Making history, with every step

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All
This was the second time Capt. Divya participated in the Republic Day parade after marching as an NCC cadet in 2008. Photo: K.V. Srinivasan / The Hindu
This was the second time Capt. Divya participated in the Republic Day parade after marching as an NCC cadet in 2008. Photo: K.V. Srinivasan / The Hindu

Chennaiite Capt. Divya Ajith Kumar led the widely-celebrated first all-woman Army contingent in the Republic Day parade

On a chilly winter Monday, amidst a light drizzle, history was made as an all-woman Army contingent marched on the stretch in Rajpath, New Delhi, during the Republic Day parade.

Seated in the audience, in gallery no. 14, was Binah Ajith Kumar. A resident of Madipakkam, her heart overflowed with pride as the women officers marched by. After all, the contingent was led by her daughter Capt. Divya Ajith Kumar.

“Her contingent was the first to march after the display of military firepower, machines and vehicles. When it was announced that the first ever all-woman Army contingent was marching by, everyone in the audience rose and applauded. When my daughter’s name was announced as contingent commander, I was overjoyed; it was the most memorable moment in my life,” Ms. Binah recalls.

Belonging to the Corps of Army Air Defence, Capt. Divya marched past the dignitaries and audience, flanked by two woman officers. They were followed by 144 serving woman officers from the Army and trainee lady cadets from OTA.

This is not the first time Capt. Divya is marching on the Rajpath stretch. She had also led the all-India contingent of National Cadet Corps’s senior division girls wing for the Republic Day parade in 2008, when she won the All India Best Girl Cadet and best parade commander awards. Capt. Divya was a student of Good Shepherd Convent and a B. Com graduate from Stella Maris College.

Her NCC officer from college, Dolly Thomas, remembers her as very focussed and hardworking. “She was very responsible and used to single-handedly take care of Cadostar, our annual inter-college NCC festival,” Prof. Thomas says.

Capt. Divya graduated from college in 2009, cleared the Combined Defence Services Examination and joined OTA the same year. She passed out in 2010, bagging the sword of honour – the first woman to receive it in the history of the academy, where she is now an instructor. She had earlier served in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir.

“It was a terrific feeling and I got a lot of calls of appreciation. I want more young women, especially from Tamil Nadu, to join the army,” adds the 25-year-old, who, like any true Chennaiite, is a fan of the Marina Beach.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Society / by K Manikandan / January 28th, 2015

Co-optex goes online, sells Rs 2.36L worth products in 2 months

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, World Opinion

Chennai :

Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society (Co-optex) is slowly gaining the attention of tech-savvy customers. Its e-commerce facility has sold products worth Rs 2.36 lakh in the last two months, with cotton saris the most popular.

The new initiative on www.cooptex.gov.in has impressed many. N Swaminathan of Trichy said, “I never thought a government product would be available online. I thought I will try the quality and design and it was very impressive.” About 2.54 lakh weavers are part of Co-optex, which was established in 1935 and has more than 200 showrooms, including 60 outlets outside Tamil Nadu.

“Co-optex products are sought after, especially during weddings and functions because of the quality. We are trying to use technology to give a new experience to customers, especially youth. We are also focusing on the global market,” said managing director T N Venkatesh, who was instrumental in the makeover.

He said they introduced soft silk sarees with designs and patterns inspired by ancient temples, monuments and historical places. and “also came up with new generation shirts, especially for youth.”

Online figures show customers from other states and foreign countries ordered Co-optex sarees and shirts online. Products are delivered within 24 hours for customers in TN and upto 72 hours for those in other states.

An official said they held discussions with private e-commercial firms to increase sales. “Purchasing online is a trend. Online sales are important especially when real estate costs are going up”. On www.facebook.com/CoOptex, officials interact with customers and showcase their products. A shopping facility introduced by Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, or Poompuhar, on tnpoompuhar.org has also received good response with shoppers able to choose nearly 1,600 items, including bronze, brass, wood and stone carvings.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / January 28th, 2015

Man attempts to create record by standing still for 36 hours

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
STILL AS STONE: Akshintha La Se Shu Babu has already entered the Limca Book of Records
STILL AS STONE: Akshintha La Se Shu Babu has already entered the Limca Book of Records

Madurai :

On Monday, people attending the Republic Day celebrations at NMSS Vellaichamy Nadar College were surprised to find what was, at first glance, a brand new statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Till Sunday evening, no such statue had been spotted on the premises, and many believed that an Aluminium structure had been mounted for the special occasion.

In fact, the Gandhi ‘statue’ was Akshinthala Seshu Babu, a 44-year-old man from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, who is attempting to set a new record by standing still for at least 36 hours at a stretch. Dressing in Bapu’s attire, Seshu Babu began his stillness feat at 10.30 am on Monday here, and is aiming to continue in the pose till 10.30 pm on Tuesday.

Sesha Babu, who began standing still in public in 1993, when he stood motionless for four hours at a function in Vijayawada, has already entered the Limca Book of Records and has won several competitions. With the latest stunt, he is hoping to break his own record of 35 hours which again, he performed dressed as the Mahatma.

According to Sesha Babu, standing still is not as easy task. It requires painful preparation, and being a regular yoga practitioner has helped him a lot, he said. Moreover, he tried to keep his physique fit by running and cycling, he said.

He had been fascinated by Gandhi since childhood, Babu added, and the objective of his performance was to demonstrate the principles of Gandhi to the nation’s youth, which he hoped might influence them to fight the evils in the society in a non-violent way.

“Most people know about Gandhi but remain ignorant of the principles he stood for. Since there is a lot of violence in the world today, I want to create this record and spread the message of living in harmony,” he said.

Besides, the performance would also demonstrate the importance of leading a healthy life, he said, without which such a feat would be impossible to achieve.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / January 27th, 2015

Officer’s wife to receive award

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All
Major Mukund Varadharajan
Major Mukund Varadharajan

Indu Rebecca Varghese, wife of martyred officer Major Mukund Varadharajan is in New Delhi to receive the Ashok Chakra award bestowed on her husband, on Monday.

Maj. Mukund’s father R. Varadharajan, who has accompanied his daughter-in-law to the national capital, told The Hindu that it was a proud moment for their family as many of his son’s colleagues called on them to congratulate.

Mr. Varadharajan, who spoke over phone, said: “When Maj. Ashutosh Pandey, the officer who substituted Mukund’s place in the  44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (22 Rajput) narrated tales of Mukund’s bravery and subtleness in handling crisis in the battle to fight terrorism, it brought tears to my eyes,” he said.

Mukund’s four-year-old daughter Arshea is also in New Delhi for the award ceremony on Tuesday.

Tambaram resident, Mukund Varadharajan, who laid down his life fighting insurgents in Kashmir, has been posthumously awarded the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award ‘Ashok Chakra’.

Major Mukund Varadarajan, of 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (22 Rajput) was leading an anti-terrorist search operation in Shopian in South Kashmir. He was killed in an encounter with Hizbul Mujahideen militants in April last year.

He gunned down two heavily armed terrorists before breathing his last.

Maj. Mukund’s mother, Geetha Varadharajan said: “we take this award as a reward for our son’s bravery in combating terrorism and it will give us courage to bear the loss.”

“We take this award as a reward for our son’s bravery”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by T. Madhavan / Chennai – January 26th, 2015

Low cost, easy to set up eco-friendly toilets launched

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technologies

Coimbatore :

A toilet that can be set up in less than an hour was launched by Pune-based company, Sahyadri Industries Limited, in the city on Friday morning. The eco-friendly toilet has been created as part of the company’s contribution to the Swachh Bharat effort.

The company demonstrated setting up a toilet at Heritage Inn’s conference hall in one hour to prove their point just before the launch. A recent study done by the Ministry of Human Resource Development found that 15% of the government schools in the city lack toilets, and among those which did have toilet facilities, 57% were found to be dysfunctional.

Sahyadri Industries, a manufacturer of fibre cement corrugated and flat sheets, had been toying with the idea of designing an easy to set up pre-fabricated toilet since 2012-13. “However, the project did not take off,” admitted M Sathyanarayana, of Sahyadri Industries.

“We were inspired to restart our efforts last August when the Prime Minister announced the Swachh Bharat initiative. We then sped up the research and designing of this model,” he said. The toilets, sold as Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kits, contain parts to set up three wall panels and a door made of fly-ash and cement. The knots and bolts required to assemble the toilets are provided, so are toilet fittings from reputed companies like Johnson and Johnson. “We also give instructions on how a soaking pit has to be dug up,” said Suresh Kumar, head, sales and marketing in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This toilet can be set up anywhere in less than an hour and can be used immediately.

These toilets which come in 4ft x 4 ft dimensions can last 15 to 20 years if maintained well, says the company. They cost anywhere between 19,000 and 30,000 each. “The cost depends on the materials and specifications requested,” said Kumar. “However, we sell it at the lower cost for government schools and other economically backward schools,” he added.

The main clientele for these toilets seem to be NGOs, who are setting up toilets wherever necessary. “We have sold 1,000 such toilets in Maharashtra and Gujarat,” said Kumar. The product was launched in Gujarat Maharashtra and Karnataka in December, and in Chennai on Thursday.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / January 24th, 2015

Republic Day Marks 20th Alumni Meet of VIT

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Vellore :

Holistic education is more about character and nation building and not mere degrees and marks, observed Dr Kalyani Mathivanan, vice chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University.

Addressing the twentieth annual meet of the Vellore Institute of Technology Alumni association (VITAA) at the university campus here on Monday, she said that every educated person should develop a sense of commitment to uplift society.

“Each one of us should volunteer to do our bit for the development of society,” she added.

In his presidential address, VIT chancellor G Viswanathan said, “Many of the universities in the US are actively supported by the alumni associations and companies floated by them,” he pointed out at the alumni meet.

Archarya Ajit, founder chairman of ‘India on the Move’ who was the guest of honour, in his address noted that no success could be achieved without commitment and determination.  VIT vice president G V Selvam called upon the members of the VITAA to “go back to society and help them with knowledge”.

Nine of the alumni received distinguished achievement awards while the VITAA donated `2.2 lakh as scholarship grant to students of the university.

One of the awardees at the meet was K M Muniappan, (1989 batch) who had gone back after his education to his village, Kadachanallur in Nammakkal district and had turned it into an ideal village.  He is the panchayat president of the village for the last 20 years

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by V. Narayana Murthi /January 27th, 2015

IG Kannappan, 2 Others in TN Get Prez Medal

Leaders, Records, All

Chennai :

Three police officials including ADGP Sunil Kumar and IG P Kannappan were awarded President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service ahead of Republic Day.

In addition, 21 officers were selected for the same.

Sunil Kumar is now a member of TNUSRB, while Kannappan is head of the Intelligence wing.

In addition, PC Sivakumar, an SSI with the DVAC, too was awarded.

Others include DIG (Coimbatore) Ayush Tiwari, DIG (Salem) Vidya Kulkarni, ASP R Veeraperumal and ASP (Chennai) S Flora Jayanthi.

source: http://www.neewindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / January 26th, 2015

Padma honours for Carnatic maestro, ex-CEC, N-scientist

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technologies

Chennai :

Tamil Nadu had a modest share in Sunday’s Padma awards list. Of the nine Padma Vibhushan awardees, one is from Tamil Nadu, and out of 20 Padma Bhushan awardees two are from the state. Of 75 Padma Shri awardees, three are from Tamil Nadu.

Nuclear scientist M R Srinivasan is the sole candidate from the state to bag Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honor, next to Bharat Ratna. He was conferred Padma Bhushan a quarter century ago, in 1990, and Padma Shri three decades ago, in 1984. A team member of the legendary Homi Bhabha, Srinivasan was involved in India’s first nuclear research reactor Apsara in mid-1950s.

He later became chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and rose to be secretary of department of atomic eergy. Srinivasan was founder-chairman of Nuclear Power Corporation of India, in 1987. He was responsible for a total of 18 nuclear power units in the country.

The two Padma Bhushan awardees from the state are former chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami, and Carnatic singer Sudha Ragunathan.

Gopalaswami, a 1966 IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, was chief election commissioner from June 2006 to April 2009. He was former union home secretary as well, and had held posts of secretery in department of culture, and secretary-general in National Human Rights Commission. “It is a happy feeling to have won the award. I would like to acknowledge the fact that work done by others has helped me fetch the honour. It is not just an individual’s work, but a whole team has worked for me to get this credit. I am grateful for the recognition. Good work never goes waste,” Gopalaswami told TOI.

Sudha Raghunathan is one the best recognizable faces in Carnatic music circles, and among the most sought-after vocalist during music seasons. A distinguished disciple of M L Vasanthakumari, Sudha Raghunathan got her Padma Shri award in 2004.

When contacted, she told TOI: “I am extremely happy and overwhelmed on winning the award. I am grateful to the government for the honour. Through the years, there have been many people who stood by me and motivated me. I want to thank the God almighty. I want to thank my guru M L Vasantha Kumari, mother V Choodamani and fans from all around the world. I want to thank the organisers who have encouraged me from my teen years for all their support.”

A top-notch violinist and this year’s recipient of Padma Shri award, A Kanyakumari is a recipient of TN government’s Kalaimamani award as well.

Two other Padma Shri awardees from the state are former civil servants P V Rajaraman and R Vasudevan.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / January 26th, 2015

All things old

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
R. Bhoopathy, owner of Majestic Auctioneers. Photo: K. Pichumani / The Hindu
R. Bhoopathy, owner of Majestic Auctioneers. Photo: K. Pichumani / The Hindu

This auction house offers to buy, sell and exchange household items and electronic and electrical goods

Trying to dispose of your rusted stainless steel gas stove? Looking to bring home an antique clock? Your search may end at Majestic & Co. Tucked inside a quiet corner off Anna Salai, the 27-year-old auction house buys, sells, hires all kinds of household articles, furniture, electronic and electrical goods. It also allows exchanges involving these items.

It is run by R. Bhoopathy, who worked as a dealer with Murray & Co. before starting his own auction house.

Majestic & Co has a regular clientele. It gets items from those going abroad who want to sell their belongings. “You will find everything here. If not, we would source it for the client. We even offer to pick the goods from their house,” says Bhoopathy.

The store spread over 6,000 sq.ft. conducts auction every Sunday at 11 a.m.

An antique clock at Majestic Auctioneers. Photo: K. Pichumani / The Hindu
An antique clock at Majestic Auctioneers. Photo: K. Pichumani / The Hindu

Grandfather clocks, paintings and wooden furniture are some of the sought-after items at the store. Air-conditioners, refrigerators, televisions and microwaves are consumer goods that can be hired.

Unlike other shops on the stretch, which have moved out temporarily due to Metro Rail work, this shop has stayed on. “The Metro is going to change the face of Anna Salai and more stores will want to set up shop here. We started here and would continue to be here,” says Bhoopathy.

Display of wooden products for sale at Majestic Auctioneers. Photo: K. Pichumani / The Hindu
Display of wooden products for sale at Majestic Auctioneers. Photo: K. Pichumani / The Hindu

Majestic & Co. is at 811, Anna Salai, Vummidiars Shopping Centre, opp. LIC. Phone: 9385511209, 9382700086.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Downtown / by Liffy Thomas / Chennai – January 10th, 2015

Heard about a public stem cell bank in Chennai?

Science & Technologies

Chennai :

There is a public stem cell bank in Chennai where people can donate stem cell stems, but most clinicians and people are unaware of it.

In her presentation at the 58th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Saranya Narayan, medical director and co-founder of Jeevan Stem Cell Bank, said many clinicians were not aware of the existence of the public stem cell bank in the city that could store stem cells for free of cost and help patients with hematological illnesses like thalassemia and blood cancer.

“The only operational public stem cell bank is in Chennai. We function with the grant from the Tamil Nadu government and help from the World Bank. But many clinicians are not aware of this public bank,” the doctor said.

She explained that stem cell is separated from the umbilical cord blood which is collected during the birth of a baby and is stored.

While awareness is important, the doctor had also observed that many clinicians feel that counselling families for donating cord blood is eating into their consultation time.

“We have sent our staff members for counselling families in some hospitals. But with the pamphlets and awareness material, it is easy to convince families to donate. We also found that some doctors say they do not have an infrastructure to collect cord blood. We give them the kit to collect the cord blood,” she explained.

The lack of awareness among people on the benefits of stem cells leaves about 90 percent of cord blood ending up as a medical waste, the doctor said.

“There is a 60 to 80 percent success rate in stem cell transplant treatment for hematological illnesses. So a donor’s stem cell is used on someone else with the illness. But if the donor or donor’s family has an illness and needs it, they can approach us. We will either give the donor’s own stem cells or find a suitable match and provide them at a concessional rate,” Dr Saranya said.

While the level of donation of umbilical cord blood is low, the doctor noted that about 40 percent of cord blood donations are rejected for various reasons, including volume below 60ml, leaks from blood bag, large clots in blood bag and delay in transportation of the cord blood for preservation.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by U. Tejonmayam, TNN / January 25th, 2015