PSG & Sons Charities had its 30th institution inaugurated at The Park, Nungambakkam, recently.
Located in Neelambur in Coimbatore, the newly-launched PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research, offers five programs – civil, mechanical, EEE, ECE and C Sc and plans to enroll 300 students this year.
The launch was presided over by managing trustee L Gopala Krishnan, principal, PV Mohanram and director Dr Nandagopal.
PV Mohanram, the principal of the newly-launched college said, “I have been associated with PSG & Sons for over 30 years now. Our main aim is to provide quality education to students. I’m very excited to start off with the new academic year soon,” he said.
Currently, the Trust has 29 institutions educating more than 20,000 students from kindergarten to doctoral levels, offering education in a wide spectrum of subjects of academic pursuit in humanities, liberal arts, medical and paramedical sciences, science, technical and healthcare and management education. PSG Tech is affiliated to the Anna University.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / June 28th, 2014
Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa launching the Amma Salt at secretariat in Chennai last month.
Chennai :
After Amma canteens, water and salt, plans are afoot to create infrastructure for Amma pharmacies across the state to provide cheap medicine for the poor. The AIADMK government will soon unveil 100 Amma Marunthagam (medical shops) across Tamil Nadu, a proposal that promises to win more goodwill for chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Reiterating her commitment towards creating a welfare state, these Amma pharmacies will sell medicines at a subsidised rate.
A senior official said the co-operative department has been working hard for the launch of the Amma medical shops across the state in 100 places. The shops are ready and staff is being recruited. “Finance minister O Panneerselvam announced the proposal in the state budget in February. We have almost completed the process of setting up the shops,” a senior official in the co-operative department said.
Officials said 10 shops will be opened in Chennai and 90 shops in the rest of the state. “A few co-operative shops in Tamil Nadu have been selling medicines without service tax. The idea of opening medical shops is to ensure sale of medicine at reasonable price to the public,” an official said. The state government had announced that Rs 20 crore will be used from the price distribution fund for opening the Amma pharmacies.
“Though the Amma pharmacies are limited and may not totally fulfill the demand of the people, the low price at which we sell medicines will force private shop owners to at least give some discount. The number of shops will be increased later,” sources said. The co-operative department is likely to recruit pharmacists through Medical Services Recruitment Board (MSRB).
The government recently introduced Amma salt in the market and packaged it as three varieties – low sodium, double fortified and refined free flow iodized salt, all cheaper than similar products available in the open market.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / June 24th, 2014
A 42-year-old woman, with unicornuate uterus, a condition which does not allow a woman to bear a child, has delivered a baby girl in a city hospital, following a novel procedure.
Shanthi (name changed), childless for 11 years, was admitted to Guru Hospital recently with right unicornuate uterus.
Only one in 4,000 women had this problem, the reason for which was not known, said Kalpana, obstetrician and gynaecologist.
Explaining the procedure at a press conference here on Saturday, the doctor said that in such cases there was a deformity in the uterus. In such patients, infertility, abortion and ectopic pregnancy were common.
“Since the patient was 42 years old, she had to undergo in-vitro fertilisation as a result of which she conceived three babies.
As the uterus could not carry three babies, foetal reduction was done. Growth of the baby was monitored and a surgery, ‘metroplasty,’ was performed in which the right side of the uterus was expanded to accommodate the infant.
“The woman delivered a baby weighing 2.8 kg,” the doctor said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by Staff Reporter / Madurai – June 22nd, 2014
Ramanarayanan made a record-breaking 125 movies in nine Indian languages, in a career spanning 36 years / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Popular film director and producer Ramanarayanan, who directed a record-breaking 125 movies in nine Indian languages in a career spanning 36 years, died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Singapore on Sunday.
His mortal remains are expected to be brought to Chennai for final rites on Tuesday.
The prolific filmmaker made a name for himself making small-budget films, predominantly on devotional themes or stories in which animals played central roles.
Mr. Ramnarayanan was also at the helm of the Producers Council for several years.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Society / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – June 23rd, 2014
Books help human beings lead a good life, said former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, in the city on Saturday.
In an interactive session with the students of Presidency College, Mr. Kalam said when he was studying at the Madras Institute of Technology in Chromepet, he used to come to Moore Market complex to buy old books.
When asked about his first failure, Mr. Kalam said, in 1979, he headed a team which was involved in launching a satellite at Indian Space Research Organisation, Sriharikotta.
On the day of the launch, the satellite, instead of moving on its scheduled orbit, fell into the Bay of Bengal. That was his first failure from which he learnt and conducted several successful missions.
Answering another question on the importance of technology and research, Mr. Kalam said intensity was lacking amongst researchers today.
To improve this, there is a need to rewrite the curriculum in a way that it promotes research. Students should also learn to accept defeats and celebrate it, he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Events / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – June 22nd, 2014
Winners of Wiz National Spell Bee competition with Geetha Periyanayagam (Second from Left),Principal, and Rohini (Right), Coordinator at SBIOA Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Tiruchi on Saturday./ Photo:B.Velankanni Raj
Students from various schools showcased their language skills at the Wiz National Spell Bee competition for Tiruchi zone, here on Saturday.
The contest, which tested both the oral and written skills of students from classes 1 to 12 under different categories, was held at SBIOA Matriculation Higher Secondary School. The competition was conceived by a panel of eminent academicians and experienced teachers across the country.
The winners from SBIOA Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Alpha Wisdom Vidyashram, and Samadh Senior Secondary School were felicitated by Geetha Periyanayagam, principal, SBIOA Matriculation Higher Secondary School in the presence of Josh Sebastian, zonal coordinator, Wiz National Spell Bee, and Yasmin Nazeer, regional coordinator.
According to a press release form the organisers, Wiz National Spell Bee, through its competitions at various levels encourages the schoolchildren to improve their vocabulary. .
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Staff Reporter / Tiruchi – June 22nd, 2014
A farmer explaining the salient features of cultivating kuthiraivaali (Barnyard millet) during summer, in Watrap region of Virudhunagar district./ Photo: G. Moorthy / The Hindu
Virudhunagar district to produce 12.5 tonnes of seeds
Summer cultivation of ‘Kuthiraivaali’ (Barnyard Millet), introduced for the first time by the Department of Agriculture, has been a hit among farmers of Virudhunagar district.
While, initially, officials found it tough to convince farmers to come forward to cultivate the minor millet as a major alternative crop to cotton and paddy, the success tasted by a few farmers has helped more farmers evince interest in this crop.
Virudhunagar has been chosen to produce 12.5 tonnes of ‘Kuthiraivaali’ seeds as part of the State government’s ambitious project to increase the area under millet cultivation to ensure food, fodder and livelihood security.
“We have given 125 kg of CO (KV) 2 seeds provided by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to 25 farmers. Cultivation of minor millets has been taken up on 50 acres,” Joint Director of Agriculture K. Subbiah said. The seeds are expected to be ready by August for sowing in September across the State.
Assured yield
Deputy Director P. Vanniyarajan said diversification to millet cultivation, especially during summer, would give assured yield with higher returns.
P. Poongavanam, a farmer in W. Pudupatti, said he had increased the extent of summer cultivation to eight acres because of ‘Kuthiraivaali’ that consumed less than 50 per cent of the water required for paddy or cotton.
S. Vijayakumar (54) of Maharajapuram is used to rain-fed irrigation of ‘Kuthiraivaali.’ He expected more than double the yield now, thanks to the improved variety of seeds and modern irrigation technique.
Another farmer, R. Gnanagurusamy (63), said that cultivation of the minor millet had the advantages of less water and fertilizer, no pesticide and free from crop damage by birds and animals.
Input cost less
“The input cost is less because of decreased need for weeding and farm preparation,” he said.
Stating that the plants grew taller (up to 6.25 feet) under irrigated condition, the Assistant Director (Seed Certification), S. Ramamoorthy, said farmers had the benefit of getting more quantity of fodder.
Besides getting higher yield and higher price, farmers who have taken up ‘Kuthiraivaali’ for seed production are given higher price. “While the market price is Rs. 25 to 30 a kg, we have promised to give them Rs. 50 a kg,” Muthaiah, an Agricultural Officer, said.
The officials are also planning to set up a unit to process the minor millet at a cost of Rs. 2.20 lakh after forming a cluster of ‘Kuthiraivaali’ farmers. “The farmers will get a better price for value addition,” Mr. Vanniyarajan said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by S. Sundar / Virudhunagar – June 21st, 2014
Guess who’s the latest to join the FIFA World Cup fever. An unlikely candidate — the Department of Posts. At a time when interest in philately as a hobby is waning, the department has decided to harness the buzz around the World Cup and released commemorative stamps on Thursday — the day the football fiesta kicked off in Brazil.
The set of four stamps and a miniature sheet that was released depicts the action on the field and also the mascot, Fuleco. Chennai City region office has made available nearly 50,000 stamps for philately aficionados in the city.
A month-long philately exhibition that began at the Philatelic Bureau, Anna Road HPO, was a treasure trove of nearly 800 stamps and first day covers dating back from 1930. From stamps on the game’s moves and famous stadiums to winners and stamps from various countries on previous World Cups, the exhibition, by tracking the evolution of the game, elicits the interest of viewers.
Rolands Nelson. J., secretary of South India Philatelists Association, who had his collection on display, said: “I have been collecting stamps for three decades. This particular collection took me 10 years. We get to learn about history through the hobby.”
His collection includes Austria’s football stamp made of the synthetic material used to make footballs, the oldest stadium in England and 3D miniature stamps released by Slovakia. Stamps need not be square-shaped ones as some football stamps in Germany have come out in odd shapes. “We meet every second Sunday to discuss on our hobby. Many philatelists now buy online. We have over 200 members in Chennai. New memberships have come down,” Mr. Nelson said.
Mervin Alexander, Postmaster General, Chennai City region (CCR) said the department releases commemorative stamps regularly to attract stamp collectors. The latest on Sachin Tedulkar was a huge hit. Every year, 50 commemorative stamps are released. “We have 40 philately accounts being opened every month,” he added.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by K. Lakshmi / Chennai – June 13th, 2014
The club, which was the brainchild of four fans of the motorcycle, now has over 60 members — Photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu
Fans of the Czech-inspired motorcycle model are all set to celebrate the 14 International Jawa Day in July
July 13 may be just another Sunday for many of us, but for a group of bikers, it’s a day of camaraderie.
Meet Roaring Riders, the city’s sole club that swears by the Czech-inspired motorcycle model, Jawa and its successor, the Yezdi. They are all set to celebrate the 14 International Jawa Day on July 13 at the old airstrip in Sholavaram.
Christened in July 2003, the motorcycle club was the brainchild of four Chennaiites who were part of an online Jawa-Yezdi lovers group.
“We then gave an open call online to Jawa and Yezdi lovers in Chennai and were pleasantly surprised to receive swift responses from five people. This gave the much-needed adrenaline rush for the group and soon, many likeminded riders came forward to be part of Roaring Riders,” says Srini Kasyap, one of the founder members of the group, and a proud owner of three Yezdi (Roadking, Deluxe and Colt 60) models.
The thunderous engines of the Roadkings and Deluxes of the small group of riders first roared on the stretch of Elliots Beach on a fine Sunday morning in July 2003.
Eleven years down the line, the group has grown to an over 60-members strong Jawa–Yezdi riders club with an online fan following of nearly 350 persons.
“With an annual long ride across the State and monthly short rides, the group has evolved and established relationships with similar chapters in Bangalore, Mysore, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and also, Mumbai,” adds member Prakash Nagarajan, who promises the upcoming Jawa Day celebration will be a real spectacle.
On July 13, it is expected that over 50 motorcyclists will assemble to flaunt their bikes, which include classic models of Jawa and Yezdi.
Veteran invitees, who raced Czech models on the once bustling Sholavaram airstrip, which used to be the city’s sole racing circuit, will also be present.
For more on the event, to which any motorcycle lover is welcome, visit www.roaringriders.in
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Petlee Peter / June 18th, 2014
Work is on full swing in Rajapalayam municipality of Virudhunagar district for the fabrication of digester to convert biodegradable waste into electricity. The project, which is believed to be the first in the southern districts, is expected to produce 40 kW of power from next month.
The Tamil Nadu government had in February this year announced that steps would be taken to produce green power from biodegradable waste and the Rajapalayam municipality was one of the first to take steps towards achieving this. The municipality has its garbage dumping area near the foothills of the Sanjeevi hills in Kothankulam spread over an area of 25 acres. Now, work is underway for constructing the 10.5 m diameter digester, which will produce gas through the process of biomethanization technology and this gas in turn would be utilized to produce electricity.
The municipality produces 55 tonnes of garbage on a daily basis and five metric tones of biodegradable wastes are separated from it every day. The five metric tonnes would go into the production of methane and the residue from the plant that is the treated liquid, which remains after producing the gas would be used as plant fertilizer. The plant itself, which is being built at a cost of Rs 90 lakh is a pre-fabricated one. The power which is expected to be produced by the end of August this year is said to have the capacity to light up to 800 tubelights. Initially, the power produced would be deposited with the TNEB substation in Kothangulam and would be deducted from the municipality power bills.
Once the project comes into effect the municipality is expected to see a reduction in power cuts which has been plaguing the people of this region. “We have faced even 10 hours of no power situations and any improvement would be welcome,” the residents say. According to the municipality commissioner Ramasamy the system is equipped with anaerobic digesters and modified up-flow anaerobic sludge bed reactors which would produce the green electricity. While part of the slurry would be utilized for fertilizer, a part would be used for operating the plant through a specialised system.
According to sources, the environmental impact through this project would be immense as it would help to reduce carbon-dioxide emission by about 500 metric tonnes every year, when the plant goes operational. The chairperson of the municipality Dhanalakshmi said that they plan to go for another bioenergy plant next year, based on the success of this one.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by Padmini Sivarajah , TNN / June 20th, 2014
