Prime Minister seeks tech innovation to reduce carbon footprint

August 9, 2013Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technologiesadmin

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is greeted by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram as MoS at PMO V. Narayanasamy claps during dedication of two BHEL projects to the nation at Thirumayam in Pudukottai district on Friday. — DC

Pudukottai:

Observing that climate change has become an urgent concern across the globe, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday stressed on the need to find ways and means to reduce country’s carbon footprint as it would be among the nations to be “most seriously” impacted.

“We need to develop ways and means to reduce our carbon foot-print through technological innovation. In our country, more than 50 per cent of power comes from coal-based generation, which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases,” he said.

Dedicating to the nation BHEL’s two new projects – Rs 1,000 crore high-pressure boiler plant unit-II, a green-field initiative at Tiruchy, and the Rs 300 crore power plant piping unit at Thirumayam, the PM said the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar mission sought to develop 20,000 MW f power generating capacity by the end of 13th five Year plan.

Get into solar tech, PM tells BHEL

Stating that the Jawaharlal Nehru national solar mission’s success has the potential to enhance India’s energy security, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged the public sector undertaking, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), to get into developing solar power technology, apart from solar power generation.

Dedicating to the nation BHEL’s two new projects — Rs 1,000 crore high-pressure boiler plant unit-II, a green-field initiative at Tiruchy, and the Rs 300 crore power plant piping unit at Thirumayam on Friday, Dr Singh said, “The Jawaharlal Nehru national solar mission seeks to develop 20,000 MW of solar power generating capacity by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan. Its success has the potential of enhancing India’s energy security and contributing handsomely to efforts to combat climate change.”

He hoped that BHEL, “bestowed with engineering expertise, manufacturing prowess and a commendable human resource base,” will not only take the lead in solar energy in terms of power generation but also in the development of solar power technology.

He added that it was a difficult commercial decision, but well worth taking in the long-term interest of our country. He lauded finance minister P. Chidambaram saying that he was instrumental in persuading BHEL, a maharatna PSU, to locate their new power plant piping unit at Thirumayam, in Pudukottai district.

According to Dr Singh, the country needs to expand manufacturing substantially, both in absolute terms and in proportion to the gross domestic product. Only this can enable us to generate productive employment for our large and growing labour force, he said.

Citing the government’s plan to add over 100,000 MW including renewables in the 12th Plan, Dr Singh said in the 11th Plan period, the country added around 55,000 MW of generation capacity. “Of this, Bharat Heavy Electricals alone accounted for almost half,” he said.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DC / August 03rd, 2013

University of Bristol students help bring electricity to Indian villages

August 9, 2013Education, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Science & Technologies, World Opinionadmin

Chloe Tingle and Adam Smith, students at the University of Bristol, have travelled to the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu to look at ways in which the residents of a Mumbai slum and two remote villages can improve their lives by generating their own power.

India has a population of 350 million people, but a quarter of the country still has no electricity. Vast areas of Tamil Nadu suffer from intermittent electricity or no energy supply at all, making even the most basic daily tasks extremely difficult.

Students are visiting India as part of a project led by Bristol-based charity The Converging World

Chloe and Adam arrived in Mumbai on Saturday 27 July to undertake a fact finding mission as part of a project led by Bristol-based charity The Converging World (TCW), which has installed wind farms in the area, investing the profits into helping people who live in energy poverty.

The pair will run workshops in the Mumbai slum, where a solar project is underway at a local community centre, educating local people about the importance of renewable energies. They will then travel to the villages of Kalilaspura and Muthumakamura, which are close to wind turbines built by TCW, where they will assess the energy needs and lifestyles of the local people and will also meet local suppliers of biomass and biogas generators.

Both students are part of the Bristol branch of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a student-run organisation working to remove barriers to development through engineering.

Chloe, who is in the final year of a Master’s degree in Engineering Design, is a volunteer project manager for TCW’s Access to Affordable Sustainable Energy programme. She says: “Our trip is a fact-finding mission to gain an appreciation of local lifestyles. Meeting with communities face to face is the best way to understand their needs and learn about how their quality of life could be improved.”

Adam, who has just completed a Masters in Physics, adds: “At The Converging World we are focussed on sustainability, so it’s important that we don’t go straight in and install energy systems that no-one understands how to use or maintain, that will be forgotten after a couple of years.”

When the pair return to the UK at the end of August they will continue to work on the project, using their research to compile recommendations regarding the best type of technology to use and which suppliers in India could help.

Chloe and Adam’s part time internships at TCW are sponsored by the University of Bristol and their trip to India has been self-funded through grants and fundraising events.

Further information can be found at www.sponsorcraft.com/p/theconvergingworld/.

source: http://www.guide2bristol.com / Guide 2 Bristol / Home> Bristol News/Features / July 31st, 2013

New set of students at KAP College vow to serve in rural areas

August 7, 2013Educationadmin

Trichy :

It was a new beginning for students of the K A P Viswanatham Government Medical College (KAPVGMC), as they stepped into the college portals for the first time after gaining admission into the 15th batch of the MBBS course, which commenced on Thursday. As part of this, the students pledged to dedicate their noble service to the rural service.

A total of 85 students enrolled into the MBBS course under the state merit quota. Of the total 100 seats, the 15 seats are reserved for national quota. The first day of the college for these students was marked by a function to welcome the freshers. Dr MA Aleem, vice-principal of this college presided over the event and advised the students to minimize the use of mobile phone and maximize their period of study as well as to make use of library.

In an interaction with few students, it was found that most of them were first-generation medicine students. It showed that not only the children of doctors but also others too win the race to become future doctors. B Sowmya, a student from Dindigul, who is a first medicine student in her family told TOI, “It was my grandparents’ wish to produce a doctor in our family. And, I was also determined to become a doctor in a Government College. With the support of my father L Boomirajan, a farmer and my mother V Santhanalakshmi, I achieved this feat. After successful completion of my course, I would dedicate my service to the rural people.”

Another first generation medicine student K Kaviya from Peravoorani in Thanjavur district also echoed the same view. “It was my lifetime aim to serve the rural people. I have felt the difficulties of rural people in getting quality medical treatment. I want to serve them to prove that it is a noble profession,” Kaviya said, whose father is working as a tailor abroad.

Asked whether they would have joined medicine if they had not secured a seat in a government college, the students said ‘no’.

In addition to the 100 seats, the Medical Council of India has approved to increase the number of seats to 150 from this year. So, the counselling for rest of the seats will be over shortly.counselling for rest of the seats will be over shortly.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai> Government College / TNN / August 02nd, 2013

New Doctors at Sturdy Memorial Hospital

August 7, 2013Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technologies, World Opinionadmin

Internal Medicine physicians Dr. Prabhu Ram and Dr. Ye Tun have joined Sturdy’s staff.

Internal Medicine physicians Dr. Prabhu Ram and Dr. Ye Tun have joined Attleboro Medical Associates, located at 28 Sturdy Street in Attleboro. They will practice with Drs. Steven Bensson, Cheryl Gottesman, Chadi Kaba, Justin Loew, Howard Schulman, Jean Siddall-Bensson, and Glenn Tucker.

Dr. Ram received his medical degree from Government Stanley Medical College in India. He completed his residency at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Illinois. Dr. Ram is accepting new patients and appointments can be made by calling (508) 236-8394.

Dr. Tun received his medical degree from the Institute of Medicine 1, Burma. He completed his residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, in New York. Dr. Tun is accepting new patients and appointments can be made by calling (508) 236-8397.

The doctors at Attleboro Medical Associates provide comprehensive adult primary care services and the practice offers on-site laboratory and testing as well. Attleboro Medical Associates is one of 16 practices managed by Sturdy Memorial Associates and is affiliated with Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

source: http://www.attleboro.patch.com / Attleboro Patch / Home> News> Around Town / by Patrick Maguire (Editor) / July 30th, 2013

Team Slideways sparkles at Coimbatore rally

August 6, 2013Sportsadmin

Round three of the FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship was yet another successful outing for Pune-based rallying team, Slideways Industries, supported by Volkswagen Motorsport India and J K Tyres.

Driving for Slideways Industries, former Production Car World Rally Champion and multiple APRC champion Karamjit Singh (co-driver Jagdev Singh) put in a flawless run over the weekend to secure his second consecutive win in the Indian Rally Championship class with an overall time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 12.1 seconds.

In the Group N, 1600cc class Byram Godrej (co-driver Prajwal Pai) faced brake issues early on Saturday and ended the day in second place. He was back in stunning form on Sunday morning though and had a terrific run in the two special stages to make up over a minute to overhaul his overnight lead to seal his first win in the 1600cc class with an overall time of 1 hour, 47 minutes, 44.9 seconds.

Vikram Mathias (co-driver R Chandramouli) driving his first rally for Slideways Industries was in a comfortable lead of the class on Day One, but went off on the penultimate stage of the day. Sirish Chandran (co-driver Nikhil Pai), who had taken the Polo’s first victory in the INRC, had a forgettable weekend with a mechanical problem putting him out of contention on the very first special stage on Saturday.

The JINRC class gave the team some more cheer with Rohan Pawar (co-driver Arjun Mehta), securing another podium finish with an overall time of 1 hour, 56 minutes, 29.2 seconds.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Express news service / Pune – July 24th, 2013

B Kuberan, Trichy’s IT pride

August 6, 2013Business & Economy, Science & Technologiesadmin

Any child born in Tamil Nadu is categorized into two, ‘Peyar sollum pillai'(a child who tells its name) and ‘Vure pesum pillai’ (A child who is spoken by everyone). However, when Kuberan was born he never expected that he will belong to the second category in just two decades later. Today there is no one in the IT fraternity of Tamil Nadu who can say he does not know Kuberan of VBK computers, Trichy.
Striking up a conversation with Kuberan is as simple as it gets. And once the conversation is over, you’re left with a great feeling of having a conversation to a man who’s genuine, hardworking and witty. And of course it’s a little wonder that it should be Kuberan who is the man responsible for starting VBK Computers and nurturing it over the years to emerge as quite a name to reckon within the Trichy channel market.

Early Days

“I was the dullest student in my class until I reached the 7th standard,” says the honest Kuberan. So, what had brought the change? The teachers, he admitted. “Well, in the primary classes, I was unfortunate to had very harsh teachers. From the 7th standard onward, I began to take interest in my studies and by the time I reached the 10th standard, I was a bright student,” says Kuberan. Subsequently, mathematics and science became his favorite subjects and somewhere between the ball and the goal and the endless football matches, Kuberan enrolled for engineering course in Electronics and Communications.
No wonder he chose to be a day-scholar while pursuing his engineering at Melmaruvuthur. I asked him about his college days and suddenly a distant picture of boys, movies and lectures came into his mind. They were the toughest two years after graduation. Kuberan remembers sending endless copies of his resume to various companies and the outcome was invariably negative. But his spirit seemed undeterred. Somewhere within Kuberan, there was this burning desire to start his own enterprise. VBK Computers was the outcome. But not before Kuberan equipped himself for the task. He did a high-intensity course in hardware at Microcode Consultants in Chennai. This was followed by four months of first-hand work experience, integrating systems at Pragati Computers, Puducherry.

“That’s when my mother fell ill. She had to undergo an open-heart surgery. But she didn’t pull through. That’s when I decided to go back to my family. I wanted to be there with my father during our times of distress,” says Kuberan, in a voice tinged with pain. For sheer practical reasons, Kuberan chose to set up a shop in Trichy.

“There’s no scope in Tindivanam. Trichy had a lot of potential where business is concerned,” says Kuberan. Today, Kuberan and his father jointly runs the show at VBK Computers.”My father was into coffee powder selling, a business which was started by my grandfather in the 1940’s. However, the coffee business didn’t do very well. And after my mother passed away, our coffee business slumped and it made sense to get into computer business since I was very interested in this field,” says Kuberan.
VBK Computers was started from scratch. Kuberan approached distributors.. And soon, vendors, distributors and customers came to trust VBK Computers for its genuineness. “Today, if a vendor plans to enter the Trichy market, he’d want to do it through VBK Computers. Such is our reputation,” says the confident Kuberan. Kuberan however is quick to share his success with everybody who helped shape his business. “We wouldn’t be what we are today but for the support and trust of my vendors, distributors and customers.”he added.

Social life
Kuberan is good at socializing with people. Be it in the IT association in Trichy or the Confed-ITA in Tamil Nadu, he is always in the forefront. Kuberan was also one among the few people who were instrumental in the concept of the state-level association for IT industry. He has held almost all the positions and was the president of the association. Known for a smiling face.

Personal life
Kuberan is a family-oriented person. For him, family is everything. May be his office and home are in the same building, he is too attached to his family. In any conversation he brings his family topic inside. One can witness that in every half an hour in any given time, he receives a call or he himself call his wife and informs his whereabouts. Balasubramanian, Kuberan’s father is a humble gentleman who works in VBK computers just like another employee without any showoffs. He also has a dedicated album in his Facebook profile titled, ‘my dear most people’ having pictures of his family members. Kuberan has a different working clock. Generally he hits the pillow not before 11pm. However, his days begins early and for sure whenever he is at home, he never starts a day without going to terrace to worship the tower of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangam.

source: http://www.dqchannels.com / DQ Channels / Home> Features> Success Story / by B. Swaminathan / July 22nd, 2013

Federation takes up case for introducing Tamil in U.S. schools

August 6, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinionadmin

R.Porchezhiyan, Director of Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America./ The Hindu

Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America has been demanding American authorities to introduce Tamil as second language, like French and Spanish, in schools in areas with significant Tamil population throughout the U.S. , said R.Porchezhiyan, director of the federation, here on Monday.

American Tamil Academy has taken up teaching Tamil language and culture to students in many schools. Text books have been prepared and students are taught, along with Tamil language,Thamizhisai, folk and martial arts. “Nearly 5,000 students in 45 schools are being taught by 500 volunteers,” Mr. Porchezhiyan said.

“Migrant Tamils want the younger generation to keep their roots intact . Tamil sangams were established in America 35 years ago and the federation was formed 25 years back,” he said.

The federation has been celebrating Pongal , summer festivals, Muthamizh Vizha and Vasantha Vizha. “ Leaders like R.Nallakannu and Mahendran have participated in our functions and gave lectures. We have organised talks by popular artists, writers, and political leaders, including Sivaji Ganesan and Manorama, and artistes like Thirubuvanam Athmanabhan and Narthagi Nadaraj,” he said.

American Tamils have expressed solidarity with their brethren in Sri Lanka and have expressed their views over the issue in the form of agitations. “Our agitations before the White House was one reason for the US bringing in a resolution on Sri Lanka in the United Nations,” Porchezhiyan said.

Mr.Porchezhiyan expressed concern over introduction of English in government schools. The federation will organise a conference on Purananooru in October, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Special Correspondent / Thanjavur – July 23rd, 2013

GenNext Kiwi cricketers trace roots to Chennai

August 5, 2013Nri's / Pio's, Sportsadmin

Chennai :

After Dipak Patel, Jeetan Patel, Ronnie Hira and Tarun Nethula, there is a new generation of cricketers with sub-continental origins who dream of wearing the black cap for New Zealand. Two of these aspiring youngsters even trace their roots back to Chennai.

Teenagers Rachin Ravindra, Sushant Balajee and Chander Ravi idolize the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid but they dream of playing international cricket for New Zealand.

The trio plays for Hutt Hawks, a Wellington-based cricket club. The Hawks are in India for an exposure trip in collaboration with city-based Cricket Drome and the enthusiastic youngsters are loving every minute of their ‘homecoming’.

All-rounders Sushant and Chander have both represented Wellington at the junior level and have roots in Chennai. “We were born in Chennai and our parents moved to New Zealand when we were very young so it’s always nice to come here and play,” said Sushant.

Sushant was just two when his father, who works for a bank, decided to migrate. Chander’s parents work in the IT industry and he landed in New Zealand as a four-year-old.

Thirteen-year-old Rachin (who was born in New Zealand) is the youngest of the three but by far the most vocal. Ask him what he looks forward to when he comes to India and he sums it up in one word, “Batting!” the left-hander says with a big smile.

“The pitches are completely different and the fast outfields make it even better,” he said.

Rachin’s father Ravi, a level-three coach in New Zealand and fellow Hawks member Neeraj, also a coach (level-two) are the adults of Indian origin guiding the youngsters on this tour.

After experiencing the cricket culture in both countries, they were able to explain how things are different down under, especially for people from the sub-continent.

“I guess the biggest difference apart from things like pitches and conditions is the number of opportunities. The competition is far less than here in India,” Ravi, originally from Bangalore, said.

Neeraj said the amount of cricket played is much lesser too. “On this tour we’ll be playing around 20 games, which are about as many games as you would get in an entire summer back home. This trip is like a season’s worth of cricket.”

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Cricket / by Shreyas Bhat / TNN / July 24th, 2013

1801 epitaph on Englishman’s hanging found

August 5, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independenceadmin

The epitaph that was found on the grave of an Englishman near Udumalpet. | EPS

An epitaph dating back to 1801 has been discovered near Dhali Palayampattu, a village 14 km off Udumalpet, near Pollachi.

Dr S Ravi, a Kovai-based epigraphist, who traced the epitaph, claimed that the inscription was on a 19th century grave of an Englishman hanged by freedom fighters in Kongu region. “The instances of Indian rulers hanging foreigners are very few,” said Ravi, who traced the tomb with the epitaph.

The epitaph, written in Tamil, reads that an English messenger was hanged to death by Malayandi Ethalappa Naicken, who is believed to be a kin of Veerapandiya Kattabomman, who was hanged to death by British in 1799.

Ethalappa Naicken was the then chieftain of Dhali Palayapattu, which was under Panchalankurichi region ruled by Kattabomman. Ravi said that Dhali Palayapattu was formed after Vishwanath Naicker formed 72 Palayapattus in Kongu region for fighting against the British. “Ethalappa Naicken is believed to have participated in the first Panchalankurichi war along with Kattabomman against the British. After Kattabomman’s public hanging, several local chieftains in the region united under Ethalappa Naicken and fought against the British in the second Panchalankurichi war, which is believed to have happened in 1801.

British officials made a list of chieftains who led the war and found that Ethalappa Naicken was in the forefront. Later, they sent messengers to Ethalappa Naicken’s fort. Irked by Kattabomman’s hanging, Ethalappa Naicken caught the head of the messengers and hanged him to death,” Ravi said. As per the epitaph, the messenger leader buried in the tomb is ‘Andre Katie’. The date on the epitaph is April 23, 1801, a Thursday.

Ravi said that the name could be pronounced in two ways as it is written in old Tamil script.

“Senior archaeologist Y Subarayalu has also read the inscription and opined that the name can be read as Andre Katie,” Ravi said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service – Coimbatore / August 05th, 2013

Time for a revamp

August 4, 2013Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Featuresadmin

Peenal Jain: Creator of Zahana. / Photo by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

How often have you come across a store where apparel and accessories that are sure to make a statement are at give-away prices? Gaurav Dangi finds one such store.

In this fast paced world where everything is available at the touch of a click – a new online retail store has been opened by young Chennai entrepreneur, Peenal Jain. She has just completed her B.Sc Visual Communication from M.O.P Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai.

Dream comes true

The Online Retail Store Zahana is a home-based store, started earlier this year in January. When asked about the starting point of this store, Peenal says:” I kept seeing people market their products on Facebook. I always wanted to own a clothing store, but it involves a huge investment. When I told my parents about it, they were pretty confident that I would end up in loss.

Despite this they reluctantly gave me some money to start Zahana and the amazing response has made them proud. Online retail does not really require investment and that’s why it seemed a feasible option. But I still dream of owning a big store , may be a year down the line I can execute my dream.”

This women’s apparel and accessory store has all the latest trendy goods. While the materials are sourced from various parts of the country, most of them are designed by Peenal herself. The collection is put up online and orders are placed via social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. The consignment can be collected from her home or it is shipped to the customers via dependable agencies.

Get accessorised: At Zahana. / Photo by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Why Zahana?

Peenal says, “The main reason I started Zahana is because I love fashion and I always dreamt of owning a small store which is classy, trendy and yet light on the pocket.

Also there are not too many shops in Chennai that are affordable and trendy at the same time. For now I have started with social networking sites because they are a very easy way to reach out to the masses. The promotion cost is comparatively low than newspapers and other forms of media.” Her message for upcoming entrepreneurs: “Do a lot of market research, work on pricing, marketing, and photography of the product. Every product has a buyer; you just need to be patient! A lesson I’ve learnt in the process. Just follow your passion and it will work wonders for you.” From bracelets to funky mobile covers, shirts to dresses — you name it and you have it here on Zahana. Various offers and discounts are being offered on the site regularly leaving the customers with no second thoughts.

For further details: http://www.facebook.com/zahanachennai

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Nxg / by Gaurav Dangi / Chennai – July 24th, 2013

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