By Channel NewsAsia's India Correspondent Atul JollyTamil Nadu is home to some magnificent waterfalls, so much so they are known locally as the Niagara Falls of India. The authorities are preserving the falls not just for their beauty, but also because of the traditional herbs found there. A vertical drop of 200 metres offers an ethereal sight. Surrounded by heavenly mountains, Hogenkal also offers a great trekking location. The long walks around the waterfall will refresh all your senses. Medicinal herbs have always been considered a natural source for good health. The Hogenkal falls are a part of the Cauvery River, which flows through the forests rich in these herbs. So a bath in its water is considered rejuvenating. Hogenkal is located 350 kilometres from the state capital Chennai. For tourists, it is the ultimate spot. Raajekaran, a Tourist, said: "Basic attraction here is the waterfalls. People come here for pleasure and to have fun in the water over the weekend. There is a lot of greenery here and a lot of mountains. It provides lots of amusement. You can't find anywhere else, this pleasure and fun to play with water." The roaring waters of Cauvery meander through the forests before merging into the plains. Basket boats or coracles are the oldest form of water transport in the world. Bamboo frames are either covered with black plastic or cow's hide. This circular boat is the perfect tool for the adventure of your lifetime. "Oil massages, coracles and delicious fish are the major attractions of the Hogenkal. Spring is the best season to visit this place." A good rub-down brings in scores of visitors to Hogenkal. Here, the masseurs use oil and powder to soothe your 14 massage points. Mr Moorthy, a Tourist, said: "The oil massage here gives me mental peace and relieves the body from heat and pain." One can feel truly rejuvenated after the thorough massage, sitting on the rocks. Top that with a shower under the cascades of the sparkling Cauvery River and you will have a perfect getaway. - CNA
Six killed in temple structure collapse
Monday, August 30, 2004
Coimbatore, August 30: Six construction workers were killed and 24 others suffered injuries when the 40-foot-tall mantap being put up over a 15-foot idol of Lord Hanuman at Mahalakshmi temple, Eachanari, about 20 km from here, collapsed yesterday afternoon. Two of the four concrete pillars came down crashing along with two cross beams. Fire service and rescue personnel, who retrieved four bodies yesterday, recovered two more bodies late last night. The rescue operations were stopped early this morning. Meanwhile, the district administration has ordered an RDO inquiry into the incident, official sources said. Five trustees of the temple, the engineer and the contractor of the building were arrested last night, the sources said. Twenty-four injured construction workers are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the city, they said. (Agencies)
PMK chief flays AIADMK govt
Monday, August 30, 2004
Chennai, PMK founder Dr R Ramadoss today criticised AIADMK government for raising the POTA repeal issue by saying the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was raking it up only to divert the attention of the public from her party's drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to presspersons at his Thailapuram residence, Ramadoss said the AIADMK government had failed on many fronts and cited the long pending Cauvery issue, unprecedented chaos in the admission to professional colleges and failure in addressing the demands of government employees. Referring to the statement of State Finance Minister C Ponnaiyan that the financial deficit of Rs1790 crore would be tided over by the issue of bonds, he said it was a shame that not even half the number of bonds had been sold. On the issue of professional colleges, Ramadoss said the State government had not taken any step to fill up the 25,000 vacant seats in engineering colleges. In the Jayalakshmi case, he said very few police officials were involved in it while denying press reports that many were linked in the case. He flayed the BJP for politicising former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati's arrest issue.
e-Administration, a web enabled, paperless office tool for e-Governance
Monday, August 30, 2004
Submitted by KrisDev on 08/27/2004 - 12:15am LL2B.COM (Life Line to Business) has developed "e-Administration", a web enabled, platform independent, paperless office solution developed using open source and implemented with great success in Electronics Corporation of Tamilnadu (ELCOT), a Govt. of Tamil Nadu Undertaking in Chennai, the capital of one of the most developed States of India. The tool has helped to transform the organization from a traditional paper-file based organization to a paperless electronic organization. Now everything moves silently through the LAN within the office and through the web from/to for outside communication. The tool has simplified the office work, making it more a pleasure than a pain. There is active employee involvement and ownership of their duties and responsibilities. There is total transparency and accountability from top to bottom. Everyone has been empowered equally to discharge their work. It has brought about a level playing field. Now no longer, any employee has to wait for days or weeks, for meeting the superior to get a file cleared. Ther are instances, when a file is cleared instantly without any movement of men and files, whereas it used to take an avaerage of 10 to 20 paper / file movements for a single cycle of approval. The budget for paper and stationary consumption can be brought down to 50% level. This can help to conserve nature and create a greener and better pollution free environment. Says V D G Krishnan, an ICT Specialist, who designed and developed this tool, based on his 25 years experience working for the Government Sector in India and a leading MNC in North America, "e-Administration" is the ultimate tool for any organization to transform the entire society. It has universal applicability in Governments, Corporates and Service organizations for ultimate internal and external customer satisfaction." Says Mr. Sudeep Jain, I.A.S., Managing Director of ELCOT, who received an award from The Deputy Prime Minister of India for implementing "e-Administration - a paperless office" and the key person instrumental in bagging the Certificate of The Guiness Book of Records for The world record for the most trees planted in 24 hours by a team of 300 people by the citizens of Nagapattinam District in Tamil Nadu, when he was the District Collector in 2002: "e-Administration has helped us to convert our office, from a traditional file based office, to a truly modern electronic office, by digitising all current files. It has also helped us to cut short the delays, in manual file generation and movement, for obtaining sanctions and bring in transparency and accountability in the working. Any officer can keep track of all pending files of self and subordinates and get them cleared quickly, even while travelling." Based on the success of implementation of "e-Administration" in Tamil Nadu, LL2B.COM and ELCOT jointly bagged an order for implementing a customized, integrated, e-Platform for the Industrial Guidance Bureau of Government of Pondicherry, in South India, linking 18 Departments including local governments, for granting time-bound single window clearance for setting-up of industries in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. ELCOT has signed a marketing agreement with LL2B.COM to market "e-Administration" to various Government Departments and Undertakings, to spread the message of e-Governance. A number of leading Indian newspapers have carried extensive articles on the extent of implementation of e-Administration by the Government of Tamil Nadu. A few of them are attached for ready reference. The tool can be used by service organizations to monitor the progress of various projects at the filed level and regional level and also help in knowledge management by supporting the under performing with the techniques followed by the better performing. Kris DevICT Specialistkrisdev@gmail.com
Third judge named to decide on SWS
Monday, August 30, 2004
Chennai, - Justice Prabha Sridevan of the Madras High Court was on Thursday named the third judge to decide the issue relating to applicability of Single Window System (SWS) for admission of students to self-financing engineering colleges in the State under the management quota. The writ appeals from the government, challenging the July 13 order of a single judge dispensing with the SWS and that of the Consortium of Professional, Arts and Science Colleges of Tamil Nadu came before the judge on Thursday. After hearing the preliminary arguments of Advocate-General N R Chandran, the judge adjourned the matter until Sept. 1. While passing orders on a batch of writ appeals, a Division Bench, comprising Justice P K Misra and Justice A K Rajan, delivered dissenting judgments with regard to the SWS on Wednesday. Hence, the matter was referred to a third judge.
Kalam asks students to start own projects
Monday, August 30, 2004
Chidambaram, Aug 27 - The education system in the country should highlight the importance of entrepreneurship and also prepare students to start their own enterprises to generate wealth, President A P J Abdul Kalam said here today. He said the 300-odd universities in the country generated nearly three million graduates annually, with all of them wanting only government jobs or 'near about that'. The banking system should, therefore, play a pro-active role and provide necessary 'venture capital' to help such youngsters start their own enterprises, he said. The President was speaking at the Triune celebrations - the birth centenary of Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar, the platinum jubilee of Annamalai University and the silver jubilee of the Directorate of Distance Education of the university. Kalam said universities should become facilitators and with the help of the banking system, try to reduce the unemployment problem. To generate large-scale employment in India, he suggested that students produce bio-diesel by planting jetropha. The Annamalai University should take up the task of setting up jetropha farms and help convert them into bio-diesel, he said. The President also declared open the platinum jubilee hall and inaugurated the jubilee celebrations on the occasion. Kalam asked the Annamalai University Ph.D. students to undertake research on palm leaves of 'Tirukkural', the Tamil treatise written by saint poet Tiruvalluvar. "This will prove to be a treasure for the country in future", he felt. He also administered an oath to the students at the end of the meetings. Former President and an alumnus of Annamalai University, R Venkataraman, who unveiled the birth centenary arch, said the university was the second oldest one in south India after Madras University. He recalled that he was the former president of Annamalai University students union and went on to become the President of the country. He also spoke of the valuable contributions made by the Muthiah Chettiar family for the cause of education, which was "worthy of emulation by others." Tamil Nadu Governor and Chancellor of the university, P S Ramamohan Rao, who released a souvenir on the occasion, said the time had now come for a thorough review and revamp of the curricula in existing disciplines and refashioning of the apparatus and tools of delivery of education. In essence, universities should mould and mould themselves anew. M A M Ramaswamy, Rajya Sabha MP and pro-chancellor of Annamalai University, recalled the services rendered by his father, Muthiah Chettiar, for the cause of education in this part of the state. He also announced a donation of Rs 75 lakh on behalf of the family to the university. The amount was handed over to vice-chancellor L B Venkatarangan.
Scrutiny of material in wealth case against TN CM continues
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Chennai, (PTI):The team of officials from Karnataka continued verification of documents and material objects pertaining to the wealth case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for the second day today. On August 23, the Supreme Court had directed that the Tamil Nadu government handover all records in connection with the case, to a Karnataka Court. Karnataka High Court Registrar(vigilance) Venkatesh, a member of the team, told reporters that scrutiny of the material would take another three to four days. The team would continue its verification on Monday, he said. He replied in the negative, when asked by reporters whether the team faced any difficulty having to contend with depositions by witnesses in Tamil. Other team members included a Karnataka government additional secretary (who is in the rank of district Judge) Balakrishnan and an under secretary of that state's law department, Vedamurthy. Yesterday, the team had held discussions with Special Judge T Mathivanan and commenced verification of over 2400 documents and 1600 material objects in connection with the Rs 66.65 crore 'disproportionate' wealth case against Jayalalithaa. The case was being heard by Mathivanan before the Apex Court in November last had directed that it be transferred to a Bangalore Court. Besides Jayalalithaa, others arraigned in the case, included her close friend Sasikala. Jayalalithaa has been charged with accumulating unaccounted wealth during her earlier tenure as Chief Minister between 1991 and 1996.
Tamil Nadu seeks Rs.16.80 bn for drought relief
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 28 : Tamil Nadu Saturday demanded Rs.16.80 billion from the centre for drought relief measures, contending rainfall had been deficient for the third successive year. Releasing copies of a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which the demand had been made, Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha said the state had also sought more coal and foodgrain. Jayalalitha had planned to present the request to Manmohan Singh during his visit to lay the foundation-stone for a fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam near here, but the prime minister cancelled the trip as he was indisposed. There was a shortfall of 28 percent in the southwest monsoon in 18 of Tamil Nadu's 30 districts and "this extraordinary situation calls for massive assistance from the government," Jayalalitha said in her letter. Jayalalitha pointed out that the kuruvai (summer paddy crop) in the Cauvery delta districts could not be planted as neighbouring Karnataka had not released Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water. "Substantial areas in the state have been left unsown this season as the rainfall has been highly deficient," Jayalalitha pointed out. Jayalalitha also sought Rs.5 billion for providing drinking water to Chennai city. Storage levels in the three reservoirs feeding the city are at the "lowest levels known in 54 years of recorded history", the chief minister said. The government was making "super human efforts to locate sources for water supply in the city and supply them through tankers," the letter said. "The extra expenditure incurred is more than Rs.270 million a month." She also requested the centre to ensure additional supply of 540,000 tonnes of foodgrain to be distributed under employment generation schemes in the state. --Indo-Asian News Service
Jayalalitha reshuffles cabinet
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Jayalalitha reshuffles cabinet : Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 26 : Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha Thursday reshuffled her cabinet with the induction of two new ministers. In her 16th cabinet reshuffle since assuming office in May 2001, Jayalalitha inducted V. Jayaram, from Pollachi, and P. Vijayalakshmi Palanisamy, from Panamarathupatti into the cabinet. Jayaram has been allocated the food and civil supplies portfolio. He will also look after the departments of statistics, consumer protection and price control. These portfolios were earlier with finance minister C. Ponnaiyan. Palanisamy will look after electricity and non-conventional energy, held hitherto by D. Jayakumar, who has been allocated law and information technology. The reshuffle is significant in that it comes after police detected diversion of large consignments of ration rice from the public distribution system in Tuticorin district. Jayakumar, a trusted ally of the chief minister, has been entrusted with the law ministry at a time when the Supreme Court has asked Tamil Nadu to speed up transfer of documents in two wealth cases against Jayalalitha to a court in the neighbouring Karnataka. The cases of disproportionate assets were filed against the AIADMK by the previous DMK regime, after assuming power in 1996. After the AIADMK regained power in 2001, the DMK sought transfer of the cases outside the state. --Indo-Asian News Service
Vijayan killed in fire accident
Saturday, August 28, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Tamil film actor Vijayan was killed and two of his friends suffered burns in a fire that broke out in a shop that was illegally selling petrol in the city's busy Triplicane area on Thursday. Vijayan was a character artiste and had performed in 50 films like " Punnagai Mannan " (Smiling King) and " Indru Poye Nalai Va " (Go today and come tomorrow). The actor had gone to meet his friends at a lodge above the shop which was gutted in the fire, police and fire service sources said. The fire stated in the shop where several barrels of petrol were being stored for retail sale and soon engulfed the first floor. Twenty-five others, who were staying at the small lodge escaped but Vijayan was trapped and suffered fatal burns, the sources said. The artiste died in hospital. The other two are being treated, the sources said. Fire Services Director S K Dogra and Divisional Fire Officer (South) S Vijayakumar led the fire fighting operations which lasted for more than an hour.
President Kalam to visit Tamil Nadu on Thursday
Thursday, August 26, 2004
PTIPresident APJ Abdul Kalam will arrive in Tamil Nadu on Thursday on a two-day visit, during which he will have a series of engagements including a meeting with the parents of the victims of Kumbakonam fire tragedy. Arriving in Tiruchirappalli on Thursday night, Kalam will visit Kumbakonam on Friday morning to console the parents of 94 children who perished in the fire tragedy on July 16. He will then proceed to Chidambaram to participate in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Annamalai University. The President will later proceed to Keerapalayam village in Cuddalore district to meet a self-help group and gram panchayat members, according to an official programme released by the state Government on Wednesday. Kalam will then travel by helicopter to visit his brother at his home town Rameswaram in the afternoon. This is his first visit to his home town after taking over as President two years back. The President will return to Madurai that evening to inaugurate the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Lady Doak College, before returning to Delhi on August 27 night.
JNU to include special course on Tamil
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
The Jawaharlal Nehru University will soon include Tamil in the list subjects taught at its School of Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies. Two faculty positions — one at the level of professor and the other of associate professor — have been instituted for this purpose. The teaching of Tamil will not be undertaken in the traditional form, said JNU chancellor Karan Singh. Research-oriented comparative projects of scholars leading to M.Phil and Ph.D shall be encouraged along with special courses and programmes. The course is slated to begin before the next academic session gets under way.
Navya: Smashing debut in Tamil
Monday, August 23, 2004
She was the scene-stealer in the recent Tamil flick Azhagiye Theeye holding her own in a daringly different concept. Though she could not steal the thunder with no heavyweights around, her efforts came in for praise from the director and the ones which count - the masses. Navya Nair is a proven name in Malayalam films, with three smashing hits from around 15 films. Awards have chased her literally, recipient of many, including the prestigious State award. She could not believe her lucky stars when no less a person than Prakashraj along with director Radhamohan came all the way to her hometown (Alappuzha) to narrate the script. 'I fell in love with the story. Instincts told me that it will be no run-of-the-mill stuff. Though I had not been short of variations in Malayalam, the theme arrested my attention. Language was no deal which I found out once you get into the skin of the character.' How comfortable was she in a subject which called for lot of subtlety and underplaying the character. 'Things fell in place from the start. There were no room for emotions and getting carried away in the character of Nandini. She could explode only when the character warmed up sufficiently.' Navya was not exactly flooded with offers but still undecided to take the ones coming from Balu Mahendra and Hari. 'A little wary of glamour in Tamil films,' she said as if reading the mind. 'So much of grandeur and richness in songs unnerve me. Back home, there is no such scary thought. The script is the winner there. Will not be comfortable in subjects alien to my liking.' Navya, busy-as-bee in Malayalam, is spoken of in the same breath as Manju Warrier, who called the shots, not long ago. Her debut flick Ishtham with Dileep did enough business to bring in the appreciative nods from many quarters. Then followed films like Mazhathullikilukam, Kunjikoonan and Kalyanaraman,' sustaining her forget-me-not start. Aware of the dent she had made, Navya said, 'It is that much difficult to keep good the progress. Happy to be compared with Manju but have a long way to go.' Not long ago she was bestowed the title of Kala Thilakam in the youth festival of Alleppey district. Her better moments was when Chadikatha Chadhu ran over 200 days paired with Jayasuriya. Having made a strong dent in Tamil, Navya could do with roles doing justice to her potential. Though happy in the world of her, she will not turn her back when meaningful roles land in her lap.
Public pay price for advocates' battle outside court
Monday, August 23, 2004
Chennai, Aug 22 The litigant public of Tamil Nadu have been left high and dry, as the advocates have resorted to confrontationist course with Madras High Court Chief Justice B Subhashan Reddy, fighting against the 25-point code of conduct aimed at ''disciplining them.'' The lawyers, who began the agitation over the creation of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court two months ago, are now fighting over two issues--the 25-point code of conduct and the territorial jurisdiction of the Madurai bench, which has already started functioning from last month. While the lawyers in Tamil Nadu were united in fighting against the code of conduct, they were sharply divided on the creation of the Madurai Bench and its territorial jurisdiction. It were the lawyers in the city who first launched an agitation following an announcement that the Bench would be inaugurated on April 14. The lawyers contended that the Madurai bench was unnecessary and at the most, a Circuit bench could be set up instead of a permanent bench, for which they argued a bill should be tabled in Parliament or bring in amendments in the Constitution. The inauguration was postponed a couple of times following want of Presidential notification and the lawyers also objected to the writ jurisdiction limit of the bench and bifurcation of districts. The lawyers were of the opinion that it was ''unconstitutional'' for an undivided state to have a permanent bench in addition to the Principal seat. Since the Presidential notification specified more districts to Madurai bench, the lawyers expressed themselves against it and tried to stall the inauguration on the ground that two-thirds of the districts in the State should be retained with the Principal Seat at Chennai. This prompted the members of the Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA), headed by its President S Prabhakaran, to have a meeting with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who in turn directed Madras High Court Chief Justice B Subhashan Reddy to constitute a nine-member committee headed by him to hear the views of various advocates associations on bifurcation of districts.
GSM base crosses 12 lakh
Monday, August 23, 2004
The number of cellular subscribers in GSM category in the metropolis crossed 12 lakh mark at the end of July 2004 while Mumbai topped the category with a share of 39 per cent, according to Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). Chennai metros total GSM subscriber base was 1,209,972 and the subscriber base of Tamil Nadu Circle stood at 1,943,802, the COAI release said. Tamil Nadu circle and Chennai Metro occupied 10 per cent share in the total all India GSM subscription of 30,593,166. Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata had a total GSM subscriber base of 8,851,277. Delhi with a share of 34 per cent came behind Mumbai. Chennai came third with 14 per cent share while Kolkata’s share was 12 per cent. The four metros had a share of 29 per cent in the total all India GSM subscription base as at the end of July 2004. In the state circles category, A circle comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had a subscription base of 11,281,194 while B circles subscribers base touched 9,069,731. Kerala, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (both western and eastern parts), Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar formed the B circle, it said. The C circle consisting Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Assam, North Eastern region and Jammu & Kashmir (only BSNL) showed a subscribers base of 1,390,964.
Dial his mobile for police assistance
Monday, August 23, 2004
Chennai, India : Sivamani is now Siva, but his cell phone number is the same: 9848022338. "Siva 9848022338" will be the Tamil remake of Telugu "Sivamani 9848022338". Apart from the phone numbers, their rank too remains the same: assistant commissioner of police. So do their motto, and their attitude. The story of "Siva 9848022338" revolves around a police officer who gives his mobile number to all and sundry. This is an effort in ensuring that in people's hour of need, they just need to give him a call. It's something like dial-the-mobile-number-for-police-assistance. Nagarjuna plays the police official in the Telugu original. It is not known who will be his counterpart in the Tamil version.
PMK tells Jaya to give up confrontation with Opp
Sunday, August 22, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: PMK founder-leader Dr S Ramadoss on Saturday asked Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to give up her "confrontationist" attitude towards the Opposition parties and Central Ministers from Tamil Nadu in the interest of the state. Citing Friday's decision of Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony and all MPs from the state to put up a united fight to protect its interests, he said in a statement here that in contrast Jayalalithaa was only "aggravating the situation" by continuing her verbal attacks on the opposition. He criticised Jayalalithaa for not holding talks with MPs and central ministers from the state on the drought situation and accused her of levelling charges against the ministers only to divert attention from her "failure." Referring to her recent charge that the ministers had done nothing to help the state in getting central drought relief, he said Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had told Parliament that there was no formal letter from the state government seeking relief. On Jayalalithaa's statement on Friday that under the AIADMK regime, Tamil Nadu was progressing to becoming the first among the states in the country in all spheres, he said she should realise such a distinction could be achieved only if she shunned the path of confrontation.
Vasool only at Satyam?
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Vasoolraja MBBS has a record opening at Satyam Cineplex in Chennai but in the rest of Tamil Nadu, the film is limping. At Coimbatore’s Archana theatre, the first week collections were only 74 percent and in Madurai it was only 65 percent. Said Balasubramaniam of Baba complex Coimbatore: I am shocked that the film did not even take a decent initial and the collections are going down day by day. But the biggest factor that has helped Vasoolraja MBBS is that there is no competition. According to trade circles the producers, Gemini Film Circuit will stand to lose a few crores!
'Vasoolraja' tops the charts:
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Chennai, Aug 18 (IANS) : "Vasoolraja M.B.B.S.", the Tamil remake of the National Award winning "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", is not as witty as the original but heads the box office with Kamal Haasan as a doctor in the making clearly striking a chord. The top five Tamil films are: 1. "Vasoolraja M.B.B.S.": The film did not get a bumper opening, as there was not much publicity before its release. Though the film is not a patch on the original, to those who have not seen "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", "Vasoolraja" can be an enjoyable comedy. Crazy Mohan's dialogues are witty though not as funny as the original. Kamal Haasan has done better comedies before. But the film is expected to do good business. 2. "New": Director S.J. Suryah is riding high on the unprecedented success of his film. Spurned by the elderly and women, but loved by naughty youngsters, the film is this year's next super hit after "Gilli". Youngsters in Tamil Nadu are whistling at the bold scenes and the double entendres. 3. "Gilli": With last week's new releases "Shock" and "Sullan" not living up to expectations, "Gilli" has once again jumped to the top. Vidyasagar's songs, particularly "Appadi Podu", have a lot to do with the success of the film. 4. "Azhagiya Theeye": This low-budget, realistic film produced by award-winning actor Prakash Raj had a lukewarm opening, but those who saw the film found it different. Word of mouth publicity, it seems, has helped the film. After "Autograph", this is the film with a good story and a realistic approach. 5. "Jore": While the much-publicised "Sullan" and "Shock" took a hasty retreat, this low profile film with a lesser known hero like Sibi Raj is doing good business at the box office. Another attraction of "Jore" is that it has Sathyaraj, Sibi Raj's real father, playing his reel father.
Tamil actor found dead
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Chennai: Tamil and Telugu film actor Udayaprakash was found dead near the Film Artistes' Association Building in Chennai on Wednesday. Udayaprakash, a bachelor, was 40. Police said they took possession of the body and sent it to a government hospital for post-mortem. Death due to heavy drinking by the actor, who had virtually become a pauper, could not be ruled out, Police said. The actor, who made his debut in the film 'Nyayatharasu', had played mostly a villan's role and had acted in several films including 'Chinnathambi', 'Mannan' and 'Kattabomman'. He also acted in a few Telugu films. However, after he became a virtual pauper, the actor was living in a village near Salem and was taken care of by some villagers. The South Indian Film Artistes' Association, which had heard about his plight, brought him here and helped him to act in few films, including in a Sarat Kumar starrer 'Arasu'. After the post-mortem, his body would be taken to his native Udhagamandalam, film industry sources said.
Vaiko to accompany Lankan MPs' delegation for talks with PM
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Tiruchirappalli (TN), Aug 20 (PTI) MDMK chief Vaiko today said he would accompany a delegation of Sri Lankan members of Parliament during their proposed meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next month to seek India's participation in the peace process in the neighbouring island nation.Two Sri Lankan MPs - Senadhi Rajah and Chandrasekaran - had met him recently and invited him to be present when the 22-member delegation held discussions with Singh at Delhi, Vaiko told reporters here. The MDMK's general council last month had asked the Centre to change its policy, vis-a-vis the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and help in the success of the ongoing peace process by contributing its share. Vaiko, a strong supporter of Sri Lankan Tamils, said he had also briefed Singh about the situation in Sri Lanka. "I have also talked to External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh at length about the issue. He gave a patient hearing with an open mind. I have talked about various points, some of which have never been divulged to the Central Government in the past," the MDMK leader, who arrived here on his "marumalarchi padayatra" (renaissance walk), said. "I gave the full information to the best of my satisfcation and am hopeful it satisfied Natwar Singh too." On resumption of ferry service between Tuticorin and Colombo, he said Centre should go ahead with the proposal. Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's opposition to the service on security grounds, he said "It (security) has become a bogey for everything." PTI
Jaya, tinsel world condole Jikki's death
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Chennai, Aug 17: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and various film personalities have condoled the death of veteran playback singer of yesteryear P G Krishnaveni, popularly known as 'Jikki'. The singer died of cancer at a private hospital in Chennai yesterday. She was 70 and is survived by two sons and four daughters. Her husband, A M Raja, also a famous playback singer, died a few years ago in a rail mishap at Valliyoor near Nagercoil. Jikki was suffering from cancer for the past two years and was in and out of hospital all these days. Jikki had sung nearly 10,000 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala during her career, spanning over five decades. Born in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, she started her film career as a child artiste at the age of seven and switched over to singing at the age of 16. Her maiden song was for the movie, Gnana Sundariproduced by Citadel Movies. She shot to fame with her devotional number, Arul Thaarum Deva Mathavae. Some of her popular film songs include Varai Nee Varai in the film Mandiri Kumari, Thullatha Manamum Thullum in Kalyana Parisu and Nadakamellam Kandein in the movie Madurai Veeran. She had sung with almost all popular playback singers including T M Soundara Rajan, Trichy Loganthan, Ghantashala, her husband A M Raja and P B Sreenivas and for all music-composers including M S Viswanathan - Ramamurthy, K V Mahadevan and Illayaraja. Her last song in Tamil was Vanna Vanna Solleduthu for the movie Senthamizh Pattu. CM condoles Conveying her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the Chief Minister recalled Jikki's contribution of over 10,000 film songs in various languages including Tamil and Telugu. Jayalalithaa also said she had granted Rs one lakh towards the treatment of Jikki in 2002.
Vikram, the glamorous 'grave digger':
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Chennai, Aug 17 (IANS) : Tamil actor Vikram, recipient of the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Pitamagan", is hardly typical of his tribe. His is an unusual story - a long, slow climb to the top. Fired by dreams of film stardom while still studying at a boarding school at the hill station of Yercaud, he threw himself into sports and games and learned dancing - skills he thought he would need to be an actor. The dream persisted through his adolescence and young adulthood in Chennai's Loyola College, while he finished his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and obtained a MBA. He got a role in "Meera" (1989) and then the first Tamil production from ABCL, "Ullasam", but it did little for his acting career. For 10 years, he played minor roles in Malayalam and Telugu films and even worked as a dubbing artiste. He was then offered the role of Chiyaan in "Sethu" by Bala. The film was unusual for a Tamil movie and his role did not have glamour or "action"; it needed a sensitive portrayal of a disturbed mind instead. Failing to draw support from financiers, distributors and exhibitors, the film took two years in the making and barely managed a noon-show slot in a suburban theatre when released. People liked it. Purely on audience support and word-of-mouth publicity, Vikram and the film became roaring successes. While offers came pouring in, Vikram was content to wait, to pick and choose. Some of his choices alarmed his well wishers, like the role of the blind, wayside singer in another unglamorous film "Kaasi" a remake of a Malayalam film. Inexplicably, "Kaasi" also clicked. Then followed a series of big films, "Gemini", "Dhil", "Saami". Vikram became accepted as a star. He is even labelled as the next superstar after Rajnikanth. Bala again approached him to do the role of a gravedigger in his film "Pitamahan". While it was a meaty role, it again was unglamorous. Vikram was unfazed, and accepted the challenge of getting into the character and doing his damnedest. The result has been the National Award. During his days in Malayalam films, Vikram watched the acting of Mammootty and Mohanlal, and the strong roles they got. He attributes his later success to the experience he gained in Malayalam films. He has proved that given a chance he can turn in as strong a performance as anyone else. By lending a strange glamour to a gravedigger's role, he would seem to have assured himself of a long cinematic life.
New TV channel `Thamizh Thirai' (Ttv)
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
CHENNAI, AUG. 14. `Thamizh Thirai' (Ttv) will start its telecast from September 3. The television controlled and managed by the Tamil film industry personnel will telecast programmes round-the-clock, said the channel head and film director, Bharathiraja. The channel will buy documentary and feature films, which won awards at the national and international festivals. ``We have 25 lakh connections and more than 150 dealers with us. Our channel is going to be seen all over the world in 35 countries. Tamilians who are living all over the world will see our channel and we intend catering for their needs, he said. Some of the programmes which are in the pipeline are serials, Kovai Thambi's ``Gouri Teacher'', Abavanan's ``Appuchi", Hemang Babu's ``Patti Sonna Kathai'' and Kutti Padmini's ``Karpooranayaki''. Popular directors K. Balachander, Bharathiraja, Mani Ratnam, K. Shanker, P.Vasu, Vasanth, K.S. Ravi Kumar, Cheran, Thankar Bachan, Lingu Samy, A.R. Murugadoss, S.S. Stanley and Revathy have accepted to do telefilms for the channel. For the women's section, Suhasini, Revathy, Kutti Padmini, Poornima Bagyaraj, Anu Haasan, Kamila Nasser, Rohini, Uma Padmanabahan and Radika Surgeeth will be producers and they will do variety of programmes. The channel is going to uplink its programmes from Ambattur-Tiruvallur station of the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited. Source: HINDU
Tamil Nadu animal fair attracts thousands :
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Andhiyur (Tamil Nadu), Aug.15 : Thousands of horse and livestock traders have converged in this town for the region's largest annual animal fair that began today. Animal breeders from across the country arrive here to sell or buy horses, bullocks, poultry, rabbits and even rare wild birds like emus and ostriches. The biggest attraction however remain the horses, with both professional breeders, race enthusiasts and rich landlords bidding for their chosen equestrians. The traditional Kathyyavar, Kattiavadi, Panchakalyani and the dance horses are the most sought after and cost anything between 20,000 to 200,000 rupees depending upon their breed and health. "I am from Bargur and have been coming to the fair for the past four years. I bring horses here for trading, some of which cost up to 200,000 rupees. The stripped horses and cross bred ones however are sold for 40,000 rupees only," Manoharan, a horse trader, said. Besides horses, Emu eggs and Ostriches are in demand with each egg costing over Rs.1, 000. The animal husbandry sector contributes 29 percent to India's agriculture sector, but remains largely neglected. (ANI)
'Director gave me a chance to perform': Vikram
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Chennai, Aug 14 (IANS) : Tamil film star Vikram, who Saturday won the national award for the Best Actor of 2003 for his role in "Pitamagan", said the director had given him a chance to enact "a challenging role". Acknowledging the award, Vikram said he had been depressed when one of his earlier films, "Sethu", failed to give him due recognition for his work. "The director (Bala) gave me a chance to perform. Above all, this role was very challenging," he said. Vikram, who has some 20 films to his credit, told reporters that since his childhood, his ambition was to be an actor. He plays the role of a crematorium supervisor in "Pithamagan" who lives in a surreal world of his own. He rarely speaks, until Surya, who plays an abandoned child, comes into his life. The actor gives due credit to Bala, who has sensitively handled the blossoming of the relationship. Vikram is from Paramakudi and later attended Mount Fort School in Yercaud in Salem district. He went on to collect a degree in business management from Loyola College here. He loves to wear black and eat porridge and dry fish curry. Among the films in which he has featured as a hero are "Thanthi Vitten Ennai", "Meera", "Kaval Geetham", "Ullasam", "Housefull", "Sethu", "Dhil", "Kaasi", "Samurai" and "Gemini". He earlier received the Filmfare award for acting in 2003. He is currently working in a bilingual film with director Shankar.
Advocates boycott courts
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
CHENNAI: A section of the advocates of the Madras High Court on Monday boycotted the court demanding that the code of conduct for lawyers notified on July 30 be withdrawn. Earlier, the advocates attempted to take out a procession inside the court complex, but police stopped them. The Madras High Court Advocates Association had decided on August 13, to intensify their agitation demanding that the code of conduct be withdrawn despite the High Court deciding to suspend the code and set up a panel to go into it.
Complaint against BJP chief
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: A complaint has been lodged with the police that the BJP president Venkaiah Naidu had "shown disrespect" to the national flag, while unfurling it at the party office here on Sunday to celebrate the country's 57th Independence Day. Confirming the receipt of the complaint, police said according to the complainant, one Chandrabose, the top portion of the flag pole had the BJP's lotus symbol on it and Naidu had hoisted the flag without removing the symbol.
CM unfurls flag, did not address
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: The 57th Independence Day was celebrated all over Tamil Nadu with patriotic fervour on Sunday. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa unfurled the national tricolour from the ramparts of the Fort St George here, the seat of power of Tamil Nadu. For the first time in the recent past, the Chief Minister did not deliver any address after unfurling the national flag. She gave away the best rehabilitation worker award to K Chellamuthu, best doctor award to orthopaedic surgeon Dr M Natarajan, best private sector company to have employed the physically disabled to Hindustan Coco Cola Bewarages, best voluntary organisation working for the welfare of physically handicapped to Cheran Region Christian Society, Coimbatore, and best institution working for the women's welfare to Asha Nivas, Chennai. She also distributed the Kalpana Chawla award for heroic action by women to Amalamari, who, by her timely action prevented a major train accident near Marthandam on July 9 last. The day was celebrated in all districts, where collectors unfurled the national flag.
TN launches scheme for development of villages
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday launched Rs 200 crore 'Our Village' scheme, aimed for overall development of villages in the state. Under the scheme, compulsory enumeration of children to school, reduction in the drop out rates, eradication of infanticide, poverty and steps to improve sanitation in villages would be implemented, she said in her independence day message. Reminding the people of their duty to protect the country's independence, she said the nation was under threat from terrorism, militancy and separatism. Every Indian was duty bound to fight these forces, she said. She said Tamil Nadu was the only state in the country, which provided power to domestic consumers at the cheapest rate. Listing out several schemes implemented by her Government, she appealed to the people to extend co-operation for the efforts to make the state number one in all sectors.
Train stops to sari red signal
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Chennai, Aug. 16: Using the pallu of her red sari as a flag to signal danger, Amala Mary ran 300 metres along a railway track to alert a train driver last month, helping save more than 500 lives. The calm, unassuming Amala received Tamil Nadu’s Kalpana Chawla award for bravery from chief minister Jayalalithaa during Independence Day celebrations here yesterday. The award has been set up in memory of the Indian-born astronaut who died in last year’s Columbia space shuttle crash and includes a gold medal, Rs 5 lakh and a citation. An overwhelmed Amala, 48, was left speechless and could not bring herself to tell the chief minister about the plight of her disabled husband Anthony Muthu or her daily struggle for existence in her Thengankudi village in Kanyakumari district. The poverty-stricken villager has three daughters and a son. Amala’s concern for her fellow humans surged to the fore on July 9 near Marthandam close to her village — a landslide that day had blocked the tracks. Alert to the impending danger as the Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil train approached, Amala sprinted towards the train to get it to stop with barely a thought for her own safety. Panting for breath but wishing to avoid an accident, the villager used her pallu to catch the driver’s attention. Thus, a major train disaster was averted by the courageous and selfless act of Amala Mary, read her citation. Speaking after the ceremony, the self-effacing villager said: I only acted on the instinct that people whose lives are in danger should be helped. I did not even feel like asking for anything. Amala and some NGOs working for women’s welfare and rehabilitation of the handicapped were awarded by Jayalalithaa yesterday after she unfurled the Tricolour. Departing from the usual practice of hoisting the flag from the ramparts of Fort St George, the chief minister instead unfurled the Tricolour from the saluting base on the beach road outside. The function lasted 20 minutes. A pulley had been installed to allow Jayalalithaa, reportedly suffering severe lower back pain, to unfurl the flag without having to climb up to the fort’s ramparts. A visibly ailing chief minister even skipped her Independence Day speech; but a copy of the speech was distributed among dignitaries and the media. In her message, Jayalalithaa said efforts must continue to be made to keep extremism, terrorism, and secessionism at bay, as part of our duty to protect and cherish our hard-won freedom. She also announced the formal launch of a Rs 200- crore Namathu Gramam scheme in all village panchayats to develop a model village. The government announced many awards on Saturday night, including the police medals and the chief minister’s special medal for excellence in public service. But these will be presented later.
Tips from cousin Vijay
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Newcomer Vikranth, son of actor Vijay's aunt, is making his debut as the hero in "Karka Kasadara". The resemblance is there between the two cousins. He looks like a shy version of Vijay who has become noticed after "Gilli". Asked if Vijay gave him any tips, Vikranth says: "Yes, he asked me not to ignore even minor expressions. He also advised me to pay attention to all departments like 'action' and 'romance'." The hero in the making promises to live up to the reputation of his better-known 'big brother'. Vikranth is romancing two ladies, Diya and Lakshmi Roy, in the film being made by R.V. Udayakumar, who has also written its story, screenplay and lyrics.
Mobile tones sing "Vasoolraja.."
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Chennai, Aug 16 (IANS) : The music of "Vasoolraja M.B.B.S." has hit big time with a major cellular service-provider adding refrains from its tunes to mobile ring tones. Now, tunes from the Kamal Haasan starrer can be heard everywhere in Tamil Nadu -- on the road, at the bus stop, in restaurants and elsewhere in the state. "Vasoolraja M.B.B.S.", a remake of the hugely popular Bollywood rib-tickling blockbuster "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", was released over the weekend. It has been awarded a 'U' certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification. "The film is not a word-for-word re-make," says director Saran. "And Kamal Haasan is brilliant with his comedy".
MK rejects Ponnaiyan's suggestion
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Chennai, August 13: The war of words between the ruling AIADMK and opposition DMK continued with DMK chief M Karunanidhi rejecting the AIADMK presidium chairman and state Finance Minister C Ponnaiyan's suggestion that he should consider retiring from public life. In a statement, Karunanidhi said, "The task given to me by social reformer late 'Periyar' E V Ramaswamy and DMK founder late C N Annadurai to save the Dravidian movement, is yet to be completed. If Ponnaiyan wants retirement to this (the task), it will be a permanent retirement given by backward forces like him," Karunanidhi said. On Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and Ponnaiyan's charge that 12 ministers from Tamil Nadu in the Manmohan Singh ministry had not taken any steps to get Tamil Nadu declared drought hit, he said the government had more responsibility than the Centre in declaring the state drought hit. The government should have sent a detailed memorandum to the Centre explaining the situation in the state and then should have asked the Central ministers from Tamil Nadu to follow up the matter. The Central ministers, without any official briefing from the state government, could not do anything on their own, he said. "If the Chief Minister thinks it is below her dignity to meet the Central ministers from the state or for that matter even the Prime Minister, how can the Central ministers get the state declared drought hit," he asked. (Our Correspondent)
Sub-inspector killed in road mishap
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Salem, August 13: A sub-inspector of police died on the spot this afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a tipper lorry near here. The sub-inspector, S Sukumaran (25), was coming from Thalaivasal to Attur when the mishap took place, police said. (Agencies)
BBC to launch programme on Tamil film music
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Chennai, August 13: BBC Tamil service, Tamilosai, is launching a series of programmes exploring the history of music and songs in Tamil movies on August 22. The 15-part programme looks at the evolution of Tamil film music through its nearly 60-year history, from its south Indian classical music roots to the present form. BBC Chennai correspondent Sampath Kumar, who is producing the series, is an ardent fan of Tamil film music. He says: "Many a Tamil movie has proved to be a box office hit solely on the strength of the music. But just why have the songs in the films captured the people's imagination? What are the origins of Tamil film music? And who are the doyens of the Tamil film music, past and present? This is what we are exploring in the series." The programme is the first of its kind in BBC Tamilosai's output. Peppered with bits of famous songs, the series features interviews with veteran music directors, singers and music pundits. Thirumalai Manivannan, head of BBC Tamilosai, says the series is going to be a treat for the Tamil film fans across the world. "Many Tamil film songs created by famous lyricists like Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram and Kannadasan have acquired a literary status while immortal works of poets like Subramanya Bharati and Bharatidasan have been successfully tuned to appeal to mass tastes. With this series, we are taking a comprehensive overview of the magical music that has enchanted Tamil film fans for years." BBC Tamilosai programmes are available on 31, 41 and 49 metres on short wave at 21.15 IST and 21.45 Sri Lanka time. The series would also be available to Tamils wherever they are, on the BBC Tamilosai's recently re-launched website bbctamil.com. (N Arun Kumar)
Lawyer arrested for stabbing concubine
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Madurai, August 13: An advocate has been arrested for allegedly stabbing and injuring his concubine in a money-related matter. Police said the advocate stabbed his concubine, who was also his client, when she refused to pay him money on Wednesday. The woman with injuries on the chest and left arm was admitted to a hospital. The advocate was remanded to judicial custody till August 26. (Agencies)
Special counselling for instant exam students
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Chennai, August 13: A special counselling would be held at 2.00 p.m. on August 30 in all the four centres -- National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, and Anna University, Chennai -- for the candidates who have become eligible for admission consequent to their passing the instant examination conducted by the Directorate of Government Examinations during June-July 2004, according to Anna University press release. Those candidates who had appeared for the TNPCEE, but failed to file their applications may also avail this opportunity and file applications along with the instant examination candidates. The seats declared vacant at the end of the regular counselling on August 30 would be offered to these candidates. The vacancy position would be made available on the university notice board and the Anna University website. Information can also be had from Anna University's 24-hour information call centre by dialling (044) 22200303. Eligible candidates who have written TNPCEE and desirous of joining B.E., B.Tech courses can get the application from all the above four centres from August 16 onwards. The registration fee of Rs.500 (Rs.300 in case of SC/ST candidates in Tamil Nadu) is to be paid by means of demand draft drawn in favour of the Director (Admissions), Anna University, payable at Chennai. The completed application should reach the office of the secretary, Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA), Anna University, Chennai, latest by August 25 at 5.30 p.m. The rank list and the counselling schedule will be published on August 28 at all the above four centres and released in Anna University website: www.annauniv.edu/tnea2004. Candidates attending the counselling should pay the counselling fee of Rs 5,300 (Rs 1,150 for SC/ST candidates). Candidates selecting the seats should be in a position to pay the balance amount at the concerned institution at the time of joining in any case on or before September 6 for admission. All demand draft should be drawn in favour of 'The Director (Admissions), Anna University'.
Apollo Hospitals confirms Yemen contract
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Chennai, August 11: Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd today confirmed that it has bagged a contract to provide consultancy services to Hayel Saeed Anam (HSA) Group for setting up a 160-bed super speciality hospital in Yemen. The stock exchange had sought a clarification on the accuracy of the media reports on Apollo bagging a contract from a leading business group in Yemen, to safeguard the interests of the investors. The Chennai-based healthcare major today informed the stock exchange that the company has got the contract to offer consultancy services to Hayel Saeed Anam Group for setting up a 160-bed super speciality hospital in Taiz, Yemen. A statement of Apollo said under the partnership with HSA Group, a leading business group in Yemen, Apollo Hospitals would provide consultancy services to set up the hospital at an area of 150,000 sq ft. This project would be the largest private sector hospital initiative in Yemen and HSA Group is already owning and managing a secondary care hospital at Taiz. (Our Correspondent)
Anna FM to air programmes for 8 hours
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Chennai, August 12: Anna FM, India's first campus community radio that started airing programmes from February 1 this year is all set to increase its transmission timing to eight hours from August 15. Anna University Vice-Chancellor E Balagurusamy is taking keen interest in the contents of this radio. According to him, FM channel will begin the following programmes. The radio would be on air from 5.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. and the same programmes would be broadcast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. the next day. Anna FM would exclusively broadcast a one-hour daily programme for the visually challenged in collaboration with the National institute for Visually Handicapped, Poonamallee. Visually challenged students from arts and science colleges can benefit from the reading of the textbooks with proper annotations by experienced readers. To assess the effectiveness of community radio, Anna FM has been targeting villages like Perumbakkam in Kancheepuram district for its target-oriented community programmes. Direct broadcast from this village is being planned on Saturdays between 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. A 30-minute daily slot is allotted for highlighting the theme of YSA 2004 featuring lectures and interviews with eminent scientists. Anna FM offers life style interviews with the under-privileged to ensure community participation and offers them a platform to air their views and opinions on themes of social relevance Anna FM presents 'Muyarchi Tiruvinai Aakkum', on Saturdays, a radio magazine for the differently- abled spastics in collaboration with NGOs. Anna FM also would air special audience programmes. The schedule of the programmes is as follows: Monday - Consumer awareness programmesTuesday - Women empowermentWednesday - Entrepreneurship developmentThursday - Career counselling, Natchathira NerkanalFriday - Health care, management mattersSaturday - Campus buzz, programmes for the differently abledSunday - Interaction with Police Commissioner, representative- English language skills Anna FM invites students below the age of 18 (age relaxation for music college students) to come and showcase their musical talents. Anna FM would be glad to record and provide them with a free album. They can approach Anna FM, AVRC Building, Anna University, on any working day. The radio proposes to acquire on nominal royalty basis, quality innovative programmes on education and community development relevant to the audience to which its serves. Interested producers may send a cassette or CD of their production with a brief resume to the Director, Audio Visual Research Centre, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai-600025. From a humble beginning of first three hours of programming content on February 1, Anna FM today boasts of a collection of 400 hours of indigenous audio programming including spoken word and music. (N Arun Kumar)
Robber gang held; Major heist averted
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Kancheepuram (TN), August 13: Police have foiled the plans of a gang for a major heist, with the arrest of seven persons, allegedly involved in several highway robberies and house-breaks in the last two months in the southern suburbs of Chennai and other parts of the district. Police said the gang had planned to strike at the Agricultural Cooperative Bank in Padappai near Chennai besides preparing to waylay the vehicle in which about Rs 40 lakh cash is transported to a Government depot at Chromepet in Chennai, for disbursement of salary to its employees. Stolen articles, including silver, gold and diamond jewellery, looted from houses in Gooduvancheri, Chromepet and Chengalpattu were recovered from the gang members, five of whom had been convicted in dacoity cases some years back. The arrests followed a complaint by a woman from Chengalpattu who was robbed of her diamonds while travelling in an autorickshaw on Aug 5. Two persons, including a jewel appraiser, who persuaded the woman to travel in the autorickshaw, were arrested first after police traced cell phone calls made by them. Later, based on the information provided by them, five others, including an electronics diploma holder who mastered the art of making country bombs, were nabbed from their hideout -- an abandoned well off Padapai. Police suspect the gang could have been involved in an attempted robbery at a bank in nearby Paddalam. Meanwhile, district SP Premkumar said the culprits in last month's murder of a girl at Sriperumbudur had been identified and a police team had been sent to Delhi to nab them. (Agencies)
Rectified spirit worth Rs 16 lakh seized
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Salem, August 13: Rectified spirit valued at Rs 16 lakh was seized from a lorry bound for Kerala near Dharmapuri. The seizure was made yesterday during a raid at Kurinjinagar check-post in Toppur cross section, police said. The spirit was stored in 240 cans and hidden in specially made cabins in the lorry. Two persons belonging to Thrissur in Kerala were arrested. (Agencies)
Cricket player succumbs to injuries
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Pondicherry, August 13: The toll in the road accident near here on August 10 rose to two with a junior cricket player from Nagapattinam district succumbing to injuries today, hospital sources said. R Vijayendran was among a batch of players who were injured when their van was rammed by an express bus near Marakkanam. District cricket coach Stanley died in the accident. The players and the coach were proceeding to Chennai to take part in an under-18 tournament. Sources said of the 14 persons injured in the mishap, including the van driver, 12 had been discharged from hospital. (Agencies)
Will continue fighting for Tamils' unity: Vaiko
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Tirumangalam, Aug 11: MDMK leader Vaiko yesterday said he would continue fighting for the unity of the Tamil people and secularism and reiterated that all party workers, including himself, were not hankering after government posts, as we believe in certain principles and ideals.' Addressing a well attended meeting last night in this town, he recalled that he had been sent to jail for 19 months for a speech in support of the Eelam Tamils. "After two years, I have come to the same place to a rousing welcome. Our movement and myself will continue fighting for the unity of the Tamil people, and secularism. We talk of secularism only to protect the Hindus and the great temples of Tamil Nadu." Vaiko said it was the strong belief in the ideals of Dravidian leaders, including Periyar and Anna, that had made the MDMK a formidable force, which could not be destroyed by 'conspiracies, schemes or repressive measures' like arresting MDMK leaders under POTA. He also urged people not to fall prey to communalism or lose the prime of their lives at a time when they should be protecting their children and families. Vaiko thanked leaders of all political parties, including DMK president M Karunanidhi, CPM leader Varadharajan, CPI leaders, party volunteers and the public, who raised their voices when he was arrested under POTA. Vaiko said the solidarity shown by various leaders had forced the state government, which opposed bail to him when he wanted to attend Parliament, to withdraw the cases. However, this action by the government would not bring back the times when he could have attended Parliament and represented the people's grievances, the MDMK leader said. He said the government was 'so inhuman' that it had even opposed the bail plea of a MDMK worker, who wanted to meet his mother on her death bed. Vaiko said his 'Renaiassance padayatra' would strengthen the United Progressive Alliance and lead to its victory in future. He also demanded the release of all those arrested under POTA, including Tamils National Leader P Nedumaran, 'Nakkeeran' Gopal and others. (Agencies)
5,000 delegates to attend Tamil Conference
Saturday, August 14, 2004
5,000 delegates to attend Tamil Conference Pondicherry, Aug 13 (UNI) The three-day ninth International Tamil Conference, organised by the World Tamil Cultural Movement, will begin here tomorrow. Talking to newspersons here today, Mr Alan Anandan, coordinator of the movement, said that Pondicherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy and Education Minister K Lakshminarayanan would participate in the conference, which would be attended by about 5,000 delegates from different countries, including Norway, Germany, the United States, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Mr Anandan said the conference was being held for integrating the Tamils living in various countries and to protect the Tamil culture.
New offers for director Balasekaran
Saturday, August 14, 2004
New offers for director The box-office success of "Ammayi Bagundi", the Telugu remake of Tamil hit "Parthipan Kanavu", has opened new doors for director Balasekaran. At least half a dozen Telugu film producers have already approached Balasekaran. The director has accepted only one offer so far. Shooting for the yet untitled film will start soon.
Kusthi
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Not a silent movie, but... She is a central character in a comedy, but she does not speak a line till the very end. That is Latha's role in Tamil film "Kusthi". Directed by Rajkapoor, the film will bring together again popular stars Prabhu and Karthik. They were last seen together in "Agni Nakshatram", a hit film. Despite Latha's silence, however, the film won't be a quiet one, as the screen will be quite crowded. Rajkapoor has lined up 45 actors and actresses for the 40-day shoot.
Airtel announces expansion in Tamil Nadu
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Bharti Cellular Services owned Airtel on Thursday announced its expansion in Tamil Nadu to provide services in another 170 towns and said it would double its customer base in the state in the next 12 months. Addressing a news conference, Bharti Cellular Services chief operating officer Ramgopal Vallath said Airtel cellphone service was available in 160 towns in Tamil Nadu. The company would provide services in another 170 towns by erecting 550 base transmitter towers (BTS) before the end of this year, he said. Vallath said Airtel has a total of three lakh customers, of which 25 per cent belonged to the post-paid category.
Sonia to release stamp on Murasoli Maran
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will release a commemorative stamp on the late DMK leader and former Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran on Aug 17, his 69th birth anniversary. Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee will also release a special postal cover on the former union minister, who passed away in November last year after a prolonged illness, at a function here. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi said he would be unveiling a statue of the leader at the office of the party newspaper Murasoli. Murasoli Maran's son Dayanidhi Maran is the IT and Communications Minister in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government. --Indo-Asian News Service
Chennai lawyer to defend Saddam Hussain :
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug.11 : It could be a first for India as far as the war in Iraq is concerned. Chennai-based lawyer P V Bakthavatchalam has reportedly accepted an offer to defend former Iraqi President Saddam Hussain during his trial before a special tribunal trying him for alleged war crimes and genocide committed over the last three decades. Bakthavatchalam, 68, is a human rights advocate and a member of the Amnesty International since 1976. He told reporters here that the Kolkata unit of the Amnesty International had approached him to fight Saddam's case. "I have only given my consent. I expressed my willingness to join this panel through my daughter - advocate Ajitha, who had recently attended a human rights convention in France", he said. (ANI)
Govt to unveil Maritime Policy and rename 'Sagar Mela' Project
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 13 : Union minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T R Baalu today said that the government would soon announce a national maritime policy. "The country needs a maritime policy for the growth and development of industry. The policy will address the issues in the port sector, shipping and maritime training, shipbuilding and ship repair and inland water project," the minister said , while addressing a meeting here. "We have loaded a draft of the policy in the website of the Ministry of Shipping inviting for suggestions and comments," he added. Baalu said the government would also rename the 'Sagar Mela' project as the 'National Maritime Development Programme.' The shipping ministry, he said, would conduct workshops and seminars to discuss details and assess the project for execution. The ministry has also called for a meeting with chairmen of all ports and other related companies and agencies The new maritime policy, according to the draft statement, would address issues that include, among others, modernisation of ports, development of new ports, promotion of hinterland connectivity, fostering port specialisation, facilitating increased flow of private investment, providing for institutional safeguards for the port infrastructure provider, promoting multimodal transport and building institutions to suppport training and Research and Development. The draft also said that 12 major ports in the country handle around 75 per cent of the maritime cargo.
Stamp paper scam: Top cops remanded to further custody :
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 13 : A local court here on Friday extended the remand of two top police officials arrested in connection with a multi-million dollar fake stamp paper scam, for 15 days. The CBI had arrested Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Ali and Additional Commissioner of Police, Shankar after raiding their residences on July 1. The CBI officials said that they had recovered "incriminating evidence" from the houses of the two during searches conducted at the time of their arrest. Ali was produced before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Egmore, a suburb of Madras on Friday. "After previous remand, we have interrogated more than 40 witnesses in this case. We have sufficient evidence against the accused and asked to extend the remand. Court extended the remand for another 15 days," Jacob Daniel, the public prosecutor, told reporters. The two police officers were arrested on charges of not taking action against Nizamuddin, a key accused in the scam, even after he was arrested. Several top police officials, including dismissed Bombay police commissioner R.K. Sharma, and the kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi have been arrested in connection with the scam. More than 100 people across several states, including policemen, politicians and government officials, have been arrested in connection with the forged stamp paper used for such transactions as property and business contracts. (ANI)
Kamal's Virumaandi bags Asian Award at PiFan
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Kamal Haasan is basking in the glory of his Virumaandi getting the Best Asian Film award for the year at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) in South Korea. As he puts finishing touches to his new Tamil comedy Vasool Raja MBBS, the versatile filmmaker has much to be proud about after the thunderous applause and rave reviews at the just concluded festival in South Korea. Kamal says, Virumaandi won a very important award, which has been instituted this year. It's called the European Federation of Fantastic Films. The jury comprised only European members and the award is given to an Asian film. Some of the jury members had seen Virumaandi at Rotterdam. Out of the 19 films in competition, two were from India (the other being Rajat Kapoor's Raghu Romeo). Virumaandi won the top prize. It was quite a surprise. I had just gone to see films and see a new country. I came back enriched. They called Virumaandi an epic film that combined social and political drama with spectacular action. They were impressed that I had not only acted in the film but also directed it. Kamal was overwhelmed by the response in South Korea. Every show of Virumaandi was full. The way they sought my autograph I felt I was in India. I guess everywhere in Asia there's a universality of culture. The Koreans looked like my audience from Imphal or Assam. "Suddenly I rediscovered the pleasure of stardom; they were jostling for my attention. I felt like I was back to the time when my first Hindi film Ek Duuje Ke Liye was released and people in Mumbai were whispering, 'The boy was good'." In a fortnight, Tamil Nadu's most celebrated actor will be called Dr Kamal Haasan. "That's right. I'm being awarded a doctorate by the Satyabhama University in Tamil Nadu. I believe it has produced exemplary students. It's quite an honour. T N Seshan (former chief election commissioner) is on their board. He must have seen something in this high-school dropout," laughs the actor. "Basically I never attended school because I was either in movie theatres or roaming the streets. Hope Seshan doesn't change his mind after hearing this," he says. Vasool Raja is getting ready for release next month. "Surprisingly, it's one of my most anticipated films. I don't know if that's a compliment to me or Raj Kumar Hirani who made the original film Munnabhai MBBS or to Sanjay Dutt who starred in it."
Petition to stop screening of Tamil film stayed
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Cinema South India > Chennai, Aug 6 : A petition, seeking to stop screening of Tamil film 'Vasool Raja MBBS', starring Kamal Hassan, on the ground that it defamed the medical profession, was today dismissed by the Madras High Court. Dismissing the petition, filed by the Tamil Nadu Medical Council, for a direction to the Censor Board not to certify the film for release till its name was changed, Justice A K Rajan held that the court could interfere only if it came to the conclusion that the title itself was defamatory in nature. Rejecting the petitioners prayer for relief under Article 226 of the constitution, Justice Rajan held that 'to arrive at a decision on the facts, the petitioner must approach only a civil court by way of a civil suit.' He also rejected the contention of the petitioner that the title was per se defamatory. The title, which can not be considered per se defamatory, did not suggest that all medical practitioners were election agents. The title was in the singular and could mean at the most, an individual, the Judge pointed out. The Judge also allowed a petition by the producer Gemini Films, for vacating the interim stay granted by the court earlier on clearing the film for viewing.
Star buys UTV in Vijay TV
Thursday, August 12, 2004
NEW DELHI: Rupert Murdoch's Star India on Monday said it has bought out UTV Software Communication's 44% stake in Vijay TV, a Tamil TV channel for Rs 31 crore. With this, Star will have direct control of the content arm of Vijay TV. However, UTV continues to hold 51% stake in broadcast arm of Vijay TV — Vijay Broadcasting Corporation (VBC). UTV uplinks the channel from India. The rest 49% stake of the broadcast arm is with Star India. Sources said the uplinking of Vijay TV will soon move to Hong Kong. It is most likely that Star India will also buy majority stake in VBC in the next six months and take control of the channel. Vijay TV was originally owned by UB's Vijay Mallya. UTV bought the regional Tamil channel from Mallya.
Dhanush film draws bank funding
Thursday, August 12, 2004
The Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has extended a loan of Rs.20 million to Roja Combines, a leading Tamil film production company, to make its next film. The loan, for a six-month period, is being offered at 13.75 percent interest. Private financiers charge as much as 20 percent. The film will star Dhanush, a box-office favourite. And the title is the first line of the most popular song from the film that made him famous - "Kaadhal Konden". The IOB has also funded two Bharathiraja films. Industry sources said the deal with Roja Combines is expected to send out yet another signal to filmmakers in the south that public sector banks and financial institutions are willing to fund film projects.
Anbalagan discounts TN CM's claims
Thursday, August 12, 2004
PTI SALEM: DMK leader K Anbalagan on Wednesday said the government departments in the state were in bad shape and there was nothing to be upbeat about their performance. Talking to reporters here, DMK General Secretary discounted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Jayalalithaa's claim over the performance of the state government at the annual conference of the collectors and the SPs at Chennai. On the state government's decision to withdraw Pota case against MDMK leader Vaiko and others, he said the government had taken the step fearing contempt of court. Anbalagan, who was here to oversee the arrangements for the party's special conference on August 21 and 22, said the party would come to power after the coming assembly polls. He also asked people of the state to give more importance to learning Tamil.
Women's mosque planned
Thursday, August 12, 2004
The Tamil Nadu Muslim Women Jamaat has decided to go ahead with its plan to construct a separate mosque for women in Pudukottai, despite stiff opposition from various Muslim organisations, including the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam. Speaking to reporters in Madurai Tuesday, D Sharifa Khanam, director, STEPS, a society established with an objective of developing women's self-confidence, said the mosque would be constructed though there were threats from 'male-dominated Muslim parties and Jamaats' against it. "Why should women be discriminated in offering namaz in mosques? We too want to pray in mosques. So we are trying to construct one," Khanam said. She said the "male-dominated Jamaat never cared for the emotions and feelings of women." They allowed talaq [divorce] in quick succession for men, without bothering about the women," she said. Divorces, which have even been communicated through e-mail and on the phone also went into effect instantly. The women had no representation and the Jamaats would give them no justice, Khanam said. Though women had sympathisers in some Jamaats, they were not allowed to raise their voice. Polygamy and child marriage were some of the issues affecting Muslim women, who were also not educated, Khanam said.
Sonia to release stamp on Murasoli Maran
Thursday, August 12, 2004
PTI CHENNAI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi will release a commemorative stamp on former union minister late Murasoli Maran at a function here on August 17, the late leader's 69th birth anniversary. DMK President M Karunanidhi told reporters the Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee would release a special postal cover at the function. The DMK chief said he would be unveiling a statue of the late leader at the office of 'Murasoli,' party's organ, on that day. On the Tamil Nadu government's decision to withdraw Pota cases against MDMK Chief Vaiko, he said it was "only to save the AIADMK government's skin." He said the government, which had put spokes on several legal measures undertaken by Vaiko challenging his detention under Pota, was aware that the supreme court would take up for hearing his petition challenging his detention during which the apex court was likely to pass strictutres on it. "Only because of this, the government decided to withdraw the cases against Vaiko," he said. Asked why the government had not withdrawn Pota cases against others like Tamil National Movement leader P Nedumaran, he said "that is the AIADMK government." He welcomed the Centre's decision to repeal Pota. On the centre's proposal to amend the Unlawful Activities (prevention) act, giving it more teeth to further strengthen national security, he said "I can comment only after seeing the proposed amendments."
Good times ahead for Riyaz Khan
Monday, August 9, 2004
Riyaz Khan, who enacts the character of a villain in Tamil films, has finally found recognition in the Malayalee film industry. Though he entered the Kerala film industry as a 'bad guy', his performance in "Balettan" -- a big hit of superstar Mohanlal -- has been noticed by people here. His performance, coupled with the physique, has been lauded by the film industry and the cinemagoers in Kerala, where most of the actors are overweight. Riyaz Khan now has several Malayalam films in hand, in which he is the villain -- but with the well-toned body, the baddie of these movies would perhaps end up getting more kudos than the hero! So no wonder, Malayalam filmmakers are keen on making Riyaz Khan a hero. Sashi Shankar has already signed him as a hero in his next film. Sashi Shankar is the director of "Kunjikoonan" in Malayalam and its Tamil remake "Perazhagan".
Vijay TV hosts spoofs on movie scenes
Monday, August 9, 2004
One of Tamil Nadu's popular TV channel, Vijay TV, has begun screening an entertaining programme that hosts spoofs on movie scenes and mimics film stars. And who else can host the show but Bosskey -- the name comedian Bhaskar has given himself. The show "Idhu Eppadi Irrukku (How Is This)" -- a recurring line from Bharathiraja's "Padhinaaru Vayadhinile" -- mimics not only stars and their styles, but renders spoofs on dialogues and scripts. The show, hosted every Monday 9 p.m., is divided into segments. One segment is called "Jujubee TV" -- a film-news bulletin. Another segment is called the "Jujubee Award", where one hapless actor is chosen for the week's award on his or her idiosyncrasy. Clippings of the "award-winner's" films are shown, focusing on a particular gait or mannerism. There is one more segment, "Nambithaan Aaganum (Must Believe)", which shows unrealistic sequences.
'4 students' spells magic on listeners
Monday, August 9, 2004
Chennai, Aug 8 (IANS) : After ruling the Malayalam music charts, songs from the film "4 The People" in its Tamil version of "4 Students" is weaving magic here. No Malayalam film has perhaps ever become a super hit merely because of the popularity of its music. Jassie Gift's rendition of the songs has done wonders. Especially the song 'Lajjavathiye', which frenzied Kerala, is now ruling Tamil Nadu hearts. The popular Jassie Gift is perhaps the most envied composer and singer too, with a trail of hits behind him. The Tamil version is played round-the-clock on every radio channel. The album's highlight, of course, is 'Lajjavathiye', sung in Tamil by Jassie Gift. There is a raw, husky quality to his voice -- never mind what the purists say -- that has made the song the phenomenon it is. No other voice, however well trained, could have perhaps done a better job. If you have listened to the same song in Malayalam, however, you may find that the lyrics don't rhyme as well in the Tamil version. Another great track is 'Undan vizhumanai'. With the Punjabi influence (obvious from the use of the phrase "Balle Balle") and its intrinsically Malayalee refrain is Jassie's gift once again. In Kerala, the only other song that came even close to challenging 'Lajjavathiye' in popularity is again a song from "4 the people" -- 'Annakili'. Its Tamil version also seems ready to swoon listeners here. It is impossible to single out a song from the album as the best, all of them being equally hum-able. There are lots of English words in the lyrics of "4 Students", but thankfully, this influence owes itself not to hip-hop, but to reggae -- making it less trite than other similar songs. The cassette's inlay card with the songs' lyrics is a bag of laughs -- replete with malapropisms. Of particular hilarity are the English lyrics for some of the songs. To sum up, if you haven't heard the "4 Students" album yet -- go ahead -- it would qualify as 2004's top album released till now.
'Arjun' an excellent tank: Vij
Monday, August 9, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 7 : Describing the Main Battle Tank, 'Arjun', handed over to the Indian Army here today as having the attributes of an excellent tank, Chief of Army Staff Gen.N C Vij said it was better to have one's own equipment instead of depending on imported ones which would ultimately choke up the supply lines. In an informal chat with reporters on the sidelines of the function at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi this afternoon, he said import content of the Arjun now around 50 per cent would come down to the affordable level of 20 per cent soon. "Faster it is done, better it is", he said adding much depended on the accelerated production of more Arjun tanks. Vij said the five Arjun tanks, now handed over to the Indian Army, would soon have a 'user field trials'. In terms of cost, Arjun was slightly more than the T-90, rolled out early this year from HVF, here. The Army would have a judicious mix of T-72, T-90 and Arjun Tanks, he said. The Chief of Army Staff said 'we cannot develop such an advanced weapon system without the help and cooperation of the defence forces'.
Kumbakonam school fire: Commission to submit report within 4 months
Monday, August 9, 2004
Kumbakonam, Aug 8 : The Justice Sampath Commission, inquiring into the circumstances which led to the July 16 fire in an aided private school here that claimed 94 lives, would submit its report to the Government within four months. Speaking to reporters here today after visiting the school and the kitchen, from where the fire was reported to have spread, Justice K Sampath, retired judge of the Madras Hich court, said a detailed investigation was needed to understand the reasons for the tragedy and suggest how to prevent recurrence of such incidents. He said he would begin the investigation within one or two weeks.
Congress for united efforts to defeat AIADMK
Sunday, August 8, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 7 : Congress party leader Salman Khurshid Saturday called for united efforts among the opposition parties in Tamil Nadu to defeat the ruling AIDMK in the legislative assembly election due in 2006. Khurshid, general secretary in charge of the state, who is on a visit to Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, met DMK president M. Karunanidhi. Talking to reporters after the meeting, he said, "We are determined that the present government in Tamil Nadu must be defeated in the coming elections. "A lot of hard work has to be done. "All the parties will work together and we will ensure the best possible coordination to fight an effective battle to defeat this government for the next elections," the Congress leader, who was on his way to Pondicherry, said. Union telecommunication and IT minister Dayanidhi Maran of the DMK and state Congress chief G.K. Vasan were present at the meeting. --Indo-Asian News Service
Case registered against Dinamalar Editor
Sunday, August 8, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 7 : Police have registered a case against the Editor of Tamil Daily 'Dinamalar' R Krishnamurthy and its reporters, Ramesh and Mahalingam, on the basis of a complaint lodged by PMK Cuddalore district Secretary Tamaraikannan following an attack on the paper. Tamaraikannan, in his complaint, alleged that some unidentified persons, hired by Krishnamurthy and two reporters of the paper, attempted to assault him with deadly weapons yesterday near Cheelamkuppam bus stop at Cuddalore. On the basis of the complaint, police had registered a FIR against Krishnamurthy and two others under section 147, 148 and 341 of the IPC. In a statement, the paper said the police had filed the case on PMK's "instigation". It was a counter to a complaint by one of its reporters on the attack on the newspaper office at Cuddalore, it said adding that it was an act of PMK to harass the editor to succumb to their pressure. "Our editor's name was intentionally given in the complaint since he has given a call to the press to condemn the attack on our office at Cuddalore by PMK", the statement said
Karunanidhi's son Azhagiri charged with murder
Saturday, August 7, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 6 : DMK president M. Karunanidhi's son M.K. Azhagiri and 12 others were Friday charged with murdering party functionary T. Kiruttinan last year. Madurai Additional Sessions Judge M. Zafarullah Khan framed charges against the accused under five sections of the Indian Penal Code. Police said Kiruttinan, a former Tamil Nadu minister, was killed in Madurai on May 20, 2003 allegedly due to his political rivalry with Azhagiri, as both were trying to gain supremacy in the southern districts of the state. All the accused have denied the charges, describing them as false. --Indo-Asian News Service
Chennai hosts alternative film festival
Saturday, August 7, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 6 : This southern metropolis is going to be the venue of a month-long screening of special films that the censor board doesn't want Indians to see. The festival, termed "Vikalp" (The Alternative), beginning Friday, consists of films that are part of the Films For Freedom movement started by the Campaign Against Censorship (CAC). Chennai is the second place where CAC will screen as many as 50 films that the censors don't want Indians to see, though many of the films have won international awards. For the Tamil film industry, the festival will come as a comfort since it has had its share of quarrels with the censors. The festival, being held at the Film Chamber Theatre here, has been brought by the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation. The first festival was held in February in Mumbai. Among the films to be screened here are: "Ladies Special", "The Taliban Years and Beyond", "Manjuben Truckdriver", "Unlimited Girls", "Searching for Saraswati", "Hunger in the Time of Plenty" and "Godhra Tak". The special attractions will include "Bakkarwals" by Rajesh Kaul, "A Night of Prophecy" by Amar Kanwar, "Words on Water" by Sajay Kak and "Some Roots Grow Upward" by Kavita Joshi. As many as 275 filmmakers from India are part of this movement, which has grown as a result of the increasing dos and don'ts from the censors. The CAC says that the national section at the recently concluded MIFF (Mumbai International Film Fest) rejected a large number of films made on a range of themes, just because they were political in nature. Most of the documentary films included in the Films For Freedom focus on controversial issues like the Gujarat riots, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Dalit rights, RSS indoctrination, alternative sex, corruption and other sensitive subjects. The festival is being sponsored by Prakriti Foundation, an art NGO, the Asian College of Journalism, and Ellements. The website filmsforfreedom.cjb.net gives more information about the movement. --Indo-Asian News Service
Spurned youth stabs girl in her college
Saturday, August 7, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 6 : A final year engineering student brutally stabbed a 22-year-old girl in her college in broad daylight because she had reportedly rejected his advances, shocking a Tamil Nadu town with the violence of the crime. Akila, a first year student at the Tiruchi National Institute of Technology (NIT), was repeatedly stabbed by her childhood friend Bharadwaj Thursday on a day that must have started like any other. According to Tiruchirapalli Police, Bharadwaj who studied in a private engineering college came to see Akila at about 9 a.m. soon after her classes began. There was an altercation and the young man whipped out a knife and stabbed her repeatedly. On hearing Akila's cries, students and staff rushed out their classes, chased Bharadwaj and handed him over to the police. Eyewitnesses at NIT said Bharadwaj was unrepentant when he was caught. Police officials said the parents of both the students worked for the public sector BHEL. Akila and Bharadwaj studied in the BHEL school together and had been friends for long. Bharadwaj wanted to marry her, but Akila had reportedly rejected his advances. He then took to stalking Akila, her father, who had dropped her to college that morning and was due to pick her up after classes, told police. Authorities at the NIT have no answer about how the young man, who not a student of the college, was allowed to approach Akila without any security presence. Eight years ago, NIT witnessed another murder when a lecturer was attacked on the campus and killed by an acquaintance. --Indo-Asian News Service
Jayalalitha demands action against official
Saturday, August 7, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Aug 6 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha Friday demanded disciplinary action against an accountant general for addressing the media on a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)'s report on the state's fiscal health. Jayalalitha has dashed off a letter to CAG Vijayendra Kaul, urging action against Accountant General (Audit) T. Theethan for holding a press conference Aug 2 to "prevent recurrence of crude attempts to ruin the image of my government". An advertisement carried in newspapers Friday that was released by her government said the accountant general had "furnished information in such a manner to enable the media infer" that the AIADMK government headed by her is responsible for a loss of Rs.110 billion in revenue between 2001-02 and 2003-04. In her letter to the CAG, she alleged that Theethan did it to assist opposition parties in their campaign against her government. "The very idea of an AG (accountant general) addressing a press conference seems to buttress such a role and this has never happened before," Jayalalitha alleged. "What is worse, the AG has clearly committed constitutional impropriety... Information relating to the year 2003-04 on loss of revenue has not yet been presented to the governor and the state legislative assembly," she said. --Indo-Asian News Service
Namita for mature heroes?
Friday, August 6, 2004
Other Tamil actresses might be trying hard to dance with teen sensation Dhanush, but Namita seems to specialise in acting opposite more mature heroes. She has paired with Vijaykanth in "Engal Anna" and Sarat Kumar in "Yei". She is now playing heroine to Sathyaraj in "Maha Nadigan". There is also talk that she may be paired with Prabhu and Karthik.
Ganja plants worth Rs 5 cr destroyed
Monday, August 2, 2004
Coimbatore, Aug 1: Ganja plants with an estimated yield of Rs 5 crore worth of ganja have been destroyed by the Narcotics Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in Amaravathi forest area on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. The plants were unearthed and destroyed during raids by NIB sleuths from Coimbatore and Salem at hilly Paniyaraparai conducted on specific information about illegal cultivation of ganja, NIB sources said here today. The ganja plants, numbering 5,000 and weighing about 15,000 kg, were grown in an area of five acres. NIB personnel with the help of forest department officials cut the plants and set them afire, they said. Investigations were on to find out the cultivators of the narcotic plant. (Agencies)
Disinvestment of Madras Fertilisers ruled out
Monday, August 2, 2004
Chennai, Aug 1: Union Minister for Chemicals, fertilisers and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan today ruled out disinvestment of Madras Fertilisers Ltd (MFL) saying some changes in the existing policy would help revive loss-making naphtha-based fertiliser units, including MFL. Speaking to reporters at MFL after a visit to the plant, he also ruled out disinvestment in the profit-making fertiliser public sector undertakings. MFL was hit badly after changes in the fertiliser policy in 2003 by the NDA government, he said, adding some changes in the policy would help the company to wipe out its losses. He said Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, K Rahman Khan, who was the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, after his visit to MFL last month suggested in his report that some changes in the policy would help revive the unit. Paswan said the report was being currently examined and a final decision would be taken in two months and sent for Cabinet's approval. "Unrelenting increase in naphtha prices are affecting us," MFL chairman and managing director Sukumar N Oommen said adding "There are anomaly in the present policy. Despite efficiency and capital investment of Rs.700 crore, we are losing heavily through depreciation." Oommen said despite the losses, the capacity utilisation for urea was achieved at 100 per cent last year and during the first quarter of this fiscal it increased to 102 per cent. (Our Correspondent)
Defeat Jaya for her remarks on Muslims: MK
Monday, August 2, 2004
Chennai, Aug 1: Strongly criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for rejecting the demand for reservation for Muslims, DMK president M Karunanidhi has said people should prove her stand wrong by defeating the ruling party in the 2006 Assembly elections. Jayalalithaa had reversed several of her decisions, like withdrawal of free power to farmers, after the debacle of the AIADMK in the Lok Sabha elections. Similarly, if the party was defeated in all the 234 Assembly constituencies, she would definitely change her attitude on reservation for Muslims, he told a public meeting here last night. The meeting was organised by Muslim fora to felicitate the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance for its landslide victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Disputing Jayalalithaa's stand that Muslims and other minorities were already enjoying certain privileges under the Constitution, he said the Gopal Singh committee, set up by the Centre to assess the impact of welfare schemes for weaker sections, had stated that Muslims were more backward than SCs and STs. DMK had been having long association with Muslims, he said, adding their support was crucial in DPA's win in all the 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in the May Lok Sabha elections. (Our Correspondent)
Tourism industry road show focuses on Tamil Nadu :
Monday, August 2, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, July 31 : A three-day travel industry road show being held here is striving to project Tamil Nadu as a preferred destination for domestic as well as overseas tourists. The road show, which started Friday and being organised by India International Travel Mart (IITM), is also trying to encourage people in the state to tour foreign lands. Over a 100 travel organisations from India and neighbouring countries are participating in the event, showcasing the tourist attractions in their respective countries. The exhibition is taking place in Valluvar Kottam, in the heart of the city, with the Tamil Nadu Tourism department supporting it. Beside neighbouring state tourism bodies, the travel and tourism industry from Sri Lanka, Dubai, Malaysia, Britain, Mauritius, South Africa, Nepal and other countries are also participating in the event. A.R. Gori, general manager (tours and operations) of the United Arab Emirates-based Orient Tours, said tour operators were increasingly focussing on the South Indian market these days. IITM director Anurag Gupta said the road show was aimed at bringing tour operators and travellers under the same roof. "Our targets are two groups, one of which is the travel trade, including travel agents and hoteliers," he said. "The second group is the potential tourist, inclined to travel with family and the corporate sector searching for new venues for conferences. We are also try to woo the young professionals." Tour operators say with people in Chennai increasingly favouring weekend holidays and overnight trips, Bangalore and Hyderabad were popular destinations in the South, as were the Andaman and Nicober Islands and Kerala. The Indian participants at the expo include states like Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttaranchal, Orissa, Pondicherry and the Andaman and Nicober Islands. --Indo-Asian News Service
E-hope for aspiring stars
Monday, August 2, 2004
The Tamil film industry is offering e-hope to aspiring actors and actresses. A website called cinechance.com now uploads pictures of the hopefuls. For those in a hurry, there is a special member slot, with a link to the home page of a director or producer. It is a site that anyone can use. Photographers can browse through it for models, telephone companies can look it up for their ad faces and filmmakers for actors. Many of the industry's newcomers like Mallika, who has acted in "Perazhagan", Divya of "Campus" fame, and Telugu actress K.P. Radhika, use the site to find work.
Kamal versus the censors
Monday, August 2, 2004
Tamilnadu, India > Chennai, Tamil Nadu, July 31 : Southern superstar Kamal Haasan's brushes with the censors never seem to end. Now it is the turn of "Vasoolraja M.B.B.S.", the Tamil remake of Bollywood blockbuster "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", to run into trouble. The Tamil Nadu Medical Council and the Indian Medical Association are said to be unhappy over the film's title. They have gone to the high court and got a restraint order, which stops the censor board from giving a thumbs up to "Vasoolraja..." According to officials of these organisations, the Tamil title "Vasoolraja..." "belittles the medical profession". Vasoolraja means 'king of extortion'. The film is ready for an August release but without a censor board okay it can be delayed indefinitely. This is not the first time Haasan and the board have been at loggerheads. In 2000, the board cuts portions of Haasan's acclaimed film "Hey Ram!" before release. To infuriate him further, the edited and non-edited script was leaked to the local media, providing spice for his critics. Some political parties also objected to the name of his film "Sandiyar" and finally he had to change it to "Virumaandi", a name that has proved to be very successful at the box office.
