Armaan quits Indy, set for GT series

Sports

Armaan quits Indy, set for GT series – DC

Armaan Ebrahim’s path-breaking journey in America’s famous Indy racing series has come to a premature end. The Chennai driver has decided to sever contract with his team, Fan Force United following a string of “unsatisfying results” with the low-budget team. Now, Armaan has set his sights on securing a seat in the FIA GT1 World Championship – a sportscar series that comes to New Delhi in November for its season finale.

“After the last weekend’s race on the streets of Belle Isle Park (Detroit), my dad and I sat down and reviewed the situation. We had no other option than parting ways with the team as it was not the results we were hoping for,” said Armaan.

Armaan competed in five races for the minnows and was placed 10th overall in the championship with 97 points. Out of five races, he had endured problems in three. “I had issues with the tyres in Birmingham and faced engine problems in Long Beach and Indianapolis. The Indy 500 weekend was the biggest disappointment,” explained Armaan.

The youngster has an offer from GT series and will decide about his plans for the rest of season in a week. “Right now, the sensible thing to do is going to Europe. The GT1 has a lot of potential and the fact that the series coming to Buddh International Circuit at the end of the year makes it lucrative,” he added.

Fan Force United team spokesperson said the decision to part ways was mutual. “We are sorry that this partnership has not worked out as we had hoped. Armaan has worked incredibly hard for the team, as has everyone involved, but for whatever reason, things did not click and we did not get the results that were required. We do want to make sure that everybody knows that Armaan lived up to all of his obligations to the team, and that this decision was taken after thorough consideration from both sides and this is related strictly to our on-track goals for the year,” said co-owner Chris Williams.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Sports> Motor Racing / DC, Chennai / June 07th, 2012

Tamil Nadu to get 76 new hotels

Business & Economy

State tourism minister Gokula Indira inaugurates centre for tourism and hotel management in Madurai Kamaraj University on Wednesday. — DC

The hotel industry in Tamil Nadu is in for a boom with likelihood of 76 new hotels to be established in the state in a couple of years, said state tourism minister S. Gokula Indira.

Inaugurating the centre for tourism and hotel management at Madurai Kamaraj University on Wednesday, she said there was also a possibility of 4 and 5 star hotels with 3,500 rooms coming up across the state.

She was hopeful that the 5-year integrated post graduate programme on tourism and hotel management, to be offered by the university from this academic year, would help students get employment in star hotels and draw salaries at par with IIT students.

Having realised the importance of tourism and scope for growth, the varsity proposed the programme and admit about 120 students, she said, appreciating effort of vice chancellor Kalyani Mathivanan.

While 77 colleges in southern districts are affiliated to MKU, three more would be added, as CM Jayalalithaa has ordered to start colleges in Tirumangalam, Vedasanthur and Aruppukottai from this academic year, she said, pointing out that AIADMK government has allotted Rs 15,000 crore for education.

VC Kalyani Mathivanan said the varsity has planted seeds for two ambitious projects — tourism and hotel management programme and opening a multi-speciality health centre for those living on campus and in its vicinity.

She said tourism and hotel management have become areas of prime concern with increasing tourists and expanding global markets. It is one of the largest service industries, providing 8.78 per cent employment in India.

The centre would focus on cardiology, gynaecology, diabetes, dentistry and ophthalmology, she said.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Cities> Regions> Madurai / DC, June 07th, 2012

IIT Madras to tie up with Automation Industry Association to enhance research projects

Education, Science & Technologies

Chennai:

The Indian Institute of Technology – Madras has planned to tie up with the Automation Industry Association to set up a centre of excellence in the field in Chennai. The collaboration will enable the institute to get industry inputs in developing curriculum, and come up with industry-relevant and need-based research projects.

A memorandum of understanding will be signed between IIT-M and the association on June 7 in this regard. Each participating company will bring a ‘mentor’ and a subject matter or domain expert. There will be joint development of curriculum, research projects, individual technology demonstrations, and training workshops under the MOU. The idea is to infuse contemporary technology and content into the educational system.

Industrial automation is the use of control systems such as computers to control industrial machinery and processes, replacing human operators. In the scope of industrialization, it is a step beyond mechanization. Whereas mechanization provides human operators with machinery to assist them with the physical requirements of work, automation greatly reduces the need for human sensory and mental requirements as well.

Leading players in the field of automation, such as B&R Automation, Larsen & Toubro Control and Automation, Invensys Process Management and Siemens Limited, have announced immediate participation in the project with their state-of-the-art technologies. PV Sivaram, MD, B&R Industrial Automation and an alumnus of IITM, said, “The challenge here is to share and excite a global industrial vision amongst the new breed of B.Tech and M.Tech graduates.”

K Nandakumar, vice-president of the association, AIA, said the tie-up is an opportunity to showcase success ideas and to interact with emerging technical talent and users.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Education / by M Ramya / June 06th, 2012

Trichy tailors against distribution of school uniform orders

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education, Uncategorized

Trichy:

Women belonging to the Cauvery Women Tailors’ Cooperative Association, Trichy on Monday submitted a petition to district collector Jayashree Muralidharan seeking her intervention to not divert orders for stitching school uniforms to unregistered tailors citing time constraints.

In their petition, the women coming under categories like below poverty line, widows, destitutes and differently-abled persons were given orders from the district social welfare office to stitch school uniforms for government and aided schools in Trichy district. The association has been in existence for the past 29 years and was providing employment to the poor women to run their families.

Earlier, the officials gave enough time for delivering the stitched uniforms. However, last year after the then state government’s decision to provide two sets of school uniforms to the students, the special officer Veeramani sought the tailors to finish the task within a day, failing which he diverted the orders to unregistered tailors in Sivaganga district. Due to this, the tailors had faced a loss of income last year. Unfortunately, the uniforms could not be used as they were declared unfit. This year, the state government has ordered to provide four sets of uniforms to the students. The tailors claimed that the special officer is again trying to give the orders to outsiders.

According to official sources, as many as 1.50 lakh students in the district benefited every year. In the wake of the government order, the number of school uniform sets would go up this year. So, the officials shared the orders to tailors in Sivaganga district to complete it on time. Previously, the tailors were given five months time to complete the orders. But this year, the time is very limited. So this year also, the government gave very limited time to complete the order before June 10.

When contacted K Yasodhai, district social welfare officer, Trichy said that since the petition was submitted to the district collector, she cannot comment on the issue.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Madurai> Collections / TNN / May 29th, 2012

Comics depict Thanjavur history

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

For fans of the classic Amar Chitra Katha, there’s a Tamil Nadu twist.  The ACK Media is launching their new Amar Chitra Katha titled Thanjavur, City of Brihadeeswara.

The new title narrates the story of Thanjavur, home to the 1,000-year-old Brihadeeswara Temple, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

The comic book highlights the history and the large number of myths and local legends associated with it. These stories, put together, make an interesting read for both children and adults. The comic will also create interest in tourists who wish to know more about the town and its unique identity.

Shutdown a damp squib in state

In the state, the shutdown organised by the opposition parties against the petrol price hike was pretty much a damp squib. Most people did not even realise that there was a shutdown. While the cadre of the political parties managed to disrupt traffic for a while in several parts of the city, life went on as usual. Around 650 people were arrested by the police on Thursday.

Race for ‘Kahaani’ intensifies

Everyone is talking about the remake of Kahaani in Tamil and Telugu, especially because tongues are wagging on who is going to reprise Vidya Balan’s role. The two actresses in the race are Nayanthara and Anushka Shetty.  While Anushka’s name has been on for a while, Nayan is the new entrant.

source: http://www.omantribune.com / Saturday, June 02nd, 2012

A stimulating treatment for ailments

Science & Technologies

Coimbatore:

The ancient practice of treating patients for various ailments by activating the vital points in the body called Varmam Kalai is gaining ground in the state. This time around it is not only Siddha practitioners who seem keen on learning the therapy, but allopathic doctors too are open to practicing it along with their standard treatment procedures.

In the recently concluded first international conference on medical varmalogy organised by Arts Research Institute (ARI) in Coimbatore, more than 200 medical practitioners, most of them allopathy doctors, participated in it. “Doctors have not suddenly developed interest in Varmam Kalai. It has taken several years of research to make them believe that varmalogy can successfully coexist with allopathic treatment,” said Suresh Manoharan, secretary, ARI.

The word ‘varmam’ denotes energy flow in the body, also known as life energy. The points where this energy resides in the body are identified as varmam points. The basic objective of the varmam system of medicine is to stimulate these points using palms, fingers, etc., to cure diseases, he explained.

He said doctors who researched and practiced the art were able to successfully treat 27 diseases including arthritis, chronic renal failure, bleeding disorders, facial palsy, diabetes and asthma. Where allopathy treatment has failed, like in the treatment of autism, varmalogy theraphy has helped, he added.

Siddha practitioners have also shown keen interest as medical varmalogy is included in their scope of study. So far, 2000 of them have learned the art. Meanwhile, 250 ayurveda doctors have been trained in the art. Suresh said that nearly 3000 patients receive varmam treatment each month at the institute.

He said the power of varmalogy is such that a single varmam point can be utilized to treat as many as 42 diseases. Explaining how varmalogy works he said the disease or the problem occurs when an organ or a point loses its energy or has excess. By stimulating these energies those areas or organs can again be activated or revitalized.

The advantage of varmam kalai is it works well in conjunction with other systems of medicine, like allopathy, homeopathy, siddha and ayurveda and is a holistic system for disease prevention. Besides it promotes effective life-style management, he said.

Shiny Richard, a resident of Nilgiris, whose 15-year-old child Sneha Merlin was suffering from thyroid and autoimmune disorder, has seen a remarkable change in the past one year after she underwent Varmalogy therapy. “Initially, my daughter had fever and it failed to subside despite several doses of medication. The overdose of medicines and steroids made her very uncomfortable. However, once she started varma therapy she does not require any medication and her dosage of steroids too has been reduced,” Shiny said.

“They have been stimulating points on my neck, thyroid gland, knee, ribcage, head, elbows and foot. I am feeling much better now,” said Sneha.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / by C P Sajit / June 02nd, 2012

Hidden 100: Fish fry and frothy waters

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

AN OUTING ON THE RIVER With a coracle ride and fried fish fresh from the morning’s catch  Photo: M. Periasamy / The Hindu

Enjoy a coracle ride down the Bhavani as mango and coconut groves pass you by, says Akila Kannadasan

“Do you want it fried crisp or tender?” asks Chinna Rani as she flips sizzling slices of fish in the kadai. Seated in a temporary shanty facing the frothy waters of Kodiveri, we see children, men, and women young and old splashing about, unmindful of the afternoon sun. Chinna Rani transfers the fish onto a plate and hands it to us. “Ten days ago there was a lot of water in the anaicut. There’s bound to be more in a few days,” she informs us.

There are several such temporary enclosures in Kodiveri where local women sell fish caught in the waters. Tourists head here straight after a bath to feast on the spicy fish. A plate of rice with fish curry costs just Rs. 20!

Kodiveri anaicut channels water from Bhavani Sagar dam into two canals to irrigate agricultural fields. It is said to be built by a Mysore king in the 17th Century. There are two different worlds on either sides of the anaicut in Kodiveri. On one side, the water is still as far as the eye can see. There are mango and coconut groves along the banks. Coracles with tourists float by lazily and you can even catch sight of a pond heron or two.

On the other side, it is utter chaos. It’s here that tourists make merry — they wade about in the foaming waters that gush forth from the rock surface. Little boys in shorts play in the water; a young couple walks in gingerly holding hands; a mother calls out to her son who walks too close to the current; a man floats on his back, eyes half-closed; women in saris squeal as they hit the water — one is holding a baby in her arms.

An entourage from a nearby village is gathered on the banks for a ritual. A select few will carry pots of water from Kodiveri for Karupparayan, their deity. The party walks off with the pots balanced on their heads, led by a group of men who play the thappu, a traditional percussion instrument. It’s a practice that’s being followed for many years at the start of the yearly temple festival. Kodiveri’s waters serve as the theertham to a lot of temples nearby.

We decide to try the coracle ride — it’s the main attraction at Kodiveri. For Rs. 30 per head, the boatman will take you as far as the mango groves at the far side. Manickam, a fisherman, takes us on a coracle he built himself with 10 others! “It’s made entirely of bamboo. There are two sacks around it, held together by tar so that water doesn’t come inside,” he explains. Manickam skilfully manoeuvres the coracle against the current. “I’ve been doing this for 10 years,” he says, as he negotiates a branch that sticks out from an ageing athitree at the edge of the water.

“Shall I make it go round and round?” he asks, towards the end of the ride. We nod, unsure of what he meant. He propels the oar backwards forcefully — the coracle describes a small circle. He repeats the movement in the same direction, and then it begins. The coracle wheels around in the water like a carousel. We scream in excitement. A passenger asks him to stop. But Manickam doesn’t seem to be listening.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home>  Life & Style> Travel / by Akila Kannadasan / May 31st, 2012

Anmol Lassiwale ki anmol lassi

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Chennai:

“Jab jab garmi ne mara hai, Anmol chaanch aur lassi ne sanwara hai (Whenever the heat is killing, Anmol buttermilk and lassi come to the rescue),” says Dinesh Soni, 42, proprietor of Anmol Mohit Patiala Lassi located at 343, Mint Street. It is the heat of Chennai that prompted him to start this business twenty years ago. Situated in a narrow lane and with a blend of North Indian culture, the stall sets a perfect ambiance for the passerby to enjoy his drink of lassi. The area around the stall is busy, crowded and congested. Dinesh, 6ft 6 is tall and known as the khali of Sowcarpet, is a dynamic person who attracts customers.

He is ready to serve his customers with chilled lassi from 9 in the morning till 7 in the evening. Customers are crowded around him, waiting for their chilled glasses of lassi, as he deftly serves them. Ask him what is special about his lassi and he laughs loudly, saying that even he doesn’t know. Before starting this business, he was a professional wrestler in Pushkar, Rajasthan, his native place. He also makes Mohit Shampoos and hair oil for all kinds of hair problems, sold with a guarantee of money back if the customer is not satisfied within four months of use. In Chennai it is as though summer never ends, so his business does well through the year. Anmol Lassi is popular among Chennaiites, north Indians and south Indians alike. He has many regular customers who have been frequenting his shop since it opened. Among them is Sub-Inspector Christhuthanam who says, “The lassi tastes great and is the best in the city.” Shoppers and office goers are among his prime customers.

The rates are on the high side with at `60 for a giant steel tumbler and `30 for a regular one. He uses purified packaged water, which justifies the rates. The milk used to make the lassi is brought from a nearby village. He has two helpers to clean the tumblers and do other work.

Dinesh was born and brought up in Chennai and is fluent in Tamil. From a Marwari family of goldsmiths, he chose to deviate from the family business and is the only one to have stepped into this line. Even if his son pursues engineering, he will look after the lassi business. He feels at home in Chennai but makes sure to visit his native place once a year. He lives in Sowcarpet with his family and is well known among the people around. He has such charisma that once you see him you will not forget him.

Customers are like god to him; he knows them by their names and greets them when they arrive at his shop. The man is full of energy and enthusiasm and has a personal bond with customers.

There is never a dull moment as they sip their tasty glass of lassi, as he entertains them with his talk. People come from far off parts of the city to have Anmol Lassi. Buttermilk is a very fast moving item in Chennai. Many people have requested him to open branches in other parts of the city but he says he is too busy and may not be able to manage the branches. He is happy and content to serve the people of Sowcarpet.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> South> Southern News> Chennai / The New Indian Express / by Anjali M Pillay, Bhavna C. Uchil, V Padmini

Ex-Army doctor, going strong at 95

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technologies

Chennai:

A board outside an apartment building in Adyar announces free counselling for cancer patients. Inside the comfortably furnished room, Brigadier Dr C R Suryanarayan sits, ready to receive anyone who might need help.

Dr Suryanarayan was one of the pioneers of radiation treatment in India, having started the first Radiation Medicine Centre in the Military Hospital at Delhi in 1957, as Chief Medical Officer. For his contribution to the field of chemotherapy in cancer treatment, he was recently given a lifetime achievement award by the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University. He has spent the last few years travelling around the world, delivering lectures on a wide range of topics. Closer home, he provides free counselling for those suffering from cancer. His interest in the field of cancer treatment probably stems from the fact that he is the nephew of Muthulakshmi Reddy, founder of the Cancer institute.

At 95 the doctor is a sprightly person who keeps up to date with the latest technology. Turning on his laptop, he says, “When I started out, we had no conveniences like computers. Everything was handwritten and recorded meticulously.” He now has scanned copies of his correspondence with stalwarts in many fields including Annie Besant, Otto Werberger and Sir Bernard Russell, all of which he holds close to his heart. “I was a junior researcher, but they still found time and were kind enough to read my work and write to me,” he says with a smile.

An alumnus of Presidency College (1935-1937) and Madras Medical College (1937-1942), he did his postgraduate training in radiation medicine, nuclear medicine and cancer chemotherapy in the United Kingdom. He was honorary consultant in nuclear medicine, cancer chemotherapy at the Southern Railway Hospital in Perambur, Chennai. Dr Suryanarayan talks about his experience in the wars he served in – World War II, Middle East, Indo-Pak, Indo-China and Bangladesh wars. “In 1943, at short notice I was asked to report to Colaba at Mumbai. We boarded the Ascanis, which was sailing to an undisclosed location. It turned out to be Basra. On the way we were chased by German submarines but managed to make it,” he says.

Recounting his experience of treating people for viral ulcers and conducting de-lousing camps for immigrants, the doctor says, “We went to Cancun, Mosul, Syria, Jordan, Tel-Aviv and Tehran; each place had its own charm and beauty in spite of the war. The oases waters were too precious to dirty so we used to wash our faces with beer.”

In 1946 he was back to India, and posted at Ayodhya to deal with a cholera epidemic. Alone and in charge of treating hundreds of people of different faiths, the doctor says the first thing he wanted there was harmony. “I set up pictures of all the gods in a small hall where the sick were gathered and I asked them to pray. That was the day I found that such unity could exist between people of varied beliefs,” he says.

Dr Suryanarayan has also undergone paratrooper training. “I did not like it very much,” he confides, adding that he never did jump out of a plane after his training was over. He still leads an active life and says, “Even now I am ready to speak to any group of students. They need to be well informed about the world.”

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com /  Home> South> Southern News> Chennai / by Susanna Myrtle Lazarus / The New Indian Express / May 29th, 2012

Madonna likes to work with AR.Rahman

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Madonna, the world’s one of the popular singers told recently in NY Daily news that she is desperate to work with Oscar Winner AR.Rahman. “I would like to work with him when the opportunity comes and things work out. Only then we will be able to decide on the music.”

She said that she want to perform in India, if she gets a chance.

However, AR Rahman soon after Madonna’s statements tweeted, “Anytime… You are welcome, Madonna ji…”

source: http://www.24by7news.com / Home> Entertainment / May 22nd, 2012