TN administration on high alert Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | Editor
The Tamil Nadu government tonight put the administration and police force of coastal districts on maximum alert following the massive earthquake near Indonesia's Sumatra Island.
An official said instructions were, however, awaited about moving those residing near the seacoast to safer places.
Over 8,000 people were killed in Tamil Nadu when a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean had triggered killer tidal waves on December 26 last. (PTI)
Microsoft to set up teacher training facility in Chennai Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | Editor
PTI
CHENNAI: Global IT major Microsoft plans to set up a teacher training facility in Chennai to help them in imparting the latest IT knowledge and practice to school students in Tamil Nadu.
A four-member delegation from Microsoft, including Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India, met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa here on Monday and informed her about the company's plans for the facility.
The Chief Minister said the proposal could be taken forward so that the "IT education is made even more popular in schools in Tamil Nadu," a government press release said.
Explaining the initiatives taken by Microsoft, Venkatesan said the company has brought out a Tamil language software, which will enable widespread use of personal computers (PCs).
He also explained Microsoft's plans to popularise an affordable PC with popular software in Tamil so that the spread of computer literacy and its use can be even more rapid.
Jayalalithaa indicated the special efforts being taken to implement Rural Access to Services through Internet (RASI) by which people in rural areas can access important information on a regular basis.
Search for Tamil movie talents to be aired on TV Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | Editor
TAMIL Nesan reported that deejay Gita of the local private radio station, THR.fmraga, is looking for talents for a new Tamil movie.
The movie is aimed at unveiling hidden talents in the country.
The daily said popular Tamil cinema actors, Parthiban, and comedian, Vadivelu, would also star in the movie.
More than 1,800 people attended an audition for the movie recently, held at NTV7 studios. Twelve were selected from the 150 talents who were shortlisted.
The audition and selection would be telecast over NTV7 on April 2 and 9.
Tamil Nesan and Malaysia Nanban also carried a letter from a reader expressing sympathies for the late Radio 6 deejay, M. Thiagarajan.
Readers commended Thiagarajan on his knowledge of the Tamil film industry and his skills in producing programmes.
Meanwhile, a reader urged the Government to monitor THR.fmraga radio for airing songs that had been banned by Radio 6, an RTM Tamil radio station.
Tamil Nesan also reported that MIC Social Strategic Foundation managing director Dr Dennison Jeyasuria as saying that the party had obtained 45 places in Junior Mara Colleges for Tamil school pupils.
TN govt puts administration, police on full alert Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | Editor
PTI
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government tonight put the administration and police force of coastal districts on full alert following the massive earthquake near Sumatra island.
An official said instructions were, however, awaited about moving those residing near the seacoast further away.
Over 8,000 people were killed in Tamil Nadu when a massive earthquake in the Indian ocean had triggered tsunami on December 26 last.
Seer visits mutt after four months Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | Editor
PTI
KANCHEEPURAM: Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi on Monday visited the Sankara Mutt for the first time since his arrest in connection with the Sankararaman murder case on November 11.
The Seer spent nearly an hour at the mutt during which he performed 'pooja' and did meditation in front of the 'Adishtanam' (samadhi) of the Mahaswami Chandrasekhara Saraswathi, mutt sources said.
Later, he left for Kalavai.
Since the chargesheet has been filed in the Sankararaman murder case, the bail conditions prohibiting his entry into the mutt no longer exist and he did not violate the bail conditions, police said.
Earlier on Monday, the Seer visited the Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kancheepuram and performed milk 'abhishekam' to the Adhi Sankara and Saraswathi shrines before visiting the nearby Kousikeswarar temple.
The Seer had made a public appearance at the Deemed University of Chandra Sekarendra Saraswathi Viswamaha Vidhyalaya at Enathur on Sunday where a convocation was held.
He reached the university from Kalavai soon after the convocation speeches and citation ceremonies were over, university sources said.
He blessed the gathering and distributed 'prasadams' to students and parents who were present.
The Seer also held a meeting with board members of the University and later returned to Kalavai.
Six huts gutted in Tamil Nadu fire Saturday, March 26, 2005 | Editor
PTI: Six huts were gutted in a fire at nearby Tirupur on Friday, police said.
The fire, which occured in one hut, spread to other five huts in Kanjampalayam.
However, no one was injured in the incident as the inmates were gone for work, they added.
Tamil Nadu tops in wind energy generation in the country: CII report Friday, March 25, 2005 | Editor
Tamil Nadu tops in wind energy generation in the country: CII report Our Regional Bureau / Chennai March 25, 2005 The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) southern region in its report said that if Tamil Nadu has to retain its leadership position, it must allow third party sale to avoid diversion of investments to other states like Maharashtra where third party sale is allowed.
The key findings of the CII report ‘Success in Harnessing Wind Energy – Tamil Nadu’ said that Tamil Nadu has emerged as a role model state and a leader in wind energy generation in the country with an installed capacity of 1,664 MW, which is 53 per cent of the total installed capacity in the country.
Of the 3,050 MW estimated potential, the state has successfully captured 55 per cent and poised for a capacity addition of 500 MW during the current year.
The other key issues that the state government will need to look into are wheeling to be permitted in all categories of high tension tariff, retaining the wheeling and banking charges by 5 per cent, continued participation of ERC for transparency in power purchase pricing, and non compatibility of wind project investment under Technology Upgradation Fund (TUF).
According to the CII report, the success of Tamil Nadu in harnessing wind energy is mainly due to the positive perception created by the state among investors in setting up wind farms. The initiatives include maintaining a consistent wind energy policy, lower wheeling and banking charges at 5 per cent.
The other factors will be making captive use economical, inherent geographical advantage such as good wind regime due to major mountain pass, multiple use of wind farm area for cultivating cash crops, high concentration of captive consumers in the state, robust grid infrastructure and the reasonable power purchase price by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) at Rs.2.70 per unit.
The report also highlights the socio-economic and environmental benefits through wind energy projects. Indirect and direct employment of around 80 people for a 1 MW plant is envisaged. Local economies can derive immense benefit from wind projects.
In his address, R Viswanathan, minister for transport and electricity, Government of Tamil Nadu, said that the state government is very keen on encouraging the wind energy production in view of the greener technology and the environment- friendly system, and also the employment potential it offers.
Tamil Nadu has been able to attract and retain the private sector investments in wind energy due to its consistent and transparent wind power policy, he said.
K Skandan, chairman, TNEB, said that a multi-pronged approach by the state government to develop wind energy, along with regular payment by the electricity board to the generators have enthused private operators, who were attracted by a consistent policy of the state, he said.
Of the 11,900 million units (MUs) of wind energy generated so far, 2119 MUs were generated in the last year till Feb 2005. Out of this 2119 MUs, 1,400 MUs have been adjusted to the industry while the purchased by the TNEB, stated Skandan.
K Allaudin, chairman and managing director of Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (Teda), said that so far 67 sites have identified in the state out of which 41 have been declared as potential sites for wind generation. Allaudin further added that indigenisation of technology is one of the key factors for growth of this sector.
Tamil Nadu tops in wind energy generation in the country: CII report Our Regional Bureau / Chennai March 25, 2005 The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) southern region in its report said that if Tamil Nadu has to retain its leadership position, it must allow third party sale to avoid diversion of investments to other states like Maharashtra where third party sale is allowed.
The key findings of the CII report ‘Success in Harnessing Wind Energy – Tamil Nadu’ said that Tamil Nadu has emerged as a role model state and a leader in wind energy generation in the country with an installed capacity of 1,664 MW, which is 53 per cent of the total installed capacity in the country.
Of the 3,050 MW estimated potential, the state has successfully captured 55 per cent and poised for a capacity addition of 500 MW during the current year.
The other key issues that the state government will need to look into are wheeling to be permitted in all categories of high tension tariff, retaining the wheeling and banking charges by 5 per cent, continued participation of ERC for transparency in power purchase pricing, and non compatibility of wind project investment under Technology Upgradation Fund (TUF).
According to the CII report, the success of Tamil Nadu in harnessing wind energy is mainly due to the positive perception created by the state among investors in setting up wind farms. The initiatives include maintaining a consistent wind energy policy, lower wheeling and banking charges at 5 per cent.
The other factors will be making captive use economical, inherent geographical advantage such as good wind regime due to major mountain pass, multiple use of wind farm area for cultivating cash crops, high concentration of captive consumers in the state, robust grid infrastructure and the reasonable power purchase price by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) at Rs.2.70 per unit.
The report also highlights the socio-economic and environmental benefits through wind energy projects. Indirect and direct employment of around 80 people for a 1 MW plant is envisaged. Local economies can derive immense benefit from wind projects.
In his address, R Viswanathan, minister for transport and electricity, Government of Tamil Nadu, said that the state government is very keen on encouraging the wind energy production in view of the greener technology and the environment- friendly system, and also the employment potential it offers.
Tamil Nadu has been able to attract and retain the private sector investments in wind energy due to its consistent and transparent wind power policy, he said.
K Skandan, chairman, TNEB, said that a multi-pronged approach by the state government to develop wind energy, along with regular payment by the electricity board to the generators have enthused private operators, who were attracted by a consistent policy of the state, he said.
Of the 11,900 million units (MUs) of wind energy generated so far, 2119 MUs were generated in the last year till Feb 2005. Out of this 2119 MUs, 1,400 MUs have been adjusted to the industry while the purchased by the TNEB, stated Skandan.
K Allaudin, chairman and managing director of Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (Teda), said that so far 67 sites have identified in the state out of which 41 have been declared as potential sites for wind generation. Allaudin further added that indigenisation of technology is one of the key factors for growth of this sector.
More school kids prone to respiratory diseases Friday, March 25, 2005 | Editor
Acute respiratory infection tops the morbidity pattern among school children in Tamilnadu, according to the policy noted placed in the State Assembly by the Health and Family Welfare Minister Thalavai Sundaram yesterday.
Statistics show that upto December 2004, 23,892 schools were visited by medical teams and 41.7 lakh students treated. Out of these, 45, 701 children were referred to higher medical institutions. And 12.35 per cent of them were affected by acute respiratory infections while 10. 19 per cent by dental problems. More than 9.5 per cent of the treated students were found having worm infestations. About 3.18 per cent of students were anemic and 1.82 per cent were found to be having vitamin A deficiency. More than just one per cent pupils were found affected with scabies.
The Indian government-sponsored school eye screening project screened 22.34 lakh student in year 2004-05, nearly one lakh less than that during 2003-04. In 2004-05, nearly 25,600 spectacles were provided and that is again less by 13,000 when compared to the figures of previous year. There is also a decline in eye donations too. The number of eyes collected stood at 4,707 in year 2003-04 while the figure was 3,943 in the year 2004-05.
The number of eyes utilised too came down from 2,678 to 2,139 in the current financial year. The policy note said the Tamilnadu government was intending to start eye banks in government medical colleges which have post graduate courses in Ophthalmology.
There are a total of 1,415 primary health centres and 8,682 health sub-centres functioning in the State. Average outpatient per day per PHC has increased from 79 in year 2000 to 118 in the current year. Deliveries conducted in PHCs too increased from 54,505 in the year 2000-01 to 76,447 in 2004-2005.
Malaria is prevalent mainly in urban areas and out of the total malaria cases, 73.9 per cent have been occurring in urban areas, said the policy note.
Birth rate in the State is 18.5 per 1000 and death rate 7.7 per 1000 people. Infant mortality rate is 44 per 1000 live births and out of this 70 per cent are neo-natal deaths.
CM launches project for health care Friday, March 25, 2005 | Editor
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa inaugurated yesterday a Rs 597.15-crore World Bank-aided Tamilnadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP) and its website: www.tnhsp.org.
The project would be implemented for five years through a public-private partnership aimed at improving the effectiveness of the healthcare system in the public and private domain, through increased access to and utilisation of health services.
World Bank would contribute Rs 502.94 crore and the government Rs 94.21 crore. Enhancement of infrastructure at the district-level was being planned and it included new facilities for operation theatres, outpatient and out-patient units and emergency wards. State-of-the-art equipment, blood purification machines, ultra sonograms would also be provided.
Ambulance to rush pregnant women within half-an-hour of an emergency and 24-hour maternity and neo-natal care centres would be started.
Health Minister N Thalavai Sundaram, Chief Secretary Lakshmi Pranesh and TNHSP director Supriya Sahu were also present on the occasion.
Free textbooks for students upto X std Friday, March 25, 2005 | Editor
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today announced that all students up to tenth standard in government and government-aided schools will be provided textbooks free of cost.
This scheme will come into effect from the next academic year itself, the Chief Minister said in the State Assembly today. Making a statement under Rule 110 in the House, she said 97 lakh students would be benefitted by this scheme and it would cost Rs 61.45 crore to the government.
The Chief Minister also announced another scheme which would help students from families which has lost an earning member (either father or mother or suffered any disability) forcing the children to discontinue their studies. To ensure that such students do not discontinue studies, the government would deposit Rs 50,000 as fixed deposit in government financial institutions and the interest accrued from the same and the maturity sum would be spent for the educational expenses and other requirements of these children.
This scheme would be applicable to students studying between first and 12th standards in government and government-aided schools. This measure would ensure that students (totalling 1.12 crore) do not give up education due to lack of funds, she pointed out.
Referring to the Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh's appreciation for the Tamilnadu government's impressive performance in implementing the Centre's 'Sarva Siksha Abhiyan scheme', the Chief Minister said the State would achieve the target of middle-school education for all much before the target date of 2010 set by the Centre.
The State would achieve this well in advance due to the various measure taken by the government, she said.
At present, textbooks are given free of cost to the students up to fifth standard and for those in standards six to 10, they are provided with some restrictions and the government is spending Rs 46.45 crore towards this. Under the new scheme, textbooks would be provided free of cost to all students up to SSLC without any restriction.
Qube Digital Cinema Network Rolls Out Friday, March 25, 2005 | Editor
Real Image Media Technologies, manufacturers of Qube Cinema and a member of the MPEG Interop Initiative Group, have commenced operation of an E-cinema network across cinemas in Tamilnadu, India.
The Qube Cinema server is a fully software based and format independent design and offers significant advantages over conventional hardware dependent solutions. Easily upgradeable and extremely flexible, it allows for leveraging the price curves of computer industry hardware. The Qube Cinema system provides for the multicast of shows from a central server to multiple cinemas.
High bit-rate MPEG-2 picture and 5.1 PCM sound are the primary formats for the content. On offer is also its unmatched multilingual sound-track and subtitling capabilities which are maintained as separate files with specified sync points for each - the choice of the language being made at the cinema.
Qube Cinema comes equipped with powerful back-end tools for control, reporting and media management.
The projectors being used for the deployment are a mix of Panasonic PT-D7600 and PT-D7700 3-chip DLP projectors along with Schneider anamorphic lenses as required.
The Qube Cinema Network initiative of Real Image is being implemented as a satellite based content distribution network with the flexibility to utilize other media and composition transport options as well. Real Image has already equipped 25 Cinemas in Tamilnadu, India with its Qube servers and is presently on the verge of enabling the network’s first simultaneous release of two eagerly awaited and high profile Tamil language feature films on April 14, 2005.
Real Image will be unveiling the latest version of the Qube server during ShoWest 2005 at Stall No 1935.
'Govt staff-public ratio highest in TN' Friday, March 25, 2005 | Editor
Finance Minister C Ponnaiyan today said the ratio of government employees to total population of a State was the highest in Tamilnadu in the entire country.
Intervening during the discussion on demands for grants to Revenue Department, Ponnaiyan said the Central and the financial institutions which extended loans to States were advising the government to keep the number of staff strictly in keeping with the requirement.
The Minister said, in Andhra Pradesh, of the population of 7.50 crore, some 1.75 per cent was in government service. In Karnataka, 1.36 per cent of the five crore population was government staff. But, in Tamilnadu, the population was six crore of whom government employees constituted 2.13 per cent.
Wherever excess staff strength was reported, employees were being transferred to departments which needed hands and wherever necessary, new recruitment was being done.
Kamalhasan starts name controversy again Friday, March 25, 2005 | Editor
Just about everybody knows by now that there are political parties who oppose to English names for Tamil films. These parties are pretty vociferous and violent in their protests too. And, the worst part is- they select their targets very well. when director Cheran made 'Autograph', a Tamil film with an obvious English title, none had objected to it. But, when Kamal named his film 'Sandiar', they fought with him as if their lives depended on it and he finally changed it to 'Virumandi'.
But soon after the film's release, people began wondering if all those noises were just publicity ploys.
Now, Kamal is getting ready with 'Mumbai Xpress', a film that is going to clash with Rajinikanth's 'Chandramukhi'. The latter is drawing lot of attention because it has the Superstar along with the latest craze of Tamil film audience- Nayantara.
Coincidentally, controversies have started about the film's English name. And, as before, Kamal has refused to change the film's title. Unfortunately, this time, people are so obsessed with 'Chandramukhi' that they haven't started paying attention to 'Mumbai Xpress'.
Veerappan's Kerala nabber unconcerned about promotion Saturday, March 12, 2005 | Editor
Bhopal, Mar.12 : He is a hero to many and a nemesis to some, but the Kerala-born Additional DGP of the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force (STF) K Vijaykumar, the man who engineered the capture and killing of the notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, is still waiting for his just rewards, including an out-of-turn promotion, though he isn't too perturbed about the time that it is taking to give it.
While speaking to media in organised crime seminar at Bhopal, Vijay Kumar said that the encounter of Veerapan was a long operation. Kumar did not seem bothered about the turning down of out-of-turn promotion by the Union Home Ministry. He said that it was government's decision and that he is happy with his present status.
He, however, is all praise for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for continuing with the Special Task Force despite pressure to close it down.
"In this operation two things were important to our success though it was a long operation but the CM has strong will and she never gave up. People kept telling her to close STF. But STF will remain that message went out from CM. The promotion decision was taken by the state. I can not comment on what they are trying to tell or do. I am the head of team and very happy that I have a good team. The team has been well looked after, morale has also been boosted up not only for this team but also for the past teams," said Vijay Kumar while speaking to media.
The Union Home Ministry had turned down Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha's request to give out-of-turn promotions to three senior IPS officers who masterminded the operation that resulted in Veerappan's elimination.
Jayalalitha had written to Home Minister Shivraj Patil to give out of turn promotion to Vijay Kumar, NK Santhamani Kannan and Shanmuga Vel. Her letter came after Home Secretary Dhirendra Kumar had rejected a similar request from the TN Chief Secretary.
Jayalalitha had also asked for a Padma Shri for Vijay Kumar and an Ashok Chakra for Kannan. But this request was also turned down. Kumar still heads the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force.
Kumar's role in masterminding the death of Veerapan can never be underestimated. After decades of ruling the jungles of southern India, fate finally caught up with the bandit on the night of October 18, 2004 ending a successful over 50-year-long career in poaching, kidnapping, smuggling and killing.
A Tamil Nadu police Special Task Force team, headed by Vijaykumar, shot Veerappan and two of his accomplices dead in an encounter at Papparapatti village in Dharmapuri district at around 11 p.m.
Veerappan's area of operations covered the Sathyamangalam forests, spanning both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He is believed to have killed over 150 people, mostly cops, informers, foresters and his kidnap victims.
Veerappan was born as Kuse Muniswamy Veerappan in January 1952 in Gopinatham Village in Karnataka. Born to Tamilian parents, he would later use his nativity to gain Tamilian support during the Cauvery chaos. He roped in Arjunan, his younger brother in his crime business and committed his first murder at the age of 17.
Veerapan was arrested for the first time in 1972. When his mentor Gounder died, he took charge of Gounder's poacher gang, roaming the forests. In 1991, Veerapan married shepherdess Muthulakshmi. According to her father, the marriage was against his wishes. She later gave birth to a child who is still under charge of Muthulakshmi's father.
If the police saw the village-jungle public as their lifeline to Veerappan, the villagers saw Veerappan as their lifeline to wealth. He forged good relations with the village population of the Cauvery belt, which kept him away from harm's way for years.
In between, Veerappan abducted and killed several police officials, foresters and informants at will. He attacked police stations, mined police convoys and executed foresters who dared stop his sandalwood smuggling. In his later years, he switched to rather relatively risk free and more lucrative business of kidnapping for ransom. He carried a huge bounty on his head, an amount that has now gone into the kitty of the Tamil Nadu STF. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu police favour coordinated offensive against outlaws Saturday, March 12, 2005 | Editor
Bhopal, Mar 11 : Tamil Nadu STF in-charge Vijay Kumar, who had successfully led a team against forest brigand Veerapan, today said he favoured coordinated offensive by police of different states to tackle inter-state outlaws.
Madhya Pradesh police should be `tenacious' in operations against Rambabu Gadaria dacoit gang and other similar groups in Chambal region, he told a press conference here.
"I would suggest that the state police should hang on and not give up. The combined will of the state and the police force is needed to get the desired results." Experiences and expertise in tackling outlaws are unique for different states and cannot be replicated or superimposed on each other to carry out operations, he said.
"But there are common points of action, concept and philosophy which can be utilised for such operations." Kumar, who is also Tamil Nadu's Additional Director General of Police, was here to attend a seminar on organised crime.
Stating that the seminar aimed at better coordination among forces by sharing experiences, ADGP (CID) Vijay Raman, who also addressed the media, said "criminals do not have borders. Authorities should also not have borders. Our effort is to reach a situation wherein police are not bound by borders." Success of operation against Veerapan could be largely attributed to coordinated action by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Police, Kumar added. PTI
Ponnaiyan pat for Tamil nadu govt Saturday, March 12, 2005 | Editor
Chennai,Mar 11 : Denying allegation that funds for various schemes have not been hiked in the budget, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister, C Ponnaiyan today catalogued the funds allocated this year and said this was possible because of the "fiscal reforms" undertaken by the Jayalalithaa government.
Detailing the various allocations made to various departments in the budget, Ponnaiyan, replying to the six-day debate on the state budget in the assembly today, said these increased allocations were made despite presenting a tax-free budget for 2005-06 and the 'financial constraints' it inherited from the previous DMK regime in 2001.
Ponnaiyan said increased allocations had now been made to local bodies, police department, village development, and rural roads improvement.
He said the Centre had sanctioned a record annual plan outlay of Rs.9100 crore for 2005-06, which was not 'a mean' achievement. "The credit for bringing in various fiscal and administrative reforms, so as to save the state from the financial mess of 2001, should go to Jayalalithaa," he said amid thumping of the desks from the treasury benches.
The Rs.3000 crore world-bank assisted Tamil Nadu rural water supply project was nearing completion. The Rs.2200 crore Hyundai car expansion project had come to Chennai because of the effective steps taken by her, which otherwise would have gone to a northern state, he said adding the state now ranked Number one in the country in production of foodgrains, bajra, groundnut and banana. PTI
Jaya acting in undemocratic manner, allege DMK lawmakers Saturday, March 12, 2005 | Editor
New Delhi, Mar 9 : MPs belonging to DMK and MDMK today vociferously protested against what they termed as "murder of democracy" in Tamil Nadu by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and demanded a statement from Home Minister Shivraj Patil.
The matter figured during the course of discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha when C Kuppusamy of DMK alleged that opposition MLAs were being evicted from the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
After they protested in front of the Assembly, they were arrested. "There is total failure of democracy and we demand a statement from Patil in the House," the MPs said.
Parliamantary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad intervened and assured the agitated MPs that he would convey their feelings to the Home Minister.
Earlier, MPs belonging to DMK, MDMK and CPI(M) staged a dharna before the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament House premises and raised slogans in protest against what they alleged "undemocratic" behaviour of Jayalalithaa in the Assembly.
The DMK members were angry over their MLAs not being allowed to speak and their eviction from the House by the Watch and Ward staff. PTI
DMK Mlas' eviction a 'dictatorial act', says Karunanidhi Thursday, March 10, 2005 | Editor
DMK President M Karunanidhi today described the eviction of DMK MLAs from the Tamil Nadu assembly as a "highly dictatorial" act.
"This act should be condemned by all," he said in a statement.
He said as per assembly conventions, statements made suo motu should not contain allegations.
If any allegations were made against a member, he should be given a chance to explain, he said adding as per rules suo motu statements should be allowed only on subjects of public importance. But Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, in her statement, had made charges against a sitting member and the member concerned was not allowed to present his stand, he said.
When DMK members wanted the speaker, Kalimuthu, to give Arcot N Veerasamy a chance to explain, he ordered eviction of the members, Karunanidhi said. PTI
Now, students to evaluate teachers Wednesday, March 9, 2005 | Editor
MADURAI: Madurai Kamaraj University will introduce a system under which students will evaluate their teachers. This system will come into effect from the ensuing academic year, said its new Vice-Chancellor P Maruthamuthu, here on Tuesday.
At his first meeting with the media after assuming office as the Vice-Chancellor, Maruthamuthu said that this system of teacher evaluation would enhance the quality of education and help the university retain the five-star status from the NAAC.
Under this system, the students would give confidential reports about their teachers to their respective heads of the departments, who would forward them to the Vice-Chancellor for perusal and appropriate action.
Research in various departments would be stepped up. Biotechnology and Nano technology would be given emphasis in the scheme of things, he said.
Steps would be taken to fill the 130 vacancies for teaching posts, he said.
The VC also said that all the staffers, students and faculty members of the university would be provided with laminated identity cards, which would have to be compulsorily worn by them.
Besides upgrading the library, the books would be bar-coded to facilitate easy handling and identification. Outsiders would also be allowed access to the university library, he said.
New deans for research and research projects, academic, endowment and development would be appointed, he said. The vacancy of the Dean, College Development Council, would also be filled soon. Another Dean post for Industrial Consultations would also be created.
Now, students to evaluate teachers Wednesday, March 9, 2005 | Editor
MADURAI: Madurai Kamaraj University will introduce a system under which students will evaluate their teachers. This system will come into effect from the ensuing academic year, said its new Vice-Chancellor P Maruthamuthu, here on Tuesday.
At his first meeting with the media after assuming office as the Vice-Chancellor, Maruthamuthu said that this system of teacher evaluation would enhance the quality of education and help the university retain the five-star status from the NAAC.
Under this system, the students would give confidential reports about their teachers to their respective heads of the departments, who would forward them to the Vice-Chancellor for perusal and appropriate action.
Research in various departments would be stepped up. Biotechnology and Nano technology would be given emphasis in the scheme of things, he said.
Steps would be taken to fill the 130 vacancies for teaching posts, he said.
The VC also said that all the staffers, students and faculty members of the university would be provided with laminated identity cards, which would have to be compulsorily worn by them.
Besides upgrading the library, the books would be bar-coded to facilitate easy handling and identification. Outsiders would also be allowed access to the university library, he said.
New deans for research and research projects, academic, endowment and development would be appointed, he said. The vacancy of the Dean, College Development Council, would also be filled soon. Another Dean post for Industrial Consultations would also be created.
Infosys gives Rs 3 crore to cancer institute Wednesday, March 9, 2005 | Editor
CHENNAI: Infosys Foundation, a social outreach wing of Infosys Technologies, on Tuesday, donated Rs 3 crore to Cancer Institute, Adyar, towards purchase of a linear accelerator.
The cheque for the amount, that will cover 50 percent of the cost of the equipment, was handed over to Cancer Institute director V Shantha by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the presence of Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy.
According to an official Press release, Sudha Murthy had expressed the wish that the amount should be handed over by Jayalalithaa.
State Govt forced to beef up security along borders: CM Wednesday, March 9, 2005 | Editor
CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday told the Assembly that the State Government had been forced to beef up security along its borders with Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to prevent the infiltration of Naxalites.
Intervening during a debate on budget, the Chief Minister denied the allegation of C Gnanasekaran (Cong) that Tamil Nadu had become a haven for mercenaries and ‘‘bombs culture.’’
Repudiating him strongly, she asserted, “Law and order is very much under control and Tamil Nadu is a haven of peace. Those who live in TN are really blessed.’’ She went on to ask Gnanasekaran on the situation in the Congress-ruled Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
‘‘After the A P Government allowed the ban on Naxalites to lapse, people there live in fear. The police official, who killed a Naxalite, has been sidelined in the department and put on compulsory wait. It has demoralised the entire police force,’’ she remarked.
Jayalalithaa also requested the Opposition not to target the police force and demoralise them.
Earlier, Gnanasekaran, who was highly critical of the performance of the police on various counts, was particularly severe on the government over the Kanchi Mutt-related cases.
‘‘Why suddenly eight accused in Kancheepuram Sankararaman muder case have been booked under the Goondas Act? Aren’t the intelligent officials aware of their activities?’’ he wanted to know. He also referred to reports that the AIADMK MLA from Sirkazhai was facing threat from the Naxalites.
At one point when he waved a Tamil daily and told the House that DMK deputy leader M K Stalin was also facing threat to his life, Jayalalithaa wondered why should Stalin, who never uttered a word against any one, face death threats. Jayalalithaa also accused the particular pro-DMK daily of carrying on yellow journalism.
Durai Murugan, deputy leader of the DMK in the Assembly, said the Chief Minister was targeting the newspaper because it was exposing the misdeeds of the AIADMK Government.
Gopika stars with Vijay! Friday, March 4, 2005 | Editor
GopikaGopika is going to be the heroine of the film that is going to be the turning point of Tamil hero Vijay's career. Cheran, who launched Gopika's career in Tamil, is going to direct this film. When Cheran made 'Autograph', he had first approached Vijay to star in the lead role. But Vijay refused because it didn't suit his image and he felt that he wasn't ready yet to make such an unusual film. Finally Cheran himself had starred in the film and it became a super hit. Though Cheran has become a busy actor these days, he still hasn't given up his passion for directing films. So, when he approached Vijay again for the new film, the actor accepted the offer without even asking what the story was! Gopika is going to be the film's heroine and 'Diary' is the name of the film.
Mega Serial on MGR in Television Friday, March 4, 2005 | Editor
Mega Serial on MGR in TelevisionThere is a saying in Tamil "Elephant is worth for thousand Gold coins while living and even after its death. This description fits MGR very much. Even after so many years after his, death, so many people are hearing his songs, with emotional bonding. The life history of that great actor is going to be made as serial in Television. Definitely this serial will attract many people. This serial is going to be a made based on the serious of articles about MGR in the name 'Ettavathu Vallal' (The Eighth Samaritan MGR) in a Tamil weekly. Pon. Manikkam had written the screenplay for this serial. V.C.Thennavan, is going to produce this serial on behalf of MGR Vision. The Lyricist Pulamai Piththan, who had written many lyrics for MGR's films, is going to write song for this serial. Radha Krishnan is going to direct this Mega serial. The inaugural function of this Mega serial was held in yesterday evening at Nadigar Sangam Auditoriam. Manorma lightened the traditional Kuthuvilakku to mark the beginning. Poets, Pulamai Piththan, Ilandhevan and many other actors have participated in this function. The script of the serial 'Ettavathu Vallal' was released by Pulamai Piththan and received by the actor Vivek. The Tenth print of the book 'Ettavadhu Vallal' was released by Pulamai Piththan and received by the actor Srikanth. After this, Vivek got on to the mike to speak and had humored the gathering by his usual style of speech. There is a saying in Tamil "Elephant is worth for thousand Gold coins while living and even after its death. This description fits MGR very much. Even after so many years after his, death, so many people are hearing his songs, with emotional bonding. The life history of that great actor is going to be made as serial in Television. Definitely this serial will attract many people. This serial is going to be a made based on the serious of articles about MGR in the name 'Ettavathu Vallal' (The Eighth Samaritan MGR) in a Tamil weekly. Pon. Manikkam had written the screenplay for this serial. V.C.Thennavan, is going to produce this serial on behalf of MGR Vision. The Lyricist Pulamai Piththan, who had written many lyrics for MGR's films, is going to write song for this serial. Radha Krishnan is going to direct this Mega serial. The inaugural function of this Mega serial was held in yesterday evening at Nadigar Sangam Auditoriam. Manorma lightened the traditional Kuthuvilakku to mark the beginning. Poets, Pulamai Piththan, Ilandhevan and many other actors have participated in this function. The script of the serial 'Ettavathu Vallal' was released by Pulamai Piththan and received by the actor Vivek. The Tenth print of the book 'Ettavadhu Vallal' was released by Pulamai Piththan and received by the actor Srikanth. After this, Vivek got on to the mike to speak and had humored the gathering by his usual style of speech. Excerpts from his speech When the Lyricist Pulamai Piththan was talking, he said, "The reason for the whiteness of his hair was that the honey from the pot of 'Thamizh Thai' had dropped on his head. We too belong to the same caste. But Godrej Company is saving us all. Many actors of today won't come out in open when it is raining, because, their dye will be washed out. The actors who are talking as if they are 'Lollu Prashad' will become 'Lallu Prashad' if they get into the rain". He stopped his speech here and then continued in a serious note, "Till now I was talking in lighter vein. But now let me tell you something to think of. If anybody should give at least Rs.10 to somebody else as a way of helping, after having read this book 'Ettavadhu Vallal' that would be fulfilling the aim of this book. MGR is being praised as the Eighth Samaritan after the other great seven Samaritans. But this list would come to an end with MGR. Nobody can become the 9th and 10th Samaritan ever never" He completed his speech with this punch line. The whole auditorium had erupted in thunderous ovation on hearing this.
Srikanth gets 'Sword' as Birthday gift Friday, March 4, 2005 | Editor
Srikanth gets 'Sword' as Birthday gift Everyone should lead a meaning full life, then only, the aim of his birth will be fulfilled. Srikanth is a blessed one in that sense. Because he has been presented with 'Sword' by 'Madurai Amudhasurabi Kalaimandram', which had presented a similar sword to late legend MGR! Uththandi village is situated in East Coast Road. We were riding through that village. Since the climate was very hot, we stopped near a roadside bungalow. There was lot of activities going on inside the bungalow. We went inside to see what was happening. That turned out to be a shooting spot. Srikanth, Gopika pair was acting for the film 'Kana Kanden'. The time was late noon, so lunch time. Suddenly there were quite a number of cars came into the front of that bungalow and stopped. From these cars, many film field personalities got down with huge garlands and bouquets. They came in, and give these to Srikanth and wished him. We wanted to know the reason for this. So we enquired about it to a production boy. He said that 28th Feb was the birthday of Srikanth. We too joined others, & wished him well on behalf of us. While we are at it, a table appeared from nowhere, a big cake was brought in and placed on the table. On the cake, the words in English, 'Happy Birthday Srikanth (28-02-05)' was etched. Within few minutes, Producers Thenappan, K.V.Anand, stunt master Kanal Kannan. Actresses Gopika, Ameetha, another hero Prithiviraj, actor Vivek and producers S.S.Durairaj, Chitra Lakshmanan had come in and surrounded the table. Srikanth then cut the cake, immediately after there was a chorus 'Happy Birthday' had erupted from those present. Srikanth had distributed the cake pieces to Gopika, Aamesha, Thennappan and Vivek. Following this, on behalf of 'Madurai Amudhasurabi Kalaimandram' Gopika had presented a 'Sword' to Srikanth. After receiving the 'Sword' he struck a pose of 'Madurai Veeran' in a stylish way. The same 'Mandram' had presented a similar sword to late MGR, years before. Srikanth is very much proud about this fact. Goundamani would say in a film, "Ritual is over, what about feast? "Kadhu Kuththal mudinchachu Kada Veturathu eppo" Vivek had asked the same kind of question now, 'Ok, Cake has been cut, what about Lunch?' Thenappan, has said laughingly that feast was ready.
Kamal Introduces yet another "Item"dancer Friday, March 4, 2005 | Editor
Yet Another 'Item' dancerThe glamorous doll Ragasiya was made known to everybody through Kamal's film 'Vasool Raja MBBS'. Now he is introducing another item number dancer, through his latest film 'Mumbai Express'. Her name is Rocky Savanth. Just as her name suggests, Savanth 'smashes' the people by her glamour. She likes dancing than acting. "I am a good dancer, I can arrest crores of fans just by a single dance" asserts Rocky! She started her career by dancing in Remix Albums. Her next target is to become an actress. "I have proved my ability as a good dancer. Now I have to prove that I am also a good actress. For this, I need to get good character roles in films. But that is not in my hands. Even then, I do believe that chances will come to me". Though she is a glamorous dancer by profession, she keeps away from Clubs, and Joints, which is usually frequented by the rich people. "I am a simple person. I don't go to parties and discotheys as other young actresses do," says Rocky, giving herself a clean chit. When she talks about Kamal, her face becomes brighter "Kamalji had heard about me, and he had given me a chance in his film 'Mumbai Express'. By doing so, he is introducing me to Tamil and Hindi films. I consider this chance as a boon. Not even a fool would deny this kind of chance to act in Kamal's film" She has an assertive way of saying whatever she wanted to say. Rocky has a secret wish. She wanted to act in 'Nude' just as Kamal did in 'Aalavandhan' One cannot decide, whether Kamal spoil these people, or these people spoil Kamal?
Not so Funny Friday, March 4, 2005 | Editor
Krishnakanth's much-talked about movie Solli Adippen starring comedian Vivek as hero went to floors last year. The movie directed by art-director S A C Ramki could not be completed owing to various constraints faced by the producer. After a long gap, the shooting for the movie began last week. Meanwhile, a few who worked in Krishnakanth's Manmadhan annoyed with the producer for not giving their salary have given letters to the Council urging action to prevent the release of his movie under production. Krishnakanth is reportedly keeping his fingers crossed now. Perhaps Vivek too is. And the jinx of comedians having problem when becoming heroes seems to continue.
Trisha beats Heroes in Remuneration Friday, March 4, 2005 | Editor
TrishaOur Producers are intelligent lot, who would go out of their way to court trouble, and then feel for it. They would raise the salary of the actors in the forenoon, then will sit in 'Dharna' in the after noon protesting the 'raise' in salary!. Trisha tops the list of actors whose salary was raised by the producers themselves in the first place. Now they are finding it difficult to reduce it. Trisha's salary in Tamil films, till as recently as 'Thirupachi' is 25 to 30 lakhs only. In Telugu, her film 'Varsham' was a big hit. This was followed by 'Nu Osthanante Nanu Othantara' another super hit film. Then the producers started raising her salary in a steady manner and brought her salary to 70 lakhs mark. Since her remuneration in Tamil is 'just' 30 lakhs, maximum, she is not interested to act in Tamil films now. Now she is acting in a Telugu film. 'Aththana' with Maheshbabu. Her salary is 70 lakhs. This doll is just refusing to act for less. The producer of her hit film 'Nu Osthanante Nanu Othantara' is M.S.Raju, he had approached Trisha, to ask her to act in his next film 'Povurnami'. She showed 7 fingers to indicate her new salary. Raju was shocked beyond belief. But since he had no other go, he had agreed to pay that amount. Tamil Heroes, Srikanth, Prashanth, Arjun, Sarathkumar are stunned to hear this. Is it fair or justified to ask this kind of salary to show head in three songs, and four scenes? They are asking this question. They are the heroes, who toil hard in films by chasing around the villains, but they are not getting this kind of money as remuneration.
FilmFare Award for Maniratnam Friday, March 4, 2005 | Editor
Maniratnam'Film fare Award' completes Fiftienth year in this year. This is considered to be almost equal to National Award. This is the most colorful function connected with film stars all over India. In the beginning, the awards were given only for Hindi films. Then they came to understand that Hindi cinema alone couldn't be termed as Indian Cinema. So they are conducting separate function to give away awards to South Indian Cinema. But, it is a rarity indeed to give awards to Tamil film personalities in Hindi cinema related function. Kamalhasan had received this award for the remake of his Tamil film 'Devar Magan'. After that, Manirathnam had recently received award for the best screenplay for the film 'Yuva'. This award is a solace for Manirathnam, because of the fact that, this film didn't do well at the box office.
Shahrukh Khan & Rani MukherjeeOthers who had received the awards include.
Best film- 'Veer Sara' ( Director- Yash Chopra)
Best Director- Gunal Kokhli (Film- 'Hum Tum')
Best Actor - Sha Rukh Khan (Film- Swedesh)
Best Actress - Rani Mukherjee (Film-'Hum Tum')
Actors Rani Mukherjee and Abhishek Bachchan had received special award for their performance in the film 'Yuva'.
'Mumbai Express' in Digital Technology Friday, March 4, 2005 | Editor
'Mumbai Xpress' in Digital TechnologyThe latest fever of Tamil film field is Digital Technology. There is no film; no scratches most important of all, expenses are very less. This Digital Technology had made the 'Jambavans' like Manirathnam and Kamal very happy. Kamal is taking his film 'Mumbai Express' in Digital Technology. "The medium of Cinema is at its revolutionary stage, I am also with it" says Kamal. "I am taking 'Mumbai Express' in digital technology method. Just because I am using this technology, I am not against using films as such. In the theatres were there is so facility to use Digital Technology, 'Mumbai Express' will be screened through film rolls". In Chennai, after Abirami Theatre, Sathyam complex had also changed to digital Technology. For this, there is no need for film at all. So print cost is saved. If movies are screened using digital technology, there is no place for scratches. The operators in the theatres cannot turn into 'instant editors' and edit the scenes, as they like. What about VCD Piracy? There is no chance for that at all. No one can produce pirated VCD from this. But, the one and only snag or weakness in this is that the theatres have to be remodeled to use this digital technology. Till then we have to use film roles only. "In Cinema, new technology is like car, while using new model cars, one can also use Ambassadors", says Kamal In digital technology, the color, lightning can be changed in any manner. Even if the current fails, while the movie is being screened, the movie can be continued without interruption for twenty minutes through on line facility. The film 'Mumbai Express' will be first of its' kind in using 'digital technology'.
Space agency to link all Tamil Nadu villages Wednesday, March 2, 2005 | Editor
IANS
CHENNAI: India's space agency plans to create resource centres linked by satellites in all villages of Tamil Nadu, its chief said here on Tuesday.
G. Madhavan Nair, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was in Coimbatore to monitor the progress of resource centres set up in three villages.
The three centres are in Rameswaram, Dindigul and Thiruvaiyaru districts. The Chennai-based M.S. Swaminathan Foundation is the nodal agency for the centres, Nair said.
The three centres are expected to be fully operational in the next three months. Soon ISRO will extend the facility to other villages in Tamil Nadu, Nair said.
Through the project, one can ensure proper use of resources like soil and water, and information for the centres would come through remote sensing satellites that ISRO has put in orbit.
ISRO is also mulling a proposal from Anna University, Asia's biggest technical university, on linking some 200 colleges under it through Edusat, an exclusive education satellite, Nair said.
Some 100 engineering colleges in Karnataka have already been linked via Edusat. Fifty of these colleges have the provision for interacting through video links while the remaining have audio links.
With ISRO's help, a pilot project linking all medical colleges in Kerala is due to go online in June, Nair said.
Unique museum in Madurai houses over 200 mosquito species Tuesday, March 1, 2005 | Editor
Madurai, Feb 27 (ANI): A one of its kind, mosquito museum in Madurai town of Tamil Nadu displays a collection of more than 200 species of mosquitoes found in India.
Touted to be the largest collection of mosquito species in the country, the museum is the result of more than a decade of long survey.
The systematic study was carried out in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka between 1985 and 1996.
The museum also doubles up as an excellent referral centre housing research material for students of mosquito-logy.
"Altogether we have more than 200 species of mosquitoes. Not all of them are disease carriers; I mean from the point of view of humans, they are not dangerous. But essentially, this can become as a referral centre. Somebody who wants to work on mosquitoes, can refer where the original mosquitoes are from. These mosquitoes are pinned here. Anyone can refer it. Secondly, we have used these materials for training purpose. We train the staff of the state health departments for public health purposes. We train the people here by using referral mosquito specimen," said Dr. S.C. Tewari, Museum incharge and research officer.
The objective of the museum is to update knowledge regarding the fauna, where mosquitoes thrive. Deforestation has produced new breeding grounds for disease spreading mosquitoes.
Studies reveal that every one percent increase in deforestation increases the number of malaria-bearing mosquitoes by eight percent.
More than 3,000 species of mosquitoes are found all over the world, of which more than 350 species exist in India out of which four namely, Anopheles, Mansonoides, Culex and Aedes are considered dangerous from the health point of view, and responsible for diseases like malaria, filariasis and even dengue. (ANI)
DMK threatens to review support to UPA Tuesday, March 1, 2005 | Editor
Chennai, Feb 27 (ANI); The DMK on Sunday threatened to review its support to the Congress led UPA government.
The DMK, has seven ministers in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cabinet.
Announcement
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DMK is apparently miffed with the Congress after its leader E.V.K. S. Elangovan sought power sharing in the run-up to next year's state polls.
DMK leader M. Karunanidhi called a meeting of his party lawmakers and senior leaders here.
"We have assured support for the Congress government only till our self-respect is protected," Karunanidhi told reporters after the meeting.
