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V. Balasundaram receives "Indira Gandhi Sadbhavna Award"
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Chennai, Nov 27 (ANI/Business Wire India): V. Balasundaram, Director of Concorde Digital Technologies Private Limited was presented with the "Indira Gandhi Sadbhavna Award" for outstanding individual achievements and distinguished services to the nation.
The award was honoured by the National Integration and Economic Council on the occasion of the National Symposium on "Life and Works of Late Indira Gandhi" held at New Delhi, on November 22 to mark the 89th birth anniversary of Late Smt. Indira Gandhi.
National Integration and Economic Council recognises men and women from various walks of life for their outstanding individual achievements and services and pioneering work in their field of work and for their contribution to the nation.
M.V. Rajasekharan, Union Minister of State for Planning, Government of India, Bhishma Narain Singh, former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Assam and Chaudhary Randhir Singh, former Governor of Sikkim gave away the award at a function held at Vithalbhai Patel House, Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.
V. Balasundaram is a co-founder and Director of Concorde Digital Technologies and is responsible for worldwide operations, services and delivery, innovation and technology, human resources, finance, corporate affairs and quality.
Balasundaram is a chartered accountant and cost accountant, a gold medalist, with a brilliant academic record that includes an All-India First Rank in ICWA (Final).
Prior to co-founding Concorde Digital Technologies, he had held senior finance positions in some of the best companies in India and in South East Asia, including TATA Motors Limited, Larsen & Toubro Limited, the Parry Group of Chennai, two Thai-Japanese Joint Ventures belonging to the Teijin Group of Japan, viz, Thai Filament Textiles Co. Ltd & D.K. Textile Industry Co. Ltd., in Thailand and the Swiss MNC Triumph International in India.
He set up new departments and systems from scratch in Larsen & Toubro Limited, in the Thai-Japanese Joint Ventures in Thailand and in Triumph International when it entered India in 2002.
He also handled the Southeast Asian currency crisis of 1997 admirably in the Thai-Japanese Joint Ventures by restructuring the finance and accounts operations.
He was also instrumental in revamping the information systems of the Parry Group of Chennai during the period 1985-87.
He was a part-time Examiner of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India before going to Thailand. He has also published an article in the prestigious journal "The Chartered Accountant", the official journal of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Concorde Digital Technologies is a leading BPO Company operating in the healthcare vertical and servicing U.S. and Canadian clients, headquartered in Chennai with an office in Los Angeles, USA.
It is a member company of the Software Technology Parks of India. It was a pioneering effort by Balasundaram to start this BPO Company in 1999, when the BPO revolution was just starting up. (ANI)
- AY
President pitches for safer environment to women at work
Monday, November 26, 2007
Chennai, Nov 2 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil today urged everyone to come together to provide a safer and secure environment for girls at colleges and women at work.
"I hope we can all join hands and work together to make it safer and more secure for girls at college and women at work. Empowering women will require a multi-pronged approach. A three E-approach - enabling environment, education and equality - would be very useful," Patil said at the 17th Convocation of Mother Teresa Women's University here.
Commenting on the legislation to protect women against domestic violence and from sexual harassment at the workplace and to give Hindu women inheritance rights in co-parcenary property, she said: "Legislative and administrative initiatives to empower our women are necessary and important, but not enough. We also need a fundamental change in our mindsets."
There is a need of new social reform movement for gender equality and empowerment of women - a movement that changes society's attitude towards women, Patil added.
It is equally important for women to be motivated to fight discrimination and to march towards equal status, she said.
Emphasising on physical education of girl students, she said, "Self-defence is the best defence."
Commenting on grim scenario of male-female sex ratio in the country, Patil said: "Unfortunately, female foeticide is committed not only by the illiterate and the impoverished, it is being committed in cities and among the educated and well-to-do."
She went on to say that it was shocking to see that there were higher incidents of female foeticide in the more developed districts and regions of the country.
Tamil Nadu Governor and Chancellor of Mother Teresa Women's University Surjit Singh Barnalaji, Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education and Pro-Chancellor of the University K Ponmudy, State Minister for Social Welfare Poongothai and Vice Chancellor of the University D Janaki were also present on the occasion.
Mother Teresa Women's University was established in 1984, in the presence of Mother Teresa, a humanitarian par-excellence and Nobel Laureate for Peace. (ANI)
--MP
Washable body tattoos in Chennai
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Chennai, Nov.25 (ANI): A unisex salon has become a major draw for youngsters after it started painting washable body tattoos with a variety of designs.
Introduced by Naturals Salon, a chain of unisex beauty care parlours in Chennai, the washable tattoos have become a craze among youth who are attracted by the ease with which the body is lent an artistic colourful touch.
These tattoos are said to be an absolutely washable since they are temporary colours. They are non-allergic for the normal skin.
"Yeah, I've got this tattoo done. It's very in thing now-a-days in Chennai. All the youngsters are getting it done for the parties to gather attraction. It is very funky. The best part is that they are easily washable," said Rahul, a male model.
It takes 15 to 30 minutes for a single tattoo. Youngsters generally get the tattoo done on their hands, chest, back, and legs.
Management authorities of Naturals claim to be the first in introducing such an option for Body Paint in Chennai. Originally, this art is a concept of Catherine Chou of Taiwan, an internationally acclaimed body tattoo artist.
"It has become really popular in Chennai since past 6 months. It originated in Taiwan and Naturals have introduced it for the first time. It is very suitable for college goers, for occasions like parties, marriages, bridals. It suits every dress code. Also suitable to guys, it is very funky and fulfils desires of fashion," said Vijay, a Body Paint artist.
Vijay said that by mixing 24 shades, a huge palette is utilised, matching every dress, colour and skin tone.
A Body Paint treatment ranges from rupees 200 to 800 as per one's figure, size and intricacy of the design and the number of colours. It's absolutely non toxic towards your skin, he informed.
The body art tattoos are available in normal black and white, multi-colour and neon colour designs apart from floral and butterfly patterns that are more popular.
Youngsters don't mind coughing up a few hundred rupees on this body art. Naturals also customise designs to suit the customers' needs. (ANI)
- AY
Coimbatore Jail authorities horrified over inmates developing heart ailments
Friday, November 23, 2007
Coimbatore, Nov.23 (ANI): Officials at a Coimbatore Jail are startled after learning during a health check up that most of their inmates have heart and stress ailments.
The matter came to light after an inmate die of heart problem, making the jail authorities and the District administration to conduct a cardiac check-up of all the prisoners. Majority of the prisoners at the Coimbatore Central Jail are serving their life sentences.
According to the District Collector, Dr. Neeraj Mittal over 2,300 inmates were screened by a team of 20 specialists and other doctors.
"The focus of the check-up with which we are screening almost the 2,300 prisoners, both male and female, is proper treatment for the sick and the ailing. We are screening disease like diabetes, blood pressure, heart trouble, skin disease, neuro disease and many more. The specialist doctors have been called for detailed treatment," said Dr. Neeraj Mittal, District Collector,Coimbatore.
It was for the first time in past 25 years such a medical camp to check heart disease and other chronic ailments was organised at this jail.
On their part, the prisoners felt happy at this camp since they were diagnosed in detail and remedial treatment prescribed.
"I am a life convict and have completed five years imprisonment for my crime and every day my heath condition seems to have worsened. I was suffering from serious constipation and stress. This kind of camp has been very much useful for all the inmates. We want the District Collector to conduct such camps frequently," said Vijayshankar, s life term prisoner, Coimbatore Central Jail.
"I was convicted in a murder case and have completed six years of sentence and have the feeling of stress which shoots up my blood pressure. I attended many small health camps inside the prison but this kind of medical camps helps us to make our mind stress free," said Duraipandi, another life term inmate.
Among the persons lodged in the Coimbatore Central Jail, a good number of them are reportedly well-qualified in academics. Some of them hold degrees like Masters of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Arts and others. (ANI) -AJ
AIADMK leader murder case: 11 arrested
Thursday, November 22, 2007
PV: As many as 11 persons have been arrested by the police for the murder of Chengalpet municipality vice-chairman and AIADMK functionary Kurangu Kumar. A gang in a four-wheeler had blocked the car in which Kurangu Kumar was travelling near his house in Chengalpet and hacked him and another party worker to death.
Sri Ramachandra University plans Tricell stem cell center
PV: Research on stem cell therapy and Life Cell is gaining ground with the Sri Ramachandra University launching a Tricell stem cell center and MIOT hospitals too planning research on stem cell therapy for faster recovery after hip replacement surgery.
Life Cell, a stem cell bank joined hands with Sri Ramachandra University to set up Tricell, to research on stem cell therapy for hematological diseases – blood related disorders and stem cell transplantation for other types of disorders. The Rs five crore center will research on regenerative medicine through stem cell therapy and also study the use of the therapy in vascular and neurological disorders.
Barrier free environment for the disabled:Minister
PV: Minister of state for social justice and empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan said the University of Madras would be the first in the country to provide a barrier-free environment for the disabled. Speaking to media after visiting the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), at Muttukadu, near here on Thursday, Ms Jagadeesan said her ministry had written to all the universities in the country pointing out the necessity for providing barrier-free environment for the physically challenged.
PMK, Left parties protest in Delhi demanding reservations for OBCs
New Delhi, Nov 22 (ANI): Pattali Makkal Katachi (PMK) and the Left parties took out a rally here today demanding additional quota for students of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in state-run colleges.
The protestors led by S. Ramadoss, the PMK founder and president, criticised the apex court for passing a stay order on implementation of OBC quotas in the Central institutions of higher learning.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury said: "Other Backward Classes (OBCs) require reservation. The law has been passed in Parliament, but could not be implemented. Reservation in jobs and educational institutions is necessary to build a new India and we support it." The protestors also demanded jobs for the OBCs in state-run organisations.
CPI-M leader D. Raja said: "It is already too late that 27 per cent reservation has not been provided in jobs and in all educational institutions to the educationally and socially backward classes. It is very distressing that the judgment is not cleared. Whatever the parliament has decided it is an Act of the Parliament."The government wants to boost the reservation in college seats to 49.5 percent from 22.5 percent.
The law providing 27 percent reservation for the OBCs in higher educational institutions was also made. But, the apex court in its March 29 interim order had stayed the implementation of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, providing 27 percent quota for OBC.
There have been sporadic protests in several parts of the country since the court scrapped a government policy and called for more accurate data on numbers and the educational status of the Other Backward Classes before moving ahead with new quotas. (ANI) -AJ
Tamil Nadu medicos go on fast to protest course extension
Coimbatore/Chennai, Nov 21 (ANI): Medicos in Tamil Nadu went on a hunger strike on Wednesday to protest a decision of the Central Government favouring compulsory rural service for medical students, which would result in an extension of the course duration to six and a half years.
Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss recently announced the tabling of a bill favouring compulsory rural service for medical students. However, this did not go down well with medicos, as the move would result in extending the MBBS course to six-and-a-half years.
In Coimbatore, over 750 trainee doctors and medical students began their hunger strike. Holding placards and shouting "Medicos United," they sat on protest, some with their mouths covered with strips of black cloth while others had their faces painted in white with 51/2 or 61/2 on their foreheads.
"First, I want to clarify that we are not against rural service. It would be our pleasure to do rural service but our period of study should not be extended. It should be within five and a half years and if you want to extend that study give us permanent jobs with permanent salaries," said Siddharth, President Medical Students Association.
Sukhanya, a medical student, said: "We don't see any harm in working in rural areas. We have signed a bond for only five and a half years of study. But if it is extended to six and a half years we are against only the extension of posting."
State capital Chennai too witnessed similar protests.
Medical students of Tamil Nadu and House Surgeons council continued a hunger strike, which they started on Tuesday evening.
"When we come to a course of five and a half years how can they extend it immediately to six and a half years course, that's injustice," said Sathish Kumar, Spokesperson - Tamil Nadu Medical Students and House Surgeons Council.
The government says the move will improve the medical facility in rural areas. (ANI)
--MP
Advantedge Global Services announces leadership team
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Chennai, Nov 21 (ANI/Business Wire India): Advantedge Global Services, a knowledge processing and management company, announced the appointment of its leadership team - David E. Gant as Chief Executive Officer and Maheshwar M. Tiruchinapalli as Chief Operations Officer. "We are very excited about having Dave and Maheshwar on board", said A.K. Mylsamy, Chairman, Advantedge Global Services.
"They bring with them a combined experience of over 45 years global leadership in fields as diverse as sales and marketing, technology development and management, operations, business development, and customer service and are deeply committed to the strategic execution of our business plan," Mylsamy added.
In his new role as CEO with Advantedge, David will be responsible for sales and operations, to ensure the organization achieves its goals, translates its strategic direction into actionable plans, and consistently delivers business results.
Prior to joining Advantedge Global Services, David was Vice President of Global Service Providers for Avaya, before which he was President, Lucent Technologies - Latin America. His earlier stints include regional and general management positions with Cisco, NEC, and AT&T Information Systems.
Maheshwar will be responsible for sales support, business development, marketing, channel development, and business operations. He will have the added responsibility of President - India Operations to help realize Advantedge's passion for Customer Advocacy.
Prior to joining Advantedge, Maheshwar was the Managing Director, Sales Initiatives and Channels for SITA Global Professional Services. He has extensive global executive experience in business development, marketing, channels, and outsourcing and has worked for multinational companies including Cisco, AT&T, NCR, and Nortel.
Rafe Banks, Vice Chairman, Advantedge Global Services, said, "Their considerable experience will be channelled into ensuring the organization continuously works to improve its operations and services, with the ultimate objective of enhancing customer satisfaction and share-holder value. They will work closely with the Board of Directors and investors to formulate strategic direction and strategic execution to enable our leadership position in the knowledge processing and management markets." (ANI) -AJ
Medicos in Chennai opposed to mandatory serving in rural areas
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Chennai, Nov 19 (ANI): Post Graduate Medical students of Tamil Nadu and House Surgeons Council have threatened to go on a hunger strike in Chennai against the Centre's decision to make rural service for the medical students compulsory. The medical students today launched a token strike against it. Recently, Union Health Minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, had announced to table a Bill favouring compulsory rural service for the medical students. "We want union Health Minister to drop this plan. And we also want the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to intervene and resolve it as soon as possible," said Sathish Kumar, spokesperson of Tamil Nadu Medical Students and House Surgeons Council. However, most of villagers are in favour of student doctors serving in rural areas, which they think would improve the medical facility there. "We don't have doctors here, we have to go for long distance for treatment and if we have student doctors giving treatment for us it would be very helpful for us," said Saraswathi, a village women. (ANI) --MP Labels: Chennai, Health
DMK's Tiruvarur District secretary killed in bomb blast
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Tiruvarur, Nov 17 (ANI): Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) Tiruvarur District Secretary, Poondi Kalaiselvan, was killed in a bomb blast here on Saturday. According to police, the incident took place at his residence when he was meeting some visitors. Kalaiselvan succumbed to injuries in the hospital. As the news spread, tension prevailed in the district. Shops and business establishments in the town were closed. (ANI) -AJ Labels: Politics
Longest book title ever with 1022 words
Karamdai (Tamil Nadu), Nov. 16 (ANI): A college principal in a Coimbatore college has authored a book having a title written in 1,022 words containing 4,805 characters without a space!
The book written on Daniel Radcliffe, the man best known for playing school-aged wizard Harry Potter in each of the first five films based on the best-selling Harry Potter book series, is claimed to be the first ever book on a Hollywood character by an Indian.
Speaking on the book release function on Monday, Dr. Subramonian, the writer and Principal of Dr. R V. Arts and Science College in Karamadai, 25 kilometres from Coimbatore, claimed that his book had the longest title ever known.
"We have created a record in Dr. R. V. Arts and Science College, Karamadai. I have written a book with the longest title containing 1,022 words. This is the longest ever title written for a book like this," claimed Subramonian.
The 123-page book has an eight-pager pull out containing 3-D pictures from the movie that can be viewed with anaglyph glass that comes free with the book.
The title of the book that begins with 'Daniel Radcliffe the story of the not so ordinary boy chosen from .......' and ends with 'to his ever royal crown of fame' even doesn't have even a single punctuation mark.
Subramonian later said that the Guinness Book of World Record authorities in London have confirmed to him over telephone that no record of such sort had ever been made.
Subramonian said that it was his daughter, a Daniel Radcliffe fan, who motivated him to write the book that also has the distinction of being the first ever book written by an Indian on a Hollywood actor.
He said his objective was to develop reading habits among the younger generation and thus selected such a topic.
"He (Daniel Radcliffe) is a motivator; a young motivator for the young and old alike. That is why I have selected him," said Subramonian.
In 1996, Subramonian registered himself with the Guinness Book of World Record for teaching 1, 934 students online at 16 centres worldwide. (ANI)
--MP
Chidambaram assures infrastructure development assistance in Tamil Nadu
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Chennai, Nov.10 (ANI): Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday asserted here that the UPA Government would provide all possible assistance to Tamil Nadu in the development of infrastructure. During his interaction with Tamil Nadu Chief MInister M.Karunanidhi, Chidambaram discussed various aspects concerning the infrastructure development of the state. "We discussed about repair, restoration and renovation of the water bodies. We need to work on roads, generally, the problems which I am able to see when I travel districts specially in my constituency for the feedback from the people." He was, however, particularly critical about the condition of the roads in the state. He said that if the State Government targetted three areas, the conditions of roads could improve. First, he said, is the technical design of roads, which must take into account the local climatic conditions. Second, was to reduce water stagnation and third was that infrastructure should be based on sound technical design. Regarding the metro rail project for Chennai, Chidambaram said that the Central Government had cleared the project for Hyderabad and Bangalore and the same would be applicable for the Chennai metro project too. The Chennai metro is a much-awaited project for the city, aimed at reducing traffic snarls in the southern metropolis. Tamil Nadu is served by an extensive road network in terms of its spread and quality, providing links between urban centers, agricultural market-places and rural habitations in the countryside. There are 24 national highways in the state, covering a total distance of 2,002 km. The state is also a terminus for the Golden Quadrilateral project that is scheduled to complete in 2008. The state has a total road length of 167,000 km, of which 60,628 km are maintained by Highways department. This is nearly 2.5 times higher than the density of all-India road network. It is currently working on upgrading its road network, though the pace of work is considered slow.(ANI) -AJ Labels: Top-Stories
Tamil Nadu celebrates Diwali today
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Chennai, Nov 8 (ANI): Diwali, the celebration of triumph of good over evil, is being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across Tamil Nadu today. People wearing new cloths exchanged pleasantries and thronged temples. According to Sivakasi-based cracker manufacturers, this year sales of crackers were down by at least 40 per cent. In the neighbouring union territory of Puducherry, the festival was celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm, as people here offered prayers at the temples. The day commemorates the homecoming of Lord Ram after a 14-year exile in forest. The people of Ayodhya welcomed him back by lighting rows of lamps. The festival, which signifies victory of good over the evil, comes exactly twenty days after Dussehra. There are several beliefs regarding the origin of festival. Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the time when Lord Ram achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honour of the day Bali went to rule the nether world, obeying the order of Vishnu. In Jainism, it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 B.C. (ANI) --MP Labels: Top-Stories
PDK protests killing of LTTE leader Thamilselvan
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Chennai, Nov 7 (ANI): The Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) party today protested in front of the Sri Lankan Consulate here against the killing of Tamil Tiger rebel political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan.Protestors demanded India to stop its support to the Sri Lankan government."We are condemning the Sri Lankan government for killing the person who was participating in the peace meeting. We are also condemning the Indian government for giving aid to the Sri Lankan government economically, financially and also arms," said Thuraisamy, an advocate taking part in the protest.Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Thamilselvan was killed in a Sri Lankan air force bombing raid last Friday. Thamilselvan was LTTE's main interlocutor at the last round of peace talks with the Sri Lankan government in Oct 2006, and was the international face of the separatist group led by rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.The loss of Thamislevan is said to be a major big setback to any hope of peace talks in the near future, said a spokesman of non-partisan advocacy group the National Peace Council.An estimated 5,000 people have been killed since early last year amid near-daily land and sea clashes, ambushes and air strikes. The death toll since the conflict erupted in 1983 stands at about 70,000. (ANI) -AJ Labels: Politics
Cholamandalam Risk Wins "Risk Manager Of The Year" Award
hennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Wednesday, November 07, 2007 -- (Business Wire India) -- Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Ltd (CMSRSL), a joint venture between USD 2 billion (Rs.8500 crore) Murugappa Group and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance of Japan has been conferred with the prestigious 'Risk Manager of the Year' award at the 11th Asia Insurance Industry Awards 2007 ceremony held at Singapore. These awards were launched in 1997 by the Asia Insurance Review along with The Review Worldwide to recognize and salute excellence in the insurance industry.
Acknowledging the award, Mr. N V Subba Rao, Head - Risk Services CMSRSL, said, "We are elated at being the first corporate entity in Asia to have won this coveted award. This award has brought recognition to our efforts in introducing latest risk management techniques in Asian Market . This award strengthens our commitment to this cause and spurs us onwards in our quest to deliver solutions that make a difference to our customers and the communities in which we operate. It also serves to recognize the emergence of India as a centre of Risk Management capabilities. I believe this will help to hasten the adoption of world-class risk management practices by companies in India as well as give the rest of the world opportunities to leverage the nation's evolving competencies in this field."
The esteemed judging panel comprised of industry experts, regulators, practitioners and association heads. With over 700 nominations received across 15 award categories from various regions, Chola MS Risk received this award for their pioneering solutions and introducing several firsts in the Indian risk management and risk engineering markets - for example, thermography, layer of protection analysis (LOPA) etc.
CMSRSL has proved with its consistent growth in the financial turnover that risk management and engineering consultancy can be a successful business model even when independent of an insurance company.
About the Murugappa Group
Headquartered in Chennai, the USD 2 billion (Rs.8500 crore) Murugappa Group is India's leading business conglomerate. Market leaders in diverse areas of business including engineering, abrasives, finance, general insurance, sanitaryware, cycles, sugar, farm inputs, fertilizers, plantations, bio-products and nutraceuticals, its 29 registered companies have manufacturing facilities spread across 14 states in India. The organisation fosters an environment of professionalism and has a workforce of over 30,000 employees.
The Group has forged strong joint venture alliances with leading international companies like Roca, Cargill, DBS Bank, Mitsui Sumitomo and Groupe Chimique Tunisien and has consolidated its status as one of the fastest growing diversified business houses in India
About Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company (MSI)
Mitsui Sumitomo is the second largest Insurance Group in Japan, with a Net Written Premium (NWP) of 14.58 billion USD in 2006. The Company has 733 sales bases, 257 claims handling offices and about 62474 agents throughout Japan. MS also offers its services globally with 52 sales bases in 38 countries and regions overseas. Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. Ltd. was recently awarded the "General Insurance Company of the Year" Award at the 9th Asia Insurance Industry Award ceremony held in Singapore. This has been awarded to MSI for being the most active non-life insurance company and for reaching the top of the foreign non-life insurers in the region.
Labels: Business
10,000 kg sweets on sale for poor schools and AIDS patients in Coimbatore
AA: By Jehovah. G Coimbatore, Nov.7 (ANI): Rotary Club in Coimbatore is selling 10,000 kilograms of sweets this Diwali to raise funds for poor schools and patients having dreaded diseases in rural areas here. A variety of sweets including Laddu, Sonpapri, Jalebi, Mysorepak, Cashew cakes and Mixture have been put on sale at a big stall opened in the heart of the city for the first time. Prepared with pure Ghee or, clarified butter, these sweets are cheaper than the market price. Organisers anticipate a sale of sweets worth a million rupees. The stall was opened on Monday and will last till Diwali. "We are making best quality sweets and making money for the poor. The people will benefit by getting the best quality sweets at less than the market price. The profit would go for a noble cause," said Prabu Kesavan, President of Rotary club of Coimbatore (East). A major part of the collections raised through selling sweets would be utilized to arrange basic infrastructure like desks, benches, etcetera in schools, as many local schools in the rural areas do not need them. Besides, the funds will also be used to support poor patients suffering from dreaded diseases like AIDS, Cancer and Leprosy. For customers, it's a special feeling to buy Rotary sweets for the festive occasion and a joy of contributing to a noble cause. "Every year we buy all sorts of sweets on Diwali. But this year I would like to buy the Rotary sweets not just because they are delicious but for the reason that they are part of a noble cause," said Sheela, a customer. Meanwhile, many customers have already started making advance bookings in wholesale from the manufacturing point itself much before the stalls are thrown open for public. On Diwali, people exchange sweets with friends, neighbours and relatives along with the heartiest greetings for prosperity and happiness in life. (ANI) Labels: Education
Baalu approves road repair works in Tamil Nadu
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
New Delhi, Nov 6 (ANI): Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R. Baalu has approved a sum of Rs. 635.10 lakh for road improvement works on NH-208 in Tamil Nadu. NH-208 is an important National Highway of interstate connectivity connecting Kerala and Tamil Nadu from Kollam to Thirumangalam. This road also connects the important towns like Shencottah, Tenkasi, Rajapalayam to important tourist centers like Sabarimala, Courtallam and Madurai. The approval has been granted for the following works on NH-208 of the State. An amount of Rs. 278.58 lakh has been approved for construction of High Level Bridge at km 123/4 at Sengilipatti Village (Periya Odai) in Thirunelveli district. The existing bridge is narrow and also in dilapidated condition and therefore, it is necessary to reconstruct the bridge in replacement of the existing bridge. An amount of Rs. 184.29 lakh has been approved for construction of retaining walls at km 113/6-.114/0, and km.127/4 and 133/8-134/2 at Kadayanallur Municipal limit in Tirunelveli district. These stretches run along huge tanks due to which the shoulders are completely eroded and therefore, need immediate repairs. An amount of Rs 129.51 lakh has been approved for improvement of riding quality in certain stretches of NH at Kadayanallur Municipal limit in
Tirunelveli district. The riding surface of the stretch is badly damaged due to recent rains and needs immediate repairs. An amount of Rs. 21.60 lakh has been approved at km. 207/4 for construction of retaining wall along the approaches of minor bridge at M. Suppulapuram in Madurai district. An amount of Rs. 16.43 lakh has also been approved at km. 206/4 for construction of an other retaining wall along the road side tank at M.Supplapuram in Madurai. In addition Thiru Baalu has approved a sum of Rs. 4.69 lakh for consultancy services for feasibility study and preparation of the detailed project report for construction of bypass to Seithur Town at km. 155/4-158/2 in Virudhunagar district. The completion of road improvement works in Madurai and Thirunelveli districts will help ease the traffic situation in these areas. (ANI) Labels: Top-Stories
Hindu activists protest demolition of temples in Malaysia
Chennai, Nov 6 (ANI): Activists of Hindu Munnani, a Tamil Nadu based religious and cultural organisation, staged a protest demonstration here today against the demolition of temples in Malaysia. Activists staged a protest in front of Malaysian Consulate building in Chennai and submitted a memorandum to the officials at the consulate. "Every month one temple is being destroyed or demolished and they are transferring the temple to the gutter areas," said Hindu Munnani President Ramagopalan. According to various Hindu groups in Malaysia, some 10,000 temples have been demolished so far in what is termed as "temple cleansing" drive in the country. Ramagopalan warned of a worldwide movement against the demolition of the temples in Malaysia, if corrective measures were not taken. Malaysian city hall authorities recently demolished Shri Maha Mariamman Temple in Padang Jawa town, resulting in a clash between devotees and the city authorities. The Malaysian authorities reportedly said that the temple was built on an encroached land. Built in 1873, the temple dedicated to Goddess Maha Mariamman was the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia. Carved images of deities adorned the temple's grand entrance, a 22-metre high pyramid-shaped tower or 'gopuram'. (ANI) Labels: Religion
Areva T&D plans Rs 100cr unit near Chennai
AY: Areva T&D, one of the world's leading transmission and distribution (T&D) companies, is setting up a high voltage manufacturing unit at Padappai near Chennai with a capital outlay of over Rs 100 crore. The company will be the first to manufacture GIS products at the Padappai unit, which would be ready by January 2009. The strategic move demonstrates our commitment to contribute to India's significant electricity needs. It also highlights Areva T&D's technical competence and market consolidation plans in the high-voltage product line, especially circuit breakers for air insulated switchgear (AIS) and gas insulated switchgear (GIS). The unit will manufacture high voltage circuit breakers up to 765 kV, and will be fully equipped to expand the portfolio up to 1,200 kV. Labels: Business, Chennai
Foodgrain prices - Chennai
Monday, November 5, 2007
AY: Prices of Moong Dal moved down, while other commodities ruled steady in the wholesale foodgrains market here in chennai. The rates of Thoor Dal, Urad Dal, Gram Dal, Sugar, Maida and Sooji remained unchanged. Moong dal down up by Rs 50 per quintal to Rs 3,200 against previous level of Rs.3,250. Thoor dal Rs 4,450, Urad Dal Rs 3,850, Moong Dal Rs 3,200 Gram Dal Rs 2,900, Sugar Rs 1,330, Wheat Rs 1,450, Maida (90 kg) Rs 1,400 and Sooji (90kg) Rs 1,550. Labels: Business
TN keen on launching telemedicine projects
Sunday, November 4, 2007
AY: The Tamil Nadu Government is keen on taking the benefits of telemedicine to the poor in rural and urban areas, and the Government was launching projects in this regard, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said. In his address at the Third National Conference of the Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) and 12th International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH) Conference here on Saturday, he recollected that his Government had sanctioned Rs 87 lakh in 1999 to implement a pilot project in telemedicine in Government General Hospital here. Another project will be inaugurated shortly at the Government Royapettah Hospital, linking six Government headquarters hospitals at Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Thiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri,Udhgamandalam (Ooty) and Rameswaram. Further, a Tele Health Project was currently under implementation at the Tindivanam Taluk Hospital and Mailam Block Primary Health Care Centre in Villupuram. Karunanidhi also lauded the Indian Space Reasearch Organisation for offering free services on its bandwidth for telemedicine consultations in the country. Labels: Health
Youzhny for Chennai Open
Saturday, November 3, 2007
AY: World No.18 Mikhail Youzhny has confirmed his participation for the 2008 Chennai Open to be held at the SDAT-Nungambakkam Stadium here from December 31, 2007 to January 6, 2008. The 25-year-old Russian, noted for his single-handed backhand, consistency and all-court game, was ranked as high as 10 in August this year. Youzhny has an interesting mannerism wherein he gives military style salute to the spectators after each victory. He does that by holding the tennis racquet above his head with his left hand and saluting with his right hand. The racquet imitates a hat since according to Russian military tradition one must wear a hat to give proper salute. Labels: Sports
Doctors banned for illegal surgery
Thursday, November 1, 2007
AY: Tamilnadu doctors K Murugesan and his wife Gandhimathy have been banned from practising for a year. The Indian Medical Association in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday ordered the ban after the doctors allowed their 14-year old son to perform a ceasarian surgery on a 20-year old woman. The doctors were arrested in June in the wake of public protests. The decision to ban them was taken on the basis of the findings of a three-member committee, headed by the District Collector, reports said. Labels: Health
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