The new lighthouse in Kadapakkam has been emitting light since last week ./ Photo: T. Singaravelou / The Hindu
It will be inaugurated by Shipping Minister on November 30
The new lighthouse at Marakkanam has started emitting light, providing safe passage for small boats in the nearby fishing hamlets.
Till recently, fishermen were being guided by the lighthouse located either at Puducherry or Mamallapuram.
The Marakkanam lighthouse in Villupuram district is located about 60 km from Puducherry and 40 km from Mamallapuram. It is also 17 km from Marakkanam towards Cheyyur.
It took nearly 12 months for the authorities to construct 110-120 feet high structure at a cost of Rs.2.20 crore. The new facility will be inaugurated by Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan on November 30. According to the sources, it is the 24th lighthouse on the east coast spanning from Pulicat to Kovilthottam.
It will be powered by a solar panel. Its light will be visible for 17 nautical miles during night and 16 nautical miles during the day. Last week, a technical team visited the spot to increase the light’s length.
As per the maritime agenda, the Centre plans to set up at least one lighthouse for every 30 nautical miles along the maritime route in the country. Currently, there are 184 lighthouses in the country, of which 33 are on the east coast. The 25th lighthouse is being set up at Vembar in Tuticorin district. Land has already been acquired and the authorities are awaiting formal clearance from the Union the Environment Ministry to commence civil works.
Lighthouse Tourism
Even as the Centre has decided to allow tourists to climb the Marina lighthouse from Thursday, there are requests from the public to have an aerial view of the city and the port from the third lighthouse building in the Madras High Court. Sources said that Chennai maritime trade saw lighthouses being operated from four sites.
The first one was erected at Fort’s Museum, the second one along the Esplanade Line in the Madras High Court and the third one at the centre portion of the High Court’s main building. The second and third lighthouses can be allowed for public viewing only after renovation. Meanwhile, the Public Works Department said it would cost about Rs.75 lakh to renovate the third lighthouse.
The court has sought details about the renovation. After getting a reply from the department, the matter would be placed before the court’s Heritage Committee for its decision.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by N. Anand & K.T. Sangameswaran / Chennai – November 11th, 2013
Vikku Vinayakram, Vidya Shah and the Manganiyars explored the various angles of bhakti in Nirgun Naad, writes Subha J. Rao
Even today, in the Avudaiyar temple in Pudukottai, the rhythm of the gethu vadhyam, an ancient percussion instrument, cascades over devotees. When N. Rajaraman played the 150-year-old instrument, shaped like a veena, the audience was transported back in time. Images of camphor-scented temples and eager devotees queuing up in front of the garbhagriha came alive.
N. Rajaraman plays Gethu Vadyam at Nirgun Naad / The Hindu
Rajaraman was part of Nirgun Naad, curated by Sufi singer Vidya Shah. The show brought together top performers from different streams of music. There was Vidya and her team, representing Sufi, Chugge Khan Manganiyar and his brother Salim who brought with them rustic ragas and devotion from the desert and, finally, Vikku Vinayakram.
Vidya Shah at Nirgun Naad / The Hindu
The ghatam vidwan is steeped in classicism yet happily embraces fusion. At 69, he continues to be a rockstar on stage, playing simultaneously on four ghatams, throwing one up in the air for some lovely music, pounding on it one minute and gently patting it the next…all without losing a beat. Accompanying him was his grandson S. Swaminathan, who played the kanjira and also performed solkattu with shlokams in praise of Mahaperiyavaa (Chandrashekarendra Saraswati).
Vikku Vinayakram and S. Swaminathan at Nirgun Naad./ Photos: K. Ananthan / TheHindu
Vidya began the concert with Amir Khusro’s ‘Mohe Apne Hi Rang Me’ followed by Meera Bai’s ‘Ritu Aayi’, an effervescent song celebrating the rain. The songs chosen for the evening celebrated various aspects of bhakti. Among them was ‘Bas Tu Hi’, by woman Sufi saint Rabia Al Basri from Iraq. The song had an addictive rhythm. Adding to the magic was Vikku mama, who made a grand entrance on stage during this number. Pandit Kumar Gandharva’s ‘Guruji Main Toh Ek Niranjan’ was up next. After Vidya sang, Swaminathan performed a solkattu. The thani avarthanam of sorts featuring all the percussionists — Swaminathan, Rajaraman and Shanti Bhushan Jha — was a treat to the ears; Ghulam Ali on the saarangi and Amar Sangam on acoustic guitar created lingering music.
The Manganiyars, who had come all the way from Jaisalmer, stepped in for some vocal and percussion flourishes, their infectious enthusiasm rubbing off on the audience.
Chugge Khan Manganiyar and Salim Khan Manganiyar at Nirgun Naad / The Hindu
Vidya next rendered Naseer Akbarabadi’s ‘Tanha Na Use Apne’ and concluded with the rocking ‘Mast Kalandar’, leaving the audience asking for more of her rich voice that effortlessly caressed the peaks. We were also left wishing that the Manganiyars had sung more of their brand of soul-stirring music.
Nirgun Naad means music that celebrates a formless divine. In a sense, the concert did just that, leaving us with lovely snatches of devotion — for Nature, for the almighty. An evening that prompted you to seek that kernel of devotion within, to surrender.
PERFORMERS
Vikku Vinayakaram: Ghatam
Vidya Shah: Lead vocals
Chugge Khan Manganiyar: Vocals and Morchhang
Salim Khan Manganiyar: Back-up vocals and Khadtaal
S. Swaminathan: Kanjira
N. Rajaraman: Gethu Vadhyam
Shanti Bhushan Jha: Tabla
Ghulam Ali: Saarangi
Amar Sangam: Acoustic Guitar & Mandolin
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Friday Review> Music / by Subha J Rao / Coimbatore – November 11th, 2013
When UK-based surgeon Harminder Dua discovered a new layer in the cornea in September this year, it was considered an achievement. But the real buzz was when Chennai doctors took the breakthrough to a new level and performed a procedure in which a one-year-old girl gave sight to 64-year-old M Shanmugam, a retired air conditioner mechanic from Avadi.
The exciting procedure, which according to Dr Amar Agarwal of Agarwal Eye Hospital that performed the procedure is the first of its kind in the world, is expected to “revolutionize” the way eye transplants are done.
In the new technique, Pre-Descemet Endothelial Keratoplasty (PDEK), the donor can be of any age. In the earlier procedures, the donor had to be above 50 years of age.
Conventionally, doctors were using a whole cornea or parts of the five layers of the cornea to perform correction surgeries. A couple of months ago, Dr Harminder Dua discovered a sixth layer between the stroma and the descemet membrane which is now named Dua’s layer. In the PDEK technique, doctors take the innermost two layers of the cornea, along with Dua’s layer and graft it in the patient’s eye. “The biggest advantage of this technique is that age is not a bar to be a donor. Moreover, as Dua’s layer is slightly more fibrous, it becomes easier to manipulate the tissue,” said Dr Amar Agarwal.
In PDEK, the donor’s cornea is kept upside down and injected an air bubble to separate the layers. “After procuring the tissue, we make a minute incision in the patient’s eye and fix it. Once the graft is unrolled, the transplant is complete and vision is restored,” said the doctor. The entire procedure can be wrapped up in 25 minutes after which the patient is advised to rest and can leave the following day. “Another major advantage of PDEK is that there is negligible graft rejection and no sutures are involved as only a small tissue is used for the transplant. Preliminary studies show that the graft thickness is about 28 to 30 microns and it behaves well,” said Dr Agarwal. “We have performed 16 such procedures since September but this surgery gains significance as the donor is a one-year-old,” added the doctor.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai> Cornea / TNN / November 10th, 2013
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday inaugurated a memorial for Colonel John Pennycuick, the British engineer who built the century-old Mullaperiyar Dam to solve the drought situation in the Vaigai delta region in the 19th century.
The memorial has a bronze statue of Pennycuick, and has been constructed amid the scenic Western Ghats at Lower Camp here at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. The dam is said to have been completed in 1895.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala are locked in a bitter row over the 118-year-old dam, with the latter wanting to replace it with a new one citing safety reasons while Tamil Nadu has held that the dam is strong. A case is on before Supreme Court.
During the simmering row with Kerala over the safety of the dam last year, Jayalalithaa had announced constructing the memorial for the Britisher over 2500 sq.ft.
She had then said people had placed a demand for constructing a memorial for Pennycuick to show their gratitude since the dam had been functioning well.
Jayalalithaa expressed confidence of a favourable verdict from the apex court in the wake of its appointed empowered committee vouching for the safety of the dam.
“In its report (the committee) has clearly said that the dam is safe and the storage level could be increased to 142 ft (from 136 ft) and then on upto 152 ft after taking up necessary works. I believe Supreme Court will rule in favour of Tamil Nadu based on this report,” she said in her address.
The Chief Minister noted that Pennycuick had sold his property back in England for completion of the project amid lot of difficulties including stoppage of funds from then British administration and natural calamities.
She also announced naming the upcoming Bus Stand at Theni after the British colonel.
Jayalalithaa refuted DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s charge that her government had not taken up maintenance of the 133 ft tall Thirvuvalluvar statue at Kanyakumari, saying chemical coating was given in 2004 and 2008.
The foundation stone for the statue of the Tamil saint-poet was laid by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai in the presence of then chief minister M G Ramachandran in 1979 and even during her rule in 1991-96 Rs 1.28 crore were released for various works connected with it. Karunanidhi cannot claim
entire credit for erecting the statue, Jayalalithaa said.
She also announced constructing a memorial for legendary Tamil king Karikal Chola for building the 2000 year-old ‘Kallanai’ (dam) over Kollidam river,which is still strong. She described the dam as an “engineering marvel.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Politics / DC / January 15th, 2013
An eight-foot-high bronze statue of Karikala Cholan, seated on an elephant, which was made at a studio here, is all set to be installed in Thanjavur district.
Following chief minister J. Jayalalithaa’s announcement, the government took up the task of making the statue to perpetuate the memory of the king who built the Kallanai dam for irrigation in the Cauvery delta region.
Jayalalithaa had announced the statue for the king while inaugurating in January this year the memorial of John Pennycuick who built the Mullaiperiyar dam.
“The 2,000-year old Kallanai dam which stands stronger than many other dams in the state was built by the Tamil king, and hence, his statue is being readied to stand majestically at his memorial near the dam,” said Kishore. J. Nagappa, who sculpted the statue.
“It took us around three months to finish the statue,” Nagappa said.
“The statue has been so designed that it can stand the test of time and remain a subject to be talked about. Hence, it is meticulously done,” he added.
The memorial will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.10 crore along the banks of the Cauvery on an area of 4,090 sq ft.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / November 10th, 2013
Two higher secondary students from the city have been selected to attend a South-East Asia competition to be held from this Monday in Bangalore. The duo was selected after several rounds and would be pitted against students from neighbouring countries.
Suchitrha Sudeshkumar, a class 11 student from Vidhya Niketan Matriculation Higher School, Vilankurichi and Aakash Dabral from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sowripalayam are among the ten students from India to take part in the competition held by Horlicks Wizkids in Bangalore. Out of the 10, 5 will be selected for an educational trip to Germany with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each.
Suchitra, who writes poetry, had cleared the initial rounds and was asked to do some voluntary activity. She approached orphanages and managed to get sponsors to instal roofs for the orphanage. “I went to an orphanage at Thondamouthur. I came to know that they lacked roofs and mattresses. With the help of some firms, I managed to raise around Rs 45,000 for the purpose,” she said.
Aakash Dabral, a class 12th student said that he took soft skill sessions for students of government schools and other institutions. “I took sessions in 5 schools. Many of them lack English skills. I want to do more such training programmes,” he said.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore> Orphanage / TNN / November 10th, 2013
An early photograph of Dr. A.Mathuram with his wife Jane and children. / Photo by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
The story of Dr. Ayyathurai Mathuram, one of Tiruchi’s most notable medical practitioners
On the Puthur junction leading on to Pattabhiraman Road in Tiruchi stands a gilded statue, impervious to the chaotic traffic below. The likeness is that of Dr. Ayyathurai Mathuram, one of the city’s notable medical practitioners, and was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Madras, K.Kamaraj, in 1956.
Behind the statue stretches out a compound of residences and commercial buildings, broadly known by the name of the first structure there — Guru Medical Hall. And with it, the story of the Mathuram family that is woven into the city’s reputation as a regional healthcare hub, with generations of the clan practising both allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine here until today.
Walking us through the rich legacy is Dr. Bapu Isaac Mathuram, one of Dr. Ayyathurai’s grandsons, who stays in what is known as the ‘Centenary Building’, built in 1977 to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Dr. A.Mathuram.
A professor of biochemistry at the CSI College of Dental Sciences and Research, Madurai, Dr Bapu also finds himself to be a keeper of memories, particularly those related to his illustrious ancestors.
His residence is also unique for another reason — its two upper floors serve as the manufacturing unit of the popular Ayurvedic preparations patented by Dr. A. Mathuram — Guru Thailam (ointment) and Guru Pal Podi (toothpowder).
Family of physicians
As we sit listening to Dr. Bapu recounting the chronology of the Mathuram physicians down the ages in a room lined with a mix of antique and modern furniture and knick-knacks, the broad outlines of a different era begin to take shape.
“My great-grandfather Dr. Samuel Mathuram is the one who decreed ‘Mathuram’ (honey/nectar in Sanskrit) should be the family name, though we don’t know exactly why. He was a Christian missionary doctor who served in many places throughout southern India for 46 years,” says Dr. Bapu.
Dr. Samuel was also the recipient of the formulae of his grandfather Nallamuthu Visuvasam’s natural remedies. Visuvasam was a well-respected physician from Tirunelveli who had formulated his medicines based on his interactions with Hindu ascetics in the early 19th century.
Inspiration
Dr Samuel’s son Ayyathurai was born in 1877 in Irungalur near Tiruchi. After the death of his first wife (after the birth of another son), Dr. Samuel moved to Nazareth near Tuticorin.
Ayyathurai was a precocious child, according to family accounts, and says Dr. Bapu, “even though he had already done an LMP (Licentiate Medical Practitioner) degree, considered a high qualification at that time, he decided to switch over to proper medical studies after getting inspired by the words on the page of a pulpit Bible while praying in church, which he felt urged him to go and minister the sick and serve the poor.”
He completed his studies at the Prince of Wales Medical School, Thanjavur, in 1900 and served in the government for five years before deciding to strike out on his own. Starting his practice in Virudhunagar, he moved to Viswanaikanpettai (near modern-day Tennur), in Tiruchi, choosing two adjacent houses to function as his clinic and residence.
Medical mission
Unlike other doctors of the period who were rejecting native cures in favour of Western medicine, Dr. A. Mathuram promoted Ayurvedic therapies. The most common ailments at the time were anaemia and malaria, cures for which people thronged the doctor’s clinic.
“Dr. A. Mathuram wanted to give people medicines that were reasonably priced, and used natural ingredients,” says Dr. Bapu. “My grandmother Jane used to grind them in the right proportion,” he adds.
“Inspired by a song with the words ‘Guru Marunthu, Maru Marunthu’ playing next door, Dr. A. Mathuram decided to name his company Guru Medicine,” he adds, with Guru indicative of Jesus Christ, whose image is also part of the product logo.
By the early 1900s, Dr. A.Mathuram’s formulations were selling well in Burma, Malaya and Sri Lanka. Among the more famous of these were Guru Santhana Sornam (to treat female infertility), Guru Ague Mixture (malaria), Guru Soga Sanjeevni (anaemia), Guru Vallara Legyam (skin disease), Malabar Koonthal Thailam (for hair growth) and Manorama Hair Oil (anti-dandruff).
The British honours of ‘Rao Bahadur’ and ‘Rao Sahib’ were conferred on Dr. A. Mathuram as his medical career flourished.
Legacy
Always of a spiritual bent of mind, Dr. Ayyathurai gifted away large tracts of his land holdings in Tiruchi for public use. Some of the family’s properties such as the Ettupattai Bungalow (octagonal in shape) and Guru Medical Hall, have become popular place markers in the Puthur locality.
Seven children were born to the Mathurams, four sons and three daughters, most of who went on to serve as medical practitioners.
“My grandfather had a penchant for naming his children after famous world personalities,” reveals Dr. Bapu with a smile when he lists the cosmopolitan names of Dr. A. Mathuram’s sons.
The eldest, born in 1904, was Dr. Edward Paul, who joined his father in the Guru Medicine enterprise in 1930 after completing his medical studies. Later on, he was also active in politics, serving as Member of Legislative Assembly and Member of Parliament.
The second son, Dr. Naoroji Mathuram also joined the family firm in 1935. The third, Mr. George Rothschild, served in the army and upon retirement, joined the judicial service and went on to become District Judge.
Dr. Bannerji Mathuram (Dr. Bapu’s father), completed his medical studies in Madras Medical College and joined the government service. He retired as District Medical Officer (DMO) after serving in Cuddalore (formerly South Arcot) and Salem in the late 1960s.
Subsequent generations have shown a similar affinity for medicine, with Dr. Samuel Ayyathurai, Dr. Bapu, Dr. Ann Duraisami and Dr. Joseph Mathuram all distinguishing themselves in their chosen field, followed by younger family members today.
Heritage home
Among the vestiges of Dr. A. Mathuram’s estate is a 10,000 square feet bungalow in the Guru Medical Hall compound that retains some of the original furnishings, including four sturdy Burmese teak pillars that support the central hall, and ceramic tiles embedded into the walls, made of local red soil. Built in the 1920s, the high-ceilinged bungalow served as a district courthouse for a while, and also had an emergency underground bunker that has since been closed. “My grandfather also maintained a zoo here, the only one in Tiruchi,” Dr.Bapu says with some pride.
The much-storied life of the medical pioneer came to an end in 1944.
At the bungalow, as Dr. Bapu’s wife Joy coaxes a tune out of the Steinbeck piano that originally belonged to Dr. A. Mathuram, a small gathering of family members breaks into a hymn of thanksgiving. It adds a sweet note to round off the story of the Mathurams.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review> History & Culture / by Nahla Nainar / Tiruchi – November 08th, 2013
Carola Grey travelled the world and found true love in Indian music. The result is Meeting of the Continents, Indian jazz fusion, performed with her band Noisy Mama, writes Pankaja Srinivasan
Date: November 10
Venue: PSG College of Arts and Science
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Genre: Indian Jazz Fusion
She is regarded as one of Germany’s most famous modern drummers. In 2010 she became the only woman to be part of German Drum Heroes, the 25 best German drummers selected by the magazine Drum Heads. She has collaborated with musicians such as Mike Stern, Ravi Coltrane, Rocco Prestia, Larry Coryell, Jeff Berlin and Stu Hamm. She is also a composer, arranger and a singer. Carola Grey’s CDs have made it to the top 10 of the US Gavin Jazz Charts and have won many awards. She has travelled the world and in India she has been studying South Indian music under the tutelage of Padma Bhushan T.V. Gopalakrishnan. Carola Grey performs with her band Noisy Mama at The Hindu Friday Review November Fest. The concert is supported by Goethe Zentrum.
My first encounter with Indian music was in 1996 when the great T.V. Gopalkrishnan invited me to (then) Madras to perform with his ‘Carnatic Jazz Project’. He had heard my first CD, a modern Jazz one, that I recorded in New York City in the early 90s, and he spontaneously invited me to India and that was it! Working with him and hearing great Indian music started as a passion; now it is an important part of my life.
What attracted you to Indian music?
If I have to analyse it, I would say: ‘The combination of intellectual challenge and the transportation of emotions at the same time.’ More simply, it hit me when I first heard it. I felt the same way when I first heard Miles Davis. Like a little kid at Christmas — somewhere between laughter and tears and excitement. Then again, at a Yesudas concert. I have to fall in love first, and more the attraction, the more I learn.
What made you take up the drums?
I actually started to play classical piano at the age of four and was very serious about it, practising many hours a day. When I came into my rebellious teens, I wanted to stop. But my mother made a deal with me: I could take up another instrument if I continued with the piano. Of course, I picked the loudest, most annoying instrument I could find just to mess with her… I never expected to fall in love with it, but it happened. I started to play in various bands, and after high school I went to study Jazz drums and then moved to New York to work as a Jazz drummer.
Tell us about your Konnakol experience…
I remember my first rehearsal with T.V.G. I came in, expecting to work on the instruments. But everybody just sat on the floor and did the konnakol (vocal percussion) together. It blew my mind and I was in shock trying to figure out what do with the drum kit and all those syllables.
Nowadays, everything I do, no matter what style, I transfer it to Konnakol in my head. That has totally changed and improved my way of thinking about rhythms. It was quite a challenge to perform it or develop any kind of speed as I come from Bavaria where the dialect is very lazy. We are famous for not opening our mouth unless it is absolutely necessary and we avoid wasting energy by talking fast and just leave out half of the consonants. Not very Konnakol friendly!
What can the audience expect from your music?
An official response would be ‘a blend of solid Jazz rock and funk grooves, combined with the sophisticated intricacies of Indian rhythms. My music uses Indian ragas as well as Western harmonics and melodics’. But, in simpler words, I want my music to be an experience for body and mind. It should be accessible, groovy and fun and with something deeper. Both, modern Jazz and Indian classical music are very deep and intellectually developed art forms and that is why I find them fascinating. So, I am trying not to lose that, and am combining the two worlds with as much knowledge and respect as possible.
Do share some anecdotes about your work with Indian musicians. You have worked with classical musicians as well as a Bollywood music director…
My first tour in 1996 with T.V.G. is engraved in my memory. T.V.G. Sir is someone who likes to keep you on your toes. Just when you think you know something well, he changes everything, preferably on stage!
Working in the studio with modern movie producers is very similar to the work at home. The procedure, working with backing tracks and clicks is the same. But working with old school music directors, who often composed music on the spot in the studio and kept throwing stuff at you that you had to play perfectly on the spot, was an experience. I have to admit, that in combination with complex Indian structures, it had me in quite a sweat!
In one of its kind research and utility initiative by Hyderabad based Solarsis has installed a unique rooftop Solar PV System on the rooftop of the IIT Madras.
The solar PV system is a smartly designed project with various technologies in modules and inverters. The solar plant is installed on top of the 50 years old Electrical Sciences Block at IIT-Madras which aims to build 1MW solar on top their existing buildings.
Venkat Rajaraman, CEO, Solarsis said the structures is unique as they are non-penetrating type, elevated with a minimum clearance of 8 feet above the roof, designed to withstand high wind zone of the Chennai coastal region.
The plant also brings high degree of reliability and protection to enable to smooth interaction with the grid.
“IIT always being an early advocate of promising technologies like solar and we are doing our best to contribute to some key challenges in solar adaptability through a smart grid controller,” says Dr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, professor in the Electrical Engineering Department. “We plan to test Smart Controller for solar, which is currently being designed by IITM, with the rooftop solar plant. The elevated structures ensure that we continue to use the roof as before for our regular use.”
The IIT Madras Solarsis rooftop solar plant is a mix of Mono-crystalline, Poly-crystalline, High efficiency Poly-crystalline (with >19 percent module efficiency) and CIGS thin-film modules in which both string and central inverters of various capacities are used. The 90KW solar plant will generate 1.5 lakh units per annum and helps offset 90 tons of carbon dioxide.
source: http://www.ciol.com / CIOL / Home> ESDM / by CIOL Bureau / Wednesday – November 06th, 2013
The second conference on fireworks under the theme ‘Enhanced Management of Fireworks’ will be held in Sivakasi on November 22 and 23. Addressing media persons in Sivakasi, R Venugopal, controller of explosives and centre in-charge of petroleum and explosives safety organisation (PESO) said that the conference will be jointly organised by Tamil Nadu Fireworks & Amorces Manufacturers’ Association (TANFAMA), The Indian Fireworks Manufacturers’ Association (TIFMA) and Tamilan Fireworks & Amorces Manufacturers’ Association (TAFMA) in collaboration with PESO.
The two-day conference and exhibition is the first-of-its-kind in the fireworks hub of the country. The conference will focus on bringing together individuals of different scientific background to provide fertile atmosphere in which to see the latest technology, to trade experience and ideas on ways to enhance the fireworks industry. Six technical sessions will be held and 28 technical papers would be presented during the conference. Eminent professionals from the Pyrotechnic Industry, scientists from CSIR, IGCAR and statutory authorities will be presenting papers in different technical sessions, he said. The six technical sessions will include safety in manufacturing, quality control, exports of fireworks, mechanisation of hazardous procedures in manufacturing, reviving Fireworks Research & Development Centre (FRDC) at Sivakasi and there will be a technical session on studying the case studies of two major fireworks accident that shook Sivakasi – Dawn Fireworks Accident in 1998 killing 36 people and Om Sakthi Fireworks Mudalipatti in 2012 killing 40 people. “There will be lot of thrust on mechanisation of the hazardous procedures in fireworks manufacturing and many big players have already started working on it”, Vengopal said. They are expecting more than 1000 delegates across the country and 40 stalls exhibiting the latest state of art machineries in fireworks manufacturing and allied activities will be displayed in the exhibition. As the special feature, a regular fireworks display and musical fireworks display will be conducted at Sivakasi on the final day of the conference, he mentioned.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai> Sivakasi / TNN / November 08th, 2013
