By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 25 August (asiantribune.com): The killing of an elderly couple at Neelankarai in Chennai on Monday evening is yet another shocking incident, which records the growing crime scenario in the city of Chennai. Not only that the custodial deaths is also on the increase, shattering the people’s confidence with the State police.
Ilangovan (69), a retired merchant navy captain, and his wife Ramani (62) were killed on the spot, when a gunman barged into the house and shot at them point blank. Their daughter-in-law Vasanthi (35) sustained bullet injuries on her right shoulder, face, neck and chest and was admitted to a hospital in Adyar in a critical condition. The assailant inflicted injuries on her children, Praveen (12) and Priyanka (8), using a knife. Her husband Vidya Shankar had gone to airport to see a friend.
Presuming all of them had died, the accused bolted the door outside after looting cash and jewelry and left only to return with his friends to look for more. In the meantime Vasanthi got up and locked the door inside, and had informed people outside. The public chased and caught the assailant, latter identified as Raja alias Shanmugaraja of West Mambalam, who was still holding on a 0.32 pistol. He was handed over to the police who took him to Adyar Police Station for interrogation.
The police took Raja early in the morning today to a private hospital in an unconscious condition, where the doctors declared him dead. According to the police, Raja died due to sudden heart attack. According to a source he was beaten up badly which lead to his collapse.
Vidhya Shankar works in France and had come on holiday to see his parents, and they were planning to leave in a few days. The two children are said to be out of danger.
The State Government ordered for an RDO inquiry about Raja's death in the police lockup.
Lock-up death on the increase
There is a sorry state of affair in the state of Tamil Nadu, where there has been 31 lock-up deaths in span of 90 days.
On August 17 mid-night, a thirty-five year old man was allegedly beaten to death by inebriated policemen after his wife sought their help in a domestic quarrel at Neelankarai. He was declared `brought dead' at a hospital where he was taken after his condition worsened due to the assault.
Residents of Kottivakkam were witness to the midnight terror unleashed by Neelankarai sub-inspector Gunasekhar and three constables, who were all in an inebriated condition. N Ramesh, the victim, was a cashier at Ullagaram petrol station, and his wife Usharani were quarrelling on Monday night, which matter was reported by a neighbour to the police. The couple had been married for 12 years and had two children.
"There was no attempt to hold an enquiry at all," his brothers N Anbu and N Loganathan said. SI Gunasekhar ordered the constables to hold Ramesh's hands and beat him so mercilessly that the cane broke, they said. Ramesh was then made to lie across his motorbike and another round of thrashing followed. Ramesh, who was unable to walk, was dragged into the patrol van and taken to Neelankarai police station.
However, before leaving for the police station Gunasekar demanded and got Rs 200 as fuel money, sources said. Anbu said that at the station, Ramesh was again severely beaten. He passed urine and stool and collapsed.
The police first took him to a local clinic and later to Malar Hospital, Adyar, where he was declared `brought dead'. The residents demanded the immediate suspension of the SI and constables.
Revenue Divisional Officer, Chengalpattu, Padmaja Devi, and Tambaram tahsildar Govindasamy conducted an enquiry.
Rights outfits’ recent charge on police
Rights outfits have identified the `pervasive regime of impunity' as the single most important factor for widespread use of torture by the police in India. The men in khaki are rarely punished for their transgressions, which run into a huge catalogue of torture, beatings and extrajudicial killings.
The absence of an effective redress mechanism for its citizens is glaring, thanks to New Delhi's reluctance to ratify the UN Convention against Torture, which it signed in 1997.
Ratification of the international human rights instrument would ensure that suitable measures are in place to prevent the use of the third degree by the police to extract confession in custody, they say.
While Maharashtra holds the dubious distinction for the maximum number of custodial deaths in India, Tamil Nadu does not lag far behind. Quoting media reports, rights outfits like People's Watch say there were close to 40 custodial deaths in the State during 2006 to 2009. Most of the victims were between 20 and 40 years of age and arrested for their involvement in theft cases or sale of illicit arrack.
“Custodial death victims usually hail from backward sections of society many of them Dalits with little or no means to seek legal help," said a rights activist. "False cases are filed against communities like `kal ottar,' who belong to kuttra parambarai," he added.
The interrogation methods used by the police are crude and obsolete. Sources say there are 51 interrogation cells in the State. These are different from the regular police stations and are usually located in the outskirts of the city or town. The police personnel here are `experts' in torture and employ different methods to force confessions.
While some succumb to the pain, others carry the scars throughout their life. For those who want to lead a reformed life after their release from prison, it is frustrating to find the police at their doorstep every time a crime is committed in the vicinity. The former convicts and their nearest relatives, most often their wives, are taken to the police stations, where they are abused and beaten. Many choose to end their lives unable to bear the torture.
Narrating a spin-chilling incident that took place in Theni district, an activist said a woman who was released after serving sentence for selling ganja, was forced by the police to take up the trade again. When she refused, she was burnt by four police personnel inside her house.
In her dying declaration, she named the four men, who were placed under suspension. "All these measures are an eyewash. There is need for systematic changes to check police abuse and make them more accountable," the activists say.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday Celebrity: Tamil poet Salma’s empowerment is praise-worthy
By Gopal Ethiraj , Chennai
Chennai , 23 August (Asiantribune.com): When her outspoken thoughts were poured out in prose and poetry, she became cynosure, followed by praise and criticism. That she is a woman and Muslim, and that she was in her marital home did not matter—no stopping her views, her ‘literary fund’ breached the bund. That is women empowerment poet-writer Salma hitch-hiked with.
Salma found her personal identity as a free and frank writer, and her personality as a free thinker found acceptance with her family, marital home, in her community and in the society. But, of course, not immediately, in a phased manner.
But to establish herself, Salma had to go through the mill, the rough and tumble of it with trials and tribulations. When success kept coming that leveled everything.
A school drop out she was, self-educated and ambition-fired Salma’s raise in life and socially is just by hard work. “School and college education are immaterial for writing poetry and novels; it should swell from within, ebb and overflow,” Salma says.
Salma is not having many works to boast off. Two books of poetry, and one novel and its translations in a few languages, that has already perched her in literary firmament. And she has created a niche for herself.
She is not a rebel poet and writer, but there is almost that element in her writing; she is simple and serene, but her writing is fiery and heavy with authority. She is just a women next door, but has the making of a leader placed distant, a social activist. That is the strange composition she is made up of, that makes her different, different from others.
Salma has already got the recognition as a progressive writer of growing importance in Tamil literature. Her works stand out for outspokenness about taboo areas of the traditional Tamil and also Muslim women’s experience. The suppressed women’s feelings and sensitivities, she gives easy expression. Her handling of the Tamil language is of compressed intensity and it smacks of metaphoric resonance.
Salma’s poetry breaks new ground in Tamil poetry for its articulation of an unapologetically female worldview. It expresses boldly life in a traditionally restrictive patriarchal context, and personal sensitivities. It evokes a world of love, sexuality, betrayal, frustration, motherhood and a self that will not be silenced, belittled or suppressed and subjugated.
This life, the sufferings, pangs and pains of women are not an individual affair. It is same with millions of women in similar life situations. "Neither my pain nor my feelings are solely that of an individual; they belong to all such women," Salma says. That is why the stark reflections in her writings. She wants to call a spade a spade.
Her writing calls for social awakening in the Muslim world. Woman deserves a better treatment, she says, but says it without offending the religion and establishment.
She is comparable with Bangaladeshi writer Taslima Nazreen in three respect— Muslim woman, writer and social activism. But drawing from her experience and that of Salman Rushdie, Salma kept herself clear out of any controversy of that kind.
Debarred from education and confined to her home from the age of 13, in keeping with the rigid conventions of her cloistered community, Salma remained a voracious reader and she gulped down the pages of Tamil translations of Russian literature, Walt Whitman, Kaleel Gibron and Poplon Neruda, which were only books available in the library of her tiny village. And the books were few in the small library; she had read and re-read the same books again and again. Heavy reading material all these, it made Salma those big authors personified and she emerged a fiercely committed writer. Despite periods of personal crisis, she remained firm in her resolve to continue her writing even in a somewhat orthodox marital home.
Imprisoned in the house with no body of her age to share her feelings, she felt extremely lonely in the tender age. This loss of liberty ‘angered’ her and to avenge on that only she became a voracious reader, and to express her anger she found a vent with writing, first poetry that condensed her bent-up feelings and then fiction.
Salma’s parent-given name was Rokkaiah and was fondly called as Rajathi, while ‘Salma’ was her nom-de-plume. She started writing under the name of Rajathi even before marriage. Her bold expressions of female subjectivity and the foregrounding of female desire, in her first collection of poems, came as a rude shock to the male dominated Tamil literary world. There were criticisms from the literary world, and also from her relatives.
She became an under-ground writer under the pseudonym ‘Salma’ thereafter. This she continued from her marital home too. She recalled how she and her mother paid a surreptitious visit to Chennai for the launch of her first book of poetry, without divulging details to any other members of her family. When the success came, the cat was out. And no body could stop or prevent her.
Salma’s entry into politics was by chance. Her husband, a businessman, wanted to contest the post of panchyat board president. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for Salma, the local body was declared reserved for women. So her husband fielded his wife, Salma, and she was elected Chairperson of Ponnampatti Town panchayat in 2001. Now her husband Abdul Mallick is panchayat union president of Thuvarankurichi.
In 2006, Salma contested on DMK ticket the elections to the legislative assembly (Marungapuri constituency) and lost by a narrow margin of 1200 votes. The next year she was appointed as the Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board. Salma’s concentration in the new responsibility is on counseling and mitigation of family problems, women and child development and creating awareness on women’s rights. City Police Commissioner’s office and Social welfare board jointly have a family counseling centre started last week at the CoP’s office.
Salma is the author of two books of poetry: Oru Maalaiyum Innoru Maalaiyum (An Evening and Another Evening) (2000) and Pachchai Devathai (Green Angel) (2003). Her novel and fiction Irandam Jamangalinin Kathai (Midnight Tales, 2004). Its first edition was sold out as fast cakes; the second edition is under print. This book was long-listed for Men Asian Booker Prize, but lost to a Philippine author.
The book has been translated into English as The Hours Past Midnight by Lakshmi Holmstrom. It’s Malayalam and Hindi translations are slated for release shortly. When she attended the Frankfrut Book fair recently a Spanish publisher evinced interest to translate into his colinshe language.
In 2002, Salma was invited for an international conference on women’s issues held in Sri Lanka. The National Book Trust of India nominated her to the Frankfurt Book Fair (2006). She is the featured author at the first Norman J. Cutler conference of South Asian Literatures at the University of Chicago (2007).
- Asian Tribune -
Chennai turns 370 today
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
Chennai, 22 August (Asiantribune.com): It was on this day (22nd August) in 1639 that British East India Company Administrator Francis Day bought a small strip of land on the Coromandel Coast from the Vijayanagara King, Peda Venkata Raya.
This region was then ruled by Damerla Venkatpathy, the Nayak of Vandavasi, who granted the British earlier permission to build a factory and warehouse for their trading enterprises. A year later, the British built Fort St. George, which became the nucleus of the growing colonial city.
Chennai, as Madras recently came to be called, turns 370 years today. The founding of the city is being celebrated only for the past six years as ‘Madras Week’. The seventh edition of the Madras Day celebration commenced on August 16 and it will go on upto September 1. The organizers have crowded all important functions today, which is flanked by one week before and one week after celebrations in a fitting manner.
As the old history is ‘flash-backed’, the fortnight-long celebrations are marked with cultural and literary activities, intertwined with heritage walks, debates and contests, poetry, patti mandram, music, quiz, food festivals, rallies, photo exhibition and a wide range of events. Sure it brings back the glimpse of old Madras, the present Chennaiites never knew, otherwise would never come to know.
It was this day, the deal was struck by Francis Day, his 'dubash' Beri Thimmappa and their superior Andrew Cogan, with local Nayak rulers.
The original document relating to the purchase of the piece of land on the border of Bay of Bengal is said to have been signed at Chandragiri fort, near Tirupati in neighbouring Andhara Pradesh. And it was on this land the building of Fort St. George, a historic fort which was for a while the seat of power of the East India Company, came up. Robert Clive, founder of British empire in India, got married in a church inside the fort. His marriage certificate is still the prized possession of the museum in the fort.
Once the fort was established, settlements grew around it—the black township and the whites colony and all that. As the settlements grew with expanding trade and industry, the villages around it were absorbed into the newly formed city. One of them was ‘Madrasapattinam’, another was ‘Chennaipattinam’. The English name of the city seems to have been coined by the Britishers by shortening the former, while the Tamil name for the city was shortening the latter, the city got recently by the present rulers.
The idea of celebrating the founding day of the city (August 22, 1639), shaped six years ago. ‘Madras Day’ was an idea that three people put together — the city’s famed historian, S. Muthiah, journalist Sashi Nair and editor-publisher Vincent D’ Souza. Later, they have been joined by three others — senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, entrepreneur and writer-historian V. Sriram and journalist and web site entrepreneur, Revathi.
There had been a controversy regarding the exact day the land where Madraspatnam came up later was handed over to the British East India Company's Francis Day and Andrew Cogan. The actual date confusion is between 22 August and 22 July. The controversy arose since the agreement documents dates the records to 22 July 1639 rather than 22 August of that year.
It is often stated that since Francis Day and Andrew Cogan did not arrive to the coast which is now Chennai until 27 July 1639. The evidence comes from writings of Henry Davison Love, whose monumental three-volume history of Madras from 1640-1800 is the Bible of all searchers after Madras’s early history, which states that
"The Naik’s grant, erroneously styled a farman, which was probably drafted by Day, was delivered (to Andrew Cogan at Masulipatam on September 3, 1639… Three copies are extant … all of which are endorsed by Cogan. Only the last bears a date, 22 July, 1639, where July is probably a slip for August, since Day did not reach Madras until 27 July.”
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Chidambaram Natarajar case: Swamy submits arguments
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 18 August (asiantribune.com): Dr. Subramanian Swamy, Janata Party President, today submitted his written arguments in the Madras High Court in the matter relating to an appeal in Chidambaram Sabanayagar Temple, known as Chidambaram Natarajar Temple case.
According to the direction by the division bench of the court, Swamy filed his written arguments. In his arguments, Swamy said, the Pothu Dikshidars were maintaining the ancient temple for several hundred years. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board (HR&CE) has no right to take over the administration, he contended.
Also quoting several citations from the rulings of the high court and apex court, Swamy sought to set aside the single judge order of February 2 to uphold the HR &CE department’s notification to take over the temple administration.
The Bench comprising Mr Justice K Raviraja Pandian and Mr Justice T Raja posted the matter to tomorrow for further hearing.
Podhu Dikshidars had filed an appeal against a single Judge’s order dismissing their petition that challenged the Tamil Nadu Government’s appointment of an Executive Officer for the temple. In the appeal the Podhu Dikshidars had submitted that the single Judge had failed to see that protection under Article 26 would be available to a denomination if on the date of coming into force of the Constitution it had the right of administration of the temple.
Then Dr. Swamy had filed a petition seeking to implead himself in the case. It may be remembered, on February 17 this year, when Swamy came to the court to make a ‘mention’ he would like to implead himself in the appeal against the single Judge’s order, he was assaulted and eggs were thrown at him in a court hall in the presence of a Division Bench comprising Justices P.K.Misra (since elevated as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court) and K.Chandru. However, Swamy was directed to submit his written arguments.
CHENNAI, 18 August (asiantribune.com): Dr. Subramanian Swamy, Janata Party President, today submitted his written arguments in the Madras High Court in the matter relating to an appeal in Chidambaram Sabanayagar Temple, known as Chidambaram Natarajar Temple case.
According to the direction by the division bench of the court, Swamy filed his written arguments. In his arguments, Swamy said, the Pothu Dikshidars were maintaining the ancient temple for several hundred years. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board (HR&CE) has no right to take over the administration, he contended.
Also quoting several citations from the rulings of the high court and apex court, Swamy sought to set aside the single judge order of February 2 to uphold the HR &CE department’s notification to take over the temple administration.
The Bench comprising Mr Justice K Raviraja Pandian and Mr Justice T Raja posted the matter to tomorrow for further hearing.
Podhu Dikshidars had filed an appeal against a single Judge’s order dismissing their petition that challenged the Tamil Nadu Government’s appointment of an Executive Officer for the temple. In the appeal the Podhu Dikshidars had submitted that the single Judge had failed to see that protection under Article 26 would be available to a denomination if on the date of coming into force of the Constitution it had the right of administration of the temple.
Then Dr. Swamy had filed a petition seeking to implead himself in the case. It may be remembered, on February 17 this year, when Swamy came to the court to make a ‘mention’ he would like to implead himself in the appeal against the single Judge’s order, he was assaulted and eggs were thrown at him in a court hall in the presence of a Division Bench comprising Justices P.K.Misra (since elevated as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court) and K.Chandru. However, Swamy was directed to submit his written arguments.
Transgenders to have ID, ration cards in Tamil Nadu
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 18 August (asiantribune.com): Transgenders in Tamil Nadu, who have an exclusive Transgender Welfare Board, the first in the country, will soon have their demands of ration cards, passport and voter ID cards, fulfilled.
As a prelude to the entire process, a four-member committee, one of whom is a doctor, is screening the members of the board to ascertain their true sexual identity. The screening camp held on Sunday and Monday at the Kilpauk Medical College, not only checked those registered for their ‘gender’, it also collected all relevant data of the members, as soon they are to become beneficiaries of many government incentives and plans.
There are 390 registered members of this ‘gender’ in the city, of whom 262 turned up at the camp venue, where they were put to physical and psychological tests by a panel comprising experts in the medical and psychological field, apart from Gemma D Silva, District Social Welfare Officer, Chennai, and Noori, a transgender member. Another camp would be held at another date for the remaining registered members, Noori said.
This effort was undertaken to study these members for their social and economic betterment, observed Gemma, adding that the members of the board were already issued ID cards from the welfare board. She said: “This is an attempt by the government to fulfil the demands of the transgenders.”
CHENNAI, 18 August (asiantribune.com): Transgenders in Tamil Nadu, who have an exclusive Transgender Welfare Board, the first in the country, will soon have their demands of ration cards, passport and voter ID cards, fulfilled.
As a prelude to the entire process, a four-member committee, one of whom is a doctor, is screening the members of the board to ascertain their true sexual identity. The screening camp held on Sunday and Monday at the Kilpauk Medical College, not only checked those registered for their ‘gender’, it also collected all relevant data of the members, as soon they are to become beneficiaries of many government incentives and plans.
There are 390 registered members of this ‘gender’ in the city, of whom 262 turned up at the camp venue, where they were put to physical and psychological tests by a panel comprising experts in the medical and psychological field, apart from Gemma D Silva, District Social Welfare Officer, Chennai, and Noori, a transgender member. Another camp would be held at another date for the remaining registered members, Noori said.
This effort was undertaken to study these members for their social and economic betterment, observed Gemma, adding that the members of the board were already issued ID cards from the welfare board. She said: “This is an attempt by the government to fulfil the demands of the transgenders.”
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday Celebrity:Bhawanesh Deora – he inspires patriotism around
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 16, August (Asiantribune.com): Rajasthan is most popular destination for many—for its historical monuments, Dilwara temples, Thar and other deserts, Mt. Abu hills, national parks etc. For Rajasthanis nook and corner of the world is the destination, like Malayalees.
Their entrepreneurial spirit finds them all over the country, but they have always integrated themselves with the local situation and have been contributing to society wherever they have settled.
“There is a saying that ‘wherever the gaadi (vehicle) goes, the Marwari also goes’ says Mr. Bhawanesh Deora, who has a string of business establishments in Chennai. There is a sizable Rajasthani population in Chennai, “the earliest who has come to Chennai to settle was before independence,” he says.
While business has been an important reason for the migration, Rajasthani merchants have also contributed to their place of occupation through social service. Mr. Bhawanesh Deora is running one of the noted service organizations, under the name Shreyans Foundation, linked with the Lions clubs and NGOs.
Bhawanesh Deora
Deora’s patriotic and nationalist spirit; his euphoria and enthusiasm for national integration is inspiring. He is regularly celebrating the Independence Day since 1996, in Shreyans Hall, he owns, and serves food to the poor to about 1000s the same day. His full throat “Jai India” “Jai Bharat” fills to the blood veins. This correspondent was one of the Guests of Honour at his 63rd Independence day celebrations yesterday.
A few years back when the daughter of Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose, Mrs Anita Bose Pfaf, was in the country (she is living in Germany with her professor husband), Mr. Deora managed to bring her to Chennai to his hall, and assembled all freedom-fighters of Tamilnadu, ex Indian National Army (INA) cadres of Nathaji and honoured them, this writer was present then. Deora gave the first reception in the city, and took care of all her programmes here.
When there was tsunami, Deora with his members reaching first the Chennai beach and virtually saw the third big wave receding, carrying in its folds lots of lives. This daring service-minded person rescued the people and helped them. He remembers how he pulled three persons from the forceful current of waters; he caught hold of some bodies the returning waves was rolling on the shores and also carried few dead bodies. “If the next deadly wave had lashed, I too would have been carried away,” he says.
“This made me first person to report to the TV crews that poured in a little later. I was on all TVs the whole day telling to the world what had happened. What is more, I was taken to the Sun TV studio to narrate the incidents, participating in the eye witness live presentation,” says Mr. Deora, “ek din a reporter” (one-day reporter).
He had organized food for the tsunami affected people immediately and for several days. Later he traveled to other affected areas with relief materials, distributing from Chennai upto Velankanni and Nagapattanam., all from his own money.
In handling tsunami affecteds, Deora had some experienced touch by now, for he had served earlier two catastrophes that had hit India before—the earth quakes in Latur in Maharastra and Buj in Gujarat.
Deora regrets he could not personally participate in the Latur relief camp sent by the Lions club, for there was a family grief. But he had participated in the collection of relief materials on behalf of the Lions club and sent them. When all his fellow men went, his heart of throbbing here. For the Buj earthquake, Deora joined one Jain Association, went with his group and served the people for 15 days. Seeing the conditions, he pumped out his own money to buy things and food material for distribution. Deora shows all the photographs proudly.
What has pulled him into this service mode? “It is because of my early membership with Lions club. As a boy of 16, I was inducted into the Leo club, the youth wing of Lions Club. in 1978. I was graduated into the service mode, participating into every field activity. In Leoism, I rose to the level of Council Chairman and won Wisdom award,” he says.
He joined the Lions Club in 1989 by starting his own Lion’s Club of Madras Leo City. Here too he handled service sectors with aplomb—eye donation, drug awareness, youth outreach, health camps and rain water harvesting, etc. And so service to humanity started grousing through his blood.
He is more than content serving the humanity at its worst. Every flood havoc in Tamil Nadu, Deora is up with his arms, ready with men and material, serving in the field. A couple of years back, when Chennai was in floods, he and his team of Shreyans Foundation were out of soccur.
His best service was at Zakir village, 15 kms off Arakonam, where the floods had affected the animals with foot and mouth disease, and men too. Shereyans had organized health camp for animals and human beings, cleaned the whole village and disinfected it, supplied food, cloths and bought books and notes for the children who had lost them in the floods.
Health camps are his routine, but one at the Pulicat lake island is worth mentioning, besides his Zakir village camp. There was skin infection, followed by chckenguniya. Deora went with his doctor team and rendered service.
Rain water harvesting is an habit in Rajasthan, where rain is sparsely. This was in his mind, seeing much of the rain water going down the drains waste. Speaking his mind out, he came across another person of same ideology by name Sekar of an NGO, Aakash. Deora happily remembers, the rain water demonstration given to Ms. Jayalalithaa, the then Chief Minister at Mandaveli.in Chennai. Impressed, she ordered rain-water for houses compulsory to increase the water table, which almost it did. If it is pursued vigorously, it will be good, he feels.
Deora is a tradition lover. “I am against the present-day use of more than one minute run of the National Anthem; it is pretty slow, rather it puts you to sleep.” For his function yesterday, he used the old 52-minute “jana gana mana”. He pointed out the national anthem should be that racy to arouse one.
He is a good designer and interior designer. He took me round his house showing the furniture he designed, the Rajasthani art work he had etched on the walls and floors. It was a treat.
Bhuwanesh Deora is third generation Rajasthani-Chennaiite. He is born (1962) and brought up here. He is a bachelor of commerce, but deserves to be ‘honorary doctored’. His businesses include, export-import, gift shop, convention hall which he calls Shreyans Integration Point, Reliance telecom dealership and Finance. His wife, mother and brothers are a good support to his activity. His friends’ network is enormous.
- Asian Tribune -
CHENNAI, 16, August (Asiantribune.com): Rajasthan is most popular destination for many—for its historical monuments, Dilwara temples, Thar and other deserts, Mt. Abu hills, national parks etc. For Rajasthanis nook and corner of the world is the destination, like Malayalees.
Their entrepreneurial spirit finds them all over the country, but they have always integrated themselves with the local situation and have been contributing to society wherever they have settled.
“There is a saying that ‘wherever the gaadi (vehicle) goes, the Marwari also goes’ says Mr. Bhawanesh Deora, who has a string of business establishments in Chennai. There is a sizable Rajasthani population in Chennai, “the earliest who has come to Chennai to settle was before independence,” he says.
While business has been an important reason for the migration, Rajasthani merchants have also contributed to their place of occupation through social service. Mr. Bhawanesh Deora is running one of the noted service organizations, under the name Shreyans Foundation, linked with the Lions clubs and NGOs.
Bhawanesh Deora
Deora’s patriotic and nationalist spirit; his euphoria and enthusiasm for national integration is inspiring. He is regularly celebrating the Independence Day since 1996, in Shreyans Hall, he owns, and serves food to the poor to about 1000s the same day. His full throat “Jai India” “Jai Bharat” fills to the blood veins. This correspondent was one of the Guests of Honour at his 63rd Independence day celebrations yesterday.
A few years back when the daughter of Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose, Mrs Anita Bose Pfaf, was in the country (she is living in Germany with her professor husband), Mr. Deora managed to bring her to Chennai to his hall, and assembled all freedom-fighters of Tamilnadu, ex Indian National Army (INA) cadres of Nathaji and honoured them, this writer was present then. Deora gave the first reception in the city, and took care of all her programmes here.
When there was tsunami, Deora with his members reaching first the Chennai beach and virtually saw the third big wave receding, carrying in its folds lots of lives. This daring service-minded person rescued the people and helped them. He remembers how he pulled three persons from the forceful current of waters; he caught hold of some bodies the returning waves was rolling on the shores and also carried few dead bodies. “If the next deadly wave had lashed, I too would have been carried away,” he says.
“This made me first person to report to the TV crews that poured in a little later. I was on all TVs the whole day telling to the world what had happened. What is more, I was taken to the Sun TV studio to narrate the incidents, participating in the eye witness live presentation,” says Mr. Deora, “ek din a reporter” (one-day reporter).
He had organized food for the tsunami affected people immediately and for several days. Later he traveled to other affected areas with relief materials, distributing from Chennai upto Velankanni and Nagapattanam., all from his own money.
In handling tsunami affecteds, Deora had some experienced touch by now, for he had served earlier two catastrophes that had hit India before—the earth quakes in Latur in Maharastra and Buj in Gujarat.
Deora regrets he could not personally participate in the Latur relief camp sent by the Lions club, for there was a family grief. But he had participated in the collection of relief materials on behalf of the Lions club and sent them. When all his fellow men went, his heart of throbbing here. For the Buj earthquake, Deora joined one Jain Association, went with his group and served the people for 15 days. Seeing the conditions, he pumped out his own money to buy things and food material for distribution. Deora shows all the photographs proudly.
What has pulled him into this service mode? “It is because of my early membership with Lions club. As a boy of 16, I was inducted into the Leo club, the youth wing of Lions Club. in 1978. I was graduated into the service mode, participating into every field activity. In Leoism, I rose to the level of Council Chairman and won Wisdom award,” he says.
He joined the Lions Club in 1989 by starting his own Lion’s Club of Madras Leo City. Here too he handled service sectors with aplomb—eye donation, drug awareness, youth outreach, health camps and rain water harvesting, etc. And so service to humanity started grousing through his blood.
He is more than content serving the humanity at its worst. Every flood havoc in Tamil Nadu, Deora is up with his arms, ready with men and material, serving in the field. A couple of years back, when Chennai was in floods, he and his team of Shreyans Foundation were out of soccur.
His best service was at Zakir village, 15 kms off Arakonam, where the floods had affected the animals with foot and mouth disease, and men too. Shereyans had organized health camp for animals and human beings, cleaned the whole village and disinfected it, supplied food, cloths and bought books and notes for the children who had lost them in the floods.
Health camps are his routine, but one at the Pulicat lake island is worth mentioning, besides his Zakir village camp. There was skin infection, followed by chckenguniya. Deora went with his doctor team and rendered service.
Rain water harvesting is an habit in Rajasthan, where rain is sparsely. This was in his mind, seeing much of the rain water going down the drains waste. Speaking his mind out, he came across another person of same ideology by name Sekar of an NGO, Aakash. Deora happily remembers, the rain water demonstration given to Ms. Jayalalithaa, the then Chief Minister at Mandaveli.in Chennai. Impressed, she ordered rain-water for houses compulsory to increase the water table, which almost it did. If it is pursued vigorously, it will be good, he feels.
Deora is a tradition lover. “I am against the present-day use of more than one minute run of the National Anthem; it is pretty slow, rather it puts you to sleep.” For his function yesterday, he used the old 52-minute “jana gana mana”. He pointed out the national anthem should be that racy to arouse one.
He is a good designer and interior designer. He took me round his house showing the furniture he designed, the Rajasthani art work he had etched on the walls and floors. It was a treat.
Bhuwanesh Deora is third generation Rajasthani-Chennaiite. He is born (1962) and brought up here. He is a bachelor of commerce, but deserves to be ‘honorary doctored’. His businesses include, export-import, gift shop, convention hall which he calls Shreyans Integration Point, Reliance telecom dealership and Finance. His wife, mother and brothers are a good support to his activity. His friends’ network is enormous.
- Asian Tribune -
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Fortnight-long Madras founding day being celebrated
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 17 August (asiantribune.com): The seventh edition of the founding day of the city is being celebrated as Madras Week. It commenced on Sunday in all grandeur with about 100 programmes lined up in various parts of the city and it will go on for fortnight with a wider range of events.
The idea of celebrating the founding day of the city (August 22, 1639), shaped six years ago and began as a week-long celebration from August 16 to 23. This year the festival would be for two weeks, although it is called Madras Week, as more organizations and corporates have jumped in to hold one programme or the other.
The celebrations will end on September 1, according to the organizers who have roped in more organisation/individuals and volunteer groups to make the event a gala affair.
‘Madras Day’ was an idea that three people put together -- the city's famed historian, S. Muthiah, journalist Sashi Nair and editor-publisher Vincent D' Souza. Today, they have been joined by three others -- senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, entrepreneur and writer-historian V. Sriram and journalist and web site entrepreneur, Revathi
Historian S. Muthiah said the prime objective of the celebrations is to spread heritage awareness, particularly in schools and colleges. And one of the significant features this year would be the participation of nearly 70 schools and 12 colleges, the major being Llyola, Vivekananda, Madras Christian College, MOP Vaishnav, Queen Maris, etc.
Several government departments, such as Archaeological Survey of India and Government Museum, are also hosting events. Some of the organisations that have joined in this year’s Madras Week celebrations include Alliance Francaise and Russian Cultural Centre. The others are the US Consulate General, the Madras Photographic Society, the Prince of Arcot.
Wikipedia would take people on a photographic hunt of the city, enabling them to take as many photographs of Chennai to illustrate Wikipedia articles. Besides heritage walks and talks, five photo walks would be conducted.
Growing from about 15 events in the first year, this year the celebration is accommodating a variety of events, all centered on the theme ‘Madras’. Besides the regular talks, quizzes, exhibitions and performances, there is hotels like Green Park organsing food festivals, Dakshinachitra holding a weeklong celebration, Malayali Club, Roja Muthiah Research Library, Alliance Francaise and Madras Terrace House organising youth-oriented programmes. Hotels Taj Connemara, Taj Coromandel, The Park, Park Sheraton are giving support.
Competitions like drawing and painting, essay writing, quiz and debate will also be organised by INTACH Heritage clubs by hub schools in Thirvanmiyur, Mylapore, Luz Corner, North Madras, KK Nagar and Purasaiwalkam, centering on coins and dedicating it to Late Raja Sitaraman, coin collector who exhibited his collection in last year’s celebration.
Vijayantha Higher Secondary School, Avadi, would conduct a bicycle rally from Avadi to Marina beach on August 22.One of the highlights of the events would be a reading session on ‘Madras Madrigals,’ a compilation of interesting verses on the city from the book that is out of print, he said.
This year, the celebrations would focus on youngsters in the city. A few bands, which have composed songs about Chennai, would be performing in places such as Elliots Beach. Besides an exhibition on bridges, coins and books, a special cover on arch bridges of the city would be released on Madras Day on August 22.
Credit goes to S. Muthiah
It was the noted Madras historian S Muthiah, who identified the founding day of Madras -- August 22, 1639. And the idea of Madras Day celebration grew out of it. The credit for the spirit of the celebration goes to Muthiah. It was on that day and year that a sliver of land, where Fort. St. George stands today, was sold to the East India Company. The deal was struck by Francis Day, his ‘dubash’ Beri Thimmappa, and their superior, Andrew Cogan, with the local Nayak rulers.
Once the fort was established, settlements grew around it. As the settlements grew with expanding trade and industry, the villages around it were absorbed into the newly formed city. One of them was ‘Madrasapattinam’, another was ‘Chennaipattinam’. The English name of the city seems to have been coined by the Britishers by shortening the former, while the Tamil name for the city was shortening the latter, the city got recently by the present rulers.
CHENNAI, 17 August (asiantribune.com): The seventh edition of the founding day of the city is being celebrated as Madras Week. It commenced on Sunday in all grandeur with about 100 programmes lined up in various parts of the city and it will go on for fortnight with a wider range of events.
The idea of celebrating the founding day of the city (August 22, 1639), shaped six years ago and began as a week-long celebration from August 16 to 23. This year the festival would be for two weeks, although it is called Madras Week, as more organizations and corporates have jumped in to hold one programme or the other.
The celebrations will end on September 1, according to the organizers who have roped in more organisation/individuals and volunteer groups to make the event a gala affair.
‘Madras Day’ was an idea that three people put together -- the city's famed historian, S. Muthiah, journalist Sashi Nair and editor-publisher Vincent D' Souza. Today, they have been joined by three others -- senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, entrepreneur and writer-historian V. Sriram and journalist and web site entrepreneur, Revathi
Historian S. Muthiah said the prime objective of the celebrations is to spread heritage awareness, particularly in schools and colleges. And one of the significant features this year would be the participation of nearly 70 schools and 12 colleges, the major being Llyola, Vivekananda, Madras Christian College, MOP Vaishnav, Queen Maris, etc.
Several government departments, such as Archaeological Survey of India and Government Museum, are also hosting events. Some of the organisations that have joined in this year’s Madras Week celebrations include Alliance Francaise and Russian Cultural Centre. The others are the US Consulate General, the Madras Photographic Society, the Prince of Arcot.
Wikipedia would take people on a photographic hunt of the city, enabling them to take as many photographs of Chennai to illustrate Wikipedia articles. Besides heritage walks and talks, five photo walks would be conducted.
Growing from about 15 events in the first year, this year the celebration is accommodating a variety of events, all centered on the theme ‘Madras’. Besides the regular talks, quizzes, exhibitions and performances, there is hotels like Green Park organsing food festivals, Dakshinachitra holding a weeklong celebration, Malayali Club, Roja Muthiah Research Library, Alliance Francaise and Madras Terrace House organising youth-oriented programmes. Hotels Taj Connemara, Taj Coromandel, The Park, Park Sheraton are giving support.
Competitions like drawing and painting, essay writing, quiz and debate will also be organised by INTACH Heritage clubs by hub schools in Thirvanmiyur, Mylapore, Luz Corner, North Madras, KK Nagar and Purasaiwalkam, centering on coins and dedicating it to Late Raja Sitaraman, coin collector who exhibited his collection in last year’s celebration.
Vijayantha Higher Secondary School, Avadi, would conduct a bicycle rally from Avadi to Marina beach on August 22.One of the highlights of the events would be a reading session on ‘Madras Madrigals,’ a compilation of interesting verses on the city from the book that is out of print, he said.
This year, the celebrations would focus on youngsters in the city. A few bands, which have composed songs about Chennai, would be performing in places such as Elliots Beach. Besides an exhibition on bridges, coins and books, a special cover on arch bridges of the city would be released on Madras Day on August 22.
Credit goes to S. Muthiah
It was the noted Madras historian S Muthiah, who identified the founding day of Madras -- August 22, 1639. And the idea of Madras Day celebration grew out of it. The credit for the spirit of the celebration goes to Muthiah. It was on that day and year that a sliver of land, where Fort. St. George stands today, was sold to the East India Company. The deal was struck by Francis Day, his ‘dubash’ Beri Thimmappa, and their superior, Andrew Cogan, with the local Nayak rulers.
Once the fort was established, settlements grew around it. As the settlements grew with expanding trade and industry, the villages around it were absorbed into the newly formed city. One of them was ‘Madrasapattinam’, another was ‘Chennaipattinam’. The English name of the city seems to have been coined by the Britishers by shortening the former, while the Tamil name for the city was shortening the latter, the city got recently by the present rulers.
Transgender Noori is a ‘leading light’
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
Chennai, 5 July (Asiantribune.com): Only a few days before Chennai had “pride march” conducted by the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders) community (June 28). The march was held in other cities too. Since the Delhi High Court’s landmark judgment legalising on July 2 homosexuality among consenting adults, holding law making it criminal offence is violative of fundamental rights, gays in the country go with a feeling of ‘gay abandon’; also their ilks.
Although Naz Foundation fought the case in Delhi, our search went on for some leading personalities among the LGBTs in Chennai. Thirumangai (transgender) S. Noori settled for a chat with the Asian Tribune. Her social activism impressed us. All electronic media has had her programmes or interviews on sex awareness.
Noori is happy to be known as ‘aravani’ (eunuch in Tamil) in stead of ‘thirumangai’ picked from Bhagwat Geeta by Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP, recently.
She is very happy the Delhi court discovered their rights, “but the central government should amend the 150 year old colonial era law—section 377 of the IPC. That will be biggest victory of the gay rights in India.”
Although Noori had education upto 3rd standard, the world ‘university’she was thrown into made her a multi-lingual. She is fluent in nearly half a dozen languages—Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi and English.
Noori has traveled 23 countries so far—South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Italy, France, Germany, Uganda, Thailand, and many African and European countries, addressing the AIDS awareness campaign, and exchanging programmes with them.
Noori is probably one HIV positive person surviving for 22 years now. Still hale and hearty, at her age of 58. Her positive thinking, positive role in the society may be keeping the dreadful disease afar. She is definitely a ‘leading light’ to sagging HIV inflicted persons around her.
Running an NGO, “South India Positive Network,” Noori is mother to 35 abandoned HIV children from age 4 to 17. When asked why only up to 17, and where do they go afterwards, Noori says: “That’s all the ends comes within that period. The youngest I have is 4 year old and the oldest is 17. Probably I am only one person who outlive the destiny. Maybe God wants me to serve them long.”
Not only HIV inflicted, she is a transgender too. There is no secret about anything. She is open, calls a spade a spade. Noori pours out her life in a straight matter of fact. She is converted to Christianity recently.
Noori was a Muslim when he was born in Ramnad, lost his mother when he was 4. Father, an army man, married another woman, step motherly treatment followed. At school he was nagged by colleagues about his feminine gaits, he ran away from home to Chennai and was in the employ of a Chettiar family. At thirteen he discovers the girl in him. The gender change disturbing, he runs away to Mumbai (then Bombay).
Noori says discovering the ‘she’ in him, it was natural in the sprawling city to be pulled into sex working. There a soldier falls in love with her even after knowing she is transgendered. When he was transferred to Chennai, Noori settled here. Soon her husband went way on transfer to north, with paltry sum arriving, she goes a full-time sex-worker.
Noori tested positive in 1987. Although there was initial shock, she says, she recovered and started playing positive role of advising and counseling other sex workers as per government health programme, weaning them away from their profession or advising them to adopt safety measures. Seeing she could convince her peers, a thought came why not establish an NGO herself.
Noori established an NGO in October 2001, South India Positive Network (SIP+ ), a non-profit organization, aided by Tamil Nadu Aids Control Society, that offers support through numerous services for people living with HIV/AIDS in South India, assisting them in overcoming constraints and difficulties faced in their day-to-day lives. The society was founded in response to the alarming speed with which HIV was spreading, and the lack of medical/ psychosocial/ economic support available to its victims in South India, Noori says.
SIP’s objective included everyone, regardless of whether male, female, child, eunuch, CSW (commercial sex worker), or gay, and bring together communities of people living with HIV/AIDS forming a statewide network. Registered under the Societies Act, SIP+ had 26 members to start with, and is currently made up of 4000 positive members living all over the south India, Noori says.
SIP takes HIV positive transgenders under its wing — it counsels them against continuing commercial sex, takes them for blood tests and arranges for free antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, their most poignant moment comes when the transgenders succumb to their condition and need what SIP offers – a funeral.
HIV/AIDS is one of the most challenging public health problem faced in India. Though awareness can be created among the various groups of people yet it is difficult to explain the facts of the killer syndrome to the tender and vulnerable children who are the major victims of this infection. According to the recent statistics more than five thousand children are infected in Tamil Nadu alone, Noori says.
In response to the escalation of the high rate of infection and considering the plight of the children Noori started SIP Memorial Trust home for infected and affected children in the year 2005 in Chennai, to provide a supportive assistance to the orphan children who are excluded from the joy of a normal childhood. Now there are 35 children.
Noori took this writer to ‘home’ to show the children. They greet her as she enters the home and come and nestle in her lap to be fondled by her, especially the young ones.
Noori says: “We aim that no children have to endure the state of homelessness besides the plight of the children who are orphaned due to AIDS epidemic should gradually come down. Moreover we wish soon these kinds of support shelters exists in the form of records in the history and not as destitute homes. Our focus is home base care, educational support, medical support, skill development training and recreation.”
Her life story was so inspiring that it was published as a novel by none other than Su. Samudhram, former All India Radio News Editor, author of several books. Its translation in English also came out subsequently.
- Asian Tribune -
Chennai, 5 July (Asiantribune.com): Only a few days before Chennai had “pride march” conducted by the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders) community (June 28). The march was held in other cities too. Since the Delhi High Court’s landmark judgment legalising on July 2 homosexuality among consenting adults, holding law making it criminal offence is violative of fundamental rights, gays in the country go with a feeling of ‘gay abandon’; also their ilks.
Although Naz Foundation fought the case in Delhi, our search went on for some leading personalities among the LGBTs in Chennai. Thirumangai (transgender) S. Noori settled for a chat with the Asian Tribune. Her social activism impressed us. All electronic media has had her programmes or interviews on sex awareness.
Noori is happy to be known as ‘aravani’ (eunuch in Tamil) in stead of ‘thirumangai’ picked from Bhagwat Geeta by Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP, recently.
She is very happy the Delhi court discovered their rights, “but the central government should amend the 150 year old colonial era law—section 377 of the IPC. That will be biggest victory of the gay rights in India.”
Although Noori had education upto 3rd standard, the world ‘university’she was thrown into made her a multi-lingual. She is fluent in nearly half a dozen languages—Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi and English.
Noori has traveled 23 countries so far—South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Italy, France, Germany, Uganda, Thailand, and many African and European countries, addressing the AIDS awareness campaign, and exchanging programmes with them.
Noori is probably one HIV positive person surviving for 22 years now. Still hale and hearty, at her age of 58. Her positive thinking, positive role in the society may be keeping the dreadful disease afar. She is definitely a ‘leading light’ to sagging HIV inflicted persons around her.
Running an NGO, “South India Positive Network,” Noori is mother to 35 abandoned HIV children from age 4 to 17. When asked why only up to 17, and where do they go afterwards, Noori says: “That’s all the ends comes within that period. The youngest I have is 4 year old and the oldest is 17. Probably I am only one person who outlive the destiny. Maybe God wants me to serve them long.”
Not only HIV inflicted, she is a transgender too. There is no secret about anything. She is open, calls a spade a spade. Noori pours out her life in a straight matter of fact. She is converted to Christianity recently.
Noori was a Muslim when he was born in Ramnad, lost his mother when he was 4. Father, an army man, married another woman, step motherly treatment followed. At school he was nagged by colleagues about his feminine gaits, he ran away from home to Chennai and was in the employ of a Chettiar family. At thirteen he discovers the girl in him. The gender change disturbing, he runs away to Mumbai (then Bombay).
Noori says discovering the ‘she’ in him, it was natural in the sprawling city to be pulled into sex working. There a soldier falls in love with her even after knowing she is transgendered. When he was transferred to Chennai, Noori settled here. Soon her husband went way on transfer to north, with paltry sum arriving, she goes a full-time sex-worker.
Noori tested positive in 1987. Although there was initial shock, she says, she recovered and started playing positive role of advising and counseling other sex workers as per government health programme, weaning them away from their profession or advising them to adopt safety measures. Seeing she could convince her peers, a thought came why not establish an NGO herself.
Noori established an NGO in October 2001, South India Positive Network (SIP+ ), a non-profit organization, aided by Tamil Nadu Aids Control Society, that offers support through numerous services for people living with HIV/AIDS in South India, assisting them in overcoming constraints and difficulties faced in their day-to-day lives. The society was founded in response to the alarming speed with which HIV was spreading, and the lack of medical/ psychosocial/ economic support available to its victims in South India, Noori says.
SIP’s objective included everyone, regardless of whether male, female, child, eunuch, CSW (commercial sex worker), or gay, and bring together communities of people living with HIV/AIDS forming a statewide network. Registered under the Societies Act, SIP+ had 26 members to start with, and is currently made up of 4000 positive members living all over the south India, Noori says.
SIP takes HIV positive transgenders under its wing — it counsels them against continuing commercial sex, takes them for blood tests and arranges for free antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, their most poignant moment comes when the transgenders succumb to their condition and need what SIP offers – a funeral.
HIV/AIDS is one of the most challenging public health problem faced in India. Though awareness can be created among the various groups of people yet it is difficult to explain the facts of the killer syndrome to the tender and vulnerable children who are the major victims of this infection. According to the recent statistics more than five thousand children are infected in Tamil Nadu alone, Noori says.
In response to the escalation of the high rate of infection and considering the plight of the children Noori started SIP Memorial Trust home for infected and affected children in the year 2005 in Chennai, to provide a supportive assistance to the orphan children who are excluded from the joy of a normal childhood. Now there are 35 children.
Noori took this writer to ‘home’ to show the children. They greet her as she enters the home and come and nestle in her lap to be fondled by her, especially the young ones.
Noori says: “We aim that no children have to endure the state of homelessness besides the plight of the children who are orphaned due to AIDS epidemic should gradually come down. Moreover we wish soon these kinds of support shelters exists in the form of records in the history and not as destitute homes. Our focus is home base care, educational support, medical support, skill development training and recreation.”
Her life story was so inspiring that it was published as a novel by none other than Su. Samudhram, former All India Radio News Editor, author of several books. Its translation in English also came out subsequently.
- Asian Tribune -
Cyber crime has to take back seat; upgraded ‘cyber lab’ commissioned
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 14 August (asiantribune.com): The upgraded ‘cyber lab’ at the city police commissionerate at a cost of Rs. 70 lakh was formally inaugurated on Friday by City Police Commissioner T Rajendran. Now equipped with most sophisticated facility in the country, IT- related crimes will be solved faster, the CoP said.
Of late cyber crimes is on the increase in the city. Although special training is given to the police in cyber crimes, for want of latest technological facility, the police was dependent on the private companies to solve the crimes related to computers, SMS, internet, cell phones, satellite phones and credit cards. Mumbai and Delhi have advanced cyber labs, and so the Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin had permitted to go ahead with the modernization project.
The equipment were bought from US and Isreal. The new cyber lab has 68 forensic tools, 43 relating to hardware and 25 to advanced software. The system has an external memory hard disk, which has a storage capacity of 320 gigabyte, as well as an in-built storage facility.
The police had a successful test run with the new facility. They nabbed the Haryana kabaddi player Sumith, who killed his team-mate in Chennai, by using the advanced technology installed, a senior police officer said.
The lab will be under the direct supervision of deputy commissioner of police, central crime branch, Sudhakar. There is a proposal to upgrade the cyber crime wing attached to the level of deputy commissioner of police because the wing plays a dominant role in cracking white-collar crime as well as other crimes such as murder for gain, a senior police officer said.
The cyber lab will also be useful in investigating cases involving issues of tampering, destruction, restoration and retrieval of stored data, hackers who get into protected networks, defamatory and illegal publications, and intellectual property rights and crimes.
The police commissionerate had a cyber crime wing functioning since 2003, and so far it has handled 133 cases and more than 2,500 petitions, sources said.
CHENNAI, 14 August (asiantribune.com): The upgraded ‘cyber lab’ at the city police commissionerate at a cost of Rs. 70 lakh was formally inaugurated on Friday by City Police Commissioner T Rajendran. Now equipped with most sophisticated facility in the country, IT- related crimes will be solved faster, the CoP said.
Of late cyber crimes is on the increase in the city. Although special training is given to the police in cyber crimes, for want of latest technological facility, the police was dependent on the private companies to solve the crimes related to computers, SMS, internet, cell phones, satellite phones and credit cards. Mumbai and Delhi have advanced cyber labs, and so the Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin had permitted to go ahead with the modernization project.
The equipment were bought from US and Isreal. The new cyber lab has 68 forensic tools, 43 relating to hardware and 25 to advanced software. The system has an external memory hard disk, which has a storage capacity of 320 gigabyte, as well as an in-built storage facility.
The police had a successful test run with the new facility. They nabbed the Haryana kabaddi player Sumith, who killed his team-mate in Chennai, by using the advanced technology installed, a senior police officer said.
The lab will be under the direct supervision of deputy commissioner of police, central crime branch, Sudhakar. There is a proposal to upgrade the cyber crime wing attached to the level of deputy commissioner of police because the wing plays a dominant role in cracking white-collar crime as well as other crimes such as murder for gain, a senior police officer said.
The cyber lab will also be useful in investigating cases involving issues of tampering, destruction, restoration and retrieval of stored data, hackers who get into protected networks, defamatory and illegal publications, and intellectual property rights and crimes.
The police commissionerate had a cyber crime wing functioning since 2003, and so far it has handled 133 cases and more than 2,500 petitions, sources said.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Azhagiri is now Alagiri
Pronouncing his name they tumble. His North Indian cabinet colleagues, officials, TV anchors and even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, especially, find it difficult utter his name. The correct ‘zha’ of Tamil in his name cannot be written in English for phonetics and so also can it be pronounced in Hindi.
And so, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister M K Azhagiri has now decided to settle the matter — he’s not ‘Azzagiri’ (as they now pronounce in Delhi), but ‘Alagiri’.
Henceforth he will be officially spelt ‘Alagiri’ and the new spelling would be notified in the gazette as well, sources close to him said. ‘‘Everybody, including the Prime Minister, was mangling his name.
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, he was asked how he wanted his name to be pronounced and spelt. “For the benefit of his colleagues, he has now decided to make his name simpler and easier by changing the spelling,’’ sources said.
The ‘zh’ in Azhagiri is pronounced the same way as ‘l’ in Tamil, but the phonetic similarity is not intelligible to non-Tamils because the spelling does not reflect the pronunciation. Karunanidhi’s daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, K Kanimozhi, has been another victim of this common mispronunciation. ‘‘When people in Delhi call out my name, I can barely make out that they are referring to me,’’ she said.
Changing his name couldn’t have been an easy decision for the Union Minister, whose father is an erudite Tamil scholar, and for whom the ‘zhagaram’, as the unique consonant is known, may be the crowning glory of the Tamil language.
And so, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister M K Azhagiri has now decided to settle the matter — he’s not ‘Azzagiri’ (as they now pronounce in Delhi), but ‘Alagiri’.
Henceforth he will be officially spelt ‘Alagiri’ and the new spelling would be notified in the gazette as well, sources close to him said. ‘‘Everybody, including the Prime Minister, was mangling his name.
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, he was asked how he wanted his name to be pronounced and spelt. “For the benefit of his colleagues, he has now decided to make his name simpler and easier by changing the spelling,’’ sources said.
The ‘zh’ in Azhagiri is pronounced the same way as ‘l’ in Tamil, but the phonetic similarity is not intelligible to non-Tamils because the spelling does not reflect the pronunciation. Karunanidhi’s daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, K Kanimozhi, has been another victim of this common mispronunciation. ‘‘When people in Delhi call out my name, I can barely make out that they are referring to me,’’ she said.
Changing his name couldn’t have been an easy decision for the Union Minister, whose father is an erudite Tamil scholar, and for whom the ‘zhagaram’, as the unique consonant is known, may be the crowning glory of the Tamil language.
French tourist killed by elephant near Mudumalai forest
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 15 August (asiantribune.com): A French woman tourist was killed by a wild elephant at Bokkapuram, adjacent to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, on Friday, and her son escaped with minor injuries when they went for wildlife sighting.
Both mother and son, Del Yotal Annie (65) Frederick Jean Lue (39), hailing from Neuilly Sir Marne in France arrived at Bokkapuram on Thursday and were staying in one of the private resorts, which have mushroomed the bordering reserve forest areas. And there a lot of touts to promise you to take into the wild for sighting for a price, and night safaris. They booked two such guides.
Early on Friday, they trekked to Viboothimalai near the resort, accompanied by the two locals. On spotting a herd of elephants, they tried to click pictures. An adult and a calf suddenly charged towards them. Ms. Annie was trampled, Fredrick and one of the local persons sustained injuries.
The spot where the incident took place was revenue grazing land. World Wide Fund for Nature Mohanraj said it was an “avoidable tragedy,” should be treated as an eye-opener. There was a need to regulate tourism in wildlife areas, and elephant corridors should be left alone, he said.
Field Director of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Rajiv K. Srivastava said despite repeated warnings such incidents were taking place in wildlife habitats. He has displayed boards with warnings not to stop vehicles at the places of elephant corridors.
“Elephant population of late has increased, and incidents of pachyderm straying into human habitats is reported not only here, everywhere.” A survey is going on, and soon a solution would be found for man-wildlife safety, he said over phone to this correspondent.
CHENNAI, 15 August (asiantribune.com): A French woman tourist was killed by a wild elephant at Bokkapuram, adjacent to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, on Friday, and her son escaped with minor injuries when they went for wildlife sighting.
Both mother and son, Del Yotal Annie (65) Frederick Jean Lue (39), hailing from Neuilly Sir Marne in France arrived at Bokkapuram on Thursday and were staying in one of the private resorts, which have mushroomed the bordering reserve forest areas. And there a lot of touts to promise you to take into the wild for sighting for a price, and night safaris. They booked two such guides.
Early on Friday, they trekked to Viboothimalai near the resort, accompanied by the two locals. On spotting a herd of elephants, they tried to click pictures. An adult and a calf suddenly charged towards them. Ms. Annie was trampled, Fredrick and one of the local persons sustained injuries.
The spot where the incident took place was revenue grazing land. World Wide Fund for Nature Mohanraj said it was an “avoidable tragedy,” should be treated as an eye-opener. There was a need to regulate tourism in wildlife areas, and elephant corridors should be left alone, he said.
Field Director of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Rajiv K. Srivastava said despite repeated warnings such incidents were taking place in wildlife habitats. He has displayed boards with warnings not to stop vehicles at the places of elephant corridors.
“Elephant population of late has increased, and incidents of pachyderm straying into human habitats is reported not only here, everywhere.” A survey is going on, and soon a solution would be found for man-wildlife safety, he said over phone to this correspondent.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday Celebrity: Pratap Raju’s adept fingers and ‘Puthur Kattu’ for bone-setting
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By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 09 August (asiantribune.com): Traditional medicine (also known as indigenous) comprising medical knowledge systems and practices are popular all over the globe. In India there are innumerable treatment systems within various societies, and some successful treatment practices are kept as family secret and hereditary.
One such is “Puthur Kattu” (Puthur Bandage), quite popular in the Southern India states—Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala—the treatment practice handed down to fourth generation practitioners of the same family.
S. Pratap Raju, among his cousins, is most successful bone-setter. Doctors should have that magic touch, for the heal to flow. He has that abundantly. For people who pour in for treatment ask for him, after his father S.Subramaniam Raju, the living patriarch of the family, who is a guiding spirit.
In Chennai, at Purasawalkam, where they have a roaring practice with “Puthur Kattu” the crowd has to be seen to be believed. From morning till evening for two days (on Tuesday and Wednesday) every week, for a team of one dozen hands, headed by Pratap Raju, it is non-stop sweating. Pratap and his team do it as service, honouring the hereditary family service passed on four generations down.
“Rendering service to the suffering people is service to our fore-fathers, who passed on such time-tested valuable bone-setting treatment practice,” says Pratap, who doesn’t want yet to be called Dr. Pratap-- until he gets qualified for the title. In fact, he is doing his doctorate with the Dravidian university, and very soon ‘Dr.’ would pre-fix to his name. He is already an M.Sc. (Psychology), M.A. (Public Administration) and B.L.
Pratap Raju, who practices two days in Chennai, twice monthly in Kerala, one day in Nellore, spends the rest of the days in Puthur, where his fore fathers founded the bone-setting hospital. The hospital in Puthur is known as Suraparaju’s Bone-setting Hospital, where the practice is jointly by his cousins—Dr. Lokesh Raju, Balasubramaniam Raju, S Juggal Kishore Raju, Sethumadhava Raju-- and Pratap’s own brother A.Vikram Raju.
“An entrance fee of Rs 10, a piece of cloth, some eggs and, of course, a broken bone are all that is required from a patient" wrote the leading English newspaper, The Hindu, in its supplement story, years ago, about Puthur bone-setting clinic. “In some cases the hospital provides the cloth (but the broken bone has to be provided by the patient!)”. Pratap Raju showed the newspaper clipping, this writer is tempted to quote here.
Free treatment for the poor, locals
Pratap, talking to Asian Tribune, said the hospital is a public charitable society, helping the poor and the down-trodden is the primary goal. They have treatment free. The villagers in and around also have free treatment. Apart from the entrance fee of Rs. 10, if voluntary contribution is given it is accepted as there is the huge burden of running the establishment.
Ever since the medicinal property of the herbal foliage was found in 1881 by one of the forefathers of the Raju clan of Puthur, a silent Andhra village, near Tirupati, almost on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, innumerable persons have been successfully treated for fractures, dislocations and arthritis.
Pratap Raju says the leaves have the uncommon property of softening the bones as well as hardening them. In the process the joining of the fractured bones takes place. “The herbal leaf paste also gives relief for back pain, sciatica and spondilitis,” he says.
“Not only the medicinal property of the herbal paste, the deft handling—tracing the fractured spot by expert fingers, aligning the broken bones in order before applying the green paste mixed with albumin of the egg—does the magic,” Pratap Raju says. One or two ‘kattus’ (bandages) and a maximum of 45 days are enough for sure joining, he adds.
Chance finding herbal leaves
It was in 1881, Gopal Raju who accidentally found the healing property of the herbal foliage while hunting. He brought home a back-broken rabbit on a bed of some leaves he picked in the forest. To his surprise he found the animal limping. He made paste of the same and applied on its back. In a few days, the animal ran and disappeared in the forest. And to Gopal Raju one truth appeared: leaves had some medicinal quality!
Next few years, Gopal Raju experimented on limb-fractured chicken, calves and sheep. Convinced, he went on to treat human beings. He became a successful native doctor, and people from far and wide beelined to Puthur for bone-setting, and it came to be called “Puthur Kattu.” During the colonial rule, there was war everywhere, wounded soldiers were many. He was treating them to fitness. Gopal Raju’s services were utilized by the British rulers. That took him to places, treating the wounded soldiers and civilians throughout the country.
The World Wars came, he had more wounded armymen to treat. He had the unique honour of free railway pass to travel anywhere in the country. Gopal Raju passed on the legacy to his sister’s son, Suraparaju Subba Raju, who was a revenue official in the British government. He gave up his lucrative job to serve the humanity. The great Subba Raju applied his learned and administrative skills and laid the foundation for a mission that is the bone-setting hospital at Puthur, Pratap Raju said in one breadth.
Pratap Raju went on: The credit of preparing an ointment from the extract of the herbal leaves goes to Subba Raju, who perfected the treatment system. His brothers Markendeya Raju and Ganga Raju were pillars of the establishment, the former moving with the top echelons of their time, and thus roped in upper class society for treatment. Ganga Raju with his adept service spread this style of treatment to as far as Calcutta, and bagged several honours, including one from the Red Cross Society.
In the third generation, Markendeya Raju’s two sons – Dr. Rama Raju ( the first qualified doctor in the family) and S.Subramaniam Raju—were the torch-bearers of the hereditary treatment. Their children, the fourth generation, is now practicing the family hereditary bone-setting treatment.
If Pratap Raju is shuttling between Chennai and Puttur; and dashes out for stints at Guruvayur in Kerala and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, his cousins trip to Bangalore, Salem, Nadyal, Hyderabad, Cuddappa and Guntakal and other places.
The Puthur Rajus are proud of having treaded many VVIPs, like N.T.Rama Rao, top star of his days and former Chief Minister of Andhara Pradesh, V.V.Giri, former president of India, Dr. Channa Reddi, former CM of AP and Governor of Tamil Nadu. And there is no dearth for testimonies from people of all walks of life. There is a heap of it.
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 09 August (asiantribune.com): Traditional medicine (also known as indigenous) comprising medical knowledge systems and practices are popular all over the globe. In India there are innumerable treatment systems within various societies, and some successful treatment practices are kept as family secret and hereditary.
One such is “Puthur Kattu” (Puthur Bandage), quite popular in the Southern India states—Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala—the treatment practice handed down to fourth generation practitioners of the same family.
S. Pratap Raju, among his cousins, is most successful bone-setter. Doctors should have that magic touch, for the heal to flow. He has that abundantly. For people who pour in for treatment ask for him, after his father S.Subramaniam Raju, the living patriarch of the family, who is a guiding spirit.
In Chennai, at Purasawalkam, where they have a roaring practice with “Puthur Kattu” the crowd has to be seen to be believed. From morning till evening for two days (on Tuesday and Wednesday) every week, for a team of one dozen hands, headed by Pratap Raju, it is non-stop sweating. Pratap and his team do it as service, honouring the hereditary family service passed on four generations down.
“Rendering service to the suffering people is service to our fore-fathers, who passed on such time-tested valuable bone-setting treatment practice,” says Pratap, who doesn’t want yet to be called Dr. Pratap-- until he gets qualified for the title. In fact, he is doing his doctorate with the Dravidian university, and very soon ‘Dr.’ would pre-fix to his name. He is already an M.Sc. (Psychology), M.A. (Public Administration) and B.L.
Pratap Raju, who practices two days in Chennai, twice monthly in Kerala, one day in Nellore, spends the rest of the days in Puthur, where his fore fathers founded the bone-setting hospital. The hospital in Puthur is known as Suraparaju’s Bone-setting Hospital, where the practice is jointly by his cousins—Dr. Lokesh Raju, Balasubramaniam Raju, S Juggal Kishore Raju, Sethumadhava Raju-- and Pratap’s own brother A.Vikram Raju.
“An entrance fee of Rs 10, a piece of cloth, some eggs and, of course, a broken bone are all that is required from a patient" wrote the leading English newspaper, The Hindu, in its supplement story, years ago, about Puthur bone-setting clinic. “In some cases the hospital provides the cloth (but the broken bone has to be provided by the patient!)”. Pratap Raju showed the newspaper clipping, this writer is tempted to quote here.
Free treatment for the poor, locals
Pratap, talking to Asian Tribune, said the hospital is a public charitable society, helping the poor and the down-trodden is the primary goal. They have treatment free. The villagers in and around also have free treatment. Apart from the entrance fee of Rs. 10, if voluntary contribution is given it is accepted as there is the huge burden of running the establishment.
Ever since the medicinal property of the herbal foliage was found in 1881 by one of the forefathers of the Raju clan of Puthur, a silent Andhra village, near Tirupati, almost on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, innumerable persons have been successfully treated for fractures, dislocations and arthritis.
Pratap Raju says the leaves have the uncommon property of softening the bones as well as hardening them. In the process the joining of the fractured bones takes place. “The herbal leaf paste also gives relief for back pain, sciatica and spondilitis,” he says.
“Not only the medicinal property of the herbal paste, the deft handling—tracing the fractured spot by expert fingers, aligning the broken bones in order before applying the green paste mixed with albumin of the egg—does the magic,” Pratap Raju says. One or two ‘kattus’ (bandages) and a maximum of 45 days are enough for sure joining, he adds.
Chance finding herbal leaves
It was in 1881, Gopal Raju who accidentally found the healing property of the herbal foliage while hunting. He brought home a back-broken rabbit on a bed of some leaves he picked in the forest. To his surprise he found the animal limping. He made paste of the same and applied on its back. In a few days, the animal ran and disappeared in the forest. And to Gopal Raju one truth appeared: leaves had some medicinal quality!
Next few years, Gopal Raju experimented on limb-fractured chicken, calves and sheep. Convinced, he went on to treat human beings. He became a successful native doctor, and people from far and wide beelined to Puthur for bone-setting, and it came to be called “Puthur Kattu.” During the colonial rule, there was war everywhere, wounded soldiers were many. He was treating them to fitness. Gopal Raju’s services were utilized by the British rulers. That took him to places, treating the wounded soldiers and civilians throughout the country.
The World Wars came, he had more wounded armymen to treat. He had the unique honour of free railway pass to travel anywhere in the country. Gopal Raju passed on the legacy to his sister’s son, Suraparaju Subba Raju, who was a revenue official in the British government. He gave up his lucrative job to serve the humanity. The great Subba Raju applied his learned and administrative skills and laid the foundation for a mission that is the bone-setting hospital at Puthur, Pratap Raju said in one breadth.
Pratap Raju went on: The credit of preparing an ointment from the extract of the herbal leaves goes to Subba Raju, who perfected the treatment system. His brothers Markendeya Raju and Ganga Raju were pillars of the establishment, the former moving with the top echelons of their time, and thus roped in upper class society for treatment. Ganga Raju with his adept service spread this style of treatment to as far as Calcutta, and bagged several honours, including one from the Red Cross Society.
In the third generation, Markendeya Raju’s two sons – Dr. Rama Raju ( the first qualified doctor in the family) and S.Subramaniam Raju—were the torch-bearers of the hereditary treatment. Their children, the fourth generation, is now practicing the family hereditary bone-setting treatment.
If Pratap Raju is shuttling between Chennai and Puttur; and dashes out for stints at Guruvayur in Kerala and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, his cousins trip to Bangalore, Salem, Nadyal, Hyderabad, Cuddappa and Guntakal and other places.
The Puthur Rajus are proud of having treaded many VVIPs, like N.T.Rama Rao, top star of his days and former Chief Minister of Andhara Pradesh, V.V.Giri, former president of India, Dr. Channa Reddi, former CM of AP and Governor of Tamil Nadu. And there is no dearth for testimonies from people of all walks of life. There is a heap of it.
Friday, August 7, 2009
EVM tamper-proof or not? PMK’s Ramadoss ready for demo ‘it can be’
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 07 August (asiantribune.com): The Election Commission has invited all those who had expressed fears about the possibility of the (Electronic Voting Machines) EVMs being tampered with, to come and demonstrate the same.
Here’s PMK founder S. Ramadoss getting ready for the demonstration.
The Election Commissioner S.Y. Qureshi had said that the EVMs could only be broken but not tampered with. This time new EVMs will be used in the five by-elections. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta had said that the new machines would have advanced features like reading time wise polling and the number of votes polled at a particular time.
But the AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa had cited the possibility of EVMs being tampered with as one of the reasons for boycotting the by-elections scheduled for August 18. Such sweeping allegation are also being made by her allies, PMK and MDMK.
In the meantime Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, on Thursday defended the EVMs. They were superior to those used in Europe, he said. The Commission is a neutral body.
He wondered why AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa and her allies had not rushed to New Delhi for demonstrating that electronic voting machines (EVMs) could be tampered with. He said they should prove their point.
Mr. Karunanidhi also asked how the AIADMK won the 2001 Assembly elections when also EVMs were used.
It’s right of the voter to know to who his vote went
On Wednesday, reiterating her argument that electronic voting machines (EVMs) can be tampered with, Ms. Jayalalithaa said that it was to ensure that democracy, in its true sense, was brought back, that her party decided to boycott by-elections to five Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
“In a democracy, every voter should know whether the vote cast has gone to the candidate or party it was meant for. In the absence of such certainty, the entire democratic process will be rendered a mockery,” she said in a statement here.
Ms. Jayalalithaa argued that the main problem was that in an electoral exercise, if tampering or hacking of EVMs was suspected, and even if there was no means whatsoever to ascertain or prove before authorities or the court that hacking had been done, it should not be used.
“It is equally impossible to prove that hacking has not been done. The reason for this is that the EVMs in use in our country do not generate a hard copy or a coded print-out,” she said.
Ms.Jayalalithaa pointed out that most of the developed nations had given up using the EVMs, on the ground that they were an unreliable system for registering votes, for the simple reason that the voting machine works on a programme fed into it.
“And any programme made by man can be de-programmed or re-programmed and therefore becomes susceptible to the phenomenon of “hacking,” she said.
‘Ready for demo’
In the meantime Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss said on Thursday at Dharmapuri, “We are planning to conduct a demonstration before the Election Commission officials to prove that electronic voting machines can be tampered with in Chennai next week and after that in New Delhi,”
CHENNAI, 07 August (asiantribune.com): The Election Commission has invited all those who had expressed fears about the possibility of the (Electronic Voting Machines) EVMs being tampered with, to come and demonstrate the same.
Here’s PMK founder S. Ramadoss getting ready for the demonstration.
The Election Commissioner S.Y. Qureshi had said that the EVMs could only be broken but not tampered with. This time new EVMs will be used in the five by-elections. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta had said that the new machines would have advanced features like reading time wise polling and the number of votes polled at a particular time.
But the AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa had cited the possibility of EVMs being tampered with as one of the reasons for boycotting the by-elections scheduled for August 18. Such sweeping allegation are also being made by her allies, PMK and MDMK.
In the meantime Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, on Thursday defended the EVMs. They were superior to those used in Europe, he said. The Commission is a neutral body.
He wondered why AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa and her allies had not rushed to New Delhi for demonstrating that electronic voting machines (EVMs) could be tampered with. He said they should prove their point.
Mr. Karunanidhi also asked how the AIADMK won the 2001 Assembly elections when also EVMs were used.
It’s right of the voter to know to who his vote went
On Wednesday, reiterating her argument that electronic voting machines (EVMs) can be tampered with, Ms. Jayalalithaa said that it was to ensure that democracy, in its true sense, was brought back, that her party decided to boycott by-elections to five Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
“In a democracy, every voter should know whether the vote cast has gone to the candidate or party it was meant for. In the absence of such certainty, the entire democratic process will be rendered a mockery,” she said in a statement here.
Ms. Jayalalithaa argued that the main problem was that in an electoral exercise, if tampering or hacking of EVMs was suspected, and even if there was no means whatsoever to ascertain or prove before authorities or the court that hacking had been done, it should not be used.
“It is equally impossible to prove that hacking has not been done. The reason for this is that the EVMs in use in our country do not generate a hard copy or a coded print-out,” she said.
Ms.Jayalalithaa pointed out that most of the developed nations had given up using the EVMs, on the ground that they were an unreliable system for registering votes, for the simple reason that the voting machine works on a programme fed into it.
“And any programme made by man can be de-programmed or re-programmed and therefore becomes susceptible to the phenomenon of “hacking,” she said.
‘Ready for demo’
In the meantime Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss said on Thursday at Dharmapuri, “We are planning to conduct a demonstration before the Election Commission officials to prove that electronic voting machines can be tampered with in Chennai next week and after that in New Delhi,”
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Classical language status for Kannada, Telugu in crossfire
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): A petition in the Madras High Court challenging the Kannada language being accorded the classical language status is posted for final hearing on August 17.
Yesterday the Karnataka Chief MinisterYediyurappa met his Tamil Nadu peer Karunanidhi, who is camping in Bengaluru and requested him to persuade the petitioner Gandhi to withdraw the case as it will pacify the some of the Kannadiga outfits who have called a local bundh on August 9 at the time of unveiling the statue of saint-Tamil-poet Thiruvalluvar by Karunanidhi
Though Kannada was accorded the classical language tag nine months ago, the official recognition of this status is halted as this is subject to a writ petition filed by advocate R Gandhi in the Madras High Court. The public interest litigation, which has challenged the very legality of the constitution of the committee that recommended the classical language status to Kannada and Telugu, will come up for final hearing before first bench of the High Court.
Last week, the union government filed an affidavit, providing a weak defence of its decision to accord classical status to Kannada and Telugu, and so K.V. Dhananjay, advocate for TV anchor Deepak Thimmaiah impleaded in the case, and said the affidavit was weak as it had failed to lay out the grounds on which Kannada was deservingly granted the classical language status.
When the matter came up for hearing on June 22, the under-secretary in the Union Culture Ministry has argued in his affidavit that after going through the petitioner's objections, it is evident that he was not qualified to question the legality of the move, as he was not sufficiently literary; besides, notifications to the effect that the classical status has been accorded to the two languages are still be to issued.
The affidavit has said that the petitioner Gandhi had filed the petition based on an apprehension that the committee constituted for the purpose might recommend the granting of classical status to Kannada and Telugu .”A writ petition filed on the basis of an apprehension cannot be maintainable in law. Unless it's shown that the decision of constituting the committee as it now stands is illegal or suffers from any procedural improprieties... the decision of constituting the committee cannot be faulted," it said.
If the court allows the petition of Gandhi, the state government won't be able to challenge it in the Supreme Court, as it is not a party in the case, he added.
Grant for Kannada yet to be released
As the PIL challenging classical tag for Kannada as been pending in the Madras High Court, the Union government has not yet released the grant of Rs150 crore that is made towards promoting a classical language annually. Kannada is yet to get even a single paisa.
R Gandhi had filed the writ petition even before the notification according classical status to Kannada and Telugu was issued. When the union under secretary pointed this out, Gandhi filed another petition.
A provision to confer classical status to languages was made by a constitutional decree in 2004. Among the criteria by which this is judged are the antiquity of the language, its existence as the root language for others, well-established theory of language, and a rich body of literature.
Tamil language was accorded classical language status and grant was released with which a Tamil classical language development and research centre has been established inChennai
CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): A petition in the Madras High Court challenging the Kannada language being accorded the classical language status is posted for final hearing on August 17.
Yesterday the Karnataka Chief MinisterYediyurappa met his Tamil Nadu peer Karunanidhi, who is camping in Bengaluru and requested him to persuade the petitioner Gandhi to withdraw the case as it will pacify the some of the Kannadiga outfits who have called a local bundh on August 9 at the time of unveiling the statue of saint-Tamil-poet Thiruvalluvar by Karunanidhi
Though Kannada was accorded the classical language tag nine months ago, the official recognition of this status is halted as this is subject to a writ petition filed by advocate R Gandhi in the Madras High Court. The public interest litigation, which has challenged the very legality of the constitution of the committee that recommended the classical language status to Kannada and Telugu, will come up for final hearing before first bench of the High Court.
Last week, the union government filed an affidavit, providing a weak defence of its decision to accord classical status to Kannada and Telugu, and so K.V. Dhananjay, advocate for TV anchor Deepak Thimmaiah impleaded in the case, and said the affidavit was weak as it had failed to lay out the grounds on which Kannada was deservingly granted the classical language status.
When the matter came up for hearing on June 22, the under-secretary in the Union Culture Ministry has argued in his affidavit that after going through the petitioner's objections, it is evident that he was not qualified to question the legality of the move, as he was not sufficiently literary; besides, notifications to the effect that the classical status has been accorded to the two languages are still be to issued.
The affidavit has said that the petitioner Gandhi had filed the petition based on an apprehension that the committee constituted for the purpose might recommend the granting of classical status to Kannada and Telugu .”A writ petition filed on the basis of an apprehension cannot be maintainable in law. Unless it's shown that the decision of constituting the committee as it now stands is illegal or suffers from any procedural improprieties... the decision of constituting the committee cannot be faulted," it said.
If the court allows the petition of Gandhi, the state government won't be able to challenge it in the Supreme Court, as it is not a party in the case, he added.
Grant for Kannada yet to be released
As the PIL challenging classical tag for Kannada as been pending in the Madras High Court, the Union government has not yet released the grant of Rs150 crore that is made towards promoting a classical language annually. Kannada is yet to get even a single paisa.
R Gandhi had filed the writ petition even before the notification according classical status to Kannada and Telugu was issued. When the union under secretary pointed this out, Gandhi filed another petition.
A provision to confer classical status to languages was made by a constitutional decree in 2004. Among the criteria by which this is judged are the antiquity of the language, its existence as the root language for others, well-established theory of language, and a rich body of literature.
Tamil language was accorded classical language status and grant was released with which a Tamil classical language development and research centre has been established inChennai
Madras HC orders removal of AIDS campaign boards carrying mother and child pics.
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS) to remove all the advertisement boards in the entire state, which carries picture of a young mother and her baby without their consent
The High Court on August 3 admitted a writ petition filed by a Chennai-based woman seeking compensation for trauma caused to her by wrongful use of her picture and that of her baby in an advertisement issued by TANSACS for AIDS awareness.
The woman prayed that the hoardings be removed and that she be granted a sum of Rs one crore as compensation.The court had issued notices to the respondents -- the Health Department, TANSACS, and Chennai AIDS Prevention and Control Society
Both of them are negative for HIV, and they are stigmatised in the society because of the posters. The woman claimed that her family was shattered, she had problems with her husband, faced discrimination from neighbours and was ostracized by relatives. Her baby girl, who was also in the advertisement, had suffered along with her.
When the matter came up for hearing before Justice K Suguna, TANSACS's counsel submitted that the society entrusted the advertisement programme to an authorised advertisement company and they only made such advertisements. 'TANSACA was in no way connected with the advertisement," the counsel pleaded.
Justice K Suguna rejected this submission and directed the petitioner's counsel to implead the advertisement company as a respondent in the case. Judge also posted the matter to next week for further hearing.
CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS) to remove all the advertisement boards in the entire state, which carries picture of a young mother and her baby without their consent
The High Court on August 3 admitted a writ petition filed by a Chennai-based woman seeking compensation for trauma caused to her by wrongful use of her picture and that of her baby in an advertisement issued by TANSACS for AIDS awareness.
The woman prayed that the hoardings be removed and that she be granted a sum of Rs one crore as compensation.The court had issued notices to the respondents -- the Health Department, TANSACS, and Chennai AIDS Prevention and Control Society
Both of them are negative for HIV, and they are stigmatised in the society because of the posters. The woman claimed that her family was shattered, she had problems with her husband, faced discrimination from neighbours and was ostracized by relatives. Her baby girl, who was also in the advertisement, had suffered along with her.
When the matter came up for hearing before Justice K Suguna, TANSACS's counsel submitted that the society entrusted the advertisement programme to an authorised advertisement company and they only made such advertisements. 'TANSACA was in no way connected with the advertisement," the counsel pleaded.
Justice K Suguna rejected this submission and directed the petitioner's counsel to implead the advertisement company as a respondent in the case. Judge also posted the matter to next week for further hearing.
HC seeks MLAs pay hike details on PIL questioning it
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 07 August (asiantribune.com): A Division Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday ordered the government pleader to get details of benefits accorded to MLAs in Tamil Nadu.
A direction to this effect was given by the first bench comprising Chief Justice H.L. Gokhale and Justice D Murugesan on a public interest writ petition filed by social activist Traffic K R Ramaswamy. The bench has posted the matter to August 10 for further hearing.
The petitioner submitted that the Finance Minister had announced a hike in the salary of MLAs. He said legislators were expected to serve the people. In the distant past only an honorarium was paid to MLAs when they attended Assembly sessions. There was no fixed monthly salary.
The hike in salary was unwarranted, more so because the tenure of an MLA is only five years, unless they are re-elected, the social activist had said in his petition.
The petitioner said that at present the legislators were already entitled to a flat. It was not necessary to allot free land or land at a concessional price in the city, which was already facing acute shortage of space. When several hut dwellers were not able to get accommodation, it was not fair to give additional accommodation to MLAs, most of whom owned houses in their constituencies or in the city.
He had sent a fax message to the authorities, the Finance Minister and the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision.
CHENNAI, 07 August (asiantribune.com): A Division Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday ordered the government pleader to get details of benefits accorded to MLAs in Tamil Nadu.
A direction to this effect was given by the first bench comprising Chief Justice H.L. Gokhale and Justice D Murugesan on a public interest writ petition filed by social activist Traffic K R Ramaswamy. The bench has posted the matter to August 10 for further hearing.
The petitioner submitted that the Finance Minister had announced a hike in the salary of MLAs. He said legislators were expected to serve the people. In the distant past only an honorarium was paid to MLAs when they attended Assembly sessions. There was no fixed monthly salary.
The hike in salary was unwarranted, more so because the tenure of an MLA is only five years, unless they are re-elected, the social activist had said in his petition.
The petitioner said that at present the legislators were already entitled to a flat. It was not necessary to allot free land or land at a concessional price in the city, which was already facing acute shortage of space. When several hut dwellers were not able to get accommodation, it was not fair to give additional accommodation to MLAs, most of whom owned houses in their constituencies or in the city.
He had sent a fax message to the authorities, the Finance Minister and the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision.
PIL against Thiruvalluvar statue: Karnataka HC raps antagonists
By Gopal Ethiraj
BANGALORE, 07 August (asiantribune.com): Making stinging remarks against Kannada protagonists opposing the unveiling of Tamil saint poet Thiruvalluvar's statue here, Karnataka High Court today asked them not to divide the nation on the lines of caste, religion and region. It would only fuel bad blood and lead to strained relations between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
"Don't make attempts to divide the nation on caste and language lines," a division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice V G Sabhahit observed when counsel for pro-Kannada outfits prayed for an early hearing of their PIL seeking direction to government not to unveil the statue.
"Do not carry your agitation to the court," the bench warned the petitioners, who included Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj, the former MLA, Prabhakara Reddy, Kannada Rakshana Vedike chief Praveen Shetty and Dalit leader N. Murthy.
The Chief Justice also remarked that "if you have guts, file a petition in the Madras High Court in connection with the unveiling of the statue of (Kannada poet) Sarvajna".
The Chief Justice sought to know how the unveiling is in public interest
When the petitioners informed the court it was a private one, the Chief Justice said the invitation printed by the Government mentioned it a Government programme.
The petitioners persisted that the unveiling is by a private agency. The Chief Justice asked them to place some deposit before the court, and said “You will lose the deposit if it is proved that the function is a Government one.”
The Bench refused to take up hearing of the matter in the afternoon, saying that it is not urgent. It said the matter could be posted on Friday and adjourned further hearing of the case.
Statue will influence by-polls: Kannada Vedike
A section of Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV) activists on Wednesday, petitioned the Election Commission against the state government’s plan to unveil the statute of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar in Bangalore on August 9.
The group said that the government’s move will influence the August 18 by-poll in Govindaraja Nagar Assembly segment in the city. The government should be stopped from unveiling the statue, since the model code of conduct is in place, it said in a its petition to Chief Electoral Officer C S Suranjan.
Officials in the CEO’s office said that there was “no change” in the EC’s stand. The government had been given permission to go ahead with the programme.
BANGALORE, 07 August (asiantribune.com): Making stinging remarks against Kannada protagonists opposing the unveiling of Tamil saint poet Thiruvalluvar's statue here, Karnataka High Court today asked them not to divide the nation on the lines of caste, religion and region. It would only fuel bad blood and lead to strained relations between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
"Don't make attempts to divide the nation on caste and language lines," a division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice V G Sabhahit observed when counsel for pro-Kannada outfits prayed for an early hearing of their PIL seeking direction to government not to unveil the statue.
"Do not carry your agitation to the court," the bench warned the petitioners, who included Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj, the former MLA, Prabhakara Reddy, Kannada Rakshana Vedike chief Praveen Shetty and Dalit leader N. Murthy.
The Chief Justice also remarked that "if you have guts, file a petition in the Madras High Court in connection with the unveiling of the statue of (Kannada poet) Sarvajna".
The Chief Justice sought to know how the unveiling is in public interest
When the petitioners informed the court it was a private one, the Chief Justice said the invitation printed by the Government mentioned it a Government programme.
The petitioners persisted that the unveiling is by a private agency. The Chief Justice asked them to place some deposit before the court, and said “You will lose the deposit if it is proved that the function is a Government one.”
The Bench refused to take up hearing of the matter in the afternoon, saying that it is not urgent. It said the matter could be posted on Friday and adjourned further hearing of the case.
Statue will influence by-polls: Kannada Vedike
A section of Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV) activists on Wednesday, petitioned the Election Commission against the state government’s plan to unveil the statute of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar in Bangalore on August 9.
The group said that the government’s move will influence the August 18 by-poll in Govindaraja Nagar Assembly segment in the city. The government should be stopped from unveiling the statue, since the model code of conduct is in place, it said in a its petition to Chief Electoral Officer C S Suranjan.
Officials in the CEO’s office said that there was “no change” in the EC’s stand. The government had been given permission to go ahead with the programme.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
TN fishermen attacked again; fish catch seized
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): Yet another alleged attack by Sri Lankan navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen near Katchatheevu on Sunday, is being reported.
It is said the Lankan navy attacked the fishermen for trespassing the International Maritime Boundary Line and two fishermen were injured during the attack.
About 600 mechanised boats had ventured into sea for fishing on Saturday. After their rich catch they were planning to return the next day. But six Lankan navy boats had surrounded Indian boats and attacked the fishermen indiscriminately.
The fishermen were later released after receiving a stern warning not to venture into Lankan waters. The fishermen on their return lodged a complaint with the fisheries department.
They told the officials that the Lankan navy personnel had taken away their Rs 30 lakh worth fish catch and other communication equipment. Two injured fishermen Mani (38) and Braly (28) have been hospitalised.
‘No concrete steps yet by Centre’
The attack on the fishermen in the seas between Indian and Lanka figured in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The DMK, alliance partner of ruling UPA, lamented that there was no let up in the attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan navy in the Palk Strait. A positive and concrete solution from the Centre on the attacks is yet to happen.
Raising the issue during zero hour, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva said following the attacks on Indian fishermen, boats and fishing net worth Rs 36 lakh were damaged. This is not the first time TN fishermen came under attack from Sri Lankan navy, he said adding that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had assured him that the External Affairs Minister would look into the issue.
In spite of assurances now and then there is no positive or concrete solution to the problem to assertively and firmly impress upon Colombo to instruct its navy to desist from attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen, he said.
CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): Yet another alleged attack by Sri Lankan navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen near Katchatheevu on Sunday, is being reported.
It is said the Lankan navy attacked the fishermen for trespassing the International Maritime Boundary Line and two fishermen were injured during the attack.
About 600 mechanised boats had ventured into sea for fishing on Saturday. After their rich catch they were planning to return the next day. But six Lankan navy boats had surrounded Indian boats and attacked the fishermen indiscriminately.
The fishermen were later released after receiving a stern warning not to venture into Lankan waters. The fishermen on their return lodged a complaint with the fisheries department.
They told the officials that the Lankan navy personnel had taken away their Rs 30 lakh worth fish catch and other communication equipment. Two injured fishermen Mani (38) and Braly (28) have been hospitalised.
‘No concrete steps yet by Centre’
The attack on the fishermen in the seas between Indian and Lanka figured in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The DMK, alliance partner of ruling UPA, lamented that there was no let up in the attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan navy in the Palk Strait. A positive and concrete solution from the Centre on the attacks is yet to happen.
Raising the issue during zero hour, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva said following the attacks on Indian fishermen, boats and fishing net worth Rs 36 lakh were damaged. This is not the first time TN fishermen came under attack from Sri Lankan navy, he said adding that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had assured him that the External Affairs Minister would look into the issue.
In spite of assurances now and then there is no positive or concrete solution to the problem to assertively and firmly impress upon Colombo to instruct its navy to desist from attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen, he said.
Puducherry’s higher budgetary outlay at Rs. 4,133 cr.
By Gopal Ethiraj, Puducherry
PUDUCHERRY, 03 Aug. (asiantribune.com): The Puducherry Government has projected a budgetary outlay of Rs. 4,133 crores, consisting Rs. 2,250 crores under Plan, Rs. 1,846.20 crores for Non-Plan and Rs. 36.80 crores for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, said Lietuenent-Governor Igbal Singh in the territorial Assembly here on Monday.
Delivering the customary address in the territorial Assembly, inaugurating the Budget session, Igbal Singh thanked the Planning Commission for having fixed a higher Plan outlay which is 29% more than the last year. “For financing the Plan, resources needs
to be mobilized.”
By the sustained efforts of the Government, NABARD has sanctioned a loan of Rs. 54.57 crores under RIDF to take up various infrastructures related works in Puducherry and
Karaikal regions. HUDCO has sanctioned a loan of Rs. 146 crores to take up the development works of T h i r u n a l l a r Temple Town p r o j e c t at Karaikal. This will hasten the economic progress of the Karaikal region and increase the tourist inflow, he said.
Igbal Singh said as assured by the Government during the last year, the precision farming was implemented in Puducherry and Karaikal regions in an area of 45 hectares. One Uzhavar Sandai and one regulated market were opened at Ariyankuppam and Maducarai respectively to give a fillip to the agricultural marketing. Puducherry State Horticultural Development Society, under .National Horticultural Mission has been established. The Government continues to pay special attention to protect the interest of he farm industry and poultry through a well developed network of Veterinary Institutions.
“During last year, my Government have taken efforts to bring 295 acres under fish
culture by granting input subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per acre. As fishing is a risky venture, 13,000 fishermen have been supplied with life savings jackets free of cost,” he said.
Plan to contain budgetary deficit
The prevailing recession in the World economy has had its impact on the Union
Territory also, particularly, in opening up the private investment portfolio and the creation of employment opportunities in the secondary and tertiary sectors. While various initiatives taken by the Central Government at the national level will have a trickle down effect in restoring buoyancy in the overall economy, Puducherry Government is seized of this challenge and has planned measures to contain the overall budgetary deficit through pragmatic measures with an increase in the annual Plan outlay.
The recommendations of the Central Sixth Pay Commission in the last financial year had stretched the resources considerably. Although Central assistance has come in good measure there are a number of employees in the autonomous bodies who could not get benefit from the pay revision. They will be covered in this year. Besides the balance payment of the arrears to the employees will further curtail the available resources for the planned development unless effective measures are taken immediately for mobilizing additional resources.
The Government has hosted a website in August, 2008 exclusively for NRIs to promote
the investment and industrial climate by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce. “My Government is fully aware of the recession in consequences on industrial production, commerce and trade.,” he said and pointed out that Union Government and Reserve Bank of India have already announced financial packages to stimulate the economy which includes lowering down the interest rates and concessions to step up exports.
Campaign for handicrafts promotion
As a part of promotional campaign for handicraft items, 15 days Gandhi Shilp Bazaar was organized in Puducherry. The bazaar was jointly organized by the Development
Commissioner (Handicrafts), the Ministry of Textiles and the Pondicherry Pudumai Handicrafts Artisans Co-operative Society for 10 days and the District Industries Centre for 5 days the Governor said and added that a total of 282 artisans from various States converged in Puducherry to present their creations.
Puducherry Airport runway for ATR type of flight operation is nearing completion. During last year, four hotels were opened and 199 rooms were added. The Department of Tourism in collaboration with Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Alliance Francaise has successfully conducted the Oceanic Culture entitled as Indian Diaspora Cultural Meet 2009, highlighting its rich cultural heritage edifices. The Government have recently
constituted a State Level Heritage Conservation Advisory Committee to draw out a long-term plan for preservation of the heritage buildings, sites and streets with due emphasis attached to environmental significance.
Clean and Green state
“My Government has constituted a Committee to campaign and implement .Clean
and Green Puducherry policy. The Ousteri Lake has been declared as a protected place for Avian Fauna,” he said.
Computers with all its accessories were supplied to all the 98 village commune panchayats during March 2009. In Education sector, three new Primary Schools were opened under Sarva Siksha Abiyan. One Middle School has been upgraded into High School and four High Schools were upgraded into Higher Secondary Schools. In order to give special emphasis to guide and counsel the adolescent girls, 15,399 girls were provided with counseling. Also my Government has taken steps in training 23,096 girl students. All the Arts and Science Colleges have obtained accreditation from NAAC. The
Territorial administration entered into an agreement with Alliance Francaise to train
French teachers in Government and private schools in Puducherry. Around 30 teachers
would be trained by experts during the first phase.
The programme would be extended to teachers in the Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions in the second phase. In a rare gesture, Government has been extending pocket money of Rs. 250 annually for students studying from 6th Standard to 12th Standard. Nearly 480 children from 19 States have gathered in Puducherry for a week-long National Children’s Festival 2009, jointly conducted by Education and Tourism Department. The Children’s Festival provides a common platform for the children from all across India to interact and understand the divergent culture that prevails in various parts of the country. The festival served as an opportunity for interactions among children, transforms the personality and vision of the child and created a mini-India in Puducherry.
Welfare schemes
Puducherry has a health care infrastructure superior to that in existence to the rest of India. Despite the logistical problems posed by geographical separation of the four
regions of the Union Territory, Puducherry ranks quite high compared to the rest of India in terms of fulfillment of national goals in respect of several health indicators. The Cardiac Cath Lab. installed at a cost of Rs. 4.88 crores will facilitate in better diagnostics and also treatment of coronary diseases. Two mobile medical van have been launched at the Primary Health Centres
“Ours is basically a Welfare State and the Government is implementing a package of
schemes for promoting the Welfare of Adi-dravidar people, women, children, aged and disabled. It is the endeavour of the Government to accelerate the socio-economic growth by providing equitable opportunities to women and weaker sections of the society. As my Government is committed towards the welfare of the people in general and women and children in particular, 494 widows, daughters were granted Rs. 20,000 for their marriage. 3,471 pregnant women were granted an assistance of Rs. 500. Further 1,354 lactating
mother of girl children were granted an assistance of Rs. 1,200. 11,027 new beneficiaries were given pension under the scheme .Old Age, Widow and Destitute Pension. scheme in addition to the existing 97,770 beneficiaries.
“My Government has constructed 132 houses in Solai Nagar south and 180 houses in Vaithikuppam for Tsunami victims. More than 700 houses were handed over to fishermen living in Tsunami-affected coastal villages of Puducherry and Karaikal regions during February 2009. Construction of 170 houses in Kalikuppam, 300 houses in Karukklacherry and 125 in M.G.R. Nagar at Kalapet were completed and allotted. Construction of 150 houses in Narambai and 274 in Solai Nagar would be completed in a few months.,” he said.
Police force modernisation
The quality of life in a democracy is directly linked to the functioning of Police. The
functional responsibilities of Police grew in proportion to the development of society. With the increase of population, the duties of Police got enlarged and diversified. After Mumbai terror strikes in November 2008, modernization of Police Force and Coastal Security has gained momentum.
“The Puducherry Police Force will be provided with modern equipments to meet such eventualities. I would earnestly appeal to the House to seriously deliberate on them and unanimously draw out the new action plan for the year for overall development of the Union Territory,” the Governor said.
PUDUCHERRY, 03 Aug. (asiantribune.com): The Puducherry Government has projected a budgetary outlay of Rs. 4,133 crores, consisting Rs. 2,250 crores under Plan, Rs. 1,846.20 crores for Non-Plan and Rs. 36.80 crores for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, said Lietuenent-Governor Igbal Singh in the territorial Assembly here on Monday.
Delivering the customary address in the territorial Assembly, inaugurating the Budget session, Igbal Singh thanked the Planning Commission for having fixed a higher Plan outlay which is 29% more than the last year. “For financing the Plan, resources needs
to be mobilized.”
By the sustained efforts of the Government, NABARD has sanctioned a loan of Rs. 54.57 crores under RIDF to take up various infrastructures related works in Puducherry and
Karaikal regions. HUDCO has sanctioned a loan of Rs. 146 crores to take up the development works of T h i r u n a l l a r Temple Town p r o j e c t at Karaikal. This will hasten the economic progress of the Karaikal region and increase the tourist inflow, he said.
Igbal Singh said as assured by the Government during the last year, the precision farming was implemented in Puducherry and Karaikal regions in an area of 45 hectares. One Uzhavar Sandai and one regulated market were opened at Ariyankuppam and Maducarai respectively to give a fillip to the agricultural marketing. Puducherry State Horticultural Development Society, under .National Horticultural Mission has been established. The Government continues to pay special attention to protect the interest of he farm industry and poultry through a well developed network of Veterinary Institutions.
“During last year, my Government have taken efforts to bring 295 acres under fish
culture by granting input subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per acre. As fishing is a risky venture, 13,000 fishermen have been supplied with life savings jackets free of cost,” he said.
Plan to contain budgetary deficit
The prevailing recession in the World economy has had its impact on the Union
Territory also, particularly, in opening up the private investment portfolio and the creation of employment opportunities in the secondary and tertiary sectors. While various initiatives taken by the Central Government at the national level will have a trickle down effect in restoring buoyancy in the overall economy, Puducherry Government is seized of this challenge and has planned measures to contain the overall budgetary deficit through pragmatic measures with an increase in the annual Plan outlay.
The recommendations of the Central Sixth Pay Commission in the last financial year had stretched the resources considerably. Although Central assistance has come in good measure there are a number of employees in the autonomous bodies who could not get benefit from the pay revision. They will be covered in this year. Besides the balance payment of the arrears to the employees will further curtail the available resources for the planned development unless effective measures are taken immediately for mobilizing additional resources.
The Government has hosted a website in August, 2008 exclusively for NRIs to promote
the investment and industrial climate by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce. “My Government is fully aware of the recession in consequences on industrial production, commerce and trade.,” he said and pointed out that Union Government and Reserve Bank of India have already announced financial packages to stimulate the economy which includes lowering down the interest rates and concessions to step up exports.
Campaign for handicrafts promotion
As a part of promotional campaign for handicraft items, 15 days Gandhi Shilp Bazaar was organized in Puducherry. The bazaar was jointly organized by the Development
Commissioner (Handicrafts), the Ministry of Textiles and the Pondicherry Pudumai Handicrafts Artisans Co-operative Society for 10 days and the District Industries Centre for 5 days the Governor said and added that a total of 282 artisans from various States converged in Puducherry to present their creations.
Puducherry Airport runway for ATR type of flight operation is nearing completion. During last year, four hotels were opened and 199 rooms were added. The Department of Tourism in collaboration with Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Alliance Francaise has successfully conducted the Oceanic Culture entitled as Indian Diaspora Cultural Meet 2009, highlighting its rich cultural heritage edifices. The Government have recently
constituted a State Level Heritage Conservation Advisory Committee to draw out a long-term plan for preservation of the heritage buildings, sites and streets with due emphasis attached to environmental significance.
Clean and Green state
“My Government has constituted a Committee to campaign and implement .Clean
and Green Puducherry policy. The Ousteri Lake has been declared as a protected place for Avian Fauna,” he said.
Computers with all its accessories were supplied to all the 98 village commune panchayats during March 2009. In Education sector, three new Primary Schools were opened under Sarva Siksha Abiyan. One Middle School has been upgraded into High School and four High Schools were upgraded into Higher Secondary Schools. In order to give special emphasis to guide and counsel the adolescent girls, 15,399 girls were provided with counseling. Also my Government has taken steps in training 23,096 girl students. All the Arts and Science Colleges have obtained accreditation from NAAC. The
Territorial administration entered into an agreement with Alliance Francaise to train
French teachers in Government and private schools in Puducherry. Around 30 teachers
would be trained by experts during the first phase.
The programme would be extended to teachers in the Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions in the second phase. In a rare gesture, Government has been extending pocket money of Rs. 250 annually for students studying from 6th Standard to 12th Standard. Nearly 480 children from 19 States have gathered in Puducherry for a week-long National Children’s Festival 2009, jointly conducted by Education and Tourism Department. The Children’s Festival provides a common platform for the children from all across India to interact and understand the divergent culture that prevails in various parts of the country. The festival served as an opportunity for interactions among children, transforms the personality and vision of the child and created a mini-India in Puducherry.
Welfare schemes
Puducherry has a health care infrastructure superior to that in existence to the rest of India. Despite the logistical problems posed by geographical separation of the four
regions of the Union Territory, Puducherry ranks quite high compared to the rest of India in terms of fulfillment of national goals in respect of several health indicators. The Cardiac Cath Lab. installed at a cost of Rs. 4.88 crores will facilitate in better diagnostics and also treatment of coronary diseases. Two mobile medical van have been launched at the Primary Health Centres
“Ours is basically a Welfare State and the Government is implementing a package of
schemes for promoting the Welfare of Adi-dravidar people, women, children, aged and disabled. It is the endeavour of the Government to accelerate the socio-economic growth by providing equitable opportunities to women and weaker sections of the society. As my Government is committed towards the welfare of the people in general and women and children in particular, 494 widows, daughters were granted Rs. 20,000 for their marriage. 3,471 pregnant women were granted an assistance of Rs. 500. Further 1,354 lactating
mother of girl children were granted an assistance of Rs. 1,200. 11,027 new beneficiaries were given pension under the scheme .Old Age, Widow and Destitute Pension. scheme in addition to the existing 97,770 beneficiaries.
“My Government has constructed 132 houses in Solai Nagar south and 180 houses in Vaithikuppam for Tsunami victims. More than 700 houses were handed over to fishermen living in Tsunami-affected coastal villages of Puducherry and Karaikal regions during February 2009. Construction of 170 houses in Kalikuppam, 300 houses in Karukklacherry and 125 in M.G.R. Nagar at Kalapet were completed and allotted. Construction of 150 houses in Narambai and 274 in Solai Nagar would be completed in a few months.,” he said.
Police force modernisation
The quality of life in a democracy is directly linked to the functioning of Police. The
functional responsibilities of Police grew in proportion to the development of society. With the increase of population, the duties of Police got enlarged and diversified. After Mumbai terror strikes in November 2008, modernization of Police Force and Coastal Security has gained momentum.
“The Puducherry Police Force will be provided with modern equipments to meet such eventualities. I would earnestly appeal to the House to seriously deliberate on them and unanimously draw out the new action plan for the year for overall development of the Union Territory,” the Governor said.
India to achieve self-sufficiency in uranium production by 2013: Kakodkar
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 03 Aug. (asiantribune.com): India is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in uranium production to feed its existing nuclear power projects and proposed plants by 2013, the Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Sunday.
Dr. Kakodkar was here on the occasion of five years of the propellant reaction project at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research attaining criticality.
With the increasing production of the natural uranium in India, the capacity factor of its nuclear power reactors, which is around 55 per cent now, will go up to 65 per cent by the end of this financial year (2009-2010), and will rise to 70 to 75 per cent the next year, he said, addressing a press conference at Kalpakkam.
The capacity of the reactors would go up because the capacity of the mill at Jaduguda in Jharkhand, which converted natural uranium into yellow cake, had been augmented. The mill at Turamdih, also in Jharkhand, was producing the yellow cake to the expected level.. The expansion programme at Jaduguda is complete and the Turamdih expansion programme will be completed next year, he said.
Three new reactors — two units at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-5 and 6) and the fourth unit at Kaiga in Karnataka — would be commissioned “in a phased manner between this year and next year,” Dr. Kakodkar said.
Besides, exploration of uranium is underway at Tummalapalle in Andhra Pradesh and it is expected to go on stream by 2013. Exploration mining was going on at Gogi nears Gulbarga in Karnataka. Thus the shortage of natural uranium that led to a drop in the capacity factor of the reactors, would be overcome by 2013, he said.
New Heavy Water reactors
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) will take up construction of four new PHWRs of 700 MWe each, for which the Union government had given approval, Dr. Kakodkar said. India has already 15 Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors — PHWRs — that use natural uranium as fuel, and heavy water as coolant and moderator. India also has two Light Water Reactors that use enriched uranium as fuel, and light water as coolant and moderator.
Srikumar Banerjee, Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), said the successful development of the 80 MWe Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) at Kalpakkam, which used enriched uranium as fuel, ushered in the PWR technology in India. The experience gained in this project would help in the indigenous development of PWRs for large-scale electricity generation. The reactor pressure vessel used in this PWR was made of special steel, which only a few countries had developed. It had high strength at a high temperature, Dr. Banerjee said.
Russian role
Asked what is the Russians role in developing the PWR, Dr. Banerjee said the development of a technology like this occurred in stages, and the PWR at Kalpakkam had been operating from September 2006. “In doing so, we have used the Russians as consultants. As far as efforts in designing, developing and maintaining the reactor are concerned, they are entirely ours,” the BARC Director said.
S. Basu, Director, BARC Facilities at Kalpakkam, also asserted that “everything is totally indigenous” about the PWR developed at Kalpakkam. He said Arihant was a demonstration of India’s indigenous capability to build a nuclear-powered submarine, and it was a joint endeavour of the DAE, the Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
CHENNAI, 03 Aug. (asiantribune.com): India is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in uranium production to feed its existing nuclear power projects and proposed plants by 2013, the Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Sunday.
Dr. Kakodkar was here on the occasion of five years of the propellant reaction project at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research attaining criticality.
With the increasing production of the natural uranium in India, the capacity factor of its nuclear power reactors, which is around 55 per cent now, will go up to 65 per cent by the end of this financial year (2009-2010), and will rise to 70 to 75 per cent the next year, he said, addressing a press conference at Kalpakkam.
The capacity of the reactors would go up because the capacity of the mill at Jaduguda in Jharkhand, which converted natural uranium into yellow cake, had been augmented. The mill at Turamdih, also in Jharkhand, was producing the yellow cake to the expected level.. The expansion programme at Jaduguda is complete and the Turamdih expansion programme will be completed next year, he said.
Three new reactors — two units at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-5 and 6) and the fourth unit at Kaiga in Karnataka — would be commissioned “in a phased manner between this year and next year,” Dr. Kakodkar said.
Besides, exploration of uranium is underway at Tummalapalle in Andhra Pradesh and it is expected to go on stream by 2013. Exploration mining was going on at Gogi nears Gulbarga in Karnataka. Thus the shortage of natural uranium that led to a drop in the capacity factor of the reactors, would be overcome by 2013, he said.
New Heavy Water reactors
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) will take up construction of four new PHWRs of 700 MWe each, for which the Union government had given approval, Dr. Kakodkar said. India has already 15 Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors — PHWRs — that use natural uranium as fuel, and heavy water as coolant and moderator. India also has two Light Water Reactors that use enriched uranium as fuel, and light water as coolant and moderator.
Srikumar Banerjee, Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), said the successful development of the 80 MWe Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) at Kalpakkam, which used enriched uranium as fuel, ushered in the PWR technology in India. The experience gained in this project would help in the indigenous development of PWRs for large-scale electricity generation. The reactor pressure vessel used in this PWR was made of special steel, which only a few countries had developed. It had high strength at a high temperature, Dr. Banerjee said.
Russian role
Asked what is the Russians role in developing the PWR, Dr. Banerjee said the development of a technology like this occurred in stages, and the PWR at Kalpakkam had been operating from September 2006. “In doing so, we have used the Russians as consultants. As far as efforts in designing, developing and maintaining the reactor are concerned, they are entirely ours,” the BARC Director said.
S. Basu, Director, BARC Facilities at Kalpakkam, also asserted that “everything is totally indigenous” about the PWR developed at Kalpakkam. He said Arihant was a demonstration of India’s indigenous capability to build a nuclear-powered submarine, and it was a joint endeavour of the DAE, the Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Innocent mother, child sue state for using their photos in AIDS ads.
By Gopal EthirajCHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com) : A compensation of Rs. one crore was claimed by a mother and daughter for publishing their photographs in the government advertisements on AIDS control programmes.
The claim was made through a writ petition in the Madras High Court and for a direction to the State government to pay the sum for publishing the photographs of a 25-year-old woman and her five year-old daughter without their consent.
Justice K Suguna, before whom the writ petition from M Thilagavathi and her minor daughter M. Prathiba of Triplicane, came up for hearing on Monday, the Court ordered notice to the authorities concerned, returnable by August 5.
According to advocate of plaint, neither the first petitioner nor her daughter were suffering from aids. However, their photographs were displayed in the banners relating to aids awareness campaign, displayed all over the State. The photographs were neither given by the petitioners nor taken with their permission.
The claim was made through a writ petition in the Madras High Court and for a direction to the State government to pay the sum for publishing the photographs of a 25-year-old woman and her five year-old daughter without their consent.
Justice K Suguna, before whom the writ petition from M Thilagavathi and her minor daughter M. Prathiba of Triplicane, came up for hearing on Monday, the Court ordered notice to the authorities concerned, returnable by August 5.
According to advocate of plaint, neither the first petitioner nor her daughter were suffering from aids. However, their photographs were displayed in the banners relating to aids awareness campaign, displayed all over the State. The photographs were neither given by the petitioners nor taken with their permission.
Lankan national seeks to transfer cheating case to CB-CID
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): The Madras High Court on Monday ordered notice to state government on a petition, seeking to transfer the investigation from Mylapore police to CB-CID into the complaint against Vijayakumar for cheating a patient to the tune of Rs 29 lakh under the guise of “Raja vaidhyam.”
According to a writ petition filed by N. Pushparathnam, a Sri Lankan native, settled in Switzerland, she came to Chennai to get treatment for his son, Raghulan (14), who lost his vision and also was suffering from Cerebral Palsy, a brain disorder.
She was lured by advertisements in private TV channels about Thiruvancore Raja Vaidyasala. She approached the Vaidhya Sala and consulted Vijayakumar for treatment. She was informed that her son had to take a special treatment called “kozhi kattu.”
Believing the words of one P Vijayakumar of the Vaidhya Sala in Mylapore, she paid Rs.15 lakh initially. In November 2006, she paid another Rs. 8 lakh for a special treatment. As there was no progress, as suggested by Vijayakumar, she made yet another payment of Rs., 6.80 lakh towards yet another special treatment for 96 days. Thus, she paid Rs. 29.80 lakh to Vijayakumar in total.
Even after the treatment, and extended treatment, the health condition of her son had shown no progress. Hence she preferred a complaint to the Mylapore police.
Later she came to know that Vijayakumar had cheated many people, and many complaints were pending. Hence, she filed the present petition.
CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): The Madras High Court on Monday ordered notice to state government on a petition, seeking to transfer the investigation from Mylapore police to CB-CID into the complaint against Vijayakumar for cheating a patient to the tune of Rs 29 lakh under the guise of “Raja vaidhyam.”
According to a writ petition filed by N. Pushparathnam, a Sri Lankan native, settled in Switzerland, she came to Chennai to get treatment for his son, Raghulan (14), who lost his vision and also was suffering from Cerebral Palsy, a brain disorder.
She was lured by advertisements in private TV channels about Thiruvancore Raja Vaidyasala. She approached the Vaidhya Sala and consulted Vijayakumar for treatment. She was informed that her son had to take a special treatment called “kozhi kattu.”
Believing the words of one P Vijayakumar of the Vaidhya Sala in Mylapore, she paid Rs.15 lakh initially. In November 2006, she paid another Rs. 8 lakh for a special treatment. As there was no progress, as suggested by Vijayakumar, she made yet another payment of Rs., 6.80 lakh towards yet another special treatment for 96 days. Thus, she paid Rs. 29.80 lakh to Vijayakumar in total.
Even after the treatment, and extended treatment, the health condition of her son had shown no progress. Hence she preferred a complaint to the Mylapore police.
Later she came to know that Vijayakumar had cheated many people, and many complaints were pending. Hence, she filed the present petition.
V. Krishnamoorthy takes charge as new Deputy High Commission in Chennai
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 04 August (asiantribune.com): Ambassador Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, a senior career diplomat, took charge as the Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Chennai on August 1.
He succeeds Mr. P.M. Amza who completed his three-year posting here and moved to London as the Deputy High Commissioner there on July 31.
Mr.V. Krishnamoorthy is the first diplomat of Indian Tamil origin to be posted at the sensitive centre here. It is believed he is personally hand-picked by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakshe for this important region, coming as it does after the end of the war against the LTTE and its fallout thereafter.
Mr. Krishnamoorthy has earlier served as envoy at Dhaka (Bangladesh) and has completed his three-year term before he was selected for this responsible centre, which is close to the heart of the Lankan President. He has won his president’s confidence and the third-generation Indian-origin Tamil is expected to excel here.
Among his many achievements while posted in Bangaladesh, the one that filled his heart was his having secured the hair-relic of the Lord Buddha to his country from a Buddhist Monestry in Chittakong. The relic is being worshiped ‘tabernacled’ in a Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka. He remembers a large number of Sri Lankans working there, whose children’s educational needs he cared.
He hails from Hatton in Nuwera Eliya district, and had his schooling at the prestigious Hatton Highlands College, his degree from the University of Peradeniya, PG diploma in Educational Management at Maharagama and Master of Arts in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University, Australia.
His forefathers went from Ramanad district in Tamil Nadu, three generation before to work in the tea estates in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
He carries a rich experience of 29 years of public service, which includes18 years in foreign service, holding variety of posts. His last posting was in Bangladesh (2006-09). Before that he was the Director-General of the UN and Multilateral Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for two years (2004-06), when he also attended the 60th United Nations General Assembly session in New York and the Board of Governors Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.
Mr. Krishnamoorthy had earlier served in various capacities in The Netherlands (2001-04) and China (1992-97). While serving as the Minister Counsellor at the Embassy in The Netherlands, inter alia, he functioned as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the Organisation of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
He has also worked as the Director/ East Asia desk, Deputy Chief of Protocol (1999-2001, Assistant director/ West desk (1992) and Director of the Sri Lankan Institute of International Relations (2004-06).
He is married and has two daughters. He speaks Tamil, Sinhala, English and Chinese.
36 Lankan fishermen released
As this correspondent was waiting for his interview with the new envoy, he was solving the problem of release of Sri Lankan fishermen, on his very second day of taking charge. This correspondent had a news to cover too: 36 Lankan fishermen were getting released with their six boats. They will be handed over by the Indian Coast Guard to Lankan Navy personnel on August 7 at the International Maritime Border Line (ISBT).
CHENNAI, 04 August (asiantribune.com): Ambassador Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, a senior career diplomat, took charge as the Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Chennai on August 1.
He succeeds Mr. P.M. Amza who completed his three-year posting here and moved to London as the Deputy High Commissioner there on July 31.
Mr.V. Krishnamoorthy is the first diplomat of Indian Tamil origin to be posted at the sensitive centre here. It is believed he is personally hand-picked by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakshe for this important region, coming as it does after the end of the war against the LTTE and its fallout thereafter.
Mr. Krishnamoorthy has earlier served as envoy at Dhaka (Bangladesh) and has completed his three-year term before he was selected for this responsible centre, which is close to the heart of the Lankan President. He has won his president’s confidence and the third-generation Indian-origin Tamil is expected to excel here.
Among his many achievements while posted in Bangaladesh, the one that filled his heart was his having secured the hair-relic of the Lord Buddha to his country from a Buddhist Monestry in Chittakong. The relic is being worshiped ‘tabernacled’ in a Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka. He remembers a large number of Sri Lankans working there, whose children’s educational needs he cared.
He hails from Hatton in Nuwera Eliya district, and had his schooling at the prestigious Hatton Highlands College, his degree from the University of Peradeniya, PG diploma in Educational Management at Maharagama and Master of Arts in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University, Australia.
His forefathers went from Ramanad district in Tamil Nadu, three generation before to work in the tea estates in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
He carries a rich experience of 29 years of public service, which includes18 years in foreign service, holding variety of posts. His last posting was in Bangladesh (2006-09). Before that he was the Director-General of the UN and Multilateral Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for two years (2004-06), when he also attended the 60th United Nations General Assembly session in New York and the Board of Governors Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.
Mr. Krishnamoorthy had earlier served in various capacities in The Netherlands (2001-04) and China (1992-97). While serving as the Minister Counsellor at the Embassy in The Netherlands, inter alia, he functioned as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the Organisation of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
He has also worked as the Director/ East Asia desk, Deputy Chief of Protocol (1999-2001, Assistant director/ West desk (1992) and Director of the Sri Lankan Institute of International Relations (2004-06).
He is married and has two daughters. He speaks Tamil, Sinhala, English and Chinese.
36 Lankan fishermen released
As this correspondent was waiting for his interview with the new envoy, he was solving the problem of release of Sri Lankan fishermen, on his very second day of taking charge. This correspondent had a news to cover too: 36 Lankan fishermen were getting released with their six boats. They will be handed over by the Indian Coast Guard to Lankan Navy personnel on August 7 at the International Maritime Border Line (ISBT).
Sunday, August 2, 2009
A PIL questioning largesse shown to MLAs
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
Chennai, 01 August, (Asiantribune.com): The recent salary hike for Tamil Nadu MLAs is being questioned by the noted social activist and Tamil Nadu MLAs‘ ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy. The Madras High Court today granted him permission to file a Public Interest Litigation.
Even as the advocates boycotted the courts today, against the suggestion of Law Commission on service tax for advocates, Traffic K Ramasamy, the famous PIL petitioner in the State, appeared before the first bench comprising Chief Justice H L Gokhale and Mr. Justice D. Murugesan and questioned the state government’s MLAs pay hike and constituency development fund as also the MLAs being given land near their towns to construct home through state housing board.
K. Anbazhakan, the Finance Minister, on July 21 had announced in the Assembly a hike of Rs 5000 in the MLAs pay, (earlier salary plus allowances stood at Rs 45,000). Some months back their car allowance was hiked to Rs 20,000, Ramasamy submitted.
The constituency development fund was also hiked from Rs 1.5 crore to 1.7 crore. In addition to that, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced that the government would allot land to MLAs for constructing house, he contended.
When the Government is facing huge fiscal deficit, these largesse to the MLAs are ultra vires of the Constitution and fiscal burden would fall on the common tax payers, he said.
The Petition is likely to come for hearing on Monday.
Chennai, 01 August, (Asiantribune.com): The recent salary hike for Tamil Nadu MLAs is being questioned by the noted social activist and Tamil Nadu MLAs‘ ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy. The Madras High Court today granted him permission to file a Public Interest Litigation.
Even as the advocates boycotted the courts today, against the suggestion of Law Commission on service tax for advocates, Traffic K Ramasamy, the famous PIL petitioner in the State, appeared before the first bench comprising Chief Justice H L Gokhale and Mr. Justice D. Murugesan and questioned the state government’s MLAs pay hike and constituency development fund as also the MLAs being given land near their towns to construct home through state housing board.
K. Anbazhakan, the Finance Minister, on July 21 had announced in the Assembly a hike of Rs 5000 in the MLAs pay, (earlier salary plus allowances stood at Rs 45,000). Some months back their car allowance was hiked to Rs 20,000, Ramasamy submitted.
The constituency development fund was also hiked from Rs 1.5 crore to 1.7 crore. In addition to that, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced that the government would allot land to MLAs for constructing house, he contended.
When the Government is facing huge fiscal deficit, these largesse to the MLAs are ultra vires of the Constitution and fiscal burden would fall on the common tax payers, he said.
The Petition is likely to come for hearing on Monday.
Bar council rejects enrolment plea of 34; law with direct PG degree much wanting
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 01 Aug. (asiantribune.com): The enrolment application of about 34 law graduates, who had done law after completing a direct post-graduate degree under open university scheme, have been rejected, and the same forwarded for suitable recommendations to the Bar Council of India (BCI).
The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu rejected this category of law graduates, based on an order by a division bench of the Madras High Court in February 2008 which held that a master’s degree obtained through the open university system without a foundation degree or a basic degree, was invalid. The bench comprising Justice P.K.Mishra and Justice K.K. Sasidharan had also ruled that such a degree is not valid for "any purpose, including employment". The February 2008 order was upheld by the Supreme Court recently.
This tough stand would have its repercussions. There are many among the practising advocates who had a law degree after a direct PG degree from an open university and enrolled themselves. If the case is decided against them, would their licence be cancelled?
D Selvam is the chairman of the enrolment committee, Venkatesan and M Varadhan are the members. Selvam said the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu is already collecting details from the records, and orders debarring them from practice would be dispatched soon.
There is a case of four practising advocates of the Nagercoil Bar, who had forged their degree certificates to join law courses in the early 1990s. After a division bench headed by Justice Elipe Dharma Rao directed to study the complaint received from the Nagercoil Bar, the enrolment committee found the degree certificate and the marksheets submitted by the candidates to be fake.
”We are sending the necessary recommendations to the BCI for appropriate action and will submit a separate report before the bench," the enrolment committee chairman said.
CHENNAI, 01 Aug. (asiantribune.com): The enrolment application of about 34 law graduates, who had done law after completing a direct post-graduate degree under open university scheme, have been rejected, and the same forwarded for suitable recommendations to the Bar Council of India (BCI).
The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu rejected this category of law graduates, based on an order by a division bench of the Madras High Court in February 2008 which held that a master’s degree obtained through the open university system without a foundation degree or a basic degree, was invalid. The bench comprising Justice P.K.Mishra and Justice K.K. Sasidharan had also ruled that such a degree is not valid for "any purpose, including employment". The February 2008 order was upheld by the Supreme Court recently.
This tough stand would have its repercussions. There are many among the practising advocates who had a law degree after a direct PG degree from an open university and enrolled themselves. If the case is decided against them, would their licence be cancelled?
D Selvam is the chairman of the enrolment committee, Venkatesan and M Varadhan are the members. Selvam said the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu is already collecting details from the records, and orders debarring them from practice would be dispatched soon.
There is a case of four practising advocates of the Nagercoil Bar, who had forged their degree certificates to join law courses in the early 1990s. After a division bench headed by Justice Elipe Dharma Rao directed to study the complaint received from the Nagercoil Bar, the enrolment committee found the degree certificate and the marksheets submitted by the candidates to be fake.
”We are sending the necessary recommendations to the BCI for appropriate action and will submit a separate report before the bench," the enrolment committee chairman said.
Stalin, Rahman, Annadurai conferred honorary doctorates
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
CHENNAI, 02 Aug. (asiantribune.com): The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K.Stalin, Music Maestro A.R.Rahman and noted Space Scientist Mylswamy Annadurai have been conferred Honorary Doctorates (Doctor of Science (honoris causa) by the Anna University on Saturday.
Governor and Chancellor of the Anna University Surjit Singh Barnala gave away the honorary degrees at a special convocation, held in connection with Perarignar Anna Centenary, after whom the university bears the name. The special convocation was held at the Centenary Auditorium of the University of Madras in the presence of Dr. K. Ponmudy, Tamil Nadu Ministrer for Higher Education and Pro-Chancellor of Anna University.
This is the first honorary doctorate conferred of Stalin, a graduate of the Madras University. For the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, this is the third doctorate after he won two Oscars for Hollywood movie "Slumdog Millionaire". The first was from Aligarh Muslim University and the second from London's Middlesex University. For the Chandrayan project director M. Annadurai, after his successful launch of Chandrayan, honours have been pouring in.
The degrees were conferred on Stalin for his contribution to the state's administration, and on Rahman and Annadurai for their achievements in the realm of music and space technology respectively, the Anna University Vice Chancellor P. Mannar Jawahar said.
Convocation address was given by Dr. M. Anandakrishnan, former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University and Thavathiru Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar.
Tamil Nadu universities normally give to chief ministers of the state honorary doctorates. M. Karunanidhi, M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa who have previously occupied the post, have been conferred the honour while in power.
CHENNAI, 02 Aug. (asiantribune.com): The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K.Stalin, Music Maestro A.R.Rahman and noted Space Scientist Mylswamy Annadurai have been conferred Honorary Doctorates (Doctor of Science (honoris causa) by the Anna University on Saturday.
Governor and Chancellor of the Anna University Surjit Singh Barnala gave away the honorary degrees at a special convocation, held in connection with Perarignar Anna Centenary, after whom the university bears the name. The special convocation was held at the Centenary Auditorium of the University of Madras in the presence of Dr. K. Ponmudy, Tamil Nadu Ministrer for Higher Education and Pro-Chancellor of Anna University.
This is the first honorary doctorate conferred of Stalin, a graduate of the Madras University. For the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, this is the third doctorate after he won two Oscars for Hollywood movie "Slumdog Millionaire". The first was from Aligarh Muslim University and the second from London's Middlesex University. For the Chandrayan project director M. Annadurai, after his successful launch of Chandrayan, honours have been pouring in.
The degrees were conferred on Stalin for his contribution to the state's administration, and on Rahman and Annadurai for their achievements in the realm of music and space technology respectively, the Anna University Vice Chancellor P. Mannar Jawahar said.
Convocation address was given by Dr. M. Anandakrishnan, former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University and Thavathiru Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar.
Tamil Nadu universities normally give to chief ministers of the state honorary doctorates. M. Karunanidhi, M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa who have previously occupied the post, have been conferred the honour while in power.
Gunavathy Maindhan, the film-maker poised to bring industry to Pondy
By Gopal Ethiraj
PUDUCHERRY, 02 Aug. (asiantribune.com): In the southern states of India—Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala—the film industry is rooted by and large, Bollyhood and Kollyhood being century old.
But there is one state (Union Territory) that has not jumped into the creative work so far, at lease in its territory. That is Puducherry (earlier Pondicherry). Movie, TV, short film, documentaries and video production companies operating outside the union territory do bring the state glitz and global exposure, but it is not thriving right down here. This is the worry of Gunavathy Maindhan, a short and documentary film-maker based in Puducherry.
“All the southern states over the years have been quick in creating all necessary facilities and attractive incentive programs and packages to retain the creative world to stick on in their states. However Mumbai needs no support as it is mother of film industry,” Gunavathy Manithan says.
His recent short film, released last month was, “Kavichakaravarthy Kamban,” in Tamil. Running to one hour duration, it is on the life history of the renowned poet Kambar who wrote “Kamba Ramayana” during 8th century Chola period.
There are Kamban Kazhagams in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, but they discourse and debate the beauty of the poet’s creation. A regular attender of these Kambar deliberations, Gunavathy Maindhan’s mind was turned to the life of the great poet, who went through trials and tribulations. He resolved to bring out that life part in the form a short film, he is adept at.
Kambar grows in the lavish care and comfort and support of a rich land lord Sadaiappar of Thiruvennainallur, a philanthrophist, who wields a great power with the three kings of his time—Chera, Chozha and Pandiya. Kamban undertakes to translate the Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana into Tamil, knowing the taste of the King. He relays only on his talent and hard work and fails to catch up with the politics of the day. The minister and Rajguru creates a divide between him and the king, and there is the Kamban’s son Amaravathy loving King’s daughter Ambigapathy; the former being beheaded by the king himself , instigated by the minister and the latter falling dead over her lover’s body; fed up Kamban dies ignominiously after roaming here and there for some time.
Gunavathy Maindhan’s previous short film was on Nationalist poet Bharathy titled Puducherryil Bharathy. He filmed the life of the poet in Puducherry for ten years (1908-18), hiding from Britishers, and he continued his journal “India” from here. During his life here only, the major works of the poet was created. This short film was screened in Paris and Switzerland, and the maker was honoured by the Tamil sangams and universities.
His short film on “Veeranam” chronicled the history of Veenanam lake, which is feeding water to the Chennai city today. The lake was artificially created in the later Chola period by Kulothunga Cholan to take care of the irrigation needs of the region. Another of his short film Kudumba Vikalu based on the work of Poet Bharathidasan, is on how Tamil culture needs a family woman to be. This film has won several awards, including the state award.
Gunavathy Maindhan’s documentgaries include The Fourth Estate depicting the one-day work of a journalist; Green & Clean City on environment; Kazhai Kuthadigal, on the life of street circus artistes; Irulas, on the life of the tribals, the snake-charmers; the life history of Annamalai Chettiar, the founder of Annamalai University; the life history of Vallalar; Kalli, on infanticide in Tamil Nadu, etc
Presently Gunavathy Maindhan is at producing a feature film on Mahan Aravindhar, the saint who made Puducherry a multilingual society with his presence almost the time of Bharathy. In fact both Arabindo and Bharathy sought refuge in Puducherry fighting for the freedom of the country from the British.
In all Gunavathy Maindhan prides himself as the maker of 18 short film and documentaries. His ventures have been financially assisted by Dr. M.Amsaveni, who has also contributed in the improvement of the contents, being a Professor of Tamil.
Gunavathy Manidhan started his career as a reported and emancipated as a film-maker. All his short films and documentaries are scripted by him. The 42-year old Gunavathy Maindhan (R.Ravi) is an M.A., M.Phil and is awaiting for his doctorate to be conferred.
He is planning an International short film and documentary festival at Puducherry and published invitations to film makers from around the globe. He is also author of a few books. His script-book on Kavichakaravarthy Kamban has been translated by this correspondent last month.
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PUDUCHERRY, 02 Aug. (asiantribune.com): In the southern states of India—Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala—the film industry is rooted by and large, Bollyhood and Kollyhood being century old.
But there is one state (Union Territory) that has not jumped into the creative work so far, at lease in its territory. That is Puducherry (earlier Pondicherry). Movie, TV, short film, documentaries and video production companies operating outside the union territory do bring the state glitz and global exposure, but it is not thriving right down here. This is the worry of Gunavathy Maindhan, a short and documentary film-maker based in Puducherry.
“All the southern states over the years have been quick in creating all necessary facilities and attractive incentive programs and packages to retain the creative world to stick on in their states. However Mumbai needs no support as it is mother of film industry,” Gunavathy Manithan says.
His recent short film, released last month was, “Kavichakaravarthy Kamban,” in Tamil. Running to one hour duration, it is on the life history of the renowned poet Kambar who wrote “Kamba Ramayana” during 8th century Chola period.
There are Kamban Kazhagams in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, but they discourse and debate the beauty of the poet’s creation. A regular attender of these Kambar deliberations, Gunavathy Maindhan’s mind was turned to the life of the great poet, who went through trials and tribulations. He resolved to bring out that life part in the form a short film, he is adept at.
Kambar grows in the lavish care and comfort and support of a rich land lord Sadaiappar of Thiruvennainallur, a philanthrophist, who wields a great power with the three kings of his time—Chera, Chozha and Pandiya. Kamban undertakes to translate the Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana into Tamil, knowing the taste of the King. He relays only on his talent and hard work and fails to catch up with the politics of the day. The minister and Rajguru creates a divide between him and the king, and there is the Kamban’s son Amaravathy loving King’s daughter Ambigapathy; the former being beheaded by the king himself , instigated by the minister and the latter falling dead over her lover’s body; fed up Kamban dies ignominiously after roaming here and there for some time.
Gunavathy Maindhan’s previous short film was on Nationalist poet Bharathy titled Puducherryil Bharathy. He filmed the life of the poet in Puducherry for ten years (1908-18), hiding from Britishers, and he continued his journal “India” from here. During his life here only, the major works of the poet was created. This short film was screened in Paris and Switzerland, and the maker was honoured by the Tamil sangams and universities.
His short film on “Veeranam” chronicled the history of Veenanam lake, which is feeding water to the Chennai city today. The lake was artificially created in the later Chola period by Kulothunga Cholan to take care of the irrigation needs of the region. Another of his short film Kudumba Vikalu based on the work of Poet Bharathidasan, is on how Tamil culture needs a family woman to be. This film has won several awards, including the state award.
Gunavathy Maindhan’s documentgaries include The Fourth Estate depicting the one-day work of a journalist; Green & Clean City on environment; Kazhai Kuthadigal, on the life of street circus artistes; Irulas, on the life of the tribals, the snake-charmers; the life history of Annamalai Chettiar, the founder of Annamalai University; the life history of Vallalar; Kalli, on infanticide in Tamil Nadu, etc
Presently Gunavathy Maindhan is at producing a feature film on Mahan Aravindhar, the saint who made Puducherry a multilingual society with his presence almost the time of Bharathy. In fact both Arabindo and Bharathy sought refuge in Puducherry fighting for the freedom of the country from the British.
In all Gunavathy Maindhan prides himself as the maker of 18 short film and documentaries. His ventures have been financially assisted by Dr. M.Amsaveni, who has also contributed in the improvement of the contents, being a Professor of Tamil.
Gunavathy Manidhan started his career as a reported and emancipated as a film-maker. All his short films and documentaries are scripted by him. The 42-year old Gunavathy Maindhan (R.Ravi) is an M.A., M.Phil and is awaiting for his doctorate to be conferred.
He is planning an International short film and documentary festival at Puducherry and published invitations to film makers from around the globe. He is also author of a few books. His script-book on Kavichakaravarthy Kamban has been translated by this correspondent last month.
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