Nagercoil-Coimbatore Express from 2nd Feb !!

The inaugural run of the Nagercoil-Coimbatore would be held on Friday from Nagercoil. The inaugural special would be flagged off by union minister of state for railway, R Velu at 1015 AM on Friday from Nagercoi and reach Coimbatore at 2130 hrs, a southern reailway release said here on Thursday.

The regular service would commence from Coimbatore and Nagercoil on and from Feb two.

The train would depart from Nagercoil would depart at 8.30 PM and reach Coimbatore at 7.30 AM the next day. in the return direction, it would leave Coimbatore at 0830 PM to reach Nagercoil at 6.55 AM the next day.

The train, starting from Nagercoil would stop at Valliyur, Tirunelveli, Vanchi Maniyahi, Kovilpatti, Sattur, virudhunagar Madurai, Dindigul, Karur, Erode, Tiruppur and Coimbatore, the release said.

Record - Nonstop 61 Hrs of Saree Design !!

In a bid to enter the record books, a city based textile designer has claimed to have designed 36 sarees non-stop for six hours on a computer. V V R Murthy, Assistant Editor of the Limca Book of records, who was present during the feat, said all details would be sent to Limca after proper documentation. K J Mahesh Kumar began his feat on January 28 at 6:01 am and completed the task at 7 pm on Wednesday, clocking 61 hours, seven hours more than what was stipulated by Limca.

Based on the theme 'Republic India,' Mahesh Kumar designed 36 drawings of national leaders, Indian Map and 24 elephants, during his attempt. He also drew the famous Akshardham Temple. A printout of every design was taken and submitted to the Limca Book of Records. Mahesh took seven breaks of 15 minutes, as permitted and made it a point not to speak during his attempt, so as not to waiver in concentration or lose energy, sources in the Limca Book of Records said. The designs would be auctioned or sold either to designers or saree printers, the proceedings of which would be utilised for charity purpose, they said.

Precision farming - Sucess Story !

New innovations and technologies for increasing crop yield have mostly been the fort of agricultural scientists and researchers. Precision Farming Technology is one such innovationthat has been introduced for the first time in the country by scientists from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore.

Precision farming promises to increase the yield of crops, and practically any crop variety can be cultivated under this system. Presently this project is meeting with large success in many districts of Tamil Nadu. Those farmers, already under this project, have surrendered their success in terms of yield and marketing to this technology.

Unlike certain other technologies which teach or guide the farmer to grow his cropsbut leave himto market hisown produce, precision technology scientists stay with the farmers right from sowing the seeds to marketing the produce.Marketing made easy

The research team identifies prospective buyers in and around the area andbinds the farmer and the buyer in a sort of contract agreement, and oversees the entire operation.Mr. P.M. Chinnasamy is one such precision farmer from Somenahalli village who has earned more thanRs. 5 lakh from his brinjal crop grown in 120 cents in about 11 months.“A progressive farmer can get only 60 tonnes per hectare whereas Mr. Chinnasamy has harvested about 170 tonnes in 120 cents, which is quite a feat.

“It is 467 per cent higher than the conventional system of cultivation,” said Dr. Vadivel, Director of Extension Education, TNAU. Giving details he said, the seeds were sown in protrays raised under shade net and transplanted on the 35th day after sowing.

The field was prepared by using chisel plough first, followed by disc and cultivatorsfour times. Before last ploughing, a basal dose of 700 kg of super phosphate, 25 tonnes offarmyard manure along with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria each at 2 kg per hectare was applied. Raised beds of 60 cm width were formed and the seedlings planted on the centre of the raised beds at a spacing of 45 cm.

Under the conventional system 23,000 plants are required for planting.But, forprecision farming system, only 14,500 plants are required. Fertilizers were given only through fertigation, which avoids wastage through flood irrigation. All water soluble fertilizers were applied based on the time and the stage of the crop. The plant growth was found to be good,and thiscontinued till the last harvest. Due to the continuous growth and flowering, harvesting was done once in two days. The flowering is mainly due to continuous supply of fertigation and constant absorption of nutrients.

Brinjal is a six month crop but under precision farming the duration can be extended up to one year. It is an advantage over the traditional system since the extension of harvest increases the productivity, according to Dr. I. Muthuvel, Assistant Professor, Horticulture of the University.
The main pests were fruit borer that was controlled effectively spraying monocrotophos or chloripyriphos at 2 ml per litre of water, and in later stages Indoxacarb at 0.5 ml per litre of water, according to Dr. Muthuvel.

Diseases such as blight and fruit rot were controlled by spraying mancozeb at 2 ml per litre of water. The fruits are quite attractive and the shelf life is more compared to that grown under conventional system. Mr. Chinnasamy has so far harvested 170 tonnes and has sold them for Rs. 5 -15 a kg.

For more details readers can contact Dr. I. Muthuvel, Assistant Professor (Horticulture), TNAU, Coimbatore, email: muthu_hort@yahoo.co.in, mobile: 9443715948 and Mr. P. M. Chinnasamy, Somenahalli, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu.

Hallmark Infrastructre enters Coimbatore !!

CHENNAI-BASED Hallmark Infrastructure is set to launch its gated community project — the first of its kind in the textile city — over 25 acres of land at Kalapatti, the upcoming IT haven. A gated community is a form of residential community sometimes characterised by a closed perimeter of walls and fences, but always containing controlled entrances for pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles. Gated communities usually consist of small residential streets and include various amenities.

The project will be developed in three phases. The company executive director, Hari Nagashwaran, told it plans to launch the project by April this year, and work on phase-I, at a cost of Rs 80 crore, will take 18 months to complete. Of the total 360 apartments, 120 will be developed in the first phase. “The project would have exclusive villas and premium apartments besides space devoted for a shopping mall, a school, sports recreation centre and a medicare centre,” Mr Nagashwaran added. Stating that this is the company’s first such project in a tier-II city, he said the commercial space will be built over four acres and the sports area over five acres. A school will also be built over 50,000 sqft. Hallmark also plans to build multiplexes, and villa service apartments in the near future.

CAD/CAM Training Center established at Coindia ..

THE COIMBATORE Industrial Infrastructure Association (Coindia) and the Richmond CAD Solutions have established a software training centre for students and those working in engineering units. The training programmes are meant to equip participants with skills and practical knowledge necessary to be part of a product development team. Association chairman G Rajendran said the centre, established at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore, plans to train about 1,000 candidates annually. Pump and motor manufacturing units, foundries and general engineering industries will benefit from this facility. This is part of the infrastructure created by Coindia under the Rs 57-crore Pump, Motor and Foundry Cluster project.

He said the duration of the courses will vary from 15 days to three months, depending on the module selected by the candidate. A batch will have about 10 members. The association plans to work with leading industries here to offer practical training and internship programmes. The courses will include on-thejob training and classroom sessions in CAD/CAM and CAE. The training centre and the state-of-the-art modern tool room will help train candidates in a real-time environment. “We have come out with contemporary training techniques such as audio-visual, in-plant and soft skills training,” he said. With the modern tool room facility supporting the training centre, Coindia plans to extend design and development services to small and medium-scale units. Members can bring their two-dimensional drawings and convert them into three-dimensional models.

KMCH acquired Sudha Hospital !

THE EXPANSION drive by healthcare majors has reached tier-II destinations of Tamil Nadu. Bigger hospitals, which are on an acquisition spree, are gobbling up small and midsized entities. The latest news on the acquisition front is from Erode, where Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH) has acquired Sudha Hospital. KMCH of Coimbatore has completed the acquisition of the five-year-old speciality hospital recently. “With the acquisition of the 100-bed hospital, our bed capacity in Erode has doubled,” said a senior KMCH official.

Sudha Hospital, dealing in cardiac speciality, had a tie-up with Apollo Hospitals. Post-acquisition, it is called KMCH Speciality Hospital. It will focus on three specialities — pulmonology, cardio-thoracic nephrology and cardiology cases. Asked about the deal, the official did not divulge any financial details. He merely said: “They approached us. We found the fit to be perfect and given our image and financial strength, the buy-out was a logical extension.” Sudha Hospital, spread over 22,000 sq ft, was set up by Dr K Kandaswamy but could not sustain over a short period of operation.

KMCH is a Rs 70 crore, 350-bed super-speciality corporate hospital, located on the Coimbatore-Chennai highway. Equipped with modern equipment, it has over 30 medical departments and 11 operation theatres. Acknowledged as a leading tertiary hospital in the textile city, that is fast emerging as a tier-II healthcare hub, KMCH provides super-speciality procedures like coronary bypass surgeries, coronary angioplasty, stent implantation, laproscopic and vascular surgeries, hip and knee replacements, kidney transplants and complex neuro surgeries. It also has 50 beds in Perundurai, apart from 200 beds in Erode, following the acquisition. It has already started performing open heart surgeries and angios at the brown field unit. It has employed 100 people there.

Paying guest concept picks Up !!

Paying guest concept has come knocking at the doors of this textile and engineering city at last.The concept is being tried in the city for the first time coinciding with the six-day International Industrial Trade Fair (Intec 2008) which opens up here on February 1.The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (Codissia) is trying out this concept after the shortage of hotel rooms experienced in Coimbatore during the 2006 edition of the Intec, a fair touted as the second largest in the country covering engineering and automation sector.The response for the ‘paying guest’ advertisement released in the local newspapers by the organisers has received an encouraging response.

“Till now, nearly, 15 people have come forward to offer rooms in their residences for short duration stay, for a rent.The rental ranges from Rs 1000-2000 a day. Around 80 rooms are thus available. Besides, some have also come forward to offer their cars for transportation, “ said chairman, Intec 2008, K V Ganapathi.The Codissia Trade Fair complex at Avinashi road will have a travel desk this time where the visiting delegates can get help on the availability of rooms and the contact numbers. Codissia is to serve as a facilitator. The negotiations has to be done by the visitors.There are many big residences with one or two inmates and lots of rooms remaining vacant. They are the ones who are willing to lease out the rooms. “The concept is being introduced and we're sure that it will pick up in the days to come,” said Codissia vice-president K Ilango.The growth of the hospitality industry has not been on a par with the kind of growth this industrial city has been witnessing the last few years.

The number of hotel rooms are less.Ajeet Kumar Lal Mohan, secretary and director of hotel management, AJK College of Arts and Science told this website's newspaper that the situation is very bad in Coimbatore. There are many on going projects. Star hotels like Radisson and Taj are coming. But it will take at least two years for all these projects to become a reality.As it is, Coimbatore has only one four- star hotel and around four, three - star hotels. The room availability in the four star hotels is around 150, and 350 (approx) in all the three-star hotels put together. So, the average hotel rooms available (Rs 1000 and above category) is only 550-600.This in no way is sufficient to meet the demands thrown by an international fair of the magnitude of Intec 2008. Apart from this, there are regular business visitors, tourists who land in Coimbatore before proceeding to destinations like Ooty, Munnar and Kodaikanal.Taking all these into consideration, to meet the demand alone, there is a need for at least another two, four-star hotels and four, three-star hotels, he felt.

Drivers’ Day tomorrow

The Youth Task Force (YTF) and Road Safety Resource Centre has given a call for observing January 29 as International Drivers’ Day to promote responsible driving habits.Founder of YTF, actor-turned activist Suresh said that January 29 was chosen as the drivers’ day since it happened to be the day when the German mechanical engineer Karl Benz designed and built in 1885 the world’s first practical automobile.The objective of the day was to observe ‘traffic-violation free’ and accident-free day, to support accident victims, to recognise and reward good drivers. Mr. Suresh also has a plan for creating a green book for drivers.

It would involve identification of drivers who had never committed an accident during their career by practicing safe driving principles.YTF has urged senior drivers to call the voice port of YTF 044-65133133 and enrol themselves.The organisation was also on the job of trying to enact the concept of issuing red and green cards to the violators like how it was being practiced by the law enforcement agencies in advanced countries.The Youth Task Force has approached one of the leading automobile manufacturers Daimer Chrysler through Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers to declare January 29 as Drivers’ Day.

Managemantra 2007

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised Managemantra 2007 here on Thursday and Friday. A release from the CII said the two-day event for college students aimed at helping them present their managerial skills and to know the needs of the industry.About 30 institutes and six companies participated in the programme. The event was designed for employers to select employable candidates. B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, chairman of the Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan (Coimbatore Region), inaugurated the programme.

Our educational system does not inspire creativity

H.K. Mittal, Advisor, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, speaking at the inauguration of national seminar on ‘Technology Integration- Problems and Prospects for Small and Medium Industry/Business’, at G.R. Damodaran Academy of Management in Neelambur, near Coimbatore, recently.About 75 per cent of the population in India is untouched by the growth the country has been witnessing in the last five years, H.K. Mittal, Advisor and Head, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, said here recently.

Speaking at the inaugural of a seminar on “Technology Integration – Problems and Prospects in Small and Medium Scale Business,” at G.R. Damodaran Academy of Management, he said that growth was concentrated in certain pockets of the country. Our cities were growing at a rate of 30 to 40 per cent.If the same rate of growth had taken place in Small and Medium Enterprises, the growth would have been more uniform, he said.The faculty played an important role in bringing innovation into the teaching methodology. They should give opportunities that would encourage the use of technology and innovative methods.

In India there was a National Innovation Foundation which had documented more than 60,000 ideas.According to Mr. Mittal, Pune and Coimbatore were the most innovative cities in the country. “If technology is backed by innovative managerial practices, it will yield good results,” Mr. Mittal said.K. Thangaraj, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, Coimbatore Zone, and D. Padmanabhan, Correspondent, G.R. Damodaran Academy of Management, spoke.

Video conferencing session

Collector Neeraj Mittal at a videoconferencing session at the Collectorate in city to review the Integrated Agricultural Management and Water Resources Management Project with Project Director Vibhu Nair in Chennai.The Collector, Neeraj Mittal, and officials from over eight departments reviewed the Integrated Agricultural Management and Water Resources Management (IAMWRM) project with its Project Director, Vibhu Nair in Chennai over videoconferencing.

Mr. Mittal said that the conference was primarily aimed at reviewing the progress of ongoing projects in view of the impending visit of the World Bank (WB) team. The review that lasted for one hour involved Agriculture, Agriculture Engineering, Horticulture, Fisheries and Water Resource Organisation of the Public Works Department.

Faculty development programme

The School of Management Studies, Anna University, Coimbatore, will organise a two-day faculty development programme on Business Application Software on January 30 and 31 on the Government College of Technology premises.According to a release from university Registrar S. Palaniswami, the programme is for faculty members handling management courses in the affiliated colleges of the university.To be inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor R. Radhakrishnan, the programme will cover the latest in business applications. It will impart knowledge on MS-Office, operation of SPSS, SAS and MINITAB softwares, Oracle Database, operation of TORA and POM softwares and the Tally software. Those interested can contact 0422-6465834, or visit http://www.annauniv.ac.in/ for registration. The course fee is Rs. 1,000.

PSG Institutions 'Alumni'

Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi (fourth left), Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (fifth left), and Managing Trustee of PSG and Sons’ Charities G. Rangaswamy (third left), with the alumni of PSG Institutions who received ‘Distinguished Alumni’ awards at PSG College of Arts and Science in the city.School and college life moulds a person’s character. What cannot be moulded in this age will never get done after 20 years. Hence it is very important for the educational institutions to increase the quantity and improve the quality, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi, said here recently.

Speaking at the 82nd Founders’ Day of the PSG and Sons’ Charities organised at the PSG College of Arts and Science, he underlined the importance of new teaching methods to keep up with the times. “More than learning at an educational institution, it is important to learn where you work. That is true learning. Opportunities are galore today. Education should be in co-relation with the changing times. We should always be improving because we have to compete on a global basis. Infrastructure and teaching methods should be made strong and teachers should be fortified with the required qualification and teaching methodologies,” the Minister said.

Listing out the facilities being provided by the State Government for the improvement of higher education, he said that in spite of all these, improvement of education was in the hands of the management of the institutions. An MBA in hospital management to be offered by the Tamil Nadu Open University in association with PSG Hospitals was launched by Mr. Ponmudi. He distributed the PSG Distinguished Alumni Award to five – R. Venkatarangappan, Director, Lakshmi Machine Works Limited, K. Pandian Rajan, Managing Director, Ma Foi Management Consultants Limited, P. Mohanraj, Managing Director, MM Gears Private Limited, D. Jagatheesa Pandian, Managing Director, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, and M. Krishnan, Chairman and Managing Director, Sri Krishna Sweets.Food Minister A.V. Velu, Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palaniswamy, Managing Trustee of PSG and Sons’ Charities G. Rangaswamy, and Chief Executive of PSG Institutions C.R. Swaminathan, spoke.

COINDIA Richmond CAD Solutions launched

K. Ramaswamy, Chairman of the Roots Group of Companies, launching the COINDIA Richmond CAD Solutions at the COINDIA Complex in Coimbatore on Sunday.The Coimbatore Industrial Infrastructure Association (COINDIA) has joined hands with Richmond CAD Solutions to offer engineering software training to students and those working in the engineering units.COINDIA Chairman G. Rajendran has said in a release that the centre, which has been established at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore, plans to train about 1,000 candidates annually.

Pump and motor manufacturing units, foundries and general engineering industries will benefit from this facility. This is part of the infrastructure created by COINDIA under the Rs. 57 crore Pump, Motor and Foundry Cluster project.According to Mr. Rajendran, duration of the courses will vary from 15 days to three months, depending ton the module selected by the candidate. A batch will have about 10 members. The association plans to work with leading industries here to offer practical training and internship programmes.

The courses will include on-the-job training and classroom sessions in CAD/CAM and CAE. The training centre and the state-of-the-art modern tool room will help train the candidates in a real-time environment. “We have come out with contemporary training techniques such as audio-visual, in-plant and soft skills training.” The objective of the training programmes is to equip the participants with the skills and practical knowledge necessary to be part of a product development team.With the modern tool room facility supporting the training centre, COINDIA plans to extend design and development services to small and medium-scale units.Members can bring their two-dimensional drawings and convert them into three-dimensional models. They can also solve their design problems. “The entire gamut of things will be supplemented by a rapid proto typing-sand sintering machine, so that the time gap between conceiving the idea and getting a tangible product on table is minimised,” he says.

Tallent hunt finished

School students being quizzed at the ‘District Science Olympiad’ held at the Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology in Coimbatore on Sunday.The “District Science Olympiad,” organised at the Sri Shakti Institute of Engineering and Technology here on Sunday, identified 30 school whiz kids who will be trained for two months to take the Regional Maths Olympiad organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).The Mathematics Olympiad Programme in India, which leads to the participation of Indian students in the International Mathematical Olympiad, is organised to spot mathematical talent among pre-university students in the country.

The Mathematics Olympiad programme is initially conducted at the regional and national levels.Before the regionals, a district-level Olympiad is held. For the first time, the District Science Olympiad in this region was held in Coimbatore.For a first attempt it was a good response. There were 312 students (standards IX to XII) from 41 schools. They took part in the written test that included questions from physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and computer science in multiple choices. Twenty-four were selected to form eight teams of three each to take part in the quiz which had four rounds.Starlet Vimala, Assistant Professor in Chemistry, one of the organisers, said: “This does not need any separate preparation. The topics are from the school syllabus. Those who participated have performed well in the written test. The questions were not simple. They have made a good attempt.”

The first round was on general science, while the second was on mathematics. Students were given a crossword puzzle and a maze from which they had to identify words. The second was on mathematics. That the students found the questions difficult would be an understatement.The third and fourth were on physics and chemistry. These rounds involved questions on practical situations. “What should the size of a mirror be and how should it be placed to view one self completely?,” “What is the process involved in removing the rust from the hull of a ship?” – these were a few samples.The posers that were aimed at the audience were also interesting. The lucky ones walked away with prizes sponsored by The Hindu.

The teams were more or less equally placed in the first two rounds. The teams from Sri Gopal Naidu Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore, and San Jose Higher Secondary School, Mettupalayam were pushing towards the first and second places respectively at the end of the third round when Kendriya Vidyalaya, Coimbatore, scored a straight 10 in the last round to grab the second place, pushing San Jose to the third.B. Ramprakash, S. Koushik and B. Ganga Barani, all standard XI students of Sri Gopal Naidu HSS, were a thrilled lot because they never expected to win. “We only read our test books. There was no special preparation of any kind. If we had prepared better we could have performed better,” they said. Cash prizes were given to the winners.S. Thangavelu, Chairman of the institute said: “We should have more people getting Nobel Prize for sciences. Such Olympiads will sow the seeds for greater achievements.”The institute plans to organise the district Olympiads on an annual basis by involving more schools and also combining more regions.

Sankaracharya Award to Saroja Prabhakaran

Vice-Chancellor of Avinashilingam University for Women Saroja Prabhakaran has been conferred the Sankaracharya Award and the title of Viswa Vidyacharya in Kolkata recently.Ms. Prabhakaran received the award and the title at the 31st International Conference on Oriental Heritage.The award was “in recognition of her high scholastic performance and patronage to the cause of research and development.”West Bengal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sailen Sarkar, presented the award and the title to the Vice-Chancellor.

Job-oriented training

The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) will conduct job-oriented training for weavers and fitters under a scheme of the Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department of the State Government.A release said those applying for the weavers’ training should have passed Class VIII, should be aged 40 or below (as on 1 July, 2007) and the annual income should be less than Rs. 50,000.For the fitters’ training, the candidates should have passed Class X and should be aged 30 or below. Candidates would be selected through an interview to be held at the association premises on January 29.

The applicants should bring the original and a photocopy of the following for the interview: marksheet for educational qualification, school transfer certificate, community certificate, income certificate and Rs. 5 stamped self-addressed envelope. For details, contact Telephone number: 0422-2574367.Training would be conducted at the SITRA premises here and at the powerloom service centres at Palladam, Somanur and Tiruchengode.

Deccan Airways ticket @ post offices

Coimbatore: Department of Posts has tied up with Deccan Aviation to issue air tickets through post offices for flight routes of Deccan Airways.A release said 103 post offices in Western Region, including the Coimbatore and R.S. Puram head post offices, had been selected for this purpose. K.V. Sundar Rajan, Post Master General for Western Region, inaugurated the training session on Wednesday for 120 officials.

‘Kodi Thatha’ - Great Gandhian from Coimbatore

Not a single Independence Day or Republic Day passes by in Coimbatore without Kodi Thatha’s flags. This year too, he did not break the tradition. On the eve of Republic Day, his paper-flags reached offices promptly.V.N. Jagannathan, fondly called ‘Kodi Thatha,’ has been continuing this patriotic gesture for over 60 years now. The 89-year-old former school teacher has so far distributed over 30 lakh flags. (25,000 on Independence Days and 25,000 on Republic Days).

A week before the days of national importance, he personally visits as many offices as he can. Last year, however, he could not do his usual rounds owing to ill health. But, that did not deter him from sending the flags to offices.A follower of Gandhian principles, he keeps the spirit of patriotism alive by distributing the Tricolour. He has accompanied Mahatma Gandhi in the Palani Patha Yathra in 1946, after which, he was drawn to the Gandhian way of thought.The District Collector honours the octogenarian on every Independence Day and Republic Day.

Republic day celebrations

District Collector Neeraj Mittal presenting the Chief Minister’s Constabulary medal to police personnel at the Republic Day celebrations at VOC Park Grounds in the city on Saturday.Distribution of welfare aid to the poor under various Government schemes and honouring of freedom fighters marked the Republic day celebrations at VOC Park Grounds in the city on Saturday.The District Collector, Neeraj Mittal, hoisted the Tricolour and took the salute. He reviewed a parade by the police personnel, home guards, fire and rescue services and NCC students.

The Collector distributed welfare aid and financial assistance to 379 people to the tune of Rs. 40 lakh. He honoured freedom fighters with shawls. Mr. Mittal presented the Chief Minister’s Constabulary medal to 23 police personnel from Coimbatore City, five from the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing and 35 personnel from Coimbatore Rural District.Inspector-General of Police, West Zone, Sanjay Arora; City Police Commissioner, C.K.Gandhirajan; DIG of Police, Seema Agrawal; Deputy Commissioners of Police, P. Sugumar (Law and Order), S. Manoharan (Traffic), P. Nagarajan (Crime) and D. Krishnamurthi (Headquarters); Superintendent of Police Coimbatore Rural District, G. Karthikeyan; DIG of Prisons P. Munivelu; Superintendent of Central Prison R. Arivudainambe; District Revenue Officer Prabhakaran; Coimbatore Medical College Hospital Dean Hemalatha Ganapathy; and officials took part.

The City Police had made tight security arrangements at the parade venue as well as around the city besides anti-sabotage checks. Aerial survey by binocular wielding police personnel from high-rise buildings marked the security arrangements.Students from a number of education institutions presented colourful cultural items. Vande Mataram and other patriotic songs were presented in dance form. Badaga dance and a performance with old folk lore musical instruments impressed the gathering.

BIS certificate is must

Manufacturers of various types of steel products covered under 17 Indian Standard Specifications should obtain Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification within six months, according to a notification issued by the Union Government. A release said the listed products would be covered under mandatory BIS marking from May 13, 2008.Hence, all steel and steel product manufacturers should contact the BIS office at Kovai Tower, 5th floor, 44, Dr. Balasundaram Road, here for details. Telephone numbers: 0422-2249016, 2240141, 2245622, 2245984. email: cbto@bis.org.in

Selling handloom products by Students

Vice-Chancellor of Bharathiar University G. Thiruvasagam (right) and Chinese students in the university selling handloom products in Coimbatore on Saturday.For a second time, after a year’s gap, the National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of the Bharathiar University and its affiliated colleges took to the roads on Republic Day for a cause. This time it was not to collect used books under the community service project “Padithathai Pirarukku Padikka Koduppom” that helped fill the rural libraries, but to sell handloom products.Another initiative of the university “Kaitharikku Kai Koduppom” involved the selling of handloom products like dhotis, saris, towels, pillow covers and bed sheets.

With an initial target of Rs. 25 lakh, the project was conceived to uplift the neglected handloom weavers by promoting these products. Even though the actual door-to-door selling was scheduled for January 26, the volunteers had, in their own way, set the wheel in motion on January 21, the day the awareness campaign was kicked off.This enabled the university achieve sales for Rs. 47 lakh even before Saturday. Vice-Chancellor G. Thiruvasagam revised the target to Rs. 1 crore. Though it appeared too high a figure, he proved sceptics wrong by achieving more than that at the end of the day. “An attempt will be made to enter this in the Guinness Book of World Records,” he said.

Thousands of students went about selling the products that were collected from 120 societies in and around Coimbatore. Each student’s target was Rs. 100, but there was no stopping them from selling more. Each college was given a target depending on the number of NSS units they had.To say the colleges outdid each other would be an understatement. The top three places in terms of collection went to Kongu Arts and Science College, Erode (Rs. 10,48,038), Tirupur Kumaran College for Women, Tirupur (Rs. 6,60,000) and Nirmala College for Women, Coimbatore (Rs. 5,81,200).Appreciating the students’ efforts, Mr. Thiruvasagam said such opportunities should be given to them to prove that institutions too could go beyond the call of curriculum and teaching to do something for the community.

Cancer awarness programmes

V.N.Cancer Centre of G.Kuppusamy Naidu Memorial Hospital is organising various awareness programmes on early detection of cancer and treatment throughout the year.The centre, which is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year, has identified early detection of cancer as the topmost health priority.Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ramkumar Raghupathy, Dean, GKNM Hospital, said cancer could be cured if it was detected early and timely treatment was given.Breast, mouth and cervical cancer were the most common cancers. Lifestyle too had contributed to cancer, tobacco being the most common cause. Reduced smoking, alcohol and fat-intake could prevent cancer to a large extent.

The hospital, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, had adopted Pollachi and Udumalpet for conducting cancer screening programmes. More than 25,000 people were expected to be screened through this programme. It would also tie up with the Tobacco Cessation Clinic and the Molecular Oncology Department for similar programmes.Other programmes would include cancer survivors’ day celebration, cancer carnival sale, question and answer sessions on cancer on television and radio and counselling and rehabilitation. It would also observe palliative care day and cancer children’s day. Interschool quiz programmes would be organised.The hospital planned to introduce Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy, Image Guided Radiation Therapy, Haemato Oncology Unit and Stem Cell Transplant facility in future.The inauguration of the Golden Jubilee celebration and the Department of Surgical Oncology would be held on January 28 at 6.30 p.m. B.Rajan, Director, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, would be the chief guest. Prem Nair, Director, Amrita Institute of Medical Science, Kochi, would be the guest of honour.

Collector focusing on additional infra

With the citizens of Coimbatore worried about the haphazard growth of the district and waiting with bated breath for various developments, District Collector Neeraj Mittal’s main focus for the current year is provision of adequate additional infrastructure.“Last year, infrastructure and economic development in terms of getting Coimbatore as an IT hub and a favourable destination for investment was our main objective.”Of course, it was then the allotment of Rs. 3,000 crore through the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission for the development of Coimbatore corporation crystallised. Mr. Mittal is happy that six-laning of the Avanashi Road has been progressing without any ruckus though it did involve demolition or removal of various structures.

“Declogging of the Avanashi and Nanjundapuram roads are also some important achievements”.During the current year, he wants to focus on ring roads development. A 100 ft road connecting Mettupalayam Road and Palakkad road is planned. Apart from widening the Hope College Bridge, it is planned to have in total eight lanes from there so that those visiting the IT Park will have seamless access to it. The Collector is certain that the upcoming IT Park would generate employment for about 50,000 persons. “Of course, expansion of the airport is also a priority” to attract foreign tourists.He is happy to point out some of the initiatives involving public contribution. For instance, for the Coimbatore Medical college Hospital and the Government Hospital at Pollachi, the public are contributing about Rs. 1 crore. Besides, with the help of the public Tirupur Hospital will be improved at a cost of Rs two crores to three crores.

Referring to some of the special initiatives taken, he points out that incinerators will be established in all the girls higher secondary schools. Besides all the schools will have toilets. Five panchayats have been identified for a pilot project for solid waste management. In addition, under the “ecosam” project, 300 toilets would be constructed with the help of Siruthuli.On the employment front also, some important steps have been taken.“Last year we gave training to youth in CNC lathe, apparel and fashion designing. This year, in co-ordination with Desicrew.com, BPO training will given to youths at Palladam.” This will help these persons set up BPOs in their own villages.

Convocation of the Bharathiar University

The 23rd convocation of the Bharathiar University will be held on February 8.According to Vice-Chancellor of the university G. Thiruvasagam, 237 Ph. D. holders and 103 rank holders will receive degrees. Governor Surjit Singh Barnala will preside over the programme.Member of Planning Commission, Government of India, Bhalchandra Mungekar, will deliver the convocation address and give away the degrees.Sivathanu Pillai, distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller, Research & Development, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi, will be conferred honorary doctorate on the occasion.

District Maths Olympiad

The ‘District Science Olympiad’ to identify prospective school students, who can be trained for two months to take the Regional Maths Olympiad organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), will be conducted by Sri Shakti Institute of Engineering and Technology here on January 27.The district event comprises a written test for two hours involving 50 questions, 10 from each discipline (physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and computer science) and an onstage event that will be the grand finale.

The team with the maximum score in the written round will qualify for the onstage second round. The team with the maximum score in the onstage event will be given prizes. The first team will get Rs. 10,000 and a rolling trophy. The second and third teams will get Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 3,000 respectively. All participants will be given certificates.Minister for Forests N. Selvaraj will give away the prizes and Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University C. Ramasamy will be the guest of honour.There will be no participation fee. There can be a maximum of three teams from a school. The written test will begin at 9 a.m. and the quiz will be held at 2 p.m. in the college premises. Details can be obtained from the institute on L&T Bypass, Venkittapuram P.O., Coimbatore – 641014; or call 0422-6450891/ 6450892 / 6450893.

Coimbatoreien attempting to enter world record

Textile designer of Impressions, and Executive Committee Member, Elite Circle, K.J. Magesh Kumar, is set to enter two record books for his marathon attempt in textile designing.He will attempt to enter the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness Book of World Records.“The world’s longest marathon in textile designing will be attempted on January 28. Magesh will begin designing sari designs on the computer on January 28 at 6.01 a.m. and end on January 30 at 7 p.m. We are planning to clock 61 hours. We might even continue for more hours if possible,” K. Pradeep Kumar, Founder and President, Elite Group of Organisations, told a press conference here on Friday.

Mr. Magesh would create designs based on the theme “Republic India”. The drawings would be of national leaders, temples, especially the recent ones like the Akshardham, cultural and religious ceremonies and festivals. He would create the design for the whole five-and-a-half metres length of the sari. “Once a design for a complete sari is finished, a print out of the same will be taken. Then the next one will begin. The designs will be later auctioned and the sale proceeds will go for charity,” said Mr. Pradeep Kumar.The designing would be done in the presence of Assistant Editor of Limca Book of Records V.V.R. Murthy. The record certificate would be awarded to him on February 1, Mr. Kumar said.

New IG for Wset Zone

Sanjay Arora, an IPS officer of the 1988 batch, on Friday assumed office as the Inspector-General of Police, West Zone. He replaces K. Rajendran, who has been promoted and posted as ADGP. Mr. Arora began his career as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Virudhunagar. Then he was ASP and later Joint Superintendent of Police in Special Security Group.He was Superintendent of Police (SP), Special Task Force, Sathyamangalam, then SP in Coimbatore during 1995-96 and later in Tuticorin district.

He was on deputation with the Indo-Tibetian Border Police before becoming the Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore city in 2002-2004. He was Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Villupuram Range, and was Deputy Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption before becoming IG, Railways.Asked about his priorities, Mr. Arora said that he would first study the situation and carry forward the good schemes and measures initiated by his predecessors. The public could meet him on any day, he said.

Aravani Day celebration

Transgenders at the Aravani Day celebration held at Collectorate in the city.“Five to six of us do not have a place to stay. We have been living in our friends’ houses for the last few months,” says Palaniamma. Clad in a blue shirt and a white dhothi with her head covered in a white veil, Palaniamma is one of the oldest among the aravani (transgender) community in Coimbatore.Ever since they were rendered homeless by the housing unit collapse at Ukkadam in October, they have been unable to find a place to live. “Most people hesitate to rent us houses,” she adds.

Though the attitude of the Government and the public towards the transgender community has changed, land, housing and employment still posed a challenge to them.Problems such as these were discussed at the Aravani Day celebration organised by Native Medicare Charitable Trust (NMCT) at the Collectorate on Monday. About 100 transgenders attended it. The week-long celebration in connection with ‘Aravani Pengal Dinam,’ observed on January 18, also includes an exhibition of food products, handicrafts and paintings done by aravanis.“Transgenders have always been marginalised and looked down upon by society,” says N.S.Murali, Honorary Secretary, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai. “The first step towards mainstreaming them is observing a day as Aravanis Day,” he adds.

The Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative (TAI), an agency of Voluntary Health Services, decided to include the transgender community in its AIDS prevention programme as most of them indulged in sex work as a source of income.TAI along with non-Governmental organisations have started skill development programmes for the members of the community in 13 districts in Tamil Nadu. About 13,000 aravanis are part of the project. TAI’s estimate of the total population of aravanis is about 20,000 in the State.“Bringing down the incidence of HIV/AIDS among them is possible only through providing them with alternative income generation programmes,” Mr. Murali says.

In Coimbatore, NMCT along with TAI, has identified 2,150 transgenders and is running skill development programmes for them, Mr.Sankaranarayanan, Director of NMCT, says.“Now, most of us are undergoing training in cookery, beautician courses, computers, tailoring, photography and videography,” says Silpa, a transgender. “A lot of roadside eateries are run by us,” she adds. “By forming self-help groups amongst ourselves, we are able to earn at least Rs.4,000 a month,” Silpa says.Inaugurating the exhibition, Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy assured the transgenders that the Government would protect their rights.

TAI, along with Integrated Child Development Programme, recently conducted an orientation programme for about 500 anganwadi teachers. They, along with a trained group of aravanis, will interact with the general community with messages on hygiene and health problems such as tuberculosis and cancer.It will be carried out in Periyanayakanpalayam, Karamadai, Thondamuthur, Pollachi South and Pollachi North blocks and is expected to cover about 48,000 people.

Annual conference of Paediatric Orthopaedic Society of India

The annual conference of Paediatric Orthopaedic Society of India will be held from January 25 to 27.According to a release from K. Vinodh, organising secretary of the conference, over 150 orthopaedic surgeons specialising in children’s problems will participate, apart from those from Pakistan, Bahrain, Muscat and Australia.Hands on workshops on the latest techniques, lectures, presentations and interactive sessions will be held.

Seminar on ‘Thrust Research Ares in Modern Biosciences’

S.L.Govindwar, Adviser, Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Science and Technology, speaking at PSG College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore on Thursday.The tribal population in India is declining rapidly. This is owing to certain genetic disorders caused by inbreeding.The Department of Biotechnology is addressing this problem through Genetic Counselling centres established in various parts of the country, S.L.Govindwar, Adviser, Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Science and Technology, said here on Thursday.Inaugurating a national seminar on ‘Thrust Research Ares in Modern Biosciences’ at PSG College of Arts and Science, he said under a pilot scheme, 1.45 lakh tribals in Kerala had been screened for genetic problems through public health centres.

If the person was found to have a problem, gene therapy would be extended to them, he added. Sickle-cell anaemia and thalassaemia were the common genetic disorders found among tribes.Functional genomics and probionics, emerging areas in biotechnology, could be effectively used to handle problems such as these, Mr. Govindwar said.Biotechnology was poised to overtake information technology in the near future, he said.“The collaboration of biotechnology and information technology would enable us to make tailor-made medicines.Especially, areas such as functional genomics and probionics need the support of the IT sector.”Technology application in life sciences would benefit the health care system the most, especially in effective drug delivery and stem cell research, he noted.

The Government had set up biotechnology parks in Hyderabad and Lucknow. More State Governments were showing interest in starting biotechnology parks. According to Mr.Govindwar, the Government needs to support the industries in biotechnology research.The country’s development would not be complete unless there was a healthy partnership between the public and the private sectors. The Government was giving grants to industries for scaling up their technologies, he said.Just like how India had succeeded in producing transgenic cotton, similar technology could be used to produce value-added therapeutic bio-molecules.And, transgenic plants could be used in environmental pollution control too. The expansion of industrial activities called for an established system for environmental protection.Environmental biotechnology was growing in a big way.

The Department of Biotechnology had identified certain thrust areas such as bio remediation, biodegradation of xeno-biotic chemicals (pesticides), biodegradable plastics and bio energy from industrial and dairy waste.As a part of its biodiversity conservation activities, the Department of Biotechnology had collaborated with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Central Zoo Authority of Andhra Pradesh and set up a Laboratory for Conservation of Animal Species at Hyderabad.India was in an enviable position on the global level as far as biotechnology was concerned.“Now we have the brain and the facilities.” However, it still required qualified manpower, especially for research and development activities.

Amrita applications from post offices

Department of Posts will sell application forms for the Common Entrance Examination – Engineering 2008 of the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.The cost of the application form would be Rs. 850 and would be sold at 130 important post offices all over India till March 25, 2008, a release from P. Sairam, Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices (Business Development), Western Region, said.It would be available at the following post offices in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry: Mylapore, Tirupur, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Erode, Kulithalai, Tambaram, Madurai, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, Udhagamandalam, Pudukottai, Pondicherry, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Manamadurai, Thiruvarur, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvallur, Bodinaickanur, Tirunelveli, Villupuram, Sivakasi, Virudhunagar, Rajapalayam, Vellore, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Kancheepuram, Pollachi, R.S. Puram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli head post offices, Sivaganga post office and Hosur sub post offices.

AU outsources English syllabus

Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (second right) seen at the launch of the special English programme of Anna University, Coimbatore, and EBEK at the Coimbatore Institute of Technology in Coimbatore on Monday. Vice-Chancellor of the university R. Radhakrishnan (second left) is in the picture. Students belonging to Tamil Nadu have an edge over others because they follow the two language formula instead of three languages. This makes them proficient in Tamil and English, Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy said here on Monday.

Launching the tie-up among Anna University, Coimbatore, EBEK (Excellence Business English Know how) Language Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., and University of Cambridge ESOL examinations, at the Coimbatore Institute of Technology, he said that in earlier days when two language enthusiasts championed its cause, they were ridiculed saying that without the knowledge of Hindi, job aspirants would not be able to earn a living in North India. “But, now our children have broken this myth and are making a mark across the world on the strength of the English language, thanks to the two language formula. When they are able to prove their mettle abroad what is the need for them to prove it in the North? ” he asked.

The Minister was addressing a group of English college teachers attending the five-day faculty orientation programme on communication skills conducted by EBEK. The teachers from affiliated colleges of Anna University, Coimbatore, are getting oriented on the new syllabus and teaching methods of EBEK to be transferred to the students.The outcome of the tie-up was that the university would outsource the entire English subject syllabus from EBEK, with certification by University of Cambridge. All students of the university and its affiliated colleges would follow this syllabus and would be assessed and certified by EBEK. “The teachers would only assist”. A joint certificate of Anna University, Coimbatore, and the University of Cambridge would be given to students.

Appreciating the Vice-Chancellor R. Radhakrishnan on his efforts in giving such a facility to the students, the Minister said that even though the university was new and yet to find a foothold in the city, it was way ahead in its schemes. “The Chief Minister has promised to allot a large area for the university,” he said.According to Mr. Radhakrishnan, such an initiative of outsourcing an entire subject is one of its kind in the country. “When students leave schools and enter colleges, the level of English knowledge they possess is not known. Also English is restricted to classrooms during teaching of a subject. Sometimes even this is not the case. The subject itself is taught in Tamil.

Teachers have to play an important role in doing away with this practise. This orientation will first initiate teachers into the new syllabus. They in turn will assist the students with what they have learnt.”G. Sreekanthan, Chairman and Managing Director of EBEK, said the cost-effective programme would train about 25,000 students of the engineering colleges of the university to facilitate substantial improvement in employability by enhancing their English language communication skills.

‘Makkalai Thedi’ camp today at Corp

The second camp under ‘Makkalai Thedi’, the Coimbatore Corporation’s special programme for provision of services and to redress grievances at the doorstep will be held for eight wards of the North Zone at C.M. Mandapam in Ganapathy on Friday.Mayor R. Venkatachalam said on Thursday that the camp would be held for Wards 1, 2, 3, 17, 18, 29, 70 and 72.“We have increased the number of wards from five (in the first camp held on January 10) to eight, so that we can hold the first phase for all the 72 wards by the end of March.“And, we hope to have three phases for every wards by the end of this year,” he said.

The inaugural camp revealed good response from the people for the scheme. People should make use of this opportunity to avail themselves of various services provided by the Corporation.They must remember that in the earlier camp, those who submitted applications in the morning had their property assessed for tax and received orders for the release of drinking water connections by evning.The Mayor rejected the charge by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillor M. Natarajan that the offices of the Corporation would not function because of the new programme.

Recalling the councillor’s comment at the January 21 Council meeting that the programme was actually a “closing ceremony” of the Corporation, they Mayor said that the Corporation was only speeding up the services to the people through the special camps, apart from providing these through its routine functioning.“I had to explain this to him (Mr. Natarajan) when he questioned the need for this programme when many applications were pending in the Corporation,” Mr. Venkatachalam recalled.Declaring that there was no discrimination in the selection of wards, he pointed out that an AIADMK member was the councillor of Ward 1 that had been included in the second camp.“Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran is keen on implementing this programme that will reduce the burden on the four zone offices of the civic body,” he said.

The Mayor was also confident that the camps would eliminate touts who promised to obtain even birth and death certificates for extra sums. “People can make use of the camps instead of falling prey to the touts,” the Mayor said.Asked why the system could not be tightened at the Corporation offices itself to eliminate the tout menace, the Mayor admitted that they operated craftily, exploiting the procedural delay in the services.Full attendance of staff was ensured for the special camp. But, on normal working days at the offices, there was always the possibility of their going on leave.Any delay arising out of this was taken advantage of by the touts.But, the Corporation was doing its best to ensure that services were quick and people did not have to approach touts.

“We intend to provide a clean administration and the Makkalai Thedi camps are a step towards implementing the ‘outcome budget’ – one that will have schemes and services that can be done quickly and to the satisfaction of the people,” the Mayor said.Mr. Venkatachalam said joining orders for officials drafted for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission wing, would also be issued at the camp.

IT Quiz competition

The Computer Society of India (CSI), Coimbatore Chapter, will conduct an IT Quiz competition for students from Class VI to IX on January 30 at the C.I.T Auditorium.The quiz is open to students from Coimbatore, Erode, the Nilgiris and neighbouring districts.More than 800 students are expected to participate from over 100 schools.There is no fee for registration. Only the first 500 registered teams will be eligible to participate.

Six teams will be selected from the preliminary round that will be written at the venue.The finals will be conducted under infinite system (bouncing rounds) and will include oral, audio, visual and rapid fire rounds.The winning teams and runners-up will be awarded CSI Trophy. First three winning teams will receive cash prizes too. All the six finalists will get gift hampers.The third, fourth and fifth place winners too will get prizes. All the participating teams will be given certificates from the CSI.Schools should send in their confirmations to the Programme Co-ordinator, CSI, Coimbatore Chapter. Phone: 0422-2200695, 9842293423. E-mail: csicbe@vsnl.com.

Checks against irregularities by omni bus

The Transport Department, Coimbatore Circle, had conducted checks against irregularities by omni bus operators in and around Coimbatore recently.A release from the Deputy Transport Commissioner, Coimbatore Circle, T. Gunasekaran, said that the check was conducted from January 12 to January 18 (except Pongal holidays). Officials intercepted 209 omni buses and 11 omni buses were booked for violation. No case of exorbitant fare charges came to light. During the check, the officials had realised tax revenue to the tune of Rs. 10,88,885 and had collected Rs. 500 as compounding fee for the offences.

Cement sales @ Civil Supplies Corporation

Nadu was 5 per cent higher than the national growth rate and they were unable to meet the demand. Workers unload cement bags at the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation’s godown in the city.The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) has begun the distribution of cement at a concessional rate of Rs. 200 a bag.District Collector Neeraj Mittal, in a release, said that those who had given building plan approvals by July 1, 2007, with a construction area not exceeding 1,000 square feet would be given a maximum of 100 bags of cement.Those in need should apply to the jurisdiction Tahsildar and get allotment orders from the Deputy Tahsildar (Headquarters).

In Coimbatore, cement would be supplied in the following TNCSC stock yards: Poosaripalayam in Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Avanashi, Kangeyam Road in Tirupur, Palladam, Pollachi, Udumalpet, Valparai, Vazharmathi stock yard in Tirupur and Care stock yard in Kavundampalayam.The application should provide details such as present address, construction site address, survey number of the site, approved building plan copy, approved extent of construction, if it were to be an ongoing construction – the extent completed so far, residence or address proof such as family card or voter ID card and a declaration that the same would not be used for any other purpose and also that the applicant was aware that legal action would be initiated against him/her in the event of misuse.

In the first phase, a total of 6,845 tonnes had been allocated for Coimbatore and Tirupur had walked away with the highest allocation among that, officials said.Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy, Collector Neeraj Mittal and District Panchayat Chairman C.R. Ramachandran took part in the inauguration of the sale at Kavundampalayam stock yard.Secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, K. Kathirmathiyon, in a memorandum to the Chief Minister had thanked the Government for the decision to sell cement at concessional rate.Mr. Kathirmathiyon sought to revise the conditions for eligibility criteria. The decision that revenue inspectors would inspect and recommend allotment in case of those not having plan approval was not appreciable.

The Government had regularised all the sites in the unapproved layouts by a simple procedure till December 31, 2007. Hence, there should be no difficulty in the approval of building plans and there were chances of unapproved constructions going beyond 1,000 sq ft.Mr. Kathirmathiyon requested that unauthorised constructions may be declared as ineligible to get cement at concessional rate.He also requested the Government to fix a time norm for the issue of allotment order from the date of submitting application so that the people need not visit the taluk office frequently.He also welcomed the Government decision to import one lakh tonnes of cement every month. The cement producers had said that the construction growth in Tamil nadu.

Humanism Week celebrations

Coimbatore: The Humanism Week celebrations began here on January 24. On the first day, a photo exhibition was held at the Collectorate.On January 25, the authorities will conduct competitions for the students staying in the Scheduled Caste and Tribes, Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes hotels. On January 26, the National Service Scheme students of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science will visit the SC/ST settlements and colonies.

The Civil Rights Protection Wing of the city police will hold a celebration at the Uppilipalayam community Hall on January 27.Cultural programmes will be organised by the students of the Pasur Adi-dravidar school in Avanashi on January 28. District Industries Centre will organise the celebrations at their conference hall on January 29.On January 30, the students of Bishop Appasamy College of Arts and Science will conduct the valediction ceremony. Ministers will distribute prizes to the winners of various competitions.

2-pronged strategy to handle the man-animal conflicts

Coimbatore: The Forest Department has embarked on a two-pronged strategy to handle the man-animal conflicts arising out of the frequent straying of wild elephants into human habitations.The first effort was to prevent their straying by digging trenches and erecting solar fencing in the conflict-prone pockets. In the event of the elephants still getting into human habitations, the authorities have proposed to set up a permanent camp for kumki (tamed/trained) elephants at Pooluvampatti.During last November and December, straying of wild elephants into human habitations caused enough problems and pressure for the Forest Department. Following the frequent incidents of a herd of four elephants straying into Sundarapuram, Madukkarai and Chettipalayam areas, the Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle, R. Kannan and the District Forest Officer, I. Anwardeen, have planned the strategy to combat the menace.

At present, for a stretch of six km from Mailkal till Ayyasamy hills via Arivoli Nagar, the authorities have started erecting solar fencing at Rs. 9.6 lakh.This particular stretch proved to be the worst pocket in terms of the herd straying frequently, said A. Soundarajan, Range Officer, Coimbatore. The authorities were confident of completing the work in 20 days before the summer season, a time when the pachyderms would prefer straying into human habitations for fodder and water.The stretch along the fringe areas of the forest would also have a trench. The trench dug up recently proved to be inadequate. It measured 2.5 mt in width and two mt depth. Authorities were hesitant to deepen or widen the trench further fearing that the elephants might fall and sustain injuries or could even prove fatal thus forcing the rest of the herd to react violently.

During the recent crisis period, the authorities mobilised the kumki elephants from Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Top Slip and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nilgiris to chase the herd back into the jungles.Instead of bringing the kumkis in the event of a crisis, the department has sent a proposal to the Government to establish a camp in Pooluvampatti area near Siruvani hills at Rs. 1.5 crore to accommodate six to eight kumki elephants at a time. Bringing kumkis proved to be difficult because of the time taken for their travel and in arranging transport.Mr. Anwardeen said that already close to 10 km of solar fencing had been erected in the district. Now, the Government, based on the request from District Collector Neeraj Mittal, had given an allotment for another 10 km.The district had 350-km-long boundary of which 65 km of forest boundary that was prone to man-animal conflicts would be provided with solar fencing in a phased manner, he said.

‘Holiday Expo’ @ Suguna Kalyana Mandapam

Travel Media Networks is hosting the second edition of ‘Holiday Expo’, a travel and tourism exhibition, in Coimbatore from January 25 to 27 at Suguna Kalyana Mandapam. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.A release from the organisers said that the exhibition would have 60 participants from over five countries and over eight Indian States. Some of the participants include Tourism Malaysia, Singapore Tourism Board, Orient Tours – Dubai, Europe Incoming – UK, Taj Hotels, Air Arabia, Shakti Tours – Nepal, Mahindra Holidays, Shalom Tours, Himachal Pradesh Tourism, Puducherry Tourism, Karnataka Tourism and Chhattisgarh Tourism.

Medium sized Indian cities such as Coimbatore had emerged as one of the fastest growing markets for quality leisure products and ‘Holiday Expo’ was to reach out to this very market, the release said.Participants at the exhibition this year include travel agents and tour operators, Destination Management Companies, hotels and resorts, NTO’s, cruises, airlines and online travel portals.

Transgenders conduct AIDS campaign in Coimbatore

A group of transgenders in Kinathukadavu village near Coimbatore have recently conducted a campaign through cultural programme to spread awareness about HIV and AIDS.“We intend to make people aware about safe sex and ways to protect themselves from the disease. We also want to educate people about cancer, need to have a girl child, female education and infanticide,” said Thenmozhi, a campaigner.A large number of people thronged the roadside to watch this unique cultural programme.“People have a lot of misconceptions about transgenders. But, now they have come up with the campaign. It is really nice and all of us should support their campaign, said Hussain, a spectator.With the number of HIV and AIDS patients increasing each day in India, such awareness campaigns are a common feature in the country.Although the Government has launched a nation-wide programme to educate the people about the disease, the stigma is still widely prevalent.India has roughly 2.5 million people infected with HIV, less than half the number of cases that previous studies estimated.An earlier U.N. study had estimated 5.7 million HIV cases, which would have been the highest total in the world.But as per the latest available data, India, which has a population of 1.1 billion, has fewer HIV cases than South Africa and Nigeria.

Power shutdown

There will be no power in the following places for 30 minutes to one hour a day till January 29 due to maintenance work at the Peelamedu sub-station:

VG Rao Nagar, Bharathi Nagar, Ganapathy Industrial Estate, R.K. Puram, Police Quarters, Housing Unit, Elango Nagar, Murugan Nagar, Athipalayam Pirivu, K.R. Puram, Kamaraj Nagar, Thaneerpandal, Lakshmi Nagar, Jaganathapuram, Ellaithottam, Gopal Nagar, V.N. Industrial Estate, PK Nagar, Ganapathy, Kamadenu Nagar, Avarampalayam, Shoba Nagar, Nava India, Peelamedu, Anna Nagar, PSG Institute, Chandra Gandhi Nagar, Bharathi Colony, Peelamedu Pudur, Thirumagal Nagar, Central Studio, Krishna Colony, ESI, Sripathy Nagar, Kongu Nagar.

Sulur: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (January 24): Sulur, B.S. Nagar, T.M Nagar, Kannampalayam, Ranganathapuram, Kangayampalayam, M.G. Pudur and Ravathur.

Seeranaickenpalayam: (January 24) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Seeranaickenpalayam and surrounding areas, P.N. Pudur, Vadavalli, Maruthamalai, Vedapatty, Veerakeralam, Selvapuram, Velandipalayam, Saibaba Colony, R.S. Puram.Bazaar Street 33 Division and Ponnaiah Rajapuram.

Madhampatty: (January 25) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Madhampatty, Kuppanur, Karadimadai, Sennannur, Alandurai, Semmedu, Poondi, Siruvani.Devarayapuram, Kulathupalayam, Dhaliyur, Sundapalayam, Theethipalayam, Kalampalayam, Perur, Perur-Chettipalayam, Goundanur, Iruttupalayam and Kalikanaickenpalayam.

Karat's views from Coimbatore

Coimbatore:Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat has called upon the Central Government to re-introduce the long-term capital gains tax on equities.Talking to presspersons here on Wednesday, he said the re-introduction of the tax was important in view of the volatility of the stock market. At the same time, the Government could also earn revenue.“A lot of profit is made through speculation. A lot of people are making a lot of money. They must be taxed as any others,” he said. This tax had been levied earlier, but was abolished in 2004. At present, there was tax only on profits made through sale of shares within one year of purchase. The CPI(M) and Left parties were now making a demand that the Government re-introduce the tax, in view of the Union Budget to be presented next month.

On whether the third alternative proposed by the CPI (M) in its draft political resolution could be formed before the next Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Karat said that his party did not link it to elections alone.The third alternative should be based on a long-term programme. “We are not rushing into it. We know it cannot be formed overnight,” he said. All the forces that supported the third alternative should be brought together and it had to be stable and durable.Asked whether a roadmap for the formation of the alternative would emerge at the 19th congress of the party here from March 29 to April 3, he said it would certainly be one of the subjects that would be dealt with.Asked whether the CPI(M) would lead the third alternative, Mr. Karat said: “We will lead the initiative to form it. We are not talking about who will lead it.”The CPI(M) would not allow the Central Government to increase the price of fuel till the taxes on it were revised.