster Chronic Bachelor, Perazhagan, inspired by Malayalam movie Kunji Koonan and Ghilli (remake of Telugu hit Okkadu) has led to producers and directors to fight it out among themselves to acquire the rights for such successful ventures. Some of the remakes currently under production in Tamil includes Vasool Raja MBBS starring Kamal Haasan and Prabhu, which is a remake of the Hindi-hit Munnabhai MBBS. Similarly, Prabhu has been assigned to play the lead along with Karthik in a movie titled Gusthi (remake of a recent Malayalam hit starring Mohanlal) . Also, Vijayakanth's next release Gajendra is the remake of Telugu hit Simhadri. The remake rights of Simhadri were acquired for a whopping Rs 65 lakh. Vijayakanth's next venture is expected to be based on Malayalam hit Balettan featuring Mohanlal. Actor Prashant's forthcoming movie Shock is a remake of Hindi horror flick Bhoot. Asked about his film, Prashant said, 'we have made certain alterations in the script to suit the Tamil audience', which, he claimed, would make even Ramgopal Varma, the director of Bhoot look up in awe. The next venture of S V Thangaraj, producer of Sundara Travels, is Meesai Madhavan, based on a hilarious Malayalam film Kabuliwallah. Actor Ravi is currently acting in M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi, a remake of Telugu hit Amma Nana O Tamil Ammayi, while his next Tamil venture will again be a remake of a Telugu run-of-the-mill stuff Varsham, which had Nitin and Trisha in the lead roles. Incidentally, Ravi's successful debut venture Jeyam, released last year, was a remake of a hit Telugu film with the same title, directed by Theja. Director Manivannan, who had taken to acting seriously giving up directing, is all set to return to wield the megaphone for a film based on Malayalam flick Yavanika, with Sathyaraj in the main cast. It is not just other Indian films that are inspiring Kollywood directors. Even some foreign films seem to serve the purpose. Manirathnam's Ayudha Ezhuthu was loosely based on a Spanish film Amores Porres, while Shankar's Boys was an inspiration of the English film Hot Bubble gum. Does this sudden spurt in the number of remakes indicate bankruptcy of ideas among Tamil directors? 'No', asserts director Stanley, who made April Madhathil and Dhanush-starrer Pudukottailirundhu Saravanan. He attributes the trend to the 'common taste and preference' of the audience these days. Citing Munnabhai MBBS, as an example, which was equally successful in Mumbai and a remote village in Andhra Pradesh, he says in such a scenario there's nothing wrong in doing remakes of successful movies. It is not the Tamil film industry alone which is involved in remaking, he points out. Many successful Tamil films like Kaakha Kaakha, Kadhal Kondein and Autograph are being remade in other languages. No one-way traffic, this.
Channel 9 to air two hours of Tamil fare daily
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
MALAYSIA NANBAN reported the good news that a private TV station in the country would be telecasting Tamil programmes two hours daily from July 1. It said that the new Channel 9 would air Tamil programmes between 4pm and 6pm. It quoted Thr.fm chief executive officer Abdul Aziz Hamdan saying that Anaza Sdn Bhd, which owns the radio station, had acquired a controlling stake in Ch-9 Media Sdn Bhd, which operates the TV station. He added that the new management had lined up several interesting entertainment programmes to attract viewers and promised its programmes would satisfy all races. Abdul Aziz saidthat the channel would begin its telecast at 11am, adding that it would telecast Hindi power programme between 6pm and 8pm and Malay programmes between 8pm and 10pm. He said the channel preferred to telecast more programmes with local Tamil content, rather than showing movies and dramas. Tamil Nesan reported that a 44-year-old woman from Island Glades in Penang had taken her own life after her husband's death on Thursday. The report said that the woman, who could not take the death of her husband was believed to have drunk a chemical used for cleaning toilets. It added her children rushed her to a private hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit. She died on the same day. On another matter, Tamil Nesan quoted NUTP executive secretary Datuk N. Sivasubramaniam as advising Indian students that the community could only overcome future challenges by achieving excellent results in education. He said he was happy to note that more Indian students had attained good results in government examinations yearly. He advised parents to provide a proper education and necessary guidance for their children.
Colombo-Tuticorin ferry: Baalu seeks Tamil Nadu's views
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Chennai, June 1 (IANS) : The central government would fast track a proposed Colombo-Tuticorin ferry service once it receives the views of Tamil Nadu, which had opposed it on grounds of national security. "We do not know exactly what the state's reservations are about the ferry service. We want to give them time to answer so that we can remove their objections and ensure that the service starts at soon as possible," Shipping minister T.R. Baalu said at a press conference here. He said here Tuesday he would speed up the proposal once the state replied by June 30. He told the media that it was presumed the state government led by chief minister J. Jayalalitha of the AIADMK - who faces threats from the militant Sri Lankan Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) - was apprehensive that LTTE may abuse the ferry service. The minister assured Tamil Nadu that the ferry service will be between Tuticorin and Colombo and not between Kochi and Colombo as some reports said. He said his ministry would give priority to inland waterways development. Baalu, who is also the minister of road transport and highways, ruled out any interference in the CBI inquiry into the killing of Satyendra Dubey - an engineer with the golden quadrilateral superhighways project linking the four metros of the country - for speaking up against corruption. He said special attention will be paid to ensure the smooth functioning of the project's link through Kochi, Salem and Coimbatore. The minister also announced major road links among the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The 82-km Chennai-Tirupati road will be connected to NH205 at a cost of Rs. 650 million ($14.30 million). The minister said the World Bank-funded billion-dollar East Coast Road project linking Chennai to Kanyakumari was awaiting land grant from the state for completing about 100 km of the Nagapattinam-Pondicherri-Nagercoil sections. Baalu said he favoured privatisation of small ports like Colachel and their development and operation by nearby major ports. He clarified that his government and the left parties that support it were not opposed to private-public partnerships in roads, ports and related infrastructure.
Major reshuffle of IAS, IPS officials in TN
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: In a major reshuffle, Tamil Nadu government on Saturday transferred several IAS and IPS officials in the state including the city police commissioner, R Nataraj, who assumed the post only a few months ago. While R Nataraj, in the rank of Additional Director General of Police, is transferred as ADGP, Law and Order, the intelligence wing chief, K Natarajan, ADGP, is the new city police commissioner. S V Venkatakrishnan, ADGP, Law and order, is the new intelligence chief. V Kannuchamy, who was shifted from the post of Chennai district collector, prior to the Lok Sabha polls on directives of the Election Commission, has regained the post. As many as 26 IAS officials in the state and over 16 police officials have been shifted in the reshuffle that took place on Saturday. The reshuffle comes in the aftermath of the severe drubbing the ruling AIADMK received in the Lok Sabha polls. There were also complaints of large-scale omissions and deliberate deletion of names of voters in the voters' lists throughout the state.
DMK to extend support for Telengana
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: The DMK on Friday said it would extend support if people were keen on formation of a Telangana state. DMK President M Karunanidhi told newsmen that the common minimum programme had stated that the United Progressive Alliance government would consider the issue of formation of a Telengana state after due consultations and consensus. Karunanidhi was responding to a question whether his party would support the issue following TRS leader K Chandrasekhara Rao relinquishing his shipping ministry in favour of DMK. The TRS leader's decision on Tuesday had helped resolve the crisis that had gripped the Manmohan Singh Ministry after DMK ministers refused to assume office following non-allocation of promised portfolios to the party.
Lift ban on LTTE: Vaiko
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: MDMK, a constituent of the UPA and extending outside support to the Manmohan Singh government, on Saturday demanded that the ban on the LTTE be lifted. LTTE was banned in the country in 1991 soon after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbudur near here and the ban was extended for a period of three years a few days back. MDMK Chief Vaiko, a vocal supporter of the LTTE, said, "There is no need for the ban in the present circumstances" and it should be lifted. He said India should not view the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka as an internal matter of that country as most of the countries had recognised it as an international problem. Asked whether India should play a pro-active role in the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka , Vaiko said India should play a positive role. Vaiko, who was detained under Pota for over 18 months for allegedly speaking in support of LTTE at Thirumangalam in June 2002 and release on bail on the eve of Lok Sabha polls, said Pota should be repealed. He expressed the hope that the law would be repealed soon as UPA had promised in its Common Minimum Programme to withdraw it.
CPI welcomes reduction of power tariff
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu unit of the CPI on Monday welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to reduce the power tariff for domestic consumers. CPI leader R Nallakannu, in a statement, said the state government refused to accept an opposition demand for the reduction when the tariff was hiked. "How is it possible to effect the reduction", he asked adding it was a result of the people giving a drubbing to the ruling party in Parliament elections.
Air-India to lease 14 Boeings for no-frills airline
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Air-India to lease 14 Boeings for no-frills airline June 01, 2004 12:03 IST State-run Air-India will lease 14 Boeing aircraft to launch a no-frills airline that will slash passengers' fares by 25 per cent, an airline official said. The low-cost airline, to begin operations from April 2005, will initially fly only to the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries and will have only economy class seating, an Air-India official said. He said the state carrier would lease 14 Boeing 737-800s for one year starting from April, the new airline's expected start date. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed. "It would have a different niche and sub-brand. We will in all probability call it Air-India Express," Aviation Minister Praful Patel said separately. He said that the move was among measures needed to make Air-India competitive with foreign carriers. Air-India, which decades ago enjoyed high ratings from consumers, has gradually lost its shine faced with slicker service from foreign competitors. The low-cost airline will fly from the capital New Delhi, the financial hub Mumbai and the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The concept of a no-frills airline is relatively new to India, limited solely to a private carrier, Deccan Airlines, operating mainly in southern India. "The future is the low-cost airline. It is the low-cost airline which is going to steal the show. I think the Air-India low-cost airline is a fantastic idea," said Subhash Goyal, a senior tourism industry official. India's main domestic carrier, state-run Indian Airlines, has also been weighing the launch of a low-cost airline. Air fares in India are high by global standards because the cost of aviation fuel is double to triple the price in the international market. Government subsidies are focused on consumer-oriented fuels such as kerosene used in cooking. -- AFP
Ponnaiyan denies Elangovan's charges on state funds
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister C Ponnaiyan on Monday joined issue with the Union minister EVKS Elangovan by denying allegations that the state had failed to utilise assistance for infrastructural and industrial development of the state. Union minister of state for commerce and industry Elangovan at a press meet at Coimbatore on Saturday last had alleged that the funds allocated for the infrastructural and industrial development remained unutilised due to "indifference" of the State government. Ponnaiyan, in a statement here, said the Centre had only recently approved the development of three industrial estates in the state and Small Industries Corporation of Tamil Nadu, the nodal agency, was implementing the scheme. The Centre had not released funds for the scheme, he said adding that project report for industrial infrastrucutre upgradation project for the Tiruppur hosiery project had been approved by the Centre and funds were released only now. There was no question of non-utilisation of funds as the project reports were just approved or pending before the Centre, he said. "It would be better if at least now, having assumed office as Union minister of state, Elangovan relied on facts before making allegations and distorting the truth," Ponnaiyan said.
Jaya rolls back power tariff
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Chennai, May 31. — Barely a few days after she announced withdrawal of some unpopular decisions following the complete rout of her party in the Lok Sabha elections, Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK supremo, Miss Jayalalitha, today rolled back the power tariff for domestic consumers to the rate that prevailed on 1 December, 2001. The cuts would come into effect from 16 June and would benefit 1.16 crore families. The reductions ranged from 30 paise per unit for consumption upto 50 units a month to Rs 1.70 for consumption above 300 units. The rate in the lowest slab was reduced to 75 paise from Rs 1.10 and in the highest slab to Rs 3.05 from Rs 4.75. While announcing an across-the-board reduction in the power tariff, hiked in the state in December 2001, Miss Jayalalitha, in a statement here, said that her government would provide a subsidy totalling an amount of Rs 910 crore every year to the state electricity board. After the poll defeat of the ruling AIADMK, the Jayalalitha government reversed several decisions, which had become poll issues, including stoppage of free power to farmers, anti-religious conversion Bill and punishment given to government staff for their participation in the strike in July last. Miss Jayalalitha said though the Electricity Act required progressive hike of tariff rate for all subsidised categories, including the domestic category, she decided to provide subsidy from the Tamil Nadu government to the TNEB so that the actual tariff was reduced and substantial relief was given to each family. The reduction ranged from 35 paise for bottom end consumers, who consumed zero to 25 units per month, to Rs 1.70 for top end consumers who used more than 301 units per month. The willingness of her government to pay the subsidy of Rs. 910 crore would be indicated to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission with the request to reduce the tariff, Miss Jayalalitha said. The reduction will be substantial and will provide great relief to the consumers,’’ Miss Jayalalitha said, pointing out that a family using 250 units of electricity per month or 500 units bi-monthly was now required to pay Rs 720 per month or Rs 1,440 bi-monthly. But after the reduction, they would have to pay only Rs 450 per month or Rs 900 bi-monthly.
