The Hindu Heavy rain continued for the second day on Friday in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur. / Photo: B. Velankanni Raj / The Hindu
Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts continued to experience heavy rain for the second day on Friday.
“We have received less than normal rainfall so far under the northeast monsoon. So, the welcome rain is good for both samba and thaladi crops,” officials said. Samba and thaladi have been raised on nearly 2.50 lakh hectares in both districts.
Thanjavur town experienced the maximum rainfall of 42.8 mm in Thanjavur district in the last 24 hours that ended at 8 a.m. on Friday. The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in the district are:
In Tiruvarur district, Kodaval received the maximum rainfall of 55.6 mm during the same period, followed by Tiruvarur 25.4; Valangaiman 25.2; Needamangalam 20; Nannilam 18.4; Tiruthuraipoondi 13.4; Pandavaiyar head 13.4; Muthupettai 11.6.
Sirkazhi recorded the maximum rainfall of 27.2 mm in Nagapattinam district, followed by Anaikarachathiram 25.5; Tirupoondi 24.4; Nagapattinam 19.8; Mayiladuthurai 19.6; Thalaignayar 18.8; Manalmedu 15.8; Vedaranyam 9; Tarangampadi 5.
In Perambalur district, Venbavur recorded 21 mm, Thazhuthazai 12 mm; Chettikulam 9 mm; and Padalur 7 mm.
Karur district received a total of 222.60 mm rainfall during the same period. The chief amount of rainfall (in mm) recorded in major centres across the district are Palaviduthi 30, Mylampatti 27, Kadavur and Anaipalayam 25 each, Aravakurichi 21.6, Panjapatti 21, Thogamalai 19, K. Paramathi 12.6, Karur town 12.4, Krishnarayapuram 12, Mayanur 10 and Kulithalai 7 mm.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Thanjavur – December 14th, 2013
The top portion of an ancient burial urn, believed to be from the Megalithic period (300 BC to 100 AD) has emerged from sand near Tarangamdabi in the district due to heavy rains and sea erosion, official sources said.
The entire district has been receiving heavy rains due to consecutive depressions in the past three weeks. The sea is very rough and coastal areas are experiencing sea erosion.
Tahsildar Azhagirisamy, who visited the spot and inspected the urn, said some fishermen noticed it emerging from the sand in a coastal burial ground at the sea front at Perumalpettai in Tarangambadi.
He said the urn could not be unearthed immediately as the sea was rough. Also care had to be taken to unearth it without damaging its structure, he said, adding that the procedure would be completed once conditions are normal.
He also said complete details of the urn would be known only after archaeological examination.
It may be noted that the fertile Cauvery Delta in this district, particularly Tarangambadi, Poompuhar, Mayiladuthurai and nearby villages, are believed to have served as great centres of human settlement even during pre-historic periods.
Pottery and urns belonging to these times, particularly the Megalithic period (300 BC to 100 AD) have been unearthed from many places in this area in the past.
In the megalithic period, soldiers were usually buried with their belongings in the urns. Officials feel the urn might also belong to this period.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Nagapattinam (TN) – December 14th, 2013
The three-day inter-department annual cultural extravaganza of the St Joseph’s College, Trichy began on Thursday. This year, the college is celebrating the silver jubilee year of the cultural competition programme, which is titled INDEP.
Until 1987, the cultural festival, which was conducted as Fantasia with participation from other colleges in the region, became an inter-department affair due to certain student skirmishes, said its principal Fr Andrews.
St Joseph’s dean Selvakumar told TOI that the events were primarily aimed at building the communication skills of the students who had stage fright or inhibitions, a virtue that is largely seen as one of the prime employability skills in the job market.
There were elocution competitions both in Tamil and English and a programme titled, “We will meet” projected an imaginary conversation between two present day politicians at the diametrically opposite political ends.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy> Programme / TNN / December 14th, 2013
Suave entertainer: James Vasanthan./ Photo: R. Ashok / The Hindu
From church music to composing film songs James Vasanthan has come a long way. He talks to T. Saravanan about his objectives in life, passion for music and future endeavours.
‘Kangal Irandal…’ the popular number from Subramaniapuram is no fluke for composer James Vasanthan as he followed it up with ‘Naan Pogiren Mele…’ ofNaanayam. His soothing melodies speak volumes about the die-hard Ilayaraja fan in him.
“He gave a different dimension to film music,” says James Vasanthan. “After hearing M.S. Viswanathan ayya’s songs when I came to a conclusion that no more experiments are possible in film music, his music came like a whiff of fresh air. I was just awestruck hearing the guitar and western music notations. He inspired me into film music,” he says.
But the passion for music was deep-rooted in him right from childhood. “My father was a big music lover and my mother played the harmonium and sang light classical songs. When all my six brothers and a sister attended music class, I was exempted, probably because I was the last in a family of 10,” he smiles.
He used to sit and watch them learn music the hard way. One day when his father asked him to participate in the inter-school singing competition, it was a revelation because till then I did not know that I could sing. I had only attended few Sunday singing classes in Church and learnt to sing ‘Sindhu Nadhiyin Isai Nilavinile…’ from my sister Catherine Nirmala. Though the lines belonged to poet Subramania Bharathi, the raga belongs to M.S.V. Surprisingly, I won the first prize and that acknowledgement gave me enough confidence to take music seriously,” he reminisces.
Liberal access to instruments like piano and guitar helped him hone skills without much hassle. “I joined the church choir and naturally imbibed singing in harmony. I was introduced to English and German hymns. Playing piano and guitar was infectious. During breaks, when my seniors were away, I would experiment,” he says.
James Vasanthan’s first big inspiration was Cooling Rajaiah, popular organist and accordion player. Hearing the songs of Azhage Unnai Aarathikiren and Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu, he further strengthened his passion to compose music. “At that time coffee bar culture was rampant. I used to bunk classes and sit for hours to listen to Ilayaraja’s songs.”
After six years of teaching music at St. Peter’s MHSS in Kodaikanal, he moved on to television industry. He struck a chord immediately as an anchor with his friendly demeanour, warmth and cordiality. From game shows to reality events, his foray into small screen was hugely successful. “I entered television industry in pursuit of a career in music. But I was asked to anchor and I accepted. I never knew my next 17 years will be in this field,” he says.
Luckily for him it was Sasikumar who gave him a big break with Subramaniapuram. “You can learn music but not creativity. It is a gift from God. I don’t want to waste my talent,” he says. Even today he accepts offers to anchor shows, if he is satisfied with the content. The ‘Oru Vaarthai Oru Latcham’ show in a satellite channel is a testimony to it. “The infotainment show is modelled on ‘What’s the good word’ programme in US. School children take it very seriously and do it as an exercise,” he says.
Belonging to the Ilayaraja School of music, he believes in creating soulful songs. His item song ‘Jilla Vittu’ in Eesan created that magic with its earthy feel. “Item songs need not necessarily be harsh. There is a tinge of sadness that has turned out to be the USP of the song.”
James Vasanthan feels that it would be difficult to see another music legend coming up in present scenario. “If a person has to reach that status, he has to survive in the industry for at least 25 years. Take for instance the films released and number of music directors introduced last year – around 160 films and 58 new music directors. I seriously doubt whether they will get second chance to be remembered,” he logically argues.
Standing test of time
He firmly believes in composing songs that will stand the test of time. “Ultimately the music will be identified not with the film but with the singer and the music director. A composer has to register his mark, so that in future their songs will speak their worth,” he says and emphasises the need to pay more attention to lyrics.
He started a music academy last year in Chennai, where he has playback singing as a course, apart from regular classes. His latest music composition is for the movie Vizha, which is due for release soon.
He plans to direct a musical film. “Script, songs everything is ready. I am looking for a good producer. It will be musical in true sense as it does not stop with five to six songs. Basic aspect of a musical is that there will be no playback. I am trying to bring back the old school of drama. Actors will have to sing the songs and perform.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review> Music / by T. Saravanan / Madurai – December 13th, 2013
Foxtrot class INS Vagli submarine majestically berthed at the Chennai Port. It was officially handed over to the state government by the Indian Navy. (file photo)—DC
Chennai:
The preliminary work on establishing the ambitious Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum project at the ancient port town of Mamallapuram, near here, has commenced and efforts will soon be initiated to ready a huge platform to haul up the decommissioned INS Vagli.
The 36-year-old warhorse, belonging to the Vela-class diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy, will be towed to the site, located about 60 km from here, once the Chennai port gives the nod.
The vessel could not be shifted to the 30-acre land owned by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), that is executing the project, owing to squally weather conditions.
“We will have to get the weather clearance report from the Chennai port before towing the submarine,” a senior TTDC official said, adding that the corporation could not take the risk of transporting the vessel when inclement weather conditions persist. The sky has to be clear to tow it.
“We hope to tow it during the last week of January 2014. Towing will not be a problem, but hauling the vessel would surely be an arduous task,” the official said.
A platform running to a distance of 100 m would be readied to haul up the nearly 96 m long submarine. International tenders would be floated to establish the museum on a Public Private Partnership basis.
The preliminary work, especially temporary fencing around the site near the shore temple, has begun.
But before commencing the civil work, the TTDC has to obtain CRZ clearance as the proposed museum comes under an ASI-protected area.
Officials hope to complete the project in a year’s time, which augurs well for domestic and international tourism and will pave to highlight the maritime history of Tamil Nadu.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / J.V. Siva Prasanna Kumar / December 13th, 2013
A simple technique used in small-scale textile shops paved the way for the librarians of Lady Doak College to classify their huge collection of books with ease.
Inspired by the way shopkeepers mark the prices of products using colourful stickers, the J X Miller Library started a unique method called ‘Rainbow Classification’. In this method, the staff paste colourful stickers on the spine of the books making their task easier when it comes to sorting and arranging the books.
J X Miller library is as old as the college itself which was established in 1948 by Katie Wilcox, an American missionary in Madurai region. There are 12 departmental libraries and 12 special libraries with thousands of books and journals in each. Apart from these, the college is also maintaining an archive on the history of the college and its founder.
S Sangaranachiar, library director said that they used to take a whole day during weekend to complete the laborious task of arranging books, which has now reduced to an hour everyday. “We were looking for some classification methods. The idea struck us in a textiles shop where a salesman told that they use the stickers to mark the prices. We ordered special stickers with single and double colours from a merchant in the city and pasted specific coloured stickers on specific books,” she said. The system is more than a decade old and has yielded good results too, the staff said.
After the system was implemented, the library staff were able to arrange the books in lesser time and could retrieve them quicker. “After introducing this method, we could track the books, which were misplaced by the students intentionally or unintentionally,” Sangaranachiar pointed out. The intentional misplacing is done by the students if they want to hide a book for later retrieval. “At the end of the day, we just give a casual screening of the racks and such hidden books could be spotted because they don’t match the specific colour code of the section. Tracking them with numbers or alpha-numerical would be slightly tougher and time consuming too,” one of the library staff said.
Another novel initiative undertaken by the library for its students is the Library Service Programme. As Part V stream of the collegiate education, the library offers a 120-hour library service course in which 20 hours goes in theory sessions while 100 hours are set aside for fieldworks.
Fieldworks include visiting village libraries and helping out the panchayats in library management. The students also organise story telling sessions for children in the villages and take a children’s library along during their visits. They also visit the district library to learn the nuances of maintaining a library. In addition to these, the library also offers an elective paper called Basics of Library and Information Services. It also organises lectures on plagiarism so that students don’t copy the works of authors for their assignments.
V Aparna and J Ruth Roobella, the final year students from English department, said that their library is more than the collection of books. “Apart from utilising the services of the library, we also get to learn a lot on library science too. The most attractive part is the rainbow system used in the classification of the books,” Aparna said.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai> Books / TNN / December 13th, 2013
Elder Pharmaceuticals and Torrent Pharmaceuticals have announced that Torrent has entered into a definitive binding agreement with Elder to acquire its branded domestic formulations business in India and Nepal for a consideration of Rs 2,004 crore.
Elder’s India business comprises a portfolio of over 30 brands with leading products across women’s healthcare, pain management, wound care and neutraceuticals therapeutic segments.
The India business is being sold as a going concern on a slump sale basis and the transaction would involve the transfer of employees engaged in sales, marketing and operations. Under the proposed transaction, Elder would continue to manufacture and supply products at its existing manufacturing facilities for Torrent for three years.
Torrent would fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and bank debt. Elder’s existing brand equity in the areas of women’s healthcare and pain management would help Torrent strengthen its position in the Indian market expanding into these fast growing areas, the companies said in a statement.
“We will now focus and grow our in-licensing, anti-infectives and exports business,” said Alok Saxena, Managing Director and CEO, Elder. “The transaction is a strategic fit for Torrent and will strengthen its core prescription-based business,” said Sudhir Mehta, Chairman, Torrent Group.
“This acquisition strengthens our position in women healthcare, pain management and vitamins/nutrition segments by enhancing and accelerating market access,” he said. “It is also expected to enable cost and revenue synergies in Torrent’s domestic formulations business,” Mehta said.
The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of both the companies. The transaction is subject to shareholder approval and applicable regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first half of 2014.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore> Pain Management / by M. Allirajan, TNN / December 13th, 2013
Rakindo Developers, a joint venture between Rakeen, a company promoted by the Government of Ras-al-Khaimah and Trimex, an infrastructure company in India, is developing a residential project in Coimbatore, Orchids. The affordable gated community houses over 800 1, 2 and 3 BHK apartments, ranging from 672 sq. ft to 1,459 sq. ft.
Situated at the foothills of the Western Ghats in Kovaipudur, Orchids is a residential project in which the second phase is nearing completion. The next stage of 140 apartments will comprise 2 and 3 BHK apartments, ranging from 979 sq. ft to 1459 sq. ft. apartments.
It is 12 km from the railway station and 22 km from the airport. This gated community protected through a smart card security system, comes with power back-up, sewage treatment plant, provision for rainwater harvesting, storm -water facility.
Orchids consists of premier amenities, such as a 12,000 sq. ft. club house that includes a swimming pool, gym, indoor games, banquet hall, and outdoor basketball & tennis courts.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Real Estate / by The Hindu Chennai Bureau / December 13th, 2013
The participants of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games being felicitated by Rotary Club of Tiruchirapalli Rock City on Thursday./ Photo: A. Muralitharan / The Hindu
Eight special children from Tiruchi, who had returned recently after taking part in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games held in Australia, were felicitated by Rotary Club of Tiruchirapalli Rock City, here on Thursday.
Seven out of the eight children were present, and they received citations from S. Gopal, governor, Rotary district 3000.
Mohanavel, Mani Balu, and Joel S. Varkey (Dolphin Special School); Divakar, Naveen Akash, and Arvind Subramani (Blossoms Opportunity School, Holy Cross College); Siril Robert (Vedivelli Special School); and Joseph Chkaravarthi (Asha Deepam Special School), participated in the Special Olympics held from December 1 to 7 in New Castle, Australia.
Three of the students won medals – Mohanavel had won silver medal in running and long jump, Joseph Chakravarthi bagged silver, and Mani Balu a bronze. The other five children secured fourth and fifth positions in different events.
Mr. Gopal thanked the teachers and the coach, and praised them for their unwavering support and dedication towards the children. “Special Olympians are in no way lesser than normal Olympians. In fact, Special Olympics help those with intellectual disability make friends and engage in sporting events. It brings out their hidden talents,” he said.
“Participation itself is a great achievement and the winners have gained immense self confidence. It is up to organisations such as Rotary Club to encourage, help, and support such special children in their endeavours,” he added.
Paul Devasagayam, area director-Tamil Nadu for the Special Olympics, commended the efforts of the special children. The coach, Sara Arockia Mary, was present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Staff Reporter / Tiruchi – December 13th, 2013
More than 700 delegates from various parts of the state are expected to attend the 34th annual conference of the Association of Economist of Tamil Nadu ( AET), to be hosted by Vellore Institute of Technology University’s business school on December 14 and 15.
VIT University chancellor G Viswanathan will inaugurate the conference in the presence of Royal Meridian Hotel and PGP Group of Institutions chairman Palani G Periasamy. The conference will hold technical sessions on education and development, energy crisis in Tamil Nadu and economy of Vellore region.
V Loganathan, emeritus professor University of Madras, K Varatharajan, former scientific officer of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, M Basha from Islamiah College, Vaniyambadi, and C Dhandapani from Thiruvallur University, Vellore, will address the conference in which more than 200 papers will be presented.
R Balasubramaniyan, associate professor of economics at D G Vaishanav College, Chennai, will deliver the 9th M Sebastian Stanislaus (AET founder) memorial lecture on ‘The status of food security in Tamil Nadu.’
The conference includes a panel discussion on southern growth models. Viswanathan will chair the socio-economic conundrum on December 15.
Lifetime achievement awards will be presented to nine professors, including founder director of Vellore Institute of Development Studies P Jegadish Gandhi.
Senior economist and junior economist awards will also be presented during the conference.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai> Tamil Nadu / by Bosco Dominique, TNN / December 13th, 2013
